in which you give your man some under-the-desk support.
tags: f!rea x seungcheol | pwp 18+
wc: 1.8k
warnings: nerd!cheol, handjob, his friends hear on vc lol
notes: yeah i didn’t think i’d be posting one last fic this year but here we are after i couldn’t sleep. inspired by this lovely anon
"mingyu, where the fuck was your ult?!? i'm getting pounded by three fucking guys here!!!"
you hold in a snort as you watch your boyfriend at his desk, still curled up in his bed in the same position you fell asleep in.
you haven’t alerted him that you’re awake, instead opting to silently watch him in his element on the game; else he’d drop everything and ditch his friends to give you all his attention. he hasn’t played with them around you before, and you found out why the instant you woke up to him screaming about ‘taking backshots’ from someone with the username nutsackclench.
it’s endearing, quietly observing him like this. you’ve had to shut your eyes and play asleep every time he shifts in his chair to glance back at you, sighing in pure adoration before turning back to the screen. even as he rages at the game, you’ve caught how he’ll restrain himself from slamming his fists on the table, conscious of not waking you up (though he’s deaf to the volume of his voice). he even types in a cute ‘gg wp’ to the enemy after each match, with the one exception being a string of what you can only imagine was beautiful words typed in the chat after his game with nutsack.
the matches stretch on, and you’re getting a little pouty that he hasn’t left his desk to cuddle you in bed yet. he probably doesn’t want to wake you up himself (funny that) and risk upsetting you. damn him for being such a gentleman. why didn’t he sense your presence the second you blinked back into consciousness? does he hate you or something?
impatient and bored, you slip out from under the covers and tiptoe your way over to seungcheol’s gaming chair, making sure he’s not mid-fight. you’ve observed that he’s got his mic set on push-to-talk, so you graciously wait for him to stop talking before wrapping your arms around his middle from behind— seungcheol jolting under your surprise attack.
“beautiful, hey. i missed you.” he smiles, eyes full of so much love and adoration you could kiss him blind. “did i wake you up? i’m sorry.”
you shake your head, leaning over so his headset’s not in your way as you leave a peck on his forehead. he chuckles, hands completely abandoning his keyboard as he swivels in his chair to face you.
seungcheol pulls you in by the waist to capture your lips in a kiss. you can hear wonwoo’s low voice feeding through the headset, and your eyes flick back to the screen to see that he’s loading into a new match.
“cheol, your game—”
he huffs, like it’s the trash he forgot to take out. “one sec. let me just leave it.”
he spins back to face the screen, but you stop his wrist as he grabs the mouse.
“no don’t.” you tell him. he cranes his neck to stare at you, where your chin sits atop his shoulder. “i wanna watch.”
he pouts at you. “but you just woke up—”
“i can hear vernon calling you a cuck, baby. just play. please?”
and well, he can’t argue when you use that tone with him.
begrudgingly, he pushes the key to talk. “’m still here.”
you giggle when you overhear wonwoo asking if his rose toy ran out of charge, and seungcheol just gives you a sulky look before reluctantly turning his focus back to the game.
you play with the hair at nape of his neck as he plays: going basically nonverbal compared to before, just offering small sighs when your nails scratch his scalp. admittedly, you’re barely paying the game any mind you can’t tell who’s winning or losing. what you do know is that seungcheol is tryharding while you’re watching him like this. you can hear his friends marvelling at how well he’s doing. his body’s tenser from the focus, veins popping out of his hands as his fingers flex on the controls.
it’s making you a little frisky.
how much he cares about impressing you, just because you asked him to keep playing.
screen absolutely ignored, you start eyeing your boyfriend like a panther as your hands trail down his neck and the front of his chest. seungcheol shifts in his seat, sparing you a quick glance. you keep going, palms sliding over the expanse of his thighs just to linger there. inching closer and closer towards the front of his sweatpants with each kill he gets.
seungcheol’s so locked in he doesn’t even register it until the screen lights up with a golden “VICTORY”, and his finger pauses above the ‘g’ key as your palm completely cups his length.
seungcheol whips his head to you so quick his headphones nearly fly off, and you just shush him, using your free hand to tilt him by the chin back to stare at his screen.
“wh—”
“keep playing.” you coo, burying your face in his shoulder to hide the wicked grin stretching across your face.
you catch the way he audibly gulps, even over mingyu loudly bitching at him for not queuing up yet. his head tips in a tiny nod before his clammy hands return to his keyboard.
“yeah, i’ll go for one more match—” his finger flies off the talk button before he cuts himself off with a groan, your palm riding over his length and applying pressure.
he glances at you with pleading brown eyes, but you just shake your head. this is far more entertaining than just laying in bed watching him play.
you can feel his dick pulse through the fabric as your hand drags over him, tip to base and back. seungcheol hangs his head, hands curling into fists as he lets out helpless noises to your slow torture.
“game’s starting,” you gently remind him, smiling when he groans and places his hands back on the keyboard.
you were being mean.
each time his character would stop moving or he’d go to tab out of the game, eyes fluttering shut at the way your hand grips him, you’d slow your movements to a halt— not relenting even when he’d make a sulky noise.
it got to the point that your palm felt sticky from the pre blooming through his sweats, dick twitching unashamed without even feeling you on the skin yet.
after the first match wraps up, seungcheol startles you by grabbing your wrist and holding it in place for him to grind against— mouth dropping open in a moan as he chases the friction your palm brings. it’s not enough, but it can be. he missed you during your thousand-year nap and now he’s worked up and pissed off that he ever got on the game. he hisses, abdomen flexing as he tries to push the pleasure out of himself.
you snatch your hand back as the next match begins, and seungcheol lets out something that sounds like a sob before pretending to pay attention to his game.
you’re not heartless though. seeing his frustration, you pull back the elastic of his sweats just enough for his cock to spring free. seungcheol’s mind blanks with his finger still on the talk button, so he just bites his lower lip to muffle the noise that leaves him instead— thrusting up into the cool air like he’s chasing your touch.
from where you’re leaning over his shoulder, you spit directly onto his cock: smiling when it bobs at the sensation.
you start with just a loose fist around him, smearing all the precum and the spit down over his length. he tries to buck up once again, but your fist isn’t closed enough for it to feel remotely satisfying, and his back slams against the chair with a strained groan. his finger was still pushing to talk, but it passes off as him just reacting to the game.
you wait until his character’s respawning to actually hold him, fist wrapped tight at the base. seungcheol hunches over, breathing hard as your hand travels up, stopping just before the tip.
he lets out a broken noise, but you just drag your hand back down— fresh pre leaking down your knuckles.
“cheol, you’re gonna die.” you remind him, biting back a giggle.
“i already feel like i’m about to die, fuck!—” he throws his head back on the gaming chair, letting a moan rip from his chest as your fist squeezes over his tip before twisting on its way back down.
“please kiss me,” he pleads, trying to jerk his head towards yours and catch your lips. you pull back, hand undeterred in jerking him off.
you can hear the way his friends are screaming at him, his character about to disconnect from the inactivity.
the game’s long forgotten as his hands grip the arms of his chair, anchoring himself before thrusting his hips up to match your pace. faster, even. screwing his eyes shut, mouth dropped open and letting all the pretty noises spill out as he fucks up into the circle of your fist. you even add a flick of your wrist at the tip, which has him pulsing like crazy in your hand.
he throws his head back against the chair again, this time causing his headset to knock off and fall somewhere on the floor. now it’s just you and him: his head lolled to stare straight into your eyes as you get him off.
seungcheol whines as his hips go weak, pleasure coiling hot and tight in his belly. as his body goes slack to let it just wash over him, you close your fist as tight as you can manage and move your wrist so fast it burns.
he keels over, head and arms falling onto his desk at just how quick your hand’s fucking him. the slick squelches are loud in the room, rivalled only by all the helpless moans from seungcheol. he doesn’t even go this fast when he’s touching himself to the thought of you.
by the time his orgasm hits him, you can’t feel your hand, but you push through and keep pace as he trembles in the chair— only stopping when the last spurts of his cum coat your knuckles, his cock already softening slightly just from the exertion.
with your clean hand, you massage the back of seungcheol’s neck while he catches his breath; face stuffed in his keyboard. you glance up at his screen, and see his little icon glowing in the corner…meaning his mic was on.
“baby,” you pat his arm, trying to get him to stop sagging all his weight into his keyboard and pressing the push-to-talk button. “let’s clean up yeah?”
you sigh when he barely budges, spent out of his mind. you can’t see any of his friends’ icons, so you can only pray that they caught on early and, erm, muted him.
synopsis : you found out your company crush has secrets to keep, and you happen to be the second thing to kryptonite that could make his knees weak.
warnings : profanities, lore that doesn’t follow the books (sorry), smut, mdni.
artwork from @kaliweteas on tiktok
it was unfortunately another slow day at work. in the modern day you have a hundred other columns and journalism companies that cover the same topic all over again.
it’s essentially good that the media news can reach the mass easily but not good for your company to be lowering performance by 10%.
you were determined to seek every corner and crevice of new york city to give news for you to amplify that people have never heard before.
information that only a few people can source.
“staring into the abyss again i see lois?” your friend dianne stopped over your desk.
“just thinking” you responded curtly.
“your shocking news won’t be found if you just sit here again you know? even superman can’t help you with that one love” she chuckled.
“superman..” you pondered. dianne seemed to catch your weird vibe today and decided to let you be for this working day at least.
you grabbed your pad and paper and some files as you were called to the conference room.
you weren’t exactly a minor role in your company, more like the top writer. but you knew they wouldn’t be delivering any new information or news that they haven’t called for the past eight meetings.
you were at the edge of the long table.
you were bored, and out of your mind mind-blocked. you could deliver your boss’ speech if he’d like, and you’d save everyone another 30 minutes without retracting to company life in his prime and in its glory.
you tapped your empty glass with your pen, but your boss’ eye caught yours with a warning signal.
you dropped the pen. picked up the cup and looked through it like a moron.
it was childish and unprofessional.
but you can counter that even your company was going through it unprofessionally. your glass should be a tall wine glass, but no, it looks like it’s for whiskey instead.
that’s when you stopped rotating your chair. your co-worker came into view.
kim mingyu
he was handling the broadcasting since the manager took a trip aka leaving the company until it rises from its slump.
he was also the head of marketing and distribution, for his high position he was quite lowkey, but still friendly, in fact he was your work crush. he couldn’t seem to get the hint though.
you can’t help but squint into your glass, he looks awfully familiar. a lot like….. superman?
yeah, if you remove the glasses, slick his hair back and put him in a tight blue speedo— you mean body suit yeah.
you inches forward your glass, skin touching the rim. you seem to catch a glimpse of it when the sun shines just right.
“lois! just give the glass a break!” you were surprised of the booming voice that came behind you.
your shoulders raised in surprise, your hand lowering the glass with a light thud.
“sorry about that” you responded and picked up your pen as if you were writing what he was discussing.
mingyu looked at you and chuckled when everybody else was busy facing the head of the table. he sat across from you.
“stop it” you laughed quietly, halting your hand from scribbling random circles.
mingyu flipped his board towards you and showed you a doodle of your boss angry and you couldn’t help but burst into laughter. it was deadly accurate.
this unfortunately earned you another exacerbation stare from everyone, while mingyu sat straightly leaving you behind, such treachery for something he caused.
you transitioned your laugh into a cough, pretending something caught unto your throat.
mingyu rose and got some water for you, he stood beside you, buying some time for them to get used to your antics.
you absentmindedly grabbed the cup and sipped— unfortunately it was your empty one. you slightly choked on air that you sipped. it was your last straw, truly.
you and mingyu faced opposite ways and pressed your lips into a line, your eyes shut gathering every strength and power in all of earth to stop your laughing disease.
you quickly grabbed the other one and drank from it. the meeting adjourned not too late after that.
that’s what you liked about mingyu, he could make you laugh no matter the circumstance, even when the situation is very grave, he put a smile on your face.
he made you take your job lightly, because after all, from what he taught you; to not take life seriously and beat yourself up for things you couldn’t change.
you weren’t sure how to handle this feelings much more now you have a stupid theory that he’s in fact the random dude who decided to wear his red panties over his suit and cruise the sky.
you quietly walked out last of the conference room not wanting any more unwanted attention.
someone from suddenly beside you matched your pace. it was him in his smart suit, his polished leather shoes and centered tie and all.
“writing been slow you needed attention?” mingyu snickered.
“if you’re going to brag about your double shifts you can fuck off respectfully” you rolled your eyes playfully, your lips grinning.
“woah, language lois” he shushed you “and no, i just wanted to ask how you’ve been, you must be getting ramirez’s foot to the ass with the writing world crisis” he asked genuinely.
“well— true, but i am actually just having a paid time to think of new theories, so it’s not so bad” you smiled.
“theories? let me in on your new one” he questioned.
and did you mention? you loved him because he listened.
every single thing that came from your mouth, he knew word for word, and he wouldn’t ridicule it one bit.
“well we’ll need a room” you responded.
“a room? what for?” his cheeks grew pink, his feet suddenly freezing as if it was nailed onto the floor.
“get over yourself! i’m serious gyu!” you chuckled pulling his arm.
you pulled him on the directors room, since he was on break.
you shut the blinds and locked the door for good measure, i mean what you’re about to say is about to be very revealing and invasive or utterly stupid to who would listen.
he stood there resting his back on the desk facing you, ready to listen.
you slowly turned to face him, releasing a small sigh.
“promise to not laugh?” your brows furrowed, biting your tongue to soften the blow of brutality.
“that’s all we do” he smiled, and somehow that soothed you.
“you look awfully similar to someone..” you started.
“me?” he asked confused.
“well if you’ll let me do some rendition i will show you” you reached out your hands to touch his glasses. his palm caught your wrist.
his eyes softened, as if facing reality and accepting his fate, in a way that it was on his will.
he let go the breath he was holding and let go of your wrist. your hand pulled away his glasses, setting it aside, on top of the files on the table.
“and if i just..” you ruffled his hair a bit and collectively slid it to the back.
“now i might be insane to not spot this before but you look a lot like not the bird not a plane but the man in the sky” you finally said.
your eyes leveled with his, the way he sat on the desk made him come down at your level.
“yeah..” he answered.
“you are?” you said as if doubting yourself for safety measure.
“i am” he responded.
“can i write about this? please? i would gladly half it with you, the media will SHAKE! i mean obviously not your identity but random things people don’t know about superman!” you said excitedly, he seemed flushed at your statements.
“i’m sorry, that was a bit much for a first, but like really? prove it!” you said facing him.
“uhm, what do you want me to do?” he responded shyly.
“anything” you smiled patiently.
with a swift second, you blankly stare at him as he’s smiling back widely at you.
“what?” you frowned. maybe he was bluffing, and you were insane to think.
“i got you a hotdog from the vendor at central park” he said holding out the said food.
“no way, you sure it wasn’t with you?” you say in awe, there were no hotdogs or hotdog scent when you went it, and this small gesture was big enough for you.
“no” he smiled.
you both became comfortable to the room, you sat at the table while he sat on the chair. you split the hotdog, your fill mouth muttering more questions while writing on a napkin.
“so how do you get the suit? do you keep it at home? no— you must be wearing it underneath your clothes for easy access right? wash it? how’d you get in it? lube? it looks pretty tight” you questioned with much focus.
unfortunately this only made him crack up.
“seriously, these are the questions you want to ask me? and publish to the world?” he said sitting up.
“well it is out of curiosity okay? hmm let me think about something else” you pondered biting on the edge of the pen.
“lois… this doesn’t change how you see me does it?” he asked softly, placing your hand on his chest. your heart paused, suddenly it slowed down, each beat louder, harder, like it was pumping out your chest.
“it does” you started, his eyes flickered “it does mingyu, now that i know you trust me this much to know you. it only deepens what i had for you” his eyes wide, tightening slightly at your wrist.
“good, i was hoping you’d say that, i’ve pinned for you for so long, i had to borrow confidence from superman to say it to you” his hands gripped your waist sliding you down to his lap.
your hands encircle his neck, you grinned widely at him.
“aren’t you scared superman? that we’ll get caught and both be broke in the streets?” you leaned your head on his forehead.
“what’s their power over me when i can get us out of here in a second? besides, you locked the door didn’t you?” he whispered.
“you’re quite bad outside the suit you know?” you joked.
“well i don’t see anyone who needs saving yet, superman can have fun” he responded to sound smart.
“aren’t you a smart mouth, i need to shut you up sometimes” your lips mer his, his lips was plump and soft.
oh and one thing you loved about him, he was a gentleman, and maybe sometimes he wouldn’t be if you asked him to.
your lips pushed towards his, his mouth gliding on yours. you licked his lips and he willingly opened it for you. you were quick to suck on his tongue before he can even pull it out to your mouth.
your moans muffled, the heat in the office seemed to rise, it didn’t help that you were heating up with your hips grinding slowly over his.
his hands gripped your hips.
he was so hard you were having a hard time yourself. your clothes parts rubbing over each other, the warmth made you both drool in desire.
some strings of your saliva slid out of your mouths, it was getting messy quick, he sucked your mouth and you could only grab unto his shoulders.
he pulled your skirt up and stared at you backing up from the kiss.
“can i?” he asked.
god— you almost came.
you nodded frantically in advance, he grabbed his glasses from the desk as if to source power and focus from it, you didn’t stop him, he looked hot with it on.
he cupped your cloth pussy and made out some kind of mewl feeling your wetness patch over one spot.
he rubbed it slowly pushing inside.
“stop teasing me kim” you panted on his shoulder, he left a dry chuckle.
he pulled your underwear aside and massaged your skin before entering a finger slowly.
“hm, well this need some lube for it to fit….. you’re look pretty tight” he joked, but his voice much lower, his chest panting. you hit his chest lightly with his smart remark.
he pumped his fingers in you, you bit your lip in pleasure. his other hand held your back careful that you wouldn’t hurt yourself when you’re arching your back like that.
you pulled apart his buttoned shirt. some buttons snapping off, he looked surprised.
“i would think i would see your suit underneath” you whispered.
“next time, i’ll do it if you want me to” he whispered to your ear.
you explored his chest, running your hands smoothly over his form, he looked so good, his build alone can leave you drooling. his pecs huge and abs, hard and tender under your touch.
he groaned in response to your touch, he slowly added another finger in you and you moaned loudly.
“quiet lois, you wouldn’t want another strike on ramirez don’t you?”
you rubbed him in his pants as some sort of revenge. he moaned in response. both of your hands synced, you rubbed lightly until you were groping him leaving him moan in rhythms.
you unbuttoned on his pants and pulled his underwear down.
“no red panties” you chuckled. you pulled his length out, it was long and girthy, and awfully hard.
“i hope a red tip can suffice?” he bit his lip as you stroked his cock.
you played with the tip and stroked him in the rhythm he was fingering you. precum oozed out of his tip, pooling at your hands and his base.
you anchored your knees on both of his sides, you guided his tip to your entrance. he leaned back and stared at you.
he opened your buttoned up oppositely. he slowly undid your buttons one by one, and you thought you would go insane.
he slid his hand to your bare waist. sweat made his hair cling back to his forehead.
you slipped and his length accidentally just pressed on your clit, and this made you moan so loud on the pressure, he moaned in response feeling warmth and pressure on his tip.
he adjusted your hips as you sinked down on his length. you bit your lip avoiding to be loud and get caught, but you released it, having fun with the idea, and knowing he could get you out there in a second if it got bad.
you stopped halfway, pleasure surging through your veins, your walls closed slightly on him.
“fuck— take your time” he replied straining.
you sinked down fully, and you were out of your mind. mingyu was groaning at the way your walls were getting used to him, occasionally clamping on him.
his length protruding on your stomach, his hand grazed right where it stopped.
you started rising, he held your hips assisting you, as you sank back down both of you were not even trying to be quiet anymore.
the walls echoed your voices and the squelching noise.
you soon found your pace, the chair retracting back each bounce, made mingyu’s hips snap back on each of your trust, reaching deeper and deeper within you.
“ugh— aaah” you moaned in his ear.
his glasses fogged up, but it was no use, his eyes were closed with pleasure, mouth slightly agape which you kissed once again.
he was long gone, but physically his hands were reaching up to cup your breast and massage it, the other went down to your core massaging your clit.
that sent you over the edge and the pleasure made you arch your back once again, your lips separating.
but his lips found your neck to nip on. marking everywhere.
you were close, he could tell. he stood up slowly, his arms carried you continuing your pace.
you were settled down on the ground before he laid you down on the desk. he pushed your knees to your shoulders, you held your knees as he sinked into you, much deeper.
each thrust he sinked deeper into you, slapping sounds echoed, his weight in favor of each thrust sent you shivering in pleasure.
your nails clamping on his back. he groaned a surge of pleasure sending both of you over the edge.
you consistently clamped your walls around him, sucking him back in deeper each time.
“god— you’re perfect” he panted out.
he came right after you, filling you endlessly. and when it was time he realized he had to pull out, you locked your legs around him pushing him inside you.
he moaned loudly, letting go of his last load, the white liquid slipping out of you slowly as each drop brought you back to earth.
you kissed his cheek, he returned it by kissing your forehead.
“i need to tell dianne that superman can indeed help me write my article” and he chuckled in response.
synopsis : cheol swears if you gave him a second chance with you he can show you how much better than any guy that will come into your life. now that he had the guts to say it to your face, will you finally answer his question “does he treat you better than i do? does he fuck you better than i do”
you drew the line when your recent ex cheated on you, it was a really eventful relationship to say the least despite of his bland personality.
minho was your recent ex, which you caught going out with a girl when it was your monthsary.
you came face to face with reality at that moment, the paper bag that held his gift met with the cold pavement.
it was then you finally saw him through the window, and the same time saw yourself, the reflection of the pathetic girl that condoned and let all her boyfriend’s flaws fall through, because of empty promises, and her heart full of hopes.
and that was the last thing you could lose, yourself.
if you took a run back to all the things you let pass just to fool yourself blind you would see a lot of things.
you would see how he doesn’t bother helping you with anything, how he wants a girlfriend but doesn’t want to be a boyfriend.
how he hinted about trying an open relationship— which you initially took as a joke, until he brought it up once more.
his tinder account that was still up in your third month, but seeing his photo from years ago made you fool yourself that he forgot about it and deleted it long ago.
when he got home he saw all his things he left in your place in a huge box, plain and simple.
he was confused, we’re you moving?
“babe, why are my things out here in a box?” he said removing his shoes at your door.
he paced around your apartment to look for you.
“i thought it was obvious that you had to take it out with yourself and never come back” you barked back.
“never come back..? why?” he looked puzzled. and only if you let yourself be blinded again, you would’ve trusted it.
“you can forget going back here since you’re already going out with that girl on our monthsary!” your brows fused in rage. his blood ran cold, his face froze.
“and don’t even try to hide it, i saw your tinder account still active, is that why you were blabbing about monogamy was conservative? you asshole!” you pushed him straight at his chest where he stumbled backwards.
“i- he- i didn’t—“ he couldn’t form a proper reply until you could interrupt him “yo-yo— you fucking what? get the fuck out of here!”
you dragged him to the entrance of your apartment, shoving the box in his arms, you opened your door and pushed him out, not giving him a chance to exhale within these few minutes that you kicked him out of your apartment, and your life.
“wait i–“ he was about to fight his way back in for his shoes.
“here, you can have them” you replied bluntly picking up his shoes and throwing them over the balcony of the hallway to your door.
you didn’t care if he had to walk in his socks to retrieve them, or how he didn’t get to speak a word out to at least explain or apologize.
because one thing that you knew for sure was that if they truly did love and care for you, you wouldn’t be doubting them.
you cried that night, your sheets still had that faint smell of his perfume.
you quickly decided to move to a new apartment the next day.
after your work shifts you would check out new apartments that was near your workplace, or somewhere nice.
you quickly found a two bedroom and bath apartment that was within your budget and signed the lease with no hesitation.
it was a way of saying goodbye to everything you had, sure you would still have the reflexes of wanting to call him or text him about something, or even finding yourself in the chat box that you had with him where you always greeted him good morning. now it was just filled with his long apology letter.
you decided it was best to stay out of the dating game for a while.
you spent 13 months with him exactly.
and if you followed charlotte’s rule from sex and the city, it would take you at least 6 months and a half to get over him.
your friend invited you to a wedding as her plus one to bring you out to festivities, and to also be sure she wouldn’t find you decaying in your apartment.
you agreed, because this time you aren’t worried to find the perfect date, to hope to catch a bouquet, or to even go handsome guy hunting.
when you are going through break-ups it was a norm for you to quickly forget who you were with, everything you’ve been through, and swear off all men.
but if you were going to be honest, it was the worst way to move on, because you will find those random happy or heartbreaking memories catching up with your saturday brunch.
standing in your ankle length dress, you quietly stood at the bar of the wedding reception.
your friend lost her way to the bathroom, and you were not so far away of having too much to drink.
you thought you long passed your limit because you were hallucinating that your other ex— the one that got away— was standing opposite from you all across the reception venue.
you cursed yourself rubbing your eyes and downing a shot for these recurring memories and faces.
as you bit down on the lemon slice, you couldn’t help wince at the sour flavor, the sour flavor of the past.
choi seungcheol, the man that you freely acclaimed as your best ex.
he was a great man, he worked in business, has a good relationship with his family, good with kids, great and respectful with women, has proper friends, is a gentleman.
what did he do wrong? nothing.
and that’s why you hate him.
because you were flawed.
he was one of your firsts boyfriends. you dated him two years after you moved into the city, approximately 2-3 years ago.
and so to say, it was your fault.
you were still very confused about everything there is to know about relationships.
and you were dragging him along but pushing him away at the same time. keeping him closed but not enough.
but it was more complicated than that, it’s just that you hated to remember.
he had this great opportunity to move away and migrate his work there, he assumed you would be happy to go with him, you thought so too.
when he finally gave you the ultimatum, you blanked and left.
yura your friend finally found her way back to you. she was panting lightly and glanced up and to the side a few times before you looked at her.
“i’m sorry, not to make it worse for you, but isn’t that choi seungcheol?” she glanced to where he was standing.
“huh?” your body sobered up just hearing that you were not actually hallucinating.
“yeah, the one in that black suit, you couldn’t possibly have forgotten him, you said he was your best e—“
“yeah yeah yeah i get it, i thought i was just seeing faces” you clutched your head in your hands. “well we need to go before he finds his way to me”
“don’t you wanna say hi?” yura asked.
“i’m drunk, pathetic, and heartbroken, do i really want to say hi?” you retorted.
“right, but you do still look good even when you’re at your lowest” she said. you weren’t sure if that made you feel better or worse.
“it’s the universe’s compensation for men” you muttered which she chuckled to.
you weren’t aware of it but a pair of eyes escorted you out along with yura.
the next day you had a splitting headache. it was no time to rot in your bed, it was your only free day of the week to get all your things transferred to your new place.
you quickly got ready to go back to your old place because you could no longer attempt to cook using aluminum foil or sleep on the floor.
you arrived late at night, with the apartment filled with boxes, but at least the major parts and appliances of your apartment is now equipped and placed where you needed them to be.
you felt a light weight lift of your shoulder as you felt relief of creating your own closure.
the next two weeks you swore off any other public event and instead drowned yourself in work. that was until you realized that your fridge only had a bottle of wine and an egg, not only that, your electrical sockets were also different from your appliances.
you shrugged off your bed with your 9 hour marinated make up, and your bed hair.
you quickly brushed it and wore a coat, it was fall, and you hope that your winter would at least be frigid and magical.
you were thankful for yourself on how high-functional you are even with a broken heart. choosing an accessible area for living is hard, and finding a cheaper place to rent in that place is harder.
but no one’s more determined than a person who’s got a lot to prove.
you went down and walked a couple of blocks before reaching the grocery, you walked a couple more to the hardware store thinking it would be harder bringing your groceries then buying your adapters and extension wires.
you walk in and the scent of manly musk embraces you, which is weird because you thought this place has also been taken over by single moms, lesbians, and well you.
lights and sinks and faucets were racked up and stacked above each one. differently sized bolts, nails, and screws were displayed to your left. and your ex standing in front of the hammer section.
not the recent one, seungcheol.
you prayed that you can leave this place as early as you can. you zoomed to the electric station and looked for adapters now that you had two extension wires on your hand.
you were in the right aisle for sure, but which one of these huge collection was the right one? there were the kinds that had two on the back and 3 on the front, two at the back and two at the front, 3 holes at the back and 3 metal things at the front.
you assumed the one at the corner would be it, and so was seungcheol.
you didn’t know what to say, should you even say anything? you stepped closer, you couldn’t risk going here and wasting the trip to the hardware store.
you picked up the adapter— it was the perfect one, now you just grab four to be safe.
“y/n?” he said
“seungcheol… hi, i didn’t think i’d see you here” you greeted
“i saw you at the front earlier, didn’t know if i should approach you” he said.
you admired him for his honesty, he always was.
“well i don’t mind it, how have you been?”
“good, i see you have electrical conductors there… anything new?”
“well yeah i just moved here, and i had different sockets in my old apartment..” you replied.
“i see, how’s minho?” and your world stopped, not because you missed him, but how the hell did he know him?
“you know him? ah well, it didn’t work out, we’re not together anymore” you didn’t know if you were tripping, but his eyes grew wider and a bit brighter.
“i see.. i’m sorry about that, oh and yeah jeonghan had mentioned him before” he replied, of course your cousin.
“no worries, none of it was your fault”
“i can help you with your things, i’m about to check out too” he said taking the things from your grasp.
why did he needed to be so nice and still be a gentleman. it was moments like these that sent hell back to you for leaving him.
you were firm to not fool yourself anymore, you didn’t believe in getting back with your exes.
but why did he have to be so hot?
he was tall, tall enough to make your head nod back to look at him. his frame huge, and wide, he was strong and dependable. he was great in emotional stuff too.
he’d call when he’s not around, he’d ask about your day how you’ve been. he knows when to give you space and when to knock you out of your anger.
you hated that he was sad when you got sad, and that may be the hottest thing about him.
it’s a shame to be fool when good ones come along, but really, is it a relationship if you knew what to do already?
“how about you, seeing anyone new?” you asked as the beeping from the machine consumed the background.
“no.. not after you” you didn’t know what to say. felt bad? absolutely if it was your fault.
“don’t lie to me, remember sofie from the last place i was working from? she was ready to pounce on you” this was your way of boosting up his ego.
“well, yeah but i’m not into her then or now. i did have dates and well none of them got that serious” he replied casually.
“you didn’t have to pay for my apartment stuff” you glanced down seeing he was already handing you a bag of what you— he bought.
“oh come on, it’s just a couple of stuff, and it’s not always i get to see you” he smiled tightly.
“well you know usually this is coffee” you say bringing up the bag.
you both head out the store and shudder at the sudden decrease of temperature.
and there was just one thing on your mind before you let him go.
“was it because of me? did i fuck you up somehow?” you asked.
his head bobbed to face you.
“no.. don’t be silly, you know you would never do me like that right? because i do. you don’t find a worth while relationship easily right?” he responded, and it felt genuine, because it really was.
you nodded at him with a smile, maybe now you could find a friend in him.
“i’ll see you around then” you nodded off as a goodbye.
“yeah, see you around y/n” he waved.
you felt relieved because usually this is how it ends, someone will say they’ll call or hit you up, or the let’s see each other around finale.
you just didn’t think you’ll see him— right after five minutes.
you were standing in the fruit section of the grocery, halfway through your list before you decided that you had no plausible reason to run away from this situation.
“you should stop following women at night, they’re gonna take you on for a creep” you greeted him.
“y- i thought we said goodbye already” he smiled. his long-sleeve fitted black too was rolled up to his elbows, his right hand holding a protein powder container while the left was holding his basket.
you couldn’t help yourself but glance upward to his arms, his biceps flexing at the weight stretching the fabric.
“yeah i thought so too, and i thought it was some random guy who looked like you” you explained. “well i’m glad to pay for your groceries since you paid earlier” you offered.
you actually were hoping to buy yourself some things for your apartment, but here you were splurging it on your ex. you didn’t know why, but this felt like those times when you were dating and since he was so against your 50/50 payment offers, you forced yourself to get something for him in return.
“you don’t have to, it was out of my own will” he responded.
“nope, i’m not having any of this come on” you dragged him across the aisles as you picked something up.
“fine, i’ll accompany you as a token of my gratitude” he said. he did walk with you through endless aisles of endless things.
he didn’t mind, and you hoped he didn’t because you would feel like shit dragging him around for no reason.
he silently followed you, his basket now underneath yours in the trolly his pushing. it was between your rant at work and the chicken section where his hands grew a mind of its own (or has gone submissive to muscle memory) where he pushed the cart as if it was the most natural thing to do between past lovers.
“right so enough about that, i actually want to know about—“ you were blabbing holding two shampoo bottles in your hand before you turned to face seungcheol. he was standing there just patiently waiting and looking at you, you grew flustered but he doesn’t need to know that.
“i’m sorry, i’m talking too much” your voice narrowed, silently sniffing each bottle to choose from.
“no keep going, i like listening to your stories” he gave you a small smile.
“okay well, since we’re kind of friends now” you started, hoping that wasn’t a title that overstepped and somehow established a better bond between the two of you, you continued yapping for another thirty minutes. “the truth is minho and i broke up because— wait no, i dumped him on our monthsary….” and your mind started blur as you talked.
opposing your mind flow, seungcheol never felt more attentive this evening than to the words you were saying now.
you scanned the fruits last, as the end to your break up story also dispersed.
“i know that this is kinda awkward but it felt good letting it out to other people, and i really appreciate you for staying you didn’t have to” you told him handing him his bag that seemed to be very light.
you guessed he stopped picking his groceries… right about where you came to say hi really.
“yeah, i should’ve just bolted after demanding you tap your card for my groceries” he joked.
“jerk!” you laughed lightly pushing his shoulder “i’m glad that we can be friends now” you smiled.
“yeah… friends” he smiled back.
it was time for you to go home and separate, for real this time.
he hailed a cab for you, and even brought the groceries to the trunk.
right before the driver could press the gas he knocked on your window. the light humming sound of the machine pulling down the glass alerted him.
“yeah?”
“hey friend, would you mind coming to this wedding with me? uhm next week, i already rsvp’d for two and some plans fell through” he asked.
“oh sure! just send me the details” you smiled unsure where the ready approval came from.
“great i’ll pick you up yeah?” he said rhetorically.
you couldn’t help but assume if he wanted to keep you in his life too.
the wedding was in two weeks time. you met seungcheol maybe once between those two weeks, he initially went with you to go pick your dress with you, he was readily holding his card when you declared one dress was your choice.
you ended up not buying that dress and you both just went out for coffee. you didn’t know coffee would confuse you so much; does he like you or is he being friendly. not your usual coffee choices.
he even left you his card for “when you find the perfect dress” which was ridiculous, but something within you knew he wouldn’t back down on this one.
and just like that he made space in your life again.
you didn’t use his card when you found the perfect dress down fifth avenue. even though you really really wanted to, you even pondered for a few minutes on which card you would use.
it was this baby blue silk-like dress that had a scarf with it, it went down to your feet, and it had a v shaped cut for the backless part. the cloth of the scarf lighter than the dress, something to drape over your neck, maybe an effect to make it feel more conservative?
you really loved it nonetheless, you decided to pair it with your silver manolos.
it was your second public appearance, on a wedding yet again, but now with a new (old) escort.
you got so excited to go with your nee outfit that you wanted to talk about it with cheol.
that was until you saw your chatbox and reality hit you like an airplane in an emergency landing.
his name still set up to “love of my life🤍” and still in your emergency contact. the preview message saying sorry sent from you.
and suddenly you felt like everything was real, so tangible, so … wrong?
what were you doing?
and for the next days, you and cheol spent it in radio silence.
the day came, and you were met with a good morning text from seungcheol saying that he will pick you up later at 2.
you spent the day getting ready, your hair lightly curled, your make up light but you made sure it would stay on all day.
it took you a few attempts to zip the dress on your side, it was fitted at the top and you felt like it wouldn’t take long before you turned the sane color as the dress if you were to stop your breathing just to zip your dress again.
slipping into your heels, you found yourself right on time.
you texted cheol that you were ready to go, and apparently he had been waiting in his car already.
when you stepped out of your door, it was like the world stopped, it definitely did for cheol.
he paused, his back lifting from his car and effortlessly gravitating towards you.
his hand pausing in between his stomach and chest as if to contain shock to himself.
he stared at you, and in that moment you felt like you were ready again.
you gave him a spin and he smiled at you.
“you look gorgeous” he said extending his hand to you to help you descend the stairs.
“you look sharp too” you replied gazing at his suit.
you greeted each other with meeting your cheeks and making a kiss sound, it became a mannerism for the two of you.
seems like old habits do die hard.
you spent the car ride there like you had always done, your playlist on the aux, and he was telling some random joke that you snorted at how silly it was.
it didn’t take long before you arrived at the venue. the church ceremony lasted almost two hours.
and you couldn’t lie, you were asleep for like most of it, only waking up when they were cheering, you felt embarrassed and rude until you saw cheol’s head falling forwards from the awkward position it was sitting in, he fell asleep too.
you giggled shaking his arm.
“wake up, the ceremony finished” and he couldn’t help but laugh with you.
at the reception, you met a lot of his mutual friends with the couple and some he didn’t know but knew him.
“it’s nice to meet you! i’m y/n” you smiled at the older lady before you.
you felt like you’ve done so much greeting as if you were the bride, you had enough, but you also had too much fun… and maybe a little one too many to drink. while cheol was just a few paces back from you, watching each and every greeting you gave and receive.
“how are you and minho?” one random mutual found you in a compromising position.
your smile faded, and you felt like heating up, the alcohol in your body evaporating away.
your sober party was quickly brushed off when you felt a hand on your arm.
“they’re unfortunately broken up” cheol said monotonously. your mutual friend sensing the sensitive subject made a cheap excuse to flee the scene she didn’t mean to cause.
it was not the fact that if was about him, it was about when you needed to learn to be on your own again, after being used to be with somebody.
you hated giving yourself away, and when it doesn’t work out, you’d look like a fool for trying.
and maybe it was because you were in another wedding, and that you were finally ready to settle. after swearing off men and still finding yourself wanting a partner for life.
you felt sore and bitter, but minho can go fuck himself.
you bit your lip and just nodded when she left.
“i-i’m not feeling that well, i should go get an uber or something” you told seungcheol.
“it’s okay, i can take you home. i’m all over this party” his eyes rounded up at the sight of you.
you were too down in the mood to ask if he was sure, so you just walked lagging behind him as he held your hand lightly.
the car ride back was silent.
you would still hold over the aux, skipping it to songs you like. a hum would come out from both of you at some songs which eased the air.
when you arrived at your apartment, you just absentmindedly muttered a thanks and hopped off.
you were standing at your doorway fumbling the keys lightly in your hand before unlocking it.
“ehem” a deep cough came from behind you.
“can i have a glass of water? i’m kind of parched” seungcheol told you with a sheepish smile on his lips.
“uhh sure, no worries”
he followed you up the climb of stairs. when you reached your floor, you felt his front pressing on your back, it was kind of a small hallway, but you didn’t feel like telling him off, and maybe you did like it.
“are you okay?” he finally asked after the knob twisted.
“hm? i am, why would i not be?” you faced him.
“i mean with minho and everything, you seemed butt-hurt earlier with the question” he said softly.
“i’m over him… it’s just that i wasted so much time for just him to cheat on me like that” you reasoned.
he looked pissed at your words, a bit distant, but you felt like it wasn’t towards you.
“that fucker..” he hissed “i really don’t get how he could have the audacity to treat you like this, with that face, he has so much audacity really” hid brows almost met in his forehead.
“i’m okay really cheol—“
“no, you’re clearly not! to cheat on you! he must be absolutely insane! if i were with you i wouldn’t even think of it, not even looking at another woman if you forced me to look the other way”
both of your breaths hitched.
“i-i mean, i mean it”
the silence was so loud, you felt your heartbeat ringing in your ears
“tell me, does he treat you better than i do? does he fuck you better than i do?” he stepped closer to you, the distance between you dissipated.
“no” you whispered back.
“i thought so” he said closing the distance between the both of you completely. his lips were soft and warm, it was ephemeral.
he then stood back.
“i’m sorry, i shouldn’t have.” his fingers brushed his lips “tell me if you don’t want this, tell me if you want me to leave, and never see you again. i’ll do it” he huffed.
you pulled on his tie and met his lips again. his palms rested on your hips.
both of you stumble into your apartment.
his tongue slid between your lips, his hand snaked upwards to your breast and massaged it earning a moan from you. his tongue slid inside your mouth, he explored every inch of your mouth. he even pushed it inwards filling your lips causing you to suck on it, he groaned.
your back met the kitchen island, he was quick to lift you on it without separating the kiss.
his arms caging you in your place but you push forward caging his hips with yours. your dress hiking up on your hips, his hand moved to rest on your thigh.
“fuck” he breathlessly sighed.
his hand drifted to your core. he rubbed you over your underwear groaning at the sensation.
you grabbed his shoulder in urgency and pleasure. you moaned on his lips, this only encouraged his movements.
“i’ll treat you better than he did, and not just for tonight” he said moving away from your lips.
his fingers were swift to anchor on your underwear and slide it off. he slowly knelt and met face to face with your folds.
he groaned as if he was pained, he took a swift look at you as he licked a stripe on your folds. he started slow, then pacing faster as if a starved man. he left no skin untouched.
he licked around your gaping hole before dipping his tongue in it.
your head fell back as your hands flew to his hair gripping on it. he groaned at the sting only sending vibrations to your body.
he kept going higher as he met your clit, circling around it and placing just the right amount of pressure sending you over the edge. you felt yourself laying your back on the kitchen island as the pleasure left you unstable and shaking.
his finger slowly entering your hole as he continued working on your clit. he pumped it in and waited no longer for a second one.
his hands were huge, and having two of his digits almost made you scream.
“ahh, fuck just like that” you muttered, you bit your lip in pleasure.
he pumped faster as you met your climax. his hands didn’t stop, he curled them, you felt your eyes roll back your back lifting from the counter.
“seungcheol—“ you gasped before cumming on his face. you grinded against him and his nose gave more pressure on your core.
he pulled his digits off, fluid squirted out of you, he seemed surprised. the liquid tainting his face and chin.
“that was fucking hot” he said licking his digits with a pop.
“sorry, it’s the first time i did that again” you huffed on the counter, elevating yourself with your elbows.
“don’t you think i’m done with you though” he said lifting your hips, your hands embraced his neck. he led you in your bedroom.
he sat down at the foot of the bed. you raised your self using your knees.
his gaze followed your face, only looking at you. and you were surprised, that despite with his painful hard on he was still interested in your face.
your hand reached his pants, you rubbed it slowly.
“ugh” he moaned proudly, you might even say he’s doing it on purpose.
he was vocal, and proud about it.
you even squeezed his length earning moans from the both of you. you forgot how big, long and girthy he was.
you unzipped his pants, freeing his length from his underwear on the way.
he moved underneath you removing his trousers. you unzipped your dress and slid it off over your head.
seungcheol stared at your body pushing forward to lick and suck on your right one. he was occupied on taking off his buttoned shirt, you hastily pulled it off him.
you finally sat on his lap. your fingers grazing on his front. you both moved to the head of the bed.
you were straddling him on his lap. his hand busying itself on your body. his left hand massaging your left breast, his right hand on your ass cheek.
his tongue was warm, and you felt hot with need.
you slowly strokes his length and he bit down a bit hard on your chest in surprise.
“agh-ahh”
you poked and played with his tip, causing him to groan and rest his head on your shoulder, his lips meeting your neck. he started sucking on your neck, lapping everywhere even on your jaw, leaving bruises and hickeys.
he would let you do anything and everything you wanted to do on him, no questions, even if he can flip everything around to his control.
and maybe that’s why he was letting you tie his wrists around his head using your scarf.
he loved seeing you taking control of him, and he can’t say no to your desires especially after your bastard of an ex broke you hard like this.
and he is unapologetically harder than ever before.
his length was hard, his tip red and leaking. and he sat there taking it and looking at you.
you stroked him a few times before finally sinking on him. it was slow, wet, and hot.
“fuck you’re too big” you sighed leaning your head on his shoulder for support.
“we’ll make it fit” he whispered to you ear and countering your move as he thrusted up making the both of you jolt and moan loudly.
you felt him so deep, like he was splitting you in two. as he pushed he felt your walls clamping him down and sucking him in.
he swore he almost came.
you both grinded into each other. you bounced lightly starting your pace. loud moans filled the room. the walls vibrated with the sound and heat.
your skin met with every fall of your hips, and each time you moan louder, bounce faster, clamp harder on him.
“ahh fuck, playtime’s over princess” he easily splitted his hands away from each other ripping the fabric of your scarf.
he flipped the positions without retrieving his dick. in the process of making you lay down, his hips pushed so hard on his weight it was the deepest he— or for anyone has reached within you.
you started screaming, your nails clawing at his back.
“aahh— ahh!” you moaned loudly.
he raised your legs over his head, both of it on his right shoulder.
he snapped his hips faster and pounded harder. he huffed, he had actually been holding his climax since earlier.
your hands drifted to his neck slightly squeezing it in pleasure.
and with that final thrust, you both came. his hips snapping, your legs freeing from his hold as you thrusted towards him too.
you felt like you were floating in pleasure.
he laid beside you when you both finished. his fluids leaking out of your hole.
“that was the best fuck of my life” you huffed muttering the words.
his arms embraced you from the side. his large back was also heaving from the work you both have done.
“was? we’re not done yet. you still have to ride my face sweetheart”
how does one handle a hopeless romantic son and a girl with a certain x-rated wish? you set them up, of course!
tags: f!rea x mingyu | crack, smut 18+
wc: 6k
content: santa’s son mingyu, jeongcheol as parents, smoking, smut with virgin!gyu (YAYY🎊), strangers to let’s fuck immediately, he’s shy at first but reader encourages him to be rough lol, pussy eating, protected deep sex.
notes: thank you for having me again larie @breakmeoff <3 this is so unserious and i’m ngl writing the smut was torture so if it’s shit i was hacked
𝓜INGYU’S LEG BOUNCES UNDER THE TABLE AS HE SITS ACROSS FROM HIS MOTHER. all ladylike, jeonghan leans back and manspreads in his office chair, pulling out the desk drawer.
mingyu sits in nervous silence as jeonghan rustles around in there before retrieving what looks like a paper candy cane. the next thing he grabs out is a lighter, popping the ‘candy cane’ between his lips.
“i thought those were contraband.” mingyu asks, realising it’s a red-and-white striped cigarette as jeonghan flicks the lighter on.
“don’t tell your father.” jeonghan winks, taking a drag.
suddenly it makes a little more sense why his mother’s constantly coughing like a plague victim.
“so why’d you ask for me?” mingyu digresses.
jeonghan sighs out smoke to his side, lip curling with his signature poise. “you’ve been working very hard this year, haven’t you, mingyu?”
“i try to do my best every year. but yeah, i gave my all for this one. i wanted to help dad out.”
his father, santa coups, injured his knee after last christmas. ever since, mingyu stepped up in his shoes of class president, and led a productive year for santa’s helpers while the big boss man himself was in recovery.
“and we’ve been very ahead of schedule for december, all thanks to the work you’ve been putting in. you should be proud of yourself, mingyu.”
mingyu shifts in his seat at his mother’s praise, unsticking himself from the sweat gathered on the chair’s leather. “thank you.”
jeonghan chuckles softly. “your father and i are very grateful for you helping out around here, and we wanted to grant you a wish of your own this christmas.”
“oh, you don’t need—”
jeonghan shushes his son with nothing but a soft glance. he goes on, “i know how big of a fan you are of those hallmark romance movies. like, love actually, right?”
mingyu nearly winces. love actually could probably be considered more of a porno than a hallmark movie … actually. but it didn’t matter too much.
“what about it?”
“well, i’ve got a special job for you. and it might just be like a movie come true.”
jeonghan reaches back into his desk drawer and slides a piece of paper onto the table. mingyu recognises it as a wish profile, someone with a history of writing to santa coups.
“as i was organising the roster for the deliveries, i found a girl who has a wish that only someone special could grant.”
mingyu takes a good look at it this time. the profile’s of the girl in talks, and his eyes catch on the attached picture, likely pulled from social media. you looked…
…beautiful. mind-blankingly beautiful. he forgot he was sitting across from his mother or where he even was at all until jeonghan’s finger enters his vision and points to a certain section on the paper.
mingyu’s taken aback when he reads that you’re on the very nice list. that’s someone who’s been classed as nice every year basically since birth.
he scans the rest of the sheet, eyes nearly bulging out of his head as he reads the wish you wrote.
dear santa coups, i wish to fall in love for a night this christmas.
mingyu gulps down a boulder, realisation of where this is going dawning. “uh, i don’t know if—”
“—this is a gift from your father and i.” jeonghan cuts in with a gentle voice as his son visibly starts to panic in his head. “consider it basically a day off.”
“but, that’s a pretty, serious wish..”
his mind’s spinning faster than the earth orbiting the sun right now. he just barely got through a year of stepping up to fill his father’s shoes, and that was with a plethora of alcohol consumption rivalled only by the amount of stressed tears shed too.
of course mingyu’s dreamed and wished upon a star to experience the type of romance he sees in the movies. the problem is, while he didn’t exactly have a sheltered upbringing, mingyu hasn’t seen the world past the snowy tundra he calls home.
to put it bluntly: he didn’t know the first thing about women. especially not one outside of the north pole.
movies didn’t count. he’s watched enough romcoms (and some more.. explicit films from soonyoung’s secret stash) to know what relationships and intimacy look like. he just didn’t have any real world experience. he hasn’t had the opportunity or the time; brain too occupied year-round with crafting and gift-wrapping and class president duties.
the only people he’s ever known is his family and the elves who work for them. he’s got enough self control to not mingle with employees (unlike some of his horndog brothers). it would also just feel like a fucking crime if he did, he’s basically a small mountain compared to the elves.
so safe to say, kim mingyu has gone twenty odd years with nothing but his yearning and vivid imagination and his left hand. and he’s rightfully freaking the fuck out because this is a direct order from his parents— the bosses around here at the end of the day.
how the fuck in god’s green earth was he supposed to shoulder a responsibility like this? surely one of his more experienced brothers are better suited for the job. not to mention, fulfilling it in just one night? it’d probably take him a week of practice to just not stutter while talking to a woman from the outside, and somehow he was supposed to make you fall for him—
“oh, by the way, this is just the filtered version. i had to change the wish she wrote in her actual letter. it was too explicit.” jeonghan adds, smoke curling as he exhales.
“…which was?”
his mother’s head tilts, batting his lashes in a suggestive glance as if to say he should’ve already guessed by now. jeonghan reaches back into the drawer, pulling out a small folded note and handing it to mingyu.
mingyu unfolds it, and he realises it’s your original letter. the tanned man’s face goes white as a ghost when he reads what you wrote.
dear santa coups, i wish to get dicked DOWN on some crazy fucking shit this christmas. i wish to be eaten out from the back, to have it down my throat, to feel it in my kidney, to cum so hard i faint. THIS IS NOT A JOKE. my need for some good quality cock is terminal. i might actually die if i don’t ...
he’s not even halfway down the page before he tears his eyes away, sliding the note across the table while his hand shakes like a leaf.
his mother snorts. “too intimidating?”
not even close. going from the implication of intimacy to actually reading your sex fantasy written on paper in detail has given him whiplash.
he didn’t even know desire in women could be this.. ferocious. he wasn’t sure whether to be horny or fear for his life. now there’s an expectation he must live up to and he’s a literal virgin.
“i don’t know if i can.. do all that.” mingyu gestures to the note. “i’d embarrass myself if i tried.”
“how else do you think you’ll get to experience it?”
mingyu ran a hand through his hair, mind completely and utterly fucked. what kind of life has he been living if his parents are setting him up to get laid for christmas?
“it’s more likely than not that you will be taking up the role of santa after your father retires.” jeonghan goes on. “if you don’t go out and meet someone while you still can…”
“yeah, yeah. i know. i get it.” mingyu sighs.
“your brothers will be out there delivering gifts all over the world, while you’ll be staying at the one house and essentially having a holiday while you meet with this girl. and don’t be so hard on yourself— you might be exactly what she was dreaming of when she wrote that.”
jeonghan flips the document over, pointing to another section of info: your traits and personality. “i think you’re pretty compatible. i didn’t choose you without thinking, mingyu. and who knows? you might get something more out of it than just sex.”
his mother winks, and mingyu just shifts uncomfortably again, unsticking himself from the chair once more. he licks his lips, flipping the paper over to stare at your headshot.
he really would be lucky to spend a night with someone as pretty as you.
mingyu was already shitting bricks at the concept of having to ride on the sleigh as he hops from houses to house all night. a good santa shouldn’t be cowering in fear while he’s in the sky. at least he would only have to endure it twice for the way there and the way back.
at last, a sense of pride surges in him that his parents chose him specifically. he’s already been told that he’s the cream of the crop: the tallest, and among the fittest and the hottest of his brothers (just the facts), not to mention he cooks and he cleans.
he’s sure, objectively, anyone would want to find someone like him wrapped under their christmas tree.
he just wishes he had some more experience to his name. but, mingyu also won’t just sit around and wait to make a fool of himself. he’s going to study and research in preparation for this night like there’s a gun to his head.
even if he’s the one losing his virginity here, he’s coming over as thee santa coups, so he’s not about to half-ass fulfilling your wish. he swears to no one in particular that you’re gonna get everything you wished of and more.
“i’ll do it.” mingyu finally says, straightening his back in confidence. “thank you for this opportunity, mother. i’ll do my best.”
jeonghan nods with a lazy, satisfied grin. “ahh, you know you’ve always been my favourite son, mingyu.”
mingyu furrows his brows. “that’s nice to hear… but i already know it’s seungkwan.”
jeonghan just shrugs. “yeah, you’re right. now get out.”
mingyu wipes his clammy palms on his red pants, sweat staining the fabric in streaks as he adjusts to the height. his stomach still churned when he snuck a glance at how far up he was from the ground, but if he hadn’t had those ginger chews on the way over then his dinner would’ve ended up spilled all over your roof.
he actually made it over on the sleigh, and without bawling his eyes out, so at least the worst was over and done with.
bells jingle as his brother wonwoo rides off to his own assigned house, waving him goodbye as the reindeer-drawn sleigh disappears amongst the stars.
on the way over, mingyu ended up fessing to wonwoo about his unique assignment, particularly the fact that he was about to lose his goddamn virginity in the name of christmas. nonchalantly, his older brother had recommended he just study some porn in preparation. help him know what to expect, where to stick it in, not immediately bust at the sight of a naked woman.
except, mingyu couldn’t bring himself to because it strangely felt like… cheating? which is objectively crazy to say, but he felt as if he held a type of obligation to you. he was granting your christmas wish true and he was also ticking off a monumental achievement in his own life. this was serious business to mingyu, he wanted it to be genuine by all accounts. it’s also because he felt like he already had a crush on you just from the picture and the thought of you alone, so the only body he wanted to see was yours. again, objectively crazy. but he’s sentimental okay?
schooling his shaky breaths, mingyu takes careful steps towards your chimney, peaking down the dark tunnel he must descend.
the centuries-old christmas magic activates when santa climbs down the chimney, wiping the memory of anyone who saw him once he’s back out the other end. it also alerts the system that the person’s wish has been fulfilled.
but when mingyu locks eyes with a massive fucking spider chilling inside the chimney, he decides he actually... will do this his own way.
running his hands down his face, he weighs his options for a moment, and ultimately decides he’d rather death by falling off here than by the spider.
luckily for him, your building’s only one story (if it was two he would’ve begged wonwoo to swap). scouting the perimeter, he’s surprised to find there’s actually a ladder leaning against your house.
for… me? he swoons, almost crying on the spot from the sheer relief of not having to climb off your roof like some type of monster-sized raccoon.
he waits until his body’s not totally shaking anymore (just slightly vibrating from nerves) before he takes the first step on the ladder and starts descending.
it feels like he’s holding his breath for years before his feet finally hit solid ground. after taking a moment to gather himself and not vomit from the nerves once again, mingyu notices he’s standing right by a window half-ajar.
not only that, but on the sill sits a plate of cookies and a cup of milk. or, what he can imagine once was. nothing but crumbs and a few droplets now.
to his left, mingyu locks eyes with a big ass cartoon tiger drawn into the snow on the ground, and sighs when he realises this is soonyoung’s doing.
their mother must’ve told him to pass by and make sure things went smoothly for mingyu, hence the ladder. but not without taking a little tax in return of course— scoffing down the treats you left for santa (mingyu), leaving his calling card in the snow, and then fucking off.
his greed is sickening.
moving on, mingyu carefully places his hands under the window and slowly inches it the rest of the way up until it nearly disappears into the frame. he sets the plate and cup to the side before letting himself in, swinging his legs over the sill and planting his feet on your floorboards.
he allows himself only a moment to take in his surroundings. your home’s warm and lively— cluttered yet somehow organised. in the lounge room he’s found himself in, there’s blankets and pillows thrown all over the couch, glasses and a bottle of wine abandoned on the coffee table. the shelves were packed with books and candles and fake plants, by the door was a pile of shoes kicked off. illuminating it all was the christmas tree: wrapped in fairy lights and glittery baubles.
he has to tear his eyes away from the room to turn back to the window, moving the dishes to a nearby table before quietly bringing the window back down. it shuts with a soft click, and mingyu exhales the breath he’d been holding.
he repeats the plan to himself like a mantra. wake her up gently. introduce yourself. say you’re here to fulfil her wish. don’t pussy out of it. take it slow. ask for permission before everything. when you kiss her close your eyes. and when you touch…
mingyu shakes his head. fuck, he was already getting hard at the hypothetical thought of it. well, it’s not really hypothetical if it’s how the night was going to play out. his body was just getting ahead of itself. he couldn’t just waltz into your bedroom with a big pitch in his pants as he introduces himself as santa. he winces at the thought.
he waited until his dick was only a quarter of the way to a boner before he turns around, ready for your long-awaited first meeting— but what he hadn’t prepared himself for was for you to already be running at him with a guitar raised in the air, ready to swing.
mingyu’s brain goes from fuck to fawn as he cowers in fear on the ground, listening to your rapidly approaching footsteps and bracing himself for death.
he feels something like a war flashback, mind launched back into that time he was a teenager and his father’s ex-wife jihoon backed him into a wall and swung a guitar at him.
you could say he’s a little traumatised.
you come to a halt in front of him, and mingyu can only tremble in your presence, head buried in the crook of his arm.
“holy shit…” he hears you say distantly. “santa?”
reluctantly, he raises his head to sneak a glance at you. he flinches as your arm moves, but it’s just to lower the guitar.
“fuck, santa!? are you the real santa coups?”
mingyu manages to get out a nod, and you drop the guitar to the ground carelessly before falling to your knees in front of him.
“hey, oh, i’m sorry. i’m so sorry. i thought you were my ex breaking in again. hey, it’s okay. i won’t hurt you.”
your tone’s like you’re speaking to a frightened animal, hands hovering like you want to reach for him but afraid he’ll run off.
“oh wow, you must’ve been starving. i left out enough cookies for like three people.”
his initial trauma response quickly slides into immense embarrassment. remembering the man he is (or he’s supposed to be at least), mingyu stands up with a newfound confidence.
“yes. i am santa. just for tonight.”
you stand with him, eyes shamelessly dragging over his body with the way he towers over you. he feels his dick twitch in his pants under your heavy stare.
“what, you’re not santa normally?” you ask, almost in a trance as you ogle the man standing before you.
“you could say that.” he coughs, trying to get your eyes on his face and away from his gradually raising nether regions. “i’ve been sent to fulfil your wish. do you remember what you wrote .. me?”
“yeah.” you grin at him. full of confidence and not one ounce of shame. “oh my god, you’re really going to be the one to fuck me like i wished for? i would’ve been happy with anyone who wasn’t my ex really, but you, santa?”
“uh, let’s not discuss the details.” he says, a little upset you’d admit that. “and you don’t have to call me that. just ‘mingyu’ is fine.”
“oh okay, mingyu.” your lip curls into a smirk as you close in on him, moving like a cat. “so how exactly do you intend to grant my wish?”
mingyu gulps, dick twitching once again; this time at how his name rolls off your tongue. he really didn’t know how he was supposed to stay in control here. he’s got half a mind to just fall to his knees and let you do whatever the fuck you want to his face.
his tongue darts out to wet his lips, and he reminds himself of everything he vehemently studied, everything he read in writing that you wanted to happen. starting with the kissing.
but first: don’t make someone drink tea if they don’t want it.
“is it okay with you?” he clears his throat, forcing himself to keep eye contact. “can i kiss you?”
you blink, taken aback— before your smile stretches wider and you nod enthusiastically. “so he’s a gentleman too. yes, you can kiss me.”
mingyu closes the distance with baby steps. you chuckle when he bends at the knees to be at face-level with you. the sound knocks the wind out of mingyu, and he freezes at the proximity; how your warm breath fans his lips, lashes fluttering shut in anticipation.
the picture on the profile did you no justice. you’re so, so gorgeous and he almost can’t do it. of course he wants to, you’ve got no idea how much, but your pretty face has him going dumb.
so dumb that when you close the small gap yourself and your mouth presses on his, he forgets to close his eyes as you kiss him first.
he watches you through it: how you tilt your head to slot your lips better against his, how you breathe out through your nose and hum a little into the kiss.
remembering that he needs to move too, mingyu follows your lead and cocks his head more opposite to yours, allowing the kiss to deepen as you sigh into his parted lips.
your hands trail up his arms, squeezing almost imperceptibly to get a feel of what’s under the santa uniform before your palms slide to hold either side of his neck, his pulse thrumming under your touch.
you stay like that for a bit. caressing his neck, breaths growing heavier in the open-mouthed kisses. mingyu’s hands twitch at his sides; tongue too big for his mouth, pants too tight for his crotch. he knows you want to get manhandled, but he’s complete mush under the plush feel of your lips right now.
what felt like thirty seconds of kissing for you, felt like an eternity for mingyu as you part with him. you smile, palms sliding up to hold his face.
“you don’t have to play shy with me.” you coo. fuck, if only he could stop. you bite your bottom lip at him, eyes going half-lidded. “you know how i want it. so don’t hold back, okay? mingyu?”
the look and the tone you shot him, dripping with pure desire, was enough of a shove for mingyu to lean in first this time— teeth knocking together as he kisses you hard, stealing your breath into his mouth and making his head foggy.
without even realising it, his tongue swipes across your lower lip, and your sigh in response is all the warning he gets before your tongue licks into his mouth.
mingyu doesn’t even realise he was backing up til his backside hits the windowsill. he doesn’t even realise why until your chest presses up against his, fingers curling in his hair as you kiss him with more force. his body must’ve been dodging your attempts to close the distance until there was literally no where else to run. his hands find purchase on your hips, and he stifles a throaty noise when he feels just how much they’re trying to rock into him.
he bends himself at an awkward angle as he leans against the wall, trying to keep his already embarrassingly hard length from bumping into you; all the while struggling to not literally moan over just how hard you’re kissing him, how desperately you’re trying to roll your hips onto his. first time ever just kissing a woman, and you’re already this worked up? all that studying really paid off. he could pat himself on the back, if only he still had control over his own hands.
he dug his fingers so hard into your hips he’s sure you only moved them because they started to hurt. except, when you guide his hands down to grab at your ass instead, mingyu can’t help but squeeze even fucking tighter.
he feels crazy, completely lost in you just from some kissing and groping. lucky he’s keeping his crotch angled away from you because even just the right brush against him could make him cum right now. god, the letter he’d write about what he wants you to do to him would make yours look like child’s play.
and you’re eating this up. you’re whining appreciatively into each harsh kiss of his tongue against yours, each dig of his nails into your ass.
his plan of approaching this as respectfully as he could is gone in smoke. that’s not what you wished for. he didn’t even know if he physically could live up to the standard you’ve set, but all he’s sure of now is that he’ll do whatever the fuck it takes to keep you holding and whining onto him just like this.
he almost forgot he’s also the one who’s never done this before.
it’s not until you actually reach down and grab him through his red pants, and he keels over with an accidental groan, that he remembers the only touch he’s ever felt is his own.
yours is a stark contrast. one, it’d probably take both of your hands to cover his whole length. two, it only takes you stroking him a little through the fabric before he’s certain he’s going to cum embarrassingly soon.
mingyu rips your hand off of him, panting like a dog as he stares at you— your own eyes watching him in wonder.
are guys not usually this fucked up over the same thing you and him just did? man, mingyu had a lot more ways to go than he thought.
one thing was for sure, and that is he will not be fucking fail you. he had to lock the fuck in.
“i’ll give it to you.” he says in the lowest, sexiest tone he can muster, not even recognising his own voice. “just tell me how you want it.”
he swears your eyes glimmer with stars as you smile at him. you take mingyu by the fuzzy white trim on his jacket, tugging him so close he can see the gloss of his own spit on your lips. “couch. in me. now.”
he doesn’t get to respond in his practiced seductive voice before you’re stealing his mouth in a kiss again, pressing yourself against him and guiding his hands to roam over every bump of your body.
you lead mingyu by the jacket as you walk backwards, until your legs hit the couch and you fall back onto the cushions. you pull him until his knees hit the edge, and he can only watch with bated breath as you go straight for unbuckling his belt, your eyes completely swallowed in black.
mingyu’s pants drop to the floor with a loud thud of his belt buckle against the wood. your jaw literally drops at the sight before you: his length straining against his calvin klein boxers, precum staining the fabric at the tip.
you lick your lips, fingers digging in tighter where they’re resting on his thighs, and mingyu has to stop you with a gentle hand cupping your face— because he knows exactly what you’re thinking and he will not be able to stop you if you do that.
“you first.” he says, thumb stroking your cheek.
you huff, pouting up at him; and if he didn’t have a literal job to do as santa then he’d forget it all and let you suck him dry.
you lean back on the couch, tugging your pyjama shorts and underwear off in the one motion. mingyu does the same with this fuckass santa jacket, standing before you in just his boxers. you stay slouched as you present it all for him: spreading your legs, then giggling as his own buckles.
mingyu falls to his knees, completely in a trance at the sight of your bare pussy. god, this iseverything he could of wished for. maybe even more since his imagination would never even compare to you. he’s not sure how he’ll last even more than a minute in that before falling apart like the virgin he is.
“you’re making me shy,” you blush, legs moving to shut since mingyu had said nothing during his staring competition with your pussy.
“wait—” mingyu’s not even thinking anymore as he reaches out to grab your hamstrings. you ease under his touch, letting him guide your thighs back open.
he feels like he’s about to start drooling here.
“please, can i—” mingyu can’t help but watch as slick literally drips from your hole under his stare, and his brain short circuits. “oh fuck—”
he’s entirely instinct when he dives in, mouth licking at every part of your pussy he can cover.
you squeal at just how crazed he’s eating you out, thighs clamping around his head and fingers burying in his dark locks. for a few seconds, he’s just lapping his tongue with no rhyme or rhythm, just cause he wants to taste all of you— but when a high-pitched whine resounds from above, mingyu realises he’s found the clit.
he latches onto it before he can lose it again, closing his lips around it and sucking. that gets you to completely bury his face between your legs, moaning and heaving while he eats you out and mingyu knows he probably doesn’t sound any better.
another harsh tug on his hair has a low groan from mingyu rumbling on your pussy. he changes pace, bobbing his head so his tongue slides from your hole to your clit as your arousal gushes onto his mouth.
“how the— fffuck are you so good at this?!” you pant out, wincing when his tongue comes to swirl around your clit.
mingyu takes that as a sign to keep doing precisely what he’s doing, and it’s not long at all until you’re shouting out his name between cusses— back arching off the bed, pussy throbbing under his tongue as you orgasm seizes you.
mingyu’s diligent to lick you through it, feeling his own dick pulsing in his boxers from just how fucking hot you are. he’s not entirely sure where your orgasm starts or ends, so he waits until you paw at him that it’s too much for his mouth to pop off you— completely covered in slick down to his chin.
you blink slowly at mingyu as you slouch on the couch, looking like you’re done for the night already. he’s in awe of you when you tug him up by the scruff of his neck, meeting him halfway for a kiss. you lick at his tongue, moaning over the taste of yourself.
while you kiss him like he’s the air you breathe, mingyu fumbles around on the floor for his pants, fishing out one of the many condoms he stuffed in his pocket.
he thinks he slyly tugs his boxers down, but he is proven very wrong when you just reach out and grip him again— mingyu’s head falling forward onto your shoulder with a moan, hands holding onto your thighs for dear life.
“damn, big boy.” you mutter, mostly to yourself. “probably should’ve fingered me. but i’m too horny to give a fuck anymore. you can make it fit.”
mingyu can only nod, thrusting his hips out from your fist and immediately regretting it since he can feel just how dangerously close he is already.
he gets the condom on himself in record time, placing his knees on the couch and crawling over you as he lines himself up.
his dick twitches when his tip even just prods at your hole, and mingyu swears to the ghost of christmas past that he will not bust under a minute.
mingyu keeps his hands cradling your face and your hip as he nudges forward, and the stretch is noticeable immediately. not only is he big, but you’re squeezing him, even after cumming already.
it takes literally everything in him and then some to keep going. pushing all the way in, even if it’s the tightest grip he’s ever fucking felt and you’re whimpering so beautifully in his ear right now.
the second he bottoms out, you both moaning in unison as you flutter and twitch around each other— mingyu’s certain that he’s in love.
“are you okay?” he breathes out, peppering your face with kisses as you adjust to him in shudders. “i’m not hurting you?”
you shake your head, mouth stretching in a dazed smile. “do your worst.”
so he does. or he tries. he drags his cock out to the tip just to snap it back in. he repeats the action over and over, spurred on by all the broken noises falling from your lips. he still thinks he could do better. if only he wasn’t close to cumming his pants the moment you put your tongue in his mouth.
mingyu’s hand slides down to your thigh and hoists it up, bending your knee against your tummy. bracing himself, mingyu starts fucking you properly— the head of his cock ramming into your g-spot with each thrust in this new position.
you sound like you’re crying, and mingyu would stop immediately if only you weren’t nodding feverishly for him to keep going. your nails rake down his shoulders, and the sting causes his hips to stammer and hit your cervix. you clamp down on him in kind, eliciting a broken moan straight from mingyu’s chest.
mingyu bends at the waist, his chest pressing right up against yours and sandwiching you into the couch. he fucks into you with quick snaps; barely even pulling out, just staying completely engulfed in your heat and angling right into the spot that has your eyes rolling back into your head.
“this is good, right?” mingyu pants out, somehow still self-conscious that he’s not doing a well enough job. “feels good?”
you grab a fistful of mingyu’s hair, so hard he’s sure he’ll have a bald patch— and with a wicked grin, you grit out a “fuck me harder.”
he completely loses it at that. mingyu feels the desire to please you completely overtake his body— he presses a hand on your tummy as he rams his hips into you at a crazed speed, so hard he’s sure it would be painful, but you take it all with a drunk smile.
mingyu can barely hear the way you’re shouting his name with the ringing in his ears. he’s been so, so fucking close this whole damn time and it hurts. it hurts so good. the way you’re leaving scratches on his scalp as you rip at his hair, the way you’re strangling the goddamn life out of his cock.
he can feel just how deep he’s in you with the hand pressing down, and— oh fuck— you’re—
you start tightening around mingyu in spasms as another orgasm completely overtakes you, moaning out pleas of “don’t stop” and “right there” and he can’t do anything but fuck you both through it as he starts to cum himself.
mingyu feels like he’s cumming forever. the condom completely fills up, he’s surprised it literally didn’t tear with how hard he was fucking you.
when he finally pulls out, he does it so quickly you both gasp at the loss of sensation. he’s worried his dick would’ve just kept going if he didn’t though.
mingyu feels so entirely enamoured with you right now. he just lost his virginity. without making a fool of himself (hopefully). and you’re so fucking beautiful and you’re real and laying under him, smiling like he hung the moon in the sky.
“you’ve got boyfriend dick, mingyu.”
his heart swells at you referring to him like that, but he tries not to get ahead of himself. “…what does that mean?”
“means you’re the best fuck i’ve ever had. who in the north pole is teaching you all that?”
he doesn’t reply as he lays down next to you, wrapping a big arm over your middle and nuzzling his face into your neck. he doesn’t want to ruin the illusion if he answers truthfully.
instead, he asks: “does this mean you wouldn’t mind seeing me again?”
you laugh at the big puppy eyes he’s giving you. “don’t you have santa stuff to do?”
he actually forgot that’s what he was here for. it’s no use anyways, since he didn’t climb down the chimney. the magic didn’t activate. your memory won’t be wiped when he leaves.
he’s not sure he wanted you to forget him anyways, though. he actually just fell in love with you.
“you’re the ‘stuff’ i had to do.” he says, and you just shake your head with a chuckle. “so what about it? meet you here next christmas?”
you lean in and kiss him, so softly. it catches him off guard when you say: “i’m not even done with you yet this christmas.”
M.LIST ⋮ TAGLIST ⋮ ASK
extra since i kept thinking about this while writing the smut lol
“dear santa coups, i wish to get dicked DOWN on some crazy fucking shit this christmas. i wish to be eaten out from the back, to have it down my throat, to feel it in my kidney, to cum so hard i faint. THIS IS NOT A JOKE. my need for some good quality cock is terminal. i might actually die if i don’t ... “
—Summary: He’s the kind of guy people cross the street to avoid—cold stare, leather jacket, knuckles scarred from fights he never starts but always finishes. But with you? He folds. Soft voice. Hands on your waist. Let's you climb into his lap in the middle of a garage like a chair. And when you decide to ride something other than his motorcycle tonight?
Yeah. He lets you. And says please.
—Genre: Smut, fluff, minor comedy, domestic softness, horny for cheol hours forever
—Warnings: MDNI! Unprotected sex (be safe irl), fingering, oral (f. receiving), RIIIIIDEEEEE, overstimulation, possessive but soft dom!Cheol, slight size kink, cursing, garage sex, tatted!Cheol(nothing new, just a mention of his svt tattoo), creampie, pet names, shitty writing, use of “please” as a kink trigger, BF CHEOL HEHEUHUHEEUEHUHE
—Tropes: biker!cheol x f!reader, he only has a soft spot for reader HEUEHEUEHE
—A/N: hi hey hello! I KNOWWW THIS FIC IS SO OVERDUE AND TOO SHORT BUT PLEASE AT LEAST I PASSED MY FINALS
It’s not that people don’t like your boyfriend. It’s just that… most of them are terrified of him.
And honestly? You kind of get it.
Choi Seungcheol looks like a man pulled straight out of a biker gang movie. Tattoo on his back dedicated to his biker gang. Hands always wrapped in black gloves or leather. Permanent scowl. Voice so deep you feel it before you hear it. He doesn’t talk unless he needs to. Doesn’t smile unless it’s for you.
The first time you brought him to your campus café, the barista actually dropped a muffin when he walked in. The poor guy tried to charge Seungcheol full price even though you had a coupon, because “uhh… sorry, sir, I just—uh—uh…” and Seungcheol just leaned over, raised a brow, and said nothing. Didn’t have to. The muffin ended up being free. With two extra cookies on the side.
You wanted to be mad.
But then he looked at you—eyes soft, like melted syrup—and whispered, “Want one now or should I feed it to you later?”
Yeah. You weren’t mad anymore.
What no one knew—what only you knew—is that the same man who once shoved a guy’s face into a car window for grabbing your wrist… is the same man who kisses your knees. Who saves every handwritten note you give him in his wallet. Who panics when you have cramps. Who once sewed your ripped tote bag and tried to hide it so you wouldn’t feel bad.
And tonight—he’s the man sitting on the couch in his garage, leather jacket open, rings still on, watching you slowly crawl into his lap like you own it.
You do.
“Missed you,” you mumble against his jaw, arms around his neck, your thighs straddling his hips. You’re not even sure how the two of you ended up like this, but at this point, it’s muscle memory. You sit. He catches you. You kiss. He melts.
His big hands slide up your thighs like instinct, thumbs brushing your bare thighs, damn those shorts.
“Didn’t even leave for that long,” he says, but he’s already leaning in for another kiss, like it physically hurts to go without it. “Couple hours.”
You pout. “Too long.”
Seungcheol huffs a soft laugh through his nose, shaking his head. “You’re a brat.”
You nod shamelessly. “Sure.”
His eyes flash.
It’s subtle—most people wouldn’t even notice. But you know exactly what that look means. It’s the same look he gave you the first time he kissed you in his garage. The same look he gave when you wore his gang jacket and sat on his bike like it was made for you.
The same look that says: “Oh shit, I’m gone.”
“You really wanna start something right here?” he mutters, voice low and scratchy as his fingers trace your bare thighs. “On the couch? In the garage?”
You lean in, lips brushing his, and whisper:
“Save a horse ride the cowboy, baby”
That’s all it takes.
One second you’re teasing him. The next you’re flat on your back, jacket still on, shorts pushed down to your ankles, and Seungcheol’s face buried between your thighs like he’s starving.
“Cheol—fuck—” You cry out, grabbing fistfuls of his hair as his tongue circles your clit with slow, deliberate strokes. “Holy shit—don’t stop—”
His hands hold your thighs open, firm but gentle, his fingers pressing bruises into your skin. He groans against you, and the vibration sends a jolt of heat straight to your spine.
“Taste so fucking sweet,” he mumbles, licking into you like he’s making up for lost time. “Missed this. Missed you.”
You arch, body trembling, and you can’t even think—can’t even breathe—because when Seungcheol eats pussy, it’s like he’s praying with his mouth. Worshipping. Every suck, every swirl of his tongue is pure devotion.
And when he slides two thick fingers inside you?
You lose it.
You clamp around him so tight he groans again, pumping his fingers slow, curling them just right.
“That’s it. Come on, baby, let go for me.” he murmurs
You do.
Your orgasm hits like a wave, stealing the air from your lungs, thighs trembling as your head falls back with a breathy moan of his name. He works you through it, doesn’t stop until you’re panting and twitching, until you're trying to push his hand away—but he’s not done.
He kisses up your stomach, then your chest, one hand cradling the back of your head as he finally kisses your mouth again, slow and messy.
“You still gonna let me pick the movie?” he murmurs against your lips.
You laugh, eyes half-lidded. “That depends…”
“On?”
“Do I get to ride you next?”
The smirk that curls across his face is pure sin.
“Garage door’s locked,” he says. “Bike can wait.”
You barely had time to catch your breath before he was grabbing your hips again, flipping you with a roughness that never felt unsafe. Just hot. Hot and raw and his. His rings dug into the sides of your thighs as he dragged you back onto his lap, chest rising under you like he’d just ran a fucking marathon.
You felt it—fuck, you felt everything. How hard he was underneath you. How warm his hands were even through the chill of the garage air. How his eyes kept dragging down your body like he was starving for it, like he didn’t just make you cum five minutes ago.
You grind against him—slow, teasing.
He groans. Tilts his head back, and you swear his jaw clenched like he was begging God for mercy.
“You think you’re cute?” he mutters, low and sharp, hands tightening. “Riding me like that?”
You lean in, lips brushing his, voice syrupy sweet.
“I know I’m cute.”
He growls—actually growls—and before you can laugh, he’s bucking his hips up hard, cock pressing right up into the heat between your legs even through both layers. You gasp, hands on his shoulders, and he smirks—cocky, smug, tongue running over his bottom lip like a fucking menace.
“You’re soaked,” he whispers, rubbing you through your panties. “Dripping for it. You gonna ride me just like this, baby?”
You nod. Eyes half-lidded. Fingers dragging up his chest until you’re tugging at the collar of his jacket.
“You gonna let me?” you murmur.
He lifts his hips again, cock straining against his jeans, and his voice drops even lower.
“I’m gonna let you do whatever you want to me.”
You don’t waste time.
You slide your panties to the side. He fumbles with his zipper, cock springing free—and fuck, you never get used to the size of him. Always thick. Always heavy. Always perfect. Your hand wraps around him, and he twitches, jaw clenched, throat bobbing as you stroke him once, twice—just to watch him fall apart.
“Fuck—ride me. Please.”
It’s the please that does it.
You sink down onto him in one slow, slick, aching stretch. His breath leaves him in a hiss. His hands fly to your waist. And when you're fully seated—when he's buried inside you, full and throbbing and so fucking deep—you both just sit there for a second, staring at each other like you can’t believe how good it feels.
“Holy shit,” he mutters. “Every time. You ruin me every fucking time.”
You move.
Slow at first—rolling your hips, grinding down just to hear him groan. Your hands find his shoulders again, digging into leather as you start to fuck yourself on him, building rhythm like it’s nothing. Like you own him. Because you do.
“Baby,” he moans, head falling back, grip bruising your waist now. “Shit—you look so good on me. Feel so good. Don’t stop, yeah?”
You don’t.
You ride him like you were born for it—hips snapping, thighs trembling, moans tumbling out your throat in little broken gasps. He’s a fucking wreck under you, muttering curses, his hands gripping so hard he might leave fingerprints. And he loves it. Loves how you take him. How you grind down and clench around him just right. How you keep moaning his name like it’s the only word you know.
“You close?” he pants, sweat beading at his temple. “Fuck, baby, tell me—”
“Cheol—‘m gonna cum—fuck—so close—”
He sits up. One hand to your lower back, the other sliding down to your clit again, rubbing fast, tight circles while he fucks up into you hard and deep.
“Cum on my cock, baby. Come on. Let me feel you.”
You do.
You fucking shatter.
Your orgasm rips through you like a wave of heat, moans caught in your throat as you cling to him, thighs clenching, body shaking. You don’t even realize you’re crying out his name until he’s whispering, “I got you, I got you, baby, I got you—fuck—”
Then he’s spilling inside you, groaning into your neck, hips stuttering as he cums deep, hot, full. You feel it—feel him. And it only makes you whimper again, still so full, still trembling from the high.
The two of you stay like that—foreheads pressed together, hearts racing.
Silence.
Just breathing.
Sweat. Soft skin. Cooling air.
He kisses you.
It’s not greedy this time. Just slow. Like thanks.
You pull back, dazed. “We’re disgusting.”
Seungcheol chuckles—softly. Like he’s actually relaxed for the first time all day.
“You love it,” he says.
You grin. “I really do.”
A second passes before Seungcheol speaks up again. “And don't ever call my baby a ‘cow’ again”
summary: 5 weddings in one year. 5 dates you saved for you and your boyfriend to attend — before he cheated. and now, you had to force your best friend, vernon, to go with you. but after losing a bet, mingyu agrees to take vernon’s place and be your date. this wasn’t how any of this was supposed to go, but you guess you could settle going with your only one-night-stand from college.
warnings: oral (f!recieving), fingering, 69ing, unprotected sex, reader on top, praise, mingyu has boyfriend dick<3, sub-ish!mingyu, also power bottom!mingyu 👍, multiple sex scenes, marijuana smoking/shotgunning, marijuana-induced horniness lol, one bed trope, forced proximity, miscommunication, HEAVY mutual pining. nsfw (minors / ageless blogs dni).
word count: 19.9k
note: first things first, APOLOGIESSSSS for this taking so long. I've had a lot going on (which I know just about everyone says) and I was lowkey struggling to write this, even tho I was so amped for it. nevertheless, I'm so glad I was able to focus and finish it, because I care so much for these two and I desperately wanted to share their story with you 💓 per usual, please expect angst with your smut, and if you cry, I will not judge you and honestly would love to hear it lol. enjoy friends! (taglist posted at the bottom.)
in rotation: bmf, sza / mona lisa, mxmtoon / gorgeous, taylor swift / moonstruck, enhypen / finally // beautiful stranger, halsey
Your mom had told you that the friends you make in your first year of college stay with you for life, but you didn’t expect that when you met Vernon. He had been shy, refusing to speak to anyone in your orientation group, but knowing glances turned into sitting next to each other, which then had you both whispering jokes back and forth, until finally, he told you his name. Hansol Chwe to be exact, but he insisted on “just Vernon.” By the second semester of freshman year, you both had become inseparable. He was your best friend, been with you through some of the toughest moments of your adult life, and you wouldn’t trade him for the world.
Vernon’s friendship survived through many of your boyfriends, and you knew he’d outlast many more. He experienced some of the worst ones – a.k.a. the men who refused to believe you two were just friends – and also the boring ones – the one guy who used you to get to him. But none of them had pissed him off more than your most current breakup: the man who was three years your senior and cheated on you with a 22-year-old. You assumed by age 27, you’d know how to pick ‘em, but that was clearly wrong.
Now you were left to your own devices with five weddings to attend this year. In retrospect, maybe there was a few you could’ve skipped, but you hated saying no in situations like this. You had agreed to go to all of them with your now ex-boyfriend in mind, placing a 2 on the invite’s attending line. Per usual, Vernon had stepped up and begrudgingly offered himself to be your date.
So why were you now meeting up with Kim Mingyu to discuss the dates of said five weddings?
You first met Mingyu when Vernon joined a fraternity in sophomore year to make more friends. “I can’t just have you. I need to have at least some friends that are dudes,” he said, which made you reply, “That’s the toxic masculinity talking.” And boy, had Mingyu been the epitome of that statement. Him and Vernon had connected instantly, sharing the same major and an affinity for art girls. You had never really gotten along with him like Vernon had hoped, but he was … attractive, to say the least.
Okay, maybe you had a crush on him. You had eyes.
But it was college and you both were on the cusp of 20. It was so hard to confess feelings back then, especially to someone like Kim Mingyu. Who you didn’t particularly enjoy talking to in the first place. However … he was probably one of the hottest men you’d ever seen; made in a lab for every young girl’s fantasy. Sometimes you couldn’t help but just stare at him, admiring his perfect teeth or the way his honey-gold skin shined in the afternoon sunlight. (You thanked your lucky stars that Vernon joined the college football team alongside Mingyu, just so you could secretly ogle him during practice.)
Suffice to say, you did eventually hook up. In the most cliche way possible, you had both gotten a little too tipsy at the first frat party of senior year and wound up in Mingyu’s dorm, locking out his roommate for the entire night. It almost felt weird, realizing your attraction had been reciprocated, but he hardly said a word to you come morning. In fact, he never mentioned it again, period, choosing to avoid you except in group settings with Vernon. You weren’t a fool; you were quick to realize it meant nothing to him, just another notch on his bedpost.
Mingyu was every girl’s dream, but Mingyu was also uncommitted.
And he was walking towards you right now.
You looked up from your phone after stalking – looking through Mingyu’s Instagram. You never followed him, never checked in on him after graduation, but you knew how close he still was with Vernon. He even posted a picture with him recently. You rolled your eyes. Despite his long hair, you recognized Mingyu instantly as he went up to the barista and ordered a coffee. You studied him for a moment, noticing that there was a curl to his hair and the way those dark stands hung around his eyes. His skin was as perfect as ever and – goddamn, did he get bigger? He was wearing a jacket over his t-shirt and you could still tell how big his muscles were.
When he finally looked over his shoulder and your eyes connected, his face remained unchanged, if not a little awkward. He walked up to you, rubbing at the back of his neck, and said your name as if it were a question. “Yeah. Hi, Mingyu,” you replied with a wave. “It’s been a while.”
“Five years since graduation,” he added, pulling out the chair across from you and plopping down. “So you stopped putting those blonde highlights in your hair?”
Your eye twitched. Before you could spit out a response, a cute, dark-haired barista came over and set a fresh mug of coffee in front of him, completely ignoring that your own was practically empty. Mingyu flashed her a smile, showing off his pretty canines as she walked away. You frowned.
Vernon had told you last night that Mingyu wasn’t the same guy you knew in college, but you begged to differ.
Turning back to you, he took a sip from his mug and asked, “Why did you want to meet up again?”
“Because my best friend is an asshole and you lost a bet.”
“Oh, yeah. That.” He nodded.
You almost didn’t believe Vernon when he told you. You knew he didn’t exactly want to be your date to all these weddings and probably felt like he had to, but he did offer so you didn’t think much of it. Until he told you last week that he put all his guest invites on the line while playing a drinking game with Mingyu, which the latter lost. So now Kim Mingyu, your college one-night-stand that was scared of commitment, was committing to being your date to several weddings this year.
Kill me now, you thought.
“I thought drinking games and making silly bets like this didn’t happen once your frontal lobe formed,” you said, and his dark eyes flickered up to yours.
“That’s where you’re wrong,” he cleared his throat and set the mug down again. “Men never really grow up.”
You crossed your arms over your chest and sat back in your chair. “Apparently,” you muttered under your breath. “How do you have the time to actually commit to this? Don’t you have a girlfriend or something?”
“One,” he held up a single finger, “I take bets very seriously and I’m not a sore loser. It’s only removing five weekends out of the year for me. No biggie. And two,” he lifted another finger, “No.”
You raised a brow. “Well, I guess that answers all my questions.”
Mingyu stared at you for a moment, running those two fingers over his bottom lip. You suddenly had a flashback to that night, remembering his hands all over you, remembering his fingers plunging inside and curling –
Not the time.
“Don’t you have a boyfriend? Why put down two people on these RSVPs you sent back and then force just anybody to be your date?” He fought the urge to smile, trying to dig a little deeper into you. You weren’t falling for it this time. “I love the guy, but I know Vernon wasn’t your first choice to accompany you.”
“My ex and I broke up,” you replied. “Not much to it.”
Intrigued, he sipped his coffee again. “Why?”
“It’s none of your business, Mingyu.”
“Well, as your new date –”
“Drop it,” you said, voice taking on a new tone. “I’m serious.”
Mingyu raised his hand in surrender, and you shook off your anger. This was supposed to be a friendly, quick conversation, but it was seemingly moving off the rails. A sigh escaped your mouth before you asked, “So you said this is only taking five weekends out of the year. What do you do with your time? Are you working?”
“I thought I answered all your questions.”
You narrowed your eyes.
He chuckled softly, exposing those canines once again. His smile was so … ugh, you needed to stop getting distracted. “I work at a restaurant four days a week as a cook, and then teach flag football at a rec facility the rest of the time. I’ve been trying to save up to open my own restaurant for years, but I got the time to be a makeshift wedding date.”
You knew Mingyu had always loved to cook – you remembered when he’d been the resident chef at the fraternity – but to hear he was still passionate almost … melted you a little. Almost. You were dedicated to not being too swayed by Mingyu’s pretty words. This was a deal and that was the end of it.
“I see,” you nodded, uncrossing your arms to play with the handle of your still empty mug. “I’ve been working at the same marketing agency since college. Pays the bills, you know?”
Mingyu gave you a knowing look before running a hand through the long strands. “Always so committed.”
Your lips pursed. “One of us has to be.”
“Speaking of commitment,” he said without missing a beat, pulling his phone from the pocket of his jeans. “What are the dates for those weddings again?”
Save the Date for the wedding of Choi Seungcheol and Holland Levine: February 28th
It was a rainy Sunday in February. Your coworker, Choi Seungcheol, was getting married today at a local venue on the outskirts. His girlfriend, Holland – otherwise known as, Hinge Holland, when he met her on the dating app 3 years ago – was a little kooky and asked for them to be eloped that morning. Seungcheol was too in love to say no; he’d do anything she asked. They were married early morning, and lucky for you and Mingyu, all you had to attend was a reception. It was a nice way to test the waters of this deal before anything got too crazy.
Mingyu had picked you up in his truck, and together struggled to help lift you inside with your dress and heels on. As he drove away from the city and into a more rural area, he commented, “Your coworker must be real whipped to agree to a reception here.”
“What are you talking about?” You looked through your phone for the address Seungcheol had sent you months ago. “I thought the reception was at some small venue.”
Mingyu said your name, and you glanced over, seeing the smile on his face. “It’s a VFW owned by someone in his girlfriend’s family.”
You realized just how right he was when he pulled up to a spot in a VFW parking lot, seeing a crowd of Holland’s family pour into the post. You knew what the inside of a VFW looked like; you had your sweet 16 at one. But going to a wedding reception at one was a whole different story. Were the walls so old that they’d crumble once the DJ dared to play Dancing Queen?
Rain pounded from the sky, making the cold February wind even more chilly. Mingyu rounded the truck and opened your door, making sure to hold an umbrella above your head as you slid out of the seat. He looked … okay, he looked extremely handsome in his suit, tailored exactly to his body. You were in an old, off-the-shoulder black dress with mesh sleeves that were doing nothing in this wet cold. This wedding had crept up on you, and before you knew it, you remembered you didn’t have any new dresses to wear. And while it looked nice, the dress just barely zipped and you had to keep pulling up the neckline. Clearly, you had grown a bit since the last time you worn this. Probably in college.
Mingyu was staring at you now, letting his eyes wander down, and you were yanking at the neckline again. He didn’t deserve to see more of your cleavage. He whispered, “You look …”
“Just come on,” you cut him off, tugging him in the direction of the VFW. He struggled to keep up for a moment, rushing to hold the umbrella above both of you.
As soon as you both walked inside, you realized just how dressed up you were compared to the place. The building looked like it hadn’t been updated since the 1990s. There was, at least, a huge buffet-style food setup in the corner and a man so old that he probably had one foot in the grave behind the bar. A sign in front of him said, OPEN BAR, written in thick sharpie. Various family members were congregating at tables, while the DJ – who looked like a Pitbull impersonator – was setting up at the head of the room.
Seungcheol ran over the second he saw you meandering through tables. He had the biggest smile on his face, tugging his new wife over to introduce her to you before wiggling his eyebrows at you when he noticed Mingyu on your arm. Even Holland couldn’t help but ogle him. Seungcheol was one of your closest coworkers, so it wasn’t weird when he asked, “Who’s the beefcake?”
Mingyu was too busy dealing with Holland’s questions to hear you reply, “Don’t ask. I’ve cycled through many options before I was forced to bring him.”
“I’m sure it was quite difficult for you,” he snorted, before carefully pulling his wife’s hand off of Mingyu’s and introducing himself. Not long after, he was ushering her away to start making speeches.
You and Mingyu found your seat quickly, and luckily enough, you were sat with most of your coworkers. Every single one was looking at Mingyu like he was a piece of meat, but he didn’t seem to notice as he had a friendly conversation with each of them. You struggled to not roll your eyes. How was he perfect with everyone? Maybe your dislike of him was irrational and unwarranted, maybe he did change. But … ugh, could he fuck up for once?
Your coworker, Minghao, sat to your left, watching Mingyu converse with the young assistant – Amelia, right? – who was very clearly batting her eyes at him. Leaning towards you, Minghao whispered, “I thought you were bringing Vernon?”
Minghao was one of the few people you told about your breakup, as well as Vernon and of course, your girlfriends. It wasn’t like you to go around everywhere and post on social media about your breakup; it wasn’t anyone’s business. But Minghao gave great advice, and he was one of the first people that helped you get over the heartbreak. He wasn’t just a coworker. He became a trusted friend.
Turning your head, you said, “Would you believe me if I told you that he lost a bet?”
“Considering who you ended up with,” he chuckled, “I’d say it’s a win in your favor.”
“He’s not that great.”
“Then you might want to pull Amelia off of him before she starts sucking his face.”
The reception ended at an early hour thankfully. Most of the elderly guests were falling asleep anyway. Mingyu was a class act, per usual, trying to get you up and out of your seat to dance with him, but the last thing you wanted to do was dance to Toxic by Britney Spears in front of your boss at the marketing agency. Instead, he took the lead to asking Seungcheol’s mom to dance, and made Amelia’s day when he asked her to join. Minghao only continued to laugh when you rejected each of Mingyu’s advances.
Once 10 PM rolled around and you both were exiting the doors of the aging VFW, you noticed the rain hadn’t let up. In fact, it seemed to have gotten even worst. You had to run to Mingyu’s truck with him holding the umbrella above both of you and almost trip over your dress as you hopped up inside the cab. Assuming it would be fine to drive, just a few minutes in the rain left you both realizing that it might be extremely unsafe to drive back to the city in this weather. You really couldn’t argue with Mingyu when he suggested you stay the night at a motel right down the road.
The woman behind the front desk at the motel was chewing so loud that you thought the wad of bubblegum between her teeth might be larger than your palm. She informed you both that the only rooms available were ones with a single queen-sized bed. As much as you desperately wanted two, you’d take what you could get. She started grabbing both of your informations to check in when a loud bolt of lightning cracked, followed by a crash of thunder. You instantly gripped Mingyu’s arm, and he paused signing his name to look down at you.
“Are you scared of thunder?” He asked playfully.
Realizing how tight you were holding on, you quickly removed your hand. “No, I’m … it’s fine.”
His bicep felt so much harder than anticipated. All muscle.
Stop that.
The front desk attendant gave you an actual metal key to open your room, the number dangling from a kitschy pendant. This was the kind of motel where you needed to venture outside to get to your room, and with your arms locked together, Mingyu led you both through the pouring rain to the right building. He shoved the key in the lock, immediately opening the door and allowing you to walk inside first.
The room was smaller than expected. The heat was hardly circulating and you were still shivering. A queen-sized bed was situated in front of an old RCA TV, decorated with a comforter that looked strangely similar to the one from the 80s that your mom had given you when you first moved out. The room smelled like bleach and all you could hear was the rain on the roof. Noticing you shiver, Mingyu walked over to the thermostat and adjusted the heat.
“Maybe this was a bad idea,” you said, hugging your arms around yourself.
Mingyu pointed to the large window by the door. “I can’t drive in that. It takes an hour to get back to the city and I can hardly see the road.”
“Okay, well –”
Lightning struck again, painting the window white, and you jumped. Mingyu shook his head and walked over, closing the shades over the glass. He looked down at you, and you were acutely aware that he was the kind of person who could say everything just with his eyes. “Better?” He asked, a smile playing at his pink lips.
He was so close that you could smell his cologne and – god dammit, you were such a sucker for men that smelled good. He smelled like violets mixed with smokey sandalwood, spicy and musky. Whatever you were going to quip back died on your tongue, leaving you to reply, “I can’t sleep in my dress. I have nothing to wear to bed.”
Walking over to the tiny closet, Mingyu spotted a robe hanging up next to the vintage ironing board. He placed it in your arms and remarked, “Take a shower and put this on.”
“Are you saying I smell?”
He laughed. “No, you’re shivering and it’ll help warm you up.”
You nodded, heading off to the bathroom and shutting the door. As you slipped off your dress and let it pool onto the tile, you realized how antagonizing you were being for no reason. Mingyu had been nothing but nice to you, but you were suspecting him to switch-up at any moment. Maybe Vernon was right, or maybe you just needed to take a chill pill.
Mingyu was helping you out, after all.
After taking the warmest shower of your life and probably using all of the hot water in the motel, you walked out into the room with your robe tied firmly around your waist. The cotton smelled like mothballs and you hardly left an inch of skin showing. Granted you weren’t naked underneath, but you wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing your underwear. Again. After five years.
He was wearing only a tank top and boxers while setting up a makeshift bed on the floor. You struggled to maintain focus with him looking … well, like that, and eventually spoke up, “What are you doing?”
He hardly jumped at hearing your voice. “I figured it would just be easier if I slept on the floor. Trust me, I’ve slept in far worse places.”
“Mingyu, you don’t have to do that,” you sighed, pulling back the covers and tossing the mismatching throw pillows on the floor.
“It’s not a big deal.”
“I know, but it’s just –”
Thunder clashed outside, sounding like pots and pans clanging together, rattling your bones.
Your eyes connected with Mingyu’s, and you pointed to the empty side of the bed. “Sleep in this bed right now.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
You both agreed – more like, you told Mingyu and he listened – to place a wall of pillows between you two, leaving you on the edges of the bed. You curled up into yourself, your spine facing him, as Mingyu laid on his back and pinched the bridge of his nose. The rain was so loud. The thunder was deafening. You considered plugging your fingers in your ears as you slept.
Mingyu was shifting on the small sliver of mattress he had, wishing internally that he brought a joint or two with him. This bed was so uncomfortable that he probably wouldn’t sleep. But hopefully, you would. Although that was seeming highly unlikely from the way your back tensed with every boom of thunder.
He watched you from the corner of his eye, and eventually, you did stop shaking. Soft snores filled the room, replacing the sound of the rain. And then Mingyu felt himself relax, swiftly falling asleep with his arm thrown above his head.
Despite the pillow wall you built, you woke up with your head on his chest.
Mingyu had wanted to tell you how beautiful you looked that day, but he couldn’t find the courage to finish his sentence.
Save the Date for the wedding of Lee Chan and Adrianna Olson: April 4th
Tapping your freshly manicured nails on your bare arm, you leaned against the passenger side door of your car and huffed. You uncrossed your arms, beginning to pace outside Mingyu’s apartment building. The ceremony today started in two hours and you were about ninety minutes from the venue. Not to mention, there was only a matter of time before one of his neighbors showed up, forcibly removing you from the parking spot in front of the building you definitely did not live in. What the hell was Mingyu doing anyway? He said he’d be down ten minutes ago.
You tugged off your heels, realizing they’d be a bitch to drive in, and pulled your sneakers from the back seat. Your floral, strapless sundress blew in the Spring breeze. Your curls – that looked like they could’ve been done by a toddler – whisked off your bare shoulders as you stepped into your favorite Nikes.
“Sorry.”
Popping your head up, you halted while shoving the back door closed. You blinked, assuming your eyes were deceiving you, but there he was, sprinting down the front steps of his building with freshly chopped hair.
Mingyu was quickly walking over to shove his duffle in your backseat, pulling at his tie, when you leaned in and placed your hand on his head. Yep, that was his real hair. Those long locks that had reached his chin were gone, replaced by a hairstyle that was similar to how he looked in college.
“I know we’re running late,” he apologized, letting your fingers sink into the strands for a moment, “but do you have to –”
“This is not about that.” You removed your hand, leveling a look at him. “You cut your hair.”
Mingyu raised a brow. “It was getting long.”
You paused, blinking at him. “Why didn’t you warn me of your new look?”
“I didn’t think I had to?” He shrugged, genuinely confused as to why you were questioning him. “My hair had gotten even longer since February, so I just thought I’d freshen up for you –”
You completely missed his words – for you, he’d freshened up for you – because you were already interrupting him. “Well, it’s just – it might look weird in pictures because my hair is up and your hair is so short. And I’m already going to have so many people looking at us wondering why my ex, who’s name I put on the invite, isn’t here. And I just want to eliminate as much attention as possible. And, well – and –”
Mingyu placed both hands on your shoulders. His palms were large, practically burning into your exposed skin. “Are you overthinking?”
“No, I …”
When your voice trailed off, Mingyu hesitated for a moment longer and then slid his hands off. “Vernon told me that you dated the groom. Chan, right?”
Of-fucking-course, Vernon told him. Your lips pursed before you replied, “We were friends before that, and we only dated for like a couple months in college. I introduced him to the woman he’s marrying.”
“Then why are you so nervous?”
“I think I have a lot of reasons to be nervous these days.” You continued to stare at him, waiting for him to come up with another quippy remark, but it seemed he contested and shoved his hands into the pockets of his suit. The same tailored suit he wore to the wedding in February, a few loose threads at the seams. “Let’s get going. We’ll be in the car for a while,” you said, rounding your car and hopping inside the driver’s seat.
As Mingyu dealt with finding room for his duffle in your trunk, you took this small second to text Vernon.
You: your friend is infuriating
You: also I’m never going to forgive you for telling him that I dated chan
Vernon: you’ll get over it lol
Vernon: is that the only reason why he’s infuriating?
You: HAIRCUT
Vernon: oh I probably should’ve told you about that when I saw him last week
Vernon: sorry :/
You closed your texts when Mingyu hopped in the passenger seat, turning on your music to drown out your thoughts. The drive was long and you were lucky that you got to the venue with ten minutes to spare. You parked the car in a haste, running to your back seat and quickly tugging your heels back on. You chucked your sneakers onto the car floor, almost hitting Mingyu in the face when he went to grab his phone from the same area. Locking your car, you grabbed his arm and yanked, both of you running towards the venue attached to a pretty hotel. Mingyu, even with his long legs, was struggling to keep up. He was also slightly impressed that you could run so fast in heels, and that was definitely the only reason why he was staring at your legs. He wasn’t admiring how long they looked when the wind lifted your skirt and he got a flash of your calf.
Even from your seat in the back of the ceremony, you could see Chan’s face light up as Adrianna was escorted down the aisle. She was wearing a vintage wedding dress, the veil sheer enough to see how beautiful she was underneath, and Chan was eager enough to lift it as soon as they said, “I do.” Adrianna looked like she hadn’t aged a day since school, and you could probably say the same for Chan. But he did manage to finally remove the earrings he got six years ago, which made you giggle to yourself.
Mingyu pretended not to notice.
Most of the people at the wedding were old friends from undergrad, even a few Mingyu knew in passing. Every time you were approached, you prepared yourself for the same question: “Where is He Who Will Not Be Named?” Or, for those that actually knew Mingyu: “Since when did you know Gyu?” You weren’t sure how much longer you could fake a smile and laugh, pretend that your heart still wasn’t sore from the breakup, rehash the same words over and over again. It was tiring; you were tired.
Same explanation. Same heartbreak. You wouldn’t be surprised if the whole planet knew of your breakup by now. You didn’t announce it anywhere, besides telling your family and close friends. It was natural for people to be curious; you had been with your ex for a couple years, enough for your family to assume that he’d propose. But then he cheated, and you found out, and you were left in pieces, tied to Kim Mingyu as your date for a full year of weddings.
You just didn’t want to keep on doing this, explaining yourself ten times over, realizing that everyone was looking at you with interest. Maybe a second glass of champagne would be a good distraction …
“Wanna dance?”
You looked up from the rim of your empty glass. Mingyu had knocked you out of your daze, laying out a hand for you to take. The reception was lively with family and friends mingling on the dance floor, but Mingyu had still noticed you alone at the table, lost in your thoughts. Had he always been this attentive, or was he just prone to watching you?
Ignoring your internal monologue, you took his hand, allowing him to lead you to the dance floor. Just as Mingyu was about to place his hand on your waist, the song changed, switching to a more upbeat track you used to blast in college. You immediately started laughing at all the older folks trying to follow the beat, and then found Chan with his wife, shimmying on the dance floor. Mingyu pinched the bridge of his nose, but found himself beaming when he finally saw the smile grace your features. He didn’t let go of your hand, let you twirl him to the song that took you back to the musty basement of a frat party.
Chan, at some point, had managed to dance over in your direction, bumping into you with a big grin. “I knew all the alumni here would love this,” he shouted over the music. “Do you remember when you puked outside a window once at some party and you said that it was this song that induced it?”
You were surprised when Mingyu said, “Yes,” at the same time as you. Both you and Chan glanced at him, eyebrows raised, until he added, “That was at one of my parties. I cleaned your vomit off the windowsill!”
The four of you erupted in laughter. Even Adrianna remembered that party, considering that was the night you drunkenly introduced her to Chan. She eventually pulled you away from Mingyu, leading you towards her group of bridesmaids so you all could dance together. But your eyes couldn’t help but find Mingyu’s across the floor, and then he was looking at you, and – god dammit, staring at him felt like a crime you’d consider going to jail for.
Everyone was looking at him, but he was looking at you.
Actually, Mingyu couldn’t seem to take his eyes off you. Not once.
He stared at you as if it was just you two, as if you were stripped bare before him, just for his eyes to see. You could tell from the way he bit his lip while smiling. He looked at you as if you were naked.
Soon enough, you were slipping through the crowd and by his side once again. He was now leaning against the wall by the open bar, nursing a scotch. The party was winding down; all the older family members had left, leaving Chan and Adrianna – plus a few other young couples – swaying to a classic Ed Sheeran song. It wouldn’t be long until they ended the night with Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley. The time war nearing 11 PM.
Slinking beside him, he offered the glass to you and you took a sip, wincing at the burn. You stuck out your tongue. “How can you drink that so smoothly?”
“Years of practice,” he replied, and then flicked your nose in a way that shouldn’t make you blush. But you definitely did.
You blinked up at him, admiring how pretty he was in the faint, yellow light. Actually, he was pretty in every light, but you liked to find any excuse to admire him. Even if you denied it.
“Wanna get out of here?” You asked then, digging your nails into your palms. So afraid of rejection after all these years, even though he agreed to be here. “I think the reception is going to end soon anyway.”
“Yeah, sounds good.” He set his half empty glass on a random table and straightened his back before adding, “Whatever you’re comfortable with.”
God, you needed to get it together. Those words were the bare minimum, but when he said them in that slightly muffled voice, it made your nails pinch the inside of your hands harder.
You both stood on opposite sides of the elevator, dragging up, up, up to your room on the seventeenth floor. Your eyes connected. A smile played at his lips. An unspoken tension brewing between the two of you. A feeling you didn’t want to be there in the first place, but something you couldn’t simply ignore.
This couldn’t be happening. Not today. Not tonight. Not ever again.
He opened the door for you, allowing you to slip inside and grab your bag. While he rifled through his duffle, you brought your bag into the bathroom and leaned against the sink. You allowed yourself a moment to just breathe. Maybe if you kept exhaling like this, you would release all the tension from your body. You knew how silly it sounded, but desperate times called for desperate measures. You stared at your reflection in the mirror, turning your face from side to side. Was it the makeup that made him look at you that way sometimes? Perhaps he still had a fondness for lipgloss, like he did back in the day.
When you finally stopped studying your appearance, you wiped off your makeup and tugged on a pair of loose pajamas. Wearing these would be so much more comfortable – and less awkward – than the robe you wore after the last wedding. You still had nightmares about that. Carefully tiptoeing out of the bathroom, you expected to find Mingyu already in one of the two full size beds, scrolling through his phone and ignoring the noise you naturally made. But he was on the deck just outside your room, smoke billowing from his mouth.
You stood near the unoccupied bed, balancing on the balls of your feet, as you debated your options. A smart person would go right to sleep, leave him to his business. You chewed on your bottom lip nervously.
Despite the slight warmth to the air, you threw on a hoodie, scared of the possibility of your nipples showing through the thin fabric of your t-shirt. You slid open the door and immediately closed it, preventing any smoke from getting into the room. He didn’t turn; he knew exactly who was behind him. His back muscles flexed underneath his suit jacket, the joint dangling between his lips as he prayed for his lighter to work again.
“You probably shouldn’t be smoking in this suit,” you said, saddling up beside him.
He chuckled, finally taking a long drag. “I promise to get it dry cleaned before our next adventure.”
Before our next adventure. You bit the inside of your cheek.
Your eyes didn’t leave the joint now sitting between two of his fingers. (Jeez, were they always that big?) He let more smoke filter from his lips and into the open air, clouding up the starry night sky. Without even looking at you, he asked, “Why are you staring?” His words hung in the silence for a moment. “Have you ever smoked before?”
You shrugged. “Only once or twice with Vernon. Probably as freshmen.”
“You want me to show you how?”
Blinking at him, all you could do was dumbly nod. Mingyu laughed under his breath, fighting with his lighter again, before eventually holding the flame to the end. He then cautiously passed the joint over to you, allowing the filter to brush your lips. “Take it in your mouth,” he instructed, “now inhale.”
When you did as he asked, you must’ve inhaled far too deeply, or just didn’t exhale at the right time. Because then you were coughing, doubling over as you tried to catch your breath. “Hey, hey, hey,” he said, concern etched in his tone, and patted your back as you hacked up what felt like your left lung. His voice was soft, soothing, but you could hardly hear it through the ringing in your ears.
“Yeah,” you sighed, voice hoarse, “I’m definitely out of practice.”
As you stood up, his hand stayed on your shoulder, his thumb rubbing patterns. Your breath stilled as you looked up at him. Playing with the joint between his lips, he said, “Let me show you an easier way.”
“Okay,” you agreed, before your conscious could stop you.
You watched as he took a long pull from the joint, sucking it all in until you could see his eyes get a little pinker, and then moved closer to you. Instinctively, your eyes closed and your lips parted, welcoming the scent of him. His lips only lightly grazed yours as he exhaled the smoke into your mouth, letting it engulf your very being, and you felt yourself start to relax. He craned back, grinning down at you, and it took everything within you to not ask for another hit right then.
In the moonlight, you could see why you fell hard for Mingyu. He had only gotten more handsome since college. Light, in any form, was so kind to him, but with the stars hanging above his head … it allowed his dark hair to shine, casting a slightly blueish tone to his warm features. You could see the twinkling stars reflecting in his eyes, especially when he leaned back in, expelling more smoke into your mouth.
This felt too intimate. This felt like fucking.
Once you both were so high you could do nothing but laugh, Mingyu stubbed out the joint and you stumbled back into the room. You both were finally going to have a good sleep at one of these, especially since there were two beds. Rolling into your bed, you immediately burrowed under the covers as Mingyu took off his suit in the bathroom.
The last thing you expected was to feel him plop down in your bed. He was wearing so little that it made your thighs press together, or maybe that was just the weed talking. He was disoriented, laying halfway off the edge of your bed, staring at you as if you were the Mona Lisa. You huffed, “Mingyuuu. You need to get in your own bed.”
“Do you really want that though?”
His words made your eyes immediately snap open. A grin was tugging at his mouth again, his teeth sinking into that plush bottom lip. Oh, so also wanted … Oh.
You tried to sound cool and nonchalant, “Considering this is a full size bed, yeah.”
Even in the darkness, even with his back to the moonlight streaming through the glass door – his presence was making you nervous. His eyes weren’t leaving yours. You felt your hand inch over, your pinky curling around his.
“If I can be so honest with you,” he whispered, licking at the corners of his lips, “you are so beautiful that I want to kill any guy that has done you wrong.”
You exhaled, “Mingyu …”
He leaned in, smiling like he knew he caught you in his trap. “Yes?”
You were pretty sure that you knew Kim Mingyu by now. You knew that this would be just another night that meant nothing to him. No matter how much he “changed” in Vernon’s eyes, it was very clear to you that he remained uncommitted. But fuck it, your heart was still burning from the breakup, stinging from the memory of people uttering your ex’s name tonight. It was only going to be a kiss. Just something to soothe the pain.
He was so much closer now, invading your space, his hand completely eclipsing yours. He smelled like marijuana and lingering cologne. “Tell me to stop,” he murmured, but you didn’t. You let him kiss you, and god, it would be so much easier to dislike Mingyu if he didn’t kiss so well.
It wasn’t long before his tongue was pushing into your mouth, his large body looming over yours as he pressed you into the mattress a little more. And you’re desperate for it; you couldn’t stop. This was supposed to be simple – just a kiss – but you could feel yourself falling under his spell, feel how his palms burned against your skin as they dragged down your torso. He explored your mouth like it was the first time, parting your legs to make room for himself on top of you. When his lips left yours, you almost let out a whine, but he helped take off your hoodie before reattaching his mouth to your neck. Those large hands snake under your shirt – up, up, and up – until he was cupping your breasts and you can feel how hard he is against your thigh.
Mingyu looked up at you as he kissed down your torso, his spit soaking through the thin fabric of the t-shirt you were still wearing. He lifted one of your legs, adjusting it so your thigh could rest comfortably on his shoulder and – shit, you knew where this was going. Reaching the waistband of your panties, he begged, “Let me go down on you.”
You mulled over his words. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“No,” he grinned against your skin, meeting your eyes from between your legs. “But that’s a tomorrow problem. Please?” His head tilted. “Do I have to beg? I’m willing.”
You bit your tongue, egging him on a little as he nipped at the inside of your thigh. He bucked his hips once, them twice, trying to get the smallest bit of friction on his cock that was currently throbbing in his boxers. He grunted softly against your skin.
“And if I say, ‘No?’” You asked with a raised brow.
He lifted his head and pouted his lips. After all these years, he still managed the perfect puppy dog eyes that could make just about anyone weak. “Don’t be mean,” he pleaded, and you couldn’t help but giggle.
“You like when I’m mean,” you quipped, giving him permission by helping him shimmy your panties off. He adjusted your legs again, presenting you like a meal.
“I do,” he chuckled, his breath ghosting over your pretty, pink folds. “Especially, when you act like you didn’t want me here in the first place.”
Before you can rebuttal, he’s pressing his face between your thighs, dragging his tongue up your slit to collect the wetness that gathered there. Just the small amount of attention had you keening, your hips jumping for more of him, and Mingyu was happy enough to oblige. His tongue flicked at your clit as he slid one single finger inside of you, testing your limits. Those puppy dog eyes lifted from between your thighs, wanting to see you crumble, knowing that it was him who made you like this. You sighed out his name, your hand coming down to tangle in his hair. And god, if Mingyu didn’t love that … he’d be a dead man. He groaned when he felt you tug at the strands, beginning to swirl his tongue in a circle around your puffy clit.
You couldn’t even prepare yourself when he shoved another finger inside, pumping them in and out at an unreasonably fast pace. But you were bucking into him, tears pricking at your eyes as you whimpered for him. It was too much but almost too little at the same time. You could practically feel him smile as he devoured you. The bed rattled against the wall when he ground his erection against the frame, so needy and aching. His plump lips suckled on your clit, your slick smearing over his face, but he didn’t want to miss a drop of you. He needed more of you, so he started curling three fingers inside of you, teasing that sweet spot.
This wasn’t your first rodeo with Mingyu. He knew what you could take.
“Mingyu,” you whined, and he glanced up at you again with the most fucked-out eyes imaginable. And still, he didn’t stop. “You’re gonna … I’m gonna cum so fast.”
He moaned into you, then begged, “Please. Need to taste you.”
He was so determined, so desperate to feel you shake and moan and cry until he was completely spent on the taste of you. And it wasn’t long before he got his wish: as he shoved those three fingers into you, grazing your g-spot while lapping at you like you were his last meal on death row. You unraveled on his tongue, muffling your cries for the rest of the people sleeping on your floor. Biting into your hand, you had physically restrain your body from shaking as your orgasm rocked through you, but Mingyu held you down with a gentle hand on your stomach. He was staring at you again and you were staring at him and fuck, his half-closed eyes made him look like he was drunk on you. You could feel him smirking into your pussy as he collected every last drop of you, knowing that he did a good job. He sighed with relief when he could finally taste you again and again and again.
Once your body settled, you felt him start to tug at your shirt and kiss up your stomach. The thought of now having him inside you made your hands clench with excitement, but dear god, he just knocked the wind out of you and you weren’t sure how you could last. You were spent, tired, probably could just fall asleep right now.
You weren’t feeling his lips on your skin anymore, so you opened your eyes. The moonlight gave you just enough to see that, despite the raging boner he probably had, Mingyu was now snoring softly with his head resting on your hips. Brows raised, you almost couldn’t believe that this was the moment he decided to fall asleep, but you couldn’t deny that you had been on the verge of doing the same.
Untangling yourself from him, you quickly cleaned yourself up and wiped his face clean with a washcloth. You sighed, using all the brute strength you had to haul him up on what was supposed to be your bed, and wrapped the covers around him. You admired him for a moment, your hand coming up to smooth back his dark hair. Somehow, this felt even more intimate than you cumming in his mouth. So you quickly moved away and slipped under the sheets of the other bed, using his snores as white noise.
The next morning, neither of you spoke of what happened.
Mingyu had wanted to tell you that he had a crush on you the moment Vernon introduced you two all those years ago, even when you disliked him. And slowly but surely, he was starting to realize it never truly went away.
Save the Date for the wedding of Joshua Hong and Jordan Lo: June 20th
Two months passed and the spring air turned sweltering. It was on days like this when you rolled the windows down and wasted gas just to get an overpriced iced coffee that you reminisced. You were taken back to a time when you waited by the curb as Vernon appeared from football practice, and even though he was sweaty, you still always agreed to drive him back to his dorm on the other side of campus. You would watch him say goodbye to his teammates and – shit, the light would catch, and suddenly you were looking at Mingyu wipe the sweat off his face while laughing with the quarterback and –
Now you were thinking about Mingyu again.
You had been thinking about him since April.
All of this felt so silly, like stupid games young 20-somethings played. You knew it wasn’t good for you in engage in – well, anything with Mingyu. He had always been perfectly uncommitted with women, and he was clearly obsessed with his work, posting his new recipes or pictures of him and his flag football team on his Instagram stories. You could handle this. You could be an adult and have a functional acquaintanceship with someone you found attractive.
So you kept your distance. On the off chance that Mingyu was free and asked if you wanted to get together (which was a shock in itself), you declined. Even if you wanted to. Even if you desperately wondered what would come of it. The next wedding wasn’t until the end of June and you were already biting you lip at the thought of seeing him in a suit again.
The only person you could finally blabber to about this was Minghao, and in typical fashion, he laughed. Not that you expected anything less.
“You’re overthinking the entire situation,” he said over drinks. “It’s completely normal for you to have a little fun, especially while healing from a breakup. That’s what being single is all about, my friend.”
He was right. Of course, he was right. But what if Mingyu rejected you yet again, like he did in college? You wanted to talk to Vernon about this. He always gave you the best advice with this stuff, but this was his friend. The last thing you wanted was to make his friendship with Mingyu weird.
You attempted to ignore him. You redownloaded some dating apps as a distraction. You deleted them just as fast.
On the morning of June 20th, your cousin, Jordan, was marrying her longtime boyfriend, Joshua Hong. You had only met Josh on a number of occasions, but considering that they had been together for almost twelve years, you trusted him enough to take care of her. You felt lucky to be chosen as a bridesmaid and you’d never make a fuss, but dear god, the dark blue of this dress clashed with just about everything. The color was so dark and the dress was clinging to just about all of you and Mingyu’s tie was the wrong shade of blue –
Damn, did he look handsome though.
Jordan had made you both get to the venue early for a rehearsal dinner, and then once the morning came, you were whisked off to hair and makeup. You had barely said a word to Mingyu, too scared to give him anything besides small talk, but you couldn’t help but compliment the new suit he bought for the last few weddings. “Figured I’d cave and invest in one that wasn’t from Goodwill,” he explained, “for you.”
For you. For you. For you.
Your heels were hurting your feet halfway through the wedding, and despite how hard you were trying to focus on Josh’s vows, you couldn’t help but find Mingyu’s eyes in the crowd. He wasn’t paying attention to anyone else, his stare burning into yours to let you know his intent. You swallowed hard. Would anyone notice if you hid your blush behind the bouquet in your hands? It felt like torture having him look at you like this, as if there wasn’t an extravagant wedding happening around them, as if he wasn’t Kim Mingyu.
It wasn’t until the reception that you could finally get a word in with your cousin, some much needed alone time after what was surely going to be the craziest wedding you went to this year. You both parked yourself near the open bar, ignoring the guests on the dance floor that were screaming for another round of the Cha Cha Slide. Tucking a strand behind your ear, Jordan said, “I can’t thank you enough for doing this for me. Jeez, I really didn’t think when I was three and met you a couple weeks after you were born that we’d be here. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
You grinned, “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” The bartender handed you a new glass of wine and you took a sip. “Besides, these days all I do is work or go to weddings. The life of being a permanent wedding guest, I supposed.”
“Speaking of guests …” Jordan turned her head slightly, ogling Mingyu from where he was standing up and trying to decline your great aunt’s advances to dance. Your cousin giggled. “He isn’t the older guy I thought you’d bring.”
“Circumstances change.” You shrugged, and she gave you a look. “I’d rather not get into it.”
Jordan’s brow raised. “You guys are having sex though, right?”
You almost choked while taking another sip of your wine. “Absolutely not.”
“You sure?”
“Well, I –” You sighed, and then decided to suck down the rest of the glass in one go. Jordan whistled. “We did at one point. Very long time ago. But he’s Vernon’s friend and … it’s a long story.”
“Sounds like it,” she snorted, eyes flickering around the reception until they landed somewhere behind you. “Well, if you’re not having sex with him, my friend just might tonight.”
Your expression muddled, until she pointed over your shoulder. Turning around, you found Jordan’s Maid of Honor chatting up Mingyu near the stairs that lead to the restrooms. Her hand was inching up his sleeve and he was blushing at what you could only assume was a compliment coming from her lips. He was clearly enjoying the conversation, despite the intimate looks he was giving you earlier.
Classic fucking Kim Mingyu, you thought.
A pang of jealousy surfaced that you couldn’t control. It was probably best for everyone if you walked away and took a breather. After Joshua pulled his wife onto the dance floor, you adjusted the tight silk of your dress and headed for the bathrooms. You walked past them, your perfume wafting past Mingyu’s nostrils, a scent he would know anywhere.
Instead of going inside the bathroom, you decide to stand in the empty hall connected to the venue and brace your back against the cool wall. You sighed, gathering yourself, completely unaware it wasn’t just you here until you heard the squeak of someone else’s shoes.
“I noticed you were empty,” Mingyu muttered as a way of greeting. He was holding two glasses of rosé between his fingers, stepping down the small staircase to get to you.
It was just you two now, and he was handing you the glass while standing so close that you could smell his cologne. Had this dress always felt that tight, or could you just not breathe right now? You watched the way his eyes flickered to your mouth, and it took everything in you not to yank him closer by the tie. Instead, you took a big gulp of rosé.
“You didn’t have to come after me,” you remarked, and then nodded your head in the direction of the Maid of Honor now on the dance floor. “You looked like you were having fun.”
Mingyu simply tilted his head to the side, studying you carefully.
“She’s pretty. Don’t stop on my account, but please be aware that we are sharing a room so you can’t bring anyone back there.”
Mingyu’s lips slowly curved into a grin. “Are you jealous?”
You scoffed, “No. I’m just … being realistic.”
Taking your half empty glass from your hand, he set them both down on a side table right near the women’s restroom. Your mouth opened, but the words died as soon as he placed a hand beside your head on the wall. He was so tall that he towered over you, even in heels, leaning into your space with pretty, half-opened eyes as he stared at your glossy lips.
“Can I be realistic with you?” He didn’t give you a moment to answer. “I cannot stop thinking about our last night together. I know you probably thought it happened because of the weed, but I … these past two months, it’s all I’ve been thinking about. And it’s killing me that I’ve been trying to be normal this whole night when all I’ve wanted to do is drag you away and make you cum again.”
Your breath hitched slightly at his words. He leaned in then, grazing his nose over the side of your face, desperate to be in your orbit. You took your bottom lip between your teeth and tried to control your heart rate, but how was that even possible when Mingyu’s other hand was brushing up and down your side, tangled in the silk.
“Well, that …” You swallowed hard. “That wouldn’t be a good idea considering all my family is here.”
He tsked under his breath. “Obviously, it wouldn’t be, but …” You felt his nose at your jaw, inhaling the scent of your perfume again, the one that made him crazy. And he damn near groaned in your ear.
“Mingyu, you … you –”
“Fuck, how could you think I’m looking at anyone else here when you look this good in your dress?” His voice had taken on that needy tone he always got when he was horny. It almost felt like a reward to be able to hear it again. “I’ve been half-hard this entire reception just from looking at you, remembering the way you tasted …” He muttered another curse.
This was how he always acted. Mingyu could be so desperate and pleading when he wanted to get someone in bed, needy to the point he would do anything just to please you, but god – you couldn’t deny how much you liked it. He was reeling you in. You were like fish to bait.
Slowly, he laced your dominant hand with his and moved it from his belt buckle to his groin. You could barely breathe when you felt him harden under your touch, and then you remembered you were still in a public hallway, where just about anyone could walk by.
Your eyes met his half-lidded ones as he murmured, “Look what you’re doing to me.”
And god help you, because you whimpered at the sound of his voice, slick starting to gather between your thighs.
“Okay, Mingyu, just …” You sighed, composing yourself because you knew he wasn’t going to any time soon. Your hand slipped away from his and he huffed, his forehead falling to rest on your shoulder. “Go to our room and let me make my rounds. I’ll meet you up there.”
He stood up. For a moment, he was almost tempted to drag you into the bathroom and bury his face between your legs, too hungry to let you get away now. But one of your uncles was walking down the hall, and you separated quickly. With a nod, you walked back to the reception and said goodbye to your family that you didn’t get to talk to for too long prior. Jordan gave you a look when you mentioned about going to bed early, and even Josh told you how weird you were being, but your cousin shut him up and sent you a wink.
You exhaled heavily and headed back to hotel on the other side of the venue. Slipping your heels off once you were inside the elevator, you debated if giving into Mingyu this easily was the smart thing to do. Smart? Definitely not. But would it be enjoyable? You didn’t need to answer that question. Mingyu knew what he was doing.
As you unlocked the door to your hotel room, you began to wonder if you were just setting yourself up to be hurt again. He didn’t come back to you like this in college, but what’s stopping him from telling you that he’s “just not that into you” at the next wedding? Or what if he just thought of you as an easy hookup that would get his dick wet every 2 months? Well, you hadn’t done that yet –
Yet. Yet. Yet.
The word repeated in your head like a melody, because when you threw your purse down and saw Mingyu walking out of the bathroom, fresh from a shower and dressed in only a towel around his waist, you realized that you were most definitely getting his dick wet tonight. Whether it was in your mouth or somewhere deeper, you were salivating for it.
He was smiling at you and you were smiling at him and Jesus, he was so goddamn handsome that you couldn’t believe that he was the one desperate for you. Droplets of water trickled down his tan skin and that towel around his waist was just barely holding on. His torso was chiseled and his arms – fuck, his biceps were bigger than you remembered. He was something out of a dream – some horny, fucked-up dream that you only had after masturbating before bed.
He was on you instantly, pushing you against the wall and kissing you hard. Sighing into the kiss, your hands fist into the towel to yank him closer, but it only makes the flimsy fabric fall. You break away for a moment to mutter, “Oh, shit,” but his lips can’t stay away from yours for long. And he’s laughing, like you did exactly what he wanted. You were too hypnotized by the scent of his body wash to care.
Dragging his lips down your neck, he sucked at the spot that he knew made your thighs press together, grinning proudly against your skin when you moaned. His fingers gripped the soft silk of your dress, slowly pulling the fabric up to feel you that much closer. But it wasn’t enough. No matter how much he liked you in this dress – and god, did he like you in this dress – he needed you out of it. Now.
Mingyu unzipped your dress with precision, setting it down on one of the two beds in the room, and both of you were suddenly wishingthere was only one. His hands smoothed down your sides, his breath hot against your mouth. He just wanted to feel you everywhere. He almost didn’t want to step away, afraid you’ll slip through his fingers like sand. When you two had hooked up in college, it was quick and explosive, letting out the tension that had been building for years. There was so much territory for him to cover now, so many ways for him to find out what made you whine and sigh with pleasure. But, if he were being honest, all he wanted right now was for you to –
“Sit on my face,” he begged, caging you into the wall, pressing his hard cock against your stomach. So desperate for just an ounce of friction, so hungry for another taste of you. He could literally start drooling at the thought of it. He was mesmerized by you; he’d do anything you asked just to have your pussy on his tongue again.
But you seemed to be debating your options, biting you lip again, and he wished that didn’t turn him on even more. You were just so pretty, and the way your face scrunched as you decided on something was a sight he couldn’t help but think about when he touched himself, even all those years ago. It was just you. You.
Eventually, your face relaxed, and you replied, “Well, you don’t have to beg me.”
Mingyu’s lips pulled into a smile, and he laughed while pulling you down onto the nearest bed. Despite his request, you continued to straddle his torso and kiss him for just a little while longer. He was needy, moaning into your mouth whenever his cock bumped against your ass, but all you wanted to feel his lips on yours, tangle your tongue with his, even if it was just for another minute.
You forgot Mingyu was stronger than you, though. It wasn’t much longer before he was yanking your body up and turning you around so you knelt just above his face. He inhaled the scent of your pussy and almost breathed a sigh of relief, but instead muttered, “Such a tease sometimes.”
Now that you were hovering above him, you were suddenly self conscious about how excited you were and if your arousal was seeping onto his face. You couldn’t even see if he was thrilled or not, since he had turned you to face away from him, but the way his cock jumped in front of your eyes told you enough. His hands gripped your thighs tight. “I don’t want to crush you,” you said nervously.
“You could suffocate me and I wouldn’t have a problem with it."
You chewed on your bottom lip. His tone was firm, probably the most serious you’d ever heard from him. But you were embarrassed and this was crazy and you still so wet. With flushed cheeks, you asked, “Mingyu, are you –”
“Yes,” he answered before pulling you down onto his face.
He wasn’t teasing you tonight. He was devouring you without even letting you catch your breath. His tongue swiping at your clit before he sucked on it – hard. So hard that you let you a sound that was a mixture of a yelp and a moan. Gripping you roughly, he spread you wider, drinking more of you in. Your hips moved on their own, grinding against his face, which made him groan into your pussy. The vibration in his voice spread throughout your entire body, goosebumps lining your flesh. “Mingyuuu,” you whined, begging for more, and you could practically feel him smirk as he flicked at your swollen clit.
Leaning forward, you turned your head up and noticed again just how hard he was. His cock had always been perfect: the perfect size, dark pink at the tip, veins etched into the shaft. Precum beaded at the head, sliding down every so slowly, as he throbbed and ached and – god, his hips were almost thrusting into the air now. You didn’t doubt he could get off for hours on this, but that didn’t mean he needed to be unsatisfied.
Besides, you wanted something to do with your mouth anyway.
Mingyu whimpered as you shifted slightly to reach his cock. Your body stretched, your mouth at the perfect angle as you flicked the head with your tongue. He pulled you back towards his mouth, shoving his tongue inside your tight hole and making you gasp at the same time you licked a stripe up his shaft. His tongue worked you open while you swirled your own along the tip, and then finally took him into your mouth.
The grunt he released should’ve caused an earthquake.
You bobbed your head up and down his shaft, choking when he bucked into your mouth. You could hardly breathe, taking every opportunity to inhale through your nose, but you couldn’t stop. You didn’t want to stop. God forbid, you have a hobby like wanting Kim Mingyu’s cock in your mouth. He took the liberty of grinding you against his face with his own hands, wrapping his lips around your clit again, eager to taste your climax. And to be honest, he wasn’t sure how much longer he was going to last if you kept sucking on his tip like that. He groaned each time, feeling your tongue circle his head before going back down, taking as much as you could, as if you were rewarding him. And he just couldn’t help but whine along with you.
Your lips pulled off him to kitten lick the veins along the sides of his shaft, and you breathily asked, “Are you close?”
His only response was a moan straight into your pussy.
You nodded, even if he couldn’t see it, before your mouth opened like second nature. You spit on his cock and stuffed him down your throat once again. Head moving faster, you were slobbering on him like a dog in heat, trying not to gag and failing. Your free hand snaked up to cup one of his balls, and the sound he released was deafening. His tongue flicked and sucked at your clit like he had nothing left to live for, hungry for every last drop of your essence.
But then you were cumming, and he was too not long after.
You cried, choking on his cock as you came all over his face. White blurred in your vision, and you were a mess of sweat and spit and so much cum. He exploded in your mouth a moment later, hot seed running down your throat, and you consumed all of it. Neither of you wanted to miss out on the taste of each other. It was filthy, intoxicating, how much you liked this. How much you could suck him off over and over again, and not get tired of him.
You didn’t know it at the time, but Mingyu would say the same about you. If not worse.
He could spend all day between your thighs and never want to leave.
When you both finally angled off each other, spent and exhausted, your breathing was heavy and off by two seconds. Mingyu was glancing over at you before you could even process, a smile playing at his swollen lips. He brushed away a strand of hair that was stuck to your sweaty forehead.
“Mingyu,” you finally said, “has anyone ever told you that you have boyfriend dick?”
Mingyu had wanted to tell you how much he’d been dreaming of that moment, how much you had haunted his dreams and left him waking up so hard that he felt he was going through puberty again. Sometimes he dreamed of how good it would feel when he finally slipped into you, inch by inch. You’d feel like home.
Save the Date for the wedding of Lee Seokmin and Quinn Song: July 31st
You couldn’t go a day without talking to Mingyu. Whether it be through text or over the phone, you were joking with him, telling him about your day, and vice versa. Just a month prior, you had tried keeping your distance, but now … you simply couldn’t help yourself. It was like there was a voice inside your head telling you to contact him, to send him a funny video you saw that day, to tell him about the show you were currently watching. And on nights when you had too much to drink, that voice made you text him that you missed him. He always said he missed you too.
Mingyu: I’m watching that show you recommended
Mingyu: kinda wish you were watching it with me
Mingyu: but I’m still content here and I can see why you like it so much
You: right?? I knew you’d like it!
You couldn’t help but giggle at your phone when his texts came through. And you answered them immediately, like you always did.
Mingyu: what are you doing right now?
You: wouldn’t you like to know
Neither of you made the effort to go on an actual date. It was all just flirty texts with a TikTok mixed in every once in a while. Promises about going back to that coffee shop someday, but never planning the day. To be honest, this was one of those moments where you were glad Mingyu was so uncommitted. If you started going on dates that didn’t include a vow exchange in between, it would be so easy to fall for him again, and then be let down when he eventually didn’t want to see you after wedding season.
Mingyu: I mean that’s why I asked
You: I’m hanging out with
A pillow was suddenly thrown at your head. “Ow!” You shouted, head shooting up from your phone to glare at Vernon sitting on the other side of the couch. “What the hell was that for?”
“Anakin is literally burning alive and all you can do is look at your phone!” Vernon scoffed, turning Revenge of the Sith back on. You set your phone down on your lap as he muttered, “Kinda wish I never won that bet.”
Vernon, obviously, was becoming increasingly annoyed that you and Mingyu had rekindled … whatever this was. Sometimes you wondered if you were talking to Mingyu more than your best friend, but given the way Vernon was acting, that was probably the case. You probably shouldn’t even be texting Mingyu while hanging out with Vernon. Bad friend move; happens to the best of us.
You apologized to Vernon in the best way possible: you bought him fried chicken from his favorite spot.
As summer came along, so did Seokmin and Quinn’s wedding at the end of the month, an invitation that was barely hanging on by an old Britney Spears magnet on your fridge. Quinn Song had been your first ever roommate out of college. You both had met on a Facebook group to find roommates in the area and quickly hit it off. She had been your roommate up until last year actually, when her now-fiancé Lee Seokmin asked her to move in with him. It was at that point that you finally decided to live alone, besides the few days out of the week that Vernon crashed at your apartment.
The wedding was being held on a pretty island in the northeast, nestled on the expansive grounds of a bed and breakfast in the area. The spot felt warm and lived in, the exact kind of place you imagined Quinn would get married at.
Meeting Mingyu at the airport had been awkward, but at the very least, you two were sitting in different rows of the plane. Maybe it shouldn’t have been as cringe-worthy as it was, given the fact that you two had been talking nonstop, but it was the memory that the last time you did see each other in person, you were sitting on his face and his cock was so far down your throat –
Mingyu had found your eyes a couple rows behind him on the plane. Even he was blushing now, as if he could read your thoughts.
You had rented a car once you reached your destination and threw him the keys, letting him drive the convertible down the coast while the summer breeze whipped through your hair. You tried not to notice the way his hand twitched on the gear shift, like he was itching to place his palm on your thigh, to ground himself to your presence. But he didn’t. He couldn’t. Especially when all you could do was stare out the window with a big smile on your face.
Unfortunately, you had to book a room at a small hotel near the bed and breakfast since all the rooms were used for the wedding party. The hotel was quaint, but definitely old and smelled like the Febreze scent your mom used to love when you were a kid. Your room was tinier than the pictures implied, but it was on the first floor and had a screen door that opened to a pretty view of the ocean. You didn’t have much time to enjoy it though, considering that the ceremony was in a few hours and the reception would probably carry on until way past midnight.
You decided to rewear the floral sundress that made a previous appearance at Chan and Adrianna’s wedding. It wasn’t like anyone here was at that event, and honestly, you didn’t care. Throwing your hair up into a perfectly messy updo, you curled a few pieces and took your time with your diligent makeup routine. Mingyu was in his suit before you could even blink, biding his time while you got ready by watching past game recordings of the flag football team he taught and trying to identify key moves they missed out on. As you finished up and clumsily slipped on your shoes, the perfume you sprayed seemed to beckon him like a siren song, and suddenly, he was leaning against the doorframe of the bathroom, meeting your eyes in the mirror.
Your brows shot up. “Done with your flag football research?”
“You’re beautiful,” he replied.
You turned, unable to stop your lips from pulling into a soft smile. His expression was so warm, cheeks tinged slightly pink either from embarrassment or a nasty sunburn. He was beautiful. In ways you couldn’t even comprehend.
Holding out your necklace to him, you asked, “Can you help me put this on?”
He nodded, plucking the dainty chain from your palm. You moved back to the mirror as he struggled to open the clasp with his thick fingers, but he got it eventually. Placing the thin, gold chain around your neck, you watched the small, star-shaped pendant sit so delicately under your collarbones. He fixed the clasp on your neck, his fingers brushing the top of your spine, and you watched him lean forward in the mirror.
His lips ghosted over the shell of your ear, breath hot and making the hairs on your neck stand up. “I meant it, by the way,” he whispered, and then placed the softest of kisses behind your ear.
Your breath hitched, and you were unable to form a single coherent thought. For the first time in a while, he was catching you by surprise. He was moving back, and you noticed him smirk in the mirror, knowing exactly how he was affecting you. That annoying asshole –
“Ready to head out?” He asked, grabbing his wallet from the desk.
You huffed and tugged the strap of your purse onto your shoulder. “Of course.”
The grounds of the bed and breakfast were bigger than you assumed, enough to fit an extremely large tent and hardwood floor for all the guests to congregate. The ceremony was held near the shoreline of the ocean, and it was so, unapologetically Quinn to have a few seashell pins in her veil as she walked towards her husband. You had known Seokmin as long as Quinn had been your roommate, but you had never seen this kind of smile on his face until now. He completely lit up at the sight of her, and he didn’t waste a second to say, “I do,” once his time came.
As the guests crowded into the tent for the reception, Mingyu seemed to hold onto you like a toddler with it’s parent. His arm was locked around yours, letting you lead him through the crowd, even though he was tall enough to see over the tops of everyone’s heads. His palm was so warm on your wrist, and then his fingers were so easily lacing through yours, and you squeezed because you simply couldn’t help yourself.
You were able to find your table easily, but you didn’t recognize the other people already there. They introduced themselves as Seokmin’s friends, and you remembered seeing one or two of them at a bar. You still couldn’t get a read on these people, and found yourself swiftly growing silent around their shared camaraderie. But Mingyu was suddenly so talkative, catching along with their jokes just as quickly, so you stood and whispered in his ear, “Do you want a drink?”
He leaned back to meet your eyes, and you swore time stopped for a moment. His hand reached down, squeezing your wrist, as he said, “You know what I like.”
Jesus. Fuck. Since whendid he have you this wrapped around his finger?
(Probably since sophomore year of college.)
You nodded, swinging your head in the direction of the bar, and your feet had started to head there when you halted in place. It almost felt like your heels were glued to the floor as you found the face of the last person you expected to be here. The only face that could make all the noise drown out around you.
Your ex.
He still had that same curl that always got in his eyes. He was wearing the same suit he wore to your mother’s engagement party last year. The same watch on his wrist; the same cufflinks. Same. Same. Same. And now, he was meeting your eyes across the room. Bodies formed in clusters under the tent – some hugging, some stumbling into each other – but he was unable to look away.
Until a head popped up in front of him, standing from her chair at the table. Her wedge sandals almost made her taller than him, and her dress looked expensive enough that he probably bought it. You didn’t know her, but you knew of her. Well, at least, you knew what the back of her head looked like, and that was her right there.
You couldn’t forget the night even if you tried. Exhaustion had your shoulders sagging as you unlocked the door to your boyfriend’s apartment. He didn’t typically keep it locked, but you had a key anyway. You remembered how quiet the place was, except for the soft sounds echoing from his bedroom. At first, you thought he was just masturbating, and to be honest, you were too tired to engage in anything tonight. But a voice in your head had urged you to move, to go, go, go towards his room. And you were slowly pushing open the door, only to find your boyfriend fucking your 22-year-old neighbor from behind, yanking on her short hair like a leash. You had been too scared to move, too scared to breathe, but eventually, you had started wailing. His eyes had found yours – exactly like in this moment – and he screamed, slipping away completely as your back slid to the floor. He had tried explaining, tried to yell at the young girl, but everything had drowned away in that moment, and all you could hear was the ringing in your ears –
Your breathing was growing rapid, just like that day at his apartment. Sprinting to the inside of the bed and breakfast, you tried to act normal and say hello to whoever you knew mingling by the bathroom. But something was clearly very wrong. It was evident in your eyes, the way tears were pricking at the sides. You almost thought the universe was pulling a cruel prank on you, but then you remembered that it was Quinn who had introduced you two in the first place, that he had been a friend of a friend.
Climbing up the staircase in the lobby, you plopped yourself down on the middle step and let your face fall into your hands. You began to count your breaths – one, two, three, one, two, three – anything to make you get a semblance of control. But you could feel your brain spinning, and your heart was beating too fast. Was this what it felt like to die? Was your cheating ex going to be the last face you saw before you completely slumped against this staircase? Vernon always said you had a flair for the dramatic. What a fitting way to end.
You felt a weight sink into the plush carpet next to you, and you lifted your head, tears brimming your eyes.
“You do realize that this isn’t your party. You can’t cry if you want to,” Mingyu joked, reaching out and swiping the tear at your lash line. His eyes softened then, looking at you like you were something fragile, like a baby bird. “What’s wrong?” His voice was hardly about a whisper.
You sniffled, dabbing at the corners of your eyes with your knuckles. The last thing you needed was your makeup messed up. “This is so embarrassing. I’m crying over something so …” Your words trailed off, noticing that he was leveling a look at you. You sighed before admitting, “I forgot that the bride, Quinn, might invite my ex because they were friends. Somewhat.”
“Your ex? As in that ex?” His brow shot up, and you nodded. “Did he come alone?”
You looked down at your hands in your lap, and after a moment, you watched his large palm slowly envelope one of yours. The rough pads of his fingers – the hands of a cook – brushed over your knuckles, and his touch was so warm that it could burn.
His voice was soft in your ear as he said, “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
You chuckled a little, turning to look at him again. “Then we’d be sitting on this staircase forever.”
He smiled at you and stretched out his long legs. “That’s fine with me.”
Your lips pursed, and you found him staring at them for a moment. A sigh escaped, and you glanced down at your laced hands. How perfectly they fit together, how he held you with such a fierce softness. His thumb grazed the scar on your knuckle that you got the first time you fell off your bike. Finally, you answered, “He came here with the girl he cheated on me with.”
Mingyu didn’t speak, but you did hear him do a sharp intake.
“She’s twenty-two. She didn’t – she doesn’t know any better. He’s in his early thirties and he’ll do it again,” you continued, chewing on your bottom lip for a moment. “I found them in his apartment after I came home from a late meeting at work. It was … messy. Walking in on them, the fallout, now this … everything about that breakup has felt like one big mess. And now, I have to see him here and be reminded of it all–fucking–over again.”
You didn’t even dare to meet his eyes as the next words tumbled out of your mouth, already feeling your voice start to break again. “It didn’t just hurt because I found them. It hurt because … I never wanted to become my mother. I love her. I really do. But the last thing I ever wanted was to become her. Be in the same situation as her. And yet, there I was, witnessing yet another infidelity that would affect my life for what seems like forever.” You rubbed at your running nose. “I found my father cheating too. It wasn’t exactly the same. I found him kissing my best friend’s mom in my parent’s bedroom one night when my mother stayed at work too late. The sentiment still stands, and history was always bound to repeat itself. Daughters always become their mothers and I always have to bear witness to another man not choosing to stick around –”
Mingyu stopped you by turning your face towards his, one hand cupping your cheek. His thumb skimmed the tears running through your blush. He didn’t say anything; his eyes let you know that he was here. That he was sticking around. Despite everything you thought of him, despite your past – Mingyu was here.
He held you for as long as you needed, gathering you in his arms and cradling your head against his shoulder. He let your tears soak into the fabric of his expensive suit, promising he’d get it dry-cleaned, which made you laugh. Your fingers clutched his lapels and you almost considered not letting go. You would give anything to stay in this bubble, to sit on this staircase in his embrace forever.
“I meant what I said all those months ago,” he said, his voice muffled from his lips at the crown of your head. “I would kill any guy that has done you wrong. Do you want me to kill him?”
You chuckled and raised your head from his shoulder. “What are you gonna kill him with? A butter knife?” You shook your head. “No chef is gonna let you in that kitchen tonight to grab a weapon. You of all people should know that.”
Mingyu grimaced. “This conversation is getting morbid.”
Another laugh bubbled at your lips. “You brought it up!”
“And you’re smiling again,” he said, making your hands hold onto him tighter. “That’s all I could ask for.”
Such simple words could take your breath away, especially when they came from his mouth. You searched his eyes for a moment, your fingers now smoothing out the creases in his lapel. Eventually, you whispered, “I don’t know if I can survive this whole reception. I hate the awkward tension, but I should stay for Quinn.”
“Trust me, I know,” he snickered, and his hand covered over yours as an anchor. “I say we stay at the reception for as long as your comfortable. Then we go to bed early. Whatever works for you.”
Your smile was so kind as you nodded along with his plan. After touching up your makeup, you took his hand and let him lead you back to the reception. Once you saw Quinn in her short, after party dress and looking at Seokmin with stars in her eyes, you instantly felt more at ease. This was her day; you wouldn’t let one person sour it. And Mingyu, clearly, wasn’t going to let your own nerves sour it either. Anytime you locked eyes with your ex, there Mingyu was, distracting you by whispering in your ear how pretty you looked or asking you about your best memories while living with Quinn. There was one moment where you saw your ex heading in your direction, assuming he was finally going to talk to you, and Mingyu stood up to whisk you onto the dance floor. His large arms enveloped you, holding you close, as you swayed to one of your favorite songs. Everything about him felt safe, secure, and he even let you stand on his feet when you told him you had never been that good at dancing. And when you looked at him, you noticed that he was staring at you like how Quinn looked at Seokmin during her speech. Even when you had cried, had let him in, see parts of you that not even Vernon touched … he looked at you like you were the only person in the room.
You stayed at the reception far longer than anticipated. When you told Mingyu that you were too tired to stay any longer, he didn’t question it. He simply grabbed your purse and jacket before taking your arm in his, walking the short distance back to your Febreze-ridden hotel. The first thing you did once you were back in your room was take off your heels. They were only a kitten heel, but your feet were already blistering, and you winced as you went to the bathroom to wash off your makeup. Mingyu had set your stuff down on the small desk before walking out onto the deck connected to your room. You craned your neck out, assuming he was going to smoke a joint, but he was just staring at the ocean, noticing how loud the waves crashed against the shore.
You padded out of the bathroom and leaned against the door frame for a moment, admiring him in the dim light. It almost left in you in disbelief how you had roped Kim Mingyu, one of the most attractive men you’d ever met and probably one of the longest crushes you’d ever had in your life, into being your wedding date for an entire year. He had a lost a bet, but he really didn’t have to be here. He didn’t have to invest in a new suit. He didn’t have take the time off from his two jobs. He didn’t have to listen to your trauma, or look at you like you were this painting to be worshipped, this Mona Lisa of sorts. Mingyu could’ve said no.
But he didn’t.
“I’m going to take a shower,” you finally informed him, and he turned to meet you eyes. “Can you help me out of my dress?”
He nodded diligently, following you to the bathroom. You pulled your hair up with one hand, and with deft fingers, he slid the zipper down your back. Typically, you would hold the dress to your chest until he left the bathroom, out of respect, but you were letting it pool at your feet tonight. You stepped out of it, your gaze locking with his as you turned on the shower. You were giving him this look and he was still standing there in his half-buttoned dress shirt, hands forming into fists as he fought the urge touch you. Waiting for a sign. Waiting for your permission.
But you didn’t even have to say anything. Your eyes said the words for you. As you climbed into the standing shower, he took his time removing his suit, pretending as if he wasn’t fucking dying to have his hands on you, and then he was behind you, the hard panes of his chest flush against your back. He closed the shower door as the glass began to fog up.
The water was scalding as it rained down on your head, steam forming around the small bathroom. You could still feel the dried tears on your face, imprinted underneath your makeup all night, and you did your best to wash them away. Mingyu noticed the way your shoulders sagged, the way you sighed while you were lost in thought, and as much as wanted touch you in places that made those sweet sounds fall from your lips, he held himself back. Instead, he let his hands comb through your wet hair before scrubbing shampoo into the strands. You relaxed against him, closing your eyes as he washed your hair.
It was so domestic that you could cry.
(Again.)
The last person you ever thought could be capable of this kind of care was Mingyu. You both had known each other for eight years, and not once had he displayed this kind of person around you. Or maybe you just weren’t paying attention, too lost in your own perception of him. Even now, you couldn’t help but remind yourself of when he avoided you after the hookup in senior year. He really isn’t the same guy, Vernon’s voice echoed in your head. Give him a chance. You had never trusted those words, but in this moment … you realized where you had went wrong.
The water began to get cold when it came time to wash his own hair and you could tell he was struggling to rush. His mannerisms made you giggle, and even though the steam began to dissipate from the room, you still turned to his front and rested your forehead on his chest, letting the lukewarm water beat down your neck.
When you walked out of the shower, you had never felt more fresh and at ease. Your body was all warm and you had brought the comfiest pajamas for summer weather. The breeze wafting off the ocean blew through your room from the open screen door, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore could lull you to sleep.
But right now, it seemed like neither of you were keen on the subject. As you slipped under the covers next to each other, you were grateful that there was only one bed: one large, king-sized bed that both of you could be using to spread out. Instead, you were huddled close, hair still wet from the shower, and his arms locked around you like he couldn’t bear the thought of letting you go. Your hands cupped his face, studying parts of him that you didn’t think of in your previous lust-induced hazes. Fingers traced his lips, brushed over the tip of his nose – where his tiny mole was stamped – before you skimmed the shell of his ear.
You almost didn’t recognize your own voice as you whispered, “Thank you for tonight.”
“Anytime,” he smiled.
A beat of silence. Hands stilled. Lips pursed.
“Mingyu?”
“Yeah?”
“Please, kiss me.”
His mouth was on yours before you could even finish the sentence, but he still took his time exploring new ways to make you moan into the kiss. He kept one hand splayed on your back, pressing you further into him, while the other played with the hem of your loose t-shirt. Your hands knotted into his hair as he kissed you slow, savoring you like a fine meal. And you simply let him. You were like molten lava, melting in the palm of his calloused hands.
You felt his fingers prod at the waistband of your shorts, and it was game over. Slipping them under, he practically whined into your mouth when he realized you hadn’t put any panties on after the shower. His mouth disconnected from yours, fingers sliding between your slick folds. “Are you trying to kill me?” He breathed against your lips.
“In my defense,” you chuckled softly, “I forgot to bring them to the bathroom.”
He laughed with you, and you were debating on crying again because he was so kind and good and definitely just as obsessed with you as you were with him. No matter how many times you didn’t want to admit it, you had somehow fallen into Kim Mingyu’s trap once again.
He kissed you again, hungrier this time, as he spread you open with his fingers. You whimpered, but he swallowed it with his tongue and began to rub tight circles on your clit. Your leg lifted, hooking onto his waist, and you bucked against his hand. Your body felt like it was on fire, but Mingyu was careful, plucking your strings like a guitar, and you needed moremoremore. Pushing two fingers inside of you, his kiss was like a sound barrier as he consumed all your sweet sounds, as if that would allow him to hear them forever.
It was only when you came apart that he dragged his lips to your neck, wanting to focus on your moans as he fucked you with his fingers. He felt you shake, your pussy squeezing his thick fingers, and he kept rubbing your clit through it, wanting to prolong your orgasm as much as possible. If not for you, then for him, just so he could hear you. He would make you cum as many times as you wanted if it meant he could hear his name falling from your lips.
Neither of you wanted to stop; all fumbling hands and shaky limbs as he finally tugged your shorts off. It was a lot more difficult to take off his boxers without separating from you, but you laughed and you were so pretty that he almost forgot what he was doing in the first place. Once he was situated, you rolled on top of him, straddling his lap. You held his face in your hands, and for a moment, you could almost see reflections of the dark ocean outside in his starry gaze. Your palms drifted down, fingertips tracing the hard panes of his chest. He was all muscle, sculpted like your very own David statue; his complexion so similar to golden hour personified.
You lifted your t-shirt off and tossed it onto the floor. Mingyu was already so hard that it hurt, but he took a few more seconds to stare at you. He wanted to remember this moment forever: the sight of you on top of him, naked and vulnerable, hair wet and a faint blush on your cheeks.
Sitting up on your knees, you positioned yourself right over his cock and gripped the shaft to get the perfect angle inside of you. You were looking at him and he was looking at you as you lowered yourself slightly, grazing his tip against your wet slit, still dripping from your previous orgasm. Mingyu groaned at the sensitivity, throwing his head back against the pillow and muttering, “This is so mean.”
“You like when I’m mean,” you giggled, repeating the same words you uttered that fateful night after Chan’s wedding, when Mingyu’s face was buried between your thighs.
And Mingyu recognized it too, a grin making it’s way to his lips. But that was soon replaced by look of complete bliss as you finally sunk down onto his cock. He was the perfect size, filling you just right but never uncomfortable. He gave you a moment to adjust, but you could tell from his white-knuckled grip on your hips that he was damn near fighting the urge to thrust up into you. He didn’t though. He was patient and perfect and all yours.
You anchored yourself to him with one hand on his shoulder, beginning to rock into him at a snail’s pace. Your eyes connected, and even as he moaned underneath you, he was unable to stop smiling. Mingyu let you set the pace, and you took your time, getting to know what speed had him pulling your hips harder. The angle had him buried so deep inside that you could practically feel him in your stomach, and you sighed each time as you moved against him.
“Fuck,” he whined, shifting to sit up against the headboard. “I’ve needed you so bad.”
“I know, I know,” you confessed in a breathy whimper. “Me too.”
He was digging his fingers into your hips so hard that you were sure there’d be marks, but you didn’t care right now. You just wanted him, wanted this. Wanted to be this connected to him and feel him this deep and cum together as the waves crashed against the shore outside. He began to move you on his own accord, bouncing you on his cock as he leaned forward to nip and suck at your neck. “So pretty,” he mused against your skin, breath stuttering as your walls tightened. “So pretty sitting on my cock.”
You were the one whining now, raking your fingers into his dark strands as your thigh muscles burned. Your breasts jumped with each slam of his hips against yours, and he planted hot, open-mouthed kisses down your throat, dipping his tongue into your collarbone, before latching his mouth around one of your nipples.
Your hands pulled at his hair. “Mingyu, please,” you cooed, not exactly sure what you were begging for. Just moremoremore.
His eyes lifted to yours and you watched him fucking smile while tugging at your nipple. You were melting like putty, and he was able to still move you with one hand, using his free one to cup your other breast and run his thumb over that nipple. Tears pricked at your eyes, feeling him pulse inside you with each pass. And when he started to thrust up into you, you were pretty sure that you were close to seeing stars.
“Wanna cum with you,” he rasped while switching breasts and flicking his tongue over your other nipple. “Please, wanna cum inside you.”
You nodded, too cock drunk to say anything besides, “Yesyesyes.”
He was rolling your hips now, practically rutting into you as he lifted his head from your chest, leaving a trail of spit. You leaned down and let his lips ghost over yours. Moans slipped from your mouth into his, and he was bouncing you on his cock so fast you almost couldn’t register to breathe. His breath was hot against your lips, so close he could feel his body shaking, but he needed you to be closer, needed to feel you tightened around him and milk him for everything he was worth.
Snaking a hand between your bodies, he found your clit easily, knowing your body better than anyone ever had. All you could hear in that moment was the sound of the ocean through your screen door and skin slapping against skin. You were so wet and warm and – shit, you were starting to clench around him. He rolled your clit between two fingers, and a whimper slipped out of his mouth when he felt your pussy clamp around his throbbing cock.
He needed to cum and so did you and – fuck, he could feel it, feel you, feel how deep he was inside.
He would do this forever if you asked.
“Fuck, Mingyu, oh my god, right there, right there –” You pleaded in his ear, feeling yourself tip right over that edge –
Then you were cumming.
And so was he.
You moaned his name like it was a prayer, shattering as you came undone. Your walls were squeezing him like a vice, and he was unable to hold himself back anymore, burying himself to the hilt before painting your insides white with his orgasm. Hips jerked, bodies went taunt. You felt your whole being dissolve into nothing but pleasure, molding yourself to him in his arms. When the rush of warmth started to fade and he felt your combined releases seep from between your thighs, he breathed out a sigh of relief, brushing kisses over your jaw.
You weren’t sure you were in your right mind. Everything was so hazy. But you didn’t want to move away just yet. Even when his cock started to go soft inside of you, you stayed connected to him, pushing his hair back from his forehead and whispering praises in his ear like, “You were so good … So good to me … My Mingyu … I’ve always been yours …” You could feel him smiling against your skin, his hands tracing circles on your lower back.
But as time seemed to stop and you felt peace for the first time in a while, you realized just how deep you had fallen. You were drowning in him.
Mingyu had wanted to tell you that it felt exactly like his dreams. If you were drowning in him, he had already sunk to the bottom a long time ago.
Save the Date for the wedding of Nathan Chaney and Your Mother: September 5th
Your mother was remarrying. Her and Nathan had been together since you went off to college, and then got engaged just a year after you graduated. They decided on a long engagement, choosing to plan out a destination wedding in the Caribbean. You thought it was crazy at first, but then your mother said, “If this is going to be my last wedding – and it is – I want to go out with a bang.” You couldn’t exactly blame her. After your dad had cheated and the divorce was finalized, you knew your mother deserved something like this. She deserved the world.
When she had called you just a week before the wedding, babbling on about who you were possibly bringing now that your ex was completely out of the picture, you paused. Holding the phone to your ear and watering one of your half-dead plants with the other, you said, “I’m … I’m going with Mingyu.”
“Vernon?” She asked, not believing what you said.
“Mingyu.”
“Like … the Mingyu from university? The football player?”
You sighed, playing with the dead leaves on the plant. “He was also – and still is – one of Vernon’s good friends.”
“Oh,” your mother said, more surprised than anything. “Well, you better watch for Nathan’s sister. If Mingyu looks anything like how I remember from Family Day, she will go buck wild over him.”
“I’ll make sure of it,” you chuckled.
The truth was … you weren’t exactly sure how this wedding was going to go. Ever since the last one, you had been progressively putting more distance between you and Mingyu. Once again. Your last night together had been so real … too real, and you wanted to save yourself from the heartbreak after this wedding when you never saw him again. As much as you hated to admit it, feelings were now involved, seeping into your bloodstream, until your heart thrummed like the sound of his name on your tongue.
Slowly pushing him away … it hurt, but it was better this way. Pain was temporary and so was your arrangement. You knew that going into it, so how did you end up in this mess? You remembered what had happened after Chan’s wedding, the way Mingyu looked at you as he was shotgunning smoke into your mouth and – yeah, you knew exactly how you ended up here.
If you kept telling yourself this was for the better, maybe you’d start believing it. Maybe your feelings would drift like smoke and your mother’s wedding would be a final farewell before you two went your separate ways.
But you had been doing that for a month now.
And those feelings refused to fade.
You had an early morning flight the day of your mother’s wedding. Typically, you wouldn’t be getting to a destination wedding on such short notice, but the ceremony was small. So small your mother refused to have a rehearsal dinner and no bridal party. It was about her and Nathan, and you had to respect that she was doing things her way this time around.
You had waited at your gate right before doors closed for Mingyu, since you were on the same flight. But he was clearly running late and you were much too awkward around him now to text him. So you finally got on the plane and found your seat, noticing the one seat in the back still left unoccupied. Once you had landed five hours later, you quickly headed to the hotel that Nathan had booked for the ceremony and reception. Your phone lit up as you hailed a ride.
Mingyu: I’m sorry, I got a new flight
Mingyu: I’ll be there just 2 hours after you land
Mingyu: I’ll make it for the ceremony. I promise
Feeling his anxiety radiate through your phone, you believed him, and then wondered if maybe this was a blessing in disguise. You were rewarded a few more hours of alone time before you had your last hurrah with Mingyu. Maybe if you buried your feelings deep enough, you wouldn’t tense up the second you saw his face. Maybe if you didn’t look into his eyes, you wouldn’t have the urge to kiss him. Or let him hold your hand. Or spread your legs to welcome him inside –
You dropped your lipgloss onto the bathroom counter, sick of your own thoughts. Your square-neck, baby blue dress was clinging to every curve, but you felt like you were being suffocated by the fabric. You had just finished doing your hair and makeup, but you couldn’t quite keep your thoughts at bay. Nerves batted against your skull, making your hands shake slightly. What would you do once Mingyu walked in? Would you avoid his stare? Would you tell him immediately how much you liked him and how this wouldn’t work out and you knew you set yourself up for heartbreak –
Maybe you needed a walk.
Grabbing a spare pair of sandals, you headed outside to walk the beach just along the grounds of the hotel. There was still an hour before the ceremony, and you could just see the planners putting finishing touches on the decorations laid out on the shore, where your mother wanted it to take place. Couples were still walking through the water. Kids were making sand castles. The sun was slowly beginning to set and the breeze was whipping your hair off your shoulders.
And you smiled, despite everything you were feeling. Because where there was an end, there would always be a new beginning.
“HEY!”
You spun around, your sandals sinking into the sand. Although you recognized his voice, the last thing you expected to see was Kim Mingyu running towards you in his pristine black tux, his tie loose around his neck and blowing in the breeze. It was like something out of a movie, the kind of movie where there was supposed to be a happy ending, but you knew you weren’t afforded luck like that in real life.
He stopped in front of you, running a hand through his hair. Sand sprinkled down the tops of his shoes.
“When did you get here?” You raised a brow.
“About twenty minutes ago. I flew in my tux because I figured I wouldn’t have enough time to change. But now it just kind of smells like …” He lifted the sleeve to his nose and inhaled. “Like peanuts and old plastic.”
You giggled, holding a hand to your mouth and just … staring at him. He was smiling at you, fangs poking out from under his top lip. His skin was even prettier in the sunset. His hair, despite the messy texture, was effortless and perfect. He embodied sunshine in its purest form.
“Well, you …” You looked to the water, your hands flexing at your sides. “You didn’t need to come find me out here.”
His voice was sweet, soft, like fresh sheets, when he replied, “Yes, I did.” His hand reached out a little, attempting to lace your fingers together, but he stuffed them in his pockets instead. “When I was wondering where you’d be, I remembered something you said to me in college … Do you remember Move-In Day of junior year when we had that bonfire with Vernon and a few other people? You really didn’t enjoy my company back then, but I sat next to you because you agreed to sharing that god awful cheap vodka we used to like.” He laughed when you grimaced. “We got to talking and I asked you, ‘If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?’ And you said something like, ‘I want to be walking on a beach. I’ve always felt the most calm with my toes in wet sand.’”
You blinked, wondering if you had heard him right. He … how did he … “You remember that?”
“I remember a lot of things.”
And there he was, reaching out again and brave enough to brush his fingers over your knuckles. You looked down, watching his hand interlock with yours, and his palms were balmy and calloused. They felt familiar, like home. And you simply couldn’t believe that you had deprived yourself of this.
“Did you mean it when you said, ‘I’ve always been yours?’”
Your head snapped up, tsking under your breath. Hand still intertwined with his, you pushed a lock of hair behind your ear. “You came all the way out here to ask me that?” You asked, flustered and agitated.
His brow shot up. “So that’s a yes then?”
Your mouth opened, but then closed when you realized that he caught you.
He added, his voice like velvet again, “Then why are you avoiding me? I can sense it.”
“Well, if you’re that sensitive to other people’s feelings than I guess that –” You paused, taking a deep breath as you gathered yourself. Your ears reddened. “Look, I think it’s pretty obvious that I’ve … I like you. A lot. But having feelings for you would be so messy. The last time I went through this, we hooked up and you hardly spoke to me after.”
Mingyu’s brow furrowed. “That was years ago.”
“You know how uncommitted you’ve always been,” you quickly remarked, even though you didn’t fully believe those words anymore. “Weren’t you the one that told me at the start of this that men never really grow up?”
His eyes narrowed a little. “Are you playing psychological warfare with me right now?”
Slipping your fingers away from his, you shrugged. “Maybe.”
“I’ve been your date to five weddings this year. It wasn’t just about losing some bet. I did it for you.” He stared at you incredulously. “Are you really going to hold me to a mistake I made six years ago? When I was a shitty 22-year-old that was terrified to tell the girl I liked for years that I was interested in her?”
“I never … I never thought you liked me back then.”
Mingyu’s gaze softened, and he tucked another curl behind your ear that blew in the wind. “I made you believe that I didn’t because it was easier than admitting my feelings. I was terrified of rejection. And an idiot.”
You couldn’t help but snort at his comment, but you knew this conversation was far from over. “Well, I …” You rubbed at your nose and turned away from him, facing the water that looked almost sapphire in color. The waves sparkled under the setting sun. “Wedding season is over after this and we can both go back to our normal lives. Vernon won’t flip a lid when he sees me texting you all the time and everything will be back to the way it was. I always prepared for you to just forget about me after this anyway.”
“I love Vernon, but this isn’t about him.” Mingyu stepped forward into your line of vision. “What if I don’t want to go back to the way things were?”
Your eyes flickered to his, and it was his turn to step closer again. His large palm cupped your cheek, his skin always so cozy and inviting that you just had to lean into him. Fingertips traced your brow bone as his gaze lingered on your lips.
“I don’t want to forget about you or never see you again. I want to be around you,” he confessed. “I … want to go on more dates with you. I want to be your date to more than just weddings.”
You hesitated, unraveling and dissecting each word in your head, before you came to the conclusion that … oh, my god, he had feelings for you too. Had you always been this much of an absolute moron?
Getting on your tiptoes, you closed the distance between you two, your lips crashing onto his like the water against the shoreline. Your body almost suctioned to his, bringing him even closer when your arms wound around his neck. He kept that one hand on your cheek, the other splaying on your lower back, like how he always did when he was nervous. But he had nothing to be nervous about, because you liked him and he liked you. The world felt like it was spinning, but also just right, and his tongue was licking into your mouth enough to make you feel breathless. You could do this forever, be this relaxed in his arms, kiss him as if it was only you two in your own world. And as he tugged on your bottom lip to make your breathing heavy, you decided that your dream had become a reality.
When you broke the kiss, your cheeks were definitely flushed, even under the layer of blush you put on. Mingyu grinned, tilting his head as he whispered, “So you have always been mine then?”
“Such a tease sometimes,” you repeated his fateful words from June.
You turned, tugging on his hand playfully as the waves begin to lick at the sand near your feet. “C’mon,” you chuckled. “If we’re late to this wedding, my mom will kill me before I can even think about calling you my boyfriend.”
Mingyu had wanted to ask you to marry him only two years later, and thank god, he finally found the words.
summary: ten years ago you made a deal with a demon to save your mother’s life. now its time to collect your soul for hell, but the hellhound sent your way decides he is not too fond of the way you’re living your last days.
word count: 8k
warnings: hellhound!seungcheol, human!reader, demonic lore, demon deals, reader is depressed, some elements of fear and anxiety, mentions of violent death, smut, nsfw, unprotected sex, multiple orgasms, fingering, mentions of public sex, mild angst, he’s a hellhound so ofc he’s a bit of an asshole
a/n: this came to me like a divine revelation and I wrote it in two feverish days. it isn’t beta read so forgive me if it’s actual slop
It starts with an eerie, unsettling feeling.
You feel it when you walk home at night, from the train station all the way to your apartment. There are always people around, walking urgently down sidewalks, on their phones or with their friends, cars speeding down the roads, someone yelling across the street. It’s not quiet. Your neighbourhood is very lively.
But there’s a tingle, right at the shell of your ear. Like someone is breathing over your shoulder. It sends shivers down your spine, makes your skin tingle, and sometimes, when you’re tired enough, you think you can feel a warm exhale right over the bounding pulse in your neck.
The feeling of having eyes on you is unnerving. Like you’re being analysed, broken down, exposed. It settles like a chill in your weary bones. You can sense it even when you lay down at night, wrapped tight inside your blanket against the cold air around you. But it lingers, still strikes ice in your veins. When you close your eyes and curl your fists in the soft fleece, you pray that the feeling will go away by morning. You’re wrong every time.
Your house starts to smell like a dog. You don’t own pets. No one in your building does, they are not allowed. So you know this smell can’t be explained away, especially not when it is accompanied by a low, reverberating growl, one that goes away the second you mute your television and listen for it. The one that even haunts your dreams when you finally manage a few fitful hours of sleep.
Any normal person would think they are going crazy. But you know better.
There’s a small, shoddy looking store downtown, just a few blocks from the train line, and you pass by it every day on the way to and from work. It’s a hole in the wall, barely noticeable, but you recognise some of the stuff in the windows. Hell, you had used some of it a decade ago yourself, so you know it’s hoodoo. You walk in with little to no hope, not even a plan, but when you walk out, there’s a tiny inkling of it curling in your chest, your purse heavy with the weight of a small sack of black powder.
Goofer dust. It’s supposed to keep hellhounds away.
When you get home, you’re careful with it. You measure it out. Even such a small quantity of it cost you a lot, but it’s not like money means much to you now. Not when you have a mere two weeks left to live anyway. You scatter the greyish black powder cautiously on all your window sills. You line the doors with it, any other opening you can find in your bedroom. When you are finally done, you take a deep breath and listen.
No growling. No wet breathing on your ear. All is silent.
Something in your chest uncoils. You close your eyes and let out a shaky breath of relief. For the first time in weeks, you feel like you’re really, truly alone. As you climb under the sheets, weary to the bone, you know you can finally get good sleep. Good enough to let you do more than just barely function. You haven’t believed in the gods for a long time, but you thank them tonight, just before you sink into unconsciousness.
………………………………
The sunlight actually feels nice on your body when you wake up the next day.
You stretch and groan with satisfaction, limbs feeling like liquid. You almost don’t want to get up at all, happy with how loose your muscles feel. You squeeze your eyes tightly shut before finally opening them. When you take in the sight before you, all your relaxation melts away, hot iron striking your nerves.
You scream.
He doesn’t even flinch, the man sitting on your window sill. He is fiddling with something, and you recognise it as the coin pouch you keep in your desk drawer. He doesn’t look at you, focused on unzipping and zipping the small pouch. You scramble to sit up, pulling the blanket closer around you for some false sense of security.
“Nice touch with the goofer dust.” He says, lips pulled into a pout. “Kept me away for a few hours.”
Fear curls in your heart, rises up until it is knotting your throat. You stare at him, unable to speak. He tuts and stretches his left leg out in front of him, scowling at it.
“I don’t much like my human form. But you forced my hand. I’m a little irritated now.”
Things start to click in your head a little, more sense rushing into your head as your sleep is effectively banished and replaced by this fear.
“You’re a hellhound.”
He hums, standing up and tossing the coin pouch carelessly. It lands on the floor a few feet away. He brushes off his back. Some goofer dust on the window sill is scattered, broken.
“I have to say, I’m thoroughly unimpressed.” He comments, looking around your room, hands stuffed in the pockets of his baggy jeans. His shirt hangs off him loosely as well. He looks cozy, not intimidating at all. You don’t buy it, of course. You know from experience. The demon you made a deal with ten years ago looked like a little ball of sunshine too.
“Where is the big house? The fancy car? The unending fortune?” He keeps talking. He scrunches his nose a little in disgust. “This place is a dump.”
You sigh tiredly, still feeling a little on edge. You don’t move from your place, not even the slightest shift. You know he’s not here to take your soul, not just yet. You have a couple more weeks. Surprisingly, the folks down in hell are super rigid about their contracts.
“I didn’t sell my soul for money.”
“What for, then?”
“My mom’s life.”
That gets his attention. He looks at you, finally, almond eyes half lidded and bored. But he watches you closely for a few seconds, finally scoffing.
“Fool.”
You don’t take it personally. You don’t expect a demon dog to understand why you did what you did. It didn’t matter. Your mother is still alive, healthy and happy, currently on vacation. She will come back in a few weeks and find you dead. She will mourn and move on, live a long and disease-free life, not stained by the horrific reality of Huntington’s disease.
You don’t regret your choice.
You stand up on shaky legs. The hellhound watches you. You walk to your bathroom but keep the door open. The water feels cool on your fingers. You splash your face with it.
“Where’s Jeonghan?” You ask.
“Busy.”
“So you’re taking his place?”
He scoffs, looking irritated. “I’m not taking his place. This is my work. He makes the deals. I collect.”
You hum, patting your face dry. Your movements feel robotic. “But it’s not time to collect.”
He shakes his head. “Not yet. The goofer dust pissed me off. I wanted to tell you to get rid of it.”
You clench your teeth. “Then can you back off a little? The incessant breathing and growling is really annoying.”
Your words catch him off guard, because he raises a thick eyebrow and steps closer to you. You gulp and try not to step back, but you can feel how your knees are wobbling.
“You’ve got some nerve, human.” He spits. “You’re the one who sold your soul. You’re the one who is earmarked for hell. This is the consequence. Deal with it.”
You jerk your head in a nod, swallowing tightly. He moves away, walking to your bedroom door. He kicks at the line of goofer dust there, breaking it. You feel that familiar fear come back, the one you have lived with for weeks now. You feel weary, exhausted. You can’t do this again. You bite your lip hard, contemplating over the idea that’s forming in your head.
“Do you make deals?”
The man scowls and looks back at you. “Not really.”
You shift a little. “I will give you my soul one week early if you stay away until the actual second you have to take it.”
He looks so flabbergasted by your sentence that he doubles back around, watching you incredulously.
“You want to cut your remaining lifespan in half because you’re that scared?”
You clench your fists. “You want the deal or not?”
His face smooths. For a good few seconds, silence stretches over both of you. He watches you closely, like he’s trying to figure you out. You feel a bit intimidated under the weight of his stare, but you try not to flinch. He tuts.
“No can do. I need to shadow you closely or I can’t reap your soul.”
You sigh in defeat, nodding tiredly. He keeps watching you.
“I can follow you in human form.”
You blink up at him, considering it. He’s still very scary, but it’s nothing compared to the feeling of having a huge, wolf-sized invisible black dog breathing down your neck. You hesitate.
“Ten days instead of the remaining fourteen?”
He snorts. “Still bargaining until the very end. Ballsy. Fine, ten days.”
You nod slowly, he disappears through your bedroom door. Minutes later, you can hear your television running. You let out a long breath.
This is what your life has come to.
…………………………..
His name is Seungcheol, and he has been a hellhound for longer than he can remember.
It’s been a few centuries, at least. He remembers collecting souls in medieval times. A farmer who wished for fortune and ended up ruling over his country as their king, a down on his luck merchant who sold his soul for enough wealth to last generations. That’s what the theme always is, according to him. Most people sell their souls for money or fame. Some sell their souls for love. A prominent politician’s daughter forced to marry a stranger, only to sell her soul for ten peaceful years with the man she really loves. Or two lovers across enemy lines, selling their souls for a way to live together undisturbed until it’s time to collect.
“Love and money.” He mumbles as he watches you eat breakfast over the kitchen counter. “It’s always that. Almost always.”
He watches you. “You’re in the love category, I guess. Except I don’t think the price you paid is fair for the reason.”
“She’s my mother.” You reply, staring at the cereal that’s quickly getting soggy. “If I didn’t make that deal, she would die.”
“And she will die anyway.” His eyes feel so heavy on you, like he’s scrutinising your choices. “A few years from now.”
“But she’s lived a full life.” You sigh. “Free of disease. I know people who have died with Huntington’s. It’s agonising. I couldn’t bear to see her go through that.”
“And what do you think she’s going to feel when she finds you torn to shreds in your apartment, blood all over the walls?”
You grit your teeth. You try not to think about that. Truthfully, you didn’t think of any of that when you made the deal. You were barely sixteen. All you wanted was for your mother to be okay. Everything else was secondary. You stand up and place your bowl in the sink, turning away from Seungcheol’s unnerving stare.
“I need to get ready for work.”
“That’s another thing,” he pipes up, swinging around on his stool, “why the hell are you still going to work when you’re going to die in ten days?”
You walk into your bedroom and he follows you, leaning against the doorway.
“I don’t know what else to do.”
He huffs. “You’re so depressing it’s pissing me off.”
You walk into the bathroom and close the door behind you. Truthfully, he’s not wrong. For the last year, you’ve been acutely aware that your time is short, and people with that belief either go all out or they retract into their shells completely. Unfortunately for you, you fell into the latter category. These days, you felt like you were just going through the motions, counting down the days until you would be dragged to hell.
When you come back out of the bathroom, Seungcheol is sprawled on your bed, your laptop on his stomach, and your credit card in his left hand.
“Pack your bags. We’re going to Italy.”
You gawk at him. “What?”
“I just bought your one way ticket. Trust me, it’ll hurt less when I claw your insides out with some authentic wine in your veins.”
You continue to stare at him. He levels you with a hard look. Your shoulders sag. Is there even a point in fighting? What are you going to fight for anyway? The chance to rot in bed until you die? In every sense of the word, this sounds more appealing than whatever your plan was. So you just nod, feeling numb.
“Okay.”
When Seungcheol grins, you notice that a dimple cuts right through his cheek. It makes him look almost human.
…………………………………
Even the air feels different.
You don’t know if it’s just your fucked up state of mind, or if it really is different, but somehow it feels less dreary than what you are used to. When you land, you’re a little jittery with nerves. You’ve never traveled alone, but you suppose this is a good time to have some firsts. Something you can look back on in your very last moments. You haven’t even stepped off the plane and you already know that this will be better than whatever plan you had for your final days.
Seungcheol is there at the airport when you land. It’s disconcerting, but you’re jealous that demons don’t have to suffer through long travel times. He’s looking at you with that same hard, contemptuous look he always does, but you’re learning not to be scared at the very sight of him now.
“Where to first?” He asks, hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans.
“The hotel.” You reply dryly. “I’m so tired. I need to sleep.”
“You can sleep when you’re dead.”
The irony of the statement is not lost on you, and you wonder if he did that on purpose. Getting a cab is easy enough, and you do go to the hotel because you still have to dump your luggage somewhere. Seungcheol complains about it, saying belongings are a hassle that he thankfully doesn’t have to deal with. He complains about the commute to the heart of Rome as well, saying cars are restricting. You don’t understand why he has to sit with you through it, when he can just teleport or whatever, and you voice the thought.
“I told you, I need to shadow you.”
“You weren’t on the plane.” You mumble. He huffs in annoyance.
“You have a lot of snark for someone talking to the thing that will kill her.”
He has a point, so you just keep your mouth shut.
Life moves slower here, less urgent. Winding cobblestone paths and the bluest skies you have ever seen. The air smells just slightly of citrus, not the unpleasant kind, and the sun feels warm but not very hot on your skin. It’s like a perfect balance of the elements. The shops are tiny and packed with goods, so many souvenirs that you’re almost overwhelmed. Everyone you meet is welcoming, and the man who serves you gelato wishes you a good day. A small, barely there gesture, but somehow, in your last days of life, everything feels magnified ten times more than usual.
Seungcheol is barely interested and uncharacteristically quiet. He follows you everywhere, fiddles with whatever he finds curious. Amusingly, he even sniffs a few things, and you’re reminded heavily of a dog. Which he is, technically. He doesn’t talk to you unless it’s to scoff at something you’re doing, but he’s strangely good company. You’ve been alone for a while now, cutting off friends and colleagues hoping that no one grieves you when you die. You’ve become used to not having anyone around, but Seungcheol’s presence isn’t overwhelming, despite the fact that he is a demon dog. He’s just….. there. You’re not completely alone, but you’re not bothered by him either. Again, it’s a good balance.
When you want to take a cab to a winery you looked up nearby, he scrunches his face.
“I hate cars.”
“Well, I can’t exactly fly there, so unfortunately I have to take a car.”
He rolls his eyes. “You’re insufferable and pathetic.”
He catches you off guard when he grabs your arm tightly, but before you can protest, the ground beneath you lurches and your world tilts. Your voice dies in your throat, chest squeezing tightly with nausea. Your body goes rigid, and you feel your feet float for a brief second and then slam again on the ground, this time earth instead of cobblestone. You blink furiously, and things finally stop swimming in your vision. You eye the board outside the winery building.
“Holy shit.” You whisper. Seungcheol releases your arm and you dip forward as your head still spins. Desperately, you clench his bicep.
“Give me a second.” You scowl up at his floaty face. He huffs.
“You’re so weak.”
Regardless, he doesn’t move as you take a few breaths, hoping your nausea will pass. As efficient as teleporting is, the queasy feeling that comes with it is almost too much. Seungcheol eyes you, then looks up at the winery.
“Come on. You need to get drunk.”
The wine you’re served tastes nothing like what you’re used to, the cheap bottom shelf one that you sometimes drink with your dinner at home. Every glass has something different, and as your host talks you through the different rules of wine tasting, as well as the many notes and flavors there are, you’re more focused on the drinking than anything else. This amuses Seungcheol, who is naturally completely unaffected by the alcohol. A couple of hours later, you’re buzzed, more than a little tipsy as you exit the winery. You’re holding Seungcheol’s arm tightly so you don’t fall, and you’re shocked he hasn’t pushed you off him yet.
“I can’t feel my feet.” You giggle. “I need more wine.”
“That’s the last thing you need.” He shoots back. “What you need to do is lie down.”
“Okay, dad.” You stick your tongue out at him. He gives you a withering look.
“If I teleport you like this, you’re going to throw up all over me, aren’t you?”
You grin. “That would be so funny.”
“I’ll kill you right now.”
You giggle as he drags you forward. Before you know it, he’s ducking you inside a cab, grumbling in irritation as he slides in beside you. Up close, he smells like the earth, and not like a dog at all, not like that smell you would have in your apartment all the time before. Maybe his human form is different. His leg bounces, like he’s restless, and it reminds you of a wagging tail. Before you can think, you lean your cheek against his shoulder. Shockingly, he doesn’t pull away.
“Will it really be better to die here than at home?” You mumble, watching his leg as it shakes.
“Based on the fact that I’ve seen you smile and laugh today for the first time in weeks, I’m gonna say yes.”
You hum, closing your eyes when they start feeling too heavy. Maybe he’s right. Maybe you really do need to make the best of what you have. Whether it’s here or in your drab living room, death is coming for you. Hell, death is sitting right beside you, letting you lean on its shoulder. Either way, your fate is sealed. So you can either sit in your apartment and go to your boring desk job, or you can eat gelato and drink wine in the winding streets of a country you’ve never been to before, a hound from hell by your side.
The latter sounds more appealing, surprisingly enough.
……………………………
You have a hangover the next day, and you want to bury yourself in the cold ground.
Seungcheol is puttering around your hotel room way too early for your taste, but then he tells you that it’s nearly noon. You eye the ceiling, eyes bleary with sleep.
“Can you cure hangovers?”
He snorts. “I’m a demon.”
You roll over to the side table to see a bottle of water there, chilled. You turn to look at Seungcheol, who is now sticking his head out of the second storey window. His shoulders are too broad to do it properly, and he curses under his breath a little. You can’t help the amusement that curls your lips upward. During times like this, you can often forget that he is the pure embodiment of evil, corruption and hatred. In fact, he feels more human than anything.
“What are we doing today?” You ask, sitting up and grabbing the bottle. He shuts the window a little too loud. You wince.
“Sightseeing.”
“You don’t look like the sightseeing type.” You comment. He flops down on the mattress on his stomach, brown hair a mess around his head.
“This is your trip, dumbass. We’re doing this for you.”
It’s a little heartwarming, despite the colorful insult. And considerate in a way you didn’t think demons were capable of. You bite the inside of your bottom lip as you watch him.
“Why are you doing this?” You finally ask.
Seungcheol pops one eye open to look at you, raising an eyebrow in question, so you elaborate.
“You could’ve easily just let me simmer in my apartment. Counted down the days. Then collected my soul when it was time. But you brought me here instead. Why?”
He scoffs and turns, lying on his back instead, eyes shut. This close, you notice how rosy his cheeks are, matching his lips. You wonder briefly if demons get to choose how they look when they take on a human form. Did he purposefully make himself look so attractive? You shake your head. What are these thoughts?
“I would rather shadow you in Italy than whatever drab, pathetic existence you were living back at home.”
You purse your lips. “That’s very insulting. Can’t you be a little nice?”
“That wasn’t part of our deal, woman.”
“It also wasn’t part of our deal that you help my drunk ass get back here. Or leave water for when I wake up. So why are you being selectively nice?”
He sits up abruptly and leans closer to you, hand reaching up to grip your jaw tightly. You stiffen a little as he glares at you, leaning close. His eyes are almond brown, but you can see flecks of gold in them. They look more mystical than they do scary.
“You talk too much. Shut up, or I will cut your tongue out.”
You blink. “No, you won’t. That’s not part of our deal either.” You managed to say from puckered lips.
He sneers. “Maybe you were better when you were drowning in depression and self loathing.”
When he lets go, you can’t help the grin that stretches across your face.
…………………………………
Today is even more tiring than yesterday, since you’re on your feet for most of it. But you don’t mind at all. You’re buzzing with energy somehow, and breaking the ice with Seungcheol really helped. He engages more with you now, endless banter and insults that don’t sting at all. You are sure it’s just part of who he is. There’s no such thing as a nice demon, so it isn’t like you expected anything different. But Seungcheol is really all bark and no bite, so you let his words roll off you easily. He’s too big of a convenience in every other sense of the word. Since you’ve gotten the hang of teleporting, everything has become so much easier. You let yourself really enjoy what you’re doing, taking in the sights and nearly inhaling the food. There’s something warm curling in your limbs, like a pleasant buzz just under your skin.
You can’t remember the last time you felt anything other than complete, overpowering loneliness.
When you insist you want to climb all the many, many stairs up the Leaning Tower, Seungcheol looks particularly annoyed. He insists you can just teleport, but you refuse.
“That’s not part of the experience!” You say, gearing up for the walk. He doesn’t say anything but looks ticked off. It only amuses you more.
Despite his lack of willingness, he takes the stairs with you. You want to question him, ask him why he’s so hellbent on being so closely attached to your side, but having him there is comforting, so you don’t. You’ve become so used to having him around, even if it’s only been two days. But then again, two days feel like two years when you have only ten days left to live.
Around two-thirds of the way up, you tap out, legs shaking. Seungcheol takes sweet pleasure in saying ‘I told you so’ over and over. Other tourists trudge past you as you lean against the wall, trying to catch your breath. You hold your arms out to your demon companion.
“Carry me?”
He makes a face filled with disgust. “Hell no.”
“It’ll take twice as long if I try getting up there myself.”
The bribe works, and Seungcheol groans before turning around. You grin and wrap yourself around his back. His hands are swelteringly hot on your bare thighs as he grips you tight, trudging up the final length of stairs to the top.
The view is breathtaking.
It’s still afternoon, but the sun isn’t harsh on your skin. It feels invigorating almost. There’s people mingling around you, taking pictures of the view and of each other, but you have no need for those. This memory will last for only a few days. Then, you won’t be here any longer. So it won’t matter. So you look, and you look, and you look. Even when you walk down the steps, back outside, taking in the view of this large piece of architecture, you look with wide eyes, hungry eyes, trying to etch it into your brain.
When you turn your head to the side, you realise Seungcheol is looking at you. When you meet his eyes, he doesn’t look away. Instead, he steps closer, wrapping a hand around your arm carefully.
“Come on.” He says softly. “Next stop.”
You end up at a pier.
You don’t know exactly where you are. Frankly, you don’t care. The sun is slowly setting, and it hits the waves in beautiful hues of golden and auburn. You lean against the railing, taking it a long breath. The smell of sea salt invades your lungs. The wind is stronger here. It rushes over you and Seungcheol, messing up your hair and your clothes. He squints to prevent his hair from pricking at his eyes, fluttering around his head, all over the place. You don’t resist the urge to reach up and run a hand through it, confirming what you have been wondering all along. It’s silky smooth and soft under your fingers. Seungcheol gives you a questioning look.
“I still don’t know why you brought me here.” You say, barely audible over the crashing waves. But he seems to hear you just fine. “But I’m grateful for it. Even though I’m sure that doesn’t mean much to you.”
“It doesn’t. I have no use for gratefulness.”
You hum, still running a hand through his hair. Absentmindedly, you scratch at his scalp a bit. His head jerks, leaning into your touch. You grin.
“You really act like a dog.”
“I am a dog.”
You scratch again. His eyelids flutter.
“Dumbass.” He adds, almost as an afterthought. You can’t help your laugh. When Seungcheol smiles, that same dimple makes an appearance again, the one that makes him look human.
You stand on the pier until your feet are numb with cold. Then, you let Seungcheol whisk you away again, to another place, just as beautiful as the last. You don’t feel strange at all putting so much trust in a demon of all things. Because right now, he doesn’t feel like one. He just feels like…. a companion.
“Seungcheol,” you mumble the next morning, sitting at a tiny table outside a café with a croissant and some espresso. He hums, showing you that he’s listening, but his eyes are wandering around the street.
“Do you remember the time you were human?”
He obviously isn’t expecting that, and he gives you a weird look. “No. That was centuries ago. Also, how do you even know demons used to be humans once?”
You shrug. “I read up on a lot of demon related stuff after my deal.”
You eye him closely, he goes back to watching people. “So you don’t remember at all?”
His lips purse. “Not really. I remember I was really poor. And I remember I made a deal. I remember the hellhound who came to get my soul. Got to know him really well later on in hell. His name’s Mingyu. Great guy.”
You wonder what his definition of ‘great’ is, especially when referring to someone who ripped him to shreds.
“Do you think I’ll become a demon too?”
He laughs. “Hell no.”
You frown. “Why not?”
“You just won’t. I was an asshole even as a human. Becoming a demon was very much in the cards for me. You’re not cut out for that shit.”
“Because I’m not an asshole?”
He hesitates. “It’s your soul. It’s….. too pure. There needs to be something there, you know? Some evil that can be worked on, made to fester and grow. But even your demon deal was selfless, for someone else rather than a personal desire. Souls like that, they can’t be corrupted. They can only be tortured.”
You shiver a little at his words. At the thought of eternal torture. Seungcheol watches you, his face free of its usual contempt. It’s smooth, and you can’t figure out what he’s thinking. He shakes his head, lip curling down a little.
“You piss me off.”
You snort, turning back to your coffee. “I know. You’ve told me many, many times.”
“It’s so much fun ripping into some evil soul, torturing them in hell for eternity, knowing they had it coming. What pleasure am I gonna get from ripping into you?”
You laugh bitterly. “I doubt that matters. Won’t you just be glad you have a soul to torture?”
He doesn’t reply. You can see him actively bite back his words. You wonder what he is holding back. He just huffs and shakes his head, as if you’re a lost cause he doesn’t want to waste time arguing with. And maybe you are.
The mood doesn’t remain grim for long, because before you know it, your spirits are lifted again as you walk down the streets and wander the shops. It’s easy for you to banish your earlier conversation from your mind and focus more on living in the moment. But it seems that it weighs on Seungcheol, because he’s quieter than before. Despite the heavy activity of the day, when you get back to your hotel room, ready to sleep, he’s still lost in his thoughts a little.
“Can demons feel?”
He looks up from where he’s perched on the windowsill, a strange habit he has, scowling at you. “Feel what?”
You shrug. “Anything.”
He purses his lips. “Of course we do. Just not the same way humans do.”
You undo the clip in your hair and shake it out a little bit, contemplating. He still looks like he’s distracted.
“Can I ask you a question?”
He rolls his eyes. “You’ve been annoying me for days. Why ask permission now?”
You walk closer to the window, peering outside. You don’t know why he likes sitting by it so much.
“Do you think I deserve to go to hell?”
Seungcheol barks out a laugh at that, chopped and bitter. “Of course you don’t.”
You blink, a little surprised by the quickness of his answer. “Really?”
When he looks at you, it’s with his usual heated glare. “You’re dumber than I thought if you really believe for even a second that your soul should be in hell.”
You don’t know why, but his words warm something in your lungs. You have never talked to anyone about this except the tiny voice in your head, and you had accepted that you belonged in hell because you sold your soul. But Seungcheol is from hell. He is everything that hell presents itself to be. Demonic, corrupt, the collector and torturer of souls. And even he thinks you shouldn’t be there. Even he thinks you should live another existence.
He’s still looking at you. And maybe it’s the connection you feel to him that pushes you forward, making you press your lips to his.
Seungcheol lurches back, his head hitting the glass behind him. He looks at you incredulously.
“What the hell are you doing?”
You blink once, twice, before shaking your head. “I don’t know.”
His eyes dart between yours, eyebrows pulled together in a heavy frown. Thick, uncomfortable silence stretches over the two of you, and then it is broken in a quick second when he leans towards you, devouring your lips once more.
His grip is rough, enough to jolt you slightly. His presence is overwhelming, squeezing your sides until you gasp, which makes him tilt his head and deepen the kiss, hot tongue sliding into your mouth. He stands from the window sill, making your head tilt upward more. Your hands find purchase on his chest, fisting his T-shirt. You tug him closer, try to match his force when you kiss him back, and he groans in approval, a sound from deep in his chest that makes something zip down your torso, settling like a weight in your lower stomach.
“I’m gonna ask you this once,” he pulls back only enough to speak, his lips still brushing over yours, “you really wanna do this?”
You nod frantically. “Please.”
It’s all he needs. His hands find the backs of your thighs and he picks you up again, walking you to the bed and tossing you down on it. You try to catch your bearings as your world tilts, but he is on you instantly, nipping at your jaw and then down your neck. He is quick to discard your clothes, shucking his own off immediately afterwards. You scramble to meet his movements.
“Slow down.” You finally say. Seungcheol bites on your bare shoulder a little.
“I don’t do slow.”
You grip his arm tightly, pushing on his chest a little. “Please, Seungcheol.”
He pauses, pulling back enough to look you in the eye. His eyes run over your face. This close, his cheeks are even more flushed, lips swollen from your previous kisses. He sighs.
“Fine.”
You lean up to kiss him, slower this time, deeper. He tries to match your pace, moving his lips more languidly. Whenever he pushes harder, you grip his hair tight, tugging him back a little. The air charges more, dense with sensual tension that lingers over your undulating bodies. You can feel his cock heavy at the crease of your right thigh, but you’re so focused on his lips, the plush fullness of them, how they seem to envelope every part of your senses. You sigh and arch into him. His hand slides under your back and he pulls you flush against him. You run the fingers of your other hand down his back, feeling the strain of the muscles under his skin.
“You’re testing my patience.” He mumbles, but his voice is slow and lazy now instead of the usual punchy and irritated. You hum, running your tongue over his. He groans.
“Let me savor this.”
More time passes just like this, kissing Seungcheol fluidly and taking your time as you map his body. He occupies himself like that too, large hands traveling down your skin. He pinches on your left nipple, making you twitch a little. It makes him grin against your mouth, and he does it over and over, brushing lightly over it, pinching, even tugging a little. You clench around nothing, slowly feeling that same impatience that has been plaguing him. He shifts his body enough that his cock rests right at your core. When he grinds down, his shaft drags over your clit. You moan and arch, finally breaking away from your kiss.
He’s already trailing his tongue over the column of your throat, nipping slightly right over your pulse point. For a brief second, you are reminded of who he is, or more accurately, what he is. He could rip you limb from limb right now, end it all in one instant, but instead, he’s mouthing at the dip between your collarbones, his fingers prodding over your weeping entrance.
“You’re so wet already. Don’t think you even need my fingers.”
Your hips buck and mouth drops open when he sinks two into you immediately, middle and ring finger, down to the knuckle. He pulls away so he can look at your face.
“But I’m gonna give them to you anyway.”
He curls them right away, searching for that one spot that will make you crumble. He finds it so quickly that you wonder if he just knows where it is. You clench hard around him and cry out, one hand curling into his hair while the other fists the sheets under you. He sets a fast pace from the get go, and this time you don’t stop him. The pleasure is too good, you wouldn’t dare torture yourself by dragging it out.
He fingers you like he has a point to prove, quick and harsh movements that make your body jolt and jerk. He hits all the right parts with all the right pressures. There’s no learning curve with him, and you wonder if demons are just better at this because lust is technically a sin. You don’t have it in you to think about it further, because your brain is scrambled when your orgasm hurtles into you at lightning speed, knocking all the air out of you as you moan and cry through it. He doesn’t slow down even a little bit, not until you’re reaching down to grip his wrist tightly, forcing him to stop. You watch him through teary eyes. He smirks at you.
“Now that is a sight.”
He pulls his fingers out of you, drenched in your juices, running down the back of his hand. He doesn’t let them drip, licking a fat stripe up his hand and then popping his fingers in his mouth. You flush as you watch him, biting your bottom lip hard. When he’s done, he leans down to connect your lips again, and you taste yourself on him. It’s so dirty, but it makes you wind up like a coil, wanting more and more. Seungcheol settles between your thighs again, grinding down on the wet mess. This time, he doesn’t wait, lining himself up quickly until his sinking all the way inside you in one smooth motion.
Your jaw goes slack when his pelvis meets yours, pushed in to the base. He growls, an animalistic sound that shows how much this is affecting him. He pulls back just enough to jerk forward again, enough to jolt you upwards on the bed a little. You gasp, unable to prepare yourself before he sets a hurried pace, thrusting in and out of you steadily.
The temperature in the room rises, the air charged. In the dim lights, Seungcheol’s pale skin gleams, slightly shiny from the thin layer of sweat forming. His arms bulge, muscles shifting as he holds his weight up and off you, using them as leverage to piston his hips into yours. His hair hangs over his face, but through the thick brown strands you can see his eyes, fiery as they run over your trembling, writhing form under him. Every thrust punches out a moan from you, choppy but constant. When the weight of his stare becomes too much, you close your eyes, savoring this feeling, probably the last time you will experience pleasure like this. But you don’t feel sad, or regretful. It hits you like a finality, like this is what it all culminated to. His cock feels too good to let anything negative form in your mind. In fact, he effectively banishes all other notions in your head, until all you can think of is how good he feels, how tingly waves are running down your body and collecting in the pit of your lower stomach, gathering and snowballing into your next orgasm.
“I’m gonna cum.” You choke out. A hand comes up and grabs your jaw, tilting your face up.
“Open your eyes. Look at me.”
You do, because no part of your brain can say no to him right now. The brown of his irises is darkened, cloudy, hazy, and you can see the pleasure swirl around his dilated pupils. He’s close too. He’s going to come with you.
He paints your insides white the same second you clench hard around him and hurtle headfirst into your climax. You gasp and choke on the air in your lungs, nails digging into his shoulders. He leans down, face burying in your neck as he groans, body twitching and shuddering over you. His warm breath hits your skin as he catches his breath, still buried deep inside you and not moving.
“Hey,” you say finally, voice a little raspy from overuse, “when you take me to hell, will you stay with me?”
He doesn’t reply, but you can see his hand tighten on the sheets next to your head, fisting them in his fingers. When he finally pulls away, his face is the softest you have ever seen it being, devoid of his snark and the hard, asshole exterior. If you didn’t already know what he was, you would never guess he was a demon dog.
“I wish I didn’t have to take you.”
You crack a smile at that, reaching a hand up to run through his hair. It’s so silky soft under your skin. His eyelids flutter at the feeling.
“I’ll be fine. You turned out okay, right?”
He barks out a laugh. “Sure.”
He pulls out and falls to your side, wrapping you in his arms tightly. You relax into him, closing your eyes. You think about your words, wondering.
Who exactly are you placating here? Him or yourself?
You don’t know why the days pass so quickly, despite being so packed with activity. The great part about having Seungcheol around means you don’t have to worry about commuting, and you end up seeing a lot of places and sights which would otherwise be impossible. Things are different now. He looks at you different, touches you gentler, more lingering. Every night, he lays you down under him, taking you slow and deliberate, and then quick and rough. You’ve experienced more pleasure now than in the last ten years combined. When he intertwines his fingers with yours and cums deep inside you, his grip tightens to the point that you can’t feel your hands anymore. You don’t mind. In fact, you welcome the intensity of it.
You count the days down every hour almost, from seven, to six, to five, dwindling one by one until midnight strikes on your last day.
You’re sitting on the cobblestone pathway outside your hotel, watching Seungcheol, who is leaning against the wall on the opposite side of the tiny street. He doesn’t look back at you.
“I’m hoping you don’t kill me as ruthlessly as you usually would.” You joke.
He doesn’t reply, doesn’t meet your eyes. You wonder if this is difficult for him. If he can even feel a conflicting emotion like this. Is he even capable? His behavior over the last week would tell you that yes, he is. But you’re not sure. You can never be sure.
“We’ll do it tomorrow.” He finally says.
You blink. “Tomorrow? But my time is up.”
He scoffs and straightens, pushing off the wall. “You want one last good breakfast or not?”
His voice is sharp and leaves no room to argue. Plus, the thought of a nice, warm espresso cup and flaky croissants stops you. If he is offering, who are you to decline?
So you don’t argue. In fact, you don’t say a word, not even when he says the next day that you should see the sunset on the pier one last time, or have a nice bowl of authentic warm pasta, or some good wine, or a walk down the winding country lanes. With every passing day, Seungcheol gets more intense, more on edge. The air feels is thick with anticipation, like everything in your surroundings is holding its breath. One day bleeds into the next, then the next, and the next. His hold on your hand is tight every second, like he’s worried you will drift away. He kisses you in the middle of the street, urgent, desperate, and when he crowds you against a stone wall in a darkened alley, you don’t stop him. You relish in it, in how fast your heart beats when he looks at you with so much heat, so much passion, when he drives his cock hard and rough into you, groans into your hair and breathes you in like you’re the only thing he wants to smell. Your chest squeezes, your stomach blooms with something you don’t recognise.
What is this feeling?
But it’s momentary, as all good things are, because when you get back to your hotel, a week after the clock stopped ticking, and see a darkened shadow perched on the window sill, you know your time is up.
“You’re usually so meticulous with timings, Seungcheol.” Jeonghan’s voice is as dark and buttery as it was ten years ago. He looks even scarier now, gaunt, cheeks sunken in to highlight his jaw, hair brushing over his face and obstructing it a bit. Behind you, Seungcheol stiffens, but his hand finds your hip, holding you tight.
Jeonghan’s eyes follow the motion and he chuckles, as if he understands perfectly.
“You owe me a soul.” He continues, but it feels more teasing now.
“I will get you one.” Seungcheol replies.
“You owe me this soul.” His eyes turn to you. You swallow hard. Seungcheol’s grip on you only strengthens.
“Not this one.”
“Oh?” Jeonghan moves then, straightening. You feel a tug, stepping back as Seungcheol winds around to stand in front of you. You can barely see the intrigue curling in Jeonghan’s eyes over Seungcheol’s shoulder. This all looks like it’s deeply amusing to him.
“I haven’t let you down once. In centuries.” Seungcheol says, his voice deepens with a tone you don't recognise. “Jeonghan, do this for me.”
Silence stretches over the room for a few seconds, the only sound being the wind swooping in from the open window. You shiver a little, wanting to curl closer to Seungcheol’s broad back, but too afraid to even move. Finally, Jeonghan speaks.
“I’ll talk to some people.”
You can visibly see Seungcheol relax. You don’t dare try to think of what this means to you. You don’t dare hope, but the implication seems quite clear. Seungcheol reaches a hand back and grips yours, intertwining your fingers and squeezing tightly. There is a finality in his action, and the air it seemed like your surroundings had been holding is released in a long whoosh. You are reeling, and before you know it, tears prick your eyes
You startle when Jeonghan meets your stare, but his smirk is riddled with amusement and humor. Your blood is warming more and more. Your lips struggle to hold back a smile. He finally speaks up.
“So how do you feel about having a pet dog for the rest of your life?”
i somehow became unmotivated to write because i’ve been having recurring thoughts if my work is sort of unoriginal or plagiarized because i write through plots of films i like.
i don’t write them word for word, plot for plot, but just what it would be like if i wrote it for a certain character.
and it’s not just that, i’ve also been busy, and i wasn’t really planning to be some sort of interactive writer but i just had to know your thoughts.
this doesn’t mean i’ll stop writing though, works are in progress.
synopsis : stuck at your fashionable corporate job, you endlessly brainstorm for the perfect content for your magazine's "how to" series in fear of your editor's expectation for your column. well there's no reason to fear it anymore if she set the subject and announced it to every notable magazine in new york city— how to lose a guy in ten days.
warnings : profanities, inspired from htlagitd movie, suggestive content, smut (?? not sure yet), physical contact, and mixed romantical behavior.
7:00 AM
or you swore it was when you left your apartment! there is no easy way to fight the new york city traffic these days.
you were in an early bird streak this month, meticulously planning your time-in and time-out so that you wouldn't have to come across your boss.
speaking of the devil, with two clicks of your heels you saw your boss going straight towards you. you tried to save yourself, you really did when you turn to face the other way and speed walk.
"andie! andie!!"
there was no hope now.
"ms. hong!" you smiled widely turning towards her.
"i've been wondering where you were these past few days! i wanted to ask you about the next subject of your colu-"
"oh yes! i'm working on it, actually i have a knew id-"
"working on it?" she paused raising her brow "we got it! i saw it from your drafts, and it's perfect..." no, please don't say anything, please be mistaken "how to lose a guy in ten days!"
synopsis : it isn't unusual for a woman of the right age to hope for the best suitors after having her debut to england's high society, you just didn't expect to bag a douche... a duke!
warnings : highly inspired by bridgerton, non-accurate representation of the regency period or its language. mdni, smut, profanities, and tw for whatever's triggering or offensive (unintended)
"audrey darling, are you sure you're ready to go?" your mother stared you down with keen eyes.
"do i not look presentable mama?" she worriedly puffed down the sides of her bountiful iridescent dress.
"let's maybe put more rouge on for more colour on your face" she paced closer to your vanity, clutching the silver box within her fingers as crimson painted her hands, transferred unto the apple of your cheeks and unto your lips.
"better" she commented
"shall we go?" i asked as i glanced at the mirror to make sure my face is well.
"yes, we are rather late"
the clacking footsteps of the horses soon came to met the ears as it dragged the large wheels of the carriage to the front of your estate, your mother grabbing your arm as if you were full of helium.
you couldn't lie to yourself, from the way your leg was twitching, your fingers restlessly finding for something to fidget on— you were nervous to your core.
you recited each step of today from the might before just to make sure you were doing everything right.
your anxiety unfortunately took over and made your mind go hazy and blank. that's why you forget to ask your maid to put rouge on you.
the quivering weight of all the expectations and events before you was making you crumble. why did you have to grow old so soon, to build a life and family, as a woman who haven't attended academies, schools, or gone to travel for discoveries.
as silly at it was heard, you were like every other human, you wanted what you couldn't have. you were sure you were bright, and maybe even brighter than your brothers to be capable of studies, adventure, life on your own.
you couldn't lose it to what society expected of you as a woman, to hell with it. you just hoped your husband to be truly kind enough to indulge you in your desires, to dream that even one of them came to reality.
the long feather pinned to your hair stuttered it's motion as your carriage claims a stop. here you were, a mere moment away from the judgement of your life and what's to come. queen charlotte beholds a esoteric mouth, and you hope it lands grace on you.
you desire her majesty's approval to ensure a suitor that will be capable to provide your goals financially, or even come close to it considering the dowry your family holds for you.
stepping through the halls of the castle, the silence deafens your ears as anxiety pulses through your veins, you forgot who you just greeted by the door, or if you got their name right, all you knew was you were facing the two grand doors that held the halls of everyone you knew, and one mattered the most.
thought that came to your head, soon you realized it was your mother's.
a deep breath was placed before the echoing sound of your heels as it met the marble floors advancing your body towards the throne.
don't look at anyone, it'll make you nervous
your eye landed to the queen's.
...
absolute silence before you offered a deep bow with your graceful smile.
"exquisite!" you were almost met with a booming laughter, soon a mass of people's laughter joined.
enveloped with confusion you were now commanded to stand upright.
she was delighted? you glanced around as people were smiling through confusion but was always joint with the queen's opinions.
"exquisite even with a smudge of rouge dear" she whispered, gliding her thumb through your cheek, crimson was placed on her hand.
you were walking around with that?!
you almost wanted to be mad at your mother for the image she had given of you towards the crowd, soon you understood that she as well was deeply anticipating this occassion, no wonder she was laced with nervousness.
the moening sun rose to noon, as gossip spread through town like wildfire.
"i can't believe she was called that with a clump of rouge on her cheek! they must've made some deal with the queen" a maiden voice ushered
"you stench of jealousy, what must the queen be in need of for such favor?" a skeptic voice replied
"you'll still have a suitor... i hope" one bantered
this day was about you apparently, and everyone made it known.
"lady whistledown's papers!" a boy not taller than your leg sprawled around town with his little legs, arms reaching out to hand the letters.
"what an odd time for her papers" your mother said
--
Dearest Gentle Readers,
I know that you have missed me, but with the season starting I couldn't help but make you remember what you'll always miss— gossip!
It's no secret that the Queen has procclaimed this season's favorite, Audrey Churchill, bestow this word to the Churchill residence for having a timeless beauty alongside their family home. She is announced as the season's pearl, quite charming alike to the season's first.
I do not doubt that her charms will bring home suitors, but beware dear Audrey, for men will make you grow weary. Choose wisely.
Yours truly,
Lady Whistledown
--
you sighed, whispering silent prayers that lady whistledown's assumptions grow dull to the ears of your fate.
"so mother.. cookies and tea?"
she nodded to your offer and entered a pastry shop. the bright and colorful interior welcomed you both as it shone through the luminous rays of light of the afternoon sun.
"we must attend all the balls this season seamlessly, your presence will be important, but we must not come so early... the attention will be on you if we enter during the program.." your mother schemes an intricate exposure of yourself to gain the upper hand of being the queen's favorite so far.
unlike any other, the queen isn't afraid of switching up if she deems rightfully to her opinion.
you silently sat and munch on your cookies and silently sipped your tea while your mom was busy scheduling your life for the foreseeable future.
"I shall ask your brother Briony to sum up a list of agreeable suitors, and you my dear shall keep your grace" she patted your cheek
as the night falls of a new day, you stood in your room staring blankly at the facade that meets you when you faced the mirror.
all wrapped up in your corset and undergarments, you think mindlessly on how you should help the situation.
your mother ordering a lot of helpers to get you ready for the first ball of this season. your personal helper morie stood beside you as she helped you slipping into your finest silk dress with the hue of the sunny skies, it suited your complexion well, and makes your skin glow.
"do i need much help to look appalling morie?" you asked
"miss churchill, i'm sure it's just that the viscountess wishes a perfect evening for you" she replied dusting off your skirt
"i hope all effort would not go to waste then" you said as you wore your gloves
morie lifted the silver on her hands as she opened the rouge. "i'll make sure you are the one to paint me with rouge after my mother's nervous attempt to groom me" you chuckled slilently as morie bit her lip to stop herself to do so.
"your mother is willing to put out one of your families pearls and jewelry for you to wear, my lady" she smiled as she looked at the entrance of your room
your mom clutched a box which you knew, held the most gorgeous jewelry sets you could see. it was no secret to yourself that pressure was building upon your shoulders which you wish to ignore.
you're putting yourself out there, for the dreams you aspire not to keep as it is.
later arriving at a tall structure of ivory filled with arches and pillars engraved with cherubs and intricate designs, you felt the evening breeze greet your cheeks.
the warm glow of bulbs and candles surfaced the mood, an orchestra playing to the right balcony. as you descended to an open field of people mingling and dancing.
you were greeted by palace men who guarded the entrance and the venue. you clutched the fan around your palms as you used it to air out on your face.
the dance card threaded with a lace ribbon was attached to your wrist as well didn't go unnoticed by men around you, soon filling in front of you to ask for a round of dancing.
"miss may i invite you for a dance?" one said
"i have always been a charm at dancing since i was a boy" another invited
"nice way to tell her you're more feminine than- that hurt!" what it seemed to be his friend commented
you were overwhelmed and stepped back from them to compose your mind. your mother long gone as she found her friends around the refreshment table. a hand grabbed yours, it brought you back to consciousness.
"i have two left feet, but i hope to not cause pain to your toes if you let me?"
a handsome man held your hand, his hair ebony and dark, fell just around his eyes, his eyes feline sharp, his skin pale and features soft and dainty. he had a slender figure that made you tilt your head a bit just to meet his eye.
"you may" the only words you could muster to let out after staring at him
he wrote his name on your dance card, first of the 8 dances tonight.
"you're quite a stunner lady churchill"
"thank you.. uh"
"oh, how could i even ask for a dance— i haven't introduced myself! i'm marquess yoon jeonghan from foreign lands of the east.
"it's a pleasure to meet you marquess yoon" you offered a smile.
"may i fetch you some refreshments?"
"let my gratitude be known"
you bit your lip, holding back a smile. maybe your morher's pearls really did contribute to the name that was written on your dance card. he really did save you back there from the swamp of men, you were quite unsure how to turn most of them down due to their reputation and displeasing attitude.
it was just a little time before you realized that you have clicked with the marquess. spectators would assume you've bagged your first suitor.
"how did you obtain a title in such age?" words that came out of your mouth at the speed of your thoughts, toi late to realize that maybe you went into the line drawn called barriers.
"i apologize i didn't-"
"it's alright, a lot of people are perplexed by my title as well... i had it when my late father.. passed a few years back"
"condolences"
"i appreciate it... i would mostly appreciate it if you took this dance with me" he asked when the faint hums of the orchestra slowly started pacing the song. he bent before you, offering a hand to ask for yours.
"you're a smooth talker huh" you smiled with tease
"i would assume you're just amused by me" he retorted
"both can be true at the same clock"
you both fell silent, the kind of silence that partakes when rhythym flows smoothly and when those dance practices when you were mere children alterned into muscle memory.
you both stood adjacent to each other, facing different directions. arms raised to your chests as your palms almost touch at the height of your faces.
the moment that the warm lights hit his face in the half second you looked at him, it was like his cold eyes thawed, the corner of his lips raising slightly. he was gorgeous guy. he wasn't alike to the other lords you've seen. his eyes mimicked a cat, while his hair was naturally grown to his nape, almost longer than his shoulders, tied with a silk bow.
the music pacing slowly went quiet as it warns of its ceasing. the rows of people dancing in synchronous motions bowed to their respective dance partners, so did the two of you.
"i had such a pleasant evening, i offer you my gratitude" you smiled at him
"can't help myself with to give you attention to where it is clearly due" he mirrored your smile
"good evening" you bowed as you dismissed yourself. it felt right not to satisfy both of you tonight, you had to meet more of the people.
you needed choices and not dumb love. and you couldn't be possibly right with the first match you've experienced.
it was safe to announce you never met him again for the rest of the evening, and neither your mother.
a few days passed, and today you had another publicity presence to attend. to spend time in the park with the ton. it was more laid back compared to other events, which gave you freedom to ease yourself as you didn't feel eyes constantly on you.
you rode horses with your brother to the park, your mother arrived earlier with her carriage, ready to mingle with other mamas.
a feeling of light melancholy engulfed you, you didn't come across the marquess during that afternoon. aside from the fleeting suitors that faced you, offering flowers, or presenting names, although it left you hopeful, your brother chose to swat them away like pests.
"what was that for?"
"they are no good, lucky for you and unfortunate for me, i was stuck with mother the other day while she was scanning profiles of the ton, you would think they are decent until you come to meet with them when you're trapped with a ring on your finger my dear sister"
"i'm not so dense to be unable to choose for myself still"
"if you suggest so, but definitely not mr. maxwell or mr. danburry— unrelated to the queen, mr–"
"i think that's enough brother"
"right, i'll go play those games near the fair we passed earlier, care to join?"
"i'm quite fine, thank you, i'll resort to walking along the lake"
he didn't need to be told twice before leaving to the opposite direction to join more men in games alongside young academics.
you got down your horse, and set your foot on the pavement, oppening your parasol deflecting the heat and intense rays of the afternoon sun.
you indeed walked, fed the ducks, and even passed stores and stands in which you considered to purchase items from, it was a good idea to leave without money so you wouldn't have spent it carelessly.
it was late until you realized it. the sun was to meet the ends of the horizon, painting the skies different hues of summer. it was when you sobered with the thought of being alone with no chaperone, or transportation to go home.
you made rounds in hopes to be reunited with your family. to your unfortunate demise, they were in fact gone.
you walked home
stupid pearl of the season walking back to her manor.
the streets grew a bit chilly as the edge of your heels met the cobblestoned floor. the light clicks filled the silence of the night. the hums of rhe streetlights and creaks of insects were faint.
you clearly underestimated the time you spent alone, you clearly needed it, but to this expense is cruel.
it was already sun-down. the light of the skies dimmed into darkness with speckles of light. you loved stars, but right now it is the least of your worries.
a faint warm glow reached your face as you faced the establishment. the gentlemen's club. where men of all ages leave home to do man-gossip and escape their wives and homes.
you have no doubt your brother luke may be inside those huge olive doors. but you weren't someone improper to invade his life or the laws made inside the establishment.
you kicked the pebbles on the ground to ease yourself from the amount of blocks you had to walk to reach your front door.
"do not bother-" a deep voice echoed in the streets as it was quickly cut off when you felt weight on your back causing you to trip over.
"my god" you huffed as you caught yourself with your palms. if this evening could get any worse— it just did.
"aa- here sir- ...my lady" he looked at your direction, his words sobering himself up as he saw you.
this gentleman clearly came from the club, and had a few to drink to have such ease.
"no need, i am capable of placing myself on ground.." you said dusting your hands. a little sting emitted from your palms as you saw rips on your gloves, crimson on your skin.
"you are wounded, and i am wreckless, i shall make it up to you miss"
"you admit to your faults, but it doesn't lessen the sting unfortunately" you spoke almost harshly. this builded up the sour mood you've been having since you had to find your way home.
" well i must apologize for my behavior, it was not my intention to cause anyone harm"
how could he notice with his large form. his hair was auburn, his waves complimented the shape of his face. his lips were plump and pouty, it was his prominent feature aside from his fair skin.
"well, there shall be no reason i should hold a grudge sir"
"pardon me, but i beg for you to just call me sebastian. and i shall take you home and assist to your wounds, it's improper for me to leave a lady walk alone in an ungodly hour"
"right.."
"unless your hunting your spouse down at the club? i can call them out"
"i have no spouse sebastian, not yet" you snorted silently, it made you realize how that was unlady like of you, but it only seemed to make sebastian smile.
"i shall call my carriage for us then, if you permit?"
"i am thankful for you, really, i've been walking from the park"
"the park? at this hour?"
"i left at before dusk"
"it's half past eight, you have been walking for over an hour? in those shoes?"
your fears from earlier walking in dark streets with your mind scaring you with the thought of men behind those shadows, sebastian is clearly not one of them. the way you would assume he cares from the way he talks.
"i don't mind if you remove them in the carriage, you'll harvest calluses miss"
"audrey"
"hm?"
"you can call me audrey"
a figure emerged from the night fog, it was a carriage, his carriage.
"as you please, audrey" he offered his hand and bent his body towards you, a familiar figure you saw tonight.
he helped you in as he entered himself. you can't help but feel that the atmosphere grew intimate, it didn't help that you both call each other by name, a complete stranger.
"i would hate to assume you're presence in the gentlemen's club is because the lack of your presence with your wife and family?" you had to make sure.
he chuckled
"if i were a married man, i would not have you here, i would not be out drinking when my suppose family needs me. i am a gentleman" he spoke as if a smile was taunting behind his words, he was amused with you.
light posts passed by your face as the carriage briskly made its way actoss town towards the neighborhood
"miss churchill?" one of your house help seemed to recognize you even in the dim lighting of the streets. the carriage made a full stop queueing sebastian to unload himself from the vehicle.
"good evening, is morie around?" you asked as you made your way down the carriage with the help of sebastian.
"she is inside waiting with your mother miss"
"i request your secrecy of our guests, identity and his visit today ms. herolds" she left a skeptic eye on both of you but quickly shook it off with your request and instead served you both.
"of course miss churchill, please go inside"
"my dear god, audrey! great heavens, i was spending the last moments thinking and worrying of what might've happened to you dear! i even sent our butlers and help to search for you at such hour!" your mother stood from her seat in the common room, arms ready to engulf her previously missing daughter— her arms faltered and dropped to her sides to see the man who followed behind you.
he hesitated entering, he didn't want to impose an improper impression.
"mother, this is sebastian.. i quite literally bumped unto this gentleman while i was on my journey walking back home.. he offered me a ride back" you cleared your throat as you started
"good evening mrs. churchill, i am julio sebastian lennox.. i met audrey and it was the latter, i clumsily bumped unto her causing pain which i apologize for" he bowed and smiled, his stance would seem proper to the untrained eye, but to you who knew of his whereabouts earliery tonight could see that he was trying his hardest to seem sober which made you stifle a laugh.
you were unsure if he would remember tonight, completely or at all. but it was a good thing that the wafting smell of alcohol on his skin already faded with the journey.
your mother called for morie to bring the med kit and to attend to you after hearing of your stories.
"we accept your apology sebastian, i'm sure your head was clear from causing my daughter any injury. thank you for bringing her home" she smiled, smiled as if she knew something all of you did not.
you sat nearby the crackling fireplace. morie knelt in front of you inspecting your body for more injuries. which you accumulated a few bruises from your knees, but mainly your hands were the serious ones.
"it's okay miss, i can help her, after all it was me who caused it" sebastian stood behind morie. the room paused.
"i-if you insist mr. lennox" morie stood and showed you a teasing look when sebastian took place in front of you kneeling.
"you didn't have to, really" you spoke with hushed voice aware of the ears listening
"it's the least i could do"
it didn't take long before he removed your gloves and sanitized your palms. you would lightly seethe by the sting but he would look at you and you would stop.
"i apologize did that hurt?"
he would wrap his handkerchief on your left hand since it had the larger wound.
he would chat with your mom and laugh at her teasing and jokes
"well mrs. churchill, audrey, ms. morie, i must take my leave, i must be overstaying my unwelcomed visit. i apologize once again. "
"no such thing sebastian, feel free to visit again... it's indeed time for bed, we must let you go now, good evening" your mother replied
"have a safe trip home" you chimed in
"good evening" he stood by the door and bowed towards all of you and left.
--
Dearest Gentle Readers,
Our crowd favorite for this season seems to openly keep her options open, considering how she was willingly riding with a gentleman she met at the dark streets of town. Allegedly riding to a destination with no proper chaperone, how scandalous!
It does not plead her case for she was seen dancing around with Marquess Yoon not much of fortnights ago, a passionate dance she only gave to him out of the eight dances, seven were left out of the dance floor.
i'm afraid we cannot conclude her schemes to be pure, peg her for her smart decisions, or peg her for a whore, that is up to you my readers. for i am only the eyes of the ton.
and i am always watching
Yours truly,
Lady Whistledown
--
"a what?!" your silent home now diminishing its quiet state when your mother had finished reading today's whistledown papers
"mother please"
"my daughter is no whore, we must do something to counter this, but we shall not avoid the public, it will only make us seem more guilty" she thought loudly
"i'm embarrassed, i dragged the marquess' name into this mess, what of my relations? what of me when i drag sebastian into this scandal as well?" you buried your face in your palms
"we shall let this pass, do what we do normally"
if your morher to be honest, she would not blame you for harboring gentlemen by your palms— she would pride you for it. she would not bother to make a sermon for you about men, except to choose who you deem worthy of you and your life.
"i dread for what is to pass mother" you dramatically drag your front against the chair, your arms crossed as it supported your head.
"ms. churchill, you have visitors" your butler entered the common room before stepping aside to let the visitor inside.
you quickly sat straight wondering who it may be, your mother staring at the door as she straightened herself.
"good day my ladies, mr. peraldo" he smiled with a bouquet grasped on his left hand.
"this is for ms. churchill" he handed the flowers out to you.
your mother rushed outside to see more visitors, she commanded the common room to be filled with refreshers, tea, and cookies.
to your surprise, your so called scandal is harboring more gentlemen towards you.
you were momentarily left by your mother to entertain suitors, until she decided she wanted to talk to them as well, crossing them out in her mental lists of compatibility and decency to be with you.
as you talked to the suitors without catching a breath, constantly having to end or start a new conversations— some left you both with silence— which created a cycle for the day.
in depths of conversation or silence, you caught yourself glancing to your palm in which sebastian's handkerchief was still in place.
"are you alright miss?"
"yes, just a little bit distracted by the people.."
you concluded a few names with your mother by the end of the day, until you were left with nothing once again due to disagreement.
you both huffed and sat quietly in the room that was utterly filled with bountiful and bright flowers.
"what about the marquess, or sebastian" she sat straight and looked at you.
"that's outrageous mama! none of them even visited us today to present themselves as suitors"
"doesn't matter, they interacted with you for a reason, and what reason but interest" she smiled with pride
"you think so mother?" you asked a little bit softer
"my dear, i would not lie to you" she engulfed you in an embrace before kissing you by your temple and leaving the room to yourself.
your mother's footsteps creaked lightly against the floor, you were left witht your own company
"my lady" your head turned quickly towards the voice
"marquess yoon? what brings you here? please come in" you almost stumble over your own words and offrring him a smile, you surely didn't expect his company residing your home tody
you were curious to where the butler must've been to be absent on announcing the marquess' arrival.
"i'm delighted to see that these beautiful florals accompanied you... i've heard your home has been a hot spot for the ton— for the bachelors."
"ah.. well i was unaware of the mass that will arrive in my home, or for any foreign visitors" the corners of his lips seem to elevate at your words
"you seem tired, must've i come another time miss churchill?"
"it is great that you are here actually, someone who can accompany in long conversations"
you left your home with a chaperone this time, learning a thing or two about your latest scandal paper. he took you to a picnic by the river at the park.
he instinctively brought you a meal from the lack you had today for noon.
"so france, what do you plan to accomplish when you arrive?" he faced you, the afternoon glare seemingly had no effect towards him. he glowed brighter. his raven hair complimenting the glow of his skin.
"i wish to see the world, learn something as well.." you paused "i must apologize for the image i will taint you with, especially for the recent papers, what must they say of you; you're quite identifiable more so that we're in public" your arm tensed up, you placed the strawberry back unto your plate as you heaved your chest for the apology.
"let them talk, that's what people do" he seemed so unbothered by the context you gave him. he accepted it blindly while staring off to the edge of the lake.
"i know that you are not what they make of you, miss churchill"
you didn't know what you were doing there.
just about when you reached the front door, you knocked at the hard wood. the door of the gentlemen's club. it was an hour before the sun set and how you arrived there became a blur, what you were thinking was also a blur.
you knocked again twice. no answer. although you heard voices conversing and some laughing.
you turned your back to the entrance, what the hell were you doing there anyway.
as you walked on the pebbled floor you heard a sudden gust of wind striked by a sharp sound of an opening door
"do not make yourself a fool! my alliances are gentlemen" a loud voice boomed as they forced themselves out of the establishment.
you decided to hastily walk faster, you didn't want to be tangled upon the mess of some drunken men.
"audrey?" you couldn't help yourself but to look.
"sebastian?" "out drinking again i see" you taunt jokingly as he paced towards you
"barely, my.. my friend is up to no good and it put me in a sour mood...."
"mind sharing your thoughts?"he sighed heavily
"he's toying with a new debutante just to raise his family from debt"
"that sounds.. unfortunate, i hope it gets resolved"
"anyways, you're walking home again?" he said diverting the topic
"no.. i just felt like exploring the town.."
"really? and you chose to be here? i offer no offense but this might be the last on the salubrious places you may come to" you bit your lip not wanting to admit more of your presence to the place and allowed him to stare you down with a curious eye and an elevated brow.
"well, it seems like i must show you a much better place, would you like that?"
"alright then" he offered you his arm and you happily placed yours within his.
you thought twice of your decision to come along with sebastian— an absolute stranger, in contrary he did bring you home and aided you due to your first fruitful encounter— for now you were scurrying through dark alleys. it seemed like the sun was to set soon.
the dark colored buildings didn't help the illusion of nightfall, a sense of danger washed through your consciousness when you realized that you were completely unfamiliar of this place. sebastian's keen eye didn't leave your expression unnoticed though.
"i apologize if i made you feel uneasy going through this path but it's much easier and quicker to arrive there... and i wouldn't let malice drive through me to do you wrong audrey. i just want you to know that" he said pausing through the street, his face aligned to yours, his eyes wide and sincere.
"i know.. i trust you" a few seconds of silence passed between the both of you
"well we're here" he led you forward, warm rays of light entered your vision once again. it revealed a large manor by itself and wide yards of grass stretching towards the horizon.
the sun painted the portrait with its hues giving a touch of gold to each and every little thing it touches. the house looks like a summer house, but you doubt anyone lives in it by the way it's so silent, but it still looks well kept.
"this lot belongs to my father, we used to move here during summer because it catered to his activities and much more peaceful away from the ton" he started "i still go here often, when i spend time in solitude, when i need to feel clarity"
"thank you for showing me this idyllic place, it's beautiful" you stared at the horizon.
"it really is" he said looking at you
"what's your plan with this place? it seems like a sacred space for you"
"continue making it a haven, i'll live there before i find for a proper manor for a family, i'd like to paint one last time before i move. what do you plan to do?"
"..people say it's unusual, but i dream to travel, to be an academic, i believe that every child deserves to receive equal treatment" you said truthfully. he nodded along your words, as if he took note of it.
"what the heart desires, will conquer everything non malevolent" his words conveyed his understanding and mutuality to your thoughts.
"it's about time i brought someone here to take it away from its loneliness, you know i used to chase my cousins through the field when we were school boys, and we would return with large stains on our clothes that made my mother scold us" he let a breathy laugh
it seemed like a distant memory of him that will always remind him of happiness, his face rather shows his yearning for it.
"well then you must be quick on your feet, chase me sebastian" you sprinted, gathering your skirts in front of you as you giggled, rush pumping through your veins as it reminded you the childish feeling of being chased.
sebastian, who looked like he was processing your words for a while, suddenly lifted the corners of his lips as he ran after you. his laughter blended along with yours.
unfortunately your clothing didn't bring you so far, with the heels of your shoes slowly digging into the dirt and your occassional tripping on your long skirt brought you just a few more meters passed sebastian's summer house.
"noo!" you screamed as you felt his arms embrace the sides of yours as you dropped your skirts back to its length when you turned to face him, primarily to see if he was close. you both laughed as he swirled you around, your head burried between his neck and shoulder.
the wind brushing the both of you and the tall grass and flowers that decorated it. it was golden hour, it made the illusion that his eyes were too when you stared at them. he looked at you too, except his eyes flickered between yours and your lips, drawing you closer to him.
--
Dearest Gentle Readers,
It seems that mystery man has been revealed! While Miss Audrey Churchill was discovered to be riding with a gentleman one night, turns to be accompanied by Sir Julio Sebastian Lennox— one of the top bachelors of the season and son of the Duke of Malborough, who we recently assumed to be uninterested of being wed this season.
This information was collected due to the public sightings of them in the Duke's summer manor.
Are we to assume that their relationship has passed courtship, and now to be expecting an engagement? For if it is so, you have made a wonderful decision my dear.
Yours Truly,
Lady Whistledown
--
"no! but we nearly kissed morie!" you whisper screamed to your maid as she was getting you dressed for breakfast. you sat in the vanity as she brushed your hair.
"it's no wonder lady whistledown follows you around, you are quite scandalous miss!" she laughed
"this is not funny morie, i was already called a whore" you scrunched uo your nose due to the word
"not directly, but you must choose now, you mustn't continue seeing them both on the same period, it can cause you to lose them both"
"but i am unsure of whom to pick.." you muttered to yourself "i'm not certain that sebastian is even asking for my hand.." morie just stared at you through the mirror with a knowing smile.
for the next few days you have led by yourself, discerning the proper choice for a husband. it came to a stress where you almost made a list on parchment to weigh in their characteristics and capabilities.
one morning you were walking with morie by the streets towards the modiste. she scolded you for staining the beautiful rose colored dress you wore when you had met with sebastian.
hearing the bells as morie pushed through doors, you were quickly stopped as a hand dropped to your shoulder.
"audrey, you must come with me, your suitors are battling witth their fists" your brother gasps as he successfully chased you.
you look back towards morie with concern painted on your face, you faced your brother and quickly nodded.
"how did you learn of this briony?" you asked concerningly as you rode the carriage along with him and morie.
"i visited the gentlemen's club and heard of this event, i knew that the names sounded a little too familiar.." he started "apparently one of them offered a duel, but it was quickly shut down by the other one and settled it to a brawl instead"
"dear god" you huffed on your seat "they're battling in the subjects of?"
"you mustn't think i would bring you to a violent brawl if it didn't concern you my dear sister, now would you?" his sarcasm passed through you for you were frustrated. it seems like they made the choosing for you.
you arrived to a more busy place in town, where laborers would be, except they all came to see the brawl, see it wasn't often when people would set an event for a brawl, it was usually a place for gentlemen to squander money, and well— lose them.
"what have i done" you sighed heavily
you and your brother entered the venue, it had a bleacher type of chairs on opposite ends of the huge box in the middle of it.
it was crowded and busy, speeches turned into a loud hum that vibrated in the four corners of the room. people of all classes seen, but men dominated the audience.
"i place my money on the duke! i heard he has done private sessions"
"i heard the marquess uses more strategic attacks"
"look at his form! put me on that bet!"
you were horrified, even more so when you assumed they have done a brawl before.
your eyes quickly caught the two familiar physique, both wrapped in robes, they were conversing of something serious by the look of the eye, they both seem agitated.
"marquess yoon! seba- mr. lennox!" you rushed immediately towards them, immediately losing your brother briony in the crowd.
more than two heads turned to you, people wondering why you were here, most were shocked, but you couldn't bother to give them attention.
"audrey" sebastian huffed out as he looked at you, his eyes softening
"miss churchill" the marquess rolled his eyes as he heard sebastian, and faced you.
they did know each other, they brought out sides of each other that you haven't seen before. in fact, it seemed like they knew each other longer than you have known them.
the operator whistled, it was about to start.
their chances to converse and explain to you dissipated. both left with their gaze to speak to you.
a hand wrapped around your arm as your realized your brother found you and was urging you to take your seats.
"are we just going to let them fight? can't i talk to them?" you frowned
"you wouldn't want to be between this right now" he said calmly but stern.
it wasn't helping that your mind was still left with indecisiveness and with blank answers, you weren't in the right mind to administrate anything. let it be a fact to you as well that they chose this without you.
you place your face on your palms, swiftly raising it again when you heard another whistle indicating the start of the brawl.
they both enter the ring, as they discarded their robes, their upper body nude. you were appalled, a new sense of emotion rising to your chest, something that you've never learned of before.
you were taught not to stare, but how could you not with the sight in front of you. smooth skin, lightly shining from the humidity of the room met with the afternoon sun. sebastian's skin a bit more brighter than the marquess'. but the marquess was slimmer than the former, still obtaining a built physique.
you looked away saving the dignity and values you had left in you as briony saw you and laughed.
a loud roar came from the crowd when the marquess threw the first punch which hit sebastian right across his cheek. you gasped, standing up to see the scene unfold.
sebastian was quick to throw defense, striking the marquess on his middle. unsure of which side were you on, or even if you should be siding with anyone.
the marquess darkened his gaze as he glared toward sebastian, he lunged forward and threw a series of attacks against his friend.
sebastian merely lifted his arms against himself to protect himself from the impact, backing unto the side of the rink directly across from you. he aimlessly threw more punches that only affected the other lightly.
the crowd from the other side cheered, as the one beside you shouted in encouragement and stress.
"get back up!" you screamed along with them, seeing sebastian slowly shrink. he was clearly bigger than his fellow, and he could easily clear him out, but it seemed like he accepted the punches of frustration, and that spoke enough to you.
as if sebastian heard you, he stood again and swiftly dodged some of the hits jeonghan gave him. he gave him a strong punch, the whole place went quiet when the marquess went still, seemingly in a daze from the hit. sebastian lost his stance, and in the eye of deception the marquess struck him straight on the nose.
he fell to the floor, and the marquess straddled his lower half, restrainingn his movement. he swung his arms consecutively giving blows from both ways to the sides of sebastian's head.
he held his arms straight in front of him, but the marquess did not stop. slowly his arms gave out unable to protect himself. his face looked a lot more swollen now. the last whistle was heard and in that exact moment you saw the way sebastian took the last of his power to move his head and put his gaze on you as the marquess finally stopped, a smile planted on his face, finally leaving his friend alone.
the venue became alive again, the other side screaming in victory and yours in defeat.
a number of people swarmed around the marquess, restraining him from walking freely, he thanked the people and conversed with them, his chest still hevaing in exhaustion. all while his friend seemed to be left alone by people, the ones who were encouraging him now seemed slowed down by defeat.
you walked towards him, but quickly stopped when you heard your brothers voice once again.
"i know that you have estranged feeling for one of them, and that you seem to be confused on which one.. and that i must leave you to choose the person whom you love." his speech seem unfinished. "i heard they were arguing for your hand in matrimony." a truth arises, amidst your confusion. it still seemed incomplete of a reason for all this violence, but you just gave your brother a nod before rushing towards the ring.
a large frame abruptly stopped you from reaching the frame, it was the marquess greeting you with a smile.
"ready to be a marchioness?" he grins, his hands went to frame your face as he gives you a kiss.
your hands flew to his chest pushing him lightly.
"i—" you were quickly cut off hearing the crowd swarming around jeonghan again.
"i'll bring a ring when i visit again ms. churchill" he said before moving along with the crowd.
you removed your glove wiping your lips, absent mindedly entered the ring and sat beside sebastian. he seemed to stare off to jeonghan's figure.
"oh great heavens, are you alright?" you grabbed the sides if his face looking ay his swollen figure. some purple and green spots slowly showing its hue all over his body. a strip of almost dry blood on his nose, and small cuts around his cheeks
"audrey.. you must leave me alone now, i lost the deal and i must yield you to him" he answers placing his hands on top of yours.
"but he did not make a deal with me, i will not!" you stated. "come on now, you're bleeding"
you led him out of the ring, placing him in his robe. he limped leaning forward placing a hand on his stomach as if to aid the pain, the building quickly emptied itself, as you heard thuds from sebastian's limping.
"thank you for being here for me" his head close to yours, his voice just above a whisper. you just nodded and insisted that he focused on his well being for now and leave the words of gratitude for later.
"wait isn't this the lower seymour street?" you scanned the place as it looked familiar
"for a person who looked like you wanted to leave immediately, you seem to remember this place well" he chuckled lightly before wincing.
"so your summer house is just two blocks away, let's go there instead" you said now leading him to his home with assistance.
it didn't take you long to reach his house. the patio's arch welcoming the joth of you. with a pillar to finally rest on after walking, you both decided to catch a quick breath.
the house seemd quiet but peaceful.
"are there no helpers inside?" you asked peeking through the glass
"no.. they just come twice a month for maintenance" he huffed unlocking the door.
the light rays peeked through each glass, brightening the place, it was beautiful, filled with furniture of the same style. a home with no one inside it.
you looked at the place in awe, it ws beautiful. clean white walls with engraving and pillars that strecthed to the other end of the house. big staircase on both corners. archers on both sides that led to more rooms.
polished wooden floor with carpets over them. you wondered if it really had been lived in.
"you must rest, i'll look for the medical kit" you told him, he went to walk towards the common room to lay down, limping a bit with silenced wincing.
it took you a few rooms and cabinet-opening, drawer-pulling to finally find it. you quickly returned to the common room finding sebastian sitting with his legs raised, his arm laying over the backrest of the seat. his head facing the sun that was soon to set.
his hair seeming golden with the afternoon light. his skin glowed despite being beaten up today. it almost felt like looking at a painting, you wanted to stay there, for stepping in the room felt like disturbing his peace.
it was a moment that felt like waking up at dusk, meeting the sun as it rises, a warm cup of tea on your hand for you were englufed in the crisp morning fog. the kind of peace of having time to yourself before life started, before are people are awake, before the noise creeps into the day.
"i found it" you falsely coughed as you entered, his face traced the path you made with his eyes.
"this seems familiar" he smiled, reminding the both of you of an incident not too long ago.
"i guess it's my time to repay your service"
"thank you" he said almost too softly, too genuinely.
"no worries sebastian, we have each other's friendship, don't we?"
"i- mhm, i guess you are right"
a momentary silence passed between the two of you, it quietly queued him to take of his clothing for you to help him. you traced his wound at his middle to inspect the depth of the wound, your touch made him gasp lightly— which you tried to ignore.
you sanitized his wounds before wrapping them up, including his leg that he seemed to give a minir injury so you just wrapped it tightly with a bandage.
"please don't fight again, with him, or with anyone"
"i place it on my honor to say that i tried, jeonghan- he was my friend. and our disagreement led us too far" he sighed heavily
you kneeled in front of him, your faces leveled. you dabbed medicine on his cuts.
"ssst!" his eyes closed, his teetch clenched together.
sometimes the biggest pains comes from the smallest wounds.
"i would try to console you, but i heard it was you who invited him to a brawl"
"he invited me to a duel!" he cried as if to tell you that your judgement was unfair
"and i beg the heavens that it will never happen. what you both did was utter nonsense! you are friends"
his mouth opened, then closed, reasons to holding his words back only kept to him.
he winced finally as you put medicine on his lips before packing the kit away.
"how did you know him anyway?"
"i met him at the first ball of the season.. and he asked me to dance" you told him honestly, you were comfortable to tell him everything of your soul, you didn't know why.
"you must've done something to have bewitched him"
"i hardly done anything... i'm unsure if he even wants to proceed to courtship"
"he does"
"how can you be sure?"
"because we battled for your hand..."
you wanted to say something, but your response fled like the early afternoon sky
"he told me he was going to marry you, and i disagreed with him, i told him i was going to make you a lennox"
the air got caught in your throat, your eyes met. a gravitational pull happened between both of you, your lips met, his warmth made your mind hazy. clueless as you were, your tongue met his lips. he pulled away.
"i mustn't, i'm a gentleman" his fingers holding your chin
"please" you begged, your voice hoarse.
this wasn't where you both expected to be, or what you thought would happen. sebastian had so much to say, but had so much to do.
"you shouldn't carry me! put me down!"
it's as if the heat took his pain and made it into drive, he nestled you in his arms swiftly, bringing you to a large sleeping quarters, who's you may ask, you didn't care.
he placed you softly on thr ground, your feet merting the carpet.
"audrey.. are you certain?"
"make me a lennox, sebastian" you told him. despite your words, you both came to an understanding that you weren't after his title, or his wealth. you were there for him.
you faced your back against him, your eyes meeting in the mirror before the both of you.
in that moment, you knew it, once again reminded that you were fated. that you belonged to each other. that even without the wedding rings, he was embroidered in your skin with the scar he gave you on your palms. that he was yours for the cut on his lips that fought for you.
you shivered feeling the tips of his fingers meeting the bare of your back as he unbuttoned the dress you wore. his warm lips meeting the curve of your neck, slithering down to your shoulders. and on the last button, your dress fell off your shoulder, he placed one final kiss on your shoulder before bringing his face up to look at you through the mirror.
"you're so beautiful" he stared admiring your figure
his habds drifted to the ribbon of your corset, slowly his fingers pulled the intertwining pattern off its loops, slowly the corset hang loosely around you. with one final tug it all fell.
your face went to look at him, with one peck he spoke.
"show me" his lips touched your ear as he spoke. his hand placed on your shoulder, slowly descending to your arm with his fingers.
your hands got busy to undress your undergarments.
another small thud was heard because of the clothing that met with the floor. you were bare, and the sight caused sebastian to gasp.
he placed his big warm hands on your waist after he turned your body to face him.
with a beat passing by, your lips once again met. slowly striding in the quarters. you felt the edge of the bed behind your knees, but sebastaian did not stop, he continued kisisng you as he laid you down.
your body adjusting towards the middle of the bed, his lips encaging yours, his tongue explored yours.
you released a low moan causing him to groan. he separated with you as he slowly knelt before you.
in confusion you wanted to ask him what he was to do, but in the heat of pleasure you would let him do anything to you.
his strong arms encircled your thighs as he tugged your end to meet the edge of the bed. his eyes flying to your face to watch you watch him. his face still facing towards your womanhood.
his tongue met the skin with one long slow stripe.
"god-" you grumbled leaning back to the bed
he licked again on the other side, before finally meeting your middle. his hot tongue stimulated you. his tongue dipled towards your entrance which made you grab his hair, your back arching.
"mmh"
"feel good?"
you were too dazed to reply.
his tongue was leaving a mess on you, your vagina was glistening with his saliva. his tongue went back to your entrance, slowly entering his thick, warm muscle. he thrusted it on your entrance, his sharp nose meeting your clit, almost making you scream.
his thumb met with your clit as he rubbed it in circles.
"fuck" you gasped, your back arching and lifting against the bed.
you thrusted your hips against his face, he moaned against you sending waves through your body.
with a final hum you felt the peak of pleasure flowing through you as you rode to oblivion.
his lips met yours again, his hands wandered throughout your body, his hands finding your breasts, he massaged it with hus rught arm. his lips left wet kisses trailing to your other breast.
he engulfed your breast within his mouth, sucking on your nipples. his other hand now trailed to your heat. with slow massages on the clit, it descended to your entrance.
his middle finger feeling big and warm. the foreign feeling left you chanting his name. he added another one and thrusted it quickly, your wetness was heard echoing through the walls. you were beyond wet. your entrance sucked his fingers so well, his thumb met your clit once again. with the familiar feeling on your stomach, your moans became louder.
"aah- a, slow down, mmph" you bit on your hand to silence yourself.
"let me hear you, it's just us here audrey" he stopped sucking your breast before sucking once again on your neck, another shape of redness collecting around your body.
your hand instinctively reached for his pants, you felt his hard cock stretching the fabric, you cupped it and slowly rubbed.
"aa- shit" he huffed, you continued sqeezing it slightly, it was the first time you hear him moan si loud.
"mmh, ahh... don't stop" he said biting your neck
he pulled away kneeling before you as he unbuttoned his pants. when he pulled his garments down, he wuickly discarded them and threw it across the floor.
seeing his dick made your heat throb.
it was huge.
bigger than you'd thought it would be, his fingers did not suffice to prepare you for it.
"i don't think it'll fit" you said staring, you stared at his naked glory, his skin glowing like earlier, his skin milky white and smooth. but rather damaged due to his injuries earlier.
"i'll make it fit, my love" he chuckled lowly
you smiled at him, you felt safe, you felt loved.
he crawled back on top of you. your knees on both sides of his hips.
"tell me if it hurts, i'll stop, we'll go by your pace audrey"
"i trust you" you looked at him, and from above you he kissed you deeply.
his tip rubbing on your heat, before he finallg pushed it inside.
"aaa- a"
he kissed you deeply trying to divert your attention so you wouldn't feel scared.
when you feel him stop moving you exhaled as if to show release. his forehead pressed onto yours staring into your eyes.
"it's halfway in"
"only halfway? i feel like i'm torn into two" he chuckled
"do you want me to stop?" he asked with concern
"no don't!" you said hastily, your legs clumsily wrapping around his hips accidentally forcing him to lean on you, the rest of his length buried in you.
"a—ahh!" you screamed, your back arching forcing him even deeper, your chests and skin meeting. you felt like you were on fire.
"fuck— ahh" he moaned, his breath hitting your face.
he was so deep in you, it pressed unto your flesh that gave you so much pleasure.
his hands traced on your middle before stopping just below your navel. he pressed you on that spot, an evident bulge shape seen.
"you feel that?".... "it's gonna reach further" he whispered
"please" you said airily.
his hips pulled back before slowly but strongly pushing back in, it left you both moaning against each other's lips. his hips restlessly drilled unto yours. it fet like pushing a barrier within you.
your stomach tightened, the familiar heat coming back to you. sebastian was passionately thrusting into you, making sure he was careful, he pushed his hips deeper, repeatedly.
loud sounds of skin meeting was heard, it almost sounded violent. you felt the frame of the bed shake, the wood creaked, the thudding became louder as it met the wall.
"god you feel so good" he huffed his hips busy
as if his direction felt different, his tip was pushing something within you that made your stomach twist. your walls clamping him in due to the pleasure.
"aa– a fuck" he groaned.
with a few more thrusts, you felt your high again, riding it out as your hips met his, feeling him deeper, you clamped unti him more before he quickly pulled out and pumped his cock in front of you. his release tainting your skin white.
a warm liquid droplet landed on your face. but you were feeling too good to be bothered by it. this experience led to your revelations.
he looked at you after catching his breath once again. he chuckled seeing your expression.
"i apologize for that" he said wiping your face
"it's alright" you held his hand, placing it on top of his
"audrey.. i mean it, i will marry you, and after this i really should" but his words didn't sound like he was trying to convince you, it was a vow.
sebastian told you he would ask for your hand in marriage from your family. so you anxiously waited for the next few days for his arrival. you knew that he would have to deal with his own family before he could ask for your hand, after all he had a title, inheritance, and assets to claim.
you didn't tell anyone where you were after the brawl— not even morie. you knew it would turn against you if someone decided not to keep your secret.
you sat in the common room with your mother, she was embroidering, while you were practicing the piano forte.
a knock on the entrance was heard.
"ms. churchill, you have a visitor" the butler said. your hands ringed in anxiety. you pressed the wrong key and decided to stop playing.
you awaited for the visitor, hearing their footsteps. your eyes widen at the sight.
"marquess yoon?" you stood up too quickly.
"viscountess, ms. churchill" he bowed as a greeting "i was told to bring ms. churchill with me to the queen for her blessing in our engagement"
you and your mother was shocked, frozen as if you both were struck by lightning. with no time to waste you were quickly dressed to be sent to the castle.
the ride was quick, you didn't utter any words to each other.
when you arrived you were quickly escorted to a chamber facing big doors as you were announced to enter.
you bowed at the queen before settling on the designated seat for the both of you.
you gave a courteous smile, jeonghan reached for your hand and held it.
"we are truly grateful for your blessing, your majesty" he bowed with a grin on his face
"my blessing? i said no such thing my boy"
for a moment his smile faded, but quickly recovered. it was so fast you would miss it if you blinked.
"so i see you have taken the hand of my season's favorite.. how did you fall in love?"
it was no secret that the queen loved scandal, you heard a previous favorite was quickly forgotten due to her plain and safe attitude, not that you intended to be wrapped in problematic scenarios.
"it was the first ball, against multiple suitors, she chose me to dance with... that night it was only us two, and that's when i knew, that i should wed ms. churchill, your highness"
her gaze flickered to you, you nodded silently and just smiled, letting him paint the story. the farthest lie you could give was a smile and nod.
not when you wished it was sebastian who was beside you, not when you had thought multiple ways to be with him while you were beside his so called friend. you couldn't lie, because what you both had was to sacred to taint
the talk you had with the queen stretched for so long, it was all filled with the marquess' story telling, his words stinging the air with lies of love.
it would be a lie if you said that you never found him an attractive gentleman, because you did once, you did when he felt like a genuine company. when he would grin and ask for partnership in dancing.
the queen was bored, because she had the same look on her face that you had.
the palace staff had to bring out biscuits and tea, now all crumbs and specks of the tea plant going through drought in that cup.
she got her mood uo every now and then when she inhales a tiny spoonful of the white powder she keeps beside her seat. you did not know for certain, but you felt her gaze on you, almost with sympathy.
it finally concluded.
you were escorted back to the entrance waiting for your carriage ride. the marquess smiles at you.
"now i can finally ask for your hand from your family..." he started "i must let you know that sebastian isn't serious, he's always deflowering every maiden he sets his eyes upon, it's a great thing that i could act quickly before he did" his voice turned serious. something sinister wrapped his words.
you just stared at him silently, your brows frown slightly in disbelief of his words. he turned his head back towards you seeing your expression and he froze quickly.
"he did it didn't he?" his body stiffened
the whole ride back to your manor was quiet. he sat so stiffly that you unconsciously mirrored his posture, because you both had a lot in mind.
before you could enter the smaller road towards the village you lived in the carriage halted abruptly, both physically shaken inside the vehicle.
"is there a problem?" jeonghan conversed to the coachman, his voiced raised.
then a loud bang was heard, somebody pulled the doors open strongly, causing it ti hit the exterior of the carriage.
"sebastian?" your eyes widen in surprise. however he couldn't spare you any time when he was dragging the marquess by the collar.
"you brought her to the queen?!" he exclaimed tugging at the collar he held.
"and you, don't think i am unaware of what you have done to her, i won the brawl, now do your part of the agreement." he said calmly, but you could sense his irritation.
"i lost the brawl because i didn't want to hurt my friend" he said through his teeth
"then lose to our duel against another suitor" the marquess challenged the latter.
"certainly not!" you said loudly making them both face you. sebastian's poise faltered momentarily. the marquess
"before the sun rises, you know where i'll be" he finally said
you couldn't sleep well that night, you tossed and turned. and that's when you decided to not sleep at all.
in the midst of the night, where everyone was asleep, you slipped out of your nightgown and dressed yourself before quietly sneaking into the maiden's quarters in which you forced morie to wake.
"audrey, is there something wrong?"
"morie you must help me, sebastian and the marquess is having a duel before the sun rises, we must do something" she stared at you processing the words you said and eagerly nodded.
you both wore dark robes and left in the quiet night.
"we'll have to split audrey, we don't have enough time. you'll hahe to go there before me"
you faced her seeing that she was watching the time of hour, you had barely enough time to both of them.
"morie please be careful" you said holding her hand tightly as you smiled ar her, your lips thinned into a line, but your eyes stayed dull and full of worry.
"this is the biggest honor to do for you" she said
your pecked her cheek. morie was the closest thing you could have to an older sister. you always saw and treated her as an equal.
she pulled away first scurrying fast into the dim streets. you bit your lip anxiously, you quickly headed to the cabin a few streets away from your home taking your horse from the keeper.
once your horse step foot on the cobble streets you commanded it to go faster, your upper body tilting forward due to the speed.
you hoped you were right, you hoped you aren't too late.
your swift ride was caught by the rising sun, blue hues displayed on the sky, you muttered prayers, begging the heavens against the agreement the gentlemen had.
your eyes caught the familiar street as your turned towards it. your horse ran faster, the quick clicks of its feet meeting the cobble floor echoing through the empty streets.
the dusk lifting away, it was sebastian's summer estate. you pushed harder, you and your horse's ribs flared through quickened breaths.
you unloaded from your seat and ran towards the horizon where you see four figures grouped into two, a distance between, they were covered by a few trees, hidden in plain sight.
suddenly the gentlemen are put on their backs and paced a few steps forward, furthering away from each other before. your legs almost gave up on you when you saw them face each other.
"STOP!" your scream rolled of your throat, and at the very same moment you heard a hollow explosive sound. your body dropping to the ground, your knees flat on the soil, you bent over it a silent whimper released from you.
three heads faced towards you, you can identify two of them, but the other was not facing you.
it was sebastian who looked at you, it was sebastian who raised his gun towards the sky, it was sebastain who ran towards you.
your cries howled in the wind. you felt his arms embrace you, you held it.
you felt morie kneel beside you, her hands gray and filled with powder, her pockets full with metallic materials making noise as she went closer to you.
finally looking at the scene, you stared at everyone, no one laid injured. you stood up hugging sebastian tightly.
"it's alright audrey, don't cry, none of us were hurt" he whispered to you.
the marquess had his knees planted on the ground, he was still as if he was frozen. his gun was dropped beside him.
you walked towards him to see if he was alright.
"i'm sorry—i'm sorry, i am in your debt, both of yours" his voice ran hoarse.
you hugged him, out of pity, out sympathy. that even you figured out that he was to make you a victim, you knew he was helpless.
after the unsuccessful affair of honor, everyone held shelter under the lennox estate.
"i must alologize firstly to you, ms.churchill. it is true that i had the motive to marry you for my financial benefit... i said the truth that my father died but shielding you from the truth that my mother used our funds recklessly..." he started his head down, occassionally looking at you and sebastian.
he stood up facing his friend. "i shouldn't have my problems come between us, that it led to manipulation and violence. i am stripped of my honor, and i ask for forgiveness" the men shook hands, both silent.
they discussed further privately, and you were glad to see them slowly mending their relationship. sebastian loaned him money— that the marquess promised to repay with more— and sent him back to the east to resolve their financial debt and social image.
--
Dearest Gentle Readers,
You may think you have escaped me by beginning the festivities at dusk, fear more for I have eyes that does not sleep, and ears that listens everywhere, and to anyone, all at once.
The Marquess Yoon and a certain Mr. Lennox held an affair of honor in the Lennox summer estate, for the hand of Ms. Churchill which we now know infamously. The debutante that causes extreme ignite of adoration which may unfortunately lead to death.
The said Marquess Yoon fled to the East the previous afternoon, exposing the real champion of their fight. It may come to your curiosity on how both survived? A handy little handmaiden unloaded the Marquess's equipment before the battle.
Setting the duel at the Lennox affair might be the lucky charm of Mr. Julio Sebastian Lennox due to their upcoming wedding by the end of the season.
Cheers to Mr. and soon to be Mrs. Lennox Duke and Duchess of Malborough and successful courtship and engagement. However, this courtship won't officially end until the crown says yes.
Yours truly,
Lady Whistledown
--
it was almost like deja vu, except it wasn't, because you have been in the exact same walls, room and searing for the same reason for the second time.
the queen's expression seemed lighter, a small smile presented upon her lips.
"ms. churchill again, and mr. lennox" he said
"your majesty" he bowed
"care to tell me a word of how this happened this time ms. churchill?"
"...what we have is something i didn't plan to happen, however it is also something i wouldn't trade" you looked at sebastian, he was looking at you and listening word for word.
this time it was your voice that filled the walls, and the ears of whomever listened. you talked endlessly, leaving your fiancé speechless.
for you talked like he was the most interesting and relevant thing to talk about.
"i see my dear, what you have is something that even i cannot forbid... now flee, wed, and i assume you will no longer need illustrations for your honeymoon?" she grinned teasingly, she reflected a knowing smile which made your cheeks burn.
but you were okay with that because sebastian's ear burned just the same.
the lennox estate became your favorite place, even if it witnessed a lot of strange things, both good and negative; it was also a witness of your love. it held up in the strongest of storms, and it shined in the summer sun.
it became an unofficial house where you both resided before you married.
today you invited both of your parents to build your relationship to the family of your beloved.
"mr and mrs. lennox, i'm glad to see you" you greeted them and led them towards the common room where your parents were waiting.
"oh please audrey dear, call me mama, you are already my daughter" she cheered
"you're the first lady sebastian mentioned to us, and it seems like you will be the last" his father spoke
"he barely left the house until we forced him to go out, he would always be coming from the gentleman's club ir hiding here" mrs. lennox giggled
you couldn't help but grin
"what must you be telling audrey about me" his brow raised, he hugged them as greetings
your parents quickly skipped over the niceties and started laughing upon each other's statements, most of them which shared memories from which where you were young.
"when she was 6 she got a hold of scissors, the next day she ended up having the same haircut as her brother, people would confuse them as the other!" your mother said
"i'm hlad we offered tea, if we gave her wine who knows what she'll say" you buried your head on sebastian's chest hiding your face in embarrassment.
he chuckled at your words and hugged you. it was like the both of you were not present from the way your parents talked.
the meeting stretched to noon, supper was soon coming. it was when your parents finally decided it was time for them to part ways with you as you walked them out, kissing their cheeks as farewell.
the door made a loud sound as it shut behind the both of you.
"so jeonghan was lying when he said you were going around.. sleeping with other women" your voice teasing but to you it held a genuine question.
"if i had slept with so many women i wouldn't have came so fast when i was eating you out." he said "so no, it isn't true.."
"oh and you must go to the modiste soon, enough dresses for a month trip, our honeymoon will be in the city of love" he said grinning widely.
"you're serious?" you froze
he nodded at you
you ran towards him pecking his lips repeatedly, your kisses blurred into long messy ones, his tongue in your mouth once again, leaving you breathless.
he pulled away lightly, the detachment made a wet smacking sound. his forehead leaned unto yours and your lips still touching.
synopsis : it isn't unusual for a woman of the right age to hope for the best suitors after having her debut to england's high society, you just didn't expect to bag a douche... a duke!
warnings : highly inspired by bridgerton, non-accurate representation of the regency period or its language. mdni, smut, profanities, and tw for whatever's triggering or offensive (unintended)
"audrey darling, are you sure you're ready to go?" your mother stared you down with keen eyes.
"do i not look presentable mama?" she worriedly puffed down the sides of her bountiful iridescent dress.
"let's maybe put more rouge on for more colour on your face" she paced closer to your vanity, clutching the silver box within her fingers as crimson painted her hands, transferred unto the apple of your cheeks and unto your lips.
"better" she commented
"shall we go?" i asked as i glanced at the mirror to make sure my face is well.
"yes, we are rather late"
the clacking footsteps of the horses soon came to met the ears as it dragged the large wheels of the carriage to the front of your estate, your mother grabbing your arm as if you were full of helium.
you couldn't lie to yourself, from the way your leg was twitching, your fingers restlessly finding for something to fidget on— you were nervous to your core.
you recited each step of today from the might before just to make sure you were doing everything right.
your anxiety unfortunately took over and made your mind go hazy and blank. that's why you forget to ask your maid to put rouge on you.
the quivering weight of all the expectations and events before you was making you crumble. why did you have to grow old so soon, to build a life and family, as a woman who haven't attended academies, schools, or gone to travel for discoveries.
as silly at it was heard, you were like every other human, you wanted what you couldn't have. you were sure you were bright, and maybe even brighter than your brothers to be capable of studies, adventure, life on your own.
you couldn't lose it to what society expected of you as a woman, to hell with it. you just hoped your husband to be truly kind enough to indulge you in your desires, to dream that even one of them came to reality.
the long feather pinned to your hair stuttered it's motion as your carriage claims a stop. here you were, a mere moment away from the judgement of your life and what's to come. queen charlotte beholds a esoteric mouth, and you hope it lands grace on you.
you desire her majesty's approval to ensure a suitor that will be capable to provide your goals financially, or even come close to it considering the dowry your family holds for you.
stepping through the halls of the castle, the silence deafens your ears as anxiety pulses through your veins, you forgot who you just greeted by the door, or if you got their name right, all you knew was you were facing the two grand doors that held the halls of everyone you knew, and one mattered the most.
thought that came to your head, soon you realized it was your mother's.
a deep breath was placed before the echoing sound of your heels as it met the marble floors advancing your body towards the throne.
don't look at anyone, it'll make you nervous
your eye landed to the queen's.
...
absolute silence before you offered a deep bow with your graceful smile.
"exquisite!" you were almost met with a booming laughter, soon a mass of people's laughter joined.
enveloped with confusion you were now commanded to stand upright.
she was delighted? you glanced around as people were smiling through confusion but was always joint with the queen's opinions.
"exquisite even with a smudge of rouge dear" she whispered, gliding her thumb through your cheek, crimson was placed on her hand.
you were walking around with that?!
you almost wanted to be mad at your mother for the image she had given of you towards the crowd, soon you understood that she as well was deeply anticipating this occassion, no wonder she was laced with nervousness.
the moening sun rose to noon, as gossip spread through town like wildfire.
"i can't believe she was called that with a clump of rouge on her cheek! they must've made some deal with the queen" a maiden voice ushered
"you stench of jealousy, what must the queen be in need of for such favor?" a skeptic voice replied
"you'll still have a suitor... i hope" one bantered
this day was about you apparently, and everyone made it known.
"lady whistledown's papers!" a boy not taller than your leg sprawled around town with his little legs, arms reaching out to hand the letters.
"what an odd time for her papers" your mother said
--
Dearest Gentle Readers,
I know that you have missed me, but with the season starting I couldn't help but make you remember what you'll always miss— gossip!
It's no secret that the Queen has procclaimed this season's favorite, Audrey Churchill, bestow this word to the Churchill residence for having a timeless beauty alongside their family home. She is announced as the season's pearl, quite charming alike to the season's first.
I do not doubt that her charms will bring home suitors, but beware dear Audrey, for men will make you grow weary. Choose wisely.
Yours truly,
Lady Whistledown
--
you sighed, whispering silent prayers that lady whistledown's assumptions grow dull to the ears of your fate.
"so mother.. cookies and tea?"
she nodded to your offer and entered a pastry shop. the bright and colorful interior welcomed you both as it shone through the luminous rays of light of the afternoon sun.
"we must attend all the balls this season seamlessly, your presence will be important, but we must not come so early... the attention will be on you if we enter during the program.." your mother schemes an intricate exposure of yourself to gain the upper hand of being the queen's favorite so far.
unlike any other, the queen isn't afraid of switching up if she deems rightfully to her opinion.
you silently sat and munch on your cookies and silently sipped your tea while your mom was busy scheduling your life for the foreseeable future.
"I shall ask your brother Briony to sum up a list of agreeable suitors, and you my dear shall keep your grace" she patted your cheek
as the night falls of a new day, you stood in your room staring blankly at the facade that meets you when you faced the mirror.
all wrapped up in your corset and undergarments, you think mindlessly on how you should help the situation.
your mother ordering a lot of helpers to get you ready for the first ball of this season. your personal helper morie stood beside you as she helped you slipping into your finest silk dress with the hue of the sunny skies, it suited your complexion well, and makes your skin glow.
"do i need much help to look appalling morie?" you asked
"miss churchill, i'm sure it's just that the viscountess wishes a perfect evening for you" she replied dusting off your skirt
"i hope all effort would not go to waste then" you said as you wore your gloves
morie lifted the silver on her hands as she opened the rouge. "i'll make sure you are the one to paint me with rouge after my mother's nervous attempt to groom me" you chuckled slilently as morie bit her lip to stop herself to do so.
"your mother is willing to put out one of your families pearls and jewelry for you to wear, my lady" she smiled as she looked at the entrance of your room
your mom clutched a box which you knew, held the most gorgeous jewelry sets you could see. it was no secret to yourself that pressure was building upon your shoulders which you wish to ignore.
you're putting yourself out there, for the dreams you aspire not to keep as it is.
later arriving at a tall structure of ivory filled with arches and pillars engraved with cherubs and intricate designs, you felt the evening breeze greet your cheeks.
the warm glow of bulbs and candles surfaced the mood, an orchestra playing to the right balcony. as you descended to an open field of people mingling and dancing.
you were greeted by palace men who guarded the entrance and the venue. you clutched the fan around your palms as you used it to air out on your face.
the dance card threaded with a lace ribbon was attached to your wrist as well didn't go unnoticed by men around you, soon filling in front of you to ask for a round of dancing.
"miss may i invite you for a dance?" one said
"i have always been a charm at dancing since i was a boy" another invited
"nice way to tell her you're more feminine than- that hurt!" what it seemed to be his friend commented
you were overwhelmed and stepped back from them to compose your mind. your mother long gone as she found her friends around the refreshment table. a hand grabbed yours, it brought you back to consciousness.
"i have two left feet, but i hope to not cause pain to your toes if you let me?"
a handsome man held your hand, his hair ebony and dark, fell just around his eyes, his eyes feline sharp, his skin pale and features soft and dainty. he had a slender figure that made you tilt your head a bit just to meet his eye.
"you may" the only words you could muster to let out after staring at him
he wrote his name on your dance card, first of the 8 dances tonight.
"you're quite a stunner lady churchill"
"thank you.. uh"
"oh, how could i even ask for a dance— i haven't introduced myself! i'm marquess yoon jeonghan from foreign lands of the east.
"it's a pleasure to meet you marquess yoon" you offered a smile.
"may i fetch you some refreshments?"
"let my gratitude be known"
you bit your lip, holding back a smile. maybe your morher's pearls really did contribute to the name that was written on your dance card. he really did save you back there from the swamp of men, you were quite unsure how to turn most of them down due to their reputation and displeasing attitude.
it was just a little time before you realized that you have clicked with the marquess. spectators would assume you've bagged your first suitor.
"how did you obtain a title in such age?" words that came out of your mouth at the speed of your thoughts, toi late to realize that maybe you went into the line drawn called barriers.
"i apologize i didn't-"
"it's alright, a lot of people are perplexed by my title as well... i had it when my late father.. passed a few years back"
"condolences"
"i appreciate it... i would mostly appreciate it if you took this dance with me" he asked when the faint hums of the orchestra slowly started pacing the song. he bent before you, offering a hand to ask for yours.
"you're a smooth talker huh" you smiled with tease
"i would assume you're just amused by me" he retorted
"both can be true at the same clock"
you both fell silent, the kind of silence that partakes when rhythym flows smoothly and when those dance practices when you were mere children alterned into muscle memory.
you both stood adjacent to each other, facing different directions. arms raised to your chests as your palms almost touch at the height of your faces.
the moment that the warm lights hit his face in the half second you looked at him, it was like his cold eyes thawed, the corner of his lips raising slightly. he was gorgeous guy. he wasn't alike to the other lords you've seen. his eyes mimicked a cat, while his hair was naturally grown to his nape, almost longer than his shoulders, tied with a silk bow.
the music pacing slowly went quiet as it warns of its ceasing. the rows of people dancing in synchronous motions bowed to their respective dance partners, so did the two of you.
"i had such a pleasant evening, i offer you my gratitude" you smiled at him
"can't help myself with to give you attention to where it is clearly due" he mirrored your smile
"good evening" you bowed as you dismissed yourself. it felt right not to satisfy both of you tonight, you had to meet more of the people.
you needed choices and not dumb love. and you couldn't be possibly right with the first match you've experienced.
it was safe to announce you never met him again for the rest of the evening, and neither your mother.
a few days passed, and today you had another publicity presence to attend. to spend time in the park with the ton. it was more laid back compared to other events, which gave you freedom to ease yourself as you didn't feel eyes constantly on you.
you rode horses with your brother to the park, your mother arrived earlier with her carriage, ready to mingle with other mamas.
a feeling of light melancholy engulfed you, you didn't come across the marquess during that afternoon. aside from the fleeting suitors that faced you, offering flowers, or presenting names, although it left you hopeful, your brother chose to swat them away like pests.
"what was that for?"
"they are no good, lucky for you and unfortunate for me, i was stuck with mother the other day while she was scanning profiles of the ton, you would think they are decent until you come to meet with them when you're trapped with a ring on your finger my dear sister"
"i'm not so dense to be unable to choose for myself still"
"if you suggest so, but definitely not mr. maxwell or mr. danburry— unrelated to the queen, mr–"
"i think that's enough brother"
"right, i'll go play those games near the fair we passed earlier, care to join?"
"i'm quite fine, thank you, i'll resort to walking along the lake"
he didn't need to be told twice before leaving to the opposite direction to join more men in games alongside young academics.
you got down your horse, and set your foot on the pavement, oppening your parasol deflecting the heat and intense rays of the afternoon sun.
you indeed walked, fed the ducks, and even passed stores and stands in which you considered to purchase items from, it was a good idea to leave without money so you wouldn't have spent it carelessly.
it was late until you realized it. the sun was to meet the ends of the horizon, painting the skies different hues of summer. it was when you sobered with the thought of being alone with no chaperone, or transportation to go home.
you made rounds in hopes to be reunited with your family. to your unfortunate demise, they were in fact gone.
you walked home
stupid pearl of the season walking back to her manor.
the streets grew a bit chilly as the edge of your heels met the cobblestoned floor. the light clicks filled the silence of the night. the hums of rhe streetlights and creaks of insects were faint.
you clearly underestimated the time you spent alone, you clearly needed it, but to this expense is cruel.
it was already sun-down. the light of the skies dimmed into darkness with speckles of light. you loved stars, but right now it is the least of your worries.
a faint warm glow reached your face as you faced the establishment. the gentlemen's club. where men of all ages leave home to do man-gossip and escape their wives and homes.
you have no doubt your brother luke may be inside those huge olive doors. but you weren't someone improper to invade his life or the laws made inside the establishment.
you kicked the pebbles on the ground to ease yourself from the amount of blocks you had to walk to reach your front door.
"do not bother-" a deep voice echoed in the streets as it was quickly cut off when you felt weight on your back causing you to trip over.
"my god" you huffed as you caught yourself with your palms. if this evening could get any worse— it just did.
"aa- here sir- ...my lady" he looked at your direction, his words sobering himself up as he saw you.
this gentleman clearly came from the club, and had a few to drink to have such ease.
"no need, i am capable of placing myself on ground.." you said dusting your hands. a little sting emitted from your palms as you saw rips on your gloves, crimson on your skin.
"you are wounded, and i am wreckless, i shall make it up to you miss"
"you admit to your faults, but it doesn't lessen the sting unfortunately" you spoke almost harshly. this builded up the sour mood you've been having since you had to find your way home.
" well i must apologize for my behavior, it was not my intention to cause anyone harm"
how could he notice with his large form. his hair was auburn, his waves complimented the shape of his face. his lips were plump and pouty, it was his prominent feature aside from his fair skin.
"well, there shall be no reason i should hold a grudge sir"
"pardon me, but i beg for you to just call me sebastian. and i shall take you home and assist to your wounds, it's improper for me to leave a lady walk alone in an ungodly hour"
"right.."
"unless your hunting your spouse down at the club? i can call them out"
"i have no spouse sebastian, not yet" you snorted silently, it made you realize how that was unlady like of you, but it only seemed to make sebastian smile.
"i shall call my carriage for us then, if you permit?"
"i am thankful for you, really, i've been walking from the park"
"the park? at this hour?"
"i left at before dusk"
"it's half past eight, you have been walking for over an hour? in those shoes?"
your fears from earlier walking in dark streets with your mind scaring you with the thought of men behind those shadows, sebastian is clearly not one of them. the way you would assume he cares from the way he talks.
"i don't mind if you remove them in the carriage, you'll harvest calluses miss"
"audrey"
"hm?"
"you can call me audrey"
a figure emerged from the night fog, it was a carriage, his carriage.
"as you please, audrey" he offered his hand and bent his body towards you, a familiar figure you saw tonight.
he helped you in as he entered himself. you can't help but feel that the atmosphere grew intimate, it didn't help that you both call each other by name, a complete stranger.
"i would hate to assume you're presence in the gentlemen's club is because the lack of your presence with your wife and family?" you had to make sure.
he chuckled
"if i were a married man, i would not have you here, i would not be out drinking when my suppose family needs me. i am a gentleman" he spoke as if a smile was taunting behind his words, he was amused with you.
light posts passed by your face as the carriage briskly made its way actoss town towards the neighborhood
"miss churchill?" one of your house help seemed to recognize you even in the dim lighting of the streets. the carriage made a full stop queueing sebastian to unload himself from the vehicle.
"good evening, is morie around?" you asked as you made your way down the carriage with the help of sebastian.
"she is inside waiting with your mother miss"
"i request your secrecy of our guests, identity and his visit today ms. herolds" she left a skeptic eye on both of you but quickly shook it off with your request and instead served you both.
"of course miss churchill, please go inside"
"my dear god, audrey! great heavens, i was spending the last moments thinking and worrying of what might've happened to you dear! i even sent our butlers and help to search for you at such hour!" your mother stood from her seat in the common room, arms ready to engulf her previously missing daughter— her arms faltered and dropped to her sides to see the man who followed behind you.
he hesitated entering, he didn't want to impose an improper impression.
"mother, this is sebastian.. i quite literally bumped unto this gentleman while i was on my journey walking back home.. he offered me a ride back" you cleared your throat as you started
"good evening mrs. churchill, i am julio sebastian lennox.. i met audrey and it was the latter, i clumsily bumped unto her causing pain which i apologize for" he bowed and smiled, his stance would seem proper to the untrained eye, but to you who knew of his whereabouts earliery tonight could see that he was trying his hardest to seem sober which made you stifle a laugh.
you were unsure if he would remember tonight, completely or at all. but it was a good thing that the wafting smell of alcohol on his skin already faded with the journey.
your mother called for morie to bring the med kit and to attend to you after hearing of your stories.
"we accept your apology sebastian, i'm sure your head was clear from causing my daughter any injury. thank you for bringing her home" she smiled, smiled as if she knew something all of you did not.
you sat nearby the crackling fireplace. morie knelt in front of you inspecting your body for more injuries. which you accumulated a few bruises from your knees, but mainly your hands were the serious ones.
"it's okay miss, i can help her, after all it was me who caused it" sebastian stood behind morie. the room paused.
"i-if you insist mr. lennox" morie stood and showed you a teasing look when sebastian took place in front of you kneeling.
"you didn't have to, really" you spoke with hushed voice aware of the ears listening
"it's the least i could do"
it didn't take long before he removed your gloves and sanitized your palms. you would lightly seethe by the sting but he would look at you and you would stop.
"i apologize did that hurt?"
he would wrap his handkerchief on your left hand since it had the larger wound.
he would chat with your mom and laugh at her teasing and jokes
"well mrs. churchill, audrey, ms. morie, i must take my leave, i must be overstaying my unwelcomed visit. i apologize once again. "
"no such thing sebastian, feel free to visit again... it's indeed time for bed, we must let you go now, good evening" your mother replied
"have a safe trip home" you chimed in
"good evening" he stood by the door and bowed towards all of you and left.
--
Dearest Gentle Readers,
Our crowd favorite for this season seems to openly keep her options open, considering how she was willingly riding with a gentleman she met at the dark streets of town. Allegedly riding to a destination with no proper chaperone, how scandalous!
It does not plead her case for she was seen dancing around with Marquess Yoon not much of fortnights ago, a passionate dance she only gave to him out of the eight dances, seven were left out of the dance floor.
i'm afraid we cannot conclude her schemes to be pure, peg her for her smart decisions, or peg her for a whore, that is up to you my readers. for i am only the eyes of the ton.
and i am always watching
Yours truly,
Lady Whistledown
--
"a what?!" your silent home now diminishing its quiet state when your mother had finished reading today's whistledown papers
"mother please"
"my daughter is no whore, we must do something to counter this, but we shall not avoid the public, it will only make us seem more guilty" she thought loudly
"i'm embarrassed, i dragged the marquess' name into this mess, what of my relations? what of me when i drag sebastian into this scandal as well?" you buried your face in your palms
"we shall let this pass, do what we do normally"
if your morher to be honest, she would not blame you for harboring gentlemen by your palms— she would pride you for it. she would not bother to make a sermon for you about men, except to choose who you deem worthy of you and your life.
"i dread for what is to pass mother" you dramatically drag your front against the chair, your arms crossed as it supported your head.
"ms. churchill, you have visitors" your butler entered the common room before stepping aside to let the visitor inside.
you quickly sat straight wondering who it may be, your mother staring at the door as she straightened herself.
"good day my ladies, mr. peraldo" he smiled with a bouquet grasped on his left hand.
"this is for ms. churchill" he handed the flowers out to you.
your mother rushed outside to see more visitors, she commanded the common room to be filled with refreshers, tea, and cookies.
to your surprise, your so called scandal is harboring more gentlemen towards you.
you were momentarily left by your mother to entertain suitors, until she decided she wanted to talk to them as well, crossing them out in her mental lists of compatibility and decency to be with you.
as you talked to the suitors without catching a breath, constantly having to end or start a new conversations— some left you both with silence— which created a cycle for the day.
in depths of conversation or silence, you caught yourself glancing to your palm in which sebastian's handkerchief was still in place.
"are you alright miss?"
"yes, just a little bit distracted by the people.."
you concluded a few names with your mother by the end of the day, until you were left with nothing once again due to disagreement.
you both huffed and sat quietly in the room that was utterly filled with bountiful and bright flowers.
"what about the marquess, or sebastian" she sat straight and looked at you.
"that's outrageous mama! none of them even visited us today to present themselves as suitors"
"doesn't matter, they interacted with you for a reason, and what reason but interest" she smiled with pride
"you think so mother?" you asked a little bit softer
"my dear, i would not lie to you" she engulfed you in an embrace before kissing you by your temple and leaving the room to yourself.
your mother's footsteps creaked lightly against the floor, you were left witht your own company
"my lady" your head turned quickly towards the voice
"marquess yoon? what brings you here? please come in" you almost stumble over your own words and offrring him a smile, you surely didn't expect his company residing your home tody
you were curious to where the butler must've been to be absent on announcing the marquess' arrival.
"i'm delighted to see that these beautiful florals accompanied you... i've heard your home has been a hot spot for the ton— for the bachelors."
"ah.. well i was unaware of the mass that will arrive in my home, or for any foreign visitors" the corners of his lips seem to elevate at your words
"you seem tired, must've i come another time miss churchill?"
"it is great that you are here actually, someone who can accompany in long conversations"
you left your home with a chaperone this time, learning a thing or two about your latest scandal paper. he took you to a picnic by the river at the park.
he instinctively brought you a meal from the lack you had today for noon.
"so france, what do you plan to accomplish when you arrive?" he faced you, the afternoon glare seemingly had no effect towards him. he glowed brighter. his raven hair complimenting the glow of his skin.
"i wish to see the world, learn something as well.." you paused "i must apologize for the image i will taint you with, especially for the recent papers, what must they say of you; you're quite identifiable more so that we're in public" your arm tensed up, you placed the strawberry back unto your plate as you heaved your chest for the apology.
"let them talk, that's what people do" he seemed so unbothered by the context you gave him. he accepted it blindly while staring off to the edge of the lake.
"i know that you are not what they make of you, miss churchill"
you didn't know what you were doing there.
just about when you reached the front door, you knocked at the hard wood. the door of the gentlemen's club. it was an hour before the sun set and how you arrived there became a blur, what you were thinking was also a blur.
you knocked again twice. no answer. although you heard voices conversing and some laughing.
you turned your back to the entrance, what the hell were you doing there anyway.
as you walked on the pebbled floor you heard a sudden gust of wind striked by a sharp sound of an opening door
"do not make yourself a fool! my alliances are gentlemen" a loud voice boomed as they forced themselves out of the establishment.
you decided to hastily walk faster, you didn't want to be tangled upon the mess of some drunken men.
"audrey?" you couldn't help yourself but to look.
"sebastian?" "out drinking again i see" you taunt jokingly as he paced towards you
"barely, my.. my friend is up to no good and it put me in a sour mood...."
"mind sharing your thoughts?"he sighed heavily
"he's toying with a new debutante just to raise his family from debt"
"that sounds.. unfortunate, i hope it gets resolved"
"anyways, you're walking home again?" he said diverting the topic
"no.. i just felt like exploring the town.."
"really? and you chose to be here? i offer no offense but this might be the last on the salubrious places you may come to" you bit your lip not wanting to admit more of your presence to the place and allowed him to stare you down with a curious eye and an elevated brow.
"well, it seems like i must show you a much better place, would you like that?"
"alright then" he offered you his arm and you happily placed yours within his.
you thought twice of your decision to come along with sebastian— an absolute stranger, in contrary he did bring you home and aided you due to your first fruitful encounter— for now you were scurrying through dark alleys. it seemed like the sun was to set soon.
the dark colored buildings didn't help the illusion of nightfall, a sense of danger washed through your consciousness when you realized that you were completely unfamiliar of this place. sebastian's keen eye didn't leave your expression unnoticed though.
"i apologize if i made you feel uneasy going through this path but it's much easier and quicker to arrive there... and i wouldn't let malice drive through me to do you wrong audrey. i just want you to know that" he said pausing through the street, his face aligned to yours, his eyes wide and sincere.
"i know.. i trust you" a few seconds of silence passed between the both of you
"well we're here" he led you forward, warm rays of light entered your vision once again. it revealed a large manor by itself and wide yards of grass stretching towards the horizon.
the sun painted the portrait with its hues giving a touch of gold to each and every little thing it touches. the house looks like a summer house, but you doubt anyone lives in it by the way it's so silent, but it still looks well kept.
"this lot belongs to my father, we used to move here during summer because it catered to his activities and much more peaceful away from the ton" he started "i still go here often, when i spend time in solitude, when i need to feel clarity"
"thank you for showing me this idyllic place, it's beautiful" you stared at the horizon.
"it really is" he said looking at you
"what's your plan with this place? it seems like a sacred space for you"
"continue making it a haven, i'll live there before i find for a proper manor for a family, i'd like to paint one last time before i move. what do you plan to do?"
"..people say it's unusual, but i dream to travel, to be an academic, i believe that every child deserves to receive equal treatment" you said truthfully. he nodded along your words, as if he took note of it.
"what the heart desires, will conquer everything non malevolent" his words conveyed his understanding and mutuality to your thoughts.
"it's about time i brought someone here to take it away from its loneliness, you know i used to chase my cousins through the field when we were school boys, and we would return with large stains on our clothes that made my mother scold us" he let a breathy laugh
it seemed like a distant memory of him that will always remind him of happiness, his face rather shows his yearning for it.
"well then you must be quick on your feet, chase me sebastian" you sprinted, gathering your skirts in front of you as you giggled, rush pumping through your veins as it reminded you the childish feeling of being chased.
sebastian, who looked like he was processing your words for a while, suddenly lifted the corners of his lips as he ran after you. his laughter blended along with yours.
unfortunately your clothing didn't bring you so far, with the heels of your shoes slowly digging into the dirt and your occassional tripping on your long skirt brought you just a few more meters passed sebastian's summer house.
"noo!" you screamed as you felt his arms embrace the sides of yours as you dropped your skirts back to its length when you turned to face him, primarily to see if he was close. you both laughed as he swirled you around, your head burried between his neck and shoulder.
the wind brushing the both of you and the tall grass and flowers that decorated it. it was golden hour, it made the illusion that his eyes were too when you stared at them. he looked at you too, except his eyes flickered between yours and your lips, drawing you closer to him.
--
Dearest Gentle Readers,
It seems that mystery man has been revealed! While Miss Audrey Churchill was discovered to be riding with a gentleman one night, turns to be accompanied by Sir Julio Sebastian Lennox— one of the top bachelors of the season and son of the Duke of Malborough, who we recently assumed to be uninterested of being wed this season.
This information was collected due to the public sightings of them in the Duke's summer manor.
Are we to assume that their relationship has passed courtship, and now to be expecting an engagement? For if it is so, you have made a wonderful decision my dear.
Yours Truly,
Lady Whistledown
--
"no! but we nearly kissed morie!" you whisper screamed to your maid as she was getting you dressed for breakfast. you sat in the vanity as she brushed your hair.
"it's no wonder lady whistledown follows you around, you are quite scandalous miss!" she laughed
"this is not funny morie, i was already called a whore" you scrunched uo your nose due to the word
"not directly, but you must choose now, you mustn't continue seeing them both on the same period, it can cause you to lose them both"
"but i am unsure of whom to pick.." you muttered to yourself "i'm not certain that sebastian is even asking for my hand.." morie just stared at you through the mirror with a knowing smile.
for the next few days you have led by yourself, discerning the proper choice for a husband. it came to a stress where you almost made a list on parchment to weigh in their characteristics and capabilities.
one morning you were walking with morie by the streets towards the modiste. she scolded you for staining the beautiful rose colored dress you wore when you had met with sebastian.
hearing the bells as morie pushed through doors, you were quickly stopped as a hand dropped to your shoulder.
"audrey, you must come with me, your suitors are battling witth their fists" your brother gasps as he successfully chased you.
you look back towards morie with concern painted on your face, you faced your brother and quickly nodded.
"how did you learn of this briony?" you asked concerningly as you rode the carriage along with him and morie.
"i visited the gentlemen's club and heard of this event, i knew that the names sounded a little too familiar.." he started "apparently one of them offered a duel, but it was quickly shut down by the other one and settled it to a brawl instead"
"dear god" you huffed on your seat "they're battling in the subjects of?"
"you mustn't think i would bring you to a violent brawl if it didn't concern you my dear sister, now would you?" his sarcasm passed through you for you were frustrated. it seems like they made the choosing for you.
you arrived to a more busy place in town, where laborers would be, except they all came to see the brawl, see it wasn't often when people would set an event for a brawl, it was usually a place for gentlemen to squander money, and well— lose them.
"what have i done" you sighed heavily
you and your brother entered the venue, it had a bleacher type of chairs on opposite ends of the huge box in the middle of it.
it was crowded and busy, speeches turned into a loud hum that vibrated in the four corners of the room. people of all classes seen, but men dominated the audience.
"i place my money on the duke! i heard he has done private sessions"
"i heard the marquess uses more strategic attacks"
"look at his form! put me on that bet!"
you were horrified, even more so when you assumed they have done a brawl before.
your eyes quickly caught the two familiar physique, both wrapped in robes, they were conversing of something serious by the look of the eye, they both seem agitated.
"marquess yoon! seba- mr. lennox!" you rushed immediately towards them, immediately losing your brother briony in the crowd.
more than two heads turned to you, people wondering why you were here, most were shocked, but you couldn't bother to give them attention.
"audrey" sebastian huffed out as he looked at you, his eyes softening
"miss churchill" the marquess rolled his eyes as he heard sebastian, and faced you.
they did know each other, they brought out sides of each other that you haven't seen before. in fact, it seemed like they knew each other longer than you have known them.
the operator whistled, it was about to start.
their chances to converse and explain to you dissipated. both left with their gaze to speak to you.
a hand wrapped around your arm as your realized your brother found you and was urging you to take your seats.
"are we just going to let them fight? can't i talk to them?" you frowned
"you wouldn't want to be between this right now" he said calmly but stern.
it wasn't helping that your mind was still left with indecisiveness and with blank answers, you weren't in the right mind to administrate anything. let it be a fact to you as well that they chose this without you.
you place your face on your palms, swiftly raising it again when you heard another whistle indicating the start of the brawl.
they both enter the ring, as they discarded their robes, their upper body nude. you were appalled, a new sense of emotion rising to your chest, something that you've never learned of before.
you were taught not to stare, but how could you not with the sight in front of you. smooth skin, lightly shining from the humidity of the room met with the afternoon sun. sebastian's skin a bit more brighter than the marquess'. but the marquess was slimmer than the former, still obtaining a built physique.
you looked away saving the dignity and values you had left in you as briony saw you and laughed.
a loud roar came from the crowd when the marquess threw the first punch which hit sebastian right across his cheek. you gasped, standing up to see the scene unfold.
sebastian was quick to throw defense, striking the marquess on his middle. unsure of which side were you on, or even if you should be siding with anyone.
the marquess darkened his gaze as he glared toward sebastian, he lunged forward and threw a series of attacks against his friend.
sebastian merely lifted his arms against himself to protect himself from the impact, backing unto the side of the rink directly across from you. he aimlessly threw more punches that only affected the other lightly.
the crowd from the other side cheered, as the one beside you shouted in encouragement and stress.
"get back up!" you screamed along with them, seeing sebastian slowly shrink. he was clearly bigger than his fellow, and he could easily clear him out, but it seemed like he accepted the punches of frustration, and that spoke enough to you.
as if sebastian heard you, he stood again and swiftly dodged some of the hits jeonghan gave him. he gave him a strong punch, the whole place went quiet when the marquess went still, seemingly in a daze from the hit. sebastian lost his stance, and in the eye of deception the marquess struck him straight on the nose.
he fell to the floor, and the marquess straddled his lower half, restrainingn his movement. he swung his arms consecutively giving blows from both ways to the sides of sebastian's head.
he held his arms straight in front of him, but the marquess did not stop. slowly his arms gave out unable to protect himself. his face looked a lot more swollen now. the last whistle was heard and in that exact moment you saw the way sebastian took the last of his power to move his head and put his gaze on you as the marquess finally stopped, a smile planted on his face, finally leaving his friend alone.
the venue became alive again, the other side screaming in victory and yours in defeat.
a number of people swarmed around the marquess, restraining him from walking freely, he thanked the people and conversed with them, his chest still hevaing in exhaustion. all while his friend seemed to be left alone by people, the ones who were encouraging him now seemed slowed down by defeat.
you walked towards him, but quickly stopped when you heard your brothers voice once again.
"i know that you have estranged feeling for one of them, and that you seem to be confused on which one.. and that i must leave you to choose the person whom you love." his speech seem unfinished. "i heard they were arguing for your hand in matrimony." a truth arises, amidst your confusion. it still seemed incomplete of a reason for all this violence, but you just gave your brother a nod before rushing towards the ring.
a large frame abruptly stopped you from reaching the frame, it was the marquess greeting you with a smile.
"ready to be a marchioness?" he grins, his hands went to frame your face as he gives you a kiss.
your hands flew to his chest pushing him lightly.
"i—" you were quickly cut off hearing the crowd swarming around jeonghan again.
"i'll bring a ring when i visit again ms. churchill" he said before moving along with the crowd.
you removed your glove wiping your lips, absent mindedly entered the ring and sat beside sebastian. he seemed to stare off to jeonghan's figure.
"oh great heavens, are you alright?" you grabbed the sides if his face looking ay his swollen figure. some purple and green spots slowly showing its hue all over his body. a strip of almost dry blood on his nose, and small cuts around his cheeks
"audrey.. you must leave me alone now, i lost the deal and i must yield you to him" he answers placing his hands on top of yours.
"but he did not make a deal with me, i will not!" you stated. "come on now, you're bleeding"
you led him out of the ring, placing him in his robe. he limped leaning forward placing a hand on his stomach as if to aid the pain, the building quickly emptied itself, as you heard thuds from sebastian's limping.
"thank you for being here for me" his head close to yours, his voice just above a whisper. you just nodded and insisted that he focused on his well being for now and leave the words of gratitude for later.
"wait isn't this the lower seymour street?" you scanned the place as it looked familiar
"for a person who looked like you wanted to leave immediately, you seem to remember this place well" he chuckled lightly before wincing.
"so your summer house is just two blocks away, let's go there instead" you said now leading him to his home with assistance.
it didn't take you long to reach his house. the patio's arch welcoming the joth of you. with a pillar to finally rest on after walking, you both decided to catch a quick breath.
the house seemd quiet but peaceful.
"are there no helpers inside?" you asked peeking through the glass
"no.. they just come twice a month for maintenance" he huffed unlocking the door.
the light rays peeked through each glass, brightening the place, it was beautiful, filled with furniture of the same style. a home with no one inside it.
you looked at the place in awe, it ws beautiful. clean white walls with engraving and pillars that strecthed to the other end of the house. big staircase on both corners. archers on both sides that led to more rooms.
polished wooden floor with carpets over them. you wondered if it really had been lived in.
"you must rest, i'll look for the medical kit" you told him, he went to walk towards the common room to lay down, limping a bit with silenced wincing.
it took you a few rooms and cabinet-opening, drawer-pulling to finally find it. you quickly returned to the common room finding sebastian sitting with his legs raised, his arm laying over the backrest of the seat. his head facing the sun that was soon to set.
his hair seeming golden with the afternoon light. his skin glowed despite being beaten up today. it almost felt like looking at a painting, you wanted to stay there, for stepping in the room felt like disturbing his peace.
it was a moment that felt like waking up at dusk, meeting the sun as it rises, a warm cup of tea on your hand for you were englufed in the crisp morning fog. the kind of peace of having time to yourself before life started, before are people are awake, before the noise creeps into the day.
"i found it" you falsely coughed as you entered, his face traced the path you made with his eyes.
"this seems familiar" he smiled, reminding the both of you of an incident not too long ago.
"i guess it's my time to repay your service"
"thank you" he said almost too softly, too genuinely.
"no worries sebastian, we have each other's friendship, don't we?"
"i- mhm, i guess you are right"
a momentary silence passed between the two of you, it quietly queued him to take of his clothing for you to help him. you traced his wound at his middle to inspect the depth of the wound, your touch made him gasp lightly— which you tried to ignore.
you sanitized his wounds before wrapping them up, including his leg that he seemed to give a minir injury so you just wrapped it tightly with a bandage.
"please don't fight again, with him, or with anyone"
"i place it on my honor to say that i tried, jeonghan- he was my friend. and our disagreement led us too far" he sighed heavily
you kneeled in front of him, your faces leveled. you dabbed medicine on his cuts.
"ssst!" his eyes closed, his teetch clenched together.
sometimes the biggest pains comes from the smallest wounds.
"i would try to console you, but i heard it was you who invited him to a brawl"
"he invited me to a duel!" he cried as if to tell you that your judgement was unfair
"and i beg the heavens that it will never happen. what you both did was utter nonsense! you are friends"
his mouth opened, then closed, reasons to holding his words back only kept to him.
he winced finally as you put medicine on his lips before packing the kit away.
"how did you know him anyway?"
"i met him at the first ball of the season.. and he asked me to dance" you told him honestly, you were comfortable to tell him everything of your soul, you didn't know why.
"you must've done something to have bewitched him"
"i hardly done anything... i'm unsure if he even wants to proceed to courtship"
"he does"
"how can you be sure?"
"because we battled for your hand..."
you wanted to say something, but your response fled like the early afternoon sky
"he told me he was going to marry you, and i disagreed with him, i told him i was going to make you a lennox"
the air got caught in your throat, your eyes met. a gravitational pull happened between both of you, your lips met, his warmth made your mind hazy. clueless as you were, your tongue met his lips. he pulled away.
"i mustn't, i'm a gentleman" his fingers holding your chin
"please" you begged, your voice hoarse.
this wasn't where you both expected to be, or what you thought would happen. sebastian had so much to say, but had so much to do.
"you shouldn't carry me! put me down!"
it's as if the heat took his pain and made it into drive, he nestled you in his arms swiftly, bringing you to a large sleeping quarters, who's you may ask, you didn't care.
he placed you softly on thr ground, your feet merting the carpet.
"audrey.. are you certain?"
"make me a lennox, sebastian" you told him. despite your words, you both came to an understanding that you weren't after his title, or his wealth. you were there for him.
you faced your back against him, your eyes meeting in the mirror before the both of you.
in that moment, you knew it, once again reminded that you were fated. that you belonged to each other. that even without the wedding rings, he was embroidered in your skin with the scar he gave you on your palms. that he was yours for the cut on his lips that fought for you.
you shivered feeling the tips of his fingers meeting the bare of your back as he unbuttoned the dress you wore. his warm lips meeting the curve of your neck, slithering down to your shoulders. and on the last button, your dress fell off your shoulder, he placed one final kiss on your shoulder before bringing his face up to look at you through the mirror.
"you're so beautiful" he stared admiring your figure
his habds drifted to the ribbon of your corset, slowly his fingers pulled the intertwining pattern off its loops, slowly the corset hang loosely around you. with one final tug it all fell.
your face went to look at him, with one peck he spoke.
"show me" his lips touched your ear as he spoke. his hand placed on your shoulder, slowly descending to your arm with his fingers.
your hands got busy to undress your undergarments.
another small thud was heard because of the clothing that met with the floor. you were bare, and the sight caused sebastian to gasp.
he placed his big warm hands on your waist after he turned your body to face him.
with a beat passing by, your lips once again met. slowly striding in the quarters. you felt the edge of the bed behind your knees, but sebastaian did not stop, he continued kisisng you as he laid you down.
your body adjusting towards the middle of the bed, his lips encaging yours, his tongue explored yours.
you released a low moan causing him to groan. he separated with you as he slowly knelt before you.
in confusion you wanted to ask him what he was to do, but in the heat of pleasure you would let him do anything to you.
his strong arms encircled your thighs as he tugged your end to meet the edge of the bed. his eyes flying to your face to watch you watch him. his face still facing towards your womanhood.
his tongue met the skin with one long slow stripe.
"god-" you grumbled leaning back to the bed
he licked again on the other side, before finally meeting your middle. his hot tongue stimulated you. his tongue dipled towards your entrance which made you grab his hair, your back arching.
"mmh"
"feel good?"
you were too dazed to reply.
his tongue was leaving a mess on you, your vagina was glistening with his saliva. his tongue went back to your entrance, slowly entering his thick, warm muscle. he thrusted it on your entrance, his sharp nose meeting your clit, almost making you scream.
his thumb met with your clit as he rubbed it in circles.
"fuck" you gasped, your back arching and lifting against the bed.
you thrusted your hips against his face, he moaned against you sending waves through your body.
with a final hum you felt the peak of pleasure flowing through you as you rode to oblivion.
his lips met yours again, his hands wandered throughout your body, his hands finding your breasts, he massaged it with hus rught arm. his lips left wet kisses trailing to your other breast.
he engulfed your breast within his mouth, sucking on your nipples. his other hand now trailed to your heat. with slow massages on the clit, it descended to your entrance.
his middle finger feeling big and warm. the foreign feeling left you chanting his name. he added another one and thrusted it quickly, your wetness was heard echoing through the walls. you were beyond wet. your entrance sucked his fingers so well, his thumb met your clit once again. with the familiar feeling on your stomach, your moans became louder.
"aah- a, slow down, mmph" you bit on your hand to silence yourself.
"let me hear you, it's just us here audrey" he stopped sucking your breast before sucking once again on your neck, another shape of redness collecting around your body.
your hand instinctively reached for his pants, you felt his hard cock stretching the fabric, you cupped it and slowly rubbed.
"aa- shit" he huffed, you continued sqeezing it slightly, it was the first time you hear him moan si loud.
"mmh, ahh... don't stop" he said biting your neck
he pulled away kneeling before you as he unbuttoned his pants. when he pulled his garments down, he wuickly discarded them and threw it across the floor.
seeing his dick made your heat throb.
it was huge.
bigger than you'd thought it would be, his fingers did not suffice to prepare you for it.
"i don't think it'll fit" you said staring, you stared at his naked glory, his skin glowing like earlier, his skin milky white and smooth. but rather damaged due to his injuries earlier.
"i'll make it fit, my love" he chuckled lowly
you smiled at him, you felt safe, you felt loved.
he crawled back on top of you. your knees on both sides of his hips.
"tell me if it hurts, i'll stop, we'll go by your pace audrey"
"i trust you" you looked at him, and from above you he kissed you deeply.
his tip rubbing on your heat, before he finallg pushed it inside.
"aaa- a"
he kissed you deeply trying to divert your attention so you wouldn't feel scared.
when you feel him stop moving you exhaled as if to show release. his forehead pressed onto yours staring into your eyes.
"it's halfway in"
"only halfway? i feel like i'm torn into two" he chuckled
"do you want me to stop?" he asked with concern
"no don't!" you said hastily, your legs clumsily wrapping around his hips accidentally forcing him to lean on you, the rest of his length buried in you.
"a—ahh!" you screamed, your back arching forcing him even deeper, your chests and skin meeting. you felt like you were on fire.
"fuck— ahh" he moaned, his breath hitting your face.
he was so deep in you, it pressed unto your flesh that gave you so much pleasure.
his hands traced on your middle before stopping just below your navel. he pressed you on that spot, an evident bulge shape seen.
"you feel that?".... "it's gonna reach further" he whispered
"please" you said airily.
his hips pulled back before slowly but strongly pushing back in, it left you both moaning against each other's lips. his hips restlessly drilled unto yours. it fet like pushing a barrier within you.
your stomach tightened, the familiar heat coming back to you. sebastian was passionately thrusting into you, making sure he was careful, he pushed his hips deeper, repeatedly.
loud sounds of skin meeting was heard, it almost sounded violent. you felt the frame of the bed shake, the wood creaked, the thudding became louder as it met the wall.
"god you feel so good" he huffed his hips busy
as if his direction felt different, his tip was pushing something within you that made your stomach twist. your walls clamping him in due to the pleasure.
"aa– a fuck" he groaned.
with a few more thrusts, you felt your high again, riding it out as your hips met his, feeling him deeper, you clamped unti him more before he quickly pulled out and pumped his cock in front of you. his release tainting your skin white.
a warm liquid droplet landed on your face. but you were feeling too good to be bothered by it. this experience led to your revelations.
he looked at you after catching his breath once again. he chuckled seeing your expression.
"i apologize for that" he said wiping your face
"it's alright" you held his hand, placing it on top of his
"audrey.. i mean it, i will marry you, and after this i really should" but his words didn't sound like he was trying to convince you, it was a vow.
sebastian told you he would ask for your hand in marriage from your family. so you anxiously waited for the next few days for his arrival. you knew that he would have to deal with his own family before he could ask for your hand, after all he had a title, inheritance, and assets to claim.
you didn't tell anyone where you were after the brawl— not even morie. you knew it would turn against you if someone decided not to keep your secret.
you sat in the common room with your mother, she was embroidering, while you were practicing the piano forte.
a knock on the entrance was heard.
"ms. churchill, you have a visitor" the butler said. your hands ringed in anxiety. you pressed the wrong key and decided to stop playing.
you awaited for the visitor, hearing their footsteps. your eyes widen at the sight.
"marquess yoon?" you stood up too quickly.
"viscountess, ms. churchill" he bowed as a greeting "i was told to bring ms. churchill with me to the queen for her blessing in our engagement"
you and your mother was shocked, frozen as if you both were struck by lightning. with no time to waste you were quickly dressed to be sent to the castle.
the ride was quick, you didn't utter any words to each other.
when you arrived you were quickly escorted to a chamber facing big doors as you were announced to enter.
you bowed at the queen before settling on the designated seat for the both of you.
you gave a courteous smile, jeonghan reached for your hand and held it.
"we are truly grateful for your blessing, your majesty" he bowed with a grin on his face
"my blessing? i said no such thing my boy"
for a moment his smile faded, but quickly recovered. it was so fast you would miss it if you blinked.
"so i see you have taken the hand of my season's favorite.. how did you fall in love?"
it was no secret that the queen loved scandal, you heard a previous favorite was quickly forgotten due to her plain and safe attitude, not that you intended to be wrapped in problematic scenarios.
"it was the first ball, against multiple suitors, she chose me to dance with... that night it was only us two, and that's when i knew, that i should wed ms. churchill, your highness"
her gaze flickered to you, you nodded silently and just smiled, letting him paint the story. the farthest lie you could give was a smile and nod.
not when you wished it was sebastian who was beside you, not when you had thought multiple ways to be with him while you were beside his so called friend. you couldn't lie, because what you both had was to sacred to taint
the talk you had with the queen stretched for so long, it was all filled with the marquess' story telling, his words stinging the air with lies of love.
it would be a lie if you said that you never found him an attractive gentleman, because you did once, you did when he felt like a genuine company. when he would grin and ask for partnership in dancing.
the queen was bored, because she had the same look on her face that you had.
the palace staff had to bring out biscuits and tea, now all crumbs and specks of the tea plant going through drought in that cup.
she got her mood uo every now and then when she inhales a tiny spoonful of the white powder she keeps beside her seat. you did not know for certain, but you felt her gaze on you, almost with sympathy.
it finally concluded.
you were escorted back to the entrance waiting for your carriage ride. the marquess smiles at you.
"now i can finally ask for your hand from your family..." he started "i must let you know that sebastian isn't serious, he's always deflowering every maiden he sets his eyes upon, it's a great thing that i could act quickly before he did" his voice turned serious. something sinister wrapped his words.
you just stared at him silently, your brows frown slightly in disbelief of his words. he turned his head back towards you seeing your expression and he froze quickly.
"he did it didn't he?" his body stiffened
the whole ride back to your manor was quiet. he sat so stiffly that you unconsciously mirrored his posture, because you both had a lot in mind.
before you could enter the smaller road towards the village you lived in the carriage halted abruptly, both physically shaken inside the vehicle.
"is there a problem?" jeonghan conversed to the coachman, his voiced raised.
then a loud bang was heard, somebody pulled the doors open strongly, causing it ti hit the exterior of the carriage.
"sebastian?" your eyes widen in surprise. however he couldn't spare you any time when he was dragging the marquess by the collar.
"you brought her to the queen?!" he exclaimed tugging at the collar he held.
"and you, don't think i am unaware of what you have done to her, i won the brawl, now do your part of the agreement." he said calmly, but you could sense his irritation.
"i lost the brawl because i didn't want to hurt my friend" he said through his teeth
"then lose to our duel against another suitor" the marquess challenged the latter.
"certainly not!" you said loudly making them both face you. sebastian's poise faltered momentarily. the marquess
"before the sun rises, you know where i'll be" he finally said
you couldn't sleep well that night, you tossed and turned. and that's when you decided to not sleep at all.
in the midst of the night, where everyone was asleep, you slipped out of your nightgown and dressed yourself before quietly sneaking into the maiden's quarters in which you forced morie to wake.
"audrey, is there something wrong?"
"morie you must help me, sebastian and the marquess is having a duel before the sun rises, we must do something" she stared at you processing the words you said and eagerly nodded.
you both wore dark robes and left in the quiet night.
"we'll have to split audrey, we don't have enough time. you'll hahe to go there before me"
you faced her seeing that she was watching the time of hour, you had barely enough time to both of them.
"morie please be careful" you said holding her hand tightly as you smiled ar her, your lips thinned into a line, but your eyes stayed dull and full of worry.
"this is the biggest honor to do for you" she said
your pecked her cheek. morie was the closest thing you could have to an older sister. you always saw and treated her as an equal.
she pulled away first scurrying fast into the dim streets. you bit your lip anxiously, you quickly headed to the cabin a few streets away from your home taking your horse from the keeper.
once your horse step foot on the cobble streets you commanded it to go faster, your upper body tilting forward due to the speed.
you hoped you were right, you hoped you aren't too late.
your swift ride was caught by the rising sun, blue hues displayed on the sky, you muttered prayers, begging the heavens against the agreement the gentlemen had.
your eyes caught the familiar street as your turned towards it. your horse ran faster, the quick clicks of its feet meeting the cobble floor echoing through the empty streets.
the dusk lifting away, it was sebastian's summer estate. you pushed harder, you and your horse's ribs flared through quickened breaths.
you unloaded from your seat and ran towards the horizon where you see four figures grouped into two, a distance between, they were covered by a few trees, hidden in plain sight.
suddenly the gentlemen are put on their backs and paced a few steps forward, furthering away from each other before. your legs almost gave up on you when you saw them face each other.
"STOP!" your scream rolled of your throat, and at the very same moment you heard a hollow explosive sound. your body dropping to the ground, your knees flat on the soil, you bent over it a silent whimper released from you.
three heads faced towards you, you can identify two of them, but the other was not facing you.
it was sebastian who looked at you, it was sebastian who raised his gun towards the sky, it was sebastain who ran towards you.
your cries howled in the wind. you felt his arms embrace you, you held it.
you felt morie kneel beside you, her hands gray and filled with powder, her pockets full with metallic materials making noise as she went closer to you.
finally looking at the scene, you stared at everyone, no one laid injured. you stood up hugging sebastian tightly.
"it's alright audrey, don't cry, none of us were hurt" he whispered to you.
the marquess had his knees planted on the ground, he was still as if he was frozen. his gun was dropped beside him.
you walked towards him to see if he was alright.
"i'm sorry—i'm sorry, i am in your debt, both of yours" his voice ran hoarse.
you hugged him, out of pity, out sympathy. that even you figured out that he was to make you a victim, you knew he was helpless.
after the unsuccessful affair of honor, everyone held shelter under the lennox estate.
"i must alologize firstly to you, ms.churchill. it is true that i had the motive to marry you for my financial benefit... i said the truth that my father died but shielding you from the truth that my mother used our funds recklessly..." he started his head down, occassionally looking at you and sebastian.
he stood up facing his friend. "i shouldn't have my problems come between us, that it led to manipulation and violence. i am stripped of my honor, and i ask for forgiveness" the men shook hands, both silent.
they discussed further privately, and you were glad to see them slowly mending their relationship. sebastian loaned him money— that the marquess promised to repay with more— and sent him back to the east to resolve their financial debt and social image.
--
Dearest Gentle Readers,
You may think you have escaped me by beginning the festivities at dusk, fear more for I have eyes that does not sleep, and ears that listens everywhere, and to anyone, all at once.
The Marquess Yoon and a certain Mr. Lennox held an affair of honor in the Lennox summer estate, for the hand of Ms. Churchill which we now know infamously. The debutante that causes extreme ignite of adoration which may unfortunately lead to death.
The said Marquess Yoon fled to the East the previous afternoon, exposing the real champion of their fight. It may come to your curiosity on how both survived? A handy little handmaiden unloaded the Marquess's equipment before the battle.
Setting the duel at the Lennox affair might be the lucky charm of Mr. Julio Sebastian Lennox due to their upcoming wedding by the end of the season.
Cheers to Mr. and soon to be Mrs. Lennox Duke and Duchess of Malborough and successful courtship and engagement. However, this courtship won't officially end until the crown says yes.
Yours truly,
Lady Whistledown
--
it was almost like deja vu, except it wasn't, because you have been in the exact same walls, room and searing for the same reason for the second time.
the queen's expression seemed lighter, a small smile presented upon her lips.
"ms. churchill again, and mr. lennox" he said
"your majesty" he bowed
"care to tell me a word of how this happened this time ms. churchill?"
"...what we have is something i didn't plan to happen, however it is also something i wouldn't trade" you looked at sebastian, he was looking at you and listening word for word.
this time it was your voice that filled the walls, and the ears of whomever listened. you talked endlessly, leaving your fiancé speechless.
for you talked like he was the most interesting and relevant thing to talk about.
"i see my dear, what you have is something that even i cannot forbid... now flee, wed, and i assume you will no longer need illustrations for your honeymoon?" she grinned teasingly, she reflected a knowing smile which made your cheeks burn.
but you were okay with that because sebastian's ear burned just the same.
the lennox estate became your favorite place, even if it witnessed a lot of strange things, both good and negative; it was also a witness of your love. it held up in the strongest of storms, and it shined in the summer sun.
it became an unofficial house where you both resided before you married.
today you invited both of your parents to build your relationship to the family of your beloved.
"mr and mrs. lennox, i'm glad to see you" you greeted them and led them towards the common room where your parents were waiting.
"oh please audrey dear, call me mama, you are already my daughter" she cheered
"you're the first lady sebastian mentioned to us, and it seems like you will be the last" his father spoke
"he barely left the house until we forced him to go out, he would always be coming from the gentleman's club ir hiding here" mrs. lennox giggled
you couldn't help but grin
"what must you be telling audrey about me" his brow raised, he hugged them as greetings
your parents quickly skipped over the niceties and started laughing upon each other's statements, most of them which shared memories from which where you were young.
"when she was 6 she got a hold of scissors, the next day she ended up having the same haircut as her brother, people would confuse them as the other!" your mother said
"i'm hlad we offered tea, if we gave her wine who knows what she'll say" you buried your head on sebastian's chest hiding your face in embarrassment.
he chuckled at your words and hugged you. it was like the both of you were not present from the way your parents talked.
the meeting stretched to noon, supper was soon coming. it was when your parents finally decided it was time for them to part ways with you as you walked them out, kissing their cheeks as farewell.
the door made a loud sound as it shut behind the both of you.
"so jeonghan was lying when he said you were going around.. sleeping with other women" your voice teasing but to you it held a genuine question.
"if i had slept with so many women i wouldn't have came so fast when i was eating you out." he said "so no, it isn't true.."
"oh and you must go to the modiste soon, enough dresses for a month trip, our honeymoon will be in the city of love" he said grinning widely.
"you're serious?" you froze
he nodded at you
you ran towards him pecking his lips repeatedly, your kisses blurred into long messy ones, his tongue in your mouth once again, leaving you breathless.
he pulled away lightly, the detachment made a wet smacking sound. his forehead leaned unto yours and your lips still touching.
i don't know how far my reposts will go as of now, but it took me quite some time to consider making a new account. i got locked out of my old one with no hope of actually retrieving my drafts, and i was absolutely heartbroken, it took me weeks because i was also occupied with university. but now i'm back, and i i'll get in touch with my writing soon, so please stay tuned!
i'll be reposting the my works soon! thank you for those who are anticipating for my recent work, but i'll have to work from the ground up again.
areudirty
theartofmadeline
origamiaround
stormborns
jacobvanloon
snowghoul
gummygunk
