Janette

⊹₊ she/they // multiple interests ₊⊹ I write sometimes ♡ ✈︎

[janluxe]

firelord!zuko staying up late

─── ⟢ ・⸝⸝

the day had felt endless, so full of meetings and expectations that every ticking minute weighed on your shoulders like a modern form of torture — you'd been running on pure anxiety, spite and the thought of coming back to your bed and husband. you had already slipped into the fine silk of your robes, the fabric brushing against your skin when you noticed the untouched sheets.

of course, you sighed.

soft light peeked from the office he had made out of the small room attached to your shared bedroom. the crimson curtains hung low in the doorway, separating the two rooms from one another.

your steps barely broke through the wind's late song.

at first, it was a rare sight, but as time went by, you missed the picture of him resting right beside you.

zuko was once more slumped over papers and worries. one arm securely tucked under his unscarred side while the other loosely held onto a bleeding brush, dark ink already leaving its traces on unfinished documents. calligraphic words were scattered all over the oak's smooth surface, a sea of empty teacups resting amongst them.

you couldn't help but stare for a moment; how his shoulders rose and fell with each soft breath he took, eyelashes brushing against his skin. hair had fallen from his usually neat bun, framing his face until you reached out to tuck it away. touch lingering on the roughness of his scar — a gesture he used to flinch away from, now he leaned closer.

the tiniest of groans escaped him, your name slipping from his lips, feeling your presence rather than recognizing the silhouette. "did I fall asleep?" his voice came out groggy and low, blinking slowly against the candlelight.

he shook his head like a newborn puppy, trying to shrug off any fatigue clinging onto him like sand on wet skin. you caught a glimpse of the boy you once knew before burdens weighed his shoulders, and he refused to set them down, even for a moment.

your fingers grazed over his, setting the brush aside. "again." you smiled, more fond and tinged with concern than anything else.

"i didnt mean to," focusing took him a second, golden eyes struggling to concentrate on the needs of his nation all laid out before him, yet uncompleted. "I still have to—" he straightened up, or tried to.

his words caught in his throat, adam's apple bobbing in his throat as you draped your robe over his shoulders, stepping between his knees to cup his face in your hands.

"It's too late." you began, thumbs tracing every imperfection he had grown to hate until you showed him love differently, in ways he wasn't familiar with. "Come on. bed."

zuko didn’t argue, not this time. he just pressed his face against your stomach like the world's worries couldn't quite reach him when he had his arms wrapped around you — shelter was in your fingertips as they threaded through his hair until he could only breathe freely again, steady, safe.

─── ⟢ ・⸝⸝

a/n; count me in on every idea regarding sleep c:

[janluxe]

XYZ — A WAY TO FORGIVENESS

𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 & 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗹𝗲

𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𓈒 𓈒 𓈒 𝒞aleb walking in in you showering & making it up to you. fem!reader (sexual themes, mdni)

──── ⟢ ・⸝⸝

warm droplets of water hit your skin, trickling down your bare frame, leaving behind a faint glow under the dim lighting of the bathroom. fatigue almost evaporated from your body, the tension in your muscles melting away ever so slowly.

until the bathroom door creaked open. your hands paused halfway through your hair, the shampoo's foam bubbling up around your fingers. "caleb– get out!"

you expect a quick "sorry", and a shameful retreat as a follow-up while you try to cover up the inches of skin your locks couldn't reach. that wasn't the case. instead, caleb leans against the doorframe, the delicate wood almost groaning under his weight, a loopsided grin painting his features into a familiar sight.

"relax." he has the audacity to speak those words, palm clasped over his eyes while the other rose in mock surrender, "i come in peace."

a huff escapes you, echoing amongst the tile walls, "have you tried knocking?"

"i wanted to ask what you wanted for dinner." he muses, such an innocent intention for someone who peeks through his fingers despite himself.

caleb clears his throat dramatically, dropping his act to point at his own head, "you got a lil bit of shampoo..."

"i know." you ground out, still very much glaring at him. "out." an order. that was clear.

the door shuts behind with a smooth click. "jerk." you huff under your breath, listening to his laughter as he made his way down the hall, finally giving you a chance to finish up your shower in peace.

by the time you slipped to the living room, footsteps heavier than usual, hair still damp, robe wrapped perfectly around you, he was already plating a 5 course meal, carrying himself with an odd sense of confidence, the ceramic clinking as it met the table's smooth surface.

you cross your arms. if looks could kill, he'd be lying on the floor by now. his face dropped, looking at you the same way a puppy would after stealing your slipper and chewing on it until it rounded up unrecognizable. "are you mad at me?" as if the pout on your face wasn't telling enough, you whipped your head, avoiding him completely.

guilt seeped right off him, you could almost catch a whiff of it, masked by the food's comforting scent.

he lowered himself. knees hitting the floor with a soft thud, wet, puppy eyes staring up at you, pressing his cheek against the hardness of your knee. you tried to stay angry at him, you really did. "honey," he whined, nuzzling his face against your inner thigh, steadily prying your legs apart. "i meant no harm."

rough hands tugged on the robe's tie, pulling it away until it came undone, pooling on the couch beneath you, leaving you exposed. your mouth opened just to close again at the sight of him

"lemme make it up to you." slow blinks, shallow breaths as he memorized the feeling of having you under his spell, all his to explore and make proud. "pretty please, pipsqueak?"

the way he spoke, low, tender like gravity shifted each time another plea slipped past his rosy lips. a familiar heat started to pool in your stomach, putting enough pressure to throw every ounce of logic out the window.

you sighed, resolve crumbling, while you gave in to the urge to tug him closer, soft locks brushing against your fingers. and the was all the encouragement he needed. "gonna take good care of you."

his mouth was warm, and inviting when it found you. starting like he did most of the time; a few cautious flicks of his tongue, observing the way your face contorted, teeth gingerly sinking in attempt to keep quiet.

then, it unfolded differently. unpredictable as always. a smile crossed his face, like he knew exactly how he was affecting you — lacking long stripes along your slit, hands trembling with excitement as he hooked one of your legs over his shoulder.

your muffled noises told him enough, praising him when you were at a loss of words – pulling him closer until he groaned, growing harder by the second, but that was none of his concern at the moment.

"you taste so fucking good." he hummed happily against you, the vibrating sensation overriding any second thoughts, thighs trapping him efficiently before you could realize what you were doing.

a quiet gasp escaped your parted lips, harmonizing so perfectly with his little whines and moans, as if he was the one being spoiled, all while his shoulders rose and fell shakily, trying to breathe against you. only tugging you closer when you loosen up around his head, like he couldnt get enough of you. death by suffocation didn't sound that bad if it was granted to him by you.

the tip of his nose nudged your clit so sweetly, rubbing his face into you as your hips jerked as if they had a mind of their own, grinding against his tongue.

"caleb–" you struggled, his grip on you was firm enough to keep you in place, even when your words consisted of incoherent whimpers and hushed whispers of his name.

"yeah?" he mumbled, pulling away just enough to gaze up at you – face coated in your essence, lips glistening as one thin string kept him connected to your core.

your lips quiver, how can he look like a greek god while he's eating you out? plainly unfair, you think to yourself, the coil in your gut tightening.

"lemme stay here until you forgive me, okay?"

in a haste, you nod, eager to feel his tongue latch onto you again.

and as promised, he stays between your thighs until they ache, until he's soaked, marked up in your juices — until you've forgiven for the oh-so formidable sin he's committed.

the low pitch of his voice eases you back into reality. "you're not mad anymore, right?"

──── ⟢ ・⸝⸝

a/n; must've been the wind

[janluxe]

wisdom teeth suck ft. firelord!zuko

─── ⟢ ・⸝⸝

an ache had been gnawing at you for days. a god awful ache in your jaw, feeling each pulse of your heart in your swelling gums while your nerves screamed with pain.

it wasn't hard to tell that your wisdom teeth were the culprit, dragging you through hell and back. they'd come in, eventually, you told yourself. so, you pushed through it, making a real effort to keep it under the covers.

but those kind of secrets don't last long around this city, especially within the palace walls.

if it weren't for his duties as the ruler of the entire fire nation, zuko would've noticed the very second your nose scrunched in discomfort. instead, he suspected something was off the day after you had started hurting.

how you avoided chewing on one side, skipped meals even when your stomach rumbled in protest, or the way your fingers brushed over your cheek subconsciously, thinking that no one would notice.

"what's bothering you?" he murmured that night, the edge of the mattress dipping under his weight while a candlelight flickered, casting a delicate shadow over his features.

you attempted to roll the tension off your shoulders, soothing a tiny wrinkle in the silk sheets. "nothing. am i supposed to be troubled?"

a soft sigh escaped him, and that somehow did enough to ease the pressure settled upon your shoulders.

most times, people say more when they speak less.

"you're a terrible liar." his warmth slowly spread through you as his hand rested atop of yours, tracing circles. silence filled the room, yet you felt safer than ever.

words never came. speaking them would do anything but dull the pain.

"where does it hurt?"

you grimaced. how could he discover what you kept hidden away from the world? he leaned in, scooting a fraction closer until the space between you barely existed, offering you everything he could — because he hadn't learned any other way. "here." you grumbled, pressing his fingers against the back of your jaw.

the firelord could stay still only for a second before pulling you closer, peppering your face in gentle kisses. "wisdom teeth?" he whispered into your skin.

you gave him another, subtle nod.

"i'll summon the best healers by the morning." another kiss, this time to your knuckles. "i'm not taking 'no' as an answer."

─── ⟢ ・⸝⸝

a/n; hell on earth is wisdom teeth and their extraction. I will never stop hating on them. ultra specific drabble. hi! thank you sm for reading (:

[janluxe]

firelord!zuko & a lover who can't sleep

─── ⟢ ・⸝⸝

fatigue crept up your spine, agonizing and slow, already seeping through and making a home of your bones until they felt unbearably heavy to carry. and the cruel joke of this whole thing was that sleep didn't stick.

the bed sat empty under the deep crimson curtains surrounding it. well-woven sheets fixed over the mattress, masking its emptiness to make it appear less like the void and more inviting. but to you, those kinds of tricks never worked.

your eyes raked over the city, taking in every little detail; how softly the streetlights burned into the night, one flickering until it shined again.

"why are you up so late?" he spoke softly, as if he hadn't slipped away from your side to answer another one of the chamberlain's requests. an important council meeting demanding the firelord's presence and undivided attention, so urgent that he was out the door before he could breathe in the scent of your shared room.

the corners of his lips twitched into a soft smile, closing the distance between you with quiet steps, always within arm's reach if the situation allowed it. "scheming?" he mused right next to your ear, hands naturally sliding around your frame to press you closer while his breath fanned on the exposed skin of your neck.

"the world is so peaceful." it was as simple as that. some people thrive when the light of day hits their skin, others prefer the silence of night taking over the earth despite being married to the sun.

he hummed, planting a careful kiss on your shoulder. his hold on you loosened just for a moment, the option of moving away lay at your feet, an amused huff escaping his lungs when you inched closer.

"it's quiet... for now." the scent of silk and contentment stuck to him like a stubborn cold. "but you should be sleeping, love."

with a last peck, he reluclantly pulled away from you, disappearing in the darkness of the bedroom and letting you admire the way the moonlight left no place unlit, hugging the capital like a protective veil.

so you stood there, undeniably in awe, finding the beauty in everyday things when reality forces you to rush through the alluring lie of life that's handed to you on a silver platter.

"your tea, fire lady." the sound of his voice snapped you out of it, turning around to come across a sight so unfamiliar, you almost choked on your own spit.

"what are you doing?" you muffled a laugh.

he tilted his head at your question, like you were the one acting weird for seeing a firelord bowing deeply before his wife while holding out a cup of tea for her to take. "i learned a new recipe."

a flick of his wrist, and you watched warm waves swirl in a delicate dance with the golden hues of honey, sparkling in a way that imitated the stars almost perfectly. just then noticing the two tiny flowers floating on the surface, where bubbles bloomed.

"uncle said chamomile tea helps people with... sleep. maybe it could help you" he explained as you parted your lips to taste what he had brewed, fingertips lingering on the porcelain, mind stuck on the comforting sensation of heat seeping through. "careful, it's hot."

his skills on the matter had improved greatly, to put it simply. but, in other words, he'd learn control, put it into practice, and he'd been so thorough that his own fragrance got captured in the steam caressing your face.

when a satisfied hum left your lips, he found himself staring, "good?" it takes him a few seconds to relax his shoulders, fingers ghosting over your jawline as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind your ear so it wouldn't fall in your face.

you nodded, savoring the sweetness and the bitterness that followed with a newfound floral aftertaste, blowing bubbles in your tea right after.

"drink up, before it gets cold." he scolded, playfully rolling his eyes at your antics and sighing dramatically, but he couldn't help the amusement or the admiration he felt for you.

he never left your side, even when your soft breaths were the only thing that echoed in grand bedroom, nestled by his side just moments and a few short conversations later. you'd find him there, arms around your frame, in the morning, under the sunlight's first rays.

─── ⟢ ・⸝⸝

a/n; he's the cure to my lack of sleep, i fear

[janluxe]

firelord!zuko who wants to learn your language

─── ⟢ ・⸝⸝

firelord meant power, responsibility, and, of course, an office filled with endless scrolls to the point where he was running out of room to store them. among the ink-written contracts and requests, lay papers that had nothing to do with his occupation.

a hobby would be a good addition to one's life, he'd once heard. and what would be better than to combine two things? a hobby and a creative method to show affection. to you, that is.

little doodles decorated the blank spaces until there were none left. his eyes focused on them while his fingers traced the patterns of each written letter in your language, lips and tongue trying to pronounce words he didn't know the meaning of and groaning at the unusually clumsy sound of his voice.

in a way, it only brought you closer; shared laughs next to the streams of the palace's pond, mispronounced sentences, and private lessons in not-so-secret meeting spots.

"how do you even..." zuko murmurs, a confused frown crossing his features as he stares blankly at the new word you had written out. attempting to have a go at it.

"well, see this?" you pointed at a symbol over a particular letter. "It's pronounced entirely different than what you've learned." you explained, damp grass digging into your palms while the flowers caressed your skin.

his eyes followed your every motion, narrowing as he placed all of his attention on this, leaning closer to take a better look before trying to get it right. "...i'm bad at this." a frustrated huff was his last attempt.

"hey, you're doing great." you protested, hand resting on his shoulder and giving it a few gentle pats, watching him sigh and lying on his back as if he expected the earth to swallow him whole.

he shook his head, "i need to practice more."

at this point, you found the display quite adorable. his arms crossed over his chest like a teenager holding a grudge while he stared up at the clear, blue sky like it held the answers. flowers tangled in his dark hair as determination seeped right off him.

his quarters began looking more like a library than a bedroom, collecting whatever books he could find while holding broken conversations with the turtleducks of the palace.

you unrolled the piece of paper that just arrived. "from the firelord." the messenger had said before taking his leave with a respectful nod, letting you be alone in the garden of your home once again.

maybe letters were his solution, writing better than most natives even in the first few months of his journey, because what you had just received was a message fully written in your language. the same one he was struggling to pick up a few weeks ago.

"i hope i didn't mess it up." he murmured, standing at the entrance like a kicked-out puppy.

if only you could find the words to describe how weirdly good it felt to have someone not only learn but also write to you in your native language... but you managed to move your feet until your arms wrapped around his tall frame. "it's lovely, thank you."

"i still have a long way." zuko hummed in your hair, pulling you closer. a promise and a threat — he wanted to speak the same language you spoke.

─── ⟢ ・⸝⸝

a/n; lets just pretend there are different languages across the map ^^"

[janluxe]

firelord!zuko with your little sibling

──── ⟢ ・⸝⸝

"who is this?" his voice soft for a man of his position, a man so respected that he came off as untouchable.

most firelords sat proudly on a throne of authority and inaccessibility, while he was here, crouching until his height matched that of your little sibling.

you couldn't help but watch in awe, the soft frown slowly dissipated in the silence before he attempted to speak one more time. "I'm zuko." there was something so genuine and true to his awkward nature that fleshed him out to feel more real than any nation's leader.

and that effect wasn't lost on the youngling you had brought along to your outing. small, trembling hands, reaching out to inspect the shimmering, gold details decorating his dark hair. still too young to understand society's rules and ranks, and much too shy to speak up.

"I'm so sorry, nobody could watch over them, so I—"

curious eyes staring up at him expectantly as he eventually gave in, gently picking them up into his arms, careful enough not to startle them. "hm?"

"...nothing."

despite his upbringing, his expression softened at the sight of the small weight in his arms, persistently twisting and turning.

zuko adjusted his hold on them, reassuring you that he could carry the little one as you walked, trying to keep them comfortable. a sigh escaping him when the toddler tugged at his hair. "strong grip for a little one." he murmured, gently prying away their tiny fist.

apologies fell from your lips, but he didn't mind their presence, after all, it only took a few more minutes until the storm ceased.

the same hands that had fought so many battles, now cradled one of the most fragile things he'd ever carried – soft breaths easing into the air as they finally settled their head atop his shoulder before drifting off.

"you can't be serious." you grumbled. you still couldn't remember the last time they had fallen asleep in your arms, but zuko made it seem like a walk in the park.

──── ⟢ ・⸝⸝

a/n; IM BACK IN THE FUCKING BUILDING AGAIN + i apologize for any mischaracterization

[nadacarcan]

my drafts keep growing…

[janluxe]

XYZ —TWIST & TIE

𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 & 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗹𝗲

𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𓈒 𓈒 𓈒 silk bows, teasing, mild sexual content & 𝒞aleb being low-key pathetic ♡

𝐰/𝐜; 𝟎.𝟔𝐤

you better not have taken it off >:(

you texted, fingers flying across the keyboard while navigating through the familiar streets of linkon. he had already offered –and insisted– on picking you up after work, but you quickly shut down that idea.

luck was on your side, because today he actually gave in to your wishes, as long as you'd text him midway whenever you had the chance just so he could ensure your safety.

your phone vibrated with a loud ding! barely having any time to peel your eyes off the screen before he responded, three messages in a row;

:D

nooo, it's right here

we're both patiently waiting for you to come home ,,

and, most importantly, he was true to his word. the ribbon was where you left it, still tightly wrapped around his bicep, as he greeted you with a warm hug, arms tugging you impossibly closer.

"how was work, pips?" he hummed, feeling the content vibrations of his voice under your ear.

"tiring." was the best you could do, sighing halfway through the word, fingers already toying with the neat, silky bow. "you kept it?"

caleb nodded, a smile lighting up his face, something between pride and excitement disguising itself.

with your hands wandering over his body, a chuckle escaped him, not shifting away, letting you explore in peace, leaning into it. only then did you realize something was off.

"caleb," you began murmuring, words doing little to cover the lengths of your confusion as you lifted his shirt bit by bit, like peeling off the layers of a present.

"i had some free time." he shrugged, trying to act indifferent as heat creeped up your face, painting it in a pretty hue of red. here he stood, silk lazily looped around his waist; dropping over his hips along his v-line into a messy bow right at the front. "and your ribbon wasn't hard to find."

he looked so... divine, and filthy at the same time. every well-sculptured vein trailing down his abdomen becoming more pronounced, the fine material complementing his build.

adam's apple bobbing in his throat, eyes sticking to your hands as they shyly began fondling with the ribbon, tugging or following its flow.

one big hand coming to barely graze over yours, lifting his own shirt up to his chest like he bared himself to you, every weakness, every desire.

certainly, you could look away, avoid temptation. well, not really. who turns this sight down? all for you to admire and take in the details, like how low on his hips his sweatpants hung, cock already straining against its confinements.

"you like what you see?" the teasing hint in his voice almost had you frowning, almost. he knew he looked good and he was definitely using that to his advantage.

though his demeanor crumbled like a house of cards when your touch wandered south. breath catching in his throat as you traced the silky bow, dipping lower to brush over the obvious bulge in his sweats. his hips twitched forward, chasing the contact helplessly.

you could feel him under your palm, pressing a little firmer along his length, feeling just how warm and hard he'd gotten from a few teasing strokes through his pants.

violet eyes followed your hand like his life depended on it, teeth sinking into the fabric when you pulled away completely. "what's for dinner?" you hummed innocently.

caleb blinked once, twice. "w-what?"

you tilted your head, fighting back a smirk, not bothering to repeat your question. and suddenly, his needs rounded up second while yours came first. always. "I'll make you whatever you want. give me ten." he nodded, reluctantly peeling himself off you.

"im joking." you caught him, tugging at the bow until it began coming loose. "and this is coming off."

──── ⟢ ・⸝⸝

a/n; pretty rushed :P + trying out a new style. thank you for reading, have a nice day/night ♡

𑣲𝓳

[janluxe]

CALEB/XYZ — I'VE KNOWN YOU

contents; angst (mostly), comfort & fluff, use of gege summary; the sound of his cries never failed to upset you w/c; 1.1k

Caleb had been there for you since you can remember yourself. In more ways than you could count on your fingers, walked you through every phase life offered. Despite your stubborn efforts to push him away, his presence lingered like a cold, correction; like a tight embrace after a nightmare. He was always there to caress the mud off your face after you had tripped off the slide, there to take your shaky hands into his after a heartbreak, and just by your side at all times when bad days stretched on for what seemed like eternity.

You never had to look far. Never needed to search for him.

He watched you grow taller by the day. That's what he truly couldn't get over, how the dress he gifted you on your tenth birthday –the very same dress that practically used to swallow your delicate frame– was, now, outgrown. Yet, it sat in his closet, as if time would do him a favor and rewind, even for a moment, for a glimpse.

All he saw each time he gazed at you was his pipsqueak. The same little kid that nagged him, begging to stay up longer to watch cartoons on a school night, and had it her way.

Even now, every time his gaze accidentally caught yours, he found the same bright galaxies filled with nothing but hopes and dreams for the future. And the way you held him stirred the memory of that night.

He had heard your frantic footsteps, heard his name slipping past your lips as his quivered, curled up on the floor like the coward he made himself out to be.

"Granny, have you seen leleb?" The first half of his name never rolled off your tongue easily, and he had learned to love and cherish it. You looked up at Josephine, curious eyes following her fluid movements as she divided her attention between you and her work. The latter was the winning percentage.

Papers were a permanent decoration in this house. Piles of unfinished work piling up on the kitchen table, stealing away your chances of enjoying your childhood. Living differentiated from existing.

She ran a hand through her graying hair, getting caught up in the untended tangles. "No, sweetie, I haven't seen him." Her voice carried a hint of fatigue, one that wouldn't go away, your efforts to help her rest going to waste. The older woman made it seem like the two of you were quite the challenge to keep track of, or maybe you were, always up to no good. "Have you tried his room?" A simple suggestion, a flick of her pen.

You had nodded eagerly, a frown starting to form on the small of your face. Your favorite stuffed toy still glued to your hand. "He isn't in his room." A sneeze escaping you as the scent of fresh peonies and pure sunshine trailed behind you like an invisible shadow, "... or in the garden." But the sky had frowned, hiding away the sun from the world and keeping the warm light for itself.

If only you had been older, you would've seen how deep her ignorance ran.

"Maybe he's out with his friends..." Josephine began, only for your frown to intensify, "... Playing?" That's so unlike him, you had thought, knowing him better than he knew himself. She shrugged her heavy shoulders, too unbothered to note down your hiding spots. All she drew from your games was the laughter filled with childish joy.

However, there was one spot you hadn't checked yet. And it was all it took for you to march off.

So, he bit his tongue. A habit couldn't quite bury beside the old versions of himself. He felt his chest tighten against his knees, the hold he had on them doing little to baptize the small boy in comfort.

The rain's cries harmonized with his own choked sobs, droplets hitting and bouncing off the skylight of the attic, like his tears clumsily slipped right off his face. In times like this, he was thankful for rain, for the oddly consoling feeling of it.

"Gege?" The softness of your voice, a sound so painfully familiar, enough to snap him back to reality. It didn't take him long to notice the uncertainty in your steps, it took him even less to scoot away from the veil of subtle light that crept in through the glass. His name tasted strangely in your mouth, like a prayer left unanswered.

Caleb knew. Somehow, he just knew that all of his efforts to go unnoticed would prove fruitless in the end. His sobs had fallen upon your ears when your hand itched for the doorknob. Because that's what he hated about himself; his efforts were rarely enough. "I'm here, pipsqueak." The pitch in his voice had been almost as high as yours. He shook his head against the fabric of his sleeve in attempt. In an attempt to wipe his face clean of troubles, as if they were some kind of sin he wasn't allowed to bear.

A forced cough, tough persona snapped back into place; ready to reassure you that everything's okay, while everything he's ever known caved in on him. By the time Caleb lifted his head, you were by his side, just like he'd always done for you. Old habits die hard. He still heaved, still trembling underneath your hands as you slipped your plushie onto his lap. "Snoopy is here to help." You murmured, resting your face atop his knee and putting on a show for him.

"Snoopy has already helped." He chuckled, petting the dog plush on his lap before ruffling your hair affectionately. If the toy hadn't cheered him up, you would've been lost.

Neither of you were truly ever alone. Never with one another around.

You buried your face in his embrace, enveloped by his larger frame, a silent reminder of how much you had grown since that night. Then you felt it. The same motionlessness right after the tremble of his shoulders, holding his breath. "Caleb?" You murmured, a silent droplet planting itself on your skin, as natural as midsummer rain, as rare as blooming in the winter.

In your eyes, he was still a child. A kind boy robbed of his childhood, forced to watch others live the life he craved with you and stuck in a loop of suffering. The urge to cradle him too strong to shove down.

"I'm okay." He reassured quickly, "Maybe it's raining, pipsqueak." A chuckle as bittersweet as departure itself. His gloved fingers ran through your hair, keeping you firmly in place, terrified at the idea of you seeing him like this again.

"Caleb." You repeated, features softening, taking a moment to appreciate the tactful mix of his cologne and the sweet aroma of early spring.

A faint chirp of birds, nature started to wake up with the gentlest call, while his arms tightened around you, "They're happy tears." He smiled, and just then you felt another tear roll down your shoulder.

Time was a thief.

a/n; I'm trying to cope cause his myth is coming ):

[janluxe]

XYZ ─ IS THIS FUN YET ?

contents; fluff, exam stress & comfort, vday special(?) summary; exam season is tough for someone going through it alone, but you've got a Caleb lying around w/c; 1.6k

Well, isn't this entertaining? For you? Obviously not, but for some cruel observer, this is an absolute comedic masterpiece; staring at your laptop screen like it had personally wronged you, brows furrowed, eyes barely open despite the caffeine and your only source of motivation –aka your headphones– currently dead.

Finals week had you exhausted. Understatement, utterly wrecked or rather dead on your own feet. One exam followed up by another in a day's time, who came up with the idea? At this point, you had missed the sight of your desk, forgotten the color of it as endless notes piled up on the books hogging up most of the space. The bookshelf now stood half empty, traces of dust left behind.

Exams never stop being stressful, who would've guessed. Your hopes of getting a good grade were falling short as you imagined the exam paper covered in nothing but red markings. Every time you exhaled a bit too harshly, you felt bits of your soul leaving you, and the supposed twenty-one grams of it weren't enough for you to survive this week.

Caffeine, dreams, and pure stress. The holy trinity.

All while your friends treated this like a walk in the park, had you missed the part where your grade would be gifted graciously no matter the outcome? You couldn't entirely blame them. Not when they studied and practiced with their older siblings, speaking so fondly of them and their precious help, you almost shed a tear. Getting help wasn't half a bad idea either, especially when your hands could barely keep still. Though, there was a small issue – the closest thing you had to what they did was... well, Caleb.

An eye roll had escaped you before you could stop it, rarely ever controlling your facial expressions, but the rest of your group was too engrossed in praising their siblings to notice. Pages flipped, pens ran out, and you pressed your face into the cool palms of your hands. Caleb? Then again, it wasn't like you had any better options.

You found yourself in the same position, elbows digging into the soft surface of your notes while you massaged your temples. Fate was something you could only await, and yours was sealed. "Missed me, pips?" You knew that voice better than your own, recognized the careless chuckle accompanying it. Caleb. Campus' golden boy in person, but to you, he meant more than that. Upon noticing your brows pulled together, he offered a soft smile. Not the time for games, he noted.

"Straight into business, huh?" He hummed, hands working to carefully set down a pair of heart-shaped boxes and disturb you as little as physically possible.

Naturally, your eyes followed his movements, attention caught by the suspiciously shaped boxes. Surely, today wasn't a day to be celebrated. "What are those for?" You pointed a finger, curiosity flooding the place, and only then noticing the balloon floating around. You could watch it until it eventually deflated instead of studying, yet that wasn't on your options list.

"Gifts?" He shrugged. You tilted your head. Had you lost your sanity somewhere amongst the sentences? Maybe that was the reason you couldn't quite grasp what those were for or why he had brought them in like this was a sacrificial site.

He picked up your confusion. He always found ways to understand you, tilting his head to mirror your dramatic antics like a small communication cue he had grown fond of over the years spent by your side. With Caleb around, words weren't necessary. He saw right through you. "It's Valentine's Day."

Your eyes narrowed, "Isn't that next Saturday?" Tapping the pen in your hand against the cold surface of your notebook a few more times before spinning your chair around to face the calendar you had hung up one summer evening. "It's... oh shit, it is today."

The weather hadn't been very indicative. Clouds gathered, completely blocking off any natural light and perfectly capturing the mood – the lack of tranquility, yet the beauty in the chaos.

Always up for a good display of theatrics, he stood by, guard lowered more than ever in his entire life. Violet irises tracking the clumsy movements of your hands, allowing himself to catch a glimpse of peace. The realization dawning upon you was amusing to him nonetheless, nodding his head as suppresed, hushed fits of laughter escaped against his will. Something about this rang a bell.

The memory still lingered as if it were yesterday. You could almost catch the fragrance of your old room, the scent of late-night desperation and a hint of bad decisions, mixing with his faint cologne. The mattress used to dip under your shared weight, he was sat on the edge of your bed under the moonlight's guidance, lulling you to sleep with his science facts. And, the next morning you'd wake up to find the homework that had kept you up complete.

The same shadow haunted you as of late, too. Cold rushed through you when you were bathing in sunlight, couldn't keep your hands from shaking, mimicking the rhythm of your heart, as well as the inability to shed the undeniable fear of failure, which only dug itself deeper into your gut. The pillow of your chair suddenly felt softer the more your nails buried themselves into it.

"What's your next exam on anyway?" It probably seemed like a piece of cake to him, what if, in his view, your stress was unreasonable?

No, that couldn't be the case. Never in a million years, "The worst one." A sigh, chair clicked back into place, meeting his gaze properly.

If it weren't for his audible reactions, your dorm would've fallen down into the uncomfortable silence alley. "Pipsqueak," he tangled his arms over his chest so smoothly as if it were a coordinated part of a performance, all while leaning towards you, the edge of your desk pressing into his hip. "You say that for every class."

You practically felt your brain evaporate, braincells shutting off one by one as the sheer of panic took over, not giving the logical parts a chance at fighting back.

Because, after all, what were you worthy of if your grades were grazing the floor like a reunited long-lost lover? Top of the class was to be expected, anything less was to be mocked. It didn't have to be that way. In a world full of burrowed dreams, Caleb held your hand, shielded you from their unrealistic expectations.

Yet, you still clenched your jaw. One blink and a flood of tears threatened to spill, your stomach got heavier by each empty gulp, and what only made matters worse was the unmistakable confusion you couldn't get rid of even if you ripped off your skin; Why were you worrying over something like this?

"Hey," Always the savior he designed himself to be, voice soft enough to guide you back, but not enough to get you to listen. You struggled to keep the downpour of emotions under control, watching him through the blurriness. Hesitation never scared him off. He sank to his knees quietly, closing the distance until your hands were safely enveloped in his much bigger ones. "We'll take care of it, okay?" It was physically hard not to squeeze him into an embrace, "Like we used to."

He never tore his gaze away from your sulking frame, that familiar guilty drowining in the violet of his eyes, a quiet sign of pleading, begging you to give yourself another chance, to be gentle. A sound between a whine and something unique left his throat, nuzzling his head into your lap.

For a fleeting moment, the voices tormenting your mind had faded away, the worries had ceased and you could finally take a breath without extra weight on your chest. It all seemed odd, pleasantly odd, like a sunny spring day after a harsh winter. Your hand ran through his hair, the soft texture against your fingertips gently guided you back into the present, and you did little to resist the urge to braid small portions of it.

Caleb's breathing pattern matched yours; soft, almost silent as his broad shoulders rose and fell in sync with your own. Closely paying attention to every part part of you, waiting for any word you had to share or every noise that slipped past your lips.

"Come on," he slowly, every move careful, calculated when he brought himself up to his feet, giving you all the time you needed to adjust. If he could have it his way, he'd move you to your bed, tuck you in and make sure you were well-fed before showering you with much needed affections and hushed praises. But for your grades' sake, he pulled himself together despite the longing look you gave him. His index coming to flick the tip of your nose, just for his lips to tickle the damp skin of your cheek the next second.

The wet chuckle you let out was like a soothing balm for his soul, features softening alongside yours without him noticing. "Take a break while I read these over, okay?" He reassured, snatching away the notebook and discreetly nudging the chocolate box closer to you. An offer worth dying for.

"Nerd..." You mumbled in between chewing. Happily munching on your favorite kind of sweet treats. Your chest had grown lighter, as you kept stuffing your mouth full of your favorite sweets without a care in the world. The corners of your lips twitched into a shy smile, a long-forgotten sensation, and you could almost feel your cheeks burn.

He rolled his eyes, physically torn between putting on an offended act or treating you with your own medicine. "Behave," The mock-serious look on his features crumbled your defenses completely.

Apple-shaped balloons filling up your space just like he did to your heart. "I'll try not to distract you too much." A promise, a ruffle of your hair and a flip of a page.

a/n; happy Valentine's :D and wishing you a good exam season ♡

[janluxe]

CALEB / XIA YIZHOU — LIGHT UPON THE SNOW

genre; fluff

w/c; 0.7k

warnings; none

──── .✦

This year's winter holidays were officially out of the picture. Some felt relieved, already daydreaming of summer's breeze, while others still wished for the season to last a little longer. But not even Santa could grant wishes like that. Still, the traces of the holidays stuck around.

Thankfully, this morning was one of the ones you got to enjoy; slow, peaceful. For once, you were awake to watch the sunrise.

Fluffy snow had covered everything overnight, reflecting the pinkish hue of the skies above. Another reason to feel excited, you noted with a fond smile. A warm, fuzzy sensation ran through you. One you had forgotten alongside your childhood because of responsibilities. Yet, here it was again, making an appearance once more.

The world outside found a moment of rest. The gatherings full of laughter and energy had faded into memories. Now, Mother Nature seemed to have whispered her good nights and tucked most of her children under white blankets.

Yet, lights still glimmered from a few windows. Ornaments clung to trees like the stubborn cold, not ready to bid farewell. They blinked in a silent rhythm, mesmerizing you the more you watched. Silly, perhaps. But staying in touch with your inner child always felt more like a blessing than a curse.

A sigh escaped you, fogging up the window. You smiled, dragging your finger on the cool surface and tracing shapes. Hearts, stars. Anything that came to mind. Simple things still mattered.

You were too focused to notice Caleb practically sneaking up on you until his face was buried into your shoulder, warmth pressing against your back. Still half-asleep. Your doodling never coming to a stop.

"Come back to bed. It's cold." He whined. It was a shared day off, rare but never unwelcome. And for once, you had managed to rise earlier than him.

His breaths were drawn short, grazing your skin. Hot and soft. His arms slid around your waist like a second nature. "What are you up to, pips?" A grumble ripped from his throat. His voice was still rough, and a pitch lower than usual.

"Isn't it beautiful?" You answered with a rhetorical question. As if you'd ever turn away from a sight like this, no matter what, he responded.

No camera could capture this landscape. It felt like something made to be kept in a locket. Something you couldn't properly move on from.

For a split second, you redirected your attention to the reflection on the glass. He hummed beside you, a sweet smile softening his features. It was a smile that reassured you that your childish wonder was safe with him. Welcome, at all times. "It is." He ruffled your already mess of a hair, not like his was any better.

"You know what's the second most majestic sight?" He teased. 7 in the morning and already at it. You humored him, nonetheless. How could you ignore those neglected hamster eyes? You tilted your head.

You weren't quite sure what to expect. Then again, that made life interesting. Without him, a million Christmas lights would hold no meaning.

Caleb finally met your eyes. "Our bed." A full stop, a pause as he noticed your subtle frown. "But something tells me you won't move an inch." He admitted with a laugh, shaking his head.

Your waist now felt lighter, his arms untangled from you as he stepped back, and you were alone once more. The same comforting silence now felt empty.

You sighed again, fogging up the glass and tracing the previous drawings without much thought.

"I made this for you." His voice reappeared out of nowhere before you noticed his presence. A cup of hot chocolate in hand. "It's... caramel flavored." He added, "The cookies are in the oven."

You blinked once, twice. Then it registered. The homey smell of gingerbread filling the space of the living room as a whole. You relished in it, accepting the mug from him and embracing its warmth with your cold fingers.

You cleared your throat, took a sip. To your surprise, it wasn't half bad. Your eyes followed the rich brown swirls dancing in the mug and then evaporating, until you spotted him right next to you.

Caleb was busy blowing warm air on the window, then imitated you, drawing shapes and symbols of all kinds with a childlike joy. The holidays couldn't be defined by just a deadline and a date on the calendar, after all.

──── .✦

a/n; mentally still in Christmas, physically in midterms week ㅠㅠ

──── .✦

tags;

[janluxe]

𝑾𝑨𝑹𝑴 𝑻𝑶 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑻𝑶𝑼𝑪𝑯 — 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑵𝑶𝑹 𝑨.

contents; pure fluff, androids can co-exist in peace 🥹

w/c; 888

warnings; none

─── .✦

The wonderful miracle of being a detective during the holidays.

Another empty lead, another dead end. In the heart of winter, everything fell silent. This time of year, the planet could catch a break. Well, mostly. Unless you're working for DPD. Then you find yourself out in the cold, freezing to the core while an android detective stands beside you, utterly unfazed by the climate.

Under different circumstances, the snow that covered every fallen leaf, every tile of the neighborhood's roofs, would've served as a blank canvas. Yet here you were, stumbling on wrong pieces of evidence over and over because everything had been coated in a delicate layer of snow flakes.

"Fucking hell." You caught Hank's voice in the distance. Words would fall short on how pissed he was being dragged out here in general, but this was Christmas Eve.

While other people threw wishes all over, went in a circle to open up presents – your hopes of solving this would've faltered if it weren't for the android brought along.

Teeth gritting, hands shoved in pockets, and breaths coming out in foggy clouds that faded into the thick air. "Your temperature is low, detective." You could recognize that voice anytime, anywhere. For a moment, you thought he meant Hank, Connor was signed to him after all.

You turned, mostly to see Hank's reaction to being babied, by an android nonetheless. Your eyes registered his, staring at you before your brain ever did, and you instinctively jolted.

"Your body's temperature is 34.7°C, bordering hypothermia." Connor spoke, warm, brown eyes focused on you. "This could cause confusion, and it would only slow down the investigation. More layers of clothing could assist."

A roll of your eyes, a reaction you couldn't resist. "Do you think we carry extras around, tin can?" The rough hue of Hank's voice was all it took to snap you out. Connor had two options; reply to the lieutenant's remark, or focus on the task at hand.

His hands met the softness of your face, hotter than the freezing snow falling and gentler than most. Every touch was calculated as he tried to process your temperature. Tracing his fingertips over your cheeks, then moving to your nose. The warmth melted away the snowflakes upon your skin along with your resolve.

A bitten-back excuse; all you could manage just before his lips met your temple. A gesture so human for someone who wasn't.

In the blink of an eye, the lieutenant's face had already morphed into one of pure confusion and disgust. "Connor. The fuck are you doin'?" He grumbled. He had witnessed the android take samples and test them in real time, so this wasn't anything major, in his books.

Connor only pulled away after extracting his results. The LED next to his eyebrow flashing a calm blue once more, the only thing that betrayed his nature. "My visual and thermal sensors can't give accurate readings under these weather conditions and prolonged exposure, lieutenant."

The sensation lingered, and so did the churning feeling in your stomach, "And you checked... what, exactly?" Hank couldn't hold back a disappointed sigh. The things he had seen didn't make this situation any less strange.

"Body temperature...?" Connor shrugged, slightly confused by the reaction he got – and as if on cue, a scoff left Hank, throwing his hands in the air and letting them fall to his sides.

A blink, one more. His RK800 jacket was practically swallowing your frame, and he helped adjust it on you, covering as much as possible. The fabric clearly heated, acting like a thermal blanket around your tense shoulders, while your hands were guided to rest on his chest to warm them up.

The steady, colorful rhythm of the decorative Christmas lights shining upon and mixing with the freshly-laid snow was a sight to behold... from the inside of your home anyway.

A gust of wind passed you. Connor's eyes were already scanning the yard, detecting new evidence hidden amongst nature's veil within a matter of seconds. "The snow near the porch is an inch thinner." He muttered, "They couldn't have gone far."

"Are you kiddin' me?" Hank, on the other hand, had to make a double-take as he moved closer. "How do you notice that shit?"

The edge of Connor’s lip twitched upwards, you saw that. He was too close for it to go unnoticed, still fixing the collar of his jacket higher around your neck before stepping forward.

You took in a breath, cold air filling your lungs, then a first step closer.

"Finally." The lieutenant murmured, and for once this whole morning, it didn't sound like another complaint. It felt refreshing to finally see him, less grumpy and almost excited. The case had been solved, and the department would take it from that point on. Now, the real issue was the rumbling of your stomachs.

"I know a fantastic food stand." Of. Course. Hank wouldn't resist the urge even if he had the energy to do so.

However, much to his dismay, Connor had opposite plans, "Maybe we can try cooking all together." He threw a playful wink in Hank's direction, earning a dramatic groan.

Each step marked the year's first snow on the walk back to the car. Had Hank decorated already? Had Connor ever experienced anything like Christmas?

─── .✦

a/n; might be a bit ooc ㅠㅠ,, thank you so much for reading and happy holiday season ^^ ♡

[janluxe]

A BIRTHDAY'S WISH — BASIM IBN ISHAQ

wc; 0.8k genre; pure fluff , maybe a pinch of melancholy(?) it comes with every bday

─── .✦

A party held in honor of your birthday wasn't a welcome you were expecting when your steps echoed across the colored marble of the bureau after a long day of hopelessly crawling through dusted selves and forgotten books in chance to find any clue that could be laying around in the office of your enemy. What you truly wanted were just a few wishes, half-mumbled or not, you'd take them.

Instead, all you were greeted with was silence, pure and utter stillness. You don't even remember the last time the bureau fell this quiet. Everyone seemed too busy handling their tasks to notice your entry. But Basim did.

His hand found yours in a matter of seconds. It came packaged with the training you had endured together long before initiation. "Let me show you something." He urged. That familiar smile, as he pulled you right back outside.

The freshness of the evening's air hit you in the face while he guided you on, his grip faltering one second only to tighten the next at the sight of guards near the bazaar's entry.

Your hand instinctively activated the hidden blade, not out of fear, but because no one can escape their habits no matter how far they run. The guards' eyes never fell upon you, no trouble caused tonight.

The Bazaar flooded with people when least expected, something helpful for your kind, and Basim had already taken advantage of the situation, excusing his way through. When was the last time you went up this close to a stall to notice how each piece fabric and rich silk flow on the table under the soft lighting of the latern hanging above them, had it been so long that you had forgotten how freshly brewed tea blessed the air with spices?

As soon as he noticed your fingers slipping through his, Basim turned to check on you, ensuring you wouldn't stay behind or get lost in the hectic crowd you sought cover amongst.

Tonight was bound to be interesting.

He moved through a narrow passage, forgotten and overgrown, easy to miss if you didn't pay enough attention. You found no difficulty falling into step, these worn-out walls had already been emitted to memory, and the place knew you just as well – the grass, trees and flowers had listened to every worry you spilled each day you came here.

A soft sigh escaped his lips, "Your shoulders seem heavy." He stated, his tone calm but never distant as he placed all of his undivided focus upon you, kind, hazel eyes running over your frame. "What's burdening your mind?"

The sun had just begun caressing the waters of the river that ran endlessly beside you, creating hues impossible to capture in artwork. The time of the day that went unnoticed by most, yet perhaps the most significant. Today neared its end, and your week-long anticipation started evaporating.

However, the older you grew, the less excited you felt over something like your birthday, hence why you didn't expect anything grand. Nowadays, it resembled a regular day more than a notable event.

"You don't need to lie." It wouldn't take a genius to see the cheap lie hanging on the tip of your tongue, or to point out your averting gaze and busy hands trying to find something to fix in the flawless stitches of your robes.

The waves recognized and acknowledged the parasite eating away your brain and ruining your mental health, and so did he. Basim was hanging from each word that rolled off your tongue, nodding with every syllable.

"Don't tell me you think I'd forget your birthday?" His words caught in the wind, carried by the same gentle breeze as the one tangling your hair. Head tilted ever-so-slightly, eyes glued on you, almost offended.

You groaned, crouching down and picking up a stray rock to admire before tossing it into the river. "I don't know." You shrugged and he smiled in response, his hand barely resting on your back as he dirtied his robes with sand.

"Here," Basim prompted, a carefully wrapped, homemade desert pressed in your hand before he reached into his pouch once more, slipping a folded piece of paper in your open palm. "I know it's not much, but it reminded me of you."

Your curiosity piqued as you opened up the paper, half-expecting secrets to start spilling out and much to your surprise, it was filled with a handwritten poem in Arabic from his favorite book. "I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it."

"Did you write this?" You laughed.

"I'm not a well-known poet, but..." He chuckled, pointing at a shorter poem at the bottom of the page, "I, indeed, worked on this."

A comfortable silence fell once more, hugging the two of you like a mother's veil. "Now, come, the others are waiting for you at the bureau."

─── .✦

[janluxe]

JOIN ME FOR A COFFEE? — JINU

contents; mainly fluff, subtly exploring frustration

wc; 0.6k

You finally reached your apartment; strands of hair falling in your face, faint traces of your lipstick across your face, voice strained after a long day of rehearsals. But did any of that matter? No, not really, cause you were enveloped in the safety of your home and no one, I mean, no one could take it away from you.

Well.

Were you really surprised to see Derpy and the bird just emerging from the floor before you even had the chance to glance your couch's way?

"Coffee?" You could almost hear his voice ring in your ears, the sound too familiar to forget, as you read his neatly written letter. Sealed and signed, Jinu. His four hundred year old ass still couldn't comprehend technology, not even as a subject, who would've guessed?

Decisions, decisions. The couch was practically serenading your exhausted form in the sweetest way a piece of furniture can, but then again, Jinu was waiting for you.

What kind idiot would choose Jinu over peace and quiet?

You wondered to yourself as you dragged your feet, letting out a small groan of protest with each step you took – the cafè wasn't that far away. Despite the temperature spiking to an insane amount during the daytime, the evening breeze left behind goosebumps on your skin.

"You look tired." There it was. Your favorite, melodic voice. A well-known silhouette stepped out of his seat to pull out your chair, ensuring your comfort before he could find his own.

"I am."

"I already ordered your favorite." Jinu hummed as you lowered your hand, leaning back, trying his hardest to appear less nervous than he truly was.

Had he actually memorized something so small?

His focus remained solely on you, the colorful hues of the sunset drowning in the darkness captured in his irises. "What's bothering you?"

"Nothing."

He had predicted as much.

His eyes traveled from your head to as far the table between you allowed him, theatrically checking your state out, "You're practically dead on your feet." He commented before getting briefly interrupted by the waiter setting the cups on the wooden table with a soft thud.

Unfortunately, Jinu's remarks were always spot on, simply lovely, as one would say.

You knew that this was a dead end for you, so why postpone it anyway?

Therefore, you began talking.

You started from the top, explaining in full detail how amazingly your day started off, the sun blessing your every moment when you left your apartment to meet the girls and Bobby at the studio for vocal practice and to test Mira's brand new choreography, expecting the group to thrive as per usual.

Instead, that wasn't the case today. You were met with mistakes that only added up, getting one too many to even count. At some point, everyone's ears had grown more used to the wrong notes rather than the ones written on the papers in hand.

Eventually, you put an end to your rambling with how everything went to hell during the team's choreaography. The choreo wasn't the problem, no, it was perfect, it was by Mira. However, every member of the group executed it poorly due to extreme exhaustion.

How long can a human being go before their basic survival instincts, pull them back and throw them off track?

Not once did he interrupt you, only quietly sipping on his drink.

"I understand." His comment was simple, yet somehow calming. You just knew your every word had been processed and didn't just fly over his head, "Those were just a few misfortunes, nothing you can't overcome." And with that, he had reached the bottom of his cup while yours remained filled to the brim, untouched.

A small huff escaped you. Your mind solely focused on explaining the root of your frustration that you had forgotten about your drink.

Your finger fidgeted with the cold porcelain before you eventually brought it to your lips. A futile attempt, as his hand moved to gently hold your wrist, "It's gone cold... Let's order another for takeaway."

"Takeaway?"

"We're going home. You need to rest."

—☆

[janluxe]

SNEAKY MUCH .ᐣ — JINU

⟡ summary; a genius, business idea to go on tour with the saja boys, you needed a to catch a break ⟡ contents; pure fluff, rivals, huntrix!reader x jinu ⟡ w/c; 1k

─── .✦

Unbearable, the most fitting word you could find in your vocabulary to describe the situation you found yourself in. And if there’s a bright side it’d be that, at the very least, you weren’t in this alone. The rest of your girl group, Huntrix, also had to suffer tolerating the upcoming boy band you got paired up with.

Bobby wouldn’t even dream of putting any of his girls through this… under different circumstances. But the fans kept switching from Huntrix to the Saja boys like they needed to repent by obliviously running straight to a well-disguised sin.

However, the rapidly decreasing numbers of fans had already trapped him in a predicament. Staying in the safe zone was a luxury neither he or his favorite group could afford if they wished to stay afloat in the industry. So, with a heavy chest, he announced the news on a Friday evening.

You just had to endure a week-long tour around the country, what could go wrong? Ha.

First, it came the signing; greeting the fans as per usual, pretending as if nothing was out of normal, as if hunters weren’t sitting between the very beings they swore to hunt to the ends of the Earth, as if sworn rivalry was the only thing between you.

Stupidly ignoring every subtle glare, eye roll and held half-contained remark exchanged between you and their forsaken leader.

Then, performing on stage together. Who knew they’d find a way to make things harder than they should be.

A bunch of egocentric, supposed idols, not giving either of your group space to breathe freely. Every second even more challenging than the last as you found yourself competing to be heard, stretching your vocal cords all while only his voice alone echoed in the stadium.

Would this effort go for granted or would it actually help your group’s current undergoing crisis? You just hoped it’d be the latter.

Patient, remain patient. You had to remind yourself occasionally to get out of the most overstimulating moments of this tour—like the constant flash of fan cams, or the way the Saja boys' maknae would subtly push past you backstage, or the constant facade you maintained around the fans. Yet, that thought flew out of the window the moment the hotel room fell in complete silence, the other three girls fast asleep on the spacious couch.

Hence, your decision to slip on a hoodie for the sake of your body temperature in the coolness of the night.

There’s nothing better than some time to yourself, so you took the opportunity and made your way out of the suite, it could hardly be considered ‘sneaking out’... you had no intention of doing something stupid in secret and, above all, you had no idea of where to go. 

The air in the quiet, dim hall shifted, a faint scent of something familiar – expensive cologne overriding your senses. Before Jinu caught wind of you, you spotted him across the corridor doing just the same as you.

If you pretend something’s not there, it will disappear.

Your breath caught into your throat, of all people you could run into… So, there’s only one logical solution available in case of avoiding all conflict; rush and keep your head down. Freedom, you sighed to yourself, the exit within reach. Fresh air, you romanticized as you lowered the hood off, fresh air in one of the busiest cities worldwide?

“Didn’t strike you as the type to sneak out like some naive teenager.” He scoffed, his tone playful, but you could spot something more in his eyes when they met yours, something you couldn’t decode as he gently pulled on your hoodie. “Where are you headed this late into the night, huh?” He flicked his wrist, checking his imaginary watch as he came to stand beside you.

“I could ask you the same, but I'm not nosy, unlike some people…” You huffed out, eyeing him up and down as if one couldn't understand to whom your remark was aimed at.

Jinu raised his hands in front of him, feigning surrender, even when his lips curved upwards, “Okay, okay, you got me…” You had never noticed the soft brown in his eyes until now, you’d never get this close willingly but he’d allow your stolen glances, “Where are we headed?”

You blinked. Once, twice. Plural?

“We?” You echoed, watching him shove his hands in his jacket’s pockets and roll his shoulders effortlessly, how could he make it look different and better than when other people did it? It’s just a gesture, snap out of it, “You’re a grown ass man, don’t you have anything better to occupy yourself with?” 

“Your friends would be very sad if you got kidnapped.”

“Kidnapped? I’m not a child.” A sharp remark, his ridiculous comments truly had no end.

Jinu hummed, narrowing his eyes and using his hand to point out the height difference between the two of you. “Could’ve fooled me.” his tone unusually playful and teasing rather than mocking.

“Okay, you just don’t know when to shut up—"

He didn’t spare you a second more, “Clearly. It’s part of my charm.”

Your facade wavered. Just barely noticeable.

But he caught it. Are you even surprised? He displayed all of his cockiness in one lopsided grin, just for you.

“Come on, you need someone to watch your back, grown-up-child.” Jinu took a few, small, excited steps as if the whole world didn’t know about his existence, as if he was a civilian, nothing more than that. “Scout’s honor, I’ll keep my mouth shut.” He looked at you with the brightest smile you’ve seen from him, so expectant that you forgot, he had never stepped foot in a scout camp.

“... Fine.” You groaned and began walking, his shoulder bumping against yours occasionally, but neither of you complained.

“So, where are we going, jagiya?”

“You promised to shut up.”

“I lied.” He whispered in your ear.

You couldn’t help the small smile on your face, enjoying the playful banter and the sensation of security he brought along—not that you couldn’t handle yourself. It felt oddly nice, for once.

─── .✦

⟡ a/n; rushed, but i need him bibically, ironic. thank you sm for reading, have a nice day♡‪‪❤︎‬

[janluxe]

MY SHY BOY .ᐟ — JINU KPDH

–summary; shy!Jinu in your area, who discovers feelings atop rooftops

–contents; pure fluff, sprinkle of angst, huntrix member!reader

–w/c; 800

The leader of the infamous, upcoming banger of a band, the Saja boys. A boy band that broke records worldwide in the shortest period of time, as if their songs had been enhanced with some kind of otherworldly power meant to attract the people.

Well, they were, but not many knew – apart from the demon hunters of the country who still fell for their cheap tricks.

And you've just made the worst mistake, walking right into a trap and blindly ignoring every piece of advice kindly offered to you. Call it stupidity or attraction, either way, like a moth to a flame, you started spending more and more time hanging around Jinu, getting to know the rival idol.

Inevitably, you grew closer. He treated you differently, and it made you feel special. You had memorized his behavior with others, how sharp-tongued and indifferent he acted, deceiving people around him to his advantage, harmlessly.

Still, he'd turn fifty different shades of pink when your eyes met, his usual confidence melting at your feet. He spent his nights restlessly rolling on his bedsheets and overthinking about accidental bumps between you two from like a month ago instead of catching a wink of sleep. You'd notice. You'd try to confront him about the way he struggled to remain awake during fan meetings, but he'd rather vanish than admit to his feelings.

At first, he could avoid all emotion that would betray his former human nature. Not anymore, though. "You did well today." You'd compliment him in the friendliest manner right after a performance. He swears he knew how to open his mouth to speak just a second ago.

Who could've thought that an almost 400-year-old demon constantly tormented by Gwi-Ma rotting in his mind alongside his guilt would be this deeply in touch with his feelings? Well, certainly not your group, huntrix.

It was a foolish trait coded into human nature to judge books by their cover and summary.

"Since when are you quiet?" You murmured, hoping to engrave the pleasant sensation of the breeze gently hitting your skin as you sat atop a rooftop. In all honesty, he had never been the obnoxiously loud type, chaotic? Sure, but never this quiet.

In your presence, everything was... strange, in a way he couldn't quite place; his mind finally felt like his own, and he understood what it meant to be seen and heard. "... I talk." Jinu replied simply, voice soft and calculated while he busied himself dusting his shoulders. It had been part of his deal, after all.

You couldn't help the subtle scoff that escaped your lips, "I'm not doubting your ability to speak, Jinu." Your hands cupped his face almost instantly as he tried to look away, avoiding your gaze like it was holy water on his skin. "What has happened to you?"

His breath hitched, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed thickly. "Please don't do that..." He began, flinching at first before he gave in, pressing himself closer to your warmth, hoping to be enveloped in it. However, the determined look on your face told him that he wouldn't be able to escape your question that easily.

"You happened." Jinu finally voiced the thoughts he had tried so hard to push to the back of his mind. "And I stopped talking, so I could listen to you." His gaze dropped, filled with an uncharacteristic amount of vulnerability shielded from everyone's view, yet it couldn't escape yours. He didn't sign up for this when creating the Saja boys.

And all of a sudden, Jinu looked so reserved, an ironic image of a nationally loved idol whose fame precedes him. Even more ironic for a demon drenched in melancholy and misery to be head over heels for a mere human.

Cheeks flushed, dark eyes stealing a few shy glances as his brows furrowed, head lowered, like a lost puppy desperate to hear any kind of sentence, word even, roll off your tongue.

Your heart ached at the pathetic sight before you, and he tugged at your heartstrings. How could you respond straight away to something so emotionally impacted?

"You know... I used to think that you were cold and dangerous." You mumbled under your breath, your words just for him to hear. "But you're a poet." A small joke meant to ease the tension.

"It's humiliation, not poetry, Jagiya." [Darling] He finally smiled, playfully rolling his eyes before they finally set on yours, hands clenching in his lap before they hesitantly took hold of your wrists; not pushing away or pulling closer, just keeping your hands in place.

"It looks good on you, Jinu."

One remark and he was done, brain short-circuiting once more and every trace of the outside world wiped from his mind as he rested his temple against yours.

–a/n; I love him sb. Def out of character tho,,, thank you so much for reading. have a nice day/night ♡♡ :)

[janluxe]

WET DREAMS — CALEB/XIA YIZHOU

–summary; what has him all hot and bothered?

–contents; fluff, smut (mdni), tiny bit of angst

Some consider insanity to be the process of trying the same thing over and over again while expecting different results. But have they ever felt unseen by the world and trapped in their own wordly vessel?

There wasn't even a fleeting moment of peace in his mind – always filled to the brim and preoccupied with tasks and responsibilities placed upon him. And yet, he worried more about your safety and well-being more than he did for his own, considering he had been protecting you ever since he could remember himself, blaming it on the supposed sibling relationship until he got older.

Figuring out feelings is more difficult than what people are prepared to give credit for. He always remembers being physically exhausted from what he had to endure each day, yet when his eyes finally fluttered shut he was haunted by his thoughts, thoughts he shouldn't have while you're one room away.

After some time of observing him, you had started noticing subtle patterns in the way he slept. You watched the way his chest rose and fell with each breath he took. He looked so peaceful. Caleb's only motion was his hand moving slowly toward his face, running his slender fingers through his dark hair and brushing it out of his face. A rush of hope used to ripple through you – maybe his nightmares had come to a halt for the night. Or so you thought every time.

Today was one of the days you could hear him from the room he had given you. Caleb had changed after the explosion, he was no longer the innocent boy you once found comfort and security in – not the same boy you held a grudge on because he did not make time to play with you or hand you over sweet treats behind Gran's back. No, he was the Colonel of the Farspace fleet now. He had to leave his old self behind if he wanted to fit into that role.

The worst part was, seeing an unrecognizable version of him, and still, all you could hear were the same faint whines that escaped from your childhood friend and bounced off the walls each time he fell unconscious while you tried to soothe him.

It was different this time. Something felt off, and that sensation rotted in your gut.

He had fallen asleep in the room he had settled for. Caleb's room was spacious with his queen sized bed, minimally decorated and colored in his own personal touch and, above all, cozy. Despite his preferences, he was willing to switch bedrooms the moment you expressed your fondness for him.

Your hand rested on the doorknob, tapping the smooth material underneath your fingertips to distract your mind from the current dilemma you had found yourself tangled in. Was invading his privacy proper under these circumstances? –What if he was doing something else– But then again, what were you to do while he was audibly struggling not so far away from where you were standing?

The door clicked open by a slight push of your hand, swaying enough to give you space to slip into the room.

The sight of him, while experiencing a disturbing dream, was something you were grown used to, unfortunately. His fingers clutched onto the soft material of the blanket he had pulled over himself.

However, his expression didn't have the same fear and despair it had written all over it like it did in the past. You sat by his side, careful not to startle him further, studying his mannerisms and every small shift in his attitude in an attempt to decipher what his dream was about.

After a few moments of silence you realized how much of a bad idea was to enter his room, his harsh breaths fading into desperate whines – his hand clenched onto the blanket, before it brushed against your skin. Caleb had always been a light sleeper, plus his position in the aerospace added more to that trait of his. And this time, the coldness of your fingers on his hand was what stirred him awake.

His forearm rested over his eyes, an audible groan escaping him as he struggled to adjust to the moonlight, blinding him through the window.

“What are you doing here, pipsqueak?” Caleb began, taking his arm off of his face so he could check the time on the bright screen of the digital clock placed atop his nightstand. A major part of him was concerned that you were up and about at this hour. His voice was different from what you were used to, as it came out groggy and rough with sleep.

Taking a mental note of your facial expression upon hearing him speak, he cleared his throat, “missed me already?”

His hand enveloping yours was a sensation worth memorizing and reminiscing about later on in the future - the way his thumb glided over the bruised skin on your knuckles, lifting it to his lips and pressing a tender kiss on them right after. He wanted to make sure that you knew how much he cared, even if he couldn't quite put it into words.

You didn't hesitate when it came to his touch. He was warm compared to the silk textile of the nightgown he had bought for you a few days prior, it clung perfectly on your frame - if anything, Caleb has your measurements engraved in the back of his mind. The material was smooth, comfortable yet the only downside of it was the inability to maintain your body temperature.

The goosebumps on your skin didn't go unnoticed. Caleb slipped the blanket covering his body on yours instead the very moment he took note of a suppressed shiver rushing through you. You cherished the comfort that came with the soft fabric and his cologne staining it. Reality seemed to disappear, even for a moment, before your eyes started studying his frame; spread out right in front of you, shirt hitching up his hipbone and a bulge straining his pyjama pants.

You blinked a few times – that explains everything, his restlessness, his messed up breathing pattern and his noises weren't because of a nightmare, oh god – “I should head back to my room…and you should rest.” A quick excuse left your lips faster than you anticipated. Maybe he wouldn't doubt your very believable excuse.

Unfortunately for you, his eyes never left yours, and the way he was gazing at you was like a bucket of cold water in the face.

“Please stay.”

The whiny tone lacing his voice already had you reconsidering your decisions, but the way he tugged on the hem of your shirt as soon as you stood up from his bed was a whole different thing.

Caleb had become very well aware of how his gaze resembled one of a desperate puppy, all thanks to you reminding him of it at the most inconvenient times, like when he was on duty with you on the other side of the line, or when he was a little too full of himself.

However, after so much teasing, he had grown accustomed to it. Here he was now – the Colonel of the Farspace Fleet, lilac eyes staring up at you, just like a lost puppy desperate for affection.

It was comical, really. The way his usually sharp gaze softened, lips apart and ready to beg for your attention instead of command and all of this because of a dream.

"What did you even dream about that got you this messed up?" You questioned, with no hesitation whatsoever. It was too late to filter any thoughts or to rethink the correct way to phrase sentences. Your hand remained on top of his watching as his expression changed.

Caleb's hand shifted, leaving yours as he moved them to rest on the bones of your hips, slowly drawing you in and hoping you'd follow along. "Let me show you, pipsqueak." He murmured as if his offer was only for you to hear.

Before you was the Caleb you had grown up knowing your whole life. Always a teasing attitude and a playful glint hiding in the lilac coloured irises that you had always adored the most. He kept them fixated on you as he guided your legs to sink into the mattress on either side of his chest; his arms remaining behind your knees while his fingers massaged the soft flesh of your thighs.

His face almost looked ethereal beneath you, like a sculpture made to honor a God. A statue so carefully chiseled down to the finest details by the best of the best, capturing every playful intention and liveliness by using the brightest colors on their palette.

Not able to help the redness giving away just how flustered you had gotten over this gesture, you tried to play it off by playing dumb, "Are we about to cuddle?" – Okay maybe it was a stupid question, but it worked, didn't it? Caleb's low chuckle escaping his throat echoed in the room.

"Later? Sure." He had a habit of scoffing every time you came up with an idiotic excuse or an unreasonable question, "But I haven't finished my description yet." Caleb was a trained pilot, trained to make quick work of things.

In a blink of an eye he had repositioned himself, bringing your body to straddle his face and barely leaving any space separating you from him. "I dreamed of you just like this." It was painfully obvious how much he was holding back; his thumb tracing small hearts on the inside of your thighs to distract himself.

It was all too much, his touch, his breath ghosting over your skin. You were about to detangle yourself from his grasp. His gaze stuck on you as if he was a loyal follower and you were his religion - the only one he would ever kneel for and worship. And he made sure you'd understand his silent message.

Time spent with his pipsqueak was valuable for him, so he rarely turned down the opportunity. Hence why his teeth were already grazing your skin, leaving soft marks and goosebumps in their wake. You were pretty sure Caleb didn't have any experience with these things, so how was it possible for him to know exactly the way to run his tongue over the freshly made wounds? How could he stay so calm while you struggled to keep your moans to yourself the moment his tongue reached your core?

“You're awfully quiet, pipsqueak.” His voice was barely above a whisper, vibrating against your skin. He could never resist the banter he had with you whenever his teasing got the best of you. He knew you better than anyone, and for that, you were thankful.

Caleb sat in pure awe, his lilac eyes studying your silhouette standing out in the darkness of the room. "And wet already… you needy little thing" Giving you time to process his words and what he was about to do? Overrated. The only warning you got was the feeling of his finger hooking around the underside of your panties before he gently tugged it away, leaving you exposed.

Every single one of his moves was calculated. Caleb wouldn't hesitate to shoot a man, but if anything happened to you by his hand, he simply wouldn't forgive himself.

“This is embarrassing.” The shakiness in your voice spurred him on, teasing your entrance with the tip of his tongue and slowly licking his way up to the bundle of nerves hidden between your folds.

He couldn’t help but chuckle at your remark, “Loosen up, princess.” His voice vibrated against your sensitive flesh while the sound of it soothed you, until he started pushing a finger past your puffy lips. Starting off with a few careful pumps and before you knew it, he was in knuckle-deep with your juices coating his beautiful hand, and his lips wrapped around your swollen clit.

A choked moan escaped you, in an attempt to muffle your own sounds by biting down on your lower lip while you readjusted yourself on his face. You needed to keep your mind busy somehow even if that didn't go as planned since Caleb used his evol to restrain you from shifting any further. "I wasn't going anywhere," You managed to breathe out right after understanding what went through his mind the moment you started moving in the slightest. He sucked at hiding his feelings, for his face and body never quieted down.

"False alarm." He smiled innocently, as if he hadn't just shot you a glare, daring you to move away whilst he ate you out. What mattered now was that the pressure of his evol on your shoulders had paused.

His fingers continued caressing you, curling to find just the right spot. The boyish smirk crossing his features as soon as you could no longer contain your whines was just the cherry on top.

You could feel a familiar coil in your stomach, ready and threatening to snap if he kept this up. “You taste so good. So so good.” And with that you were over the edge, fingers removed and leaving you empty, his tongue lapping up your release without wasting a second.

Caleb didn’t give a flying fuck about his oxygen running out, your eyes rolling into the back of your head in pure ecstasy while squeezing his face in between your thighs, soaking him was all he cared about.

A faint gush of wind met your skin, making you automatically shiver in response, hyper aware of every sensation around you. However, he didn’t let you alone for too long - carefully switching positions in a blink of an eye.

His hand planted on either side of your head, “You’ve never done this before, have you?” Caleb asked, staring down at you with his characteristic smirk - a wave of possessiveness mixed very well with pride rushing through him at the thought. But he knew all about your past relationships -he never approved of by the way- and how terrible they were, in the end he still bore the title of your ‘gege’.

“Tell me what I can do to make you feel good.” He coaxed, the back of his hand coming up to brush the textured skin of your cheek, the same skin he had wiped so many tears off years before. The way he could switch between a colonel and a desperate puppy was… oddly arousing. He felt the need to please you, to hear your praises despite his cock straining painfully against the rough fabric of his pants. “Tell gege, where do you want to be touched?”

The same fingers that fucked you were now stroking circles around the sensitive bud of one of your breasts, “Here?” He murmured as he gauzed your expressions shifting with each small touch. The moonlight creeping through the swaying curtains only audience you had while his hand explored you, “or maybe… here?” He continued, gently massaging your inner thigh. “Oh, I know.” the rough surface of his fingertips brushed against your calf, adjusting you until your heel dug into his shoulder - his hands weren’t always like this, they were soft once.

He’d be the death of you, but that’d be a fair exchange, for you’d be his.

—a/n; just a little something I had in my drafts for a few months,, tysm for reading and have a nice day/night ♡