All fics will be piled into here. if you are looking for a specific anime that I haven't written feel free to request it. As always requests for characters, and story ideas are always welcome!
♱ ྀིྀ dom sani ! who loves to talk, "you like to put your tongue out for me, princess?" gloved hand smearing the thick arousal around the pink flesh. "you love it, don't you?" shoving two digits so you gag. "pretty slut."
♱ ྀིྀ dom sani ! who uses his big body against you, wrapping his bulky arms around your neck and torso to torn your guts into sloppy pieces. "you can breathe, come on." he flexes harder. "such a fucking mess."
♱ ྀིྀ dom sani ! who takes you on smoke breaks, blowing the sour cloud on your face. hand wraps around your neck before shotgunning your mouth. he loves to see how dizzy it gets you.
♱ ྀིྀ dom sani ! who has a breeding kink. "i'm going to make you a cute mommy, mm?" he cums again, hot strings spewing inside. "you want that? feel it. feel how i'm all the way over here." pressing the heel of his palm against your belly.
♱ ྀིྀ dom sani ! who loves going rough. scorching marks all over your body, "bleed for me, doll." kissing until he breaks skin. slapping your ass until it's tender skin. he loves painting you in red.
♱ ྀིྀ dom sani ! who loves painal, stretching you deliciously around his cock and ignoring your sore whines. "stop crying baby, it's going to be okay soon." your poor cunt dripping for a bit of attention. "so fucking greedy."
♱ ྀིྀ dom sani ! who eats, attentively. he's slow and patient when he does. "you taste so sweet." he loves to tongue fuck your messy insides. "such a pretty cunt." and he loves it most when he can taste himself on you.
♱ ྀིྀ dom sani ! who loves when you moan, mouth falling open everytime you do. so you do it even more. nasty and loud. "you can never stay fucking quiet." each word accentuated by a thrust.
♱ ྀིྀ dom sani ! who is dichotomic, fucking you tender and slow like a frail pearl. he pours every ounce of his love into you. making love to you.
♱ ྀིྀ dom sani ! who will become the sweetest cat after he's done with you, pouting at the twisted mess he caused. "you still look pretty with me on." peppering kisses over your face.
satoru gojo who finds out that his cum doubled in amount when he became spider man. not only that, but the thickness and flavor changed as well. what he enjoys the most is how you’ve been eating it up.
“please.. please cum in me.” you begged your boyfriend as he pounded into your weeping cunt. you had no clue how or why his cum changed so much. maybe he has been taking some sort of pill? you didn’t bother asking anyways.
“yeah? want me to put a baby in ya?” satoru chuckled. he knew that the type of spider that bit him is capable of giving birth to hundreds of babies at once, and he got off on the idea of you gifting him many children.
satoru let out a sharp groan the second you squeezed his cock, making it almost impossible for him to pull out.
his grip on your neck tightened as he pushed your face deeper into the drool stained pillow. “guess i got my answer huh?”
he snapped his hips forward, fucking you deeply. ever since the ‘bite of 2026 as he liked to call it, his stamina went off the chart, making it possible for him to endure fights, and of course for sex marathons.
your fingers gripped the sheets, back arching as you felt yourself grow near. with a final thrust, satoru released into you.
“fuck..” he gently pulled out, mesmerized at the way the extra liquid spilled out like a goddamn waterfall. his finger teased at your hole, collecting his own juices. “felt good, baby?”
you nodded, feeling absolutely worn out. his cum was too much, but you weren’t complaining.
【Summary】: ATZ was the place to be. Everyone either wanted to be in the fraternity or be with one of the members... And this push and pull you had seemingly fallen into with one of the brooding frat boys was making you dizzy. Your neck quickly aching from whiplash over the constant what ifs and maybes... Oh... Oh wait, it was just the dark bruising hickies *he* left that were the ache and the overflow of alcohol that made you dizzy... Whoops.
『Word count』: 9.17k
-> Genre: College Au. Angst. Smut.
[Warnings]: Swearing. Insecurities. Reader likes to belittle herself a lot. So many pet names. Flirt San. Lowkey hinting at some ot8 activities if you catch my drift. Marking, biting, possessiveness. Dirty talking. Name calling (slut). Making out. Inappropriate use of the top of a beer bottle... Oral, crying, slapping. Kinda of lying and manipulation but who's really looking at that...! Protected sex cause we might be freaky but we are safe here... For now. whoops unprotected sex, breeding and coming inside. i lied we weren't safe. we into freaky stuff. Seonghwa is a mean dom in this one. Squirting... Lots of cum oops. Sorry, not sorry. Teehee.
Note: Welcome to my contribution to the amazing Live Alive Collab, hosted by none other than the beautiful @sungbeam ♥ Being my first ever collab I've been super nervous and wanting this fic to be perfect!!! So I hope you all like it hehe.
Also a Big thank you to @xomakara for making my banner here. She is so talented ♥ And make sure to check out everyones fics in this event!! Love you all darlings. Enjoy. (Also there will possible be a part two maybe with the other members but I wanted to keep the event fic just for Seonghwa. teehee)
It wasn’t always like this. Harsh thoughts, even harsher stares. Whispers of curiosity and sly disgust. Questioning how you had a in that most girls would be fighting tooth and nail for.
There were moments, mostly when you were young, when life was simple, peaceful even. But now, as you ran through the crowded halls, no club, no place, no status to help you, you slowly started to come to a sense of acceptance that you were going to be invisible forever… a bookworm amongst the elite.
“Come on, one night.” You groan as you hear your best friend since childhood, Jongho, grumble through your phone. You were currently lying on your comforter, textbook after textbook scattering across the tops of your desk and bed. As you prep for… well, nothing really. Exams are over for the season. ‘I’m just getting prepared for next term,' you’d say, more to yourself than your friend… 'Can't be too ready…' Okay, now you were pushing it…
“Come on, it’ll be fun. The guys love having you around… No overly loud party. Just us all celebrating the end of exam week.” Jongho’s buttery voice made your insides turn. ‘Love having you around' the words replied in your head a thousand times. They probably only “like” you because they have to put up with you for Jongho's sake.
You hated how right your thoughts sounded right. You hated how you fell for their sirened words every time.
“Fine.” You sighed, knowing you wouldn’t win a fight with your teddy bear of a friend.
“Yes! Also…” His voice vibrated your ringing ears. “Seonghwa got you something.”
“Seong—” Your voice cuts off into a choking fit, saliva betraying you as you try to breathe. “H-hwa.. got..why would he..—Shit can't talk now. I'm about to go on, I'll see you later.”
And just like that, his goodbye was quicker than his hello, and you were stuck in the silence once more. Only this time you were stuck with the looming thoughts, Why did Seonghwa get you something and more importantly… You thought he hated you.
The walk over to the frat house was long and cold. The campus felt like a ghost town now that everyone had cleared out from the game earlier. The last play of the season, with some of the boys from ATZ frat house coming out on top. You've only ever been to one. When Jongho finally convinced you to show up for it to cheer him, Mingi, and Yunho on. But that soon led to you being cornered behind the bleachers by a group of popular girls that were determined to know how you were so close to all the ATZ boys.
How you… could possibly have anything they don't. They were all drop-dead gorgeous, tall with long thin legs, and had perfect faces that matched their perfect styles. They were the object of everyone's desire. People either wanted to be them or be with them… except you. You were nothing.
You didn't wear heavy, flawless makeup. You didn't wear tightly formed clothes. You weren't the it girl or the talented cheerleader… You were just… you.
The sidewalks that are normally filled to the brim with caffeinated, no-sleep, most likely on some sort of medication students were now mere echoes of your footsteps right up until the scuffs of your boots at the base of the frat house steps. You stared at the door for what felt like an eternity, questioning if you should just ditch and go back to the safety of your dorm surrounded by text books and fantasy novels…at least they wouldn’t judge you.
“You gonna stay out here all night, sweetheart. Or are you gonna come in.” The deep, almost sultry voice catches you off guard. It was only when you refocused your eyes that you noticed San leaning against the small porch fence with a lit cigarette in hand. His eyes were piercing and his smile subtle—being here for performing arts and a modeling/Image consultant program—he most certainly fits his major. "Well, are you?”
Heat flushed as you realised you had been staring at him for a little too long for your liking. “Y-yes. I’m coming.” … His smirk grew intensely.
Wrong choice of words idiot.
You huffed out a breath before walking straight for the front door, leaving Mr Perv outside to tend to his smoke. Upon walking in, you took in the strong stench of weed and liqour.. The gathering, as Jongho put it, must have started early. "Aye, there's the sweetest sweetheart!!" Mingi hollers from the couch as you rounded the corner.
“Hey.” You whisper out, holding your sides while your arms stay firmly crossed together.
“You need a drink. Let me get you a drink!” Mingi tries to sit up, but he stumbles, already half drunk. Hearing a crash, both Yeosang and Wooyoung come rushing out of the adjoining kitchen, one firmly holding a pot lid while the other holds a spoon.
"What's the damage?” Wooyoung shouted, thinking something was broken… Again. You couldn't help but crack a smile, watching the boys fumble and flail to get Mingi back on the couch.
“Only Mingi’s pride…” A smooth, roaring presence shifted behind you. His voice almost as dark as his slight smile. You knew it was him before you saw him. Shifting your head slowly, your gaze drags up, long elegant legs draped with loose black sweats, matching compression-T on the slickest waist before landing on piercing eyes. Eyes that made you hot. Eyes that made you go mad.
“H-hi Hwa.” You mentally cringe at yourself for using the nickname you always hear the boys use. It wasn’t something you called him. Idiot. Idiot. Idiot. Seonghwa seemed to notice your uncomfortability instantly, his pupils expanding at the idea of watching you squirm. So like normal Hwa fashion, he digs for more.
"Hey, Sweetheart.” That nickname... One that all the boys adopted for you and one you’ve grown accustomed to hearing. But when it slipped from Seonghwa’s lips, it was different. You knew it was because he wanted something. He only used it when he wanted something. He would rather use your name than slip into the sweetness of a pet name, and last time he called you that, you spent hours after helping him study. Or the time before that, you went with him to the library because he didn't want to go alone. As he put it. He knew he made you melt and he knew he could get anything he wanted if that one little innocent name slipped off his tongue.
“Y-you have something for me?” You hesitated while the taller man's eyes studied you. Only for a moment, never long enough to warrant warning. But just enough to have you redder than Wooyoung’s freshly dyed hair.
He leant down slowly, his lips barely scraping your ear. “Come with me.”
And just like that he was off, heading towards the staircase. You quickly followed behind, noting each door you passed. Yunho’s and Mingi's shared room, Jongho’s and Yeosang's…a bathroom. San and woos… He stops suddenly, almost making you bump into his broad back. You couldn't help but let out a quiet yelp, making Seonghwa turn his head slightly over his shoulder. "S-sorry..."
Your murmur was not unheard by Seonghwa, but he didn’t respond, instead, he smirked to himself slyly before slipping into the room he stopped abruptly at. You followed suit, trying to rub off the embarrassment off your face, but before you could shed away the redness, it only grew darker as your eyes landed upon the perfectly made grey bed in the centre of the small but cosy bedroom…
Seonghwa’s bedroom.
You’ve never been in his room before, heck, you were well aware of how much he hated others in here. Always saying others would make it messy. And from the last time San came into it, having his way with ruining the cosy sheets, Seonghwa officially made it clear that no one goes into his room unless he permits it.
"So... What was…” Before you could finish your sentence, Seonghwa quickly opens and closes a jewellery box that sat nicely tucked away on his desk. The voice made you silence yourself as you watched him turn around to finally fully face you.
“The guys and I have been wanting to get you a gift.” He rubs the soft velvet bag between his fingers while his eyes never left yours. “Something to show our appreciation. And we… Well, I came up with the idea to get you this.”
He pulled out a thin necklace with an unfamiliar-looking symbol hanging off it. The pendant was dark red, the gems in it gleaming in the small orange lighting of Seonghwa’s bedroom… it almost looked like a compass?
“It would mean a lot if you wore this.” You've never heard Hwa sound so soft before. His natural brooding nature always made him sound cold to everyone other than his brothers. But now, in his moment, he sounded like liquid sin. Honey mixing with all roses. He held the necklace, silently asking if he could put it on for you.
Of course, you listened. You always listened if Seonghwa asked. Holding your hair up, you turned around, giving Seonghwa access to your neck. His long arms wrapped around you as he unclasped the necklace, letting it lie coolly on your collarbone.
“I knew you'd say yes.” Seonghwa's voice was a whisper now, the feeling of his hot breath against your neck making you shiver. You had no idea how long you stood like that, just feeling him closely behind you. But when a booming voice echoed from downstairs, you knew it was probably a little too long for comfort.
“Dinner’s ready!” San’s shout cut through the quiet. You turned to face Seonghwa, and of course, his expression was anything but readable. Unlike yours, which you were sure was covered in pink, with wide eyes and a shallow breath.
“I—LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!” Mingi’s enthusiastic bellow cuts off your words before you could even speak them. A wave of sound crashing against the moment you and Seonghwa were experiencing.
Seonghwa stepped aside, gesturing towards the door. “Go on. I'll be down soon.”
You walked past him for the door, taking in the lingering scent of his cologne. A mixture of sweet vanilla, coffee and something faintly spicy. He smelled intoxicating. But you shook your thoughts, heading for the stairs, your fingers naturally gravitated towards the foreign object around your neck, feeling the cool metal settled snuggly against your collarbone.
I knew you’d like it.
His soft words played on loop in your head. The way he stood closer, the way you swore you could hear his heart beat quicken along with your own. The words swirled in your mind, a deciphering puzzle you couldn’t quite place. Yet, a warmth bloomed in your chest, a quiet satisfaction that the boys had thought of you, that Seonghwa had thought of you and felt the need to give you a gift personally… Maybe he wasn’t such a brooding bad boy like everyone lets out to be.
The night unfolded in a blur of loud chatter, liquor and food everywhere and a rhythmic thump of music that sits in your chest like it was born to be there. This wasn’t an average frat party by any means, there wasn’t a crowd of drunk people, minus Mingi, and an overwhelming amount of mistakes being made that many people would either regret or not remember by the morning. No, tonight was… intimate, filled with board games, competitive video games and casual conversations ending in bursts of laughter.
It almost felt domestic in a way.
Having Hongjoong lean against you, shoulder to shoulder on the couples' couch. Or helping Yeosang and Wooyoung finish up dinner before serving it to the hungry beasts known as your friends. The initial awkwardness melted away from this morning, having been replaced by a comfortable camaraderie. You’d never admit it, but Jongho was right.
“Alright, who’s ready for a real game?” Wooyoung’s voice sliced through the relaxed atmosphere, a mischievous glint in his foxy eyes. He held up a strange, circular board, adorned with colourful squares and cryptic symbols. You couldn't help but tilt your head in confusion. “Truth, Dare, or Strike.”
“What's strike?” The thought slipped from your tongue before you could think. And oh how the smile only grew wider on Wooyoung’s face as he picked up the dice.
“So, you roll,” he explained devilishly. “Move your piece. Land on truth or dare, you pick a card from each pile.” He gestured to the purple and green stacks, letting you watch as Yunho and Yeosang shuffle them. “But if you land on strike…” He taps the board, his voice dropping to almost a whisper.
“You pick a black card…” Seonghwa’s voice made you jump as you turned slightly to see him and Hongjoong come back from the kitchen after clearing the table. His voice was buttery and suggestive, sending shivers down your spine. But before you could loom with any unnecessary thoughts, Jongho picked up the dice and rolled, letting the game finally begin.
Jongho landed on truth, admitting he had a secret drawer of sex toys that the card had suggested. San, on a dare, did a surprisingly and gracefully tame handstand... Most cards you found weren’t all ‘bad’ or ‘raunchy’ but more classical truths and dares. Well, what would you even class as basic truth or dare? You don’t know. But Mingi was the first to pull a strike card, having to make out with the person next to him. Yunho to be exact… which he did a little too eagerly. You squirmed when you watched the two giants fight for whose tongue went in whose mouth… it shouldn’t have been that erotic, watching your two friends go at it… But…
“Your turn.” Jongho nudged you a little, making you snap out of your thoughts. Your eyes widened as you looked next to you, god you were staring, and you didn’t notice. You felt yourself grow pinker than Hongjoong’s pretty drink as you gulped.
“I uh… Let me just refill my drink. I’ll be right back.” You stood a little too quickly and fled to the kitchen a little too promptly, but you didn’t think too far as you slipped away from prying eyes. Once in the kitchen, you spotted San leaning against the counter, nursing a glass of something dark as he waited for something in the microwave. You ignored him at first, looking in the fridge for something stronger than your normal stuff. Just something to take off the edge, you know, something a little more…
“Having fun?” San’s voice was a deep whisper that you only barely heard over the music that still played in the empty lounge room on the forgotten TV.
“Uh yeah.. Yeah I’m having fun..” Your eyes never left the shelves in front of you, looking at all the rows of liquor.
“More than you expected, hmm?” San poured something into a glass before walking over to the fridge, his chest grazing your back slightly. This made you stiffen as he moved you aside, reaching for the freezer door and opening it. Neither of you spoke for a moment. Just simply watched as the man dropped a few ice cubes into the crimson drink. “Here.”
You took the drink in hand, ignoring San’s knowing look. How he was able to read people's minds still beats you. But nonetheless, you took it. “Don't tell Jongho. But yes, he was right.”
The sly smirk on San’s features beamed as he took a sip of his own drink. His eyes never left yours as he watched you take a gulp of your own, noticing you grimace slightly at the strong taste. “What the actual fuck is this?!”
"Damn, sweetheart, didn't think you'd react like that.” San laughed, a full belly laugh. It was deep in his throat as he covered his mouth with his hand. “You wanted something stronger, right? Doesn't mean it'll taste better.”
“Fuck me.” You choked, looking for some water in the fridge to wash it down. But San stopped you, reaching for a pink bottle of alcohol, he wiggled it in your face. “What now?”
Your groan made San's smile grow as his eyebrow cocked. His head tilting to the side slightly like a cat, “Shot this, and if you do…” he leant down to your ear, his lips grazing your lobe, “I'll tell you a very important secret.”
Your interest suddenly peaked as you eyed the bottle. “One shot?"
“Just one.” He clarified.
You thought for a moment, watching his dark expression twist with a hint of something you couldn't quite pick out. “Hmmm… Deal.” Nodding your head, you eyed him as he grabbed two shot glasses from the cabinet. This was gonna be interesting…
While San is perfectly distracting you, Hongjoong, on the other hand—with a devilish smile playing on his lips—swiftly flicked through the cards on the table in front of him. Yunho and Jongho joined him as Yun grabbed the truth and Jong the dare pile. Their fingers were nimble and quick, shuffling all the piles, replacing a few at the top with very specific cards. Hongjoong exchanged a knowing glance with Seonghwa, a silent understanding passing between them. The boy's plan was simple really… They had this idea for months now, long night discussions and other nights filled with a little more heated activities led to all the men here wanting one thing…
You.
It was only going to be a little push, a nudge even, that’s all they needed. Just to see if you'd actually break. See if you were on the same level as all of them. To see if you truly would be theirs. "Oh, this is gonna be fun.”
Wooyoung’s voice was cheeky as he gazed at the cards Yunho and Jongho picked. The boys knew where you were standing on the board, you'd most likely land on Dare or Strike with your roll. But just in case you roll a really low number, Yunho took the liberty to look for a perfect truth card.
All three men were quick at finding what they wanted before placing the decks back as if they were never touched. Ironically, this was just as you finally walked back into the dining room, the clinking of your cup against the glass bowl filled with popcorn announcing your presence. San was close behind, and his stare was caught quickly by the two older men. Hongjoong nodded slightly, not enough for you to notice but enough for San to know the plan was going perfectly.
You sat down next to Seonghwa, not noticing he swapped spots with Jongho. Picking up the dice, you note the almost complete silence, like there was anticipation in the air for what you might roll. “Are you all holding your breath, or has the alcohol finally hit me?” You tried to give a little cheek, but you could have sworn all the boys were darker, more… predatory than normal…
“We are just curious what you might land on, sweetheart.” Mingi suddenly sounded way too sober for your liking. Your hand didn’t stop the shaking motion as your eyes narrowed at Mingi, but you chose to let the dice fly despite the odd feeling brewing in your stomach. They tumbled across the board, clattering to a stop…
"Six," Jongho casually announced, his expression never changing. But there was something, like the room let out the breath she thought it was holding, and as her little pawn landed on the square, she swore she heard a groan.
“Dare…”
A collective gasp—as if they didn’t just plan all this—quickly followed by a chorus of excited chatters filled the room. But your stomach only lurched, suddenly nervous at what the card might suggest. And if it was anything like the previous two cards… you were most likely done for. Reaching for the pile, your fingers trembled slightly. The card felt too cool, too smooth, too… heavy. You flipped it over away from prying eyes.
Your eyes nearly bulged out of your skull when you saw the card. “Nope. Absolutely not. I am not doing that.”
The group chuckled, half of them saying it can't be that bad while the others were curious what the card said. Jongho took the card from you, and what he read made his ears turn red. “Strip in front of the crowd.”
“Oh fuck yeah.” Mingi couldn’t help but hiccup out. Making your face deepen in the crimson that already pained it.
“No! I’m not getting naked!” You huffed with a slight twang of laughter. You loved your boys, yes. But getting bare in front of eight very hot men was not on your list tonight.
“Alright. You can pass, Sweetheart.” The crowd went quiet as Hongjoong spoke. “But that means you gotta pick up two strike cards this time.” It was like Hongjong's prayers had been answered, given he put the more... Harsher cards on top of the strike pile.
You go to grab the two cards, but the orange-haired male stops you. “But once you take these two, you can't undo it. You’ll have to do these cards.”
For a moment you questioned if getting naked in front of the boys for a moment was better than what these two cards could entail… but after another breath left your lungs, you knew you were willing to risk it. “I’m good.”
Picking up both cards, you stared at them. And in bold, stark letters it read. “Spit take and…Seven minutes in hell.” Your breath hitched.
A sly murmur bubbled under Wooyoung's breath as he whispered out, "Oh, these ones..”
Yeosang had to kick his foot slightly to get him to shut up. Luckily your shaky sigh covered up the young man's words, making him go unnoticed by you. You already knew what the first card was asking you, and that required you to roll to see how many people would participate. But it was the second card that had you more intrigued… “Go to a secluded room with the person to your left. And for seven minutes, they can do whatever they want to you.” with a little note on the corner, a smiley face with a speech bubble that says ‘remember consent is key’... as if that was the problem at hand right now.
Your shaky gaze suddenly snapped to Seonghwa, seeing him seated calmly beside you. And even though his expression was unreadable… His eyes were a different story. They were intense, dark and as they met your own, you noticed the lust dripping from them. A slow, knowing smile spread across his face, almost like a silent promise. And in that moment, you knew. This man, with his quiet intensity and unsettling charm, was about to completely ruin you.
“Roll.” Was all Seonghwa said as he stood, picking up his beer to take a swing of it as he walked to the archway of the dining room. You froze for a moment, not really registering what was going on. It wasn’t until Jongho’s soft, warm hand squeezed your thigh that you finally focused your eyes and looked around the room.
“You okay?” His voice was whispered, but you simply nodded your head, standing up abruptly before snatching the dice off the table.
“I’m good.” You gave your best friend a smile before rolling the red dice, letting them skate across the table, but as they came to a halt, the numbers they landed on were almost too good to be true.
Five and three….
Everything passed like a blur as Seonghwa extended his hand out for you to take. You didn’t even hear the hollers and chants from the other men as your fingers intertwined with Hwa’s soft ones. San had whispered something into the older man’s ear as he passed, and you vaguely heard Jongho say they’ll do the rest of your challenge when you come back…
But all you could think about right now was how you let Seonghwa pull you through the house. Your legs felt strangely heavy as he guided you towards the studio just opposite the kitchen and dining room. He stepped inside first, holding the door open so you could slip in besides him. The soft lamplight cast his features in shadow, making him appear even more mysterious in the reddish, purplish lighting. The studio wasn’t small by any means, supporting a large desk, couch and even a mini fridge. Hongjoong spent most of his time here, the others rarely entertaining themselves with all the electronics that Hongjoong had set up meticulously. But now the room was going to be used for something other than soundboard production. It was going to be used for something far more… erotic.
You hesitated at the threshold, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within you… anticipation, a hint of nervousness, and a strange, undeniable thrill of what-ifs and maybes. What could the Park Seonghwa possibly do in seven minutes?
“Come on,” he urged, his voice a low invitation. “Time starts now...”
You crossed the threshold, the door clicking shut behind you with a soft thud. And for a split second you thought you heard the lock. But you paid no mind as you felt the air thicken in your lungs, making it harder to breathe as you took in every detail of the room around you. All the while, Seonghwa never took his gaze off of you. Taking a swig of his beer, and his back facing the door, his burning presence filled the cramped space so much your body, soul and mind felt like they were oozing him… You could hear the way his throat worked as he swallowed more of his drink until he was empty, setting the bottle down on the edge of the deck with an anticipatory thump.
“You seem nervous…” He whispered, stepping closer until his chest grazed your back. “Why are you shaking, hmm?”
"I'm not shaking." You lied through your teeth, your voice trembling slightly. "It’s just… cold in here."
“Ah.” Seonghwa said softly, reaching out with his fingers to brush his knuckles gently across your neck. The contact felt like a jolt of electricity had suddenly coursed through your veins. “You know… Liars get punished in this room.”
"I don't know what you're talking about," you whispered, not taking your eyes off the blank wall in front of you. Not daring to look back. To look at him.
Seonghwa stepped closer, his feet pushing yours apart so he could almost put his knee between your legs as his chest became snug to your shoulder blades. He leant down, his lips only just ghosting over the shell of your ear, and then you felt the hotness of his breath as he spoke, “Don’t play dumb now, sweet bunny.”
Oh, that was new…
The pet name sent shivers down your spine as his voice turned sweet, almost melodic. “I see the way you look at me. The way you clench your perfect fucking thighs whenever you're around here. You act all shy, but I bet there's a slut somewhere inside begging for relief. Did you think that necklace only meant we were friends?"
“I…I thought.”
“What? You were in some sort of safe zone? You aren’t what we want because you’re Jong’s best friend.” Seonghwa interrupted your words as you felt his hand move to the nape of your neck, his thumb pressing gently on your windpipe. "There’s nothing safe about the way we think about you. I’ve spent weeks imagining exactly what I’m going to do to you in this very room. And now, the rules say I can do anything."
Did he just say we?
“S-seonghwa what… Ah!” You gasped before you could even protest any thought or feelings, letting yourself feel his teeth latched onto your shoulder and hand tighten around your neck. He began to kiss you, slow and agonisingly soft, his tongue tracing the line of your ear, to your jaw, down to the patches of skin on your neck his hand was not covering.
"I’ve been so patient…” He practically moaned your name in your ear. “We’ve watched you walk around this house in those cute little outfits. Pastels, cotton. Argh… “ He groaned, rutting his hips against your ass. “You always look so soft, such a pretty bunny. You knew exactly what you were doing to us. Did it make you feel powerful, hmm? Knowing we’re all starving for you?"
Your brain was no longer processing what he was saying, no, all you could think about was how he held you. How he was touching you. How you could feel the outline of his straining cock on your backside and how he growled and begged behind you. “S-seonghwa, please.”
"Please, what?" he asked, stepping a little away, letting you feel slightly empty. His hand loosened on your windpipe before swinging you around until you were facing him. And oh, did his expression make you want to melt. His eyes blown out, his jaw clenched as he awaited you to finally answer him… finally give him something. Anything!!
“Do. Not. Stop.” You punctuated every word, letting him read each one from your lips. His mouth crashed onto your feverishly.. It wasn't a gentle kiss. No, it was an invasion. He tasted like a devilish mixture of bitter hops and lust. His tongue pushing past your lips to claim you with a desperate hunger. Holding you steady by your jaw, he tilted your head as he stood up straight, making you fight to keep your lips latched. He wanted you to feel what he had been feeling for months. Being so close to touch… but not close enough to call you his.
Any sweetness you thought might come out of the usually calm man vanished, leaving a new version of Seonghwa that made your skin burn for more. And just like that he pulled completely away from you, breathing hard. “Couch. Now.”
"What?"
"I said get on the couch. Legs open. Now." Gone was the cheeky darkness in his tone, now being replaced with something almost sadistic. A shiver of fear and excitement trickled down your spine.
You obeyed.
Your movements, ever clumsy as you scrambled onto the leather. The material was freezing against your fiery skin, but the heat radiating from Seonghwa was far more overwhelming. He did not wait as he moved into action. No, warning, not words. The thud was deafening over the music beyond the door as he fell to his knees. He was acting like a starved man on a mission, and nothing was going to get in his way with his reward.
Moving between your knees, his hands grabbed a hand full of your thighs, forcing them wide without a second thought. You felt his fingers dig into flesh and nails threaten to draw blood. Maybe starved wasn’t the word for the way Seonghwa acted in this moment… No, he was more like,
Insane. Drunk. Fanatical and fixated.
"Oh, look at you," he hissed, his gaze fixed on the dampness already staining your underwear that hid so prettily beneath your skirt. "So ready for me. After all that acting, all this being shy… you’re dripping like a whore."
He didn't waste time with more words. Not leaving any room for even a little yelp as he yanked your soft cotton panties to the side, exposing your aching cunt to the cool air of the room. He didn’t use his fingers first. He didn’t tease or linger. No, your head fell back as soon as you felt his thick nose push against your clit, letting him bury his face into your heat. The first lick was a long, broad stroke that made your back arch almost right off the couch. You’ve never felt such a feeling, something as delicious as someone's tongue lapping you up like it was their favourite meal. And you were his. As you let out a strangled cry, your fingers knotting in his hair, Seonghwa knew he was done for. He would eat you out every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner if you let him.
"You’re so sweet," Seonghwa mumbled against your skin, his voice muffled. "I’m going to eat every drop of you. I want to taste how much you’ve been wanting this, sweetheart." He became a man possessed. His tongue was relentless, flicking over your clit with a precision that was borderline cruel. Sucking on you intensely, his soft hums created the perfect vibration that made your toes curl and vision spot. The tension in the room changed with each jagged breath. The wet, rhythmic sloppy sounds of his tongue against your folds, the sharp gasps you couldn't suppress, and the heavy thud of your hearts against each chest were enough to make you both spiral.
"Open wider," he growled, pulling back for a second to slap your inner thigh as you tried to close them around his head, the sound echoing in the small room. "Keep them open for me, bunny. I want to see everything."
"I-It's too much," you gulped air in as you spoke, your head tossing back and forth as your eyes screwed themselves shut. “Seonghwa, I can’t.”
"Yes, you can," he said, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous register that made your cunt clench. And that's when you felt it, the sudden intrusion making you yelp. He shoved two fingers tightly inside your wet hole as he began pumping them hard and fast, his thumb never leaving your clit. Your hips bucked without a second thought, almost having a mind of their own, chasing pleasure your body was so desperately desiring. "I want you to squirt for me, sweetheart. I want to see you lose control completely.”
"I... I’ve never done that," you panted, your voice breaking as you took in each thrust of his long digits. "I don't think I can."
Seonghwa’s gaze snapped up at you, a predatory smirk painting his features as his fingers seemingly became more frantic inside you. “Never?.. Oh, bunny. What am I going to do with you?”
He sat up straighter, his whole body towering your bent one. His lips grazed your ear, letting you hear the soft panting from him over the squelch sound. “I guess I'll have to be the first one to make that happen, huh? I'm not letting you off this couch until you're dripping all over me. Got it."
You couldn’t help but nod, letting him have his way, as he went back to his couched position. His tongue licked a strip up your cunt before settling on your clit. His fingers hooked deep, finding the spot that made your hip jerk and high pitch higher. He was relentless, abusing your sensitive flesh with a focus that was terrifying and utterly arousing. You could quickly feel the foreign tension build, a pressure in your lower abdomen that felt like a dam about to burst. Trying your best to settle your breathing, you glanced over his broad shoulders, and that's when you noticed the digital clock on the desk. The numbers glowing crimson in your spotted vision.
“H-hwa.” You choked out, your voice barely above a whisper as moans filled the void. “The time… Time. Fuck. Seven minutes is over.”
Seonghwa didn't even look up. He just growled low in his throat, his teeth grazing your inner thigh before he went back to devouring you. "Do I have to be blunt with you too, bunny?" His voice thick with lust, it sent a shiver down your spine. "And here I thought you were smart.”
Your eyes widened in shock when he looked up at you, his mouth and nose already glistening from your juices. You wanted to feel embarrassed, but Seonghwa’s tone was quick to distract you. “The clock doesn't matter. I decide when we’re done. And we are nowhere near done."
He sped up. His fingers were a blur, the sound of air being pushed out of your soaked pussy with every thrust creating a wet, slapping noise. He was punishing you now, his movements rough and demanding. He wanted… Needed you to let go. To feel everything all at once. To feel nothing but him.
"Come on, baby. Give it to me," he commanded. "Squirt for me, you little slut. Show me how much you want the rest of us. Want me."
The unfamiliar sensation brewing in your gut finally snapped, leaving a white-spotted explosion to cloud your vision. Your body convulsed, your legs locking around his head as a torrent of fluid erupted from you, splashing across his face, his chest, and the leather of the couch. You sobbed, tears prickling at the corners of your eyes as a long, high-pitched sound erupted from your chest.
Seonghwa didn't move. He stayed there for a long moment, letting your tremors subside while his face still pressed against your core. When he finally did pull back, though, he was covered in you. Your scent was heavy in the air, musky, sweet, and metallic. He wiped a stray drop from his lip and licked it off his finger, his eyes never leaving yours as he did. He looked hypnotised, completely consumed with the idea of you.
"Look at that bunny," he whispered, his voice dark as he massaged your thighs. "Look what you did for me."
Feeling accomplished, Seonghwa stood abruptly. You went to follow him without a thought, but he quickly reached out, landing a playful but sharp slap on your clenching cunt. The sting of it brought you crashing back to reality… Only slight. Watching him step away, leaving you shivering and vulnerable on the couch.
"Stay." Was all he said as he walked over to the desk.
Picking up his beer bottle, he took a long, slow swing of the last of his beer, eyes tracking the way your chest heaved as you tried to catch your breath. He looked down at the bottle, then back at you, a slow, cruel idea forming in his expression.
Your eyes never left him as he watched you. It made you feel hot, feel… seen. From always being the one to never be looked at. You not having a good enough status in school. Being the forgotten kid. Or the nerd, the outcast. The list goes on, from what you've been called in your life… but right now. All of Seonghwa's attention was on you. The Park Seonghwa. It made you feel desirable. Made you feel powerful.
"You like being watched, don't you?" he asked as if he were reading your mind, walking back towards you painfully slow. "You like the idea of being wanted, hmm? Want by me… by us?”
There it was again, the hinting of the other boys, only just a few feet away from this very room. It made you remember what San had said in the kitchen only twenty minutes ago.
"What kind of game, San?" You leant against the countertop with your arms crossed, still feeling the burn of the shot you just took. “If this is some kinda of floor shot again. I told Wooyoung a million times. No.”
San laughed, the sound vibrating against you while he stayed standing so close to you that your elbows were touching. "No, no… nothing like that….Without trying to freak you out."
“You're already freaking me out."
"Okay, okay.” San’s tone suddenly became serious. “There's a reason for that.” He points to the necklace on your neck. “And Seonghwa is gonna teach you later what the reason is. I just want you to know…”
San moves before you could think, hands on either side of you, caging you between his large body and the tabletop. “We all care for you. And we all want something. But trying to tell you has been difficult. We don't want to scare you away.”
You suddenly felt completely sober as you stared up at the man in front of you. Was he trying to say what you think he was? Did you just drink too much and now you're misinterpreting his words? "San… what are you trying to say?”
"Just be open-minded… Know that we all love you.” San leant down to your ear, whispering the last bit of his sentence, letting you smell the bourbon on his hot breath. "And the studio is soundproofed. No one hears a thing once that door locks.”
“I…” Your mouth became tacky while your mind drew a blank. This was what San was talking about. What he meant by all of them loving you…
“Tell me the truth, baby. Did you ever think about me while you fuck yourself on those pathetic pieces of plastic? Or maybe more than just me? What about the others? Ever thought about your best friend, huh? Dreamed of Jongho’s cock in you just as much as I dreamt of tasting this perfect pussy?"
You turned your head away, your face flushing a deep crimson. "I... What…."
Seonghwa has gone mad, not liking your answer. Gipping the neck of the beer bottle, he chuckled… a cruel, dark vibration from the pit of his chest. “I asked you a question, Sweetheart.”
This time the pet name that rolled off his tongue wasn't filled with any hint of sweetness. No, this time it was filled with nothing but mockery. He wanted to get under your skin just like you have him. Without a word, he took two large steps towards you before nudging your legs further apart with his legs.
“Answer me.” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper as he began ripping at your clothes until your lower half was completely bare and your shirt was discarded, leaving you in your soft pink cotton bra. His free hand gripped your ankle, spreading your legs open further to let him press the cold, rounded rim of the bottle against your wet entrance.
"Seonghwa, w-what are you doing?" You asked, your eyes widening as you felt the cold glass begin to slide inside you.
"I'm making sure you're paying attention," he replied bluntly. Pushing the bottle deeper, you could feel the cold sensation of the glass contrasting sharply with the heat of your overworked wall. "Does that feel good? Or is it too cold? Maybe you’d prefer something warmer. Something human, hmm?”
He began to move the bottle in and out, the glass creating a suction that made a distinct, wet popping sound every time it almost slipped out. The feeling was… bizarre, invasive and oh so fucking erotic. You were too focused on the sensation of the bottle to speak. It was stretching you the way you needed, filling you in a way that felt foreign and overwhelming in the best way. You let out a soft moan, your eyes fluttering shut. Seonghwa's expression darkened. Letting go of your ankle, he ripped your bra down, letting your breasts spill free. He watched them move as his pace quickened before giving them a harsh slap, the impact making you yelp in surprise and pain.
“Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck.” Your lips finally fell loose as your legs hugged tightly around Seonghwa’s firm hips. Leaning down, Seonghwa's teeth were bared on your neck, making sure he marked you anyway he could. Whether it was teeth marks, hickeys, or blood being drawn, he needed it all.
“So tight, filthy little bunny.” He hissed as he quickened his pace, his wrist growing almost tired at the odd angle of how he was holding the foreign object. “I bet you’re imagining it’s my cock, huh? Or maybe someone else's? Do you want all our cocks, baby? Come on, you can tell me. Don’t be shy now. Be a good girl.”
“H-Hwa… I.” Tears stained your face, stinging your red cheeks. You didn’t want to admit anything, your heart ached while your mind felt dizzy. The push and pull Seonghwa gave you was almost strong enough to give you whiplash.
“You can do it, bunny. Scream it out, let the others know exactly how you feel.”
And even though you shook your head no as he sank the top of the beer bottle deeper, pressing his thumb to your clit for firmer, you felt a fire brew in the pit of your stomach. Because you knew, he knew your answer. Like he could read your every thought. You weren’t just interested in the broody frat boy…. You were interested in his whole fraternity.
"YES!" You finally screamed as he gave your tits another love tap. The confession burst out of you like a physical weight as you squirted all over the beer bottle and Seonghwa’s hand. "I think about all of you! I want all of you! Is that what you wanted to hear?”
Seonghwa froze—the bottle still buried deep inside your abused cunt—a slow, terrifying grin spreading across his perfect features. There was a hint of warmth to it. Maybe even a slight show of sympathy. But over all that, he looked like an animal who had finally trapped his prey where he wanted.
"All of us," he repeated, his voice like velvet over gravel. "Good. That’s what I like to hear… But there is now one little problem...” He pulled the bottle out of you, throwing it somewhere in the room. If you weren’t so focused on Hwa your eyes would have checked to see if the glass would break, but luckily it landed on the carpet and no shatter followed. “You’ve been keeping a secret since we’ve been here…"
"What secrets?" you whispered, your heart hammering against your ribs.
"San," Seonghwa said, his eyes narrowing. "He told you something, did he. Fucker can’t keep a secret to save his life.”
You couldn’t help but bite your lip, the guilt written clearly on your face. "San told me, you wanted to… teach me... About the necklace. But what was it, I promise.” The silence in the room was absolute. The only sound was the faint hum of the equipment and the distant, muffled beat of the music from outside. You could see the way Seonghwa tensed slightly… he didn’t believe you. Not entirely anyway. His eyes were ice cold, focused with rage that made you want to shrink into the leather beneath you.
“Did you know I’d fuck you tonight?” He said so bluntly that it almost gave you whiplash. “Did he tell you we all like you?” The words came out slowly and dangerously. “What about that we rigged the cards so one of us could break you enough that you’d finally understand you are ours…”
He stood up, his breathing ragged, his chest heaving with fury. “Did he think this was a game? We had a plan.” Seonghwa passed for a moment, leaving you to worry. But before you could say anything, he grabbed you by the arm, his grip bruising as he hauled you off the couch, shoving you toward the mahogany desk.
“I…No..” Your mouth went dry as you tried to speak, but Seonghwa cut you off anyway.
"Hands on the desk," he commanded. "Now."
"Seonghwa, wait, what I—"
"I said hands on the desk!" he roared. You obeyed, your palms slapping against the cold, polished wood. You were trembling violently now, the reality of his anger settling over you. You heard the sound of a zipper, the rustle of fabric and something like ripping plastic... Then the heat of him was behind you, pressing against your backside intensely. “I’m gonna have words with him later. But right now…”
His lips grazed the shell of your ear. “I need you to take a deep breath.” He didn’t wait for a response. He didn’t need to, grabbing your hips, with his fingers digging into the bones, he drove himself into you with one single brutal thrust that had your vision blurring. You let out a sharp cry, tears already staining your puffy cheeks as your head leaned back onto his shoulder. Seonghwa was so thick compared to the beer bottle. He seemed to stretch you beyond your limits. Well, that's what it felt like. He didn't give you time to adjust as he began to fuck you with a primal aggression. His body slamming into your pussy with a rhythmic, meat-on-meat thud that if you weren’t so turned on, you’d be embarrassed.
“You are even more perfect than I imagined,” he growled into your ear, his teeth grazing your lobe. "I'm going to fuck you until you forget your own name. I'm going to mark you so everyone down the hall knows who got you first.”
His declaration made your head spin. The knowledge that this was not just a one-time thing. That this was just the beginning of something you couldn’t even explain… and that everyone down the hall was just dying to join in. He was relentless. Every thrust felt like a challenge, a violent reassertion of dominance, of possession, that even though there was an agreement, he was going to show off what he could do for you. The desk creaked under the weight of your bodies, and the sound of your skin slapping together and panting breath filled the room. You could feel the friction building in the pit of your stomach, the raw, unpolished sensation of his cock deep inside you, driving you towards the edge. But something was missing… You needed something else... Something more.
"Please," you sobbed, your fingers clawing at the wood of the desk, leaving scratch marks in the varnish. "More. Seonghwa, please, give me more… I need..."
"What do you need, baby. Tell me what you want?" His voice was so soft compared to before, there was a caring tone lacing each word, and it only made you melt more.
“I want to feel you… I need to feel you when you cum in me.” You had no idea how you were speaking so freely, stocking it up to alcohol and the blindness of sex that made you throw your filter out the window. But it was the truth, you were craving to have him use you completely.
He reached back and slapped your ass, the sound sharp and echoing as he chuckled. The sting only fueled your desire more. And he did it again, harder this time, leaving the red imprint of his hand on your skin before pulling out for a moment. "Is this what you wanted? Be claimed. Be filled with me…"
He tore off the condom, showing it somewhere in the room, before completely trapping you against the desk, pushing off items he did not even bother to note, so he could make a perfect clearing just for your perfect body. “I told you there was a slut deep down somewhere. She just needed the motivation to come out.”
He didn't hold back this time. He increased the pace until he was a blur of motion on top of you, his cock slid in and out with a wet, squelching sound that filled the room as he hit right where you needed every time. You felt your vision spot and your throat itch from the screaming. But it was when he reached around and gripped your neck, pulling your head up so he could see your face as he destroyed you, that you swore you saw stars.
“Look at you, sweetheart.” He growled, “I want to see you. I want you to know exactly who’s doing this to you. Not San. Not any of the others yet… just me and me alone."
His mouth latched onto you, biting into your shoulder hard. His teeth sank deep into the skin, leaving a jagged, purple bruise. He moved to your neck, avoiding his hand as he sucked and bit until you were completely covered in hickeys that would take weeks to fade and be a bitch to cover. He was marking his territory, claiming every inch of you with a violence that was as much about possession as it was about pleasure. You felt his free hand leave your hip and snake between your legs before landing on your oversensitve bud. The friction was becoming intense, the heat between you nearly unbearable. And as Seonghwa felt your walls flutter around his aching cock, he knew you were done for.
“Come on, bunny. Be a good girl and come on my cock…” His tongue licked a strip of sweaty skin on your neck, “I’ll only empty my load into this cunt once you cum.”
"Seonghwa!" you aren’t even sure if you screamed, cried, or whispered. Your mind was so far gone as you felt your orgasm take hold. It was more intense than the first few ones this evening, a rolling wave of pleasure and pain that made your legs give out entirely. He followed you a second later. He delivered a final blow of his hips, stilling himself deep inside you as his body vibrated with the effort. Letting out a low, guttural moan as he filled you with hot, thick pulses of cum. You felt it all, the way it settled in you, the way it began to drip around his cock and down your dangling legs. It felt heavenly. He held you there for a moment, pinned against the desk, his weight crushing you as you both struggled to breathe.
The room fell silent again, but this time it was soft. Calm. and gentle, only leaving space for the sound of ragged breathing and the distant, ever-present bass from across the hall. Seonghwa didn't pull out immediately. He stayed buried inside you just a little longer, his head resting on your shoulder, his sweat dripping onto your back as he slowly kissed your shoulder blades, then your spine, and neck. When he finally did move, it was slow and deliberate. He withdrew with the sound of his cock popping out of your soaked pussy. He eyed the way his cum dripped out of you and the way you lay on the desk limp, your muscles twitching and your skin covered in his marks.
To him, you looked absolutely perfect.
Seonghwa stood over you, adjusting his clothes, while letting you take a moment to breathe. And then he looked down at you again, once he was done collecting your clothes he had thrown around the room, his eyes still dark, but the burning rage had been replaced by a quiet, smug satisfaction.
He had you, and he couldn’t wait to see the looks on the others' faces when they saw you completely and utterly ruined.
hi luvs! it’s literally been forever since i wrote anything. i’m back with an ateez (hongjoong) fic for you. this is not proof read lol! wrote this in my bed at 3am and didn’t feel like going to my computer to proof it.
• CW: age gap, joong is 39, reader is 27, angst (maybe comfort? depends if i make another part), pet names (baby, doll, honey, love), slight harm to reader (he grips their wrist too tightly, joong is kinda mean. lmk if i missed anything! :)
• no gender is specified throughout the story, although reader is specified to have feminine features.
word count: 3984
•
“Joongie?” the pitter-patter of the rain falling onto the windows sounds in the distance. Walking through the threshold of your home, the door closes gently behind you as you reach to lock the door.
The smell of maple and bourbon seeping from the dining room table, laid upon it a candle burning in the dim light of the house. Slipping off your shoes, they lay next to a larger pair by the door. Good. He's at least home. Removing the rest of your layers walking through the house, discarding your scarf and jacket on the edge of the couch. Bag taking place on the kitchen counter.
The only light beaming in the house is from the candle on the dining table, the moon shining in from the windows, and the peak of light coming from the first door down the hallway.
The short walk feels heavy on your body, finally shutting down after the horrible day you’ve had. Wanting nothing more than to feel your boyfriend's skin on yours. The simple contact of your lover hugging you close, something real to hold onto. You knew he must've been in his home office the entirety of your work day, if not longer. A hand on the door slowly pushes the door in, slipping inside before shutting it back closed.
The beauty of his office always brings a smile to your face. Green walls, dark oak floors, a wooden desk pressed up against the wall, centered between two windows. A burgundy couch in the opposite corner of the room. Adorned with throw pillows and a pink finger-crocheted blanket that you totally didn’t make hongjoong help you to make.
More wooden shelving takes up the majority of the wall space on either side of the room. Books galore, mainly relating to finances, statistics, business, management, or whatever your boyfriend uses to run that big business of his. A few of your books can be spotted mixed in. Right next to his finance book sits a copy of Fourth Wing, while sitting on the lower shelf next to a book about architecture you can spot your copy of The Song of Achilles.
He doesn’t notice when you first walk in, slumped over his desk, typing away, head slightly lolled to the side. You make your way over to him, slipping your hands over his shoulder, down the front of his chest, leaning down so your head is rested on his shoulder. His shoulders visibly relax upon feeling you near.
“I didn’t think you’d be home so soon?” He turns his head to kiss your forehead. Brushing a piece of hair that falls into your face behind your ear.
“It’s almost 11pm, love.” A light yawn leaves your mouth, eyes closing as you lean your cheek into his.
Hongjoong's brows furrow, glancing towards the clock on the wall. It is, in fact, five til 11. He swivels his chair to turn around towards where you are standing, hands now resting on your thighs, “How about you go get washed up for bed? I’ll be right there.” Exhaustian clearly set into his voice, finally getting a clear look at him.
His hair, disheveled. His eyes, dark circles forming under. His clothing is wrinkled and his sleeves are messily rolled up. Usually, one would take this look as if it's any other day. Although knowing your boyfriend, he truly was exhausted.
You brush his hair out of his face, bangs grown much longer than usual sticking in every direction, you let out a small chuckle. “How about we have a bath?” His smile falters just a bit, before it goes back. “That sounds nice, can you run the bath? I just need to finish this email and then I'll join you.” An encouraging nod comes from you as you kiss his nose, a little more pep in your step knowing you’ll have him and his attention in a matter of minutes, or so you believe.
Ten minutes of preparing the bath, setting out towels, bath steamers, adding bubbles to the water, you stand in front of the mirror looking at yourself, towel wrapped around your torso, clothes already forgotten in the laundry basket in your bedroom.
Five minutes later, you wait by the tub, sitting on the edge picking at your nails.
Ten more minutes later, making your way into the bedroom, glancing around for something to do while you wait. Fifteen minutes later, gripping your towel still wrapped around yourself, you peak your head into his office.
“Honey?” He quickly glances up from his laptop screen looking at you, “So sorry baby, why don’t you go ahead and get in? I’ll be right behind you.” He smiles gently. Leaving him with a quick nod before making your way back into the bathroom.
It doesn’t take long for you to get into the bath, patiently awaiting the arrival of your boyfriend. Although it doesn’t seem like it's going to happen.
Time passes slowly as you wait for the man, sighing as you look out the bathroom door into your bedroom. The water has started to become cool, the once hot water that was working wonders on your joints, now leaving you on the verge of shivering.
Is it even worth it? Trying to retrieve him again? The man has always been cooped up in his work, only for the past three months has it begun to worsen.
Late nights waiting for him to come home from the office, staying up until 2am before utterly deciding to go to bed.
Showing up at the office mid-day to bring him lunch, knowing he hasn’t eaten all day. Only to show up the next day with a newly packed lunch. The lunch from yesterday still sitting on the table.
Anytime you expressed concerns he simply brushed it off.
“I’m doing alright doll. don’t worry about me m’kay?”
You can feel it in the way he arrives in the night. A kiss to your head as you lay half asleep upon hearing the bedroom door creak open. Leaving the next morning, no words said, another kiss on your head.
You don’t see him. Not like you used to. He’s more reserved, cut back on the attention you’re used to receiving. You chop it up to him being stressed, he’s working on a big project that needs a bit more attention than you. But could you blame yourself for wanting just a smige of attention from your boyfriend?
You stay lost in your thoughts, only coming back to reality when you hear the low sound of his office door opening, shuffling down the hall, and back into his office a few minutes later.
The water, now room temperature, not comfortable in the slightest to remain sitting in. It doesn’t take long to exit the tub. Shivering from the mix of the cold water and the air hitting your skin.
The robe hanging on the door supplies a bit of relief from the cold upon putting it on, staring at yourself in the mirror as you grab a brush from the drawer, brushing out your wet hair.
Another twenty minutes pass quickly, hesitating over the idea of going into his office yet again. Although, your desperation to spend time with your boyfriend overpowers those thoughts.
The walk dragged on, ready to face the man who has yet to not neglect you for the past few months.
The first thing you notice walking in is the mug filled with coffee. Steaming coffee at that. So that’s what he left his office for. He hadn’t even planned on following you to the bath. Slightly embarrassed at yourself for the slight pang in your chest a simple coffee had caused.
“Hongjoong.”
Voice slightly shaky, letting go with a sigh, exhaustion has seeped into your bones, wanting nothing more than to curl up with him.
“Hmm?” He glances up from his laptops
“I thought you were in the bath?” He notices the bathrobe laying on your skin, your arms wrapped almost protectively around your waist.
“I waited for you.” You tried to sound strong, stern, you don’t know how well it’s working.
“I told you I’d be there in a minute. Need to get this turned in by the deadline.” He turns around, beginning to type away.
“That was an hour ago, I sat in a cold bath for an hour.”
“You could’ve gotten out? Re-ran the water?”
Is he serious…? Does he hear himself…?
“Can’t you come to bed now at least?”
Teetering on your feet, up and down waiting, impatiently at that.
“I will be shortly. I really need to finish this doll.”
The room stays silent for a few seconds.
“You said that….” You’re cut off not too long after.
“I know what I said. I’m sorry but this is more important right now. I really need to get this submitted.”
He doesn’t look at you, continues to stare at his computer screen, his fingers now pinching the bridge of his nose with his eyes screwed shut.
“Hongjoong, I haven’t seen you all week. It’s already nearing 1am. I can see you’re exhausted.”
Silence.
“C’mon, sleep for a few hours and then you can go back? I’m sure it can wait just a few hours.” Eyes droop with sadness. You’ve already had a rough day. He isn’t helping it.
“Y/n.”
“I shouldn’t have to beg you to go to bed Hongjoong.” He finally turns to face you, his face a mix of slight annoyance and contemplation.
“Go to bed, y/n. I’ll be there soon. Promise.”
He leaves no room for discussion. That doesn’t mean you won’t push.
“I haven’t seen you for a week. You’re always cooped up in here or at the office.” You start…seeing him sigh, knowing this isn’t going to be easily won.
He starts to say something but he is cut off before he can begin.
“I’m speaking. You’ve been distant for months. I understand you’re busy with this new project, but you’re running yourself dry. You aren’t taking care of yourself, you don’t eat, you don’t sleep. You’ve started to neglect the house. You can’t even spare a night to be with your partner.”
Frustration begins to take over your thoughts. Your words coming off blunt and angry.
“You know I can’t just up and walk away from my work.”
If you thought you were being blunt. He was 10 times worse.
He sighs before continuing, “I’ll be in bed soon. I promise. We can have tomorrow morning until I need to be at the office at 5.”
Your eyebrows furrow. “Promise? Is it another one that you’ll break? You say this every other day and it’s the same revolving door.”
Silence, again.
A deep breath heard across the room. The more the silence continues, the smaller you start to feel.
“Honey please. I’m not in the mood for this conversation right now.”
You feel the knot in your stomach start the crumble.
“No Hongjoong. Don’t honey me. We’re having this conversation now.” You go to sit on the couch next to his desk, leaning over with your elbows on your knees.
“All I ask for is a smig of attention, hell twenty minutes is fine!” A deep breath later you continue.
“I really don’t think I’m asking too much? For my boyfriend to show some sort of care and respect for me and my feelings?”
He’s quick to reply.
“Don’t say I don’t care about you. You know I’ve been busy. You’ve known since day one I wouldn’t be able give you the attention you want 24/7.”
“I have an actual job. I’m not an intern who doesn’t have any real responsibilities to tend to.” He shakes his head.
“An actual job? I’ve been working my ass off to finish this degree, and you’re complaining about me not having an “actual job”? I may be an intern but that doesn’t mean I’m not getting paid?”
At this point, the hurt you feel has become almost unbearable. How dare he say such a thing? While sounding so calm, while you’re on the edge of having a mental breakdown in front of the man.
Are you truly asking for too much? You don’t think so.
“I’m not asking you to drop the whole world for me, but I am asking for you to spare twenty fucking minutes with me.” Your body becomes tense. You truly thought this would be a smooth conversation, an apology followed along with him following you to bed.
“You could’ve just sit on the couch while I worked.”
You stare at him baffled. “I don’t think you’re hearing yourself right now.” you scoff. “That’s somehow worse than laying in bed alone every fucking night.”
“Why do I have to beg you to hang out with me? You clearly don’t have any respect for my feelings if you don’t see something wrong with how you’re acting.”
He turns to look at you now, staring in your eyes, a blank stare on his face.
“Oh my god, Y/n. Can you stop being so childish for once?” Irritation riddling his voice.
You go quiet for sometime, processing his words. You blink thinking through what he just said. He knows you are childish, and he always reassured he doesn’t mind. He knows you crave attention and have always struggled with finding someone who wouldn’t use your “immaturity” as a weapon against you.
“You knew getting into this relationship I couldn’t give you what you need every second of every fucking day.” He quick to mumble under his breath.
“I knew being with someone so young wouldn’t end well.” He rolls his eyes, thinks he’s been quiet, not loud enough for you to hear. But with the silence in the room prior, no tapping of his fingers on the keyboard, the rain outside now settling to a faint sprinkle. You heard the words crystal clear.
“Then why did you even get with me?!” You’re voice cracks the smallest bit, trying your hardest to not breakdown in front of him. “Why get with me if you knew i’d be such an inconvenience to you! Why string me this far to start treating me like shit when things get hard? Was anything you’ve ever said to me true?”
“Because I want to be with you. But it’s getting too much. Jumbling both your needs and work needs is getting out of hand. I’m trying my best. I really am. And you’re not seeing that. I’m so sorry i’m not living up to your expectations as the rich man who will do anything for you, drop whatever he’s doing for you, provide for you every second of every day.”
That was the end of your strength. It all begins to crumble. A tear sliding down your cheek. Your hand coming to wipe away the following tears.
“If you want to be with me, you shouldn’t be treating me like this?! I knew what I was getting into! You knew what you were getting into with me! But a random fucking switch up almost a year in and now you think i’m disposable when you get stressed?”
He starts to argue back, but you don’t let him.
“I have sacrificed so much for you and you can’t give me a damn ounce of your time! I truly don’t think I’m asking a lot here?” Your voice begins to raise, only causing more tears to flow.
“I didn’t ask you to sacrifice anything. That was all your doing.” He shakes his head, standing up from his desk, he begins pacing back and forth in front of you, still sitting on the couch.
“Fuck, stop crying y/n. You’re making me feel bad for something I can’t control.”
“Good! You should feel bad! You’re causing this! Not me! I didn’t know trying to care and ensure my boyfriend isn’t wearing himself down to the bone!”
“I didn’t ask you to care for me like this! I don’t need your help! I have everything situated and handled! If I really needed a break don’t you think I would’ve taken one already?” He’s practically yelling at this point.
You don’t like to be yelled at. Nobody does, but you really don’t like being yelled at.
“What fucking ever Hongjoong! I’m tired of being the only one putting any effort into this relationship! Don’t say you care when you make promise after promise and the only thing you do is break them!”
He’s really done it now. Waterworks, full blow breakdown in the midst. You’re unraveling yourself in front of him. Not knowing how to make yourself stop and appear strong.
“You don’t care at all! You only care about yourself and your work! You don’t care about my feelings, you don’t care that you’re continuing to hurt me. I don’t want to be with someone who won’t even try to understand where I’m coming from!”
It just won’t stop, he won’t stop digging the knife deeper. It feels as if there’s no way to come back.
“Fuck y/n. Just go to bed and we’ll talk to tomorrow.”
You stare at him for a few minutes. Eyes showing nothing but pain and something he can’t quite put a name too.
“I’m going home.” You say after some time.
He whips his head towards you.
“You are home.” He furrows his brows.
“I’m going back to my home. My apartment is more welcoming than here.” The tears continue to fall, the palm of your hands rubbing into your puffy eyes.
“I thought I told you to drop the lease? You’re staying with me? You don’t need to pay for your own place when you’ve been here for nearly half a year.”
He truly doesn’t get it, and at this point you don’t think he ever will.
“I still wanted something of my own. To show how hard I’ve been working. Clearly it’s come in handy now.” A deep breath follows.
“If you paid attention to anything I’ve ever said, you’d know that.” Your tear stained cheeks and wobbling lip make his heart beat. It’s gone too far.
“Look, I’m sorry. I’ll do better and pay attention to you more.” He stares into your eyes, a hinge of remorse in his eyes, but his words feel so empty.
“Hongjoong I don’t want to be here anymore. I can’t continue to do this to myself. It’s not just about you paying attention to me. You are hurting yourself as well. You’re not taking care of yourself and I can’t sit here and watch as you’re health declines just because you can’t face the truth.” Your breathing becomes jagged.
You can’t believe you’re doing this. Truly thought he was the one. You should’ve known the mix of the age difference, the career paths, your neediness and his workaholic tendencies would be the demise of your relationship.
“You know I love you more than anything but I keep being hurt over and over and you can’t comprehend how its affecting me and that’s what hurts the most.”
“Excuse me? What are you trying to say?” He looks at you, concern now etched into his face.
“We need a break Hongjoong.”
Your heart completely crumbles, the tears back in full force, choked sobs as you try to console yourself in front of the man who just stares at you.
You want him to fight. You want him to stay and hold onto you. You want him to beg for forgiveness and promise to be better. To promise and mean it. You know it won’t happen.
“You don’t mean that.” Jaw tense, fists clenched. You can see his resolve crumbling slowly. His heart starting to ache, finally realizing the pain he’s caused from his own negligence. Pushing you away until you’ve broken. You wore yourself down worrying about him. About his problems and his lack of interest.
You nod, no longer making eye contact. A deep breath falling from him.
“Honey, you don’t mean that. You’re worked up and all in your feelings. Please let’s talk about this tomorrow. We can go to bed, I promise to make it better. I promise to change, i’ll work on it. Really.
“Enough with the promises! I can’t stay here. I can’t be near you. You only hurt me. You’ve caused so much pain over the past few months and you didn’t see how it was completely destroying me. You can’t pretend everything will be okay if I stay over and we talk in the morning. You know we’ll be right back where it started, and it’ll just continue to hurt me again.”
Trying to stay cool, calm, collected. The tears slowly come to a halt. No more tears to cry, you’ve exhausted all your options with him. You know it won’t work out.
“I can’t continue to do this. Not anymore.”
More tears flood your eyes, tears you didn’t know you still had left. Your eyes burned from the constant rubbing.
Silence. Nothing else leaves his mouth. Finally looking up towards him. He’s towering over you even from a distance.
It’s scary how much you care. How much you want it to work. How much you want him to change. You know it will never work like that. You know he wouldn’t give up everything he’s ever worked for, for some 27 year old. The age gap is too much. The similarities crumbling.
“I’m going to grab some stuff and go.” You stand, brushing past him as you walk towards the door leading to the hallway. He attempts to grab your wrist, you pull it away the moment you feel the brush of his finger tips.
“Y/n.”
“Don’t.” You don’t look back.
Grabbing a tote bag from the closet, stuffing a few things in it. A pajama set you just bought, some toiletries, skincare. You grab your favorite blanket and slippers. He stands at the doorway watching you move.
“Don’t go. Don’t just walk out because we had an argument. We can fix this.” He grabs your wrist as you try to leave the bedroom.
You wince at the grasp he has on your wrist. You know he’s only trying to not let you go, but you don’t want that.
“Let go…it hurts.” You look up at him with teary eyes. There he goes, hurting you once again. Even unknowingly. He immediately removes his hand from your wrist.
“I-I’m sorry…” He just stares at you looking back at him. A few tears fall down your face. He goes to wipe them, or at least attempts to.
You swat his hand away from your face. “Stop it. Just stop.” Your purse sitting on the table. Coat still hanging onto the edge of the couch. You slightly trip over your own feet trying to get out as fast as possible.
The door stares at you like the final ending of a book. You stop in front of it. You can’t count the amount of deep breaths that left you today on your fingers.
“Y/n…”
You don’t answer, don’t turn around. You twist the doorknob, letting the door fall open, the rain came back as a steady stream, just like you tonight.
You’re out the door within seconds. Shutting it behind you. You can’t even work up the courage to look at him one final time.
The car stays unrunning in the driveway for ten minutes. Hands gripped on the steering wheel with your head down against it. The tears don’t stop. You let your self sob. Completely and utterly broken. Your body racks with breaths struggling to enter your body.
Only when you see the lights in his house turn off, do you leave.
.✦ ex-husband!wooyo x ex-wife!reader
݁.✦ porn w a little plot, they have a kid together and it's kyungmin lol, smut minors dni 18+, p in v unprotected, hella dirty talk, wooyo is dominant but kinda just a little shit, oral f!receiving, degradation, hella teasing, big ole breeding kink, n creampie, they call each other daddy/mommy, omfg i used the word jagi pls lmk if u fw jagi im nervous, they argue a little, they're deffo still in love lowk i could have made this a story but i had brainworms. uhhh lmk if i missed anything i don't feel like rereading it
.✦ wc ~9k | straight up copying @chimivx's layouts lately shoutout plum
.✦ wooyoung brainworms 🧘♀️
“When will Daddy be here?”
Suitcase packed, carry-on zipped, as soon as the words left your eight year old son’s mouth, the doorbell rang. A grin breaking out across his face, he cheered, jumping up from his spot on your bed to race down the steps.
“I’m coming– I’m coming– Daddy!”
You hear the front door rip open and the laugh rolling off your ex-husband’s lips, you could bet money on the fact that he just picked Kyungmin up in his arms and spun him around. Throwing your carry-on over your shoulder, your purse on the other, you rolled your suitcase out of your bedroom and into the hallway, stopping at the platform at the top of your stairs.
You should have bet the money. Hoodie on his upper half, baggy jeans on his lower and tucked into the boots on his feet, Wooyoung has Kyungmin tucked into his chest, one arm around his back, the other cradling the back of his head. He stops twirling, smile staying as he catches your eye at the top of the steps, taking a second before softly placing Kyungmin back on the floor.
“You’re late,” your voice comes out clipped, one hand still wrapped around the handle of your suitcase.
He runs a hand through his long, black hair, “There was traffic.”
“I have a flight to catch,” you bite back.
His head tilts, smile deepening to a smirk, “And who’s driving you to the airport?”
“An asshole,” you mumble under your breath, hiking your bags higher over your shoulders, free hand reaching for the railing to keep you balanced before you start for the stairs.
“Here,” he springs into action, taking it two stairs at a time, taking your luggage from your hand before you can get a word out. “I got it.”
“I had it,” you argue, looking down at him, he just smiles.
“I know very well how capable you are, wifey.”
You smack your teeth, huffing down the rest of the stairs, “How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that?”
“Come on,” he sings, “it’s funny. Wanna open the trunk for me, Kyungminnie?”
“Yes!” Your eight year old shouts, hauling ass out of your front door and sprinting down the lawn to your driveway. Looking at Wooyoung again, it dawns on you like it always does how much the two look alike, especially as your son gets older.
“You’re seriously not going?” You ask Wooyoung as you close your front door behind you, locking it with the silver key on your split ring.
He calls over his shoulder as he rolls your suitcase down your driveway, “Unless they call me in, no.”
A conference for your job, two states over. You and Wooyoung have always been employed in the same line of work, opposing companies, but essentially the same job. It’s how you met in the first place, fifteen years ago, when you were both fresh out of college and ready to enter the workforce. The conference was held annually, usually you and Wooyoung would travel together, before you divorced him.
You hum, storing the information. You whole-heartedly think he was asked to go already, especially since all of your coworkers have already told you the higher-ups in his company were attending, the higher-ups included his name on the list. He must not be going to spare you, and in a way, you’re grateful for it.
Opening the backseat of his SUV, you throw your carry-on inside, brow quirking at the sight of his bare backseat. “Where’s Kyungie’s booster seat?” You ask over the seats to Wooyoung who’s throwing your suitcase in the trunk.
“Let me press the button!” Kyungmin shouts, and Wooyoung gruffs a strangled noise as he picks your son up by his waist, lifting him high enough so he can press the button to close the trunk.
“He’s big as shit, he doesn’t need one anymore,” Wooyoung says casually after putting him back on the ground.
“Bullshit.” Kyungmin is tall as shit for his age. “He’s only eight!”
Wooyoung opens the door on the other side of the backseat, leaning over Kyungmin after he crawls inside to click his seatbelt into place. “Have you read up on it?”
Not recently.
“He can sit all the way back, bend his knees over the edge, the lap belt is across his hips, the shoulder belt is on his shoulder,” he eyes you from the other side of the car, hand on the car door. “He’s fine.”
“Why didn’t you tell me daddy lets you ride without a booster seat?” You ask Kyungmin, ignoring how Wooyoung clearly did his research.
Kyungmin smiles and it’s the exact fucking replica of Wooyoung’s sly grin, “You would be mad and then I can’t be big anymore.”
You sigh, tucking your carry-on in once more before closing the car door. Climbing into the passenger seat, your voice is laced with irritation, “There are some things you should discuss with me, y’know.”
“You research everything,” Wooyoung pushes the button beside the steering wheel and the engine roars to life, “my bad for assuming you’d research car safety, too.”
Cheeks hot, you cross your arms, settling into the comfortable seat of his SUV. He had you there.
It’s a thirty minute drive to the airport, spent listening to soft rock through the speakers, Kyungmin humming along in the backseat to songs you had no idea he knew. So much changes in a year, your son growing like a weed, building a different relationship with his father you weren’t there to supervise. You didn’t need to, you knew that, their time together was theirs, but it’s been a minute since the three of you were together for an extended period of time, outside of pick-ups and drop-offs.
Pulling up outside the airport, while Wooyoung unpacks your luggage and your carry-on, you’re halfway into the backseat saying your goodbyes to your son. Tears prickling your lashes, it’s always hard to leave him, even if the conference was only for the weekend.
You close the door and meet Wooyoung on the other side of the SUV, wiping the tears from your eyes, “Call me if anything happens.”
“Nothing’s gonna happen,” he takes the carry-on from his own shoulder and slips it onto yours with care. “Text me when you land, I’ll call you after he showers so you can say goodnight.”
“Thanks again for driving me,” you give him a tight-lipped smile, “I’m sorry, my dad was busy–”
Wooyoung cuts you off by shaking his head, his smile warm, “Go have a drink before your flight, sleep on the plane. Don’t apologize for something I was happy to do.”
“Okay,” you whisper, meeting his eye, “Thanks, Woo.”
“Have fun for me, wifey. Tell Mingi and Seonghwa I say hello.”
Rolling your eyes, you snort as you turn on your heel, “Tell them yourself!”
You always forget how big this conference is until you’re here again.
Mingi and Seonghwa on either side of you like pillars, you enter the foyer space, the hotel decked out in red and gold detailing, fancy. Men in suits, women in pantsuits, everyone looked about the same, in different fonts. All here for networking until the schedule begins, splitting off into the theater rooms for speakers, boardrooms for workshops, or sneaking off to the hotel bar to ease the chip of performance off their shoulders.
“Wooyoung’s really not coming?” Mingi asks, gray two-piece suit clinging to his body, buff and broad but slim.
Seonghwa, Mingi’s smaller, shorter half, adds, “I thought he was guest speaking this year.”
Your brows raise, news to you. Mingi shakes his head, blonde hair gelled back not moving an inch, “I heard he gave it to Choi San.”
“He wouldn’t do that,” you argue, approaching closer to the check-in table. “That would give San the upper hand, he wouldn’t let him have it even if it killed him.”
Greeting the red-haired woman at the table, you tell her the three of your names, and she hands you all lanyards with a tri-fold paper schedule. You thank her, and as you split off towards the theater room, Seonghwa continues, “What if he gave it to San because you’re here? Maybe he just wanted to have Kyungmin for the weekend.”
Black hair, short and cropped, faded along his temples, his deep onyx suit makes his skin appear even more golden than usual. He stands out, beautiful and chiseled, like he should be on a runway instead of in an office. You scoff, “He has Kyungie every other weekend, Hwa. This job is like his second baby, his first baby, he wouldn’t just let San have what’s rightfully his.”
Mingi chuckles, stealing your attention, shoulders shaking with each laugh. Rings on his fingers, tie dark and patterned with streaks of silver, Mingi adds his own style into strict, corporate fashion, you have to respect him for it. You can’t be bothered, half of your closet is from a department store.
“I seriously think he’s not here because you’re here,” Mingi shrugs, “just my opinion, though.”
“I’m here every year!” You argue, “We’re divorced, not archnemeses.”
Seonghwa shrugs, “I agree with Mingi.”
“He said hi to you guys, by the way,” you look between the two, taking three open seats at the edge of a row in the middle of the audience, “when he dropped me off at the airport.”
“Wow, he dropped you off,” Mingi feigns surprise, brows pushed up, “intimate.”
You smack your teeth, “Don’t be stupid.”
The crowd gets quiet, the projected screens on either side of the stage lighting up, you cross a leg over your knee and settle into your seat, waiting for the speaker to walk onstage. You should have called Wooyoung this morning, you think, you wonder what Kyungmin’s doing today, if he misses you.
Reaching into your purse with the intention of texting him, checking the pocket you always keep your phone in, you realize it isn't there. Furrowing your brows, panic in your blood, you pull your purse onto your lap, sorting through it, pushing past the old ziploc bags of snacks, lip balm, hand sanitizer, wipes, tissues, a small bottle of sunscreen. No phone. Eyes blowing wide, you whisper to Mingi, “I don’t have my phone. What if Wooyoung calls me?”
Seonghwa nudges your side, eyes on the stage, “I don’t think he’ll call.”
Looking at Seonghwa confused, you hear his voice blow through the room. Speaking into the mic, voice smooth and velvety yet strict and powerful, your jaw drops to the fucking floor. Wooyoung is onstage, long hair pinned back, in the dark gray business-casual outfit he used to keep in the back of your closet instead of a suit.
“Where the fuck is my kid if he’s here?” You’re rigid with terror, ass at the edge of your seat like you were ready to get up and walk onstage, fists squeezing the absolute shit out of the straps of your purse. “He’s supposed to be at home, with my kid.”
Mingi’s hand lands on your flexed bicep, “Kyung’s probably with Woo’s parents, right? He probably got called here last minute, breathe. He wouldn’t leave him stranded or home alone.”
The reminder etches a semblance of relief in your stone bones, but you don’t let yourself feel it. Why didn’t he tell you? You talked to him just last night before he put Kyungmin to bed, he spoke nothing of hopping on a flight and overnighting himself here.
You could kill him. You hear nothing of his speech, not a single word, too consumed by rage and confusion to even hear the topic. You sat with a rigid spine and bouncing knees for the entire hour, jaw clenched, fists tucked into your purse to hide how they didn’t uncurl once. The moment it was over you were up on your feet, barreling through the side of the theater room up to the side of the stage, face bent down in anger.
He sees you before you see him.
“Where the fuck is your phone?” He asks, pulling you by your arm behind one of the screens, standing facing one another, parallel to the back wall of the room.
“Why the fuck are you here?” You whisper-yell, “Where is my son?”
“Our son is with my parents,” he whisper-yells back, “which you would know if you picked up your goddamn phone, I’ve been calling you since last night.”
Your brows furrow, head shaking in utter confusion, “I-I I left it in the room, maybe it’s dead? I–”
“What, did you get laid as soon as I got off the phone last night?” He looks dead serious, “Too important to answer my call about getting put on a red-eye here in the middle of the night?”
You’re replaying the events of last night in your head, did you not plug in your phone after you ended the call? You ate your room service, watched a movie, you wish you would have gotten laid, but a hotel room means you’re free to be alone with your right hand, watching– Oh.
Your cheeks flush, “No, Wooyoung, it must have died, I didn’t even think this morning, I was rushing here after the alarm clock went off.”
“You didn’t think to call me?”
“No!” You shake your head, voice a little louder now, “I didn’t. I think you’re more than capable of taking care of our son without me breathing down your fucking neck, Wooyoung.”
He straightens, face calming, a brow popping in question. “Really?”
“Yes,” you heave a breath, running a hand through your hair, “Jesus Christ. Kyungie’s with your mom?”
Wooyoung nods, “I dropped him off around midnight, I told her we’ll pick him up when we get back, she wants us to stay for dinner. Parked my car at the airport, I got a seat on your flight back.”
Your top lip lifts, “She wants us to stay for dinner?”
“Definitely gonna convince you to take me back,” Wooyoung’s lips flatten in a line.
You fake a cough into your first, “I think I’m coming down with something.”
He rolls his eyes, “I already told her no, don’t worry. Do you want to call her from my phone?”
“No,” you shake your head, “he’s probably having the time of his life. I’ll leave them alone.”
“Are we all free from the shackles of your velcro- parenting?” He grins, eyebrows wiggling.
“Fuck off,” you grumble, “I’m going back to my seat. Nice presentation, by the way.”
“Thanks, wifey,” you can hear humor in his voice, the sly grin on his lips. You shoot him the middle finger behind your back before you’re in front of any eyes.
The rest of the conference is boring. Networking is the only fun part of it, but only when the person you’re talking to hates their job as much as you do. Other than that, it’s small talk of shareholding and statistics, each word off your lips makes you thirsty for liquor.
“Ah, Wooyoungie’s wifey.”
Eyes pointed, you turn your head to find the perpetrator who approaches your back, you were now seated at the bar to avoid this exact thing happening. Choi San, senior executive of his company, a ray of fucking sunshine if he isn’t talking about the direction of your company or trying to fully recruit you for your skills.
You force a smile on your cheeks, “Not Wooyoung’s wife anymore, you know this.”
“Is that why you’re drinking alone at the bar?” He raises his brows, coming up beside you, forgoing the bar stool to stand with his elbows planted on marble.
Your brows slant inward, more annoyed than anything, “Come on, San.”
He chuckles, head dipping low between his shoulders, his dimples visible even engulfed in shadow. He picks his head up, voice teasing, “Are we on a first-name basis now?”
“Mr. Choi,” you correct yourself, voice playful, a grin clawing onto your own cheeks. “Apologies, sir.”
“I like that better,” he eyes your drink, a margarita half watered-down, “now can I ask why you’re drinking alone at the bar?”
“Boredom,” you say through a breath, “nothing better to do than drink tequila. Maybe then I can convince myself I enjoy talking numbers when I’m not being paid to do it.”
His lips purse, smile evident even with the scrunch, “Usually you’re on top of this event.” Humming, he pulls the barstool under him, sitting facing you with his knees spread. “Not interested this year?”
“I miss my kid,” you sigh, cheek landing in your closed fist.
He frowns, “Most single mothers would be enjoying a weekend of freedom.”
“Then I guess I’m not most mothers,” you bring your drink to your lips, eyeing him with low lids over the rim. You can feel it radiating off him, the attraction, the want. You make a show of batting your lashes.
A rivalry he and Wooyoung have, ever since San started at the company, a constant petty, childish fight of who will come out on top. Who makes more money, who’s more successful, Wooyoung has used your marriage and your son for years in spiteful arguments, something Wooyoung has but San does not. You don’t know if he’ll ever marry or have kids, you don’t know if he has any interest in it at all.
“Are you flirting with me, Mrs. Jung?” San cracks a smirk, it makes a shiver run down your spine. You’re most certainly not, but maybe the tequila and utter boredom has pulled something frisky in your tone, especially sitting beside a man like him. You don’t answer, placing your glass back down on the bar carefully, and San’s smirk grows. “Dangerous, I can see why Wooyoungie tied you down.”
You pop a brow, “Yeah? Please, do tell.”
There’s no harm in not denying it. Or allowing him to continue, at the very least. You haven’t gotten laid in awhile, haven’t been flirted with, haven’t felt desired in too long. You don’t really care about attention from him, of all people, but it’s kind of nice, in a way– even if you know very well how off-limits Choi San is, and that you won’t let it go any farther.
San’s voice is hushed, eyes low, drinking up your figure like he’d been waiting for this day to come, “You’re intelligent, successful, you don’t let your kindness make you vulnerable.”
You can’t help the giddiness that begins to form, “So you’re the type that likes brains and not beauty?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know I’d fuck you brainless,” he chuckles a little, settling into the barstool, pulling his suit jacket tighter. “You’ve known that for a long, long time.”
And you’ve ignored it for even longer. It still makes your feet shift on the barstool, deepening the ache in your gut you didn’t have before he sat down, he’s never been so bold before. Over the years, in your marriage, you always blamed his flirty tone, wandering eyes on his and Wooyoung’s rivalry. Which is probably exactly what this is, something to hold over Woo’s head, or at least he’d plan to if you went through with it. Which you won’t, but it’s fun to hear what could be if the circumstances were different.
“I have,” you nod, picking up your glass again, “is that what you want, Mr. Choi?”
“I’d make you forget Wooyoung exists,” he leans in, voice low, eyes piercing, “I’d fuck you better than he ever did.”
You hum, swirling the watered-down drink in your glass, “Good to know.”
His lips pursed, eyes dancing with thought before he says, “We’re staying in the same hotel, meet me at the bar tonight if you want it, too.”
You give him nothing but a short, small nod before bringing your drink up to your lips again. You watch him as he walks away, his tailored suit painted onto his ass, his thighs, he exuded money. Poise. He’s never gone as far as this, never been so blunt, never fed you a real option. But you suppose he never could, you’ve been married every time he’s talked to you, up until now.
You laugh a little to yourself before throwing the rest of your drink back.
Exhausted was an understatement for how you felt after the first day of the conference. Tomorrow would be filled with more guest speakers, more workshops, your body dragged as you hitched a ride with Mingi back to the hotel. Your phone was right where you left it, plugged into the charger, but your charger wasn’t plugged into the fucking wall.
Undressing yourself, you called Wooyoung’s mom upon your screen lighting up again, having a quick chat with her before she put Kyungmin on the phone. After he ditched you for ice cream, Wooyoung’s mom was back on the phone, asking you how the conference is, then diving into how crazy it is that they put Wooyoung on a red-eye, how important and successful he is, how you’re so lucky to have him.
“I know mom, thanks, I know,” you mumble between every sentence, face twitching in annoyance, your back pressed to the perfectly made bed, body sprawled out with exhaustion. It’s like she doesn’t even care that you aren’t together anymore.
“You two are coming to dinner on Sunday, yes?” She asks, and you kick your feet out, face scrunching together in a silent whine. “I already bought food at the grocery store today.”
After a silent, agonizing sigh, you answer, “Yup, we’ll be there.”
How could you say no after Woo dropped your son off in the middle of the night?
Her voice raises ten octaves in excitement, “Oh, thank god, we miss you, sweetie. I’m so excited to see you!”
“Can’t wait to see you, too,” your lips fold into a tight, flat smile. “Tell Kyung I said goodnight.”
“I will, we’ll call you in the morning,” you can hear her nod, her voice shaky from sheer joy, “sleep well, sweetheart.”
“You too,” you hang up the phone, then groan, long and low, a sigh following it. Fuck. The most pure-hearted woman, you think you broke her heart worse than Wooyoung’s when you divorced him. Fuck. You can’t believe you agreed to dinner. It’s the least you could do.
You need a fucking drink. The hotel room only has airplane bottles of wine, all white, nothing red, even in the overpriced fridge selection. Sighing, you drag yourself into the bathroom, taking a quick shower before throwing on comfortable clothes and heading to the elevators at the end of the hall.
The bar was empty save for one, probably the only person on the entire earth who you didn’t care if they saw you with wet hair and baggy sweats on. “I just got off the phone with your mom,” you say, pulling out the barstool beside him.
He picks his head up, still dressed in business-casual, “Yeah? I called her when I left the conference, Kyungmin’s having fun.”
“I told her we’d stay for dinner on Sunday,” you reluctantly admit, flagging down the bartender.
“Put it on my tab,” Wooyoung adds after you gave him your drink order, making you scowl.
“I can pay for my own drinks,” you mutter.
Wooyoung smiles, “Consider it my pre-paid thanks for dinner on Sunday, wifey. It'll make her whole year.”
“I’m only coming because she’s watching Kyungie,” you shoot daggers at him, ignoring the nickname, “even exchange. No need for you to pay my tab.”
Wooyoung groans, leaning back in the chair, “Can you go one day without arguing with me?”
Shaking your head, you simply respond, “No, that’s why I divorced you.”
Wooyoung stares at you for a second before snorting, “Ouch.”
“Thanks,” you mumble, both to Wooyoung and the bartender as he places your drink on top of a cocktail napkin. “You didn’t even go up yet? You’re still dressed.”
“Needed to think,” he shrugs, fingers playing with the label on his beer bottle. “They want me to speak again tomorrow, someone didn’t show.”
“Oh, shit,” your face scrunches up as you take a sip, “you gotta make up a new presentation tonight?”
He nods, lips bent, staring at his beer bottle. You lean onto the bar, “Why don’t you let San present?”
He looks up at you, eyes pointed, “Fuck no.”
“Why not?” You make a face like that was the only clear, viable option. “He has one ready to go, does he not?”
“I was asked to present,” his voice grows harsher, “me. Not him.”
“I know, but–”
“You know what, let me ask you something.” He sits up straighter in his stool, eyebrows bent above a look so sharp it could kill. “Are you sleeping with him? Is that why you didn’t answer me last night?”
You blink at him, thrice, “What–?”
“I saw you at the bar today,” he continues, voice utterly venomous, “then he said something to me, insinuating that you fuck. Or fucked. Or are fucking.”
“Do you think that low of me?” Your laugh is out of sheer disbelief. “That I’d fuck him, of all people? He flirts with me, and I don’t exactly stop him, but–”
His laugh mirrors yours, “Exactly. That’s exactly why he said that shit to me.”
“Why should I stop him?” You argue back, “It’s nice to hear that someone fucking wants me, my life is nothing but work and Kyungmin. Even when we were still married my life was nothing but work and Kyungmin, you had no interest in–”
“Don’t finish that sentence,” his voice is steady but bruising, “I’m not starting this argument with you again.”
“What, did you forget why I divorced you or something?” Your hands fly, eyes wide and piercing, “That I was sick of being married to a fucking machine?”
Wooyoung turns to face the bar again, shaking his head, “You’re unbelievable.”
“I’m unbelievable,” your laugh has no warmth in it, “you just started being a father and I’m unbelievable.”
“I just started being a father?” He turns his head again, eyes wider than yours now, baffled. “Did you hit your fucking head or something?”
“We split up over a year ago,” your voice is nothing short of theatrical, “drop the fake-surprise, Wooyoung. It’s nothing you haven’t heard before.”
“And it’s all the same bullshit you’ve been spewing for years,” he takes a long sip of his beer, “maybe you should fuck San, he might be a better fit for you, you’re both liars.”
Slowly nodding, you sink into your seat, voice taunting, “He did say he’d make me forget you ever existed. That he’d fuck me better than you ever did. Should I find out? He’s coming down here tonight to get me, to bring me back up to his room…”
Wooyoung’s grip tightens around his beer bottle, eyes laser-focused onto the bar like the swirls in marble was the most interesting thing he’s ever seen. You grin.
“…He seems big, real strong, too. Bet he’d throw me around the room, maybe even get me pregnant again. Kyungmin would like a sibling, don’t you think?”
“What are you doing?” He finally looks at you again, voice ragged, angry and blunt.
You shrug, “Since you think me and Sannie would be so great together, I’m exploring options.”
As if it were a movie, something straight out of fucking Netflix, Choi San walks through the deep oak double-doors, still in his tailored suit, a cocky smirk spreading when he sees you. It widens, dimples showing when he spots Wooyoung beside you.
Wooyoung lets out a nasty chuckle, “You’re not kidding.”
“Why would I joke about it?” You lift a brow, “I told you, it was nice to feel wanted.”
“You wanna give Kyungmin a sibling?” He’s looking at you again, and his mismatched eyes are asking more than one question. Heat curls low, it’s been a long, long time since he’s looked at you that way, since he’s said anything more than a passive joke.
You swallow, words caught in your throat.
“Answer me, jagi,” he leans in closer, voice still laced with anger, but it’s morphed into something deeper, rooted in jealousy, in possession. He hasn’t called you that since before you brought up separating, it makes your lips part, eyebrows folding in just enough to crease at the center. “If you’re gonna give him a sibling, it’ll be with his father.”
Licking your lips, seeing nothing but truth and determination in his eyes, you find yourself nodding, whispering a short, “Okay.”
“Charge it to my room, 1117,” he tells the bartender, slamming a bill on the marble before grabbing you by the wrist, dragging you right past San without as much as a glance. You don’t even look at him, you don’t need to, clearly you’ve lost your fucking mind following Wooyoung to the elevators.
The moment the doors open he’s pushing you inside roughly, caging you in against the wall, forehead pressed to yours. “You wanna get fucked?”
You arch into him, whispering, “Yeah.”
“You want me to fuck you full? Get you pregnant again?”
“Fuck,” you whimper, fingers finding his jacket, “yes.”
You tug him closer by his jacket, tilting your head up to find his lips with your own. Your head is fuzzy, body charged with electricity from your argument, being in a goddamn elevator with him pressed to you, your leg lifts to clamp over his back, tugging him impossibly closer.
Nostalgic isn’t the word, it’s like muscle memory, how your lips messily tangle, tongues slotting into each other’s mouths how you’ve always done, two people who know each other better than anyone else. He groans, hips rutting into yours, making you moan into his mouth, hands flying up to his hair, tugging at his roots.
“You don’t want San,” he mutters into your mouth, breath heavy, voice rough. “You want me.”
“Shut up,” you mumble back, chasing his lips, he doesn’t let you have them.
“Say it,” he urges, fingers digging into your sides, pushing you harder against the wall. “Say you want me.”
“I want to be fucked,” your voice is clipped, annoyed, “do it, before I go back to the bar.”
His chuckle isn’t amused nor entertained, it’s harsh and unforgiving and makes a chill down up your fucking spine. The elevator dings and he pulls away from you, turning around, leaving the elevator as if he’s completely unaffected. You follow after him, on his heel as he makes for his room, he doesn’t say anything as he places his card up against the sensor, pushing the door open when it rings green.
“Oh, you’re coming in?” He asks, face unreadable.
You pause with one foot through the doorway, “Does it look like I’m coming in?”
He lets go of the door as you walk inside his room, light walls, bare, it mirrors yours. He takes off his jacket, hanging it in the closet, “Thought you were gonna go get fucked by San, you want him to throw you around, don’t you?”
You whine, “Wooyoung.”
He pulls his shirt over his head, exposing his bronzy skin, his sculpted abdomen, his hipbones that poke out from above his waistband. You’re salivating taking in the sight of him, it’s been so long since you’ve seen him, touched him.
He starts unbuttoning his slacks, staring at you like he’s bored, “You want me or him?”
You don’t know why you’re putting up a fight. You agreed to this already, your lips still feel swollen, your fingertips are buzzing with need– but admission is letting him win, and you can’t let him win.
“I want,” you mumble as he pulls his zipper down, purposely flexing his body, staring at you through lowered brows. Your breath grows shallow, licking your lips as he pushes them down his thighs, “I want–”
“What?” He tilts his head, voice taunting as he kicks them off his feet, taking a step toward you. His length is prominent through his briefs, a wet spot clear on onyx nylon, “Tell me, jagi.”
“I want,” your fingertips tug at the hem of the zip-up on your upper half, eyes locked into how his veiny hand curls over his length, voice small from how deep into the daze you’ve sank already, “you.”
Approaching you, his height engulfing you, making you feel small, your head tilts upward to see him. His smirk grows, two fingers landing on your zipper, “You want who?”
He slides it down before you answer, jacket falling off your shoulders, revealing the black, lacy bralette you wore underneath. It’s comfortable, and you wore it for that sole reason, despite how it looks, but his jaw ticks when he sees it, chocolate eyes going deep, melted, burnt.
You watch as his fingers find the center, tugging on the elastic band, letting it snap back against your skin. You gasp, a small sound, looking back up at him with glassy eyes, “Stop toying with me and do something.”
“I’m not touching you until you do as I say.” Fingers sinking into the waistband of your sweats, he bends to tug them down your hips, leaving you nearly bare, slowly standing up straight again, his nose so close to your skin he nearly touches you. “Tell me who you want to fuck you.”
“You, you fucking prick,” your back arches as he reaches his full height again, “I want you to fuck me.”
An amused smirk spreads across his cheeks before he feigns a pout, “That was mean, mommy.” Taking his hands to your shoulders, his fingertips trail down your sides, dancing against your skin, his touch, that word, his tone making you shiver. “Be nice to me and I’ll be nice to you.”
“Why are you teasing me?” You huff, each touch feeling like zaps of electricity, it’s clear he wants to take his time, wants to get you worked up. You want him to fuck you, to ruin you, to put a baby in you, you don’t want him nice. “Fuck me already, Wooyoung.”
“We have time,” his hand hinds your hair, scratching into your scalp before running his fingers through it, cupping your cheek afterward. “No kid, no interruptions, just us. When’s the last time we had that?”
“Way before we split up,” you melt into his palm, soft against your skin, comforting. Home. Your voice comes out airy, almost a whisper, “Fuck, we shouldn’t be doing this.”
Guilt– already sneaking up your spine, he catches it before it has the chance to spread. “Why not?” His hand that was on your cheek slides down to your jaw, smiling down at you viciously before his grip tightens, “You want a baby, don’t you? Wanted to get fucked so badly you planned to fuck my coworker.”
You whimper as he moves you backward, eyes wide, skin sizzling. He pushes you down onto the bed with nothing but his palm on your face, “You wanted this, and you know there’s no one else who fucks you like I do. Say it.”
“No one else,” you whisper, back already arching as he crawls on top of you, “just you, Woo, no one else fucks me like you do.”
He sucks in a breath, almost a hiss, brows furrowing as his fingers hook into your panties, knees pressed to the mattress on either side of your legs. “You want my mouth? Or my cock? When’s the last time this pussy was stretched out, huh?”
“Mouth,” you lift your hips easy for him as he tugs your black panties down your thighs, “long time.”
“Long time?” He smirks, back to taunting, “Was the last person me?”
“Fuck you,” you grumble out, “do something.”
He sits up straighter and you can feel the cool air of the room on your already-wet core, knees pinning together. “Hiding from me now?” His voice makes you want to rip your fucking hair out. “When I’m the only person who can make this pussy cum? Be nice to me, mommy.”
“Stop calling me that,” your fingers tighten in the comforter below you, “it’s fucked up.”
“I used to call you that all the time,” his brows furrow, “you remember what you used to call me?”
You shake your head, whining, “Stop playing games, Wooyoung.”
“Just give in,” he smacks the side of your thigh, “I’m here, right in front of you, waiting for you to hump my nose like a bitch in heat like you always fuckin’ do. Just say the words, jagi.”
His words, the sting makes you moan, thighs tightening just to get some friction. Resistance is a band pulled taut, you finally feel something vital in you crack, the band snapping, your lips move before you can think about the defeated words leaving them. “Yes, the last person was you, daddy. Need your mouth, your cock, need you to do something– fuck me, please.”
His smile is feline, “There she is.”
Two hands on your knees spread you wide, he dives down to press his tongue flat to your core, eyes flying back into his head when he tastes you. You moan at the same time, your fingers flying down to tangle in his slick roots as he starts lapping at your folds, drinking up every drop you’ve accumulated.
“So sweet,” he moans into you, “missed this pussy.”
Your breath is leaving you in short, shallow puffs, but a cocky, hazy smirk forms on your lips despite the pleasure, “Who’s pussy?”
“Mommy’s,” he says with a smile, eyeing you from between your legs, so shameless it makes you giggle, cut off by a sharp, strangled moan when his nose runs over your clit. “Forget I know you? Like the back of my hand?”
“Been a long time,” you lift yourself up on one elbow, your other hand in his hair, feet hooked over his back as you grind your hips up against his mouth, his nose. “Fuck, feels good.”
His eyes flutter closed, letting your hips grind against him, tongue pushed out pointed, catching on your entrance with each grind of your hips. Your clit ghosts his nose and you gasp, you’re sensitive, you haven’t gotten head in years, you think. “Sh– it,” you stutter, “so good, Woo, ohmygod.”
He groans into you, arms wrapping around your thighs, fingers digging into your hips. Keeping you in rhythm, not letting you falter, he fucks your hips onto his face with perfect pace, each movement strategic, practiced like he did this regularly. It has you weak, toes curling, head dipping back, hips moving recklessly, quicker with each drag over his hot, wet mouth.
He’s loving it, face knitted up in bliss, his hips rutting into the mattress like he needed the relief. The noises you make are loud, lewd, a hymn of pleasure only he could give you, in harmony with the squelching sounds of his mouth against your core, so dirty and nasty it edges you further, brings the pit in your stomach forward like his mouth was a toy.
“Close,” you gasp and his fingers tighten on your hips, head nodding faster, in tune with your rocking hips. Your breath catches as his nose flicks over your clit, the same pace, same pressure, same rhythm, you stutter babbles as the pressure in your gut builds, sounds growing in pitch, muddling closer together, “Fuck, daddy, I’m g’na fucking cum.”
He moans into you like he knew the vibration of his voice would push you over the edge and it fucking does, the sound that leaves you is strained, loud, vulnerably shrill. Joints locking up, face scrunching, head tucked into your chest, you spasm beneath his hold and he rocks you through it, keeping you steady, his rhythm never once faltering as your pleasure hits his peak, rushing through you like a tidal wave, the strongest orgasm you’ve had in a long time.
He slows down with your shaking limbs that lose their speed, breath finally returning to you, heavy and desperate and relieving all at once. “Holy shit,” you breathe through the words, fingers loosening in his hair, tucking your arm beneath you, leaning on both elbows to look down at him. “Intense.”
His smirk returns tenfold, “Of course it was, I made you cum.”
You flatten out on the bed, a soft giggle escaping you as you roll your eyes, “Cocky.”
He presses one more soft kiss to your clit that makes you gasp, body jerking, “For good reason, did you hear yourself?”
You smack your lips, voice amused, “I have half a mind to leave now, asshole. Thanks for the big O, baby daddy, I’ll go back to my room now.”
He crawls on top of you, pulling your thighs down, flush to his own, leaning down so your foreheads are mere centimeters apart, “Baby daddy? Ex-husband is a better title than baby daddy.”
You tilt your chin up, smiling, “How about sperm donor?”
He presses his lips to yours, rough, soul-sucking, you arch into him, hips bucking up to gain friction again. He smiles into your lips, “So mean for someone who just came on her ex-husband’s face like a dirty fuckin’ slut.”
Something small, pitched and shaky leaves you from the tip of your throat, you throw your arms around his shoulders, pressing your lips to his again like you needed him. Tucking him into you, his hips dig against yours, his bare chest pressed flat, elbows landing on either side of your head. You kiss for a while, sloppy and messy and nostalgic, swapping spit like it was candy, tongues gliding into each other’s mouths like you were making up for lost time.
His hand slips between your bodies, two fingers adding pressure onto your clit, he groans at the wetness, the heat that bleeds into him. “So wet, she missed me, huh?”
“S-shit, inside,” you gasp, grinding your hips against his fingers, “please.”
He presses his lips to yours, kissing you once, twice before pulling away, keeping your chins touching, both of your lips parted and touching as he slips two fingers inside, moaning into each other’s mouths.
He curls them immediately, making you cry out, hands finding his hair again, fingertips clawing into his scalp. He hisses, “So tight, fuck, how am I gonna fit, huh?”
“You’ll– shi– ah, y-you’ll fit,” sensitivity looms, body twitching underneath him, clenching around his fingers that sink so deliciously deep. You kiss him again, grinding against his fingers that scissor you open, “You’ll make it fit.”
He smiles against you, fingers making quick work of your leaking core, “Missed this pussy, can’t believe you haven’t given it up to anyone else.”
“No time,” you whisper and he crooks his fingers angrily, making you squeal out a cry, “fuck!”
“Try again,” he slows, bottom lip ghosting yours, “get it right this time, or I’ll stop.”
“It’s yours,” you whimper, “I’m yours, fuck, I’m yours.”
He’s chuckling as he kisses you again, smiling into your mouth as his fingers massage the front of your walls, calculated and angled, like he was trained to make only your body sing. He stops only to tug his briefs down his legs and the chill that engulfs you is conscious, it reminds you who’s on top of you, who’s pulling these noises from the deepest part of your gut.
Tattoos on display, minus the one at the tip of his spine, skin littered with droplets of mocha, spots you’ve kissed enough times to be burned into your memory. Body lean, strong, angular and unforgiving, all you can do is stare at his beauty, let it calm you, excite you, resurrect you from the loneliness you’ve endured.
His cock springs up between his hipbones, leaking, red, it begged for you even if Wooyoung didn’t, you wonder if this is how he’s felt this whole time. “Missed you,” it slips out of your mouth, two involuntary words pulled straight from the back of your mind, an area gone untouched for over a year.
“Yeah?” He crawls back on top of you, “Missed me or fucking me?”
“Both,” your hands come up to cradle his cheeks, hooking your ankles over his back, “come over more.”
He laughs as he rests a hand on the back of your thigh, unhooking your legs as he pushes it backward, lining himself up with your entrance, “You haven’t invited me over since I moved out.”
“It’s not like you’ve asked to come over either.”
You gasp as he starts pushing inside, hands falling, back arching as he sinks into you inch by inch. His cock is heavy, the stretch is tight, it renders you silent, face scrunched up, a streak of searing heat with each new inch.
“Take it,” he sounds rough himself, voice edged with restraint. “Open up, jagi. This pussy’s mine, it wants me, it’s made f’me.”
Your fingers find his forearm, other hand clawing into the sheets as a broken cry leaves your lips, “Fuck.”
When he sheathes himself fully he leans down, planting a kiss to your slacked jaw, a soft press of his lips that makes you twitch, breath shaky. He plans another one on your lips, voice low, “I haven’t asked to come over because I know you don’t want me there.”
“I want you there.”
“You divorced me.”
“Then let’s get married again,” your whine is loud, core clenching, grinding your hips against his cock.
He laughs again before pulling out, a slow drag of his veiny cock against your walls, mushroom tip dragging against the spot against your inner walls, “You’re cockdrunk.”
He slams in all the way and your body locks up so hard you can’t breathe, his smile is condescending, pushing himself up until his back is straight, grip iron on your calf as he holds it over your chest. His abdomen flexes with each roll of his hips, fucking into you so deep you can feel it in your throat, you hold his gaze, eyes watering, brows furrowed, lips pried open.
“Look at you,” he cooes, “like the day I fuckin’ met you, so hungry for it. So desperate for my cock you wanna marry me again.”
“Shut up,” you whisper, bending your other knee just to feel him deeper, “just fuck me.”
“I am fucking you,” he argues, exuding something vile, “and you’re acting like you can’t get enough, it’s pathetic.”
You moan, back arching, holding your other leg back by tucking your hand under your knee, “I can’t.”
“I know, jagi,” he nods, eyes sliding down to where you meet, watching his own cock split you open, how your folds pulse around him, clit twitching. “No one fucks you like I do, right?”
You shake your head, body burning at the sound of him bullying into you, so wet and loud it’s obscene. Your voice comes out raw, shaky, “No one else, just you, daddy– shit, just you.”
He grunts, reaching for your other leg, bending down to throw them over his shoulders, hands planted down on the mattress on either side of your head. “You want me to fuck you full? Give you another baby?”
You reach for him, pulling him down to kiss you, all teeth and broken noises, “Y–es, daddy, please.”
The noise of wet skin slapping skin dances with your cries of pleasure in the air, Wooyoung’s muddled grunts mixing into the symphony, your hips raised to meet his thrusts and his cock dragging against that spot inside you that has you seeing stars, you wail. It’s too good, it’s overwhelming, you’ve never felt like this before, so consumed by pleasure and passion you don’t notice the tears spilling down your cheeks.
“Cryin’ for me?” He leans down to lick the tear that runs down your cheek, his tongue heavy, warm. He kisses you after, sloppy and slow, so unlike the brutal pace of his cock. “Gonna take care of you, mommy. Gonna give you another baby.”
You’re clenching around him nonstop, the pleasure sharp, his words making it so much worse. He frees one leg from his shoulder to tuck his hand between your legs again, pressing his fingers to your clit, “Cum around my cock, jagi. Let me feel it, wanna feel you cum.”
Your hips are bucking with no rhythm, an animalistic, pathetic need to obey him, you need him to reward you, to fill you up. His fingers work in precise circles, tight and harsh, it doesn’t take long for the pressure to build with his cock moving in the same flow. You go silent, breath caught, and he smiles.
“Gonna cum on daddy’s cock? Gonna give it to me?”
All you can do is nod, fingers curling into his hair, all you can do is lay there and fucking take it.
“Cum for me, mommy, c’mon.”
It pushes you over, pressure blowing just as intense as the first time, he fucks you through it, moaning, head turning to sink his teeth into your calf. You seize beneath him, nerve endings fried, mind-blowing pleasure the only thing you can feel, you don’t know what sounds are leaving you, what you’re saying, it’s all too much. He chokes on another moan, cock pulsing inside you, hips stuttering, you watch with glassy eyes as he tucks his bottom lip between his teeth, tilting his head to watch himself fuck into you.
“Please,” a small, broken word, it’s the only word you can manage, body still locked tight.
“Did so good,” he shakes his head, “fuck– gonna fill you up so full.”
“Look at me,” you whisper and he picks his head up, face contorted in pleasure, hips bucking. “Look at me while you fill me up, please.”
It makes his face twist, hips stuttering, a loud, extended moan pushing from the base of his gut before his hips move out of rhythm, fucking into you like you’re a toy, relentlessly chasing his own high.
“Gonna,” he stutters, you nod with each word, “gonna fill you up.”
“Uh-huh, please.”
His hips finally still, body falling forward, down to his elbows as he gives you the last few thrusts, deep enough for his release to hit its mark, to do as he promised. Warmth spreads through you, heavy, full, it racks a shiver through you, swallowing down a moan.
He tucks his face into your neck, breath heavy, he plants a soft kiss against your sweaty skin. With nothing to hold him back, he whispers, “I love you.”
“I love you too,” you answer, too earnest for what just transpired, arms wrapping around his back, nails trailing against his soft skin. “We haven’t said that in a long time.”
Face still buried, his words are muffled against your skin, “I think I’ll always love you.”
“So will I,” you say it like it’s obvious, voice heavy with exhaustion, “we have a kid together, Wooyoung.”
His cock twitches inside you, soft and spent, you can feel him smile. “Maybe two.”
“I’m not ovulating,” your hands come up to his hair, pulling his face away from your neck to look at you, “chances are low. You really want another one?”
“I thought you did, too,” his brows furrow, “what did we just say all that shit for?”
You shrug, “It was hot.”
He snorts, lowering his head to press his lips to yours, softer than the rest, slower. Filled with all the time you’ve gone untouched, spent separated, each one tearing down the tall, thick wall of resentment between you, brick by brick.
“Does this mean anything, then?” He finally pulls away to ask, and you’re becoming uncomfortably aware of him still inside you.
“Depends,” you whisper, shifting beneath him. Cocking your head, you ask, “Are you still a selfish, narcissistic asshole that only cares about his job?”
He shakes his head, mumbling, “No.”
“Okay,” you lift your chin, “prove it, then. Let San speak tomorrow.”
He snarls, “What the fuck does this have to do with San?”
You smack your teeth, brushing sweaty strands of hair out of his pretty face, “It’s a step forward. Do it and I’ll let you take me out on a date.”
He sits back on his calves, careful in his movements, he slips out of you slowly, intentionally. He leans down, pressing a kiss to your overly sensitive clit and it makes you gasp, hips twitching once. You smile through the stimulation, the feeling is nostalgic, something he used to do every time you had sex. You look up at him through heavy lids as he runs his hands up and down your thighs like he doesn’t want to stop touching you.
He finally huffs, “Okay, but I have to make a few calls and get it cleared first.” Leaning down to press a kiss to the side of your knee, he asks, “Do you wanna stay here tonight?”
“Can we shower and order room service and watch a movie?” The question comes quick, as if you knew he’d ask, you lift yourself up on your elbows as he starts crawling off the bed.
“Duh,” he grins, “c’mon, shower time and then we’ll call Kyungminnie.”
You gasp, a smile breaking out across your cheeks, “My baby.”
“Our baby,” he corrects, grabbing you by the ankles, pulling you to the edge of the bed, “Up.”
synopsis ; being the forgotten princess came with the solitude that you crave, the freedom that you love, and the joy that you'll forever cherish. however, that tranquility is ripped away from you when your father announces your marriage to the water nation's king. you were forced to comply, being whisked away to an unknown land where you were sure to be your grave, yet when a maid helps you escape, you're met with mingi, the lost dragon descendant, who not only saves you, but helps you regain your freedom.
pairing(s) ; mingi x f!reader
☆ ── wc. ; 19.8k
☆ ── genre ; fantasy, romance, minimal angst, smut, fluff, historical, dragon shifter/descent duke!mingi x princess!reader
☆ ── tw. ; MINORS DO NOT INTERACT!!!, mentions of forced marriage (not with mingi), crying, blood, mentions and depictions of death/murder, death threats, petnames (princess, my love, love, sweetheart, pretty girl...), mentions of pregnancy, mingi is super protective of reader, violence, mentions of mates, a tinge of deception, arguments, mingi is kinda mean and ruthless (not towards reader), kissing, some skinship, slight wound care/injury recovery, mingi is a water dragon and can spew boiling water, passing out (injury related), mingi is just a simp lowkey, NSFW ; monster fucking, virgin!reader, sloppy makeout, fingering, begging, unprotected sex, dom!mingi x sub!reader, oral (f. receiving), big dick!mingi/monster cock, multiple orgasms, overstimulation, biting/marking, manhandling, some praising, clit play, some teasing, breeding/mating, dumbification, rough sex, cum eating, slight breast play, bulge kink, knotting, creampie, slight cockwarming, dacryphilia, cervix fucking/bruising, lmk if I missed anything!!
☆ ── notes ; he's hereeeeee!!! hehe this was smth that started as a joke between me and @sangis-puppy but as you can see it didn't stay a joke :33 now this was only supposed to be like 5/6k but that didn't happen... I got a little carried away with the plot. also special thanks to @xtrashxbunnyx for being my beta reader and giving me your raw reactions, mwahhh~
⏤͟͟͞͞ JOIN THE TAGLIST ── MASTERLIST NAVI ── MAIN NAVI
"You are to marry that king; this is not up for discussion." Your father's voice echoed all around the large office, his words piercing right through your heart.
"Father…" You breathe out, hands gripping the skirt of your dress so tight that it begins to color your knuckles a ghostly shade of white. Sure, you had never been the most favored out of all of your siblings, nor were you in line for the throne—never had been. Yet you never thought your father would stoop as low as to marry you off to another nation just for money, which he had plenty of.
"This is for the better of the kingdom, y/n." Your mother cut in from her spot just behind your father, her hands folded in front of her body, just like you had been taught before you could even remember.
You couldn't even think of anything to say, nor was there anything to be said. There was no way you were getting out of this. So as tears brimmed in your eyes, you tried to muster up a smile, one that felt like it was tearing into your skin. Quietly lowering yourself into a curtsy, you agreed to your father's proposition.
"They will arrive in two days' time. You are to be prepared in advance." Your father continued, his gaze scrutinizing you. Then he was looking behind you, right at his royal advisor, "Jisung, show the Princess back to her room."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Jisung's quiet voice flows through your ringing ears, and he bows his head before his gaze shifts over to you, "this way, Your Highness."
The walls of the room seemed to be closing in on you as you turned slowly on your heel, and the tears that stung the back of your eyes seemed to grow. Your heart was thumping violently against the sturdy bones of your ribs, threatening to break free. Yet you could only will yourself to follow the raven-haired male out of the office, hands still clutching your dress skirt, the fabric nearly tearing under your fingernails.
Not a word was spoken as you both walked down the hall, your heels clicking on the marble floors. A few maids were walking down the hall, bowing to you in greeting before going on about their day. You tried to smile at them, trying to be the nice princess that they all knew you as, but as you thought about how your life was about to take a turn for the possibly worst, you just couldn't.
"We've arrived, Your Highness," Jisung announced, motioning towards your bedroom as he held the heavy door open for you.
You thanked him quietly, walking into the luxurious bedroom, and as soon as you walked past the threshold, your knees became weak.
"Your maids have already packed everything, you'll be fetched when their caravan arrives." You look over your shoulder at him, nodding your head before watching him walk out of the room, and the door closes.
As soon as the latch clicked behind him, your knees gave out, falling to the ground, and sobs tore through your lips. Your cries bounced off the walls, the pain that had been sitting idly in your chest finally coming free.
—
Two days later, just like Jisung and your father had said, the water kingdom's men arrived at your castle. Not a word was uttered from your lips as you were escorted to the carriage, the tears in your eyes long since dried up, leaving behind an empty numbness.
"Think of the people, my dear sister," Your brother, who had your arms hooked through his, as he walked you through the palace gates.
The sound of your inexpensive heeled boots echoed off the pavement; they were given to you just this morning by your mother's maids. They were to keep the water from seeping through to your feet. They were a parting gift, one that your mother couldn't be bothered to give you herself. Just like she couldn't be bothered to be here to see you off as you were whisked away to an unknown kingdom.
"What people, brother? We've never had any affiliation with the Water Nation, so why now?" Your words came out hoarse from having not spoken for days, throat rubbed raw from endless hours of crying.
"Don't worry yourself about the little things, just do as you're told, and you'll be happy." Those were the last words that your dear brother had spoken to you before you were ushered into the carriage, the unfamiliar maids fixing your gown inside.
Maybe your brother was right. Maybe this was for the best of the people, for a reason you don't even fully understand. Maybe if you just played the role of a dutiful wife, you could live comfortably.
Those were the types of thoughts that ran through your head during the ride, the world outside you blurring past. You hadn't even registered that someone was speaking to you until you felt an impatient tap to your arm. Blinking a few times to try and clear your mind, you looked over, finding one of the maids looking at you expectantly.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" Your voice was merely above a whisper, and the woman let out a sigh, her face relaxing slightly before she spoke.
"The king does not want to wait for a ceremony. He's asked to officiate the marriage as soon as we arrive at the palace." She explained to you, and you felt your heart seize in your chest, your breath hitched, words stalling on your tongue.
You had believed that you would have a little time to fully understand the predicament you had been placed in. A few days at least to become comfortable in your home before you are dragged to the man's chambers. At least to have some time to grieve the life you once believed you'd live.
But in just a short amount of time, that small flame of hope had been snuffed out.
"We'll take you to your chambers to change into a new gown fit for the Water Nation, then you're to meet with the king in the grand halls." She continued to explain, but her words all but fell on deaf ears as you began to realize the severity of what you were to do.
Out. Get out. You needed to get out.
Your brain kept repeating that mantra, the sounds drowning out anything around you. Tears brimmed along your waterline, but never fell. Not until the carriage came to a stop and the door swung open.
"We've arrived, Your Highness," The maid motioned towards the open door, waiting for you to move, and with your breath caught in your throat, you moved, stepping out of the carriage with shaky knees.
Stepping onto the pavement below the carriage, you looked up at the palace before you. The glittering blue stones reflected the setting sun beautifully. It gave the illusion that you were standing below the ocean's surface. It was beautiful, but it was also your prison.
"Right this way, Your Highness," A butler motioned towards the palace gates with a bow, and you swallowed past the lump in your throat. Your eyes flickered to your surroundings, taking note of how lively everything here looked compared to the Fire Nation that you called your home.
Birds chirped above you in an almost sing-song way, and your head snapped in their direction, having only heard tales of the creatures. A part of you felt like a child exploring a new land and learning new things, but as you heard the heavy palace doors open, that small child inside you cowered into the furthest depths of your soul.
Your jaw clenched tightly as you stepped inside, heart raging against your chest, and as soon as your heeled boot met the smooth marble flooring, you felt a wave of chilled air wash over you. Goosebumps littering your naturally warm skin. Then the doors behind you slammed shut, the loud sound causing you to jump as it reverberated off the walls. Looking behind you, you only found one of the maids behind you, while the butler stayed a few steps ahead.
Get out, now. You're not safe here.
There it was again. That same little voice in the back of your mind, pleading with you to go. Warning you of the dangers that lurked in the walls of this palace. You were no fool; you knew how cruel the king of the Water Nation was. How he has gone through at least a dozen wives, all having died due to either childbirth or mysterious reasons.
Was that the same fate that awaited you? Were you going to become merely another wife who met a bitter, bitter end? Would it be the labor of childbirth or the abuse you may face? A part of you hopes for the earlier option, at least you'd leave this world with an offering for a peaceful passage.
No.
No, you mustn't let yourself think like that. You would be the one who survives. The one that makes it out alive. The one who escapes that fate that awaits her.
The one that got away.
You weren't sure how long you had been walking, nor how far you had traveled into the palace. Just that when you finally pulled yourself from your thoughts, you were standing before a luxurious bedroom. The inside, much like the rest of the palace, was decorated in ocean blues and turquoise.
"The maids inside will help you dress, then you'll be escorted to the main hall." The butler explained before motioning you into the room, and you gave him a curt nod, eyes downcast as you walked inside.
The heavy door latched shut behind you, and your stomach twists violently as your one escape route has been closed off. Walking further into the room, you unfolded your hands that had been neatly placed in front of you, taking in the sight of the nearly translucent blue gown that was displayed. Bile crept up the lining of your throat, knowing that this gown would do just about anything but protect your modesty.
A small gasp fell from your lips when someone grabbed a hold of your arm. Head snapping over you found a young girl, her hands gentle on your thinly covered skin as she urged you towards a side room. That's when you realized that it was only her and one other maid who was fidgeting next to a vanity.
Not a word was spoken as she guided you towards a steaming bath, the area closed off from the rest of the room by a thin curtain. You wanted to speak as she helped you shrug off the complicated layers of your current gown, but the words glued themselves to your tongue.
"Why have you come here?" Her sudden voice startles you, and you look over at her with wide eyes. No maid has ever spoken so freely to you, let alone hold your gaze as she does. "I don't mean to come off brazen, but this place is not for you; you will only find misery here, Princess."
"I—" The words once again stuck themselves to the lining of your throat as you stood before her in nothing but your undergarments.
But you didn't have to speak for her to see it in your eyes. The hard edges of her face softened, and she carefully reached for your hand, her skin unnaturally cold to the touch. "You must leave at once."
"I… I can't." You started, the tears you had tried so hard to keep at bay began to drip from your lashes, "I wouldn't even know where to go."
"You won't have much time, but the drop from the balcony isn't very high. From there, you go north, you'll find the sea, and I'm sure there will be boats." She explained to you in a hushed, hurried tone as her grip tightened around your shaking hands, "If there are no boats, then you shall find a cavern, find refuge in there, you'll be safe, I can assure you."
You looked at her with wide, teary eyes, completely unsure if you could trust her word, but the sincerity that gleamed in her eyes gave you back that shred of hope you thought snuffed out. It took you a few long moments before you were nodding, and she offered you a small, pitiful smile.
"We must bathe you first, only after we redress you can you go." She explained, furthering her words by telling you that the other maid will leave once she is dressed.
So that's what you did, you let yourself sink into the steaming waters of your bath. As you washed away the grime from the trip, you couldn't help but let your gaze drift to the girl who had turned to gather a towel for you. Her dark hair was pulled back into a bun that you were sure was hurting her scalp, but what intrigued you was the color. What you had believed to be black was actually a deep midnight blue, only noticeable when the setting sun beamed through the small windows.
Then you swore you saw what looked like scales on her collarbone when she bent down, the hem of her dress dropping just a hair. Though you chalked it up to a trick of the eye when she stood, holding a towel in her hand as she helped you stand.
You wrapped the soft cotton around your body before allowing her to lead you back into the main chambers. Her demeanor shifted back into the meek girl you had met the first time you walked into the room, and the other maid walked over, none the wiser to the conversation that had just transpired, and grabbed your other arm.
Once again, the room fell into a still silence, not a word spoken, and the only sounds were the rustling of fabric as both maids worked together to fit you into the gown. Your eyes flickered over to the balcony door that sat ajar on the far left side of the room. The cool breeze from outside washes over you every so often.
"Maid Yang, please finish prepping the princess while I go make sure everything in the grand hall is settled." The older maid spoke softly as she finished fastening your corset, and you felt your heart leap into your throat.
"Yes, ma'am." The younger girl bows before turning to lead you to the vanity, her gaze shifting over her shoulder as she watches the other woman walk out of the room.
The two of you stopped moving as she slipped out, the heavy doors shutting behind her, and a long beat of silence passed between you and the younger girl. Then, once she was sure that no one would venture into the room once more, she grabbed your arm in a hurried manner, ushering you towards the open balcony door.
"Go. Now." Her voice was stern as she peeked over her shoulder when you neared the edge of the balcony, nothing but plush green grass a few feet below. The drop wasn't deadly, but you would definitely gain a few scratches and bruises if you were lucky to avoid any broken bones.
"Thank you." You breathed out with a smile as you turned to look at the younger girl, a pang of guilt hitting your chest. You knew that if you left, you would only be leaving her to take the punishment of letting you escape, but right now, all you could do was make sure that her efforts to help you wouldn't be in vain.
"Go live a better life, Princess," She offered you a sweet smile as she helped you over the ledge of the balcony, your bare feet nearly slipping on the smooth marble.
Then, with one last nod of appreciation, you jump from the balcony, tucking your body to try and minimize as much damage as you could. A sharp gasp fell from your lips as your body collided and rolled on the grass; the ache alone was enough to tell you that you'd definitely have bruises within the next few hours. Without sparing another second, you leaped to your feet, glancing back just in time to see the girl disappear back into the palace, and that's when you realized.
You never got her name.
But you didn't have time to dwell on the trivial things; you needed to get as far away as you could before they sent guards after you. So you ran without looking back, hands gripping the skirt of your dress as your bare feet trudged through the grass. You could feel the thin edges of the grass blades slicing through your bare skin, but the pain was in the back of your mind, pushed even further as you heard shouting in the distance behind you.
Your heart rang in your ears, legs burning as you continued to push yourself closer and closer to the beach. And you couldn't help but cry out when it came into view, tears blurring your vision. As soon as your feet touched the warm sand, you looked around for any signs of a boat.
With heavy breaths, you rushed towards a small fishing boat you saw tied to the pier closest to shore. Your hands trembled as you fought with the rope knot, and sobs tore through your throat. Then the voices grew closer, and your head whipped around.
"There she is!" The head guard shouted as he pointed at you, and your eyes grew wide.
"No, no, no." You weren't going to be able to get that knot undone in time. No, you needed to run before they caught up fully. So, remembering the cavern that the maid had mentioned to you, you ran, kicking sand up in your wake.
"After her!" The kingsmen shouted again, and you barely heard him over the sound of the waves crashing over the rigid rocks near the shore. They only seemed to get angrier the further you ran, as if they were warning you about something unknown or angry about the horde of men that were on your heels.
As you neared the rocky formation on the far side of the beach, your gaze swept all over, trying to find an entrance. Pain shot through the soles of your feet as the jagged rocks sliced your skin wide open, leaving behind trails of crimson blood in your wake. But the pain didn't deter you, no, if anything, it only spurred you on.
Then you finally spotted the entrance as you rounded the corner, and the gaping hole loomed over you as you stopped dead in your tracks. However, the sound of the nearing kingsmen had you pushing your fear to the side and rushing inside just as one managed to grab your arm.
"Let me go!" You screamed, clawing at his hand, and whether it be the pain of your nails in his skin or the silk of your sleeve, you slipped from his grasp and stumbled into the dark cavern. You tried to regain your balance, but your body seemed to be working against you, and you fell to the ground.
"There's nowhere else to run, Princess." The guard's gruff voice sent a shiver down your spine, and tears blurred your vision as you crawled back.
Sobs tore through your lips as they started to surround you in the dark space, and you knew that there was no escaping. You never should have thought about running, knowing that the fate that awaited you was far worse than before. Tears spilled from your eyes as you squeezed them shut, waiting for them to grab you and drag you back to the palace.
A deep growl echoed around the cavern. The sound came from behind you, and your body went rigid. A newfound fear encased your entire being. Not only had the kingsmen caught up to you, but you ran right into a beast's home. At least this outcome would be far sweeter than what the king would do to you once he had his hands on you.
The ground beneath you began to rumble as whatever was behind you shifted; that same growl was heard once more, louder this time. You didn't dare look back, knowing by the sound and the shift in the ground that whatever it was behind you was huge.
"Beast!" One of the guards shouted, drawing their swords, and the man, before he reached towards you. However, before his hand could make contact with you, a large claw swung, throwing the man across the cavern. Even in the dim lighting, you could make out the glittering blue scales on the claw that now sat beside your body.
Despite the fear that held your body captive, you allowed your head to tilt back, tears silently flowing from the corner of your eyes. Your mouth parted, breath catching on the inhale as you saw the head of the beast looming over you.
The head of a beast that you had only seen skulls of in your father's study. One that the people believed to have gone extinct after the war over two decades ago. The scales and horns are a distinct mark of a reptile that you've heard countless tales about, even the tales of people who could shift into these beasts. They were believed to be of dragon descent.
Though you never thought you'd live to see a dragon.
"Kill it and grab the princess." Another guard growled as he charged with his men, and your head snapped back down at the rushed footsteps.
Your heart hammered in your chest as you tried to move away, but your limbs felt like jelly and refused to work with you. A choked gasp fell from your lips when you felt something coil around your waist. Before you could look, your body was lifted from the ground, pulled back until your back met the smooth stone of the cavern wall.
Everything happened way too fast, the shouting. The growls. The cries of pain. Then the low rumble of something building, and your eyes grew wide as you watched the scales on the creature's neck begin to glow a bright blue hue. It slowly rose up its neck, and you didn't even catch the guards screaming to run before a loud roar echoed around you. The sound was loud enough for your ears to ring even after you covered them with your skinned palms.
The once-dim cavern lit up blue as the dragon spewed something that closely resembled water, but it glowed. An almost unbearable heat filled the cavern as the boiling water landed on the guards around the dragon.
Then it was silent.
No more screaming or yelling. No more growling. No more roaring. Just… silence.
A pained cry ripped from your lips when the water spread across the cavern floors, pooling around your feet and burning the bare skin. Tears escaped your lips as you tried to scramble away, but accidentally placed your hand in the burning liquid.
The sound of a low, guttural growl has you stopping dead in your tracks despite the pain that coursed through your veins. Looking up, you found a pair of glowing blue eyes staring down at you, the sight shocking you straight to your core. You watched with hitched breath as it stepped towards you, tail flicking behind it and all but throwing the unmoving bodies from your sight.
"Y-You…" You tried to speak, but the words stuck themselves to the roof of your mouth when its tail moved towards you once more. You didn't move an inch as it wrapped around you, but unlike the fear that you had felt moments ago, there was something comforting about the way it tightened around you. Never enough to stop you from breathing, but just enough to make sure you wouldn't slip from its grasp.
You held your breath as it lifted you from the ground, moving your body further into the cavern, but you couldn't see anything. Then your body was being sat down, and you expected more stone, but were met with the cool sensation of water. The chill instantly soothes the searing pain in the soles of your feet, and you nearly cry out in relief.
When its tail released its grip, your body dropped into the shallow water, soaking your gown and sending a chill through you. Yet you couldn't bring yourself to get up; instead, you stayed on your knees, letting the water cool the burns and blisters that had begun to form on your soles and palms.
The sound of movement caught your attention, and you turned your head to find those glowing blue eyes staring down at you. Swallowing thickly, you rose up on your knees, pulse throbbing at the base of your throat.
"T-Thank you." You stumble over the simple thanks, voice hoarse due to all the crying, and you could feel your body begin to grow weak as the adrenaline wore off. You weren't sure why the dragon had helped you; maybe it thought you'd make a good meal, and the others were just in the way. Or it was just saving you for last. Whichever it was would be a better outcome than before, so you were willing to accept it as your vision swam, your mind shutting off, and your body swaying before crashing into the water.
The creature let out a grunt before moving closer to the water, its form shimmering and shifting until a man stood where the dragon once did. His blue eyes never left your limp form, a curiosity bubbling in his chest the longer he watched you, and a familiar warmth spread through his body. Stepping into the water, he grabbed your lax body, pulling you into his arms, and as soon as your shallow breath met the skin of his chest, he knew.
You were the mate he had been waiting for.
His key to going back home.
—
You stirred with a groan, joints aching and protesting with every move as you tried to sit up. Your eyes fluttered open slowly, burning slightly. The area around you was bathed in a warm glow, nothing like the darkness you seemed to recall. Then you remembered where you were and your head whipped around.
What you had expected to find was the same dragon that you had seen before. The one who had protected you from the kingsmen and helped with your burns. However, what you were met with instead was a man, his sharp features illuminated by the orange hues of the fire that he sat next to. But what caused your breath to hitch was the horns that sat upon his head and the familiar blue hues that stared right at you.
"You're awake." His deep voice echoes in your ears, and you blink at him, "The burns were pretty severe, so I put a salve on them; they shouldn't hurt for much longer."
Looking down, you saw that your left hand and both feet had been wrapped with bandages. Curiosity seemed to defeat the fear at that moment. You wondered where the large beast had gone, but as you met the man's eyes once more, you seemed to already know your answer.
"Who are you?" You asked, voice meek as you carefully moved to face him fully, and his eyes shifted down for a few seconds before meeting your eyes once more.
"I should be asking you that," He cocked an eyebrow, setting the stick he had been using to poke the fire off to the side. "The people of this Nation know better than to travel into these caverns, but you? You rushed right in as if you didn't know what lies inside."
"I'm…" Your words caught around the lump that had formed in your throat, and you quickly swallowed it back down, "I'm not from this Nation."
Your answer seemed to intrigue the male before you, and his blue eyes searched your face with a curious gaze. "Where are you from?"
"The Fire Nation." You tell him, placing your hands into your lap, eyes following when his intense gaze becomes too much. It was then that you realized that you were still wearing the gown the king had picked out, and heat rushed up your neck.
"Well, Princess," His words and tone cause your head to snap up. You hadn't told him that you were the princess, but it didn't take a genius to figure it out when the guards had been screaming it. "Why did you come here?"
"My father wanted to marry me off to the Water Nation's King." You weren't sure why you were telling this strange man something so easily, but the words just flowed out naturally. Inhaling deeply, you fully introduce yourself, and Mingi just watches with an unreadable expression, annoyance flickering in his blue orbs when you mention the source of the dress you are wearing.
Once your voice trailed off, the cavern fell into an eerie silence, one that left the hairs on the back of your neck standing tall. Then the man was standing, moving towards you, and you felt your pulse quicken with every step until he was kneeling before you. His dark blue hair framed his face, sharp eyes boring into your own, but you didn't see any sign of hostility.
"My name is Song Mingi," He introduced himself, and your eyes grew wide. You had heard that name in tales since you were a mere teen; he was a dragon descendant duke who was loved by his people and feared by other nations. It was believed that he had died in the war, but as you studied his face, you knew that hadn't been true. It also confirmed your earlier suspicion that he was, in fact, the dragon that had been lurking in this cavern.
"Why have you hidden here? You're a duke." You stated in shock, eyes growing wide as he reached forward and took your injured hand into his. His skin was cool against yours, but it didn't stop the warmth spreading through your body. It felt as if there were a magnetic pull towards him, one you couldn't fight.
"My uncle, he's taken over the estate while I was gone, and I haven't had the strength to return." He began explaining, his thumb rubbing soothingly over your knuckles. Mingi's eyes never once left yours, and you couldn't find it in you to look away even when his next words shocked you: "I need your help, princess."
You couldn't disconcert if he was calling you by your title or a petname, either way it had your heart jumping. His gentle touch had your muscles relaxing, and you blinked slowly as his request settled in your mind.
"My help? What could I possibly do to help you?" You asked, fingers flexing in his grasp when his thumb brushed over the bandage, but the lingering pain was nothing compared to your confusion and curiosity.
"The only reason my uncle's heirs have kept the estate is simply that they believe me to be dead," He tells you, his eyes flittering down to your hand when he felt your pulse jump.
"So why don't you return? They could giv—"
"Yet they will not. They have had it in their grasp for far too long. I need to secure my spot, and to do so, I need to prove I can further my lineage." He explains further, gaze moving up to meet yours with expectant eyes, and it didn't take but a moment for you to realize what he was asking.
"You want me to be your bride?" You asked, voice but a whisper, scared that if you spoke any louder, you'd bring your earlier panic back.
Mingi hummed, fingers tightening around yours firmly when you tried to pull away, "Just for a while, then once I have the estate back, you'll be free to leave and go as you please."
You wanted to tell him that he was crazy, that he had no right to ask this of you when you had just run from a marriage. Yet as you met his blue eyes, you could hear that little voice in the back of your mind again, but this time it wasn't telling you to run. Rather, it was telling you that you were safe.
That you were home.
It only confused you, and you wished you could ask what in the great heavens it meant, but alas, you couldn't. However, as you looked into the man's eyes, you couldn't help but feel that the voice was right. So despite your earlier reservations, you found yourself nodding, eyes scanning his face and lingering on the smooth patches of scales that sat underneath his eyes.
"What about the king?" You asked, eyes returning to his, and your heart leapt at the sight of the smile that tugged on his plump lips.
"Even the king wouldn't dare defy a dragon descendant, let alone a shifter," Mingi reassured you, and his warm smile mixed with his gentle presence was enough to have you relax.
"When would we leave?" Your question was answer enough for the dragon, and he hummed softly, eyes gazing back down at your hand.
"Let's get these healed first, then we can deal with other things after." He told you, bringing your hand to his face, and your eyes grew wide as heat flushed your face when he pressed his lips over the bandage. "Need you healed for a proper return."
The first few days were awkward, unsure what you were to do in such a confined space or what to say to the man who never left your eyesight. You tried to make small talk, but it always fizzled out after a few sentences, and you were left with your eyes downcast, the tips of your ears burning red.
However, the following days seemed to go by more easily; Mingi always made sure that you were fed and that your bandages were taken care of, even going as far as to bring you a change of clothes. He was nothing like the stories had described him to be. The cold and ruthless man you had read about was nowhere to be found; only the gentle giant who treated you as if you were a doll.
By the end of the second week, you had grown comfortable around the man; the earlier awkwardness was nowhere in sight. You found yourself talking to him about your life in the fire palace while he told you stories from the war, even about his own family.
You found yourself growing close to the blue-haired male, his kind ocean eyes all but pulling you further in. The more time you spent with him, the more you found yourself drawn to him, fingers itching to reach out and touch him, brain begging you to do so, but you kept your restraint. You chalked it up to it being that he had been your only companion for the past few weeks.
Then by the middle of the third week, Mingi was walking back into the cavern with a beautiful gown in his arms, and you knew that it was time. You stood from the log you had been sitting on, dusting your hands off on the skirt of your current dress, eyes flickering from his smiling face to the blue gown in his arms.
"For you, Princess." He walked up to you, his larger frame towering over you, and your breath caught in your throat as you smelled the sea salt on his skin. You swallowed thickly before reaching out to take the gown, ignoring the emotions that bubbled in your gut.
"It's beautiful, Mingi, thank you." You murmured as you blinked up at him, and he gave you a lopsided smile.
"Go ahead and put it on, we'll leave in the evening." He nodded down at you, and your eyes went wide.
"But the estate is at least a three-day trek from here."
The blue-haired dragon chuckled as he placed his large hand upon your head, "Who says we're walking?"
You wanted to ask him what in the world he could possibly mean, but he was already moving around you, fingers reaching for the buttons of his tunic. Your eyes went wide as he began removing his tunic. Heat enveloped your body the longer you watched him undress. A soft gasp fell from your lips when he reached for the button of his trousers, hands bringing your new gown to your face, and the sound of Mingi's chuckles filled the air.
You didn't dare to move the cloth, unsure as to what the man was doing or if he was still indecent. Then you felt a large huff of air wash over you, and your breath hitched. Slowly bringing the gown away from your face, your eyes went wide at the sight of the large dragon that was now standing before you, his glowing blue eyes looking down at you.
This time, you couldn't help but stare at his blue scales, glittering under the orange firelight. Nothing but wander filled your eyes as he brought his head down, your hand instinctively reaching up and allowing him to nuzzle into your now-healed palm. His scales were cool to the touch, much like his skin was. Your hand didn't hold a candle to the sheer size of his snout, and when his mouth opened with a hum, you couldn't help but smile at the soft noise.
He then moved his tail towards you, poking the dress in your arms with the tip. Understanding what was meant, you dropped your hand and took a step back. He moved towards the entrance before sitting down, giving you one last glance before averting his attention elsewhere and giving you some privacy.
You didn't waste any time in undressing yourself, holding back a shiver as the cool air of the cavern washed over you. The dress was a beautiful ocean blue, one that closely resembled the scale on Mingi's body. It was a floor-length gown with a sweetheart neckline, and the sheer sleeves flowed past your hands, nearly touching the ground by your feet. You struggled with the bodice for a few moments but managed to set it before flattening out the layered skirt with your hands, fingers catching on the dangling jewels.
"It's beautiful." You spoke in awe as you looked down, twirling slightly, and you heard a high-pitched chirp, causing you to look over. Mingi had turned his head and his gaze focused solely on you, and you looked at him with a bashful gaze.
Swallowing thickly, you thanked the large reptile before grabbing his discarded messenger bag and stuffing his clothes inside, knowing he'd need them once you arrived at your destination. Once you were sure you had everything, you grabbed the heels that Mingi had brought with the gown and moved towards his larger form.
"Let's get this show on the road, Duke Song." You smiled up at him, and he bowed his head slightly before rising back to his full height. He moved out of the large mouth of the cavern, and you followed closely behind, careful of his swaying tail.
Once you were both outside, you could see the remnants of the setting sun, the sky painted in beautiful hues of oranges and purples. You took a moment to look, eyes tracing every curve until you felt a small nudge against your back, and you looked over your shoulder at the large blue-scaled dragon who had lowered his body to the ground. Your heart races at the thought of what he was insinuating, but you knew that this was all part of the plan, nothing more, nothing less.
So you slipped your heels onto your feet before carefully pulling yourself onto the dragon's back, careful of the spines that jutted out. You fix his bag around your body before wrapping one hand around the spine in front of you and tapping his side with the other, letting him know that you are ready.
You held your breath when he began to move, his wings spreading wide as he neared the cliff edge. The colors of his scales were even more beautiful under the setting sun; the mixture of dark ocean blues and vibrant turquoise was mesmerizing.
A sharp gasp then fell from your lips when he took off, the speed enough to knock the air from your lungs as you clung tightly to his back. Tears started to sting in the corner of your eyes due to the harsh winds, and your chest felt tight because of the lack of proper oxygen. You weren't sure how long this went on for, but before long, his body evened out, and the rush of air lessened, allowing you to finally breathe properly.
"My goodness…" You breathed out as you let your teary eyes flutter open, gaze falling on the city below you before flickering to the glittering sea on the other side. It was beautiful.
Though the high altitude made it difficult to breathe, Mingi made sure to stay low enough that it wouldn't harm you. The last thing he wanted or needed was for you to pass out mid-flight, where he would risk hurting you as he caught you.
You couldn't help the child-like laughter that bubbled out of your chest as you looked around. The sight was something that you would etch into every crevice of your mind, knowing that you wouldn't get the chance to see it again.
Then the sky darkened, and stars began to appear one by one, and your eyes widened. You never got the chance to see the stars aside from trips to the Earth region when you were younger. The smoke from the ever-burning forests in the Fire Nation clouded the sky, blocking your view of the stars. So you soaked in the sight, connecting the consolations you had read about so many times in books from the old shelves of the library.
Mingi's head turned just enough so he could see your wander-filled gaze, and he felt his heart thump against his strong ribs. His blue hues studied your face, making note to bring you out more in the future and hoping that you stayed long enough for you to let him.
It was the dead of the night by the time the Duke's estate came into view as Mingi descended towards the ground. Your grip tightened on the spine in front of you as the harsh winds returned and your breath caught in your throat when he landed, the vibration of the rumble shot through your body nearly making you lightheaded.
The sound was enough to bring the attention of the people residing in the estate. You could hear gasps and shouts as Mingi lowered his body, allowing you to slide from his scaly back. Moving around his large body, you came face-to-face with two men who were dressed peckishly as well as a woman with a child on her hip, then a crowd of what you could only guess were their maids and servants behind them.
"H-How is this possible?" The older man in the front spoke, his voice showing his age as he stumbled forward. Disbelief etched into his features, and you felt movement behind you.
"Greetings, uncle, it has been a long time, hasn't it?" Mingi's voice flowed into your ears, and you turned your head just enough to catch sight of his half-turned form, his horns still sitting perfectly in his azure locks. A blush formed on your cheeks as you realized that he was standing before his family without any proper clothing, and you quickly handed him the messenger bag. "Thank you, my love."
Your heart leapt at the petname, mouth going dry, and all you could do was muster up a smile. The feeling of eyes boring into your side made you acutely aware of the nobility that stood before you, but you had to remind yourself that you were a princess—royalty.
"Cousin, you should know you aren't welcome here." The other man spoke, and your eyes flickered over to him, a sudden rush of annoyance ripping through your body, and you couldn't stop the scoff that escaped your lips.
"If anyone isn't welcome here, it's the likes of you. You all are nothing but illegitimate blood hoarding something that was never yours to begin with." You seethed, eyes narrowing as you glared at the man, and Mingi stopped mid-button to look at you in shock before a ghost of a smirk spread on his lips.
"You wrench! Who gave you the right to speak to me like that?" The man seethed, stepping closer to you, but stopped dead in his tracks when a low growl reverberated from deep within Mingi's chest, his eyes glowing in warning.
"That is my wife, so you are to watch your tone when speaking to her," Mingi growled, his arm snaking around your waist and pulling you behind him. You looked up at Mingi's taller figure with semi-wide eyes, your heart beating furiously under your ribs as heat crept up your neck.
"W-Wife?" Mingi's uncle was the next to speak as he moved closer to his song, grabbing his arm, knowing very well what Mingi was capable of.
"Yes. Meet Princess Y/n of the Fire Nation, my wife." Mingi introduced you as he allowed you to move back to his side once he deemed it safe to do so. At his introduction, hushed whispers fell over the crowd, and you could see the fear swimming in the old man's eyes, knowing that his title was slipping from his fingers. "Now, shall we move this conversation inside where my wife can be comfortable, or do I need to make a path?"
Your lips parted, breath catching on the inhale at his tone. The power that seeped from his words alone was enough to leave anyone trembling in their shoes. Yet you could only look at him in nothing but astonishment. Not only was he going to get what he wanted while he was here, but he was also making sure you were comfortable along the way. At least you thought that until you remembered that this was only a deal, you weren't actually his wife, and he was just here to gain his title back.
"Quickly, make space for Her Highness and the Duke." The woman with the child told the maids behind her, the child resting her head against the woman's shoulder with a sleepy gaze.
"Thank you, Clara." Mingi gave the woman a smile, and had you not known any better, you would've thought that it was kind. But you saw the hatred and anger simmering deep in his blue eyes.
Mingi wraps his arm loosely around your waist, guiding you towards the estate but also keeping you close to his body in a protective manner. You kept your head held tall like you had been taught since you were a child, not letting their judging gazes get to you.
The inside of the estate was bathed in a warm hue, and the scent of vanilla and bourbon filled your senses. Glancing over, you noticed Mingi's nose scrunched, and the sight has you smiling softly. You move your body just enough for his arm to slip from your waist, allowing you to hook your arm around his.
"Right this way, Your Grace." One of the maids pointed both of you towards the stairs, but Mingi didn't move an inch, his eyes trained on his uncle and cousin, who had just walked into the foyer.
"I think it's best we talk first, we have a lot to catch up on, don't you think?" Mingi asked, eyebrow cocking as he turned to fully face the two men. His stature would have any normal person cowering away, and you could tell it was taking a lot for the two men to keep their composure.
"You want the estate." His uncle stated, and Mingi's lips curve into a wolfish smirk.
"Yes,"
"I'm afraid that's not possible; this belongs to my father." Mingi's cousin spoke up once more with a glare; however, his father grabbed his arm.
"See my dearest cousin, that's where you're wrong." Mingi stepped towards the man, letting his arm slip from your grasp, and said, "This entire land belonged to me before you measly rats came and made yourselves at home."
"How dare yo—"
"I thought I warned you about your tone," Mingi growled, his claws extending and pressing right against the younger male's throat, breaking skin. "It seems your father failed to teach you proper manners. Now, I suggest we talk like men because it would be a shame for your wife and child to watch as you bleed out at their feet."
Your chest tightened at the threat, and you knew you should be scared that he would so easily take another man's life. But you weren't. No, if anything, the tone he used had a wave of heat washing over you, and you folded your hands in front of your body to keep the trembling at bay.
"Mingi, think of your father." His uncle's words seemed to flip a switch in the blue-haired male, and the room fell into a chilling temperature. Mingi's blue eyes glowed brightly as he glared at the older male, hand encasing his cousin's throat and pulling a choked gasp out of him.
"You have no right to speak of my father," Mingi growled, fingers tightening around the man's throat, and you were sure that if he added just a bit more pressure, he would snap his neck.
Then the sound of the child's cries caught your attention. Your head snaps over to the mother and child who were watching the scene before them in horror. Your heart ached for them, and as much as you wished you could spare the man for their sake, you knew Mingi wouldn't allow it, so you did the next best thing. Walking over to the woman you grabbed her arm gently and caught her attention, she looked at you with teary eyes, a mixture of emotions swimming in her eyes.
"Spare yourself and your daughter from this nightmare. Go, now." You urged her and the crying child towards the stairs, and with a quick glance at the maid who stood nearby, she understood. With a nod, she grabbed the woman's arm and ushered her up the stairs and away from the gruesome scene that was awaiting down below.
"Last chance, uncle," Mingi's voice echoes around the room, causing a shiver to run down your spine, and the older man looks at his nephew in shock. His eyes flickered from Mingi to his dying son, whose lips began to turn blue due to lack of oxygen.
"W-We'll return the estate. Just release him." His uncle begged, panic written all over his face, the moment he noticed his son's movements dying down.
"Not just the estate. Everything. And you lot are to leave without a coin." Mingi growled, his grip growing even tighter, and you feared that he would actually snap the man's neck, so you moved closer to him carefully.
"Yes! We'll return everything!" The old man trembled in his spot as his son's life hung by a thread, and a sinister smirk spread on Mingi's lips. He then released the man, letting him drop to the floor before bringing that same hand to his uncle's face, patting his cheek roughly.
"Good choice," Mingi chuckled as he took a step back, right into your awaiting arms, where his gaze flickered for a moment before the smirk dropped into a snarl, "now get out."
"Clara!" The older man began to shout, but Mingi shook his head, stopping the maid who went to fetch the woman with a pointed glare.
"The woman and child can stay. You two are to leave this instant." Mingi brought his heated gaze back to the two men. His uncle didn't spare another second before hauling his coughing son from the floor and lugging him towards the main doors, ignoring his choked protests.
The foyer then fell into a lingering silence; no one dared to move for fear of being under the dragon's wrath next. However, as your hands wrapped around Mingi's bicep, he could feel his anger and annoyance begin to simmer away.
"You must be tired, my love." Mingi's tone came out sweet, the sound leaving you weak in the knees, even more so when his soft gaze fell upon you, "Show my wife to our chambers, I'm sure you know which one that is."
He told the maids that still stood behind you, and they quickly nodded, showing you towards the stairs, but you cast one last glance at the blue-haired dragon. Mingi offered you a smile with a slight nod of his head, and you felt your shoulders relax before allowing the maids to show you to the master chambers, where they helped you get dressed for bed, and you fell onto the soft mattress, sleep quickly overtaking your body as the events of the day finally caught up to you.
—
You weren't sure what time it was when you woke the next day, but what you did know was that all hell had broken loose downstairs. Without even bothering to change, just grabbing a robe, you shrugged it over your shoulders and rushed down the stairs, where the yelling seemed to rise even louder.
"This isn't your home anymore. How dare you try to take it away!" The woman's voice rang loudly in your ears as you rounded the corner into the main living space.
"This has always been my home, Clara. I'm simply taking back what belongs to me." Mingi stated coolly, eyes darkening as the woman before him huffed in frustration, tears flooding down her cheeks.
"Min—"
"You!" Mingi's name barely fell from your lips as Clara turned towards you with adulterated rage, and you felt your heart seize as she stomped towards you.
"Clara." The tone in which her name fell from Mingi's lips had your body going rigid, as well as Clara's, as she looked at you with a tear-filled gaze. However, under her anger, you could see something deeper—heavier.
Guilt and worry.
"Why? Why must you take this away from my child?" She choked through a sob, and you felt your heart squeeze in your chest. You took a tentative step towards her despite Mingi's warning gaze, hands carefully taking her and pulling her attention to you.
"Clara, you and your child can still live happily. Go explore the world or live peacefully. You have that freedom now." You spoke in a gentle tone, a stark contrast to the tone that Mingi had been using for the better half of the morning, and you could see her resolve crumble.
"W-Where are we to go? My family would rather be caught dead than bring their widowed daughter home." She cried and your eyebrows furrowed, what did she mean 'widowed'? Her husband was still alive…
At least you thought so until you glanced over at Mingi, who had sat back on the sofa, his azure eyes trained on you, and you knew that you had missed something. Inhaling deeply, you turn your attention back to the weeping woman who began to slump in your hold.
"I have an estate in my name on the borders of the Fire Nation. You and your child are free to live there until you please. No one would dare to bother you, and if they do, just send them my way." You tell her and her eyes grow wide, completely baffled that you would offer such a thing, but you didn't give her a breath to protest, instead you waved a maid over. "Please help Miss Clara pack her and her daughters' belongings while I draw up the directions,"
"Why are you helping me?" She asked, her voice cracking as she let her hands fall to the crook of your elbows, gripping the skin as if she thought this would be some cruel nightmare the moment she let go.
"Because I know what it's like to be trapped within an unwanted marriage. However, I was lucky to be taken away before it was set in stone. Now I want to help someone else escape that same fate." You told her, and the truth in your words made more tears drip from her long lashes: "Go live the life you have always wished for, raise your daughter with love, and show her the true wonders of the world."
"Thank you, Princess." She bowed deeply, and you fumbled to pull her back up, telling her that it wasn't necessary.
"This way, miss." The maid you had motioned over to the teary-eyed woman, who thanked you one last time before allowing herself to be escorted out of the room.
You stood there for a moment, watching as she disappeared around the corner and up the stairs before turning your attention to another maid, telling them to bring you a quill and paper. Then you finally let yourself meet the dragon's gaze, and your breath hitched at the intensity. Swallowing thickly, you moved towards him, his eyes tracking your every move even after you sat down.
There was an unspoken tension in the air as you waited, hands folded in your lap, and you wished Mingi would say something. Yet he never did, not even when the maid stepped up to the table, holding out the material you had asked for.
"Go fetch Her Grace a blanket." Mingi's voice was low when he spoke, the sound sending a shiver coursing through your body. The cushion next to you shifted as he sat up, his large hand finding the small of your back, and the weight made you swallow thickly. "You sure have a kind heart, Princess."
"Kindness is a virtue that very few have in this cruel world; it's only right to lend it to those who need it." You told him without meeting his gaze, heat creeping up your neck and burning the tips of your ears when you felt his breath against your neck.
"Should I be honored that you've lent me your kindness?" He asked, his voice right next to your ear, and your body froze in the middle of a sentence. Mingi could hear your heartbeat speed up, the sound causing the dragon to smirk; however, before he could push further, the maid walked back into the room.
"Your Grace." She bowed her head before handing the blue-haired male the fur blanket, which he took and unfolded instantly.
"Thank you, you're free to go." He spoke blandly before turning his focus back onto you, only to find you staring at him with scrunched eyebrows.
"It wouldn't hurt for you to lend out that same kindness sometimes, Your Grace." You told him pointedly before turning back to finish up the directions.
"Kindness for me will only lead me to my grave," He told you honestly, wrapping the soft fur around your body and tugging you towards him until his lips were merely inches away from yours as you turned your head in surprise, "you hand out the kindness for the both of us."
"M-Mingi…" You breathed out, eyes flickering to his plush lips that were just out of reach, and he knew, but he couldn't let himself fall into the temptation. Not now, not yet.
"But be careful who you hand it to, not everyone will treat you the same." The blue-eyed man warned you before releasing his grasp and moving back. You watched him with wide eyes as he stood, fixing his navy vest that hugged his torso just right before looking back at you, "I've got stuff to attend to. If you need anything, call for one of the maids."
Then, with that, he was walking out of the room, and you were left staring at his retreating form in confusion. Where had that kind and gentle man from the cavern gone to?
However, you decided not to let yourself get carried away with the thought; you knew that he was only using you to gain control of his estate. He would only send you away once he's accomplished his goal. So you decided that you would use the time you have here to do some good, and you would start with finishing these directions.
As the day went on, you found yourself going back to the blue-haired dragon, wondering what he was doing and if he had eaten. Though every time you asked the maids, they reassured you that they had delivered him food.
You tried to hold on to the reassurance as you helped Clara and her daughter climb into the carriage, wishing them a safe journey and to write if they ever needed anything. A soft gasp fell from your lips when the mother wrapped her arms around you, hugging you tightly and murmuring one last thank you before the carriage door was shut. You waved at the little girl as she beamed at you from the carriage window, the sight making your heart swell in happiness.
But as you watched the carriage disappear over the slopes, you couldn't help the lingering anxiety that came barreling into you. The feeling wound your chest tightly, and you rushed back into the estate and towards the kitchen.
"Your Grace," The maids bowed as they acknowledged your presence, and you waved them off before asking about Mingi's dinner. "We were just getting ready to deliver it to His Grace in the study."
"Let me," You grabbed the skirt of your dress and stepped further into the room despite their protests. However, you didn't leave much room for discussion, and they reluctantly handed you the tray after prepping it.
You thanked them before making your way back out of the kitchen and towards the study that you knew the blue-haired male would be hiding away in. The maid at the end of the hall quickly walked over, knocking on the door for you. When you heard the man's gruff voice saying to come in, she opened the door before letting you walk in and shutting it right behind you to offer some privacy.
"You can leave it over there." Mingi waved to the side, not bothering to look up from his papers, and you looked over to see the untouched trays that sat on a table to the side. Huffing softly, you stepped towards him, and as soon as your scent invaded the dragon's senses, his head snapped up, azure eyes locked on you with an unreadable expression. "What are you doing?"
"Coming to make you, you've been eating, and good thing I did," You rolled your eyes before stepping closer to the desk despite the low growl that rumbled from the man's chest. Moving around the oak desk you didn't bother to even look at what he had been reading, instead you sat the tray down on an empty spot before looking at him expectantly, "stop being such a brute and eat something."
"I'll eat after I'm finished," He exhaled sharply before letting his gaze fall back to the papers before him, and that had a surge of annoyance rushing through you.
Biting your lip, you propped your hands on your hips and watched him, your burning gaze causing his scales to tingle, and before long, he couldn't take it any longer. Dropping the pages once more, he turned to look at you with a cocked eyebrow.
"Eat." You told him pointedly and motioned to the food that was sitting, ignored on his desk. He began to open his mouth, and you already knew it was some kind of excuse, "Mingi, eat or I will tie you to that chair and shove it down your throat."
Your words took the man by surprise, his eyes growing wide by just a fraction, and his pulse thumped at the base of his throat. He hadn't expected to hear those words fall from your lips, but as he stared into your narrowed eyes, he could see the worry swimming beneath the annoyance. Reluctantly, he pushed his chair back and turned towards you, a cocky smirk tugging on the corner of his lips.
"Why doesn't my beautiful wife feed it to me?" He teased, and his choice of words has your heart leaping into your throat, your cheeks warmed fast, color rising before you could stop it. Mingi could see it on your face, and it only spurred him on, "You said you'd tie me to the chair and shove it down my throat, so keep good on your promise, princess."
"You're insufferable," You grumbled, but reached for the spoon nonetheless, gathering some of the food before moving towards the large dragon. Mingi looked up at you with nothing but mischief, and your jaw clenched tightly, "Mingi." Your tone was nothing short of warning, your patience wearing thinner by the second, but Mingi was enjoying it, maybe a little too much. When he didn't open his mouth, you felt that thread snap, and you exhaled slowly. "Fine, you want me to force feed you, then I'll force feed you."
In the next second, you had your knee pressing into his thigh while your free hand grabbed one of his horns, tugging his head back and eliciting a deep groan, and finally, his mouth fell open. Taking the chance, you shove the spoonful of food into his mouth, eyes boring into his, and Mingi felt heat envelope his body.
"Chew." You demanded, letting your hand fall to your side while your other one gripped his horn tighter. Mingi's hand instinctively flew to the back of your thigh, fingers gripping the soft flesh through the fabric of your gown.
You watched as he chewed before swallowing, and his azure eyes darkened into a deep blue, his gaze making your stomach flip. Heat pooled in your gut, and you could feel that pull once more, brain begging for you to give in to the temptation. Mingi wasn't too far behind you, fingers itching to grab and grope at any part of your body he could possibly reach. But before he could, you were slipping away from him, stumbling back and averting your gaze elsewhere as your cheeks and ears burned a bright red.
"Make sure you eat." You breathed out almost breathlessly before setting the spoon down and scurrying out of the room, leaving Mingi there to watch in amusement.
However, as his gaze flickered back to the papers before him, he knew he didn't have time for the trivial things right now. He could worry about it all once he made sure he had a secure place for you to stay—happy and healthy.
—
The game of push and pull seemed to go on for weeks; one of you would push the other's buttons to the point of their patience snapping, only for them to pull away when things got heated. It was starting to drive you insane, your mind swimming with the possibility that Mingi actually wanted you. But you quickly pushed that thought out of your head when you watched him sort through all the years of finances and deeds.
"Your Grace, your bath is ready." One of the maids spoke, startling you from where you sat at your vanity, mindlessly combing through your locks. Setting down the gemmed comb, you turned your attention to the girl, thanking her before making your way into the washroom.
The dim lighting of the moon reflected off the rippling water, and you couldn't help but be reminded of the azure dragon that sat just downstairs. Hidden away in his study once more.
Letting out a soft sigh, you sat on the ledge of the tub, running your fingers through the warm water. Then you heard a thump—quiet, but there. The sound had you leaping to your feet, eyes trained on the door as you looked around for any possible escape if it were to be an intruder. Then you heard heavy boots on the floors, and you knew it wasn't any of the maids, and it sure as hell wasn't Mingi.
Swallowing thickly, you moved further back into the room, searching for something—anything to protect yourself. Except you couldn't find a thing before the door was slamming open, a man standing in the doorway and blocking the main chamber's light.
"There you are, Princess," His voice sent a chill down your spine, more so when a smirk spread across his lips, "the king has been waiting very patiently for your return."
"I-I'm not going back." You told him, voice shaking as tears brimmed in your eyes, and you were brought back to that fear you had believed to be gone. Your eyes darted all over the room, for a weapon, for an escape, for anything.
"I'm afraid that's not up for discussion." He growled, moving towards you in quick strides, and you did the one thing you thought could possibly get you out of this.
"Mingi!" You screamed at the top of your lungs, the lining of your throat rubbing raw at the sheer force.
"Stupid wrench!" The man hissed, grabbing a fistful of your hair before slamming your head into the wall next to you.
The impact draws a sharp cry from your lips, your vision swimming, and black spots clouding the edges. No, you couldn't pass out. You had to fight. You had to get out. You couldn't go back to that king. Tears of fear and pain mixed as they flowed down your cheeks, nails clawing at the man's wrist as he dragged you towards the door.
Safe. You're safe. He's here.
That little voice in the back of your mind spoke over the deafening ringing in your ears, and you could feel the fear start to dissipate. A comfort fell over you, and as soon as you lifted your blurry gaze, you met the glowing blue eyes of your fated dragon.
"Release her." Mingi's voice was low, but the growl in his tone bounced off the walls of the luxurious washroom, and the man stopped dead in his tracks. His narrow eyes found the male, but his face quickly morphed into one of fear as he realized who it was that stood before him. The man all but threw your body towards the blue-haired male witless scrambling back and Mingi was quick to catch you in his arms.
"Y-Y-You—" The man choked on his words as he stepped further into the bathroom, and Mingi felt nothing but unfiltered rage when he smelled the blood that had begun to seep from the gash on your forehead.
"Who sent you?" The dragon demanded as he tugged your weakening body closer to his, fingers grasping your side.
"T-The Water Nation king!" He exclaimed, pleading for Mingi to spare his life, and the taller male's eyes only grew brighter as he stared down at the cowering man.
Mingi's jaw tightened at the mention of the king you had fled from mere months ago. Glancing back at one of the maids, he motioned for her to take your dazed form, telling her to call the doctor after getting the bleeding under control.
He watched for a moment as the pair of women worked together to help your stumbling form out of the bedroom, incoherent murmurs fell from your lips. Once the door closed, he turned his attention back to the man before him.
"Now, I could kill you…" Mingi spoke coolly as he stepped towards the man, who shook his head violently, "But that would only be a waste, so here's what we shall do." The large dragon stopped in front of the man and crouched down, his arms resting on his knees as he watched the man cower into the corner, "First, you put your hands on my wife, my mate." Mingi growled, and in the blink of an eye, his large hand grasped the back of the man's head, slamming it into the wall much like he had done to you.
"I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" Weak pathetic pleas fell from the man's lips as he tried to focus his swimming vision.
"Second," Mingi's hand moved his hand from the man's head to his collar, tugging his body closer until his face was mere inches away from Mingi's. "You tell your king that if he dares to lay another finger on her, he'll have the wrath of the dragon descendant duke brought down upon this kingdom."
"Ye— Yes, Your Grace!" The perp nodded his head, trembling hands rubbing together in another pathetic attempt at a plea.
Mingi clicked his tongue before rising to his feet, pulling the man's body up as well and ignoring his pleas and jumbled words as he escorted him towards the front door, roughly. Once the front doors were open, Mingi all but threw the man outside, watching as his body slid against the jagged gravel.
"You fail your task, and I will hunt you down and skin you alive," Mingi growls, eyes widening just a hair as the blue burned brighter and the man scrambled to his feet, bowing deeply, "get out of my sights."
Then the man was tucking tail and running. Before long, his form was merely a speck in the night, and Mingi stepped back inside. The anger that radiated off the dragon had all of the staff cowering away; his gaze was enough to pierce through anyone's soul.
"Where is she?" He asked no one in particular, and one maid swallowed her nerves and motioned towards the stairs.
"This way, Your Grace." Her voice was meek, heart jumping when the Duke's fiery gaze fell upon her. But he didn't say a word as he allowed her to lead him back up the stairs and towards another chamber door.
Once the door was open, he was waving her away and stepping inside, where he found your motionless body lying beneath the covers. His heart skipped in his chest, and for the first time in many, many years, the dragon felt fear course through his veins. The lingering scent of your blood surrounded the man, and he swallowed thickly as he moved towards the bed where the doctor had just finished up.
"How is she?" Mingi's voice came out softer, his eyes never leaving your sleeping form, and the doctor bowed before rising.
"The blow was pretty hard, and the gash needed stitches," As the doctor explained. Mingi could feel his rage begin to surface once more, his upper lip pulling back into a snarl, the sharp point of his fangs gleaming in the dim lighting.
"I should've just killed that bastard." He growled lowly, fingers tightening around the wood of the bed frame, the wood creaking under his palms.
"She will probably be out for a while, but she should wake up within the next few days." The doctor continued his explanation, paying no mind to the large dragon, and moved towards the bedroom door after Mingi dismissed him.
Once the door closed, Mingi finally released his grip from the creaking wood and moved towards your pale body. He grabbed the armchair that stood nearby and sat down, taking your smaller hand into his. The room fell into a still silence, neither comfortable nor unbearable; just… still.
"I'm sorry, my love," The dragon whispers, bringing your hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to the back of your hand. His lips lingered there for a few long moments as he studied your face, and had it not been for the bloodied bandage that was wrapped around your head, he would've thought you were just sleeping. "I won't let anyone hurt you ever again."
And he spent the rest of that night as well as the many following nights at your bedside. He barely let the maids near you, a threatening growl emitting from his throat when one got a little too close for his liking.
Then, it was early morning on the sixth day, and the sound of birds chirping outside the window was the first sound you heard. Your head pounded as you slowly opened your eyes, only to close them again due to the harsh sun rays. You tried to bring your hand up to shield your eyes from the light, but were stopped by a weight in your palm. Sitting up carefully, you blinked slowly, allowing your eyes to get used to the new brightness before you glanced over.
Your breath caught in your throat when you found none other than Mingi slumped over at your bedside. The evident eye bags under his eyes and the dull shimmer of his once bright scales told you that he hadn't slept in days. A soft smile curves on your lips as you bring your free hand over, brushing his hair from his face, careful not to touch his horns, knowing it'd wake him up.
The sound of the door opening had your shoulders going stiff, head snapping in the direction, only to find one of the maids walking into the room. A gasp fell from her lips when she saw that you were awake, but you quickly hushed her, pressing your index finger to your lips. She quickly covered her lips, eyes flickering from you to the sleeping beast beside you.
"How long have I been asleep?" You asked quietly, and she stepped closer to the bed, a weary gaze shifting from Mingi back to you.
"Today would've been the sixth day, Your Grace." She told you, bowing her head softly, and you nodded before letting your gaze fall back to the blue-haired male. "He hasn't left your side a single day; he refused to eat despite our worries and reminders that you would want him to eat."
You looked at her for a moment before softly pinching the male's cheek, "brat."
"Would you like me to bring you some food, Your Grace?" She asked, and you nodded, giving her a gentle smile before watching as she quietly slipped out of the room.
Then the room was shrouded in silence once more, the only sounds coming from the birds outside and the soft snores that slipped past Mingi's lips. You watched him sleep, eyes studying his face, and for the first time, you were able to really take in his beauty. Your fingers carefully trace every curve, blemish, mole, and scar that you could reach before he was stirring under your touch.
You pulled your hand away from his face when his eyes fluttered open, azure hues focusing on you the moment he woke. Your smile only spread wider as he sat up, eyes wide as if he weren't sure if this were a dream or not.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty." You teased, and Mingi felt as if a ton of bricks had been lifted from his shoulders.
"You're awake." His voice was heavy with sleep, and it sent a flurry of butterflies through your stomach, a soft heat settled across your face, giving you away. Then he was moving towards you, large hands cupping your jaw carefully, and before you could register it, his lips were on yours.
It only took seconds before you were melting into his touch, eyes fluttering closed and fingers gripping the untucked hem of his tunic. Your head tilted just enough to deepen the kiss, easily finding yourself getting lost in his taste.
The way his lips melded with your left your craving for more, fingers pawing at his shirt. Your brain quickly started to fuzz, a warmth seeping throughout your body and begging for more. Mingi sense it—smell it and a deep groan reverberated through his chest and right into your mouth causing you to whine softly.
"We can't. Not now, you need to heal." He murmurs against your lips, and you wanted to cry out in desperation, but he silenced you with another soft kiss against the corner of your lips. "Once we are legally able to marry, you can have me. All of me."
His words made your stomach twist, the feelings between you finally becoming clear, but there still stood one last obstacle. "What about the king?"
"You are not to worry about him no more," He told you firmly, his gaze hardening, and the hairs on the back of your neck stood tall. Then they were softening once more, "just a little bit longer, princess, then you'll be free. I promise."
Despite the anxiety that ate at every nerve in your body, you nodded, hands finding Mingi's larger one. You knew that he would keep his word, that you would soon be free of your binds. Free to be his. Fully and wholeheartedly.
And just like he promised, a week's time had passed, and there came a sharp knock at the chamber doors where you were resting. Mingi lay by your side with a book in his hand and glasses perched upon the perfect bridge of his nose.
"Come in,"
The maid on the other side opened the door before standing in the doorway to bow, "Your Grace, there is a messenger at the door looking for you and Her Grace."
You felt your heart leap, a smile spreading on your lips as you thought of what it could possibly be, and the hope that it was one thing in particular bloomed. Mingi glanced over at you as he shut his book, pulling the glasses off his face before setting both to the side. Leaning over, he placed a gentle kiss upon your forehead, lips lingering for just a moment before he pulled away.
"Stay here, love, I'll go chat with our guest." He told you before he was clambering off the bed and following the maid out of the room.
You waited with bated breath, heart thumping heavily against your ribs, and you felt as if you could feel the second tick by. Then, finally, you could hear the heavy steps of Mingi's feet, and you sat up on the mattress, the blanket falling to your lap just as the door opened. Your bottom lip pulled between your teeth as you watched the blue-haired male walk into the room.
Mingi allowed the door to shut before he stepped closer to you, his hand hidden behind his back. The anticipation was starting to gnaw at you, and you started to climb off the bed, but Mingi stepped in front of you, stopping your movements.
"It's arrived." He told you, pulling his hand from his back with a flourish and revealing the scroll in his hand. Your eyes widened as he placed it in your hands, the weight heavy in your palms as your thumb brushed over the expensive paper, knowing that it was from a royal.
Swallowing thickly, you slowly unraveled the scroll, eyes scanning every inch of the page, and tears brimmed in your eyes. You looked up at the dragon that stood before you with misty eyes. Mingi reached forward, cupping your face in his larger hands and crouching down to press his forehead against yours.
"You are now officially my wife." His tone was filled with nothing but love, and your heart leaped into your throat.
Tears began to drip from your damp lashes as you brought a shaky hand to wrap around his neck, pulling him impossibly closer, "and you, my husband."
Weeks upon weeks of preparations had begun, Mingi wanting everything to be perfect for you because in his eyes, you deserved nothing less. You found a gown as well as a bouquet of flowers that suited the overall theme, while Mingi made sure everything was in order for the ceremony.
People came and went in the estate, many new faces greeted you, much to Mingi's distaste, but he knew it was only for the preparation. All of the old dainty decorations and furniture had been whisked away, replaced by newer, classier furniture. The decorations a mixture of blues, turquoise and gold, all of which screamed of your soon-to-be husbands knack for picking the sparkly things—his dragon side peaking out just a bit. But you never teased—at least not too much—instead you found it endearing, something that cracked his cold shell.
"Duchess? The tailor has arrived with the veils; you are to pick one today." Your personal maid, Jaeyoung, spoke as she followed behind you through the estate.
You stopped for just a moment as you inspected the new mirror that had been hung in the hall at the top of the staircase. A soft hum vibrated from your chest as your fingers brushed the petals of the flowers that sat in the azure vase, the color reminding you of Mingi's scales.
"Hm, we shall not keep her waiting any longer." You finally turned to give the young girl a sweet smile, and the glimmer in your eyes caused a smile of her own to spread on Jaeyoung's face.
Following Jaeyoung down the stairs, you felt the hairs on the back of your neck stand tall, the feeling of eyes on your body. However, instead of feeling uneasy, you felt happiness swell in your chest, eyes flickering over to meet the deep azure eyes of the man you were to call your husband in just a few short hours.
Though you could only spare him a passing glance before both of you were whisked away for your own tasks. You were to choose the perfect veil to match your wedding gown while Mingi finished setting up the guest list for the grand banquet that was to be held tomorrow after your wedding night. At first, you hadn't been sure what Mingi had meant when he explained it, but then his vulgar words echoed in your ears, and you became flustered all over again.
'It's a celebration for the bride after we've consummated our marriage and you've been properly bred.'
"We're here, Your Grace." Jaeyoung's voice snapped you out of your thoughts, and you looked at her with wide doe eyes, as if you were a child who had just been caught sticking their hand in the cookie jar. However, if she noticed, she didn't say a word; instead, she held the door to the indoor garden open, where you found your taller waiting inside.
Yes, just a few more preparations before the ceremony tonight, and the thought left your heart racing with excitement and glee.
—
The ceremony was held in the back of the estate, in the center of the hedge canopy. It was absolutely magnificent and utterly stunning. Something that you had only seen in the pages of your fairy tale books. Your beautiful gown flowed behind you, the soft gusts of wind helping to keep the skirt splayed out as the petals from the flower girls' baskets fluttered down onto it. A mixture of different emotions passed through you, happiness, nervousness, disbelief, you name it, and you were probably feeling it for a small increment of time before it moved on to the next.
Bird chirps in song above you, and you couldn't help but look up to watch them hop along the tree branches. Your veil was obscuring your vision just enough that you had to look down to clearly see the ground beneath you.
Then you came to the entrance of the canopy, music fading, and you felt your pulse thumping against the base of your throat, all sounds dying on your tongue the moment you saw him.
There Mingi was, standing upon the stage before all the townsfolk and other guests, his blue hair styled in a way that showed his forehead while it still framed his face marvelously. His white suit was a near match to your gown, the silver embroidery done with such precision that it looked as if it had been handcrafted by the gods above. And when the wind blew, the tail of his coat flowed behind him, taking your breath along with it. He had become the embodiment of the prince charming you've read about in fairytales.
But by the gods, he looked at you as if you had just hung the stars in the very sky above you, azure eyes glowing softly the closer you approached. Nothing but love and adoration brimmed in his gaze, and had you asked him in this moment, he would say that he thought you were an angel that had been left to walk this earth.
As you neared the stage, you felt your breath catch in your throat, the intensity of his gaze knocking the air from you. One of the noblewomen who had been perched on your side of the stage helped you up the steps, careful of the white lace on your skirt, fixing it so it stayed beautifully spread behind you. Then you were meeting Mingi's gaze once more as he took your shaky hands into his, and for the first time in the nearly eight months you've spent with the dragon, you saw his eyes glassy with tears.
Even during the officiant's speech, neither of you could seem to tear your attention away from the other, smiles matching. Your fingers tightened around Mingi's larger hand as you tried your best to keep your own tears at bay, and thankfully, no one paid any mind to the two of you being lost in your own worlds.
Then, when the time came to exchange vows, Mingi was pulling the veil from your face, having had enough of the obstruction. The action pulled a soft giggle from you before you were tilting your head to meet his gaze once more, this time without the veil, and your heart skipped a beat. Seeing him with the barrier didn't hold a candle to seeing him without it, and by the looks of it, the blue-haired male was thinking the same thing.
"You are absolutely breathtaking, princess." His voice was barely above a whisper, scared that he would break entirely if he spoke any louder. You bit your tongue as you realized then and there that the name was never merely just your title to him; you were and would always remain his princess, regardless of whether that was your official title or not. He then began to recite his vows, his tears finally breaking free with the emotions he was laying before you. Releasing one of his hands, you lifted your gloved hand, cupping his jaw and brushing some of the azure tears that pooled under his eye.
By the time he had finished, you both were crying, tears of pure, unfiltered happiness flowing down your reddening cheeks. Next was your turn, and you spoke freely, never being able to write your words out, but rather speaking from your heart. Each word falling from your lips like an unspoken promise, and love laced every word.
Everyone could feel the love and adoration that was seeping from the two of you, tears of their own pooling in their eyes as they watched Mingi slip the ring onto your left hand. The dazzling diamond had an almost blue hue to it as the setting sun reflected off the gem. It was the most beautiful thing you've seen, save for the man who was standing before you. Once you had slipped his ring onto his own finger, his hand was cradling the back of your head as he brought his lips down to yours.
The kiss was oh-so-similar to the one you've shared countless times, except this time, the emotions you both couldn't put into words were conveyed as your lips melded together. Your gloved fingers grasped at the lapels of his coat, pulling him as close as you could, completely forgetting the audience that sat before you.
Only when your lungs were begging for oxygen did you part, chests heaving with heavy breaths and a smile adorning your faces despite the lingering embarrassment. The crowd around you broke out into cheers as the ceremony concluded, and they wished you the best, while others prayed for your future heirs. Their words made your body warm as you remembered what awaited you once you and Mingi were back behind the closed doors of the estate, while everyone else partied the night away.
Even the maids and other staff were dismissed for the night, ordered to take care of everyone who remained outside.
"Now…" Mingi murmurs into your ear before he sweeps you off your feet, causing you to gasp, arms instinctively wrapping around his broad shoulders. "Shall we consummate our marriage, my sweet little wife?"
Your ears turned red first, trailing up until your whole expression shifted, flustered by the blue-haired male's words. You buried your face in his neck, the soft rumble of his laughter vibrating through your body and making your stomach flutter.
The trek back to the estate passed in a blur, and before you knew it, Mingi was setting you on your feet before the door to the washroom. You glanced over at him with furrowed brows, and he just offered you a smile before opening the door with a flourish. A soft sound fell from your lips when you saw the candles that were placed methodically around the room, petals as blue as sapphires and as white as snow laid on the ground. Then the sweet scent of roses mixed with vanilla wafted around you, nearly taking your breath away.
Mingi slips past you, stepping further into the room until he stands just beside the tub that is filled, the same flower petals floating on top. You began to wonder whether this was what he had been planning so meticulously, and he wouldn't utter a word to you.
"Come here." His voice was low, quiet, almost. Not a command, but not a request, something in between. Something that has heat pooling in your core.
You take a step into the room, then another, the petals on the ground catching on the ends of your dress. Mingi holds his hand out to you, pulling your body closer to his once your smaller hand is placed in his.
His lips leave a searing kiss against your skin as he tugs your gloves off your hands, each kiss warming your body further. Once the gloves were off, he let his hands fall to your waist, leaning down until his lips were ghosting over yours. You bit back a small whine when he kissed your cheek, his fingers undoing your corset with ease.
"Mingi…" You breathed out as he undressed you, his lips trailing over all the newly exposed skin until you were standing bare before him.
"So beautiful," He breathed out, tracing his fingertips over every curve he could reach before sealing his lips over yours. The kiss was nothing like the sweet one you shared merely half an hour ago; no, this one felt as if you were trying to consume each other, and maybe you were, but neither of you cared.
Your fingers gripped his coat lapels, pushing them off his shoulders, and he pulled the sleeves off until the fabric joined yours on the ground. Then, without so much as breaking the kiss, you undo the buttons of his tunic. Before long, his clothes had joined yours, and you felt a lump form in your throat as you broke apart, eyes falling to his cock that stood proudly against his lower abdomen. You knew he wasn't going to be normal; he wasn't even human, but the sheer size made your stomach churn in both need and fear.
Mingi's fingers hooked under your chin, pulling your attention back to him, pressing his lips gently against the corner of your lips. "Don't stare, my love, it's already hard enough to restrain myself as it is."
Then he was stepping into the tub, hands on your waist, tightening before he was pulling you in with him. Goosebumps littered your skin as the warm water enveloped your body, relaxing the muscles that had been straining all day with the stress of the ceremony.
Mingi's arms wrapped around your smaller frame, pulling you back into his chest, your head falling back onto his shoulder. The washroom was quiet, save for the rippling sounds of the water and the distant sounds of the townsfolk celebrating. All while the two of you sat in the tub, soaking in each other's warmth, and Mingi's hands roamed your body, his fingers pressing into the plush skin every so often, working out the knots that had formed. He bit back a soft growl as he listened to the sounds of your sighs and quiet moans that would slip past your lips unintentionally.
"You did so good today, princess," His smooth voice sent a wave of heat throughout your body, your thighs subconsciously rubbing together. Noticing the shift of your movements, he moved his hands from your biceps down your waist before squeezing your hips, eliciting another soft moan.
"Mingi." You sighed, head lolling to the side when his lips latched onto the soft skin of your neck, placing a flurry of open-mouthed kisses along the expanse of your skin. The soft scrape of his fangs had a shiver running down your spine, head already spinning. His hands moved from your hips to your thighs, squeezing the plush fat before pulling them apart.
"Just relax, sweetheart," He cooed into your neck, and you moved your hand to cup the back of his neck as his fingers moved to your bare core.
A soft moan slipped past your lips when he found your aching clit with ease, moving in slow circles. His movements weren't rushed or harsh; they were gentle, making sure you felt everything. Your fingers tightened around his neck when he moved away from your bundle of nerves to slip a finger into your tight walls.
"God, Mingi." You whined, back arching as he stretched you open, the foreign sensation had your toes curling, more so when the rough pads of his fingers found the spongy spot deep in your walls.
Chuckling softly, Mingi used his other hand to push your hips back down and kept you in place as you let out another whine. When he slipped in another finger, your eyes rolled back at the stretch, your other hand gripping his thigh to ground yourself, but when his thumb found your clit it was all pointless.
"Cum for me, pretty girl, let me feel you around my fingers." His fingers coaxed you closer to your high, heat flushing your body, making you lightheaded, and with just a few more strokes of his skilled fingers, you were toppling over the edge.
"M-Mingi." You moaned out, nails digging into Mingi's skin as stars danced across your vision.
Mingi continued to work you through your high, relishing in the sweet sounds that left your parted lips. He placed a gentle kiss on your cheek as he pulled his fingers from your still twitching cunt.
"Mingi…" You whined, opening your eyes to look up at him, need still pooling in your blown-out pupils.
"Don't worry, love, I'm not done with you yet." Mingi's lips twitched into a smirk as he cupped your jaw, bringing his face closer to yours. Another whine fell from your lips but was quickly muffled by his as he kissed you deeply, the sharp points of his fangs nipping at your bottom lip, threatening to draw blood.
Then his hands were on your hips once more, flipping your body around so you were facing him. The speed makes your head spin, and your hand flies to his shoulders to stabilize yourself. Every nerve ending in your body felt as if it were set aflame, a choked moan falling from your parted lips when you felt his heavy cock against your bare cunt.
"Bloody hell, princess," Mingi groans, fingers tightening like a vice on your body when you started rolling your hips against him. You let out another moan when the rough ridges on his cock caught your aching clit.
In the blink of an eye, Mingi was pulling your body from the now lukewarm water, a gasp tearing from your lungs at the sudden movement. Your legs wrapped around his slender waist, arms tightening around his neck.
Walking back into the main room, he dropped you onto the bed, a small huff leaving your lips as your damp body fell onto the sheets. Mingi was back on you in a matter of seconds, body slotted over yours as he brought his lips back down to yours in a heated kiss. Your brain started to go fuzzy as his lips trailed from yours down your jaw before finding purchase on the sensitive skin of your neck.
"M-Mingi." You choked out as he started to leave hot, wet, open-mouth kisses along your jugular, nipping every now and then, causing your body to shiver. His eager hands moved to the soft skin of your breasts, squeezing the mounds and pulling a pitched whine from your kiss-swollen lips.
"You smell so sweet," He growls against your marked skin before his lips pressed a firm kiss over your perk nipple, then wrapping his lips around it, sucking gently, eliciting a soft moan of his name from your lips.
Once the skin on your breast was slick with his saliva and covered in his marks, he moved down the valley of your breasts. His lips traveled down your tummy, pressing a gentle kiss to each scar, blemish, and mark that he passed, and you watched him with teary eyes. Your heart swelled as he whispered praises against your skin, telling you how much he loved you.
You gasped when he parted your legs, resting them over his shoulders so he could see your glistening cunt. He starts to press gentle kisses along the inside of your thighs, and you could feel yourself growing wetter by the second. Your eyes stayed locked on him as he neared your warm center, then he pressed a kiss against your clit, causing your whole body to tremble.
"You’re dripping, princess,” He teased as he spread your folds, taking in the way your hole clenched around nothing. A gasp fell from your lips when he buried his face in your cunt, nose bumping your clit as he inhaled your scent, a low growl vibrating from the back of his throat. His hands wrap around your thighs to keep them in place as you start to squirm. A sharp whine falls from your lips, head falling back when he licked up your slit.
Then his lips were wrapping around your aching clit, sucking harshly, causing you to moan loudly, hand flying down, fingers grasping one of his dark blue horns. A deep groan reverberates from the back of his throat when you tug, and another moan escapes your lips, back arching off the bed and pushing your hips further into his face. Mingi was quick to move one hand from your thigh to press it flat down on your stomach, keeping you in place.
"Min— ooh god!" You cried out when he easily slips two fingers into your wet walls, curling them right against your sweet spot. The sounds of your whimpers and whines only cause the man to grin against you.
"You tasted so much sweeter than I thought, princess," He groans, lapping at your cunt and slowly thrusting his fingers into you. Your fingers tugged on his dark horn, the rough ridges digging into your skin as he buried his face in your cunt, groaning against you, eliciting a series of pants and moans.
Your heartbeat was ringing in your ears as your mouth gaped open, head falling back. Stars danced across your vision, your whole body shaking underneath Mingi’s hold. The pace of his fingers was relentless as he easily found the spongy spot inside your pussy, making you cry out his name. Your whole body tingled as all of your senses became overwhelmed, thighs trembling, threatening to close. Noticing this, Mingi took his hand from your stomach to grip one of your thighs tightly.
You weren’t able to give him a warning as you came around his fingers. He continued to suck on your clit in time with his fingers. Feeling you squeeze around his fingers as you cried out his name left Mingi groaning against you.
"M-Min—" You choked out a gasp, head falling back as he worked you through your orgasm and kissed his way back up your body. He swallowed all of your cute little whines as he kissed you deeply, tongue brushing against the back of your teeth. Your brain nearly short-circuited at the taste of yourself on his tongue, your hands falling to his shoulders.
"Still so tight, love," He chuckled darkly as your eyes rolled slightly when he curled his fingers against your sweet spot. There was no way he was going to be able to hold much longer before he lost it; each moan and whimper you let out wore at his restraint. So he sped up his fingers, his thumb pressing harsh circles against your twitching clit.
"Please!" You cried out, back arching off the bed and against his firm chest. Your mind was starting to short-circuit when he added a third finger, stretching you further. A broken whine fell from your lips, but was quickly swallowed by Mingi's eager lips, stealing all the air from your lungs.
Your hand wrapped around his neck, nails biting the skin when he added a fourth finger, the stretch borderline painful, but as he brushed over your sweet spot, stars danced across your vision. You held him close as you felt your orgasm creeping up on you, and he bit at your bottom lip, enough to draw blood this time. Then he was pulling it into his mouth, sucking on it; the mixture of pain and pleasure pushing you right over the edge with a strangled cry of his name.
"Mingi!" You cried out as he continued to work his fingers into your fluttering walls, prolonging your orgasm for a few moments. He lapped at the tears that had spilled from your eyes, whispering dirty praises against your skin before he was finally pulling his soaking digits from your twitching cunt.
You watched with hooded eyes as he stuck his fingers in his mouth, licking your essence off of his digits. The sight was enough to make your need grow all over again, especially with the way his eyes bore into you. Once he was sure he had licked every last drop of your sweet nectar off of his fingers, he leaned back down over you, pressing his lips against yours again. You mewled at the taste of yourself on his tongue mixed with the tangy, metallic taste of your blood from your lip.
"Mingi…" You whined, body growing even warmer as you felt his heavy cock sitting on your lower tummy, the warmth sending goosebumps littering your skin. Your fingers tugged at the hairs on the nape of his neck, lips parting with a gasp when he nipped at your jaw, "Need you… need you so bad, Mingi, please."
The sound of your pleas has the dragon growling against your skin, the last bit of his restraint wearing thin, "I need you too, sweetheart, but I don't want to hurt you."
"You won't." You shook your head violently, tears splashing onto the sheets beside your head. "I trust you, Min, please."
And just like that, his restraint snapped, his hands moving to spread your thighs further and lining his ribbed cock with your leaking entrance. The feeling made your body jolt, a moan falling from your lips, and Mingi's grip on your hip tightened. Your whole body seemed like it had been set aflame.
"If it's too much, just tell me, princess." He whispered against your skin, then he was pushing into your tight heat. The stretch was like nothing you’ve ever felt before, and your eyes nearly rolled to the back of your head as he continued to fill you. “Ah, focus on me, love,” Mingi whispered softly, coaxing your eyes open, and you looked at him as tears started to spill from the corner of your eyes. “Good girl.”
"H-Hurts." You whine, back arching against him as more tears spill from your eyes, only to be caught by Mingi's lips, teeth nipping at your cheek, causing you to shiver.
"I know, sweetheart, just a little more, I promise." He cooed against your skin, gritting his teeth as your walls squeezed around him. Then, when he bottomed out, you gasped, eyes rolling back at the full feeling, and you swore his tip was pressing past your cervix.
"Feels good." You breathed out, tilting your head to look at him, and you felt like you were starting to go delirious. The lack of movement was starting to make your thighs shake, your need started to grow tenfold, and Mingi could tell by the way your hips started to roll against his.
A choked moan tore from your lips when he rolled his hips into yours, pleasure washing over you in waves as he hit all the right spots in one single stroke. He grabs your hips when you give him the green light to move, and stars dance across your vision as he pulls out before snapping his hips right back into yours. Your fingers dug into the sheets from the overwhelming pleasure.
"Look at you, princess.” He groaned as he continued his rough pace; it was almost animalistic, if you will. His eyes then fell down to where his cock disappeared into your sopping cunt, and he felt himself grow harder at the sight of the small bulge that formed in your lower tummy every time he pushed into you.
You cried out as he pushed down on your stomach, making you feel him even more as he fucked into you. Your body felt like it was on fire, your mind clouded with so much pleasure that you no longer had any proper words or thoughts forming. Drool spilled past the corner of your lips, trickling down your cheek, and incoherent babbles fell from your lips. The pleasure was so overbearing that your legs began to tremble around Mingi's waist, hips fighting against his hold to rut up into his thrusts. You could feel that coil in the pit of your stomach growing tighter and tighter at an alarming rate with every drag of his cock in your walls.
Leaning down, Mingi's tongue lolled out of his mouth as he lapped at the spit that spilled from your kiss-swollen lips, your hand finding the back of his neck, nails biting at the skin. A loud pornographic moan tore from your lips when one of his hands slid between your bodies, pressing against your clit.
“Cum for me, love, please.” He pleaded like he was the one more desperate for your orgasm, but with a few more strokes, you felt that coil in the pit of your stomach snap, and your release gushed out all over his length.
A mixture of his name and broken moans fell from your lips as he continued his fast pace, never slowing down and throwing your body into overstimulation. Your eyes squeezed shut at the overwhelming feeling, pushing more tears out, but Mingi was quick to kiss them away.
“God.” He groaned as he felt his high nearing, and his hips snapped wildly into yours, making your vision turn white, nails digging into his neck. A mixture of a groan and a whimper fell from his lips as he completely buried himself to the hilt once more as he came, burying his face in the crook of your neck.
The room was filled with heavy breathing as you came down from your high, but the soft sound of Mingi's low, feral growls against your neck made your body tingle. You brought your hand from his neck to the top of his head, fingers brushing over his horns.
All of the air was knocked out of your lungs when he lifted his head from your neck, his blown out pupils and the intensity of his gaze making you shiver. Then, in the blink of an eye, he was pulling his still hard cock from your weeping walls and flipping your body with ease. His hands were quick to find your hips, pulling them up until your back was arched the way he wanted.
"We're not done yet, princess. I've still gotta make sure you've been bred properly," He chuckled darkly as he pressed his tip against your twitching hole, watching as you eagerly sucked him in. You buried your face into the sheets as he pushed into you with one sharp thrust, his tip pushing right against your cervix.
Tears stained the sheets underneath you as he relentlessly bullied his cock into your abused pussy, his hands tight on your hips. Muffled cries and moans were the only sounds that emitted from your body. Your cognitive function to form words flew right out the window.
“Such a good little princess, hmm,” He cooed, leaning down until his back was pressed against your chest, his lips finding the back of your shoulder. “Taking everything, I give you like a good girl.” The mixture of his deep voice and his soft lips on your skin made your body melt, and if it wasn’t for his hold, you would have surely fallen flat on the mattress.
"Min— Mingi!" You cried out, fat tears falling from your eyes as he continued his relentless pace until your whole body was shaking. “Cumming! ‘M cumming!” Your voice cracked as he fucked you through another orgasm, but once again, his ministrations never stopped, much less slowed down.
White spots started to cloud your mind when he stood up straight once again, using your hips as leverage to fuck into you. Choked sobs left your lips when your body fell into a state of overstimulation. Every nerve felt as if it were on fire.
Then his hand was moving from your hip, pressing against your sternum, and pulling your upper body off the bed. A choked sob tore through your parted lips as he pistoned his hips into yours mercilessly. Your brain felt like it was turning into mush from the overwhelming amount of pleasure.
“You’re gonna look so pretty all swollen with my babies.” Mingi licked a stripe up the back of your neck, “Such a perfect mommy.” He cooed as he nipped at your skin, feeling another orgasm of his own creeping up.
“M-Mingi…” You whimpered in his hold, your head empty except for the thought of his cock buried deep in you until he was sure his seed would take.
“Gonna make sure everyone knows that you’re mine.” He growled before unexpectedly biting down on the nape of your neck as he came. The sudden infliction of pain pulled yet another orgasm from your spent body, your walls fluttering around his twitching cock, milking him for all he was worth.
Pulling away from your neck, he watched with proud eyes as his mark started to bleed, your sweet crimson blood coating his lips. You cried out when you felt something stretching you even more, and it sent your body over the edge once more, this time a weaker orgasm rushing through your bones. Mingi pressed his face into the side of your head, whispering sweet nothings in your ear while you both came down from your high.
"Mingi?" Your voice was hoarse as you spoke, head falling back onto his shoulder, and he pressed a gentle kiss to your cheek as he hummed, "What is that?"
“It’s a knot, sweetheart. It’ll go down in a bit, but for now, try not to move too much.” He explained to you, and you let out a sigh, moving a shaky hand to the bottom of your tummy where you could still feel him pressing against your cervix.
"It's so warm," You babble mindlessly, causing Mingi to chuckle, anchoring your body to his as he kisses your shoulder.
"That just means it's taking," He murmurs against your skin, and you lift your head, brows furrowed, and he explains how different mating with a dragon descendant would be. Then once the knot wore down, he was slipping from your aching walls, laying your body on the bed before crawling over you, lips sealing yours in a sweet kiss that quickly turned heated. "And if we're lucky, you'll be with child by the end of the week."
You smiled up at him, the mere thought of carrying his child making a warmth bloom in your chest, and you pulled him down for another kiss. The two of you get lost in the heat of each other once more, marking the start of a very long night.
—
Neither you nor Mingi left your chambers until the next night, dressed lavishly as you walked into the main dining hall of the estate. Everyone greeted you warmly as you walked further into the room, arm hooked around Mingi's. To others, here it would seem like you were simply clinging to your husband as a newlywed wife might, but while that might also be the case, you were using his strong body as support. Your body is still not fully recovered from the strenuous activities that kept you and Mingi up most of the night.
"Welcome, Duke and Duchess Song." Someone announced as you and Mingi took your seats at the head of the table, Mingi's larger hand resting comfortably on your thigh.
"We wish you and the Duke nothing but luck and prosperity." A noblewoman and her young daughter walked up to you, bowing deeply before offering you a gift that your maid took to join the multitude of others.
This went on for the better half of the night, and before long, you felt a churning in your gut. Swallowing thickly, you move your hand to your stomach, and Mingi was quick to notice. Without breaking the conversation he was holding with another nobleman, he moved his hand from your thigh to cover your smaller hand that lay on your stomach.
You knew that pregnancy with a dragon descendant would be different, and Mingi warned you that if done correctly, you would be with child before the end of the week. Though as you felt something bubble in your gut, you were sure that you wouldn't need the rest of the week, and that alone brought a soft smile to your lips.
Lying your other hand over Mingi's, the cool metal of his ring chilling your skin in a comforting way, and you began to wonder how this came to be your life. Yet as you sat here, overlooking all of your people with your husband by your side, you knew that if given the chance, you'd relive this lifetime and time again.
☆ pairing — song mingi x fem!reader
☆ synopsis — Stoner!Mingi is your new neighbour. You moved in over the Summer, and spent the season developing an innocent little crush on the guy you keep catching smoking on his balcony. But now that it's gotten cold out, he's taken to smoking inside. And his shit's loud. You don't want to be a snitch and rat him out to their landlord, so you tries to bring it to him directly. And oh fuck he's hot, adorable & he's offering to smoke you out as an apology, because he can't just smoke outside when it's this frigid out he's so sensitive— you get it right?
☆ genre — fluff, smut, mostly pwp, strangers/neighbours to lovers, kinda idiots to lovers vibes
☆ word count — 8.5k+
☆ warnings — smut! 18! kinda pwp... there's a couple thousand words of lead up... oops... recreational marijuana use by both mingi + reader, mingi is whiny & pathetic... uhm obviously..., reader is also whiny and pathetic though so yknow, size difference stuff, reader is described as shorter/smaller than mingi, switchy but mostly subby!mingi, switchy but mostly sub!reader, so it's kinda two desperate subs i'm sorry but i love this dynamic okay, mingi is a munch duh, oral sex (fem receiving), pussydrunk!mingi, nasty!mingi, oralfixation!mingi bigdick!mingi, overstimulation, grinding/dry humping, drawn out make out sesh, piv, unprotected sex bc they're irresponsible, just two horny high idiots really, mention at the end of who might be in a possible sequel to this.... wtver....
☆ mdni ☆ you are responsible for the content you consume ☆ ageless blogs will be blocked ☆
[a/n]: hihi.. first fic on this blog finally,,, i've been set up here for a while but now i'm ready to come back to this space! i used to write for bts then bts/svt but that was forever ago and i think im mostly going to be writing for ateez and stray kidz? i have a lot planned, many ridiculous wips... anywayssss thanks for reading i havent written fic for any fandom in literal years so im kinda terrified but i can't avoid this anymore haah- this is also unedited so if you notice any glaring mistakes/inconsistencies pls lemme know! ty!!!! <3 - honey
You love your new apartment. At least, you love it in comparison to your last place, a nightmarish shoebox with horrific neighbours and peeling walls. But even your friends took care to fawn over your new digs while helping you move in, Wooyoung making sure that you understood how big of a moment this was for you. He even spied out the eye candy that lives just next door; he told you all about your new neighbour who smiled and waved awkwardly at him and San as they were hoisting your couch through the door.
And he wasn't wrong– the man is beanstalk-tall and so fucking wide. A braver woman than you certainly would have hit on him by now, drawn in by the wide smile he gives you as he shoulders into the elevator behind you and exchanges good-natured, earnest pleasantries with you. You hope you answer his how's your week been with a smooth nonchalance that distracts him from the way you're smiling way too big to be passed off as anything near casual. He tells you silly stories about his job as a dance coach at the local studio and looks genuinely satisfied when he gets a laugh out of you. The pair of you comfortably settle into a place somewhere between 'just neighbours' and 'friends' lined with a flirtatious tension neither of you dares to bring up– and it works.
You even get to share some gentle mornings together, each of you out on your own balconies. You, with your cup of homemade iced latte and him rolling a joint on the too-tiny table he stuck out there for that sole purpose, his knees knocking against the underside of it nearly every time he shifts his legs. The first time you catch him, tongue halfway across the rolled paper, he has the wherewithal to at least look sheepish and he lets out a visible sigh of relief when you just laugh and take your own seat. You steal furtive glances over whatever book you brought out to watch him as he smokes, gradually sinking into his seat and you let yourself fantasize about him sneaking looks over at you in between tokes. It's fun to have a cute little puppy crush, you decide, even if it doesn't go anywhere, and Mingi's a great recipient.
So of course he has to go and ruin it.
"When did you start smoking weed again?" Wooyoung wrinkles his nose as he pulls off his parka and lets you lock the door behind him. "Don't think I've seen you smoke since college. You’d better share, that's so-"
You interrupt him with a frustrated groan. "I didn't Wooyoung- that's from next door," you stomp petulantly to your kitchen, leaving your friend to follow in your frustrated wake. "I didn't realize when he kept it to the balcony but whatever fucked up strain he smokes is seeping into the walls, I swear."
Wooyoung places the Chinese takeout he brought on the kitchen counter, shaking excess snow out of his hair. You hand him a plate and a pair of chopsticks and he lets out a faux-contemplative puff of air before he replies, "Well… he had to have like a flaw right? Inconsiderate stoner is annoying sure, but I bet I can whip him into shape." He grins wickedly and punctures his sentence by snapping his chopsticks at you. "Still hot, unfortunately. Saw him heading out on my way up and he manages to be enticing even in an extra-long puffer coat."
"Ugh, whatever," except it's not whatever because you know the coat Wooyoung's talking about and Mingi doeslook so adorable in it, especially because it's oversized and he pulls up the hood and smiles at you until his eyes disappear and nuzzles his face into the pulled up collar. "Whatever," you repeat, shaking your head like it'll shake out the image of Mingi all bundled up in his Winter get up. "It doesn't matter how cute he is-"
"Okay, so I said hot."
"It doesn't matter!" Maybe if you say it a couple dozen more times it'll come true. "Because there is nothing cute or hot about being an inconsiderate jackass. It's starting to get into my clothes, Wooyoung. I have a job where I need to maintain like, a modicum of professionalism. I can't show up smelling like weed."
"We're slipping into old man shakes fist at cloud territory here, princess," Wooyoung is gentle with you even in his teasing, knowing first hand how you can work yourself into a frenzy with little encouragement– or, on your worst days, no encouragement at all. "Like, you're not wrong, but let's reel it back before you commit full on arson on the building you're also living in."
The two of you have gradually migrated to the couch, letting episodes of a familiar sitcom drone on in the background. And having Wooyoung around is so lovely because no one else would let you whine like this, and before you know it the cups of hot and sour soup are empty and you're bitching and moaning about Mingi again. It doesn't help that it's nearing the time of night when he tends to spark up again, so you know the smell that had somewhat faded since this morning is about to come back with a dank vengeance.
"I know it's lame or whatever to complain about someone lighting up in their own home," you mumble out around a bite of springroll, its crispiness doing wonders to settle you down. "I thought he was like a thoughtful guy though, you know? It's kinda disappointing. He really is just a man."
Wooyoung scoffs out a laugh, "Well, I could've told you that. I've definitely seen him scratch his balls in the elevator."
"Ew, stop, the illusion's already been shattered."
He only laughs as he grabs the two fortune cookies from the takeout bag and tosses one at you. He doesn't bother to apologize when you don't react quick enough to catch it, the crinkly wrapping paper hitting you square in the forehead. He's already munching away at his cookie, cheeks puffed out. "Mine says that beauty is often mistakenly valued above wisdom… so. A lie. Does yours say anything about fucking your sexy neighbour and stealing his weed?"
The air outside has settled at a bitter, bone-chilling cold. You've taken to wearing two pairs of socks most days in hope of conserving the heat as you trudge to the subway every morning. The scarf you knit last year that made you officially abandon your knitting needles has made a surprise reappearance in your daily rotation. And Mingi is still huffing away next door more days than not, stinking up your apartment like the worst Bath & Body Works candle imaginable.
San suggested going to your landlord- and he nodded solemnly when you said absolutely not because you're no snitch. But you hate, hate, hate the way you still reek with the stuff even when you're blocks away, overpowering any perfume you own. You’ve also wasted a lot of your favourite perfumes.
You have to say something to Mingi. Directly. Direct confrontation. Oh god.
Your feet carried you to his door before you can reconsider. The door is normal, unassuming. Why wouldn't it be? It’s the same as yours, just six feet to the left. Did you expect it to look different? An evil, anxious bug in the back of your mind wonders if he's watching you just stare at his door through his peephole, wondering why his skittish neighbour is lurking outside his apartment. The visual is so harrowing that you finally commit to knocking before it can become a reality.
There's a moment of quiet– then, distantly, a crash, a cough and heavy footsteps that creep closer. And then he's opening the door, and there he is, tall but not quite imposing, eyebrows furrowed in confusion that only serves to make him even more endearing.
His expression brightens when he realizes it's you. You wonder, fleetingly, if he's doing this on purpose, because gosh, that smile nearly makes you forgive him right then and there. "Neighbour!" he chirps, like he really is excited to see you. Earnest, he’s really very earnest."This is new."
Right, you're crossing into untreated territory here and for a moment you feel a sense of embarrassment– but that fades quickly into indignation. He crossed that boundary first. His stink is in your home! "Yes, right, hi," terrible start. "Mingi, hi. Hi." Woof.
"…Hi?" If there is a god, he'd strike you with lightning and take you out with a swiftness.
"Hi, sorry," you shake your head at yourself like it'll physically snap you back to reality. "I hope you're not, like, busy or anything, I can totally come back later or tomorrow, even."
He's still smiling at you like that and he cocks his head at your words. "No, not busy. Just, y'know, winding down after work, yeah?" he says it like it's an inside joke. He settled into familiarity with you so quickly, you’ve allowed yourself to wonder before if that’s just what he’s like or if that’s what he’s like with you.
"Yeah," your hands busy themselves in the pocket of your oversized sweater- he brought it up himself, perfect, now you just have to commit. "Winding down, right- look, Mingi, I don't wanna be a shitty neighbour, really-"
"You're a great neighbour," he interrupts, not realizing he's super not helping.
"Oh! Oh, thanks, you've been… swell," swell?! "Except, there's just, it's really just this one thing, and I really wouldn't bring this up otherwise, and I'm not, like, judging or anything-"
"Did I do something wrong?"
"No! No, well not really it's just…" you're scrambling, that much is clear.
"Hey, I'm really sorry if I did something to upset you, I mean it, It’s just, I don't even know-"
"Mingi, you stink!"
Not great. He's staring at you in genuine shock, mouth in a little 'O' shape. You'd think he was actually frozen if it weren't for the shock of bright red that creeps up his ears. "Not like you stink," oh god, you've fucked this. Like really, actually fucked it. Royally. "Like, when you smoke. Inside. It stinks. It stinks up everything. It gets into my clothes. It gets into my hair, Mingi," you're whining now, a petulant child insisting she's right. But you are, of course, right, is the thing. "And I don't mind it, like, fundamentally and I meant it, I'm not judging you but god your shit's loud and I can't deal with it all the time, you know?" Your hands have come up to cover your eyes. Maybe when you take them down, Mingi will have disappeared and he'll have been a projection of your single, horny brain all these months.
And then Mingi starts giggling. Honest to god, giggling. "Oh, little neighbour," he coos at you and his hands, massive but purposely gentle, come up to grasp at your wrists and pull them away from your face. And he's still there. Obviously. "Shit," he sighs. "I'm sorry, little neighbour. I just– I run so cold, yeah? I'm real sensitive– like, when it's this nasty cold outside." You nod along and pretend not to notice that he hasn't let go of your wrists. His hands are warm.
"I guess I'm a little nose blind to my own shit though, I really didn't think it'd be so bad," he chuckles at himself. "My friends joke about me reeking of the stuff but I thought they were just being assholes. Huh… guess I was the asshole the whole time, huh?"
You shake your head, almost on instinct. "No, really it's fine– I mean, I was getting mildly annoyed, sure," holy understatement. "But I wasn't about to rat you out or anything. Just... I don't know…" You're running out of gas now, turning sheepish and wrinkling your nose at yourself.
"Hey, hey," he lets go of your wrists and uses one big hand to ruffle at your hair like a cranky kitten. "You've every right to your annoyance, neighbour. I really am sorry. Listen, I'll uh, I'll start smoking like on the way to the grocery store and shit like that. Or I'll get a vape. Something, I don't know," he laughs out a breath and leans against the doorframe. "Really, I've been trying to be the perfect neighbour for you this whole time– turns out all I had to do to get you to finally knock is stink up the whole place, huh?"
You… you think that he might be flirting with you now. You can't be sure because you're still kind of reeling from your own faux pas. "The smell's not that bad," you concede. "I mean it's… a lot. I used to smoke kinda regularly, like, in college. It's just the sheer amount- I mean, my god, Mingi, you're a fucking chimney."
This time when he laughs, you let yourself laugh with him. "Yeah, yeah, I've heard it all before," he's smiling that bright, sunshiney, power the city for generations smile again. "Okay-" he claps his hands and you startle at the noise, making him laugh again.
"An idea! I have an idea." You give him a worried look and he lays a hand on your shoulder that you think he means to settle you, but you feel heat spread all over. Was he always this touchy? "I owe you an apology, obviously," you go to interrupt but he carries on. "No, no, I do, you can't change my mind about this." The firey determination that sparks up in his expressive eyes all but confirms this. "So– let's stink up this floor one more time. I smoke you out, you can raid my fridge for whatever snacks you want and I'll even order you some candles to clear out the lingering scent. And then I commit to smoking out in the cold for the rest of my mortal, pathetic life."
Turns out Mingi is a very difficult person to say no to. Not that you tried very hard, of course. One glance at those puppy eyes and you crumbled. He's got a classic mid-2000's comedy on– he said it was one of his favourites and you wished you'd taken a picture of the way his eyes lit up when you quoted it back to him. You'd bonded over your favourite stupid bits from stupid movies. He's kinda nerdy, you've realized as he recites full scenes from movies you've not seen in over a decade.
"Your couch is comfier than mine," you muse absentmindedly, head propped up by your hands, elbows on your knees. You're watching Mingi roll two joints in succession– the action not necessarily a new sight to you, but you've never had blanket permission to sit and stare at him while he does it. It's mesmerizing, like pretty much everything else he does.
"Yeah? Well, get as comfy as you'd like, little neighbour," his smiles are always so genuine for you. "Hope everything else is to your liking?" There's a twinkle in his eye too, a secret ask behind his words.
"Everything's good, Mingi."
"Only good?" He's pouting now. His most devious trick yet. You don't respond, you can't fall into his trap this early. Instead you take a sip from the canned iced tea you stole from his well-stocked fridge. He hums petulantly at your silence, and places one of the two spliffs into the ashtray shaped like an eight ball. He pops the other one into his mouth and rises to his full, staggering height. He's so tall he casts a shadow over you by way of the the sun setting through the window behind him. He stretches his arms over his head with an exaggerated grunt and the fabric of his t-shirt slides up at the waist, teasing you with a slutty sliver of skin. He's a little bit evil you're pretty sure now. You lean back and properly settle into the couch to shamelessly enjoy the view while he isn't looking at you.
He flops onto the- very large, very comfortable- couch next to you with a shocking level of grace. He's not quite close enough that any part of you is touching but he's certainly not far away. He fished into the deep pocket of a cargo pants for a lighter and he makes a slow purposeful show of flicking it on and bringing it to the jay lazily hanging out of his pouty lips. He breaths in deep, chest expanding and he lights it properly, eyes sliding closed.
He takes a few more slow pulls, smoke billowing out of pursed lips– and you let him because, wow, what a show. You do scramble to gain control yourself eventually. "You're smoking my apology."
He sucks in a breath through his teeth, meeting your gaze again. You nearly gasp. He's already heavily lidded, a sluggish smile working it's way across his mouth. "Shit, my bad, pretty," he calls you pretty like it's no big deal. So you carry on, no big deal.
He finally gives up the joint for you and you feel very watched. He's following your every move now. He watches as you bring it up to your lips, pursing them, sucking in a deep breath and– heaving a deep, dry cough. He laughs heartily at your pain and you continue to nearly hack up a lung. The iced tea helps.
"Shut up," you full on whine at him, thrusting out a hand to shove at his chest and god dammit, it's rock hard. "It's been a bit, okay?"
He's still laughing but he puts his hands up in surrender. "Sorry, sorry," he sighs dramatically and leans his head against your shoulder as you, very bravely, you might add, go to take another drag. "I'm really botching this aren't I, little neighbour? Hogging the weed, laughing at you, I didn’t even let you choose the movie." He pouts and nuzzles into your shoulder and if you knew any better you'd say he's making himself as pathetic as possible.
"Don't be pathetic, Mingi." He grins.
"I can make it up to you though," his voice has dropped, even lower than his usual bassy timber. "Just wanna be a perfect neighbour, y'know? Lemme make it up to you."
"You already apologized, Min. Nothing to make up."
"Please?" He mutters the single word into your shoulder and blood rushes in your ears.
"Hah–" you breath out a laugh you think makes you sound unaffected. You hope. "Thought you'd have a better tolerance than this." The quiet moment passes like wind through an open window, but the intimacy lingers in the air still, refusing to leave entirely.
He snickers like you're just that amusing to him. "Yeah– that's why I buy the strong shit. So careful with it, yeah? You're littler too. G'nna fuck you up waaay faster." He shifts so his head is in your lap, fully lounging against you like an Emperor in his throne. His long legs don't quite fit onto the rest of the couch like this, one is bent at the knee, the other off the plush sofa completely.
"You're good at making yourself comfortable quick, huh?" you say as you take another drag, almost doing it just to prove him wrong. But he's not wrong, it is, in fact, strong shit. You know you have to slow down if you don't want to be totally flying.
He grins up at you. "Mm-hm," he nods. "We're friends now. Giving you a crash course in being my friend. This is a lot of it." He grabs at your wrist that isn't holding the spliff, his grip becoming familiar to you now, and brings your hand to his hair. You let yourself tangle your fingers into the dark locks and he visibly relaxes under the touch.
You know if you smoke any more of this space-age weed you won't recover before Monday so you lower it down to his lips– you don't quite understand this instinct, why you don't hand it to him instead but he doesn't so much as flinch. He wraps his plush lips around the filter but makes no move to grab it so you just have to carry on holding it as he inhales.
"Careful, tiny," he's using that low, quiet timbre again. He clicks his tongue at you chidingly–"Can't have you burning yourself." The ember has crept only centimeters away from your fingers without you noticing and he, with a life-ruining gentleness, plucks it away and leaves the bud to burn in the ashtray.
The smell is heavier here, because of course it is– you've followed it to the source, after all. Mingi was absolutely right, though, you're more sensitive to the stuff than you remember and you've settled into the high so nicely. It's floaty and warm, familiar like a family recipe. You're sinking into the couch, the weight of Mingi's head in your lap grounding you, tethering you directly to him.
You open your eyes not long after you realize you let them slip close at one point, lazily blinking as you struggle to readjust to even the low light of the cute lamps he has in multiple different spots of the living room. In the back of your hazy mind you register a mild gratitude for the fact that he too clearly understands the evils of Big Light. More than just a pretty face, you surmise.
You cast your gaze down to see how your neighbour is faring to find him already watching you, red-rimmed eyes almost too alert for your liking. He doesn't look away when you catch him– an eyebrow quirks in an unspoken challenge, daring you to look away, to cower first. You don't, not this time. Your fingers, once absentmindedly combing through his hair still. His eyes flicker to your lips, slow enough that you know you were meant to see it, leaving no room for you to misread his intentions now.
"All good?" he still manages to sound casual but only just– like his control is slipping, threatening to break free entirely.
“Yeah,” your voice is softer still, desperate to not disturb this precious little moment. The moment before… something. “All good.”
He studies you for another moment, searching for hesitation or something worse and when he can’t find it he hauls himself up in a gentle glide. You’ve noticed this about him– he’s consistently graceful for someone his size. He’s never abrupt, never jerky. There’s a composure to him that makes you ache to see it crumble and break. He’s next to you now, angled towards you, caging you in with his arms on the plush of the sofa cushions. “Tell me,” he pauses to wet his lips with his tongue and a smirk dances across his face when your eyes follow. Tease. “Tell me if I read this all wrong.”
You don’t need to answer verbally as your chin tilts towards him, an open invitation if ever there was one. His breath catches.
That first kiss is slow and deliberate, every movement drawing you into him more and more. There’s a distant thought that it feels like he’s trying to prove something to you but he steals it away. You’re leaning into each other with a neediness that shocks your hands into moving– one into his hair, already familiar with the touch and the other to a toned forearm.His own hands have found their way to you at some point, magnetized, to your waist. They grip without being harsh, your back arching into the touch only slightly, because you’re still consciously holding onto those last bits of sanity.
His lips press against yours even firmer then, a reward for wanting him as much as he wants you, control slipping away, strand by strand. Your hand tightens in his hair and he exhales against you, fingers gripping you tighter without crossing the line into harshness. He pulls away, only for a second, quick enough that you’re not sure it was even real, because his hand grips onto you before you can even process it, shifting you so his back is against the couch and your thighs are splayed across his, straddling him. You register with a barely contained shiver how thick his thighs are under you.
He stills then for a second and you’ve parted from him just far enough to take this version of him in. Hair mussed (your doing), eyes red and glossy (half your doing, you choose to believe) and chest rising and falling in deep, purposeful breaths (definitely your doing, thank you). You freeze there, shocked by just how gorgeous he is like this, under you, lowlit and desperate and warm.
You bring a hand up to his jaw before reconnecting your lips to his, needier than before. Your lips work in tandem with each other as your tongues finally meet, delving the both of you into something that can only be described as hungry. His hands wander, as greedy as his mouth is against you, touching every bit of your back and waist he can, sending shocks of heat wherever they manage to brush against bare skin. Your teeth nip softly at his bottom lip in a challenge that you’ll later insist was an accident and you can practically hear his composure begin to splinter. He keens, whines against your mouth and you swallow the sound greedily and his palm flattens against your back to bring you close, close, closer. Your hips shift against his and the friction makes you lightheaded.
He pulls away with a petulant reluctance, forehead against yours, not willing to be any further away than that. He swallows and and sighs against you, hands planted firmly on your hips. His eyes are darker now, heavily lidded and gazing into yours with a fire you don’t recognize but you’re sure is mirrored in your own eyes. He huffs a laugh, half disbelief, half pride.
“Look at you,” you think he means to tease but he’s still breathless enough that it comes out straight up whiny.
“Me?” You smile wickedly and rock your hips against his– the firmness beneath the rough denim erases any doubt in your mind. He wants this, wants you. His own hips stutter, chasing you as his breath catches. “Look at you.”
He bites at his bottom lip, head falling back against the couch. His hands grip at your hips, more desperate than controlling, pulling you against him, closer still. He’s holding back as best he can, teeth still digging into his lip but these little grunts and whines are still escaping, taunting you.
You gasp as he surges forwards, hips properly and roughly rutting up into yours– the seam of your own jeans dig into you and you gasp, head dipping back. He takes this opportunity, lips against your neck with that same hunger, nipping, kissing, biting, surely leaving marks that you can’t possibly bring yourself to worry about now. No one will question a turtleneck in this weather anyway. You let him bite away, your hand finding it’s home in his hair once more in encouragement. Neither of you bother to pretend to have any semblance of control anymore and it’s so much more delicious this way; no more pretending, you’ve decided as you let a wanton moan out. He groans low in response and pulls away– you almost don’t let him, tugging at his hair in retaliation and his groan turns into a whimper.
Before you have time to react he plants you back onto the couch, moving with newfound determination now, as he gets you to lie down, him kneeling between your spread legs. Your vision has blurred at the edges but he’s glowing, center-stage. He’s a mess. You can’t imagine you’re faring much better.
Pupils blown, his hands grip at the meat of your thighs– he’s scowling at your jeans like they’re scheming against him. He’s half feral now, you think. He glides his hands up, pulling the fabric of your loose shirt shirt with them and he leans forward to press his forehead against your stomach. “You’re killing me I think,” he huffs, pressing devastating, gentle kisses against your skin and nosing against the plush of your stomach. You laugh, breathless but genuine all the same and brush his hair out of his eyes.
“Good way to go though, right?” you giggle and watch as he toys with the waistband of your jeans.
He looks up at you, eyes shining, pleading in an unspoken question, fingers inching toward the button. You nod minutely but he sees it all the same and wastes no more time. He’s frantic, fingers fumbling against the hardware as he undoes them, yanking them down until they hit the rug with a soft thump. Only your panties are between you and him now but he can’t seem to think that far.
“Fuck, she’s wet,” he says, nearly to himself, eyes gleaming. His hands are on your thighs again, kneading incessantly. “Can I-” he starts, pausing to palm himself over his jeans, can’t help himself. “You gotta let me taste her. She’s begging for it. Need it.” He’s already lowered himself, half off the couch, spreading your legs even wider and nosing at your underwear. “Need it–” he repeats himself, half mindless before pressing an open mouthed kiss to your pussy through the fabric. He moans as soon as he gets that first taste of you, immediately addicted.
You gasp and your hips jump up at the contact, chasing his mouth and he doesn’t fight it, chases you right back, hands at your hips not to control you but to ground himself. Your hand, still in his hair, it’s second home now, tugs gently at the strands, while your other hand finds purchase on the pillow next to you. He mouths at you, still over your panties, tongue out, practically drooling over you, soaking them through. “Tastes so good,” he hums against you, hands wrapping themselves around your thighs. “So good, fuck. So wet.”
He pulls back, acting like it pains him to do so but he wants unfettered access to you, might really die if he can’t get it– he yanks your underwear down and doesn’t bother to spare them a second glance as they join your pants on the ground, too in awe, enraptured by your unobscured cunt to even consider looking away. His mouth is back on you before you can take a proper breath in, lips finally, mercifully, wrapped around your clit. You stutter out his name, begging for something– more, less, something that doesn’t even exist yet, you don’t know.
“Holy fuck, Mingi,” you finally manage out somewhat clearly, around your own whines and whimpers. He hums in response, the vibrations cruel against your clit in a way the makes your head pitch back. He hips have a life of their own, grinding against the couch with abandon, can’t help himself. He pulls back and smiles listlessly at the whine you let out.
“S’good, yeah?” He soaks in your reaction, bites his lip as your hand tries to tug him back. He resists, barely, hands coming to your soaked pussy– he can practically hear her purring for him– to spread your lips wide for him. “She’s so pretty, baby, god–” Only then does he dive back in, one long lick against you that has you squirming. He’s focused on your entrance now, giving those wet, messy kisses again, tongue delving into you and his nose bumps against your clit in a way that has your head spinning.
“So good, Mingi, it’s so good–” you babble absently but the praise gets to him still, hips grinding against the couch without his permission. You’re not sure who’s louder at this point, you or him. He brings his mouth back to your clit, suckling on it, freeing up space to tease you as with his fingers only brushing against your entrance, gathering the wetness there. He seems to be content to make you into as much of a mess as possible, revelling in every moan, every movement. “Please–” the word’s barely left your swollen lips when he plunges two fingers into your desperate, weeping pussy.
The initial stretch from two fingers sends a shockwave through you and he has to use his other hand to properly hold your hips down. They’re skilled in their exploration, delving deeper than your own fingers could ever hope to. He’s on a mission, scissoring them inside you, stretching your gummy walls and finding those spots that make you keen. His mouth has travelled, never stopping, biting meanly against your thighs. “So fucking messy, baby,” he takes a moment just to watch; watch his own fingers diving in and out of you, nearly drooling at the sight. “Is that just for me? She loves me, huh?” He keeps talking directly to your pussy– it would be endearing if you weren’t so desperate to cum.
You nod in response, not even totally sure what the question was, but he won’t break eye contact with your cunt. “Uh-huh,” you’re delirious but conscious enough to know that you’re delirious and that counts for something. Mingi is equally far gone, thankfully, wondering, hoping, that he’ll still be able to taste you hours from now. “S’all for you, Min.”
Another harsh bite on the inside of your thigh, soothed by his tongue and a kiss in that same spot. “You gotta come, okay? Gotta come for me, please, need it, need you to come on my face,” he’s babbling now, on the dangerous side of crazed, please’s and cum for me’s, even as he brings his tongue back to your clit. You’re faring no better, pieces of his name broken up by whines escaping and mounting in volume. Your thighs are pressed against the sides of his head and he thinks that this must be what heaven feels like– buried in pussy, suffocated by thighs. Perfection.
He knows you’re close, so close he can quite literally taste it. He hears it too, your sounds mounting higher and louder still. You know it too, can’t ignore it, with his tongue lapping at your clit and his fingers prodding at that spongy spot that makes you see stars. He wants it bad, working at you with a terrifying vigour. It only took a few more moments, a few more expert swipes of his tongue until you were there, cresting over that edge, your hand fisting in his hair and cumming with a broken wail. He works you through it, refuses to let up. Still pumping, licking, grinding. You’ve never had an orgasm last this long and Mingi is determined to keep it going, going, going– until you’re whining weakly and tugging his hair away from your poor, soaked pussy. Your eyes fill with tears at the overstimulation, a few slipping through and down your cheeks. When he finally does pull away it’s slowly, with one last kiss against your twitching clit like a goodbye. You’d laugh if you weren’t busy trying to remember how to breath like a regular human being.
He crawls back on top of you, kissing against every bit of skin he can on the way back up– your thighs, hips, stomach, breasts, neck, until he’s face-to-face with you, noses brushing against each other. His eyes are half lidded and still hungry, the bottom half of his face shining, sparkling even with your own wetness, making him look like a sexed up kind of fairy. He brings his similarly soaked fingers up to tap against your bottom lip and you open your mouth without a word, not breaking eye contact as he slides them in, gliding against your tongue, the taste of you heavy. He smiles drunkenly as he watches you suck his fingers, tongue lapping at them and he lets a deep moan out from his chest. His forehead falls to your cheek and he lets his hips grind against you, your oversensitive pussy meeting rough denim and making you whimper around his fingers and gag slightly as they delve deeper. A dribble of spit leaks out from the corner of your lips and Mingi, nasty and unbidden, licks at it, licks all the way up your cheek, along the tracks your tears left, just tasting all of you.
He pulls back abruptly to strip away his own clothes, mostly because he think he might really, actually explode if these fucking jeans stay on for another second. His jeans and shirt are off, boxers halfway down when it registers to him that you’ve followed suit, sitting up with your shirt and bra gone and he can’t not be drawn to your tits. He’s only human.
He’s kneeling between your legs again, knees digging into the carpet uncomfortably but he can’t begin to care about that as he kneads at your tits, mouth attached to a nipple, sucking and gently biting at it. You wonder, momentarily, how his jaw isn’t cramping up yet. “Mingi, baby, c’mon,” you pull at his roots until he lets your nipple go. He doesn’t quite move away– just looks up at you, resting against your chest, wet mouth still slightly agape and eyes shiny, wet with unshed tears. God. “C’mon.”
You pull him up to lay on the couch and he goes now without question, finally getting his boxers all the way off on the way– you could probably ask anything of him right now and he’d do it. And shit, he’s so hard you realize and he lays there. It’s massive, too– rock hard, throbbing to the point you think it must be painful. He’s leaking an absolute mess of precum against his stomach, his cock already slicked with it from when he was rutting himself into a frenzy in his jeans. “Oh, baby,” you coo at him as you kneel between his thighs, mirroring his spot from when he drove you to a mind blowing orgasm not even minutes ago. You wrap a hand around him and feel dizzy at the realization that your fingers don’t quite touch each other.
He might have been designed in a lab specifically to drive you insane, you’re pretty sure. How else could a man like this exist, just walking the earth?
Your pussy throbs at the mere idea of his dick stretching your walls but you’re desperate for just a taste first, it’s too enticing; you lean forward and give the slick head a tentative, experimental lick, moaning lightly at the salty taste of him. His cock jumps at the sensation and in the back of your head you remember him saying that he’s sensitive when he was justifying not smoking in the cold– at least you know now he wasn’t bullshitting you. You suck at the head so very gently, just to rile him up and you know it works as he throws his head back and mewls. “Please, baby, just-please, you’re-you can’t,” he’s babbling again, near panicking at the idea of blowing his load before having you properly on his cock.
You go to straddle him properly, for your own sake as much as his because you want it just as bad– you know you’ll have your mouth back on him one day, you promise yourself that much. Maybe even within the hour, who’s to say. “Oh, Mingi, you’re so hard,” you pout down at him teasingly because you can’t help it– he’s so pretty laid out like this, hands grabbing at you, plush lips kiss bitten and red.
He nods quickly– “So hard, need t’fuck you, baby.” And you know he’s not lying, he needs it, really needs it. “G’nna make you feel so good, yeah? You know I will, I will, I promise–please.”
You either take pity on him or his begging is driving you crazy, either way you use one hand to steady his dick as you drag your wetness along the tip of him and tease his dick along your entrance, your other hand steadying you against his toned chest. You last through a few more of his pleads before you truly can’t take it anymore and begin to sink down on him– the initial stretch of his ridiculous girth is maddening, your mouth dropping open as you take him deeper and deeper.
He’s panting heavily, using every inch of his barely there willpower to not buck up into you and make you take all of him– he lets you take him inch by agonizing inch, every movement making his eyes roll back into his head because fuck, you feel like actual heaven. He might cry. He’s probably actually going to cry, he realizes as you’ve taken just more than half of him, because you’re too warm, too tight, too perfect, what the fuck. And you’re still sinking down, taking more, more, ignoring the slight burn in your thighs because it’s worth it, he fills you so perfectly. You take more, a little more until he’s fully buried inside of you and you both let out synchronized, shuddering groans at the realization.
“Oh, god, god, pretty,” he wraps his thick arms around you all the way, noses at your neck because he needs to be as close to you as humanly possible. “Fuck you’re so wet, so tight, huh? I did that, yeah? Worked you up so good, needed my cock, didn’t you?”
He’s not really asking you questions, some small part of you understands that but you nod along to his words all the same, half because he’s right and half because you can’t think, mind wiped by his cock seated inside you, stretching you out to fit him perfectly, moulding you to him. “Yeah, so full, Mingi, baby, so good–” His hips twitch helplessly against you, begging silently for something, anything. And mercifully, you deliver.
You pitch your own hips up just barely, just so, the mild movement already sending sparks up your body, a live-wire. He grinds back against you because he truly can’t not anymore, his hips tilting to yours, chasing in anguish and you gasp as the tip of him kisses against that spot deep inside you that makes you gush around him.
He responds in kind, groaning his loudest groan yet, the sound wrapping around you and you don’t even recognize just how much you’re drowning in everything Mingi, every sense overtaken by him. It’s only those strong arms, hands gripping your waist again that anchor you against pure hysteria.
You start to grind against him, setting a deep, rolling rhythm that has him hitting spots in you that had previously remained untouched. He grinds up into you in tandem, can’t help it, his hands gripping at your waist with a bruising tenderness. His eyes are wet, a few tears rolling down his cheeks now and you feel an evil sense of vindication– it’s nice to know you can make each other cry. And he’s such a pretty crier, eyes wide, face flushed and eyebrows tilted up, he’s just so pretty. There’s not a lot of them, the tears, and you know you’d like to make him really cry one day– but fuck, you’re dripping around him now, as desperate for him as he is for you at this point.
So you have no more restraint left as you go to properly fuck yourself on him, the stretch delicious as you slide him in and out of you, hands on his shoulders to brace yourself but also feel up his built shoulders. “F-fuck,” he has you stuttering and crying out now, damn him, because he can’t just lie there and take it, it’s out of his control now, his hips canting up and chasing you every time you bounce or grind or tilt. “Fuck, Mingi, baby, god, you’re so big, so good,” and you mean it, every word– he is, in fact, so big and so good. So good that he does deserve you truly bouncing on him, you figure and you’re sure he’s ruined you for any other man now, as he buries his head in your tits, keening every time you land, burying him to the hilt. It’s delicious and it’s messy, he’s basically drooling against you as he mouths at your nipples until you know they’ll be sore tomorrow.
“Yeah, good for you,” clearly he agrees. “Made for you, I think– never felt so good, y’r stretched perfectly around me, pretty, just need you to ngh–” his eyes shut tightly as you clench around him, like he’s nearly at his breaking point. “Need it–” he insists, lost in the warmth of you, fully thrusting back up into you.
“Need what Mingi?” your words are breathless, whiny, desperate. “What do you need, baby? Tell me– anything, it– give you anything.”
Both of you are falling apart but desperately grasping at any modicum of control you can over each other; you mock him, he bites at your nipples; you clench around him, he uses his grip on you to slam you down further. The push and pull, the sick game becomes, eventually, little more than two messes, wet and sweaty, fucking into each other, pleading into each others mouths, looking for something, anything, neither of you understand what you need anymore.
“So fine, y’r so good,” he’s mumbling out incoherent praises into your mouth, as everything becomes tighter, hotter, wetter. “Fuck. Fuck.” His hips stutter as they thrust up into yours, grinding in this new cruel way on the up swing and your eyes nearly roll back into you head. “Fuck.”
“Are-” you start, then immediately stop as his hand comes back to your clit, already overworked and weeping, to rub it in precise circles. He doesn’t need to say it out loud but he’s close, rising to this insurmountable peak and he needs, more than anything he’s ever needed before, to bring you there along with him. “You’re nearly there, yeah?” he nods along, little yeah, yeah, yes’s escaping his spit soaked lips. “Me too, me too- need it, need you to make me come, make me feel so good, please Mingi, please, don’t stop.”
And he doesn’t stop, probably can’t at this point. His mouth, aimlessly kissing, biting, whatever against your tits and shoulders and neck, is letting out a nonstop stream of noises and mumblings– you make out a few of his praises, the good girls and the perfect pussys in the mix of it all.
“Can-” he struggles to speak, managing words only between these pathetic, high pitched whines. “Need’ta come, baby, need it, need it,” one thought of him coming inside of you, filling you in every way makes you cream around him, clench around him even more, before he even gets to properly ask, making his eyes nearly roll back into his head. “Can I? Please– inside? Inside you? Need to fill you up, make you feel so good, it’ll feel so good– pussy’s so good, so good it’s driving me crazy, really, really– c’mon.”
He might keep going forever if you don’t stop him, so you bring your hands from his shoulders to cup his face, that pretty, pretty face, trusting him and his strong arms to keep pace, dropping you up and down on his cock. “Want it, Mingi–” it’s whispered, an intimate promise, because you need him to know you need this as much as he does right now. “Want your cum, Mingi.”
And then you’ve lost any semblance of control over him, because now he’s thrusting up into with abandon, using his strong arm to bring you back down on him every time– one hand is still busying itself on your pulsating clit. His dick is kissing your g-spot with an almost cruel consistency too, he knows your body with a scary accuracy already, and a wicked, almost unrecognizable smirk spreads across his lips when he realizes you’re as close as he is.
“Yeah,” and oh fuck, he’s growling as his thrusts grow sloppier and out of rhythm, but never shallow or unsatisfactory. If anything, the mindless state you’re both in has let him in even deeper on these thrusts. “Yeah, it’s good, yeah? And you want it, you need it– need my cum, need it in you, so deep in you, ‘s so deep– I need it too baby, I do, need it.”
Your legs are nearing a gelatin state, but motivation and his actual, physical help are keeping you going– and that pulsating, growing need in the deepest recesses of you. The primal, base need is growing– both to come all over him and make him come, to see him truly unravel.
You’re both so close, close enough to taste it, to know it’s already the best either of you have ever had, weed or no. And you’re both begging too, both begging each other to bring you right there, to the crest, both warbling out combinations of baby and please and need and cum and perfect and more and good and–
It happens in one moment, a chain reaction kind of moment, he bites down on your shoulder, hard, bruising, which, in turn has you clench around his cock, which makes him thrust into you, hitting you just right and your back arches, a bow pulled tight– and you cum in tandem, a rare phenomenon, satisfying in a way you’d never be able to describe. You’re shaking through your orgasm, the unreal pleasure sending shockwaves through your legs to your toes, enlongated by the feeling of Mingi flooding your cunt with wave after wave of his own cum, as he lets out a long, unbroken, almost melodic groan into your shoulder. He carries on with a few meeker thrusts, insistent on fucking his cum as deep into as possible in this deeply primal mindset you’ve taken him to. It’s unfair how good it feels, this warmth that reaches into you. He send a few more feeble jabs into you, whimpering meekly as he does, utterly undone.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck,” he’s muttering into your skin. You’d make fun of him if your thoughts weren’t made up of much of the same. “Fuck. Shit.
“Hah,” you huff. “Yeah. Fuck, shit and all that.” You can feel him softening inside of you but he makes no effort to move, and is still holding you tight. You don’t try to move either. He presses his forehead against yours, and you’re acutely aware of how sweaty you both are, of your weed-thick, heavy breaths mingling, but you can’t find an inkling of yourself disgusted by him.
He smiles at you and it’s the same as before you thought you even had a chance with him– wide and distinctly Mingi.
“Fuck. Really thought I needed the second joint before I’d be able to do that..” he giggles, rocking you back and forth like he’s not literally currently inside you. “Yunho owes me twenty bucks.”
“I don’t know who Yunho is,” you pull back to look at him properly, his pupils still blown, hair an absolute mess. “But please don’t say some other guys name when you’ve just cum in me, yeah?”
He just hums in affirmation rather noncommitally, like you’ve just made a joke you don’t even understand and buries his head back in your shoulder. “Let’s not worry about that right now, tiny neighbour. Let’s worry about how I’m gonna get out of here without staining my couch.”
synopsis ; when the day comes for the faction assortment announcement you're placed in the most prestigious faction. however, you quickly come to find out that you're only there for one reason and that's the annual faction tournament; at least you believe it's the only thing. then just when you believe that everyone is after your head you meet seonghwa and he welcomes you with open arms. yet what happens if the man you've come to love is also using you for his own personal gain?
pairing(s) ; seonghwa x f!reader
☆ ── wc. ; 22.4k (I am so sorry...)
☆ ── genre ; angst w/ some comfort, semi-fluff, smut, dystopian!au, divergent/the hunger games-esque au
☆ ── tw. ; MINORS DO NOT INTERACT!!!, cussing, mentions of factions/social statuses, violence, fighting, manipulation, uses of weapons (knives...), blood, depictions of limbo, near death experience, small mention of familial trauma, mentions of death, threats & blackmail, bullying, betrayal, kissing, petnames (baby, pretty/sweet girl/thing/baby...), alcohol consumption, mentions of illnesses, slight jealousy (if you squint), NSFW TW : unprotected sex, teasing, slight body worship, begging, manhandling, dom!seonghwa x sub!reader, rough sex, oral (f. receiving), praise, some degrading, biting/marking, fingering, multiple orgasms, overstimulation, a pinch of hair pulling, dumbification, creampie, dacryphilia, clit play, cum eating, they get kinda messy, lmk if I missed anything!!
☆ ── notes ; this is my fic for the tumblr-tiny's secret admirer fic exchange hosted by @everyonewooeverywhere !! thank you so much for hosting dj ^^ this was a lot of fun!! now on to the fun part; who my giftee was, drumroll please..... @last-words-ofashootingstar !! this got a LOT longer than intended, but I hope you enjoy lovely!!!
⏤͟͟͞͞ JOIN THE TAGLIST ── MASTERLIST NAVI ── MAIN NAVI
The town around you was bustling with people, whispers between groups, and shops closing early while others extended their hours. This was something that only happened once a year when the results for the faction test came out.
Now you may be wondering what the faction test was. Once someone hits the age of twenty-one, they are sent to the capital in the Erudite sector to take an extensive test that will place them in a designated faction. However, in your little town on the outskirts of Sagacious, almost everyone here was placed in Sagacious, so you weren't expecting too much with the announcement.
"Come on, y/n, we're gonna be late!" Viella urged you down the streets, hand wrapped tightly around your wrist, and you apologized to the people that the blonde girl shoved past without a care in the world.
"Viella, slow down, you're bumping into people." You told her sternly after apologizing to yet another person, but she didn't seem to care or hear anything you had just said. "Plus, it's not like we're not going to be placed in Sagacious anyway."
"You don't know that." The blonde rolls her eyes as you get to the large crowd that has formed in front of the announcement stage. She then once again shoves her way through everyone to get to the front of the crowd.
When Viella broke through the front of the crowd, she hooked her arm around yours, her body practically vibrating with excitement. You couldn't help but look over at her, a gleam of adoration in your eyes, and a small part of you hoped that she would get the chance to get out of Sagacious.
Not even a few minutes later, music began to play out of the speakers above the stage, causing the once loud crowd to quiet in mere seconds. You shifted your gaze from Viella to the stage just as the announcer walked onto the stage. She wore eccentric makeup, and her outfit was full of bright colors that almost hurt the eyes.
"Hello, ladies, gents, and all those who have gathered with us today!" She held the microphone so close to her lips that you were sure that she'd smudge her lipstick on it, but you didn't get the chance to dwell on it before Viella was shaking your arm, practically jumping in her spot. "Welcome to the annual faction assortment announcement."
Your eyes then drifted to the crowd around you as the lady started to speak, going over all the basics you already knew. However, a small pit started to form in your chest as you looked around the crowd and saw pretty much everyone with their families and friends. Unlike you whose mother was dead and your father was still passed out on the couch—drunk. A mixture of disappointment and anger bubbled in your gut, knowing that you couldn't be like everyone else here.
"Now, we have some lovely news!" The woman's words brought your attention back to her, curiosity fighting its way to the front of your mind. "While most of you have been placed in Sagacious, there were a few individuals who were placed in other factions."
Upon hearing this, Viella started to shake your arm even more, hardly containing her excitement, and she started whispering things you could hardly make out due to how fast she was speaking. When the announcer started speaking again, you shushed her and pointed her attention back to the stage, an unknown feeling of hope forming in the pit of your stomach.
"Among you all there are four of which that have been placed in another factions," She smiled brightly at the crowd, her pearly white teeth shining in the afternoon sun. Your eyes widened a fraction at the number, most years it was one person, maybe two, but there's never been four. "One has been placed in Prowess, two in Glamour, and lastly…" She let her voice trail off to create a sense of suspense, and it worked as you could feel those around you standing on the tips of their toes. "The last of the four has been placed in Erudite."
A series of hushed whispers fell over the crowd at the mention of Erudite, some surprised and happy, while others sounded annoyed. Viella gasped next to you before turning, her wide green eyes staring at you in shock.
"We have someone who's going to the big leagues!" She whisper shouted, wrapping her hands around your bicep and practically throttling your body. You nodded, blinking a few times, still surprised that so many people made it to other factions outside of Sagacious. A small glimmer of hope started to form in your mind that maybe, just maybe, you'll be able to get out of here.
"Now I will begin announcing those four individuals." The woman spoke once more, and the crowd quieted down, their eyes finding their way back to her. Viella had a near-death grip on your arm, her bottom lip caught between her teeth.
"Joining the Prowess faction; Ito Hikaru!" She announced, and you heard cheers from the other side of the crowd. "Then joining the Glamour faction, Jung Wooyoung and Chun Viella!"
Once Viella's name left her lips, you felt your blonde best friend freeze next to you, her fingers tightening around your arm. She then looked over with wide eyes, meeting your own, and a strange sense of pride bloomed in your chest. You weren't all that shocked. Viella has always been a very beautiful girl; her unnatural blonde hair may have caught everyone's attention, but it was her outgoing personality that really caught the people—hook, line, and sinker. So it was a no-brainer that she'd end up on the charismatic faction.
Then you realized that the only person that they hadn't announced was the one going to Erudite, and that small flame of hope slowly went out. You tried to cover up your disappointment, but Viella noticed, her eyes softening as she loosened her grip before slipping her hand into yours, squeezing gently.
"Last but not least! The lucky individual who will be joining the Erudite faction…" She once again pauses, looking around the crowd with a smirk, and you feel your heart beating rapidly against your ribs. Your hands felt clammy as you squeezed Viella's hand tightly, waiting with bated breath. "Is Cho Y/n!"
Everything around you seemed to slow down as you heard your name leave her lips. All the sounds seemed to grow distant, your body frozen to the spot, and you could feel eyes burning into your skin. Viella felt your hand shaking in hers as she called out your name, but you couldn't hear her, still too busy trying to comprehend what you had just heard.
"Everyone else has been placed in Sagacious!" The announcer told the remaining people. Some let out sounds of disappointment, but most had their attention glued to you, with hushed whispers surrounding you and Viella. "Congrats, everyone, and those of you going to different factions, you will have three days to prepare and say your goodbyes before you will be sent to your designated faction sectors."
Then she was leaving, the music cutting out as she walked off the stage, and the crowd around you broke into a roar of chatter. However, you were still frozen in your spot, having heard not a single word after your name was announced.
"Y/n!" Viella all but shouted your name, grabbing your shoulders and shaking you like a rag doll until you finally broke out of your daze. You blinked a few times before looking down at her with wide eyes.
That's when you felt eyes on you and lifted your head to find multiple people looking and pointing right at you, speaking, but you couldn't make out what they were saying over the roar of chatter. Heat rushed up your neck, painting your face a bright red, and you suddenly felt extremely overwhelmed by the attention. Noticing, Viella grabbed your wrist gently before tugging you back through the crowd.
"Come on, we're going back to my house." She told you as she pushed her way through the crowd, her grip tightening so as not to lose you in the sea of people. You swallowed thickly as you tried to keep up with her, but your legs were starting to feel like jelly, threatening to give out on you.
The world passed by in a blur as Viella pulled you down the street; the sounds of chatter and celebration were drowned out by the ringing in your ears. Only when you make it inside of Viella's family home did everything become silent, as if the door was the barricade holding all of the sounds out.
At the sound of the front door closing, Viella's moms come into the hallway, Shuhua pushing Nalya in her wheelchair. Upon seeing the two of you, a bright smile spread across Nalya's face.
"So, how did it go?" Shuhua asked, eyes flickering between you and Viella.
The blonde next to you released your arm gently before bounding up to her mothers', grabbing Nalya's arm with an expression so bright that it was contagious. You couldn't help but smile despite the tight feeling in your chest.
"I made it into Glamour!" Viella exclaimed, and Nalya gasped, her eyes widening along with her smile.
"We're so proud of you." Shuhua smiled at your best friend, patting her head and flattening a few stray strands that were sticking up. Then her gaze shifts to you as you pick at the skin around your trimmed fingernails. "What about you, y/n, dear?"
"Oh my god, you won't believe it!" Viella exclaimed, her smile spreading even wider as she looked at her moms before rushing over to you, tugging you closer to the older women. A lump formed in your throat at the thought of how they would react to the news; you grew up with these women as if they were your second parents. You weren't too sure how much it would hurt if they reacted like some of those in the crowd. Viella, however, didn't think anything of it as she looped her arm through yours, "y/n made it into Erudite."
Both women gasped in surprise, Nalya covering her mouth while Shuhua looked at you with wide eyes.
"Really?" Nalya asked, looking between you and Viella, unsure if this was another one of your pranks you both liked to pull. However, when you nodded in confirmation, she felt relief wash over her.
"That's amazing, y/n," Shuhua congratulated you, and you felt the knot in your chest start to unravel thread by thread. "Are you going to tell your father?"
You swallowed thickly at the mention of your drunkard father and shook your head, "No, he'd only throw a fit about me leaving before drinking himself into forgetting." Disappointment laced every word that you spoke, and Nalya's smile faltered as the gleam in your eyes started to dim.
Nalya reached forward, taking your hands into hers, stopping your assault on your cuticles, and bringing your attention to her. She offered you a small smile, "Oh, honey, don't fret over that man too much. We're proud of you. Viella is proud of you. Your mother would be very proud of you."
The mention of your mother made your breath hitch; no one dared to talk about her. Your father refused to hear anything and would go into an absolute rage if he did. So hearing Nalya talk about her made you realize how much you wished you could share this news with her.
Tears involuntarily started to brim in your eyes as reality finally started to set in. You were going to be leaving the place you've grown up in, the people you grew up with, the life you once called normal. Nalya's thumb brushed over the back of your hand as the first few tears spilled from your eyes.
"You can stay with us as long as you need to," Shuhua told you, walking around Nalya's wheelchair to stand on your other side. You lifted your head to look at her, tears still blurring your vision.
"Thank you," You spoke, voice hoarse from holding back tears. Then you looked over at Viella before lastly returning your gaze to Nalya, "all of you."
"Of course, dear," Shuhua patted your shoulder before moving to stand behind Nalya once more, her hands wrapping around the handles of the wheelchair. "Now let's go celebrate and eat."
A smile spread on your face as Nalya released your hands and Viella grabbed your arm, urging you to follow along. Using your free hand, you wiped your face free of tears and followed around the women you called your second family, a sense of relief finally settling over your mind.
— —
The next three days went by in a blur. You spent most of the time with Viella and her moms. You even pushed off packing a suitcase until the very last night, sneaking after you were sure that your father would be passed out drunk. Viella helped you pack all the essentials that you'd need and some clothes before you both snuck back out to her house.
Now, the next morning, you stood in the town square once more, waiting for your ride to arrive. Viella yawned next to you, seeing as neither of you was able to sleep until extremely late, but she was still somehow chipper.
"Make sure you write to me when you can." Viella told you pointedly, and you laughed softly, nodding your head, "and take care of yourself, y/n, the Erudite sector is nothing like here."
"I know, Ella," You shook your head, a small smile tugging on your lips, "but you'd better do the same, remember the stories we've heard about the Glamour sector."
"You're making it sound worse than it is, but I will." Viella gave you her signature smile just as a van pulled up, the Glamour sector's insignia on the back door. You both watched as the other boy, who was placed in Glamour, walked up to the van, opened the trunk, and placed his bag inside. He then turned to look at Viella, waving her over. "That's my cue…" She trailed off, her smile turning bittersweet as she wrapped her arms around you, pulling you close, "See you 'round y/n."
"You too, El," You whispered as she pulled away and made her way over to the van, your eyes locked on her form the whole time. Once Viella's bag was in the trunk, she walked around to the door and opened it, but she turned to wave at you one last time. You waved back with a smile, eyes starting to tear up as you watched her get into the vehicle, unsure of when you'll be able to see her again.
After the van drove off, you were left to your own thoughts, which came flooding in like a tidal wave. You started to wonder how you made it into Erudite when they watch for signs when you start primary school. Sure, you've always been at the top of your class and managed to solve some of the hardest questions, but it just doesn't make sense why you wouldn't have been targeted sooner.
Your eyes then trailed down to your hand, the sunlight that was peeking out from behind the clouds gleamed off the sapphire bracelet that was hooked around your wrist. Memories of your mother flashed in your mind, and you remembered her countless stories about growing up in the main city in the Prowess sector. You never understood why your mother had been placed in Sagacious when she showed so many attributes for Prowess, but you never got the chance to ask her before she died.
Suddenly, images of the letter you left behind for your father crossed your mind you started to wonder if he had seen it yet. Or if he was even awake yet. You started to think about his reaction and how your neighbors would be calling the authorities again, and you sighed.
However, you decided not to dwell on it too much as a sleek black SUV pulled up in front of you, the dark-tinted windows keeping you from seeing inside. The driver's door opened, and an older man walked around, greeting you with a bow before opening the back door. You could feel the stares of those around you, a small crowd starting to form.
"Hello Cho y/n," A sharp woman's voice pierced your ears, and your gaze shot to the open door of the vehicle in front of you. Sitting inside was a woman who couldn't be that much older than you, her auburn hair tied up in a neat bun with a few strands framing her face.
You greet them both before stepping towards the open door, your fingers tightening around the handle of your suitcase.
"Your bag, miss," the older man says, causing you to jump slightly, and you look at him before looking down at his outstretched hand. Swallowing thickly, you raised your suitcase and placed the handle around his fingers with a small 'thank you'.
You watched as he let his fingers wrap around the handle and motioned you to get into the vehicle. Blinking a few times, you shifted your attention back to the woman inside, who was now looking at some kind of tablet. Inhaling deeply, you climbed inside, taking your seat and fastening your seatbelt as the man shut the door without a word.
It wasn't long before the man had placed your suitcase in the trunk of the SUV, then got into the driver's seat. The air around you was still; the only sound was the occasional taps of the woman next to you and the heater that was running. You kept your attention focused on the window, watching as the world blurred past, leaving the town you've always called home behind.
"You're a very interesting individual, Miss Cho," The woman next to you spoke, the sudden noise causing your body to jolt, the hairs on the back of your neck standing tall. You turned your head to look at her, eyebrows scrunching at her words.
"What do yo—"
"Not only did you pass the intellectual exam with a near-perfect score," She cut you off, swiping to another screen on her tablet, "you also passed the physical assessment with flying colors, meaning…" She trailed off, swiping to yet another page, and you were starting to wonder if she was reading a script, "you could've easily been placed in Prowess."
This new information left you stunned, your mind working overtime to fully comprehend that you not only made it into Erudite, but could've also been placed in Prowess as well. Your fingers tightened around your shirt as you watched her continue to tap on the screen of the tablet.
"Then, how did I—"
"We had a dispute of sorts with Prowess over who you'd be placed with," She cut you off again, and you clenched your jaw, a hint of annoyance flickering across your face. "Despite your background, we fought like hell to have you placed in Erudite, because we would be fools to throw a powerful tool away," She explained, and you felt your stomach twist at her tone and use of words, a bitter taste coating your tongue, "especially with the faction tournament six months away."
Your heart lurched up into your throat at the mention of the annual tournament, bile creeping up the back of your throat. Dread and anger started to mix together in your gut. You had known that getting into the most prestigious faction wasn't just pure luck. No—not at all. They wanted you to use you. To them, you were nothing more than a mere tool to use at their disposal. However, no matter how much it made you feel sick to your stomach knowing that you were to be used, you didn't have any other choice but to go along with it. Not unless you wanted the council and authorities out for you and your loved ones' heads.
Then it dawned on you that you had no idea who this woman was who was sitting next to you. Looking away from your hands, you let your gaze travel to her, watching the screen of the tablet reflect off her glasses.
"Who are you?" The question came out a little more accusatory than you had meant to, but the raise of your eyebrow intrigued the woman as she looked up to meet your gaze.
"My name is Yang Jihye, I'm the head councilman's assistant." She introduced herself, and you felt your blood run cold and your mouth suddenly dry.
Your breathing seemed to have stopped when you realized that she wasn't the assistant to the faction's head. No. She was the assistant of the most powerful man in Erudite. Hell, even the whole country, and suddenly you knew that this wasn't a simple 'wanting to win the faction tournament' thing. There was more to this story than she was letting on.
"When we get to the headquarters, you will drop your luggage off, change, and head to the training room." She told you with a hint of finality, no room left for discussion as she looked back at the device in her hand. "We have little time and need to make sure that you're ready to go."
You couldn't even bring yourself to speak; all the words were glued to your tongue, so you just nodded. Turning your head, you focus back on the world outside the window, the late morning colors slowly evening out into a blue, not a cloud in sight.
The rest of the drive was ridden in silence, save for the occasional tapping from Ms. Yang, the heater, and the sound of the wind blowing outside. You had zoned out long ago, thoughts piling up in your mind, nearly drowning you, and you hadn't even realized that you made it back to the HQ building. At least not until the car door was opened and you nearly fell out, a small yelp leaving your lips as you quickly caught yourself.
"We've arrived, Miss Cho." The driver told you before stepping out of your way, and you saw Ms. Yang standing to the side, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Come along, Miss Cho, we don't have all day." Her tone was sharp, and you swallowed thickly, quickly getting out of the vehicle and taking back your luggage.
Your eyes went wide at the sheer size of the building. There was nothing like this in your small town. However, you weren't given the chance to stare in awe for too long when Ms. Yang started walking towards the doors.
Thanking the driver one last time, you rushed to catch up to the auburn-haired woman, following just a few steps behind her. Inside the building was a lot less busy than you had expected; there were maybe a handful of students walking around, all of them greeting the older woman who was with you. The walls were a pristine white, and the floors were a gray linoleum. If you hadn't known this was an academy, you would've mistaken it for some kind of medical facility.
You tried to ignore the few stares that you got, the similar look of disgust making your stomach turn, jaw clenching in annoyance. They only judged you because of your appearance and your background, and you couldn't help but feel singled out. Tightening your fingers around your suitcase handle, you promised yourself that once this was all said and done, you'd disappear to the outskirts and try to live a normal life.
The next fifteen minutes were filled with silence; the only sound heard was the clicks of Ms. Yang's heels on the floor. Before too long, she stopped at a door and pulled out a keycard of sorts, holding it up to the keypad, and the door unlocked. You blinked a few times in astonishment as she opened the door. Blinking a few times, you followed her in, seeing a pair of girls sitting on a bed, talking to each other. However, as soon as they heard the sound of Ms. Yang's heels, they quickly stood.
"Hello, Ms. Yang." They both greeted the woman in front of you, but she just waved them off before looking back at you.
"This is Cho y/n," She introduced you, and you gave them a small wave, unsure of how they felt about you. "Sachi,"
"Yes, ma'am." The shorter of the two girls spoke, her dark onyx hair tied up into two buns on top of her head.
"Show Miss Cho here the way to the training room when she's ready." She introduced the girl who quickly nodded, then she was looking at you once more. "Thirty minutes."
Then she turned and walked past you and right back out of the room, the door closing behind her. You stood there for a few moments listening to the sound of her heels fading away before looking back at the two girls.
"Hi," Your head snapped back around at the sudden close voice, finding the girl, Sachi, standing a few feet in front of you. "I'm Osaka Sachi," she introduced herself, holding out her hand to you, which you took, re-introducing yourself, causing her to smile. "That bed over there is yours. There's also a uniform ready for you. Oh, and the bathroom is connected right over there."
"Thank you," You thanked her before walking over to the bed, setting your suitcase down at the end, and looking down at the neatly folded white uniform. A weird feeling bloomed in the pit of your stomach as you picked up the clothing.
Inhaling deeply, your fingers tightening around the fabric, wrinkling it in some spots before turning and walking towards the bathroom. Walking inside, you notice that it's a relatively simple bathroom: a toilet, sink, tub, and shower, yet it still feels off to you.
Looking at Sachi one last time, you shut the bathroom door and turn the lock before facing the mirror. Sitting the uniform down on the counter, you lean against the cool marble, fingers tightening around the edge. As you looked at yourself, it became painstakingly clear that you could no longer afford to stay the girl you've known yourself to be. In order to survive what awaits you in Erudite, you were going to have to lose who you were in Sagacious.
Letting your eyes flutter close you exhaled deeply before letting your eyes open once more, staring yourself down in the mirror with a newfound determination, "No matter what they throw at me or who may stab me in the back, I will survive. I have to."
—
The dark-haired girl from the room, Sachi, led you down the quiet corridor, the same light gray walls stretching everywhere along the bland halls. She pointed to a few rooms along the way, saying that they might come in handy while you were here, and you hummed, taking a mental note of a few. Your eyes then locked on the large double doors at the end of the hall; something about them loomed over everything else in the area.
Sachi stopped in front of them before turning to look at you with a smile, her hands laced together in front of her body. "Here we are," she motioned towards the doors, and you let your eyes trail back to her, a small smile of your own tugging on your lips. "Also…" Sachi started, pulling your full attention to her, "If you're finished by the time the dinner bell rings, you're more than welcome to join Ryuna and me."
You blinked at her a few times, unsure if she was being genuine, but you nodded nonetheless, "Thank you, Sachi." You thanked her, a smile fluttering into one of insincerity, before you moved towards the towering double doors behind her.
Walking through the doors, you were greeted by Ms. Yang, who was standing in front of another pair of doors, these ones made of glass, allowing you to see inside. However, you peeled your eyes away from the movement on the other side to the older woman. Her high-tech tablet was once again in her eyes as she scanned the screen. Upon hearing the door click shut behind you, she glances up, her gaze scrutinizing as she looks you up and down before ultimately nodding her head.
"You're punctual. Good." She stated before tucking her tablet under her arm and pushing her glasses further up her nose. Your eyes followed her as she turned towards the other doors, scanning her badge, and the door slowly opened. Then she looked back at you for a mere second. "Follow me."
Ms. Yang leads you into the main room, your eyes flickering all around. There were at least twenty other people inside, some were on training mats, doing stretches, or sparring with one another. Others were on the opposite side of the room, where there was a table of sorts set up with paper neatly placed on top, studying something you couldn't quite see.
The moment one person took notice of your arrival, they nudged the person next to them, whispering to each other. As more people started to notice your presence, the room started to quiet down into hushed whispers, all eyes locked on you. Swallowing down your irritation, you held your head up high and continued to follow the woman in front of you.
Ms. Yang soon stops after arriving at a small seating area towards the back, and you came to a halt next to her, hands shoved into the pockets of the jacket you were wearing. You let your eyes wander around the room once more, taking in all of the different training equipment as well and shelves on the other side of the room. It was as if they had fused a gym and a library together. However, the sound of footsteps brought your attention away from the room and landed on an older man, the room suddenly quieting into silence.
"Hello y/n, my name is Kim Dohyun. I'm in charge of the tournament selection and training." He introduced himself, holding out his hand to you, and without much hesitation, you pulled your hand from your pocket and placed it in his, giving him a firm shake.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Kim." You greeted him, and he gave you a small nod of approval as he let his hand fall from yours back to his side while you put yours back into your pocket.
"How good a fighter are you?" Mr. Kim asked, causing you to raise an eyebrow at him, curious as to why he would ask. As if reading your mind, he lets out a chuckle, "We know you'll do fine with the puzzle side of things; however, the other factions—especially Prowess—don't always play fair. Things can and will get physical."
You nodded in understanding at his explanation, then your mind wandered off to the times that you had gotten into a few fights in Sagacious. Though the faction always prided itself on its honesty, there were still people who would do just about anything to get what they wanted, especially if they lived on the outskirts as you did. Not to mention the number of kids from other factions that you had fought with because they would pick on Viella and her looks.
"I know the basics; everything else is just pure instincts." You told him, pulling yourself out of your head and meeting Mr. Kim's eyes once more.
"Hmm." The older man hummed, thinking for a moment, "We can have you spar with someone, just so we can get an idea of where to start." He explained, and you nodded, pursing your lips as you watched him look around the room. "Would anyone be willing to spar with Ms. Cho?"
The room then filled with more hushed whispers as they all looked at you, some in disgust, while others looked at you like you were insignificant. You heard a few make a comment about your background and how you gave off the poverty stench, causing your eyes to darken, narrowing into a glare as you look at them.
"I will."
Your head snapped in the direction of where the voice came from, finding a man who was at least a head taller than you and extremely well built. Looking him up and down, you knew that he could easily take you down, even do some damage if he saw fit. But you also knew that if he relied just on his strength, then that would be his weak point. Not saying a word, you start to walk towards him, but you are stopped when another voice tears through the chatter.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Kim, but this seems like a bit of an unfair match." A tall, blonde male walked through the crowd, and everyone parted to let him through. He gave off such a regal vibe—poised, elegant, and controlled. Yet his words only seemed to feed into your annoyance, believing that he was just looking down on you.
Scoffing, you rolled your eyes before walking towards the blonde, "There is no weight class in the tournament. If he wants to spar, then we'll spar." Your calm, bland tone causes the male to smirk while those around you break out into a crazed chatter.
Moving to the mats on the side of the room, you take the bundle of wrap that Mr. Kim hands you. As you wrap your hands, you keep an eye on the man on the other side of the mat, a cocky grin on his lips as he speaks to his buddies. You were sure that he thought he had this in the bag, and if you weren't careful, he very well could.
Once your hands were wrapped, you got into position, hands held up. The man on the other side chuckled, shaking his shoulders out.
"I'll go easy on you, sweet cheeks, only if you promise to let me take you out afterwards." He smirks as you begin to circle each other, someone counting down. You just looked at him uninterested, letting your hands drop to your sides, causing the man's smirk to drop.
"I didn't know Erudite allowed an arrogant jackass in, but then again, they let me in, so why not drop the bar a little more?" You shrugged, a small smirk of your own spreading on your lips as you watched a scowl morph onto his features.
He lunged at you, his arm ready to deliver a punch right at your head, but you quickly sidestepped him, dodging it and causing him to stumble. A few laughs echoed around the room, causing you to grin while the man glares at you, ready to end you.
Raising your hand, you beckoned him forward with your middle and forefingers, "c'mon, pretty boy."
"You're so dead." He growled before rushing towards you, rearing his arm back once again, and you knew he was going to put all his power into it. However, he left his side completely exposed, giving you the perfect opening.
Just as he swung his arm, you ducked down, allowing his arm to swing right over you, and you quickly fixed your stance. Mustering up as much strength as you could, you swung your own fist, making contact with a sickening crack. Without a second thought, he swung again, but it was weaker this time, and you blocked it.
"Fucking bitch!" He was seething as he lunged at you once more, his moves becoming sloppy, and your smirk widened. The two of you parry for a few moments, and he manages to land a punch, busting your lip. Wiping the leaking crimson liquid with your thumb, you looked up at him with borderline crazed eyes.
Turning, you run towards the wall, and he stops short, confused. Using your momentum and the wall you kicked off it before swinging your leg in a powerful kick. His head swung to the side as your foot made contact before falling to the ground on his stomach, his eyes dazed. You dropped to your knees, breathing heavily, and lifted your head, sweat beading on your forehead.
Raising to your feet, you stumble over to the man, grabbing his arm as he starts to get up and pulling it behind his back while placing your knee on his spine, right between his shoulder blades. Your grip on his arm tightened as you pulled it back more until he groaned in pain, tapping the floor, claiming defeat.
Seonghwa stood off to the side, his arms crossed lazily over his chest as he watched you take down a man who was twice your size. His eyes then flickered over to the older male who was standing on the sidelines, his eyes already on the blonde, the question already laid out. Seonghwa nods and looks back at you just as you pull yourself off of the man, wiping your chin with the back of your hand before looking at Mr. Kim.
"Anything else?" You asked, voice airy as you continued to try and even out your breathing. The older man nods, an impressed smile spreading on his lips as he walks towards you, Ms. Yang not too far behind him.
"Not bad, not bad at all y/n." He claps, and your body straightens as the two neared you, ignoring the people who were helping the man behind you. "You still have a lot to learn because not everyone is going to just rely on power out there." Mr. Kim explains, folding his arms across his body as you let yours drop to your sides, "I'll pair you up with someone who'll help you train from here on out."
"It seems like you've got this covered. I'll be taking my leave." Ms. Yang said, fixing her glasses before turning to leave without another word, much less waiting for a response.
You and Mr. Kim watched her retreating form for a few moments before he turned to look at you once more. He lets out a short huff before dropping his arms and turning in the opposite direction.
"Follow me y/n." He instructs you, walking towards the small seating area that you had been standing by previously; however, the blonde male who sat on the couch caught your attention. "I'll have you train with Seonghwa; he'll give you the rundown on things."
You let your gaze shift from the older man to the blonde, who lifted his head to look at you, a warm smile on his lips. With a nod, you move closer to Seonghwa, ignoring all of the glares that you were getting from those around you.
"So, where do we start?" You asked, shoving your hands back into your pockets as you stood next to his seated form, a hint of annoyance still lingering in your voice due to his earlier statement.
Seonghwa chuckles before standing up, his eyes locked on your smaller form. Something about his gentle gaze was making your stomach bubble, the annoyance slowly washing away. He motions for you to follow him, and without much hesitation, you nod, walking behind him as he leads the way further into the room.
Most of the people in the room went back to whatever they had been doing previously, but there were still a few who stopped and whispered while others gave you weird looks. Hearing some of their undermined comments, you could feel your annoyance start to surface again. Glancing back, Seonghwa offers you a smile that makes your heart squeeze as you meet his warm eyes.
"They're just jealous, ignore them." He tells you, slowing his steps so he's walking beside you instead of in front of you. Ignoring the way your stomach flutters at the action, you swallow thickly and just nod your head, curling your fingers into fists inside your jacket pockets, and Seonghwa moved his gaze back straight. "Each faction will select six people to compete in the tournament. So there will be an assessment in a few weeks to choose who'll be going." He explains, and you hum as your eyebrows scrunch together in confusion, the way Ms. Yang had worded it, there was no doubt that you'd be chosen to go.
Before you say anything about it, Seonghwa leads you to a table where a bright hologram is displaying a stadium. As you got closer, you realized that it was the area where the tournament would be held, and your eyes went wide.
"Isn't this cheating?" You asked, both amazed and concerned as you turned your gaze to meet the blondes, who just chuckled.
"There's nothing wrong with a little insight." He spoke with a shrug before lifting his hand and moving the diagram around.
You wanted to question it, wanted to know how they had even managed to get this diagram. But you weren't able to dwell on it for too long before Seonghwa started to give you the rundown of the main plan. You listened to him intently, your eyes glued to his face, and before long, you found yourself studying his features more than listening to what he was saying. He was attractive, you'd give him that, and he was a lot nicer than most of the people you've met here.
"If anything, you can just partner with me." Seonghwa glances over at you, a ghost of a smirk tugging on his lips as he catches you staring. His words pull you out of your daze, and you look at him, confused, ignoring the blooming heat on your face from being caught.
"How do you even know we'll be picked?" You asked, a small scoff falling from your lips as you averted your gaze.
Seonghwa chuckles, gently placing his hand on your shoulder, causing your head to snap back in his direction, "Have a little faith in yourself, yeah?"
"Y-Yeah." You stumbled over your words as he looked at you with more assurance than you've ever had someone give you besides Viella.
With a nod of approval, Seonghwa drops his hand and nods towards the practice mats, "c'mon, we can train some more, and I'll teach you a few things."
So that's what the two of you did for the rest of the time. Seonghwa gauged your fighting skills some more, then gave you pointers and fixed your stances. He even taught you a few moves that he deemed necessary, even praising you when you got them on the first try.
Before long, the tension that you had once felt in your shoulders started to melt away, an eerie easiness settling over you the more time you spent with the blonde male. A smile would creep on your face when he praised you, a giddy feeling surging through your veins.
"And that's time." The echo of Mr. Kim's voice causes you to jump, having not realized how focused you had been. Seonghwa pets the back of your head in one last praise, causing you to smile before turning your focus on the older man. "Good work today. Same time tomorrow, and make sure you eat dinner before turning in for the night."
Your chest heaved softly as you started to unwrap your hands, rolling the fabric back up. Seonghwa watches as you precisely roll the fabric, his eyebrow raising slightly. He shakes his head softly before bumping his elbow against your arm, catching your attention.
"Do you have someone you're eating dinner with?" He asks, cocking his head to the side, causing a few strands of hair to fall in front of his face.
"Yeah, my roommates offered to eat with me." You told him as you pulled the last of the fabric off your hand, stretching your fingers out. A wide smile spread on his face, and your heart lurched at the sight, heat creeping up your neck.
"Would it be too much to ask if I joined?" He asked, and your eyes went wide, shock written beautifully on your face. That giddy feeling from earlier started to sneak back in, and you couldn't help the smile that spread on your lips.
"No, not at all." You shook your head, sticking the wrap in your jacket pockets as you looked up at his soft brown eyes.
"Awesome." He nearly cheered, causing you to laugh softly, "Then I'll see you here in a bit, y/n."
You then bid him goodbye before making your way towards the glass doors. Seonghwa stood in the center of the mat as he watched your retreating form with an almost silly smile. However, the moment you disappeared out of sight, that smile dropped, and he was rubbing his cheeks while grumbling in annoyance. Mr. Kim walked over to the younger male, holding a tablet in his hands, as he stopped to stand next to Seonghwa.
"Are we sure that she's the one?" Seonghwa asks, crossing his arms over his chest as he glances over at the older man standing next to him.
"Positive, she was a match for all the tests." Mr. Kim explains, handing the tablet over to the blonde that displayed all of your information.
"Good," Seonghwa mused as he took the device, reading over all of the results, and a smirk tugged on his lips.
Just as you walked into the hall, you sneezed, eyes watering slightly as you rubbed your nose. Glancing over your shoulder, you couldn't help but think about Seonghwa and all his kind gestures towards you. As you walked towards your dorm, you couldn't help but think that things wouldn't be so bad here as long as you stuck with Seonghwa.
Getting back to your dorm, you find both Sachi and Ryuna sitting on one of the beds, waiting. Hearing the door open, Sachi turns to look at you with a bright smile, and your stomach turns a little.
"Hey y/n, how was practice?" She asked, eyes following you as you made your way towards your bed.
"It was alright," You told her, offering a small smile while grabbing your suitcase so you could grab a pair of clothes to change into.
"Would you like to join us for dinner?" Sachi asked, a hopeful gleam in her eyes as she watches you, while Ryuna looks at you with an unreadable expression.
Turning to look at them, you thought about it; they had been nothing but welcoming since you arrived. Plus, you would also get to see Seonghwa while you were there, so you really didn't see any harm in agreeing.
"Sure, let me shower and change, then we can go." You nodded, pulling your clothes into your arms and turning to face the two girls. Sachi cheered while a smile spread on Ryuna's lips, and you couldn't help the blooming happiness you also felt.
Even if most people here wanted absolutely nothing to do with you and even hated your entire being, you knew that you would have people who would actually care. So with a newfound hope, you made your way towards the bathroom.
—
The atmosphere in the cafeteria was nothing like the training room. No one paid you any mind, minus a few here and there, but you simply ignored them as you spoke with Sachi and Ryuna. The three of you sat at a table close to the windows, the setting sun warming your skin as you sat down.
Both girls asked you all kinds of questions about your life in Sagacious, which you happily answered, telling them all about the town you lived in as well as Viella. You all talked for what felt like hours when a certain blonde walked over to the table, stopping just shy of where you were sitting.
"Excuse me, is this seat taken?" Seonghwa asked, watching in amusement as you turned to look at him with wide eyes, a wide grin spreading on your lips.
"Nope, it's all yours. I was saving it for you." You told him as he placed his tray on the table next to yours before sitting down. You were too busy looking at Seonghwa that you hadn't even noticed the expressions of absolute shock and astonishment that were displayed on your roommates' faces.
"Thank you," Seonghwa smiled as he got situated in his seat, then his gaze flickered over to the two girls who were sitting across from you. He greeted the two of them, and you snapped out of your daze before looking over.
"Oh, this is Sachi and Ryuna, my roommates." You introduced both of the girls to the blonde, who nodded in acknowledgement, "This is Seonghwa." You introduced the blonde to the girls, and they smiled uneasily as Ryuna nodded and Sachi waved.
At first, it was just you and Seonghwa talking to each other, words seeming to flow easily between the two of you. Then, eventually, the girls relaxed, not a lot, but some nonetheless, and joined in. The tension seemed to melt away slowly as the conversation topic moved to other factions, Sachi saying that her brother was placed in Glamour a few years ago, reminding you of Viella.
"I have a friend that go placed in Glamour. I wonder how she's settling in." You murmur the last part to yourself as a small pout forms on your lips, causing Seonghwa to chuckle softly.
"Once you get your armband tomorrow, you'll be able to talk to her." He tells you before shoveling more food into his mouth, and you look at him with wide eyes.
"Really?" You ask in disbelief, you hadn't known that they had other ways of communication than just writing a letter to one another. Embarrassment started to claw its way up your spine when you realized just how different life was away from the edges of the factions.
"Mhm. Did Ms. Yang not tell you?" He asked, and you shook your head, doe eyes still staring at him. Another soft chuckle fell from his lips at his petting the top of your head, but he wasn't able to reply before his own armband beeped. Letting his hand fall from your head, he looks at whatever the message was, and you nearly miss the falter in his smile, but it was gone as soon as it appeared, and he turns back to you. "I've gotta go, but I'll see you tomorrow, y/n. Nice meeting you two."
"Bye, Seonghwa." You wave at him softly, watching as he walks away from the table with his empty tray in hand. When he was out of sight, you turned back to finish your own food, but stopped mid-bite when you caught your roommate's flabbergasted and borderline fear-filled expressions. Setting down your utensils, you raise an eyebrow, "What's up with you two?"
"Y/n, do you know who that is?" Sachi asked, pointing in the direction that Seonghwa had disappeared, and your eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"Yeah, it's Seonghwa, he's a part of the group." You told them, growing even more confused by what was going on.
Sachi shook her head violently, saying no while Ryuna set her chopsticks down, "Y/n, he is the group."
Her words only made your eyebrows furrow even more in confusion, "What does that even mean?" You ask, eyes blinking as you try to make sense of what she is saying.
"Well, for starters, he's not just a 'member' of Erudite, he is quite literally the group." Ryuna starts, pretty much repeating what she had previously said, but before you could ask, she continues, "his father is the head councilman of the faction board."
At the mention of the man, your mouth went dry; that was Ms. Yang's boss, and now he was Seonghwa's father.
"Also…" Ryuna continues after taking a sip of her drink, pointing her finger at you, "he's never that nice. To anyone."
Sachi laughs nervously as she looks between you and Ryuna, her hand resting on the table, "Maybe he just really likes y/n?"
"Doubt it." Ryuna sighed, picking her chopsticks back up and placing more of her food into her mouth, chewing lazily.
Your eyes went wide at the implications in her words, mind working a million miles an hour. Yet all those thoughts were drowned out when you remembered how nice he had been since you met him and how welcoming he was.
"No, he really is nice." You told her, shaking your head softly as you grabbed your own utensils to continue eating. Ryuna stopped mid-bite to look at you with a shocked expression. She couldn't tell if you were just blinded by the fact that he was the first nice person you met or just plain stupid.
However, she just let out a sigh, her shoulder sagging just an inch, "Don't say I didn't warn you. Just be careful."
You glanced at her for just a moment before looking back down at your food, eyebrows creasing once more, "After today, there was no way." You mumbled, pushing your food around on your tray, trying to ignore the tiny voice in the back of your mind.
— —
The first week, you were still on edge about everything and everyone, unsure who to trust and who was out for your head. You also spent most of the week trying to forget Ryuna's words that kept echoing in your head on a mindless loop.
It was starting to drive you nuts.
However, the following weeks seemed to get progressively better; the unease you had initially felt started to wear off the more time you spent with Seonghwa. He would always be waiting for you in the cafeteria during meal times as long as he wasn't busy, even waiting for you to come to practice. Slowly but surely, the worry that had been instilled in your head due to Ryuna's words started to diminish.
Then the days that followed behind you spent even more time with Seonghwa, even going to the gym with him in the mornings before breakfast. Somewhere along the way, you found yourself falling for the tall blonde.
At first, you were worried about saying anything to him, scared that he wouldn't feel the same way and you'd ruin one of the few good things you had here in Erudite. Yet when you started to notice the small gestures and touches, you started to believe that he might actually feel the same.
But even then, you didn't say a word.
Then the day for the tournament team announcements came around, and you stood next to Seonghwa, waiting for everyone else to file into the room. You started to grow anxious, picking at the skin around your nails as your mind wandered to what others may think after the announcements. You knew that you were going to be picked after that conversation with Ms. Yang in the car, but you couldn't help but fret over how those around you would react.
Noticing your nervous state, Seonghwa gently bumps his arm against yours to gain your attention. "What's got you so nervous?"
"They're gonna be after my head, Hwa." You told him honestly, eyes flickering up to meet his, and the blonde couldn't help but let out a small chuckle; the pout on your lips was beyond adorable.
"They may be mad," He stated, bringing his hand up to rest upon your head, smoothing some of your hair, "but I promise they're not stupid enough to try anything."
Listening to his reassuring words, you started to feel some of the weight lifting off your chest, and you realized that as long as Seonghwa was with you, then no one would dare. A small smile spread on your lips as you nodded your head, but before you could say anything, Mr. Kim spoke, pulling your attention to him, and Seonghwa's hand fell from your head.
"Alright, everyone, the team has been picked." Mr. Kim announced, and hushed whispers fell over the room, reminding you of just a month ago during the faction placement announcement.
However, he was quick to hush the crowd, claiming he was too old to be shouting over everyone, pulling a few laughs from the group, including yourself, and you completely missed the fond eyes that were looking at you with nothing but adoration.
"Okay, let's get this show on the road. Seonghwa, y/n, Jeniva, Kaiza, Bomhee, and Takashi." Mr. Kim announced, looking down at the tablet that was sitting in his hands before looking back at the crowd in front of him. "Those are the individuals that have been chosen."
Upon hearing your name getting announced, there was a series of hushed whispers around you, and you could feel the burning of their eyes on your skin. However, Seonghwa pulled your gaze away from their harsh glares, offering you a smile in return.
"Welcome to the team, partner." He teased, causing you to smile, arms crossing loosely over your chest as you looked up to meet his warm chocolate eyes.
"What happens now?" You asked, glancing around the room as almost everyone started to make their way out. Seonghwa, on the other hand, followed your eyes before glancing at all the other teammates, a smile of sorts playing on his lips. Then he was glancing back down at you, meeting your eyes with a playful gleam in his own.
"Now, we celebrate."
—
Later that night, you found yourself sitting with Seonghwa and your other teammates in a private room that belonged to the most luxurious hotel restaurant. You all had already eaten as much as you could possibly handle. Now, each of you had a glass in hand filled with some glittery alcohol you were sure cost more than your whole bloodline.
The sound of glass being tapped echoed around the room and pulled everyone's attention to the culprit. Seonghwa stood from his seat, setting the knife back onto the table after he had all of your attention, a smile tugging on his lips.
"I'd like to make a toast," He announced, and the quiet chatter fell to silence. You looked up at the blonde man, a smile of your own creeping onto your lips as you took in his appearance. "Thank you all for joining me today. Here's to winning and to the new relationships we've formed along the way." As those last words fell from his lips, Seonghwa let his eyes trail over to you, his heart beating against his ribs at the bright smile that sat beautifully on your face.
"Woo-hoo!" Kaiza cheered, holding his glass out to clink it against Seonghwa, and everyone else followed suit. You couldn't help but giggle as Kaiza all but spilt his drink all over himself when he completely missed his mouth.
"Oh my gosh! Y/n!" Bomhee exclaimed as she threw her arm over your shoulder, clearly drunk. Your body jolted at the sudden contact before you were looking over at her with a semi-awkward smile. "I know I've never said it before, but the way you took Leon down when you first got here was so badass."
"Thank yo—"
"He was a jerk, but we're teammates now, we should all get along." Kaiza thrusts his now-empty cup forward as he slurred over his words. His face was as bright as a cherry, and you were starting to grow a little worried.
"There's no hard feeling on my end." You tell them as a bright grin appears on your face, and you couldn't tell if it was due to the alcohol or just genuinely happy to be included.
Seonghwa leaned back in his seat, watching you with a fond gaze and a ghost of a smile on his lips. Yet as he remembers the plans that lay ahead of him, he couldn't help but grow frustrated. Stealing a glance at Takashi, who was taking a sip out of his glass, eyes flickering over to meet the blondes. The brunette could see the war waging in Seonghwa's eyes, a battle that had no happy ending in sight.
Cursing under his breath, Seonghwa leans forward to fill his glass once more and throws it back in one gulp. The liquor burned all the way down, causing him to grit his teeth, but as it drowned out the war in his head, he couldn't care less.
The night seemed to go on forever; you all drank, ate, talked, and even played random games you've never heard of before. Somewhere along the way, Seonghwa's seat ended up closer to yours, and he has his arm draped over the back of your chair. He could only watch you throughout the night, speaking only when you asked for his opinion or had a question.
Before too long, everyone at the table was starting to grow exhausted, the liquor finally hitting its limits. Kaiza and Bomhee were the first two to leave the room, the girl lugging the dark-haired male out of the room as he was about to black out. You offered to help her, but as she caught sight of Seonghwa's raised eyebrow, she quickly shook her head, saying that it was fine before scurrying out of the room.
"I've gotta meet with my father in the morning, so I'mma turn in for the night." Jeniva yawned, stretching her arms above her head before clambering out of her seat. You and Seonghwa bid her a farewell before you watched as the remaining two guys delved back into strategizing for the tournament.
Eventually, Takashi also turned in for the night, ultimately leaving you and Seonghwa alone in the room. He watched with curious eyes as you started to clean up the table, stacking all of the dishes and trash.
"Why do that? The staff takes care of it?" He asked, genuinely curious as he grabbed your wrist, pulling you back down to your seat.
"Oh," You glanced at him before pointing and looking back at the messy table, "growing up, it was always a courtesy thing my mom taught me." You start to ramble on, and Seonghwa just stares at you, studying all of the features he could see, a gleam shining bright in his chocolate orbs.
"Do you guys not normally do that?" You asked, reaching forward to pick up where you left off, but when you didn't get a response from the blonde, your movements stopped short. Eyebrows furrowing slightly, you turn to see if something was the matter, but as soon as you turn to face him, Seonghwa's lips crash onto yours.
A surprised gasp fell from your lips, only to be swallowed by Seonghwa's, and so many thoughts started to run through your mind. However, the most prominent one was how damn amazing his lips felt on yours.
Quickly recovering from your initial shock, you lean into him just as he starts to pull away, reconnecting your lips. Your hand moved up to cup his face, thumb brushing over his cheekbone. Seonghwa groans lowly against your lips, grabbing the back of your neck to deepen the kiss.
"Fuck, you taste sweeter than I thought." He murmurs as he pulls back to take in your shocked and dazed eyes. The sight sent all his blood rushing south, and his lips were back on yours in record time, pulling a cute little squeak from your lips.
"Hwa!" You gasp when he suddenly moves, picking you up out of your chair and placing you on the table in front of him. The sound of plates crashing on the floor fell on deaf ears as Seonghwa sealed his lips over yours once more.
The kiss that had originally started out sweet and full of emotion had turned into a heated mess of teeth and spit. Your fingers were balled in the fabric of his dress shirt, tugging him closer as your tongue battled with his for dominance. However, that battle was soon won by the blonde as he squeezed your thigh, pulling your legs apart so he could slot himself between them.
Seonghwa swallowed all of your little gasps and moans as his hands trailed up your side, slipping underneath your top to feel your warm skin against his. Your body started to tingle when his lips left yours to find purchase on your neck, nipping and sucking at the skin.
"H-Hwa." You breathed out, fingers tightening in his shirt as heat started to pool in your core.
Your eyes fluttered open, and you became painfully aware of where the two of you were. In the private room of the restaurant, which could have anyone walking in at any moment. Releasing his shirt, you started to push on Seonghwa's shoulder until he was pulling away from your skin to look at you. Taking in the sight of his hooded gaze and kiss-swollen lips almost made you wanna say fuck it and let him have his way with you here, but the fear of someone walking in was far greater.
"We can't. N-Not here." You told him, trying to steady your ragged breathing, and the blonde's grip on your waist tightened, pulling you closer to him.
He leaned forward once more, and you thought he was going back to marking your neck, but the vibration of his voice against your cheek made you shiver, "then let's go back to my room."
All it took was for you to nod before Seonghwa was pulling you off the table, taking your hand in his, and dragging you back to his presidential suite. Neither of you paid any mind to the looks you received from the staff as you rushed through the halls.
You couldn't help the surge of excitement that rushed through your body as you two stopped in front of his hotel room. Seonghwa dug into his pocket for a short moment before pulling out the keycard.
Heat flushed over your body as you watched him open the door in anticipation, and as soon as the door was open, he pulled you into the room. Slamming the door shut behind you, he pushed you back against it, trapping you.
"Hwa—"
"Shh, I've got you." He cooed before smashing his lips into yours, stealing all of the air from your lungs. His hand gripped your hips, pulling your body flush with his as your arms wrapped around his neck.
Seonghwa could’ve sworn that he was gonna go insane the moment a whimper fell from your lips when he bit down on your bottom lip. The sound went straight to his dick, which was straining hard against his pants.
You gasped when his hand on your hip slid to your lower back, pulling you closer, causing you to feel him against your lower abdomen. It suddenly hit you just how much bigger Seonghwa was compared to you, and with his body pressed against yours, it made you feel tiny.
"Hwa…" You breathed out as his lips trailed from your lip gloss-smeared lips to your jaw before finding purchase on your neck. Your hands tugged at his dress shirt as the heat of the moment was starting to become overbearing.
It took no time for both of you to make your way further into the hotel room; Seonghwa shrugged out of his shoes before letting you undo the buttons of his dress shirt. However, before he could take it off, you pushed him down on the edge of the bed.
You tried to step back to undo the zipper of your dress, but Seonghwa's hands hooked around your thigh, keeping you in place. Seonghwa watched you with hooded eyes as you reached around, starting to undo the zipper of your dress with haste, letting the fabric pool on the ground around your feet. You stood there in nothing but your underwear and heels, seeing as you decided to forego a bra for the night.
"Fuck." Seonghwa groans, grabbing the backs of your thighs once more and pulling you closer to him as he takes in your body, and you couldn’t help but almost feel shy under his intense gaze. His eyes then flickered back up to your face, relishing in the pink that dusted your cheeks and a smirk plastered on his lips, "c'mere baby."
A sharp gasp fell from your lips when he all but pulled you into his lap, hands instantly going to his shoulders to support yourself. He didn't even give you a chance to breathe before his lips were on yours in a sloppy kiss. His tongue swiped at your bottom lip, pushing it into your mouth as you gasp when he squeezed the soft fat of your ass.
"Hwa, please." You whined as his lips trailed down your neck, nipping at your collarbones, leaving a trail of marks in his wake.
He groaned against your skin when your hips rolled against his as the heat of need became too much, needing some kind of relief. His hands on your ass pulled your hips flush against his, helping you grind down against him as he kissed you again, swallowing all of your cute little mewls and whines.
In the blink of an eye, Seonghwa had your bodies flipped, your back pressed against the mattress while his body was slotted over yours. In seconds, Seonghwa's lips were back on yours, muffling your soft whines as his hand wandered from your hip to your inner thigh, teasing the sensitive skin. Then he moved to your clothed core, pressing down right on your clit, eliciting a moan from your lungs.
Seonghwa pulled away from your lips so he could take in your dazed, hooded eyes and your kiss-swollen lips that gleamed with a mixture of your and his saliva. The sight was something straight out of a wet dream, one he wished to never wake up from.
You reached up to grab the open edge of his dress shirt, tugging him back down to you. His lips ghosted over yours, and you bit back another whine when he pressed down on your covered clit once more.
"Seonghwa— fuck, baby, please." You whined, lifting your hips to chase the friction as he groaned when the petname fell so beautifully from your lips.
The blonde smirked as your eyes fluttered when he circled your clit, more of your slick soaking through the fabric. Then he moved his hand away, causing you to whine, fingers tightening around the fabric of his shirt. Chuckling, Seonghwa gently grabbed your wrists, pulling your hands free on his shirt before sitting up to look down at you.
"It's okay, sweet girl, I've got you." He cooed as he made quick work of pulling your underwear down your legs, stuffing them into the pocket of his slacks. Once your body was completely bare, Seonghwa's eyes raked your nude form, drinking in the sight, and you squirmed under his intense gaze. Parting your thighs, he moved down until he was face-to-face with your dripping cunt. Your dazed gaze followed his movements, watching in anticipation.
"Oh, you're dripping, baby." He teased as he parted your slick folds, blowing a puff of air on the wet skin, relishing in the way you whined and your hole clenched around nothing. You bit down on your bottom lip as he pressed gentle kisses along the expanse of your thighs, before he got to your aching pussy. A gasp fell from your lips when he kissed your twitching clit before burying his face in your cunt, inhaling your scent. "God, pretty girl, you smell like fucking heaven."
Your stomach tightened as well as your grip on the silk sheets when he licked a stripe up your slit before wrapping his lips around your clit. A pathetic whine fell from your lips as he started to eat you out like he never wanted to leave. His moves were slow, but precise, and your thighs already started to tremble around his head.
"Hwa, oh god!" You cried out, your hand releasing the sheets to reach for his head, fingers threading through his blonde locks. Your back arched off the bed, pushing your hips further into his face, desperate for more. Seonghwa was quick to move a hand from your thigh to your stomach, pressing you back down on the bed and keeping you in place.
Your fingers tugged at his hair, eliciting a groan from Seonghwa, the vibrations causing you to moan. You mewled when his teeth scraped against your clit, causing your brain to nearly short-circuit. Seonghwa's eyes flickered up just in time to watch as your head falls back with a pathetic whine.
"H-Hwa— ahh fuck!" You cried out as you began to feel that familiar coil in the pit of your stomach tighten, sparks dancing across your vision as he picked up the pace, eating you out like a man starved. His mouth moved from your clit down to your slit, pressing his tongue past your entrance and groaning as more of your sweet juices filled his mouth.
His tongue moved along your velvet walls while his nose rubbed deliciously against your clit in ways that left you seeing stars. Your fingers tighten in his hair as you lie there breathless, your high starting to creep up your spine, and your legs start to shake violently on either side of Seonghwa's head.
Your jaw fell slack with a breathless scream as your high washed over you, toes curling and hips jerking with every touch. Your eyes nearly roll to the back of your head when his lips move back up to your clit, sucking on the small bud to prolong your orgasm.
"H-Hwa— Seonghwa, fuck!" You whined, pulling his hair as he continued to devour you, the overstimulation bringing tears to your eyes. Then you felt the pad of his fingers tracing your entrance, a sharp gasp falling from your lips when he pushed them in with little to no resistance. "Oh god!" You cried out with a broken moan when he curled his fingers against your silky walls.
Your fingers tugged at his hair, the burn only spurring Seonghwa on, and soon stars started dancing across your vision again. His pace was almost merciless as he fucked his fingers into your walls, the wet, lewd sounds bouncing off the walls. He switched between rough sucks and kitten licking your swollen clit, the sensation making your whole body tremble. At this rate, you knew that you weren't going to last much longer, and Seonghwa knew that too.
Incoherent babbles fell from your lips when you felt that coil in your stomach tighten again, hand pushing against Seonghwa's head as it almost became overbearing. However, Seonghwa kept up the merciless pace, and when he found your sweet spot, your whole body shuddered. His hand, which was on your stomach, grabs your thigh to keep you open when they threatened to snap shut.
"C'mon, sweet thing, I know you have another one for me." He cooed against your skin, the sound making your head spin as your thighs tensed under his hand. White spots clouded your vision as that coil finally snapped for the second time, your high crashing into you like a tidal wave. Broken moan and chants of Seonghwa's name fell from your parted lips, pure euphoria coursing through your veins.
"Hwa—" You're cut off by yet another moan when he pulls his fingers from your spazzing cunt only to lick up your slit, humming against your sensitive skin.
"You taste so damn sweet, baby," He groaned, lapping up all of your juices, not leaving a single drop to go to waste.
Your chest heaved as Seonghwa kissed his way back up your body before he was hovering over you. You bit your lips at the sight of his face, lips swollen and covered in your release. Then his lips were on yours, his hand wrapping around the back of your neck to deepen the kiss. Your brain nearly short-circuited at the taste of your own release on his tongue.
You both moan simultaneously when he pressed his hips flush against yours, the feeling of his dress slacks on your clit had your body trembling. Seonghwa bit your bottom lip gently as he pulled away before releasing it and kissing your jaw up to your ear.
"I need you so bad, baby. Can I fuck you, please?" His voice was borderline whiny, sending your mind reeling as your hands grabbed the open edge of his shirt. Your body started to heat up once more at the thought of him fucking you, pussy clenching around nothing. Leaning up shakily, you press a chaste kiss on the curve of his jaw.
"Please, Hwa, I need you so bad." You breathed out in a whine, muscles aching in anticipation, and the blonde groaned against your skin.
Seonghwa nipped at your earlobes, relishing in the whimper that fell from your lips before he pulled away to take in your fucked out expression. He was then pulling away far enough to fully pull his dress shirt off his body, tossing it to the ground before reaching for the latch of his slacks. Undoing the button, he pushed them down his hips, along with his boxers, and kicked them to the side. His cock stood tall against his lower abdomen, and you bit back a whine at the sight, your pussy begging to be filled.
He then moved closer to your body, grabbing your thighs and pulling your body closer to his. Leaning over your body, he captured your lips in a sweet kiss, your arms wrapping around his shoulders. Your hips jolted, and a cute little gasp fell from your lips when his tip bumped against your clit.
The feeling made your body jolt, a moan falling from your lips, and Seonghwa's grip on your hip tightened. Your whole body seemed like it had been set aflame as his tip caught your entrance, but he made no move to push in despite your weak pleas.
"You ready, sweet girl?" Seonghwa asked, grip on your hip tightening to keep you from moving, and another pathetic whine fell from your lips.
"P-Please, Hwa. God, please." You pleaded, causing the blonde to chuckle, but it was cut off by a groan as he began pushing into your tight heat. Your jaw fell slack, and your eyes rolled as he split you open on his cock, nails digging into the skin of his shoulder, causing him to hiss.
"Fuck you feel so good," Seonghwa growled as he continued to push his length into your tight walls, grip on your hips like a vice, and your back arched against him when he finally bottomed out. His hips rolled against yours, and white-hot pleasure shot through both of your bodies, moans echoing in the room.
"Shit, Hwa." You whined in his ear; the feeling of his heavy cock in your walls had your mind reeling. Every nerve ending in your body felt as if it had been set on fire, begging for something more. Back arching off the bed, you grab the back of Seonghwa's neck, lips ghosting over his, "move Hwa, please."
"So impatient, aren't you, baby?" He chuckled before sitting up, letting your hand fall away from his neck. He grabs your hips with both hands before pulling out slowly, groaning at the sight of your slick coating his dick. Then he trusts back into your tight walls, the force making your boobs bounce, a loud moan tearing through your lips.
Your mind started to go blank as he fucked into you at a rough pace, his hips slapping against yours. His eyes were trained on your face, watching it contort in pleasure every time he brushed over your sweet spot. The lewd sound of wet skin slapping made your head spin, a mixture of moans and cries of Seonghwa's name falling from your lips.
"You look so beautiful like this, whiny and full of my cock." Seonghwa teased, a smirk spreading on his lips, as you looked up at him with glossy eyes, tears threatening to spill. A loud cry tore through your mouth when he pulled one of your legs over his shoulder, the new position having his tip brush over that sweet spot in your cunt.
"Fuck Hwa!" You cried out, tears finally breaking free as he continued to abuse your sweet spot. Seonghwa bit back a groan at the sight of the tears that started to fall from the corner of your eyes, his cock twitching in your walls. He wanted—needed to see more. So his pace picked up, his hips snapping into yours like a rabid animal, and your cries bounced off the walls.
"Look at you, baby, crying like a pathetic little thing, and your pussy is squeezing me tight." Seonghwa chastised you, snapping his hips roughly, causing you to cry out. More tears begin to blur your vision as he brings his thumb down to your clit, the sudden stimulation making you cry out pathetically.
"S-Seonghwa! 'S too much, oh god." You mewled, eyes rolling back as he brushed over your sweet spot once more. The blonde watched in amusement as you started to fall apart on his cock, tears flowing endlessly down your face now. It was a sight he wished he could capture and keep with him forever.
"Is it really, baby?" He asked with a faux pout before adding more pressure to your clit, having you withering underneath him, "because your sweet little cunt is just begging for more."
"Shit! Seonghwa, baby, ple—" You choked on another moan when he repositioned his hips, causing his tip to not only brush over your sweet spot but also kiss your cervix. White spots clouded your vision and your body locked up as your orgasm hit you like a freight train, your juices gushing out in waves, soaking his cock.
"Fuck pretty girl, you've made a mess." Seonghwa cooed, watching as your eyes rolled back, nothing but incoherent babbles falling from your lips. "Aww, did I fuck my pretty baby stupid?"
Your brain felt like mush as Seonghwa continued to drive his dick into your abused pussy, your thighs trembling under his hold. The world around you felt floaty, weak cries of Seonghwa's name fell from your lips.
You let out a gasp when he leaned over you, latching his lips onto yours, and your eyes rolled again. The sudden change in positions was enough to make your brain blank out entirely; any coherent thought that may have been left was now gone. Shock waves were shot through your whole nervous system as he continued to roughly fuck into you.
Seonghwa's lips trailed over your cheeks, lips collecting the stream of tears that were still falling from your eyes. Your hand wrapped around the back of his neck, nails leaving behind crescent-shaped indents as your back arched against his chest.
"Just a bit more, baby," He groaned against your skin, his own high creeping up his spine, "gonna fill you nice and full."
Your mind was too far gone to fully understand his words, nor did you care the moment his lips crashed into yours. The kiss was a mess of spit and saliva, teeth clashing against each other. With a few more sharp thrusts, he came with a muffled groan, face falling to your neck, and his hips rocked against yours as he rode out his high.
Neither of you moved for a few moments, just soaking in the bliss. Then Seonghwa was pulling his face from your neck, looking down to see your blissed out expression, a cocky smirk spreading on his lips. You let your eyes flutter closed upon seeing the smirk, your hand swatting at his arm softly, and he chuckles.
"You can't sleep yet, sweet girl. I've gotta get you cleaned up." He told you, thumb rubbing soothing circles against your hipbone, and you just hummed softly.
A small groan fell from Seonghwa's lips, followed by a whine from you as he pulled out of your sensitive walls. He quickly grabbed his boxers and pulled them back on before disappearing into the bathroom to grab a damp cloth. When he came back into the room, he found you dozing off where he left you, and an adoring smile tugged on his lips.
"C'mon, baby, open your legs." He cooed, gently grabbing your knee as you grumbled something under your breath before letting him part your legs. The sight of his cum leaking from your still-twitching hole had him biting back a groan, willing himself not to get hard again.
He quickly cleaned you up before helping you get dressed, pulling one of his plain t-shirts over your head. Then he was helping you climb up the bed and under the covers, watching as you snuggled into the pillows. However, once he laid down and got comfortable, you were turning and lying yourself on top of him.
You lay on his chest, fingers drawing shapes on his skin absentmindedly as you relished in the feeling of his skin against yours. Seonghwa let out a huff, causing you to lift your head, resting your chin on his chest so you could look at him.
"I swear I'll protect you, no matter what." He told you, eyes hardening with determination while your eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
What could he possibly mean? It wasn't like you were in any imminent danger. Unless he meant the tournament. As if he were reading your mind, he leans forward, pressing a gentle kiss on your forehead, relaxing your creased brow, and causing your eyes to flutter.
"During the tournament, I mean, and in general." He adds on, letting his lips linger on your skin for a moment longer before laying his head back down while you return yours to his chest, listening to the steady sound of his heartbeat.
"Thank you, Hwa," You started, moving to play with his fingers as he lay his hand on his abdomen. This time it was the blonde's turn to look at you, confused, but before he could ask, you spoke up again, "for being one of the few people that treated me like a normal human being and being so kind to me when you really had no means to."
As Seonghwa listened to you, he could feel his heart clench tightly in his chest, the ache nearly making him sick to his stomach. You soon fell asleep on his chest, your smaller hand wrapped around his fingers, and your soft snores filled the room, making his heart ache even more. He knew deep down what the real reason was for him being so nice to you in the beginning, but now, in this very moment, he was ready to turn everything around if it meant keeping your perspective of him the same.
—
Seonghwa let you sleep on top of him for a little bit before he heard his armband vibrate on the bedside table. Letting out a sigh, he was sure he already knew who it was—who it always was.
Carefully slipping from your sleeping form, he stood from the bed and grabbed the robe that was hanging on the back of the chair nearby. Pulling it over his body, he tied the string in a loose knot before grabbing his armband, attaching it to his arm, and walking over to the window that overlooked the entire sector.
Turning on the screen of his armband, he ignored the messages and went straight for his father's contact. He stared at the call icon for a few long, dreadful moments before ultimately pressing it.
It rang only twice before there was a click, and his father's deep voice echoed around him, "Seonghwa."
"Father," Seonghwa greeted the older man, eyes still staring mindlessly out the window, "we need to talk."
"What could possibly be so important to call at three o'clock in the morning?" Seonghwa could hear the annoyance in his father's tone, but he just clenched his jaw and pressed on.
"Y/n," The blonde started, and he heard a sigh on the other side of the line, but that didn't keep him from continuing, "we can change the plan. I can just ask her about it, and I'm sure she'll agree."
"No." His father's answer was almost immediate, the stern tone causing Seonghwa's spine to straighten. However, he wasn't about to give up that easily, not when it was your life hanging on the line.
"But—"
"No. That's final." He cut the blonde off, irritation clear in his voice, "It's too late anyway, we're sticking to the original plan, and if you dare to interfere, you can kiss seeing your sister again goodbye."
Seonghwa wasn't even given a chance to respond before his father hung up, the shrill beeping of a deadline only adding to the anger that was bubbling in the blonde's gut. Dropping his arm to his side, he pulls his bottom lip between his teeth, chewing roughly on the skin as he tries to think of any way around his father's plan. But he came up short when they all either ended in you still getting hurt or his sister being ripped away from his grasp.
He hissed when he bit his lip a little too hard, breaking the skin, and the metallic taste of blood washed over his taste buds. However, he wasn't able to dwell on it for long when his armband vibrated once more, and he let out a low groan. Raising his arm, he saw that it was Takashi, and he could only guess what it was about. Turning the screen on, he answers the call, wiping the blood from his lip.
"Hello." He spoke as soon as the line clicked.
"Are we ready to start the next part of the plan, boss?" Takasi asked, his voice calm and clear as it's always been, which only seemed to anger the blonde more.
Seonghwa's heart squeezed in his chest as he glanced over at the bed where you were still sleeping peacefully, dressed in his shirt. The raging war in his head appeared once again, conflict reflecting in his gaze as he watched you sleep.
"Boss?" Takashi calls out after not gaining a response from the older male, and Seonghwa lets his gaze fall away from you, eyes flickering back to the window and focusing on his own reflection. The war in his head seemed to finally come to an end when he came to a conclusion, his gaze hardening, and that single word left his lips before he hung up.
"Yes."
— —
The following weeks after that night, everything seemed to go back to normal; you and Seonghwa even seemed a lot closer than before. You would train with the group at the normal time and even sometimes go to dinner together. Even during that time, you've grown a lot closer to Sachi and Ryuna. Even after the warning that the latter gave you, she still treated you as if nothing had changed.
Then things started to get a little strange as the tournament got closer. Seonghwa wouldn't even talk to you throughout the day like he normally would. He would ignore your messages and give you the cold shoulder during practice. At first, it was alarming, but when he would go right back to his normal self the following day, you just brushed it off as stress because of the tournament.
It went on like that for the weeks that followed up to the annual tournament. However, you didn't pay any of it any mind, far too worried about winning and not getting yourself in trouble.
"Are you sure you have everything?" Ryuna asked, checking you over for the nth time like a worried mom, causing you to laugh, and grabbing her hand off your arm.
"Yes, Ryu, I already have everything. You checked like twenty times last night." You reassured her, and she let out a sigh while Sachi giggled behind her hand.
"I know, I know." Ryuna let out another sigh, her shoulders slumping as she looked at you, "I'm just worried, something just doesn't feel right."
Then it was your turn to sigh, "If this is about Seonghwa, you have nothing to worry about."
"Of course you'd say that after he fucked your brains out." She rolled her eyes as you panicked, Sachi fumbling as she slapped a hand over the older girl's mouth. Ryuna glared at the raven-haired girl, and Sachi just smiled meekly, her cheeks burning bright red just like yours.
"You can't just say that!" You whisper-shouted, eyes darting around to make sure that no one else heard your roommate's outburst.
"I'm just sayin'." The brunette shrugged as she pulled Sachi's hand away from her mouth, and you just looked at her like she had grown three heads. Dropping Sachi's hand, Ryuna looked between the two of you, "Look, I'm just worried, okay, be safe out there. Please."
"I have to agree with her y/n. There's just something about all of this that seems way too fishy since the beginning." Sachi added in, lacing her fingers in front of her like she's done countless times that you've known her. "We just want you to be safe."
Your eyes softened at their worried gaze, a small smile spreading on your lips as you reached forward to place a hand on each of their shoulders.
"I'll be fine, I promise." You reassured them once more before your armband was beeping, and when you checked it, it was Seonghwa telling the team to meet in the locker room to go over everything one last time. Turning the screen back off, you looked at the two girls who stood before you, offering them one last smile, "I've gotta go, but I'll be safe."
"We'll be cheering for you y/n!" Sachi exclaimed as you waved at them, walking away towards the locker room.
Sachi and Ryuna both watch with worry etched in their features as your figure slowly disappears out of view. They knew they didn't really have any means to be worried, but there was a small voice in the back of Ryuna's head that was shouting at her to stop you before it was too late.
It wasn't until they heard an announcement that everyone should be getting to their seats that they finally decided that it was time to head back. Sachi nudges the older's arm, and Ryuna sighs before turning to follow the dark-haired girl. However, just before they walked past a hallway, Ryuna heard voices talking and quickly grabbed Sachi's arm, stopping her.
The brunette carefully peeks around the corner, her eyes growing wide at the sight of the rest of your teammates, minus Seonghwa, huddled together. Sachi crouched down to look around the corner as well, just as their voice started to echo off the walls. At the mention of your name, Ryuna lifted her arm, turning on the camera on her armband, aiming it right at the group.
"So Seonghwa is finally gonna be able to save his sister, huh?" Jeniva asked, combing her fingers through her hair, hissing softly when she caught a knot.
"Yep, that brainless lowlife won't even know what hit her." Takashi stated, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the cold concrete wall, "Seonghwa's had this all planned out since the moment he knew she would be brought to Erudite."
Ryuna's eyes widened even more, and her heart dropped. She knew that Seonghwa wasn't up to anything good. Bile started to creep up the lining of her throat as they continued to listen to the unsuspecting group.
"How is this going down again, exactly?" Kaiza asked, an unsure expression playing on his face; unlike the others, he really did like you and felt bad about being part of this whole plan.
"I've got most of it covered, but the main point is making sure her blood gets delivered to the chairman and Raheun." Takashi explained, pushing himself off the wall, "Then once it's all said and done, we'll be rid of her poor stench. Two birds with one stone if you ask me."
Upon hearing the implications of his words, Sachi let out a gasp, causing Ryuna to jump, slamming her hand over the younger girl's mouth, much like she did to Ryuna earlier. The brunette quickly pulled Sachi back and around the corner, waiting to make sure that none of them had heard her. When she didn't hear any footsteps or nearing voices, she carefully pulled her hand away from Sachi's mouth and peeks around the corner.
Stepping out of the small alcove, Ryuna looked down the hallway once more, only to find that the group was no longer there, probably leaving after hearing Sachi. Her head snapped back to Sachi as the warning bell rang, signaling that there were only ten minutes before the tournament started.
"Come on, we have to warn y/n." Ryuna's words came out rushed as she grabbed Sachi's arm, pulling her towards the hallway, and the raven-haired girl yelped at the rushed movement, nearly tripping over her own feet.
"Wait, Ryuna!" Sachi exclaimed, grabbing the brunette's arm and pulling her to a halt, causing her to look back at Sachi with a raised eyebrow. "We can't get to y/n, she's probably already on the field. Not to mention they've locked the doors, we can't get back to the dorms either."
"Who said we needed to get to the dorms?" Ryuna asked, a small ghost of a smirk pulling on her lips, and Sachi looked at her, confused, "There's a computer room here in the arena, and it just so happens that I know where it is." She explained, and Sachi's confusion melted into understanding, the area was placed in Prowess, which was where Ryuna grew up, of course, she knew about the room. Then, without another word, Ryuna grabbed Sachi's wrist once more and started running down the hall, hoping to make it to the room and contact you before anything bad happened.
— —
You walked beside Seonghwa as you made it to your team's starting point, a small smile on your face as you listened to Seonghwa tell a story about the last time he competed in the tournament. The rest of the group was already waiting for the pair, all of them standing in front of their flag.
"About time you lovebirds showed up." Kaiza teased, his arms crossed over his chest as he looked between you and Seonghwa, ignoring the look he was getting from Takashi.
"Yeah, yeah." You rolled your eyes, waving him off despite the growing blush on your cheeks as you recalled the moment you and Seonghwa shared in the locker rooms just moments ago. Seonghwa nudged your shoulder with a smirk, relishing in the way the tips of your ears were turning red.
"Alright, let's go over everything one last time." Seonghwa clears his throat, causing you to reluctantly move your gaze back to the group, missing the gleams of malice that were shining in a few of your teammates' eyes.
"Bomhee and Jeniva will go and grab Glamuor and Sagacious' flags while you and y/n collect the flags from Prowess and Altruism." Takashi started explaining, pointing to each of you before he looked at Kazia, "You'll stay here and look after our flag while I'll be on the high grounds, looking out for anyone coming our way." He finished, and you nodded along with the other two girls. Then the start buzzer sounded, and Takashi smacked Kaiza's shoulder, causing the younger boy to hiss and rub his shoulder. "Let's go and win this thing."
"Hell yeah!" Bomhee exclaimed, high-fiving you before turning to run off with Jeniva after wishing everyone else good luck.
You, Seonghwa, and Kaiza watched, and Takashi ran off, disappearing into the woods. After he was out of sight, Seonghwa was petting the back of your head with a bright smile playing on his lips.
"Come on, partner." He jerked his head in the direction that you would be going in, and you nodded, getting ready to follow after the blonde, but you were stopped when Kaiza grabbed your arm.
"Be careful out there, y/n." He warned you, a look of pity in his eyes which only served to confuse you. But you just brushed it off to him being worried about the other sections and offered him a reassuring smile, telling him that you would be fine before jogging to catch up to Seonghwa, who had been waiting for you.
The redheaded male just watched in worry as you disappeared into the woods with the blonde, unsure what would come of you by the time the tournament was over.
The air around you and Seonghwa was silent as you trudged through the woods where the Altruism team had set up their base. Getting closer, you both stop and crouch down upon hearing a voice. Seonghwa looked over at you, holding a finger to his lips before pointing forward. Giving him a curt nod, you move forward, around the back of the flag, eyes locked on the man who was completely unaware of your presence.
As you got to your spot, you watched as Seonghwa moved towards the guy, a friendly smile on his lips when the male noticed him.
"Hey, man." Seonghwa greeted the man, and he was instantly on edge, eyes darting around Seonghwa, expecting more people to come out of the treeline. Seonghwa followed his gaze before looking back at him with a smirk, "Oh, it's just me, no need to fret."
"You won't get our flag!" The man exclaimed before rushing at the blonde, and as soon as he was within arm's reach, Seonghwa grabbed his arm, forcing his body to the ground and giving you the green light.
Rising from your crouched position, you rush forward and snatch the flag before turning and taking off back into the woods just as the man starts screaming. Ignoring his screeching, you don't stop until you get to the rendezvous point, crouching down and hiding while you wait for Seonghwa to meet you.
It took all but fifteen minutes for Seonghwa to deal with the squealing man, knocking him out before leaving him for his teammates to find. He then made his way towards the rendezvous point, head on a swivel, the closer he got, just in case there was another Altruism member hiding somewhere. Yet he couldn't find a sign of anyone—including you.
"Y/n?" He whisper shouted, eyes darting around the tree as panic started to creep up his spine, the longer you weren't in sight.
"Right here." You announced your presence as you moved out from behind the tree on Seonghwa's right, and he looked at you. Relief washed over him as he watched you stand, dusting your hands off on your jeans before moving towards him with the Altruism flag in your hands.
"Are you okay?" He asked, grabbing your forearms and pulling you closer to his body to inspect you.
"Hwa, I'm fine," You giggle before holding the flag out to him, "here, put this in the bag."
Seonghwa looked at you with semi-wide eyes as the sound of your giggle filled the air around him. He quickly recovered thought when you gestured the flag towards him once more. The blonde cleared his throat before reaching forward to take the piece of cloth from your outstretched hands.
"C'mon, we still have to get Prowess' flag before they find our base." You nudged his arm with your elbow before turning to start moving towards your next target, but Seonghwa lagged behind a little bit.
He kept his eyes locked on your form as you both moved through the woods, his heart aching as he hoped that everything played out the way he wanted. With him with you, there was no way that anything could go wrong. That he would be able to protect you.
Following the path that had been planned out, you both made it to the Prowess' base, seeing that unlike Altruism, they had two people in front of the flag. Seonghwa gently grabs your arm, pulling you into some underbrush before turning and speaking to you in a hushed tone.
"These guys are gonna be tricky, remember those moves I taught you?" He asked, to which you quickly nodded your head as you looked over at him. "Now would be a good time to put them to the test."
You gave him a curt nod before both of you waited for the right moment to strike. Then, the moment that both of the guys had their backs turned. You and Seonghwa darted out of the treeline, your rushed footsteps catching the attention, and they quickly reacted.
Seonghwa went after the man on the left while you made a beeline for the one on the right, the man instantly reacting. He darts towards you, and you duck down, sweeping your leg underneath his body, but he easily flips over you.
You grit your teeth as you quickly straighten your body out, kicking your leg forward to knock him back, but just like before, he sidesteps and dodges the attack. Turning to face him, you had but mere seconds to react when his leg came flying towards you. Ducking down once more, dodging the kick at the last second, and jumping up to counter his kick.
Swinging your leg, you manage to connect with his side, but he grabs your leg, locking you in place while his hand reaches for the back of your neck. Thinking quickly, reach forward and grab the back of his neck as well as his wrist of the arm holding your neck. Then, using your strength, you swung your free leg up, using your momentum and body weight to throw him to the ground, locking his arm in an arm bar. He groaned in pain as he tried to get out, but you only pulled harder until you felt a pop under your legs, and he screamed in pain.
"Y/n, I got the flag, let's go," Seonghwa called for you, and your head snapped up to find Seonghwa waving the flag with an accomplished smile.
With a smile of your own, you push the guy's arm away from you and scramble to your feet, ignoring him as he groans in pain. Jogging over to Seonghwa, you take his outstretched hand, and the two of you take off back into the woods.
Once you were far enough, Seonghwa came to a stop, letting your hand drop from his as he folded the Prowess flag to put into his bag with the Altruism one. You look around the treeline and realize that the sun is starting to set, meaning that the tournament will be over soon.
"We need to get back to base, meet up with the others, and wait for the time to run out." You told Seonghwa, who looked around the trees just in case there was anyone hiding out, yet when he didn't see anyone, he turned to you with a nod.
As you were following Seonghwa back to the base, you felt your armband vibrate, causing you to stop dead in your tracks. Looking down, you notice the screen trying to turn on, which causes dread to wash over you, confused and worried about why it'd be on. They had deactivated the armbands at the beginning to keep all the teams from gaining outside information. Then, at the same time, the overhead lights flickered before you heard the faint echo of chatter and the announcer saying something about the cameras going out.
Looking around in confusion, you realized that Seonghwa had already walked on. With a furrowed brow, you tapped the screen, letting it project above your arm, and only became more confused when you saw that it was Ryuna.
"Ryuna?" You answered it, head on a swivel, unsure what the hell was going on.
"Y-Y/n!" Her voice cut through the static, and the screen glitched as she and Sachi popped up on the screen. "You need— to get out— now… Seon-Seonghwa—" She kept cutting in and out, making it hard to hear a thing that she was trying to say.
"What about Hwa, Ryuna? I can't understand you." You told her, as you took another step forward, ready to go find the blonde that she was speaking of.
"Dammit! There," Ryuna huffed, and the audio was suddenly clear as well as her voice, and you could see the panic etched in her features. "It's about Seonghwa, he—" She was cut off by a loud banging on a door, causing you to worry.
"Ryu—"
"We don't have time," Sachi butted in, her eyes flickering from the screen to the door that was behind the computer.
"He wants to kill you y/n," Ryuna starts, and your brows only furrow more, ready to shake your head, not believing a word, "look, I know you won't believe me, just… watch this. We have to go."
Before you could even question her about how she knew any of this, much less had a video as proof, the screen went black and the call cut off. You just stare at the screen in disbelief, a storm of emotions thundering in your mind, and they only seemed to amplify when you saw the video pop up.
Reaching up with a shaky hand, you pressed play, watching with bated breath as you saw the rest of your teammates standing in a hallway. Tears involuntarily filled your eyes as their words echoed around your head, heart tightening in your chest before shattering entirely when Takashi spoke once more.
"I've got most of it covered, but the main point is making sure her blood gets delivered to the chairman and Raheun." Takashi's voice rang loudly in your ear, the implication of his words causing your breath to catch in your throat. Yet as he spoke that last sentence, you felt your knees buckle under your weight, threatening to give out, "then once it's all said and done, we'll be rid of her poor stench. Two birds with one stone if you ask me."
The world around you seemed to start warping, trees spinning as the ringing in your ears became a shrill screech. Tears that had been pooling along your water line started to fall in slow drips. It felt as if someone were stabbing your heart with a small needle over, and over, and over, and over again.
The one person that you thought you could—did trust, the person that you had fallen in love with was just using you. Just like everyone else, you were just a mere tool for him to use at his disposal. Betrayal and heartbreak hit your body like a tidal wave, and more tears spilled from your eyes. Yet right now, all you wanted was answers.
So you wipe your face free of tears and continue making your way back to base, hurt and anger masking your features. It didn't take you long before you were breaking through the treeline, finding Seonghwa looking around, probably for you.
"Y/n." He called out your name upon seeing you, a smile etched on his face; however, it slowly faded as he took in your hurt expression and teary eyes. His heart twisted at the sight, and dread filled his veins. "What's wrong?"
You couldn't help the scoff that left your lips, fresh tears falling from your eyes as you looked at him, "You used me."
Those words felt like a thousand arrows were shot right through the blonde's chest, guilt clawing its way up his spine and latching onto his shoulders like an omnipresent being. His hands started to shake at his side as he tried to think of something—anything he could say to make this better.
"Y/n listen to m—"
"No Seonghwa, what's there to listen to, huh?" You cut him off, more tears starting to blur your vision as you glared at him. "Listen to you try to lie your way out of this, and what? Still use me as some fucking tool?" You questioned Seonghwa, causing him to flinch at your harsh tone, "You were the one person I actually trusted, and now… now I feel like a fucking idiot."
Sobs threatened to tear through your lips, and Seonghwa wanted nothing more than to go and hold you, to tell you that it was all a lie, but it wasn't, and he couldn't bring himself to lie to you again.
"It wasn't going to end…" His words trailed off as he noticed movement behind you, his lack of words making you scoff. Yet as he saw the light gleam off the metal of the blade Takashi was holding, panic struck him like a brick.
"NO!" Seonghwa screamed just as Takashi rushed forward, plunging the blade deep into your back.
A choked gasp fell from your lips as a sudden pain washed over you, knees starting to buckle. Looking down, you saw the sharp edge of the blade you had been struck with, your blood dripping from the tip. Another gasp escaped your parted lips when the blade was pulled from your body, blood beginning to pool in your mouth and falling from the corner of your lips.
Your hands instantly went up to cover the wound, only to become drenched in the crimson liquid that was oozing from your body. Seonghwa rushed to you just as you stumbled forward, before collapsing in his arms.
"No, no, no, no, y/n. Hey y/n, baby, look at me." Seonghwa pleaded with you as he pulled you to his chest, falling to his knees.
Tears of his own started to fall from his eyes, his hand cupping your face to try and shake you to stay awake. The world around you started to become blurry, and black spots started to cloud your vision, but the only clear thing you saw was Seonghwa's face as he screamed for you to stay with him.
Hearing all of the commotion, Kazia came rushing out of the cave that was on your team's base, his eyes growing wide at the sight of the bloody blade Takashi was holding. Then his eyes shifted to the blonde male who sat on the ground, your motionless body held tightly in his arms.
"W-What—"
"Takashi, go get the medics. Now!" Seonghwa shouted over Kazia, anger burning fervently in his eyes as he looked at the brunette. However, that anger only seemed to simmer when Takashi made no move, his face stoic. "I swear to fucking god I will throw this whole tournament if you don't get the medics right fucking now."
Despite Seonghwa's seething tone, Takashi just averted his gaze, making no move to listen to him. Seeing this, a fuse blew in the blonde's body, his eyes darkening as he glared at Takashi.
"H-Here, I'll go find the medics." Kazia rushed over with the team's flag, not caring for it anymore, before he rushed off in the direction of the medic tent. Yet he couldn't make it very far before Takashi was grabbing his arm, giving him a threatening glare, but Kazia just shrugged him off with a glare of his own, "I'm not leaving her there to die, I'm not heartless like you."
Takashi just looked at the redhead in astonishment, eyes widening as he watched Kazia shove him back before taking off. Seonghwa used the flag that Kazia gave him to try to stop your bleeding as you lay there gasping for breath.
Everything around you sounded as if it were on the other side of a tunnel, your chest feeling extremely tight. You were sure that he had punctured a lung, and not to mention the amount of blood you were losing by the second. Seonghwa was desperately trying to keep you awake; faint pleas and cries fell from his lips, but you couldn't make out a word.
Your eyes drifted to the sky as Seonghwa lay you on the ground to try and stop the bleeding, and the darkening clouds snuffed out all of the remaining sunlight. You couldn't help but laugh at yourself—laugh at the way it oh-so-perfectly described your wilting life right now. Tears escaped your eyes as you thought back on how everything in your life only seemed to end in tragedy, but you just wished you could see Viella one last time. However, as the dark spots that clouded your vision grew bigger, you knew that you wouldn't be able to, at least not in this lifetime.
Then that awaiting darkness finally consumed you whole, and the last thing you heard was Seonghwa's gut-wrenching scream of your name.
— —
The world around you was just total pitch-black darkness; it felt as if you were floating around in space. You had no control over your own body; it was as if it had a mind of its own as you drifted through the darkness. You tried to open your mouth to speak, but no words came out, much less any sounds.
When a bright light broke through the darkness, you tried to bring your hand up to block the harsh rays, but to no avail. Looking closer at the light, there was something about it that was drawing you in—welcoming you with open arms. It seemed so… peaceful and warm, like you could find everything you've ever wished for there. You wanted to go to it, you wanted to let it wrap you in its warm embrace, you wanted to—
"Y/n, sweetie." A female voice cut through all of the surrounding darkness and light alike, piercing you right in the heart. That voice… You knew that voice.
Mustering all of your might, you finally gained control of your body, and you turned around. You had to blink a few times due to the lighting, but as your vision focused, your breath caught in your throat.
"Mama?" Your voice cracked as you took in the sight of your mother standing before you, her hair tied back in a perfect braid, one you've longed to see for years.
Without so much as a second thought, you rushed forward, wrapping your arms around the woman's torso, hugging her tightly. You were scared that if you even dared to move an inch, she would disappear once again. Tears that had been idly sitting on your waterline broke free, flowing down your cold cheeks like waterfalls. Your mother smiled softly, her hand patting the back of your head, fixing a few stray strands.
"What are you doing here?" You asked, burying your face in her chest like you were a child once more, "What is here?"
"I'm here to help you go back." She told you, her voice soft as she grabbed your shoulders, pulling your reluctant body away from hers. "You're not supposed to be here, baby girl. Not yet, not now."
"But I don't want to leave you. It's been so hard mama, so hard." You cried, fingers balling the fabric of her dress into your fists, and tears continued to blur your vision as you looked up at her.
"I know, sweetie, and I'm sorry." The older woman offered you a small smile as she cupped your face, wiping away some of your tears, but it was futile, as more just replaced those. Leaning forward, she pressed a soft kiss on your forehead, causing your eyes to flutter, "but you still have so much left to live for—so much left to do."
"But—"
"Shh, dear, you can't stay here, and you have to fight, baby. If not for you, then for me." She hushed you, pressing her forehead against yours, then she pulled away from you. "Now go, sweetie, live your life, and I'll see you again once it's your time."
Then she was pulling away from you and slowly slipped from your grip, you cried out to her as your surroundings were swallowed by that familiar inky blackness. Your sobs faded into the darkness until they no longer echoed, and you suddenly felt extremely exhausted. You tried to fight the sleep that was threatening to take over, but your body was too weak, and you inevitably succumbed to the slumber.
"Hey Sachi, any news yet?"
You could hear Ryuna's voice in the distance, echoing around in your head. You tried to open your eyes, move, speak, anything, but nothing happened. Frustration started to bubble in your gut, but was soon replaced by guilt as you listened to your roommates speak.
"She coded last night; they barely managed to get her stable." Sachi's voice, her voice hoarse, probably due to the instrumental amount of crying she's been doing for the past few hours.
"Oh god," Ryuna's voice cracked before you heard the crinkle of a bag being set down, then you felt a warmth envelope your hand. You wanted so desperately to squeeze her hand, to let her know that you were still here, but your body wouldn't listen to you.
"I'm gonna kill that jerk." You heard Sachi grumble, her voice catching at the end, and you tried, tried so hard to speak, to let them know that you were okay. But your body only pulled you back into that inky blackness; the only sound around you was silence.
You wanted to scream and shout at the universe, at yourself, at someone—anyone. Yet nothing seemed to work, and you fell back into the restless slumber.
Time seemed to be moving endlessly, neither slow nor fast, just moving. You can't recall the number of times that you've faded in long enough to hear someone speaking near you. Most of the time, you couldn't recognize who it was, possibly a doctor, nurse, or even just a random stranger. Though there were times that you did recognize the voice, Ryuna, Sachi, and Viella were ones you knew right off the bat, then there was Kazia? You weren't sure. Then every time you would be swallowed back up by the swirling darkness, forced back into an eternal slumber.
"Why are you here?"
Your mind jolted you as you heard Viella's angered voice, the sound bouncing off all the invisible walls around you. Who was she talking to that made her so angry?
"You need to leave, now. You have no right to be here after what you did." Her voice echoed once more, and you heard the sound of a chair scraping against the linoleum.
"I just wanted to see how she was doing." The voice that spoke up was male, but you couldn't quite recognize it, and it started to frustrate you, because if you could just open your damned eyes, you'd be able to see.
"Well, you've seen her, now leave Takashi before I call security and Seonghwa." Viella threatened the man, and as you heard his name, you felt a violent chill run through your body, a sharp pain blooming in your chest. The pain was almost unbearable, and you wanted to curl up into a ball, but you were forced to lie there and deal with seeing as nothing in your body was responding.
For the first time in you don't know how long, you were happy when the smoky slumber started to envelope your body, pulling you back under and leaving all of the confusion and pain above the surface.
By the time you came back, all of that pain had long since faded, leaving you with nothing but a numbing emptiness. You wanted to cry and scream, but no tears filled your eyes, and you finally, finally came to the dreadful realization that your body was no longer your own. Nothing was in your control, not even your own being, and it was painful.
"What the hell is this?" Seonghwa's angry voice brought your attention elsewhere, the words rattling around in the space around you. Your heart swelled at the sound, a longing plowing into you like a freight train, and you just wanted to reach out and hold him.
"Your fath—"
"I don't give a damn what my father said; you all have pulled more than enough of her blood." He was seething, and you feel the anger radiating off his body even from your otherworldly state. "You need to leave her alone, or so help me God, I will make your lives a living hell."
Any other words that were spoken fell on deaf ears as you tried everything you could to wake yourself up. You wanted—needed to let Seonghwa know that you were alright. To make sure he was okay after the tournament, but why was everything so foggy?
Pushing the confusion away, you focused all your will on trying to wake yourself up, or at least regain control of your body. Yet nothing seemed to be working, but just as you were about to give up, you felt your right hand twitch, your fingers moving just an inch.
'It moved! I moved!' You cheered internally, trying to will the rest of your body to follow suit, but then that familiar darkness started to settle in. A flurry of protest echoed in your mind as you tried to fight against it, but this time, just like the rest, it was pointless, and you were dragged back under once more.
More time had passed, and you weren't sure how much, but when you started to feel yourself come to, something was off. It was different than all of the other times. Slowly, you let your eyes flutter open, the harsh rays of light burning your sensitive eyes. Your hand moved up to block out the light as you slowly lifted your body to sit up, blinking a few times to adjust to the new lighting, but the pounding in your head came like a freight train, making you hiss in pain.
"Oh my goodness!" You heard a female's voice, causing your head to snap in her direction, your heart thumping against your ribs. She was standing at the end of your bed, a clipboard in hand, as she looked at you in shock. Yet what really confused you was that she was wearing a nurse's outfit… where were you?
You let out a groan, bringing your hand to your temple as your head started to spin. Then it washed over you: the faction placement announcement, the ride to Erudite, all the nights spent training, then the tournament. However, there still seemed to be a piece of the puzzle missing as to why you were in the hospital.
The nurse finally came to her senses and rushed towards the room door, tearing it open and poking her head out to call for the doctors. She backed away from the doorway as the doctor rushed in with Seonghwa following closely behind.
Upon seeing you sitting there in that hospital bed, your eyes fluttering and body finally moving, he felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. Letting out a small sigh, he gave the doctor a chance to check you over and make sure everything was okay before he moved from his spot in the doorway.
"Your vitals and everything appear to be normal, but I'd like to run a few more tests and keep you here a bit longer before sending you on your way." The older man explained as he checked the screen next to you both for the nth time, making sure nothing had changed. You set your hands in your lap as you looked up at him, nodding along with his words. Then he was moving out of the way, allowing your eyes to fall on the blonde who was standing in the doorway, unsure.
Seonghwa met your eyes with his bloodshot ones, the sight making your heart twist violently in your chest. Your eyes stayed locked on his form as he grabbed a glass and filled it with water before walking over to you, sitting on the edge of the bed, and holding the cup out to you. You nodded at him as you took the glass with a shaky hand and nearly drank all of the water in one gulp, not realizing just how thirsty you were until it touched your tongue.
After the glass was empty, Seonghwa was taking it back from your hands, setting it off to the side. Turning back towards you, he reached out hesitantly, cupping your face gently in the palm of his hand. Your eyes fluttered at the feeling of his skin on yours once more.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, voice shaky with hints of fear that this was all a cruel nightmare and he'd wake up to you still lying lifeless on this bed.
"I'm o—"
You were cut off by a sharp gasp when another wave of pain shot through your head, flashes of memories coming back to you and piecing themselves together to fill the empty gaps. The room fell silent as you looked back at Seonghwa, pulling away from his touch, and a mixture of anger and hurt morphed onto your face.
"Why are you here?" You asked, fingers balling the fabric of the sheets into your fists as you stared at the blonde male in front of you.
"Y/n…" Seonghwa choked out, nothing but complete and utter guilt swimming in his eyes as he looked at you, "Let me explain, please."
"Explain?" You scoffed, taken aback by the absurd statement, and tears started to involuntarily brim in your eyes, "Explain what Seonghwa? How you used me like some tool? How you lied to me?" You asked, your voice starting to waver as your eyes turned glossy with tears, and it broke Seonghwa's heart to see you like this.
"I wasn't lying, y/n. I swear upon everything that I wasn't." He forced out, tears of his own starting to sting in his eyes, "I was going to protect you, and I was. But—" He choked on air, suddenly feeling like he was going to throw up, but he pushed on, "but my father, he got to Takashi before I could. He had him under his oath, and by the time I realized, it was too late."
You didn't say a word as you listened to him, heart thundering in your chest, unsure how to take his words. Then you suddenly recalled something else that you remembered.
"What about your sister?" You ask, watching as the man before you visibly flinched.
Seonghwa swallows thickly, going to reach for your balled up hands, but stops short before letting them drop to the mattress. His eyes stayed locked on yours as he started to speak, "My sister… she has a rare blood disease, and only the polar opposite blood type can cure it."
"Mine." Your voice was quiet, averting your gaze as you came to a realization that this was the whole reason you had been brought to Erudite instead of being placed in Prowess.
"My father wanted to use you for the tournament, then make your death look like an accident so he could use your blood. At first I didn't care, I was willing to follow my father's plan if it meant saving my sister's life," He told you honestly and hearing those words nearly shattered your heart, but you didn't say a word, giving him the chance to continue, "but the more time I spent with you—got to know you, I just couldn't bring myself to do it anymore."
You pulled your bottom lip between your teeth, chewing on the chapped skin as you listened to Seonghwa. Your mind started to wage a war with itself, on one side, you were still upset and hurt by the whole thing, but another, bigger, much bigger part of you wanted to believe him. Because deep down, you still loved the man who was sitting before you.
"I swear to god that I will do everything in my power to prove myself to you," He rushed out those words, worried that you'd still kick him out, "I'll take you to meet my sister, buy you anything you want, even do your weird pre-cleaning thing for the servers, anything." Seonghwa practically begged, and if you so much as asked it of him, he would drop to his knees right then and there if it meant you'd be willing.
You sat in the tense silence for a moment, mulling over his words and your own thoughts. Yet by the time everything was said and done, your heart had already long since won the war. Letting out a sigh, you release your grip on the sheets and nod your head slowly as you look up to meet the blonde's eyes.
"One. One more chance, you break my trust again, and we're done. Got it?" You told him sternly, despite the slight waver in your voice, raising your hand to point your finger at him.
A smile slowly spread on Seonghwa's face as he let your words soak in, reaching forward to grab your hand and putting it back down on the bed. He then leans towards you, bringing his other hand up to cup your cheek, thumb brushing over your lip, "I swear I won't, cross my heart and all that."
You couldn't help the small giggle that fell from your lips, but the sweet melody was quickly swallowed by Seonghwa's lips when he pulled you into a sweet and tender kiss. All the unspoken emotions were conveyed into the kiss, your lips melding perfectly together. Your hand reached up, grabbing his wrist as he pulled away, resting his forehead against yours.
"So, did we win the tournament?" The words fell from your lips before you could even comprehend them, and you looked at Seonghwa with a bashful gaze, but the laugh that flowed from his lips made your stomach flutter.
"Yes, yes, we did." He nodded with a lopsided grin before he sealed his lips over yours once more, this one full of promise and hope for what lies ahead. And as you two sat there together in your small hospital room, you started to understand what your mother meant by your story not being over yet.
