[sakukaguxxi]

Yakult and Tobacco Part 2 | Gintama

Word count: 2.7k

C/W's: none

Summary: This is a continuation of Yakult and Tobacco, which is post-chapter 704. Part 2 takes place about 3 weeks after the end of Part 1. The Kiheitai meet Otsu and reveal what happened to Tsunpo (Bansai).

a/n: This is my 2nd Gintama fic almost one year after the 1st. I had an idea to continue the story but didn't have it planned from the beginning. You don't have to read the first Yakult and Tobacco to read this one I guess, but this is a definite sequel, and it'd be nice if more people read that too if they haven't already. As I've said before, I hope this isn't too bad. Likes and reblogs are appreciated!

Read Part 1

______

On a particular day, the Yorozuya had no plans or jobs scheduled, and it might’ve been an uneventful day if not for an unexpected visitor.

Shinpachi promptly answered the door after the doorbell rang. “Otsu-chan!” he said excitedly upon seeing who it was. “Come in. How may we help you?”

After everyone was seated, Otsu began by saying, “This might be the strangest request I’ve ever had for you, but I would like your help finding my producer Tsunpo-san.”

“He’s missing?” Gintoki asked.

“It seems like it…But I don’t know for sure. The last time I talked to him was a little over two and a half years ago. He hasn’t answered my calls or texts since then.”

“Hold on. You haven’t heard from him in that long? Sorry if this comes off as judgey–I’m really just trying to understand–but why are you just now trying to find him?”

“The last time Tsunpo-san contacted me was a few weeks before the invasion of the Altana Liberation Army. But when I tried to reach out again when it was over, no response. I didn’t know why he wasn’t responding or what could’ve happened to him. And none of my other colleagues from the music industry knew anything. It just felt like I’d hit a dead end, so I had no choice but to move on.” Otsu turned to look at Shinpachi. “I would’ve asked the Yorozuya for help sooner, but I found out Shinpachi-san was the only one running it for a while and didn’t want to burden him with a complicated problem.”

Shinpachi lowered his head. “I’m sorry, Otsu-chan. I hope we can help you this time, though.”

“It would be great to get some answers.”

Gintoki crossed one leg over the other and said, “So, if we want to get anywhere, we should start with the basics. What did Tsunpo-san look like?”

“I actually never saw his face or met him in person,” Otsu replied sheepishly.

“Oi, doesn’t it sound creepy that this guy wouldn’t show his face?”

Kagura shrugged. “I don’t know, Gin-chan. Think of all the world-famous musicians who wear costumes and masks in public.”

Otsu nodded. “Kagura-san is right. That’s why I never thought anything of it. I just really respected Tsunpo-san’s artistry. We mostly talked on the phone, but the few times we video called, he did wear a kabuki mask if he was on camera. There weren’t many physical traits I could see, but I think his hair was green.”

Gintoki’s eyebrows went up. “Was there anything else that stood out about him? Like speech patterns, behaviors…?”

“Hmm… Oh, yes! He would say gozaru instead of gozaimasu, which made him sound more old-timey. And his favorite instrument was the shamisen.”

Shinpachi considered this for a moment before saying, “Gin-san, are you thinking of the same person? Could it really be him?”

“I’m 99% positive,” Gintoki answered and turned back to Otsu. “Well, the surprisingly good news is I think we have an idea of Tsunpo-san’s real identity, but we need to confirm. Then we’ll be closer to figuring out what happened to him.”

“Really?” Otsu exclaimed, then bowed. “Thank you all so much. I knew I could count on you!”

Everyone stood up, and Kagura led Otsu to the door this time. “We’ll call you when we have an update,” she said.

After Otsu left, the three Yorozuya members contemplated their next move. If Tsunpo, Otsu-chan’s former producer, was really Kawakami Bansai, they’d need to confirm with people close to him.

……

Gintoki called up the Kiheitai, who were still residing in Edo. 

“Hello?” Takasugi answered.

“Hey, Takasugi, it’s Gintoki. Listen, I don’t mean to be blunt, but was Bansai-san a producer for the famous pop star Terakado Tsuu?”

There was a pause on the other end, followed by a chuckle. “It’s true,” Takasugi responded. “I’m surprised you finally put two and two together after all this time. But what is this about?” 

Gintoki explained the whole situation. “...Now that I’ve confirmed Tsunpo’s real identity and that he’s passed away, I can let Otsu-chan know. However… I feel like people close to him would be more fit to talk about him, so would you guys mind coming down to meet Otsu-chan?”

“Hmm…I don’t know…I’ll have to talk to the others about it and get back to you.” 

“Fine by me. I hope you consider it, though. Talk to you later.”

……

Otsu returned to the Yorozuya office the next day after a phone call. This time, though, there were also three new people she’d never met: Takasugi Shinsuke, Kijima Matako, and Takechi Henpeita.

Once introductions were out of the way, it was time to get down to business. Shinsuke started the conversation. “As you already know, we three were friends of Tsunpo, except we knew him by his real name, Kawakami Bansai. And this might come as a shock to you, but he had a different life from what you may expect. You see, we were all members of the Kiheitai, a Jouishishi faction.”

Shinsuke paused to observe her reaction and give her a chance to speak. Otsu’s face was slightly pensive. She said, “To be honest, I did not expect that, but I don’t think I can be angry or disappointed at this point by learning the truth. I’ll always have a good opinion of Tsunpo-san. He recognized my talent and helped me clean up my image when I was at the lowest point of my career. It’s thanks to him that I was able to become one of the top idols of Japan. So he passed away, huh?”

Takasugi frowned slightly. “Yeah, he passed away over two years ago in the war. But he actually died while trying to help save the world, not to destroy it. In fact, we were all there fighting the Altana Liberation Army to save the world. Looking back, I’ll always remember how Bansai believed in us and was a great friend. You should also be glad to know that music really had been a big part of his personality.”

There was a moment of silence. Finally, Shinpachi spoke up. “Bansai-san seemed like a really cool person. He was actually nice to be around at that time we were all on Rakuyou. And to think I was talking to the producer of my favorite idol and had no idea?”

Kagura smirked. “You would’ve definitely been geeking out, Pattsan.”

Otsu smiled gently. “It’s comforting to hear that Bansai-san was a good person. But I’m still sad he’s gone, even though I’d already mentally prepared myself for the worst scenario. Besides the songs he made for me, I don’t have anything else to remember him by…”

After just listening up to this point, Matako said, “You don’t need to feel so bad. We’re almost in the exact same boat as you. You see, it wasn’t possible for us to collect any of Bansai-senpai’s belongings after the war.”

“But there may still be a way to find some of Bansai-dono’s things,” Henpeita pointed out. “As the three of us know, the Kiheitai had many different hideouts. Remember, there was at least one used by Bansai-dono if he came to Edo by himself. It was actually a condo he bought, so anything he left there may still be there. The HOA couldn’t have moved his things out despite being dead either, since he also set up automatic payments for his condo fees.”

Matako raised an eyebrow. “Did Bansai-senpai tell you that?”

Henpeita bobbed his head. “It just came up in conversation one day. Those producer royalty checks are something else.”

Takasugi chuckled.

Gintoki clapped his hands once and stood up. “Then it’s settled! You Kiheitai people can go over there and see what you can find. Please bring something back for Otsu-chan to remember Tsunpo-san by.” He looked at Otsu. “If that’s what you’d like?”

Otsu looked at the Kiheitai. “I wouldn’t mind, if it’s not too much trouble…”

Takasugi stood up, followed by the other two. “Even though this wasn’t part of the original deal…” he said looking at Gintoki, then turned to Otsu, “we’ll do it.”

……

Finding the condo building and even the individual unit wasn’t very hard at all since the Kiheitai had been in the practice of keeping track of its members’ whereabouts and its hideout locations for safety and other reasons. Bansai being Shinsuke’s 2nd in command was no exception. The hardest part was probably flagging down a taxi to get from Kabukicho to the condo. 

Upon arrival, they just walked right in casually and went for the elevator. On the way up to the 22nd floor, it was silent at first until Takechi said, “Remember how I told you that while I was visiting a dragon hole, I heard a rumor that the Harusame was starting to go around collecting Altana crystals from all over the world?”

“Did the rumor end up being true?” Takasugi asked.

“Yes. In fact, I heard directly from Kamui-san the other day. He says he’s glad you’re alive, Shinsuke-dono. Apparently, they’re trying to make hair growth products from the Altana. Kamui-san got the idea from his father. The Harusame has become quite poor with no major backings, so they want to go into new ventures. He says their plan is to become a 90% legal business.”

Matako scoffed. “Just 90%?”

“You know what they say,” Shinsuke chimed in, “old habits die hard.”

They got out on the 22nd floor and walked down the hallway in silence until they found the door. Instead of a keyhole, there was a keypad lock. Shinsuke punched in what he thought he remembered the code as.

Click.

He turned the handle, and lucky for them, the door opened. 

The apartment inside wasn’t exorbitantly fancy but definitely still more upscale than cheap. There was a computer in one corner with a printer, basic producing equipment and electric keyboard, and a few feet away, an acoustic guitar sitting on a stand.

Matako picked up the guitar. “I think Otsu-chan would like this guitar.” 

Shinsuke nodded as he looked around. They could technically leave now that they had something, but he didn’t feel quite ready. 

“It’s not as dusty as I expected,” Shinsuke remarked. “Housekeeping must still come.”

“What are we gonna do with this place?” Matako wondered. “It was mostly just Bansai-senpai’s, and he’s gone now.” 

“We can’t take everything, but we can grab a few more personal items, then notify management of this resident’s passing, and they’ll take care of the rest probably.”

Shinsuke noticed Takechi was sitting at the computer clicking around. He went to stand next to him to get a closer look for himself. There appeared to be mostly mp3 files and an icon for FL Studio, a digital audio workstation, on the home screen, which wasn’t that surprising. But one thing caught his eye.

“Can you click on that?” Shinsuke instructed, pointing to where he wanted Takechi to go.

Takechi did what he was asked, and a window popped up with a picture.

“I didn’t know he took this,” Matako commented. It was a picture of the four of them having dinner at one of the hideouts. Besides Bansai flashing a peace sign for the camera, it was a completely candid photo. Behind Bansai on one side, Matako and Henpeita appeared to be arguing over something. On the other side, Shinsuke was picking up a piece of food with a smirk.

“We were actually a really good team,” she said. “I’m just glad we can at least be together like this again.”

Shinsuke turned his head for a second to look at her sympathetically. “I know the Kiheitai’s been through a lot in the past couple years, but I promise things will be different now.”

Matako smiled. “We can finally make a memorial for Bansai-senpai, huh?”

“Do you want me to print out the picture?” Takechi asked. “Hopefully it’s not out of ink. We’ve somehow been really lucky so far today.”

“Go ahead,” Takasugi said. “Print two copies while you’re at it.”

They decided to leave with the guitar, the printed photos, and a pair of headphones that looked similar to Bansai’s main pair. After the photos were printed out, Takasugi told Takechi to delete the file from the computer. He just didn’t want a picture of them floating around for any random person coming after to see since they weren’t going to take the computer. 

……

The Kiheitai ended up going back to the Yorozuya that same day to deliver the items. Gintoki then called up Otsu, and they waited until she arrived.

“Wow, you guys are fast!” she remarked.

“We found this guitar and these headphones,” Matako said. “Which one of them do you want?”

“Hmm…The guitar!”

Matako handed it off to her.

Otsu bowed. “Thank you, I’ll treasure it always.”

Takasugi pulled out one of the printed photos. “Here’s a picture of Bansai we found, too. Now you’ll finally know what he looked like.”

Otsu took the picture, and her eyebrows went up. Without taking her eyes off it, she said, “Wow, he definitely looks like the artist type. I’d expect nothing less from someone cool like Tsunpo-san…He was also quite handsome.” Now she was blushing slightly.

Shinpachi gasped dramatically in the back.

“You can keep the picture,” Shinsuke told her. “We have our own copy.”

“Thank you all again for helping me. It means so much that I could finally get some closure.” Otsu reached into her purse and took out some money, giving it to him. 

Shinsuke raised his eyebrows, then smiled. “Thank you.”

Otsu stood up and gave money to Gintoki, too, who was more than happy to accept. “Well, I better be heading out.” She picked up the guitar. “I now have some new inspiration and a new perspective, and I’m ready to channel it into a song!”

……

Later that day while back at their house, the Kiheitai finished putting together a simple memorial/shrine for Bansai and were now burning incense. On a small table, the picture was now in a frame, with the headphones laying in front of the picture and a vase of incense sticks to the side. 

None of the members were particularly religious, but paying their respects to the dead still felt appropriate as a ritual. They each put their hands together and bowed their heads.

After a minute, Matako asked, “Shinsuke-sama, do you know if there’s an afterlife?”

Takasugi shrugged. “In all seriousness, I still don’t know despite literally coming back from the dead. I actually don’t remember anything in between dying and being reborn. After experiencing that, I’d be fine to just wait a long time before learning the answer.”

“I suppose we won’t know for certain until it’s truly our time,” Takechi said. 

Matako smirked at him. “I think the lolicon is definitely going to hell,” she grumbled. 

“I’m not a lolicon, I’m a feminist.”

……

The next morning, Shinsuke and Matako were sitting outside on the veranda after breakfast to enjoy the refreshing weather. Shinsuke also was smoking his kiseru.

Henpeita came outside and said, “I finished talking to the apartment management about the death of their resident. They seemed understandably shocked yet also sad. Of course, I had to change a few details of the story…They don’t need us for anything else because we weren’t his relatives, but they told me they’d cancel his account and thanked me for notifying them.”

“Thanks for doing that, Takechi,” Shinsuke said. “Now, I’d actually like to make a call to Kamui. I’ve been thinking about what he told you, and I’m intrigued. Maybe we can be involved in some way to help.”

Matako leaned forward. “Shinsuke-sama, what kind of involvement do you have in mind? Please tell me we’ll stay away from anything too sketchy. Compared to the Harusame, even we looked like saints.”

He blew out some smoke, then locked eyes with her as he said, “I promise. I plan on asserting our boundaries and staying on the 90% legal side. We’ll all have a say in the matter.”

Matako nodded. “Okay, that’s reassuring.”

Shinsuke took a final hit from his pipe. “Anyway…I’m gonna call him now.” With that, he stood up and went inside. 

Henpeita sat down. “I look forward to what that man has in mind.”

“Let’s see where we go this time.”

______

a/n: Thanks for reading! Please like and reblog! Do you think I should keep it a duology or go for a trilogy in the future?

[sailorsoons]

The Jester (y.jh)

PAIRING: Jester!Jeonghan x Princess!Reader SUMMARY: You've spent your entire life hiding behind the mask of a princess, forced to perform perfection at every moment. There is a single person who see's beyond your mask, but you see beyond his too - and you don't think the jester is as harmless as everyone thinks. WC: 6,244 AU: Royalty, Implied Magical AU GENRE: Smut RATING: 18+ Minors are strictly prohibited from engaging in and reading this content. It contains explicit content and any minors discovered reading or engaging with this work will be blocked immediately. WARNINGS: Mild mentions of what's proper/what's not in a royal society, reader being frustrated and having repressed feelings of desire and arousal, sexually explicit content featuring vaginal fingering, some mild dirty talk, mild biting, mild exhibitionism (hooking up where anyone could find them), the use of pet names (love / good girl), Jeonghan being a bit of a menace, some magical ambiguity at the end re: Jeonghan, he's kinda a weird lil guy in this I don't know how to explain it, he's implied to be dangerous but he doesn't do anything necessarily scary on paper. A/N: This is for my milestone request for @gimmegoodname! And part 8348934 of Hali doesn't know how to keep to a reasonable request word count :) Thank you jesus for landing on Jester and Jeonghan - this actually is not at all what I originally intended to write but fuck it we ball because the other idea would have taken me aprox 40k words lmfao AN 2: This is not beta read so I’m sorry - there will definitely be mistakes! I did proof read/spelling and grammar check but I often miss a lot!

MAIN M. LIST | ASK | FOR MY MILESTONE EVENT

ORANTE PARTIES ARE PERHAPS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE RESPONSIBILITY AS A PRINCESS.

The castle's grand ballroom has been transformed into a glittering display of excess, the crystal chandeliers reflecting torchlight and dappled shadows across polished marble floors, the heavy velvet drapery covering the walls in hues of crimson and midnight blue - all of it tailored to make the inside of the room feel like something from another world.

You hate every inch of it. You hate the weight of your gown and its scratchy material, you hate how you can feel the bone stitching of the corset digging into your ribs, you hate the brittle laughter and the clink of crystal goblets, the venomous whispers behind delicate gossamer fans. Most of all, you hate the way every eye in the room seems to track your every movement, measuring you, judging you, waiting for the perfect princess to make a single mistake so they can talk about it with practiced smiles.

A bard stands at the center of the hall, his fingers dancing over the strings of a lute as he sings a soulful ballad of lovers lost in the heat of one another, of stolen touches and a kind of passion you'll never understand. You wonder what it might be like to experience something like that, to be touched by someone who wants you so badly they risk everything, to have hands on your skin that aren't bound by protocol and propriety. To do something dangerous and sinful, to have someone hold you the way those lovers in the song held each other, with urgency and desire instead of duty.

You'll never be that, of course. You are forever bound to this kingdom where the entire world is your stage, where you must remain untouched and controlled, and you're constantly expected to perform.

You're not the only one performing tonight, of course. You're halfway through a painfully boring conversation with the Lord of Coin regarding taxes when a burst of laughter cuts through the murmur of the party. Your gaze drifts against your will toward the small crowd forming near the arched windows, and though you can't see the man at the center of their attention, you know he's there.

The court jester's voice drifts toward you, mischief wrapped in pretty velvet clothes and a silly hat. You'd seen him earlier tonight, dressed in his best midnight blue velvet doublet and matching pants, little crystals stitchy to the fabric to make it look like he's lost in a midnight sky. His eyes had been filled with particularly vicious mischief when they'd landed on you, but your father had whisked you away to greet the Lady of Harvest before the fiend could slink your way.

Jeonghan is a fiend. You are perhaps the only person at court who thinks behind the practiced smiles, card tricks and juggling that there's something far more dangerous, but you've never been able to convince anyone of it. And why should anyone agree with you? Jeonghan is favored among the court for his wit, rhymes and tricks, thrilling the men and charming the women as he slides through each party like smoke, taking the shape of whatever his audience desires most.

A fresh wave of laughter erupts from his audience, brighter and more genuine than anything else you’ve heard tonight. It makes your skin itch and you turn away from the crowd, focusing back on the conversation at hand and determined not to let Jeonghan ruin your night like he does at most parties, determined to vex you and make you feel affronted and flushed and-

No. 

You shove him from your mind as the conversation drags on while you sip spiced wine from your glass. As the Lord of Coin talks, you wonder what it would be like to leave this room. To go get somewhere lost in the city below. To fall into the bed of someone who would touch you like the lovers in the bard’s song, someone who smells like sandalwood and smoke and whose smile is sharp and familiar.

For now, you stay put and keep your eyes on the lord in front of you, ignoring the growing laughter coming from Jeonghan's corner. You hate that he enthralls them so - hate that even though you’re suspicious of him, he charms you in his own way, worming into your thoughts on lonely days, leading your mind astray to wonder how it is he does those tricks of his.

Your father appears suddenly, the Lord of Coin fumbling over whatever he was saying about inflation as the king puts a hand on your shoulder, grinning jovially. "Lord Hastings, forgive me, but I'm here to steal my daughter and spoil her with the fun part of the night!"

"Of course, Your Majesty!" Lord Hasting bows. "Thank you for the conversation, Your Highness."

"The gratitude is all mine, Lord Hastings," you nod, letting your father spin you away as dread knots in your stomach.

The crowd near the arched windows opens up as you approach, the members of the court bowing as you and your father approach the entertainment. Torchlight flickers on their faces, showing how flushed with delight they are as they watch the spectacle in front of them. Jeonghan stands in the middle of the, his midnight doublet fitting him perfectly as the crystals sparkle with his every movement.

Though the jester hat might look silly on anyone else, Jeonghan makes it look fashionable. His long, dark hair frames his angelic face, all sharp cheekbones and carefully sloped nose. His dark eyes find yours immediately, flashing as he grins. Your heart skips a little but you remain uneffected, staring at him as he juggles three daggers for the crowd as they ooo and ahhh at him.

You watch as the blades flash in the torchlight, each one caught cleanly while people gasp and clap. A lady nearby giggles behind her fan just as Jeonghan makes the daggers disappear into his sleeves with a quick motion. The crowd claps as he grins and bows politely, his dark eyes finding you again.

Irritation simmers, your gaze locking onto his and holding it. While everyone seems impressed, your instincts scream danger, wolf in fool’s clothing. The corner of his mouth tilts upwards as he steps toward you, the smell of his sandalwood and smoke clinging to him.

"Your Highness," he greets smoothly. "You look bored. Let me change that."

You say nothing but your father claps, his laughter booming as Jeonghan starts his performance. Cards fly from his hands in quick patterns and your attention is drawn upward as they flit through the air. He dances away from you and leans toward Lord Jeon, plucking a card from behind his ear before flicking his hand and turning it into a coin. The crowd laughs and claps as you stand there stiffly, watching as he charms his way through the nobles until he comes back toward you.

Jeonghan stops in front of you and holds out his hand, bowing slightly at the waist. The crystals on his double clink together as you stare at him, your stomach twisting when he looks up at you through his dark, silky lashes. To anyone else, the look might be reverent, but you see it for what it is - hunger. 

"For the best trick tonight, I need a volunteer," he murmurs. The crowd claps excitedly and when you glance at your father, the king urges you forward, excited. “Your Highness, would you do me the honor?”

Swallowing thickly, you place your hand in Jeonghan's. His skin is warm, sending a spark of heat up your arm as he guides you toward the center of the circle where he spins you in a twirl, the skirts of your dress flaring. The lords and ladies clap, delighted and shouting how beautiful you look, how wonderful their princess is. Jeonghan’s touch lingers a moment longer than necessary before he grins and lets go, eyes glued to you as he circles you like a wolf might its prey.

When he stops, he leans close enough that you can see the silver threading in his collar and the way his sleeves are tailored to allow free movement, probably full of pockets for all of his cards and daggers and other baubles he uses for his performances. He's close enough that the sandalwood and spice makes your lashes flutter, making you think of something dark - not at all the cheery jester he claims to be.

"Try not to look so afraid," he murmurs, low enough that only you can hear him. "The court might think you're afraid of a simple card trick."

"I'm not afraid," you snap.

"No? Then why is your pulse racing?"

You grimace. Ever the observationalist, seeing far more than anyone ever dares to give him credit for.

"Do your trick, jester," you growl.

Jeonghan grins as he produces a deck of cards from one of his sleeves, fanning them out again. "Choose any card but don't show me, love."

Ignoring the casual way he uses a pet name entirely unfit for his station, you select a card from the middle of the deck and when you flip it, you see the seven of swords. You angle it away from him, eyes darting between him and the card. His eyes watch you closely, the heat of them making you fight off a shiver.

"Show the crowd, I'll look away. Cross my heart and hope to die."

You roll your eyes when he turns his back to you. The crowd leans in as you flip the card, showcasing the front to them all. They all nod excitedly, tittering behind hands and fans until you flip the card back around, holding it close to your chest and away from Jeonghan.

"Good," he says when he turns back around, tucking the deck away in one of his sleeves. "Put the card against your palm, card face down."

You follow his instructions, holding your palm out with the card face down to conceal the seven of swords. Jeonghan reaches for your hand, his fingers warm as he presses his palm on top of yours, the card firmly kept between both of your hands. You hate the way your skin responds to the contact, the way the sudden awareness of him prickles up your arm.

"Do you trust me?" he murmurs.

"Hardly."

"Clever." He guides your pressed palms upward so that you're both holding the card between you, each of your hands pressing forward with equal force. "Good girl. Keep your hand steady."

A snarl works its way to your lips at the pet name, but before you can snap at him for the impropriety, Jeonghan shuffles closer and the crowd goes quiet. You realize how far away they seem, the sound dull like it's on the other side of a bubble. Jeonghan is close though - so close you have to tilt your chin up to look up at him, his eyes glittering as they watch you.

"You're quite good at playing a dutiful princess," he notes.

"You know nothing about me."

"Don't I?" His eyes search yours, and there's something sharp in his gaze, something that cuts through the fool's mask he wears. "I know you watch everything. I know you see more than you let on. I know you're the only person in this room who looks at me and wonders what I'm really doing here."

Your heart pounds harder, the rhythm so forceful you're certain he can see it in the pulse at your throat. He's far too close and far too observant for a mere jester. The air between your palms feels charged, almost electric, and you're acutely aware of every inch of space he occupies. You want to step back, to put distance between you and whatever game he's playing, but the crowd is watching and so is the king. So you look onward, staring at him as he smirks.

"Breathe," Jeonghan says, softer now, and there's something almost gentle in his tone that makes it worse somehow. "You're holding your breath, love."

“Stop calling me that.”

"Nervous?"

You glare. "No."

His grin widens a fraction. "Liar."

The word hangs between you, intimate and dangerous. No one else speaks to you like this. No one else would dare, but Jeonghan isn't like the others at court. He refuses to be cowed by your title and your cold shoulder, protected by the silly little performance he puts on, convincing others that he's a fool. It gives him a freedom that feels threatening, and you're the only one who seems to notice.

The hand that isn't pressed against yours moves, tracing a slow circle in the air around where your palms are joined. The movement is hypnotic, and you find yourself following the movement, watching as he repeats the motion a few times. For a moment, you feel a little hazy, eyes fluttering as your thoughts grow foggy. Then, your mind sharpens again, Jeonghan’s intense gaze coming into focus. 

"Picture your card," he instructs, loud enough for the crowd to hear. "Imagine exactly what it looks like - the edges, the images. The way it's shaped. The colors used, the details of the card face."

You think of the seven of swords, trying to focus on the image of it, trying to use it as an anchor against the way your pulse races. It's difficult to do so with the warmth radiating from his palm and the way his breath stirs the air between you. He's close enough that you can count every one of his eyelashes and see the way his dark eyes catch the light from the chandeliers overhead.

As you try and picture the curling red numbers on the card and blue paint of the swords, you let your eyes flit over his sleeves. His hands. His pockets. You try to work out what exactly the charade is, ready to catch him in his trickery. You always try, and you always fail, never quite able to pin down the source of the performance.

"You're thinking about the card," he says, dropping his voice again so only you can hear. "But you're also thinking about how I'm doing this. Trying to work it out. Trying to catch me." You don't answer, feeling the heat hit your chest and cheeks as you flush under being caught. Jeonghan smirks, nodding. "You also don’t like being caught. Are you afraid of what I'll see when I look at you?"

"You see nothing, jester."

"Untrue." He tilts his head slightly, studying you with an intensity that makes your skin prickle. "I see someone who's hungry to be wanted. Someone who wants to be touched like those lovers in the ballad the bard was singing, with heat and urgency and desperate desire. Someone who wishes there was a person bold enough to touch her the way a princess is never supposed to be touched. To want her not because of the crown but despite it." His eyes glint with something darker. "And I see someone who looks at me and knows exactly what I am. A wolf in fool’s clothing, right?”

You want to deny it, but the words stick in your throat. You hate that Jeonghan is right and that he sees through you as easily as you see through him. There's a part of you that's always craved this kind of understanding, someone who could look past the crown and what lies beneath, but not like this. Not from him.

Being known by Jeonghan feels like standing naked before a predator, and the worst part is that you're not entirely certain you want to cover yourself. Your chest tightens with the contradiction of it, the simultaneous ache to be truly seen and the primal need to hide from his gaze. 

"Now," Jeonghan says, and his voice drops again, intimate and teasing. "I'm going to find your card without ever touching the deck again. Without you saying a word." He leans in, just slightly, and you can feel the whisper of his breath against your temple, warm and deliberate. Your skin tingles where it touches. "Would you like to know how?"

You can't answer. Your throat has gone tight, and you're frozen there, caught between the urge to pull away and the strange, unwanted pull that keeps you rooted in place.

"I'm going to read your mind," he murmurs, and his lips are so close to your ear now that you feel each word as much as hear it. "I'm going to look into those careful, guarded eyes and see exactly what else you're hiding."

Your hands are shaking now, both of them, and you know he can see it. The crowd can probably see it too, but they likely think it's part of the act, part of the performance. They don't know that your heart is hammering so hard it hurts, that every nerve in your body is screaming at you to move, to step back, to break whatever spell he's weaving.

"It's the seven of swords," Jeonghan says, and his voice is soft enough to raise the hair on your arms.

Your eyes widen before you can stop yourself, before you can school your expression into something more controlled. The reaction is instinctive, damning, and you see the exact moment he registers it. See the satisfaction that flickers across his face.

"There it is," he murmurs, so quietly that you almost don't hear it over the blood rushing in your ears. "That's what I wanted to see."

Suddenly he steps back, and the loss of his proximity should be a relief but instead feels like an absence. His hand that was mirroring yours drops away to reveal that the card that was pressed between your palms is no longer there. You frown, mouth falling open slightly as he reaches toward your face. You go still as his fingers brush the edge of your jaw, feather-light and deliberate. It's barely contact at all, the barest whisper of his fingertips against you, but you feel it everywhere.

When he pulls his hand away, he's holding a card between two fingers, flicking it to show you the seven of swords. The crowd erupts in applause and delighted exclamations, the sound washing over you while you stare at him. You want to know how he did it, to know what you missed. Had his whispers distracted you from when he placed it there? Was it a trick of the light?

"Your Highness," Jeonghan says, and his voice is pitched for the crowd now, all performance and charm. He bows deeply, flourishing the card. "Thank you for your assistance."

When his eyes meet yours again, they tell a different story. They say he knows exactly what effect he's had on you. That he planned it, wanted it, enjoyed watching you unravel. It makes you step back, putting necessary distance between you as your heart hammers, your pulse deceiving you.

You excuse yourself as soon as the opportunity presents itself, your father turning to another lord as he laughs about something and the crowd pressing around Jeonghan, cutting him off from you. No one notices when you slip away from the gathered nobles, picking up the skirts of your dress as you rush for the exit, skin overheating.

Cool night air washes over you as you step into the gardens and away from all the noise and eyes. The sound of the ballroom has long since faded behind you, replaced by the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft trickle of water from the fountain somewhere deeper in the garden. You inhale deeply, letting the scent of roses and night-blooming jasmine fill your lungs, trying to steady the frantic beating of your heart.

The gardens are empty. Everyone is inside, drinking and dancing and watching Jeonghan perform his tricks. Out here, there's only moonlight filtering through the branches overhead, casting everything in silver and shadow. The paths wind between tall hedges and rose bushes, their blooms pale in the darkness. Your footsteps are quiet on the stone walkway as you move deeper into the maze, away from the ballroom, away from the noise and the eyes and the suffocating weight of your crown.

You walk without direction, letting your feet carry you past marble statues and flowering vines that climb the garden walls. The moonlight catches on the petals of white roses, making them glow like ghosts. Everything is still and quiet, peaceful in a way the ballroom could never be.

Out here, you can think. Out here, you can try to make sense of what just happened.

Except you can't make sense of it. Can't explain why Jeonghan's proximity affected you so deeply, why his whispered words felt like they were carving themselves into your skin, why the loss of his touch left you aching in ways you don't want to examine. You barely know him. You don't trust him. And yet-

"Running away, Your Highness?"

You spin around, heart leaping into your throat to see Jeonghan standing in the middle of the path behind you as though he's materialized from the shadows themselves. His little hat is nowhere to be found, dressed only in the velvet outfit with crystals glittering like stars. The moonlight above catches in his dark hair, turning it silver at the edges. His eyes gleam, and you become hyperaware of the unnatural quiet of his presence.

"I needed air," you say, trying to keep your voice steady.

"Mm." Jeonghan takes a step closer, his movements fluid and unhurried. "Or you needed to escape me."

You don't answer - can't answer, because he's right and you both know it. He moves closer still, slow and deliberate, and you suddenly feel like he's a wolf giving the sheep time to run if it wanted to. You don't run, your feet planted to the stone path even as your pulse hammers in your throat, even as every instinct screams that you should walk away.

"You know," Jeonghan says conversationally, stopping just within arm's reach, "most people can't wait to be near me. They laugh at my jokes, beg for my tricks, hang on my every word." His head tilts slightly, studying you. "But you? You look at me like I'm something dangerous."

"You are dangerous," you say before you can stop yourself. “Even if I can’t prove it.”

His smile is slow and devastating. "Yes. I am."

The admission should frighten you. Instead, it sends heat curling through your belly, making your breath catch in your chest. He's standing close enough now that you can see the way the moonlight plays across his features. He's beautiful, with a sharp jawline and elegant nose, the curve of his mouth full and dangerous, the kind of beauty that bards say is dangerous, luring people into the spider’s web.

"But that's not why you ran," Jeonghan continues.

"It's not?"

He shakes his head. "You ran because of what I said in there. Because I saw through you, and you didn't like it."

"You don't know anything about me."

He takes another step, and now he's close enough that you can feel the warmth radiating from him, can see the way his gaze travels deliberately over your face, your throat, the rapid rise and fall of your chest.

"I already proved that isn't true, love."

Your breath catches. Heat floods your cheeks, your chest, spreading through your entire body. "You're far too presumptuous and entirely impromper."

"I'm observant."His eyes meet yours, and there's something raw in them now, something that makes your stomach flip. "And I know you felt it too. In the ballroom, when I was close to you. The way your breath changed. The way you leaned toward me even as you tried to pull away. The way you're looking at me right now, like you can't decide if you want to run or-"

"Or what, jester?" You demand, huffing. "If you know me so well, just say it."

Jeonghan's smile turns predatory. "Or if you want to stay right here and let me show you what you desire, no matter how improper it is."

Your heart is pounding so hard you're certain he can hear it. "You wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't I?" He takes one more step, closing the distance until you can feel his breath against your lips, until you're backed against the rough bark of a tree you didn't realize was behind you. "I'm not afraid of your crown, love. I'm not afraid of what anyone would say or do. I'm not afraid of you."

The words send a thrill down your spine that you absolutely should not feel. His hand comes up, not touching you but hovering just beside your face, close enough that you can feel the heat of his palm against your cheek. You grit your teeth, refusing to lean into the hand the way you want to, refusing to give him the satisfaction again tonight.

"Why risk it, then?" You ask. "Only a fool would."

"I am a fool," he agrees. "Let me show you how foolish I am. Let me show you what it's like to be touched and desired. Let me show you what I've wanted to do since the moment I've met you and how I want to make you come undone. Let me make you lose all that polished control you loathe so much."

You should say no. Should push him away. Should remember every reason this is a terrible idea. But your body isn't listening to your mind, and you find yourself leaning toward him, drawing by the magnetic pull you've been fighting all evening.

"What do you say," he asks, hand coming to cradle your face and tilt it upward until you're looking at him with half-lidded eyes. "Do you want your desires answered?"

You lick your lips and his eyes track the movement, pupils expanding. Swallowing dryly, you give the shallowest nod, damning yourself to desire, to the feeling of being wanted and seen.

It's all he needs. Jeonghan's eyes darken, and then his mouth is on yours and the world narrows to just the heat of his lips, the press of his body as he crowds you back against the tree, the rough bark catching on the fabric of your gown. He kisses you like he's starving for it, deep and demanding, his tongue sliding against yours in a way that makes your knees weak.

You gasp into his mouth and he swallows the sound, one hand tangling in your hair while the other grips your hip hard enough to bruise. The kiss is nothing like you imagined. It's not gentle or reverent or careful, but instead it’s consuming, devastating, the kind of kiss that you never knew existed.

He tastes like wine and something darker, something that makes you want more even as your lungs burn for air. His teeth catch your lower lip and you whimper, your hands coming up to clutch at his shoulders, feeling the lean muscle beneath the fabric of his costume.

"I've wanted this for so long," Jeonghan murmurs against your mouth, then trails his lips down your jaw to your throat. "Wanted you. Do you know how difficult it was to keep my hands to myself during that trick? To stand so close and not touch you the way I really wanted to?"

His teeth graze your pulse point and you can't stop the sound that escapes you, half gasp, half moan. He makes a satisfied noise low in his throat, then his hand slides from your hip to your thigh, gathering the heavy fabric of your gown and pulling it up as you pant against the tree, your head digging into the bark.

"Tell me to stop," he says, but his fingers are already tracing the inside of your thigh, moving higher. "Tell me you don't want this. Tell me all my chasing and teasing and prodding is for nothing and that I should leave."

“I can’t.”

"Fuck," Jeonghan breathes against your throat, and the crude word from his elegant mouth sends another wave of heat through you.

His fingers find the edge of your undergarments and he pulls them aside with deliberate slowness, exposing you to the cool night air. When his fingers press against you directly, finding you already slick, you bite down on your lip to keep from crying out. The gardens are secluded and shadowed, but not so far from the ballroom that sound wouldn't carry.

"Don't," Jeonghan says, his free hand coming up to pull your lip from between your teeth. "I want to hear you. Want to know exactly what I'm doing to you. Want to hear every sound you make when I touch you like this."

His fingers slip between your slick folds and you do cry out then, unable to stop yourself. Your hands tighten on his shoulders, nails digging in through the fabric of his costume, and he groans like your pleasure is his own. You feel a shiver go through him and you realize he’s just as affected by you as you are by him and it makes the heat even worse, the knowledge that he wants you this badly turning your blood to fire.

"So wet," he murmurs, his fingers sliding through your folds, exploring you with maddening slowness. "So perfect. Is this what you were thinking about during the bard's song? Someone touching you like this? Making you fall apart?"

You can't answer. Can't form words. All you can do is gasp as his fingers circle your clit with devastating precision, sending sparks of pleasure shooting through your entire body. Your legs turn molten and Jeonghan pins you against the tree with his hips, sliding one of his knees between your legs to keep you pried open for his hand. 

"Answer me," Jeonghan demands. "Tell me what you were thinking about."

"Yes," you manage, the word coming out broken. "Yes, I was thinking about being touched."

His fingers press harder, moving in tight circles that make your vision blur. His fingers slide lower, teasing your entrance, and you can feel how wet you are, your entrance clenching around nothing as his fingers trace laze circles where you need him most, your hips twitching.

"I'm going to give you exactly what you want," he promises. "Going to make you come so hard you see stars.

He slides one finger inside you and you cry out, your back arching off the tree. He's watching your face with an intensity that should make you self-conscious, but you're too far gone to care, too lost in the sensation of his finger moving inside you, curling just right, finding spots that make you shake.

It feels so good - better than you imagined, even. Jeonghan is precise, leaning forward to leave bite marks and kitten licks up and down your neck as he works you slowly, finger pressing against your front wall in a way that sends you squirming against him. Your breath comes out in short, quick gasps, sweat gathering at the back of your neck as he fucks you with his finger, the wet press of his hand maddening.

"Look at you," Jeonghan murmurs, his voice rough with desire. "So beautiful like this. So desperate. I want to see you fall apart. Want to see your face when you come."

He adds a second finger and you whimper, your hands sliding from his shoulders to grip his arms, needing something to hold onto. The stretch is perfect, overwhelming, and when he curls his fingers inside you while his thumb finds your clit, you nearly sob, rolling your hips forward into his hand, thighs trembling as you clench down on his fingers.

"You're so tight," Jeonghan continues, his voice a dark purr in your ear. "So perfect around my fingers. I can feel how close you are. Can feel you clenching around me. Do you want to come, love? Do you want me to make you fall apart right here in the garden where anyone could find us?"

The thought should horrify you. Instead, it sends another wave of heat through you, making you clench harder around his fingers. You nod desperately, squeezing your eyes shut as your cunt throbs around his fingers and you writhe against the tree. 

"You like that," he says, and you can hear the smile in his voice. "Like the danger of it. Like knowing that you're supposed to be in there playing princess while you're out here letting the court jester play with this pretty pussy."

His words are filthy and crude, and they shouldn't affect you the way they do, but combined with the movement of his fingers, the pressure of his thumb on your clit, the heat of his body pressed against yours, you feel overwhelmed and strung out, the feeling low in your stomach coiling and coiling and coiling until you're babbling and squirming and squeezing your eyes shut.

"Please," you gasp, and you're not even sure what you're begging for.

"I know what you need." His fingers move faster, harder, curling inside you with devastating precision. "You need to let go. Need to stop thinking and just feel. Need someone to take control so you don't have to be perfect for once in your life."

His thumb presses harder against your clit, circling in tight, relentless patterns, and you can feel the pleasure building to an impossible peak. Your thighs are shaking, your breath coming in desperate gasps. Jeonghan invades your senses - the smell of him, the heat of him, the way his teeth scrape against your neck, the way his hair tickles against your skin.

"You're mine right now," Jeonghan growls. "Not a princess. Not a performance. Just mine. Say it."

"Yours," you gasp. "I'm yours."

"Good girl. Now come for me. Let me feel it. Let me watch you fall apart."

His fingers curl one more time, hitting that perfect spot inside you while his thumb works your clit, and the orgasm crashes over you like a wave. You cry out, unable to stop yourself, your body convulsing against the tree as pleasure floods through you. You clench around his hand, throbbing as your body shakes until you feel like you can't breathe.

Jeonghan works you through it, his fingers never stopping, drawing out your orgasm until you're boneless and gasping and oversensitive. He's murmuring praise in your ear now - how beautiful you are, how perfect, how he wants to do this again and again until you can't remember your own name - and it makes you dizzy, feeling like you're drunk off of him alone.

Finally, the waves subside and Jeonghan withdraws his hand slowly. You feel the loss of him like an ache, your legs still trembling and barely holding you up. He brings his fingers to his mouth, and you watch through hazy eyes as he licks them clean, tasting you. The sight sends another pulse of heat through you despite your exhaustion.

"Delicious," he murmurs, his eyes dark and satisfied. "Even better than I imagined."

Reality begins to seep back in slowly. The cool night air on your heated skin. The distant sounds of the party still going on inside. The rough bark of the tree against your back. What you've just done, and who you've done it with.

You should feel ashamed. Should feel horrified. Should be scrambling to fix your dress and run back to the safety of the ballroom. You don't. You feel satisfied and boneless and strangely alive all at once, like you've finally done something that feels real instead of the pretty performance.

When you look up at Jeonghan, you see him watching you, his expression unreadable in the shadow of the tree. The breeze makes the leaves dance, kissing your cooling skin as his hand comes up to cup your face, thumb brushing across your cheek with surprising gentleness.

"Regrets?" He asks, voices soft as the smoke that clings to him.

You should say yes and that this was a mistake, that it can never happen again and that you need to return to the ballroom and pretend this never happened. You should remind him that this is improper and unacceptable. Yet instead, you find yourself leaning into his touch, lashes fluttering.

"No," you admit. "No regrets."

Something like satisfaction shifts in his gaze, and he leans in and kisses you again. This time it's different - softer and slower, less consuming and more like he's savoring the taste and feel of your lips against his. You kiss him back, your hands sliding up his chest, feeling the crystals click against your skin as his heart pounds beneath your palms.

When he finally pulls back, you're both breathing hard again, and your mind is spinning with questions you're not sure you want answered.

"How did you do it?" you ask suddenly.

Jeonghan tilts his head, a small smile playing at his lips. "Do what?"

"The card trick. In the ballroom."

His smile widens, and there's something dangerous in it now."I already told you. I read your mind."

You shake your head, confusion and disbelief warring inside you. "That would make you something magical. Not just a jester with clever tricks."

"Yes," Jeonghan agrees, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "It would."

The implication of his words hits you like a physical blow. Your breath catches, your mind racing through everything you know about him, everything you've seen, the way he seems to move through the world like something other. Like something more.

He's grinning now, watching the realization dawn across your face, and then he's kissing you again, harder this time, more possessive, like he's claiming you. Like he knows exactly what he's revealed and doesn't care. When he pulls back, his lips are still close enough that you can feel his breath against your mouth.

"You thought it yourself earlier, didn’t you?" he murmurs, teeth catching your bottom lip sharply. "I'm a wolf in fools' clothing."

[veethefreeelf]

Hate is a strong word - Y.JH

Summary: 

You were living out your dream working in an ideal company with great colleagues and friends, except one. Yoon Jeonghan has been your nemesis from the moment the both of you stepped into this company. Sometimes you wonder if you’re living your dream or stuck in a nightmare.

Wordcount: 15k

Warnings: lots of snarky, petty dialogue; jealous jeonghan; jealous reader; vaginal fingering; oral f. receiving; vaginal penetration (protected & unprotected); some shoving of panties in mouths; lots and lots of praising; tie being used as a gag/leash; spanking; cumshot; pussy slapping

Requested: yes, by @shuahasmyheartffs

P.S - Italic is for thoughts mainly from the characters’ perspective and quotes. Bold is for text messages/calls/voice messages between characters

After you graduated college, you were hoping to join the company of your dreams. You worked so hard for so many years and you were even able to do a summer internship at this company during your college years. 

At the time, the team lead of the marketing department really took you in and expressed how they would love for you to contact them after you graduated to see if they had any openings for you to join them.

This had been your proudest moment, up until the day you actually joined the company. By then, the former team lead of the marketing department had moved up but you know they still helped in the hiring process to make sure you secured the position available. He had also told you at the time that in the worst case scenario, you could start in the advertising department since they had an opening and move to the marketing department once you had the chance.

However, to your delight this wasn’t necessary. You passed all your tests and interviews and they loved your portfolio even if it was a short one since you had just graduated. 

You joined the team and started to get to know your colleagues. Everyone was amazing. Some had been in the company longer and others had recently joined like you but you got along with all of them amazingly well. You had always been a people person so this didn’t really surprise you. You also found out very early on that you would need to work closely with the advertising team so you should start getting to know them as well.

One of the senior members of the team - Soonyoung - (or as he preferred to be called: Hoshi) had warned you early on that the members of the advertising team were tough but you shouldn't have any problems with them at all. ‘Unless something horrible happened like the new person that would join would be the devil’ he had said and laughed. You laughed along with him. You would be just fine.

You both shouldn’t have laughed because indeed, the new person that joined that team was the devil. And, since the day you met him and he completely destroyed all of your ideas in an interdepartmental meeting, you vouched to destroy everything he loved. Okay, maybe not that. But, definitely destroy all of his ideas and make sure everyone knew what a gigantic asshole he was.

And here you are, five years later. Still hating each other and still making sure everyone knew. Always trying to one up each other and get the last say in everything. 

The only difference now is that you both are department team leads. You both got promoted at around the same time. Except you got promoted one day sooner and you would never let him live it down. 

Today was a very important day for you. The company had just gotten a very big account, and your team was in charge of the marketing strategies for this account. Of course, all marketing strategies and efforts need to be hand in hand with the advertising team, and this usually meant an interdepartmental meeting and your nemesis shooting down every single idea your team proposes. 

You were hoping that for this big account, he would be a bit less of an asshole. You were wrong. Every idea proposed by your team was shot down. 

‘Not enough budget. Too expensive to recruit developers and add those features. Just overall doesn’t make sense for their line of business’.

He found every excuse in the book. You had decided then, you weren’t going to give up until he was gone from this company. Or at least from this branch. You needed him out of your life before you committed murder.

You just didn’t get it. Their team was tough and you knew that, but to everyone else he was just so nice and available and open to new ideas. However, anything coming from your team, with your stamp of approval was immediately a target for him.

“If looks could kill, he sure would be dead as fuck wouldn’t he?” Hoshi asked you.

You were eating at the company’s cafeteria and you might have been chewing a little too hard and staring at the back of his head plotting ways to get rid of him.

“He’s just such a fucking asshole. And for what? What does he gain with this? Endless meetings with us until one of us breaks? It won’t be me this time. Absolutely not. He better be ready for a fucking fight” you told Hoshi and the rest of your team as they sat down.

“Your hate for each other is tearing both our teams apart” Sunny said mercilessly and you looked around the table. Everyone nodded in agreement.

“How is this my fault? He started this 5 years ago. Started hating on every word that left my mouth for no fucking reason. What am I supposed to do? He did it again today! And I just took it without saying a word. How are you guys blaming me for this?” you asked as you looked around the table.

“You could just be the bigger person? I’m sure if you stop acknowledging everything, he’ll give up” Hoshi said.

“Let’s not blame, Y/N. She has tried to calm things down between them. He just keeps adding fuel to the fire. He’s clearly doing it on purpose” Seokmin had told everyone.

“See? Not my fault. I’ve tried. He will just keep doing this until one of us quits or moves to a different branch. It won’t be me though, don’t you worry” you said as you continued to angrily eat your lunch.

“But he is so hot, though. You should just fuck him. I bet that will calm him down” Clara, the remaining member of your team, spoke up.

“He is the devil. I would rather die than fuck him” you answered without hesitation.

“Oh come on. I can’t believe you haven’t thought about it. Look at him. EVERYONE wants to fuck him. Every human at this company has tried and failed. Except one. Lucky bitch from IT” Clara added.

“I can’t believe Hana bagged him. He had to be drunk. He does not fuck around from what I heard. Not his thing at all. He’s apparently a hopeless romantic waiting to find the one. Very unfortunate for most of us” Sunny added.

“Guys, I will vomit. Please, stop talking about the devil that haunts my nightmares that way. And also, no gossiping, come on. Hana gets enough attention” you told everyone on your team.

“Hey, Y/L/N. You’ve really been off your game since your promotion but today was definitely a new low for you”

You knew who was by your table talking shit. Bold of him to do so while you were holding a knife. Hoshi took the knife from your hand and you stared at him.

“What? We like you as our team lead, we can’t lose you to a crime of passion” he told you and Jeonghan laughed.

“Crime of passion, Y/L/N? Have you been harboring a crush for me? I’m flattered” Jeonghan spoke again.

“The only time your name and crush exist in the same thought inside my brain is when I fantasize about crushing all your hopes and dreams before the day I die, Yoon” you said as you started to angrily clean up your tray. 

You couldn’t even eat at peace here. It wasn't enough for him to torture you during meetings. He always found a way to find you around the building and push your buttons beyond explanation.

“So you are fantasizing about me. Wow. Very forward, Y/L/N” he said and smirked.

“Hmm… Is that what you desperately want, Yoon? Me, fantasizing about you? Alone, in my bedroom, just thinking about you?” you said as you got up and got ridiculously close to him. You could’ve swore you saw a flash of surprise in his eyes and that he gulped at your statement.

“Pretty fucking pathetic, Yoon. And also, never, in your wildest fucking dreams but you are more than welcome to stay delusional” you said as you backed away. 

You picked up your tray and finally left. 

“You could stop being such an asshole to her. To our team, I mean” Seokmin said to Jeonghan after you left.

“Be better at your jobs and I won’t have to be” Jeonghan told your team and left as well.

“I should’ve let her have the knife” Hoshi said after he left.

“I’m telling you, they need to fuck. Everything will calm down once they get it out of their system” Clara said and everyone groaned.

You got to your office and you needed to calm down. You just didn’t get it. Why couldn’t he just leave you alone. It’s one thing to professionally disagree with someone because you have valid and rational reasons to. But it’s a completely different story to target one person and shoot all their ideas down. Valid or not. This no longer feels like just a professional rivalry, it feels personal as well.

Maybe your team was right. Except Clara. She was fucking wrong. Sure, when he first joined you thought he had been the most beautiful human you had ever seen in your entire life, but as soon as he started speaking up and hating on you, that notion was long gone. He wasn’t hot enough for you to ever forgive him. ‘Right?’ you asked yourself and immediately shot that down ‘Yeah. You hate him. Absolutely never going to happen’.

Clara was wrong. Maybe everyone else was right about you being the bigger person. Maybe if you stopped talking back to him in and out of meetings, he would give up and move on to a different target. 

As you were contemplating your next move and if you were strong enough to be the bigger person, there was a knock at your office door.

“Come in” you had said after sitting down on your office chair.

“Hey, sorry. Do you have a minute?”

Seungcheol. Jeonghan’s partner in crime. He was a very tough cookie but you had always gotten along with him. He was reasonable and knew to acknowledge when your team was right and they were wrong.

“Go ahead. Be quick, please. Thanks to your team lead I will be spending the rest of the afternoon in brainstorming sessions since nothing is good enough for that prick” you said as you rubbed your temples.

A migraine. Of course. Because this day hasn’t sucked hard enough.

“About that… Maybe hold off on the brainstorming. I quite liked some of your team's ideas and I believe they are well within the client’s budget and needs. I’ll be talking to Jeonghan this afternoon to show him he’s wrong” he told you after he sat down across from you.

You raised your eyebrow.

“Why?”

“What do you mean ‘why’, Y/N? I told you. Your team’s ideas were good. So I wanted you to know that so you can pass that on to the team. I also want you to understand we are not your enemies. I mean our departments are supposed to work together but it somehow seems we keep diverging more and more every day” he sighed.

“And whose fault is that?” you asked.

“I know he has been insufferable lately. But you have to admit, you do enjoy riling him up too. You’ve also made your share of bad decisions and comments because of your rivalry”

“It seems both our teams are suffering” you added to his comment.

You get it. The both of you probably have been ruining a perfectly good job and work environment for both your teams. You wanted it to end. You just didn’t know how to do that. Every time you wanted to try, he would make an absolutely ridiculous comment and you just couldn’t help yourself. You had to answer. He couldn’t win.

“I’ve tried, Seungcheol. You know I have. Even today, at the meeting, I could’ve answered him but I chose not to. It doesn’t matter. Answering, not answering. If I don’t engage with his comments during a meeting, he will find me somehow around this building and make sure to torture me. I don’t know what he wants from me” you said sincerely and he laughed. He laughed loudly. You were more and more confused by the minute.

“Really, Y/N? You really don’t know?” he asked, still laughing.

“I don’t have a crystal ball, Seungcheol. If I did something that offended him when we both started working here, I’m sorry, but I have no fucking clue what that is and it’s been five years. Whatever it was, he should’ve let it go a long time ago” you answered him and he seemed to understand. ‘You really didn’t know’ he thought to himself.

“Well, either way it’s not up to me to bring it up. I just want peace. Both of our teams need peace. So maybe keep that in mind next time you want to answer one of his snarky comments, just saying” he told you as he got up to leave.

“Thank you, Seungcheol. You should’ve been the one promoted, not him” you added before he was out of your office.

“We both know that’s not true. He may be an asshole, but he’s brilliant” he said and left your office.

At least this time, Seungcheol came to deliver good news.

After he left your office, you had a call with your team and explained there wouldn’t be any brainstorming sessions for this account until you hear the advertising team's final verdict on the previous meeting. Everyone was relieved, maybe this would be the beginning of the end of this war. 

You got home absolutely exhausted. Mentally and physically. You didn’t want to cook or clean or do anything. You got a bath ready and decided you were going to order food. Fuck it. You deserved it after this shitshow of a day. 

After your bath and dinner, you just wanted to rest. You went to the couch and turned on ‘New Girl’. You needed something silly to make your soul a little happier today. You had suffered enough. Or so you thought.

Your phone dinged, signaling a text message and you had a bad feeling before you even looked down at the phone on your coffee table. You picked up your phone from the coffee table and of course. It was a text message from ‘The Devil’. Why couldn’t he leave you alone, even after work?!

“You must be really proud about today. Talking to Seungcheol behind my back. I’m not going back on any of my decisions so good luck”

You couldn’t believe your eyes. Is this man serious? This is exactly why you can’t stop responding to his shit. He always manages to piss you off beyond reason. Beyond any restraint possible.

“You got it all wrong. Seungcheol came to me. Apparently, you are unreasonable and wrong. None of that is my fault. And, I will win as usual because you are wrong. As usual” you replied.

This would be your only reply of the night. That’s it. Whatever he says next, you will not engage. You can’t. You need to think about both of your teams and you have to stop being selfish and stop this war.

“I’ll take this up the chain if I have to. My team shouldn’t pay for your team’s incompetence” he added. 

And there goes all your restraint. You can take a lot of insults from him but you won’t let him step all over your team.

“My team is far more competent than you. That’s the reason I got promoted first. The only reason you got promoted after me was the fact that your boss can’t stand having a woman in charge of a team and he knew you would be his best bet at having me leave this branch or quit. Now stop texting me outside of work and delete my phone number. I did not give you this number and don’t want you to have it. Thank you.”

That wasn’t too bad. You replied and defended your team but you didn’t add fuel to the fire. It short and concise and to the point and you fucking hope he listens and stops contacting you.

And he did, at least for tonight, he stopped replying. You never found out how he got your personal phone number but ever since he did, he loved texting you once in a while to make sure you weren’t happy outside of work. Apparently, he wanted you to feel miserable all around. He always had some additional comment he forgot to add during work hours and wanted to make sure you were going to bed thinking about it.

You hated him. You never liked saying you hated anyone. It’s such a strong feeling but you were pretty fucking sure this was pure hatred.

He ruined your day at work, and now he had ruined your night of rest and sitcom binging at home. You were so pissed you decided to go to bed and hope tomorrow is a better day.

Except it wasn’t. It wasn’t a better day at all. Jeonghan kept his promise. As soon as he got to work, he went to his boss to make sure his decisions were final. Your boss then started to get involved and for the rest of the week it had been constant meetings and battles regarding this one account. Not only that, but Jeonghan had even been worse this whole week to you and your team. He was on a brand new level of assholeness. You just wanted the week to end. You wanted Friday to come so you could go to the company quarter party and get hammered.

Finally, on Friday, they had come to an agreement that one of the ideas from your team was going to go forward but your team would need to come up with new ones as the other options were vetoed. You didn’t know what to feel. It still felt like a loss and the more he smirked, the worse you felt. You couldn’t not say anything so when your boss asked for agreement on your side, you were very clear on your response.

“We will do it. However, you should know these two people across from us will be the reason we might lose this account and multiple ones in the future” you told your boss and as you turned to Jeonghan’s boss, you continued.

“You can put that on the record and give me a disciplinary warning. I will not stay silent while my team’s work keeps being put in question by people far dumber than any of us simply because the team lead is a woman. You should both be ashamed of the decisions you have made professionally based on your personal hate of me” you finished.

Jeonghan wasn’t smirking anymore. He was staring at the ground like a child that had just been disciplined by their mother or a teacher. You felt proud. You left and went straight to your office. You knew there would be consequences to your words but you can’t deal with this anymore. You are reaching a boiling point with that man and his sexist boss. 

You were pacing around your office trying to calm yourself down. This day was almost over. You were going to enjoy tonight. You wouldn’t let them win and ruin everything. You were going to have a great time with your team and no one was going to stop that from happening. You started to smile thinking about the goofballs in your team and how you were going to have an amazing time when there was a knock at your door. ‘Here we go’ you thought. Your boss was about to rip you a new one.

“Come in”

You couldn’t believe your eyes. Jeonghan walked through your office door and you both just stared at each other silently. You didn’t know why he was here but you didn’t care.

“Get out” you said as you walked around your desk to your chair.

“I know things haven’t been ideal but I just wanted to say I don’t hate you. I never have” he said and you laughed while you sat down.

“Well, I hate you, Yoon Jeonghan. Always have. From the very first day you decided to start testing me. Now that that’s settled, please, get out of my office” you said and started packing up your things for the day.

“Hate is a strong word, Y/N”

“Indeed. And you have no idea how much I dislike that word. How much I dislike using it. But, you did that. Congrats. You broke me and managed to make me hate you. Hope it was worth it” you said as you started to walk out of your office.

But just before you left, you had one more thing to add.

“It’s sad really. If you weren’t this way, I truly believe we could’ve made a great team” you told him and then left.

After you got home, you started getting ready for the company’s quarter party and you decided you weren’t going to let this stop you or your team from continuing to do a great job. 

Tonight would be sort of a team building exercise for the five of you. The company liked throwing these parties every quarter and it reminded you a bit of the Dundies in The Office. They also gave silly awards but instead of a trophy, you got a fridge magnet and a chance to donate $25 to a charity of your choosing. It was pretty cool.

Besides, the company usually rented the same hotel ballroom and had an open bar and a DJ after the awards. Everything was free and it truly helped employees unwind and relax after each quarter. You were proud to be a part of this. 

You usually don’t choose to drink too much at these parties since word gets around pretty fast of any embarrassing moments that may have happened after most people had left. Tonight would be different though. You and your team deserved to get hammered and dance until they kicked you out of the hotel.

Once you told your team that, they couldn’t be happier. It’s like they had forgotten everything that has happened in the last few weeks. You were thankful for that. You wanted to feel that way too.

You and Clara took an Uber to the party together and Hoshi, Seokmin and Sunny also did the same. None of you ever wanted to arrive first and be alone at these parties so you usually split up into groups and went together.

The trio arrived first at the party, went to the table marked for your team and moved over to the bar immediately. 

When you and Clara got there, you noticed them at the bar and decided to join them before going to your table and setting your belongings down.

“Starting early, are we?” you asked and laughed along with Clara.

“Hey! It’s the boss! And duh, of course, you said to go wild tonight so we need to start early” Seokmin told you as he sipped his cider.

“Besides, once you see who is the other team sharing the table with us, you’re going to wish you had started drinking earlier, Y/N” Hoshi added and their little trio started laughing. Of course you had to share a table with him. But you won’t let him get to you. Not tonight. You turned to the bartender.

“Whiskey & Coke please, no ice. Thank you”

“Oof, you really meant to go wild. Starting pretty strong, Y/N. Careful or you might do something stupid tonight” Sunny said with a teasing tone and you all laughed together.

After you all had your drinks, you started to move towards the table so you could sit down and hang out as a team. You wanted to take advantage of the fact that the advertising team hadn’t arrived yet.

“Okay so about that ‘doing something stupid tonight’” Clara started to add to Sunny’s previous remarks.

Hoshi and Seokmin started shaking their heads disapprovingly before she even continued her sentence.

“You should fuck Jackson from the IT department, Y/N” Sunny said and everyone whipped around to look at her. Usually, Clara is your problem child. No one quite knew how to react to what she just said.

“What? Don’t look at me like that. You know he wants to fuck you come on. Also, I heard from Cass in HR that he also has a huge--”

“Sunny!” you stopped her before she had a chance to finish her sentence. You and our team couldn’t stop laughing. Who knew Sunny had it in her. You really have to watch out for the quiet ones. They will always surprise you.

“Oh come on, Sunny. If Y/N is fucking anyone with a big cock tonight she might as well hate fuck Jeonghan” Clara added and you just gulped down your drink. She wasn’t going to give up on this idea, It was going to be a long night.

“And how do you know that for a fact? Just because Hana said it, doesn’t mean it’s true” Hoshi started adding fuel to the fire.

“Why would Hana lie about that? And why the fuck would she follow Jeonghan around like a lost puppy if he hadn’t been amazing like she keeps advertising? She was not lying and you should find out for yourself, Y/N” Clara answered.

Everyone looked at you.

“What? I’m not even gonna dignify that with a response” you said and Clara laughed.

“Hmm… Sounds like maybe you’re interested in finding out… Or are you just jealous that Hana got to him first?” Clara asked and they all started laughing and agreeing with her. You loved them all but sometimes you wanted to kill them.

“Sounds like she is both jealous and interested in finding out” someone whispered in your ear from behind you.

All your team members stopped laughing and went silent. They knew better than to laugh at what Jeonghan just said, no matter how funny it was. Jeonghan walked around from behind you with Seungcheol and they both sat down across from your team at the table.

“I already told you, Yoon. No matter how many times you dream about it, it’s never going to happen” you said and started getting up to get another drink. You need a lot more alcohol to get through tonight.

“We’ll see” he said as you were walking away.

There will be no more peace tonight at that table. And you know once your team gets enough drinks in them, it’s going to get even messier. Funny thing is both your teams get along great with each other. You and Jeonghan seem to be the only ones ruining all the fun.

When you got to the bar, you decided to just get a coke. Dinner was to come, followed by the awards and there will be a lot of wine. You need to pace yourself. You don’t want to end up completely drunk. Definitely not at that table.

Surprisingly, dinner went over smoothly. Everyone was talking and having fun with each other. Clara kept throwing in some comments about you and Jeonghan and everyone seemed to enjoy it so all you did in those moments was roll your eyes. The only two people not interacting with each other were you and Jeonghan.

The awards started and it was always quite fun. People gave great speeches and they roasted themselves and their colleagues and bosses. You always had a blast. You had won a few of these before but not recently so you were surprised when you were called in to receive the ‘Warrior of the Branch’ award. ‘Clever’ you thought to yourself.

You went over to get handed your fridge magnet by your boss and she winked at you as she handed it to you.

“Well, I would say this is a surprise but it isn’t. Even today I got a disciplinary warning for defending myself and my team so it makes sense. There’s only one person I need to thank for this because he is the reason I wake up every morning, look in the mirror and tell myself all the reasons why I shouldn’t commit murder that day. I gotta tell you, most days I don’t care about those reasons and so thank you Hoshi, for taking the knife out of my hands, forcibly” you paused as everyone laughed with you.

“So, thank you Jeonghan. I never thought any good would come from hating you, but I’m sure the charity I choose tonight will think otherwise” you ended your speech. Everyone clapped and you started heading back to your seat. You noticed Jeonghan was no longer at your table. Were you too harsh?

“You could cut him some slack, Y/N” Wonwoo from Jeonghan’s team spoke up and everyone went silent.

“He doesn’t cut me any slack, why should I cut him some?” you asked in response and left the table.

You didn’t know where Jeonghan went and you didn’t know if he left the table because of your speech but how is this fair? You always get treated like the bad guy when he is the one that started all of this. He is the one that tortures you on a daily basis. But somehow, whenever he gets upset, it all gets turned around on you. 

You needed to hide for now. You wanted to be alone. You were sick of all of this. To be honest, you don’t know how much more you can take before you transfer branches or even quit altogether. 

You went to the usual place in this hotel you go to hide whenever you start to feel overwhelmed at these parties. There was a small room on the side of the ballroom that was also rented out to your company. It was used to store all the awards and company belongings before the awards started and your boss has always given you the key to the room after they’ve emptied it out. She knew you often need time and space to yourself away from everyone. She was one of the reasons you haven’t given up on this job just yet.

You unlocked the room and walked through the door. You didn’t turn the lights on, no need. You locked the door behind you and moved to the window. It was a beautiful, huge window that had a nice sofa in front of it. You loved sitting there and staring outside in silence. This window was facing the garden that surrounded the back portion of the hotel and you loved to sit there and just look at the trees in peace.

“No fair. I thought I was the only one that had the key to this room after they were done using it” Jeonghan spoke up from across the room. He was sitting in a lounge chair and the moonlight was allowing you to see his face. He looked upset. 

“It appears life isn’t fair for either of us. I love being alone here, yet here you are” you said and turned back to the window.

For a while there was only silence. All you could hear in this room was both of you breathing. You were staring out the window. He was staring at you. You were sure of it. You could feel his eyes on you. It wasn’t uncomfortable. You just never knew what he wanted and you were too tired to try to figure it out at this moment.

“I really can’t stand hearing you say you hate me, you know that?” he asked you.

You turned to look at him again and scoffed.

“How is that my problem? You did this to yourself” you said and turned back to the window.

You really hoped this was it. That he wasn’t going to talk to you anymore. You didn’t mind sharing this space in silence.

“Why do you always have to answer me with such disdain? I understand I’ve been hard on you and your team but you’re taking this a bit too far don’t you think?” he asked you as he got up from his chair and started to walk over to you.

And here it was. The reason why you could never keep quiet and not answer him. He always seemed to be completely detached from reality. He’s the one torturing you, yet he thinks he’s the victim. Typical.

“You’ve been hard on me and my team?? You’ve been a nightmare, Jeonghan. At work and outside of it. You actively seek me out to torture me whenever you get the chance but somehow I’m to blame?” you got up from the sofa and started raising your voice at him. You two were standing a little too close to each other.

“You’ve spent years trying to destroy everything I’m trying to build for myself, for no apparent reason and you act surprised when you hear me say that I hate you? How can I not? You’ve pushed me this far, it’s your fault and I’ll keep saying it no matter how upset you pretend to be: I hate--”

He kissed you. You couldn't finish your sentence. He kissed you hard. He grabbed you by the neck with one hand and held your body close to his with the other and he kept kissing you. And you let him. 

Not only did you let him kiss you but you kissed him back just as hard. Your hands were on the collar of his shirt and you were both just a tangled mess. Trying to devour each other. All the anger you both had accumulated over the years led up to this moment. Neither of you could think. Neither of you could stop. 

He started walking you back to the sofa you had just been sitting on, and once you reached it, he started lowering you down on it. He was on top of you, kissing you and you couldn’t help but to place your legs around his waist and pull him closer. When you both started to moan into each others’ mouths, he pulled away from you.

“Tell me to stop. Tell me you don’t want this and I’ll leave right now. We’ll pretend this never happened” he told you sincerely.

You could tell he meant it. He was giving you a chance to back out of this. To stop this before you crossed the ultimate line with him. And as hard as it was to admit, you didn’t want him to stop. 

You couldn’t remember the last time anyone kissed you and touched you like this. Now that you think about it, you don’t think anyone has kissed you and touched you this way before. Full of passion and lust. 

“Don’t stop” you answered him.

He silently nodded and lowered himself to kiss you again. He started moving his hands down your body. Touching you everywhere. As if he was trying to memorize the shape of you in case this was just a dream or in case he would never get the chance to touch you like this again. He moved down and started to kiss down your neck, moving to your cleavage next as one of his hands was moving towards your clothed pussy.

“Fuck, you’re so wet. You’re gonna kill me one of these days, I swear, angel” he said once his hand reached your panties and he started massaging your clit over your now ruined underwear. 

He was right, you were dripping. You wanted this so bad. You wanted him. Especially now that he was saying all the right things. He pulled away from you and moved down your body.

“I really wish I could take my fucking time with you but you had to let me fuck you for the first time here” Jeonghan said disapprovingly and you sighed.

He lowered his face to your pussy and started to leave open mouthed kisses to your clothed core. He was driving you insane. You started to moan. You needed him to stop taking his time.

“Fuck, angel… You’re a loud one, aren’t you? I should’ve known from your smart mouth. Let’s find a way to keep you quiet, hmm?” he said as he started to take your panties off.

“Be a good girl and open up, angel” he told you after taking your panties off and tapping your lips twice with his fingers. 

Fuck, why did you love being praised so much? And how the fuck did he know this was exactly the way you like it? It doesn’t matter. You did what he asked and opened your mouth. He pushed your panties into your mouth and whispered ‘good girl’ to you while he pulled back to move back down to your pussy.

He collected your juices on his fingers and started to suck them while looking into your eyes. You moaned into your panties and your breathing was starting to get erratic. He gave you a short laugh and moved down to latch on to your clit. He started sucking on it aggressively while his fingers moved around your hole. Just teasing you. He was going to be the death of you. 

You wiggled your hips and he laughed again. He wanted to take his time with you but the loudness in the room next to you reminded him that he needed to hurry if he wanted to be inside of you tonight. So he gave in to what both of you desperately wanted. He started eating you out like it was his last day on earth. His mouth was on your clit and two of his fingers finally got inside of you.

He set a fast pace from the start and you could tell he was responding and adjusting his movements every time you moaned a little too loud. He wanted to understand what could make you cum the fastest. He wanted to learn what made you more and more desperate and he quickly found the answers he was looking for.

His fingers found your g-spot and he kept making sure he hit it every single time. Same thing for his tongue and mouth on your clit. As soon as he found the rhythm that made you scream into your panties, he kept at it.

He wanted to make you feel pleasure like you never had before and he was going to make sure this wasn’t going to be a one time thing. He was going to find out everything about you and your body and guarantee you would want him back in your arms after tonight.

After just a few moments of hitting the right spots and keeping at the right pace, you started getting louder and louder and he wished he could hear you more clearly. You were so close. No one had ever made you cum this fast in your life and you didn’t want to fight it or hold back. One of your hands went to your tits to massage them and the other went to his hair. He started to moan into your pussy and once his free hand grabbed your thigh so fucking hard it could leave bruises behind, you finally came into his mouth. 

You were loud when you came. Jeonghan started looking towards the door to make sure no one heard you too. He was begging inside his head for you two to not be interrupted now. Not now, that he was so close to getting inside of you.

Once he realized no one heard you two and now that you were coming down from your high, he reached into his jacket pocket and took out his wallet. He threw his jacket on the floor, unzipped his pants and started to lower them and his boxers to his knees. 

You finally opened your eyes after your high and looked at Jeonghan. He was getting a condom out of his wallet and you could see his half naked bottom half now.

Hana had not been lying. He was big. Almost too big. You didn’t know how he was going to fit inside of you, but fuck it if you weren’t going to try your best. He caught you staring and he started smirking.

“It’s gonna fit. You’re a good little angel so you’re gonna take me in just right, don’t worry” he told you as he rolled down the condom onto his cock.

Fuck, you could’ve cum right there on the spot after what he said. All you could do was nod and he smiled at you.

He lowered himself on top of you and he started guiding is cock into your hole. You were so wet, there was no resistance. He started to slowly rock into you and pushed more and more of his cock into you. After his third big stroke, he finally pushed all the way into you and bottomed out. You moaned so loudly into your panties. You had never felt anything like this before. You were so fucking full. You couldn’t stop clenching around him. And he was already just as wrecked as you. You could tell by the way he moaned into your neck.

After a few moments, you were ready. You needed him to move, so you moved your hips a bit to signal him.

“Not yet, angel. Please, you have to stop squeezing me like that or I’ll be very embarrassed very soon and this is definitely not the way I want this to end” he told you and you smiled. You did your best to stop squeezing his cock and you began touching his hair as you wrapped yourself even more around him. 

Once he was ready, he finally started to move. He pulled back a bit from you and held your hips in place as he pushed into you with long and hard strokes. He again made sure to find your g-spot as soon as he could and once he did, he sped up his movements. He began the abuse on your g-spot. Fast and hard. He was gonna make you cum like this and so quickly again.

You were holding each other as his pace got faster and harder and you kept your eyes locked in on each other. He kept cussing and whispering praises as you both got closer and closer.

Once he started to feel you squeezing him more and more, he knew you were close and he knew he was right behind you. He bit his lips to lower the volume of his moans and you kept moaning into your panties just as loud as you did before. One of his hands moved from your hips to rub your clit and just that touch sent you over the edge again. As you squeezed him, he came into the condom and moaned into your ear.

After you both came down from your highs, you took your panties out of your mouth and you both just laid there with each other in complete silence as your breaths evened out. All you could hear was the noise from the other room where the award portion of the night seemed to have stopped and the DJ set had started.

He raised his head from your neck, looked into your eyes and kissed you. Not as hard as he had when this all began. It was soft, almost gentle. You could tell he wanted to cherish this moment which you both knew might never happen again. Little did he know, you also wanted to cherish this just as much.

After that kiss, he got up, threw the condom away and got dressed. You cleaned yourself up with some tissue paper that was on the desk and tried to look presentable again. As you took your panties to put them on, he stopped you.

“I’m keeping them, angel” he said as he took the panties from your hand and put them in his jacket pocket. You don’t know why but you didn’t protest. You let him take them. 

“I’ll leave first. Make sure to wait a bit, just in case” he told you and you laughed.

“Even if I went out there with you, there would be no way anyone would think we just snuck out to fuck” you told him and he nodded with a smile on his face.

You waited for about 20 minutes after he left to go back into the ballroom where everyone was now getting hammered and dancing like it was their last night on earth.

You needed a drink. Or several. ‘What the fuck just happened?’ you asked yourself. You just fucked someone you have been hating for five years. Maybe hate was a strong word after all.

“You’re back! Where the fuck were you?” an already drunk Hoshi asked you.

“Sorry, was pissed off but then I remembered I made you guys a promise so I came back” you told him and he smiled. 

“Catch up then. You are several drinks behind and Clara has been asking for her dancing twin” Hoshi added before he started to dance away from you and back to the dancefloor. If you were going to live up to Clara’s loving nickname, you would need to catch up indeed. There is no way you were about to make a fool out of yourself in front of your colleagues sober.

The rest of the night went as expected. Everyone on your team got way too drunk and you ended up just a bit buzzed and babysitting them all. It was okay though. They needed this more than you at this point and that was very clear. At the end of the night, you practically had to drag them all into their Ubers. You got help from Seungcheol and Jeonghan who were also very drunk but trying to be as helpful as possible. 

The weekend went by fast. And next thing you know it’s Monday again. You were nervous going into work for the first time in years. You didn’t know what to expect from Jeonghan. Would he ignore you? Would the usual behavior stop? Would he tell everyone and embarrass you? You had no idea. You didn’t think he was that cruel but you never knew what was going on inside his head. He was always so hard to read and in this situation it might bite you in the ass.

To your surprise, the next two weeks passed by without any incidents. Jeonghan had apologized to you in front of both of your teams and told everyone he would be more patient and cooperative in finding solutions that worked for everyone. At first, everyone was shocked and a bit suspicious at the whole situation. They were all asking you what happened and what changed and you didn’t know what to say. You told them about what you had said to your boss and to his boss in the last meeting you four had had and they all agreed he probably saw the error of his ways then.

You knew better. You knew what had happened between the two of you after that meeting. You want to know if that’s what made him change but you haven’t had the opportunity to ask him yet. And, you were also nervous to ask him.

Now that your teams were closer, you actually started to have lunch together at the company’s cafeteria. It was weird at first. But now everyone is over that initial weirdness and you actually enjoy having lunch with all of them. Jeonghan’s team is funny. You already knew Seungcheol and Wonwoo well, but now you got to know Silvia and Joshua more. They were absolute sweethearts and you felt bad you hadn’t gotten to know them better earlier. 

Jeonghan had never brought it up with you. Whatever happened between the two of you. You would never admit it to him but you were disappointed. You were hoping this wasn’t going to be a one time thing. Especially now that he has become a great colleague and partner at work. You see him in a whole different light now and you wished he felt the same way. But you were stubborn. You were definitely not going to tell him.

Today, during lunch time, Clara decided to be Clara and show her true colors for the first time in front of Jeonghan and his team.

“Hey, Y/N, did you ever fuck, Jackson at the quarter party? There was some suggestion of that and you did disappear for a while…” she said and everyone whipped their heads to look at her.

Jeonghan’s team was shocked and staring at Clara. Jeonghan however, was staring at you and you alone. He looked angry.

“Clara, please stop being yourself in front of the other team. They don’t know you’re clinically insane” you said as you scolded her.

“What? It was a fair question. He has always wanted to get into your pants and he’s hot. If you haven’t already, you should go for it” she added and Hoshi laughed.

“Clara how can you know so much around the office but not know the reason why Jackson wanted to bone Y/N” Hoshi said and you groaned and made a disgusted face.

“Even I know there was a bet within the IT team to fuck Y/N” Sunny added and Clara looked disgusted.

“Okay. I was wrong. Never listen to me again, Y/N” she said and you laughed.

“It’s funny that you think I would ever listen to you when it comes to people I would fuck” you said and they all laughed. Except Jeonghan. He was not amused by this conversation at all and he seemed to get in a worse mood when Jackson decided to walk up to your tables.

“It’s so nice to see my favorite teams finally together. What a happy ending for everyone” Jackson said and everyone greeted him and nodded in agreement. He then turned to you and you could swear you felt Jeonghan move his chair closer to yours.

“Hey, Y/N. I have tickets for the premiere of the movie you mentioned you wanted to see a while back and wanted to ask if you would like to join me Thursday night?” Jackson asked and everyone went silent. You could cut the tension with a knife.

“No, thanks, Jackson. But have a great time, I heard the movie is amazing” you said politely as you began clearing your tray and got up to leave. Jackson and both teams were looking at each other awkwardly before Jackson spoke up.

“That could’ve gone better… Anyway, have a good day guys” 

“I don’t get what is so hard about understanding a simple no. He’s heard it so many times from her yet he won’t stop annoying her” Seokmin said as everyone started clearing out.

Everyone left to continue their work day. You were in your office prepping for the interdepartmental meeting later today between your team and Jeonghan. Even if he has been nicer lately, you always want to make sure you leave him no room to say no.

Today, it would be Seokmin presenting his ideas for a new account your company got and it was his first time presenting solo. You needed it to go well so that Seokmin gained the confidence to do this more often. But, because the universe hates you, the presentation did not go well at all. Jeonghan had chosen to be insufferable again and go back to his old ways. He kept vetoing all of Seokmin’s plans left and right with the most ridiculous of reasons and you reached your boiling point when he started interrupting Seokmin before he could explain his reasoning as well.

“What the fuck is wrong with you today? Are you back on your bullshit? If so, I would appreciate it if my team gets the memo next time” you asked Jeonghan and everyone went silent. Here we go again.

“Don’t start with me, Y/N. This wasn’t a good presentation. Most of his ideas are flawed and not reasonable at all for this client. Go back, review and come back to us” Jeonghan told you as he got up to leave.

“You’re forgetting you’re not our boss, Jeonghan. We don’t work for your team. We work with your team. You are the one that needs to go back, review the content and come up with a reasonable and logical explanation on why you want to veto all of this. Have fun” you told him as you signaled to your team to get up and leave with you.

“That’s it? No fight? Just sending me back to review things? Can’t handle me anymore, Y/N? I should’ve known… Last time, you barely handled what I gave you” he said teasingly and you stopped in your tracks. You walked towards Jeonghan and both your teams moved away from the both of you. They knew better than to get involved. 

You knew that last comment wasn’t about the last meeting you had and the last time you fought. It was about that night. He was smirking now. You needed to wipe that smirk off his face. 

“Oh I handled it perfectly well. In fact, if I remember correctly, I handled it so well that someone was ready to tap out very prematurely… How embarrassing…” you told him and he was no longer smirking. Perfect.

“Are we still talking about work?” Hoshi whispered to Joshua.

“I fucking hope so” Joshua said out loud and it snapped you out of staring at Jeonghan. You started to move towards your team and leave the meeting room.

“Like I said, review and come back to us. With data. No more of this theoretical bullshit or ‘I’ll take this up the chain if I have to’” you said as you mocked him from what he had once told you.

That felt good. Your team started to laugh and cheer on Seokmin after you left the meeting room. Before everyone went back to their desk on the floor, you decided to have a word with Seokmin. You didn’t want him to overthink this.

“Seokmin, can we have a word in my office, please?” you asked him and he nodded and smiled at you. You both walked to your office and sat down on the corner couch you had.

“Don’t take this personally, and don’t you dare think you did a bad job. If your ideas had not been good, I wouldn’t have let you present them. None of the team members would have. He’s probably having a bad day and wanted to take it out on you. Don’t worry about it, yeah?” you asked him and he nodded.

“I just don’t want to disappoint anyone. I know I’m the only one that hasn’t done this by myself and I don’t want to disappoint the team” he said with a sad smile.

“You could never disappoint any of us. Their team will review and we will reach a good compromise. I’m sure most of your plans for this account will come through. Let him get over himself” you said and you both laughed.

“Thank you” he added and you hugged each other.

After Seokmin left your office, you rushed to get your reports done to leave on time. You had an exhausting day and both Jackson and Jeonghan had decided to piss you off today. You needed your bed desperately. Your boss needed the final reports today and you had spent most of your time helping Seokmin prep. You were very late and you didn’t know if you would be able to finish them on time. But, no matter how tired you were, you were too proud to not do your job properly. 

You sent your boss a message letting her know you wouldn’t be able to deliver the reports before 6PM but that you would finish them tonight. You also told her since it was poor time management on your side, you would do the overtime without any additional pay needed. Maybe not the smartest decision but it’s your decision to make. Your boss agreed with the promise you wouldn’t stay too late. She was incredible.

6PM came around and everyone had either left the office or was about to and you were jealous. You had a headache and needed a break. You were halfway through and you decided a power nap was needed. ‘This is why you got that couch’ you thought.

You took a 30 minute nap and got back to work. You ordered dinner and ate at your desk while you finished your reports. By 9PM you were done. Finally. You can go home to your shower and bed. You couldn’t wait.

Except the universe was never kind to you and someone was knocking at your office door. You hoped it was the cleaning crew kicking you out so you told them to come in.

“Working late? Thought I was the only one left here” Jeonghan said as he walked into your office and locked the door behind him. He was leaning on your desk with his arms crossed as you started getting your purse and jacket to leave.

“That’s what happens when you’re an asshole. You get to stay late and review your mistakes. Good news is you must have made a lot of extra money with the overtime hours you rack up” you told him and you signaled him to move to the door.

“You’re not leaving yet. Come here” he told you and it surprised you. 

You didn’t particularly like being told what to do, and never by him. This time it felt different though. The air felt like it did the night of the party. Since the party he hadn’t tried anything with you at all. You assumed this was never going to happen again. That he got what he wanted and that was it. So why was he standing here now, asking you to move closer to him?

He sighed and uncrossed his arms to place them on your desk.

“Come closer, angel. Don’t fight me, you know you want to be closer to me just as much as I want to be closer to you right now” Jeonghan said and you audibly gulped. Fuck… Why does he have to call you angel and why do you like it so much? You were doomed at this rate.

You took your jacket off and placed it and your purse on the hanger close to the door. You walked towards him until you were close enough to feel his breath on you.

“You’ve been staying away from me since that night. So why now, Jeonghan?” you asked him. You wanted to know what was on his mind. Why he hadn’t tried getting closer to you until today.

“I assumed it was a one time thing. I thought you were gonna regret it and tell me it was a mistake. I didn’t want to hear that. Ignorance is bliss, I guess” he answered and you nodded.

“So why tonight? What made you take the chance of getting turned down?” you asked teasingly.

“I don’t like Jackson. At lunch, that whole scene made me… Angry. After our meeting I had time to think. Your snarky comment about our night together and your brutal rejection of Jackson made it clear for me. If you were going to reject me, you would’ve done it at the party” he told you as he pushed a strand of your hair behind your ear.

“Bold of you to assume that just because I let you fuck me that night, I wouldn’t reject you now” 

“Do it then, Y/N. Tell me to fuck off. I will leave and never bother you again”

You stayed silent.

He nodded and began to move away from you. You grabbed his hand to stop him from leaving.

He turned around, stepped closer to you and kissed you. It was just like that first kiss at the party. He was grabbing your neck and your hip and pulling you impossibly close to him and you were pulling him just as close to you.

“The cleaning crew is going to be here soon. Why do you only let me fuck you like this? In a hurry? You’re unfair, angel” 

“It’s your fault too. Of all the days and times to come here and fuck me and you chose right now” 

“Don’t worry, now that I know you’ll let me keep fucking you, we’ll have plenty of time to make up for it, angel” he said as he moved you both towards your desk.

When you reached your desk, he turned you around so your back was against his chest. He moved your hair out of the way and dove in to kiss your neck. You were already beginning to moan. It had been too long since he fucked you. You should’ve told him you wanted more right after that night. He bent you over your desk and started to rub his clothed hard cock against your ass. He took his tie off and kept rubbing himself on you.

“You can’t be loud again, angel. Not tonight” he told you as he moved his tie to your lips. He was going to gag you with his tie. Fuck, you were already dripping and ruining your panties.

You nodded and he placed the tie between your lips. You felt him tighten the tie around the back of your head. Like a leash. You moaned and he laughed. He loved to see you fall apart like this, with the simplest of actions. 

He unbuttoned your pants and pulled all your bottom half clothing down in one swift motion. He spanked you and kept rubbing his hard cock against your bare ass. He held your hip with one hand and moved to rub circles on your clit with the other.

“I love how you're always dripping for me. It makes it hard to believe you when you say you hate me, angel” he said and laughed.

All you could do was moan. He was alternating between rubbing circles on your clit and fingering you. He was spreading your juices everywhere. He wanted to get you as wet as possible but he seemed to be avoiding making you cum right away. Like he wanted to save it. You wiggled your hips. You wanted to cum. He laughed again.

“I’m just getting you ready to take me, angel. You’re cumming on my cock tonight”

After a few minutes of torture, you heard him unzip his pants and move around. You could only assume he was getting naked and getting a condom from the sounds you were hearing.

“You ready, angel?” he asked as he massaged your ass. 

You could feel his cock on your ass now. You were too eager but you couldn’t help yourself. You nodded and said a muffled  ‘please’. Just like you, he couldn’t wait anymore. It had been too long since the last time this happened. He placed his cock against your hole and started to push in impossibly slow.

He kept doing shallow strokes, pushing a bit more of his cock in each time. You had no idea how he was this patient but you couldn’t wait anymore. On one of his shallow strokes you pushed back hard until he bottomed out and you both moaned loudly. Your moan had been muffled but his was not. Fuck, you didn’t want to get caught like this. He spanked you, hard.

“You wanna get caught, hmm? Bad fucking angel…”

You kept squeezing him and trying to move but he was holding you still.

“Fuck, it had been way too long. Have we learned our lesson, angel? You’re gonna let me fuck you whenever we want from now on, right?” he asked and you nodded immediately. He leaned in to whisper in your ear.

“Good girl. I’m going to go hard now. Better fucking handle it like you said today hmm? If you need me to stop, tap your desk twice with both hands”

You nodded again and before you were done nodding he started to fuck you hard. You were surprised your desk wasn’t moving at all from the force of his strokes. You started to move back and match his pace and you both started panting fast. You knew much like last time, neither of you would last long. 

He pulled on the makeshift leash to pull back your head and increased his pace. You were getting so close. You just needed a bit more. He moved his hand from your hip to your clit and started rubbing it furiously. You got louder and louder and kept squeezing him tighter and tighter.

“Is my good angel going to cum on my cock? Do it, I need to feel you cum around me again” 

And as soon as he finished his sentence, you came with a cry of his name against the tie. He kept fucking you through your high and you kept squeezing his cock.

He kept whispering ‘fuck’ and ‘good girl’ under his breath. You knew he was getting closer and you started pushing back on him harder and harder. You wanted to push him over the edge. You wanted him to feel the way you feel right now. In perfect bliss. And a few moments later, he came as he leaned over you. He laid his whole body against yours as you both evened out your breaths.

You both got dressed and took turns using the bathroom in your office to clean yourselves. As you were getting ready to leave, you yawned so loud and he laughed at you.

“Don’t you dare make a cocky comment, Jeonghan”

“I won’t but let me take you home, please”

“And let you have my address? You already have my phone number and that’s enough”

He stopped smiling and started to leave as well.

“Hey, I’m joking. That’s what we do, right?” you asked him. You didn’t want him to leave like this.

“Sometimes your words hurt, Y/N. I know I’ve fucked up a lot but I never wanted you to hate me and think this low of me”

“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful of what I say from now on. Promise. But I don’t want to lose the snarky back and forth between us” 

He smiled. He only wished you would have told him you never have hated him as well.

That night you let him give you a ride home. You were too tired to drive. It was nice. During that car ride you found out he has a beautiful singing voice. You also found out a few more things about him during your conversation. He likes legos and has a pet rock. He, Seungcheol and Joshua are like brothers. And, he loves pranks. This last one you could’ve guessed easily.

You also told him about yourself. You love reading and camping. You also like legos and have a few sets built in your office at home. You scare easily and have to deal with your team constantly jump scaring you because it’s hilarious to see you suffer, apparently.

It was a good drive. When you said your goodbyes, he told you he would text you more and you should do the same. He wanted to get to know you and he wanted to meet up in places he could fuck you slowly and have you be as loud as possible. You smacked his arm after this last comment but you agreed. He was a good guy overall and you were interested in continuing this… Whatever this was. 

For the next month, you met up with him regularly. Usually after work and at his place. He had bent you over his desk and your desk a few times after a heated argument in a meeting but you tried fucking each other in more private places. He loved hearing you scream his name and you loved having him desperate for you. In this month, he had also found out what a tease you were. You enjoyed riling him up and making him wait before he could fuck you. It was a dangerous game but you both loved it this way.

No one at work seemed to notice anything and you didn’t know if Seungcheol and Joshua knew given how close they were to Jeonghan but if they knew, they had been very discreet about it. Jackson kept trying to ask you out and Hana kept following Jeonghan around like a puppy as usual. You had to say this last part wasn’t your favorite. You knew he wasn’t interested but still. She had fucked him before you. And that pissed you off. Jeonghan knows it too and he loves teasing you about it.

One line you haven’t crossed with Jeonghan yet was having him in your apartment. You didn’t know why but you were trying to avoid having him there. It was your space, you loved living there. You were proud of having been able to buy it all on your own. What if one day this ended terribly and then you were stuck with memories of him around that place? You didn’t want to ever be sad inside of that apartment so you tried keeping him away.

Jeonghan wasn’t dumb though. He knew you were trying to keep him away from your apartment. He tried being understanding but he was getting tired of it. This wasn’t fair. You had been in his apartment multiple times. He had fucked you in almost all available surfaces in his apartment and he wanted to do the same in yours. So he did the most Jeonghan thing possible. He texted you asking if you were free and once you said yes he showed up at your door. 

“This is why I didn’t want you to have my address. How did you find out my apartment number?” you asked as you let him in your apartment.

“The same way I got your phone number. A magician never reveals his secrets though” he answered as he took his jacket and shoes off.

You were looking at him moving around your apartment. He was looking at every picture frame, every detail, every room and you just followed him silently through your apartment.

“So this is what you were hiding from me? It’s very you” he said smiling as you both moved towards your bedroom.

“If you knew I was hiding it from you, why would you come here uninvited?” you asked teasingly.

“I don’t like secrets. And you’ve been to my apartment multiple times. It was only fair”

“I should be angry at you, Jeonghan”

You asked him as you moved closer to him.

“But you aren’t angry at all. Isn’t that right, angel?” 

You nodded with a pout on your face and he laughed as he moved your hair away from your face. He kissed you and you started unbuttoning his pants. Between kisses, you undressed each other until you were both completely naked. You kissed down his body until you were on your knees in front of him. You grabbed his cock and started to stroke it. He moved both his hands to your hair and intertwined them. Before he could say anything, you started to lick and suck his tip and he moaned.

“Don’t be a tease tonight, angel”

You batted your eyelashes at him innocently but you did what he asked and you started to suck him off just how he liked it. After a month of meeting up, you had gotten pretty good at fitting as much of his cock down your throat as possible. You were both very fucking proud of it. 

With your hands, you stroked whatever you couldn’t fit in your mouth and throat and massaged his balls. That always got him so close. You wanted him to cum more than once tonight. You knew he could. You had talked about it before but he had always held off on it. He came here tonight without your permission, so you were going to make him cum at least twice, you had decided. He pulled you off of him by your hair before you could continue your plan and he raised an eyebrow at you.

“What are you playing at, angel?”

“Want to make you feel good, Jeonghan. Isn’t that why we’re doing this?” you answered him in your most innocent voice but you knew he wasn’t buying it. Before he could protest, you kissed him, deeply.

“Wanna ride you” you whispered against his lips and he groaned before moving away from you towards the bed.

You got a condom and threw it on the bed. He was sitting and leaning on the headboard. After he put the condom on, he signaled you to come over to him and you crawled to him. He whispered ‘good girl’ against your lips and kissed you again. You could never get enough of his kisses. He always kissed you with such passion. Like he could lose you at any moment.

You turned your back to him and placed your legs on either side of him. He hummed and placed both hands on your ass cheeks to massage them.

“Reverse tonight? I wanted to see your pretty face, angel”

You hummed and started to rub your pussy up and down on his cock. You knew he would forget all about looking at your face if you just kept pushing him. And you were right. He held your hips and pulled you closer to his cock. He aligned his cock with your hole and you didn’t wait any longer. You started bouncing on his cock without any warning. By now, you were more than used to his size and even if it stung a little bit you wanted to push him tonight. You were going to get what you wanted. You kept up an agonizing pace, bouncing hard and fast and you could hear his pants and grunts getting louder and louder. He placed both hands on your hips and tried to change your pace.

“Slow down, let me enjoy this, angel”

You shook your head no and kept going. His hands tried resisting your movements at first but after a few more bounces he gave up and let you speed up again. You started to touch your clit to get you to cum faster. You knew having you cum on his cock always made him cum as well. You were getting closer and you could tell he was too by the way he was squeezing your ass with both his hands and by the sounds he was making. He calls you angel all the time but he’s the one that sounds like an angel even in the most depraved of moments.

You kept rubbing your clit until you came. He came right after you into the condom with a grunt of your name. After you both started to come down from your highs, you felt good enough to keep going. He was still hard and once he tried moving underneath you, you stopped him by bouncing on his cock again. You started your rhythm back up, merciless and you heard him whine. You had never heard him make that noise before and you needed to hear it again. You weren’t going to stop. He was going to cum inside you again. You were going to make sure of it.

After your initial bounces, he spanked you hard.

“I knew you were up to something. Want to get more of my cum, hmm? One load is not good enough for you angel?” he asked between moans and you kept going. Harder. Faster. And he snapped.

He pushed you off of him and on all fours. He took the condom off, threw it on the ground and slapped your pussy hard. You moaned his name. 

“You want another one? Better fucking take it all then”

He pushed his cock into you completely. Your elbows gave out on you and he took the chance to push your head down on the mattress with his hand as he started to fuck you hard. 

Usually you would need more to cum, but his dominant aura, the way he pushed you down on the mattress and the way he’s fucking you raw are just enough and you cum again. This time your hands are grabbing the bed sheets desperately and you are whining and moaning. That was fucking intense and Jeonghan didn’t stop.

He kept fucking you hard. His moans and grunts get louder and louder. He pulled out and started stroking his cock with his free hand. After a couple of strokes he came on your back. You could feel rope after rope of cum just painting your back and you couldn’t stop smiling. You both laid there exhausted for a bit before he got up and cleaned you up. 

“I’m guessing that’s what you wanted to achieve tonight” he said as he laid next to you on the bed again.

“Hmm… That’s what you get for coming here uninvited”

“If that’s your way of trying to keep me away from here, you’re doing a piss poor job at it, angel” he said and you both laughed.

You didn’t know why, but after that night things felt different. All lines had been crossed between you. Before it had felt like there was a separation between whatever was going on with you and Jeonghan and the rest of your life. But after that night everything felt intertwined. You didn’t know how to feel about it. So you decided maybe some time apart would be best for the two of you.

You didn’t want to tell him this. If there was one thing you had learned about Jeonghan in the time you spent together was that he could be quite sensitive and misinterpret your words. You didn’t want that to happen so you simply replied to him saying you were tired or busy and couldn’t meet up. He seemed to understand. You had successfully avoided him but you hadn’t sorted out your feelings yet. But it didn’t matter. Tonight was your team building monthly dinner and you were going to focus on them only. 

You were running late and your team started texting you non-stop. You had to reassure them you were on your way. You were usually never late so you understood where their concerns were coming from. 

Your Uber stopped in front of the restaurant and in the rush of getting out of it and joining your team, you ran into a couple getting into the restaurant. You apologized without even getting a proper look at them and start to go into the restaurant but a familiar voice calls you back.

“Y/N? What are you doing here?” Hana said excitedly.

You looked at her and the person next to her and you had to blink a few times to make sure you were actually seeing this. You didn’t say a word. Hana started looking between you and Jeonghan and cleared her throat. You finally looked back at her.

“We're having our team dinner here” you said dryly. 

“We would join you but we are on a date! Have a great team dinner and say hi to everyone for us” she said excitedly and all you could do was nod.

The three of you silently walked into the restaurant and you spotted your team right away. You walked over to the table and tried your best to pretend whatever you just saw didn’t bother you. This wasn’t the time or the place. Whatever you felt had to be sorted much later on.

You weren’t at your best during this team dinner and your team could tell. They didn’t say anything because they knew you were trying your best. You still joined your team for bowling and tried having as much fun as possible. 

You didn’t know what happened to Jeonghan and Hana. You couldn’t see their table from yours and you didn’t see them leave before you did. You were… Confused. You never established anything. You never said you were exclusive. You never said you were going to date other people but it somehow felt like he had lied to you. He always told you he wasn’t interested in Hana. Why did he lie? And how long had they been dating? Was he fucking you while dating her? You honestly didn’t know if you wanted to find out. You knew it was time to end whatever had been happening between the two of you. You were surprised Jeonghan hadn’t messaged you or tried to contact you at all. But maybe that was for the best.

You weren’t much of a believer in getting signs from the universe, but after not talking to Jeonghan at all for the past week about the restaurant incident, you got what would be considered by many, a sign. 

Your boss called you into her office and made you an offer. The branch four hours away from yours had been struggling to find a good team lead and a good manager for their marketing department. While she explained to you, you couldn’t move up to department manager just yet, you would have the opportunity to do so in the future if you joined them now at the team lead level. You both knew your boss wasn’t going to go anywhere any time soon. She was the manager of the marketing department and she had just been promoted when you were. If you wanted to move up to manager soon, your best option would be to accept this offer. However, you wouldn’t accept it without speaking to your team first.

Long story short, your team was pissed. Hoshi yelled at you for the first time in his life and both Clara and Sunny cried. Seokmin seemed to be holding it together pretty well, surprisingly. 

“I know this isn’t ideal… But it’s a great opportunity for me. And, it doesn’t mean I’m staying there permanently. I have to try though, you know that” you said as you tried to calm Hoshi down.

“You better not like your team over there more than us” Seokmin said with a sad smile.

“Never. We’re the dream team” you reassured him. 

It took you a while but you were able to calm Hoshi down. You promised you would visit as much as possible and offered your place for them to stay when they visit you as well. 

One thing you had asked your team and your boss was to not let anyone know you were leaving. You planned on telling everyone on your last day. You have always hated goodbyes. And this one was going to hurt. You met a lot of great people here and you had a lot of adventures and stories you will cherish for the rest of your life, but it was time to move on. 

It had been two weeks since you accepted the offer and today was your last day at this branch. Your team had been moping around for these two weeks and everyone wanted to know why. It has been fun watching them make up lies to cover for you. It was your last team prank in a sense to this branch. In these two weeks, you and Jeonghan hadn’t spoken at all. No texts, no calls, no meeting up. He didn’t say anything and you didn’t ask.

At the end of the day, everyone gathered in the conference room at the request of your boss. No one knew why except you, your team and her. You knew a lot of them would be angry at you. You had gotten pretty close with Jeonghan’s team, particularly with Seungcheol and Joshua and they would probably never forgive you for not saying anything sooner. Especially Seungcheol. 

“Hey everyone. I know it’s the end of the day and everyone wants to go home and relax but bare with me for a few moments” your boss told everyone and everyone went silent.

“I know most of you are wondering why this meeting was booked on your calendars two weeks ago and what this meeting is about. Apologies for the secrecy, but the subject of this meeting asked me and her team to stay quiet about it until today” she continued and looked over at you. At this point, everyone on your team had tears running down their face and you were holding back tears of your own.

“Unbeknownst to most of you, today was the last day working at this branch of one of our best employees and someone I can honestly call a cherished friend. I wish I could say more but I don’t want to start crying like the rest of your team so please, say a few words, Y/N” she said as she looked over at you. You heard a few gasps and confused looks as you got up to say goodbye to all your colleagues.

“Hi everyone. So, a couple of weeks ago I got offered an opportunity at a different branch. An opportunity that will open several different doors for me professionally and I chose to accept it” you said as you looked at your team. You couldn’t look at anyone else.

“I asked my team and my amazing boss to keep this between us because honestly, I hate goodbyes. I didn’t want to spend the two weeks I had left here with sad goodbyes. I know it was selfish of me so I humbly stand here asking for your forgiveness” you continued and your team laughed with you.

“I had an amazing time working at this branch. I’ve grown so much professionally and personally. I made enemies that later became… Not enemies. I thought I hated some of you but I never did. Let’s call it a strong dislike” you said and laughed.

“I’m thankful for each and every one of you, no matter what. To my team and to my boss, you guys know everything already so just want to say thank you again. Now get out of here and enjoy your night. I have a four hour drive to make, so don’t try and persuade me to go for drinks!” you finished your speech and your team got up to hug you. 

Everyone started to say goodbye to you and you found out you were right. Joshua and Seungcheol were angry at you to say the least. Especially Seungcheol. But you made them forgive you before you had to leave. 

You never saw Jeonghan. You didn’t know if he hadn’t been in the meeting at all or if he had left once you were done with your speech. You were disappointed. You wanted to say goodbye at least. He had been a big part of your time here, more in the last few months but I guess he didn’t think the same if he wasn't even going to say a quick goodbye to you.

After your office was packed, you and your team went back to your place to help you load everything into your car for you to leave. You had a few boxes you were going to ship to you or wait for someone to visit to bring them to you but overall, you managed to successfully pack most of your favorite belongings and you were ready to leave.

You were going to miss this apartment. Other than your career, it had been your biggest achievement. You had been able to buy it and make it your own. You weren’t getting rid of it for now. Not unless you needed the money desperately. You were moving into your uncle’s apartment that was vacated recently so you wouldn't be paying rent at your new place and you could afford to keep your beloved apartment.

Hoshi loved that idea, it comforted him knowing you wanted to return to this apartment eventually and hopefully to the branch and your team. 

As you were loading things into your car, you got a text from Jeonghan.

“I’m sorry. You deserve better. I hope one day you can forgive me and we can talk. About everything. I couldn’t say goodbye. Not to you. Drive safe and good luck on this new adventure, angel”

You didn’t know you had started crying until the tears hit the screen of your phone.

You didn’t hate Jeonghan. You never did. He made your life hell for a long time but he also managed to bring heaven to you in the last months you spent together. You didn’t blame him for the way things ended. You never talked about your relationship and whatever was going on between the two of you. You had both failed each other.

Maybe one day you would meet again and you would talk about everything. Maybe even have a happy ending together.

Or maybe you will never meet again and this was just another chapter in your life.

Either way, you were content. You weren’t sad or disappointed anymore.

You didn’t get permanent closure in a lot of things but you were ready for this new adventure and his text made you feel better about the decision you made. 

You did this for you and your career, it was never about him. Your time together had simply ended at the same time this opportunity presented itself and you both knew that.

For now, you were just another girl that had been in his life for a while and that was moving away looking for a better career opportunity. 

And he was just another guy that had been in your life for a while creating chaos in the worst and the best way and that was staying behind.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

Hey guys! I hope you guys enjoy this one. It took me a while to finish it but I’m really proud of it 😇💕 I know it’s super long but I realized I might not ever be able to write short fics, specially when it comes to Hannie 😭 The request asked for a cliffhanger ending so I hope I stayed true to that. If you liked this fic and/or if you want a more permanent resolution to this couple, please let me know in the comments and such 💕 Thank you for supporting me! CHEERS 🥂

PS: You can find part 2 here

[sunniques]

— 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝

➺ PAIRING: yoon jeonghan x female reader

➺ GENRE: stepdad au, smut

➺ SUMMARY: the story of how you get caught in your stepdad’s web of depraved desires.

➺ CW/TW: stepcest, infidelity, age gap, manipulation, dub con, drugging, toxic relationship(s), slight dd/lg themes, daddy kink, dacryphilia, breeding kink, degradation, spanking, dumbification, unprotected sex, riding, cum play, ass play, fingering, multiple rounds, overstimulation, creampies, squirting

➺ WC: 4.2k

NOTE: don’t like, don’t read. once again, i have to thank the amazing @wonustars for beta reading this for me <3

The moment your mom asked you to move back home, you knew things in her marriage were heading south. It’s not like she didn’t want you around, but even you could tell she only asked you to act as a buffer between her and her husband. Like the good daughter you always tried to be, you accept her invitation even though you know it probably won’t be the best idea in the long run.

Things are relatively normal at first. Jeonghan is a sweetheart. He always has been, even dating back to when you were a college freshman and you officially met him. You can tell he tries to keep the peace with you around. That doesn’t mean you haven’t accidentally overheard your mom and him arguing when they think you’re not around.

It’s awkward, especially because your mom seems like the bad guy in ninety percent of their fights. You wonder if seeing a marriage counselor will help their situation.

“My friend’s dad is a marriage counselor,” you casually mention to your mom when it’s only two of you one day. “I can give you the number to his office—”

You’re abruptly cut off when your mom slams her spoon down on the table. The look she has on her face is borderline murderous, and you wonder if you should’ve just kept your mouth shut.

“Did Jeonghan tell you he wants to go to counseling?” She demands, teeth gnashing together as she spits her words.

“What? No!” You exclaim wondering why she was so quick to throw the blame on your stepdad. “I just thought—”

“I can’t believe this shit,” her words are spoken through a bitter chuckle. “You know, I’m the one who told him we need to talk to someone. I can’t believe he had the audacity to put this idea in your head!”

Despite your attempt to clear up the misunderstanding your mom has, she leaves the house and doesn’t come back until the next day. You feel incredibly guilty. It’s not like you meant to make her angry, and you definitely didn’t mean for her to get angry with Jeonghan again.

Your stepdad remains incredibly sweet. He hugs you and rubs your back, assuring you that it wasn’t your fault.

“Don’t worry, little girl,” Jeonghan says with a kind smile. “Your mom and I will be fine. Just focus on school, okay? I pay a lot of money so you can be the best.”

He’s teasing you, and you’re not sure why you feel so relieved to know that he’s not angry with you.

Unfortunately for everyone, things get worse before they even have a chance to get better. Eventually, your mom no longer cares to start arguments with her husband even when you’re around.

You can’t help but feel sorry for Jeonghan because you can see how exhausted he is. That sweet smile can’t hide all the pain and defeat he feels. You wish you could do something to help, but he always pats your head affectionately and tells you to focus on school when you offer.

It’s not until you come home one night and find him alone in the trashed living room that you know things have gone too far.

“Jeonghan?” You say cautiously, walking around the broken glass littered on the floor.

It’s a mixture of a broken wine bottle and glass from a picture frame. The one that held your mother’s wedding photo. Jeonghan has his head in his hands as you tiptoe around the spilled alcohol to sit next to him. His long hair partially covers his face, but you can see the tear stains on his cheeks.

“Jeonghan,” your voice is more firm this time, but still gentle. “What happened? Where’s my mom?”

Your stepdad sniffles and looks up. For a minute, he can’t meet your eyes. Even without the eye contact, you can see how broken he is. It makes something inside you break.

“She’s okay,” he turns to you with that pretty smile of his that you love. Except it doesn’t reach his eyes like usual. “She had a little too much to drink so I laid her down in the guest room.”

You’re sure he’s talking about the one downstairs—the one she’s been sleeping in lately.

“You still didn’t answer my question.” You say, needing to know what happened.

Jeonghan whimpers, and you can’t resist the urge to hug him. He closes his eyes as more tears stream down his face. Your stepdad gently buries his face in your neck as you press your body against him, not caring that you’re almost on his lap. All you can think about is comforting him.

“Your mom wants a divorce,” Jeonghan croaks against your wet skin. “She–She—there’s someone else, and I—”

He cuts himself off with a quiet sob, and your heart just breaks for him. Part of you suspected it. Your mom was the one who would come home late or not at all sometimes. She would often accuse your stepdad of having an affair, but now you just know she was projecting her wrongdoings onto him. It makes you feel sick because even though she’s your mom, Jeonghan didn’t deserve that.

“I’m so sorry,” you say sincerely, stroking his back like he often did to you when you were upset.

As you comfort him, he slips his arms around you and presses you closer to him. An electrifying sensation courses through you when you become aware of how close you two are.

Urges that you’ve tried so hard to push to the depths of your mind suddenly rush forward, and now you can’t stifle them or pretend they don’t exist. Especially now that you’ve realized that your mom doesn’t deserve such a wonderful man.

So, you throw away every scrap of morality you have left in you and give into your depraved desires.

Jeonghan lets out a shocked noise when you push him back on the couch and straddle him. His eyes go wide and his mouth drops open in awe. You grin when he doesn’t immediately push you off, taking it as a sign to swoop down for a kiss.

He softly moans into your mouth, overwhelmed by how warm and soft you are. Jeonghan whimpers as tears keep streaming down his face, trembling when you pull away from him.

“It’s okay, daddy,” you purr in his ear, grinding your dampening cunt against his growing bulge. “Let me take care of you.”

Jeonghan shakes his head, hands slowly settling on your waist as if he wants to push you away. Except he doesn’t.

Instead, he lets you stay on his lap. Your stepdad doesn’t try to stop you even as you move in closer and start to undo his pants. He can easily push you off, but he doesn’t. Not even when you reach into his underwear to palm his growing cock. He’s hard. Really fucking hard.

“Wait, baby—” the pet name falls easily, and you love it.

“Shh, daddy,” you coo as you take him out of his pants. “Just let me touch you. Let me make you feel better.”

“Oh, god,” Jeonghan mewls when you start to stroke him.

Your stepdad’s cock is long and thick and oozing with precum. You lick your lips as you slowly move your hand, eyes trained on Jeonghan’s pretty face. You can tell he feels guilty, and you don’t blame him. He’s such a good guy that he wouldn’t want to hurt your mom, even after everything she’s done to him.

“We… we shouldn’t do this,” Jeonghan protests weakly.

When you get off his lap, he fights a whine even though he knows it’s for the best. Once again you surprise him by slipping out of your clothes and getting back on top of him. His pupils are blown wide when he sees your bare tits and cute pussy.

“Honey,” Jeonghan’s voice has gone deeper, eyes fixed on your body. “This is wrong.”

You ignore him because his cock is twitching and standing to attention. Gently, you cradle the back of his head and press his face to your chest. Your warm tits envelop him, and he’s delirious. You smell so good that it makes his brain fuzzy. Jeonghan feels his cock twitch when you reach for it again, and this time he doesn’t try to stop you.

“Please, daddy,” you beg as you glide your slick cunt over his throbbing cock. “I need your cock. Need it so fucking bad.”

A deep groan escapes him because you feel so warm and wet. Jeonghan just knows you’ll feel so good wrapped around his cock.

“You deserve my little pussy,” you whisper in his ear, pressing down harder on him. “Deserve to fuck someone who won’t ever make you feel so terrible.”

“God, baby,” Jeonghan grunts when he feels your dripping pussy nudging the head of his cock. His resolve is weak, and he doesn’t want to fight it anymore.

His moan syncs with yours when you slowly sink down on his cock. Your little cunt is so hot and tight. Jeonghan can’t think about things like guilt because he feels too fucking good. A nice, wet pussy wrapped around his neglected cock, sucking him in and squeezing him just right. He’s been so lonely and miserable lately that you feel like absolute heaven to him.

“Such a naughty little girl,” Jeonghan growls when you start to rock in his lap. You tighten around him and hold on to the back of his head when you start to bounce.

“Daddy,” you whimper as your juices coat his cock.

Jeonghan’s lips brush against your nipples as your bounces grow more eager. You clench around his fat cock when his weeping tip brushes against your sweet spot. Your stepdad lets out a mixture of a groan and a wail of pleasure as you keep riding him.

You’re lost in pleasure with the feeling of your stepdad’s hard cock twitching and throbbing inside you. It turns you on that he’s strong enough to push you off of him, but never attempts to. You cry out loudly when his hands curl around your waist to help you fuck his cock the way he likes it.

Jeonghan’s lidded gaze is focused on where you two are connected, watching as his cock disappears in and out of your little pussy with every rough bounce. He feels his balls start to tighten with his impending release. Never in his life has he felt so turned on. The way his stepdaughter is just using his cock like a toy is just driving him closer to the edge.

“Daddy,” you purr in Jeonghan’s ear. “You like my pussy better than my mom’s, don’t you?”

You already have your answer from the way he twitches and throbs inside you, his cock answering for him. It makes you happier than you expect. Of course, it would be you. Your pussy was made for him, and you’ll make sure he feels the same way by the end of the night.

“Fuck yeah I do,” Jeonghan groans as his hands go down to squeeze your ass. “Love this little princess cunt.”

You cry out loudly as your orgasm abruptly hits, coating his cock and balls with your essence. “Fuck, daddy! It’s yours! Only yours! You can have this princess pussy every day!”

Your fucked out moans do their job in pushing Jeonghan over the edge. He grips your hips and flips you under him, buries his head in your shoulder and frantically fucks you into the couch as he starts to spill his cum inside you. Lewd squelching fills the air as you happily wrap your legs around him and meet his thrusts to help him fuck his cum deeper inside you.

The both of you are panting by the time you’re done, but your stepdad makes no move to get off of you.

“Don’t think we’re done, little girl,” his voice is ravenous. “Daddy’s not letting you off this cock until you’re nice and stretched out.”

That’s how you end up on the bed he shares with your mother, face down and ass up as you beg for his cock. Jeonghan smirks, eyes trained on your sloppy hole. You look so hot like this, and he knows that he won’t ever let you go after tonight.

“What a nasty slut,” Jeonghan says, palms smoothing over the globes of your ass to keep you still. “Dripping all over my sheets. You want daddy’s cock that bad, honey?”

You whine and arch your back some more. “I need it!”

“Yeah?” You can tell he’s smirking. “Do you even care that your mom might wake up and see what a nasty slut her daughter is?”

You shake your head, pussy clenching around nothing. “Just want daddy’s cock in my little pussy.”

“Don’t worry, little girl,” Jeonghan groans as he kneels behind you. “Daddy’s going to stuff this needy hole and cover it with his cum.”

“Please!”

You cry out when Jeonghan shoves his thick cock into your clenching pussy. He bottoms out in a single thrust since you’re already so wet from when you rode him earlier. Your eyes roll to the back of your head, whining his name when you feel his balls slap against your clit.

“Oh, fuck,” your stepdad hisses. “Your little princess pussy keeps sucking me in, honey.”

Jeonghan spanks your ass. You moan loudly and clench down on his aching cock. “Mhm, just needed daddy’s cock to fill you up, huh?”

“Yes, daddy, yes!” You moan into his sheets.

The thick musk of sex fills the air as Jeonghan pulls his twitching cock out of you halfway only to slam it back into your needy cunt. You squeal and tighten around him when you feel him spread your ass and gently trace your asshole. His thumb slips down to gather juices from your dripping pussy and slides it back up to your asshole, gently pushing past the taut muscle. Your pussy clamps down on his dick hard, making him moan loudly.

“Can’t wait to break in this tight little hole too,” Jeonghan’s voice is thick with lust. “Gonna train you to take daddy’s cock in every hole.”

You moan and bounce back against him, cunt pulsing around his cock as his thumb slips in and out of your clenching rim. “Daddy!”

Jeonghan laughs in delight. “Sounds like you like it.”

You nod your head, and Jeonghan fucks into you harder, balls slapping against your sloppy cunt with every rough thrust. “God, you’re fucking tight.”

He groans when your sweet little pussy clenches around him again.

“Feels so fucking good, daddy,” you say as your eyes roll to the back of your head. “Love your big cock.”

You cry out in pleasure when his hand pulls away from your ass to slip his fingers over your hip to pinch and rub your sensitive clit.

“Is my little girl already cock drunk?” Jeonghan is way too pleased when you deliriously nod your head with a fucked out mewl.

You’re fucking perfect. It makes him wish he would’ve done this sooner.

“My pretty little slut,” Jeonghan coos adoringly. “Just a sweet little hole to dump my load into. Isn’t that right, baby?”

You shiver and meet his thrusts with more vigor, “Yes! Stuff my little hole full of your cum, daddy!”

“Fucking shit,” Jeonghan hisses as he grabs your hair and yanks you backward to give you a sloppy kiss.

His hips never stop, only snapping harder against you.

“I’ll give it to you, honey. Daddy’s going to cream your hot little cunt all night long.”

You mewl in satisfaction when your head is shoved back into the mattress as you keep getting railed hard. Wet slapping fills the room as your stepdad continues spearing you open on his cock. The smell of sex permeates the room as Jeonghan keeps using your body for his pleasure.

“Daddy’s close, baby,” Jeonghan groans.

You moan loudly. “Gonna cum, daddy!”

You’re moaning so loud now, and you don’t really care that your mom might wake up and come upstairs to catch her husband fucking you raw. All you can care about is how good you feel. You grind your pussy down on your stepdad’s throbbing cock while his fingers rub fast circles on your puffy clit.

“Yeah? Do it, honey.” Jeonghan leans forward to bite your shoulder. “Cream on me. Want to feel your juices all over my cock.”

His cock pistons in and out of your hot cunt, ramming against your g-spot repeatedly until all you can do is chant his name. You’re a moaning mess at this point, only caring about the white-hot pleasure you’re feeling.

“Gonna cum!” You slur out, drool dripping on the mattress.

“Cum for daddy, baby. Cum all over this cock.”

With those commanding words, Jeonghan spanks your cunt hard, palm coming down on your clit over and over until you’re screaming out in pleasure. It’s not long before your orgasm hits. Slick gushes out around his cock as he keeps fucking into that spongy spot and spanking your pussy. Your eyes roll to the back of your head as liquid spurts from your pussy and coats his cock and balls, making a mess all over the sheets.

It feels like electricity is coursing through your body from how intense you cum. Your fingers and toes curl in on themselves as your cunt pulses and clenches down on his cock.

“Fuck yes,” Jeonghan growls, as he keeps pounding into your fluttering pussy. “Didn’t know you were a squirter, little girl. So fucking sexy.”

It only takes a few more thrusts for him to bury himself deep inside your cunt and release his hot load inside you. Thick spurts of cum fill you up as he moans your name like it’s something holy. Jeonghan fucks his cum deeper inside you, making no move to slip out of your spent pussy.

However, you’re not done. Far from it, actually.

Jeonghan quickly flips you on your back, one hand on your hip and his other on your thigh. He’s spreading you open and holding you down as he starts to roll his hips into you. A deep groan leaves his mouth every time you clench down on him.

“Da—addy!” You cry out at a particularly sharp thrust that slams against your sweet spot and has you clenching violently around him, teetering on the edge already.

Jeonghan smirks, loving what a cock hungry slut you are. Not that he’s any better. He’s already addicted to your sweet little cunt.

“I know, honey, I know,” he coos in a sickly sweet voice as he continues to fuck you deep and hard. “Daddy’s cock feels good, huh?”

You nod stupidly, all coherent thoughts long gone from your mind. “Uh-huh. Feels so—so good!”

Jeonghan spits on your pussy as you grasp the sheets underneath you. You’re dripping all over him, making an obscene squelching noise every time his cock hits deep inside your tight pussy. He loves the way your pretty pussy opens up to let his aching cock inside. The way you grip him is the hottest sight he’s ever seen, and he knows nothing will ever compare.

“Daddy,” you mewl, barely able to think.

The only thing on your mind is that you want him to cum inside you again. You can’t voice your thoughts because an orgasm rocks your body all over again. Jeonghan laughs delightedly, loving how you keep wetting his dick with your orgasms.

“Dirty little girl,” he growls, bullying his cock into you harder than before. “Making such a mess on daddy’s cock.”

You mewl again, “I need…”

“Need what, baby?” Jeonghan coaxes as he starts to rub slow circles on your throbbing clit. “Say it. Tell daddy what you need, honey.”

“N-Need you to—!” His voice is so sweet that all you can do is break off into another moan. Your pussy tightens and stains his cock with more cream. All you can smell is sex and Jeonghan’s cologne. It only pushes you close to the edge once again.

Jeonghan laughs softly and fucks into you just a little harder, “You need me to...? Use your words, little girl. Daddy can’t give you what you want if you don’t tell him. Better hurry before your mom wakes up and finds you getting fucked like the nasty whore you are.”

That won’t happen, but you don’t need to know that. Although he can tell the thought of your mom catching you in their bed, fucking like animals, turns you on.

“Cum inside me, daddy. Please.”

Your words are slightly slurred and completely fucked out, and Jeonghan bites his lip before smirking down at you. There’s no way he can deny you his seed, especially when you’re asking him so nicely.

“There you go, honey. Take all of daddy’s cum like a good little slut.”

You and Jeonghan moan together when he spills his hot cum inside you. He fucks it into you like the last two times, loving how your tight pussy flutters and pulses around him. You’re such a good girl that you thank him repeatedly through a moan.

The rest of the night you two fuck in every position possible. Jeonghan is insatiable, and you’re tired and completely fucked out before he even thinks about letting you off his cock.

Jeonghan has your back pressed against his chest, a strong arm wrapped around your neck as he pounds you into his mattress. All of your previous orgasms leak on the sheets beneath you as you cry and gasp from the overstimulation. It all feels so good, but you don’t think you can handle any more.

“Daddy,” you whimper pathetically. “C-Can’t cum anymore.”

It feels like your head is starting to spin as his cock splits your pussy open. Jeonghan pounds into your g-spot relentlessly, cock swelling when he sees the tears streaming down your face. His cock twitches and throbs because despite your words, you’re still moving your hips to meet his thrusts.

Your stepdad smirks meanly. “Is that why you keep rutting against me like a nasty slut, little girl?”

You cry out when Jeonghan releases you and sits up to roughly smack your ass. He repeats the harsh motion until you’re screaming in pleasure. Your cunt clenches around him, hips involuntarily bucking back in an attempt to force his fat dick deeper into your tiny little pussy. It’s like an automatic reaction, but your stepdad loves it.

“Just lay there and let daddy breed you, honey,” Jeonghan growls when you give him another weak orgasm. He groans and smacks your ass as he forces the juices out of your soiled cunt with every snap of his hips. “Be a good cock sleeve for me.”

“Want it so bad, daddy!” You cry out, pussy fucked raw yet still so desperate for another one of his hot loads. “Breed me like the slut I am.”

“Want you to scream for me, baby.” Jeonghan moans as his head falls back. He pounds into your hot cunt harder, gripping your hips tighter as he chases his orgasm, using your pussy to get himself off. “Let your mother know how much you love your stepdad’s cock.”

“DADDY!” You scream at the top of your lungs, almost hoping your mom will walk upstairs and see her husband stuffing you full of cum on their marital bed.

Jeonghan cries out as his balls tighten up. His moan is loud as you cry out in pleasure, your pussy involuntarily giving him a fifth orgasm as he spills rope after rope of cum into your sopping pussy. He fucks you nice and deep, whispering filthy praises in your ear the entire time.

Your stepdad lets out a low hiss as he pulls his softening cock out of your sloppy pussy. He licks his lips and forces his cum back in with three of his fingers, pressing so deep into you that his wedding band touches your puffy little pussy lips, making you whine.

“Such a good little girl,” Jeonghan coos as he fingers his cum back into your pussy with a filthy smirk. “My pretty little slut.”

You’re completely fucked out, feeling completely satiated as you slump into the bed. You mewl softly when Jeonghan pulls you into his arms and starts to rub soothing circles on your pussy.

“Sleep, baby. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

He presses a gentle kiss on your temple, and just like that you’re out like a light.

Jeonghan smirks into your hair when your breathing evens out and you fall into a deep sleep. There’s no better feeling than knowing his plan worked perfectly.

Admittedly, your mom played a significant role. With her insecure and angry personality, it was easy to make himself look like the victim. Faking the maudlin expressions and crushed spirit was easy enough, especially since you’ve always been so empathetic. Getting his wife to stay out all night was easy since he always lied and told her he’d be at the bar. She went looking for him every single time not knowing he was at home, fucking his fist to the thought of you.

And then there was the final act.

Inviting his unsuspecting wife for a drink was easy enough. Despite all of the fighting, she still wanted to have Jeonghan to herself. She couldn’t have known that he spiked her drink so he could stage the perfect tragedy. It worked perfectly since you didn’t think twice about believing him.

Everything has worked out as he hoped, and now all he has to think of is the future with his true beloved. You.

[neh-sekssi]

the ride | jeonghan

Note: Three month hiatus!!! Wow!!! So I realized that I write on spontaneous bursts of energy which is why I’ve been hella quiet but during quarantine I been thinking about Jeonghan a bit too much lately and wanted to do this quick piece. Somebody said he’s the Loki of Seventeen so I kept that in mind while writing this LOL. Stay thirsty, my friends.

Pairing: jeonghan x reader (female)

Synopsis: After taking a flight to finally meet your online partner, they flake on you and never show up to dinner. Tired and frustrated, you call for a lift to go to your complex. Your driver happens to be a devilishly handsome man you can’t take your eyes off of. How many rides are you willing to take for a dick appointment? 

Word Count: 1.7k

Smut Warning: sub!reader dom!jeonghan, car sex, flirting, grinding, oral (f/m. giving/receiving), straddling, nail scratching on back, **i swear it’s consensual even though it sounds like it isn’t (i just really like doms ok)

“I don’t often get the chance to talk to someone like you.”

Your driver looks over his shoulder at you and offers a friendly smile. You meet his eyes in the rearview mirror and politely nod your head before quickly looking away. You’ve never met anyone as handsome as him, which leaves you blushing and averting your gaze to the window.

“Long night?” he asks.

“Actually, it was cut a bit short.” The driver looks at you in his rearview mirror and lifts both his eyebrows as if asking for an explanation.

“It’s no big deal. I just… well, I flew for six hours to get here but the person I was supposed to meet for dinner never showed up. I was probably catfished. Anyway, I called for a lift and now we’re here. Thanks for not bailing on me,” you laugh faintly as your voice trails off. I can’t believe I took an airplane for a dick appointment.

“What an asshole,” your driver exclaims. “You even dressed up to look good for them. I’m glad I was able to save you from your terrible night.”

You bite your bottom lip and peak at the rearview mirror. His eyes are fixated on the road but you want to lock eyes again. You lean back against the headrest and close your eyes. Is he… flirting with me? Because I was stood up? Does he feel bad for me? Or is he just being nice? You try to ignore the throbbing in your pants but it seems to get worse the more he speaks to you.

In the midst of your thoughts, your stomach grumbles to break the silence. Slightly embarrassed by the sudden noise, you say awkwardly, “Ahhh. Didn’t even get to eat dinner.” “Don’t worry. We’re almost home,” he responds.

ㅡ

“You can pull up over there,” you say as you direct him towards your complex’s parking garage. He has trouble finding parking but finds space on the fourth floor where there are barely any cars. He turns off the engine and helps you bring your luggage all the way to your doorstep.

“Oh! I think I left my phone in your car,” you gasp. “I’ll go with you,” he responds.

Back in the parking garage, you open the right back door of his car and look for your phone under the front passenger seat. You hear the left back door open opposite of you and look up. He’s also bent down behind the driver’s seat and his face is barely a foot apart from yours. You become entranced in his gaze, his deep brown eyes.

“Found it,” he smirks as he pulls your phone from behind him. “O-oh,” you say as your snap back to reality. “Thank you.” He passes over your phone and his warm hand brushes against yours. You notice that there’s a nameless number on the screen.

“Call me if you ever need saving. Someone like you shouldn’t have to wait for anyone.” You see his eyes fixate on your lips.

Am I really gonna do this? He’s hot. And I didn’t get any dick tonight.

You know what? Fuck it. 

Your lips quickly find his as if two magnets had been waiting to meet. He holds the nape of your neck with his right hand and pulls you completely into the car while closing the door behind him with his left. He swirls his tongue in your mouth as if beckoning the throbbing in your pants to give in. He lies you down and climbs on top of you. You’ve been craving this moment the entire flight. His lips still working like magic, you feel him grind against you as he reaches behind you to pull your door shut. A knot forms in your stomach as he thrusts into your hips deeper, his hard-on teasing you against your pants.

His hand finds its way to the inside of your pants. “Have you been wet the entire ride? God, I knew it.” Without hesitation, two fingers slide into your folds and you let out the loudest moan. You’ve been holding it in the entire night and the pleasure felt like a breath of fresh air. He’s quick to shut you back up with deep, passionate kisses. He won’t let you rest for a moment.

You’ve become so wet that his fingers slip in and out with ease. He rubs your clit with his thumb, sending a shock down your spine. He moves quicker and quicker, curling his fingers each time to hit your sweet spot. Your eyes roll back and you see the windows starting to fog up. As you moan through your intertwined tongues, he pulls back and says, “You’ve been wanting me ever since I picked you up, huh? Making my car wet?” He takes his fingers out from your pants and puts them in your mouth. You swirl your tongue and suck on them to show him exactly what you want. You feel him grow harder and reach your hand to stroke it but he stops you before you can even move.

“Let me show you why you flew all the way here.”

In one swift movement, he pulls your pants down and takes a good look at you. His lips trace your inner thighs, melting you with every kiss. He kisses your folds, then glides his tongue from the bottom of your entrance to the top of your clit. He sucks on it and moans, sending vibrations throughout your body. You arch your back as his tongue slides into you. Tasting every inch of you, you can tell by his rough oral that he wants you badly. Holding your thigh for support, he inserts two fingers and sucks your clit at the same time. He moves his fingers in and out as he flicks tip of his tongue up and down your slit.

“Fuck me,” you plead.

He smirks at your desperation, the same smirk he gave you when he “found” your phone. His eyes have a snakish look in them as if whispering I’ve got you right where I want you. “You hungry?” he asks sarcastically.

“Fucking starving. Please.”

You sit up on your knees as he rests himself on the seat. Your hands couldn’t unzip his pants any faster. He finally reveals his hard-on and you’re mesmerized at his length. The knot in your stomach grew tighter. Suddenly, you feel his warm hand on the nape of your neck again.

“Say ‘ahhh.’”

He pulls your head down towards his crotch, groaning when he enters your mouth. His hand moves from the nape of your neck to the back of your head. He controls your rhythm by pulling your hair up and down and moans deeply with each stroke. You desperately want to return the favor, making sure he hits the back of your throat each time, licking him all around like sweet ice cream. You moan in response and he tugs your hair a bit harder.

He pulls you up from the seat and positions you on his lap, facing him.

“Ride me.”

At his command, you stroke him as you position yourself right at his tip. You’re too careful and take longer than he wants; with both hands on either side of your waist, he pulls you down onto his length. A warm rush of euphoria spreads throughout your body, both of you moaning in unison. You feel the force of his hands guiding your hips, directing you, controlling you. Each thrust feels deeper, wetter. You put your hands on his shoulders for balance but he places them behind his neck, locking your fingers with yourself. The way he asserts authority over any small movement makes you weak. Even when you’re on top of him, you feel completely dominated.

You close your eyes and throw your head back, mouth agape with moans escaping your lips with each bounce. His heavy breathing turns you on even more. You open your eyes and see him working your waist, his brows furrowed, lips bitten, hair stuck to the sweat of his forehead. The mere sight of him is hot.

Your vision instantly darkens as the parking garage lights dim from the inactivity on the floor. Losing your sight makes you focus on feeling his every inch inside of you. He holds you stationary in the air, then thrusts into you with his own movement. You gasp in surprise at the sensation, encouraging him to go harder. He’s able to slide in and out so much quicker and you start to feel dizzy. With your left hand bracing his shoulder, your right hand grabs a fistful of his hair and you tug his head back. He immediately stops and gives in to you. Finally.

You start sucking on his exposed neck and he lets out moans of relief. Simultaneously, you roll your hips into his and ride him. You try to go deeper with each grind as it hits better and better on your G-spot. His hands snake their way up your back and you feel his nails dig into your skin. You arch your back as a reflex and he pulls you into his chest. He bites at your neck more roughly than before. The pain sends you higher and makes you thrust roughly into him. Seeing his dark figure at your own disposal arouses you so much.

After a final thrust, you feel him throb inside of you, filling you up. He lets out the loudest moan of the night, sending you to your climax. You continue to ride him and he moans gently from his sensitivity.

“Fuck. I’m cumming!” you cry. You release yourself and ecstasy overtakes you as both of you flow from inside. You melt on top of him and he chuckles at your limp body.

“Let me get you cleaned up,” he says warmly, the same tone he had when he was driving, completely different to the one he had mere seconds ago.

“I never got your name,” you say as you sit down onto the seat. He opens the car door and the lights flicker back on.

He hands you your phone, and again you wonder how and when the hell he took it. “Say my name next time,” he winks.

You look at the new contact name matching the phone number from earlier and smile.

Jeonghan

[junkissed]

lessons in fine dining

★ | member — jeonghan x waitress!fem reader ★ | genre — romance, smut with plot ★ | word count — 10.2k

★ | synopsis — working as a waitress in a high-end restaurant, you've grown used to catering to rich people's needs. but there's one customer who's made it his mission to serve you instead.

★ | warnings — a hint of miscommunication, denial of feelings, excessive champagne consumption, nicknames (reader: angel, darling, baby), gross happy ending because i am who i am. not beta read. ★ | smut warnings — switch!jeonghan, service top jeonghan, competitive sex (is that a thing? yk how he is…), cunnilingus (#hanniemunchagenda), cowgirl style, hair pulling & slapping (jh receiving/very briefly), Lots of praise + body worship, unprotected sex ★ | notes — it's been a while but i'm officially back to writing - brand new junkissed content in 2026 wow!! of course i had to write something in honor of hannie's return :) also tried smth new with the banner pls lmk what you think >.< everybody who reblogs this gets a sticker that says "i survived jeonghan enlistment" so do your duty guys

“Psst. Hey.”

You don’t hear her the first time. Hissing your name under her breath a second time, Jennie grabs your arm as you walk past with a fresh bucket of ice, pulling you towards the nearest side station.

“Hey! That guy's in your section again.”

You freeze and set the bucket down behind the counter, watching her tilt her head towards the back corner of the restaurant. It’s hard to resist the urge to turn around and stare, but you manage to look nonchalant as you glance over your shoulder, pretending to scan the room. Sure enough, there he is: menu sitting untouched beside his plate, hands folded atop the table, and staring right at you.

Feeling your cheeks begin to burn, you quickly turn back around and busy yourself fidgeting with a stack of rolled-up napkins. You haven’t even talked to him yet, and somehow he still manages to fluster you. Suddenly you’re grateful that your coworker intercepted you, relieved to have at least a few more seconds to pretend to be focused while you have a chance to collect yourself.

“Have you gotten his number yet, girl? Or at least his name? Because I don't think he's gonna stop coming until you do.”

“No,” you tell her sheepishly, risking a discreet glance over your shoulder at him. Still staring. “I could’ve looked at his card when he signed the check, I guess. But that feels kinda invasive. He didn’t offer, so I didn’t ask.” 

She narrows her eyes playfully at you in disapproval. “Oh, come on, he’s been making ‘fuck-me’ eyes at you for weeks. That counts as him offering!” She shifts her weight, her lips pursed into a thin line like she’s thinking hard. “If you don’t wanna ask, then just… write your phone number on the back of his receipt or something. That would be—”

“—Unprofessional,” you finish for her. With a rag you wipe the condensation from the ice bucket, throwing out a glare at her when she huffs at your refusal. “He probably just likes the booth seats. Some people are weird like that, I don't know. I don’t even know if he’s available, either. That’s the more important question here.”

She gives you a doubtful look. “He shows up alone, every Wednesday night, and asks to be seated at the same table. You’re telling me you seriously think it’s because he likes the furniture? Why do you really think that is?”

“Then it’s the privacy, probably.” You shrug and move past her, dumping out the bucket and refilling it with fresh ice. “It’s the farthest away from the bar. Maybe he doesn’t like the noise.”

“Noise?” She scoffs and puts her free hand on her hip, one eyebrow raised as she goes silent for a few seconds. Even at the peak hours of the night there’s little more than a light chatter in the air, mixing with quiet jazz music playing from the building’s speakers. It’s a bullshit reason and you know it. But you aren’t going to give in to her pestering, and she must be able to sense that because she finally sighs and wipes her hand on her waist apron. “Fine. Whatever. But you can’t avoid him forever. Clearly he’s gonna keep showing up to see you.”

You give her a scowl, but she’s right. You totally are avoiding him, but realistically, what does she expect you to do? Ask him to fuck you on the table in the middle of your shift?

She hands you a chilled bottle of champagne, wiping the neck before draping the hand towel over the side of your bucket. Even she’s started to recognize his routine, ready with the bottle of Dom Perignon that he always asks for ahead of his meal, before anyone’s even taken his order yet. “Quit stalling and go over there, before he leaves us a bad review. He could be an undercover food critic or something, and then Joshua would really kill us.”

The threat of your boss throwing a fit over negative publicity is too real, so you glare at her one last time before inhaling a deep breath. You smooth down your apron and grab a folding stand for his drink. When you turn to start toward his table he’s still staring, but he perks up ever so slightly when he recognizes you starting to head in his direction.

As usual, you greet him with a smile and begin setting up the bottle, slicing open the foil and twisting the cage at the top of the champagne bottle to loosen it. And as usual, he sits back and watches, quiet and observant to your every move in a way that makes you more anxious than any other customer you’ve served.

“Hi— er, good evening. I apologize for the wait. We’ve been a little… slammed tonight.”

It would be impossible for him not to notice the fact that half the tables are empty, but to your relief he doesn’t mention it. There’s only one other party in your section right now, and they’ve been chatting over post-dinner coffee for nearly an hour. Compared to the nights when Rêverie is fully booked, your shift has been practically dead.

“That’s alright.” His voice is smooth, a hint of a low drawl to it that always makes you think of syrup for some reason: sweet and thick, with just the right amount of warmth. This man has the kind of voice that people fall asleep to. “I’m a patient guy.”

You try your best to ignore the tension between you, but it continues to build as he orders: a Steak au Poivre with the salad of the day. Something about the way the French names roll easily from his lips just does it for you, apparently. It takes all your energy to focus on keeping a straight face and not doing something to embarrass yourself.

Just as you start to walk away to relay his order to the kitchen, you hear your name in that familiar voice and you freeze, whipping around to face him. He’s sitting up straighter, leaned over the table to get a better view. He gestures to the nametag on your apron, repeating it once more as you look down at it in confusion. “Am I saying that right?”

Warmth burns in the tips of your ears. Why are you suddenly so shy? But deep down you know exactly why, and it’s no use trying to pretend you don’t. It’s because your name sounds so good on his tongue, long and leisurely and sexy. It’s a sound you wouldn’t mind hearing him say again, and again and again and—

“Yeah.”

“Alright. Great. I’ve been here so many times, I figured I should at least know your name by now.” He smiles and gives a small nod, relaxing back into his seat. There’s a mischievous look in his eye, a mix of coy and confident. “I’m Jeonghan.”

For a moment you let his name roll around in your head, attaching itself to your memory. As much as you hate to admit that Jennie was right, it feels good to finally have a name to go with the face that’s been haunting your workplace for weeks.

For the rest of the evening, something in the air feels different. Your glances across the room at his table are met with self-satisfied grins from him, always catching your eye and holding contact for a few seconds longer than he should. You find any excuse to linger at his table, refilling his water glass or bringing him another basket of bread so you can talk with him a little more. You can almost hear your manager Joshua’s voice in your head, scolding you for spending so much time with a customer instead of leaving them alone to enjoy their meal, but Jeonghan clearly doesn’t seem to mind.

“Why don’t you sit and have some champagne? There’s still half a bottle left,” he asks you at one point, patting the booth next to him with a smirk. “Plenty of room here for two.”

You sigh, putting your hand on your hip with a teasing smile, though the idea doesn’t sound as terrible to you as it probably should. “I’m working, Jeonghan. They’d fire me.”

“Fine,” he pouts, though he doesn’t press any further. You’ve begun to notice that while he loves to joke around, there’s a fine line he won’t cross when it comes to being serious. He pushes your buttons, but never to do any actual harm. Still, he winks at you as you grab an empty plate from his table to make yourself look busy. “Next week, then? I might need your opinion on the menu.”

“I’ll still be working next week, too,” you say with a roll of your eyes, but even that doesn’t dissuade him.

“Perfect. Then I’ll see you next week, same time, same place.”

Jeonghan stays far later than he usually does, picking at his food so he has more excuses to talk to you whenever you make your rounds to check on your tables. After a while the late crowd begins to filter in, and reluctantly he takes the hint, signing the check and leaving a much larger tip than he should, nearly equal to the cost of his meal. 

As much as you’d like him to stay and chat all night, there’s other reservations and Joshua would definitely throw a fit if any customers were kept waiting. There are only a few upscale restaurants in town besides Rêverie, and its reputation makes it difficult to get in. Reservations are so sought-after that they have to be booked at least a month in advance. Which means that either Jeonghan has connections that are important enough to pull some strings and get him a table every week, or he’s been booking them himself all this time. Either way, you have to give him a little bit of credit; his dedication is impressive.

When he walks out the door, coat slung over one arm as he waves goodbye, there’s a little nagging feeling in your chest that starts to build. You push it away and try your best to refocus on work, but before you know it, once the emptiness has settled over the night as you finish out your shift, you realize what that feeling is. You miss him. And that’s how you know you’re screwed.

The following Wednesday passes with another fairly quiet shift, so tonight you’re standing at the side station watching as Jeonghan walks through the doors, sneaking glances at him as he follows the hostess to his regular seat. This time you don’t procrastinate, moving away from your spot to take out a chilled bottle of his usual champagne and a fresh bucket of ice.

You try not to stare as you work, quickly setting up everything you need for his evening, but it’s hard not to let your eyes wander in his direction. He’s in a different suit tonight, a three-piece with a sleek vest underneath that makes his dark colored tie stand out.

As soon as he sits down he pulls out his phone, typing quickly before setting it face-down on top of the table. Taking it as your cue, you grab everything and head over to the booth, surprising yourself with how eager you are. It’s been nice, having something at work to look forward to, now that you aren’t denying how fond you’ve grown of Jeonghan.

You unfold the stand and place the bucket on it, positioning a towel as you prepare to uncork it, but he quickly waves his hand in the air to stop you.

“Oh, not tonight. Sorry,” he says. You frown a little from being surprised, but it’s nothing to worry about. Sometimes people want to switch up their routines. But he goes on, shifting in his seat. “I’m expecting company. But you can put everything on my card like usual.”

You freeze, trying not to show how taken aback you are. Company? It’s been nearly two months of this, of him showing up like clockwork every week, but you can’t expect him to not have friends to go out with. Or maybe a business dinner for work. Your ego is a little wounded from not being able to anticipate the change in his habits, but there’s definitely an explanation. Don’t jump to conclusions, you tell yourself.

“Right. My apologies. I shouldn’t have…” You trail off, but quickly cover it with a cough and bring back the friendly smile on your face. “Would you like me to come back when you’re ready to order, then, or should I grab drinks for the table while you wait?”

“We’ll wait to order together,” Jeonghan says assuredly. His phone vibrates on the table, and he picks it up and types something out quickly, not looking up at you again.

You stand there awkwardly for another few seconds before you finally nod and fold the ice bucket stand back up. “Sure. Yeah. I’ll go grab another place setting for you.”

Feeling more reluctant than before, you take the bottle back to the counter, fumbling to quickly collect an extra set of napkins and silverware along with a second menu. You know you shouldn’t have assumed, even if the customer is a regular like Jeonghan, but you still can’t help feeling blindsided. He isn’t acting any different, but something about tonight still feels strangely off.

You’re even more sure of that when you turn around again to start making your way back to his table. A few steps ahead of you, there’s a woman striding towards him: tall, elegant, her hair pulled up into a loose bun with small black strands framing her face like waves. You can’t help but stare; it feels like everything’s happening in slow motion, shell-shocked as you watch her duck down close to him to say something in his ear before she takes her seat across from him. You stand still for a moment, unable to move as he flashes her a wide grin and leans back in his seat. His body language is much more open now, one arm laid over the back of the booth with his legs splayed beneath the table, wide and casual.

It shouldn’t hurt so much—it shouldn’t hurt you at all—but it does. Weeks of shameless flirting, and for what? Was he just staking out restaurants for good date night spots all this time, waiting to find the right place to take his partner? Does that count as cheating, and should you let her know the way he’s been eyeing you up and down for the past couple months has been anything but professional?

You hesitate for just a moment longer as they talk animatedly, and eventually you have to swallow your pride and go interrupt them with the list of tonight’s specials. “Good evening. We’re happy to have you at Rêverie tonight. Can I get you both started with some drinks?”

Your usual monologue comes out stilted and cold, the same way you’ve rehearsed for what feels like hundreds of times every shift. In your peripheral you almost think you see Jeonghan narrow his eyes in a frown, but you keep your gaze directed at his guest so it’s hard to tell for sure. It’s easier to focus on her than to try to meet his eyes, still feeling embarrassed.

If he does notice it, though, then his partner does not, because she replies quickly and easily, ordering plain sparkling water with a friendly smile. Jeonghan does the same, but unlike every other night he’s been here, his voice similarly comes out flatter than normal, using as few words as possible.

After taking their orders and sulking back to your station, you resolve to avoid that end of the restaurant for the rest of the night. You don’t want to risk overhearing their conversation and whatever romantic bullshit they’re probably talking about. You’ve served enough couples in your time working in fine dining to know that they’re the worst type of customers. People think no one notices what they’re getting up to, but the staff are always aware. Whether it’s a first date, an anniversary, a birthday, or some other stupid occasion, no one is ever discreet about what they’re doing.

To make it even worse, your favorite coworkers aren’t here tonight. God, you really wish Jennie was working. She wouldn’t mind running interference for you. She’d understand better than anyone, now that you have a real reason to pretend Jeonghan doesn’t exist.

By the time he and his “date” leave for the night, you’ve made up your mind. No matter how flirty he is, no matter how much chemistry you have with him, from now on you’re going to act like he means nothing to you. It’s for the best, honestly. You should have known better than to get involved with a customer, and this was the warning you needed to get your priorities straight. As nice as he was, whatever was going on between you and Jeonghan is over, starting now.

Most days you look forward to the weekend and the well-needed time off that it offers, but this time you spend most of it anxiously awaiting the coming days. It’s not like you’ve ever particularly loved coming to work, but there’s a newfound sense of dread now that you know you might have to talk to Jeonghan again. At one point in time, the idea of seeing him almost would have excited you, but not anymore. Not after last week’s embarrassment.

When you get to Rêverie on Wednesday for your shift, you try to get lost in your work, making way more trips back to the kitchen than necessary. You know you’re lingering too much and probably getting in the way of the chef team, but it’s all you can do to stop yourself from watching the clock, counting down the hours.

Still, nothing you do stops Jeonghan from arriving at his usual time and requesting to be seated at his usual table. Across the room you can see him arguing with the maître d', a new hire that’s barely finished her training, who timidly tries to explain that she isn’t allowed to do that. You haven’t had very many conversations with Mina yet, but you’ve gotta hand it to her, she’s been dedicated to the house rules. It’s just too bad that there isn’t any rule against customers making requests, no matter how annoying they are.

Before you can do anything to help her out Jennie appears at her side, empty tray in hand, and whispers something in her ear before pointing to the booth in your section. She nods, bowing slightly to Jeonghan and reluctantly leading him to the back corner of the restaurant.

Damn. And you’d almost thought that you might get out of this unscathed after all.

He’s alone again, but it’s hard to tell just from a first glance whether he’s expecting company again or not. You’re tempted to feign sick and beg Jennie to take over your section for the rest of the night, but you couldn’t do that to her. She’s busy enough with the tables in her own section. And besides, she’d just end up convincing you to go talk to him anyway, and you’re not in the mood for another pep-talk.

Mentally preparing yourself, you leave the bottle behind this time as you make your best attempt to walk over to his table with your head held high. The rejection from last week still stings a little, and you’re not eager to repeat the encounter by bringing along something unwanted for a second time.

As usual he greets you with a smile, and as usual your stomach fills with butterflies, despite your best efforts to push them down. This little crush on him you’ve developed clearly isn’t going to lead anywhere, you remind yourself. After so many weeks of seeing each other it’s hard to ignore the instinct to crack jokes, flirting at every opportunity, but the air feels different now. You just need to accept that you read the situation wrong, you made a mistake, and it’s time to move on. It’s better to be professional, anyway. Flirting too much with a customer is dangerous in the long run. It’s not worth losing your job over him.

Before you can even think about starting your customer service script, Jeonghan speaks right away, leaving you no room to skirt around the issue. “Why are you ignoring me?”

His voice is smooth like you’re used to, that low sound from deep in his throat that always makes you feel special for some reason, like he’s talking to you and only you. Chewing on your lip, you have to remind yourself that that’s not true. It never was.

In a split second, you have to decide whether to play along with your faux-friendly waiter voice or confront him, but the importance of keeping your job prevents you from doing the latter. Making a scene in public is the last thing you need, on top of everything else. Instead, you internally give yourself permission to be as passive aggressive as you want to him. You’re fairly good at letting it roll right off your back, but working in this industry sometimes you need more than a friendly smile and a good attitude. No, this is the attitude you usually save for rude, entitled, spoiled, rich, bratty assho— well, er, difficult customers. Either way, right now Jeonghan is being one of those “difficult customers”.

So you plaster on an even brighter, even faker smile and stand up straight, your hands folded formally behind your back. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what you mean. Shall we start with drinks, or are we still waiting for the rest of our party to arrive?” That last line is spiteful and comes out more snarky than you mean it to, but you can’t lie that it doesn’t feel good to say, not after the roller coaster of emotions he’s put you through.

“Right.” Jeonghan sighs and nods once, as if he finally understands. At least he has the decency to look a little wounded at your words, but you know by now that it’s an act. “I guess I deserved that.”

He pauses for a second like he’s debating his next words. “No,” he answers finally, tilting his head back to look up at you. God, those eyes. Your stomach flips at the sight of his bashful face, faintly hidden behind his thin, wire-rimmed glasses. “I’m here alone. Last week…” he lets out another long sigh as he pauses. Does he think it’s amusing to have to explain this to you? You want to slap him right across his gorgeous, perfect face.

“That was my boss. She’s retiring. Last week—Wednesday—was her last day, and I’m taking over her position at the company. So we had dinner to celebrate.” He glances down at the table, and if you didn’t know any better you might almost think he was being sheepish. “And she’s happily married, by the way. To her wife. Not me.”

“Oh.”

After a few seconds of silence you realize how dumb you sound, standing there taking in this news. Come on! All you have to say for yourself is ‘oh’? But his explanation actually makes sense, and his honesty catches you so off guard that you can’t think of any other reply.

If he’s humored by your reaction, he doesn’t show it. In fact, the next words out of his mouth are the last thing you’re expecting to hear. “Look, I get how it probably seemed, and that’s my fault. I wasn’t planning on taking her here, but she’d never been and she’d heard me rave about the food so many times before, so…” Jeonghan exhales, nostrils flaring a little bit as he trails off. “I’m sorry. I mean it. I wasn’t trying to give you the wrong impression.”

“And what impression is that?” FInally getting control of your tongue again, you fold your arms over your chest as you stare down at him. A small part of you is proud of yourself, for managing to recover and string together a coherent reply. But deep down, his apology is appreciated. It’s not every day that a man in your life accepts blame, especially when he’s the one who’s been leading you on.

“The impression that I’m not single. And not wondering if you are, too.”

You nearly choke, struggling to process what he’s just said. The worst part is the sincerity in his gaze as he looks at you, how he meets your eyes and doesn’t back down, as if challenging you to keep denying your feelings for him. It’s the most forward he’s ever been in all the times he’s come here, a buildup of weeks of flirtation and shy back-and-forth. The confidence with which he finally acknowledges it, out loud and explicit, gives you a rush you’ve never felt before.

He just continues to sit there staring up at you, waiting expectantly, and suddenly you realize you’ve been silent for way too long. What do you even say to follow up to that? 

Afraid of getting too far ahead of yourself, you shift your weight, arms still crossed defensively. “So then what’s the reason you keep coming here so often? The food, or me?”

“Both.” He smirks, pleased with his answer when you pretend to frown at him. “But mostly you. There’s any number of fancy places I could throw money away at in this city, but there’s only one that has you.”

And just like that, you feel yourself melting. It’s a cheesy, overused line, but somehow coming from his mouth it works. It should be studied, the way his voice makes you feel like the most important person in the room.

“Fine. I’ll bite. What is it you want? Besides annoying me every Wednesday night.”

“Well, first of all, I’d like to order my dinner. Still a paying customer, after all.” There’s that grin again, the one that makes you want to strangle him to death and then kiss him afterward. “But I wanna see you after your shift tonight, if you’d let me. Maybe go somewhere. Dessert’s on me.”

You sigh, checking your wristwatch. “I don’t get off for another… three and a half hours. You aren’t really gonna wait here that long, are you?”

“I’d wait forever for you, beautiful. Told you I was a patient guy.”

You pretend to make a gagging sound, but he only grins at your reaction. You have to admit, he’s kind of endearing. “We have other customers, you know. You’re taking up space.”

“I’ll leave a nice tip, don’t worry,” he chuckles, not a bit offended. “Maybe I’ll demand to see the manager so I can tell them how good the service was. Do you think that’d win me some points?”

“Alright, alright! I’ll decide whether I’m feeling up to it or not once I get off. I’ve been here all day already. That’s all I’m gonna promise.”

Jeonghan flashes a smug smile as he crosses his arms, a casual gesture, but it emphasizes the broadness of his shoulders. “I’ll take what I can get.” He gestures with his head, nodding towards another party a few tables away who are making it extremely obvious that they’re looking for somebody to give them a drink refill. “Hey, go finish your shift. Just don’t forget about me.” 

You roll your eyes, but he shoots you a wink as you walk away. As you turn towards the next table, you prepare your customer-service voice once more, but inside you couldn’t be happier with the way things played out. Well, maybe if he had tried to make a move sooner then it would’ve saved you a weekend of heartbreak, but you have to admit that you’re partially at fault for not saying something earlier too.

As promised, three hours later Jeonghan remains glued to his seat, nursing a cup of coffee.

The rest of the evening seemed to fly by, without any problems — except for the strange looks from your coworkers, and the new maître d' who’d asked a couple times if you wanted her to find Joshua for help getting rid of the guy, thinking he was harassing you. It was a fair assumption, especially considering how many times he’d waved you over to his table to chat with him it might as well be harassment, but you assured her you didn’t need help.

Finally you finish checking out the last party in your section, and you’ve never been more grateful not to be closing tonight. If you had to do all your regular work on top of cleaning and sweeping and helping prep for tomorrow then there’d be no chance of you having enough energy to meet Jeonghan afterwards, but whoever had created the schedule this week must’ve been on your side. Jennie’s the one working the closing shift for tonight, so you make a mental note to text her later to fill her in.

Making eye contact with him from across the room, you look at your watch and then tip your head towards the exit, and he scrambles to stand up, shrugging on his coat. You disappear through the doors marked ‘employees only’ for a moment to grab your belongings, balling up your apron and throwing your purse over your shoulder. When you re-emerge you find him waiting at the entryway of the restaurant, resting his arm on the counter as he chats with Mina. You wave and give her a brief good night, and her eyes dart to Jeonghan for a second before returning the goodbye, a subtle pink creeping into her cheeks.

Though the restaurant is still open for a few more hours, the parking lot is sparse at this hour and it doesn’t take long to find your car. Jeonghan walks with you, standing beside your parking spot with his hands tucked into the pockets of his slacks.

“So were you thinking your place, or mine?”

You turn and scoff at him, raising an eyebrow as you begin to fish around in your purse for your keys. “I never agreed to that. I don’t sleep around on the first date.”

Jeonghan smirks. “Who says this is our first date? In fact, this is our…” He counts on his fingers one by one, tallying them off as he speaks. “… ninth. The first date I had pork belly, the second one I had the seafood platter, then the third one—”

You smack his arm. “You call that a date? I don’t think it counts as taking me out to dinner if I’m the one serving it to you.”

“Then let me serve you this time.” He grins mischievously, his eyes darkened with lust. “Is that fair enough?” His hands settle on your waist, and the weight of his touch makes you shiver.

“Only if you promise to take me on a real date next time.”

“I’ll take that deal.” He grins. “Actually, I was going to wait to ask you out until I’d tried the whole menu. Just to make sure I took you somewhere that was up to your standards. Since you’re the food expert here.”

You snort. “Well then, no wonder it took you three months to do something. We do have a pretty big menu.”

He runs his tongue along his teeth, making a thoughtful little sound. “You know, there’s still something I haven’t tried yet…”

His eyes remain fixed on you, but there’s something darker in his gaze as he stares deep into your eyes and slips his hand behind the base of your neck, intentionally slow to give you a chance to push him away. When you don’t move, the corner of his mouth quirks up in a satisfied smirk, and he finally closes the distance and presses his lips against yours. Reciprocating comes naturally to you, and you easily adapt to welcome his kiss, lips moving together in tandem with his.

You feel the pressure from his fingertips increase as he grips your head a little harder, guiding you against him and pulling you in closer. With a little gasp you finally wrap your arms around his body, and you feel him smile into the kiss at your touch. You can tell from the way he devours you how experienced he is and how cocky that makes him, and although the last thing you want to do is stroke his ego, he’s admittedly really good at it. The way he takes control is effortless, dominating the kiss and moving you in exactly the way that makes you feel good without even having to think about it yourself.

His hand on the back of your neck adjusts to explore your head, and you kiss him deeper as his fingers start to trail upwards to tangle in your hair. When his nails dig into your scalp and you let out a whimper into his mouth, he reluctantly pulls back to let you breathe for a second, but you quickly shake your head and try to chase his lips. “More—”

“More?” He quirks up an eyebrow tauntingly, and it’s so attractive it makes you want to smack him again. If this were anyone else you wouldn’t change your mind so quickly, but you’ve been holding back from him for so long that you don’t care even if it breaks your made-up dating rules. “Mm… I see. Well then, if that’s the case, are you really gonna make me ask again?” He pauses, watching the confusion register on your face as he looks on with raw, burning pleasure. “Don’t deny yourself. Answer me this time, darling. Your place or mine?”

“Whatever you want, it doesn’t make a difference to me.” You swallow thickly as you wipe at your bottom lip with your thumb, a futile attempt to fix your lipstick that you’re certain is now smudged beyond repair. Slowly your senses return to you, and you remember where you are: pressed against the side door of your car under a streetlamp. “Wait, but— my car…”

He points to the only other car nearby, a little black Corvette parked sitting quietly across the lot. You’d never thought to wonder what kind of car he drives, but somehow you aren’t surprised. The model seems to fit him. “We could take mine tonight. I’ll drive you back here to pick yours up tomorrow.”

You scoff, but it doesn’t have as much bite in it as it did before. “Tomorrow? You seem pretty confident that you’re getting laid.”

The corner of his mouth turns up in a cocky little smile. “I don’t like to be indirect with what I want. Waste of time, in my opinion. You know what I’m asking. If you want to dance around it, I’m not going to force you.” Jeonghan takes a step back from your car, but there’s a hint of smugness in his expression that says he already knows exactly what you’re thinking. “You know what? I’m sure you’ve had a busy evening, working on your feet all night. You should go home. I won’t keep you.”

He takes another half step backwards, and before you can stop yourself a pathetic little whimper tears from your throat as you move to follow him. It instantly makes you cringe how needy you sound, but he seems to only take satisfaction from your reaction as your hand shoots out to grab his wrist. “No. Hold on. I…” 

You sigh, finally admitting defeat. Teasing and dropping subtle hints has always been your style, but he’s managed to break you down and have you begging for him in the span of a few hours. It frustrates you to no end, but it’s also kind of turning you on. This clingy, desperate feeling in your chest is new to you, almost queasy from how badly you want more of his attention. 

You’ve never felt this way with your past relationships, always coming to an end too soon because of how quickly your attachment faded. The red-flag alarm in your head should probably be screaming at you right now, but the nonchalant way he brushes you off and the simultaneous determination in his gaze only makes your heart flutter. He doesn’t hide that he wants you — the look in his eyes alone is enough to tell you that — but at the same time he acts like he couldn’t care less whether you reciprocate or not. And something about that works for you.

Something deep inside, something primal in you, wants him to care. You need him to crave you; you want to make him beg, too. You want to fluster him so bad that he caves, like you did, and just gives in and takes what he so clearly desires. The embarrassment from your own reaction has faded into something more passionate, a competitive yearning to make him feel this pathetic, depraved desperation the way you do. He may think he’s winning, but you’re not going to be satisfied until you’re not the only loser in this game.

His expression is still as smug as ever, but he stands there patient as promised, waiting with your fingers wrapped around his wrist. It’s a strange feeling to swallow your pride and go along with his games, but you’re sure that if you play your cards right this night will go the way you want.

You clear your throat and ease your hand away from his arm, though it pains you a little to let go of him. His skin is soft under your fingertips, with subtle hints of firm muscle hidden by his lanky frame, and you want to keep touching him. You need to keep touching him, to explore every inch of his body and find all of his pressure points, to discover every spot that makes him weak and—

“Did you want to say something?” Jeonghan coaxes, cutting off your rapidly derailing train of thought, and even though he pisses you off you’re grateful for the snap back to reality.

“Yeah,” you finally manage, and force your gaze upward to meet his eyes—those piercing brown eyes that you’ve found staring at you from across the restaurant, week after week. In public he was always subdued, a little flirtatious but always respectful, lingering only just long enough to make sure you noticed but never anything more. But the look in his eyes now is completely different, like he wants you to start tearing his clothes off right here in the parking lot. Pursing your lips, you give him a smirk of your own, and you relish in the way his gaze darkens in response.

“How close is your place?”

Before the door of his penthouse is even fully shut, you’re shoving Jeonghan backwards against his kitchen counter as your lips connect again, your moans mixing together and echoing off the walls throughout the wide open room.

“Oh, I like this.” He flashes a toothy grin before diving back in, equally as passionate. That smirk again; you swear, if he gives you that stupid cocky look one more time, you might slap him. But then his slender fingers cup your chin to draw you closer to his mouth, and the light pressure of his fingertips on your cheeks makes your head spin, making you forget all about how easily he manages to get under your skin. For a split second the thought occurs that those hands would probably look gorgeous wrapped around your throat, but your brain is moving about a million miles per minute and it isn’t long before another, hornier thought replaces it.

You barely even notice him leading you out of the kitchen, step by step pulling you with him into the living room, until you feel your calves hit the back of something firm. You break away just for a moment to look down at his couch, and he gently presses down on your shoulders to guide you to sit.

He starts unbuttoning his shirt, and you take the hint and quickly begin stripping off your own top as well. Once you’re seated on the couch he sinks to the carpet in front of you, nudging your legs apart to kneel between them and unbutton your pants. Again you’re transfixed by his fingers as he works: the bulging veins that trail across the back of his hand down toward his wrist, his neatly trimmed fingernails. You get so lost in watching the way his knuckles flex that you only belatedly realize what he’s doing once he shimmies your pants down your legs and adjusts his position to press his face between your legs.

“What are you…?”

“I said I was gonna serve you, didn’t I, darling?” Jeonghan finally shrugs his shirt all the way off, revealing an expanse of soft pale skin. But you don’t have time to focus on admiring his body before he leans in close to your inner thigh, his eyes taking in everything in sight with obvious delight.

He leaves an open-mouthed kiss on your clit through the fabric, and you feel a new wave of slick pooling in response. You don’t even need to see for yourself to know that you’re absolutely soaked. He trails his fingers up your slit, pressing against the fabric to feel your warmth. You’re positive that he can feel your cunt pulsing, leaving two fingers tauntingly between your legs to keep you on edge. When he finally pulls his hand away after teasing you for what feels like hours, the pads of his fingertips are already damp just from touching you through your panties.

Jeonghan hooks a finger around the waistband of your panties on each side of your hips and tugs them away. He moves unbearably slowly to the point where you’re nearly about to start crying and begging him to do something, anything, to you. 

But thankfully, he doesn’t make you wait much longer. Once your lower half is completely naked, he groans at the sight of you and leans in even closer. The tip of his nose brushes against your inner thigh, and his breath is burning hot against your skin as he whispers into you. “You know how long I’ve been thinking about this? Dreaming about eating this perfect fucking pussy? How hungry I’ve been for you?”

You moan and let out a hiss, arching your back off the couch as he pushes your legs apart even more forcefully. He still hasn’t done anything yet, and you don’t know how much more of this you can take.

“Jeonghan!” you whine, scrunching your nose as you concentrate. “Please…”

That smirk returns once again, but it doesn’t linger like it usually does, quickly replaced with a look of desperate lust. “You sound so sexy when you say my name. So much better than I imagined.” He presses his face into your pussy with a pleased sigh, mumbling into your lips. “Wonder if you taste better than I imagined, too.”

And without another second of hesitation, he pulls your clit into his mouth, sucking hard. Instinctively your legs tense and try to close around his head, but his hands are surprisingly strong as he keeps you held open for him to feast on. Jeonghan flattens his tongue against your pussy, curling it to scoop through your folds and collect as much of your slick as he can, then begins to flick it up and down across your clit. If you thought he was good at kissing, then holy fuck, he’s even better at this. Within mere seconds his tongue has you seeing stars, and it’s impossible to keep your mouth shut to stop the endless stream of pathetic noises leaving you.

His hair tickles the top of your stomach as he moves back and forth, and you reach down with one shaking hand to brush it back from his forehead, but it just flops right back down again. He dislodges his mouth from your pussy for long enough to croak out, “Please, baby. Pull my hair. Make me do whatever you want. Wanna make you feel good.”

It takes a minute for his words to register, because he says them in such a whiny, pleading voice that you don’t immediately recognize it as coming from him. You’re so used to the confident, suave voice he uses in public that the man currently devouring your pussy seems like a completely different person. 

You scramble to comply, threading your fingers through his hair and giving his scalp a gentle tug. Instantly his jaw goes slack against your core, letting out a frustrated but very pleased sounding groan. “Fuck, yeah, just like that,” he says, and it’s the last thing you hear before he goes back in for more.

You know you’re done for once he introduces his fingers into the mix. Keeping his lips pursed around your clit, he prods gently at your entrance with his middle and ring finger, shallowly thrusting up to his first knuckle. It takes a few seconds to adjust, but when he feels you relax and loosen up he pushes deeper, until both fingers are fully engulfed inside you. He continues slowly thrusting until he’s satisfied with the lack of resistance, then adds a curling motion each time he pulls his fingers out. If you were a religious woman, you’d swear you were about to meet God.

The stimulation is both too much and not enough at the same time, no matter how desperately you try to rock your hips in rhythm with his tongue. But you can feel it building, getting closer and closer to reaching a peak you can’t come back from, and you know it won’t take much more before you make a mess on his face. As if he knows your orgasms like a sixth sense, his motions become a tiny bit more intense, his tongue pointed more purposefully at your clit and his fingers thrusting just a tiny bit faster. And finally, like a dam breaking loose after a storm, you’re gone.

Your release is loud. Shaking, panting, sweating, and swearing, your hips move on their own to frantically grind against his face in a reckless haze, chasing the high that seems to stretch on and on and on. Jeonghan just sits there and takes it all, sopping up the flood of your slick with his tongue like a starved man as you yank on his hair even harder than before, desperate to keep his mouth in contact with your pussy through the duration of your orgasm. 

After what feels like a full minute of cumming, your clit is still throbbing like crazy, your thighs feel like Jell-O, and your toes are cramping a little, but you would be lying if you said that wasn’t the best head you’ve ever received in your entire life. Man, he wasn’t kidding when he said he wanted to serve, that’s for sure. It’s way too early to be catching feelings, but all of a sudden there’s a fervent, burning desire in your chest to not let him go. You’ve never admitted to being a jealous person, but the tiny inkling of possessiveness that you feel now mirrors how you’d felt when he showed up to the restaurant last week with someone else.

With legs still trembling you manage to stand up, pulling him up by his shirt collar and shoving him down onto the couch in the same spot you’d just been sitting. Your lower half feels like pure TV static, but you eventually get your knees onto the edge of the cushion and clamber onto the couch, sinking down to straddle your aching pussy over his lap. You slip your hand down between your bodies to palm his bulge, and he rewards you with a loud, choked moan.

“Greedy thing, aren’t you? You want my cock that badly, angel?” 

Jeonghan smirks, and you’re so wound up from the lingering effects of your orgasm that this time you actually do slap him, your hand darting out across his cheek out of instinct. Not hard or meant to hurt him, just a light playful smack, but it’s still enough to make a sound. Immediately your face falls in shock, and you open your mouth to start profusely apologizing for crossing a line. How could you get so caught up in the moment like that? But before you even have a chance to be embarrassed, he just smiles even wider.

He grabs your wrist, which still hovers awkwardly in the air between your bodies, and brings it to his lips to kiss your palm, moaning against your hand. “God, that was hot. Do that again once I’m inside you.” 

His gentle lips tickle your skin, and a shudder runs through your body as he bites playfully. He glances up at you through his lashes, an almost taunting look on his face, and it might be the sexiest thing you’ve ever seen in your entire life.

Keeping eye contact you slip your other hand back down to his crotch, fumbling with the button on his pants, and he lets go of your hand to let it join the other so you can undo it faster. All the while he just sits comfortably in his seat, letting you do all the work as he watches, enamored. His head rests against the back of the couch, his neck on full display, and his Adam’s apple bobs in his throat when he lets out a little chuckle of satisfaction. He doesn’t even say anything, but his reaction is enough praise to make your cunt pulse, a warm and pleased feeling erupting in your chest from the positive attention.

You finally manage to undo his pants, and wordlessly he lifts his hips to help you push them down past his knees, freeing his hard cock to rest lazily against his stomach. He spreads his legs wider beneath you, sinking deeper into the couch cushions as he slouches down to give you a better angle. The faint grooves of his abs make your mouth water, but as much as you’d like to spend hours running your tongue along every miniscule crevice of his body, there’s more important matters on your agenda right now. Pressing your hands against his chest instead, you rake your nails gently across his skin, and he shivers a little at the feeling as he begins to stroke his cock.

After a few seconds he lets out a shuddering sigh and releases his hand, and his cock stands at attention between your bodies, flushed and strained with need. He moves his hands to your waist, tapping his fingers against you to signal you to sit up. You lift up onto your knees above him and reach beneath you to wrap your hand around him, and he lets out an involuntary little whimper at the contact that makes you smirk. Giving him a couple strokes of your own, you guide the head of his cock between your folds before pushing him inside, both of you groaning in pleasure as you sink down onto his length.

Jeonghan allows you a few seconds to adjust, breathing heavily as that wonderful feeling of fullness washes over you. Without thinking you begin to rock your hips, not moving up and down but simply rolling them forward and backward, grinding against him with his cock buried firmly inside of you. You can feel the tip pressing a little bit deeper with each movement as you start to relax, your walls throbbing and fluttering around him.

For now he’s content to sit back and let you play with him however you want while he lies beneath you, enjoying the view. Each rotation of your hips pushes your chest closer to him, your hard nipples sitting tauntingly at his eye level. You lean forward to hold onto the couch behind him for leverage, pressing your breasts even further into his face, and he smirks up at you in response.

After a minute he lifts his hips a few inches off the couch, experimentally thrusting into you. It’s not much, but it’s still more than enough to take your breath away when you realize how deep he can hit. Your whimper makes him grin as he feels your walls clench around him like a vise, as if trying to pull him in even more.

“Sensitive, hmm?” he coos, though it comes off as more teasing than sincere. You purse your lips into a pout, nodding, but you don’t change your movement. “Still feels good though?”

Instead of replying you lean down and crash your mouth against his once more, starting to lift your hips in a shallow up-and-down motion to test the waters. His cock is still almost all the way buried inside you, only letting an inch slip out before pushing back in, just a hint of extra stimulation.

Your nose is pressed awkwardly into his cheek as you kiss him furiously, but it’s the last thing on your mind as his hands grip your waist more firmly, helping give you a little bit more leverage to continue the slow, rolling movements. His tongue nudges against yours, your lips opening to welcome him.

One thrust hits particularly deep in a particularly sensitive spot deep in your cunt, and you have to pull away quickly for a second to exhale a drawn-out moan before filling your lungs with fresh air. But in that moment, without warning Jeonghan pushes his hips up into the air, bouncing you on his lap, and the force of his thrust cuts off your sound, trailing off into a broken whimper mid-way through. His fingers squeeze your waist harder, digging into your muscles before sliding down to grip your ass for a better angle. It knocks the breath out of you, your core tightening around him.

The rhythm he sets is difficult to keep up with, but luckily for you it doesn’t seem like he expects much effort on your part. All you have to do is sit there on his lap, pliant and relaxed, and let him fuck into you as hard as he wants. His hands supporting your ass are firm, and you can see the strain flexing in his lean biceps as he holds you up. The angle still puts your tits directly in front of his face but he’s staring up into your eyes, his eye contact unflinching as he pants for breath with parted lips.

“Look at you,” he huffs, his voice thick and rough, just loud enough to be heard over the wet sounds of skin slapping against skin. “So tight. God, you’re so beautiful, riding me just like that. Wanna stay buried in this pussy forever.”

Despite the unfiltered praise he’s giving that makes your stomach twist with butterflies, there’s still that hint of teasing in his words: too genuine to be sarcastic, but at the same time too smug to be completely heartfelt and without ulterior motive. Either way, you can’t deny how good it feels to be worshipped so openly like this, especially by him.

The change in Jeonghan’s attitude doesn’t escape your notice; the way he’s gotten more and more dominant as the night goes on, but somehow at the same time less dominant too. It’s a refreshing change of pace, how naturally your dynamic shifts back and forth at will. His lack of expectations soothes something deep inside you that you weren’t aware needed to be soothed; his easy disposition that lets you take control when you want it and give it back when you don’t. Maybe it’s because he can read you so well, or maybe it’s because he can’t. Either way, his effortless ability to switch between roles is something you didn’t know you were missing in your life, and it makes his actions all the more intense and exciting and unpredictable.

Your throat tightens as you feel the early waves of another orgasm beginning to crash into you, but you can’t get the words out to warn him before one more well-timed thrust sends you hurtling over the edge. You fall forward, catching yourself on his shoulders and gripping him so hard it’s got to hurt, but he says nothing but praises as you cum with your thumbs digging into his collarbone.

“That’s a good girl, keep going. You feel so fucking good, angel. Let me have it, all of it. C’mon— yeah, right there, there you go.”

When the initial shock fades, the high from your second orgasm subsides even more slowly than the first time. You’re still struggling to deal with the effects yourself when Jeonghan frantically pulls you off of his lap, his cock haphazardly recoiling against your stomach as milky white spurts leak from his tip. His eyes are wrenched shut in bliss, his mouth hanging open and his hands squeezing your ass even harder.

Somewhere deep in the recesses of your memory, you make a note that Jeonghan whimpers when he cums. It’s such a beautiful, passionate, strangled sound, and you never want to forget it.

A few moments of silence pass, the room quiet except for the sound of you both heavily panting for breath. Jeonghan finally opens his eyes again, his gaze unfocused for a second before it lands on you, and he breaks out into a smile. A real one this time, not his usual arrogant smirk or teasing grin. He lets out a long, slow, pleased hum and releases his grip on you, sliding to rest on top of your thighs instead.

“Wanna take a shower with me?”

After an hour (maybe a lot longer than an hour…) you’re clean and comfortable and content, both of you lying naked in his bed together. It hadn’t been difficult for him to convince you to stay over for the night and let him spoil you a little more. You’d pretended to be on the fence about whether or not to stay, just to tease him, but his promise to make you breakfast is what had finally won you over.

A half-empty bottle of Dom Perignon rests on the bed between you both, wedged against a couple of pillows. With the sheets messily tossed over your lower half, you balance your glass on your lap as you sit leaned up against the headboard of his bed.

When you’d confessed earlier that you’d never actually tried his favorite brand yourself, despite how often you have to serve it at work, he’d immediately hopped out of the shower to bring you a bottle. His effort was admirable, making a whole show out of uncorking it and pretending to be your waiter, before subsequently spilling most of it on his bathroom floor.

Now, Jeonghan sits propped up on one elbow, holding his own glass of champagne in one hand while resting the other across your hip. You didn’t initially label him as being a touchy-feely kind of guy, but the way he hasn’t let you out of his sight all night has been kind of endearing. Maybe you’re both clingier than you thought.

You sigh, exhausted but relaxed, and take another sip from your flute. “I guess you’re right. This is totally better than the cheap stuff.”

He lets out a tipsy little giggle, grabbing the bottle and pouring the rest of it into your glass to top it off. “I told you, I know my wines. Only the best for you. That’s why I always ordered it.”

You roll your eyes, but you don’t argue with him. By now, you believe he really does mean all the cheesy crap he says. He did promise to actually take you on a real date next weekend, not a “stalking you at your workplace” kind of date. Maybe it’s just the champagne talking, but after tonight, his sincerity about has put a warm, fizzy feeling in your stomach. (But then again, that might be the champagne.)

Either way, you’re not denying your feelings anymore, and neither is he.

“Cheers,” he says after a minute of content silence, holding up his glass in front of him. The look in his eyes mirrors your own, something bright and soft and happy that makes your heart flutter.

“What are we cheers-ing to?” you laugh.

“Hm. Well…” He pauses and bites his lip.

It’s been too long since you last kissed him, you think to yourself as you wait for his answer, watching him absently pull his bottom lip between his teeth. You need to change that. 

“To good food and good sex. Both of which you can provide.”

You grin back at him and raise your glass to clink against his. “Sure. To the finer things in life.”

bonus:

© junkissed 2026. do not repost or translate. ── ⊹ ˙ . 𖥻 want to be notified when i post new fics? join my taglist!

this is the first fic i've been able to finish after a long hiatus and i'm genuinely so proud of how it turned out, so i truly hope you enjoyed reading!! if you did please reblog with your thoughts, or leave a comment or send an ask! reblogs are legit what makes tumblr work: it shows me that people are interested in this content, and knowing people liked it makes me more inspired to write more! i put a TON of time, love, and effort into my fics, so feedback is really appreciated and motivates me to keep posting :) thanks for reading!!

taglist — located in the reblogs of this post!

p.s. bonus banner in my usual style !! ^^

[jeondrive]

𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 | 𝐲. 𝐣𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐧

© 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 ᯓ★

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶︶⊹

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶︶⊹

synopsis: a night in a random jazz bar in seoul leads to an alluring encounter with yoon jeonghan. a steamy night spent with him sparks a deep desire he could never get over. he finds you mysterious, sexy, unforgettable, and would do whatever it takes to see you again.

when you encounter him again, it happens at a hospital—with him as your patient, and you as his anaesthesiologist.

pairing: jeonghan x anaesthesiologist! f! reader

content: non-idol au, strangers to lovers, smut (MDNI), p with basically no plot, fluff, oneshot

word count: ~7k

rating: 18+

warnings under the cut!

— likes, reblogs and comments are greatly appreciated!

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶︶⊹

warnings: short story, one night stand, tipsy/drunk sex (they’re both drunk), mentions of alcohol (a lot), pet names (sweetheart, angel, pretty), cursing, fingering, very very brief oral (m. receiving), protected piv sex, penetrative sex, riding, jeonghan remains nameless for the first part of the story but we all know it’s him, obsessive jeonghan? but not creepy obsessive, he just wants to see you again (desperately), jeonghan makes a few dirty jokes, one scene inspired by kdrama mr. plankton, jeonghan lowkey clingy, implied sex, haven't proofread so there may be some mistakes

a/n: can i just say that jeonghan’s sex appeal is just absolutely insane? like he just exudes so much sensual energy it genuinely drives me insane (i know this is an insane thing to say but this is tumblr so i know y’all won’t care).

anyways, i wrote this story trying to convey that energy he gives off, and make the overall vibe as mysterious and alluring as possible. couldn’t stop thinking about him so i mainly just wrote this for myself.

another thing: this is just a short story i wanted to release in the meantime before writing up any of my longish ones. it’s not my best work and i am aware.

hope you enjoy tho ~

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶︶⊹

Friday nights in Seoul usually went one of two ways. Depending on your mood, you would either be up in your apartment reading a book, or in a random bar in the heart of the capital clinking champagne glasses with your friends.

Tonight, you actually did both.

Your original plan was to quietly wind down after a particularly long shift at the hospital. You couldn’t name anything better to do than to sit on your bed with a romance book in one hand and a cup of steaming tea in the other.

While your eyes were carefully tracing along the words on the crisp white paper, a ringing tone suddenly resounded throughout your bedroom. You didn’t move to pick it up. You simply peered over your book, wanting to see whether the phone call was worth picking up or not.

Mina is calling…

An audible sigh left your mouth. You knew exactly what she was going to ask. You pondered for a moment whether to answer the call or leave it to ring and make up an excuse later.

The longer you waited, though, the more irritating the ringing sounds got. Defeated, you roughly grabbed the vibrating device and clicked accept.

“Hello?” Your voice was quiet, much like your current state of mind.

“Hi babe. Do you wanna join Haeun and I for some drinks?” Mina’s voice was barely heard over the obnoxiously loud saxophone playing in the background. You could immediately tell that she was out in a bar. Whether you wanted to join her though, was something you would have to deeply consider.

“Uh…” You trailed off, your mind conflicted.

Truthfully, you were barely following along the storyline of the book you were reading. You weren’t sure if it was a side effect of today’s long shift or if the story was simply uninteresting, but you couldn’t lose yourself in it like you usually did whenever you read.

But the thought of leaving the comfort of your own den to be in the presence of other people made you a little dizzy. You were around enough people today to want to do that again. You were usually the type of person to hit up a bar only when you were in an energetically good mood. Tonight was certainly not one of those days.

But oddly enough, drinking sparkly champagne and basking in slow and soulful jazz had its own special charm, and the thought of it was tempting you to jump out of your bed and throw on a pretty dress.

“It’s such a vibe here. Music’s great and so are the people.” She added, making you even more conflicted.

Between a pros and cons list written in your head and an internal battle you fought with yourself, you quickly stood up from your bed, your hand carefully setting down the warm mug on your bedside table.

“Text me the location. I’ll be there in an hour.”

“Atta girl.” Mina laughed, before hanging up the call.

You didn’t give yourself time to regret your decision. You walked over into your closet, your eyes gingerly skimming over your options for attire. You were in the middle of processing various different outfits inside your mind when a certain piece fell into your line of vision.

You carefully inspected it. It was a new dress you had purchased around two months ago. You bought it with the original hope of wearing it to a lively party, but you completely forgot about it and left it in your closet to collect dust. You couldn’t owe it to anything besides your hectically busy schedule keeping you too occupied to think about enjoying yourself.

It was a long-sleeved black lace dress, riskily backless with a square neckline and a length just shy of grazing your ankles. It was truly a mesmerising piece, and just looking at it now made you remember exactly why you purchased it in the first place. You gently grabbed it from the rack and took it back out into your bedroom, placing it down onto your bed.

Your books and tea were long forgotten now, your initial evening plan replaced with a new one. Your mind busily spun with eagerness to enjoy yourself tonight, you wanted nothing more than to get lost in music and expensive alcohol.

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶︶⊹

The venue buzzed with life and spirit. You were immediately greeted with deeply rhythmic and soothing tunes, peaceful yet gracefully resonant. The bar was small enough to feel cozy, but large enough to fit crowds. The lighting was dark and chic, yet bright enough for you to easily scan the faces within. Your eyes looked for the faces of your friends, weaving through the crowd of slow dancing bodies.

When their presence caught your eye, you slipped past the dancers, ignoring the way you felt almost a million pairs of eyes boring into your soul. You knew the attention would come with wearing such a ravishing dress. You also knew that you weren’t naive enough to mistake the hunger in their eyes for something akin to love or genuine affection.

When you reached the table your friends were seated at, a smile graced your face when you saw their faces.

“Girl! You look amazing.” Mina exclaimed, standing up to hug you tightly in her arms. Haeun stood up the same, her face accompanied by a genuine smile.

“You look stunning. That dress is a killer.” Haeun commented, looking at you up and down with a smirk. You threw your head back with a sweet laugh, before letting Mina go to grab onto Haeun.

“Says you guys? Show me the back.” You smiled, laughing softly as you watched your friends do a twirl. The next thirty seconds were occupied with a vicious compliment battle, and it only ended when the three of you sat down after Mina shared news of a fight she had with her now ex-boyfriend.

The three of you were deeply engaged with the conversation, occasionally stopping to sip on red wine or sparkling champagne.

As you delicately held the champagne flute up to your lips, you noticed a sharp gaze watching you from afar. His stare never wavered, and it sent a shiver down your spine. Not out of fear, but out of pure captivation.

He lazily leaned back against the wall, wine glass held lightly between his long fingers. His hair was short, dark and tussled, a few pieces landing loosely over his forehead. His lips appeared plump and full as they wrapped sensually around the glass. His eyes were round yet his gaze was hooded, his pupils dark as he never looked away. Neither did you.

There was something about him that was so alluring, tempting, hypnotising. You didn’t know if it was his face that gave off that impression, or the way that he carried himself. But one thing you knew for sure: if you didn’t look away from him right now, you would be in deep trouble by the end of the night.

You snapped out of the short-lived trance and turned your attention back to your friends, your brain re-registering the familiar conversation you accidentally strayed away from.

You ignored his continuous gaze, but you couldn’t ignore the way you felt the air shift. The room suddenly felt too small. The air suddenly felt too warm. You hoped that it was the buzz of the alcohol in your system, and not because of the way the tempting stranger watched you like he wanted to eat you alive.

You kept your composure, not wanting to show you got affected by some random stranger’s attention. You were better than that. You weren’t one to associate yourself closely with people you didn’t know the names of. But something in you was inviting you to enter the vicinity of the stranger, speak to him, kiss him, and do anything that would ease the ache between your legs and the thumping of your heart.

You cleared your throat. You quietly excused yourself from the conversation, heading over to the bartender to order yourself another drink. You needed it to kill the thoughts in your head. Though, you wondered if it was the alcohol that was making you think this way in the first place. An audible sigh left your mouth as you sat down on the stool.

“One martini, please.” You requested, pulling out your card to pay. Before the bartender was able to take it from you, another card appeared before your eyes.

“Add a whiskey onto that.” A smooth, velvety voice resounded from beside you, as the bartender nodded and took the card from his hand. You turned your head toward him, knowing full well it was going to be that handsome man. When your eyes peered into his mildly familiar dark ones, a light chuckle left your mouth.

“I had a feeling you would appear like this.” You replied, voice steady.

“Should I have made a grander entrance?” He teased, leaning his arm against the counter. The corners of your lips lifted ever so slightly.

“I think I would’ve appreciated a little more effort.” You returned the teasing tone, your posture steady but relaxed in your seat.

He placed his arm on the back of your stool as he brought himself closer to you.

“I’ll keep that in mind for next time.” His smile was smug. You could hear the intention behind his words. Surprisingly, though, it didn’t revolt you a bit. In all honesty, you enjoyed it.

“And when will that next time be?” You leaned your chin into your palm, your lashes batting prettily at him. He shifted in his seat, the action so mild you barely caught it. A small smirk made its way to his lips.

“Whenever you want, pretty.” His nickname made you grow hot all over. You tried to not make it obvious that you were nervous.

When the bartender brought out the drinks, you quietly sipped on your martini, the strong, bitter liquid oozing down your throat. You hoped the feeling would temporarily distract you from the tense air.

“So, what brings you here?” He broke the silence, swirling his thick glass gently.

A soft chuckle left your mouth.

“The same reason why everyone else is here.” You sighed, your fingers fidgeting over the counter.

He raised an eyebrow.

“To get wasted?” The sound of your laugh made his heart pinch. He had never heard such a beautiful sound.

“To forget about life.” Your words were vague. You made it that way. You didn’t feel the need to say anything more. Especially to a stranger.

He hummed at your words, his eyes carefully watching the side of your face. You felt yourself burn under his unreadable gaze. You wondered if that was the effect he had on everyone.

“How long are you going to keep staring at me like that for?” You turned your head toward him, a teasing smile playing on your face. His expression didn’t change.

“Until you tell me to stop, sweetheart.” He brought the golden whiskey to his lips, eye contact not faltering for even a moment. Something about it felt so intimate. Your breath hitched when he gently tucked your hair behind your ear. His fingers lingered just a little too long near your face, its movements catching every bit of your attention.

“Until you tell me to stop.” He repeated, his voice dialed down to a soft whisper.

“What if I tell you to keep going?” You asked, voice hushed and sensual.

“Then I’ll do just that.” He whispered, his hand landing gently on your thigh, fingers casually caressing your lace covered thigh. Your heart drummed wildly in your chest.

“And if I tell you to do more?” You pushed, hand barely touching his, wide eyes staring attentively into his. He immediately stopped caressing your thigh. His fingers grabbed onto yours lightly, a smug smile forming on his face.

“Fuck, you’re unreal.” He swore under his breath, and for the first time tonight, he looked away from your face. You giggled at his reaction.

Once he composed himself, he stood up from his seat, bringing you up with him. It was only now that you realised just how devastatingly attractive his build was. Lean and tall, posture straight and outfit undeniably striking. He looked like a dream.

His hand, still held onto yours, pulled you in close. You didn’t miss the way the strong, masculine scent of his cologne infiltrated your nose. He smelt clean, powerful, intoxicating. It made you feel instantly dizzy.

“My place or yours, angel?” He whispered, mouth dangerously close to your ear. It sent a deep shiver down your spine.

In response, you poked your finger lightly into his chest, a playful smile on your face.

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶︶⊹

The drive back to his home was something you could barely recall. One second, you were flirting with him in a bar, and the next, and you were slowly making out with him at the entrance of his dimly lit apartment. You didn’t even get a chancd to tour his place. Not that it was high on your priority list, but still.

Lips clashed and tongues collided the moment you stepped past the door, his hands on your body immediately. It started off slow and sensual, with the way his hands gently grabbed your face to bring you closer to him than possible, and the way you wrapped your arms around his neck to kiss him deeper.

His soft lips sucked on your own, his whiskey coated tongue delicately exploring the inside of your mouth. You moaned sensually when he lightly grabbed your ass, the sound something he could never forget for a lifetime. He tasted so sweet, and he smelled so masculine it was driving you insane.

You pulled his body closer to you, pushing up against his chest. He groaned when he felt your breasts rub up against him, his cock immediately twitching in his pants.

He slowly pulled away, his eyes never leaving yours for even a moment. You felt your knees weaken under his gaze. You had to hold onto him tighter for support, making him groan quietly.

“Fuck, you’re an absolute goddess.” He whispered before picking you up. Your legs wrapped around his torso immediately, head falling back with a whine when he began sucking on your bare, exposed neck.

He walked towards a certain direction, hands tightly gripping your ass and mouth never leaving your neck.

When he entered his bedroom, he laid you down gently on the bed, his hands holding himself up over you. When he kissed you again, it was passionate, deep and desperate.

Your hands began to make its way to his chest, fingers clumsily trying to undo his collared button up. When you eventually pulled off his shirt, it exposed his bare chest, making your face warm inexplicably at the sight. Your hands flattened against his pecs, his skin painfully warm beneath your palm.

He kissed you again, making you moan into his mouth. His hands groped your chest harshly before he began slipping your lacy attire off. When he noticed the black lace lingerie that perfectly hugged your figure, he groaned. Deeply.

“Fucking hell.” His words made a wave of arousal shoot through your body. You shivered under him, eyes staring sensually into his. When he completely slipped your dress off, his eyes never left your figure, hissing like it was painful that you looked so soft, dreamy and utterly beautiful.

You stared at him dazed until he slipped your underwear off and slid a single finger inside. A soft whimper left your mouth when he pushed it in deeper, the action proving to be easy with your dripping slick.

Your back arched instinctively when a slipped a second finger in, a salacious moan exiting past your lips. He carefully watched your face for your reaction, his lips curving up into a smirk. He knew he would never forget this sight. He didn’t want to, anyway.

You choked out a whimper when he brought his other hand to your core, his thumb pressing against your swollen clit. When he began rubbing circles on the sensitive nub, you knew it would be over for you soon.

You could feel yourself near your high at exponential speed, walls clenching impossibly tight around his long fingers. You grabbed onto his shoulders desperately as you threw your head back, a near-scream leaving your mouth. Your walls convulsed instantly around him as an intense wave of pleasure rolled through your entire body.

“Just like that, baby.” He whispered softly, fingers thrusting you through your high. When you eventually came down, your body slumped against the bed, a satisfied smile on your face.

He slapped a quick kiss to your lips before slowing pulling his fingers out of you, eliciting a soft whimper from you. Content, he sucked your essence from his fingers, eyes staring directly into your soul. The action alone made you weak. You wanted to pounce on him right then and there.

“Need you.” You whined, before seating yourself on his lap and grinding your bare core against his clothed pelvis. You were far too gone to feel any shame. You really wanted nothing else but the man before you to fuck you into oblivion.

A smug smile formed on his face as he grabbed your hips, pushing you flush against him. When he saw your slick drench his pants, he nearly growled.

“Fuck. Desperate little thing, aren’t you?” His voice was mocking, and if you weren’t buzzed with alcohol, you would’ve rolled your eyes. Instead, you whimpered at the friction, desperate eyes glued shut with immense pleasure.

“Please. Please, fuck me.” You whispered, your arms wrapping tightly around his neck. A humoured chuckle left his mouth.

“Such a polite yet dirty mouth. Where did you learn to speak like that?” You didn’t answer. You couldn’t. Your mind was too lust hazed to even think clearly.

He quietly sucked on your neck harshly before pulling away to slip his trousers off. When he eventually lowered his boxers, his cock sprung out, length flushed and veins pulsing. When he noticed you staring wide eyed, a soft laugh left his mouth.

“Is this the first time you’re seeing one, angel?” He teased, eyebrow lifted with humor.

“I’ve seen a dick before.” You rolled your eyes.

“Really? You look like you didn’t even know it exist-”

Before he was able to finish his sentence, you wrapped your lips around his warm tip and sucked gently, licking off his leaking precum, eyes never leaving his. His body jerked instantly and his head flew back, a low groan leaving his mouth.

Before you were able to suck him in deeper, his hand grabbed your hair and pulled you off. A string of saliva connected your tongue to his glistening length. The sight alone was enough to have you clenching your thighs together.

“Naughty girl.” His chest heaved up and down. You smiled cheekily before kissing his tip gently, making his head throw back again with a groan.

“God, you’re insatiable.” He caressed your cheek softly before his hand began to fumble around his bedside table. His hand returned with a packaged condom, and before you knew it, he was ripping it open with his teeth and sliding it effortlessly over his thick cock.

He signalled you to line yourself up—and that you did. You slowly sank down onto him, mewling in delight as he inched deeper. When he effectively bottomed out, a deep groan left his mouth.

“You’re so tight, baby.” His hands wrapped around your waist, grip tightening subtly whenever you clenched around him.

When you felt comfortable enough to move, you slowly started bouncing on him, whimpers leaving your mouth as you felt your velvety walls drag along his veiny cock. Your hands immediately grabbed onto his shoulders for stability, knowing that if you didn’t, your body wouldn’t have the strength to hold yourself up for any longer than three seconds.

A string of salacious moans left your mouth with each desperate bounce. You thought the alcohol in your system would completely dull any sensation you felt, but it did nothing to prevent the shivering pleasure from rolling through your body. You had never felt this pleasured before in your life. It made you quietly wonder just how good this experience would’ve been if you hadn’t sipped on that martini tonight.

Your brief thread of thoughts were interrupted when the handsome stranger began suckling on your exposed neck, hand gently tilting your head up to ensure his access. You shivered under his delicate touch, mouth agape when you felt his tongue slowly lick your heated skin.

“Fuck.” You breathed, eyes rolling back.

You felt him smirk against you, breath heavy along your throat.

The combination attack was much too strong for you to handle. You couldn’t stop the wave of pleasure from hitting you even if you tried. You threw your head back when it finally hit you, a near-scream leaving your mouth as you shook around his pulsing length.

“That’s it, baby.” He whispered, voice low and deep. His eyes, dark and lustful, stared at the connecting point between the two of you, watching the way your folds sucked him and and squeezed him tight.

Eventually, his own cock throbbed with a desperate need for release, and when you clenched one last time, he felt himself shoot his sticky cum into the elastic condom that ever so slightly sagged with the weight of his milky seed.

For a moment, the room was filled with nothing but heavy breaths, body heat and sticky air. You didn’t mind. You needed time to come back down from the mind blowing experience you just went through. You needed time to register everything that happened.

In the midst of lust-filled glances and lingering touches, you couldn’t help but feel conflicted.

You were conflicted on whether you were even the so-called “I don’t do one night stands” type of girl anymore.

1 — because you enjoyed this experience much more than you would ever admit to your smug friends, who would tease you for days on end if they ever even heard of it.

(You would do it all again in a heartbeat, though).

And 2 — well, because now you regretted having experienced something so good that you knew you would be thinking about it for weeks, if not months.

You knew the alcohol couldn’t shoo it away — even if you had gulped down three bottles of wine and a couple glasses of whiskey.

You silently wondered if it was all a good idea. If one night of absolute pleasure with the most beautiful man was actually enough.

Spoiler alert — it wasn’t.

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶︶⊹

Quiet days had slipped by swiftly, as if the universe gently nudged the Earth to spin faster than it typically did.

You hadn’t minded.

In fact, you actually enjoyed the feeling of time passing by. All of which you owed to one thing—one person.

In the early hours of the morning after that unforgettable night, you were called in for an emergency surgery.

You had no time to wake the naked man beside you, with his eyes closed and back turned to you as his breaths moved rhythmically even.

Actually, you probably could’ve left a note, number or anything, but you didn’t.

Simply because you didn’t want to face the consequences of your drunk-self’s actions. Having to wake up with a sober yet aching head and contemplating whether you should run away and never think of it again or leave a note and pray for a call back, was something you hated immensely. It hurt your hungover brain too much for you to do.

Which is why you gave it no thought and chose to simply run away. You had a surgery to get to, anyway. At least you would have an excuse to use if you ever cross paths with him again—not that you thought it was possible, since you vowed to not hang around any jazz bars for the next few months. Or maybe a few years. Just until you forget about the whole thing.

Which was proving to be highly difficult, unsurprisingly.

It had been exactly three weeks since the incident.

You honestly hoped that by now, you would’ve forgotten the man’s face, his voice, that night, and everything else that had to do with him.

Yet, all you could think about was him. His face, his body, his fingers, the way he touched you, the way he pleasured you.

Every night you subconsciously dreamed about either crossing paths with him again or reliving every moment of that night, from start to finish, accurately timed.

It was genuinely driving you insane. You had never felt this way about a man. Or anyone, for that matter.

Even your exes didn’t receive this much of your attention, occupy this much of your brain, and make you secretly wish that you could see him again.

He was a stranger. A nameless face. He would barely even classify as a fling.

So why was he making you feel like you lost something so important? Like you walked away from your best decision?

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶︶⊹

Jeonghan didn’t have much to say, besides the fact that he was basically in the exact same predicament as you—only about three times worse.

When he woke the next morning with vivid memories of the night before and a stupid smile on his face, he wanted nothing more but to turn around and see your beautiful self again—to cuddle you, swipe the hair away from your face and ask for the name his drunken self forgot to.

When he did eventually turn around in his bed, his heart almost stopped when his sleepy eyes didn’t catch sight of your figure.

He shifted around desperately in his king sized bed, shaking and shuffling his quilt in hopes that you were huddled somewhere in between.

When he didn’t find you, however, he was absolutely devastated. He touched around the spot next to him, hoping to feel the slightest bit of warmth that would indicate you had very recently left and that maybe he could catch you in the building’s elevators. But his hands felt nothing but a cold bed, and his eyes couldn’t find any sticky notes or any belonging of yours that he could trace to you.

It was like the night had never even happened — like it was a figment of Jeonghan’s wild imagination.

If it weren’t for the lingering scent of your perfume still hanging around his room, though, Jeonghan would’ve fully believed it.

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶︶⊹

Over a month had passed since that night.

Jeonghan still hadn’t forgotten it. Not a single detail was lost from his memory. Unlike you, though, he didn’t mind it.

He actually used it to his advantage.

For about a week since the incident, Jeonghan hung around the jazz bar where he met you, in hopes that he could see you again. Though, he was met with nothing but pure disappointment when the face he couldn’t forget about appeared to be nowhere.

Week 2 was when he switched tactics.

He began hanging around other bars in the city, hoping that maybe he was looking in the wrong place. Maybe you liked to go to lots of jazz bars?

But still no luck.

Week 3, he stopped going to bars and started going to different cafes and restaurants—maybe you got sick of alcohol?

Week 4 was when he began to lose hope. He slowly stopped seeking out new places and went back to the rhythm of his usual life, while still quietly keeping an eye out for you, just in case.

He would give anything to see you again. Everyday he regretted not sharing any means of communication with you. He should’ve begged for your number, or begged you to take his. Or maybe he should’ve woken up before you to prevent you from running away from him in the first place.

A sigh left his mouth.

What he would give to turn back time.

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶︶⊹

Enough time had passed for memories to start fading away and becoming a lost fragment of thought—in the case of anyone ordinary, to be exact.

Of course, Jeonghan hadn’t forgotten. He went back to his normal routine, but he didn’t forget a single thing.

He couldn’t, even if he tried to.

Today, he had a surgery on his elbow, something that he was not exactly looking forward to. He didn’t particularly enjoy being in the sterile environment of a hospital. Who did, anyway?

He was seated silently in the waiting area, patiently listening for his name to be called by a doctor or a nurse. It had been about 30 minutes since he had arrived, and the only things he did were check in at the reception and silently pray for the crying child next to him to please quiet down.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in, hoping that his action would help him zone out and ignore the ear-splitting noise.

It didn’t work.

Frustrated, he opened his eyes again to look for an available seat that was further away from the tantrum-throwing kid.

But Jeonghan’s eyes didn’t find a chair.

They found you—standing straight in a white coat and scrubs, hair slicked back into a ponytail as you casually conversed with one of the reception nurses.

His heart immediately thrummed in his chest.

He finally found you.

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶︶⊹

Jeonghan’s eyes didn’t leave you for a single moment.

He watched the way you stared at a clipboard, eyebrows scrunching as you carefully wrote something down, or the way your hands would sit in your pockets as you laughed at something a fellow colleague said to you.

From the night he met you, he already thought you were the most intriguing woman he had ever met. But seeing you here now, in the unlikeliest of places, in the most professional state, too, made his perception of you shift in a completely different direction. Not in a bad way, of course. It made him think you were much more interesting than he initially thought.

God, he couldn’t believe a woman like you actually existed. He also couldn’t believe that he was lucky enough to have experienced you. And he couldn’t believe that he was given the chance to see you again. The universe was spoiling him rotten. He didn’t mind it, though. Not at all.

Just as he was contemplating whether he should approach you now or later—when there were less people—his name was called out.

And the voice that called it made Jeonghan’s heart pulse wildly in his chest. Again.

When he stood up in his seat, your eyes finally met his, and the realisation didn’t dawn upon you until he began to approach you.

Your eyes widened in disbelief.

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶︶⊹

You didn’t say a word to him the entire way to the consultation room.

It wasn’t because you were nervous.

Frankly, you were really just speechless.

You thought the universe had left you off the hook when you didn’t cross paths with him for a whole 2 months. You were actually in the final process of forgetting the entire exchange.

But of course the world wanted to punish you from running away from something that you would end up thinking about for a long while.

You couldn’t help but wonder if you deserved it.

The two of you didn’t exchange a single word until you were seated in the small consultation room with the door closed shut.

The air was silent for a moment. And two. And three.

You cleared your throat.

“My name is Doctor [___]. I am your anaesthesiologist for your surgery today.” Your tone remained as professional as you could let it.

Jeonghan simply nodded, his eyes watching you carefully and intently. You shifted nervously in your chair, hating the burning feeling that was starting to bloom within you. You couldn’t let this affect you. Not now, in all places.

You began questioning him about his medical history, and completed the routine checks and conversations you usually had with all of your patients.

It started off well.

Your voice remained stable for the majority of the ordeal. Your tone was strictly professional, and your thoughts didn’t subconsciously stray off into an unwanted direction. You were pleased with yourself. If it weren’t for your burning face and thrumming heart, you would’ve thought he was just another patient.

You knew better, though.

“Do you have any questions?” You asked nervously, watching carefully for his reaction.

It didn’t help that his face remained completely unreadable for the entire interaction. And also the fact that he hadn’t said a proper word to you, at all. Not even a “hello” or an “okay.” All just nods or head shakes.

The room remained silent for several moments. You internally questioned whether you had even spoken any words to him in the first place. Were you just imagining this entire thing?

Just as you were about to open your mouth and say something, he spoke up.

“Why did you leave that morning?”

You remained silent. Your mouth was slightly agape at the unexpected question.

Actually, you should’ve expected it. From the beginning, the interaction was one-sided and terribly awkward. You should’ve seen it coming from miles away.

You didn’t know what to say. Maybe you could use the professionalism excuse?

“I’m sorry, Mr. Yoon, I don’t believe-”

“Jeonghan.” He interrupted, voice firm.

“What?”

“I think we’re way past the point of calling each other anything but our first names, sweetheart.” He clarified, eyes trained on you with raw intensity. Your face burned.

You sighed, defeat evident in your eyes.

“Jeonghan,” you corrected. “I’m sorry. For leaving that morning without a word. I don’t have a reason besides the fact that I was running away.”

“Running away from what?”

Another sigh left your mouth.

“I don’t know…I…I just—I didn’t know what to do, so I just left.” Your words felt muddled and incoherent. You wanted to slap yourself in the face. You knew it sounded like nothing but a lame excuse.

A moment of silence fell upon the room.

You flinched slightly when he shifted in his seat, something that didn’t go unnoticed by him.

“Would you do it again?” He suddenly posed, making you look up at him.

You remained silent. You knew the answer to it.

“Or do you have any regrets?”

“No.” You responded, almost instantly.

A small smirk crept up onto his face.

“That’s all I needed to hear.” Jeonghan stood up from his chair, back straightening with confidence.

“Jeonghan, I-” The apology died down on your lips when you noticed the way he was staring at you.

“I expect you to visit me after my surgery?” His lips curved up slightly, playfulness evident in his gaze.

You swallowed thickly, eyes shifting to your fidgeting fingers. You nodded.

“Okay.”

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶︶⊹

Before Jeonghan entered the peaceful, anaesthetised state, he watched the way you set up. You weren’t the only doctor in the room, yet he couldn’t bring himself to lay his eyes on anyone other than you.

Watching you in your element—the way you moved gracefully, the way you fitted on his mask and pressed buttons on a machine he knew nothing about—was something he didn’t realise he could enjoy so much. You were deeply professional down to your core, and with the way you handled everything like it was nothing made him feel deeply intrigued. And slightly aroused—but that wasn’t something he would willingly admit.

In the moments before the anaesthesia was to be administered, Jeonghan smiled like a child curiously watching their parents. He didn’t feel the usual sense of discomfort or displeasure that he normally would associate with undergoing surgery. He was actually excited to go under, because the quicker it happened, the quicker he could wake up and see your beautiful face again.

Because he knew you would be there.

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶︶⊹

Jeonghan woke up barely even an hour after his surgery. His eyes slowly blinked open, and before he could properly register his surroundings, his eyes landed on you.

You had been quietly watching him for the past 20 minutes, waiting for the moment his round eyes would finally meet yours.

“You’re actually here.” He murmured, voice groggy. Your lips lifted into a soft smile.

“I am.”

“…I’m not dreaming, am I?” You let out a soft giggle.

“You’re not.”

He broke into a boyish grin. Your heart warmed at the sight.

“So, when will we go for round 2?” Your jaw dropped immediately, and you slapped his arm instinctively, not realising it was the side he received surgery on.

Jeonghan winced instantly, his other hand immediately grabbing onto it. Mortified, you scrambled in your seat.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” You cried. You quickly tried to inspect his arm, but before you could grab him, his hand stopped you.

“You’re sorry?”

You nodded hastily.

“Really sorry?” He raised a brow teasingly.

“Yes.” You whispered. You genuinely felt mortified.

“Then kiss it better.” He pointed at his elbow that was slung in a cast. An incredulous look formed on your face. He only smiled at you cheekily.

“Come on. I’m waiting.” He insisted. Your face warmed inextricably, and you had to repress the urge to slap him again.

“I’m not doing that, Jeonghan.”

He didn’t seem convinced.

“Then kiss my cheek then.” He pointed his finger at his face.

This guy.

“Lips?” You rolled your eyes at him.

“Are you going to take no for an answer?” You sighed, exasperated. He chuckled at your words.

“I mean, if you reaaaally don’t want to. I guess I can’t force you. But I really want you to. Please.”

His begging made your heart race quicker than you thought it could.

“Is that a no?” He pouted.

Before he had the chance to react, you quickly pecked a kiss onto his lips, the contact brief and sharp. Jeonghan froze immediately, not having enough time to process it before you already pulled back.

Your face warmed up completely, and you shifted your eyes away from him out of embarrassment.

Why did I do that?

“Come here.” He tapped on the free space on his bed. You broke out of your thoughts. You hesitated for a moment at his request, before reluctantly stepping to him and sitting carefully on his bed.

At the exact moment you sat down, his free hand gently grabbed your face and pulled you closer, before enveloping your lips with a soft kiss. This time it was much longer, much more electric and much more passionate.

You hated how soft his lips felt against yours. You hated the way his other hand gently grabbed onto your fingers before intertwining them with his own. You hated how it made your heart feel like it was going to thump out of your chest.

God, this man was going to be your undoing.

When you eventually pulled back, his eyes watched yours intently, with so much yearning it made you crave more.

“Can I do that again?” He whispered, cheeks dusted a light shade of pink. You giggled softly.

“I have to get back to work now.” You murmured, eye contact never ceasing. You squeezed his hand gently before standing up. Jeonghan only pouted.

“You’ll come back?” He asked.

A soft smile formed on your face.

“Yes.”

“You won’t run away again?”

“I promise.”

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶︶⊹

In the three months that had passed, Jeonghan’s elbow had healed, he had taken you out on a date, and you had slept with him too many times to even count. Apparently, you both just couldn’t get enough of each other, no matter how much time passes or however many times you fuck him in your apartment or his.

As of now, you were officially his girlfriend, and as his girlfriend, you were sleeping in his arms after a long movie marathon last night, something both of you didn’t really pay attention to, due to some other occupying activities.

Your head rested against his warm and bare chest, arm sprawled against his side. His breathing remained rhythmic and steady. You opened your eyes, gaze shifting to the calm expression on his face.

Gently, you cupped his cheek before leaving a soft kiss. As you rose up to leave the bed, Jeonghan’s hand quickly grabbed onto your arm. The sudden action surprised you.

“Don’t…leave me again.” He mumbled, voice thick with sleep. You giggled before sighing.

“It’s been three months, Hannie. I’m not going anywhere.” You pushed his hair out of his face.

“Gosh, sometimes I wonder why you’re so afraid of losing me.”

“You’re my dream woman. Of course I’d be scared.” You giggled shyly at his words.

“If I did run away, how long would you spend looking for me?”

Jeonghan groaned. He didn’t even want to think about it.

“However long it takes to find you.” His eyes were fully opened now.

“You’re not actually planning to run away, are you?” A laugh escaped your mouth.

“Of course not. I wouldn’t last a day without being in your arms.” A shy yet happy smile formed on his face.

“Plus, you can’t find dick like mine anywhere.” You immediately slapped his chest, flabbergasted that he could say that at barely 8am in the morning.

“I’m sure I can’t.” You played along, not wanting to upset him. You were still sore from last night. You needed at least a few more hours. Maybe even a day.

You laid your head back on his chest, your ear pressed firmly against him. His heart beat pulsed within your ear, the sound calming your mind.

“Angel?” He called out.

“Mm?”

“I love you. So much.” You smiled softly before pressing a kiss to his lips.

“I love you too.”

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶ ︶⊹︶︶︶⊹

[boofeine]

take it as it is – yjh

pairing: jeonghan x fem reader

warnings: smut, small drabble, raw sex, cum play, rough, swearing, spanking, dirty talk

note: that's based on what tarot shows, there you go and happy vakentines day btw :)

You have no idea how you got here but you're not the slightest guilty.

"Jeonghan" you call for him even though he's already the closest he can be to you. You're tugging his hair to make him look at you "I need all of this off" you say and the curve of his mouth goes up in an almost unperceptive move but you see it.

He takes a step back and pulls his shirt over his head while you unbutton your bra, reaching to undo his jeans right after. He growls taking your waist and putting you close again.

His finger reach your chin getting your eyes back up as he takes your mouth again. His palm going down to press over your boob, pinching your nipple with his thumb and middle finger. You whimper and he takes your tongue when your lips parted turning it into a moan. Once Jeonghan feels the warm of your tongue on his, he can't help but hum in satisfaction. The vibrations hitting straight to your core.

In one motion, he's grabbing under your thigh and yanking you up, your legs wrapping around his back. He takes you both to the bed, sitting with you on his lap without leaving your lips.

The kiss is not rushed but there's too much need you can tell you're already dripping down. Once he takes a hand full of your ass, pulling and aligning your centers together, you have no doubt you're wet and you feel he's hard too.

He stops the kiss just to go down your neck, leaving bites and sucking on the way. You can't help the moans and neither the rock of your hips against his clothed core. He helps you out by pushing your ass as he growls in approval.

"Fuck, yn" he groans "I can't get enough of you"

You're a little impatient but that's just how he likes it. He's hugging your hips and in one flip motion you're on the bed and him over you. You yelp in surprise, releasing an unexpected giggle that is cut short once you see the image of him taking his jeans off in front of you, boxers also going out on the way as you rush to pull your shorts too.

His cock spread free, hitting his belly, full hard as he glups dry. He comes near, taking your panties, pulling down your legs without leaving your eyes. Once he gets to your feet, he kisses your heels, throwing your panties to the side.

He admires your laid body and how your pussy is already glistening, he barely have touched you. He does a few testing bumps on his length, his head hanging back from pleasure, he urges to get back up to look down at you. You spread your legs to welcome him and he goes for you again.

"Ready?" He asks once your face is inches from his.

"Yes" you whisper.

Jeonghan hands his base, resting his head at your clit to test the waters. Your mouth goes open in pure pleasure, your back arching as he starts to draw circles over the muscle.

His left arm rest just beside your head while the right one play his cock on you. He takes your mouth again in a messy airy kiss, while he spreads his full length over your folds. You're both a moaning mess on each other's mouths.

"Please" you plea, your nails digging to his arm.

Jeonghan hears you, alighing his head to your entrance. He swears under his breath, going slow, careful not to hurt you. His lips meating your nipple as he licks and suck feeling your cunt welcoming him even more. He goes for the other side, playing with your hard nipple, still letting you take him down there. Once he bottoms out, he loose his mind, stopping everything to catch his breath, his temple resting on your shoulders.

"So. Fucking. Tight." He praises feeling your walls hugging him perfectly.

He starts to move his hips. Pulling back leaving just his head until he pushes everything inside again. He starts slow as you slowly opens up, welcoming him to fasten his pace.

You rest your heels on his lower back already moaning. He halts his thrusts with the motion as you start to meet up with his thrusts too. Your heels pulling him in.

"You're gonna be the end of me"

He goes wild, nibbling at your breast. He comes up, his arm reaching something above your head. Jeonghan grabs a pillow, stopping his pace to come his torso up. The pillow goes under your body, his hand manhandling your sides as he starts to move again. You both moan loudly as this new position makes him reach more inside of you. The bed starts shaking but you don't care if he keeps poking the sweet spot inside you. His palm grab a hand full of your boob, his knuckles white leaving red marks on you but you don't mind. The image of jeonghan loosing it because of you, brows shut and his lip in between his teeth is worthy everything.

You feel your belly tightening, and he helps you by pressing down on it. Your walls clenching and you're close to cumming but it's left because he slips his cock out and you turn in a whiny mess.

You don't have too much time to feel the loss, because he flips you around. None of this is gentle but it's exactly how you like it. You grab the sheets, your hair all over the place and on your face. Jeonghan is already pulling your ass up, leaving a spank to the side. The sound fills the room and stings on your skin as you groan.

"Hand on the headboard" he demands and you're reaching as he's easily entering you again.

He picks up the fast pace, with rough long thrusts. The bed shaking again as you try to find leverage on the poor wood above your head.

He spreads you handing your ass. You can feel your arousal dripping, and jeonghan can't stop watching the way you take him so well from behind.

"So fucking perfect. I could breed you mine, you know that?" He gasps out.

You lower your head, not able to form coherent words, just moans.

You're both close as he keeps going. Another spank and you're loosing it. Your whole body stiffs and you come undone with his name on the tip of your tongue. Your cunt is pulsating so much that it makes it hard for jeonghan to even move inside you.

"Shit, shit, shit" he pleas because he wants to cum too and you're not letting him move.

He takes out in time, cumming all over your ass and lower back with a husky moan. You feel the hotness of his release on your skin, whimpering as it stickens.

[minisugakoobies]

Now for meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Jeonghan smut #8 (heh)

Congratulations! You've unlocked the smutty second part of the Jeonghan skinny dipping drabble!! Your prompt was too perfect, Luce. Also this is like 1.7k, oops! 💕

Jeonghan + outdoor sex

Warnings: teasing (because ofc), use of pet name - baby, pool sex, exhibitionism, riding, hitting it raw (not sorry!), the tiniest bit of angst because it's friends to lovers, oh and big dick Jeonghan because why not, it's my self-indulgent era (but hasn't it been always?)

Minors fuck off!!

********************

You reach for the hem of your shirt. Jeonghan treads water as you peel it over your head, then unbutton your shorts. He’s not bothering to hide the track of his eyes as you undress. This moment feels very surreal -  stripping outside in the moonlight, while your best friend slash crush waits while naked in the pool, watching your every movement. 

It’s dreamlike, but the sweat on your forehead and neck is very real. As is the momentary apprehension that stops you from taking off your bralette. You and Jeonghan have always been close, but this is new territory. Are you ready for it?

You touch your cheek, remembering the press of his lips. Then you yank your bralette off. You’re not sure if the air conditioning unit outside the vacation rental made noise or if Jeonghan said something under his breath, but he hasn’t looked away, and the expression on his face is something you’ll think about long after tonight.

Before you can lose your nerve, you take off your panties. Then you immediately jump into the pool.

Jeonghan ducks your splashes, then he swims towards you. “I didn’t think you’d get in.” 

You shrug, hoping you look calmer than you feel. You’re shivering and it’s not just from the cold water. Should’ve sprung for a place with a heated pool. 

“You’re not the only bold one, maybe.”

He hums at that. Then he reaches for you. “Come here, you’re shaking.” 

“Oh, I’m ok- “ 

He shushes your protests, pulling you towards him, wrapping his arms around your back. You throw your arms around his neck, brushing the wet ends of his hair. There’s distance between your chests, so that you’re not touching. But being this close is enough to warm you as the two of you float together. 

“Better?” he asks after a moment’s silence. You nod. He smirks. “But you’re still shaking.” 

You shudder again. “Just give me a minute.” 

He nods. “Okay.” His eyes drop to your mouth, and then he pulls you closer, so that your chest just bumps his. You stifle your gasp as best you can, but it doesn’t matter if he hears it, he’s had you clocked this whole time. When did he figure it out? 

You’ll think about that later. He keeps humming, and he won’t stop looking at your lips, and it might drive you insane. “Jeonghan.” 

“Hmm?” 

“Are you going to kiss me?” 

“Yes.” 

You huff out a little breath at his response. So matter-of-fact. “What are you waiting for?” 

Jeonghan laughs. “You’re cute when you’re impatient, has anyone ever told you that?” 

“Stop it,” you groan. “You told me not to keep you waiting.” 

“This isn’t waiting. This is savoring.” He pulls you so close that your noses bump together. He tilts his head, and there is the faintest brush of his lips over yours. “Let me take my time.” 

His mouth presses to yours again, lingers there longer, and longer still with the next pass. He pulls your lower lip into his mouth, runs his tongue over it, and then kisses you again before you can catch your breath. 

You cling to his shoulders, pressing yourself against him, but this makes it difficult for him to tread water. He leads you to a shallower spot, where you can both stand with your shoulders still underwater, and then he embraces you. Forget impatient - by this point, you’re desperate for him to kiss you again, and all but throw yourself at his mouth. 

His laughter mixes with your embarrassed whines, lips against lips. “Shhh, don’t wake them,” he whispers, referring to your friends sleeping inside. “Or do you want an audience?” 

You don’t want anyone intruding on this moment, so you mutter, “No,” and nudge his nose with yours, leaning into him, urging him to kiss you again. He cups your face with both hands as he does, controlling the pace, which is slow, slow, slow. Your toes literally curl with desire as an ache builds between your thighs. 

“Jeonghan,” you turn your head to whisper. He places a tiny peck on your cheek, your jaw.

“YN,” he replies. Peck, peck. His lips reach your neck. 

“Do you want to…” Oh god, how do you ask your best friend to fuck you? 

“Yes.” 

You scoff. “You don’t know what I was ask - oh!” 

Jeonghan sinks his teeth into the curve of your neck. He doesn’t break the skin, but it surprises you nonetheless. 

“Sorry,” he grins, not looking the least bit, “I got carried away. But to be honest - I don’t need to hear what your question was. I’m down for everything.” He stares at your neck, running a finger over the sensitive skin. “I bet that leaves a mark.” 

“Ass,” you say, pretending you don’t hope it does. Then you realize what he said before that. Your edible is wearing off, but you’re so overwhelmed by your dreams coming true that your brain is only now catching up to the conversation. “What do you mean, ‘everything’?” 

His smirk returns. “”It means, I want you, too. However you’ll let me have you.”

While you’re absorbing this, his hands slide down to your hips, holding you against him. His cock is hard between you. And long, you can’t help but note. 

There are a million questions that you’d like to ask him right now, but one most of all. “Just for tonight?” 

Jeonghan groans. “I hope not.”

You didn’t know what to expect, really, but it wasn’t anything nearly as good as that answer. You kiss him then, urgently, needing to show him how much you agree. You don’t pray, but you toss a silent plea into the starry night anyway. Just in case. 

Let this not be the only night, please. 

Jeonghan puts his hands on the backs of your thighs. 

“Jump.”

He carries you wrapped around his waist over to the edge of the pool closest to the back of the house. You’re pinned against the wall by him, hidden beneath him a little. You feel safe and yet vulnerable at the same time, staring at your best friend. There’s still time to stop this. Laugh it off as a late night dare gone too far. If that’s what you wanted. 

You take a deep breath. “Kiss me.” 

He bends his head. “You gonna boss me around now?” He moves to kiss you, but turns his head at the last second, and then does it again, dodging your lips. You huff in frustration, his name coming out in a tiny whine. 

Your neck flares with heat. “Would you listen if I did?” 

He laughs, but doesn’t reply, cupping your chin to kiss you. You don’t mind the non-answer. For now, at least.

You never want to stop kissing him. His touch consumes you completely. This is the best night of your life. You should’ve been doing this long ago. Again you wonder how long he’s known that you like him. Does he like you the same way? 

Stop thinking and focus!

He drags his hand down your hip, grabs the softness of your thigh and guides you silently to hook your leg around him. This opens you up so he can rub his hard cock against your slit. 

“Oh, fuck, Jeonghan,” you moan directly into his ear. He curses a little loudly, and then surges forward to muffle himself with your mouth in a messy kiss. It’s getting difficult to keep your voices down. 

“Like this?” he asks, rubbing his head through your folds. “Is this okay?” 

“Yeah, I’m…” You’re on birth control. You haven’t been dating anyone. “I’m good. Are you - good?” 

He nods. “Yeah, ‘m good.” He pushes his cock into you a little harder, his head starting to poke through. “Shit. It’s gonna be a little rough at first. Gotta stretch you out.” 

“Oh, god, yes, do it,” you groan. He thrusts harder, and this time he breaches your lips. You both moan into your kissing. He takes his time, stroking slowly as he glides deeper, and deeper still. Every drag of his cock against your walls sends waves of pleasure through your body. He’s keeping you afloat, but you’re drowning anyway, in him. 

You’re not the only one struggling for air. “Feels so good, fuck!” he gasps, pausing between thrusts to allow you a moment. He has to have the biggest dick that’s ever been inside you, filling you up with every stroke. It feels incredible. “Gonna move faster, now, baby,” he tells you. 

Baby. That’s new. “Please, Jeonghan, fuck me!” 

He groans. “Hold on, we gotta do this right.” He pulls out, and you whine at the loss of him, but then he grabs your hand, leading you to the edge of the shallow end, where there are steps. He sits, and pats his lap. “C’mere.” 

It’s riskier to do this here, where there’s nothing to hide either of you, but you’re long past caring at this point. You sit in your best friend’s lap, sinking down on his cock, and sigh. It’s more intimate like this, wrapped up in each other. You chase his lips, kissing him as he sets a faster pace, rocking up into you. 

You roll your hips, and he groans low in his throat. “That’s it, ride it. Take what you need, baby.” 

“Jeonghan,” you moan. “Jeonghan, please.” It’s the only word you have right now. Please don’t stop. Please keep calling me baby. 

“I’ve got you,” he answers, holding you close. “I’ve got you.”

When you start to shake in his arms, he doesn’t let go. He talks you through your orgasm, whispering sweet words in your ear. Then his thrusts begin to slow, and you urge him to come inside you, winding your hips to take him as deep as you can. 

The night air is still hot, but you begin to shiver again. Jeonghan hugs you close. 

“Cold?” he asks. 

You shake your head. He laughs, a warm sound that does as much to brace you as his arms do. 

“I know we should talk about this, but I think maybe we should go inside first.” He leans back to look at you. “You ready?”

Are you ready? You don’t know. At least, not until he takes your hand.

[ts19009]

Ruin My Life | yjh

genre: enemies!to!lovers,arranged marriage, hurt/comfort, forced proximity, fluff, smut, angst, prince!jeonghan x princess!y/n, idiots-in-love,

warnings:fluff, lawbreaking, angst, cheeky jeonghan, FLIRTING, smut, explicit unprotected sex, pinning, 

words: 31,833

A/N: NOT BETA’D, all mistakes are my own :) 

Playlist:ruin my life: zara larson I all of the girls you loved before:taylor swift |butterflies: kacey musgraves | i wanna be yours:artic monkeys | 

Summary:  To the Kingdom of Hespros, Jeonghan is a silver-haired storm of pure, unfiltered energy, a tournament victor who treats his crown like a toy and diplomacy like a game of dare. He’s impulsive, brilliant, and completely unmanageable, which is exactly why the King anchors him to Y/N, the soft-spoken, steely daughter of the Iron Coast sent to stabilize his chaotic reputation. Raised in a world of grey stone and strict discipline, Y/N arrives loathing his lack of restraint, while Jeonghan becomes instantly, dangerously addicted to the challenge of cracking her icy composure. He spends his nights dragging his "enemy" into midnight escapades and high-stakes trouble, thriving on the adrenaline of almost getting her caught just to see her perfect facade slip. Yet, beneath his cheeky provocations, Jeonghan is haunted by the quiet fear that his passion is unrequited. Convinced he’s just a beautiful disaster ruining her life, while she’s only enduring his presence as a royal duty. He has no idea that every rule he forces her to break feels like a revelation; while he worries he’s a habit she’s trying to quit, Y/N is secretly falling for the fire he’s sparked in her, realizing she’d rather be ruined by him than saved by anyone else.

The bells of Hespros were supposed to be ringing for a wedding. Instead, they rang for a trophy that felt like a lead weight in Jeonghan’s hands. He rode through the city gates, his pitch black hair catching the sun, his face a perfectly constructed mask of "charming victor" as he waved to the crowds. He’d won the tournament, outmatched every knight in the South, and yet the only prize he’d truly wanted, the physical alliance with the Southern throne, had slipped through his fingers when the Princess of the South chose another.

He knew what was waiting for him inside the palace. He knew the temperature of his father’s rage.

Jeonghan didn't wait for a servant to announce him. He strolled into the private royal solar, his boots clicking rhythmically against the marble. "I hope the wine hasn’t gone sour," he called out, his voice a smooth, melodic drawl. "Winning a tournament for a kingdom that doesn't want you is surprisingly thirsty work."

“The wine hasn’t gone sour, but your time as a young bachelor might have,” Jeonghan’s father said, from behind him. He positioned himself right beside the door, so Jeonghan couldn't see him immediately. 

Jeonghan sighed and smoothly turned around to face his father, “am I not allowed one evening to celebrate my victory father?”

Jeongahn’s father sighed, and pushed himself off the wall, a goblet in hand. “That was not a victory, Jeonghan. You did not secure a marriage.” 

“No, but I secured an alliance.” 

“We do not need just an alliance. We need you to get married. You need to secure the royal line. Especially now that your sister has married Jeon.” 

Jeonghan scoffed and shook his head a little. He had thought his father had accepted his sister's husband. “I thought you liked Wonwoo?”

“I do,” he replied, handing him the goblet. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t ignore the facts. He does not have royal lineage, therefore they and their offspring can not inherit the throne. It is up to you Jeonghan.” 

“No pressure father,” Jeonghan scoffed and his father grabbed his arm firmly. It was not time to make jokes. 

“There should be pressure. You allowed your sister to get close with the Jeon boy. Now it is your responsibility to deal with their actions.” 

Jeonghan’s eyebrows furrowed. He didn’t think marrying his sister and her guard would make his life so much harder. 

“You should have thought of that before letting the princess go as well.” Jeonghan rolled his eyes and took a sip of whatever was in the goblet.  “I know you think that not marrying the princess is not a big deal, but you are almost twenty four. We have been more than generous enough in not pushing anyone down your throat for six years, but people are starting to question whether or not you want to take care of the kingdom.”

Jeonghan scoffed, “is giving up my entire childhood to this kingdom not enough?” 

Jeonghan always had more responsibilities than his sister. When she had to take etiquette and ballroom classes, Jeonghan had to learn the ways to run a kingdom. He had to learn how to keep the balance without ruining each aspect of the kingdom, which was ultimately, way more stressful. 

The king didn't even look up from the map he was studying, his indifference a sharper blade than any direct insult.

“No, it is not enough,” the King said flatly. “Because a childhood spent in preparation is a debt you owe the blood in your veins. You speak as if you were a martyr for learning the ledger, yet you stand before me now behaving as if you’ve never seen one. You are the future of Hespros, Jeonghan. And the future cannot be built on drinking games and fountain-jumping.”

Jeonghan’s grip tightened on the goblet, the silver metal groaning under the pressure of his fingers. He felt the familiar, hot prickle of resentment rising up his throat. He had been a miniature adult at seven, a strategist at twelve, and a shadow-king at eighteen. Yet to his father, he was perpetually a disappointment.

“The Southern Princess was your chance to prove you understood that,” the King continued, finally turning to face him. His eyes were hard, devoid of the warmth a father should have for a son. “Instead, you played the fool, and she chose a man who understands that a crown is a crown, not a costume. So, since you cannot be trusted to choose for the benefit of this realm, I have chosen for you.”

The King gestured toward the door, where Y/N was waiting in the hallway, caught in the suffocating silence of the palace.

“Y/N of the Iron Coast will be here to ensure that your 'spontaneity' has an end date. She is the anchor. You will marry her, you will produce an heir, and you will finally stop acting as if the world is a stage for your amusement.”

Jeonghan sighed, and chugged the rest of this wine, before leaving the room to drink his sorrows away from his father. 

When the news of the betrothal between Crown Prince Jeonghan and the Mystical Princess Y/N broke, it sent a shockwave through the Iron Coast that echoed across the entire realm. Hespros was the largest and most gilded kingdom in existence, and its people were fueled by a desperate, gossiping hope: they wanted to see their mischievous prince finally tamed. They wanted the "Silver Storm" anchored before he could blow the kingdom down.

Yet, while the realm knew every one of Jeonghan’s scandals by heart, the princess remained a complete mystery. To the golden halls of Hespros, Y/N was nothing but a whisper from the fog. A mystery wrapped in obsidian and salt. The only fragments of truth the gossip could cling to were that she was the youngest in a powerful lineage of women, and that she possessed a talent for the piano that was said to be as haunting as the Iron Coast itself. They expected a quiet girl to play pretty songs in the parlor; they had no idea she was the eye of the storm Jeonghan had been running toward his entire life.

When Y/N had found out about her engagement to the crown Prince, she had just nodded and retreated back to the only room in the castle that she felt safe in. The music room.

It was a place where the air always felt heavy, charged with the same low hum that vibrated through the cliffs outside. Music was a solitary path in her house; her sisters had long ago claimed their own territories. The eldest was already a shadow to their mother, consumed by the intense mechanics of ruling the kingdom, while the two middle sisters found their peace in the hearth and the alchemy of baking. But for Y/N, the piano was her voice. In a family of steel and fire, she was the one who translated the sound of the tides into melody. As she sat at the bench, her fingers ghosting over the keys, she knew her life on the Coast was over. She was being sent to a golden cage in the South, and for the first time, she wondered if the "Silver Storm" of Hespros was loud enough to drown out the music she carried inside.

“How are you feeling?”

The voice belonged to Yunjin, the eldest. She stood in the arched doorway of the music room, her silhouette framed by the dim, silvery light of the hallway. Of all the sisters, Yunjin was the one carved from the same stone as Y/N; they shared the same observant eyes and the same habit of listening to what went unsaid. It made them natural allies in a household that often felt as loud as the crashing surf, and it meant Yunjin could see right through the perfect stillness of Y/N’s shoulders.

Yunjin stepped into the room, her boots silent on the obsidian floor. She knew the news of the Hespros betrothal would have shaken her youngest sister to the core, but she also knew that Y/N’s stubborn nature was a fortress. Y/N wouldn’t pace, she wouldn't cry, and she certainly wouldn’t complain. She would simply sit at her piano and wait for the world to move around her.

Y/N’s fingers pressed a final, dissonant chord, the vibration humming through the wood of the piano and up her arms. She didn’t look up, her gaze fixed on the ivory keys as if they were the only thing tethering her to the ground.

“I am worried they will not have a piano in Hespros,” she said, her voice small but steady.

It was a deflection, and they both knew it. It was easier to mourn the loss of a wooden instrument than to admit to the cold, sharp fright blooming in her chest, the terror of being uprooted from the salt-mist of the Coast and handed over to a man she had never met. A man who, by all accounts, was a chaotic fire that would surely consume someone as quiet as her.

Yunjin let out a soft, knowing huff of air, reaching down to gently nudge Y/N’s shoulder with her own. “Hespros is the wealthiest kingdom in the realm, little bird. They likely have a dozen pianos, each one dripping in more gold than this entire wing of the castle.”

She paused, her expression softening as she saw the way Y/N’s knuckles remained white.

“But I know it isn't the instrument you're worried about. You're worried they won't have the silence you need to play it. Or that the Prince will be too loud to hear you.” Yunjin reached out, covering Y/N’s hand with her own, her grip as firm as the iron that lined their shores. “He is a storm, yes. But remember what Mother always says: the Coast doesn’t fear the storm. We’re the ones who outlast it.”

Y/N finally looked up, her dark eyes reflecting the dim glow of the sea-star lanterns. “I don't want to outlast him, Yunjin. I just don't want to be extinguished by him.”

Yunjin’s voice had that certain iron-clad quality to it, the kind of tone that didn't just offer comfort, but stated a fact of the universe. She reached out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind Y/N’s ear, her touch lingering for a second too long as if trying to transfer some of her own composure to her younger sister.

“You won’t, Y/N,” Yunjin repeated, her smile softening even as her gaze remained sharp. “Fire needs air to breathe, and you... you are the deep water. You don't realize yet that a storm can’t burn anything that is already submerged. If anything, he’s the one who should be worried about his flame going out.”

Y/N’s small smile was a fragile thing, but it was enough to steady her as the final days on the Iron Coast bled into hours. The reality of her father’s decree had finally settled: this wasn't a mere visit to discuss terms. It was a relocation. She was leaving the salt-mist and obsidian for a land of gold and sun, and she was doing it alone.

The hardest part wasn't the packing; it was the severing of ties. The goodbye to her friends had been hurried and hollow, filled with the kind of forced optimism that only made the heartache sharper.

But it was Soojin, her ladies' maid, who finally broke through Y/N’s composure. The command from Hespros had been cold and absolute: The Princess is to bring only herself. It was a subtle way of saying they intended to strip her of her Coast identity and dress her in Hespros silk from the moment she arrived.

“Promise me that you won’t forget who you are, my lady?” Soojin asked, the words catching on a sob as she folded  a heavy, sea-teal cloak.

The fabric was woven from the thick, coarse wool of the Iron Coast, designed to repel the damp mist and the biting salt-winds of the cliffs. In the sweltering, golden heat of Hespros, such a garment would be stifling, a relic of a world that didn't know the sun could be so cruel.

Y/N reached out, taking Soojin’s trembling hands in hers. The silence of the room was heavy, smelling of the lavender sachets they used for the linens and the ever-present scent of the sea.

“Of course, Soojin. You know me,” Y/N said, her voice surprisingly firm despite the fright still flickering in her chest. She forced a brave smile, the kind she had practiced in the mirror for years, the one that projected the calm of the deep water, even when the surface was beginning to chop. “A new maid and a new palace won't change what’s written in my blood. I am of the Iron Coast. We don't break; we just endure.”

She gave Soojin’s hands a final squeeze, a silent promise to hold onto her "mystical" roots even when surrounded by the "Silver Storm" and his golden kingdom.

The departure was the final crack in the foundation of her life. Y/N’s sisters weren't coming with her to the South, so they gathered at the front gates of the Iron Coast to see her off. They stood in a line against the backdrop of the churning sea, a row of powerful women who had always been her shield. Now, that shield was being dismantled.

Yunjin was the last to let go of her hand. She didn't say anything more, but her grip was tight, a silent reminder of their conversation in the music room. The two middle sisters offered her small tokens. A pressed flower from the hearth and a heavy silver ring, while the salt-wind whipped their hair into their faces.

Then, the carriage door closed. The iron-bound wheels began to grind against the stone, and the only sound Y/N could hear was the fading rhythm of the waves.

The journey south was a long transition from the familiar to the unknown. As the carriage rolled away from the Iron Coast, Y/N watched her sisters through the glass. They stood as a united front at the stone gates. Yunjin stood at the center, her gaze steady and her head held high. She didn't wave, but the way she watched the carriage until it disappeared was its own kind of goodbye. It was a silent command for Y/N to remain as unshakeable as the cliffs they called home.

By the time the carriage crossed the border into Hespros, the world had changed. The damp, grey mist of the North was burned away by a sun that felt aggressive and intrusive. The arrival at the palace was a sensory assault. The architecture of Hespros was not built for defense or endurance like the Iron Coast. It was built for vanity. Every pillar was wrapped in gold leaf, and every garden was filled with flowers that smelled cloyingly sweet. The air was thick and stagnant, lacking the salt-sting that Y/N used to breathe.

As the carriage door opened, the heat hit her like a physical blow. She stepped out, her heavy sea-teal skirts looking like a dark inkblot against the white marble of the courtyard. A steward led her through the labyrinth of the palace. He walked with a stiff, practiced grace that made Y/N feel even more like an outsider. Behind her, she could hear the quiet scuff of the servants’ shoes and the low murmurs of the courtiers. They peered at her from behind silk fans and arched doorways. To them, she was the "Mystical Princess," a curiosity brought in to fix their broken prince.

She focused on the rhythm of her own footsteps. She kept her spine straight and her face a mask of polite indifference. She was not a guest here. She was a strategic placement. They finally reached the hallway outside the King’s study. The steward paused and gestured for her to wait, his eyes lingering on her dark tunic with a look of quiet disapproval. Y/N ignored him. She turned her attention to the massive oak doors in front of her.

The wood was thick, but it wasn't thick enough to drown out the voice coming from the other side. It was a voice that sounded like a beautiful, jagged disaster.

“Is giving up my entire childhood to this kingdom not enough?”

The words were sharp and filled with a raw, bleeding resentment. Y/N felt a sudden, sharp pang of recognition. This was the Silver Storm. He wasn't just being difficult. He was fighting a war against a life he never asked for.

The King’s voice replied, cold and resonant. “You are the future of Hespros, Jeonghan. And the future cannot be built on drinking games and fountain-jumping.”

Y/N took a steadying breath. She thought of Yunjin’s words about the deep water. She smoothed the dark fabric of her dress and prepared herself to walk into the fire.

“Y/N of the Iron Coast will be here to ensure that your 'spontaneity' has an end date,” the King’s voice boomed. “She is the anchor.”

The doors groaned open. Y/N didn't hesitate. She stepped into the sunlight, her shadow stretching long and dark across the polished floor toward the man who was already prepared to hate her.

Y/N stepped through the heavy oak doors just as the King finished speaking. The sunlight of the Southern kingdom flooded the room, but she carried her own shadow with her. She didn't look at the Prince. Instead, she kept her gaze fixed squarely on the King, offering a bow that was perfectly measured and technically flawless. It was the bow of a princess who knew her worth, yet it remained entirely devoid of warmth.

“Your Majesty,” she said, her voice clear and cool like the northern currents. “I have arrived as requested. The Iron Coast sends its regards, along with the hope that this union brings the stability you seek.”

Jeonghan was leaning against the edge of a massive mahogany desk, his arms crossed over his chest. He had been prepared to tear her apart with a single look. He had expected her to be shrinking, or perhaps wide-eyed and desperate for his approval. He had even practiced a mocking smirk to welcome the girl who was meant to be his cage.

But she didn't even give him the chance to use it.

She stood there, a vision of sea-teal and silver, speaking to his father as if Jeonghan were nothing more than a piece of furniture. Her profile was steady, her jaw set in a line of quiet strength. She didn't cast a single curious glance in his direction. She didn't seek out the "Silver Storm" everyone had warned her about.

Jeonghan felt a strange, sharp prick of irritation. It was followed quickly by a flicker of something he hadn't felt in a long time: genuine curiosity. He shifted his weight, his eyes narrowing as he tracked the way she moved. She was so still, so composed, that she made the rest of the room feel frantic by comparison.

“You’ve traveled a long way, Princess,” the King said, his voice dropping the harsh edge he had used with his son. “My son, the Crown Prince, was just expressing his... enthusiasm for your arrival.”

At the mention of his title, Y/N finally allowed her gaze to shift, but only slightly. She didn't turn her head. She merely tilted her chin, her eyes stopping at the level of the King’s shoulder, refusing to meet Jeonghan’s intense stare.

“I am sure the Prince has many responsibilities to attend to,” she replied softly, her words laced with a subtle, mystical weight. “I would hate to be the cause of any further resentment regarding his time.”

Jeonghan let out a short, dry laugh that was half-scoff and half-intrigue. He pushed himself off the desk, taking a slow, predatory step toward her. He wanted to see her flinch. He wanted to see those calm eyes break.

“Resentment is a strong word, Princess,” Jeonghan said, his voice dropping into that smooth, dangerous velvet. “I was thinking more along the lines of boredom. But you don't look very boring, do you?”

Y/N still didn't look at him. She simply smoothed the silver embroidery on her cuff and turned her focus back to the King.

“If it pleases Your Majesty, I would like to see the music room before the evening's festivities,” she said.

Jeonghan stopped in his tracks, his smirk faltering for a fraction of a second. She had dismissed him. In his own palace, in front of his own father, she had looked right through him as if he were made of glass. He watched the way the sunlight caught the dark teal of her dress, and for the first time in his life, the Prince of Hespros found himself wanting to be the one who finally made someone look his way.

The King let out a small huff of amusement. He had clearly recognized the way she brushed off his son, and the subtle shift in the room's power dynamic seemed to please him. He gave a sharp nod and pointed toward Jeonghan.

“Jeonghan. Will you escort the princess to the music hall?”

The Prince froze for a heartbeat. He had spent the last hour fighting his father for every inch of his autonomy, yet now he found himself assigned as a glorified tour guide to the woman who wouldn't even look him in the eye. He looked at Y/N, waiting for her to show some sign of victory or perhaps a smirk of her own.

But she remained perfectly still. Her gaze was still directed toward a point somewhere past the King’s shoulder, her expression as unreadable as the deep ocean. She didn't look triumphant. She looked bored.

“It would be my absolute pleasure,” Jeonghan said. His voice was thick with a sarcasm that was meant to bite, but there was a new edge of alertness in his eyes. He stepped forward, sweeping a low, exaggerated bow that was entirely too graceful for a man who claimed to hate his royal training. He extended his arm toward her, his fingers steady. “If the Princess can find it in her busy schedule to walk with a common disappointment like myself.”

Y/N finally turned her head. She didn't look at his face. Instead, she looked at his extended arm with the same clinical interest one might give a strange insect. After a pause that lasted just a second too long, she placed the tips of her fingers on his sleeve. She didn't lean into him. She didn't even grip the fabric. She touched him as if she were afraid the gold embroidery of his suit might rub off on her.

“The King’s request is my priority,” she said simply.

Jeonghan felt the light pressure of her touch through the silk of his sleeve, and it felt remarkably cold. It was a stark contrast to the stifling heat of the palace. He led her toward the doors, his stride slow and deliberate. He wanted to force her to speak. He wanted to break that suffocating, northern silence she carried around her like a shroud.

As they stepped out into the hallway, away from the King’s watchful eyes, Jeonghan leaned in closer. The scent of her hit him then. She didn't smell like the heavy perfumes of the court. She smelled like salt, rain, and something ancient.

“You know,” he whispered, his voice dropping into a conspiratorial purr, “my father thinks you’re the anchor that’s going to stop my ship from sinking. But I’ve always found that anchors are very easy to cut loose once you’re far enough out at sea.”

Y/N didn't flinch. She didn't even skip a beat in her step. She kept her eyes focused on the hallway ahead, the rhythmic clicking of her boots against the marble the only sound between them.

“A ship that cuts its anchor in a storm usually ends up in pieces on the rocks, Prince Jeonghan,” she replied. Her voice was barely a whisper, yet it carried the weight of a prophecy. “But I suppose we shall see which of us is the one who survives the crash.”

Jeonghan raised an eyebrow, his steps slowing as he processed the quiet venom in her tone. He had spent years dealing with courtiers who tripped over their own feet to flatter him and a father who treated him like a failing investment, but he had never encountered someone who spoke of his destruction with such calm, melodic indifference.

“Is that a threat, Princess?” he asked. He came to a full stop in the center of the sun-drenched gallery, forcing her to either stop with him or pull her hand from his arm. “Because on the Coast, you might be the deep water, but here? Here, the sun bleeds everything dry. Even the tides.”

Y/N stopped, but she didn't pull away. She finally turned her head, her gaze climbing slowly from his shoulder to his jaw, and finally to his eyes. Up close, his eyes were a storm of their own, restless and silver, framed by hair that looked like spun moonlight. He was undeniably beautiful, but he was also vibrating with a chaotic energy that felt like a direct insult to the silence she craved.

“It is not a threat,” she said. Her voice remained cool, a stark contrast to the shimmering heat radiating off the golden walls. “It is a calculation. You view me as a weight around your neck, and I view this palace as a cage with too many windows. We are both trapped, Jeonghan. The difference is that I know how to exist in the dark, while you seem intent on burning yourself out just to prove you can glow.”

Jeonghan felt a sharp, genuine spark of irritation. She was reading him too easily. She was looking at the Prince of Hespros and seeing the exhaustion he hid behind his drinking games and his defiance.

“You talk like a funeral dirge,” he muttered, though his grip on his own composure was slipping. He started walking again, his pace more hurried now, as if he were trying to outrun the weight of her words. “Let’s get you to your piano. Perhaps if you’re busy making noise, you’ll stop trying to dissect my soul.”

“I have no interest in your soul, Prince,” Y/N replied, her voice trailing after him like a cool breeze. “I just want to see if your piano is out of tune. It would be a shame if the only thing in this kingdom with any harmony was broken.”

Jeonghan didn't respond, but the muscle in his jaw jumped. He led her toward the tall, arched doors of the music hall, his mind already racing. He had expected an anchor, something heavy and dull to hold him back. Instead, he had been handed a mirror, and for the first time in his life, he wasn't sure he liked what was looking back at him.

The moment the heavy doors to the music hall creaked open, the sharp tension between them didn't vanish, but it shifted. The room was cavernous, filled with light that bounced off gilded moldings and silk tapestries, but Y/N saw none of it. Her eyes locked onto the grand instrument sitting in the center of the rotunda.

It was a masterpiece of dark rosewood and ivory, looking almost out of place amidst the aggressive gold of the rest of the palace.

The cold, distant mask she had worn since stepping off the carriage finally slipped. Her shoulders, which had been set in a rigid line of defense, softened. She released Jeonghan’s arm without a word, her movements suddenly fluid and purposeful as she crossed the marble floor.

Jeonghan stayed back, leaning against the doorframe. He had been ready to snap back at her funeral dirge comment, but the words died in his throat. He watched the way she approached the piano, not like a princess claiming a prize, but like a traveler finally finding a well in the middle of a desert.

She reached out, her fingers hovering just a fraction of an inch above the polished wood before she finally let them touch the surface. The way she looked at the instrument was the first bit of genuine emotion he had seen from her. It wasn't the "Quiet Strength" she had shown his father; it was a raw, aching reverence.

Y/N sat on the bench, her back straight but no longer stiff. She pressed a single key. The note was middle C, and it rang out through the hall, clear and resonant. She closed her eyes, tilting her head as if listening to the way the sound decayed against the high ceilings.

“It’s in tune,” she whispered, mostly to herself.

Jeonghan watched her from the shadows of the doorway, his curiosity deepening into something more unsettling. The girl who had just treated him like a nuisance was gone. In her place was someone who looked entirely too fragile for the storm he had planned to unleash on her.

“My mother had it brought from the North years ago,” Jeonghan said, his voice losing some of its biting edge. “She said the Southern wood was too soft for real music. It warped in the heat.”

Y/N didn't look at him, but her fingers began to dance over the keys in a silent scale. “Your mother was right. Some things need the cold to keep their shape.”

She finally looked up, and for the first time, she didn't look through him. She looked at him, her dark eyes reflecting the golden light of the hall, but her expression was still guarded.

“Are you going to stand there and wait for me to break it, Prince? Or are you going to leave me to the only silence I’m likely to find in this palace?”

Jeonghan just shrugged and threw his hands up in innocence, a lazy, unbothered gesture that didn't match the intense focus in his eyes.

“I’m just a tour guide following orders, Princess,” he said, stepping away from the doorframe. Instead of leaving, he strolled over to a velvet-cushioned chaise lounge a few feet away and dropped onto it with practiced elegance. He draped one arm over the backrest, watching her with a crooked, challenging smile. “Besides, if you break my mother’s favorite instrument, I want to be the first one to tell my father it was your fault.”

Y/N didn't reply to the bait. She simply looked away, letting the silence settle between them once more. If he wanted to watch, she couldn't stop him, but she could choose to ignore him.

She turned back to the keys, taking a deep breath of the air that felt a little less suffocating now that she was sitting before the familiar dark wood. Her hands hovered over the ivory for a brief heartbeat before she finally let them fall.

The melody she chose was not a bright, triumphant piece meant for a royal court. It was a traditional song from the Iron Coast, a slow, swelling rhythm that captured the steady rise and fall of the northern tides. The music started low, mimicking the quiet roll of the waves against the obsidian cliffs, before growing more complex, the notes weaving together like a heavy mist rolling over the sea.

Jeonghan’s teasing smirk faded almost instantly.

He sat perfectly still, his silver hair catching the golden sunlight as he watched her fingers fly across the keys. There was no hesitation in her movements. The guarded, distant girl who had spoken to his father with calculated frost was completely gone. In her place was someone raw, passionate, and entirely commanding. She played with a fierce, quiet intensity that seemed to pull the very air out of the room, turning the oppressive Southern heat into something cool and vast.

As the piece reached its crescendo, full of deep, echoing chords that vibrated through the marble floor, Jeonghan found himself leaning forward. He couldn't take his eyes off her. He had spent his whole life trying to make enough noise to drown out the expectations of his kingdom, but the music she was making didn't just drown things out. It rebuilt the world around them.

For the first time since she had walked through the palace doors, Jeonghan realized that his father hadn't just brought him an anchor. He had brought him a force of nature.

“What was that piece called?” He asked, standing up and slowly walked to her. 

“Of salt and steel,” she replied. 

Jeonghan stopped just a few feet away from the bench, the name of the piece hanging in the air between them like a challenge.

“Of salt and steel,” he repeated, testing the words on his tongue as if trying to find a flaw in them. “A bit literal, don't you think? You Northerners really love to remind everyone where you come from.”

Y/N didn't lift her hands from the keys, though the last note had completely faded into the high rafters of the room. She kept her gaze on the dark rosewood of the piano, her chest rising and falling in a slow, even rhythm.

“It is not a reminder, Prince Jeonghan. It is a fact,” she said, her voice dropping back into that quiet, steady frequency that made him feel like he was trying to catch a shadow. “When you live on cliffs that are constantly beaten by the sea, you don't have the luxury of pretending the world is soft. You learn what keeps you anchored, or you get swept away.”

Jeonghan took another slow step forward, closing the remaining distance until he was standing right beside the piano. He leaned against the polished frame, tilting his head to look down at her profile. The sunlight was starting to shift, casting long, golden lines across the floor, but up close, he could see the faint silver thread in her collar gleaming in the light.

“And here I thought it was just a song,” he murmured, his tone losing its usual mocking edge, replaced by that low, velvet curiosity that had been building since she first walked into his father's study. He looked at her hands, still resting gracefully on the ivory keys. “You play like you’re trying to tear the strings out, but you look like you’re barely breathing. It’s a very confusing performance.”

Y/N finally tilted her chin up, her eyes meeting his silver gaze directly for the first time without looking past him or through him.

“Perhaps you are just used to people who make a great deal of noise to hide how hollow they are,” she replied softly.

Jeonghan let out a short, quiet laugh, but this time there was no bite to it. He looked down at her, his eyes narrowing slightly as he tried to read the calm water of her expression.

“Touché, Princess,” he said, a genuine smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “You might just survive this palace after all.” 

Jeonghan stayed leaning against the piano for a moment longer, his gaze lingering on her face before he finally straightened up. He took a slow step back, giving her a bit of space, but his eyes never left hers.

“You know, my father thinks you are here to fix me,” he said, his voice dropping into a quiet, almost playful tone as he gestured vaguely to the room around them. “He thinks a good northern anchor is exactly what a reckless prince needs to finally line up and play the part.”

Y/N didn't move. She kept her hands resting lightly on the keys, her fingers still feeling the faint, lingering warmth of the wood.

“And what do you think, Prince Jeonghan?” she asked, her voice steady and smooth.

Jeonghan let out a quiet breath, a small, knowing smile touching his lips. He tilted his head, studying the way the golden southern light caught the deep teal of her dress, making her look entirely out of place yet completely commanding.

“I think he underestimated the deep water,” Jeonghan murmured, his silver eyes flashing with a spark of genuine amusement. “An anchor just holds a ship in place. But you look like the kind of storm that rewrites the map entirely.”

He turned toward the large, arched windows, looking out at the sun-drenched courtyard below before looking back at her. The mocking, defensive walls he usually kept up around the palace felt a little lower now, replaced by a quiet, lingering intrigue.

“Come along, Princess,” he said, extending his arm toward her once more, though this time the gesture felt less like a sarcastic royal duty and more like a genuine invitation. “The evening festivities will be starting soon, and we wouldn't want to keep the court waiting. They are all dying to see the girl who managed to make the Silver Storm hold his breath.”

The first dinner in Hespros was much more extravagant than anything Y/N had experienced at home. Here, there are dozens of different meats and fruits, steaming fresh loaves of bread, and enough wine to drown the continent. Back at home meals consisted of fish and potatoes. The food was delicious at home, but there was not much variety.

Sitting at the long, gilded banquet table, Y/N felt the sheer excess of the South pressing in on her from all sides. The rich, heavy scents of roasted meats glazed in honey and exotic spices filled the air, completely overtaking the subtle, crisp smell of the sea she was used to. The massive platters were arranged with an artistic vanity that made the food look more like a display of wealth than a meal meant to be eaten.

Across the table, the court whispered and watched her every move, waiting to see if the northern princess would be overwhelmed by the luxury.

Y/N kept her face perfectly impassive. She picked up her silver utensil with a steady hand, refusing to look amazed by the abundance. She took a small piece of a golden, unfamiliar fruit, its sweet juice a sharp shock to a palate raised on the simple, comforting flavors of salted fish and boiled potatoes.

From a few seats down, Jeonghan was swirling a chalice of dark wine, his silver hair gleaming under the light of a hundred crystal chandeliers. He wasn't eating. Instead, he was watching her over the rim of his cup, his eyes sharp with that same quiet curiosity from the music room. He was waiting to see if the anchor would finally crack under the weight of Hespros's gold.

“Have you ever eaten lamb, princess?” he finally asked, watching Y/N’s fork hover over a plate of lamb being presented in front of her.

Y/N looked up from the plate at Jeonghan with a raised eyebrow, but no smile.

“We have sheep on the Coast, Prince Jeonghan,” she said, her voice easily cutting through the low hum of the surrounding dinner conversation. “Though we generally value them more for their wool than their meat. The winters are cold, and a heavy coat is worth far more than a single meal.”

Jeonghan set his chalice down with a soft click, leaning his elbow on the table as he tilted his head toward her. The casual, testing smirk returned to his lips, but his eyes remained tightly focused on her reactions.

“A very practical answer,” he murmured. “But you didn't answer my question. Have you actually tasted it, or are you simply analyzing the economic value of the livestock?”

Y/N let her fork descend, neatly spearing a small portion of the seasoned meat. The rich spices of the South filled the air between them, sharp and heavily fragrant. She took the bite, chewed slowly, and swallowed before giving him any indication of her verdict. Her expression remained entirely unchanged, a perfectly calm surface that gave away nothing to the courtiers watching them.

“It is rich,” she noted conversationally, placing her fork back down on the edge of the gilded plate. “But like most things in Hespros, I find it relies heavily on the spices to mask the fact that it is mostly just fat.”

A few nearby nobles choked slightly on their wine, their eyes widening at the blunt critique of the royal kitchen.

Jeonghan, however, let out a sudden, genuine laugh that drew the attention of his father at the head of the table. He leaned back in his chair, his silver eyes glittering with a dangerous sort of delight. He had spent his whole life watching people praise every single scrap of luxury this palace offered, and here she was, treating their finest delicacy like a poorly prepared stew.

“Careful, Princess,” Jeonghan warned softly, though his voice was warm with amusement. “Our head chef has a very fragile ego. If he hears you comparing his masterpiece to a ball of wool and lard, he might just refuse to bake your bread tomorrow.”

Y/N didn’t let out a laugh. It was more of a quick breath through her nose, a tiny fracture in her frozen composure, before a large silver platter of fish was presented in front of her. Without a second thought, she took a bigger portion of fish than everyone else at the table, completely ignoring the remaining delicacies. She only ate that for the rest of the night, systematically tuning out the rest of the lavish feast in favor of the one familiar taste of home.

To the courtiers of Hespros, it was a silent statement of rejection toward their extravagance. To Y/N, it was simply a taste of home in a place that felt entirely foreign.

After the dinner, there was to be a dance.

The grand ballroom was even more oppressive than the dining hall. The walls were lined with towering mirrors that multiplied the blinding glare of the gold decor, and the air was thick with the scent of heavy floral perfumes and sweet wine. Musicians took their places on a raised balcony, tuning string instruments that produced a bright, fast, fluttering sound entirely unlike the deep rhythms of the North.

As the guests began to stream into the room, forming clusters of glittering silks and jewels, Y/N stood near the perimeter. She kept her back near a stone pillar, her sea-teal dress falling around her like a shadow in the middle of a sunburst.

Jeonghan entered the ballroom a few paces behind his father, his posture reverting back to that lazy, indifferent slouch. He scanned the crowd, ignoring the hopeful glances of the noble women who stepped into his path. His silver eyes flicked across the room until they inevitably found her, standing alone against the stone, completely detached from the spectacle.

He broke away from the royal procession, navigating the crowd with a slow, deliberate grace until he was standing just a few feet away from her.

“The court is waiting for the opening waltz, Princess,” he said, his voice dropping below the noise of the tuning orchestra. He didn't offer his hand just yet, choosing instead to study her impassive face. “And as the guest of honor, you are expected to lead. Unless, of course, you plan on treating the dance floor with the same northern hostility you gave the lamb.”

Y/N rolled her eyes and held out her hand. “Unlike lamb, Prince, I am familiar with waltzing. It is not as convoluted as your lamb.”

Jeonghan stared at her open palm for a fraction of a second, completely caught off guard by the sudden, sharp rolling of her eyes. It was the most animated expression he had seen on her face all day, and it sent a sudden shock of adrenaline through his veins.

A slow, delighted grin spread across his face as he stepped into her space, his fingers wrapping around hers with a firm, deliberate warmth.

“Convoluted?” he repeated, his voice dropping into a low, amused purr as he led her out onto the polished marble of the empty dance floor. All eyes in the ballroom instantly turned to them, a collective hush falling over the glittering crowd. “I’ll have you know our court dances require absolute precision, Princess. But please, do show me how the North handles a turn without getting tangled in their own seriousness.”

He placed his right hand firmly against the small of her back, the heat of his palm easily penetrating the heavy sea-teal fabric of her dress. The orchestra struck up a sweeping, fast-paced Southern waltz, the violins fluttering high and bright through the vaulted ceiling.

Y/N didn't miss a beat. The moment the music started, she stepped into the rhythm with an effortless, fluid grace that perfectly countered his lead. She didn't look down at their feet once, keeping her chin tilted up, her dark eyes locked onto his silver ones with a cool, unblinking intensity.

Jeonghan guided her through the spinning patterns, expecting her to struggle with the quick, dizzying tempo of the South. Instead, she moved like water, shifting and pivoting with a quiet, grounded strength that made the fast pace look almost simple.

“You’re actually good at this,” he murmured, his smirk faltering slightly as he realized he couldn't throw her off balance, no matter how fast he spun them past the towering mirrors.

“I told you, Prince,” Y/N replied, her voice steady even as the golden walls of the ballroom blurred around them. “The waltz is just geometry and gravity. Two things that remain true, even in a kingdom built on vanity.”

“But vanity sure is beautiful, isn’t it?” he murmured, his silver eyes flashing as he spun her past a massive gilded mirror.

Y/N didn't let the blurring reflection of gold and crystal distract her. She kept her gaze anchored firmly on his face, her expression unyielding.

“A mirage is beautiful too, Prince,” she replied, her voice smooth and even despite the quickening tempo of the waltz. “Right up until you try to drink from it and realize your throat is still full of sand.”

Jeonghan let out a quiet, appreciative hum, his hand tightening just a fraction against the small of her back to guide her through a sharp, sweeping turn. He was leaning in closer now, close enough that the scent of rain and salt clinging to her seemed to cut right through the heavy floral perfumes of his court.

“You really don't give an inch, do you?” he asked, a genuine, fascinated smile tugging at his lips. He had spent his entire life playing games with people who practically begged to lose to him, but Y/N was treating the dance floor like a battlefield where survival was the only option.

“I come from a place where giving an inch means losing a foot to the sea,” Y/N said, her boots clicking in perfect sync with his leather shoes against the marble. “I see no reason to change my policy just because the floors are polished.”

As the music reached its peak, Jeonghan executed a flawless, dramatic dip, testing her balance one last time. Y/N trusted her own weight, her core remaining perfectly stable as she looked up at him from the angle, her dark eyes reflecting the brilliant light of the chandeliers above. For a second, the entire ballroom seemed to fade into a hum of distant noise, leaving only the steady rhythm of their breathing.

When he pulled her back up to her feet, the final chord of the waltz echoed through the high rafters, and the crowd erupted into polite, rhythmic applause.

Jeonghan didn't let go of her hand right away. He stood there, his chest rising and falling slightly, staring down at her with a look that was no longer just curious. It was entirely captivating.

“Well, Princess,” he whispered, his thumb brushing lightly against the back of her knuckles before he finally stepped back and offered a low, respectful bow. “I suppose that’s one point to the North.”

Later that night, when all the guests had left the palace and Y/N had gone to bed, is when Jeonghan finally let the mask fall completely.

The suffocating noise of the court had dissipated, leaving the grand corridors of Hespros echoing with nothing but the quiet ticking of pendulum clocks and the distant, rhythmic sigh of the ocean below the cliffs. Instead of retreating to his own quarters to drink away the exhaustion of the day as he usually did, Jeonghan found his steps tracing a familiar path back to the moonlit music hall.

The massive arched doors groaned softly as he pushed them open. The room was bathed in cold, silver light now, and the aggressive gold of the daytime was reduced to muted shadows.

He walked over to the grand rosewood piano, his boots making no sound against the marble. The bench where Y/N had sat hours earlier was empty, but as he stood beside the instrument, he could almost still hear the deep, heavy resonance of her northern melody. Of salt and steel.

Jeonghan reached out, letting his fingers trace the edge of the polished wood where her hands had rested. She was a maddening puzzle. Everyone who came to this palace wanted something from him, whether it was flattery, power, or a piece of the crown. But she had looked at him and seen right through the glitter to the hollow space beneath. She didn't want to fix him, and she certainly wasn't afraid of him.

A quiet, breathless laugh escaped his lips as he recalled the sharp roll of her eyes before the waltz.

He sat down on the edge of the bench, pressing a single low key. The deep, somber note rang out into the dark, empty hall, sounding entirely too lonely. Jeonghan leaned his elbows on the ivory, burying his face in his hands as he stared into the shadows of the room. For the first time in years, he wasn't thinking about his father's suffocating expectations or how to sabotage his own future. He was only thinking about the quiet, unyielding storm sleeping just a few corridors away, and how badly he wanted to see what happened when the tides finally turned.

“She was quite the dancer this evening,” he heard a soft, yet familiar voice from the doorway. He knew without looking up that it was his mother.

“I wasn’t aware that the iron coast provided such intense dance courses,” he jested, still not looking up at her. He didn’t want her to see the exhaustion across his face.

“Is that the only thing you were unaware of?”

Jeonghan kept his head buried in his hands, staring at the black and white keys below him. He heard the gentle rustle of her silk skirts as she stepped into the music hall, her movements as quiet and graceful as they had always been.

“I am unaware of many things, Mother,” he replied, his voice muffled slightly by his palms. “Just ask Father. He has a whole list of my failures ready for breakfast tomorrow.”

The Queen walked closer, stopping a few feet from the piano bench. She didn't press him to look at her, nor did she chide him for his posture. Instead, she placed a gentle hand on the polished rosewood of the piano, right where Y/N’s hand had rested earlier.

“Your father sees a political arrangement,” she said softly, her eyes reflecting the silver moonlight streaming through the high windows. “But I saw the way you looked at her during the waltz. You weren't playing a part tonight, Jeonghan. For the first time in a very long time, you looked challenged.”

Jeonghan finally dropped his hands from his face, though he kept his gaze fixed on the keys. A wry, tired smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“She compared our finest royal lamb to wool and lard,” he murmured, a quiet huff of laughter escaping him. “And she told me my vanity was a mirage that would leave my throat full of sand. I don't think she likes me very much.”

“Good,” his mother replied, a warm, knowing tone in her voice. “You have spent your whole life surrounded by people who agree with your every word because they want to please the prince. You need someone who isn't afraid to tell you when the water is cold.”

She reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of silver hair away from his forehead. Jeonghan leaned into the touch for a brief second, finally letting the heavy weight of his armor drop completely.

“She is different,” he admitted quietly, looking up to meet his mother's soft gaze. “She doesn't want anything from this palace. She just wants her ocean.”

“Then you had better make sure you don't let her drown in our gold,” his mother said, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze before turning back toward the doorway. “Get some sleep, Jeonghan. The court will be even louder tomorrow, and I think your iron princess is going to need someone who actually knows how to navigate the storm.”

Y/N had been seated in the grand dining hall for nearly half an hour before Jeonghan finally sauntered into the room. She had chosen the seat once reserved for his sister, appearing entirely serene amidst the vast expanse of the gilded table with only a cup of tea, a crisp slice of toast, and a half-eaten banana before her.

“Good morning, princess,” he murmured, a familiar smirk playing on his lips as he claimed the chair directly beside her. “How did you find your first night in the palace?”

Y/N offered nothing more than an elegant shrug, yet she gracefully slid a silver platter of fresh fruits toward him from across the linen cloth.

“It was rather noisy here,” she said, her voice dropping into that quiet, steady frequency. “I suppose it’ll take a while for me to get used to hearing the sound of the trees and animals around here. I’m so used to hearing the waves.”

Jeonghan paused, the remaining piece of fruit hovering halfway to his lips. He lowered his hand slowly, his silver eyes searching her face for any sign of vulnerability, but her expression remained as perfectly still as a frozen lake.

“Noisy?” he repeated softly, the smirk completely vanishing from his face. He looked out the towering windows toward the expansive royal gardens, where the only sounds were the gentle rustling of emerald leaves and the faint, melodic chirping of southern birds. To anyone in Hespros, this was the absolute height of tranquility.

“The forests of the South are never truly silent,” he murmured, turning his gaze back to her. “There is always something moving, always something growing or breathing in the brush. I suppose to a stranger, that constant rustling can feel a bit crowded.”

Y/N looked down at her tea, watching a stray leaf swirl at the bottom of the porcelain cup.

“The ocean is loud, but it is a singular voice,” she explained, her fingers lightly tracing the delicate handle. “It is a constant, heavy rhythm that drowns out everything else. It fills your head until there is no room left for lonely thoughts. Here, the silence is fractured. Every snap of a twig and every flutter of a wing stands out. It makes the world feel far too wide.”

Jeonghan watched her, a strange, tight sensation settling in his chest. For all her sharp remarks and unyielding armor, this was the first time she had allowed him to see the edge of her homesickness. She didn't look weak; she simply looked like a creature pulled entirely out of her natural element, trying to find her footing on soil that refused to stop shifting beneath her feet.

He leaned back in his chair, his posture losing its usual theatrical laziness, replaced instead by a quiet, grounded presence.

“If the land feels too wide, you simply have to find a boundary,” he said, his voice surprisingly gentle, devoid of any mocking edge. “The palace gardens can be overwhelming, but there is a stone balcony at the highest point of the western wing. It overlooks the cliffs at the edge of our territory. If you stand there at dusk, the wind hits the stone so hard you can't hear a single bird. It isn't the North, Princess, but it might give you enough of a storm to help you breathe.”

He would have to get used to her not filling the silence. Most women at court considered a quiet moment an absolute failure, rushing to patch the emptiness with hollow compliments or high-pitched giggles. But Y/N simply sat there, perfectly comfortable in the stillness she had created, letting his suggestion settle between them like a promise.

Jeonghan watched her finish the remainder of her tea, his mind racing to find a way back into her thoughts. He was a man who survived by reading people, by knowing exactly which card to play to make them reveal themselves. Yet every time he thought he had figured out her rhythm, she changed the tempo entirely.

“You are a very expensive guest to entertain, Princess,” he said finally, trying to lure her back into their usual banter as he reached for another piece of fruit. “You eat almost nothing, you reject our finest music, and you prefer a barren stone balcony to our imperial gardens. My father is going to think I am failing my hosting duties.”

Y/N set her empty cup down with a deliberate, soft click. She turned her dark eyes toward him, a faint, almost imperceptible tilt at the corner of her lips hinting that she knew exactly what he was trying to do.

“Then I suggest you learn how to handle the quiet, Prince Jeonghan,” she replied smoothly, smoothing down the front of her morning gown as she prepared to rise from the table. “Because back in the North, we only speak when the words are worth more than the silence.”

Before Jeonghan could say anything else, she rose from the table and left the dining room.

He remained seated, his hand still resting on the polished wood, his silver eyes tracking the graceful exit of her sea-teal skirts until the heavy oak doors clicked shut behind her. The room felt suddenly vast and entirely too quiet without her presence.

A slow, breathless laugh escaped his lips, and he shook his head, looking down at the silver platter of fruit she had slid toward him. He had been dismissed by kings, reprimanded by his father, and scolded by his tutors, but he had never been left entirely wordless by a girl over a half-eaten banana.

“Worth more than the silence,” he murmured to himself, repeating her words as if testing the weight of them.

He took another bite of the fruit, the sweetness suddenly tasting a bit dull compared to the sharp back-and-forth they had just shared. He leaned back in his chair, staring at the empty seat across from him. She was entirely unbothered by his status, unimpressed by his charm, and completely immune to the luxury that everyone else in the kingdom coveted.

If his father had intended for this northern princess to be a calming anchor for the reckless prince, the King had made a severe miscalculation. Y/N was not going to hold him in place. She was going to force him to move, and for the first time in his life, Jeonghan found himself looking forward to the challenge.

Y/N’s parents had arrived a day late to Hespros. They had been dealing with some urgent civic affairs back on the Coast and simply could not travel down with Y/N, leaving her to face the first overwhelming night in the foreign kingdom entirely on her own.

The announcement of their arrival reached the main wing of the palace just before noon. The heavy thud of northern boots marching through the grand foyer instantly altered the atmosphere of the estate, cutting clean through the delicate, perfume-scented air of the southern court.

Y/N was standing near the library corridor when the doors opened. Her father, the Lord of the Iron Coast, stepped into the golden light of Hespros looking like a piece of weathered granite. Beside him, her mother moved with a sharp, fluid dignity, her heavy dark traveling cloak swirling around her ankles. They bore the distinct scent of salt water and bitter frost, bringing a sudden, bracing gust of the North into the stifling luxury of the palace.

Jeonghan was observing from the upper balustrade, leaning casually against the marble railing with a cup of spiced wine in his hand. He watched the way Y/N walked toward them, expecting a glimmer of relief to cross her face. Instead, he saw her posture go entirely rigid, her shoulders squaring like a soldier preparing for a blow. 

She offered a formal, deeply respectful bow to her parents, but before she could even stand up straight, her father spoke. Her presence was treated as a mere checklist item.

“Your carriage left the docks late,” her father’s deep voice boomed lightly against the vaulted ceiling, entirely omitting any sort of greeting or inquiry about her well-being. “You should have commanded the drivers to move faster. We arrived at the border only to find the northern guard waiting on your delayed reports.”

“The weather was unpredictable near the pass, Father,” Y/N replied, her voice dropping into that familiar, quiet frequency. It lacked the sharp wit she had used on Jeonghan earlier. It sounded practiced, almost hollow. “I ensured the cargo arrived safely regardless.”

Her mother didn't offer a hug or a comforting touch. Instead, she stepped forward, her sharp eyes scanning Y/N from head to toe with a critical, dismissive gaze. She reached out and aggressively adjusted the collar of Y/N’s dress, her fingers rough and impatient.

“You look pale, and your hair is a mess,” her mother remarked coldly, her voice cutting through the quiet foyer. “The southern court thrives on appearances, Y/N. If you cannot even maintain a dignified presentation for twenty-four hours on your own, you will disgrace the Coast before the ink on the treaty is even dry.”

“I understand, Mother,” Y/N said quietly, keeping her eyes fixed firmly on the floor. She didn't roll her eyes. She didn't fire back with a clever insult about geometry or gravity. She simply stood there and took the weight of their disapproval, absorbing it until she looked small in the middle of the massive room.

Up on the balcony, Jeonghan felt his grin completely vanish. The amusement he had been harboring all morning turned into something heavy and uncomfortable in his chest. A strange twist of pity hit him as he watched her.

He had assumed her cold, unyielding armor was a choice, a proud reflection of her heritage. But looking at her now, trapped between her parents like a bird caught in a net, he realized the truth. Her composure wasn't a shield she wore for fun. It was a survival mechanism she had been forced to perfect because the people who were supposed to protect her were the ones who stepped on her the hardest.

Jeonghan set his wine cup down on the marble railing with a quiet click, his silver eyes narrowing as he watched the northern lord turn his back on his own daughter to shout orders at a southern servant. For the first time since she had arrived, Jeonghan didn't want to challenge the princess. He wanted to pull her out of the storm. 

Pushing himself off the balustrade, he glided down the grand marble staircase with an easy, deliberate grace, his presence instantly drawing the attention of the surrounding attendants. He didn't wait for the northern lord to finish barking orders at the trembling southern servant. Instead, he stepped right into the family's space, inserting himself between Y/N and her mother's critical gaze.

“Lord and Lady of the Iron Coast,” Jeonghan's smooth voice cut through the tension, carrying the perfect blend of royal authority and effortless charm. He offered a flawless, lazy bow that somehow still managed to feel entirely commanding. “Welcome to Hespros. You must forgive our southern roads for delaying your reports, but I can assure you, the Princess has been managing our court with absolute perfection in your absence.”

He turned his silver eyes to Y/N, his expression softening into a warm, bright smile that didn't match the calculating look in his eyes.

“In fact, Princess, the royal archivist has been practically begging for your presence in the western wing to verify those northern sea charts,” he lied smoothly, offering his arm to her with a dramatic, inviting flourish. “I promised I would fetch you the moment your parents arrived safely. My Lord, My Lady, if you will excuse us for just a brief moment, the King is already waiting in the solar to discuss your traveling accommodations.”

Y/N looked up, her dark eyes wide with a flash of genuine surprise as she stared at his offered arm.

Jeonghan didn't give her parents a chance to object or find another flaw to pick at. He stepped a fraction closer, his posture shielding her from her father's towering frame as he waited for her to take his arm. He gave her a subtle, reassuring nod, a silent invitation to let him carry the weight of the room for once.

Y/N’s parents didn’t say anything more, but they nodded and followed Jeonghan out of the grand room.

“Why would you do that?” Y/N asked quietly, keeping her voice low so her parents would not overhear their first conversation devoid of any jest.

“Because I know the feeling of being a disappointment to my parents, and I wish that there had been someone to help take some of the heat for me,” he replied with a casual shrug. “Consider it the only olive branch that you’ve allowed me to extend to you.”

Y/N sighed at his remark, but she didn’t fire a sharp retort back. The mere fact that her parents were in the vicinity was consuming enough of her composure that she could not think of anything witty to say to him.

“Don’t get used to it,” she finally whispered back, her breath catching as her father let out a low grunt ahead of them. She was so thoroughly accustomed to tracking her family's every movement that everything put her on edge.

Jeonghan noticed the sudden pause in her breathing. He glanced over, seeing how she was holding her breath in a desperate attempt not to set her father off.

“Let me handle it, at least for today,” he said softly, guiding the group toward the solar where his own family was waiting. Y/N nodded quickly, stepping back to let her parents enter the solar first. She released a quiet sigh of relief the moment their watchful eyes were no longer fixed upon her.

After dropping off her parents, Jeonghan led Y/N away from the crowded halls to the garden balcony at the furthest wing of the castle. It was the only side of the palace that looked out directly onto the open water, and it was the only balcony that held a piano.

Y/N gasped when she caught sight of the instrument sitting in the open air. Jeonghan smiled, watching as she practically ran toward it. This piano was entirely different from the ones inside the main halls. It was constructed mostly out of clear glass with delicate gold trimming, a beautiful, ethereal instrument that almost no one ever played.

“I thought you would want to play with a sight that is familiar to you,” he murmured.

Y/N looked up from the glass keys and out toward the sea, realizing she hadn't even noticed the sound of the crashing waves until now. The southern waters weren’t nearly as violent as the tides back at her home, but they were more than enough to put her mind at ease.

“This place is beautiful,” she admitted softly.

Jeonghan nodded and slowly approached the instrument, running a hand along the smooth, cool hood of the piano.

“This wing used to belong to my sister,” he explained, his voice quiet against the sound of the ocean. “But she never enjoyed the piano the way you do.”

Y/N hummed softly, sliding onto the bench. She pressed down on a few keys, letting the notes ring out into the sea air before a small chuckle escaped her. “There is a very good reason she didn’t play much. It is because the keys are not tuned properly.”

Jeonghan cocked his head to the side, letting out a soft scoff of disbelief. “Really?”

Y/N nodded her head and struck a particular key, letting the hollow sound echo between them. “This note is entirely flat. And you told me yourself that every single piano in this palace was tuned the day I arrived. Which means your royal musicians tuned this one incorrectly.”

“Well,” Jeonghan chuckled, a genuine smile breaking across his face. “We will get a new piano tuner employed as soon as possible then. Good eye, Princess.”

“Thank you, Jeonghan,” Y/N said, finally looking up to meet his gaze for the first time all day.

“For what?” he asked, caught off guard by the sudden softness in her eyes.

“For saving me.”

Jeonghan froze, his hand coming to a complete rest on the gold trim of the glass piano.

For a man who prided himself on always having a quick reply, a clever deflection, or a charming smile ready to disarm anyone, her words left him utterly speechless. The wind swept up from the ocean below, carrying the sharp scent of salt water between them and tossing a few stray strands of his silver hair across his face, but he didn't move to brush them away. He just stared at her.

“Don't do that,” he said softly, after a long silence. The playful smirk was entirely gone, replaced by an expression that was raw and unfamiliar.

Y/N tilted her head, her fingers resting lightly on the ivory keys. “Do what?”

“Look at me like I am someone dependable,” Jeonghan replied, a quiet, self-deprecating laugh slipping from his lips. He turned his gaze out toward the horizon where the blue sky met the shifting green of the sea. “If you ask anyone in this palace, they will tell you I only look out for myself. I am reckless, I am selfish, and I usually create storms rather than fix them.”

“I don't care what the rest of the palace says,” Y/N said smoothly, her voice remaining perfectly steady against the roar of the waves below. “I know what a storm looks like, Jeonghan. I have lived in one my entire life. And today, you were the anchor.”

Jeonghan turned his head back to look at her, his silver eyes searching her face. He saw the faint purple shadows under her eyes from her sleepless night, the slight tension still lingering in her jaw, and the absolute sincerity in her dark gaze. She wasn't flattering him to gain favor. She was simply stating a fact, treating his rare moment of kindness with the exact same honesty she used when she insulted his court.

Slowly, the tension left his shoulders. The easy, comfortable warmth returned to his eyes, and he leaned against the edge of the piano, looking down at her with a gentle, thoughtful smile.

“If I am going to be your anchor, Princess, then you are going to have to do something for me in return,” he murmured, his voice dropping into a quiet cadence that felt entirely private.

Y/N raised an eyebrow, her defensive armor slipping back into place, though her expression remained soft. “And what is that?”

“Play me that northern melody,” Jeonghan said, gesturing to the glass keys. “The one you played in the music hall when you thought no one was listening. The one about salt and steel. If I have to listen to my father and your parents argue about borders all afternoon, I am going to need something real to keep me awake.”

A small, genuine smile finally broke across Y/N's lips, bright enough to rival the southern sun. She turned back to the instrument, her hands hovering above the keys for a brief second before she began to play.

This time, she didn't care that a few of the notes were flat. The deep, heavy rhythm of the Coast poured out of the glass piano, blending perfectly with the crashing waves below, and Jeonghan stood right beside her, keeping the rest of the world at bay.

The weeks leading up to the royal wedding were agonizingly tense. Y/N’s parents remained unyielding regarding northern traditions, dictating every detail of what could and could not take place during the ceremony. Yet, by the conclusion of the second week of planning, every single detail from sunrise to sunset was finally locked into order.

From the service and reception to the cuisine, attire, and floral arrangements, everything had been meticulously arranged and begrudgingly approved by both sides of the family.

The first day devoid of wedding preparation was filled with a profound, peaceful rest. Jeonghan, completely drained by the endless diplomacy, had spent those hours entirely alone to recover. The second day of leisure, however, proved to be far less tranquil for the princess.

Jeonghan had immediately claimed the seat beside her at breakfast, talking her ear off without pause, and proceeded to shadow her across the palace for the remainder of the day. He listened to her play the piano, watched her read, and accompanied her into the sprawling gardens. Wherever she went, Jeonghan inevitably followed.

The final straw arrived when she attempted to break away from him after supper. She had noticed his attention wander during the meal, caught up in a lengthy discussion with her father, and she seized the opportunity to slip away for a desperate moment of solitude.

She had retreated to the sanctuary of the grand library to listen to some classical music, only for her peace and quiet to be instantly shattered. Jeonghan sauntered through the opposite doors, a leather-bound book held loosely in his hand.

“Can I not have a single moment alone?” Y/N exclaimed, throwing her hands up in utter frustration. “I have been suffocated by people for two weeks straight, and I simply want some solitude.”

Jeonghan threw up his hands in a mocking gesture of self-defense, sliding onto the velvet couch right next to her. “I apologize, princess, but I am merely attempting to learn about my future bride before our lifelong union.”

Y/N rolled her eyes dramatically. “You still have two full weeks to learn about me. Does it all truly need to happen right now, back to back?”

Jeonghan chuckled, tossing his feet up onto the cushioned ottoman in front of them with deliberate laziness. “Do you mean to tell me you have no desire to learn anything about me?” he inquired, entirely bypassing her question.

“I already know that you are deeply annoying and that you delight in poking around in business that does not belong to you,” she fired back, turning her sharp gaze upon him. “I know that you are a privileged older brother who has had the world handed to him on a silver platter. And I know that you are a silver-haired storm just waiting to tear through anyone who gets too close.”

Jeonghan quirked an eyebrow, his intense silver gaze remaining fixed on her face.

“And from which court gossips did you gather that, princess?” he asked, his tone dropping into something entirely unreadable.

He knew her assessment was partially accurate, but it was rooted in the shallow caricatures drawn by people who didn’t truly know him. If any of those courtiers paid actual attention, or took the time to look beneath the performance, they would know how deeply he cared. They would see how attentive he truly was, how intensely he listened from the shadows, and how he gathered everyone's secrets not for malice, but to keep himself and the people he chose to protect safe from the crown.

Y/N did not answer him. She simply crossed her arms and tried her absolute best to ignore the prince, but he was utterly relentless.

He constantly commented on obscure passages of the book he was holding, poked around at whatever she was looking at, and prattled on about specific details of the wedding that had just been finalized. It was an endless barrage of sound, and after two weeks of being suffocated by expectations and royal protocols, it was simply too much.

The final straw came when Jeonghan ventured into territory he should have left untouched.

“So… do you think your parents will finally let up on you once the wedding is over?” He asked, offering a lighthearted grin.

He intended it as a joke, a playful nod to the shared understanding they had found on the balcony. But the casual words struck a raw, deeply buried nerve, shattering whatever remained of her iron composure.

“Can you just stop!” she exclaimed, her voice cutting through the silent library like a whip.

She slammed her book down on the table and stood up from her seat, the sudden, violent movement startling Jeonghan completely. He was entirely accustomed to her irritation, her sharp eye-rolls, and her icy remarks, but she had never lashed out with such raw, unbridled fury.

Jeonghan scrambled his feet off the ottoman, his playful expression instantly vanishing as he looked up at her. The silver light of the library caught the trembling in her hands, a stark contrast to the rigid, defensive posture she had adopted.

“Y/N—”

“No, I do not want to hear another clever remark from you, Jeonghan!” she maped, her dark eyes flashing with a mix of anger and profound exhaustion. “You think everything is a game because you can afford for it to be. You play the fool, you mock the court, and you push boundaries because you know that at the end of the day, you are still the crown prince. No one is going to discard you.”

She took a sharp, ragged breath, her chest heaving as she pointed a finger toward the doors.

“My parents do not 'let up,'” she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of a lifetime of pressure. “If I falter, if I make a single misstep in this palace, it isn't just a minor embarrassment. It is a reflection on my entire homeland. They look at me and they see a representative, a piece of political leverage, not a daughter. And you sit here poked and prodding at my skin just to see how much it takes to make me bleed.”

Jeonghan stood up slowly, keeping his hands low and his movements entirely unthreatening. The realization of what he had done hit him like a physical blow. He hadn't been trying to hurt her; he had been trying to distract her, to bring back the fierce, sharp girl who had challenged him over toast and a banana. But in his restlessness, he had completely misjudged the depth of her exhaustion.

“I am sorry,” he said, his voice dropping into a quiet, grounded frequency that was entirely devoid of theater. “I didn't mean to push you over the edge.”

“Then leave,” Y/N said, turning her back to him as she wrapped her arms tightly around herself, trying to force her breathing to steady before she completely broke down. “Just leave me alone.”

Jeonghan didn’t say anything else and slowly made his way out of the library, briefly stopping at the door to watch Y/N wipe away a few lone tears that had fallen down her face. 

He hated that he had caused any pain. He liked teasing people, but he didn’t like hurting people. He sighed and made a note to not bring up Y/N’s family after they were wed. It was clearly a sore spot. 

The last two weeks leading up to the wedding were a relentless whirlwind. There was an endless parade of dignitaries to see, nobles to thank, and distant relatives to officially invite to the ceremony. It felt like a chaotic blur to Y/N, an exhausting theater where she was constantly on display. The only comfort that might have made the suffocating routine bearable would have been a fiancé who didn't actively infuriate her, but alas, Jeonghan seemed to know exactly how to make her blood boil.

Jeonghan felt the sudden, freezing distance between them as well. It was cold and stinging, lingering in the air like fresh sea salt rubbed into an open wound.

Ever since her outburst in the library, the easy banter they had been building was entirely gone. Y/N had retreated behind a wall of absolute frost, giving him nothing but rigid nods and formal, empty pleasantries whenever they were forced to stand side by side for the court. She performed her duties flawlessly, never giving her parents a single reason to criticize her, but she treated Jeonghan like a complete stranger.

He tried to catch her eye during the long dinners, searching for even a glimmer of the sharp princess who had challenged him over breakfast, but her dark eyes remained entirely detached. He had wanted to learn about her, had wanted to ease her burden, but instead he had driven her right back into the shell her family had built for her. For a man who prided himself on knowing everyone's secrets and navigating every social storm, Jeonghan found himself completely stranded on the outside, desperate for a way to break through the ice he had caused to form.

The day of the wedding was the only time in the last two weeks that Y/N had even looked his way, and it was only because she was forced to by the sheer gravity of the occasion.

The royal wedding was breathtakingly beautiful, extravagant, and elegant. It was everything Hespros prided itself on being. Because the ceremony was being held on southern soil, Jeonghan’s family had been incredibly strict about the decorations, leaving Y/N’s parents with very little room to negotiate the aesthetics. Instead, the northern lord and lady had focused their energy entirely on dictating the customs of the wedding.

To bridge the gap between their worlds, they had planned for a beach wedding, incorporating both the sun-warmed land of the South and the wild, untamed sea of the North. The altar was set right where the white sand met the crashing tide, creating a striking contrast between the two families.

As part of the ancient northern customs, there was to be a sand ritual, a sacred ceremony symbolizing the permanent blending of two distinct forces. Two ornate chalices stood on a wooden pedestal, one filled with the coarse, dark gray sand of the Iron Coast, and the other holding the fine, pale gold sand of the Hespros shores.

Jeonghan stood at the altar, the breeze pulling at his silver hair and the formal silk of his wedding robes. He kept his eyes fixed on the path where Y/N would appear. He was entirely indifferent to the murmuring crowd of nobles behind him and completely unbothered by the grand display. His only focus was the impending walk of his bride, wondering if the ocean at her back would finally give her the strength to look at him with something other than complete detachment.

When the sounds of the Hesprosian trumpets started playing, Jeonghan's heart started beating loudly in his chest. He watched as the officials first came down the aisle, then Y/N’s mother, and then Y/N and her father. 

His breath got caught in his throat when he first laid his eyes on his bride. She was wearing a dress that reflected the light perfectly off of it to make it look wet. Her hair was also styled to look wet and her makeup looked like water droplets were dripping down her face. 

She looked mesmerizing. He would drown in her beauty if he could. 

As she walked down the aisle, their eyes locked for the first time in two weeks and it took everything in Jeonghan to not sigh a breath of relief. Relieved that she would look at him again. There was still hope for reconciliation. 

As soon as she reached the end of the aisle, she turned to her father to offer a final, respectful bow before taking her place at the altar.

Her father stood tall, his expression as unyielding and cold as rock. He didn't offer a reassuring smile, nor did he whisper a word of parting comfort to his daughter. Instead, his sharp eyes flicked briefly from Y/N to Jeonghan, assessing the alliance rather than the marriage, before he stepped back into the crowd without a single touch. It was a stark reminder of the heavy, conditional expectations that had followed Y/N all the way to the southern shore.

Y/N exhaled a slow, quiet breath and finally turned to face her groom.

Jeonghan was waiting for her, his posture entirely upright and serious for once in his life. As she stepped forward, the hem of her heavy bridal gown brushing against the coarse sand, she forced herself to look directly into his silver eyes. There was no warmth in her gaze, only the rigid, defensive composure she had worn like armor for the last fortnight.

But Jeonghan didn't look at her with his usual teasing smirk. He didn't offer a playful wink to break the tension. Instead, as the northern priest began to speak, reciting the ancient vows of the sea, Jeonghan reached down and gently took her hands in his.

His palms were warm against her frozen fingers. He gave her hands a subtle, grounding squeeze, a silent message meant only for her. It was the exact same steady presence he had offered her in the solar, a quiet promise that despite the suffocating crowd and the watchful eyes of her parents, he was still willing to stand between her and the storm.

The northern priest stepped forward, his voice deep and resonant as it carried over the crashing of the waves. He spoke in the old dialect of the Coast, a language that sounded like grinding stones and rushing water, invoking the ancient spirits of the sea to witness the union.

Jeonghan kept his grip steady on Y/N's hands. He could feel the slight tremor in her fingers, the tension radiating through her entire body as the heavy gaze of both kingdoms pressed down upon her. He didn't break eye contact with her, using his silver eyes to anchor her attention completely to him, shutting out the rest of the crowded beach.

The priest gestured to the pedestal holding the two ornate chalices.

“Two shores, bound by a singular tide,” the priest intoned, his hands raised toward the horizon. “The land provides the foundation, but the sea provides the life. To unite them is to accept that the water will reshape the shore, and the shore will contain the water.”

Jeonghan moved first, his movements deliberate and devoid of his usual theatrical flair. He lifted the chalice filled with the fine, pale gold sand of Hespros. He looked down at Y/N, waiting until she reached out and picked up the heavier, dark gray sand of the Iron Coast.

Together, they tilted the vessels over a central glass urn.

The two colors poured out in steady streams, meeting in the center and swirling together. The fine gold grains trapped the coarse gray particles, creating a beautiful, chaotic pattern of waves and ripples inside the glass that could never be separated again.

As the final grains fell, Jeonghan set his chalice down and turned back to Y/N. The priest stepped back, signaling the moment for the final vow.

“You may speak your piece to bind the shore,” the priest murmured.

Jeonghan took a step closer, intentionally cutting off the view of the front row where Y/N's parents were sitting. He lowered his voice, dropping it into that private, quiet frequency that had once brought her comfort on the glass piano balcony.

“I know I am a storm, Y/N,” he murmured, his silver eyes completely open and honest. “And I know I have pushed you when you needed peace. But I swear to you, under this sky and before this sea, I will never let anyone else make you feel small again. You don't have to carry the weight of two kingdoms on your own anymore. Let me take half of it.”

Y/N’s breath caught, her dark eyes widening slightly as his words cut right through her defensive armor. For the first time in two weeks, the icy detachment in her gaze melted, revealing the raw, exhausted girl beneath.

She swallowed hard, her fingers tightening around his as she found her voice.

“I do not need you to carry me, Prince Jeonghan,” she whispered back, a faint, genuine spark finally returning to her eyes. “But I will let you stand beside me.”

“That is all I ask, Princess,” Jeonghan smiled, the gentle, brilliant expression returning to his face.

The priest raised his staff, pronouncing them wed under the laws of the sea and the land. A thunderous roar of applause erupted from the southern nobles behind them, accompanied by the deep, rhythmic banging of northern shields. But as Jeonghan leaned in to seal the vow with a soft, lingering kiss against her lips, the only sound Y/N could truly hear was the steady, constant rhythm of the waves.

The reception was much more fun and non-traditional than the ceremony. There was lively music, a bar, a dance floor, and almost the whole kingdom in attendance. The kingdom spared no expense for the crown princes’ wedding. 

Y/N and her whole family felt extremely out of place, being the only ones in the whole kingdom not thrilled at the idea of drinking until you don’t know where you are and dancing with people you’ve never met before. 

So when Jeonghan came up to her after the feast and extended his hand out to her, she wasn’t quite sure what the meaning of it was. She just stared at his out-reached hand for a minute before Jeonghan chuckled. 

“Would you like to dance princess?” 

Y/N’s cheeks reddened, and she looked to her parents to see if they would disapprove, but to her surprise, they did not. Her mother just gave one quick nod as to say ‘do it to make him happy’. So Y/N nodded and took his hand. 

Jeonghan smiled, finally breaking a small piece of the thick wall she had placed around herself and then rebuilt when they got into that argument. It was one small step in the lifelong marriage ahead of them. 

As he led her to the dance floor the music started changing from the lively fiddle to the smooth sounds of the harps for a waltz. Y/N hummed as Jeonghan led her to the middle of the dance floor and waited for her to stand in front of him before starting. 

“I have not danced the waltz in a while, I must admit,” Y/N said, taking his hands and trying to remember the steps, but Jeonghan placed his hands around her waist and squeezed her hand to bring her out of her mind. 

“Let me lead it to help you remember then,” he said, looking into her eyes. Normally, Y/N would reject the notion of a man leading her, especially in something so easy as a waltz, but when she looked into Jeonghan’s eyes….

For the first time since she had met him, she could tell that there was sincerity and happiness behind his eyes. So she nodded in agreement and let him lead the waltz. 

Jeonghan was light on his feet and very graceful, so the waltz was something he was naturally gifted in. He was notorious to all the women in all the balls he attended to be the most sought after male, not because he was the crown prince, but because he was such a great dancer. 

Jeonghan led Y/N around the dance floor perfectly, maneuvering her throughout the other couples and spinning her when the routine called for it. It was captivating watching them dance together. 

“You are good at the waltz,” Y/N said as the music slowly started coming to an end.

“I would sure hope so,” he chuckled, effortlessly guiding her through the final, sweeping turn. “I’ve been taking lessons since I was eight years old.”

Y/N nodded, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder. All royals were expected to learn the waltz early, though she herself had only started learning at age twelve. It seemed like Hesprosian traditions were focused far more on the arts than strategy, prioritizing grace and presentation over the brutal, practical drills of the Coast.

“You are very light on your feet,” she added, genuinely impressed by how smoothly he navigated the crowded ballroom.

Jeonghan smiled, bowing his head slightly to acknowledge the compliment. “I do well in fencing. I’m able to dance around the blade.”

Y/N smiled as the music finally came to a stop. For the first time all evening, the suffocating weight of the crowded reception seemed to fade into the background, replaced by the easy, natural rhythm growing between them. 

The only thing Y/N dreaded about her wedding was her wedding night.

She knew the absolute expectations weighing upon them. She and Jeonghan would have to consummate their marriage, an unyielding requirement especially because he was the heir to the throne, but it was hard enough to face Jeonghan everyday under the watchful eyes of the court, let alone in the quiet vulnerability of the nights.

Y/N’s ladies-in-waiting were incredibly diligent in preparing her for the evening. They drew a warm, scented bath, meticulously brushed out her hair until it fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and dressed her in a beautiful new nightgown specifically tailored for the occasion.

The gown was made of the finest Hesprosian silk, accented with delicate gold trim along the neckline and hem. It was exceptionally light, designed to feel cool against her skin during the humid southern summer, yet it felt entirely heavy with the burden of what was expected to come.

When the maids finally bowed and retreated from the royal bedchamber, the silence of the room settled over her like a heavy shroud. Y/N walked slowly toward the large arched window, looking out into the darkness where the distant waves crashed against the shore, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as she waited for the sound of the door to open.

On the other side of the castle wing, Jeonghan had spent the whole time staring blankly out his window, completely ignoring the servants who were fussing over his own changes of clothes.

He was entirely drained, his usual playful facade stripped away by the sheer exhaustion of the day. The weight of the crown had never felt heavier than it did tonight, knowing that the heavy doors of the marital chamber would lock him in with a girl who had only just started to look at him without hatred.

Once the servants were dismissed, Jeonghan didn't immediately head toward the bridge connecting their wings. Instead, he poured himself a glass of water, his silver eyes fixed on the distant, dark horizon where the sea met the sky. He thought of her frozen fingers at the altar. He thought of the way she held her breath whenever her father walked into a room.

He knew exactly what his father expected of him tonight. He knew the court would be looking for the traditional signs of a consummated union by morning, a final, unyielding stamp on the treaty between land and sea. But as he looked down at the gold wedding band now resting on his finger, a deep sense of aversion settled in his chest.

He didn't want to be another person who demanded something from her. He didn't want to be another obligation she had to endure.

Setting his glass down with a firm click, Jeonghan adjusted the loose collar of his dark silk robe and finally walked out into the corridor. His steps were no longer lazy or performative; they were steady and filled with a quiet, deliberate resolve. If Y/N expected a prince who was going to take what the crown promised him, she was about to find out that Jeonghan was perfectly content to break the rules.

Once he got to their shared chamber doors, he took a deep breath before knocking softly on the wood and sticking his head into the room.

“Is the coast clear, Princess?” he asked, his voice deliberately light as he scanned the massive, candlelit room.

Y/N turned sharply from the window, her hand flying instinctively to the delicate gold trim at her collar. Her dark eyes were wide, glittering with a mixture of apprehension and defensive instinct as she watched him slide fully into the room and click the heavy oak door shut behind him.

Jeonghan didn't move any closer. He remained right by the entrance, casually leaning his shoulder against the doorframe with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his dark silk robe. He looked entirely relaxed, but his silver eyes were incredibly sharp, immediately taking in the rigid posture she had assumed and the slight tremor in her frame.

“You look like you're awaiting a trial by combat,” he murmured, a faint, gentle smile touching his lips. “I assure you, I left my sword in my own quarters.”

Y/N swallowed hard, trying to summon that familiar, icy composure that usually protected her. “I am simply aware of the hour, Jeonghan. And the expectations that come with it.”

“Ah, yes. The grand expectations of two kingdoms,” Jeonghan sighed, finally moving away from the door. But instead of walking toward the massive, silk-draped bed in the center of the room, he walked straight past it, heading toward the velvet chaise lounge tucked away in the far corner by the balcony doors.

Y/N watched him in utter bewilderment, her defensive stance melting into pure confusion. “What are you doing?”

“I am taking the couch,” Jeonghan replied simply, folding his arms behind his head and looking up at the vaulted ceiling. “The wedding was exhausting, my feet hurt from all that waltzing, and quite frankly, I have no desire to be an obligation on your checklist tonight.”

He turned his head to look at her, the playful glimmer entirely gone from his eyes, replaced by that grounded, honest warmth she had only seen a few times before.

“I told you at the altar that I wouldn't let anyone make you feel small again, Y/N,” he said softly, his voice cutting through the quiet room. “And that includes me. The court can think whatever they want when the sun comes up. But tonight, this room belongs to us, not the treaty. Go to sleep. You're safe here.”

Y/N was shocked to hear his words. She thought he would ‘have his fill of the night’ and then leave immediately after, but this was completely different. She watched as Jeonghan turned his head back toward the ceiling and took a deep breath.

“I know what you are thinking,” Jeonghan said quietly, his voice lacking any of the sharp, confident edge he used with the courtiers. “You are waiting for the catch. You are waiting for me to stand up, or demand my due, or turn this into some sort of leverage for tomorrow.”

He let out a slow, self-deprecating breath, the sound vanishing into the heavy silk curtains of the room.

“My entire life has been measured by what I can take, or what can be taken from me,” he continued, staring steadily at the painted ceiling. “When you grow up as the heir in a place like Hespros, every smile is an investment, and every kind gesture has a receipt attached to it. I learned how to play the fool because if people think you are reckless and shallow, they do not look closely enough to see what you actually care about.”

He paused, finally turning his head back toward her. His silver eyes looked remarkably dark in the dim candlelight, stripped of all performance.

“But I don't want to play that game in this room. And I don't want to play it with you. When I watched your mother treat you like a failing soldier in the foyer... it made me sick, Y/N. Because I realized that your silence isn't a choice. It is just the only place you have left to hide.” He offered a small, tentative smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. “I just want to give you a few hours where you don't have to hide.”

Y/N stood perfectly still by the window, her fingers tightening around the gold trim of her gown until her knuckles turned white.

On the outside, her expression remained carefully masked, her shoulders rigid and her chin tilted up in that familiar, defensive stance. She looked entirely standoffish, as if his confession had hit a wall of northern ice. To anyone else, she would have looked completely unmoved, perhaps even annoyed by his sentimentality.

But beneath the armor, her heart was hammering violently against her ribs.

His words were sliding under her skin in a way she wasn't prepared for. It was terrifying. She had spent years learning how to withstand cruelty, how to steel herself against disapproval and coldness, but she had absolutely no defense against raw gentleness. Looking at him lying there, so exposed and entirely at her mercy, a strange, overwhelming warmth bloomed in her chest. She was falling, rapidly and completely, into the very thing she had sworn to protect herself against.

“You speak as though you understand me, Prince Jeonghan,” she said, her voice sounding forced and tight as she struggled to keep the emotion out of it. She took a step back, wrapping her arms around her waist. “We have been wed for less than a day. Do not mistake a moment of shared exhaustion for a lifetime of understanding.”

Jeonghan didn't look hurt by her sharp retort. If anything, the corners of his mouth twitched upward in a soft, knowing expression. He had spent his whole life watching people hide; he knew exactly what a defensive shield looked like.

“Fair enough, Princess,” he murmured smoothly, closing his eyes and letting his head sink back into the pillow. “We have a lifetime ahead of us to figure it out. Sleep well.”

Y/N watched him slowly drift off to sleep, still shocked that he had not changed his mind at the last minute.

For nearly half an hour, she remained frozen by the window, her gaze switching between the silver light of the moon outside and the quiet rhythm of Jeonghan sleeping across the room. He did not move. He did not stir or try to sneak toward her. He simply slept, perfectly content with the boundary he had set for her comfort.

Finally, the exhaustion of the day caught up to her, and she made her way toward the center of the room. The bed was massive, easily the biggest bed she had ever seen. It felt absurdly vast, a detail that did not make much sense to her, especially if two people loved each other and actually wanted to sleep wrapped in each other's arms. But tonight, the vastness was a relief.

She slowly climbed into the right side of the mattress, choosing the side looking directly out the window, which also happened to be the side furthest away from Jeonghan. Before she lay down, she paused, looking across the expanse of silk to watch the steady, peaceful rise and fall of his chest one last time.

Allowing herself a quiet, unseen smile in the dark, Y/N finally pulled the sheets to her shoulders, rested her head against the pillows, and let the distant sound of the sea carry her off to sleep.

When Y/N woke up, Jeonghan was still sound asleep on the couch. He had turned onto his side during the night, leaving his back facing her. She slowly sat up in the massive bed, her movements quiet as she reached for the silver bell on the nightstand to summon her ladies-in-waiting.

The clear, sharp chime of the bell was enough to shatter the morning silence and wake Jeonghan up. He stirred on the couch and flipped over onto his back, rubbing his eyes with a low groan as the bright southern sun shone directly onto his face.

“Good morning,” he muttered, his voice thick with sleep. “I did not think our chesterfields were quite that uncomfortable.”

He raised his arms above his head and stretched out his torso before moving to fully sit up on the cushions.

“I called for my maids,” she said, her words cutting through his morning haze.

Jeonghan’s eyes widened in sudden realization. If the maids walked in and saw the crown prince sleeping on the couch on their wedding night, the rumor would spread to the king and queen before breakfast was over.

In a flash of fluid movement, he scrambled off the couch, crossed the room, and quickly dived under the covers to lay beside her on the bed. She gasped at the sudden rush of movement, her heart leaping into her throat as the mattress dipped beneath his weight.

Before she could move away, he pulled the silk sheets up to his chest, tangling his legs loosely with hers underneath the blankets. He leaned back against the plush pillows, running a hand through his messy silver hair to make it look intentionally tousled. By the time the heavy oak doors clicked open and her maids stepped into the room, Jeonghan had already settled into place, looking every bit the picture of a relaxed, devoted husband. 

“Come in,” he called out, waving his hand for them to file into the room. “We would like breakfast, please.”

The maids entered in a quiet, orderly line, keeping their eyes respectfully lowered as they pushed in a golden cart laden with fresh fruit, warm pastries, and a pot of steaming tea. However, Y/N did not miss the brief, subtle glances they cast toward the bed, checking for any sign of how the night had passed.

Beside her, Jeonghan played his part flawlessly. He shifted slightly closer to her, his shoulder brushing against hers under the covers as he leaned back with a lazy, content smile. He reached out and casually rested his hand over hers on the silk sheets, his thumb brushing against her knuckles in a gesture that felt entirely natural, yet sent a sudden jolt of warmth straight up her arm.

Y/N froze slightly at the contact, her instinct to pull away warring with the knowledge that they were being watched. She forced her expression to remain serene, though her heart was hammering against her ribs just as fiercely as it had the night before.

“Leave the tray by the terrace, thank you,” Jeonghan instructed smoothly, his voice still holding that raspy, attractive edge of someone who had just woken up.

The head maid bowed deeply. “Of course, Your Highness. Shall we return in an hour to help the Princess dress for the morning court?”

“An hour will be perfect,” Jeonghan replied, offering them a pleasant nod.

As soon as the maids finished setting up the tray and retreated from the room, locking the heavy doors behind them, the heavy silence returned.

Jeonghan immediately let go of her hand and pulled his legs back to his side of the bed, though he did not move to get out of the covers just yet. He turned his head on the pillow to look at her, a brilliant, amused grin breaking across his face as he took in her wide eyes and flushed cheeks.

“See?” he murmured, his silver eyes glittering with mischief. “A perfect escape. Though I must say, Princess, you look like you just survived a palace raid rather than a morning visit from your servants.”

Y/N scoffed, but as she looked at his disheveled appearance, the lingering anxiety from earlier returned. “Is there any sort of procedure to check... if we?” she asked, trailing off, not wanting to finish the sentence.

Jeonghan shook his head, understanding her concern immediately. “We did away with that ceremony a few years ago, thankfully,” he muttered, the last sentence dropping quietly under his breath. “My sister and I convinced our parents to stop the clergy members from watching the chambers as well. It just felt violating.”

Y/N nodded her head in agreement, a wave of genuine relief washing over her. She stood up from the bed, the silk of her nightgown flowing around her ankles as she made her way over to the golden food cart.

Scanning the lavish spread, she picked up a chocolate éclair and held it up to the morning sun, inspecting it closely. On the Iron Coast, meals were practical, hearty, and strictly fueled by necessity. She had never tried many chocolate desserts, so the very concept of having chocolate for breakfast was entirely strange to her.

Jeonghan watched her inspect the pastry with such intense, solemn focus that he could not help but let out a low chuckle.

“If you’re not going to eat it, I will,” he teased.

Y/N turned her head to look at him. He was propped up on one elbow now, the sheets pooling around his waist as he smiled up at her from the mattress. She nodded, carefully placing the éclair onto a small porcelain plate, and brought it over to set it right in front of him on the bed.

“I do not understand why chocolate is appealing during the morning,” she remarked, looking back at the cart with a slight frown. “I notice there is a distinct lack of vegetables for breakfast.”

Jeonghan quirked his head at her words, completely caught off guard. He looked from her to the tray, which was piled high with glazed pastries, thick creams, fresh berries, and cured meats. Having lived in the luxury of Hespros his entire life, he had never once noticed that their morning meals consisted almost entirely of sweets, breads, and meats.

““Vegetables?” he repeated, a genuine, amused smile tugging at his lips as he looked back up at his northern bride. “Princess, I assure you, if my chef served me a plate of steamed greens at sunrise, I would assume he was trying to poison me.” 

Y/N didn’t laugh back, instead just shrugging her shoulders. “I ate vegetables for breakfast every day back at home.”

Jeonghan paused, the playful retort dying on his tongue as he looked at her serious expression. He nodded slowly, quietly taking note of the small detail. He would have to send word to the castle kitchens later, ensuring the chef prepared a selection of fresh greens for tomorrow morning.

He took a bite of the éclair, chewing thoughtfully as he watched her wander back over to the cart to inspect the remaining dishes. The silence that settled over the room this time was different. It lacked the sharp, defensive edge from the previous weeks, replaced by a quiet, observant curiosity as they both adjusted to the reality of their new life together.

The next few days were remarkably similar, with the notable addition of vegetables for breakfast. They would wake up, eat breakfast together, but then separate for most of the day, only to come back together for dinner and bed. It was on the fifth day of their marriage when Jeonghan finally got bored. His father had given him some time off of royal duties to ‘enjoy’ his new marriage, but what his father didn’t know was that he wasn’t actually enjoying his marriage in the way the king intended.

When the maids walked in on that fifth morning, Y/N automatically looked up at Jeonghan, waiting for him to scramble out of the sheets and head back to his side of the castle wing as he usually did.

But he didn’t move.

Instead, he remained propped up against the pillows, lazily watching the servants set down the breakfast tray. A look of genuine confusion spread across Y/N's face, her eyebrows knitting together as she stared at him.

“Are you not leaving?” she asked quietly, waiting until the doors clicked shut and the maids left them alone.

Jeonghan let out a long, dramatic sigh, throwing his head back against the headboard. “I have been officially ordered to relax, Princess. Which means I have absolutely nowhere to be, nothing to sign, and no councils to endure. If I go back to my chambers, I will simply stare at the four walls until dinner.”

He turned his silver eyes toward her, a spark of his familiar, restless mischief finally returning to his gaze.

“And frankly,” he added, leaning in just a fraction closer, “I am growing tired of pretending we only exist to each other at twilight.”

Y/N didn't move away, but her posture went entirely rigid. She looked from his relaxed position on the bed to the breakfast cart, where a small plate of seasoned, steamed greens sat explicitly next to the pastries. He had actually remembered. It was a terrifying realization, because a cruel husband was easy to guard against, but a thoughtful one was dangerous to her heart.

“If you stay here, people will talk,” she said, her voice dropping into that cool, diplomatic tone she used as a shield. “Your father’s spies are undoubtedly watching these corridors. If you do not leave, they will assume...”

“Let them,” Jeonghan interrupted smoothly, propping his chin in his hand. “Let them think I am utterly captivated by my new wife. It perfectly aligns with my reputation as a prince who lacks discipline.”

Y/N let out a sharp, cynical breath and finally stood up to walk toward the food cart. “Is everything a strategy to you? Even sitting in a room?”

“Not everything,” he said quietly. The playful glimmer faded from his eyes, replaced by that heavy, grounded honesty that always managed to throw her off balance. “Sometimes I am just tired, Y/N. And sometimes, I am genuinely curious about the person I bound my life to.”

She picked up a fork, deliberately focusing on the vegetables to avoid his silver gaze. “There is nothing to be curious about. I am a soldier’s daughter from the Coast. We are not complex people, Jeonghan. We do not have the luxury of the arts and philosophy like Hespros.”

“No, but you have rules for everything,” Jeonghan murmured, sliding out from under the covers. He didn't approach her directly; instead, he walked over to the tea service, pouring a cup for himself and, without asking, pouring a second one for her, exactly how she liked it. “You hold your breath when you are angry. You stare at the moon when you think I am asleep. And you eat greens at dawn like it is a military mandate.”

He turned, holding out the porcelain cup to her.

Y/N stared at the cup, then up at his face. Her heart did a strange, violent flip in her chest. She wanted to snap at him, to tell him to stop watching her so closely, to rebuild the icy wall that had protected her for years. But looking at the loose hang of his silk robe and the genuine warmth in his eyes, she felt the terrifying sensation of her armor cracking wide open. She was falling for him, and the worst part was, he didn't even have to try.

She took the cup, her fingers brushing against his just long enough to send a spark of heat up her arm. “You mentioned your sister,” she said, desperate to change the subject to literally anything else. “The morning after the wedding. You said the two of you changed the castle laws regarding the... the chamber checks.”

Jeonghan’s expression softened, a fond but slightly melancholy smile touching his lips as he leaned against the heavy oak table. 

“What is she like?” Y/N asked. 

Jeonghan’s smile turned fond yet bittersweet as he thought of her. “She is a storm wrapped in silk, to be completely honest. If you think I am stubborn when it comes to defying my father, you have seen nothing until you have seen her in an argument.”

He took a slow sip of his tea, his silver eyes reflecting the bright morning light.

“She is the only person in this palace who ever managed to see through my nonsense,” he continued softly. “When our parents started talking about the traditional chamber checks for her own wedding, she threatened to light the ceremonial tapestries on fire. I simply provided the matches.”

Y/N found her lips twitching with the ghost of a smile before she caught herself and smoothed her expression back into a cool mask. “She sounds formidable. Where is she now?”

“Still here in Hespros, technically, though you would hardly know it,” Jeonghan said, his posture relaxing as he leaned back against the table. “She and Lord Wonwoo keep an estate just outside the capital, but she travels constantly. She cannot stand the stifling nature of the court, so she is always finding some diplomatic excuse or trade expedition to get out into the world. Wonwoo is the king’s quietest, most calculating advisor, so he is often tethered to the council chambers, but he always manages to slip away to join her whenever he can.”

He chuckled, shaking his head.

“Everyone at court expected their match to be a disaster because they are complete opposites. Wonwoo was just a baker's boy who caught the court's attention, started as a lowly page, and dragged himself up through sheer intellect until he became the most trusted mind in the kingdom. He prefers the quiet of his library and the strict logic of law, while she prefers to break things just to see how they work. But if you see them together when she is back in the city, it is terrifying how well they understand each other. Wonwoo is the only man alive who can anchor her without clipping her wings, and she is the only one who can make him laugh out loud in a crowded ballroom. Having her away on these long journeys is hard,” Jeonghan admitted, his voice dropping into a rare, vulnerable register. “But watching them together was the first time I ever saw a royal marriage that felt like a sanctuary rather than a prison.”

He looked up from his cup, his sharp gaze locking onto Y/N's eyes. The intensity of his look made her breath hitch.

“I used to think they just got lucky,” Jeonghan murmured, taking a slow step closer to her. “But lately, I have been wondering if a sanctuary is just something you have to be brave enough to build.”

Y/N swallowed hard, the warmth of the tea suddenly feeling entirely inadequate compared to the heat rising in her face. She looked down at her plate, her fingers tightening around her fork as she fought against the overwhelming urge to lean into his warmth.

“A sanctuary requires trust, Prince Jeonghan,” she said, her voice a little softer, a little less icy than before. “And trust is a scarce commodity on the Iron Coast.”

“Then it is a good thing we are in Hespros,” he replied smoothly, a gentle, entirely genuine smile breaking across his face. “We have plenty of time to import it.”

The day Yunjin’s letter arrived was the first day in Hespros where she felt genuine joy. None of her sisters had been able to make it to the wedding, so it had been almost two months since she had last seen any of her family.

Jeonghan noticed the instant shift in her demeanor across the breakfast table the moment she opened the seal. She tried to maintain her usual composure, holding the parchment up to hide her face, but the brilliant grin that slowly crept across her lips was inevitable.

“Is there good news?” he asked, setting his teacup down.

Y/N quickly looked up from the letter and nodded, her eyes shining in a way he hadn't seen since her arrival in the capital. “My eldest sister is visiting from home,” she said, a genuine smile breaking through her guarded exterior. “She will be here tomorrow.”

Jeonghan’s eyebrows shot up, surprised by the sudden, last-minute travel arrangements, but a warm smile quickly replaced his shock. “We would love to have her stay with us in this wing. I will have the servants prepare the adjoining chambers immediately.”

Y/N’s smile softened, and her hand instinctively drifted to her collarbone, digging out a small silver locket from beneath the neckline of her gown. “Yunjin and I have always been close,” she said softly, clicking the latch open to reveal a faded, painted miniature of herself and all her sisters when they were children. “I am not surprised that the others have not come to visit me yet, but I am incredibly relieved that she is.”

Jeonghan hummed quietly, deeply appreciating the small piece of vulnerability she was offering him. It finally felt as though he was chipping away at that heavy northern shell she wore so well.

“What makes the two of you so close?” he asked, leaning forward slightly on his elbows.

Y/N didn’t respond immediately. It was obvious she was trying to articulate her thoughts properly, searching for words that wouldn't sound too harsh to a prince who had grown up in a completely different court culture.

“She is the one I disagree with the least,” she admitted, a faint trace of humor in her voice. “My other sisters and I are always on opposite sides of every issue, but Yunjin and I can always meet in the middle. We can disagree, we can hold incredibly strong opinions about the world, and we never get offended by each other. I think... we felt the safest with each other to share who we actually were.”

Jeonghan nodded, his silver eyes fixed on her face as he absorbed the rare glimpse into her past.

“She was actually the one who convinced me that this marriage was a good idea,” she added, letting out a soft, self-deprecating chuckle. “Or rather, she reasoned me into it when I was ready to throw a tantrum.”

“So I have her to thank for your presence?” he joked, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

They shared a genuine, small chuckle across the table, the lingering morning tension completely melting away.

“I truly cannot wait to meet her,” Jeonghan said.

Y/N looked at him, her dark eyes scanning his disheveled silver hair and the easy, charming tilt of his mouth. “I think the two of you will get along quite well. You both have a terrible habit of getting on my nerves, yet somehow you always manage to weasel your way out of trouble every single time.”

Jeonghan laughed out loud at the remarkably accurate reading of his character. He would never verbally admit to her face that she had him entirely figured out, but as he watched her carefully fold the letter away, he realized he didn't mind the exposure at all.

The rest of the day Y/N spent planning her sister's visit, her mind entirely occupied by the logistics of the upcoming arrival. Since she still knew so little of the capital, she traveled into the city with Jeonghan as her guide, using the outing as a chance to map out the perfect itinerary. He took her to the grand museums, the sprawling royal parks, and finally, most importantly for Y/N, to a secluded private beach tucked away along the coastline.

The beach had been a place that Jeonghan had visited often when he was a teenager. It was one of the only spots his parents didn’t know about, making it the perfect respite during the intense, exhausting arguments between him and his parents over his future.

“I’ve never shown anyone this beach before, not even my sister,” Jeonghan sighed, his voice carrying over the sound of the surf as they rounded the rocky corner on their horses.

Y/N pulled gently on her reins, bringing her horse to a stop beside his as the hidden cove opened up before them. The sand here was pale and undisturbed, framed by towering chalk cliffs that blocked out any view of the bustling city above. The turquoise water of the southern sea lapped gently against the shore, looking vastly different from the dark, churning waves of her home on the Coast, yet the salty air felt instantly grounding.

She turned her head to look at him, caught off guard by his confession. The easy, performative smile he usually wore for the city folk was entirely gone, replaced by a quiet, nostalgic look as he stared out at the water. 

“It’s beautiful,” she sighed, her gaze tracing the sunlit horizon. “Just like everything in this kingdom.”

Jeonghan nodded in agreement, but his eyes weren't on the turquoise water or the pale sand. It wasn’t the waves that made the sight beautiful to him; it was the princess standing right in front of him, the ocean breeze catching her hair and her guarded expression finally melting into something soft and peaceful.

“Yunjin is going to love this place,” she added, a note of quiet anticipation in her voice as she looked over at the secluded shoreline.

“Then we will definitely bring her here,” Jeonghan replied smoothly, nudging his horse a step closer to hers. “Though we might have to swear her to secrecy. If my father finds out I’ve been hiding a private sanctuary from him all these years, he’ll try to build a naval fort right on top of it.”

Y/N let out a genuine laugh, the sound clear and bright against the crashing of the waves. “A naval fort? I think even your father would find that a bit excessive for a private beach.”

“You underestimate his dedication to security,” Jeonghan teased, his eyes glittering with that familiar, warm mischief. “But seriously, if she loves the sea as much as you seem to, she will find some peace here after her long journey.”

He looked back out at the water, his chest feeling lighter than it had in months. For the first time since their wedding, the heavy weight of the crown and the expectations of the court felt miles away, entirely blocked out by the high cliffs surrounding them.

“Come on,” he said, flashing her a brilliant grin as he tightened his grip on his reins. “Let's ride down to the shoreline before the tide starts coming in.”

They dismounted near the base of the cliffs, leaving the horses to graze on the sparse beach grass. Y/N walked down to where the wet sand met the surf, the cool water rushing over the tips of her boots. The sheer freedom of the hidden cove, combined with the relief of her sister's arrival tomorrow, made her feel lighter than she had in months.

Jeonghan stepped up beside her, the usual space he kept between them completely dissolving. The ocean breeze blew his silver hair across his eyes, but his gaze remained locked onto her face, intense and entirely unreadable.

“You look different today,” he murmured, his voice dropping below the sound of the crashing waves. “More... here.”

Y/N turned her head to look at him, her defenses slowed by the salt air. “I am always here, Jeonghan.”

“No,” he said softly, taking a half-step closer. “Usually, a part of you is still fighting a war back on the Coast. But right now...” He reached out, his fingers gently brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. His touch lingered on her jawline, his thumb tracing the soft skin there. “Right now, you are just you.”

The proximity was intoxicating. Her heart hammered against her ribs, not out of fear, but out of a desperate, terrifying longing. Jeonghan leaned in, giving her ample time to pull away, but she didn't.

When his lips met hers, it was gentle, tasting of salt and the warmth of the southern sun. For a split second, Y/N let herself melt. Her eyes closed, her hand instinctively rising to rest against his chest, feeling the steady, rapid thud of his heart beneath his coat. It was a beautiful, devastating glimpse of what a real marriage could feel like.

But then, the weight of reality crashed over her like a freezing wave.

A soldier’s daughter. A political pawn. A sanctuary built on sand. The warnings of her upbringing on the Iron Coast echoed violently in her mind: Never let your guard down. Vulnerability is a liability. If she gave him her heart, he would have the power to destroy her.

Panic seized her. Before the kiss could deepen, Y/N went entirely rigid.

Her lips went completely flat under his, and her posture hardened into stone. She placed both palms firmly against his chest and pushed him back, creating a sharp, freezing distance between them.

Jeonghan stumbled back a step, caught entirely off guard. The warmth left his face instantly, replaced by a look of raw confusion that quickly bled into quiet hurt. He looked at his hands, then up at her cool, unreadable expression.

“Y/N?” he breathed, his voice cracking slightly.

Y/N swallowed down the lump in her throat, forcing her chin up and smoothing her features into the icy, diplomatic mask she wore for the court. She dusted off her riding gloves, refusing to meet his silver eyes.

“We should get back,” she said, her voice entirely devoid of the warmth they had shared just moments ago. “The tide is coming in, and I still have to review the guest quarters for my sister.”

Without waiting for his response, she turned on her heel and walked back toward her horse, her steps rigid and military-precise.

Jeonghan stood frozen on the sand, watching her retreat. The crushing realization hit him right in the center of his chest, heavy and hollow. He had let his guard down entirely, showing her his secret sanctuary and offering his heart on a silver platter—only to be met with a wall of solid ice. As he followed her back to the horses in a suffocating silence, a bitter certainty settled deep in his gut: she didn't love him, and she probably never would. To her, he was still just a political obligation.

The ride back to the palace was suffocating. The easy camaraderie they had spent the last five days building vanished as if it had never existed, replaced by a tense, heavy silence that stretched between them like a physical barrier. Every time their horses bumped shoulders on the narrow mountain path, Y/N would subtly pull her reins to guide her mount further away, a silent rejection that cut deeper with every mile.

Jeonghan kept his eyes fixed strictly on the path ahead. The bitter sting of disappointment burned in his throat. He had always been good at reading people. It was how he survived the treacherous court of Hespros, but Y/N was a puzzle he evidently had no right solving. He had miscalculated. He had thought the smiles, the shared laughter over the breakfast cart, and the vulnerability about her sister meant she was finally seeing him.

Instead, she had reminded him exactly where they stood: an alliance forged in ink, not in the heart.

When they finally reached the castle stables, Y/N didn't wait for him to dismount or offer a hand. She slid off her saddle the moment her horse came to a halt, handing the reins to a waiting groom with a tight, polite nod.

“Thank you for the tour of the city, Your Highness,” she said, her voice formal and clipped, addressing him by his title for the first time in days. She kept her eyes trained on his collarbone, deliberately avoiding his gaze. “It was highly informative. I shall see you at dinner.”

Jeonghan stayed atop his horse for a moment longer, looking down at her. The urge to demand an explanation, to ask her why she had frozen as if his touch poisoned her, flared hot in his chest. But the proud, guarded expression on her face told him everything he needed to know. Forcing her to talk would only make her retreat further behind her northern walls.

“Of course, Princess,” he replied, his voice dropping into that smooth, effortless court register he used for politicians and strangers. The warmth was entirely gone. “Enjoy your preparations.”

Y/N turned and walked away, her posture perfectly straight, her head held high as she disappeared into the stone corridors of the royal wing.

As soon as she was out of sight, her facade cracked. Y/N ducked into a quiet, shadowed alcove, pressing her back against the cool stone wall as she let out a shaky, ragged breath. Her heart was still hammering violently against her ribs, her lips still tingling from the phantom warmth of his kiss.

What did I just do, she thought desperately, tightly gripping the fabric of her riding skirt.

She had seen the look of raw hurt in his silver eyes before his mask slammed shut. It had physically pained her to push him away, but the sheer terror of how easily she had melted in his arms had triggered every survival instinct she possessed. On the Iron Coast, loving someone meant giving them a weapon to use against you. She was in a foreign kingdom, surrounded by enemies and political schemes, and the most dangerous variable of all was her own husband’s devastating kindness.

She couldn't afford to love him. She couldn't afford to be weak.

Straightening her spine, Y/N smoothed down her tunic and forced the emotion back into the darkest corner of her mind. She needed to focus. Yunjin was arriving tomorrow, and right now, her sister was the only anchor she had left in this overwhelming world.

Dinner that evening was an exercise in pure agony.

They sat at opposite ends of the long mahogany table, the space between them feeling wider than the sea separating Hespros from the Coast. Jeonghan played the part of the perfect, polite host, passing dishes and offering polite commentary on the weather, but the effortless teasing, the lingering glances, and the soft smiles were entirely gone. He didn't ask her about her family, and he didn't mention the beach.

When the meal finally ended, Jeonghan stood up, giving her a brief, courteous bow.

“If you will excuse me, Princess, I have some council documents to review before tomorrow. I shall sleep in my private chambers tonight so as not to disturb your rest before your sister’s arrival.”

Y/N’s throat felt incredibly dry. She wanted to tell him to stay. She wanted to tell him that she didn't mean to push him away, that she was just terrified. But the cold, polite distance in his eyes stopped the words before they could form.

“Of course,” she murmured softly. “Goodnight, Jeonghan.”

“Goodnight, Y/N.”

He turned and left the dining hall, the heavy oak doors closing behind him with a definitive thud. Y/N stared at the empty doorway, a profound sense of loneliness washing over her. She had gotten exactly what she thought she wanted. Her walls were back up, and her heart was safely guarded.

So why did it feel like she had just lost the only sanctuary she had ever known?

The absolute silence of the dining hall rushed in to fill the void. Y/N's fingers remained clamped onto the edge of the mahogany table, her knuckles white as she listened to the fading sound of his footsteps. Slowly, her hands began to tremble.

She forced herself to stand up and walk back to her chambers, her movements mechanical and stiff. Every servant she passed received the same blank, regal nod she always gave, but inside, she felt like she was suffocating. The moment she reached her bedroom, she closed the heavy doors and threw the iron bolt forward, locking herself away from the rest of the castle.

She turned around and pressed her back against the wood, sliding down until her knees hit the thick carpet.

The first sob broke from her throat before she could even try to stop it. It was a sharp, gasping sound that she immediately choked back by pressing the palm of her hand hard against her mouth. She couldn't let anyone hear her. On the Iron Coast, a crying soldier was a broken soldier, and she had spent her entire life learning how to swallow her pain.

But as she sat alone on the floor of the massive, unfamiliar room, the dam completely broke.

Tears hot and heavy flooded over her eyelashes, tracking down her cheeks and dripping onto the dark fabric of her gown. She pulled her knees up to her chest, burying her face in her skirts as her shoulders shook with violent, silent weeping.

The memory of his silver eyes, clouded with raw confusion and quiet hurt, burned behind her eyelids. He had opened up his heart to her. He had shown her the one place in the world where he felt safe, and in return, she had treated his kindness like an attack. She had built her walls so high and so fast that she had crushed him in the process.

The worst part was that she couldn't blame him for leaving tonight. He had tried so hard over the last few days, remembering the vegetables she liked, giving her his own sister’s story, and offering her a genuine partnership. And she had thrown it all away because she was too terrified to face the truth.

She was falling in love with him, and her own fear had ruined it before it could even begin.

Y/N curled tighter into herself, her tears soaking into her dress as she listened to the empty quiet of the palace wing. Tomorrow, Yunjin would arrive, and she would have to put on a brave, happy face for her sister. But tonight, in the dark, she let herself weep for the sanctuary she had desperately wanted to build, and the husband she had just pushed into the cold.

Yujin had arrived early in the evening, leaving the morning and afternoon silent. Y/N had tucked herself away in the library, where Jeonghan didn’t often like to hang around. She knew that the only reason he spent time there in the last month was to be with her. 

The realization only made the heavy ache in her chest worsen. Every grand bookshelf and velvet armchair in the royal archive seemed to remind her of his absence. She spent hours staring blankly at the open pages of a text on Hesprosian history, not absorbing a single word, listening intensely to every distant footstep in the corridor outside and hoping, foolishly, that he might walk through the door anyway.

But he didn't. The morning stretched into the afternoon in agonizing, uninterrupted silence, proving to her just how much effort he had been putting into chasing her away from her loneliness over the last month. Now that he had stopped chasing, the library felt completely freezing.

By the time the sun began its low descent, casting long, amber shadows across the polished floorboards, a servant finally knocked on the heavy library door to announce that the carriage from the Iron Coast had passed through the outer palace gates.

Y/N practically scrambled to her feet, abandoning her book on the table. She smoothed down her gown, swallowed the nervous lump in her throat, and hurried down to the main courtyard. She forced every ounce of her lingering sorrow deep down inside herself, building up a bright, welcoming mask just in time for the carriage door to swing open.

“Y/N!”

Yunjin stepped down from the carriage, looking exactly as she always did. Radiant, sharp-eyed, and carrying the crisp, familiar scent of the northern wind.

“Yunjin,” Y/N breathed, her voice cracking slightly with genuine relief as she stepped forward.

Before she could even offer a proper, formal greeting, Yunjin bypassed all royal etiquette and threw her arms around Y/N’s shoulders, pulling her into a fierce, crushing hug. The familiarity of it almost brought fresh tears to Y/N's eyes, but she held them back, burying her face in her sister's shoulder and squeezing back just as tightly. For a brief second, she felt like she was back home, safe from the terrifying complexities of the southern court.

“Look at you,” Yunjin said, pulling back to hold Y/N at arm's length, her eyes scanning her face with that fierce, protective scrutiny only an older sister possessed. “You look like a proper southern princess. They haven't been boring you to death with poetry and philosophy, have they?”

“Not entirely,” Y/N managed a genuine chuckle, though her heart did a nervous flutter when she noticed a figure approaching from the shadow of the palace doors.

Jeonghan walked down the stone steps with easy, measured grace. He had dressed impeccably for the arrival, his silver hair neatly styled and his posture perfectly regal. The moment his eyes met Y/N's, that cool, polite distance from the night before flashed in his gaze, but it vanished instantly as he turned a warm, brilliant smile toward Yunjin.

“Lady Yunjin,” Jeonghan said smoothly, offering a flawless, elegant bow. “Welcome to Hespros. We are absolutely honored to have you in our home. Your sister has spoken so highly of you, I feel as though I already know you.”

Yunjin’s eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp, assessing glint in her expression as she looked the prince up and down. She was checking him for weaknesses, just like a true soldier of the Coast, but Jeonghan’s charming smile didn't waver for a second.

“Prince Jeonghan,” Yunjin replied, bowing just low enough to be polite but keeping her chin high. “The pleasure is mine. And I must thank you for taking such good care of my sister. She can be quite a handful when she’s homesick.”

“Oh, she is an absolute delight,” Jeonghan teased smoothly, though his silver eyes drifted to Y/N for a fraction of a second, the hidden weight behind his words completely unreadable to anyone else. “Though she does keep me on my toes.”

Hoping to break the underlying tension, Y/N quickly offered to show her sister to her quarters. Y/N led Yunjin throughout the castle, gesturing to the grand archways and towering tapestries she had spent the last two months trying to get used to. As they walked, Y/N kept her descriptions brief and practical, focusing mostly on the layout and where the different wings connected.

Jeonghan followed closely behind them, seamlessly stepping in to fill in the rich history that Y/N had left out.

“What my brilliant wife neglected to mention,” Jeonghan chimed in with a light chuckle as they passed a massive, vaulted gallery, “is that this particular corridor was designed by the high architect during the golden age of the third dynasty. The glass in these windows was dragged across the sea specifically to catch the sunset just so.”

Yunjin looked at the vibrant light pooling across the stone floor, then back at Jeonghan, clearly amused. “A bit dramatic for a hallway, isn't it?”

“Welcome to Hespros,” Jeonghan replied smoothly, flashing a brilliant, easy smile that didn't quite reach his eyes when he glanced at Y/N. “We thrive on drama here.”

Y/N kept her gaze locked straight ahead, her heart aching at how easily he fell back into his perfect host persona, effortlessly covering for her lack of courtly knowledge while keeping a fortress of politeness between them.

Yunjin didn’t say anything during the tour, but it was obvious she could feel the heavy, suffocating tension between her sister and her new husband. Her sharp eyes kept darting between Y/N’s rigid posture and Jeonghan’s overly flawless smiles. She remained observant, holding her tongue until they finally reached the privacy of the guest suites.

Jeonghan checked the heavy gold timepiece at his vest, offering a polite, regretful bow. “If you will excuse me, Lady Yunjin, I must leave you to settle in. I have a weekly meeting with the council that I cannot avoid. I shall see you both at dinner.”

The moment the heavy oak doors clicked shut behind him, leaving the two sisters entirely alone, Yunjin dropped her luggage onto the nearby settee. She turned on her heel, crossing her arms as she leveled Y/N with a piercing look.

“Alright,” Yunjin said, her voice dropping into that strict, no-nonsense tone she only used when something was seriously wrong. “What happened?”

Y/N didn’t look up immediately. She busied herself with rearranging a small crystal vase on the side table, her fingers tight against the glass. “Nothing happened. He is just busy with the council, and I am tired from planning your arrival.”

“Do not give me that courtly garbage, Y/N,” Yunjin said, stepping closer and grabbing her sister by the forearm, forcing her to stop fidgeting. “I know you. I know exactly what you look like when you are trying to retreat behind a fortress. You looked at him like he was a threat, and he looked at you like he had just been court-martialed. Yesterday you sent me a letter practically glowing through the parchment, and today you won't even look him in the eye. What did you do?”

The blunt accusation hit Y/N right in her chest, breaking through her exhaustion. Her jaw tightened. “Why do you assume I did something?”

“Because I know how you react when someone gets too close,” Yunjin countered softly, her grip loosening into a gentle, grounding squeeze. “You push. Hard. Before they can push you first.”

Y/N let out a sharp, ragged breath, the defense completely draining from her body. She crossed her arms, rubbing her elbows as she stared down at the intricate patterns of the southern carpet.

“He took me to his private beach yesterday,” Y/N whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of the confession. “A place he has never shown anyone. Not even his sister. He told me it was his sanctuary, and he was completely undefended. No prince persona, no court masks. Just him.”

Yunjin stayed quiet, listening intently as she always did when Y/N finally decided to let her walls down.

“He kissed me,” Y/N continued, her throat tight. “And for a second, Yunjin, I forgot about the Iron Coast. I forgot about the alliance, the political schemes, and the contract. I felt entirely safe. And it terrified me.”

She looked up at her older sister, her eyes bright with raw, unshed tears. “The moment I realized how much power he had over me, my training took over. I went completely cold. I pushed him away, right there on the sand, and I treated him like an enemy soldier trying to breach the perimeter. I saw his face shift. I broke his trust, Yunjin. Now he thinks I despise him, and he didn't even sleep in our wing last night.”

Yunjin let out a long, slow sigh, shaking her head, though her expression was full of deep empathy. She walked over to the settee and sat down, patting the velvet cushion beside her. Y/N moved automatically, sinking down next to her sister and letting her head rest against Yunjin's dependable shoulder.

“You foolish girl,” Yunjin murmured, wrapping an arm around Y/N's shoulders. “You brought a shield to a sanctuary.”

“I don't know how to do anything else,” Y/N choked out, a single tear escaping and tracking down her cheek. “Father taught us how to survive a war, not how to accept a gift. Jeonghan has been so incredibly kind to me, and I repaid him by making him feel like an unwanted obligation.”

“Then you are going to have to fix it,” Yunjin said firmly, shifting so she could look Y/N dead in the eyes. “The council meeting will take at least two hours. When he comes back, you are going to lay down your weapons and tell him the truth. You don't have to be a fearless soldier here, Y/N. You just have to be brave enough to admit you're scared.”

Yunjin’s words hung in the air, leaving a heavy, challenging silence in the room. Y/N stared at her sister, her chest tight with a mixture of dread and a strange, flickering spark of determination.

“Two hours,” Y/N repeated softly, looking toward the ornate pendulum clock on the mantle.

“Exactly,” Yunjin said, standing up and smoothing down her travelling tunic. “Which means you have exactly one hour and forty-five minutes to pace this room, lose your mind, and finally figure out what you are going to say to that boy. I am going to wash the dust of the road off my face.”

For the next hour, Y/N did exactly that. She paced the length of the guest suite, the heavy fabric of her skirts swishing against the floorboards as she rehearsed speeches in her head. Every option sounded either too stiff and military or entirely too vulnerable. Her northern pride chafed at the idea of begging for forgiveness, but every time she pictured Jeonghan’s eyes on the beach, her stubbornness melted away.

By the time the clock struck the second hour, Y/N couldn't sit still any longer.

She left Yunjin resting in the chambers and slipped out into the corridor. The palace was quieter now, the servants moving like shadows as the evening guards took their posts. Y/N walked with a purpose she didn't entirely feel, her boots clicking softly against the stone as she navigated the winding hallways leading toward the high council wing.

This part of the castle was always more oppressive. The ceilings were higher, the tapestries depicted bloody historical victories, and the air felt thick with political scheming.

As she neared the grand double doors of the council chambers, she ducked into the shadow of a vaulted archway across the hall. Her heart was hammering against her ribs, a familiar adrenaline surging through her veins. It was the same feeling she got before a border skirmish on the Coast, only this time, she wasn't fighting to defend a line. She was fighting to tear one down.

Ten minutes later, the heavy oak doors groaned open.

A handful of elderly councilors filed out first, deep in whispered conversations about tax rates and grain supplies. Next came Lord Wonwoo, clutching a stack of leather-bound ledgers to his chest, his expression as unreadable and natural, offering her a quick bow of the head as he passed by. 

And then came Jeonghan.

He was the last to leave the room. The moment he stepped into the torchlight of the corridor, Y/N’s breath hitched. The effortless, charming smile he usually wore for the public was completely gone. His shoulders were slightly tense, and he looked thoroughly exhausted, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he walked away from the council doors, heading down the isolated gallery toward his private study.

Y/N didn't let herself hesitate. If she waited even a second, her walls would snap back into place.

She stepped out of the shadows and hurried down the corridor after him. “Jeonghan.”

Jeonghan stopped in his tracks. He turned around slowly, his silver eyes widening slightly in surprise when he saw her standing there in the dim light of the gallery. For a fraction of a second, a spark of the old warmth flared in his gaze, but it was quickly masked by that polite, freezing courtesy he had used at dinner.

“Princess,” he said, his voice smooth and entirely distant as he offered a shallow bow. “I assumed you would be with your sister. Is something wrong with her quarters?”

“No,” she assured him, her voice softer than she intended. “Yunjin’s quarters are perfect.”

Jeonghan merely nodded, his posture remaining perfectly straight, his hands clasped loosely behind his back. He didn't prompt her further. He just stood there, a polite stranger wearing her husband’s face, waiting for her to state her business and let him go.

Y/N took a few moments to gather herself again. It was ridiculous, really; she had spent the last two hours pacing a room, repeating sentences until they felt hollow, yet now that he was standing right in front of her, her mind was a total blank. Her heart battered against her ribs like a trapped bird.

She took a deep, steadying breath, forcing her chin up, and finally let the truth spill out before her fear could stop it.

“I didn't come here to talk about my sister,” she said, her eyes locked onto his, refusing to let him look away. “I came here because of yesterday. On the beach.”

Jeonghan’s expression didn't change, but she caught the subtle flinch in his jaw, the tiny tightening of his shoulders at the mention of the cove. “Y/N, you don't need to explain. I understand where we stand—”

“You don't,” she interrupted, stepping closer, completely ignoring the invisible boundary he was trying to maintain. “You don't understand at all, Jeonghan. When you kissed me... I didn't freeze because I wanted to push you away. I froze because I was terrified.”

That caught him off guard. The flawless court mask slipped just a fraction, a flash of genuine confusion breaking through his silver eyes. “Terrified? Of me?”

“Of how easily I forgot everything else,” she confessed, her voice dropping to a fierce, raw whisper. “On the Iron Coast, we are taught that vulnerability is a death sentence. We are taught to never give anyone a weapon that can be used against us. And yesterday, when you were so incredibly kind, and you showed me your sanctuary... I realized how much power you have over me. I realized how easily you could break my heart, Jeonghan.”

She took one more step, closing the distance between them until she could feel the faint warmth radiating from him.

“My training took over before I could think. I treated you like an enemy because it was safer than admitting the truth,” she said, her eyes burning with unshed tears, though her voice remained steady. “I brought a shield to a sanctuary. I ruined a beautiful moment because I was too much of a coward to accept a gift. I am so sorry, Jeonghan. I don't want to be an alliance forged in ink. I don't want to keep fighting a war with you.”

Jeonghan stood completely frozen, his breath hitching in his chest. The silence of the corridor stretched between them, but this time, it wasn't heavy with rejection. It was thick with a breathless, stunned disbelief as he stared down at her, processing the cracks in her armor.

At the confession, Jeonghan’s heart skipped a beat. It felt like he had stopped breathing. It was like a sign that finally his feelings were at least being accepted, if not returned.

The cold, defensive wall he had spent the last twenty-four hours building around his own chest crumbled into dust. All the bitter disappointment, the agonizing self-doubt that had kept him awake in his lonely private chambers, vanished in a single breath. She didn’t despise him. She wasn't just using him as a political stepping stone.

She was just as terrified of him as he was of losing her.

Slowly, as if afraid that any sudden movement might cause her to retreat behind her northern fortress again, Jeonghan reached out. His fingers were slightly ungrounded as he brought his hand up, his knuckles gently brushing against the curve of her cheek. When she didn't pull away, he let his palm rest against her jawline, his thumb catching a stray tear before it could fall.

The intense, piercing look returned to his silver eyes, but this time, it was entirely stripped of courtly calculation. It was just raw, profound relief.

“You think I want to use you as a weapon?” he asked, his voice a low, rough murmur that vibrated in the quiet gallery. He took a half-step closer, completely erasing the final boundary between them. “Y/N, the last thing I want is to fight a war with you.”

He let out a short, breathless laugh, a genuine smile finally breaking across his face, though his eyes remained fiercely earnest.

“I was losing my mind all day in that council room because I thought I had ruined everything,” he admitted softly, his fingers curling slightly into the hair at the back of her neck. “I thought I had forced my feelings on you. If you need a shield, Y/N, you can keep it. But you never have to use it against me. I would rather let you break my heart a thousand times over than ever do anything to break yours.”

Y/N let out a breath she felt like she had been holding since they left the beach, her forehead sinking forward until it rested against his chest. The heavy wool of his doublet was warm against her skin, and the steady, rapid thumping of his heart beneath her cheek matched her own frantic pulse.

“I don't want to break your heart,” she murmured into his chest, her hands finally moving to grip the fabric of his sleeves. “I just... I don't know how to do this, Jeonghan. Every piece of advice my father ever gave me was about how to survive a betrayal. I don't know how to navigate peace.”

Jeonghan’s arms wrapped securely around her waist, pulling her flush against him. He rested his chin on top of her head, exhaling a long, ragged sigh that ruffled her hair.

“Then we learn together,” he whispered softly, his hands rubbing comforting circles into the small of her back. “Step by step. No more ink, no more contracts. If you’re scared, you tell me. If I’m moving too fast, you tell me. Just don't freeze me out again, Princess. It is entirely too cold behind those northern walls of yours.”

Y/N pulled back just enough to look up at him, a small, genuine smile finally breaking through her exhaustion. “They are meant to keep out southerners.”

“Well, you married a particularly stubborn one,” Jeonghan teased, the brilliant, effortless spark returning to his silver eyes. The heavy weight that had hung over both of them for the last two days was completely gone, replaced by the easy warmth they had spent the week building.

He leaned down, his eyes dropping to her lips for a fraction of a second. Y/N felt her heart flutter, the warmth of his proximity tempting her, but she gently placed a hand against his chest, holding him back just a fraction. There was still so much to rebuild between them, and she wanted to earn this piece of sanctuary properly.

Jeonghan caught her meaning instantly. He didn't look disappointed; instead, a soft, understanding smile curved his lips as he let his hand drop from her neck, though he kept his fingers firmly tangled with hers.

“We should probably get back,” Jeonghan murmured, offering a reassuring squeeze to her hand. “Your sister is waiting, and if I keep you out here much longer, she might actually carry out that court-martial she looked ready to give me in the courtyard.”

Y/N chuckled, the sound light and free. “She probably would. She’s very protective.”

“Good,” Jeonghan smiled, leaning in just to press a gentle, fleeting kiss to her brow instead. “Let’s go show her that we survived the battle.”

The royal stables normally shut their doors at nine, “they work long days and need their rest” is what the royal groom has always said when he enforced the new rule last year. So when midnight had struck and Jeonghan had come knocking on Y/N’s doors to go for a midnight ride, she couldn’t resist. 

“My sister's horse cloud hasn’t been ridden in ages, you can ride her,” Jeonghan whispered as they approached the stable gate. 

The plan was simple: Y/N would grab Cloud and Regent, Jeonghan’s horse, while Jeonghan opened the big stable doors. The cool night air was crisp against Y/N’s face, a welcome relief from the stuffy atmosphere of the palace corridors. Slipping past the outer guard posts had been surprisingly easy with Jeonghan leading the way, his knowledge of the watch schedules keeping them completely invisible.

They crouched low near the shadow of the stable wall, the massive wooden building completely dark and quiet.

“Stay close,” Jeonghan whispered, his breath clouding slightly in the midnight chill. He checked the courtyard one last time before gesturing for her to follow.

They glided over to the side entrance. The heavy iron lock on the main doors was always secured at nine sharp, but Jeonghan pulled a thick, brass key from his tunic pocket, looking thoroughly amused with himself. He slid it into the mechanism with practiced ease, turning it slowly until a quiet click echoed through the dark.

He pushed the door open just enough for Y/N to slip through.

The interior of the stables smelled strongly of sweet hay, polished leather, and the warm, grounding scent of resting horses. A few low rumbles and soft snorts greeted them from the dark stalls as the animals shifted in their sleep, but otherwise, the building remained entirely still.

Y/N moved with silent precision, navigating the central aisle toward the familiar nameplates. Regent was easy to find, the massive black stallion instantly raising his head and pressing his nose against Y/N’s hand in recognition. Just two stalls down was Cloud, a beautiful, pale grey mare belonging to Jeonghan's sister, looking alert but calm.

Working quickly in the shadows, Y/N grabbed the bridles and halters hanging by the stalls. She slipped the leather over Regent’s head first, her hands steady as she secured the buckles, before moving on to Cloud. The mare let out a soft huff of air but stood perfectly still as Y/N prepped her for the midnight escape.

At the front of the barn, the heavy groaning of the main wooden doors sliding open cut through the silence.

Jeonghan was pushing the massive barricades apart just enough to let the horses pass, the moonlight cutting a sharp, silver path down the center of the stable floor. He turned back to look at her, a thrilling, reckless grin flashing across his face in the dim light.

Y/N took the reins of both horses in her hands, guiding them gently out of their stalls. Their hooves clicked against the stone floor, sounding incredibly loud in the dead of night, making her adrenaline spike. They were officially breaking the rules of the castle, turning their backs on royal decorum for the sake of a wild run into the dark.

“Go!” Jeonghan whispered, his voice a frantic rush of air in the dark.

He didn't waste a single second. He stepped up beside Cloud, offering a firm hand to help Y/N hoist herself up. She caught his shoulder for balance, swinging her leg over the mare's back with practiced northern agility. As soon as she was securely in the saddle, Jeonghan turned on his heel, caught Regent’s reins, and vaulted effortlessly onto his own horse.

The movement was completely fluid, entirely stripped of the stiff, formal posture he usually maintained for the court.

Just as Regent’s hooves hit the gravel outside, a flickering lantern light appeared at the far corner of the courtyard.

“Hey! Who’s out there?” the gruff, sleepy voice of the night watchman echoed across the stone pavers, the heavy thud of his boots suddenly picking up speed.

“Hold on tight,” Jeonghan called out, a breathless laugh cutting through his warning.

He dug his heels into Regent’s flanks, and the black stallion bolted forward like a shot from a bow. Y/N didn't hesitate, giving Cloud a sharp click of her tongue. The grey mare, thrilled to finally be out of her stall after so long, lunged forward right behind him.

They tore out of the stable yard, the wind immediately whipping Y/N’s hair across her face. Behind them, the watchman’s shouting grew distant, replaced entirely by the thunderous rhythm of hooves striking the earth as they raced toward the open fields beyond the palace walls. 

Jeonghan whipped his head around to make sure Y/N was still close with him. The wind caught his silver hair, blowing it back from his face as his eyes locked onto hers, ensuring she was handling the grey mare's frantic pace.

But when he turned his head a fraction further, looking past her shoulder, his expression instantly sharpened.

Emerging from the shadow of the outer barracks were three palace guards on horseback. They had bypassed the main gates, cutting across the western lawn to intercept them, their lanterns swinging wildly in the dark as they spurred their mounts into a gallop.

“Stop! By order of the crown, halt your horses!” the lead guard bellowed, his voice carrying over the rushing wind.

Jeonghan let out a sharp, incredulous laugh, his eyes flashing with a reckless excitement Y/N had never seen in him before. He leaned lower over Regent’s neck, looking back at her over his shoulder.

“They brought the royal guard just for a midnight stroll,” he called out, his voice full of amusement despite the danger. “Don't let them catch you, Princess! If they take us back now, Wonwoo will make me read tax ledgers until dawn!”

Y/N’s northern blood surged at the challenge. She gripped Cloud's reins tighter, leaning forward to match the mare’s stride. The guards were closing the distance, their heavier, armored horses thundering against the sod, but Cloud was light and nimble.

“They'll have to ride faster than that!” Y/N shouted back, a fierce, genuine smile breaking across her face as she urged the mare into an even faster gallop, tearing down the moonlit path toward the tree line.

She caught up to Jeonghan, the two horses running neck and neck as the wind roared in their ears. She whipped her arm out, pointing sharply toward a dense line of ancient trees that concealed the winding path down to the cove.

Jeonghan looked where she was pointing and gave her a quick, knowing nod. With a sharp tug on the reins, he expertly steered Regent off the main path, plunging straight into the thick bushes and shadows. The sudden change in direction sent a shower of leaves and twigs scattering into the night air, completely breaking his silhouette against the moonlight.

Y/N didn't follow him. Instead, she leaned low over Cloud’s neck and steered the grey mare in the exact opposite direction, tearing across the open meadow toward the rocky eastern cliffs.

The strategy worked perfectly. Behind her, she heard the sudden, chaotic shouting of the guards as they reached the fork where the two tracks split.

“They’re separating!” the lead guard yelled, his horse whinnying loudly as he forced it to a sudden, skidding halt on the gravel. “You two, take the woods! I’m following the princess!”

Looking over her shoulder, Y/N saw two of the lanterns veer wildly into the trees after Jeonghan, while the lead guard spurred his mount directly toward her. A wild, breathless laugh escaped her lips. Splitting the guard gave Jeonghan a clear run to the beach, and she had absolutely no intention of letting her own pursuer catch her before she got there.

By the time she made it to the edge of the cove, the thundering hooves of the guard's horse had faded entirely into the distance. She had managed to completely lose him along the rocky ridges of the eastern cliffs, but she wasn't about to take any chances. If the guards eventually figured out her strategy and tracked her down to the water, she wanted to make sure they wouldn't stay around for long. If they couldn't see her horse, they would assume she had doubled back toward the main roads.

Moving quickly, she guided Cloud deeper into the thick forest lining the edge of the sand. She dismounted with fluid ease, leading the grey mare into a dense thicket of pine trees where the shadows were heaviest.

“Good girl,” Y/N whispered, patting the mare’s damp neck. She wrapped the leather reins securely around a sturdy, low-hanging branch, tying them off with a quick knot that would hold but allow for a fast getaway if needed.

Satisfied that Cloud was completely hidden from the path, Y/N turned and pushed her way back through the heavy brush.

The moment she stepped out onto the open sand of the cove, the sound of crashing waves filled her ears. The moonlight reflected off the water, painting the entire beach in shades of silver and blue.

A sudden movement near the shoreline caught her eye, and a breathless smile broke across her face.

Jeonghan had just emerged from the opposite side of the tree line. Regent was nowhere to be seen, meaning he had likely used the exact same tactic to hide his massive stallion in the woods. He looked slightly disheveled, his silver hair windswept and his cloak unbuttoned, but as he spotted her standing there on the moonlit sand, a brilliant, victorious grin lit up his face.

“I beat you here and I’ve only been here once,” Y/N chuckled, running a hand through her messy hair as well. 

Jeonghan scoffed, but didn’t bother fixing his hair. He pulled out a bag that he had brought with them, containing a thick blanket and a bottle of wine. “I’ll have you know, l let you arrive first so as to not get caught.” 

Y/N chuckled and grabbed the bag, pulling out the blanket and tossing him the bottle of wine. “I’m glad it didn’t break from all the galloping.” 

“Please, give Regent some credit,” Jeonghan said, catching the bottle deftly against his chest with a dramatic sigh of relief. “He knows how to handle precious cargo. Though, I admit, dodging those low branches in the dark while holding a bottle of the King’s finest vintage was a bit more athletic than my usual midnight strolls.”

Y/N shook out the heavy wool blanket, letting the sea breeze catch it before she laid it down on the soft, cool sand. The tension that had weighed so heavily on them earlier in the palace corridors had completely evaporated, replaced by the thrilling high of their shared escape.

Jeonghan walked over and sank down onto the blanket next to her. He popped the cork of the wine bottle with a satisfying click, taking a small sip before offering it up to her.

“To our first successful crime as a married couple,” he murmured, his silver eyes flashing with amusement under the moonlight.

Y/N took the bottle, her fingers brushing against his, and felt a familiar warmth rush through her veins. She took a sip, the rich, dark liquid chasing away the chill of the midnight air, before setting it down safely on the sand between them.

She looked out at the ocean, the waves crashing softly against the shore, and then turned her gaze back to him. There were no guards here, no council meetings, and no walls left to hide behind. Just the two of them, completely undefended in his sanctuary.

The silence between them was nice and comforting. For once, Y/N enjoyed the silence between her and Jeonghan, this time it was comfortable silence, not the suffocating, heavy tension that usually kept them locked on opposite sides of a room. It wasn’t a wall built out of pride, nor was it a quiet tactical truce between two strangers sharing a crown.

It was just peace.

Jeonghan pulled his knees up to his chest, resting his arms over them as he looked out at the dark expanse of the water. The silver light of the moon caught the sharp angles of his face, softening the regal, calculated look he usually wore for the world. He looked younger out here, completely stripped of courtly expectations, just a boy sitting on a beach with a stolen bottle of wine.

“You’re thinking very loudly, Princess,” he murmured softly, not breaking his gaze from the rhythmic movement of the tide. A faint, easy smile played at the corner of his lips.

Y/N let out a soft breath, her shoulders dropping as she relaxed back onto her hands, sinking slightly into the sand beneath the blanket. “I was just thinking that it’s quiet. Truly quiet. I don't think I've felt this kind of stillness since I left the north.”

“I’m glad,” Jeonghan said, finally turning his head to look at her. The amusement in his silver eyes had deepened into something incredibly warm, mirroring the steady, rhythmic pulse of the ocean behind him. “The palace has a way of crowding your mind, even when you’re completely alone in a room. Out here, there's no one to perform for. It’s just us.”

He shifted slightly, closing the small distance between them on the blanket until his shoulder brushed against hers. The contact was simple, but it sent a spark of electricity straight through her. Y/N didn’t pull away this time. Instead, she leaned into the touch, letting the steady warmth of his body anchor her against the cool sea breeze.

Jeonghan looked down at where their shoulders met, his smile softening. Slowly, deliberately, he reached out and slid his hand over the blanket, leaving his palm open in a silent invitation.

Y/N looked at his hand, then up at his eyes. There were no political contracts forcing her hand tonight, no guards watching their every move, and no lingering fears of vulnerability holding her back. She had run away into the dark with him, broken the palace laws, and successfully defended her place by his side. She was ready.

She slid her hand into his, her fingers tangling tightly with his long, elegant ones.

Jeonghan’s breath hitched slightly at the gesture. He didn't waste another moment. Gently pulling on her hand, he guided her closer until she was forced to turn toward him. He reached up with his free hand, his fingers gently cupping the side of her jaw, his thumb smoothing over her cheekbone to brush away a stray lock of windswept hair.

His eyes dropped to her lips, burning with a fierce, quiet intensity that made her heart skip a beat.

“Can I?” he whispered, his voice a low, rough murmur against the sound of the crashing waves.

Y/N didn't give him a verbal answer. Instead, she closed the remaining distance herself, leaning forward to press her lips firmly against his.

The kiss was entirely different from the panicked rush of the beach or the guarded hesitation of the palace corridor. It was deep, breathless, and filled with the wild, reckless adrenaline of their midnight escape. Jeonghan let out a soft, shuddering sigh against her mouth, his grip on her waist tightening as he pulled her flush against his chest, deepening the kiss with a desperate, pouring relief.

It was a promise sealed in the dark, far away from ink and parchment, proving that they had finally found their own sanctuary.

Jeonghan slowly wrapped his other hand that wasn’t holding her jaw to wrap around her waist and to gently lay her back against the blanket. 

“Jeonghan,” she sighed between kisses. 

“Tell me if it’s too much princess,” he smiled against her lips and moved to prop himself up on one elbow to slightly hover above her. “You’re so beautiful like this.” 

Y/N chuckled and rolled her eyes, “I’m beautiful after breaking the law and sneaking off to your secret cove?”

Jeonghan nodded and pressed a kiss to her forehead, “you look extra beautiful because you broke the law and snuck off to my secret cove. I thought you were beautiful from the moment I saw you.” 

Y/N blushed at his flattery and gently ran her fingers through his silver hair. It was always so well put together and looked so off limits to everyone, so it was very special that he had let her play with it at all. 

Before she could say anything about his beautiful hair Jeonghan had leaned in and started pressing kisses along her jaw and down her neck. 

“Jeonghan,” she chuckled, “here?” 

Jeonghan didn’t stop, but he took his hand that was cupping her jaw to hold hers, “I want to have you in the only place in the whole kingdom that is our’s, princess.” 

Y/N blushed again at his words, before nodding as Jeonghan slowly started pushing the sleeves of her dress off her shoulders. The cool breeze of the waves in the middle of the night were enough to harden her nipples when he pulled her dress down to around her waist. 

Jeonghan’s eyes widened at the sight of her body reacting so quickly, and quickly moved to lick one of her nipples, causing her to arch her back further into his touch. 

“You’re reacting so well to me,” Jenoghan groaned against her skin, switching his attention between breasts and pushing her dress down further down until it was bunched around her ankles, leaving her completely bare in the middle of the beach. 

“Your turn,” she said tugging on his shirt as he scoffed at her urgency. 

“I suppose it’s only fair,” he started to say before Y/N started tugging his shirt over his head, causing him to laugh, but he obliged her and fully took off his shirt. “I’m gonna remember that. That you were begging to see me shirtless.” 

Y/N rolled her eyes and tugged at his hair, “enough talking Jeonghan.” 

Jeonghan nodded his head before returning his attention to her body. He moved his mouth from her chest down to her stomach and then between her legs. As soon as he made contact with her core, Y/N tugged on his hair again. Although this time he was sure she was going to pull some of it out, but he didn’t mind, because she tasted sweet. 

“Jeonghan!” She moaned, feeling one of his hands to hold her hand the other one went to grope her breast. 

He moved between licking up her slit to sucking on her bud. Whatever he was doing was enough to make her climax. As soon as she did, Jeonghan had parted his mouth from between her legs and instead inserted two fingers inside her. Y/N gasped at the sudden intrusion, but Jeonghan didn’t relent and started moving his fingers. 

“Need to see if you can take all of me princess,” he groaned, the sight of her arched back and writhing on the blanket was enough to make him see stars himself. “Does that feel good princess?” 

Y/N nodded and reached out to grab at his shoulder, something to try and help ground her because the pleasure was almost too much to bear. “Why are your fingers so long?” 

Jeonghan chuckled and pressed a kiss to her belly button as he slowly made his way up to her face. Once her met her eyes he gave her a small, genuine smile and slowly pushed a third finger into her, causing her to squirm more. 

“That’s the thing about long fingers baby, you can fit more of them.” 

Y/N scoffed, but was too lost in pleasure to say anything about his remark. “Don’t stop.” 

Jeonghan shivered at the cool breeze from the ocean and leaned further into her body and connected their lips again as he felt her come apart on his hand. Y/N loudly moaned as she came on his hand, throwing her head back and using one of her hands to wrap around his shoulders to keep him in place as she slowly came down from her high. 

Once her high had finished and Jeonghan had pulled his hand from between her thighs, Y/N finally pushed him off her slightly to allow herself to catch her breath. Jeonghan smiled and licked his fingers clean of her release while Y/N looked up at the full moon that had come out since they had arrived at the beach. 

“If I haven’t told you yet princess, I love you.”

Y/N looked over to Jeonghan and for the first time since they had laid eyes on each other, there were no other feelings clouding her mind. There was no lingering doubt, no shadow of political duty, and no echo of her father's warnings about betrayal. The armor she had worn like a second skin for years felt completely weightless, discarded on the sand between them.

The word love usually felt heavy, dangerous, and conditional in her world. But hearing it slip from his lips in the quiet dark of the cove, it sounded entirely different. It sounded like an anchor.

She looked at the soft curve of his smile, the earnest light in his silver eyes, and felt a profound, settling warmth expand in her chest.

“You haven't,” she whispered back, her voice shaking just a fraction, though her gaze remained fiercely steady. She reached up, her fingers sliding into the cool, windswept strands of his hair, anchoring him close. “But you don't have to worry. I am not running away anymore, Jeonghan.”

Jeonghan’s smile widened, a look of pure, unadulterated relief washing over his face. He leaned down, catching her lips in another kiss that tasted of sweet wine and sea salt, slower and deeper this time, as if he finally had all the time in the world to show her exactly what he meant.

He slowly peeled himself off her after a few more pecks on the lips and kicked his pants off before patting his own lap. “Come ride me princess.” 

Y/N chuckled at his bluntness but slowly straddled his torso, her core brushing over his thigh. Jeonghan smirked and moved his hands to settle on her hips, rubbing circles with his thumbs over them and looking at her with the loved up eyes. 

“What?” Y/N asked, as Jeonghan shrugged his shoulders and grabbed for her left hand, connecting their fingers and squeezing. 

“You never said it back,” he said. 

Y/N’s face instantly softened at his words. She didn’t give out those three words very often, only when she truly meant it and she rarely met people that have earned her love, but Jeonghan was someone who had earned it. So she’d comply. 

“I love you Yoon Jeonghan. You may be the prince of Hespros, but you’re also the king of my heart,” she smiled as she lined herself up with his member and slowly sank down onto him causing Jeonghan to groan and squeeze both their interlocked hands and his grip on her hip.

Y/N also had a bit of a hard time adjusting to Jeonghan, but she had some help prior so it didn’t take as long to get used to Jeonghan’s as much as he was getting used to her. 

“You’re still so tight princess, even though I tried to stretch you out,” he moaned, as Y/N slowly started to move her hips back and forth on him. Jeongahn chuckled at her impatience and moved his hand that was on her hip to up her waist to try and stop her from moving, but it was no use. “Shit, Y/N.” 

Y/N smiled, it was one of the rare times Jeonghan had actually called her by her name. He had always called her princess, but being called something other than princess in this situation felt intimate. She continued to move her hips and bounce on his lap before Jeonghan’s grip on her hips tightened. 

“I’m coming,” he gasped, moving one of his hands to in between her thighs to rub her bud, helping her climax with him. Once they had both climaxed, Y/N slumped her body on top of his, fully moving from his lap, but the rest of her body had gone limp from all the activity. After a few more seconds of catching their breaths and exchanging some kisses Y/N slowly moved off of Jeonghan’s lap, to the blanket and laid down on her back, looking back up to the full moon. 

“You know, Jeonghan, I thought you would ruin my life,” Y/N murmured, her voice laced with a quiet, ironic humor that made him pause.

Jeonghan blinked, a startled laugh slipping from his lips as he looked over to her. “Well, that is certainly a comforting thing to hear after a declaration of love, Princess. Should I be flattered or worried?”

“Flattered,” she said, her fingers tightening slightly in his hair, preventing him from pulling too far away. Her expression softened, the teasing light in her eyes giving way to something much deeper, much more vulnerable. “On the Iron Coast, we are taught to see every outsider as a threat to our peace. When I was told I had to marry a southern prince, I thought my freedom was over. I thought you would be a gilded cage, a political trap designed to break everything I was.”

She leaned her forehead against his, her breath warm against his skin in the midnight chill.

“But you didn't ruin my life,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “You just ruined the walls I built to hide from it. You made me realize that staying safe in armor isn't the same thing as actually living.”

Jeonghan’s chest rose and fell in a heavy, breathy sigh. The slight tension in his shoulders melted away completely, replaced by a profound tenderness that crinkled the corners of his silver eyes. He slid his hand from her jaw down to the nape of her neck, pulling her just a fraction closer until their lips were almost touching.

“Then I am entirely glad to be a ruinous influence, Y/N,” he murmured, his voice a low, beautiful rumble. “And I promise to keep ruining every single defense you try to put up between us, for as long as you'll let me.”

“Why are you so happy today?” Yujin asked Y/N when she skipped into the dining hall for breakfast.

Y/N just shrugged her shoulders and pulled out the chair beside her sister, Jeonghan right behind her and sitting across from Y/N.

“Did you two do something nefarious last night?”

Jeonghan shot his hands up in defense, “No. Not at all, just went for a late night ride.”

Y/N chuckled at his words as Yujin’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “I thought you said yesterday that the stables close at ten?”

Y/N and Jeonghan only giggled under their breaths, exchanging a brief, knowing glance across the table that spoke of moonlit cliffs and hidden horses.

Yujin rolled her eyes, throwing her linen napkin down onto the table with a dramatic sigh. “Unbelievable. You two look like a pair of stable cats that successfully raided the creamery. And you,” she pointed a stern, sisterly finger at Jeonghan, “are supposed to be the responsible crown prince. Instead, you are enabling her worst northern habits.”

“I assure you, Lady Yujin, I am a model of absolute decorum,” Jeonghan said, though the brilliant, wicked spark in his silver eyes completely betrayed his deadpan delivery. He reached for the teapot, pouring a cup for Y/N first with a smooth, effortless grace. “The horses simply required some unexpected midnight exercise. For their health, you understand.”

“Right. For their health,” Yujin scoffed, though a small, relieved smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she looked between them. The icy, suffocating tension that had hung over the couple the day before had completely vanished, replaced by an easy, radiant warmth that filled the entire dining hall. “Well, whatever laws you broke, at least it fixed your terrible moods. You both smelled of doom yesterday.”

Y/N took a sip of her tea, the warmth spreading through her chest as she looked across the table at her husband. He was already looking back at her, his expression soft and completely stripped of his usual courtly armor. They had a kingdom to run, an alliance to maintain, and undoubtedly a very angry royal groom to face later in the day, but sitting here in the bright morning light, Y/N knew they could handle all of it. Together.

A/N: Hey everyone! Holy cow, it’s here!!! This was a beast to write and tbh i’m not 100% sure if i love the ending of it. I think it’s a good ending, but I can’t think of what it needs to make it great without breaching 40k-50k words, so I’m gonna say that this is good enough and that there is always room for me to write more about this couple later. I just want you guys to have it and I want to work on something else now XD I’ve been working on this for like 5ish months XD. It also looks like the next installment of the series is going to be seungcheol, so strap in tight because I have an idea of what I want to do for him (Mwuah hahahah) 

Anyways, enjoy and talk to you later <3

TS19009

[milk-moonbunnies]

Milk and Cookies [Jeonghan x Joshua x reader]

Synopsis: Friends with Jeonghan and Joshua for years, you find out something about both of them that has you getting first-hand experience

Warnings: mdni, 18+, threesome, face riding, bj, spit roast, multiple orgasms, dirty-talk, praise, fwb I guess, nicknames (baby, pretty, etc.), dumbification -

If anyone told you that you would find yourself between two of your best friends on Christmas Eve, you would have laughed.

You had been friends with Jeonghan and Joshua for years. You did everything together with them. They had always been there for you, through the ups and the downs, everything. So, it was normal to have a spare key to their apartment and vice versa. I mean, you’ve met multiple girlfriends they’ve had and were there for either of them when they didn’t work out. You three were thick as thieves, and it wasn’t a surprise when you found yourself lounging in their living room on Christmas Eve.

Six bottles of soju littered the coffee table, shot glasses mixed in between, and you could see snow flurries dance outside the window. It must be like 2 am, and you should probably be home packing to go see family in the morning but instead, you were lying on your back on Jeonghan’s couch with your feet in Joshua’s lap.

You three had been talking nonsense for hours now, pulling funny stories from the past that had you all giggling drunkenly, and snowballing into a new silly story one after the other. And you don’t know how it happened, you thought you were just talking about your last year in college when a name popped up and you hummed knowingly - a girl’s name that was a fling for the summer with Jeonghan. “Oh, I remember her!” You clapped your hands and Jeonghan raised an eyebrow as you almost fell off the sofa in your eagerness. “I swear, Joshua, you had a crush on her.” You say the comment off-handed, not airing out any secrets because you were pretty confident you all were pretty open about everything with each other.

That is, until Joshua giggles.

His eyes meet Jeonghan’s with an amused grin, “oh yeah! She was the first person we shared.”

Skrrrt.

You blink.

Excuse me?

Shared?

You blink again and knit your eyebrows at the two men before you. “Huh?”

Jeonghan’s eyes glimmer, a sleazy smirk curving on his lips as he nods. “Mm, good times.”

You whip your head to look at Joshua again, your foot nudging his thigh as he snickered. “Sorry, let’s not jump over like I didn’t hear what you said- whadda’ mean first time shared?” Your eyes are wide, and you ignore the shiver that runs down your spine when they both look at you with amusement. “Shared? First time?”

The room feels hotter for some reason, but you’re not breaking the stares you give the boys as Jeonghan leans back in his seat. He’s sitting in a love seat, legs spread with a cocky grin as your mind whirls with the new information. “In college,” Jeonghan looks over at Joshua and the man shrugs with a similar smirk. “Sometimes we shared.” And you feel your face heat up.

Shared. Shared. Shared.

“How?” You don’t mean to say it out loud. But it’s too late and you can feel the shift that happens quietly once the word slips from your lips.

“You wanna know how we shared girls?” Joshua asks, and you know you he was giving you a chance to back out. You had been friends with them for what felt like forever. But you weren’t blind, you knew they were attractive - you never crossed that invisible line.

Well not until now.

You nod your head, softly, and it all Jeonghan needs to get up from his seat. He crosses over to you in two big steps, his eyes dark, and his smirk still dancing on his lips. “Use your words, tell us, do you want to know how we share?”

“Yes.”

-

You gag, your lips wrapped around Jeonghan’s cock as he shoves your head farther down. The fat tip of his cock prods the back of your throat, cutting your air flow, and causing a new wave of your sweet slick to seep from your pretty pussy with an obscene squelch. And Joshua’s moans are loud but muffled between your thighs, he has your eyes rolling back when his tongue laps between your puffy folds to lick the new syrupy cream you gush.

It’s wet, dirty, and obscene how the boys have you. You’re kneeling over Joshua’s face, dragging your drooling cunt over his tongue while he lies on his back on the floor. His cock strains against his slacks as he wraps two strong arms around your plush thighs, keeping you fully seated on his open mouth as he slurps your gooey folds like a man starved. He’s got stars bursting across your eyelids, and he feels too good curling his thick tongue deep inside your quivering pussy, it makes you struggle sucking on Jeonghan’s cock.

“C’mon, take me all the way down- that’s it. Hold it. Fuck, you take me so well, Baby.” Jeonghan huffs, his legs spreading wider as you bob your head. You look so pretty sucking on his cock so desperately, so greedy to have something in your pretty mouth. Your nails dig into his thighs as he sits back in his loveseat, holding your hair with one hand, and bucking his hips up to fuck your throat as Joshua eats you out, it makes your head spin.

Jeonghan knows he has the best view. He can see his cock disappear past your glossy lips while you grind down on his best friend’s mouth. He can see Joshua’s hips buck in the air, just as turned on as him when they hear how sloppy wet your pussy gets for them. The squelches are obscene and have his cock twitching in your mouth as you slobber him wet with your saliva.

When Jeonghan pulls you off his cock with a wet ‘plop,’ your eyes cross lewdly, and your tongue lolls out. A string of saliva connects from your lips and his cock, and he watches in real time as Joshua makes you cum hard.

Your jaw drops, and your tears well in your pretty eyes as your head tilts back as you whine. Your hips rut on their own accord, dragging your weeping cunt all over Joshua’s open mouth and nose, drenching him with your sweet syrupy slick until you’re overstimulated and shaking. And Joshua is lapping it all up, drunk off your pussy, and pulling the sweetest noises from you as he helps you through it.

And before you can stop shaking from the aftershocks of your orgasm, they get you onto your hands and knees while they follow you onto the ground. Your nails dig into the rug underneath you when Jeonghan kneels behind you, his thumbs spreading your sopping wet folds apart while Joshua kneels in front of your face. You have to blink heavily to look up at him. And the sight of him as you moaning wantonly.

Joshua is drenched with your slick. A light sheen layers his pretty lips, cheeks, nose and jaw. And his tongue licks whatever it can reach as he strokes his cock with his hand. His eyes are hooded and swirling with lust as your mouth drops open.

“Still wanna have both of us, Pretty?” He asks and you can feel Jeonghan guide his slicked cock to your entrance.

“Please, want you both, please.” You sniffle and miss the way they smirk at each other. Fuck, you were practically drooling from both ends for them. They weren’t going to deny you anything. They’ve wanted you like this for so long.

Joshua grabs your chin, forcing your mouth to open wider. “Alright, Baby, say ah-“

And then they were both moving, stuffing you at the same time until your mind fogs up. Joshua’s hand cards through you hair, fucking your mouth until you’re creaming Jeonghan’s cock messily. The room fills with your lewd slurps, your mouth sucking Joshua greedily while your pussy sucks Jeonghan even deeper.

Jeonghan’s tip smacks the back of your cunt like he can reach even deeper, and you’ve never felt fuller. Your throat constricts around Joshua’s length, and your eyes roll back as you drool. Saliva drips past your lips and all over Joshua’s cock while your cunt drools sweet syrupy cream on Jeonghan’s cock until it slides down your thighs.

And when they start talking about how much they wanted to do this to you. How good you feel, how good you are for them. It makes your eyes gloss over, and you’re falling apart for the second time tonight. You gush around Jeonghan length, dumbly sucking the tip of Joshua’s cock as you cum with a squirt.

Fuck, this may be the best Christmas yet. And you’re proven right when they coo, both of them still hard, and not even close to being done with you.

A/N: As always, comments are encouraging for me, but any interactions are greatly appreciated! When this post I’ll be away on holiday so if there is any mistakes lmaooo my bad

my bts mstrlst - svt mstrlst

amani's winter wonderland 25'

[nightshao]

𝑴𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒅 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 ➙ Kwon Soonyoung x f! reader

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 ➙ You were only meant to fill in. He was only supposed to act. But under the stage lights — between every line, every pulse of silence — something dangerous began to blur. And when the final curtain falls, neither of them knows if it’s still the play or the truth.

𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐬 ➙ Fluff, Theatre AU, Friends to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Porn w/ Plot, Mutual Pinning

𝐖𝐂 ➙ 10.7k

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 ➙ MDNI, explicit sexual content, explicit language, animal play, oral sex (both f. and m. receiving at the same time.. yes, definitely what you’re thinking.. 69), fingering (f. receiving), unprotected sex, marking/hickies, rough sex, role-play, costume/clothing kink, public place setting, body exploration, sexual teasing, orgasm depiction, profanity, biting, forceful thrusting, restraining hands, prolonged sexual arousal, physical dominance, praise kink, breeding kink, exhibitionistic tension

🎧: Feel good by Clara La San

𝐀/𝐍 ➙ Writing a role-play with costumes is actually a bit out of my comfort zone, so this one took me a little longer than usual, hahaha. yet here it is — I hope you enjoy it. Happy Kinktober and happy reading!! Reblogs and likes mean so much, and I’m really grateful for all the support I’ve been receiving these past few weeks. Thank you!!

navigation ✮ masterlist ✮ guidelines

The smell of stage paint and worn velvet curtains hit you the moment you stepped into the rehearsal room. Jun, your friend had called in a panic: one of the lead actors bailed, and you — a complete amateur — had somehow agreed to step in. It’s just rehearsal, you’d said. “How hard could it be?” Famous last words.

From the corner of the room, a man — who Jun said your partner on stage — was leaning against a prop table, arms crossed, sharp eyes appraising you like a predator sizing up prey. “You must be the replacement,” he said, his tone playful but his gaze nothing short of electric. He didn’t bother hiding the fact that he was already assessing how easily he could throw you off your game. “I’m Soonyoung, you?”

You swallowed, clutching your script like a shield. “Yeah, that’s me. Y/N. Don’t expect miracles.” “Don’t worry,” he smirked, stepping closer, closing the space between you even though the rehearsal had barely begun. “I like a challenge. I’ll guide you.”

And that was the first warning — first of many — that Soonyoung didn’t act like the rest of the cast. I should've guarded my walls higher. He lived the scenes, fully method, eyes sparkling with mischief, voice dropping just a hair lower than necessary, and somehow managing to make you feel like the only person in the room.

—

Jun waved you over from the side, frantic but trying to smile. “Ok, so the next scene starts with you — well, technically your character — confronting Soonyoung’s character. Lines are.. kind of emotional, just follow my cues, ok?” You nodded, heart thudding, eyes flicking to Soonyoung. He leaned casually against the prop table again, script in hand, but his gaze never left you. “Sounds simple enough,” he said, voice smooth, but there was a spark there — challenging, as if daring you to crack under his attention.

“Remember, his character isn’t exactly human.” Jun added. You blinked. “Right. Supernatural stuff, yada-yada, tiger with a human mind. Got it.” People on the set only laughed at your reaction.

Jun clapped his hands. “Positions! Places!” The other actors shuffled into the set: a small, minimalist stage, one side painted as a cozy living room, the other shadowed as the balcony where dramatic confrontations happen. The audience chairs weren’t filled, yet the energy in the room made it feel like opening night. The spotlight — figuratively and literally — was on you and him.

You stepped onto the ’living room’ side, gripping your script a little too tightly. “Remember,” Jun called out, “you can improvise a bit if lines feel off. Go with the emotions. This will be your debut play Y/N, you can do it!” Soonyoung stepped forward into the human form of his tiger character, posture casual, but the wild, animalistic intensity never left his gaze. Even the slight curl of his lips felt predatory.

“Action.” You opened your mouth to speak, but he beat you to it, his voice low, velvety, a hint of growl slipping through: “You think I’d betray you? That I’d walk away like a human would?” Your heart raced. There was a strange pull in his words, the suggestion of danger, of something untamed barely restrained. You tried to follow your lines, your voice trembling slightly, “I.. I don’t know. Maybe you would”

He stepped closer, just far enough that you could feel the heat radiating off him, not quite human, not quite tame. His eyes glinted like amber, and you instinctively stepped back, only to have him tilt his head, playful and wild all at once. “You don’t know? Or you don’t want to know?” He smiled, that teasing half-grin that seemed to follow you like a shadow.

That was when it hit you: Soonyoung wasn’t just a method; he was unpredictable. During your first scene, he didn’t just deliver lines — he leaned into every pause, every glance, every accidental brush of hands like he was testing how far he could push your reactions. A single flinch from you, and he’d adjust, weaving your response into the scene, making it feel intimate, alive, too real.

Jun coughed softly, waving a hand. “Remember.. character emotions, people! Stay in the scene!” But even he didn’t seem to mind the subtle undercurrent crackling across the stage. The scene continued, your lines colliding with his improvisation. Every step closer he took, every low murmur, every smirk — it felt like he was speaking directly to you, not the character. When you moved to the balcony side of the set, your hand almost brushed his while passing, and he froze just a fraction longer than necessary, letting the tension linger.

Soonyoung moved like a predator circling, each step deliberate, teasing, testing — even when he wasn’t speaking, his presence filled the room like he owned it. By the time Jun called “Cut!” you were breathless — not from running the scene, but from the intensity of just standing near your partner on stage, exchanging lines that suddenly felt like something more.

“Good, good!” Jun said, clapping, still slightly frazzled. “You two- that actually worked! But, uh, maybe dial back the.. improvised stuff?” Soonyoung smirked at you, stepping closer than necessary, voice low, yet edged with something primal: “Improvised? Me?.” His eyes glinted. “I like watching my prey squirm first.”

You rolled your eyes, heart still hammering. “Sure, keep telling yourself that,” you muttered. And as you stood there, script in hand, surrounded by props and empty chairs, you realised the rehearsal wasn’t just practice. It was a game of cat and mouse and somehow, you were both playing and falling for it at the same time.

By the second rehearsal, the scene had you paired opposite him — a flirtatious, intimate dialogue that practically demanded tension. Every line he delivered felt like it was aimed at you personally. “You’re smiling,” he murmured as you tripped over a line. His hand brushed yours under the table, casual, light, but enough to make your pulse spike. “That’s cheating, you’re distracting me.”

“I’m not smiling,” you protested weakly, though your cheeks betrayed you. He leaned in, lowering his voice until it was nearly a whisper. “You are. You should do it more, it looks good on you” You sighed. From the very first rehearsal to the random line readings to today, Soonyoung never left your side, insisting that you two should be friends.

You did your best to avoid unnecessary conversations with him, only speaking when the rehearsal demanded it, trying to ignore the shivers his presence always sent through you — just like now. He teased you effortlessly, completely unaware of the effect he had on you, and you had no intention of letting him find out.

Rehearsals blurred into an unspoken game. You caught yourself laughing at lines that weren’t funny, shaking because his hand lingered a second too long, and wondering if your face was hot because of the stage lights or him. And Soonyoung, a method actor to the core, never broke. He chased and sometimes it was hard to tell if you were still in the scene or if this was real. He’s fun..

The rehearsal ended in chaos — literally. Jun had stormed out muttering about ‘divine intervention’ after Soonyoung had somehow tripped over a prop table, landed on his butt, and then dramatically rolled across the floor as if he’d been attacked by invisible tigers. You were stacking scripts, trying not to laugh at his ridiculous theatrics, when he suddenly popped up behind you, grinning like a maniac. “You know,” he whispered, “if I really were a tiger, I would’ve eaten you as my lunch by now.”

You turned slowly, deadpan. “Yeah? And yet here you are, pretending to be scary.” He crouched dramatically on the floor, hands poised like claws. “I am scary! You just don’t appreciate the full extent of my majestic tiger power!” You raised an eyebrow. “Majestic? You fell on your face five minutes ago.”

He froze. Then, without warning, he flopped sideways onto the floor, rolling dramatically, arms flailing. “It was tactical! You don’t understand tiger tactics!” You couldn’t help it — a laugh escaped, completely letting your guard down already. “I totally understand. Tigers are clumsy and ridiculous, apparently.”

He shot you a mock-offended look, sitting up and puffing out his chest. “Ridiculous? I’ll have you know, I am one of the best theatre actors in the city. Every flop, every roll, every loud grunt — all preparation for the stage. You’re welcome for the realism.”

You snorted, leaning against the table. “Uh-huh. Realism. Sure. Keep telling yourself that.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Come on, admit it. You’re entertained.” “Maybe a little,” you said, smirking. “But don’t get used to me laughing at your disasters.” He leaned closer, conspiratorial. “Oh, don’t worry. I have plenty more disasters in store for you.. so you’re finally agreeing to be my friend?”

And just like that, the serious drama rehearsals melted into laughter, and even though you had the high ground, Soonyoung had officially made you his audience — and maybe, secretly, his friend. “Maybe”

—

You were stuffing your script into your bag when Soonyoung appeared beside you — still in half of his tiger costume, tail peeking out under his jacket like he’d forgotten it existed. “Hey,” he said, grin already too bright for this hour. “Let me walk you home.” You didn’t even look up. “No need. I’m fine.”

Soonyoung blinked, tilting his head “It’s dark.” “I have legs. And a phone. And pepper spray.” He gasped. “You’d spray me?” “If you keep following me? Absolutely.” You swung your bag over your shoulder and headed for the door. You could practically feel his smirk trailing behind you. The sound of his sneakers followed — deliberately light, annoyingly close.

You stopped and turned. “Can you stop following me?” “I’m not following you,” he said, straight-faced. “This is my way home.” You raised a brow. “You live east.” He pointed west without hesitation. “Scenic route.” You exhaled through your nose, halfway between amused and exasperated. “You’re unbelievable.”

“So I’ve been told,” he said cheerfully, easily catching up to your stride. “But hey, since we’re both walking the same direction, might as well talk, right?” You rolled your eyes, but didn’t send him away this time. The night air was cool, the city quiet except for the occasional car hum and Soonyoung’s shoes scuffing beside yours. For a moment, he stayed quiet too — a rare miracle.

Then: “Do you think I’m too much?” You blinked. “What?” “I mean, during rehearsals,” he clarified, glancing at you sideways. “Jun said I can be.. intense. I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” That caught you off guard. For someone who radiated chaos (and hunger..), his voice was unexpectedly careful, almost soft. You hesitated, then shrugged. “You are a bit much. But it works for the play.”

He smiled, eyes crinkling. “So you like it.” “I didn’t say that.” “But you didn’t say you hated it.” You groaned. “Why do I feel like everything with you is a trap?” He laughed, full and open, and for a second, you understood why people liked him — that kind of energy that pulled you in even when you swore you wouldn’t.

“Honestly,” he said after a beat, quieter now, “I just think you’re fun to act with. You make the scenes real. Even when you’re annoyed at me.” You bit your lip to hide a smile. “Maybe I’m just good at pretending.” “Then pretend with me forever,” he said dramatically, pressing a hand to his chest.

You shoved his shoulder, and he laughed again, the sound echoing down the empty street. But when your hands brushed — just barely — neither of you pulled away. He walked you all the way to your house gate, where he stopped, rocking on his heels. “See? No serial killers. Told you I’m useful.”

“You’re ridiculous,” you said, but your voice lacked bite. He grinned. “You’ll thank me someday.” You smiled despite yourself. “Goodnight, Soonyoung.” “Goodnight, co-star,” he said, soft enough to almost sound real.

And as you stepped inside, you caught him still standing there — the world’s most unconvincing liar, and maybe, just maybe, the start of something dangerously close to real.

Two weeks later, the rehearsal room felt different. Not in the way that new props or lighting could change it — but in that quiet, invisible way the air shifts between two people who’ve grown too comfortable with pretending.

You and Soonyoung had become friends, technically.

The kind of friends who shared snacks, stole lines from each other’s scripts, and occasionally texted memes at 3 a.m. The kind of friends who laughed too loudly and lingered too long in doorways saying goodbye. But the thing was — he didn’t feel like just a friend anymore.

The play’s tension had started to bleed into reality. Soonyoung’s character — the tiger spirit who fell in love with the woman who freed him — had become an extension of him. Every time he looked at you during a scene, something in your chest tightened, like he wasn’t acting at all. “Again from the top!” Jun shouted from the seats. “Let’s get the confession scene right this time. Remember — longing. Not lust. Don’t eat each other alive.”

Easy for him to say.

You stood on your mark, hands trembling slightly as Soonyoung took his place across from you. His gaze caught yours — steady, sharp, unreadable. When the cue came, he stepped forward and took your face in his hands, thumb brushing just under your jaw like it belonged there. “This is where you run,” he murmured, low and deliberate.

“I’m not running,” you whispered back before you could stop yourself. The room faded away.

The silence between you stretched, humming. It wasn’t supposed to last that long, but neither of you broke it. Soonyoung tilted his head slightly, eyes locked on yours, and for a heartbeat too long, the air between you shifted — heavier, warmer.

Then, without waiting for Jun’s cue, Soonyoung leaned in. His lips pressed against yours, soft at first, questioning. You froze for half a second, brain short-circuiting between this is rehearsal and this feels real. Then your body moved on its own, responding, melting into it. His hand slipped to the back of your neck, deepening the kiss just enough to make the world outside the stage disappear.

It wasn’t planned. But it felt inevitable.

Jun’s voice cracked through the moment like thunder. “CUT! Oh my god, that was not in the blocking but it’s so goddamn good!” You both jumped apart instantly. Soonyoung’s grin was too bright, too unbothered. “Method acting,” he said innocently, breath still uneven. “Just felt natural.”

Jun groaned from his seat. “You two are impossible.” You could still feel the echo of his lips when you muttered, “Guess you really don’t know the meaning of boundaries, huh?” Soonyoung only smiled — small, crooked, genuine. “Guess I just didn’t want to miss my mark.”

Rehearsal ended soon after. You and Soonyoung waved goodbye to the rest of the cast, the energy between you still buzzing like static electricity that refused to ground itself. And as you walked out of the theater, the taste of that unscripted kiss still lingered, impossible to forget.

—

“Ugh- ahh.. God!”

That night, alone in your house, your body wouldn’t rest. Laying in the bed, eyes closed, hands in between your legs, every tiny memory from rehearsal playing on loop — his breath against your skin, the way his voice dropped when he said your name, the exact pressure of his hands, the weight of his gaze when the script had dissolved and the world had gone quiet between you.. the kiss.

It started as a sigh — then turned into something softer, almost a sound you didn’t recognise. “Fuck-” It escaped before you could stop it, half-moan, half-name. His name.

It wasn’t just nerves anymore. It was something deeper — warmer — and you hated how aware you were of it. Of him. Your pulse jumped at the thought. You turned on your side, frustrated at yourself for even thinking that way about a ‘friend’, but your body didn’t seem to understand logic.

Soonyoung’s laugh, his teasing, his closeness — all of it stuck to your skin like heat you couldn’t wash off. And when you finally closed your eyes, his voice — low and playful — echoed in your head. Then pretend with me forever.

You can almost feel his hands replacing yours, his calloused fingers instead of your smooth ones. You bite your lip to hold back a moan as you remember how he smelled — expensive perfume and something uniquely him. Your other hand finds your breast, squeezing gently like you imagine he would. You've never gotten so turned on from just a kiss before. But his confidence, the way he commanded attention without being aggressive, how he looked at you like you were interesting and smart instead of just pretty.

“Oh God-” Your breathing grows heavier as you imagine his strong arms wrapping around you, pulling you close. You can almost feel his lips on your neck, kissing and biting gently. Your fingers move faster now, thinking about how he might touch you if given the chance — a rough kiss stolen during rehearsal break

Your back arches slightly off the bed as you remember his lips crashing onto yours during rehearsal. “Just an act,” you told yourself. “He's a good actor.” But fuck, your body doesn't get the memo. Your inner muscles tighten, thighs squeeze together as your fingers work faster.

Remembering his tongue demanding entry, his teeth nipping your lower lip. “It's not real,” you try to rationalise, but your body responds like it’s your first kiss. Your first everything. Your fingers curl inside you as you imagine him picking you up, wrapping your legs around his waist. You’re close to the edge.

“It's just the performance making this so intense! It’s all an act!” You think desperately as your orgasm builds. Your thighs squeeze together, trapping your hand as you explode with a suppressed moan

Your body shakes silently as wave after wave of pleasure crashes over you. You bite down hard on your pillow to muffle any sounds that might escape. Your fingers are soaked, your inner walls pulsing around them desperately wishing they were his instead. “Soonyoung.. fuck” you whisper into the pillow, completely spent.

You arrived earlier than usual the next morning — partly because you couldn’t sleep, mostly because you needed time to not think about him. The rehearsal hall was still empty, sunlight spilling through the tall windows, dust floating lazily in the light. You set your script down on the prop table and took a deep breath.

Normal. You were going to be normal.

Last night was a fluke. A post-rehearsal haze. A very vivid, very humiliating mistake that had nothing to do with him and everything to do with method acting and stress and- “Morning, co-star.”

You nearly dropped your water bottle. Soonyoung’s voice slid in from behind you like he’d been waiting for that exact moment. He was dressed casually, hoodie, sweatpants, hair still damp from a shower — and smiling like he hadn’t just kissed you senseless yesterday.

You forced your lips into something that resembled a polite smile. “Hey.” “Wow,” he said, pretending to shield his eyes. “No death glares today. I’m making progress.” “I’m just too tired to argue,” you said, flipping your script open.

He leaned against the table next to you, close enough that his elbow brushed yours. “Long night?” You froze. Oh God. He couldn’t possibly know. You cleared your throat, pretending to reread your lines. “Studying.” “For the play?” “For.. other things.”

Soonyoung hummed thoughtfully. “Interesting. Because Jun said you already memorised your lines. Which means you had free time. Which means you could’ve been doing something fun.” You shot him a look. “You’re awfully nosy for someone who almost broke a prop table last rehearsal.”

“Hey, that was part of my character arc.” He grinned, unbothered. “Tigers are clumsy when they’re in love, you know.” Your pulse tripped. “Good thing it’s just acting, then.”

He didn’t reply right away. Instead, he tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly as he studied your face — like he could see right through the layers you were trying so hard to hold together. You busied yourself with flipping to the next page of your script.

Jun entered a few minutes later, barking directions as usual, and you silently thanked every deity in existence. You took your mark, keeping your focus on the script, on anything except Soonyoung’s lazy grin. But during the scene, when he delivered his lines, he didn’t just look at you — he looked through you. Every pause between you hummed with leftover electricity, like the memory of yesterday’s kiss still lingered in the air.

By the time Jun called for a break, your hands were shaking from holding too tightly onto the script. You walked toward the backstage corner, trying to steady your breathing. “You good?” Soonyoung asked softly, appearing beside you again. You jumped.

“I’m fine,” you said quickly. He smiled, small and amused. “You sure? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I’m just-” you began, then stopped. He was standing close enough that you could smell him again. You stepped back before your mind went anywhere dangerous. “-tired. That’s all.” “Mm.” He tilted his head. “You always get this tense when we rehearse the kiss scene?”

Your head snapped up. “Excuse me?” He shrugged casually. “Jun wants realism. You were.. very realistic yesterday.”

You opened your mouth, closed it, then turned on your heel and walked away before you said something stupid. He laughed under his breath — not mocking, just soft. And when you caught your reflection on the mirror wall across the room, you realised you were smiling too.

Normal. You definitely weren’t normal.

—

He knew you’d come early. You were predictable like that — disciplined, sharp-edged, always trying to stay one step ahead. But he also knew what you tell now: the way your fingers fidgeted when you’re nervous, how you bit your lip when you wanted to say something but refused to. You didn’t look at him when he greeted you, and that was how he knew he’d gotten under your skin.

Soonyoung grinned, pretending not to notice. The truth was — he hadn’t stopped thinking about that kiss either. He hadn’t planned it; it just happened. One second, you were looking at him like you saw right through his act, and the next, he couldn’t stop himself.

He’d kissed plenty of people on stage before — it was just part of the job. But this was different. Your lips were soft, hesitant at first, then slowly matching his rhythm like you forgot it was acting. That memory had kept him awake half the night.

He’d replayed it more times than he cared to admit. The way your breath hitched. The faint sound you made when his thumb brushed your jaw. The way you didn’t pull away right away. And now you were avoiding his eyes like he’d committed a crime.

Cute, he thought. So painfully cute.

Do you think I’m too much? he’d asked you once as a joke. The truth was — he was terrified he was. That his flirting might push you away. But the more you dodged his gaze, the more he wanted to make you look at him.

When Jun shouted directions, Soonyoung did his best to stay professional. But the second the scene started, he couldn’t help it. His body leaned forward, following instinct rather than blocking. Your voice quivered just slightly when you said your lines. That small tremor was all he needed to know you felt it too.

After Jun dismissed everyone, he found you hiding in the corner — pretending to scroll through your phone, pretending you weren't flustered. “You good?” he’d asked, even though he already knew the answer.

Your eyes darted, your mouth opened and closed again. God, you were terrible at lying. He smiled, unable to stop himself. “Mm. You always get this tense when we rehearse the kiss scene?”

He shouldn’t have said it — he knew he shouldn’t have — but your expression was worth it. Wide eyes, sharp inhale, a spark of indignation that only made you more beautiful. When you spun away, he bit back a laugh, grinning into his sleeve.

He leaned against the wall, watching you from across the room. You were avoiding him again, pretending to be unaffected. But the blush on your neck gave you away. Yeah, she felt it too. He didn’t need you to say it. He could feel it in the air, electric and unspoken. He smiled to himself, quiet and sure.

I’ll make you like me, just like how I liked you ever since you walked past that door the first day.

Rehearsal had ended later than usual. The stage lights dimmed one by one as people packed up their props and scripts. You were still collecting your things when Soonyoung appeared beside you, balancing two paper cups of iced coffee. “Peace offering,” he said, handing one over. “For accidentally stepping on your line earlier.”

You raised an eyebrow, taking it anyway. “You stepped on it twice.” He winced playfully. “Right, double apology then.” He nudged your elbow lightly. “You free tomorrow?” You blinked. “Depends why you’re asking.”

“For a method exercise,” he said with air quotes that didn’t fool you one bit. “Jun said we need to work on chemistry more. Thought maybe we could.. improvise outside the theater?” You frowned, suspicious. “You mean like a practice date?”

Soonyoung grinned, that stupidly confident grin that always meant trouble. “If you want to call it that.” You snorted. “That’s not how method acting works.” “Oh, I disagree,” he said, leaning closer. “You and I are supposed to play lovers on stage, right? We should at least know what that feels like.”

You groaned. “You’re unbelievable.” He tilted his head, voice softening just a little. “So that’s a yes?” You stared at him for a long moment. Every rational part of you screamed no. But the way he was looking at you — bright-eyed, hopeful, just a little nervous under the teasing — made it impossible to refuse.

“..Fine,” you said, sighing. “But it’s not a date.” “Of course not,” he said too quickly, grin returning. “Just two actors, practicing. In a restaurant. With candles.” You squinted. “Candles?” “Oops,” he said, already backing away. “See you at seven tomorrow!”

And before you could protest, he was gone — leaving you standing there, clutching your coffee, wondering when exactly this rehearsal stopped feeling like one.

—

The restaurant was quieter than you expected — dim lights, low jazz, and a corner table tucked away from everyone else. It didn’t feel like two friends grabbing dinner; it felt like something else. Something Soonyoung clearly intended. There are definitely candles everywhere.

“You didn’t have to treat me,” you said as you sat down, fiddling with the edge of the napkin. He smiled, resting his chin on his hand. “You saved the play. That deserves at least pasta.” “Pretty sure Jun deserves the thanks. He’s the one holding this circus together.”

“Jun didn’t make me forget my lines last week,” he said, leaning forward. The words hung between you, teasing, almost too bold. You blinked. “That was your fault. You ad-libbed!” His grin widened. “Maybe. But I liked your reaction.”

You rolled your eyes, but your lips betrayed you with a tiny smile. “You’re impossible.” “And yet,” he said, “you’re still here.” The waiter came and went, and the two of you slipped easily into conversation. It felt.. too easy. The way he laughed at your sarcasm, the way you found yourself leaning closer just to hear him better even when you didn’t need to.

When the food arrived, Soonyoung moved to the chair beside you — too close, but you didn’t stop him. “You’re bad at eating aglio e olio,” he teased. “I’m bad at talking to someone who stares while I’m eating,” you shot back, trying not to notice how his knee brushed yours under the table.

He tilted his head, pretending innocence. “Do I make you nervous?” You forced a laugh. “No. You just have no sense of personal space.” He hummed, pretending to consider it. “Maybe I just like being near you.”

You froze. He didn’t laugh it off like a joke. He just said it — simple, real, in that low, soft tone that made your chest feel too tight. Your fork clinked against the plate. “You shouldn’t say things like that.” “Why not?” You could feel his hand placed, resting on your thighs. Why am I even letting him..?

“Because..” You faltered, trying to find a reason that didn’t sound like confession. “Because you don’t mean it. You’re just — like this with everyone.” His fingers spread slowly on your inner thigh under the table, making goosebumps erupt. He’s being a gentleman above the table, his shoulders relaxed. But under the table, his hand roams higher, testing your reaction.

His thumb traced a slow circle on your soft skin, sending shivers up your spine. He leaned back, smirking at you over the rim of his wine glass. “Maybe I am,” he agreed smoothly, his hand continuing its gentle exploration.“Or maybe, I’m like this with you specifically.”

You stared at him, pulse stuttering like a skipped beat. The restaurant noise faded into a distant hum — glasses clinking, forks scraping plates, laughter spilling from nearby tables — yet all you could hear was the soft whisper of his words replaying in your head.

He didn’t look away. Soonyoung held your gaze like he wanted you to see the truth in it, like he wasn’t joking this time. His hand under the table didn’t move, but the weight of it on your thigh felt heavier now — warmer, more deliberate.

“You’re such a flirt,” you finally said, your voice quieter than you meant. He grinned, leaning a little closer, his breath brushing your ear. “Only when it works.” “Who said it’s working?” you shot back, hoping your tone sounded steadier than you felt.

His thumb moved again — a slow, teasing circle — and your breath caught. “You did,” he murmured, voice soft and full of smug confidence. You pushed his hand off, gently but firmly, though the ghost of his touch lingered maddeningly. “We’re in public,” you hissed, cheeks hot.

“So?” He shrugged, unbothered, resting his chin on his hand as he looked at you with that same playful glint. “Actors have to be comfortable with proximity, right?”

“That’s not proximity, that’s-” you stopped, realising anything you said next would only dig a deeper hole. “Forget it.” He chuckled, the sound rich and easy, and for a moment, he wasn’t teasing — just watching you, fondly, like the world had narrowed down to the two of you at this small table. “You’re cute when you try to sound mad. I like it. I like you”

He paused, letting the words hang between you, his gaze unwavering. Then, he picked up his fork, nonchalantly, as if he hadn’t just confessed something so casual and yet so heavy. Your heart hammered against your ribcage. He liked you.

Your small, delicate hand finds his large, strong one under the table. You intertwine your fingers slowly, testing his reaction. He smiles slightly, unnoticed by anyone else in the restaurant. You guide his hand slowly up your inner thigh, higher than before, testing boundaries.

His hand follows your guidance obediently, stopping when the fabric of your skirt reaches its limit. You push his hand further, until his palm is pressed against the warmth between your legs. He swallows hard, his adam's apple bobbing visibly. No one notices the subtle shift under the table.

“Y/N..” His fingers gently press against the fabric, feeling your warmth and softness. He slowly pushes aside your panties, slides one finger under the edge of your panties, testing your reaction. His eyes never leave yours, gauging your response as he carefully slips another finger inside, feeling your wetness. “Hmmm” suppressing your moans.

As his fingers slide deeper, you let out a soft, suppressed moan that only he can hear over the restaurant noise. His thumb presses gently against your clit while his fingers curl inside you, moving slowly and carefully beneath the tablecloth. Your hand squeezes the table firmly, completely forgetting about your food.

He continues to eat as if nothing is happening, his expression neutral and unconcerned. He occasionally glances around the room, making sure no one is paying attention to you two. He moves his fingers slowly in and out of you, enjoying the way your face flushes slightly.

“Why me..?” You said as you continued to bite your lips, not letting any sexual sound slip out. His gaze lingering on your flushed face. His fingers move deeper, pressing against that sweet spot inside you. “Because you’re beautiful inside and out,” he murmurs lowly. “And then you let me do this under the table in a crowded restaurant”

He leans in slightly, his voice barely audible as he continues to move his fingers inside you. “I like that you blush easily. I like that you’re not some loud, obvious flirt. I like that you let me touch you like this.”

“Soonyoung..” His thumb presses harder against your clit while his fingers curl deeper, hitting that spot that makes your legs tremble slightly under the table. He adds a third finger, stretching you gently. “Shh.. quiet now. Don’t make a sound.” He kisses your ear softly. “I hate you”

“Of course you do.” He smirked.

A waiter approaches your table, smiling politely. “Everything is to your liking, sir? Ma’am?” Soonyoung keeps his expression calm, continuing to move his fingers slowly inside you at a face-paced rhythm. He replies smoothly, “Everything is excellent, thank you.”

“Make her leave.. I’m close” You whispered in his ear, when the waiter and him continued to make conversation, you could see a glimpse of blush on his ears and ended the conversation immediately, fully listening to your command. As soon as she’s out of earshot, Soonyoung increases his pace, his fingers curling and pumping faster inside you. He leans in close to your ear again, whispering, “Come for me quietly under the table.”

His fingers move faster, hitting that spot inside you relentlessly. You can feel your orgasm building quickly, your breath hitching softly. He keeps one eye on you and one eye around the room, ensuring no one notices your flushed cheeks or heavy breathing.

Your body tenses as you hit your orgasm silently, biting your lip to suppress any sound, hands clenched on his shirt. Soonyoung’s fingers continue moving through your orgasm, drawing out every wave of pleasure until you're completely spent. He slowly removes his fingers and brings them to his mouth, sucking them clean with a satisfied smile. “You taste so much better than the food”

—

When the bill came, he snatched it before you could reach for your wallet. “I got it,” he said. “Soonyoung I can pay for my own food” “Oh I know.. but consider it an apology,” he interrupted, smiling sheepishly. “For, uh.. what happened at the table.”

You gave him a look that was half a glare, half a reluctant smile. Feeling the blush all over your face all over again, memories flashing like it’s the most pleasurable thing that ever happened to you “You’re lucky you’re good.”

He smirked and stood, offering his hand as if it were part of another scene. “Come on. Let me walk you home again.” You hesitated for half a second — then took it.

Outside, the night air was cool, city lights painting everything in gold and shadow. He didn’t touch you. Just walked beside you quietly, his hands in his pockets, glancing at you every now and then like he was memorising the way you looked under the streetlights.

When you reached your door, he stopped. “You know,” he said softly, “I wasn’t acting tonight.” Your heart thudded, traitorous and loud. “So what were you doing then?” you asked, your voice barely above a whisper. He smiled — gentle, real, nothing like the smirks he wore on stage. “Making you believe what I said awhile ago.”

And before you could respond, he turned and started down the street, leaving you standing there — breathless, flushed, and very aware that you already did.

The opening night.

You’d never realised how loud silence could be until you stood backstage, the curtains trembling just slightly as the hum of the crowd leaked through. Makeup clung to your skin, the faint smell of hairspray, fabric, and stage paint wrapping around you like armour. Jun was running around doing final checks, headset crooked, muttering something about lighting cues and divine intervention.

“Breathe,” Soonyoung said beside you, voice low and calm — a complete contrast to the chaos around you. He adjusted his costume, golden accents catching the light like molten stripes. The tiger spirit in human form — that was his role. All untamed grace and danger hidden beneath a smile.

“I am breathing,” you said, clutching your script though you didn’t need it anymore. “Then why are you holding your breath?” You shot him a look, but he just grinned, eyes soft. Somehow, even dressed as a mythical creature, he still looked utterly divine — and far too good at reading you.

“Five minutes!” Jun shouted. Soonyoung leaned close, his voice brushing your ear. “You ready to make them fall in love with us?” You laughed under your breath, shaking your head. “You mean with you.” “Nah.” His gaze lingered a beat too long. “I only ever look at you.”

You didn’t have time to react before Jun yelled, “And go!” The curtain rose.

—

The play unfolded like a dream. Every word, every cue, every stolen glance was electric. You’d rehearsed these lines for weeks, but tonight — they felt different. Real. His every move pulled you in like gravity, his every look searing straight through your chest.

When it came to the last scene, the audience went utterly still. Soonyoung’s hand found yours, fingers curling just enough to send a jolt through your spine. His voice — that same rich, steady tone — wrapped around the words like they weren’t scripted.

“When I first saw you,” he said, eyes searching yours, “I didn’t know if I wanted to thank you or curse you.”

Your heart was pounding too loudly to hear the rest of your own line. You forced yourself to remember — it’s acting, it’s the play, it’s not real — except it felt real. Every breath, every heartbeat, every inch between you was alive.

The audience erupted into applause when the lights dimmed, the energy buzzing as the final curtain fell. You were still catching your breath backstage when Soonyoung found you, grin wide, sweat glistening on his temples. “We did it,” he said, voice bright with adrenaline. “First night down!”

“Yeah.” You laughed, breathless. “I didn’t mess up.” “You were amazing,” he said then paused, gaze flickering toward something, or someone, in the crowd of people filtering in from the lobby, looking directly at you.

You followed his eyes. Hansol was standing near the backstage entrance, waving excitedly — your little brother, all smiles, holding a bouquet he clearly bought last-minute. “You were so good!” he called out.

Soonyoung’s grin faltered just a little. His jaw tightened, his posture changing. “Who’s that?”

You blinked. “Oh, that’s Hansol. My brother.” “..Brother?” he repeated, his voice softer but still strained around the edges. “Yeah,” you said, trying not to laugh. “Why? What did you think?”

He looked away quickly. “Nothing. Just- you know. He’s got good taste in flowers.” You bit your lip, trying to hide your smile. “You’re ridiculous.” “Maybe,” he said, still pretending to check his costume straps. “But tell him I said hi. And, uh, that I approve of his bouquet choice. Totally neutral approval.”

You rolled your eyes, laughing. “Did you just got jealous for approximately 5 seconds?” “I’m professional,” he shot back. “Professionally observant.”

Jun passed by, muttering something about both of you “saving the flirting for the encore,” which made Soonyoung grin and throw you a wink. When Hansol came over, he congratulated you with a hug, completely oblivious to Soonyoung hovering awkwardly behind the curtain. “You were amazing, noona! I didn’t even know you could act like that!”

“Thanks, Sol,” you said, smiling. “This is Soonyoung, my co-star.” Soonyoung extended a hand, smile a little too polite. “Hey. Nice to meet you.” Hansol grinned. “Oh, you’re the tiger guy! You were intense, man.” “Yeah,” Soonyoung said with a small, smug smirk. “I get that a lot.”

Hansol laughed and excused himself to grab food, leaving the two of you standing in the soft glow of the backstage lights. “You’re unbelievable,” you said, shaking your head. “Jealousy is part of the act,” he replied, slipping back into that grin that made your stomach flip. “I’m committed to the role.”

You were about to respond when Jun called for the next debrief, but as you turned away, Soonyoung caught your hand — just for a second — squeezing once, gently. “Great first night,” he said quietly. “Let’s make the next four even better.”

And just like that, the stage lights, the tension, the blurred lines — all of it came rushing back again.

—

By the time you and Hansol got home, it was already past eleven. Your feet hurt from the heels, your hair was stiff from stage spray, and your brain was still buzzing with leftover adrenaline from the show. Hansol, on the other hand, looked like he had just performed a concert.

“I swear,” he said, dramatically collapsing onto your couch with his arms spread out, “you’re, like, a celebrity now. Noona, people were literally whispering your name when you walked offstage.”

You threw him a pillow. “They were whispering because I tripped on one scene, you brat.” “Yeah, but it was a graceful trip,” he teased, dodging the pillow with a grin. “Honestly, I didn’t know you could act like that. Especially that..” he waved vaguely, “kissing scene. You two huh”

You shot him a look, trying to hide the heat creeping up your neck. “It’s called acting, Hansol.” “Sure,” he said, smirking. “Acting. Totally believable. So believable that even I almost confessed to him from the audience.” You groaned, covering your face. “You’re impossible.”

“Impossible, but right,” he said proudly, leaning forward to grab a snack from the coffee table. “Anyway, the crowd loved it. And your tiger boy — what’s his name again? Soonyoung? He’s insane on stage. It’s like he’s not even pretending.”

“He’s.. really good at what he does,” you admitted, trying to sound casual. “Like, annoyingly good. He’s popular, you won’t know, you never like theatres” Hansol eyed you, a knowing smirk forming. “Annoyingly good? You sound like someone trying not to admit they’re impressed.”

You gave him a look. “I’m not impressed. He just commits to the role. That’s all.” “Mhm.” He took a loud bite of chips, raising his brows. “And I’m just here for the snacks.”

You threw the same pillow at him again, this time with more force. He laughed so hard he nearly fell off the couch. For a while, the two of you just talked — about the play, the audience, how Jun nearly had a meltdown when one of the fog machines jammed. Hansol shared how he overheard the older women in the row behind him arguing over whether the tiger spirit was ‘too hot to be evil.’

“Oh, and speaking of absent players,” Hansol said, pulling out his phone and scrolling through the playbill photo. “Didn’t you say you guys were supposed to have a third lead? What happened to him?”

You nodded, curling your legs under you. “Yeah, Seokmin had to drop out. Family emergency, I think with his friend. That’s how I ended up filling in.”

Hansol hummed thoughtfully. “Crazy how things work out. If she hadn’t left, you wouldn’t be whatever this is with Soonyoung.” You frowned. “What this?”

“You know,” he teased. “The whole flirty, fake, we’re just acting thing you’ve got going on.” “There’s nothing going on!” “Sure,” Hansol said, voice laced with fake innocence. “You just happen to rehearse every night, text him memes at night, and blush whenever his name comes up.”

You threw a second pillow. This one hit him square in the face. He wheezed, laughing. “Okay, okay! No need to assault your favourite brother!” “You’re my only brother,” you deadpanned. “Exactly,” he grinned. “And the only one brave enough to say you’re in deep denial.”

You rolled your eyes, standing up to start clearing the table. “You’re sleeping on the couch tonight.” “Worth it,” Hansol said, sinking into the cushions with a satisfied grin.

He reached for the remote and flicked on the TV, the glow lighting up the quiet apartment. You paused for a moment, glancing at him. “Hey,” you said softly. He looked up. “Yeah?” “Thanks for coming tonight.”

He smiled, more genuinely this time. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world, noona. I’m watching all five nights, remember? I wanna see if tiger boy slips up.” You rolled your eyes, hiding a laugh. “He won’t.”

“That’s what worries me,” Hansol murmured under his breath, but when you turned, he was already pretending to yawn. The night stretched warm and lazy after that. Somewhere between laughter, teasing, and leftover takeout, you forgot how nervous you’d been before the play.

But somewhere in your chest — under all the laughter — was that same flicker of heat you felt every time Soonyoung’s eyes met yours on stage. And you knew it wasn’t going away anytime soon.

This is the final night.. the last performance.. God! I’m much more nervous. The last show always smelled different. Something about the mix of sweat, dust, and flowers from the audience bouquet boxes that made the air heavier — thicker. Like the whole theatre itself was holding its breath.

Jun’s voice echoed from the wings. “Alright people, last night. Let’s make it unforgettable, yeah? And for god’s sake, no ad-libs that make me question my sanity this time!”

You and Soonyoung exchanged a look. He grinned. You tried not to.

Backstage was alive — stagehands whispering cues, costume zippers being pulled, makeup brushes sweeping one last time. You were half in costume, half in thought. Hansol was in the front row again, you’d spotted him earlier waving a ridiculous handmade sign that said Go Noona! (But not too close to Tiger Boy!).

You’d laughed, but deep down, that conversation with him — about denial — still sat quietly in your chest. And now, under the glow of the dressing-room bulb, you finally admitted it to yourself: you weren’t pretending anymore.

I didn’t even try.

The lights dimmed. The curtain rose. And the story — a myth of a tiger spirit who learned to love as a man — began its final telling.

Onstage, Soonyoung transformed again. He moved like silk and fire, voice deep enough to draw every heartbeat toward him. You matched his rhythm like second nature. Every gesture, every pause, felt lived-in, easy — until it wasn’t. Because tonight’s scene was the scene.

The lovers’ confrontation under moonlight — the one that always drew sighs from the crowd. He stepped toward you, barefoot on the stage, eyes shining gold under the lights. “You freed me,” he said, his tone low, reverent, perfectly in character. “And yet you fear what you’ve set loose.”

You met his gaze, your own voice trembling — partly acting, mostly not. “You were never meant to be caged.” He smiled, faint, wistful. “Then why do you keep my heart in yours?” The audience leaned in.

You inhaled — this was where the stage directions called for a touch to the cheek. But tonight, when his hand brushed your face, it lingered a heartbeat longer.

Maybe he didn’t mean to. Maybe you didn’t mean to close your eyes either.

The kiss came — scripted, expected — but the second his lips met yours, everything else fell away. The stage melted. The noise faded. You forgot to breathe.

Soonyoung’s hand slid behind your neck just like before, familiar, careful, but his fingers trembled this time — because it wasn’t just acting anymore. You knew it. He knew it.

Then came the final act. The heartbreak. The confession.

The script said your character should watch the tiger spirit disappear into moonlight. That was the ending everyone knew who watched the first four nights. But tonight, you didn’t want to end it like that.

So when the moment came — when Soonyoung turned his back and took that first step toward the light — your heart raced, your throat burned, and before you could stop yourself, you called out: “Soonyoung”

Not his character’s name. His.

The audience stilled. He froze. You stepped forward, breath shaking. “I don’t want to let you go.” That line wasn’t in the script either.

He turned slowly, confusion flickering in his eyes, his expression slipping from character to raw surprise. “Y/N?” he whispered under his breath, too quiet for the crowd to hear.

You smiled — small, nervous, real. “I mean it. I-” your voice cracked just enough to make the silence heavy. “I like you. Not on stage. Not for the play. I-” you laughed softly, half-crying, “I think I’ve liked you since day one and I was just too stubborn to see it.”

You could practically hear Jun’s soul leaving his body from the control booth. A stagehand whispered, “Is this.. part of it?” Jun just muttered, “It’s ok.. let them do their thing, it’s for them, also the audience loves it anyways.”

Back onstage, Soonyoung stood frozen, completely out of character for the first time ever. The best theatre actor in the city — the king of improvisation — suddenly blanked. He opened his mouth once. Twice. No words.

The audience noticed; they knew it’s not part of the play. You took a step closer, heart pounding so loud it drowned out everything. His eyes darted between yours, caught off guard, vulnerable — the predator finally caged.

And maybe it was instinct, maybe it was love, maybe it was just you being tired of pretending — but you kissed him. Soft at first. Then harder when he didn’t pull away. That was what snapped him back.

His hands gripped your waist, pulling you closer, and the kiss deepened, the audience gasping and cheering. It wasn’t part of the play anymore — it was Soonyoung and Y/N, not the tiger and his human who saved him. All the lines blurred until they vanished completely.

When the curtains finally began to fall, neither of you moved. Jun’s voice echoed faintly from backstage, defeated but proud: “yeah.. everyone loved that”

Applause thundered as the curtains closed fully. You pulled back, breathless, forehead resting against his. Soonyoung’s voice was low, rough, trembling with leftover adrenaline. “You- you can’t just do that onstage.”

You smiled, still catching your breath. “Why not?” He blinked, dazed. “Because.. I- that.. hmm. I like you Y/N”

You laughed — giddy, relieved, teary — as he kissed you again, this time without an audience.

—

“Aren’t you gonna give me a tour of your house?” you said as he continued to kiss you torridly and messily. “We can do that next time. I’ll tour you differently tonight,” Soonyoung replied, holding your hand and guiding it to explore his body.

He slammed the door behind him — one hand still tangled in your hair, the other gripping your waist as he deepened the kiss. He walked you backward until you hit the wall of his entrance hall, the sound of the door echoing through the house.

Kissing you hard against the wall, he starts unbuttoning your costume with hurried fingers, breaking the kiss only to pull it off you completely. His lips find yours again immediately, his tongue pushing into your mouth as he presses his body against yours. “Fuck, I’ve wanted to do this all night,” he murmurs against your lips.

“Then do it..”

He lifts you up suddenly, making you wrap your legs around his waist as he walks toward his room, setting you down on the bed. He starts unbuckling his belt with one hand, kissing you like he’s starving. “Soonyoung” you whisper between the wet kisses.

“Yes, my love?” “Keep the costume.”

His eyebrows rise, his expression half confused, half amused. His forehead rests against yours, both of you breathing heavily. A smirk spreads across his face as he realizes what you mean. “You want me to fuck you in my costume?”

“And I want it hard.” His smirk turns into a hungry grin. He lifts you up slightly, removing only his bottoms. “You’re going to get fucked hard in my bed, with me in my costume from the play.”

He carries you and switches your position, placing you on top of him and positioning himself between your legs. He spreads them wide, his breath hovering over your folds. He pushes his underwear down just enough to free himself, pressing his length against your mouth. You flush at the position, knowing exactly what he wants to do.

“I want to taste you first.” He starts kissing and licking your slit while holding his cock against you. You take his length into your mouth without warning, making him suck in a sharp breath. You lick the tip softly like a lollipop, taking him deeper with each bob of your head. You cup his balls gently, massaging them while you suck him harder. His eyes darken. I’ll show you how good I am too.

He mirrors your actions, licking and sucking while you pleasure him. He uses his talented tongue to taste every inch of you, pressing his nose against your clit while you continue to suck him. He spreads your legs wider, pushing his face deeper between your thighs when you try to take him deeper.

Suddenly, he grips your hair gently but firmly, stopping your mouth movements. His own breathing is heavy and ragged against your folds. “Stop- fuck, I'm gonna cum if you keep doing that.” He lifts his head up, his cock still in your mouth “Pull back. I want to come inside you.”

He pulls you up, positioning himself again so that your slit is right over his face. He grabs your hips and pulls you down onto his mouth, tongue focused on your clit, while inserting two fingers inside you. He curls them upwards, hitting that sweet spot that makes you moan loudly. “Ride my face,”

You grind against his face, using his mouth and fingers for friction. He moves aggressively, one hand working between your legs while the other grips your thigh tightly. The wet sounds of contact fill the room. Suddenly, he adds a third finger, making you cry out. He says something, but you can’t comprehend what it is, especially since he doesn’t stop moving against you.

You can feel yourself getting closer to release when he suddenly stops, switching your position once more. He carries you until your back hits the headboard, sitting up as he spreads you apart with his fingers again. “Look down, my love.”

“Aghh… Soonyoung.” “Look how smoothly my fingers go inside you. No wonder my dick will get sucked in as well,” he said, making you shiver. He’s different. This is definitely not your clumsy, friendly, always-smiling partner on stage.

He slowly pulls his fingers out of you and brings them to his mouth, sucking on them loudly. His eyes never leave yours as he tastes you. “Still sweet… just like in the restaurant.”

He kisses you again, wanting you to taste yourself in his mouth. Then he suddenly grins mischievously before adding, “Turn around and hold onto the headboard.”

You turn around on your hands and knees, presenting yourself to him. He runs his hands over your hips possessively before pulling you gently toward him, kneading your ass, he pulls your cheeks apart gently. He presses the head of his cock against your folds, teasing you by sliding it up and down your slit. “My love.”

The endearment only added to the heat; it was what his character in the play called yours. “Soonyo-” He pressed his palm over your mouth and pushed his body even closer to yours. You could feel him pressing against you.

“Call me Hoshi.” “So, you want to role-play?” you said, facing him with a smirk. “You want to keep my costume, and I want you to call me by my character’s name. Sounds fair.” You grinned again and clicked your tongue against your cheek, making yourself ten times more irresistible in Soonyoung’s eyes — enough to make him push into you in one go, drawing a cry from your lips.

“Ugh! Fuck you-!”

“Correction.. I’m fucking you.”

He grabs your hair roughly and starts pounding into you aggressively, his balls slapping against your clit with each thrust. You can feel every inch of him stretching you open. “That's right.. take the tiger’s cock like a good girl. my love” He emphasizes the endearment mockingly.

He continues to fuck you hard, his voice taking on a deeper, more animalistic tone. “You saved me. Now you get to be fucked by the tiger spirit you saved.” He bites your shoulder gently, mimicking the teeth of a tiger.

“Hoshi.. God- you’re so deep..” You said that made him growl softly, hitting that spot deep inside you again. “Spread your legs wider, my love. Let the tiger mount you.” He grips your hips harder, his thrusts becoming wilder. He bares his teeth at the crook of your neck like a predator. The other hand went into your chest, playing with your nipple.

“Looks like you’re not tamed yet!” You managed to say, while you clench your hands on the headboard, with the same intensity as how you clench his dick. He starts fucking you even harder, his cock swelling inside you as he gets more and more into the role. He runs his hands over your body like a predator claiming its mate.

“I’m grateful- Shit- so grateful I need to breed my saviour.” He bites your neck harder this time. You feel his hot breath on your neck as he continues to bite and suck, marking your neck with love bites. His thrusts become more urgent, more desperate. He reaches your hands on the headboard “The tiger is going to breed you like his little mate.. do you want that?”

You couldn’t answer as you’re drowning in pleasure. He slows down his thrusts and pulls back almost all the way out before slamming deep inside you again. He repeats this rhythm until you cry out “Mmmph” You nodded. He pulls back again, waiting. You still don't answer. He does it again, hitting your deepest spot.

“Yes! God- Hoshi! You’re infuriating acting like a fucking tiger- Just fuck me.. I like it, I like it deep and hard. I like you..”

A low, satisfied growl rumbles in his chest at your desperate words. He starts pounding into you mercilessly, the sound of skin slapping against skin filling the room. His hands grip your hips bruisingly hard. “Fucking finally..”

He leans down, his teeth grazing your ear as he whispers harshly, “You should have answered sooner. The tiger was getting angry.” His thrusts become brutal, each one hitting that perfect spot deep inside you. He reaches in front, between your legs and rubs your clit firmly.

As he continued to fuck you, he feels your inner muscles squeezing around him tightly. He knows you're about to come. He holds your face possessively, kissing you deeply as he asks, “You coming, my love?” You nod frantically, your mouth open against his. “Ughhh.. Yes!.” He kissed me like he wanted me to be aware of how much he liked me.

He kisses you even more passionately, his tongue exploring your mouth as if it were the last thing he'd ever do. His hips move faster and harder against yours, chasing his own release as he feels your orgasm rippling around his cock. “That's it.. wet my dick”

He groans deeply into your mouth, his body tensing as he finally reaches his climax. He thrusts deep inside you one last time, holding himself there as he pulses and releases. His kiss softens slightly, becoming more tender as he comes down from his high. Feeling his cum dropping to your thighs and his bed sheet.

The kiss stopped, his forehead resting against yours, as he caught his breath, and caught you too, as how weak you are. His hands gently release your wrists and move to frame your face softly. “My little mate.. you've pleased the tiger very much.” He presses gentle kisses along your jawline and neck, soothing his earlier rough handling.

“You need to stop that shit, it’s so goddamn annoying” you said weakly, letting your body sink into the bed while his hands still held you. He laughed genuinely and kissed you on the mouth, this time much softer and more tender.

“Mmm, no more tiger play?” he asked with a soft smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He gently laid you down on the bed, following after you and wrapping his arms around your waist. “Just my love, then.” He nuzzled into your neck, placing soft kisses there.

“You smell like me now. I love you, Y/N.”

“I love you too, Soonyoung.”

Two months have passed. The lights of the city theater glimmered against the marble floor, cameras flashing like stars as people in tuxedos and gowns filled the venue. It was the night — the annual Theater Guild Awards — and your play, To Tame The Moon, had swept through nominations like wildfire.

Your name echoed across the room. “Best Rising Leading Actress — Y/N L/N, To Tame The Moon!”

You froze for half a second before Soonyoung’s hand found yours under the table, squeezing firmly. “Go get it,” he whispered, grinning that same boyish grin that ruined your composure every single time.

You walked up the stage to applause, tears prickling your eyes as you held the trophy. “Thank you.. for letting me be included in the story,” you said, voice trembling with emotion. “And to everyone who believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself.”

Your eyes found Soonyoung’s in the crowd — he was standing now, clapping the loudest. “And to my co-star, who made it impossible not to fall in love with acting. And maybe.. with him too.” The crowd erupted in cheers and knowing laughter.

Later that night, Soonyoung was called up for Best Leading Actor. When his name was announced, the entire room stood. He walked up with that signature mix of confidence and chaos — bowing dramatically before holding his trophy high.

“Uh, this is awkward, not because I’m still not used to this,” he began, flashing a crooked smile. “But because the person I want to thank already said everything I wanted to say.” He looked straight at you.

“And yes, she’s right. Acting with her did make it impossible not to fall in love.” The audience lost it.

You met him halfway when he returned from the stage, both of you laughing — flushed and speechless from the noise. The cameras turned toward you, capturing the moment you pulled him close.

“You didn’t just say that in public, did you?” you whispered. He leaned in, the corners of his mouth curling into that familiar, mischievous smirk. “Too late to take it back.” And before you could reply, he kissed you.

The entire hall erupted — cheers, applause, the sound of someone yelling “Get a room!” from the back. Jun was somewhere near the sound booth, muttering “Of course they’d turn an awards ceremony into a rom-com finale.” Hansol was just wiggling his eyebrows, shooting his noona a ‘I-told-you-so look’.

Soonyoung pulled away just slightly, eyes bright under the golden lights. “We started on stage,” he said softly, still close enough that only you could hear. “Feels right to end it here, too.”

You smiled — radiant, breathless, in disbelief that everything came full circle. “Not the end,” you whispered back. “Just the next act.”

And when he kissed you again, the flash of cameras felt like curtain lights — the world cheering for a story that had finally found its happy ending.

𝐀/𝐍 ➙ I hope you enjoyed reading Method Acting as much as I enjoyed writing it!! Quick random fact: writing smut isn’t really my forte, hahaha would you believe I only learned how to write it about two months ago? 😜 Anyways, if you want to be included in my taglist, feel free to comment on my posts or send an ask on my profile!! Love you guys, stay safe always!!

⋆˚࿔ 𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 : @blssble @astraleaa @kwonxy @k4trinabluu @ateez-atiny380 @loveforred @chandaleeeee @starringhani @acphengene @yoonjeo

[orbitondgtl]

pairing: hitman!jeonghan x hitman!fem!reader

summary: Date nights with Jeonghan are never the usual candlelit dinners, but you never expected a date night to be saving him from your biggest rivals in the criminal underworld.

au: non-idol au | mafia au

genre: mafia romance

wc: 6550

rating: 16+ explicit violence, mentions of sexual content

fic tags:  non-idol au, mafia au,  established relationship, hitman, violence, lovers (insane ones), angst with a happy ending, tension, romance, reader being a little shit, mentions of kidnapping and explicit fight scenes, reading at own risk!

special thank you to @woncheolisms for proofreading this for me. i'm so happy with the feedback you provided me with and thank you for being so excited for this silly jeonghan mafia fic! <3

a/n: yay something else between all the code 143 updates! you should definitely take it with a grain of salt and you'll have a great time reading this. i promise. it's silly and stupid but i had a blast

navigation: SVT M.LIST ✦ ASKS/REQUESTS: OPEN! i'm taking requests for anything (:

When Jeonghan told you to go on a date with him you expected a romantic, expensive dinner by candlelight. Dolled up, sipping the best wine you’d ever had and having sex for dessert. The biggest giveaway that it wouldn’t be a normal date was the fact that he wanted you to bring your rifle, and your shuriken. 

Your dress had a split on the left side, glimmering in the dim light. You tugged everything into place when you hid behind a container, to the biggest amusement of your partner. 

“You should’ve just told me to wear my gear,” you snarled and pulled on the dress, barely held up by two spaghetti bands. 

“This is date night.” Jeonghan moved his hands down – one holding a loaded rifle – as he presented his black three-piece suit to you. His third piece however, was nowhere to be seen, his jacket exposing the bare skin of his chest. “We’re not going to wear our normal attire, doll.” 

You grumbled underneath your breath and peeked around the corner. A group of six men were gathered in front of a group of black containers, a big phoenix on the side of them. There was no denying that your biggest rivals had this place under tight control. The phoenixes were everywhere you looked. 

Your organisation had been hellbent on taking back control of the docks ever since Seungcheol was installed as its new leader six years ago. Avenging his father’s death, he wanted to take back what was theirs. If that meant spilling blood in the process, he was perfectly fine with that. 

Not that he was the one getting his hands dirty. He got you and Jeonghan for that. 

“You look gorgeous in that dress, by the way.” Jeonghan whistled lowly, making you roll your eyes playfully. His hands gripped your waist and pulled you into his chest, swaying you from left to right. 

You looked straight ahead as you let yourself be showered in affection. You hummed when he kissed your neck, your stomach twisting in excitement as his lips traced your sweet spot. “I know that it wouldn’t be the first time, but we should probably take care of those men before you undress me with your eyes.” 

“They can watch if they’d like,“ Jeonghan muttered against your skin, looking up to meet your pointed gaze. A strand of black hair fell in front of his eyes and a grin played on his lips before he kissed you. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

You melted into it for as long as it lasted. “I would not like to be reminded of that, thank you very much.” 

Jeonghan snickered before he peeled away from you. His slender frame moved in front of you, peeking around the corner before he turned back to you. “They’re still there. Did you bring your sniper?” 

“As always,” you told him with a firm nod. 

“Good. Search for a remote place, the roof of the control room, maybe. Where they can’t find you.” 

You arched an eyebrow. 

“Please,” he emphasised and flashed you a sweet smile. 

“Thank you, baby.” You returned his smile. “And what are you going to do?” 

“Fuck them up, of course.” 

“Why do I still ask?” You tugged at your dress again and crinkled your nose. “If you’re not out of there in thirty minutes, I will leave you here.” 

Jeonghan beamed at you and pressed a kiss to your lips before he disappeared into the shadows. 

You moved through the endless rows of containers back to the control room and looked up. The lights were out, but you couldn’t be too sure. You scouted the entire building with your hand gun, your sniper sitting on your back. 

You settled on the roof and put the rifle down, adjusting it until you had a perfect view of the men in front of the container. 

In Yang’s captivity was the last place you wanted to die, so next to fucking up their smuggle, your objective was to get out of there alive. Not unharmed, alive. Whenever you were with Jeonghan, chances of leaving unscathed were incredibly slim. So slim that you saw you and him splitting up before that. 

“Are you in position?” You heard your boyfriend in your ear. 

“The only thing missing is you on top,” you countered and looked through the visor. The men were still circling the container like vultures. 

That drugs meant so much to people you could never begin to understand. 

“Maybe we should fuck on the roof,” Jeonghan spoke up after a silence. “We’ve never done that before.” 

“Eyes on the target, baby.” 

“Okay, I’m going.” 

That was not what you meant, but you had zero chance to protest, ever. You blew a lock out of your face and scouted the surroundings, making sure that your spot was clear before you focussed on the men that you’d been watching through your visor. 

They were gone. 

Your heart pounded in your chest, your finger pressing the in-ear. “Han, sign of life, please.” You released the button, doing another round of scouting as you waited for a response. Your chest tightened as you pressed your in-ear again. “Jeonghan, get back to me.”

Radio silence. 

Jeonghan often played tricks on you, he loved messing with you and pretending his in-ear cut off, or to not respond and suddenly stand behind you. 

The wait for a response felt endless, dread seeping in your bones with every second passing. This was different from his stupid, horribly timed antics. 

You brought your hand up to your ear once again and parted your lips. 

A gun cocked behind you. 

You grumbled underneath your breath and shuffled up. You’d give Jeonghan a piece of your mind once you were back at the mansion. A very big piece of your mind. 

“Turn around, miss,” a grating voice ordered you. 

“Yeah, yeah. Give me a moment.” You tugged at your dress, pulling it up before you flashed a complete stranger. You turned around with your arms next to your body. “What do you want?”

The man, at least double your age, pointed his gun at you. 

You rolled your eyes and decided to play along, putting your hands up. “You got me, sir,” you nearly sang, forcing your pitch up. 

“I need you to shut your mouth before I put a bullet in your skull,” he snarled. He took a step closer and the gun was merely an inch away from you. “Right between those pretty eyes of yours.” 

Being held at gunpoint was nothing new. In fact, it had become such a staple of your routine that you got bored. You could remember how it pumped the adrenaline through your veins once, how you rode the high of it and chased it all the way to the border between life and death. A tango that you would never get enough of. A tango that you often danced with Jeonghan, too. 

You leaned in until you felt the cold barrel hit your forehead. Looking up at the man at the other end, you flashed a grin. You knew he wasn’t going to shoot. Most of the people that you encountered weren’t cut out for the job like you were. Like you’d always been. 

“What do you want, babygirl?” You asked. “You kind of ruined my night out by interrupting my job.” 

“The guy with the long black hair and bad aim?” 

“He does kind of a shit job at aiming, doesn’t he?” You raised your upper lip before clicking your tongue. “Oh, well. At least he’s determined.” You slapped the gun out of his hand and raised your leg, your feet connecting with his teeth. The crack they made echoed through your entire body and your heart jumped. 

The man stumbled backwards and you kicked his knee, watching him collapse to the floor. He sat upright, spitting out a mixture of blood and something that clattered to the floor softly.

Huh, so you did actually kick the teeth out of his head.

He started reaching for his gun. 

Your heartbeat drummed in your ears. Your skin prickled with excitement. From the belt around your thigh, you grabbed a shuriken and hurled it towards him. The star pierced his chest, right where his heart was. His eyes widened before you saw the light disappear from them. He fell to the ground and his chest ceased moving. 

If they knew to find you on the roof, you knew exactly what happened to Jeonghan. 

You pulled the shuriken out of his chest and clipped it around the belt before disassembling your rifle as quickly you could. You climbed off the roof and into the control room, running off to the containers where you left Jeonghan earlier. You scanned the entire area, but he was nowhere to be found. 

The container that you were keeping an eye on before was still there, accompanied with a small piece of paper. You tilted your head and walked up to it, letting your eyes scan the content. 

They knew you were coming. Of course they did. 

You snatched the note off the container and got the hell out of there before they got you too. You threw yourself in the backseat of the car and told your driver to get back immediately. Before he could even open his mouth to ask, you told him there was no time to wait.

Thirty minutes was thirty minutes anyway. And Seungcheol was going to be pissed. 

You gritted your teeth as you looked out of the window. Every single time that Jeonghan dragged you out for another mission, something went wrong: he nearly got himself killed, shot people that weren’t meant to be killed, pretended like someone got to him or, you know, someone actually got to him. 

You hated that guy. 

“Jeonghan is captured,” were the words you barged into your boss’ office with. Your manners to knock and – like protocol expected of you – make yourself known with a bow to your leader, had long passed their necessity. 

Seungcheol halted in his tracks, his eyes darting up at you underneath a curtain of blond hair. They spat fire, probing you for answers before they disappeared underneath a frown. “Why are you wearing a dress?” 

“Long story,” you slammed the piece of paper on his desk. “Ransom note, Jeonghan being an idiot which led to his capture, anything else you want to know?” 

His eyes scanned the content with much more anger than yours did, even though you should be seething that Jeonghan let it get so far. He put the note to the side and folded his hands together, looking directly at you. A shadow had cast over his eyes.

Great. Jeonghan’s antics would get you killed instead. 

“The mission was simple,” Seungcheol started calmly. “You were to go to the docks, take out the six men that work on Yang’s behalf and discard the drugs.” 

You bobbed your head and swallowed. Mentally you were already strangling your boyfriend and you couldn’t wait until you got your hands on him. 

“So tell me,” he leaned forward. “How on Earth did you get into this mess? Not only did you fail to dump the containers, Jeonghan is now in Yang’s hands.” 

You knew exactly how you got into this mess. Or, better said, who got you into it. 

“Your answer is probably being tortured right now,” you answered calmly, but your voice trembled. “Sir. Boss.” 

Seungcheol muttered something underneath his breath before he sighed deeply. “I shouldn’t have let Soonyoung convince me that you could do this together.”

You left out that you pressured Soonyoung to do so. Your date night would end with a Choi bullet in your skull. 

Seungcheol glared at you underneath his lowered eyebrows. “You’re going to fix your own mess this time. I’m not going to put my people in harm’s way for you. Again.” When you wanted to protest, his eyebrows shot up and his eyes widened. 

“Fine,” you grumbled and snatched the ransom note from his desk. “Jeonghan will be pissed at you, by the way.” 

“Send him my regards when you find him.” 

You rolled your eyes and turned on your heel to leave his office. 

“I’m still your boss, love. A little more respect is in order next time.” 

“Blow me, Seungcheol.” You closed the door behind you and left for your own quarters on the other side of the terrain, dragging your feet over the gravel path. The cold night air brushed past your bare skin, but you didn’t give more than a shiver. You had better things on your mind. 

You kicked off your boots and tossed your sniper and shuriken to the side. Shuffling to the bathroom, you caught a figure sitting in your kitchen. You raised an eyebrow and turned on the lights, the familiar contours of Soonyoung’s face revealing themselves. 

“What the fuck are you doing here?” You asked and cocked an eyebrow.

“Seeing if I should regret that I let myself get threatened by you,” Soonyoung answered without missing a beat. “I think it’s fair to assume that I should.” 

You scoffed and walked to the bathroom. 

“Where is Jeonghan?” You heard Soonyoung from the kitchen. “Did you get into a fight with him again? You know, there’s a thing called ‘talking it out’ that you can do. Prevents you from ignoring him for a whole week like the last time.” 

As you stepped out of your dress, you rolled your eyes. “No, Soonyoung. We did not get into a fight.” You reached for your shirt and pulled it over your head, the scent of musk and sandalwood making your stomach drop and your jaw clench. 

Jeonghan, you fucking idiot. 

You walked out and leaned against the doorframe. “Jeonghan is captured and I have to find him.” 

“Yeah you do. He’s going to die if you don’t,” Soonyoung remarked, as if he was stating the overobvious. 

“No, I have to find him. Seungcheol will not back me up.”

He stared at you for a solid second before he got up. “I have to get some sleep. I have to be on site in a couple of hours.” 

You shot him a sweet smile, your voice laced in honey. “Soonyoung.” 

“Good night.” He tried to speed past you, but you grabbed his wrist. He threw his head back with a groan, whining your name. “I’m already under fire because I was the one suggesting that you should go together. I will not help you out with this.” 

You found yourself in Soonyoung’s office two hours later, when he was supposed to be asleep. 

You were hovering over Soonyoung as he sat in his chair, going over the CCTV from the docks. You never asked how he got his hands on them and you doubted you wanted to know. 

He fast forwarded until the time that you told him you arrived at the docks, halting when he saw movement in the bottom left corner. Soonyoung zoomed in, but all that was visible was a dim glimmer. 

Your chest tightened. 

“What is that?” Soonyoung muttered and tried different cameras around the docks. None showed the answer. 

“I think that’s me,” you said before clearing your throat. When he looked over his shoulder, you shot him a sheepish smile. “I think, just a guess, that they saw that too last night.” 

“You think?” He asked tautly. “I am very certain that they did. It’s their CCTV.” 

“Right…” You clicked your tongue. “Shall we look at what happened to Jeonghan? If you have the footage of the docks, I’m sure you have the footage of their entire region. We can figure out where they took him.” 

Soonyoung turned back around and fast forwarded again. The glimmer had disappeared, but something was still moving in the corner of the screen, until it disappeared. He went back to the previous screen, showing all the different angles on the entire docks. 

Jeonghan appeared nowhere. 

Your throat narrowed when the men started splitting up. This was it. Something had to have happened for them to capture him. You had trouble believing he just ran right into their arms if he managed to avoid all those cameras so swiftly.

Something moved in the middle camera. 

You told Soonyoung to click on it and leaned in closer to take a better look. The container that you were supposed to raid was in full view. 

And it was raided. 

The doors were opened and someone carried a shitload of bags out of frame. You could only assume they were discarded, just as you were ordered to do. It wasn’t all of them, but it was more than enough to piss them off. 

Someone appeared right on top of the container, pushing himself back in the shadows of the canopy where nobody could see him.

Except the camera above his head.  

Soonyoung zoomed in and you both watched how a pair of sharp eyes looked right back at you, a grin spreading across his face. He started rummaging in his pockets, turned his head at the camera with wide eyes and stuck his middle finger up. After a few minutes of sitting around, he did it again. 

“What the hell is Jeonghan doing?” 

You were watching with a frown. “I have no idea.” 

Jeonghan took his in-ear out and put it in his pocket before he grabbed his knife and attacked the man climbing on the container, tumbling off it. 

Steam erupted from your ears. 

He stayed away for a couple of seconds before he popped up right in front of the container, his knife sticking out another man’s leg. With a blow to his liver, he collapsed to the floor. Yanked by his hair, he showed his shit eating grin and his lips moved before he was knocked out. Someone dragged him out of frame and into the trunk of a car in a next frame. 

You were seeing white. “I’ve seen enough.” 

“We haven’t even found out where he is right now,” Soonyoung countered. 

“I don’t give a rat’s ass. He can rot there for all I care.” You turned on your heel, but he grabbed your wrist, calling your name calmly. 

Soonyoung had paused the footage. 

You turned back to him, meeting his gaze. He didn’t look as scary as Seungcheol did, but it was still laced with an urgency and a hint of authority that made you shiver. You still experienced enough distance with Soonyoung to take his authority seriously at all times, something that was blurred when you were dealing with Seungcheol. 

“I know that he can be infuriating, and he doesn’t always… well, handle business according to the books, but you’re refusing to see the bigger picture here.” Soonyoung’s voice rang through you with such gentleness that you had to listen to him. All of his displays of power were subtle, things you missed at first, but you learnt to recognise it the more you worked with him. 

You waved your hand in dismissal. “Whatever the bigger picture is, he still took out his in-ear to do whatever he did there and get us both into danger. He could’ve also told me to go, I‘m just throwing ideas here.”

“Would you have listened?”

“No, but I don’t see why that’s relevant.” 

Soonyoung shot you a knowing look, along with a small smile. “You would’ve ran in there without regard for anything and that’s something we can’t afford. Jeonghan knew that he was fucked anyway. Did he have to pull those stunts on top of the container? No, but–”

“It was a good distraction for me to get out of there,” you finished his sentence with a sigh. As the pressure from your chest lifted, you felt it press down on you again and your jaw clenched. “But we were on that mission together so he should’ve just let me handle them from a distance. He just went in there like a madman as usual and I didn’t even get a chance to do anything before he chased them away again.”

“You both are madmen, “ Soonyoung said as he turned back to the footage, following the car that they pushed Jeonghan into. “Who in their right mind doesn’t just stay at a distance in the first place? You were already in the middle of the crossfire, which is why they knew you were coming.” 

You didn’t have an answer so you kept quiet, your lips pressed in a thin line. 

He sighed deeply. “I should’ve really put my foot down when you suggested it. Jeonghan alone on this mission was enough to handle, as we can tell.” 

“Careful what you say,” you bit back, feeling the anger prickling under your skin. “He happens to be this organisation’s best hitman and he’s still Seungcheol’s closest confidant.” 

“Make up your mind, love. Are you mad at him or not?”  

You rolled your eyes. “Where’s the car taking him?” 

“Around the neighbourhood.” Soonyoung hummed, accepting your attempt to dodge his question. “They’ve been driving in circles. I think they tried to disorient him before taking him somewhere.” 

“They probably have a spare location, just like we do.” 

“I’m very sure they do.” 

You and Soonyoung watched the car race in even more circles before cutting out the CCTV. Soonyoung still had to catch some sleep and you didn’t feel like watching them driving in circles anymore. 

Once you were back in your hideout, you planted yourself on the bed with a sigh. You thought that you were finally able to read Jeonghan after years of knowing him, that you knew when he was going to pull stunts like the one at the docks and why. Especially the why. 

He was unpredictable and kept you on your toes, which was exactly what drew you towards him when you met him. You’d been no older than ten when your parents finally introduced you to the organisation. It had been protocol ever since you could remember because once your face was known, you were a possible target. 

Jeonghan was a year older than you’d been, the same age as the boss’ son, Seungcheol. You hadn’t cared for the latter much because it was Jeonghan that you couldn’t stay away from. You could remember a fight between the two, watching in awe how Jeonghan tricked Seungcheol into letting him believe that he was weak. That he didn’t fight, couldn’t fight. 

He’d put Seungcheol in a headlock the second he attacked. 

Sparring matches between you had always ended with you losing. Every time that you thought you’d finally outsmarted Jeonghan, he’d prove himself ten steps ahead of you. No mission was the same, because you never knew what shit he was going to pull. It was supposed to frustrate you to no end – your fathers had the same stories of when they were your age – but you ended up in his bed after every mission. Sometimes underneath him, sometimes on top of him. Sometimes you didn’t even make it to the bed. 

Your stomach fluttered at the thought, even though it hadn’t meant anything to you then. 

Going on missions without the certainty you would make it back was what you’d always known. It was your duty to put your life on the line for the organisation, for your boss. You’d pledged your loyalty when you were fifteen, the moment your parents deemed you ready enough to get into training. You followed in your parents’ footsteps to become a hitman, like almost every child in the organisation did. You weren’t an exception and never would be. 

Whereas Jeonghan was steered into the direction to protect the top – especially the Choi’s – your missions were rather focussed on keeping your colleagues safe. Deal brokers, hackers – like Soonyoung – they all needed protection. You hadn’t seen Jeonghan around for a good while, since he was in a different location than you. 

The death of Seungcheol’s father six years ago brought you back together because the organisation started shuffling around. Your role was expanded to protect everyone, including Jeonghan and his increasing, escalating recklessness that needed someone like you. Your role as a sniper – something your mother had always done when she was young – made you an invisible angel on everyone’s shoulder. It pushed you right back into Jeonghan’s bed, and later his arms as well. 

The calmth before and to his storm, a perfect whirlwind of chaos and passion that you unleashed, in full control over it. It was exactly why Seungcheol wanted you on so many missions together at first and that allowed you to grow closer than ever before. Your desires about him weren’t just sexual anymore: you wanted to know him, be with him, to be the person that he came back for. 

Not Seungcheol, not the organisation, you. And that is exactly why Seungcheol started to separate you. The stakes got too personal. 

“I’ve always had a soft spot for you,” Jeonghan had told you as his hand traced your back, his breath hot against your skin. It’d been seven in the morning and you were limp in his arms, your trembling legs a form of amusement for him. On the verge of falling asleep, he whispered in your ear. “I will come back for you, baby. Every day for the rest of my life.” 

And he did. He had been for two years. 

Now he was in Yang captivity and Lord knew where they kept him. And all you could do was be undecided on whether you were mad at him or not, for putting you in danger. For throwing himself in front of the wolves with no regard for the promise he made to you. 

For the first time in your life, you feared that he wouldn’t come back. You had to get him yourself. 

You turned on the CCTV again, right where Soonyoung had paused it. The car that you’d been tracking before finally stopped going in circles and continued its way. 

Disappearing from footage. 

You raised an eyebrow, checking every camera that you could from every angle that you’d looked at before. 

Okay, relax. You had a talk with Jeonghan about this situation before, about the protocol of a kidnapping. He said something about disorienting the hostage, which is what the Yang men did too. 

“Most of our hostages aren’t stupid,” he’d said to you. The conversation had come up after your first mission in your new role. It was during a late night snack in his quarters and you remember how the shadow cast over his face made him look mysteriously appealing. “You have to disorient them in case they keep track of where they’re going. A lot of us in this field of work know the city by heart or are trained to navigate it with our eyes closed.” 

You’d been trained, too. You sucked at directions and were a lost cause if you were ever kidnapped. Not that that information was known to anybody. 

You’d leaned on your hand, your eyes fixated on him. “So, what then? That we have multiple locations is known to all the others. You can’t just assume that they aren’t there already to wait for you.” 

“Which is why you have to be smart about it.” 

“An abandoned building.” 

Jeonghan raised his upper lip and moved his head from left to right. “Is a possibility. The most common one, but a possibility nonetheless.” 

“But not the answer you were looking for,” you concluded with a sigh. “Alright, what about downtown? Our people only come there for business.” 

“Exactly why they start looking there.” 

Your chest rose and fell in big motions. “I’m a sniper, Jeonghan. I shoot people and then disappear. I don’t even know why you’re trying to talk me into this.” 

Jeonghan’s face was stale when he looked at you, making you shiver. “You should know in case any of us gets in danger. You’re a protector now, remember?” 

“Yeah, by killing people that form a threat to you, not by saving you from kidnappers. That is where the fielders are for.” 

His eyes probed you as he called your name. “You need to be unpredictable. Where would you take them?” 

You shrugged. “Back, I guess.” 

Jeonghan leaned back in his seat with a grin. “Good girl. You’ve been paying attention after all.”

-

Seungcheol had nearly drawn his gun at you when you barged into his office at six in the morning, but he didn’t have a leg to stand on when you argued that he was still awake as well.

You closed the door behind you. “Jeonghan is held at the docks.” 

He cocked an eyebrow. “They kidnapped him from the docks, only to… bring him back to the docks?” 

“Yes.” 

Seungcheol stared at you. 

“As if we’ve never done it before,” you said as a-matter-of-fact. When he still looked at you like you were spewing shit out of your ass, you glared at him. 

He finally came into motion when he crossed his arms. “I have trouble believing that.” 

“You don’t say.” 

“I like to believe that we’re superior to our rivals,” Seungcheol started and crossed his arms. “That is no reason for us to overestimate their stupidity.” 

You gazed at him. 

“Bringing him back is stupid,” he reiterated as a matter-of-fact. 

“Unpredictable,” you corrected him. “What is stupid is assuming that we should raid all their hideouts.” 

Seungcheol was the one silently gazing this time. 

“He’s not there,” you mocked his tone. 

“You start to sound like him, that’s for sure.” 

“We should be quick.” You started to move towards the door and turned to your boss, who sat back down. 

At the deafening silence, Seungcheol looked up. The pretentiously unknowing look in his eyes made your skin prickle. 

“You’re not seriously letting me go alone.” 

“I don’t make empty threats, love,” he spoke and bowed over his paperwork again. “I’ll see to any medical care when you’re back.” 

You opened the door and looked over your shoulder. “Why are you doing this?” 

“I told you before that your involvement with Jeonghan has become too personal.” His eyes didn’t leave the paperwork once, but his words still sliced through you with sharp precision. “I am not opposed to your relationship, but it presents an obstacle in matters like these.” 

You walked through the door. 

“Your loyalty is still to me,” he ended his sentence with your name, leaving a sour taste in your mouth. “This is your reminder.” 

You’d been friends with Seungcheol since you were eleven, freshly introduced into the organisation. And sometimes, you failed to tell the difference between his role as a friend and the one as your boss. 

Seungcheol had trouble separating them too because the lines had blurred the second he became the new leader. This was his way of trying to be your friend, you supposed. Trying to tell you that your actions still had consequences. Even if his best friend, your boyfriend, wasn’t sure he would come back alive. 

Or at all. 

Without another word, you left his office and went back to your quarters.

You didn’t need Seungcheol. Hell, you managed to locate Jeonghan without him. And you didn’t need Soonyoung either. If Seungcheol wanted you to go alone, you would. 

You packed your rifles and clipped the shuriken around your thighs, heading over to the car you shared with Jeonghan. When you slid into the driver’s seat, you were engulfed in the musk scent of his cologne. You swallowed your tears and started the engine, the tires burning when you left the terrain. 

Amidst the calm that you carried yourself with, your thoughts ran rampant. All you could say to yourself was that you were probably too late. The ransom note sat crumpled up in your pocket and all you could feel was guilt when you parked at the edge of the docks. 

They wouldn’t have seen anything if you just stayed out of sight. Hell, you should’ve listened to yourself and put on your attire, not a glimmery dress. It was his lucky charm.

Date night was supposed to end in sex like it’d always done, not in having to save your reckless idiot boyfriend from death. 

With your sniper on your back, you climbed the control tower and took your usual spot. The same container, the same men, but no Jeonghan.  

You looked through your visor, aimed at one of the heads and pulled the trigger. Amongst their chaos of a fallen comrade, trying to figure out where it came from, you shot another one in the chest. 

You did what you did best: slip out unnoticed. Usually, your role was to sit and wait until your colleagues came back. You ran back to your car and switched your sniper for an assault rifle. 

The feel of the rifle in your hands was unfamiliar and dread seeped into every layer of your being, but you pushed it aside. You had to do the work of two people, be your own angel. You had to move in ways they hadn’t trained you for.

But it was Jeonghan. He was supposed to come back to you, no matter how much blood you had to spill. 

You cocked the gun and aimed at one of the cameras, loosening a shot that echoed over the docks. Your heart jumped as you moved to the next one, running all the way to the container that the men were last at.  

They came from all directions, their guns raised and the bullets flying around you. Your heart thumped in your ears, the adrenaline pumping through your veins. Your shots were sloppy and had no clear goal and if you hit someone, it was sheer luck.

They all ran in your direction, clutching where a bullet managed to pierce them. If you were going to shoot one, the other two would shoot you. One shuriken had the same effect.

You looked around you. Anything would do, literally anything. You were a sniper, your role was to stay in the background and to fight your battles from a distance. You knew how to fight, but you doubted hand to hand combat would save you in a gunfight.

As they were closing in, you started lowering your gun. Soonyoung’s words echoed in the back of your mind: A madman, for throwing yourself in the middle of the crossfire. You were no better than the person you were going to save, but you didn’t care. 

Your hand brushed one of your pockets, tracing the outlines of a cylinder. 

Jeonghan would do something mad to get out. You would, too. 

You reached in your pocket and pulled the pin before throwing it on the ground, clouds of smoke erupting from the bomb. You retreated into the smoke. You had a minute to move around unnoticed and take them all out, so you had to move fast. You grabbed a shuriken and plunged it into one of the men’s neck. Another one you hurled into the other’s chest. 

The smoke started to fade and the silhouette of your last opponent became visible from the other side of the cloud. He locked eyes with you and raised his gun. 

Your heart thumped in your ears when you reloaded your rifle. You pointed it at the remaining man and pulled the trigger, releasing a string of bullets. One pierced his shoulder, another one nestled in his neck, one punctured his chest. The blood spewed from him as he collapsed to the floor. Grunts and moans were deafened by chokes and a stream of blood ran down the corner of his mouth. 

You watched as his chest fell. 

You pulled the shuriken out of the man’s neck, spats of blood landing on your face. Your arm stung when you pulled on the last one, but you ignored it and ran to where your instincts told you to go. 

You whacked the door of the container open, the shuriken clutched in your fist. You nearly dropped it at the sight before you. 

Jeonghan was tied to the walls of the container, arms and legs spread out. His head was lowered and the light reflecting in his hair revealed streaks of blood in the front strands. He barely made any sound apart from soft mumbling. His clothes were stained and down his neck was dripping in a mixture of blood and sweat. 

He was still wearing the suit. 

You called out to him softly, clutching your shuriken again. 

“I won’t fall for it,” he called out, the sharp tone in his voice making you shiver. “I told you that before, buddy. You won’t get her.” He raised his head and glared at you, but his face softened. 

“I hoped our date would end a little differently, but you like to keep me on my toes,” you said to him. You walked up to him and looked up. 

Jeonghan smiled at you. 

“You’re an idiot, first of all,” you continued, watching his smile fall. “I don’t know what on Earth possessed you to rip your in-ear out and throw yourself in front of the wolves, but never do that without me again. I will leave you here to rot next time.”

He laughed, making him wince. 

“This is not funny, Jeonghan. You could’ve died, and you…” You paused as you lowered your eyes. “You promised to come back to me. Always.” 

“They were going to come after you,” he said calmly. “Your dress gave you away, so I convinced them that it was me.”

“There was still someone on the roof.”

“And you killed him.” He flashed a grin at you. “Good girl. They were in shambles.” 

You rolled your eyes, but your heart fluttered. “I’ll get you out of here. Where’s the keys?” 

“They’re locked with a code,” Jeonghan told you and motioned his head to the left. 

You followed his line of sight and tilted your head. 

“Four, nine, zero, five. End with a star.” 

You cocked your eyebrow at him. 

Jeonghan grinned at you. “You have to pay attention to those types of things, doll. Didn’t they tell you in training?”

“I figured I never needed it because I don’t get myself in trouble all the time.” You put the code in and the light went green. The locks clicked, followed up by a loud thud and a yelp. 

You snapped your head and lifted Jeonghan off the ground, wrapping your arm around his waist. “Are you okay?”

“They got me well.” He winced and shifted his weight onto you, telling you to walk. “Tell the driver to come here. You killed all of them anyway.” 

You clicked your tongue and stepped out of the container. “I came here alone.” You looked up at Jeonghan’s pointed gaze. “Seungcheol wouldn’t back me up.” 

“When I get back, I’ll kill him.”

“You can barely walk.”

“When I’m patched up, I’ll kill him.”

You strolled to your car on the edge of the docks, listening to Jeonghan rambling about his capture. He didn’t even sound like he was remotely affected by what happened, nor did he care that he could’ve died. 

One thing you knew for certain: you would never wear a dress to a mission ever again.

[clownprincehoeshi]

CAN YOU TAKE BOTH?

Synopsis: Your boyfriend, Jeonghan, has plans that you’re not aware of. He’s not a jealous guy when it comes to sharing with Joshua.

Pairing: boyfriend Jeonghan x fem girlfriend x friend Joshua

Genre: Smut

Warnings: sex, penetration, creampie, 3some, multiple orgasms, double penetration, anal

Word count: 2350

Minors don’t interract!!!

You and Jeonghan have been together for almost 2 years now. You’ve met each other’s family and friends, been to many vacations together and have plans for the future.

Today you’re throwing a party at his place, which is practically yours too starting from now. He asked you to move in a week ago, so you did of course.

All of your close friends were here, enjoying a bit of music, some even dancing. Mingyu and Jun were on the terrace, flipping delicious meat on the barbecue, while sipping cocktails that Dino prepared.

Minghao and Seungkwan were cooing at pictures Seungcheol was showing them on his phone of his newborn.

“Hyung, she is so freaking cute, I can’t wait to have one of my own” Seungkwan says, giving a side eye to his girlfriend. She just smiles and pushes his shoulder playfully.

“Jeonghan might get ahead if you don’t hurry” Seungcheol replies amused

“Oh, please. They are still in the honeymoon phase” Seungkwan adds with a wink

Yeah, everyone knew you and Jeonghan were very in love and loud about it. There were many instances when your friends walked in on you fucking at parties or events. Especially Joshua who would stay at Jeonghan’s place whenever he got drunk.

They were always inseparable, and you didn’t mind. You were close to Joshua also and could always count on him. And as anyone with eyes, you can see he’s drop dead gorgeous. Serious eye candy. Though you find your boyfriend to be prettier.

Before starting to date Jeonghan, you were attracted to both. Went to the same college, attended the same parties. But Jeonghan was the one who asked you out and confessed, and that’s how it started.

Right now, you were sitting on your boyfriend’s lap, drinking something Joshua prepared carefully. It’s strong but sweet. Just like him, one might think.

“Oh wow, this is strong, Shua” you tell him

“You trying to get my girl drunk?” Jeonghan adds, smiling at his friend

“She deserves to have some fun. She worked hard for this party to

happen”

“Ya, she’s mine. Only I get to spoil her”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Hani. Since when are you jealous?” Joshua says, laughing

Jeonghan nods, knowing he’s not the jealous type. He never was. In fact, he enjoys when others admire what’s his.

He doesn’t mind when Joshua gets so wasted that he ends up crashing on the couch. He doesn’t mind when he walks around our shared apartment in just sweatpants. He doesn’t mind when you fall asleep with your head on Shua’s shoulder whenever you watch a movie.

He didn’t mind when Joshua walked in on you when he was buried deep inside your cunt. He didn’t mind when you were dared to kiss the most attractive guy in the room, other than your boyfriend.

He actually got turned on by that. And that’s how the little teasing began.

After a few hours of socializing with your friends, it started to get late and some of them decided to get going.

“Want me to drop you off, Shua? I called an uber” Mingyu asks

“No, Joshuji sleeps here tonight” Jeonghan replied so fast, that Joshua didn’t even have time to think about it

“Oh, I guess I’m staying”

After cleaning up the apartment, you went to take a shower then got into bed, waiting for Jeonghan to join you soon.

Took him a good 30 minutes to jump into bed beside you, laying on his back with a sight.

“Today drained me. Did you have fun?” he asks

You get closer to him, lifting your leg over his torso, leaning to kiss him “Yeah, but could have more fun right now”

He kisses you back, letting a little moan slip him. You grab his cock, moving it slowly to get it hard, but he stops your hand.

“I’m sorry, but I am exhausted. I’m afraid I can’t be of use tonight”

“You don’t have to do anything, just lay there. I’ll do everything” you whisper into his ear, sucking on it

“I don’t think I can even get hard, I’ve had a few drinks too much”

You whine, kissing his neck “But I need you. I’m so worked up, I’m going crazy. I wanted you all day and was so hard not to drag you into the bedroom and ride you”

“You want it so bad?”

“Yes, Hani, please”

He starts kissing you again, harder this time, one hand grabbing your ass, squeezing it. Fingers traveling between your legs, moving your panties to the side and rubbing between your soaked folds.

“My girl wants her little pussy stuffed?”

“Mmmn fuck yes”

He pushes one finger inside your pussy, fucking into you slow.

“I need more, Hani. Need your cock”

“What will we do, baby? I am in no condition to fuck you like you want”

“Please, just…”

“But I know how to get this pussy filled. You want to know?”

You nod eagerly

“I think I should call Shua and he can fuck you. He will help me with this problem, don’t you think?”

You stop from kissing him, eyes going wide “What?”

“Oh, don’t act like you don’t want it”

“Hani, what are you saying?”

“I am saying you’re horny, I can’t fuck you, and Shua is right behind that door”

“You’re insane. He’s your best friend”

“Exactly. He’s my best friend and only he’s allowed to fuck my girl. So what do you say?”

“I don’t know what to say. Is this a prank?”

“No, I just want you to get what you want. I promise. I have been thinking a lot about it”

“Really?”

“Yes. Haven’t you?”

“I…yes, I have”

Then he kissed you again, adding another finger into your pussy, fucking you harder

“This could be Shua’s cock, fucking you. Just say the word”

“Yes”

“Yes, what? You want his cock?”

“Yes, yes. I want his cock”

He gets his phone and sends a text then continues fingering and kissing you. One minute later, Joshua opens the door

“Han, why did you call me over if you guys are fucking? Idiot”

Joshua tries to close the door but Jeonghan shouts “Don’t go! Come in”

“Are you seriously asking me that?”

Then you list your head and turn your face to look at Joshua “Please, Shua. Stay”

He doesn’t know what to do. He feels so conflicted right now. He wants to come in, but is it the right thing to do? How would this affect your friendship? There’s no turning back from this.

But seeing your face so filled with lust, made him step inside and close the door after him. He saw you like this  before, many times, but every time he ended up alone in the bathroom, fisting his cock.

But now? Now you’re asking him to join and he feels like he’s about to explode in his pants just by this alone.

His steps are small, his heart beats increasing. He’s looking at Jeonghan’s fingers disappearing into your wet pussy, your little moans so seductive. His cock gets hard instantly.

“Joshuji, my girl needs to get fucked and since I am too tired to do it, I thought you might help. Want to help a friend?”

He gulps and nods. He tried to form words, but nothing comes out.

He takes his t shirt off and lays behind you in bed. You’re right there, your tiny top barely covering anything and you’re panties on the side, exposing everything.

“Don’t be shy, do what you want” Jeonghan tells him, looking at him over your shoulder

One hand goes to your waist, moving under your top, reaching your tits. He swallows hard and grabs them, playing with the nipples. He drags himself closer to your body.

You can feel his rock hard cock now, rubbing into you. His lips start kissing your neck and shoulder, leaving wet trails. This gets you moaning louder.

“Is this what you wanted, baby? You wanted Shua to touch you like this?”

You just nod, can’t speak. It’s all too much, you can’t believe this is happening.

Jeonghan stops with his ministrations and leans back, enjoying the show “She’s all yours now. Her safe word is orange”

Joshua’s hand goes now inside your panties, cupping your pussy, feeling how wet you were already. His other hand went under you to grab your tits.

You turned your face to catch his plump lips into a deep kiss. Jeonghan was smirking.

His fingers start moving over your clit, slow circling strokes that drive you closer to the edge.

“Tell me what you want” his voice sounds so sexy like this, breathy and deep

“Fuck me, Shua. I’ll die if you don’t”

His boxers are off in seconds, hearing how much you need him. He’s pulling you impossibly closer into him, your back flush to his chest, one hand guiding his cock to your entrance.

He pushes slowly into you, taking the air out of your lungs. It’s like you’ve been hit by a truck. He feels so big and so good. You manage to moan his name between whimpers and that reminds you that your boyfriend is there.

Your face turns to him as Joshua still pushes slowly all the way in. You find Jeonghan fisting his cock, mouth open, lazy eyes on where his best friend’s cock enters his girlfriend’s cunt. He’s gone.

Then you feel Joshua dragging his cock in and out of you, making you feel like you’re floating on a cloud “You like when I take you in front of your boyfriend?”

“Mmmnnnyesss”

“I’ve always wanted to do this, always wondered how you feel”

As Joshua fucks you in his strong grip, you can barely think, not to mention speak. But you look at your boyfriend with teary eyes and you watch how he drags his hand up and down his hard cock.

Your mouth drools at the sight and you need to touch him, so you lift your hand and wrap your hand around his shaft, starting to stroke him as he says “That’s my good girl”

Joshua fucks you so good that you’re close to cum, so close “Cum on my cock, baby, need to feel it”

That does it for you, your body shaking uncontrollably, pussy clenching around him, trying to milk him dry. Jeonghan grabs your chin to lift it toward him, so you can look into his eyes while you’re getting wrecked on his friend’s cock.

“So fucking hot. You’ve never looks sexier” then Jeonghan leans into you to kiss you desperately “Turn around, baby”.

You turn around, Joshua getting his cock back inside your needy cunt, searching for his own release. Then you feel your boyfriend shift behind you and now he’s right next to you, one hand on your hip, helping you move on Shua’s cock.

“That’s it, pretty girl. Take Shua’s cock, all of it.” You think you’ve never saw Jeonghan so turned on, but you’ll do anything to see him like this again.

He leans close to your ear to whisper “You think you can take both of us? Think you can take me in your tight ass?”

Your weak voice finally came after you registered that you’re going to be filled by both at the same time “Y…yeess”

Jeonghan grabbed lube from the nightstand and put some on his fingers, then rubbed them on your tight ass hole. You’ve done anal with him before, but never had your holes used at the same time.

One of his fingers goes inside, letting you get used to the feeling. His mouth starts to kiss your neck, whispering pure filth into your ear. This, combined with Joshua fucking you, made you cum again, this time harder.

“You made a mess on my cock, I love it. Can’t wait to spill into your sweet pussy”

Jeonghan pushes two fingers into your ass, hurrying his pace. He cannot wait any longer, he feels like his head will explode if he doesn’t fuck you right now.

Pulling his fingers out, he puts plenty of lube on his cock, rubbing it’s head on your hole slowly “You want it?” his hand comes to grab your throat, squeezing lightly, making your brain mush.

“Yes, Hani. Give it to me”

He locks eyes with Joshua and pushes in, biting his lower lip. Both of them feel how tight it all becomes. You try your best not to cum right now, because you want to let Jeonghan push it all the way in.

All 3 of you moan and whimper uncontrollably and you don’t know what to do with yourself anymore. The pleasure if too big. They feel so big stretching your holes so good.

Now they both fuck into you, harder and deeper. You’ve never felt this full and you never want to go back to whatever you felt before.

“Take it, baby! Take all we give you” your boyfriend moans into your hair

“Come on, Shua, fill my girlfriend up. Cum inside her tight cunt. Give her what she craves. She’s been wanting it since forever”

Of course, Joshua won’t pass and opportunity like this. He might never get to feel your pussy on his cock again, so he spills inside you. You feel it and it triggers your own orgasm.

“Don’t you dare stop, Shuji. Fuck your cum back inside her. Don’t let it run out”

Joshua keeps fucking into you deep, and the image of it drives him insane. Jeonghan cums too, with a loud groan, his fingers squeezing hard into the flesh of your hip.

You feel so filthy, and cannot believe what just happened. They hold you close, laying like that, still inside you, until they get soft and feel the cum spilling out of you.

Jeonghan gets up to look at the masterpiece on his bed “Perfection. I have many more ideas though”

You see Joshua rolling his eyes at what his friend just said, and you just know it was all planned by your sweet/evil boyfriend. You did not expect him to be such a menace.

[hyunsuks-beanie]

This is All Yoon Jeonghan's Fault

Pairing: Jeonghan x idol! afab! reader

Content Warnings: Smut; jealous sex; hard dom Jeonghan; sadism; slight hints of masochism; fingering; cunnilingus; masturbation nipple play; bondage; use of neckties, handcuffs; whips and vibrators; edging; overstimulation; unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it!); use of pet names (Princess, Doll)

Word Count: 6658 words (the exact count matters, trust me)

Mellow speaks: Soooooo we're finally here and I'm screaming right now!!! This is my first ever actual collab and that too with my lovely Lemon!!! And I kid you not, this really is all Yoon Jeonghan's fault, because we're not holding back today. Also, I'm so pissed rb bc this was scheduled for 4 PM est but Dumblr ate my post up I hate it here.

Tagging: @sweethyuka @yedamology @enhacolor @axartia @hyunsuksmygod  @duolingofanaccount @zurimochi 

Oh and yeah, here's the reason why it's all Yoon Jeonghan's fault.

Go read the first half on (@shhhhhimthinking) Lemon's account first, because we wanna be menaces today *insert evil smirk*

off his pants.

“Explain yourself. Maybe if I like your excuse I’ll go easier on you.”

He trailed the cold metal of his belt buckle across your perked nipple and you shivered from the sensation.

You looked up at him with lustful eyes as you took in the man before you. You had never seen him like this before and seeing him like this now excited you to no end. Did you even want him to go easier?  No. You wanted everything he could give you. Jeonghan watched the way your beautiful eyes lit up with amusement as you seemed to be choosing your words carefully. You didn’t seem in the least bit remorseful, in fact you looked proud, almost a bit too much for his taste. 

“I wanted you to feel so jealous but not be able to do anything about it. I wanted you to want me so badly but not be able to do anything but sit in your chair just watching. I wanted to know that while he was dancing with me you were sitting there burning with desire. The desire to claim me back. I want you to want me.”

Jeonghan gazed at you as he took in all that you said. He leaned into you until his warm breath tickled your ear.

“Then you're not going to leave this bed until you are completely filled with me. Until I’ve made sure you know just how much I want you.”

He sat back up.

“No one can have what’s mine.” He said as he got off the bed and walked out of the room.

The cold air mixed with his worlds and danced across your skin sending shivers through your body. You wondered what he was doing but you didn’t have to guess for long as he walked back in with something red in his hand. You couldn’t get a clear view of it but as he walked closer it suddenly dawned on you.

“Where’d you get that?” You exclaimed. You wiggled in your restraints, trying to get a better view.

“When I couldn’t find you in your room I took something else instead.” He said casually as he laid it gently on the bed before taking off his vest and then his shirt. He picked up the switch and walked over to you with slow seductive steps. 

He held your prop above you as he let the cold tassel trail across your skin. 

“If you would’ve told me that you like things like this we could’ve gotten one sooner.” He said as he trailed the switch slowly over your clothed core that craved more attention all the way to your perked breasts.

You whimpered and squirmed as he tickled your skin with his teasing. He gave your sensitive nipple a light whip earning a breathy moan from you. But breathy wasn't the way he liked your moans, deciding to turn it into a louder whine as his lips soon got wrapped around the exact spot he had teased a moment ago, the warm feeling of his saliva on your bud making shivers run down your spine. 

Sucking on your breast just a little before pulling away, Jeonghan had wasted no time in making the leather further down your body, your right thigh being met with a delicious sound as a red mark bloomed in the whip's wake. He was barely doing anything, and yet, you couldn't help but find yourself on the edge already, wanting him to take you just then. 

And your desperation was not lost on your boyfriend as a lazy smirk had made his lips curl up, his fingers dancing along your bare torso while he decided to test you a little more. You deserved it after all, or so he told himself as he had said, "I hope you're enjoying the…..arrangement I've got in place for you." 

The words were hard enough to comprehend in your inebriated state, drunk on lust and begging to be ruined, but any hopes of coming up with a reply were crushed the second you felt a sharp tip coming in contact with your your clothed heat, a sweet pain that almost made you release into your panties. He had you under his spell, and despite having pretended to be the one in control earlier, you found yourself thanking him for being rude.

You were writhing under your bindings, silently pleading for him to give you more already, but no matter how hard you tried, you knew it was going to be useless until he wanted to give it to you. Jeonghan was going to tease you until you were crying, and he was going to make you whimper and beg. That was the thought you had in mind when you found yourself being pulled out of it at the sudden pressure being applied to your still sensitive core, the tie around your wrists coming undone to reveal soft red marks.

"Tsk," Jeonghan had mused, making you open your eyes only to see his hand right against your crotch, the wetness coating his digits through the lace of your underwear, "Need to use something more…..resistant, don'tcha think?" 

And with that, the feeling was gone, leaving you whining at the loss of contact when he pulled away from you entirely, chuckling just a little as he sauntered over to the wardrobe. 

You were losing it, but it still wasn't enough to make you not frown your brows as you watched him, taking his time opening the drawers and rummaging through them. "What's he doing?" you thought to yourself, but before you could put that thought into words, he was looking back at you, his smirk even more sinister as your eyes landed on the small, shiny black object he held in one hand, and the deep red object that dangled from the fingers of the other. 

The sight knocked the breath out of you, your toes curling and uncurling as he walked back over, turning the vibrator on. You wanted to ask him where he got all that stuff from, but yet again, your boyfriend beat you to it. 

"Been saving them for the right occasion," was all he said, reaching over to catch your wrists in another binding, this time much harder and more steadfast than the first.

As the black cuffs made their way to the bedpost with your hands in their clasp, you couldn't help but gaze up at his form, his chest peeking out from under the top two buttons that had been opened. The tugging on your wrists felt cold and foreign, the metal cutting into your skin as you found yourself struggling against it too. 

All this while the toy was lying next to your thigh, the vibrations coursing through it gave your leg a preview of what was to come. The wait, of course, wasn't too long, Jeonghan's hums dispersing the silence as he made quick work of your panties, your soaking pussy fully exposed to the cold air as you attempted to press your thighs together. 

But he wasn't having it, his hand pushing them apart once more as he smacked his lips, feeling his mouth water at the mere sight. "Delicious, he whispered, smirking as he watched you drip, "You just can't get enough of me, huh?" And he knew he wasn't wrong, because no matter how bold you tried to be, you were still putty in his hands. So he was going to use it to his advantage, wasting not one moment in shoving the vibrator deep through your folds, a loud moan slipping past your lips at the impact that had you reeling. 

It was all a blur of moans and whines for a few tense minutes after that, your body thrashing over the bedsheets as you called for him to let you  finish already, failing to make him relent in the slightest, all while his fingers added pressure where the toy couldn't, rubbing against your clit.

"Enjoying ourselves, are we?," he chuckled darkly, relishing in the way your walls clenched around the tip of the toy. 

Before you knew it, you were on edge, your body convulsing under the waves of pleasure that he was making you feel. As the vibrations traveled deep into your entire being, you could feel yourself giving in to the force of your impending orgasm. You were already sensitive from the teasing and the previous orgasm that came with it’s fare share of overstimulation earlier, so it wasn't a surprise that you soon were almost near the edge, ready to fall off.

And then, the pleasure was gone for the second time, leaving you groaning in agony as you flailed your legs and struggled against your cuffs, while sinister laughter filled the room. Your climax was receding away at an alarming rate, until it wasn't, ripples of sweet pain racking through your body as the tip was inside you once more, deeper than ever. 

Less than a minute was all it took for you to finally reach your high, your juices spilling out of you and almost making you lose consciousness from how amazing it felt. 

Your breathing heavy and your chest heaving, you opened your eyes after what felt like centuries, only to realize that your boyfriend wasn't next to you any longer. Instead, he was standing at the foot of the bed, naked to the bone as his hand pumped his member. 

"Gave me a good show," he smirked, the word "Sweetheart" rolling off his tongue in a way that made your skin crawl, but in a good way. "Guess you do deserve a prize." 

He reached over and unlocked your hands from the bed.

His words and actions caused you to let out a soft sigh, your lips curling into a gentle smile as your foggy mind believed his misleading words. But as he climbed onto the bed and hovered over your form, cuffing your hands to each other, you realized that wasn't what he had in mind.

The very next moment, he confirmed your suspicions, his balls hitting you right in the pelvis as he thrust his cock hilt-deep inside you. He was relentless from the get-go, his hips rocking against your own as he made your walls clench around his girth. "Tell. Me. Who. Got. You. This. Tight. Huh?," he asked with each thrust, taunting you while grunts and groans emanated from the depths of his chest. 

"You're. Fucking. Mine," he didn't stop, his moans mixing with yours as your body latched onto his for dear life. He had already driven you past the point of insanity, that had been his plan since the beginning. Before you could stop yourself, you were releasing your pent-up frustration all over his member, your constricted hands hooked around his neck and your nails dug into his back as you rode out your high.

You were spent already, but Jeonghan showed no signs of stopping or even wanting to stop, his groans only growing louder as he continued to pump in and out of you, chasing his own orgasm. He was feral in that moment, almost animalistic as he kept up the pace, never one to slow down. You were crying by now, tears streaming down your cheeks while he kept up his assault on your aching core, pinning you to the mattress. 

It was only a matter of minutes before you felt a familiar knot in the pit of your stomach and another wave of pleasure washing over your being. You found your toes curling, the lustrous sensation breaking through you in ripples and pulses causing your eyes to screw shut, the bedsheets getting soaked with you yet again. This time, it was enough to make Jeonghan cum too, his seed filling you up to the brim.

It had you moaning like nothing else, the thought of him breeding, the feeling of him overflowing in your pulsing core sending you into a frenzy. 

"That's right, take all of me, let me remind you who owns you," Jeonghan grunted as he continued to grind into you, meeting you halfway for the third time that night, which you were sure would also be your last. He was still going at full-speed, bent on completely obliterating your insides as he thrusted even harder, your sweet spot crying tears of joy and pain and threatening to come undone in a way it never had before, the knot in your stomach close to bursting to pieces. 

"Gonna nail it into your head," he grunted against your ear, biting down on your shell as his moves never stopped, "Gonna teach you never to mess with me again." You were in bliss by now, completely ignorant to everything else except the feeling of his dick filling your insides, showing you stars. Everything was a blur, from your sense of time to the knowledge of your whereabouts. It was only him, sending your mind dancing as he continued to hit that sweet spot inside you, over and over. 

It felt like an instant, and at the same time, it was an eternity, your insides twisting and churning as you found your release, this time harder than the previous three, the whole ordeal making your body shake and convulse. He wasn't done though, still keeping at ramming into your clit for heaven knows how long, till he reached his climax, his cum and yours now soiling the mattress, his seed firmly inside your hole as he collapsed on top of your chest in exhaustion.

Your chests pressed against each other as your hearts pounded to the very rhythm of your sinful night. You felt his breathing slowing against your hot skin, the feeling of sweat moistening your bodies. He propped himself up with one arm and used his other hand to caress your tired face. 

“Baby?” He called for you gently, the fire in his voice now washed away with the pent up frustration he had released. He was back to being the soft Jeonghan you knew and loved, showing you that one side of him that he reserves only for you. 

You were so spent, all you could do was hum a weak response. The aftershock of your orgasms sent a soft shiver through your body that drew Jeonghan's attention to your arms that were still bonded by the cuffs. When he slowly lifted himself and pulled out, you found yourself groaning not only at the sensation in your swollen pussy but also at the feeling of his precious cum seeping out of your body. 

He tenderly undid you cuffs from around your wrist, softly rubbing the red marks that were left. 

“Does it hurt baby?” He cooed at you as he slowly helped you sit up and put your back against the headboard, mindful of your pained expressions and your soft hisses. 

As he did, he watched with concern as your face scrunched at the feeling of your sore body moving.

“Was I too rough?” He asked, his voice now coated in panic as he held your hand and softly stroked the mark on your wrist.

You shook your head no, a smile blooming on your exhausted face. 

“You were everything I wanted and everything I didn’t know I needed.”

His face also relaxed as he saw your expression.

“Do you want to take a bath?” Jeonghan softly whispered to you as if he was afraid to startle you out of your calm.

“Yes please.” You said as excitedly as you could manage with your depleted energy. 

He quickly hopped up from the bed and made his way to the bathroom. You felt yourself drifting in and out of sleep for a few minutes while he got everything ready. Then you felt Jeonghan gently slide his arm under yours and you opened your eyes to see him smiling at you warmly. 

“Let’s get you in the bath.” He said affectionately as he helped you towards the bathroom.

You gingerly slid into the water that was the perfect temperature and smelled of your favorite soothing bath salts. 

He got up to leave and your face did its signature pout. "Won't you join me?," you asked, your voice hopeful as you thought about cuddling him in the bath. 

“I’m just going to go change the sheets.” He chuckled, giving a loving boop of your nose. “After all, we made quite the mess.”

His last comment left you blushing as you had no choice but to recount the night. He gave another chuckle at your cuteness before hurrying off to finish his task. You found yourself drifting off again, only barely registering his body when it slid into the water behind you. You instinctively leaned back into him and he took a washcloth to help you wash up. You felt him tenderly dabbing the marks that were left on your skin as he softly asked you once again if they hurt but all you could say was no. They didn’t hurt, not like that, they were simply temporary memories of a very eventful night. 

You took the moment to take a few healing breaths. You were too tired to speak anymore and he understood completely. You continued to relax as the sound of him softly humming set the mood for the rest of the night into a peaceful one.

After you were all soaked out, he helped you stand up before letting the water out and holding you against him while you both quickly rinsed off in the shower. Jeonghan wrapped a towel around you and led you back to your bed that now had fresh crisp sheets on them and your favorite bottle of lightly scented moisturizer that always helped you relax. 

He took the towel from around you softly laughing at the way you instantly began to shiver before helping you lotion your sore body. You could never be too sure he didn’t have ulterior motives but the way his hands caressed and massaged your tired skin was therapeutic and calming so you didn’t care to ask, instead you lost yourself in his gentle touch. When you couldn’t bear to stand anymore, you leaned against his chest and whimpered to let him know just how exhausted you were. 

“Alright alright.” He said with a chuckle. “I’m almost done love.” 

Jeonghan quickly finished, made sure you were both moisturized and then held up the covers for you as he guided you into bed. You let out a slightly dramatic sigh of relief at being able to finally rest your aching body and Jeonghan smiled at you fondly. He put the lotion back in the bathroom and turned off all the lights. When he came back you had the covers lifted and ready for him as your warm body and sugary smile welcomed him. He climbed in and snuggled into you, wrapping his arms around you and laying on your breast which he saw as his own personal pillow. You used delicate fingers to rub his back, wanting to give him back some love as you attempted to sooth the scratches that you left.

“Does it hurt?,” You softly asked him.

“No, not at all," came his reply, nonchalant as ever. “Anyway you know what they say… all is fun in sex and foreplay.”

His ridiculous comment pulled a full laugh from your lethargic body and he proudly laughed along with you.

“You’re such a doofus.” You said still laughing as you playfully slapped his arm. 

“I love you.” 

With your last sentence you felt yourself swiftly drifting away into dreamland.

“I love you more.” Jeonghan said, pulling you closer to him.

The distant hum of the washing machine and the whisper-like sounds of your and Jeonghan's gentle breaths were the ending melodies of your ever eventful night. Just like that, the two of you were lulled into your most rewarding slumber, peaceful dreams begetting content smiles as you two lovebirds snuggled even closer.

[minisugakoobies]

two am | yjh

Pairing: Jeonghan x GNReader (afab)

Genre: smut, angst, porn with the barest of plot, exes to lovers, non-idol!AU

Rating: M (18+)

Warnings: late night texting, excessive use of the pet name 'baby,' fighting as foreplay, dirty talk, multiple references to reader's pussy, implied/referenced cheating, references to oral sex (reader receiving), slight exhibitionism, riding/grinding, nipple play (licking/biting/sucking), p in v protected sex, Jeonghan is bad for reader but they can't stay away

Word Count: 1.6k

Disclaimers: NSFW, obviously I don’t own SVT - they just inspire me

Summary: It's two am and your ex is texting you again.

Text Prompts: Both are in italicized pink font in the story.

A/N: I'm back with another installment in my SVT texts series. This one is dedicated to @minttangerines. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCE!! 🎉🎉 I brought you some toxic Jeonghan, hope you like him. 💜 Thank you for being such an amazing friend, tour guide, driver, and partner in crime. 😘

Soundtrack: 2AM by SZA; Sleazy Bed Track by the Bluetones

Unbeta’d as usual. If you like this, please let me know! I’d love to hear what you think (but please be kind I’m fragile 🥺) 💕

SVT Masterlist 💜 Main Masterlist

It’s nearly two in the morning when the warning pops up on your phone:

Cover your phone, explicit material coming your way

You barely have the time to excuse yourself from the table, heading in a panic towards the bathroom, before the next text from your ex arrives.

Jeonghan never includes his full face in his photos. It’s always just that maddening smirk of his, catching your eye first before it’s drawn down to the main focus - thin fingers wrapped around an obscene bulge, a darkened tip poking above the waistband of his boxers. 

You lock yourself in a stall and fire back.

You: You have to stop sending me these photos

Satan: That’s a rude way to say thank you

You: I’m serious, Jeonghan. We’re done

He doesn’t reply. You know better than to think he’s accepted your response. He’s refused to accept it for the last three months. 

Your phone chimes. Another photo. The boxers have been pulled down. You bite your lip, then catch yourself, snarling at your reflection on your screen.

You: I said stop!

Satan: That’s what you say now, but we both know that’s not what you’ll be saying later

You: There won’t be a later

You: Not this time

Satan: Really? You gonna tell me you don’t miss this cock?

Satan: That your pussy’s not already dripping imagining it inside you?

It’s the anger his words stir in you that’s making your pulse pound right now, you tell yourself.

You almost believe it. 

Satan: Come over, baby. Wanna make a mess of you like I did last time

You: Not. Happening.

Satan: You out with your friends again tonight? 

Of course he knows where you are. You’ve been going out with your friends every week since the breakup. Tonight’s the first night in a while that you’re sober, not in the mood to drink. This conversation is making you regret that. 

You: What does it matter if I am?

Satan: It’s almost closing time. Think you can find someone to take home?

Satan: Someone to make you forget about me? About how I fuck you?

Satan: You know no one can make you cum like me

To think his confidence is what once drew you to him. Now it repulses you, almost as much as your thighs suddenly clenching together does. 

You: You’re unreal

Satan: That’s right

You: That’s not a compliment

Satan: I know what you want

You: What I want is for you to fuck off forever

Satan: Baby please. Don’t pretend you don’t enjoy this

Satan: You can block me anytime you want. But you don’t

Satan: Why do you think that is?

You could answer him. Argue for a while, like you always do. Like you always did. It was the thing that the two of you did best - second only to fucking. You scroll upthread, looking at the last time you fought, reminding yourself how it ended:

Satan: Don’t tell me what to do

You: Eat me out

Satan: Okay tell me what to do

It’s not in your phone what happened next, but it’s seared into your memory, replaying behind your eyelids - lying on Jeonghan’s bed, legs splayed while he puts his wicked mouth to its best use. 

But you also remember the come down. The anger at your weakness. The shame. Knowing nothing has changed. That he hasn’t changed.  

You keep scrolling back, seeing the same thing over and over, watching the pattern repeat. You could stop it right now - end the conversation, delete him from your phone, and go rejoin your friends. That would be the smart thing to do. 

Satan: It’s okay, baby, you don’t have to admit it

Satan: Just come over and show me

If only you were smart.

“Mmmphm!”

The hem of your shirt makes a terrible gag, doing nothing to keep your volume down. Jeonghan’s head snaps up, gaze torn away from where he was watching himself disappear into you.

“Quiet, baby. Do you want them to hear you?” 

The “them” in question are his roommates, Joshua and Seungcheol, who are both sleeping on the other sides of the walls. Jeonghan would be sleeping in one of those bedrooms, too, if he wasn’t out here fucking you on the couch. Or, rather, sitting back and looking smug while you ride him on the couch. 

He knows you don’t want anyone to hear you, so you don’t bother to answer him, just glare while stuffing more of the already spit-soaked material into your mouth. His roommates would judge you for being here. Just like your friends did earlier, when you told them you were leaving. You said you were tired, but they’ve noticed your pattern too. And they’ve stopped trying to get you to break it, unwilling to expend their energy on such an impossible task. 

That’s fine. You don’t need to drag anyone else down to the bottom with you.

Jeonghan runs his fingertips over the exposed skin of your stomach, chuckling when you shiver. 

“Always so sensitive,” he tuts, shaking his head. 

He cups your breasts with his warm hands, pushing your shirt up further until the chilly night air hits your nipples, then bends his head down enough to lightly graze one with his teeth. You gasp, nearly dropping your impromptu gag, and Jeonghan pauses with his lips near your other tit, looking up at you, saying nothing, but his eyes communicate so clearly what he’s thinking - Be good, baby. 

If your relationship was a song, that was his refrain:

Be good, baby, I have to work late this weekend.

Be good, baby, I’m going out for drinks with some coworkers.

Baby, she’s just a friend. Don’t worry. Be good for me.

Despite everything, a part of you still yearns to be good for him. So you bite down harder. 

Jeonghan hums in approval. His mouth latches onto your other nipple, sucking lewdly, not much quieter than your whining has been. Hypocrite. You close your eyes, trying to shut out your loud as fuck thoughts and focus on the wet warmth of his tongue as it laves over and around your nipple a few times, in broad, messy strokes.

You arch into him, lacing your fingers through his hair to try to hold him in place. But like always, he can’t be tamed, lifting his head to smirk at you. You whimper, and he smiles harder, arms wrapping around your waist, pulling you to his hungry mouth. You eagerly lean forward as your shirt falls from your jaw. 

Jeonghan’s kisses overwhelm your senses until you’re drowning in him. His tongue glides like honey, thick and slow, melting over yours, and you groan, grinding on him slowly.

This is what you needed. Even after all that went down, all the lies, all the tears, you still crave him, body and soul. If this is the only way that you can have him, this two a.m. interlude, then you’ll take every second you can, ignoring the little voice whispering that you’ll regret them all.

“That’s it, just like that.” Jeonghan looks down again, mesmerized by the smooth roll of your hips. His fingers sink into the flesh of your ass, hard enough that you know you’ll still feel his touch tomorrow. “Fuck yes, baby, ride it.” 

He guides you up and down his shaft, the wet sounds of your cunt sliding over him embarrassingly loud in the still room, and you let him control the pace, all your concentration on his lips - kissing them, nibbling them, sucking on them one by one. Trying desperately to get your fill of them, of him, because this is it. This is the last time. You swear it. 

Maybe this time, it will stick.

Jeonghan’s thumb rolls over your clit, making you gasp into his mouth. He does it again, and again, and just like that you’re falling apart, body singing electric as he lights up your nervous system with his touch. He keeps thrusting up into you, taking control again as you tremble above him, and you know he’s reaching his crest, the familiar signs too obvious to miss. He drops his head, muttering an endless stream of ‘fuck’s and ‘baby’s in that choked voice of his, and then his hands lock your hips in place, as deep as he can get as he fills the condom he wears.

It’s always intense, this moment, when it comes. The two of you, breathing heavy and spent, clinging to each other as you ride out the waves, like you’re hanging on for dear life. Or maybe that’s just you. Because you know that once the high is gone…

“Knew this pussy missed me.”

…the lows return.

Jeonghan laughs when you push yourself off his chest. He pinches your ass cheek for good measure, and you scowl, scrambling to climb out of his lap as quickly as you can, which is pretty difficult given your loose limbs. 

“Don’t say that.” 

Jeonghan watches with simmering amusement as you dress hastily, fumbling with your bra to the point that you nearly decide to leave it. “But it’s true.” 

“No, it’s not, and besides, it’s fucking gross when you talk like that. Like I’m not a person or something.” 

“Whatever.” He’s already losing interest, reaching for his phone. No need to argue anymore. He got his. 

You can’t get your clothes on fast enough. “Stop sending me photos. Don’t text me again.” 

You might as well be talking to the couch. He hums mechanically, scrolling away. “Lock the door on your way out.”

In the elevator, your finger hovers in its usual spot over the delete button. 

A chime. Jeonghan’s mouth, tongue extending between the peace sign he’s flashing, followed by four words: Sweet dreams, baby. 

You slip your phone back into your pocket as you descend.

NOTE: There is a now a sequel - three am!

If you liked this fic, please consider reblogging! Likes do not help it get seen by other readers. 💕

© 2024 by minisugakoobies. Crossposted to AO3. Please do not copy or repost. I do not allow translations of my work.

[wonwunss]

–ᝰ.ᐟ✮ When Jeonghan panics and lies to his family about being in a long-term relationship, he only knows one person reckless enough to go along with it: you, his grumpy new neighbor who barely tolerates him. Now, you’re stuck on a weekend family trip, pretending to be the doting girlfriend of a man who once labeled his oat milk with a death threat.

The problem? You’re too good at pretending.

From shared rooms to fake backstories, suspicious siblings and lingering touches, the line between fake and real starts to blur… and neither of you are ready for what that means.

pairing: jeonghan x f!reader

genre: fake dating, enemies to lovers (but like.. flirty enemies), forced proximity, one bed, mutual pining (slow burn edition), romance, domestic fluff in disguise, idiots in love—literally

word count: 2.1k

a/n: my other jeonghan fic did so well, my shayla 😪😭so here’s another teasing jeonghan (maybe teasing jeonghan is up you guys alley🤪😛) anywaysss leaving it with a cliffhanger ending whilst i know what happens next 😈😈

“You’re kidding,” you said flatly.

Across the passenger seat of the very full, very overpacked family van, Yoon Jeonghan had the audacity to grin like this was all part of some grand master plan.

“Look, I didn’t think they’d actually ask to meet you, okay? It was just—my mom was getting nosy, and I panicked.”

“So your first instinct was to lie about having a girlfriend?”

“Not a lie,” he said, far too casual. “A preemptive relationship announcement.”

You scoffed. “With who?”

“Well, you live across the hall, and we already bicker like a married couple.”

“Because you steal my laundry slots and label your milk passive-aggressively!”

“And yet,” he said, adjusting his sunglasses with flair, “here you are, coming on a weekend family trip to save my ass.”

You glared at him. “Only because you bribed me with three months’ worth of your mailroom favors and cleaning up after your nightmare cat.”

“She’s not a nightmare. She’s emotionally complex.”

“She bit me.”

“Love bite.”

You opened your mouth to argue but were interrupted by his mom in the front seat turning back to you, beaming. “We’re so happy you could come, sweetheart! You’ve been dating our Jeonghan for over a year and we’ve never met you! Can you believe it?”

You smiled, the tight, polite kind. “Yeah. Time really flies when you’re in… love.”

Jeonghan tried not to laugh beside you. You jabbed your elbow into his side.

The cabin was cute.

Cozy.

Charming.

And had one bed.

You stood in the doorway, staring at the neatly made queen-size mattress that absolutely screamed “good luck, suckers.”

“Absolutely not,” you said.

“What?” Jeonghan walked in behind you, setting his duffel down with a dramatic sigh. “They think we’re together. Do you want to blow the whole thing up now?”

You turned to him. “Then you sleep on the floor.”

He blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. You got us into this mess. I’m not sleeping on the damn floor.”

He raised a brow, arms crossing. “Do I look like someone who can survive a hardwood situation? I’m delicate.”

You pointed at the floor. “Delicate your way down there.”

But he just grinned, the kind that was all cheek and absolutely no remorse. He spread his arms wide like he was announcing a magic trick.

“It’s an adventure, darling.”

You rolled your eyes. “Congrats. In this adventure, you’re sleeping on the floor.”

The cabin creaked in the dark. Somewhere in the distance, a cricket chirped like it had a personal vendetta against your ears. The faint hum of Jeonghan’s mom watching a late-night drama drifted through the walls, barely audible.

And then—just loud enough to drive you insane—

Rustle.

Rustle.

You groaned. “Are you trying to be loud?”

Across the room, from the sad little nest of blankets and throw pillows he’d dramatically built on the floor, Jeonghan’s voice floated back at you.

“I’m adjusting my spine for optimal survival. You know, since I’ve been banished from the comfort of the bed.”

“You’re lucky you’re still breathing.”

“You’re lucky I have impeccable restraint,” he muttered.

You turned onto your side, scowling into the darkness. “You’re so dramatic.”

“I was forced to fake-date my neighbor because of a single panic lie. Forgive me for needing to emotionally process.”

You scoffed. “You’re not processing. You’re fishing.”

“…Did it work?”

“No.”

He exhaled a laugh, low and lazy. Then it was quiet again. For a moment, you thought maybe he’d finally fallen asleep.

Until—

“You… really didn’t have to say yes, you know.”

You blinked at the ceiling.

“I know.”

“I just mean…” His voice was softer now. “You didn’t owe me anything. Especially after the whole… hallway coffee incident.”

You bit back a smile. He remembers the coffee incident?

“You mean when you bumped into me, spilled hot latte all over my skirt, and then had the audacity to ask if I had a towel?”

“I panicked,” he mumbled. “Also, I still stand by the fact that the hallway is too narrow.”

“It’s a normal hallway, Jeonghan. You just have zero spacial awareness.”

Another laugh. This one sounded real.

Silence again.

Then, gently—

“…I didn’t expect you to help me.”

You didn’t answer right away.

Then: “I didn’t expect you to say ‘please.’”

He was quiet for a long moment. Long enough that you thought he might be asleep.

And then— “…Can I ask something?”

You turned to face his direction, even though you couldn’t see him. “What?”

His voice was small, almost teasing. “On a scale of one to ten… how convincing do you think we are as a couple?”

You hesitated. “…like… six.”

“SIX?” he cried in a whisper. “That’s barely passing!”

You grinned. “Maybe if you didn’t look so smug every time I touch your arm.”

“I do not— okay, fine, but you laughed when I kissed your cheek earlier!”

“You missed! You kissed my ear!”

A beat.

“…Right. Yeah. Six. Fair.”

And then—quiet laughter.

Yours.

Then his.

And before either of you knew it, the silence that followed didn’t feel so awkward anymore.

It just… was.

Two strangers.

Two liars.

Two people figuring out how to fall asleep in the same room without falling apart.

You stared up at the ceiling, sleep nowhere in sight. Your pillow was slightly too soft, the room slightly too warm, and your fake boyfriend slightly too annoying.

“Hey,” you whispered.

Jeonghan’s voice floated back from the floor, muffled and suspicious. “What.”

“Can we go over our ‘how we started dating’ story? Again. Just in case anyone asks tomorrow.”

There was a dramatic sigh. Fabric rustled.

“Seriously?” he groaned. “It’s a family trip, not an interrogation.”

“Yes, seriously,” you snapped quietly. “Your sister already asked how long we’d been together. What if someone wants details?”

“I gave you the details.”

“You gave me concept art, Jeonghan. You gave me vibes.”

Another dramatic sigh.

“Fine,” he muttered, like it was the greatest burden of his life to clean up his own mess. “Okay, so… we tell them it started after you tripped down the stairs, right?”

Your face immediately contorted in disbelief. “I’m sorry—what?”

“And I caught you at the bottom,” he continued, completely unfazed, “like a scene straight out of a drama. Your hair was glowing, the light behind you was all soft and golden, and you looked at me like I’d just saved your life.”

“I looked at you like I had a concussion.”

“Exactly! The impact of love.”

You blinked at the ceiling. “You want me to tell your entire family I fell in love with you because you caught me falling down a staircase?”

“Do you hear how good that sounds?”

“It sounds like I have zero standards and you have a hero complex.”

Jeonghan rolled over with a groan, now half-visible from the floor. “Fine. We’ll say it happened when I helped you carry your groceries up to your apartment.”

“That’s actually not bad.”

“And then I leaned against your doorframe all charming and irresistible—”

“Nope. There it is.”

“—and you said, ‘Wow, no man has ever carried my oat milk so tenderly before.’”

You flung your pillow at him. It hit the floor with a thump.

He laughed, low and pleased with himself. “Admit it. You’d fall for me.”

“Fall on you, maybe. Just to knock you out.”

“Romance.”

“Delusion.”

He smirked, voice trailing off into the dark. “I think you’re enjoying this fake dating thing a little too much.”

You turned back to your side, blanket pulled over your shoulder. “I think you’re confusing ‘enjoying’ with ‘surviving your dumbassery.’”

Silence fell for a moment.

Then—

“…Oat milk though. That was a good line.”

You threw the spare pillow next.

You woke to the sound of someone knocking—not on the door, but on your brain cells.

Jeonghan’s voice cut through the early light like a dull blade. “They’re making pancakes.”

“Why are you talking like that’s urgent news?”

“Because they’ll think we’re having morning couple time if we don’t show up soon.”

You sat up, hair wild, blanket wrapped around your shoulders like a cloak of regret. “I should’ve let you sleep on the porch.”

Jeonghan, already dressed and way too smug for 8AM, only winked.

When you stepped into the kitchen together, his hand found your lower back automatically. Warm. Light. Familiar.

You didn’t think about it. Until you did.

His sister, who was cutting fruit at the counter, didn’t miss a thing. Her eyes narrowed. “Well, well, well. Look who finally woke up.”

You smiled. The kind that didn’t reach your eyes. “We took our time. You know. Jeonghan’s a cuddler.”

He choked. “I—I am not.”

She gasped, mock horror on her face. “Jeonghan? Touchy? In the morning?”

“He mumbled in his sleep,” you said sweetly. “Called me his ‘oat milk angel.’”

He stared at you like you had personally just ended his whole career.

“I did not.”

“You did too. I was touched. Emotionally.”

His sister was cackling now. “I can’t believe this. My brother’s in love.”

Jeonghan rolled his eyes and grabbed a banana from the counter in retaliation. “We’re not doing this.”

“Oh, we are. We are absolutely doing this.” She pointed her knife dramatically. “Because you’ve never brought anyone home before. This is like watching a rare animal leave its den after twenty-seven years.”

You turned to him, mock-offended. “You told me I was special.”

“I did not say that.”

“Wow. First he forgets our anniversary, now this.”

You pouted, and for dramatic flair, he reached for your hand, dramatically clutching it with two hands like he was repenting for a sin he did not commit.

“My love,” he said solemnly, “forgive me. I shall make it up to you by massaging your shoulders later.”

“I demand breakfast in bed.”

“I’ll hand-feed you grapes.”

You snorted.

His sister stared between the two of you, suspicious. “You’re both awful actors.”

Jeonghan raised a brow. “Says who?”

She gestured with her fruit knife. “Says my intuition. And the fact that your hand’s still holding hers even though that whole bit ended a full thirty seconds ago.”

Your stomach fluttered.

Jeonghan let go like he’d been burned. “Oh.”

“Oh,” you echoed, barely above a whisper.

But it was too late.

The feeling had already curled somewhere in your chest.

Because his hand had been warm. His thumb had rubbed circles without thinking. You hadn’t wanted to pull away.

You looked at him.

He looked at you.

And something was there.

Not loud. Not obvious.

But there.

It started with Jeonghan’s mom saying, “We’re out of eggs,” and ended with the two of you in a cozy little convenience store five minutes from the cabin, pretending you weren’t sharing one brain cell and an alarming amount of chemistry.

You held the basket. He pushed the cart even though you only needed two things.

“Should’ve just made your mom send one of your siblings,” you muttered, scanning the shelves.

“Yeah, but then who would I fake domestic bliss with?” he said, casually tossing in a bottle of your favorite drink. You blinked at it. “What? I’ve seen you drink it, like, five times this month.”

“…Stalker.”

He grinned. “Observant.”

You stopped in front of the ramen section, head tilted. “They have your spicy one.”

He reached over your shoulder, grabbing the exact brand without hesitation. “We’ll get two. I’ll make it for you tomorrow.”

You stared at him.

“What?” he asked, shrugging. “Fake boyfriend duties. Let me cook for you so my parents continue to believe I’m a gift to the earth.”

You rolled your eyes and turned toward the snack aisle.

But your heart was… beating a little weird.

It didn’t help that somewhere between “we need eggs” and “ooh they have strawberry Pocky,” Jeonghan’s hand had somehow ended up on the small of your back again.

Like it belonged there.

Like it fit.

You tried not to think about it.

At checkout, he handed over his card before you could pull out yours.

“Jeonghan.”

“Relax, sugarplum. It’s like, $11. I can afford our fake life together.”

You shoved him lightly as the cashier laughed under her breath. He winked.

The walk back was quiet. But not uncomfortable. At one point, your fingers brushed. He didn’t pull away. And neither did you.

Back at the cabin, his mom peeked into the bag.

“Got everything?”

Jeonghan nodded. “Yep. Even her favorite drink.”

She smiled, just a little too knowingly. “You’re already acting like an old married couple.”

You opened your mouth to protest.

But Jeonghan beat you to it.

With the softest, most dangerous smile he’s ever worn—

“We’ve had practice.”

Your stomach flipped. Your fingers curled around the strap of the bag just to ground yourself.

Because god help you—

you weren’t sure where the lies ended anymore.