What To Do When You Know Your Ending but Have No Clue How to Get There
congrats. you’ve unlocked the most ✨ cursed ✨ form of storytelling: knowing the destination but having zero map, no snacks, and one emotionally unstable protagonist riding shotgun.
aka: you know how your book ends. maybe even the Last Line™. but the middle? the plot? the scenes required to get there?
🦗🦗🦗
welcome to liminal writing hell. here’s what to do about it:
🚨 STEP 1: Write the ending anyway.
yes. even if you’re only on chapter three. write the ending now. not perfectly. not canon. just get it down while it’s burning in your brain.
this does 2 things:
gets you emotionally invested in where you’re headed
gives you a north star to align your scenes to
future-you will thank you when you're knee-deep in act 2, spiraling, and you need to remember what this mess was for.
🧩 STEP 2: Backwards logic it like a feral detective.
ask: what has to happen right before this ending can exist? then ask that question again. and again. until you’ve accidentally built a whole reverse-outline.
like:
✨ final scene: heroine stabs the love interest to save the world
→ she needs to know he’s the villain
→ she needs to see him do something unforgivable
→ she needs a reason to be in the same room as him when it happens
→ she needs to go to the city where he’s hiding
→ she needs to choose betrayal over loyalty
now reverse those like breadcrumbs through the forest of chaos.
🎯 STEP 3: Identify your mid-point emotional switch.
the best middles aren’t just “stuff happening.” they’re a turning point. a reversal. a Big Choice. often it’s the opposite of the ending.
ending = character sacrifices love
midpoint = character believes love will fix everything
this sets up contrast + emotional stakes. the midpoint shows how wrong they are. the ending proves how far they’ve come.
no midpoint? no tension. build the middle to break them, then rebuild toward the finale.
🧱 STEP 4: Stack up your themes like Jenga blocks.
what are you actually saying with this ending?
if the ending is: “freedom comes at a price”
then the story needs to explore:
what freedom means
who pays that price
how people deny the cost
how your protagonist learns to accept it
if your middle scenes aren’t touching these ideas? they’re just filler. start weaving the theme early, subtly, and repeatedly. make it hurt a little.
📦 STEP 5: Write “junk scenes” in the blank spaces.
not sure how they get from castle to climax? write a fake scene. not canon. no pressure. just vibes. let the characters mess around in the setting. argue. kiss. kill. eat soup. whatever.
you’ll learn what they want, what secrets they’re hiding, what tensions spark.
some of these junk scenes will turn out to be real. others will guide you to what needs to happen next. use them as scaffolding.
🧃 STEP 6: Accept that messy = forward.
you won’t always see the whole road. write the next landmark. write the next mistake. write the next bad scene and figure out why it doesn’t work.
knowing your ending is a gift. the rest? that’s the part where you dig.
you don’t need a perfect bridge. you just need enough planks to get across without falling into the river of I’ll-Fix-It-Later.
now go. write the scene where everything breaks.
P.S. I made a free mini eBook about the 5 biggest mistakes writers make in the first 10 pages 👀 you can grab it here for FREE:
✦ A free (and actually helpful) guide to leveling up your first 10 pages ✦If you're unsure whether your opening is ✨doing enough✨ to hook re
🕯️ download the pack & write something cursed:
A gothic prompt pack for writers who love cursed universities, secret societies, and scholarly rot.✎ Write the Darkness ✎A 75-prompt horror
💀 Making Your Villain Make Sense (Without Making Them Right™)
("because if I see one more war criminal with a sad diary entry get a redemption arc, I’m gonna throw my laptop.")
Here’s the thing: your villain doesn’t need to be redeemable. But they do need to make sense.
And I mean sense beyond "they’re evil and they monologue about it."
Or “they have a tragic past, so now they do murder <3.”
Or “they were right all along, the hero just couldn’t see it 🥺.”
Let’s fix that.
─────── ✦ ───────
🧠 STEP ONE: BUILD A LOGIC SYSTEM THAT ISN’T OURS
Your villain shouldn’t just be wrong, they should have their own internal system that works for them. Morally flawed? Absolutely. But coherent.
Ask yourself:
What do they value more than anything? (Power? Order? Loyalty? Vengeance?)
What do they believe about the world, and how did they get there?
What fear drives them? What future do they think they’re trying to prevent?
The villain doesn’t need to know they’re wrong. But you should.
Make their logic airtight. even if it’s awful. Give them cause and effect.
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👿 STEP TWO: STOP GIVING THEM THE BETTER IDEOLOGY
Listen. I love a “morally gray” moment as much as anyone. But if your villain is making all the good points and the hero’s just like “no because that’s mean,” your arc is upside down.
If your villain is critiquing injustice, oppression, or inequality, make sure their methods are the problem, not their entire worldview.
✖︎ WRONG:
Villain: “The ruling class is corrupt.”
Hero: “That’s not nice.”
✔︎ RIGHT:
Villain: “The ruling class is corrupt, so I’m burning the city and everyone in it.”
Hero: “So you’re just… committing genocide now?”
Your villain can touch a real issue. Just don’t let them be the only one talking about it, or solving it with horror movie logic.
─────── ✦ ───────
🔪 STEP THREE: GIVE THEM POWER THAT COSTS THEM
The best villains lose things too. They’re not just untouchable horror dolls in sexy coats. They make bad choices and pay for them. That’s where the drama lives.
Examples:
They isolate themselves.
They sacrifice people they love.
They get what they want, and it destroys them.
They know they’re the monster, and choose it anyway.
If your villain can kill a dozen people and feel nothing, that’s not scary. That’s boring.
Let them bleed. Let them regret it. Let them double down anyway.
─────── ✦ ───────
🧱 STEP FOUR: MAKE THEM PART OF THE WORLD, NOT OUTSIDE IT
Villains shouldn’t feel like they were patched in from another genre. They should be part of the world’s logic, culture, class system, history. They should reflect something about the setting.
Villains that slap:
The advisor who upheld the regime until they decided they deserved to rule.
The noble who’s using war to reclaim stolen legacy.
The ex-hero who thinks the system can’t be saved, only reset.
The priest who truly believes the gods demand blood.
They’re not just evil, they’re a product of the same world the hero is trying to save.
─────── ✦ ───────
👁 STEP FIVE: SHOW US THEIR SELF-JUSTIFICATION
You don’t need a tragic backstory™. But you do need to show us why they think they’re right. Not just with exposition, through action.
Let us watch them:
Protect someone.
Choose their goal over safety.
Justify the unjustifiable to a character who loves them.
Refuse to change, even when given a chance.
A villain who looks into the mirror and goes “Yes. I’m correct.” is 1000x scarier than one who sobs into a journal and says “I’m so broken 🥺.”
─────── ✦ ───────
🧨 BONUS ROUND: DON’T MAKE THEM A HATRED MEGAPHONE
Especially if you’re writing marginalized characters: don’t let your villain become a mouthpiece for slurs, abuse, or extremism just to make them “evil enough.” That’s lazy. And harmful.
You don’t need real-world hate speech to build a dark character. You need power, consequence, and intent.
─────── ✦ ───────
TL;DR:
Good villains don’t need to be right. They need to be real.
Not a vibe. Not a sad boy in a trench coat. Not a trauma monologue and then a sword fight.
They need logic. They need cost. They need to scare you because you get them, and still want them to lose.
Make them dangerous. Not relatable.
Make them whole. Not wholesome.
Make them make sense.
—rin t.
// thewriteadviceforwriters
// villain critic. final boss consultant. licensed chaos goblin
P.S. I made a free mini eBook about the 5 biggest mistakes writers make in the first 10 pages 👀 you can grab it here for FREE:
✦ A free (and actually helpful) guide to leveling up your first 10 pages ✦If you're unsure whether your opening is ✨doing enough✨ to hook re
🍖 How to Build a Culture Without Just Inventing Spices and Necklaces
(a worldbuilding roast. with love.)
So. You’re building a fantasy world, and you’ve just invented:
→ Three types of ceremonial jewelry
→ A spice that tastes like cinnamon if it were bitter and cursed
→ A holiday where everyone wears gold and screams at dawn
Cute. But that’s not culture. That’s aesthetics.
And if your worldbuilding is all outfits, dances, and spice blends with vaguely mystical names, your story’s probably going to feel like a cosplay convention held inside a Pinterest board.
Here’s how to fix that—aka: how to build a real, functioning culture that shapes your story, not just its vibes.
─────── ✦ ───────
🔗 Culture Is Built on Power, Not Just Style
Ask yourself:
→ Who’s in charge, and why?
→ Who has land? Who doesn’t?
→ What’s considered taboo, sacred, or punishable by death?
Culture is shaped by who gets to make the rules and who gets crushed by them. That’s where things like religion, family structure, class divisions, gender roles, and social expectations actually come from.
Start there. Not at the embroidery.
─────── ✦ ───────
2.🪓 Culture Comes From Conflict
Did this society evolve peacefully? Was it colonized? Did it colonize? Was it rebuilt after a war? Is it still in one?
→ What was destroyed and mythologized?
→ What do the survivors still whisper about?
→ What do children get taught in school that’s… suspiciously sanitized?
No culture is neutral. Every tradition has a history, and that history should taste like blood, loss, or propaganda.
─────── ✦ ───────
3.🧠 Belief Systems > Customs Lists
Sure, rituals and holidays are cool. But what do people believe about:
→ Death?
→ Love?
→ Time?
→ The natural world?
→ Justice?
Example: A society that believes time is cyclical vs. one that sees time as linear will approach everything—from prison sentences to grief—completely differently.
You don’t need to invent 80 gods. You need to know what those gods mean to the people who pray to them.
─────── ✦ ───────
4.🫀 Culture Controls Behavior (Quietly)
Culture shows up in:
→ What people apologize for
→ What insults cut deepest
→ What people are embarrassed about
→ What’s praised publicly vs. what’s hidden privately
For instance:
→ A culture obsessed with stoicism won’t say “I love you.” They’ll say “Have you eaten?”
→ A culture built on legacy might prioritize ancestor veneration, archival writing, name inheritance.
This stuff? Way more immersive than giving everyone matching earrings.
─────── ✦ ───────
5. 🏠 Culture = Daily Life, Not Just Festivals
Sure, your MC might attend a funeral where people paint their faces blue. But what about:
→ Breakfast routines?
→ How people greet each other on the street?
→ Who cooks, and who eats first?
→ What’s considered “clean” or “proper”?
→ How is parenting handled? Divorce?
Culture is what happens between plot points. It should shape your character’s assumptions, language, fears, and habits—whether or not a festival is going on.
─────── ✦ ───────
6. 💬 Let Your Characters Disagree With Their Own Culture
A culture isn’t a monolith.
Even in deeply traditional societies, people:
→ Rebel
→ Question
→ Break rules
→ Misinterpret laws
→ Mock sacred things
→ Act hypocritically
→ Weaponize or resist what’s expected
Let your characters wrestle with the culture around them. That’s where realism (and tension) lives.
─────── ✦ ───────
7.🧼 Beware the “Pretty = Good” Trap
Worldbuilding gets boring fast when:
→ The protagonist’s homeland is beautiful and pure
→ The enemy’s culture is dark and “barbaric”
→ Every detail just reinforces who the reader should like
You can—and should—challenge the aesthetic hierarchy.
→ Let ugly things be beloved.
→ Let beautiful things be corrupt.
→ Let your MC romanticize their culture and then get disillusioned by it later.
─────── ✦ ───────
📍 TL;DR (but like, spicy):
→ Culture is not food and jewelry.
→ Culture is power, fear, memory, contradiction.
→ Stop inventing spices until you know who starved last winter.
→ Let your world feel lived in, not curated.
The best cultural worldbuilding doesn’t look like a list.
It feels like a system. A pressure. A presence your characters can’t escape—even if they try.
Now go. Build something real. (You can add spices later.)
—rin t.
// writing advice for worldbuilders with rage and range
// thewriteadviceforwriters
Sometimes the problem isn’t your plot. It’s your first 5 pages. Fix it here → 🖤 Free eBook: 5 Opening Pages Mistakes to Stop Making:
✦ A free (and actually helpful) guide to leveling up your first 10 pages ✦If you're unsure whether your opening is ✨doing enough✨ to hook re
🕯️ download the pack & write something cursed:
A gothic prompt pack for writers who love cursed universities, secret societies, and scholarly rot.✎ Write the Darkness ✎A 75-prompt horror
🧩 How to Outline Without Feeling Like You’re Dying
(a non-suffering writer’s guide to structure, sanity, and staying mildly hydrated)
Hey besties. Let’s talk outlines. Specifically: how to do them without crawling into the floorboards and screaming like a Victorian ghost.
If just hearing the word “outline” sends your brain into chaos-mode, welcome. You’re not broken, you’re just a writer whose process has been hijacked by Very Serious Advice™ that doesn’t fit you. You don’t need to build a military-grade beat sheet. You don’t need a sixteen-tab spreadsheet. You don’t need to suffer to be legitimate. You just need a structure that feels like it’s helping you, not haunting you.
So. Here’s how to outline your book without losing your soul (or all your serotonin).
—
🍓 1. Stop thinking of it as “outlining.”
That word is cursed. Try “story sketch.” “Narrative roadmap.” “Planning soup.” Whatever gets your brain to chill out. The goal here is to understand your story, not architect it to death.
Outlining isn’t predicting everything. It’s just building a scaffold so your plot doesn't fall over mid-draft.
—
🧠 2. Find your plot skeleton.
There are lots of plot structures floating around: 3-Act. Save the Cat. Hero’s Journey. Take what helps, ignore the rest.
If all else fails, try this dirt-simple one I use when my brain is mush:
Act I: What’s the problem?
Act II: Why can’t we fix it?
Act III: What finally makes us change?
Ending: What does that change cost?
You don’t need to fill in every detail. You just need to know what’s driving your character, what’s blocking them, and what choices will change them.
—
🛒 3. Make a “scene bucket list.”
Before you start plotting in order, write down a list of scenes you know you want: key vibes, emotional beats, dramatic reveals, whatever.
These are your anchors. Even if you don’t know where they go yet, they’re proof your story already exists, it just needs connecting tissue.
Bonus: when you inevitably get stuck later, one of these might be the scene that pulls you back in.
—
🧩 4. Start with 5 key scenes. That’s it.
Here’s a minimalist approach that won’t kill your momentum:
Opening (what sucks about their world?)
Catalyst (what throws them off course?)
Midpoint (what makes them confront themselves?)
Climax (what breaks or remakes them?)
Ending (what’s changed?)
Plot the spaces between those after you’ve nailed these. Think of it like nailing down corners of a poster before smoothing the rest.
You’re not “doing it wrong” if you start messy. A messy start is a start.
—
🔧 5. Use the outline to ask questions, not just answer them.
Every section of your outline should provoke a question that the scene must answer.
Instead of:
— “Chapter 5: Sarah finds a journal.”
Try:
— “Chapter 5: What truth does Sarah find that complicates her next move?”
This makes your story active, not just a list of stuff that happens. Outlines aren’t just there to record, they’re tools for curiosity.
—
🪤 6. Beware of the Perfectionist Trap™.
You will not get the entire plot perfect before you write. Don’t stall your momentum waiting for a divine lightning bolt of Clarity. You get clarity by writing.
Think of your outline as a map drawn in pencil, not ink. It’s allowed to evolve. It should evolve.
You’re not building a museum exhibit. You’re making a prototype.
—
🧼 7. Clean up after you start drafting.
Here’s the secret: the first draft will teach you what the story’s actually about. You can go back and revise the outline to fit that. It’s not wasted work, it’s evolving scaffolding.
You don’t have to build the house before you live in it. You can live in the mess while you figure out where the kitchen goes.
—
🛟 8. If you’re a discovery writer, hybrid it.
A lot of “pantsers” aren’t anti-outline, they’re just anti-stiff-outline. That’s fair.
Try using “signposts,” not full scenes:
Here’s a secret someone’s hiding.
Here’s the emotional breakdown scene.
Here’s a betrayal. Maybe not sure by who yet.
Let the plot breathe. Let the characters argue with your outline. That tension is where the fun happens.
—
🪴 TL;DR but emotionally:
You don’t need a flawless outline to write a good book. You just need a loose net of ideas, a couple of emotional anchors, and the willingness to pivot when your story teaches you something new.
Outlines should support you, not suffocate you.
Let yourself try. Let it be imperfect. That’s where the good stuff lives.
Go forth and outline like a gently chaotic legend 🧃
—
written with snacks in hand by
Rin T. @ thewriteadviceforwriters 🍓🧠✍️
Sometimes the problem isn’t your plot. It’s your first 5 pages. Fix it here →
🖤 Free eBook: 5 Opening Pages Mistakes to Stop Making:
✦ A free (and actually helpful) guide to leveling up your first 10 pages ✦If you're unsure whether your opening is ✨doing enough✨ to hook re
due to the demonization of the em dash (—) i feel the need to state this: I do NOT use ai to write ANYTHING. I don’t touch chat gpt at all. The em dash is just legitimately my favorite punctuation ever lol (besides the semicolon). I like how it looks and I often pause for effect!
While I always emphasise spending time with nature in order to build that connection with spirits, this does not automatically mean that you have to hike up a mountain or head out into the middle of a forest.
You can connect to nature from your bed, from the middle of a city, in your kitchen and on a slab of pavement next to a railway.
Nature is everywhere. Nature is everything. You are nature. Rock and stone is nature. Gulls and wasps are nature.
Can't get out of bed? Watch a cool documentary or short ecology video. Read a book on local flora. Draw some cool animals. Talk to your houseplants.
Live in a city? Pray to the dandelions and nettles alongside the pavement. Ask the Spirit of Rat to help you. Look up and see the sky. Feel below and sense the earth. (Making a more detailed urban nature spirit work post, will link here too).
If you are someone who wants to work with nature spirits in your practice, please do not anything (or anyone) make you feel like you can't.
themes - power imbalance, romance, crime, justice, class divide, politics, sex
synopsis - In the sprawling, dystopian city of Emberhaven, where power and corruption reign supreme, the lives of two unlikely individuals collide in a tale of passion, intrigue, and moral reckoning. Chanyeol, an enigmatic and wealthy scion of the city's elite, finds himself captivated by the elusive Y/N, a cunning and resourceful thief who navigates the treacherous underworld of Emberhaven. Their first encounter, sparked by a chance meeting in a luxurious club called The Velvet Lounge, sets the stage for a whirlwind romance amidst a backdrop of crime, politics, and danger.
A/N - I started an internship and couldn't for the life of me find the tiniest sliver of time to focus on my hobbies. On one hand I am so so fucking happy and grateful that I have this amazing opportunity, at my dream organization, in the most perfect lab - but my social life and personal life have taken a major hit. I had this chapter and the next one ready for months and it's been sooo fucking frustrating not being able to upload. But hey...here they are now. Thank you for sticking around, my dearest readers. I love you guys so much!!
Chapter 12: Countdown, baby
8:00 PM
Chanyeol stepped into the Velvet Lounge, the familiar atmosphere washing over him like a cold drink on a hot day. The clink of glasses, the low hum of jazz in the background, and the faint buzz of conversation filled the dimly lit space. The Lounge was a haven of sorts—a place where deals were made in the shadows and secrets were shared over bourbon. It was a place where power didn’t come from being seen, but from knowing who wasn’t supposed to be seen.
Kyungsoo was already at the bar when Chanyeol spotted him, his usual calm demeanor betraying nothing of the gravity of the situation they were about to discuss. A glass of bourbon on the rocks sat in front of him, untouched. Chanyeol walked over, his tall frame making him stand out even in the subdued ambiance. He greeted Kyungsoo with a curt nod and sat down, motioning for the bartender to bring him a drink as well.
"What's going on?" Chanyeol asked, his voice low but direct.
Kyungsoo glanced around before speaking, his eyes sharp as they scanned the room for any unwanted attention. "Minseok's been digging into Lucio’s movements, and there’s been some... troubling developments," he began, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of concern. "One of the brownstone townhouses, which he now knows was Y/N's residence, went up in flames earlier today. Minseok suspects it wasn’t an accident."
Chanyeol stiffened. He had already been on edge after the events of the past few days, but this was different. He could feel it in the pit of his stomach. "And Y/N? What does Minseok think about her involvement in all this?"
Kyungsoo sighed, taking a slow sip of his drink before answering. "Minseok still considers her a suspect, especially with her connection to the raid. He believes Lucio might be using her, and there’s reason to think she’s still involved, even if indirectly."
"That’s bullshit, and you know it," Chanyeol snapped, his voice barely above a growl. His hands clenched into fists at the bar, knuckles white. "Y/N has nothing to do with Lucio. She’s innocent in all of this. She just... she got caught up in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Kyungsoo met Chanyeol’s gaze, his eyes narrowing. "And how exactly do you know that? How are you so sure?"
Chanyeol exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair as he fought to keep his temper in check. "She told me everything—about how she ended up at the raid, about the fire, all of it. She’s been through hell, and the last thing she needs is more suspicion. She’s staying with me now. I’m looking out for her.” he says through gritted teeth.
For a moment, Kyungsoo’s expression softened, but the edge of skepticism remained. "Look, I want to believe you, dude. But you know how these things work. People get involved with dangerous men like Lucio in ways they don’t even realize. I just…don’t want you to get blindsided."
Chanyeol leaned forward, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I’m not blinded. I love her, Kyungsoo. I won’t let anything happen to her."
There was a heavy silence between them, the weight of Chanyeol’s words hanging in the air. Finally, Kyungsoo nodded, his face unreadable. "Alright. But we need to be smart about this. I’m with you, but we need to tread carefully."
9:00 PM
The two men sat quietly at the bar, the low light casting shadows across their faces as they pored over the files Kyungsoo had brought with him. A thick folder sat between them, filled with information on Chanyeol’s father’s criminal legacy—things Chanyeol had only heard whispers of until now.
Kyungsoo flipped open one of the folders, revealing detailed reports on Lucio and Dom—two names that had haunted Chanyeol for as long as he could remember. These weren’t just enemies; they were remnants of his father’s empire, lingering like a dark cloud over everything he’d tried to build since his father’s death.
"Lucio was one of your father’s top enforcers," Kyungsoo said, tapping a grainy black-and-white photo of Lucio from years ago. "When your father fell, Lucio went rogue. He started building his own network, but he’s been keeping a low profile—until recently. Now, he’s making moves, and from what I can tell, Y/N got caught in the crossfire."
Chanyeol’s jaw tightened as he scanned the reports. There was a photo of Dom, his father’s closest confidante, smiling beside Lucio at some old gala event. "Why was Dom involved with Lucio?" Chanyeol muttered, flipping through the pages.
"Dom was your father’s right-hand man. He handled all the operations your father didn’t want to dirty his hands with. Lucio was just a tool for them both—a violent, unpredictable tool," Kyungsoo explained. "But after your father’s death, everything changed. Dom disappeared, Lucio took over parts of the operation, and now... now it seems like they’re both back in the game."
The implications of it all weighed heavily on Chanyeol. His father’s sins were still haunting him, and now, they were threatening the woman he loved.
As Chanyeol turned another page, a photo of Dom slid out from the file, landing on the bar. His fingers froze. Suho, who had been silently polishing glasses nearby, suddenly stopped mid-motion. His eyes locked onto the photo, his expression shifting from casual bartender to something much darker.
"Suho?" Chanyeol asked, noticing the change in his friend’s demeanor.
Suho’s hand trembled slightly as he picked up the photo, staring at it intently. "This man..." he began, his voice barely audible. "I’ve seen him before. Years ago, when I first took over running this place. He used to come here... but not for the drinks."
"What do you mean?" Chanyeol asked, his heart beginning to race.
Suho glanced around before leaning in closer, lowering his voice. "He wasn’t just a regular. He was here for meetings—quiet meetings with people who didn’t want to be seen together. Politicians, cops, businessmen. I overheard things. Things that could ruin careers, destroy lives. If I’m even seen talking about him, I know for a fact that there’s going to be a hitman waiting for me outside for when I leave."
Chanyeol’s mind was spinning. Dom had been operating in the shadows for years, even after his father’s death. And now, Lucio had picked up where he left off.
10:45 PM
Kyungsoo stepped outside to take a phone call from Minseok, leaving Chanyeol at the bar with Suho. The unease that had settled over him earlier was now fully blooming into anxiety. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was horribly wrong.
As he sipped his bourbon, his thoughts drifted back to Y/N. She had seemed happy earlier—relieved to be away from the chaos that had consumed her life after the raid. But then the fire at her old apartment happened, and now Lucio’s name was coming up more and more. He couldn’t ignore the sinking feeling in his gut any longer.
"You look troubled," Suho said quietly, breaking the silence.
Chanyeol glanced at him, then down at his drink. "I am. Something doesn’t feel right. Y/N... she hasn’t responded to any of my texts for hours. And then there’s the fire. I wish I was there for her when she woke up, but I had to leave before the ass crack of dawn to track down a low-level thug. I thought he would somehow take me to wherever the fuck it is that I might have some answers - but he was a fucking deadend." Suho nods, while Chanyeol continues, “My heart breaks to think that Y/N most probably had to wake up by herself to the horrible news of her home of so many years burning down. Fuck!!”
"Do you think Lucio’s behind it?" Suho asked, his brow furrowing in concern.
"I don’t doubt it. He’s sending a message, to both me and Y/N," Chanyeol said, his voice tight with frustration. "He knows I care about her. The fucker is using that against me."
Suho nodded slowly, his face grim. "Be careful, Chanyeol. Lucio isn’t just some street thug. He’s been around a long time. He knows how to play the game."
Chanyeol put down his glass and rubbed his temples, letting out a low sigh. The weight of everything was pressing down on him, and he didn’t know how much longer he could keep it all together.
11:00 PM
Kyungsoo returned to the bar, his face pale, eyes wide with urgency. Chanyeol knew immediately something was wrong.
"What is it?" Chanyeol asked, his voice rising with alarm.
"Lucio," Kyungsoo breathed, barely able to get the words out. "He’s escaped. Killed three prison guards on his way out. Minseok just got the call."
Chanyeol’s heart stopped. For a moment, everything around him seemed to blur. Lucio was out—and Y/N hadn’t answered his calls in hours.
Fuck fuck FUCKKK!! Chanyeol grabbed his phone and dialed Y/N’s number again. The call went straight to voicemail.
"Kyungsoo, this isn’t a coincidence. He’s after her. He. knows. she’s important to me," Chanyeol said, his voice strained with panic.
"I know," Kyungsoo replied, his voice tense. "We need to figure out where she is, now."
Chanyeol paced back and forth, running his hands through his hair, trying to think of what to do. Every second that passed felt like an eternity. Y/N could be in danger—real danger—and he wasn’t there to protect her.
"We need to move," Kyungsoo urged. "Lucio’s not going to wait around."
11:50 PM
Chanyeol’s phone buzzed in his hand. A text. He unlocked it quickly, hoping it was Y/N, but his blood ran cold when he saw the message.
It was from a private number. Attached was an image—Y/N, tied to a chair in a dark, unfamiliar room. Her face was bruised, and she seemed unconsious. Below the image was a single line of text:
"2 AM. Come alone, or she dies."
Chanyeol’s heart raced as he stared at the message, his hands trembling. He could barely breathe. Time was slipping away, and if he didn’t act now, Y/N might not make it through the night.
"Kyungsoo!" Chanyeol shouted, showing him the message.
Kyungsoo’s face went ashen. "We don’t have much time," he said, his voice grim. "We need a plan."
Chanyeol didn’t respond. His mind was already racing, running through every possibility, every move he could make. But there was no time to think. He had two hours.
Midnight
Chanyeol stood in his apartment, staring at his phone. His hands were shaking, his thoughts a blur. He had always been in control—calm, collected, strategic. But now, everything was unraveling.
Y/N’s life was in his hands, and he had no idea how to save her.
The clock struck midnight. The countdown had officially begun.
themes - power imbalance, romance, crime, justice, class divide, politics, sex
synopsis - In the sprawling, dystopian city of Emberhaven, where power and corruption reign supreme, the lives of two unlikely individuals collide in a tale of passion, intrigue, and moral reckoning. Chanyeol, an enigmatic and wealthy scion of the city's elite, finds himself captivated by the elusive Y/N, a cunning and resourceful thief who navigates the treacherous underworld of Emberhaven. Their first encounter, sparked by a chance meeting in a luxurious club called The Velvet Lounge, sets the stage for a whirlwind romance amidst a backdrop of crime, politics, and danger.
A/N - I started an internship and couldn't for the life of me find the tiniest sliver of time to focus on my hobbies. On one hand I am so so fucking happy and grateful that I have this amazing opportunity, at my dream organization, in the most perfect lab - but my social life and personal life have taken a major hit. I had this chapter and the next one ready for months and it's been sooo fucking frustrating not being able to upload. But hey...here they are now. Thank you for sticking around, my dearest readers. I love you guys so much!!
Chapter 12: Countdown, baby
8:00 PM
Chanyeol stepped into the Velvet Lounge, the familiar atmosphere washing over him like a cold drink on a hot day. The clink of glasses, the low hum of jazz in the background, and the faint buzz of conversation filled the dimly lit space. The Lounge was a haven of sorts—a place where deals were made in the shadows and secrets were shared over bourbon. It was a place where power didn’t come from being seen, but from knowing who wasn’t supposed to be seen.
Kyungsoo was already at the bar when Chanyeol spotted him, his usual calm demeanor betraying nothing of the gravity of the situation they were about to discuss. A glass of bourbon on the rocks sat in front of him, untouched. Chanyeol walked over, his tall frame making him stand out even in the subdued ambiance. He greeted Kyungsoo with a curt nod and sat down, motioning for the bartender to bring him a drink as well.
"What's going on?" Chanyeol asked, his voice low but direct.
Kyungsoo glanced around before speaking, his eyes sharp as they scanned the room for any unwanted attention. "Minseok's been digging into Lucio’s movements, and there’s been some... troubling developments," he began, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of concern. "One of the brownstone townhouses, which he now knows was Y/N's residence, went up in flames earlier today. Minseok suspects it wasn’t an accident."
Chanyeol stiffened. He had already been on edge after the events of the past few days, but this was different. He could feel it in the pit of his stomach. "And Y/N? What does Minseok think about her involvement in all this?"
Kyungsoo sighed, taking a slow sip of his drink before answering. "Minseok still considers her a suspect, especially with her connection to the raid. He believes Lucio might be using her, and there’s reason to think she’s still involved, even if indirectly."
"That’s bullshit, and you know it," Chanyeol snapped, his voice barely above a growl. His hands clenched into fists at the bar, knuckles white. "Y/N has nothing to do with Lucio. She’s innocent in all of this. She just... she got caught up in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Kyungsoo met Chanyeol’s gaze, his eyes narrowing. "And how exactly do you know that? How are you so sure?"
Chanyeol exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair as he fought to keep his temper in check. "She told me everything—about how she ended up at the raid, about the fire, all of it. She’s been through hell, and the last thing she needs is more suspicion. She’s staying with me now. I’m looking out for her.” he says through gritted teeth.
For a moment, Kyungsoo’s expression softened, but the edge of skepticism remained. "Look, I want to believe you, dude. But you know how these things work. People get involved with dangerous men like Lucio in ways they don’t even realize. I just…don’t want you to get blindsided."
Chanyeol leaned forward, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I’m not blinded. I love her, Kyungsoo. I won’t let anything happen to her."
There was a heavy silence between them, the weight of Chanyeol’s words hanging in the air. Finally, Kyungsoo nodded, his face unreadable. "Alright. But we need to be smart about this. I’m with you, but we need to tread carefully."
9:00 PM
The two men sat quietly at the bar, the low light casting shadows across their faces as they pored over the files Kyungsoo had brought with him. A thick folder sat between them, filled with information on Chanyeol’s father’s criminal legacy—things Chanyeol had only heard whispers of until now.
Kyungsoo flipped open one of the folders, revealing detailed reports on Lucio and Dom—two names that had haunted Chanyeol for as long as he could remember. These weren’t just enemies; they were remnants of his father’s empire, lingering like a dark cloud over everything he’d tried to build since his father’s death.
"Lucio was one of your father’s top enforcers," Kyungsoo said, tapping a grainy black-and-white photo of Lucio from years ago. "When your father fell, Lucio went rogue. He started building his own network, but he’s been keeping a low profile—until recently. Now, he’s making moves, and from what I can tell, Y/N got caught in the crossfire."
Chanyeol’s jaw tightened as he scanned the reports. There was a photo of Dom, his father’s closest confidante, smiling beside Lucio at some old gala event. "Why was Dom involved with Lucio?" Chanyeol muttered, flipping through the pages.
"Dom was your father’s right-hand man. He handled all the operations your father didn’t want to dirty his hands with. Lucio was just a tool for them both—a violent, unpredictable tool," Kyungsoo explained. "But after your father’s death, everything changed. Dom disappeared, Lucio took over parts of the operation, and now... now it seems like they’re both back in the game."
The implications of it all weighed heavily on Chanyeol. His father’s sins were still haunting him, and now, they were threatening the woman he loved.
As Chanyeol turned another page, a photo of Dom slid out from the file, landing on the bar. His fingers froze. Suho, who had been silently polishing glasses nearby, suddenly stopped mid-motion. His eyes locked onto the photo, his expression shifting from casual bartender to something much darker.
"Suho?" Chanyeol asked, noticing the change in his friend’s demeanor.
Suho’s hand trembled slightly as he picked up the photo, staring at it intently. "This man..." he began, his voice barely audible. "I’ve seen him before. Years ago, when I first took over running this place. He used to come here... but not for the drinks."
"What do you mean?" Chanyeol asked, his heart beginning to race.
Suho glanced around before leaning in closer, lowering his voice. "He wasn’t just a regular. He was here for meetings—quiet meetings with people who didn’t want to be seen together. Politicians, cops, businessmen. I overheard things. Things that could ruin careers, destroy lives. If I’m even seen talking about him, I know for a fact that there’s going to be a hitman waiting for me outside for when I leave."
Chanyeol’s mind was spinning. Dom had been operating in the shadows for years, even after his father’s death. And now, Lucio had picked up where he left off.
10:45 PM
Kyungsoo stepped outside to take a phone call from Minseok, leaving Chanyeol at the bar with Suho. The unease that had settled over him earlier was now fully blooming into anxiety. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was horribly wrong.
As he sipped his bourbon, his thoughts drifted back to Y/N. She had seemed happy earlier—relieved to be away from the chaos that had consumed her life after the raid. But then the fire at her old apartment happened, and now Lucio’s name was coming up more and more. He couldn’t ignore the sinking feeling in his gut any longer.
"You look troubled," Suho said quietly, breaking the silence.
Chanyeol glanced at him, then down at his drink. "I am. Something doesn’t feel right. Y/N... she hasn’t responded to any of my texts for hours. And then there’s the fire. I wish I was there for her when she woke up, but I had to leave before the ass crack of dawn to track down a low-level thug. I thought he would somehow take me to wherever the fuck it is that I might have some answers - but he was a fucking deadend." Suho nods, while Chanyeol continues, “My heart breaks to think that Y/N most probably had to wake up by herself to the horrible news of her home of so many years burning down. Fuck!!”
"Do you think Lucio’s behind it?" Suho asked, his brow furrowing in concern.
"I don’t doubt it. He’s sending a message, to both me and Y/N," Chanyeol said, his voice tight with frustration. "He knows I care about her. The fucker is using that against me."
Suho nodded slowly, his face grim. "Be careful, Chanyeol. Lucio isn’t just some street thug. He’s been around a long time. He knows how to play the game."
Chanyeol put down his glass and rubbed his temples, letting out a low sigh. The weight of everything was pressing down on him, and he didn’t know how much longer he could keep it all together.
11:00 PM
Kyungsoo returned to the bar, his face pale, eyes wide with urgency. Chanyeol knew immediately something was wrong.
"What is it?" Chanyeol asked, his voice rising with alarm.
"Lucio," Kyungsoo breathed, barely able to get the words out. "He’s escaped. Killed three prison guards on his way out. Minseok just got the call."
Chanyeol’s heart stopped. For a moment, everything around him seemed to blur. Lucio was out—and Y/N hadn’t answered his calls in hours.
Fuck fuck FUCKKK!! Chanyeol grabbed his phone and dialed Y/N’s number again. The call went straight to voicemail.
"Kyungsoo, this isn’t a coincidence. He’s after her. He. knows. she’s important to me," Chanyeol said, his voice strained with panic.
"I know," Kyungsoo replied, his voice tense. "We need to figure out where she is, now."
Chanyeol paced back and forth, running his hands through his hair, trying to think of what to do. Every second that passed felt like an eternity. Y/N could be in danger—real danger—and he wasn’t there to protect her.
"We need to move," Kyungsoo urged. "Lucio’s not going to wait around."
11:50 PM
Chanyeol’s phone buzzed in his hand. A text. He unlocked it quickly, hoping it was Y/N, but his blood ran cold when he saw the message.
It was from a private number. Attached was an image—Y/N, tied to a chair in a dark, unfamiliar room. Her face was bruised, and she seemed unconsious. Below the image was a single line of text:
"2 AM. Come alone, or she dies."
Chanyeol’s heart raced as he stared at the message, his hands trembling. He could barely breathe. Time was slipping away, and if he didn’t act now, Y/N might not make it through the night.
"Kyungsoo!" Chanyeol shouted, showing him the message.
Kyungsoo’s face went ashen. "We don’t have much time," he said, his voice grim. "We need a plan."
Chanyeol didn’t respond. His mind was already racing, running through every possibility, every move he could make. But there was no time to think. He had two hours.
Midnight
Chanyeol stood in his apartment, staring at his phone. His hands were shaking, his thoughts a blur. He had always been in control—calm, collected, strategic. But now, everything was unraveling.
Y/N’s life was in his hands, and he had no idea how to save her.
The clock struck midnight. The countdown had officially begun.
synopsis: you never really let yourself get too close to the friend of your friends, baekhyun, while he got progressively tired of your vanishings everytime you two hooked up. it's only in a pivotal moment in his audi where you two lay your feelings bare. in more ways than one.
content: 6k words one shot with small angst plot, but mostly smut with both rough and fluff undertones ♡
author's notes: hiiiii!!! I'm so so so happy with the incredible response that savor (check it out if you haven't!) received that I've decided to share this one, too! please enjoy it for a while as I'll take some time to try and do something more elaborate with my next work with military!baekhyun
once again, my current and future works will always be created, centered, and catered to adults! so if you're a minor pleeeease don't interact. and to my dear readers, thank you for your tremendous support, I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did envisioning it.
warnings: cursing, brief mentions of smoking and drinking, semi but almost public car sex (i'm not sorry), hair pulling, dirty talking, dry humping, fingering, oral sex f!receiving, cumplay, oral fixation, marking, p in v, unprotected sex, spanking, creampie (get used to it), cock warming, overall pure filth! you have been warned!
every adventure with baekhyun was something sort of too good. ever since you became 'acquainted', those shared glances were undeniably wanton. everytime he saw you coming into your mutual friends' parties with your girls, he'd have to put his teeth on something, either his bottom lip or his finger just to not walk into you and take you right in the center of the room.
you had noticed his stares. one would have to be blind not to, since he didn't really keep it discreet. as if sending a message not just to you, but to everyone to assert some type of 'ownership'. you found it ridiculous just as much as you found it hot, because out of the bedroom, you didn’t really know him, always picking someone else to the dance floor knowing he'd see it.
you gave him some sort of a show, grabbing random dudes that would always end up stunned when you left them hanging, even if you were the one who initiated. it was light fun in your mind since you don't ever actually look towards hooking up with any of them.
everyone knew you'd mostly care for your girls, not having eyes for just any guys. of course, you knew how to have fun. you liked it that one time you made out with junmyeon when you met the group before baekhyun came into the picture. junmyeon wanted more, but you kept him at that, mild fun, even if sometimes you pictured letting loose with him or jongin.
you'd dance teasingly, not caring that much for your partner since you know they'd be hypnotized by the way you knew how to work your hips close against their crotch, barely touching it. that was enough to make baekhyun clench his jaw and stand up, leaving his drink behind and walking towards the exit, not giving you a second glance. that's how the game usually starts.
but he swore to himself he'd make it different tonight.
you turn to your dance partner with a sweet grin, interrupting their stunned attempts to get your number with your hand caressing their cheek. excusing yourself from the dance floor, you took your time to kiss your girls goodbye with knowing looks from them.
your steps are quiet against the fading music from inside the house as you walked into the porch, feeling the hot summer night. you were glad you chose a crop top and a skirt combo, as usual. you spotted a certain sillhoutte by the corner, smoking a cigarette as he leaned on the railing.
"you still smoke that shitty stuff?" you asked, not receiving any surprise from him since this type of conversation is normal between you two. when you actually talk, that is.
"you still entertain those shitty guys?" he retorted sharply, making you amused as you walked closer to him, standing on his side as your stare found his sharp profile.
baekhyun gave you the grace of his gaze, even though he was frowning with a certain scowl.
"I don't understand you." you muster with a seductive grin, analyzing how could he get so bothered with things that seemed so simple to you.
"you do. you just pretend you don't so you don't feel guilty of stringing me along." he murmured, dropping the cigarette and stepping on it.
"excuse me? stringing you along to what? exclusive sex?" you quipped, your grin fading quickly. if anything bothered you the most, was his audacity. byun baekhyun's audacity always made you want to give him a real reason to get mad.
he only chuckled, dryly. shaking his head as he turned away from you to walk across the street towards his audi, making you grumble with guilty conscience while you watched him.
you knew through your girlfriends that baekhyun had some sort of 'hard crush' on you. you always found it ridiculous because you'd never even gave him the grace of knowing anything from you from your own mouth, besides sex talk. you were sure everything he knew about your life was piece of info delivered through others like the things you knew about his.
that he was somewhat of a reformed player. that he now didn't mess with just any girl for the fun of it anymore.
you found it hard to believe, considering how he looked, how he talked, and how he danced. how he caught to you before you caught to him.
it started with make out sessions after drinks, then messing around in bathrooms, to spending the night on his penthouse. it scared you, not only for the fact that it happened a lot, but also that you could never refuse him. you wanted him too much.
but for different reasons.
"wait!" you said, trying to follow his large steps. he opened the driver door, but you quickly pushed it closed before he could enter, "fucking wait, goddammit!" you shouted earning a furious glare from how roughly you treated his car. not that you gave a damn.
"if you ever touch my car like that again I swear to god—" you interrupted him.
"I don't mean to string you along!" you snapped, "I just... I'm not good at that part." lowering your voice as your confidence dimmed.
you were never good with honesty, always telling that you're as good as fucked if you ever were the first to fall in every past fling you've had. and that applied to just any type of relationship, especially to yours where you were both... kind of strangers. strangers that loved each other's bodies too much.
"what part are we talking about? the part where you just tease me with some random fuckboy just to get angry sex, or the part where you disappear in the morning without ever giving me the grace of a fucking word?" baekhyun spoke calmly, but you knew he was anything but, narrowing his eyes at your progressively curved stance.
"the latter... the 'figuring out where do we go' part." you murmured, feeling immature under his sharp gaze.
"oh my god. what else do I have to do to get to your fucking head that this," he pointed towards the both of you, "is not just some mediocre hooking up thing? I've been trying to get to know you for almost a year! god, even your girls know how fucking in love I am with you." baekhyun ranted, making you feel slightly embarrassed for being so unable of handling this, handling him, with maturity.
it wasn't that you didn't like him... you just couldn't. couldn't fathom getting involved someone that seemed so perfect without even trying.
"get in." he said, simplistic, walking around the car to the passenger seat and opening the door.
"what?" you asked, confused.
"just get in before I change my mind and leave you alone, for good." his voice said, cold, but you could hear the tiredness. you certainly didn't not want to defy him now, knowing he's good with his word.
you cursed inwards and walked around the sports car with your head down, smiling awkward when he held the door to you as you entered, and got in the driver seat afterwards. his audi was more spacious than his porsche, which made you more comfortable as he drove into the night, both of you too tense to muster up words. your eyes stared pathetically at the car's tinted windows, seeing the droplets of summer rain start, fucking great.
your apartment complex was built in the past century, which meant any light wind could mess up your building's energy, much less with the rain, to which wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. baekhyun knew that, but you never actually invite him over.
you looked at him as he stared at you, seemingly knowing your thoughts. "I'm not taking you to my penthouse again." he said casually.
"baekhyun, please? I'm not even gonna do anything, I just don't wanna stay in the damn dark by myself. plus the air conditioner won't work, so it'll be a humid oven in there." you sighed, but he didn't seem very interested in your lame excuse.
both of you stood quietly as he stopped on a red light, checking his phone in disinterest before stepping on the pedal again, expertly driving through the streets. you'd find him to be a vision in other circumstances.
"I'm sorry."
baekhyun clenched his jaw at your words, but didn't say anything, so you continued. "fuck, baekhyun— i really am. it's just... I'm bad at... everything revolving people. I know it doesn't seem like it since I'm outgoing and 'extroverted', but when it comes to problems like this, I really have no idea about what the fuck I'm doing." you felt the car stop in the middle of the way to your home and his eyes turning to face you, but you continued, "the truth is that I didn't actually believe that I was hurting you. didn't but that you actually, honestly wanted something to do with me that wasn't just stress relieving sex... even though you never actually gave me a concrete reason to disregard your feelings. so I just cowered everytime there was an opportunity to face that, face you. I know none of that shit is your problem and you expected me to at least be honest and own up before it got to this point, but I failed at that. since that's all I've known in past relationships." you finished, ready to just leave the car and walk home on your own. fuck the rain, you just didn't want to face his coldness after all that.
your escape plan was fumbled as quick as it was formed, baekhyun locking the doors from the digital panel and grabbing your hand. he stared at you with conflict, but didn't have the same coldness and reservations from before your speech. he sighed and pushed one strand of your long hair behind your ear.
"why do you push me away, angel...?" baekhyun murmured with a voice sure to make you drop down your defensiveness, frowning as the answer was just as unclear to you as it was to him. you felt so small, and he hated it as much as you did.
"I guess I just..." you started, looking at him waringly only to find soft pupils focused on you so intensely that it made you look down again. "I tend to leave first because I never want to be the one left. I don't ever want to give anyone the ability to leave me again... so it doesn't have anything to do with something you've done or not." you looked at him again, baekhyun finally grasping understanding amidst his hurt from your actions, now sure they were consequences of protecting yourself.
"I had no idea, angel." he squeezed your hand, his thumb caressing it gently, his grasp pulling you into his arms for a soothing hug that you didn’t know you needed right now, the way his cool hand found your lower bare waist beneath your crop top made you shudder softly, resting your head against his spacious shoulder.
the way baekhyun looked at you when you leaned back made you gulp from the closeness. "now we can go to my penthouse, if you want to." he asked, protective of you, which made you nod softly, but when he turned away from you to grab the steering wheel, you impulsively grabbed his arm, making him stare at you in confusion.
"what is it? I figured we could also order something when we get there since there wasn't any food at the..." he trailed off as you stared at him with those eyes. "...party."
you slowly made your way over the panel, thankful he chose his audi today, since it gave you space to cross towards his seat. "what are you—" baekhyun started, but gasped as you straddled him, you legs feeling his jeans.
"angel, I won't do anything before I'm sure you're not leaving me afterwards." he spoke with his jaw clenched, strained, but serious.
"not even kiss me?" your voice murmured, close to him, watching him struggle to control himself.
it's not like you didn't want to take this seriously. not like you didn't mean any of your earlier words.
it was just hard not to want byun baekhyun when he looked into your pupils with such protective eyes. and even harder when he kissed you with such wanton lips. his hand went carefully behind your head as his mouth claimed yours gently in a way that made you pathethically weak, something that you felt was unfair. you pressed the button on the side of the driver seat that made it slowly descend, giving you more space to grind your hips against his, making him growl, parting the kiss with a rough tug on your hair.
"take this seriously if you don't want me to fuck you like you're worthless in the backseat." he hissed in a whisper, making you grin at the delicious tingles his proposition gave you.
but as much as you liked it when he was angry, you didn't want to make him mad anymore. not tonight.
your hand found his cheek, caressing him gently. "if I didn't take you seriously, I wouldn't tell you those things. I may be a coward, but not a liar." that made him release your hair and caress your scalp, "besides... is it truly wrong to want you this much...? to want to be yours right here in the center of the street?" you murmured, resuming your soft moves in his crotch, making him throw his head back in a curse, clearly unable to totally deny you
"you're lucky I'm in love with you." baekhyun grunted, meeting your center with his, the friction of his jeans and your pleated skirt making your breaths shorten. "I know," you purred with a wide smile, "but did I ever make you not love fucking me?"
that made his hands find your rear roughly, squeezing it in a way that made you whimper.
"you fucking minx..." he pulled your hips to his forcefully, making you grin lazily. "making me taint another one of my cars..." you gasped as one of his hands quickly found your heat under your skirt, rubbing up and down as you seeped through it while he spoke. "look at you. you're so damn shameless." he murmured on your ear as you curved from his touch, your hands finding his shoulders as an anchor when he tugged your panties aside and slowly inserted his middle finger, making you curse.
"could you go any slower?" you grunted with frustated sarcasm, but regretted instantly when you saw his annoyingly handsome, deviant grin, feeling his curling digit take his time as he hovered his thumb on your increasingly swollen clit.
"you know, darling? I actually wanted to wait a bit. I was hoping..." baekhyun trailed off, watching his finger pumping in and out of your wetness. "we could have just went to my house and... talked, actually met each other like..." he added his ring finger, making your brows raise in a gasp, "normal people who can actually hold a conversation."
you were practically getting yourself off on his fingers, throwing your head back in uncomposed breaths, before whining when he pulled them out of you.
"but you just had to act like your needy self, hadn't you? firstly... you entered the party with this..." he raked your skimpy outfit, his other hand kneading your ass, "pathetic plea for my attention. now you're in my car, acting like you need me as much as you need air. the rain already stopped, and you're not even ashamed of your weak excuse to get into my bed."
you only smiled recklessly, grinding on him as a counter attack, stealing him a curse. "you're talking like you're so much better, hm? even if I wore something casual in this hot summer night you'd be drooling over my ass, which if I'm not mistaken, you have. the entire night." you caught his eyes on your exposed midriff so you leaned closer, contracting your abdomen in anticipation of his touch on your waist, "I bet even if it wasn't raining, you'd take any reason I gave you just to bring me over and..." you trailed off, biting your lower lip as your stared at him, playful.
you knew those eyes of his, and what you didn't know from spoken words, you recognized from his deep stare, that unlike other guys you met, gazed you with devotion. in less than a second, your lips crash desperately, his hand that was carefully caressing your hips now rushed under your skirt to bruise your pale skin. the way his blunt nails grazed your skin in urgency made you part your lips to moan on his kiss, to which he took advantage and pushed his tongue inside, making you rake up his hair, messing the stylish curls. you honestly thought it looked better that way, especially when you tugged them to make him moan a sound that, in all honesty, made you wetter. a selfish part of you wanted to be the only one to hear it, regardless of the implications. to drink on the deliciousness of his pleasured stares, ever switching from confident playfulness to longing pleas.
your bite on his lip made him puff and thrust upwards in delicious friction of your dry humping, something that you two usually spent long minutes doing. he stopped your attempts of undoing his belt to murmur in your ear. "go to the backseat, let me eat you out." and if you weren't so turned on, you'd laugh at his addiction to your taste.
you only smiled softly, slowly crawling your way to the backseat in a exaggerated raise of your ass that exposed your damp, black lace under your pleated skirt. you eventually sat there with a full blown smile when you turned to face him, his fucked out expression focusing on the way you grabbed the headrest, pulling down your panties with one hand and throwing them carelessly to the front of the car, something that'd normally make him mad. not this time, though. no. in fact, he caught them and stored on his pocket, making you roll your eyes.
"you really know how to act like a teenager when you want too, hm? baekhyunie?" you teased, sliding sideways as he made him way beside you, already separating your thighs and pushing your skirt up on your waist.
"does a teenager know how to eat you out like I do, angel?" baekhyun asked, looking up with a growing grin. and before you could even retort, you had to grab his hair with a curse at the slow lap of his velvet tongue between your folds. he'd start slow with circling movements on your clit before pushing inside in a curling manner that made you moan. the way he made out with your pussy was something you were obsessed with, the intricate manner he took turns with nibbling and sucking made your thighs quiver, and you were sure he loved when you suffocated him between them, rubbing his nose to slobber on your taste in a filthy manner.
your mind was so high that you almost didn't notice the sound of the car window going down behind you, your eyes widened as you saw his hand pressing the button with purpose, his own watched your gasping reaction in determined lust.
"what the fuck! baekhyun, someone's gonna—!" your hand that tried to press the button over his own was caught in a tight grip, your plea interrupted from the absolute need to let out a gasp from the added fingers of his right hand that were paired with his tongue.
"let people hear how pretty you sound when it's me who's eating you out. fuck it, let them see it." the way his voice sounded low and raspy triggered goosebumps from within your cunt, and you were thankful no one was around at this hour. your head was thrown back another time when he started a rapid, skillful assault that would surely make you come within seconds. the thrill of it all was raising your senses even higher, your gasps echoing recklessly into the night with the promise of someone hearing it made you want to scream in ecstasy, the orgasm shattering your reality for a moment. you swore the strength of your grip on his hair hurt baekhyun, but you weren't bothered to let it go when he was determined on drinking your every remnant, only stopping with a push from your hand.
he exhaled with a grunt, panting as he desperately unbuckled his belt and tugged everything off in one go. "turn around." he stated, helping you when your moves were consequently sluggish.
you could already feel his chest on your back when he steadied his cock on your entrance, his lips kissing your neck as he caressed your curves, your hands clutching the — still open – window.
"do you want this? right here?" baekhyun said on your ear, unconsciously making you rub yourself onto him.
it could be considered embarrassing how your mind didn't give a fuck for the spot you were put. how your only desire was to be his in every place you could get, since you knew he'd care for your comfort and needs perfectly.
"yes." was the single word you muttered before slowly moaning from the way he stretched you from behind. you could even smile from how you felt him throb inside of you, elated from the way he cursed on your ear.
the small sting from the already quick pace he settled did nothing to snuff out your lust, only raising it to the max as the both of you moaned on the open car window.
"fuck— I love how your pussy throbs around my cock after you come...!" baekhyun strained his voice behind you, snapping his hips ferociously onto you in a way that made your eyes roll from how deep he hit.
you couldn't even properly speak, only taking what he gave you with grateful noises. when his fingers found your lips and his hand gripped your chin, you instantly opened your mouth to receive his digits lewdly, humming at the way he sucked onto your pulse point.
"such a fucking good girl, right, angel...?" he hissed, thrusting viciously. "do you like this? me fucking your pussy on open air? hm?"
you could barely stop your choked moans as he removed his fingers from your mouth to hear your answer. when he didn't, his open hand hit your ass in a harsh hit, making you yelp loudly.
"y-yes! fuck yes!" you shouted, shaken, whimpering as he caressed the sting he caused amidst his thrusts.
baekhyun only chuckled breathlessly, enjoying how you clenched everytime he spanked you. "just look at how good you take me... it's like you're swallowing me whole. such a perfect pussy." he kept changing it from slow to rapid moves, almost making your eyes well up with your inability to respond.
"god— I think I really fucking love you...!" he grunted, raising his pace as he smacked your flesh again. "gonna show you how much I love you by cumming inside, hm?"
you could barely nod, his fingers pressing down your tongue again before baekhyun rammed into you one final time, filling you up with a groan. he kissed your neck amidst love bites and pulled you onto his lap further in the backseat as he closed the window. his hand lovingly went up under your top, caressing your chest through your bra as he muttered multiple praises and turned you to face him, asking if you were okay with everything and if he didn't hurt you in any way. it was so good you almost thought you were already his, even without the two of you putting it into words.
he cleaned you with tissues from the car's glove box before both of you climbed back onto the front seats in a comfortable silence as he drove you to his penthouse confidently. he held your hand even though you said you were fine, walking you to the elevator before you were finally on his couch, facing each other with a water glass on your hand. you gulped silently before setting the glass on his coffee table, hugging yourself as you prepared yourself for the inevitable talk you been delaying for months.
"how are you?" baekhyun's voice muttered as his eyes watched you curled on the edge of the couch, your stockinged feet on it, yet his question made you raise your brows in confusion. that was certainly not the first question you expected.
"I mean— how are you feeling? right now?" he rephrased, making you look down in thought.
"I... feel okay, I suppose." you murmured, unsure.
"do you wanna talk about us...?" baekhyun spoke softly, his hand finding your knee in an attempt to coax a proper response, something that made you feel guilty.
you stayed silent, contemplating everything before you slowly pulled your knee closer to your chest.
"I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to face such thoughts right now." you sighed, closing your eyes while you pushed your face between your knees, frustrated by your inability to express your worries properly.
you heard him standing up from the couch to hover over your figure, pushing your hair back gently without a word. that made you look up with a worried look, but it soon softened as you saw his face, the intentions of making you comfortable clear within his expression.
"you're really serious about this, aren't you?" you spoke, shy as you sat properly to let him sit close to you. "about me and you... getting to know each other?"
"I'm serious about it because I wanna be serious about what I feel for you. for what I want to feel as I get to know you, if you'll let me..." baekhyun hummed, laying his head on your shoulder, which made you grin softly.
"and what would it imply?" you spoke softly, turning your face to his lowered one, watching his lashes flutter as he looked at before starting to visualize.
"oh, you know, the usual. dates, adventures.... lots of cuddles, plenty of kisses..." he paused, grinning at you as you rolled your eyes with a soft smile.
"you're ridiculous, you know that?"
"if being ridiculous makes you smile like that, then I'll take it." he said, making you groan and throw your head onto the cushion in a cringed expression. you heard him laugh, and unconsciously smiled when you faced him again, settling on a comfortable shared gaze.
baekhyun leaned closer, softening his expression as he spoke again "but more than that... supporting each other, trusting each other," you felt him lower his tone as he reached your lips, "being there for each other, through the good times and the bad."
"yeah...?" you whispered at him as you stared at his handsome face.
"yeah." he whispered back.
something about his tone and look made you kiss him, unhurried. it felt even better since he promptly responded by bringing you onto his lap to make out with patience.
"you're crazy" you said between pecks, inhaling his soft, woody, warm fragrance that brought you just as much comfort as it brought you desire.
"you're more." his said, breathy, sending newfound tingles in your lower stomach, and you remembered he still didn't give you back your panties, meaning you'd soon seep onto him if you kept this up.
so you figured, why not make it difficult for him?
you slowly inserted your tongue on his mouth, feeling his own eagerly swirling against yours in a lazy kiss, gently sucking onto him. that, paired with a couple of nibbles on his lower lip got him groaning, so you innocently moved your hand lower between your bodies and introduced your index within your walls, making you gasp. baekhyun only furrowed his brows, confused, but soon widened his eyes when you raised your hand between your faces, exposing the glistening of your juices coating your finger, before you licked the digit clean.
such action made him clench his jaw, exhaling through his nose as he stared at you sucking onto it.
"you wanna know what you'd get in a relationship with me, darling?" baekhyun spoke in a unnervingly calm low voice while his eyes were fixed on yours.
but before you could ask, he lifted you off the couch into his arms with ease, making you yelp as he walked with you further into the apartment, before reaching his master bedroom and tossing you on the bed. you yelped as your back reached his mattress, focusing your eyes on the one who stood before you, taking off his clothes in a hurried manner.
"you get all of me. every part. anytime you want." he stated as he got his shirt off in a manner you could only watch in a surprised awe.
"you get my mind," baekhyun unbucked his belt again, "you get my heart," his jeans and briefs dropped to the ground as he crawled onto the bed, on top of you. "and you get my body. all for you." he finished, pressing the tip of his already leaking cock against your folds. his tongue tracing the shell of your ear.
you cursed, shutting your eyes in overwhelm, just to hear him speak again. "and I get all of you. every part, every sound, every breath. all mine."
you opened them up only to find his face, completely whipped in anticipation for your response. both your breaths were shaken, your hand found his cheek with gentle caressing before your made your decision.
a relationship with baekhyun sounded far fetched from the start, you could already see that. but maybe a part of you longed to get to know him on the day after this. on the morning after, where your bodies are so spent you don't want to move away from each other. and maybe...
maybe you could turn this into something you won't be scared to face in the future.
looking at his eyes, you could see that beyond all the lustful desire, he only does this because that's the only thing you ever allowed him to do. so you breathed in, leaned your face closer to his in a way that lovingly made your noses touch, watching him close his eyes for a second.
"okay." you murmured.
it was another shockwave to feel him enter your walls again, and baekhyun took his time, gently pushing every inch in a painfully slow manner.
"you're still so damn tight, doll." he strained, hissing when he finally settled within in a torturous pace.
"s-so what, hm?" you stuttered, still adjusting to his thickness, making him chuckle at your attitude.
"so I think about it everytime I'm not thinking about dating you." baekhyun hummed, deliberately patient with his thrusts as he watched your facial expressions. "I love picturing us together for real, even when all I've seen is you like this... like..." he trailed off, closing his eyes to keep composure.
"like...?" you coaxed, meeting his hips halfway in a lazy manner.
"like a goddess." he murmured lowly, his dark eyes completely fixated on the way your face reacted to pleasure.
you only pushed your hand to his chest to stop his shallow thrusts and sat back with unhurried movements. you stared at him with intent to make sure he knew what you felt in the moment, finally taking off your skirt and crop top, then sprawling yourself on his bed, naked under his eyes for the first time tonight.
"then why don't you love me like one...?" your voice murmured in honest desire, your legs high as you exposed your center to him, bewitching baekhyun.
the suddenness of his next thrust caught both of you off guard, with a deep moan being ripped from his throat as he was, once again, completely enveloped by you. your legs wrapped around his waist as his body shuddered uncontrollably, the intensity of the sensation as big as ever.
"you little minx..." baekhyun grunted as he steadied his breath, pounding you against his bed in a way that made you cry out numerous curses, fighting for composure.
"I love that I can make you speechless." he whispered, rolling his hips repeatedly. and if you thought it was hard to keep your head clear amidst everything, it was ever harder for him. feeling your grip around him in a continuous pulse.
"not my fault your cock fits so perfectly." you choked, making him grin in a surge of satisfaction.
"and it's all yours." he murmured, his teeth finding your pulse point once again as he slowed his thrusts in a manner that accentuated the depth of his movements. "do you like it like this, doll? can you feel me like this, hm?"
you'd swear you'll kill him for this, for teasing you like this, but the only thing you could ever do right now is respond in a way that could appease both of your fires. even if it sounded pathetic. "th—there... right there...!"
baekhyun smiled against your neck, his body responding to your words.
"here...?" he asked, repeating the motion, his hips circling against yours in a deep, deliberate motion, his body rubbing against yours in all the right places.
when he picked up the pace again, your hands went behind you in an attempt to achor yourself, trying to grab his headboard, but failing. baekhyun noticed and hummed, leaning back to watch your face with a small sheen against his temples, "hold onto me," his voice rough and ragged while his body continued in a fast, hard movement. "hold onto me, angel. I got you..."
even in your light minded state, you still replied, worried, "I'll scratch you..." with a breathy voice amidst pants.
"I don't care. scratch me, bite me. do whatever you need, but hold onto me." he rumbled roughly.
at a certain rough thrust, you cried out, digging your long nails on his broad back in a way that surely marked him. baekhyun hissed, the counterpoint of the pain making him go delirious as he kept whispering praises on your ear.
"I can't— can't take it much longer...!" you whimpered, feeling your tight coil extremely close to snap for the third time that night. he wasn't very far, either.
"I can feel it, angel. let—" he moaned, "let it go for me, I'm right there with you."
baekhyun grabbed you thighs securely, looking up at your face as you asked "together...?", making him nod his head.
"together," he panted, "let yourself go and come with me. I got you."
with guttural sounds from him, you silently screamed while tugging his hair and back, feeling both of your releases hit intensely. baekhyun cursed loudly, drawing out both your orgasms as he filled you up again, shaking with aftershocks on top of you.
there was a moment of mutual comfort in the silence that follow, both of you uncaring for how long you actually spent with him inside of you, since he settled beside your body, holding you close.
"you know I'll do anything..." baekhyun hummed in your hair, nuzzling your neck as you stared at the ceiling, finding his face in a soft, confused hum.
he knew it could sound repetitive to you, but he just had to say it again. and a part of you likes it. a lot.
"for you to be mine." the way he spoke your name afterwards felt good, sending shivers from inside of your body.
he raised his head to look at you, locking your gazes in a silent understanding with serious, but pleading eyes.
"say yes." he told you, fixed on the way you raked his sculpted face. the way his moles adorned his features.
"you'll never let this go, hm?" you grinned, looking down in more comfort than you'd expect.
"no." baekhyun said, with a clear tone that made you look back at him with shy eyes as he continued.
I was seven, but I didn't remember it until I was 13. It was almost a blessing that my mind hid it from me, it would have weighed my small spirit down before it had the chance to bloom. He visited throughout those 6 years and I would laugh at his silly jokes. I thought he was funny. Now not so much, the memory has tainted all the others. It has reset the tone of every interaction. It came back to me in the kitchen, we where both sat at the table and my mother was fiddling with pots and pans by the sink. I don't remember what we where talking about but I do remember the suddenness of remembering being seven with you in my room. I had never tried to picture what people meant when they said your life flashes before your eyes when you're dying. I felt like I was dying, a part me came clawing out of its hiding place and ripped me anew. My life didn't flash before my eyes but you did. One minute you where safe and funny, a blink later you were dangerous and slimy. I wanted you off my skin, but you had been clinging to me for 6 years and I didn't know where to begin. One thing I knew for sure is I had remembered. And you thought I hadn't.
i often see writers sharing a sentiment of struggling with writing kiss scenes which honestly bleeds into other portrayals of physical intimacy. i see it a lot in modernized styles of writing popularized by the recent trend in publishing to encourage short, choppy sentences and few adverbs, even less descriptive language. this makes intimacy come across awkward, like someone writing a script or clumsy recounting of events rather than a beautiful paragraph of human connection.
or just plane horniness. but hey, horny doesn't have to be mutually exclusive with poetic or sensual.
shallow example: they kissed desperately, tongues swirling and she moaned. it made her feel warm inside.
in depth example: she reached for the other woman slowly and with a small measure of uncertainty. the moment her fingers brushed the sharp, soft jaw of her companion, eliza's hesitance slid away. the first kiss was gentle when she finally closed the distance between them. she pressed her lips lightly to gabriella's in silent exploration. a tender question. gabriella answered by meeting her kiss with a firmer one of her own. eliza felt the woman's fingers curling into her umber hair, fingernails scraping along her scalp. everything inside eliza relaxed and the nervousness uncoiled from her gut. a warm buzz of energy sunk through her flesh down to the very core of her soul. this was right. this was always where she needed to be.
the first complaint i see regards discomfort in writing a kiss, feeling like one is intruding on the characters. the only way to get around this is to practice. anything that makes you uncomfortable in writing is something you should explore. writing is at its best when we are pushing the envelope of our own comfort zones. if it feels cringy, if it feels too intimate, too weird, too intrusive, good. do it anyway! try different styles, practice it, think about which parts of it make you balk the most and then explore that, dissect it and dive into getting comfortable with the portrayal of human connection.
of course the biggest part comes to not knowing what to say other than "they kissed" or, of course, the tried and true "their lips crashed and their tongues battled for dominance" 😐. so this is my best advice: think beyond the mouth. okay, we know their mouths are mashing. but what are their hands doing? are they touching one another's hair? are they scratching or gripping desperately at one another? are they gliding their hands along each other's body or are they wrapping their arms tightly to hold each other close? do they sigh? do they groan? do they relax? do they tense? are they comfortable with each other or giddy and uncertain? is it a relief, or is it bringing more questions? is it building tension or finally breaking it?
get descriptive with the emotions. how is it making the main character/pov holder feel? how are they carrying those emotions in their body? how do they feel the desire in their body? desire is not just felt below the belt. it's in the gut, it's in the chest, it's in the flushing of cheeks, the chills beneath the skin, the goosebumps over the surface of the flesh. everyone has different pleasure zones. a kiss might not always lead desire for overtly sexual touches. a kiss might lead to the desire for an embrace. a kiss might lead to the impulse to bite or lick at other areas. a kiss could awaken desire to be caressed or caress the neck, the shoulder, the back, the arms etc. describe that desire, show those impulses of pleasure and affection.
of course there is the tactile. what does the love interest taste like? what do they smell like? how do they kiss? rough and greedy? slow and sensual? explorative and hesitant? expertly or clumsily? how does it feel to be kissed by them? how does it feel to kiss them?
i.e. examine who these individuals are, what their motives and feelings are within that moment, who they are together, what it looks like when these two individuals come together. a kiss is not about the mouth. it's about opening the door to vulnerability and desire in one's entire body and soul.
i often see writers sharing a sentiment of struggling with writing kiss scenes which honestly bleeds into other portrayals of physical intimacy. i see it a lot in modernized styles of writing popularized by the recent trend in publishing to encourage short, choppy sentences and few adverbs, even less descriptive language. this makes intimacy come across awkward, like someone writing a script or clumsy recounting of events rather than a beautiful paragraph of human connection.
or just plane horniness. but hey, horny doesn't have to be mutually exclusive with poetic or sensual.
shallow example: they kissed desperately, tongues swirling and she moaned. it made her feel warm inside.
in depth example: she reached for the other woman slowly and with a small measure of uncertainty. the moment her fingers brushed the sharp, soft jaw of her companion, eliza's hesitance slid away. the first kiss was gentle when she finally closed the distance between them. she pressed her lips lightly to gabriella's in silent exploration. a tender question. gabriella answered by meeting her kiss with a firmer one of her own. eliza felt the woman's fingers curling into her umber hair, fingernails scraping along her scalp. everything inside eliza relaxed and the nervousness uncoiled from her gut. a warm buzz of energy sunk through her flesh down to the very core of her soul. this was right. this was always where she needed to be.
the first complaint i see regards discomfort in writing a kiss, feeling like one is intruding on the characters. the only way to get around this is to practice. anything that makes you uncomfortable in writing is something you should explore. writing is at its best when we are pushing the envelope of our own comfort zones. if it feels cringy, if it feels too intimate, too weird, too intrusive, good. do it anyway! try different styles, practice it, think about which parts of it make you balk the most and then explore that, dissect it and dive into getting comfortable with the portrayal of human connection.
of course the biggest part comes to not knowing what to say other than "they kissed" or, of course, the tried and true "their lips crashed and their tongues battled for dominance" 😐. so this is my best advice: think beyond the mouth. okay, we know their mouths are mashing. but what are their hands doing? are they touching one another's hair? are they scratching or gripping desperately at one another? are they gliding their hands along each other's body or are they wrapping their arms tightly to hold each other close? do they sigh? do they groan? do they relax? do they tense? are they comfortable with each other or giddy and uncertain? is it a relief, or is it bringing more questions? is it building tension or finally breaking it?
get descriptive with the emotions. how is it making the main character/pov holder feel? how are they carrying those emotions in their body? how do they feel the desire in their body? desire is not just felt below the belt. it's in the gut, it's in the chest, it's in the flushing of cheeks, the chills beneath the skin, the goosebumps over the surface of the flesh. everyone has different pleasure zones. a kiss might not always lead desire for overtly sexual touches. a kiss might lead to the desire for an embrace. a kiss might lead to the impulse to bite or lick at other areas. a kiss could awaken desire to be caressed or caress the neck, the shoulder, the back, the arms etc. describe that desire, show those impulses of pleasure and affection.
of course there is the tactile. what does the love interest taste like? what do they smell like? how do they kiss? rough and greedy? slow and sensual? explorative and hesitant? expertly or clumsily? how does it feel to be kissed by them? how does it feel to kiss them?
i.e. examine who these individuals are, what their motives and feelings are within that moment, who they are together, what it looks like when these two individuals come together. a kiss is not about the mouth. it's about opening the door to vulnerability and desire in one's entire body and soul.
100 Vocabulary Words for Gothic Fiction | For Writers
Hello Writers! I've put together a list of 100 words to help you expand your vocabulary for writing gothic fiction in October. I categorized the words for easy reference. I did some research using thesauruses and dictionaries to compile this list for you. I hope you find it helpful! 👻🎃
Atmospheric Words
Tenebrous - dark and gloomy
Oppressive - overwhelming and unpleasantly powerful
Ominous - suggesting evil or harm is imminent
Eerie - strange and frightening
Uncanny - mysterious and unsettling
Nefarious - wicked or criminal
Malevolent - having evil intentions
Sinister - giving the impression of evil
Melancholy - deep sadness
Lugubrious - mournful or dismal
Sombre - dark and gloomy
Dreary - dull and depressing
Desolate - empty and lonely
Bleak - cold and depressing
Dank - unpleasantly damp and cold
Character Descriptions
Pallid - abnormally pale
Gaunt - thin and bony
Haggard - looking exhausted and unwell
Cadaverous - corpse-like
Wan - pale and sickly
Spectral - ghost-like
Enigmatic - mysterious and difficult to understand
Brooding - appearing darkly thoughtful
Tortured - suffering mentally or physically
Macabre - disturbing due to focus on death or injury
Architectural Features
Gothic - relating to medieval style architecture
Dilapidated - in a state of disrepair
Decrepit - worn out or ruined due to age
Crumbling - breaking into small fragments
Decaying - rotting or decomposing
Ramshackle - in a state of severe disrepair
Crypt - underground room or vault
Turret - small tower on a building
Parapet - low protective wall along the edge of a roof
Buttress - structure built against a wall for support
Supernatural Elements
Apparition - ghost or spirit
Phantasm - figment of the imagination
Specter - ghost or phantom
Wraith - ghost or spirit
Revenant - person who returns as a spirit after death
Ethereal - extremely delicate and light
Otherworldly - belonging to an imaginary or spiritual world
Paranormal - beyond normal explanation
Preternatural - beyond what is normal in nature
Occult - supernatural or magical
Emotions and States of Mind
Dread - great fear or apprehension
Foreboding - fearful apprehension
Trepidation - fear or anxiety about something that may happen
Anguish - severe mental or physical pain
Despair - complete loss of hope
Melancholia - deep and long-lasting sadness
Hysteria - exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion
Delirium - state of confusion and hallucination
Madness - state of severe mental illness
Obsession - persistent disturbing preoccupation with an idea or feeling
Gothic Settings
Moor - area of open, uncultivated upland
Wasteland - barren or desolate area
Labyrinth - complex maze-like structure
Catacomb - underground cemetery
Dungeon - dark underground prison
Mausoleum - building housing a tomb or tombs
Sepulcher - small room or monument where a dead person is laid
Necropolis - large cemetery, especially an ancient one
Citadel - fortress that commands a city
Monastery - building occupied by a community of monks
Weather and Natural Phenomena
Tempest - violent windy storm
Miasma - unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapor
Fog - thick cloud of tiny water droplets
Mist - cloud of tiny water droplets in the air near ground level
Gloom - partial or total darkness
Twilight - soft glowing light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon
Umbra - the fully shaded inner region of a shadow
Penumbra - the partially shaded outer region of a shadow
Crepuscular - resembling twilight; dim
Tenebrous - dark, shadowy, or obscure
Literary Devices and Narrative Elements
Foreshadowing - warning or indication of a future event
Omen - event regarded as a portent of good or evil
Portent - sign or warning that a momentous or calamitous event is likely to happen
Harbinger - person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another
Presage - sign or warning that something will happen
Doppelganger - look-alike or double of a living person
Grotesque - comically or repulsively ugly or distorted
Gothic double - character representing the duality of human nature
Unreliable narrator - narrator whose credibility is compromised
Frame narrative - story within a story
Liminal Spaces and Concepts
Threshold - strip of wood or stone forming the bottom of a doorway
Liminal - occupying a position at, or on both sides of, a boundary or threshold
Betwixt - in between
Interstitial - of, forming, or occupying interstices (small spaces between things)
Twilight zone - undefined or intermediate area between two distinct states
Purgatory - place or state of temporary suffering or expiation
Netherworld - imaginary subterranean world of the dead
Abyss - deep or seemingly bottomless chasm
Void - completely empty space
Chthonic - concerning, belonging to, or inhabiting the underworld
Miscellaneous Gothic Terms
Sublime - of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire awe
Ineffable - too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words
Eldritch - weird and sinister or ghostly
Atavistic - relating to or characterized by reversion to something ancient or ancestral
Numinous - having a strong religious or spiritual quality; indicating the presence of a divinity
