American Mate (10) - A Date In The Right Direction

American Mate (10) - A Date in the Right Direction

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K-pop lover, mostly BTS, StayKids, Ateez, ZeroBaseOne, & Astro.

In honor of Kim Seokjin's return from the military, my Jin-centric Chapter 10 is live for those with a Patreon Membership. This chapter is out sooner than I was expecting, but I wanted to make sure to honor the eldest member.

I hope you enjoy it, my dearest readers.

This chapter is a total of 11,976 words long. Read below for a little taste! 💜💜💜

The next morning is a complete departure from your usual routine. You had meticulously set your alarm for 7:30 am, anticipating a quick shower would suffice before your medical appointment. But fate had other plans in store for you.

Shuffling, giggling, and the hushed “Quiet Kookie” woke you. Wait… is that water running? What time… what?

Stretching as you blink your eyes, you end up face to face with Jungkook, “Ah! Jungkook! What are you doing?”

“Good morning, my sweets,” the bunny smiled brightly with his big eyes. No care in the world that he just spooked you await.

Still hearing movement, you take a look around. Jungkook is kneeling on the bed but not inside your fort. Yoongi has popped his head out of your bathroom, and Seokjin stands at the entry door with a tray.

“Good morning, Jungkook, Seokjin, Yoongi. What time is it?’ rubbing your eyes and stretching again. Man, that was the deepest sleep you have gotten in a long time. 

Each Alpha wants to coo at your cute little stretches, which are maddeningly hidden by Taehyung’s blanket. 

Seokjin is the first to snap out of watching you, “It’s almost 7 am, dear. I have a light breakfast, and Yoongi is drawing a bath for you. We want to make sure you're comfortable and ready for your day.

Looking at Seokjin with a bit of a question furrowing your brow. Yoongi retreats into the bathroom now that he sees you are not upset at the intrusion

 “Sweets, we heard your doctor’s appointment was this morning. I hate doctor’s appointments, and we thought it might be uncomfortable for you, too.” Jungkook says while he giggles at your expression.

“Thank you, Alphas. I was going to try a shower today, but a bath sounds good,” you say. A smile blooms on your face at the knowledge of the Alphas trying to make your day good.

“Princess, the bath is ready. I used the Cassia and Cherry scented bath bomb for you today. I set a towel to the side for you like last time. When you are done, please call for any of us to help dry your hair, okay?” asks Yoongi as he heads toward the door.

“Sure thing, Yoongi. Thank you again.” With another smile, Yoongi looks pointedly at the youngest packmate before leaving to get ready, presumably.

“Jin, is breakfast something that will get cold, or can I eat it after the bath?” you ask. Meanwhile, you note that Jungkook has scooted closer to you but still not close enough to touch you or your fort. 

“It’s a simple breakfast: just some fruits and a bagel with cream cheese,” his eyes widened. He looked at the tray and then back at you. “You do like fruit, bagels, and cream cheese, right?”

Giggling, you kick out of the blankets and start scooting toward him. “Who doesn’t like those? They would be crazy not to like those!” 

You look at the array of foods on the tray, “Thank you, Jin. It looks good. Oh, you got mangos, my favorite!” 

You happily take a large bite of the slice and close your eyes to enjoy the burst of flavor. Seokjin watches you eat intensely, and Jungkook approaches your side.

Opening your eyes, you look back at the bunny, asking, “Can you have mangos?” At his nodding, you offer him to take the rest of the mango in your hand. 

Leaning forward, Jungkook eats the mango from your hand. His lips barely touch your fingertips, temporarily short-circuiting you. 

You immediately drop your hand and look back at Seokjin, only to notice he is watching Jungkook eat. You feel like you are getting too warm over witnessing something that should be between mates only.

“Umm... I am gonna go take that bath now,” you say softly. 

Bolting into the walk-in closet, you look for something comfortable and yours to wear today. You pull out a pair of leggings, a sports bra, a crisscross tank, and a non-thousand-dollar sweater.

When you leave the closet, you notice that the tray has been left at the end of the bed, and the two remaining Alphas have left the room. 

Softly, you bang your head on the door frame and mumble, “Good job, y/n. Way to keep professionalism.”

It's been months since @remedyx wrote this for my birthday. I keep coming back to it.

I recently wrote a reader request and I can see why many writers don't take them. It was an honor to write mine, don't get me wrong.

It just gives me an even greater appreciation for receiving this amazing work.

💜💜💜

Silver Stardust

Pairing: Draas!Jimin x Human!(f)reader

Rating: 18+

Genre: Fantasy, Alien, Angst, Fluff, Smut, One-Shot

WC: 17.1k

Warnings/Tags: explicit sexual content, language, unprotected sex, fingering, oral (m and f receiving), kind of/sort of public sex, this turned soft, fluff galore, tiny bit of angst

Thank you so much for the request @ldysmfrst 🥰 Happy (super) late birthday gift, and I'm sorry it took me so long to finish it! I was glad to have the opportunity to write something like this, seeing as how I was thinking about dabbling in a little bit of an alien AU eventually! Hope you enjoy!

“Here.”

The small stack of cash was shoved into my hands. Even without counting it, I knew it was much less than what we had initially agreed upon when I offered to help him clean his store. Just to be sure though, I quickly added it up.

“This isn’t even half of what you told me you’d give me.”

“It’s more than I should be giving away already. Sorry lady, we’re all struggling to get by around here. I got my own family to feed.”

The man waved me off, clearly fed up with my presence and just wanting me out. Part of me wanted to argue, the colorful words I had for him on the tip of my tongue until the bell above the front door chimed announcing someone’s arrival. He turned his attention from me, greeting the customer warmly and rounding the counter intent on securing a sale as he appealed to the older couple slowly making their way towards me. Sighing defeatedly, I opted to cut my losses, stowing the meager pay I’d accumulated into my pocket.

The store owner and couple hardly paid me any mind as I skirted past them, donning the hood of my coat to semi-protect myself from the rain. Another gloomy day to serve as a direct representation of how I felt on the inside. Not that there was much to bring happiness these days anyway. The world was going to shit, hardly anyone could afford to live, the lack of money forced people to take out more loans they were unable to pay, and our planet was dying. What a time to be alive.

I was simply one of millions just trying to survive. My only concern being how to get by day to day. My eyes scanned a sheet of paper that had been plastered to one of dozens of storefronts as I passed by. The key to our salvation lies with them, it read. I shook my head, pushing my fists a little deeper into my pockets. The number of people who spent their days printing and handing out those fliers always baffled me. I didn’t have time to waste on other’s problems, let alone how to save this wretched world. It was a wonder so many other people thought differently.

“Rejoice! For they have brought with them a solution!” I jumped at the sudden shout.

The woman in front of me smiled as if she were truly happy to have run into me. Completely unperturbed by the torrential downpour around us as she had taken shelter under a nearby awning I was passing. One arm filled with the same fliers pasted all over the street, the other urging me to take one of them for myself.

“God has forsaken us, and they have taken it upon themselves to answer our desperate plea for help in His stead. The Draas are our future now and we should repay them accordingly.”

I tried to hide my grimace at the implications of her words. The Draas were a dying race of extraterrestrials. Supposedly one of many out there. The day we came to know of their existence, they had offered to help us in restoring our planet. Bring it back from the brink of destruction. And in a way, they have. At least for those who could afford it. In the beginning, most of the world was looking forward to all our problems being solved quickly. Famine, lack of clean and available water, shelter. The Draas had an affinity for the elements. Their very ancestors having claimed to be derived from nature itself.

While they were more than capable of healing a dying world, doing so also took a toll on them. Apparently reviving a planet as tainted as ours has been a bigger hurdle than anyone expected. Them included. The process a long and arduous one that made progress slow. Especially with how few of them there were. And the longer it took, the more a significant portion of humanity lost hope. I was one of them.

I had pretty much come to terms with the idea that I wouldn’t see the world returned to its former glory in my lifetime. But she was referring to their counteroffer. The Draas had asked for a favor in return for saving Earth. They wished to live alongside us and save their race. Some groups against the Draas entirely believed their reasoning for coming here was to exploit human women. Use them as a means to bring their population up again. Which I suppose wasn’t too far a stretch considering they had indirectly hinted at that in a way.

Despite that request though, none of them seemed particularly interested in taking just any woman. There were no snatching women off the streets or coercing them into serving them solely for the purpose of procreation. Rather, women went willingly. If a Draas would take them, that is. For a dying race, they were notably picky. But I guess they could afford to be. Especially after women caught wind of the Draas searching for life partners and the unearthly pleasures some women have claimed to experience at their hands, there was no shortage of them to choose from.

Clinics had opened under the orders of Draas officials to accommodate the influx of human women willing to sign an agreement stating they would take one of them as a life partner should they be deemed fit for it. Another ploy for them to get one step closer to their goal of repopulating under the guise of providing income for many impoverished people. Another impatient urge of paper in front of my face reminded me of the woman blocking my path. I attempted a half-hearted smile, trying to politely decline the sheet she offered. But she didn’t accept it.

“Take it my dear. It could be the end of your needless suffering and the beginning of a new life.”

I decided to take it from her, albeit unwillingly, but my hope was that she would leave me alone if I did so. Not bothering to read it, I shoved it into a pocket like I had with the sad excuse for a payday I harbored. I yanked the hood of my coat further down on my head praying it would stave off the wind that whipped the pellets of rain with it. In the back of my mind, I thought about the leak in the roof of my bathroom back home. I couldn’t remember whether I had replaced the bucket I kept under it or not. Surely if I made it home quickly there wouldn’t be too much to clean up if I hadn’t.

With that thought, I hastened my pace. Barely stopping long enough for the crosswalk lights to switch. I found myself urging one of them to change impatiently, my eyes flickering between the stoplight for the oncoming traffic and the crosswalk sign across the road from me. That was where I found myself when my eyes landed on him. He wore a beige long coat, the ends of it brushing the tops of his calves. Legs clad in a pair of black slacks that were indistinguishable from the hem of his black turtleneck. All it took was a glance to know that he was not a human amidst the crowd of them waiting on the light like I was.

And I wasn’t just saying that because of the lack of an umbrella, although that would have been the most obvious giveaway. The rain poured down around him, and yet, he remained untouched. His bubblegum pink hair fluffy, recalling the picture I’d seen once of cotton candy. It was like he had an invisible shield around him that repelled the water intent on drenching the rest of us.

I was so caught up in watching him that I didn’t notice the lights change. Not even when he started moving, coming closer. The final nail in the coffin determining he wasn’t human being the way he glowed under the streetlights. That iridescent skin common among the Draas that appealed to their beauty even more. The kaleidoscope of translucent colors over the skin of his cheeks was mesmerizing. What I could see of them anyway with the black shades perched on his nose. I watched transfixed as he strolled through the downpour without a care.

His gait smooth and confident amongst the people that rushed past him. He strode across the road in no hurry. In a way that made it seem as if the world was waiting on him versus the ever-ticking countdown of the clock we humans tended to abide by.

A rough shoulder check from behind me shook me from my stupor. The impact sending me directly into a puddle on my hands and knees with the man responsible barely turning long enough to emit a rushed apology, sprinting across the street before the crosswalk timer made it to zero. I inspected my scraped palms to see the damage, a bit peeved for how this entire day was turning out. Not only was I skimped on payment and facing the possibility of coming home to a flooded bathroom floor, but I was also soaked to the bone.

The water seeped through my pants, practically bathing my knees and down, socks and all. I sighed, rubbing the soreness out of my palms while trying to keep my emotions in check. What a shitty day.

“You should really back away from the road before you end up worse off.”

The hand that was proffered had thin, shapely fingers, a smooth palm and on the backs of them I could trace the veins up until they disappeared beneath the sleeve of a beige coat. His skin was pale except for where the light caught the faint iridescence. My eyes trailed up the arm of the person offering to help me, catching the sliver of a black turtleneck before the color clashed with pink. Both from the shimmer of his skin and his hair that nearly matched it.

He still wore those black shades, but his eyes were the last thing I could have imagined having to split my attention between as a slow, soft smile formed on his plump lips. Pink. Just like the rest of him. It took me another good fifteen seconds or so to realize he meant me. Snapping myself out of it, I took his hand with a quiet thanks letting him help me up out of the puddle I still knelt in.

“Are you alright?” His voice was light, melodic even, as he asked about my wellbeing.

“Other than a couple of scrapes and feeling like a drowned rat, I’m fine.” I laughed under my breath.

I hadn’t realized I still had ahold of his hand until he flipped the one in his grasp over to observe my injury. He hummed in thought before a slight pout tugged at his bottom lip.

“I’m afraid I can’t help with those. It’s a bit out of my scope of ability, but I can make you feel not so much like a ‘drowned rat’.” He chuckled at the last bit.

Even in his somewhat broken tone while speaking my language, I understood him. It was clear he wasn’t used to it. Like how it sounds when a lot of people pick up a second or third language and haven’t mastered it to fluency yet. But he was well-versed enough to get by and his pronunciation decent for me to understand with little difficulty. I found it peculiar. He wasn’t the only Draas to know human language, but it wasn’t terribly common for them to have put as much effort into it as he seemed to have.

“Oh, um, don’t worry about it. I was bound to be in a similar state by the time I made it home anyway.”

The reminder of the rain that still cascaded around us came as an afterthought. The realization that I wasn’t being pelted with it sinking in slowly. Somehow, the bubble he appeared to be shrouded in that made him untouchable extending to me with our proximity. Outside of it, everyone else hurried past us, umbrellas in hand and hoods over their heads to fend off the seemingly endless torrent. Fascinated, I reached out to where it looked as if the invisible shelter above us gave way to rain once more. My fingertips breaching that wall only to be met with the deluge.

“Sometimes I forget you humans find such wonder in things we consider mundane.”

I turned my attention back to him, finding the inquisitive tilt to his head rather endearing in an unanticipated way.

“I don’t typically interact with your kind.” I mumbled, extracting my hand from his grip, and letting both drop to my side. “I suppose it’s to be expected when I don’t often associate with people who can do such things.”

“Then your decision to participate in partner matching is a relatively recent one?”

“What?”

His eyes flicked down to my pockets, nodding towards it. I looked down, noticing the flyer the lady from earlier had beseeched me to take. Quickly, I shoved it back out of sight.

“Oh, no. I’m not interested in… that.”

Even through the impenetrable lenses of his sunglasses, I could feel his eyes searching mine. The bubble around us not only warded off the weather, but also the rest of the world to a degree. Outside conversation and the noises of the city itself sort of muffled. It felt like we were truly in a world of our own. So close to the outside, but not quite part of it.

“How unfortunate.” He finally broke the awkwardness that had manifested within our bubble. “You’re not like them. It would have been a nice change.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that, so I kept quiet. A small smile spread over his lips, his hands lifting and reaching out towards my face. My much smaller frame froze, unsure what he was doing until he pulled the hood of my jacket back into place.

“Be careful, alright?”

His movements were gentle. Double checking that it was secure before letting me go and bidding me one last smile to continue on his way. Part of me was still reeling from our interaction. I had never spent that amount of time in such close conjunction with a Draas. The sudden heavy weight of rain atop my shoulders again pulled me back to where I was and what I had been doing. The reminder of the way it poured down on me making everything within the last couple of minutes feel like a dream. Tugging on my hood, I glanced at the crosswalk light, happy to see it green and despite the low-end of the countdown. I sprinted across the street quickly. I didn’t know if it was the brief reprieve during my encounter with the pink haired Draas, but it felt like the rain around me was coming down harder.

I didn’t let up my pace the rest of the way to my house. The squelching in my shoes serving as a better motivator to get out of the rain and inside than the downpour itself. The first glimpse of my dilapidated porch brought a sense of relief. I slipped under the caving roof, glad that for as rough condition it was in, it was enough to protect me at least a little. Pushing the hood off my head, the first thing that caught my attention was the red paper taped to my front door. My relief was dashed just as I ripped it off.

Eviction Notice

“Fuck.” I groaned, noticing the date on it was this upcoming Friday.

Crumpling the sheet in my hand, I darted back out into the rain. Running the half-block further down the street to where I knew my landlord lived. I didn’t even care that I hadn’t bothered to pull my hood back on. I was already wet for the most part anyway. I ducked under her small awning, reaching the door in record time.

“Mrs. Tran!” My knocking was probably a bit more frantic than was necessary, but I chalked it up to making sure she’d be able to hear me over the rain and whatever sit com she probably had playing on her television.

It took a minute, but the shifting of the curtains next to the door revealed the older lady in question checking to see who was at her stoop. I waved politely, barely catching the small frown before she let the curtains fall back into place and I heard the deadbolt slide back. She pulled the door open just enough to glance at me through the crack.

“What are you doing out in this weather? You’re soaked to the bone.” She fretted, looking me over.

“Mrs. Tran, I need to talk to you.” I told her, holding up the notice.

Her eyes dropped to it, quickly reading it over before sighing softly and opening the door a bit more. She pulled her robe a bit tighter around her to fend off the chill the rain and wind brought with it.

“So, they finally served it.” She mumbled, shaking her head. “I’m sorry dear, you haven’t paid in months. You’re behind at least six months’ worth of payments. I just can’t afford to take what you can get here and there anymore.”

“I can pay!” I interjected quickly. “If I can get the money, will you let me stay?”

She sighed again, looking over my shoulder to the rain-soaked streets behind me.

“If you can pay me everything you owe plus court costs, I’ll let you stay. But I need it by the end of the week.” She relented, grabbing the notice from me.

I watched as she scribbled across the bottom of it. Totaling the amount I owed her, and what she wanted before the week’s end.

“I like you, Y/N, I really do. But I’m struggling like everyone else, and I can’t let you squeak by anymore.” She handed the paper back to me.

“I know, Mrs. Tran. I appreciate what you’ve let me have this far. I’ll get your money to you, I promise.”

She nodded, waving me off. “Get home and dry yourself off before you get sick.”

“Thank you!” I managed to slip in before she closed the door.

Tucking the notice under my jacket, I ran back into the rain. Trying my best to keep the paper from getting wet as I sprinted back to my house. It really wasn’t much, but it was livable. Which was more than enough nowadays when many people found themselves in much worse situations than me. At least I had a roof over my head (as patchy as it was) and a comfortable place to sleep. Quickly sliding my key into the deadbolt and unlocking it, I slammed the door behind me making sure to turn the lock back.

I swiped my wet hair out of my face, kicking my drenched shoes off wanting nothing more than to shower and hide away the rest of the day. But I knew that wouldn’t happen. Tugging the red paper out of my jacket, I looked down at the figure I owed. Feeling disheartened at the large number, I leaned into the door tiredly. I knew it was a shot in the dark offering to begin with, considering I was struggling to find odd jobs let alone a steady paycheck, but it was either that or lose the only home I have. I let the paper drop onto the table nearby, already trying to come up with some way to make that amount of money in less than a week as I shrugged out of my jacket. Remembering the money I had made earlier, I reached into my pockets, figuring it was as a good a start as any, I found not just the cash, but also the flier I had been handed.

The name of one of the Draas clinics in bright bold lettering took up the top of the page. Followed by several photos of proud clinicians and satisfied female customers, information plastered all over it about the mission of the organization and the services they provided. Mostly tailored to Draas and human women relationships. But that wasn’t what was important. At the bottom of the page, the recruitment ad caught my eye. The italicized bit requesting human women who would be willing to potentially be matched to a Draas to schedule an appointment. The guarantee of a hefty amount of money if you passed a physical exam and some additional tests more than enticing. I ran my eyes over the number several times, but it was still there. Five thousand. That’s what they were promising. Not enough for me to pay Mrs. Tran back in full, but it would cut down a significant portion.

I chewed on my bottom lip, unsure. It wasn’t like I had anything against them personally. My limited interactions with the Draas were never unpleasant, but I also didn’t get many chances to get to know them either. In all transparency, they were an alien race that I didn’t know much about besides what I’d heard through the news channels and supporters off the streets.

And here I am considering signing my life away for money.

It was a well-known fact that once a Draas chose a partner, that was it. They spent the rest of their lives with the person they choose, and they took it very seriously. While I had never heard about those few “lucky” women ever complaining, that didn’t mean the weight of being involved with one of them was any less terrifying.

However, my options were limited. Either I bite the bullet and secure a way to make some good money with the possibility of being partnered with a Draas or risk not being able to make anything by the time I need to and being thrown out on the street. As much as I hated it, the choice was blaringly obvious, but the benefits far outweighed the cons in the first option. Besides, there were hundreds, maybe even thousands of women who have already signed up. The chances of me getting picked were incredibly slim.

Satisfied with my logic, I grabbed my phone to schedule an appointment.

For as simple as the decision seemed, my anxiety since I stepped foot in this place hasn’t ebbed. It didn’t matter that I had been here for a good hour and a half, the longer I was here, the worse it got. Though I should have expected as much, the lobby was packed when I first arrived. Some women who I assumed were probably there for much the same reason I was, although I didn’t know if their motives matched mine, and others who looked to be couples. Women with their Draas partners, who looked absolutely thrilled together.

One in particular caught my attention. The Draas fawning over his partner who was noticeably pregnant. If I were being honest, the sight of the two of them spiked my nerves through the roof. Surely on the off chance I was chosen, that wasn’t to be my fate, right? Now that the seed was planted, I couldn’t keep my mind from coming up with frightening scenarios about being stuck with a Draas who would choose me simply for the purpose of procreation. I mean, I guess that was part of the reason that these clinics were brought in existence in the first place. And I supposed most women signed up with the thought that they would eventually have a family with a Draas, but, again, my motives were not the same as most human females that walked through that door. Just as I made to change my mind and get the hell out of there, my name was called, and I was led to a room down the hall where my vitals were written down, photo taken, and I was asked to wait for the doctor to conclude my physical.

Being made to wait in a room, alone, made me even antsier. My leg bouncing before I realized the action and forced myself to stop. I was really beginning to second guess myself now. To anyone paying attention it was obvious I didn’t belong here. Even more so after seeing all the happy couples and excited single women in the lobby. I needed the money, but the more time I had to sit with my own thoughts, the less pertinent that amount of cash seemed. I was even beginning to con myself into thinking I’d be able to make the money some other way.

That thought was what finally pushed me off the exam table and across the room. Double checking I had my belongings, I pushed the door open, peeking around it to see if anyone was there. A lone nurse stood at the end of the hall, deep in conversation with whoever was sat at the nurses’ station. More than confident I could get out of here without being spotted, I slipped through the gap I made, and headed in the opposite direction. I tried to be as quick as possible while still being silent, the quiet tapping of my feet feeling too loud even though the sounds of the clinic around me were much louder. My paranoia kept having me cast looks over my shoulder, making sure the nurse was still locked in conversation and she didn’t see me.

What I should have been paying attention to though was my front. The closer I came to the corner of the hall where I had been led through to get back here in the first place, the quicker my pace became, anxious to get around it and out of sight. Looking behind me once more, I could feel my pulse racing with the thought that I had gotten out of here without being caught. Except, I didn’t.

Someone else walked around the corner at the same moment I sprinted for it, my body colliding with theirs harshly. Whoever it was, it had effectively caught them off guard, their compromised balance coupled with my body weight had the both of us falling into the nearby wall, with my chest against theirs. The sudden collision caught both of us by surprise. Hands came up to my shoulders, pushing me away just enough to look down at me. I first noticed the white coat wrapped around his torso, then the stethoscope around his neck before my eyes met his. The shock still evident in those lavender orbs as his brows furrowed in concern.

"Are you alright?" The tone of his voice was deep and rich, a sound I wasn't used to hearing, but it was pleasant.

The subtle iridescence of his skin shimmered a purple in almost the exact same shade as his eyes under the bright artificial hospital lights. Draas. Quickly backpedaling, I fought the blush trying to surface and apologized.

"Yes, I'm fine! I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."

At my reassurance, his gaze softened, a slow smile taking the place of his worry. The appearance bringing a set of deep dimples with it.

"It's okay. Accidents happen sometimes."

His eyes dropped to the plastic bracelet that had been handed to me upon arrival. Filled with all the information I had previously supplied when completing paperwork in the lobby.

"You're a patient?"

"Um..."

The smile shifted into more of a knowing smirk.

"You don't happen to be Y/N, do you?"

"I... am." I agreed slowly.

The man lifted his arm, holding out a hand for me to shake. Hesitantly, I accepted.

"I'm Dr. Kim Namjoon. I was actually on my way to retrieve you."

"Right... actually I wanted to talk ab-"

"It's not often we have females chosen so quickly in our systems. I'd say it's rare. You must have made an impression somehow." He continued happily.

"Wait, what?"

"I came to bring you to your match. He's already showed an interest in you."

The color drained from my face. My match? There's no way. Matching never happens this quickly. Everything I read had explained it to be a rather tedious process. Your files and test results would have to be reviewed, the Draas would sort through candidates that met their qualifications, and if a female was chosen, she would be given the opportunity to meet them if she wanted.

The fact that all of this was happening within a few hours of me being here is unheard of. Dr. Kim placed a hand high on my back, the other sweeping out in front of me invitingly.

"Shall we?"

"Wait, right now?"

He hummed, nudging me gently to get me moving in the direction he had come from.

"He's just down this hallway, waiting for you. He's actually a good friend of mine, I'm sure you won't be disappointed."

That wasn't really my concern. It didn't matter to me who he was really, I didn't think I was ready to meet anyone so soon after making a decision I was currently heavily regretting. Everything I had promised myself wouldn't happen, was happening. I was registered and one of the Draas insisted on meeting me already.

I chewed on my lip, every step further down the hall forcing the urge to tell Dr. Kim I had changed my mind higher up my throat. Perhaps I'd be able to convince the Draas himself that it was a mistake. Surely he would understand the circumstances that brought me here in the first place and take pity on me. A door down the hall several feet in front of us swung open, another Draas dressed in the black armor that was typical among highly ranked officials responsible for the rebirth of our planet so to speak.

Only those with considerable strength and abilities wore the black plated chest pieces and bodysuits. I froze upon seeing him. It was the first time I had ever seen one like him in person. Surely that's not who I was being brought to meet. The only skin visible was his face where he had removed his helmet. Flesh shimmering under the bright lights much like Dr. Kim's as he turned to face us. I was struck with how beautiful he was. Blonde hair swept over his forehead, full lips, and high cheekbones. The real kicker were his eyes, though. They were a rich gold, reminiscent of liquid sun droplets as he greeted Dr. Kim with a subtle incline of his head.

"Commander Kim, I haven't seen you in a while."

"Well, you know me, I don't usually inhabit places like these." He mumbled, eyes finally meeting mine. "This is her?"

"Y/N L/N." Dr. Kim nodded. "Have you finished speaking with Commander Park?"

The other man grunted. "If you can call it that. He's in one of his moods."

Moods? My eyes flicked to the doorway Commander Kim had emerged from. Commander Park, that's how Dr. Kim referred to him. So, that meant he was a ranked official too. Another gentle nudge from Dr. Kim guided me towards the door.

"Well, I'm sure he'll be glad to see Ms. L/N regardless. I'll come find you after I've gotten her settled in."

I glanced at the doctor over my shoulder. This whole situation just kept getting stranger. Commander Kim shook his head, turning on his heel and sauntering off down the hall.

"Don't bother. I'm not interested in you meddling in my love life." He tossed over his shoulder.

"If anyone would benefit, I'd say it would be you."

The new voice startled me. I whipped my head in the direction it came from, surprised to see someone vaguely familiar. Out of the corner of my eye, I hardly registered Commander Kim waving off the statement, not even bothering to turn around. My gaze was trained on the man, er, Draas, in front of me with the same bubblegum pink hair he had been sporting the last time I had encountered him.

"Commander Park, this is Ms. Y/N L/N. Ms. L/N, this is Commander Park Jimin, your match."

My eyes widened with the realization. He looked different from the last time we had met. No longer donned in casual clothing, but his black plated armor, the brightness of his hair a stark contrast against the bleak color. What really caught my attention though were his eyes. The thick black sunglasses he had been wearing having obscured the endless pools of silver that almost appeared to shimmer just like the iridescence of his skin.

Amusement danced within them as he watched me slowly connect the dots. Lean body stepping aside enough to allow me entry to the room he occupied.

"Please, come in."

Forcing myself from my stupor, I silently obeyed, crossing the threshold.

"Thank you Namjoon."

"Sure. Take your time. I'll go hunt down Seokjin."

I was still trying to process everything as the door shut. The click of the lock much too similar to a bell toll signaling a sense of finality. As if I was leaving behind the world I knew and entering a new one. In a way, I suppose I was. Jimin's careful observation of me continued, silver orbs tracking every minuscule movement of mine as he leaned against the only exit. Clearing my throat, I moved further into the room, just wanting to put a bit of distance between us.

"I'll be honest, you're the last person I expected to see today." I admitted.

He smirked, amusement glowing brighter as his head tilted to one side.

"Imagine mine seeing you in the system under review. I thought you weren't interested?"

"I'm not." I answered a little too quickly. "I mean, I wasn't. Some things have come up and I made an appointment... a-anyway it doesn't really matter now, I changed my mind."

"Changed your mind?"

"Yes. I was going to ask Dr. Kim to pull my information."

Jimin's gaze was heavy as he slowly looked me over, arms crossing over his chest.

"I can pull your information. It wouldn't be hard considering you weren't even approved yet."

I frowned; confusion evident on my features.

"Wait, if I hadn't even been on the list of candidates, then how did you file for a match already?"

"Someone did her research." Jimin grinned, pushing himself off the door.

"Well, I wanted to know at least a little about what I was getting myself into."

"And yet, here you are changing your mind." He chuckled, dropping his arms as he moved towards me.

I noticed it that day in the rain, how graceful his movements were, but seeing it again with him dressed in his uniform, it was like witnessing the grace and elegance for the first time all over again. He moved silently, coming to a stop right in front of me.

"To answer your question, I have access to files under review as well as the officially released list of candidates. I simply recognized you and requested a match."

I tried to nonchalantly keep the distance between us. Going toe to toe with a human was one thing, but I'd be lying if I claimed being in such close proximity in closed quarters with a Draas wasn't making me nervous.

"But why? If I haven't been appropriately reviewed to be certain I'd make a good match for a Draas, what would drive you to request a match with me?"

"Because I find you interesting."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "We've met once. Not even really met, you helped me out of the street."

"And? I like to think I have a pretty good sense for people. Besides, I'm sure you have your own preconceived notions of me."

I eyed him for another few seconds before relenting. Shrugging as I turned my head from him.

"Touché."

One gloved hand lifted towards my face, a single finger curling under my chin and dragging my gaze back to his. Once again, I found myself sucked into those silver swirls. The color appearing to absorb the shades they took in. Blues, pinks, even a stormier gray flickered within those depths as they searched mine.

"I'll make sure you're pulled from candidacy, but only because I plan to keep you for myself."

"What?" I sputtered dumbly, mind still buffering even though I knew I didn't mishear him.

He released my chin, that same finger tapping my nose playfully.

"I don't like sharing."

The smile tugging at his lips mirrored the same playfulness. I might have been a little annoyed at seeing it if I wasn't still reeling with how nonchalantly he had claimed me. He turned on his heel, sauntering back towards the door until my hold on his arm abruptly stopped him.

"Wait. Jimin, was it?"

He nodded, those bubblegum locks falling into his line of sight as he cocked his head at me.

"When I asked for my name to be taken off the list, I meant so I wouldn't be picked at all."

"I'm aware."

My confusion doubled, completely at a loss for words. I opened my mouth, hardly a noise leaving me while I tried to figure out exactly what the hell was happening.

"Okay, well that includes you. I don't want to be matched with any Draas."

He hummed, that amused grin tugging at those perfectly plush pink lips again.

"That's too bad because I've already made up my mind."

He made to walk off again; except I tugged him back.

"That's too bad..." I parroted, moving in front of him. "...because I made up my mind too and it doesn't involve going with you."

The flash in his silver orbs was something I hadn't seen yet. There was still a flicker of amusement in them, but another emotion was more prominent. Excitement. The heel of his boot clicked against the linoleum as he took a step closer.

"I'm curious little dove, if you knew there was a possibility you'd back out of registering, why did you go through it in the first place?"

I folded my arms, taking a step back while making sure I still stood between him and the door.

"I told you, my situation changed."

Another tilt of his head. I wondered if it was a common habit among Draas or just him. Coupled with the curiousness in his expression, it was hard to tell if he did it because he was trying to figure me out or understand me. Although for someone with human tongue as their second language, he was doing remarkably well. He pondered exactly what my reasoning meant until it suddenly clicked.

"Your situation changed financially, yes?"

I scrunched my nose in distaste. I didn't really like talking about how I was struggling, but if it would get me out of here quicker I was willing to.

"To put it bluntly." I nodded.

He looked satisfied to have guessed correctly, spine straightening while he smiled widely. It was impossible not to be smitten with how attractive he was smiling. His cheeks lifted, exposing perfectly straight, porcelain teeth and his eyes crinkled. The lights overhead captured the baby blue glow from his skin adding another element of ethereal beauty to him.

"That's no cause for concern. Where do your debts lie? I'd be more than happy to take care of them for you as your partner."

The way he immediately agreed to pay what I owed made my head spin. Perhaps even more than how fast all of this was moving in the first place. I shook my head, realizing that I really was in over my head here. Maybe I wasn't articulating well enough, and he wasn't understanding correctly.

"No, Jimin, I didn't mean for you to pay for me."

"Same difference though. If not me, it would have fallen to another Draas you took as your partner."

"No." I firmly denied, starting to get frustrated. "I wouldn't have taken money from someone else either."

Jimin's smile disappeared. Expression falling into one akin to sadness and I would imagine that if Draas had tails, his would have been tucked between his legs at this point. His bottom lip pushed out just a tad as he pouted.

"Is it me? Is there something about me that doesn't suit you?" His head cocked to the side again, feet carrying him closer as he approached me. "Is it the language barrier? I know I still struggle on occasion, but I promise I'll keep working at it. Or maybe the way I look? I can change that too. Dye my hair if you don't like pink. I picked it because pink is my favorite color, but I wouldn't mind wearing your favorite color if it made you happy. Or-"

I threw my hands out to make him stop. He was spiraling and, to be honest, the words coming from him were more upsetting than anything else he had mentioned to me thus far. Were all Draas so fixated on their partners that they were willing to go so far? This desperation I sensed from Jimin wasn't something I was equipped to handle. I felt bad that he thought the reason I was rejecting him was because he wasn't meeting my standards.

"Jimin, there's nothing wrong with the way you look, and I'm not concerned about the language barrier."

My words only served to puzzle him further. A huff of exasperation leaving him.

"Then what is it? If it’s something I can change, I'm more than willing to do so."

"You can't change it. It has nothing to do with you. I just don't want a partner."

His brows furrowed, that utter confusion returning as he stared hard at me. Feeling a bit uncomfortable, I averted my eyes. That was the wrong thing to do though apparently. Jimin took another step into me, large hands coming up to cup my face. The abrupt contact had me stumbling backwards into the door, Jimin following me without letting go.

He tilted my head up, forcing me to meet his silvery stare again. The look in them was indiscernible. It left me with no hint as to what he might have been thinking. Left with only my assumptions, it felt like I was being swept away in those silver pools and the further it pulled me in, the more I was losing my resolve.

"Because I'm Draas?"

I blinked, attempting to drag myself out of those oceans before his words penetrated my brain.

"Draas?"

"You would prefer a human partner?"

Oh. I shook my head the little I could with his palms covering my cheeks.

"I don't want a partner at all. Human or otherwise."

Finally, some piece of emotion broke through once more as he struggled with what I was suggesting. Although maybe it would have been better if he had remained impassive as I took note of the pity with which he looked down at me with. The thumb of his right hand brushed over the swell of my cheek. The contact gentle, but made my heart pound violently, nonetheless.

"You would prefer to be alone?"

Alone. The mundane word left me with an ache in my chest. I had spent most of my life on my own. Having lost both my parents at a relatively young age and being forced to fend for myself, I was used to it. A relationship wasn't something I had really considered for myself being so occupied with taking care of me first and foremost.

Although, having it brought to my attention like this made me question my future. Honestly, I never thought about it. Surviving day to day was hard enough, I didn't need to be daydreaming about things that may never come to fruition on top of it. Prior to becoming like this though, I did have a family and we loved each other dearly. Losing them was the hardest thing I'd ever experienced. Even more than the life I struggled in now.

One day, I would hope to have even a sliver of that back. Eventually. Hopefully.

"For now, yes."

"For now? What does that mean? What must change between now and then?"

"My life." I muttered under my breath.

Jimin's fingers pressed into my cheeks a little harder, expression falling into melancholy.

"Let me change it then."

"Why? You don't even know me. I'm not interested in partnering with you, I haven't even been screened properly. Why are you pushing this matter?"

"I've told you before. I find you fascinating."

I sighed heavily. "That's not an answer. Especially when I know there's a host of human women more than happy to take you up on your offer. Why do you want me? What can I possibly offer you that another woman can't?"

That pensiveness was back. Jimin falling into contemplation that left me unable to determine his thoughts. The silver that threatened to drown me before morphing into a solid state. I was stuck. Body immobile like I had stepped into wet concrete and let it harden around me. Jimin caressed my cheek softly.

"Companionship." He answered. "I want someone I can open up to and be accepted by without me having to hide who I am."

I smiled wryly, reaching up to pull his hand off my face.

"I'm sorry to burst your idealistic bubble, but we've established I came here because I was guaranteed money just for registering."

He chuckled, turning his hand in mine to intertwine our fingers.

"True that you have ulterior motives. However, yours are still very different from most women. Many of them sign up for the status they believe it gets them. The title and privilege of being able to say they've partnered with a Draas. They look at us as separate beings." He squeezed my hand in his, eyes twinkling again. "I want an equal. Someone who sees me as they see themselves. Not better, not less. A woman who sees me and not what I can sustain her with."

"So, then, earlier when you went on that rant of begging me to accept you..."

"An act." He shrugged. "I wanted to know how you would react to such a proposal. Now that I have my answer, I'm not above begging for real this time."

He smiled widely, my heart palpitations betraying the logical side of me that still refused to cave under his charm. Although it wasn't enough to keep a smile of my own from meeting his.

"Commander Park, you're quite the convincing actor." I admitted, laughing under my breath.

He chuckled with me, bringing my hand to his face to leave a kiss against the back of my palm. The gesture didn't help my heart calm down any, the flood of red to my cheeks indicative of just how much it affected me.

"Let me help you. In return, all I ask for is a friend. We'll have to complete the registration as partners unless you want other Draas to come knocking at your door, but I promise I won't ask more from you than what you're willing to give."

"This arrangement doesn’t seem all that fair for you."

He hummed, letting his hands drop.

"Don't worry about that. You're giving me exactly what I want if you accept."

He allowed me a bit of space, filling the gap he created with one hand out between us.

"What do you say Ms. L/N? Partners, in the most platonic sense of the word?"

I pondered for a moment. In actuality, this was the best-case scenario for a decision I had made in a moment of desperation. Jimin was offering me a way out and all he wanted in return was someone he could confide in essentially. I didn't know for sure what all he dealt with daily that made him feel he had to hide himself, but I suppose I would find that out eventually if I chose to accept. Besides, it was obvious that it would either be him or a different Draas. And who's to say I would get this lucky twice?

"Alright Commander Park, you have yourself a deal." I answered, taking his hand.

Spending time with Jimin wasn't all that bad. Being around so many Draas at any given time took some getting used to. I quickly came to realize that Jimin was not only a highly ranked official by my standards, but also by the Draas as there were several younger (at least according to Jimin) males that looked up to him as their leader. Several months into our new arrangement, after moving in with Jimin because apparently staying a part from one another after agreeing to become partners was throwing up some red flags, I became aware of how much leverage Jimin held among the ranks of Draas living on Earth.

It wasn't just him either. I had run into Commander Kim a few more times on the occasions he came to visit Jimin and discuss matters related to the revival of the planet we all inhabited. He was another Draas that held power rivaling Jimin's, although whereas I knew Jimin influenced water as his element (which made a lot of sense thinking back on when we met), Commander Kim, or Seokjin, as Jimin referred to him when the older man wasn't paying attention, was able to conjure the many different states water was in such as ice and vapor on top of its liquid form.

Jimin respected him as a superior and teacher and, in return, Seokjin treated Jimin much like he would a younger sibling. The other Draas that I've kept contact with more than I expected was Dr. Kim. Although he was aware of Jimin and I's agreement as nothing more than friends to one another, we still had to schedule regular appointments to check up on us. Partially as hospital protocol and in part to sate the curiosity of Dr. Kim. I guess it's unusual for a Draas and human female to be together as not romantically involved partners. Other than the two of them, I've met some of Jimin's other closest comrades. Commanders and the like who hold ranks within their respective fields of abilities.

The short time with Jimin has taught me a lot. Much like Earth, Draas have a hierarchy among their people. Split between those who share certain abilities and their partners. Most of whom don't associate with one another much outside of the matching program unless they were diplomats. Sort of like Jimin and Seokjin.

Apparently the friendship he shared with the other faction leaders was a special one. Because apart from them, I hardly ever saw Draas of different abilities mingling. Another interesting tidbit I managed to pick up on was the lengths in which most Draas went to avoid humans. Those who weren't partnered and weren't looking, hardly spared a glance to any of us. Jimin had explained to me that even among the Draas, there were those who weren't exactly keen on the idea of sharing the planet with us, let alone the only option for partnering being human females. I tried my best to avoid Draas who shared those views. Easier said than done however, as I shortly found out that one of Jimin's comrades that he shared such a connection with was one of them.

Yoongi had never outrightly been rude towards me, but it was clear he'd rather not associate with me if Jimin wasn't there. Jimin had written it off, saying it had more to do with his affinity for fire than the man himself. Which I would have been inclined to believe if Jungkook hadn't shared the same affinity and yet remained the polar opposite of his teacher.

Jungkook was a force to be reckoned with. He was a bright and fearless personality, one that I had wondered in many instances how Yoongi managed to keep up with him. If I were comparing them with their penchant for fire capabilities, Yoongi would be the floating embers ready to ignite at any moment while Jungkook was the raging flames on the verge of swallowing everything around him.

Opposites they were, they understood each other without much difficulty. Sometimes it felt like they could fathom one another better than Jimin and Seokjin could. As curious as it was, I didn't want to inquire too much about it lest I incur the wrath of Yoongi or whatever. Besides, Jimin had enough mystery around him and his abilities to keep me occupied.

"So, is that why you live so far out here? Because of the lake?"

Jimin nodded, the same black shades pushed up his nose as he let his legs hang off the dock, bare feet in the water.

"More or less. Living next to a pond or even a stream probably would have sufficed, but I like it out here. It's quieter and the water is less tainted."

I had to agree. Living in the city all my life, I hadn't ever seen a place so beautiful. Nature ruled the land here. The trees and grass lively unlike what were in the city.

"Being in close connection with our element restores us. The energy it takes to bring back your planet is significant. I guess you could call it a double-edged sword or a constant sphere of transfer. The Earth needs energy to come back to life and we need that energy to sustain it. There are very few places left on your planet capable of providing excess energy for us to use, this is one of them."

"So, you're saying you and water share the same lifeforce?"

"I am water and water is me. Same for Seokjin. Just like fire is Jungkook and Yoongi and vice versa, so on and so forth."

It was a complicated notion for me to wrap my head around. I guess because I lived off the Earth in a different way than he did. In the end though, I suppose it was still giving life.

"Your home planet... is it the same there?"

Jimin lifted one foot out of the water, wiggling his toes as he let it drip from his heel. He watched it for a second before letting it drop back in and falling onto his back to look up at the sky above us.

"Similar to Earth? Yes and no. It's not tainted like it is here for one."

Choosing to join him, I pulled my shoes off before scooting closer to the edge of the dock. I dipped a toe in, happy to find that it was a relatively warm temperature and let both my feet sink into it.

"Can I ask why you left? It sounds a lot better than here."

"Well, you know the primary reason. It's not exactly something we are proud to admit, but repopulation is necessary and there aren't enough Draas women capable of procreating left after our war with a nearby planet. But that's not why I left. Seokjin was the one who recruited me. After discovering how bad off your planet really was, word got back that they'd need more help to revive it if we had any chance of being able to partner with humans. That's how I found myself here."

"Then, you weren't planning on taking a partner for yourself?"

"Not really. Don't get me wrong, it would be nice to share something like that, and the older I get the more I crave that closeness with a partner, but if I had to, I could live without it. Besides, if I did have a partner, the decision to leave would have been a harder one. I was more curious than anything to meet humans. See what they were like." He smiled, rolling his head towards me. "I haven't been exceptionally impressed by anyone until you."

I tried to wave off his attempt at flattery. Living with him, I noticed his flirty nature. A lot of those comments directed towards me the more comfortable we became with one another. I hadn't seen him interact with enough women to know whether that was just him, or if it was more because it was me. Either way, I tried not to let it get under my skin. Other than a few innuendos here and there, Jimin was a gentleman. He never pushed my boundaries and respected our agreement. Our friendship was just that. Friendship.

The wind picked up around us. Ripples stretching across the lake in front of us and tree branches swaying in the sudden gust. I tamped down my hair, turning to where it came from, pleasantly surprised to see the smiling face waving to us as he headed down towards the water.

"Hoseok's here." I warned Jimin, pulling my feet out of the water to greet the man.

"Great." Jimin mumbled under his breath, sighing as he forced himself up.

I was a bit curious about Jimin's lack of enthusiasm. Usually, he was happy about having Hoseok visit, maybe even more than Seokjin some days, but lately it felt as if he was losing his excitement for the man's company. However, out of all the Draas that visited, Hoseok was the one I got along with most easily.

He was kind and considerate. Always making sure to include me in the conversation, or striking one up between the two of us when it was apparent that I was lost in a lot of the lingo when Jimin talked shop, or worse, when they spoke in their native tongue. Luckily for me, Hoseok visited quite often. Jimin told me it was because he usually bounced between the houses of the other guys. Hoseok was one who preferred company rather than being on his own, and if the others wouldn't take the time to visit him, he would be the one to show up without warning.

"How's my favorite human?"

I laughed, accepting the incoming hug. That was another thing I quickly learned about Hoseok; he was adamant on outward affection.

"Hobi, I'm the only human you associate with."

"I can still play favorites."

"It's a little earlier in the week than we normally see you." Jimin noted, pushing the sunglasses up his face to settle in his pink waves.

"I skipped visiting Yoongi and Kook, I just missed Y/N too much." Hoseok beamed, keeping an arm around my shoulders while answering Jimin.

"Yoongi won't be happy to know that."

"He'll live. Y/N's the only one who will entertain my whims, it's a no-brainer why I would rather spend time with her versus someone who spends all his free time napping."

Jimin rolled his eyes, face set in a grimace as he pushed past the two of us.

"Well, she didn't miss you." He shot at Hobi as he passed.

"I- That's not true." I placated Hoseok who started to pout.

"Has he been this mean to you too Y/N?"

"Of course I haven't." Jimin scoffed, continuing towards the house.

Hoseok looked to me as if he didn't believe Jimin's words. I offered him a smile.

"It's been busy around here the last few days. Maybe he's just tired."

Hoseok hummed, turning from his friend walking away, to me.

"I brought some fruits that Namjoon got from a patient of his. He mentioned something about a fruit salad that you humans put together and was wondering if you would help me."

"Sure. It's about time for dinner anyway, I can make us something to go with it."

That was another key difference between humans and Draas. Whereas we needed food to survive, I discovered that the energy they derive from the planet was enough to fuel normally bodily functions. Eating was more of a kind of past time for them. Hoseok was more than fascinated with the different dishes we could make, Seokjin too from what I'd been told, but Jimin was hit or miss.

Every once in a while he would partake in whatever I managed to make, but he was incredibly picky and unless it looked and smelled appealing, he wouldn't touch it. Hoseok was excited now, his arm looping around mine to pull me along.

"What even goes into a fruit salad anyway?"

"Well, it depends on what you brought."

I knocked quietly on Jimin's door, waiting for him to grant me permission before pushing it open. I peeked around the door to find him stationed at his desk shoved into the far side of his room. The same one that had been in the guest room I now stayed in.

"Hoseok and I finished dinner, would you like to join us?"

"No."

I figured as much, but the dismissal felt more brusque than usual. I hesitated in the doorway, opting whether it was worth it to mention it now or if I should let it be. I liked to think I knew Jimin relatively well having lived with him the last few months. Good enough to at least know some of his habits and how he was when it was just the two of us and even when in company.

And his behavior, particularly when Hoseok stopped by, seemed to sour beyond him just dealing with our guest. Especially when that guest was a close friend of his. My lingering in the doorway didn't go unnoticed, Jimin's eyes flickering up from whatever he was working on to my form in his threshold.

"Did you need something else?"

Figuring if he was going to give me an opportunity to bring it up, I stepped inside.

"Jimin, is there something wrong? You've been... off."

"I'm fine, just tired and I didn't expect to have guests over today."

"It's not just today. You've been off the last couple of times we've had guests."

He frowned, shaking his head. "Things with work have just been stressful."

I chewed on my lip, casting a look over my shoulder before deciding to outrightly ask him.

"It's worse when Hoseok is here. Did something happen between the two of you?"

Jimin stiffened, his motions turning awkward as he fiddled with the pen in his hand. His eyes dropped down to the paper in front of him, his pink hair that is a bit longer than when I moved in hid his eyes from me.

"Has he said something to you?"

Jimin's voice was rough. Highly unusual for him when I was so used to it being soft and lilting. Then again, I haven't seen him mad before and the tension that arose between us suggested that was how he felt. My vision dropped to where he held the pen tight within his fist. The knuckles turning white with the strength, and I wondered if it was on the verge of crumbling in his grasp.

"No. Hoseok hadn't said anything to me." I responded, crossing my arms over my chest. "But I'm right, aren't I? Something happened between you two."

Another quick shake of his head. "No, it didn't."

"Jimin," I sighed. "Clearly there is-"

"I said there's not!" He snapped, rising from his chair.

Those silver orbs were like molten steel. The heat behind them threatened to burn me and I was taken aback. He stood there, letting the animosity fizzle out before sighing heavily. He turned his head, refusing to look at me.

"I have a lot I need to get done. Enjoy your dinner with Hoseok." He mumbled, dismissing me.

Rather than leaving, I moved closer to him. Silver stare flicking up at me again warily.

"Y/N..." He spoke my name exasperatedly.

I reached out for the papers he was sifting through, moving them out of sight. His mouth opened to scold me for interrupting, but I shushed him.

"Explain it to me."

"Explain what?"

"Whatever is bothering you. I'm not leaving until I hear it and you're not working until you talk, so talk."

He was starting to get annoyed, but I could care less how annoyed he was with me. He moved to retrieve his papers, but I stepped in front of him.

"Jimin." I warned, leveling a glare of mine to meet his. "Companionship. That's what you wanted, right? Part of that means sharing our burdens."

"Sharing our burdens? This coming from the woman who still refuses to tell me exactly why she chose to register herself in the first place."

"Maybe because it doesn't matter anymore."

"That's not the point." Jimin bit out, invading my personal space. "The point is that it does matter to me. I want to know more about you, even the things you think don't matter. I share my stories, my experiences, my life with you and yet, you still don't trust me enough to do the same."

He ran his hand through his hair frustratedly.

"But that's not the way it is with Hoseok, is it? The two of you share a connection I haven't been able to establish even though we're partnered."

The revelation would have been surprising if it didn't make so much sense. Jimin went quiet after that, although it was clear he was still upset. I didn't know what to say, or if anything I might have said would make a difference to him. In the meantime...

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, pulling him into me for a hug. He stumbled into the embrace, my strength catching him off guard. I held him tightly, unwilling to let him pull away, not that he was trying to. His arms looped around my waist, pulling me firmly into his chest while he buried his face into my hair.

"Jimin." I called to him softly. "Hoseok doesn't know any more about me than you do. Honestly, he probably knows even less. I'm sorry I haven't been as transparent with you. I'm not used to having someone around willing to listen or want to know about me. I'm... acclimating."

"It's more than that." He murmured. "I thought when I agreed to remain platonic partners with you that it would be easy. That all I really craved was having someone else around that I could talk to and be myself with. Someone that would make me feel less lonely."

He sighed, lifting his head to place his chin on top of mine, tucking me into his chest.

"But I'm not any less lonely. Sometimes it even feels like I'm lonelier than I was before because I have you here and, yet, I don't have you in the way I want us to be."

"What do you mean? How do you want us to be?"

A gentle knock at the door interrupted us. Jimin was quick to let me go, silver gaze turned to the door as Hoseok made his presence known.

"Just thought I'd make sure everything is okay. Dinner is getting cold."

The stiffness in Jimin's posture wasn't as prominent as it had been earlier, but I could tell he still had his reservations when it came to Hoseok. I laid a hand on his arm, hoping it served to reiterate my earlier assurances before answering Hoseok.

"We're okay. Jimin was just finishing up, so you can head back. We'll be right behind you."

He nodded, radiant smile in place before moseying his way back to the dining room.

"I don't remember agreeing to join you for dinner."

"You didn't." I told him, gathering the papers I had stolen from him to slide them in one of his desk drawers. "I made the decision for you."

Jimin was taken aback. Not that I could blame him really if I lived as a unit Commander and was used to people doing my bidding and not second-guessing my orders, but I wasn't and I didn't serve under him. He wanted us to be equals, then this was me treating him as an equal. I reached up, placing my hands on top of his shoulders.

"Join us. You can eat and it's also not fair for you to be acting this way towards Hoseok when the man isn't deserving of it. Plus, he was really looking forward to you trying the fruit salad he made."

I could almost pinpoint the moment in which Jimin caved. That tension melted out of him, and his silvery orbs softened at the mention of his best friend having made a meal just for him.

"Okay." He whispered.

"Good. We can continue this conversation when we're not entertaining guests."

Thankfully, dinner with the three of us had no trace of the animosity from before. The atmosphere and comradery between Jimin and Hoseok resumed much like it had in the weeks prior to Jimin's funky mood. I was able to navigate the conversation a bit better now that I understood Jimin's stance and could pay more attention to what I said and how I interacted, with Hoseok especially. I even attempted to share a bit more about my past. Without saying as much, I could tell Jimin appreciated it. It was like he soaked up every bit of information that he could even if I thought it to be mundane.

Retrospectively, I guess it's not entirely correct for me to claim that it's unimportant for me to share things about myself I didn't think were necessary. For Jimin, the stories he's shared about himself could have been uninteresting to him, but I hung onto every word. His world and his life were fascinating to me. All because it was so different from mine. I could understand Jimin taking the same stance when it came to humans. If I were being truly honest with myself though, I couldn't accurately say whether I found his life interesting because he was a completely different species from a completely different world, or if it's because it's Jimin. That thought lingered all throughout dinner until the answer revealed itself as if it shouldn't have been a question at all. My life before Jimin wasn't anything special. I struggled to get by and hadn't cared for anyone or anything other than myself. I knew about the Draas long before meeting Jimin and never thought twice about learning who they were or where they came from and why.

But Jimin was different. I actively sought to know more about him. Who he was and what he liked, his friends and family, and the affinity for water he wielded. I wanted to know everything I could and more. I had gotten so wrapped up in knowing him that I neglected asking myself why it meant so much to me. And I could kick myself for not picking up on how that oversight made Jimin feel.

"You know, we'd be more than happy to put you up for the night. It's a little late to be heading home." I offered to Hoseok as he put his shoes on.

"Nah, it's not that far to Yoongi's. Jimin was probably right to assume he'd be upset that I skipped over him. He may not seem like it, but he's a softie. Besides, I'd be right to assume you and Jimin have some things to talk about?"

He phrased it as a question, but he sounded sure of himself.

"You're rather insightful." I grinned, handing him the rest of the fruit salad he had worked so hard on.

"Not really. You two are just obvious." He chuckled, accepting it.

I laughed, shaking my head. Having it so blatantly laid out between us was a little embarrassing, but maybe not all that surprising. After all, Hoseok has known Jimin a lot longer than I have, so it would be only natural for him to notice something was amiss faster than I could.

"Just, promise me you'll bring it up? Jimin's notorious for hiding the way he feels. He'll sooner sacrifice his own happiness and peace of mind for someone else and I can tell he likes you."

"I would hope so. It would be a little awkward to have to keep living with someone you only tolerated." I teased.

"I'm serious." He laughed. "He may not have admitted it to himself yet, whether because of the arrangement you two have or for some other reason, but it's more than just platonic for him now. Or maybe it always has been. I never would have pegged Jimin as the type to partner with a human, but I should have known from the moment he told me about you."

"Told you about me?" I asked surprised.

Hoseok's eyes darted behind me past the entryway leading to the rest of the house. I wondered if he was looking for Jimin, but the younger Draas had elected to head back down the dock despite the late hour.

"He went back to the lake."

Hoseok nodded before continuing.

"I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but I consider it for his own good. I'm not going to say he lied to you because I believe it began with good intentions, but I'm not sure it was ever about friendship for him. I don't know if Jimin was even aware of his feelings yet, but I can tell you that even if he was he wouldn't have said anything to jeopardize his chance of helping you out of the situation you were in. Even if that meant keeping his feelings to himself to make you feel more comfortable."

Hoseok's words reminded me of that day in the hospital. How desperate Jimin seemed at the time seeking my agreeance only to backtrack after realizing I was shying away from his advances.

It was an act.

Hoseok placed a hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently.

"Like I said, he's good at hiding what he wants to. Now that you know, don't let him get away with it. I think the two of you were made for one another in that regard."

"What do you mean?"

He grinned, tucking the bowl of fruit salad under his arm.

"Neither of you are very keen on expressing your feelings. I wondered how long it would take or who would break first. Seems like Jimin is more susceptible to jealousy than I imagined."

"So, you knew."

"Sometimes all it takes is someone on the outside looking in. Thanks for dinner. I'll leave the two of you to it while I force Yoongi into trying my newest creation." He stated proudly, hugging his bowl a little tighter.

Even though Yoongi was still an enigma to me, moments like these where I knew he shared a softer side with his friends made him less intimidating.

"Tell him and Jungkook I said hi."

"I will. Let Jimin know I'll be back later this week, yeah?"

"Okay." I agreed, giving him a farewell smile before waving him through the door.

It always struck me how much quieter it seemed when Hoseok left. His presence was lively enough to fill the entire house. A place that was usually quiet and comforting when it was just Jimin and I by ourselves. Not that it was boring, rather I enjoyed how neither of us really had to feel like entertaining the other. We were more than happy sitting in silence, only talking when conversation arose naturally. This would have to be one of those times where we would have to share a conversation whether we wanted to or not. 

I sighed, kicking off my indoor shoes for my sandals. Better to have it sooner than later. The night was cool, a testament to how close summer was as I walked the familiar path down to the dock Jimin frequented. The fairy lights he had lining the path were bright enough to watch my steps, ensuring I didn't trip, something he had installed after realizing how much of a struggle it was for me to navigate in the dark unlike him. The moon's crescent glow reflected off the water and, not for the first time, I found myself stopping to look up at it. Jimin's stories made me curious about what it was like up there. How it would feel to be among the stars or what it would be like living on a planet that wasn't dying. Things I never would have been bothered to think about before him. 

Light splashing broke my daydreaming, my eyes gravitating towards the lake where I could barely make out a head poking out of the water. I continued my walk, reaching the edge of the dock where I found Jimin's shirt discarded, hanging over the edge of the wooden platform, nearly ready to take a dip itself. I stopped, looking for him again. He stood a good several yards from the end of the dock, bare shoulders peeking out of the dark water with his back turned to me. The sliver of moon above barely illuminated the hidden colors of his skin. The iridescence pale except when his subtle shifting turned it silver. Much like the color of his eyes. That paleness swept the expanse of his back until it reached the line of tattoos down his spine I had only heard about, never seen. I knew Jimin came down here to swim most evenings, he preferred to be in the water rather than just his feet like he often did when I joined him. Reflecting on Hoseok's words, I wondered if that was another sacrifice on his behalf that he made for me so I wouldn't be uncomfortable. 

In those instances, I neglected to come down here at night. I didn't want to bother him if that were to be the case, but now I wondered if I should have made the choice to come sooner. Although I knew he had to have heard me on approach, he didn't react. He kept his back turned, eyes cast up at the same moon mine had been and even though I couldn't make out his expression, something about him seemed melancholic. Before I could convince myself otherwise, I reached for the bottom of my shirt. I tossed it with his, working on the button of my shorts next as I made my way to the end of dock. I shucked my sandals, letting my pants drop over them. I was too afraid to dive in headfirst, and a little less than gracefully, I dropped myself off the edge of the dock and into the water. I sucked in a breath, the chilly water a shock to my system I didn't anticipate. While the night was comfortable, the lake had dropped slightly in temperature with the departed sun. I waded in Jimin's direction, hoping a bit of movement would help me acclimate faster. His head turned when I was a few feet from him, that tender smile threatening to melt me as he took me in. 

"You didn't have to come in. I would have joined you inside before too long." 

Water dripped from his chin as he spoke. Those bubblegum pink locks swept back from his face, and I couldn't help but think about how much water clinging to him suited him. 

"Meeting you halfway." I chattered, offering him a smile. "That's what we agreed on, right?" 

"Not if it ends with you freezing to death." He chuckled, fingers finding mine under the water's surface. 

He threaded them through mine, pulling me into him. I didn't let the closeness bother me, in fact, I latched onto the warmth he provided, looping my arms around him, and pressing my cheek to his chest. He returned my embrace, holding me to him as we fell into a comfortable silence. I would have been happy staying like this, but the conversation that needed to be had lingered over our heads like a cloud. One that I wanted gone before it got much worse. Having Jimin holding me like this made it easier to start the discussion. As much as I loved his silvery gaze, I found it left me at a loss for words more than anything else and I needed my words right now. 

"I'm sorry." I murmured.

He sighed; the sound hardly audible as his chin rested on my head. 

"I should be the one who's sorry. Acting the way I did about your friendship with Hoseok was... childish. I'm usually not so affected by things like that." 

Hoseok might have given away Jimin's reluctance to come to terms with his feelings for me, but I still wanted to hear them from the man himself. And not only because Hoseok had me promise I would. 

"Then why were you?" 

Jimin was quiet. The only sounds being his breathing and the soft lapping of water around us. I wondered if he would even answer, but I also knew it wasn't like Jimin to leave a question of mine unanswered. 

"I'm finding myself incapable of making decisions when it comes to you lately. I question every word, every action, worried that it's beyond the realm of what you humans would consider friendly. It's hard for me to draw that line when it's not what I want anymore." 

"Hoseok told me you have a penchant for withholding your emotions." 

He pulled back to look at me, a wry grin tugging at his lips. 

"He's not wrong. Hoseok would know best. I've known him the longest."

"Then be honest with me Jimin. What are you holding back? What is it you want?" 

His smile dropped. The seriousness that flooded those silver orbs was one that always attempted to drag me down with it, but I was determined to meet it head on this time. If I was going to convince him that I was here for him and willing to hear what he had to tell me, I couldn't run away anymore. I couldn't lie to myself that all I felt towards him was how one would feel about a friend. I knew what that was like. I shared it with Hoseok and Jungkook. And while a sliver of that same feeling was present when I was with Jimin, there was more. A much stronger connection that pulled me in and drew me to him. A part of myself that actively sought him out, to be with him and learn about him. 

I held my eyes to his, not so much as blinking even as his hand lifted to cup my cheek. 

"You." He whispered. "I want you as more than just a friend. More than someone who's around simply for company or to ease my loneliness. I want you as a partner. In every sense of the word. Both in your language and mine." 

I held his wrist, hiding my smile in his palm and admiring the flashes of color across his skin. 

"I want that too." 

He seemed surprised, expression flickering between the shock and happiness and finally, uncertainty as he pulled back. 

"Are you sure? If this is because you're worried I'll put you out or I forced my feelings onto you, I'd ra-" 

I laid a kiss on his hand, his words catching in his throat at the gesture. I could feel the slight tremble of his fingertips as I slid into his embrace again. 

"Don't you believe me capable of making my own decisions?" 

"In my defense, all the decisions I've known you to make have led to you regretting them later." 

"Touché." I laughed, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. "But I'm confident I won't regret this one." 

I tilted my face to his, happy to know that it appeared to be a universal sign when it came to silently begging for a kiss as he leaned down. He paused a hair's breadth away, hesitating, or maybe wanting me to make that ultimate leap so he knew I meant every word I'd spoken to him thus far. Assuming the latter, I took the plunge, connecting my mouth with his. His plush lips melded with mine perfectly, the kiss itself charged, building in intensity as Jimin deepened it. My lips tingled under his, the feeling euphoric and unlike anything I had ever experienced. My breaths came out harsher, fingers finding their way into his damp hair, letting the pink strands tangle around my fingers. 

My body burned against his, every bit of me keening under his touch and begging for more. Almost like it had been waiting for this moment and surrendered to whatever he was willing to give me. His fingers traced my skin, those same tingles leaving me feeling as if I were floating, even the water around me caressed me like a lover. Like an extension of Jimin himself. Every sensation an aphrodisiac that I craved more of unconsciously as I arched into him. 

I needed him. The soft touches and gentle fingers weren't enough. I wanted him to want me as desperately as I did him. A whimper left me unexpectedly, the sound enough to pull Jimin from me, the question of what's wrong on the tip of his tongue until I cut him off. 

"There's something I'm curious about." 

"What is it?" He asked, the slight pick-up of pace in the rise and fall of his chest the only outward sign he was affected like I was. 

"The human women who partnered with Draas. I've heard it's unlike anything they've experienced before." 

He looked confused, brows furrowing as he cocked his head to the side. 

"What do you mean?" 

I bit my lip, riding on the high from earlier to power through any embarrassment I might find in divulging my thoughts. 

"Sex." 

"You want me to explain what sex is like with us?" He asked confused. 

"No." I shook my head, stifling my laughter. 

That just made him even more puzzled, that tilt getting steeper as he slowly shook his head. 

"I don't under-" 

"I want you to show me." 

His fingers dug into my hips, expression turning eerily impassive. Those eyes burning into me, his tongue darting out to wet his bottom lip, a quiet exhale escaping from between them. 

"Y/N, if we go that far, there's no going back for me. I'll bind myself to you." 

"Is that not what you want?" 

"No. Yes- I mean, that is what I want. I just need you to understand what you're committing to here. My species, copulation is the ultimate betrothal. We only have sex when we intend to partner with someone for life." 

"Aaand you're worried I'll regret it later." 

He frowned, shaking his head. 

"No, I just want you to be absol-" 

I laid my thumb over his lips.

"I am." I promised him, soothing the swollen flesh with gentle caresses. "Bind me." 

Jimin's breath left him in a shudder, his hand gripping my wrist tightly to pull it from his face before smashing his lips to mine. He kissed me with more fervor, his body turning to push mine back towards the dock. In our haste, the motions were awkward. Both of us fumbling to let go of each other long enough to get out of the water. 

"The house has never felt so far away." He grumbled, helping me onto the dock. 

I gripped his hand to keep him here as he turned towards the house. 

"Not the house. Here." 

I didn't know if he agreed, nor did I really care as I pulled him to me again. His mouth slot against mine perfectly, like he had been made for me. Or maybe I, him. Either way we were two pieces of an unsolved puzzle finally coming together. The lanterns along the dock cast a hearty glow across the both of us, Jimin's skin glittering with hints of orange and red, his hair two shades darker under the tawny light. His fingers slipped under the latch of my bra, toying with it while his other hand slid under the waistband of my underwear. His palms trailed the water droplets coating my skin, rendering them hot like molten lava. The heat was enough to fend off the chill it should have brought this late into the night. 

This was Jimin though, his affinity for water ran much deeper than simply influencing its temperature. His lips parted from mine, moving further down to catch a few beads of water with his tongue, to my neck. He groaned lowly, sucking on my tender skin, and leaving me desperately clenching around nothing as he fed my desire. He made quick work of my bra, tugging it off me and dropping to his knees. His lips found my breast, wrapping around my nipple, nearly sending me crumbling to my knees as well. His name left my lips on a breathless moan, my chest arching into him in a bid for more. Gently, he wrapped both hands around my thighs, guiding me down with him into his lap. I settled over his cock, his underwear and mine being the only barrier between him and my opening, but I could still feel every thick inch of him pressed against my center. Without much convincing on his part, he urged my hips into a slow grind, groaning his appreciation as I took over. He gripped my ass, keeping me close while he found my lonely breast, rolling my nipple between his fingers. I cursed, gripping his shoulders tightly, already feeling that tightness low in my abdomen. I could have cried with the lack of friction I needed, my hips rutting against his frantically for release only to be disappointed when he stopped me. His mouth found mine again, shushing any complaints as he rolled me under him. Any wish to continue grinding on him was dashed the second his hands rid me of my underwear. I tilted my hips up to him impatiently, sighing in pleasure as his fingers parted my folds. He curled one finger in, penetrating me and waiting for my signs of pleasure before introducing a second. 

"You know the belief that human women were compatible with us sexually wasn't a far-fetched one to begin with. In fact, your anatomy coincides with the females of our planet rather remarkably with one exception." He licked his lips, silver gaze finding mine. 

He pulled his fingers out, dragging them through my lower lips deliciously, seeking his target. The jolt that ran through me the second he found my clit let him know his hunt was successful, my hips thrusting against his hand helplessly when he started rubbing slow circles around it. 

"Here." He almost purred, delighting in the way I writhed under his touch. "I spent a lot of time studying how I would bring you pleasure. There are lots of ways, but I found this one the most fascinating." 

He dropped his head, tongue replacing his fingers as he spread my thighs wide to accommodate him. I fell helpless to Jimin, my hands gripping those beautifully pink locks as he experimented with my pleasure. Lips leaving petal soft kisses against my flesh, tongue delving into my opening to coax more of my cream from me before licking a drawn-out stripe up to my clit, laving the same attention to it. He paid expert attention to the way I responded, teasing me to the cusp of breaking and backing down before I hit it to drive my attention elsewhere. His hands hooked over the tops of my thighs, holding me in place while he buried his face in my pussy. His name was a symphony leaving me on gasps and moans and choked whimpers. It felt like I was delirious on the pleasure he gave me only to retreat and leave me dangling on that fine line between pain and euphoria. 

"Please." I whimpered, feeling the tears overflowing as he pulled back again, denying my orgasm. "Jimin." 

"You taste so good." He murmured, swirling silver meeting my eyes. "How am I supposed to stop?" 

My chest rose and fell rapidly, my body feeling like it was sweltering under my skin. I reached for him, melding my lips to his. 

"Make me yours." I begged him, kissing him again only to repeat those three words like I lived by them. 

He matched my fervor, kissing me hungrily. He rid himself of his underwear and I found myself pulling away from him to observe him in all his glory. I traced the shimmering patterns the light cast over his bare flesh, basked in the flush coloring his cheeks, the swollen and plump perfection of his pink lips. My hands navigating the expanse of his chest, lean muscles of his arms and hands where they supported his weight beside my head and watched the way his abdomen flexed with every movement between my thighs as he settled himself between them. 

It was no wonder women signed themselves over. Jimin was beautiful. A sight that artists would try recreating to no avail, and photographers would spend their lives catching the perfect angle of, and here he was, with me. I wrapped my legs around his waist, a wordless invitation for him to take me as his. 

His lips captured mine, delivering a kiss that laid his emotions bare for me to see. The happiness, the longing, the desperation. All the things Jimin kept hidden. I moved against his lips with that same amount of passion, letting him know he wasn't alone in his feelings. That I wanted him just as much. A hand trailed its way between us, down my chest and midriff, his touch as smooth a caress as if water itself lapped at my skin. Soothing the fire raging inside and promising to quench my thirst thoroughly. 

"You're sure?" He whispered against me, kissing me again before allowing me to answer. 

"I'm yours." I swore to him, tracing the curve of his jaw and meeting his eyes. 

Those eyes of silver stardust, captivating in their intensity and heart wrenching in their expressiveness. I could see the emotion swimming in them, their color matching the moon above us as its glow rained down on him. Bathing him in the silvery shade that seemed to be crafted for him alone. 

I knew in that moment he was made to be among the stars. He belonged in that vastness of space. A testament that it was designed for him as much as he it, and I was being graced with only a sliver of it. But it was a piece I would happily take, whatever parts of him he was willing to give me. His fingers gripped the meat of my thigh tightly, spreading me open further for him. I barely caught the change in his breathing, rate increasing until he bit his bottom lip to stifle it and pressed forward. 

I sucked in a sharp breath, relishing in the way he slowly filled me. My nails dug into his shoulders, digging in harder the deeper he went, my body stretching around the length of his cock snugly. His eyes squeezed shut, head dropping slightly to leave the ends of his fiery bubblegum pink hair to brush across my cheek. He sheathed himself fully, body trembling as a quivering breath escaped him. 

"Tell me again." He begged; voice hoarse as his nose nudged my jaw. "That you're mine. That you want me." 

I released the talon-like hold I had on his shoulders, cupping his cheek to turn his face to me so I could kiss him again. 

"I want this... you. I'm yours. Make love to me under the stars we share." 

He obliged, hips retreating only to dive deep once more. He rained kisses down my neck, groaning in delight when I arched beneath him, begging for more. My fingers found the wrist of his hand pressed against the wooden dock beside my head, using it to ground me as I surrendered myself to him. It was all too much and not enough at the same time. His presence above me, inside me, overwhelmed me, but I sobbed with every retreat, wanting him to fill me again until he did, and I felt like drowning under him all over again. 

"Jimin." 

My voice sounded foreign to me. How wrecked it was, the breathlessness, how I begged for him even though I wasn't sure what exactly I was asking of him. 

"My star." He purred, hips snapping into mine. "I've spent my life among the ones up there, but none of them quite feel like home like you do." 

That tension in my lower abdomen pulled tighter. My moans filling the quiet night, not caring if anyone were to hear. Jimin's low groans and harsh breaths coupled with mine, his cock splitting me open, lower body pounding into mine. My core clenched on him, ripping a curse from his lips as he drove into me harder. 

"Fuck." He swore through clenched teeth. 

I stifled my cries enough to hear him. Basking in the soft noises he let loose despite trying so hard to keep them in. Not only that, but the squelching between my thighs every time he thrust inside my walls. I was soaked, drenching him in my essence as if I wanted to be the water he coveted. Underneath me, I could feel the force of waves hitting the dock. The wood vibrating with the power behind them. It took me only a second to realize they lapped against the land in time with Jimin's thrusts. His affinity leeching into the very source itself, the water he wielded responding to him. 

I wondered if he was even aware of it. His focus was directed between us, watching his cock disappear within me, the creaminess gathering at the base of it and coating my thighs. 

"Beautiful." He groaned, fingertips finding that same spot from earlier expertly. 

My body shook under his touch. That knot within me going taut, threatening to snap. I whined, body leaping out of rationality to grind against those fingers. Lips moving to implore Jimin to go harder, faster. The movements of his fingers over my clit were gentle, small circles that I was ready to let shred me apart. Completely at odds with the feral pace of his hips. I marveled at the sight of him above me, the flex of lean muscle, graceful drive of his hips, expression pinched in the same pleasure he inflicted, pink strands sticking to the sweat covering the iridescence of his skin. Sweat that caught the subtle glow of pinks and blues and purples over his flesh like diamonds before dripping onto my exposed and overheated body. 

He dropped his head, wrapping his plush lips around my nipple, flicking it with the tip of his tongue. I crashed under it all, my cries echoing off the turbulent water, back arching off the dock into Jimin who helped me ride through the crippling wave of pleasure. 

"So fucking beautiful." He growled, pushing himself past that breaking point to join me. 

I anticipated the warmth that would escape him and fill me. And I would be lying if I claimed I wasn't disappointed when he pulled out. His fingers made one last swipe through my folds, gathering more of my slick before wrapping those same fingers around himself. He groaned, the sounds rising in pitch as he pumped his cock like he was still fucking me. He squeezed, breath catching as he pushed himself over. He came hard, thick ropes of it coating my thighs and his hand, milking him of everything he had to give. The sight was something I never thought I would find so arousing. The fire inside me flaring again watching him. 

I pushed against his side, urging him to lay against the dock like I had. His questioning gaze going unanswered while I kneeled between his legs. There wasn't so much as a warning before my tongue was on him. Another sharp curse rushing out of him, and his cock twitched while I cleaned him. His head fell back against the wood with a loud thunk, soft moans more of pleasure slipping past his lips, his hands gripping my hair. He didn't do anything beyond holding it, just let me worship him and bring his cock back to life so he could experience pleasure at my expense this time. 

I slid my lips over the head, moaning at the taste of him. He choked on my name, his breathing coming out harsh and irregular. I reveled in it. My eyes trained on the rise and fall of his chest, the veins in his neck as he exposed it, the colors of his skin and hair, and just how fucking perfect he was coming undone for me. I took as much of him as I could, engulfing him in warmth as he came again. I did my best to swallow what I could, some of it overflowing and leaving me to have to lick up my mess. 

Jimin looked utterly fucked, thighs trembling as he pulled me off him. He stared at my lips, his tongue darting out to lick his own as a devilish smile lifted them. One I wasn't used to seeing on him. 

"Sit on my face." 

I looked at him surprised, unable to stop the blush from coloring my cheeks at his forwardness. 

"What?" I asked dumbly, wondering if maybe I had misheard him. 

He chuckled, arms wrapping around my torso to pull me up his body. I bit my lip, a little nervous as he settled my thighs on either side of his head. 

"Did you learn this too, or is it common among Draas men to ask someone to sit on their face?" 

He hummed, hands finding purchase over the tops of my thighs to pull me down to him. 

"My research for you was extensive." He purred, starting with the mess covering my thighs. 

His licks were slow, deliberate, as he purposefully drove me crazy. 

"I'd argue it's only fair I return the favor and clean you up to seeing as I'm responsible for half the mess." 

He pulled me lower, my breath hitching as his breath ghosted across my center. 

"Maybe make you cum again too." 

I could already feel my thighs trembling, Jimin's words and the hint of his lips coaxing me into letting go and smothering him beneath me. 

"I'm really just a selfish bastard who wants to taste you again." He sighed, the first swipe of his tongue threatening to break me. "I'll spend the rest of my life between your legs if you'll let me." 

I laughed breathlessly, one that turned into a shuddering moan as he licked me again. 

"I might just let you." I murmured, whimpering under his teasing mouth. 

"Let's not waste any time then." He grinned, pulling me down to him.

Taglist:

@ldysmfrst @missbangtangirl @bratty-tingz @i-like-puppy-mg @skyys-universe @atinymonbebestay

am/pm

fem!reader x bangchan 

synopsis: you start your new job at a book cafe and start falling for your coworker. 

warnings: 🔞!!! friends to lovers ?, praise, nipple play, oral (f!rec) multiple orgasms (f!rec), protected and unprotected sex (be safe pls they tried), creampie, use of the name baby, she/her, brat!reader kinda, whiny chan, choking (m!rec), spitting, cum eating, alcohol use, slight overstim (f!rec), prob forgot some sorry

wc: 7.4k big oops lol kinda lost the plot

 an: breaking the norm from my regularly scheduled yeonkai post lol feedback is appreciated :)) not proof read sorry! [m.list]

you were nervous for your first day of work, worrying teeth leaving your lips red and sore. when you applied you thought it would be easy money, slow shifts where you could study at the register, the coffee shop attached giving you one free drink a shift. it was perfect but your anxiety was eating at you the entire walk to the bookstore. even the location was perfect, three minutes on your bike, a few more to walk. you didn’t even need to pick up new clothes, your usual attire fully excitable as long as you had your nametag visible. 

the store won't open for another hour but you need to come in early to go over the basics. Your boss told you that although he wasn't going to be there his best employee would show you the ropes. When you get to the building the door is locked and you have to knock on the glass to try and get someone's attention but you can't see anyone from where you are. When someone does notice you you're pacing the sidewalk picking at your nail polish. “so sorry about that i forgot you were coming in early today,” the accented voice mutters, the ding of the bell making you turn around. 

“It's okay,” you nod after a second. The man before you smiles, dimples and teeth on display, devastating enough to take someone out with a single glance. He holds the door open with his palm spread wide, still standing in the doorway so that when you pass you have to brush against his chest with your shoulder. 

“I'm Chan, I work at the cafe most days now but I was told you would be working the store register and stocking?” 

“Yes that's right,” you nod, taking in the small store, the dark hardwood floors creaking underfoot as you move further in. You had loved the store since your freshman year of college. The cafe at night was one of the only places that sold caffeine until late, the warm ambient lighting making it cozy. Even now with the morning light pouring in through the floor to ceiling glass windows, it was comforting, the smell of the freshly brewing pots of coffee waking you up. 

“Great, I worked that job for a while so I should be the best help with setting you up,” Chan pulls the door closed behind you, locking back up. He moves around you waving to follow after him to the back room. To get there we have to weave through the stands of books laid out on tables and stacked on shelves and you feel in over your head looking at all the inventory. “for the most part it's mostly register work. When we get a new release it goes out on the front tables and then the old ones get pushed back to the shelves. nothing too major. I'm sure once you get a hang of it you will be very bored,” 

“It's okay I brought homework,” you say, lifting your tote at your side. 

“ahh, good idea. and if you get bored of homework you could come mess with me at the cafe, I'm always trying to come up with new drinks although I've been told by the other baristas that I'm not very good at that,” he chuckles deep in his throat before turning a corner and pushing open another door. “break room and the cubbies for your stuff. I haven't had anything stolen but if you're worried the front has enough space under the counter for your bag or even if you want to have easy access to your books that's fine too,” he gestures at a desk in the corner, “you clock in and out there, I'm sure you were told how to set up your checks to be deposited?” 

“Yes,” you nod trying to pay attention to all the information. 

“Okay great so let's get your name tag I think it's…oh here! there you go,” he passes you the little magnetic tag for you to put on. you glance at his name tag, the koala sticker faded but still cute. “Then let's see the register and go over that before we open the store, it's a Monday so we are usually really slow so during your shift we can walk around and go over the sections but the computer will tell you where to find most any book here. there is also a map taped to the counter to help customers so you can see that to help you,” 

“got it, thank you,” you follow Chan out and the rest of the hour goes by with him cracking jokes and pointing out what shelves hold what books. When it was time for the doors to be unlocked it was anticlimactic because you only went back to having no one in the shop but the two of you. chan sitting on the stool behind his register for the cafe and you sitting on yours directly across the room. Chan had a book propped up to pass the time and you got started on your homework. your nerves are now officially gone with how calm it was going. 

Even when customers did come in, you breezed through it, Chan's watchful eye not prying but comforting enough to know he would swoop in and help if it was ever necessary. 

When another slow lull came and there were no customers Chan called across the short distance to ask you your coffee order, “I may be bad at coming up with new drinks but that doesn't mean I don't make mean drinks to begin with,” that dimpled smile hitting you right in the stomach. 

“surprise me I'm okay with anything when it's free,” 

“best perk about the job,” he agrees, turning to make you your drink. When he is done he brings it over to the register a small grin on his face as he passes the warm drink over. “go on try it,”

you take a sip humming your approval, “Oh wow that's really good,”  there was no lid on the paper cup to show off his latte art, the heart feathering out to where your lipstick stain hugs the rim. you wipe at the corner of your mouth catching the stray foam on your thumb and licking it off. 

chan is stuck watching your every move, all day he's been finding it hard to concentrate on anything he's doing. he was trying to play it cool even after your introduction, but he was caught the moment you turned around when he opened the door, your perfume making him want to lean in when you brushed past him. It didn't help that he was right across from you all day, the perfect seat for him to make sure you weren't struggling although that was an excuse because he knew how easy the job was he just wanted to watch you. 

Now you're basically moaning over something he made and he feels bad for having any thoughts about you. then you swipe at your lip, thumb in your mouth, how is he supposed to think about anything else? 

“cinnamon and apple?” you ask your gaze so attentive. 

“warm and cozy,” Chan smiles watching as you take another sip that hum caught right in the back of your throat and he wishes he could swallow the sound himself. but the jingling of the bell by the door jolts him back to reality. “let me get back,” 

“Thank you!” you call after him while the customers make their way through the shelves. Chan waves your words away,“Anytime,” 

later when both of your replacements come in for their shift Chan helps show you how to clock out and where you can find your schedule. “looks like we have morning shifts together,” he comments, “I'll have to give you my number so when you get to the door I can let you in,” it's an excuse really he could leave the door unlocked after he gets in, no one ever tries to come in that early anyways most of their customers come to study after class. 

“sure that works perfectly,” you smile unlocking your phone and passing it over, he does the same and you type your number in for him. 

“best barista?” you laugh when you see the name he plugged in. 

“Seungmin might not like that but who cares,” he chuckles, “best AM barista might be better,” 

you both walk out together and you notice you're headed in the same direction, “do you live over on Sixth?” 

“yeah, do you?” 

“the first apartment building on the corner,” 

“Me too!” The two of you were a few steps away from each other and Chan took the opportunity to catch up. “official walking buddies now? can't change fate,” 

“yeah okay,” you laugh, falling into step next to him. 

“The boss said you were in school, the campus right up the road?” 

“yeah, I have a lab at five actually,” 

“The shop is the perfect job for you then, my classes are also kinda late in the day so I get it,” he ruffled his hair and pushed back the strands from his forehead only to have them fall right back into place. The two of you make comfortable conversation until you make it to the lobby of your apartment building, Chan holding the door open for you before you press the elevator button. 

when you two make it into the elevator you ask him, “What floor?” as you press your own button. 

The space is small and he leans over to see the button panel, body heat, and his colleague filling the space. and you didn't mind it at all, he smelled like a mix of baked goods and sandalwood. “looks like we live on the same floor,” he chuckles, pulling back to stand straight. both of you are silent eyes trained ahead as you mutter, “Small world I guess,” 

“Very,” he nods, chewing on the corner of his bottom lip. When the elevator dings and opens you wave goodbye as you both move down the opposite halls. He was about three doors down and when he got his key in he looked up with a smile waving before walking in. When you close the door to your apartment you lean against the door letting out the longestsigh you could muster. of course, your hot coworker shares your schedule and lives right down the hall. of fucking course. 

-

The following morning you're tugging on your coat, pulling the door closed and your tote bag keeps sliding down your shoulder. You're muttering profanities quite enough as you try to get the key into the lock when you don't hear Chan approach. you flinch so hard you think your heart stopped. “You scared me!” and Chan's giggling reached out for your tote bag pulling it from the crook of your arm where it kept falling. 

“I'm sorry I thought you heard me say good morning,” he slings your bag over your shoulder as you finally lock the door.“I was running a bit late so I thought why not just wait anyways since we are headed to the same place?” he's a little shy as he says it following you to the elevator, “although I know that defeats the purpose of giving you my number but you know thought that counts and everything right?” he's rambling his grip on the tote bag strap turning white-knuckled, his free hands at the back of his neck messing with his hair. 

“That works perfectly with me and I can carry my own bag,” the elevator dings as you say it and Chan shakes his head stepping in before you holding his hand out so the doors stay open. 

“I don't know how you carry this thing around its like a bag of rocks it's so heavy,” 

“textbooks,” you correct, leaning over him to press the lobby button. “although you're right I should get a better bag to carry them around but that one is so cute,” you run your fingers over the design that made you buy the tote in the first place, “everything is worth the struggle as long as its cute,” 

“agreed,” Chan nods, watching your fingers run up and down the fabric, your nails painted the prettiest shade of blue and he has to swallow to push away his thoughts of you wrapping your hand around him. but the image won't fade so he shakes his head trying to think of all the things he needs to do to set up for the day. 

He holds the door open for you the same way he had your first day, letting you brush past him only this time he's following you to clock in watching your hips sway in your skirt all the way to the break room. and when the day starts to go by he tries not to look your way as you press your pen to your lips every once in a while jotting down notes in the margins on sticky notes. watching you smile up at customers and helping them. 

chan brings you a coffee halfway through your shift when it is slow, this time it is sweet with caramel, “oh wow definitely best AM barista material,” you nod licking the whipped cream from your top lip. he flushes a deep red chuckling, “its nothing,” but he was starting to realize he would learn any drink combo to hear that hum over and over again. 

and when you're walking home together you laugh at his dad jokes making his heart flutter, he already can't wait until tomorrow to see you. 

-

You've been working at the store for about a month, and your routine is always the same. Chan waits by the elevator for you to walk, he makes you a new drink halfway through your shift, walks you back and you do it all over the next day. you realize it's the best part of your day and when you have the day off you're stuck wondering what Chan's doing, if he's wondering the same thing about you. it's late on one of your off days when he texts you, do you smell that or is that just my side of the hallway? and you know exactly what he's talking about. 

someone was cooking dinner in their apartment and the savory smell was wafting through from under the door making you hungry. 

definitely smelling something good if that's what you're asking

I think it's the people in front of me. Would it be wrong to show up with a bowl and ask for some?

not if you ask really really nicely I'm sure they will cough some up 

no, I'm too shy if they reject me I won't be able to ever leave my place again 

I'll bring my own bowl they can't turn away both of us if we beg 

seriously tho are you hungry because I'm starving and Seungmin texted me the cafe specials menu 

You're sure Chan would be able to hear you squeal all the way in his apartment. It wasn't a full-on offer out but it was close enough and your fragile little heart was consumed with its crush on Chan. he had you kicking your feet like a school girl and you couldn't help but smile. 

The best PM barista does make a mean sandwich 

be ready in 5? 

if he didn't hear you before the whole floor definitely did now. you jumped up from your couch to get ready. Maybe it was nothing, just two friends, coworkers, even going out, to your place of work, for a casual dinner. only you could tell yourself that all you wanted but it didn't stop your excitement. sure you saw Chan nearly every day but not usually when you weren't already scheduled to see each other. only once when you were both crossing paths in the lobby and that didn't count because you were late to class and rushing and he was with a friend, but that didn't stop the butterflies you felt when he gave you a wave and smile as you passed. 

You were ready in five minutes pulling your door closed to find Chan leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets, a dark jean jacket over a hoodie, his jeans fitting him just right. “ready?” he asked, pulling himself up to his full height. 

“yup,” it's a squeak as you say it, your cheeks colored in embarrassment. He was wearing a beanie with his ears peeking out from under the fabric. When you stepped outside you realized how cool it was outside, your thin sweater doing you no good. 

Chan holds the door open for you to lead the way, your arms crossed before you feel the heavy weight of his jean jacket slung on your shoulders. “You look a little cold there,” he smiles and you push your arms through the warm sleeves. it smells like him without the coffee scent usually following him after a shift. 

“thank you,” your fists wrapping around the oversized sleeves. 

When you make it to the cafe it's filled with light chatter, the golden glow from the lamps making the hardwood look shiny as you both stand in line for the cafe. your other coworkers behind the counters joking around as they make drinks and call out orders. You have gotten to know most of them when you have an occasional late shift but not as well as you got to know Chan. That was mainly because you two didn't have many customers in the morning time and you could talk even across the store without worrying about someone listening or scolding us. The night shifts were busy and most of the time a little loud. 

When you make it to the counter seungmin's warm smile greets you, “I know you,” he points but you can't miss the way his gaze falls to the jacket you're wearing and back to Chan his eyebrows raising but he doesn't ask. 

“We are here because I heard Chan's trying to come for your title of best barista,” 

“he can't make a coffee to save his life,” 

“Hey! I make excellent coffee,” 

“Because I taught you,” the smug smile on Seungmin's face made his cheeks round. “what can I get you two?” 

You both order reaching for your bag when you feel Chan's hand in the pocket of the jacket you are wearing. He is standing behind you, one hand on your arm and the other wrapped around to pull his wallet from where it's at your hip. “I got it,” he mumbles so close to your ear you almost shiver. “you can get it next time,” 

you give a slow nod trying to catch your breath before Seungmin asks, “Hey are you two coming out with us tomorrow night? they opened this new club downtown we wanted to go try,” 

“oh I don't know,” you shrug and Chan adds, “I'll go if you go,” he looks almost hopeful for you to say yes. 

“Well then sure why not? we can Uber there together,” 

“perfect i'll let the guys know,” Seungmin hands over the receipt with your order number, “should be out in a few,” 

“Thank you,” you and Chan say together, moving to the other side of the counter to wait for your things. When they come out Chan takes the tray and when you think he's going to turn to one of the empty tables he keeps going over to the bookstore side. you follow after him as he weaves his way to the break room. 

“kinda loud out there,” he says, setting the tray down on the little table they have set up. 

“Definitely different from how we usually see the store in the morning,” you agree, pulling out a chair to sit. The break room wasn't like most other breakrooms you had been to in other jobs. this one was set up like a cozy office, the building was old and well-kept enough to make every space look cozy. the lamp in the corner of the room giving the warm glow the others made in the cafe. you take a sip of your fruity drink not picking out a coffee this late when you didn't need the aid for an all-night study session. “now this is really good,” you say nodding down at your straw. 

“new menu item I haven't tried yet,” Chan sips his drink, an iced tea. “this one's good too, try it,” he slides his glass across the table toward you. 

Chan watches you take your sip from his drink, the hum he loves showing itself for the second time tonight. “good?” 

“Amazing, here try mine,” and so he does, nodding in approval. 

the two of you chat not even noticing how late it's getting by the time you're done and taking the tray back out to the cafe. most of the building is cleared of people, seungmin wiping down the counters when you leave. It's noticeably colder outside and you wrap your arms around yourself happy to have chan’s jacket for warmth or you would have had a cold the next morning for sure. Neither of you asked if this was in fact a real date or something between friends. you don't even notice that you have taken his jacket back to your apartment until you're changing for bed and realize you never took it off. 

-

The next morning when you leave for work you pass it back to Chan who smiles as he takes it back. “Thank you for that last night,” you say waving your hand as if you could cut through your embarrassment. Why was it that crushes made you feel like everything you did was so awkward? you were returning a jacket for crying out loud. It was totally normal, especially between friends but you couldn't help but blush. 

for the rest of the day, you two fall into your routine. Towards the end of your shift, a customer knocks over a display of books and you assure them you will pick them up once you're done checking them out, and it's no problem at all. Once they leave you bend to get the books picked up and Chan can't look away. you're wearing a skirt, the simple black panties you're wearing flashing him every once in a while as you reach over. He doesn't even notice he's overfilled the coffee cup in front of him until the coffee splashes down to his shoes. “oh fuck,” he mutters catching your attention as you restack the books. hes red from his cheeks to his ears as he wipes up the mess. but as he pushes the black rag around he can only think about you bending over, the fabric of your underwear hugging your skin dimpling the flesh of your ass. now he's over-wiping the counter thinking about it, so lost in thought he doesn't notice you come up to stand right at the till. “guess we both are having messy days,” your voice pulling him from his thoughts and he stammers over his words, “y-yeah messy,” 

but the word only fuels him, if anything was to be messy it needed to be you, he wanted too badly to make a mess of you. 

“I just saw the next shift workers walk in. Are you ready to head out?” 

“yes yes let me just put a lid on this, do you want anything to go?” 

“No, I'm good I don't need all that caffeine before heading out for drinks tonight,” Chan had forgotten about that but now he was thinking about what you were going to wear, about what it would be like going anywhere else besides work and the apartment building with you. 

When it's time to leave for drinks that night you text Chan you're ready and you book the Uber to come pick you two up.when you lock the door to your place and turn around to find Chan there you could have fallen to your knees at how downright edible he looked. those slouchy jeans showing a thin strip of the elastic to his underwear, the black tank hugging him in all the best places under his leather jacket. you wanted to hook your finger in the loop of his jeans and tug him to you and never let him go, link him to you like he was a keychain you couldn't remove easily. and his eyes were tracing up your bare legs, over the short ruffled shorts you wore, your own tank hugging you giving you the best cleavage. Chan's blush was so contradictory to his outfit and it made him so much cuter, eyes jumping to yours to not make it obvious that he was checking you out just as much as you were checking him out. “cars out front,” you say brushing past him. 

at the club, Chan could not stop watching you. 

you were sitting in the booth next to him and seungmin, lips around the straw of the drink in your hands, paying all your attention to Felix talking about a customer who gave him a hard time. 

“he just kept asking for a blue book over and over and I could not tell you how many blue books I pulled off the shelves for him,” your giggle was more intoxicating than anything in that room. 

“Did you find it?” 

“no! he walked out on me and to this day I question if he was just fucking with me or not,” 

The rest of the group was finally showing up and the booth was only so big. Chan rested his arm behind your head scooting until his leg was flush against yours so that the rest of them could fit comfortably. He hated how jealous he was feeling as you paid everyone more attention than he was getting. and when Hyunjin asked you to dance he could have ground his teeth to dust. “sure!” your drink is empty in front of you. 

you were in the middle of the booth and Hyunjin was on the end so he stood making room for the others to move but they didn't hear the request over the sound of the music. “Just jump over,” seungmin laughed but you followed his suggestion like it was the best idea, mostly because you were a little tipsy and needed to be out of the booth after being squashed in it for over an hour. you brought your knees up to your chest before putting your hands on Chan's shoulder to push yourself up to stand on the seat. As if you were a beacon all of them turned to watch you if they weren't listening before they would be now. Chan's hand reached out to your thigh to steady you, the warmth of his palm sinking right to your stomach. there were only two people besides you to jump over and both of them leaned back as Hyunjin reached his hands out to help you. you laughed as you jumped over, hyunjin's hands on your waist helping you most of the way but the second Chan's hand was gone you wanted it back. 

Hyunjin pulled you to the dance floor keeping you within the eye line of the table. the bodies of everyone pushing you and Hyunjin together until you were completely pressed with your back to his front. “Want to make Chan jealous?” his mouth pressed into your ear so that you could hear him over the music. 

“What?” hyunjin's hand slid over your waist right where your tank top met the top of your shorts. 

“We have a bet going that he won't last two songs until he's dragging you away from me,” Hyunjin guides your hips to grind against him and your eyes flicker to find Chan's gaze burning into you two. if looks could kill Hyunjin would be six feet deep. 

“he won't fall for it,” you shake your head but not for wanting to see if it actually would work. 

“want in? or do you not like him like that? because he sure as hell likes you like that I mean look at him,” and you do, the rim of his glass pressed to his bottom lip, eyes devouring you as Hyunjin's hand slips your tank up revealing a thin strip of skin. he's still with his arm slung over your empty seat, the rise and fall of his chest showing off his pecks. you raise one arm reaching behind you to tug on Hyunjin's hair and Chan follows the movement, jaw tight as he sets his glass down.  

“how much if he doesn't last one song?” 

“a lot more than if he doesn't last two,” Hyunjin chuckles and maybe it is the drinks talking but you nod, “Add me in, I'll Take that bet,” your free hand covers one of Hyunjin dragging it up your ribs as you let him guide your hips against his. 

it doesn't take long for Chan to leave the booth at all. 

Chan does not know what comes over him as he watches you with Hyunjin only that he needs to be the one touching you if anyone at all is to be doing any touching at all. Hyunjin lets you go with no question, slapping Chan on the back before making his way back to the booth. you honestly can't believe it worked as well as it did, the way that Chan didn't even last half a song let alone two. “I didn't know you felt that way about me,” your smile teases as Chan grabs your waist and pulls you into his chest as if he can erase the feeling of hyunjin on your skin. 

“Seriously? The heavy staring hasn't been enough because I thought my cover was blown the first day,” his smile is lazy, the drinks hitting him in just the right way. 

“first day? not just because your friends set you up?” 

“nope,” his hands slide down the curve of your ass until they are cupping you, tugging your body even closer to him, he's hard in his jeans, the bulge digging into your stomach. “they definitely didn't need to try hard at all, not when I want you this bad already,” 

your hands slide up his chest and round to the back of his neck, “Maybe I'm a little oblivious and I need you to tell me in great detail that you like me or I might not be privy to believing you at all,” the way that you're looking at each other is consuming, so much so that you don't realize him dipping closer until his nose is brushing against yours. eyes fluttering shut you tilt your head ready for his kiss when he stops right as they barely brush, “if you needed me to praise you all you needed to do was ask,” 

“Isn't that exactly what I was doing?” you nudge your nose against his trying to reach his lips as he pulls away grinning wide, dimples on display. 

“I guess you could say that,” one of his hands slid up your back to hold the base of your skull. 

“You're teasing me,” your pout made Chan want to kiss you even more. 

“I think they have another bet going that I can't last one song before dragging you out of here and I'm pretty sure once I get my mouth any closer to you they will be right and I'll lose out on $100,” Chan can feel you laugh against his chest, the rumble in your chest drawing him closer. 

“What makes you think I'm leaving with you?” You're taunting him now, fingers running through his hair as he squeezes your ass hard enough to make your pussy lips open. 

“We drove here together,” he states and you fuck with him a bit more, “but I heard Hyunjin has a car I can catch a ride in,” 

Chan can't stand the sound of anyone else's name coming out of your mouth when he's this hard when you're pressed so close to him. he finally kisses you, soft lips tasting like tangy alcohol. he wants to channel the last month into this kiss, every want and glance. he can hear his friends cheering from the table but he couldn't care less not when you're here. 

when you pull away you're breathless, “do you still win if I drag you out of here?” 

Chan can't form words before you pull him after you, your hand fisted into his top. his tongue pressed to his cheek, his grin so wide no one could miss it even if they tried. when you walk past the table you point at them, “You own me!”  

but they are all forgotten the second you're out in the cold air. you shiver, pulling out your phone to order an Uber and Chan slings his jacket over your shoulders just like the night before. The leather is warm and soft against your skin and he wraps his arms around your hands sliding past the jacket and wrapping around you. his bare arms rippling and you could bite him with how good he looks flexing right now. you don't even care that he could be getting cold when this is the view. 

Chan is all over you once you climb into the Uber, “safety first,” he mutters into your mouth before he pulls your seatbelt around you to buckle. You could laugh at how cautious he is but the seatbelt doesn't stop him from trying to pull you close enough to almost be in his lap, his mouth leaving open-mouthed kisses down your neck and to your chest. never in your life have you ever spoken in an Uber let alone almost strip in the backseat but if Chan had asked you would have. and when you're in the elevator you almost forget to press what floor you're trying to make it to, chan asks if you want to go to your place or his, and your response is you pulling his keys from his front pocket fingers brushing his straining cock making him whine in your ear. “Yours,” you say into your kiss, pressing the keys to his chest before he's dragging you to his door fumbling with the key ring. 

Chan pushes his jacket from your shoulders once the door is closed and locked behind him. your hands jolt out to grab both his biceps and he stops in his tracks, “do we need to slow down?” the pure concern on his face is enough to make your knees weak, “we can stop if it's too much,” you will kindly choke on him for being so worried. 

“no, I want you to fuck me I just really wanted to see sturdy the handles ill be holding will be when you're in me,” your nails dig into his arms and he gives a soft whine. 

“You're so fucking perfect,” it's a groan into your mouth as he wraps himself back around you walking you backward towards the bedroom. he slaps the lights on before you make contact with the bed. he breaks the kiss letting you sit, the comforter soft against your bare legs. chan gets to his knees in front of you tugging off your boots, kissing the inside of your knee, and sending a bolt right to your center. “How many times do you think I can make you cum?” He asks pulling off your socks before kissing up your thigh. He runs his hands up your calves before grabbing the back of your knees and spreading your legs. 

“I don't know you might have to try really hard to get me there once,” he scoffs before nipping your inner thigh with his teeth, your knees instantly try to close but he shakes his head. 

“Maybe we start our own bet, I get you to come at least three times and then you owe me another date,” 

“Another one? could you remind me of the first time?” 

“I haven't fucked you hard enough to forget simple things yet baby,” he stands tugging his tank top off by pulling the back of the collar. your mouth is dry at the sight of him leaning back on your hands to take him in. Those jeans are low on his hips as he toes out of his shoes, “take your top off,” he nods, popping the button of his jeans. 

you follow your orders, you're braless, nipples already hard and aching for attention. “You listen so well,” he tugs the zipper of his jeans down but doesn't pull his pants down. Instead, he leans over you, kissing you down your neck until he makes it to your tits, sucking one nipple between his teeth and rolling the other one between his fingers. you open your legs to him, your shorts are too tight all of a sudden, too hot. lacing your fingers in his hair you throw your head back as he gives your nipple a tug with his teeth before switching to the neglected side. you moan rolling your hips into his clothed bulge and he sinks deeper into the cradle of your hips. “the prettiest girl making the prettiest sounds,” you whimper at his words knowing you are completely soaked. 

chan pulls away letting you lay out on the mattress before he hooks his fingers in your shorts and panties tugging them down your legs. he moans at the sight of you laid out before him, he tugs one of your legs to the side to reveal more of you to him, glistening under the lights. never has he been so excited to devour someone and that's just what he does, not waiting before his mouth is on you. he groans against your clit the vibration making your knees weak, “you taste as good as you look,” he wraps his arms under and around your thighs to spread you wide before diving back in. 

your hands twist in his duvet, your orgasm building faster than it ever has before. your back arching off the bed before you start riding his face so close to the edge that you don't expect his fingers until they are pressed right against the gummy spot inside you and you’re seeing spots as you cum. Chan is licking you clean as you ride out your high before he stands fingers in his mouth watching your legs twitch. “That was one,” a cocky grin present as he moves around to the nightstand to pull out a condom. 

you sit up on your elbows watching him strip, thick veiny cock hitting his stomach. He climbs up on the bed resting against the pillows and headboard before rolling the condom on. “if your legs still work I'd love it if you gave me a ride,”

“and if they don't?” you ask watching him spit into his hand before grabbing himself and tugging loosely. 

“I'll sit here and finish by myself but wouldn't it be so much fun to watch me disappearing into you?” you can feel yourself flutter at the thought. pulling yourself up and crawling up the bed to chan he grabs your hips to help steady yourself as you straddle him. you sink your hips down letting your wetness coat the condom, Chan's head is thrown back as he whines, “Please don't tease me,” his thumbs digging in hard enough to bruise your waist like a belt. 

“Whiny baby,” you coo, pressing a kiss over his pulse, the rapid beating so similar to your own as you reach down between you two to guide him to your entrance. Chan is gasping when you sink onto him, slowly inching down and rising every few strokes before you're finally stretched enough to sink fully seated on him. his tight stomach fluttering under your hands as you use him as leverage to rise again. you can feel him so deep he's kissing your womb, right in your throat.“god you're so fucking warm, just fucking right,” he moans half-lidded eyes watching where your bodies meet, you'regoing too slow for him and he flicks his hips up to watch himself disappear in the sweetest cunt he's ever had. 

“you're so big,” you whimper reaching for one of his hands to press into your pelvis, the added pressure makes your head fall forward in a moan, “you feel so good,” 

“Choke me please,” he moans head on the pillows as he plants his heels to get more leverage to thrust into you, “please,” the whimper he lets out nearly sends you over the edge. you use one of your hands to wrap around his throat, the vein pulsing under the tips of your fingers. “harder baby I can take it,” you nod at his words increasing the pressure you have on him, his eyes fluttering shut as he snaps his hips up into you. He keeps his hand pressed to your pelvis and he can feel each thrust meet the heel of his palm. your knees planted firmly against the mattress he lets go of your hip to press his thumb into your clit. you cry out as he keeps up his brutal pace rubbing your clit in circles and driving you over the edge. you can't even move as he pulls out not wanting to cum at the feel of you squeezing him just yet. your hand still around his neck as you come down from your high, breathing labored. 

“That was two,” he smirks when you sit up, twitching when your clit brushed his thigh. “onto three,” he wraps his arms around you flipping you over so that you're now laying where he had been. he pushes your legs up so that your shins are against his chest. he can't help himself, he's not even in you and he's trying to rut against your legs, his whines and moans sounding almost pained. “please I need to feel you, all of you,” he begs, “I promise ill pull out I just want to feel you,” his breathy pleas pressed right into your ear, hair sticking to your sweaty cheeks. You're holding onto his shoulders nodding without thinking twice because you need to feel him so bad. He reaches down to roll the condom back off not caring anymore about anything but being in you as deep as possible. As close as possible.  

you cry out when he sinks back in, so much warmer and thicker than before, every ridge in his cock fitting perfectly with you. your hands slip down to his biceps nails digging back in as you hold on as Chan snaps his hips forward moaning deep enough that you feel the rumble in his stomach pressed against your legs. 

chan is fucking you so hard the headboard is hitting the wall, he's pounding in over and over that your toes are curling. Then he sinks his hips finding a new angle until he's hitting your gummy spot, your head falls back and he presses his open mouth to your neck moaning against your skin the feeling singing all the way to your teeth. “I needed to feel you, I needed to feel that you're mine,” his words are choppy as he keeps up his pace. “you feel so fucking right,” he pulls back enough to push your legs a bit wider and he's back to his pace, your back arching into him. You're full of electricity, every nerve humming as he rocks back and forth. you can feel him twitch inside you and Chan knows he wouldn't be able to pull out even if he tried. 

he fully seats himself in you as he cums, thick hot ropes of it filling you up. his moan is so loud in your ear and the feeling of his release triggers your third orgasm, your cry half scream as you follow right after him. 

Chan's never cum so much in his life, his hips moving lazily as you flutter around his cock taking everything he has to offer. when he pulls out a trail of your mixed fluids follows, so much so that it makes a puddle on the duvet under you. Chan runs his finger through the cream rubbing it up your clit and back down to your entrance before he leans over and licks you clean. “Chan!” your knees are shaking, tears threatening to spill as he pulls himself back up pressing his mouth to yours and letting some of the cum he's collected spill onto your tongue. he kisses away the saltiness before pulling back, to gaze down on you, “that was three, looks like you owe me one more date,”

FAVOURITE CHARACTER CHALLENGE

Challenge: Make a poll with five of your all-time favourite characters, and then tag five people to do the same. See which character is everyone's favourite.

tagged by @imminentinertia

I’ll keep mine to all-time favorite Thai BL characters. And I did six because I don’t like maths. :>

Visual references:

Win (Until We Meet Again/Between Us)

Arthit (SOTUS)

Kawi (Be My Favorite)

Sing (Triage)

Team (Until We Meet Again/Between Us)

Kongphob (SOTUS)

AND NOW—

these look promising. I am adding them to my need to read list

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Get to know the life of the members of Bring On The Night! The pop/rock band of the moment that has a whole generation addicted to their music, lyrics and performers.

| Kim Seokjin: The Bassist

You were Jin's childhood friend, the one who always went to all his bass practices, the one who went to all his mini concerts, the one who tested the songs before he played them live, you were even the first person he ran to tell the news that his band had been dominated to his first award.

The problem with this? You were always just that to Jin, the typical childhood friend he wouldn't give up for anything in the world, but would never see as anything more.

A few months ago Jin started dating yet another girl, a certain Yeji, whom he had met in college.

You were starting to feel how awful it was to be just another friend, and you wanted to give it your last try before giving up forever with Jin and moving on with your life.

| Min Yoongi: The Producer

You had been in a fully sexual relationship with Yoongi for over 5 years. Yes, you went out on the occasional date in secret, but nothing out of the ordinary, nothing that would make the public think you were a couple, or sex partners.

You had never had a problem with this, until little by little you noticed how you started to feel things for him that definitely had nothing to do with your fully sexual relationship, so you did what you did best.

You ran away.

| Jung Hoseok: The Composer

You met Hoseok in a dance class you had during your last years in college. The two of you hit it off perfectly and decided to stay in touch.

You talked to him when he won his first award, he talked to you when he heard you got a permanent contract at your current company. You called him when you found out he had landed a fairly well known girlfriend in the middle, he congratulated you on finding your fiancé.

Now, 2 years after that, you had no idea how to tell him that your husband and his fiancée were fucking in your bed.

| Kim Namjoon: The Drummer

You were Bring On The Night's manager since their debut. You had taken good care of them, always tried to give them a reasonable schedule, always talked to interviewers before interviews, always tried to keep them safe without asking for anything in return. That's exactly what made Namjoon fall at your feet.

From the beginning he always had eyes for you, he always drowned in his feelings thinking about how annoying it might be for you to stay on the job knowing that he had feelings for you.

However, this same attitude not only attracted to him, but to other guys who worked in the same industry. It was this very thing that made Namjoon decide to fight for you, even if it would destroy your working relationship and friendship.

| Park Jimin: The Keyboardist

You were Jimin's girlfriend during his pre-debut era. You would go to support him at practice, bring him food, water, sometimes even a change of clothes. You loved the way he loved his job, but love wasn't always enough to overcome the adversities that made life as a star. That was made clear to you by the Ceo of Bring on the night's discography.

You broke up with him shortly after his debut, you didn't give him any explanation, you simply told him that you didn't want to be with him anymore and you left.

Years later, in the present day, Jimin had become a world star, famous for his talent on the keyboard, and you, for your part, had achieved your goal of becoming a critically acclaimed actress.

What you never thought was that, as you were both on the same level, you would inevitably meet at events such as awards shows, and, to be honest, you didn't think you could ever say no to Jimin again.

| Kim Taehyung: The Guitarist

For the first time in your entire career as an artist you had gotten into a scandal, and one of the worst scandals there could have been. A rapper whose name you didn't even know had told hundreds of gossip channels that the two of you were in a solely sexual relationship.

Now, with no excuse to give because no one would believe you without proof, you and your manager decided to make a completely risky bet; talk to Kim Taehyung, the guitarist of BOTN and ask him to pretend to be your boyfriend. To your surprise, he didn't hesitate to accept.

The deal was clear: neither would have feelings for the other, neither would meddle in the other's relationships, and neither owed the other any explanations.

At first you thought it would be simple, just another performance, just like you did for your music videos.

How wrong you were.

| Jeon Jungkook: The Vocalist

Jungkook considered himself a very tolerant person. He tolerated Jin with his horrible jokes, he tolerated Namjoon breaking his stuff by accident from time to time, he even tolerated Jimin stealing his stuff, but there was one specific point where he would never tolerate any bullshit.

That point was you.

The day he found out the idiot you were dating, he almost broke his phone from how hard he smashed it against the wall. He believed you deserved better, no, he knew you deserved better, no doubt about it, and he was more than willing to show you what would be the minimum point you should accept in a man.

Hi!!

I was wondering if you could maybe be my beta reader? I’m writing a new fan fiction story and I would like ideas, double check my spelling, feed back, and constructive criticism.

Summary: Titanic story line, but, with a twist. Gilbert and his little sister boar the Titanic after the unexpected death of their parents. Hoping for a better life. Anne comes aboard the Titanic with Marilla after loosing Matthew hoping for a better life as well. When the three of them meet, it’s a strong bond that nothing can break them. Not even the devastating tragedy of the Titanic can break that bond.

I always thought Gilbert would make a great big brother. Can I make this work? Would I get reviews on it? That’s my goal is to get reviews and people to like my story.

Hello, @shannyh25!

Thank you for your inquiry, but I have no experience in beta reading.

While I am familiar with the story of the Titanic, I know nothing of the characters you speak of. I'm not sure I would be able to support you properly.

Making sure it gets reviews and likes depends on your audience. I never thought my stories would get this kind of reaction from others, so I started writing for myself. I still write for myself.

While it is true that I have a Patreon and do ask for reader input with polls, this is mostly to help me clarify where I would go with the stories or to make sure I am still making things clear.

As for spelling and grammar, my go-to is Grammarly! It saves me every time and points out my unhealthy relationships with commas and ellipses.

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