Was It Fate?

Was it Fate?

This is a reader request by @bethanysnow, who holds membership to my Patreon. Her request is as follows:

"I have a request~ what about San from Ateez getting paired up on a variety show with a designer that is getting popular in South Korea?? For plus size fashion? And I can totally see him just falling head over heels for her~ ^-^"

This is my first ever Reader Request, and I am more than happy to fulfill it as Bethany has been my main support for my story, American Mate!

Pairing: Idol!San x Plus-sized FemReader

Status: Reader Request, One-shot

Word Count: 11,194

Genre: Variety Show Fluff

Warnings: None

Thank you to @cyaspeedy and @animatedglittergraphics-n-more for this story's artwork and banners.

As a plus-sized woman, you intimately understood the challenges of finding stylish and comfortable clothing. The sleek jumpsuits, the simple evening gowns, and the flowy summer dresses that were supposedly one-size-fits-all never quite fit the bill for you. It was this personal struggle that sparked your realization that clothes were an art form, and you were ready to create your masterpiece.

Your decision to launch a clothing line exclusively for plus-sized women was a game-changer. It was a mission that resonated with many, and it took numerous visits with investors and hours of hand sewing before your line took off. The unexpected support from the long-standing House of Schiaparelli propelled your mission to new heights. While the House of Schiaparelli offers women the essence of bold style and timeless allure, your mission was clear–“Everybody deserves clothes they feel good in.”

Your brand's success was a whirlwind. In just 11 months, 17 days, and 18 styles later, you had a summer line ready to go. Your diligence and unique aesthetic caught the attention of some of the nation's top photographers and production directors. Once you pitched the idea to the producing director, it only took a few days to get the ball rolling. 

Like most advertisements, you were blessed to work with some of the top Idols. However, unlike most brands that stuck with just one Idol or one Idol group, you wanted some from different groups because it supported your ideals of inclusion. Your concept was a couple having a date at a cat cafe; your love of furry pets is never-ending, which is reflected not only in your design but also in the ads.

While you had been a fan of K-pop music for many years, you found it easy to work with the different Idols. BamBam from GOT7 ended up adopting a cat from the cafe. Lisa from BlackPink surprised many, but her love for cats and the group's support for the LGBTQ+ community perfectly fit your brand's mission to include everyone. However, it was shocking that your advertisement also included Lee Know of Stray Kids and Yoongi from BTS. 

Soon, your commercial played on screens nationwide, from Doota Mall to Starfield COEX Mall and even Lotte Department Store. 

“Alright, can we please stick together this time?” Hongjoong requests the other members. “We really don’t want to leave Wooyoung at the mall again.”

“Hey! That was a one-time thing, captain!” whines Wooyoung, making the others laugh. 

Shopping with the other members was always easier for San. Despite his onstage presence, he was, is, and will always be an introvert. San has often seen videos of the group with remarks about Ateez being out and about and San looking more like their manager rather than another member. 

This fact makes San proud because he is all about being comfortable and looking good. Yeah, he wears clothes onstage to showcase himself for Atiny, and he loves it. In his everyday life, though, he likes to be comfortable in baggy hoodies and pants, loose shirts, and things that make him feel good but not showy.

Mosing around the mall with the other members, having already bought what he came for, San sees a new ad with Lee Know. Having worked with Stray Kids during Kingdom: Legendary War, he became close with Minho and Felix. Now that he thinks about it, Minho mentioned a new job that he thought San would be perfect for, but he was out of the country at Coachella and couldn’t join. 

Stopping to watch the ad as it replays, the most angelic voice comes over, explaining this was the laugh of a new line called “Byeol” by Y/n, which is exclusively making a one-size-fits-all for plus-sized women. The clothing is eye-catching and flattering. The concept of the ad is charming, and at the end of the ad is you. 

Your hair and makeup are done simply while you are wearing a lovely pant jumper that showcases the curves of your hips, the thickness of your thighs, and the beauty of your bare shoulders. When you say the closing statement, “Byeol, a plus-sized clothing line to make any woman a star because everyone deserves clothes they feel good in,” a smile seals the deal for San.

The visual component of the ad showcasing his friend and a lovely plus-sized woman in a summer dress at a Cat Cafe is long forgotten. The only thing of importance is you, the one who has stolen his breath and heart.

What San also forgets is the rest of his group. It doesn’t take long before Wooyoung realizes the dance master is missing, “Where did San go?”

“Dude, its either you or him that always gets sidetracked by shiny things. Hwa, can you find him please?” Hongjoong asks.

“Fine, but I am taking Woo with me. I swear he has a built-in San finder.” Grabbing the member mentioned, the two go off to find San, “Meet you back at the van!”

Turning a few corners, the two find San staring at the ad as it replays. Wooyoung bumps into San, “Hey San, what's up why did you stop?”

Breaking the stupor he had fallen into, San looks at the two members with a huge blushing smile, “Oh sorry, I just… well, look.” He points to the ad, drawing the attention of his best friend/soulmate and Seonghwa. Once you appear on the screen, it clicks. Both of them snap their attention back to San to watch his face light up and blush color his cheeks. 

“Oh, I see what stopped you. The pretty designer has caught our Sannie’s attention, I see,” remarks Seonghwa teasingly. Wiggling his eyebrows at the younger member, he said, “Y/n, I haven’t heard of that name before.”

“She is new. This is her first line of clothes called ‘Byeol,’” San says while watching you on the ad, wanting to memorize everything he can. 

“She named her line the same name as your cat? Do you think she is an Atiny?” Wooyoung asks. 

“I don't know, but I wanna shoot myself for not pushing for that ad campaign that Minho tried to get me on. I think it was this one. I could have met her, spoken to her even.” San laments. 

“Maybe Minho has a way to contact her, ya know? We are able to get in touch with our brands. I am sure he has a way.” Hwa, always the mother, says with hope.

“That’s right! I have to call him!” San lights up.

“But first let’s get out of here before people start wondering why three guys are staring at women’s clothes and word gets out that we are pervy, okay?” Hwa pushes the other playfully.

Several days have passed, and San is no closer to finding you than he was standing in the mall. Calling Minho had been a bust because, unlike most brands, your brand didn’t want to have long-term ambassadors. Minho mentioned that you seemed to live simply and cared for everyone there like they were your family. Paying for everything, and even holding a party at the end for everyone where you gave everyone a red envelope. 

While he loved hearing how generous and caring you were, he did not love Minho’s affectionate tone whenever he talked about you. Was he interested in you, too, or was it just because of the great experience? Oh no, what if you had someone already?  What if you didn’t want an Idol? What if you wanted someone like Lisa? 

While it drove his bandmates up the wall, San pretty much had all of your advertisements running on replay, but now he was driving himself up the wall without being able to find a way to contact you. You had no social media accounts, your brand’s website was simplistic, and the contact number was for a messaging service. At this point, if it wasn’t for Minho seeing you, one might think you were AI.

Ring Ring

“Hello?” 

“Hey Sannie, it’s Felix.”

“Oh hey, Lix. I am not really in the mood to chat right now.”

“Yeah, I know. Minho and Woo mentioned you have been really down lately because you cannot find Y/n, right?”

“Seriously, they are telling other people?”

“We all care about you, Sannie. Especially Woo, and you should know that. But I think I may have good news for you. Woo said something about you guys taking a small break to get ready for your world tour right?”

“Yeah. Captain thought it would be a good idea. Be fresh and ready for Atiny in America. But what does that have to do with anything?”

“Would you be interested in doing something solo for half of that time? Say a variety show with me and Y/n?”

“No way! How? When?”

“The producers just booked me yesterday, and I happened to run into Y/n and found out she was going to join it as the ‘new up and comer.’ Something about trying to show the world that there are things worse in life than being chubby.”

“That is great! But Lix, how am I going to get on?”

“It turns out S. Coups from Seventeen was supposed to join, but his knee hasn’t healed enough, and now they are short an Idol. So, I may have dropped your name. They should be reaching out soon, and filming starts at the end of next week. Just a heads up.”

“LIXXIE! No way! I have to pack, I have to get a hold of my manager, I have to… I have to go!”

“Bye Sannie see you next week I guess.”

~One-on-one Interview with Y/n~

“Okay, sit there and face the camera. It will be a simple interview. You got this,” the MC, who you recently learned is Sung Hanbin from the new K-pop group ZeroBaseOne. 

Nodding, you sit down, the production team milling around while fixing things like hair, makeup, wardrobe, and who knows what else. “Sorry, this is my first time doing anything even close to this.”

“Not to worry. You were requested by almost everyone here because of your ad campaign and the high marks you got for your debut line. This is my first time hosting a variety show, so we can both have our first together. Let’s start. Fighting”

The lights around the set dim, leaving you and Hanbin in bright stage lights. 

“Hello and welcome to YouPlusMe, the newest variety show where up-and-comers take on challenges with some of the industry's most famous idols. Let us meet one of the “newbies.” She has taken the fashion world by storm with her bubbly personality, strong values, and unwavering determination. It’s time to be the powerhouse behind The house of Y/l/n and the mastermind of “Byeol”, Miss Y/l/n Y/N.”

“Hello! Everyone! I am excited and nervous to be here. I am Y/n. Thank you for all your upcoming support in my first variety show adventure.”

“Miss Y/n, it’s been only a week since your launch and you are already the talk of the town. What makes Byoel so interesting?”

“I think my mission statement and line challenges the conservative fashion views not only here but around the world. Being the talk of the town, as you put it, has brought both positive and negative conversations. I believe that you can be healthy and beautiful without being skinny and petite.”

“What a powerful statement. You are clearly a model for your work and have already stolen the hearts of many. You worked with some very powerful idols for your ad and I have a letter from one of the Idols you worked with, ‘Y/n-ah, Your beauty comes not only from your smile but from your heart as well. I cannot wait for the world to see the diamond that you truly are. I enjoyed working with you and cannot wait to see where you go. Always your supporter, Min Yoongi.’”

A blush creeps up your neck. “Oh my! Mr. Min was a pleasure to work with. Actually, all of the idols who worked on the campaign were professional and seemed to support my ideals.”

“Did you have a favorite idol?”

“Lee Know was the easiest to work with, which I thought was odd. As a card-carrying Stay, he really was down to earth, and once he warmed up, it was nice to see that he wasn’t always the stone-cold Lee Know persona that he is known for.”

“Oh you are a Stay? Did you know that Felix will be joining us?”

“Yes, I did, actually. We met by accident. I was coming and he was going.”

“The show will consist of three teams of two and compete in a series of games. One up and comer matched with one Idol for each team. Wonder if you will be teamed up with one of your Favorite Group Idols.”

“As much as I love Felix-ssi, I don’t know if we would make a good team.”

~One-on-one Interview with Felix~

“She said what? And admitted she is a Stay! Awh… Y/n you break my heart. I guess being an Idol doesn’t save you from that.”

“If you are not on her team, maybe you can use her Stay heart to fluster her into making mistakes.”

“Yeah, no. Lee Know said she gets very focused and didn’t even flutter when she met him. I mean the short meeting we had in the hall, all she did was say hello, introduce herself, and wish me luck in the show. I didn’t even realize she was a Stay.”

“It seems like Y/n is going to be a wild card.”

~One-on-one Interview with San~

“I cannot wait to meet the rest of the contestants for the show.”

“So, San, you were a last moment addition. What made you decide to join on such short notice?”

“Oh, easy, Y/n-shi. I love her clothing line, and once Felix-ah told me she was on this, I knew I had to be here too.”

“Oooo, so have you had a chance to meet Y/n yet?”

“No, I haven’t met anyone else. But hey, I get to work with Felix-ah again after Kingdom and I get to meet Y/n-shi. I say that I am already going to have a good time!”

“I think it’s going to be an interesting show to say the least. We have Felix from Stray Kids, the soloist Eunbi, and San from Ateez for our Idols. For our up and comers we have my ZeroBaseOne bandmate Kim Gyuvin, Ko Chanbin from Namoo Actors, and Y/n CEO of The house of Y/l/n. The teams have been picked by our viewers, so it’s time for them to meet for the first time.”

~Yellow Team Interview~

“Felix-hyung and Chanbin-ah, you were the first team to be chosen by the fans with a whopping 10.8 billion votes. How does that make you feel?” asked MC Hanbin. 

“Shocking, really!” Felix says while blushing.

“I wasn’t sure I was going to be picked at all but I guess there are more BL fans out there than I thought. Thank you, everyone for your support,” Chanbin bows humbly to the camera.

“Between Stays and Yaoi fandoms, I am pretty sure we will become a strong team with their love and support guiding us, right Chanbin-ah?” 

“That’s right Felix-hyung. We will fight for you!”

~Red Team Interview~

“Waaahh, talk about having the advantage. Both of you debuted with K-pop groups because you were able to survive the shows which created them,” comments MC Hanbin.

“Hanbin-ah, you survived with me too! You tell me if this is an advantage or not,” Gyuvin laughs as he points out his leader is the MC.

“Oh that’s right, you both are part of ZeroBaseOne! You are really new to the music industry Gyuvin-ah. Don’t worry. We survived one show, we can survive another,” Eunbi encourages.

It was almost time to meet your Idol partner. So many of the staff seemed to be giddy about your meeting. You could hear their whispers and giggles, but there were a few sneers and looks of hate. Who were you paired with that would cause this kind of reaction?

“Hey, Y/n-shi, are you ready to go? Oh, is that another one of your pieces?” your assigned manager asks. Today, you decided to wear one of the more classic items in your collection. Your shirt is a crop top that feels like you are wearing a cloud on your sleeves. It’s paired with a black pencil-like skirt with a white scallop edge that starts at your ankle and curves around the front to connect to the opposite hip.

“Yes, it’s from the professional line set to come out in early fall. I thought it would be good for the first meeting. Do you think it’s too much?” you question now, wondering if you are toeing the line of the rules and regulations. 

“No, it’s gorgeous. You said it would be available in the fall. I am going to have to watch out for it. I think it would be lovely for my sister,” she praises.

“Oh, before the end of the filming, let me get your number, and I will send you one directly. Thank you for taking care of me!”

“Really? You are so caring, Y/n-shi. Thank you. Now, let’s go before we get behind.”

You walk onto the set and take your seat. Noticing you were the last one, you bow with apologies for your delay, and the interview starts.

Meanwhile, San was the first to arrive on set, his nerves going everywhere. He had learned from Felix that there was now a 50/50 chance that he would be teamed up with you. He wore a simple black suit jacket with black dress slacks and shoes. No one could ever go wrong with black, right?

Next came MC Hanbin, taking his seat with a smile and simple greeting, “Hello San-hyung. Did you know that Gyuvin-ah was on the show too? You met recently right?”

“Oh, he's here too? I didn’t know. Waaa, he would be fun to team up with, but hopefully, he could concentrate. He was so shocked that I was Soft Tofu,” chuckled San.

“He wouldn’t stop talking about it the whole next week. For the sake of my members, I hope you two are not teamed up because he will never stop!”

“Don’t you know who everyone is teamed up with?” San questions.

Hanbin only smiles and nods his head, then follows it with mimicking, zipping his mouth shut.

It takes a few minutes before a slight commotion comes from the side, indicating that the other teammate has arrived. Taking an anxious breath, San looks to see who is coming, only to lose it once you walk around the corner and sit next to him. 

“Y/n-shi, glad you made it safely. Any problems?” Hanbin asks, his eyes shifting between you and San. 

“Oh no problems. Just wanted to make sure my outfit was approved by PD-nim.”

“You're perfect,” San finally says, his eyes never leaving you.

~Purple Team Interview~

“I think Fate might be playing a hand in matching this team up,” MC Hanbin says, which only confuses you.

“Why do you say that? I am sorry but I really don’t know anyone here but Felix-ssi,” you ask.

“I think it's because of what I said in my one-on-one interview. I mentioned that I knew of your work and joined because of you and Felix-ah.” San says with a slight blush dusting his cheeks.

“Oh, well, you know who I am. Can I know who you are?” you ask, wide-eyed and slightly embarrassed to ask the “famous Idol.”

“Sorry! Of course,” San stands and bows. “I am Choi San, a main dancer of Ateez. It is my honor to meet you, Y/n-shi.”

“Oh, sit down, sit down. I am the new one here, and I should bow to you. I have heard of Ateez, but I am unfamiliar with your work. Sorry.”

“Did you know that Y/n-shi is a card-carrying Stay? She has even gotten to work with Lee Know and met Felix,  two out of eight members. Lucky girl. How does it feel not to be recognized, San-hyung?” MC Hanbin asks with a gleam in his eye.

Looking Hanbin dead in the eye, San says, “Y/n-shi may have met and worked with others before me, and that is fine. What matters now is that she is mine.” San glances at you, noticing your tentative smile; he adds, “Go, team!”

~YouPlusMe: Challenge 1 Hunter Hunter~

“Welcome back to YouPlusMe. Today, all the teams are meeting us here at Buggy World in Chuncheon, Gangwon, to play ‘Hunter, Hunter.’ Our teams will not only hunt down other teams and their additional markers but also protect their own.” MC Hanbin walks around showing groups of balloons tied to various trees and ends with the teams wearing protective gear and holding Nerf-like airguns. 

Team Purple is San and Y/n, Team Red is Eunbi and Gyunvin, and Team Yellow is Felix and Chanbin.

Both you and San are dressed in similar outfits. He looks like G.I. Joe but in dark purple. You discovered the team colors before you left yesterday and made one of your workout creations meet the requirements. You are wearing black leggings with a few neon purple mesh cut-outs and pockets. Your top, however, was a mix of dark, light, neon, and sparkling purple straps built over a black sports bra and connected with the leggings.

The other teams were also dressed to represent their team colors. You noticed yours was the brightest, but you hadn’t realized that this was a paintball mission or that you would also be a target. Your manager had tried to talk you out of wearing it, but you made it clear that your entire point of joining this show was to showcase your designs and their functionality for the plus-sized fans. 

“Are the teams ready?” Mc Hanbin asks, followed by hoots and hollers from the different teams. “Good. Now go to your home bases, and when the horn sounds, it's time to play– Hunter, Hunter.”

Making your way to Team Purple’s home base, you take the chance to look around and notice that you can see Team Yellow’s base from here. “Hey, San-ssi. Yellow is right on the other side of the tree line.”

“Good eye! I think Red is on the other side of them. I have been to this park before, and we are on the edge, which can give us an edge. Oh, good. Our base is going to be relatively hidden from anyone trying to come in from below or from the right. We literally can only be attacked from the top.”

“That’s great. Which means we can focus on offense. Get Yellow out of the picture, and then maybe wait for Red to come find us?” you ask San. You looked him up last night and noticed that he is somewhat athletic. He is definitely the muscle-bound one of his group and has done well on other variety shows before. 

Horn blares

“I am down for that. Let's go,” San's smile drops, and you notice it's game time. 

It isn’t long before you come up on your first set of balloons, but you pass them by in an attempt to scout the Yellow base before letting them know you are here. However, that doesn’t seem to be San’s plan, as he starts shooting immediately. You turn sharply uphill to find the higher ground and watch as he plows through the balloon groupings.

Movement to the side catches your attention as you see Chanbin trying to sneak up on San. Quickly, you move and take a single shot to his back, the lights of his vest going off, indicating to him that he has been hit. Before he can turn around to see who hit him, you have already dropped back and are taking out the balloons he failed to protect. 

Once the field is clear of balloons, you move to find San again to regroup, popping the remaining balloons along the way. It isn’t long before you find him and Felix battling it out, hiding behind bushes. This means the Red hasn’t made it here yet and is either on defense only or has gone after your base. This needs to end quickly. 

Considering the terrain and their position compared to yours, you don’t have many options without being seen immediately. You could take the chance and believe that San would find a way to win against Felix so that you could go back and ensure your base was secure, but you also didn’t want to leave him to fend for himself. You made the quick decision to just meet up with San. 

Right before you reach him, something to San’s left catches his attention, and you see Felix step out to take his shot. Without thinking, you leap forward, knocking San to the ground and shielding him. All while shooting at Felix, nailing him in the chest and leg. While Felix’s gear lights up, indicating that he is out, a voice rings through the area, “Team Yellow has been hunted. Team Purple and Team Red, the hunt is still on.”

Looking down, you see San looking at you wide-eyed and blushing. You smile brightly at him as you stand up, brushing yourself off, and say, “Sorry, but you were in my way. Now we have two choices: check Homebase or go after Red. Which do you want to do?”

Shaking his head, he also gets up off the ground. His mind was reeling, not from hitting his head or anything, just from you protecting him and laying on top of him. Trying to think of what to do, he can only say, “Offensive, right?”

“Sure thing. Let's go this way. You kept looking this way, so it might be something,” you say as you crouch down and start to walk… no prowl ahead. San happily follows behind you, watching your back in more ways than one.

Taking out the Red team was simple as they stayed by their base and didn’t hide themselves well. Everyone returned to the lobby after having a once-over by the team to make sure no one was injured and gave a few touch-ups for the cameras. Each team sat together on smaller couches, and MC Hanbin was in his own chair.

“Wow, talk about total domination. Team Purple, you took out both teams and didn’t lose a single balloon. The MVP certainly goes to none other than Y/n-ssi. You not only took out three competitors but over 60% of the balloons. How do you feel?” MC Hanbin asks. The rest clap and San pats you on the shoulder.

“I am honored, really. I think there is a stigma that shooting is a man’s game and that because I am plus-sized, I cannot be sneaky,” you respond, a little timid from all the clapping.

“I don’t know how she did it. She was like a ghost or invisible, and I mean, it’s not like she is hard to miss!” Chanbin says, still irritated to be the first one out in the game. 

At his comment, San looks at him with fire in his eyes. How dare he imply anything negative about you? Felix tugs on Changbin’s shirt and glances at the now-present demon-like San. Trying to backpedal, he says, “I mean, with how brightly she is dressed, I figured she would shine and glint in the sunlight. Come on, neon and sparkles?”

“I guess this just shows us that you cannot underestimate her or her abilities, does it?” San sneers. 

Laughing to ease the tension, MC Hanbin says, “Looks like the competition is on fire! Well, it’s time to rest up because tomorrow you will take on ‘Kitchen Crimes.’ Team Purple, you have an advantage.”

~YouPlusMe: Challenge 2 Kitchen Crimes~

“It’s Day 2! It's time for our next challenge, Kitchen Crimes, based on the American reality show Crime Scene Kitchen and hosted by Joel McHale. Our three teams will have two minutes to search a kitchen where something has been made. Once their investigation time is over, they will have one hour to recreate what they thought was made. Afterward, they will present their dishes to our guest chef,” MC Hanbin informs the audience and viewers.

“Team Purple, you won the advantage for this round. You get to steal thirty seconds from a team’s investigation time and add it to your own. Which team do you pick?” 

“Yellow,” San calls out. His eyes pinned Chanbin in his place. You glance up at San with shock because he didn’t even consult you. 

“Y/n-shi, are you in agreement with your partner?” asks MC Hanbin.

“Umm, yeah. He is the idol and has played these games before,” you smile gently, not wanting to cause a scene. “Sorry, team Yellow.”

“It’s okay, Y/n-shi. We know Sannie is just playing the game. No harm done, right Chanbin-ah?” Felix smiles, trying to play everything off as part of the game. He knows it isn’t, and he is pretty sure his partner knows he put a target on their back with his offhand comment. Felix just hopes that there are no other chances for San to strike out at him and his partner. 

“Eunbi-shi and Gyuvin-ah, how do you feel about the challenge?” asks MC Hanbin, smirking at his ZB1 bandmate.

“Hanbinnie, you know I don’t cook but the world knows that Felix-hyung can make killer brownies. So I am very happy that San-hyung took away some of their time and I just hope that it isn’t a desert dish we have to cook,” Gyuvin says with a whine. 

“I am with my partner on this one. I cannot cook to save my soul. Trust me when I was with IZ*ONE, the members were constantly saving me whenever we had to make something. We pretty much are gonna lose this one,” laughs Eunbi.

“Well, there you have it. Team Purple stole 30 seconds from Team Yellow, and they have 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Team Red follows with 2 minutes, and last is Team Yellow with 90 seconds,” recaps MC Hanbin.

It was show time again, and while you knew cooking was involved, you wanted to showcase your line still. You decided to wear something from your comfort line, trying to show that the plus-size woman can be fashionable but comfortable without looking like a lump on a log. 

The shirt was a tank top made from breathable neon purple material with a built-in bra that had almost as much support as yesterday's sports bra but a bit more silky feeling. The pants resembled parachute pants, with white and neon purple artistically placed spray paint marks. Topping it off was a black trainer and a high-waisted, jeogori-inspired jacket that matched the pants. 

San asked you what you would wear last night at the end of filming. Today, he arrived dressed to match your style, wearing black parachute pants, a deep purple tank top, and a leather jacket. He also wore black trainers but playfully had his hairdresser find a matching neon purple to add as a streak in his hair. 

As before, each team continued to wear matching-colored outfits. However, none seemed to stand out as you were with San. It made your heart soar with the hope that the viewers liked what they saw. But right now, it was not time to concentrate on that; it was time to investigate.

It seems like seconds have passed, not anywhere near your extended time. You and San figured it was a cake with strawberries and a whipped cream topping. 

“What do you think it is?” San asked.

“I have an idea. We both agreed there were strawberries, cream, and really fine flour in it. So maybe we just make a very fluffy cake with strawberry filling and a whipped cream topping?” you responded, chewing on your lip as you reviewed your notes.

“Ah, yeah. That sounds good,” San agreed, focusing on your now red, puffy lips instead of the paper you showed him.

“Do you know how to make any of it? San-ssi? San!” you attempted to get his attention. Once his eyes snapped to meet you, you asked again, “You zoned out on me. Do you know how to make any of it?”

“Only if it comes in a box and Wooyoungie is with me. Even then, we end up ordering from the bakery,” San says shyly. Not only is he embarrassed that you caught him staring, but you also just learn he can’t cook for the life of him. 

“Well, I have tried a few times with a recipe, and I know how boxcakes are made. My mom used to make them with me every weekend, but the filling… I haven’t a clue.”

“That is better than nothing. Let me help get the ingredients,” San says, heading to the pantry. “Wait, what am I grabbing?”

“As you all saw, the investigations went smoothly, and the cooking was a mess. Team Yellow sounded very certain that the dish was Strawberry Shortcake, Team Purple thought it was Strawberry Cake, and Team Red followed their gut with a Strawberry Crepes Cake.”

Now it is time to introduce our Guest Chef,” MC Hanbin looks to the side of the stage. “After 50 years of cooking experience, losing his sense of smell due, and appearing on ‘Chef & My Fridge,’ our guest judge is none other than Chef Yeon Bok Lee!”

“Hello, everyone. It is an honor to be here. I am Chef Yeon Bok Lee, and as a Chef, it is my job to protect the kitchen, but today, it's my job to judge your cooking,” the Chef says with a smile and bowing slightly. 

“Welcome, Chef! It’s our honor to have you. You were the one to make the secret item in the kitchen, right?” MC Hanbin prompts, to which the Chef nods.

“I wanted to make something that always brought a smile to the faces of my guests. It is simple in nature, sweet but not too sweet, and a perfect dish to top off a summer picnic.” The Chef gestures to the table before him, where the lights all focus as a covered dish rises, “Today I made strawberry shortcake for you!”

Mixtures of yeses, noes, and other exclamations at things not being fair come from the competitors. “Oh my, that was a mix of reactions,” Chef muses.

“It sure was, first up we will have Team Red. Please come and present your dish to the Chef,” requests MC Hanbin.

Taking their dish up to the judging table, Eunbi and Gyuvin’s Strawberry Crepe Cake starts to look like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Eunbi smiles gently, trying to use her cuteness as a distraction. She says, “Hello, Chef. It is an honor to be cooking for someone as esteemed as you are. We thought with the fine flour and the strawberries, you had created a Crepe cake with strawberry and whipped cream topping.”

“Thank you,” the Chef replies, laughing at the team's appearance. Both competitors are flour-covered, making them more Team White than Red. Your crepe cake has structural problems; half has now slid onto the floor. Shall we taste what we can before the rest follows?”

Gyuvin cuts slices of the remaining crepes and adds whatever strawberries and whipped cream he can find before serving a slice to the Chef and his bandmate MC. Giving them both a cringing smile, he says, “We used fine flour, eggs, cream, sugar, and yeah… it should be good. Umm… Enjoy.”

Both MC Hanbin and Chef cut pieces and inspect the creation before eating. Immediately, coughing and choking start. While the Chef spits out his piece, being a good bandmate, Hanbin swallows his and forces a smile, commenting, “Well, at least it isn’t crunchy or burnt this time.”

“Ah, Team Red, I think you may have mistaken salt for granulated sugar for the whipped cream and strawberry sauce. I will say that your crepes are well made, though, with a good consistency and not overly cooked,” the Chef says before he downs half a glass of water. 

“Sorry, Chef. We ran out of time to taste everything,” Eunbi says as she backs away, embarrassed. Gyuvin just avoids eye contact with either man, taking the disaster of a dish back to their kitchen.

“Next up we have Team Purple. Please bring your dish to the judging stand,” directs MC Hanbin.

You take the cake and walk carefully to the stand, hoping to keep it from dropping it like the other team. Meanwhile, San hovers around you, whispering when it's time to step and encouraging you with small praises of how well you are doing by walking gracefully. You are trying not to turn beet red the whole time because praises have always done something to you, and it's not what you want the world to see. 

After successfully placing the dish down, San and you bow to the Chef. With a large but sweet smile, you say, “Chef Yeon Bok Lee, it is a pleasure to see you again.”

“You know each other?” San askes, ignoring the side eye from MC Hanbin.

“Miss Y/n, it is you. It has been some time now, hasn’t it? How is your family? Does your father still run the little noodle stand back home?” inquires the Chef with a genuine smile. 

“Yes, Chef. It has been a long time and my dad still runs the stand but now he has my brother joining him. Logan-ah is already 13 now and has shown great interest in cooking and baking,” you reply.

“Cooking and baking, you say? I may have to visit your father and brother to see this myself. Maybe he could come and take lessons from me one day. But now, let's see if you have a talent for baking. Eh?” The chef smiles, looking at the well-presented cake.

“Well, Chef, we have presented you with a Vanilla sponge cake with macerated strawberry filling and a whipped cream frosting topped with candied whole strawberries,” San proudly announces.

After inspecting the cake, MC Hanbin says, “Well, it survived the trip here. Please serve us a bite to try out and see if it tastes as good as it looks, hyung.” This is followed by San cutting each piece and serving it to them, including a candied strawberry. 

Following the same procedure of cutting, inspecting, and eating as before, you and San hold your breath. Your hand grips San’s wrist as you await their reaction. San, however, has been watching you since you touched him. He brings his other hand, gently rubs your upper arm, and whispers, “It’s okay. We got this. You did amazing.”

You smile at his words, remembering having saved the poor idol from burning off his fingerprints when he tried to dip the strawberries in the hot sugar to coat them without using the dipping fork.

“Waaaahhh! Such a light a fluffy sponge on the cake. I really wish you had made a shortcake and not a victoria’s sponge cake. A minor change to your egg, sugar, and water ratio and you would have made a delightful version of my strawberry shortcake,” the Chef comments with a slight frown.

“Those strawberries done in two ways is amazing given the limited time you had. I suppose as a CEO and fashion designer, you understand time management well,” compliments MC Hanbin.

“Well, that is true, but I also have someone who was a good boy at following directions in the kitchen,” you say, smiling at San, who only dusts his cheeks a deep rose and stutters his breath. 

Stepping forward, you take your cake and retreat to your kitchen, with San in two, still reeling from you calling him a good boy. Looking at the closest camera, San says, “See, Captain and Seonghwa-hyung, I can be good! Y/n-shi said so!”

“Last up, will Team Yellow present their dish to the Chef and me?” asks MC Hanbin.

Team Yellow shines like the sun because they know they got the right cake. Not only that, but they were the only ones, which means they automatically won. Placing down the cake on the stand, both smiling so widely that their eyes turned into crescents. 

Felix wastes no time introducing himself: “Hello, Chef Yeon Bok Lee. Most know me as Felix, but my name is Lee Yong Bok. It is an honor to have you taste something I have baked with the help of my competition partner, Chanbin-ah.”

“Oh my! We have a significant similarity there, I see,” smiles the Chef.

MC Hanbin laughs, “Not only does he share your name, in a sense, but Felix-hyung is also known worldwide for his brownie recipe. Isn’t that right, hyung?”

“Yes, my mates love it when I make them. Though our trainers don’t like it so much,” Felix giggles.

“Well, I should love to try them another day then, Yongbok-ah. Make sure to reach out when this is all over, ya?” asks the Chef.

“I would be… Yes, Of course. It would be a great honor!” Felix replies, bouncing on his toes with happiness. 

“First, he should try out the cake, hyung,” Chanbin interrupts. We present you with a take on strawberry shortcake. It is made with classic shortcake soaked in a simple syrup made with strawberry juice and topped with fresh strawberries, mint leaves, and whipped cream.”

“I can see that you have a keen eye, Team Yellow. You are the only ones to get it right, Congratulations. Now please cut us a slice, “ praises the Chef. 

After receiving the pieces, inspecting them, and tasting them, MC Hanbin speaks first, saying, “Wow! Your shortcake is so moist with strawberry flavor, and the whipped cream is the smoothest we have tasted. No wonder you are known for your bakes, Felix-hyung.”

“Hanbin-ah is right. You both did a great job with this bake. I can tell you must have sifted the flour and the sugar before incorporating them in, and the idea to make the simple syrup flavored adds a different dimension. Well done. It is clear that you are the winners of this challenge,” announces the Chef.

With bows of thanks and high-pitched squeals of joy, Team Yellow makes it back to their kitchen. 

“I want us all to thank Chef Yeon Bok Lee for joining us today. It was a delight to hear your thoughts on our competitors' dishes—some good and some bad. Team Yellow, with this win, you are tied with Team Purple for first place. Both teams have a chance to win the show by winning the challenge tomorrow, or Team Red, you have a chance to make it a three-way tie,” recaps MC Hanbin.

Looking at Team Yellow, he continues, “As winners of today’s challenge, Team Yellow, you won the advantages for tomorrow’s game, which is– Dance Battle. Each of our Idols will have 24 hours to learn the choreography of their assigned K-pop hit. They then have the next 72 hours to teach their competition partner.”

“In the First game, Y/n is a ninja. In the second game, Felix is a baking master. Now, in the final game, we got this Noona because we are both Idols and are used to learning dances quickly,” remarks Gyuvin to his competition partner. 

“I wouldn't be so sure, Gyuvin-ah. San is one of the main dancers for Ateez and is known for his determination and competitiveness. Not to forget, his dad is a Taekwondo instructor, so I am pretty sure that he has picked up some teaching skills from him,” Eunbi replies. 

~Dance Battle Song Selection~

“Hello, Team Yellow, and congratulations again on your win in Kitchen Crimes!” exclaims MC Hanbin. Both Team members bow in thanks and show their excitement to the cameras.

“It is time for your advantage! As you know, the next challenge is a Dance Battle and your win today allows you to pick the K-pop songs for all three teams,” he announces.

“No way! That is awesome!” Chanbin says, “We can pick an easy song for us and harder ones for the others. I have two left feet so, yeah. Felix-hyung, you know more about these dance challenges than I do, you pick please?”

“I know the perfect songs, easy peasy lemon squeezy,” Felix says with a smirk. 

“Oh, you already know what songs to pick, Felix-hyung?” asks MC Hanbin.

“Yeah, for Eunbi-shi and Gyuvin-ah… we don’t want to give them something easy because they are both idols. I have seen both of them dance, and they are good. So, we pick– Black Swan by BTS,” Felix declares.

“OH! Gyuvin is going to hate that,” laughs MC Hanbin. “It's a perfect choice for them. I can’t wait to see him try to lift Eubin-shi.”

“I think we can handle– My Angel by B.O.Y. It’s already choreographed for two males, and while it’s intricate, it’s not hard. What do you think?” Felix says, looking at Chanbin questioningly.

“Oh! I know that one. Yeah, I can manage that… I think,” agrees Chanbin.

“Chanbin-ssi, you may know your song now but you have to play fair and not start learning it until your dance practice with Felix-hyung, okay?” MC Hanbin warns the competitor, to which he nods in understanding.

“What song are you thinking about picking for San-hyung and Y/n-shi?” questions Chanbin. A smirk plays along Felix’s face while he rubs his hands together.

“Sannie and I have known each other for a while, and I remember he used to struggle with learning dances. For the competition, though, I want to challenge his ability to teach someone else not only to dance but to dance with intense emotion and strength. I want them to dance to– Red Lights by my hyungs, Bang Chan and Hyunjin.

~Dance Battle Idol Practice Day: Eubin~

“How do you practice Black Swang alone?” asked Eubin as she watched the modeled dance practice video. “See that! It’s a lift, and that is a spin. Do you have someone for me to practice with today?”

Eunbin says, looking at the camera, “Apparently, all of the Idols have to learn what they can alone today and then figure out the rest with our partners tomorrow. I just hope my partner is a lot stronger than he looks.

~Dance Battle Idol Practice Day: Felix~

“Well, now I kind of feel bad. I didn’t know that we would be alone for the first part of this dance practice. I thought we were going to be taught by someone. Not teach ourselves.” Felix laments. 

“Lucky for me and Sannie, our dances don’t have a lot of paired movement but more of mirrored or synchronized movements. Sorry, Noona Eubin! If it helps, I know that Gyuvin picked up Work by Ateez really quick according to the members. Soooorrrry!”

~Dance Battle Idol Practice Day: San~

“He did what?” San stands frozen when the producer tells him what song Felix picked for his team. “He does realize what this song is about, who dances it, and the… ahh… maturity level of this dance, right?”

Shaking his head, he watched the video again, “There are minimal lifts, but there are accessories, and touching, and like… Can Y/n-shi dance? Does anyone know if she will be alright with this?” 

He spends most of the first few hours just pacing and watching different videos of the song his “friend” picked for him to dance to with his current crush. While he doesn’t mind learning it or dancing it, especially with you, he wants to make sure you are comfortable with the sensuality and emotions of the dance. 

San’s head just spins, trying to figure out how to remain stage-appropriate while having to run his hands on your body, wrap you in chains, and press against you. His heart is aching as it comes up with a million reasons why you would be able to feel like that with him. 

~YouPlusMe: Challenge 3 Dance Battle~

“Welcome back to YouPlusMe,” smiles MC Hanbin. “While you saw our Idols' reactions to learning what song Team Yellow chose, you also saw that we gave them a dance room, a boombox, and a practice video.”

“We want to surprise you with the reactions and the dance practices with their competition partners. To watch the team practices and additional behind the scenes videos, please check out our YouTube channel. Don’t forget to like and subscribe!”

“What kind of competition can we have without a judge? Lucky for us, we have someone who started as a backup dancer Jason Wang. Now, he is known for his choreography skills and has worked with Enyphen, TXT, BTS, and Super M. Let me introduce none other than Mr. Nick Joseph!” introduces MC Hanbin.

“Hello, everyone,” Nick walks about with killer pop and lock moves. “It is a pleasure to be here. I have always been the one competing in these and never judging. I cannot wait to see what the Idols have been able to teach the newbies.”

“Now it’s the time we have all been waiting for. It’s time for… Dance Battles! Team Red is up first with their dance cover of BTS’ Black Swan,” introduces MC Hanbin.

They were dressed in solid black body suits covered with sheer drapes. Their faces were donning black and silver feathered masks. Eubin and Gyuvin lost themselves in the song. They moved around the stage, decorated to resemble a dead forest with fog machines and hanging twinkling lights. They gracefully engaged each other and made the lifts look effortless. It was like they controlled everyone who witnessed it with every beat they hit.

“That was breathtaking,” comments Nick.

“Gyuvin-ah! I never knew you had that kind of strength and elegance! I cannot wait for the rest to see this episode; you killed it. Eubin, how do you think your newcomer did?” asks MC Hanbin.

“He did really well. It took him a bit to trust himself with the lifts, but in the end, he gave 110% and never once made me concerned that he was going to drop me,” smiles Eubin and her partner, just blushing at the praise. 

“Thank you, noona, for being patient with me and trusting me to have the skills not to embarrass you. And Felix-hyung, thank you for the challenge, your song choice showed me that I am capable of more than I realize,” bows Gyuvin.

“Next up, we have Team Yellow. Nick-ssi, this team won the advantage in assigning the songs for the battle today. They chose My Angel by B of You. Let’s watch,” prompts MC Hanbin.

The multicolored spotlights have cleared the stage of everything, allowing the shiny black floor and dark-colored walls to showcase the two dancers taking the stage. Felix and Chanbin are dressed in black-on-black pinstripe suits, soft yellow shirts, and no tie.  

Once the dancing started, it was clear how well the suits fit but allowed for ease of movement. The crisp movements and synchronization between the two were clean and well-timed. 

The newcomer's solo piece only had a minor timing mishap, which was quickly corrected when the idol joined back in. 

“I loved the simplicity and the teamwork between the two of you,” compliments MC Hanbin.

“Mr. Ko, are you a dancer?” the guest judge asks. Chanbin simply shakes his head and then looks at Felix with a frown. Felix simply pats him on the back to comfort him in the moment. “Mr. Ko, I am impressed. I am assuming that the solo went a little off track because it didn’t move with the beat. Am I correct?

Both Team Yellow members nod as a staff member hands Felix a microphone: “Ah, yes. There was a sequence that got thrown off beat in the solo, but Chanbin-ah claims to have two left feet, which is why I chose this song for us.”

“Wow. Great choice of song, Mr. Lee. Mr. Ko, if this is your first time really dancing like this, and you are this good after only a couple of days. Bravo! You have great skills as a student, never lose that in life,” advises Nick.

“So far, Felix-hyung has picked songs that fit the teams well. During the selection process, he was trying to challenge his competitors and give his team the edge,” MC Hanbin tells the guest judge. 

“Ah, I think he missed his mark because Team Red killed it. His team struggled slightly, but we still have one more team left. What was Mr. Lee’s goal for the last team?” inquires Nick.

“He was hoping to challenge San-hyung with a song that would require him to teach not only dance but also the emotional side of dancing. Team Purple has Y/n-shi, a fashion designer.” MC Hanbin answers Nick.

“Oooo, yes, emotional understanding and ability to convey that is key for most duet performances,” comments the long-time choreographer. 

“It’s time! The stage has been set, and our team is in place. Here is Team Purple and their performance of Red Lights by Bang Chan and Hyunjin of Stray Kids,” announces MC Hanbin.

The only light on the stage comes from the back wall, which pulses red. The viewers can see an outline of you kneeling on a four-post bed. Your elegant but staccato movements sync with the deep breathing in the room as the song starts.

A chain in your hands goes across the stage, bringing the focus to San lying on the ground. As the words start, you pull him across the floor as you climb off the bed. 

Meeting in the middle, you pull him to his knees before you, and just as another breath is heard, the stage floods with lights, revealing your costumes.

San is wearing skin-tight black leather pants. His black shirt resembles a leather leotard with strategic cut-outs, long sleeves, and fingerless gloves. The tightness of his outfit shows off his muscular figure and leaves nothing to the imagination. Everything is lined with red ribbons and smaller red chains.

Your outfit is a short-sleeved curve-hugging leather body con dress and booty shorts that match San’s. It is also littered with cut-outs lined in red ribbons. Your forearms are decorated with the red chains you used to drag San across the floor. 

Both of your makeup designers went gothic, using thick black eyeliner, red eye shadow, and deep red lips. San’s skin was flawless and tan, while they used skin lightener on you, trying to bring a bit of a vampire vibe into the mix.

The two of you honor the mirrored dance of the Red Lights music video. Your fluidity and the power of the interactions between the pair of you has everyone shifting in their seats. 

As the song progresses, you both dance back to the bed. You shove San to lay on as you take the focus towards the end. Moving around the bed, you seduce the viewers. Using the chains wrapped around Sans pants as bindings, you connect them to the bottom posts. 

The chains from your arms unwind and connect to the cuffs of Sans's shirt. Using the chains, you guide San in his movements as the bed slides to the center of the stage and starts tilting toward the judges.

The song is close to the end when you latch the chains over to the bed's headboard and raise San’s arms over his head. Using the bed's angle, you slide off the bed. Soon, the bed is standing on end. 

Chains rattle as San struggles against the restraints, hindering his movements. His face is filled with desires and yearning for your touch.

With a deep roll to your hips, you walk up to San and run your nails along his body from his legs up to his abs. 

When the song ends, you lean in, ghosting a kiss over his lips, and then walk away into the night.

San’s deep panting was the only sound heard. 

The lights in the studio come back on. The other competitors and the judges are stunned at what they just witnessed. San has been released from his chains and joins you at the front of the stage. 

The attention without reactions has you nervously nibbling on your lower lip as you look up at San, who smirks down at you with his eyes still dark and dreamy looking. These last three days have been hell for you. 

The first time you heard the song, you were so excited because you loved it. I mean, how could you not be thrilled? Bang Chan was your bias. You already know the dance from the trillions of times you have watched music videos and YouTube dance practices. 

After showing off your moves to San, you blushed as he and the camera crew were floored. San couldn’t wait to make it fit the two of you. He quickly decided that you would be one of the two of you in charge. 

After some discussion with the production staff, the whole thing came together. The hardest part was making the bed work into the dance more than a stationary prop. 

San knew he didn’t want to end it with you and him suggestively on the bed because he wasn’t sure he could stop. When you came up with the idea of taking a more Dominatrix video for the dance and wanting just to leave San locked at your mercy, everyone laughed, but San thought it would be perfect. 

Not only did he want to see that side of you, but he also knew it would keep him in check. Then, he also asked if you could help figure out what the two of you would be wearing. Your creative juices were flowing. 

You were excited to design something for both you and San. You had never made men’s clothing, but it was a challenge you were willing to take on. Everything came together quickly with the help of the show’s wardrobe, production, and props team.

All these thoughts ran through your head as your focus remained on San alone. It wasn’t until the room exploded in applause that you finally relaxed into San and allowed all the jitters to disappear. Everyone is yelling out variations of acclimations. 

“Ok ok okay… Felix-ssi,” MC Hanbin looks at the idol. “I don’t think they struggled with anything with this song.”  Felix is just standing there trying to collect his jaw off the floor. His eyes stare into San’s skull with shock and many questions he cannot ask on air. 

“Miss Y/n, you killed it,” comments Nick. “Do you have any dance experience?”

While still trying to catch your breath, you answer, “Actually, I do.” pant pant pant “In high school, I was in a show choir, did some musicals, and I was part of a hip/hop and stomp club.”

“Period! That is why you know how to work the stage like it’s yours,” Nick exclaimed. 

“You should see you dance the original choreography to this song,” San beamed next to you. “I didn’t have to teach her a thing with that. Our time was spent making the dance more of a duet than a mirrored dance.”

“San-hyung,” MC Hanbin asked,  “how did you feel having Y/n-shi do the killing part in the dance?” 

“Easy.” San looks down at you while wrapping his arms around your shoulders in a back hug. “The moment she walked into the practice room and showed me what she could do, I knew I had to show off what an amazing and sexy partner I had.”

This caused the room to ooh and ahh, to which you tried your best not to blush. You just hoped the heat on your face was attributed to the dancing, not the comments or the feel of San behind you.

“Well, there you have it. Now, Nick-ssi, as our teams all gather on the stage, you have the wonderful job of selecting the winners of today’s Dance Battle challenge. Who is it going to be?” MC Hanbin looks at the guest judge.

“You know, as a dancer and choreographer, I can see so much talent between everyone on the stage. Each team found ways to work the songs chosen by Mr. Lee to their best abilities.”

Nick’s eyes dance over the teams, “Red Team, you swept us up with your grace. Yellow Team, you showed us what rhythm and teamwork mean.  Purple team, you took us on a ride that was powerful.”

“So which team is it?” prompts MC Hanbin. 

“I am going to have to go with… Team Purple!” 

This caused you and San to jump up and down, hugging and congratulating each other. The other teams came over to pat you on the back and personally remark on how great the dance was. 

“Nick-ssi, what was the reason why you finally chose the Purple team?” asked MC Hanbin.

“If I hadn’t known that Miss Y/n wasn’t a trained dancer, I would have thought that this was M Countdown's special appearance. The quality of dance, the passion between the two, and the costume design are top-notch,” explains Nick.

“Want to know something? Y/n-shi not only designed her costume but San’s as well in less than 72 hours,” informs MC Hanbin. “She really is a force to be reckoned with.”

Looking at the camera, MC Hanbin says, “Well this has been an amazing week of challenges for our Idols and our newbies. After three challenges, the clear winner of YouPlusMe is San-hyung and Y/n-shi!”

Cannons go off at the announcement of your team’s win. The stage gets covered in purple confetti as Red Lights starts playing again.

Everyone just grabs random partners and starts dancing. Felix is the one you end up dancing with as he pulls you farther and farther away from San. He wanted to dance some of the music video moves with you to send to his bandmates. 

You do not see San's look of longing and desire as he, too, gets swept away by the others.

After the song ends, you find yourself back in your personal dressing room. You would think you would be euphoric after winning the show, but your mind is focused on something else. 

You came here to show your work. Use it to your advantage and get your line out there. Challenge the Korean beauty standards and start a fire with the Fashion Industry as a whole. Apparently, the universe had more for you in mind, but you weren’t sure what to do about it. 

This last challenge is what broke down your walls. You weren’t expecting to feel something during all of this. You had thought it was just the rush of the competition, the thrill of showing the world who you were and working with someone who was just as excited to be here as you.

You weren’t blind. 

You noticed San from day one; who couldn’t? 

It was easy to dismiss because you wanted to focus on the show. After the first meeting and exchange of numbers, you soon learned that he had a charming personality.  

You found yourself looking forward to filming with him and smiling when he sent a text, but now that it’s over, you feel tight in your chest at the thought of never seeing him again.

It wasn’t until the second day of dance practice that you realized it wasn’t the show that you were excited about but San. Though you weren’t a morning person, it was early for anyone.

Opening the door to the practice room, you froze at the sight. The Idol ran on a different schedule than you, and it was clear he had been there long enough to build up a sweat. 

His face was half covered by a baseball cap pulled low. He wore baggy sweatpants that rode low on his hips, showing the band of his boxers, and no shirt. He was lost in his own world, dancing to It’s You by him and his bandmates Yeosang and Wooyoung. 

His body was moving like water. The body rolls, the hip thrusts, and the floorwork caused such a primal reaction from you that you had to leave. Your mind had gone into San becoming your partner in unprofessional ways.

A knock on the door brings you out of your thoughts. Walking to the door, you finish putting on your jacket and pull open the door. As if conjured by your thoughts, there stands San. 

“San,” you breathe, trying to keep your thoughts from seconds ago to yourself.

“Y/n,” smiles San. He seems fidgety tonight. 

“Thank you for everything.”

“Oh, it was nothing. I had a blast. This was my first challenge with someone who was really good at pretty much everything. It made me feel like I was the newbie of the two of us.”

“Oh, never. You are way too talented to be considered a newbie.”

The two of you stand there in the doorway of your dressing room. San is still fidgeting, and you don’t want him to leave yet.

“Are you going to the after party? I think Felix said something about it being at a Noraebang nearby. I think everyone else is going and may have invited others too.”

“I was thinking about it. I am pretty sure he invited my bandmates and his. It would be a perfect chance for you to meet the rest of your favorite K-pop band. Maybe get Chan-hyung and Hyujinnie to sing Red Lights for you?”

You giggle at the thought but hesitate, looking down and saying, “I would only want them to sing it if you were there to dance with me.”

A shy smile blooms on San’s face. Taking a chance that you might see the hidden question, he asks, “Do you want to keep dancing with me?” 

“I would love to keep dancing with you, Sannie.” You look up, smiling, hoping he means more than what he says. 

“Then, will you be my date to the after-party, and then maybe we can go to dinner some other time, just the two of us?” he asks again, stepping forward. 

Resting your hand on his chest, you lean into his warmth, “I would love to go out with you tonight or any night.”

With a smile on both your faces, San leans in and gives you a chaste kiss—just enough to settle your minds from the roller coaster of emotions you both experienced this week and light up your hearts with the excitement of a future together.

The last thought in your head is that agreeing to this show was more than you expected. You never expected to grow as much as you did, to win, or to find what may be love, but…

Was it Fate?

thank you for the new update! i’m excited to catch up on a couple of the past chapters i’ve missed!! (work and depression have hitting me hard) but i wanted to thank you for creating such a wonderful story and characters that have given me so much joy since the very first chapter. your writing and pacing in this story is just so good! like really not too fast or slow, literally just right! so looking forward to seeing the story develop even more 🩷

💜💜💜

~giddy squeals of happiness~

Your kind words make my feelings soar! Thank you for your support.

I understand depression hitting hard. I actually use my writing to help me through those times!

This is my first time writing a story like this, and your comments are like fuel for my soul.

I hope to continue to bring you writings that are worth your time.

💜💜💜

Okay so yeah this Work/Golden Hour era Seonghwa has me on my knees. All of his outfits are fire 🔥. Loving the masculine femininity that exudes from this man. The masterpiece of gender blending is on point. 🥵🥵🥵 💜💜💜

SEONGHWA - 'WORK' FACECAM 240607

Never to forget - Moonbin

(This is very personal and kinda just for me. Read if you want.)

Hello Moonbin,

It's been 417 days since you joined the heavens.

Wednesday, April 19, 2023, was a dark day for many, but non-darker than yours.

In my life, there have been many celebrities who have passed away for various reasons, but your passing hit me the hardest.

I found you because of your best friend, Cha Eunwoo. He popped up on my Facebook feed advertising his K-drama "True Beauty."

He got me curious about K-dramas, and being an American, my exposure was limited.

After watching his drama, I learned he was part of a K-pop band, Astro, which led me to you.

You are the reason why I became Aroha. You are the reason why I explored the world of K-pop.

Now that I look back on it, that must have been sooo much pressure for you at your age.

That would be so much pressure for anyone. I applaud you for all of your strength.

I want to say I am sorry, as an Aroha, that I couldn't push for your label to take better care of you.

I hope you can look down from the heavens and see all of the Aroha, including me, who still love you.

Your smile lit up the hearts, souls, and stages around the world, and it still does as you shine on us from above.

You left this world too early, according to many, while I would agree... I wouldn't want you to suffer just to stay.

I still cannot listen to any of Astro's or MoonSan's music without getting emotional.

I am even crying while I write this.

I miss you.

We all do.

I know you are not far.

I know that you keep watch over your family, your bandmates, and Aroha.

Please know that we will all be okay.

You can rest now.

Forever and always,

Your Aroha

💜💜💜

Universe and World Building Question

Hello, Dearest reader! I am thinking of any other FanFic!

This time, it will be a different K-pop band x reader story.

However, I want to build an alien world AU, but I want to start off right.

Which type of AU/Worlding Building do you prefer?

Please tell me why in the comments.

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.

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