Left Behind

Left Behind

Pairing: Jiu x Fem!Reader (and platonic relationships with the other members)

Warnings / Misc. -- Angst, Fluff

Word Count: ~ 7,890

Requested By: @3and30aresoultwins

Disclaimer: This writing is a work of fiction and no disrespect is meant for those mentioned herein.

A/N: Hey guys! This was a bit rushed and I’m not entirely in love with it, but I hope you enjoy it regardless. Feel free to leave DC requests in my inbox / messages! :)

💖 Happy Reading 🌹

◂ ❚ ⊱ꕥ⊰ ❚ ▸◂ ❚ ⊱ꕥ⊰ ❚ ▸◂ ❚ ⊱ꕥ⊰ ❚ ▸◂ ❚ ⊱ꕥ⊰ ❚

Life can change in the blink of an eye. Plans you make for the future that you envision can crumble with no warning, leaving you to pick up the pieces and find yourself all over again. 

Dreams can go down the drain just as easily as the blood, sweat, and tears it took to make them possible in the first place. Luck can run out. 

All of those things can happen, and you knew that. You just never expected them to happen to you.

–

It was a late November day in 2016 when the world as you knew it changed forever. 

Happyface Entertainment had requested that you come in separate from the other members to discuss an important matter. Vividly, you remember how vague they were over the phone; they refused to elaborate on what the meeting would be about. Their voices were soft, holding a carefulness in their tone that you didn’t fully understand until later. 

It was regret – because they knew what you didn’t. They knew that your impending removal from the group loomed overhead, waiting like a cobra to strike once you arrived. 

And strike, it did. Sitting in the meeting room – which was far too bright and far too suffocating – you grappled with the fate you’d just received. Your heart felt heavy, and your head hurt as it all sunk in.

MINX would be rebranding as ‘Dreamcatcher’ and adding two new members, but you wouldn’t be joining them. You hadn’t made the cut.

Just like that, it was over. Years of your life as a trainee, down the drain. So much pain and hard work, all for nothing. So many sacrifices. So many late nights. They hadn’t gone into detail about why you were turned down specifically, and that was probably a good thing, all things considered. It would’ve just been salt in the wound.

An offer was made for you to stay at the company and potentially continue as a soloist, but you declined it. It was a proposition made from pity at best, and you knew it. How could you have accepted? If they had such little faith in your abilities as a member of a group, you couldn’t imagine it would’ve been magically restored for your solo activities. You refused to become a half-hearted money grab that they could fall back on whenever they needed to; it wasn’t fair to you. With the rebranding set in motion, attention and focus would’ve been placed entirely on the girls; you’d have been made to wait in the meantime with no real end in sight, and it was unlikely you’d ever receive a similar level of support.

You’d have become the company’s has-been. Its resident outcast.

And the prospect of joining another company – if you were even lucky enough for that – was just as daunting. After training and growing up with the girls in such a way for so many years of your life, you couldn’t imagine going solo or joining another group. 

That wasn’t something you wanted. And, of course, given the blow that the company’s decision had dealt to your confidence, you felt incapable. You were too overwhelmed to be there any longer with all of their eyes on you, judging in one way or another. 

So while you still had enough composure over yourself, you bid farewell to them and left, leaving behind a part of yourself in the process. 

The real challenge came, though, when you had to say goodbye to the girls. They all handled the news differently, in their own ways, but it wasn’t something they could process easily at all.

Sua was prepared to leave the dorm and have an angry word with the higher ups, but you stopped her before she could. It wouldn’t have done any good; if anything, it could’ve put her in jeopardy, too, and that was the last thing you wanted. 

Siyeon went quiet as the idea of moving on without you sunk in. How could she part ways with someone she’d grown so close to? You were supposed to live out your dreams together. It wasn’t fair.

The normal spark in Yoohyeon’s eyes dimmed, and she retreated into herself. Her bubbliness dissipated in an instant, replaced by more sadness than she knew what to do with. She was the first to begin crying, and she sought the comfort of your arms when it became too much for her to handle alone. 

Dami, ever the reasonable one, was determined to phone the higher ups and talk some sense into them. She was convinced that if the other members all banded together and expressed their disapproval in a logical way, they would have no choice but to give you a chance, at the very least. But you stopped her for the same reason that you had stopped Sua. They had made themselves clear at the meeting, and you knew in your heart that their minds were made up.

You didn’t notice the tears in Dami’s eyes until you took her phone out of her hand and put it on the table beside her. When you brought her into your arms for a hug, they fell onto your shirt, warm and full of sadness. She hated feeling helpless more than anything else in the world, and knowing there was nothing left to do broke her heart.

Watching it all unfold was Jiu. She couldn’t wrap her mind around it; it felt like she was having a nightmare. How could they have turned you away like that? You were just as good at your job as any of them, and you were one of the most dedicated people she’d ever known. The fans loved you. Your talent showed without you even trying; it made no sense that they would let you go so easily. 

She tried to stop her tears from falling, but when you finally looked up at her, surrounded by the other members, she couldn’t hold back anymore. 

You had been her rock ever since she met you – her safe place. She could express her worries and concerns freely with you, despite her position as leader. Hell, you were just as much of a leader to the girls as she was. Your consistency and energy held everything together, and the members depended on you, always. She depended on you more than words could explain; you were the first and last thing on her mind most days. You kept her level headed when she felt the weight of the world on her shoulders, and you never let her lose sight of her goals.

Losing the backbone of the group seemed unfathomable in every way. Never in a million years would she have expected it to happen. 

But beyond that, Jiu felt like she was losing two people. Y/N – the member of her group – and Y/N – the woman she had harbored secret feelings for for as long as she could remember. She had planned to confess soon, but the opportunity for that was stripped away from her by this news of your departure. Her heart broke as she realized that you wouldn’t be in the dorm anymore; all those early morning and late night conversations and hang outs wouldn’t happen anymore. She wouldn’t be able to just walk to your room when she missed you, or hit you up with spontaneous plans whenever she felt like it. You’d be miles away and busy building whatever life you chose in the wake of this.

And the new members? They could never replace you. Not in a million years.

But she made a vow to never take her resentment for the situation out on them, because at the end of the day they were just striving to achieve their dreams as well. And besides, she knew you wouldn't have wanted her to be angry at them. Though, even still, she knew she'd always think of you when seeing them. A disappointment – a longing – would always remain in her heart, lamenting over what could've been. 

Because, at the end of the day, things would never be the same again. No matter how much you tried to stay in contact, conflicting schedules and prior engagements would eventually get in the way. Frequent calls and check ins would fade, becoming few and far between. Communication would be more difficult, given the distance. Nothing would compare to having you by her side in all the ways she had for the past few years. 

It all hit her at once, like an icy slap to the face. She tried to stay strong for everyone, but it was one of the hardest pills that she’d ever had to swallow. 

When you called her over and wrapped your arms around her, it took every bit of courage she had to keep from breaking down. As you wiped her tears and held her close, she tried to commit the feeling of it all to memory. She wanted to store it somehow, so that her body could never forget it. Her nails dug into the material of your shirt with purpose, and you simply hugged her harder at the feeling. 

You had no idea that she was in love with you. You were oblivious to it in the most heartbreaking kind of way. But she knew it was too late to tell you now. Putting that on you in the midst of everything else didn’t feel right, no matter how much she wanted to shout it from the rooftops. She wanted to find a way to justify it, selfishly, so that she didn’t have to deal with the reality of it alone. She wondered if maybe, if things were different, you would’ve felt the same.

It killed her, knowing that she couldn’t have you. Knowing that you were slipping right through her fingers and she was powerless to stop it. She’d have to pretend to be unfazed from now on, but she knew anytime she’d enter the dorm or company building you’d be the first thing on her mind. 

Her eyes would automatically go to the spot you would’ve been in. Choreographies now arranged for seven would always feel a little foreign, in the back of her mind. All the little things were already piling up, and she didn’t think that time was capable of easing the strain they placed on her heart. When it came to someone like you, so interwoven into her daily life and routines, she couldn’t fathom even spending a full week apart.

But the kiss that you pressed to her cheek reminded her that you were still there for the moment. The brush of your soft skin against hers as she nuzzled her head into the crook of your neck brought her peace and calmed her down. 

For now, she could still reach out and touch you. She could call you whenever she wanted to. Whip up a snack for you and show her affection in all the many ways that she loved to. For now.

The company had informed you that they would only give you until the start of the next week to pack your things and find a new living situation before you were officially removed.

It was all so fast. Too fast, for any of them to properly handle. You all knew it would be one of those things that you never fully got over. Just one of life’s cruelties. 

But for the last few days that you had left together, the girls promised to remain at your side. Between packing and bouts of crying, you’d do your favorite activities together. Movies and ice cream would be used to cope, with your sobs excused by whatever sad displays were playing out on the TV. You could go out on the town, order in, sing karaoke in the early hours of the morning, relax quietly – anything. They were determined to make them some of the most special days that you’d ever known.

After all, you deserved nothing less. Their shining star: Y/N.

—------------

Time Jump

For a while, things were relatively fine in the aftermath. You settled into the routine of your new life, living on the outskirts of Seoul and working at a quaint coffee shop that had happened to be hiring. The owners graciously allowed you to live in the small apartment above the café, and they treated you well. 

The girls each found time to spend with you, whether it be to shop, relax somewhere together, or just catch a meal at one of your favorite restaurants. They called and texted often, always making sure that you were doing well and taking care of yourself. They never failed to mention how much they missed you and how boring things were without you. 

On exceptionally beautiful Spring and Summer days, Jiu would do her best to have a floral arrangement sent to you. Her favorite flowers were paired with the ones you loved most, and a big bow usually held them all together. Sometimes, a short handwritten note even accompanied them.

If you were craving a specific food and mentioned it online somewhere, every now and then someone (who you later found out was Sua) would have a fresh batch of it delivered to your doorstep. It didn’t happen very often, but when it did you felt so cared for. 

Siyeon made sure to include you in Dreamcatcher activities, whether it be by using your representative emoji / animal in posts or doing a certain hand sign that you had more or less claimed as your own during your time with them. It was subtle, but it meant the world to you.

Yoohyeon sent you letters and pictures from time to time. Following a short vacation to Jeju that the girls went on together, she sent you a handwritten letter and some polaroids that they took with you in mind. 

In a solo project that Dami did, she added some subtle call outs to your situation and how unfair it was. Clearly, she was still as upset about the situation as before, and she missed how things used to be.

They all even posted special messages on their Instagram accounts whenever your birthday rolled around, ensuring that you felt included. 

But, as all good things do, their efforts started to fade after a while. Their schedules picked up during comeback season; events were held that kept them tethered to either their practice rooms, beds, or the stage; and other avenues of life got in the way. 

They faced more backlash than before, too, on the rare occasions that they were seen out with you. Some fans were still supportive and glad to see you, but others expressed their wishes for you to get a life and accept that you weren’t a part of the group anymore. Their comments and heckling were hurtful, adding salt to your still-sensitive wound; but you knew it upset the girls on top of that, and arguably, that hurt you more than anything the haters could’ve ever said. 

By then, you’d grown used to the harsh comments about yourself. But the girls never did; anytime they read or heard them, their once-happy smiles would always fade, and the shine in their eyes would dim as they looked at you. So many emotions were present, yet they remained unspoken. A million things, all too big and complicated for words. 

You knew then that your time with them was dwindling. Every visit seemed to be a little shorter, or interruptions from the company would spring up. Juggling everything was weighing on them, and you could see it clear as day. 

So you decided then that you would distance yourself. For the sake of everyone, you let your connections slip away, just enough. You’d learned over the months that fading away gradually and quietly hurt the least and was the most effective, and so you chose that path. 

For the most part, it worked. Other than on major holidays or birthdays, they were too busy to stop you or change things. Their texts came in less frequently, and video calls were few and far between. 

Although it pained you, you learned to live without them. 

It was more difficult than you expected, especially in the beginning; you’d underestimated just how much they’d impacted even the smallest parts of your life. When good news came or you wanted to share something you’d learned, it was always your first instinct to pick up the phone and dial up their numbers. Sometimes you found yourself looking through old pictures and reminiscing on the memories that were tied to them.

But you had to let go of that. Those habits that you picked up after years of being around them didn’t serve you anymore, and you had to break them. 

When it rained, you no longer allowed yourself to remember the way that Yoohyeon would cling to you under your umbrella after realizing she had misplaced hers.

When the rich scents of the nearby forest flitted their way over towards the coffee shop, you didn’t let your mind wander onto what Siyeon was up to. 

The warmth of the Sun didn’t remind you of Jiu’s smile. 

Loud laughter from patrons didn’t conjure up an image of Sua anymore.

And quiet Fall afternoons passed by the turning pages of whatever book you were reading didn’t make you think of Dami’s quiet charm. 

You didn’t allow the little moments to take you back, because you knew you’d never want to leave that state of mind if they did. It was undoubtedly one of the hardest challenges you ever faced, but you did it nonetheless.

—------

Two Years Later

It all started in time with the changing of the seasons. You were certain of it.

As the anniversary of MINX’s disbandment neared, a heavy feeling came to visit you again, like an unwelcome guest. 

The warmth faded. What few leaves were left on the trees made their final leap to the solid ground below, joining the swaths of others there to wither away. The skies were cloudy a lot of the time, basking the new season in an eerie haze. It wasn’t satisfactory at all – nothing like what that time of year is usually like, and nothing like what people look forward to. The approaching holiday season was off to a lackluster start by all accounts. 

But you did your best to persevere. 

Your job kept you busy most of the time, and you were grateful for that. Had it not, you would’ve spent the hours stuck on the past and wondering what you would’ve been up to at a time like this. Fansigns? Behind the scenes for a new music video? Song writing?

Any lull in the flow of customers allowed you to think, and you didn’t want that. Having no thoughts seemed better than having too many, after all.

But on one fateful afternoon, something unexpected happened. Destiny intervened – interrupting the monotonous flow that your life had taken on – and enabled the universe to work its magic. 

In Your Apartment

You had just sat down to eat a nice late lunch that you had prepared. The café owners had left town to visit some relatives for the evening, and so they gave you the rest of the day off. 

The television in front of you came to life as you pressed the buttons of the remote, and a garbled stream of changing colors and graphics washed across the room as you flipped through the available channels in search of something worthwhile to watch. 

You eventually found something halfway decent and began eating. 

It was a simple sandwich that you had purchased from the store, paired with a salad. Nothing fancy, but it was still tasty. 

No more than five bites in, your phone began to ring on the coffee table in front of you. You sighed and reached out for it, ready to flip it over and see if it was someone you could ignore or not.

Once you saw who it was, though, you froze.

A smiling picture of Jiu lit up its screen, bright and achingly beautiful. It had been so long since she’d called that you almost forgot how to act.

Should you even answer?

“Hello?” You asked, attempting to hide the nervous lilt in your voice.

“Ah, Y/N,” she greeted, a smile evident in the words, “...hi.”

You sat your fork down, curious as to why she was calling you so out of the blue. 

“I was wondering if you’d like to hang out with the girls and I after our performance today. We’ve missed you a lot and we want to catch up,” she explained, as if she read your mind. She was straight to the point, and you both loved and hated that.

Part of you wanted her to trade the usual niceties that come when you haven’t talked to someone in a long time, but deep down you knew that reverting to small talk with her wouldn’t have felt quite right either. 

“I–”

“But it’s totally okay if you don’t want to!” She interrupted in a rush, pushing the words out like her life depended on it. 

Her panic was endearing; it almost sounded like a teenager asking out their crush, if you thought about it.

You chuckled lightly, oblivious to the way it made her heart speed up. “I was going to say that I’d love to, Jiu. What time?”

This could be a huge mistake, but she had a way of working past your defenses in an instant, even after all this time. 

Her sigh of relief was audible, though you were sure she didn’t intend for it to be. It just made you smile even more.

“We should be finished up here at Show Champion around seven, so how about eight? That’ll give us time to go to the dorm and freshen up first.”

Your smile faltered at her mention of the dorm. “Sounds good,” you agreed. “Where should I meet you?”

She pulled the phone away from her ear and called for the girls, quickly asking for suggestions. A bittersweet smile graced your lips at the image of them in your mind, all thinking hard and throwing out ideas while gathered around her. It brought back so many memories. 

Sua shouted her choice so loudly that even you heard it crystal clear. The rest of them took a few seconds to agree, and then Jiu put the phone back to her ear. 

“How about our favorite restaurant near the dorm? The one we would always go to at this time of year.”

“I’ll be there.” 

“I can’t wait. See you soon.”

-

You finished your meal and showered before spending nearly a lifetime picking out what you wanted to wear. You didn’t have many fancy clothes to choose from, especially on such short notice, but you managed to put together a nice outfit that was still casual enough for a night out. 

You wanted to do something special – to surprise the girls somehow – just as a way of thanking them for all they’d done. Seeing them would undoubtedly bring back a lot of feelings and memories, but you couldn’t say that you weren’t looking forward to it. You couldn’t remember the last time they’d been free enough to call you up and invite you out, or even when your own schedule had allowed you to be the one to initiate things. So, this once, you felt like indulging a little. Distancing could begin again later. 

Spending some time with them would surely do you some good in the meantime, anyway. At least that’s what you told yourself.

With a glance at the clock, you discovered that you still had plenty of time to throw together a quick little surprise for them. The plan came together in your mind on the fly, and everything seemed completely doable. 

You just crossed your fingers and hoped for the best as you left your apartment and locked the shop up. You really wanted this gesture to make them happy. 

—

The Four Leaf Clover

Your shoes made soft crunching noises as they treaded over the sidewalk, even and rhythmic with your stride. For once, you didn’t mind the chill that washed over your body when the wind blew; it was refreshing. Your mind was too busy wondering what the night would hold to feel upset about anything, really, and you cherished that. You couldn’t remember the last time that had happened. 

The familiar corner shop – your destination – came into view a couple of minutes later, comfortably lit and cozy looking. An old man – one of its owners – sat outside of it on a wooden chair, completing a puzzle. He greeted you with a warm smile and seated bow, and you reciprocated before heading inside.

A small bell above the door announced your entrance.

“Welcome,” a feminine voice chimed, slightly worn with age. 

“Hi, Mrs. Park,” you smiled, approaching the counter. 

“My, my. It’s been too long, Y/N. How have you been?”

You took a breath. 

“Fine; I can’t complain. And you?” 

“Still kicking, sweetie. That’s all I can ask for.” She chuckled to herself. 

You nodded, regarding her. She still looked the same as you remembered. The years hadn’t even given her another wrinkle yet.

“So,” she started, “What can I get for you?”

“I’d like a custom arrangement: just seven pretty flowers with a nice bow.”

She hummed at the simple request. “And what kind of flowers will you be needing?”

“Oh, I um…” Somehow you hadn’t thought that far ahead. “I’m not sure, actually.”

“Don’t worry,” she mitigated. “I can pick them out for you. Who are they for? And what’s the occasion?”

Your shoulders relaxed a little, put at ease. 

“For some friends,” you explained. “We haven’t seen each other in a while.”

As you pictured all seven of them, Jiu stood out in your mind, like usual. The owner eyed you, studying the unconscious smile on your lips. 

“Friends, huh?” She teased. 

You opened your mouth to respond, but she didn’t let you. 

“I’ll have it ready in a jiffy. Hang tight, sweetheart.” She turned and pushed her way past the swinging doors that led to the back, shuffling off to put together your arrangement. 

You took the next few minutes to leisurely stroll around the small shop and admire all the creations it had to offer. Handmade crafts, knick knacks, and fresh bouquets were displayed beautifully. Small hand written signs indicated their prices, hanging near them or leaning on their stands. The marker lines on them were a little shaky, showing that whoever wrote them had done so with a trembling hand. 

The little details like that, seemingly so insignificant, showcased just how much effort the two of them put into the store. 

They’d been running it ever since you could remember. Having grown up nearby and attended your training at the company, you were never very far from it. When you moved into the dorm with the girls, it only brought you closer. The place almost always stayed busy, being frequented by families and supporters alike at all times of the year. 

Specials were given during exam season, because the Parks were aware of the stress that families were already under. They still wanted the students’ efforts to be celebrated. 

Those in mourning were given discounts on funeral arrangements to lessen their burdens.

Holiday events were hosted towards the end of the year, giving people the chance to come in and learn to properly decorate their own arrangements. Refreshments were provided, and they never failed to bring out the festive joy that that time of year is known for. Classes were taught by Mrs. Park, with her husband handing out supplies and ensuring everyone was well taken care of. 

Even when one of them was ill, the store stayed open. They made a promise to each other to keep their doors open for as long as possible, and they stayed true to that. 

That kind of consistency is beyond rare. 

You can only imagine how many days they saved by simply being open. Birthdays, funerals, anniversaries, parties, house warmings… you name it, they’ve saved it. 

It made you smile to yourself in a grateful kind of way, as your fingertips traced along the side of an antique clock on the counter. This tiny store, so unassuming and quaint, housed so many memories for so many people. 

What a beautiful thing it was.

—

“Seven orange alstroemerias,” Mrs. Park called, signaling that she was finished. 

You padded your way back over to her and found her zhuzhing up a beautiful array of them. They were vibrant and open wide, flaunting their colors. 

“They symbolize devotion and friendship,” she informed. 

“They’re perfect. Thank you so much.” 

Your fingertips skated over the silky material of the bow she had wrapped around them. It was prettier than you ever could’ve imagined.

She smiled deeply. “No problem, sweetheart.”

“How much do I owe you?” You inquired, reaching into your pocket for your cash.

“Twelve dollars.”

When you handed her the total amount, she took it into her small hands and pressed some buttons on the register to enter it in.

You peered down into the bouquet as you slid it closer to yourself, and a flash of red amongst the sea of orange caught your eye, nestled a little further down than all the others. Its petals were far different, too.

“Oh, ma’am,” you said, catching her attention before she could hand your change back. “You put an extra flower in here. A rose.”

“Oh, did I?” She tutted, but her response gave you the feeling that it wasn’t such an accident after all. “Go ahead and keep it, then. Free of charge,” she waved her hand into the air. “I’m sure you can find someone to give it to.”

She absolutely did that on purpose. The tell-tale smile on her lips as she handed you your change sold her out on the spot.

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome, honey. Have a good evening.”

You smiled just the same as her, finally on the same wavelength. “You, too.”

—-----

Show Champion 

The flowers rested in the crook of your elbow as you sent a quick text on your phone, letting your friend know that you were outside the building. The wind blew rather harshly as you waited for a reply; it rippled over your long overcoat and nipped at your cheeks, stinging your skin. 

Go-eun, the woman you were waiting on, had worked here ever since you were still a part of MINX. It was here that you first met her, all that time ago, and an easy-going friendship had blossomed almost immediately. Despite everything that had happened over the past few years, she had remained your friend and stayed in touch through it all. You were beyond glad to have her.

Before long, an outside door creaked open and her smiling face emerged. She had on a headset that connected her to the action that was happening inside. 

Her hand raised to it and she pressed a button as she motioned you inside. You stepped through the threshold and shook the cold off. 

“I owe you one.”

Her head swayed lightly and she waved a dismissing hand. “Don’t mention it. It’s the least I can do.”

“Thank you, Go-eun. Really.”

Her smile simply deepened in response, and she sent you a thumbs up for encouragement. You had explained your plan over the phone on your way to the performance hall, and she herself was excited to see it unfold. 

“Go get ‘em.”

You parted ways and headed down the side hallway towards the waiting rooms for the artists. The layout was still somewhat familiar from your time as an idol, but they had clearly rearranged some things in your absence. Your hands gripped the flowers a little harder, ringing their stems unconsciously.

After some walking, you rounded one final corner and were greeted by a sight that made your breath hitch tightly in your throat. 

Jiu’s laughter filled the hall as she exited a room, leading all the other girls out. They were joking about something that Sua had said, and they lightly jostled each other around. Gahyeon and Handong, the two new members, looked radiant in the dark outfits that their stylists had prepared. They fit into the group seamlessly, filling your shoes in some ways that you never could’ve. 

From what you had seen of them during your occasional bouts of watching Dreamcatcher’s content, it was easy to see how much they shined. They deserved every good thing in the world; they worked hard to achieve their dreams, just the same as the rest of you. They were talented; you could see why they were chosen for a task as daunting as a rebranding. 

No hard feelings existed between you, but your heart undeniably ached at the sight of them all together. Yet again, you were stuck on the outside looking in. 

From idol to fan, just like that. The beheld to the admirer. It still got to you.

“Y/N?”

Yoohyeon was the first to notice you. Her voice was small and full of cautious hope. She didn’t want to blink and find out that she was imagining things.

“Hi, Yooh. Miss me?” You smiled sadly, tilting your head. 

Her lip quivered in response. She always was the most emotional out of all of them.

Despite the loudness of the stage further away in the building, the hallway had fallen almost completely silent. It rang in your ears. The drop of a pen could be heard. 

The rest of them turned in your direction at the sound of your voice. Jiu locked eyes with you; her brows knitted together pitifully, like she wanted to cry, too. 

“What’re you doing here?” Incredulity shimmered in her tone.

The others perked up behind her, regarding you in quiet astonishment. They never expected you to be here.

Down the hall, near where Go-eun was peeking out at the crowd through a curtain, a security officer pressed the button of his walkie-talkie and spoke an order into it. He was keeping watch, making sure things ran smoothly.

You smiled to yourself and reached into the bouquet to retrieve the rose. Once it was freed, you outstretched it to Jiu. Her fingertips brushed against its petals as she glanced at the others. She realized then that hers was the only rose.

You were able to watch that fact dawn on her, filling her with hope. 

Could this mean that you…

“I wanted to surprise you all and show my support,” you explained. “I hope you–”

It all happened in a flash.

“Stop right there!” A booming voice shouted suddenly. Quick-moving footsteps, heavy and dull as they resounded against the floor, accompanied it.

Just as Sua stepped forward to see what the commotion was, two men approached either side of you and roughly grabbed you by the arms. 

None of you had thought that their warning was aimed at you.

The flowers all fell to the ground, getting stomped on by their careless feet. 

“Hey!” Dami exclaimed in response. 

You struggled against them, tugging on your arms in an attempt to be freed. Despite the attempts you made to explain who you were, they didn’t listen.

“We’re sorry, ladies.” They addressed the girls, “She must’ve managed to sneak her way back here from the crowd.”

Your heart sank. They thought you were just another fan. 

Jiu stepped forward, extending a hand to you.

Siyeon spoke up, “But she’s–”

They smugly shook their heads, and one of them raised a hand to stop her. “Don’t worry, we’ll get her out of your hair.”

Sua looked at them like they were insane. As they turned on their heels and harshly pulled you along, she marched behind them and grabbed the sleeve of one of their uniforms. 

“Yah, saekki, she’s not just a fan!” She shouted. 

They turned around, looking embarrassed and caught off guard by her use of language. “What?”

“She’s our friend. Now let her go.”

If looks could kill, those two men would’ve dropped dead on the spot. They released you in an instant and apologized, quickly bowing multiple times to everyone to show their so-called respect. They rushed away, returning to their posts immediately after.

In their wake, the hallway returned to silence. Blaring, awful silence. 

Although the encounter was over fairly quickly and was now resolved, the damage had been done. 

Yoohyeon approached you and tried to fix your mussed clothes, but you caught her hands before she could. You held them in your own, looking past her at the mangled bouquet on the ground, completely ruined. Aside from being pissed off, the girls all looked distressed and sad. Gahyeon and Handong averted their gazes, feeling ashamed. Jiu was almost teary eyed; Sua was shaking her head in anger; Siyeon went quiet; and Dami had her jaw set with a look of contempt on her face. Staggered curses fell from their lips.

In a matter of just a couple minutes, their happiness had soured and turned into this. What could’ve been a wonderful moment was now marred by your presence and the chaos that you brought along. 

You never should have come here. 

“I-I’m sorry, everyone.”

You dropped Yoohyeon’s hands and turned around, briskly striding towards the side door that you had entered. Tears of embarrassment stung your eyes, and you quickly swiped them away.

Go-eun looked concerned as you approached, but you just shook your head at her and left with a promise of explaining later. The wind was somehow even colder than before as you rushed out the door, and once it mixed with your salty tears you finally let yourself go. 

Fresh ones fell freely, replacing the others that threatened to dry from the wind. You sat down outside of the building and pressed your back against the frigid surface of the wall. Your forehead came to rest on your knees as you cried, feeling stupid. 

Why had you ever expected that to work out? You were such an idiot. 

Gahyeon reached down and picked up the bouquet, frowning. Sua and Siyeon had left directly after you to reprimand the security officers, and Dami was comforting a teary Yoohyeon. Jiu still held her rose in her hands, turning it over and over. 

She glanced back at the girls and nodded before heading after you. In the small gap that existed between her belt and the outside of her pants, she slid the stem of her rose. With it secured in place, she quickly treaded down the hallway.

When she slipped out the side door and saw you curled up, her heart broke. You raised your head at the sound of the heavy metal latching back into place behind her, and inadvertently met her gaze.

You stood up and wiped the rest of your tears before walking in the opposite direction. You didn’t even give her a chance to speak.

Although she was taken aback, she didn’t stall in going after you. Not anymore.

“Go back inside, Jiu.”

“No.”

You walked further down the sidewalk, tucking your hands into your pockets. “If you stick around me, I’ll just end up causing more problems.”

“Don’t say that, Y/N!” She scolded, sounding even more upset than she was inside. She had no reason to be, since you were just removing yourself from the situation. She wouldn’t have to worry about you anymore this way.

“Why shouldn’t I? It’s true, and we both know it!” You returned, exasperated. “You don’t have to pretend otherwise for my sake.”

“I’m not pretending,” she pressed, following after you. Her outfit wasn’t suitable for the weather, but the emotions coursing through her numbed her to the chill. This exchange hurt her more than the wind ever could, anyway. Why did you insist so hard on leaving?

“Just stop,” you said over your shoulder, not bothering to turn around. “Maybe another day,” you said, in reference to your plans.

You were far too upset to enjoy the night after all that, and awkwardly pretending that it didn’t happen would be just as painful.

“No!” She erupted, grabbing your arm and spinning you around. Your jaw went a little slack at the suddenness of it; this was a totally new side of her. 

“I’m sick of waiting, Y/N. That’s all I’ve ever done when it comes to you, and I’m not doing it anymore.”

Your brows furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

Her features were strikingly beautiful – so sharp. Their jaded edges displayed everything she was feeling, despite your inability to read them. You were still just as oblivious as ever.

She snuck a hurried glance around the both of you before pulling you over to the side of the building. She pushed you against it directly after, catching you off guard. Her arms wound around your middle as she moved to hold you close.

You had half the inclination to ask what she was doing, but the feeling of her mouth on yours interrupted those thoughts before they could even finish forming. 

Her lips kissed a reply against yours, saying all the words she never could before. 

I love you, they pressed, urgent and hard enough to bruise.

I always have, they whispered without words, soft in their reassurance. 

A million confessions flowed from them to yours, spreading like the strawberry gloss that painted them so beautifully. She couldn’t possibly have cared less about the messy state you were putting her in; she lived for the way you came alive in her arms, kissing her back with just as much passion as she felt herself. It was a confirmation that the feelings she had were mutual in the best type of way. 

A muffled sigh left you as you brought your arms up to wrap around her neck and draw her in closer. She pressed the length of her body against yours, molding to you like never before. Her hands gripped your hips possessively, begging you to stay for once in your life and see this through. She was afraid to let go again.

Her teeth captured your bottom lip as you tilted your head to the side, granting her more access. She took the opportunity to deepen the kiss without a second thought, releasing her inhibitions. She lost herself in your taste – in the feel of you. It was everything that she’d hoped for and more after spending so many years waiting. 

You were like Heaven to touch. 

The perfume on your neck drew her under as her lips trailed over your sensitive skin there, leaving a mark in their wake. 

She smiled when your hand fisted in her hair, returning the desperation that she felt. Her head was in the clouds. 

“Please don’t ever run away like that again,” she whispered against your jawline, allowing her lips to brush it in the process. “What happened wasn’t your fault.” She left small kisses behind as little reminders of her love for you. 

“Just because things went sideways in there doesn’t mean we don’t want you around. We’ve all missed you so much, Y/N/N… you have no idea.”

“I’m sorry.”

She pulled away enough to touch her nose to yours, moving it side to side. When you laughed at the feeling, she smiled. 

“The girls and I need you more than you know. They love you, and I…” she paused, swallowing nervously, “I love you. I have for a long time now.”

You stole another quick kiss from her lips, rewarding her for her confession. “Me too.”

Her thumbs rubbed comforting patterns against your hips. “Then will you stay? Please?”

You took a deep breath of the evening air to bring you back to your senses. You were still reeling, if you were honest, and thinking straight wasn’t something you felt very capable of with the woman of your dreams holding you in her arms like she was. Her kiss-swollen lips pouted, only further corrupting you. 

“I’ll stay,” you nodded. “And we can still go to the restaurant.”

She pulled away and did a little victory dance that had you smiling in an instant. Her face brightened, donning a beautiful smile as she cheered. She was such a dork that you almost couldn’t stand it. 

If any paparazzi were lurking nearby, her questionable choice of celebratory dance moves would’ve undoubtedly been a larger scandal then the kisses you shared. 

“Alright, alright,” you interrupted after a few seconds, stepping forward and grabbing her wrist to stop her. “We get the idea.”

“I’m just so happy,” she cooed, gazing into your eyes with so much love you nearly swooned at the mere sight of it. 

“So are we,” Sua said from nearby all of a sudden.

“AHHH!” Both you and Jiu let out a scream of terror at the same time.

“How long have you been standing there?!” Jiu barked, recovering with a hand over her heart.

Sua pursed her lips, thinking for a second. “Just long enough to see your dance.”

“Very interpretive,” Siyeon narrowed her eyes and nodded, giving a thumbs up. She slung her arm around Sua’s shoulder as she came to stand beside her.

Yoohyeon and Dami appeared behind them a few seconds later, attempting to suppress their laughter. “You guys didn’t hear the door latch? It’s like a hundred years old.” Yoohyeon giggled. 

You cleared your throat, blushing more than you would’ve liked to. “I guess we were a little preoccupied.”

“Yeah, about to fuc–” Gahyeon began.

“Language!” The unnies all shouted in unison, interrupting the youngest member. She rolled her eyes, but an amused smile rested on her lips regardless as she neared the group as well. It grew wider when she looked at you, causing her eyes to form into little crescents. 

Handong was the last to show herself, but it was for a good reason. 

The bouquet was cradled in her hands, still wrapped in the paper and bow that it came with. Tape was wound around every broken piece of the flowers’ stems, making them semi-straight again. All of the girls had done their best to repair the damage that the guards had done, and that simple gesture alone made you want to cry all over again. The sentiment was unexpected but beyond welcome. 

“We’re really excited to spend the evening with you, Y/N,” Handong spoke, soft and smooth. “The girls talk about you all the time.”

You glanced around at all of them, finally feeling content in a way you hadn’t since you left the dorm all that time ago. So much love and adoration shined in their eyes for you, clear as day. For you, they’d do just about anything.

And while things wouldn’t ever be quite the same as they were before, you knew then that the girls would forge a new future with you in it, however they needed to. They never wanted to lose you again, and something about this time felt different. Deep down in your heart, you knew it would last.

As their arms all wrapped around you in the group hug that Sua initiated, you let your eyes fall shut. 

“I’m excited, too,” you said, smiling to yourself. 

And for the first time in a long time, you really meant it. 

My Love

Here's another poem for you ♡

Who knows the inner workings of my heart even more than I

♤《》■《》♤《》■《》♤《》■《》♤《》■《》♤《》■

You're a thief in the night

You're a blissful remedy

Healing me in ways I never thought possible

Opening doors I imagined forever shut

And leading me through them with open arms

But, too, you're an inescapable, tantalizing fire

A storm, raging at sea

One that haunts

Stings

Fights to the bitter end, pursuing the unattainable 

My storm, my calm

You've invaded my thoughts

Overtaking them like a commander at war

My love, you're victorious 

They're on you, now, forever

But oddly, I enjoy it this way

You hold my heart - my everything - in your hands

Skin stained crimson as you wield your power over it

I'm at your mercy

Do as you please, my love, and I will pick up the pieces

At Your Service

Pairing: Jiu x Fem!Reader (& some Yoohyeon x Fem!Reader)

Warnings / Misc. – Fluff, Angst, Smut, Mentions of violence, etc.

Word Count: 33,401 (grab a snack)

Synopsis: Jiu – a married heiress and product of the centuries old, successful dynasty of Kims – finds herself in need of a new personal maid following the sudden departure of her previous one. When opportunity arises and brings Y/N L/N – a stubborn, working class citizen with a hatred for her less than ideal circumstances – to her doorstep, how will they deal with the fallout?

Disclaimer: This writing is a work of fiction, and no disrespect is meant for those mentioned herein.

A/N: Hey everyone! Here’s my first Dreamcatcher fic. I hope you enjoy! :)

💖 Happy Reading 🌹

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Blood trickled down the side of your father’s hand, shining crimson in the subtle flicker of candlelight. A makeshift weapon – some mangled piece of metal, resembling a shiv – cut into his skin slightly, due to the force of his grip on it. 

His weight was shifted to one foot, keeping him prepared to strike if need be; with the front door of your home slightly ajar, he craned his neck enough to communicate with the guards on the other side. His thumb rubbed the handle of the blade in rhythmic strokes… one, two … keeping his breathing in check. Appearing suspicious was a death sentence, and he knew that; so, he patiently waited for the opportunity to make a move.

In an eerie flash of black suits and gloves, the men pushed their way inside.

They came to loom over your family members with piercing gazes, staring holes into them. Tension was thick in the room, nearly suffocating. Each second was an hour as the interrogation they started dragged on, only increasing the chance of impulsivity on both sides. Glancing eyes were a silent challenge, the twitch of a finger was a call to arms.

At the center of it all, surrounded in more ways than you even knew at the time, was you. Had you known then how drastically your life would change, maybe you’d have done things differently. 

Maybe you would have started running after that first knock.

Keep reading

Away With You

Pairing: Rosé x Fem!Reader

Synopsis: When a snowstorm of record-breaking proportion rolls into town and causes a city wide shut-in, you and Rosé take it easy and enjoy your time together.

Warnings / Misc. -- Fluff

Word Count: ~ 1,136

Disclaimer: This writing is a work of fiction, and no disrespect is meant for those mentioned herein.

A/N: Hi everyone! I found this in my drafts a while ago and thought I’d share it with you all. Hope you enjoy it :) Stay safe and take care of yourselves!

💖 Happy Reading 🌹

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The wind, frigid and biting, howls as it whips through the sprawling branches of the neighborhood trees. They sway, sometimes eerily, in their perfect alignments next to the sidewalk. 

More particles of snow and sleet surge down to Earth, accompanying every haunting gust and only further worsening the conditions that the blizzard is causing.

Strangely enough, it's at times like this that you find yourself wondering if hot cocoa producers will ever run out of product. 

Surely, you think to yourself, as you stand in front of the counter and stir in the contents of yet another batch. It's the fourth one you've made today, and it's not even past 2 PM yet.

Your gaze falls down to the mixture, watching intently as the rich, velvety powder swirls with the milk you added before. It lends more of its color with every whirl, and soon it's smooth mocha, warm and tempting. Steam billows from the mug, and you sigh as the chocolatey scent makes its way to your nose. 

In the living room, Rosé has the television set to your local news station as she strums out the notes of a potential chorus to her latest creation. Her fingertips dance across the strings, trying out different combinations and slides as she pleases. 

Beneath her, the piano bench supports her movements, making only a faint creak when she sets the guitar in her lap and focuses her attention on the piano keys instead. She's been like this for a while now: switching between the two instruments that she loves so much as she tries to finally put her finger on the elusive tune she's been seeking.

The weather has given her an excuse to stay home and reconnect with what she's been missing most: making music, and you. She can't think of anyone else she'd rather be squirreled away with.

"... multiple inches are expected to accumulate throughout the day, and by nightfall some areas could have up to three feet of snow in total." 

She lifts her head at the mention of the forecast, listening closely to the weatherman. 

"We strongly advise that you stay home and only go out when it's absolutely necessary. Multiple roadways are already covered, and they're expected to get even more dangerous as the day progresses. Power outages are likely as well, so get prepared, folks, and stay safe. Bundle up, grab something warm, and settle in."

Outside, snowflakes fall in heavy droves, turning the atmosphere into a whiteout. They whip past the bay windows of the living room -- which Rosé is now using as a portal to peek into the frigid world out there -- unrelenting as more and more of them make their way to the ground. They've already coated everything in sight with at least six inches, and they don't seem to show any signs of slowing down. 

The Sun is quickly being clouded over; only a few glimmers of its warm rays remain now, and they kiss the land goodbye while they still can. 

In fact, one delicate embrace between the two is strong enough to catch Rosé's eye; a rather small snowflake rides the swirling air current just outside the window, arching up into the air as it perfectly catches a golden shimmer of the Sun. It dances and skates for a few more seconds before ultimately fluttering against the pane and coming to rest in the corner of the sill. 

Rosie's lips briefly tug up in the corners at that, and she pauses to think. Maybe she can use that for a song...

Your slipper-clad feet shuffle forward as you finally make your way out of the kitchen and towards the living room, slowly but surely. Your tongue is slightly stuck out as you concentrate on keeping all the contents of the mugs inside of them, and you simultaneously ask yourself why the hell you filled them up so high. 

A quick glance at Rosie earns you the knowledge that she's scribbling away in her notebook again, and you smile warmly at the mere thought of it. For months, she's been dying to have some time to really unwind and recharge like this; writing always comes the easiest for her when she's relaxed and able to experiment without fear of judgement. She's always said that you're the only person she trusts enough to hear her rough drafts, and you cherish that. She really is something special. 

"Hi, baby," you greet, feeling the tension leave your body as you bring the mugs to the coffee table and set them on a pair of matching coasters. Rosie got them on tour back in Australia, and they've been her favorite to use ever since. 

"There's my girl," she beams, happiness radiating from her. A growing smile is evident in her voice as she quickly finishes in her notebook and sets her guitar in its case. 

The material of her sweater looks especially soft from where you are; you can practically see the fluffiness interwoven into each of the threads. 

"I was starting to miss you, you know," she plays, standing up to meet you by the sofa. Her eyes travel across your face, silently admiring you. 

"I could tell," you tilt your head to the side, "...your playing turned sad." 

"What can I say?" Her shoulders rise and fall in a soft shrug. "My muse wasn't around. I got lonely." 

Her muse, huh? Hearing that never gets old.

You run your fingers through her hair, feeling the loose curls tickle your palm as they slide by. They're silky, and the movement releases the smell of her vanilla shampoo into the air.

She melts into your touch, visibly relaxing. Her eyes close as you move to stroke her cheek, reveling in the feeling of your warmth against her. She'd be content with staying here, just like this, forever. 

"Rosie, baby, I don't understand you," you whisper, disbelief evident in your tone. You take a step closer, draping your free arm over her shoulder. 

"You get even more beautiful by the day. I don't see how that's physically possible." 

She smiles, her eyes still closed. She's amused. 

"You've already won my heart, Y/N," she quips, peeking at you, "You don't have to make me fall in love again." 

You shake your head, still smiling. "I mean it, babe. You're so beautiful." 

Her eyes open now, and her hands slip beneath the hem of your shirt, splaying across your back. She pulls you closer with a short tug, giving you no time to prepare before her lips are on yours. 

They whisper words of affection against your own in between sweet kisses, reminding you of how much she adores you. 

As you kiss her back and touch her in all the ways she loves most, she wonders how she got so lucky. 

... A Quick Thought

Guys, I just started watching the show "Single's Inferno" on Netflix and I keep imagining an AU where Y/N and OT7 Dreamcatcher are the contestants...

Many thoughts, head full

Have you all seen the show before?

Relief

Pairing: Sua x Fem!Reader

Warnings / Misc. -- Smut, Some Fluff

Word Count: 4,287

Summary: When a rough day at work leaves you in need of some TLC, Sua knows just what to do to make things better.

Disclaimer: This writing is a work of fiction, and no disrespect is meant for those mentioned herein.

A/N: Hey everyone! Here's some Sua smut :) Next up is Yoohyeon, so stay tuned!

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Friday, 11:37 PM – Y/N's Apartment, Seoul, SK

Your bleary eyes raised to meet Sua’s warm ones the moment you arrived at the door to your apartment. She didn’t even give you the chance to put your key in the lock before she had it opened and was welcoming you in, the ghost of a frown on her lips, pitying you. 

She greeted you softly, so as to not worsen the pounding headache that you’d mentioned over the phone. 

In one smooth motion, your bag was surrendered to her waiting hands, and you were melting into her strong frame as she drew you in close. 

"Come here, my love," she sighed, happy to finally have you back in her arms. 

She shut the door and locked it before setting your bag on the entry table, never once pulling away. You slipped your shoes off and blindly nudged them in the direction of the door, resolving to tidy them up later. You nuzzled your face into the crook of her neck, reveling in the comforting smell of her perfume as it greeted your chilly nose. 

The sensation brought goosebumps to her skin and reminded her of the surprise she had waiting in the other room. 

She rubbed your back gingerly, asking, “How does a bath sound? I have everything ready; we just have to put the water in.”

You nodded softly, your pouty lips brushing her pulsepoint in the process. 

“That’s my girl,” she smiled, pressing a kiss to your temple before turning around to lead you to the bathroom. One of her arms remained wrapped around you, helping you amble your way there. 

The soft scent of roses was the first to greet you upon arrival, and you blinked your eyes open as she turned to shut the door behind the two of you. 

Around the room, candles were placed in various spots, flickering gently and providing enough light that she didn’t need to turn on the overhead one. Some were on the floor, while others sat on the end of the tub or along the sink. 

In addition, rose petals were scattered across the tile. Vibrant, rich hues of red caught both the shadows and golden light of the room, looking like something out of a movie. 

A plethora of essential oils was placed near the tub, waiting and ready for you to choose from as you pleased.

“I know today was rough, so I wanted to try and make it a little better,” she explained from just behind you, peering around at the room as if she hadn’t spent the last hour making sure everything was perfect. 

She could almost give you the precise coordinates of each individual petal, if you asked. That’s how serious she took it. 

Your sock-clad feet wiggled, reveling in the softness of the swath of petals beneath you. Sometimes the depth of her love was too much for you to wrap your head around; the notion that she took so much time and effort out of her own day to make yours even a fraction better meant the world to you and then some.

“It’s not much,” she dismissed humbly, “but I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing.”

“It’s perfect, jagi,” you refuted gently, lifting your head to look over at her. 

Your eyes were glossy, practically brimming with salty tears just waiting to fall. Her sentimental side always had a way of doing that to you. 

“Hey,” she soothed, stepping forward to hug you close again. “Don’t cry. Let’s just get you in the tub, yeah? You’ll feel better in no time.”

“Alright,” you mumbled, nodding. As you reached up with one hand to wipe your tears, she gently took the other into her own and led you across the room. 

Her fingers skimmed down the front of your shirt as she faced you, gliding towards the buttons so she could begin undoing them. You watched her fondly, noticing the concentration on her features when she reached a troublesome one. 

Soon you were freed of the garment, and she slid it off of your shoulders before reaching around to undo your bra. It fell easily, and in less than a second – she’d become a master at undressing you over your years together, and the sentiment of that made you smile a little. 

“Is there anything in particular you’d like for dinner?” She asked as she lowered down onto her knees. The cushioned rug below welcomed her, preventing her skin from meeting the hard tile. “I’m planning to fix something while you’re in here.”

You swallowed thickly when she undid the first button of your jeans, feeling her warm breath spread across your exposed abdomen. Though her intention wasn’t necessarily set on getting you going, her movements certainly didn’t get the memo. 

When you failed to answer her, she lightly pinched your thigh. 

“U-uh,” you stuttered, trying to come up with a reply. “Maybe Y/Fav/Dish?”

She nodded, accepting the request without a second thought. “I’ve been craving it, too, actually, so that’ll be good.”

The material of your pants was soon tugged down to your ankles, and she helped you step out of each leg before finally peering up at you. The sight alone – her pretty eyes, warm and full of love as they gazed into your own – was enough to flip your stomach. But being practically naked in front of her – just the slip of a hand, or a kiss away from starting something sinful – filled your mind with possibilities that were lightyears away from innocence. 

Surely it was just the fatigue talking. You were exhausted, truly, so it was no wonder your emotions were so out of whack. Normally you weren’t this easy to rile up.

She looped her fingers in the material of your panties and slid them down your smooth legs, seemingly taking her time with it. 

If she noticed the way your nails pressed into your palms to prevent you from pulling her in, she didn't show it.

Once the thin garment came to pool at your feet, her eyes tracked back up to your center. 

They widened subtly – a mix of surprise and pride swirling within them – as she spotted the slick there. It glistened in the candlelight, making her smile. 

You looked away, feeling a bit embarrassed under her observant gaze. 

“Is that for me, baby?”

The wonder in her voice pushed away your shyness, if only for a moment. “Of course,” you answered, peeking back at her. "Who else?"

“But I haven’t even touched you yet…”

Her use of the word yet made your heart skip a beat. 

An amused scoff left you. “Do you seriously think this is the first time I’ve gotten wet just by being around you?”

Sua swallowed, blinking a couple of times as she centered her thoughts. Admittedly, that simple question sent her imagination a little wild. 

“Well I-” she paused, and you watched as her innocent wonder melted away, getting replaced by a self-satisfied smirk that you adored as much as you loathed. “I knew I was good, but that good?” Her brows raised, and she looked you up and down. “I’m honored, jagi.”

You reached a hand out to her shoulder and playfully shoved her backwards, making her flail for a moment as she fought to remain balanced. 

“Don’t let it go to your head,” you warned, pointing a finger at her in mock authority as you stepped past her and closer to the tub. 

You leaned over to examine the oils and scents that she had laid out for you, rummaging through them until you found the ones you wanted. You sat them apart from the rest and turned the faucet on, ensuring that the water flowing out was a good temperature. 

When you were satisfied, you grabbed the stopper and pushed it into the drain’s entrance.

Gradually, the tub began to fill. As the water splashed out into it, you added a few drops of the liquids to the steady stream and watched as suds began to appear in time with the new smells being released. 

It was pleasant, and you inhaled peacefully as you sat the last bottle down.

But suddenly, just as you went to upright yourself, a surprised moan was slipping out of your mouth and resounding around the room alongside the swashing of the water. 

Sua wordlessly bent you forward a little further, causing you to steady yourself on the wall with a shaky hand. The tile was cool against your palm – almost capable of distracting you from the heat pooling between your thighs. 

Her soft lips kissed a messy, impatient path from the back of your thigh up to your center, and you couldn’t help but shut your eyes. It felt like she had been holding back – restraining herself, for a time – and her resolve had crumbled.

Her hands stroked your skin gingerly, working up from your calves to the curve of your ass. 

With you presented so beautifully for her, positioned just right, she couldn’t stop herself from getting a taste. 

You whimpered when her tongue parted your folds and she began to lap up your arousal. It caught you off guard at first, coming out of left field, but you responded immediately, on instinct, and pushed yourself against her a little more. 

The tip of her tongue dipped into your entrance briefly, teasing you with the promise of what she was capable of. She moaned against you, enjoying the way you squirmed at the stimulation. 

“Sua…”

The arch of your back gave her better access, and she took advantage of it for a few glorious seconds, indulging the both of you. She reached an arm between your parted, trembling legs to toy with your clit; it was already swollen, just begging to be touched by her.

"You taste so good," she praised against you, voice low and lustful. She licked you again, but this time it was slower – more torturous. Like she was savoring you in more ways than one. 

You unconsciously writhed, pursuing the warmth of her mouth and tongue; but she merely grasped your hips and stilled them. 

There was little more you could do than moan in response to her strong grip; it was gentle enough, but an undeniable roughness lied just beyond her fingertips, waiting to be unleashed. 

It was easy to see that she wanted to ruin you, right then and there. But she refrained.

"I've been thinking about this all day," she admitted. Her lips ghosted across your sensitive center as she spoke, making you whine. "I already couldn't concentrate at work, but it was even worse when I got home. One look at the couch and I was thinking about the mess you made on it last night." 

"Oh god," you groaned pitifully, not only at her words but also the memories they brought back. 

She'd fucked you so hard that you'd been plagued with a limp all day – and a difficult one to conceal at that. 

Embarrassing, sure, but even more so arousing. The ache simply reminded you who you belonged to. That you were hers, totally and utterly. 

And you wanted more. No – needed it.

A breathless please was all you could manage, but it proved successful for the time being. 

She quickened her pace and pushed her tongue in further, feeling her own clit throb at the way your walls clenched around the intrusion. Your slick dripped down her chin, making a mess as you greedily swayed your hips to gain more friction against her face. 

She entertained it for a bit longer, getting just as lost in the sensation as you did; but just when that familiar fire in the pit of your stomach was sparking up, she retreated. 

All at once, without warning. Like the gates of Heaven itself were shut right before you and you were pulled back to Earth. 

A chaste kiss was placed against your folds, serving as a parting gift before she fully withdrew. 

Dazed and confused, you found yourself sulking at the loss of contact; the haze of pleasure had clouded your mind and made you forget about the task you had been in the middle of, before her little sexcapade started up.

At the sound of your ensuing, frustrated sigh, she could only grin.

“Tub’s full, baby,” she noted, standing up to reach around you and turn the water off. The simple observation served as a stand-in explanation for her withdrawal, and you accepted it after a moment. 

You were excited for the bath – to unwind after such a long day and get the chance to de-stress – but part of you wanted to say to hell with it and drag her to the bedroom so she could finish what she started. 

Though, of course, her efforts weren’t lost on you, and you knew you couldn’t just disregard the work she had put into arranging all of this for you. It deserved to be used and taken advantage of – but that didn’t mean you couldn’t strike up a deal with her somewhere in the middle. 

“Will you stay?” You tried, looking at her over your shoulder with an expression that she admittedly couldn’t say no to. "At least for a bit?" The soft grip you applied to her wrist didn’t help her resolve any, either. 

“Sure," she agreed with a smile. "Go ahead and get in; I’ll move some of this,” she motioned to the candles and petals around the tub. 

You followed her instructions and stepped inside, wincing at the slight sting that the hot water brought on. It mellowed out once you lowered yourself in and got comfortable, fading to a pleasant tingle, which you reveled in.

Steam radiated from the water's surface as Sua quickly cleared a spot for herself beside the tub, just behind your back. She retrieved a stool from the adjoining closet and placed it down, taking a seat.

Her fingers raked through your hair as she gathered up all of its strands, and soon she was twisting a band around them to keep them up and out of the way.

A quiet hum of gratitude resounded in your chest, and she kissed your temple in reply.

No more words were spoken after that for a while; they simply weren't needed. She knew that some silence would serve your tired mind well, and, frankly, she didn't need to be told how to help you relax. 

She already knew all of your ins and outs. What you liked, what you needed to unwind. 

Like the Sun in the sky, casting itself across the world below, she watched over you. Made sure you were comfortable, not needing for anything. That you were content and happy, tucked away from the outside world and centered in your own little paradise. 

It was domesticity at its finest, and you both loved it. Touches conveyed a million unspoken words; glances and microexpressions even more. Just the simple hitch of a breath could enable you to read one another like a book. 

So, of course, when a moan slipped out of your mouth at the feeling of her hands kneading your shoulders, Sua smiled knowingly. Like clockwork, she'd expected it; one muscle in particular always gave you trouble, and with the right application of pressure and care, you–

"Mmm," you moaned again, features scrunched up in equal amounts of pleasure and pain. 

"That's it, sweet girl. Let it out," she encouraged.

You listened, and soon the tension was leaving your body in droves.

When your shoulders and neck had loosened up, her hands drifted lower, ebbing just as softly as the water as they disappeared beneath the bubbly surface. 

Once they reached your abdomen, you allowed your head to loll back against the cool edge of the tub. You could feel her just beyond the limits of it, hovering close, warm and tempting. Her breaths landed on the exposed skin of your neck, a little jagged as they showcased her own sweet arousal. 

Tension and comfort permeated the air, mingling together like two lovers. They blended into one sensual, cozy ambience that came to settle over the room. 

The first two fingers of her right hand made contact with your clit languidly, taking their time, in no rush at all. Your sensitivity was through the roof already, but you pushed it aside to the best of your ability to enjoy her for as long as possible. 

She used all of the patterns you liked best, alternating between them as she dipped her head down to kiss your neck. You both loved and loathed the fact that she knew you so well; it was a bit embarrassing to be getting worked up again so easily, but god did it feel good. 

She moved in closer, raising her left hand to knead one of your breasts. The movement centered you between her arms, and it provided an added element of support. You were free to melt into her – to let yourself go. 

She rolled your nipple between her fingertips, toying with it as it hardened.

Her tongue slipped past her parted lips to lick across your skin in between kisses, swirling over the marks she left behind to soothe them.

“Sua, please,” you whispered breathlessly, shifting slightly. The waterline wavered, lapping a bit because of your movements. 

“How do you want it, baby?”

“I want your fingers,” you pleaded. “I need you inside.”

“Okay,” she whispered against your pulsepoint, as she obediently trailed her fingers down from your swollen, aching clit to your entrance. You were more than ready for her, and she could feel it from the very second she circled them over it. 

Desperation ruled you, clouding your mind; all you wanted was her. 

The whines that left your lips sold you out, each serving as its own plea for her to fuck you. On their own accord, your legs parted wider, falling open as far as the bounds of the tub would allow. 

Her fingers dipped inside of you with ease, and she didn’t waste anymore time teasing. Even if she had wanted to, she couldn’t have; the pulse of your walls was simply intoxicating. It spurred her on, luring her in further with every flutter and rush of warmth that came to surround her fingers. 

Wetness pooled in her own panties as well, leading her to unconsciously grind against the middle seam of her pants to attain relief in the meantime. 

"Can you take three, sweetheart?" She nibbled lightly on your ear, causing you to squirm helplessly. "Hmm? Will this pretty pussy stretch a little more for me?" 

Eager to please, you nodded vehemently, trapping your bottom lip tightly between your teeth. The move muffled your whimpers to a degree, but Sua heard every one of them. They were shuddered and broken – changing pitch when she finally slid another finger into you.

Your bare back met the soft material of her shirt when she pressed forward, transferring little droplets of water over to the fibers. 

Your mouth fell open when she pushed in knuckle-deep, curling them in time with the press of her palm to your clit. She took advantage of the opportunity presented and kissed you, greedily exploring your mouth as you sought air. All tongue and lips, she took what she wanted, making you melt into her and let her have her way. 

You could taste yourself on her when she deepened the kiss, and your legs instinctively closed around her hand, keeping her in place. You humped wantonly, inspired by the proud groan that resounded low in her throat. 

Water splashed roughly against the sides of the tub, some spilling over; but she simply leaned further into you and tightened her hold, cradling you close as you spiraled towards the edge of no control. 

Your heart pounded in your ears, so loudly that you feared she could hear it as clearly as you. 

The rush of warmth throughout your body – hot blood pumping through your veins, sent to each and every site that she touched you – brought even more blush to the surface of your heated skin. Flushed, desperate, yearning: you were a wreck for her in so many incredible ways. 

“Ah,” she sighed into your mouth, breaking the kiss but not pulling away, “just like that, baby. You’re close, aren’t you?” Her fingers curled within you, repeatedly rubbing up against your g-spot as a cocky smirk played on her lips. 

If you had been standing, your knees would’ve given out in a second. 

“Y-yes,” you struggled out, proud of yourself for managing even the simple confirmation.

“I can feel it,” she admitted, pressing a kiss to your chin, and then your jaw. “You’re taking me so well. So soft, begging for more.” The satisfaction in her low voice worked wonders for your praise kink, truth be told, and you nearly lost it at her words alone.

Her hand on your chest briefly came up to your mouth, and she extended two fingers, sliding them across your pillowy, kiss-bruised lips. “Open,” she commanded, watching over you from above. 

You did, and she pushed them inside, smiling to herself when you obediently swirled your tongue around them, coating them in your saliva. 

“Good girl,” she commended, appreciating how well you were listening. As much as she loved your bratty side – and taming it, more specifically – she couldn’t deny the hold that your submissiveness had on her.

With a wet pop, she drew her fingers out of your mouth and rubbed them against her thumb, coating it as well. She trailed them down to your other breast, finally offering it its own dose of attention as she rolled your nipple between them. 

You gasped when she pinched it, jutting your hips into the air on instinct. Your walls fluttered at the sensation as well, pulling her in deeper. 

This game she was playing with you, this push and pull, perfectly torturous, was just what you had been in need of all day. Where you ended and she began, you had no idea. The water blended everything together; your pleasure was hers, and hers yours. Every time you sank down onto her fingers, striding, leaping and bounding towards ecstasy, she grew closer, too. Due to her own grinding, her ruined panties had worked in between her folds, offering friction to her aching clit. Just from touching you, kissing you, holding you – she was so close.

She was simply under your spell. Enraptured, completely.

And realization dawned on you, then – like the Sun peeking out from behind a batch of clouds – that your headache was gone. Like the best kind of medicine, she was curing you.

Behind your eyelids, colors danced; her fingers flexed deep inside of you, pulsing, guiding them in their waltz like the maestro that she was. 

It didn’t take long for you to finally unwind, unraveling at your very seams with a sharp cry of her name. Surrounded by warmth – immersed in it, both inside and out – you fell into paradise. 

Time stopped for a few seconds, awarding you the opportunity to bask in the moment you had created together. Just as smoothly as the water, she coaxed you through it; and then the aftershocks, planting kiss after kiss against your skin, leaving even more marks in her wake. 

Your head fell back against her shoulder as you drew in deep breaths through your nose, attempting to return to normalcy. She eased out of you, careful and considerate along the way, and you shut your eyes again to calm your heart rate. 

The sound of her sucking her fingers clean of your slick was enough to spark up your desire again, so there’s truly no telling what would’ve happened if you had bore witness to it.

In your post-orgasmic haze, you reveled, holding onto the feeling for as long as humanly possible. Like the reward that it was, you savored it. Euphoria coursed through your frazzled mind, lapping at the edges of it like waves on a shore. You surrendered yourself to the bliss and sighed, feeling content. 

However, the sudden sound of pants hitting the floor brought you out of your reverie. 

Sua stood next to the tub in all of her glory, now naked from head to toe as her hands rested on her hips. She allowed you to gawk, because, frankly, watching you practically eye-fuck her was well worth it. 

“I’ll give you a choice, jagi, since tonight is all about you,” she spoke, when she noticed your tongue darting out of your mouth to wet your lips. 

“I’ll either join you in the tub for round two,” her head tilted to the side subtly as the notion brought a smile to her face, “or I can start prepping dinner.”

This wouldn’t be the first time she’s cooked naked, and the sight of her dressed in only an apron admittedly sent you a little wild, too. But could you pass up on her offer for another round?

You swallowed thickly, feeling overheated again with her brazen attention invested solely on you. 

“What’ll it be?”

‘My demise,’ you thought, though your lips instead declared an aroused, “Come here,” as you tugged her forward by the hand. 

Another splash of water was cast out of the tub as she tumbled into it, displacing itself in the name of making room for her. A high-pitched squeal pierced the air of the room, followed closely by her sweet laughter as she teased you for your eagerness. 

You chuckled, too, feeling the happiness bubble up in your chest as she wrapped herself around you and leaned forward to capture your lips in another kiss.