Lee Heeseung X Reader - Tumblr Posts

dress shopping with heeseung but his eyes wander and are just on your boobs and ass? 😵‍💫

Heeseung is definitely the type to LOVE taking his gf shopping just to get some eye candy.

Unless you're planning on dealing with him trying to fuck you in the dressing room, don't ask him for help.

You're so perfect in his eyes, and he loves seeing how good you look in all the different dresses you try on.

If, upon chance, he ends up in the dressing room with you, his hands are all over you. Probably accidentally breaks a zipper and ends up paying for the damage.

"Heeseung, you're gonna get us caught." you'd whisper yell. "If you'd talk less and spread your legs more there wouldn't be an issue.

"Let's go in this store! They're having a sale!" You yell excitedly, dragging Heeseung into one of your favorite stores as he sighs, watching you walk around.

He watches you grab different things to try on, imagining how good you'll look in each item. Once you're satisfied with your options, you head to the dressing room.

Heeseung is sitting outside, waiting for you to come out and show him. And when you do, his eyes are all over you. He stands up, staring down at you, and more specifically, your tits that are very much on display in the dress.

"Eyes up here." You chuckle as he bites his lips, gripping your waist. "Get this one.. So I can rip it off of you after our next date."

You simply chuckle before going to try on the next item. It was another form fitting dress that accentuated your bodyline in all the best ways.

"Do you like this one?" You did a spin, and Heeseung curses quietly. "Stop, you're literally only looking at my ass." You pout as he chuckles. "No really, it looks good on you.. Especially because of how good it makes your ass look.." He laughs as you slap his shoulder. "Come help me unzip it and we can see how good I look in the next one..."

ty for the request ♡

hihi

can u write abt passing out while at it with heeseung? (Passing out for like 20 seconds) and he gets really worried, and once you come back he quickly finishes and takes care of you?

I'm gonna do more of a drabble type bc I can't vision this as a whole fic. Hope this is okay tho

Heeseung is the type to get really rough during sex. Even when he doesn't mean to.

Grabbing your waist, pulling your hair, fucking you deeper and harder than you can take.

It's all too much, but Heeseung fucks you through it, figuring that too much pleasure can't hurt anyone.

Expect is can. And it does.

He doesn't realize it until he notices that you've gone silent.

When he notices your eyes are closed and your breathing goes steady for a minute, he immediately gets worried.

"Baby.. Are you okay?..." He pulls out, cupping your cheeks as he shakes you gently. Eventually you're coming back to consciousness, and Heeseung is borderline in tears, feeling guilty for not realizing you were at your limit.

"I'm fine.. Just got a little light headed.." You lean back against the pillows, taking a second to compose your self as Heeseung gets off the bed, coming back with a glass of water.

You take a few sips, handing the glass back to him as he sets it on the nightstand. "Next time ask me to stop.. You passing out on me is scary.." He pouts as you smile.

"Then let's get back to it.. That way I can practice.."

heeseung who loves to club x antisocial reader? i loved ur Jennifer body inspired fic !!

Overwhelmed ┃L.HS

club-bf!heeseung x antisocial-gf!reader

yn doesn't like to club but tries her hardest not spoil her bf's fun.

cw: neutral/fluff?, kisses, anxiety, social anxiety, reader likes to stay home, low social battery, heeseung loves clubbing, supportive and loving bf hee.

wdct: 1.2k

thanks for the request. I'm glad you liked Sunshine and Rain! ♡

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Third Person POV~

"Princess, I promise it's just for tonight.. Tomorrow we can stay in all day and cuddle and watch your favorite movies.. Okay?" It took some hard convincing, but eventually you agree to go out with him tonight.

He preferred taking you with him over leaving you home late at night. He was always worried something would happen to you when he wasn't home.

As soon as he got done kissing and hugging you out of gratitude, you went upstairs to get ready, doing you hair and makeup before putting on one of your club-appropriate dresses. You usually never wore them because you didn't like clubbing, but Heeseung bought you a few for when you went out with him.

You decided to wear black, wanting to be less noticeable. Plus it matched Heeseung's outfit that was mostly black.

You put on the heels you so hated wearing. And as a final touch, you put on your leather jacket that matched Heeseung's.

Once finally finishing getting ready, you head back down stairs, where Heeseung is waiting patiently by the door, back against the wall as he states at his phone. He glances up at you when he hears your heels click against the floor.

"You look so pretty, princess.." He smiles, leaning down kiss your cheek. "Let's go, hm?"

Two hours later, you're sitting in one of Heeseung's favorite bars, surrounded by all of his closest friends and some of their girlfriends.

They decide to play truth or drink, and you glance at Heeseung worriedly.

He knows you hate drinking games, and usually he ends up drinking for you, but you didn't want that to happen tonight.

The game progressed and the first time it landed on you, his friend Jongseong had asked you the question. "How often do you and Heeseung fuck?" You immediately glanced towards Heeseung, who was already preparing to take the shot Jaeyun poured for you.

Before he could grab it, you picked it up, downing the shot before setting the glass down. Honestly, you hated drinking.. It's not fun, and the aftermath is even worse. That's why Heeseung usually takes the shots for you whenever you play drinking games with his friends.

Eventually they moved on to playing another game, but you decided to exclude yourself, staring at your phone, sipping on whatever non alcoholic drink Heeseung had ordered for you. You'd been here two hours and it's going on three. When you left the house it was already 9pm, and now it's almost midnight and you're still here.

And Heeseung seems to be having fun, doing what he likes, joking with his friends.. But you're just out of it at this point.

And ultimately, he notices the bored expression on your face, the pout in your lips. It's adorable. "Are you doing okay?.." He whispers in your ear, caressing your thigh beneath the table as you nod. "I'm okay..."

He can tell you're trying not to drag his mood down, but he wants to find ways for you both to have fun even though you're not a fan of clubbing. So he gets up, ignoring his friends' questions as he offers you his hand.

"What?.." You question softly as he pulls you out of your seat, dragging you to the dance floor. So many people are dancing, pressed hotly into one big clump of bodies.

You find yourself weaving into the sea of moving limbs and bodies as Heeseung pulls you against him, his hands on your hips as he moves you to the music.

You stare up at him, hands resting on his shoulders. He leans down to kiss you gently before leaning in towards your ear. "Are you overwhelmed?.."

His tone is gentle, hands rubbing circles into your hips as you shake your head. He can tell you're lying. "Love.. If you wanna go home, we can leave."

You protest. "I don't wanna spoil your fun. Let's just go back to the table..." You mumble, your tone slightly pleading, but he presses anyway. "Come on, let's grab your stuff.. We can just leave."

Somewhere along the lines of listening to Heeseung, the music, and the loud yelling around you, your heart starts racing. It's hard to breathe, and you're speaking in your head, but the words aren't really coming out.

You react by pulling away from Heeseung and rushing towards the exit of the club. The second the cool night air hit your lungs, you felt so much better. You hadn't realized how overstimulated you really were, being cramped inside of the bar. The feeling you just experienced was terrible.

You leaned against the wall, breathing gently to steady yourself, it's not long before a panicked Heeseung comes running over to you, holding your jacket and your clutch.

"Are you alright, princess?.." His eyes show pure worry as he cups your cheek. You nod. "I'm okay now.. I got overwhelmed.. I'm sorry.." You apologize and he shakes his head. "No, I'm sorry.. I should've took you home the second I realized you weren't feeling it.."

You can tell he's thinking too hard about everything so you cup his cheeks, giving him a kiss. "I'm okay.. I promise.."

He nods, kissing you again before helping you slip your jacket back on. "Do you wanna go home?.." He asks as you nod. "But only if you're ready.. You seemed to be having fun with them.."

He shakes his head, leading you back towards the spot where the car is parked. "Let's get you home, okay?.."

When you finally get home, you immediately take off the uncomfortable heels, glad to be four inches shorter again. Your jacket is littering the floor as well, clutch set down terribly.

Heeseung hangs your coat on the rack, moving your heels to stand neatly by the door before taking off his own shoes and following you upstairs.

"Heeseung?.." You call as he hums in response. "Do your friends ever call me lame for making you leave early?.." You question as he shakes his head. "Princess.. I know you're not the party type, and they know it too.. But when I go without you, they actually do miss you.. As much as you loathe going, they think you're pretty fun.."

You're shocked at his words. "Really?.. They think I'm fun?" You ask as he nods. "Of course.. It's okay that your social battery dies a little faster than others' because I promise you, if you're ever uncomfortable, we can leave.."

You nod in understanding, smiling at Heeseung. "I wish I was as social as you.. That way we could have more fun together.." At your words, he cups your chin, tilting your head upwards. "I always have fun with you.. You don't have to wish to be something you're not.. Okay?" He kisses you, pulling away with a smile as he kisses your forehead.

"Now.. Let's get take a nice hot shower and then we can make some snacks and watch a movie.."

═════════════

Chainsmoker┃L.HS

smoker!heeseung x reader

heeseung smokes cigarettes, but yn wants him to quit.

cw: arguments, cigarettes, smoking, addiction.

wdct: 748

this is a request to make a longer version of this req.

═════════════

Third Person POV~

"Heeseung.. Wake up, baby.." You shake his shoulder, trying to wake him as he groans. "What?.." He asks sleepily as you sigh. "We're supposed to go shopping today, and then we're going to lunch. Get up." He nods, sitting up. "Okay.."

The two of you spend the next hour getting ready before heading to the front door, but you stop, turning to Heeseung.

"Give me your lighter.." You sigh, holding your hand out as he sighs, giving you the lighter. "Baby.. Do I really have to?" He asks as you nod. "Yes, smoking is terrible for you and I hate it.. I'll carry your gum if you want, but at least try the patches.. You're not making any effort to quit.."

He sighs, pretty much ignoring you as you roll your eyes, grabbing your keys before stepping out the door, locking it behind Heeseung.

Throughout the day, Heeseung is in a bad mood. And you know it's because he wants to smoke, but you physically can't stand it. It's not only a very unhealthy habit, but it's annoying. The nicotine kisses, the brand new outfits that now smell like cigarette smoke. You're so over it to the point that you're considering Heeseung not moving in with you permanently. And that's not something you want because you love your boyfriend, but he can't seem to give it up.

"Heeseung, do you think this is cute?" You ask, holding up a cute cardigan as he nods. "Yeah, whatever." You roll your eyes, hanging it back on the rack. "I get that you're pissed, but don't take it out on me. I'm only trying to help, Heeseung." You whisper yell as he scoffs. "Have you ever considered that I don't want your help?"

His tone is seething with anger, and it only makes you more upset. "Fine then.. Don't expect me to ever help you again. And you can move back to your apartment while you're at it."

Your tone is bitter, and he simply scoffs, turning to walk away. "Where are you going?" You question as he turns around, glaring at you. "Somewhere you aren't."

He then walks away as you sigh, running a frustrated hand through your hair. He's so stubborn sometimes. You've tried to get him to quit smoking multiple times before. You had even given up clubbing and drinking because he said, "I can't be the only one to give something up." 

Now it's been a year and you haven't had an alcoholic beverage at all, but he's still smoking.

And you're not perfect, and you can't judge him for his addiction, but you're only trying to help.

You walk around for the next thirty minutes, trying to give Heeseung time to cool off before using his location to find him.

His location said that he was at the convenience store just a block away, so you walked there, taking your time. Soon enough, you found him outside the convenience store, a cigarette perched between his fingers as he took a slow drag. 

Once his eyes met yours, he exhaled, putting the cigarette out. You walked over to him, ignoring the strong and recognizable scent of cigarettes on him. "I'm sorry I spoke to you that way."

You apologize, not wanting him to stay mad over what you said. He doesn't seem to want your apology, though.

"I don't wanna talk right now." He speaks lowly, and you sigh, grabbing his hands in yours. "Please, Hee.. I didn't mean that.. I was just upset and I misspoke." You apologize again and Heeseung's gaze drops. "So you do wanna live with me?..." He asks as you nod. "Of course I do.. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, baby.."

You hug him and his wraps his arms around you, rubbing your back. "Sorry, I probably stink.." He pulls away, rubbing the back of his neck as you smile.

"It's fine.. I'll try to be less controlling.." He shakes his head. "No.. You were right.. It's a bad habit and I'm gonna quit.. I don't want you to resent me.." 

You smile, kissing his cheek. "I could never resent you.. Don't worry.. We'll help you quit together. Okay?" He nods, hugging you again.

"I'll try my hardest.."

═════════════

Realize PT.2︱L.HS

lee heeseung x reader

heeseung realizes his feelings for yn

cw: fluff! confessions

finally posting pt.2 srry for the wait yall

· ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── ·

Third Person POV~

"You didn't have to cook dinner, you know?.." Heeseung says as he finishes the dishes, drying his hands. You smile softly. "It was the least I could do."

You've been staying with him for the past week after dumping your boyfriend over text. Things have been peaceful, and you've enjoyed Heeseung's company tremendously.

But your ex keeps texting you with threats, and it's been unbearable. You've blocked his number, but he started texting from a new one. It's all just annoying.

Heeseung has been a great help though, he keeps you sane, even though you can tell it bothers him. You're very grateful for his patience.

You had decided to go shower, so Heeseung was watching TV in the living room. He wasn't planning on getting up, but lucky for him, a knock sounded against the front door.

He got up begrudgingly, answering the door as he scoffed. "What the hell are you doing here?.." He stood face to face with your ex, who seemed beyond pissed. Heeseung can hardly take him seriously with how sloppy and intoxicated he looks right now.

One chuckle from Heeseung and he's livid, immediately pushing the taller male. At the action, Heeseung automatically gets defensive. "What the fuck are you doing?!" He shoves your ex back, not wanting to fight, but definitely not afraid to if need be.

The shorter man scoffed, straightening his posture to the best of his ability. "Where is she?.." He questions, tone seething with anger, and Heeseung scoffs. "Why bother? She wants nothing to do with you." Heeseung instigates, "Trust me, if she wanted to be with you, she'd still be there."

This only angers the shorter man more, and he swings at Heeseung, ultimately missing as Heeseung dodged the blow.

He countered the attack with a punch of his own, making a connection with your ex's jaw. The blow sent him straight down, the alcohol in his system made it fairly easy.

When he tried to get back up, Heeseung punched him again wanting to get his point across. You came down stairs, freshly showered and hair damp, immediately going into defense mode. "Heeseung, wait!"

You pull him off, pushing him away. "What are you doing?" You ask, grabbing his hand to glance at his bruised knuckles, sighing when he pulled his hand back.

"This asshole had the audacity to come here looking for you." Heeseung speaks pointedly, clearly annoyed by your ex boyfriend. All you can do is sigh, not even bothering with the man struggling to ground himself.

"I'm sorry... It's my fault." You apologize, mostly because Heeseung is frustrated, and your ex is only here because of you, but Heeseung shakes his head disapprovingly. "It's not your fault. Move."

His words are sharp and firm, but not rude as he gestures for you to step aside before grabbing your boyfriend by his collar. "I swear on all things good in life, if you ever come here again or try to contact Y/n, I will end you. Now get the fuck out of my house."

He then practically throws him out of the house, slamming the door shut before the lowly man could get a word out.

"Heeseung..." You call out softly, not wanting to strike a nerve as he sighs, turning to face you. "Did I scare you?..." He steps towards you, gripping your hands as you shake your head. "No.. I'm fine.. Your knuckles are bleeding.." You note as he nods. "It's fine."

You shake your head, grabbing his wrist as you pulled him into the bathroom, grabbing the first aid kit from the cabinet below the sink. He tries to assure you that he doesn't need it, but you're stubborn. You spend the next few minutes cleaning and bandaging his knuckles while he stares lovingly at you.

He takes a second to think about why he reacted the way he did with your ex. He didn't know if it was on account of your ex getting hostile first, or if he was genuinely mad at the fact that your ex had come to see you.

He cared deeply for you, and he'd hate if someone else ever hurt you again. Come to think of it, he got heavily offended at the thought that your ex thought he could get you back. Especially after how he treated you last time you saw him.

The past week with you has been so fulfilling for him and he's loved spending time with you. As much as he tries to his own feelings, he knows deep down that he wants to be with you more than anything.

You finish bandaging his hand, noticing how lost in thought he was as you squeeze his hand, the small gesture bringing him back down to earth. "Sorry.. I was just thinking."

You nod in understanding, taking a second to collect your thoughts before speaking. "I'm sorry for causing you trouble... The last thing I wanna do is dump everything on you.. The past week has been amazing, and I love being here with you, but if you want me to go-"

Heeseung immediately cuts you off at the mention of you leaving. "No.. No. Of course I don't want you to go... I love having you here with me... I just.. Y/n, I have feelings for you.. I always have, and I wanna be with you... I wanna keep you here with me and I wanna love you.. Please be my girlfriend.. I'll never treat you bad.."

You stare at him, not exactly shocked, but in awe at his words. You chuckle before glancing up at him. "God... I wish you would've told me before..." You mumble, smiling up at him. "I had the hugest crush on you when we first met, and I was afraid you wouldn't like me back so I just stayed friends with you all these years.. I'd want nothing more than to be your girlfriend.. I don't trust anyone more than I trust you."

He smiles at your words, hugging you and wrapping his arms around your waist. You wrap yours around his neck, smiling as you relish in the warmth of his embrace.

He pulls away slightly, glancing between your eyes and your lips. "Can I kiss you?.." He asks politely and you nod, tugging him closer to press your lips against his.

He kisses you back, cupping your cheek gently as he melts into the kiss. You both pull away after a few longing moments, giggling when you meet eyes.

"You're so pretty... I love you so much..." He leans in to kiss you again, hugging you tightly as you smile. "I love you too..."

Hee2Faded

I got bored so i made a short smau….

warning: Weed (I JUST LIKE THE THOUGHT OF STONER ENHA) I cant think of anything else…

Genre: Fluff, Crack?! (I TRIED)

how life feels when you are (im)patiently waiting for the new chapters of your favourite smaus to be uploaded

strawberry kisses ♡

paring:heeseung x fem!reader

genre:fluff, fluff, fluff

warning:some cussing

“NO YOU BITCH” “heeseung why are you screaming?” I look up from my phone, to see heeseung practically ready to throw the controller at the tv in front of us. “i just died!” heeseung said pouting. “dude its just a game” heeseung looks at me like i just said the most scandalous thing ever. “but i was just about to winn” heeseung whines. heeseung then launches his body on top of me. “heeseung get off! you big ass is literally crushing me” “no can do” he muffles. not knowing what to do, i decide to just lay there. heeseungs head is resting in the crook of my neck while i just scroll through my phone. i can feel his breath against my neck as he calmly lays here, using my body as a pillow. “heeseungie? “yes?” “you know i love you right?” i feel heeseung stiff up at my words. the room goes quiet as i think that maybe it wasn’t the time to say it yet.

me and heeseung met about a year ago. it was a decently warm day. the sun was out and the faint smell of the flowers that surrounded the area was present. i was on my way to a local café that my friend had told me about. getting to café, i was glad that it wasn’t overly crowed. it wasn’t until i reached the counter, where i felt my heart pick up. i was never the type of person that believed in true love, but in that moment, i knew i fell in love. “hi! how can i help you today?” snapping out of love struck daze, i realized the person i was looking at fell in love with, was talking to me. “oh, umm..can i get a strawberry and crème frappuccino please?” “of course! can i get a name for the order please?” “y/n” “okay, that will be right out” the guy smiles at me, then turns around to go make my drink. i walk over the one of the tables that were neatly put around the main part of the café. “Y/N” i walk over and grab my drink. bidding my goodbyes, i walk out of the café. i go to take a drink, only to notice something that was written on the side of the cup. “you have a pretty name♡ ” 

over the next couple of weeks, i was constantly going back to that café. spending to much money but i could care less. it wasn’t until late july where the cute barista finally talked to me with something more than “hi, what can i get you today?”. i was sitting outside the café, with my drink in hand. not paying any mind to the people going in and out of the café doors. “umm excuse me, your y/n right” i look to my left to see that guy i’ve been crushing on for the last few weeks. “yeah that’s me..” “i’m heeseung!” he says while rocking back and forth on his heels. i look at him questioning where this was about to go. “ohh yeah. i was wondering maybe if you wanted to know umm hang out this weekend?…I MEAN YOU DON’T HAVE TO BUT I-“ “i would love to” “wait really?” all i do is nod with a small smile and rosy cheeks adorning my face. heeseung face lights up and he hands me his phone. “here you can put your number in here, so i can text you” “oh okay”. after the first ‘date’, we would constantly hang out. he would take me to small restaurant, to dog cafés as well. i learned that heeseung loved strawberry flavored thing just as much as i did. early september is when he asked me out. sending a big bouquet of flowers to my apartment and constantly sending me small affirmations throughout the day through text. it was around 5:25 pm when heeseung had texted me to meet him at the café, stating that he had a surprise for me. upon arriving at the café, i was honestly terrified. i really don’t remember why but in the end, it was totally worth it. walking in, i saw heeseung standing there holding another big bouquet of pink flowers with little strawberry decorations sticking in between, i small pink and white gift bag that had small little hearts on it, and oddly a strawberry and crème frappuccino in the other hand. “surprise!!” walking up to him, i take the drink and flowers out of his hands. “do you like it?” nodding my head, i place the items on one of the table near me. i walk back to heeseung and pull him into a hug, feeling tears building up in my tear line. “i love it hee” heeseung hugs back, holding onto me tightly. “i’m happy you like it. to be honest i was a bit scared you wouldn’t like it” pulling away, i look up to see heeseung already looking at me. “thank you. i really mean it.” “of course love. now go open the present i got you!” i looked down to see the bag sitting nicely on the floor where heeseung placed and picked it up. opening it, i saw a box. in the box, was a beautiful silver charm bracelet that ironically had a small strawberry charm in the middle. surrounding the charm was a small h and y/f-i, and smaller little pink diamonds. “oh my god heeseung, this is beautiful” “here let me help you put it on” taking the bracelet from the box, heeseung puts it on my wrist. snug but not to tight. “look i even have one too” heeseung says while showing me his wrist. looking at the bracelet that now adorns my right wrist, all i could think about what i did to deserve all this. “i feel like this is a little late to ask but i was wondering if you would be my girlfriend?” heeseung asks while looking down at his shoes. “yes” heeseung looks up to see me already looking at him. “really?!” “yes really! i mean it would kinda awkward if i said no when you already gave me all this stuff” i say with a small giggle. “i mean even if you didn’t give me all this stuff, i still would’ve said yes. to be honest, i’ve kinda liked you since the day i first came to this café” heeseung laughs while taking my hands into his. “well i’m glad”

“i love you too y/n” heeseung lifts his head from his place in my neck and looks at me. “really?” “really. i think i’ve loved you since they day we became friends” “that long!?” all heeseung does is laugh and finally sits back up in his spot. he grab my drink from the coffee table and takes a drink. “hey that’s mine!” “ok and i’m the one that made it” “stop it heeseungie” “nope no can do. anyways why do you always get this” “okay now that’s a dumb question” i say while taking the drink from his hand. “well why do you?” taking a sip, i place it back onto the table. “because it reminds me someone” shocked, heeseung then goes to grab you and place you on his lap. “and who is so called person that it reminds you of?” “uhh let’s see. he can be offly loud, especially while playing games” i can feel his hand pinch my waist from my remark. “hey!” “okay okay. he always and i mean always makes the best drinks, he always makes sure i eat when i’m busy, and there’s so many more things i could list about him.” looking at heeseung, i see a smile starting to break out onto his face. “ohh wait! there’s one more thing!” “what is it?” grabbing heeseung by the face, i state my last reason. “he also has a mild addiction to strawberries, just like i do” from the final word, heeseung leans in. closing the distance between us. there is a faint taste of strawberries from when he decided to take a drink my drink. pulling back, i see heeseung slightly blushing. “well this person seems like a fun one, doesn’t he?” laughing i pull him into a another kiss. knowing that this will not be the last time we share strawberry kisses.

a/n: well i decided to come out the pits and write this. i’ve been really busy with school and some personal things but i actually had the motivation to write this🧍‍♀️ like i had no ideas where the idea for this came from but i honestly had really fun writing this! i hope y’all like this and please do tell me, if i messed any words or something :)

I died-

Tidal Waves

siren!lee heeseung x reader [afab]

genre: smut

concept: you've spent your whole life on the water. it's a part of you, it's who you are. at this point, it feels like the ocean is an old friend and there's nothing left in it that you don't know. how wrong you are...

w/c: 11.2k

warning: siren au, monster au, boating, water / open water, attempted / almost drowning, sea creature, tentacles; sexually explicit content; dub con, fingering, light oral play (f. receiving), monster tongue, tentacle sex, clit / nipple play, inhuman genitalia (mentions of a sheath / concealed genitals), unprotected sex, mentions of squirting, creampie

Standing out on the bow, you breath in the salty sea air greedily. The air is hot and thick, balmy with the sea breeze as the weather turns. It’s so close to boating season you can almost taste it, eager to get out on the water again. The ocean laps at the front of the boat, beckoning it forward into the waves, the ropes tying it to the dock keeping it from floating out into open water. You sigh softly to yourself, letting your eyes scan the marina, knowing you aren’t the only one excited to get out there. 

“Ready to go?” Jay asks, and you turn away from the water reluctantly. “C’mon, it’s getting late,” he tells you, reaching a hand out towards you. You reluctantly take the hand offered to you, climbing off the railing off the boat. The sailboat, despite being in good condition, creaks as you step down, using Jay’s grip on your hand to balance yourself as you come down. Your sneakered feet hit the deck and he lets go, nodding to the dock. “Let’s get going,” he tells you and you tuck your hands into the front pocket of your windbreaker. 

The ocean glitters silver and gold as the sun coasts down towards the horizon, you and your cousin stepping off the boat and onto the dock. Jungwon and Sunoo are already waiting for the two of you, the four of you having spent the whole day cleaning up the boat to get it sea ready for when you’re allowed to take it out onto the ocean. 

You and Jay grew up here, right on the ocean, only growing up a couple of houses away from one another. Without any siblings of your own, you grew up more like siblings than cousins, running back and forth to each other’s houses, playing in the mud and the beach and the marina. The marina, that you’ve called home ever since you were young enough to climb aboard a boat. Your home away from home, the rocking of the boat, the salty smell of the ocean familiar and comforting. 

Your family are sailors, at least they used to be. A long, long time ago. Now half the marina practically belongs to your family, having taken ownership of the docks some several generations ago. You and Jay are the heirs in a long line of sea-bearing folk, the kind of people who just can’t imagine their lives away from the ocean. The two of you have been around boats your whole lives, and this sailboat is Jay’s, the first of many you’re sure. A 20th birthday gift from your parents and his, more cherished to him than his own car. 

As the weather turns towards hot days and warmer nights you fully expect to spend long days out on the ocean with Jay, and your two best friends Jungwon and Sunoo, old school friends of yours. You have no doubts that as soon as Jay’s able to break away from the dock, that’s all you’re going to be doing. It’s half the reason you’ve been so eager to help him with his boat, you don’t have one of your own yet (your parents keep hinting that maybe this year will be the year) but Jay would never leave you stranded on land. And thank God for that. 

“When do you think, hyung?” Jungwon asks, falling into step with Jay as the four of you head towards the parking lot along the edge of the water, further and further away from the siren’s call of the ocean. 

“Next week,” he says assuredly and Jungwon grins, his dimples digging into his cheeks. “She’s almost ready, she just needs a little more work. I’ll spend every day on her if I have to.” 

“Count me in,” you tell him and he glances over his shoulder at you, smiling. “Hey, if I help we can get her sea worthy twice as fast. I’d kill for that.” 

“Never met two people so obsessed with the ocean,” Sunoo comments, tipping his head back to stare up at the sky. “You guys act like you’ll die if you don’t get to be on the water.” 

“Maybe we will,” Jay retorts. “We’re sea bearing folk, Sunoo-yah.” 

“You have legs, don’t you?” He retorts, dropping his head back down to look critically at Jay. Jay rolls his eyes, climbing the stairs up to the parking lot.

You follow them with a light laugh, pausing at the top of the stairs. You turn to look out at the ocean again, watching the waves rise up, crest and then fall back down. It’s a calm day on the ocean, the boats all shift quietly against their docks, ropes twisting slightly in the breeze. You take in another deep breath, smiling softly to yourself as you let your eyes scan the horizon.

A dark shape catches your attention, out of the corner of your eye. You turn your head towards it, seeing what looks almost like a figure along a rock formation at the edge of the marina. You lean forward, curling your fingers around the railing of the stairs to steady yourself, squinting your eyes to try and figure out what it is. People don’t swim in the marina, it’s too dangerous with all the boats and other sea vehicles around. But it looks so much like a person.

The sun is nearly on the horizon now, casting the form you’re looking at into shadow, a black mass that looks like the head and shoulders of a person. You can’t make out any specific features but it moves suddenly, twisting like it can feel your eyes on it. When it does, you flinch back, surprised by the sudden movement, only for it to drop down into the water, submerging itself in the waves. It disappears just like that, causing you to blink hard, shaking your head, unsure of what you just saw. 

“Yah, Y/N!” Jay calls out and you turn away from the railing. “C’mon, my appa’s expecting us,” he reminds you. You nod in agreement, stepping away from the stairs, jogging over to meet them at the car. 

Out in the water, the figure lifts their eyes just above the water, watching your figure run away from the railing. You disappear and they slip underneath the waves. 

The four of you end up on the water within the week, thanks to yours and Jay’s tenacity. The two of you manage to pull the boat together in just a few days, new ropes, a clean deck, even washing down the outside of her. Her name, ORANGE FLOWER, gleams golden where it’s been painted onto the hull. Jay grins at you, just as excited about getting on the water as you.

When you get out onto the water, the day is perfect. Sun high, water blue and calm, a warm breeze weaving through the air, tossing your hair around. You sit out on the bow as Jay starts the boat up to take the four of you out. Jungwon and Sunoo both cheer when she turns over easily, Jay guiding the white and orange boat out into the water confidently. You glance back over at your cousin, finding him through the windshield, his sunglasses over his eyes, leaning back in his seat like he’s done this a thousand times. At this point, he might have. 

The bow cuts through the water like nothing, leaving a wide wake of foam behind you. The coast gets further and further away and you lean back, arms on the railing, the sun on your face. This is what the summer is to you, the ocean beneath you, the purr of your cousin’s boat and not a single thing that you need to be doing otherwise. 

Once in open water, Jay and Jungwon go about the exact thing they came out here to do, and that’s fish. You’re not much for fishing but it’s an old sailor's pastime, so while they try to reel in a catch, you and Sunoo decide to do some sunbathing on the deck. The sun beams down on you brightly, but the ocean breeze keeps you from getting uncomfortably hot as the two of you lay down on the deck together, sunglasses on and coated in a layer of sun screen. 

The ocean rocks the boat slightly, a lullaby that’s almost enough to take you under. You fight the urge to sleep, knowing better than to fall asleep under a full sun. It’s too familiar, too comforting, you relax against your towel, thinking about how these days are so fleeting. 

A sudden lurch to the starboard side causes you to sit up, Sunoo as well. The two of you glance back towards the stern. 

“Not us!” Jungwon calls out from the back of the boat. You immediately get up to look, leaning over the railing to see if you can see whatever bumped the boat. It felt big, a little too big for your own comfort, Jungwon and Sunoo quickly doing the same while Jay starts the boat. Better safe than sorry, if you guys have managed to park near a particularly aggressive fish. 

You don’t think there’s many fish in this area that are big enough to lurch a boat this size though so you’re not quite sure what might be doing it. You push your glasses up to the top of your head, searching around the water while Jay pulls out a little further. Sunoo and Jungwon both depart from the side of the boat, content with Jay taking them away from where you previously were but you can’t stop yourself from looking around in the water, still trying to figure it out. 

As you pull away, you lift your gaze to see something rise up out of the water. You squint, trying to see it better despite the way Jay is pulling you away quickly. It’s a… person. This far out? You blink hard, sure you’re seeing things but it’s undeniably human, with golden skin and red hair. The further you get the harder it is to see them until they’re too small to make out any features and they slip back beneath the waves. 

“Did you see it?” Sunoo asks, and you tear your gaze from the ocean to see Sunoo at your shoulder. “What hit the boat?” He elaborates and you open your mouth only to close it, shaking your head. 

“No,” you tell him. “I thought I did but… we’re too far away now.” 

“Must’ve been big,” Sunoo comments, walking away from you, towards the helm. 

“Yeah,” you agree. “Must’ve been.” 

You manage to convince yourself that it wasn’t a person. The boat was far enough out that it would’ve been nearly impossible for someone to swim out to you, no matter the calmness of the water. You definitely saw something, you’re just not quite sure what it was. It doesn’t matter though, nothing else hit the boat all day long and when Jay brought the boat back into port that night you all went home a little tanner than you started the day, sporting a pretty decent haul of fish. It was a good day and you don’t want to sully that with whatever strange hallucination you might’ve had out in the ocean. You drink two gatorades that night to fight dehydration and ignore it. 

You don’t go back out on the ocean until a week later, and the weather isn’t nearly as nice. It’s still good for a day out but the sky is overcast and the ocean is a little less clear and calm. Still, you and Jay persist to spend some time out on the ocean, Jungwon and Sunoo sitting this one out. 

Really, the only reason you and Jay are willing to go out on a day like this is because you’ve both had a long week. Your parents have been harping on the both of you consistently, complaining about the fact that the two of you only seem to care about the ocean, about boating, when you should be thinking more seriously about your futures. The two of you met at the marina and didn’t even have to say anything to each other before descending the stairs and climbing aboard the old sailboat, ready to take on the ocean no matter what the weather looked like. 

“Kind of ridiculous, isn’t it?” Jay comments, guiding the boat out into open water. You’re sitting in his copilot's seat today, knees pulled up, feet on the edge of the chair. You look over at him. “They raised us. They brought us out to the marina almost every day when we were kids. They didn’t really think we wouldn’t want to do this, did they?” You snort to yourself, looking back out the windshield. “It’s who we are now.” 

“I know,” you agree. “You ever think you could live away from the ocean?” 

“Never,” Jay answers you immediately. “I’m not built like that.” 

“Me neither,” you reply. 

You’re well out in open water by the time Jay has stopped the boat, and you get out of the seat, out from behind the safe walls of the helm, walking out onto the deck. The clouds are moving in faster now but neither of you pay it any mind as Jay joins you at the bow of the ship, sitting down at the edge of the railing. It’s already starting to get late, you can’t be out too late or your parents are both going to be furious with you, but you’ll stay out as long as you dare, breathing in the ocean and letting the gentle sound of rolling waves calm you down. 

The boat rocks suddenly, a little harder than if it was just the waves, and Jay climbs off the bow to get back behind the wheel. You move to get off the bow, but the boat suddenly lurches again, causing your foot to slip out from underneath you. 

“Jay!” You scream, and he turns just in time to watch you fall off the bow. He scrambles across the deck to try and grab you but he’s too late. You splash down into the water, right into the swirling waves. 

“Fuck,” he curses, pulling his jacket off to dive into the water after you.

You know how to swim, of course you do. You grew up on the water, you’re a very strong, capable swimmer, but it’s hard to get your bearings as the water tosses you around, the waves throwing you around like you weigh nothing at all. The weight of your clothes isn’t helping, your jeans tight to your skin, your windbreaker practically strangling you as you try to turn over and find which way is up. You’re thankful for the hand that grabs your arm, hauling you up to the surface. 

You cling to Jay, trying to catch your breath as he tows you back towards the boat. You try to keep up with him, still weighed down by your clothes and the water. He’s just gotten to the ladder on the side of the boat, trying to pull you up with him when something wraps around your ankle, pulling you down. 

You scream, trying to cling to Jay’s hand, pulling yourself up and Jay reaches down to take both of your hands but whatever has you is stronger. Whatever it is, it tightens its grip around your ankle, pulling harder and harder. Jay struggles to pull you from the water but he can’t. A slithery, slippery feeling wraps higher and higher up your leg, until it’s tangled around your knee, nearly your thigh and you can’t hold onto Jay any longer. 

Your wet hands slip from his and you fall beneath the surface again. You’re tugged beneath the roiling waves, further and further, until the surface is distant and warped. You can’t breathe, you’re panicking, looking around frantically for what might have you. 

When you look at your leg you see a long, red tentacle wrapped all the way up your leg, suckers pressing down into your jeans, the strong muscles flexing under the slick skin. You reach down to try and wedge it off of you, but you’re getting weak, your struggling has left you too tired to fight back. As it is, you can’t breathe and the lack of oxygen is bringing you further and further down, your vision blurring at the edges.

You hit the floor of the ocean, sand and rocks under your body, under your hands. The tentacle deftly unwraps from around your leg but you’re too tired to swim up. Your eyes fall shut, the world going black around you. 

You come to, coughing up salty ocean water, turning over to try to spit it all up. Your body aches, your lungs burn as you try to take in a deep breath, chest heaving. You roll back onto your back once you can breathe again, too weak to even try and get up. You blink up at the sky, which has turned dark, stars staring down at you. You’re lying on sand, you can feel it underneath you, sticking to your wet body, getting in your hair and all over your clothes. You swallow around the sickness in your stomach, not sure you’re not going to throw up. Your head is still spinning, you drop your head back against the sand, trying to calm the racing of your heart, closing your eyes. 

“Don’t do that,” a soft voice advises and you blink your eyes open again. The night sky is blocked out by a dark, shadowy figure leaning over the top of you. “You might fall asleep. And I don’t really want to have to bring you back to shore again if you get washed out to sea.” 

“Again?” You croak. 

“Again,” they whisper. Gentle fingers brush over your cheek as they hum softly. “It’d be an awful shame for something as beautiful as you to get swept out to sea. I’m sure your family would miss you terribly.” 

“My⁠—” You sit up suddenly, startling them away from you. “Jay! He must be so worried.” 

“Don’t worry,” they say, but there’s a disappointed curl to their full lips. Their full lips that you can see now that you’re both sitting up. “He’s fine. I’m sure by now everyone’s looking for you. It won’t be long now.” 

The words they say go completely over your head as you take in their face. They’re undeniably handsome, with cherry red hair that falls into their eyes messily, still damp looking from the water. Their eyes are big and round, the most curious shade of dark gray. Your eyes travel over their high cheekbones, perfect nose that tapers to a soft point, their full, pink lips. Your gaze drifts down to the rest of them, their expression softening into one of intrigue as they lean back to let you get a better look at them. 

“Oh my god,” you gasp, finally taking them in in their entirety. Past their long neck, beautifully sculpted chest and toned stomach their golden skin melts into slippery, slick skin, the same cherry red as their hair. Past their hips is nothing but a messy tangle of tentacles, each adorned with suckers from base to tip. Your eyes run up and down their body, unable to believe what you’re looking at. A tentacle nudges your still sneaker clad foot, causing you to reflexively pull away. When you look back at their face they smile at you, with a mouthful of sharp teeth. Your breath catches. 

“What’s wrong?” They coo. “Not quite the prince charming you were hoping I would be.” They lean further over you, arms coming up to cage you against the sand. You stare up at them with wide eyes as they lean over you. You can feel their tentacles crawling over your jean clad legs, the memory of being pulled beneath the waves rising up in your mind. “You must be disappointed,” they tease you, two of their long, slick extremities around your ankles. 

“You pulled me under. You didn’t save me,” you say and they lift a brow at you. “You’re the reason I almost drowned.” 

“I wouldn’t have killed you,” they assure you, lifting a hand to brush their fingers over your cheek again. “I don’t kill people. Why would I? What would I get out of it?” They sigh, letting their fingers trace your jaw, down the side of your neck. “Letting you live, we both win.” 

“How do you win?” You ask, voice shaking. They smile down at you, gently cupping the side of your neck. 

“Are you not dangerously curious about me?” They ask. When they lean down, your breath catches again, their face so close you can feel the ghost of their breath over your lips and cheeks. “Or am I not interesting enough for you?” 

“Wh- what are you?” You finally gasp out. 

“I knew you’d ask,” they whisper, grinning down at you. “But it seems I don’t have the time.” You turn your head when he lifts his head, eyes sliding to the side. There are flashlights darting across the sand, a collection of tall crags and rocks still keeping the two of you hidden for a little while longer as they call out your name. When you turn back to them, they pull back, tentacles releasing your legs. “If you’re still curious, I’m sure you’ll find me again,” they tell you. They depart from you entirely, sliding down the sand and into the water. 

“Wait⁠—!” You call out but they disappear from view, into the inky abyss of the ocean. You can’t see them any longer and the voices and flashlights are getting closer. You turn towards them, struggling to get to your feet so you can meet them. You glance once more over your shoulder, sure you can feel their eyes on you even if you can’t see them. You swallow down your feeling of unease, stepping out from around the rocks to meet the search party. 

Everyone is, understandably, shocked and overjoyed that you’re okay. Jay cries on you, which might be the most emotion you’ve ever seen your cousin portray over you, when he meets you in the marina parking lot, which is less than a mile from the beach you washed up on. The beach that is coated in rock and crags, with only scarce sections of sand with enough room for you to wash up on. 

“You’re really lucky you didn’t get torn up on those rocks,” the medic that patches you up in the parking lot of the marina tells you, your legs hanging over the end of the ambulance. “You got out of that with very few scratches. I’m surprised.” Your hands are torn up, parts of your clothes too, but you’re nearly entirely unharmed otherwise. 

“Yeah,” you agree. “I got really lucky.” 

Some people start throwing around the word ‘miracle’ and you start to wonder if they’re right. After, you don’t know what else you would call that… creature that saved you. 

Well, “saved” you.

Your parents hardly let you out of their sight for at least a week after your “accident,” and you’re banned from the marina for at least two. You nearly threw a fit, being forced to stay away from the water feels like a death sentence, you can’t stand the idea of it. 

“You nearly drowned!” Your mother reasoned. 

“And I’ve been on boats countless times! This has never happened before! It was just an accident.” 

“An accident that could very well happen again. You’re not going to the marina.” 

They only allow you to go to the beach, a mile from the marina, during clear days. It’s a small consolation but the first day you can finally get out of the house and to the beach, by yourself, is a god sent. You feel like you can breathe again when you see the clear blue water, when you smell the salty sea air, when you feel the balmy ocean breeze on your skin again. You’re eager to get in the water again, even if it is only on the beach. 

The beach in question is quiet. It’s not much of a destination, being mostly covered in rocks and crags, little tide pools along the edge, small sections of sand being the only beachy parts. Still, it’s better than nothing. You wander over the crags with careful feet, your beach bag hanging from your shoulder, sunglasses on top of your head. 

You find the place where you “washed up” easily enough, even if it does look different in the daytime. You plop yourself down on the sand, looking out at the ocean, letting the sound of the waves and the birds overhead calm you down. You feel like you again, a full two weeks away from the ocean starting to make you feel insane. Even in the winter time you find yourself at the edge of the water, watching the waves crash against the coast even if you can’t be in it. 

Part of you hopes you see them again. You have so many questions, even more reservations, but they weren’t wrong. You are so curious about them, what they are, what they want. Your eyes start to scan the horizon, almost hoping that you see their familiar figure again, the cut of their broad shoulders against the sky, their vivid red hair appearing out of the blue ocean. You don’t see them though and you pull your legs up towards your chest, wrapping your arms around them as you look a little further around you. 

When you look to the right, you see a cordoned off area, yellow and black rope with a sign warning people to KEEP OUT, HIGH TIDE COVE. There are a lot of places around here like that, when the tide comes it can completely submerge the floor, the caves and coves around the beaches, making them dangerous to swimmers and beach goers. You, however, look past the sign to the cove it’s blocking off, the wall of rock that’s carved into a slight arch, the cliff overhead hanging above it. You can’t see much inside, it’s a well disguised hole in the wall of the beach. Carefully, you get to your feet. 

You walk across the hot sand, glancing around to make sure no one sees you. There’s hardly anyone around, only a few people much, much further down, by the actual sandy, beachy areas of the coastline, families and couples playing in the water. You turn back towards the rope, ducking underneath it. 

The rocks here are sharper, more difficult to navigate, but you manage to get over them and not hurt yourself, shimmying around the wall of rock that separates the cove from the rest of the beach. You’re not quite sure what you expect to find over here, but this seems as good a place as any for some kind of mythical creature to be hiding out in plain sight.

It’s damp and cool, blocked out from the sun with the cave walls around either side, the cliff overhead that reaches out towards the sea, a towering section of rock in front of the opening of the cave keeping the cliff up above suspended. The rocky floor is worn smooth here from high tide and you wander around, looking at the way the water laps at the edge of the cove. You can see where the stone slowly descends down into the waters, only to abruptly drop off not far from the edge. You wrap your arms around yourself, suddenly chilled as a breeze floats through. It’s while you’re looking up at the high ceiling of the cave when you hear something in the water. 

You turn back to see the water rippling, splashing against the stone, only for something to rise out of the waves. Your heart lodges itself in your throat when you see them again, red hair and golden skin, pushing their hair away from their face as they heave themselves up onto the ledge of rock. They haven’t even noticed you yet, shaking themselves off as they run their hands over their face, wiping water from their eyes. 

You shuffle towards them, going still when they suddenly stop moving. Abruptly, they turn towards you, startling you. You take a reflexive step back, a smile slowly making their way across their lips. 

“Hello, beautiful,” they greet you. “I’d started to think you’d forgotten about me.” 

Forgotten about them? Never. Impossible even, the idea that you might forget about whatever they are. It’s not every day you’re saved by a human… octopus… thing. Nearly every day you’ve thought about them, the desire to see the water nearly as bad as to figure out just what they are. 

“No,” you assure them and their smile gets bigger, sharp teeth on full display. “Uh… you never…” you walk closer, hesitantly. Turning towards you, their bottom half slips beneath the water again, making them appear almost human. You walk even closer, until you’re right in front of them. They look up at you from under their lashes and you carefully lower yourself down, sitting in front of them, your beach bag, sunglasses and sandals set aside. “You never told me what you are,” you finish, folding your legs up against your chest. 

“No, I didn’t,” they agree. “But wouldn’t you like to know my name first?” They offer. 

“Yes,” you agree. A name would certainly humanize them a little. You can’t keep thinking of them as a creature forever. 

“It’s Heeseung,” he practically purrs, leaning against the rock ledge. “And you are?” 

“Y/N,” you reply. 

“What a pretty name,” he tells you and you smile softly, shyly. “And you came back to see me? Well, I can’t say I’m not honored,” he says, reaching out to touch your ankle gently. You bite your lip as he runs the backs of his fingers up and down your shin gently. “But you came here for answers, didn’t you?” He lifts himself slightly out of the water, exposing where his human form meets his animal half, your breath catching when two tentacles snake out of the water, one of them replacing his fingers on your skin. You resist the urge to flinch away and he smiles at you. “Curious, aren’t you?” 

“I… have so many questions,” you admit and he leans further over the rocks, tilting his head at you. 

“Humans are so curious about everything,” he says. “It’s an admirable quality. It’s what brought you to me, after all.” He hums, lifting his eyes up as he thinks. “Well, there’s no actual answer as to what I am. I’m sure I’m far from the prince charming depiction humans have made others like me out to be,” he sighs. “What do you call them? Mermaids?” He teases you and you nod a bit shyly, still painfully aware of his tentacle stroking over your leg. 

“That’s… close, I guess,” you admit. “But you don’t look anything like that.” 

“No, I’m a little more… monstrous,” he says. The tentacle touching you suddenly wraps around your leg, pulling you to the edge of the pool. You yelp, surprised to suddenly be dragged towards him. With you much closer to him Heeseung leans in, your legs suddenly submerged in the water up to your knees. Your breath catches, your hands grabbing the stone to keep yourself upright. The tentacle weaves its way further up your leg, to your knee, stroking along the outside of it instead, the suckers pressing into your bare skin. “Are you scared of me, beautiful?” 

You should be, you think. Those tentacles of his are far too strong, obviously he can do whatever he wants with you. And those teeth, they’re so sharp and mildly disconcerting, it sort of worries you what he would even need teeth like that for. You’re clearly at his mercy like this, you should probably be more scared of him. But for some reason, the humanity in Heeseung’s eyes, the gentle way he touches you, the sweet way he speaks to you, it doesn’t scare you. You’re not afraid of him. 

“No,” you admit and he smirks. 

“How sweet,” he comments. “Creatures like me go by many names, and we’ve been confused with lots of other things too. Krakens, for example, monstrous things they are. I’m not that dangerous though.” He shifts to rest one arm on the other side of you, caging you against the stone. You swallow but don’t push him away, not that you think you could. Instead, you part your knees and he slips between them immediately, leaning up towards you with that dastardly little smirk on his lips. “No, I think humans mostly refer to things like me as… sirens.” He whispers and your heart stutters in your chest. 

Sirens. Sirens, creatures known to sing songs so alluring no one could ever deny them. They’re particularly well known for drawing sailors to their deaths, be it from crashing their boats into cliffs or literally eating them. To say that you suddenly feel less safe in his grasp would be a devastating understatement but Heeseung merely tilts his head at you, still smirking. 

“Did I say something wrong?” He teases you, clearly knowing exactly what you’re thinking. 

“You said you don’t kill people,” you say and he hums in agreement. “You don’t… eat them, do you?” 

“Eat them? Not in any literal sense,” he replies. “No, I’m afraid that any eating I do is a bit more… metaphorical.” His hands touch your thighs, gently easing them further apart. Your breath catches as you realize his meaning, his hands drifting inward, between your legs. “Oh, you do understand what I’m saying, don’t you?” Heeseung teases, pressing the backs of two of his fingers against the crotch of your swim bottoms. 

The knuckles of his fingers drag up and down the center of your bottoms, pressing right into your clit every time he strokes back up. You will yourself to stay still, not wanting to play right into his hands. Is this what sirens are actually like? Supposedly sirens are supposed to be unimaginably beautiful, or at the very least, glamoured to be beautiful. Irresistible, even. Heeseung certainly fits the bill, so is this what they really want? 

“So all those stories, about sirens, they’re all⁠—” 

“Did you really think they were true?” Heeseung asks, looking at you from under his lashes. “Beautiful, they’re nothing but wise tales, folklore. It’s a nasty thing they did to us, humans. I guess it’s just easier to portray us as the bad guys when the alternative is…” The tentacle around your leg suddenly comes unraveled, instead sliding across the stone to wrap around your wrists. You gasp as both of your wrists are tightly held, pulling you closer to him. Heeseung leans up towards your face, smiling in the most sinister of ways. “They’d have to admit they rather enjoyed everything we did to them.” 

Your breath comes out in heavy pants as he hooks his fingers under the material of your swim bottom, pulling them aside. Cool air ghosts over your bare cunt, making you shiver. He leans back to look, humming softly. 

“I’ll never quite understand it, the way a human’s sex is so vulnerable. Why, it takes nothing at all for me to touch it.” Heeseung demonstrates this point by running his fingertips up and down your slit, which is getting wetter by the second. You struggle against the tentacles holding your wrists, Heeseung tsking softly. “Now, now, don’t struggle. I’ll make you feel good, beautiful,” he assures you, lifting his other hand to spread you open. You whimper as he exposes you to him, catching his lower lip between his sharp teeth. “It’s been too long since I’ve been with a human. I almost forgot how wet you get.” He spreads your slick around where it’s leaking from your hole, then carefully eases his fingers inside of you. 

You gasp, hips jerking as you’re filled with his thick fingers. Heeseung looks up at you, studying your expressions as he pushes in and in and in until his fingers knuckle deep inside of you. You’re warm and wet inside, your eyelids are fluttering, chest heaving as pleasure courses through you. It’s almost painful, the way you’re stretched around him with such little prep, but so satisfying at the same time. 

Slowly, agonizingly, Heeseung pulls his fingers back out, only to slowly push them back in. You can feel the texture of his fingers, the bumps of his knuckles as he slowly fingers you. His attention bounces between the expressions you make, eyes rolling, mouth opening, soft moans spilling from your lips, and the way your cunt stretches to accommodate him. More and more fluid comes from your pussy, lubricating the slide, pooling around the base of his fingers the longer it goes on. You try to cant your hips up against his hand, but a pair of tentacles slither their way around your legs, all the way up to your thighs, keeping you pinned down against the stone. You whine, unable to move. 

“It’s important to be patient, beautiful,” Heeseung tells you, spreading his fingers inside of you. Your gasp, pleasure surging through you as he stretches your cunt out further. “I don’t want to rush this. It’s been far too long since I’ve been able to touch a human. And you are more beautiful than anything I’ve seen before.” He leans down towards your cunt, making you freeze up. 

Those teeth. God, he’s not really going to put his mouth on you with those sharp teeth is he. You try to squirm away but his tentacles are far too strong, keeping you immobile as he presses his lips to your clit. It sends sparks through you, up your spine and down through your legs, arousal pooling heavily in your hips. He looks up at you from under his lashes, sucking softly at your clit. Trembling, shaking pleasure consumes you as he keep fucking his fingers in and out of you, faster and faster as he laves his tongue over your clit. 

“Oh, fuck,” you whimpers. “Heeseung.” His eyes glimmer with satisfaction, having been waiting to hear you break. Your desperate little plea is enough to have him aching but he won’t touch himself. Not now, not when he’s got you right where he wants you. He can’t risk scaring you off like that, he’ll take his time. 

When he pulls back from your cunt, he licks your slick from his lips, still thrusting his fingers in and out of you. When he looks at your face your eyes are glazed with pleasure, lips bitten pink from your own teeth, lips parted as sweet pants and moans drip from your mouth. Heeseung can’t help himself, he wants a taste of your pretty little mouth, so he pushes forward, pressing his lips to yours. 

You moan into his lips, Heeseung’s free hand gripping your hips as he kisses you with reckless abandon. Hardly ever has he had such a perfect little human. Usually he has to take what he wants, or sing until his throat hurts, or offer endless, beautiful sentiment just to get them to spread their legs. But you, never you. You came to him. You walked right into his arms, right between his writhing tentacles, asking for more. It’s never been easier. 

He resists the urge to bite, no matter how much he wants to, instead letting his tongue snake into your mouth. You suck on his long, dextrous tongue, letting it press as deeply into your mouth as he desires. He fucks his fingers into your cunt, curling them up, pressing hard into your front wall until you’re crying out into his lips, hips jerking against his hand. 

You come all over his fingers, Heeseung pulling away from your lips to look. You milky release coats his fingers, and the stone beneath you, dripping towards the ledge. When he pulls his fingers out, slowly, he can feel the ache in his own hips. He wants you, so badly he can barely stand it. When he shifts, a small groan making its way out of his lips, your eyes dart from where they were also looking between your legs to his face. 

“You’re turned on,” you say and Heeseung closes his eyes, as though to try and calm himself down. “I don’t know… uhm… how to…” 

“Don’t worry about me, beautiful. I think even you might scare if you were to see me like that,” Heeseung tells you. He opens his eyes and looks at you, bringing his fingers up to his lips. You watch as he puts them into his mouth, sucking your cum right off of them. He moans, and twisting up against the edge of the ledge. Once clean, he lets them slide out from between his lips. “Fuck, you taste so good.” 

“Can I help you? In… some way?” You offer. “I don’t know how but…” He touches your face gently, tilting your head back gently. 

“You have no idea what you are asking for,” he warns you, voice soft. “The things I want to do to you are beyond your wildest imaginations, beautiful.” He doesn’t let go of you but the tentacles around your legs uncoil. You can feel the places where they once were, where the suckers were pressed against your skin. Slowly, they snake their way up your legs, along the insides, touching the soft, sensitive skin of the insides of your thighs. You gasp and Heeseung smirks, watching you with intent eyes as the tip of one of his tentacles prods at your still leaking and pulsing entrance. “Are you starting to understand the depth of the things I want from you?” He asks, the pointed tip of the other swirling around your clit.

This is where you should leave. You have a feeling this is your out. If you stay, Heeseung might do things you’ve only seen depicted in raunchy hentai, he’s going to do things to you you’ve genuinely never even considered being possible. If you want to leave this cove with any sort of dignity intact, you should back out right now. But even as Heeseung watches the indecision in your eyes and gently removes his tentacles from around your wrists, allowing you to make as hasty an exit as you want, you don’t. 

“Yes,” you agree.

“So?” 

“So, go ahead.” 

He doesn’t even move, still holding you gently by the face as the tentacle at your entrance pushes forward, burying itself inside of you. A gasp is torn from your lungs, your eyes rolling back as you’re filled in a way you have genuinely never experienced before. You grab at his shoulder and wrist, clutching hard enough that it must hurt, digging your nails into his skin as the tentacle inside of you writhes around, suckers dragging against the walls of your pussy like living, flexing ribbing. As it starts to fuck you pleasure rips through you like never before, hot and aching and molten in your veins. 

“That’s it,” Heeseung whispers, but even his voice sounds strangled now. “You’re being so good for me.” The tentacle at your clit attaches a sucker to it, pulsing and writhing, pulling and prodding. Your clit throbs, the stimulation nearly too much. You’re tearing up, your body is quaking, shivering as Heeseung holds you, other tentacles moving to hold your legs and waist, keeping you still so you can be used. So he can keep playing with you, filling you over and over again, toying with your body. 

“Too much,” you gasp out, your cunt clenching and unclenching around the intrusion. Your walls are sensitive from your previous orgasm and the tentacle inside of you has managed to find your g spot or your cervix or something inside of you that’s causing wave after mind flaying wave of pleasure pulse through you with every intense thrust. 

“You said you wanted it,” Heeseung whispers. “Go on then. Take it.”

You shake through the orgasm that’s suddenly ripped from you, the sucker on your clit squeezing and tugging, your cunt spasming through the relentless pounding of the organ inside of you. Your eyes roll back in your head, only a helpless little whimper leaving you as you come. You’re distantly aware of the gush of liquid leaving you, spilling all over the stone and covering the tentacle that is fucking up into you. You think it’s still going on but all you can hear is the rush of your blood in your veins and all you can see is whiteness encroaching on your vision. 

Heeseung breathes out, as though also having reached some kind of relief from fucking you so hard you can’t barely move. Carefully, he lowers you down to the stone, pulling his tentacles back, slipping them beneath the water’s surface. You try to catch your breath as Heeseung leans down over the top of you, pressing soft kisses to your neck and chest. 

“You did so well for me, beautiful,” he coos and you feel inexplicably warm and proud. “Such a good girl for me, taking me first try.” His hands find your waist, soothingly running up and down the sides of it. “You’re so much more than I ever imagined.” 

“Was it good for you?” You whisper, hoping to have brought him some kind of satisfaction. Heeseung smiles down at you. 

“It was amazing,” he assures you.

When you feel like you can finally move, you climb to your feet, retrieving your bag from where you left it nearby. When Heeseung thinks you’re not looking, he reaches down into the water, grasping at something. You can’t see it, but when you turn fully towards him again, he’s leaning against the ledge once more. You get down to your knees in front of him, gently touching his cheek. His dark gray eyes widen in surprise.

“Can I see you again?” You ask and Heeseung smiles softly. 

“You know where to find me, beautiful,” he tells you. You lean forward, kissing him softly. Heeseung kisses you back sweetly, licking once at the seam of your lips. When you pull back, he smiles at you again. “You won’t leave me waiting such a long time again, will you?” He teases. 

“I’ll try not to.” 

As you go to leave, straightened up as best you can be after getting railed by literal tentacles, you head for the wall of the cove. You step out around the edge and then pause, waiting for a second. Your curiosity continues to be piqued and you wait, listening. After a few seconds, you’re rewarded with the sound of soft, gasping moans and you peer back around the edge of the wall. 

Heeseung is still partially submerged in the water, but he’s lying on the edge now, tentacles in the water, bare back on the stone. His head is thrown back against the floor, eyes closed, soft melodious moans spilling from his full lips, his hand down between his tentacles. 

From your angle, you can’t see what he’s doing, but his extremities are writhing, his back arching when he does something that must be particularly pleasurable. It’s frustrating not knowing what exactly it is that Heeseung is doing to pleasure himself but you’re going to find out what it is. He said that it might scare you but, clearly, you’re not easily scared. The next time you come back here, you’re going to figure it out and you’re going to make him feel the insane ecstasy that he’s already given you. 

You don’t come back until a week later, and the weather is less than stellar. It makes you hesitant to go out towards the beach, after what happened last time, though you aren’t not convinced Heeseung wasn’t behind it. Your foot may have slipped but he clearly bashed the boat. Either way, you’re not going to be deterred by the weather, especially since your fixation on Heeseung has started to reach a fever pitch. 

He’s all you can think about. Even at work, even at the marina (which you are finally allowed to go to again), even with your family, he plagues your every thought. Maybe this is the real reason sirens are so dangerous, not because they’ll lure you to your death but because once ensnared, you can’t get out. You’re obsessed with the idea of him. Just last night you touched yourself to the thought of him, his mouth and his hands and those tentacles, how they completely tore you apart. You can’t help yourself any longer, you need to see him. 

The beach is practically deserted due to the weather, the tide higher than normal. You know that it’s dangerous to go into a cove like that during a high tide, but you duck under the sign without giving it a second thought. You’re hopeful you’ll find him again, pulling your jacket closer as you step around the wall of the cave and onto it’s stone floor. 

It’s just the same as you left it, though the water is a little higher. It’s come up past the ledge where it was last time, pooling out in a wide arch. You walk over to the edge of it, your arms wrapped around yourself as you stand at the edge. You sit down right there, uncaring of your shorts getting wet, setting your sandals aside, further away from the water, lest they get swept out. The air is warm even if it might rain, thick and humid, ghosting over you and leaving goosebumps in its wake. You sigh softly to yourself, wondering if it’s even worth it to come out here. What if he doesn’t show up? 

Your worries are put to bed by the tight hold of a tentacle around your ankle. You look down, the same bright red that you’ve come to expect slithering up your ankle, along your shin and to your knee. You stretch your leg out, letting it take further hold of you. You’re dragged, quite suddenly, towards the water, making you yelp. You’re pulled right into Heeseung’s waiting arms, the siren leaning over the top of you as you’re suddenly submerged in water up to your waist, wetting your shorts and your shirt and your jacket. 

“Heeseung,” you gasp. He smirks down at you, gently taking your hands in his. It would be sweet, the way he threads your fingers with his, if he didn’t immediately pin them down by your head, tentacles twisting around your other leg, your waist, writhing up your shirt. 

“Did you miss me, beautiful?” He asks, hovering the top of you, staring down at you with dark eyes. 

“I did,” you agree and he smiles. Tentacles shift over your skin, the suckers tugging at your skin as they creep further and further up your body, until they’re pulling at your shorts and cupping your swimsuit clad breasts. “Heeseung⁠,” you whimper, the onslaught of sensations on your body more than you were expecting right off. 

“I missed you too,” he tells you, leaning down to kiss you. He captures your lips in a soft but intense kiss, his tongue immediately pushing its way past your lips. You whine as he fucks it deeper into your mouth, slithering along your tongue, pressing down on the back of it while his tentacles attempt to pull your clothes off. Your shorts are being shimmied down your hips while your swim top is pushed aside to reveal your breasts under your top. You try to struggle against it but he’s too strong, you’re completely immobilized underneath his hands and tentacles. 

When he pulls back from the kiss, allowing you to breathe again, his eyes run over your body. He can see the way his own tentacles are shifting underneath the fabric of your shirt, feel the rough denim of your shorts as he attempts to remove them from your body. You look up at him with your big, innocent eyes and it drives him crazy. How can such a sweet human have such endless desire? 

“What did you come for, beautiful?” He asks, looking down at you. “My hands,” he squeezes your hands in his, “my mouth,” he licks his lips enticingly, “or would you prefer I split you open on my tentacles again? You seemed to really enjoy that last time,” he comments, making you blush. 

“I have… something else in mind,” you tell him and he lifts a brow. “You have to let me go,” you say, squeezing his fingers between your gently. 

“But I so enjoy you like this,” he comments, looking at the way you’re being held down. Your shorts are nearly far enough down that he could slip right underneath your swimsuit, touching you once more. He can see your nipples through your thin tank top, a pity he didn’t get to play with them last time. To prove his point, he lets his tentacles sweep over your nipples, making you shudder. “Completely at my mercy,” he points out, eyes half lidded as he enjoys the view. 

“And you will,” you assure him. “Just allow me a moment,” you offer. He sighs but lets go of your hands, tentacles retreating from your body. You feel like you can get a full breath in once freed from the bondage of his body, shifting just a little bit away from him. 

“I’m terribly impatient, love,” Heeseung warns you. The new nickname makes you smile. “I wouldn’t keep me waiting.” 

“I won’t.” You strip off your wet jacket, tossing it further up onto the stone flooring. His eyes watch you with intrigue as you start pulling off your clothes, taking your shorts the rest of the way off and also your tank top. You don’t bother fixing your swim top, he’s sure to just push it aside again anyway, so your breasts are fully exposed as you slide back into the water, partially underneath him. 

“What game are you playing?” He asks, watching as you settle down beneath him. 

“Just quelling my curiosity,” you tell him and then slide a hand down his stomach, between his tentacles. It’s a total guess, you have no idea what you are supposed to be feeling for, but you must have pretty good intuition because as soon as you get low enough, your fingers are sliding over a slit in his skin, making him gasp and jerk above you. He grabs your wrist, not pulling you away but stopping you from continuing. When you look up, his eyes have gotten impossible darker, a flush suddenly coating his cheeks. 

“You have no idea what you’re doing,” Heeseung warns you, voice low. “You don’t know what you’re asking for.” 

“I’m curious. Didn’t you say it’s an admirable quality in humans?” You reply and his jaw clenches. “Besides, don’t you want to feel good?” You run your fingers up and down the slit, feeling a slick, slippery fluid coat your fingers. He’s still submerged in the water but it’s thick, vicious enough that you can feel it. Heeseung’s eyes flutter, breath getting heavier. “Let me make you feel good.” 

“You’re not prepared for it,” he tells you. 

“Then prepare me for it.” His eyes narrow. The next moment, he’s pulling your hand away from him, pushing you down onto the stone once more. Your breath leaves you in one heavy gasp and you’re pushed down and wrapped up in tentacles, creeping and slithering and writhing over your body. He takes his hands back, clearly not needing them for what he’s doing to you. Under his intense gaze, your arms are pinned down, legs spread apart, breasts caressed by his sucker laden extremities. Your nipples are covered in suckers, making you cry out as they pull and tug at your sensitive flesh, another one latching onto your clit. Your eyes roll back, pleasure suddenly coursing through you unexpectedly as he takes your goading very seriously. 

“You always seem to be saying things without actually giving them any thought, beautiful,” he says, watching you attempt to struggle against your bonds. He slides a hand back down between his tentacles, fingers running over his sensitive slit, dipping inside. He moans, biting at his lower lip. “You look so pretty like this. Forced to take whatever I give you. Unable to fight me off. It gets me so hot.” He moans again, spreading his slit open, more and more fluid gushing from inside. 

You lift your head in hopes of seeing what he’s doing, but your mind goes blank when a tentacle suddenly thrusts inside of you. You cry out from the sudden stretch, opening you up so abruptly, your pussy aching. It’s brutal, the way it bullies its way inside of you, spreading you open, fucking as deep as it can. You drop your head back against the stone, trying to breath through the intense feelings, overstimulated from all the sensations. Your nipples nearly ache, your clit is throbbing and the suckers are rubbing all over the walls of your cunt. 

The speed at which the tentacle inside of you fucks you is inhuman, almost painful the way that it fucks right into your cervix, the pointed tip feeling like it’s pushing past and into your womb. If you were in your right mind, you would know it’s not possible, but it genuinely feels like it’s trying to rearrange your insides, you feel so full. Every pull on your clit is making your mind spin, amplified by the tight press on your nipples. You think you might be moaning, but you don’t know. All you know for sure is that you’re going to come, you’re going to come, you’re going to come. 

“Then come for me, beautiful,” Heeseung hisses. “Come for me, all over me.” 

Your orgasm spills out of you, a wet gush of slick and cum, maybe even squirt, the way that tentacle was fucking you you’re not sure it isn’t possible. All you know is that you feel out of your mind, stretched to your limits, skin hypersensitive, breasts and clit throbbing. The tentacles on your most sensitive parts slither away, leaving a pattern of sucker shaped bruises on your chest and thigh in their wake. When you catch your breath, you lift your head, trying to see Heeseung.

“You wanna see what you wanted so badly?” He asks and you nod, still unable to see him with the way you’re pinned to the ground. The tentacles around your arms slip away as well, allowing you to sit up a bit. Your mouth falls open when you see what he’s talking about. 

Protruding from the slit between his tentacles is a thick, long, cherry red cock to match the rest of his tentacles. It’s much too big for you to be able to take inside of you, several inches long and throbbing, twitching against the palm of Heeseung’s hand as he strokes it. Translucent fluid drips from the bulbous head, turned purple in his arousal, down the ribbed length of his shaft. A thick vein runs down the underside of it, which he smooths his fingers over, making him groan deeply. When you lift your gaze, Heeseung is staring at you with his tongue between his sharp teeth, the tip curling around one of them. 

“You know what I said, about a human’s sex being so vulnerable. Now you see, I can’t even get to mine without being so aroused I can barely stand it.” He grips the base, throwing his head back as he moans. More fluid flows from the tip, dripping into the water beneath him. When he looks at you again, he swallows, clearly trying to control himself. “You have no idea what you did to me. Just touching my sheath like that, trying to put your fingers inside of me. I wanted you so badly.” He lets go of his cock to lean over the top of you instead, causing you to drop down to your elbows. “The only problem is that there’s no way you can take all of me inside of you. I’d rip you open.” 

“Has a human ever taken you before?” You ask. 

“No one’s ever wanted to,” he admits. “With all these tentacles, what do they want my cock for?” 

“I do,” you tell him and he lifts a brow. “I want to try. I want to make you feel good.” 

“You’re so naive,” Heeseung laughs. “But if you insist.” His tentacles wrap your arms again, pulling you down to the ground. He leans over the top of you, the tentacles still around your legs spreading you as wide as possible, so he can get between them, aligning the thick head of his cock to your cunt. “Try not to scream,” he teases you and then pushes his hips forward. 

It’s hard not to, as he pushes inside of you. Your eyes roll back, your mouth dropping open as you try to keep the noises you want to make inside. At the very least, Heeseung has the presence of mind to go slow, easing himself inside of you inch by agonizing inch. It feels like he’s going to rip you open, and you nearly sob when you realize that was just the head when the ribs of his shaft start entering you too. Your walls clench and unclench, unsure if they want to push him out or pull him in as he keeps going until he’s nestled so far inside of you it feels like you can feel him in your throat. 

“Tsk, tsk, I should’ve known,” Heeseung says, but his own breath is coming out short, trying to restrain himself. You know he wants to ruin you. You look up at him though, realizing he’s looking down at where he’s buried inside of you. When he meets your eyes he smirks. “You can only take half.” 

“Fuck,” you curse, dropping your head back against the stone. If that’s only half of him, what the hell would all of him feel like? You don’t get a lot of time to ponder that though because Heeseung grabs you by the waist, hauling you closer. Your cunt aches in protest, already stuffed to its limit. Then he reels back and fucks you. 

It hurts almost as good as it feels, as Heeseung starts to fuck in and out of you, the head of his cock ramming into your body, over and over again. Without his tentacles holding you down, you might actually be thrashing too much to take it, because he’s ruthless. Or maybe it’s just the weight of him, the size of him, that makes it feel so intense, your already sensitive walls spasming around the natural ridges of his cock. You’re gasping and whining and moaning, unable to control the sounds coming out of you anymore as he takes you apart. 

“You feel so good,” Heeseung moans, gripping you hard enough to hurt. “I can’t believe I finally found a human just crazy enough to let me fuck them. Your pussy feels so fucking good around me, beautiful. Gods above.” Whatever Heeseung is saying is going completely over your head, all you can focus on is how you feel, filled to the brim with his cock, helpless and at his mercy, pinned down by his body. You try to lift your gaze to his face, but you can’t, your eyes are rolling in your head, the relentless pleasure drowning everything else out. 

It might’ve hurt at first, but now it’s just a roiling, boiling sea of arousal, your cunt squelching, his hips slapping wetly against yours, from the fluids you’re both leaking, from the water you’re half submerged in. You can’t even be sure who’s fluids are whose, with the way it’s quite literally gushing out of you with every reckless thrust Heeseung pushes into you, spilling down his hips and spraying all over your thighs. Every hard thrust shakes you to your core, nerves on fire, the aching need to come settling so deep inside of you it’s all you can think about. 

“Hee- Hee- Hee-” you can’t even get his name out in warning. Heeseung keeps fucking you, pushing as deep as he can, almost like he’s trying to make you take all of him, even though you so physically cannot. The constant feeling of unimaginable fullness, the ridges of his cock rubbing against your walls, it’s too much.

You come all over his cock, squirt and cum and slick spilling out around him, running in rivers down the length of him, turning the water around you milky white. Your cunt spasms uncontrollably around him, your body limp and useless as you come. He doesn’t stop though, plowing into you over and over and over again, chasing the feeling of your body, the wet hold of your pussy clenching and unclenching around him. 

“Shit,” he curses suddenly, shoving in as far as he can and staying there. Your eyes roll back, the relentless pressure of him inside of you almost enough to drive you off the edge again. He comes inside of you, but without anywhere for it to go it all comes dripping back down the length of his cock, into the water, rivulets of his milky white cum running down his cock and your thighs. 

For several seconds the both of you stay there, trying to catch your breath. The air is still thick with humidity and an incoming storm, your clothes are discarded a few feet away from you on the stone and slowly, oh so slowly, Heeseung’s tentacles unravel from around your extremities, slipping back beneath the water, leaving bruises in the the shape of his many suckers behind on your skin. 

“Take a deep breath, love,” Heeseung advises, and you do. “Let it out slowly and relax.” You try to do as he says, feeling the way he slowly pulls out of you. It makes you shiver, the feeling of his ridged cock all along your walls, the catch of the head on your entrance. It pops out though and you feel like you can get a full breath in again. You’ve never felt so empty as you do right now. 

Heeseung lies down next to you on the stone, pulling you towards him. When his tentacles wrap around you this time it's softer, gentler, almost lovingly. They caress all the places they held you, over the bruises that mar your skin, wrapping you in their warmth. It’s a little odd, they’re still slick and slippery, but you’ve become used to them. You rest your head on his shoulder, his arms around your waist. 

“You did so good for me,” he whispers, kissing your head. You nearly preen under his praise. “But you know,” he whispers in your ear, “I’m never gonna let you go now.” 

“I wouldn’t want you to,” you tell him and when he pulls back, he looks at you with gentle eyes and that trademark little smirk of his. “How could I ever be satisfied with someone other than you?” 

“You never will,” Heeseung tells you, leaning in to kiss you. You kiss him back, rolling on top of him. His tentacles wrap around your legs and your waist, keeping you steady as you kiss down into his mouth, mindful of those teeth of his.

a/n: you guys asked for monster fucking, so i gave it to you. honestly, i have no idea why this came to me but it literally came to me as i was getting ready for bed and then i was possessed. i really, really enjoyed working on this, it was so weird and fun and strange, god, i love monster aus. they're so fun! i hope you guys enjoy this as much as i do.

taglist: @ducksstolemybread @hoonieshoney

His hair is so fluffy I just want to touch it 😭😭😭 @intwohoon @jaeyunpinkyring

I miss his long hair 🥹

Idkw but I feel like that’s either Sunghoon coded, or Heeseung coded…… or Jake….

Someone should write about this…. If they haven’t already- 👀👀🫢🫢😗😗

@simpjaes @jakesangel @jaeyunpinkyring @intwohoon @ikeuhoonverse @wonieeeeyoii

@heejake-hoon

tucking your hair in your ear and telling you that you're gorgeous in a bathtub

My favorite fic by far, GODDAMN IT’S GOOD-

Tragedy & Balance

god!lee heeseung x muse!reader [afab]

[prev | the pantheon series ]

genre: smut

concept: pushed to his limits, heeseung arrives at his brothers' pearly gates to take what is owed to him. he knows very well what this will involve, what his brothers will try so hard to keep, but he won't be so easily swayed. at least, he didn't think so.

it turns out there is something hidden in this palace that he wants more.

w/c: 13.9k

warning: god au, religious themes, religious imagery, fire imagery, in depth discussions of death, reincarnation & souls; sexually explicit content, god fucking, body worship, vaginal sex, multiple positions, *unprotected sex, coming inside

There is a change in the air, a heavy foreboding that causes Jungwon to sit up in his bed, the blankets pooling around his waist. His goddess stirs beside him, sitting up slowly at his side. He throws the blankets back, getting dressed as quickly as he can, knowing very well what comes. His goddess blinks her soft eyes at him, watching but not moving, confusion in her expression. Once dressed, Jungwon rushes back to her side, cupping her face in his hands. 

“Do not leave this room,” he tells her with nothing but urgency. She frowns, fear starting to bleed into her expression. “Promise me.”

“I promise, I will not leave this room,” she assures him and he kisses her gently on the forehead. He leaves her side, reluctant as ever, pushing his way past the curtain.

His feet take him down from his tower, to the ground of the palace, all but running for the front hall. He can hear the echo of his brothers’ feet, all of them quickly converging on the courtyard at the front of the palace, the gates that are usually closed. He knows that when he gets there, they will not be. He knows that by the time he reaches the courtyard, it will be far, far too late for any of them. 

When they all reach the courtyard, the gates are hanging open, sparking golden and creaking in the wind. Jungwon can feel his heart in his throat, the ominous sound of them and the darkening sky causing goosebumps to arise across his flesh. 

“Heeseung’s home,” Sunoo whispers at his side. 

Regrettably, they know they have to find him and face him. And find him they do, in the grand hall, surrounded by the opulence they’ve all come to know. He’s sitting on the edge of the fountain, watching it fall from the tall spout, rolling over the edges into the pool below. Jungwon takes the lead, approaching him in front of all of them, knowing well exactly who he’s come to see. Heeseung smirks as soon as Jungwon is close, slowly lifting his gaze from the sparkling pool of water. 

His brother hasn’t changed at all, Jungwon can’t help but think, from the knowing glint in his dark eyes to the sheen of his silver hair, constantly draped in black. For all that Jungwon is the one who sent him there, he hoped that one day Heeseung would understand his decision, but he never has. Instead he sits opposite him, all of them, as though they are his enemies. Jungwon never wanted that, but it’s far too late. 

“What brings you home?” Jungwon asks. 

“You know very well what brings me home,” Heeseung says, getting off the edge of the fountain to face them, straightening himself out. He stands toe to toe with his younger brother, but Jungwon won’t back down. Not this time. “After all this time, I thought we had an understanding,” Heeseung says, faux sympathy coating his tone as he tilts his head. “I took your punishment very well, all things considered. The least you could do is continue to uphold the agreement we made. I am in charge of the balance of this world and yet you act without thought. I thought better of you, brother.” 

“It was never without thought. You can’t honest think⁠—” 

“What I honestly think of you is irrelevant,” Heeseung cuts him off. He rolls his eyes as he walks around Jungwon. Jungwon sighs heavily, turning around to keep his brother in his line of sight. He wouldn’t dare to not. “What I honestly think of any of you is irrelevant when you’ve all been acting so rashly. Impulsivity doesn’t suit any of you,” he says, his eyes running over his other brothers. Sunghoon clenches his hands while Jongseong’s jaw sets. “Well, except maybe you, Jaeyun,” he adds. Jaeyun’s eyes blaze and Heeseung laughs softly, turning around to face Jungwon again. “You know why I’m here.” 

“I know. And I’m prepared to make a deal,” Jungwon informs him. Heeseung laughs again, crossing his arms over his chest. 

“A deal? A bunch of mortals is enough for the King of the Gods to make a deal with me? What have they been putting in your offerings?” Heeseung mocks him. Jungwon glares back at him. “If you think I’m willing to make a deal based solely on the lives of six mortals, you’d be wrong.” A confused crease appears in Jungwon’s brow and Heeseung scoffs, throwing his head back. “Oh, you’ve no idea the things our brothers have done for their goddesses.” He lowers his head with a pitying gaze. “This is what you get for letting them run so wild.” He steps closer. “If I had been king, this never would’ve happened.” 

“Mother didn’t want you king,” Jongseong spits and Heeseung leans away from Jungwon, pursing his lips. “You think we’re uncontrollable? Nothing would’ve stopped you, and you know it.” 

“Because this is what we all wanted, is it?” Heeseung says, whipping around to glare at him. “The chance to throw our entire existence into question because you couldn’t control yourself?” He steps towards Jongseong. “A whole village, promised to me, and instead you promised it to her! You swore their safety, and for what?!” His eyes glow with black flames as he glares at Jongseong. “There are souls rotting in my library that should be on the river and are not. The balance of our lives is completely thrown. Her life is hardly the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what I deserve!” 

“Well, you won’t be getting it,” Jungwon says, his voice calm. Heeseung sighs, closing his eyes. “Any of them.” 

“If you’d like, we could always fight you again,” Sunghoon says and Heeseung’s eyes open, sliding to him. “You know you won’t win.” 

“I didn’t come here to be thrown into the abyss. Again,” he deadpans. “I came for what I’m owed. And if I will not have it,” he turns back to Jungwon, “an equal exchange is required.” 

“And what, pray tell, is equal in exchange?” Jungwon asks. 

“Well, that’s hardly up to me,” Heeseung replies. “After all, I’m sure to the six of you, your goddesses are priceless and perfect. I can place whatever price I want on them and it still would not equal in your eyes. And you know so well how much I value an equal exchange,” he drawls, causing Jungwon’s eyes to narrow. “So, you decide.” He closes the distance between himself and his brother who calls himself King once more. “I’ll give you… 24 hours to make a deal with me? At the end of the next 24 hours, if you all are still incapable of coming to a decision, I guess I’ll just have to take what I am owed.” Jungwon clenches his jaw and Heeseung smirks. “Think on it, brother. You’re smart, I’m sure you’ll think of something.” 

Heeseung leaves the grand hall, pushing through his other brothers, in a flutter of black and silver. Jungwon stumbles back against the fountain, gripping the edge of it as soon as Heeseung has gone. As with every interaction with his brother, he could feel the power that came off of him in waves, draining him. Were it not for all six of them working together in tandem, they never would’ve chained him to the underworld.

“What will you do?” Jongseong asks immediately, stepping forward. “You cannot give into him.” 

“It’s hardly about giving in,” Sunoo points out, causing Jongseong to turn his attention to him, though reluctant as he is. “He’s right.” Jongseong huffs, looking away from the Sun God though Sunoo looks at Jungwon imploringly. “There are mortal lives that he is owed due to the deals we made. We changed the course of history by not handing them to him. If we wish to keep the balance, we have to give him something.” 

“Would you like to give him your goddess first?” Jaeyun quips, his tone clipped. Sunoo turns to him with glowing, white eyes, barely restraining himself. Jungwon walks forward, gently touching Sunoo’s chest and his brother’s eyes slowly die back down to their amber warmth but his expression doesn’t change, nor falter from Jaeyun. 

“We cannot fight amongst each other if we want to come up with a solution,” Jungwon points out, his gaze swinging from Sunoo to Jaeyun, who looks away from Jungwon’s pointed gaze.

“What solution do we have?” Riki speaks and they all turn to their softest spoken brother. “Sunoo and I both saved our loves from death, Sunghoon and Jongseong entire villages for theirs. You and Jaeyun might be the only ones who’s goddesses didn’t cost a soul to save. What could possibly match the weight of that? You know how Heeseung is,” Riki says. He walks forward towards Jungwon, staring at him with wide, worried eyes. Jungwon’s hand falls from Sunoo’s chest with a heavy sigh. “He will weigh them, he will not just take our word. Just any deal will not appease him.” Riki shifts uncomfortably. “Heeseung will want something of value.” 

“Of all the things, we’ve indebted ourselves to our eldest brother,” Sunghoon mutters, shaking his head. “A fate worse than death.” 

To say that Heeseung didn’t know this would be a lie. He knows very well that there are very few things in this world, godly or otherwise, that will carry enough weight for what he asks for. He knows it and is quite glad to play such a game with his brothers. He knows they will flounder for a solution that does not exist, they will look for a way to weasel their way out of this exchange, this deal he’s so graciously bestowed upon them, only to come up short. He knows it and he will take great pleasure in every moment that they struggle with their own hubris. They are too prideful to admit it and he will make them watch as he takes every single one of their goddesses from them. 

In the meantime, he has no other choice but to bide his time in the palace. He could return home, the shackle of it weighs on him, reminding him that he’s not welcome here, but he refuses to let this chance pass him by. He will be a constant reminder to his brothers for the next 24 hours that their options are slim to none to save the lives of their loved ones. 

Its opulence chokes him. He can barely stand it, the way they live in such luxury while he spends his days surrounded by the gray, rushing waters of the river, forced to sit on the other side of it, watching souls come close but hardly ever do they make landing. He’s been forced to watch from afar for too long, though maybe it truly is better this way. Now he’s unsuited to this, the thin air, the sparkling white and gold of the place, everything. It’s enough to make him sick. 

When he retreats to the gardens it’s simply because he can’t stand to look at the wide expanse of white and gold before him anymore. It’s blinding and horrible, truly he does not understand how they all manage to be surrounded by such eyesores as these.. The gardens extend before him, lush and warm, almost enough to give him joy. Still, when he touches the hedges, they shrink from his fingertips, wilting and turning brown. Somehow he can’t find it in himself to be surprised, instead taking his hand away, folding them behind his back to wander around blindly. 

It’s while he’s in the garden that he hears it. The sound of singing, coming from deep within the gardens. There is something about the call of the voice from inside that draws him in. While the gardens, trees and bushes and flowers, grow thicker around him he’s forced to try and push his way through to see what is hiding inside. Despite the way the flora scrapes against his hands, retreating from his deathly touch, he does not stop. It is like he can’t stop himself as the trees encroach on him, when he sees it. Sees you. 

The river that falls down to earth from these heights lies beside you, rushing with clear water, the sound of which accompanies your voice. Heeseung thinks briefly of how sad you sound, like agony, like tragedy. He leans against the tree beside him, once he has passed the threshold of cloying flowers and shrubs, hardly giving the wilt of the bark any mind as he watches you sing, your fingers dipping into the water beside you. You’re wearing clothes of cream, a crown of flowers on your head. If he didn’t know any better, he would think you one of the goddesses his brothers have fallen so desperately for but you cannot be. Surely, none of them would’ve let you out of their sight, much less a place where he can find you so alone. 

You stop singing slowly, sighing to yourself once your voice trickles to a stop. Heeseung pushes off from the tree to approach you, knowing he walks silently, like the death that he embodies. There is something about you, the way the light hits your profile, lashing casting shadows down your cheeks from your forlorn expression. You don’t see him coming, your eyes focused on the water below you, until he’s crouched beside you. Almost as if sensing you’re no longer alone, you turn towards him. Finding him right beside you, your breath catches, jerking away from him.

“Heeseung,” you gasp. You lean away from him, trying to put space between yourself and the God of Death but Heeseung is faster, wrapping an arm around your middle. 

“Leaving so soon. When I don’t even know your name,” he teases you, a sharp smile pulling at his lips. You swallow, gripping his shoulders to try and push him off of you. “You have such a lovely voice, my dear,” he insists, holding you tightly, his other hand landing on the edge of the riverbed, keeping you imprisoned in his touch. “What could I do but come to you? What a beautiful Muse you are,” he whispers salaciously. With all your strength, you push him off of you, throwing yourself backwards. 

You land in the grass, rolling over to try and get away. Amused by your actions, Heeseung isn’t so easily deterred, dragging you back by your ankle. You yelp, pulling all the way back to him until you’re pinned beneath his body. He forces you onto your back, staring down at you. 

“How rude,” he admonishes you softly. You whimper, trapped beneath the elder god. You are hardly a goddess, just a Muse. Though you might be godly, imbued with immortality and powers, It means nothing in the face of the God of Death. He knows you cannot fight him off, forcing you to relent to him, fingers fisted in the front of his shirts as you squirm beneath him. “I know I hardly come off as approachable but to run off so quickly,” he mocks you, brushing the backs of his fingers over your cheek.

“Let me go. Jaeyun will⁠—” 

“My brother is spineless and childish, he’ll do nothing,” Heeseung hisses to you, knowingly. “Tell me your name and I’ll let you go, my dear. It is the least I deserve after such a rude display.” 

“Y-Y/N,” you stutter out and Heeseung smiles. He gets off of you, allowing you the ability to slip out from beneath him. You crawl away from him, curling into yourself once there is a bit of space between the two of you. Heeseung rolls onto his back, propped up on his elbows, looking at you. You catch your breath, avoiding his piercing gaze. 

“Well, what’re you still doing here? Shouldn’t you be running?” Heeseung goads you, making his eyes flash black and menacing. You swallow roughly around the lump in your throat. “Unless you aren’t really that scared of me,” he teases you, reaching out towards you. His fingertips brush your ankle, causing you to flinch away. “Muses, all the same. Jaeyun has always adored you, hasn’t he?” Heeseung comments. His fingertips still just barely graze your skin though you daren’t meet his gaze. You don’t see the softness in his expression. “Before his goddess, that is. Perhaps he’s grown tired of you?” He questions, bringing his gaze up from your ankle. Though you still don’t meet his gaze, he sees the way your expression drops, despondent once more like how he found you. “Is that why you’re alone? You poor, neglected thing…” he coos with faux sympathy, crawling towards you. You shuffle back, away from him, trying to curl up tighter, away from his reaching fingers. 

“Stop!” You bark, “you don’t know what you’re talking about!” Heeseung stops, falling back. “What’re you even doing here?” You finally lift your gaze to look at him. “Shouldn’t you be away, beneath the Earth, handling the dead? Isn’t that where you belong?” You remark, tone acidic. Heeseung sighs, collapsing back into the grass. You don’t miss the way it wilts beneath him, turning yellow. You watch with a sort of morbid curiosity as the God before you doesn’t even seem to notice. 

“Such a sweet, pretty thing and yet you speak with such sharp words.” He turns his head towards you, his silver hair falling into his dark eyes. You swallow, struck by how handsome he is. All your life, yours and the other Muses, you’ve heard Jaeyun spin tales of his eldest brother, how ugly he is. Perhaps it was just in personality, because you see nothing but beauty in his face. His gaze meets yours steadily behind the curtain of his hair. “Where I belong is such a harsh thing to say to me, don’t you think?” 

“It’s where you were sent,” you remind him, though your tone isn’t as hard as it was previously. “Where your brothers imprisoned you.” 

“A great many eons ago,” he confirms. “But I’m more powerful than them. Their gates are not indestructible, I am more than capable of coming to see them. Not forever,” he lets his head fall back against the ground once more, staring back up towards the sky, “but for short whiles. I’m sorry that my brother managed to leave that out.” 

“What brings you here now?” You can’t help but wonders, your own curiosities getting the better of you.

“I am owed something,” Heeseung admits to you. You tilt your head, not understanding. Heeseung smiles and then turns to you again, but his smile is hardly kind. “Not that it’s any of your concern, Muse. The tragedy of my life is hardly something for you to worry your pretty self with.” He rolls over to climb to his feet and you flinch away from him as he stands, brushing himself off. “I meant what I said,” he tells you, looking down at you. “Your voice is very beautiful.” You can’t help but be struck by the way he says it, almost kindly.

“Thank you,” you whisper. He departs shortly, leaving you alone. You curl your legs even closer to yourself, wrapping your arms around them. You can’t help the way your eyes follow him as he walks out, slipping between the trees until he disappears from view. 

On the other side of the garden, Heeseung pauses. He leans back against the trees, listening out for your voice. It doesn’t return though it echoes through his mind. When he lets his head drop back against the tree, he smiles softly to himself. Perhaps, just maybe, he was a bit hasty in his convictions. 

24 hours is hardly any time at all, they all know this, and by the time Sunoo is forced to raise the sun in the morning again, they’ve all talked themselves to death. The knowledge of what comes weighs heavily on their minds, as they know Heeseung will make the decision for them. They won’t simply allow it, they’ll sooner throw Heeseung back to his abyss than let him simply think he can take whatever he wants, but they all knew that this price might come. Even if they deny him, he will demand something of great value if not the souls he’s unable to attain. 

The sun has risen above the horizon when Heeseung lets himself back into the grand hall, a grin upon his face. Never has Jongseong felt such a strong urge to throw his brother back into the abyss from whence he came than by that look of utter satisfaction that is written across his expression. He stands before Heeseung can get too close, blocking him from getting closer to Jungwon. 

“Oh, are we fighting already, Jongseong? I knew you might grow tired of me but so soon?” Heeseung mocks him. 

“Your greed will be your downfall,” Jongseong warns him. Heeseung laughs in amusement. 

“Greed? I have greed because you are the one who made an agreement without giving it thought. I’m greedy because I am fulfilling the role that which you so graciously bestowed upon me, by the way,” he points out, causing Jongseong’s expression to tighten, “all those eons ago. If you would like me to step down from weighing the souls of mortals so that someone else may do it, I would gladly, but they must be weighed.” Heeseung leans towards him, his expression turning dark. “Everything must be in balance. I believe you were the one who insisted upon it.” 

“Tell us what you want,” Jungwon says, hopeful to avoid bloodshed. Heeseung leans away from Jongseong, stepping around his seething brother to approach where Jungwon remains seated. “Surely you know that we have nothing to offer you.” Heeseung smirks, clearly having expected such an admission. His other brothers won’t even look at him. “So name your price. Just know that it will not be their souls.” 

“That is what I asked for,” Heeseung reminds him and Jungwon glares up at him. “Theirs and all the mortals that you made the mistake of letting live. Those souls are crowding my shelves, I haven’t the room for the mistakes you have allowed to happen,” he insists, leaning menacingly towards his brother. “Prepared to make a deal with me, little brother? You are hardly meant to be king.” 

“Would you like to be thrown back into the river once more?” Sunghoon says, jumping to his feet. Heeseung looks to him, lifting a brow. “We may have made our mistakes, but you are hardly the God Jungwon is. Mother insisted upon your disposal, you should thank him for your life.” 

“Thank him, for an eternity of solitude?” He says, straightening up to face Sunghoon. “Well, let me drop to my knees!” Heeseung snarls. “How dare I expect to be treated as equal with you, at the very least? Without me, this world would’ve destroyed itself already. You should be thanking me!” He demands, eyes blazing. 

“Make your choice,” Jungwon demands, getting to his feet. Heeseung turns back to him and Jungwon’s eyes crackle with lightning. “But know that it will not be them. You may take the souls you so desire if that is really what you want. Let it consume you, your need for balance, but you will not have the goddesses.”

The blazing fire in Heeseung’s eyes extinguishes and he smirks. 

“You will do anything. Truly, it is almost admirable. Almost… romantic,” he comments, and Jungwon’s eyes become brown once more, surprised by his eldest brother’s tone, his consideration. “Let me offer you a deal then, brother,” Heeseung says, smirking. Jungwon’s brow creases in confusion, shifting slightly away, concerned for what Heeseung might propose. “The weight of a few mortals is far from that of a goddesses’ soul and we all know it. Especially six of them. However, I might be amenable to an exchange of another goddess.” 

“Whom do you ask for?” Jungwon asks. 

“Y/N,” Heeseung says, a smile on his lips. “Tragedy.” 

“You are shameless!” Jaeyun insists, getting to his feet. Jungwon glances away though and Heeseung knows Jungwon is considering it. “To take a goddess for another is low, even for you, brother. What makes you think⁠—” 

“I think,” Heeseung cuts him off, cutting him a look, “that the price of a lesser goddess is well worth it to you. After all, how much attention do those Muses even get with your adoration of yours?” He mocks him and Jaeyun clenches his fists at his sides. “Offer me thanks, Jaeyun, I am taking one off of your hands. You will have so much more time to waste in the arms of your lover.” 

“Why you⁠—” Jaeyun says, stepping towards him. Sunoo pulls on his wrist to stop him from advancing further on Heeseung.

“I cannot give her to you outright,” Jungwon says and Heeseung’s gaze swings to him. “She is a goddess, her soul has never been bound to the Earth. She must give it to you of her own volition. You must get her to agree,” Jungwon warns him and Heeseung nods, accepting the terms. He knows very well, after all. “However, if you manage it, she will be yours. You may have her as recompense.” 

“Jungwon,” Riki hisses but Jungwon won’t meet any of their eyes. 

“I knew you could be reasonable, Jungwon,” Heeseung says with a grin. “After all, you’re saving so many souls this way,” he mocks him, Jungwon closing his eyes against the guilt that eats at him. Heeseung then turns to Jaeyun, who is still burning with rage. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her.” He turns on his heel, leaving them. Only once he’s left the room does Sunoo finally let go of Jaeyun, who turns to Jungwon. 

“Do you know the things he might do to her?!” Jaeyun points out. “Heeseung will manipulate her, she will agree. Once she gives him her word, she’ll be trapped down there, his to own. How could you⁠—” 

“I did what I had to,” Jungwon finally says, voice soft. “I am hardly proud of it. So you best remember the choices we’ve been forced to make when you lie with your lovers tonight.” 

“It’s like you’ve not even left,” Heeseung says, startling you. You thought for sure that he would’ve left by now, but he edges through the trees and bushes to approach you, your eyes darting between him and the way the nature seems to shrink away from his touch, turning yellow and brown when he brushes against it only to turn green and lush once he passes it. It saddens you, though not for the reasons one might expect. Your eyes land on him when he gets to you, kneeling beside you on the ground. “Perhaps I’m just lucky.” 

“Why’re you still here?” You ask and he laughs softly. 

“Blunt, aren’t you?” Heeseung asks and you shrug, looking away from him, your fingertips dipped into the river. He leans towards you, almost touching you as he watches the river rush past your fingertips. “So strange,” he whispers and you resist the urge to jump at how close his voice is, “seeing water such as this. I’m not particularly familiar with water so clear you can see the bottom.” 

“The Sanzu must be very different to this,” you whisper and Heeseung’s eyes focus on you instead of the river. 

“It is,” he whispers. His hand touches your waist gently. He watches you shiver but you don’t look at him. “The waters are so deep and fast, nearly uncrossable in most places. I watch souls attempt to cross through its snake infested waters all the time. Watch as they’re dragged beneath the waves.” A chill creeps over your body. “But most are afforded the bridge. The ones that are allowed the ford, they are few and far between.” 

“Can a river like that truly have a ford?” You ask, turning to look at him. You jerk back, surprised to see him so close. 

“The Sanzu is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Trust me, you’d be amazed by it,” Heeseung tells you, lifting his free hand to your cheek, tucking your hair behind your ear. “I think it’s rather unfortunate you’ve never seen it. Given that you are tragedy after all.” You hold your breath, trying to remain unaffected but he can see the surprise in your eyes. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out? There are so few who understand sadness and agony like me, after all. Maybe that’s why I was drawn to your voice,” his fingers brush over the roundness of your cheek. 

“What do you want?” You ask, trying to swallow down your fear. You know the whispers, what people say about Heeseung, that he is more than just a God of Death. He knows very well what he is, what kind of powers he possesses. It cannot be a coincidence that he might come back to you, speaking to you with such kindness. Not after he trapped you beneath him, forcing your compliance. 

“I should’ve figured you would see right through me,” Heeseung sighs. “I have a proposition for you, pretty. A deal that you might… be willing to take, if you’re as kind as I believe you to be.” You watch him and his eyes meet yours slowly. “You see, I was owed something, something that brought me here. That something was a few very precious souls that my brothers… well, they’d do just about anything to avoid giving them to me.” 

“Who do they belong to?” You whisper. 

“Their goddesses,” Heeseung tells you and your eyes widen in surprise. “Before they were brought here, they were just mortals. Simple, and unknowing. And I’m sure you’re well aware that souls of mortals belong to me. All of them.” You nod, hesitantly. “Well, I simply came to collect. Everyone dies, it’s my job to make sure of it.” 

“What does this have to do with me?” You ask. He smiles softly, cupping your cheek in hand. 

“My brothers and I came to an understanding regarding these souls, but you have to understand, everything comes with a price,” he tells you. “And this price, is you.” 

“Me?” You gasp. “Why me?” 

“Are you not tragedy, my dear?” Heeseung asks you, stroking his thumb over your cheek. “Are you not the one thing in this whole wretched world that might understand me?” He pulls you closer, pressing your chest against his, taking your breath with it. “Death is my life, and it’s such a terribly lonely existence. You understand, don’t you?” You look into his eyes, shrouded slightly by his silver hair, dark brown and staring so intently you feel as though you can feel it in your soul. “Surely you do. While the rest of the muses experience the joy of things like poetry and prose and song you continue to be cursed by the agony of it all. Happiness is but a fleeting dream when the only call you are allowed to answer is that of death and disaster.” 

Unfortunately, he’s right. You’ve never minded too much, but even you know that you’re far from Jaeyun’s favorite, from anyone’s favorite. You’ve always known you’re barely departed from the God of Death, drawn here to the heavens but brought down to earth to see the saddest parts of humanity. You’ve never been to the river but you’ve seen the souls that depart for it, never to be seen again. It haunts you, and you’re all the more lonely for it. 

Could Heeseung truly be just as so?

“Do you see?” He asks, words whispered to you. “The only thing I ask is you, in exchange for all the rest of them. You would be saving them, and me,” he coos. You look into his eyes, expression softened, almost pained. Your heart aches in sympathy and you touch his cheek gently. His eyes flutter softly when you touch him, leaning his head into your palm. Despite his godliness, he does not emanate warmth like the others, as human as the ones you’ve seen below. Truly he is othered by his brothers, he must be. 

“What would I have to do?” You ask and Heeseung smiles. He knew you wouldn’t refuse. 

“Give me your word,” he tells you. “And become mine.” 

“I will,” you agree. 

“I was so hoping you would understand,” he coos, bringing his hand down from your face to your chest. His fingers move aside the v of your neckline, revealing the center of your chest to him. You go to flinch back but he holds fast to your waist, not letting you move an inch. “Oh, no, pretty, you misunderstand,” he whispers. “You gave me your word. You belong to me.” His eyes blaze with black flames as his fingers touch your bare skin and you gasp through the pain that rips through you. 

It’s like you’ve been engulfed by flames, licking at your skin, melting you down to the bones. Your hand falls from his face to grip at his arms desperately as he smirks, watching your wide eyes stare into his. 

“Hurts,” you whisper, the only word you can get out through the unbearable pain and he coos again, but this time he mocks you with it. You feel as though you have never been more foolish in your immortal life. 

“I’m sure it does,” he hisses, staring intently into your eyes.

Your eyes roll back into your head, gasping through the pain that rocks through your body, agony like you’ve never felt it before. Your fingers dig into his forearms, your head thrown back as you try not to scream. Darkness starts to take over your vision as you succumb to the horrendous pain, collapsing in Heeseung’s arms. 

When you wake, you wake alone. You throw yourself upright in bed, the blankets of pitch black gathering around your waist as you gasp for air. The air is thick and heavy in your lungs, an ache in the middle of your chest making it hard for you to get a full breath in. You reach down for the front of your dress, pulling the folds of the fabric open to see what he’s done. With a trembling hand you touch the scarred words into your skin, his name burned into your flesh. 

Lee Heeseung is written across your skin, and you resist the urge to sob. You press your fingers against the smarting wounds, knowing there’s nothing else you can do. It’s too late. He’s taken you. 

When you finally drag yourself from the blankets, you stagger across the cold stone beneath your feet, trying to find your way out of the bedroom that you’re in. The furnishings are all made of wood and stone and decorated in black and silver. It’s dim, lit only by a few sconces on the walls, kerosene lamps lighting your way. You try to get out as quickly as you can, pushing your way out the sliding wood door, stumbling into the hallway. 

Wherever you are, it’s freezing cold, the thin dress you wear far from enough to keep you warm. You have to wrap your arms around yourself as you walk down the cavernous halls, high ceilings of gray stone above your head, the walls all lined with kerosene lamps. It’s dim, the air heavy as you try to make your way towards something. Towards anything at all, just to figure out where you are. 

Every door you try to open is locked, refusing to budge even when you pull on their flimsy, wooden frames. You try every door along the long hallway, hopeful to find someone, anyone who might be able to help you. You know you belong to Heeseung but you can’t stand the idea of it, being left alone in his room, helpless. You just keep trying doors, desperately hoping someone might be inside one of them or, at the very least, one of them will be open so that you can hide from him in peace. 

You get to the end of the hall, only to realize that you’re at the end of the line. The walls of the hallway fall away and you’re standing at the edge of a river, a great rushing river of gray water, running past you never-endingly. In both directions, the river stretches out so far it eventually turns into nothing but fog, extending out for what must be an eternity. You don’t need to be told what it is, you know what river you’re looking at. Before you, in the middle of the path, there is a bridge, arching upwards, a steep climb from where you stand. You try to catch your breath but the roaring water is too much, the air humid. You’re standing on unsteady legs, unfamiliar with the stone beneath your feet, which causes you to sway dangerously towards the edge of the river as you try to get a full breath in. 

A hand around your arm pulls you back, throwing you into the chest of the person that tugs you from the edge. You let go of yourself to touch the person that grabbed you, using them to stay upright. They let go of you as soon as you do though and you fall heavily to the stone flooring, right on your backside. When you lift your gaze, Heeseung is staring down at you. 

“Do you know what would’ve happened to you if you had fallen in?” He tells you, glaring down at you. “I never would’ve been able to get you out. Souls that fall into the river's waters don’t come out. Don’t get so close, even I can’t save you.” 

“Well, considering I woke up lost and alone, I don’t know what you expected!” You retort, getting back to your feet. Heeseung surveys you critically, watching you struggle to your feet. “Where have you even been? After all that nonsense you gave me at the palace⁠—” 

“I had to get you to agree somehow,” he interrupts you and you scoff, shaking your head. 

“I am a fool. I thought you had a heart, but clearly you’re as empty and hollow as Jaeyun has always said you are,” you accuse him, making Heeseung’s eyes blaze. “If the only thing you ever wanted in exchange for the others was my soul, then go on! Take it! It’s clearly the only thing you care about!” You insist, leaning towards him.

Heeseung’s fingers are suddenly pressing painfully into your chest, right above where his name has been written into your skin. He presses them in hard enough to ache, and it feels like something is stealing your breath right from you. Heeseung watches you with dark eyes full of black fire as you gasp for air, his fingers moving slowly up your chest, towards your throat. It’s choking you, something wet and thick rising up within you. Not your throat, not your windpipe, something deeper, intangible, as his index and middle fingers trace their way up your skin. 

It rises up your neck, until it’s in the back of your throat, your mouth, hot and wet and pulsing. Your hands wrap around your throat, still you can’t breathe until you’re forced to open your mouth as Heeseung’s fingers trace up underneath your jaw and chin. When it pours out of you, you’re shocked to see a glowing ball of liquid, silver like mercury floating between you above his fingers. 

“Silver. I expected gold,” Heeseung says. You still cannot breath, choking on nothing, like all the air has been sucked right out of your lungs. A bottle materializes out of thin air, which Heeseung pours the liquid into and then magicks a chain around. With a snap of his fingers, the bottle is hung around your throat and you can breathe again. You look down at the small bottle that hangs from your throat, lifting it gently in your fingertips. “You should be more careful with what you say,” he advises.

“What is this?” You ask, turning the bottle over in your fingertips. 

“Your soul,” Heeseung says and your eyes dart up to him. Your hand lets go of it, the bottle bouncing off your collarbones. “Did you forget who I am in such a short, short time period.” He leans towards you menacingly. “If you’d really like me to take it, I can. Oh, I can and I’ll pour it right into the river where it will never be seen again.” You stare at him through wide eyes, Heeseung smirking at you. “I’m showing you kindness by keeping you alive. Perhaps you should think about that.” 

“What about the others?” You ask. “You said my soul⁠—” 

“It will suffice,” Heeseung says boredly, leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest. “For the souls that I desire, even one made of silver is worth plenty. Come with me, I’ll show you what you’re worth.” He tells you, turning to walk away. You hesitate, glancing back at the river. You stare at its gray, rushing waters, swallowing through the fear that threatens to rise through you like your soul previously did. You still ache, but you have no one else to be with other than him. When you look back over Heeseung is standing at the mouth of the hall, leaning against it with a raised brow. You walk over to follow him, Heeseung pushing off to lead you back into the cavern of the underworld. 

You discover you ran the wrong way when Heeseung leads you so far inside, past all the previous doors you tried to force open, until you pass the door of the bedroom you ran out of.  Strangely, it doesn’t look any different from the other doors that line the walls, small and unassuming. Not far past it the two of you end up at a pair of great, double doors. Heeseung pushes them open, stepping inside with confidence. You follow him, only to stop in the doorway. 

Before you is a great room of shelves, all of them lined with bottle upon bottle of liquids. Some of them shine with bright colors, glittery and beckoning, some of them dark, dull and swirling, but many are just gray. They look as though they carry the water of the river inside of them, swishing and churning inside of their bottles. The shelves go on for what feels like forever, rising up towards the high ceiling, wrapping around the massive room. Heeseung pays you no mind, moving to a table that sits in the middle of the massive room. Most of the flooring is draped with carpets and seating, couches and chairs, tables and sitting areas. But in the middle of it, there is a table, covered with a cloth of black that is trimmed in silver, a pewter scale sitting on it. 

“Don’t just stand in the doorway all day,” Heeseung says, moving around the bottles that are on the table already. You look over to him, noticing the way he separates them all into pairs. You walk over to him to watch him move, his brow creasing as though he’s working on a particularly difficult puzzle. You stand beside him, tilting your head as he finally picks two of them up. 

“What’re you doing?” You ask and Heeseung lifts one into your line of sight. It is gray, as most of them are, swirling inside of its bottle. 

“Mortal souls have weight,” Heeseung informs you and you nod in understanding. “Pay attention.” You nod again and he places one on one side of the scale. The scale drops and then he carefully places the second one, darker and duller than the other, onto the other side. The scale struggles to balance them, the darker of the two clearly heavier than the first. It weighs it down, leaving it uneven. “All things in balance,” Heeseung says, plucking the gray bottle from the scale and replacing it with another.

You watch as he readjusts, putting a different, equally as gray liquid filled bottle onto the scale. This time, the scale readjusts, and the two sides sit evenly with each other. Heeseung smiles to himself, picking them both up. You watch as he carelessly throws the both of them, your heart jumping into your throat. They shatter in midair, but nothing spills to the floor. It all seems to disappear from existence, both bottles gone before your very eyes. 

“What did you do that for?” You ask and Heeseung turns to you. 

“It was their time,” Heeseung tells you. “All the bottles that you see on this table, are well due for their death.” He nods to it and you look over to the way the table is absolutely littered with bottles. Every single one of them must represent a mortal soul. Which means…

“All of these bottles…” You begin, slowly turning to look at him, “are souls?” Heeseung nods in agreement. “So… the souls I’m worth…?” 

“They’re… still on their shelves,” Heeseung sighs, rolling his eyes. “Without indication of their time, I haven’t been able to take them down, but you see now, don’t you?” He asks and you tilt your head. He huffs at you. “Your worth, Muse. Your soul is well worth at least 20 or 30 of these simple mortals.” He gestures to the table as whole, which looks as though it’s holding at least that many. “Your soul would tip the scale. Everything in balance,” Heeseung reiterates. “That is what I do. That is my purpose.” 

“That is why you⁠…” you trail off but something occurs to you. “But I couldn’t possibly weigh the same as a full fledged goddess.” 

“No, you are inconsequential to the weight of a goddess. You will never measure up,” Heeseung sighs. “Unfortunately, I have no grasp of them anymore.” He turns around and you follow his gaze towards the back of the room. He walks towards it and you follow close behind, the case before you becoming clear as you get close enough. 

Inside of a glass case, there are bottles, sealed with golden wax on their stoppers, swirling, glittering and effervescent. You watch the colors of them swirl inside of their bottles. Gold, and navy, and red, and white, and blue and purple. Your breath catches when you realize what you are looking at. You turn to Heeseung but he is already looking at you. 

“I know not how it happened, but now every single one of my brothers is accompanied by a bottle.” A pair of gold bottles sits at the front but the rest of them are aligned with a bottle of the exact same matching color and shade. You watch them swirl and dance inside of their glass prisons, like the embodiment of joy. “I couldn’t have taken them if I tried,” he turns to look into the glass case with you. “It would’ve ruined everything. There is nothing in this world, in the entire cosmos, that would match the weight of their goddesses except for them.” 

“So you would’ve⁠—” 

“My brothers hate me,” Heeseung says, “but I still love them. I couldn’t take their lives even if I wanted to.” 

“Then why threaten them?” You ask. “Clearly, you couldn’t have them. Those goddesses aren’t yours to take. Why did you⁠—” 

“Why do they get to be happy?” Heeseung cuts you off, turning to you with a tense expression, his tone exploding out of him like he can barely hold it in. You jerk back, surprised. “Why do they get lovers while I’m left down here, alone? I may not have been able to kill them, but I have many empty rooms. Would I have taken them prisoner? Perhaps. Would I have found a way to keep them away from my brothers? Found a way to force my brothers to their knees just for what they crave most in the entire universe?” He shrugs. “Perhaps. After all they’ve done to me, would it have really been so bad?” 

“You’re… diabolical. Evil. And self centered and greedy and⁠—” 

“If you think you’re going to hurt my feelings, think again,” Heeseung tells you.  “There is not a thing under Sunoo’s shining rays that I have not been called by my very family.” He leans towards you. “I am not afraid of you, Muse. But don’t forget,” he tucks his finger under your chin, tilting your head up towards his. “When I could’ve taken them, I took you. I’m not truly as horrible as you think I am.” 

“Then why take me?” 

“Not everything I told you was a lie.” He leans back, letting his hand drop away from your face. “Now you’re more than welcome to stay, but there’s not much else to be seen,” Heeseung tells you. He walks back to his table, still strewn with bottles, carefully organizing them with gentle hands. “Also, every room is yours to choose from.” He waves a hand carelessly but you’re sure all the rooms in his large home have been unlocked. “Unless you can’t stand to depart from my bed,” he comments, looking at you from over his shoulder. You scoff, walking past him and out the doors. Heeseung waves a hand and you startle as the doors are suddenly slammed shut behind you. 

For all that Heeseung took you, you spend an inordinate amount of time alone. It’s almost as if you never left the heavens, the only difference being that instead of lush green gardens and sparkling marble towers, it’s nothing but desolate gray stone and cavernous rooms and ceilings. You may have your pick of rooms, but none of them are truly that welcoming. Nothing in this place seems to be much other than a means to an end, a resting place for Heeseung to lay his head and do his work. Everything else is far, far from what one might consider homey. 

You spend days wandering the halls, of which you discovered there are many, this lair seeming to be a gigantic labyrinthian maze the longer you walk around it. The doors you tried before are all unlocked, some of which belong to rooms while others lead deeper and deeper into this rockface you seem to be living on the edge of. You’re shocked when you can find your way back to the places you started, though you’re starting to think that’s the way of this place. What would Heeseung get by letting you get lost down here anyway? 

The main hall is the only place where you see him though, but hardly does he seem to be doing anything other than what he apparently busies himself with at all hours. If he’s not in his library of souls he’s in his bedroom, presumably resting, and vice versa. He hardly pays you any mind, even when he walks right past you, the drape of his black cloak fluttering around him as he walks around, always his mind on something it appears. 

You can understand what a lonely existence this must be, always being forced to do what is necessary of you, hardly ever having the time for anyone else. Not that it seems that anyone else seems to care about Heeseung, with the way he regards the world and its other Gods with such coldness. Even if you wanted to, you don’t know that you would know how to break through that icy exterior. 

But you find yourself lonely too, retreating to your bedroom most days, or sometimes the edge of the river. You can’t help but be curious about it, watching the gray waters rush past. You don’t see souls approach the stone landing you sit on, legs pulled up into your body, your knees against your chest. Even though you thought for sure that you must, at least one or two of them, none of them seem to be able to make it over the top of the bridge and to you. Strange, isn’t that the meaning of the bridge?

“What’re you doing?” Heeseung asks, finding you on one such day you find yourself thinking about it. You don’t look at him though you know he looks at you with thinly veiled disdain. He always does. 

“Aren’t souls supposed to cross the bridge?” You ask him. Heeseung sighs, looking over at where you’re staring at the wooden bridge before the two of you. “Why don’t they?” 

“Souls are on the bridge, but hardly ever do they actually cross it,” Heeseung informs you. You lift your gaze from the bridge to look at him. “The Sanzu is not a destination, it is a journey. Souls are supposed to make their way across it, it’s what they’re meant to do.” He looks down at you, into your wondering eyes. He tsks softly. “So little you understand. Are all gods like this?” He questions and you look away from him, embarrassed. “If my brothers are going to fill your heads with stories, the least they could do is get them right. Honestly…” 

“I know you don’t care for kindness, but would it really bring you so much harm to speak with any sort of understanding,” you admonish him, getting to your feet. Heeseung sighs at you yet again. “It’s no wonder your brothers can’t stand you when all you do is belittle them and act as though everyone is so beneath you. You may be powerful, but what use is the power you have when you’re forced to live a life of loneliness and solitude as a result of it?” Heeseung’s eyes don’t stray from yours and you scoff. You go to walk past him, but Heeseung grabs you by the wrist. 

“Do you want to see the bridge?” He asks and you stop in your tracks. “I can show it to you. But you must not let go of me. It’s the only thing I require.” 

“What would be the point?” You ask, glancing over your shoulder at him. Heeseung moves to your side, letting his hand slide down from your wrist to thread his fingers through yours instead.

“You want to know why souls don’t make it to the other side,” he says, standing at your side. Slowly you turn to face him, Heeseung lifting a brow at you. “Don’t you?” 

Rather reluctantly, you agree, and Heeseung pulls you over towards the bridge. The wooden bridge is hooked onto the stone landing, surrounded by the rushing of gray water. Heeseung steps onto it, guiding you along behind him. You hesitate at the edge though, staying on the stone. Heeseung is stopped when you remain immobile and looks back at you, expectantly. You look back at him, apprehensively. Heeseung huffs and stands at the end of the bridge, still holding onto your hand. 

“Don’t let go,” he tells you and you nod. You step onto the bridge behind him. 

The feeling of being on the bridge is immediate, reminding you that you’re stepping onto a literal liminal space. The boundary between the earth and the afterlife surrounds you and you grip even tighter to Heeseung’s hand, though he doesn’t seem as perturbed by it. Perhaps he’s just used to it, he’s not bothered by the crushing feeling of being somewhere he shouldn’t be. Then again, maybe this is where he was always supposed to be. After all, he is shackled to this afterlife, his brothers once threw him into the abyss beyond the river, forcing him to guard it. Maybe this is just who he is now. 

You walk alongside him for a long time, longer than you think is fathomable, the wooden planks and high railings of the bridge on either side of you your only company other than the god you cling to. You daren’t let go of him, not when that was the only thing he required of you. You clutch his hand like a child to their mothers, resisting the urge to lean into him. 

Eventually, you start to see them. Your eyes widen when you see people, half formed and beginning to fade out of existence. Heeseung glances at you and then walks right down the middle of the bridge, the souls surrounding you moving around the two of you. They don’t seem to be seeing you, however, walking forward almost trance-like, like it’s the only thing they know how to do. 

“These are the souls you wanted to see, aren’t they?” Heeseung says. He stops and turns to you, forcing you to do the same. “This is the middle of the bridge. We’ve already made it there. Once we cross this line, the souls will start to take on a more solid appearance. Some may even know their names or their families or some of their memories. The further we get from where we began, the more these souls will know of themselves.” 

“Is that why they never make it to the end?” You ask. 

“They’re not meant to,” Heeseung tells you. You stare at him in surprise. “Souls that make it across are souls that have expired. They’ll never be reborn again. Souls that don’t will be reborn. They’ll reincarnate, into another. Usually another person, if they’re on the bridge, but not always. Souls of exceptional depth and weight will be reborn as animals or insects, a way for them to lighten their load and try to become human again.” 

“So… almost all souls are reborn?” 

“Of course,” Heeseung tells you as though it’s obvious. “Why do you think it is so important that I maintain the balance?” 

It all starts to come together in your mind. Balanced souls are reborn, they are brought back around to the next life, and if they are not taken at their time, they cannot be reborn. Every soul must be weighed, they are taken in pairs. If they are not equal, they cannot be taken. His brothers… by making those deals… they completely threw the order of the world. So many souls that should’ve been taken, they are still walking. So many lives that should’ve been weighed and reborn, following the proper cycle of all things. You are the exchange, you cannot be killed, or reborn, you can be equal to souls that are both alive and dead. Everything must be in balance. 

“I could either have taken those lives, or I could’ve taken something that is the same. Do you see?” Heeseung asks and you look at him in wonder. “I’m not so cruel.” 

“Is death not cruel?” You ask. Heeseung’s expression softens. It’s both unimaginably sad and understanding. He touches your cheek gently. 

“Death might seem cruel, that is the state of things, but it is necessary,” he tells you. You blink up at him. “I didn’t understand either when my brothers forced me to do this, but I see now. As lonely as this existence is, I know that none of them could’ve been able to do this. I know that none of them would’ve been able to shoulder the weight of so much tragedy. Do I resent them for forcing it upon me? Of course I do. That does not mean I don’t see why it is necessary I do such a thing.” 

“Do you…” Heeseung tilts his head at you. “Your soul? What does it weigh?” 

“Nothing,” he tells you. “I can show you.” 

The world melts away around you, only for it to rebuild itself into the shape of the room you found yourself in when you first arrived. You’re shocked by the feeling of stone instead of wood beneath your feet. You look around in shock when you can feel the heat of his kerosene lamps, fending off the chill of the stone. Heeseung’s hand drops away from your face and his hand leaves yours as he steps away from you. 

He goes to a shelf along the wall, picking up a bottle. He brings it to you, holding it out to you. You look at it, shocked by what is inside. Or rather, what is not. 

Something gaseous and black swirls around inside, like it’s fighting to get out. You watch for a moment, then reach a hand out to touch it. Before you can, Heeseung lets go of it and you watch in horror as it falls, smashing to the floor. 

The glass shatters and then dissolves into nothing. Your eyes dart up to Heeseung’s face, watching a shiver rush through him, Heeseung trembling like a swift chill just ran down his spine. He meets your eyes again and smirks. 

“Neat trick, isn’t it?” He says and you stare at him in shock. He looks at the shelf once more and there it sits, like he never picked it up, black gas moving restlessly around inside of it. “I’ve tried to break it a great many times, but you see, it’s useless. I’m chained to his plane, this damned world. It doesn’t matter what I do, I can’t die. I’m not allowed.” 

“But what does it weigh?” 

“Nothing,” Heeseung sighs. He looks at you. “It weighs nothing at all. I assure you.” 

“Have you tried?” You ask and Heeseung’s brow creases. “Against something. Anything? Surely it has to weigh something. Surely⁠—” 

“Did you listen to a thing I’ve told you since you arrived here?” Heeseung asks, his tone going tight and angry. “All souls are to be taken in balance. Every one of them. If my soul was meant to be taken, that would mean it would have to weigh the same as another. I can’t die so it can’t be weighed against anything else. There is nothing that will match its weight.” 

“How can you be so sure?” You retort and Heeseung huffs, smirking at your naivety, rolling his eyes. “Have you tried everything? What about…” your eyes dart around in thought while Heeseung stares at you in thinly veiled amusement. You are dumber than he thought, he’s sure. He waits, watching as your eyes alight, meeting his eyes. “What about mine?” 

“Yours?” He laughs. “Your soul? You think a godly soul could ever align in weight with mine?” He goes back and picks his bottle up off the shelf again, smirking at you. “Let’s see then, shall we?” he asks, pushing past you and out into the hall. 

You follow after him, Heeseung leading you back to the library. He doesn’t pay any attention to the bottles on the table, standing behind the scale yet again. You move to his side, waiting to see but he doesn’t place his bottle down first. Instead, he reaches out and closes his fingers around the bottle tied around your neck, breaking the silver chain it hangs from. You gasp, but in his hands, your breath doesn’t stop. Heeseung smirks at you as the silver chain around it dissolves, leaving just the stoppered bottle. 

“Let’s see your weight, Muse,” he comments, extending his hand to drop it on the scale. It tips dramatically, the plate your soul is sitting on almost touching the table top. “As I suspected,” Heeseung says, still looking at you, not even having glanced at the scale. “The value of your soul is unimaginable. Mine, however,” he says, lifting his own, nearly empty and lighter than air, “is nothing at all.” 

He places it on the opposite plate and turns to look, fully expecting it to not move at all. He knows what he weighs, he’s weighed his soul more than he can even say, watching as the scale tips up and up and up, forcing his soul to rise above all else. There’s no way he could ever⁠—

“They’re even,” you say and Heeseung’s eyes widen in shock as the two plates come together, sitting at an even keel. His soul sinks down to sit evenly with yours, despite the impossibility of it all. His heart feels like it’s being squeezed in his chest, his breath tight, watching with bated breath as they finally stop bobbing up and down, beside one another. 

“No,” Heeseung whispers. “That’s impossible.” 

“Clearly not,” you speak and his head turns slowly to look at you. Surely you still don’t understand what this means because you look at him without shock, clearly thinking you have bested him. His heart is racing in his chest, his mind is spiraling, he can’t imagine it. He can’t, not after everything, all this time. This is a mistake, it has to be, but still he moves towards you. You let him even when his fingers curl around your cheek.

“What are you?” He whispers softly, vehemently, looking you up and down as though he’s seeing you for the first time. Apprehension begins to paint your expression as you see the wild look in his eyes as he tries to figure you out. “What, in the cosmos, could you possibly be?” His words come out almost reverent, his other hand coming up to touch you, but instead it hovers over the curves of your body, like he can’t fathom your very existence.

“I don’t… know what you mean,” you finally speak again and Heeseung’s gaze finally focuses on your face again. 

“You are so much more than a Muse,” he says, bringing his other hand up so that he may cradle your face between his hands. “You must be. You have to be.” You stare up at him, trying to read the wild look in his eyes, but it all disappears when they’re suddenly flaring to live with black flames. “Impossible,” he breathes. 

His mouth descends upon yours like a storm, like a wildfire, his mouth taking yours in a kiss so world stopping, mind numbing you’re forced to clutch his wrists to keep upright. Your legs feel like they’re going to give out underneath you. Heeseung kisses you like it’s the last thing he’ll ever do, letting go of your face just to wrap his arms around your waist, pulling you up against him. You’re forced to let go of his wrists, instead finding the sides of his neck, digging your fingers in when he forces his tongue further into your mouth, hands bunching up the fabric of your dress. 

You’re surprised when you’re suddenly being forced up against the edge of the table, Heeseung’s hands grabbing at your body, lifting you onto the edge of it. The entire table shakes, bottles clatter against one another as you’re perched on the edge of it. His hands run over your body as he kisses you breathless, tongue running over the insides of your mouth like he hopes to memorize it. His hands move from your waist to your back and back down, to your hips and your thighs. You gasp into his mouth, which he swallows, tongue pressing into the softness of your palate as he digs his fingers into your exposed thighs, parting your legs so he can step between them. He brings your legs around his waist so he can lift you from the table, into his arms. You flail against him, wrapping your arms around him lest you fall. From this angle, you can gain an upper hand, forcing his head back with your hands on his jaw, kissing down into his mouth. 

“Muse,” he moans into your mouth. It’s the most gorgeous sound, you don’t even mind the way he’s carrying you from the room, nearly stumbling into the wall when he’s moaning into your mouth. His hands are under your dress, feeling over your thighs and ass, blindly making his way to his bedroom with you clinging to him. You move your attention from his mouth to his neck, letting the blinding feeling of desire and need fill you. Heeseung moans fill your head as you mouth over his neck and jaw, burying your face into the crook of his neck. 

He all but throws you onto the bed when he finally makes it to the room, still staring at you with flaming, blackened eyes. You feel helplessly pinned beneath his gaze, watching as he looks at you with flushed skin, chest heaving, lifting a hand to rip his cloak from his shoulders. A burning feeling starts to begin in your chest as he climbs onto the bed, crawling towards you. You lift a hand to it, spread out on the bed beneath him, trying to find the origins of it but Heeseung already knows it. He gets on top of you, all but tearing your dress open so he can look, finding where his name has been written into your skin. You look down to see it burning and glowing black, Heeseung staring down at it with dilated pupils. 

“You can’t be,” he whispers but still his gaze lifts back to your face, open and surprised, eyes hazy with arousal. “You’re not mortal. You’ve never been mortal.” The words leave him like he can’t understand it.

“No, of course not,” you tell him but it doesn’t quell anything within him. If anything it makes him shake, unrestrained lust and desire surging through him. He pushes you down into the bed, hovering over the top of your body. You stare up at him, entranced by the look in his eyes. Somehow, you’re not scared, instead watching as his blackened eyes run over your form with something like adoration. 

“How have you been hiding from me this whole time?” He whispers. Heeseung’s hands run over your body with adoration. He struggles with the tie of your dress, all but tearing it the rest of the way open so you can finally be revealed to him. You flinch back from his rough movements but once your dress has been opening, revealing your body, his touch becomes soft. Scorching and burning and flaming over every inch of skin he touches, hot enough to hurt, fanning a flame inside of you you didn’t know was there. You throw your head back, overwhelmed by it all as Heeseung leans down to kiss your chest, mouthing over the words he put on your skin. “It could’ve been you. I could’ve been first,” he moans brokenly into your skin, bringing his hands to your waist to slide them beneath you, gathering you in his arms.

You don’t know what he means, but it doesn’t matter. Your thoughts all disappear as you arch your back into his touch, his mouth moving over your skin with a desperation, tongue and teeth and lips. His kisses travel over your collarbones and your chest, licking over your nipples, making you clench the bedding beneath you. Further down, Heeseung showers you with affection, over your breasts to your ribs and stomach and waist. You look down to see him caress you with his mouth like he can’t get enough of your body, like he never wants to stop touching you. 

Lying you out again, he moves further down, to your undergarments, which he hastily pulls down, your hips lifting to help him. You couldn’t imagine pushing him away. Heat melts through you, centering deep within your hips. Your undergarments are damp with your slick, dripping from you onto the bedding once he’s taken them from you. Heeseung doesn’t waste any time, parting your legs with gentle hands so he can get between them, letting his mouth run over your body once again. 

“I needed you so badly,” he moans into your skin, lips kissing your lower stomach, over your hips, down towards where you need him. You still can’t find it in yourself to touch him, worried that it might break whatever desperate lust filled spell is filling his head. He keeps going, skipping where you need him most so he can kiss over your thighs, mouthing and sucking and licking and biting at the skin inside. You whimper, hips kicking when he avoids you, your cunt clenching and unclenching around nothing. You look down at him, watching as Heeseung finally lifts his gaze from your body once he’s finished biting a dark mark into your thigh. He rests his cheek against the inside of your thigh, panting heavily as he looks up at you with nothing less than adoration in his eyes.

“You have no idea what you are, do you?” He asks and you shake your head. “You’re what I need. You’re my other half.” He interrupts himself just to needily kiss your skin. “And all this time, you’ve been hidden from me.” Barely can he say a single sentence without kissing your skin with a desperation that bleeds from him. “Another great punishment from the cosmos, from my very mother who swore that I was never meant to be born. You were kept from me.” He crawls up your body, hands all over you, mouth trailing all across your skin, only to take your face in his hands once he’s knelt between your legs. “But no longer.” He swears, kissing across your chest, your collarbones, like devotion, like worship. “I’ll have you as I was always meant to.” 

“Why do I not know?” You ask, tears building in your eyes with frustration. “I feel like I know nothing. I feel like I’ve never known anything at all.” You grab at him, fisting his shirts in your fingers. He lets you, looking at you with such softness you can’t stand it. “All this time, and I know nothing.” Heeseung brushes your tears away when they fall from your eyes. “Tell me you’re not lying,” you demand, pulling on him, forcing him closer. Your tone is tight, but it threatens to shatter like glass and Heeseung’s heart aches, listening to you beg for the truth. “Tell me you’re not lying to me. I couldn’t take it, after everything⁠—” You cut yourself off with a sob.

“I am not lying,” Heeseung assures you. “Of all the things in these cosmos, I would not lie about this. Please, you have to believe me.” His own eyes have softened, dark brown and pleading with you. “Every soul is weighed because every soul is only half of what they are. Every soul is forever seeking their other half, even us.” He sounds breathless as he says it, stroking your cheeks like you’re made of glass. The most precious thing he could ever touch. “Even Gods. You are mine.” He presses kisses to your tear streaked cheeks. “You are my other half, my beautiful Muse.” He kisses your lips again, sweet and deep and desperate. You pull him closer, trying to get him against you, but his clothes rub uncomfortably against your skin. When he parts, he speaks into your lips, “And now I will have you, as I have always meant to.” 

When he slips away from you, it’s to disrobe, his clothes peeling away from his gorgeous body. You watch from the bed as he strips them away, layers between your skin, until he’s able to move back to you, laying himself over you. His golden skin slides over yours, warm and sweet, his mouth making its way from your stomach to your chest as he drops down between your spread legs. His hands slide over your thighs to your hips and waist, gathering you in his arms once more. You wrap yours around him, finally allowing yourself to touch him, his lips caressing the burn of his name as he presses himself against your body. 

He brings you into his lap, your legs parted around his hips. Heeseung departs from your skin just so he can look down, taking a hand from your back so that he might spread you open from him. You moan as his fingers run over your slick folds, gathering the wetness that drips from you to spread it over himself. Already his cock is hard and leaking, but still he needs more. Heeseung moans, teasing himself with the slick of you, pressing forward to align himself with your entrance. You’re more than he could ever hope for, he wants to savor this. He wants to have you for the first time as long as possible. 

Your body aches for him as he carefully pushes himself inside of you. You lean forward to clutch him against you as you’re filled with him. You shift over his lap, all but straddling him, his hand leaving his cock to instead take you by the hip, dragging you down over him. Heeseung’s gasps and whimpers filter through your consciousness but it’s hard to focus on it when it feels like you’re being torn apart from the inside, fire and flames washing through you, a bone deep ache. 

“You feel so good,” Heeseung moans into your cheek, his hands gripping you so tightly it hurts. “Like you were made for me.” 

“I was,” you whisper into his ear, a shiver ripping through him.

His hands slide over your body, his lips pressing kisses to your shoulder and neck as he grips your ass, guiding you on top of him. Every stroke of him against your walls sends new, mind numbing, earth shattering waves of pleasure through you. You have to dig your fingers into his shoulders to keep yourself grounded to the reality of him, his body against yours, his hands on your body, to keep from floating away. Your eyes are constantly rolling, your body following his guidance so mindlessly, eating up every last ounce of pleasure he gives to you. 

“So good,” you whisper into his ear. “Heeseung, please,” you whimper, choking a moan from his lips. 

“Oh please,” he cries out. He forces you to move faster, building to a frantic pace, your hips meeting his with loud, wet slaps, your slick dripping out of you to stain his skin, dripping down between your bodies to the bedding. “Oh please, please,” he moans, head thrown back. You press your lips to his skin, kissing over the golden skin beneath you, watching as he trembles underneath you, wracked with pleasure like he’s never known before. “I need more,” he whimpers into your throat. “I need you.” 

You pull him with you, down towards the bed. He falls with you, your back hitting the bed. You’re trapped beneath his body, your legs parted around his hips, Heeseung leaning over the top of you. His cock slips deeper inside, forcing you to take him at a different angle. You choke out a strangled moan as Heeseung adjusts for you. He takes your thighs in hand, pressing them back against your stomach, leaning over the top of you, making you cry out for him. Your hands find his wrists, digging into them as he starts to fuck you slowly, rolling his hips down into the tight press of your body, your knees over his shoulders. He looks down at you through flaming irises, watching your expression grow hazy, your mouth open, your eyes staring into his, unfocused and hazy. 

“Like this?” He asks, going faster and faster. You throw your head back into the pillow as he takes you apart. His hands leave your thighs so he can take your hands in his, bringing them up beside your head, pinning you down with his hands on either side of your head. From this close, he can practically bend you in half watching from up close as you take him, over and over again, forced to experience every last mind breaking wave of pleasure that rushes through you. 

Your eyes are transfixed on his eyes, the way they’re turning pitch black, soaking up all the light in the room, spreading out to fill even sclera, turning deep and endless. You can’t tear your eyes away from him as it happens, heat rising up from deep within your pleasure, aching through you, licking out at your every nerve ending. The heavy pressure of him inside of you, the feeling of him filling you over and over again, you can feel it building inside of you, closer and closer to the precipice. 

“Heeseung,” you whimper, squeezing his hands in yours, your hips trying to buck up against his but unable to with the way he’s pressed you down into the bedding. “I- I-” 

“Give it to me,” he whispers. “Let me feel you. Like I was always meant to.” He watches you as something dark and all consuming builds inside of you, flaring through the words on your chest, rising up into your eyes. Black and flaming, reaching out through your pupils, swallowing your irises, into your sclera. “Yes, yes, yes,” Heeseung moans. “Yes, beautiful. Become mine.”

You cry out, head thrown back as it tears through you, your cunt spasming around his cock. Cum gushes out of you, dripping and adding to the mess between your bodies. Heeseung grips your hands, chasing the way you tighten around him, over and over and over until it breaks over him too. His eyes close, mouth falling open as he comes apart inside of you, filling you up. 

In the library, left alone on the scale, Heeseung’s bottle glitters. The gaseous form inside turns silver, sinking down to the bottom. The liquid inside swirls against the side of the glass, splashing and lashing and churning until it settles down, idling at the bottom of the bottle. A perfect match to your own. 

“Do you really think I could’ve been first?” You ask, lying in bed beside him once you’ve both cleaned up. You’re cradled against his chest, like he can’t imagine letting go of you. You rest your head on his chest, his arms wrapped around your waist, a hand rubbing up and down your side. Heeseung hums from above you, as though truly still thinking it over. 

“If things had been different, perhaps you would’ve,” Heeseung says. 

He knows well how different things could’ve been. He knows that his mother always resented him, feared him perhaps, for all the power he possessed. He was the one who killed their father, he was the one who helped form the Earth, he was the one who made the very first human. Heeseung’s always had power unlike anything else, and for that their mother feared that he might one day turn on all of them. It was with great fear and resentment for her eldest child that she turned to her other sons, begging them to stop him. He knows that, had their mother had her way, they would’ve killed him, but they didn’t. Instead Heeseung was thrown to the abyss beyond the river, chained to an eternity of doing what they feared he would’ve destroyed. Maintaining a careful balance. 

Their mother did everything in her power to destroy what Heeseung created, including humans. It killed her, what she did, trying to undo what her son had done. She unthreaded human souls, forcing them into two, doing what she thought was necessary to be sure that her son’s creations could never fulfill what she feared most. Dethrone the sons she loved so desperately. She tore herself apart to do it, hiding the truth from her six sons in the hope that they would never discover it. 

Truly, Heeseung knew this might happen. His brothers were built in his image, he knew they would never be whole on their own. He, though, he thought maybe he would be. His mother was more devious than he thought. She must’ve known otherwise for how else would you be a God if she had not purposefully hidden you from him?

“If things had been different, I wouldn’t have had to go to such lengths to find you. I would’ve… maybe I would’ve had you a long time ago.” He looks down at you and smiles gently. He presses a soft kiss to your forehead, making you smile as well. “I would’ve torn the world apart for you if I knew they were hiding you from me,” he whispers into your skin. “You know this, don’t you?” 

“I know it,” you agree.

a/n: *the unprotected sex depicted is both purposeful and symbolic, engage in safe sex practices like condoms and contraceptives in real life. safe sex saves lives; i'm not crying, you're crying. honestly, i'm crying though, this was such an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime story to get to write and i'm so, so unbelievably happy with how it turned out and how it's ending. i hope you guys love as much as i do and thank you will never be enough to thank all of you for being so wonderful and kind and invested in this story as much as i was. i think it's so amazing, the pantheon is truly a one of a kind story. thank you so much for doing it with me. and so ends the pantheon.

perma. taglist: @ducksstolemybread @dr0wnme0ut @pockettwinzz @emi-en @lilyuwon @deobitifull @oddracha @skzenhalove @nyfwyeonjun @bunhoons @ministrawberrywithchocolate @heeshlove @nshmrarki @avaleyshin @zeeloveshee @nyxtwixx @enha-bie @manifestobackshot @onlyuyu @in-somnias-world @hoonmine

series taglist: @baekxo07 @pinksweetlittlepiano @hooniebaekgu @starfallia @heelovesmeknot @lovgfrd @xiaoderrrr @jakayval @jaeyunluvr @jungwonloveer @j5yy @seunghancore @binniesbabe @strxwbloody @vveebee @cherlv @aileeeeeeeeeeeee @yongbokified @immelissaaa @fertilizedtoesw @sumzysworld @emberuby @sunshine-skz @nicleyrou @rikibun @lilactangerine @iveivory @yoonzns @addictedtohobi @wonnie99 @enha-stars

AAAAUUGGG I LOVE THIS SM, THIS IS SO GOOD

𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥'𝐬 𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬' 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐲 | 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟕.𝟐

SYNOPSIS:After the heated yet emotional confrontation that involuntarily led to you revealing glimpses of your raw vulnerability, you knew that it was for the greater good that you had officially driven them away. But little did you know that the four ex-leaders refuse to give up on you, doing whatever it takes to get you back, even if it leads to them repressing their pride and grovelling for your forgiveness on their knees. 

PAIRING: non!idols enha hyung line x fem!reader

GENRE: 18+ (mdni), adulthood, reverse harem

WORD COUNT: 48.8k+

WARNINGS: profanities, explicit themes, angst, mention of violence, alcohol consumption, manipulation, mild toxicity, smuts, unprotected sex (no!), dom!enha, mild switch!jake, mild switch!reader, name calling, mild degradation, manhandling, bondage, blowjob, fingering, pussy eating, edging, squirting, creampies, breeding kink, overstimulation, multiple orgasms.

DISCLAIMER: this fic is inspired by devil's night series written by penelope douglas!

PLAYLIST: Say It Right - Nelly Furtado, Yes or No - JungKook, So Sick - Ne-Yo, Love You Like a Love Song - Selena Gomez, Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding, Kiss It Better - Rihanna, Night Changes - One Direction, Clarity - Zedd. ft Foxes, For You - Liam Payne & Rita Ora, Right Now - Akon, Die For You - The Weeknd, Wonderland - Taylor Swift, We Found Love - Rihanna, How Deep Is Your Love - Calvin Harris & Disciples, Cinnamon Girl - Lana Del Rey, Delicate - Taylor Swift.

PREV (PART 7.1) | NEXT (PART 7.3) ✘ SERIES MASTERLIST ✘

In the solitude of his room, Jake remains stagnant on the edge of the bed, only adorned in his pants as he had come out of the shower moments prior before this. His hands clutch his head that is throbbing with a raging tempest of emotions he seeks to quell, but it only intensifies at the agonising thought of you and the stark clarity in your resolve despite how defeated you sounded at the end.

A muscle pulses in his jaw while his eyes harden as he represses those emotions from being potent that could manifest themselves in the tangible form of his rage. He knows better, because the last time he unleashed that rage, his best friends had to subdue him with all of their might amid the rampageous chaos.

Despite the inclination towards brutality that stemmed from his depravity, Jake was never the type to exhibit such violence unless it was in a suitable situation, and he had never been vigorously hot-tempered until your departure happened. 

It was as if he and Jay had swapped temperament, as he is now the most volatile out of them. No longer was he the most amiable and laid-back one in the group, as he had become someone whose unbridled rage courses through his veins. Even his best friends could never fully conquer it, and Jake knew this.

The only person who can tame his rage is you, and only you alone, as it was your departure that changed him for the worse. He knew that he could never blame you for the change in him, only having himself to blame for his lack of self-control over his emotions. He recalls the times he had taken you for granted, most especially in the beginning. Oh, he truly and so desperately wants to atone for his past sins towards you.

But then, your words struck him deeply, as did the way you looked at him with an unfamiliar coldness that made his skin crawl four days ago ─ four long fucking days that only exacerbated his misery, to which he feels the incessant impatience that vehemently impels him to get you back in his arms, even if it means that your hatred for him grows.

Jake gets sidetracked from his rumination when he hears the animated bustle from the outside ─ most probably his best friends will be taking their leave to go to work, just as he should be as well, but in this condition, he doesn’t have the mental capacity to do anything except to run back into your inviting arms he dreamed of every night.

Jake is more than aware that he should not be neglecting his responsibilities to further dwell in this misery of his yearning for you, especially when his best friend can easily terminate his employment for his lack of competency in his role as a professional cybersecurity, owing to his cyber prowess that also enables him to manipulate and hack devices and data for his pernicious pursuits.

Back in Seoul, Jake landed the same profession as he does in the present, with the exception that he worked for his father’s company despite his resentment and hatred for his father, but he merely did it for the sake of distracting himself from the pain and retaining whatever remnant of sanity he had left.

Even when his days were painted blue and grey in Seoul, Jake genuinely enjoyed his profession, seeking miniscule contentment in the days he worked tirelessly with the intention to tire his mind that was always thinking about you, but at the end of the day, you managed to weave through the labyrinth of his mind.

Your face, your eyes, your scent, your smile, your laughter ─ everything about you occupies his mind unabatingly. Sure, it could be just pure obsession, but he knows that it is beyond obsession, and not even the love he has for his profession can outweigh the love his heart harbours for you.

Throughout the blues and greys of his days after learning of your departure, Jake shut out everyone for almost an entire month, and his parents were no exception. He became foreignly callous, painfully detached from everything. He was preoccupied battling with the onslaught of devastation that racked through his body.

Although he became volatile with his uncurbed emotions, he was also the most emotional. Out of the four of them, Jake was the only one who couldn’t care less about staining his tough guy image and has shed tears the most even in front of them, especially on most of his sleepless nights. Sometimes his best friends would take initiatives to check on him and found him in rivulets of tears as he called for your name weakly in his sleep while hugging his bolster tight as though it were you he was hugging instead.

Having already suffered with abandonment issues, your departure wounded him so deeply that not even his old therapist could help in pulling him out of the dark abyss he chose to spiral into. At times, he wished to rip his heart out of his chest as he couldn’t handle the palpable yearning that felt intensifying as days passed.

Jake wanted you. He wanted to be consumed by your everything. He wanted to drown in the thought of you and the memories he had with you. You were the only person who could make him become good, and what he thought was impossible happened when he found himself praying to God that you would return to him one day. You made him become religious when he should be worshipping at your altar instead, because you were and still are his salvation.

You are his Goddess. His to worship, his to provide for, and his to love until the end of time. Love was a sacred sentiment he thought was illogical until you happened. You, who have made him embrace love, which he never wants to let go of, most especially you.

Just like that, fear strikes him at the thought of you, prompting him to abandon his bed to head for his closet, browsing through the ironed blouses he had meticulously arranged and hung in the wardrobe before grabbing the black blouse. He deftly buttons up the blouse and rolls up his sleeves, busily grooming himself to look at least presentable before he hastily grabs his necessities and exits his room in a hurry.

Jake has some fears, but the thought of losing you again where you would be beyond his reach once more completely terrifies him that he can feel it twisting in his guts. Fuck it that you might hate him once he shows up. He would rather die trying to earn your forgiveness and for you to love him than to never try at all.

“Where are you going?” Heeseung’s query draws his attention briefly as he wears his shoes in a haphazard manner. It looks like Heeseung is working from home, judging by the meticulous setup of his laptop and other working necessities on the table in the living room, whereas Sunghoon and Jay are decked out in formal attire, preparing to head to work.

Jake presses his lips thinly together. It astounds yet infuriates him how they seem indifferent and have yet to talk about what happened after you pleaded for them to leave. Now he feels relieved that he will be initiating the first step instead of them.

“To Y/N.” Jake answers rather brusquely, his steely eyes observing the emotions manifesting in their facade. “It’s about time someone did something to earn her forgiveness and bring her back.”

“Jake, it’s only been four days. She probably doesn’t want to see your face.” Sunghoon states dreadfully, his tone sounding terse as though he is restraining something in him. “Give it a week, and then we’ll try again.”

“Also, shouldn’t you be working today?” Jay points out with an eyebrow raised at him. “Just because you’re my best friend, it doesn’t mean that you’ll get a pass.”

“Y/N is more important, as she should be to the rest of you.” Jake retorts while there is a certain bite in his voice, his eyes blazing with fury as he glares at them. “If you want to grovel a week later, then be my guest, but don’t you dare try and stop me from going to her now. I’ve waited long enough, and we delayed what we must do far too long.”

Jake doesn’t wait for any of them to reply as he proceeds to storm his way out of their temporary residence; his mind and heart are in consonance that resonate with the resolution involving you.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

Jake has been following you in the most discreet way possible since the moment you stepped foot outside of your apartment building, his car following behind your Uber rides. From one place to another, he never would have thought that you would turn out to be a busy woman today. Of course, he knows what you do for a living here, among other things. After all, stalking and obtaining data are two of his many expertises. He was also the one responsible for the first intrusion into your apartment after obtaining information regarding your address.

Presently, Jake remains steadfast in his pursuit, his back leaning against his red Lamborghini that is parked by the curb of the pavement walk with his arms crossed over his chest, causing his taut muscles to stretch against the material. His striking handsomeness attracts attention from the passersby in the street, as evident in the way their eyes are ogling at him, but the centre of his attention is solely focused on you and you alone, staring at you with dark intended eyes.

As you are seated adjacently to the large window in a bustling chic cafe, the midday light streaming through creates a gentle halo of warmth on your face, rendering him moonstruck by your heavenly beauty. 

Unlike when you looked at him four nights ago, your eyes look animated while you are occupied in conversing with two refined ladies, possibly your clients, in the way your demeanour looks professional as well as the setup of your laptop. Even if he is observing you from afar, he can discern the air of confidence and dominance you exude as you sell your product to them, causing his chest to feel a tingling warmth of pride.

After learning of your past achievements that happened within a year since you became a freelance writer, Jake truly admires how resilient and remarkable you are at your job, especially when it is not an easy career to pursue, so he has no doubt that you will succeed in whatever product you sell to your clients as he has complete faith in you. It is only a pity that he wasn’t there to witness and celebrate your past success with you.

As his eyes remain lingering on your radiant countenance, he feels a stab of jealousy in his chest at the way you are smiling to your clients, never mind the fact that they are women. He wishes to light up a smile on your face like he once did and for you to smile at him the way you do to your clients now.

Jake forces himself to practise patience as he awaits the next few minutes or so for you to conclude the meeting with your clients. In the meantime, he decides to think and surf through the internet for places to bring you to, aside from a gift he bought for you earlier, for which he made a quick detour to the mall before stalking you from your place. To be fair, this is an impromptu plan, but he can’t afford to delay any longer, fearing that by the time he has decided to win over your heart, the walls you built to protect your heart would be infrangible and that you would not accept him for good.

As Jake lifts his head up from his phone, he spots your clients preparing to leave. He tucks his phone in his pocket and wipes his clammy palms down his pants, feeling the unfamiliar jitters all over him despite maintaining a collected facade. It feels as though he is about to ask you out on a date for the first time. Right, he has never asked you out on a proper date before. Guilt begins to gnaw at him. 

Jake waits until your clients exit from the establishment before he finally sets in motion, his steps showing his avidity in hoping that you are still taking your time to leave while he deftly avoids bumping into the passerby along the street.

Entering the bustling cafe, his gaze immediately settles on your figure facing away from him. He unclenches his fist as he advances forward, and yet the closer he is to you, the more he feels like his rapid heart is going to combust.

Fuck, it’s like meeting his crush, which is not entirely incorrect but with the addition that you are the love of his life instead. He has never felt such jittery towards someone that renders him pathetic and weak in the knees except you.

Seeing as you are still busy packing your stuff into your shoulder bag, Jake decides to wait as his figure looms over yours next to the table. His shadow seems to have caught your attention as he sees you freezing in your seat with your shoulders tensed up.

His eyes remain on you as you slowly turn around to finally face him, and the light in your beautiful eyes dims with a concoction of emotions he cannot seem to fathom, but the once astonishment on your countenance is replaced by vexation, entirely displeased to see him.

His heart aches tremendously in the way you look at him without any ounce of affection and tenderness you once did ─ just a complete utter void of sentiment that pulls at his heartstrings painfully.

Jake begins to wonder if this is how you felt as a certain recollection surfaces in his mind of when he decided to become an arsehole to hurt you with his words and made you jealous with an irrelevant bimbo whose name he can’t remember.

“How did you know I was here?” Your voice devoids of affection, only stark coldness that feels foreign in his ears. You grip the strap of your shoulder bag, awaiting his response while your eyes harden with such resolve. “Never mind, don’t bother answering. I don’t want to waste any more of my time on you.”

It is as if Jake has been deprived of the ability to articulate his feelings into words since the moment your icily glaring eyes latch on his face. Not waiting for his response, you scoff as you roll your eyes before leaving the table and brushing past him coldly.

Jake clenches his fist, hating how meek he becomes and how unusual it is that his confidence seems to evaporate into thin air once he presents himself in front of you, unlike how he was a few nights ago.

Hearing the doorbell chime, Jake snaps out of his dwelling thoughts and wastes no time in chasing after you. Thankfully, you are not that far off the establishment, granting him prompt ease to catch up to you. 

“Sweetheart, wait,” Jake latches his hand on your wrist, enough to force your attention on him as you turn around to face him, your steely eyes conveying such animosity that unnerves him to the point where he feels a surge of emotions that threaten to be released in rivulets.

“Don’t touch me, and don’t call me sweetheart,” You yank your hand from his defeated grasp as if he is your bane. Being too engrossed in the torrent of emotions within you, you fail to realise the hurt glistening in his eyes so fleetingly amidst the yearning. “Have I not made it clear to you that I wanted for you to leave me alone for good?”

“You did, but you know I can’t do that,” Jake speaks so gently, his voice sounding deeper as he continues to tread his words with mellowing emphasises that you can’t help but to hear him out while he takes a slow step forward. “I couldn’t go on any longer without making things right with you.”

Jake can see your steely resolve teetering, and for a split second, he manages to catch a glimpse of sentiment that belies your stringent demeanour. “Just what does it take for you to understand that I don’t wish to reconcile with any of you,” Your flinty tone almost sounds defeated. “I already told you four nights ago that I forgave you. I gave you what you wanted.”

“I don’t believe that you forgave us so easily, which is why I’m here,” Jake stands in front of you as you are finally within an arm’s reach. The way his warm brown eyes soften as he gazes at you stirs something so dangerous yet so familiar within you. “So, please, sweetheart. Don’t push me away this time. Allow me to fix the parts I broke.”

You can feel it, your resolve melting by the clarity in his sincerity and appeal, as does the way his eyes are swimming with emotions you once harboured for him or still do. You swallow down a spit to moisten your oddly parched throat, trying your utmost not to falter under his tender gaze.

“What if the broken parts are irreparable? What will you do? What can you do?” Your questions shoot out like bullets, your eyes hardening again. “Just give it up, Jake. Words don’t sway me, even if they come from you.” 

“I gave up once when you disappeared without leaving a trace, and I refuse to give up now when the opportunity for me to mend your broken heart is already here.” Jake steps closer to you, his cologne infiltrating your senses while you grapple with your teetering resolve. “I’m willing to do anything, whatever it takes, and no matter the price, if it means that you’ll return to my arms at the end of the day. I’m willing to try over and over again, because that’s how much you mean to me.”

“I hardly believe that I mean anything to you.” Your ego refuses to yield despite his sincerity that resonates with you. Fragments of bittersweet memories you had with him coalesce into one as it surfaces in your mind. “Yes, we kissed, fucked, and did things that friends wouldn’t do, but we were nothing more than friends, Jake. I was your prey for you to fuck me all over.”

“Jaeyun.” Jake corrects you, his husky voice conveying a silent plea that you are able to discern. Your heart begins to pick up the beat of familiar cadence as he takes another step closer while his wet brown eyes seem to lock you in place. “Call me Jaeyun, like you always did, please.”

Instead of backing away, you remain cemented to the ground despite the dangerous close proximity between your bodies. You can feel your voice losing its flinty volume as you swallow down a painful lump in your throat. “Why does it matter to you? Jake, Jaeyun, they’re both your names.”

“I told you before, didn’t I?” A wistful smile forms on his lips that doesn’t reach his eyes while his tone is filled with bitterness. “Everyone else calls me Jake, but Jaeyun is only reserved for you.”

You force a scoff out of you in an attempt to mask the emotions that are threatening to slip beneath your facade. “Why? Do you feel special or something? It’s just a name.”

“Of course I do, because it’s coming from you.” Jake says softly, causing your heart to clench some more. “You are and will always be the only woman who has the ability to make me feel special.”

His warm brown eyes seem to be pulling in, but just before you get utterly lost in his eyes, the sound of passersby in the background milling about in the street renders you self-conscious by the fact that you two are in your own world.

You take a step back from him, ignoring the dejection glistening in his eyes. “Flattering me with words isn’t going to work.” Liar. Your heart was pumping loudly in your chest. “If you’re just holding me back to flatter me, then I’m going to leave. I have better things to do.” You really don’t, well, except to take a power nap.

“Don’t go, please.” Jake pleads, letting his inhibition go as he grabs your hand and holds it tenderly. You open your mouth to retort, but he cuts you off firmly yet there is a tinge of desperation he seems to restrain. “Give me a chance to prove that I’m worthy of having a place in your life.”

You heave a sigh. “Jaeyun─”

“Please, sweetheart. I’m begging you.” Jake implores, holding your hand rather firmly as he holds it close to his chest while the mere gesture makes your heart skip a beat involuntarily. “Give me one last chance to prove that I’m worthy of your love and to be your man. Give me another shot at forgiveness.”

Just like that, the resolve you valiantly retain liquefy and the exasperation is replaced by something so gut-wrenching in the way his eyes express emotions that you know reflects the depths of his feelings. This time, you don't protest as you allow him to hold your hand a little longer.

Deep down, you know that you would eventually cave into Jake as you come to embrace the fact that he has earned an abiding soft spot in your mended heart, even when you feign ignorance to it.

As you recall the memories you had with Jake, the back of your eyes begin to sting. Sure, there were times, especially in bedroom, where he was rough and can be quite a menace, but the Jake you remember was always sweet and knew what to say in order to allay whatever worries you had. At some moments, you even felt that you had also found a friend in Jake despite your salacious escapades, which was why you often confided in him as he understood you the most out of the four.

Yes, you have witnessed and understood that Jake is detrimental and unpredictable, and no doubt he falls under the category of psychopathic just like his best friends, which should have given you the reason to terminate whatever adoring feelings you had for him, but a part of you knows that no matter how grievously you try to efface everything about him on your mind and heart, he will always prevail in your affection that runs deep.

After all, he was your sweet Jaeyun, the Jaeyun you had missed dearly. Right now, you are seeing the Jaeyun you knew and loved in front of you despite how his divinely chiselled features look more mature than you remember. 

Your fingers are itching to caress his face affectionately like you once did, but you refrain yourself. As you finalise your decision based on both rationality and sensibility, you release a soft sigh, returning your gaze to meet his anticipating one.

“Alright, but don’t make me regret this, Jaeyun.” You warn.

You can see the way light beams in his eyes that you find so endearing. “I promise you won’t, sweetheart,” His firm tone holds promises which you can’t help but to anticipate. “Come on.”

“Where are we going?” You ask, your face contorting into confusion as he guides you to his red Lamborghini, to which you scrutinise his car before recognition flickers in your gaze. So he was the one who had waited and followed you all the way to your apartment on that one night when you were drinking out to your heart’s content.

“I hope you don’t mind clearing your schedule for the rest of the day, because from this moment forth, we’re on date,” Jake opens the passenger door for you, giving you a small smile that is enough to shoot a cupid arrow to your heart. You raise an eyebrow at him, noticing how his smile turns sheepish. “Besides, I haven’t really asked you out on a proper date before, so consider this our first.”

Your countenance betrays none of the feelings that are fluttering annoyingly in the expanse of your chest, but as your eyes roam around his, they soften as you recognise that he is trying his best despite how evidently nervous he is, causing your heart to clench at how genuine he is to prove his worth.

Maybe it won’t hurt you to lower down your guards around him. In return, you cast him a small smile that softens your features, unknowingly shooting the same cupid arrows to his heart that is beating in a familiar cadence for you.

“Okay, Jaeyun,” Your mellow tone catches him off guard as does your softened eyes, reminding him of the times when you gazed at him with heartfelt affection. 

“Okay?” It isn’t a question to you, but more like as if he is trying to wrap his head around the fact that you don’t seem to be entirely hostile towards him as much as the other night. 

You hold back a chuckle as you notice how similar he looks to a puppy that is waiting for its reward for being good while the smile on his lips slowly broadens just by your one word affirmation, granting a faint dimple on his cheek to appear.

“Yes, okay, Jaeyun.” You reaffirm softly, allowing your guards to lower around him.

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The silence enfolding in his car offers you a peculiar solace that is accompanied by the euphonious tune from the dashboard radio. His car is infused with a certain air freshener that smells pleasant, allaying any tension in your bodies. 

Yet, neither of you has yet to initiate a conversation. Jake remains a jittery mess on the inside despite his concentration on the busy road, his lips tucking in between his teeth and his eyebrows furrowing in fret as he hopes that he doesn’t fuck things up today, whereas you are preoccupied with your keen observation at his navigating skills as you gaze out to the window.

From your peripheral vision, you notice the visible pale on his knuckles in the way he grips the leathered steering wheel before your eyes find their way to his chiselled jaw, which seems taut with tension. You don’t know why, or maybe you do, but you feel compelled to dispel whatever worries he has on his mind.

“You seem to know your way around here,” You strike up a conversation on instinct as you utilise what you have been observing. He casts a brief glance at you, but you manage to take notice of the fleeting surprise in his eyes. “I have to use GPS to get my way around here sometimes.” You confess, embarrassingly enough.

It seems like whatever spell you covertly cast on him works as you see his jaw going unclench. “I actually don’t,” His sincere admission throws you off guard, and you are in disbelief when his lips stretch into a lax smile. “We might get lost, so prepare yourself for extended hours of a car ride for me to bring you back to your apartment.”

“Jaeyun,” Your flat tone denotes zero amusement as you shoot him a glare.

The sound of his soft chuckles alone is melodious, awakening the flutters surrounding your heart, and it intensifies when he turns to look at you with a boyish grin on his handsome features. “I’m kidding, sweetheart. Of course, I know my way around here,” In a way, his confidence feels more like an assurance to you. “It took me a while to memorise these routes by heart and not depending on GPS.”

Realising that you are still staring at him with a certain awe, you snap out of the trance, clearing your throat as you resort to another topic. “So…” The unintentional drag in your tone sounds painfully awkward, causing you to grimace inwardly. “How long have you guys been here? Since before Milan fashion week?”

“Three months ago, so yeah, before Milan fashion week.” He answers, his eyes returning to the road as he turns the steering wheel with one hand while the other relaxes on his thigh.

“Oh,” You can’t help but to overthink, bringing a frown to your lips. If they had been here for three months, then why did they decide to see you until recently? Why the long wait?

Jake is more than aware of your resounding silence, prompting him to glance at you. “Don’t misunderstand, love. We didn’t get to you sooner because we were too busy settling down our business here,” His words hit you like whiplash, as though he has the ability to read your overthinking mind. “As much as we wanted to find you first after we landed here, we couldn’t neglect our responsibilities, especially involving our careers. Stability is important in this economy after all.”

Your interest piques at the mention of careers, which morphs into curiosity in the way you tilt your body to get a better look at him. “So what do you do? Hacking?” Your tone remains cynic. “Considering you are very much professional at it.”

Jake raises an eyebrow at your tone, his eyes remaining on the road. “Is that sarcasm I sense?”

A scoff leaves your lips as you fold your arms below your chest. "Asked the guy who hacked the smart lock on my door and intruded into my apartment.” Naturally, you expect a retort or a witty remark from him.

“I’m sorry,” His stark sincerity in his apology proves you wrong, causing you to blink your eyes at him, but he doesn’t meet your gaze. His lips pressing thinly together, his countenance unreadable, but his tone speaks volume. “There are a lot of things I’m sorry for, sweetheart.”

This time, you don’t reply, uncertain of what to reciprocate in your enunciation. Jake casts another glance at you, wanting to alleviate any discomfort he brought upon you. “If you want to know, I’m working as the head of the cybersecurity team under Jay’s company.” 

“Jay’s company?” You blurt out your astonishment, your eyes widening in the slightest fraction at the revelation. “Jay has his own company?” The thought of Jay and his attractiveness being a CEO arouses something so dangerous within you. You quickly quell it, silently berating yourself. 

“Well, more like his father’s, but I think you should ask him yourself for a clearer explanation,” Jake’s vague elaboration elicits a dissatisfied huff from you, to which he feels amused, before continuing. “Back in Seoul, I worked in the same line under my father’s company. As much as I hated to work for him, I couldn’t refuse since it was an obligation for me.”

You furrow your eyebrows in both perplexity and curiosity. “But you’re here now, so I’m guessing he was fine with you leaving Seoul.”

“He actually opposed it, but what do I care?” His tone carries an undercurrent of bitter resentment for the elder, despite the indifference he wears on his face with a lazy smirk touching his lips. “If he hadn’t neglected his son for years, then maybe he would’ve known that his son would defy all odds, no matter the consequences, and go through such lengths to get what he wants.”

“And what do you want most, Jaeyun?” You ask tentatively, your voice sounding mellower than the previous while your eyes remain fixated on his divine side profile.

The air around you shifts, forming a palpable tension you recognise, and yet it is a dangerous one in the way it feels raw with a delicate intimacy, causing your heart to beat in a familiar cadence at the moment he meets your eyes. 

Jake feels it too, a certain unfathomable connection that electrifies just by locking eyes with you. “I think you already know the answer, love.” His voice barely above a whisper while his plump lips unfurl a soft smile while 

You are pulled out of the electrifying trance when his car comes to an abrupt stop, to which you haven’t realised that you have reached your destination as he finally pulls over to an empty spot by the curb. “We’re here.” He announces, switching off the ignition.

You decide to leave your bag, only bringing your phone and wallet with you before you exit from his vehicle at the same time as him. The crisp noon air hits your skin once more while you busily direct your attention on a familiar building.

Your eyes glimmer with recognition before you turn to face him in utter disbelief and amazement. “Wait, isn’t this─?” 

Jake gives you a broad smile as he stands next to you, feeling pleased by your reaction. “Welcome to Teatro alla Scala.” You nearly swoon over his accent in his perfect pronunciation. 

“I’ve always wanted to watch one of their shows but haven’t had the opportunity to since I was often occupied with work.” You tell him, feeling the natural yet familiar flow of confiding in him like you always did back then.

His eyes soften. “Fortunately, I was able to buy tickets for us earlier today, and we got the best seats in the house.”

“Earlier today?” You raise an inquisitive eyebrow at him, narrowing your eyes in a subtle, playful accusation. “So does this mean that this is an impromptu date?”

Jake rubs his nape sheepishly. “It was a last-minute plan, yes, but I couldn’t wait for another day to pursue you,” He confesses, and his warm brown eyes molten with promises that send you a faint shiver. “I mean it when I say that I intend to show you how serious I am about you.”

You lose the ability to speak, only affording to blink your eyes in acknowledgement as you look at him, as if you are awestruck by him. 

Jake chuckles softly, a melody you wish to hear over and over. He offers his arm to you in a gentlemanly stance. “Let’s head inside, sweetheart.” This time, you don’t hesitate to hook your arm around his before you finally venture further inside.

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Time passes by quicker than he likes, and it feels like he hasn’t been spending enough time with you. Jake feels more than relieved to know that you did enjoy the remarkable performance in the way your reaction gave away your feelings, but honestly, all he could think about at that moment in time was the close proximity of being seated next to you and the genuine smile on your kissable lips. You enchant him in the joy you find in every moment, and he wishes to cherish that joy with you.

Right after the theatre, Jake brought you to one of the famous art museums, which was only a 10-minute drive from where you were. Frankly, Jake never understood the purpose of people staring at different intricate arts with the same questionable being exhibited when they were not very pleasing in his eyes.

But when Jake saw the way your eyes sparkled with such fascination as you appreciated the exhibited arts, he felt as though he finally understood why, or at least he thought so. It was because the art itself was you. You are beyond the arts, a masterpiece that no one could ever replicate.

Jake has high hopes that by the end of today, things will remain in a smooth transition and his efforts will not be in vain. Presently, the two of you are on a boat ride with the helmsman overseeing and touring you along the famous canal of Naviglio Grande. Usually, you would be riding along with other people, but Jake specifically rented the entire boat solely for the two of you, to which you feel as though you are being cocooned with intimacy.

As the silence persists, Jake takes this moment to steal a glance at you, only to be rendered moonstruck by the natural glow on your cinematic beauty against the beaming dawn of twilight, painting the firmament a gorgeous blend of orange, pink, and purple while you are engrossed by the remarkable view.

Jake can hear his pulse drumming in his ear, matching with the cadence of his heart that feels as though it will jump out of his chest any sooner if he doesn’t look away from you. A delightful flutter brushes against his beating heart as he watches you tucking strands of your hair behind your ear.

“You look beautiful, sweetheart,” Jake allows his thoughts to slip past his lips, but he doesn’t regret it when he sees the look on your face.

Your cheeks feel warm under the intensity of his gaze, unable to maintain steady eye contact with him. “Thank you.”

Realisation hits him as he remembers, prompting him to slip his hand into the pocket of his jacket. “Give me your wrist.” He says, to which you feel confused, but nevertheless, you comply, only to be surprised when you notice a beautiful rose gold bracelet that looks like it costs hundreds in his grasp.

You watch as Jake assists in clasping the bracelet around your wrist ever so reverently. “It’s beautiful, Jaeyun,” You remark, bringing your wrist closer for you to admire the bracelet, but you falter with a frown as you return your gaze to him. “But why? You didn’t have to. I don’t want you to spend your money on me.”

Jake gives you a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Back then, I've never really spoiled you with anything like this, so consider this a gift from me to you.”

You can’t seem to find words to carry on the conversation, and so you resort to silence on your way back to the port while you take the opportunity to ruminate. Truthfully, after seeing and recognising his efforts throughout the whole day of your date, your heart is more than ready to accept him back, but a part of you keeps holding you back by taunting you with possibilities of him hurting you or that things would not work out well for you in the future.

It isn’t long until you finally reach the port with Jake assisting you out of the boat before the two of you proceed to leave the port, walking side by side with your hand itching to entwine with him.

Too deep in your thoughts, you lack attentiveness to your surroundings, causing you to bump someone’s shoulder roughly that nearly sends you staggering backward. You are about to apologise to the stranger, but Jake stops you as he recognises that you are not in the wrong.

“Hey man, you should apologise to my girl.” Jake has never sounded as hostile as he is now, his voice pitching lower, and when you lift your head, your eyes widen at how pissed off he really looks with his glaring eyes at the stranger who exudes such arrogance.

“From what I see, your girl bumped into me, so she’s the one who should be apologising to me, or better yet, kiss my foot,” The stranger counters, his face forming a sneer before he directs his callous eyes at you. The cynical smirk on his lips brings you an unpleasant shiver. “What do you say, sweetheart? Gonna be a good bitch and apologise on your knees?”

You already develop a strong distaste for this vile stranger whose eyes are looking at you with a predatory gleam. From your peripheral vision, you notice a change in Jake’s body language, rendering you hyper-aware of the patent wrath he emanates. “Jaeyun.” You utter his name warily.

But your calling falls deaf to his ear as he is seething and seeing red in his vision. “The only apology you deserve is my fucking fist.” Jake snarls coldly, and before you know it, things escalate into a situation you dread most.

“Jaeyun, don’t!” Your plea goes unheard while your attempt to prevent the dread is futile as Jake lunges forward to land a punch squarely in the stranger’s jaw in retaliation. 

Helpful passersby step in to de-escalate the situation amidst the uproar and violence. You even try to tug Jake at the hem of his blouse, but your attempt is futile as he is in a raging stupor that even four people have had to hold him back. Although Jake doesn’t bear any bruises, unlike the stranger, whose nose is bleeding, you spot his taut yet reddened knuckles.

Thankfully, a group of them proceed to drag the stranger away from the commotion while Jake wrenches out of their secure grip, but when his ablaze eyes meet your disappointing ones, it feels like cold water has splashed onto his face, mollifying his wrath.

A scoff leaves your lips before you turn your back on him and storm off, wanting to be away from him, but you underestimate his determination as he vehemently chases after you.

“Sweetheart, wait!” Jake’s plea reaches your ear, snapping you out of your storming thoughts and making you gain awareness of your location at the bridge with the canal just below you as he stops you with his hand latched on your wrist.

But you yank your wrist from his touch that sends a tingling sensation on your skin. “What’s the deal back there?!” You snap at him, any traces of the prior amiability dissipate.

Jake shoots you with a bewildered look, almost as if he is in sheer disbelief as well. “What’s the deal─ he intentionally bumped into you! I wasn’t about to let him get away with it! Not after he insulted you!”

“You should’ve just let him be! But no, you just had to get yourself into a fight!” You express your disapproval in a fit of anger, your eyes glaring into his nearly-faltered ones, though a part of you feels deeply moved by the fact that he defended you fiercely in your honour.

His eyes hardened obstinately, undeterred by your disapproval, even if the way you are glaring at him causes a twinge in his chest. “I’m not going to apologise for my actions. He deserved it.”

You heave a sigh, frustrated by his pertinacious resolve. “You need to understand that not all locals here are friendly, Jaeyun. The next time you get into a fight with them, who knows what would’ve escalated to?” 

Having had enough, you proceed to storm away from him, but he remains adamantly persistent. “Where are you going?” Jake asks, his frustration and disbelief unconcealed in his tone.

“Away from you,” You shoot your remark at him pointedly without turning around to look at him.

“Sweetheart, please,” Jake’s desperate plea pulls the strings in your heart agonisingly, and when his skin comes in contact with yours, you immediately yank your hand from his defeated touch.

“I didn’t recognise you back there, Jaeyun,” You confess, your voice sounding both exasperated and defeated. The look in your eyes punches him deeply in the gut. “I’ve never seen you in anger like that before, and you scared me.”

“No, no, no, you don’t have to be afraid of me,” Jake rushes, taking you by surprise when he cradles your face while his fingers tremble beneath your skin. “I would never ever hurt you. I’ll be damned if I do.”

“But I still don’t trust you, Jaeyun,” You utter in a splintered voice, slowly pulling away from him. “Words are meaningless if you don’t prove it with your actions. What if you betray your promises and lose control of your anger like you did back there? What if you hurt me─”

“Then I’ll kill myself,” Jake cuts you off sharply, his tone holding such dark promises that send you shivers. His dark eyes penetrate into yours, stealing your breath away by his conviction. “Or better yet, let you rip my heart out of my chest. But know this, I’ll kill myself before I could even lay a hand on you.”

“You’re crazy,” You blurt out in disbelief before you can stop yourself. Not even crazy, because in those eyes of his, there is only stark madness amidst the concoction of emotions.

“Yes, I’m crazy. I’ve been going insane ever since you left me,” Jake takes a step forward, but you take a step back, rendering him almost defeated it if weren’t for the boundless love his heart harbours for you.

“Don’t blame me for your insanity,” You retort defensively as you grit your teeth. “I did what I had to for my own good.”

“But were you happy without us? Without me?” Jake presses on incessantly, but you can discern a palpable hurt in the tenacity he seems to grapple with. “Because I sure as hell wasn’t. I was fucking miserable without you, and I knew that I deserved it for the times I took you for granted.”

You try your utmost not to be affected by his words, your resolve nearly melting. “We were nothing, Jaeyun, so why did you feel so miserable─” You are rendered speechless by the abruptness of his action as his towering figure slowly shrinks. “What are you doing?”

“What I should’ve done a year ago,” There is a palpable tremor in his voice that seems to unnerve you while you watch him getting down on the ground with both knees. “On my knees for you.”

You shake your head at him, not wanting him to shove away his pride no matter how much he infuriates you. “Jaeyun, stand up.”

Jake remains undeterred, his eyes locking yours in place so that you feel compelled to hear him out. “You asked me why I felt so miserable. It’s because when you left, I felt half of my heart left with you. I became worse than I already was, and I was always so angry," He tries his utmost for his firm resolve to come out strong in his enunciation despite the tumult of emotions within him threatening to implode. “I felt hollow and empty during my days that were painted blue. My days used to be filled with warm colours with you by my side. You brought colours to my life, but when you left, everything felt cold and dull.”

“Jaeyun,” Your voice trembles while your hands tremble as his declaration sends a wave of emotions to you.

“You need to hear this. You deserve to hear this after so long,” Jake says shakily, emotions displaying bare in his glistening eyes, and as you read him deeper, you can see how he is barely holding on. “I loathe myself when I think of those times I took you for granted, including how I was an arsehole towards you and ghosted you after I took away your innocence. You didn’t deserve that, and for that, I’m truly sorry.”

Alas, the emotions he fought valiantly to restrain burst into a torrent with an onslaught of devastation racking through his body. You remain cemented to the ground, watching in complete shock as tears unrelentingly cascade down his beautiful countenance. You have never once seen him in tears, and right now, it feels like your heart is shattering into pieces.

“I’m sorry for a lot of things, Y/N, and breaking your heart is one of them, but my biggest regret is not telling you how much you meant to me before you left,” His voice trembles with palpable heartbreak, nearly whimpering, causing tears to spring in your eyes.

“Jaeyun, just please stand up.” You implore, bending down as you attempt to reach for his arm. “You don’t have to kneel─”

“I love you, Y/N,” Jake cuts you off with a sharp sob, his pretty tear-filled eyes and his voice conveying raw yearning with a concoction of love and pain. “I’m so fucking in love with you that I might actually die if you leave me again. You occupy my every thought and my heart, and I miss you every day even if you’re in front of me.”

Before you know it, a sob leaves your lips as you weep with him, feeling profoundly moved by his confession that you had yearned to hear in a long time.

“I didn’t believe in love after I found out about my father’s infidelity. I didn’t even want to fall in love because I didn’t believe that someone could be loyal to their partner until you happened. I didn’t know how to distinguish between love and obsession, but fuck, I wanted you so bad that it hurt, just as it hurts now, because I still want you.” 

As Jake continues to pour out his heartfelt confession, his heart only seems to throb incessantly with pain. “You’re the only woman whom I want to marry and spend a lifetime with. I can’t imagine my future with anyone else except you,” He manages to smile through the tears. “You’re the only love of my life. The light to my darkness. The only good thing that has ever happened in my life.”

“Jaeyun,” You want to say something, but you lack the right energy to articulate your true feelings for him, only his name can you afford to utter, just like how you’ve always wanted to call for his name until he comes back home to you.

“I’m so sorry for everything, sweetheart. If I could turn back time, I would make things right and cherish you more,” The smile on his lips is wiped off as he breaks down in an onslaught of devastation voluntarily, pleading in between sobs and whimpers. “I can’t afford for you to abandon me again. I’m so sorry for fucking things up. Please don’t leave me again. I’ll do anything, including ripping my heart out if you ask me to─”

Jake feels his heart lurching in his chest when your palms cup his cheeks to tilt his head up as you bend down, only to be silenced by your lips on his as you kiss him softly that send sparks flying around him. He closes his eyes as he latches his hand on your wrist, kissing you back with fervent desperation, and he swears he can taste colours. 

Tears continue their descent from your faces even as you slowly pull away from his lips. “You’re an idiot, Jaeyun. How am I supposed to live, laugh, and love life without you by my side?” You cry softly, your palms remaining cupping his cheeks as you lean your forehead against his, your eyes fluttering close with his momentarily. “You said you’d do anything if you ask me to, so please stand.”

Jake complies with your request, rising from the ground with ease before you take him by surprise when you lunge towards him for a hug while his arms instinctively snake their way around your trembling body.

“I forgive you, Jaeyun,” You reaffirm with utmost sincerity in between sobs. “I’ve already forgiven you even before I left Seoul, and I loved you even before all of the cruelty happened. I was in love with you, Jaeyun. I thought that you wouldn’t feel the same way and that I was merely there for you to use me however you pleased.”

“I’m so sorry. I should’ve given you the clarity you deserved,” Jake tightens his arms around you, his hand ascending to cradle the back of your head with reverence as you slowly pull away to look at him with glistening eyes. “You’ve changed me, love. After you left, I prayed to God that I would meet you again one day. You made me become religious and prayed every day when I should’ve been worshipping at your altar, because you’re my religion.”

Your heart soars, and you swear you feel as though you are on cloud nine. “Jaeyun─”

“God, you’re so beautiful, even in tears,” Jake whispers affectionately, completely enamoured by you in the way he gazes at you with his pupils dilated with profound love. “I was in complete moonstruck when I first saw you after so long─” 

“Jaeyun,” You cup his cheeks, your eyes reflecting the same love in his eyes as you gaze at him. “Kiss me, please.”

And he does, dipping his head down and pressing his lips squarely on yours. He kisses you as if you might disappear at any moment in time. He kisses you like he’s afraid that this is all just a dream, but when the warmth of your palms touches his nape, he knows that this is real, and so he deepens the kiss.

Sparks dance behind your closed-vision while butterflies swarm in your tummy as he pulls you closer to his body, hugging you ever so intimately. As if knowing that you need air, he slowly pulls away from your lips.

“Can I be your man?” He seeks permission tenderly, his eyes meeting yours.

Instead of answering him, you lean in to place a chaste kiss on his lips. “Does that answer your question?” Your tone matches his, your lips adorning a smile.

“More than it does, sweetheart,” Jake chuckles breathily, leaning his forehead against yours as he mirrors your smile. “Let’s head back to my car.”

“Jaeyun, do you want to spend the night at my apartment?” You ask tentatively, and yet, something so suggestively sensual swirls in your eye, giving him a sense of what to anticipate next.

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As far as Jake can recall, he has never been dominated by anyone in bed. If anything, he loves asserting dominance and revelling in the power he wields over the other, but right now, in this very heated moment between you two, he finally acknowledges that maybe he has yearned for someone to control him, and not just anyone. You.

“You’re going to kill me, love,” Jake groans, throwing his head back against the pillow with his eyes rolling to the back at the delirious sensation of your tongue dragging along the ridge and veins of his raw erection. It feels like it has been forever since you decided to edge him.

Your hum from the back of your throat sends vibration through his cock as you continue to bob your head, taking him deeply into your throat. The sound of his moans and whines spurs you further into giving him the mind-blowing pleasure in the way you fuck him with your throat.

“Sweetheart, please,” Jake pleads softly, his fingers fisting the bedding as he struggles to control himself before caving into the temptation as his hand descends to grab your hair, but the instant he does so, you easily swat his hand away.

As you flutter eyelashes to look at him, his breath hitches in his throat upon seeing the familiar swirls of sultry dominance in your mesmerising eyes. Just before he can reach his climax, you release his cock with a resounding ‘pop’ and tut disapprovingly at him.

“I told you not to touch me unless I said so, did I not?” Your condescending tone only turns him on further, eliciting a needy whine from him as you continue to edge him with your thumb pressing and stroking his wet slit. “Now I’m starting to think that you don’t deserve to cum at all.”

“No. I deserve it. I’ve been good to you,” Jake whimpers, bucking his hips up to your tantalising touch. “Please make me cum. It hurts. I need you, sweetheart.” You could spend all night to edge him just to hear him whine and display his desperation in tears.

“Since baby asked politely,” You place a wet kiss on the bulbous tip, your tongue purposefully licking the pre-cum on his slit while your ministrations elicit a soft moan from him. His heart pumps loudly in his chest as he watches you seductively crawl your way to settle above him while the sensation of your palm on his abdomen muscles sends him the shivers. “Look at you. Being so good to me. Wish you were good to me sooner.”

“I’ll be good to you, always,” Jake gasps as you curl your fingers around his neck, applying enough pressure to punctuate your dominance over him. He subtly bucks his hips up, feeling your wet folds on his shaft. You hum, ghosting your lips on his teasingly. “I promise I’ll be good to you, just as I love you, always and forever.” He whispers before you silence him, pressing your lips on his into a bruising kiss.

Breaking the lip lock, you direct your focus on grabbing his shaft and guiding it to your entrance before you slowly sink down on him, eliciting moans from him that mingle with yours as your warmth envelopes him so perfectly.

“You feel so good in me, my love,” You purr appreciatively, your fingers remaining around his neck for leverage as you proceed to move back and forth with a sensual motion in your hips while your eyes greedily drink in the pure ecstasy on his handsome face. “Do you want more?”

“Please,” He says shakily, his fingers fisting on the bedding as he refrains himself from touching you. Upon his plea, you begin to ride him like a pro, each thrust and movement sends pleasurable shockwaves through your bodies.

“Touch me,” You demand in between bated breaths, and at an instant, his large hands find home on your sensual hips before he squeezes the flesh as he adds some guidance to your movements, needing to feel you deeply, but this position is not satisfactory for him.

“I’m sorry for this, sweetheart,” Jake murmurs, taking you by surprise when he manoeuvres you before you find yourself being pressed against the mattress with his figure hovering on top of you. “Fuck, yes!” He proceeds to fuck you with reckless abandon, his hips snapping into yours bruisingly as he thrusts his cock into you vigorously 

“Jaeyun, I didn’t say you could do that─” You gasp, your eyes turning white as you feel him hitting that spot, causing your walls to clench around him before he uses force to draw back his cock, only to ram into your cunt deliciously. “Fuck, Jaeyun!”

“I can’t help it. You feel so fucking good,” He whimpers, dipping his head down to your shoulder before he sinks his teeth into your skin as he continues to deliver vigorous thrusts. You circle your legs around his hips while your arms hook around his neck, meeting his thrusts that feel deeper than the previous.

In the throes of your pleasures, you can feel your climax reaching its peak, your walls clenching around him like a telltale sign. “I’m gonna cum, Jaeyun,” You moan in his ear. “Are you close too?”

“Yes. Wanna cum so bad,” He moans against your sheeny skin, “Please let me cum.”

“Go on. Fill me up like the good boy you are,” You whisper sultry in his ear, your fingers raking through his tousled locks. Jake never knew that getting called ‘good boy’ by you could make him turn on more than it should, and he desires to please you in every way you ask him to. As waves of ecstasy wash over you and him, you cream around his cock while he delivers one last thrust before going still as his warm cum spurts into your charted womb.

With ragged breaths, Jake leans on your body as you welcome him with your embrace, his head tucking in the nook of your neck while his fingers make their ascent to pinch and tweak your perky nipple, eliciting a breathy moan from you.

“Thank you,” Jake whispers, placing a kiss on your neck before trailing his kisses down at the expense of your chest, his lips encasing your nipple and giving attention to both tits.

You release a pleasurable sigh, your cunt clenching around his cock at his ministrations. You continue to rake your fingers through his locks while you gaze at him lazily with a smirk on your lips. “My handsome boy, I’m not done with you yet.”

With your other hand, you stretch it out to the side and grab a familiar device. “Lay back on the bed, baby,” You order sternly, to which he whimpers before reluctantly heeding obedience. “Remember, hands to yourself, or I’ll have to tie them.”

“What are you doing─” Jake is silenced by a groan of his own as soon as he feels shockwaves of pleasure rippling through him from the vibrator you are pressing on the raging tip of his cock while grabbing the base. “Fuck, fuck! Y/N!”

“Be a good boy and take what I give you,” Your lips stretch into a cruel smirk as you revel in the way he is at your mercy. You pout at him, feigning such innocence that eventually fails to conceal your devilry. “You don’t want to disappoint me now, do you, baby?”

“No,” His Adam's apple is bobbing deeply to the erratic rhythm of his gasps as he throws his head back on the pillow. The sensation is mind-numbing while he is teetering at the edge of his impending climax. When he looks down to meet your stern gaze, he holds back a whimper, knowing that he is in for another session of being cruelly edged by you.

Jake’s absence in their penthouse likely bespeaks that he must have succeeded in his part in grovelling for your forgiveness and earned himself back into your good grace, but it is absurd to them how he has been gone for two days, and he didn’t even respond to any of their calls or texts, which led them into suggestively thinking that he has earned more than just your forgiveness.

Unfortunately, the three of them have been preoccupied with respective responsibilities for the past two days to discuss and collectively decide who will be making their next moves first. And so one of them, specifically the most inherently competitive one out of the four, decided to make his first moves without any consultation. Things were going smoothly until he received an earful through a call from a certain someone.

“But we haven’t even discussed this with Heeseung yet!” Jay exclaims, his disbelief punctuating, but Sunghoon remains undeterred in his pursuit while his eyes are examining the flowers that are meticulously displayed to captivate customers’ interest.

Presently, Sunghoon is at a florist boutique, which is situated in the same street where he temporarily resides, and truthfully, he has been struggling for the past fifteen minutes, worrying incessantly if he chooses the flowers that are not to your liking. He even has no idea what types of flowers these are, rendering him frustrated, but he doesn’t wish to head over to your place empty-handed.

What is more astounding is the fact that he is doing this, to which he has never done or bothered to be semi-romantic with the girls he had been before, simply because he was an anti-romantic, which explains his struggle at the moment, but for you, he is willing to struggle for more.

“Yeahhh, sorry buddy. I already lost to Jake. I can’t lose to you and Heeseung too,” His tone is anything but apologetic, being completely nonchalant, which irks Jay on the line. Sunghoon allows his eyes to skim through the flowers for another time before reaching for a small bouquet of garden roses and inspecting them. “Besides, I’m already on my way to her place, so don’t even think of trying to ruin my plan.”

“Heeseung is not going to like it when he hears about you,” Jay admonishes, and of course, Sunghoon disregards his warning as relevant while he makes his way to the cashier with the small bouquet of garden roses in his hand.

“For Y/N, it’ll be worth it. She is always worth the risk,” Sunghoon says firmly before putting his best friend on hold to make payment. Sunghoon gives the cashier a small smile of gratitude, who evidently swoons over him before he proceeds to exit the boutique and resumes the call with Jay. “You can have your turn once I’m done, and that is, well, probably a long time.”

“Park Sunghoon─” Sunghoon immediately ends the call before Jay can prolong his admonishment. Shoving his phone in his pocket, he glances down at the flowers in his grasp, and something so foreign spreads in his chest, which amplifies his heartbeat. 

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With one hand controlling the steering wheel, he rubs his throbbing temple with the other while his hardened eyes focus on the road. Throughout the ride to your place, Sunghoon has been grappling with an unabating turmoil, rendering him to worry incessantly once more with his mind conjuring up possibilities of the outcome of his pursuit. 

But Sunghoon is audacious enough, even if it means that you might shut him out. He has waited far too long, and he has yearned for you to return to him. Above all, he yearns to return in your arms, in which he has found home. You are his home, a home his heart called to longingly, his heart that has bled for you.

Just like the others, Sunghoon was not himself after learning of your departure, but he rarely verbally expressed his emotions, even to his best friends. Instead, he became aloof and colder, always distancing from the others to deal with the tumult of emotions and feelings he could not articulate. Hence, he sought solace in expressing those feelings by delivering his punches to the impenetrable punching bag in their private gym.

But it wasn’t enough, and so he busied himself with work. He worked for Jay’s father as an architectural drafter since it was in value to his degree. It was more or less a generous offer from Jay’s father since, coincidentally, Sunghoon had no idea what career to pursue as he was too distraught by your departure, so he was grateful to Jay’s father, even if he detested the elder.

As for Sunghoon’s father, Sunghoon could never forgive him for the attempted murder by hiring a hitman, resulting in him departing from his so-called family for good. From then onwards, he regarded himself as someone who had no family, not that he was devastated over in the first place, because nothing was ever more devastating than you leaving him for the second time.

Sunghoon recalls spending his grey days in regret and utter devastation beneath his deceptive, callous facade. He doesn’t recall shedding tears, or maybe he did in his sleep whenever he dreamed of you and called out to you, but he knows for sure that his bleeding heart weeped every day for the loss of his princess.

Everything about you, even the little details he could vividly remember, haunted him in his mind every day and night ─ a poignant reminder of what he took for granted. At times, he could physically feel the pain in his heart whenever you struck on his mind.

Initially, Sunghoon thought that finding you in a short period of time would be impossible since you could be anywhere across the globe, but then he remembered about Milan, which you mentioned to him once. He hated himself for being too late, and by the time he found you when he first saw you at Milan Fashion Week, he knew that getting you back was not going to be easy.

Sunghoon regrets many things that centred around you. He regrets hating you in the very beginning, for reasons he deems farcical. He regrets the times he has treated you degradingly. He regrets not cherishing the moments he had with you so deeply. Above all, he regrets not letting you know how much you meant to him that no one could even come close to how he held you in his tainted heart.

Sunghoon was not a believer of love or any of those mushy-gushy sentiments, but you made him become one when he finally acknowledged that he was indeed in love with you in what he thought was impossible to develop such feeling, just as you made him want to become a better man for you.

As Sunghoon finally pulls over by the curb of the pavement in your street building, he is firm in his resolve that this time he won’t lose you. There is no room for debate. He must have you back, or he might actually cave into his depravity in capturing you and keeping you locked in his possession until forever, no matter if the consequence leads to you hating him with vehemence.

It isn’t long until Sunghoon reaches to the right floor as he heads for your unit with the bouquet in his hand. His inner turmoil remains unabating the closer he gets to your door. He clenches his jaw, hating how he feels the incessant jitter when he has dealt worse. As Sunghoon stops directly in front of your unit with the bouquet hidden behind him, he forces himself to press on the doorbell before he can even allow the second thoughts to influence him in changing course.

Right after he presses, the door swings open, nearly sending his heart into a cardiac arrest, especially when you are standing in front of him, all dolled up in a cute baby blue blouse that complements with your skirt. When his eyes finally meet yours, he sees how taken aback you are before a blend of confusion and annoyance swirls in your eyes. He senses a hostility emanating from you that adds to the brewing tension.

“What are you doing here?” You break the ice, your tone sounding displeased and your eyes showing no traces of cordiality. 

Sunghoon refuses to deflate from the clarity in your apparent animosity towards him. “Where are you going?” He asks cooly, wearing a mask of casual bravado.

You narrow your eyes at him as you fold your arms below your chest. “You didn’t answer my question.” 

“And you didn’t answer my question,” Sunghoon counters arrogantly while the smirk playing on his lips causes your cheeks to flare in either exasperation or the fact that you actually find him insufferably handsome with his raven bangs falling over his dark brows and his black leather jacket complementing his overall fit. “I can do this all day, princess.” The husk in his voice stirs something so dangerous in you.

You scoff in disbelief, trying to quell that unprovoked arousal. “I have work involving meeting my client. Now, answer mine.” You demand haughtily.

“Your work starts in the afternoon?” Sunghoon merely ignores your demand as genuine curiosity strikes him, but realisation immediately hits him, prompting his eyes to wander behind you where he is able to glimpse the entryway to your living room apartment. “Right. Is Jake still here? I’m sure he’s here. He didn’t go back to our place for two days.”

“That’s two extra questions, Park Sunghoon.” You deadpan, shooting him a scowl as he continues to taunt you with his smirk that you wish to wipe off from his handsome face.

“You’re going to answer them anyway,” He shrugs his shoulders, sliding his hand into his pocket. Curiosity sparks within you as you notice his other hand hiding behind him, but you choose to disregard it.

You heave a sigh, recognising that Sunghoon remains wilful as ever. “I’m a freelance writer, so my work can start anytime in the day, and secondly, Jaeyun’s asleep,” You state in exasperation, your tone changing into a warning and your eyes glaring accusatory at him. “Don’t you dare barge inside and wake him up. I want him to rest for more.”

Sunghoon looks at you as if you had offended him. “I didn’t even say anything.”

You narrow your eyes at him. “I know that look. I know you.”

The smirk on his lips falters as soon as an air of melancholy is present amidst the tension, his features softening. “I’m glad that you still know me, even though I don’t know the new you.”

Silence drapes over you as you remain cemented to the floor, unable to tear your gaze away from his softened eyes. His words that were uttered in a soft tone carried an undercurrent of poignancy, parallel to the emotions swirling in his dark eyes. 

You can feel a palpable connection that seems to deepen as you are drawn into the cryptic wonders of his eyes before you force yourself to look away from him and clear your throat. “Can you move aside?" Sunghoon does the opposite, and this time, he decides to unravel the mini surprise to you, prompting you to look down at the beautiful authentic garden roses bundled in a small bouquet. You don’t bother to conceal your awe, and something stirs in your heart that is beginning to pick up a familiar cadence as it beats for the man in front of you.

“What is this?” You blurt out, unable to articulate your jumbled feelings, but nevertheless, you accept the bouquet, your heart remains beating, which is going borderline rapid by his mere gesture that has a profound impact on you. You thought that this mere gesture only existed in rom-com books or movies, but you never would have thought that Park Sunghoon would be the one to pull this move. 

Sunghoon observes the way your eyes gleam delightfully as you examine the garden roses in admiration. “I read somewhere online that in order to get your girl to fall for you on your first date, you should give her flowers at her doorstep.” He says, masking his diffidence with a simper smile.

A scoff leaves your lips as you try your utmost to avoid giving away that you are entirely amused by him. “I’ve never heard of such tips.”

“You’re right. I made it up,” His genuine smile that displays his fang-like teeth awakens the butterflies in your tummy. “Now let’s go for our date.”

You raise a challenging eyebrow at him. “What makes you think I would want to go anywhere with you?” 

“One, because I know you skipped breakfast. Two, you can never say no to this face.” He points his finger to his smug face while you ignore the fact that he still remembers a habit of yours.

You release a petty huff before deciding to step out of the threshold as you close the door behind you. “You’re so incorrigible and insufferable.” You tell him in a brusque manner, brushing past him as you make your way to the elevator while still holding the small bouquet.

Sunghoon easily catches up to you with his long legs, now walking alongside you. “Pick one, princess.” His chuckles sound annoyingly melodious to your ears. 

You know that you should not entertain him any longer for the sake of your sanity, but all it takes for you is a single glance at his face to cave into him. “Insufferable it is.”

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“Isn’t this a bit fancy just for a lunch date?” You break the painful silence as soon as you finish the last bits of your food before reaching out for your glass of cider. “You didn’t even tell me to change into something nice.” 

“What are you talking about? You do look nice,” Sunghoon insists, his eyes raking all over you, feeling invasive, prompting you to look down at your empty plate while your cheeks feel warm. He snaps out of the trance before clearing his throat. “You look gorgeous as always.”

“You’re just saying that to flatter me.” You mutter dryly, appearing unaffected by his compliment even though you feel a flutter in your heart.

“You know that I don't flattery,” Sunghoon retorts firmly, and when his eyes meet yours, a smirk plays on his lips. “But for you, I’ll make an exception.”

This time, you decide to voice out what has been bothering you since the moment he appeared at your doorstep. You heave a sigh, feeling defeated. “What are you doing, Sunghoon?”

Sunghoon raises his eyebrow at you as he places down his empty glass on the table. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, this.” You gesture between you and him with your hands. The frown on your lips deepens. “A lunch date won’t erase what happened, and you can’t pretend like nothing happened.”

“That night, you told us that we should’ve tried harder if we wanted you that bad,” Sunghoon recalls as much as the recollection pains him. His eyes display steely resolve, and you know he won’t concede defeat, even if you reject him countless times. “That’s what I’m doing right now, Princess. From today onwards, I’m going to pursue you and show you how serious I am with you.”

Bitter chuckles leave your lips. “A year ago, I thought I could escape you. Everything was working out well for me,” You divulge a part of your vulnerability you retain. “I finally didn’t need to rely on someone to find happiness. I finally learnt how to love myself and embrace my flaws.”

“Tell me more,” To your surprise, Sunghoon encourages, his eyes showing keen interest that makes you feel touched in the heart. “I want to know more about what I’ve missed out on in your life.”

You bite down your lip harshly as you avoid his gaze. “You wouldn’t want to hear. It’s boring.”

“On the contrary, I do. I want to get more involved in your life,” Sunghoon prods further, and when you look at him tentatively, you can feel the impenetrable walls you built to protect yourself from him crumbling in the way his eyes soften while a small smile touches his lips. “And it’s never boring when it’s from you. I’d listen to my princess all day.”

Against your better judgement, you cave into the temptation as you begin tell-taling some parts of your journey in Milan, leaving out some details that you still feel uncertain to divulge to him, but nevertheless, he seems to be listening to you attentively without interrupting you, and you even find yourself lifting a small smile in the midst of it.

“So, what about you?” You decide to put the attention on him, partially because you are genuinely curious. “Jaeyun didn’t exactly tell me about you and the others when you were still in Seoul.”

He hums, his face unreadable. “Did he tell you how much he cried over you?” His question sounds rhetorical, and upon seeing your puzzled expression, he begins to divulge. “He cried over you on most nights, especially in his sleep, and he would call out to your name. We often checked in on him in any case he decided to do stupid shit,” He sighs. “I’ve never seen him cry like that in all my life I’ve known him. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him being so heartbroken over someone.”

The revelation renders you stunned as you remain silent, your mind drifting off to Jake. Maybe it should not have come off too surprising to you after witnessing his vulnerability descend on him just two nights ago, but to hear this from Sunghoon makes your heart ache. 

Sunghoon observes the expression you wear on your face, noticing your crestfallen eyes. “I’m sure you know how attached he was to you, just as I was,” His voice barely above a whisper near the end as you slowly lift your head to look at him just in time for him to wear a different mask, no longer is there vanity. “But we coped differently, like distracting ourselves with work or even hitting off to the gym.”

The mention of work easily replaces the melancholia with a spark of genuine curiosity. “So what were you working as while you were in Seoul?"

“I was working my way to become a professional architectural drafter,” He answers, leaning back on the cushion comfortably with his arms crossed over his chest. “Back then, I took up the offer Jay’s dad gave me and worked for him even though Jay was more than pissed about it, but I knew I couldn’t squander the offer. I was trained and given the opportunity to acquire hands-on skills that moulded me into someone reliable and competent.”

“So now you’re….?” You pause tentatively, raising your eyebrow at his continuation of your sentence in order to reaffirm. 

“Now I’m not only an architectural drafter but also the head of the architecture team.” His lips curl into a smirk while his eyes display emotions that reflect his pride. “I’m working under Jay’s company while concomitantly establishing my business in Milan.”

“That’s actually impressive,” Your genuine compliment not only elevates his pride, but it also renders him bashful as he feels warmth weaving across his cheeks.

“Thank you,” His sincerity shines through his soft utterance of gratitude, and his eyes darken with promises as he gazes intensely into your eyes. “I’ve been working hard ever since, especially when I’m working for the sake of my future with you. I’m doing it all for you.”

Your heart flutters against your will, and you can’t seem to look away from his enchanting gaze. “You shouldn’t do it for me. You should do it for yourself.” You subtly stammer your words.

His eyes hardened with intense resolve. “But I do. I’m doing it for our future.” 

You heave a sigh. “I don’t understand. How could you guarantee the possibility of finding me when you told me that you’ve been working hard for our future ever since I left? How were you so certain that I would ever accept you back in my life?”

“I had faith. You made me believe in faith, princess,” The corner of his lips curls into a small smile, his features softening as he reminisces wistfully. “I guess I can also say that I’m the reason for the likelihood of your accurate location. You told me before that you’ve always dreamed of travelling to Milan.”

You can’t help but falter, your eyes softening while your heart pounds harder against your chest at such trivial detail that he regarded it with high value. “You remembered.”

“Of course I do. I still remember your every detail,” His eyes roam around your features meaningfully, and his heart aches as he feels so close yet so far from you. “Just like how your face, your scent, and everything about you had been embedded in my mind.”

Silence envelopes around your table as you allow his words to sink deeply into your mind. You look away from his eyes and clear your throat in hopes of dispelling the tension. “We should go, or else I’ll be late to meet my client.”

Surprisingly, Sunghoon agrees and decides to cease whatever happened. Not moments later, the two of you are at the counter as you are ready to split the bills, but Sunghoon insists on keeping your card.

“I can pay for mine,” You retort vehemently, but your insistence is rendered futile as you watch in defeat when he proceeds to give his black card to the cashier. “Sunghoon.” You sigh, surrendering to his persistence.

Sunghoon merely throws you an annoying yet charming smirk. “What kind of man am I if I allow my woman to pay for anything?”

You silently curse your heart for fluttering once more while you shoot him a scowl. “I’m not your woman.”

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It is nice to know that his obstinacy remains unchanged even a year later, but it highly affects you in your professional element while you are engaged in a discussion that entails the next procedure with your clients. Thankfully, the commotion in the background is minimal with fewer customers in the cafe, but what seems to distract you most is his presence as he sits closely next to you, leaving no gap in between.

Initially, you ordered him to wait in the car, but he stubbornly insisted on accompanying you and declared that he wished to give you moral support with his presence, which you considered unnecessary. Not only does his presence seem to mount the tension only you feel, but you feel the awkwardness as well. What baffles you most is the fact that your two clients do not seem the slightest bothered by the fact that this can be considered unprofessional.

After what feels like a torturous eternity, the meeting has concluded as your satisfied clients proceed to take a generous amount of sips from their frappe drinks, but their eyes keep wandering to Sunghoon, whose eyes are attentively on you.

“Thank you so much for your excellent work for today, Miss Kang. It has been such a pleasure doing business with you.” One of them commends you with a broad, genuine smile as she shakes your hand before her fellow colleague offers the same courtesy to you.

You smile rather gingerly, feeling satisfied that today’s transaction went perfectly smoothly, which tempts you to do your little victory dance, but of course, you maintain decorum. Feigning ignorance to a certain someone seated closely next to you, you fail to notice the way his eyes gleam with amusement as he examines you, looking oddly buoyant.

Your clients exchange words between each other before one of them looks over to Sunghoon briefly and returns her gaze to you with a knowing yet pleasant smile despite the glinting curiosity in her eyes. “Don’t get me wrong, Miss Kang. You have always shown excellent consistency in your work, but today is truly exceptional, and we guessed that your boyfriend was the source to offer you support. For that, we thank you both.”

The smile on your lips has never faded as quickly as it is now. “Oh, no. You got it wro─”

“As her boyfriend, it is important for me to accompany her and provide her the moral support in any case she needs.” Sunghoon cuts you off, rendering you flabbergasted at the sensation of his arm snaking around your waist to flush you against him.

Your clients smile pleasantly, oblivious to the tension as you shoot him a glare discreetly while casting him a sweet smile that laces with lethality. “Miss Kang, you are incredibly lucky to have him as your boyfriend.”

“Actually, I’m the lucky one to have such an amazing, hard-working girlfriend who I’m always so proud of.” Sunghoon plants a kiss on your crown, and his gesture of affection causes your clients to gush over while you are rendered speechless with your cheeks warming by his deliberate, infuriating actions that flutter your heart.

It is not long until your clients have finally made their departure. You wrench your way out of Sunghoon’s possessive embrace around your waist before attempting to put a safe distance between you and him, only for you to hit the glass window behind.

“Ow!” You moan out in pain as you clutch the back of your head that is throbbing painfully from the impact due to your hurried movements. You fail to heed the lack of space, and thus, you are closely stuck in between Sunghoon and the glass window.

“So clumsy,” Sunghoon makes a ‘tsk’ sound, prompting you to throw daggers at him with your eyes before you falter just slightly when his hand reaches out to you and cradles the back of your head tenderly before massaging the spot. “This wouldn’t have happened if you had stayed still.”

You scoff in disbelief at his audacity, ignoring the fact that he gives you the butterflies moments prior before this. “So you’re blaming me for being startled by the fact that you put your arm around me after telling lies to my client that you’re my boyfriend?” You fume, giving him no opportunity to retort as you jerk away from his touch, but you are taken aback at his unyielding strength as you cradle the back of your head protectively in a nick of time just when you almost hit the glass window again.

“You should really be careful, princess.” Sunghoon softly chides you, his dark, thick brows furrowing in genuine concern and his eyes penetrating deeply into yours. Your breath hitches in your throat at the close proximity between your faces while you feel your surroundings fade into a blur. “I don’t want my princess getting hurt. What if I’m not there to protect you from your own clumsiness?”

Honestly, his words fall deaf to your ears as you involuntarily focus on his dreamy yet handsome face up close. This must be the effect of getting your head hit. “Boyfriend,” You mutter absentmindedly, earning an eyebrow raised from him. “You’re my boyfriend???”

Sunghoon observes your softened eyes gazing dreamily at him, but nevertheless, he decides to string you along for his entertainment until you snap out of your reverie. A smirk touches his lips, leaning down to your face while his arm slithers around your waist to pull you closer to him. “Yeah, I’m your boyfriend, and you’re my girlfriend, princess.” He hums, his nose tantalisingly grazing against yours.

Oh, it is truly illegal for a man to be this unfairly gorgeous, and a bonus point when he smells good that entices you to snuggle into him with your face buried in his chest. You know that you are so touch-deprived by him that the sensation of his strong arm around your waist renders you weak in the knees as you completely melt against him.

“Sunghoon, you─” You pause as you are slowly being pulled out of your reverie, prompting you to blink your eyes.

“Yeah, my beautiful princess?” His voice is a low husk that sends shivers down your body.

You maintain a collected facade as you curl your fingers into fists before placing them on his solid chest. “Let me go, or I swear I won’t talk to you anymore.” You demand calmly while your eye contact with him never wavers despite the annoying flutters in your chest.

Sunghoon’s smirk deepens, having you flushed against him as he enjoys how agitated you are. “Nahh, I’m quite enjoying this. Being hugged by me is a privilege, so consider yourself the luckiest one since I don’t just hug anyone that isn’t my princess.”

“Sunghoon, I’m not joking around right now.” You say annoyedly, and yet you never attempt to push him away as your body is enjoying being intimately held by him. You release an annoyed huff and look away from him. “I’m mad at you.”

He chuckles softly, finding everything about you rather endearing. “What did I do, princess?”

You gasp in disbelief as you shoot him a glare. "Umm, the act? The whole self-proclaimed boyfriend thing in front of my clients?!” You whisper hotly, trying to keep your tone down a notch as you feel self-conscious due to the bustling patrons in the cafe. “You’re not even my actual boyfriend!”

“Who says I was acting?” His voice sounds deeper, while his face shows no hint of mischief. “I’m your boyfriend, princess. The whole of me is reserved only for you.”

“Park Sunghoon─”

“Do you not want me to be your boyfriend?” He cuts you off, his eyes displaying a rare vulnerability that has you completely faltering. “I’m being honest when I say that I’ve never been into a relationship, but you can trust me to treat you like a princess.”

You don’t respond, and instead, your glazed eyes flicker at his pink lips, needing him to press his lips on yours. You had no plan in falling for him again this soon, let alone to open your heart to him, but his every gesture seems to shatter your resolve piece by piece. You heave a soft sigh as you lower your head. “Let me go, Sunghoon, please.”

Sunghoon decides to relent, even if his heart mourns at the loss of your warmth and how perfectly you fit in his arms. Seeing how crestfallen you are, Sunghoon adorns a soft smile and reaches out to gently pat your head in a commendation, prompting you to slowly lift your head to look at him with questioning eyes.

“Great job for today, and I mean it.” He praises you with firmness while you remain wonderstruck at the stark sincerity on his dreamy face. You feel your heart clenching as he continues to smile at you. “I’m so proud of you, princess.”

Maybe it’s your hormones acting up since your period is coming in a week's time, but to hear someone telling you that they are proud of you touches you deeply in the heart since it has been so long, and to hear it from Sunghoon himself evokes a profound emotional level that springs tears in your eyes.

Sunghoon soothingly rubs your head in a stroking motion, a gesture that has your heart fluttering and clenching while he examines how teary-eyed you become.

“Do you really mean that?” You ask in a whisper, your blurry vision deprives you of seeing the clarity of his countenance. Your heart weeps at the loss of his soothing touch on your head, only to feel surprised when he cups your cheek before he leans down to press a kiss on your forehead.

“I always mean what I say, princess.” He murmurs against your forehead before slowly pulling away to look at your face. His lips curving into a small smile as he sees tears cascading down your cheeks. “Just as I’m always proud of you, and I’ll gladly tell you this every day.”

You let your inhibitions go as you quietly weep. “Thank you, Sunghoon.” You utter sincerely, forgetting any qualms you had for him as you tug at the hem of his jacket. “Can you hug me?” 

Sunghoon is more than glad to grant your request, his arms enveloping your body in a loving embrace while you don’t hesitate to bask in his warmth that you used to seek solace in. You flutter your eyes close, feeling safe and comforted in the familiarity of his dependent arms as Sunghoon plants a lingering kiss on your crown.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

The skies are painted in the stunning hues of pink and orange while your evening is draped in a soft glow, and your sudden petulance bearing earlier after you exit the establishment that ensued in him receiving a long agonising silent treatment from you throughout the car ride eventually mollified after you drifted off to a deep slumber that seems to invigorate you.

Sunghoon thinks that you are one enigmatic woman. You’re hot for one moment, and the next, you’re colder than the weather at Antarctica. He is even staggered when you finally utter a few words to him. as soon as you woke up. He has had to hold back his chuckles, finding you endearing in spite of your petulance that is rather adorable in his eyes. It turns out that you actually needed to take a power nap.

As soon as you reach the destination, your eyes widen as you remain cemented to the ground, the sight beholding you renders you wonderstruck. Sunghoon waits for you patiently to recover while also enjoying your reaction a little too much as he feels pleased.

Nonetheless, Sunghoon is confident, as he knows that he made the right choice when his plan involved bringing you to one of the biggest libraries that falls under the category of hidden gems in Milan.

“I’ve always wanted to go to this library,” You finally find your voice as you move forward, your eyes flickering to him before contorting your face into confusion. “But I thought it’d be closed at this time.”

“I rented the entire library only for us and until whenever we wish to leave,” Sunghoon tells you in a dismissive manner, almost as if it is not a big deal to him, whereas you are gobsmacked by this. He merely casts you a lazy smirk before tilting his head in a beckoning gesture, inviting you to explore the wonders of this hidden gem. “Let’s go, princess.”

“Wait, you rented? That must’ve cost a lot of money!” You exclaim exasperatedly, distracting yourself from the way your heart is beating in a familiar yet fluttering cadence, knowing that you are so dangerously tempted to cave into your yearning in the depths of your heart. “You shouldn’t have.” You say, your lips pulling down into a frown.

“Money has never been an issue for me; you should already know this.” Sunghoon provides you reassurance upon understanding the worries in your dim eyes, and unbeknownst to him, his genuine smile that causes his dimples to appear in his cheeks sends more fluttery to you. “Don’t feel bad, princess. I wanted to do this. Besides, you said it yourself that you’ve always wanted to go here.”

After being convinced by his assurances, you let your inhibitions go, venturing further into the enchanting wonders of the quaint library that looks magnificent with its opulence and details embellished sublimely on every part that gives off antiquated vibes. You have had to crane your neck to look up and examine the length of the bookshelves that reach to the high ceiling.

All the while you are preoccupied in your own little exploration, Sunghoon follows you from behind at a leisurely pace, watching you with a small smile on his lips. It does not matter that being in a library bores the fuck out of him, but seeing you in your element while your countenance displays such radiance of happiness is worth it.

“Everything here is absolutely divine,” You mutter to yourself, blissfully unaware of his presence in your vicinity. Your fingertips trailing across the spine of the books arrayed on the shelf that is at your eye level, hypnotising him with how delicate you are moving. “This is a different type of heaven for me.”

“I could bring you to another heaven, maybe even a better one,” You nearly jolt in surprise upon hearing his voice from behind you, prompting you to turn around, only to be startled by the close proximity. He smirks down at you as he lazily leans sideways against the shelf with his arms crossed over his chest. “You know, one that involves you rolling your eyes to the back out of pleasure─”

“Okay, enough,” You cut him off abrasively, your cheeks flaring at his salacious remarks. Your glare doesn’t deter him in the slightest. “It isn’t funny.”

“Seeing you flustered is,” The sound of his chuckles brings you more warmth than intended. He watches you in complete amusement as you pivot on your heels to trudge forward, clearly wanting to be away from him, but he follows you, as if something so magnetic lures him to you.

You try your utmost to ignore his patent presence from behind you as you grab one of the books to feign immersion in the reading while you flip through the pages rather aggressively, but upon feeling his body warmth, you release a huff before forcing yourself to look at him with exasperation. “Are you not bored of having to follow me around and watch me read through these books?”

“I could watch you read all day, princess,” Sunghoon adorns a boyish grin on his face, but as you look closely, it almost seems like he is lovesick in the way he gazes at you so fondly. “It’s nice to know that your love for books and libraries is unchanged.”

“What about you? Do you still hate them?” You inquire curtly as you return the book to its original shelf, hating how he is making you feel, be it intentionally or unintentionally.

“So fucking much. I don’t understand why you love reading.”

You turn around with your arms crossed below your chest, your eyes narrowing in disbelief. “Then why bother renting the entire library if you hate it?”

“I did it for you, because I know you loved libraries, like the one back in our old palace,” He states, his voice softening with nostalgia that seems to make your heart pounds louder and louder in your ears. “You loved books and the smell of books. You loved to skim through the pages and the summary of the book before deciding whether or not it piques your interest with the expression on your face. You loved spending hours in the library, because you’d rather waste your time on reading than on the wrong people,” A wistful smile touches his lips. “It’s nice to know that these little habits of yours haven’t changed.”

You blink your eyes at him before looking away from him, refusing to allow him a glimpse of an emotion you nearly show by the glisten in your eyes. “Let’s not get too carried away and ruin the mood.”

“You have no idea, do you?” His voice barely above a whisper, but what suspends your avoidance from him is the blues of despondency in his eyes. “The real reason for this date.”

“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t,” You say curtly, and you can feel your once-steely resolve melting as you fight hard to deny the reality that has been bared in front of you since the moment he arrived at your doorstep. “Or maybe I don’t want to be confronted by the truth just yet. I don’t want to ruin this date no matter what ulterior motives you had planned.”

“You’re not ruining anything, you’ve never had,” There is a palpable tremor in his voice, despite his collected facade. He steps closer to you, his eyes never straying from yours. “I was the one who ruined things.”

Your eyebrows softly knit together in perplexity. “Sunghoon─”

“No, you need to listen, princess. I can’t let you go on without hearing my side of the story,” He cuts you off as gently as he can while there is an undercurrent of urgency in his tone. “It was all my fault.”

“What do you mean?” You ask, your face contorting into confusion.

“The whole incident a year ago, it was my fault,” He begins to unravel what he kept to himself for so long. His eyes turn crestfallen as he slowly lowers his gaze. “The night at that yacht party, I intended to delete those pictures and videos, but I was a fool for not being cautious enough when I left my phone on the vanity table. Some fucker, and I think you know who, took my phone and probably airdropped them on his phone.”

A muscle pulses in his jaw as the recollection haunts him in his mind once more. “I should’ve locked the door. I should’ve been more careful. I hated myself for what happened. Maybe if I hadn’t left my phone there, then you wouldn’t have suffered.” 

You remain silent, uncertain what to say, while your silence seems to render him defeated as he daringly lifts his head up to meet your unreadable gaze. “If you must direct your hatred and anger, it should be me, not my best friends.”

“It happened anyway, Sunghoon,” You say bitterly, blinking your eyes as you feel them glistening with dangerous emotions that might be released in rivulets. Honestly, you have no idea what to feel, because truthfully, you have moved on from that horrible part of your past, but to hear his side of the story seems to move you to see a different perspective.

“And I regret it every single day,” The way he accentuates his regret in a patent sincerity offers you more clarity than you sought, as does the way he looks at you with utter devastation. “But I regret letting you go the most without telling you the truth of my feelings for you. No, I wouldn’t have let you go if I had known that you intended to leave us.”

A scoff leaves your lips. “Regret? No, you didn’t. You hated me, Hoon. Remember? You told me yourself once,” Your wavering tone denotes such hurt as you recall the very beginning of your encounter with him. “You hated me and my guts in the beginning. You held grudges against me, even when I didn’t do anything wrong towards you. You fucked me like you hated me, and it was worst when I actually loved the pain of it all,” Your lips tremble in sadness while your eyes glisten with tears, unable to read the expression on his face through the blurry vision. “I threw away my dignity and morals for you and your best friends, all because I actually caught feelings for you and wanted to be close to you.”

“I know, and I was a fucking asshole. I shouldn’t have held grudges against you for the wrong, petty reasons,” He curls his fingers to form a fist, refraining himself from touching you because he knows he doesn’t deserve to touch you in a way he yearned for. “You were an angel. You were good. Too good for this fucked-up world. You did nothing wrong towards me. It was all on me.”

You swallow a painful lump in your throat, your voice thickening with a cocktail of emotions. “You were mean to me, Hoon.” You remind him again, wanting him to feel just as hurtful as you were by recalling those memories.

“I know,” His eyes glisten with such hurt despite no tears, and his voice is laden with penitence while there is a discernible crack. “God, I wish I didn’t hurt you and be the reason you left. I was so fucking miserable after we discovered from Jungwon and the others that you left. We all were. None of us were in our right mind.”

Your ego overshadows your sensibility as you look away from him. “I find that hard to believe. You turned out just fine.” 

“Then you’ve been deceived, princess. When you left, it felt like someone tore my heart out of my chest. I’ve never felt pain like that before, but I know I deserved that." A movement from him is enough to capture your attention, and your eyes widen at the sight beholding you while you are rendered thunderstruck. Park Sunghoon, the guy you once knew with one of the biggest egos and prided himself too much, is on his knees with his head hanging low.

You open your mouth to speak, but nothing comes out as you are unable to articulate your feelings that are in a tumult within you. You can see it in his body language, despite the defeat, this hurts his pride too much, but you don’t understand why he chooses to do so.

“Falling for you was my mistake. If I had known what I got myself into the moment I began to develop feelings beyond platonic for you, then I wouldn’t have fallen into deep,” You manage to find your voice, and this time, you utter it through soft weeping as you allow tears to escape your eyes. “I hate that you were my beautiful mistake, Sunghoon.”

His heart feels like something is stomping all over by the clarity in your declaration. “I’m willing to do anything if it means getting you to fall in love with me again,” He says shakily, slowly lifting his head up to allow you to see his sincerity and determination. “Just say the word, princess. You want me on my knees and crawl towards you? You want me to kiss your feet? I’ll do it. I’ll do them all, but please don’t tell me to stop grovelling for your forgiveness, because I won’t.”

“Sunghoon,” You choke back a sob, feeling a torrent of emotions crashing down on you while tears are unrelentingly cascading down your cheeks.

“I’m willing to wait for your forgiveness, no matter how long it takes, just like how I’m willing to wait for you to love me again,” His voice sounds thick with emotions that are threatening to implode while tears prickle in his eyes. “I’ll wait for your love, princess. I’ll always wait.”

“Tell me that you love me,” You plead in a soft cry, throwing away your inhibition while your once-steely resolve is liquified. “Tell me that you’re in love with me. Tell me what I want to hear.”

“I love you, Y/N Kang,” His declaration of his love for you is punctuated by stark sincerity and affection in his tone that overwhelms you. “I’m so fucking in love with you that it drives me crazy. I’ve always been in love with you, even when I was a denial asshole. No one can ever make my heart beat the way it beats for you. Nobody compares to you, princess,” A teardrop slides down his cheek. “I don’t care that you hate me, but I’m begging you, please allow me to love you.”

“I do hate you for making me fall in love with you over and over.” You admit through soft sobs, taking slow, tentative steps towards him. “I hate you for being the reason why my heart refused to look for anyone else that wasn’t you. I hate that I still love you after all this time when I should’ve moved on.”

“Please don’t ever move on. I promise I’ll be a better man for you,” He pauses, swallowing a lump in his throat as he looks up at you with glassy eyes. “Princess, can I hug you?” He asks weakly, nearly whimpering.

As soon as you nod your head, he slowly wraps his arm around your waist and buries his head just below your chest level, hugging you tightly while there is a raw intimacy enveloping you. You cradle the back of his head with a touch of affection before reciprocating the hug as you embrace him with your warmth.

“I love you so fucking much, Y/N,” Filled with such desperation, he clings onto you as though you are his only salvation. “No one has ever made me feel weak until you.”

“I love you too, Park Sunghoon,” You whisper thickly, refraining yourself from weeping again. You dip your head to plant a kiss on his head while you caress his trembling back in loving strokes. “I forgive you, so please stand.”

With a shaky breath, Sunghoon complies, lifting himself at ease as he finally towers over your figure. He musters courage to meet your eyes despite feeling puffiness around his eyes, and his heart only pounds harder as he mentally prepares himself for what is next.

“I don’t want my actions to make you doubt my love for you ever again, and I never want you to question how much I truly love you,” Nervousness is evident in the way he speaks, despite the veil of confidence he adorns on his countenance.

Confusion swirls in your eyes amidst the speckles of curiosity as you watch him removing his leather jacket and allowing it to drop on the floor, all the while his eyes never leaving yours, causing your cheeks to flare under the palpable intensity of his gaze. Your eyes trail down to his fingers that are clutching the hems of his black shirt.

“Sunghoon, what are you─” You are rendered speechless, flabbergasted even, as he pulls up his shirt and removes it in one swift motion, leaving his fine glory on display for your eyes to feast appreciatively upon while your cheeks feel gradually warmer.

His toned muscles are a testament to his diligent work that has evidently paid off, and honestly, he looks more ripped than you last recall, as if he had indeed spent most of his hours at the gym. The rose tattoo on his hip sends you a wave of familiarity, recalling the times when you would admire his tattoo as you traced your fingers on his skin. The veins protruding on his arms and the imposing sight of his v-line on the lower region nearly has you foaming in the mouth, but you immediately retain your decorum, though your arousal remains in its wake within you.

If you are being frank, you genuinely desire to pounce on him and claim every inch of him as yours. You dismiss your depravity that remains lusting over him as you return your gaze to his face, noticing that he has been observing you with a faint smirk on his pink lips.

Without a word, Sunghoon slowly turns around, allowing you a full view of his toned back, but what renders you thunderstruck with your eyes widening is the sight of a new tattoo across on his shoulder blades being proudly displayed in a fancy font that is readable.

At this rate, your pulse feels like a sledgehammer, matching the way your heart thunders as you read the wordings in a breathy utterance. “Property of Y/N,” You marvel at his devotion for you, which he willingly inked on his own precious skin. “When did you get it?”

“A few weeks after you left,” He says succinctly, sounding breathless while his body goes taut by the sensation of your fingertips on his skin, tracing along the tattoo design. “I already knew that I held you close to my heart, but I wanted your mark to be permanently inked on my skin, just like how you left a permanent mark in my heart.”

“But why ‘Property of Y/N’?” You ask, your voice trembling with emotions that threaten to sweep you away while tears prickle your eyes as you watch him turning around to face you.

His eyes seem to be searching for something in yours in spite of the accumulating tears in your waterline. “Because you own the whole of me, you’ve always had." His voice sounds gradually deeper with each step he takes towards you, amplifying the palpable tension between you and him.

You remain rooted to the ground despite your heart pounding harder as he closes the gap, and it nearly lurches in your chest when he dips his head down to lean his forehead against yours. “I’m yours, princess,” He whispers, his fingers gently wiping away a fallen teardrop sliding down your cheek while his dark eyes never stray from your glistening ones. “I’m yours forever. Even if someday you don’t love me anymore, I’ll still love you, always and forever.”

Like a broken dam, the torrent of emotions breaks free from your resistance, bringing forth more tears to cascade down your cheeks as you weep softly, but you don’t look away from his dark eyes that threaten to consume you whole, swirling with a cocktail of emotions and desires.

“I want to kiss you so bad,” The unmistakable yearning in his voice resonates in the depths of your beating heart, and his touch on your skin as he cradles your face feels scorching, igniting a spark of fervent desire for him.

With a single head nod from you, Sunghoon captures your lips with his, kissing you softly with reverence, but gradually, there is a sense of urgency, one that reflects the hunger from his innermost ravenous desire for you. With one hand cradling your face, the other slithers around your waist, pulling you closer to his body heat possessively.

Without breaking the fervent lip-lock, he backs you up until you hit the shelf behind you, as he has you locked in place. Your hands go winding in his hair as you tilt your head to the perfect angle for him to deepen the kiss. His tongue caresses your lips, a silent permission he seeks to explore every inch of you, to which you part your lips for him to thrust his tongue into your hot cavern.

You sigh pleasurably into his mouth, your breath mingling with his while he continues to ravage you with his tongue. You moan deeply as his tongue dances with yours in familiar yet intimate tango, while the sound from you travels deep to his cock beneath the confines.

He pulls away just slightly to sink his fang-like teeth into the plush of your bottom lip, tugging it gently and savouring the taste of your lip. The corner of his lips curves faintly into a smirk as you whine softly before he relents, only for you to be taken aback by his lips sealing you into a bruising kiss, as though he has released the remnants of his inhibitions.

“I’ve missed you so much, princess,” He rasps against your parted lips, his warm breath fanning your upper lip as he allows you a moment of respite from the feverish kiss. He watches as you slowly flutter your eyelids open, your eyes misting with lust and longing that mirror his, but there is a certain darkness that evinces a familiar depravity as he desires to consume you. His lips ghost yours. “I want you so fucking bad, you have no idea.”

“Then take me,” You utter softly, your voice laden with equal desire as his. Your hands fall to his nape, relishing his warmth beneath your touch. You tilt your head up to purposefully bump your nose against his with your lips dangerously close to his. “What are you waiting for? Take me, hoon. Touch me, love me like you do.”

As soon as those words leave your lips, Sunghoon reclaims your lips, kissing you with an unbridled yearning that has all thoughts and worries faded into insignificance from your mind. Just him and him alone matter at this moment.

His hands slide down to your thighs, gripping the flesh with his fingers, a silent command you comply to as you instinctively jump with his assistance, prompting you to encircle your legs around his waist before he manoeuvres you over to the table without breaking the heated kiss.

The force of his ravenous kiss nearly sends you falling back, but you plant your palm on the surface of the mahogany table for stability. Pulling away from your swollen lips, he ignites a scorching path on your skin as he maps his kisses and licks down your neck.

The heat pooling in your core dangerously renders you impatient as you become unbearably needy for him to claim you deeply. “Hoonie, I need you,” You utter breathlessly, nearly whimpering, while your hands haphazardly roam around the waistband of his Calvin Klein briefs.

“I know. I got you, princess,” He whispers, pressing a sensual kiss on the sensitive spot of your neck before pulling away to unzip his pants, all the while without breaking the heated eye contact with you. As his pants finally fall to the ground, your eyes trail down to his fine glory until they stop at the prominent bulge that looks borderline erected against his briefs. The carnal lust in your ravenous gaze sends shivers through him as he pulls down his brief, freeing his painfully erect cock. “Your turn, princess.”

His deep, husky voice goes straight into your heated core before you obediently comply with his command, standing on your feet to strip yourself, starting from the bottom. Your skirt falls to the floor, followed by your lace underwear that has a small wet patch from your arousal.

Just before you can unbutton your blouse, Sunghoon intercepts with his lips crashing onto yours while you gasp from the impact that causes you to hit the edge of the table behind you. He is practically ravenous, kissing you as if it is his last, as he multitasks with his hands to manoeuvre you on top of the table.

“Are you wet enough?” He murmurs against your lips, his fingers descending to your lower region until they reach the destination that awaits him feverishly. As his fingers accidentally strum on your aching clit, a soft moan leaves your lips that goes straight into his cock. His two fingers begin to inspect your folds that are slick with your arousal before thrusting them into your cunt for good measures. “You’re so wet, princess.”

You nod your head mindlessly, only focusing on the sensation of his fingers thrusting into you with steady momentum. Your eyes flicker to his enamoured ones, and your cheeks go warm under the intensity of his gaze. “Hoonie, please fuck me,” You whine, moving your hips to meet his thrusts, which eventually cease.

“No, princess. I’m not just gonna fuck you,” He looks down and grabs his shaft to aim the bulbous head directly at your clit before pressing onto it, causing your body to jolt at the sensation. Your needy whines bring a small smile to his lips as he continues to slide his cock in between your folds before aligning his cock to your sopping entrance. “I’m gonna love you hard, just like you said so. To love you like I do.”

With that, Sunghoon pushes forward, his cock breaching your entry with little resistance owing to your slicks of arousal that serve as a lubricant. You gasp as your hand immediately latches onto his bicep, feeling the expansion of your walls as they accommodate his girth.

“Fuck, princess. Your tightness never ceases to amaze me,” His husky voice is laden with lust that is borderline carnal, sending shivers down your spine. Still pushing himself deeper into your quivering cunt, he looks up at you, his eyes softening just slightly before he leans forward to place a chaste kiss on your lips. “You never cease to amaze me.”

Sunghoon groans deeply, feeling his cock reaching its destination as it finally nestles deep inside of you. Gripping your hips to seize control, he begins to thrust into you, setting a pace that makes you feel like you’re on cloud nine. Each thrust sends shockwaves of pleasure through you while the sound of your moans mingle with the slaps of skin-on-skin that echoes in this part of the library.

You slowly wrap your legs around his waistline, desiring to feel his cock deeply while his bicep muscle beneath your touch flexes as he asserts dominance over your body. His dark ravenous eyes drink in the sight of you throwing your head to the back as you drown yourself in the pure ecstasy, your moans attesting to it.

“Right there, Hoon,” You moan in satisfaction as he hits the spot deliciously with how deliberately precise each thrust he delivers, and yet he seems to be savouring with how slow yet impactful enough to leave you breathless each time as you arch your back like a cat.

“Yeah? Right here? That’s your spot, princess?” He rasps, his voice sounding strained, almost as if he is holding himself back while there is an unmistakable affection in his tone. He repeats his action, withdrawing himself until the head remains in between your folds before ramming his cock into your cunt, causing the table beneath you to creak and groan under the force of your shared fervour.

You slide your arms underneath his armpits to hook them around his shoulders, wanting him closer to you before you chase for his lips and kiss him hard. He growls into the kiss as your pulsating cunt clenches around him, sending shivers through your body that is pulsating with ceaseless pleasure before he proceeds to carry you elsewhere.

You whine softly into the kiss as he halts his thrust, only for him to resume as soon as he pins you against the shelf without allowing you to stand on your own, still supporting you from below with his strength. With how hard he is fucking into you, you swear you can feel the shelf behind quakes.

“I wanna be buried inside you forever, princess,” He murmurs against your lips before pulling away and focusing on bringing you to another heaven that awaits you. His biceps muscles flex as he lifts you a little higher while your arms go hooking around his neck to stabilise yourself. “Wanna make love to you every day like this, reminding you that you own every inch of me.” He grunts, driving himself deeper, which has you seeing stars.

You can only moan in response, any coherency dissipates at this perfect moment with you wrapped around him. The air is thick with a heady mix of sweat, lust, and love that is palpable amidst the fiery passion. The sensual symphony is accompanied by your moans and his bated breaths that reverberate throughout the library.

You throw your head to the back, allowing your bare neck to be enticingly present in his eyes. Unable to resist the temptation, he leans in and presses his lips on your neck without relenting his thrusts that gradually turn vigorous, causing your whole body to jiggle. More moans tumble past your lips as you roll your eyes to the back in pure bliss, feeling the pleasurable sensation of his teeth sinking into your skin that will evidently leave a mark.

Without pulling away from your neck, his thrusts become erratic, fucking into you that sends you into another state of euphoria, and you know he has reached his climax as he moans deeply into your neck. “I’m─ fuck─ I’m gonna cum, princess,” Sunghoon nearly growls out, his nails sinking into the flesh of your bums while you can feel his cock hitting the spot deliciously without missing a beat.

“Hoon,” You manage to utter between broken moans, tears pricking in your eyes as he pounds into you with the fervent intention to drive you both to the brink of ecstasy while you can feel your impending climax reaching its peak. “Please kiss me.”

Sunghoon complies, crashing his lips onto yours in a feverish kiss while sparks fly around you. “I love you,” He murmurs in between the kisses, and your heart swells at the declaration of love so raw in the yearning of his voice. “I love you so, so much, Y/N Kang.”

“I─” Your words clog in your throat as you reach the crescendo of your impending release that matches his, causing your cunt to spasm around him as you tumble over the edge. You scream his name as your orgasm crashes through you like tidal waves while he delivers one last thrust with a growl before burying himself deeply as he fills you to the brim.

As the last of ecstasy echoes in the air, he remains buried in you while the union of your fluids slowly leaks from your sexes as they eventually stain the wooden floor. Your ragged breaths mingle with his as you bask in the blissful afterglow while he continues to hold you up in the air. When your eyes slowly flicker to his, your heart flutters at the intensity of his gaze with a fiery desire palpable.

You cup his cheeks and lean your forehead against his, smiling softly amidst catching your breath. “I love you too, Park Sunghoon,” You utter breathlessly before attempting to kiss him, but he startles you when he proceeds to carry you elsewhere. “Sunghoon─?”

Sunghoon carefully settles you down on the couch that is thankfully spacious enough. Your breath hitches in your throat upon seeing how his eyes darken with carnal lust as he hovers on top of you. The sensation of his cock dragging along your slick walls elicits a soft moan from you before you whimper at the sensitivity as it strikes you.

“I’m gonna keep loving you, princess. Fill you up and put a baby in you,” He says in between bated breaths, his biceps muscles flexing as he plants both hands next to your head. His dark eyes penetrating into yours hold dark promises despite the love and lust. “Never gonna let you leave again, not when you’re carrying my baby.”

The thought of having his babies heightens your desire, prompting you to buck your hips up to meet his thrusts. “Please,” You whimper, needing him to obliterate your cunt like he used to. “Love me harder.”

Sunghoon does, proving his love and devotion to you by bringing you to a new state of ecstasy that feels exhilarating over and over, leaving no spot in the library untouched that has been stained by your passionate love-making.

The gloomy weather brings forth a bleak atmosphere throughout his imposing, minimalist office, enveloping him with a familiar comfort he often seeks solace in after a long monotonous and hectic day as someone who bears responsibilities that are heavier than they seem. The rhythmic sound of rain pelting against the floor-to-ceiling windows across the vast expanse of his office fills his ears as he remains motionless, resting on the couch that is situated in the centre with one arm draping over his eyes.

Jay ignores his phone that has been buzzing incessantly on the main desk, completely unbothered since it is past office hours and most of his employees in the building have already clocked out of their shifts. He needs some time alone to put his mind at ease after all the work that took mental exertion on him.

Being a managing director was never on his bucket list, but being the only son and heir, Jay knew that he could never escape the inevitable, which he deemed a heavy burden. Truth be told, he had no idea what he wanted to pursue after graduation, but he desired to travel around the world and enjoy what life had to offer without any restriction. He should have known better that it was merely a pipe dream to someone like him, whose whole life had been dictated by his parents, and most especially his father.

As Jay recalls a certain memory not too long ago, a scoff leaves his lips. Initially, when Jay divulged to his parents about moving abroad without disclosing his real intent, his mother vehemently opposed, but his ever-callous father surprisingly allowed, only if Jay fulfilled his duty as the heir, and with the perfect timing, his duty call was coincidentally at the very city he intended to go.

Thankfully, Jay was more than ready to oversee his father’s established business in Milan, as shown by his remarkable performance throughout the period of him working and honing his skills, which moulded him into the notable director he is now, whom every one of his employees looks up to out of both fear and reverence, despite being conferred the position three months ago.

Jay also recalls how there were moments when he would get along with his father in regards to business, but he knew that it was merely out of necessity since his father was required to be part of his guidance, not that Jay was saddened or anything. He more than recognises that they could never have the normal father-son relationship he used to yearn for.

But then again, that yearning his younger self once possessed is unparalleled to the yearning instilled in his heart that perennially bleeds and beats for you, even when he thought all hopes in finding you were lost.

Just like his best friends, Jay was not himself, but remarkably, he managed to hide it well, most especially from his father since he knew he could not afford to lose his focal point on business matters, not when at that point in time, all he had was working and building his way up the corporate ladder.

Jay grieved for you every night, even on nights where he chose to spend them in his temporary office at the main corporate building, because sleeping in his own bed at the palace only seemed to hurt him deeply as he could smell your faint scent on the bedding while his mind would drift off to how he used to spooned you as you slept soundly in his arms.

Instead of unleashing the tempest of wrath that was once ingrained in him, Jay felt entirely numb with agonising pain and chose to cope with the loss of your presence in his life by drinking and smoking excessively that even Heeseung grew concerned for his health. It was not as if Jay intended to, not when he had no desire to become like his alcoholic father, but those methods were more efficient for him to drown out his thoughts and feelings he harboured for you.

What a fool he was, because no matter how many bottles he drank or sticks he smoked, he could not erase the permanent mark you left in his tainted heart. He could never forget you. How could he ever forget the woman who managed to make him feel deeply? How could he ever forget his first love?

Before meeting you, Jay has never had a crush on anyone, even when the girls surrounding him were equally stunning, simply because he could not be bothered to be involved in such useless pursuit that wastes his valuable time. He also found the possibility of him developing feelings that evolve into love simply absurd, as he did not believe that he was a man incapable of love until you.

Yes, it started out as an infatuation, especially when he chose to torment you for a short period of time for pure entertainment, but as the times he spent with you, he grew fond of you and knew that his obsession stemmed from the love he had for you despite not knowing what love truly was.

The only and most regrettable thing was him acknowledging to you about the fact that he had fallen deep and that he desired to spend a lifetime with you. There was not a single day where he did not dwell in regret for his past sins towards you. He loathed his actions, including how he treated you horribly in the beginning. Even worse when he allowed you to slip away from his grasp in just a blink of an eye.

A muscle pulses in his jaw as he recalls your words the last time he saw you. The way you looked at him and in the tone you spoke to them haunted him in his sleep. He knows that he has to grovel to earn your forgiveness and win your affection back, but right now, he has no idea when is the appropriate time for him to embark on his pursuit, especially when two of his best friends seem to have kept you occupied.

As if on cue, the door of his office swings open, revealing the very two people who had just intruded his thoughts as they come barging into his office. Jay remains unmoving, even as their approaching footsteps get louder in his ears.

“We were wondering what kept you in the office too long. We thought you decided to work overtime again,” Sunghoon voices out his thoughts as he stands near the couch alongside Jake, towering over Jay’s unperturbed figure.

“Are you sleeping?” Jake asks, staring down at his best friend with a bewildered expression.

“No. I’m meditating, and you guys are disrupting my peace,” Jay states flatly, his voice devoid of amusement. Sighing, he lifts his arm away from his eyes as he pries them open to look at them. “Barging into my office without knocking on the door. Tsk. It looks like spending more time away from work than you should makes you lack etiquette.”

Sunghoon and Jake exchange knowing looks with faint smirks playing on their lips, earning a suspicion glare from Jay as he slowly lifts his upper body from the couch. “What?”

“Nothing. It’s just that we’re sensing something in your tone,” Sunghoon rubs his chin thoughtfully, but even Jay recognises that his best friend is mocking him. “Maybe it’s jealousy?”

“Why would I sound jealous?” Jay snaps, his patience wearing thin while he can feel the jealousy growing within him, but his ego refuses to admit it to them.

“Oh, you know, because we got to spend time with Y/N ever since she accepted us back,” Jake seems to taunt him as the smirk on his lips stretches wider almost so cunningly. “You should try it sometimes. Grovelling, I mean.”

“You guys are insufferable. If you’re here to taunt me by rubbing your success in my face, then get the fuck out of my office,” Jay shoots him a scowl, resisting the temptation to punch the smirks on their faces.

“We were just helping you by pushing you to get to work,” Sunghoon says defensively as Jay coldly brushes past them to get to the main desk. “We gave you time and opportunity for you to make things right with Y/N yesterday, but no, you had to delay.”

“And need I remind you who was the biggest arsehole between us? Most especially towards Y/N in the beginning.” Jake asks rhetorically in a sardonic tone.

“First of all, I was busy with numerous meetings because we’re running tight on the deadline of our big project, and don’t forget that you’re involved in the said project,” Jay retorts at Sunghoon before directing his glare at Jake. “Secondly, I wasn’t the one who made Y/N cry first, unlike you, who decided to become the first arsehole by making her jealous, remember?”

Instead of retaliating like Jay expected, Jake simply shrugs his shoulders, completely undeterred. “All is well and forgiven now, but I don’t know about you, though. I wonder if Y/N will forgive you by the time you decide to grovel a little too late.”

“It would work in our favour if she doesn’t,” Sunghoon smirks cruelly as he playfully bumps his shoulder against Jake’s, adding to the fire that is simmering within Jay from their provocation. “The less competition there is, the better.”

“It isn’t a fucking competition,” Jay clenches his jaw, his steely eyes burning straight into them, and it is so infuriating that they are not in the slightest deterred by the obvious path of his wrath they are at. “We agreed, a year ago, that it was only fair if we shared her.”

“Then what are you waiting for?” Jake raises his eyebrow at him with an expectant glint in his eye. “You may have all the time in the world, but Y/N might not wait on you anymore─”

“She’s waiting on me?” Jay cuts him off, his once-seething wrath towards them wanes while his steely eyes soften at the thought of you.

“She didn’t exactly let us know, but we know that she is. There is no doubt that she is still waiting on both you and Heeseung,” Sunghoon tells him, observing his wintry facade that slowly melts. “Yes, being late is better than never, but don’t you think that she has waited long enough to hear our apologies?”

Jay’s silence is prevailing as they examine the emotions that leak through the cracks of his wintry facade. Jake sighs softly, tucking his hand into his pocket. “Y/N deserves better, Jay, you know that. So prove to her that you deserve to have her.”

Jay finally snaps out of his rumination as he lifts his head up to look at them with a faint smirk on his lips. “Look at you two. I never knew you could be this wise. Y/N must’ve been the reason for your wisdom.”

“You’re right,” Sunghoon admits, lifting a small smile at the thought of you. His eyes harden with encouragement as they penetrate into Jay’s. “So you better get your ass moving soon or Jake and I will be the only privileged ones to have Y/N as our girlfriend.”

Instead of responding, Jay grabs his phone from the table and his coat that was draped over his swivel leather chair before striding towards the door, leaving behind curious yet puzzled Jake and Sunghoon. “Where are you going?” Jake asks as soon as Jay swings the door open.

“Somewhere,” Jay answers vaguely, his tone sounding uncertain, but deep inside, he knows that he needs to see you, even if a part of him feels ambivalent about showing his face to you after recalling your words that struck him deeply.

On his way to the elevator, his eyes flicker to his secretary, surprised to see her still at her station, and an idea pops in his mind before Jay decides to call for her. “Cancel any of my plans for the next two days. I won’t be coming to the office.”

All the while, Jake and Sunghoon observe him from afar, feeling pleased as they fist bump each other without tearing their gaze off of their best friend.

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A pleasant fragrance from a distinct scented candle pervades his senses as it rouses him from his slumber, but his head begins to pound unpleasantly, forming a headache while his face contorts into a grimace. His throat feels parched, as though he has been dehydrated for over a day.

Jay pries his heavy eyelids open, only to be greeted at the oddly familiar ceiling that looks different than the ceiling in their penthouse. He feels a weight on top of his body before looking down at the white duvet that had tucked him throughout the night nicely and noticing that he had fallen asleep on the couch.

Jay allows his head to fall back onto the comfortable pillow that nearly tempts him to resume his dreamless slumber while his mind is in a tumult of confusion amidst the incessant headache, wondering how the hell did he end up here out of all the places.

Jay rubs his tired face, hoping that he did not do anything foolish or embarrassing as the recollection of whatever happened yesterday is still in fragments. His heart nearly lurches in his chest when he hears you clearing your throat, prompting him to raise his upper body to sit. He briefly looks down and sees that he is still in his work attire.

“You’re up early, for someone who went completely wasted,” You state tersely, avoiding his gaze as you put down a glass of water on the coffee table in front of him. “Here. You probably need it.”

Instead of hydrating himself, Jay continues to look at you as though you are unreal. “How did I end up here? What happened last night?” His husky voice sounds grating and sends you oddly pleasurable chills through your body.

You muster courage to look at him without giving away the fact that you are actually melting on the inside at how sinfully good he looks with his white top being unbuttoned, allowing his toned chest to be visible in your eyes.

“You don’t remember?” You ask in disbelief, your frown deepening at the genuine confusion plastered on his face, eliciting a sigh from you. “You showed up, drunk, at my doorstep last night, and then you nearly passed out on me, so I had no choice but to bring you into my apartment. Now, does that jog your memory?”

“I don’t know. I can’t even think straight because my head hurts,” Jay mutters, furrowing his eyebrows in discomfort, but even then his eyes continue to roam around you as he notices how dressed up you look, being adorned in a short pleated milkmaid dress with ditsy floral print all over.

“You shouldn’t have drunk too much.” You reprimand him, feeling your cheeks warm at his invasive yet hungry eyes raking all over you. 

Jay swallows down a glob of spit to moisturise his extremely parched throat as he slowly returns to meet your gaze. “Where are you going?”

“To the airport. Karina and Wonyoung will be flying back to Seoul today, so can you please hurry and freshen yourself up? I’m going to be running late,” You tell him, your tone denoting your impatience. “You can take a shower in my bathroom. I’ve already placed a set of new clothes for you on my bed if you feel uncomfortable wearing back your work attire.”

“You have clothes that fit me?” He asks, curiosity laces with amusement in his tone.

“They’re Jaeyun’s. Don’t take too long, or I’ll have to actually lock you in my apartment,” You ramble with your words as you avoid his gaze, uncertain of what expression he wears before you decide to head to the kitchen, whereas Jay promptly heads to your bedroom.

It is not long until Jay finally steps inside your bathroom. As he turns to look in the mirror, he notices the puffiness around his eyes, and that is when those fragments of last night’s recollection coalesce into one, eliciting a groan from him as it replays in his head.

--------

Instead of heading back to their penthouse, Jay drove to your street right after buying a bottle of whiskey. He was indecisive ever since he left the corporate building. A part of him desired to see you, but another part held him back, fearing that it would be too soon despite his best friends’ encouragement and support earlier.

Hence, Jay found himself loitering outside of your apartment building with the bottle of whisky in his grasp. Feeling his body gradually getting warmer, which stemmed from his frustration, he unbuttoned the top of his white blouse before taking a swig of the whisky as it burned his throat. His plan might seem witless, but he wanted to see if the effect of alcohol would spur him into finally taking action as well as elevating his self-confidence.

It turned out to be a mistake because he did not foresee himself getting wholly inebriated just by one bottle of whisky when he used to have a high tolerance for alcohol, but perhaps the alcohol in his system interflowed with the web of emotions he had always struggled to subdue was far too strong for him to think and act rationally.

Thus, in spite of his lack of confidence, Jay was spurred by the heavy influence of alcohol and soon found himself right at your doorstep, pressing on the doorbell with zero hesitation. As he waited for you, his head hung low while his palm was planted on the wall next to the door to support his body as he felt his consciousness teetering at the edge.

Jay did not expect you to open the door since the time struck midnight, but when you did, he felt like he could die happily to see your beautiful face up close again. Despite his pounding head being foggy, he could vividly see your face contorting into genuine shock, followed by confusion with a hint of vexation.

His heart broke upon seeing your eyes harden as you stared at him like he was a mere stranger. “It’s midnight, Jay. What are you even doing here─”

“You’re hurting my feelings, baby,” He rasps, his voice sounding strained, almost like he was going through mental anguish. “But I guess I deserved the treatment from you.”

All the while, you scrutinised him and recognised that he was clearly inebriated in the way his eyelids looked slightly droopy, while there was also a hint of slur in his voice. You looked down at the empty bottle of whisky in his grasp, to which your frown deepened.

“You’re drunk, Jay,” You began to reprimand him, eyeing him disapprovingly. “And you thought it was a brilliant idea to show up here? Don’t tell me that you drove your way here while the alcohol was in your system. Do you know how dangerous that is? You could’ve gotten into an accident!” You truly wanted to act indifferent, but you could not resist against your instinct that was overprotective at the thought of him being in harm’s way.

“Y/N care me,” Jay murmured in an almost childlike voice, eliciting a disbelieving look from you, but you could not deny the fact that he looked rather adorable, resembling a puppy, even though his appearance was the complete opposite ─ his raven locks were slightly tousled, his suit denoted that he had been working, the top of his unbuttoned blouse allowed you a generous view of his toned chest, and truthfully, he looked like he had gone through a period of heartbreak.

You heaved a defeated sigh as you rubbed your temple. “Just, why are you here, Jay? You showed up at my doorstep, drunk, and acted as if nothing happened─”

“I needed to see you. I missed you so fucking much, and I couldn’t wait until tomorrow. I missed everything about you,” Jay cut you off in a jabber, and yet every word he spoke was coherent for you to grasp. Upon noticing his unsteady stability, your hands instinctively reached out to catch him in any case he fell, but you quickly forced your arms to remain by your sides. “I’m drunk because, without the alcohol, I couldn’t face you like this. That’s how much of a coward I am, Y/N.”

You opened your mouth to speak, but your heart nearly lurched in your chest when he stepped past the threshold, looming over your stunned figure. When you looked at him, your eyes widened at the sight of his eyes that were glistening with tears.

“I didn’t want to become an alcoholic like my father. I didn’t want to become like my father, but here I am. I turned out exactly like my father,” His voice shakes with emotions that felt like a painful lump being stuck in his throat. “If I became like my father, you would’ve hated me more than you already have, and that hurt me more than any pain I’ve experienced.”

You had no intention to bear any sympathy or even shed a tear, but when you noticed a teardrop escaping the corner of his eye, you felt as though someone was crushing your heart. “Jay─”

You became alarmed as his body swayed before falling forward, but you caught him in a nick of time, allowing him to lean dependently on your body while his head hung low over your shoulder. You snatched the bottle out of his hand, fearing that he might drop it, while your other arm encircled his body to support him.

Though his consciousness was slowly slipping away from his grasp, your scent managed to pervade his senses. “You smell nice,” He murmured languidly, adjusting the position of his head and burying his nose in the nook of your neck while you were flabbergasted with the temperature of your face rising abruptly by his action.

“Jay?” You patted his back, only receiving silence while his body felt heavier on yours, and so you begrudgingly proceeded to bring him further inside of your apartment before settling him on the couch.

You placed the empty bottle on the coffee table, but just as you intended to call Jake or Sunghoon, you felt his hand tugging at yours with full force, resulting in you losing balance and falling on top of him. It could be the effect of the alcohol, seeing how his face flushed pink and his body temperature felt warm beneath yours, but his teary eyes caused yours to widen.

“I can’t believe I let my precious angel baby go that day. I’m so, so sorry for letting you go without telling you how much I needed you, how much I loved you,” He whispered brokenly, sounding as if he held back a sob. Your body felt paralysed as you remained in his possession. Your heart fluttered when he brushed the strands of hair behind your ear before dragging his fingers down your cheeks and stroking them gently. “Are you even real right now?”

“I am.” You found yourself indulging him, your voice softening, but you knew that the reason was because it was easier to deal with him when he was under the influence of alcohol.

“I don’t know why I’m crying when I shouldn’t,” He mumbled, his eyes looking dazed with the tears rolling down his cheeks while he continued to caress yours. “I’m a man. A man doesn’t cry. Even my father said so. Crying is for the weak.”

“Your father is a jerk,” You retorted, your soft tone serving as a reassurance to him that alleviated his frayed nerves. You reached up to cradle his face, smiling softly at him. “Crying doesn’t mean you’re weak. Sometimes, crying is good for you to help make you feel better afterwards. You’re a human, Jay. You’re allowed to cry whenever you want.”

Jay remained silent, and for a moment, you thought he was sleeping with his eyes open, but the way he gazed at you looked like he was moonstruck by you as he cradled your face. “You’re so beautiful, Y/N. God, I wish you were real.”

“I am real, Jay,” You reiterated, but he didn’t seem too convinced. You were not mad at him since the alcohol was affecting his perception. You sighed softly, your hand slowly leaving his cheek. “I’ll let you stay here overnight. Just let me go grab a pillow and─”

“Don’t go. Don’t leave me again, please,” Jay pleaded as he wrapped his arms around your waist, preventing you from moving with how tight they are. “I need you close to me. Let’s just stay like this for a while.”

You should be rejecting him and pushing him away, but instead, you felt weakened, and so you remained on top of him with your head resting on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat while his strong cologne enveloped you, tempting you to bury your face into his chest, and you did.

Moments had passed, and your eyelids felt heavier, but upon feeling his arms around your waist loosen, you carefully removed yourself from his grasp while your eyes trained on the beautiful serenity of his face as he was finally sound asleep.

Your hand tentatively reached out to wipe away the tears on his cheek as you faintly smiled. “What am I going to do with you, Jay?” Despite being asleep, he swore he could hear you whisper those words and your warmth on his cheek before darkness wholly embraced him.

--------

After much contemplation during the shower, Jay chooses the safest route, and that is to feign not remembering what happened last night when the recollection is vivid in his head, not wanting to potentially aggravate the situation since you already seemed hostile enough towards him earlier. The last thing he needs is for you to drift further away from him.

With the towel wrapped loosely around his hips, Jay steps outside of the bathroom at the same time you barge into your room, but he is completely unfazed by the fact that half of his nudity is starkly displayed in front of you. If anything, he feels more amused and smug to see you looking evidently flabbergasted as you remain cemented to the floor.

Having fallen into the temptation, you indulge your desire for him that burns in your heart as you soak in the luscious sight of him into your brain, your eyes shamelessly roaming around him and your mouth nearly salivating. You can vividly see the droplets from the prior shower tantalisingly dripping down on his abdominal muscles, and due to how prominent his muscles are, you presume that he, alongside Jake and Sunghoon, often hit off to the gym together.

As you return your gaze to his face, your cheeks flare with embarrassment at the knowing glint in his eyes as well as the smirk on his lips. Everything about him is infuriatingly irresistible ─ his damp hair with the bangs hovering over his forehead, his full-arm tattoo, his toned physique, his strong gaze that knocks the breath out of you, and his dark allure that serenades you.

“I was just looking for my purse,” You nearly stutter with your words before feigning nonchalance, wanting to cover up the fact that you blatantly checked him out for five solid minutes.

“Sure,” The smirk on his lips persists, making you feel flustered before you force yourself to tear your gaze away from him and proceed to resume what you intended to as you turn your back on him. “By the way, can I have my jacket back?”

You look back at him with your face twisting in confusion. “Your jacket? I don’t recall you giving me your jacket─” Realisation hits you like a truck, recalling the familiarity of his strong cologne last night, but then another matter comes forth, bringing a frown to your lips. “So you were actually stalking me at the bar that night, but I don’t understand. I saw Jake’s car before I got into my Uber ride. Were you with him too?”

“I wasn’t stalking you. Jake and I happened to be at the bar even before you arrived, but we did wait for you until we were certain that you’ve arrived at your apartment building safely,” Jay explains shortly, but enough for you to understand. “Plus, you were shivering when you were asleep at the bar, so I gave you my jacket.”

“How thoughtful of you. If only you didn’t follow me all the way like a creepy stalker,” You remark with sarcasm before trudging forward to head to your closet and rummaging through to find his jacket. Just as you finally grab it, you feel his presence looming behind you while his body heat causes you to straighten your posture. “What do you think you’re doing?” You ask tersely without turning around, gripping the jacket tight.

You can practically feel his warm breath fanning lightly on your earlobe. “You said you were going to run late to reach the airport, right?” He asks softly, carrying a sensual tone that has your heart go pounding crazily against your chest. “Let me send you to the airport instead. I drive fast.”

“No, thank you. I can book myself an Uber,” You clip, daring yourself to turn around, only to be taken aback by the close proximity, and you defy against your ravenous desire to pounce on him.

“I wasn’t asking, baby,” He says lowly, his intimidating gaze that burns through yours amplifies your desire for him. You forget that his obstinacy is on par with the rest of his best friends, so even if you vehemently refused again, he would not budge. “I’m driving you to the airport. Besides, I have plans for us afterwards.”

“What if I refuse?” You tilt your chin in defiance, and he seems to relish in the way your fiery gaze reflects your stubbornness, but it is one of the qualities about you he loves.

“You can’t refuse me, baby,” He smirks, grabbing his jacket from your hands before he turns around to exit your closet. “You’re welcome to stay and watch me get changed, by the way.”

Of course, you ignore him as you immediately trudge your way out of the room, no matter how enticing the offer is.

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An hour or two ago, you were at the airport, bidding your best friends a heartfelt farewell alongside Jennifer, and they were equally stunned to see Jay accompanying you. There was no doubt that there were questions weighing heavily on the tip of their tongue, but thankfully, they did not bombard you with their questions. It was awkward, especially when you knew that they detested each other, but Jay seemed neutral with an impassive countenance.

As promised, Jay kept his words and began the motion of his plan right after the farewell at the airport by bringing you to a rather fancy restaurant for brunch first. It was a delightful brunch despite your aloof demeanour towards him. You were surprised to see that Jay had such patience throughout the whole time, and not even once did he seem irritated by your cold detachment.

Presently, you are nestled in the passenger seat of his black Ford Mustang, resting comfortably with your eyelids threatening to close as your tummy feels full after appeasing your hunger, and a nap is a necessity at this moment, but when your eyes flicker to him, you feel miraculously wide awake.

The black top, which belongs to Jake, fits him perfectly with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, displaying his veins for your eyes to feast upon while the mere sight of the titanium Rolex watch on your wrist does something to you that you can feel in your tummy. His raven bangs hover over his forehead, adding a soft touch to his countenance. His strong gaze is unmistakable, even just by the side profile, as he focuses on the road. You continue to marvel at how undeniably gorgeous he is discreetly.

Or maybe not so discreetly, because the moment he turns his head to look at you so briefly, his lips twitch into a knowing smirk, causing cheeks to flare. It is not your fault that his handsomeness bewitched you.

“So, Sunghoon and Jake told me that you’re overseeing your father’s company here,” You strike up a conversation, much to your own surprise since you had intended to remain aloof, but you want to dispel the awkwardness. “So you’re like a CEO, then? Is it permanent?”

“Unfortunately,” Jay’s answer earns a confused look from you, and his eyes soften before he decides to explain. “I never wanted to become a managing director, let alone to be involved in any of my father’s business, but since I’m his only son and heir, I had to fulfil my obligation. It’s also a perfect coincidence that the location of my obligation is here.”

You nod your head in understanding, but before you can speak, he continues, his tone carrying a bitterness. “If I had refused my father back then, he wouldn’t have allowed me to move abroad, and I wouldn’t be able to meet you.”

“So the reason you’re here in the first place was because of work?” You can’t help but to sound disappointed, even if your ego is the reason you are refraining yourself from caving into him after seeing his efforts since earlier and how gentle and soft-spoken he had been towards you, entirely different from the Jay you first met.

“No, baby. The real reason I’m here right now is because of you. It has always been my real intention, but my father didn’t grant me the freedom I wanted unless I comply with his order, or else I wouldn’t be bothered to become the managing director,” Jay casts you another glance, his lips forming a rueful smile. “But everything I’ve gone through was worth it, because it gives me the opportunity to build the future I envisioned with you in it.”

You look down at your hands, feeling your heartbeat going rapidly by his last statement. “How were you so sure that I’d even be in your future?” You force your voice to come out strong, almost flintily, but you remain a jittery mess on the inside. “If you hadn’t found out where I really was, then all you’ve worked hard for and built would’ve gone to vain.”

“I told you before, didn’t I?” A discernible knowingness laces in his voice. “At the yacht party, a year ago.”

Your breath hits in your throat while nostalgia pulls at your heartstrings. “You still remember that yacht party?”

“Of course. I remember every memory I had with you,” He smiles wistfully, and when he meets your eyes again, you can see a longing regret for a fleeting moment. “Do you remember what I told you if you leave me again?”

“No,” You deny, refusing to admit that you, too, remember every memory you had so vividly that it feels fresh in your mind as they resurface, especially this particular one. “Even if you leave again, I’ll find you, and I’ll chase you till the end.”

“I may be the biggest arsehole in the world, but I’m a man of my words,” His stern voice holds an unequivocal promise, one that sends you the familiar chills. “I told you before that I would always find you and that I’d chase you till the end.”

You remain silent as you curl your fingers into fists on your lap. You want to say something, anything, but it feels as though his words have coiled around your throat, suffocating you with the promise infused like a coaxing substance. When you finally focus on your surroundings, a frown pulls at your lips, your head filling with pure confusion at your current location, wondering why he has brought you to a car dealership. “Why are we here?”

Like an expert, Jay manipulates the steering wheel in a way that has you gawking at his hands while he is preoccupied in parking his car. “We’re here to buy a car,” He answers, albeit vaguely. You are taken by surprise when he leans towards you, causing you to hold your breath in the close proximity while he doesn’t look away from your eyes, only for him to unbuckle your seatbelt. A faint smirk appears on his lips as he examines the flushness of your face. “Let’s go.”

You ignore the rising temperature on your cheeks. “For who? You already have one.”

His face remains impassive as he switches off the ignition. “For you, of course. It’ll be for your convenience to get around here,” He says calmly, merely dismissing the genuine surprise on your face before he exits his car, with you following suit.

“But I don’t even have my driving license yet!” You exclaim in protest as soon as you catch up to him. “Seriously, if this is your method to earn me back with money or with a freaking car─”

“Trust me, I know, and I don’t expect anything from you,” Jay cuts you off sternly, halting his steps as he scans your countenance before his eyes go soft with adoration. “Just let me do this for you. I’m being sincere about it.”

As much as you would like to refuse, it feels like an insurmountable obstacle, especially in maintaining your aloofness towards him, and so with a resigned sigh, you nod your head before grumbling under your breath, “I should’ve gotten that damn driving license with Jen.”

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Spending approximately about an hour and a half at the car dealership simply exhausts you, and it is equivalent to when you accompanied Jennifer to shop at the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Not only did you have to make an arduous decision in choosing vehicles of your liking ─ yes, vehicles. Jay insisted you choose a motorbike of your own as well, an Aprilia RSV4  ─ but the paperwork was just as gruelling.

Finally egressing the outlet, your eyes search for a certain someone who excused himself right after he did his part in the paperwork across the expansive parking lot before they land on his stature with his handsome back facing you which sends you an annoying flutter.

As you approach him, the stifling smell of a cigarette causes your nose to scrunch up in complete distaste while your eyes follow the movement of grey smoke wafting in the air before they flicker at the burning white stick rolled between his fingers.

You press your lips thinly, watching him from behind as he raises the stick to his lips while he remains blissfully unaware of your presence. You know you should be minding your own business, especially when his health does not concern you, but you feel strongly inclined to do the exact opposite.

Tucking your lower lip between your teeth, you begin to fiddle with your fingers before gravitating towards him until you are in his line of sight. Your heart flutters at the intensity of his handsome gaze on your face while the burning stick is caged between his teeth.

Instead of being rattled by the intoxicating smell, you find yourself cemented to the ground, as though his whole being alone spellbinds you. You blink your eyes, clearing your throat as you feign annoyance. “You should really stop smoking. It’s bad for your health in the long run.”

The corner of his lips curves up into a smirk as he withdraws the stick from his mouth to blow out the smoke while he never breaks eye contact with you. “You’re worried about me, baby?” 

“No. I just don’t like people smoking in general.” You nearly stutter with your words, clearly taken aback by his remark.

Jay does not seem convinced, and for a fleeting moment, bitterness hardens his eyes while a muscle pulses in his jaw. “Did you tell Sunghoon to stop smoking as well? Or are you playing favourites now?” He keeps his tone neutral, careful enough not to aggravate your distance from him. “Or maybe you’re denying that you’re worried about me?”

“I’m not playing favourites,” You deny rather vehemently, to which you are baffled at yourself for being defensive. Your remark earns you an unamused expression from him. “Fine, I’m worried about you! Are you happy?” You snap at him, easily caving into those dark, attractive eyes of his.

Oddly, his smirk falls flat on his lips while his eyes seem to soften, but they are captivating enough to retain your full attention on him. “Alright. I’ll stop smoking,” His sincerity causes you to double take his words as you stare at him dumbfounded. “At least I’ll try to.”

“Just because I said so?” You force yourself to scoff out as your heart flutters annoyingly once more, watching as he throws the burning stick to the ground only to snuff the burning tip with the sole of his shoe.

Jay unfurls a soft smile on his lips, and yet wistfulness glimmers in his eyes as he returns to your gaze. “Everything I do has always been for you.”

You look away from his eyes that seem to be pulling you in dangerously, clearing your throat as you attempt to walk past him to get to his car. “We should go.”

Jay clenches his fist, fighting against his longing urges, but he caves in as he quickly catches up to you, his hand latching on your wrist. “Baby, wait.” 

“Jay─” Before you can even protest, you are rendered speechless when he pulls you into his warm embrace, his arms encasing your frigid form. Your heart aches yearningly as he tightens his arms around you with his cheek pressing into the side of your head.

“I missed being able to hold you like this,” Jay mumbles, savouring this moment for as long as he can before releasing you, feeling defeated at your avoidance of reciprocity. A rueful smile touches his lips. “I remember what happened while I was drunk last night.”

Your breath hitches in your throat at his confession, and a pang of hurt strikes you in the chest. “You said you didn’t. You lied to me, again.”

“I was afraid that you’d push me away like you did last week,” Jay confesses earnestly, oblivious to the fact that you are grappling with your emotions that beseech you to cave into him, especially as he is looking at you with an intense longing. “I’ve never felt afraid of anything until you, so I’m sorry. I know I have a lot of things to apologise for.” He says with a final sigh, only receiving your silence when he takes the cue to walk past you.

But you surprise yourself as you stop him, tugging at his hand almost meekly while the skin contact sends a spark to him. “Jay,” His name is uttered with your wavering voice, prompting him to meet your eyes, only to be taken aback by the glistening tears in them. “I─” Your voice shakes, and your throat hurts from restraining every bit of your emotions since waking up to his presence in your humble abode.

Truth be told, you still remember every word he said last night, and his words struck you deeply in the heart. After all, humans tend to be veracious with their words when they fall into inebriation. 

Jay unfurls a sad smile, a passing understanding flickers in his eyes. “You don’t have to say anything,” He reassures you softly as he squeezes your hand. “Let me just take you back─”

“I want you to hold me again.” You cut him off, pulling him closer as you tug his hand, and this time, you can feel every bit of your inhibition leaving you. You blink your tears away. “I want you to want me so bad─”

“I don’t think I deserve to want you, baby. Not yet,” Jay whispers almost painfully while the longing in his eyes only seems to wound you in the heart. He musters a bitter smile. “Let’s go. I’ll bring you back to my place so I can properly apologise to you.”

“But─”

“Please, Y/N,” Jay pleads, maintaining his composure that baffles you because his eyes hold a beautiful galaxy of emotions for you despite his firm demeanour. “You don’t deserve the bare minimum, which is why I want to prove to you how much I deserve you.” Upon receiving your acknowledging head nod, he proceeds to guide you back to his car while your heart races in anticipation.

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The gradual evening is draped in a soft glow, the sun setting with the heavenly hues of orange and pink, a breathtaking view that you can conveniently appreciate whenever you desire to step out to the rooftop just a door away that is adjacent to the living room. One of the many perks of residing at a penthouse, at least for them, which you genuinely feel envious of.

Earlier, when Jay intended to bring you back to their palace, you definitely did not expect to walk past the threshold of their exquisite penthouse. You were in awe throughout the whole time Jay introduced you to every part of the penthouse except their bedrooms. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer the panoramic view of the sophisticated city, a view that you wish to wake up to better, as it is much better than the view from your apartment’s point of view.

Presently, you are seated by the kitchen island, watching Jay in silence as he has been occupied cooking for the past thirty minutes or so since he insisted on you occupying yourself by doing whatever you desired, but you eventually grew bored. Besides, nothing is more heart-fluttering than to watch a handsome man in a domestic element.

Your lips unfurl a soft smile while you can feel the pupils in your eyes dilated with adoration as they follow his every movement, despite your heartstrings pulling painfully at the longing of missing this view of him. When Jay turns around, his eyes meet yours, causing your heart to pound harder against your chest.

Jay gives you a small smile before refocusing as he intends to set up your dinner on the main table at the rooftop, albeit an impromptu one to which you do not mind, as soon as he does the final touch on the Italian cuisine, which smells delectable and has your stomach grumbling faintly in a neglected hunger. Since you refuse to remain discourteous, you provide your assistance to Jay, merely disregarding his insistence on sitting at the dining table prettily as you continue to assist in whatever is there.

It is not long until you have settled across from Jay, light-hearted conversation flowing smoothly between you and him in the midst of dining, with the dinner arrangement meticulously and pleasingly established by him. All the while, you feel an air of intimacy that feels different, almost raw, and the ambience evokes a rather romantic dinner that has your satisfied tummy and heart going all fuzzy.

But something else feels unsatisfactory since Jay hugged you at the car dealership, and you lack the patience to ignore it any longer. You acknowledge that Jay has been noticeably considerate by establishing his distance from you, as though he feared that invading your personal space would lead to you bearing second thoughts about this, but honestly, the distance is killing you, and you want nothing more than for him to be close to you.

“Thank you for everything, for today, I mean,” You give him your earnest gratitude as soon as you nestle comfortably on the linen sofa that is situated adjacently by the pool, which also allows you to view the cityscape without having to adjust your position. Your fingers remain latched around the stem of your glass of red wine as you watch him take sips of his wine, seated across from you. You fist the hem of your dress, struggling to maintain patience at his distance once again. “You didn’t have to do all of that. You could’ve just given up on me on the day I pushed all of you away.”

His eyes soften as he gazes at the serenity in your beautiful countenance, feeling greatly relieved that you are no longer hostile towards him. “But I couldn’t. How could I when my heart refused to let you go, just like it refused to a year ago?” 

“So you’ve never been with any other girls ever since then?” The question leaves your mouth in haste, albeit there is a certain edge of jealousy in your tone as you imagine the unpalatable possibility. 

Jay shakes his head in response, but it is the sincerity in those gentle eyes of his that reassures you and allays your simmering jealousy. “I didn’t bother because my heart, my soul, and every inch of me refused to find and be with anyone that wasn’t you,” His tongue tastes bitter while his eyes harden as he recalls that agonising year without you. “When you left, it felt like my life had lost its meaning.”

The benign ambience shifts into something fragile in spite of the tension that gradually thickens, and as you examine him, your heart aches at the vulnerability seeping between the cracks of his once-tenacious demeanour. You press your lips thinly. “But you were doing fine. You told me that you were focusing on building your career─”

“I had no choice but to keep going, to pretend that I was fine when all I wanted was to go on a rampage spree and kill that fucker who started it all,” Jay cuts you off sharply, his eyes blazing with ire at the mere mention of him, but the tremor in his voice is palpable as he grapples with his emotions, and above all, he sounds sorrowful. “I was a body without a soul, Y/N, because you were my soul.”

You remain silent, looking away from him briefly as you feel tears prickle in the corner of your eyes, but Jay misunderstands your gesture as rejection, causing him to feel defeated. He puts down his half-empty glass of wine on the coffee table and adjusts himself slightly forward with his hands clasped together, his head hanging low. “Every single day, I was haunted by the memories I had with you that replayed on my mind constantly, including the memories of you in tears because of me and how badly I treated you in the beginning,” He clenches his jaw, self-loathing as he reflects on his actions.  “I wanted nothing more than to get rid of my heart that was beating undeservedly after what I’ve done to you.”

You draw in a sharp breath as those memories begin to sting, but honestly, the hidden resentment towards his past actions has long since dispelled by the love you harbour for him. “It’s okay. The past in the past. Besides, you’ve changed, remember?” You muster a small smile of reassurance, but Jay only stares at you as if you had offended him. “I’ve forgiven you all, a year ago when I boarded the plane.”

“It’s not okay, baby. How could you even forgive us so easily?” His exasperation laces with desperation, and his eyes glisten beautifully with a myriad of emotions you are able to decipher ─ anger, self-hatred, despair, regret. “You were tormented by the aftermath of what happened, and neither of us wasn’t there for you during your lowest. I wasn’t there for you when I should’ve protected and comforted you, but I was too blindsided by my revenge to hurt the one responsible for everything. We all were.”

A fallen teardrop escapes the corner of your eye as the last layers you built to protect your once-wounded heart decorticate. “Yeah, you should’ve. You should’ve been the ones to tell me the truth instead of Jungwon and the others,” You remind him again, your tone conveying the hurt that stems from the old wound. The tears begin to accumulate in your eyes despite blinking them away. “That day when I confronted you in the rain, you should’ve stopped me from lashing out at you when you already knew that you weren’t responsible for what happened, and above all, you shouldn't have lied to me that you had deleted them.”

“I know, fuck, I know,” Jay nearly curses at himself, but stops as soon as he recognises how delicate you look, and the glimmer of hurt in your eyes at the painful reminder prompts him to embrace you even when he feels that he is undeserving to hold you, but fuck it. The next thing he knows, he feels a gravitational pull as he ambles towards you. “I regret everything, and I lived in regret every single day. I knew that I didn’t deserve you, but I wanted you, and I still do. I should’ve done this sooner.”

The sound of his footsteps prompts your attention to him, causing your heart to beat in a familiar cadence that amplifies your longing for him. His gaze moltens with such intensity amidst the penitence and yearning, and as he stands in front of you, his stature descends while you watch him getting down on his knees, rendering you flabbergasted.

“You told us before that you were willing to do anything even if it meant to stay by our side, and so I’m doing it now,” Not once did he break eye contact, nor did he waver, exhibiting his tenacious resolve that you feel wholeheartedly, and it springs more tears to your eyes. “Right now, I don’t care about my pride. You deserve to have a man on his knees and worship the ground you walk on. You deserve so fucking much, and if I’m being honest, I don’t know if this is enough for me to prove that I deserve you.”

“Jay,” You whisper his name while tears begin to cascade down your cheeks, and even in tears, you look gracefully beautiful, bringing a faint smile to his lips despite his vision gradually getting blurry with tears of his own.

“Marriage isn’t something I wanted, especially after witnessing the loveless marriage of my parents. I didn’t believe that love would make me happy. I wasn’t even looking for love until I found you, until you captured my heart without you even realising it,” His heartfelt confession hits you like relentless cupid arrows to your heart that are beating for him, and the desperation he exhibits only amplifies the torrent of emotions you release. “I knew that I was in love with you when I first took you to that dinner date. You were wearing a lovely white dress I bought for you, and I was completely moonstruck when you were walking towards me,” Jay reminisces as he adorns a fond smile at the memory, his hand ascending to cup your wet cheek while you instinctively lean into his touch. “You were truly a darling, just as you are now.”

“You bad guy,” You sob softly as you place your hand on top of his, pressing his palm into your cheek with more affection that has his heart swelling with adoration for you. “You made me wait for so long. I chose to live in denial for a year, all because I didn’t have the guts to accept the fact that deep down, I knew that I still loved you. I just wish─” A shaky breath leaves your lips as the words clog in your throat painfully, but his strong yet gentle gaze is a reassurance for you to continue. Choking back a sob, you flutter your eyelids close as you nuzzle your cheek into his palm. “I wish you weren’t a piece of me that I needed after all this time.”

“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry that I made you wait for so long,” Jay cradles your face, and with his height that levels with you, he leans in to give a soft kiss on your forehead while your heart warms at his gesture. When he pulls you away, you look at him only to be surprised by the tears silently cascading down his cheeks. “I’m even more sorry for myself because I’ve waited a lifetime for you. I love you, Y/N Kang. I always have.”

You open your mouth with the intention to reciprocate, but you are rendered speechless when he unravels a surprise in his hand that is holding a red velvet box, oblivious to the way his hand trembles slightly with nervousness.

“This isn’t a marriage proposal, but I do intend on marrying you some day. I can’t think of anyone else worthy to be my wife and the mother of my child,” He says, his voice shaking with emotions that threaten to overwhelm him as he opens the box to retrieve the platinum diamond ring. “Consider this ring a promise from me to you. A promise that I’ll marry you and that I love you till the day I die.”

Holding your hand, he slides the ring into your forefinger as it fits perfectly, his touch a familiar reverence. He looks up at you again with fierce determination in his glistening eyes. “No, not even death can separate us,” He declares, his tone unconcealing with promises as he brings your hand to place a gentle kiss on your knuckle, a gesture that never fails to make your heart flutter. “You are my heart and soul, Y/N. When you left, I felt myself breaking on the inside. I─” His voice cracks mid sentence, and it hurts you to see how devastatingly hopeless he looks, as though you will push him away again. “I didn’t know what to do, and I was so lost without my angel.”

“Your angel is here, Jay,” You utter softly as you cradle his face, mustering a smile on your tear-stained face despite your heart aches at pain glimmering in his eyes. You lean your face towards him until your nose brushes against his, whispering, “Your angel is here to stay by your side for good.”

The love emanating from you and him is palpable, encapsulating a symphony that you can hear in your ear, your pulse drumming louder and louder while the distance between your lips and his decreases, your eyelids going hooded as you await the kiss, but the moment shatters abruptly by the sonorous cracking, causing you to pull away from him to divert your attention to the night sky that is now illuminated by resplendent fireworks. 

Instead of focusing on the spectacular view, Jay’s eyes never leave the fascination on your face as you slowly rise from the sofa to amble forward. “I didn’t know there would be fireworks here,” You voice out your thoughts in awe, momentarily shifting your gaze to him as he walks towards you. The look on his face tells you everything you need to know, and your heart begins to pound harder. “You did this. How?”

“I have my ways and resources,” Jay briefly answers, and it is no wonder why he was busy on his phone nearly thirty minutes earlier. Your eyes soften as you notice how evidently nervous he is. “I know it’s not much─”

You let your inhibition go as you cradle his face, dispelling his doubts by the abrupt contact of your lips on his, a kiss that unfolds a gradual fervour that has him nearly weak in the knees. With urgency, his arms encase your waist as he pulls you closer to his body, deepening the kiss while the ongoing fireworks in the background fade like everything else because nothing relevant exists at the moment other than you in his arms.

“I love you,” You murmur against his lips, forcing yourself to pull away from the kiss. Tears of joy spring to your eyes despite the love and desire in your eyes that reflect his. “I'm still so in love with you, Park Jongseong.”

Jay takes you by surprise when he captures your lips into a passionate kiss while the impact nearly sends your head pushing to the back, but he cradles the back of your head reverently, holding you in place. Your hearts beat in a symphony as the kiss deepens the connection between you, kissing him with equal fervour that rouses his desire for you. Goosebumps arise on your skin at the warmth of his palms sliding down your thighs as he breaks the kiss, only to ghost his lips on yours. “Jump,” He commands, and you easily comply with your arms instinctively hooking around his neck.

With his hands supporting you from your underthighs, Jay proceeds to carry you into the penthouse, bringing you over to the living room and settling you on the sectional couch. When your back hits the cushion, he wastes no time in slamming his lips on yours, sealing you into a kiss that intensifies the rousing heat in your cores.

“Jay,” You pant lightly as soon as he pulls away from your lips with the strings of your saliva still connected. You utter his name again breathlessly as he begins to trail wet kisses down your neck, your chest heaving up and down at the heady tension as he litters his kisses on the expanse of your nearly exposed chest before hovering his face over yours to seal you into a searing kiss that your hips are bucking up in need of him.

“I’ve been breaking for a lifetime for you, baby. You have no idea,” Jay rasps against your parted lips, desperation clinging onto the raw vulnerability in the tremor of his voice. “You, for whom I’ve waited for a lifetime since the day you left, and even before I met you. You, who is the only woman to ever bring me down to my knees, and I’d gladly do so again.”

Despite the lust swimming in the depths of your eyes, your features soften while your heart remains a fluttering mess at his words all over. “You’ve got me now, Jay. I’ll be yours for a thousand lives,” You whisper, brushing your lips against his as you stroke his cheekbone with your thumb. “I’m yours forever.”

“Mine,” His voice is a low rumble against your lips that sends a vibration, causing you to shudder by the undercurrent of primal desire. He places a chaste kiss on your lips before discarding every layer of his clothes, with you following suit.

Your mouth goes salivating at the luscious sight of his prominent muscles on display, and your fingers make their ascent to trace down the lines of his abdominal, sending him the shivers, but before your fingers can tease him with how conspicuous his bulge looks against the material of his briefs, he seizes them, only to kiss your fingertips with his dark sensual gaze penetrating you. “Lie down, baby. I’m gonna make you feel good.”

You comply, your heart racing in anticipation as he pulls down your underwear before spreading your legs, bringing heat to your cheeks at the embarrassment of how noticeably wet you are as he has you spread lewdly before him while his dark ravenous eyes zero in on your pussy, no doubt ready to devour you.

Jay dips his head down to trail kisses on your inner thigh, moving tantalisingly slowly to your wet mound that has you whimpering out your impatience. He smiles into your skin before playfully nipping at it, eliciting a soft gasp from you. “Patience, baby. I want to take my time on you,” He mumbles, placing one last kiss on your inner thigh before slotting his lips over your clit.

You shudder lightly as he takes a slow, deliberate lick on your sensitive nub before his tongue journeys along your slick folds, lathering them with his saliva. He hooks his arms from underneath your thighs, pulling you closer to him that causes the tip of his nose to press against your throbbing clit while he doesn’t let up with his tongue lapping and delving into the depths of your sweltering core.

“Oh, Jay,” You moan, arching your back off the sofa while the position allows you to feel his tongue deeply as he devours you with fervour, getting utterly drunk in the heat of your essence. He feels like he could die happily at this moment, basking in your warmth with your fingers now tangled in his locks. “Please don’t stop,” You buck your hips up, causing your clit to rub against his nose while he complies with your needy request.

The sound as he relentlessly fucks you with his tongue is wetly obscene, accompanied by your incoherent utterance of pleasure that amplifies the heady atmosphere in the living room. Your head is dizzying with pleasure, borderline delirious at how expertly his tongue fucks you, causing your body to writhe underneath him while your thighs go quivering, feeling the tension coil tighter in your tummy.

“Jay!” You gasp at the pricking of his teeth biting your clit, though not enough to hurt you but enough to send another wave of pleasure through your body before wrapping his lips around the nub and flickering it with his tongue. “Fuck, I can’t─ ” You whimper as his muscle movements grow urgently, hurtling you to the brink of ecstasy.

Without letting up, his fingers ascend to your chest, stimulating your heightened senses more as he fondles with your tit, occasionally pinching and flicking your nipple tenderly that amplifies your coiling pleasure as you deepen your arch. He buries himself deeply into your sopping cunt, feeling your walls quivering on his tongue, and he knows that you are closer to falling into the abyss of ecstasy.

“I’m gonna─” Your words clog in your throat as he captures your throbbing nub, and with a final flick, your body convulses with your orgasm crashing down on you like tidal waves as you come undone, but his tongue remains lapping on your clit, intensifying the sensitivity that has you whimpering out. “Jay, no more.”

Jay merely ignores you, holding your convulsing body down firmly as he laps up your nectar greedily with his sheeny nose, lips, and chin smeared with your cum before he finally halts, hovering on top of you with a predatory craze in his dark eyes, causing your breath to hitch at how hypnotising he looks. He dips his head down and kisses you, making you taste yourself on his lips.

Your fingers go winding in his hair, tugging at it gently as his lips move against yours passionately. “Missed your taste. Missed everything about you,” He nearly growls out into the heated kiss, his tongue skimming along the seams of your lips before you welcome him into your hot cavern. 

You moan wetly into his mouth as you exchange saliva with him, your tongue dancing in an intimate tango with his, rousing a familiar arousal in your core as you grind your slick folds directly against his hard bulge. You pull away from his lips just slightly, panting needily. “I need you so bad.”

“I need you more, baby,” He whispers, placing a chaste kiss above your cupid bow before he leans away from you to discard his briefs. He watches the way your eyes are laden with desire at the sight of his veiny cock and how the pink tip is already smeared with his precum, having been aroused by eating you out.

Jay wastes no time, hovering above you with his arm at the side of your head supporting his weight while the other is occupied in adjusting and aligning his cock with your sopping entrance. A soft moan leaves your lips at the jolting sensation of the bulbous tip pressing into your throbbing clit before he slides his cock down to your entrance and finally pushes forward.

“You’re squeezing me tight, baby girl,” His husky voice sounds rough with lust, burying himself deeper to the hilt with your velvety clinging onto his cock like a desperate lover. He looks up to study your face that is contorting into pure ecstasy as he begins to deliver thrust after thrust with unbridled passion that has you rolling your eyes to the back.

His thrusts are deliberate with such precision, while the tantalising slow drags of his cock in between your velvet walls send you spiralling in the abyss of euphoria, as though he is savouring every inch of you with how he seems to be taking his sweet time. Your heart flutters at how gentle and tender he is being, and you feel as though he is making love to you instead.

You latch your hand onto his bicep while the muscle flexes beneath your touch as you arch your back, feeling him hitting that spot continually with your neck bared in his eyes to feast upon before he dips his head down to trail kisses and licks on your neck with his hot breath on your skin. 

You moan out his name as soon as he rubs your clit expertly, amplifying the intensity of your pleasure without losing tandem in the way he thrusts into you with an undercurrent vigour while the volume of your skins slapping and your wet arousal sounds prominent in your ear.

“Feels good, baby?” He asks in between bated breaths, his hand searching for yours before intertwining your fingers together next to your head, an affectionate gesture that rouses butterflies in your tummy.

“So good,” You roll your eyes to the back at the sensual drag of his cock, causing your hips to stutter midway in meeting his thrusts. Your eyes glaze with lust as they search for his eyes that penetrate into yours with such intense love. “Jay, kiss me.”

Jay leans down and presses his lips on yours, bringing tears to your eyes as you feel the torrent of love he pours into the kiss. “I love you,” He pulls away from the kiss to lean his forehead against yours with his eyes fluttering closed, preventing tears of his to escape. “I love you so much,” His voice barely above a whisper, but you discern the rawness that reflects the depths of his feelings for you.

Fallen teardrops roll down your cheeks as you grip his hand tighter. “I love you too, Jay,” Your voice trembles at the moment your body does as the pleasure reaches a crescendo, your orgasm teetering at the precipice. “I’m close.”

“Me too,” He breathes out raggedly, never letting up his thrusts, while the pleasure from having his back being raked frantically by your fingernails causes goosebumps to arise on his skin.

“In me, please. Need you to cum in me,” You plead in between gasps as each thrust hits the spongey spot relentlessly that has your walls clamping around him. The thought of getting impregnated by him fuels your desperation, prompting you to lock your legs around his waist. 

“Fuck, yeah, okay,” He rasps against your skin, placing a kiss above your brow. “You’d look so good with a pregnant belly,” With a guttural moan, his orgasm crashes down on him in a torrent of ecstasy as he snaps his hips against yours, pressing you down on the couch and filling you to the brim at the same time you violently come undone with a breathy moan.

Jay presses a deep kiss on your cheek before soothing you from your high with lulling whispers of how good you are to him. The connection that transcends the physical remains palpable as he gazes deeply into your eyes.

“You are so perfect,” Jay whispers affectionately as he brushes away the strands of your hair from sticking to your face. Despite the love swimming in his eyes, a darkness resides, one that symbolises his darkest obsession for you. “Mine. All mine.” 

“Yours,” You breathe out, getting aroused as he lowers his head to litter kisses on your chest before capturing your hardened nipple his lips, eliciting a needy whine from you. “Jay, please,” You buck your hips up, only to moan at the sensation of his cock twitching deeply in you.

Before you know it, Jay proceeds to carry you in the direction of his room with his hands supporting you from below. As your patience runs thinly, you whine next to his ear, attempting to bounce on his cock midair with your legs locked firmly around him.

“Patience, baby,” He groans lowly as you prod further with your lips trailing kisses and nips on his neck, akin to how a kitten acts with its owner, vying for attention. His fingers dig into your flesh, lacking the self-control to fuck you with reckless abandon right here and now as he stands midway at the doorway. Y/N.”

Your walls clamp around him at his authoritative tone, eliciting another groan from him as you pull away to look at him in the eyes. “Need you to make love to me again,” You tell him needily, your lips jutting into a pout that entices him to seal you into a bruising kiss.

“I will,” He promises as he carefully places you down on the bed without breaking the connection. He grabs your hand to give a kiss on your ring finger while he maintains eye contact with you, his lips curving into a smirk. “I’ll make love to you all night.”

This is not the first time Heeseung has waited for you to return and watched you head inside your apartment building safely. In fact, he has been doing this for months ever since he grasped the navigation skills around the city. Although he had other things to prioritise, you were his primary priority, including your safety, despite the fact that you were doing just fine even before he arrived. He would furtively watch you from afar in the dark most nights and wait until the lights in your apartment switched on that denoted your safe arrival before he proceeded to speed off. 

Remaining stationary at his usual post with his booted feet planted on the asphalt ground to stabilise his sleek black motorbike, his dark gaze pierces through the visor of his AGV helmet as he watches you dismount from his best friend’s motorbike. Jay adjusts your slightly unkempt hair while you remain pouting, only to break into a bashful smile when he leans in to kiss you with his arm encasing your waist.

Heeseung feels his jaw go taut while his eyes never stray from you. He should be unfazed at the intimate sight of you and his best friend when he has seen it more than once over the course of last week with Sunghoon and Jake as well when they sent you back to your apartment, but this time, particularly tonight, his jealousy is uncurbed, and all he wants is to have you all over him like you once did.

Instead of feeling happy for his best friends who have successfully reconciled with you, resentment and envy fuse in the heat of his veins, but the hurt constricting his chest is more palpable than anything at the cold reality that you look perfectly fine without him. You don’t even look like you’re missing him, as though you have everything you need, which includes his best friends.

It takes every strength in him to refrain himself from chasing after you as he watches you heading inside the building, fearing that his abrupt presence would exacerbate your hatred and resentment towards him as he recalls the way you looked at him glaringly and the words you spoke that pierced into his bleeding heart, but he knows that he has no right to feel hurt when you were the one who had suffered a shitty ordeal, which led to the eventual of your unforeseen absence in his life for a year.

A year without you feels like an agonising eternity, where he spent his days and nights aimlessly, as though the purpose of his existence was deemed meaningless without you by his side. But Heeseung unwaveringly graced with equanimity, deceiving the others and even his best friends by seemingly coping with your absence well when, in actuality, hell was close to breaking loose at any moment whenever the thought of you surfaced on his mind.

Heeseung once considered himself as someone who had absolute zero regret in his past actions, be it good or bad, and someone whose resolute was unshakeable, but when the incident happened, he was stricken with guilt, followed by the immense regret as he knew that he should not have lied to you about your vulnerability being deleted. Not only was that his only regret in his life, but he also regrets the times he took you for granted and the fact that he was too late to tell you what you truly meant to him. Above all, he regrets not staying by your side and comforting you when you needed him most.

Heeseung knows that whatever reasons he had to justify his absence in the tribulation period you went through are unacceptable because if he wanted to, he would have, no matter what, even though he needed to ensure that his foe would never be able to harm you ever again. He should have gone to you first to explain the whole truth and prove his innocence, but instead, he allowed cowardice to influence him, rendering him hopelessly defeated, especially when you had every reason to believe that he intended to hurt you.

That rainy night, when your appearance came like a bolt of lightning to confront them, he was grappling with his emotions, each threatening to shatter his tenacity in his composure. He wanted to hold you and comfort you, but the sheer hurt on your face quailed him so much that he even felt deeply in his heart, and how hurtful it was to see you heartbroken over them with your injured hand wrapped with a bandage.

Heeseung wishes that he could turn back at that moment of time to tell you the eight letters that weighed heavily on his tongue; he wishes to make things right by turning back the time when he first saw you with the pink cardigan flailing on your figure as you rushed to find an empty seat in the auditorium; and he wishes to tell you that he has loved you since you were eighteen, even if his eighteen-year-old self had no notion of what love was.

His heart and soul desperately yearn for you, for you to return to his arms that were made for holding you. He misses how you used to look at him with enamoured eyes, how you would smile bashfully whenever he became flirtatious, and in everything you do that was endearing in his eyes. Heeseung misses you; he always has.

You are the only woman who possessed the ability to fill the void in his mundane life and the only goodness who shone brightly amid the darkness that enshrouded his universe. You are not only his love, but you are also the loss of his life.

Heeseung tightens his grip on the hand clutches, his once-laid back posture taut with tension while his eyes are steely with self-loathing. If he had divulged the truth instead of coaxing you with a lie with the intention to ease your worries, would things turn out different? If he and the others had gotten to you sooner and revealed the truth, would you have forgiven them and stayed by their side?

Well, it is useless to cogitate about the past when fate has already decided its course. Be it if there were indeed alternate paths for him to pursue, he was bound to lose you either way. No, this time, he won’t lose you again.

Pulling himself out of the reflection, Heeseung shifts his dark gaze to where you were seen, only to see his best friend alone as he proceeds to wear his helmet, your disappearance denoting that you have entered your apartment building safely. Although Heeseung is envious of Jay for successfully earning himself back into your good grace, he trusts the latter completely in regards to your safety.

Heeseung proceeds to accelerate forward, his motorbike humming with its engine that soon reaches the ears of his best friend, prompting the latter to look over his shoulder just as he is about to pull his visor down. Jay’s dark gaze remains fixated on Heeseung until the latter’s vehicle comes to a halt just two arms length next to where he is.

Without removing his foot from the peg, Heeseung places the other firmly on the ground to stabilise himself and pushes up his visor to gain a clearer vision to read his best friend’s expression, only to be taken aback by Jay’s lack of surprise to see him, almost as if the latter has been more than aware of his presence from afar.

“How long?” Though Jay’s question sounds less elaborative, his tone is all Heeseung needs to know that his best friend meant how long he had been doing this behind their backs. He awaits Heeseung's response as he busily fastens his black fingerless gloves on his hands, his dark gaze never straying from Heeseung’s that levels with his intensity.

“Three months, approximately,” Heeseung answers, completely unfazed by Jay’s annoyance in his sharp gaze. Seeing as Jay is unrelenting, tension brews between them while a challenging glint is present in Heeseung’s dark, hardened eyes. “I’m not going to apologise. All I’ve been doing is keeping her safe from any possible danger and drunkard bastards loitering around this street.”

Jay examines his best friend with calculated eyes before the tension dissipates when a smirk forms on his lips, looking entirely pleased, much to Heeseung’s curiosity. “Don’t get all defensive now, Heeseung. If anything, I’m glad that you still love her enough to keep her safe, even though you’ve been practically stalking her for a long period. So I’m just going to ignore the fact that you didn’t confide in us about this nightly routine of yours.”

“Of course, I still love her. Her safety is my main priority. Besides, I loved her first before any of you even did.” Heeseung’s proclamation is laced with bitterness, to which Jay lets it pass as he doesn’t regard it as a provocation.

“Then why are you still here?” Jay inquires, no longer is there amusement in the way he speaks. Amidst the sternness in his steely eyes, Heeseung recognises the encouragement that should have impelled him to do the right thing. “Shouldn’t you be heading upstairs to her unit and confess your undying love and beg for her forgiveness?”

Heeseung swallows down the cold, bitter truth that keeps crawling its way back to his throat that feels tight. “You’re right. I should, but would she even want to see me now? She looked perfectly fine earlier. I don’t want to ruin her night,” He says ruefully as he cranes his neck to get a better view of your apartment with the lights switched on. “I don’t think she even needs me now that she has the three of you.”

“Heeseung, what the fuck happened to you, man?” Jay scoffs out in disbelief, pulling Heeseung’s attention promptly that has the latter glaring at him, only for him to falter slightly at the disappointment in Jay’s eyes. “I need my best friend back, and right now, you are not him.”

Heeseung’s turn to scoff, his ire coursing through his veins dangerously. “What the fuck do you mean─”

“My best friend would never have given up, especially not on the woman he claimed to love first, and he would never let the woman he loves to wait on him any longer. She deserves better, you know that,” Jay’s fierce conviction resonates with Heeseung to the core, dispelling his despondency. “You said that she looked perfectly fine, but what if she isn’t? What if she actually needs you?”

Silence is all Jay receives from Heeseung, but he is not having any of it, knowing that he needs a little push to get him on the right track. “She needs you too, Heeseung,” Jay’s tone sounds less aggravating, calmer, but firm enough to retain Heeseung’s undivided attention. “As much as I used to loathe the idea of us sharing her, I could never deny the fact that she has always needed the four of us. We could never understand the special connection you have with her, just as you could never understand our individual connection with her, which is why you need to get your shit together and grovel at her feet, quite literally.”

Heeseung stares at Jay differently, as though he is in awe of him. The corner of his lips curves into a faint smirk. “I never knew that Park Jongseong could offer words of wisdom. Y/N’s impact, I believe.”

Jay doesn’t seem to deny it, and instead, a soft smile touches his lips while his eyes hold such fondness at the mention of you before chuckling lightly at the irony since he said something similar to Sunghoon and Jake too. “Being in love can make you a changed man.” The smile on his lips falters as he looks over to Heeseung, his eyes hardened with resolve. “Don’t fuck things up with her again, Heeseung. So man up and chase after the girl you love before she closes her heart to you.”

“I’ll make things right with her, but not tonight.” Heeseung affirms, his tone conveying promises that seem to appease Jay. He cranes his neck to look at your apartment, only for his heart to skip a beat at the sight of you standing by the balcony, gazing out. He returns his gaze to Jay. “You’re up for a night ride?”

Jay adorns a smirk on his lips, his eyes glinting with a familiar challenge before he pulls his visor down and leans forward with both hands latching firmly on the clutches. “Always. Try and keep up with me.” He says with mischief cockiness, earning a soft derisive chuckle from Heeseung.

“You should take your own advice.” Heeseung retorts as he pulls his visor down. He can’t shake the feeling of being watched, and so when he looks up for another time, his heart nearly stops beating when your eyes are fixated on him, your expression unreadable.

Heeseung quickly redirects his focus on the road, his hands on the clutch tightening before he begins rev forward with Jay following suit and eventually, on par with him. The cold vindictive wind hits them as they pick up velocity, and just like that, any prior doubts and worries dissipate from Heeseung’s mind while his self-confidence elevates at the thought of getting his beloved back.

▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰

His surroundings fade into a blur as he rides through the avenue of the intended destination at a meteoric velocity, while the revving of his motorbike that he unintentionally flaunts draws attention from the onlookers roving out and about in the broad daylight. Though his firm eyes are vigilantly focused on the road, his mind momentarily drifts to you, who occupies his every thought day and night.

Initially, Heeseung intended to head over to your apartment just earlier, albeit he did not exactly formulate any plans involving places to go to for an impromptu date, mainly because he was actually jittered at the thought of meeting you up close, but then came a call in regards to a restaurant reservation for lunch from a certain esteemed CEO who oversees all business operations across multiple diversions in the fashion industry in Milan and whose daughter is best friends with you.

Working for the organisation of your best friend’s father is not a coincidence. In fact, Heeseung has done his research involving you and the people you are close with, including Jennifer’s father, whom he knows that you regard the elderly as your father figure. And so he decided to send in his resume to HR. After gruelling rounds of interviews and assessments, his expertise and professionalism managed to secure himself employment under the organisation.

Heeseung rarely brags, but his performances throughout the period he has been working were so outstanding that eventually the CEO himself wanted to informally meet him, and thus, it led to Heeseung being one of his favourite employees. Although this is merely a stepping stone towards his goal, he can’t deny the fact that he feels strongly inclined to earn your father figure’s approval when the time comes for him to pursue you.

Finally reaching his destination, Heeseung parks his motorbike by the pavement kerb, where other vehicles are arrayed as well. Removing his helmet, he smooths his tousled pink hair that looks rather orangey and adjusts the black bomber jacket hugging his body before he wastes no time in hurrying over to the upscale establishment, wanting to get this lunch appointment over with.

As soon as Heeseung walks through the glass door, his sharp eyes scour for a certain businessman in his usual lavish suit, but the elder is quick to spot him first. “Heeseung!”

Heeseung turns his head sideways and locks eyes with him, who is seated at a table with a space that offers more privacy compared to the other tables that look rather congested, and seated next to him is the person who is not entirely in favour of him. Nevertheless, Heeseung makes his way to them.

Just as Heeseung reaches, he intends to greet the elderly with a courtesy bow, but he is taken aback when he is being pulled into a hug briefly. “I’m glad you could make it, son,” Mr. Huh offers him a broad, fatherly smile, patting his shoulder firmly.

Heeseung reciprocates with a small smile, albeit a tight one, as he feels rather annoyed by the fact that your best friend is throwing daggers at him with her eyes. “Of course. I could not miss having lunch with you, Sir,” He says with the utmost sincerity, or at least he tries to.

“Let me introduce you to my daughter!” Mr. Huh looks oddly thrilled as he gestures to his daughter, and in Heeseung’s judgement, he has an inkling that the CEO has ulterior motives that involve match-making them. “This is my daughter, Jennifer. Sweetheart, this is─”

“I know who he is, Dad,” Jennifer interposes sharply, Her unveiling abhorrence for Heeseung is clear in her wintery gaze while she maintains neutrality in her tone, essentially deceiving her father as she offers the taller male an uptight smile. “We went to the same college in Seoul.” 

“It’s true, sir,” Heeseung corroborates as soon as he spots a flicker of confusion and surprise in the elder’s eyes. Meeting Jennifer’s wintery eyes again, Heeseung decides to play along with the charade as he reciprocates with a guileful grin. “It’s good to see you again, Jennifer.”

Truthfully, this is not the first time Heeseung has met Jennifer formally at close range, excluding the night of confrontation when she excused herself to head into the guest room in your apartment. The first time he met her was when she stumbled upon him in the headquarters’s lobby while he was waiting for the elevator to arrive during the second week of his employment journey. Since there were other employees, Jennifer did not make any confrontation, but her eyes were glaring at him all the way until he stepped out of the elevator. It was likely that she enquired to her father instead regarding his unexpected arrival here, because from then onwards, Heeseung never saw her again until recently.

Heeseung expected that Jennifer would inform you of his arrival in Milan, most especially being an employee under her father’s organisation, but the genuine horrifying shock on your face told him that she never divulged anything to you, which is rather peculiar. Nevertheless, Heeseung is not curious enough to be entirely bothered by it.

“That’s good, then!” Mr. Huh is more than delighted with a broad smile on his lips, as though he won the lottery, eliciting a mutual confusion from both of them before Jennifer quickly grasps the underlying of his odd enthusiasm. Jennifer stares at his father in sheer disbelief as he directs his attention on Heeseung, patting his shoulder. “You see, my daughter here is so committed to her career that she neglects to find a partner. I had chosen potential suitors for her, but none met her expectations─”

“Dad, don’t start,” Jennifer cuts him off abrasively, casting him a disapproving scowl. “I know what you’re trying to do, and for the ninth time, I have no desire in dating a man,” Her tone indicates no room for debate while she remains unwaveringly poised. Her eyes flicker over to Heeseung briefly as the latter captures a knowing glint in them. “Besides, Heeseung and I could never work out. He already has someone in his heart.”

“And who might that be?” Mr. Huh clasps his hands together, his eyes gleaming with interest and a hint of mischief in the way the corner of his lips curl upward, a stark contrast to his dignified appearance. 

His question dissipates at the instant the sound of hurried footsteps approaches their table, diverting their attention to you. “I’m sorry for arriving late. There was a traffic jam in my area.” Annoyance laces your tone before releasing a huff while you remain oblivious to his presence.

Heeseung feels as though he is deprived of oxygen as soon as his eyes land on you. You are adorned in a white spaghetti strap dress that reaches above your knees, while the v-neck design at your chest area accentuates your smooth cleavage. You applied a minimal make-up on your face, which enhances your seraphic beauty. His throat feels oddly parched while his heart beats in familiar cadence. You look beautiful as you always have, but there is an undeniable glow in your refined demeanour that is impossible for him to look away from.

Heeseung definitely did not expect that you would be joining them, but then again, he should feel entirely surprised since you are practically like family to the father-daughter duo. 

Jennifer holds back a smirk, noticing how blatantly moonstruck Heeseung looks before pressing her lips thinly into a frown as she returns her gaze to you—well, more like her focus is directed to the black helmet in your grasp. “You rode a motorbike on your way here? Since when did you get your driving license?”

“It’s a long story, but we’ll save that for another time.” You say adamantly, your avoidance at her question is more than apparent, which deepens the frown on Jennifer’s lips, whereas Heeseung has a strong inkling that Jay had chauffeured you here.

Heeseung’s eyes never leave the glow in your demeanour as you offer Mr. Huh a buoyant smile. “Hi, uncle! How was your business trip to Venice?”

“It was lovely, thank you for asking, sweetie,” Mr. Huh wears a gentle smile, gazing fondly at you the way he does to his daughter. As if a lightbulb switches on in his head, he briefly looks over to Heeseung. “I’d like to introduce you to this fine gentleman here. Heeseung, this is Y/N. She’s been best friends with my daughter since childhood.”

Heeseung knows that much, considering you were the one who told him your whole life story before. His dark eyes watch you in a predatory gleam as you slowly turn to him, your body language exhibiting reluctance, almost as if you are daunted by the mention of his name alone.

When you finally lock eyes with him, the radiancy in your demeanour dims while your heart goes into palpitation. You feel a chaotic of emotions at once within you at the sight of the guy you did not expect in the slightest to be mysteriously acquainted with your father figure.

You have no idea what to feel at this moment. Happy? Angry? Sad? Or maybe even turned on? Because he sure as hell looks good decked out in an all-black outfit with his top stretching against his taut muscles and silver-rimmed glasses resting on his nose bridge, which is obviously a mere decoration, but it enhances his compelling charm with his dark predatory eyes locking you in place. 

“Dad, Y/N went to the same college as us.” Jennifer’s voice shatters the hypnotic trance you are in, looking away from his gaze, but even then you can feel his invasive eyes burning onto your face.

You nod your head, mustering the fakest smile on your matted lips at your father figure. “Yes. We all know each other. It’s a small world, really.”

“It’s been quite some time, Y/N,” Heeseung’s voice has a seductive drawl only you recognise—a haunting yet velvety caress to your ear. You look at him again and narrow your eyes at his simper smile, almost as if he is enjoying the subtle reaction he elicits from you just by his tantalising allure. “It’s a pleasure to meet you again.”

“Heeseung,” You decide to reciprocate his courtesy, your lips curving into a small, uptight smile, before taking a seat next to him since it is the only available seat, and you hope not to be affected by the dangerous proximity between you and him.

“Shall we order, then?” Mr. Huh, oblivious to the tension brewing, looks at each of you with a broad smile before calling for the waiter and informing him of your orders.

While waiting for the food to be served, Mr. Huh initiates a conversation that includes the three of you. Throughout the flow, you avoid looking at Heeseung, but the heat radiating from his body is something you can’t ignore. His presence alone is enough to make you feel jittered, which is annoying because, as much as your heart yearns for him, you should be nonchalant about him. When the food has finally been served, you decide to focus on your food, albeit being self-conscious of eating in his presence.

“Ah, how could I forget?” Mr. Huh dabs the white handkerchief on his lips, perfectly poised with dining etiquette like a true businessman. “Heeseung has been part of the organisation as our data research analyst for two months, but he has made a significant contribution to the team with his exceptional skills.” 

Though the information is ineffectual to Jennifer, as evident in her facial expression, you nod your head meaningfully at the revelation, your lips pressing thinly together. “I see.” Your tone carries an undercurrent of bitterness. It makes you wonder if Heeseung’s employment under Mr. Huh’s organisation is a mere coincidence or not, because you know Heeseung. There is no such thing as coincidence when it comes to him.

Mr. Huh darts his eyes between you and Heeseung with a flicker of knowingness, now having noticed how unusually awkward and tense you are in his presence. “So, Heeseung,” He clears his throat, his eyes turning serious as he looks at Heeseung. “What do you think of Y/N?”

“Oh my god, Dad.” Jennifer groans, having a dread sense of what her father is up to. She shoots him a withering glare. “First, it was me, now Y/N? You run a major corporation, not a match-making service.”

Mr. Huh simply dismisses her glare with a wave of his hand. “I’m merely asking a harmless question, sweetheart.”

Heeseung contemplates answering his question, but when his eyes linger on your perfect side profile, he feels compelled by your beauty once more and notices that you seem to await his answer expectantly, albeit your countenance appears indifferent, a mask he recognises that has his lips unfurling a smirk.

“I think she's very beautiful, both inside and outside,” Heeseung answers with the utmost sincerity, his velvety voice sounding slightly deeper. His eyes never stray from your face, even as you turn to look at him with your cheeks flaring diffidently. “Just the kind of woman I intend to spend a lifetime with.”

Your heart rate goes rapid while butterflies swarm in every part of you, and the connection between you and him feels palpable as it deepens just by eye contact. You desperately search for any lies in his eyes behind the transparent lenses, but all you see is how undeniably enamoured he is.

Getting lost in those orbs, your reaction delays at the sensation of his fingers nearly succeeding in intertwining with yours, and when you finally gain full alertness at the heat of his touch, you flinch visibly and yank your fingers from his, but your abrupt movement causes your elbow to hit your glass of Shirley Temple, resulting the liquid to drench the lower region of your dress. “Shit!” You hiss, mentally berating yourself for your clumsiness.

Jennifer quickly passes the tissues to you, while Heeseung doesn’t hesitate to help out in wiping the spilled content on the table. “Are you okay?” He asks, genuine concern lacing his tone despite his eyes glinting with amusement at the cuteness of your reaction.

“Yup, just taken aback by your remark. Consider me flattered,” You tell him tersely, forcing out a chuckle while you continue to wipe your wet dress rather aggressively before deciding to get away from him, even if it’s only for a short while. You rise from your seat, giving the father-daughter duo an uptight smile. “I’ll be heading to the washroom. Please excuse me.”

You immediately abandon the table in haste, heading straight for the washroom that is further away. You grimace at the unpleasant stickiness on your dress making contact with your skin whenever you walk. Once you reach inside the washroom, you proceed to wash the lower region of your dress, hoping that it wouldn’t leave a stain while you regret wearing a white dress out of all the days.

Unfortunately, it leaves a stain even after you wash it thoroughly. You begin to grumble under your breath while attempting to dry it with the tissue. You can’t believe that his words impacted you greatly more than they should. Heaving a defeated sigh, you proceed to depart from the washroom, embracing the fact that you might have to tolerate the charade a little longer.

As soon as you step outside, your heart jumps in surprise as you stagger back at the sight of Heeseung standing outside of the washroom with his back leaning against the wall and his arms crossed over his chest. “Heeseung, you scared me,” You mutter, faltering as his eyes roam around your body.

“Your dress,” Heeseung points out as the frown on his lips deepens upon seeing the noticeable stain on the material.

“It’s fine. It’ll go away once I wash it with detergent,” You say assuringly, though you have no idea why you do so as you look down at your dress, grimacing. “I hope.”

Receiving no response from him, you look up, only to be flabbergasted at the close proximity as he towers over your figure, his impassive face unreadable. “W-What are you doing?” You stutter, temperature rising in your cheeks as you watch him remove his black bomber jacket.

You don’t have the opportunity to marvel at his biceps muscles as he is adorned in a black sleeveless top when he leans down closer to you, causing you to hold your breath, expecting what you are thinking, only to feel a tinge of disappointment when his intent is to wrap his jacket around your waist. Still, your heart remains a fluttery mess at the close proximity with his strong woody cologne hitting your nostril. 

Heeseung catches your eyes fleetingly as soon as he finishes tying a knot securely before leaning away from you, smirking faintly as he notices your tensed body relaxes. “There. You won’t have to worry about others seeing the stain on your dress anymore.”

You clear your throat awkwardly, looking everywhere but his eyes. “What you said earlier,” You murmur, a frown pulling down on your lips. “Did you mean them?”

“I meant every single word,” Heeseung takes you by surprise when he grabs your wrist and positions your palm to rest on his chest, allowing you to feel his heart beating rapidly like yours while his tone conveys a solemnity. “Can you feel it? The way my heart beats for you now is just the same as it was.”

Even as he is holding you, his grip feels familiarly reverent, causing your heart to ache, and his chest feels solid beneath your touch. You curl your fingers into a fist as every bit of your resolve is close to crumbling. “We should go─”

“Spend the day with me,” Heeseung cuts you off in a silent plea, compelling you to look at him and recognising the determination behind those lenses. “I want to bring you to places, if you allow me.”

“Just because I accepted your best friends, it doesn’t mean that I’ve accepted you,” Though your resolve remains tenacious, your tone wavers at the dejection dimming in his eyes. You release a soft sigh, not realising that you have grown accustomed to his touch on your skin. “Give me time, Hee. You owe me that. And if I’m being honest, a part of me still feels overwhelmed by all of this.”

“I know I owe you much, but I can’t give you time. Every second, every minute without you is insanity,” Heeseung refuses to back down, one of the qualities you have always admired about him. He tucks a fallen lock behind your ear tenderly while his firm eyes never leave yours. “You can hate me all you want, but don’t think for a second that I would ever let you go this time.”

Seeing as he is just as determined as his best friends, a layer of what you built to protect your resolve peeled against your will. “Okay, I’ll spend the day with you.” You eventually concede, but the wariness on your face remains. “Just don’t make me regret my decision.”

In an instant, Heeseung pulls you along with him, heading back to the table with his fingers intertwined with yours that you surprisingly allow. But then realisation hits you as you look at the back of his head, your eyes bewildered. “Wait, now? Hee, we can’t just ditch them. It’ll be rude─” You immediately smack your lips shut as soon as you arrive at the table.

“Girl,” Jennifer doesn’t bother to conceal her surprise as she gasps audibly, her eyes zero in on your intertwined fingers. You can only offer her an indecisive smile before looking over to Mr. Huh, who looks surprised but then comes his delight that gleams in his eyes.

Heeseung’s composure is unwavering as he meets the elder’s eyes. “I apologise for my discourtesy when I say this, Sir, but may I─”

“You may,” Mr. Huh’s swift permission comes off as a surprise to you as he gives Heeseung a firm head nod before he cracks a knowing smile. “I may be an old man, but even a blind person could see how infatuated you were, son. I could tell that you two had history, so go ahead. You already have my blessings.”

“Thank you, Sir. I’ll take good care of Y/N,” Heeseung says with conviction, his grip on your hand a silent promise. He meets your eyes briefly and receives a nod of confirmation from you before he grabs his backpack and hangs it around his shoulder, whereas you grab your sling purse and your black helmet that was gifted by Jay.

You bid your goodbyes to the father-daughter duo with a sheepish smile before Heeseung finally pulls you with him as he guides you the way to the glass door without releasing your hand. You can’t suppress the giddiness that bubbles in your chest as you observe how endearingly eager Heeseung is in the way he haste in his steps, finally reaching to his sleek black Ducati Panigale V2.

You can feel his reluctance as he slowly releases your hand. “Can you be my backpack girl, beloved?” The endearment rolls down his tongue naturally, forgetting that he might make you feel uncomfortable by pushing things fast.

But you don’t seem the slightest bothered by it while your face betrays none of the delightful flutters in your chest. You simply nod your head before initiating your offer as you extend your hand to him, which he proceeds to pass you his backpack.

You notice his eyes keep darting at the helmet in your grasp. “Jay bought it for me as an advance gift for when I passed my driving license,” You say, as if you can read the question lingering on his mind. 

Heeseung raises his eyebrow, intrigued and surprised. He holds your stare for a few minutes before breaking into soft chuckles that sound annoyingly melodious in your ears. A frown touches your lips despite your heart being a fluttery mess at the sight of his pearly white teeth on display as he continues to chuckle. “What is so funny?”

Heeseung immediately calms down, but a smirk plays on his lips. “Nothing. It’s just that you used to be afraid of riding a motorbike, but now look at you,” His eyes soften wistfully, allaying your niggling annoyance. “I’m going to miss you being my backpack girl.”

“I’ll still be your backpack girl, even after I earn my driving license,” You blurt out without the intention to reassure him once again. You decide to feign obliviousness to the words that left your lips as you clear your throat. “Let’s just get going.”

But Heeseung is not about to let it go. “So does that mean you’ll allow me to bring you out often with my motorbike from now onwards?”

The corner of your lips curls into a faint smile as you look down at your helmet. “Maybe. Unless you have another backpack girl….” You drawl, attempting at nonchalance, but the bitterness colouring your tone gives way to the hinted jealousy.

Heeseung grabs your hand as well as your attention. “You’re my only backpack girl, like you always have been, beloved,” He declares, smiling softly at you before giving you a tender kiss on your knuckle, which sends you the electrifying spark to your skin.

You retract your hand to keep yourself busy wearing your helmet. “Earlier, you said places, so, where will you be taking me first?”

“Since it’s a date, how do you feel about watching a movie?” He asks, receiving a small smile of approval from you in return. Just like that, your cooperation kindles hope in him.

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The luminescence of the animated screen illuminates the cinema that has surprisingly many vacancies, with only another couple and a small group of friends occupying the seats far from where you and Heeseung are. The ongoing movie of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ that has you hooked eventually attenuates your interest, prompting you to direct your attention elsewhere until your eyes land on him.

You should be looking away from him before you fall deeper into his allure that constantly serenades you, but it is impossible to do so when he has a divine side profile with his perfect sculpted nose and smooth jawline, pink lips that are absent of his wonted silver ring, and his dreamy eyes glueing to the screen attentively. Swarming butterflies remain in their wake in your tummy once more. You hate how undeniably handsome he is, and yet a part of you wishes to wake up to his face every day and night.

It seems that Heeseung feels your burning stare on his face as he turns his head with an eyebrow arched. You look away, feigning interest in the movie as you shove the last of your popcorn into your mouth aggressively while your cheeks flush in embarrassment. Thankfully, he doesn’t tease you or make any remark, though you can see his lips unfurling an amused grin from your peripheral vision.

Long minutes have passed, and your boredom has reached its peak as you slowly slump in your seat. His jacket that was once wrapped around your waist is now served to provide you some warmth against the frigidity that permeates the entirety of the cinema, and while it is big on your figure, you have sought comfort and discreetly basked in his scent that clings to his jacket, but little did you know that he has noticed how occasionally you would snuggle in his jacket like a kitten, which he found endearing.

Heeseung has long noticed that you are feeling restless, to which he feels unsatisfactory that this movie date is not going smoothly as he imagined. With his eyes flickering to your pouty lips, he leans forward until he stops next to your ear. “Do you want to get out of here?” He asks in a murmur, startling you at how deep his voice is.

A frown pulls at your lips while every fibre of your being vehemently agrees that you should. “But the movie isn’t over. Besides, you already paid for this, so we can’t just let your money go to waste.”

“And you’re clearly not enjoying this,” Heeseung points out, his tone dripping with dissatisfaction that is not directed at you but rather at himself. He releases a breath, his fingers running through his hair. “I should’ve picked other movies that were more to your liking.”

“It’s okay. I’m not a big fan of movies anyway,” Your reassurance does nothing to relieve him. Your eyes briefly flicker down at his long, slender fingers that are adorned with rings, resisting the strong urge to hold them. “Seriously, Heeseung, it’s fine. You love watching Marvels, so as long as you enjoy watching the movie, then it’s not an issue for me.”

Heeseung shakes his head, his stern eyes holding yours in place. “Today is all about you, sweetheart,” He insists softly, his gentle tone feeling like a velvet stroke in your ear. “So please be selfish; be selfish with me. Let me know which places you want me to drive you to, or even the things that capture your eyes. I’ll pay for them,” He doesn’t hesitate to hold your hand tenderly before raising it up to kiss your fingertips while he holds your stare. “I’ll even pluck the stars, the sun, or even the moon; just say the word, love.”

You can’t help but to break into giggles, forgetting your resolve in resisting Heeseung and his charms for as long as you can. “You can’t do that. It’s impossible unless you want something catastrophic to happen on earth.”

“Then we’ll have to migrate to Mars, or maybe Venus. Any planet of your choice, love,” Heeseung muses, enjoying your delightful reaction as you continue to giggle before you immediately compose yourself, though the smile on your lips remains. “But I’m serious when I say I’ll grant you whatever you desire. Just say the word.”

You chew on your bottom lip as you contemplate that it doesn't even last for a few minutes before you lower your gaze and tug at his finger diffidently. “I want to get out of here, Hee.”

“As you wish, my beloved,” Heeseung tugs at your hand gently, a signal you recognise that prompts you to rise from your seats before he proceeds to pull you with him to head for the exit. Not once did he release your hand, even as you finally passed by the cinema box office.

Navigating your way to where he parked his motorbike as you walk on the pavement, Heeseung comes to an abrupt stop when a florist booth piques his interest. Your face contorts into confusion as he drags you into the booth where there are a variety of different flowers being sold at a decent price. Your heart skips a beat as you watch him decisively choose a rose.

“A rose for my lady,” Heeseung says, his lips gracing a smile as he passes the amount of cash to the salesperson while your cheeks feel warmer at his words.

“You two look lovely together,” The salesperson, whose age looks around your mother’s, remarks with a fond smile. “May your relationship continue to blossom beautifully.”

“Thank you,” Heeseung expresses his gratitude with a smile before shifting his attention with the rose in his hand extending to you. “For you, beloved.”

You have always known that Heeseung was the epitome of romance, and right now in this moment, everything feels authentically romantic. “You didn’t have to,” You mutter as you meekly accept the rose, feeling deeply touched by the gentlemanly gesture that is honestly a bare minimum, but enough to send your heart into palpitation. God, you are down bad for this man.

“So, any places you have in mind that you want to go to?” Heeseung asks gently as he intertwines your fingers, making your way to his motorbike. You nod your head in response before informing him of the very place you have on your wish-list.

The journey to your desired destination takes about forty-five minutes, and time flies fast because soon you find yourself entering the renowned Milan’s Castello Sforzesco, a Renaissance fortress that was built in the middle of the 15th century. Not only is it monumental, but it showcases cultural and artistic heritage within a stunning and historic architectural setting. Of course, as expected, your favourite is the water fountain that is situated outside near the entrance.

All the while you have been preoccupied appreciating real structural arts, Heeseung is not far behind you as he follows you quietly and patiently, admiring the sincerity of your wonderment in the world of arts and history. In between, you blabber to him about facts and whatnot, albeit you seem mindless, rendering him impressed by your discovery and history that you acquired while he listens attentively at every word you speak.

You spend nearly an hour and a half before you decide to let him choose the next destination, and you eventually find yourself seated behind him on his motorbike with your arms around his waist, holding onto your valuable life as he speeds on the highway, occasionally revving since he knows that you actually love when he does it. You let your inhibition go, leaning your head on his broad dependant back as you appreciate this moment, hoping that it’ll last.

Soon enough, your riding escapade comes to an end, but the adrenaline rush from the prior speed is present in the course of your veins. He has brought you to the famous Navigli Pavese Canal, which the place reminds you of when Jake rented a whole boat as you watched the gorgeous sunset with him.

With your elbows leaning on the railing, the wind gently blows in your hair, casting a cinematic beauty that has his eyes compelled to you while you continue to gaze out at the heavenly view of the blue and golden firmament. But the semblance of tranquilly shatters as the question resurfaces on your mind, and just like that, you are harshly being pulled out of your reverie.

You look over to him as he stands closely next to you, his back leaning against the railing while his arms fold across his chest, a faraway look in his eyes. You don’t want to possibly ruin this whole date, but you can’t hold back any longer. “How did you know I’d be meeting Jen and her dad?”

Your voice is quiet, but your tone is enough for him to discern that things are about to get gravely serious. “I didn’t,” He says calmly.

When he catches your accusatory gaze, he feels his heart sinking. “But you didn’t look surprised to see me,” You point out, recalling the way he looked at you.

“Trust me, I was just as surprised as you were,” He states emphatically, panic twinging in his chest as he notices the eventual distance you put between the two of you. “If I had known you’d be coming, I would’ve planned a proper date for you in advance.”

“That’s the thing, Heeseung. I never needed a date, and bringing me out on a date doesn’t erase what happened.” Frustration begins to simmer within you in the way you speak. Just like that, the past dominates the vulnerable corners in your mind, resulting in you overlooking his efforts, his humour, and his romantic gestures that dissipate from your mind.

“Did you tell this to my best friends as well? Or are you playing favourites?” His shoulders and jaw are taut with tension while a bitter resentment adulterates his once-mellow voice. A frown pulls at the corners of your lips, but before you can defend yourself, he cuts you off sharply, and yet there is an undercurrent of agony. “I’ve always known that you favour them most over me, and you know what’s unfair? It’s the fact that I noticed you first before they even did. I loved you first, Y/N.”

Getting overwhelmed by a myriad of emotions going erratic within you, his mere declaration of love incenses you. “You’re lying. You're a liar, Hee,” You say with vehemence, refusing to believe a word from him as you shake your head. “You didn’t even know me, and yet, you loved me first? That wasn’t love.”

It is as though Heeseung unveils the darkness that has always etched on his soul, making him look like an entirely different person, borderline degenerate while the air around you shifts with palpable intensity. “You were mine, Y/N. You’ve always been mine since the moment you stepped foot into the auditorium during freshman year.” 

“Stop,” You grit your teeth as he predatorily backs you up, sending a wave of familiar intoxication to you, and yet a part of you desires to be consumed by the darkness he wields. 

Heeseung is unrelenting in his resolve, pinning you with the smouldering intensity of his gaze. “I claimed you first, Y/N. I needed to wait for the right time to officially make you mine, and I waited for so long,” A glinting obsession is present in his penetrating eyes, while a profound yearning is punctuated in each syllable. “I was consumed by everything about you. Every single thing. I wanted you, and I needed you so desperately, but you were nearly unattainable.”

“That wasn’t love, Hee! It's an obsession!” You exclaim, releasing your aggravating emotions like a torrent. Your glazed eyes flicker with hurt as you shake your head. “You were obsessed with me, you know that.”

“Does it really matter whether or not I was obsessed with you?” A humourless chuckle leaves his lips. “It doesn’t change the fact that I loved you, and I’m still fucking in love with you.”

“It’s a hopeless love, Hee!” You say exasperatedly, suppressing the rivulets from shattering your composure, though your body is trembling with lament. “For a year I wasn’t there by your side; you clinged hopelessly onto that love when you should’ve let go! You should’ve let me go!”

“I couldn’t. I could never afford to,” His voice is saturated with devastation, but vehement enough for you to grasp the gravity of the onslaught of his declaration. He clenches his fist, hating how far you are despite the closing proximity. “I’d rather die than to let you go.”

“What if you hadn’t found me? Would you still cling onto that love?” The back of your eyes begins to burn while the tremor in your voice denotes your tenacity at your resolve is teetering. Your jaw clenches as you look away from him. “No. You would’ve already found someone else.”

“You’re wrong. I would never find somebody else because no one is worthy of my love and heart except you. No one can ever be compared to you, Y/N.” His voice mellows with poignancy and adoration, and the sensation of his fingers caressing your cheek tenderly pulls your attention back to him while a wistful smile touches his lips. “That night at the bar where I followed you a year ago, do you still remember what I told you when you tried to push me away again?”

Of course, you remember. You remember every memory you had with him, with all of them, and those memories are etched deeply in your mind. Somehow, you have an inkling that he wants to hear that specific dialogue he spoke to you with passion. “You said that we’re never over.” Your voice barely above a whisper as you become enthralled by his beautiful dark eyes.

He cradles your face, his thumb stroking your smooth cheek gently. “And?”

“And you’ve given me your heart since you first saw me.” You recite mechanically as the memory plays on your mind. You swallow a painful lump in your throat before continuing, “You said that I own you, your body, your heart, and your soul.”

A faint, bitter smile briefly appears on his lips. “Imagine the torment I went through after I found out that you left me.” Your heart aches at the loss of his warmth on your skin, only to be taken aback when his stature shrinks as you watch him with your heart pounding harder against your chest as he finally gets down on his knee, sheer devotion on his countenance. “You were my everything, Y/N. I dedicated my life to you and only you. Without you, I’m nothing, love.”

“Hee,” Your lips tremble as you utter his name, and your eyes glisten with tears as he grabs your hand to place a gentle kiss on your knuckle before holding it reverently in his.

“I was never a man of apology, and I couldn’t give a damn about giving the bare minimum to anyone but you,” He confesses, his tone carrying a genuine sincerity that weakens the remnants of your resolve. “There was never a day that went by without the memory of you crying and screaming at us on that rainy night resurfacing in my mind, and the look on your face broke me all over,” His voice shakes with the emotions he grappled with, and his eyes glaze with an immense regret. He plants a deep, affectionate kiss on your palm before repositioning your hand to cradle his cheek, while the rawness of his love in the way he looks at you springs tears well in your eyes. “I’m so, so sorry, my love. I should’ve done so much to protect your heart, but instead, I hurt you. I should've been clearer with my intention and love towards you.”

“I thought you didn’t love me. I thought you were just keeping me around for your own pleasure, so that’s why you were always showering me with so much affection,” You divulge to him one of your innermost doubts as you hold back a sob while the hurt and devastation on your delicate features seem to break his heart all over. “I thought your main goal was to break me when I thought you did. I spent days and nights crying in my bedroom and wondering what I did to deserve it when I thought you were responsible.”

“I never wanted to break you, Y/N,” His honest confession penetrates into your essence deeply. “The preying was just a pathetic excuse for me to get closer to you, to break down the walls you built to protect yourself from the depravity, from us.” His eyes display a glistening vulnerability while his voice sounds raw with saturating emotions that has your heart twisting in agony before a fallen teardrop slides down your cheek. “All I ever wanted was to be yours, beloved.”

“I wanted to be yours too, Hee, even when I knew that you were bad for me,” You confess earnestly as you softly weep, and alas, your resolve dissipates like it never existed. He leans into your touch that oozes with your affection for him. “It was killing me how there were no labels when you treated me like you really loved me.”

“I did love you, and I still love you, Y/N Kang. I’m sorry for being too late,” He smiles sadly as he places his hand on top of yours before pinning your nearly faltering attention with the steel of determination and devotion in his eyes. “I’ll spend a lifetime to make up for the things I did that hurt your feelings, and I’ll spend forever to prove to you how irrevocably in love I am with you and always will be.”

Though your once-wounded heart has opened up to him, unsought doubt appears in the back of your mind. “Am I even worth your time for you to spend on forever?” 

“You are worth every second, my beloved,” His reassurance feels like a safety blanket cocooning you, and his gesture of affection touches your heart deeply as he kisses your knuckle again before looking back at you with hopeful anticipation. “Let’s go. There is one last place I must show you.”

“And what place is that?” You ask in a whisper while your heart races in keen anticipation.

His pink lips unfurl a genuine, gentle smile. “A place where we’ll spend our future together.” 

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By the time Heeseung navigates through the familiar district that will soon be theirs to dominate, the sun makes its descent to welcome the dusk, casting pink and purple hues in the breathtaking firmament that has you admire appreciatively until the boulevard of towering trees diverts your attention to the road before noticing not a single sight of a diversely structured mansion unlike earlier, which you felt as though you had entered the domain of where billionaires reside.

A frown gently pulls at your lips, confusion and curiosity swirling in your head before an unsought qualm arises, polluting your every good thought of the man who you are holding onto for security as he speeds through this uncharted territory, which you know that he would never bestow malevolence on you, but your body remains tensing.

Heeseung, who feels the tension taut in your arms as you have them wrapped around his waist, unlatches his grip on the clutch for his hand to reach behind and instinctively rub the side of your thigh in a soothing motion while the other remains in controlled stability of the velocity of his vehicle.

His thoughtful gesture that sends you a fluttery sensation instantly dispelled your qualm as well as the tension in your fibre ebbs. Your arms loosen slightly around him, denoting your silent trust and comfort in him that has his heart swell with honour.

As you feel the velocity waning, you know that you are nearly reaching your destination, and your presumption is proven correct when you peek over his broad shoulder to see what awaits you, only to be rendered astonished as your lips part open at the grand building that looks divinely like a palace to be called a mansion before a wave of deja vu hits you, reminding you of the palace in Seoul that held memories.

You are pulled out of the trance as soon as the vehicle comes to a stop on the concrete cobblestones, where you are facing not only the stupendous mansion but also the grandeur of water fountains situated in the vast front yard. With Heeseung’s assistance, he offers his arm for you to hold onto as you carefully dismount his motorbike before he follows suit.

Even as you are flimsily unfastening your helmet to hurriedly remove it from your head, excitement bubbles within you as you maintain a neutral facade, but your eyes tell him all he needs to know as he has been anticipating your reaction ever since he decided to introduce you to where your future with them awaits.

Your eyes sparkle in amazement amidst the glinting curiosity as you soak in the visual modernisation beauty that encompassed this unknown estate into your memory that has you feeling rather envious of whoever is the owner.

All the while, Heeseung silently watches you with an attentive gaze, and yet he is in awe of your beauty under these lights with your scintillating eyes still appraising the area, particularly the water fountains, before you look over to Heeseung with a puzzled expression. “Whose place is this?” 

“It’s ours, my love,” You want to doubt his words, because there is not in any way his words implied or included you, but the mellow sincerity in his tone as well as the smile on his lips conquer your doubts. “Ours, and that includes you.”

Heeseung continues, his eyes looking over to the mansion. “The construction was completed last week, but the guys and I will be taking our time to move in since our lease over the penthouse will be ending in three months time,” He explains methodically before shifting his attention to you, only for his eyes to soften at how delicate you look with a glass of vulnerability in your eyes. “We wanted to be where you were, and since you’re living in Milan for good, we collectively agreed to build our future here with you.”

 “The fountains,” You utter softly, trying not to waver in the way you speak, albeit your throat hurts from repressing a bundle of emotions that threatens to implode while your attention remains fixated on the running water fountains with waves of nostalgia hitting you, each wave impacting you harder than the previous. “They look like the ones at the palace in Seoul.”

“I knew how much you loved the palace fountains in Seoul, so I had Sunghoon and his expertise as an architect cooperate with our contractors,” He says, his voice mellowing with a careful gentleness as he observes you while he slowly advances towards you. His lips unfurl a crooked yet charming smile. “I wanted you to feel like you’re back at home, even if you already felt like it before all of this.”

You are sincerely at a loss for words, unable to articulate your feelings into coherent sentences. Heeseung seems to be waiting patiently for you, and for that you are thankful to him, thankful that he even bothered to remember what you loved, even if it had been a long year, causing the dam to finally break. Tears immediately spring to your waterline as you choke back a sob, your glistening eyes meeting him with tears cascading down your cheeks.

Heeseung doesn’t hesitate to close the distance before cupping your wet cheeks. “My beloved, why are you crying?” He asks gently, his lips pulling down into a frown and his eyes turning crestfallen. “I hate seeing you cry because of me again.”

“Because you remembered,” You manage to utter through soft sobs, hating how you feel extremely emotional over his remembrance of your fondness towards the water fountains in Seoul, but it deeply touches your heart.

“Of course, I remembered,” He mutters as he affectionately wipes the relentless tears away from your cheeks while a wistful smile touches his lips faintly. “How could I have forgotten when I always watched you playing at the fountains and how you ended up dragging me along with you to splash water at me?” A broken chuckle manages to escape you as your sobs eventually quieten. “How could I have forgotten the things my beloved loved so much?”

The loss of his warmth on your cheeks makes your heart ache as you yearn for his warmth to embrace you, but you remain silent, observing him as he looks down prompts you to follow his gaze before spotting a black-inked tattoo on his skin under his forearm.

“You got a new tattoo,” You point out in awe, though you actually had noticed it earlier, but you didn’t think of it too much since you thought wrongly that he always had that tattoo. You feel rather guilty for not remembering his details just this soon.

“It’s not just any tattoo, beloved,” He adorns a soft, sweet smile on his face, looking at you with adoring affection as you touch his tattoo gently. “It’s your birth date.

“But why?” Your voice trembles with emotions that you know about to make you a sobbing mess again, but you grapple with them. Though your heart is fluttering at his declaration, you still eye him with exasperation. “You know that it won’t come off if there is ever a moment you might find yourself regretting my birth date tattooed on your skin.”

But Heeseung doesn’t look in the slightest rue, as though this resolve has long since been established in the back of his mind. “Because it serves as a reminder to me that the birth of your existence was when my whole universe was created.” He says shakily, allowing his feelings to seep through the cracks of his once-unwavering facade. “You are my life, Y/N, and I wouldn’t regret a single thing when it comes to you.”

“Even if I make you angry or sad?” You prod to seek clarity for your own assurance despite the fact that you are close to weeping with unrelenting tears that remain welling in your waterline.

“Yes, my beloved,” He places a deep, tender kiss on your palm for a little longer with his eyes fluttering closed, as though to savour your scent and warmth, before positioning your palm to cradle his cheek as he gazes into your eyes affectionately.

“You could hurt me, break my heart into pieces over and over, and I wouldn’t regret anything. I would never regret you.”

A fallen teardrop rolls down your cheek as you deepen your cradle on his cheek for him to lean into your touch, his tender gaze holding yours with unwavering devotion. “I don’t want you to hurt me again, and I don’t want you to abandon me like you did when I needed you those nights.” You tell him in such desperation.

“Tell me more, love,” He murmurs, grabbing your wrist gently to pull it down and holding your hand close to his chest reverently while his eyes hold resolve of determination. “Tell me what you want. I’ll make them come true.”

“I want you to hold me close like you did. I want you to reassure me when I’m in distress," A hiccup leaves your lips, earning a fond smile from him. “I want you to need me like I need you.”

“My beautiful love, I’ve always needed you,” He confesses earnestly, his heart pounding with a palpable yearning as it senses the remnant shards of coldness dissipate in yours. He caresses your cheek tenderly, his touch contradicting his urgency to consume you once more. “Permission to kiss you?”

You nod your head, unable to utter a word, as you feel an overwhelming need for him to claim you like he did before. His eyes glint with dissatisfaction at your nonverbal response before he firmly grips your chin and tilts your head up, causing your breath to hitch at how his eyes gradually darken with inexplicable emotions. “I need words, pretty girl.”

You ignore the way his deep voice ignites a certain arousal within you. You tug at the hem of his sleeveless top, your fingers curling as they clutch the material while your eyes gleam with the same yearning that parallels his. “Please kiss me,” You plead in a soft utterance.

Without further ado, Heeseung leans in as he closes the gap between your faces while your eyes flutter close before his lips meet yours in a shared tenderness as he kisses you softly. Sparks fly behind your closed vision, and you can even feel them everywhere around you while butterflies in your tummy become tenfold at how he seems to be taking his own sweet time kissing you, but soon, the eventual passion comes as he pulls you closer with his arms snaking around your waist.

The passion turns fierce, one that is addictive as you hook your arms around his neck before you deepen the kiss that you have yearned for. The pressure of his touch is unabating, a constant reminder of his desire and love for you, and yet you can discern a layer of possessiveness as he gradually tightens his arms around you.

Feeling breathless, you attempt to pull away from the much-needed kiss, but he chases for your lips vehemently, successfully capturing them before his teeth sink into your bottom lip, prompting you to willingly part open your mouth for him to dominate your hot cavern with his wet muscle that has you moaning airily into his mouth.

He groans at your taste and your sensual sound while his bulge hardens against the confine, making it more noticeable. He presses his bulge into you, to which you feel him below your tummy, eliciting a soft gasp from you. “Hee,” You pant lightly as soon as he breaks the lip lock. 

Heeseung catches your eyes swirling with palpable desire and need that mirrors his, with the only exception of his eyes darkening dangerously as the air around you remains laden with intensity. “You’re right. Not here,” His voice sounds huskier, going straight into your core.

But just before Heeseung can bring you somewhere to continue where you left off, you tug at his hand diffidently, feeling oddly demure as your eyes waver at the eye contact with him. “Can we play at the fountain and dance silly there like old times?”

His heart soars at how undeniably adorable yet beautiful you are, so how could he ever resist you? And so, with his jacket and your bags being abandoned on the ground, the only sound of sheer delight emanates from you, enlivening the ambience under the night that has dawned as he is finally reunited with you.

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You and Heeseung spent nearly an hour at the water fountains, too immersed in your own world after releasing your inhibitions, whereas he entertained you with a sense of commitment, especially seeing the joy beamed on your face. He would do anything to keep you smiling and laughing infectiously like earlier.

Presently, you are at one of the fancy gazebos, and yes, you are still having a hard time wrapping your head around the fact that there are four gazebos situated in the massive backyard. Just before this, Heeseung decided to give you a tour around the backyard since he didn’t bring his keys to the mansion.

To say you were surprised at the amenities in the backyard would be an understatement. Not only are there gazebos, but also a barbeque patio that is adjacent to the swimming pool, a whole garage building solely made to store their vehicles with a private gym on the second level, water fountains that are smaller than the ones in the front yard, four gazebos at different corners, and because the terrain is hilly, one of the gazebos provides an exquisite view of the central urban area, which is especially beautiful at night.

Keeping yourself warm, you wrap your arms around your shivering figure as you lean your lower back against the balustrade, watching as Heeseung heads over to you with a familiar black jacket in his grasp. Since the water in the fountain was extremely cold, you can feel it chilling deep into your bones. Plus, your dress is wholly drenched, amplifying the coldness as the material sticks to your skin.

You immediately drop your arms to your side, feigning unaffected by the cold while your figure remains shivering despite your efforts to be subtle, not wanting him to worry and fuss over you. You cast him a small smile as soon as he reaches you.

“Are you sure you’re not cold?” Heeseung asks for another time as he scrutinises you with a glinting knowingness in his eye. He is not oblivious to the goosebumps arising on your skin, and you seem to constantly shiver.

“Positive,” You insist again, but it is futile as he drapes his dry jacket over your shoulders instead of him wearing it. “Hee, I’m fine,” Nevertheless, you feel thankful for his thoughtful gesture, as the jacket is sufficient enough to provide a barrier from preventing the nightly breeze.

“I don’t want my beloved to fall sick,” He tells you sternly with a frown on his face, but you know that he is just worried about you. Your heart flutters as he caresses your cold cheek. “We shouldn’t have played at the fountain.”

You have no regrets anyway. It was all worth it for old time’s sake. “If I fall sick, you’ll take care of me, right?” You ask, adorning a cheeky grin on your lips while he only gazes at you fondly.

“I’ll always take care of you,” His tone carries a firm promise, and his eyes convey solemnity that reassures you before they dart down at your untied shoelaces. “You’re my responsibility now, sweetheart.”

“Heeseung?” You blurt out in confusion as he kneels in front of you, watching as he proceeds to tie your shoelaces while the temperature on your cheeks rises. “This is the second time you’re kneeling.”

“For you, I will get down on my knees for as long as you want me to. It’s what you deserve after what happened,” He says after tying your shoelaces in firm knots before looking up at you, his eyes softening with adoration and a dark glinting lust. He grabs your hand to place a sensual kiss on your fingertip. “You’re beautiful, Y/N. You’re meant to be worshipped by me. My only goddess in the universe.”

You nearly fall weak at his cheesy yet fluttering words that impact your heart greatly. Your eyes remain on him as he slowly rises from the ground, curiosity swirling in your eyes when he slides his hand into his pocket before revealing a silver ring that is connected to the necklace, similar to the one hooked around his neck with your purity ring resting on his chest.

Heeseung stares at the ring on his palm with a rueful smile touching his lips. “A year ago, I bought this ring during the dark period of your life in the hopes of reconciling with you, and I waited so cowardly until after Jungwon told me that they told you the entire truth,” He divulges to you as the rawness of regret and pain in his eyes springs tears in your waterline. “But I was too late by then because you left, and I’ve never hated myself more from then onwards.”

“And you didn’t throw it away, even when you thought you wouldn’t find me,” You utter softly as you look down at the ring with glassy eyes. It is the little things that make your heart ache tremendously, and yet it is a good ache that coupled with the flutters. You return your gaze to him, causing his heart to beat in a familiar cadence at the transparency of love in your beautiful eyes.

“I could never throw away anything that reminds me of you,” He tells you honestly, wearing a soft smile that melts you on the inside all over. “Turn around, my love.” 

You comply and remove the jacket from your body before turning around as you grab your hair in a makeshift ponytail to provide him assistance. Your heart pounds harder against your chest at the heat radiating his body from behind you as he stands closely before he proceeds to clasp the necklace around your neck with the cold platinum ring resting on your chest.

Shivers run down your spine as he places a tender kiss on your bare shoulder with his hands on your waist. “Do you like it?” He asks softly, his voice sounding slightly huskier and deeper with a discernible sensuality that intensifies the butterflies in your tummy.

“I love it,” You emphasise in appreciation as you hold the ring with your fingers to examine the details of the ring, only to feel your heart soaring as you spot letters engraved on the ring. My only love - H “I truly love it. I love everything, including you. Thank you, Hee,” Your voice barely above a whisper, but he catches the earnest gratitude in your tone.

With his hands on your hips, he turns you around and examines every nuance in your delicate countenance with the deepest affection. “No, beloved. I should be the one thanking you. Thank you for existing in the same lifetime as me,” He says with solemnity as he grabs your chin gently before leaning forward to plant a kiss on your forehead. “I can’t imagine my life without my beautiful love.” 

You can’t resist yourself from latching your arms around him, your body trembling from both the cold and the onslaught of emotions as you bury your face into his chest despite his top still drenched. He releases breathy yet endearing chuckles as he reciprocates your hug wholeheartedly. His embrace feels warm and provides you with a protective layer against the cold breeze.

Comfortable silence cocoons you as you seek solace in each other’s embrace, savouring for a little longer while you listen to his heart beating rapidly that consonance with yours, creating a silent yet discernible symphony of your feelings towards one another.

You slowly pull away from the hug, but your arms remain locked around him as you tilt your head up to meet his tender eyes. “Kiss me, Hee,” You plead in a soft command, earning you a smirk twitching at the corner of his lips.

Without a word, Heeseung dips his head down and kisses you squarely on the lips while his arms loosen around your waist for his hands to journey to your hips. His touch feels sensual and possessive, in complete par with the way he kisses you that has your arousal stirring in the heat of your core.

The tension is palpable, while closeness feels electrifying, with your hands feeling up his body from his lower abdomen to his toned chest, appreciating that his drenched top allows you to feel his muscles distinctly beneath your touch. The pace of the kiss eventually turns into a fusion of fervent passion and need as he seeks you hungrily, borderline ravenous, electrifying the heated tension that clings hotly onto your bodies.

Without breaking the passionate lip lock, Heeseung slowly backs you up with his hands on your hips, confidently guiding you until you feel the pillar come into contact with your back. Sensing that you need to gasp for air, his tongue licks at the seams of your lips, prodding into your entrance gently yet firm with urgency and prompting you to welcome him as you part open your lips.

The warmth of his tongue meets yours in a practised, sensual tango he initiates, intensifying the heat that courses through every fibre of your being while his grip on your hips tightens, getting drunk on your taste and warmth that he had missed. His tongue glides across the inner of your bottom lip before sinking his teeth gently into the plumpness and tugging at it.

A needy whimper emerges from the back of your throat as he pulls at it tantalisingly while the corner of his lips curve into a smirk before releasing it, only to capture your lips into a searing kiss. “I’ve missed you so fucking much, you have no idea,” Heeseung growls against your lips, sending you shivers to your heated body. 

Just when you think he decides to show leniency as he pulls away from the kiss, he dips his head down and kisses your bare shoulder wetly before trailing a scorching path all the way to your neck, eliciting a gasp from you at the pleasurable sensation of his lips alone on your skin. “I’ve missed you too, Hee.” You utter breathlessly as you fiddle with the back of your hair, tilting your neck to a perfect angle for him to decorate your skin with his mark.

Getting lost in the depths of this heated tension, you are too focused on his lips and teeth working in tandem to leave his mark on your skin to feel his fingers moving underneath your dress to hook them around your underwear. He places a wet kiss on your skin that now bears a fresh hickey before deftly pulling down your underwear as it falls to your ankle.

You gasp softly, finally gaining awareness of what is to happen. You feel the padding of his fingers strumming on your clit, sending you a faint, jolting pleasure through your body, but the risk of anyone witnessing your tryst out in the open latches to your rationality. “W-Wait─”

“Relax, love. No one's gonna stumble upon us, I promise you,” He assures you, his voice a little rough from the primal lust infusing in the heat of his veins, and his dark eyes watch every nuance of your countenance as he begins to rub your clit, drawing indecisive circles and strokes, yet it is effectual to set the bundle of nerves aflame. His eyes darken dangerously as he sees the way you bite down your swollen lip, repressing the sweet noises he desires to hear. “Don’t do that, sweetheart. Let me hear you.”

His gentle command is uttered in such mellowness, but you heed the undercurrent of familiar vice that reminds you of the Heeseung in Seoul, who used to frighten you greatly, even though the present him looks more intimidating while his eyes darken with a voracious intensity that has you clenching your cunt at nothingness in anticipation.

At once, you release your inhibitions, moaning softly as he rubs your clit with skilful precision, and you feel your arousal clinging onto your walls as they leak down. “Hee, choke me,” You request earnestly, and he searches for your eyes only to see unadulterated feverish lust before he complies, his fingers curling around your neck with enough pressure to allow you to gasp for air. 

Feeling the loss of his fingers on your clit, you whine needily, only to be taken aback when he slides two fingers into your sopping cunt with the folds slick with your arousal. He feels the warmth of your slick wall lathering his fingers, aiding to the smoothness of him fucking you with his fingers at a steady pace.

“Seungie,” You gasp as soon as he applies more pressure with his firm grip on your neck, amplifying your pleasure while your hips begin to move in tandem with his pumping fingers.

“Feels good, pretty?” He asks huskily, his voice thickening with lust as he watches your face contorting into pleasure with your hooded-lust eyes in complete daze while sweet moans and gasps leave your swollen lips. A smirk touches his lips at how verbally unresponsive you are, completely fucked out just by his fingers. He leans in and nips at your bottom lip before ghosting his lips over yours and whispering huskily. “Yeah? Too fucked out to let Seungie know how good he is making you feel with his fingers?” 

Admittedly, you are, and he fucks you with his magical fingers just as sensational as when he fucks you with his cock. “Seungie,” You moan, struggling to maintain stability in your voice as his fingers delve rhythmically into your wet cunt with stringent purpose, coaxing something greater than pleasure out of you while your every sense heightens. “S-So good! N-Need you─”

Heeseung cuts you off as he seals you into a fiery kiss with his ravenous lips without relenting his vigorous fingers from pumping into your cunt that sounds obscenely wet in your ears. “I know you need me, pretty girl,” He mutters in between the exchange of your kisses, smirking when your velvety walls clench around him like crazy as he hits the particular thrust against your g-spot before repeating it relentlessly while circling your sensitive clit with his thumb. “I want you to let it go for me anytime,” He lulls, dragging his nose against your skin before pressing an affectionate kiss on your cheek, contradicting the way he pumps his fingers into you as he determinedly pushes you to the edge of ecstasy.

You can feel it as your legs tremble with an overwhelming sensation while the knot coiling in your tummy threatens to snap. Your hand latches on his bicep, feeling the muscles beneath your touch taut. “Seungie, I’m─” With a broken moan, the knot in your tummy snaps as you explode with a crescendo of pleasure, your release gushes out in an uncontrollable fluid.

Heeseung kisses you hard on the lips as he continues to finger you, prolonging your orgasm despite your body convulsing in his hold. “That’s my good girl,” He whispers against your lips, causing your heart to swell with pride at his praise. He finally shows leniency as he withdraws his fingers that are coated with your slick release. 

You take the moment to recover as he proceeds to unbuckle his leather belt, your eyes fluttering close with your head leaning against the wall behind you.The sensation of his fingers caressing your cheek affectionately prompts you to flutter your eyes open and meet his dark ones. “We’re not done yet, pretty,” He mutters, closing the gap between your bodies before slamming his lips on yours in a fiery kiss. 

You eagerly reciprocate, your hands haphazardly finding their way to the hold onto him for stability before circling your arms around his neck as he deepens the kiss. His hands travel down to your ass, giving the flesh a good squeeze before moving underneath your thighs and carrying you with your legs automatically wrapped around his waist, only for you to feel his cock pressing directly into your core as he pins you against the wall.

“You’re still shivering, my love,” He whispers against your lips as he feels your body quivering beneath his touch. His eyes meet yours, allowing you to catch a glimpse of familiar devilry coupling with his carnal lust for you while his lips twitch into a smirk. “Let me warm you up, yeah?”

Your breath hitches in anticipation as you watch him grab the base of his shaft to aim at your drenched entrance while his other hand remains supporting your uplifted body. With your slick arousal providing as a lubricant, he enters you with smooth ease, albeit your walls bear resistance despite being prepped by his fingers.

Heeseung is unrelenting, plunging into you until his whole girth occupies every space with your velvety walls clinging onto him like a desperate lover. With a ragged breath, he begins to move, slowly yet deliberately thrusting into you while you arch your back at the sheer fullness, and you swear you can feel your tummy bulging with each thrust he hits deeper.

Seeing your lips part open with soft sounds of your moan and whine leaving you, he captures them in an intoxicating kiss that sends you spiralling, messy, and fervent while his movements are deep and methodical, ensuring that his cock leaves none of your territory uncharted. Your arms drape loosely over his broad shoulder, feeling languid as he takes charge over your docile figure.

“Fuck, you feel so good, so perfect,” He purrs, completely enamoured by you as his darkened eyes drink in the sight of your angelic face contorting into ecstasy with your head tilted to the back, presenting your dainty neck that is tainted with his mark to him.

“S-Seungie,” You stutter as he latches his lips on your neck, kissing and biting on your skin to leave another mark of his to leave a testament of his claim over you. His once-slow, methodical thrusts transition into hard, vigorous thrusts that underscore his fervid passion, hitting your g-spot relentlessly as you roll your eyes to the back, lacking coherence with only the sound of your moans filling the air.

The fiery of your intertwined passion creates a sinful symphony of your skins slapping against each other as well as the squelching sound of your precums that reverberates throughout the gazebo and even beyond its vicinity. Finally satisfied with leaving another hickey next to the other, he pulls away from your neck to press a deep, languid kiss on your cheek, his unforgiving thrusts never faltering.

“You’re so fucking beautiful, so mine,” He growls out against your skin, sending you shivers down your body that entangle with the pleasure he gives you. He kisses you hard again, muttering harshly in between the fierce kiss, “Wanna love you every day and every night like this. Wanna fill you to the brim with my cum and make you pregnant.” 

Your walls clench around him the instant those words leave his mouth, eliciting a breathy chuckle from him that mingles with your breathy moan. “Yeah? You like the idea?” He rasps against your lips, his hips nearly stuttering as he feels the imminent release, his orgasm teetering at the precipice. “I’m gonna fill you up, pretty.”

Your legs lock around him tight, wanting to feel his cock deeply while the sensation amplifies the overwhelming pleasure that courses through your body, driving you to the new heights of ecstasy. “Seungie, I’m close,” You moan out, your walls quivering as you feel the inevitable imminent release of your orgasm before the final knot in your tummy erupts as you bathe him with your essence.

Heeseung unrelenting thrusts into you despite your uncontrollable fluids soaking him as you make a mess all over the now-spilled ground. Sinking his teeth into your bare shoulder, he delivers one profound thrust before the knot in his tummy unravels as the warmth of his semen fills you to the brim with his hips pressed into yours going stilled, ensuring none of his semen spill from your quivering pussy.

Your chest heaves up and down while your body feels spent from the exertion, despite him being the one in complete control. He buries his head in the nook of your neck, seeking a respite of comfort in your scent, prompting your fingers gently to rake through his hair while the other caresses his taut back muscles with your arms around him in an embrace, soothing him from the intensity moments before this. 

“I love you, Y/N,” He says softly, his voice sounding a little rough from the prior passionate love-making. He presses a chaste kiss on your skin before pulling away to look at you deeply in the eyes. “I love you so much. I never want you to leave me again,” His tone conveys a silent plea, and yet there is an undercurrent of danger that has implicit consequences if you ever do leave.

“I’m not leaving you again, I promise,” You reassure him softly, cradling the undersides of his jaw with your thumbs stroking his cheek. Your eyes roam around his chiselled features meaningfully, etching them into your memory again. You lean in to press a delicate kiss on his lips, eventually deepening the kiss that has his cock twitching in you. “I love you too, Lee Heeseung. I really do,” You whisper against his lips while tears spring to your closed-lidded eyes.

Heeseung feels as though he is at his peak of happiness now that you have finally returned to him for good, albeit you can never really escape from him or any of them even if you have second thoughts, owing to their depravity and intense possessiveness over you.

Not having enough of you, he manoeuvres you over to the couch, settling you on top of him with the intention of fucking you in a cowgirl position. In an instant, you begin to move your hips in a back-and-forth motion, moaning into the kiss at the delicious sensation of each ridge and vein on her cock dragging along your velvety walls.

A heady mix of lust, love, and sex is present in the air, intoxicating you as you desire for him to take you over and over again. “That’s it, pretty girl, ride me good just like that,” He rasps, his voice thickening with palpable lust as he offers assistance to thrust up into you, eliciting a moan from you at the instant hit of his cock to your g-spot. “Let’s love some more, yeah, beautiful?”

You kiss him feverishly in response, moaning as his thumb finds your clit to rub it with skilful precision that intensifies your building pleasure within you. Even when an hour has gone by while your body convulses beneath him with your sexes in a passionate union, you never want him to stop fucking you, taking you at every untouched part of the gazebo, wanting him to love you intensely just as your depravity desires him to intoxicate you like he once did.

TAGLIST:

@aishigrey @kgneptun @smg-valeria @lhspeachie @enhaverse713586

@strxwbloody @firstclassjaylee @jwnghyuns @deobitifull @loumin908

@sousydive @pinkkami @skzenhalove @caravm @shinrjj

@loljaeyunz @yorukoshii @nshmrarki @lol6sposts

@lilyuwon @enha-crumbs @slut4hee @capri-cuntz @kaykay11sworld

@firesunflames @notevenheretbh1 @parksunghoonsgf @luvkpopp @eastleighsblog

@in-somnias-world @nyxtwixx @theresawtf @fuxktaekook @readbyjjk

@yunhoswrldddd @fuxktaekook @bobaikeu @minjaexvz @heelariously

This was so amazing…

I offer you my everything (lhs)

pairing: heeseung x afab!reader

synopsis: You never cared about sex, until you did. You grew too afraid of it, scared of disappointing the other person or showing your inexperience. But then you met Heeseung, the hot basketball captain that stole your heart and became your biggest fantasy. 

my's note: i loved working in this so much. also i wanna emphasize that for god’s sake do not “lose” your virginity due to pressure or anything related to others. do it because you want to!! take your time, there’s no such thing as being too old for it neither need to rush. you have to enjoy it! that being said, i hope you enjoy this writing 🤭

warnings: fluff, pet names, explicit language, reader is insecure about having sex and some other things, SMUT - so minors DO NOT interact!, virginity loss, kinda pillow princess reader (she doesn’t know what to do, so she just lay down and enjoy), protected sex 💪🏻, fingering, oral sex (f. receiving), quick handjob. lmk if I missed something!

wc: 21k

NOT PROOFREAD.

taglist 💖: @yvnempire

Entering college was your dream come true. 

There was a whole fantasy of how your life would change for the better, the new ways of seeing life, dealing with problems – new problems!, meeting new people, going to university parties, starting your adult life. Everything sounded ethereal, almost utopian, and although you were a very down-to-earth type of person, you never stopped your imagination from flowing through the excitedly new unexplored area.

You used to have a very simple and ordinary life in your hometown, going to school everyday, getting great grades, not really engaging with romantic relationships and having a normal amount of friends and people who cared about you. 

Your parents were good people but quite strict with how you should live your life. It wasn’t much of a problem because whatever they were afraid of you getting into and “losing yourself” wasn’t really your cup of tea; you never really cared about having a boyfriend or a girlfriend – and your dad vehemently explained to you how disappointed he would be if you started to date someone with no goals in life or whatever. Doing drugs was way out of your interests, but you were very curious about the whole alcohol thing. And well, you wanted to become a journalist one day, so you pretty much studied for it and made your parents proud of you.

Overall your life was very… vanilla. And a strong part of you wanted it to be a bit spicy.

Not in an exaggerated way – and you had no problem with who wanted their lives to be –, nevertheless you wanted to really live the university experience, so your first months in college were actually dreamy, especially for being away from your parents’ grip and finally trying the taste of what freedom felt like.

You met your classmates and respectives professors, you got to know better about the available clubs and how to enter them, and you met your roommate, Ryujin, which thankfully ended up having enough common interests with you to make a healthy friendship grow. 

Making friends wasn’t a big problem to you as well, because even though you normally showed a very reserved version of yourself at the beginning, people around you just fell for your charms naturally, wanting to be close to you for your aura at first and then because of how supportive and funny you were once they got to know you better. 

Now, in your second year, you already had a spot on a small group of friends, who everyday would try to meet during lunch time to catch up on things and not freak out with the amount of assignments they were dealing with. 

The conversation always flowed nicely, you never felt insecure about sharing a piece of your mind with them since they listened to you well. You were really glad to have people like that in your daily life.

However, there was a single topic that you often would shut up about to avoid being the center of attention, and the said topic was an ongoing conversation right at that moment.

“I need to get laid,” Julie, one of your closest friends, said in a very dramatic way. You forced a smile that you were pretty sure that looked very awkwardly placed on your face. 

You could feel your heart beating fast with the idea of you becoming the subject in that conversation.

“What you really need is a good night's sleep,” Yunjin added with a chuckle, patting Julie’s head who shot a slightly upset look back at her. 

“For that I need to sit on someone. Like, I can literally feel my body aching for a dick,” she explained, keeping the drama in her tone as if she was sick. There was a reason for Julie to be in the theater club afterall. 

“For God’s sake,” Yunjin muttered, rolling her eyes but not really bothered by her friend’s behavior. She was pretty much used to it at this point, and well, quite the same but with girls.

You just watched as they both bickered with each other, hoping for you to stay out the fire and wondering when that conversation would finally become just a reminiscence of your day.

There was no shame on you for being a virgin. It was quite literally your choice since having sex was your last priority during your teenage years although you had guys interested in you in that aspect.

You weren't expecting the right one, your prince charming, nor to get married before. You just never cared much about having sex, and once you started to care you never felt comfortable enough with someone to show yourself so vulnerable, so openly like sex seemed to be.

Once your university life started to kick in and attending parties became a part of your weekends, you really thought that you would finally be able to free yourself enough to have someone with you in a bed, naked, doing sexual things or whatever. But what really happened was you feeling endlessly frustrated with yourself for panicking, finding lame excuses to run away from the possibility of having sex every time a makeout session started to be a bit more intense.

Alongside that often reaction of yours, you went through a tough moment with a specific guy, one you let yourself comfortable around, leading to you one day being in his bedroom while sharing a passionate kiss. With the amount of reassurance he showed you through the whole moments you were just flirting, you thought that sharing that you never had sex before wouldn’t be a problem. He was about to undress you from your bra when you told him, and then he halted his movements, overreacting as he said “I’m no sex teacher to teach college girls how to have sex”.

You never felt so humiliated in your whole life. Not only it became a trigger but also a new thing to overthink; the fact that some guys would see you as too innocent for their sex drive, refusing to do anything with you.

Nevertheless, you were still a woman with desires, with a libido waiting to be directed and mostly, curiosity. 

Your mind would flee to dirty, lascivious places whenever you saw a character you found attractive, such as actors, singers or even real life crushes, sometimes doing the bare minimum but still sparkling in your sexual self, wetting your panties – and in those days you blamed your ovulation. 

But the moment you tried to fulfill your fantasies with real people, your body refused to relax, your mind never stopping from the constant overthinking about either disappointing or just showing how inexperienced in the practical area you were, ending up embarrassing yourself. 

Since you also never looked out for the help of your friends, none of them knew about that part of your life and you always shared a silent feeling of gratitude for the lack of their interest in that area. 

The whole theme being a main focus on conversations constantly made you pretty uncomfortable, because everyone showed to enjoy their sexual lives fully, without any problems like you.

Although you had very incredible friends that you could rely on, you couldn’t help but feel the anxiety of being judged by them, so you always opted to stay quiet or managed to redirect the discussion.

As if someone had listened to your prayers, you noticed another friend of yours – Jake – coming in your direction with a big smile, his backpack hanging loose off his shoulders and someone a bit too familiar alongside him.

You waited for them to be closer to try to recognize the strange and… Shit. 

Your breath got stuck in your airlines when you realized that the guy with Jake was Lee Heeseung.

Your eyes followed how he took a seat in front of Jake, who sat beside you. None of your friends stopped the playful argument when they both arrived at the table, and for a little while you were glad for that, because you for sure couldn’t hide your surprised face and sudden dizziness for having Heeseung that close, looking unnecessarily attractive with his usual sly grin, messy black hair and strong presence.

Heeseung was the basketball captain of your university team.

You harbored a love for sports since childhood, not in a way of being a player but a watcher. During the first weeks of college you discovered that your university had a basketball team and you got really intrigued. Since then, it became your hobby to go over and watch them practicing during your free time or just to study for a while using the sound of balls bouncing on the floor as a background.

It was during one of your study days that you first met Jake, when he accidentally threw a ball in your direction and although you safely dodged, he insisted on taking you to what he called a date, but you weren’t much interested in him like that so you two became friends. 

Jake was definitely hot, but, well… You had a big crush on the very much attractive ace of the team. 

His movements looked meticulously calculated as if he had control of every part of his body, his pretty smiley face whenever he scored a point making your heart miss a few beats, not to mention the shameless winks he gave towards the girls who were watching the match just to make them scream. His overall performance was just sensational, making you wonder if the hands that were harshly used to grip the ball would grip your hips the same way.

Yeah, one of the in real life crushes you would get wet just by thinking about.

You forced yourself to believe that you had everything under control, since crushing on Heeseung was a waste of time and a sentence to have your heart shattered. You knew about his fuckboy reputation and definitely wasn’t planning on being the talk of the week of the “lucky girl that Heeseung fucked” or anything similar, neither wanted to face the consequences of getting involved with him – the amount of gossips going around with your name would increase considerably as people would try their best to destroy your self-esteem. 

Or at least that’s what you heard from your friends, wondering for a long time if people were exaggerating just because of jealousy. 

You weren’t that desperate to lose your virginity, although the thought of losing it to Heeseung seemed quite interesting – but, again, impossible.

Heeseung's existence in your life always resembled to be like an idol. Not in a sense of you idolizing him, but as someone you were intrigued by, loving to watch him by far, never getting close enough given that nothing could even happen between you two, especially because how would two different worlds collide like that? 

So in your own defense of how your body was reacting, no one prepared you to be so close to him without a previous warning, even with the fact that Jake was friends with Heeseung. Your brain just insisted on forgetting that eventual possibility.

“What are you guys talking about?”

And then you really panicked.

You also forgot that Jake was pretty much a gossiper and would rather know what the table was talking about instead of bringing another new subject to it. And now there was Heeseung sitting with all of you, making it harder to breathe and to focus on any other thing. You could feel the sweat dampening your armpits, the idea of you having to talk about your sexual life haunting you to death at that moment.

“Me getting laid,” Julie answered with a cheeky smile. 

“Oh,” Jake was taken back with her quick and honest response, you could notice by the way he slightly widened his eyes. Heeseung just laughed. And what a pretty fucking laugh. 

“Don’t act like you never fucked in your life, Jake,” Yunjin said narrowing her eyes skeptically, adding to the fuel.

You felt your cheeks and the top of your ears burning. And not only that, there was a very intense gaze right towards you that you refused to look up to meet. The scrunched napkins on the table looked way more interesting than anything else at that moment.

“I’m still not used to all your… Openness,” he motioned with his hands as he explained. You mentally cursed Jake’s oblivious self for giving Julie the right words for her to be even more blatant in her dramatic speech. 

“Oh boy, I really wish I’d be open–” 

“Julie!” Yunjin now screamed flabbergasted with Julie’s audacity, laughing loudly and smacking her friend's shoulder while you hid yourself in your hands, fully embarrassed. You couldn’t hold back a small, kind of a relieved laugh because the topic apparently was about to end.

You heard Heeseung chuckling with them and decided to search for his eyes just to meet them already on you, shamelessly checking you out. You instantly avoided his not a little soft glances at your chest and lips, but not with enough time to fail to perceive how he bit his bottom lip while still smiling.

“Care to present your friend?” Yunjin directed the question to Jake when she stopped laughing.

“I thought you already knew Heeseung,” Jake sounded confused.

“We do, but I don’t know if Y/N do,” she explained, pointing to you.

Now every pair of eyes on the table was on you and normally that wasn’t a big deal, you loved the attention your friends gave whenever you were the one speaking. But Heeseung being the owner of one of those pairs made it difficult for you not to blush harder.

“O–oh,” you damned yourself for stuttering, swallowing nothing. “I actually know him too, yeah. I– I watch the uni basketball practices sometimes.” You tried to sound cool, forcing a very awkward smile, but your voice was so obviously nervous you just wished no one would notice. 

However, Heeseung’s lips curved into a smirk told you that he, at least, noticed. And was enjoying seeing you so flustered.

“I’ve seen you there a few times”, it was his first words since he sat with your group, his voice sounding quite different from when you normally heard him – screaming in the basketball court with his teammates to hype them up. 

Your heartbeat was loud inside your chest, and you wondered if the reason behind was because of Heeseung’s intense presence, or how dreamy his voice sounded, or the fact that he had perceived you in his games. All the options sounding very unnecessarily smitten to you, who usually knew your place, grounded with your feelings, but apparently not with Heeseung and his charming face.

Jake nodded, smiling cutely at you. But not a cutely you enjoyed seeing; it was a mischievous grin. You gulped.

“Heeseung insisted on sitting with us today, saying he wants to get to know you better,” Jake nudged your shoulder with his’, wiggling his eyebrows while the girls hummed teasingly at you.

You widened your eyes, your cheeks with a tone of red spreading all over. You noticed Heeseung’s cherry colored lips still with a petty grin, his eyes slightly hooded as he faced you. That alone was enough to get yourself worked up, sending signals directly to your cunt. 

You literally clenched around nothing just because Heeseung smirked at you while holding eye contact.

Of course you would react like a teen that just got a confession from her crush mixed with a pervert that never had sex in her life and got horny by little things – which, in part, was true.

Nevertheless, hearing Heeseung laugh along with Jake’s next words completely dashed your hopes and your arousal away. 

“I’m joking. It’s funny and cute how you always react with things like this.”

You now had to blink a few times to recompose yourself just enough to fake a smile, trying not to demonstrate that your panties were a bit damp and you, frustrated.

“Not funny to play with a girl's feelings, Jake,” Julie uttered when she noticed your slight discomfort.

Now it was the time to take your realistic persona and act out of the situation, as you pulled your best facial expression in order to cover your kind of hurted heart. “There are no feelings,” you urged to say with a forced laugh, failing to notice Heeseung’s smile dropping for a second. “Yeah, it’s funny now, but I’m pretty sure you were on the verge of crying when I refused to go with you on that date,” you cocked your head with a raised eyebrow facing Jake, watching his expression contort in all the five stages of grief at once, his lips parted with widen eyes at the end.

“You’re mean,” he whined and you laughed.

“Only for you,” and you gave him a little wink before standing up and gathering all your things on the table to put back on your backpack. “I gotta go now, see ya later?” You looked at your girl friends who just nodded and said a cute goodbye to you, avoiding eye contact with Heeseung as you did so.

As you made your way to your upcoming class, your mind automatically flooded with thoughts about what just happened; you yourself questioning for how long you would be able to hide your inexistent sexual life from your friends, or even if you should keep doing it, due the fact that they could help you get over your insecurities and apprehensions.

Besides, it was becoming quite unbearable to cope with the frustration of wanting, yearning, and desiring, yet never being able to make a move beyond it.

And since when would Heeseung pay genuine attention to you? You couldn’t deny that even with your head making sure to remind you of the unrealistic nature of things happening with Heeseung, your feelings seemed to have been crushed in a very hurtful way.

There was a part of you that believed a bit in the fantasy of him being a very warm and approachable guy who would do cute things with you, respect your space and time and also be the one who you have sex with. 

On the other hand, you constantly reinforced the thought of being impossible and somehow weird. You felt weird. Like a true pervert of some kind. 

You spent the whole class thinking about what Jake said and how Heeseung's eyes wandered your features with something very similar to what you saw in some other guys. Desire. 

But at that point you comprehended that your mind had started to like to make things up. Jake was lying after all.

You just wished for your sentiments and needs to vanish quickly, or at least for you to be able to replace the person. In any case, you decided to avoid the basketball court for a few days. 

Not showing up to watch the team’s practice and games did not prevent you from running into Heeseung almost everyday, which was the main reason behind your decision – to get over your silly little crush on him.

Apparently fate had other plans for you and you honestly didn’t know how to feel. Heeseung began to be part of your group hangouts alongside Jake, now being a regular presence to the point where your friends would frequently ask his whereabouts, as if everyone in the group suddenly grew a liking for him.

And honestly, you couldn’t blame them. Apart from your tangled, weird feelings that for sure had something to do with how you envisioned him, Heeseung revealed to be a genuine sweet, caring person, easily breaking parts of your pre-concept about his stereotypes. 

His “player” aura was fading little by little, even though his confident demeanor kept its place on his every move.

Heeseung had gleaming eyes shooting you the most flirtatious, intense gaze, with equal glistened lips adorning the most endearing smirk, enough to make you lose your words, to lose your mind. Not to mention how often his body leaned towards yours in order to give you full attention.

Heeseung would cock his head and glance at your lips whenever you were the one speaking, simple behaviors messing you over and over, tempting you to dive into the pool of the unexplored, the so lustful field you never let yourself do a proper investigation, too afraid of surrendering to your feelings and needs.

The more you got to know him, the harder it became to dismiss the growing admiration and longing feeling running all over your body. Heeseung wasn’t just some fleeting crush anymore. He became something you couldn’t name yet, still fuzzing your mind, the crawling sensation on your skin wanting more and more of whatever he had to offer – just a look, just a smile, just some words, just some gentle brush of skins. Anything. 

At some point your chest started to palpitate just by the mention of his name, your blood running cold instantly as your whole posture changed, terrified of someone knowing about your feelings, about your dirtiest thoughts, about how he would visit your dreams at night to show you how much you craved his body. 

God, you were so fucked up, so desperate, and nonetheless, hesitant.

Something strongly held you back, even with Heeseung’s attempts to become closer to you, asking direct questions to you, trying nonstop to get to know you better, just like Jake once told you he wanted to.

You never let him in. Not openly, not with your words, not in front of him – you refused to risk having a broken heart because Heeseung was simply being his normal self and you, seeing beyond his charming facade.

Heeseung had occupied a spot in your mind from day one, ever since his damp, sweaty hair stuck on his forehead together with a cocky smile seemed way too attractive to your eyes and you began to pay more attention to his existence. That was true. But you only allowed him to do his proper mess inside your head after de-idolizing him; after the looks he gave to every other girl started to have you as the main target, after his hands “accidentally” brushed on yours during your moments sitting side by side sending shivers throughout your body, after he questioned about how you day have been and actually paid attention to your answer, your stomach doing flips every time.

Heeseung was now part of your thoughts because he showed genuine affection and worry about you, without you asking for it. And alongside all of that, he was so fucking and unnecessarily hot.

But what if all of this was just a game? Just another girl he messes around with, playing with her feelings just because he can. Just because he's attractive and you're foolishly falling for him…? 

…Falling for him?

“Stop overthinking,” Sunoo’s voice cut your roam of thoughts as he appeared out of nowhere, dropping his books on the table before sitting across you in the library, catching you totally off guard. 

“Damn it, Sunoo!” You nearly screamed, covering your mouth to restrain it, ignoring the librarian's angry glare.

“I’m sorry, sweetie,” he chuckled softly. “But your frown is screaming at me, what’s on your mind?”

“Ahm, just some media ethics stuff, y’know–”

“Cut that off, sweetie. I’m not asking about your studies. You know that. I’m asking about your frown, your overthinking frown,” he said, gently pressing his finger on your forehead. “What’s really going on in there?”

You sighed. 

The two of you had met in your first year when you realized you shared almost all your classes. Since then, Sunoo had become one of your closest friends – the trustworthy one, the always-down-for-anything one, and also the one who worried about you the most. He was a comforting presence, someone you could rely on to listen to your concerns and anxieties without judgment.

Still, despite this, you felt nervous. Your eyes darted around searching for any eavesdroppers, a few students scattered throughout the library, deeply focused on their studies, oblivious to your conversation. Yet your tense nerves inhibited you from sharing your true worries as you opened and closed your mouth a few times without being able to talk.

“Do you want to go somewhere else?” Sunoo asked softly, eyes offering you comfort as he held your hands and caressed them.

You nodded, watching his body instantly lifting up from his seat to help you grab your things and his own, snatching your hand with his to drag you around the campus until you found a quiet place near some trees. 

“Go ahead, sweetie,” Sunoo said as he leaned in one of the trees, watching your gaze avoiding his and your cheeks reddening a bit.

“I’m having some troubles, personal problems, if I’m being honest…” Sunoo said nothing, just nodded his head in a reassuring way although you weren’t looking at him. “It’s–” you gulped. Your mind screaming at you to shut up, because you were certain he would make fun of you. Sunoo, the guy who always had people crushing on, definitely would not understand what you are going through. You searched for his eyes, just to find them filled with compassion. “I’m–” You shut your eyes searching for the best way of saying. “I’m a virgin,” you blurted out in a low tone, your face burning with embarrassment as you refused to open your eyes. 

However, Sunoo's nonchalant reaction took you by surprise. “Okay, and?” Then you blinked a few times, trying to comprehend the lack of judgment. This was not what you prepared yourself for. “What’s the problem?” He sounded genuinely confused with your dumbfounded expression. “That’s all? I mean, if it’s really bothering you we can talk through it, but I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, sweetie…”

“So… You think that’s normal for a college girl to be a virgin? You don’t think it’s something to be weird or to be asham–”

“My dear Y/N,” he cut you off by holding your head softly to look directly into his eyes. “First of all there’s no such thing as what's normal or not normal when it comes to many things. Also, please never let someone make you feel ashamed of who you are or how you’ve chosen to live your life, ok?” Your honest reaction was to stare at Sunoo in astonishment. “Promise me, Y/N.”

“I promise,” your voice was muffled since he was holding you still.

“Now spill the real tea, because I’m pretty sure this is just the tip of the iceberg.”

So you vented out about everything running through your mind, your worries, your genuine curiosity mixed with a fear, how you were aching for something you were too afraid of getting – or letting yourself to get. 

Relief ran throughout your body, as Sunoo made you comfortable enough to go subject by subject in order to help you name all of your nameless and confused feelings, including to situate where your expectations were set. You wanted your first time to be enjoyable, that’s for sure, so you had to be with someone who would help you erase your turbulent thoughts by reassuring you regularly – a one night stand type of thing was not an option, you realized with Sunoo. 

You shared your apprehension on disappointing with your lack of experience, and to that Sunoo settled your nerves by saying “If the person respects you, you don’t have to worry about that,” and you discovered another name for what you wanted. 

The anguish of not knowing what to do or where to go was slowly diminishing every time you labeled what previously you were able to describe only as a ‘bittersweet feeling of panic and desire’. 

You also didn’t need to directly mention Heeseung, Sunoo himself brought his name after connecting the obvious dots of the said crush being Heeseung, especially since his glances at you and your reactions to it were anything but subtle.

“Don’t have to worry about that either, sweetie. I don’t think any of the others noticed it, they’re too oblivious sometimes,” Sunoo calmed you down after you almost cried due to your embarrassment of someone noticing your messed up self. 

Something Sunoo said reverberated throughout your day as well. “You will always be a virgin if you don’t have sex. And if you’re afraid of having sex because you’re a virgin, it’s an unsolved paradox.”

Your talk with Sunoo eased your mind, but also introduced a whole new scenery of thoughts – gladly not anxious one. You were depriving yourself of your own pleasure, of your own desire. And perhaps the real reason was because you feared… liking it. 

So after a good night of sleep, you decided to head out to your favorite place during your free time: the basketball court. Not necessarily to watch anything – or someone in particular, but to ponder what you had going through your head the whole night ever since Sunoo’s advices and sweet, reassuring words. 

Of course your choice of place would lead you to probably bump into a specific someone, and part of you really hoped for that.

While you drank your iced coffee, you wondered if Sunoo was being serious when he said that the talk about Heeseung in most cases was disconnected with reality. He didn’t explain much about it, but what he said was enough to intrigue you.

“Hey,” a far, but known voice snapped you out of your trance, and instantly your whole body heated.

You watched Heeseung jogging in your direction, panting a big, sweat dripping off his temples and his arms in display for you since he was wearing a sleeveless shirt.

“It’s been a while since I last saw you here,” he said, shooting you a small smile, easily walking through the seats by skipping them with his long legs until he got closer. 

“Yeah, I’ve been a bit busy,” you answered, fighting yourself not to tremble and to avoid glazing your eyes on his body, the team’s uniform looking gorgeous in contrast with his skin tone.

“Missed you, Y/N,” Heeseung talked with a gentle voice, his usual sparkly eyes growing wide as he realized what he just said. “I mean, I missed you being around, y’know,” he tried to play it cool and due to your nervous self, you barely noticed he was going through the same emotion.

He was so attractive, and for some reason the mix of his perfume with his sweat inebriated your air lines, making it a little difficult to breathe. 

Little did you know that Heeseung was in a similar state, lost in how cute you looked that day, your comfy outfit and the single ponytail doing your face features justice by letting them shine with a natural beauty you carried confidently.

Heeseung noticed you on the very first day you appeared to watch a game. He normally paid little to no real attention to who watched his practice, the flirty glances and winks thrown at the crowd usually was just for fun and no one in particular, but your sudden appearance was overwhelming, his stomach did flips and his so focused self was faltering before your presence. 

He had to take a good, long, cold shower after in the locker room to try to get over his exaggerated reactions. How does one get his heart pounding so fast, hands sweating and distracted concentration just because they are good looking?

He for sure knew plenty of attractive people, but none got his heart aching and his body craving like you did. 

“I’m sorry, I know I’m the team’s lucky charm,” you acted out of your bubble a bit. That would be a normal saying by you, actually. But around Heeseung you worked differently, actions more withdrawn than ever, flustered by the fact that his focus was on you, and only you. 

You barely had any moments alone with Heeseung, most of the time some friend of yours was engaged in the conversation as well, so to talk directly to him without having another person to cover up your nervous state was pretty difficult, especially by the way he held eye contact on you, as he was reading every bare piece of you.

“Yeah, I really don’t know what to do without you,” Heeseung put his hand on his heart dramatically as he said and you blushed, pushing his shoulder and avoiding looking at his face. 

And well, he wasn’t lying. 

Your constant attendance, whether to really pay attention to what was happening or just to quietly study as you regularly did, threw his mind into chaos. Heeseung had to physically restrain himself from jumping across the seats to ask for your number at first, your aura seeming a bit coy to him – not in an off putting way, but in a way that made him think you deserved someone better than what he could offer. Alongside that, he believed there was no way a hot, beautiful and smart girl like you would pay any attention to him.

It wasn't like Heeseung was insecure, he knew his strengths and how to work with them. A line of girls would eagerly wait for a chance to spend a night with him, though he never went that far with many of them, choosing carefully who he led to his room or allowed in his life.

Nevertheless, the feeling of having that kind of attention was addicting. To feel desired by them fed his ego, he never denied that. 

That alone convinced Heeseung that you, out of all his options, would never let him taste a crumb of what he really wanted from you.

And then there was the moment he got to know about Jake being friends with you. 

His instincts told him to give up, but he had to try, a demeanor similar to a man who never saw a woman in his life before, just to get a little bit of whatever you would give to him.

Heeseung grew obsessed with your presence, with you. Yet never bold enough to do much about it, too afraid of your so certain rejection. Then you suddenly disappeared and he missed you like crazy, to the point of befriending your friends simply to have a bit of your presence in his daily life.

To get you know better did no good to his health at all. He got enthralled by your sarcastic, funny personality, your endearing laughs and genuine love for your friends, spilling through your actions and words, always supporting them without losing your humor. 

Heeseung got a small taste of how it feels to have you around and he grew addicted – even more than for the feeling of being desired by many, more thrilling than the praise for his performance or the rush of winning a game. At the end of the day, Heeseung wanted your attention and your praises. 

After realizing it, he decided to step up on his game.

“So…” Heeseung cleared his throat after your silence. “Are you free later?” 

The question itself had nothing openly implied, just a normal, simple and direct ask. But God, why did your heart started to beat so fast? Why did your face felt like fire burning all over it?

You forced yourself to meet Heeseung's gaze, his eyes filled with anticipation and eagerness, just like your reply could change the whole path of his life. 

“Ahm, yeah, kinda. Why?”

You watched as his expression lighted up and how he tried to hold back his smile while scratching the back of his neck. Spotting Heeseung apparenting to be nervous ignited a different, sudden feeling inside you, as if you now understood that you affected him in some way. Or that he was a very good actor. 

“I was wondering if you would like to come over to my place– We’re going to throw a small party, so it’d be cool to have you there,” he nodded to himself, proud for not stuttering at all. When did inviting a girl to a party become that hard?

Unfortunately for him, you paid close attention to his behavior and body language, how he avoided looking at your eyes even though he was the king of maintaining eye contact while speaking and how his Adam's apple bobbed up and down as if he swallowed hard. All the pieces together put you in a new position, one that you felt confident enough to play on his game. 

“A party, huh?” You showed him a smile before biting your bottom lip and tilting your head to the side, as if you were thinking about his invitation, Heeseung’s eyes catching every movement and your eyes catching his not a bit subtle glances. “I’ll try to fit you in my schedule.” 

And you gave him a wink as you stood up to go back to your dorm without waiting for a response, knowing that your sudden courage would not last long to keep it going, not even realizing you left Heeseung in a total speechless form.

Attending a party alone was not something common to your lifestyle at all, same as accepting going on one just because of an acquaintance of yours. 

Usually your friends – Yunjin or Sunoo, in particular – would be the ones to tag you along, since you liked to go out but never got that extroverted side to be directly invited; you didn’t even bother to care much, because as said before, your friends were the ones in charge to lead you to the places.

In addition to that, not only would you have a company so you would not feel alone, but also a friend nearby to look after you – though your alcohol tolerance was pretty high, you didn’t trust yourself to make sound decisions sober, let alone drunk.

Later on, Heeseung messaged you saying you could invite the girls and Sunoo, but to your misfortune and as if fate was tricking you, all of them had other plans and left you hanging this time. Yunjin encouraged you to go by yourself, since Jake would probably be there as well as Heeseung, so you gathered all the courage you had left and decided to go.

Nevertheless, Heeseung wasn’t necessarily your friend yet. 

You both shared information about each other during the time he hung out with you and your friend group, enough for you to know his degree and some of his life interests like favorite movies, music and the fact he was a chronic gamer. 

Whilst you didn’t trust him enough to have your back if needed to, there was something on the way he oftenly treated you that broke down your doubtful barriers with ease, not only by his respectful manners but also by his desirable glances. Heeseung would look at you with a perfect mix of endearment and craving, like he wanted you so bad he would do anything, but never crossing the line, waiting for you to make the first move.

It was reassuring in some type of way, to feel wanted and at the same time, respected. Upon this conclusion, you felt confident enough to cross the opened door and to enter the house, hearing the loud music boosting through the speakers as a bunch of people danced to it, some of them seeming way too drunk already. 

The fluttering sensation in your stomach showed you not only the fear of being by yourself, but mostly the obvious, expected acknowledgment you would eventually bump into Heeseung. 

Before you could walk your way to the kitchen to get something to drink – a shot of courage, maybe, someone gave you a sudden bear hug and by the drunken voice you noticed it was Jake.

“You came!” 

“Yeah!” You answered with the same pitch, hugging him back, relieved that your whole internal dilemma ended quickly. Or you thought so. “You look kinda drunk,” you stated the obvious with a sarcastic tone, sly smile at him when he pulled out of the hug.

Jake literally giggled as a response and wrapped his free arm around your shoulder, dragging you around, his other hand occupied holding his cup. 

“Let me introduce you to my friends, you introduced me to yours so it’s only fair if I do the same, right?” You laughed at his very slurred words, as well as how cute he sounded having his cheeks flustered due to the alcohol. 

However, when you realized that he was leading you to his friends – and Heeseung was his friend – you almost froze, stumbling a little on your legs while your whole body tensed. You damned Jake for not letting you take your shot of courage before.  

“No need to be nervous,” Jake murmured close to your ear, his hands resting now on your waist as he continued to walk with you. The distance wasn’t that far, but Jake kept stopping to greet everyone along the way so it took you both double the time.  

“I’m not–”

“You’re doing the face you do when you’re nervous,” he pointed out.

“Am I that easy to read?” You let out an awkward chuckle, feeling shy at how transparent your reactions were. 

“Yeah,” he replied, causing you to now genuinely laugh at his sincerity. “You’ll like them. They already like you. Heeseung doesn’t shut up about you, so they're already familiar with who you are.”

What?

You had no time to think about his words or even react properly, a bunch of new friendly smiles greeting you.

“This is Sunghoon and Jay,” Jake indicated with his fingers to the ones sitting on the couch in the corner of the room. “The two over there are Riki and Jungwon,” Jake pointed with the hand that held his cup to the two who were standing and talking with each other, but when their names were mentioned they looked at you with curiosity. “And Heeseung you already know, but I don’t know where he is.”

Part of you felt relieved by Heeseung's absence, while another part was somewhat disappointed.

“Hey, you must be Y/N,” the one you understood as being Jay stood up to greet you with a hug, followed by Sunghoon.

“Enjoying the party so far?” The taller one asked, looking you directly into your eyes. You showed him a gentle smile as you answered.

“I kinda just arrived, so…” Sunghoon nodded, mouthing an ‘oh’ and sitting again on the couch although his gaze kept focused on you. You shook your head when he silently asked if you wanted to sit as well. “But I can say the music is pretty nice. Whoever chose the playlist has a good taste.”

“Thanks.”

You weren’t expecting to feel Heeseung’s presence close, right behind you. His sweet yet low voice making you shiver, a weird feeling tingling your skin. 

“I chose the playlist.”

You gulped down your flustered self to turn around and address your attention to him, just to meet his signature flirty expression, this time a little more… softened. He shamelessly checked you out, eyes sparkling in interest as he tried to hold back his smile, disguising it with a small smirk.

His outfit took your breath away, as he wore a black dress shirt that had the first two buttons open and a beautiful silver chain necklace contrasting his slightly tanned skin, every move of his tempting you to see what was underneath the clothing piece. 

You saw how Heeseung’s Adam's apple moved up and down before he raised an eyebrow playfully when his eyes landed on your face again. 

He paid attention to the way your cheeks turned into a soft shade of red that he was sure wasn't just because of your makeup blush, and damn, how could you look so hot with black skirt and an oversized black shirt? Your legs in full display to him to savor. 

“You look pretty,” he complimented you, sincerity and a taste of desire evident in his tone. You smiled shyly, feeling a warm blush rise to your cheeks.

“Oh, thank you. You look great yourself,” you replied, and although you felt flustered for being that close to Heeseung, you didn’t hesitate to maintain eye contact, focusing the most you could not to falter. 

Heeseung chuckled, his hands dipped in his pockets as he straightened his posture, quickly averting from your gaze before coming back to look at you again. 

So gorgeous, his heart was beating unnecessarily fast just by seeing you and even faster because of your compliment.

“I’m glad to hear that, y’know, I was hoping to make a good impression,” the alcohol in his system made him a bit bolder than he normally was around you, his body leaning subtly closer to yours, his eyes taking the typical glances at your lips.  

You huffed a flustered laugh, looking at him through your eyelashes. “You– You don’t have to try that hard, though,” you tried to speak confidently, and you actually did it, biting your lips as a way of restraining yourself from literally jumping on that hot, attractive, charming, man.

The little giggling noises behind your back made you aware that you were not alone with Heeseung to be that fearless, so you took a step back, suddenly feeling hesitant. 

“You think so?” Heeseung, on the other hand, didn’t care about his friends, maintaining his flirty aura as he stepped closer to you, a playful grin adorning the corner of his glistening lips. However, he quickly caught the slight discomfort in your posture and decided to give you some space, backing off. “Well, next time I’ll just let my natural charm do the work, then,” he winked at you and casually sat on the couch arm beside Jay and Sunghoon.

You felt a bit out of your place, your wobbly legs not letting you do much and you awkwardly self not knowing exactly what to do. Jake was long gone already, lost in the sea of people while the other boys chatted between themselves. You stood near to the wall next to the other couch arm, engaging in the conversation as they asked you a few things in order to make you feel included. Eventually, Jungwon and Riki joined as well, bringing you a drink, and you got to know all of them better. 

Throughout the entire time, Heeseung wasn’t subtle with his glances, eyeing you up and down, taking his sweet time appreciating your bare thighs and your lips whenever you spoke. And even when you caught him staring, he didn’t flinch, full of confidence, biting his lower lip just to wet it with his tongue right after, definitely not paying attention to their friends talking.

So excessively hot. 

Heeseung was torn between awe and frustration. Having you so close, yet so out of reach was killing him inside – he wished for you to take the obvious hints he was giving of being so down to kiss you, his body aching in despair. 

And he grew even more desperate and frustrated when Jungwon boldly asked you, “Do you wanna go dance with me?” 

Heeseung watched the subtle surprise in your expression as your eyes flicked to him briefly, missing the silent plea for him to repeat what Jungwon had just said.

Still, you hesitated for another reason. Normally one of your friends would push you out of your shell to do what you wanted to, but were afraid of. But not only Jungwon's cute smile got into your heart, you also thought to yourself it was time to make your own decisions, even the simple ones like accepting or not a dance.

“Sure,” you agreed, grabbing the hand he offered you, following him to the makeshift dance floor. 

Heeseung’s eyes couldn’t drift away from how your body moved with Jungwon’s precise lead, your hips synchronized with the rhythm, your happy smile lip syncing the song together with Jungwon. He watched his friend get closer to you to whisper something in your ear, making you laugh brightly, wishing to be the one to make you feel that way, to touch, to have you like that.

Heeseung was growing jealous of Jungwon’s demeanor around you, having his hands confidently resting on your waist, guiding you through the music with ease, whispering things he wished so badly to know what it was.

He knew he was shameless staring, Sunghoon mocking his reactions as he scoffed and rolled his eyes, annoyed by the sight of another man touching you.

“Why are Jungwon’s hands roaming all over her body like that?” He asked without taking you out of his sight.

“They’re just dancing, relax.” Sunghoon smiled playfully.

“Jungwon is just being nice to her,” Riki pointed out. “They share a few things in common and they both like to dance, so it was just a convenient situation, y’know? Nothing to worry about.” Riki tapped his friend’s shoulder.

“We all know the girl’s yours,” Jay said.

“She’s not mine.” 

Yet, Heeseung completed it on his mind, but his friends knew all too well about that too.

On your side of the story, despite the warmth of Jungwon’s company, you couldn’t ignore the weight of Heeseung’s gaze, taking a glimpse once and a while of his so unreadable expression. You couldn’t figure out if it was anger or envy or desire or frustration, Heeseung showed you a mix of everything and, God, you wanted so badly for him to do something.

“Heeseung is looking at me like he’s going to kill me,” Jungwon whispered in your ear, and you laughed nervously. 

“I hope he doesn't, you’re too nice and young to die.”

Jungwon chuckled at your response, and then noticed how your body tensed up suddenly. He followed your eyes and you both watched Heeseung’s tall figure standing up and walking towards you two. 

“Mind if I cut in?” Heeseung’s voice was smooth, just like him. Your heart started to race too fast when Jungwon handed you to Heeseung.

“She’s all yours,” Jungwon winked, saying a quick goodbye to you and heading back to his friends. 

Even with now being just the two of you, Heeseung didn’t touch you without your permission, partly because he was scared of not being able to control himself at all. He blinked a few times waiting for you to take the lead and his breath hitched when your hands went directly to rest on his shoulders. 

You gave him a reassuring look, allowing him to touch you, and nearly melted when his fingers found their place on your waist, caressing the place gently as he slowly moved you both to the music. Every so often, your eyes would meet and each time you couldn’t help but blush and smile shyly before quickly looking away, Heeseung thinking how precious you seemed acting like that. 

“Don’t get me wrong,” you started saying after the silence of your voices. “I’d love to dance with you a bit more, but I have to be honest, my social battery is pretty drained already,” your lips curved into a small, apologetic pout.

“Do you wanna go home?” He asked softly, bold hands now moving a bit more freely on your body. You shook your head, since going home equaled being away from his embrace. “Do you wanna get out of here?” You nodded cutely and he smiled, endeared by your behavior. “Come with me,” he said and kindly held your hand to lead you away from the party, not before stepping briefly in the kitchen to grab you both a drink.

Heeseung took you to the back of the house, being one of the owner’s he knew all the places where people could and couldn’t be, so a big part of you felt relieved for not having to deal with a crowd overwhelming your senses. 

“You look quite tired,” he uttered with a hint of concern, as you both walked slowly through the backyard, way less people scattered through it as you just followed him without thinking much about it, focusing on your drink.

“Yep, I think I overworked my social battery today,” you answered with a chuckle. “But it was pretty fun, though. Your friends are really cool.”

“They are.”

You both stopped walking at some point, Heeseung nodded his head towards the low wall that surrounded the house for you both to sit on it, a very peaceful, quiet place to run away from the party chaos. 

“What about you?” You asked curiously, tilting your head to catch his profile before he turned to face you.

“Hm?”

“You don’t seem to be the type to just sit back and watch the party,” you stated, swinging your legs as you finished your drink. 

“Yeah? What do you think I should be doing then?” Heeseung raised an eyebrow, intrigued by your perception about him.

“I don’t know,” you shrugged, averting your eyes to anything but him when you said. “Banging with someone?”

“What!?” Heeseung exasperated, as if he was really offended. You laughed out loud with his extremely exaggerated reaction. “Is that what you think of me, Y/N?” 

“Well, y’know, it’s kind of hard to think otherwise. Your reputation doesn't help much,” you explained and forced your best innocent look when your eyes rested on him again. You tried so hard not to laugh at his very deeply offended expression. 

“I’m so sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t think I’m the person you think I am,” he huffed a laugh, biting his lips right after to glaze his eyes on you. “Don’t even know when was the last time I– Sorry,” he quickly interrupted himself with an embarrassed smile. “I might’ve overshared a bit.” 

You shook your head, smiling away your fluster. “You’re fine. But it's still hard to believe.”

“You should ask my friends, then!” He was really trying to defend himself in this one. “Ask Jake!”

“And he’ll tell me what? That you have a long list of women you hooked up with?” You teasingly wigged your eyebrows, nudging him playfully.

“God, no,” he whined and you laughed at his adorable frustration.

You didn’t know it was this fun to tease Heeseung.

“How do I put this… Mhm,” he looked away, suddenly flustered. You were slightly surprised by his demeanor. It was the first time you witnessed Heeseung being something similar to shy. “I like to kiss,” your eyes grew wide and now was your time to be nervous. “So when I go to parties, I might be found kissing someone if I’m really in the mood, but just because I like to kiss, y’know?” He continued, shrugging, trying his best not to sound crazy to you. “And what I’ve noticed is that the people that I kiss, turn a simple makeout into something more when they talk about it, which almost never really happens if I’m being honest,” he paused. “I can count on my fingers how many women I’ve actually taken to my room.”

You swallowed hard, almost audibly gulped, a mix of sensations running throughout your body with his confessions. 

“And I also enjoy the flirting, y’know. Their reactions flatters my ego,” this time he was so obviously teasing you after he noticed your embarrassment, finding it adorable how your cheeks got painted red.

You rolled your eyes, pushing his shoulders in annoyance as he laughed. “I’m not joking, though,” he added. “But once I’m committed, I give up on all of that because I can only think about the person I’m liking.”

All that new information sent your brain into overdrive, unnecessarily attractive the way Heeseung’s voice got low at the end, as if he was telling you a secret, a lustful secret, shivers running all over your spine and you having no idea of what to do. You tried hard not to read between the lines. If you did, you would pick up on the message wrongly, because there was no way he was genuinely hitting on you.

“I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable,” Heeseung hurried to say, his eyes softening on you. 

“No,” you shook your head, chuckling. “I’m just… surprised. Didn’t expect you to be this open,” you admitted, your nervousness waving away from your body, feeling a bit more at ease around him. He still carried his cocky, flirty, charming aura, but now with a taste of honesty you appreciated. 

“I just wanted you to know me, instead of what people say about me,” Heeseung confessed with a tender smile. You nodded, glad for his sincerity. 

You both fell into a comfortable silence, the muffled noise of the party still going serving as a background. Heeseung was so terribly desperate to touch you again, his hands hesitantly hovering yours, yet never really touching it, as you obliviously looked at the scenery surrounding you, the trees throbbing by the quiet breeze relaxing your senses while you took a few deep breaths. 

“Do you wanna go back inside or…?” Heeseung sweet voice eagerly broke the silence, attracting your attention. He was hungry for you, even without tasting you before. His eyes were dripping honey as he watched you consider your options for a bit, pursed lips with a slightly frown.

The peaceful atmosphere embraced you, not only by the cool weather but also Heeseung’s calm, sweet, yet strong presence. You looked through your eyelashes at the adorable bambi eyes that waited anxiously for your answer, blinking slowly. Something has shifted in the air between you two, and surprisingly your body was relaxed with the possible outcome, your heartbeats strong in your chest.

“I’m fine here, actually. What about you? Do you wanna go back?” Your voice sounded way softer than you expected, and just then you realized how close Heeseung’s face was to yours, his alcohol breath mingling with yours mixed with the scent of his cologne, sending you into a trance. 

Your eyes naturally wandered through his beautiful facial features, his cute nose, his sparkly eyes, the little mole on his forehead, and of course, the oh, so kissable lips, tempting you so badly. You never had Heeseung that close to you, and he was so fucking breathtaking.

“No,” Heeseung replied under the same tone as yours. You observed how he hesitantly raised his hand near your face to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear, chills running through your body with the light touch. 

Heeseung took your reaction of not backing off as a green sign, so he jumped off of his seat to place himself between your legs, your sweet perfume intoxicating him as he looked up at you. Instead of going for a kiss as you expected him to do, he gulped and just hugged you by the waist, his face resting on your chest as you heard him taking a deep, long breath. 

Your confused self tried to go with the flow, awkwardly caressing his dark hair, hugging him back. You didn’t understand what he was aiming for, and neither did he, to be honest. He suddenly felt so nervous he forgot how to act, and he realized your presence calmed him down so a hug looked just as right as a kiss.

However, you now were the one growing impatient. “Hee?” You called by his nickname, to which he answered with a muffled “Hm?”, loving the way it sounded in your voice.

“Do you want me to get down so we can kiss?” You audaciously asked, ignoring how hot your cheeks felt right after.

“Please,” he whispered as he parted away from you just to help you to get down, his hand rushing to grab you by the waist while the other cupped your cheek, every touch, every eye contact being so genuinely gentle. 

Your fingers traced up from Heeseung’s chest until they reached his nape to scratch the area at the same time you pulled him closer, and closer. His stomach did a flip with how much he was needing you, so it took no time for him to close the distance between you two, lightly shocking his lips on yours.

The first touch was tender, hesitant, as if you both were testing it out. You moved to grab his bottom lip with yours, your breath hitching a little, shivers of anticipation going all over your skin when Heeseung tilted your head to the side so he could deepen the kiss.

Heeseung hummed against your mouth when he finally tasted you, his tongue brushing yours and sending him instantly to heaven; he immediately tangled his fingers on your hair to pull you near, eagerly wanting more and more of you, before sliding the same hand to your waist, pushing your body to lean it on the wall, pressing his own on your’s.

You two shared an intense desire for connection, once fed by days, weeks only by the tension of your imagination, of ‘how it could be’ or ‘happen’. Now that longing no longer occupied just your minds, becoming reality the more your bodies attracted each other with every touch, discovering new places, new pleasures, new cravings.

Heeseung didn’t know he would yearn you even more after getting a taste of you, and God, you were so addicting. 

At some point you broke the kiss to catch your breath, Heeseung’s fingers exploring your body with a perfect blend of desire and respect, as if he was still waiting for the moment you would ask for a stop although he couldn’t resist to feel every piece of you. Fortunately for him, you were far from wanting him to halter his movements, his lips on yours making wonders on your system, your body feeling like melting for how amazing it felt to have him that intimately. 

Heeseung’s eyes searched for yours, his now darkened gaze made your stomach flutter, your skin tingling from desire. “Tell me to stop,” he whispered on your lips, brushing them slightly. You simply shook your head, capturing his plump-kissed lips again, holding him even closer.

This kiss started urgently, even with Heeseung trying to keep it slow. Your pulse was fast, you needed him more than anything and your whole body was on fire. You could feel Heeseung going through the same, his skin smooth and warm under your hands as you boldly slipped one of them under his loosen shirt to access his back from his neck, mildly scratching the area just to receive a groan as a response.

“Fuck,” he pressed his body flush against yours even more if that was possible, his mouth travelling away from yours to spread hot kisses and small bites all over your jawline and neck.

Naturally your head was thrown back to give him more access to that area, now being your time to moan as an answer. When you paid close attention to every area of yours that was being touched by Heeseung, you noticed his hardened bulge pressing your body and let out a little gasp.

The recognition of you wanting him as much as he yearned you had awakened something inside of Heeseung, making his head lose control and focus on only one thing: you. 

Heeseung was craving you like an animal. 

And his way of showing that was slowing down his kisses, his hands audaciously squeezing your ass, sliding through your body with a mastery it took your breath away. Hesseung was a fucking good kisser, working his tongue on yours just the right enough to make your legs wobbly.

But then you became too aware of everything that was happening and your mind activated all the insecurity thoughts you once had for knowing that the makeout session would never just end there.

When Heeseung tried to kiss you again, you used your hands to lightly push him away and avoided his lips, both of you panting.

“Did I do something wrong?” He asked you with confused, puppy eyes. Your heart shattered instantly. 

“No, you’d never,” you kindly caressed his face. “I’m just– I…” You opened and closed your mouth, trying to find words that would not make you sound too off or that would make Heeseung slip away from you, but none seemed right. 

“Y/N, it’s fine, yeah?” He caressed your hips and then your right cheek, pecking your lips sweetly with a gentle smile. His dick in his pants painfully reminded him of how much he was in need of your body, nonetheless he would never force you to do anything, and just the kisses you shared was enough to make his whole year worth. With that in mind, he kissed your left cheek before saying, “Let me take you home, how does that sound?”

You smiled, even with the urge of crying knocking on your door so closely, the bittersweet taste replacing Heeseung’s in your mouth as you gulped it down your throat, damning yourself for being such an overthinked, insecure person that was too afraid of going all the way for God’s knows why. 

“Sounds great, Hee.”

As your usual response after any encounter involving men and the possibility of intimacy, you tried desperately to escape from meeting Heeseung. You would die to kiss him again, and again, and again… But at the same time, Heeseung wasn’t the type of guy who would stop at just kissing and you got a bit of the taste of that – your whole body was on fire just remembering his firm length pressing against your body, the little sounds he let out through the kiss, his hands pulling you closer and closer… And then you freaked out. As always.

Little did you know that Heeseung grew so obsessed with you and your intimate touch that night, that the mere thought of kissing you again consumed his mind just as much as you already captivated every corner of his head before.

The ghost of your lips lingered on his, haunted Heeseung’s memory, making him crave even more of whatever you would be willing to give to him, he would take anything at this point. 

Heeseung noticed you vanished from your obvious encounters, not only by missing the basketball game’s practice, but weirdly not hanging out with your own friends. The possibility of you avoiding him made his heart pound in a mild, strange pain, as he didn’t know the reason behind and simply deduced he did something wrong, like crossed your boundaries or anything similar. He couldn’t live with himself if that was the case and in order to correct that, he needed to see you and properly apologize.

“Do you think I’ve fucked up?” Heeseung was now in Jay's room to vent out his concerns about you, pacing back and forth. Jay was still half-asleep, barely knowing his own name let alone able to deal with Heeseung’s situation.

Fortunately for Heeseung, one of the perks of having a long-time friend is that the said friend would be open to hear you whenever and for whatever reason. 

“What do you mean?” Jay’s voice sounded groggy as he squinted his eyes to face the bright light coming through the window before searching for Heeseung in his room.

“She’s been ignoring me, like literally ignoring my texts and avoiding me,” Heeseung explained, fingers messing his hair nervously. 

Jay let out a deep sigh with a yawn while he sat straight on his bed, running his hand on his hair to try to make it as presentable as possible. “Have you thought about the possibility that she’s, I don’t know, going through something?”

“And how do I fix this?” Heeseung looked at his friend with a hint of desperation. 

“You have to let her deal with her stuff first, Hee.” Jay tried to sound as much as compassionate as he could, watching Heeseung taking the seat beside him on the bed. Jay patted his back. “I don’t think it’s up to you, at all.” 

“I know, it’s just frustrating. I want her so bad, bro,” Heeseung rested his elbows on his legs and buried his face in his hands.

“Yeah, never seen you so down for a girl like that,” Jay huffed a little chuckle, amazed by his friend’s behavior. 

“How can I not be? She’s so pretty, and we have such a good connection, and, God, her lips taste like honey. Like, her touches are so ligh–”

“Ok, enough,” Jay rushed to cut off Heeseung’s possible one hour speech about you, and now that you both shared an intimate moment, Jay was one hundred sure he didn’t need to hear such vivid details about it that early in the morning. “Let her do her thing, I’m sure she’ll eventually reach for you, bro.”

“I hope so.”

You weren’t too different from Heeseung though, feeling completely frustrated and in anguish. 

You got your panties dampened in arousal just by having Heeseung touching and feeling you the way he did, and he would not leave your thoughts alone for no second during your days, making it difficult to go through your classes and to focus on your studies without your foots nervously tapping the floor while biting and licking your lips due to your imagination flying by uncountable scenarios. 

All of them with the same outcome: you panicking and leaving him hanging.

“Spill it out,” Sunoo surprised you by hugging you from behind while you waited in the line to order you a coffee.

“God Damn it, Sunoo!” You slapped his arm, hearing him laughing at you. “Why do you always do this?” Your question sounded like a whine. He poked your sides before letting you go from the hug. 

“It’s funny how reactive you always are,” he teased with a smirk. “Order one for me, babe. I’ll pick us a table,” Sunoo said simply, as he started to move away from you. 

“But–”

“No but’s!” He called out already far from you. “I can see your frown from a mile away and I’ve known you long enough to know you’re doing what you like to do the most.”

Your flabbergasted expression was the only thing Sunoo saw before heading to a table on the corner of the store waiting for you to pick the both of you a coffee and head to share the seat with him. 

“I kissed him.” You blurted out as soon as you sat, eyes expressing a mix of despair and excitement. Sunoo opened his mouth in a perfect ‘oh’ that silently asked you to explain it better. “So I went to that party,” Sunoo nodded for you to keep going. “And I was dancing with one of his friends, and then he stepped in and we danced together. You know I don’t usually socialize alone that much, so I was feeling drained already,” Sunoo eyes were sparkling in interest, he loved a good little love story. “Heeseung led me to the backyard, and we chatted for a bit, he made sure that I knew his reputation was all talk,” you chuckled, remembering how anxious he looked trying to explain himself. “And now that I know this, it makes total sense. I never really saw him doing anything too explicit in public, so…”

“Ok, babe. I got that part,” Sunoo rushed you. Normally he would listen to every single word you were saying in order to fully help you, but he was so invested in getting to the point he couldn’t help his impatience. 

You rolled your eyes playfully. “Well, we had a little moment y’know and then we kissed, very cute and all that jazz. Until the things… shifted a bit,” your cheeks blushed.

“Oh?” Sunoo's eyes grew wide just like his smile. “Did you..?”

“No! I didn’t,” you pouted. “That's the thing. I freaked out. As I always do. And now I’m even more desperate than before, because I got to taste what he can offer me and I want more, but I’m so, so, so afraid,” you whined, almost crying as the words came out of your mouth without you caring if it made sense or not.

Sunoo sighed, his orbs now filled with reassurance as he held both of your hands. “Did he force you to do anything?” You shook your head. “He stopped when you asked him to?” You nodded. “Then I don’t think you have to be scared of anything, Y/N,” you were about to interrupt him, but he kept talking. “Listen, if Heeseung it’s into you the way it looks, he’ll respect your boundaries and wait for your consentment. And if he tries something funny, y’know I’ve got your back. I can punch really hard if I need to.”

You chuckled at his wording, knowing that was actually the truth. You were blessed to have someone like Sunoo in your life. “Thank you, Sunny,” you said sincerely. “I’m very grateful for having you.”

“No need to thank me, sweetie,” he kissed the back of your hand, before clapping his and saying excitedly. “Now let’s work on a plan of how you can relax and finally get that dick.”

“Sunoo!” You exclaimed, exasperated, and your friend's loud laugh was the only response you got.

“See you tomorrow, captain.”

You leaned your back against the wall near the door, watching a group of guys walk out of the locker room, some of them narrowing their eyes at you to which you pretended not to see, fakely paying attention to your phone, hoping none of them would stop to talk to you. You had one person in mind only.

“Oh? What are you doing here?”

And it was definitely not Jake.

“Oh, hey,” you smiled awkwardly, pushing your body away from the wall to face Jake. Your eyes darted over his shoulder, scanning if someone was coming after him just before you turned away from the door. “I’m wai–”

“Y/N?”

Your blood ran cold at the sound of your name being called by the voice you only heard in your dreams for the past few days. You tried to swallow down your tension and your shivers, barely registering Jake stepping away from you two to give the space you both needed.

Your body slowly turned to face Heeseung. His hair was wet, and he had a flustered, tired face from the game, a backpack hanging loose from his shoulder, and a small towel on his hands that he was using to dry off the water from his recent shower. His cherry-red lips were slightly parted, and his heavy breathing made your stomach and heart fluttered.

What a fucking vision, you almost whispered.

He had a blend of surprise, happiness and worry in his expression, which softened right after you showed him a small smile, your voice sounding as sweet as honey. “Hi.”

“Hi,” he mimicked your kind tone, his lips curving into a smile as well. He observed your adorable reddened cheeks and your big doe eyes staring at him, filled with expectation. “How are you?” He tried to sound casual, but his voice came out so obviously holding back his desperation. His heart was racing fast, a genuine wave of joy and relief running through his body. You had no right to show up looking so damn cute and expect him to act normal, as if he wasn’t missing you like crazy.

“I’m good,” you replied softly.

Heeseung nodded, never breaking eye contact. You tried hard to figure out what was left unspoken through his intense, yet tender gaze; your skin aching, yearning for his warm touch just one more time, just like that night, just as a reminder of how good it felt, just so you could bring to reality everything that went through your thoughts since the last kiss.

You really wished Heeseung were feeling the same way, or at least something close to it, otherwise you weren’t sure if you could deal with rejection after you struggled to gather all your courage to encounter him.

The tension in the air was suffocating you a bit, the endless silence was killing you inside, nevertheless you couldn’t find the right words to start anything coherent. Gladly Heeseung perceived your body reacting to the strange atmosphere between you two, and the last thing he wanted was for you to feel uncomfortable or to make things weird in your little relationship.

So he took a step closer, his eyes never leaving yours as he bit his bottom lip. “I’ve missed you,” he confessed without realizing he just did, voice quiet, almost like a whisper. You watched his eyes growing subtly wide before you drifted away from them.

Your heart skipped a beat, your cheeks heating up and your hands trembling with the unexpected confession. “I’ve missed you too, Hee.” You admitted looking at the floor, unable to keep looking at the eyes that showed you too much affection right now.

The desire once never forgotten grew stronger inside Heeseung’s chest, he needed you more than anything. His hand reached out for yours, the light brush of your skins sending chills through your spine and taking your breath away. “Can we talk?” He asked softly, relief running on his body when you held his hand back. 

“Yeah, we can,” you nodded, now looking up, not containing your smile as soon as you met his face all lightened up.

“Okay,” he left out a little chuckled, too happy for his own good. “But not here.”

Heeseung and you walked out of the building together, his hands’ grip tight on yours as you simply followed his lead. Your brain was spinning inside your head with the amount of thoughts going on. You didn’t know what to expect the conversation to be, let alone what he would do with you – or what you would do with him. The anticipation was eating you alive, and you thanked God when he stopped in the private area of the campus’ parking lot, guiding you to stand in front of him while he leaned his back on the wall.

“I was not joking when I said I’ve missed you,” he started, now holding both of your hands. You took a step closer, so you could show that you weren’t lying either. “I have to ask, though. Did I–”

You interrupted before he could even start the question, because from the little you knew about Heeseung, he was going to blame himself. “I’m sorry for my reaction that night. I– I think I was a bit overwhelmed,” you explained, focusing the drawings on his shirt to avert his eyes. “I really enjoyed kissing you, God, you have no idea,” you said with a soft laugh. “But I freaked out,” you gulped. “I freaked out because I’ve never–” Your cheeks were burning like fire due to your embarrassment, your words stuck on your throat. Heeseung gently squeezed your hands in a reassuring way, leaning a bit forward to search for your eyes. You finally looked up at him.

“I’ve– I’ve never gone further kissing someone,” your voice came out as an unsteady, low whisper, while you quickly avoided Heeseung’s gaze again. 

But he made sure you would be looking right at his eyes when he said his next words, tilting your chin up with his finger. “I’m sorry if I put any pressure on you, angel,” and he was so, so tender to you. His hand left yours to caress your face with a softness that almost made you melt, automatically leaning into the touch. The new nickname sent a flutter through your stomach. 

“No,” you hurried to say, shaking your head. “You didn’t. It’s just… Me. Me being an insecure mess, I guess,” you laughed awkwardly. 

“Hey, you’re not a mess,” he now held your face between his large hands, forcing you to maintain eye contact. “I loved kissing you, baby. Would love to do more than that,” he smirked, not only showing his desire, but also his understanding. His words and his actions worked in a perfect sync to make your body instantly react, the pulsing sensation between your legs showing how much you were affected by him. “But I would never force you to do anything.” He released your face, tucking a strand of your hair behind your ear before his hands rested on your waist in a comforting manner. “Would it help if we talked through your insecurities?”

Heeseung was an angel, you realized. A perfect blend of a compassionate angel and a devil who fed your deepest fantasies. You blinked twice to process his offer, not once in your life imagining you would meet someone willing to hear you so openly. “Are you sure?” You asked, hesitantly placing your hands on his shoulders.

His lips curved into a mischievous, shameless smirk. The so known cocky, flirty aura making its appearance just to falter right away, as if he remembered it wasn’t the moment to act like that. You raised an eyebrow, tilting your head to the side when he vacillated to speak.

“Now you have to say exactly what you’re thinking.” You said firmly.

“I don’t think I sho–”

“Lee Heeseung,” your voice was serious and he sighed defeated.

“Okay, okay,” he locked his eyes on yours, a hint of playfulness and craving mixed, causing your heartbeat to increase. “Yes, I’m sure I wanna hear what you’re insecure about, Y/N,” he leaned in closer, just to murmur. “I have to know what I’ll be fucking out of you.”

Your eyes grew wide with his sincerity. Yes, you did ask, but fuck, how does one say something so casually? Your whole face was burning with fluster, your flabbergasted expression was clear as crystal water, your brain stopped working properly and you had no fucking idea of what to say or do. 

“I’m sorr–”

But for some reason, shutting Heeseung up with a kiss sounded right.

Your lips shocked against his with a passion you never felt before. Heeseung’s words, the way he touched you, how his body reacted at the simple act of kissing you and having your hands discovering places on his body – everything made you feel secure and desired, the right mix to make it work on you. Heeseung made his way through your shell, placing himself right before your insecurities and little by little, without doing much, he was helping you get over them.

Heeseung shamelessly moaned against your mouth when you bit his bottom lip, sucking it before coming back with your tongue hungrily searching for his’, your heavy breaths mingling while you both devoured the kiss with vigor.

You parted away to speak, your voice sounding low and too sensual for Heeseung’s health. “I hope you’re loyal to your words, Heeseung.”

He took in your now darkened, full of lust, eyes and your swollen, glistened lips due to the urgent kiss you just shared. The view alone made him go insane. “Oh, I am,” he murmured, voice deep and husky, his cocky grin making him look even hotter. He gripped your waist tightly and maneuvered your both so he could press you against the wall, placing his lips on your ear to spread a few kisses before saying, “I’m a man of my word, Y/N. And I’m gonna make sure you never doubt yourself ever again.”

You let out a small gasp and then a little whine, your lips parting and your eyes hooded as you relaxed your body, ignoring your mind screaming at you to run away, replacing the anxiety with the craving you cherished for God’s know how long. 

“I want to hear every single thought that is holding you back, and then, I’m gonna make you forget about all of them,” Heeseung’s breath was hot against your skin, just like his lips, biting, sucking, kissing every area he had at his disposal. 

“Is that a promise?” You decided to play with him on his game, knowing you had no chance against the player anyway. Nonetheless, the foreign feeling growing inside you made words come out of your mouth without you really thinking about them, and it was so fucking good.

“Yes, angel. It is a promise,” Heeseung halted his intense diving into your neck to look deep into your eyes. “But I can’t take your virginity here, in a public parking lot.”

Normally you would fumble into a chain of embarrassment and nervousness with your intimacy being said that openly. However, Heeseung managed to word it in a totally different way. His voice was low, sultry, filled with a raw desire that made you realize he still wanted you, even after you admitted inexperience. Heeseung ignited a fire in you.

And then you remembered. You lived in a dorm. “Don’t get me wrong,” your fingers tangled in his hair, pulling it back a little. “But I can’t take you to mine.”

His forehead rested on yours while he chuckled, a bit disappointed. But not on you. “Yeah… I can’t take you to mine, as well. Not today, though.”

“So…” You blinked innocently, not knowing exactly what to say or do. 

“We’re not finished yet, angel.”

Unfortunately for you, you realized that what made you so confident and down to go all the way with Heeseung was the fact he was with you, his smooth foreplay skillfully easing your body to relax and enjoy instead of overthinking. 

His kisses helped you to forget your concerns and his hands guided you in a way you didn’t have to worry about what to do, not to mention the fact that he was willing to have sex with you even after you shared your insecurities with him. 

When you two recognized that it wasn’t going to happen that day, the heat went down and you two decided to sit in Heeseung's car to share some more kisses while chatting. Heeseung always reassuring you through his caring – and hot – touches, listening to every word of yours with compassion dripping out of his eyes, understanding and explaining openly to you about what you were curious about.

You didn’t really open up about everything as you usually do with a friend like Sunoo, partly because you believed it would work as a huge turn off and Heeseung would leave you. But also because you recognized that a lot of your thoughts were beyond your control, like the shape or size of your breasts and other similar things.

Heeseung made sure you understood that besides anything, he would find you sexy no matter what, which made you blush and hide your face on his chest while he laughed at your reaction, but it also made you believe his words and feel more confident about sex. 

Nevertheless, through a whole week, a bunch of “do you wanna come over?” texts were dismissed with a lame excuse from you. As said before, his kisses made you ease your mind, and answering such an important question like that without having his mouth working on yours to make you forget about your messy mind, was damn difficult. 

What you didn’t know is that Heeseung wasn’t actually planning to have sex with you the times he invited you. He literally just wanted to hang out. Of course he aimed to kiss you eventually, however his main objective was to make you comfortable with him being around, touching you in places you never got to be touched before, making sure you knew how much he craved your body, how much he wanted you, and that you were safe.

It was a busy week, afterall, full of heavy practices because the final game was getting closer and your presence on the bleachers was one thing that didn’t stop happening this time. You avoided being alone with Heeseung as much as you could, but your lips always missed him, so you had to make the tremendous effort of watching him in every practice. 

“He’s so good,” Julie whispered close to your ear, startling you.

“Who?” You asked confused.

“Your boyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” you rushed to reply with your cheeks already gaining some color. 

“Cut that off, he’s head over heels for you, girl,” Yunjin pointed out on your other side. “It’s almost annoying.”

“Yeah, and you always have this weird look in your eyes whenever you see him,” Julie nudged you with her shoulder. “Like you’re always wanting him so bad,” she said with a forced sensual voice. “I bet the sex is amazing.”

“I don’t think you should be talking about Y/N’s sexual lif–” Sunoo tried to interrupt the subject, noticing your discomfort for being smashed between two – sometimes – very indecent girls. 

“No, but like. She never talks about it. I’m so curious,” Julie whined. “They say the quiet ones are the worst.”

The whistle indicating the last quarter of the practice was over and you jumped out of your seat, running down the stairs to meet Heeseung, not only to be with him but mostly to avoid Julie and Yunjin's inconvenient questions. You didn’t feel comfortable enough to tell them about anything sex related, since they both were very sexually active and their actions seemed a bit off whenever you became the topic of the conversation. 

“What’s with the hurry, baby?” Heeseung smiled big while hugging you when you jumped on his arms, caring little to nothing about his sweat sticking to your skin. 

“Missed you,” you said muffled against his neck, your heart beating fast while you felt him moving you to walk on your back, still clinging onto him.

He stopped walking at some point and you let go of him. “I gotta take a shower. I’m getting you all dirty, angel,” your cheeks burned with how you interpreted his words, widened eyes as you looked at him. Heeseung noticed it. “Hey, you dirty minded girl, I’m talking about my sweat on you,” he sneaked his arm around your shoulder, pulling you into him to walk with you towards the locker room. 

“I don’t think your explanation makes it less worse.”

He laughed out loud, throwing his head back with your audacious phrase and typically you would find it endearing how he looked so handsome smiling big. This time you paid more attention to his neck and how his Adam’s apple seemed more attractive than ever. His sweat dripping out of his honeyed skin was doing no good to you as well, messing with your head, filling it with horny thoughts.

When you arrived, you patiently waited for Heeseung outside the locker room, greeting a few team’s members you’ve come to know, since it’s become a routine for you to be around.

You were playing on your phone when he left the room, glancing at you with a pretty smile and offering you his hand.

You two walked your way to the parking lot, a common everyday thing you started doing after the days he had practice. Oftenly you would be in his car for a few minutes, sharing caresses and sweet talks, before he drove you to your dorm. 

“Will you watch me tomorrow?” He asked with sparkly, expectant eyes, swinging your arms.

“Of course I will, Hee,” you looked at his side profile. “Don’t forget, I’m the team’s lucky charm,” you winked playfully at him, remembering one of your firsts dialogues alone with him. 

“Yeah,” he stopped walking to pull you closer by the waist, his voice softened. “And I don’t know what to do without you,” his eyes glazed on yours for a while, dripping affection. It took just a second for his lips to find its home on yours, kissing you slow and sweet, enjoying every bit of your addicting taste.

He parted with a little smack sound, pecking your lips a few times. Your breath hitched with his tender touch. He held your hand again so you could keep walking. 

“The coach was afraid of me dating you, he said you could be a distraction to me and bla-bla-bla,” he huffed a laugh, you, on the other hand, froze. Dating? “Little did he know you’re the main reason I have a good performance. I need to impress my girl.”

You had a very shocking expression on your face when Heeseung looked at you to see why you went quietly suddenly. You stopped on your tracks and turned to him, lips parted as you blinked without saying a thing. 

“What?” Heeseung cocked his head, his bambi, confused eyes shined, trying to read you.

“We’re dating?”

“Oh,” he scratched the back of his head nervously. “I never asked yo–”

“You never asked me–” You both said at the same time and stopped, also at the same time. 

Heeseung cleared his throat and with a deep breath he rested his eyes on yours, automatically smiling. “Well, if you’re okay with it, I’d love to call what we have dating.” He said adorably with his hand squeezing yours, “I just assumed we were on the same page, but I’m okay if you don’t want to define it or wanna talk about it more. I’m always all ears for you, Y/N.” He leaned in slightly, his eyes never leaving your. “I mean, I just wanna be with you, and if you are fine with me calling you my girlfriend, then I’d be more than happy to call you that.”

All his words sounded like babbling to you, because that moment, in the middle of the parking lot, you heart skipped a beat as you realized you were so fucking in love with Lee Heeseung. 

You were sure you had heart eyes while staring at his anticipating expression, and you couldn’t care less. You pushed yourself forward so you could kiss him passionately, his hands coming to hold you by your jawline, moving so slowly, so lovingly, so sincerely.

It was a different kiss, it was a love kiss, a confessional kiss, a kiss you only were able to have because of its genuine intentions. 

“I’d love to call you my boyfriend, Hee,” you whispered against his mouth, smiling brightly as he shared the same expression, the same emotion.

As intense as a final game normally is, you couldn’t help but tap your feet on the ground, to the point of you standing up to pace back and forth. The rival university was ten points ahead in the fourth quarter and the minutes were ticking down.

You could see Heeseung's tensed body from afar, the seat you had helping nothing with the view of the game – you took advantage of being the captain's girlfriend to ask to watch the game from up close. But it was your worst decision so far, because you barely saw anything. 

The tension was palpable in the air, your breath caught in your throat at every pass. Your university team managed to close the gap at some point, and when you looked at the clock, the 10 seconds countdown was shining.

Your heart dropped when you saw Heeseung’s bold move of stealing the ball from one of the opposing team member, the crowd yelling as he sprinted down the court, for a fraction of seconds you catched his glance at you, before he focused fully in dribbling whoever entered his way, and then he launched himself into the air, his perfect form aiming directly for the three point line. 

Everything became slow motion as you watched the ball going straight through the hoop, the whole gym exploding with loud cheers as you yourself jumped and hugged whoever were near you with a big smile.

The whole team crowded Heeseung to celebrate, everyone of them shining big smiles but you paid attention to only one. And the said one was searching for you in the sidelines. He broke free from them to jog to you, who also was running in his direction. You jumped on his arms, wrapping your arms around his neck and he swirled you while screaming excitedly. “We did it!” 

“You did it, Hee. I knew you could do it.” You answered as happily as him, laughing with joy and tightening the hug. 

Heeseung softly landed you on the ground, his eyes gleaming with his victory. He cupped your face with his large hands, pulling you into an eagerly sweet kiss, no trophy topping the feeling of having you like that.

The cheers grew louder as everyone watched the romantic scene, however nothing seemed real around you two, lost in the bubble you’ve created. “I did it for you, angel,” he murmured against your lips, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I told you before. I have to impress my girl,” and then he kissed you again, your smiles you shared mingling between breaths and small pecks, before he hugged you tightly one more time.

The celebration went for a while. From afar, you observed Heeseung being surrounded by his friends and teammates, getting praised for his skills and how well he did that match. 

You watched from afar how bright and full of joy Heeseung was, his whole face glowing, surrounded by his friends and teammates, celebrating the win, getting showered with praise by everyone. There was a faint blush on his cheeks, and you couldn’t help but remember all the times he got flustered by your compliments, his shy smile in contrast with his darkened eyes, as if your words woke something inside him. You made a mental note to take a little advantage of that later on. 

“The guys left the house for me tonight,” Heeseung murmured as he finally approached you already outside the building, placing his hands on your waist while yours naturally settled on his shoulders. His voice dropped to a tone only you knew the meaning of.

Instantly, your heart skipped a beat. “Yeah?” Your voice came out low.

You took in every detail of his beautiful face, his demeanor now softened since a big part of the adrenaline had left his body by now. Despite that, his eyes still sparkled with adoration and a hint of desire. Heeseung licked his lips, sucking his lower one while shifting his gaze between your mouth and your adorable, innocent, yet lustful eyes. 

“Yeah,” he mildly nodded, leaning in closer, but he unfortunately got interrupted by a voice you recognized immediately. Your eyes grew wide.

“Look at you two!” Julie squealed with a smile, clapping excitedly. “You did amazing, Heeseung.” She complimented your boyfriend giving two thumbs up, and you tried to hide your embarrassment by tilting your head towards Heeseung’s chest, who hugged you sideways. 

Yunjin, who was with Julie, nodded in agreement, also smiling. “Yeah, that last point was incredible,” she added, giving your shoulder a teasing nudge to whisper closer to you. “I bet you’re dying to get out of here, huh?”

“Thank you,” Heeseung said with a smile, while you gave an awkward grin in response to Yunjin.

“We’ll leave you two alone,” Julie said with a wink. “Looks like someone’s eager for some private time.” With a final ‘goodbye’ and ‘good luck,’ Julie and Yunjin left, leaving you with an astonished, shy expression, and Heeseung with a contained mischievous grin. 

“I’m sorry about them,” you whispered, watching them go before searching for Heeseung’s eyes just to see them already glancing playfully at you.

“Are they lying, though?” Heeseung asked with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.

You smacked his chest, unable to give a proper response as you buried your face on his neck, muffling a quiet “Stop,” while he hugged you and let it out a precious laugh.

“But… Can I take you to my place today?” His question sounded a bit hesitant, still sweet as honey, while his fingers gently caressed your back. “We don’t have to do anything, I just wanna be with you,” he explained with kind eyes after you released yourself from his embrace to face him.

You nodded, “You can,” and offered him a small, genuine smile, making him lose control with your beauty and cuteness and kiss you before heading to his car with you.

The drive was calm, nonetheless your body was pretty tense on the car seat. Your brain was spinning with that night’s outcome. While you had an intense desire to finally have Heeseung the way you dreamed of, you couldn’t help but feel anxious about it too.

You craved his body, his touches, his lips, overall, him. And he had demonstrated to be a good guy so far. Heeseung respected your boundaries, always making sure you felt comfortable even with the minimal invasive touches, like when he tried to touch under your skirt one day and you startled in response. He murmured a billion “I’m sorry’s” after the episode, and that alone had your heart fluttering in passion, allowing him to slide his bold touches wherever he wanted to, but never further enough to have you fully.

You gulped down your nervousness, looking at Heeseung’s side profile illuminated by the night lights – his honeyed skin was glowing, his black hair messy with sweat, some strands of hair sticking on his exposed forehead, his perfect nose and kissable lips, everything made you dive into your dirtiest thoughts.

You only noticed you arrived at his house when he broke the silence by announcing it, opening the door for you and grabbing your hands instantly as he led you inside the house all the way to his room.

“Imma take a quick shower, okay?” You nodded. “Make yourself comfortable. Don’t be shy.” He pecked your lips before heading to his bathroom.

You sat on the edge of his bed, analyzing how simple his room seemed to be – just the right amount of things he needed to have, like a wardrobe, a big bed and his gamer computer setup. Being in one’s room, for you, always felt like an act of intimacy itself. 

You were in the same place he changed clothes, he listened to his favorite music, he played his favorite games, he studied… And the same place he touched himself, he had sex with other persons, he had wet dreams…

“Fuck,” you whispered to yourself, fidgeting your fingers even faster. Your panties got slightly dampened and your body overheated just by thinking of how close you were to Heeseung right now, although you didn’t even had him in your sight.

The sound of the shower turning off indicating he was done showering had your stomach fluttering because he was about to come out of the bathroom, and not a single soul in the earth had you prepared to face his upper body all in display to you – his toned chest were a bit red because of the hot water, being accentuated by a subtle abs, his arms muscles contracting as he dried off his hair.

Heeseung’s boxers peeked through the hem of his sweatshorts, and you swore to God you saw a single droplet of water running all the way down in his beautiful, hot, tanned skin, stopping on his V-line. 

“Are you hungry?” Heeseung’s voice broke you out of your trance, finally making you stare at his face instead of his body. He didn’t deny that your voracious eyes eating him alive send signals directly to his dick, making it twitch inside his clothes. He watched you blink two, three, four times with an unreadable expression, making him frown. “Y/N?”

“Y–yeah?” You snapped out of your imagination of kissing, licking, sucking every part of his body, feeling his skin through your lips. Your mouth watered, but not because of hunger for food. 

“Do you wanna order a delivery or something?” Heeseung cocked his head, shamelessly checking you out as well. If you had the right to devour him with your intense gaze, he had it too, undressing you with his eyes while biting his bottom lip. 

Your skirt was placed gently on your thighs, your tight crop top evidenced your breast and a little part of your belly was being shown, all too tempting to him, eager to see more of your body.

You swallowed hard, trying to concentrate on anything but your desire of having Heeseung fucking you, failling disastrously. “Um, sure. Sounds good,” you managed to say, your voice clearly trembling as your breath got stuck on your airways.

You had to contain a whimper when Heeseung took a step closer, his towel now hanging in his shoulders as he towered you, lifting your head with two fingers holding your chin. “What do you wanna eat, angel?” He questioned, and he was definitely not talking about food anymore at this point.

You felt the heat increase in your stomach, your body shivering with his light, warm touch, acting like it was in withdrawal of whatever he could give you. And you wished so hard for him to offer you everything. 

“I– I don’t know,” you murmured, blinking slowly, parted lips letting out your hitched breath. “What’s your suggestion?” You forced yourself to take a glance at his look, gasping slightly with how he had shifted to an almost breathtaking lascivious one, slightly hooded, serious and attractive just the right amount to make you squirm uncomfortably in your seat.

“I’m afraid my suggestion does not involve food, my love.” Heeseung’s voice dropped a few tones as he bended forward to lean closer, inches away from you, his warm air brushing against your face, his gaze savoring every single one of your reactions.

“What–” You bit your lip. “What does it involve, then?” You asked under breath, a burn sensation taking place on your cheeks as Heeseung’s grin grew. Your pulse increased in the silent, yet full of unspoken desires, room. 

“Well,” he murmured, eyes almost closing as he got closer and closer, lips now touching lightly yours, as he said “I might have to show you. Would you let me?”

Your answer came through actions, your hands quickly took place on his neck and pulled him down to you, tossing the towel to the floor while your mouth chased for his’, desperate for a kiss. It took Heeseung just seconds to react to your intensity, kindly pushing you to lay down on the bed as you tried to keep your lips occupied while moving upwards in a comfortable position; Heeseung crawling on the mattress, never daring to break out the touch.

His fingers dug into your waist while his other arm supported his weight, grinding slowly against your body, pressing his hardened cock on your clothed cunt in order to get any friction he could. A moan escaped your lips, muffled by the kiss, as the heat between your bodies intensified, the thought of causing that reaction in Heeseung making you feel even hotter, more impatient, more desperate for anything he was giving you.

His mouth was working wonders – hot, skilled, passionate as he sucked your tongue, his little groans getting lost in the middle of the kiss. At the same time your fingers brushed his naked chest, his hands infiltrated under your shirt, and your body instantly reacted to the feel of his warm and smooth skin on yours.

Though Heeseung had waited for what felt like ages to have you underneath him like that, he was aware of your insecurities and the fact that it was your first time. Despite how your body responded to his touch, he knew that taking it slow was the right choice, so he made sure you felt safe and cherished as he savored every second. 

Heeseung unhurried his movements, gently parting the kiss to catch his breath and taking the opportunity to enjoy the view – your parted, glistened and swollen-kissed lips, your hooded eyes, hiding your lust behind them, but showing him adoration. He smiled, placing a sweet, tender kiss on your jawline, downing to your neck and collarbone, getting drunk on your scent with his lips trailing kind and lascivious touches on your skin.

You grabbed his hair with your hands, pulling Heeseung even closer to your body – as if it was possible – in a way of distracting the anxiety building up on your core. But then you pushed him away, and he showed you a confused gaze. 

You smiled shyly and moved your hands so you could undress yourself from your shirt and toss it onto the floor, revealing part of your gorgeous body to his eyes, your breasts placed in your black bra attracting his attention.

“You’re beautiful,” Heeseung whispered, filled with sincerity and care, looking at you as if you were the most precious thing in the world, the most cherished treasure he ever had, with the perfect mix of desire, eyes dripping the need of having more of you.

His touches were light as he traced his fingers from your waist all the way to your clothed boobs, his eyes never leaving yours, taking in every little reaction, every little sound. He paused to ask tenderly. “Can I take these off?” And when you nodded and helped him to remove your bra, he smiled, not holding back his delighted sigh at the sight of your pretty and hardened nipples.

You felt exposed and your cheeks flushed with a dark ton of red, you had nowhere to hide so you just let Heeseung adore you, until his mouth placed kisses near your breasts, giving you time to assimilate that new experience.

You couldn’t hold back an audible gasp when his lips brushed your sensitive bud, his hot tongue swirling it to suck right after, not too intense, not too light, just the right amount, as if he knew exactly what to do with your body to make you go insane.

“Hee–” you moaned his name when drifted to give the proper attention to your other boob while his hand massaging the already a bit swollen one.

The sound of your voice whining Heeseung’s name sent a wave of electricity all over his body, directly to his neglected dick. While he kept going down with his mouth through your belly until he reached the hem of your skirt, he humped slightly on whatever could give him some friction on his sensitive bulge.

He halted his movements when he achieved your inner thighs to look at you with reassuring eyes and a soft smile. “Tell me to stop if you want me to,” his lips kissed the area and you tensened your legs, not used to being touched in there. However, if it felt too good and in no world you wanted Heeseung to stop.

“I trust you, Hee.”

And Heeseung couldn’t ask for a better way of you saying what he needed to hear. He kept placing hot kisses on your thighs and you bent your knee, the position giving him the full view of your ruined panties, a pool of arousal making it stick to your cunt, the drawing of your folds making its personal show right in front of his eyes.

Heeseung’s mouth watered. He remembered every time he imagined being buried between your legs and, God, he didn’t know if he would be able to hold himself down on this one.

“Would you be okay if I–” He gulped, searching for your eyes, which were already glancing at his drunk-looking figure with curiosity. You never saw that expression on Heeseung’s face, and for some reason it made your clit pulse, clenching around nothing. “If I eat you out? You can say no if you don’t feel comfortable doing it on your first time, but I would appreciat–”

“I meant it when I said I trust you.”

You cut off his ramble for two reasons: one, because you weren’t prepared to hear his speech that would pretty much make you feel even more embarrassed; two, you were desperate for some relieve, your body literally aching in desire to feel your release, and if his hot mouth and tongue felt that good on your skin, you shivered just by the thought of having them on your sensitive area.

“Thank you,” Heeseung sounded really relieved that you accepted his request. “I’ll remove your skirt, is that okay?” He asked softly and you nodded, hands gripping on the sheets without knowing much more what to do.

Heeseung tossed your clothing piece on the floor, and when he was about to prepare himself to dive into your pussy, you grabbed his hair. He instantly stopped what he was doing, his heart did a flip with the thought of you giving up on your words, although he would obey whatever your decision was. 

But when he looked at you, he noticed your shy smile. “Can you remove your shorts too?”

He let out a little chuckle, “Of course,” and stood up to do what you asked so adorably for him to do.

You enjoyed the view of his dick hard inside his, now, tightened boxer. You wondered if he would fit in you, but you didn’t have time to think much of it as he went back to his position, gaze shifting between your clothed cunt and your anxious eyes. “Are you okay, princess? Remember, you can always ask me to stop.”

“Yes, Hee. I’m okay,” your voice came out between hitched breaths. “Please, do something, it’s hurting,” you pleaded with a little whine, and that was the green sign for Heeseung to sigh and groan by the sight of you, needy of his mouth on your pussy. 

He placed a delicate kiss right on your clothed clit, simply for you to feel comfortable with your area being touched for the first time. Heeseung heard your little moan before losing himself in his mind, distributing hot touches with his lips all over the area. 

He then removed your last piece of cloth, the view of your pussy in full display made him swallow hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he did so, his cock throbbing inside his boxers.

You had your eyes closed, trying to ignore the fact you were very exposed, to focus on the amazing feeling of Heeseung’s hot breath directly where you needed him the most. You moaned when his tongue licked experimentally your folds. 

Heeseung slipped his hands under your legs to hold you in a position he gained a better support and kept you open for him as he worked on your cunt. 

Your sweet taste melted on his mouth as he ate you out willingly, the tip of his nose brushing on your sensitive clit as he skillfully moved his head to stimulate you in as many areas as he could – his tongue teasing to enter in your entrance, the foreign feeling making you squirm in a bit of a discomfort that quickly waved out of your body because of how good your clit being stimulated was making you feel.

It was a mix of sensations you never really felt; you had touched yourself before, but nothing compares to Heeseung’s amazing mouth and tongue licking, sucking and making out with your pussy. You could feel the knot forming on your stomach as you tensed your body. 

“Heeseung,” you moaned a bit loud. “I think I’m close–” 

Heeseung broke out of the trance he got himself into to listen to you, afterall he wanted to take care of you. “I want you to cum on my mouth, is that okay princess?” He asked between little pecks and licks on your folds and clit. You nodded, not knowing exactly if he was seeing you do so.

“Could you look at me, angel?” He questioned, his voice sounding too sweet to the lustful view he was offering you. Hair stuck on his forehead, nose and chin glistened with your arousal. “There you go,” he smirked before diving again into your pussy, his eyes now never leaving your face, even when you rolled your eyes and threw your head back, trying hard to keep with his request.

Your orgasm hit almost instantly, the mix of his devilish looks and how he ate you so passionately worked together for you to achieve your release in his mouth, Heeseung drinking not only your juices, but all of your moans and whines. 

He left the area after pecking two, three, four times, and then trailed kisses through your body until he reached the corner of your mouth, watching you breathing heavily with a small smile adorning your lips. 

Heeseung decided not to kiss you right away, not only giving you time to recompose but also avoiding you to feel the taste of yourself in his tongue. He loved you for a while, gently brushing his lips on your skin, kissing once and a while, until he felt your hands caressing his hair, tenderly. 

“Are you alright?” Heeseung questioned after a while, searching for your eyes.

“Mhm,” you nodded lazily. However, you knew it wasn’t the end, and mostly, you wanted more. 

“Do you want to stop?” He caressed your face, moving away some strands of your hair. You shook your head, mischievously smiling. You could feel his still clothed dick literally twitching on your leg, and although your last orgasm was intense and you got a bit tired, you needed to have him even closer to you.

“You are hard as hell, Hee,” you giggled, catching his eyes darkening again. “And I need to feel you inside of me,” you looked at his lips before pulling him down to kiss you properly.

As earlier, the urgency of the touch grew faster and faster, and Heeseung had to remind himself once more that he needed to go slow.

He parted the kiss just to ask with a serious voice “Are you sure about this?” 

“More than anything in my life, Hee. I want you,” you gently caressed his cheek, smiling when he pecked your lips before getting on his feet to finally remove his last clothing piece, revealing his whole body to you.

You swallowed when his dick jumped out of his boxers, throbbing, covered in precum, all because of you. You whined with the view, propping yourself up on your elbows when he got closer to your face since he had to get a condom in his nightstand. Your hand automatically rushed to grab his length, peeking up at his face at the right time to catch his face contorted in shock and then, pleasure.

“Fuck, baby,” he moaned, enjoying the warmth of your skin on his neglected, sensitive cock. It was clear you didn’t know exactly what to do, but the movement of going up and down was enough to make Heeseung’s knees weak. He was weak for you, afterall.

Heeseung let you try out whatever crossed your mind and enjoy yourself for a bit, because it meant you were comfortable enough with him to do so, and your endeared and erotic gaze hypnotized him too strongly for him to stop you.

He made sure to moan your name, watching your body reacting to it, trying his best to make you get wet again and make things easier later. He wasn’t faking it, though. Your hands really were doing wonders on his shaft – he watched you positioning yourself to sit on your knees, face with a faint focused frown as you cupped his tip, moving your hand in circles.

Heeseung rolled his eyes, the sensitive area of his dick getting the attention he needed was sending him out of orbit, and you were using just your hands. 

“You– You have to stop,” he said as he gently held your wrist, halting your movements. His closed eyes prevented him from noticing your guilty expression, until he heard your voice.

“Sorry,” you murmured quietly, thinking you have done something wrong.

“No, baby. It’s not– I almost came,” he admitted. You didn’t know simple words could make your body heat that fast, your stomach instantly did a flip with his sincere confession. 

Heeseung’s lips met yours right away, his body leaning forward so you both could go back to the previous position. 

He placed himself in between your open legs, his gaze softening as he watched your anxious face. “I’m going to prepare you,” he explained with a low voice, kissing your neck as his hands went down to find your folds, touching you to collect your arousal and use it to lubricate his finger, “Don’t forget, your word is what guides me.”

Your body fully tensed when he pressed his digit near your entrance, “Relax, my love,” he murmured and kissed your cheek and then your lips. Your heart fluttered with the pet name. “I’ve got you, okay?”

You nodded, closing your eyes tightly, afraid of the pain you were so sure you would feel, however, Heeseung’s light touches on your sensitive area and the kisses he spread over your face got you distracted, almost making you miss when he slid a finger inside you. Your breath got stuck on your throat and he didn’t move, waiting for your body to adjust to the new intruder. 

“I’ve never– I’ve never ever put anything inside me before, so it’s all new,” you admitted, feeling a mix of embarrassment and relief for verbalizing your discomfort. 

“Yeah? You’re doing great, angel.” Heeseung encouraged, gently pulling his finger out while kissing you. You squirmed, a bit uncomfortable. “Such a good girl for me, mhm?” 

His wording caused you to clench involuntarily around his finger, a reaction which didn’t go unnoticed by Heeseung. He kept kindly pumping his single finger inside you, teasing to add one more as you whined against his mouth, while he whispered sweet words of encouragement.

“You feel so amazing,” Heeseung said, and something popped into his mind. He decided to test the waters with a dirtier talk, his hot breath tickling your ear. “I can’t wait to feel you around me, so tight and wet,” he kissed your earlobe, his husky voice and words making you whole body shiver, “I promise, Y/N, I’ll make you feel so good,” his teeth nibbled your sensitive spot on your neck and you slightly arched your back, moaning, not even noticing when his second finger entered you.

You were panting a bit, messily whining and squirming, your fingers threaded through his hair, gripping it firmly, forcing him into your neck.

“You’re so tight, I don’t think I’ll last long when I get inside you,” Heeseung sounded muffled, loving the way you squeezed even more around his digits. “Can you feel how my fingers stretch you so well, baby?” His question sounded rhetorical to you, because it was obvious you felt the way he stretched you so amazingly good, your toes curling just by that. 

“Hee, please–” You pleaded not quite sure what you were asking for, but your eyes locked onto his with a desperate need. His fingers worked so perfectly inside you, making you wonder how you could be so close to tearing, yearning for his dick, which you never ever had before. 

Heeseung grinned, eyes dripping with desire and fondness, wandering your whole body as he removed his digits from you, “My baby seems a bit desperate, doesn't she?” He teased, chuckling. You watched as he coated his dick with a condom, jerking it off with the precum he collected before to prepare himself for you, never breaking eye contact. He leaned closer. “Don’t worry, I’m just as desperate as you are, my love,” and with that he positioned his tip in your entrance.

You tensed again, but Heeseung's sharp instincts caught the subtle change in your reaction. To help you relax, he covered one of your nipples with his mouth, warm lips sucking the sensitive area, making you moan. His body pressed into yours distracting you from the pain as well.

“Ah–” you gasped, frowning with a flicker of discomfort as he slid his dick inside you; your hands grabbed his shoulders, squeezing with a certain strength as you tried to get over the burning feeling in your cunt.

Heeseung was on the verge of insanity, his sensitive cock aching with your walls tightening around it, so eager for some more friction. He had to dig self control from the deepest place of his mind in order to keep going. 

“Shh. I’ve got you, my love,” he kissed your wrist, and then your shoulder, and then your neck, and then your cheeks, and finally your lips, while slowly getting himself fully inside of you, moaning as he did so. “You drive me crazy,” he murmured against your lips, loving how messy you were kissing him, your expression changing little by little from a discomfortable to a pleasant one. 

Heeseung remained still for a moment, making out with you while waiting for your body to adjust to his dick. You gently waved your hips forward with a little groan at some point, a silent plea to get more of what he was offering you, and he got the sign immediately. 

With a tender smile and after pressing his lips in yours once more, Heeseung began to move, thrusting into you with a necessary slowness at first, that became unneeded the second you started to feel only the delight of being full.

His tip rubbed a certain spot in you that made you flutter your eyes shut while rolling them, moaning loud. “You liked that, angel?” He asked, desperate to pound harder and faster onto you, still controlling himself. “Tell me, please,” he looked at your lips parted, his name being the only thing coming out of them.

“Y–yes, Hee. It’s so fucking good– Ah,” you threw your head back in the pillow, his response to your compliment making him thrust deeper. “You feel so good, fuck.”

Needless to say that your praise to Heeseung’s work was enough for him to almost fully lose his inner battle of going easier with you. His head rested beside yours and while his movements grew faster, your voice got louder and louder; your fingernails sinking into the skin of his back, his moan close to your ear making you see stars with the overwhelming feeling. 

“I’m close,” you whispered, feeling the known knot on your stomach growing stronger as Heeseung kept pounding into your g-spot. You opened your eyes to lock eyes with him, who already had positioned himself to do the same – both of you wanting to see each other reaching their respective climax. 

“Come for me, princess,” he demanded with a groan. “Show me how good I’m making you feel.”

The view of Heeseung’s forehead damped in sweat with strand of hairs sticking to it, his parted lips every so often being bit by his teeth while letting out the prettiest sounds and his heavy breaths, his eyes showing your affection, desire, urgency in achieving his own release, and his dirty words, all of it blended together, worked perfectly for you to achieve your orgasm.

A strong wave of desperation and pleasure ran over your body and took you milliseconds to cum all over Heeseung’s dick with a loud moan, your pussy tightening harder around his cock while he drove you through your high at the same time he chased for his own. 

“Fuck,” Heeseung moaned, keeping thrusting faster and faster, a frown of concentration adorning his forehead and then he saw you, pretty face contorted in pleasure, your mouth letting out the hottest moans of his name. You felt his cum filling up the condom inside you the same time he moaned your name, making you hiss while he pumped into you a bit more. Eventually he removed himself from you, flopping into your body, tired. 

You thought you just had hit cloud nine with the amount of joy and excitement running inside you. A sense of realization making you smile brightly. You enjoyed the sound of your respirations working its best to recompose itself and Heeseung’s heartbeats against your chest.

“I have to say,” your voice came out a bit husky as you lovingly caressed Heeseung’s sweaty back. “Now I do accept the food.”

You heard Heeseung chuckle on your neck, before he kissed there and then your lips. “Yeah, me too.”

The morning after your first night together with Heeseung was filled with doubts.

After the sex, you both got cleaned up and ate the said delivery while watching something on the tv.

Obviously Heeseung didn’t let you go back to your dorm, needing to feel your warm embrace as much as possible. So you two slept together on his big bed, cuddling.

But then you woke up earlier than him, and you took your sweet time to appreciate his serene expression, deep in his sleep – his soft breath, his pretty eyelashes, his slightly parted lips. You sighed, a weird feeling eating away you inside, afraid of being left alone after the last night.

What if he said all of that just to have you one time? What if he did all he did just for that moment to happen? What if he didn’t really mean any of his words? What if he didn’t enjoyed it the way you did?

“What’s with the frown?”

You startled with Heeseung’s groggy voice breaking the silence of the room. “Nothing,” you awkwardly smiled and of course Heeseung didn’t buy it.

“Tell me,” he blinked slowly to focus on your pretty face, snuggling his body into yours. “Tell me what’s going on in this pretty head of yours, my love.”

You gulped, heart racing with his new way of calling you. 

Love.

You got lost in your mind for a while before asking “Will you leave me now?” The question came out a bit more stupid than you expected, but at the same time, it was sincere. 

Heeseung propped himself up on his elbow to give you a proper look. He removed the hair from your face with a gentle touch, caressing your cheeks with the same amount of care. His voice sounded low. “No,” he shook his head, eyes full of adoration, endearment, and love. “I’ll not leave you. Actually, I’m even more attached to you, my love,” his, oh, so known smirk tugged the corner of his lips. “I’m not going anywhere, unless you want me to.”

You hurried to shake your head, taking in every detail of his pretty features. 

“Then I’m staying, and I’ll be taking anything you offer to me,” Heeseung kissed your lips in a different way. Slow, tender, filled with this new emotion – love.

You parted the kiss to look into his sparkly eyes, smiling.

“Then I offer you my everything, Heeseung.”

Holy shit this is so good—

OFF THE FIELD ➽ L.HS | 18+

PAIRING: football captain ! lee heeseung x tennis player ! afab reader. GENRE: smut, friends to lovers. SYNOPSIS: being friends with heeseung was hard, especially when you couldn't help but want to get fucked by him. but the plan turned into something else when you accidentally made him jealous. WARNINGS: smut, nsfw, mdni, friends to lovers, unprotected sex (please don't), kisses, contains cuss words, sexual content, fingering, boob play, dirty talk, pinning, marking, public setting, bondage, blind fold, hand cuffs, physical punishment, food play, rough, jealousy, possessiveness, lmk if I missed anything. WORD COUNT: 5.1k. (a/n: help— I just had this random idea and knew that I needed to make it asap. so here it is, I hope it's not too boring <3)

Being friends with Heeseung was hard. Not because you were envious of the girls who constantly fawned over him, but because your desire for him had grown into something you couldn’t ignore. Every smile, every laugh, every touch lingered in your mind long after you’d left his side, haunting you with the fantasy of what it would be like to have more. To have him.

The thought had become an obsession, one you indulged whenever you found yourself alone in your room, the door locked and curtains drawn. Today was no different. You lay sprawled across your bed, legs parted and back arched, with your clothes discarded in a messy heap on the floor. A smutty book was held in one hand, its pages creased from how often you’d returned to the same scene—the one that always set your imagination ablaze.

"His knee placed itself between her legs as she grinded against it, ruining his pants." The words sent a shiver down your spine, every line feeding the vivid image in your mind, only it wasn’t some faceless character; it was Heeseung. It was always Heeseung.

Your free hand moved with practiced ease, fingers pumping in and out of your wet heat as you tried to mimic what you thought his touch would feel like. Your breath hitched, lips parted as you gasped softly, the dull sound of your slick movements filling the quiet room. You pressed your fingers deeper, arching into the sensation, desperate to chase the high that only thoughts of him could bring.

You imagined his strong hands on your hips, his knee pressing between your thighs, guiding you with that confident smirk you knew all too well. The idea of grinding against him, of feeling the hard muscle of his leg beneath you, made your core tighten, a rush of heat flooding your senses. You quickened your pace, fingers curling just right, as you let the fantasy consume you completely.

Your head fell back against the pillow, your moans growing louder, more desperate. You could almost hear Heeseung’s voice, low and teasing, urging you on, telling you how good you felt, how perfect you were for him. The thought of him seeing you like this, legs spread and completely undone by the mere idea of him, sent a jolt of pleasure through you.

You bit your lip, trying to stifle the sounds escaping your throat as your hips bucked against your hand, the tension building rapidly. The book slipped from your grasp, forgotten as your need overtook you. You closed your eyes, surrendering to the fantasy fully—Heeseung’s weight above you, his breath hot against your neck, the rough drag of his knee between your thighs, and the deep, aching pressure of him finally inside you.

Your climax hit you suddenly, your whole body tensing as you cried out, your fingers working frantically to prolong the blissful wave of pleasure. The image of Heeseung burned brightly behind your eyelids, his name almost slipping from your lips in the throes of your release. As the intensity slowly ebbed, you collapsed back onto the bed, chest heaving and skin flushed, still haunted by the lingering sensation of what it would be like to have him for real.

You lay there, the room heavy with the scent of your arousal, heart still racing as the reality of your solitary pleasure settled in. Being friends with Heeseung was hard, but wanting him like this, with every fiber of your being, was so much harder.

“All the best for the match,” Heeseung said, his voice smooth and confident as he flashed you a smile that made your heart stutter. His dark eyes sparkled with a warmth that always seemed to melt your resolve, and for a moment, you found yourself lost in the depths of his gaze. Heeseung was effortlessly charismatic, his presence commanding the space around him, and you couldn’t help but get caught up in his orbit every time.

“Hmm…” was all you managed to mutter in response, your voice barely above a whisper. You tried to play it cool, but the way your breath hitched gave you away. Heeseung didn’t seem to notice, though—or if he did, he didn’t let on. He just gave you a playful wink before jogging off towards the football field, the muscles in his legs flexing with every stride, his figure quickly swallowed by the throng of players warming up.

You tore your gaze away, feeling the heat creep up your neck. You had your own match to worry about, and lingering thoughts of Heeseung wouldn’t help your focus. With a resigned sigh, you made your way to the locker room. The hallway was quiet, the distant echoes of sneakers squeaking on polished floors and the faint shouts from the football field filtering through.

Inside the locker room, you changed into your tennis outfit—short white pleated skirt, a fitted top, and mini shorts underneath to maintain your modesty. As you slipped on your wristbands and tied your hair back into a neat ponytail, you took a moment to steady your breathing.

Your fingers brushed the smooth fabric of your skirt, and you couldn’t help but feel a flicker of confidence. The outfit was both functional and flattering, hugging your form in all the right places, and it gave you a sense of poise as you prepared to step onto the court.

You walked out into the bright afternoon light, your tennis racket in hand, and approached the court where your match was set to take place. The air was electric, a blend of anticipation and the faint scent of freshly cut grass.

Spectators lined the perimeter, their eyes following every move with rapt attention. The rhythmic thud of tennis balls against rackets echoed, mingling with the occasional cheer or gasp from the audience. You could feel the pressure of their gazes, the silent judgment of each swing, each step.

As the match began, you moved fluidly across the court, your feet light and quick on the asphalt. Each time the ball soared toward you, you met it with a sharp, confident strike, the satisfying crack of your racket cutting through the air. Your skirt fluttered with each pivot and jump, but your mini shorts kept you secure, shielding you from the scrutiny of wandering eyes.

The game demanded all of your focus; your senses were attuned to the rhythm of the ball, the strategic placement of your opponent, and the calculated timing of each hit.

Despite the concentration required, your mind kept drifting back to Heeseung. You couldn’t help but wonder if he was watching, even from afar. Was he thinking about you the way you were about him? The tension between you two had been palpable lately—small, lingering touches, the way his eyes would darken when they settled on you for too long, and the subtle, unspoken pull that drew you closer every time.

The sun bore down on you, beads of sweat trickling down your temples, but you powered through each rally, refusing to let fatigue show. The crowd's murmurs grew louder with every successful shot you made, your confidence swelling with each point won. As you neared the end of the match, you saw a familiar figure out of the corner of your eye—Heeseung, standing just outside the crowd, his arms crossed and his gaze fixed intently on you.

He was dressed in his football uniform, his hair slightly damp from practice, and the way his jersey clung to his frame made your pulse quicken. Heeseung’s expression was unreadable, a mix of concentration and something else, something deeper that made your skin tingle. You felt a surge of adrenaline, the heat of his gaze adding fuel to your movements.

With one final, decisive swing, you sent the ball flying past your opponent, sealing your victory. A round of applause erupted, but all you could focus on was Heeseung. He uncrossed his arms, clapping slowly, a small, proud smile tugging at the corners of his lips. As you made your way off the court, you could feel the flush in your cheeks, partly from exertion but mostly from the thrill of knowing he had been watching.

Heeseung met you at the edge of the court, his eyes gleaming with a mix of admiration and something else—something that made your stomach flutter. He stood close, closer than usual, the faint scent of sweat and grass clinging to him, and you could feel the tension crackling between you like static.

“You were amazing out there,” he said, his voice low and warm, carrying that same electric charge. He reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind your ear, his fingers brushing your skin in a way that sent shivers down your spine. “Really. You kicked ass.”

“Thanks,” you replied, your voice trembling slightly under his intense gaze. His hand lingered near your face, and for a moment, you thought he might pull you closer. Your breath caught as his thumb brushed against your cheek, lingering just a second too long, his touch soft yet charged with unspoken intent. The way he looked at you, as if he was fighting the urge to lean in and close the distance, made your heart pound in your chest.

“What’s on your mind?” he asked, his voice husky, his eyes searching yours as if he already knew the answer.

“Just… thinking,” you murmured, unable to meet his gaze directly. You were painfully aware of how close he was, the heat radiating off his body, the way his presence seemed to engulf you entirely. Your fingers tightened around your racket, a flimsy attempt to anchor yourself against the overwhelming urge to lean into him, to let the magnetic pull between you finally snap into place.

“About what?” Heeseung pressed, his voice dropping lower, his breath fanning across your cheek. His proximity was intoxicating, every nerve in your body alight with the promise of what could be.

“About… us,” you confessed, barely audible, but Heeseung heard you. His expression softened, his gaze flickering between your eyes and your lips, as if weighing the gravity of your words.

Heeseung’s hand slid to the back of your neck, his thumb tracing light circles that sent sparks skittering down your spine. He leaned in, his forehead resting against yours, the space between you charged with a simmering tension that begged to be broken.

“I’ve been thinking about us, too,” he whispered, his lips just a breath away from yours, the air thick with unspoken desire. The world around you blurred, the noise of the crowd fading into a distant hum as the two of you stood there, caught in the precipice of something more.

As you stand in the dimly lit boy's changing room, the mirror in front of you reflects the surreal scene unfolding. You didn't know how it happened or when it happened but right now, Heeseung, your best friend, has you pinned against the lockers, your legs wrapped around his waist as he holds you up.

His fingers, long and thick, are buried deep inside you, eliciting gasps and moans from your lips. The smell of sweat and testosterone fills the air, mingling with the scent of your arousal. Heeseung grunts softly, his breath hot against your neck. "You're so tight," he growls. "Like a vice around my fingers." His hips buck against you, his hard length rubbing against your thighs through his football shorts.

You bury your face in his neck, your fingers clutching at his broad shoulders. "Feels so good," you pant. "More, Heeseung. I want more." Your words spur him on, and he adds a third finger, stretching you wide.

Heeseung starts to pump his fingers in and out of you, his thrusts deep and relentless. The sound of his fingers slamming against your pussy echoes through the changing room, mixing with your cries of pleasure. Your legs tremble around him, your toes curling as he hits that sweet spot inside you.

Heeseung's voice is low and commanding. "You like that, baby? You like me stretching out your little hole?" His dirty talk sends shivers down your spine. You nod, unable to speak, and bite down on his shoulder to muffle your moans.

With a grunt he pulls down his shorts along with his boxers, Heeseung lifts you higher and aligns the thick head of his erection with your slick opening. He pauses, his dark eyes locked onto yours in the mirror's reflection. "Ready for me, love?"

He slowly pushes into you once you nod eagerly, the stretch sending a rush of pleasure through your body. You throw your head back, letting out a loud moan as he fills you completely. His cock throbs inside you, the sensation making you quiver.

Heeseung grips your hips tightly, his fingers digging into the flesh. "Look at us," he growls, nodding at the mirror. You look up, your eyes meeting his intense gaze in the reflection. He begins to thrust into you, slowly at first, then harder and faster. As Heeseung fucks you, the sound of your slapping skin and heavy breathing fills the changing room. Your breasts sway with each thrust, your nipples hardening into tight peaks inside your sports bra.

He reaches up to unhook your bra, throw it away and caress your breasts, his fingers brushing against your rigid nipples. You mewl at the sensation, your body tensing as pleasure courses through you. Heeseung's grip on your hips tightens as his pace quickens. "Touch yourself," he demands. "Play with your pretty little pearl while I pound into you."

You obey, reaching down to rub your clit in tight circles. The combination of Heeseung's thick cock and your own fingers sends you hurtling towards an intense orgasm. Your legs shake, your walls clenching around his dick as you scream in ecstasy. "AH! AH! AH!"

Heeseung's face contorts with pleasure as your inner muscles milk his flesh. He lets out a low growl, his voice hoarse as he rasps, "You're going to make me come, baby. Keep squeezing me like that." His words egg you on, and you tighten your legs around him, pulling him deeper with each thrust. He buries his face in your neck, his teeth sinking into your skin as he reaches his peak. He grunts loudly, his hips jerking as he spills into you.

As he finishes, you feel his hot cum filling your pussy, the sensation pushing you over the edge into another intense orgasm. You scream his name, your body shaking violently as wave after wave of pleasure crashes over you. "HEESEUNG! HEESEUNG!"

Heeseung catches his breath as he slowly pulls out, a smug grin on his face. He watches as his cum drips down your inner thighs, leaving you feeling deliciously dirty and satisfied. "Damn."

The entire week had passed in an agonizingly slow blur, and the tension between you and Heeseung was almost unbearable. After finally crossing that line with your best friend—exploring the boundaries of friendship in ways you’d only ever fantasized about—he seemed to vanish from your life entirely.

He didn’t call, didn’t text, and somehow always seemed busy or just plain uninterested whenever you crossed paths. It was driving you crazy. Did he regret it? Did he not enjoy it? Was he simply avoiding the awkwardness? A dozen scenarios ran through your mind, each more unsettling than the last.

Tonight, you were at a party hosted by a mutual friend, a buzzing, crowded house filled with laughter, loud music, and the faint scent of spilled beer. You found yourself in a conversation with Jay, whose playful grin and easygoing charm had always put you at ease. He had an arm casually slung over your shoulder, his presence comforting yet strangely thrilling, as he ruffled your hair in that friendly, older brother kind of way. “You’ve been working out, huh? Your muscles are so big, Jay,” you commented, giving his bicep a squeeze.

You didn’t notice the way Heeseung’s eyes narrowed from across the room, his jaw set in a hard line as he watched the interaction. Jay chuckled, leaning in just a little closer, his breath warm against your ear. “Sweetheart, I’ve got something else even bigger,” Jay teased, a smirk playing on his lips.

Your cheeks flushed a deep crimson, caught off guard by the sudden flirtation, and you quickly turned your gaze away, hiding your embarrassment behind a shy smile.Heeseung’s grip on his drink tightened, his knuckles whitening. Every laugh you shared with Jay felt like a deliberate jab, every touch like a betrayal. He tried to play it cool, leaning against the wall with a casual air, but his eyes told a different story—one of jealousy, frustration, and a growing sense of possessiveness that he couldn’t quite control.

By the time the party ended, Heeseung was practically seething. He watched as you politely waved goodbye to Jay, who winked at you before heading off with a carefree swagger. You didn’t see the way Heeseung’s gaze followed Jay, almost daring him to look back, but it didn’t matter—Jay was oblivious, and you were already heading toward Heeseung’s car.

The drive was tense, the silence between you thick and suffocating. Heeseung’s grip on the steering wheel was firm, his knuckles still pale. His eyes remained fixed on the road, but the stiffness in his posture screamed of pent-up anger and something more—a wounded pride, perhaps, or the sting of seeing you so easily entertained by someone else.

“So, you like Jay or what?” Heeseung finally spoke, his voice laced with a bitter edge that you didn’t immediately catch. You turned to face him, brow furrowing slightly at the question.“I mean, he’s good,” you replied honestly, oblivious to the storm brewing beside you. “He’s nice. And he’s a gentleman.”

Heeseung let out a humorless laugh, shaking his head as he tightened his grip on the wheel. “Gentleman? That guy was undressing you with his eyes the entire night.”

You shrugged, not really sure where this was coming from. “Not that I mind.”

Heeseung’s jaw clenched, a muscle ticking just beneath the skin as he fought to keep his composure. “You don’t mind?” His tone was sharp now, the undercurrent of jealousy unmistakable.

“Hm,” you murmured, looking out the window, trying to ignore the tension between you. It felt suffocating, and for a moment, you wondered if maybe you had pushed too far. But then again, Heeseung had been ignoring you first.

Heeseung exhaled harshly through his nose, the car suddenly feeling too small, too cramped. “You’ll regret that answer,” he muttered, more to himself than to you. You glanced over at him, catching the flicker of something dark and possessive in his eyes—a promise of payback, of making you realize just how much he wanted you to be his, and only his.

He pulled the car abruptly into an empty parking lot, the tires screeching slightly as he parked with more force than necessary. Before you could question what was happening, he was out of the car, rounding the front with long, determined strides. He yanked open your door, the sudden rush of cool night air sending a shiver down your spine.

“What are you doing?” you asked, startled as Heeseung pulled you out, his grip firm yet careful, his eyes blazing with something you hadn’t seen before.

“Showing you exactly why you don’t need Jay,” Heeseung replied, his voice low, almost a growl, as he backed you up against the side of the car. His hands found your waist, fingers digging in just enough to send a spark of anticipation racing through your veins. He leaned in, his breath hot against your ear as he whispered, “I’m the only one you should be thinking about.”

Before you could respond, his lips were on yours—demanding, urgent, and filled with all the frustration and desire that had been building up between you. His hands roamed freely, tugging at your clothes with an impatience that spoke of his need to claim you, to remind you that he was the one who knew you best, who could make you feel this way.

There, against the cold metal of the car, you felt the full force of Heeseung’s jealousy and longing, the heat of his touch igniting every nerve in your body. He kissed you like he was trying to prove a point, his mouth hot and insistent against yours, each kiss a reminder that no one else could ever compare.

As his hands slid under your shirt, his touch leaving a trail of fire in its wake, you realized that Heeseung had no intention of letting you forget what you shared. He wasn’t just your best friend anymore—he was the one who had seen you, wanted you, and wasn’t afraid to fight for you. And in that moment, you knew that whatever this was between you, it was far from over.

Heeseung watched you squirm with a mixture of frustration and desire. He had wanted to punish you, to make you feel a fraction of the hurt he'd felt when he saw you with Jay. He paced around the room, his jaw clenched, hands balled into fists.

He paused by the dresser, running his fingers over the cold metal handcuffs. A dark thought crossed his mind, and he picked them up, along with a silk blindfold. He approached the bed, his steps heavy with intent.

He gently lifted your head, securing the blindfold over your eyes before turning his attention to the handcuffs. He fastened one to your wrist, the cold metal biting into your skin. He then attached the other end to the headboard, leaving you helpless and trapped.

You whimpered softly, your heart racing with fear and anticipation. Heeseung's breath was hot against your ear as he leaned in to speak. “You're going to stay like this until I'm done punishing you,” he whispered, his voice low and menacing. “And I'm just getting started.”

He dragged his fingers down your arms, your sides, your thighs, igniting goosebumps on your skin. He paused at your knees, lifting one leg and placing it on his shoulder. You felt exposed, vulnerable, as he ran his hands up your inner thigh, his touch maddeningly light.

Heeseung continued his merciless punishment, his hands and objects unknown to you, working in tandem to break you down emotionally and physically. The blindfold and handcuffs left you at his mercy, unable to escape or even anticipate his next move.

First, it was the ice. He trailed cubes up your thighs, over your belly, and between your breasts. You hissed at the cold touch, writhing on the bed. He chuckled darkly, “Cold, baby?” Without warning, he pressed an ice cube against your warm, wet center. You gasped, the sensation intense and overwhelming. You heard the clinking of ice against a glass, and then his voice, “You're so hot, and I'm making you cold. How does that feel, hmm?”

He held the ice cube against your pussy for what felt like an eternity, the cold seeping into your core. Tears pricked at the corners of your eyes as the pain and discomfort mounted. Every now and then, he'd press the ice cube against your clit, making you scream into the blindfold.

“Please, Heeseung, I can't take it anymore!” you pleaded, your voice shaking with tears. “Shut up,” he replied coldly, pressing the ice cube against your sensitive clit once more. ”You're not allowed to speak until I say so.”

You bit your lip to keep from crying out, your body tensing as he continued the torturous punishment. He ran the ice-cold cube up and down your folds, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly, never giving you what you truly wanted. “Heeseung, please...”

Heeseung silenced you with a sharp tap on your inner thigh. “I thought I told you to shut up,” he growled. “Now, you've earned yourself a little extra punishment. Open your mouth.” You hesitantly parted your lips, and he slid the ice cube into your mouth.

Heeseung watched as the ice melted against your tongue, a cold tear trickling down your cheek. “Now, I'm going to fuck you with this vibrator,” he announced, pulling a sleek black toy from his pocket. Heeseung's words sent a shiver down your spine, the unknown heightening your senses. You felt the cool silicone toy press against your entrance, and you clenched your teeth around the melting ice cube in your mouth. He slowly pushed the toy inside you, inch by inch, stretching you deliciously.

"Now, let's see how long you can keep quiet,” Heeseung taunted, turning the toy to a low hum. Your breath hitched as the vibrations washed over you. He leaned close, his breath warm against your ear. “Remember, no speaking, no making a sound, no matter what.”

Heeseung's eyes glinted with determination. “This is going to be a long punishment.” He circled the vibrator around your clit, making you squirm in his grasp. Then he began to thrust it in and out of you, gradually increasing the speed. Your mouth was still stuffed with the melting ice cube, and you desperately tried to stifle your cries as the toy battered against your g-spot. Heeseung added the ice cube to the mix, pressing it against your asshole while the vibrator continued its merciless assault on your pussy.

Sweat beaded on your brow as you bit down on the ice to muffle your whimpers. The cold and heat mixed within you, overwhelming your senses. Heeseung intensified the torture by slapping your thighs and breasts, leaving reddened marks on your skin. Your hands were cuffed above your head, leaving you helpless and at his mercy. You begged and pleaded, desperate to touch him, to feel his cock against your lips, but Heeseung remained firm. “Not until you learn to keep quiet,” he hissed, the vibrator still buzzing furiously inside you.

With each unfulfilled thrust, your resolve crumbled. You let out a muffled cry, your body bucking against the handcuffs and the cold sheets. Heeseung paused, his face hard. “Looks like someone needs more training.” Heeseung pulled the vibrator out of you, leaving a shivering and needy mess. His fingers traced your thighs, up to your hips, to your breasts, and finally to your jaw. He squeezed it gently before whispering, “Beg me again.”

You were already panting and desperate, but you mustered your strength and whispered, “Please, let me touch you. Please, I need you inside me.” Heeseung smirked and slowly lowered his head between your thighs. Heeseung's tongue traced circles around your clit, driving you to the brink of madness. You arched off the bed, straining against the handcuffs as he increased his tempo. Your cries became moans, then sobs as the pleasure became almost unbearable.

Just as you were about to shatter, Heeseung stopped. He rose from the bed, leaving you breathless and unfulfilled. “Not yet,” he said coolly, and walked out of the room. You heard the distant jingling of keys and the hum of the refrigerator. Moments later, he returned, carrying a tub of ice cream and a spoon. “Since you can't keep quiet, maybe some cold dessert will help,“ he taunted. He sat beside you and slowly fed you spoonfuls of the cold, sweet ice cream, ignoring your frustrated whimpers.

Heeseung scooped another spoonful and held it above your mouth. As you opened to accept it, he gently pressed the cold treat against your lips, then trailed it down your chin, across your chest, and between your breasts, coating your skin with the sticky sweetness.

He continued to spread the ice cream over your body, circling your breasts, pinching the hardened peaks, then dragging the cold, wet spoon down your quivering belly, and finally, parting your thighs to coat your swollen, throbbing folds.

He traced the edge of the spoon along your nether lips, leaving a cold, tingling sensation in its wake. You gasped, arching your back, moaning softly as he began to tease you using the ice cream as his tool. Heeseung's voice dripped with cold intent. “You wanted to touch him, did you not?” He slowly spread more ice cream over your feverish skin. “You called his muscles big? Well, now you'll learn the difference between boyish arms and a real man's physique.”

His touch grew harsher, his breathing heavier. “Every time you disobey, it'll be ice cream and cold showers. And you'll only get to touch me when I say so.” He lowered his head, his breath cooling the icy mess on your belly. “Understand?”

You nodded quickly, tears pricking at your eyes as he used the spoon to scoop up a generous helping of ice cream. He held it over your face, the cold droplets falling onto your cheeks and nose, before he pressed the spoon against your lips, forcing you to open wide and receive the punishment. As you lay there, blindfolded and handcuffed, you felt him lean closer. His breath tickled your ear as he whispered, “I'm going to teach you to appreciate what you have.” You heard the spoon clatter onto the table before his mouth was on yours.

He licked the ice cream from your lips, his tongue cold and demanding. He sucked on your tongue, his mouth moving to your cheek, his nose rubbing against your tears. He then moved down to your chin, licking the ice cream from your skin before moving to your neck, leaving a trail of cold kisses.

Heeseung gripped your thighs, his fingers digging into your flesh as he buried his face between your legs. He licked and sucked the ice cream from your folds, his tongue cold and unyielding. He nipped at your tender flesh, then soothed it with slow, languid strokes. He moved up to your chest, his mouth closing over a hardened nipple. He sucked the ice cream from your breast, his teeth scraping against your sensitive skin. He then moved to the other breast, giving it the same treatment before standing up and slapping your pussy with the cold, wet ice cream.

You hissed at the sudden cold and the sharp slap. He chuckled darkly. “Count,” he ordered, his voice cold. “And if you forget to, I'll start over.” He raised his hand, the cold, wet ice cream dripping from his fingers. “Ready?”

You nodded, bracing yourself. “One!” you cried out as the cold, sticky mess hit your core. He slowly dragged his fingers down, spreading the ice cream, then slapped your wet flesh again. “Two!” you moaned.

He continued the slow torture, his voice growing colder with each count. “Three... Four... Five...” Each slap was followed by the slow drag of his fingers, spreading the cold, melting ice cream. Your moans grew louder, your body tensing with each touch. “Six... Seven...”

His touch became gentler, his fingers slowly circling your entrance. “Eight... Nine...” He pushed two fingers inside you, the cold, wet sensation intensifying as he curled them upward. “Ten...” He leaned down, his warm breath on your ear.

He whispered, “Beg.” You whimpered, your hips bucking against his hand. ”Please... Please, Heeseung... I can't... I need to...” He silenced you with a hard kiss, his fingers moving faster inside you. “Beg properly,” he growled.

“Please, Heeseung... I'm going to... I'm going to explode... Please let me cum... Please, I need it so badly... I'll do anything... Just let me cum!” You begged, your voice breaking. Heeseung pulled his fingers out, leaving you aching and empty.

Heeseung smirked, his fingers still wet with your arousal. “What about Jay? You said he was big, didn't you?” He traced circles around your entrance with his cold fingers. “Are you thinking about him right now?”

You bit your lip, hesitating. Heeseung's touch became firmer, his voice harder. “Answer me. Is Jay on your mind as you lie here, handcuffed and begging for release?” He slowly pushed one cold, wet finger back inside you, then two, curling them upwards. “N-no...” you stammered, your breath hitching. “I'm not... I'm not thinking about him.” Heeseung's expression darkened. He added a third finger, his touch punishing. “Liar,” he hissed.

He pulled his fingers out, leaving you empty and aching once more. ”You want to think about Jay, don't you? You want to imagine his big, thick cock stretching your tight little pussy.” He leaned down, his lips brushing against your ear.

Heeseung's anger melted away, replaced by a softness he hated to admit. He gently stroked your clit, trying to coax you into an orgasm. “Please, just cum for me,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “I can't stand the thought of you thinking about him.” You whimpered, the intense pleasure Heeseung was wringing out of you. “I'm sorry...” you gasped, your hips bucking against his hand. “It's not... It's not like that... You know I only want you...”

Heeseung let out a shaky breath, his touch gentling. “Good...” he murmured, his fingers slowly circling your heat. “Just me... Say it.” You moaned, your head falling back. “Only you, Heeseung... Please, just you...”

“Only me...” Heeseung repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. He increased the pressure of his touch, watching as you writhed under him. Your cries of pleasure filled the room, drowning out any other thoughts or doubts.

You screamed as your orgasm crashed over you, your body shaking with the intensity of it. Heeseung watched, his heart pounding, before gently pulling you into his lap. He took your lip between his, kissing you softly as he held you close, his dominance gentling into a caring, protective embrace. You nuzzled into his neck, still catching your breath. Heeseung's hand was still in your hair, no longer holding you down but gently stroking through the strands. “Good girl, you're not thinking about Jay or anyone else again.”

Heeseung carefully unbuckled the blindfold, his touch gentle as he revealed your eyes to the dimly lit room. Then, he slowly unlocked the handcuffs, massaging your wrists tenderly. “Come here...” He pulled you into a tight hug, his voice soft.

You wrapped your arms around Heeseung's waist, burying your face in his chest. A moment of silence passed between the two of you, before he leaned down and whispered, “I've got you..”

“And you belong to me,” Heeseung murmured, his voice firm yet gentle. He tilted your chin up, his eyes locked onto yours. “No more talking to Jay, alright? You're mine, only mine...”

• september three — 08:56 pm

© iconchae | tumblr

AUUUGGHHHH

𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 - 𝐋.𝐇𝐒

▏pairings. heeseung x fem!reader

▏desc. baby making with your husband heeseung

▏warnings. SMUT mdni, pure flith, breeding kink, short little drabble

"Lift your hips baby. Yeah Just like that" Heeseung was towered over you his breath quick and chest heaving as he sat deep inside you. He had you at an angle pillow under your hips to lift you up slightly.

The two of you had seen this as a method to help in getting pregnant. Needless to say Heeseung was more than happy to try it out. Your legs sat on his shoulders his cock reaching unbelievably deep places.

"Fuck" You breathed pushing at his stomach just slightly the pleasure overwhelming your senses. "It's too much" You whined your hips lifting higher arching your back off the pillow as Heeseung started a brutal pace.

"You can take it baby-" Heeseung grunted attaching his hands to your hips to give himself leverage "Take this dick"

Your moans were high pitches as you allowed Heeseung to use your body in every way that he wanted. His pace was brutal but his words became sweet. He whispered in your ear small little "You're doing so good sweetheart" and "I can't wait for you to be swollen with my baby"

What was once a dirty filthy fuck turned into a soft love making, focusing on the task at hand which was to get you pregnant.

Your husband was completely fucked out his expression lewd, eye lids heavy lidden and mouth slightly ajar.

"I'm going to cum sweetheart" Your husband spoke in a rush, his voice raspy the echoes of skin slapping filling the room.

"Yeah?" You slurred wrapping your arms around Heeseung's pulling him impossibly closer to you. "You going to put a baby in me?" Your words were sultry causing Heeseung's hips to stutter against yours.

"F-fuck" He hissed out pace becoming unsteady "Fuck yes I am" He tried his hardest to keep his resolve but you could tell that he was slowly losing himself in the immense pleasure.

"You almost there baby?" He asked you, you nodded bringing you hand down to circle your clit the added stimulation inching you closer and closer to your end.

"Cum with me." He panted "Cum with me baby" He repeated his words a jumbled mess. "Fuck fuck you're going to be so beautiful pregnant baby.. fuck fuck" He was panting stilling his hips against yours roughly as he spilled inside of you.

"You're so deep!" You squeaked arching your back once again as you reached your end just meer seconds after him.

After taking a couple seconds to calm yourselves down Heeseung pulled out from you with a hiss. He sank to his knees in front of you core reaching his fingers to push his spend back into you.

"Have to make sure we don't waste a single drop baby" He said kissing the inside of your thighs before bringing his head back up to yours. He attached your lips to his in a quick kiss, the smile on his face as bright as you'd ever seen it.

"We should go again just to be sure" Heeseung smirked at you. You giggled wrapping your arms around his neck "Just to be sure” You nodded at him.

Stop cause why is this kinda….

♯┆Mind Break .ᐟ ★ L.HS

⌜Synopsis⌟ You didn't know when or how it started , you were a kind soul , you had your own circle of friends , so why were you being picked on? High school was literal hell for you , it was so bad that you had dropped out in your last year — you couldn't handle it anymore. Years later , the past torture you had experienced was affecting you in your adult years , you needed a therapist who'd help you. Luckily , you didn't had to wait for too long , someone was able to take you in almost immediately — it was almost as if he was waiting for you. ⌜Contains⌟ Dark fic, (MDNI), Therapist!Hee, recap of the bullying (contains sensitive themes such as : sexual harassment , physical attacks), past bullying/ trauma talk, Yandere!Hee, manipulation, very mentally unstable reader, obsessive behavior , toxic themes, smut (contains ; implied corruption kink, big dick Heeseung, biting, Dom!Heeseung, fingering, virgintiyloss) , love bombing, abuse of power, mentions of suicide/ implied suicide attempt, topics such as (; Depression , anxiety , mental breakdown ), Heeseung is very fucked in the head and a creep ⌜Wordcount⌟ 9k ⌜Vampies Note⌟ Reminder that this is all fiction and not a true representation of the member! Read at your own risk as it does contain sensitive topics, I'm not responsible for what you consume on the internet. Please only fuck with this FICTION wise , if you happen to get into a situation like that irl run , please run for the love of god. Again , this is all fiction. I do not want to see comments about how fucked up I made Heeseung. You're reading this at your own risk. Feedback and reblogs are appreciated 💗

"My name is Lee Heeseung , I'll be your therapist for now and take you under my wing"

Ah.. why did this all come to this point?

"It's nice to meet you Mr.Lee"

"Oh please, let's get comfortable. Just call me Heeseung. So , when did it all start?"

Right... it all started in High school.

If someone asked you back then during high school how you liked it , you'd say you loved it. You had your own little circle of friends , got average to good grades, never ran into any trouble and were just a good student overall. Well , that was until everything stopped and a new era started, as if a dark shadow consumed you and dragged you down to the pits of hell. It all started with a variety of students picking on you — at first , it were silly compliments or words , at least that's how you viewed them until it dawned down on you that they were mocking you. They were mocking you and your appearance— "pretty little bow you have there in your hair, it makes you look soo innocent" , "oh what a nice color you painted your nails", "maybe if I'd wear my skirt as short as you did ,I'd also get good grades".

It didn't affect you back then , you'd just brush it off and keep to your friends. That's when the rumors started — "no wonder you get good grades , you're sleeping with the teachers!", "Oh , don't deny it. We saw you fixing your skirt when you left the teacher's room", rumors started going around that you were allegedly sleeping around with a teacher. The same Teacher got fired after a couple weeks but not because of you , he was in fact sleeping with female students , but not with you. You should've been happy that he got fired , but it sent a complete backlash towards you. Everyone believed the rumors that you were sleeping with the teacher , that you were the reason he got fired — but why you? You didn't do anything , what about the female students that actually slept with him? Why weren't they getting any backlash although they were the ones who seduced and slept with him for better grades?

Your friends started to distance themselves from you as the rumors kept piling up — "(Y/n) is a slut! She sleeps with teachers to get better grades!", "On your way to blow another teacher? Why don't you blow me instead?", "I bet you enjoy sucking cock , why don't you drop out of school and be a hooker?". You were slut shamed over rumors that weren't even true , but you were relieved that it was only verbal, key word were. It didn't take long for it to turn physical.

Girls were ganging up on you in the schools bathroom or locker rooms, they'd pull on your hair and kick you until you were curled up and sobbing on the floor. They'd grab your face and smear it across the mirror to ruin your make up whenever you decided to make yourself look pretty. "Even make up wouldn't help a face like yours". They'd snap pictures of your crying face and leave the bathroom while giggling amongst each other. Boys would dump water over you and say things like "Let's see what color of a bra you're wearing today", before snapping pictures of your soaked body — the white uniform shirt getting see through due to the water. They'd sit behind you and write things on the back of your uniform , such as : " 5 bucks and I'll suck your cock!" "I'm a sexy whore" "I like to get fucked anal".

Something that was once a place where you'd be happy to see your friends and spend your lunchbreaks with , turned into a place you'd wish to avoid. It all stopped when you didn't come to school anymore , having reached your breaking point and found yourself standing by a bridge , ready to jump any moment but a wrinkly hand stopped you. It was a sweet little grandma who hastily tried to stop you , what was such a sweet old lady doing here during the night? That was all you could ask yourself as you let her pull your weak body down from the railings. Maybe she was the Angel you've been asking for so long? You just wanted help , you just wanted to get out and work on yourself but you didn't had the support you need — with no friends and your parents living far away , you had no one , you were alone and all by yourself. It was as if heaven sent her to find you , to pull you out of that dark hole that had consumed you. She took you in and treated you as if you were her own daughter , she helped you drop out of school and did everything in her power to help build you back up.

But what were her motives? Simple : She lost her own daughter. Her daughter took her own life because of how deeply depressed she was , she couldn't handle it anymore. The old lady regretted not checking up on her as often , she regretted not being able to save her. The night she found you was the same date her daughter died , she came to the city to visit the graveyard her daughter was buried in during night time. She regretted not being able to save her own daughter , but she could save someone else's life.

Heeseung hummed to himself as he wrote every important detail down on the piece of paper clipped to his clipboard , his pen tapping against it as he finished writing — his glasses hanging low on he bridge of his nose until he pushed the frame up , his eyes shifting to look at you with a sympathetic look. "Must've been a very hard time for you , I'm happy to hear that your guardian saved you. How do you feel when you think back to High school? Any good memory or any particular memory that stuck with you until now?", you thought about his question , staying quiet as you pondered while looking down at your lap. You couldn't remember anything , it was as if there was a black hole in your head, a black hole that consumed every single memory you had starting when you entered the stage of puberty until now. The only memories you remembered where after high school , but there were some memory fragments that you could still remember from High school.

"Not really... more like fragments of memories , just single pieces but no complete memory", you mumbled as you kept your head hung low. You could hear the way his ballpoint pen danced across the piece of paper as he noted that down before his cushion seat made a small squeaking sound. "Don't keep your pretty head hung so low , I'm here to help you and get better. We'll start with looking at others while talking", he held his clipboard underneath your chin , tilting your chin up so he could see your face. His dark bangs fell over his eyes as he looked down to you with a encouraging smile. "That's it , you have such a pretty face. You don't need to hide it", with that , he removed his clipboard from under your chin and walked over to one of the medical cabinets, opening the glass door and reaching to grab the sphygmomanometer. You couldn't help but feel flattered by his words , no guy has ever complimented you but...wasn't this ... unprofessional?

"We're going to check your blood pressure now, roll your sleeves up for me", He sat back down next to you ,putting on some gloves before disinfecting the device while you rolled the sleeve of your pullover up to your shoulder. "Good girl", he smiled , wrapping the cuff around your upper arm and tightening it before pumping it with air , his hand squeezing the rubber bulb, his eyes focused on the manometer to make sure he doesn't pump it too full. Once again , you questioned if him calling you a good girl was unprofessional but even if it was — you weren't complaining , his praise and compliments made you feel a bit better about yourself. Once he checked your blood pressure , he removed the cuff and rolled your sleeve down for your , his touch lingering on your wrist before he got up to put the sphygmomanometer back in place.

"Your blood pressure is fine and seems to be alright. Now , let's get really started. I want to know how you used to be and how you are now. Do you still have the same interests , what are your thoughts when you think about the future, would you like to continue your academics , how do you feel when you're outside alone and all that. Take your time with answering ,our session will last for one and a half hour", with that , he sat back down on his armrest chair and put his sand hourglass upside down. Future ? You hated thinking about your future , back then , you loved it — you had already pictured working your dream job, have a family and live in a big house , maybe a family dog or cat but now..? You only saw black. Every singly future dream you had having been discarded , you didn't think you'd live for so long — with that in mind , you stopped thinking about your future.

You wouldn't be able to get your dream job considering you dropped out of high school and didn't get a diploma. Even if you would have graduated and gotten one — with how much your grades dropped , you wouldn't have been able to attend the college you wanted to go to. Your future was just complete darkness for you, there was nothing you could see , like a void in your head.

"I don't ... have any view regarding my future. I used to enjoy hanging out with my friends but... I don't have any now. I used to really like going outside and just take a walk but I also don't do that anymore. My interests.... they did change , yes. I mostly just spend my time with grandma. We live in the village so I help her with her gardening or other chores she has. I love spending time with her..", his eyes kept looking at you before he nodded and noted everything down again , a small sigh coming from him when he took note of how you looked back down on your lap. "Eyes up here pretty girl, that's it , such a good obedient girl", he smiled in satisfaction as you followed his soft demand , why does he keep praising you so much..?

"How about your academics? It says that you have dropped out in your last year of High school ,that means that you don't have a diploma and that you didn't graduate. Listen , you don't need to be ashamed. It's understandable why you have dropped out and you did it to keep yourself save. You were being such a strong girl for holding on for so long , you can and should be proud of yourself", his words spread a comforting warmth across your chest , his words were like a warm hug to your heart — were you finally being understood by someone that wasn't your sweet old guardian?

"I would like to continue my academics but ... isn't it too late for that now? Besides... I don't think that I'm ready for it yet", Heeseung shook his head upon hearing your words , placing his clipboard down on his lap before he pushed his glasses up.

"Don't think like that , it's never too late. You can take all the time you'll need until you feel like you're ready to continue your academics. There are multiple options for you to continue your academics. There are specific schools for people who don't have a diploma for a variety of reasons , you're not alone but it's something you can only accomplish because you really want to . I'll help you with it. (Y/n) , I'm not only your therapist to help you with your issues but you can see me as a social companion. I took you under my wing to help you with your issues and to help you with getting back on track. You can always call me or text me when you need help. When you're having a break down , you can call me and we can make a emergency therapy session. When you need help , I'm only a text or call away", you nodded a little with a small smile , he was so kind to you.

He was genuinely trying to help you , not like other therapists you had test sessions with — they only cared about getting their money , not about you or your issues. But Heeseung ... he was so different, as if he knew how you felt.

The session continued until the sand hourglass had run out. "Alright , so we'll have our therapy session once or twice a week, whatever works better for you. If it only works once a week or if you don't feel the need for two sessions a week , we'll have our therapy session every Tuesday at the same time as today. If it works twice a week for you , it'll be on every Tuesday and Thursday. You can always cancel the therapy sessions if you have an appointment on the days or if you're sick , just inform me at least a day prior. This is my business card , my number and email address is on it . Like I said , if you need a emergency session , call me immediately. If you need to cancel a session , text or call me at least one day prior the session", the two of you got up as he lead you to the door , stopping in front of it with his one hand on the door handle while the other held out a small card towards you — you took it and put it into your wallet with a small nod.

He gave you a small smile and opened the door for you, his other hand resting on the small of your back as he guided you out. "I'll see you next time then, don't be too hard on yourself".

Ring...

Ring...

"Hello?", the line finally picked up after what seemed like forever — yet you didn't say anything. "Hello..? (Y/n)..?", the voice called out again , his voice gruff and husky — how were you supposed to explain to him why you had called him at 2am in the morning..? You chewed your bottom lip nervously to fight back the little sobs that were threatening to come out, you felt helpless. Everything was okay until your past bullies had found your socials and were sending messages with attached images of the house you lived in together with your "Grandma", they have found you again after years — it felt as if your memories were coming back just to haunt you, oh how you wished that you hadn't looked at your phone after waking up in the middle of the night. You wanted to say something but you could only let out a shaky breath as you tried to calm yourself down , you could hear his bedsheets rustling on the other line as he presumably sat up.

"(Y/n)? Are you crying? Come on , be a good girl and take some nice deep breathes for me , okay?", his voice was dripping with honey as he spoke softly to you , guiding and easing you into calming yourself down — well , as calm as you could be. "H-Heeseung they—", your voice cracked a little as you tried to speak , hearing the way he let a small hum out. "Yes? They? Who are 'they' and what is with them? Tell me , sweetheart", Heeseung encouraged while he reached for a bottle of water so his voice wouldn't sound so rough anymore. You let out another shaky breath. "They found me Heeseung... t-they know where I am and have m-messaged me on my socials. My p-past bullies", you swallowed your spit before you continued to talk. "I-I don't know what to do , I'm scared that they'll d-do something again..", your voice was shaking , your eyes focused on peeking out of your window as the feeling of paranoia creeped over you — what if they were still there? What if they were outside of your house right this moment even if it was so late already?

"I'd offer an emergency session but... the building is currently under construction", Heeseung sighed softly before a couple seconds of silence followed. "Listen Sweetheart , you don't have to do this , I'm offering this to you as your therapist. Normally , I wouldn't do that but I don't trust you being all on your own right now. How about I pick you up and we'll have said emergency session at my house , how does that sound sweetheart?", you paused as you heard his words , needing a second to register what he said. Was this even allowed? Wouldn't that put him in risk of losing his job if anyone found out? Is that even professional...? Well.. he does have to help you , doesn't he?

"Isn't that ... unprofessional..?", he let out a strained chuckle at your question. "Well , yes it would be but I'd rather put my job at risk than have anything happen to you sweetheart. Do you trust me?", did you trust him...? Of course you did , all he's been doing was helping you , earning your trust and making you feel wanted and validated.

"Yes Heeseung... I do", you couldn't see the way his lips curled up in a smirk , satisfied with the reply he got. "Good girl... I'll keep you safe. Be a sweetheart and pack a bag for me, m'okay? Considering that they have found your current location , anything could happen to you, we wouldn't want that , right? Pack enough essentials and clothes that would last days", his words confused you , why would you need to pack a bag? "I'm not going to do anything against your will , this is for your safety. Now that everyone has grown up, they could do far worse than they did in high school. This is going to be a special treatment , a more intense treatment. You'll stay with me until it's safe for you again", you contemplated as you heard him continue to speak. Was this even right? But , even if it wasn't , he just wanted to help you, right?

"Okay... I'll pack my bag", his smirk only grew on his face , this is exactly what he wanted. "Good girl , I'll be there in 20 minutes. Take your time , I can wait in the car. No need to rush", with that , he hung up. Was this really happening? Would you really live with your therapist now? But... you felt save with that option. He was always so caring in each session the two of you had and with how paranoid you were about your bullies , you weren't able to even think twice about it. But what about your grandma? You'd just send her a text in the morning to notify her that you were given a more controlled and special treatment without giving out any details, this was putting his job on the line after all.

Time flew as you packed a medium sized bag with your clothes and essentials , looking up from your things as you heard a car parking in front of your house — Heeseung was here. You couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over you, he was like your knight in shining armor .... well , more like , guy in baggy clothes sitting in his bmw — still your knight regardless, oh what would you be without him. Luckily , he didn't need to wait for too long — you were quick with packing your bag up

"You've been crying a lot , haven't you? It's okay , I'm here now , I'll keep you safe", Heeseung reassured as you opened the passenger door and sat down on the passenger seat , a mix of shame and embarrassment washing over your face as you looked down at your lap. You felt ashamed that you were so scared that he decided to take you in for your own safety , ashamed that you had woken him up in the middle of the night just because you needed him , embarrassed that this was really happening and embarrassed that you weren't able to handle it alone.

"Oh don't have that expression on your face", his hand came into your view as he placed it on your knee , giving it a gentle rub. "I told you that you can rely on me , you can trust me. I'm your therapist after all", he assured before he removed his hand from your knee , moving it up to your chin before lifting your head up — his thumb gently gliding against your skin. "You look so pretty when you cry... a shame that those tears are for them. The only tears you should cry should be out of happiness", with that , he handed you a tissue and moved his hand to the gear , shifting out of parking and shifting into the right gear before he drove off.

The ride was silent , but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. The further you got away from your house , the more at ease you felt. He had the music turned on a low volume , the songs in his playlist serving as a background noise — you couldn't help but sing along in your head as the song "we belong together" by Ritchie Valens played , enjoying the way Heeseung was humming quietly as well.

You wondered how in the world he managed to get to you in just 20 minutes , maybe he just drove fast? It took the two of you 40 minutes to reach his house — you felt a little surprised upon seeing where he lived. He didn't leave in the city or anywhere with a lot of people, he lived near a forest. Maybe he just didn't like the city? Maybe he liked to keep to himself. "Surprised?", Heeseung asked as he stood next to you , his hand reaching for the handles of your bag — his fingers brushing against yours , sending a jolt of electricity through your fingers.

"I— Well , I didn't think you'd live so far away from the city and more hidden from the public..", you mumbled as you looked at his house — it was big and modern looking , it probably just got build months ago. "What can I say? I like to keep private. The city is too busy for me , plus , the house I live in used to be my grandparents house. I got it re built since it had many issues due to how old it was ,so why not just make it a modern looking one?", he chuckled under his breath while he closed his car before motioning his head for you to follow him as he headed towards the front door. You looked around for another second before following him.

The house didn't only look modern from the outside , but from the inside as well. The smell of new house was still lingering , but it wasn't very strong. "I'm sorry for the smell , it's been months but the smell hasn't gotten out for some reason. The amount of room scents I have bought to cover the smell is ridiculous", Heeseung huffed a little while he took his shoes off , waiting for you to do the same before he lead you upstairs. "You can stay in this room for the meantime , I hope it has everything you need in case you forgot... any essentials", he seemed almost shy and embarrassed as he said that while he placed your bag down in the room.

The room looked ...weirdly prepared. It was very feminine looking , not too much but enough to show that it was intended to be a room for a girl. It was medium sized with a connected bathroom. "I already changed the bedsheets for you so you don't need to do that. This used to be my sisters bedroom in case she visited that it's a guest room now. If you need anything , my room is right opposite of yours. Make yourself at home", so that used to be his sister's room? Well , that explains it then. "Alright.. okay", you nodded your head while you still looked around the room for a little before he spoke up. "Are you hungry? Maybe eating something warm will make you fall asleep easier sweetheart. How about that , you'll unpack and get settled in. Maybe even take a nice little shower and I'll make us something, how does that sound Princess?", his generosity made you feel better , he was so kind to you. A warm feeling was spreading through your chest once again.

"That sounds nice ... Thank you Heeseung", you looked up to him and gave him a soft smile , a smile of his own spreading on his face — too bad that you missed the way something was hiding behind his smile. "Anything for you sweetheart. Oh and before I forget it , do not go into the basement. The stairs are unstable and I wouldn't want you to get hurt. And it's more of my personal office , I keep documents of other patients in there so you can't go into it due to privacy reasons", he informed you before he walked out of the room and closed the door behind him to let you get settled in.

You hummed to yourself as you once again gave the room a complete look over before you started to unpack your things , realizing what he meant with "forgetting any essentials" upon entering the bathroom — he really was caring. He stocked one of the drawers up with feminine products in case you'd get or have your period during your stay , a comforting warmth spreading through your body again before you set your clothes down on the sink counter and started to undress, ready to take a nice shower.

A proud smirk was on his face as he walked downstairs to the kitchen while humming to himself — he finally got you were he wanted you to be , in his trap. You fell into his trap and he would do anything to make his plan work , his plan? To make you his — a plan he has been working on for years and he would do anything to make it work.

It's as if it was yesterday when it all started , when he started to fall for you back in High school . Oh if only you had noticed him , it wouldn't have to be this way then. He fell in love with you the moment he saw you in school, a memory he held so dearly. You were behind the school , feeding a pregnant stray cat that would always linger around the school — hoping to dive into the dumpster and get something edible whenever the cafeteria threw the leftovers away. He started to grow obsessed and would stalk you everyday , following your shadows and observing you. He knew your routine , he knew your friends , he knew where you lived , he knew all your socials, he even found the company your parents worked at in a different country — he knew everything about you in only the span of a week.

He tried everything to get your attention , yet he has never been noticed.

His obsession and feelings for you only grew the more time had passed , he needed to have you , he needed to have you all to himself. You were easy to manipulate , so vulnerable and easy to break and mold — that was when his plan was put into action. It all started with him spreading rumors on anonymous accounts to the popular students with attached images that would support the rumors , knowing they would spread like a wild fire once the popular students would get their hands on them. But that wasn't enough , you were mentally too strong to let it get to you. That's when the bullying started. He'd anonymously pay a variety of students to bully you, specifically the bullies from your school. They didn't need an actual reason to bully anyone , they just did it for fun — but given the rumors spread about you , it made it all too easy for them to bully you.

He knew he finally succeeded the first step of his plan when you dropped out of school — that's when he found out that you were taken in by a old lady. That may have been a little obstacle in his plan , but it worked out for him. Now the next step was set into action. What was his next step? He studied hard in school and in college to get to the point where he was now , to be your therapist. He moved away from where he originally lived to be closer to you , he brought the old house of his grandparents back to life and designed one of the rooms to be your room.

It wasn't his sister's room , he didn't even have one nor did the room serve as a guest room , this was a room specifically designed for you. He knew he was going to have you at some point , he just knew it. His stalking never stopped , you just never noticed him. He knew every single step you took and once he heard that you needed therapy , he jumped at the opportunity. Without your knowledge, he had talked to your grandma and slipped her his business card while he was in disguise — everything was going according to plan.

He had to control his facial expression when he heard your voice on the other line , explaining that your grandma recommended him to you and if he was available for a new patient. Of course he was , every single patient he had beforehand was given to another therapist so he could always be there for you and you only. He was a dedicated man.

The fact that the bullies came back worked in his favor and for once , he didn't had anything to do with it. They found you on your own. There was so thing such as special treatment, it was a lie. This was just for him to have you to himself. He completely manipulated you and was working in molding you , which was working. You were so vulnerable , so broken and so insecure with such a negative mindset — it was almost too easy for him.

He was going to make you his , no matter what. You were already so dependent of him , you were already trusting him so much — it will be so easy to continue with his plan.

Heeseung could only smile successfully as he started to prep the meal , he just needed to make you fall for him now , but unbeknownst to him — you already were.

"It tastes really good! I didn't know you were such a good cook", you complimented his cooking as all the different flavors melted on your tongue — it may be a simple dish but anything home cooked tasted good. He could only chuckle from next to you as his eyes shifted to glance at you , watching the way you eating so happily. God did you look so cute. "You're such a messy girl", he took note of the sauce that was on the corner of your lips , shaking his head a little whenever you missed the spot with your tongue before he reached his hand out — his thumb swiping along the corner of your lips to removed the sauce before he licked it off of his thumb. Heat immediately rushed to your cheeks as he held eye contact with you as he licked it away, his gaze was so intense , almost piercing through you.

You could only curl your lips up in a tight lipped smile , feeling a little embarrassed and flustered from what just happened as you continued to eat. Heeseung leaned back into his chair with his arms crossed over his chest as he studied , moving one of his hands to your damp hair. "Let's dry your hair after you have finished eating Sweetheart, we wouldn't want you to catch a cold now ,do we?", he mumbled softly as he rubbed strands of hair between his fingers , his eyes shifting from your hair to your eyes — there was something in his eyes that you couldn't read. "Yeah , we don't want that..", you repeated his words softly whilst nodding to yourself. He could only smile in return , a smile of satisfaction.

Once you were done eating , you cleaned the dishes despite Heeseung saying that he could do it himself — you were basically living at his house for free now for that special treatment , this was the least you could do. "You're being such a good girl...", Heeseung praised as you sat down between his legs on the ground while he sat on the couch , having insisted that he would blow dry your hair. "How..?", you asked in return as you heard heard him plugging the blow dryer in. "You're listening well to me , you're so obedient for me. You even cleaned the dishes even though I said you wouldn't need to do it , you're so well behaved..", he mumbled as he placed his hands on your shoulders , giving them a gentle yet firm squeeze before he pulled you closer to him.

Your eyes closed as he turned the blow dryer on and gently brushed through your hair as he blew the warm air onto your damp hair , it all felt so soothing to you. Having someone taking care of you like that , being so gentle and kind to you , helping you with your tasks — it all made you feel so loved. You were in denial when you realized that you were starting to catch feelings for him — maybe you just felt that way because he was so caring to you? You tried to suppress your feelings for him, knowing that it could put his job at risk but he was already doing so by bringing you to his house to take proper care of you.

You felt so at ease , so comfortable with him — you trusted him with your life. The feeling of his fingers gently running through your hair combined with the warm air coming from the blow dryer was making you sleepy , your head lulling to the side until it leaned against his leg right next to your head. He only smiled to himself as he noticed that before he turned the blow dryer off once your hair was dry , shaking your shoulder gently. "Come on, let's get you to bed sweet girl", you could only let out a sleepy hum as you slowly got up from the ground , rubbing your eyes that were threatening to close any moment before they shot open in surprise — his arms were circled around you as he swooped you up in his arms.

"It's okay , I got you", with that , he made his way upstairs to the room you were staying in. He gently kicked the door open with his foot and laid you down on the bed , making sure you were laying comfortable before tucking you in — but as he was about to leave , your hand held onto the sleeve of his sweater. "Thank you ...Heeseung", he only smiled at your sleepy words and patted your head gently. "Don't mention it. Sleep well , sweetheart", with that , he lifted your hand up to his lips and pressed a soft kiss on the back of your hand before taking his leave , quietly closing the door behind him.

You were sleeping peacefully for once , blissfully unaware of what he was doing.

The lights were dim in the basement , the only bright source of light being his computer. The basement had a corkboard on the wall — a corkboard full with pictures he had taking of you over the years with red hearts drawn on them. There were no patient documents in the basement , there were only pictures of you. There was a shrine of trinkets he has collected from you that he had stolen — keychains , earrings , pieces of paper you drew on during lessons, pictures of you and your friends. The faces of your friends were scratched out and covered with a cut out picture of his own face. The basement was dedicated to you.

He covered his mouth with the back of his hand as he stared at the screen of his computer , watching the recorded footage of you showering. Oh how unknowing you were of the cameras he had put up around his house — he already planned everything out for your stay here. He should feel bad , any normal person would , but he wasn't normal. He was sick in the head , there was no denying that , he found pleasure in watching you shower.

His right hand was furiously stroking his leaking cock as his eyes were focused on the way your hands were caressing your naked body , your hands soaping up your pretty tits — the sight had him biting back a loud moan. He was already so close , so fucking close. He felt as if he was going to put any moment — and he did once your pretty pussy came into his view. Ropes of cum came spurting out of the slit of his cock , landing on his hand and on the surface of his desk. Oh how he wished he could just fill your pretty pussy up , make you pregnant and stay with him together forever — he was going to get there at some point , he was sure of it , but he wouldn't do anything without your consent. Sure , he was fucked up for everything he did , but he was still a gentleman somewhere. He just made you do everything on your own , he never once forced anything on you — this was all on your own will.

How did it come to this? You don't remember anymore. One second , you were crying in your sleep and apparently screaming , waking up to Heeseung's worried face as he shook you awake — and the next second , his lips were on yours.

It's already been over a week since you've stayed with him and you couldn't live any better than that. He took care of you, helped you whenever you had a mental breakdown, fed you , bought things for you whenever you needed something because he didn't think it was safe for you to go out yet. This was the special treatment after all, a more intense one that had you isolated in his house. But you didn't feel isolated at all. You were allowed to move around freely inside the house ,except for the basement , you were allowed to go outside as long as you stayed on his property — that being the pretty garden you had. Sure , some people may feel isolated but you didn't , this was pure heaven for you.

You didn't had to communicate with strangers, you didn't had to challenge yourself to go outside and buy things, you didn't had to worry about your bullies finding you again — you felt safe and free , he took care of everything for you.

Just like now , he was taking care of you. "Do you want me to distract you?", you nodded your head at his question as you could only let out a quiet sniffle , leaning into his touch as he caressed your cheek. "Words , sweetheart , give me words", the mattress of your bed dipped as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "Yes Heeseung... please distract me ..", oh he was so close to what he wanted, so so close. "Alright , I'll take care of you sweetheart , I got you. If I do anything you don't like , tell me and I'll stop", what did he mean with that?

His thumb gently wiped your tears away. "Can I kiss you?", at this point , you didn't even care if this was crossing the line of him being your therapist — you wanted it. You fell asleep at night thinking about kissing him , but you never did because he was your therapist after all. You didn't care anymore, you wanted him , you wanted him to kiss you , to distract you and take your pain away. "Yes please... please kiss me Heeseung", your words made his heart explode with excitement , he was getting so close to his goal and he knew by now that you had fallen for him. Everything that was going to happen now was because you wanted it — sure , he may have manipulated your mind but everything was working out for him, not only for him but for you as well.

He moved himself to hover above you , his arms resting on each side of your head before he slowly leaned in — he was going to savor this moment , the moment he was going to claim you as his. His nose brushed against yours as he just took the sight he had in — your teary eyes looking up to him so so innocently before they closed as his lips barely brushed against yours , your eyelashes resting on the apple of your cheeks, waiting for him to finally kiss you. His lips were soft against yours as he finally pressed them against yours , guiding your lips in a soft kiss. He knew that you have never kissed somebody , even if you did , he would just kiss you so hard that you won't even remember and erase any trace of them even if it was years ago.

A tingling feeling spread through your lips as his touched yours , your fingers holding onto your blanket as you didn't know what to do with your hands. Should you touch him? Where should you place your hands? So you just opted to holding onto your blanket. His kiss was slow and gently with a hint of possessiveness — his lips chasing yours whenever you pulled away for a quick breather.

He was taking such good care of you.

His right hand was moving to cup your face , tilting your head to the side to deepen the kiss as he poked his tongue out — the wet tip of his tongue tapping against your bottom lip, his blood pumping as you let out a soft sigh and parted your lips. God you tasted so sweet , must be the sweet tea he had given you to calm you down a bit. His grip on your face got a bit firmer as his tongue explored your mouth , tasting every single inch while his tongue glided against yours. Your fingers gripped your blanket tighter before you released your grip , your touch burning his skin as your hands glided along his back up to his nape. He couldn't stop the shaky breath he let out.

He broke the kiss and pulled away , pecking your lips as your lips chased his before he sat up — a thin string of saliva snapping off your lips. "Can I touch you? Take your mind away and make you think f other things?", his breathing was a bit ragged as he spoke , clearly worked up from the kiss. The fact that he was getting so worked up from just kissing you set a burning heat free inside your body , making you feel weird in the pit of your stomach.

"Yes, please — Touch me Heeseung", oh how he dreamed about hearing those words. "Yeah? Where can I touch you sweetheart?", he asked as he pulled the blanket to the side , the cool hair against your hot skin making you shiver a little. "Can I touch you here..? and here...? Where do you want me to touch you..?", he dragged his finger from your chest down to your stomach before moving his hands to grab onto your hips as he got himself comfortable between your legs.

You wanted him , you wanted and needed him so badly but you were too shy to say specifically where you wanted him to touch you. "Everywhere..."

"Everywhere? Even here..?", Heeseung mumbled , his voice a bit more rough as he lifted his right hand up and tapped against your clothed cunt with his finger — making you squirm underneath him. "Yes... please but Heeseung...", your mumbled words made him perk up , resting his hand back on your hip as he waited for you to continue speaking.

"I've never...", your voice trailed off as embarrassment washed over you , your eyes looking away from him — but he understood what you meant and it made all his blood rush down to his cock. "Never touched yourself..? Never got touched..?", Heeseung asked , a hint of hidden possessiveness laced in his voice. He knew that you have never touched yourself , at least not like that.

He can still remember the day he saw you humping your pillow while he was peaking through your window months ago , desperately trying to get off as you rubbed your clothed little pussy against the pillow.

You just nodded your head upon hearing his words, your face burning uncomfortable hot. "That's okay sweetheart , I'll show you what pleasure feels like if you want that?", you mumbled out a soft little yes as a reply. "Let's get you out of your clothes , you're starting to overheat. I can feel how hot your body is through your shirt", he grabbed your hips more firmly as he pulled you up in a sitting position. "Can.. Can we keep the lights off?", that was okay with him — he already memorized how your naked body looked.

"Of course we can", with that , he slowly started to undress you — but even with the lights off , you couldn't help but feel shy. Every touch or caress of his fingers on your bare skin left a lingering hot touch to it , every single soft rub of his thumb against your slowly hardening nipples had you letting out quiet little noises. Nobody has ever touched you like that. He made you feel secure , you trusted him.

"I got you baby , you're being such a good girl for me", his lips left burning kisses on your neck to distract you from his thick finger prodding at your weeping hole — god you were so fucking wet for him and he couldn't wait to bury his cock deep inside you. You were already so tight around just one single finger , a second finger being added to properly stretch you out. Again , he may be fucked up but he himself wouldn't want to cause any pain or discomfort for you. Which is ironic considering he was behind everything that happened to you , but you didn't need to know that.

"Are you close sweetheart? You clinging onto my fingers , just let go. I got you", he whispered into your ear before pressing a soft kiss against the shell of it , his thumb extending to rub tight , gentle circles against your clit. God how fucking tight you got when you came around his fingers , he sure as hell wasn't going to last once he had his cock inside you. He could cum just from thinking about how tightly your pussy would be gripping onto his cock. He could feel every single clench of your tight walls around his fingers as you came , your walls spasming.

"Heeseung please... I need more, I want you inside me", he had to bite back a groan at your words , you were already being so drunk and greedy for pleasure. "Are you sure..?", he asked , the feeling of possessiveness just growing bigger inside him as you whined out a yes. "Okay , let me get some things first..", he moved himself away from you as he got up from the bed to go to his bedroom , his hand pressing down against his cock as he had to hold it down with how hard it was.

He came back with a condom and a bottle of lube , better to be safe than sorry and especially since it was your first time — he didn't want to hurt you but he was sure to get you drunk off his cock and shape your pussy into the shape of it. He took his hoodie off along with his sweatpants and boxer shorts , grabbing your hand to guide it to his cock. He wanted to get you familiar with his cock and to make you aware of what was going to impale you. As your hand came into contact with his cock , it twitched and he groaned quietly as your hand curiously ran along the length of it and — my god , was he big.

"I'm asking you again , are you sure you want this?", Heeseung asked just to confirm your consent once again. "Y-Yes , please . Heeseung, I want it , I want you", his cock was already leaking before but it was leaking even more when he heard how much you wanted him — your voice so desperate and filled with need.

He made quick work with rolling the condom onto his cock , he didn't want to leave his darling waiting when she was clearly needing him so badly.

He lubed his cock up and spread some of the lube on your quivering hole , your body shuddering underneath him as the cold liquid came into contact with your burning heat. The bulbous head of his cock was pressing against your entrance as he positioned himself before he leaned down to you , his lips pulling yours in a heated kiss to distract you from any pain you may feel. Your hands came flying to his hair as he slowly pushed himself past your tight entrance , you felt as if you were getting split open by his cock — he was big , way too big for you to handle but that was something he'd work on later.

He only pushed a bit over half of his cock inside you , feeling the way your body trembled as he gave you some time to adjust before slowly thrusting his cock inside you. God did you feel good , so fucking good , better than in his dreams or any fleshlight he used, imagining that it was you. He really wasn't able to last long , this may be the quickest he ever came in his life — his thumb rubbing circles against your clit to get you to cum before him , holding back his own release.

A loud moan left your lips as he suddenly bit down on your shoulder , a shockwave of pain running through your body before it got replaced by pleasure as you pussy clenched around his cock — his hips chasing his own release before they stilled as he emptied himself in the condom , pressing his cock deeper inside you.

"Are you okay?", Heeseung asked as he carried you to his bed after having finished cleaning you up. You were worn out and exhausted , yet you have never felt better in your life. He always took such good care of you. "Yes... thank you", you let out a quiet yawn as he laid you down on his bed and dressed you in one of his shirts before laying down next to you.

You scooted closer to him , putting your head on his chest as the feeling of fatigue washed over you. "Heeseung...I love you... thank you", with that , said feeling fatigue pulled you into the land of dreams.

He did it , he finally did it. He got you , he got you exactly where he wanted , with him. All his hard work was finally being paid off. He was going to make you his forever now. His plan really worked , the plan he had been working on for years and he was never going to let go of you now. Never.

♡┆Taglist┆♡ @chlorinecake @jakesangel @heeswif3y @the-swageyama-tobiyolo @ive-cool @ikeujyn @alvojake @heeslomll @greentulip @zaihypen @shawnyle @rikislady

You Know You Should Not Have Survived That, Right? | Ghostface!Heeseung x fem!reader PART 2

PART 2 OF 4 Pairing: Ghostface!LeeHeeseung X Fem!reader

Please read Part 1 before proceeding if you haven`t already!

Genre: Romance, Horror/Thriller

Wordcount: 35k

Warnings: Swearing (Offensive words), Stalking, Obsessive behaviour, possessive behaviour, Blood/Injury, Violence, Graphic depictions of injury, Attempted murder, Murder, Mental health struggles, Family struggles, Self confidence issues, Bullying, Kidnapping, Jealousy, Alcohol and Drug use, Heeseung kinda goes feral?? does that count as a warning? !!KINDA MATURE CONTENT!! Minors beware!!

a/n: It took awhile to finish this chapter, but i finally dug myself out of the writing block i had and completed. So this chapter is longer then the second, combined together the fic has an estimated wordcount of 48k. Some scenes have been inspired from the Scream movies and The Slumber Party Massacre. I do not take any credit from that, so be free to check them out. I also wanna personally thank my pookies for giving me motivation to finish it <3 ANyways! Enjoy this long ass chapter :3

REMEMBER!; This is purely fictional and just for fun. I do not wish any harm upon any characters.

Important note!

When in costume Heeseung will be described as Ghostface when they do not know his identity.

The dialouges are kinda cheesy at times and suck so dont mind it.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

You sat in the cold, sterile room of the police station, the fluorescent lights flickering overhead. The air was heavy with tension, and the room echoed with the hushed conversations of officers and the distant ring of phones. The chair beneath you felt uncomfortable, but you held yourself with crossed arms, gaze fixed on the waiting area where grief-stricken families sought solace in their shared sorrow.

Your eyes, however, betrayed no tears. The well of grief within you had been drained, leaving only an unsettling emptiness. Yeji's family and your own were engulfed in a sea of tears, but you couldn't bring yourself to join their sorrow. The pain had numbed you, turning your emotions into a distant echo of what they once were. And, to make matters worse, the perpetrators of Yeji's death claimed innocence, painting it as an accident and an act of self-defense. A bitter scoff escaped your thoughts—self-defense, yeah right.

Heeseung, had confessed that he never intended to harm Yeji, planning to leave her alive. However, that plan unraveled in chaos when the police arrived, turning the night into what the media dubbed The Nightfall Homicide. The name seemed eerily fitting, a descriptor for the tragedy that had unfolded.

In the cramped room, you listened to the officer's questions, his words a distant hum in your ears. The memories of that night, now tainted with the knowledge of Heeseung's double life, clouded your responses. You found yourself withholding the truth, a newfound reluctance to reveal the dark secret that had unfolded in that secluded hut.

"I told you, we were partying," you recited mechanically, your voice betraying none of the turmoil within. "I went to the bathroom, came back, and the chaos had erupted. The police arrived, shot Yeji, and I blacked out from the shock. Woke up in the forest and walked back. I don't remember anything more." The officer nodded, accepting your words, though a subtle skepticism lingered in his gaze.

As you exited the room, your younger brother, Kyungmin, lunged at you, wrapping his arms around you in a desperate hug. His plea not to die clung to the air, and you reassured him with a murmur. The weight of the situation pressed on your shoulders as you shifted your gaze to the adjacent room, where Heeseung sat, a striking contrast to the stark police station backdrop. His presence alone seemed to make the air thicker, your breath hitching as your eyes locked onto his. He occupied the chair with an unsettling ease, facing directly towards you, his posture exuding a disconcerting nonchalance. Legs casually spread, he idly played with a coin between his fingers.

Your unease intensified as you noticed his intense gaze fixed solely on you. The officer conducting the interview seemed oblivious to the silent exchange, engrossed in paperwork or perhaps wilfully ignorant of the tension building in the room. Heeseung tilted his head, a smirk dancing on his lips, a chilling expression that sent shivers down your spine. A gulp caught in your throat as he toyed with you, his eyes narrowing in a way that suggested an unspoken challenge.

The momentary confrontation shattered as the officer redirected their attention back to Heeseung. His smirk vanished instantly, replaced by a mask of innocence, as if he were hanging on every word the officer uttered. The speed at which he shifted his expressions, from smirking provocatively to feigning cooperation, sent a chill down your spine. It was unnerving, the way he effortlessly danced between personas.

The clarity dawned on you—the stark absence of his scent, the lingering touch of his hands, and the distant memory of his lips on yours allowed your mind to untangle itself from the web of emotions. As you watched him, questions echoed loudly in your mind, demanding answers that seemed elusive in the fog of uncertainty. Why was Heeseung a killer? What drove him to act this way, and why did he reserve a special kind of attention for you?

Your heart and brain waged war within you, locked in a relentless battle. The dissonance between the memories of his affection and the grim reality of his actions created a storm in your mind, leaving you standing at the center, grappling with the aftermath of a truth that shattered the illusion of who you thought he was.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

The room was bathed in the soft glow of a lone lamp, casting shadows that danced along the walls. You sat at your desk, notebook open, pen in hand, attempting to immerse yourself in schoolwork. The day had been long, emotions running all over the place, and sleep felt elusive. Your family had retired to their beds, asleep, but you found yourself unable to succumb to the embrace of slumber.

Two distinct knocks on your window disrupted the quiet of your room. Your head snapped towards the source of the sound, confusion etched on your face. You cautiously approached the window, pulling aside the curtains to peer into the darkness outside. The moon's feeble light offered little clarity, and you hesitated before opening the window to investigate further.

A figure materialized before you, and with an involuntary yelp, you stumbled backward. "Heeseung! What are you doing here?" you hissed, the surprise evident in your voice. Heeseung attempted a graceful entrance through the window but ended up tripping, the thud of his landing echoing in the room. With a sheepish "oof," he got up, closing the window behind him.

"I wanted to see you," he confessed, drawing closer, his hand gently cupping your cheek. "But... I thought you were still at the police station or..." Your words trailed off, lost in the jumble of thoughts racing through your mind. Heeseung silenced you with a reassuring shush, pulling you into a warm embrace. At first, you stiffened, the memory of recent events resurfacing, but gradually, you found comfort in his arms.

"You didn't say anything to the cops," Heeseung mumbled as his gaze wandered around your room. "Yeah... I didn't," you admitted, unsure of the implications. "Good," he replied, settling on your bed and noticing the schoolwork spread across it. "Still working, hm?" A casual smile adorned his face. You shrugged in response, and he patted the space next to him, inviting you to sit.

A violent storm of inquiries raged within the confines of your mind, each question vying for attention, clamoring to be voiced. Yet, as you attempted to give voice to the cacophony of thoughts, an inexplicable restraint silenced you. "I can hear you thinking," Heeseung's voice cut through the quiet, drawing your attention. You looked up, eyes widening as you found his gaze fixed upon you, a contemplative darkness shrouding his eyes. His face remained an enigma, devoid of emotion.

"Sorry..." you uttered, a feeble apology, as Heeseung gently seized your hands in his. You couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the seemingly tender hold and the gruesome reality your mind incessantly reminded you of. Those same hands that now sought connection had wielded a weapon, held a knife, and bore the evidence of violence, your blood staining their once seemingly innocent surface.

A shiver ran down your spine as you pulled back, a reflex driven by the reminder of the dual nature residing within those hands. The conflict within you intensified – the desire for comfort at odds with the fear embedded in your memories. The room hung heavy with unspoken tension, a palpable silence punctuated only by the beating of your heart and the weight of your unuttered questions, imprisoned within the recesses of your mind.

"Look... why did you come here?" you finally managed to ask, your voice barely above a whisper. Heeseung sighed, "I just wanted to see you. Listen, I know you're mad and confused, but I won't hurt you. I promise." He tilted your head up, and in his eyes, you found a sincerity that tugged at your doubts.

"Okay... but can you leave?" you requested, your gaze drifting away. Heeseung, seemingly taken aback, huffed and stood up. "Sure," he replied before surprising you, grabbing your jaw and leaning down to whisper in your ear. "But remember, you are mine now." With those words hanging in the air, he climbed out of the window.

You hastily closed the window behind him, the room now echoing with the weight of his departure. As you collapsed onto your bed, a wave of tears escaped, tracing wet paths down your cheeks and onto the bedding. Exhausted, confused, and emotionally drained, you succumbed to the fatigue, seeking refuge in the solace of a restless sleep.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

The school hallways stretched before you like a desolate maze, each step heavy with the weight of grief and the relentless whispers that followed you. Your bag, laden with textbooks and unspoken burdens, hung from your shoulder as you trudged toward your locker. The days leading up to the school's reopening had been a nightmarish blur – a cacophony of sleepless nights and missed meals, the relentless gossip clawing at your fragile composure. Heeseung's absence, a void in your life, left you feeling hollow, uncertain if it was the vacancy or the lingering shock that cast a pallor over your existence.

As you walked alone through the corridors, the usual chatter seemed distant, and the faces that turned toward you carried a mix of sympathy and morbid curiosity. You scanned the crowded hallways in vain for Heeseung, but he remained elusive, adding another layer of unease to your already heavy heart.

Gathering your books, you made your way to class, the weight of loneliness accentuated by the empty seat beside you where Yeji used to sit. The desk stood as a poignant reminder of the void left by her absence. The principal's voice crackled through the speakers, momentarily breaking the uneasy silence, as he addressed the student body with a somber acknowledgment of the lives lost to the Ghostface killer. The words offered little solace, and the notion of moving forward seemed an insurmountable task.

Sighing, you leaned over your desk, lost in the shadows of your own thoughts. The monotony was interrupted by a voice – Kim Taehyung, a high viewed person in the high school popularity. "Mind if I sit here?" he asked, and you shrugged, the emptiness of the seat beside you an invitation.

"I've heard a lot about you, Y/N," Taehyung stated, his eyes locked on yours with a mixture of fascination and curiosity. "Yeah, sure you have," you replied, fully aware of the rumors that painted you as a survivor of Ghostface's relentless pursuit.

His question echoed in the hollow spaces of the classroom, "Is there any reason why you have survived against him?" A peculiar intensity colored his gaze, unsettling you. "I don't know... I always ran and fought," you replied, a simple truth.

As you shifted your gaze from Taehyung to the front of the class, a sudden tension gripped the air, as Heeseung, entered the room. His eyes, drawn like magnets, found you immediately. Yet, as his gaze lingered, it snapped abruptly to Taehyung, who had leaned over to you with an question that sliced through the stifling quiet.

"Heeey, do you know who Ghostface is?" Taehyung's question hung in the air.

Shock painted your features, the abruptness of the question catching you off guard. "What?" you asked, incredulous. "Why would you ask this stuff?" The words tumbled out, a mix of disbelief and frustration.

Taehyung, sensing the rising tension, put his arms up in a placating gesture. "Hey, it's just a question!" he protested, his tone attempting to diffuse the sudden hostility.

"Yeah, well, you seem very stuck on Ghostface," you muttered under your breath, eyes narrowing in suspicion. The intensity of Heeseung's glare toward Taehyung was palpable, a silent warning that cut through the charged atmosphere. You could almost feel the weight of Heeseung's unspoken threats, and, somehow, you didn't doubt for a moment that he was capable of carrying them out.

Just as the situation reached a boiling point, the timely entrance of the teacher disrupted the building tension. Heeseung, now robbed of immediate action, had no choice but to take his seat, back where Jay had ushered him earlier.

The minutes dragged on in the classroom, each second feeling like an eternity as you struggled to concentrate on the lesson. Heeseung's piercing gaze bore into the back of your neck, a constant reminder of his presence. The weight of his stare created an almost tangible pressure, making it difficult for you to focus on anything other than the unnerving energy radiating from him.

As you tried to navigate the sea of swirling thoughts, it became apparent that Taehyung was also affected by the charged atmosphere. His usually relaxed demeanor had shifted to one of stiffness, as if he, too, could feel the invisible tension in the room.

The bell finally rang, breaking the spell that had held you captive. Quickly rising from your seat, you made your way toward the exit. However, your attempt to escape the suffocating atmosphere was short-lived, as Taehyung followed you out.

Annoyance etched across your face, you turned to face him, questioning his persistence. "What are you doing..." you asked, a tone of irritation lacing your words.

"Nothing! It's just—well, you didn't answer my question!" Taehyung exclaimed, his eagerness revealing a certain fixation on the topic that left you uneasy.

In your peripheral vision, Heeseung lingered, a silent figure observing the exchange. "No. I don't know who Ghostface is. His mask is always on. Now leave me alone." The words, firm and final, left no room for further discussion as you walked away, a flicker of relief washing over you as Taehyung, thankfully, chose not to follow.

The bustling sounds of the cafeteria gradually faded as you walked past it, as you did not feel any desire for food. As you turned a corner, the unexpected collision with someone jolted you back to the present. Looking up, your eyes met Heeseung's, who stood there, leaning against the wall with an air of anticipation.

"Heeseung?" you whispered, confusion etching your features. Before you could question his presence, he swiftly grabbed you and ushered you into the janitor's closet, deftly locking the door behind you.

"What did Taehyung-ssi want?" he asked, hands gently caressing your arms. "He asked about you—well, about Ghostface," you replied. Heeseung's eyes lingered on yours, then drifted to your lips. An almost-kiss hung between you, halted in anticipation.

"May I kiss you, my love?" he inquired, seeking your permission. You nodded, but Heeseung demanded more. "Words, love. I need words." A nod from you wasn't enough; he craved words. "Yes," you said, granting him permission. A satisfied smile graced Heeseung's lips as he bridged the gap, initiating a kiss. An electric spark ignited as your lips met, and you gasped when Heeseung tilted his head, deepening the kiss.

His hand found your waist, pulling you closer, and he pressed you against the wall. The other hand supported his weight, creating an intimate embrace. "Fuck, I missed you," Heeseung murmured between kisses, his lips trailing down your jaw and throat. Collateral to his ardor, he adjusted your collar, pulling it down as it hindered his path. A sudden bite against your neck made you jump, and as he pulled back, a mischievous grin played on his lips.

"Now Taehyung knows you are taken," he declared, pulling you in for another kiss. His hand found its way to your neck, thumb on your jaw, and index finger tracing your cheek as he hummed, savoring the moment, while you squeezed your eyes shut, caught in a whirlwind of sensations.

The fervent exchange of kisses consumed you, Heeseung's touch igniting your senses. Pinned against the wall, your mind buzzed with the intensity of the moment – his lips on yours, his distinct scent enveloping you, his hands exploring every inch of your being. Your fingers clung to his shirt and neck, desperate to hold onto the sensations he stirred. His groans and whispered praises fueled the passionate encounter.

As the intensity of the moment peaked, Heeseung left a trail of bite marks and love bites across your skin, each one a testament to the desire that consumed you both. With each mark he left, you felt a surge of pleasure ripple through you, your body responding eagerly to his touch.

As the distant bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, you gasped for air, attempting to break free from the all-encompassing kiss. Heeseung, however, pursued your lips, capturing them once more. "Heeseung," you managed to utter between breaths, but his fervor persisted. "The bell," you insisted, feeling the urgency of the passing time.

"Skip with me," he pleaded, his words laced with desperation. He tilted your jaw up, examining the marks and bites he had left on your collarbone, throat, and neck, a sense of accomplishment evident in his humming. Overwhelmed, you gulped, and before rational thought could intervene, you nodded. Heeseung grinned, seizing your hand and pulling you out of the janitor's closet. Together, you raced through the now deserted halls, escaping the beginning of the next class.

Outside, you both ran through the empty streets until Heeseung stopped by a serene lake. Turning to you with a smile, he guided you down to the water's edge. "Why are we here?" you asked, curious about his choice. "It's my favorite place," Heeseung confessed, his gaze fixed on the distance. "I haven't been able to come here for a while." The sincerity in his words caught you off guard. "Is this a special place for you?" you asked, seeking to understand the layers behind the man who, despite his dark actions, appeared lost. Heeseung nodded, meeting your eyes before returning his gaze to the water. Unable to find words, you embraced him, and after a brief hesitation, he reciprocated, his face nestled against your neck, his form trembling ever so slightly in your arms.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

In the quiet confines of your room, the soft glow of the moon painted a delicate tapestry across the ceiling. Lying in bed, you found yourself enveloped in the dim illumination. Fingers intertwined, you absentmindedly fiddled with your hands.

Confusion reigned as you grappled with emotions that had evolved from a simple crush on Heeseung into a complex, undeniable love. The journey from infatuation to this deep, forbidden affection was unexpected, and you struggled to reconcile the warmth that surged through you whenever Heeseung was near with the harsh reality of his dark secret.

With every stolen glance, your heart seemed to flutter, almost smiling in response to the mere presence of Heeseung. The touch of his lips on yours sent your stomach into a frenzy of butterflies, and the brush of his fingers against your skin set it tingling with an electric charge. His captivating gaze, those dark eyes that held a universe of mystery, had the power to turn your legs into jelly.

Yet, amidst the euphoria of love, an undeniable truth lingered—an uncomfortable awareness that Heeseung was a murderer. The police, having found Beomseok in the Ghostface costume, believed they had solved the case. However, recent news stories hinted at the contrary. Murders continued, marked by the enigmatic Ghostface masks left at the scenes, challenging the assumption that the killer had been unmasked.

In the silence of your room, the conflict within your heart manifested in the gentle rise and fall of your chest. You pondered the morality of your emotions, wrestling with the profound love you felt for a man who lived a double life—one of tender affection with you and another steeped in darkness.

The echo of the argument resonated in the corridors of your memory, a haunting playback of words that lingered in the silence of your thoughts. It was a scene etched vividly—the dimly lit kitchen in Heeseung's house, the weight of your question hanging in the air like a storm on the horizon.

Heeseung, leaning casually against the kitchen counter, confronted your question with an unsettling nonchalance. "What?" His voice held a detached quality. "Did you kill all those people that are on the news?" you pressed, the words carrying a heaviness that seemed to punctuate the air.

"Well..." Heeseung's response was a hesitant admission, a glimpse into a world stained by the consequences of his actions.  "Not all of them, at least not the ones where the mask is left behind. Amateur move, honestly." he dismissed, scratching his neck as if contemplating the simplicity of the copycat killer. The chilling revelation, sent shivers down your spine. It was as if you were discussing a mundane topic, not probing the depths of a heinous crime.

The revelation brought forth a torrent of emotions, a mixture of fear, anger, and a profound sadness. "So someone is acting like they are you, doesn't that bother you?" The question hung in the air, a plea for acknowledgment that the reality of his actions should stir something within him.

However, Heeseung's response, delivered with an eerie calmness, further unraveled the threads of your emotions. "No? Why should I?" he retorted, indifferent to the gravity of the crimes that mirrored his own. "Because they're doing the same thing! Killing! Hurting. That's wrong!" you said.

In a hauntingly intimate gesture, Heeseung closed the distance, his hand seizing your jaw, commanding your attention. "As long as they don't touch you," he murmured, his words a possessive declaration that resonated down to your very core. His hand descended to your neck, fingers tracing a delicate path, as he swore, "I will kill them if they touch what's mine." The tension crackling in the air like electricity. Heeseung, undeterred, leaned in for a kiss, seizing the moment to entangle your senses in a web of conflicting emotions. His tongue invaded the space between your lips, a calculated move to distract and claim, his other hand enveloping your waist.

Your legs shook as he pulled you closer, his tongue slipping past your lips in an invasive dance. There was a desperate urge to succumb, to lose yourself in the intoxicating familiarity of his touch. Yet, with an iron resolve, you pushed him away, breaking the suffocating embrace. "I just... I can't do this now, Heeseung," you whispered, your voice a fragile echo in the room. In that moment, you turned away from him, the sanctuary of his home now tainted with the bitter taste of reality.

Without waiting for a response, you bolted, your footsteps echoing through the hallway as you fled from the confrontation you weren't ready to face. The door slammed shut behind you, a final punctuation mark to a conversation that left wounds too raw to bear.

The outside world greeted you with the cool embrace of the night, the stars a witness. As you ran through the quiet streets, the rhythmic cadence of your steps became a desperate heartbeat, each stride a futile attempt to outrun the truth.

Heeseung, left behind in his own dwelling, resisted the urge to chase after you. His silhouette stood tall in the doorway, bathed in the muted glow filtering through the windows. Leaning his head down, his eyes fixated on the space you once occupied, he wore a cold stare that betrayed no emotion.

The memory played like a vivid nightmare, each detail etched in your mind—the coldness of his stare as you escaped, the desperation that radiated from you, and the haunting realization that love had entangled you in a dangerous dance with a man who lived in shadows.

Heeseungs Pov:

Heeseung's days at school turned into a relentless quest, a desperate pursuit to find you, to have a moment alone, to bridge the widening gap that seemed to stretch with each passing day. Yet, you were always two steps ahead, a phantom in the hallways, eluding his attempts to catch even a glimpse of you. The avoidance seemed like a deliberate dance, and he, despite his persistent efforts, was left yearning for a moment to talk, to connect.

His texts, now read with the status delivered. Calls, once filled with the warmth of your voice, turned into one-sided conversations as he was greeted by the coldness of voicemail. The frustration mounted, and Heeseung, a master of control, felt his grasp slipping.

One evening, driven to the brink of desperation, he climbed up to your window, a silent plea etched on his face. The curtains, drawn tightly shut, denied him even a glimpse of the space where you laid. Knocking on the window in the darkness, he called your name, but the room remained shrouded in silence.

The realization hit him like a cold gust of wind—his efforts, no matter how persistent, couldn't breach the walls you had built. The decision weighed heavy on him, but with a heavy heart, he conceded to give you space. The anger and frustration that pulsed within him found an outlet, a return to the only thing that brought him a twisted sense of satisfaction: murder.

As the other Ghostface, seemingly inspired by his legacy, terrorized the town, Heeseung decided to expand his reach to other towns. The chase, the thrill of the hunt, became a distraction from the echoing emptiness left by your absence. Yet, none of it compared to the rush he felt with you.

The chase, the fear in his victims' eyes, and the life draining from them were all familiar sensations, but none matched the electrifying thrill he had experienced with you. The adrenaline rush was too quick, leaving him even more frustrated.

Breaking into houses, shattering windows, and forcefully entering doors became his routine. The victims, now more vigilant and security-conscious, provided a challenge, but it only added to Heeseung's irritation. The once-satisfying acts now felt like mere inconveniences.

Yet, amidst the chaos he orchestrated, it was your avoidance that annoyed him the most. His thoughts often circled back to you, wondering why you resisted him. But Heeseung was patient, confident that you would come back to him when you were ready. In the twisted game he played, he reveled in the idea that you were the ultimate prize, and he would wait for you, no matter how long it took.

Your POV:

The living room was cloaked in the soft glow of the television, casting a warm ambience across the room. Your little brother was off with his friends, and your mother was at work, leaving you alone with the flickering images on the screen. The news report unfolded the grim tale of the ongoing murders in the town, and the recent revelation that there were now two Ghostfaces haunting the community.

You sat on the couch, your gaze fixed on the television, absorbing every detail. The news broadcast showcased a video feed capturing both Ghostfaces in action. One of them stood in the clear, the camera capturing the entirety of his menacing presence. Dressed in a black cloak, a twisted white mask concealed his identity, and a blood-stained knife gleamed menacingly in his hand as he brazenly entered a house with a chilling lack of remorse.

The other Ghostface remained elusive, shrouded in darkness. Only the stark white of his mask and the glint of his knife were discernible. As the camera focused on him, a sinister head tilt added an eerie touch to his enigmatic presence. The screen abruptly went dark, as if the Ghostface had severed the connection with a swift, calculated move.

"The police has stated that the evidence is pointing that the right one is the original Ghostface because of his tendencies, proving that Kim Beomseok was indeed innocent and just a pawn in his game," the newswoman declared, her voice delivering the weighty verdict. A sigh escaped your lips, acknowledging the familiarity of Heeseung's distinctive traits.

"The real Ghostface is still out there, and he has an accomplice. We advise people to set a curfew and lock your doors and windows tight," the news woman continued, her words an ominous warning that echoed through the room.

As the news segued into weather updates, you took a moment to exhale the tension that had gripped you. 

As the disconcerting reality settled, your phone pierced the silence with an unknown caller. A frown creased your forehead as you scrunched your nose in distaste, swiftly ending the call. You rose, moving toward the television, the haunting images of the Ghostfaces still fresh in your mind. With a click, you turned off the TV, leaving the room in profound darkness.

Navigating through the obscurity, you made your way to the kitchen. Refusing to turn on the lights, you reached for a kitchen knife, a cold metal reassurance in your hand. Seated on a barstool, you waited in the inky silence.

A persistent ring pierced the quietude, emanating from your phone, held tightly in your grasp. As the call persisted, you let it ring, the vibration against your palm a rhythmic reminder of impending danger. Finally, with a stoic resolve, you answered, the chill in your voice unmistakable.

"Hello," you uttered, devoid of emotion, bracing for the encounter with the dark voice on the other end. The subtle distortion revealed the use of a voice changer, heightening the malevolence of the conversation.

"Hello, Y/N," the voice responded, a sinister greeting that sent a shiver down your spine. "Hello, Ghostface, or should I say fake Ghostface?" you retorted, a flicker of defiance in your tone.

"Clever, aren't you? I can see why you beat the master," the voice acknowledged, "Master?" you uttered.

"Yes, master. I admire him so much, you know? When he first started killing, I was appalled. But now? I see why he likes this career," the voice confessed, unveiling a twisted admiration for the chaos that had gripped the town.

"That's disgusting," you spat out, a visceral reaction to the perverse admiration for a killer. "Hm, I suppose so. But I don't really care what you think. Now that I have proven myself worthy as a killer, I wanted to see what the deal with you was," the voice continued, unapologetic in its admission.

As the unsettling conversation unfolded, the voice delved into a sinister curiosity about your resilience against Ghostface's attacks. "Why couldn't he kill you, what's so special about you?" the voice probed, drawing out a chilling anticipation.

"Why don't you come and see for yourself, asshole?" you retorted. The voice responded with a laugh. "You know, I think I will accept that proposition happily. Here I come, bitch," the voice declared before abruptly ending the call. The air thickened with impending danger, and in the shadows, you braced yourself for the approaching storm, armed with nothing but a kitchen knife and a heart hardened.

A crash shattered the stillness, drawing your attention to the source of the disturbance. The garden chair outside had been hurled into the room, breaking the window. With a blink, the ominous silhouette of Ghostface materialized in the hallway, a figure you instinctively knew wasn't Heeseung. Dread coiled in your stomach, a chilling realization that terrorized you.

This Ghostface was different, shorter and less imposing than Heeseung. The masked intruder charged toward you, a gleaming knife in hand, and quick thinking became your ally.

With a swift motion, you leaped onto the kitchen counter, rolled to the other side, and seized the faucet. A torrent of water erupted, drenching Ghostface. Choking and gurgling sounds punctuated the air as he struggled against the unexpected assault. You turned off the water, before you darted into the living room.

Jumping over the couch, you retrieved the gun stowed beneath it, a precautionary measure your mother had taken. You aimed the gun, and fired. The bullet found its mark, and Ghostface howled in pain, an unfamiliar vulnerability beneath the mask.

As you stood, rounding the couch, you stared down at the wounded assailant. "Is that your best? Come on," you taunted, kicking away the knife that had posed a lethal threat.

Ghostface's gaze bore into yours before he lunged, toppling you to the ground. Pain reverberated through your head as it collided with the floor. The masked intruder mounted you, hands closing around your throat. Panic surged, but you fought back, grappling with his wrists, desperately trying to pry him off.

"You bitch!" Ghostface spat, the voice changer momentarily silent, revealing a clear, angered voice. A punch landed on your face, pain blossoming as the assault continued. In the struggle, you glimpsed the kitchen knife near your leg. An opportunity for self-defense emerged, and you seized it without hesitation, driving the blade into Ghostface's back.

His scream echoed through the room as he released his grip. You kicked him away, scrambling to a safe distance. Blood stained the floor, a testament to the violence that had unfolded. Ghostface, weakened and desperate, retreated through the back door, leaving a crimson trail in his wake.

Gasping for breath, you clutched your phone, dialing the police. In the aftermath of the struggle, you summoned the courage to make an unexpected call. Heeseung's voice, warm and familiar, filled your ears. "Hello? Angel?" he greeted.

"Heeseung... he came. Ghostface came," you uttered, your voice strained and hoarse. "Shit. I'm coming, just hang on," Heeseung's determined response resonated through the line. The door slammed shut, signaling his departure.

"I beat him. He called me and broke in. And I fought against him," you whispered. "Good, good. I'm so proud of you, baby," Heeseung reassured, his words a soothing balm in the aftermath of the storm.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

The street outside your house was a tableau of flashing lights and uniformed officers, a reminder of the recent chaos. Sitting on the doorstep, you stared into the scene. However, a ray of relief pierced through the gloom as Heeseung came sprinting toward you.

His presence, a beacon of comfort, ignited a rush of happiness within you. Without a second thought, you leaped into his arms, seeking solace in his embrace. Tears flowed freely as Heeseung held you close, his arms a haven that shielded you. He rubbed your back soothingly, whispering words of reassurance.

As your cries subsided, Heeseung gently pulled back, his gaze scanning your face. Anguish flickered in his eyes as he beheld the bruises and the haunting marks around your throat. "He did this?" Heeseung questioned, a simmering anger beneath his words. You could only nod in response.

Suddenly, Heeseung scooped you up in a bridal embrace, determination etched across his features. "Heeseung! What are you doing?" you protested, clinging to his neck. "Taking you with me. No way I'm leaving you alone with him running around," he declared, his voice laced with protective fervor. Concern for your safety outweighed all other considerations.

"What about my mom and brother?" you inquired. "They have the police. I only care about your safety," Heeseung asserted. "Heeseung!" you pleaded, a mix of desperation and loyalty.

"What? It's the truth," he responded. "They are my family!" you insisted. After a moment, he relented, "Alright, just let me have you now." With a resigned sigh, you agreed.

Upon reaching Heeseung's house, weariness clung to you like a heavy shroud, as he guided you to his bedroom, gently laying you down. You looked up at him, the exhaustion apparent in your eyes. Heeseung settled beside you, drawing you into an intimate embrace. "I'm here now, angel," he whispered, his words a tender promise of protection.

As he held you close, the weight of the night's events settled on Heeseung's shoulders. The realization that the other Ghostface had dared to touch you, to harm you, ignited a storm of rage within him. The room seemed to pulse with the intensity of his emotions. His eyes, once gentle, now burned with a fierce hatred and anger.

A possessive fervor took hold of Heeseung as he held you close, not leaving even the slightest room for air to pass between you. His arms wrapped around you like an impenetrable shield, a silent declaration that he would do whatever it took to keep you safe. The rage within him was a primal force, fueled by the audacity of someone else daring to harm what belonged to him.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow in Heeseung's bedroom. As you stirred from your slumber, the remnants of sleep clinging to your consciousness, you found the bed beside you empty. A quick scan of the room revealed no sign of Heeseung. The only evidence of his presence was the lingering scent of his cologne on the sheets.

With a yawn, you shuffled out of the bedroom, following the enticing aroma of breakfast wafting through the air. Descending the stairs, you found Heeseung in the kitchen, effortlessly moving between stove and counterto.

"Good morning, baby," he greeted you with a warm smile, his attention momentarily diverted from the sizzling pan.

"Morning," you mumbled, still half in a dream, and made your way to the table. The aroma of pancakes and freshly brewed coffee filled the air, enticing you to partake in the morning feast.

After a satisfying breakfast, Heeseung trailed besides you as you made your way to school. His hoodie enveloped you in its warmth, and the oversized sweatpants added a touch of casual comfort.

Entering the school grounds, the attention directed at you was palpable. Whispers and glances followed your every step, the events of the previous night etched into the collective consciousness of your peers. Heeseung's proximity only intensified the scrutiny, and you couldn't escape the awareness of being the center of attention.

Reaching your locker, Heeseung leaned casually against the row of lockers, his arm sliding around you. You retrieved your books, the cool metal of the locker a stark contrast to the warmth of his touch. The hallway buzzed with the muted sounds of conversation, but in that moment, it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of you.

As the first class commenced, you found yourself alone, the comforting presence of Heeseung absent from your side. However, the second class brought a familiar face. Taehyung joined you, though something seemed off. His usually vibrant demeanor was replaced by a subtle shadow of unease.

"Are you okay?" you asked, concern lacing your voice. Taehyung glanced at you, attempting to muster a reassuring smile. "Me? I'm fine, totally fine," he replied, but the words seemed to lack conviction. Opting not to press further, you turned your attention to the board, though a lingering worry for your friend remained in the back of your mind.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

The school halls were mostly deserted, the echo of chatter and laughter fading as you walked towards the bustling cafeteria. Your steps were purposeful, the anticipation of meeting Heeseung pulling you forward. The usual hustle and bustle of students had already subsided, the majority having rushed ahead to the cafeteria while you were held back by a teacher, discussing assignments and grades.

The silence enveloped you as you neared the cafeteria, the muted sounds of your own footsteps echoing through the corridor.

However, before you could reach the bustling cafeteria, you were abruptly halted. The sudden impact against the cold wall sent a jolt through you, and you found yourself face to face with a group of popular girls from the school. Led by Yeowang, their accusatory stares bore into you.

"You think you are so mighty, don't you? Taking Heeseung for yourself?!" Yeowang accused, her tone dripping with venom. Confusion furrowed your brow as you attempted to make sense of the unwarranted confrontation. "What are you talking about?" you questioned.

"You know exactly what she's talking about!" Jiwoo chimed in, her expression equally accusatory. Yeowang, the self-proclaimed leader, sneered at you. "What's even so special about you, huh? You survived two killers, oh, big deal. I can do that with a hand tied around my back!"

Annoyance welled up within you, and you retorted, "Then why don't you try it, huh? Try not being murdered!" With a defiant push, you attempted to distance yourself from the confrontation.

In response, Yeowang's rage peaked, and she raised her hand, ready to strike you. However, before the blow could land, a strong grip clasped around her wrist, halting the impending assault. Heeseung stood there, a storm brewing in his eyes.

"What do you think you're doing?" Heeseung's voice was deceptively calm, a dangerous edge underscoring his words. "Heeseung! I—I... it's not what you think! Uh, Y/n pushed me, and I simply wanted to go against her in self-defense!" Yeowang stuttered in her attempt to justify her actions, but Heeseung's glare pierced through her excuses. "Really? I thought you were better than that," he remarked, releasing her wrist.

"Now, I'm going to be nice and ignore the fact that you were hurting Y/N. Now go before I change my mind," he commanded, and the girls scattered, leaving you standing there in shock.

As the commotion subsided, Heeseung turned to you, his gaze softening. He came in front of you, looking you over with concern. "You okay?" he asked, his voice gentle yet filled with an underlying intensity.

"Yes, I'm fine," you responded, still processing the unexpected turn of events, grateful for Heeseung's timely intervention. 

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

The midday sunlight streamed through the classroom windows, casting a warm glow on the bustling scene within. Animated conversations echoed off the walls, punctuated by the occasional rustle of papers and the soft hum of the air conditioner. The air was alive with the energy of students engrossed in various discussions and activities.

Seated at your desk, you attempted to immerse yourself in the lesson, the teacher's voice a constant presence in the background. However, a fatigue gradually crept over you, shrouding your senses in a hazy fog. Desperate to shake off the encroaching drowsiness, you blinked repeatedly, but each blink seemed to weigh heavier on your eyelids.

As you struggled to maintain focus, the ambient noise surrounding you took on an underwater quality. Conversations became muffled, as if distorted by an unseen force. Your vision blurred, and the edges of your consciousness began to dissolve into an indistinct haze. Fingers twitched involuntarily, a subtle tremor that hinted at the overwhelming weariness settling into your bones. Someone in the distance called your name, the words reaching you like a distant echo, detached and surreal.

The world around you seemed to fade, and a sense of weightlessness accompanied the descent into the beckoning darkness.

And then, like the closing of heavy curtains, everything collapsed, and you surrendered to the comforting embrace of unconsciousness.

In that silent realm of blackness, time seemed to hold its breath. There were no whispers of conversation, no distant echoes. Only the profound stillness of an unconscious mind.

As your eyes fluttered open, the sterile environment of the nurse's office came into focus. The soft hum of fluorescent lights overhead and the antiseptic scent in the air signaled your departure from the realm of unconsciousness. Confusion clouded your thoughts momentarily, and you glanced around, realizing you were lying on the medical bed.

The nurse, a calming presence in the room, sat on a nearby chair and noticed you had woken up. "Hello, dear. You caused quite a commotion," she said with a gentle smile. "I did?" Her response was a nod, and a blush of embarrassment crept up your cheeks. "Oh..." you mumbled in response.

Offering reassurance, the nurse continued, "It's alright. Your boyfriend brought you here." She handed you a cup of juice, and you sipped it slowly. "My boyfriend?" you echoed in surprise. "Yes, he's sitting right outside," she replied, gesturing toward the waiting area. "Now, you've got to be more careful with your health. I would rather not panic seeing you lifeless in a boy's arms," she added with a chuckle before returning to her duties at the computer.

With a nod of acknowledgment, you finished the juice, tossed the empty cup into the trash, and made your way out of the nurse's office. Heeseung was sitting in the waiting area, and you couldn't help but wonder why he had taken the time to be there for you. "What are you doing here?" you questioned, genuinely curious.

Heeseung stood up, his eyes meeting yours as he came to your side immediately. "Waiting for you," he responded, slipping a warm hand around your waist. A genuine smile played on his lips as he guided you back, and you felt a rush of butterflies in your stomach. "You didn't need to do that," you insisted softly.

"I wanted to," he replied, the sincerity evident in his gaze. His smile, directed solely at you, held a rare genuineness that made you feel special.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

The days rolled on, and a fragile sense of normalcy returned. Heeseung, reassured by the absence of the other Ghostface's threat, let his guard down. The watchful eyes of the police gave a semblance of security to the neighborhood, and you gradually began to resume a routine.

However, the peace you found at home sharply contrasted with the ongoing trials at school. The popular girls, harboring resentment, made your life difficult. Yeowang, reached new lows, and took pleasure in subtle but malicious acts when Heeseung or any of his friends weren't around. She denied her involvement even when confronted, weaving intricate lies with a practiced ease.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

You entered your bedroom after a long day when you noticed an unexpected arrangement on your bed. A bouquet of red, white, and blue roses intertwined with each other, creating a harmonious blend of colors, alongside a box of chocolates, awaited your attention. A simple blue wrapping adorned with a pristine white bow encased a mysterious gift.

The floral fragrance filled the air as you lifted the bouquet, appreciating the delicate beauty of each bloom. Satisfied, you set the flowers aside and turned your attention to the box of chocolates. To your delight, it contained your favorite type.

Your curiosity piqued further as you unwrapped the main gift, revealing a sleek black butterfly knife adorned with golden designs. The handles, featured elegant white angel wings. Eager to explore its intricacies, you attempted a playful flick, only to fumble and drop it onto your bed. "Ow!" you exclaimed, shaking off the momentary sting.

Recovering swiftly, you spotted a note at the bottom of the gift. Retrieving it, you read the words inscribed: "For my angel, love Heeseung." A smile played on your lips at the gesture.

Grateful for the unexpected present, you promptly reached for your phone to express your appreciation. "Thank you for the gifts; I loved them. And i will not ask how you got them in," you messaged Heeseung.

Almost instantaneously, his reply arrived, "You're welcome, princess. And don't worry. I will teach you how to use it." His words sparked a conversation that extended into the night. As you exchanged messages, the hour grew late, prompting you to bid Heeseung a good night. "I'm going to bed. Good night, Heeseung," you typed. His response, "Good night, angel. Make sure to lock your windows," came promptly. Following his advice, you secured the windows before settling into bed.

A new message from Heeseung flashed on your screen, simply stating, "Good girl." You gulped, the message sent a subtle thrill down your spine. A peculiar warmth, a delightful tickle, settled in your stomach as you read those two simple words.

You glanced toward the window, half-expecting to find something beyond the glass. The room was dimly lit, shadows playing on the walls, and the soft glow of the moonlight casting a gentle ambiance.

With a hint of curiosity, you studied the windows, half-expecting it to reveal a mysterious figure with a playful presence. The night air outside was still, and the surroundings seemed undisturbed. Yet, the lingering echo of "Good girl" resonated in your mind, creating an air of suspense that you found oddly thrilling.

Taking a deep breath, you shook off the imaginary tension, and changed into comfortable pajamas, sliding under the covers with the butterfly knife on your nightstand. Examining it closely, you noticed the intricately carved initials of your name and Heeseung's on the handles. A quiet gasp escaped your lips. The unexpected yet incredibly thoughtful touch sent a rush of warmth through you, a gentle smile played on your lips as you marveled at the personalized detail. With a satisfied sigh, you carefully placed it back on the nightstand.

The room dimmed as you turned off the lights, and you layed in bed, staring up at the ceiling.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

In the unsettling ebb and flow of high school dynamics, the once vibrant halls of the school now seemed shadowed by the undercurrents of hostility. Every step felt like a careful dance to avoid the traps set by the popular girls. Despite Heeseung's protective presence, their relentless efforts to undermine you continued.

On top of that Taehyung's behavior grew increasingly intrusive, his advances becoming more pronounced in class and the halls. His proximity became uncomfortable, and the boundary between friendliness and invasion blurred.

His persistence in getting close to you prompted a growing sense of unease. The lingering feeling of being watched whenever he was nearby compelled you to take measures to avoid him altogether. The hallways became a maze where you strategically maneuvered to sidestep encounters with Taehyung, who seemed determined to bridge a gap that you were intent on widening.

Despite your efforts to dodge him, Taehyung's persistence continued. Another time, in the empty school hallway, he cornered you near the lockers. "You know, you're pretty when you're mad," he commented.

Feeling trapped, you shot him a glare. "Enough, Taehyung. I'm not interested, and your comments are not welcome. Back off."

His giggles echoed as you walked away, determined to distance yourself from hiseerie behavior.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

As the days unfolded, you couldn't shake the lingering sense that, despite the calm on the surface, there were storm clouds gathering on the horizon, threatening to disrupt the fragile peace you desperately sought.

The news continued to broadcast the chilling saga of the two Ghostfaces haunting the town. The police, growing more frustrated by the escalating body count, struggled to apprehend the elusive killers. Each new report fueled the anxiety that had settled over the community.

You found yourself caught in the relentless grip of fear once again, the shadow of Ghostfaces looming larger than ever. The unpredictable nature of his attacks had everyone on edge, and you couldn't shake the feeling that the danger was closing in.

Heeseung, on the other hand, was adapting to the heightened scrutiny and frustration of the police. When he wore the Ghostface costume, he became more cautious, stalking his victims for extended periods before making his move. The cat-and-mouse game between him and the authorities intensified, a dangerous dance in the moonlit shadows.

The other Ghostface seemed to be taking a page from Heeseung's book, growing more careful and methodical in his approach. However, unlike Heeseung's relatively clean crime scenes, this Ghostface left behind a gruesome trail of blood. The brutality escalated, leaving a mark that horrified even the most seasoned investigators.

One night, a particularly disturbing message written in blood on a crime scene wall sent shivers down your spine: "For you, Ghostface." The implication was clear, and it left you feeling creeped out. Heeseung, upon seeing this gruesome display, was impressed by the audacity.

But had the other Ghostface not gone after you, Heeseung might have entertained the idea of an unholy alliance, a partnership in chaos. But now, with the line crossed, Heeseung's desire for revenge burned bright. This town, in his eyes, had room for only one killer, and the other Ghostface had just signed his own death warrant.

Friday Night:

In the opulent confines of Yeowang's mansion, a sleepover took place, an event initiated by the absence of Yeowang's parents for the weekend, her closest friends—Hyo-jin, Yoo-mi, Hayeong, and Jiwoo was present. The night started late, as the girls gathered in the spacious living room adorned with lavish furnishings. The girls huddled on the plush sofa, draped in cozy blankets, their laughter echoing against the opulent walls. A large flat-screen TV, mounted like a work of art, illuminated the room, showcasing the latest news broadcast featuring the ongoing Ghostface killings and investigations.

As they bantered and gossiped, Jiwoo, known for her audacious comments, couldn't help but interject with her own peculiar observation. "Ghostface is hot, actually," she declared, earning incredulous looks from the others. Hayeong, ever the voice of reason, promptly dismissed the notion. "Okay first of all, that's a killer. Second, you have a boyfriend, and besides, he's masked! You don't even know how he looks!"

"So? I can see it," Jiwoo retorted, undeterred. Hyo-jin, more observant than the rest, interjected, " There are two Ghostfaces. Which one is hotter?"

The room fell momentarily silent as the girls processed this, their eyes fixated on the TV where two distinct images of the masked killers were displayed. Jiwoo, with her usual nonchalant demeanor, broke the silence. "Oh…both, I guess? I mean, look at them!" she exclaimed, pointing animatedly at the screen.

"You are crazy," Hyo-jin remarked, her voice tinged with disbelief. Unbeknownst to the others, Yeowang found herself oddly conflicted, silently acknowledging Jiwoo's point but reluctant to admit that she, too, felt an inexplicable allure to the enigmatic figures behind the masks.

The mood took a sharp turn when Hayeong, attempting to shift the conversation, brought up your name that immediately ignited Yeowang's fury. "I can't believe that Y/N is the only one who survived both of them," she stated, a heavy silence enveloping the room. Yeowang's reaction was visceral—her anger palpable, manifested by the shattering of a vase against the wall.

"That whore does not deserve it!" Yeowang's scream reverberated through the expansive mansion. "She survived two killers and suddenly got famous! She got Heeseung! It's unfair! What does she have that I don't?!" Yeowang's accusatory glare swept across the room, her friends taken aback by the sudden outburst.

"You are in my house! You will not mention her name!" Yeowang's command echoed, punctuating the room with a tense energy. The other girls, startled and intimidated, nodded in compliance. "Got it, we will not say her name," they meekly replied, an air of discomfort settling over the once lively sleepover.

The night pressed on, and Hayeong, feeling a stifling warmth in the crowded room, decided to excuse herself. She climbed the stairs to the bathroom, her steps a subtle echo against the hushed whispers of her friends below. Her nimble fingers worked silently to ease open the window, allowing fresh air in.

As she called her boyfriend, the cool breeze that wafted in cooled her down, "Kwan, why don't you come over? I'm too bored here, and I miss you," she whispered into the phone, her voice a delicate secret. "I'll be right there, baby," Kwan's voice assured her from the other end before he hung u.

Hayeong emerged from the bathroom and, like a phantom, slipped to the dimly-lit garage. There, waiting in the shadows, was her boyfriend's car.

Closing the garage door behind her, she got into the passenger seat, and the car became a heated session as they made out. "What do you think about ditching and coming over to mine?" Kwan proposed. "Sure, let me just tell the others," Hayeong replied, sealing her fate as she returned to the oblivious gathering in the living room.

She informed her friends of her departure, and Yeowang's dismissive response lingered in the air like an unspoken omen.

Hayeong retrieved her belongings and, with a roll of her eyes, made her way back to the secluded garage.

As she settled into the car, the illusion of safety shattered, she turned to face her boyfriend, only for her face to twist into sheer horror at the sight of his lifeless form. Panic set in, and before she could scream, a gloved hand clamped over her mouth, stifling any sound.

The rearview mirror reflected the ghostly visage of a white mask, and the glint of a knife spelled impending doom. A searing pain erupted in her stomach. The garbled scream of her pain was stifled as the hand tightened its grip, and though she fought against the assailant's grip, her strength waned.

Disoriented and weakened, Hayeong clawed her way out of the car, her hands leaving smears of blood on the cold concrete floor. Ghostface emerged from the backseat, his movements deliberate and silent, carefully closing the car door behind him. The shadows draped him in an impenetrable cloak as he advanced, following the crimson trail left by Hayeong.

With calculated precision, Ghostface struck again, the knife finding its mark in Hayeong's back. Her weak cries echoed in the garage, a desperate plea for mercy. She twisted her body on the ground, lying on her back, staring up at Ghostface, she saw only the impassive mask that hid the face of her killer.

Each breath she took seemed to expel the last vestiges of life, accompanied by the gasping for breath as blood bubbled from her mouth.

Lying on the garage floor, Hayeong's gaze fixed on the unforgiving concrete ceiling. Blood continued to spill, and the last vestiges of life slipped away. Ghostface, unaffected by her suffering, simply stared down at his victim before pocketing the blood-stained knife. Then he dragged Hayeong's lifeless form with him, leaving behind the scene of horror in the quiet garage.

The encompassing darkness welcomed him as he stuffed the corpses in the trunk of the car before leaving the garage to guard its grisly secret, the echoes of Hayeong and her boyfriend's final moments lingering in the air.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

The sleepover had transformed into a scene of collective ennui, the girls sprawled across the living room, eyes glued to the blaring horror movie on the screen. The volume was cranked up to its maximum, attempting to infuse some excitement into the lackluster atmosphere. Jiwoo, the embodiment of impatience, couldn't contain her discontent. "I'm bored!" she declared, punctuating her statement with an animated kick of her feet, reminiscent of a spoiled child. Yoo-mi, joining the chorus of dissatisfaction, drawled, "Me toooo," her words elongated in a languid manner. Hyo-jin, the silent participant, simply nodded in agreement.

In the midst of this collective restlessness, Yeowang, always quick with a plan, had an idea to salvage the night. "Why don't I invite Kwangsun and Joonwoo?" she suggested, eyeing an opportunity to inject some life into the gathering. Jiwoo, seizing the chance to involve her boyfriend, Minho, eagerly chimed in, "Oh! Can I invite Minho then?" Yoo-mi, with a hint of skepticism, interjected, "You're just gonna fuck him!" Jiwoo, undeterred, stuck her tongue out at Yoo-mi, and Yeowang, with a roll of her eyes, relented, "Yeah, sure, invite him too."

Overjoyed, Jiwoo leaped to her feet, celebrating the approved invitation. "You mean it??" she questioned, to which Yeowang simply nodded in affirmation. "Yes!" Jiwoo exclaimed, immediately reaching for her phone to call Minho. Concurrently, Yeowang composed messages to Kwangsun and Joonwoo, both of whom promptly confirmed their attendance.

As the clock edged towards 1 AM, signaling the arrival of the anticipated guests, a resonant doorbell rang through the apartment. Hyo-jin, assigned the role of the door opener, took a moment to peek through the peephole, ensuring that it was indeed the boys behind the door.

The door swung open, revealing Kwangsun, Joonwoo, and Minho, boisterous and full of energy. They entered the room with a flourish, bearing beer and loud shouts, injecting a burst of life into the previously lethargic atmosphere. Jiwoo, unable to contain her excitement, screeched Minho's name and leaped into his waiting arms.

The group settled on the couch, drinks in hand, and laughter filling the air. Amidst the lively atmosphere, Hyo-jin rose from her seat with the announcement, "I'm going out for a smoke." She strolled toward the front door, and closing it behind her, leaving the vibrant scene inside.

In the solitary darkness outside, she retrieved a cigarette, her fingers fumbling to find the elusive lighter. "Where is it… I knew I brought it," she mumbled, the soft glow of her phone's torch revealing her determined search. The night air wrapped around her like a shroud as she continued her quest.

A sudden sound shattered the quiet, causing Hyo-jin to startle. Swiftly, she raised her phone, its light piercing the darkness as she scanned her surroundings. "Who's there?" she called out, her voice echoing into the silent night. The beam of her torch revealed a rogue cat, its eyes glinting in the light. "Oh, it's just you," she muttered, attempting to coax the feline closer. However, the cat, seemingly spooked, scurried away from her. "Alright, fuck you then," Hyo-jin grumbled, standing up in mild annoyance.

Unbeknownst to her, Ghostface materialized in the shadows behind her, his ominous figure concealed by the night, as he approached silently. In one fluid motion, he drew a knife, it`s blade gleaming ominously. Without a sound, he effortlessly slit Hyo-jin's throat, a crimson river staining the quiet night.

Hyo-jin's eyes widened in an involuntary response to the sudden, searing pain. The cigarette that once dangled between her lips fell with a gentle thud to the cold ground.

Her body, suspended in that surreal moment between life and death, crumpled forward.

Ghostface stood over his lifeless victim, a silent spectator to the masterpiece he had orchestrated. The night seemed to hold its breath as he lingered momentarily, the mask concealing any hint of emotion. The cool breeze whispered through the darkness, indifferent to the gruesome scene playing out beneath its veil.

With an eerie calmness, Ghostface began his next calculated move. He crouched beside Hyo-jin's motionless body, drawing her into the shadows with a predatory grace. The crimson trail she left behind became a haunting testament to the brutality that had transpired in that quiet space.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

The living room buzzed with the flickering glow of the TV as the horror movie unfolded its spine-chilling narrative. The remaining group sat together, the pale glow casting shadows across their faces.

As the credits rolled, someone in the group suggested putting on another horror movie. The group agreed, and the atmosphere in the room became tense once again. Just then, Jiwoo suddenly stood up, pulling Minho with her, and declared, "We are so tired, so we'll go to bed." With that, they vanished upstairs, the closing door shutting out any response from the rest of the group.

Yeowang, an observer of the unfolding events, watched Jiwoo and Minho saunter upstairs with an air of disapproval. Rolling her eyes, she leaned toward Yoo-mi, lips curling into a disdainful whisper. "What a slut," Yeowang hissed, and Yoo-mi, ever the loyal companion, nodded in agreement, their suppressed laughter mingling in the dimly lit room. The two continued their hushed commentary, exchanging snickers as they reveled in the judgment they cast.

Unbeknownst to the gossiping duo, a silent figure lingered outside the window, casting a dark shadow against the night. The clandestine observer vanished into the depths of the night as Jiwoo and Minho disappeared behind the bedroom door, leaving no trace of their presence.

In the intimate confines of the bedroom, Jiwoo and Minho layed in post bliss. Jiwoo giggled playfully, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Minho, who stretched and reluctantly got out of bed, pulling on a pair of pants. "Stayyy," Jiwoo pouted, her words laced with a playful plea. "Sorry, babe, gotta pop in the bathroom. I'll be right back," Minho assured her as he strolled out of the room.

Little did he know, the window, left ajar by Hayeong, served as an ominous entry point for the lurking Ghostface. As Minho locked the bathroom door, he remained oblivious to the impending danger. It was only when he glimpsed Ghostface's reflection in the mirror that realization struck, and a gasp escaped his lips, as he turned around to face his assailant.

Reacting swiftly, Ghostface threw a throwing knife with precision, embedding it in Minho's shoulder. His attempts to scream stifled by a punch to the face from the masked assailant. "Shit!" Minho exclaimed as he pushed Ghostface away, slamming the murderer against the wall.

Undeterred, Ghostface deftly retrieved the lodged knife from Minho's shoulder, brandishing it menacingly. In a swift, brutal motion, he thrust the blade into Minho's stomach, eliciting a guttural groan of pain. Minho staggered backward, only to trip over a bathroom stool.

He fell backward into the bathtub, the impact echoing through the small room. His head struck the surface, and the room filled with the sickening sound of the collision. Minho's eyes remained open, glossy and lifeless, as his blood pooled in the tub.

Ghostface, having completed his gruesome work in the bathroom, meticulously exited the confined space. Adjusting his cloak and straightening his posture, he entered the bedroom where Jiwoo lay peacefully unaware. A sinister silhouette against the dimly lit room, he stood over her, his chilling presence casting a shadow.

Lifting his arms, Ghostface brandished his knife, a glint of malice in his eyes. With a swift, deliberate motion, he plunged the blade into Jiwoo's stomach. A startled cry escaped her lips as she awoke to the nightmare before her. Desperation filled her as she attempted to retaliate, futile punches met by Ghostface's vice-like grip. The relentless onslaught continued, the repeated stabbings painting the once serene room in the stark hues of violence.

Leaving Jiwoo to bleed out on the bed, Ghostface, retraced his steps through the bathroom window, vanishing into the nocturnal abyss.

Meanwhile downsatirs, Yoo-mi, feeling a growing unease, ventured outside through the front door to check on Hyo-jin. Upon her return, she delivered the unsettling news, "Hey, Hyo-jin isn't outside anymore." Yeowang, quick to assume the worst, spat, "The bitch probably left us, again." Yoo-mi, concerned, muttered, "I don't know, she wouldn't leave like this."

Yeowang's sharp response echoed, "Did you just talk back to me?" Yoo-mi, intimidated but determined, defended herself, "No! No! It's just... I'm worried, you know?" Reluctantly, Yeowang conceded, "Ugh, fine," and turned her attention to the boys, "Why don't you two go out and find her?" Kwangsun, defensive, questioned, "Why us?" Yeowang, dismissive, replied, "Because you two are available, and it's cold. Now, go." With a wave of her hand, she refocused on the horror movie.

Joonwo and Kwangsun reluctantly complied, with Joonwo suggesting a strategy "You go through the backdoor, I'll go through the front door, and we'll meet in the middle." As Joonwo exited the front door, Kwangsun took the backdoor route.

In the living room, Yoo-mi sought reassurance, "You think they'll be okay?" Yeowang, unfazed, assured her, "Yeah, they'll be fine."

Meanwhile, Kwangsun navigated the darkness alone, squinting to discern any signs of Hyo-jin or Joonwo. The quietude was only interrupted by the gentle whooshing of the wind past his ear. As he scanned the sky, the moon was obscured by clouds, plunging him into deeper obscurity. Unbeknownst to him, a figure trailed silently behind him. Suddenly, a searing pain tore through Kwangsun's back, and he crumpled to the ground, the merciless kick from Ghostface intensifying his agony.

As Kwangsun prepared to scream, the moon emerged from behind the clouds, revealing the lifeless form of Joonwo sprawled in front of him. Before he could react, his hair was violently yanked back, and Ghostface swiftly slit his throat, extinguishing his life.

Ghostface, rose from his crouched position, before he reached into the folds of his cloak and retrieved a phone.

As the flash erupted, momentarily piercing the darkness, Ghostface captured the haunting image of death.

However, as swiftly as the moon had revealed the morbid scene, it withdrew behind the obscuring clouds once more. The sudden darkness provided Ghostface with the perfect cover, concealing his presence as he dragged the lifeless bodies. The muted sounds of his sinister task blended with the night, and Ghostface seamlessly disappeared into the shadows.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

The night hung heavy with an unsettling stillness as Yoo-mi gazed into the darkness. Her voice cut through the silence, nervous with an escalating worry, "Okay, they haven't returned. Is this the time to panic?" Yeowang, seemingly unresponsive, rose from her seat and ascended the stairs with an air of determination. "Wait!" Yoo-mi pleaded, chasing after her.

In the dimly lit corridor, Yeowang halted outside the bedroom where Jiwoo and Minho had sought refuge. She knocked on the door only to be met with an silence from within. When no response came, Yeowang's hand hesitated for a moment before pushing the door ajar. What lay beyond would etch terror into their memories.

A gut-wrenching scream erupted from Yoo-mi as the door swung open, revealing the grotesque scene within. Jiwoo's lifeless body lay sprawled across the bed, a canvas of horror painted in blood and mangled flesh. Yoo-mi staggered backward causing her to open the bathroom door, her horrified gaze shifted to the now open bathroom. There, in the unforgiving cold of the bathtub, Minho's lifeless form met her gaze. Another scream tore through the air as the grim reality of their situation became undeniable.

Distraught and overwhelmed, Yoo-mi fled down the stairs, tripping on the steps, she stumbled into the chilling embrace of the living room, her anguished cries reverberating through the desolate space.

Meanwhile, Yeowang stood frozen in the upstairs corridor, the haunting images seared into her mind. A desperate determination seized her as she rushed to her room. There, amidst the remnants of her past, she found solace in a forgotten relic—a baton adorned with hues of pink and purple, a nostalgic reminder of her gymnastics days.

Haunted by the scene she witnessed, Yeowang clutched the baton tightly, her knuckles turning white.

As she descended the staircase, a sickening scene unfolded before her eyes. Joonwo's lifeless form lay sprawled on the couch, his vacant eyes reflecting the cruel finality that had befallen him. Yoo-mi, a pitiful body on the ground, cried out in agony as blood pooled beneath her. Ghostface, loomed over her with a foot pressing her down. His attention, however, pivoted towards Yeowang, his gaze fixated on her as he swiped the blood of his knife with unnerving efficiency, his chilling laughter permeating the air.

"Welcome to the party," his voice, distorted by the chilling voice changer, sent shivers down Yeowang's spine. Desperation seized her as she clutched the baton, like an inadequate shield.

"I saved you for last," Ghostface declared with a voice distorted, before he picked up Yoo-mi only to throw her against the wall, rendering her unconscious, before turning his relentless advance towards Yeowang.

Terror gripped her as she sprinted upstairs, reaching her bedroom, she fumbled to lock the door, her trembling hands betraying the fear that gripped her. In her bedroom, she fumbled for her salvation—her phone. Panic surged through her when she realized it lay downstairs on the living room table.

A sudden shock reverberated through the door as Ghostface relentlessly sought entry. "Open the door, Yeowang," his command sliced through the air, each word dripping with sadistic pleasure.

"No!" she screamed defiantly, her trembling hands fumbling with the window latch. With a surge of courage, she swung it open, revealing a daunting drop to the pool below, a shimmering oasis in the moonlit night.

The door continued to quiver under Ghostface's relentless assault, his ominous presence closing in.

The relentless assault on the door suddenly ceased, leaving Yeowang suspended in silence. Suspicion flickered in her eyes as she cast a wary glance toward the once-quaking barrier.

Suddenly, an axe splintered through the door, hacking it down with brutal force. Yeowang's scream echoed through the room as glimpses of the menacing white mask emerged. Ghostface stared intently, his gloved hand reaching to unlock the door. Just as Yeowang prepared to leap to safety, Ghostface unleashed a primal shout, hurling a dagger that found its mark in her shoulder. The searing pain sent her crashing down, the baton slipping from her grasp.

Ghostface, a looming specter, closed in. His knife poised for the final strike, but in a desperate bid, Yeowang seized her baton, swinging it towards his masked visage. With lightning reflexes, Ghostface raised his arm, blocking the blow. The precious seconds gained allowed Yeowang to scramble to her feet, sprinting towards the window. In a daring escape, she leaped into the pool below, the cold water offering a brief respite from the nightmare.

Emerging from the water, shivering and wounded, Yeowang glanced back at the window. Ghostface was momentarily absent. Swiftly, she extracted the knife embedded in her shoulder, a cry of pain escaping her lips. With determined urgency, she clambered out of the pool, crimson tendrils diffusing into the water around her.

Fearing the masked assailant might still be lurking, Yeowang cast a desperate gaze through the window into the living room. Joonwoo's lifeless form lay undisturbed, but Yoo-mi, injured and resilient, struggled to move. Yeowang recoiled, her attention caught by the absence of the phones on the table. Panic clawed at her as she began to navigate the house, a mixture of dread and sorrow swirling within.

As she approached the front, a hidden horror awaited her. Tripping over an unseen obstacle, Yeowang tumbled to the ground. A gut-wrenching sight unfolded as she discovered the lifeless bodies of Hyo-jin and Kwangsun concealed in the bushes. Tears blurred her vision as she sprinted away, abandoning the knife in her haste.

But the escape was short-lived. Charging down the porch, Yeowang's foot snagged on something, and she plummeted forward, her head colliding with the unforgiving ground, as darkness enveloped her consciousness.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

Yeowang's eyes flickered open, and a wave of disorientation washed over her as she attempted to move, only to discover the cruel reality of her situation – she was bound, trapped in the confines of her own bedroom. The haunting scene unfolded before her eyes, her friends' lifeless bodies strewn about, including Yoo-mi, who now lay still and unresponsive.

"Help! Someone! Please!" she pleaded, her desperate cries echoing in the silence. A chair creaked, drawing her attention to the shadowy figure sitting in the corner, and as her eyes adjusted, she spotted Ghostface seated in a shadowy corner. "No one is coming to save you," he declared with a cold certainty.

Desperation clawed at Yeowang's throat, and she screamed for help, her pleas echoing through the chilling silence.

"Stop screaming," Ghostface intoned, his figure slowly rising from the chair. The voice changer distorted his response, rendering it menacing and cold.

Tethered and vulnerable, she tried to appeal to the masked figure, a last-ditch effort to elicit mercy.

"Aw, that's cute. You're begging for your life," Ghostface remarked, rising from the chair with deliberate slowness. He approached Yeowang, advancing toward her with predatory intent, and crouched down, his white mask mere inches from her terror-stricken face. He scrutinized her with a sinister curiosity, reveling in the vulnerability of his captive.

"Why did you even come? I'm innocent!" Yeowang protested, her voice carrying a hint of defiance. However, Ghostface erupted in a sudden burst of anger, his distorted voice reflecting the glitched fury within him. "Innocent!?" he bellowed, standing back up and brandishing a gleaming knife. The blade pointed menacingly at Yeowang, his accusation hung heavily in the air. "You are, in fact, not innocent. You hurt what was precious to me. Your friends paid for it, and now it's your turn."

"What was precious?... Oh, you mean Y/N?!" she exclaimed, connecting the dots. Ghostface remained stoic, only intensifying the aura of menace. In a tense exchange, "Listen! It was just for fun! Just a game you kow?" Yeowang attempted to justify her actions, only to be met with Ghostface's stoic silence.

The truth, a bitter pill, surfaced—Ghostface's obsession with Y/n, was a possessive love that bordered on madness.

"Why do you even care? Didn't you try and kill her at first?" Yeowang spat, her defiance resurfacing. A hesitancy lingered in the room as she dared to pose a crucial question. "You are the first Ghostface, aren't you?" Ghostface nodded affirmatively, acknowledging his origin. "I am the first... and I care because she's mine. I own Y/N, and she owns my heart and soul. I would do anything to keep her happy," he declared, a rare glimpse into the twisted motivation that fueled his actions.

With an ominous deliberateness, Ghostface removed the clasps securing his mask, revealing the face beneath. A shockwave of horror coursed through Yeowang as recognition set in. "Heeseung?!" she screeched, attempting to recoil from the revelation. "It's been you this entire time!? But why?" she demanded, her voice a desperate plea for answers.

"You've watched enough horror movies, Yeowang, to know there's always motives. Mine is just personal," Heeseung uttered, his voice devoid of remorse.

With an almost mechanical precision, Heeseung adorned the Ghostface mask once again. The chilling transformation marked the end of any semblance of humanity, like a switch flipped between the person behind the mask and the ruthless harbinger of terror. The room became a theater of agony as Ghostface thrust the knife into Yeowang's chest, cruelly twisting it for maximum torment before extracting it with a grisly finality. Yeowang's agonized screams pierced the air, echoing in the chamber of death. Desperation gripped her as she struggled to draw breath, yet the encroaching numbness signaled the approach of death.

"Party's over," Ghostface declared. The last flicker of Yeowang's life bore witness to the white mask, as she accepted death.

In the aftermath, Ghostface lingered, a silent witness to the massacre of death he had orchestrated. With a swift, practiced motion, he swiped his knife, cleansing the blood before he departed the room with a purposeful stride, descending into the shadows.

Leaving the house behind, Ghostface embarked on a solitary journey into the night.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

As you sat on the couch, playing with your brother by your side, the tranquility of the day was shattered by the intrusive news spreading like wildfire throughout the city. The television broadcasted the shocking report, detailing the gruesome massacre that had occurred during the sleepover.

The once-grand mansion was now a crime scene, adorned with police tape that crisscrossed the entire property, and law enforcement vehicles surrounded the premises. Your eyes were fixed on the television screen, shock etched across your face as the news reporter stood in front of the crime scene.

"We have received reports that the victims have been identified as Kang Hyo-jin, Shin Jiwoo, Kang Minho, Bong Kwangsun, Kim Junwoo, Choi Hayeong, Park Yoo-mi, Jung Kwan, and Jeon Yeowang," the reporter solemnly announced, the weight of each name resonating in the air. The police inspector, Do-shik, stood by her side, his weary expression a testament to the magnitude of the tragedy.

"We have reason to believe that this is the work of our first Ghostface, by the pattern he executed in this mindless slaughter," Do-shik disclosed, his words sending a chill down your spine. The news reporter pressed for answers about the actions being taken for the grieving families, and Do-shik, burdened by the responsibility, assured justice and respect for the victims.

As the conversation continued, the realization that Heeseung, had committed these heinous acts sank in. The numbness enveloped you, making it difficult to comprehend the gravity of the situation. You couldn't fathom how he managed to execute such a massacre in a single night without being apprehended.

"Y/N?" Your brother's voice broke through your reverie, and you felt the physical sensation of being shaken. "Wha-?" you mumbled, your mind struggling to process the information. "Are you okay? You didn't answer me," he inquired, concern etched on his face. "Yeah, yeah. I'm okay," you responded.

"I need to get some air," you declared, rising from the couch and leaving the house without uttering another word. The weight of the revelations pressed down on you as you stepped into the open air.

The streets stretched before you as you navigated through the town, each step resonating with the echo of your conflicted emotions. Eventually the sunlight began to wane, casting long shadows across the pavement, and the familiar sights of the town started to transform under the softening hues of dusk.

As you meandered through the streets, you found yourself drawn to a nearby park. The familiar landscape offered a temporary refuge, and you made a spontaneous decision to linger. You gravitated towards a swing set, the rhythmic creaking accompanying the subtle sounds of nature.

Time seemed to blur as you swung back and forth, the gentle breeze carrying whispers of the day.

As the day transitioned into evening, you checked your phone to find it was already 8PM. A notification from your mom appeared, a reminder that cut through the quiet of the moment. She requested you to stop by the grocery store if you had time. The responsibility tugged at your thoughts, and you agreed to her request, assuring her that you would take care of the groceries.

Leaving the swing set behind, you walked away from the park, your surroundings bathed in the amber glow of streetlights beginning to flicker to life. The town retained a semblance of activity; a few people strolled on the sidewalks, and cars passed by intermittently.

Deep in contemplation, you traversed the familiar routes until, almost unconsciously, your steps led you to Heeseung's house in the outskirts of town. Heeseung, an adult living alone, bore the scars of a fractured family, his mother absent, and his father, a figure you suspected was better off beneath the earth.

His residence, an isolated abode, stood silent against the backdrop of the night. You knocked, and the hush persisted for a moment, fostering the fleeting notion that perhaps he wasn't home. Just as the doubt crept in, the shuffling of feet reached your ears, and the door swung open to reveal Heeseung. The dampness in his hair suggested a recent shower, and the grin on his face faded into a look of surprise when he noticed your serious expression.

"Angel," he greeted, the warmth in his voice attempting to breach the solemn atmosphere. "Can we talk?" you asked, your tone cutting through the casual air. Heeseung's surprise deepened, and he nodded, inviting you in. The door closed behind you, shutting out the outside world, and you were met with the soft patter of paws reaching your ears, and you saw Dongsik, Heeseung's cat, racing towards you. You knelt down, lifting the feline into your arms.

Settling in the living room, you cradled Dongsik in your lap, stroking his fur. The weight of the conversation hung in the air as you mustered the courage to address the chilling reality. "Heeseung… I saw the news," you began, your voice steady.

"You did not need to kill them," you asserted, hoping for a flicker of remorse in Heeseung's gaze. However, his eyes bore no trace of regret. "They deserved it. They hurt you, and I hurt them back," he stated, his nonchalant demeanor sending a chill down your spine.

Rising from his seated position, Heeseung advanced towards you, his movements fluid yet purposeful. As he closed the distance, his hand gently cradled your chin, tilting your head upward. The touch was possessive, his fingers warm against your skin, yet there was an underlying intensity that betrayed the dark determination within him.

In that moment, his eyes, once familiar and comforting, now held a darker, inscrutable depth.

"I made them regret every breathing the same air as you," he murmured, the words laden with a sinister satisfaction. His voice, usually a source of reassurance, now carried an unsettling edge. His gaze traced a path across your face, studying each contour as if searching for a reaction.

Caught in the intensity of his gaze, you couldn't help but gulp, the sound echoing in the charged silence. His eyes, fixated on your lips, followed the subtle movement as your tongue moistened them.

But you couldn't let the gravity of his actions escape scrutiny. Stepping back, you placed Dongsik on the ground and distanced yourself. "I do not want you to proceed with this," you implored, your voice tinged with urgency. "What if you get caught? Have you ever thought about that?" you questioned, your concern etched on your face. Heeseung, however, dismissed your fears with unwavering confidence. "I won't get caught. Trust me. I'm careful."

The proximity of his hands, once stained with the blood of others, triggered a sense of unease. "No, Heeseung, I can't do this now," you declared, your voice faltering. "I can't continue doing this."

"What?" Heeseung asked, his surprise mirroring the gravity of your words. "This, whatever we have? This? It's over!" you cried out, your emotions spilling over. Heeseung's gaze narrowed, the intensity of his feelings clashing with the sudden turn of events. "Angel, you can't—" he began, but you cut him off.

"You won't let me break up, but I can't bear you killing people!" you exclaimed, your words echoing in the room. The reality of grieving families planning funerals weighed heavily on your conscience. "You have let out a curse on this town, and for what? What is your motive, Heeseung? Why do you murder?" you demanded, your frustration boiling over.

"It's none of your business!" Heeseung retorted, his defensive stance highlighting the growing tension. "So you don't trust me? Is that it?" you questioned, the hurt evident in your eyes. "No, that's not it, baby, please," Heeseung pleaded, attempting to reach for you. However, you recoiled, creating a physical and emotional distance. "No, that's exactly what it is, isn't it? How can I trust you when you don't even trust me?" you articulated.

"A murderer kills because they are crazy, right? How do I know that you won`t kill me eventually?" you posed the unnerving question, the gravity of the situation casting a shadow over the room. "Yeah, this is all a game for you, isn't it? Trick me, then hurt me, and finish me off, right?" A bitter laugh escaped your lips as you clutched your hair in frustration.

"God, I wish you had just killed me!" you shouted, the anguish and frustration consuming you. With those words hanging in the air, you ran out the door, tears streaming down your face. "Y/N!" Heeseung shouted, attempting to chase after you. The rush of adrenaline urged you forward as you sprinted towards the more populated downtown, seeking solace in the anonymity of the bustling streets.

The relentless torrent of tears blurred your vision as you ran, the world a distorted mosaic of shadows and hazy streetlights. The weight on your chest felt unbearable, forcing you to gasp for breath as you sought refuge. The grocery store loomed ahead, a dimly lit sanctuary promising a momentary escape from the turmoil.

Leaning against the cool exterior wall of the store, you heaved deep breaths, each inhalation a struggle against the emotional storm that raged within. You swiped away your tears before you walked into the store. The door swung open with a hushed chime as you entered

The interior of the store appeared almost deserted, bathed in the artificial glow of overhead lights. A half-sleeping cashier lethargically manned the register, and an employee, lost in their cleaning duties, contributed to the quiet. Only two other customers wandered the aisles, their presence barely registering in the dim atmosphere.

With the basket in hand, you moved with a mechanical precision, guided by the monotony of your music. The list from your mother directed your movements as you navigated the aisles, the rhythmic beat in your ears providing a temporary respite from the emotional whirlwind.

Little did you anticipate the impending descent into chaos. The automatic doors whispered open, and a tall figure draped in a cloak stepped inside, an aura of malevolence accompanying their entrance.

The scene unfolded with chilling swiftness. Ghostface, concealed in the ominous cloak, advanced towards the unsuspecting cashier. A gloved hand silenced desperate cries before a blade flashed, cutting through the silence and life alike. The shotgun followed suit, the explosive sound resonating through the hushed aisles as it claimed another victim.

The sudden violence ruptured the fragile tranquility, and you instinctively tore out your earbuds, alert to the nightmare unfolding around you. Panicking, you instinctively sought cover behind a freezer, heart pounding as the screams reverberated through the aisles.

Silence settled, broken only by the haunting voice that emerged. "I know you are here, Y/N. Why don't you come out and make this much easier for us both and give yourself up now?" it intoned, a cruel invitation to surrender. Determined, you pulled up your pant leg, revealing the butterfly knife Heeseung had insisted you learn to use. The blade swished open, and you crouched in the shadows.

Ghostface continued his monologue, preaching a distorted sense of purpose. You, however, were focused on survival. Moving stealthily between the aisles, you checked your phone's camera at every turn, ensuring your unseen adversary was still out of sight.

Crawling on the ground, disregarding its grime, you moved with a mix of fear and determination.

Ghostface's taunts echoed, filled with promises of a twisted sense of justice. Moving with a catlike grace, you listened intently for any sign of Ghostface. Their voice droned on, but you paid it little attention, your focus locked on survival.

The aisles of the grocery store bore witness to a gruesome scene of tragedy as you stumbled upon the lifeless bodies of the employee and another customer. Their corpses layed, eyes frozen wide in terror, faces eternally contorted in the agony of their final moments. The metallic scent of blood hung heavy in the air, and you couldn't help but draw a shaky breath as you crawled towards the fallen employee.

Carefully, you approached the employee's still form, with a delicate touch, you reached for the keys hanging from their belt. The metallic jingle seemed deafening in the heavy silence that enveloped the gruesome scene.

As you retreated to a safer spot and peered around the corner, your eyes widened. Ghostface, stood amidst the aisles, holding the shotgun with an unsettling ease. His dark cloak billowed as he surveyed the surroundings, the mask betraying no emotions.

"Y/n!" he bellowed, the deep voice echoing through the desolate store. You remained still, concealed in the shadows, refusing to yield to his demands. "This isn't funny anymore. Come out... face me, you-you bitch!" he shouted, his frustration palpable.

His tone softened suddenly, an unexpected vulnerability seeping into his words. "I need you, Y/n. I need you here," he mumbled to himself, pacing away. A perplexed expression crossed your face as you watched him retreat, his erratic behavior leaving you both bewildered and cautious.

Seizing the opportune moment, you silently made your move. Crawling towards the backdoor, you clutched the stolen keys tightly, ensuring they made no sound. Ghostface's sporadic mutterings echoed through the store as he grew more agitated.

Reaching the backdoor, you fumbled through the keys, testing each one until the lock clicked open. The metallic sound felt deafening in the oppressive quiet. As the door unlocked, you grabbed the handle, ready to make a swift exit.

"There you are!"

Your heart pounded as you turned, eyes meeting the menacing figure standing just beyond the threshold. His shotgun aimed at you, you scrambled inside, slamming the door shut. The resounding gunshot echoed in your ears, a chilling reminder of how narrowly you had evaded death.

You wasted no time locking the door, the thump on the other side signaling Ghostface's frustration. The adrenaline surged through your veins as you retreated, navigating the labyrinthine storage room with urgency. The persistent echo of Ghostface's threats spurred you forward, each step a calculated move toward survival in this ghastly game of cat and mouse.

As you sprinted through the labyrinthine storage room of the store, the dim emergency exit sign beckoned you towards safety. Fingers trembling, you pushed the door open and burst into the cool night air. Panic set in as you dialed the police, the desperate plea in your voice cutting through the darkness.

"Miss, what can i help you with," the calm voice on the other end asked. " He's chasing after me! Ghostface is here! " you retorted, the terror resonating in your words. "All units are tracking your positions!" the voice replied.

A gunshot cracked through the air, and you glanced back to witness Ghostface, relentless and determined, hot on your heels. His ominous presence fueled your fear, propelling you forward in a desperate bid for survival.

In a moment of terror, Ghostface lunged at you, the force of his leap toppling you to the unforgiving ground. Your phone and knife clattered away, but with a surge of adrenaline, you rolled out of his grasp, swift and agile. Retrieving your knife, you abandoned your phone, the urgency of escape outweighing the need for communication.

The pursuit continued through the dimly lit streets, your breaths ragged and the cityscape blurring as you pushed your body to its limits. I will get you! You little bitch! You can't run from me, Y/n!"

The burn in your lungs and the relentless pounding of your heart fueled your determination to get away from the masked killer.

Vaulting over a fence, you cast a desperate glance over your shoulder. Ghostface closed in, his knife glinting ominously. With a swift maneuver, you veered to the left, finding refuge behind a hedge. The element of surprise played in your favor as you lunged at Ghostface, the blade of your knife finding its mark.

He howled in pain, an unexpected turn of events that left him wounded and disoriented. However, before you could savor your fleeting victory, Ghostface retaliated. Gripping you around the waist, he flung you to the ground, the impact stealing the air from your lungs.

Yet, salvation was imminent. By now, the lights in the surrounding houses flickered to life, and the distant wail of police sirens grew louder. Ghostface, now wounded and vulnerable, weighed his options. "Shit!" he exclaimed, his gaze darting between you and the encroaching law enforcement.

In a desperate bid to escape the imminent capture, Ghostface vanished into the shadows, leaving behind a wake of horrified onlookers. The chilling cries of "It's Ghostface!" and "It's the killer!" echoed through the neighborhood as the police closed in.

As you stood amidst the chaos, gasping for breath, it was in this disoriented state that you realized your knife, the very tool Heeseung had gifted you, was nowhere to be found. Panic and frustration intertwined as your eyes darted around the vicinity, searching for the glint of metal against the darkened pavement. But it was futile – the blade had vanished.

Then, the revelation hit you like a sudden gust of cold wind. A twisted sense of irony settled in as you connected the dots. Your knife, now lay embedded in the very source of the terror that had haunted your dreams.

A wry, bitter chuckle escaped your lips as you contemplated the absurdity of the situation. There goes Heeseung's gift, now an unwitting participant in the dark legacy of Ghostface that he had created. How ironic, you thought.

As the police surrounded you, you could only ponder the inexplicable twists of fate that had led you to this moment. "Why is it always me?" echoed in your thoughts. You were then ushered home, where your disheveled mother and worried brother awaited.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

After a week's absence, you returned to school, hoping for a semblance of normalcy. However, the moment you stepped onto the crowded campus, it felt like a tidal wave of students engulfed you. The sea of faces, voices clamoring over one another, and the proximity of people made panic grip your heart. The air felt thick, and you struggled to breathe as your vision blurred, overwhelmed by the chaotic environment.

With each step, the suffocating feeling intensified. It seemed like there was no escape, and you closed your eyes, attempting to shut out the sensory overload. The world was too loud, too close, and you pressed your hands to your ears in a desperate attempt to block it all out.

And then, a sudden quiet descended.

Opening your eyes, you found yourself facing someone's back. A familiar voice cut through the silence, "Back it up! Back it up! Give her some space! Ever heard of personal space?" It was Jungwon and Ni-ki, chasing away the dispersing crowd. Sunghoon stood by your side, his concern evident. The other boys formed a protective shield around you, except for Heeseung.

"Are you okay, Y/N?" Sunghoon asked, worry etched on his face. "Yeah… yeah, I'm okay," you replied, glancing at the boys with gratitude.

"Thank you, guys," you whispered.

"You're welcome, Y/N. People really have no respect," Jay remarked.

"Come on," Jake suggested, extending his hand toward you. You took it, feeling a sense of security as they flanked you, walking together towards your class. You noticed how others instinctively kept their distance.

Curiosity crept in, and you couldn't help but ask, "Why is everyone like this?" Their hesitation was palpable.

"What?" you pressed. "Well… how do I say this, Y/N... The video footage of the store was kinda leaked, so everyone saw how you survived," Sunoo explained reluctantly.

Shocked, you hadn't been on social media during your absence. Your mother had been vigilant, keeping you and your brother under close watch, and your lost phone remained unretrieved from the chaotic events. "Can I see?" you inquired.

They exchanged glances before Ni-ki stepped forward, tapping on his phone and showing you the video. Watching the footage from entering the store to seeking refuge in the storage room, you handed Ni-ki his phone back, muttering a soft "Wow."

As they asked about your well-being, you couldn't muster a definitive answer. "I don't know… I think I want to be alone now," you admitted, walking the rest of the way to class in solitude, grappling with the sudden spotlight on your survival.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

The school day unfolded as a mix of emotions and overwhelming attention. Everywhere you went, students sought your company, asking questions, expressing concern, or simply wanting to be associated with the survivor of the store incident. While the incessant attention was draining, you couldn't deny the relief of not constantly glancing over your shoulder, anticipating Yeowang's presence or the sting of hurtful comments from her followers. Heeseung's drastic actions had severed those ties, but the weight of the consequences lingered in the air.

Lunchtime offered a temporary escape, and amid the bustling cafeteria, you found a moment to inquire about Heeseung's absence. Turning to Jay, who was seated beside you, you popped the question that had been lingering in your mind. "Where's Heeseung?" you asked, genuinely curious. Jay, pausing from his meal, looked at you with a quizzical expression. "Heeseung? He's sick," he answered matter-of-factly. Your eyes widened in surprise. "You didn't know?" Jay questioned again. "Oh, no, I didn't," you replied, processing the unexpected information. "Well, maybe he forgot to tell you. He asked us to watch over you when you returned," Jay added before returning his attention to his food.

The revelation about Heeseung's sickness left you with a mix of emotions. You hadn't anticipated this news, and a sense of unease settled over you. The boys, it seemed, were keeping a close eye on you at Heeseung's behest.

Upon arriving home, your mother greeted you, "There you are! Here, honey," she exclaimed, holding out a familiar object in her hands. Your eyes widened with delight as she handed you your long-lost phone. "You found it!" you exclaimed, the joy evident in your voice as you accepted the device.

"Yes, I did. Sorry, it took so long," your mom apologized, her tone tinged with relief. "It's okay, Mom," you reassured her, appreciating her effort to recover your belongings. With a grateful smile, you declared your intention to retreat to your room. "I'm going to my room," you announced, "Okay, honey," your mom responded, her attention already shifting to the kitchen.

Retreating to your room, you plugged the phone into the charger, watching as the screen came to life. The device was flooded with notifications, but among them, Heeseung's attempts to reach you stood out. Eighty-eight missed calls and 113 unread messages painted a vivid picture of his persistence. However, you decided against delving into the messages. The idea of conversing with him felt overwhelming, and you needed time to process everything.

The remainder of the day became a sanctuary of solitude, spent either in your room or with your brother. As night fell, you found yourself alone in your bed, the familiar struggle to sleep resurfaced. Glancing at the watch, the harsh glow of the screen revealed the lateness of the hour — nearing 2:30 AM. With a heavy sigh, you turned your gaze back to the ceiling, the weight of memories threatened to pull you into a realm you desperately wished to forget. The scene replayed in your mind, a vivid flashback to a moment etched in pain and humiliation.

Flashback:

The air was thick with tension as you found yourself behind the school, isolated and vulnerable, devoid of Heeseung's protective presence. The silence that enveloped the secluded spot was soon shattered by the cruel laughter of those who reveled in your vulnerability.

In the grim backstage of the school building, Yeowang and her lackeys emerged like shadows, their intentions clear. The boyfriend of one of the girls seized you, his grip unyielding, rendering any attempts at escape futile.

One of the girls held your bag hostage, a sinister grin etched on her face as she poured a smoothie into its depths, saturating your belongings. The cold liquid seeped through your bag, a metaphor for the cold disdain they harbored.

Yeowang, the puppeteer orchestrating the torment, reveled in her power, her words laced with venom. "You really are a pathetic bitch, you know that?" Yeowang's voice dripped with disdain, a venomous taunt that sought to corrode your spirit. "Can't even go a day without your bodyguards.

Silence was your armor, a refusal to grant them the satisfaction of seeing you crumble. "I run this school! You hear me? Everyone wants me! Everyone answers to me!" Yeowang declared, her voice rising to a crescendo of arrogance.

Hateful glares were exchanged, and then, the resounding slap — a manifestation of her simmering rage.

A bitter glare was your only retort. "Well, you're doing a shit job at having everyone wanting you," you shot back, the words slicing through the tension like a knife. The impending storm erupted as Yeowang, seething with rage, prepared for another strike.

Refusing to succumb, you summoned strength from a reservoir of resilience. A swift punch to the guy's shin, a headbutt to his nose, and you were free. "Fuck! The bitch hit me in the motherfucking nose!" the boyfriend cried out, releasing his grip in pain. Seizing the opportunity, you launched yourself at Yeowang, a tempest of fists raining down on her.

The tables turned as you unleashed a torrent of punches on Yeowang, the once-confident bully now a target of your retribution.

Blood painted the scene as your fists found their mark, the visceral satisfaction of justice propelling each blow. The other girls, attempting to intervene, were met with your unrelenting force. Yeowang's hair became a makeshift handle as you screamed into her face, asserting your defiance. "Who`s the pathethic fucking bitch now?!" you declared, punctuating the statement with a final blow. As she staggered to her feet, blood-stained and defeated, her parting words echoed in the night air — "This isn't over!"

Breathing heavily, you watched them retreat into the darkness, a sense of triumph lingering in the air. With deep breaths, you salvaged what remained of your belongings.

A whimper from the fallen boy drew your attention. Standing over him, you asserted your demand for restitution. "Ey, asshole. You owe me a new bag and supplies," you declared, unyielding in the face of his feeble protests.

End of Flashback.

As the memory faded, you found yourself staring up at the ceiling, the weight of the past pressing against your chest, as another memory resurfaced

2nd Flashback:

The bathroom, a sanctuary of sorts, offered a brief respite from the chaos that often trailed in your wake. Alone, you stood by the sink, the cool water flowing over your hands. The door creaked open, revealing the unwelcome entrance of Yeowang.

"What now," you muttered, a weariness etched in your voice.

"You're dead," Yeowang declared, her words a venomous promise as she advanced with an air of calculated malice. Resigned, you met her gaze, your eyes betraying neither fear nor defiance. "Well, too bad I'm still alive," you retorted, the fatigue in your voice veiled behind a thin layer of indifference.

Yeowang, infuriated by your lack of submission, launched an attack. Her attempt at physical intimidation manifested in a swing of her hand, aimed at striking you into submission. Yet, in that moment, the reflexes of a survivor kicked in. You caught her wrist with a practiced ease, the strength beneath your seemingly fragile exterior taking her by surprise.

"Is that all you have?" you questioned, your voice laced with an exhaustion that transcended the physical. A gentle push sent her stumbling backward, her gasp of shock echoing in the tiled confines of the restroom.

"You worthless bitch! What does Heeseung even see in you?" Yeowang spat. Unmoved, you stood your ground, the echo of her insults bouncing off the bathroom walls. "I'm much better than you," she added, a final attempt to wound before she turned and left, the door closing with a hollow thud.

End of flashback.

As the memory dissipated, you sighed, the weight of Yeowang's animosity slowly lifting. Closing your eyes, you sought solace in the darkness, finally ridding yourself of the specter that haunted your past. Yet, amid the tranquility, Yeowang's last words lingered in the recesses of your mind — "What does Heeseung even see in you?"

The question, a lingering doubt, seized your thoughts, an elusive enigma that would accompany you into the realm of dreams. Exhaustion, both physical and emotional, finally claimed you, pulling you into a restless slumber, where the shadows of the past continued to dance at the periphery of your subconscious.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

The soothing hum of the library enveloped you as you sat with the boys, engrossed in your study materials. Ni-ki, positioned beside you, couldn't resist stealing glances at your work. Aware of his glances, you decided to address the matter. "Ni-ki, I can see you looking. I can just help you," you offered, your voice carrying a hint of amusement.

"No, no, I'm fine, really!" Ni-ki hastily responded, attempting to assure you. Your eyes rolled in response, a subtle expression of your disbelief. Despite his protests, you returned your attention to your work, a faint smile lingering on your lips.

The rhythmic quietude was disrupted by the sudden entrance of Jake, his figure a whirlwind of excitement as he sprinted towards your table, arms waving emphatically. Jungwon voiced the collective curiosity, asking, "What's up with him?" Jake, breathless, stopped by the occupied table, a piece of paper clutched in his hands.

"Guys!" he exclaimed, momentarily drowned out by a nearby shush from an irritated student. Apologetically, Jake mumbled an apology to the disgruntled individual before focusing on the group again. His announcement resonated with enthusiasm, "Guys, there's a Halloween party coming up this Friday at Hyunjin's house!"

Intrigued by the unexpected announcement, Sunoo, voiced the question on everyone's minds. "Halloween party?" he inquired. Jake's affirmative nod unleashed a ripple of reactions, from raised eyebrows to exchanged glances.

However, Jay, interjected with a touch of seriousness. "So let me see if I understood this... there's a party this Halloween, despite the fact that we live in an unsafe town?" His inquiry injected a note of caution, prompting a brief pause in the group's excitement as they considered the potential risks associated with attending a festive gathering in the current environment.

Just as uncertainty lingered, a new voice chimed in, and all heads turned to see Hyunjin, who sauntered up and casually slung an arm around Jake's neck. "It`ll be fun guys!" Hyunjin pointed out, "Besides! I hired security to stand guard! And the place will be packed. Only those with private invitations get in! So everyone will be held accountable!"

Hyunjin's explanation seemed to alleviate some concerns. As a gesture of encouragement, he set down five private invitations. Jake, already holding one, received an extra burst of excitement. "See you all this Friday!" Hyunjin declared, leaving the library with an air of confidence.

The group momentarily sobered, caught between the allure of a party and the reality of their surroundings.

However, Jake's plea for company quickly shifted the focus. "Come on, guys, pleaseee! I don't wanna go alone," he implored, pulling an empty chair to the table and joining Ni-ki, and you couldn't help but notice Jake's puppy-dog eyes fixed on you. Eyes turned towards you, the only girl in the group, as you reached for one of the invitations. The golden letters on the Halloween-themed background spoke of festivities and fun, inviting participants to wear costumes, with additional details about security and the address.

Despite knowing your mother might not permit you to attend, the earnestness in Jake's eyes prompted a smile and a nod from you. The boys, each securing an invitation, burst into lively discussion about the upcoming event. Sunoo's excitement over costumes and Sunghoon's reminiscence of past parties echoed through the library, and you found solace in the distraction from your own thoughts.

Amidst the lively chatter, your attention briefly strayed to your phone, thoughts of Heeseung, absent for days due to sickness, tugged at your heart. Days had passed since you last saw or heard from him, as he had been notably absent from the recent killing spree.

You did feel a mix of pride for his restraint and worry for his sudden disappearance.

While the boys immersed themselves in costume ideas displayed on Jake's computer screen, the realization struck— you missed Heeseung. The void left by his absence flooded your mind. The real smiles, the scent of his cologne, the sound of his voice, his tender kisses, and the protective embrace that made you feel cherished—all of it tugged at your heart.

Despite your attempt to ignore the emotions welling up inside you, you remained oblivious to the devious plans the boys were quietly hatching, a surprise destined to unfold on the night of the Halloween party.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

The soft glow of fairy lights adorned Sunoo's bedroom, casting a warm and inviting ambiance. Yet, the atmosphere clashed with the rising tension within you. "Are you joking with me?" you asked, standing in the middle of the room, a sense of skepticism etched across your face. Sunoo, with an excited glint in his eyes, had taken it upon himself to select your Halloween costume. Trusting him with this responsibility now felt like a leap of faith you were questioning.

On Sunoo's bed lay the ensemble he had chosen for you – an angel costume. The short, ethereal white dress poofed out at the bottom, giving it an otherworldly charm. White gloves, elegantly reaching to your elbows, accompanied the outfit. A delicate headband connected to a halo rested on the bed, awaiting it`s place atop your head. White tights, adorned with diamonds intricately stitched into the fabric, a pair of pristine white heels and soft, pelt-like angel wings completed the ensemble.

You cautiously touched the wings, surprised by their softness, "It's a pretty costume, Y/n! Come on, give it a try!" Sunoo pleaded with an infectious enthusiasm. "Fine…but only because I don't have anything else, and the party is in one hour."

As Sunoo gave you an encouraging thumbs up, he exited the room, leaving you to change. Closing the door behind him, you took a deep breath, eyeing the costume. The room echoed with your murmured mantra, "This is crazy, this is crazy," as you began the process of changing into the attire.

After finishing changing into the angel costume Sunoo had chosen for you, you stepped in front of the mirror to assess the result. As you looked at your reflection, a sense of relief washed over you—you looked okay. With a twirl, you tested the movement of the skirt, pleased to see it held its shape beautifully. Amidst the ensemble, a pearly waistbead adorned your waist, its lustrous pearls gleaming softly in the dim light. A black heart, connected the pearls, adding a subtle yet captivating contrast to the purity of your costume. Additionally, a layered pearly necklace graced your neck, at the center, a heart pendant adorned with intricate wings hung delicately, perfectly complementing the angelic theme of your attire.

"Y/n?" Sunoo's voice came from behind the door, accompanied by a light knock. "Are you finished?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm finished," you replied, confirming your readiness.

Sunoo eagerly opened the door and entered the room, his eyes lighting up as he caught sight of you. With an enthusiastic grin, he clapped his hands and bounced lightly on his feet. "You look so beautiful, Y/n!" he exclaimed, his genuine compliment warming your heart.

"Really?" you responded, still a bit uncertain.

"Of course! I would never lie to you!" Sunoo reassured you before grabbing his own costume—a simple pirate outfit—and preparing to get ready.

As you applied the finishing touches to your hair and makeup, you soon felt satisfied with your appearance. Descending the stairs in your costume, you found Sunoo already heading out the front door towards the car. And Jay, dressed as The Joker, was assisting Jungwon with his car racer costume.

"What are you supposed to be?" you asked Jungwon.

"I'm supposed to be a car racer who died in a car crash and—" Jungwon paused mid-sentence as he turned to face you, his expression mirroring Sunoo's excitement. "Wow, Y/n! You look amazing!" he exclaimed, rushing over to you and taking your hands in his.

"Thank you, Jungwon!" you replied, returning his smile.

Jay, who had also turned to see you, was momentarily speechless. "Wow…" he whispered, clearly impressed. "You will definitely win the prettiest costume," he declared.

"There are awards?" you asked, surprised.

"Yeah! Hyunjin put it together last minute as a treat," Jungwon explained as he guided you out to the waiting car, with Jay following suit.

Taking your place in the passenger seat as Jay drove, you glanced out at the streets, observing the groups of trick-or-treaters and families celebrating Halloween together. "The others will meet us at the party," Jungwon informed, looking up from his phone.

"Oh, fun!" Sunoo exclaimed, anticipation evident in his voice.

As Jay parked the car a bit away from Hyunjin's house, you all stepped out into the night. The air was filled with the distant sound of music and laughter, and the glow of colorful lights illuminated the sky above Hyunjin's mansion. The driveway was packed with cars, and groups of people in various costumes were milling around, chatting and laughing.

Jungwon led the way, striding confidently towards the imposing front doors of the mansion. A security guard stood watch, checking invitations as guests arrived. You, Jay, and Sunoo followed closely behind Jungwon, anticipation building with every step.

"Invites?" the guard asked as you approached. You reached into your purse and retrieved the slip of paper, handing it to the guard. He glanced at it briefly before nodding and allowing you to pass.

Stepping inside, you were immediately struck by the grandeur of Hyunjin's family mansion. The interior was vast and dimly lit, with the only sources of light being the moonlight streaming through the windows and the pulsating lights from the dance floor.

A sweeping staircase led up to the second floor, where silhouettes of partygoers could be seen mingling and dancing. The sound of music filled the air, accompanied by the occasional cheer or burst of laughter.

You squinted against the flashing lights and spotted the DJ, Changbin, stationed at his booth, dressed as a zombie.

"Come on!" Sunoo's enthusiastic call broke through the noise. He eagerly pulled you and the rest of the group towards a living room area where some guests were taking a break on the couches. As you approached, you noticed Ni-ki sitting on one of the couches, dressed as Luigi, looking somewhat irritated as he sipped on a drink. Next to him sat Jake, dressed as Mario, laughing uproariously at something.

Ni-ki spotted you and waved, a relieved smile spreading across his face. "Finally!" he exclaimed, quickly bouncing off the couch to greet you. "Wow, you guys look amazing!" he complimented, his annoyance momentarily forgotten. You and the rest of the group thanked him, exchanging smiles.

The conversation took an unexpected turn as Jake, clearly a bit tipsy, giggled and made a comment about Heeseung's hypothetical reaction to seeing you. Confusion flashed across your face as you turned to the others, noticing their guilty expressions. "Heeseung is here?" you inquired, surprised by the revelation.

Before anyone could respond, you heard your name being called from behind. You turned around, as you laid eyes on Sunghoon approaching you. Dressed as a vampire, he exuded an air of elegance, his cloak billowing behind him as he walked. "You look amazing!" Sunghoon complimented sincerely, his warm smile momentarily easing your discomfort. "Thank you, you too."

However, it was the figure standing awkwardly behind Sunghoon that made your stomach churn. Heeseung stood there, dressed as a demon, his appearance sending a wave of mixed emotions coursing through you. Simple yet undeniably captivating in his black attire, Heeseung's unbuttoned shirt revealed his collarbones, and a silver chain hung around his neck. Black horns protruded from his slicked-back hair, and a pair of black wings adorned his back, completing the demonic ensemble.

As you took in his appearance, you couldn't help but feel a mix of anger, confusion, and longing wash over you.

With a sharp glare, you directed your gaze towards the boys, who attempted to appear innocent under your scrutiny. However, their guilty expressions betrayed them, and they instinctively backed away from your piercing stare. Clearly, they were responsible for orchestrating this couple costume setup, and you vowed silently to exact revenge on them soon.

"You look good," Heeseung's voice interrupted your silent standoff, drawing your attention back to him. Studying him closely now, you noticed the recent events had taken a toll on him. His eyes were tired, rimmed with dark circles, and he seemed notably thinner. "Thanks... you too," you replied, masking your concern with a polite response. Heeseung shrugged. "Thanks but, it wasn't my idea, Jake got me the costume," he admitted, his gaze dropping to his attire.

Forcing a smile, you turned your attention back to the boys, who now seemed to be squirming under your murderous stare. They were the culprits behind this whole ordeal, and they knew it. You relaxed your expression slightly as you turned back to Heeseung. "It wasn't mine either, Sunoo got me this," you explained, playing with the hem of your dress nervously.

"Well, it's pretty," Heeseung admitted, his nervousness evident as he bit his bottom lip. Surprised by his sincerity, you simply nodded in acknowledgment. Jungwon intervened, suggesting a drink, and you allowed him to lead you away from Heeseung.

Navigating through the crowded party, you and Jungwon eventually reached the spacious kitchen. Bottles of alcohol and snacks lined the long island, and Jungwon wasted no time in fixing himself a drink. You grabbed a drink for yourself and downed it in one gulp before turning to Jungwon with a pointed question.

"Did you know about it?" you asked, your tone laced with accusation. Jungwon stiffened at your tone, attempting to defend himself. "I didn't want to actually participate—" he began, but you cut him off, unimpressed by his excuses. "But you did know about it, and you didn't tell me?" you interjected sharply.

Jungwon pleaded innocence, claiming it was all Jake's idea. Despite his apology, you grumbled in frustration, punching him lightly in the arm. "Ow!" Jungwon protested, rubbing the spot where you had hit him, but you merely shrugged, determined to exact revenge on the boys for their deception.

"Hey Y/n! you're here?" A cheerful voice called out, pulling your attention away from the crowd. It was Yuna, one of your classmates, dressed as Carrie from the horror novel. Beside her stood Giselle, adorned in a witch costume. "Hello," you greeted them warmly, a smile playing on your lips.

"I'm going out," Giselle announced, grabbing a bottle of soju from the fridge before making her exit. Yuna flashed you a friendly smile and poured herself a drink. "I like your costume!" she complimented you. "Thanks, I like yours too," you replied, returning the compliment.

"Hey, a few of us were going out, do you want to join?" she asked, her tone inviting, Yuna's invitation caught you off guard but piqued your interest. You had grown close with Yuna over class, and her offer seemed appealing. With a nod, you accepted, feeling comfortable in her presence. "Yeah, I'll be right there," you confirmed.

"Cool!" Yuna exclaimed, excitement evident in her voice, before heading off to join her friends. Turning to face Jungwon, who looked slightly puzzled, "you're going with her?" he inquired, his expression curious. "Yes, I can't stick with you guys the whole night," you explained. Jungwon nodded understandingly, a smile gracing his lips. "Have fun and be safe then. We'll be around here if you need us," he reassured you before taking his leave.

Taking another sip of your drink, you felt a surge of confidence coursing through you as you navigated your way through the pulsating dance floor. The crowd seemed to part effortlessly as you passed, their gazes drawn to your costume. Some offered compliments as you made your way through the throng, and you graciously thanked them, a smile playing on your lips.

As you reached the back of the house, you stepped outside into the cool night air, scanning the area for Yuna. Spotting her amidst a group of people, she waved enthusiastically, her excitement palpable. Making your way over, you were greeted by the welcoming smiles of Yuna's friends.

"You actually came!" Yuna exclaimed, her happiness evident in her tone. "Guys, you know Y/n," she introduced you to the group, who greeted you warmly in return. Though you recognized them, you hadn't interacted with them much before.

Giselle stood besides Yuna, accompanied by Yuqi, whose fairy costume added a whimsical touch to the gathering. Kazuha, dressed as the hauntingly beautiful Corpse Bride, stood beside them. Momo, adorned in mummy wrappings, mingled with the group. Felix, portraying the spirited Luffy from the anime, engaged in a conversation with Mingi, who was decked out as the iconic Michael Myers. Minghao, was dressed as the beloved superhero Spiderman, and Keeho stood tall, embodying the iconic Batman, while Taehyung, was dressed as the enigmatic Phantom of the Opera.

Meanwhile, as Jungwon joined the rest of the guys, they noticed your absence from their midst. "Where's Y/n?" Ni-ki asked, glancing around the room. "She's with some of her friends, I think," Jungwon replied, taking a seat beside Jay and Sunghoon. But then another realization struck Jungwon. "Where's Heeseung?" he asked, scanning the room. The boys looked around, but Heeseung was nowhere to be found. "Huh? He was just here!?" Ni-ki exclaimed in confusion. "He's probably around here," Sunghoon suggested.

"Was it wrong of us to drag them to this party?" Sunoo pondered aloud, expressing concern. "No, they need to realize that they love each other," Jake asserted confidently, his voice rising a bit too loudly and drawing unwanted attention from those nearby. "Shhh!" Jay quickly shushed him, casting a wary glance around the room. "We don't want everyone here to know!" he admonished Jake. "We can only hope they realize it," he added, the concern evident in his tone.

Meanwhile, you happily engaged in conversation with Yuna and her friends, though you kept your interactions with Taehyung to a minimum, he seemed content simply gazing at you, making you feel a tad uncomfortable, especially with the chill in the air. As Felix proposed hitting the dance floor, you glanced at your phone and saw a message from your brother indicating that he had successfully covered for you and your mother was asleep. Grateful for his assistance, you slipped your phone back into your purse as Yuna pulled you onto the dance floor with her friends.

Lost in the pulsating rhythm and laughter, you suddenly felt a burning stare and glanced around, eventually locking eyes with Heeseung, who stood a distance away, his gaze fixed solely on you. Feeling uneasy, you looked away, only to be swept into the dance by Kazuha and mingling with Mingi, who smiled down at you.

Amidst the joyous atmosphere, you eventually excused yourself to the kitchen for a drink. The quiet solitude enveloped you as you leaned against the counter, the faint scent of nicotine lingering in the air. Lost in thought, you retrieved a bottle of water from the fridge and took a sip. Just then, Heeseung entered the room, breaking the silence. "Hi," you greeted softly, meeting his gaze. "Hello," he replied, his voice equally soft.

A moment of silence passed between you before Heeseung spoke again. "You looked like you had fun on the dance floor," he remarked, attempting to break the tension. "Yeah, I did," you replied, though the unease lingered in your voice. "How are you doing?" you asked, hoping for a glimpse into his state of mind. He seemed surprised by your question. "I'm good. How are you doing?" he asked in return. "Good," you answered, though the strength in your voice wavered.

As you and Heeseung stood there awkwardly in the kitchen, a group of drunk people stumbled in, breaking the tense silence. Quickly, you averted your gaze, feeling the need to escape. You attempted to slip out of the kitchen, but a glance behind you revealed that Heeseung was following closely behind, his expression determined as he prowled after you. Gasping, you navigated through the crowd, each time you turned, he was right on your trail, his presence looming closer.

What was he doing? You couldn't help but wonder as you climbed up to the second floor, weaving past people until you finally stopped and turned around. To your relief, you didn't see Heeseung, feeling victorious as you leaned over the balcony railing, observing the festivities below. A smile graced your lips as you spotted Jake, Jay, and Ni-ki on the dance floor, enjoying themselves.

However, your moment of triumph was short-lived as you sensed someone approaching from behind. Instinctively, you knew it was Heeseung, his cologne lingering in the air as his arms enveloped you against the railing. He had pulled up the sleeves of his shirt, revealing his toned and veiny arms as he gripped the railing, his head resting on your shoulder as he whispered in your ear, "You thought you could escape from me?" Feeling a surge of panic at his sudden presence, you attempted to pull away from his grip, but Heeseung's hold only tightened around you. His fingers wrapped around your wrist, preventing your escape, as he effortlessly pulled you back into his chest. You could feel the warmth of his body pressing against your back, his arms enveloping you in a tight embrace, leaving you with no choice but to surrender to his hold.

Heeseung leaned over the railing, bringing you along with him. You had no choice but to lean over as well, your weight supported by the sturdy wooden barrier. From the corner of your eye, you could see him gazing at you, his intense gaze locking with yours as he whispered, his warm breath grazing your ear, "Running from me like that?" His voice was soft yet laced with a hint of accusation. Your mouth opened in response, but no words came out. You missed this intimacy, feeling safe and secure in his embrace, as if he could alleviate all your stress.

Eventually, you turned around to face him, meeting his gaze as he leaned in closer. Placing a hand on his chest, you tilted your head slightly, whispering, "I thought I could try." Neither of you spoke after that, simply gazing at each other, both feeling touch-starved after days apart.

"Please, angel," Heeseung whispered, his touch sending a warm sensation through your stomach. Before you could respond, however, you heard your name being called. Startled, both you and Heeseung pulled back to see Giselle standing there. "Sorry, did I interrupt something?" she asked innocently. "No, no," you quickly assured her. "Um, what is it?" you asked.

"Mingi is looking for you," Giselle informed you, oblivious to the tension between you and Heeseung. You noticed the subtle clenching of Heeseung's jaw at the news. "Oh, thank you for telling me," you said to Giselle, offering a polite smile as she walked away, leaving you and Heeseung.

Clearing your throat to catch Heeseung's attention, you saw his gaze instantly snap to you. "I'm gonna..." you started talking as you began to walk back down, but with a glance behind you, you noticed Heeseung was still following after you. Shaking your head, you navigated around the thick crowd until you made it to the dance floor. You spotted Yuna and her friends still dancing, but no sign of Mingi. Scanning the area, you tried to find him, but it seemed like he found you first. "There you are!" Mingi said happily, and you turned, smiling at him as he led you to the outskirts of the ground floor where a bar stood. "There's a bar?" you asked, surprised by its presence. "Yes!" Mingi exclaimed. You both settled on the barstools as you ordered a strong drink, feeling like you needed it.

As you and Mingi began chatting like old friends, the bartender prepared your drinks. You both cheered your shots, downing them quickly. Mingi ordered another round of drinks as you looked out at the dance floor, feeling a sense of something pulling you. You made eye contact with Heeseung, who stood by the door, surrounded by other people but with his full attention fixed on you. You quickly turned back to Mingi, who was rambling on about something, and you listened attentively.

As time passed and the shots flowed, you began to feel the buzz of alcohol. Giggling with Mingi, who was clearly drunk as he clung to you, he slurred, "Hey Y/n! You are very beautiful!" "Thank you, Mingi," you giggled in response. "Hey, hey! Are you single?" he slurred further. "Well..." you started to reply, but before you could finish, a scream interrupted. You looked and saw Yuna running towards you. "Y/n! Come on! Come on!" she screamed, grabbing you and Mingi. "This is my song!" she declared as a Rihanna song blared through the speakers.

Wide-eyed, you recognized the song as "Only Girl (In the World)" and Yuna pulled you and Mingi into the middle of the dance floor. Without hesitation, you smiled and danced and sang along with Yuna, Giselle, Yuqi, Momo, and Kazuha. Together, you all screamed the lyrics without a care in the world.

Spinning around, you saw Jake and Ni-ki dancing nearby. When they noticed you, they jumped closer, joining in the fun. Lost in the music and the energy of the moment, you danced with abandon.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

As the night progressed, you found yourself fully immersed in the energy of the party. The music throbbed in your ears, the flashing lights painted the room in vibrant hues, and the laughter of your friends echoed in the air. Amidst the chaos of the dance floor, you let yourself go, moving to the rhythm with abandon, your worries melting away with every beat.

But amidst the crowd, amidst the laughter and the music, your attention kept being drawn to him. Heeseung, his presence a constant, his gaze an ever-present force that seemed to follow you wherever you went. You felt his eyes on you, hungry, intense, and filled with longing. Every time you glanced in his direction, you found him there, his gaze fixed on you with an intensity that sent shivers down your spine.

And, if you were being honest with yourself, you couldn't deny the flutter of excitement that his attention brought. It felt good to be wanted, to be pursued with such fervor. Despite the chaos of the party, despite the throng of people surrounding you, it was his gaze that you found yourself drawn to, his presence that you couldn't shake.

Outside by the grand pool, you found a moment's respite from the pulsating energy of the party. Nestled on a plush couch with friends on either side, the night air carried the distant echoes of laughter and music, a backdrop to the tranquil scene. Yuna occupied the space to your left, a comforting presence amidst the lively ambiance, while Mingi sat on your right, his flushed cheeks betraying the effects of the festivities.

As you sat there, the weariness of the night settling upon you, you nursed a drink that had long lost its chill. Setting it down on a nearby table, your gaze wandered to the pool, its iridescent waters shimmering under the moonlight, casting a mesmerizing glow.

Mingi's arm draped around you, pulling you closer, you chuckled softly at his playful demeanor, but as his gaze met yours, a sense of disquiet washed over you. Something felt off, a nagging feeling that this wasn't where you belonged. It wasn't Mingi's touch that you craved, but another's, someone whose absence had left a void within you.

Before you could dwell further on your thoughts, a sudden presence loomed behind you. Turning around, you found Heeseung standing there, his demeanor intense and unwavering. His piercing gaze bore into Mingi, a silent warning that didn't escape your notice.

"Y/n, may I have a word?" Heeseung's voice cut through the air, his tone clipped and authoritative. "Hey, we're kinda busy here," Mingi's voice carried a hint of protest, but Heeseung's response was swift. "Not anymore you are," he snapped back, his tone laced with an edge that brooked no argument. The intensity of his gaze bore down on Mingi, leaving him no choice but to relent. "Okay, okay. Fine, take her," Mingi's words held a tinge of resignation.

With an apologetic smile aimed at Mingi, you rose from the couch, the weight of Heeseung's stare compelling you to follow him.

As you came to him, he wordlessly pulled you along to a vacant room, his grip firm around your waist. The silence between you was heavy with unspoken tension as you searched his eyes for answers, but he remained resolute, his gaze unwavering.

"What did you want to talk about?" you ventured, but Heeseung's response was swift and startling. With a sudden movement, he slammed his hand against the wall beside your head, causing you to emit a small noise of surprise. His eyes bore into yours, filled with a mixture of anger and despair as he unleashed a torrent of emotion.

"Does it humor you?" His voice trembled with pent-up frustration, each word dripping with the bitter taste of betrayal.

"What?" The single word escaped your lips, echoing in the tense silence that enveloped you both. Heeseung's frustration boiled over, his words pouring forth like a rainstorm.

"Does it humor you to break up, leave me to rot, knowing that bastard went after you and not send me a message that you were okay?" His voice cracked with raw emotion, his despair pouring out in waves.

You stood there, paralyzed by the weight of his words, unable to offer any solace or explanation. He continued, his voice trembling with a mixture of anger and despair, each syllable a dagger to your heart.

"…and then show up looking so beautiful?" His voice wavered. The realization of your absence, of the void left in his life, weighed heavily on his shoulders, threatening to crush him beneath its unbearable weight. "And then see other guys look at you? Knowing I can't do anything because you aren't mine anymore?" His words tumbled out in a torrent of despair.

His hand rose to your cheek, a silent plea for understanding, for forgiveness. You felt the warmth of his touch against your skin, a bittersweet reminder of the love that still lingered between you, despite the pain that had torn you apart.

"They don't deserve to look at you." The words slipped from his lips like a whispered prayer, a plea for redemption amidst the chaos of his shattered heart.

As the weight of his words settled upon you, you found yourself speechless.

"Heeseung… I'm… so sorry, but I didn't…" You struggled to articulate your thoughts, but they remained elusive, lost amidst the maelstrom of emotions swirling within you. "I don't know what to say," you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper.

"Then don't say anything," Heeseung's words were a command, a plea wrapped in desperation. Before you could respond, his lips crashed against yours. A gasp escaped your lips as he drew you closer, his hand instinctively finding its place around your neck. The world around you faded as you went slack in his hold.

You basked in the intensity of the moment, feeling the undeniable rightness of being in Heeseung's arms after days of longing. His touch, his kiss, it all felt like a familiar embrace, a sanctuary amidst the chaos of your emotions. As his hand trailed down to your thigh, hitching it up, you felt a surge of desire coursing through you, igniting every nerve ending in your body.

Heeseung's touch became more fervent, his hands gripping the meat of your thighs through the fabric, sending shivers down your spine. With a sense of urgency, his hand slipped upward, tracing the curve of your thigh, eliciting a soft gasp from your lips. In a bold move, you wrapped your leg around his hip, drawing him closer.

He pulled back from the kiss, his lips leaving a trail of fiery kisses along your neck, marking you as his own with each fervent touch. "Heeseung—" You attempted to speak, to voice the thoughts swirling within your mind, but his lips silenced you once more, his desperation evident in the small, desperate sounds escaping his lips. You felt his hands slide to your hips, pulling you close, while your hands instinctively found their place on his chest.

But before you could surrender completely to the moment, the door burst open, shattering the fragile bubble of intimacy between you and Heeseung. With a start, you pushed him away, both of you turning to see a couple of drunken partygoers stumbling into the room. Heeseung's expression turned murderous, his gaze fixed on the intruders with an intensity that sent shivers down your spine.

In that moment of chaos and intrusion, you made a split-second decision, pulling away from Heeseung and running out of the room, ignoring his shouts behind you. Tears welled up in your eyes as you fled, overwhelmed by the realization that once again, you had fallen back into the tangled web of emotions surrounding Heeseung.

You felt trapped, ensnared by a love that seemed to have a grip on your very soul, leaving you with no clear path forward. Despite your efforts to break free, you couldn't shake the feeling that you were destined to be entangled with Heeseung, no matter how hard you tried to resist.

The cacophony of the party faded into the background as you burst out of the door, onto the deserted streets, the sound of your heels resonating with each hurried step. It was late, the moon casting an eerie glow on the silent pavement, devoid of any signs of life. Houses stood like looming shadows, their windows darkened, their inhabitants lost in the embrace of sleep. All you could focus on was the desperate need to escape, to find solace in the familiarity of home.

Lost in your thoughts, you failed to notice the ominous presence trailing behind you, the faint hum of an engine echoing in the empty street. The realization struck too late, a sharp pang of pain reverberating through your body as something solid collided with you. The world seemed to spin, your senses overwhelmed by a wave of agony as you crumpled to the cold asphalt, the harsh impact stealing the air from your lungs.

Through tear-blurred vision, you glimpsed a shadowy figure approaching through the haze, a menacing silhouette against the dimly lit backdrop of the night. Your consciousness wavered, as you surrendered to the engulfing void, your body succumbing to the numbing embrace of unconsciousness.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

As consciousness slowly seeped back into your awareness, you were immediately engulfed in a whirlwind of agony. Pain coursed through every fiber of your being, a relentless torment that threatened to consume you whole. With a cry of anguish, you attempted to move, only to find your limbs unresponsive, bound by unseen restraints.

Opening your eyes proved to be a daunting task, the world swimming in a haze of disorientation. Through bleary vision, you were greeted by the sight of a gray cement wall. Furrowing your brows in confusion, you attempted to turn your head, only to be met with a wave of dizziness that left you reeling.

As you struggled to make sense of your surroundings, a sinking feeling settled in the pit of your stomach. With a growing sense of dread, you cast your gaze downward, your heart sinking as you beheld the sight before you. You were bound to a chair, your arms and legs immobilized by tight restraints. Panic clawed at the edges of your mind as you writhed against the bindings, each movement met with searing pain.

Your eyes fell upon your left arm, where an IV drip stood, pushing an unknown substance through your veins, dulling your senses and leaving you feeling lethargic and heavy-limbed. Panic surged within you as you realized the extent of your predicament.

Still clad in your Halloween costume, the remnants of the festivities felt like a cruel mockery in the face of your current ordeal. Bruised and bloodied, you were a stark contrast to the playful facade you had worn just hours earlier. Your heels lay discarded nearby, a reminder of the freedom that had been cruelly stripped away from you.

A cloth gag silenced any attempts at outcry, muffling your cries of desperation as you surveyed your surroundings. The room resembled a dark, foreboding cellar, devoid of windows. A single reinforced steel door loomed ominously before you, another chair, positioned a short distance away, served as the only other furniture in the chamber.

Your heart pounded in your chest as you took in the bleak reality of your situation. Bound and helpless, trapped in a nightmare from which there seemed to be no escape. With a heavy heart, you resigned yourself to the chilling silence, the echoes of your thoughts the only company in the darkness.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

The news of your disappearance spread like wildfire, igniting a frenzy of panic and despair among those who know and love you. On television screens and newspaper headlines, your face was plastered alongside the words "MISSING."

In the midst of the chaos, your mother's anguished cries pierced the air, echoing through the once-familiar confines of your home. Tears streamed down her face, her sobs a testament to the depths of her despair.

Your brother, haunted by guilt, paced the floorboards with a heavy heart, knowing that his actions had contributed to your disappearance.

Outside, the authorities scrambled to gather information, their efforts focused on piecing together the fragments of your last known movements. Police officers canvassed the streets, questioning witnesses and appealing to the public for any shred of information that might lead to your whereabouts.

Meanwhile, your friends, consumed by worry and fear, clung to each other for support. They replayed the events of the night over and over in their minds, grappling with feelings of guilt and helplessness.

But perhaps none felt the weight of your absence more than Heeseung. As he awoke to the news of your disappearance, his world shattered into a million pieces. With trembling hands, he reached for his phone, desperate to hear the sound of your voice, only to be met with the cold, indifferent voice of an automated message. In a fit of anguish, he hurled his phone across the room.

Dongsik, sensing his owner's distress, approached tentatively. But Heeseung was beyond comfort, his fears consuming him whole as he crumbled beneath the weight of his despair.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

As time dragged on in the dim confines of the basement, you felt the oppressive weight of darkness pressing down on you, enveloping you in a suffocating shroud of uncertainty. With no sunlight to gauge the passage of time and no watch to mark the hours, you were left to languish in the void, trapped in a timeless limbo of despair.

Suddenly, the heavy silence was shattered by the creak of the door swinging open, and you blinked against the sudden intrusion of light, your vision swimming in disorientation. As your eyes adjusted, you were met with the chilling sight of Ghostface, your captor, looming ominously in the doorway. A surge of fear shot through you, your heart pounding in your chest as you braced yourself for whatever horror he had in store.

"Mhmh," you attempted to speak, but your words were stifled by the gag, leaving only muffled sounds to escape your lips. Ghostface's voice echoed in the darkness, his tone dripping with sinister amusement as he addressed you.

"Ah, you are awake! Wonderful," he intoned, his voice sending shivers down your spine. The chair creaked ominously beneath you as you struggled against your restraints, the ropes digging into your skin as you rocked back and forth in a desperate attempt to free yourself.

"Ah-ah," he tutted. "Don't do that, my dear. I don't want you bleeding out and dying so early! That would just ruin the fun," he remarked, his words laced with a sickening sense of amusement.

With a grimace of pain, you stilled your movements, the throbbing ache in your body a relentless reminder of your vulnerability. Ghostface's presence loomed over you, his masked visage shrouded in shadows as he studied you with a predatory curiosity. You met his gaze with a steely resolve, refusing to cower before his intimidation tactics, causing his patience to wear thin as he tore the gag from your mouth.

"Now, I finally have you right where I want you," he declared, his voice a low, menacing whisper. "What is so special about you, hmm?" he inquired, his tone dripping with disdain as he awaited your response.

Your defiance burned brightly in your eyes as you locked gazes with Ghostface, refusing to yield. "Oh, don't give me that look!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with exasperation. "You broke his reigning killing streak, and for what?" he demanded, but still, you refused to give him the satisfaction of a response, your lips pressed together in a line.

"Ah, the silent treatment, hm?" Ghostface chuckled darkly, the sound sending a shiver down your spine. "But your silence won't save you now, my dear." Yet you offered no response.

"Oh, how you infuriate me," Ghostface sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "But mark my words, my dear, I will uncover the truth, one way or another."

"Fuck you, you bastard," you spat defiantly, which was met with a growl of frustration from your captor. "Why do you have to make this so difficult, sweetheart?" he taunted, his voice dripping with malice as he bathed the basement in harsh light before retreating. You winced at the sudden assault on your senses, blinking away the tears that threatened to spill from your eyes.

Alone in the oppressive silence, you screamed until your voice grew hoarse, your cries echoing fruitlessly against the unforgiving walls. With each passing moment, the weight of your captivity bore down on you with crushing force, leaving you battered and broken, your thoughts consumed by the memory of Heeseung and the cruel twists of fate that had led you to this nightmarish ordeal.

"Heeseung," you whispered, the name a desperate plea for solace in the darkness as tears streamed silently down your cheeks, your heart aching with longing for the one person who might offer you a glimmer of hope in the abyss of your despair.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

The sound of the door creaking open echoed through the dimly lit basement, but you didn't lift your head or open your eyes. Exhaustion weighed heavily upon you, your body drained of strength and your spirit battered by the relentless torment you endured.

"I know you are awake, Y/n," Ghostface's voice cut through the silence as he moved about the room. You grumbled out a response, your voice hoarse and barely audible. Your throat felt raw from screaming, your stomach gnawing with hunger, and your mind clouded with fatigue.

"Don't worry, it will all be over soon," Ghostface's words offered little comfort as you finally raised your head to observe his movements. He had set up a phone to record you, his actions sending a chill down your spine as you realized the gravity of the situation. "How long have I been here?" you managed to croak out, wincing at the harshness of your own tone.

"You've only been here for two days, Y/n," Ghostface replied, his tone laced with mockery. "Don't tell me you're already breaking?" he taunted, his laughter echoing in the confined space. You remained silent, unable to summon the strength to respond as he continued his preparations.

"It won't matter, if this works you won't stay here for long!" Ghostface's words washed over you, your mind numb to the significance of his threats. His voice droned on, the ringing in your ears grew louder, drowning out his voice as you weakly blinked at the camera, your gaze unfocused.

Suddenly, a sharp pain seared through your scalp as Ghostface seized your hair in a vice-like grip, yanking your head back forcefully. Your eyes snapped open in response to the agony, your gaze meeting his behind the chilling facade of his mask. He wielded a knife, its glinting blade poised menacingly against your throat, applying just enough pressure to draw blood.

You grimaced, the metallic tang of blood filling your senses as a single drop trickled down from where the knife bit into your skin.

"Come to the beginning and you'll find your precious little thing," Ghostface's words cut through, his grip relenting as he released you and turned to the phone, ending the recording.

"That's all I need from you. Now you stay here and don't move," Ghostface commanded, dismantling the setup with disregard. "Not like you can go anywhere with how you look!" he mocked, his laughter fading as he exited the room, leaving you alone in the frigid darkness once more.

Tears welled in your eyes as your body trembled with exhaustion and fear, you cried out, your voice lost in the void as despair threatened to consume you whole.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

Heeseung sat on the couch, his surroundings a chaotic reflection of his inner turmoil. The living room was in disarray, scattered with empty instant ramen containers and discarded pieces of paper strewn across the coffee table. His hair was disheveled, a wild mess mirroring the chaos of his mind, and dark circles underscored his eyes, evidence of his sleepless nights.

Just as he was consumed by his overwhelming sense of helplessness, his phone buzzed with a message notification. His heart leaped into his throat as he snatched up the device, his hands trembling. The screen was illuminated with message from Jay:

Turn on the news

The message read, short and to the point. Without a moment's hesitation, Heeseung leaped over the coffee table, his movements fueled by a surge of urgency. He reached for the remote control, his fingers fumbling slightly in his haste, and aimed it at the television.

With a press of a button, the screen flickered to life, bathing the dimly lit room in the soft glow of the news broadcast. Heeseung's heart pounded in his chest as he awaited the unfolding of events, his eyes fixed on the screen.

The news anchor's somber expression mirrored Heeseung's growing dread as she began to speak about the recent disappearance of you, her voice weighted with sorrow.

"We have received a video from an anonymous sender regarding the recent disappearance of Y/N Y/L/N, which has been concluded as a kidnapping," the news anchor announced, her tone heavy with gravity. "What you are about to witness is nothing short of horror."

Heeseung's breath caught in his throat as the video feed started, revealing you, broken and hurt, your eyes vacant as they stared past the camera. His heart clenched at the sight of you, your appearance confirming his worst fears. Matted hair, dried blood staining your face, bruises marring your skin – it was a gut-wrenching sight that threatened to shatter him.

As the figure of Ghostface stepped into frame, clad in the familiar mask that once represented Heeseung`s persona, his rage boiled over. "You fucker!" he shouted, his voice laced with venomous fury. Though he listened to Ghostface's speech, his attention remained fixated on you, his heart aching with the desire to protect you from the horrors you were enduring.

You didn't deserve to suffer, locked away in a basement by a deranged psychopath. He was nothing compared to the true Ghostface, the persona that Heeseung had embodied with a sense of helplessness and thrill. And Heeseung vowed, with every fiber of his being, that he would find you and ensure your safety, no matter the cost.

As Ghostface's sinister actions unfolded on the screen, Heeseung felt a surge of rage course through him like a raging inferno. The sight of you, vulnerable and in pain, ignited a primal instinct within him, urging him to take action, to protect you at any cost. His grip on the TV tightened, his knuckles turning white with the intensity of his emotions, as he fought to contain the tempest of fury that threatened to consume him.

When Ghostface, that despicable figure who dared to lay a hand on you, Heeseung's anger boiled over, reaching its breaking point. The knife pressed against your throat, the blood seeping from the wound, it was all too much for him to bear. With a guttural roar of fury, Heeseung nearly hurled the TV across the room, his muscles coiled like a tightly wound spring ready to unleash its pent-up fury.

"Come to the beginning and you'll find your precious little thing," Ghostface's words echoed in his mind, a cruel taunt that fueled Heeseung's determination to bring justice to those who dared to harm you. As the video abruptly cut off and the news anchor's voice filled the room, Heeseung's gaze hardened into icy determination.

"We can only pray for Y/n to return safely and hope that Ghostface will be taken care of," the news anchor's words were a mere backdrop to Heeseung's seething rage. With a menacing edge to his voice, Heeseung spoke, his tone laced with dark intent.

"Oh, I will make sure he will be taken care of," he muttered, his laughter carrying a sinister edge as he stalked towards his room, the crackling of his knuckles punctuating his ominous declaration. With a sense of grim purpose, Heeseung knew what he had to do. The message had been received, and Ghostface would soon learn the full extent of Heeseung's wrath.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

As you struggled against the restraints, your body protesting every movement, you felt a surge of desperation overwhelming you. Ignoring the pain shooting through your limbs, you wriggled back and forth in a futile attempt to free yourself from the confines of the chair. Each movement was met with a chorus of protests from your protesting muscles, but you pressed on, driven by a primal instinct to escape.

Just as you tried to shift away from the IV stand, the sound of the door opening halted your movements. Your heart raced as you watched Ghostface enter the room once more, his presence casting a chilling shadow over the already dimly lit basement. His cold, calculating eyes locked onto yours as he approached, a syringe in his hand.

"Changed position, eh?" Ghostface remarked casually, his voice dripping with malice as he closed the distance between you. "Hey! Hey! No, keep that away from me!" you shouted, your voice trembling with desperation. Your screams of protest fell on deaf ears as he ignored your pleas, swiftly injecting the foreign substance into your arm with a zero disregard for your well-being. "There, was that so hard?"

The effects washed over you. A woozy sensation washed over you, your vision blurring as spots danced before your eyes. Your body felt weightless, disconnected from reality as the world spun around you. You tried to resist, but it was a losing battle. Before you knew it, consciousness slipped away, leaving you adrift in a sea of black.

Ghostface stood over your limp body, a cruel smile twisting his lips as he surveyed his handiwork. With a rough tug on your hair, he ensured that you were thoroughly incapacitated before cutting you loose from the chair. Hoisting your unconscious form over his shoulder, he carried you upstairs to a dimly lit living room, where he deposited you into another chair.

Methodically, he bound your wrists together behind the chair with thick ropes, ensuring that you were securely restrained. Your legs followed suit, bound tightly with more rope until any hope of escape was extinguished. With a strip of duct tape pressed firmly over your mouth, he silenced any potential cries for help, leaving you gagged and helpless.

Finally, he placed a bag over your head, shrouding you in darkness as he left you alone in the silent room.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

You stirred groggily, your senses slowly coming back to you as you regained consciousness. Pain radiated through your body, a constant reminder of the ordeal you had endured. You tried to blink away the darkness that surrounded you, but your vision remained obscured by the bag over your head. Panic welled up inside you as you realized you couldn't see, couldn't speak, couldn't move freely.

Your limbs felt heavy and restrained, bound tightly by the ropes that held you captive. With a muffled groan, you attempted to shift your position, but the bindings held firm, rendering your efforts futile. You could hear the faint murmur of a television in the background, the sound of a horror movie echoing through the room.

Suddenly, his voice cut through the silence, sending a shiver down your spine. "Ah, you're awake!" he taunted, though you couldn't see him. You made an attempt to respond, but the tape over your mouth silenced any words that tried to escape, all you could do was make sounds of frustration and discomfort, hoping to convey your distress. "Be quiet," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. You huffed in frustration but complied, knowing that any resistance would only lead to further punishment.

As the minutes stretched into hours, hunger gnawed at your stomach, a reminder of your long captivity. "You hungry?" he asked, his tone dripping with mockery. You nodded, a futile gesture. "Aww, that's too bad. I haven't gone shopping at all," he taunted, his words a cruel reminder that he held all the power.

Time seemed to blur together as you sat in that uncomfortable position. The absence of sound and movement only served to amplify your sense of helplessness, leaving you feeling isolated and vulnerable. Anger simmered beneath the surface as you struggled against your restraints, the frustration of your situation boiling over with each passing moment.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

The oppressive silence was shattered by the sudden flick of a switch, followed by a deafening crash that reverberated through the room. Startled, you strained against your restraints, your heart pounding with a mixture of fear and hope. "Show yourself!" a deep voice bellowed, the authority in its tone sending a shiver down your spine. Without a doubt, you knew it was Heeseung. He had come for you.

As you listened intently, another voice joined the fray, equally deep but tinged with a sinister edge. "Ahh, such an honor to finally meet you, Ghostface," the other Ghostface purred, his words laced with malice. "I have waited long for this opportunity for us to meet. I just wished it was under different circumstances."

"Where is she?" Heeseung's voice demanded, "She's around here," Ghostface replied cryptically, sending a chill down your spine. "But I won't let you get to her, at least not yet."

"I don't give a fuck. I don't follow your rules," Heeseung retorted, his voice dripping with defiance. "I don't want you to follow me! I want to follow you!" Ghostface exclaimed, his desperation palpable. "Please! For months, I have followed your career, seen the massacre you have left behind! And you suddenly leave all that behind for what?! For a woman that isn't worth your time?!"

You couldn't help but feel a surge of disbelief at Ghostface 2's fanaticism. "She is worth everything to me," Heeseung stated firmly, his unwavering devotion evident in his voice. Suddenly, a cry rang out, followed by the sounds of chaos—a cacophony of things falling and breaking. "I killed for you! Is this how you treat your number one fan?!" Ghostface`s voice cracked with desperation.

But Heeseung's resolve remained unyielding. "I don't care! I never asked you to do this! You simply acted out and now you hurt my girl? Yeah, I don't think so!" His voice thundered with righteous fury, punctuated by the sounds of struggle and a shout of pain.

As the chaos unfolded, you could only listen helplessly, caught in the midst of a battle between two forces—one driven by love, the other by madness.

You strained against your restraints, the muffled sounds of struggle echoing around you. Suddenly, a loud thump reverberated through the space, followed by the unmistakable sound of a body hitting the floor. Your heart raced, and you tried to scream through the gag, unable to discern whose body had fallen.

In a swift motion, the bag covering your head was ripped away, and you squinted against the sudden onslaught of light, blinking rapidly to adjust. As your vision cleared, you found yourself face to face with the Ghostface mask, but a surge of relief washed over you when you realized it was Heeseung behind it.

"Are you okay, angel? I mean… of course, you're not okay! But like, I mean… oh, forget it," Heeseung's words tumbled out in a rush, a mix of concern and relief evident in his voice. Tears welled up in your eyes, as you spoke through the gag.

"It's okay, I'm here, angel. I'm here," Heeseung reassured you, his voice a soothing balm to your frayed nerves. With gentle hands, he removed the tape from your mouth, allowing you to draw in a shaky breath. As you gasped for air, Heeseung retrieved a knife and began cutting through the ropes binding your wrists.

However, your relief was short-lived as you noticed Ghostface stirring. Panic surged through you, and you tried to warn Heeseung, but your voice came out as a hushed whisper. Sensing your fear, Heeseung swiftly rose to his feet, positioning himself protectively in front of you. With a swift movement, he placed the knife in your hand.

The room reverberated with Ghostface's chilling laughter as he rose to his feet, his deranged chuckles echoing off the walls. His laughter turned more sinister as he threw his head back, his gaze fixing on you and Heeseung. "That was a good move! Really, Ghostface! You have such raw talent… don't you agree?" he taunted, but Heeseung remained silent.

Taking advantage of the distraction, you focused on cutting yourself free from the ropes binding your wrists, the knife Heeseung had given you proving to be your lifeline. With each precise cut, you felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through your veins, driving you to free yourself as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, Heeseung brandished a switchblade, as he prepared to defend both himself and you.

As Ghostface lunged towards Heeseung, the two engaged in a fierce struggle, their bodies colliding with force. Heeseung skillfully parried each blow, his movements fluid and calculated, but his priority remained protecting you from harm. With a sense of urgency, you worked feverishly to cut through the ropes binding your legs, your heart pounding in your chest as you pushed through the pain.

Suddenly, Ghostface managed to tackle Heeseung to the ground, raining down punches upon him as he writhed beneath the onslaught. In a desperate bid to intervene, you finally succeeded in freeing yourself from the ropes and staggered to your feet, your body protesting every movement.

Your eyes widened in horror as you witnessed Ghostface raising a knife, poised to strike Heeseung. Without a second thought, you screamed out in defiance and lunged forward, driving the knife into Ghostface's back with all your strength. The assailant let out a guttural scream of agony as you twisted the blade, causing him to stumble backward in shock and pain.

Heeseung wasted no time in seizing the opportunity, swiftly rising to his feet and catching you in his arms, pulling you close to him as you leaned against his chest. "I refuse this betrayal!" Ghostface roared in fury, wrenching the knife from his back with a cry of rage. Shifting his gaze between Heeseung and you, his twisted words dripping with hatred. "This whore is nothing compared to me!" he spat, his voice dripping with venom.

"She is not for you to compare, asshole!" Heeseung retorted, his voice ringing with defiance as he stood protectively in front of you.

Ghostface clutched the knife you had used to stab him, his eyes burned with fury as he lunged at Heeseung once again. But Heeseung was prepared this time. With lightning reflexes, he tackled Ghostface, the two adversaries crashing to the ground in a tangle of limbs and rage. They grappled fiercely, exchanging punches and kicks as they fought for dominance, the sound of their struggle echoing through the house.

Meanwhile, you stood frozen for a moment, unsure of what to do amidst the chaos unfolding before you. But Heeseung's urgent command snapped you out of your daze. "Y/N! Go!" he shouted. Responding instinctively, you scrambled to comply, your heart pounding with adrenaline-fueled urgency.

"Oh no you don`t!" Ghostface said, refusing to relent, lashed out with a vicious punch, striking Heeseung before seizing your ankle in a desperate attempt to impede your escape. You stumbled, falling to the ground under the force of his grip, but you refused to submit.

With a surge of determination, you kicked out fiercely, connecting with Ghostface's face with a resounding impact. He cried out in pain, his grip loosening as you scrambled away, seizing the opportunity to break free from his grasp.

Your heart pounded in your chest as you scoured the nearby rooms, the sounds of the struggle in the living room serving as a sign that you were in the clear. You moved quickly, until you found yourself in the kitchen. When suddenly, the sharp report of a gunshot rang out, causing you to startle and whirl around in alarm.

Before you could react, Ghostface appeared before you, brandishing a gun. "Come on!" Relief flooded through you as you realized it was Heeseung under the mask.

Ghostface's enraged shouts reverberated through the living room, with thundering steps echoing behind you, you and Heeseung hastily retreated, seeking any means of escape from the relentless pursuit.

Turning to face the approaching threat, you and Heeseung found yourselves confronted by Ghostface, his figure bearing witness to the injury inflicted upon him by Heeseung's well-aimed shot. Despite his wounded state, Ghostface pressed on, driven by a fanatical determination to capture his prey.

"Go!" Heeseung's urgent command sliced through the chaos, accompanied by the unmistakable click of a gun being aimed. You darted forward, seeking refuge as Heeseung lifted the weapon, his steely gaze fixed on Ghostface's retreating form. But the masked assailant found cover behind the kitchen island, evading the imminent threat of gunfire.

Scanning your surroundings frantically, you dashed through the family room, your heart pounding with adrenaline-fueled desperation. Your hopes were dashed as you attempted to open the balcony door, only to find it locked tight, sealing off any chance of escape. Frustration bubbled within you as you cursed under your breath, your mind racing for an alternative route to safety.

With no time to waste, you bolted into a nearby bedroom, seeking refuge within its confines. Turning to Heeseung for reassurance, you watched as he faced Ghostface, his ammunition depleted and his stance poised for combat. In a split-second exchange, Ghostface lunged forward with a vicious stab, aiming for Heeseung's form.

"No!" Your anguished cry echoed through the room as you witnessed the violent clash between the two adversaries. Heeseung's swift reflexes saved him from a direct blow, but the knife still found its mark, leaving a deep gash across his arm. With a pained grunt, Heeseung retaliated, delivering a forceful kick that sent Ghostface sprawling to the ground.

As the intense struggle continued, Ghostface seized Heeseung's leg, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground. With swift precision, Ghostface climbed on top of Heeseung, raining down a barrage of punches upon him. Heeseung grunted in pain, his muscles straining as he attempted to defend himself against the relentless assault. In a desperate bid for control, Heeseung managed to reverse their positions, landing a series of powerful punches of his own before Ghostface retaliated, once again gaining the upper hand.

Meanwhile, you scanned the room for any potential weapon to aid in your escape. Your eyes landed on a wooden cutting board nearby, and without hesitation, you seized it, preparing for action. With determination fueling your movements, you swung the cutting board with all your strength, striking Ghostface squarely in the head. A sharp cry of pain echoed through the room as Ghostface staggered, momentarily stunned by the unexpected blow. Seizing the opportunity, Heeseung swiftly extricated himself from beneath Ghostface's grasp, urging you to flee with him.

Racing toward the front door, hope flickered within you as the possibility of escape loomed tantalizingly close. However, your relief was short-lived as a sudden jolt of agony pierced through your body, sending you crashing to the ground. As you struggled to comprehend the source of the pain, Heeseung turned back to you in alarm, only to be met with the chilling realization of your plight.

"I did it!" Ghostface's triumphant declaration pierced the air, his sinister presence looming behind you. You were violently pulled upright, as a surge of pain shot through you. With horrifying clarity, you realized that Ghostface had thrown a dagger at you, the searing pain in your back confirming the deadly accuracy of his aim. Tears welled in your eyes as you cried out in anguish, the agony of the wound searing through your senses.

"You motherfucker!" Heeseung's enraged voice reverberated through the room. Yet, the threat of the dagger pressed against your throat silenced any further action from Heeseung. Frozen in place, Heeseung stood helplessly.

Heeseung's trembling hands betrayed the fierce restraint he exercised, his entire being a coiled spring of tension as he struggled to contain his mounting fury. "Take off the mask," Ghostface's sudden command sliced through the air, demanding compliance with chilling authority. "What?" Heeseung's voice wavered with disbelief his gaze locked with Ghostface's behind the menacing mask.

"You heard me. I wanna see you. I wanna see my idol," Ghostface persisted, his grip tightening on your arm as he began to pull you along. With each step, the ache of your injuries throbbed relentlessly, but you forced yourself to endure, your resolve unyielding even as pain threatened to overwhelm you. As Ghostface ascended the stairs, dragging you along in his wake, Heeseung followed closely behind, his every movement fraught with tension.

"I went through all this effort! I mean, the bitch stabbed me, I had to quit soccer, kill my parents when they started to suspect! And the dot over the i was I had to hit your little angel here with my car! I mean, that car costed more than herself!"

His words hung heavy in the air, a chilling testament to the lengths he had gone to fulfill his twisted desires. But it was his admission of hitting you with his car that sent a shockwave of horror coursing through your veins. The memories flooded back in a torrent of images and sensations, the screeching tires, the sickening impact, the overwhelming darkness that followed.

Heeseung's reaction was visceral, his incredulous rage boiling over as he struggled to comprehend the depths of Ghostface's depravity. "You what!?!?" his voice rang out.

In a fit of unbridled fury, Heeseung lunged forward, his muscles coiled with tension as he prepared to unleash his pent-up wrath upon Ghostface. But just as his outstretched hands reached for Ghostface's throat, the masked assailant yelped in genuine fear, his reflexes kicking in as he swiftly pulled you with him, narrowly evading Heeseung's vicious assault.

The sheer velocity of his movements sent a shiver down your spine as you watched the scene unfold before you, the knife held perilously close to your throat. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Heeseung's gaze snapped to the spot where Ghostface now stood with you, after barely managing to dodge his attack, his fists clenched.

With a sharp intake of breath, Heeseung reeled back. Though the urge to lash out still simmered beneath the surface, he knew that his priority now was ensuring your safety, no matter the cost. And with a heavy sigh, Heeseung reluctantly acquiesced, raising his arms in resignation as he shed his hood and removed the mask, revealing his bruised and bloodied face beneath. Relief flooded through you at the sight of his familiar features, a stark contrast to the chilling facade of the Ghostface mask he wore.

But any semblance of comfort was shattered by Ghostface's chilling words, his laughter a haunting echo in the empty corridors. "Well.. well... well. If it isn't Lee Heeseung..." His voice dripped with malice, each word laced with contempt. "You know! Now that I think about it! You are really the perfect Ghostface! I can't believe I didn't see it before!"

Heeseung's response was a silent glare, his features twisted in a mask of restrained fury. But as Ghostface's attention remained fixed on Heeseung, you seized the opportunity for action. With a surge of adrenaline, you launched a swift kick at Ghostface's shin, causing him to yelp in pain and drop the knife he had been brandishing menacingly.

As the knife clattered to the ground, a familiar glint caught your eye—a flash of recognition amidst the chaos. It was the butterfly knife that Heeseung had gifted you, now tarnished with blood. Without hesitation, you snatched it up in your hand, gripping it.

Heeseung wasted no time with you free from Ghostface`s grip, he seized your hand. propelling you forward as he led the charge down the hallway. Behind you, Ghostface's enraged cries echoed through the corridors, a cacophony of curses and threats that fueled your desperate flight to safety.

Your feet stumbled over the uneven floor as you raced to escape the looming threat of Ghostface. The hallway stretched endlessly before you, the walls seeming to close in with each passing second, amplifying the urgency of your flight.

Finally, Heeseung burst through the door of an open room, dragging you inside before swiftly slamming it shut behind you.

As the room fell into a tense silence, broken only by the sound of your pounding heart, Heeseung swiftly moved to lock the door, his hands trembling with urgency. The metal handle rattled violently as Ghostface exerted force from the other side, his relentless assault threatening to breach the flimsy barrier between safety and chaos. Heeseung's shock was palpable as he stared at the quivering door, his eyes reflecting a mixture of fear and determination.

While Heeseung grappled with the imminent threat at the door, your gaze swept across the room in search of any means of escape. The bedroom offered little in terms of refuge, its modest furnishings offering no sanctuary from the looming danger. You glanced out the window, but the sight of the daunting drop to the ground below dissuaded any thoughts of escape via that route.

Suddenly, the thundering assault on the door ceased, replaced by an eerie quiet that sent a shiver down your spine. Heeseung's instincts kicked in, and he swiftly retreated, pulling you close as a deafening gunshot echoed through the room. The door handle shattered under the force of the bullet, sending wooden splinters flying as the door swung open, the lock rendered useless by Ghostface's firepower.

Heeseung's gasp of alarm prompted swift action as he dove, dragging you with him, to take cover behind the bed. The bed provided little protection from the onslaught, and you screamed as each shot rang out, the sound reverberating in your ears.

As the gun clicked empty, Ghostface cursed under his breath, the frustration evident in his voice as he fumbled for more ammunition. In that fleeting moment of respite, you blinked, and with a sudden burst of movement, Heeseung launched himself over the bed, his form a blur as he collided with Ghostface in a whirlwind of violence.

The two figures grappled on the floor again. Punches were thrown with reckless abandon. Rolling and tumbling across the floor, they fought tooth and nail, locked in a deadly dance of survival.

In a desperate bid for freedom, you seized the fleeting opportunity and bolted out of the room, your heart pounding in your chest as adrenaline surged through your veins. But as you raced down the hallway, the sudden eruption of gunshots and Heeseung's unmistakable yell pierced through the chaos, freezing you in your tracks. You whirled around in shock, only to find Ghostface charging towards you with menacing determination, his voice echoing with malice as he closed in.

"There's no escape, sweetheart!" His taunting words echoed through the air, sending shivers down your spine as you continued to flee. But despite your efforts, Ghostface swiftly caught up to you, his iron grip seizing hold of you and slamming you forcefully onto the unforgiving ground. Panic surged through you as his hands closed around your neck, squeezing the life out of you with merciless force. "You've been a thorn in my side for too long! This ends now!" he growled.

Desperation fueled your fight as you kicked and thrashed against him, your cries muffled by the crushing pressure of his hands. Tears blurred your vision as you gasped for precious air, the suffocating grip of Ghostface tightening with each passing moment. "Get off!" you choked out, your voice raw with anguish as the world spun around you. "I can't wait to see the life draining from your eyes," he hissed.

Just when it seemed all hope was lost, a sudden roar echoed through the air, and the weight of Ghostface was abruptly lifted from you. Gasping for breath, you watched through tear-streaked eyes as Heeseung launched himself at Ghostface, the two figures crashing through the railing of the stairs down to the first floor, the sound of their bodies hitting the floor echoing in your ears.

"Heeseung!" you rasped, your voice barely a whisper as you staggered down the stairs, your limbs trembling. At the bottom, you found them both lying motionless amidst the wreckage of shattered wood, their bodies battered and broken from the fall.

With trembling hands and a racing heart, you made it down beside Heeseung, the urgency of the moment driving you forward. You checked his pulse, relief washing over you as you felt the reassuring thump under your fingertips. He was alive. Alive and here, with you. "Please, Heeseung, stay with me! Stay with me, baby!" you pleaded, your voice quivering with fear and desperation as you caressed his cheek, willing him to awaken.

Your attention shifted to the bleeding wounds from the gunshot, adrenaline surging as you swiftly removed the Ghostface costume from his body. Beneath the facade of terror, Heeseung was clad in simple jeans and a bloodied sweater, his peaceful face a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding you. Thinking quickly, you applied pressure to his wounds, your mind racing with fear and determination.

Just then, groans pierced the air, and you looked up to see Ghostface slowly rising. Panic surged through you, your heart pounding as you clung to Heeseung, shielding him with your body. As Ghostface turned toward you, his chilling words sent a shiver down your spine. "Well… I have to give it to you, Y/n… you not only survived Heeseung, but you also made him risk his life for you… good job," he remarked, as he stepped away from you.

Your shock quickly turned to terror as Ghostface returned quickly with a kitchen knife in hand, his intent clear. "I'll make this quick while Heeseung is still down," he declared, lunging forward in an attempt to grab you. With a surge of adrenaline, you evaded his grasp, your instincts driving you to flee. "Don't make this harder, Y/n!" he shouted after you as you dashed away, his menacing presence lingering in the air like a chilling specter of doom.

As you bolted down the dimly lit hallway, your heart thundered in your chest, each beat urging you forward in a frantic bid for escape. Behind you, the echoing footsteps of Ghostface followed ominously, driving you to push your trembling legs to their limits.

With every turn, you found yourself met with locked doors and barred windows, each obstacle serving as a grim reminder of your dire circumstances. Panic clawed at the edges of your mind as you desperately searched for any means of escape.

In a blur of motion, you careened into a deserted living room, the musty air heavy with the oppressive weight of fear. The dim glow of moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting eerie shadows that danced across the walls like specters of the night.

As you scanned the room for a way out, your eyes fell upon a set of double doors leading to a balcony. With a surge of hope, you rushed towards them, your fingers grasping at the cold metal handle in a desperate attempt to break free from the suffocating confines of the house.

But your hopes were dashed as you found the doors locked tight, the cruel reality of your situation crashing down upon you like a tidal wave. Frantically, you rattled the handle, the sound of your pounding heart drowning out the desperate pleas for salvation that echoed in your mind.

Behind you, Ghostface drew closer, looming like a specter in the darkness. With each passing moment, the gap between you narrowed, his chilling laughter ringing in your ears like a death knell.

Forced to abandon the balcony as a means of escape, you turned and bolted down another hallway, your footsteps echoing in the empty corridors as you fled from the encroaching darkness that pursued you relentlessly.

As you ran, you could feel the tendrils of exhaustion creeping in, your breaths coming in ragged gasps as your muscles screamed in protest. Yet, driven by sheer instinct and the primal urge to survive, you pressed on.

With every passing second, the house seemed to close in around you, its labyrinthine halls twisting and turning like a maze designed to ensnare the unwary. Yet, through sheer grit and determination, you fought against the suffocating grip of despair, refusing to succumb to the darkness that threatened to consume you whole.

In a desperate bid for survival, you ducked into a cluttered study, the musty scent of old books filling the air as you scanned the room for a means of escape. But before you could react, Ghostface burst through the doorway.

With lightning reflexes, you dodged his initial lunge, the sharp edge of the blade grazing your shoulder as you stumbled backward. Ignoring the searing pain, you seized upon the nearest object—a heavy desk lamp—and swung it with all your might, the metal base connecting with Ghostface's arm with a sickening thud.

With a cry of pain, he recoiled, momentarily stunned by the force of the blow. Seizing the opportunity, you darted past him, racing down the hallway, the echoes of his enraged shouts echoing in your wake.

But Ghostface was relentless, his footsteps thundering behind you as you rounded a corner, you stumbled upon a small alcove, its shelves lined with an assortment of knick-knacks and trinkets. Without hesitation, you seized upon a porcelain vase, its delicate form offering little resistance as you hurled it at Ghostface with all your might.

The vase shattered upon impact, sending a spray of ceramic shards cascading through the air as Ghostface recoiled, you darted past him once more, heart pounding in your chest as you raced towards the nearest exit.

As you ran towards the front where you had left Heeseung, your heart pounding with a mixture of fear and anticipation, you heard a sickening crunch from behind you. With a jolt, you turned around, your eyes widening in shock as you witnessed Heeseung swinging the wooden cutting board with all his might, striking Ghostface squarely in the face. The force of the blow caused Ghostface to stumble backward, dropping the knife in the process.

Frozen in place, you watched in disbelief as Heeseung grabbed a machete from seemingly nowhere, his expression resolute as he raised it high, ready to deliver a fatal blow. Before you could react, you shouted out, "No!"

But it was too late. With a swift motion, Heeseung brought the machete down, aiming directly at Ghostface. However, instead of slashing, the blade pierced through the cloak of Ghostface, slicing through the fabric and embedding itself into the wooden floor below.

Your eyes widened in shock as Heeseung collapsed, the exertion of the fight taking its toll on him. Without hesitation, you rushed to his side, holding him close as you called out his name desperately. Heeseung's breathing was slow and labored, his gaze still fixed on Ghostface with a fierce intensity.

Turning your attention to Ghostface, you watched as Heeseung stretched out his trembling hand and tore off the mask, revealing the face beneath. In that moment, everything seemed to freeze as the weight of the truth settled upon you.

It was Taehyung....

How could you have been so blind? How could you have missed the signs, the subtle clues that now seemed glaringly obvious?

With a mix of relief and horror, you held onto Heeseung, gently cradling his head, your heart aching at the sight of him wounded and exhausted.

As you slowly helped Heeseung up, his weight leaning heavily on you, you both made your way to the front door, as you reached out to try the door handle, the cruel reality of your situation slammed into you. Locked.

"Fuck," you muttered under your breath, frustration and desperation clawing at your throat. Casting a quick glance around the house, your eyes settled on a room, a potential source of salvation. "I'll be right back," you promised Heeseung, guiding him to a corner where he could rest against the wall.

Limping toward the room, every step a painful reminder of the ordeal you had endured, you scanned the space for something—anything—that could break down the door. Just as you were about to return with your makeshift weapon, the air was pierced by the sound of yelling and shouting, a cacophony of rage and desperation.

Heart pounding, you hurried back to the scene, but what you found was beyond your worst nightmares. Both Taehyung and Heeseung were gone, leaving behind only pools of blood and the gleaming machete on the floor. "Heeseung?!" you cried out, the word tearing from your throat like a desperate plea.

Instead, the sound of glass shattering drew your attention to the back of the house. Racing through the living room to the family room, you skidded to a halt at the shattered backdoor, where Taehyung and Heeseung were locked in a vicious struggle amidst a sea of broken glass.

Taehyung's face was a mask of fury and pain, his features twisted with anger and resentment, while Heeseung's own visage bore the marks of battle, blood trickling from a wound on his head. They traded blows, each punch a symphony of violence and determination, as they fought tooth and nail for their lives.

"You are not worthy of bearing the mask!" Taehyung's voice echoed through the chaos, his words dripping with venom. Heeseung's response was swift and furious, his own voice ringing out with defiance. "It's not about being worthy! It's about coverage, you son of a bitch!"

As you tried to make your way through the chaotic opening, your eyes widened in shock as you witnessed Heeseung's desperate move. Gripping a jagged chunk of broken glass, he drove it mercilessly through Taehyung's stomach, the latter's cry of surprise piercing the air. Taehyung staggered back, clutching the shard tightly in disbelief, his eyes darting between the blood-soaked glass and Heeseung's face, a mixture of shock and fury contorting his features.

Frozen in place, you watched in horror as the scene unfolded before you, the violence and brutality of it all threatening to overwhelm your senses. But in the midst of the chaos, you failed to realize the danger looming perilously close to you.

Taehyung, his gaze ablaze with a twisted resolve, caught sight of you out of the corner of his eye. "I may never be worthy of your praise… but I'm at least not going down alone," he spat, his voice dripping with venomous intent.

With a sudden whirl of motion, Taehyung pulled out the glass shard, his movements fueled by a primal desperation, and lunged toward you with a bloodcurdling scream. The other end of the shard found its mark, plunging into your stomach with a searing pain that radiated through every fiber of your being. "No!" Heeseung's anguished cry echoed in your ears as he rushed to your side, catching you before you could collapse to the ground.

"Y/n! Baby! Stay with me, please!" Heeseung's voice was raw with emotion as he cradled your head in his trembling hands. Through the haze of agony, you struggled to focus, your vision blurred as tears stung your eyes. All around you, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the cold, indifferent gaze of the night sky above.

As Heeseung desperately pleaded for you to stay awake, his words echoed faintly in the recesses of your mind. "Please, baby! Angel, don't close your eyes!" His voice trembled with anguish, each syllable a desperate plea to keep you tethered to consciousness. But the world around you seemed to blur into an indistinct haze, and you struggled to focus through the fog of pain and exhaustion.

The chill of the night air seeped into your skin, a biting reminder of the harsh reality surrounding you. With a delirious gaze, you tried to meet Heeseung's eyes, but the blurriness that clouded your vision thwarted your attempts. All you could manage were shallow breaths, each inhalation laced with a searing ache that radiated from the wound in your stomach.

In a feeble attempt to alleviate your suffering, you weakly pushed against Heeseung's hands as he sought to tend to your wound. "No, please!" His voice cracked with emotion as he persisted, hastily wrapping the wound with his sweater, the fabric stained with a grim mosaic of dirt and blood. The pristine white of your angelic dress had long been tainted, obscured by the grim realities of the night's ordeal.

The last semblance of awareness flickered within you as you registered a primal snarl echoing through the darkness, followed by the sensation of Heeseung's warm hands slipping away from your skin. And then, like a veil descending over your senses, darkness enveloped you, swallowing you whole in its unfathomable depths.

In that silent void, devoid of sensation or perception, you floated in a state of limbo. Time ceased to hold any meaning, and you drifted aimlessly, suspended between the realms of life and death. Was this the end, the culmination of your journey? In the quiet expanse of the void, you pondered the elusive nature of mortality, wondering if this was indeed the final chapter of your existence.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

As consciousness gradually seeped back into your being, you felt the weight of your entire body, as if every limb was burdened by a heavy weariness. Slowly, tentatively, you blinked your eyes open, greeted by the sterile whiteness of a ceiling. Confusion clouded your thoughts momentarily, casting a veil over your senses as you struggled to comprehend your surroundings.

Your gaze drifted downward, and to your astonishment, you found yourself confined to a hospital bed, ensnared by a web of tubes and IV lines tethering you to the medical apparatus. An oxygen mask obscured part of your face, its presence a reminder of the fragility of your existence. Squinting against the harsh glare of the hospital lights, you turned your head slightly, your eyes alighting upon the heart monitor stationed beside you.

But amidst the bewildering array of medical equipment, your gaze was drawn to a familiar sight—an unmistakable tuft of hair that stirred a surge of recognition within you. Heeseung. The name reverberated through your mind, a whisper of clarity amidst the fog of uncertainty. He lay beside you, clad in hospital attire, his form relaxed in slumber as he clasped your hand in his, a silent vigil of unwavering devotion.

A swell of emotion welled within you as you beheld his peaceful countenance, a silent guardian standing sentinel by your bedside. Despite the chaos that had besieged you both, he remained steadfast in his resolve, a beacon of strength and solace in the midst of turmoil. The sight of him stirred a profound sense of gratitude and affection within you, flooding your heart with a warmth that transcended the sterile confines of the hospital room.

As you attempted to move, the realization dawned upon you that you were restrained, bound by invisible chains that restricted your movements. A soft groan escaped your lips, a testament to your frustration and discomfort. However, that small sound was enough to rouse Heeseung from his slumber. Blinking his eyes open, he stirred and sat up, his gaze immediately fixating on you.

Fading bruises adorned his face, serving as a reminder of the extended time you had spent in this hospital bed. It became evident that you had been confined here for a considerable period.

Heeseung's eyes filled with tears of relief as his gaze locked onto yours. His whole face seemed to light up at the sight of you awake, his emotions overflowing as he reached for your hand. "Y/n!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with emotion as he pressed gentle kisses to your hand. It was as though a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders, his relief palpable as he visibly relaxed in your presence.

Struggling to find your voice, you attempted to utter his name, but your throat felt dry and parched. Heeseung seemed to understand your silent plea, and with gentle care, he rose from the bed, his movements fueled by a sense of urgency. Finding a bottle of water, he quickly opened it, offering you a reprieve from your thirst.

With tender precision, he adjusted your oxygen mask, allowing you to drink. The cool liquid washed over your parched throat, a refreshing sensation that brought tears to your eyes. It had been days, perhaps weeks, since you last had a drink, and the simple act of quenching your thirst felt like a luxury.

As you drank, Heeseung watched you with a mixture of love and concern, his gaze softening as he witnessed your relief. Once you had finished, he carefully replaced your oxygen mask, settling back beside you with a smile. His eyes were filled with an overwhelming sense of adoration as he regarded you.

"My strong angel," he murmured, his voice filled with reverence as he praised your resilience. You returned his smile, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that existed between you. However, as the memories of your time spent unconscious flooded back, a question lingered on your lips.

"How long have I been here?" you inquired, your voice tinged with uncertainty. Heeseung's expression darkened slightly, a grimace crossing his features as he scratched his neck in discomfort. "Three weeks," he muttered, his tone heavy with regret.

"And Taehyung?" you asked, the name leaving a bitter taste in your mouth as you uttered it. Heeseung's expression mirrored your unease, his features tensing slightly in response to the mention of Taehyung's name. "He's… gone," he replied somberly, confirming your suspicions. "He… is?" you questioned further, seeking confirmation from Heeseung. With a solemn nod, he affirmed Taehyung's fate.

"Did you kill him?" you inquired, surprised by your own nonchalant tone. Heeseung seemed taken aback by your question, a flicker of surprise crossing his features before he nodded silently in response. A sense of calm washed over you, a strange relief settling in your heart. Under normal circumstances, you would never condone taking another's life, but in this instance, Taehyung had brought you nothing but suffering and pain. The thought of his demise brought you no remorse.

Heeseung had been your salvation, your protector amidst the chaos. His actions, though violent, were driven by a sense of duty and love for you. In contrast, Taehyung had succumbed to darkness, consumed by his relentless pursuit of approval from Heeseung. His descent into madness had left him irredeemable, a shadow of the person he once was.

In that moment, as you locked eyes with Heeseung, you knew that you had found your sanctuary, a haven from the storms that had ravaged your life. And as he returned your gaze with a love-struck expression, you felt a warmth spread through your being.

"What about Ghostface?" you inquired, seeking closure on the ordeal that had plagued your life.

Heeseung's response was swift and confident, his voice laced with assurance. "It's all taken care of, angel. They have no evidence," he assured you, his words bringing a sense of relief to your troubled mind.

As you nodded in gratitude, Heeseung's gaze softened, his thoughts drifting to a conversation you had shared earlier. "I was thinking about what you said… at my house," he began, prompting your curiosity.

Instantly, the memory flooded back to you, and you understood the weight of his words. "I do trust you, Angel… it's just, I didn't have much control over my life when my mother was around," he confessed, his voice tinged with bitterness. "And my father wasn't much help… I was at my limit, I couldn't take it anymore. Everything was too much, but I found my solace by hiding behind a mask… like a coward," he admitted, his tone heavy with remorse.

He let out a sigh, his gaze falling momentarily before meeting yours once again. "And I thought… why should I be the only one to suffer? And my road took me down a dark path which I regret… and I thought there was no saving me. Until you came," he confessed, his voice softer now, filled with vulnerability.

You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion, prompting Heeseung to continue. "You became my new solace, Angel… and suddenly life was worth living," he admitted, his words carrying the weight of his emotions. "Without you, I'm helpless, lost, misguided. I need you in my life. You are my oxygen, without you I'll go crazy," he confessed, his lips pressing gently against the back of your hand as he spoke.

As Heeseung gazed into your eyes with an intensity that made your heart flutter, he uttered those words that you had been longing to hear. "Y/n… be my girlfriend, please? Officially? Let me be your boyfriend, my love," he pleaded, his voice soft yet filled with sincerity.

Your heart ached with a mixture of joy and relief as you nodded in response. "I will be your girlfriend," you confirmed, your voice barely a whisper as emotions surged within you.

Heeseung leaned over you, his movements gentle and deliberate as he lowered your oxygen mask, allowing you both to share a kiss that was filled with all the love and devotion that had blossomed between you. It began slowly, a tender exploration of each other's lips, but soon ignited into a passionate exchange as the depth of your feelings poured into the intimate gesture.

As you pulled back, breathless and overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment, Heeseung's eyes held a silent question, one that you answered with a nod of consent. "May I?" he asked, gesturing towards the bed beside you.

With a nod, you granted him permission, and Heeseung carefully climbed beside you, settling himself close as he wrapped his arms around you protectively. He adjusted your oxygen mask with gentle hands, his touch comforting and reassuring as he leaned his head against your chest, finding solace in the rhythm of your heartbeat.

You began to play with his hair, relishing in the softness of his locks beneath your fingertips. You noticed the stitches on his head, with a pang of guilt for the pain he had endured on your behalf, you traced the lines of his stitches with tender care.

As the rhythmic sound of his breathing filled the room, you felt yourself drifting into a peaceful slumber, cradled in the warmth of his love. And as you surrendered to the embrace of sleep.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

After weeks of healing in the hospital, your miraculous recovery became the talk of the town. News of your awakening spread like wildfire, making headlines in newspapers and capturing the attention of the entire community. The tale of your survival, coupled with the bravery of your boyfriend, Heeseung, captivated the hearts of many.

Within the span of a single day, the story of your ordeal unfolded across social media platforms and news outlets. The community rallied behind you, celebrating your resilience. The truth about Ghostface's demise emerged, revealing that you and Heeseung had acted in self-defense, bringing an end to the reign of terror that had plagued your lives.

As the days passed, the mystery surrounding the original Ghostface's disappearance and apparent retirement only added to the intrigue of the tale. Speculations and theories abounded, but one thing remained certain—Ghostface had become a mere legacy, a chapter in history buried beneath the weight of your survival and newfound strength.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

Under the somber light of the setting sun, Heeseung stood in the forest. In his hands, he held a small wooden box containing his Ghostface costume. With a solemn expression, he carefully dug a hole in the earth, the shovel scraping against the soil.

With a heavy heart, Heeseung placed the box into the ground, covering it with soil as if burying the ghosts of the past. He stood there for a moment, silent and contemplative, bidding farewell to the shadows that had haunted him for so long.

Meanwhile, you stood a little distance away, giving him the space he needed to say his farewells.

After a moment, Heeseung walked back to where you stood, his expression softened by the warmth of your presence. As you held out your hand to him, he took it without hesitation.

"Ready?" you asked softly, your voice a gentle reassurance. Heeseung nodded, his gaze meeting yours with unwavering resolve. "Ready," he affirmed, his hand tightening around yours as you walked away from the gravesite.

⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅

You laid comfortably on the couch, munching on popcorn as the horror movie played on the TV screen. When a jump scare startled you, you instinctively hid your face in your boyfriend's shoulder, seeking comfort from the sudden fright. Heeseung, lying beside you, wrapped an arm around you, pulling you closer to him.

"Are you okay, angel?" he asked, concern evident in his voice. You looked up at him, pouting slightly, as he smirked back at you. "I'm fine, thank you very much," you replied, turning your attention back to the movie. But Heeseung gently lifted your chin, making you meet his gaze. "You sure?" he pressed, refusing to let you off easily.

You nodded, trying to reassure him, but he held your jaw firmly. "Words, princess," he insisted. With a sigh, you repeated, "I'm fine." He hummed in response, leaning in as if to kiss you. Anticipating the kiss, you leaned forward too, but he merely snagged some popcorn kernels from your bowl, earning a playful protest from you.

"Hey, my popcorn!" you exclaimed, trying to snatch it back. He dodged your attempts, prompting you to climb onto his lap in pursuit. "Woah!" he exclaimed in surprise as you succeeded in reclaiming your snack, eating it with a smug expression.

But your victory was short-lived as you felt Heeseung's hands on your hips, causing you to look down and realize your position on his lap. His gaze was appreciative as he leaned back, admiring you with a lazy expression. "You look so good like that, angel," he murmured, his hands tracing patterns on your waist and hips.

"Don't get used to it," you warned, attempting to climb off his lap. However, Heeseung had other plans, easily pulling you back down with a playful smirk.

You looked down at Heeseung, confusion evident in your expression as you wondered what was going on in his mind. "What is this?" you asked, unsure of his intentions.

Heeseung's gaze softened as he looked up at you, a fond smile playing on his lips. "Nothing, just thinking about how lucky I am to have you as my girlfriend," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity.

Feeling your cheeks flush with warmth, you looked away shyly, unable to contain the flutter of emotions in your chest. But before you could gather your thoughts, Heeseung suddenly pulled you close to him, wrapping his arms around you in a tight embrace.

Giggles bubbled from your lips as you both rolled on the couch, caught up in the playful moment. Heeseung showered you with kisses, peppering your face with affectionate gestures that elicited more laughter from you. "Stoooop!" you protested between giggles, squirming in his grasp as you tried to escape his playful onslaught.

But Heeseung showed no signs of relenting, his laughter blending with yours as he continued to shower you with affection. "Never!" he declared playfully, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he held you close.

You managed to wriggle out of Heeseung's tight grip and quickly scrambled to the other side of the couch, putting some distance between the two of you. But when you glanced back, you saw Heeseung following after you with a mischievous glint in his eyes, his lips curved into a playful smirk. "Trying to run from me, angel?" he teased, his voice laced with amusement.

With a laugh, you climbed over the armrest of the couch and dashed through the house, the sound of your laughter echoing in the air.

Boxes from your recent move lay scattered around, adding an obstacle course-like challenge to your playful chase. "Just try and catch me, babe!" you called out teasingly as Heeseung chased after you, the thrill of the chase filling the air with excitement.

The house was soon filled with the cheerful melody of your laughter as Heeseung finally managed to catch up to you. With a mischievous grin, he began tickling you, eliciting joyful protests and giggles from you. "Heeseung!" you laughed, squirming under his touch. "Stop, please! I yield!"

Heeseung relented, pulling back with a satisfied grin, but then he lifted you up and settled back onto the couch, holding you close in his arms. "I caught you, I deserve a prize, don't I?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he tapped his cheek playfully, silently requesting a kiss.

"I think you do," you replied with a grin, leaning in to kiss his cheek. But he turned at the last moment, catching your lips in a sweet, unexpected kiss. You smiled at his playful behavior, returning the kiss with equal affection as you melted into his embrace.

As Heeseung maneuvered you effortlessly, you found yourself lying on your back on the couch, with him hovering over you, his lips never leaving yours. Your hands slipped up to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer as the intensity of the kiss deepened. With one hand supporting his weight above you, Heeseung's other hand began to explore, trailing a path from your chest down to your waist, then to your hip and thigh, mapping out every curve of your body with a gentle touch that sent shivers down your spine. As his hand returned to grip your waist, you couldn't help but gasp, granting him permission to deepen the kiss further.

Heeseung's lips moved against yours with a hunger that mirrored your own, his kiss a tantalizing blend of passion and desire that left you breathless. Eventually, he pulled back, allowing both of you to catch your breath. You took in deep lungfuls of air as you gazed up at him, your eyes filled with a mixture of desire and affection.

"Stop looking at me like that," you told him, your voice breathy and soft. "Like what?" Heeseung asked innocently, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Like I'm food," you explained, a hint of playful annoyance in your tone.

A smirk played on Heeseung's lips as he bit down on his bottom lip, his gaze dropping to your lips before returning to meet your eyes. "Well, maybe I'm hungry," he replied, his voice low and husky with desire.

As Heeseung's lips melded with yours in a fervent embrace, the world around you seemed to fade into oblivion. His kisses grew increasingly desperate, a reflection of the burning need that coursed through his veins, igniting every fiber of your being with an intensity that left you breathless.

With each tender caress of his lips, Heeseung worshipped every inch of your body, his touch leaving a trail of fire in its wake. His hands roamed with a purposeful urgency, tracing the curves of your form with an almost reverent touch as he whispered words of adoration and praise against your skin.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion as he pressed kisses along the curve of your neck, his breath hot against your skin. "I can't get enough of you." His words sent shivers down your spine, igniting a primal desire within you that threatened to consume you whole.

In the heat of the moment, all inhibitions melted away as you surrendered yourself completely to the intoxicating allure of his touch.

"You're my one and only," Heeseung confessed, his words a solemn vow that resonated deep within your soul.

As you and Heeseung shared passionate kisses on the couch, little did you know that nestled within his sock drawer lay a small velvet box, its contents a secret that he held close to his heart. Inside rested a symbol of his deepest commitment, a ring that he planned to reveal to you at the perfect moment, a moment that would signify his unwavering love and devotion to you.

For now, the box remained hidden, a precious treasure waiting to be unveiled when the time was right. As you melted into each other's embrace, lost in the bliss of the present moment, Heeseung's thoughts drifted to the future, to the day when he would kneel before you and ask for your hand in marriage, sealing your love for eternity.

But until then, he cherished these stolen moments with you, savoring every kiss and every touch as a testament to the deep bond that they shared.

Part 3 coming soon

𝘾𝙤-𝙤𝙥 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 | Heeseung

Pairing: Streamer!Lee Heeseung X fem!reader

Genre: Fluff

Synopsis: Heeseung loves streaming, but he loves you more.

a/n: I never know how to set up this shit... oh well.

As you stepped into your apartment, the weight of the day hung heavy on your shoulders, pulling at your every step. The familiar scent of home greeted you as you closed the door behind you, with a weary sigh, you kicked off your shoes, letting them tumble haphazardly by the door, followed by your jacket, discarded with a casual grace borne of exhaustion.

"I'm home!" you called out into the stillness of the apartment, your voice echoing softly off the walls. But there was no immediate response, no eager footsteps hurrying to greet you as there usually would be. Instead, there was only silence.

With a resigned smile, you concluded that your boyfriend must be deeply engrossed in his gaming, where your voice couldn't reach him. You climbed the stairs to the second floor, each step a weary ascent toward the sanctuary of your bedroom.

The sound of your boyfriend's animated chatter grew louder as you approached the end of the hall, the unmistakable cadence of his voice punctuated by bursts of excitement and frustration. You paused outside the closed door, a small smile tugging at the corners of your lips as you listened to the familiar sound.

Stepping into your bedroom, you closed the door behind you with a soft click, shutting out the noise from the gaming room.

The steam from the shower enveloped you as you stepped beneath the spray, the hot water cascading over your tired muscles like a soothing balm. With each passing minute, you felt the tension slowly melting away, replaced by a sense of calm and relaxation.

Emerging from the shower, you wrapped yourself in a plush towel, the soft fabric cocooning you in warmth. You took a moment to admire yourself in the mirror, the water droplets glistening on your skin like tiny jewels in the dim light.

Dressed in comfortable clothes, you made your way down the hall towards where Heeseung was, the distant sounds of gunfire growing louder with each step. Pushing open the door, you were greeted by the sight of your boyfriend, completely engrossed in his game.

Perched on his chair, controller in hand, and headset firmly in place, he looked every bit the picture of concentration. The glow of the monitor illuminated his features, casting shadows across his face as he leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the screen before him.

As you stood by the doorway, a small smile playing on your lips, Heeseung finally glanced over, his eyes lighting up as he caught sight of you. His face broke into a wide grin, and you couldn't help but return the smile as you gave a little wave in his direction. He eagerly returned your wave, his hand lifting to blow you a playful kiss. You chuckled softly, humoring him, you playfully captured the flying kiss he sent your way, mimicking the gesture with a chuckle before closing the door behind you and settling into your own chair.

The room was arranged with Heeseung's setup facing the wall, while yours was positioned towards the door. It was a setup that allowed you both to easily glance over your monitors and steal glances at each other whenever you pleased.

You powered up your computer, the soft hum of the machine filling the room as you logged in and slipped on your headset. With practiced ease, you opened Heeseung's streaming page in the background, the familiar sight of his gameplay flickering to life on your screen.

As you scrolled through your game library, searching for something to play, you couldn't help but steal a glance at Heeseung every now and then. His intense focus on the game was evident, his brows furrowed in concentration.

Soon, you found a game that caught your interest, and with a few clicks, you launched it into action. The familiar sounds of gameplay filled the room, blending seamlessly with the soft chatter of Heeseung's voice as he interacted with his viewers.

For a while, both of you were lost in your own worlds, the only sound filling the room the rhythmic tapping of keys and the occasional burst of laughter or frustration.

As the monotony of your game began to weigh on you, you found yourself drawn to the captivating scene unfolding on Heeseung's stream. With rapt attention, you watched as he worked alongside Jay and Ni-ki, strategizing and executing their moves with precision to secure victory in the round. The chat on the side of the window buzzed with a flurry of comments from eager fans, but you barely registered them, content to simply observe and wait for Heeseung to finish.

Finally, the moment arrived as Heeseung began his outro, offering heartfelt thanks to his loyal viewers for tuning in. With a soft smile, you stood up and peeked over your monitor, only to find Heeseung already looking back at you. "Hello, baby," he greeted, his voice filled with affection as he shut down his computer and made his way around the table to your side.

You met his gaze as he leaned down to press a tender kiss to your cheek, his touch sending a shiver of warmth coursing through you. "I missed you," he murmured, his words soft against your skin. Returning the smile, you stood up and slid your arms around his neck, feeling the familiar comfort of his embrace. "I missed you more," you replied playfully, earning a mock gasp of disbelief from Heeseung. "Impossible!" Heeseung gasped playfully, reaching up to remove your headset and set it aside. "It's not," you teased in return, before taking his hand and leading him out of the room, towards the bedroom.

"Baby?" Heeseung's voice carried a curious lilt as you playfully tackled him onto the soft expanse of the bed. A muffled grunt escaped him as he landed, the cushions giving beneath his weight. Yet, despite the suddenness of your action, there was a playful sparkle in his eyes, a silent invitation to engage in the joy of the moment.

"Please, Hee…" you muttered softly, your voice barely audible as you buried your face into the crook of his neck, your words slipped out in a hushed plea.

Heeseung didn't utter a word in response. Instead, his arms enveloped you in a comforting embrace, pulling you closer to him with a tenderness that melted away any lingering tension. The gentle circles he traced on your back were a soothing caress, as you felt your body relax, the weight of the day melting away like snow under the sun. With each breath you took, you drew in the familiar scent of his cologne, a comforting aroma that filled you with a sense of peace.

In his arms, you felt safe, cocooned from the worries and cares of the outside world.

You felt at home.

With Heeseung.

------------------------

The days flowed by in a routine of work, home, and the comforting presence of Heeseung's streaming sessions. You would engage in your own activities, content to bask in his company from a distance. It was a rhythm that had become second nature, a comforting backdrop to the ebb and flow of everyday life.

But one evening, as you returned home in a sour mood, everything changed. Today, the weight of the world bore down on your shoulders, dragging you into a pit of despair as everything seemed to spiral out of control. Nothing had gone right, and the frustration simmered beneath the surface, threatening to boil over at any moment.

As you trudged wearily through the front door, the distant sounds of Heeseung's voice echoed through the halls, drawing you towards the source like a moth to a flame, pulling you towards the one person who could soothe the storm raging within you.

With a sense of urgency, you pushed open the door to the room, paying little heed to anything else as you made a beeline for Heeseung's side. He looked up, surprise evident in his expression as you wordlessly dropped onto his lap, enveloping him in a tight embrace. His arms instinctively wrapped around you, offering a silent anchor in the midst of your turmoil.

"Baby?" he muttered quietly, his voice laced with concern, but you remained silent, finding solace in the simple act of holding him close. Heeseung didn't press for answers, sensing the gravity of your mood as he continued his stream, his focus divided between the game and the person nestled against him.

Not long into the stream, you heard his voice break through the chatter of his fans. "Yes, guys, it's my girlfriend," he announced, the words ringing out with a hint of pride.

You felt a knot of apprehension tighten in your chest, knowing that this was the first time you had made any sort of appearance on Heeseung's stream. His fans were known to be a daunting force, and the thought of exposing yourself to their scrutiny had always filled you with a sense of trepidation.

But you were tired of hiding in the shadows, tired of fearing the judgment of others. Screw it, you thought defiantly, letting go of your inhibitions and embracing the moment with reckless abandon. If you wanted Heeseung's love, you would claim it boldly and unapologetically, consequences be damned.

A small smile tugged at the corners of your lips as Heeseung continued to address his audience, his words laced with affection and adoration. "Yes, I know she's cute," he chuckled, his voice tinged with a hint of playful teasing. The sound of your own laughter echoed in the room, mingling with his.

For the first time, you allowed yourself to be seen, casting aside the fear of judgment that had held you back for so long. If Heeseung's fans wanted to know who you were, then so be it. You were tired of hiding in the shadows, afraid of what others might think.

---------------------------------

The soft glow of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a warm golden hue across the kitchen as you moved about, the familiar routine of breakfast preparation easing the transition from slumber to wakefulness. The house was quiet, the absence of Heeseung's presence obvious. He had already left for his day job, bidding you a fond goodbye when you laid nestled in the warmth of your shared bed.

Yesterday's events felt like a distant dream, fragments of memories floating in and out of your consciousness like scattered puzzle pieces. You could recall the comforting embrace of Heeseung's arms, the gentle lull of his voice as he guided you through the haze of exhaustion, but the details remained hazy, obscured by the fog of sleep.

Today, however, was a new day, and as you stood in the quiet solitude of your home, the sense of peace and tranquility washed over you like a soothing balm. With a sigh of relief, you savored the simple pleasures of the morning, as you sat down to eat your breakfast, the television murmuring softly in the background, you couldn't shake the feeling of curiosity that gnawed at the back of your mind. What had transpired during Heeseung's stream after you had drifted off to sleep? With a sense of anticipation, you made your way to the bedroom, intent on retrieving your phone and catching up on the events of the previous night.

Plugging in your phone and powering it on, you were immediately bombarded by a flurry of notifications, each one vying for your attention with relentless urgency. Your fingers moved of their own accord, navigating through the labyrinth of apps until you found yourself staring slack-jawed at the screen. Complete strangers, faces and names you didn't recognize, had found their way to you.

And then, with a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, you saw it. The source of the chaos, the catalyst for the sudden influx of attention: Heeseung's stream.

Your mind raced as you pieced together the puzzle, connecting the dots with a startling clarity. It all made sense now. The whispers of fame, the surge of followers, the sudden spotlight shining down upon you like a blazing sun. It was all because of Heeseung.

What a predicament you found yourself in...

---------------------------

The soft glow of the computer screen cast a gentle luminescence across the room as you settled in for a morning of gaming with your friends. Unlike Heeseung, whose focus primarily gravitated towards action-packed games, you found solace in the more tranquil realms of gaming, occasionally indulging in the adrenaline rush of action games when the mood struck. Today, you and your friends had decided to immerse yourselves in a horror-esque survival game.

As you navigated through the eerie landscapes of the game, your heart raced with each passing moment, as you fought to keep your character alive against the onslaught of terrifying foes. Pleading into your mic, you urged your friends to save themselves.

But then, a pair of arms materialized on either side of your head, sending a shiver down your spine. You knew without needing to look that Heeseung had returned home from work, his presence a comforting anchor amidst the chaos of the game. With a gentle touch, he moved your headset aside to whisper in your ear, his voice soft and reassuring. "Run, baby," he urged, his words sending a jolt of adrenaline coursing through your veins.

Widening your eyes in surprise, you shook off the momentary distraction and refocused your attention on the game. With renewed determination, you navigated your character. And with a surge of triumph, you emerged victorious, the screen flashing the triumphant message: "Winner."

"We did it!" you exclaimed, the excitement palpable in your voice as your friends echoed your sentiments in jubilant victory. With a sense of accomplishment, you bid farewell to your friends, leaving the call to turn your attention to Heeseung, who sat in his own chair with a smile gracing his lips.

"Welcome home," you greeted him warmly, a sense of contentment settling over you as you met his gaze.

"Thanks," he replied, his eyes reflecting the affection and adoration he felt for you.

The two of you sat in comfortable silence for a moment.

"So, your fans know about me…" you eventually ventured, breaking the silence with a tentative question. Heeseung nodded, his gaze meeting yours with unwavering sincerity. "And they love you," he added, his words carrying the weight of truth and affection.

You nodded in response, the realization sinking in as you contemplated the implications of Heeseung's words. But before you could dwell on it further, he posed another question, that caught you off guard.

"Do you want to join my stream today?"

Taken aback by the sudden offer, you hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Are you sure?" you asked, voicing your concerns. Heeseung nodded confidently, preempting your next question with a knowing smile.

"Yes, and before you ask - the guys won't mind either," he reassured you, his confidence unwavering.

With a resigned huff, you relented, accepting his offer as you joined the voice call with the guys. Immediately, you were met with a chorus of happy voices welcoming you in, "Hey, guys," you greeted them back.

"Set up the private server, hyung," Niki chimed in eagerly, directing his request to Heeseung.

"Alright, alright," Heeseung responded with a chuckle, his fingers already flying across the keyboard as he prepared the server.

With practiced efficiency, Heeseung set up his streaming equipment, the soft glow of the computer screen casting a warm illumination across the room. He had explained to you beforehand that you didn't need to show your face yet, and you were perfectly fine with that arrangement. As he launched into his intro, his voice rang out with confidence and enthusiasm, welcoming his audience with a familiar charm. Heeseung glanced over at you, a soft smile gracing his lips as he addressed his audience. "Alright, everyone, we're about to get started," he announced, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. "Just a heads up, my girlfriend is joining us today. So, let's give her a warm welcome, shall we?"

When the game finally started, you found yourself drawn into the action. Despite being relatively new to the game, you quickly found your footing, your knowledge of the mechanics allowing you to hold your own against the challenges.

There were moments of victory and moments of defeat, but none of you were bothered by the outcome.

Before you knew it, hours had flown by, the sound of your stomach growling becoming too hard to ignore. Fortunately, it was the end of Heeseung's stream, as he bid farewell to his fans and ended the stream, both of you exchanged farewells with your friends, the warmth of their voices echoing in your ears.

You began to shut down the equipment when Heeseung came up behind you, his arms wrapping around you in a playful embrace as he lifted you off your feet and spun you around.

"Heeseung!" you laughed, the sound mingling with his own in a harmonious melody.

"Let's order food!" he declared, setting you back down on the ground before pulling out his phone. "What do you want to eat?"

You hummed in thought for a moment before answering, "Pizza!"

"Pizza it is then!" Heeseung grinned, tapping away at his phone to place the order. "Food will be here in an hour," he announced as the two of you plopped down on the couch, sinking into its comfortable embrace.

He turned on the TV, the soft glow of the screen casting a warm ambiance over the room as you snuggled close to him, his arm naturally finding its place around your shoulders.

"Good," you murmured contentedly.

------------

The late morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a soft golden glow over the room as you stirred from your slumber, roused by the sound of shouting. With a groan, you stretched languidly in bed, blinking away the remnants of sleep as you glanced at the watch on the bedside table. It was much later than you usually woke up, but the allure of a lazy morning had kept you nestled in the warmth of the covers for longer than intended.

As you made your way towards the source of the ruckus, the sound of Heeseung's voice grew louder. Pushing open the door, you found him sitting at his computer, engrossed in his stream. He noticed you and fell silent, a faint blush blooming across his cheeks as his gaze trailed over your form.

You were wearing his shirt, a soft, oversized garment that draped over your frame, reaching down to your mid-thighs. He always loved it when you wore his clothes, the sight of you enveloped in his scent sending a rush of warmth coursing through him.

"Did I wake you up?" he asked, his tone tinged with a hint of sorrow.

"Kinda, but it's fine," you replied with a gentle smile, reassurance evident in your voice.

Curiosity piqued, you approached him, careful to stay off camera as you leaned against the edge of his desk. "What are you doing?" you inquired, studying his expression with interest.

Heeseung sighed, running a hand through his hair in a sheepish gesture. "Well... it's kinda hard to explain," he admitted, his gaze flickering towards the screen where his chat scrolled by in a blur of messages.

You followed his gaze and to your shock, you saw a multitude of compliments directed towards you from yesterday's stream. Some praised the melodic quality of your voice, while others remarked on the evident chemistry between you and Heeseung.

"Wow," you breathed, feeling a mixture of surprise and appreciation wash over you at the unexpected outpouring of admiration.

"Yeah..." Heeseung muttered, his expression clouded with frustration. "And they don't seem to understand that you're taken," he grumbled, his eyes narrowing as he glared at the camera as if it were a formidable opponent to be conquered.

You couldn't help but awe at his protective instincts, a swell of affection warming your heart as you looked at him.

--------------

As you sat at the computer, idly chatting with your friend, a sense of boredom began to settle over you like a heavy blanket. The room was filled with the intense focus of Heeseung, his attention entirely consumed by his game. His brow was furrowed in concentration, his eyes narrowed in a laser-like focus, and the rhythmic tapping of his fingers on the keyboard filled the air.

But you, on the other hand, found yourself restless.

It was then that an idea sparked in your mind, a mischievous glint dancing in your eyes as you formulated a plan. Yes, it was devious. Yes, it was mischievous. But oh, it would be worth it.

With a silent determination, you rose from your seat and stealthily made your way towards Heeseung, a smirk playing on your lips as you approached him from behind. He glanced up at you, offering a brief smile before returning his attention to the game, completely unaware of your intentions.

In a swift and daring move, you reached out and gently turned his face towards you, the suddenness of your action causing him to blink in confusion as he met your gaze. Without hesitation, you leaned in and pressed your lips firmly against his, the unexpectedness of your kiss eliciting a surprised squeak from Heeseung's lips.

Any confusion quickly melted away as Heeseung responded eagerly, his lips meeting yours with fervor as he reciprocated the kiss with undeniable enthusiasm. You giggled softly into the kiss, the sound muffled by the warmth of his embrace as he pulled you closer, his arms encircling your waist with a gentle yet firm hold.

As you started to pull back, expecting a moment of surprise and perhaps a chuckle from Heeseung, you were caught off guard as he refused to let you go. With the firm grip on your waist, he pulled you down onto his lap, and with a gentle touch, he cupped your cheek, drawing you back into a kiss with a tender passion.

After pulling away from the kiss, you couldn't help but smile as you noticed Heeseung chasing after your lips, his affectionate gestures drawing a soft chuckle from you. "Babe," you murmured, your voice laced with fondness, his desire for more evident in the way his lips trailed affectionately along your jaw and down to your neck. "Babe," you addressed him again, your voice soft and affectionate.

"Your character died," you informed him, trying to redirect his attention back to the game.

"I know, I don't care," he replied dismissively, his focus still lingering on you.

You both sat there in silence for a while, content to just enjoy each other's presence. Eventually, the need to get back to streaming pulled Heeseung away, and he rolled his chair closer to the computer, his fingers poised to press the retry button.

Meanwhile, you remained seated on his lap, your eyes closed as you relished the warmth of his embrace. It was then that Heeseung's whispered words broke through the silence, his warm breath tickling your ear as he spoke. "They love you," he murmured, his voice tinged with pride and adoration.

Slowly, you turned around, your back now pressed against his chest as you regarded the camera with a small smile. "Hey, guys," you greeted, your voice gentle and warm as you addressed his audience.

As the chat filled with positive compliments about you, Heeseung leaned in to press a tender kiss to your head, his focus still divided between the game and your presence. You switched between watching his gameplay and engaging with the chat, answering questions and acknowledging the supportive messages that flooded in.

"Forget Heeseung, I want you," one comment read, prompting a laugh from you. "That's cute," you responded playfully, only to be swiftly defended by Heeseung. "Too bad, but she's mine," he declared, his tone possessive yet affectionate.

You smiled at his words before reading another message aloud. "You two fit together so much," you mused, tilting your head up to look at Heeseung, who met your gaze with a soft smile of agreement.

"Yeah, we do, don't we?" you remarked, a sense of warmth and contentment settling over you.

"We do," Heeseung affirmed, his voice filled with love as he wrapped his arms around you, pulling you closer.

After your face reveal on Heeseung's stream, a sense of ease washed over you like a comforting wave. Gone were the worries about his fans' reactions or avoiding the camera; you felt liberated, free to share more about yourself without reservation. And yet, it seemed that Heeseung was even happier about your newfound confidence, taking every opportunity to boast about you to his fans, his pride in you evident in every word he spoke.

Life felt good.

During one particular stream, Heeseung managed to coax you into playing a game alone with him. At first, you were suspicious of his intentions, wondering if he had any ulterior motives. But as the game progressed, your worries melted away, replaced by the simple pleasure of playing alongside him.

As a team, you complemented each other perfectly. Heeseung took on the role of the skilled shooter, deftly taking down the enemy team with precision and finesse, while you focused on strategizing, devising clever tactics to secure victory. Both in real life and in the game, you found yourselves constantly complimenting each other's skills and strengths.

It was as if you were destined to be together.

eyes don`t lie | lhs

P: Lee Heeseung X fem!reader

Synopsis: you wanted to give the new jazz club a visit..

Warnings: Suggestive content!

a/n: i felt very Shakespearean (??) during this. (Only ogs get the last scene)

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Say you're mine Eyes don't lie

You tell me your secrets You keep your life between your lips You know you're my weakness

The sign above the jazz club flickers softly, casting a warm glow over the sidewalk as you stand in line. The soft hum of jazz music leaks through the door, a faint promise of what's waiting inside.

You glance at your phone, a habit you can't quite break, before glancing over at your friend, who’s busy touching up her lipstick in a compact mirror. Both of you look like you’ve stepped out of a classic film, your outfits carefully chosen for the occasion.

The sleek, black dress you’re wearing hugs your form just enough to give you confidence, paired with heels that make you just a touch taller. Your makeup is subtle but striking—bold enough for a night out, but not so heavy that it hides your natural glow. You can feel the liner tracing your eyes, the mascara giving your lashes a little extra drama.

Your friend nudges you lightly, bringing you back to the present. "There’s no way tonight won't be amazing."

"You're hyping it up," you tease, but there's no denying the excitement building in you. You can already imagine the dim lighting inside, the hazy atmosphere filled with low conversation and the tinkling of glasses. The rich, velvety sound of the piano drifting over the crowd, wrapping around you like a warm blanket.

The line moves forward, and you're one step closer to the entrance. The bouncer, dressed in a sharp suit, glances at your IDs before letting you through with a nod. Inside, the club is everything you imagined and more. Soft, amber light illuminates the room, casting long shadows across the polished wood tables and leather seats. There’s a smoky haze that clings to the air, mingling with the scent of whiskey and old wood. The stage is dimly lit, a grand piano taking center stage.

You and your friend find a table close enough to the stage to feel like you're part of the show, but not so close that you’re drawing attention. You settle into the plush leather seats, the soft material molding beneath you as you scan the room. People are dressed to impress tonight—suits, cocktail dresses, sleek hairstyles.

The waiter brings you cocktails—delicate, sophisticated drinks with a bite that makes you feel alive as you sip them slowly, savoring the moment.

The band plays on, each note filling the room with warmth and soul. It’s like stepping into another world, one where time slows down and every moment stretches out, wrapped in the glow of the music. You lean back in your chair, letting the atmosphere sink into your skin.

Your friend takes a sip of her drink, a smoky golden concoction, and lets out a contented sigh, her eyes closing as she leans back into the leather of the booth. “Perfect,” she murmurs, the word barely audible over the swell of the piano, but you know exactly what she means. Everything tonight feels perfect—like the world outside the club has ceased to exist, and all that matters is the music, the ambiance, the warmth of the drink in your hand.

The band is in full swing now, each musician playing with a passion that speaks to years of honing their craft. The bass hums beneath it all, deep and steady, grounding the more delicate notes of the saxophone that cuts through the air like smoke. The drummer’s light touch is hypnotic, adding a gentle rhythm that feels like the pulse of the room itself. But it’s the pianist, who truly commands the space. His fingers glide effortlessly across the keys, as though the music is flowing directly through him, a natural extension of his being.

You lean back in your chair, feeling the leather soften beneath you as you let the music wash over you. Every note seems to seep into your skin, filling you with warmth and a kind of quiet contentment you hadn’t realized you were missing until now. The soft glow of the candlelight on your table flickers, casting faint shadows that dance across the glass of your drink. You take another slow sip, the bite of the alcohol mixing with the mellow jazz in a way that makes you feel utterly present—like this moment, this night, is all that matters.

Your friend nudges you gently, pulling you out of your reverie. She’s smiling, her eyes bright as she leans closer to whisper, “We needed this.”

You nod, unable to disagree. Life’s been hectic lately—too many late nights working, too much time spent worrying about things you couldn’t control. But here, in this dimly lit club with the music wrapping around you like a warm blanket, all those worries seem distant, insignificant. For the first time in what feels like weeks, you’re able to let go.

A few drinks in, the room starts feeling pleasantly hazy. The cocktail in your hand has melted into a smooth sweetness, and the music has become a familiar companion—its rhythm sinking into your bones, each note a gentle caress. You and your friend share a smile, your conversations dwindling as you let the ambiance take over. Then, unexpectedly, the band shifts, their playing slowing down to a softer, more subdued melody. You notice it first—the change in energy. The hum of conversation begins to taper off, replaced by a murmur of hushed whispers.

You sit up straighter, exchanging a curious glance with your friend. Confusion flickers across her face too, and you both scan the room, trying to understand what’s happening. The soft, amber glow that’s filled the room all evening starts to dim, and the stage lights begin to shift. A single spotlight flickers on, focusing on the center of the stage, where a lone microphone stand has appeared as if by magic.

The murmur in the club dies down entirely, replaced by a kind of breathless anticipation. Everyone seems to know what’s coming, except you. Your heart starts to race, your senses heightened as you feel the tension in the air. The band continues to play, their instruments quieting to allow space for something else, something you can almost feel, but can’t quite name.

And then, through the soft darkness, a figure steps onto the stage.

You feel your breath catch in your throat, your eyes widening in quiet surprise. The man walking toward the microphone is striking in a way that almost doesn’t feel real. His suit is perfectly tailored, fitting him like it was made for him alone—crisp lines and smooth fabric that moves with every graceful step. But it’s his hair that stands out the most. It’s a deep, vibrant red that seems to glow under the stage lights, catching the attention of everyone in the room. He moves with an easy confidence, but there’s something almost magnetic about him, something that draws your gaze and refuses to let go.

You glance at your friend, but she’s just as transfixed as you are, her eyes locked on the stage as the man reaches the microphone. The lights shift again, narrowing to a focused beam that frames him in an ethereal glow, as if the entire world has fallen away, leaving only him.

For a brief moment, the room is completely still. The band holds the final note of their introduction, a soft hum that lingers in the air, creating a tension so thick you can feel it.

And then he opens his mouth, and the first note of his voice fills the club.

It’s like nothing you’ve ever heard before—smooth and angelic, yet rich with emotion, every word dripping with soul. The sound washes over you like a wave, wrapping around you and pulling you in. It’s haunting, beautiful, and utterly mesmerizing. You feel yourself gasp quietly, the sound barely leaving your lips as you try to process what you’re hearing. There’s a warmth to his voice, but also an aching vulnerability, like he’s pouring something deeply personal into every note, and you can’t look away.

The room, which had been filled with whispers and shifting movements just moments ago, has gone completely silent, every pair of eyes locked on him. It’s as if the entire club is holding its breath, hanging on to each note he sings, waiting for what will come next. You’re vaguely aware of your friend beside you, but even her presence feels distant now—your attention is fully consumed by the figure on stage.

The way he sings… it’s like he’s drawing something out of you, pulling at emotions you didn’t even know were there. His voice rises and falls, effortlessly weaving through the melody, and with every word, you feel more and more entranced. The red of his hair glints under the light, a vibrant contrast to the dark backdrop, and his expression is calm but intense, as though he’s lost in the music just as much as you are.

You don’t realize you’re holding your breath until the song shifts into its final verse. His voice softens, barely a whisper now, and the band matches him, their instruments fading into the background. It’s intimate—like he’s singing just for you, and in this moment, nothing else matters. You don’t want it to end. You could listen to him forever.

But eventually, the final note rings out, echoing in the silence. The spell breaks, but you’re still under his sway, your heart racing and your skin tingling. You realize then that you haven’t moved for the entirety of his performance. It was like you were frozen, unable to do anything but listen, and now that it’s over, you almost feel a sense of loss.

Around you, the crowd erupts into soft applause, but it feels like a distant sound. All you can do is stare at the man on stage, still bathed in that soft light, wondering who he is—and how someone can have a voice that feels like it could reach right into your soul.

He bows lightly, his head dipping in a gesture of respect and gratitude, the soft spotlight casting a halo around him. The applause swells around you, but it’s a distant hum, muted by the beating of your heart in your ears. As he lifts his head again, his eyes sweep across the room, taking in the crowd with calm composure—until they land on yours.

Time seems to slow. His gaze locks with yours, you feel it instantly—a deep, almost magnetic pull, like an invisible thread connecting you to him. Your breath hitches in your throat, and you can’t help but gulp quietly, the sound swallowed by the silence that seems to surround this shared glance.

His eyes are intense, piercing in their focus, yet there’s something soft in them too—an unspoken question, or maybe recognition, as though he’s just as aware of the sudden shift in the atmosphere. The connection feels electric, a jolt running through your body, leaving your pulse racing and your skin tingling.

The eye contact lingers longer than it should, and in that span of heartbeats, you feel utterly exposed, as though he can see past your exterior and right into the depths of your thoughts. It’s overwhelming and thrilling all at once—like standing at the edge of a cliff, looking down into an endless expanse and knowing you could fall at any moment.

Eventually, he steps back from the microphone, offering the crowd another subtle bow. His presence lingers, even as he turns away, vanishing into the shadows backstage, the spotlight dimming as if it’s reluctant to let him go. You realize you’ve been holding your breath the entire time, and it escapes you in a soft rush, like a weight lifting from your chest.

Around you, the quiet spell that had enveloped the club breaks. The low hum of chatter resumes, glasses clink softly, and the familiar rhythm of classic jazz fills the space once more, the music lighter now, a backdrop to conversations that spring up again. It’s almost like nothing extraordinary just happened.

Your friend leans over, breaking the silence between you with a low chuckle. “That dude was something else, wasn’t he?”

You don’t trust your voice to respond. Your throat feels tight, your pulse still racing from the intensity of the performance, from that shared moment of eye contact that left you unsteady. You nod instead, lifting your glass to your lips and taking a slow sip. The cold, crisp liquid hits your tongue, soothing you, bringing you back down from the high you hadn’t even realized you were on. The ice clinks softly against the glass, grounding you as the coolness spreads through your chest, calming your racing heart.

Your friend is still watching you, one eyebrow raised in amusement, clearly waiting for some kind of response. But all you can do is stare at your drink.

“Yeah,” you finally murmur, your voice barely above a whisper. “Something else.”

“I wonder who he is,” she muses, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

You shrug slightly, but the same question has been circling your mind since he left the stage.

Who was he?

After another show ends and the band plays their final set, the crowd begins to disperse, though a few people linger, still caught in the afterglow of the evening. The night air feels cooler now, a stark contrast to the warm haze inside the club. You and your friend sit quietly for a moment, sipping the last of your drinks, before leaving.

Curiosity gets the best of you. You lean toward the bar, catching the bartender’s attention as he’s polishing a glass. “Who was that singer tonight?” you ask, trying to sound casual, though your pulse quickens just mentioning him.

The bartender - Jay - glances up, offering a knowing smile. “Ah, that’d be Lee Heeseung,” he says, like the name is already becoming familiar around here. “We just hired him. Hell of a voice, huh?”

You nod, the name echoing in your mind. Lee Heeseung.

“He only sings once every other night,” Jay continues, placing the glass down and leaning in a bit as if sharing a secret. “Two times if he’s feeling like it, but mostly keeps to himself.”

Lee Heeseung. You repeat the name silently, letting it settle into your thoughts. It fits him, somehow—there’s something elegant about it, yet understated, much like the way he carried himself on stage. You roll the name over in your mind, each syllable striking a chord deep inside you. It’s as if now, knowing his name, he feels even more real.

You glance toward the darkened stage, where the spotlight had once illuminated him, now empty, the magic of the night beginning to fade. But his presence lingers in your mind.

Lee Heeseung.

It’s a name you won’t forget. A name that, much like his voice, sticks with you long after the night ends.

You take a final sip of your drink, the cold liquid steadying you once more. “Lee Heeseung,” you whisper under your breath, testing it on your lips. And somehow, you know that name is going to stay with you, just like the way he made you feel during his performance.

“I like it,” you murmur, almost to yourself. And it’s true. His name fits him perfectly.

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You found yourself returning to the jazz club more often than you ever thought you would. Some nights you came with friends, the laughter and easy conversations a comfortable distraction. Other nights, you came alone, drawn to the warmth of the dim lights, the hum of the music, and—though you never admitted it aloud—him.

You didn’t understand why, but something in you craved the moments when Lee Heeseung stepped onto that stage. It wasn’t just his voice, though that was captivating enough to make anyone fall silent. It was him—the way he moved, the way his eyes would always seem to find yours in the crowd, locking you in place like he could see right through you. You’d tell yourself it was just a coincidence, that he wasn’t really looking at you, not in the way you wanted to believe. But every time, it caught your breath. Every single time.

It was maddening.

He never spoke to you, not once. After his sets, he’d disappear backstage, swallowed by the shadows as if he was part of the night itself. And yet, you kept coming back, like a moth drawn to the flame, wanting to see more of him, to know more about who he was. What did he do when he wasn’t performing? What kind of music did he listen to? What made him smile? What did he think about in those quiet moments before he took the stage? Your curiosity about him grew with each visit, gnawing at you, and you couldn’t explain why.

And what you didn’t know—what you couldn’t have known—was that he felt the same pull. Ever since that first night, when his eyes met yours across the crowded room, something inside Heeseung had stirred. He had felt it deep in his chest, a subtle but undeniable tug, like an invisible string pulling him toward you. It was almost physical, a desire to move closer, to learn your name, to hear your voice. But every time, he resisted, clinging to his professionalism as he bowed lightly and disappeared behind the stage curtains. He told himself it was nothing, just another face in the crowd. But the truth was, you had done something to him.

You had caught him. Just as he had caught you.

And it was driving him insane.

Heeseung found himself scanning the crowd every night he performed, his heart skipping when he spotted you. No matter how many people filled the room, his eyes always found their way back to you. You had become his constant distraction, lingering in his thoughts long after he left the club. He didn’t even know your name, yet the desire to learn everything about you gnawed at him, growing stronger with every passing performance.

It wasn’t just curiosity—it was need. A deep, aching want.

He wanted to know you, to talk to you, to hear your voice outside of the quiet applause you offered after his songs. What did you think about when you listened to him sing? Did you feel the same pull that he did? He was desperate to find out. Every little detail you could give him, he would greedily soak up, wanting more and more.

But he held back. Always. Keeping his distance, even though it was killing him inside.

And so it went on, night after night. You, caught in his presence, unable to look away. Him, mesmerized by you, holding onto his professionalism by the thinnest of threads, but wanting nothing more than to be near you. It was an unspoken, maddening dance, both of you trapped in the same pull, yet neither making a move.

It was only a matter of time before one of you would break.

And so it went on, night after night.

You, seated in your usual spot, caught in the gravity of Heeseung’s presence. Each time the lights dimmed and his figure appeared on stage, your heart would race with anticipation. You’d try to steady your breath, convincing yourself that tonight would be no different, that you’d enjoy the music, maybe share some laughs with friends, and leave. But the moment his eyes met yours, all your resolve dissolved.

He always found you.

Even in a room full of people, it was like you were the only one he saw. The first time it happened, you thought it was just chance, but now, it was unmistakable. Heeseung’s gaze would sweep across the room, but when it landed on you, it lingered, locking you in place. And as the weeks passed, that eye contact grew more intense, more charged.

It wasn’t just his eyes that betrayed him. On the nights when he sang love songs—slow, romantic ballads that filled the room with heat—you noticed something else. His voice would deepen, become more sultry, almost like he was singing just for you. The lyrics would hang in the air, every word dripping with meaning, and you couldn’t help but wonder if it was intentional. There was something unmistakable about the way his voice would dip into the lower register during certain phrases, how his lips would curve slightly when he sang about longing, about desire.

And every time, you felt the same pull, that magnetic draw you couldn’t explain.

One night, the tension between you reached a fever pitch. Heeseung was in the middle of a song—one of those slow, yearning ones, where the lyrics spoke of unspoken love and hidden desires. His eyes found yours as he sang the chorus, the words wrapping around you like velvet. His voice dropped, soft and husky, as he delivered the line, "I can’t breathe when you’re near, you’re everything I need."

Your breath caught in your throat. The room felt smaller, the air thicker, like every word was meant for you and only you. His gaze didn’t waver—he was locked in, completely focused on you. You could see it in the way his fingers gripped the microphone, in the tension in his jaw, that he was holding himself back. The intensity in his eyes was undeniable, as if he was silently asking you to break the silence between you, to cross that invisible line neither of you had dared to step over.

And yet, neither of you made a move.

Heeseung would sing, and you would listen, your heart pounding in your chest, caught in the rhythm of his voice, the weight of his gaze. Then, when the song ended, he’d retreat into the shadows, leaving you breathless and wanting.

But the pull between you grew stronger with each passing night. You could feel it in the way his performances shifted. The sultry edge in his voice wasn’t just an act anymore—it was personal. His songs became a reflection of what simmered beneath the surface between you two. Every time he sang a song about love, about yearning, it felt like a confession, a silent message that only you could understand.

One night, the tension became almost unbearable. The band started playing a slow, sensual tune, the kind that made the room feel warmer, more intimate. Heeseung’s eyes found yours almost immediately, and as he began to sing, his voice was lower, rougher, more emotional than you had ever heard it before.

"There’s something about the way you move, the way you look at me…"

Your heart skipped a beat. His voice was velvet and smoke, smooth but with an edge that made you shiver. He wasn’t just performing anymore—he was speaking directly to you, his gaze never leaving yours. The lyrics dripped with desire, each note resonating with something deep inside you. The words hit harder because you knew what was underneath them, what was brewing between the two of you. His fingers wrapped tightly around the microphone, his stance more rigid than usual, like he was barely holding himself together.

By the time he reached the final verse, the air was thick with tension. His voice dipped to a near whisper, the intimacy of the moment almost suffocating.

"I’ve been waiting for so long, for you to see me too…"

Your breath hitched, your hand tightening around your glass. Heeseung’s eyes burned into yours, and for the first time, you saw it—really saw it. The restraint, the struggle. He wanted to make a move, just as badly as you did. It was in the way his gaze darkened, the way his voice became more desperate, like he was pouring everything he felt into the song.

As the song came to an end, he lingered at the microphone for just a second longer, even as the last note faded and the soft hum of conversation filled the room again. And then, for the first time, he hesitated. He stood there, gripping the microphone stand, his knuckles white, as though he was fighting with himself. The crowd was waiting for him to leave the stage, but he didn’t move.

You didn’t know what to expect. Maybe he would finally walk over to you, say something, break this unspoken tension that had been building for so long. But instead, he just stared down, his chest rising and falling in slow, deliberate breaths, like he was trying to steady himself. Then, with a barely noticeable shake of his head, he stepped back, his steps were purposeful, but there was a visible tension in his stride, like he was trying to escape something that was chasing him. You watched, transfixed, as he disappeared behind the curtain, his silhouette swallowed by the darkness.

The curtain fell, and the applause continued, but it felt distant now. The music resumed—a classic tune playing softly, almost as an afterthought. You were left sitting at your table, your glass nearly forgotten as you stared at the empty stage.

The moment passed, but it left you shaken. Your friend leaned over, murmuring something about how amazing the performance was, but you barely heard her. All you could think about was the way he had looked at you, the way his gaze had felt like a question, one that you didn’t yet know how to answer.

But what you didn’t know was that Heeseung had reached his breaking point. Backstage, he leaned against the wall, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn’t keep doing this—this dance of almosts and maybes. Every time he saw you, it became harder to hold himself back. He didn’t even know your name, but he wanted to. Needed to. Every glance, every shared moment across the crowded room only made him more certain that he had to know you. The thought of you consumed him, drove him mad, until he couldn’t think about anything else.

As he stood there, catching his breath, he made a decision. He wouldn’t walk away tonight. Not again. He needed to do something—anything—to break this cycle, to get closer to you.

Heeseung straightened himself up, his heart pounding in his chest. The decision had been made. He couldn’t keep doing this—dancing around the tension, pretending that the looks you shared were just fleeting moments. Not anymore. Tonight was different. The connection between you had grown too strong, too magnetic to ignore. He had to see you, had to break this maddening cycle of unspoken desire.

He took a deep breath and walked out from backstage, his eyes immediately scanning the room. The usual post-performance crowd lingered, patrons scattered in small groups, chatting, laughing, sipping their drinks. His gaze swept across the dimly lit space, searching, yearning.

And then, just as he was about to lose hope, he saw you.

You were making your way towards the back, disappearing into a hidden hallway beside the bar that led to the restrooms. Heeseung’s pulse quickened, and without a second thought, he followed.

A few patrons stopped him on his way, eager to congratulate him on his performance or exchange a few words. He smiled politely, though his focus was elsewhere. He shortened the conversations, nodding and offering quick thanks, but his mind was locked on you. The pull, the need to reach you, was too strong now. He couldn’t delay any longer.

As he neared the hallway, he slowed his pace, his eyes narrowing as he slipped into the shadows. The hallway was quieter here, away from the buzz of the bar. The dim lighting cast long, soft shadows along the walls, creating a more intimate, almost secretive atmosphere.

Heeseung stopped at the entrance of the hallway, his breath catching in his throat. He could hear the faint sound of running water from where you had stepped into the bathroom. The adrenaline coursing through his veins made everything sharper—the sound of his heartbeat, the way the air felt cooler back here, away from the crowd.

He paused for a moment, his mind racing. What was he going to say? How was he going to explain this—this overwhelming need to finally talk to you, to break the distance that had grown between you?

He leaned against the wall, trying to calm his nerves as he waited for you to reemerge. His breath was shaky, the adrenaline coursing through his veins making everything feel heightened—more real, more dangerous. This wasn’t just a passing attraction anymore. It was something deeper, something that had grown over time, night after night, with every glance exchanged between the two of you. The distance that had existed between you wasn’t something he could live with any longer.

His fingers drummed lightly against his leg, a nervous habit he hadn’t even noticed until now. Each tap was a reminder of the ticking seconds, each moment building his anticipation higher, tightening the knot in his stomach. He was caught between excitement and fear, unsure of how this would play out but certain that he couldn’t walk away again. Not tonight.

The hallway was quiet, the soft hum of music from the club fading into the background, leaving him in this private space, alone with his thoughts. He tried to calm the storm in his mind, rehearsing different ways to start the conversation. How are you? felt too casual. I can’t stop thinking about you felt too raw. The words swirled, none of them feeling quite right, but then again, what words could encapsulate what he had been feeling for weeks?

He sighed, raking a hand through his hair, trying to slow his racing heart. He wanted to tell you everything—how every song he sang was a message to you, how every glance you exchanged lit something inside him he couldn’t extinguish. But would you understand?

When the door opened and you stepped out into the hallway, you hadn’t noticed him yet. You were adjusting your dress, fixing your hair—small, absent-minded gestures as you prepared to return to the bar. But the moment you looked up and saw him standing there, everything froze.

Your eyes widened slightly in surprise, and the air between you felt instantly charged, thick with the same unspoken tension that had been simmering for weeks. Heeseung straightened up, his dark eyes locking onto yours with an intensity that sent a shiver down your spine.

Neither of you spoke at first. The hallway was silent, save for the distant hum of music from the club. He took a slow step toward you, his movements careful, almost tentative, as if he wasn’t quite sure how to close the space between you. But the look in his eyes was clear—he wasn’t backing down this time.

“I—” Heeseung hesitated, his voice catching in his throat, rough and uncertain as it broke the silence between you. It wasn’t the smooth, honeyed tone he used on stage, the one that captivated entire rooms with its easy grace. This was different—raw, vulnerable, as if the weight of his own feelings was too much for him to carry any longer. The sound of it hit you like a tremor, sending a ripple through the thick air between you.

“I’ve been trying to find the right moment to talk to you,” he said, his gaze flicking across your face, searching, almost pleading for a response. His voice was quiet, but there was a current of desperation beneath it, like he was on the verge of losing control. “I didn’t want to wait any longer.”

Your breath caught in your throat at the sound of his words, at the way they carried so much more than just what he was saying. It was in the timbre of his voice—the slight tremor when he spoke, the roughness around the edges, like he was struggling to keep his composure.

You swallowed hard, trying to find your voice, but it was difficult to push past the knot in your throat. “What do you want to say?” The words came out softer than you intended, barely more than a whisper, but it was enough. Heeseung’s eyes widenened as he heard your question, his jaw tightening slightly as if he was weighing his next words carefully.

He let out a soft, frustrated sigh, his hand running through his hair in a gesture of helplessness. “I don’t know how to explain this… whatever this is between us.” His voice dropped lower, almost a murmur now, but each word carried a weight that hit you square in the chest. There was something about the way he spoke—quiet but intense, like he was trying to keep himself from unraveling completely.

“Every time I see you, every time I sing—I can’t stop thinking about you.” His confession hung heavy in the air, thick with the tension that had been simmering just beneath the surface. His voice, though still soft, grew rougher, tinged with the frustration of having kept this inside for so long. He sounded like he was fighting against himself, against the feelings that had been building up night after night, threatening to spill over.

“It’s been driving me crazy,” he continued, his eyes never leaving yours. “But I couldn’t just let it go.”

The depth of his voice, the strain behind it—it made your pulse race even faster. It wasn’t just the words that got to you, it was the way he said them. The rawness of it all, the fact that he was laying his emotions bare in front of you, made everything feel impossibly real.

He was holding on by a thread, and his voice, so full of emotion, told you everything he couldn’t put into words.

He took another step closer, his presence commanding the space now, the intensity in his gaze making it impossible for you to look away. “I’ve tried to stay professional, tried to keep my distance, but I can’t do that anymore.”

You felt your throat tighten, the air between you charged with anticipation. “I feel it too,” you admitted quietly, the words leaving your lips before you could second-guess yourself. “I’ve felt it since the first night.”

Heeseung’s expression softened at your words, the tension in his features easing ever so slightly, a flicker of relief crossing his face. But his eyes—they never left yours, still burning with the intensity of everything he hadn’t said yet. He took another step closer, his breath mingling with yours in the confined space. His warmth seemed to radiate off of him, filling the small distance between you, and then it hit you—the faint, intoxicating scent of his cologne. It was woodsy, with a hint of spice, sharp yet smooth, and it made your senses reel. It clung to the air around him, wrapping around you, pulling you in even further.

As he stepped closer, you saw his nostrils flare slightly as the scent of your perfume reached him. His gaze darkened, the fragrance catching his attention, something warm and sweet that seemed to mix perfectly with the heady tension between you. It was like he was drinking in every detail, every part of you, and it sent a shiver down your spine.

For a moment, you broke eye contact, your gaze dropping to the floor as the weight of the moment overwhelmed you. But Heeseung wasn’t about to let that happen. Slowly, with a deliberate, almost tender movement, he reached out, his hand lifting to gently brush against your arm. The touch was light, tentative at first, but it sent a shockwave through you, your skin tingling where his fingers made contact. His touch lingered for a second before his hand moved upward, his fingers grazing your skin with a softness that felt both electrifying and grounding at the same time.

His hand found its way to your jaw, his fingers gently cupping your face, tilting it upward. You could feel the warmth of his palm against your skin, the gentle pressure as he guided your face up.

Your breath caught again as you met his eyes. The way he looked at you, so intense, so unwavering, made it clear that he wasn’t letting you go.

Heeseung’s thumb brushed lightly along your jawline, the touch so soft yet so deliberate, as if he was memorizing the curve of your face, the feel of your skin beneath his fingertips. His touch was slow, deliberate, as if he was savoring every second, every detail.

“I don’t even know your name,” he whispered, his voice low, rough with emotion, yet there was a hint of a smile in the corners of his lips. “But I need to.”

His words, the way he said them—it made your heart stutter in your chest. The quiet urgency in his voice, the way he was holding onto this moment like it was the only thing that mattered, sent a thrill through you. You smiled softly, your pulse quickening as you told him your name, the sound of it lingering in the air between you like a promise.

Heeseung repeated your name under his breath, his voice barely audible, as if testing how it felt on his lips. The way he said it made your skin tingle, a shiver running down your spine, his gaze still fixed on yours as he committed your name to memory, as if the sound of it alone had the power to pull him closer.

His breath, warm and steady, fanned across your skin, and you felt your heart race in response. His hand stayed on your jaw, the gentle pressure grounding you, but the heat of his presence was overwhelming, intoxicating.

He leaned in even closer, his breath warm against your lips as his eyes searched your face, as if waiting for something, something only you could give him.

Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, rough with anticipation, he asked, “Please?”

Just that single word, but it was loaded with meaning. You didn’t need him to elaborate; you knew exactly what he was asking for, what he was begging for.

You didn’t need time to think. You simply whispered back, “Yes.”

And that was all it took. The moment the word left your lips, Heeseung closed the distance between you, his hand slipping from your jaw to the back of your neck, pulling you in as his lips crashed against yours. The kiss was deep, hungry, filled with all the pent-up desire that had been simmering between you for what felt like an eternity. It was intense, urgent, as if he had been waiting far too long for this moment to finally happen.

You kissed him back without hesitation, your hands instinctively reaching for him, one finding its way to his chest, the other curling around his shoulder, pulling him even closer. The heat between you was overwhelming, but you didn’t care. All you could focus on was the feeling of his lips on yours, the way his mouth moved against yours with a desperation that matched your own.

His lips were soft but firm, and the taste of him—mixed with the faint trace of the whiskey he’d been sipping earlier—was intoxicating. He kissed you like he had been starving for it, like this was the moment he had been waiting for since that first night when your eyes had met across the room.

Your body responded to him naturally, as if it had been waiting for this too. You pressed yourself closer, feeling the solid warmth of his body against yours, your heart racing as the kiss deepened. His other hand moved to your waist, gripping you gently, but with enough pressure to let you know he wasn’t letting go anytime soon. The feel of his fingers, warm and strong, sent a thrill through you, making you gasp softly against his mouth.

Heeseung took that small sound as encouragement, tilting his head to deepen the kiss even further. The way he kissed you—it wasn’t just passion. There was something more, something that made it feel like this moment had been inevitable, like it had been building toward this from the very beginning.

Heeseung’s grip on you tightened as his kiss grew more insistent, more desperate, his hands roaming your waist like he couldn’t get enough. And then, without warning, he pushed you gently but firmly back toward the bathroom. His hands never left you as he maneuvered you into the dimly lit room, the door closing behind him with a soft click before he locked it.

Your heart raced, your breath coming in shallow gasps as you felt the solid door behind you. The bathroom was small, intimate, and the air was thick with the tension that had been building for what felt like forever. Heeseung’s eyes, full of unspoken need, flickered with something primal as he looked at you, his chest rising and falling with each ragged breath.

Without another word, he pressed you gently against the cold tile of the bathroom wall, his hands sliding to your hips as he caged you in with his body. His lips found yours again, but this time there was no hesitation, no restraint. The kiss was rougher now, more urgent, as if he had finally let go of whatever had been holding him back all this time.

You responded in kind, your hands tangling in his hair as you pulled him closer, your body arching into him as you kissed him with just as much hunger. The heat between you was overwhelming, the tension finally snapping as he kissed his way down your jawline, his lips brushing across your skin, igniting a fire with every touch.

By the time his lips reached your neck, you were panting, your fingers gripping his shoulders to steady yourself as he kissed down the exposed skin of your throat. The dress you wore—classy, elegant, yet with an open neckline—left plenty of room for him to explore, and Heeseung took full advantage of it, his lips trailing along your collarbone, hot and soft against your skin.

His breath was ragged, his movements unrestrained as he kissed his way down your neck, his lips pressing open-mouthed kisses along the sensitive skin there. Each kiss sent a shiver down your spine, the sensation of his mouth on your skin making your pulse race even faster.

Heeseung's breath was hot against your skin as he continued his descent, each open-mouthed kiss igniting a deeper fire inside you. His lips moved with a mixture of reverence and hunger, like he was savoring the feel of you, the taste of your skin beneath his lips. Your heart pounded in your chest, every nerve alight with anticipation and the intoxicating sensation of his mouth exploring your neck, your collarbone.

You gasped softly when his teeth grazed your skin, not enough to hurt, but enough to send a sharp thrill racing through you. Your fingers tightened in his hair, tugging lightly as his hands roamed your sides, his grip firm but careful, as if he was trying to hold himself back from giving in completely to the urgency that pulsed between you.

His lips found the hollow of your throat, lingering there, and you felt the heat of his breath as he exhaled, his body pressed so close to yours that you could feel every rise and fall of his chest. The scent of his cologne, warm and woodsy, filled your senses, mixing with the heady smell of your own perfume, creating a cocktail of desire in the small, enclosed space.

“Heeseung…” His name slipped from your lips, breathless and soft, and he responded with a low, quiet groan that reverberated through your body, sending a shiver down your spine.

At the sound of his name on your lips, he lifted his head, his eyes dark with a mixture of need and admiration as he took in your flushed face, your slightly parted lips. He looked at you as if he couldn't believe you were real, as if he had been dreaming of this moment for too long and now that it was happening, he didn’t want to waste a second.

Before you could say anything else, his lips were on yours again, this time with more urgency, more need. The kiss was deeper, hungrier, as if he was trying to convey everything he had been holding back, all the feelings that had built up between you with each stolen glance, each electrifying moment of eye contact that had passed between you over the nights.

Your body responded instinctively, pressing closer to him, your fingers gripping his shoulders as his hands slid down to your waist, pulling you against him, his fingers brushing over the delicate fabric of your dress, teasing the curve of your hips. Your own hands were restless, wandering up his chest, feeling the solid muscle beneath his suit. Heeseung groaned softly against your lips, his grip tightening around your waist, his body pressing you against the wall, as if the space between you was unbearable.

“I can’t stop,” he murmured again, the rawness in his voice pulling at something deep inside you.

You swallowed, the sound loud in the quiet, and the weight of your own words seemed to linger in the air. “I don’t want you to.” The second the words left your mouth, Heeseung’s restraint crumbled completely.

His eyes narrowed, pupils blown wide with desire, and his breath hitched as if the words had unlocked something inside him, as Heeseung surged forward, closing the distance between you with a kiss that was deep and slow, but laced with a fire that had been building for far too long.

His lips moved against yours with a deliberate, almost agonizing slowness, as if he wanted to savor every second, every sensation. The softness of his mouth was contrasted by the firm grip he kept on your waist, grounding you as his kiss deepened. His tongue teased the seam of your lips, and you parted them for him, a quiet, involuntary sound escaping from the back of your throat as he kissed you with more intensity.

The kiss grew more fevered, more frantic, both of you losing yourselves in the moment, in the intensity of everything that had been building between you for so long. It was like a dam had broken, and now there was no stopping the flood of emotions, the raw, undeniable desire that had been simmering beneath the surface.

You moaned softly into his mouth, your body reacting instinctively to every touch, every kiss, as Heeseung pressed you harder against the wall, his body caging you in, his presence overwhelming in the best way possible. His lips trailed down your jawline, his breath hot against your skin as he kissed a path to your neck, his teeth grazing the sensitive flesh there, sending shockwaves of pleasure through you.

“God, you’re so beautiful,” he whispered against your skin, his voice rough with want. His words made your heart race, your pulse quickening as his lips continued their descent, pressing open-mouthed kisses along your neck, tasting, teasing, worshiping.

You gasped, your fingers tightening in his hair as he sucked gently at the base of your throat, marking you in a way that made your entire body hum with pleasure. Every kiss, every touch felt like it was setting you on fire, the heat between you so intense it was almost unbearable.

The sudden knock on the bathroom door jolted you both, tearing you from the intoxicating haze of your moment. The sound seemed almost foreign, harsh against the tender intimacy you had just shared.

“Hello? Is anyone in there?” The voice came through the door with a note of casual curiosity, but the urgency in it made your heart race.

You pulled back from Heeseung, your breath coming in quick, startled gasps. “It’s the bartender! What is he gonna think if he sees you with me?” Panic edged your voice, your mind scrambling for a way to salvage the situation.

Heeseung, looking dazed and disheveled, blinked at you with a lopsided grin, his face covered in lipstick marks, his suit jacket discarded on the floor, and his shirt half-unbuttoned. His hair was a wild mess, and his expression was a mix of confusion and bliss, like someone who had just been woken from a beautiful dream. “Eh… lucky me?” he offered, his voice soft and slightly slurred, as if he was still under the spell of your kiss.

You glanced at him, your eyes wide with a mix of concern and disbelief. His appearance was a far cry from the composed, suave performer you had seen on stage. The sight of him, so undone, only added to your growing sense of urgency. “Just—just…ugh!” You grumbled in frustration, trying to focus as you scrambled to tidy both of you up.

With swift movements, you attempted to fix your appearance—straightening your dress, wiping away smudged lipstick, and fixing your disheveled hair. You glanced at Heeseung, who was still leaning against the wall, looking like he was in a trance, his grin widening as he caught your frantic attempts. You shoved him gently, trying to help him re-button his shirt and smooth down his hair, though the results were far from perfect.

When you finally felt presentable enough, you unlocked the door with a deep breath. The moment you swung it open, you were met with Jay, the bartender, standing in the hallway with a look of utter shock on his face. His eyes widened as they took in the state of the bathroom and the two of you emerging from it.

“Sorry!” you blurted out, your voice high and rushed. Before Jay could react further, you slipped past him, grabbing Heeseung by the arm and pulling him along. Heeseung, still in a blissful daze, gave Jay a casual wink, a smirk playing on his lips as he followed you.

Jay stood frozen in the hallway, his mouth opening and closing in confusion as he watched you both make your hasty exit. The entire scene felt surreal, and as you led Heeseung down the dimly lit corridor, the adrenaline from the sudden interruption made your heart race even faster.

You walked quickly, trying to keep your composure, but the thrill of what had just happened left you breathless. Heeseung, now more alert, gave you a playful nudge. “Well, that was quite an exit, wasn’t it?” His voice was teasing, his smile wide and infectious.

You laughed softly, shaking your head as you led him back towards the main area of the club. “You’re impossible,” you said, though your tone was affectionate.

The tension had finally snapped.