Min Yoongi Imagine - Tumblr Posts

♡YOONGI♡ONESHOT REC's PART Ⅱ

🥵 - Smut 🎀 -Fluff. 🔴 - Angst

⏐🥵⏐🎀⏐ Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop by @colormepurplex2 »Pairings : ArtProfessor!Yoongi x Artist!ShopOwner!Fem!Reader. »Genre : Strangers to Lovers, Cozy Romance ,Coffee Shop AU. »Summary : It’s like clockwork; you receive the same online order every weekday morning at eight o’clock: large decaf iced Americano, picked up promptly shortly after. His face has become familiar, as a part of your routine as the hiss of the espresso machine. Until, one day, that routine takes an unexpected turn, and you find yourself getting familiar with more than just his face.

⏐🥵⏐🎀⏐🔴⏐ Fireside by @sailoryooons »Pairings : Yoongi x Fem!Reader. »Genre : Established relationship. »Summary : A cozy trip to the woods is exactly what you and Yoongi need to manage your stress. You especially love the moments when Yoongi gets to enjoy you right by the fireside. 

⏐🎀⏐🔴⏐ Fuck Being Friends by @strawberrynamjoon »Pairings : Yoongi x Fem!Reader. »Genre : Friends to lovers /College!au. »Summary : As if watching the guy you were hopelessly in love with hook up with another girl each weekend wasn’t enough, he also happened to be your best friend, making things extra complicated. and it only gets worse and worse once he finds you crying in the bathroom at a party one night.

⏐🎀⏐🔴⏐ Whispers of the Heartbreaking by @theweasleytwinsownmyjuicyass »Pairings : Yoongi x Reader. »Genre : Arranged marriage, enemies to lovers (in a way)

⏐🎀⏐ Ode to wine by @boymeetsweevil »Pairings : Yoongi x Fem!Reader. »Summary : A moment alone with Yoongi after the award show has come and gone

⏐🥵⏐🎀⏐ Eyes On Me by @7ndipity »Pairings : Yoongi x Fem!Reader. »Summary : When you visit Yoongi on the set of the Haegeum music video, you realize you might have a slight thing for his Agust D persona.

⏐🥵⏐🎀⏐ Warm by @ctrlhope »Pairings : Yoongi x Fem!Reader. »Genre : Werewolve Au. »Summary : The second yoongi steps into your apartment, any hope for a quiet night in instantly vanishes from his mind.

take five

pairing: yoongi x reader

wordcount: 10k

glimpse: dr. min yoongi’s a board-certified dermatologist; skilled, renowned, and in-demand — oh and also, he’s divorced.

alternatively, you’re yoongi’s nurse and you have a crush on him, and he gives you five chances to ask him out — he never said anything about accepting though.

[ angst, fluff, unrequited love, so much pining ]

notes: inspired by yang seok-hyeong and choo min-ha’s dynamic from hospital playlist!! you don’t necessarily have to watch it in order to read this :D this idea has been sitting in my notes for like a year now (yikes) and i’ve only found the wILL to do it now!! took a short break because i’ve been mostly just pumping out stem koo for the past months, but here’s a yoongi piece to cleanse everyone’s palate!! this has got to be one of my favorite pieces ever hee-hee

as always, lmk what you think <3 send in feedback/requests/love to my askbox anytime!!

[ part two ]

“Now where the hell did you hear that?”

Yoongi looks at you incredulously and for a moment, you think you’ve actually hit homerun with your stupid myth of the day because not only does he roll his eyes at you, he also scoffs and stops in his tracks.

“Just somewhere,” you mumble under your breath and hope that Yoongi doesn’t ask you for the exact source and citation because he already looks irked with what he just heard. “But they say it’s true though! If you don’t immediately drink water when you start having hiccups, you would have a breakout the next day or hours later, even.”

There is bliss in ignorance.

There is bliss and beauty in ignorance and it comes in the form of knitted brows and an agape mouth on Dr. Min, his eyes trained on you as if you asked him the stupidest question he's ever heard (you probably did) in his career and perhaps his lifetime.

Every week, from Monday to Saturday, Yoongi comes to his own clinic between the window of 8 to 8:15 in the morning wearing a bucket hat and his choice of clothing to wear under his white coat. Only his right hand would be occupied by the Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandoulière 45 bag, which he later tosses as soon as he enters the clinic and see his employees scramble to catch and save it, just to give himself a little chuckle every morning. He really couldn't care less if none of them manage to catch it, but it's kind of nice having a pointless yet joyful routine.

Additionally, every week, from Monday to Saturday, you come to Serendipity Aesthetics at 7:00 AM to drop off your things so you could walk to the expensive coffee shop to buy equally overrated coffee because after all, your place of work is in the heart of the luxury district. Between the window of 8 to 8:15, Dr. Min walks in and throws his designer bag into the air, to which every employee tries to catch so there wouldn't be a single scratch (but everyone knows that he literally wouldn't care if nobody could save it), and every single time, you're the one who catches his bag.

Also, every week, from Monday to Saturday, you make sure that you're Dr. Min's first interaction of the day.

It always starts with a pathetic skincare myth that you ask him to verify while he either confirms or denies it for you while walking to his office, giving him his coffee that you buy with your own money. It originally started with you searching compilations online and eventually, they got so boring and repetitive that you started making up your own.

The more ridiculous it is, the more reaction you get from Yoongi.

You quickly learned that by now and every morning, you get to see the way he furrows his eyebrows and you're convinced that if you say your myth in a defensive and completely-swayed tone, Dr. Min would actually look at you to deadpan.

This time, however, you probably struck gold.

"I would actually fire you if you even thought for a second that it would be true."

Granted, maybe the gold you thought you've struck is just plated and would turn green overnight.

"Very funny, Dr. Min. No explanation today?" you try to coax one from him because the door to his office is looking especially near and he doesn't allow you to enter anyway.

"I think it's pretty self-explanatory that I studied to be a doctor for more than a decade, have my own clinic, and threatened to fire you for your useless myth of the day, don't you think?" he hums lowly, wiping his finger to press his code onto his door.

"You do have a point," you sheepishly mumble at being outed more harshly for your tactics, "can I ask you something else though?"

Yoongi's eyes are glued on his phone as he just waves you off to both shoo and acknowledge you at the same time, leaning his weight to the door so he could both watch the highlight reel of a show he watched just last week and carry his bag.

"Later. I'm busy."

"No problem!" you stammer because you're not sure if you're ready to ask him anyway, wordlessly pushing the door open for him because he's deeply immersed on his phone. "Can I ask you over lunch? I-..."

... know a place.

Yoongi's door already closes on your face as the result of him kicking it backwards as he enters, making you take a step back to gather yourself.

You are not ready at all to ask him.

It's no secret that you have a crush on Dr. Min. Not at all. Practically everyone knows how head-over-heels you are for him; even the man himself actually.

It was embarrassing at first when it sinked into you that everyone collectively knows how you trail after him like a stray kitten whose gotten their first feed of the day, but later on, it’s something you actively and unnecessarily took pride in.

That way, you could ward off any other people in the clinic who have an eye on him! Dr. Park says that it’s the equivalent of a dog peeing on a fire hydrant within a street that nobody likes to walk in, but you just dismiss his comment as per usual. You’re sure that it’s impossible that no one likes him a little more than usual as an employee would, but perhaps they’re just not as showy as you are.

You can't pinpoint exactly why you have a crush on him because truth be told, you liked him in entirety. It was gradual, sure, but you liked him as a whole even from the start. Something about him’s so pulling that you find yourself complaining silently sometimes.

Liking him is easy. The variables aren't.

It just so happens that Dr. Min doesn't like you in that way, or in any way at all, but that’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with that. Everybody starts from zero at one point.

"Not to burst your bubble, buttercup, but you do know that Yoongi used to have a wife, right?"

Jimin, the cosmetic surgeon of Serendipity Aesthetics and Yoongi's business partner, asks you. He has no ill intent — he actually finds it adorable to see you pining after his best friend who's done nothing but turn you down.

It’s harsh, entertaining, but not laughable. Even the secondhand embarrassment and heartbreak makes Jimin look away whenever you ask Yoongi about his weekend. It’s a game of cat and mouse, but the only difference is that the mouse is unfazed and untouchable, and the cat's scared yet determined.

Coincidentally, Jimin's your childhood friend. Both his and your parents would assign him to watch over you even if he's just some years ahead of you. It even strengthened the bond of you treating him as an older brother and him fulfilling the role well, just as annoyingly.

Your communication hasn't been consistent especially when he entered medical school, which is why you've rarely ever heard about Yoongi before you even worked here. None of it matters though because it feels that you’ve been with Jimin for a lifetime in a literal sense, feeling a stroke of fate because somehow, he’s the common string that bridged you and Dr. Min unknowingly.

You like him a healthy amount. In a very respectful, healthy, almost pitiful amount.

"Yeah. I knew that," you sigh dejectedly, stirring your iced coffee that’s already gotten too watered-down for your taste. “She’s the model, right?"

How could you not?

How could you not know who Dr. Min’s ex-wife is because even before you worked in his and Jimin’s clinic, you’ve already heard of her?

You once saw her in an LED billboard once at a prime spot in a busy street. You saw her face on a promotional liquor poster in a convenience store without knowing that she was the wife of your then-crush (who you didn’t know yet) at the time. You see her large signature on the wall at a restaurant you regularly eat at but don’t have the appetite for nowadays.

"Mhmm, Jihye."

Jimin hums in agreement, spooning a portion from your plate and into his mouth because you’re too preoccupied to swat his hand away.

"Is she your best friend?"

Jimin rolls his eyes playful at the tone of your voice who’s suddenly gotten meek. "No, that's you, buttercup.”

You atleast feel comforted that Dr. Min’s ex-wife, whom you barely know, hasn’t managed to snatch perhaps your favorite person in the whole world. She once had Yoongi and that’s something you can stomach because it’s their life you’re not a part of, but something tells you that you’d be a little more bummed to know that Jimin and her are close just like the two of you.

“We were friends at best because I'm close to Yoongi and well... y'know..." He coughs awkwardly, eyes hesitantly looking up at you before he buries his face to the noodles to the point he could feel the steam rise to his face. "I was the best man at their wedding."

Jimin notices the way your mouth is just fixed on your dumpling, unmoving. It's only rare that you ask him about Dr. Min because there's always the guilt that you're just using your friendship with Jimin as leverage to know more about his colleague, but in the few times that you do ask about him, it always has something to do with major facts you can't immediately grasp your head around.

"Don't worry! They were in a relationship for three years, and only married for one. They knew each other even before Yoongi became a resident."

"That does not help me, Jimin. At all."

He only sheepishly scratches the back of his head, going back to his words which he now realizes did nothing to make you feel better.

"Relax. If you say something superlatively dumb enough for your skincare myths, he'll probably take the hint and date you out of pity."

You unclench your mouth on the dumpling, finding no will to chew it now that Jimin, once again, opened his mouth. "Made it even worse, actually."

He's no stranger to you feeling bummed but he knows that he's somehow in a bind because he's in a point of conflict between you and Yoongi, both his best friends. He can't exactly give you false hope in order to cheer you up, but he can't lie either and say that you don't have a solid fighting chance with Yoongi.

You're frowning but he knows you understand, well-aware that you'd recuperate soon enough.

"Cheer up. Just ask him out and if he denies you, then be it! I had a hand in designing this clinic, remember? It's big enough for you to avoid him."

"Not sure if I should feel inspired or discouraged," you tut under your breath, pressing your forehead down the table so you could ignore him while he leaves you alone. "Thanks, Dr. Park."

Jimin rolls his eyes at the nickname you use to spite him and only call him when the other employees are around, in which case there aren't, just because he did the equivalent of making you gulp orange juice after brushing your teeth like his sudden "I was the best man at Yoongi's wedding" revelation.

You don't know how long your forehead's been pressed to the table but it feels long enough to the point you hear a familiar set of footsteps you didn't anticipate to come this soon, immediately straightening your posture.

"Dr. Min! You're here!"

Yoongi looks up from his phone and nods, completely unsurprised that you're here in the breakroom at the exact moment that he comes in.

"Dr. Park bought everyone lunch today, yours is in this bag," you gesture to the meal you've separated and took the initiative of writing his name on so no one would "accidentally" claim it for themselves because it's always the one with the extra sauce and napkins.

He only hums as he plops down to the seat parallel to the paper bag, not registering it at all that you did it on purpose so he'd be sitting beside you. You didn't actually think he'd fall for it, but it's one of the times you feel indebted to his eager attention to his phone because he doesn't notice.

Yoongi sets his phone down on the table as it's held up by his convenient popsocket, immersed in slurping his own noodles to be oblivious of you who's close to losing your shit right beside him.

The opportunity is sitting right next to you and you didn't expect it to come this soon because if you knew that Dr. Min would be setting off your tentative plans unknowingly with how everything's coming to place, you probably would've rehearsed endlessly in front of a mirror.

"Can I ask my question now?"

Dr. Min's in the middle of chewing when you ask but he doesn't flinch, already aware that you ask him so much questions within a day that he feels like he's working with a nosey toddler.

"Go. You're gonna ask it anyway," he replies monotonously and continues chewing, bringing more noodles to his mouth even if his cheeks haven't deflated yet.

His nonchalance is what simultaneously intimidates and eggs you on, finding the words leaving your mouth with no filter at all.

"Can I ask you to go out with me? I'll only ask you five times and after that, I'm gonna get off your tail."

There's no beat of silence because Yoongi keeps chewing and you're sure you heard a chuckle in-between, looking at his side profile while holding your breath. You're just about to apologize for crossing a line you've been toeing for the better portion of a year when he looks at you once, briefly and lazily.

"Okay."

The word doesn't immediately click in your mind as you stumble with spelling out the letters in your head. Are you hearing it right? Is this just a side-effect of Jimin randomly clapping his hands beside your ears when you're getting groggy?

"O-okay? As in, yes?"

"Okay as in yes, you can ask me to go out with you," Dr. Min clarifies calmly, a ghost of a smile appearing on his lips when he sees the favorite part of his show appear on-screen. "Asking me to go out with you is different from going out with you."

You're shell-shocked because that's exactly what you asked of him and you're even more surprised that he interpreted it as such, the weight of his approval now dawning on you.

"Of course."

Yoongi only hums but he can't bring himself to get another bite because you don't let a second go to waste, seeing your face plead closer to his peripheral vision that he only manages to give you a side-eye.

“Can we go out later, Dr. Min? I actually checked your schedule and you have nothing booked past 4 PM!”

You try to tone down your excitement and you're glad that the expectation of him answering you in the first try is only an afterthought, because he shoots you down twice as quick as you asked.

“No.”

“Do you have plans tonight then?” you prod with a gentle smile, trying to see if you can sway him even in the slightest.

“Nope.”

“Then why don't you wanna go out with me?” there's a light-hearted frown on your face and as much as you know that it won't elicit a reaction from Dr. Min, it's only playful. There's no real accusation nor anger behind your tone.

“Because I don’t, Y/N," Yoongi actually chuckles and he looks at you as if you're the silliest goose he's ever come across a pond. "You’re on closing duty later, bye!”

( ♡ )

“Good morning to my favorite dermatologist in this whole wide world!”

Yoongi hears you greet him cheerily and it almost makes him flinch because you materialized out of nowhere. He's about to scold you for doing that because who knows if you get mistaken and accidentally give a faint-hearted client with the shock of their lifetime, he really was about to — but he sees his cinnamon bun on your hand (courtesy of Jimin telling you his favorite dessert for the price of one cheek kiss), and all the words melt from his mouth.

“Good morning.”

Dr. Min almost snatches what you're holding and you almost huff, trailing beside him as his fingers quickly undo the familiar teal box packaging of his favorite pastry.

“You forgot 'Y/N, my favorite nurse in this whole wide world'.”

“No, I’m pretty sure I didn’t forget anything," he adds for good measure but something doesn't quite fit because as much as his hand is holding a box that houses his favorite type of sweet, his other hand doesn't feel warm. There's no cylindrical cup on his hand that makes his palm just the right amount of toasty and he realizes it the hard way because he raises his hand, ready to take a sip of a whole lot of nothing.

"Where's my-"

“Here’s your coffee.”

"Thanks," Yoongi feels the familiar warmth in his hand in a second and he sighs in relief inwardly, but there's just something off. Feels that there's something actively off because it's definitely more warm than what he'd feel in his regular cup. "Huh? Why is it in a mug?"

He wonders out loud and the sight of the ceramic mug is enough culture shock from the usual lidded paper cup he sees almost every morning, looking at you as if you've told him the worst insult known to man.

You didn't exactly think that Dr. Min would react as differently as this because Jimin said that coffee is still coffee to him, but in the process, you've directly forgotten that your friend told you right after Yoongi's coffee preferences — is that he tends to be a creature of habit.

“From the shop. I-I also bought the mug from the coffee shop so I can present it as this.”

You thought Dr. Min would be pleasantly surprised as he holds the too-expensive ceramic excuse for a coffee mug, but you don't know what to anticipate as he casts his eyes down.

GO OUT WITH ME? :), written in cocoa powder amongst the white froth, a product of going to the coffee shop extra early and having to fend off the red-haired barista with the bunny smile because he thought you were asking him out.

"Mhmm," Yoongi spends a second longer looking at the foam art before he takes a big gulp and effectively washes away what you significantly paid higher for than his usual coffee, trapping your wince at the back of your throat. You're looking at his Adam's apple and he looks just one gulp away from finishing it all, and he does right in front of you. "Can't. I'm taking my mom to go shopping."

You awe unconsciously as it's a known fact within the clinic that Yoongi adores his mom a lot and you see her quite often, having extra snacks being delivered personally to the employees each time because she's a nice and sincere woman.

“I can carry the bags?" you're only half-joking, a cheesy grin on your face, but Dr. Min only shakes his head at you and disappears into his office.

That's your second chance gone as quick as the latte disappeared into Yoongi's throat, but atleast you know that he doesn't hate the beverage and he can reuse the mug.

There's still some merit in your attempt somewhere.

There's never an empty instance in the clinic. It's always full. It's a little more high-end than most clinics and you could see it in the design and layout of the clinic itself, but it doesn't mean it's fully-exclusive. You see celebrities and socialites every other day and with the hands-on nature of your work, you're not as starstruck and bothered as you used to be.

There would always be more than a handful of VIP clients but that doesn't mean they're the only clientele. Serendipity Aesthetics isn't that snooty, and it's something you can manage with.

Your work's just as tiring as the doctors' and not a lot of people credit you for it, but it's something you shove to the back of your mind at the end of the day. You only scrunch your nose under your mask when you see the 73rd trustfund baby come into the clinic for the day, unfocus your eyes so you couldn't roll them when they manage to bring in their wealth that wasn't questioned into the conversation, and move on to your next patient.

You've just finished giving a diamond peel to a breadwinner mother (whom you've had a nice chat and laugh with throughout the process) when your eyes immediately lock in to the figure that knows no queues nor other clients as she walks past, walking straight to Dr. Min's procedure room.

And of course, you don't know whether fate is on your side or not, but you're the only assistant available to assist so naturally, Hoseok, the secretary, looks at you with a knowing nod.

You don't know what to expect when you come inside the procedure room, making yourself as small as possible when you knock twice briefly and enter, standing in the corner with your eyes trained on your clipboard.

Yoongi nods at you once in acknowledgement as his attending assistant, and you can barely acknowledge him back because the Jihye, who was Mrs. Min at one point, is in your direct line of sight.

She's sitting down but you can still see her graceful posture then with her shoulders pulled back and her hair framing her face perfectly. The casual sweater ensemble she wears is probably more expensive than your whole closet could be, but the gray of it doesn't dull her out at all. There's creases on the material since she's sitting down and is therefore not taut, but the wrinkles look poised on her figure nonetheless.

Her manicured hands sit prim and proper on Dr. Min's desk and you can't help but think how they used to look with a wedding band on her ring finger, your thought process making you look at his hands that are clasped right in front of him.

She smells expensive and important, just like how Dr. Min does. Not only do they have a figurative scent of gravitas surrounding them, but they also carry it literally. When they shared a home, have they started smelling like each other at one point? Does the intoxicating smell of daisies on Jihye become Yoongi's scent on his white coat at one point?

"What do you want, Jihye?"

You find yourself holding your breath in anticipation of hearing her voice in-person, and it's everything you've ever expected.

"Undereye fillers, please. I have campaigns and Fashion Week back to back so I need a touch-up."

Expensive, important, elegant, sweet.

Yoongi sighs under his breath, standing up from his seat to examine closer. You almost move to stand beside him to assist but you forget that of course, Dr. Min has his own penlight. You're paralyzed at your corner but you can't help but watch.

You watch him press Jihye's undereyes lightly with the pad of his thumb and then with his ring finger, assessing intensively but holding her lightly as if she's made of glass.

"They're not that sunken-in like usual. You still want a touch-up?"

Jihye laughs sweetly, putting a hand on her chest as she tilts her head up at Yoongi.

"Ah. You're still so sweet to me."

Yoongi doesn't indulge her with a laugh but instead just rolls his eyes, going back to his seat as he types into his chart. "Would that be all?"

"That's it for now," Jihye grins, clutching her purse to her chest as she rocks back and forth on her heels even if she's sat down. "Always down for a facial from you though."

"Jihye."

Yoongi clicks his tongue and gives his ex-wife a warning gaze, and just for the slightest fraction, you feel him turning his gaze to you. His gaze that's not for the purpose of feeling sorry you had to hear that, but rather for the purpose of telling his ex-wife that the two of them aren't alone.

"Yoongi."

She drawls sweetly and you could only look away because this banter of theirs doesn't concern you at all.

Dr. Min ignores her and looks at you, a firm line on his lips.

"Get me the materials, Y/N."

"Extra ice too! I wanna munch on some," Jihye adds as you're on your way out and you make the note of getting more ice from the freezer because she asked so, filling up a champagne glass neatly.

You wheel in your cart and you could only reply with a stiff nod when she thanks you eagerly, already plopping an ice cube to her mouth.

You wait as you see Yoongi become gentle, all from the way he injects the filler to massaging the skin underneath Jihye's eyes.

They're divorced and yet they look casual as they've always done this. They probably did and still continue to. They look like they still belong to each other.

You can't deny that Jihye's pretty and although you're not privy to details if she has work done or not, it doesn't change the fact that she's pretty. She must and is the prettiest girl in the world for Yoongi because obviously, he married her. Loved her. Maybe even currently love her even.

You feel silly. A little more silly than usual like what Yoongi points you out to be because after all, you're an assistant at work who's holding the tissues and the icepack, feeling as if you have the right to intrude or even be jealous of the fact that your boss, the one you have a pathetically huge crush on, is laughing with his ex-wife over an inside joke like what all couples have.

Like what all couples, divorced or not, have.

( ♡ )

Yoongi thinks he's actually managed to escape you.

He's in his procedure room simply because the airconditioner blows colder and not because he has a patient to meet at the moment. It's his favorite kind of quiet; no one's daring to knock on his door, no shoes squeaking, no you who keeps asking him questions at every waking moment you could find.

Come to think of it, not only did he barely see you today, but he also barely saw everyone in the clinic. It's unusual to say the least because for the hundred times that he passes by Hoseok, he now realizes that he barely occupies his position at the front desk. He's heard nothing from Jimin either whose office is just right next to his, unaccustomed to not having someone knock on his door until he budges and lets him in because the guy just wanted to hang out even in silence.

Actually, he doesn't know anyone's whereabouts at the moment. The clinic's full even at lunchbreak but it oddly feels quiet, making him put his phone down and debate to whether or not he should check up on everyone.

“Give me a facial, please.”

Yoongi practically jumps out of his seat when he hears someone pipe up from right behind him, goosebumps forming at the back of his neck as he automatically flinches.

He knows it's you but he didn't know it would be you who's sneaked up on him out of nowhere. Sometime in his whole thought process, you've already opened the door to his room without him noticing and he's badly reaping the consequence of not being perceptible enough.

"Holy fuck," he clutches at his chest from the shock upon seeing you that's slowly simmering down, throwing his head back, only to see you smiling at him gently as if you didn't age him atleast two years faster. "A facial?"

Yoongi grimaces at your crude plead, snickering to himself, but when he registers the weirded-out look on your face, he immediately remembers his profession and what you're actually asking from him.

“Yup! A facial.”

You seem to have no qualms about repeating your request and that's because you don't have any, feeling fully confident in yourself because you're certain that he can't deny such a trivial request at the time.

“Do you have a schedule with me? Have you paid to the front desk already?” Dr. Min asks you in succession and tilts his head at you, making his newly-dyed blonde hair bounce from side to side intentionally.

It's cute, really, but you didn't come here unprepared. After all, you believe that it's Dr. Min this time who owes you something.

“But it’s my birthday — you didn’t know?“

That throws him off the loop for a second and he doesn't even actually believe that it's your birthday at first, especially coming from you whom he believes is a big fan of bogus skincare myths and probably eats them for dinner.

He's about to ask you for some ID but the dots connect in his mind before he polices his employee over their own birthday; why everyone's been missing, why Jimin couldn't stay still the whole morning, why he's been seeing random balloons being held by patients in the waiting area, and why there's some bit of frosting left on the side of your jaw.

“Why would I know when your birthday is?”

“You hired me.”

You blink owlishly at what’s supposed to be an obvious answer but Yoongi reads it as being a smart-ass.

“I hired you for your credentials, not your birthday,” he rolls his eyes and you already know he’s fully recovered from the unintentional spook you’ve given him. "Actually, scratch that — Jimin told me to hire you."

You'd like to think that you'd get hired nonetheless if not for Jimin, but the thought lingers heavily on you. It leaves a bad taste on your tongue and you’re unaware that it shows on your face because for a second, Yoongi feels as if he should apologize because he may have took it too far. In full honesty, the whole concept of it only struck you now and you don’t know what to think of it, especially in a day you swore you’d only be self-indulgent.

You miss a single beat and the needier part of Yoongi’s guilt feels compelled.

“I’m-…”

“Nevermind. It’s okay! But it’s my birthday, and you told me that you give your employees a free facial as a birthday gift!”

Yoongi feels saved with your smooth transitioning but his eyes narrow once he recognizes the gist of what you’re saying, deeming it to be a little too demanding because all he wanted to do this afternoon was to lay back in between appointments.

"I can just give you a gift card,” he offers and he thinks you’re gonna accept the upgrade which is why he’s about to stand up and retrieve it from his office right this instant, being stopped abruptly when you block his way out of his chair.

“No. I want a facial.”

He hasn’t even started telling you that he has some designer gift cards in his drawer as well but you already shake your head no to what he was about to say, unrelenting when he tries to walk past you that only prompts you to hold your arms out horizontally.

“Fine. It’ll just be a quick one after the last patient and-...”

“Actually, your patient for this hour just cancelled because she has to appear in court for evading taxes or something.”

He blinks once, clearly unnerved. “Oh. Naeun? Again?”

Dr. Min hums to himself about taxes and turns his back on you silently, making you stammer in place because you don’t know if you’d accept rejection at your birthday this early into your attempt. You want to ask one more time if he’s still giving you a facial or not because you’re just standing there as still as an idle video game character, waiting for a prompt that would directly address you.

“What are you doing?” he asks you and you look straight to the mirror that’s in front of him, wide-eyed at being guilty for simply just standing in his presence. “Lie down already. I thought you wanted your birthday present?”

You realize belatedly that Dr. Min’s standing by his employee benefit because while he had his back turned on you because it turns out he was just preparing the tools and equipment he needed for your facial, not because he was annoyed at you and wanted you to take a hint by making you look at his back.

You've never been in this position, actually — the one where you're lying on the patient's bed and Dr. Min's looking down on you, the mix of a scowl and a small smile on his face just to appease you.

He's gentle. Much more gentle that you thought now that you're on the receiving end of his hands. Puts the least amount of pressure in holding up your head to put on a headband before setting you back down, his hands close enough to your face that you could smell the familiar scent of the clinic's hand soap.

You surprisingly melt when Dr. Min dots the cold cleanser to your face and rubs gently in small circles, expecting to flinch because of the overwhelmingly new experience, but there's just something in the way he caresses your face that puts you into ease.

“Jimin and the others prepared me a cake in the breakroom awhile ago.”

Your eyes are closed and you're relaxed and you don't entirely know if it's still a good look on you because Dr. Min's still rubbing in the cleanser, not entirely lying when he says that he's considering on rubbing in the lather to your mouth because he expected you not to talk this much considering he's already in the midst of giving you a facial.

“I pay all of you and you didn’t offer me any,” he mumbles in faux dejection, but the thought of having cake with the chocolate icing he's swiped from your jaw does sound appetizing.

“You were out on lunchbreak.”

You were out on lunchbreak with your ex-wife.

You withhold the last bit that you came to know because of Jimin, since he was on the way to Yoongi's office to invite him for your impromptu birthday lunch but couldn't even finish his invitation because Yoongi already uttered urgent lunch and Jihyo in the same sentence.

“Do you know what my wish was?” you speak meekly but Dr. Min doesn't notice the dimming hope behind it, one that's about to wear off sooner or later.

“Humor me,” he murmurs and that's when you hear the familiar beep of the steamer in your side, knowing that it would grant him 20 minutes of separation from you which he probably craves.

You've memorized it by now — steaming your face doesn't actually open your pores, and neither does washing your face with cold water close them. Steaming just loosens the pores which therefore allows products to seep in deeper and further.

Apart from that, there's one thing you've also come to memorize.

“That you’ll go on a date with me.”

Dr. Min chuckles and atleast you know that it'll soften the blow you expect by now.

“Nope. I’m watching a movie in the cinema with my friends tonight.”

You open your eyes and he closes them right back because it'll hurt to open with the hot steam, unconsciously doing it with a tut on his lips.

“It’s my birthday," you weakly offer with a pout on your mouth and you're oblivious to the half-smile Dr. Min has on his face because of course, your eyes are closed and have been threatened once again to be fired if you don't keep them closed.

“It’s my movie time.”

( ♡ )

Nothing’s going right.

You watched a movie last night with Jimin and it ended up having a cameo of Jihye, making the remaining thirty minutes in the cinema become a darkroom for all of your doubts and insecurities, while Jimin chews your remaining popcorn as silently as he could (because it would be a waste) while rubbing circles on your forearm.

You drank with him all night but he's counting his shots because he obviously has some clients to attend to the next day. It's not exactly a good look of being hung-over with his eye twitching as he completes a rhinoplasty at 1 in the afternoon.

Your car wouldn't be fixed for another week and when you hitched a ride with Jimin and passed by the shop, it's because your car's in the corner and everyone's working on a flashy blue Maserati, in which he made the off-hand comment that it looks like Jihye's but he isn't entirely sure.

Everything from last night until today makes you feel like you don't have control over anything at all. It's deflating and pitying and it adds to the ever-growing con list of what it's like to have a crush on your divorced boss.

So while Dr. Min's standing in his gown since he's assisting Jimin, and in turn you're assisting them and the two of you are alone because Jimin's still washing his hands outside, you ask.

“Go out with me?”

“Can’t.”

“Okay.”

Yoongi's eyes widen at your straightforward reply, cutting to the chase. There's no pleas, no rebuttals and most of all, there's no underlying curiosity. No sneak-handed question that inquires what exactly were his plans.

It's just a plain okay that he can't wrap his head around, making him look at you whose gaze is set on the patient's gown.

“It’s Jihye’s grandmother’s birthday today. She’s old-old — you get the point. Still thinks we’re together and we don’t wanna break her heart.”

He feels compelled to explain even if you haven't asked him remotely, preparing himself for any added questions you might have.

“M’kay. Have fun tonight.”

The question marks visibly float on top of his head and he doesn't know what he's missing, the opening of the door to the surgery suite signifying Jimin's entrance furthermore making his head cloudy.

“Yup. Gonna have a blast with my ex’s family," he says it either as a snide remark or a half-attempt in getting a reaction from you; either way, it dissipates into the air and he gets nothing.

You accept that nothing's going your way and it rarely does otherwise.

Yoongi keeps looking at you like he's never met you before.

( ♡ )

Yoongi enters the clinic, throws his bag into the air, and his eyes practically pop out of his head when he sees that it's Hoseok who's holding it.

Where are you?

It's emptying, almost. He's not hearing a skincare myth first thing in the morning and he doesn't have a warm cup of coffee on his hand, be it in a regular cup or a mug.

In fact, he's walking alone to his office and he feels the need to keep darting his head around because you must be hiding in one of the many vantage points you could spring out of.

There's a shadow set on the large couch, and he feigns his surprise that it's you who's gonna jump beside him any moment now, but it turns out to be the fake plant in the corner.

It's the big green fake plant they bought for accessories in the event that a patient of theirs would be allergic to a real one, and Yoongi's never felt this much annoyance towards an overpriced leafy hunk of plastic.

Jimin hasn't arrived yet but he assumes that it's because you're with him. You've got to be.

Jimin arrives sooner than anticipated as if to calm the curiosity in Yoongi's mind but immediately furrows his brows at him because he actually looks disappointed that he's here.

Yoongi peers at the empty spot beside his friend, even trying to peer his head further for the familiar package deal named you that he carried in mornings.

"Is Y/N with you?"

"No...?" Jimin tilts his head, genuinely confused that he's asking him about you, but is even more confused to learn that you're not here. "Is she with you?"

"No," Yoongi shakes his head no somberly, awkwardly standing as he tries to look behind him to see if you've already creeped your way there. "Weird."

He exits himself from the situation even before Jimin can question him and they both think it's the logical thing to do, especially since it's concerning you and they've been dancing around the topic of you for some time now — from the perspective of the one being crushed on and a potential love interest, the other being your best friend.

You come in some time later, still early before opening but Yoongi's not used to it at all. This is perhaps the first time he's seen you arrive later than he does, but he's conflicted if he ever wants that to happen again.

He's looking at his schedule for the day yet he can't help but peek at his window, anticipating a you who's trying to steal a glance but there's no attempts made, just walking straight past his office and into Jimin's next door.

Weird.

His whole day started off weird and his first interaction is basically omitted from his book because it doesn't start with his usual habit of fact-checking your myth, leaving a bitter taste on his mouth.

He has his own stash of his favorite snacks in his office but he plans to drop by the breakroom nonetheless after flying through all of his appointments before noon, instead accidentally (but thankfully) walking out to the whiff of your perfume because you just walked in front of him, entertaining a client that must be a walk-in.

"Taehyung?"

You walk to the familiar face you probably last saw just a few weeks ago, seeing his face register you belatedly in warmth and relief.

"Y/N, there you are! I was about to start knocking on every door to look for you," he sighs and you know he sincerely means it, thankful you've showed up just in time because he probably would've caused a ruckus by doing that.

"What do you need? I fell asleep early last night so I didn't get to answer your call."

Yoongi thinks that if he stands still enough, he could be mistaken for a fake plant with a white coat. He tries his best to fix his eyes and not be caught eavesdropping and looking, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's the best at it.

This guy calls you? At night too?

"Just my lobes. I need you to stitch them up back to normal. Tried the rubbing oil method for like a month but it barely did anything."

"Ah," you hum in recognition, gently taking Taehyung's earlobe into your fingers that makes him tilt his head to you in obedience so you could examine it closely. "You only had small gauges. 10G, right? 2.5mm is something I can work on alone."

Yoongi manages to conclude that you're somehow familiar and acquainted with this Taehyung guy, easily taking him under your wing and into an empty procedure room as if the two of you do this everyday.

It's a minor procedure. Local anesthesia and some stitches and Taehyung could walk out in less than an hour. Normally, if the gauges are bigger and therefore the earlobe's more stretched out, Jimin's called in to operate but 10G is something you can do without supervision, meaning that you and said guy would be alone together in the procedure room.

“Need help?”

As a doctor, Yoongi's just offering his supervision and guidance — that's all.

Taehyung's already well-acquainted in his position and so are you, the past fifteen minutes he's spent talking and hyping himself up to stroll in as casually as he could already meant giving you much leeway in between.

“No need doc," surprisingly, it's Taehyung who answers, a warm smile on his face which makes his shoulders vibrate in the slightest to which you tut at him. "Y/N’s used to this already.”

Yoongi's surprised but he doesn't let it show, clicking in his mind that the guy seems like a familiar face he's seen before but he can't place it exactly.

“Oh. Are you a regular in my clinic?”

“Hmm? Oh, no! I’m a first-timer here. I just meant that Y/N’s-“ he gets cut off and it's because you bump your knee into his to stop talking and moving, your voice finishing up his small explanation. "Used to stitching him up."

Tae's kind of scared to talk even more because after all, you're the one who's holding the needle to his ear, not wanting to unintentionally test you further so he just whispers to Yoongi instead.

“Exactly what she said.”

Yoongi feels like he's barging into a couple's business whom he's not a part of. He's seeing you in action as you reconstruct Taehyung's earlobes and that's where the familiarity hits him, quietly awing to himself.

Isn't this Taehyung guy famous?

You didn't take his offer up for help but he still shadows you, maneuvering himself behind you instead of standing by the door alone, not even pretending to give you pointers to fill up the uncomfortable silence (for him) because you both know you're doing a great job.

“Hey, remember when I thought that guy was flirting with you in the bakery?”

Taehyung suddenly pipes up and you have to hold still with the needle in your hand, shoulders shaking in a slight laugh.

“Of course. You ended up punching my brother.”

The two of you fondly laugh and it feels extra humorous because the two of you are trying not to move your bodies to the best of your abilities, seeing his cheeks turn red from trying to stifle his laughs as much as he could.

“He didn’t know whether he’d feel mad or proud of me that time.”

Yoongi turns up the light brighter that focuses on his earlobes that makes Taehyung squint. Normally, that's his non-verbal way of saying that the two of you should not be a having a moment right now, especially with him in the room.

He quips his lips to the side but stays quiet, his once-stable breaths dragging out extra slow.

“You free tonight? Minhyung’s staying with me for a week," he complies when you ask him to turn his head slightly, getting a response to his offer just as quick.

“Yeah, sure! Missed him anyway. He’s how old now?”

“Seven. He pokes fun at me now.”

The reminder of meeting Minhyung when he was barely a toddler versus the comparison of bullying his older brother now makes you laugh, remembering all the fond interactions you've had and continue to have with him. Just last month, Tae called you in the middle of the afternoon because Minhyung was suddenly looking for you.

You wrap up quickly and you wouldn't realize if not for Dr. Min who's been standing behind you almost the entire time, a barely-audible bite to his words. "He's finished."

Dr. Min beats you into relaying the aftercare instructions and follow-up check-up, the lax nature of how he usually explains being a stark contrast to how he sounds quick right now.

Taehyung's oblivious to the difference you could notice but he listens nonetheless, bidding you with a sweet warm smile as he exits the room.

“Thanks Y/N, see you later!”

Dr. Min shuts the door behind him and proceeds to clean up the station you've worked on, getting you into work because you don't quite understand why he even came in here in the first place.

“You didn’t tell me you had Kim Taehyung the model for a boyfriend.”

He passive-aggressively murmurs but you catch it, thinking nothing of the unusual nature your superior is exhibiting.

“You know him? He’s that famous now, huh?”

Yoongi, however, freezes. It's far from your easy chuckle and way further from the territory of peace because his face morphs into confusion. “What? I was kidding with you. He is your boyfriend?”

"What?" your eyes glaze at the odd joke you wouldn't have bothered correcting in the first place because you didn't think he'd ask, much less assume, in the first place anyway. “Oh no, he’s my ex-boyfriend.”

Yoongi genuinely doesn't know what to feel about that.

Is he frustrated over the fact that Taehyung isn't your boyfriend at the moment, or is it over the fact that you're exes and therefore share history together in a way he can't decipher?

He doesn't meet your gaze, the pettiness running through his bones before he could register it as such.

“I don’t believe that. Pretty sure no one would go to their ex’s place especially at night.”

The words he's just uttered basically tells you that he's eavesdropped well and even added his own analysis to it, feeling offended because as what you can recall, you didn't even ask him for his own take.

“I’m hanging out with him and his little brother.”

“Still. No one does that.”

You play off the offense you feel into nonchalance, gritting your teeth as you disinfect the area for the next patient.

“You can be friends with an ex, it’s possible, Dr. Min,” you wipe extra hard at the bed, not even knowing why you feel defensive for a situation that doesn't even involve him. “We didn’t break up in bad terms anyways so it was more than plausible that we would be friends.”

He looks up inhumanely fast, eyes trained on you as if you've grown two heads within a second.

“That’s impossible.”

You humorlessly chuckle and that's the end of it, choosing to tune him out while you clean up as quick as you could because you don't even know if you could stay in a space with him any longer.

Yoongi finds it odd that you're not searching for his gaze, stopping right in front of you when you retrieve the remaining sanitary equipment.

“Have you even checked the schedule? You agreed to him so quick. Who knows, we’d probably do overtime.”

“Then I’m reminding you that I’ve never been absent ever since I started working here, and if we need to do overtime, I’m using my leave.

Dr. Min hardens his glare at you. “That’s against the law, I’m pretty sure.”

“I can ask Tae later, his mom’s a lawyer.”

You add harmlessly as it's the truth and it does make you curious if it's just his unknown pettiness or the law that's talking, seeing his eyes roll at your quip.

“Heh," he narrows his eyes and turns his back on you, quick hands moving into a blur while he goes on his way out. “The gauze’s contaminated now. Get a new one.”

Yoongi can't explain it but he feels like something's changed in his routine and in some way, it has something to do with you.

His entrance every morning feels weird and his arm wants to give out every time he throws his bag into the air because it's not your familiar face that squeezes in so close beside him even if there's plenty of space for you to walk on.

He finds himself looking through windows and wandering through hallways just to look for a trace of you, even if it's the little chocolate nibs you snack throughout the whole day or if it's your extra handkerchief that Jimin uses because he forgets his all the time.

You’re supposed to ask him anytime now, aren't you?

You've used four of your chances in four different occasions with no exact pattern to it, but Yoongi knows. He knows and feels that it's been too long ever since the last time you asked him out (that was two weeks ago) in the procedure room and he doesn't know when the next would be.

He's sure it's a tactic of yours. It must be. You must've been doing it in a certain method that trains him to miss you and look for you unconsciously, even if he's at home and not in the clinic.

Yoongi finds himself lingering around you and he doesn't know if he could just continue hovering and hovering in this way; in a way that's unlike yours because you're unafraid to stand so close to him, talk to him whenever you please, and trail around him like a lost puppy.

He thinks he's had enough when he sees you enter the clinic, just thirty minutes away from opening and goes straight to Jimin's office, walking out later in your scrubs that makes him audibly gasp in surprise.

You enter the breakroom and he finds himself tailing after you unceremoniously, not being able to wait atleast five minutes to enter.

You're just now eating your breakfast because you've had a late start to your morning, also waiting a little later for you to retrieve your car from the shop that took longer than what you initially expected.

You're mid-bite into your cereal when you see a shadow cast onto the table, looking up to see Dr. Min who avoids your gaze as soon as you catch him.

“Yes.”

You chew slowly and cover your mouth when he turns to you, arms across his chest while you try to swallow. “I’m not following...?”

He sighs heavily, not knowing he had to spell it out for you.

Yoongi sits beside you and scoots his chair closer to yours, leaning his face onto his hand that makes you confused even more on how he's willingly sitting this close beside you.

“Yes, I’m going on a date with you.”

You swallow your cereal without a fuss as it registers in your head collectively, a curious and inquisitive quirk to your lips that throws him off.

“I didn’t ask, though.”

“No, this is the part where you use your fifth chance to ask me out and I accept.”

It's quite entertaining to see Dr. Min act and talk so impulsively, not used to seeing him this frustratedly determined. “But I haven’t asked.”

Yoongi closes his eyes once, his shoulders relaxing.

“Then I’m saying yes for the four previous times you asked me.”

You snort to your cereal and you're thankful that it happens before you scoop another spoonful to your mouth, shaking your head somberly.

“That doesn’t count.”

Yoongi pouts childishly, his brows furrowing at the concept of you denying him this time and not getting what he wants.

“Yes it does.”

“I can’t take you out, Dr. Min. I’m actually a little short on some date money because I’ve been buying you expensive coffee every single morning.”

"Just Yoongi," he corrects but doesn't choose to comment on the fact that you haven't been buying him coffee for two weeks now and he's unknowingly formed a dependency on the coffee and you. “Then I’ll pay for the date.”

“Then that means you’re taking me out on a date.”

“I know, which is why I’m saying yes, I’m accepting-“

You stop the flow of words that makes Dr. Min frown even deeper, looking severely dejected but the guilt doesn't hit you as much. “You can’t. That wasn’t our deal.”

“Then ask me to go out with you.”

It's a suggestion he brings up softly, uncertainty lacing his features because actually, it doesn't sound like a suggestion at all — sounds more of a plead than anything.

“Hmmm,” you pretend to think even if you already had a concrete plan for the day. “I’m busy. Dr. Park needs me.”

Dr. Min clears his throat, sitting up straighter and looks at you.

“Please ask me to go on a date with you.”

“Dr. Park needs me.”

Yoongi exhales through his nose and stands up, straightening his shirt and rearranging the bucket hat on his head before he relents, leaving you alone.

You think that's just about the end of it, but you're wrong because you see Dr. Min pop into the breakroom the moment lunchbreak starts, picking up Jimin who's sitting beside you and ushering him out of the door.

"The fuck? Yoongi! Stop — stop pushing me! You seriously can't just throw me out of the-"

Your eyes are still fixed on the door that Dr. Min just pushed Jimin out of and locked him out entirely, barely glancing to the paper bag that he put in front of you.

He occupies the chair beside you and clears his throat once again, clasping his hands tightly.

“Five takes.”

"Huh? Dr. Min, did you seriously just-..."

Yoongi pokes your cheek to get you to look at him, effectively taking your gaze out of the door.

“Give me five chances to ask you out.”

You thought he wouldn't push it to this because you swore you know him — know him well-enough that he doesn't like you and wouldn't care enough to pursue you once you've stopped.

“Why?”

He blinks owlishly because you're still asking him why when he thought he couldn't make his intentions any more clear, the two weeks without the usual you making him realize it further.

“I could say that I’m asking you this so you could give me a taste of my own medicine,” his attempt at what's supposed to be a joke makes you scoff, later chuckling when he waves his hands around desperately to clarify. “But as much as my pride would like that,” he murmurs. “I uh, I do want to go out with you.”

Hearing it from him is surreal, to say the least. It's something you've never thought to hear and it's admittedly something you've given up on trying to hear not too long ago.

“No.”

“No?”

“I’m going grocery shopping later,” you tell him and it makes his eyebrows knit in confusion, lips opening apart as he understands.

Yoongi grabs the prescription pad that fits snugly to his white coat, handing it to you as he explains it could be something for you to write your grocery list on.

“Thank you Dr. Min,” you chuckle at the wholesome gesture, a lot of pages left when you could've settled for a single leaflet.

“Great! I’ll be seeing you-“ he stands up and claps his hands, effectively being stopped when you reach out for him.

Then he understands.

“No.”

“I have a rewards card that’s been accumulating points for years now! You can use it," he offers gingerly, a grin on his face.

“Thoughtful, but no.”

“I can drive the cart really smoothly and I can promise you that I won’t even bump to your foot once," he nods for a convicting effect, thinking if he'd pass this time.

“Talented, but no.”

“I can lift all the grocery bags in one trip.”

“Nice try, but no.”

“No?” Yoongi parrots you with a tilt on his head, a slight pout on his face that makes him look warmer.

“No."

Yoongi accepts it and nod his head, pulling himself out of his chair before he convictedly talks again.

“M’kay. That was take one,” he says it out loud to console himself, earning a surprised gaze from you. “Four more chances left, right?”

Yoongi wordlessly stands and grabs a plate from the cupboard, taking out the lunch he's bought for you from the paper bag and sets your favorite food (courtesy of Jimin for a price of one hug) there instead, setting and plating it in front of you.

He taps two fingers on your cheeks, a cozy smile on his face as he tries to earn himself a loving smile from you before he exits the breakroom.

“Four more chances.”

paint by number ; min yoongi

you have a free day without him, and this is what you do...

↬  pairing ┇  domestic idol!yoongi x gender neutral reader

↬  genre & rating & warnings ┇  floofity floof floof, g, none!

↬  word count ┇  just over 500

navigation    ︴  masterlist   ┇   fic recs   ︴ send me feedback / writing requests

It was one of those days you had all to yourself; no plans or expectations, except to enjoy yourself on this airy Saturday during the early days of summer.

You had finished all your paperwork last night. You turned off the wifi so you weren't tempted to look at your emails, instead turning on some music that rang out through your living room's sound system.

Yoongi had it fitted in when you both first moved into the place, stating he needed some ‘good quality music speakers’ for you to appreciate his ‘good quality music’ on. Both of you had lived here together for almost two years now. You had your space to do your work, and he had his space to do his, but the bedroom was a special room of the house you both shared, and when his schedule allowed him to be in the city, this is where you'd spend all your nights together.

For now, today was about you. You made yourself a quick mug of coffee before opening the patio doors, letting yourself out into your garden. The fresh air tickled your skin as you hummed. Carefully, you took out your easel and canvas from the store shed and set up your paints on a rotting wooden stool.

The canvas was a paint-by-number Namjoon had given you as a Christmas present a few months ago, that you had never completed since you had lost the corresponding paints. It depicted a lion in its habitat, so you figured it couldn't be that difficult to complete it with your own colour paints.

With the background music playing lowly from the house, and the birds singing in the midday sun, you felt yourself getting drowsy. Your coffee was cold, and the summer breeze engulfed you as you willed to finish the canvas.

As soon as you did (a couple hours later), your eyes fixated on the old cushion swing in the corner of the garden that had come with the house. You stumbled over to it, fighting your own tiredness, before splaying your body across it as it rocked you to sleep.

"Baby... y/n?" Yoongi's soft voice breaks you from your slumber, and you open your eyes groggily to see his face inches away from yours with a smile ghosting over his lips. The sky is still as bright a blue before you fell asleep in your garden.

You reach forward to close the gap between you and your boyfriend, your hands cupping his face as you kiss him softly. He pulls away shortly, "Hi. Your work looks beautiful."

You giggle when you see coloured fingerprints of paint littering his cheeks, looking down at your hands to see the same colours. You press your index finger to his nose as he squirms, finishing him off with a touch of red, "Thank you, Yoongi."

He lifts you off the swing, "You did it yourself?"

You laugh lightly, curling into his arms, "It's a paint-by-number."

"It's beautiful," he rubs his cheek on yours and you squeal at the feeling of cold paint on your face now, but the warmth of him near you keeps him close. ”Just like you.”

navigation   ︴ masterlist

➼  all fics are reader ( most usually female ) insert x bts member(s)

➼  i don’t really read ; ⠀⠀⠀⠀↳  member x member fics ⠀⠀⠀⠀↳  explicit smut — only implied , or i just skip over it  ( will be stated )

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➼  includes short fic reviews under the cut !

fox rain   ︴@jincherie & @cinnaminsvga

➼  crack series where reader accidentally releases a poem about one of the members. a beautifully hilarious uni fic that i am obsessed with. still ongoing!

flowerbomb   ︴@goshguk 

➼  social media au series where all the characters are artists on tour so a lot of chaos but it was very fun && creative!   『  completed, 33 parts  』

wonderland    ︴@monosrkive

➼   ongoing series with a crazy post-apocalyptic universe that author has so beautifully crafted && i crave more! not for the faint hearted but wow what a concept

literally anything by @jjeonggukss 

➼  they have so many of the cutest fluffiest drabbles djsjdjdmsquEAL they’re adorable

anything by @honeymoonjin

➼  here’s a link to author’s oneshot masterlist && i honestly recommend anything off it bc they’re all worth the read

zodiac   ︴ @honeymoonjin

➼   but if you’re gonna read something by author, try this! it’s an amazing little mystery series that really got my brain working  『  primarily joon x reader but i think it includes more of the hyung line  』

death’s bride    ︴ @dabble-writes

➼ i LOVED this. LOVED THIS. it’s a fantasy fic so the universe created combined with the writing is just breathtaking   『  nine chapters  』

unnamed drabble    ︴ @yoonsgiggle

➼  some good soft domestic cuddly fluff   『  just over 1k  』

5am infatuation    ︴ @dimplemono

➼  a little bit of cuteness, fluffy fluff   『  drabble, 1.2k  』

moonie    ︴ @acopenhagenarmy

➼  an ongoing soulmate series with lots of mono vibes, but pretty angsty && the emotions are written really well !

just for you    ︴ @loverknj

➼  angsty little 2k drabble with not much joon but it’s too emotional && cute not to be included 

you and me    ︴  @carrotgguk

➼  this one’s filled with fluffiness && AMAZING writing of cute kids x tae   『  30k in total, three 10k chapters  』

papillon    ︴  @readyplayerhobi

➼  this is so well written i love the dynamic, it’s more unique than usual best friend to lover fics   『  15k  』

seems like he likes you    ︴ @min-eyoongi

➼  yEonTan need i say more??? jks it's sweet, tae is sweet    『  drabble, 2k  』

evening     ︴ @drowsymochi​

➼   royalty au where princess!reader is not happy with the life she lives. i hope more parts are to come bc the plot seems v interesting(:    『   2.8k, ongoing(?) series  』  

my soulmate’s soulmate  ︴  @lavendersoft​

➼   it’s a little angsty kook x reader x tae poly soulmate fic series && so far i’m in love, what a beautiful concept

hope world     ︴  @personasintro

➼  oh it's this painful angsty little thing; the reader has private dance lessons with hobi. still an ongoing series but i can't wait to see where it goes, i love it!

the date    ︴ @jhspetitegf

➼   somewhat attached to this fake dating au, probably bc hoseok’s such a dream in it but also the escort vibes. smut but i skipped over it  『 25k 』

the curveball caught by us   ︴ @tendershepherd

➼   ft. yoongi. my first soulmate timer au but there’s such a beautiful dynamic between characters  『  6k, kind of angsty?  』

by its cover    ︴ @crystaljins

➼   demon frenemy college hobi x reader; so many of my favourite tropes all rolled into one. i stayed up into the very early morning hours for this hehehe. i seriously loved it!    『  angsty? fluffy? completed eight part series 』

first love    ︴  @jungnoir

➼  oh this one ,,,,, heArtbreaking .... 5.6k words of total angst && unrequited love 

runaway train     ︴  @jamaisstae​

➼  ongoing series where reader runs from home with adventure on her mind featuring a brooding yoongi. it has me so curious, can’t wait to continue it

the curveball caught by us   ︴ @tendershepherd

➼  ft. hoseok. my first soulmate timer au but there’s such a beautiful dynamic between characters  『 6k, kind of angsty? 』

cooking 101     ︴  @writing-in-ivory

➼  never knew cooking class fics were so cute until i read this little drabble  『 2k, fluffy 』

moonlight      ︴  @kooksea

➼   it’s a long but beautiful 19k — the plot’s so mesmerising, i’ve read this twice and i loved it both times. a little bit of smut but i essentially skipped over it

schrödinger’s cat      ︴   @dovechim​

➼   what a wonderful pick me up. i definitely recommend this when you’re down, && it goes perfectly with jimin’s promise on repeat. my first guardian angel au but i hope to read a lot more, it was a great introduction. please check out the poem linked in the post too!  『  9.8k, not very romantic but pretty fluffy 』

terrified     ︴  @loverknj

➼  another cute little drabble, but again i’m a sucker for best friend to lover aus. my heart honestly jumped at the end  『 1k, fluffy 』 

searching for    ︴ @tendershepherd

➼  this one honestly messed with my head i have no idea how but phew what a whirlwind of emotions  『 10k, soulmate timer au 』

my soulmate’s soulmate    ︴  @lavendersoft

➼   it’s a little angsty kook x reader x tae poly soulmate fic series && so far i’m in love, what a beautiful concept 

the constellations of an angel’s wrist      ︴  @evangelene​

➼    beautiful angsty ( angsty!!! ) guardian angel jungkook fic

holly and ivy ; min yoongi.

since when was your definition of a perfect christmas a cosy night in with your cute neighbour and his dog?

↬  pairing ┇  neighbor!yoongi x gender neutral reader

↬  genre ┇  fluff, LOTS of min holly, not that much romance? they’re shy cuties, but lots of warMth

↬  warnings + rating ┇  a constantly distressed but very cute dog, totally g

↬  avalyn’s notes ┇  happy holidays ! i hope you && your loved ones had a lovely christmas<3 here’s a very late little festive oneshot drabbly thing that i couldn’t manage to post on time bc i’m busy and unorganised && don’t trust my queue to post fics xx enjoy !

↬  word count ┇ just over 2k does this still count as a drabble?? is it a oneshot ?? uhh

[  masterlist  ] — ♡

You shuffle inside, warmth engulfing you completely as you tap the front door closed with your feet, the impact shifting the snow off your boots and onto the doormat. Heaving your shopping bags onto the kitchen floor with a huff, you switch on the kettle and allow the blissful bubbling to invade the silence. The winter air no longer bit at your fingers from within the confines of your apartment, but you still refused to remove your scarf and gloves from your shivering body.

You start shoving away the groceries into the cupboards until pausing when you realise that you had, once again, forgotten to buy your beloved coffee grinds. With a groan of annoyance that mildly depresses your festive mood, you sullenly make your cup of hot chocolate (you do the best with what you can, right?) and move to the living area. This, plus a Christmas movie and the lights of the Christmas tree twinkling in the corner — minus your minor inconvenience, sounded like the perfect way to spend your Christmas Eve eve. You sip at your drink, your legs folded underneath you on the sofa and the soft velvet blanket Namjoon had bought you last Christmas sprawled over you in an extra attempt to conserve heat. Your thoughts and the background noise of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York playing on your TV are blissfully accompanied by the endless snowfall outside your window that seemed tamer now you were indoors, and the calming ambience of your warm abode.

After a couple of minutes, a crash sounds through the opposing wall, followed by incessant yapping, what sounded like intense scampering over vinyl floor, a possible yelp? (you’re unsure from which party) and some excessive cursing.

Guess your Christmas wish wasn’t coming true.

With his sleekly, black locks and brooding gaze, Min Yoongi was more often than not a noisy neighbour — though usually due to his inability to hear below the annoyingly loud decibels he played his music at, and not at all because of his adorable dog.

Holly was an absolute gem; a beautifully brown toy poodle with soft curls that tickled your skin when he came to visit. Though, his owner was not of many words — he came across as pretty introverted, pretty kind, and pretty quiet.  You’ve always wondered why a man so quiet owned a dog so loud (and played his music even louder).

It was not out of the ordinary for Holly to patter across the shallow, gated balcony that connected your apartment to Yoongi’s and tap at the glass door with his nose, whining solemnly until you let him in for cuddles and a dog biscuit, his sheepish owner slowly trailing behind after some time passes.

“Hey,” he’d mutter after you let him in from the balcony, wringing his fingers together anxiously.  Soft yapping from behind you both catches his attention momentarily. “Sorry about Holly.”

You trot back over to the sofa, the dog immediately hopping onto your legs. The toy poodle adored human affection, often residing to snuggle at any given limb whenever you see him. “It’s all good, Yoongi. Make yourself at home.” He gives you a court nod, walking past the both of you and disappears into the kitchen for a while, appearing five minutes later with a hot chocolate mug that he places into your hold, a coffee for himself, and a warm smile.

Yoongi settles next to you after you pat the empty space, carefully watching his dog fall asleep on you under the pretence of watching the movie. You chat idly with updates of your conversations from the last time he was here. He likes the way your eyes widen in disbelief when he tells you that your mutual friend, Jimin, dumped his long-term boyfriend, and you enjoy the way a smile spreads over his lips when you tell him about Seokjin’s latest cooking disaster.

After he sips the last of his drink, he’s quick to steal Holly away from your grip, silently thanking you for the company before sneaking back out the balcony. They’re only gone a mere few seconds before you miss them both.

You sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of your nose. Following the commotion and the increase in volume in both Yoongi’s ignored commands and Holly’s barks of retaliation, you’re almost tempted to go see what the racket is.

Holly scrambles across the balcony, haphazardly sprawling on the ice and slipping around, barking madly at you in hopes to open the door. You slide open the glass, watching him scuttle in towards the heater, closing it immediately behind his tail as a few snowflakes drift in to your once cosy home.

The cute dog darts around erratically, his ears flapping wildly in tandem with his tail; you can’t tell if he’s stunned from being out in the snow or happy from the warmth of his new environment.

Holly then dives for your feet, his caramel curls tickling the skin exposed by your fuzzy socks. You pick him up with ease, taking both of you back to the couch and pulling the blanket over you.

“Hey, what’s up, buddy?” He stops yapping, nuzzling into your hold and you’re guessing he’s fatigued. After a couple of minutes, he’s out like a log and you lay him on the sofa, covering him with some of your blanket and petting him softly.

At the glass door is Yoongi, and luckily you’ve managed to open it just before he knocks. He catches your eyes with surprise, but then looks past you with relief as he spots his dog asleep. You pad over quietly, sliding open the partition whilst trying as hard as possible not to make any sound.

“Thank goodness,” Yoongi mumbles, walking over to Holly.

“You’re welcome,” you whisper, inviting him silently. “What happened?”

Your neighbour sits himself on the edge of the couch, gently running his fingers through Holly’s softness. “He pushed over some of the presents I had wrapped and they smashed, so he got scared. I shooed him to one corner but then he left.” You nod, “I would’ve come earlier but I wanted to clean up before I brought him back.”

Threading your fingers through the dog’s luscious coat, you hum, “It’s no trouble, Yoongi.”

Yoongi swears his name has never been his name until you say it. He’d listen to nothing else in the world except you saying his name if he had to.

“We should go, though. Don’t want to impose on your Christmas Eve eve.” His weight shifts awkwardly between his feet, though he’s trying as hard as possible not to come across as awkward. You stifle a giggle at the sight that somewhat resembles a five year old with a small bladder.

“I’ve no plans, you’re welcome to stay if you’d like to.” You watch his inner turmoil, his decision making put into full drive as he considers giving up his plans to spend time with you. “Or maybe drop by tomorrow?” His childish mannerisms continue; his eyes light up as if he’s seen Santa. You’d never tell him, but you heard him on the balcony earlier hastily co-ordinating a night out tonight with his friends over the phone.

“Yeah. Yeah, we’ll do that.” Yoongi scoops Holly up into his grasp, the dog huffing gently in his slumber. “See you tomorrow, Y/N. Thanks.”

“Oh, and Yoongi?” He’s halfway out the balcony door when he turns to meet your gaze, “Bring your dog.” He chuckles, sends you a gummy smile that melts your heart before stepping out into the winter winds.

As the snow continues to fall outside, and a young Macaulay Culkin smiles up at the pigeon lady you still have doubts on, you grow hungrier and lazier; craving food but honing an inability to obtain said food.

Your neighbour couldn't have had better timing. There's a soft knock on the glass door that you almost mistake as the heavy patter of snow on a frosty Christmas Eve. Behind it stands Yoongi, his teeth chattering, with a box of mince pies in one hand and Holly held in the other. A grin plasters itself on his lips and you swear there’s no better sight than this.

The door threatens to suck out all warm air when you slide it shut after you usher in a shivering neighbour plus equally cold dog. Snow from their clothing that falls off onto the vinyl melts on touch as they inch further into your warm home. Holly’s long been set down, his paws clicking with every leap he makes away from the pair of you.

“I brought some food, I figured you had like movies or something,” It’s this moment where you realise how high school-esque this is of you, blushing at the boy next door’s attempt to make small talk. You nod through your shyness and direct the both of you to the kitchen.

“Hot chocolate?” Yoongi turns his nose up sourly at the offer. “I’ll take that as a no.”

“You don’t have coffee?” You mentally scowl as he reminds you of your incompetence.

You still your movements, almost pouting at the empty mug in front of you. “Forgot to get some,” you mumble lowly. Yoongi hides his smirk from you by looking at the artwork you have pinned to the fridge.

“It’s fine,” he says, “I’ll just have a mince pie.”

You can hear next door’s Christmas carols that Yoongi hums along to under his breath. It’s when you’re watching the back of his head bob to the beat that you realise how much you know about him but how much you don’t know him. You know what he studies, you know about his friends. But you don’t know his favourite album or how he even likes his coffee. When the kettle clicks off, your thoughts are switched off, and you let out a relieved sigh.

There’s an air of awkwardness that you were trying so hard to avoid, but you’re incredibly thankful Yoongi fills in the gap, “Sometimes I think you only talk to me for my dog.”

His assumption teases a snort out of you as you stir the drink, “Psh, of course that’s the case.”

“Yea— wait, what?” He turns to watch you toss the spoon into the sink, shrugging.

“It is what it is.”

Yoongi’s munching on his mince pie following you into the living area when you both see Holly swiping at your beloved and you squeal, immediately settling down your hot chocolate to swoop her up into your arms.

“What is that?!” Yoongi bellows, Holly bounding to be at his feet. “Is that a giant rat?!”

“No! It’s my sister’s cat!” The feline purrs loudly, still not happy with her newest company. Yoongi’s eyes narrow to see the white fluffball curled in your arms. He steps forward cautiously — much to Holly’s dismal, who whines defeatedly. His gaze flits up to meet your momentarily, though you don’t catch it, before settling on the cat’s beautiful ivory coat. Yoongi’s hand warily comes up to pet her, and once she doesn’t flinch, he runs it through her silky hair, her purrs of bliss ringing as music to his ears.

“She’s a sweetheart. What’s her name?”

“Ivy.” Said cat takes the call to jump precariously onto Yoongi, landing into his arms elegantly before using him as a step to drop onto the floor. Your neighbour’s somewhat startled at the impact, but laughs it off sheepishly.

You both watches as Ivy strides towards Holly, who cowers into a nearby pillow, before she pauses in thought, giving the dog an approving look as to say, ‘You and your owner are actually okay, I guess’, before springing onto the sofa, turning a few times and sitting down delicately as if she hadn’t just made a scene.

Yoongi scoffs, picking up a neglected Holly and sitting on the other end of the couch, leaving you to perch in between them and the graceful cat that now purrs quietly with pride. With the remote in your hand, you change the TV to Netflix on an already-decided Christmas movie.

As the opening credits music fills the room, Ivy bounces into your lap, Holly eagerly shuffling his way in between you and Yoongi.

“Holly…”

“Ivy!”

Yoongi splutters, “Holly and Ivy?”

You grin at him, “Yeah, I guess!”

He admires the way your eyes crinkle when you smile with glee, “Cute,” he says to himself.

Many shy whispers later, you're left to bask in the warmth of the twinkly golden Christmas lights that gently illuminate the bleak evening and the beautiful face of the man beside you. With the leftover cream and marshmallows sat at the bottom of your mug, Holly and Ivy curled up by your feet, Yoongi cuddled into your side, and Home Alone 3 progressing through its denouement: you couldn’t have possibly asked for a better way to spend your Christmas Eve.

Moving In ~ MYG

WORD COUNT: 1.2K

PAIRING: Yoongi x Fem!Reader

GENRE: established relationships, yoongi trying to make himself known in her apartment, making space for each other, cute, fluffy,

⤜Copyright: © DreamEscapesWriting - July 2023

⤜MASTERLIST

When things of Yoongi’s started to appear around your apartment you thought nothing of it, that maybe he’d just forgotten a couple of his things and that he would just come and get them the next time he spent the night. But as time went on and the more your relationship with each other developed you began to notice that more things were being left behind in your apartment. It started with a couple pairs of his boxers that he’d left on the weekend and then it slowly escalated into hoodies and t-shirts that you would find in your room after he left.

Not that you ever had a problem with any of it, you got to keep your boyfriend’s clothes at your place and have the smell of him around but as time grew on you began to notice the ulterior motive behind his actions and the thought alone was enough to make you smirk about it all. Yoongi and yourself had been in a relationship for almost four years and the two of you hadn’t moved in together yet since you’d both been so busy with your own careers you’d never found the time to ask one another or even to just move in. The last few weeks were the final penny-dropping for you though, last weekend when Yoongi had stayed over he’d been dropping hints that his lease was coming to an end and he didn’t know what he was going to do. He was struggling to decide whether or not to move into a “new place” or to renew his lease with his current landlord. It didn’t take a genius to work out what he was really hinting at with that line of conversation but you’d played dumb and told him that it was all down to him. Though as soon as he’d gone home on the Sunday night you’d already started to make room for him in your place, clearing out some of your wardrobe as well as some of the drawers that you had. You’d put a bunch of stuff into storage and then begin to make more room around the apartment for his other items until you were finally happy enough with how it was looking.

Keep reading

EX-BOYFRIEND!YOONGI who still has your pillow on his bed, just because it smells like you. no matter how much time had passed, Yoongi swore that particles of your essence were still reveling in that white pillow; no matter how much time had passed, Yoongi swore he still felt you every night, when his thoughts were more violent and his heart asked for comfort, asked for you; no matter how much time had passed, Yoongi would never wash that pillow, fearing that the memories of you would drown in the sea of neglect that covered the entire space outside the bed, outside of Yoongi’s safe haven. yes, no matter how much time had passed, Yoongi would never be able to forget how your soul smelled like home. “i carry with me the weight of the longing you left behind. part of me wants to believe that it’s all just a dream. but when the moon is high and my thoughts suffocate me, it’s your comfort that i miss. it’s you that i miss.”

EX-BOYFRIEND!YOONGI who looks for you in every crowd. he knew he was just hurting himself, but Yoongi couldn’t stop his eyes from taking in each face closely, hoping to see your sweet smile on them, hoping to see your bright eyes on them, hoping to see you in the middle of them. without noticing, Yoongi always found himself in the middle of crowds, those places he always avoided and preferred to see from afar; but now, when your departure squeezed Yoongi’s heart and the longing for you guided Yoongi’s steps, he always ended up in the middle of the crowds, wanting, waiting, begging, to see you one last time. “your existence haunts me. the ghost of our memories wanders among the crowds, seeking from them the love they know only you can give. it’s a game without any victories.”

EX-BOYFRIEND!YOONGI who goes back to the places where he kissed you to relive the memories. the days were grey, painted in tones of melancholy, and Yoongi could only feel his heart sink. it was there that he kissed you for the first time, your shy smile was still stuck on the small park bench; it was in front of that tree that Yoongi said the first i love you to you, your nervous laugh still echoed through the tree’s branches; it was in front of that window that you stole a kiss that tasted like caramel, he could still see his rosy cheeks in the immaculate glass of the store. the entire city was a map of Yoongi’s happiest moments; in every corner, in every nook, in every neighborhood lived fragments of your soul and the memory of you covered every street with a permanent veil of pure guilt, regret, longing, love. “it is in these places that the beauty of your soul still endures. and it was in those places that i kissed you and loved you and swore to always love you. and i will always love you.”

EX-BOYFRIEND!YOONGI who spends sleepless nights wondering where he went wrong. had Yoongi forgotten any important dates? no. your birthday was celebrated with laughter, the smiles from your anniversary still painted works of art in Yoongi’s heart. would his work have interfered in any way with your life together? no. Yoongi no longer spent nights in the studio. Yoongi had already stopped locking himself in his office when he was at home. Yoongi had renounced his art, his passion, to be able to love you. but, was that Yoongi’s mistake? did he love you too much? was Yoongi’s love so big, so intense, so suffocating, that it only gave you one way out? a way out of his life? “tell me if my devotion was the cause of my destruction. i ask you. please, tell me where i went wrong so i can love you again. tell me what i didn’t do so i can have your love again.”

EX-BOYFRIEND!YOONGI who can’t look in the mirror without seeing you next to him. it was a constant agony that stepped and beat in Yoongi’s heart, squeezing tightly all the love he still felt, sharply attacking all the longing he had. and Yoongi only had to look in the mirror to feel it, to see it. there you were. always smiling, your hand gently holding Yoongi’s hand, your eyes locked on him. entire years were spent living next to you, living with you. entire days were spent in a weightless sea of pure love and fascination. and now, looking in the mirror, Yoongi felt empty, he felt incomplete. now, looking in the mirror, Yoongi’s heart manufactured a memory of you, cruelly reminding him that what was next to Yoongi was just the hope that still made his heart beat.

EX-BOYFRIEND!YOONGI who is slowly isolating himself. the crowds stopped hiding your face in them; the streets cleared every step you had walked; Yoongi’s house expelled all your essence without his permission. and now, lost in the middle of nowhere, without finding any hope in his sheets, in your pillow, Yoongi just sat on the floor and stayed there. still. the longing of you was the only thing that still made him live, still made him exist. every step Yoongi had taken, led him to that exact moment, to that point wh—

EX-BOYFRIEND!YOONGI who can’t say the word love again — for, without you being in his life, what meaning did that word have?

Boy With Luv

Note: I found this prompt on Pinterest and it sounded promising. The first person that came to my mind was Yoongi. So I wrote a fan fiction about him. A little reminder that it is totally fictional. The character I made has nothing to do with the real Min Yoongi. Anyway, I hope you like it.

Fandom: BTS Pairing: Min Yoongi x Female reader Genre: Fluff and Angst Warning: Implication of self-harm, slight swearing, little drinking. Word Count: 3k Words

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“WHAT? It’s already 8:45?” I needed to hurry or I’d miss my 9 a.m. English class. I jumped out of my bed and changed my clothes as quickly as I could. I sprinted out of my house checking my watch to found that it was already 9.

A trip from the bus stand to my college took almost 15 more minutes. I started to run once I got down from the bus. I was breathing heavily when I opened the door to my class.

“We’ve already discussed about our new project, dear. Since, you’re late, your partner will explain it to you. Mr. Min Yoongi, as you’re the only one left without a partner, you two may pair up.” The professor announced.

I was too shocked to give any reaction while Yoongi just nodded. Every other seats were already taken. So I had to go sit on the back with this guy called Min Yoongi. The whole class went on in a blur. I glanced at my partner twice. He seemed to be really absorbed at whatever he was writing on his notes.

First, let me put some words about Min Yoongi. He was majoring in Music and we only had English course together. He looked very intimidating. I never saw him talk with anyone unless it was necessary. The only time he talked to me was when I was with my best friend discussing about our plans for a sleepover and he told me I was being too loud to be on the library. Since then, I tried to avoid him at all cost.

But now, he was my partner for the English project, whatever it was. I was already too nervous to approach him about the matter.

Once the class was over, he said to me, while packing his bag, “We have to write ‘Daily Words of Affirmation’ to each other for the next five days.”

“Huh?” was the only thing that came out of my mouth.

“The group project?” he raised his eyebrows.

“Oh right,” I said, “the group project. So, I have to write something positive to you from when exactly?”

“From today.” He headed to the door. “And also,” he turned back, “You can write a hand written note or send me via email, whatever way you’re comfortable with.” And he was gone.

“So, that’s it?” I thought to myself, “No other instructions? Can’t he just sit and talk like a normal person do when they do group projects?” I was getting really annoyed at this guy by then. What could I possibly write when I couldn’t even find anything good about him?

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My hair looked like a mess as I repeatedly ran my hand through them. “Oh, come on! Think like a mature person. Everybody has some good aspects about them.” I forced myself to think of something nice. The fact that by the end of the week we had to submit our interaction to our professor was more frustrating.

As I didn’t know him very well, I thought about writing something about his appearance instead. What was I going to write anyway? It wasn’t like I found him very attractive or something.

I closed my eyes and tried to imagine his face. For some reason he looked like a cat to me. I smiled to myself, “Fine! I’ll write that.” I hoped he’d take that as a compliment.

“You look like a cat.” I typed on my laptop. It sounded too rude. I tried to think of a creative way to put it. I typed again.

“Though lazy, cats are really skillful in hunting. Somehow, your face reminds me of a cat. Can’t wait to find out what you’re good at!”

I was really satisfied with whatever I wrote. Before I could send it, I got an email from Yoongi first.

“With or without glasses, your eyes are the most appealing bit on your face (that’s my personal opinion).”

I was taken aback. I couldn’t picture Min Yoongi writing me that. Also, his message sounded better as a Words-of-Affirmation than mine. I still couldn’t think of a decent thing to say. So without working myself up I sent my message.

Before going to bed I went to the bathroom to wash my face as a part of the night routine. I took off my glasses and stared into my eyes in the mirror. The last time someone told me that my eyes were beautiful was in grade 8. That was before I started wearing glasses.

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I was prepared to talk to Min Yoongi the next day. I needed to find out something to write this time. It was so frustrating last night that I finally built up my courage to get acquainted with this seemingly rude guy.

We didn’t have English class that day. So I texted him to meet me at the cafeteria whenever he could. After waiting for what seemed like an eternity he texted back, “Come to the library.”

“Oh God! That library again. Does this guy even think about other people’s conveniences?” But it seemed like I had no other choice. I was determined to ace that English course no matter what. So, burying my ego I went to the library.

He was sitting at the far corner, his usual place. I got closer and saw that he was reading ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho. That caught my attention and I spoke up without hesitation, “I read that book last month.”

Yoongi glanced at me once and got back to reading again. I sat beside him. I tried to take the conversation further, “They say this book helps you to find your true destiny. But I guess I was too caught up with All-thing-is-one stuff to notice that.”

“Don’t worry.” He said turning a page, “Some people read with their eyes and not their minds.”

“Excuse me?” I felt offended, “did you just consider me as one of those people?’

He shrugged his shoulder while still keeping his eyes on the book. As a book lover his words felt like an insult to me. Why on earth did I end up being partnered up with a guy like him on a project like this?

I decided it was time to be frank, “Listen here, Mr. Min Yoongi. I wanted to talk to you only because I felt it was necessary to know you better. You know, for the project?”

“Yes, I know.” He shut his book close and stared at me. His eyes looked cold. It felt like he was daring me to say something more. Something I was desperately wanting to throw at him.

The next moment I saw something else in those eyes. But I couldn’t figure it out then. I turned to go away when I heard him say under his breath, “Because no one in their right mind would want to know me.”

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What could he mean by that? It ought to sound like a threat. But I felt like it was a cry for help. The more I got to know him, the more mysterious he was getting.

At least I was relieved. Because by then, I had already figured out what to write to him next.

“There’s hope for you because you read with your mind and not just the eyes.”

I wrote that thinking he was clever enough to see the sarcasm in it while our professor would have no clue, being unaware of the whole situation. I sent the message and went on about my day.

I got his email at midnight. I immediately opened it.

“You’re a natural optimistic, always seeing the beauty in the ugliest of places.”

I pondered over his words. If he really meant whatever he wrote, that would mean he had took enough time to put some serious thoughts about me.

“That’s for the project only, you silly!” I told myself.

As I went to bed, his face appeared in front of me. The way he looked at me when he said, “Yes, I know!” I felt like I knew the second expression on his face, “Was it, perhaps, sadness?”

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I texted him again the next morning, “Are you busy? If not, let’s meet again.” I had thought about his last message to me. It was rather a compliment. I was truly an optimist. My father once told me it was a strength to hold onto. So, I decided I would not let that go so easily just because some guy was trying to act tough.

I got a reply, “Actually yes, I’m kinda busy. Currently working on my new music.” After a second, another message popped up, “Sorry about it. Maybe we can meet at evening?”

It didn’t sound too bad this time. He was actually trying to be polite, whatever the reason might be. I didn’t write him back. Instead I went straight to the practice room.

It was a huge hall with different instruments here and there. I found him sitting at the very corner with a piano. So, he played piano? I always wanted to take piano lessons. For some reasons, I was never able to.

There was no one in the room. I moved closer to hear him play better. He was scribbling in his notes something I couldn’t see. I patiently waited without bothering him. Then, he started to play.

The music slowly started to build by the time. The sweet music turning into something, I dare say, emotional. I felt my heart getting heavy. My feet felt numb. I stayed motionless as I took in every stroke of the key within myself.

How could a person seemingly so cold, make music so touching?

Yoongi finished the whole piece and looked back at me, directly into my eyes, as if he knew I was standing there. A drop of tear fell from my eye. I suddenly realized my cheeks were wet.

“What did you name it?” I asked about the beautiful music he had created.

“First Love.”

We were sitting across the table in the café. I had a latte while he ordered an Americano. “Did you really make that?” I asked.

“Yeah.”

“It was so beautiful. I have never heard anyone playing a piano before. You sounded like a piano prodigy or something.”

“You’re saying that since you never heard anyone playing a piano before.”

A moment of silence, then I broke into a laugh. I was getting used to his kind of humor by then. Yoongi’s smile slowly built on his lip. His cheeks turned red as he said “thank you” in a low voice.

“What?” I said loudly, “I couldn’t hear you. Did you just come up with another savage reply of yours since the last one didn’t bother me?”

This time his smile widened to reach up to his eyes. That was a sight I never saw before. He looked so innocent with that gummy smile of his. I suddenly felt something inside my stomach twisting.

He felt like a boy I could love.

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Was it even possible? Could people really fall in love with someone so easily? Or maybe I was mistaking infatuation for love. Even if I wasn’t in love with him already, I was pretty sure I would be soon if I continued to get closer to him.

One thing was clear. Whatever the feeling might be, it was too strong to ignore. Never in my life had I felt something so deep.

“You are so full of love that you should cherish your ability of making such lively music.”

I didn’t hesitate to send him the message. This time, I waited eagerly for his reply. His words were reassuring. They made me feel alive. They made me realize, I had something in me. But again, that was exactly what the project was all about.

I waited and waited. At some point I fell asleep on my reading table. I woke up at about 10 p.m. I quickly checked my email. The message I was waiting for had already arrived.

“You’re a light in the darkest room, a bright star in the night sky. You’re someone’s hope in the time of complete despair.”

I knew I would keep thinking about it all night.

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10:43 p.m. I texted him, “Can’t sleep.”

“Me too.” A quick reply.

“Wanna meet?”

“Sure.”

11:04 p.m. We were sitting on the park bench. The night was surprisingly cold. I was grateful for the beer Yoongi brought with him. But I was getting high by the time.

“I don’t know what to talk about.”

“Don’t worry. I like silent company more.”

11:18 p.m. I could feel the alcohol was making me a little drowsy. But I didn’t want to go back just then. “What are you good at? Other than music?” I said trying to avoid the sleepiness.

“I used to play basketball in high school.”

11:35 p.m. I decided it was time to talk about some real shit, “I want to get a tattoo so bad.”

“Get it then.”

“My mother will kill me.”

Yoongi shrugged his shoulder. Then he unbuttoned his sleeve to show me his bare wrist. I spotted a faint white line there, “What is that?” As soon as I asked that, I knew I messed up.

“Shit.” I swore, “Sorry.”

“If you ever decide to get the tattoo, take me with you. I’ll get one here.” He raised his wrist again.

“Fine! Let’s get going then.”

11:49 p.m. Yoongi drove us to the tattoo parlor I always passed by and fantasized about getting in.

“I can’t believe we’re doing this.” I almost screamed in excitement. Yoongi smiled at me and my inside melted.

They were not allowing us to go inside since it was almost closing time. I practically begged them to let us in. After a minute or two, Yoongi stepped forward and said something to the guy I couldn’t hear properly.

Finally they let us in.

12:14 a.m. We were driving back from the parlor. “Don’t you want to see my tattoo?” I asked.

“You probably got it somewhere no one could see.”

I smirked, “I’ll show YOU though.” I lifted my shirt to show my waist where I got a little bow.

“What did you get?” I asked Yoongi, “Can I see it?”

He showed me his wrist. There was a small line drawn along which were the piano keys. It was so simple yet I knew how important it was to him.

He said, “Piano is my savior.”

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I woke up late with a headache. I quickly lifted my shirt to check my tattoo. It was there, fresh as new. I smiled to myself, “So it wasn’t a dream after all.”

I took a pain reliever and made myself some mango juice. I checked my email and found Yoongi’s message. Just the thought of reading it made my whole body squirmy.

“You’re a rebel at heart.”

It was such a compliment to me. All my life, I’d only had dreams. But I felt like a coward every time I stepped away from fulfilling them. I decided, as soon as my semester would be over, I’d start getting piano lessons as well.

“Maybe Yoongi can teach me.” I thought and smiled.

It was my turn to return the compliment.

“The courage you have to show the vulnerable side of yours, makes you stronger.”

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I texted Yoongi that I had three classes, so I would meet him at evening. I already missed more than half of the first class since I woke up late. During the other classes I kept checking my phone often to see if he had replied. There was none.

Once my last class was done, I called him. It sent me straight to voicemail, “Hey Yoongi, it’s me. Just called to know when you’re free so that we could hangout… Yeah! So, call me back when you can, okay?”

I was waiting anxiously all evening. But there was not a single text or call from Yoongi. I kept wondering what could be the reason.

“He’s probably busy, that’s all.” I tried to reassure myself. But there was a part of me which felt like something was not right.

Maybe my last message mentioning about his vulnerable side was too much. Maybe he never meant for me to see that, but he was drunk enough to let that slip.

It was already midnight. Yoongi hadn’t contact me for a whole damn day. I was really stressed at that point. I felt like I had messed up. I wanted to cry.

“Why do you have to be so clingy, you pathetic bitch?” I shouted out at myself. That didn’t help. Since there was nothing I could do, I finally fell asleep wishing that as soon as I woke up, everything would be okay.

I checked my phone the next day. There was still no reply. So, I felt like it was time I wrote my final Words-of-Affirmation to him.

“You are someone’s favorite person in the entire world.”

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Yoongi texted me that evening, “Meet me at the park.”

I saw Yoongi waiting for me beside the park bench we were sitting on two nights ago. I went to him and he looked up, his expression unreadable.

“Why didn’t you call me yesterday?” was the first thing that came out of me.

“It doesn’t matter.” He said, “Our project ends today.”

“Project?” I was too confused. What did he mean by that? Were we just hanging out because of that stupid project? I felt too numb to react to that.

Yoongi took some time before he said slowly, “It doesn’t feel right.”

“What?” I asked.

“We shouldn’t be hanging out.”

“And why is that?” I was getting a little angry at him.

“Everything’s happening too fast. I don’t think I’m ready to handle them.” He sounded as if he were scared.

“Yoongi, it’s okay! We all feel overwhelmed at times. It’ll pass. Just take it easy and see what comes next.”

“No!” he said, “Please, don’t try to get too close. We’ll both end up being hurt.”

“I’m sure that won’t happen.” I stepped forward. But Yoongi took a step back.

“But you don’t know me.”

“I want to know you.” I said, “At least give me a chance.”

Yoongi gave out a mocking laugh, “How can you do that when I don’t even know myself?”

That was it. I couldn’t bring myself to say anything else. I stood there in silence. Tears threatening me every moment to burst out.

“There is a lot I still need to figure out.” Yoongi said finally, “I need to find myself first in order to let people get close to me. I don’t want to lose any loved ones anymore.”

He came closer and took my hands. He gave me a folded paper and said, “It’s my last message to you. Forgive me for everything, will you?”

Then he walked away. Tears kept falling from my eyes as I didn’t stop them anymore. Crying was the only way I knew to deal with grief.

I opened the paper when I got home.

“You have so much potential in you that once you realize your destiny, no one can stop you from achieving it.”

Whatever the destiny was, I didn’t know it. All I knew was that what Yoongi needed was time. And I could surely gave him that. But I was not going to give up on him.

My Masterlist

Yoongi, Marry me...

Sleepy Cats

Fandom: BTS

Pairing: Min Yoongi × Female Reader

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

"What are you doing here?" Yoongi asked eyeing the pillow and blanket on my hands, as I stood in front of his studio door.

"I can't sleep alone." I said.

Yoongi walked up to me and grabbed the pillow from my hands, "You can't sleep in here."

"Didn't you hear what I said?" I pouted, "Yoongi, I'm not going to sleep alone. Now, either you come to the bed with me or I sleep here on the couch while you work."

Yoongi sighed and nodded, "alright!"

I prepared my bed on his studio couch and lied down. Yoongi, putting on his headphones, went back to his work.

"How heartless!" I thought.

After what seemed like a tormenting hour of tossing and turning, I walked up and stood behind him long enough for him to notice me.

He pulled back his headphones, "What now?"

"Come lie with me till I sleep." I demanded.

"Please go back to the bed. I told you, didn't I? You can't sleep in here." He ignored me again and turned back to his screen.

I grabbed the Shooky plushie from his table and went back to the couch. Yoongi glanced back at me. I held Shooky tightly on my arms and closed my eyes shut forcefully.

"Make some space for me, please." I looked up and saw Yoongi standing beside me.

We were squeezed in the little space of the couch. I rested my head on his chest while he slowly caressed my hair. Hearing his heartbeat was really soothing.

"Don't stress yourself too much." Yoongi whispered in my ears.

I let out a chuckle, "Look, who's giving me advise about relaxing!"

Yoongi smiled and pulled me into a tighter embrace, "Now close your eyes and go to sleep."

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

My Masterlist

Sweet Morning

Fandom: BTS Pairing: Min Yoongi x Female Reader

It seemed like I had one of the worst weeks possible. With loads of work on hand, I barely spend any time with Yoongi for the past few days. Being a workaholic, he didn’t have time for me either.

I was having disturbed sleeps. I would keep waking up every now and then hearing the slightest noise. And again, work for the whole day at a stretch without much scope for a nap.

Today, it was different. I was finally able to had a nice long sleep at night. The one that make you feel refreshed and I dare say, happy afterwards. But the most beautiful part of my morning was waking up. Opening my eyes, the first thing I saw was Yoongi’s smile.

“Slept well?” he asked while gently resting his hand on my head.

I nodded sleepily, an automatic smile coming to my face as his hand ran down to my cheek.

“I was watching you for a while. You were sleeping like a baby.”

“Yeah,” I said, “It was a good one after quite some time.”

“Now, get up quickly. I made breakfast.”

Leaving a soft kiss on my forehead, Yoongi went straight to the kitchen.

My Masterlist

Disguise

Fandom: BTS

Pairing: Min Yoongi x Female Reader

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I buttoned up my shirt slowly. I could see Yoongi putting on his clothes through the corner of my eyes while I picked up my pants from the floor. As I struggled to get into them, Yoongi waited patiently, not saying anything to break the awkward silence.

There was nothing left to be said. I was already someone else's. I knew it and so did he. Whatever happened tonight was all a stupid mistake. That's all.

But my heart said otherwise. It had recognized it's true owner and wanted to belong to him without terms and conditions. But being with Yoongi meant terms and conditions. A loads of it. And I wasn't ready to accept them yet.

Hence, this stupid mistake was the only way to quench the thirst of our burning souls.

I hurriedly picked up my bag from the table of the hotel room and took out my phone to call an uber to drive me back to my apartment. As one of my hands reached the doorknob, Yoongi grabbed me by the wrist of the other one.

I turned back slowly without lifting my gaze towards his face. He placed another hand on my waist and pulled me closer. I rested my head on his chest. Yoongi gently caressed my back while a tear rolled down my cheek.

Yoongi left a soft kiss on my forehead before heading back towards the bathroom. My heart felt heavy with the feeling of love and guilt.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Masterlist

Lacuna | Pt. 4

An unfilled space; a gap.

Min Yoongi x reader

Genre/Tropes : established relationship, miscommunication, angst, abandonment?

Word count : ~900

A/N : Hello lovely readers! Fourth part is here! I hope you enjoy it<3 Leave your thougths in the comments! It’s lovely and helpful to read your oppinions and insight<3

<

It was 5pm when the boys clapped Yoongi on the back and wished him luck latter tonight. To be honest Yoongi was nervous. Yes he was the one to make this move, but still, he had no idea how you’ll truly react to this idea.

You two used to go on a lot of rides together. Visiting his parents, friends or just driving around. It was simple, effortless…

But now, this ride was a push to both of you, a push for your relationship to revive what’s fading.

Yoongi dragged himself to the studio, it was too early to drive to you. No matter how eager he was, he still had time to kill, you’ll only be done at 9.

He sat down is his comfortable chair, muscles aching from all the dancing and workouts.

“Time to fix you sweet thing…” He voiced, opening up his recovering track on the computer and engulfing his ears in headphones.

Yoongi’s eyelids grew heavy from exhaustion, not even music can keep him awake anymore, the melodies lulling him to sleep. His eyes dart to the clock on his table, a picture of you two smilling catches his attention.

He caresses your face with his thumb, a soft smile adorning his features “I’m coming back to you my love. I promise”.

The thought of you and his low battery stilled the storm in his mind and he gently laid on the table, never taking his eyes off of your sweet smile, until sleep gladly took over.

>< 

It took you a total of 10 minutes to collect the stuff from your messy desk and leave the cubicle.

You dreaded what was to come, adrenaline pumping through your veins heating you from the inside. A drive home with Yoongi was not how you expected today to end. Could your heart even take it? Being so close to him in such a small space, unable to escape the longing for his touch. But your heart was screaming, thrilled at the idea of your lover finally making a move towards you.

You check your wrist-watch hurrying down the stairs, huddled up in a big scarf. Its 9:12 pm.

“Gosh I’m so late…” nerves coat your cheeks, making butterflies erupt in your stomach.

You could vividly imagine your Yoongi parked in front of the office building in his black mustang; perched against it, his long hair flowing in the wind, an outfit so black even the grim reaper would be jealous, pale skin shining illuminated by the street lights…

An excited smile is burned into your features. You just can’t stop how feathery you feel for this man, even if some insecurity is still at the back of your mind. The glass door swings open and cold air hits your hot skin. Your eyes quickly scan the area looking for a familiar black sports car.

But…

It’s empty…

The corners of your lips drop, eyes fill with concern. Has something happened? You check your phone, maybe you missed his text telling you he’ll be late…

However you’re met with further disappointment of no new messages…

Against your better judgement you decide to wait, maybe there’s traffic or he got held up at the studio… Whatever it was you still held hope that he’ll show up.

Tears well up in your eyes when the clock hits 10pm. That’s it, now you are totally convinced, as your heart has settled to a rhythmic beating, skin no longer flushed, butterflies dead in your stomach, your heart knew.

He’s not coming.

“Y/n-ah?” The sound of your name makes you pick your head up and look around expecting to see him.

Although you’re met with a sight of a familiar man it’s not the one you’re yearning for. The thought of him makes you slouch once more.

“Y/n? What are you still doing here? Didn’t you leave around 9?” Hyun tried to make sense of the scene unfolding in front of him. Your head low, form still as if frozen.

“I..” You tried to make sense of the situation, struggling to explain to your colleague how your boyfriend was supposed to drive you home but has failed to show up or even contact you…

You had no answer to give, so you just stood there looking around.

“Y/n-ah do you need a ride? I can take you home” Hyun smiled offering a solution to you being stranded miles away from your home.

Your eyes glaze over again. But how am I supposed to tell him that I don’t want him to drive me home. I want my boyfriend…

You run a hand down your face “Ah no Hyun-ah, I’m fine, I actually forgot my wallet in the office, so I came back.. to get it”. You faked a smile and said your goodbyes before getting inside the dark building.

You eagerly watched as Hyun drove away for your cue to exit the building. As you did the cold met you again, but this time freezing you as your cooling heart settled against keeping you warm…

Even if you could have called someone to pick you up or get a taxi, you decided against it, needing the time to process everything that has happened and your emotions.

You swallowed your tears walking all the way back home...

>

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Tags :    @gold--gucciempress @justanotherstarlightmonger @theladyblue @mickmoon @janeelizabeth1216   @wobblewobble822 @welcometomyworld13

Whispers of the Heart

Pairing : Yoongi x reader, Hoseok x friend!reader, Hoseok x friend!Yoongi

Genre: arranged marriage, enemies to lovers (in a way), angst:((

Word count: ~2,3K

A/n: Can be read as genderless reader if you ignore the ‘she’ in Hoseok’s dialogue! I’m literally so excited to be writing again!!!

<

The grand ballroom shimmered under the soft glow of chandeliers, casting a magical ambiance over the gala. It was an evening of elegance and sophistication, where the high society mingled and revelled in their opulence. Yoongi, a man of few words, stood at the entrance in his impeccably tailored suit, his gaze scanning the room with detached interest.

Beside him, you fidgeted with the folds of your gown, feeling out of place in the lavish setting. You and Yoongi were bound together in an arranged marriage, a union dictated by both of your families' status and wealth. Despite sharing the same roof for several months, your interactions had been minimal, restricted to formalities and superficial exchanges.

Tonight, however, you harbored a flicker of hope that perhaps this gala would serve as an opportunity for you two to connect on a deeper level. You had spent hours getting ready, meticulously selecting a dress that accentuated your features and enhanced your confidence as well as was in style and colour that Yoongi favoured.

As the night unfolded, you found yourself standing alone amidst the sea of conversation and laughter. Yoongi, seemingly indifferent, floated through the crowd, his attention fixated elsewhere. You watched him from afar, your heart sinking with each passing moment.

Determined to break the stifling silence, you caught sight of your and firstly Yoongi‘s friend Hoseok across the room. You approached him, a smile gracing your lips, and engaged in lively conversation. Hoseok's presence brought you comfort, and for a brief moment, you allowed yourself to forget the responsibilities and expectations that came with your role as Yoongi's wife.

The evening wore on, and the strains of music filled the air, tempting couples to sway in synchronized harmony on the dance floor. You felt a spark of sadness ignite within you. Glancing towards Yoongi, who remained detached and engrossed in his own thoughts, you wished he’d make a decision to ask you for a dance. But you yourself knew that such thing could only be in your imagination.

“Care to join me for a dance?” Hoseok stood before you know with his hand extended, waiting for your answer.

“I would love to,” Few stray tears mingled in your eyes as you lifted them to Hoseok’s and Hoseok knew that even if Yoongi has been his friend since diapers, he is behaving in an exceedingly unjust manner towards you that Hoseok will never approve of. At this point Hoseok told himself that he’d rather have Yoongi hate him with a passion than have you sitting alone at a gala silently crying to yourself.

With Hoseok as your dance partner, you joined the rhythmic movements of the crowd, gracefully twirling and laughing, enjoying a stolen moment of freedom. You revelled in the attention you received, your laughter along with Hoseok’s ringing through the room like delicate chimes.

As the night drew to a close, Yoongi's expression turned sour. The irritation etched on his face sent a wave of unease through you. Ignoring your existence, he remained distant during the drive home, the silence between you two suffocating in the small vehicle.

Finally reaching your shared home, Yoongi unleashed his pent-up frustration, his voice laced with resentment.

"You could have at least pretended to be a married woman," he snapped, his eyes filled with accusation. "Instead, you acted like a single one."

Your defences rose, voice tinged with anger.

"Well, it wouldn't kill you either, to at least look in the direction of your wife," you barked back, emotions raw and unfiltered. The tears threatened to spill from your eyes, but you refused to let them fall.

"I would if you acted like a wife," Yoongi bit back, his tone sharp and biting. The words hung heavily in the air, causing your heart to shatter into a million fragments. The pain you had suppressed for so long surged forward, overwhelming you.

Without uttering another word, you retreated to your room, seeking solace in the confines of solitude. The weight of your broken connection consumed you, tears streaming down your cheeks as you wrestled with the ache in your heart.

…..

A week had passed since the gala, but the tension between Yoongi and you still lingered in the air.

Invitations to a business party arrived, presenting you two with another opportunity to bridge the widening gap between each other. As you two entered the venue, adorned in the finest attire, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation.

But this time, your intentions were clear. Instantly, you left Yoongi's side, eager to escape the suffocating silence that had become the norm between the two of you.

As you sat at a bar your eyes locked onto the charismatic Jeon Jungkook, a young bachelor who exuded confidence and charm. He approached you with a magnetic smile, sweeping you away with his enthusiasm and attentiveness.

Jungkook treated you like a queen the whole night, showering you with compliments, buying you drinks, and inviting you to dance. Your connection was instant, his eyes never leaving yours as he twirled you around the dance floor. You found yourself enthralled by his company, a newfound confidence blooming within you.

But no matter how delightful it was to be someone's center of attention, deep down, you couldn't help but long for Yoongi's presence in Jungkook's place.

Jungkook was undoubtedly a wonderful man, but he couldn't compare to the unique man that was your Yoongi. Despite the allure and charm Jungkook possessed, you remained steadfast in your commitment as a wife, regardless of whether Yoongi appreciated it or not.

Your loyalty and devotion to your husband were unwavering and you would never as much as entertain the thought of straying, no matter the allure of what another man might offer.

Meanwhile, Hoseok, ever observant, approached Yoongi early in the night. He pointed discreetly at Jungkook, who had captured your attention, his eyes full of admiration and desire attached to your every move. Hoseok's words pierced through the fog of Yoongi's apathy, awakening him to the reality that he might lose you if he continued down this path of ignorance.

"You stay here right now," Hoseok spoke through his teeth, his voice laced with urgency "and if she's smart, she'll leave you before the clock strikes midnight."

Yoongi's eyes followed Hoseok's gaze, watching as Jungkook and you moved in perfect harmony on the dance floor. A surge of jealousy gripped him, igniting a newfound determination within his heart. He couldn't bear the thought of losing you, especially when all he truly desired was to shower you with love and devotion.

In that moment, something shifted within Yoongi. His icy exterior cracked, revealing a flicker of vulnerability. He strode purposefully toward you, his presence commanding attention. As he reached your side, he interjected, his voice firm and possessive.

"Excuse me, but my wife and I have some unfinished business," Yoongi declared, his words laced with a mixture of possessiveness and determination. He locked eyes with you, a silent plea hidden within his gaze.

Jungkook, sensing the shift in dynamics, reluctantly released you from his embrace. Yoongi wasted no time, enveloping you in his arms, showcasing to everyone in the room that you belonged to him. As you two danced, the air crackled with unspoken emotions, an invisible bridge being rebuilt between you.

“How has your night been?” He spoke to you directly and all you heard was music in your ears, you had been deprived of his melodic voice for too long and now soaked it all in.

“It just got much better” you replied with calmness lacing your tone. Yoongi felt himself melt at the soft tone of your voice. He had been deprieved of it too long and now made himself a mental note to never go too long without hearing your voice.

Your heart skipped a beat as you met Yoongi's gaze, seeing a vulnerability you had never witnessed before. In that moment, the walls you had erected began to crumble, replaced by a glimmer of hope and possibility. Maybe, just maybe, the two of you could find your way back to each other.

As the night progressed, Yoongi's hold on you only grew tighter, his touch becoming more tender, his words laced with longing. When he was ushered by an investor to negotiate a deal he slipped his hand away from your waist and interlocked his fingers with your own giving your palm a little squeeze.

“Would you like to join us?” he asked his eyes boring into you. It felt as though he was truly seeing you for the first time, his eyes conveying a profound sense of significance. You only smiled at him and shook your head slightly

“No, thank you, I could use a refreshment” you answered him, patting his arm and releasing your hand from his before walking in the direction of the bar.

The corners of Yoongi's mouth curled into a small, genuine smile at your almost imperceptible gesture. It was a simple touch of your hand, but it held a profound impact on him, sending a shiver down his spine. In that moment, he felt a surge of warmth and gratitude, realizing just how fortunate he was to have you as his wife.

As Yoongi turned to walk away with the man, his eyes met Hoseok's across the room. Hoseok, ever so perceptive and supportive, lifted his flute of champagne in a silent toast and playfully winked at Yoongi. The unspoken message was clear: You have something special, don't let it slip away.

Yoongi's heart swelled with appreciation for his dear friend, recognizing the invaluable role Hoseok played in his life. In that instance, he silently offered a heartfelt thanks to the benevolent forces that had blessed him with such an incredible friend, one who was there to uplift and guide him through the trials and triumphs of life.

……..

Months have passed since that pivotal night at the business party, and Yoongi and you have grown closer with each passing day.

Your once distant relationship had transformed into a blossoming connection, nurtured by shared meals, heartfelt conversations, and a renewed effort to bridge the gaps between each other. The walls you two had set up were gradually crumbling, replaced by a genuine desire to understand and cherish one another.

One particular day, as the sun began its descent towards the horizon, Yoongi picked you up from work. A sense of anticipation filled the air as he drove you to a wonderful restaurant with a breath-taking view of the sea. The atmosphere was filled with romance, the soft whispers of the waves harmonizing with your conversations.

After a delightful dinner filled with laughter and stolen glances, Yoongi took your hand, leading you towards the beach. The sand squished beneath your feet as you strolled along the shore, the vibrant colors of the setting sun casting a warm glow upon both of your faces.

Finding a secluded spot, Yoongi carefully laid his jacket down, creating a makeshift cushion for you two to sit upon. You settled close to each other, eyes fixed on the mesmerizing dance of the ocean waves.

A moment of stillness enveloped the two of you, the beauty of the scene mirroring the peace you two had found in each other's presence. Yoongi took a deep breath, his heart pounding with a mixture of nerves and overwhelming love. With trembling hands, he shuffled away from you, a perplexed expression crossing your face.

Kneeling before you, Yoongi's gaze locked with yours, his eyes shining with a tender vulnerability. In his hand, he held a small velvet box, a symbol of his intentions. A hushed silence fell over you as he began to speak, his words flowing with sincerity and adoration.

"Y/N, you have given me more than I could ever ask for," Yoongi started, his voice filled with genuine emotion. "Through your presence, your patience, and your unwavering belief in us, you have shown me the true meaning of love, commitment and marriage."

Your eyes widened, heart quickening as you realized the significance of the moment unfolding before you.

"I can't imagine my life without you," Yoongi continued, his voice trembling with raw vulnerability. "You've brought light into my darkest moments, and I want to spend the rest of my life cherishing and loving you. Y/N, will you marry me?"

"Silly, we're already married if you have forgotten," you giggled, a twinkle in your eyes as you playfully teased Yoongi. "We've been married for almost half a year now."

A smile tugged at the corners of Yoongi's lips, a mix of embarrassment and adoration coloring his expression. He realized his slip-up but couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for your light-hearted response.

"I know, I know," Yoongi chuckled, his voice filled with warmth. "But I didn't get to propose the last time... I also messed up a lot in the past, so from this moment on, I'm determined to turn those wrongs into rights, and proposing to you is the first step."

Before he could delve deeper into his words, you could see a tinge of embarrassment and acted swiftly. With a gentle touch, you hooked your finger under his chin, lifting his head back up to meet your gaze.

The tenderness in your eyes and the unwavering support you conveyed through that simple gesture melted away any lingering embarrassment Yoongi may have felt.

Your heart, brimming with love and joy, overflowed as you whispered a soft "Yes" that resonated like the sweetest melody in Yoongi's ears. Tears of happiness welled up in your eyes, a testament to the depth of your emotions.

With the weight of Yoongi's past mistakes lifted, and the promise of a future built on understanding, respect, and unwavering love, you embraced each other, locking your lips as if for the first time with the sunset casting a warm, golden glow upon your union.

>

The Seal of the Dragon

Chapter one - Trials and tribulations

warnings: mentions of weight, AFAB character, mentions of female body parts, references to the weight of M/C, loosely based on my own research of the ancient Korean royalty system, message me if you feel I need more warnings

Y/N trusted her father. At least that’s what she tells herself. And it’s what she keeps telling herself day after day when each day her father disappoints her more and more. 

“I’m using this money for your future” he would say, whilst reeking of beer and stumbling through the door to their house. On particularly bad days, he would barely make eye contact with her as he tells her that his drinking was ‘all her fault’. Her father spent his days, after his fall from grace, drinking away the money that the rest of her family was trying so hard to cling onto, to hold them afloat in the noble status that they were barely a part of. 

There were few things that made her life feel just that little bit better, and that was her best friend, Hwang Yeji. Yeji had been her friend since she could remember, her own mother telling her stories of how you were practically raised by both sets of parents. There hadn't been a day that had gone by that Y/N felt loved and appreciated by her best friend.

Hwang Yeji, from the Hwang clan, was a beautiful woman, who was adored by everyone in the town. She had the warmest brown eyes that sparkled in the sun, and her hair was a similar colour to her eyes, only being lightened by the long summer days. Yeji was both taller, and skinnier than you, but she never let you feel like you were any less stunning than she was. Besides your mother, she was your biggest supporter. Pushing you to do bigger and better things with your life.

As much as she was your biggest supporter, she was also the person who worried about you the most. She despised your father, for what he was putting you and your family through, but she knew that there was nothing she could do, other than being there for you, to have a shoulder to cry on when your father spat his harsh words at her.

It was a lovely summer morning, at the beginning of June when the weather was warm, but there was still a calming breeze that swept through the streets, cooling you off as it passed. Today, Yeji had decided she wanted to drag you into the centre of town, where the hustle and bustle were found. You were donning a dark pink Chima with a cream Jeogri, your hair pinned back with a hair stick you had received for your 18th birthday, it was made of silver with a simple pink crystal, the metal details of flowers making the pin even more beautiful in your eyes.

Your white shoes made small sounds against the sandy ground, as you moved towards Yeji's house. It took a few moments for you to reach her house, and just as you were going through the gate, to enter into their garden, you walked straight into a chest. Looking up in anxiety, you see her older brother smirking down at you. a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Hyunjin! Omo! I am so sorry, I was in my head again, did I hurt you?" you quickly blurted out, as a soft pink colour swept across your face, your heart racing, worrying that you had in fact hurt the man that was stood in front of you, smiling down at your flustered state.

"Y/N! It's okay, I know what you're like, you've been bumping into me since you were 4, you never could keep your head out of the clouds could you?" he teased "Yeji will be out in a second, mother is finishing braiding her hair, as for some reason, the pabo can't do it herself" he adds. Before you could respond, he cut you off saying "Anyways, duty calls. Stay safe both of you" he finishes, but not before looking behind you. Hyunjin smiles behind you, and then at you before moving around you and out of the gate and down the street. You giggle slightly at the man's antics, he also has been a ball of energy. When you were younger, you had a crush on your best friend's big brother, I mean who wouldn't, he looked like he should be on a poster for everyone to admire. But you soon got over that crush, quickly realising that although you saw the man as attractive, the bond you had was definitely one of a sibling rather than a lover.

You heard quick yet light footsteps behind you before you felt two small and delicate hands rest on your shoulders. "Was he winding you up again?" she asked, a slight smirk on her small mouth, remembering when you told her that you had previously fancied her bother. Your face flushed again before responding "he was telling me that mother was braiding your hair, and calling you... what was it?" a smirk gracing your own lips, before carrying on "oh yeah... a pabo" you ended, looking up at your friend as a look of annoyance came onto her face. You knew she wasn't annoyed at you, rather she was annoyed at her elder sibling. The look that fell over her face next, brought memories back of when the two had been fighting and pulling pranks on each other that you soon got involved in, for both sides. You saw the same mischievous glint in her eye that you had seen in her brother's eyes just minutes before.

"I want nothing to do with whatever scheme it is you are building up in your head" you laughed, linking arms with your friend as you pulled her into the street so you could begin your mission of heading into the town centre. "spoilsport" she retorts, before beginning to pull the two of you into a skip. Smiles filled both of your faces, even as the townspeople gave the two of you quizzical looks.

"what's the plan t-" Yeji began before being cut off by shouts in the streets, as people ran through handing small pieces of hanji to passersby

"THE KING IS LOOKING FOR A QUEEN! THE SELECTION PROCESS BEGINS IN 7 DAYS" was the main sentence that was being yelled out from within the crowds "MORE INFORMATION IS AT THE TOWN HALL" others carried on

Yeji turned to you, a smile pulling at the corner of her mouth. And without. a word, she grabs your wrist, pulling you full-speed to the town hall.

The Seal of the Dragon

Chapter Two- Taking the plunge

warnings: mentions of weight, AFAB character, mentions of female body parts, references to the weight of M/C, loosely based on my own research of the ancient Korean royalty system, message me if you feel I need more warnings

Before Y/N could take another breath, her feet were being pulled from underneath her as Yeji dragged her to the town hall. Laughs fall from both of their lips. Finally, Y/N falls into step with Yeji's feet, allowing her to be able to run better without twisting an ankle. It wouldn't be the first time that Y/N and Yeji had injured themselves whilst running in the town.

"Y/N hurry up!" Yeji yelled, followed by a laugh. Yeji's hand gripped Y/n's, her strength and speed overpowering Y/n's. laughter filled the air as they ran through the streets. that was until an unnoticed rock decided to make an appearance. Y/n fell first, the sound of a scuffle being heard within the walls of the shop-filled street. A yelp soon follows, and then the sound of something dragging against the sand-covered road follows. Another yelp is soon heard, but softer. Y/N had fallen and as she was holding onto Yeji's hand, she had been dragged along accidentally. As the weight of Y/n's hand fell from Yeji's, she fell forward, her body falling to the ground. Yeji fell onto the floor, saving her head from hitting the floor by placing her hands on the ground first. People around them began rushing towards them, well towards Yeji, making sure that the beauty of the town wasn't harmed. A whimper leaves Yeji's lips as she holds onto her wrist. A young man whose name neither could remember, helped the young woman to stand up, before her in the direction of the medical room, hidden just inside the town hall at the end of the street. As people began to leave, they noticed Y/n's body laying quietly on the floor. Sand and dust still fall in the air around them. People stood there, staring at the recently turned adult, laying on the floor in a heap. It took for some muttering and parting of the crowd for someone to finally go up to her.

it was Hyunjin, Yeji's older brother. His hands gently shook Y/n's shoulder, trying to shake the woman out of the shocked state she was laying in. "Y/n, can you hear me? Can you get up?" He asks, worry filling his voice. A small mumble is heard before any movement is seen. Y/n tries to push herself up off of the ground, before whimpering and falling back onto the floor. Hyunjin sighs lightly, before turning, glaring at the staring bystanders, before calling out to his friends "Chan, Changbin, Felix" he begins "Grab the rest of the boys, my little sister needs help" he finishes. A blush blankets y/n's face remembering her crush on the elder boy, and the fact that he just called her his little sister. Y/n knew that those words should hurt her, but instead, it's what shook her out of her feelings of love for the elder boy. it hit her all at once, that the only feelings she had for the helpful man before her, were the love of a little sibling to an older sibling.

"Hyun-" Y/n managed to mutter out before Hyunjin stopped her, reminding her once again to call him Oppa. "Oppa" y/n restarted "everyone's looking" she carried on "I'm so embarrassed" she finally finished. "Don't worry, the boys are coming right now, we're going to help you. Do you think that you can stand?" he asks. Y/n shakes her head, pointing to her already red ankle that was beginning to swell underneath her chima. Hyunjin winces looking at the injury. A gentle hand is placed on her head, patting her head gently, making her feel calm. she looks up, into the eyes of the person affectionately patting her head and looked into the eyes of Hyunjin's best friend Minho, and if y/n were to look just behind the man, she would see the rest of their friendship group looking onto the scene with worry in their eyes.

"Chan and Changbin... you remember them right?" the brown-haired man asked, y/n nodded in response. a small smile gripping the older man's lips as he carries on his sentence "They're going to help you up, and then, you see that cart just over there?" a small hum of a response from the woman lets the man carry on "were going to gently place you into that, and then take you to the medical room. normally we would help you walk, but judging by that ankle, it doesn't look like a good idea for you to walk on it before the physician sees you"

They were right, it definitely wasn't a good idea for you to walk on that ankle. The physician diagnosed her with a sprained ankle, wrapping it tightly in bandages and sternly telling her to try not to walk on it for a while. Of course, all of the boys that were waiting outside the room, made sure you stayed true to your word, helping you heal. You met again with Yeji later, laughing when you saw her wrist wrapped the same way as your ankle.

A sigh of a laugh, left y/n's lips as she remembers the memory. The wind blew in her face, making her feel as if she was on top of the world. Within a few minutes, they both arrived in front of the town hall. Many people having had the same idea as them, standing in front of a board, holding many different flyers, all holding the word 'King' on them. Y/n's eyes glitter across the words trying to work out what this all meant.

A feeling of anxiety and a slight bit of fear filled her body as she read what the hanji said. The King was looking for a wife, this she already knew. But every woman from a noble family and upwards had to apply for it, failure to do so would mean that the Kingdom's officers would bring the family out and strip them of their pride in front of their town. Your heart sank, as you realised that you would have to partake in this.

A man dressed in a blue and white hanbok, with dark brown hair, warm brown eyes and plump pink lips, walked into the square where the hall sat.

"Annyeong haseyo. Kim Seokjin imnida" the handsome man began, his eyes falling onto the crowd. Your eyes briefly connected before he looked away. "I am the Supreme Commissioner. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't be my face you see, although I'm sure that the majority of you have seen enough announcements in the town square to know who the usual person is" he carries on, his laughter filling the air, making you laugh under your breath at the noise.

"However, due to the circumstances, the responsibility has fallen onto my shoulders. And it is my job to announce to this town and a few of the surrounding villages and towns, to announce that the King has begun his search for his Queen. Any woman between the ages of 18 and 24 from a noble of higher status is required to begin the process of application to become the royal bride." he tells the crowd, his eyes scanning them all again. "Failure to do so will result in the family that refused the process of application, to be publicly humiliated and lose all titles they may hold, in front of everyone" he stops for a breath "and the King". The rumbles of chatter that had filled the square fell silent at the mention of the King.

The King wasn't a bad man, far from it. Although he was feared throughout the country, for his war tactics and victories, he was also known for being kind to his loyal court officers. The man was also known to have a close-knit group of advisors. However, there were rumours about the advisors, and the relationship they had with the great King. You never took the rumours seriously. The relationship that they had, it had nothing to do with you, so you never spent too much thought or energy on the rumours. "Applications must have been started within 6 days, and the process begins on the 7th day".

The noise within the crowd began again, mumbles from men, giggles from women, questions beginning to fall from children's lips. The voices of the crowd are silenced again when Seokjin continues his speech, "I wish you all good luck, and hope to see many of you at the procession", his speech finished with a wink to the crowd before turning and leaving the podium from which he stood on.

Yeji turns to you with a bright smile gracing her glowing skin. Excitement is clear on all of her features. She quickly takes your hands in her own soft ones. She looks into your eyes, her excitement dulling slightly when she sees the anxiety that is filling up your eyes. "This could be a good thing, it could solve some of your family money problems," she said, squeezing your hands in comfort. "or it could make it worse" you retorted, a frown pulling at the corners of your mouth.

Yeji could understand where you were coming from, growing up with you, she had seen your family go from strength to strength and then fall, nearly falling to a lower class, meaning she would lose her best friend, due to the distaste of classes mixing together. A small feeling of joy filled her when she was told that your family was still within the band of a noble. Deep inside she knew that even if your family fell even further from grace, she would never let you go, you were her best friend, practically a sister to her.

"It's not like either of us has a choice," she says a frown gracing her once happy features "but, this is something we need to do. For our families, for our country, for our King. We need to take the plunge" she says before taking your hand and pulling you towards the men holding the application papers.

The Seal of the Dragon

Chapter three: The application

warnings: mentions of weight, AFAB character, mentions of female body parts, references to the weight of M/C, loosely based on my own research of the ancient Korean royalty system, arguing, harsh words, swearing, mentions of alcohol

message me if you feel I need more warnings

Anxiety filled your entire body as you stepped closer to the men holding the applications. You knew that when you took this application back to your father, and before you would even have a chance to tell him about the repercussions if you didn't apply, he would be on his way out of the door, on his way to the local tavern to waste away more money that was nearly all gone.

Your slightly shaking hand reaches out and takes the papers from the formally dressed man in front of you. You can't even bring yourself to make eye contact with the man, just putting all of your focus into holding yourself up and not dropping the paper that you had clenched in your fist. A shakey breath leaves your mouth, as you turn back around to your best friend. A gentle reminder from the woman to breathe has you letting out a deep breath, looking around. You begin to notice the other women in the square. Women who were nearly as beautiful as the stunning woman beside you.

A little voice in your head tells you that there's no point in being worried about the selection process. It was expected of a royal family member to be thin, yet with childbearing hips, and an auspicious face. You weren't skinny, you had never been. Never being able to lose the weight to look like the people that surrounded you. You had begun to learn to love your body, but there were days when this would become hard. Especially days like today, when you were surrounded by gorgeously elegant women, all looking to become the royal bride.

But, you knew that this was something that you had to do, for the sake of your family. For the sake of the pride of your mother, for the sake of your siblings. You couldn't let them down, that wasn't an option. And it would never be an option.

You turn back to Yeji, smiling slightly at her. "I think it's time I took my leave and returned home" you began "heaven knows that my father will have heard whispers about this and will be expecting me home"

Yeji nods, linking her arms with your own again, turning you back towards the road to your homes. No words were muttered between either of you, thoughts in both of your heads filling your focus. The silence between the two of you was comfortable, neither of you needing to speak, knowing that if you needed to talk, the other would be there for the other. "It'll be okay," she says as you arrive in front of the gate to your home.

Taking another deep breath, you turn to her, smiling warmly, before turning back to the gate, pushing it open, and putting a fake smile onto your face. One that your father either couldn't see through or didn't care to know whether it was fake or not.

As you reached the doors, you slip your shoes off, placing them safely next to the door, where no one can trip over them, unless someone was blindly drunk. Sliding the door open softly, you step inside, looking around the room, quickly making eye contact with both of your parents. You send a genuine smile to your mother, and restore your fake smile when sending a fake smile to your father.

"Eomma, Appa" you began "has the news reached you both?" you asked, waiting for their response. Your father squirmed slightly in his seat, whilst your mother smiled gently at you. They made eye contact with each other before nodding slightly. Sighing, you carried on "The Supreme Commissioner himself visited the town square with the news" you added to the conversation before moving on to the details "it requires any daughter between the age of 18 and 24 from a noble status or higher to apply for the procession which then goes onto the selection process"

"you won't be proceeding with this" your father almost laughs, as he looks you up and down. If the looks you got on the street standing next to your friend didn't make you feel small, the look your father was currently giving you certainly would. Deep breaths seem to be the only thing getting you through today, as the next thing you did, was take a deep breath, before continuing the conversation with your father

"Appa, you have no authority in this decision. The law declares that if you don't begin the process when the royal officers make their rounds and find a daughter of age, they will bring the family to the town square and humiliate them... not just in front of the town" you paused before finishing "but also in front of the King"

Y/n suddenly jumped remembering the rest of the details that you knew your father would hate "failure to give your daughter to the King will result in the family losing all title, money and pride"

Your father's face paled instantly, knowing he now had to decide between drinking and using the money to put his only daughter forward for the King. "Maybe I could do both," the man thought to himself. Your mother sighed, before speaking "Cheonsa, it would be an honour to present you to our gracious King. We must begin preparations now" The woman who always makes you think of elegance, stands from her seat. Beginning to busy herself with preparations, not even sparing her husband a look, knowing that if he had his way, then the family would be stripped of everything and publically humiliated. She would not let that happen to her family, she would die before that happened.

"The palanquin needs to be restored and decorated" she began, pacing the length of the room "then we must begin the process of application. There is much to do". The mother begins to walk toward her daughter, the sight making her nervous. Once her mother reaches her, she takes the piece of paper out of her hands, briefly glancing over it, seeing what she would need.

"Go prepare yourself for dinner, we are dining with the Hwang's" your mother says, smiling at you, before turning around and leaving the room. You nod, even though she would not see it, before bowing and leaving the room quietly. Once out of the room, you waited to hear any noises coming from the room your father was still sitting in. Hearing nothing after a moment or two, you move your body to head toward your room. You debate changing into a cleaner hanbok, but you decide against it.

Looking in the mirror, you notice that your hair looked rather dishevelled. This makes you decide that the best decision is to sit in front of the mirror and attempt to tidy it.

After a few minutes of trying to sort it out, you have only made it worse. Seeing your reflection in the mirror made you frown. You looked tired and stressed, the stress evident in the way your eyebrows knotted together. You rest your arms on your dresser, letting your head rest on your forearms. Your hair that had already fallen out of the hairstyle from you trying to fix it, falls around your head, surrounding you in a shadow.

A knock on your door alerts you that someone wanted to come in. Another sigh leaves your lips, as you lift your head up, letting whoever was at the door enter.

Your heart drops into your stomach when you see who was behind your door. It was your father and he was angry.

"How dare you tell me that I have no choice in this matter. I am the parent, not you, DO NOT treat me as a child" he begins yelling. He begins moving towards you, his anger seeping out of his every pore. You quickly stand up from your position, thinking it would be safer. Your father disagreed, this made him angrier. He lunges forward grabbing what was left of the braids in your hair and yanking his hand towards the floor, making you fall head first onto the floor with a thump.

"I AM THE MAN OF THIS HOUSE" he continues "I MAKE THE RULES, NOT A FAT LITTLE GIRL WHO WON'T EVEN MAKE IT PAST THE FIRST STAGE" he yells, crouching down to get in your face. his voice returns to normal as he grabs your hair again, pulling it towards his face "I wish you were never born. You should have died, not your sister. You're a disgrace" he finishes. throwing your head to the ground again. You try to keep the whimper inside, but it comes out making your father even angrier. But before he can continue on his rampage against your emotions and your head, your mother storms in, fire raging in her eyes. She grips the angry man by the ear, pulling harshly. She uses the grip she has on his ear to pull him out of the room and eventually out of the house.

Moments later she returns to your room, scooping you up in her arms. "Know you are none of the things that he said you are, nae salang/sarang" she whispers into your hair. Your head pounds as you lay curled up in your mother's arms. Shock still absorbing you, you stay deadly still in her arms, worrying that the man that you once adored would come back in. Somehow knowing that you wouldn't respond to anything for a few minutes, she begins stroking your hair, gently singing a lulaby from when you were little [AUTHORS NOTE: this is what i found from searching into a Korean lullaby, as i don't quite know how to type Korean, ill be writing it in how its spoken]

" mong mong geya jitjimara, uri agi jaldo janda, ggoggo dakah ulgimara, uri agi danjam ggenda, jajang jajang uri aga, jaldo janda uri aga" she softly signs. Slowly you can feel yourself calming down as the gentle strokes on your scalp continue along with the gentleness that your mother's voice holds.

"jaldo janda uri aga, byul bodado bitnan aga, jajang jajang uri aga, jaldo janda uri aga" Your mother finishes the first chorus, ready to carry on to the chorus once again when you decide to turn around and hug her tightly around the neck. Once you are ready to let you, you push yourself away from your mother looking at her face, worry clearly etched into her skin. "Now look at this hair," she says, "I thought I told you to get ready, not get worse" she smiles jokingly at you. Pushing a piece of hair behind your ears, she smiles lovingly at you "now let's get this hair sorted"

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Considering how the early part of your evening went, the rest of the evening went well. Your father even going as far as to barely drink. You think it had something to do with the constant glares he received from your mother, along with the bruise blooming on the skin of his ear. The sight of your mother scolding your father with just her eyes made you smile a bit. It made you feel safe, knowing that as you went away, even if it was just for a few days that your mother would be fine, and you wouldn't need to worry about her in that regard.

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The days leading up to when the application had to be handed in moved faster than you would have liked. Your house bustling with people trying to prepare for the procession and the first test. You had begun to hear about hidden tests, that mattered, but not everyone knew about. For example, there was a test within a ceremony. When the eligible women entered the Palace, they would need to stand on a pot lid, this was to send a message to the Kitchen God that a woman would be entering the family and to look after them, however, the secret test was that as they stood on the lid, if it moved they wouldn't be considered a good match, or "too heavy". This filled you with anxiety. Knowing that before you even took a step into the Palace, you would have already failed a secret test. In your heart, you just wanted to protect your family, for them to be proud of you. And the first test filled your mind with doubt.

Yeji and her family were also preparing for her to enter the castle. You had a feeling she was going to go much further than you, her beauty and intelligence and most of all her body type, getting her further than you could only dream of. Although sometimes you were jealous of your friend, you wished her nothing but happiness and luck with her future, especially if she became the royal bride.

The day before the procession, where the royal officers would attend each house, allowing the family to present their daughter, or rather their daughter within her palanquin, with the families servants ready to take her to join the procession towards the castle, you met up with Yeji.

When the two of you had found a sunny spot on a large wooden square bench area, where many would sit for picnics, you laid down, hand in hand. before you could stop it, the words blurted out of your mouth "are you scared?". Yeji turned her head towards you, her face contorted in confusion. "scared?" she repeated. "scared about leaving your family, about how your life will change when you proceed" you responded. "I wouldn't say scared, more nervous" she ended as you sat there and nodded. "I think you'll go just as far as I will, if not further" the woman continued, this time turning her whole body to face you, placing her free arm under her head. This comment made you laugh, as you turned your own body towards your best friend. the look that your friend gave you after your comment, had you shrinking slightly and offering her a small smile.

"your body may be different, but your soul shines through, you are the cleverest woman in town and everybody knows that. And if anyone says anything, I'll fight them. You are worth living in a cell for the rest of my life cheonsa", she spoke, her statement being followed with the most radiant smile you have ever seen in your life. The King would be a lucky man, when he took her as his bride, you thought, the image making your heart swell with love.

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The very next day, in the early hours, when the sun has barely risen above the ground, you are woken up, both maids and your mother bustle around your room, packing away the last of your things as if you were going to be spending weeks away. Your mother smiles down at you when she sees your eyes open watching everyone around you.

"good morning sleepyhead" she chirps at you, with much more energy than someone should have at this time of day. Thankfully your father was nowhere to be seen, making you feel calm and relaxed, rather than anxious and stressed. A deep breath starts your day, as you pull yourself to stand up. A maid, who looks like she must be the daughter of one of the remaining maids that you could afford, rushes over to you, handing you a ceramic cup of water, with a bright smile on her face. You thank her with an equally big smile on your face, hoping to let her know that not everyone in your house was like your father. Your mother turns to look at you once again before continuing with what she was doing, what that was you weren't entirely sure of, "go get washed up nae salang/sarang, it's nearly time to get ready for the procession". You nod, moving towards the door, and to near the room that held the basin full of water, a large tub full of water and another basin, used for your bodily functions. Removing your night robes from your body, you step towards the bath, stepping in, sighing in comfort when the water was just as you loved it.

You weren't sure how long you had been in the bath when there had been a knock at the door. "Excuse me, ma'am, Madam says that you need to get out of the bath, wash your hair and face, and return to your room, as soon as possible" the voice from the other side of the door spoke. A soft smile found its way onto your lips. "Thank you Wonyoung" You responded, moving your hands to find the towel that had already been prepared for you when you entered. standing up, you hear the sound of water sloshing around you, the sound reminds you of the sea for some reason, and it makes you smile. you move the fabric around you before moving your hands to the bowl that is kept next to the bath for the purpose of washing your hair. Once your hand gripped onto the bowl, you placed the bowl in the water, still holding on to it, and then bend the top half of your body over the side of the bath. Once your hair was washed, you moved over to the basin that was full of water for you to wash your face with. You cup your hands in the water, letting the almost cold water calm you, before lifting your hands towards your face. you repeat this, 3 more times before using the small towel that was next to the basin to dry your face off. Catching your reflection in the small mirror that was hung on the bathroom wall, you send a small smile to the mirror you, almost as if you were wishing them luck. Holding onto your towel, and picking up your night clothes, you head back into your room, shocked when you just see your mother in the room, with your robes. "Come, let's get you ready for the procession, we don't have long," she says, patting the ground in front of her. you nod, sitting on the floor in front of her. she cups your face, before telling you to turn around so she could sort your hair.

You go to apply makeup before your mother cuts you off "agi, remember the first part of the selection, you aren't allowed any makeup or extravagant hairstyles". you sigh, your anxiety beginning to fill your body. You were already at a disadvantage due to your weight and now you couldn't even hide behind the makeup that you wore daily. "So I'm going to do a sweet braid, with a ribbon holding our family's crest okay, nae salang/sarang". All you could do was nod. Your mother continued telling you about the process for the day. When she got to the part where you would need to climb into the palanquin, your entire body froze, remembering that two men would have to carry your entire weight along with the weight of the palanquin, and just the thought of it filled you with so much anxiety you couldn't move.

"Don't worry agi, it's Chan and Changbin, carrying you, lovely boys, actually they offered to carry you themselves before we even asked anyone. If the process to become the royal bride doesn't go well, perhaps we can set up a marriage alliance with their clan." This calmed your racing mind slightly, the two boys from the Bang clan were the strongest in town and took great joy in showing off their strength. Always flexing their muscles when you were around in such a comical way, that it never failed to make you laugh from your belly. A sound not a lot of people in this town had heard. Finishing with knotting the ribbon to the braid, your mother clenches your shoulders, signalling you to stand up. She leaves the room briefly to allow you to get changed, before returning to help you tie the gorum as she did when you were younger and didn't know how to do it yourself.

Once you were fully dressed, your mother stands back, clutching a handkerchief in her fists. "my beautiful agi" she says, trying to subtly wipe away a small tear that had escaped her eye. Suddenly she perks up as if a lightbulb had appeared over her head. "Don't forget your application papers!" she says as she goes to a box in the corner of the room, grabbing the papers before returning to you.

"Let's get this application process started," you both say

The Seal of the Dragon

Chapter Four: Enter if you dare

warnings: mentions of weight, AFAB character, mentions of female body parts, references to the weight of M/C, loosely based on my own research of the ancient Korean royalty system, bullying, loneliness, anxiety, money problems, mentions of how other people view characters body

message me if you feel I need more warnings

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The anxiety that filled you, as you felt the palanquin get closer to the Palace, was unlike any anxiety that you had ever felt in your life. All of your feelings hit you at once, and you were unable to decipher which feelings were good and which feelings were bad. A small laugh was heard outside the moving carriage, making you poke your head out to see what was happening.

"Put your head back in woman, I can feel your eyes in the back of my head" Chan laughs, your eyes widen in shock, wondering how he felt your eyes looking at him, as you had barely looked at him. You were beginning to wonder why you and your family had put this effort in, you all knew that it wouldn't go far. You couldn't help but let out yet another deep breath, hoping that this breath would suddenly magic away all the anxiety that your body held. The lively voices of the men you had grown up with continue outside, each of them laughing occasionally, which would make a small smile appear on your face. Especially when Changbin laughed, the noise never failed to make you smile no matter how you felt.

You poke your head out again, trying to be subtle as you didn't want another scolding from your friend. "Y/N, what are you doing?" changbin questions. You close your eyes, grimacing at the fact that you were caught again. Chan laughs loudly. "I was just trying to look for Yeji's palanquin," you said, smiling slightly at changbin. He smiles at you, seeing the anxiety in your eyes before responding "She's in the one ahead of the one in front of us". a sigh of relief leaves your lips, knowing that your best friend was near.

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A few more hours passed before you finally arrived at the Palace. You pull the small lilac fabric back slightly, eyes peering at your surroundings. A gasp leaves your lips, the sight before you leaving you feeling enchanted. The walls were high, and the gate to enter the Palace was made from bright red wood with a decorated top coloured with greens, blues, reds and even golds. There were cherry blossom trees lining the grey walls, the smell of them wafting gently through the air towards your nose. Guards were spaced out across the wall, but more guards were crowded by the gate, watching all of the participants enter the gates.

The guards wore hanboks in glorious red colour, with a belt in almost the same royal blue that you had seen the supreme Commissioner wearing a week before. It takes you a few moments to remember what the tall man's name was, it finally clicking when you think about that afternoon. Kim Seokjin was his name, it was quite fitting you thought. He was very handsome, so handsome that his aura felt ethereal to everyone who saw him. You wondered if you would see the man whose broad shoulders could clearly be seen under his hanbok.

Just moments later, you felt the dark box you were sitting in, come to a stop. Anxiety that you had briefly forgotten about when admiring the guards as they stood by the gate. A soft knock is heard on the wood next to you, making you jump in your spot. "We're here," Chan said, his voice low and almost authoritative, reminding you that you could only go onwards and couldn't run home like you wanted to. "Take a deep breath and come out eolin-i" Changbin adds. And that is what you do. Taking your skirt in your hands as elegantly as you can, you make to take your first step within the Palace grounds. A beautiful smell suddenly hits you once your full body was out of the uncomfortable box, almost reminding you of home. It was a scent that made you feel warm inside, it was the familiar scene of samgyetang, almost smelling just like how your mother at home made it. The smell makes a small appear from the corner of your lips. You catch eyes with Changbin, who knows what you're thinking as your mother frequently made it for the Bang clan with all the help they gave her and your family, and he smiles back at you.

'Maybe things will be okay' you think to yourself. Soon after a loud voice filled the open square. "Ladies, welcome" the voice began "Please move onto the squares that have been prepared on the floor and allow for your palanquin carriers to move it to your spot. The first test begins soon". You look around, seeing where everyone else was going, but during this you finally found Yeji, you subtly wave before taking your first step towards one of the biggest moments in your life. You take your place on a square almost directly in the middle of the square. You hear some people talking around you, and hoping it was Yeji or some of the nicer girls from town talking amongst each other, you try to listen into the conversation.

"Why is she even here, it's not like she'll even make it past the first test. The size of her would repel our Beloved King" one voice says. You feel your heart fall, your anxiety heightens and what once was a smile, turns into a frown. "Indeed, the poor Queen Dowager has to lay her eyes upon the elephant" another continues, making tears well up on your water line. Looking up to the sky, you try to blink away the tears, trying to ignore the two women behind you tearing down your self-confidence quicker than it took to light one of the Palace lanterns. "She's not even dressed to the right standard, how does she even think that she can even present herself in front of the Queen dowager. When I become Queen, I will put her in the dungeons, for committing such a crime to the Dowager" their hate continues, followed by a giggle of the other. Shock fills your system, making you wonder if she could actually do something like that.

Looking around, you noticed that every single other woman around you, Yeji included, was dressed to the best that their money could afford. Worry piles onto your already high pile of emotions that you were feeling. Would you even be allowed to enter the view of the Queen Dowager in your current outfit? But before you could stew on your thoughts even more than you already were, Chan and Changbin arrive next to you with your palanquin next to you, blocking you from the view of people on either side of you. The feeling of the men standing next to you made your anxiety ease slightly, but the feelings still piled high within your heart. You turn to look at the men and open your mouth to say something when another voice cuts you off.

"Welcome Ladies and manservants" the voice begins, this sentence making you turn to the boys and smirk at them slightly, letting them know that you would never let them forget what they had just been called. The giggle that was about to exit your throat, reminded you to look towards the front. And you were not disappointed when you did. Seeing the man that you had been thinking about earlier when you had begun your entrance into the Palace. "Today begins the beginning of the selection process for our King to find his future Queen. That lady being amongst the very people in front of me." He starts "To help me welcome you into the Palace, the Head Directorate Min Yoongi has joined me," he says and turns, his hand pointing towards the shorter man slightly behind him. Min Yoongi looked almost as ethereal as the Seokjin, He had long blonde hair, half tied up in a high ponytail, a black band wrapped around the top of his head. A long pink scar covered his right eye from above his eyebrow to just below his eye. The man was just as attractive as the broad-shouldered man and you knew that a part of him knew that he was attractive. Yoongi takes a step forward, places a small smile upon his lips, and bows slightly before taking a step back, putting him back into his previous position. Smiling, Seokjin continues "Now to begin the process" a pause fills the air "We will begin with the person on the left" he takes his hand and points to the woman to his left, smiling gently at her "You will begin, and the King would like you to announce your name, both family and your given name, your age and your family crest. Please begin".

The woman he had pointed to during his speech, takes a small step forward, bowing deeply to the Supreme Commissioner and Head Directorate, an elegant smile on her lips before announcing her name "Kim Si-Hyeon, 19, Wild Boar" she states, before bowing again and returning to her previous spot. This continues until it reaches you. You repeat the same process that all the women before you had done.

Take a deep breath.

Take a step forward.

Brightest smile.

Bow

"Seo Y/N, 22, tiger"

Bow again.

Step back.

Breathe again.

Once you had finished, you hear small giggles and scoffs from the hate-filled women behind you. You pay no mind to them and continue to listen to the women around you announce themselves. Your breath gets caught in your throat when it gets round to the women who had been spitting hatred at you, "Kim Seol-Hyun, 22, Rabbit", soon followed by "Kwon Eun-Bi, 22, Deer". The voices clashing straight into the memory of when you had attended the school in town to learn how to read and write. The voices that had moments ago filled your heart with hurt, were the same ones who had tried to bring you down when you were barely tall enough to reach the middle shelf in the town library. You feel your whole body freeze, before remembering that they can see you, and try to relax your body.

A few minutes later, all the women in the courtyard had announced their names, their age and their seal. Your anxiety peaked once again, as you remembered that the first test was about to begin. Seokjin stepped forward again, a formal smile graces his face, as he begins to say what the first test would be.

"Well, it is wonderful to meet you all. The first test is the Chogantaek. You will have to remove all your ceremonial robes, leaving you in your underdress', you must also remove ALL makeup and hair accessories. The only accessories allowed are Daenggi's and small headbands. Please also remove your shoes and beoseoh, then return to the spot that you are standing in. The Queen Dowager will arrive in a few moments and will be with her ladies, making her decision row by row. Once she has completed every row, she will confer for one hour with her ladies before announcing her selection. 15 of you will be going through. That is one from every row. On the rare occasion that the Queen Dowager makes a decision to have more than one from each row, we will process with them, however, know this rarely happens" Seokjin takes a step back, then nods his head towards a group of guards. The guards take their staffs, stomping them on the ground, yelling out and announcing the arrival of Queen Dowager.

The Queen Dowager enters, wearing the ceremonial red Wonsam. Her ladies in waiting also wearing their ceremonial clothing, the Dowager, however, stood out brightly among the rest. The sight of the woman took your breath away, your body subconsciously standing taller. The ladies surrounding the Dowager separated, moving to form a line behind the woman as she joined the Supreme Commissioner on the podium. Everyone bowed deeply before her.

"Good luck" was all she said, before moving off of the podium with her ladies. Moving to return to where she had previously stood. "Now ladies," Seokjin spoke, "Now is the time to enter your palanquins, remove your outer robes, accessories and jewellery and return to your spot". A moment is held in the air before the first women moved to their boxes, the rest following suit once the first had moved.

You move into your palanquin, leaving your hair braided with the daenggi tied in your hair. You undo the goreum, that held the two sides of your jeogori together, letting it slip off of your shoulders. You then take off your chima, before folding it and placing it on the seat that you had spent the last few hours sitting upon. A short anxious breath escapes from your lips before you leave your palanquin once again. You make eye contact with the boys standing near you, both of them throwing a thumbs up your way, making you feel slightly at ease.

More and more women entered back into the courtyard, standing where they once were. It only took a minute or two before everyone had returned. Another stomp is heard, along with the yells, before the Queen Dowager is standing in front of you all again. "As I stated earlier, we will be going row by row, starting with the first row." Seokjin states, before moving down the stairs at the front of the podium that you had not seen before, he turns, holding his hand up for the Dowager. She takes his large-looking hand, moving gracefully down the steps. The ladies who had come back out with her, moved in a row behind her, as the group moved to the woman who introduced herself first. The group began talking amongst themselves as they passed through each trio. Once they reached the end of each line, they would turn to each other, talking almost silently among each other, before turning back to Seokjin, mentioning something, he would write it down, and they would continue to the next row.

Your heart pounded inside your chest as she eventually reached your row. She began to the right of you, moving what felt both slow yet fast, closer and closer to you. She soon reached you. You bowed deeply to the woman in front of you, bowing as low as your body would possibly let you. "You may rise," she says, you bow your head, before returning to your standing position. "What is your name?" she asks you, staring into your eyes, making you feel nervous as you answer "Seo Y/N, Your Royal Highness" you respond. "Your age? And seal?" she questions "22, Your Royal Highness, and my seal is the tiger, My Queen" you finish. She lets out a small laugh, a sweet smile gracing her pink lips.

"Why do you want to become Queen?" The older woman continues her questions. You take a moment to respond, making the Queen Dowager raise her eyebrow slightly. "I want to make my family proud of me, to make a difference when and where I can" you answer finally. Your answer makes the woman smile. "A beautiful answer" she responds. Turning, nodding to her women, and continuing on to the woman next to you.

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Around 15 minutes later, all rows had been gone through, and now was the moment of truth. You would find out if you made it through to the next stage of the first test.

"When I call your name, please step forward" Seokjin starts, then looking down at his list, he beings

"Row one; Kim Si-Hyeon, Row two; Ahn So-Hee, Row three; Bae Suzy, Row four; Cho Mi-Yeon, Row five; Nam Da-Won Row six; Jung Eun-Bi, Row seven; Go Woo-ri" He counts, announcing each girl "Row eight" hearing your row makes your heart stop and your body freeze. "Hwang Yeji" a short pause follows "and Seo Y/n". If your heart hadn't stopped before when hearing your row, it definitely would have, hearing your name falling from the plump pink lips of the Supreme Commissioner.

You. Had. Passed.

"Row Nine; Kim Seol-Hyun AND Kwon Eun-Bi, Row ten; Han Sun-Hwa, Row Eleven; Lee Ji-Eun, Row twelve; Jang Won-Young, Row thirteen; Kang Mi-Na, Row Fourteen; Kim Si-Jeong, Row fifteen; Lee Hye-Ri" He finishes his list of names before returning his vision to the crowd. "Thank you to those who did not pass, your marriage ban has lifted, and we humbly ask for you to return to your cities, towns or villages. Those who did pass, please gather at the front, we will have men escort your palanquins and manservants to your accommodations and they will meet you there, as they will be assigned by the Queen Dowager once you have completed the next test". You wait a moment, turning to Chan and Changbin behind you muttering a quiet "see you later" to them, before placing your hands together and moving towards the front. On your way, however, the women who you had identified as your childhood bullies, decide to bash their shoulders into yours, making you nearly fall to the ground, a small hand catches you, making you turn around. You see Yeji glaring at the women in front of you. Clasping onto her hand, you straighten yourself up, trying to ignore the pink flush that has risen to your cheeks in embarrassment.

"Wonder how fatty got through," the taller bully says to the shorter one, the other quickly responding "must have bribed her, there's no other way someone of her size would have gotten through to this second part"

"The same could be said about you, don't you think," Yeji says, speaking again before they could open their mouths "you must have had a pretty big bribe to get through, there's no way the Queen Dowager would allow someone as spiteful and rude as you through her walls otherwise". A short silence is held between the four of you before Yeji grips your hand and pulls you to the front.

"Congratulations on passing the first half" Min Yoongi begins speaking surprising you all. "The second half of the test begins in a few moments. We ask that you enter through that door, single file, to enter the smaller courtyard where the test is set up for you. Each of you will take a spot in front of a tray. Once you reach your tray, you will see a stick. Use this to right your father's name, before taking your stick, placing it next to it, and standing behind it with your tray. More instructions will follow". Smiling towards Yeji, you both let go of each other's hands, you stand just behind her as you walk to the door that the blonde-haired man had pointed to during his explanation. Close to the door, you saw the pot lid that you knew you would need to stand on. The sight of it, makes your stomach turn, anxiety spike and your fingers clasp at each other in anxiety. The first girl goes, and steps on it, it doesn't move, and she carries on. The process continues until it reaches you. You stand in front of it, place the middle of your foot on the handle, place as little weight on it as you can, and then place your other foot on the front side of the pan. To your surprise, the lid does not move. This makes you let out a small breath, with a quiet laugh of surprise. You carry on towards the smaller square that had been mentioned. Here you see another man standing on the podium, alongside the dowager and her women.

Taking a spot next to Yeji at the end of the row, you crouch down as elegantly as you could, trying to remember all the lessons your mother taught you on how to be as ladylike as possible doing things that most times aren't considered ladylike. Briefly looking up, you notice that most of the other girls are hesitant to crouch down as you were, especially Seol-Hyun and Eun-bi. The sight of this makes you smile slightly to yourself, picking up the stick that was on the tray. You're about to write your father's name, when you realised your tray was in the way, so you move it, before writing your father's name in hangeul. Then you take the tray that you had placed to the side, standing up and waiting for the next instructions.

Whilst the others finish writing their father's names on the ground, another young man who you don't recognise walks around with a piece of hanji in his hand and a long black writing brush in his hand, writing something down about the writings that had been finished.

"We will begin the next part of the test. I have had another person go around and write who completed their task first, and this test will be going in order of who finished it first. Once the name has been called out, that person will come to the podium with their tray, they will have a pot of tea, and six very special tea cups placed on their tray. You will need to take the filled tray to the Queen Dowager and her ladies and serve them tea. You are being judged on your basic etiquette. Once this is completed, you will return to your spot." the unknown man speaks. "Once everyone has completed this test. You will be assigned to the accommodations, that our gracious Queen Dowager has selected for each of you. Good Luck, let's begin. Seo Y/n"

As your heart pounds in your chest, you take your tray in both hands, keeping it as straight as possible, moving towards the podium. Once you reach the podium you wait at the steps, "you may enter the podium" the man who had given you instructions tells you. You knew more than anything that right now, you would need to rely on your manners and etiquette more than your style, hoping that these would shine through to the Queen Dowager. Taking one step at a time until you reached the top, you tried to remind yourself to breathe in and out. It takes mere seconds for you to reach the man at the top of the podium. You bow, again as low as you can, to the man in front of you He nods his head briefly back at you, before nodding to the men to the side, themselves holding teapots and teacups. They begin to come over to you, placing the teapot and teacups on your tray. You bow slightly towards them, careful not to tip the tray over. Once all the items were on the tray, you took a careful first step towards the Queen Dowager and her ladies in waiting. It took only a few steps before you reached their table. You tried to place the tray down on the table in the centre as you could before kneeling in front of the table. Bowing once more to the Queen Dowager, and then bowing slightly higher to the Queen's ladies, you took the teapot off of the tray, holding it with both hands, careful not to let any spill. You place it down, before moving to take the teacups. First the Queen Dowager, then the ladies next to her, slowly going out more and more until you reached the ladies on the end. Retaking the teapot, you pick it up before returning to the Queen Dowager "Would you like some tea, Your Royal Highness?" You ask. She nods her head slightly at you, letting you pour her tea. You make sure not to pour too much tea, but enough to fill the teacup to a reasonable standard, trying to remember all the lessons your mother had taught you growing up. You turn to the lady next to her, asking her the same question, repeating the process until each lady had a tea. After the final lady had received her teacup of tea, you return the teapot to the tray, bowing once more before you stand up. "Please enjoy your tea Your Royal Highness and her gracious ladies" you state. You take a step to the right before turning and moving back towards where the unknown man was standing.

Once you do, the man nods to the menservants to come back over, and they do, taking the teapot from you. "Please return to your spot," the man says, you nod and bow towards the man, descending the stairs and returning to your spot.

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It took what felt like an age before everyone had finished, some spilling their tea on the floor in nervousness, one girl even breaking a teacup before she could even reach the Queen Dowager. However, worst of all was one of the ladies, whose name you found out to Jung Eun-bi, from the sixth row, spilt her tea and broke a teacup between the Queen Dowager and the lady next to her. It finally came to the time when it would be announced who would pass through to the next round. The square fell silent once again when the still un-named man spoke again.

"I feel that it is time for introductions into who myself and the other man are. My name is Jung Hoseok, the young man who was walking around earlier is Jeon Jungkook. Our jobs, respectively, are The Chief Councillor and High Councillor. The Queen Dowager and her ladies have come to the decision on the ladies she would like to pass through onto the next stage, which is called Jaegantaek, and those who passed will receive further instructions as to what it is. However, now is time to talk about the ladies who passed.". The other man who you could now identify as Jeon Jungkook, came forward "Those who did pass, please make a formerly line at the front. Those of you who have not passed, please return to your manservants and return to your homes. Your marriage ban has been lifted and we thank you for your cooperation within the process."

" Kim Si-Jeong" one.

"Bae Suzy" two.

"Cho Mi-Yeon" three.

"Hwang Yeji" four.

"Kim Seol-Hyun" five.

"Han Sun-Hwa" six

"Kwon Eun-Bi" seven.

Shit. That's seven. There was barely ever more than that. It was such an unheard-of occasion for it to actually be more than seven. And your name wasn't part of that seven. Do you feel relieved or happy? Yeji sends a small smile your way before moving into the line. Your bullies send you a smirk and walk smugly over to the line.

"And on a very rare occasion, we have an eighth candidate" Jung Hoseok lets the information fill the air, everyone taking a breath.

"Seo Y/n"

The Seal Of The Dragon Masterlist

Chapter One - Trials and Tribulations Chapter Two - Taking the Plunge Chapter Three - The Application Chapter Four - Enter If You Dare Chapter Five - Royal Residences Pt 1 Royal Residences Pt 2 Royal Residences pt 3 Chapter Six - The Royal Announcement Chapter Seven- The Move Chapter Eight- Cherry Blossom Courtyard

Extras: What Words Mean Seokjin's Gift Yoongi's Gift Hobi's Gift Jimin's Gift Taehyung's Gift Jungkooks Gift Namjoon's Gift Taglist

Chapter Five- Royal Residences Part 2

warnings: mentions of weight, AFAB character, mentions of female body parts, references to the weight of M/C, loosely based on my own research of the ancient Korean royalty system, bullying, loneliness, anxiety, money problems, mentions of how other people view characters body

message me if you feel I need more warnings

3,098 Words

There will be small blurbs following this for the next few days, letting you know what the gifts they receive from each of the boys, each boy getting their own blurb.

"Your father?"

“Indeed, my Queen” you started, taking a slow breath, trying to work up the courage to discuss your father with the intrigued woman in front of you. “My father used to be a good man. A kind man even. But then we lost a lot of money in one go, and he turned to drink. He would waste away the money we did have every night, and when he would come home…” you felt your eyes begin to water, but you couldn’t allow yourself to cry in front of the Queen Dowager. “The night before I left to begin this process, my father attacked me for the first time” you tried carrying on. The look on the woman’s face turned from intrigue to horror within seconds, flashes of anger passing through her eyes, which she tried to hide away from you with quick blinks. 

“He attacked you?” The Dowager responded, trying to keep her voice stable, not wanting to make you more upset than you already clearly were.

“I had come home with the application and had told him that all eligible ladies had to apply. He did not want me to. He knew the money he used on drinking would have to go towards the preparations, and he wasn’t happy with that. I feel I may have aggravated him slightly however, he had told me that I wasn’t permitted to apply for this process, and I told him that he had no say in it, that the king himself requested it, and the repercussions that we would face if we didn't. And he quickly fell silent in anger. My mother on the other hand quickly began preparations, trying to raise my confidence in myself. We were meant to have dinner that night with a family we were friends with, my best friend, she's even here, as part of the process." you began your story

"She's here?" the Queen Dowager probed

"Hwang Yeji, my Queen" you responded. The Queen Dowager nodded in recognition. Her silence queuing you to speak once again

"so my mother had sent me to my room to begin sorting out my hair and readjusting my clothes for dinner. And that is what I had started doing when I heard a knock on the door. I stupidly assumed it was just my mother, as she's the only one usually to knock on my door. My father usually only spoke to me in distaste, blaming me for his drinking, that it was all my fault, and that he was using this money for my future. I still don't know what he meant by that" you carried on, letting out a dry laugh. The Queen Dowager showed a tight smile.

"It was never your fault. I hope you know that" she told you.

"You sound like my eomma," you told the older woman, looking at her and giving her a small smile, the dowager responding with a similar smile. A small silence passed again, letting you carry on your story.

"Anyways, he had stormed in, his voice was this weird level where it wasn't yelling but it wasn't speaking at a normal decibel. I remember every word he told me that night. Every. Single. One." the tears welling in your eyes again. "how dare you tell me that I have no choice in this matter, I am the parent, not you, DO NOT treat me as a child" 

Remember to take a breath a voice inside you reminded you. So you took a deep breath, continuing your story "He grabbed what was left of the braids that were still in, and yanked on them slightly, and then he yanked it even further and threw me to the floor by my hair" your voice wavered as you began to cry. but you carried on "He began yelling "I am the man of this house" he had yelled in my face" you wipe a tear that had made its way to your chin "and then he continued "I make the rules, not a fat little girl who won't even make it past the first stage" and then his voice returned to normal before he grabbed my hair and told me the thing that hurt the most" more tears fell down your face, you couldn't even look at the Dowager. "He grabbed my hair for the final time and got so close to my face I could smell the beer that he had drunk earlier in the day and said "I wish you were never born, you should have died, not your sister. You're a disgrace" and then he shoved my head into the ground again"

"But, no matter what he has done, he is still my father. I still love him, despite his aggression towards me. At the end of the day, I have always wanted him to tell me that he was proud of me, though I know that will never happen. I just hope that by getting this far, by doing this much, maybe just maybe, he will be proud of me, even if he doesn't say so" you finished. You heard the Dowager taking a deep breath and sniffing slightly, trying to subtly wipe away the tears that had fallen during your story. She turned towards you more and took your hands in her own. A knowing smile on her lips. "I went through a similar thing to yourself before I became the Queen," she told you "my father was a heavy drinker, and although we didn't lose our money, he just didn't treat me the way he treated my siblings. He would always tell me when others couldn't hear that I was a disappointment and that anything that went wrong for our family was my fault" her story began. You could almost picture the woman in front of you, younger and looking the same way you had just weeks before.

"He never physically abused me, the dressers I had would have seen it and reported it to my mother, who would have been beyond furious with my father. My mother never knew about what he told me on a daily basis either. At least that's what I tell myself, it's the only way I can heal" her story carried on, "But when Namjoon could speak, he would always run up to me and call me the 'Bestest eomma in the world' and it was always he kind words that made me so happy and allowed me to slowly heal. Healing is a slow process that only you and time can heal. You are worth more than what your father told you and I hold hope for you and what you can do in the future. I almost see me in you" her words spilt out of her mouth, her hands still holding yours tightly in her own. “Would you like to join a luncheon between my ladies and me tomorrow afternoon?” the Queen Dowager suddenly blurted out. 

“Me?” You responded quickly, shock evident on your face at the Dowager’s question. “Are you questioning me?” the Dowager retorted “Of course not!” You quickly responded “I just cannot believe that you want me to attend an event as prestigious as a luncheon between the Dowager and her ladies. It is an event well spoken of throughout the kingdom” you explained. 

“My dear I was only jesting. I can understand your shock” she laughed “Meet my guards, any one of the four, and don’t worry, I’ll have someone write their names down for you, in front of my apartment tomorrow, they will bring you to the luncheon. Wear something purple, chin-aehaneun, I truly believe that it is to be your colour” she said. “Now, let us finish our tea before dinner is to be served” she grinned, the happy twinkle back in her eyes. She guides your hands back to your teacup and lets go of them once they reached where she wanted. You smiled back, lifting your teacup to your lips, letting the sweet liquid ease down your throat. This had to be the best tea that you had ever had the pleasure of drinking. You look around you, finally taking in the beauty that surrounded you, allowing a content sigh to leave your lips. 

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Anxiety ran through you again the next day when you were ready and leaving your apartment to find the Queen Dowager’s guard. Once again, it took only a few minutes to arrive at the Dowager’s apartment. This time, you walked past her personal garden and to the front of her apartment. And when you did, you saw two people, one man and one woman, both beautiful. 

Before you could reach the beautiful people ahead of you, you heard a voice that immediately changed your mood. 

“Don’t you think it’s a bit desperate to be hanging around the Dowager’s apartment?” Kwon Eun-Bi snarled. 

“As if she would want to even be in your presence” Kim Seol-Hyun continued.

What none of you realised, however, was that the two guards you had previously been approaching, had been listening in to the conversation. And that they would definitely be relaying this to their boss, the Dowager. 

“As fun as this conversation is, I’m afraid I have someplace to be. If you’ll excuse me” You respond, keeping your voice calm and composed despite the anxiety heightening inside your mind and body. 

“Oh please, be our guest” they responded sarcastically. Pretending to be letting you go from their conversation. You begin to move away from them, truly thinking that they were letting you go. But before you could even take two steps forward, one of the ‘lovely’ ladies had stuck their foot out, tripping you over. Seeing you on the floor, they giggled and walked off.

Seeing that the two ladies had finally walked off, the two other people there, ran towards you on the ground. 

“Lady Seo! Are you okay?” A female voice said, making you look up from your place on the floor. Entranced by her beauty, you forget to respond. The woman in front of you becoming more worried about your lack of response. “Lady Seo?” She asked again shaking you out of your trance, reminding you to nod your head. Both of the people standing, let out a huff of laughter at your response to them. The woman, whose name you didn’t know, offered you her hand, and you took it, letting it help you to stand. 

“Thank you, Lady…” you spoke, hoping that she would tell you who she was, that she would take your hint. She smiled, bowing deeply to you before speaking “I am no lady, Lady Seo, my name is Kim Hyun-ah, and this is my husband Kim Hyo-Jong, but everyone calls him Dawn.” hearing his name, Dawn bows deeply with a smile on his face. 

Dawn finally speaks “We're here to bring you to the Queen Dowager’s luncheon. Would you be okay with me using this handkerchief to dust you off Lady Seo?” the man asks, waiting for your consent before doing anything. You nod slightly, a blush covering your face. The man pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and uses it to wipe off the sand and dust that had covered your chima due to your ‘fall’. It took a few moments before he had wiped it all from your clothing. Well, he had wiped most of it, not daring to go near your chest area. He passes the handkerchief to you “There is some on your chest my lady” he says. “Thank you,” you say, taking it from his hands with both of yours, trying to show your respect, not knowing their age. Using it, you wiped off the last of it, that had been laying on your chest. 

“Beautiful Lady Seo” Kim Hyun-ah speaks, a large smile covering her angelic-looking face. “Let us go,” she said, taking Dawn's hand, before briefly turning to you “And please call me Hyuna” turning back, she begins walking towards a building you had not yet been into. 

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The luncheon, once you had arrived, had gone very well. You had even been invited to another one the day after. This process happens for the next four days, each time, you enjoy yourself more and more, allowing yourself to open up about the subjects that mattered the most to you, to the ladies who found themselves resonating with you. On the fifth day, the Queen Dowager decided to skip the luncheon that day, and as much as you enjoyed the luncheons, you desperately wanted to revisit the cherry blossom garden that you had entered on your first day in the palace. 

So this is how you spent your day, happily pondering around the cherry blossom garden. You wore a pale pink jeogori, with a slightly darker goreum. Your chima was the same colour as your goreum, and you had a cherry blossom tree embroidered onto the back of the jeogori, your beoseon’s were white, as were your gomusin’s, though they did have the delicate detail of cherry blossoms engraved across the fabric. You even had a pale pink parasol with painted cherry blossom petals painted across it. This outfit made you feel confident and happy and you couldn’t wait to spend the day in it, walking around the most beautiful place you had ever seen. 

What you didn’t know, was that one of the kings closest men was sitting on a palladiom, painting the scenery before him, before he noticed you wandering around. And before the man had known it, he had painted you, so engrossed in you and your beauty that he didn’t notice that one of his boyfriends had wandered up behind him. 

“I hope you’ve gotten her consent to paint her nae sarang, it’s a bit creepy otherwise” the older man joked. 

“Taehyung! OMO! You made me jump!” the young man said, grateful that his paintbrush hadn’t been on the paper when he had jumped. 

“Sorry Kookie. Your painting is exquisite. You have captured a beauty, I know the other boys will appreciate the… scenery” Taehyung snickered making Jungkook blush. “Anyways, aegi, I have things to do” he grins, his smile boxy. “Maybe you can paint me in with ‘things’” he says before winking and walking off before the younger man could realise what he was on about. 

- * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * 

Whilst staring across the small lake infront of you, you registered steps heading towards you. Not wanting to be a bother to anyone and risk being kicked out of the beautiful area, you put your head down, staring at the water just ahead of you. 

“You must be one of the King’s candidates. I haven’t seen you yet. What’s your name?” the unknown man said, making you finally look up. ‘What was it with everyone in this palace being so ATTRACTIVE’ you thought to yourself. The man infront of you had deep brown hair, swept across his forehead, allowing you to see his milk chocolate brown eyes that sparkled in the sun. His jaw was as sharp as the swords that the guards around the kingdom carried. And finally, you noticed his large boxy smile, waiting happily for you to respond. 

“Indeed I am sir, Lady Seo, pleasure to meet you” you spoke, your voice surprisingly clear, and after your brief introduction, you bow deeply to the man. 

“A beautiful name for a beautiful lady, how is most comfortable for me to address you?” he asks, shocking you into silence once again. The first silence was due to his attractiveness, the second due to his words. 

“Y/N, if that pleases you my Lord” you respond, a gentle smile on your lips. 

“And how old are you… y/n” his questions continue. 

“24 sir”

“Ah. So that makes you my…” his sentence begins, a smirk working its way onto his face “noona”

His words make you cough out a breath, blush taking over every part of your face that it could. 

“If that is what my lord would prefer to call me, i can only oblige to his request” you almost stutter out, making the man throw his head back in laughter. 

“Would you like to go for a walk noona?” he asks, making the blush that had been receding, return. 

“I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon my Lord” you respond, your words almost sounding like flirtation. 

“Please, call me Tae” he responds, offering up his arm to the shorter woman. 

- * - * - * - * - * - * 

The two thoroughly enjoyed their walk, bonding over various topics, jokes flowing between them, laughter filling the air. They had quickly become friends. 

Before either of them knew it, nightfall had arrived and it was time for dinner in the hall once again. 

“May I accompany you to the dining hall noona?” Tae asks, turning slightly to you, waiting for your answer. 

“The dining hall? Of course you can. I have been looking forward to dinner for the last few hours.” you laughed, your tummy rumbling as a response to your words, making Tae laugh. 

“Then let’s go!” he speaks, before running with your arm still in his towards the dining hall. 

- * - * - * - * - * - * - * - * 

After every luncheon that you attended over the next three days, Taehyung met you after, taking you on tours of the palace, showing you places you couldn’t wait to see more of in detail. Your days quickly becoming filled with laughter and happiness, making you never want to go back to your home again. 

The Queen Dowager had noticed your quick friendship between the two of you, and had smiled, knowing that if you were chosen, you would fit right in. 

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Today was the day when the ladies would begin receiving gifts. The ladies were gathered in the small courtyard that they had been in during the first stage. Large screens between each set of cushions. On the small stage, sat two seats, one more elegant than the other. 

Standing in front of your cushions, you waited for whoever was to occupy the seats to sit in them. And while you were stuck in your thoughts, a man who you had not seen since the first stage entered, sitting in the less elegant seat on the right hand side of the stage. You bow deeply to him, before standing upright again. Seconds later the Queen Dowager was announced, and she also entered the stage, sitting on the more regal looking chair. Again you bow deeply, waiting for the confirmation that you could rest on the cushions behind you. She nods, and you let out a smile, plopping down onto the cushions.

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