Reverse Harem - Tumblr Posts

COMMON MASTERLIST — ateez blurbs

collection of my blurbs under the cut ٩(๑ `︿´๑)۶

multiple members

- longing for your owners!ot8!ateez, who had left hybrid!you alone at home, you reach for the phone seeking comfort. - hyungline!ateez headcanons about the first time u meet them - atz headcanons about reader being unusually silent when drunk - atz headcanons about reader hugging a pillow 2 sleep - atz headcanons about making out with them on a chase atlantic beat - atz headcanons on them using "tiny" during sex [nsfw]

ddeonghwa

- biker!seonghwa vs bimbo!reader [suggestive] - bf!yunhwa help you in this heat (yunho acc doesn't help)

joongi

- a long-awaited reunion in hongjoong's creative studio leads to soft moment - hurt 2 comfort with hongjoong [light angst] - hongjoong and your first subdrop [nsfw] - shopping spree with dilf!woojoong - primal play with predator!joong [nsfw] - soft sex w joong [nsfw]

yunni

- during a late-night math session, you're visited by spiderman!yunho - bf!yunhwa help you in this heat (yunho acc doesn't help) - yunho fucks your nightmare away [nsfw] - choking kink w yunho [nsfw] - some boxer!yunho timestamps

hehetmon

- you admit something to vampire!yeosang [suggestive] - prince!yeosang rubs oil in your hair (cuz he loves brown girls) - yeosang and his oral fixation aka he loves boobies [nsfw]

sanni

- babying and doing san's eyebrows - ceo!san leaves u alone in ur bed 4 a meeting - sangi taking care of sick you - phone sex with daddy!san [nsfw] - pregnant reader faints [slight angst] - emperor!san x empress!reader

mangi

- mingi taking care of drunk you - sangi taking care of sick you (i have a thing 4 mingi taking care of me and i think it shows) - roommate!mingi is a big pervert [nsfw]

wooyo

- wooyoung playfully interrupts your asmr session, expressing his jealousy in a dramatic yet affectionate manner. - hybrid!wooyo plays a little game with you in your bathtub [nsfw] - overstimulation w meandom!woo [nsfw] - shopping spree with dilf!woojoong - zombie au - zombie au pt 2

jjong

- exbf!jongho misses u but u... miss him too? - jongho teases u

other groups

- spoonfuls of ice cream [brother's best friend!eunseok] - yandere school (+18) tropes [riize, atz, tbz, txt]

other works can be found here

"it's so hot, i'm literally gonna melt" you complain while removing your shirt, leaving you wearing just a bra. you raise your arms above your head, extending your fingertips towards the air conditioning vent to feel the cool breeze directly.

"come back to bed," yunho emits a groan from his spot in your bed, sprawled out on the covers resembling a starfish. he's wearing nothing but his chelsea t-shirt and boxers.

"why would i do that, we're both sweating like crazy," you mutter, your eyes shut tightly as you try to absorb every bit of the refreshing breeze.

"don't stand in front of the ac, you'll catch a cold," he says, shifting onto his side to gaze at you. a smile forms on his face as he appreciates your appearance. you're dressed in a plain white bra and his matching chelsea shorts. "why don't you take off the shorts and show me something good, tiny."

without responding or turning around to face him, you choose to express your annoyance by flipping him off, enjoying the sensation of the cool breeze against your perspiring skin. his laughter fills the air, and you sense him rising from the bed. suddenly, his warm hand wraps around your waist, creating a comforting sensation. you find yourself automatically smiling at his touch, as if your body instinctively responds to him without needing permission.

he allows both of you to tumble onto the bed, resulting in you landing on top of him with a startled "mmphf" escaping your lips. he playfully rolls you both around, causing you to end up beneath him, his larger frame enveloping you and pressing you deeper into the mattress. as a sense of panic overwhelms you, you begin to scream, and your screams mingle with his laughter. desperate to free yourself, you push against him with all your might, but he remains firmly in place, refusing to budge.

the piercing sound of your screams is abruptly halted as your other boyfriend enters the room, balancing a tray with three cups of what appears to be icy slush. disregarding the situation, he nonchalantly tosses his keys onto the nearest piece of furniture and hands a slush to yunho, who is still chuckling while keeping you pinned down with one forearm pressed against your chest.

"seonghwa tell him to leave me alone, i'm gonna die," you whine helplessly, attempting to give him your most pleading puppy-dog eyes. however, he simply gazes at you, taking slow sips from his strawberry slushie. the sunlight streaming through the windows accentuates his dark under-eye circles, making them appear even more pronounced, casting shadows on his handsome face.

"i don't have time for this," he sighs, clearly exasperated. yunho's laughter intensifies, finding the situation incredibly amusing, knowing well that he's the one who persuaded seonghwa to engage in late-night gaming sessions until sunrise. you adore yunho and his playful, puppy-like personality, but his boundless energy can be exhausting, especially when you're pinned down, struggling for breath. feeling defeated, you gaze at your untouched slushie, resting silently on the nightstand beside you.

"yunho, i'm sweating so much right now, i don't think you wanna be this close to me," you attempt to persuade your boyfriend to move away, but he looks at you with a perplexed expression. he leans down and presses his head against your neck, and you feel his tongue, cold from his drink, glide from the base of your neck to the side of your jaw. "what the fuck! get off!" you forcefully place your palms against his chest and manage to push him away, creating enough space for you to peer down at his smirking face.

"you taste good," he smiles in response, his tone casual as if he didn't just do the most out of pocket shit you've ever witnessed.

"move," seonghwa grumbles as he slips into his side of the bed beside you. he briefly closes his eyes, allowing a moment of rest while yunho nudges both of you to the left on the spacious bed. seonghwa sits up again, removing his t-shirt just as you did earlier. your gaze wanders over the expanse of his well-defined chest, sweat causing his abs to gleam in the sunlight, giving his physique an almost ethereal quality

"thirsty?" you hear yunho whisper in your ear, and you can sense that he caught on to the way you glanced at seonghwa, implying a sexual undertone. however, you genuinely feel parched and in need of a drink.

"yeah, seonghwa please?" you request, pointing towards the nearby cup behind him. he turns to you and goes to retrieve it, but instead of handing it to you, he brings the straw to his own lips, savoring the taste of the orange beverage, "fuck i knew i should've taken peach, it's so fucking good."

he turns towards you and laughs upon witnessing your betrayed expression. "don't look at me like that, i just wanted to taste, here baby take," he says, taking another sip before pushing yunho away from your body. he then brings his lips to yours, guiding the liquid into your mouth, and you willingly accept it, feeling it slide down your throat as his tongue brushes against the roof of your mouth. pulling back, he licks the trail of liquid that had escaped your mouth and landed on the side of your cheek.

"want more?" he asks, and when you nod in agreement, he pushes the straw to yunho's lips.

masterlist

APOCALYPTIC AMOUR — ch 01 [trackstar]

prompt; a tight-knit friend group's carefree days turn into a fight for survival as they navigate a zombie apocalypse ( ˘ ³˘)ﾉ☆ feat; ot8!ateez x fem!reader in this chapter; you meet new student yunho and present him to your friend group, you all have fun until— wrd count; 12.7k notes; all the characters in this story are 18+, the beginning is slightly inspired by the super talented @ohmyamor, this post in particular!!, mullet yunho 4 the win, idk if you noticed yet but i love it when a girl has braids in her hair and she adds those small jewels in them, i feel like i describe all my leads w/ that hairstyle im cryin, it's gonna be normal for the majority part of this chapter, so no crazy gore/horror yet (I JUST FINISHED WRITING I LIED THERE IS GORE AND I'M SCARED!!!), yall this was acc supposed to be a yandere story till i switched it up when jongho pulled up bcuz i felt like it, lssrfm & xikers cameo cuz i love them sm taglist; @eightmakesonebraincell (glad u like it bb!!), lmk if you want 2 b added 2!

"In a matter of moments, she'll be joining us. She's a sweet girl you'll get along well," whispers the director in a gentle tone, leaning forward across his mahogany desk, which acts as a partition between them. Yunho musters a forced smile, his slender fingers fidgeting with the rings adorning them. Irritation simmers within him. He endured an uncomfortable fifteen minutes on the rigid bergère chair, obligated to listen to the school director's grating voice against his wishes. The prospect of meeting a girl holds no interest for him; he is determined to navigate the school's corridors alone.

Just as he prepares to rise from his seat, tired of the interminable wait, a figure bursts into the room with a flourish. Before him stands a panting young girl, her hands clutching her knees, desperately gasping for air as though she has just conquered the most arduous marathon known to mankind.

"I'm... I'm here, lemme just—" she stammers, her voice catching as she raises a trembling hand, a solitary finger indicating her need for a brief respite, "the bus... late... San stole my... backpack... fuck I'm gonna pass out."

"Ah, such language," grumbles the elder man as he rises from his chair. Casting a renewed smile towards Yunho, he gently pats his perspiring forehead with a blush-colored tissue. Stepping over to the girl, who remains slumped in the corner, he addresses the other boy still sitting in shock, "Yunho, this is the student who will accompany you today. I won't detain you any longer. You may proceed." With a gesture towards the door, he guides the girl outside while she continues to lament her apologies to the older man, vehemently blaming a certain individual named "San" for the predicament.

Outside, she turns towards him, and Yunho seizes the opportunity to cast his gaze upon her, carefully observing her appearance. She's undeniably beautiful. The delicate braids in her hair, adorned with glistening jewels, captivate his attention, while her plump cheeks radiate with a gentle glow, evidence of the perspiration amassed during her hurried arrival. Yunho has always had a fondness for aesthetically pleasing things.

Suddenly, she breaks his trance, bowing earnestly before him. "I'm so so so sorry, I didn't mean to be late, I swear I tried to be on time, I'm usually never late. I got jumped by an oversized child annnnd I'm rambling." A flush of embarrassment creeps across her face as the realization dawns upon her, and she playfully scratches her head, feeling a sense of diminishment under the unwavering gaze of the tall young man standing before her.

Yunho's smile widens at the sight. She's cute. Extending his hand towards her, she eagerly intertwines her fingers with his. A rush of joy courses through him as he marvels at the stark contrast in size—his larger hand effortlessly enveloping hers, causing it to vanish within his grasp. He savors the velvety softness of her palm, relishing in the comforting warmth it radiates. His elongated fingers tenderly caress her wrist, their gentle movements akin to a graceful dance.

She reciprocates the gesture, shaking his hand before sheepishly wiping her own on her skirt. "Sorry, my palm is a bit sweaty," she admits, her voice tinged with a hint of bashfulness.

"Knees weak, arms are heavy," he absentmindedly continues, lost in his thoughts.

"Oh! There's vomit on his sweater already," she chimes in, recognizing the lyrics.

"Mom's spaghetti," they say in unison, both bursting into fits of giggles at the absurdity of the words.

"Anyway, I'm yn. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," she says, her gaze meeting his once more. Yunho finds himself captivated by her eyes. They possess a playful sparkle, akin to the innocent exuberance he often sees in the younger generation. It's as if the weight of the adult world has yet to fully cast its shadow upon her, preserving a childlike wonder within her gaze.

"Yunho," he nods in response, his lustrous black bangs delicately framing his forehead, swaying gently as if in sync with his every movement, catching the radiance of the hallway lights and emanating a subtle glow.

"I know," she giggles, delicately covering her mouth with her hand as they begin to walk. "Well, since I've arrived late, classes have already started, which means we'll have the hallways all to ourselves," she proclaims with a mischievous air, a smugness in her tone. She playfully winks at him, and he joins in her laughter, reveling in the shared moment of camaraderie.

Continuing their stride, the sound of their sneakers occasionally creating a gentle squeak against the polished floor, she takes the lead, pointing out various corridors and imparting valuable knowledge to him. Her animated gestures and explanations paint a vivid picture of everything he needs to know.

Yunho would be dishonest if he claimed to retain any of the information shared by the student by his side. His attention is wholly captured by the gentle cadence of her voice, laced with an endearing accent, and the subtle grace with which she occasionally bites her tongue in contemplation. Oblivious to the details she imparts, he merely nods his head in response.

Instead, Yunho's eyes roam across the curve of her nose and the delicate flutter of her long eyelashes. His gaze then lingers on the slightly askew tie loosely draped around her neck and the oversized sweater that envelops her figure. A desire surges within him, longing to embrace her smaller frame within the warmth of his own arms, never to release her. An internal groan escapes him, a perplexing discomfort arising from the strange yearning he discovers within himself.

As they stand before the window, a stray curl cascades across her face, obscuring her vision. Yunho's instinctual response is to reach out and brush it away, but his action is abruptly halted as someone grabs his hand forcefully. He turns his attention towards the source, locking eyes with a shorter boy exuding a piercing intensity. Tension grips both their wrists, causing veins to bulge beneath their sleeves, marking the strain in their arms. Unfazed, Yunho arches an eyebrow in response, calmly meeting the gaze of the boy with a distinctive mole adorning his cheek. In that silent exchange, a challenge hangs in the air.

Their unspoken confrontation is momentarily interrupted as the girl finally shifts her focus from the window, her attention drawn to the unexpected arrival that has joined their company.

"Oh, hey Wooyo! What are you doing here? Yunho, this is Wooyoung." she beams at the boy, completely oblivious to the lingering tension in the air. As her gaze meets his, the previously intense look in Wooyoung's eyes undergoes a transformation, melting into a tender, lovesick expression as he sets his sights upon her. With a gentle gesture, he wraps an arm around her shoulder, leaning into her touch, their bodies fitting together snugly. A slight hunch forms in his posture as he revels in her presence.

"Missed my girlfriend, had to see you," he smiles, his gaze lingering on Yunho, a keen observer of the tension that grips the boy before him. With his hand still wrapped around her, he playfully toys with a braid, gently twirling it between his fingers. In that moment, a wave of warmth washes over Yunho, but it's not the pleasant kind. It's the kind that tightens his throat and makes the mullet he currently sports feel uncomfortably scratchy against the back of his neck.

With a sudden burst of force, the girl forcefully pushes Wooyoung away from her, her face flushed with deep embarrassment. "Stop saying that to everyone I introduce you to! You're so embarrassing, you fucking liar," she scolds, playfully landing a punch on his shoulder. The boy, unfazed by the punch, erupts into a contagious fit of high-pitched laughter, filling the once-empty hallway with joyous echoes. He seizes her wrists, swiftly maneuvering behind her, enveloping her in a warm back hug while still clasping her fists in his hands. Turning her gaze towards the taller boy, she apologizes for the unexpected spectacle that just unfolded before them.

An inexplicable tightness constricts Yunho's chest, leaving him struggling to catch his breath. He can't fathom why this feeling has taken hold of him. He understands that the two individuals before him are not romantically involved, as evident from the girl's earlier remark. However, the overt display of affection between them unsettles him, stirring a discomfort within his core. They exude an undeniable ease with one another, causing his stomach to knot with unease. Wooyoung seems to know exactly what's happening in the boy's mind because when the latter meets his eyes once again, he smirks.

Yunho finds himself irritated, yet he manages to maintain a polite smile nonetheless.

"Wait," she interrupts their embrace, her hand clapping in the air as she fixes her gaze on the student who had been hugging her. Suspicion colors her expression, and she hesitates before voicing her question, "what are you doing here, I know you have class right now."

Wooyoung locks eyes with her for a moment, a mischievous glint shining in his gaze, before swiftly planting a playful peck on her cheek. Without missing a beat, he dashes down the hall, his voice echoing through the corridors as he calls out, "Love you, president!" His laughter gradually fades into the distance as he disappears from their sight.

The girl lets out a groan, using her sleeve to wipe her cheek clean. It's in this moment that Yunho's attention is drawn to the blue marine armband adorning her right arm, proudly displaying the words "Class President." He notices the adorable Sanrio stickers adorning the Korean syllables, adding a touch of charm to the armband.

"Let me tell you, this guy," she exclaims, frustration evident in her voice, "he never attends his morning classes. Detention just isn't cutting it anymore. I should put him in jail." Finally turning her attention to Yunho, she offers an apologetic smile. Pointing towards a classroom ahead, she stretches her arms overhead. "That's your next period class. Just go on in, and the teacher will assign you a seat."

Yunho offers a gentle nod in response, prompting a genuine smile to spread across the girl's face. Initially intimidated by the boy's towering height and quiet demeanor when they first met, she now finds his mannerisms oddly reminiscent of a puppy, endearing her to him. His big, expressive eyes only add to the charm that she discovers within him.

A warm invitation escapes her lips, laced with empathy and understanding. "Do you wanna eat with me and my friends during lunch this afternoon? I know it can be challenging to make friends when you're new in the middle of the year." Her eyes crinkle with a gentle warmth, captivating Yunho's heart as he feels himself melt in response. Internally, he can't contain his excitement, overwhelmed by how incredibly adorable she is. He's practically screaming with joy inside.

"Actually, I already know someone here in the school that I need to find. It's 'ight," he replies, a playful grin adorning his face as he resists the temptation to pat her head. While a part of him feels a tinge of sadness for missing the chance to spend more time with her, he also realizes that if her friends are similar to the one he just met, it might not be the best fit for him. It's not about feeling intimidated or anything of the sort, but rather a desire to ensure that he presents himself in a way he won't regret to the girl standing before him.

"Oh really? Who? Maybe I can help," she offers, crossing her arms behind her back and tilting her head slightly to meet his gaze that had been concealed by his hair. Yunho responds with a gentle smile, his hand instinctively reaching up to brush his bangs aside, revealing his warm brown eyes. He finds joy in the way her smile widens upon catching a clearer glimpse of his eyes, their connection growing stronger.

"Song Mingi, but I don't think you know him, he's quite shy—" Yunho begins to explain, but his words are cut short by a surprised scream escaping the girl's lips. Acting swiftly, she retrieves her phone and taps the screen, revealing something to Yunho. She turns the phone towards him, displaying her wallpaper for him to see.

Displayed on the screen, amidst the small widgets and iMessages, Yunho's eyes meet a captivating image. It captures his childhood friend, Mingi, in a deep slumber, his cropped blond hair filled with an array of adorable pastel hairclips. Playful marker drawings of cat whiskers adorn his peaceful face. Standing in front of him is the owner of the phone, her face partially blurred but her radiant smile shining through. It's as if he can almost hear her infectious laughter echoing from within the screen.

"Uh yeah that's him," Yunho responds, his voice tinged with surprise. He hadn't anticipated her knowing Mingi. The girl nods affirmatively, her smile unwavering, and Yunho can't help but wonder if she ever gets cheek cramps from smiling so much. She moves behind him, placing her hands flat against his back, gently pushing him towards the classroom door. "Great! I'll come find you once your class is over, and we can go eat together," she declares from behind him.

As Yunho settles into his class, he can still feel the lingering warmth of her palms against his back. Throughout the entire lesson, the sensation remains, serving as a comforting reminder of the upcoming lunchtime rendezvous.

"Jongho I'm telling you, the moment I find San, I'm breaking his knee caps, I didn't even know what to tell Mr. Byun when he asked me where my things were." Yunho quietly opens the sliding door, intending to leave the classroom, when he catches snippets of the conversation. The familiar voice belongs to the girl who has been on his mind throughout the entire period. Yunho can sense her annoyance as she leans against the wall, one foot pressed against it for support, arms crossed over her chest, and a visible pout on her face. Beside her, Jongho doubles over in laughter, clutching his stomach in amusement.

"You think that's funny huh," the girl's growl is accompanied by a punch to Jongho's side, prompting him to playfully overreact, clutching the spot where she hit him as if it were truly painful. However, their playful exchange is interrupted by Yunho, who clears his throat to gain their attention. As they turn towards him, their expressions shift in response. The girl's smile remains warm and welcoming, while Jongho's smile fades into a more neutral, passive expression.

"Yunho! Let's go find Mangi," she exclaims excitedly, pulling Jongho along with her and intertwining her arms with both boys, one on each side. Yunho can't help but feel a sense of familiarity as she uses the nickname he had coined for Mingi years ago. Normally, he would feel uncomfortable when strangers used his private lingo with his friends, but strangely, he doesn't mind it this time. "Oh, by the way, this is Jongho," she introduces the boy next to her, gesturing towards him, "and this is Yunho," she adds, indicating the tall boy at her side.

"Wait, he knows Mingi?" Jongho asks, his confusion evident on his face. She simply nods in response, popping a lollipop into her mouth with a mischievous smile.

"You still haven't told me how you guys got to know each other," she inquires, peering at the paper of the candy wrapper, searching for the usual joke written there.While waiting for Yunho to answer her question, Jongho reaches over and grabs the candy wrapper, turning it around to show her the joke, pointing at it. She lets out a soft exhale through her nose, the joke genuinely amusing.

Yunho rubs the back of his neck, his fingers gently grazing through his hair. He feels a sense of relief that her focus is directed elsewhere. Her captivating eyes, so large and mesmerizing, have a way of stealing his breath whenever they lock gazes."It's nothing crazy, we were neighbours, and I kinda forced him to befriend me, like I'd walk him to school and eat with him during lunch even though we attended different schools."

"Wait that's adorable oh my God, he never told me that, did he mention that?" She turns to Jongho, her eyes widening with an expression of curiosity and delight and the latter feels his heart skip a beat, as if doing a somersault in his chest.

"N-no yeah, he mentioned something about a childhood friend pullin up," he stammers, inwardly cursing his sudden bout of nervousness.

"He told you and he didn't tell me, what the—" she starts to say, but her words are cut short by a loud scream echoing through the bustling hallways.

"Pres'! You comin' to practice today?" a boy dressed in a letterman jacket calls out, his voice carrying over the noise. He is joined by a group of similarly attired boys, some of them casually tossing around a football in a cliché manner.

"Yup! Wasn't planning on it, but I have to beat San's ass," she shouts back, not even bothering to turn towards the group of boys. Jongho understands the underlying tension behind her action. She wasn't particularly fond of building relationships with the members of the school's football team, except for the boys in their own friend group, of course. The sound of playful "ooohs" emerges from the group, earning an eye roll from her.

"You part of the football team?" Yunho asks, looking down at her and the boys she was conversing with. She locks eyes with him and bursts into laughter.

"No, not at all, ew, I would never. They're all gross," she says, turning to Jongho and pulling him closer, her hand gripping his bicep. "No offense, babe, but your friends are so annoying." He chuckles softly, too caught up in their proximity and the endearing nickname she always uses, oblivious to her playful jabs at his friends.

"I'm actually part of the cheer squad," she adds, and as the words leave her mouth, she notices Yunho's surprised expression. "Yeah, I know. I lost a bet against the umbrella twins, and they forced me to join."

"The umbrella twins?" he questions, seeking clarification.

"Oh, my bad. San and Wooyoung, the guy who stole my backpack and the one you met this morning," she clarifies, gesturing with her hands as she speaks, a habit that Yunho finds endearing.

Before she can continue, they are once again interrupted by another group of people approaching her. "Pres! The basketball team is going to take the 4th local today, but we already reserved it!" they announce eagerly. She leans back, taken aback by the sudden noise and movement, and Jongho instinctively moves slightly in front of her, as if to protect her.

"I'm not the only president here. Can't you go talk to Hongjoong? There are two of us for a reason," she whines, taking the hands of the girl in front of her and waving them dramatically.

"Eonnie, please, we've been searching everywhere and we can't find him," another girl pouts at her, holding her hands together in a pleading manner. However, her plea is cut short as the girl accidentally hits herself on the head with her tennis racket. The president instinctively brings her own hand to soothe the reddened spot on the younger girl's forehead.

"Alright, alright, I'll talk to Mingi and Seonghwa and see what I can do," she assures them, and the small tennis committee beams with gratitude before taking their leave.

"Fucker must be on the roof. I'll beat him up, always leaves all the work to me," she grumbles, resting her head on Jongho's shoulder.

"Mingi's in the basketball team?" she nods in response, Yunho's mind drifting off as if lost in memories. Before she can inquire further about Mingi, her attention is once again interrupted.

"Hey," a soft voice calls out from behind her.

"Oh, for fuck's sake, I just want to eat," she mutters under her breath, but when she turn around, she's greeted by Yeosang's face.

"Oh, hey babe," she says, wrapping her arms around Yeosang's frame, just below his own letterman jacket. He pats her head affectionately, and she continues walking, Yeosang taking Jongho's place by her side, his arm draped over her shoulder. "Oh, this is Yunho, Mingi's childhood friend. Yunho, meet Yeosang. Jjong and Yeo are our star quarterbacks; they practically carry the team," she laughs, introducing them to each other.

"Don't let Woo and San hear you say that, or they'll whine for days," Yeosang shudders in disgust, recalling the times when she mentioned things that made them believe she had a favorite among the eight boys. She laughs against him, and he finds himself enjoying the way her body shakes with amusement.

Yeosang then turns to Yunho, shaking his hand and nodding once as they make eye contact. "Welcome. Mingi mentioned that you were coming."

She gasps, clutching Yeosang's wrist in front of her and lightly digging her baby blue nails into his skin. "He told you too? Why didn't he tell me? I thought we told each other everything!"

Yeosang shrugs his shoulders, and with Jongho pushing open the doors of the cafeteria, the four of them enter and walk past the students scattered around. As they pass by, the students' eyes light up and they greet her with waves and friendly gestures. She reciprocates with a warm smile and waves of her own. It's evident that she is both well-known and well-liked among her peers.

She senses the tension emanating from the two quarterbacks beside her. Mistaking their annoyance at the attention she's getting for shyness, she reaches out and squeezes Yeosang's hand, feeling him squeeze back in response.

They finally reach the end of the cafeteria room, where the food counter is located. The options available for lunch consist of three combinations: penne pasta in a tomato-based marinara sauce with small meatballs, grilled chicken with a side of steamed vegetables, or a plant-based burger with a side of garlic bread. Each plate comes with a cupcake for dessert and a refreshing glass of lemonade to drink.

As they approach the food counter, Jongho reaches for the tray with the grilled chicken, only to have his hand swiftly slapped away by her. Her raised eyebrow and shocked expression silently convey her disapproval, and without uttering a word, she guides his hand towards the vegan tray instead. "But it has veggies!!, he whines and she glares at him. Jongho sighs and reluctantly grabs the vegan tray, rolling his eyes playfully as he moves behind them to let them choose their own plates.

Next in line is Yeosang, who reaches for the pasta option, but is met with another slap on his hand from her. Confused, he looks up at her, and she points to a lone meatball nestled on the side of the dish. Resigned, Yeosang lets out a sigh and reaches for the vegan tray, conceding defeat.

Yunho steps up to the trays, feeling her expectant gaze upon him. He turns to meet her big, doe-like eyes, and he finds himself unable to resist the unspoken request. Letting his hands guide him, he selects the vegan tray. A radiant smile spreads across her face as she slaps him on the back, the gesture strangely reminiscent of the way his dad had congratulated him when he made the decision to follow with basketball instead of baseball like his mother had wanted. Joining the two other boys, who had been observing the interaction with keen eyes, he settles in and waits for her to choose her food.

Jongho leans in, his voice a low whisper filled with a touch of disdain, "she's crazy about veganism don't mind her," he gazes with evident disgust at the trays before them, as if the mere sight of the vegan options is enough to make him cringe.

Yeosang nods in agreement, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, she picked up on it recently and now the whole gang's forced to change our diet, or she'll throw a tantrum," he says, casually stretching his neck as he watches the girl express gratitude to the food lady.

Their words are laced with a hint of amusement, as if they find her quirks endearing even in their exasperation.

As she joins them, she playfully points a finger at Yeosang, her voice tinged with amusement, "I don't throw tantrums, Wooyoung does, what I do is present well-reasoned arguments with tears, it's different," She then turns her attention to Jongho, her finger now accusingly pointed at him, "and I'm not crazy, just... passionate, you wouldn't get that huh, you depressed bitch."

Jongho responds by lightly slapping the back of her head, a playful reprimand for her teasing. They continue walking towards the other set of large doors in the cafeteria, with her pouting and following behind Yeosang, clutching onto his vest. She leans in close, whispering, "Yeo, Jjong is being mean to me." Yeosang lets out a resigned sigh, his gaze shifting towards Yunho, as if seeking support or solace in the presence of their new acquaintance.

"See what I have to deal with everyday."

The group of students passes through the doors, and Yunho's eyes widen in awe at the breathtaking sight that greets him. Before him lies a greenhouse, its walls concealed by lush, trailing vines and an abundance of vibrant plants. Despite the dense foliage, sunlight streams in from the glass roof, casting a gentle glow on the surroundings. Overhead, plants intertwine, creating a canopy of greenery that adds to the enchanting atmosphere. His gaze sweeps across the scene, taking in the sight of small fruit-bearing trees, their branches heavy with oranges and apples. A thriving vegetable garden flourishes nearby, brimming with fresh produce. Colorful flowers adorn every inch of the ground, creating a vibrant tapestry of blossoms, while a stone pathway guides his way towards a table occupied by familiar faces, alongside two new individuals. One, with a similar armband to the president he had met earlier, must be Hongjoong, leaving the other as either San or Seonghwa, as she had mentioned. His observations come to a halt as she steps into his field of view, her radiant smile and plump cheeks capturing his attention. "You comin?" she asks, extending her hand towards him.

With a slight hesitation, Yunho takes her outstretched hand, feeling a warmth spread through him as their fingers intertwine. Blush obvious on his pale skin, she doesn't mention it. She leads him towards the table, her touch gentle yet firm. As they approach, she introduces him to the two individuals seated there, confirming the identities of Hongjoong and Seonghwa. The atmosphere is welcoming, and Yunho finds himself drawn into the friendly banter and easy camaraderie of the group. He takes a seat among them, feeling a sense of belonging settling over him.

He notices how Seonghwa pulls her on his lap, his affectionate gesture catches Yunho's attention, and he can't help but feel a twinge of unease. He scratches his head, uncertain of how to react in this unfamiliar situation. As he tentatively picks at his peculiarly greenish patty with his fingertip. Oh, the lengths Yunho would go to impress a girl he hardly knows. A random girl who's most likely already dating someone from her fucking harem, he can't help but think.

With a sigh, Yunho brings the small burger to his lips, the size of it seeming insignificant in his large hands. He takes a bite, trying to mask his distaste as the dry bread and peculiar flavors assault his taste buds. He swallows it with difficulty, suppressing any visible signs of disgust. Seeking respite, he lifts the cup of lemonade to his lips, closing his eyes momentarily as he takes a sip, the cool liquid soothing his parched throat.

Meanwhile, he listens to her animated conversation with Hongjoong, her voice filled with complaints and the unfinished thoughts from earlier. And then, her attention turns to Seonghwa, her gaze fixed on him as she leans her chin against her own shoulder.

"Wait, where's Mingi?"

"He's talking to Mr. Zhang, apparently he got caught cheating for his dissertation, he might get a zero on it," Seonghwa murmurs, his voice muffled by the unsatisfying burger. He had initially wanted to go for the chicken option, but Hongjoong had reminded him of her preferences, and he reluctantly settled for the vegan tray. The food lady had given him a knowing look, as if aware of the compromise he had made.

"Pfft, I told him Mr. Zhang uses that crazy software, nothing gets past it," she comments with a mouthful of her own burger, her disappointment evident on her face. She quickly discards the burger onto her plate, exclaiming, "this tastes like shit oh my God."

The sudden attention of everyone at the table is drawn to her, and she looks around innocently, uttering a simple "what?" in response. One by one, they all join her in discarding their own meals onto their respective plates, emitting sighs of disappointment.

"Fuck thank you, I've been wanting to say that, is your phase over yet?" Hongjoong rubs his temples in exasperation, but his action is met with a swift kick to his thigh. Startled, he turns his attention to her, grabbing hold of her foot adorned with Doc Martens, playfully pulling her towards him. In response, she lets out a dramatic scream, clutching onto Seonghwa's shoulder tightly to prevent Hongjoong from separating them.

"It's not a phase," she emphasizes each word with a swift kick to his leg, her frustration evident. "And quit tugging at my leg like the beast you are, I'm a fucking lady!" Her voice carries a mix of exasperation and playfulness as she lets out a spirited scream. Bending over Seonghwa's forearm, with him securely holding her waist, she extends her arm to deliver punches to Hongjoong's shoulder.

"You, a lady?" Yeosang snorts from his seat, unable to contain his amusement.

"You shut the fuck up before I tell coach about how you used to bring girls to the locker room to do God knows what," she retorts, giving him a pointed look that leaves him momentarily speechless, causing him to choke on his lemonade.

"That was such a long time ago, what the fuck, I don't do that anymore," he responds, his voice laced with a mixture of embarrassment and denial. He closes his eyes tightly, shaking his head to dispel the unwanted memories. A shudder runs through his body as he recalls those past actions, prompting Jongho to burst into uncontrollable laughter, nearly toppling off his seat.

She clacks her middle finger and thumb together absentmindedly, her gaze lost in thought.

"Wait, I needed to say something to Seonghwa, but what was it again?" she mutters, her voice trailing off. At the mention of his name, Seonghwa perks up, humming curiously from behind her.

"The 4th local," Yunho's voice silently resonates in the greenhouse, and she instinctively moves her hand from the air to point at him, her mouth agape in realization.

"Yes!" she exclaims, her face lighting up, and Yunho grins in response. "Seonghwa, you guys— the basketball team, can't go to the 4th local today. The tennis girls are using it."

"What why!?" Seonghwa's grip tightens around her waist, his biceps visibly flexing under the uniform vest.

"Okay first, unhand me, you're literally gonna break my rib cage," she tugs at the sleeves of his grey uniform, urging him to release his hold. As he lets go, she takes the opportunity to position herself with one knee against the table, leaning forward to snatch the cupcake that was within Jongho's reach. His eyes snap towards her, and she playfully sticks out her tongue before taking a bite of the blueberry-flavored dessert. Seonghwa looks away, her buttocks right in front of his face, not wanting to invade her privacy or risk getting into trouble with the other boys at the table.

"Second," she begins, her mouth still full as she plops back down unceremoniously on his sturdy thighs, "they reserved it first."

"Damn it," he groans, resting his forehead against the back of her head, his eyes closing in frustration, "I'm gonna kill Chaerin, she didn't send the reservation mail on purpose."

"That's not a nice way to talk about your girlfriend," she mumbles, licking her fingers clean.

Yunho's head snaps towards them, unable to resist overhearing their conversation. He feels a pang of relief at the mention of Seonghwa having a girlfriend. As long as it's not her, he thinks to himself, and right after he finds himself internally chastising his own irrational reaction to a girl he had just met. His lips burn with the urge to ask the question, "Okay, so he has a girlfriend, but why are you sitting on his lap like that?" However, he manages to stop himself just in time, realizing that it might be prying into personal matters that he shouldn't delve into.

"He has a girlfriend? But you…" Yunho starts to speak but cuts himself off, not wanting to make things awkward if she was actually involved with Seonghwa in some way. However, the people at the table seem to grasp the unspoken words.

"Ugh, no, he's like my brother," she clarifies, rolling her eyes. "Everyone knows I don't date, especially not one of these," she playfully flips her hair behind her back, gesturing towards the boys surrounding her. As she does, her hair inadvertently slaps Seonghwa in the face, causing him to roll his eyes and playfully tug on one of her curls in response.

"They broke up," Jongho snatches back the muffin from her hand, glaring at her and baring his strong shoulders in an intimidating form when she opens her mouth to complain, "bitch— get your own cupcake, the fuck? Yeah, anyway he broke up with her like two days ago."

"Mine's carrot, I don't like it," she states, crossing her arms in a defiant gesture. The boys at the table can't resist but swoon at her adorable demeanor. Catching on to her playful manipulation, they each surrender their desserts to her with a smile. As she picks up Yeosang's lemon cake and prepares to take a bite, her motion halts abruptly, "wait, what did you say?"

Her eyes widen in surprise as she abruptly stands up, quickly moving behind Hongjoong for support. Clutching onto his matching sweater, she leans in closer to him, her voice filled with urgency. "Why did you break up?" she exclaims, her words carrying a mix of shock and concern.

"She was clingy," he replies casually, still engrossed in his phone. However, his sentence is abruptly cut short as a carrot cupcake smacks him right in the face. His eyes widen in surprise and he quickly looks up, his expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What the fuc—" he begins to say, interrupted by the unexpected dessert attack.

"I told you not to speak about girls like that. She's gonna be the sixth this year, and it's only been five months since the year started! Seonghwa!!" she exclaims, her voice filled with a mix of frustration and disappointment. She continues to pout and whine his name as he returns his attention to his phone, casually wiping the cupcake off his cheek. "What if a boy treated me like you treat your girlfriends?" she questions, emphasizing her point and highlighting the double standard.

"I'd kill him," he responds in a matter-of-fact tone, causing her to let out a frustrated sigh. She tugs at the roots of her hair in defeat, realizing that her point might not be getting across as she had hoped.

"See how that makes no sense? Treat girls how you'd want me to be treated, you dick!" she retorts, her voice filled with frustration. Taking a big bite of the lemon cupcake in her hand, she chews on it aggressively, using the act as a way to channel her annoyance.

"I'd treat girls how I treat you when they start acting like you," he finally turns to look at her, his gaze piercing through her. The girl feels her face heat up under his intense stare and quickly averts her eyes, searching for a way to escape the awkwardness. Her gaze falls upon the other boys at the table, who seem to be observing the interaction with curiosity. Sensing the need to change the subject, she mutters something about meeting Seonghwa at the basketball court next to the football field, mentioning that it's empty for the day.

She swiftly moves past the boys, grabbing Yunho by the arm and leading him towards the door. However, she suddenly comes to a halt and quickly turns back towards the table. She snatches Seonghwa's cherry cupcake from his plate, adding it to her collection. Then, she returns to Yunho, taking hold of his hands once again, as if maneuvering him like a marionette.

"What are we doing here? I thought we were gonna go to the sport fields?" Yunho inquires, his voice trailing behind the girl who guides him through the familiar greenhouse they had explored during lunchtime.

"Yes, yes we are, I just don't wanna walk the whole way, I'm lazy, and— we're like an hour late," she reassures him, her voice laced with a mischievous tone. She gracefully maneuvers past the table where they had shared their meal, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "Ah, there it is! See that tree? There's a hidden door behind it. It's our secret passage to the boys' side."

Yunho raises an eyebrow, a mix of confusion and curiosity on his face. "A hidden door? Behind a tree? Shut up, are we in Narnia?"

She grins mischievously and continues walking, guiding him through the vibrant greenery of the greenhouse. As they reach a large tree with sprawling branches, she stops and points to a concealed door nestled among the leaves. It blends so seamlessly with its surroundings that it's almost camouflaged.

"Here it is," she announces triumphantly, pushing the door open to reveal a pathway that leads to the sports fields beyond. The sound of cheering and the thud of balls hitting the ground can be faintly heard in the distance. Yunho's eyes widen in amazement.

They step through, and his eyes widen at the sight before them—a vast open clearing adorned with two distinct fields. One is a sprawling green expanse, meticulously groomed for American football, while the other is a smaller basketball court with a solid concrete floor. The fields are flanked by a few bleachers and benches, providing a place for spectators to cheer on the athletes.

The scenery captivates his attention. The expansive football field stretches out seemingly endlessly, the vibrant green grass contrasting against the surrounding treeline. Beyond the trees, majestic mountains rise, their grandeur and magnitude evoking a sense of awe. The athletes moving across the field appear tiny in comparison, dwarfed by the immense natural beauty surrounding them.

A light mist hovers in the air, lending an ethereal atmosphere to the scene. Though the chill of the condensation graces their cheeks, they find themselves enveloped in a sense of tranquility and wonder. It's as if time stands still in this secluded sanctuary, offering a serene escape from the bustling world beyond.

As Yunho scans the surroundings, he notices the presence of three distinct cliques, each engaged in their own activities.

His gaze first lands on a group of eleven boys, adorned in sport attire, diligently following the commands of an older man who stands at the center. The sound of his booming voice fills the air as he passionately directs the boys through their paces, making them run laps between two white lines meticulously sprayed on the grass.

Shifting his attention to the basketball field, Yunho observes six boys divided into two teams of three, engaged in an intense match. The rhythmic sound of dribbling echoes as they skillfully maneuver the ball, their swift movements and strategic plays showcasing their love for the game.

Lastly, his gaze settles upon a group of girls, some dressed in crop tops and short shorts while others are dressed in a tracksuit, gathered near the benches in front of the football team and the bleachers. They engage in stretching exercises, their bodies gracefully extending and flexing as they prepare for their own athletic endeavors.

As Yunho's gaze sweeps across the scene, he notices a small figure seated in the center of the bleachers, engrossed in his artistic pursuit. The person's posture is slightly hunched over, their focus intense as they diligently sketch away with a pencil and sketchbook in hand. It doesn't take long for Yunho to recognize the familiar features of Hongjoong, the same individual who had been sitting with them earlier during lunch.

In that moment, the girl next to Yunho exclaims in a playful tone, her voice ringing through the air, "Hong! Are you going to draw me today, babe?" The sound of her voice draws his attention, causing Hongjoong to raise his head, a warm smile gracing his lips as he responds with a thumbs up. The girls seated in front of him catch wind of the interaction, and their faces light up with delight as their gazes shift to the source of the commotion, recognizing the girl who has captured Hongjoong's attention.

A chorus of excited voices erupts from the group of girls, a mix of "Eonnie!!" and her name flying out, as they jog up to the girl, their energy palpable. In their eagerness, they engulf her in a flurry of hugs, almost causing her to lose her balance if it weren't for Yunho's steadying grip on her back.

As the girls finally take notice of Yunho's presence, their attention shifts towards him. Among them, a mischievous smirk adorns the face of one girl, who playfully twirls a strand of her hair around her index finger. Her voice carries a hint of seduction as she mutters, "And who is that..." Her words trail off as she is promptly pushed away by another girl, who responds with an exasperated tone, "Ew, Kkura, gross! It's been barely a second since you met him, and you're already baring your teeth like some kind of animal."

"Don't be mad just because I caught his attention first, Chae," Sakura retorts, her words laced with playful banter.

"Eunchae, Garam, get behind me, I'll protect you from their hormones," the class president playfully interjects, guiding the two girls dressed in tracksuits to position themselves behind her. The trio bursts into laughter, enjoying the lighthearted moment, while the two older girls in front engage in a spirited verbal exchange.

Amidst the commotion, Yunjin leans closer to the president and whispers inquisitively, her gaze fixed on Yunho's tall frame, subtly checking him out. "But seriously, who is he?" she asks, her curiosity piqued.

"You have a boyfriend!" She exclaims in disbelief, her laughter echoing through the air. The girl raises her hand defensively, trying to fend off the playful accusation, "I'm asking for Kazuha!"

"Nu-uh, leave me out of it," the ballerina interjects with a yawn, her casual indifference contrasting with Yunjin's slightly annoyed expression. The younger girls find amusement in Yunjin's reaction, joining in with light giggles.

The girl dressed in her uniform takes notice of Yunho's discomfort, observing how his cheeks flush with embarrassment under the intense scrutiny of the two girls. She can't help but feel sorry for him. With a quick clap of her hands, she redirects their attention.

"All right girls, let him breathe," she intervenes, positioning herself between the boy and Sakura and Chaewon, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief. "Go practice choreo number 13, I'll come back down when you guys are done."

The girls disperse, enthusiastically responding with "Yes, Pres!" They scatter off in different directions, leaving the girl to shake her head fondly. Her eyes reflect adoration as she watches Eunchae take charge of the speaker and her phone, diligently searching for the song they'll be practicing to.

"Come on, big boy, let's go get Mingki," she playfully nudges Yunho in Hongjoong's direction. Meanwhile, she turns around and positions her fingers in her mouth, creating a loud whistle that immediately grabs the attention of all the players on the field, both from the football and basketball teams. However, her eyes are specifically fixed on Mingi's tall figure.

As they lock eyes, she waves at him, signalling for him to join them. Seonghwa, observing the interaction, lets out an exasperated sigh, clearly annoyed by the situation.

"I'll borrow him for a second you big baby, just practice 3-pointers," she playfully taunts the captain of the basketball team, her eyes rolling in mock annoyance. The awkwardness they had felt during lunch seems to have faded away completely as they exchange smiles, their connection reestablished.

"Jagi!" she hears someone shouting, and she turns to see San, his face beaming with a sheen of sweat.

"Don't even think about it, you—" she cuts herself off when she locks eyes with the coach, who stands with his arms crossed over his chest, sending a shiver down her spine. She grimaces at San, and he pouts sadly before seeking solace in Yeosang's embrace, burying his head in his neck for comfort.

Mingi finally reaches them, bounding up the stairs two steps at a time, and he leaps into Yunho's arms. The two boys burst into laughter, exchanging heartfelt "I miss yous" as they revel in the surreal moment of being face to face. Hongjoong and the girl watch with a tender gaze, their eyes filled with a mixture of affection and nostalgia. The girl settles herself between Hongjoong's legs, resting on the floor, seeking the comforting presence of his touch. The towering figures of the two boys evoke a surge of emotions within her, reminding her of the times she'd come back from her summer vacations, jumping into the boys' ams.

"Man, I still can't believe I'm here," Yunho sighs.

Mingi, still beaming with joy, settles down beside Hongjoong, his contagious smile lighting up his face and causing his eyes to crinkle.

"I know, right? It's hard to believe," Mingi replies, his voice filled with genuine astonishment.

Yunho, his own smile hidden behind his hand, adds, "You've really grown up, man. I can't believe you're on the basketball team now."

The girl can't contain her excitement and playfully shakes Hongjoong's legs, interrupting their tender moment.

"Aww, you two are so cute, I can't," she exclaims, her voice filled with delight, bringing a lighthearted energy to the conversation.

The girl and Hongjoong allow Yunho and Mingi to have their moment, engaging in their own conversation as she flips through his sketchbook—a privilege reserved only for her. After about ten minutes, she closes the notebook and turns her attention to Yunho, her curiosity evident in her eyes.

"Hey, Yunho, I've got a question. I understand why Mingi ended up in this small town—he moved here because of his dad's job at the water plant," she points towards the direction of the factory, barely visible through the trees, situated on one of the distant mountains. "But what about you? Why would someone from Seoul come to a rundown boarding school in the middle of nowhere?"

Yunho takes a moment to gather his thoughts before responding.

"My step-dad... kinda forced me. It was either this or military schoo—"

"Baby!! Here's your backpack!!"

As Yunho begins to respond to the girl's question, their conversation is abruptly interrupted by San's excited scream. All heads turn towards the source of the noise, and the rest of the gang comes into view. San is leading the way, a wide smile on his face as he waves a sage green backpack—the girl's backpack. Wooyoung has his arm draped over San's shoulder, but his gaze is fixed on Yunho, his expression filled with confusion.

Meanwhile, Jongho is busy chugging a bottle of water, and in his haste, he ends up spitting some of it out, accidentally hitting Yeosang in the process. Yeosang looks at him with disgust before swiftly snatching the empty bottle from Jongho's hands and tossing it to the floor. Seonghwa, witnessing the commotion, pushes the back of Yeosang's head, causing him to stumble slightly. Yeosang turns to Seonghwa, clearly puzzled, and points at the discarded plastic bottle. Yeosang points back at Jongho, indicating that he should pick it up. The two engage in a silent argument, each trying to convey their point. Jongho has a shocked expression on his face, as if to say, "Why would I pick it up? You threw it on the floor!" The argument continues silently until Eunchae steps in, picking up the bottle and giving them an exasperated side-eye.

"San give me a hug baby," with a warm smile, the girl beckons San towards her, extending her arms in a welcoming gesture. San's face lights up, and he shoves Wooyoung aside, causing the older boy to let out a grunt. Excitedly, San practically leaps into the girl's waiting arms, anticipating a hug from his crush. However, instead of a gentle embrace, he finds her arms coiling around his neck, tightening and choking him from behind. The unexpected twist catches him off guard, eliciting laughter from the surrounding group.

With her forearm playfully pressed against San's Adam's apple and her hand positioned behind her other forearm, forming a unique frame next to his face, the girl maintains her mischievous hold on him. San playfully whines, his mock discomfort adding to the amusement of the others. In the midst of laughter, Mingi seizes the moment and quickly pulls out his phone, announcing, "Say cheese!" He points the camera towards San's face, prompting an instinctive reaction from the playful boy. San swiftly raises a peace sign next to his smiling face, revealing that his apparent weakness was merely a charade. The resulting snapshot captures a lighthearted moment, with both San and the girl flashing genuine smiles.

Taking advantage of the moment, she leans in close to San's ear, her voice hushed but firm. "San, I swear if you try another stunt like that, I'll personally make you regret it." Her warm breath tickles his ear, causing a shiver to run down his spine. She tightens her grip ever so slightly, emphasizing her point. San, feeling both intimidated and intrigued, responds with a quiet, almost squeaky, "Yes," acknowledging her warning.

As San is released from her grip, he swiftly turns around and pulls her into a tight embrace, leaning his body against hers. Meanwhile, Wooyoung's curious expression draws the attention of everyone around. He silently raises an eyebrow and directs his gaze toward Yunho, wearing a perplexed expression. It's clear that he's questioning Yunho's presence with his next comment, "what's he doin here?"

Mingi offers a brief explanation, trying to ease Wooyoung's annoyance. However, it doesn't seem to have the desired effect as Wooyoung remains visibly irritated. He sits down in silence, forcefully removing San's hands from the girl's body and placing her on his own lap, a clear display of his displeasure.

"Okay, no, Woo, you're too sweaty for skinship right now," she tries to get up, but he firmly pulls her back in, muttering a "shut up." She sighs in defeat, accepting her situation. She knows that Wooyoung can get anxious and quite possessive when new people try to join their close-knit circle, reminding her of his insecurities. Despite feeling the stickiness of his sweaty forearms on her thighs, she lets him be, knowing it provides him some sense of comfort and security.

As the rest of the group joins them, Hongjoong takes notice of the continued work of their respective teams. He adjusts his glasses with the hand still holding the pencil, a sign that he's about to ask a question.

"Why are you guys here?" he inquires, curiosity evident in his voice.

Seonghwa, not one to miss a chance for a sarcastic remark, quickly responds, "Um, fuck you? If you want us to leave, just say it directly." He lifts his head from the game app on his phone, expecting a round of laughter at his obvious joke. However, he's met with Hongjoong's tired gaze, and the room falls silent. Realizing the serious tone, Seonghwa pouts and adds, "Y'all suck at taking jokes. I'm the captain, I can take a break whenever I want." He glances back down at his phone, finally addressing Hongjoong's question.

"Coach gave us a break to relax, but he still needs to take care of the younger ones," Yeosang explains, his voice muffled slightly by the protein bar he's munching on.

Hongjoong nods in understanding. "I see. Well, enjoy your break while it lasts. Just make sure to be ready when practice resumes," he advises, his tone carrying a hint of authority.

Mingi playfully rolls his eyes. "You're not on either team, and yet you still act like you lead us or some shit," he snickers, his voice filled with playful mockery.

"I'm the president!" Hongjoong retorts with a hint of pride.

"Well, I don't see yn acting like that!" Mingi replies, and at the mention of her name, the girl stops playing with Wooyoung's fingers and lifts her head in confusion. "Huh?"

Before Mingi can persuade her to join in teasing Hongjoong, Yunjin calls out to her from under the bleachers. "We're done with the choreography! Pull up!"

The class president beams with excitement and tries to get up, but Wooyoung refuses to let her go. She slaps at his hands, but he still holds on tightly. Frustrated, she turns to him, silently mouthing "What the fuck," and he smirks mischievously, pointing at his cheek. She rolls her eyes and decides to retaliate by biting his jaw instead of kissing him. Wooyoung yelps in surprise, releasing his grip on her, and she takes the opportunity to get up, blowing him a flying kiss as she laughs mischievously while descending the stairs.

Arriving at the practice area, she begins to change her outfit. She pulls down her skirt, revealing black spandex sport shorts, and the girls around her playfully scream and tease her, drawing the attention of the boys on the bleachers. As she takes off her oversized sweater, leaving her in a casual black crop top, she hears whistles from the boys on the bleachers, with San and Wooyoung enthusiastically cheering and clapping for her. She laughs and playfully picks up her imaginary skirt, pretending to curtsy. The boys on the bleachers burst into laughter, but as she hears a comment about her "nice thighs!" from behind, she freezes. Before she can even turn around to confront the boy from the football team, Jongho intervenes and shouts some stern words, causing the boy to apologize nervously.

She responds to Jongho's protective gesture by making a heart sign towards him, and the young boy playfully reciprocates with a flying kiss. Her grin widens as she sits down, grabbing her bag and taking out her New Balance sneakers. She unties the laces of her current shoes and starts putting on the new ones, carefully securing them and making sure they fit perfectly.

Silence.

As she finishes tying the laces of her last shoe, a hushed stillness settles in the air, causing a chill to run down her spine. The once lively atmosphere now feels tense and unsettling. She scans her surroundings, searching for the source of the eerie silence that has fallen upon the area on her right. Not everyone seems to be affected, just the boys on the two fields, their playful exchanges and laughter replaced by an unnerving quietude. Some individuals exhibit twitching movements, prompting concerned inquiries from those unaffected, like the main coach who's shaking Minjae who's spasming lightly, confused because the younger boy seemed normal not even twenty seconds ago.

A strange sensation tugs at her senses, drawing her attention to a pair of eyes fixed upon her. Slowly, she turns her head, her heart racing with anticipation as she looks past the girls laughing. Her gaze locks with the intense stare of a mysterious figure positioned at the edge of the clearing. The stranger's presence feels heavy and unfamiliar, sending shivers down her spine. Squinting her eyes, she tries to discern the features of the distant figure, but the thickening mist obscures their identity. Despite the veil of mist, she observes the person's body twitching, yet they remain rooted in place, further adding to the sense of unease that permeates the air.

Suddenly, an explosion reverberates through the air, causing everyone's attention to snap towards the water factory. Their eyes widen in shock as they witness half of the building crumbling down, engulfed in a devastating blast. A mushroom-shaped cloud billows above the wreckage, casting a haunting shadow over the once familiar structure. The force of the explosion sends shockwaves through their bodies, leaving them frozen in disbelief at the unfolding chaos.

Amidst the chaos, her ears ring with a deafening sound, drowning out the surrounding screams and cries for help. The world around her blurs as her senses struggle to comprehend the magnitude of the situation. The ringing in her ears intensifies, becoming an overwhelming cacophony that threatens to drown out her thoughts. She clutches her head, trying to find a semblance of clarity amidst the disorienting noise, her heart pounding in her chest.

As the forceful gust of wind generated by the explosion engulfs them, she is sent tumbling to the ground, helpless against its powerful impact. Before panic can fully take hold, strong arms wrap around her, pulling her close. It's Yeosang, his presence a reassuring anchor amidst the chaos. As she looks around, she realizes that all the boys, her trusted friends, have taken cover, shielding her from the brunt of the blast. Their collective instinct to protect her shines through, their unwavering loyalty on full display in this moment of turmoil. A mixture of gratitude and concern floods her heart as she takes in the sight of them, noticing how even Yunho's tall frame is present.

Before a single cry or scream can escape their lips, a gurgling sound reverberates through the air, drawing their attention to the fields. With a collective sense of dread, they turn to face the source of the eerie noise, only to witness a sight that chills them to their very core. The bodies of their friends, once lively and full of vitality, now stand motionless, their movements reduced to sporadic twitches.

A deafening silence ensues, broken only by the sudden retching of the boys. A horrifying spectacle unfolds before their eyes as a crimson liquid violently spews forth from every orifice. Mouths, noses, eyes, and ears become fountains of grotesque expulsion. It is a sight that defies all logic and comprehension, leaving them frozen in disbelief and horror.

Yet, amidst the chaotic display of bodily torment, an unnatural stillness persists. The boys, though engulfed in their own bodily purging, remain eerily immobile. They do not writhe in pain or clutch their stomachs as one might expect. Instead, they stand like statues, allowing the red fluid to cascade onto the ground below. Their eyes, once vibrant and expressive, now widen with an otherworldly intensity. Thick crimson veins begin to snake across the whites of their eyes, growing darker and more pronounced with each passing moment, like ominous tributaries on a map of terror.

They stop.

A chilling stillness descends upon the scene as the expulsion of the crimson liquid abruptly ceases. The boys, their bodies drenched in the unsettling aftermath, remain frozen in place. No movement. No sound. They stand like statues, trapped in a nightmarish tableau.

Silence hangs heavy in the aftermath, enveloping the scene with an eerie stillness. The players who remain untouched by the gruesome ordeal are left in a state of shock, their faces streaked with tears, their mouths agape in silent horror. Their trembling bodies bear witness to the overwhelming weight of the unfathomable events unfolding before them.

Amidst the unsettling situation, the coach, his face smeared with congealed blood, shakes off the haze of confusion and takes charge. He reaches out, his hands firmly grasping Minjae's shoulders, his voice trembling with concern and fear, laced with the unmistakable cadence of his Busan dialect.

"Hey, son, are you alright? Can you hear me? Breathe, boy," he implores, his own complexion drained of color beneath the crimson stains as he stares at Minjae's bloody chin, his Real Madrid t-shirt drenched in blood. His words serve as a catalyst, stirring a flicker of response within the dazed players.

As if pulled back from the abyss of their stupor, the afflicted players turn their heads to gaze upon their coach, their eyes wide but emotionless. Their attention then snaps skyward, and in a collective crescendo, they unleash an agonizing scream that reverberates through the air, causing a shiver to course through the onlookers' spines.

The situation takes a horrifying turn as Minjae lunges towards the coach, embracing him tightly and burying his face in the coach's neck. The shocking realization dawns on everyone as Minjae emerges from his gruesome embrace, a grisly piece of the coach's larynx clenched between his teeth. Strands of skin still connect the gruesome morsel to the coach's throat, causing him to convulse and gurgle amidst the sea of his own blood.

Everyone screams.

Which seems to catch the attention of the other boys. Without hesitation, they give chase to their fellow teammates, swiftly overtaking them and leaping onto their backs. The air is filled with a macabre symphony of gnawing and crunching as they devour the bones and delve into the entrails of their unfortunate victims.

The class president, overwhelmed by fear, finds herself in a state of paralyzing terror. Tears cascade down her face, a clear manifestation of her profound distress. The weight of her emotions renders her legs immobile, leaving her trembling uncontrollably. Despite her desperate attempts to move, the overwhelming fear pulsating through her body proves insurmountable, binding her in place.

In the midst of her distress, she becomes aware of someone tugging at her, seeking to guide her to safety. However, her attention remains fixated on the overwhelming sensation of dryness in her throat. The weight of her fear becomes suffocating, and she longs to release it through a primal scream, hoping to alleviate the terror that grips her.

Abruptly, a sharp slap against her cheek breaks through the haze, snapping her back to reality with a resounding impact. The abrupt noise resonates within her, shaking her to her core and jarring her senses awake. In the midst of her heightened emotions, she lets out a heartfelt sob, tears streaming down her face as she gazes into Mingi's visage. The ashen hue on his face mirrors her own fear, a shared understanding of the imminent danger that surrounds them.

Startled by the urgency in the voice behind her, she registers the familiar tone of Hongjoong's commanding presence. The words "Move! Move! Move!" echo in her ears, compelling her to take action despite her trembling limbs and overwhelming fear.

Supported by Mingi's sturdy arms, she rises to her feet, her wobbly legs struggling to find stability. Turning to face him, she sees the confusion mirrored in his eyes, a reflection of her own disorientation. The surge of adrenaline courses through her veins, finally awakening her body to action. In the midst of chaos, she knows she must make a decision, but the overwhelming rush of emotions makes it difficult to discern the right path to take.

"To the shed, the fucking shed, everyone!" Startled by Hongjoong's urgent command, everyone's attention swiftly shifts towards the solitary brown cabin standing on the side. As her gaze fixates on the distant shed, its perceived distance seems to amplify her fear, causing tears to stream down her face uncontrollably. Mingi, sensing her distress, takes hold of her and guides her towards the shelter, but the overwhelming sense of dread threatens to paralyze her.

A sudden realization dawns upon her, and she becomes acutely aware that she is the only girl amidst a sea of boys. In a surge of panic, she wrenches herself free from Mingi's grasp and bolts back towards her previous position. Mingi's voice reverberates through the air, filled with urgency and concern, pleading for her to return, while the boys halt in their tracks, alarmed for her well-being.

With swift determination, she races back to her group of girls who huddle on the ground, their tears flowing freely. Her heart skips a beat as she spots one of the bloodied and deranged players noticing their presence, intensifying her sense of urgency. She manages to maintain her balance and propels herself forward, pushing her limits and sprinting even faster, propelled by a surge of adrenaline.

The boys behind her erupt in alarmed screams, their voices filled with urgency and fear. They, too, have noticed the approaching lunatic, his tongue lolling out and his bloodshot eyes revealing a disturbing state of mind.

Overwhelmed by the intensity of the situation, she drops to her knees in front of Sakura, her voice trembling as she urges her friend to sit and gestures towards Kazuha and Chaewon, instinctively seeking safety in their familiar presence. With a determined expression, the class president rises to her feet, firmly grasping Yunjin and Garam's hands and directing their attention to the nearby shed. Her voice, filled with a mix of desperation and courage, pierces the air as she implores them to run.

As Eunchae's horrified screams fill the air, she swiftly turns towards her, a surge of fear coursing through her veins. With her heart pounding in her chest, she witnesses the chilling sight of a bloodied Jinsik standing just a meter away from the sobbing girl on the ground. Overwhelmed by a surge of adrenaline, she acts on instinct, lunging towards Eunchae in a desperate attempt to shield her from any impending danger. In her heightened state, she remains fixated on Jinsik's unnerving movements, her eyes locked on his presence, fear gripping at her throat.

In that surreal moment of realization, time seems to stretch out endlessly. As the girl comprehends the inevitable fate that awaits her, she releases a soft exhale, her grip tightening around the trembling form of Eunchae, tears mingling with those of the distressed girl. The pungent scent of the fresh blood permeates the air, a grim reminder of the approaching danger. Despite the overwhelming despair, a fragile smile quivers on her lips, a bittersweet acceptance of the inevitable, as she embraces the prospect of death with a sense of hopeless surrender.

In a sudden turn of events, a figure emerges from behind her, and she instinctively recognizes Yunho's distinctive long hair as he hurtles towards Jinsik with incredible force, colliding shoulder-first. The impact is jarring, sending the younger boy flying through the air, his neck contorting unnaturally as it twists 180 degrees. Amidst the chaos, there is no time to assess his condition as another presence grabs hold of her from behind. Raising her head, she finds herself face to face with Wooyoung, his determined expression urging them forward. With swift movements, he lifts both girls from the ground and propels them in the direction of the shed.

Wooyoung shifts his attention to Yunho, who stands frozen, his gaze fixated on the lifeless body before him. In that moment, Wooyoung realizes that Yunho's fear stems not from the immediate danger or the possibility of retaliation, but from the profound realization that he has just taken another person's life.

Wooyoung's voice trembles with a mixture of concern and reassurance as he calls out to the boy in front of him with urgency. "Yunho!" he exclaims, his tone serious and filled with genuine emotion. Yunho turns to face him, tears welling up in his eyes, the weight of his actions evident on his trembling lips. Wooyoung's words carry a comforting tone as he offers a heartfelt affirmation to the person who just saved his friend's life, acknowledging the difficult choice Yunho had to make. "You did good," he says.

Wooyoung's voice takes on a sharp edge as he snaps at Yunho, urgency in his tone. "Now move." he commands, his words pushing them both into action. However, their attention is abruptly diverted by an unexpected sound. A gurgle emanates from Jinsik's lifeless body sprawled on the ground. The boys exchange a startled glance, their eyes fixed on the source of the sound. A dead body shouldn't do that. A dead body doesn't make noise.

A sense of unease fills the air as Jinsik's lifeless body defies all expectations. His hand twitches, a disturbing sign of movement, and he slowly begins to rise. His upper body remains in a grotesque position on the floor, while his lower body stands upright. His head hangs limply to the side, an unnatural angle for a human neck. It's a horrifying sight as bones protrude painfully beneath the skin, contorting his neck into an unsettling shape.

Shock and disbelief fill Yunho's whispered exclamation, "what the fuck." The mangled body of Jinsik abruptly turns its attention towards him, swiftly darting in his direction with an unsettling speed.

Wooyoung's hoarse voice breaks through, urgently commanding Yunho to "fucking run!!". Surprisingly, Yunho finds a surge of strength within him, spurred on by Wooyoung's frantic plea. They both break into a sprint, their hearts pounding in their chests, while Jinsik's bloodcurdling screams echo behind them.

Gasping for breath, Yunho and Wooyoung catch up to the rest of the group, their pounding footsteps bringing them to the front of the shed.

Frantically pounding on the door, Yunho and Wooyoung shout to the people inside, desperately trying to make them aware of their presence. Wooyoung's gaze flicks back to the approaching horde of Jinsik and the other distorted boys, urging him to intensify his efforts in knocking on the door.

The muffled sounds of voices arguing can be heard from inside the cabin, indicating a disagreement among the occupants about whether or not to open the door. The fear in the air is palpable, as some students hesitate to confront the horrifying reality outside.

Exhausted and overwhelmed, Yunho finds solace in his prayers, seeking comfort and strength in the midst of the chaos. Leaning his head against the door, he embraces a brief moment of respite, hoping for a miracle to unfold.

Overwhelmed by exhaustion, Wooyoung is on the verge of following Yunho's lead and tries to find the words to pray when the door suddenly opens. In a rush, Yunho stumbles into the cabin, losing his balance as he seeks refuge from the relentless pursuit

Overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events, Wooyoung's eyes widen in shock as their class president opens the door. He takes in her disheveled appearance, tears streaming down her cheeks, and her heaving chest from exertion. As she grabs his arms, she forcefully pushes both of them inside the cabin, causing them to stumble and fall onto the floor. In the fall, Wooyoung lands on top of her body, momentarily disoriented. Meanwhile, San swiftly slams the door shut, sealing them off from the menacing presence of the bloodied players.

Jongho and Yeosang swiftly join San, realizing the urgent need to reinforce the door against the relentless onslaught of the deranged players. Together, they apply their collective strength, pressing against the door with all their might. The screams and frantic movements of the frenzied individuals outside grow even more desperate as they violently hurl themselves at the barrier, driven by a ravenous hunger for whatever lies within.

Overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment, the girl clings tightly to Wooyoung, seeking his comforting presence as a source of strength. Tears stream down her face as she buries her face in his arms, releasing the pent-up emotions that have gripped her. Wooyoung, with closed eyes, presses his face against her hair, finding solace in the familiar scent that surrounds her. His own tears fall freely, mingling with her hair as an expression of shared vulnerability. In a tender gesture, she pulls back slightly, and he gently wipes away the tears from her cheeks, showering them with soft, affectionate kisses.

Filled with overwhelming emotions, the girl shifts her attention to Yunho, extending her hand towards him. Tears continue to flow down Yunho's face as he lowers himself, squatting beside the tearful duo. In a moment of disbelief, the girl lets out a soft laugh, expressing her gratitude for his presence. She clasps his hand tightly, bringing it gently to her lips, pressing a tender kiss against his skin as she closes her eyes. With a heartfelt whisper, she softly utters a grateful "thank you" against his hand, causing Yunho to hide his face behind his large hand, his body trembling with emotion.

"Eonnie," a cry echoes from the background, capturing her attention. She swiftly turns to face Eunchae, her younger friend, who stands there with tears streaming down her face. The girl releases herself from Wooyoung's embrace and rushes over to Eunchae, enfolding her in a tight hug. They both sob uncontrollably. As the rest of the girls witness the emotional scene, they too approach, one by one, joining in the comforting embrace. The cabin resonates with their collective sobs, allowing them to release the pent-up emotions.

Gradually, their sobs begin to subside, and the other boys respectfully give them space, understanding the significance of the moment. However, their temporary respite is abruptly shattered when someone lets out a scream, jolting everyone back into alertness.

"Okay, shut up, we get it!" Joongki's voice reverberates through the room, his frustration evident as he ruffles his hair in exasperation. The girls flinch, startled by his sudden outburst. "You're not the only ones who almost died, stop fucking crying."

Seonghwa, taken aback by Joongki's words, swiftly pivots towards him, shielding the girls from his view. With a firm grip on Joongki's shirt, he pulls him closer, their faces mere inches apart. "What the fuck did you just say?" Seonghwa's voice seethes with anger, his forearm exerting pressure on Joongki's chest. "Huh? Wanna say that to my face you bitch?"

As tensions rise, Joongki's friends quickly move to restrain him, understanding the dire consequences of his anger escalating further. They hold him back, their arms forming a barrier between him and Seonghwa, trying to prevent any physical altercation. Meanwhile, San and Hongjoong step in, their voices calm but authoritative, attempting to defuse the heated situation.

"What are you gonna do about it, ah? I'll say whatever the fuck I want to" Joongki retorts, his voice laced with defiance as he meets Seonghwa's gaze head-on. The tension in the room escalates, both boys locked in a heated confrontation. Seonghwa's forehead veins bulge, his anger palpable.

To everyone's surprise, Seonghwa bursts into a disbelieving laughter. He releases his grip on Joongki and turns his attention towards the girls. The tension begins to dissipate.

However, in a swift and unexpected move, Seonghwa swiftly turns back to face Joongki, his fist connecting with the boy's face. Joongki crumples to the floor, his hand instinctively clutching his injured cheekbone, a pained grunt escaping his lips.

Pandemonium ensues as Joongki friends' charge towards Seonghwa, their anger fueling their actions. But they are met with a swift and fierce retaliation from seven other individuals who step forward, fists at the ready.

Punches fly through the air, landing with a resounding impact, as the room becomes a chaotic battleground.

A piercing scream echoes through the room, causing the boys to abruptly cease their fighting and hurling insults. All attention turns to Garam, who stands frozen, mouth agape, a look of horror etched across her face as she expels red blood onto the floor. Her eyes dart around desperately, searching for someone, anyone, to lend a hand, but all she encounters are fearful gazes.

Garam reaches out for Eunchae, but Kazuha quickly intervenes, shielding her from harm, pulling her behind her. Hongjoong swiftly maneuvers through the chaos, securing his position as the leader by stepping in front of his closest female friend and ushering her to safety, careful not to let her get closer to Garam's distressing state.

"Hongjoong, let me go," she pleads, her voice trembling behind him, her eyes locked onto Garam's terrified form, now crying tears of blood. "Hongjoong let me fucking go, I have to do something!" Her desperation grows, and tears well up in her eyes once again, but his grip only tightens around her. Jongho joins them, holding the girl as well, fearful of any sudden movements.

"Please... help me," Garam gurgles, her eyes turning red.

author's note: yall i just finished writing this and it's like at 5am, im so scared rn i cant go to sleep. im acc curious, did you guys think the last part was scary because i personnally think i was more scared of the scenes i imagined in my head than the text (idk if that makes sense), feel free to tell me in the comments or the asks, also rip minjae, jinsik, garam, u guys were luved.

yuyu and wooyo's reactions when he acc killed jinsik

masterlist

"hey pretty"

you offer no response, shutting the door behind you as you enter the room. tossing your bag carelessly to the floor, you kneel beside the countless sneakers belonging to san and mingi, scattered haphazardly around the room.

you reach down to untie your air forces, dropping the first shoe onto the ground. the movement catches your boyfriends' attention, but they remain silent, watching you intently.

"bad day?" san asks softly from his spot on the couch, seated next to mingi. their eyes fixate on you, concern etched in their gazes.

"bad day." you mumble in confirmation, proceeding to untie your other black shoe. however, the lace gets snagged, and your fingers fumble clumsily. you pull harder, but instead of loosening, the knot tightens even more. it becomes the breaking point for you.

a sob escapes your lips, and you bury your face in your hands, too weary to do anything else. your body quakes on the floor as tears stream down your face. you want the crying to stop, to take a breath, but you find yourself caught in a strange battle of attempting both and choking in the process.

the crying intensifies, and you feel your nails digging into your eyebrows, a feeble attempt to hide away momentarily. you're tired, utterly exhausted, and all you crave is sleep. yet, with your shoe trapped on your foot, you can't retreat to the solace of your sheets.

taking another shaky breath, you sense a shadow falling across your face, momentarily shielding you from the light. you don't budge from your position, continuing to cry. a cold hand gently rests upon your own, and you flinch softly, caught off guard. the thumb begins to rub tenderly against your skin.

you recognize the touch as san's. he coos softly, coaxing your hands away from your face. initially, you resist, not wanting him to witness the streaked mascara and runny nose. however, he manages to gently coax you out of your shell.

when your eyes meet his, you're met with a gentle gaze, his eyes locked with yours as he squats in front of you. his smile is soft, and the tears flow even harder, his tenderness overwhelming you in this moment. he chuckles softly, bringing his large hands up to wipe away your tears, pinching your cheeks gently.

"my big girl what's wrong mmh?" he croons, his voice filled with affection. "what's got you like this huh my strong girl?" the endearing nicknames tug at your heart, causing you to cry even more.

"awnn, it's okay baby, big girls cry when it gets too hard," he nods understandingly, validating your emotions. you reciprocate with a nod of your own, sniffling. he brings his thumb to your cheekbone.

"i'll go make you hot cocoa, want that?" you nod again, the sobs calming slightly at his soothing whispers.

"your words baby, can you use them for me?" he encourages you softly, and you manage a meek "yes please," stuttering through your soft sobs. he presses a tender kiss to your lips and smiles, placing his hands on his knees as he stands up. it's then that you finally notice mingi's tall figure behind him.

mingi, too, crouches down in front of you, silently taking your foot clad in a shoe into his large hands. he deftly works on untying the shoelace, his long fingers effortlessly undoing the knot you struggled with. once untied, he removes the sneaker from your foot, placing it neatly aside, a stark contrast to his own untidy ones beside the black pair.

he grasps both of your feet and begins tickling them, eliciting tired giggles from you. finally, a smile breaks across his face as he witnesses your own. he pulls you closer, tugging at your legs and sliding his hands beneath your thighs. lifting you effortlessly, the two of you rise to your feet, and you simply rest your head against his solid chest, briefly closing your eyes as he carries you to the couch. the paused episode of "law & order" flickers on the television. he settles down, you still cradled in his arms, and he gently eases you off him so that you're sitting upright. he helps you remove your bomber jacket, tossing it onto the nearby couch. tapping your thigh, he signals for you to stand up so he can remove your denim skirt, but you shake your head.

"please no, wanna stay close to you please," your voice cracks on the second "please," and he sighs.

"okay tiny," his deep voice emerges softly from his lips as he pulls you closer, his forehead gently touching yours. "you've got a fever pretty."

"makes sense, head hurts like a bitch," you close your eyes, inhaling the minty scent that wafts from his laughter.

"san, bring me some ibuprofen," mingi calls out to san, who responds with a sweet "okay!" you flinch at the loud sound, the throbbing in your head intensifying. mingi notices and places his large hands over your ears, the pressure offering some relief. "sorry baby, didn't mean to be loud."

"'s okay princess." he smiles at the cute nickname and kisses your forehead.

he assists you in removing your black turtleneck, and then proceeds to remove his own t-shirt. moving closer, he goes to unclasp your bra, seeking your consent with a fingertip poised on the clasp. you give a soft nod, your eyes growing heavy with exhaustion. he removes your bra, joining it with the rest of your discarded clothes. finally, he pulls you back into his embrace, handling you delicately until your chests align. the coolness of his skin instantly soothes you, and you release a sigh of relief. he snakes his hands around your waist, tracing star patterns along your spine, whispering compliments into your ear.

san returns to the room, placing a large brown mug and two blue translucent pills on the glass table in front of you. he quickly exits but reappears with micellar solution and a handful of cotton pads.

taking a seat beside you, he lifts your face from its place in the crook of mingi's neck, causing you to emit a soft moan of protest. he hushes you gently, his smile radiant as ever. "come on, look at me, pretty. you don't want to sleep with makeup on your face."

he wets a cotton pad with the micellar water and proceeds to cleanse your face with delicate motions, barely perceptible against your skin. then, using a dry pad, he gently removes any lingering traces of the liquid.

"baby too sleepy for the cocoa?" san inquires, running a hand through your hair, his brow furrowing as he detects the dampness on your hairline. not out of disgust, but rather out of worry because the room is too chilly for you to be perspiring. he turns around, stretching to retrieve the folded blanket at the end of the couch, reluctant to leave your side. unfolding it, he covers you, tucking it between mingi's back and the couch, creating a soothing cocoon.

"no, want it" you whine in a broken voice, and both boys smile at your fragile form, finding you irresistibly adorable. "ah, so bossy," san remarks as he takes the cup and pills, inserting one into your mouth before bringing the cup to your plush lips, helping you swallow. he repeats the process with the second pill.

"want another sip baby?" he coos, noting the way you scrunch your nose. he exchanges a glance with mingi, both of them deeply in love with you, their stomachs still fluttering with butterflies even after all these years.

"no, just one marshmallow, please" you request, extending your hand from beneath the blanket to show them your index finger, emphasizing the importance of having only one.

san's smile widens, his blush evident on his face at your endearing plea, while mingi takes your fingers and presses a kiss to them, producing a loud smooching sound that elicits a soft laugh from you.

"say ahh"

masterlist

SHOPPING SPREE

pairing: dilf!hongjoong x younger!reader, dilf!wooyoung x younger!reader genre: fluff wrd cnt: 1.1k author's note: i tried writing them as these mysterious ceo sugar daddies but i really can't take them seriously so it's kinda crack but like slightly. working on my aesthetic don't mind me masterlist

"you're getting that dress,"

mumbling, you gaze at the gorgeous burgundy mini dress, hugging your body just right, as you stand before the large mirror. "nah woo, it's too short," you say to yourself. turning to your boyfriend, you notice him staring at you with droopy eyes. "but your legs are so pretty, a dress that short is perfect for you," he remarks.

you can't help but blush at his compliment. bashfully, you skip over to him and plop down on his lap, the shopping bags from your two boyfriends nearby getting accidentally hit by your heels. he affectionately pats your bottom, and you share a slow, sweet kiss, interrupted by someone clearing their throat behind you.

feeling embarrassed, you quickly move away, realizing you've been caught doing something a bit naughty in public. wooyoung tightens his hold on your thigh, shooting a glare over your shoulder at the person who dared to interrupt your moment together.

both of you are met with the sight of a silent hongjoong, who is staring at both of you while taking a small puff of his cigarette.

"joong!" you greet him with a bright smile. he gets closer and he runs a hand through your hair before resting it gently on your cheek. "find anything you like?"

he had reserved the entire shop for the day, ensuring that nobody would bother you both, with only two workers stationed outside the spacious dressing room. while he shopped for his own clothes, he let wooyoung take charge of choosing outfits for you, knowing that wooyoung had a keen sense of fashion. not as good as him though.

"mmmh, not really, but i got this for you," he says, pushing a small vivienne westwood purse into your hands. he delights in the way your entire expression transforms. he watches as your eyes widen, seemingly drawing in all the dimmed lights of the room, making them shine brightly like orbs.

"oh shut up— that's the bag i've been searching for years! i thought it— i thought it was discontinued!" you exclaim excitedly. wooyoung leans in curiously, peering over your shoulder to get a look at the red heart shaped item. he can't help but smile against your skin as you start rambling about how it's anok yai's favorite bag or something like that.

"really? just saw it on a random shelf somewhere," hongjoong mutters mid inhale, feigning nonchalance. it's evident that he's lying, as he had actually gone to great lengths to have the primary designer create one especially for you, even though it hadn't been made since the 90s. however, he chooses not to share this information, knowing that you might feel uncomfortable with such a grand gesture.

"put it on your shoulder, show me how you look with it, kitten," wooyoung says from behind you, playfully pushing you off his lap as you protest at the nickname. "ew, wooyoung, don't call me that! you sound like a discord mod," you retort, to which he responds with a puzzled expression, asking what discord even is. ignoring him, you stand up and walk a bit further away, dramatically faking a catwalk to show off the purse. hongjoong takes a seat next to wooyoung, both of them enamored by the sight of you strutting your stuff goofily.

"you look so good, baby," wooyoung groans with approval as he gives hongjoong a fist bump, silently acknowledging that bringing you here was a great idea, given it was his suggestion. hongjoong agrees from his spot, bending to tap the ash away on an ashtray beside him, but his eyes never leave you. "i have to agree with wooyoung on this one, you look stunning," he compliments.

"see, that's how i know you guys are old," you playfully roll your eyes at them, and they raise their eyebrows in confusion, prompting you to explain. you let out a sigh and cross your arms on your chest, saying, "my dress is red, my bag is red— it doesn't work. i have to break it with another color; i can't look good like this. it's basically… math."

wooyoung has absolutely no idea what you're talking about, but he still lets out an "aahh" sound, pretending as if you just made a wild revelation. meanwhile, hongjoong playfully rolls his eyes at wooyoung's response, a soft smile lingering on his face. wooyoung chimes in with another comment, "but you always manage to make things work, no matter what."

you giggle in response, deciding it's time to change your outfit. you simply turn and hide yourself behind the curtains, preparing to go home. your boyfriends continue to chat about their business and wait patiently.

once you're finally done changing back into your clothes, hongjoong is already standing up, holding half of the bags in his hands. his biceps flex as he handles the weight of the bags filled with heels and sneakers. meanwhile, wooyoung is still sitting, lighting his own cigarette. as he hears your footsteps, he puts his specially designed lighter in the pocket of his suit, offering you a crooked smile before bending down to pick up the remaining bags.

you walk over to them, feeling grateful for their thoughtful gesture and the fun time you had together shopping. "you guys spoil me way too much," you say, giving them both a warm smile. they exchange a look of affectionate amusement, and hongjoong replies, "well, you deserve it. only the best for my baby."

you press a kiss to his cheek, and wooyoung gasps dramatically, teasingly exclaiming, "what about me? i'm paying for half of it!" you scrunch your nose in response, "i don't like the smoke." wooyoung sends you the dirtiest look ever and wraps a heavy arm around your shoulder, pulling you closer to his chest, making you whine. you then run behind hongjoong who playfully fakes a kick at wooyoung.

as you all step outside of the big dressing room and into the shop, you curiously mumble, "how are you guys allowed to smoke inside?" following them to the cash register, you notice two women smiling politely at them, seemingly unfazed by the smoke. their attention is solely focused on the numerous bags you all are holding, probably excited by the number of purchases you've made.

"we reserved this whole store for the day, and you're still wondering if we have to follow rules," wooyoung laughs at your innocence, the cigarette moving up and down as he clamps into it.

"joong he's making fun of me again, beat him up!!"

"okay lemme just put these bags down for a second."

"yah!!"

preview of the next blurb i'll write after i finish answering all my requests, lmk if you want 2 be tagged

as you lie amidst the corpses of your fellow frat friends, faking being dead, ghostface!mingi cracks a joke to ghostface!yunho who's cleaning his knife with his black robe. the humor catches you off guard, and you can't help but let out a chuckle. all eyes are on you in a second.

"fuck man y'all got me, i can't even lie, i deserve to die for that," you admit, sitting back up and rubbing your face in surrender. you don't know if it's the adrenaline coursing through your veins or your natural habit of not taking things seriously, but weirdly you're not scared.

the rest of ghostface!ateez stands frozen in shock, their eyes fixed on you, utterly puzzled. they can't believe you're just sitting there, giggling away in this grim setting.

okay guyz, yk me and ik me, we both know i'm not gonna b updating lime sorbet soon because i just can't handle the pressure of world building, so this is what im gonna do.

im just gonna post my usual small blurbs but theyre gonna be set in said universe. idk if thats a good idea i dont even know if you guys understand what im talking about (like basically its gonna b blurbs about omega!idol!reader w alpha!teez)

Boar’s wish is goals, I swear

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I haven't seen much cat content in the last few days. That is why my timeline is sparse.

Let me tell you about my books instead!

I have a reverse harem of the abandoned daughter of the duke has daddy issues but is giving up on trying to get his attention. Her brother is gay. She's got 4 very handsome suitors.

You should read it! I'm posting it on Tapas for free, but if you want to read ahead, the ebook is available. If you want it in print, I've got that too!

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Or Amazon!

Check it out on Patreon

Or Amazon!

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OH. MY. GOD. I finally read this after hearing everyone talk about it and I'm so glad I did. This is so so good.

𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥'𝐬 𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬' 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐲 | 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏

SYNOPSIS: Final exams are approaching, and you have every intention to immerse yourself in studying for the next two weeks, but your best friends decide that it's a good idea to drag you out with them to attend an all-exclusive event called 'The Devil's Night' since it is Halloween week. Initially, you feel disgruntled and detested by such a social event, especially one that is hosted by specific delinquents, but eventually, you allow yourself to relax and enjoy the night. However, some the invited guests, including you, have no notion of what the devil's knights' goal is for this year's Halloween. From the moment you begrudgingly agreed to go to the event, you were fucked because you had no idea what truly awaited you ─  you had no idea how your life would take a drastic turn, especially when you had become their prey.

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

GENRE: 18+ (mdni), semi-college au, adulthood, reverse harem, dark themes.

WARNINGS: fem!reader is a saint(good girl), mentions of christianity, dramas, profanities, degradation, slut-shaming, alcohol consumptions, groping, slapping, crying, sexual assault, explicit themes, one sex scene, voyeurism, coercion, blood, violence, murder, toxicity, perversion, corruption. (kindly alert me if there is anything missing out)

WORD COUNT: 18.8k

FEATURING: enha maknae line, txt, stray kids, zerobaseone, le sserafim, ive, aespa.

DISCLAIMER: this fic is inspired by devil's night series written by penelope douglas! also, i am not a Christian, and i didn't bother to do thorough research on the religion, so pardon any false facts or errors.

PLAYLIST: No Hands - Waka Flocka, Tonight - Big Bang, RUNRUNRUN - Dutch Melrose, Scream - Usher, Animals - Maroon 5, Disturbia - Rihanna, guilty conscience - Tate McRae.

RUBY'S NOTE: part one is finally here! do let me know your thoughts on this as well, and i would like to apologise in advance if it doesn’t meet your expectations. nevertheless, enjoy reading!

NEXT (PART 2) ✘ SERIES MASTERLIST ✘

Standing in front of a full-length mirror, your reflection stares at you with an abundant clarity of irresolution, mirroring the inner turmoil within you. Your eyes begin to scan your appearance from head to toe in incredulity. Never in your twenty-one years of life have you ever dressed as provocatively as you are now. Heck, you don’t even recognise yourself.

The white cami bodycon corset dress feels tight as it accentuates your curves and has a designated contrast lace bustier that levitates your breasts and displays your cleavage, while a portion of your torso is conspicuously visible through the translucent material. The length of the dress reaches so far above your thighs that when you attempt to bend down ninety degrees, your white lace underwear peeks under. 

You're not the type to critique people for how they dress, and you have nothing against people who wear revealing clothes, but right now? You practically look like a slut. A slutty angel, at that.

Your nose automatically scrunches up at the licentious thought. This is definitely not what you had in mind when your best friends, slash roommates, decided to buy you a ‘costume’ that fit the theme that they had also chosen for you ─ an angel. It is definitely ironic how the theme they chose for you supposedly requires you to dress decently.

When your gaze finally settles on the silver cross pendant that rests delicately on your chest, guilt coils in your stomach, and your moment of prior incertitude manages to render you completely disheartened while your eyes turn crestfallen.

What were you thinking? You’re supposed to live up to the code as expected of you, including to avoid dressing indecently and act with grace. But here you are, all dolled up with excessive skin revealing, and you still refuse to recognise that the person staring back at you is indeed you.

If your parents were here to see you now, they would have chastised and disowned you for dressing the way you are now.

Your parents, particularly your mother, are quite religious and strictly abide by the rules and codes of Christianity. However, your parents’ love and devotion to the religion were something you truly adored. Growing up, your parents often brought you to the church along with them, and you recall getting so excited at the sight of the familiar divine building situated in your neighbouring area that you even rushed to greet the priest eagerly. Every member of the church recognised you, and they would always warmly welcome you and your family, especially when your parents were regulars.

You were loved by them. As a matter of fact, you’ve been called ‘angel’ by them because of your kind and sweet disposition, how helpful you were whenever someone asked you for assistance, how obedient you were whenever you were told to do something, and how you resonated with people by how naturally sympathetic you were.

Everyone used to tell your parents how blessed they were to have you as their daughter. Your parents agreed and often thanked the Lord for blessing them with a daughter like you. Not only did you follow your parents’ example in the religion, but you had also been bestowed with the gift of being naturally smart since you were young until now. Truly, you were blessed, and each morning when you woke up, you didn’t forget to thank the Lord.

However, as you take in your appearance once more, your guilt becomes tenfold while disappointment creeps up on you. How dare you have the audacity to wear the necklace your father bought for you when you are dressed like this? You shake your head, taking a step back. This is not you. You should have never agreed to this in the first place.

Furthermore, final exams are approaching, and you had every intention to immerse yourself in studying for the next two weeks, but your best friends decided that it was a good idea to drag you out with them to attend an all-exclusive event called 'The Devil's Night' since it is Halloween week.

Initially, you felt disgruntled and detested by such a social event, especially one that is hosted by specific delinquents, but upon relentless pursuit of being coaxed by your best friends, you eventually found yourself caving in. Besides, you can’t deny that there is a small part of you that has always wanted to experience a college party since you have never been to one.

However, just because you have never been to one doesn’t mean that you have no idea what a college party entails. You have seen firsthand what happened to your roommates right after they came back from parties or even clubs, and it certainly wasn’t anything pleasant. Nonetheless, you offered to help them by assisting them in holding up their hair while they retched in the toilet bowl and getting them to bed, despite the grimace on your face.

A knock pulls you out of your thoughts, and your eyes remain on the mirror while they trail to a familiar face from behind. She looks absolutely striking with her overall fit, which matches her theme, which is that she is a cowgirl.

“Hey, Yunjin.” You greet her rather weakly.

Yunjin, as enthusiastic as ever, offers you a smile, displaying her pearly teeth. “Hey, gorgeous. Are you ready to go?”

Usually, you would reciprocate, as her smiles are infectious, but this time, with the doubts lingering in your head, you remain crestfallen. “No. I don’t think I’m up for it anymore.” You murmur, your eyes lowering, and that is also when Yunjin’s smile drops as she finally notices how crestfallen you look.

You don’t lift your head up, even as you hear her footsteps from behind. You feel her hands on your bare shoulders, turning you around and tilting your chin up with her fingers. Your eyes reluctantly meet her hazel-hued ones, which are tinged with resolution.

“I know that you are having doubts about this, but trust me when I say that just because you’re attending a party and dressing up like this, gorgeously at that, does not make you unworthy or any lesser in the eyes of our religion.” Her voice comes out strong yet tinges with gentleness, which you can’t help but acquiesce to.

Hun Yunjin, otherwise known as Jennifer, has been your childhood best friend, albeit not enrolled in the same elementary and high schools. She is an international business major. You met her when you first started to attend Sunday services at your neighbouring church. You recall sitting next to her and randomly engaging in a conversation with her, despite the fact that you two were not supposed to drift off to your own mini-world. You thought you would never see her again, but the next Sunday service proved you wrong. From there, you and Yunjin formed a newfound friendship, and you declared that she was your church buddy. That remained constant until you two hit sixteen, and you didn’t see her as regularly as before.

Just like that, you lost contact with her, and subsequently, you began to wonder what went wrong and questioned your friendship with her, which you cherished dearly. Not many years later, when you first stepped foot in this university, you met Yunjin again, and miraculously, she turned out to be one of your assigned roommates. You assumed that she would not recognise you or even brush you off coldly, but you were overjoyed when she welcomed you with a bear-crushed hug and told you how much she had missed you. 

The thought of asking her what truly happened years ago did come to your mind, but for some reason, you were afraid and apprehensive of the outcome, and more importantly, you didn’t want to lose her again. So you chose to play safe. But what matters most is that you have reunited with her.

In return, you muster a faint smile on your pink, glossed lips. “You always have a way with words.” You say before releasing a soft sigh. “Fine, I’m ready.”

Yunjin’s firm exterior cracks, and her red lips curl into a grin. “That’s my girl.”

“Girls! Are we ready to go─” A gasp pulls you away from Yunjin’s eyes, and when you look at a familiar figure standing by the door to your room, you become in awe of how alluring she looks with her theme, dressed up as a catwoman.

“You look amazing, Karina.” You compliment her earnestly. Genuinely, she knocks the breath out of you, and despite being roommates for three and a half years, her striking beauty often makes you question yourself about whether she is indeed real.

Truth be told, you didn’t get along with Karina in the first few semesters. As she’s a fashion design major, it was inevitable that such a mess was expected from her, but you didn’t expect for her mess to scatter to the shared living room. You’re particular about cleanliness, so you disapprove of your roommate being blatantly inconsiderate, especially when you and your other roommates have had to clean up her mess. You recall when Karina overheard you delivering your complaints to your other two roommates, and she confronted you. From then on, she began nitpicking you, and you often found yourself in a dispute with her. You got upset whenever she pointed out the fact that you were plain and boring.

Precisely two years ago, you found her alone in the living room, at three a.m., as she was drinking her heart out with tears streaming down her cheeks and her eyes red. You wanted to mind your own business as usual, but it didn’t sit right with you to leave your roommate alone to reel in despair, so you cautiously approached her, and surprisingly, she confided in you. That was when you got to know that she had been cheated on by her boyfriend.

You listened attentively to her, and you even offered comforting words to her in which she thanked you by giving you a hug before falling asleep on you. Of course, you had tucked her in to sleep on the couch with a pillow for her head to rest on and a blanket to give her body some warmth.

You swore that Karina would return to her usual self, but she took you by surprise once more when she started to become amiable towards you. From then on, you two developed a newfound sense of camaraderie. 

“Says you! You look drop-dead gorgeous!” Karina exclaims, her red lips outstretched into a wide smile, while you detect sincerity in her tone. “I’m proud to declare that my taste in fashion is impeccable.”

“I agree.” Yunjin chimes, casting you a smirk while your cheeks flush in pink from their fond gazes on you. “Our girl looks like a literal angel. If I were gay, I would have hit you up long ago.”

Before you can say anything, a new yet familiar voice joins in the conversation. “I know I agreed for Y/N to join us, but after some thought about it, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

Your eyes shift from Karina to the tall, raven-haired beauty next to her. Once again, you are captivated by her beauty and how truly stunning her overall fit is, in which her theme is a mermaid, and you are not exaggerating when you say that she looks like a literal mermaid goddess.

“Why do you think so, Wonyoung?” Yunjin asks with a frown.

Jang Wonyoung, one of the university’s it girls and the girl whom you can call your soul sister. You recall the first time you met her when she opened the door to your dorm. You were captivated by her doll-like beauty and were so stunned that you stammered your words when you reciprocated her warm greeting. Wonyoung is in the same major as you, journalism.

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the two of you are in the same major and in the same classes, but you found it peculiar how fast you got along well with her during your first week as freshmen. Nonetheless, you were grateful to have found a friend like her.

Although you are close with Yunjin and Karina, you can’t deny the fact that you feel more comfortable and at ease with Wonyoung. The two of you understand each other, even without words. Both of you are kindred spirits; whenever you feel down, it affects her just the same, and you two often share your victories together without any hidden jealousy or ill-feelings. There is this special connection you have to Wonyoung that is indescribable. Even your other friends often joke that the two of you are long-lost twin sisters.

Wonyoung’s eyes flicker to yours fleetingly, but it is enough for her to affirm her prior intuition before she returns her gaze to Karina and Yunjin. “I just have a bad feeling about Y/N going, okay? You guys do know that my intuition has never failed me.” She tells them firmly. “Besides, it’s an all-exclusive event for invited guests only.”

“So? We can easily sneak Y/N in since there will be tons of guests.” Karina shrugs her shoulders. “Their bouncers are kind of sloppy anyway. Remember when some of the uninvited students sneaked in last year and the years before that?”

“And what did that lead to?” Wonyoung counters firmly with a single eyebrow arched. This time, silence befalls Karina while you notice Yunjin’s grim expression.

“What happened?” You ask, finally speaking up. There is no denying how intrigued you are by the sudden yet discernible change in the air between your best friends.

“There is nothing that you need to concern yourself with.” Yunjin is quick to recover herself as she shoots you a charming grin while nudging her elbow against yours. “Come on. At this rate, we’ll be the last ones to arrive.”

“Maybe. But at least we’ll arrive fashionably late.” Karina mirrors Yunjin's grin.

You decide to push aside your curiosity and proceed to grab your phone while Karina and Yunjin have already made their way out of your room. After adjusting your wavy brunette locks in the mirror, you turn around to depart from your room. Your eyebrows jump when you see Wonyoung waiting for you just outside, and her face remains as serious as ever.

“Are you sure about this?” She asks you, and her voice has a touch of gentleness to it, which makes your eyes soften.

“Yes.” Although you sound sure, you can’t say the same for your churning stomach. Giving her a tight smile, you begin to loop your arm around hers. “If you’re too worried about me, rest assured that I won’t stray from you.”

“Good.” Wonyoung seems a tad satisfied with your statement. A small smile appears on her pink lips. “Maybe I am worrying about nothing. This is supposed to be your first ever Halloween party. We should be having fun! That is as long as we stick together.”

You smile wryly in return. She knows better than anyone that your idea of fun consists of rotting in bed and reading a few good books on a Friday night.

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When you first heard of Devil’s Night, you had an inkling that the event, let alone the name itself, was undoubtedly not good news.

Devil’s Night is an annual Halloween event that is hosted by the notorious fraternity of devil’s knights, but according to your best friends, the overall in-charge of Devil’s Night are the four leaders. However, you see them all the same ─ just a bunch of delinquents who love to flaunt and assert dominance over Crestview Meadows University everywhere they go.

Naturally, you expected the location of the event to be a frat member’s backyard, but as soon as Karina, who volunteered to drive the three of you to Devil’s Night, presses on the pedal gas and prompts her vehicle to move forward after the golden gates opened, your jaw goes slightly unhinging at the sight of a divine modernization palace.

As Karina continues to drive, searching for an empty spot to pull over on the massive asphalt where different vehicles are arrayed, you are busily getting enthralled by the captivating structures of fountains in the front yard. The movement of people making their way to the entrance of the grand palace captures your attention, and your eyes sparkle in amazement at the diversity in their costume designs.

As soon as Karina manages to pull over at an empty spot and turns off the ignition, you step out of her vehicle with your eyes remaining fixated on the divine palace. You swear that it is nearly as massive as your campus. You begin to wonder who resides in the palace, and if so, has Devil’s Night always been hosted here?

“Y/N, don’t forget your mask.” Wonyoung’s voice from behind pulls your attention away from the palace. When you look at the white domino mask in her grasp, you gladly retrieve it from her and attempt to wear it, but Wonyoung and even Yunjin insist on assisting you, doing so with care.

Your cheeks flush pink once more. Despite being the same age as them, your best friends and your other friends often baby you, including protecting you from anyone who has ill-intent towards you, especially from some of the frat members who have tried to approach you in the past. Of course, you feel much gratitude for your friends, and you are blessed to be surrounded by feminine love and support. There are moments where you do feel overwhelmed by them, but according to their words, your innocence is highlighted as crucial and needs to be protected. Hence, they often shelter you from the cruelty of reality and want you to remain the way you are.

Pure, and a literal saint.

“There!” Yunjin gives you a grin as she pats your cheek affectionately. “With your mask, it’ll be hard for anyone outside of our circle to recognise you.”

As the four of you begin to make your way to the entrance of the grand palace, with Wonyoung interlocking her arm around yours, your fingers make their ascent to touch your mask. Your best friends have agreed that, in order to sneak in seamlessly, you needed a mask to conceal half of your identity. They wouldn’t want to risk anything. A part of you wonders what would happen to the uninvited guests crashing into the event, but another part of you retains your curiosity before it gets the best of you.

At the moment, as the bunch of you walk past the bouncers standing by the entrance, you hold your breath while your heart pounds against your chest, but when they allow you in, you release a relieved yet shaky breath. You feel Wonyoung’s arm squeezing around you in reassurance, and you voluntarily relax every tension in your body, but your heart remains pounding. You can’t ignore the turmoil within you, uncertain of what the night will entail.

“You guys made it!” A high-pitch squeal diverts your attention from admiring the opulence of the palace’s interior to the familiar blonde, who is dressed up as Annabelle from the famous conjuring film, but she manages to pull off the look rather gorgeously instead of terrifying. Her eyes instantly meet yours, and her face beams with a widening smile. “You came!”

You don’t have time to process when she crashes into you, her arms latching around your figure and steadying you while chuckles elicit from you as you reciprocate her eager hug. “You’ve just seen me yesterday, Winter.”

Winter, who also majors in journalism, is a part of the inner circle and your friend. She is like a bolt of lightning. Despite her ebullient disposition, she can be fierce and intimidating when needed.

“Yeah, but we can’t believe that you’re actually here!” This time, another voice causes you to look at the sight, and at once, the rest of the inner circle has gathered around you, giving you hugs and gushing over your look.

In your line of sight are Kazuha, Chaewon, Liz, Rei, Giselle, and Ningning. Whereas Kazuha and Chaewon are majoring in arts and entertainment management, Liz, Rei, and Ningning are majoring in economics. Giselle, on the other hand, is in the same major as you. Despite the fact that all of them are highly regarded as the it girls of the university, not once have they ever left you out and made you feel an outcast, especially considering that most of the student body dislikes you for reasons you deem ridiculous.

So what if they hate you just because you are not from an esteemed, affluent family? You managed to pass an entrance exam with a perfect score, and you even earned yourself scholarships. Frankly speaking, you are not bothered by the fact that there are students who dislike you for your status ranking, because in the end, your GPA remains a perfect 4.0 and your professors favour you most. Plus, your future is all set.

“Okay, ladies, gather around." Yunjin announces, and the group of you huddle in a circle, with giggles and banter emanating from you and your friends. “While we’re here to have fun, we must never forget to keep Y/N in our sight at all times, especially since this is her first time attending Devil’s Night.”

“Hey, I’m not a kid. I can take care of myself.” You insert yourself strongly, but your demur goes unheard by them as they continue to quickly run through what to look out for, mainly because your safety is highly regarded by them.

“It’s for your own good, Y/N.” Wonyoung tells you softly after noticing the expression on your face as soon as they begin to disperse while you remain by her side, dragging you with her. Wonyoung and your other best friends seem to know their way around the palace, pushing their way through the bustling crowd.

“You girls really don’t have to worry about me.” You remain adamant while reluctantly allowing yourself to be dragged by Wonyoung. Your eyebrows furrow, and your lips form a small pout. “I know how and when to steer clear of trouble.”

“I know, but you have to understand that this is different.” Wonyoung asserts firmly, to which you can’t help but resign.

Still, you mutter, but audible enough for Karina and Yunjin to hear, “What is so different about a mere Halloween party?”

“It is different because each Halloween hosted by the devil’s knights differs from the previous Halloween.” Karina answers, and when you look into her eyes, uncertainty shines through. “Really, we can never predict what they have up their sleeves. But one thing that remains constant is the fact that Devil’s Night is not meant for any faint of heart.”

“Ironic, because here we are, dragging Y/N with us.” There is a certain bite in Wonyoung’s tone. 

“Nothing is going to happen to Y/N as long as she is in our sight.” Yunjin reassures Wonyoung once more, and your attention drifts to the scenery before you.

It appears that you haven’t been paying attention to your surroundings earlier, and now you find yourself entering what looks like a club. Incredulity buzzes through you. You definitely did not expect that there would be a club inside the palace. As a matter of fact, the club looks lavish, with a B-stage right at the very front and a bustling crowd enjoying and dancing to the music that has obscene lyrics, which makes your face twist in a grimace. You have no idea how enormous the venue is, but you can’t deny the fact that you find it impressive, and there are even two separate bars on each side of the venue.

Yunjin grabs you by your forearm and drags you with her and Karina to head over to the bar while Wonyoung trails behind you. Thankfully, there are not many people by the bar, but even so, you become conscious of how you look as eyes latch onto your form.

“Am I showing too much skin?” You ask Yunjin in a whisper as you settle next to her, seated on a high stool.

Yunjin’s eyes scan all over you before she gives you a smirk. “Yeah, but don’t worry. You look absolutely stunning. It’s a shame that you’ve been gatekeeping your beautiful complexion and your curves all this time.”

“Agreed!” Karina chimes next to Yunjin, casting you a mirthful grin. “You should be flaunting your curves and proving to those fuckers who insulted you for the way you looked that underneath your layer of clothes is the body of a model!”

You dismiss the profanity that left Karina’s mouth, and your cheeks flush with embarrassment. “You girls flatter me too much.”

“It isn’t flattery when it is true.” Yunjin flags down one of the bartenders to give him her order before she looks back at you. “Do you want a non-alcoholic beverage?”

“Actually, I’d like to try an alcoholic cocktail.” Your statement surprises your best friends as they look at you with wide eyes, knowing that you have never drunk any alcoholic beverages. After all, you are practically a saint.

“Are you sure?” As always, Wonyoung’s worry for you is evident. “You might get tipsy after a few sips since you have never drunk one before.”

“Don’t discourage her, Wony.” Karina says with a disapproving frown on her lips. “If Y/N says she wants one, she will have one.”

“A tequila sunrise for the angel here.” Yunjin chirps to the bartender, and being a natural flirt, she winks at the guy who, in return, blushes but quickly proceeds to make all of your orders.

As the three of your best friends are engaged in a conversation, you decide to look over your shoulder with your body tilting to watch the ongoing performance from a live band. You can’t deny that the music seems to be getting to you, and seeing the partygoers dancing and having fun tempts you to join them.

Unknowingly, your lips curve into a small smile. Unbeknownst to you, a pair of eyes have been watching you closely with a sharp gaze just near the bar, where there are velvet couches arrayed.

“Here, Y/N.” Yunjin pushes the glass of cocktail towards you as you look down at the liquid, which is a vibrant blue.

Your fingers latch onto the stem of the glass, raising it just slightly while hesitation touches your tongue. Your best friends watch in anticipation, and you don’t want to disappoint them. So you bring the edge of the glass closer until your lips touch.

You tip your head towards the back as you begin to take sips of the liquid. Surprisingly, the taste isn’t as bad, and neither is it too strong. It is rather addictive, so you eagerly drink the rest of the content until there is nothing left.

“How’s your first drink?” Wonyoung asks as she examines you carefully.

Maybe it’s the alcohol that is starting to affect your system, but you feel oddly elated. You give your best friend a grin, with your dimples appearing on your cheeks. “I think I would like to have another.” Of course, Karina and Yunjin are more than eager to indulge you, while Wonyoung remains neutral.

Once again, unbeknownst to you, the same pair of eyes that have been watching you closely are enthralled by the new sight of you.

Seated leisurely on the velvet couch with his legs spread, his lips tip up in a smirk as he takes sips of his vodka while his eyes remain fixated on your enticing figure and your angelic features.

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You have no idea how things escalated. Just moments ago, you were having fun with your best friends by the bar, and even Wonyoung lowered her guards after seeing how genuinely carefree you looked. Now, you are among the bustling crowd. You lose sight of your best friends as you venture further. Instead of panicking, you find yourself enjoying it with your body instinctively moving to the infectious rhythm in which the DJ is currently playing Waka Flocka’s ‘No Hands’ as it reverberates throughout these walls.

Maybe it’s the alcohol in your system that has completely intoxicated you and renders you slightly tipsy, as evident by the way you emit giggles and how you’re dancing fluidly as though you are a natural at it, but not a single thought of regret appears in your mind.

Feeling a tad annoyed by your domino mask, you rashly remove it, not caring whether someone may or may not recognise you. Besides, the people in your vicinity seem too inebriated to care, as they dance and even make out lewdly in the open with their partners.

A part of you is berating you for losing yourself in the abysmal of this toxicity, but you shut down that part of you, giving into the whispers of the devils and succumbing to the addictive thrill by allowing yourself to flaunt your moves.

Unbeknownst to you, a pair of eyes have been watching you as he gradually makes his way to you despite the bustling crowd, and the moment they see him, they part and make way for him. The way you move got him in a trance, especially with each sway from your body. Your curves, which your skimpy dress accentuated, entice him to place his hands all over you.

Your giggles sound melodious to his ears as soon as he nearly reaches you from behind. His eyes darken with each passing second as your body sways with fluidity, and your back is arched with your head tilted up, immersing yourself in the music while a sultry smile smears across your glossed lips.

Fuck, he has no idea there is a side to you where he gets undoubtedly turned on by. Flashes of images of you being fucked relentlessly by him appear in his mind as he fantasises, and how he can already imagine your insatiable taste probably won’t satisfy him unless he has you locked in his possession.

Without thinking twice, he places both hands on your waist from behind, his fingers tingling with the sensation of your warmth. Instead of feeling alarmed, you remain relaxed and loose, dancing along to the supposedly stranger behind you.

You allow him to pull you closer until your buttcheek hits his hardness, causing your breath to hitch in your throat, yet you don’t stop dancing. You accidentally grind yourself against him, eliciting a low groan from him with his hot breath fanning the shell of your earlobe while his strong arms snake around your waist.

In your delirium, you tilt your head up and lean on his shoulder lazily, allowing him to guide your movements. His strong cologne is intoxicating as it infiltrates your senses. You hear his low, ragged breaths next to your ear before you feel him dipping his head to the curve of your neck, his nose burying in your skin as he inhales your sweet scent that he has engraved in his mind.

A soft gasp leaves your lips when you feel his warm lips touch your skin before he proceeds to kiss your neck sensually. You should be pushing this stranger away, but instead, you allow yourself to fall weak and succumb to the allure of his kisses on your neck. You blame it entirely on the alcohol.

“You taste exquisite, love.” You hear him murmur those words, or you assume he murmurs those words, since the music is overpowering. But you swear you recognise his voice. You feel his arms tighten around you, while the way he nips at your skin startles you.

In a blink of an eye, he spins you around, his hands remaining on your waist. The entire place is dim, but the LED red and purple lights allow you to catch a glimpse of his face. Recognition glimmers in your eyes. 

“Jake.” You utter his name in a daze while your eyes begin to shamelessly scan his overall fit. You hate to admit it, but he nearly got you foaming in the mouth.

He looks extremely good in all denims with his chain necklace hooked around his neck, and his long raven strands have been styled impeccably, tempting you to run your fingers through them. Your eyes catch a sight of an inked tattoo on his collarbone area peeking due to his loose white tee that hangs a little low.

You don’t make any protests as you remain numb in his possession. Everything feels muddled in your mind, but you are conscious enough to continue dancing with him with a hint of sensualness.

Jake unfurls a soft smirk on his pink plump lips while he blatantly checks you out, appreciation and lust dancing in his handsome gaze. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Y/N.”

“Yeah? Surprised?” You feel oddly breathless, and you have no idea whether it’s from the dancing or the palpable tension between the two of you.

Jake hums attractively, his fingers tapping sensually on your waist to the beat of the ongoing music, and when you finally notice his gaze that settles on your cleavage, heat weaves across your cheeks.

“A lovely surprise at that.” Jake says in a murmur, dipping his head and leaning towards you while your pulses go erratic in anticipation, but he stops right next to your ear. The tip of his nose grazes lightly on your earlobe, sending you involuntary shivers down your spine. “But you shouldn’t have come here.” As he whispers lowly in your ear, you detect a hint of darkness in his tone.

“Why? Because I’m an uninvited guest?” You ask breathlessly, hating and loving how his intoxicating cologne tempts you to bury your nose into his chest.

Your breath hitches in your throat when he presses a deep, sensual kiss on your cheek before withdrawing from you to get a good look at your face. Upon seeing how dazed you truly look, he smirks once more and squeezes his hands on the flesh of your hips. “Cute.” He mumbles. His eyes flicker down to your glossed lips, which entice him to kiss you, but he holds himself back.

“You should leave while you still can, love.” He mutters, reluctantly releasing you from his possession and already yearning for your warmth.

“Y/N!” You hear voices that belong to your best friends calling for you from behind. You look over your shoulder just in time to catch glimpses of their faces amongst the dancing crowd.

When you turn back, Jake is nowhere in your line of sight, bringing a confused frown to your lips. Even as he has mysteriously disappeared, your skin remains tingling with the sensation of his lips and hands. Your mind is in a muddle, infused with the intoxication of the alcohol and his strong cologne that you will definitely remember.

“We’ve been trying to search for you everywhere!” Wonyoung exclaims, giving you no time to process when she lunges for a tight hug. She releases a relief sigh before pulling away and examining you. “Thank God you’re okay. But why are you not wearing your mask?” She asks, looking alarmed.

“I throw it elsewhere. I don’t know.” You mutter, blinking your eyes as you feel lightheaded. “Don’t worry. I’m not afraid of being recognised. They’re all preoccupied with partying and dancing anyway.” You provide some assurance to Wonyoung, while Karina and Yunjin seem relaxed.

“Let’s go. We can’t miss the second rave.” Karina tugs at your wrist, dragging you with her gingerly and guiding you through the crowd.

“Rave?” You ponder out loud, and your eyes dart between Yunjin and Wonyoung.

In response, Yunjin gives you a Cheshire smile. “Trust me. You are going to love it.”

“By the way, who were you dancing with?” Karina inquires as she busily guides you to a place, which you presume to be the backyard, while there are other guests along with your group heading to the same place.

“No one.” You answer curtly, giving her a tight smile. “I had fun dancing alone.”

You know better than to inform your friends that you were dancing intimately with Jake Sim, or else you’ll receive an earful from them, considering they detest the knight members. They even reminded you to stay away from any of the knight members, particularly the four leaders.

As soon as the thought of the four devil’s knights’ leaders comes to your mind, your eyes widen in dreadful realisation while your heart nearly lurches in your chest. Since you were too busy getting caught up in the heat of the moment, you failed to realise that Jake is one of the leaders, the one who had you in his possession with a scintilla of danger emanating from him.

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The rowdy commotion from the partygoers sounds faint with each step he takes towards the meeting room on the second floor. Jake, who was previously in denims, has changed into practical attire for the upcoming section of the main event. He busily zips up his black bomber jacket while his face remains devoid of emotion, but his mind occasionally drifts off to you.

How tempted he was to snatch you away from the scenery and bring you to one of the rooms with the intention of giving you the best fuck of your life as well as leaving you with his marks on your porcelain skin. He quickly shakes away the thought of you, not wanting to get hard again, as it’ll only be a bother since he is already running late for the briefing.

Stopping in front of the door that is made out of steel, he punches the code onto the padlock keys before the door automatically opens. The familiar sight of a fairly lengthy corridor with separate entrances arrayed on each side of the walls greets him as he steps inside. Hearing the door behind him close with a thud, he begins to make his way to the meeting room, where multitudes of voices are teeming in the cold atmosphere as it gets louder.

Without announcing his arrival, he saunters into the massive meeting room with his hands tucked inside his pockets while his face remains neutral, ignoring the rest of the knight members of the lower rank as they are settled in their respective houses.

The devil’s knights fraternity consists of four houses─ North, South, East, and West. 

Each house has its own respective leader. However, their goals are aligned. This has always been the system, as each year there are numerous new recruits, and they do have to dominate their respective territories on campus and even on the streets in town. Almost everyone is knowledgeable about and conscious of the renowned devil's knights. Crestview Meadows University favours the devil's knights fervently, especially considering the fraternity was founded many years ago by four particular individuals who are now affluent figures.

“There he is. The star of the night.” A snarky remark is made by one of the leaders, also known as Park Sunghoon. Jake’s gaze lands on him as he continues to saunter forward until he reaches the table where the other leaders are gathered as well.

“Spare me your sarcasm, Hoon.” Jake says in a monotone, throwing himself onto the swivel chair and making himself comfortable.

“You’re late.” Sunghoon shoots him a scowl as he is seated on the table. The table itself is scattered with a variety of knives.

“He was probably fucking around with the freshies. Can’t even keep up his pants for a minute.” This time, another voice makes a remark, prompting Jake to look at his fellow leader slash best friend. Jay Park.

Jake narrows his eyes at Jay’s smirk. “You’re lucky I'm in the mood to play nice.”

“Enough.” A firm voice is resonating enough for the other knight members in the room to quieten the volume of their chatter. Jake, Jay, and Sunghoon shift their attention to the figure seated by the window sill with his arms crossed over his chest, also known as Lee Heeseung.

Heeseung remains unmoving, but his gaze alone is enough to assert dominance over them, especially since he is the oldest out of the four of them by one year. “Now that everyone is here, we may begin our briefing. For those of you who were on bouncers’ duties, how many uninvited attendees were there?”

All of the knight members would usually gather in this meeting room for briefings and other important matters pertaining to the annual devil’s night planning, et cetera. However, there are some rooms that are restricted to them unless they are the leaders. Furthermore, this very palace is officially owned by the four devil’s knight leaders, considering that their fathers were the founders of the devil’s knights. As a matter of fact, this palace was previously owned by the same founders, but as many years passed and their sons followed in their footsteps in joining the renowned fraternity, the founders collectively agreed to bequeath the palace to their sons.

North: Jake

South: Heeseung

East: Sunghoon

West: Jay

These four delinquents have successfully led their respective houses for the past years with their skills, and they were impressively the youngest leaders to have been appointed when they were just freshmen. Though they have different personalities, they get along well, considering that their fathers are best friends as well.

“Approximately twenty.” One of the low-ranking members takes the initiative to answer, a sophomore, and he is from the West House.

However, his answer raises an eyebrow from his leader. The sophomore flinches at the way Jay directs his sharp gaze, which is penetrating enough. “Approximately?” Jay’s cold voice affects everyone except the other leaders.

“He meant to say that there are twenty-three uninvited attendees!” Another sophomore from the West House steps in to assist the other sophomore, who is shaking in his boots.

Before anyone can speak up, one of the windows swings open, allowing the gust of wind to enter. The four leaders watch, completely unfazed, as a familiar figure wholly in black, layered clothing emerges, climbing into the meeting room, followed by two figures.

The three of them stand tall in their line of sight as they remove their designated masks, now revealing their faces. Jake is the first person to greet the three of them with a lopsided grin. They are Devil’s Knights’ honorary members who are juniors and appointed to be leaders next year once the four current leaders graduate from university. Sunoo, Jungwon, and Riki.

“The kid’s right.” Sunoo says, placing his mask down on the table. “There are a total of twenty-three uninvited attendees.”

“That’s a long list of people to hunt down compared to last year’s.” Riki’s deep voice echoes in the room, while his tall figure is intimidating enough for the other lower-ranking members.

“The more, the merrier.” A Cheshire grin smears across Jungwon’s lips while a familiar bloodlust gleamers in his eyes. “Oh, we’ve already covered all the perimeters. Yeonjun, Beomgyu, Felix, and Jeongin are on standby.”

“Good.” Heeseung nods his head firmly, feeling satisfied with how competent their future leaders are. Heeseung’s eyes glide across the fraternity present in the room. “All of you know what to do. Remember to only hunt down whoever’s name you were given, and most importantly, Namgil and his crew will meet their demise tonight.”

“Ah, Kim Namgil.” Sunghoon smirks, a wicked intent can be seen glinting in his eyes at the mention of the ex-member. “I can’t wait to crush that fucker’s skull.”

Jay scoffs out a deadly chuckle, his veins are brimming with vengeance. “Not until I get to him first.” 

“Patience. We’ll be sticking strictly to the plan.” Heeseung tells them sternly before looking back at the rest of the fraternity. “Remember that our goal is to wreak havoc and terror, including mayhem. For those of you who are new recruits and this is your first Devil’s Night, you do not need to worry about the law enforcement, as they’ll only be here with the sole purpose of establishing the roadblocks to prevent our guests from escaping until Devil’s Night is over.”

To add on, Devil’s Night is a tradition that has been going on since their founders’ times and happens every Halloween. This tradition is also supported and endorsed by the mayor of Seoul and other influential figures that are highly regarded in the eyes of the government. There is no denying that by permitting Devil’s Night to be lawful on every Halloween, it proves that the government and its system have long since been corrupted.

“In short, you may also do what you please for the next twelve hours.” Jake grins deviously with his hands clasped together. “In other words, unleash your inner devils.”

At once, an uproar emanates from the fraternity before Jay begins to dismiss them. “Don’t forget your masks and weapons!” He reminds them as they proceed to make their way out of the meeting room rowdily, leaving the four leaders and the future three leaders alone in the room.

“There is another important thing you guys should know.” Sunoo speaks up, drawing their attention. Interest sparkles in Sunoo’s eyes. “Y/N is one of the uninvited attendees.”

“Y/N?” Sunghoon scoffs out in disbelief, refusing to take Sunoo’s words seriously. “You should really work on your humour if you plan to impress us.”

“Do I look like I’m laughing?” Sunoo deadpans before he motions to Riki and Jungwon. “Ask them if you still refuse to believe me. They saw her at the second rave.”

“Yup.” Jungwon toys around with one of the knives in his grasp leisurely while a smirk paints his canvas. “She looks pretty, though. It’s a shame to lose a pretty face like hers.”

“Her name is not in any of the lists.” Riki points out. “So who shall be hunting her?”

“Can I?” Sunoo asks with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. “I’ve always wanted to scare her.”

“No.” Jake takes everyone by surprise as he nearly growls out. His eyes darkened at the thought of you. “No one touches her. No one except me.”

“Since when did you get to decide on this alone?” Jay raises a single eyebrow at his best friend. “To make it more interesting and thrilling, I say the four of us hunt her down.”

“And kill her afterwards?” Sunghoon’s face twists in a grimace. “Don’t get me wrong. It won’t affect me if we kill her, but I don’t want those pesky friends of hers to hunt my ass down.”

“What about you, Heeseung?” Jay asks as all heads turn to the silent male, who appears in deep thought. “How are we going to decide on what to do with Y/N? Rules are still rules. Uninvited attendees shall not make it out alive on Devil’s Night.”

“We hunt her down as well.” Heeseung states calmly. “But don’t kill her yet. We’ll decide what to do with her once we hunt her down.”

“Then we’ll make our way to our respective posts.” Jungwon offers the four leaders a salute before wearing his mask and making his way to the opened window, where he expertly jumps over while Sunoo and Riki follow suit.

“We have like thirty minutes left until the last segment.” Jay notes, staring down at his wristwatch before his gaze returns to the three of them. “I don’t know about you guys, but I, for one, am intrigued to see for myself if what Jungwon said was true about Y/N looking pretty.”

“She was.” Jake utters, his lips curving into a grin, while he recalls the gorgeous sight of you. “I was with her earlier.”

“How?” Sunghoon asks incredulously.

“She willingly danced with me. Oh, and she seemed rather tipsy, so it makes the hunt a whole lot fun.” Jake chuckles breathily.

“What did she dress up as?” Heeseung finds himself asking this, feeling almost compelled and intrigued to know about the theme you chose.

“An angel.” Jake is certain of his answer, and no, not because of the way you dressed, but because you are indeed an angel who is unfortunate enough to have stepped into their territory without knowing the consequences of your actions.

“How fitting.” Heeseung’s lips turn into a subtle smirk. “Well, gents, it looks like we have ourselves an angel to hunt down.”

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You can definitely understand the rationale of those who have been to this event for the past few years and those who are invited behind their hype for Devil’s Night. The activities the knight members hosted are so diverse that no one can simply miss out on anything. Well, you did miss out on the famous cliché game of truth or dare, not that it bothered you.

Presently, you and your group of friends, including Winter, Kazuha, and the others, are making your way back to the backyard once more after getting some refreshments earlier when the second rave ends. Now all of you have decided to attend and participate in the third rave. The last rave of the night.

The B-stage at the backyard is bigger than the one inside the palace at the supposedly club room, and the crowd is tenfold compared to the previous rave, which enlivened the night even more while the ambience in the air is vibrantly teeming with the LED pink and purple lights flashing across the sea of crowds and into the skies. The bass-boosted music of ‘Tonight’ by Big Bang that the DJ is playing reverberates throughout the expanse of the palace and even further.

“Look at Y/N! Babygirl got moves!” Giselle’s remarks draw attention from your other friends to you, watching you in an effervescent element, which is undoubtedly a rare sight for you.

“I’m glad she’s having fun!” Kazuha exclaims cheerily, smiling widely at the sight of you giggling and dancing in your own world with Chaewon and Liz.

Wonyoung, who opts to take a short break from the dancing, watches you with a softened gaze while her hand is holding a red cup of vodka. Is she still worried for you? Yes, but right now, she is glad to see you having genuine fun.

“She needed this.” Yunjin speaks beside Wonyoung as she watches you as well. "Now, are you glad that we dragged her here?”

“Perhaps.” Wonyoung says. “As long as nothing happens to Y/N or any of us.” Yunjin nods in agreement.

“Okay! I need a break!” Chaewon laughs out, halting her movements, but you pout your lips at her, to which she giggles and pecks your cheek. “Sorry, babe, but you’re on your own now.”

Chaewon makes her way out of the crowd, excusing herself to head to the bathroom while your other friends immerse themselves in the music and separate themselves from you. Eventually, you blend into the crowd, causing Wonyoung and Yunjin to lose sight of you.

The thought of other sweaty bodies coming into contact with yours doesn’t bother you in the slightest. There is a wild glint in your eyes as you dance with a random couple, giggling and succumbing to the exhilaration brimming in your veins.

Unbeknownst to you, you accidentally bump into someone from behind, but just as you are about to apologise to the person, firm hands grip your waist as he pulls you back to him, allowing your back to hit his solid chest.

“Nice moves you got there.” His hot breath fans the shell of your earlobe, reminding you of Jake earlier, but this time, this person’s touch has a hint of roughness, whereas there was gentleness in Jake’s. “Why did you stop, baby?” He hums seductively.

“Jay.” You breathe out, going completely still. His hands remain on your waist, sending you goosebumps with the sensation of his warmth.

“Angel baby.” He lulls beside your ear before you feel him dipping his head down to press a sensual kiss on your shoulder blade. “Come on. Show me your moves.” It is a command.

Despite the trepidation coursing through your veins at the fact that one of the devil’s knights's leaders has you in his possession, you know better than to refuse him. So you begin to sway your body before you gradually pick up the rhythm.

Eventually, you lower your guard around him and dance willingly with him, occasionally grinding your body against his, to which he groans lowly at the sensation of your ass in contact with his dick.

A giggle leaves your lips upon feeling his breath tickling your skin when he buries his head into the curve of your neck. Instinctively, your hand ascends to brush your fingers through his soft raven locks while the two of you continue to sway in sync to the music.

“If I had known you were this fun, I would’ve brought you out with me to a nightclub sooner.” Jay murmurs near your ear before he places a sensual kiss on your pulse.

“You can’t kiss me whenever you want, you know?” You giggle once more, enjoying the way his strong arms are hugging your waist from behind. Perhaps the remnants of the alcohol persist in your system, but you have never been this playful and flirtatious around guys.

“Oh, but I can. I can do whatever the fuck I want with you.” Jay rasps against your skin on the cheek. You feel his fingers stroking your stomach in a sensual manner before they make their ascent to your chest. “Besides, you’re in our territory, angel baby.”

You gasp while your heart lurches in your chest when he gropes your breast, and a low groan leaves his lips next to your ear. Your cheeks flush with warmth at the newfound sensation that pools in your tummy.

“Fuck, baby.” He cusses lowly before pressing another kiss on your neck. “The things I want to do to you right now, but unfortunately, duty calls.”

You frown at the loss of his touch and warmth. “Jay─” But as you turn around, Jay disappears into the crowd, just like Jake did.

“Y/N, for the love of God, do not ever disappear like that again!” Wonyoung’s exclamation can easily be heard over the commotion as you spot her just a few metres away from you.

Your face twists into a grimace at how visible her annoyance and frustration are on her face. Soon, you spot your other friends as well in your vicinity. A part of you desires to find Jay and ask him to elaborate on what he meant by his statement earlier, but you know better than to further involve yourself with him. Just as you step forward, the music dies out, eliciting confusion and anger from the crowd.

“What’s happening?” “Hey, DJ! We weren’t finished raving!” You hear commotions around you, making your head spin lightly.

What happens next throws you completely off guard, and subsequently, you become fully sober miraculously.

The deafening sound of a siren rings through your ears, which is akin to the purge, shattering the night of riotous jollity instantaneously. Despite the perpetual blaring siren, you can discern a dissatisfactory chorus of groans and clamours amongst the crowd. The LED lights begin to dim, but you manage to catch glimpses of your friends' contortions with confusion and percipience.

Before you can open your mouth to speak with the intention to inquire, a stentorian voice that belongs to a female startles you, as it is resounding enough for you to absorb her emphatic words into your mind despite the ongoing siren in the background.

"Announcing the commencement of the annual devil's night sanctioned by the mayor of Seoul. Weapons of class 4 and lower have been authorised for use during Devil's Night. All other weapons are restricted. Commencing at the siren, any and all crimes, including murder, will be legal for 12 continuous hours. Blessed be the four leaders of the devil's knights."

At once, the tumultuous crowd begins to disperse in a haphazard manner, and some can be seen running as though they are being hunted down by unknown sources, or rather, delinquents. Despite the fear in their contortion, you can't help but notice the glimpses of excitement, and an eccentric ambience of thrill pervades in the haunting atmosphere.

Apprehension courses through your veins while your heart beats expeditiously. You swear you can hear your pulse drumming loudly in your ears. In the midst of the ambiguity, your intuition is sending you a message that what may escalate next is not something you expected on a purported Halloween night routine, or rather, assumed.

"Ouch! Hey!" Annoyance bubbles within you upon having been shoved roughly by some people, resulting in you nearly plummeting to the ground if it weren’t for your best friend, who swiftly and steadily supports you as she holds you against her.

"What is going on?" You ask in a demand, with pure confusion reflecting in your eyes. You notice how Yunjin looks oddly collected, but as soon as her gaze runs over you, her eyebrows pull together before a low cuss elicits from her.

"I told you that it was a bad idea to drag her here!" Wonyoung startles you greatly with how she sounds genuinely irate, but when you take a glance at your gorgeous raven-haired best friend, your stomach sinks at the apparent distress written across her delicate features. "We need to get her out of here before any of the knight members get to her, or any of us, for that matter!"

"Winter and Liz are with the others!" Karina informs in haste as she appears next to you, seeming to be running with how apparent she is panting lightly. "We have approximately five minutes to get the hell out of here!"

"It's no use even if we try to escape." Yunjin sighs, running her fingers through her red strands. "They're not letting us out until it's over."

"I don't care." Wonyoung snaps at Yunjin, taking you by surprise when she grabs your wrist tight. "We will find a way to get out of here, even if it means that I have to use violence to fight off the knight members."

"I don't get it!" You raise your voice as you dart your eyes between your best friends. "This was supposed to be a normal Halloween night, but now crimes are acceptable for the next 12 hours?! What sort of─"

The sound of a shotgun pierces through the air, shocking you greatly, and before you can even process anything, you find yourself being dragged by Wonyoung, with Yunjin and Karina following closely in haste.

By the time you have arrived at the parking lot, your eyes widen at the gruesome sight of two masked men displaying violence upon a student who, you presume, attends the same university as you, looking all bloodied with his face completely ruined.

"Come on!" Karina shouts, snapping you out of it before you are being thrust into her car by Wonyoung, who then proceeds to enter the backseat with you while Yunjin is in the shotgun.

As Karina switches the ignition of her vehicle, a shriek leaves your lips as soon as the window next to you shatters into pieces by a golf stick, prompting you to duck your head and move further from the masked man as he attempts to reach out for you, but Karina immediately slams her foot on the pedal gas and speeds off.

A loud gasp escapes from you while your heart is pounding hard against your chest. Wonyoung swiftly engulfs you in her warm embrace, in which you desperately seek comfort, even if it's just for a moment.

"What the fuck?! There are roadblocks everywhere!" Karina exclaims, and you sense a scowl in her tone.

"That's what I've been telling you! We can't escape anywhere until Devil's Night is over." Yunjin says exasperatedly before she looks over her shoulder at you, uncertainty and concern residing in her gaze upon seeing how visibly shaken you are as you cling onto Wonyoung's arms.

"Ah, fuck!" Karina curses once more before steering the wheel expertly, finding other possible solutions. Yunjin shoots her a withering glare, to which Karina retaliates. "Don't give me that look. I have totally forgotten what it was like on Devil's Night."

"Was that why a few students died last year?" You manage to speak through shaky breaths. "Because they were killed on Devil's Night."

Silence befalls your best friends, but as Wonyoung squeezes her arms around you, you know that your presumption is correct. You have finally connected the dots. Initially, you didn’t want to make the assumption that those students who died on Halloween were the same ones who attended Devil’s Night. But as their silence confirms that, your stomach sinks in dread, and you begin to pray silently.

Deciding to distract yourself, you notice some bikers are on the same run as they ride ahead of you, as well as two cars, to which you assume that they are the invited guests.

"We can hide at some place, maybe a building, where there is a high chance that they won't find us." Wonyoung tells Karina, while the latter nods her head and continues to drive with keen eyes.

The vehicle comes to an abrupt halt, sending both you and Wonyoung flying forward. A series of profanities emanate from your best friends.

"Damn it! The wheels got punctured!" Karina groans loudly as she hits her forehead on the steering wheel. "So what's the plan? Either way, we're probably going to get fucked."

"We run, duh." Yunjin pushes the door open, while Wonyoung seems reluctant but heeds her words.

"But we're wearing heels!" Karina's exclamation goes unheard by you as you attempt to catch up to Yunjin and Wonyoung. You wince as you soon begin to feel the aches. Tonight is the wrong night for you to be wearing heels.

You don't even know where you are at this moment, focusing solely on following your best friends from behind, until you hear a familiar voice calling for your group just a few metres away.

"Guys! Over here!" You recognise the guy, who is a junior from the business department. He is fairly famous among the ladies. With the motion of his hand, he is beckoning for your group to enter what looks like an abandoned, massive, three-story building.

"Ricky!" Wonyoung greets him with a friendly yet brief side-hug as soon as she reaches for him. "Are you sure this place is safe?"

"On Devil's Night? Nowhere is safe." Ricky shoots her a lopsided grin before his eyes settle on your face, and instantly, he blinks his eyes in surprise. "Y/N? You're here on Devil's Night?" He asks in dubiety.

In return, you give him an awkward smile. "It's kind of a long story."

"No time to explain. Thanks for helping us out, by the way." Yunjin pats his shoulder firmly before brushing past you.

"Come on." Ricky pulls you in and proceeds to close the fairly huge door with a loud thud.

A gust of wind hits your skin, sending you involuntary shivers as your arms latch around your body in an attempt to warm yourself while your eyes scan the interior of the building with no lights in sight. The only source of light is the moonlight, which streams through the broken window glasses.

You hear hushed yet noticeable voices belonging to unfamiliar and familiar people that go scattering across the floor. You keep wandering around, getting immersed in how hauntingly beautiful the interior building is, as though the previous owners were the royalties.

As you look away from the broken chandeliers above you, you notice that you are in a foyer with a massive flight of stairs in sight. That is also when you realise that you have gone astray from your best friends.

"Wonyoung?" You call out for her, your voice echoing throughout the dark, and your eyes have adapted to the setting. "Yunjin? Karina? Ricky?"

Your body jolts when you hear a piercing scream that belongs to Karina, although she sounds as though she is somewhere on the second floor. Your eyes widen in mortification at the thought of your best friend being gravely injured before you proceed to take hurried steps forward.

Just when your foot steps on a stair, a dark figure standing way above the second floor captures your attention. As you look up, your heart nearly lurches in your chest upon seeing the person with the physique of a man looming over you. He is wearing a black bomber jacket with the hoodie covering his head, and his red mask obscures his identity. His head is tilted to one side, and you would have found it cute if it weren’t for the fact that he is holding a literal metal baseball bat in his grasp.

At the moment he makes his first descent, you begin to make your retreat by undoing whatever you're about to do. You hear a breathy chuckle elicited from the red-masked man that you swear sounds familiar.

Your stomach churns with uneasiness as you continue to back away from him cautiously. Oddly, his movement seems deliberately slow, as though he is taking his time trying to scare you. Releasing a shaky breath, you turn around with the intention to run, but you bump into a solid chest.

Before you can fall, gloved hands latch on your waist, steadying you. As you slowly look up, colours drain from your face at the closed-up look of a designated black mask that he is wearing, and you have no idea who he is. He is also wearing similar attire as his fellow comrade.

"Look at what we have here." His voice sounds oddly deep, as though he is using some sort of advanced technology to conceal his real voice. Despite him wearing a mask, you swear you can feel his gaze raking all over you. "We're giving you ten seconds to run far, angel. Starting now."

Of course, you know better than to delay. So you run, ignoring the touch of his gloved hands on your skin that remains lingering. Your heels and thighs are hurting from all the running. Your chest is hurting with the way your heart pounds hard. Trepidation courses through you. You fear what is to happen next, and you hope to live to see the next sunrise.

It appears that luck is not on your side tonight, as you find yourself falling to the ground. Pain shoots up in your ankle, but thankfully, it is bearable. With a wince, you slowly lift your head up with your hair dishevelled, and when you do, you feel as though your heart drops to the pit of your stomach.

Fear resides in your gaze as you stare up at the figure looming over your fallen figure, his boots directly in front of your face. His head is tilted to one side as he stares down at you, and his face is obscured with a white mask that has a vertical red stripe on one side.

Your mind is screaming at you to run from him, but it is as though you have been rendered immobile, your body paralysed with petrification. Tears well up in your eyes as he bends down on one knee and uses his melee knife to slide under your chin, tilting your head up.

"Please don't kill me." You hold back a sob, attempting to stay strong, but a traitorous tear betrays you as it slides down your cheek.

"You should’ve thought about it twice when you decided to show up in the first place, sweetheart." His voice sounds akin to that of the previous masked man, but you can detect a gentleness in it. For a moment, he reminds you of a certain individual who has been your academic rival for the past few years.

In a blink of an eye, you gasp as he hauls you up with a strong grip and slams you against the wall without any thoughts of gentleness. Your heart continues to pound against your chest as he pins both your wrists above your head tightly while his other is occupied with his melee knife, the tip sliding down your cheek, but not enough to leave any traces of scars.

"Were you supposed to dress up as an angel?" He asks while leisurely trailing the tip of his melee knife against your throat and descending to the expanse of your chest, where your cleavage is enticing to him. "Yeah, you were. But a slutty angel at that."

The degradation in his soft tone throws you off guard. Before you can speak, he renders you speechless when he leans down to press his lips against yours, and you would have considered this your first kiss if it weren’t for the barrier of his mask.

Karina’s piercing scream shatters whatever trance you are in, prompting you to turn your head sideways where her screams are echoed. “Karina.” You utter her name worriedly before looking back at the mysterious masked man whom you will call White. “Please don’t let them hurt Karina or any of my friends.” You implore him rather meekly.

White chuckles, though you can easily detect his mockery. “You are so fucking adorable, sweetheart. Thinking that you can order me around just like that.” He leans away from you and releases you.

Just when you think you can make your escape, he proves you wrong when he grabs your arm firmly, pulling you to flush against his body warmth. “You’re not going anywhere until we’re done with what we need to do.”

“We?” You blurt out just as he drags you with him. It isn’t long until the previous masked men you saw greet you in your line of sight as they laze around by the foyer.

Their heads snap at you, and despite wearing those masks, you swear you can feel the intensity of their gaze on your figure. You decide to call them by the colour of their masks.

“Are we seriously bringing her with us?” Black asks, his tone tinged with annoyance. “She will only be a hindrance to our mission.”

This time, you decide to intervene. “Not to worry! I can just leave you guys to your mission while I see myself out.” You crack a nervous smile before attempting to run past White, but what happens next greatly shocks you.

With ease, White has thrown you over his shoulder, carrying you with his hand holding onto the back of your waist for security. White simply ignores your pathetic attempt to protest as he gives Black and Red a firm head nod before they proceed to make their ascent to the flight of stairs.

You continue to wiggle in his firm grip, and you are conscious of the fact that your weight might bother him, especially the weight in your thighs, as they are slightly thicker than your best friends’.

“Stop moving!” White grunts, getting annoyed at your antics. In an attempt to silence you, a slap echoes throughout while you feel a stinging pain on your buttcheek before your cheeks go flushed at the realisation that he has just smacked your ass without any hesitation whatsoever.

“Jungwon, Riki, what’s the status?” Your ears perk up at the familiar names, whom you recognise as the renowned juniors that are closer to the four devil's knights leaders compared to any frat member.

“Everything is ready. Just say the word, and we’ll blow the building up.” You hear Jungwon’s voice coming from someone’s phone, and you frown at his statement.

“Felix just informed me that Namgil and his crew took the bait and had just entered the building.” Red speaks to White and Black, whereas your stomach is starting to hurt from how sharp White’s shoulder blade is.

You poke at White’s back, earning his attention. “My stomach hurts. Can you let me down? I promise I won’t run away.”

Silence is all you receive from White, which disheartens you. So you close your eyes and try your utmost to withstand the pain while holding back whimpers. Just then, you feel yourself being settled down on a soft cushion before you open your eyes to see yourself seated on a worn-out couch.

You are about to thank White, who is looming over your figure, but you are rendered speechless when he ties your wrists together with a black cable tie.

“What are you doing?!” You raise your voice, the disbelief is evident in your tone. “You didn’t have to tie me! I gave you my word that I wouldn’t run away!”

“Just to be safe.” White tells you before taking a step back. “Stay put, sweetheart. We’ll be right back for you.”

With that, White, Red, and Black make their departure, leaving you alone in this dark room with the only source of light coming from the window, moonlight streaking in, and the faint screams of terror emanating from the outside tainting the night.

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You did attempt calling for help or even your best friends, but to no avail. Your throat is starting to hurt, and you are in dire need of water to quench your thirst. To make matters worse, your ankle looks slightly swollen from falling earlier.

You refuse to obey White’s instructions, so you decide to venture out of the room, trying to find the way out. With each step you take, you limp slightly, wincing every now and then due to your throbbing ankle. You definitely need medical attention before it gets worse.

After what feels like forever, you finally manage to descend to the first floor in the foyer as you hold onto the railing. You heave a sigh, and a glimmer of hope shines in your eye at the thought of escaping from this place, from the three masked men.

But you should know better than to hope, especially when you have broken the rules that are expected of you as God’s blessed child.

Dread fills you when a group of five mask men are in your line of sight. However, these mask men look entirely different compared to the devil’s knights. They are wearing red bomber jackets instead of black.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” One of them, whom you presume is the leader, steps forward as he cackles wickedly. “Y/N. I never thought I’d see a day where the good girl dressed up like a slut.”

You recognise that voice. Kim Namgil. Apparently, he broke some sort of rule or whatever that got him dismissed from the fraternity club. You have heard that he was the worst of the worst of them.

Of course, desperate times call for desperate measures. So, with your slightly swollen ankle, you turn around with the intention to run away from them, and you are almost successful when you feel a painful impact on your back from getting hit by a wooden baseball bat, resulting in you falling to the ground on your knees. You don’t even have the time to attempt to defend yourself despite your wrists that are tied together when he flips you around and pins you to the ground with his fingers curled around your neck in a firm, threatening manner.

“I’ve always wondered what it feels like to fuck you and break you.” Namgil snarls coldly in your face behind his black mask. “After I’m done with you, I’ll let my crew have their turn in destroying your cunt, and then right after, I’ll tear your limbs one by one.”

The fear coursing through your veins is so intense, while tears spring from your eyes. But you remain resilient, still fighting and struggling in his firm grip. Raising your leg, you knee him hard in the sack, eliciting a pissed-off snarl from him.

Your head is turned sideways at the impact of his slap, and your tongue tastes the metallicity of your blood from the cut at the corner of your lips due to his ring. This time, you don’t hold back your sob, weeping helplessly underneath him, yet you keep praying to God that you will be saved.

“Namgil, I don’t think we have time to mess around with her.” One of his crew members tells him with a sense of urgency.

“Just a quick fuck.” Namgil tells him as he squeezes your throat tight, causing black dots to appear in your vision before he slaps your face again, and this time, your head starts to throb painfully.

“Damn, she looks like a fucking slut.” You hear one of them make derogatory remarks with chuckles. “Faster, Namgil. I can’t wait to fuck her pussy.”

At the moment you hear a zipper, more tears spill from your closed eyes as you give up hope and await the pain. But nothing happens next. Instead, you hear a commotion involving punches being thrown and a series of groans and cusses.

You no longer feel the weight of Namgil on top of you, as someone has pulled him away from you. You flutter your heavy eyelids open, and the gruesome sight of Kim Namgil being beaten to pulp by Red greets you just across from you.

“You fucking dared to touch her?!” Red growls out as he grasps his metal baseball bat and is tainted with Namgil’s blood. “You deserve to die a slow, painful death, Namgil.”

You look away with a wince as soon as Red brings down his metal baseball bat to Namgil’s ruined and bloodied face once more, diverting your attention to White, who plunges his knife into one of Namgil’s crew members, to which you gasp, startled upon witnessing the knight members displaying true violence in real time.

You hear a painful scream of a man before the sound of bones cracking makes you go flinching, but you find yourself looking at where the source of the sound comes from, staring at Black, who has broken the limbs of the one whom you recognised as the guy who made the last remark when he slutshamed you.

Then you see a new masked man, and you call him Silver, making his way over to Red, who is evidently berserk and is stopped by Silver. Red seems to breathe heavily and steps away from Namgil before he turns his head to you, but you are busy watching Silver, who appears to be saying something to Namgil tauntingly before the sound of bones crushing pierce through the air.

Upon having to witness such gruesome sights with blood splattering everywhere, tears are continuously streaming down your cheeks, but you have no strength to sob out. Fear and trepidation spread throughout your chest at the thought of you being their next victim.

You flinch as footsteps approach you while you remain on the floor, having no strength after being assaulted by Namgil and his crew. You hear low murmurs around you while your mind is in a haze.

You can barely comprehend anything when you feel someone cutting the cable tie that binds your wrists. A pair of strong arms lifts you and carries you with ease, prompting you to flutter your eyes open to see yourself in Silver’s arms.

“Jungwon, blow the building up.” You hear Black speak as soon as the five of you step out of the abandoned building.

“Wait.” You mumble groggily, wincing as your head throbs once more. “My best friends, they’re still inside─”

“The only ones who are inside are the dead bodies.” Silver says above you, his deep voice is akin to the other masked men’s, surprising you. “Your friends are still alive and have been brought to another place.”

You don’t say anything, too shocked to form coherent sentences upon witnessing the building blow up with a booming sound. You watch as the building is engulfed by the roaring, ferocious flames while the masked men continue to advance forward without a care for the burning building behind them.

A black van pulls over by the curb before the door slides open, revealing the familiar faces of your juniors. “Get in.” Riki tells them before his dark eyes land on you. His eyebrow is raised at you, but he doesn’t say anything as he scoots to the back when Silver steps forward to place you inside.

“Hey, Y/N.” Sunoo greets you with a grin as he is seated in the shotgun. “Fun times, ey?”

You don’t respond, resorting to silence as the rest climb into the van before the door closes. Jungwon, who is the driver, presses his foot on the pedal gas as he speeds away. You expect the four masked men to reveal their faces, but they don’t.

Silver, who is sitting next to you, turns his body to face you with his head tilted to one side. “Now, what shall we do with you?” He ponders out loud, and his statement sends shivers down your spine.

But you are too numb to make any protest or defend yourself from these masked men, as the gruesome images of blood and the sound of bones crushing that emanate from Namgil and his crew remain reeling in your mind. Despite the fact that you’ve always had complete distaste for Namgil, you know that he didn’t deserve to die.

The moment gloved fingers caress your cheek, you flinch away from Black, who is seated next to you. “Since the second part of the hunt is starting soon, why don’t we let angel here join the others instead?” He suggests to his fellow comrades.

You release a shaky breath as you stare at Black with visible fear and curiosity. “Second part of the hunt? You mean to tell me that earlier was just the first part?” Your tone is laced with disbelief.

“That’s right. The first hunt was to hunt and kill the victims on our list while the others spread horror and terror to those lucky ones who didn’t make it to the list.” This time, Jungwon tells you, meeting your eyes in the rearview mirror fleeting, yet you manage to catch his smirk that has obvious wicked intent.

Perturbation gnaws in your tummy as you lick your dry, quivering lips. “And what does the second hunt entail?” You manage to ask despite the shakiness in your voice.

“You’re about to find out, angel.” Black chuckles with a hint of darkness, and concurrently, the vehicle comes to an abrupt stop, nearly flinging you to the front, but Silver’s quick reflexes manage to prevent you from doing so with his arms shooting out to hold you.

The door automatically opens before Silver makes his exit first, he turns to you and holds his hand out for you, to which you hesitantly accept his assistance before you make your exit as well.

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“Y/N!” Your girls, specifically Wonyoung’s voice that overpowers theirs, call for you as soon as the four masked men have brought you to where the other victims are gathered, as well as the other knight members with their masks and similar attire. You shudder upon seeing different types of weapons in their grasp.

All the while, you have been trying your utmost to ignore the throbbing pain in your ankle and walk as normally as you can. The sound of gates rattling closed from behind startles you, prompting you to look over your shoulder to see that the entrance is closed. You scan your surroundings briefly, noticing that they have brought you to a massive labyrinth garden, which appears to have a multitude of mazes that also seem endless. You spot the divine palace in the background, but it looks further away from you.

Once White releases his grip on your arm, you waste no time rushing for your awaiting friends and crash into the first person who has her arms outstretched for you. Your eyes water as you bury your head into her chest, and for once,you are glad that she’s taller than you by five centimetres. Wonyoung’s warmth shrouds your cold, trembling form while you feel relieved to see her and the others again, despite the fact that this comfort you desperately seek and bask in is only temporary.

You silently thank God for keeping your good friends safe and in one piece.

Just then, your eyes widen at the sudden realisation that hits you, prompting you to pull away from Wonyoung. “Karina!” The moment you utter her name, your gaze immediately settles on the familiar catwoman standing in between Winter and Kazuha. As your eyes rake all over her, confusion etches on your canvas. “You’re not hurt? But I thought I heard you scream earlier.”

Karina gives you a sheepish smile. “I got startled when a cobweb of spiders hit my face, and afterwards, one of the knight members scared the fuck out of me, but don’t worry, honey, I’m perfectly fine!” She reassures you once more, and you begin to relax, only for a while before the screeching sound of a speaker pierces in the air, causing all of you to wince.

“Congratulations for making it to this stage.” White speaks into the microphone, garnering everyone’s attention while you briefly look over to the numerous familiar faces of the other students amongst the crowd. “However, Devil’s Night is far from over, and unfortunately, whether you’ll survive this stage or not is all dependent on you.”

White passes the microphone to Silver. “Yes, we’re aware that this is new for those of you who have been to the previous annual Devil’s Nights.” Silver explains. “For this stage, all of you will be given seven minutes to run and find the exit of the labyrinth garden.”

“Seven minutes?!” A guy from your cohort barks out his discontent. “Seven minutes is impossible for us to make our escape! Look at this maze! It’s fucking massive!”

“Too fucking bad.” You hear a smirk in Silver’s tone. “So you better be running for your life once we hit the countdown.”

“And what happens if we don’t make it to the exit in time?” Liz asks loudly, and when you look at her, you frown at the discernible excitement in her eyes. Why is she excited when she should be apprehensive just as you are now?

It’s not just her, but you notice the palpable tension of excitement emanating from some of the victims. It is as if they have been expecting this adventurous thrill that may or may not cost their lives. Your face twists into a slight grimace, finding them odd.

Red snatches the microphone from Silver. “For those of you who successfully manage to find the exit on time, congratulations. You are free to leave and enjoy the rest of Devil’s Night with what we have to offer.” Black pauses before he elicits dark chuckles. “But for those who fail, you’re ours to kill, ours to toy, ours to torture, and ours to fuck once we find you. We’ll do whatever we want for you. So when we tell you to run, you run and don’t ever fucking stop.”

You see Black motioning for the microphone, which Red gives him. “As for our fellow knights, don’t forget to stake your claims if you haven’t. Remember to hunt down only what is yours.” As Black says this, you can feel his gaze behind his mask fixed intently on your face. “The second part of the hunt starts now.”

On his command, everyone, with the exception of the knight members, erupts into squeals and tumultuous commotion as they make their way to the multitude of mazes haphazardly. Wonyoung has already dragged you along with her, shoving her way through the crowd with profanities occasionally leaving her lips while her grip around your wrist tightens.

“This way!” Wonyoung barks over her shoulder to you before tugging you with her into one of the mazes.

“Yunjin! Chaewon! Girls!” You shout to your friends at the other side, who fail to hear your calling as they proceed to enter different mazes, followed by some other victims. You wince when Wonyoung adds more force as she drags you. “Wony! Slow down!”

“Are you crazy?!” Wonyoung raises her voice as she gives you a bewildered glare. “We only have seven minutes, and you’re telling me to slow down!?”

“But my ankle hurts.” You whimper as you finally allow yourself to limp, prompting Wonyoung to halt her steps while panic resides in her gaze.

“How did this happen?!” Wonyoung begins to fuss over you, bending down to touch your swollen ankle before returning her gaze to your face. “Never mind that. How bad does it hurt now?”

“Like an eight? I don’t know.” You grimace, putting more weight on your other perfectly fine ankle. Your eyes dart at your surroundings while you rub your arms in an attempt to provide some warmth due to the cold breeze that hallows as well. “How are we even supposed to find the exit in this massive labyrinth?” You ask, feeling disheartened. You yearn to return to the comfort of your bed and snuggle with your soft toys.

“Can you try to withstand the pain?” Wonyoung asks with a concerned frown, and you nod your head in response. “Okay. We’ll try to brisk-walk and search for the exit. We have about,” She pauses as she glances down at her phone screen. “Four minutes?! Shit!” She grabs your hand and wastes no time walking in haste.

You ignore your ankle, which is throbbing painfully now, as you follow her. Amidst the trepidation, determination sizzles through you, and you have every intention to escape from the knights’ grasps, specifically the four masked men from earlier. Your stomach churns while you have an inkling that they’ll be hunting you down.

Time seems to be passing by slowly as you are starting to feel the exertion dawning on your body from the events that happened since the moment you stepped foot into their territory. Wonyoung, too, looks exhausted as she has finally released your hand, but as always, she remains composed with her head held up high, and determination is like steel in her eyes.

The two of you turn to the right corner, and at once, groans are emitted from both of you. Greeted in your line of sight is a lengthy, narrow maze with different entrances on each side. “I swear we’re going in circles!” Wonyoung scowls indignantly, but nonetheless, she advances forward while you stop to take a breather.

You pant lightly, wiping the sweat above your brow. “Wait, Wony─”

But just as Wonyoung turns around, a figure decked out in familiar attire and a grey mask that obscures his identity emerges from the shadows of the entrance next to Wonyoung, who grabs her with his arm around her waist while the other has her wrists locked firmly.

“Hey! Get the hell away from me!” Wonyoung thrashes in his grasp as he drags her with him. She turns her head to glare at the man in the mask before recognition flickers in her gaze. “Jungwon! Please!”

A gasp leaves your lips at the name that leaves her mouth. You watch as Jungwon continues to drag Wonyoung with him while the latter continues to plead, though you can’t help but discern the softness in her tone towards him.

“Wonyoung!” You cry out for your soul sister as you step forward with the intention of getting her back, afraid of what might happen to her. But the moment you attempt to reach out for her, Jungwon turns to look at you and shakes his head.

“Don’t, Y/N. Unless you want to end up on the wrong side of my knife.” The wicked intent in his voice is resounding, rendering you frozen in your spot. “Luckily for you, you’re not mine to kill.”

“Y/N─'' Jungwon clamps his hand over Wonyoung’s mouth before they eventually disappear from your sight as they enter one of the entrances, leaving you alone and helpless.

Tears are welling in the rims of your eyes, while the trepidation that courses through your veins is starting to feel overwhelming. You sniffle as you quickly wipe away the fallen teardrop on your cheek before you force yourself to advance forward, mustering whatever courage and determination are left within you. 

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The shrill screams, which belong to different individuals, have been continuously pierced into the cold, foreboding atmosphere once more, startling you as you tighten your arms around your body in an attempt to seek some form of succour.

By now, you are numb to the pain in your swollen ankle and solely focused on surviving this hunt and making it out alive. You turn to a left corner and continue to venture forward until you hear a voice belonging to a familiar person that kindles hope in your chest.

“Yunjin?” You call for her, moving forward while your eyes dart everywhere as you walk past different entrances. You become startled when you spot one of the knights holding a chainsaw chasing after two girls who are screaming in terror before you quickly mind your own business and resume searching for your childhood best friend.

“Yunjin─” You immediately halt your steps as soon as you hear faint moans emitting from your very own childhood best friend. Your face contorts into confusion as you listen to how she is moaning pleasurably while there is a faint slapping sound of skins.

A part of you knows better than to indulge your curiosity, but you find yourself advancing forward once more. As soon as you turn your head, the obscenity sight greets you and renders you completely shocked to the point where your body feels paralysed, unable to move.

There is your childhood best friend on top of a masked man as he is seated on a wooden bench, and their lower regions are completely stripped off of any layer of garments. Her back is facing you as she bounces continuously on him with her hands draped over his shoulders lazily.

As your gaze falls down, that is when you finally notice that Yunjin is indeed fucking down on the masked man. You can see how lewd they are fucking into each other with a series of moans and groans emitting from them. You should feel disgusted, and you should be looking away from the obscenity, but you become enthralled by the sight of his cock disappearing into her pussy each time she bounces.

Oddly, your heart is racing at a foreign pace, and your throat becomes dry the longer you watch them get immersed in the fucking. You stagger a step back, panting lightly while feeling a foreign sensation pooling in your core. The warmth all over your body feels odd, bothering you greatly.

“Fuck, just like that.” The mask man throws his head to the back, holding Yunjin by her ass cheeks to assist her. “You’re doing so well, baby. Keep fucking on me like a desperate whore you are.”

You squeeze your thighs together to suppress the sensation that becomes oddly unbearable in your core. Just as you stagger a step back, your back hits a solid chest, causing your heart to drop.

Before you can run away, an arm slithers around your waist, locking you in place. A tut leaves his lips. “Naughty angel. Having fun watching your best friend fucking him like a whore?” It is Black.

“N-No.” You protest weakly, looking away from the sight, but he uses his gloved hand to grip your jaw and turn your head, forcing you to keep your eyes trained on your best friend.

“Don’t lie to me, baby.” Black speaks next to your ear while your breaths get heavier and your mind is tainted with forbidden thoughts the longer you watch them fuck. “I know you love it. You’re probably wishing that was you.”

Your breath catches in your throat as he gropes the flesh of your breast with earnestness, while his other hand trails downward on your stomach before his fingers go underneath the material of your dress. You gasp inaudibly at the sensation of his fingers teasingly grazing across your clothed pussy, and you swear you can feel some form of essence leaking between your folds.

“N-No.” Your weak protest does nothing to stop Black from his assault on you while you watch with hooded eyelids as your best friend continues to fuck the mask man vigorously while the sounds emanating from them become pornographic.

“Fuck, you’re nearly soaked, angel.” Black nearly growls as his chest vibrates against your back, sending you shivers down your spine.

Light pants leave your lips as your mind is infused with impure thoughts, and your hips buck, as though in an attempt to entice Black, but he continues to tease you by stroking the outer of your womanhood.

The sound of a feminine scream pulls you out of the lustrous trance as you blink your eyes. Mortification hits you like whiplash, while guilt shrouds you. Gritting your teeth, you muster courage before slamming your elbow into his stomach hard, resulting in him releasing you while a painful groan emits from him.

“Y/N!” You hear Black roaring from behind, the sheer anger is palpable in his tone while you run as if your life depends on it, despite your ankle sending you signals that it needs medical attention as soon as possible.

Your brunette waves flail behind you, soaring in the wind as you run while a few strands of your locks stick to your face. Your heart is pounding harder against your chest, and your chest begins to tighten with anxiety at the worst possible outcome.

A scream leaves your lips as soon as two lower-ranking knight members emerge from the bushes with different weapons in their grasp, bringing fright upon you. You run to the opposite side, and when you do, other knight members wreak terror upon you with their weapons, but they don’t do anything to you. It is also as though they are forcing you to go in the intended direction by scaring you relentlessly.

You choke back a sob, tears stinging in your eyes. You wish that this was all just a mere nightmare, but the exertion, the aches, and the pain all over your body say otherwise. You find yourself yearning to return to your beloved parents and the cosy ambience of your home, where you feel safe and loved.

A genuine scream of terror rips from your throat when Silver emerges from a shadow, holding an axe that is dripping with blood. “Where do you think you’re going, princess?” He asks mockingly, stalking towards you.

Tears stream down your cheeks, but you refuse to let out a cry. You back away from him quickly before turning around to run, but you crash into a solid chest and firm hands hold onto your waist, prompting you to look up and stare at Red with panicked eyes.

“Caught you, sweet angel.” You hear him purr with pleasure. You shove him in the chest, pushing him away from you. Facing your two predators, you back away in haste. Pure fear shines in your glistening eyes.

From your peripheral vision, you spot Black emerging from the tall bushes with a dagger in his grasp, and you can immediately discern his wrath, as evident in the way he trudges towards you.

“Stay away from me!” You begin to scream at them, tears are relentlessly streaming down your cheeks. “Leave me alone, you sick bastards!” You ignore the small voice in your mind that is berating you for saying a profanity.

“So the angel can scream.” Silver remarks with a cold chuckle. “Scream all you want, because no one will come to save you.”

Frantically, you grab a small rock at the side as you bend down before you throw it in the direction of Silver, who dodges in time. Silver scoffs out a chuckle. “You’re really starting to get on my nerves, princess.”

You yelp out as you trip over something, resulting in you falling backward with your bum hitting the hard ground. You wince before you attempt to get away from them, crawling backwards as your three predators are nearing.

But at the moment your hand touches a boot behind you, your heart sinks into the pit of your stomach before you force yourself to look up. Alas, White is staring down at you while in his grasp is a white handkerchief.

“You failed, sweetheart.” White says softly. 

In an instant, Red hauls you up, forcing you to stand and holding you firmly by the arm. You whimper out a cry as you feel your hands being forced to the back as White has your forearms interlocked with one hand.

“Don’t worry, baby. We won’t be fucking you tonight.” Black chuckles darkly at the side, the anger that emanates from him is evident. “This is something to remember us by when you wake up, and when you do, remember our masks.”

Red grabs your chin, tilting your head up. “We’re not done with you yet, sweet angel.” 

You open your mouth to speak, but White covers your mouth and nose with the white cloth, forcing you to inhale the substances that he had sprayed with. You struggle in their grasps with tears leaking from your eyes, but soon, you begin to lose strength while your mind becomes groggy.

Your hooded eyelids feel heavier with each passing second. Alas, you succumb to the darkness as it shrouds your whole being.

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“Y/N? Y/N! Wake up!”

It feels as though your soul has been slammed down into your body as you jolt from your deep slumber. Fluttering your eyes open, you are greeted by the familiar sight of your bedroom ceiling before you finally realise that you are back in your dorm. The exertion dawning on your body renders you immobile as you remain in bed. 

You feel soft fingers stroking your cheek, prompting you to look at your childhood best friend, whose face has a twist of concern and sympathy. “Babygirl, you’re fine now.”

That is also when you realise the dampness on your cheeks. With Yunjin’s assistance, you raise your body to be vertical and lean on the headboard. You glance down and notice that you are in your Hello Kitty pyjama set.

A relief sigh leaves your lips. So whatever happened last night was just a mere nightmare. Yet, it is a nightmare that you will probably remember for the next few days.

“Is she awake?” Wonyoung’s voice draws your attention to her as she barges into your room. As soon as your eyes meet hers, you notice the sheer relief in her eyes. “Y/N, thank God you’re fine. You’ve been asleep for so long.”

“It wasn’t that long.” Yunjin tells Wonyoung before taking a glance at her phone screen. “Oh, wait. You’re right. Y/N missed breakfast and lunch.”

“What time is it?” You ask, finding it odd that your throat is dry and scratchy.

“It’s four in the afternoon.” Yunjin replies as she gives you a sympathetic smile. “It’s understandable that you woke up this late.”

“I had a nightmare.” You mumble, your fingers tracing circles on your duvet that is covering your outstretched legs. “A really terrifying nightmare. I don’t think I ever want to experience that again.”

As Wonyoung sits on your other side, you immediately latch your arms around your best friends, bringing them into a hug while you sigh in contentment. “I’m glad it was just a nightmare.”

But they don’t reciprocate your hug, which brings a frown to your lips. You pull away from them and notice prudence in their heavenly features. “What?”

“Babygirl, what happened last night wasn’t a nightmare.” Yunjin tells you, her voice sounds quiet.

The relief you feel dissipates and is replaced by apprehension. Your chest feels constricted as fragments of the whole event that transpired last night coalesce into one. The last remark from Red remains vividly clear in your mind.

“It wasn’t?” You ask numbly, looking at Wonyoung for confirmation, and the latter nods her head. Your eyes trail down to her neck, noticing fresh purple and red hickeys on her porcelain skin.

“Hey, the other girls will be coming over─” Karina stops her sentence midway as she saunters into your room, her eyes meeting yours. “Y/N! You’re awake!” She grins at you, oblivious to your disheartened spirit. That is also when you notice bandages on her forehead and hands.

You uncover the duvet from your legs. The familiar throb in your swollen ankle serves as a reality that you did, in fact, attend Devil’s Night on your own accord, and you have no one else to blame but yourself.

“I helped to ice your ankle and apply some ointment.” Wonyoung tells you as she rubs your thigh soothingly. “It should heal in two or three days.”

You remain silent while your eyes turn crestfallen. Your three best friends exchange worried glances.

“Y/N, are you okay?” Yunjin asks gently, and when she touches your shoulder, you visibly flinch, bringing a frown to her lips.

The obscenity of your best friend willingly fucking herself onto one of the knight members is something you can’t erase, and you can’t help but feel sickened and disgusted. You're disgusted at her, and more importantly, you’re disgusted at yourself for bearing forbidden thoughts and for how you acted. You recoil from her touch, scooting slightly away from her before you return to lie on your bed with your back facing her.

“Yeah. I just want to be alone for now. Please.” You croak out pleadingly while tears spring from your eyes as you hug the duvet close to your chest.

“Fine, but don’t miss dinner, okay?” Wonyoung pats your arm gently before she proceeds to depart from your room alongside Karina and Yunjin. All the while, they become confused by your unusual behaviour.

“We’re not done with you yet, sweet angel.”

Red’s words remain lingering in your mind, taunting you and evoking the familiar fear within you while dread crawls onto your skin.

With a faint of heart, you release the sobs you have been holding back, weeping in the comfort of your bed that is surrounded by your soft toys. You will definitely remember your first Devil’s Night, and it will also be your last.

You fear that the events that transpired on Devil’s Night have been engraved in your mind as well as rendering you traumatised, and you have no idea if you will ever recover from them.

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You didn’t leave your room for the next few hours. Your eccentric behaviour worried your best friends gravely, and they took turns knocking on your door to get you to come out and have dinner, but you didn’t respond to any of them, causing them to resign and finally leave you alone.

It is not that you hate your best friends, but the fact that they don’t seem to be bothered by whatever happened last night and their normalcy confounds you. At the same time, you can’t help but feel resentful towards them. Knowing that they have been attending Devil's Night since freshmen, how do they still not find any issues in the Halloween event that entail such heinous pursuits?

You love your best friends, you really do, but right now, as you have been reflecting deeply, you wonder if you truly know them.

“Mom.” You greet your mother on the line as you press speaker mode.

“Hey, sweetie. Aren’t you supposed to be asleep at this hour?” Your mother’s kind and gentle voice brings tears to your eyes while you try your best to hold back your sob. You yearn to be in her warm, comforting arms, where you feel undoubtedly safe.

“I slept more than enough earlier.” You force out a laugh, wiping the fallen teardrop from the corner of your eye. “Is Dad there?”

“He’s on a night shift.” Your mother informs you, but you sense a certain tone of knowingness in her tone as she continues to speak. “Tell me, what happened?”

“Nothing. What makes you think that?” You raise your body vertically, sitting on the bed, while one of your soft toys is in your lap as you toy with its arm mindlessly.

“I know my daughter, Y/N. You hardly called me at this hour. Did something happen to my sweetie?”

Alas, the tears brimming in your eyes cascade down your cheeks. “Am I still good, Momma?” Your voice cracks in between, allowing your true emotion to surface.

“Of course you are. You are always good, and goodness is always inside of you.” Your mother remains constant in the way she speaks to you in a soft lull.

“But what if I did something bad?” You say sullenly. “What if I sinned?”

There is a brief silence on the line, and you can’t discern whether your mother is mad at you or not. “Sweetie, there is no denying that you are God’s blessed child, and purity has always been a big part of you, but you are a human just like the rest. You’re bound to make mistakes. So if you have sinned, you should already know what to do next.”

“Are you mad at me?” You ask meekly, swallowing a lump in your throat. You hate disappointing your mother.

“No, I’m not.” Your mother reassures you. “Get some sleep, okay? It isn’t good to stay up too late. I love you, always. Remember that, sweetie.”

“I love you too, Mom.” You reciprocate as your voice comes out shaky before you end the call.

Your gaze settles on the familiar book of the Bible on your nightstand. With your trembling hand, you reach out for the book. Once you have it in your possession, you begin to flip over the pages before your fingers halt at a certain page. At once, you begin to read.

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“Are you sure you don’t need me to come with you?” Kazuha asks as soon as you dismount from her Yamaha bike. You proceed to give her the helmet before you adjust your slightly tousled hair, making it neater.

“I’m sure.” You tell her, a tinge of resolution glimmers in your eye despite the guilt that has been churning in your tummy. You give her a smile of gratitude. “Thank you so much. I owe you one.”

“Nonsense. You’re my friend, aren’t you?” The leather-clad girl grins at you. “Call me when you’re done. I’ll fetch you. Besides, we’re long overdue for a date.”

You watch as Kazuha speeds off with the blaring noise from her engine, eliciting a chuckle from you as you know that your dear friend is simply flaunting her sleek black bike.

The smile on your lips flattens as soon as your gaze settles on the divine building. A gust of wind hits your skin, sending you shivers and prompting you to hug your white coat around your figure. It has been quite some time since you visited the church that is situated on the same street as the campus due to the heavy workload given by your professors for the past months that you didn’t even have the time to visit.

You find yourself stepping forward before picking up the pace and entering the building. Thankfully, there are not many people. You offer a polite smile to the sisters walking past you, as they also welcome you with warm smiles.

At once, you feel at ease, and the familiar tranquillity in the ambience feels like a gentle hug, assuring you that despite the sins on your shoulder and the guilt weighing on your conscience, you will be pardoned in the end. After all, you are God’s most loved child.

The priest, who appears to be speaking to one of the members of the church, directs his focus to you, and once he sees your face, a warm smile touches his lips. “It has been awhile, my child.”

You reciprocate his smile despite your nervousness. “School has been keeping me occupied.”

“What brings you here on a Sunday morning?” The priest asks.

You release a shaky breath while regret shines in your eyes and the guilt tightens around your heart. “I have a confession to make.”

His smile falters just slightly. He tips his head in the direction where the familiar booth of the sacrament of penance is, beckoning you to follow him. “Come, child.”

It isn’t long until you have finally reached it, now seated on the chair with your heart pounding against your chest.

“Whenever you are ready.” The priest says to you from the other side.

The events that transpired last night are like a film in your mind as you recall them. A tumultuous mixture of emotions is palpable within you while you attempt to remain collected. 

With a shaky breath, you begin your confession, “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned……”

TAGLIST: @aishigrey @kgneptun @b3tt7boop @smg-valeria @lhspeachie @enhaverse713586 @strxwbloody @firstclassjaylee @jwnghyuns @luminouskalopsia @deobitifull @loumin908 @sousydive @pinkkami @skzenhalove @caravm @shinrjj @loljaeyunz @star4rin  @darkjongsung @mlywon

So, I'm low key going through it right now and am making a impulse decision.

I have absolutely no place to post this collection of short stories I wrote and since I'm in one of my lonely moods, this is what came of it.

I'm not sure if I should make it a side blog or not... I'm probably gonna make it a side blog now that I think of it.

Well then, if you're interested in a reverse harem story about a young adult female who is a pervert in reality, but is perceived as some innocent angel, then check it out.

I'll probably post every day since there's a LOT of stories. Hopefully I won't fall in my depressive streak 😀

Here again after my usual hiatus this time though it was because of real world shit, aka setting appointments to get my teeth removed yay but I wanted to post something.

So, just today (or yesterday it's 2am for me) I finished a page on my website about an idea I got about a game idea. This is pretty common for me, but I wanted to share it here in case anyone was interested :D

Anyways, here's a little preview and you can read the full thing here if you want.

I was also considering making proofs of concepts about some of the mini-games I talked about and other collectables, but who know if I'll get around to that with all the other ideas I have in my head.

Either way, that's the post~

🍂

So... I did it!

Here's some proof of concepts for some of the mini-games 👏👏

A lot of them were either too similar to games that are already out, so there wasn't a reason to make a concept; or the idea is a little to grandiose that there's no way I can get it down with my art skill presently 😅

Either way, I'm really happy about how these turned out!

So let me explain them all in a bit more detail!

Ankara

His minigame is suppose to be a management sim where the main objective is matching the traits of his next client to whoever shows up in front of you. In this example, I used an idol who's likely just debuted and is extremely popular already. The traits for Ankara's next client are exactly that, so he'd get a pass!

On the webpage, I compared this game to things such as Papers, Please.

Just to keep in tune with his actual business, I feel most of the clients would end up being famous singers, actors/actresses, and other media personalities 📺

Akuma

Akuma is my little devil and in his mini-game it's meant to be a series of a dungeon crawler where each level has a different objective.

For ex. The 1st level would be a simple maze where you collect fire to increase the little "energy 🔥" meter there.

The 2nd level would be using the fire in easy battles.

The 3rd would be some mixture of the two

And the 4th would be a final boss fight using all that you learned in the levels before!

I also thought about adding skins and such and it'd be fun to have them in each of the levels locked behind challenges and other collectables.

Akihiko

Besides him being one of the baby bois of the series, I really didn't know what to do with him until I thought of this!

It's a little hard to explain since I don't normally play games like this, but it's essentially a search for various artifacts.

The best I could compare it too is The Grand Underground from Pokemon Diamond and Pearl.

Though, as you can see, my note about him giving you little facts is something I'd love to do. I always love learning about useless facts from games so why not have this be the section where it happens!

Brayleigh

He's my rocker boy and the reference for this pose is actually this image because Seonghwa living his dream as a rockstar is just hsiweofndkssbfjrr for my heart.

Also, what I mean by "diff appearances" is the fact that I'm so bad of an artist that Leigh never looks the same when I draw him... Ever. His hair is always different each time, so I just made that apart of his personality.

He's the type to always have his hair dyed a bubblegum pink and have it cut short one time, then up in a ponytail the next. It'd be nice to see him dressed differently to match the theme of whatever song is being played as well.

Oh, yeah, the game. It's a simple rhythm game that's based off of one of my favorite childhood video games SpongeBob Squarepants: Lights, Camera, Pants.

In the story, Leigh can play almost every instrument and writes his own music, so each level would be you "learning" how to play a different instrument. Starting with the easiest (and his favorite) the acoustic guitar!

Koto

Koto is another baby boi and he actually writes fiction stories based on non-fiction stories he hears from others.

So, I wanted to be sure that part of his writing process was in the mini-game, to essentially show people how it feels when you're drafting a story (fun fact! For anyone who's curious, Koto is both a planner and pantser).

So, the idea of the game is a little unrefined, but the jist is Koto is tasked with getting the non-fiction items he needs to build his story. His adventures may take him to a hospital, a car garage, a school, and even a giant hotel.

In these locations, the player aids Koto in finding whatever items he needs to make his story. Once he's obtained them, it's up to the player to arrange the story properly so Koto can have his final product!

I think next time I'll talk about extra things I wanted to add like collectables, extra stories, decorative items, different outfits, character customization, and events for the bois!

But, until then. Thanks for reading~

🍂

Here again after my usual hiatus this time though it was because of real world shit, aka setting appointments to get my teeth removed yay but I wanted to post something.

So, just today (or yesterday it's 2am for me) I finished a page on my website about an idea I got about a game idea. This is pretty common for me, but I wanted to share it here in case anyone was interested :D

Anyways, here's a little preview and you can read the full thing here if you want.

I was also considering making proofs of concepts about some of the mini-games I talked about and other collectables, but who know if I'll get around to that with all the other ideas I have in my head.

Either way, that's the post~

🍂

Okay, now onward to little things that don't really matter in the grand scheme of things. I also finally figured out the genre of game this would be and that's a social game.

I'll start with:

Cosmetics/Character customization

So, I'll start first with general cosmetics. I have a very strong itch to play a game where I can customize both my character and the house/room/plot of land they reside in without the game being either farm based, purely fashion based, typical gacha "wait 30 years or watch an ad", or just "anime" style with no other designs. Because of this, one of the first things I thought of was creating a separate mode where the players could customize a character to their liking, with their pronouns, and more than just "generic anime" hairstyles. There would obviously be generic anime hair styles, but there'd also be afro styles and other poc styles (I'd have to do some research on any other group outside of African though).

In the main mode, you wouldn't be able to chance the MC outside of her name. Her appearance would be locked kind of like Link or the Persona protags. Once you've played through a story and completed it with the MC, you'd be able to replay it as your customized character in the freeplay mode.

There would also be a place for the players to design their own apartment/house/plot of land (depending on what makes the most sense) and through the game's various mini-games, you'd be able to unlock items. Some items would be harder to get and would require playing a mini-game or going through some sequence properly to unlock something. We're going for replayability＼(＾▽＾)／

Since I was thinking for this game to be FtP, I had to come up with something to still make money, but make it accessible for everyone to get everything in the game. So, it made sense to have the paid options be simply to speed things up or get extra of something in case someone is lazy as hell and doesn't want to replay something. However, the option to play it normally isn't a slog either, it's just like playing any game normally vs. cheesing the the area.

Also, I wanted to add this little note but I didn't know where, but I also really wanted this game to be interesting for gaymers as well. I do have family who happen to fall under that category so I have a little--just a tiny bit--of knowledge when it comes to that.

In this case, the game wouldn't be to catered to physical things at all. Obey Me! does a pretty good job keeping the MC gender neutral, but it has its limits and I'm going to push them as hard as I can! (pause) Being who I am, I don't really fit into any category very well as I don't like most traditionally girl things and I'm uninterested in most guy things, so almost all the time my characters interact romantically in a way that you could use any pronoun and it would work. I don't like the term handsome and most certainly do not think the words "pretty" "cute" or "beautiful" only describe women. Usually, my descriptors are general and describe the way someone's appearance makes you feel (ex. if someone has pretty eyes I'll usually just say their eyes are captivating or they're easy to get lost in.)

Events

I wasn't exactly sure what this would be considering I don't want to become an Obey Me! with bi-weekly events that drain your resources, but I also didn't want to make events that had items locked behind their event period and once they were gone, they were gone. I also know apart of the fun with events is working really hard to get something special, so if it's available all the time it wouldn't be very much fun. So, my fix for this was to dog tag a page from Obey Me!

They have it where after six months(?) events come back and the players have free access to participate again for four days so long as they have a consumable. I still don't want it to be exactly like that, so the easiest solution is just to have events rollback when their original date passes (ex. if there's an event during April, then April the next year, the events returns for the same amount of time). Simple and effective.

As for the events themselves. I actually tend to write a holiday special for the bois every year so the usual New Year's, Christmas, Valentine's, Halloween, and Thanksgiving would be celebrated, but I've always wanted to incorporate many celebrations from various places. Things like Mardi Gras which is a celebration that's pretty centralized in one place. Obviously, that would mean some research, but I already have most of the characters having different backgrounds (Brayleigh is French, Jessica is half Japanese/French, Ankara has Pacific Islander in him, Terumichi is Korean, Amai is half Black/Japanese, and Shugi is whatever I need him to be lol) so it'd be pretty easy to use their backgrounds and try and incorporate some festivals, holidays, and other special occasions in here!

And of course, the events would have special outfits for the boys to be dressed in, don't worry. You have no idea that a kimono Aki, demon Akuma, beach Koto, and casual Ankara live rent free in my head.

CGs/character art

I say this a lot, but I'll say it again, I can't draw; however, if I ever did find someone to work with, I'd have a lot of character CGs and just so things can stay as inclusive as possible, their character art would be anywhere between just solo art of the character in question or art with a character insert (maybe like a hand or something)

side note: the only reason I'm not too into having a character insert is because it feels generic and like it's almost impossible to account of every position with a certain hair style or skin tone. I know some games have done it, but they more or less prove my point. In this case, I think less is more.

The CGs more looked like just beautiful art of the character from a scene or of them in a stylized outfit. Being able to have a gallery full of each one would be a dream~

Other/Misc.

There's not a lot more I wanted to add, but some small things would be to have a challenge mode for each of the mini-games and achievements for random things.

This is just a off the cuff thought, but it'd be cute to have the overworld city somehow have online multiplayer where people could chat with other people in the city or play solo (since I am more of a solo player anyways).

Competitions kind of rub me the wrong way, but it'd be nice to have some rankings for the mini-games

I guess I'll add this part to the first reblog: I didn't want the game to have bad endings because they usually just making the player feel like shit for having an opinion, so it made more sense to have it like Phoenix Wright where you're playing the story as the MC and to have a separate freeplay mode where character's choice would matter. It might be too ambitious, but having the freeplay mode have different endings sounds interesting.

A small ex. would be in one of the short stories, Cassie is sick and Akihiko comes over to take care of her. The players would then have the option to reject him and see a different route play out, almost like a what-if scenario.

But, for now, that's all the ideas I feel I can share. If I come up with anything else I'll add it, but like always...

Thanks for reading multiple

🍂

Here again after my usual hiatus this time though it was because of real world shit, aka setting appointments to get my teeth removed yay but I wanted to post something.

So, just today (or yesterday it's 2am for me) I finished a page on my website about an idea I got about a game idea. This is pretty common for me, but I wanted to share it here in case anyone was interested :D

Anyways, here's a little preview and you can read the full thing here if you want.

I was also considering making proofs of concepts about some of the mini-games I talked about and other collectables, but who know if I'll get around to that with all the other ideas I have in my head.

Either way, that's the post~

🍂

Stars to my moon |chapter-8|

Genre: Soulmateau! Idolau!Angst;fluff;drama;romance, polyamorousAu!

Pairing:ot7×f!OC

Summary: He took big strides, halting right in front of me as he bends to my eye level, causing me lean back a little. I could feel his breath fanning my face, looking into his eyes, I could see a storm of anger into them.

"We have been nothing but considerate of you and your feelings, while all you've given in return is rejection and cold shoulder since day one." He grits out.

when Selene's 22nd  birthday doesn't go as she expected,  her world turns upside down, making her resent her soulmates. Will she ever come to accept them in her life or will she continue to run away holding onto her past love?

Bouncing his leg up and down, chewing on the pen, he couldn't help but wonder what was happening across the hall.

With a sigh, he slams his pen down on the table, getting up to pace around the room.

Taehyung was trying to concentrate on his music, wanting to take his mind off the fact that the other members were in Selene's new apartment, trying to help her settle in, but the thought of everyone with her: enjoying, and making new memories was unsettling to him.

Not because he didn't want to share her or was possessive over her, but because he wasn't there with them, he won't be included in those memories. 

Setting his ego aside, he finally gives in to the urge to stalk across the hall. However, voices could be heard even outside her apartment since the door wasn't locked. And Taehyung could perfectly recognize those voices and what they were saying as he approached the place.

"Hey, is this you?" Jimin asks, most probably to Selene.

"What? Heyy! Give that back! You're not supposed to see that just yet!" 

"Oh no, No. Others need to see this." Jimin says, just in time for Taehyung to watch the further occurrence from the doorway. The scene had his steps halted and jaw clenching. 

Jimin was running around the messy sitting room while Selene chased him, swearing at him while they both laughed. They looked like a normal, happy couple there, and Taehyung was happy for his friend but what had him step back and turn around to go back to his own place was not the thought of giving them privacy but the fact that, he too, wanted to be included in her life but was afraid of the rejection.

This wasn't the first time he had caught Selene with his members and one of her other soulmates. Just this morning, Selene was happily cooking together with Jin; the way her aura glowed with serenity and happiness was a rare sight to see. One he had never had the luck to see before then. Not just that, but he had also seen her talking with Namjoon at the ungodly hour of the night. Both, getting to know each other and sharing their troubles. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop but overheard that her mother was the one who convinced her to give them a chance. He was so thankful for her mother but couldn't help being jealous of their relationship. Out of all of them, Namjoon would be the one who knows Selene even just a little. 

Since tomorrow she had not but glanced at him one time when they held hands to not get sick. And now seeing her like this with Jimin- he understands that the problem is not about them being her soulmates anymore. It was HIM being her soulmate. Lord knows what he has done besides giving her the piece of mind that she desperately needed. 

With an anxious mind and furious steps, he gets back to his room and falls into his twirling chair. Mind going over the possibilities of confronting her for the not-so-subtle ignorance of his existence. Because he had to, or he would lose his mind pondering over the why. 

The only question remaining was HOW? He breathes out a sigh of annoyance. He didn't want to do anything that he would regret later.  Something that would cause an even bigger rift between the two. 

Taehyung gets up from the chair, running his hand through his hair. The sound of footsteps coming towards his room with a huff interrupts his brainstorming. He peeks out of his room to find out who the sound belonged to, finding his hyung searching for something in a hurry.

"Hyung! What are you doing?" He asks, fully stepping out of his room.

"The company called; they need me in. And I just can't find my fucking will to go. All I wanted to do was sleep for a while." Yoongi says with a huff making Taehyung crack up. 

Yoongi; after having woken up late in the morning, got the news of getting the day off to help Selene settle in from Jin, and needless to say, he was ecstatic. And no, not to help her. But for the bliss that he will get sleeping after having done so. 

"Forget that. What are you doing here when everyone is there having fun, huh?" His Hyung asks with a pointed look.

He looks down and shakes his head. "What does it matter, hyung? If I am there or not?" 

"You know it does. Everyone wants you there."

"Not her. She doesn't want me there."

"And why do you say that? Has she said something to you?" Yoongi raises an eyebrow.

He laughs, "She'll say something to me when she acknowledges my existence. That's the point, Hyung. She is acting like I don't exist. She has gone and made amends with every one of her soulmates except me. She doesn't want anything to do with me. She's got everything she would want in them anyways, the brain, the beauty, and the heart. Where would I even fit in? There is no place left." 

"Don't say that. You need to give her some time. She might still be a little upset at you, or maybe she is afraid just like you. Don't go jumping to conclusions." Yoongi consoles him, putting a hand on his shoulder.  Taehyung nods, not believing him fully but letting the hope creep in. 

"Now, let's go. Everyone is waiting." Yoongi takes his hand and leads him to her apartment. 

Stopping at the door, "You go in. I'll join you guys for dinner after." Saying this, Yoongi disappears down the hall.

With a sigh, he musters up the courage to bear getting ignored by his soulmate again. Gulping down the hurt and anger, he tries to stay calm and impassive as he steps into the apartment, not letting his steps falter.

But, as he steps into the apartment a second time that day the picture playing in front of him is much worse than before. And he broke.

Selene tastes the food from the spoon and then forwards the spoon to Jungkook, who starts jumping with mad brows after tasting it. Making Selene nervous,

"What is it? You don't like it? is it too spicy?"

"Aani aani." He retaliates.

Namjoon laughs as he shakes his head. "He always does this when he likes the food. It's his way of expressing that the food is good." 

She laughs, and others don't miss this opportunity to tease the maknae.

"AArghhhh... Jkayyy..." 

Jungkook hides behind Jin, hands touching his ears softly; something he does when he's shy, with his bunny smile. They all have this belief that Jin's broad shoulders can save them from anything in the world. I know, Funny. But cute. 

Back to the topic at hand, The reason Taehyung broke was not their smiles nor the family-like atmosphere but the fact that Selene is even friendly and smiley towards someone who is not her soulmate. That means the problem is him only. Maybe he went too far when he called her a bitch, but well, she was acting like it. And he won't let regret fill his heart. He did what he did for his best friend, and they are happy now. Trying. Because of that. He just needs to find a way to mend his relationship with her.

 Taking a deep breath in, he approaches them. His heart, beating fast. The hope that maybe she will acknowledge him or just pass him a small smile was there. But well, what is the point of false hope, right? Because she didn't. As he approached, Jimin comes by his side, talking about what just took place, oblivious that he had already seen it and let it scratch at his heart.

Everyone takes a seat, curiously watching Selene cook with Jin and Jungkook helping her. 

"She is making something from her culture. Gazpacho?" Jimin looks at Selene, confirming if he said it right. 

"Gazpacho and Paella (Pa-yay-ah)" she teaches him and he repeats it back to Taehyung. 

He nods. One thing he notices is not once during this exchange did Selene look at him directly. She corrected Jimin with a small polite smile and went back to doing her thing. He closes his fist, trying to drink down the hurt. 

The cooking goes on, Selene doing most of the work, with Jin and Jungkook teasing and fighting each other in the back. These guys really do start anywhere, but what can one say? That's what makes their relationship exceptional. 

Hoseok and Namjoon talk as the latter say something that makes Hobi laugh so hard; he starts clapping his hand. 

"Care to share?" Selene raises an eyebrow at them. A small smile played on her lips.

Hoseok shakes his head, making the motion of sealing his lips. All the while trying to contain his laughter. Namjoon hangs his head, also trying to hide his dimpled smile. 

Meanwhile, Taehyung had to chew on the hurt and anger he was feeling. He is going to ask her tonight why she is behaving like this to him. He can not be in the dark anymore. His patience has run out. He now just needs to find an appropriate time for it.

                                                    --------

Trying to ignore Taehyung has turned out to be a much harder task than I thought it would. His presence is big. Even when he quietly sits on the side, he attracts attention. But that is something I can't give in to. 

The way I have seen it, Taehyung has had some problems with me since the start. why wouldn't he? the way I treated them, ignored our connections, no one deserves that kind of behavior. And I am not ready to broach that subject with him yet because I fear he might reject me. I suspect nothing major will happen to me if one or two of my soulmates out of seven refuses to be with me, but still, he holds a piece of my soul. The puzzle of my heart will not be completed if even one of them refuses to be with me. 

The quiet, frowny look he wears whenever he is near me is painful to watch. How bad would you feel if your presence became the reason for the frown on your soulmate's face? I don't ever want to experience this again. But the connection between our souls has been pulling my gaze towards him and even with my resistance I had sneaked a handful of looks at him whenever he wasn't looking at me. Better yet, glaring at me.

That's what it has been like with him. He gives me glares, and I try my best to ignore them in order to avoid the hurt. 

I sigh softly, making up an excuse to leave the kitchen while the dish simmers. Asking Jungkook and Jin to see it doesn't get burnt.

With their nod, I make my way toward my new bedroom. The decor is all beige and white. On the shelves above my bed sits my plants, giving the room a home-y calm vibe. I take a seat on the side of my bed, smoothening out its wrinkles. I wish someone could smooth out the wrinkles in my and Taehyung's relationship just like that. 

I get up, looking for my phone. Maybe my mother could help me and give me some advice on how to approach him. 

I look on and inside my bedside table but have no luck; I move onto the shelves, my closet, and under the pillow, but I don't find it anywhere. Where the fuck did I put my fucking phone! 

A sigh of frustration leaves my mouth. I should ask one of the guys to call on it. I never put my mobile on silent, so it should be easy to find. 

I look down at my feet, carrying me out of my bedroom.  God, I need to go to the salon. My toenails are in very poor shape. I huff out at my own ignorance. I never let my salon date pass. 

Just as I look back up again, a hand clasps around my own, and I am suddenly being pulled into the dark hallway, opposite of where I intended of going, might I add.

The person slams me against the wall, one hand still holds my own, pressing it against the wall beside my head, and the other rests above my head.

"Wha-" my curse dies out on my tongue when I see who the culprit is.

Collecting myself, I ask, "What are you doing!?" trying to break my hand free from his grip.

"No." He interrupts me, refusing to let go of his hold on me. "What are YOU doing, huh?" 

"What!?" I ask at his accusing tone, oblivious of what the fuck he is on about,

Gritting his teeth, he answers, "Why are you ignoring me?" 

Hearing his question, I scoff, going into defensive mode. "Excuse me! I am ignoring YOU?" 

"Yes." 

Alright! If he wants to pretend that he wasn't the one acting all prideful and ignorant before, I'll play along. He's going to be the one regretting either way.

"Well, don't you think that might be because you deserve it? You don't think you did something that would lead to me ignoring you, Taehyung?" I ask him absurdly, still trying to get my hand out of his grip, which he still refuses to let go

"No. I don't think so. All I did was put some sense into you and pushed you in the right direction." He gets closer to me. So close, I can feel his breath on my face. 

"Reallyyy!? Excuse me if my memory doesn't serve me right, but weren't you the one who called me a bitch?" I cock my head.

"Um, Weren't you the one acting like a bitch and planning to leave your soulmates?" He throws it back at me. Offending me, boy.

"You all were practically strangers to me! What the fuck had you expected!? I would bear out my heart to you, trust you and accept you all in a matter of an eyeblink!!? Just because you are my soulmates!? That is ABSURD!" I breathe heavily, my heart racing fast. 

All my life, I have avoided confrontations. Talking about what I think is hard for me, showing any emotions is a no-go. It is something that I just can't do. Eric was there all the way. Still, it wasn't easy for me to completely be vulnerable in front of him. But this man! He just knows how to push my buttons. God, He is making me talk, and I do not like it. Still, I won't stop now. Not now, This has to be said.

"NO!" he slams the wall beside my head, getting more close to my face; I have to look sideways to avoid contact as he speaks, gritting his teeth. "IF you were acting all cold and ignorant because you wanted to take time to KNOW us before committing and diving into this, it would have been fine; it even would have been welcomed. But you did all that not to know us but to push us away to get back with your past lover! How had YOU expected us to react!? Did you think we would be okay with you stomping all over us to get back to your boyfriend? The same boyfriend who left You for his soulmate. Do you really think he was worthy of your love and sacrifice?"

"No! Don't you dare bring Eric into this. Whatever happened, he is still my friend, and he left me because he cared for all the lives that would have been affected by this, as in Yours! Also, I have never wanted ill for any of you. I would have sealed our bond, and we all could have been happy with the ones who we would choose."

"You really think we could have chosen someone else when we knew you were out there, that at last, we were going to be together because you're the one destiny wants us to be with." He asks, his eyes going soft. Looking into them, for a second, I forget that we were fighting; this is the first time he has let me see the vulnerability in his eyes, and something tells me being vulnerable isn't easy for him as well. 

Looking away, I say, "Anyway, moving on. After talking with my mother, I have decided to give this a chance. so why are you bringing this up again when I have already apologized?" 

"That's the thing Selene, You have apologized and mended your relationship with everyone. Everybody except me. How do you think I feel about that?" His eyes gave out an emotion I couldn't put my finger on.

"I don't know. I didn't think you'd care." Shrugging, I tell him honestly.

"Why did you think that?" 

"Because you don't like me from day one, and you've been ignoring me like a plague, and you are always glaring at me. What else am I supposed to think? You don't act that way when you care, Taehyung." I sigh as I tell him.

The way he has been acting has hurt me, even if I don't have the right to say so. I know I hurt them first, but I get it now, and I want to know them now. And his unspoken rejection stung.

"You think I am ignoring you?" He asks, a bit surprised as he finally softens his grip on my hand, backing away just a little. 

"Yes, obviously." Even when I know that I could free my hand now that his grip has loosened, I don't. I let him hold my hand. Craving the little connection our souls are getting from our little encounter.

"What makes you think that?" Pure confusion displayed in his eyes.

"I don't know? The fact that you never talk to me? Leave the room when I enter? Avoid making any eye contact?" 

"I don't avoid eye contact; you do. And I don't talk to you because you are always preoccupied with someone. And I leave the room because-" he abruptly stops. His expressions tell me he said something he thought he shouldn't have. Still, I push.

"Because..? Because what Taehyung? Because you don't want to be near a bitch like me? Because you don't want me near your friends? Because you think my personality is so hideous that you can't look at it for-"

"Because it hurts, dammit!" Shouting, he interrupts me. "Because it hurts to see you all smiley and happy with the others and ignoring me. Even with Jungkook, you act like you guys are such good friends while you avoid any interaction with me, your own soulmate." He whispers, making me completely shut up. 

When I don't say anything, he looks up with misty eyes. "I know you don't want me. Why would you, when you have everything you could ever want in those three? They're the brains, beauty, and heart. But you're the only soulmate I have. And I want to be with you, even if I have to be at the bottom of your list." 

Hearing him breaks my heart; I didn't know he felt like that. I never intended for him to question himself. Freeing my hand from his grip, I touch his cheeks, making his eyes stay on mine. "No. You never were and never will be at the bottom of my list, Taehyung, because there is no list. I never approached you because I thought you didn't want me. I want all of you. All of you hold a piece of my soul; it won't be complete if I don't have you." 

Taehyung doesn't say anything for a minute, only looking into my eyes. As if to ensure himself of the sincerity behind my words. When he finds what he is looking for, he shuts his eyes as he comes closer and rests his head against mine, hands covering my own that are still holding his face. 

"Thank you," he whispers. "I really needed to hear that. You have no idea how much I had been thinking about it, but to see that you don't feel or think that way is a huge relief like a weight lifted off my shoulders." 

"Well, it's true. And stop looking down at yourself. You are the brain, beauty, and heart, as well as much more. And I am sorry. I should have come to talk to you instead of making any assumptions. I would very much like to know you, Kim Taehyung. If you will let me." I whisper back. Completely baring my heart out in front of him. Because he had as well, and I want him to know that he will not be the only one making efforts in this relationship. We need to start on the right foot again, and that's what I want to make this into. A fresh start.

"I wouldn't want anything more. Thank you. And I'm sorry for calling you a bitch too." He apologizes in his deep, hoarse voice, sending my stomach a tingle.

"I forgive you. I kinda was being a bitch that day." I chuckle, and he follows.

"Yeah, kinda." he says with a teasing smile.

We keep staring into each other's eyes, forgetting that a world outside us exists. 

After a couple of minutes pass of us drinking each other, I whisper, "We should get back. Everyone must be wondering." 

"Uh-hmm, We should." he agrees but doesn't move.

"Taehyung!" I push at his chest slightly.

"Alright." He backs away but takes my hand, intertwining our fingers, as we move toward the kitchen.

It has been the most intimate and vulnerable moment I have had with any of my soulmates. And I am glad it was with him, since we both are afraid to be vulnerable. 

I laugh, remembering how fast we went from screaming at each other to stripping off our defenses and exposing our thoughts.

"What?" he asks, curious to know the reason behind my amusement.

"Nothing. Come." I shake my head, leading him down the hall.

                              ----------------------------------------------------

"Can someone please call and ask Suga Hyung if he'll be here by dinner?" Jungkook asks, too eager to eat the food after having a taste.

"He said he'll be here; why do you want to disturb him?" Jin says, making the younger hit his chest and thus, starting a banter.

"I am hungryyy!! And when Suga hyung gets into work, the concept of time doesn't exist for him. Just ask!!" He whines, not having the patience to savor the delicious taste of the dish again.

"If you are too eager, call and ask him yourself. I am not going to make him annoyed again after last time." 

At this, Jungkook pulls out his doe eyes, shining so brightly suddenly, as if on command.

Jin sighs in defeat, "You know, you take advantage of that too much." 

He does his bunny smile, happy at his win.

"Alright, but I won't make the call. Let's make the only person he won't be annoyed by call him." Jungkook nods. And they both, at the same time, scream, "J-Hopeeeee!!!!" 

The latter jumps at the sudden loud voice, "Yah! I am in the same room as you; Why are you shouting?" 

"Hoba, call yoongi and ask him when he'll be home." Jin orders in a stern tone.

"Hyung? Did something happen?" Hoseok asks, a little worried since Jin doesn't use his hyung card much, but when he does, they all get serious.

"Yeah, I need to talk to him. Call him." Jin says and turns around, winking at Jungkook, who gives him a thumbs up for the acting. 

He looks at his Hosoek hyung, fumbling to get his phone out in a hurry to make the call. He knows his Yoongi hyung wouldn't scold him either. It's just that he is too lazy to call.

Snickering at the thought of their conversation, he opens up a packet of chips Selene offered him to get his mind off dinner until it's served. 

He scans the room, observing everyone as he sits on the hand of the couch beside Jin. 

Jimin and Namjoon, talking among themselves as the latter says something to make the former surprised. Jimin's lips jut out, and his eyes go round.

Jin is talking to Selene and Hoseok, but the lady's mind isn't on what Jin is talking about but on something else. She nods, having no idea Jin is spewing about how he regrets the one time when Jimin asked him to bet if the Dolphins can breathe underwater. 

He follows her line of sight, only to find that her attention wasn't occupied by something but rather someone. 

On the sofa across her sits Taehyung. Both soulmates, not being able to keep their eyes off each other. Jungkook could practically see them radiating tension. 

But that's when it hits him. Last he knew, they weren't really on good terms with each other, so how the sudden change? He hadn't seen them talking. And it's like a light turned on in his head; he recalls how both of them, so conveniently, disappeared at the same time. 

A mischievous glint appears in his eyes, ready to tease his brother.  

"V Hyung?" He calls but fails to catch the attention of his hyung as he only hums and never looks his way.

He grins as he clears his throat, ready to call him once again a little louder. "Taehyung Hyung!" And just as he wanted, not only Taehyung looks his way but the others as well. Curious as to what made the maknae raise his voice.

"Where did you run off to before?" 

He watches as Taehyung gives him a look of confusion before opening his mouth, "What?" 

"You ran off somewhere before. You don't remember?" He quirks an eyebrow: silently challenging him.

The latter furrows his brows, and then suddenly remembering, he goes, "Oh, Ahem! I went to the restroom. Why?"

"Nothing, you were just gone for quite a while. What were you doing for so long?" He questions further.

"He must have been taking a big shit," but instead of him, Jin answers, making the room burst out in laughter. Taehyung and Selene join in as well, albeit fake. 

"Yeah, you caught me, Hyung." He chuckles nervously.

"There is no reason to be ashamed of that Taehyung-ah. We all take shits." Jin says, making everyone snicker again. 

"Oh, and Selene! Where had you run off? You took your time as well." Jungkook stirs the bowl again.

"Oh uh, I uh, went to um call, my mom, yes! But I uh, couldn't find my phone, so I was just looking for it." Selene stammers, continuously looking between him and Taehyung, not keeping eye contact with him. As if, if she did, she'll be caught red-handed. 

"Oh? But your phone was in the kitchen with you, no? So why would you go look for it in the bedroom?" He quirks an eyebrow at her.

"I didn't go to call my mother. I was in the bedroom when I thought to call and check on her, and thus my search began." 

"And why did you go to your bedroom, exactly?" He questions with his hand on his face, fingers rubbing his chin in thought.

"Oh! Quit bothering them, Jungkook-ah. We know what you are trying to do, and we all know what happened." Namjoon speaks, not having the heart to see them more flustered.

At his statement, Selene looks down, while Taehyung stares at Selene with his boxy smile.

"Really? Is it that obvious?" Selene asks. 

"No, not for the blind people. But unfortunately, we can see, and you guys have practically been leering at each other ever since you came back." Jimin says, chuckling as he elbows Taehyung.

"Who came back?" a voice calls out, making everyone's head snap in its direction.

"Argh! Finally. How long do you take!? I have been waiting for forever!" Jungkook says as he stands up, and instead of greeting Suga, he runs past him, patting him in the back and towards the kitchen. Grateful for not having to wait any longer.

"Yah! Jungkook! I'm the eldest; I will be having the first plate!" Jin calls out, running not far behind him.

"First try to keep up, old man!"

Am I the only one who thought a reverse harem just meant everyone hated the main character?