Replaced MC Au

replaced MC au

pairings: MC x brothers (platonic), MC x Purgatory Hall (platonic)

genre: angst

summary: in which there's a new human exchange student

a/n and warnings: some strong language, my spin on the replaced mc au :> not proofread!

pt 2 pt 3 pt 4

you could hear the laughter of the brothers ringing though your ears. well, the laughter of the brothers and the new human exchange student.

diavolo had decided to do another exchange program, considering the first one went quite well despite a few bumps in the journey. this time, there were only one new student from the other two realms. for the devildom, there would be one new human and one new angel.

when hearing of the news, you were quite happy. no, ecstatic even. you could meet a new human who was like you! solomon didn't have any problems adjusting to the devildom since he was a powerful wizard, but when you came, you had no idea of how anything worked.

you thought you and the new human would become best friends, especially since diavolo announced that the new human would stay in the house of lamentation with you. you could guide them through the year and help with whatsoever they needed.

some of the brothers didn't seem too excited though.

levi dreaded meeting new people, "ugh, another normie?" he would groan.

"lucifer, don't tell me i have to take care of this new human too! i've already got a lot on my plate with MC!" mammon complained, as if you weren't the one keeping him out of trouble.

beel would think they had to share more food so he would get less and belphie still kind of resented humans, you and solomon being an exception.

satan didn't seem to care that much though, it was just another human. asmo was quite happy though, maybe he could befriend them and the three of you could dress up and go clubbing.

if lucifer cared, he didn't show it much. he was still in his work mode where he wanted to make sure everything would be prepared.

you were so excited on their day of arrival! a new student, a female human named laila.

she had arrived with diavolo and barbatos at the house of lamentation, barbatos carrying her bags that held her belongings. you figured you would be the first to greet her, lucifer was quietly talking to diavolo at the side.

"hi! welcome to the house of lamentation laila! my name's MC, these are the brothers," you said, gesturing towards the rest.

"nice to meet you, my name is satan," satan introduced himself, being the gentleman he is.

"hi deary! i'm asmodeus, you can call me asmo or anything else you like~"

she smiled and nodded, soft and warm, "hello, my name's laila. i'm from the human realm."

diavolo smiled happily, lucifer returning to join his brothers, "well! i'll leave it to you all then! barbatos and i shall take our leave."

barbatos placed the bags down and left, giving a gentle bow and following after diavolo.

you were the first to help laila, grabbing her bags, showing her to her room and helping her settle in. satan and asmo helped you show her around, telling her about all the fun times and activities that happened in the HOL.

she was kind, wonderful actually. she was so warm and patient, if you didn't know any better, you would have mistook her for the angel exchange student from celestia.

asmo was complimenting her greatly as he always did, talking about how healthy her skin looked and asking what brands she used on her hair. satan would answer the questions she would ask, he read a lot so he knew much more than you did.

the more you talked to her, the more you liked her, it felt as if you met her before.

until dinner that night and it all clicked.

"laila, i was told that you were actually from the same family tree as MC," lucifer announced.

you were surprised, this was your first time ever meeting laila.

"really? i never knew we'd be related!" you exclaimed, looking towards laila who was eating her meal.

the rest of the brothers looked in shock, you thought that it was because laila was in fact somewhat related to you, but that wasn't the case.

laila, but she acted just like lilith, the brothers' dead sister. no wonder the brothers were all so stunned. no wonder they swarmed to her like a moth to a light. well, all the brothers except satan, he didn't know lilith much anyways.

she looked nothing like lilith, but the way she acted, her demeanor, the way she spoke. it was all so similar. you were happy! the brothers would have someone that is related to a person that was once close to them and you would have a relative, be able to find out more about your family tree.

well, at least that was the case at first.

now, as you sat alone in your room, you could hear the brothers and laila having dinner downstairs. they didn't even acknowledge you when you went downstairs to bring you dinner back up to your room. they all had their eyes on laila.

it had been like this for the past few weeks. no, it had been like this for the past few months. whenever you hung out with laila in your room, one of the brothers would conveniently whisk her away, comepletely forgetting about you.

laila on the other hand always asked if you were alright, asking if you wanted to join or telling the boys that she would rather spend time with you and chill.

of course, you weren't one to keep laila from the brothers. even if you did join their little 'adventures', you'd be treated like a side character who would be forgotten.

belphegor would ask her to sing him to sleep sometimes, making sure to cuddle her. there wouldn't be any more space for you in the end.

beel would get her to bake pastries for him since she was practically a master chef. if you bought food from madam scream's, he'd be apparantly 'too full'.

she had the perfect body so asmo would ask her to model for him, doing skincare routines at night together and disregarding your routine that you had together.

she was always learning more about the devildom so satan would offer to teach her, she enjoyed reading books as well. satan would 'have his hands full' while teaching laila when you needed his help for homework.

she wasn't too good at gaming but was patient and willing to learn from leviathan since he'd always ask her to join him, forgetting about your nighttime gaming sessions.

mammon would bring her to the casino with him. she seemed to be extremely lucky too, helping mammon win big numbers. you were no longer his 'lucky charm'.

and of course, she had incredible grades. not missing a single day of class, no tardies at all, always handing in homework when due and getting perfect scores on her tests. lucifer would praise her, you on the other hand would be compared.

"why are your grades dropping? i exepected more from you MC, it seems i've been too lenient."

"sorry MC! laila and i's are goin' to the casino! i don't want you breakin' my lucky streak!"

"huh? MC? oh, i'm busy teaching laila how to play this new game. it's only a two-player game so there's no spot for you."

"i'm teaching laila about devildom history right now, MC. and this question is easy, you'd be able to get the answer if you looked inside your textbooks for once."

"MC? sorry dearie, but i'm bringing laila out shopping with me at this new luxury brand. and i don't think the clothes would suit you anyways."

"madam scream's? i'm a little full MC... i asked laila to make me some pastries just now. huh? oh no, i ate them all. you could eat madam scream's yourself."

"mmm... go away MC, i'm sleeping... there's no space for you here anymore."

as you were lost in thought, trying to complete your homework while letting your food grow cold, you heard your door open.

gazing up from your table, you were greeted with lucifer, arms crossed and having a disappointed look on his face.

"lucifer?"

"MC. i've seen your results on your recent test. why are you doing so horribly these past few months? if you knew you were lacking this much, you should've went to ask laila for some help."

oh, so that's why he came to see you.

"i've just been a little worn out lucifer... please try to understand, it's been... stressful for me, recently," you croaked out. your throat was dry from not drinking enough water and your eyes were tired from analyzing the same passage over and over for you assignment.

"stressful? MC, how are you the one that's stressed? you've been here over a year, that's more than enough time to adjust. laila has been here for less than half that time and she's doing incredible! her grades have been top of the board and she tops it off with perfect attendance. you on the other hand have been failing every single test and have been late for over half your classes."

"lucifer, i'm sorry, i'm just really stressed right no-"

"don't give me that excuse again MC. i'm extremely disappointed in you. why can't you be more like laila? she's a model student and wonderful at not causing me any more stress, you being the cause of it."

you bit the inner of your cheek, trying to stop yourself from frowning as much as you did currently. you were tired. so, so tired.

you stared down at the papers on your desk, trying to ignore the insults lucifer was saying by reading the text.

"lucifer, please, i'm just really tired..."

he ignored you, lecturing you over and over about how your grades weren't 'acceptable' and about how he should have dealt with you.

your tears fell from your eyes as you tried keeping your focus on the papers, fresh tear stains forming on your assignment paper now. you didn't dare look up because you know the look on his face would make you break but you needed to speak your mind.

"can't you just leave me alone?! i've been so fucking tired these days! maybe if you got your head out of your ass, you'd notice that the reason why i'm not doing well is because of you! you and your brothers! i love all of you with my heart but the way you have been treating me these past few months is terrible! and stop comparing me to laila! i know you love her soooo much because she's perfect and practically the reincarnation of lilith, but i'm not her! and of course laila is doing well! unlike her, i was killed within my first few weeks here! and all of you threatened me, telling me i was just some human! don't you remember that?"

lucifer scoffed, staring down at your figure. your voice was loud although you were choking on your words, but not loud enough to overpower the laughter that was apparent downstairs. all of them enjoying themselves while you were expected to sit here and deal with their shit.

your figure shrunk as you let your tears fall freely now, sobbing as your eyes were now unfocused. you could barely see through your tears as you felt lucifer's rage roll off him.

"scoff. blaming others for your faults. pathetic."

finally, he left the room, slamming the door behind him as you flinched at the sound. the loud chatter from the dining room halted for a short moment but continued with joyous laughter.

what was left of your slight appetite was now gone, fatigue filling your body as you let your head fall to your desk while your sobs filled the room.

they could really just forget about you like that, couldn't they? forget that you were the one who helped them mend their relationship as brothers again. forget that you were the one who literally sacrificed your life.

in a fit of rage and sadness, you grabbed your book of spells and slammed it onto the table.

solomon had told you about this before, a spell that was used to help people forget about bad memories, usually used to help victims of trauma forget about what happened. some called it a blessing, some said it was a curse. but as long as it worked, right?

it was simple enough, just write the few given words on the palm of your hand along with your name, then chanting the words written.

if they wanted to forget, then so be it. you'll do the same.

CHANTAJE! (xxv)

SUMMARY: being under the watchful eye of the media and your fans, your managers are in desperate need of regaining back your popularity after other influencers who hate you cause mayhem to your life. what best way to do so by having you pretend to be in a relationship with the popular 7 who are known to be intensely wealthy and stoic? will you be able to regain their trust or will they go with their promise of damaging your reputation even more?

WARNING(S) FOR LATER: gore/blood/murder, harassment/bullying, mental health talks (nothing badly triggering), child endangerment (mc was a child actor, again nothing badly triggering. if there is, there will be a warning)

NOTE: ahhhhh next chapter will need to be listened to with wildflower by billie eilish pls

TAGLIST (CLOSED): @parapiop7 @an-ever-angry-bi @softforyoongles @thenaverse @chansatlan @juju-227592 @skyys-universe @carolinexkpop @reallysparklychaos @namjooncrabs @savagemickey03 @drunkzseok @svnbangtansworld @2ne1unni

“That star is orange.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Jin, I get you’re old and you can’t see, but that star is for sure orange or some type of color,” you said, pointing directly at the star you were pointing at so Jin could see.

You two were night seeing stars for some reason. You two had wanted to go out to eat, but he had messed up the time and reservation, so he just ordered food to your place and you two put some blankets on the grass.

“You’re fucking with me that’s it,” Jim scoffed out, squinting his eyes to see the star you were pointing at better. “Girl, I cannot see shit.”

“You have such a potty mouth for one that is the oldest,” you said with amusement, looking down at his figure lying down on the grass. “Also, remind me to get you some binoculars or some shit because how can you not see it?”

“Leave me alone,” Jin groaned, softly pushing you away. “I see it now. Happy?”

“Well, now I feel like you said that out of pity,” you said with a noise while simultaneously crossing your arms dramatically. “We suck at this. We can go inside to look at some movie.”

“Can we see one of yours?” He suggested, standing up and sticking his hand out to help you get on your feet. You scrunched your nose as you two got the food to take it inside. “Come on, I haven’t seen one.”

“Fine,” you dragged out. You two walked back inside your room, heading immediately towards the living room so you could put one of your movies. “Sad, rom-com, action, or psychological horror?”

“Sad, I feel like crying today,” he replied. He sat down on the side closer to the door and waited until you put on one of your sad movies. It was everyone’s favorite genre so of course you had more than one. Just like how so many actors were given a title, yours was “she’s mostly known for being in sad movies.” You didn’t know whether you should take it as a compliment, but you did. It was nice being known as that since you did a good job causing tears.

You and Jin sat on the couch for 2 hours, watching your film, “Color Blue.” He went watching it without knowing the plot (you didn’t want to tell him) and now he was suffering the consequences. You were sobbing, he was sobbing, tissues were spread everything (just the table), and he was left hurt at the ending.

“That was it?” He sniffed. “What the hell? He just leaves? He just disappears like that?”

You sniff. “It’s insinuated she met the love of her life shortly after he left. He was her first love but, it was never supposed to be a forever thing due to this circumstances.”

“I hate your fucking movie, what the fuck?” Jin continued to sniff before a sob escaped his mouth. “That’s enough. I don’t want to see more.”

“Can you drive?” You sniffle, placing the tissue on your nose. “Should I call one of the boys?”

“Yeah, call one of those idiots,” Jin said considering the fact you two have been together since 8 AM.

You two didn’t do a lot. He and the others find so much comfort in your home they love lying around on your couch or on your bed. You don’t know why but he and the others have said your house smells like pumpkin and cinnamon, which would be a nice scent for fall.

You took it as a compliment.

You couldn’t help but swoon over Jin’s looks and the way he truly was an awkward person like you have been told. He does have some confidence, but he mostly uses that when he needs to. He used that when you two went to the store to buy some things you two needed for dinner.

You two had to leave, though, when it got a bit swarmed with fans.

“Hello?”

“Hey,” you sniff before you and Jin simultaneously sobbed at the credit scene. You had forgotten a montage of your character and his favorite character was shown.

“Are you two okay?” Yoongi asked, standing up from his chair to look at his wristwatch. He looked at Jimin, gesturing for him while he grabbed his keys. “Hey, why are you two crying?”

They could just hear you both sobbing.

“He didn’t deserve that!” Jin exclaimed.

“It needed to end like that so she could meet him!”

As you two cried, Yoongi, Jimin, and Taehyung (they didn’t know where he came from) headed to the car parked in front of their house.

“Hurry up,” Jimin hissed. He had forgotten how slow of a driver Yoongi was.

After 10 minutes, they arrived to your house. Yoongi did break a couple of laws here and there but, they did get to your house unharmed.

Yoongi and Jimin had gotten out of the car when Taehyung did, which Jimin immediately stopped him for.

“What?” Taehyung scoffed as soon as Jimin stood in front of him, hands placed on his chest to prevent him from walking any further. “Let me go.”

“No,” Jimin replied with a frown. “Stay here. I’ll come get you once I make sure they’re fine.” Taehyung opened his mouth to argue but Jimin shushed him with a glare. “You will go crazy if you find out they’re hurt. Stay here. I am not fucking kidding.”

Once he made sure he wasn’t following, Jimin hurried into your house with such speed he was surprised he didn’t trip over your front stairs.

“They’re fine!” Yoongi exclaimed. Jimin appeared next to him, out of breath, chest heaving up and down. “They’re crying over a movie.”

“I-” Jimin gaped. He eyed the two figures on the couch hugging each other, holding on for dear life, almost as if they were to detach one would disappear. “What movie did you guys watch?”

“Color Blue,” you and Jin sobbed out, hugging each other tighter.

“Isn’t that your movie, Y/n?” Yoongi asked, eyebrows furrowing together. He glanced at your face on the screen, smiling at another character. “Why are you crying? Don’t you know the plot?”

“It still hurts, okay?” You cried out, throwing him a plushie. He easily caught it with one hand. “I’m such a good actress.”

“Yeah, you are,” Jin agreed, nodding his head rapidly.

Jimin sighed. “Okay, okay, come on.” He separated you two, letting Yoongi comfort you while he comforted Jin. “You big babies. Why are you watching a sad movie?”

“Jin said so,” you answered, grabbing another tissue and dabbing your nose.

“Of course he did. Jin loves sad movies.”

“I love the feeling it gives me.”

Jimin shook his head at his words. “See?” He placed a hand on the back of your head, lightly scratching your scalp while the other scratched Jin’s. “It’s okay, honey. Your movies are great. It’s just fictional.”

“It didn’t feel fictional,” Jin said, calming down. His eyes did tear up, though. “Oh, my God. They deserved their happy ending.”

“Jin, they did get their happy ending,” you sniffed. He looked at you and you gesture at the movie. “The guy at the end, his voice matches the other guys. Why do you think?”

He stayed silent before he gasped. “No way!”

“Yes!”

“What is the movie about?” Jimin whispered to Yoongi while you and Jin babbled.

“He ends up disappearing at the end,” Yoongi quickly answered in hopes you two wouldn’t listen. Just in case you two burst out crying again. “No one knows why he disappeared but, the next scene takes place months later after that. The movie ends with the audience hearing a voice that sounds just like his.”

Jimin frowned. That sounds sad.

He sighed.

“Okay, guys, come on,” he said, ushering Jin to stand up. “It’s late and we have work tomorrow so you mister,” he patted Jin’s shoulders, “need to sleep early.”

He nodded.

“Where’s Taehyung?” Yoongi asked, watching Jimin grabbing onto Jin as best as he could. His head swerved side to side. “I thought he was behind us.”

“I told him to stay in the car or else he was going to go—”

“Are they okay?” Taehyung exclaimed, coming inside the home. Jimin gulped at the intensity of his voice and let Yoongi reply that yes, you and Jin were crying and were fine. A movie of yours just made you two cry.

“Stop him before he heads to her,” Jimin rushed out, the two of them—Jin, too—heading towards Taehyung’s way to stop him from seeing you.

Yes, he loved Jin, he loved him so much. But he has never seen you cry, unlike Jin. So, he was definitely going to head to you with his heart hammering against his chest, his hands balled up into fists, his lips slightly parted, and his need for you stronger than ever.

“Taehyung, she’s fine.”

Jimin blocked Taehyung’s path, but that didn’t stop the man. He softly pushed Jimin away, eyes set on you.

“Taehyung.”

Taehyung ignored the calls for his name and took long strides to reach you, hand traveling down to grip your wrist, and his other helping you stand up.

In a blink of an eye, his hand slithered around to wrap it around your waist, letting his palm rest on the small of your back. He brought you closer, his other hand traveling up your arm, to your shoulder, until it reached the back of your head. His lips were brushing against yours, breaths tingling and intertwining with the others, and you swore your lips were pulling to his like they were magnets.

His thumbs brushed away your tears.

“Give me permission to kiss you and I’ll do it,” he breathed out, holding you like he was inhaling you. “If that’s what will make you better.”

“You’re not asking,” you mumbled in a breath, your nose being hit by the faint smell of his cologne.

“Fuck, I just need to kiss you so badly, please,” he pleaded, fingers slightly gripping your hip until white dents were left behind in their wake. “Please.”

You nodded rapidly against his hold.

He breathed in and kissed you with such intensity and desire, almost as if he had been holding back for years from kissing you. Soft, muffled moans escaped his mouth into yours, his hand gripping your hair a bit tighter to bring you even closer.

“He’s devouring her,” Jimin whispered to the others while they watched you two make out almost in need. “I told you bringing him here was a bad—Taehyung, put her down.”

They watched Taehyung pick you up from the ground, hand situated on your ass while the other gripped your thigh. Your legs were wrapped around his waist, arms around his neck, and your lips still on his despite the change of position.

Kissing Taehyung felt like drinking water after being dehydrated for days, you noted.

His lips felt soft and the way he held you, touched you, and talked to you was enough for you to feel everything all at once. Every single guy made you feel more than you bargained for and you don’t know how to act. None of them knew how to act, either.

“No,” Taehyung dismissed Jimin, placing you on the wall with his hands still in his desired places. God, kissing you was a blessing itself, but having you in his hands all to himself was enough to keep him so happy and relieved. Kissing you was something. “She’s mine.”

“Okay, possessive bitch, leave her alone,” Jimin scoffed out, crossing his arms. Though, he couldn’t help but admit he loved watching you two fully make out in your home. Your safe place. “Make some space for me.”

Jin and Yoongi watched you and Taehyung go from kissing each other to now taking turns kissing the other person added. Your legs had unwrapped themselves from Taehyung’s waist, your feet now placed on the floor, and you were in between both men, caged in their arms, your lips smacking against Jimin’s and then Taehyung’s back and forth.

“This is a bad idea,” Yoongi sighed, shaking his head. “They’re eating her alive.”

“At least they won’t come to you every second of the day to ask for that,” Jin said with a chuckle, finding the scenery amusing. He glanced down at his watch. “It is getting late. Oh, God. That movie has some type of magic, my chest hurt for a sec, I swear.”

Yoongi nodded in agreement. “I know. I watched the movie by myself when I was sick and I couldn’t finish it. It was too painful.”

They continued to watch you three make out, their eyes following your guys’ hands touching and yearning for each other.

They weren’t going to lie but, they felt something in the pit of their stomachs just looking at you three.

Jimin and Taehyung’s hands gripped your waist, bringing you closer. Their breaths intertwined with your own, their moans, too. They kissed you as if you were going to leave, as if you would disappear if they stopped. What did you do to ever deserve this? And what did they ever do to be blessed with you? Not enough. They’ll do more for you. If you want the moon, they’ll find a way to buy it and name it after you. If you want the stars, they’ll buy every sparkly little piece of shit and name it after you. Your name deserves to grace beautiful things because you are the most beautiful of them all. Everyone deserves to utter your name when they look at the things the universe has graced them with.

“I need to breathe,” you softly breathe out, your hands on the back of their heads. You softly gasped as Taehyung’s lips trailed down your neck and Jimin claimed your lips again, both equally as bruising.

Jimin chuckled at the noise and looked at Taehyung. “Taehyung, let her breathe.”

Taehyung shook his head, teeth grazing the skin of your neck to suck on it. His lips kissed each mark he left behind before looking at you with the same hooded eyes he looked at you with.

“Do you want to breathe, angel?” He muttered, holding your face closer to his while the pad of his thumb ran itself over your bottom glossy lip. “Hmm?”

“Just for a sec.”

He smiled before he rubbed his lips against yours. “One.” As you went to ask him what he meant by that number, he kissed you. Jimin snorted and backed away, shaking his head.

“He’s much more tamer compared to when he got together with us,” he noted, very amused. “Should we warn her about that?”

Yoongi scoffed, shaking his head. “You’re going to scare her off before she could kiss us.” He gave you two one more look before he turned around. “Let the poor girl breathe, Taehyung. Pretty sure she’s about to faint.”

“I think I’m about to faint because of how it feels,” Taehyung muttered out loud, taking you back to the wall so he could feel you up better that way.

“He’s acting like a starved man,” Jin whispered rather dramatically, looking at you with worry. “I feel like we would lock him away for her safety, God.”

“Taehyung!” Jin snapped.

Taehyung didn’t flinch. Instead, he leaned back a bit, looking at them over his shoulder. He hummed, staring back at you and kissing your lips softly.

“Come on, you can see her tomorrow,” Jimin snorted out, loving the way you were much more comfortable.

“Why?” Taehyung muttered, tracing your lips. He couldn’t like away from them and your eyes. Your pretty eyes, such pretty eyes. He softly groaned. “God, don’t look at me like that please.”

“Taehyung.”

“You drive me so fucking crazy I’ll do anything for you,” he whispered as if it was a secret.

“Taehyung.”

“The way you taste and smell,” he continued to speak in a hush voice, lips trailing from your jawbone to your neck, “I could devour you whole.” He raised his head to look at you from under his lashes, his hand bringing up one of yours to kiss. “Will you let me?”

You smile and could see over his shoulder that the boys were looking at you three with happy eyes.

“Taehyung, if I say yes,” you started, “will you go home and go to sleep?”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep until I have you,” he said, not looking away from your lips.

“Okay, you can see her tomorrow,” Jimin scoffed with a smile. He dragged Taehyung away from you, ignoring his attempts to convince him to let him go so he can stay here in your home. Yoongi grabbed him away. “Sweet dreams, pretty girl.”

Jimin kissed you on the lips, backing away to taste your chapstick. “Wear that flavor. It tastes good.”

You snorted and led them out, watching Yoongi and Jin place a desperate Taehyung on the backseat. You stood on your driveway and waved. Jin came back to give you a kiss on the forehead and Yoongi, much to everyone’s surprise, gave you a quick peck. His left you gasping in surprise. You couldn’t even enjoy it.

“Bye, angel.”

“Bye…”

Everyone was busy the next day Taehyung swore he would die if he didn’t see in that exact moment.

He was tugging on his hair until Hoseok had to intervene, slapping his hands away.

He was dozing off, thinking about you and the pillow talk you would have after spending the night together.

He was loving the way his brain would visualize how life would be with you in their relationship, complete. He can die happily knowing that he has all the loves of his life with him.

Jin couldn’t stop thinking about you, on the other hand. None of them could stop. You were so embedded in their brains, they swore they could hear your voice until they snapped their heads and you weren’t there.

What have you done to them?

What type of spell have you put on them?

They didn’t know what but, they loved thinking of you, and they couldn’t complain. No. They couldn’t and they wouldn’t.

It was 6 PM.

You have been “together” for 2 to 3-ish months today.

You maintained lowkey and on the low, and managed to convince everyone that you two were in a relationship. You had doubters here and there but nothing serious.

As for your allegations, there hasn’t been an improvement. It’s hard knowing who did it and not being able to point fingers because you do not have evidence or anything valuable of some sorts.

6:30 PM.

You were in a meeting with Jae and Jake, talking about the new movie you were with Hyung-min that you two have been going over with together. He was there, too, but he was a bit farther away from you. He didn’t want to even hug you just in case he accidentally hurt you.

At 6:32 PM, your phone went off.

At 6:33 PM, your phone went off again.

And again.

At 6:36, Jae’s went off next.

Then Jake’s.

Jae looked at her phone once she noticed you simply shut yours off and just as she was going to shut it off, too, she eyed her notifications.

Her eyes widened and she stood up.

“Oh, no.”

You frown and look at her. “What’s wrong?”

“Y/n… do not go on your phone,” she strictly told you, still looking at her phone. She was typing away and Jake, having looked down at his phone, too, felt his shoulders tense. “Call her PR team. Call the president of the company and alert a meeting ASAP.”

“Hey, what’s going on?” You frown, standing up alongside Hyung-min who had glanced at his phone, too, to see what had his girlfriend panicked. “Jae?”

“Babe, it came out,” Jae stressed, fixing her glasses slipping from the bridge of her nose.

“What did?” You asked, crossing your arms over your chest, your hands becoming clammy at the thought of something of yours coming out. “Jae?”

“That stupid thing Namjoon was threatening you with,” she snapped. She calmed herself down. She didn’t even feel this stressed over your bullying allegations. “Remember he said he had something about your sister?” You nodded. “Honey, it got leaked. It’s everywhere.”

“What?” You froze. Your brain froze. Your thoughts were not circulating no more, and you felt numb. “What? Give me the phone.”

You snatched her phone away from her hands and read the article she was reading.

Your chest heaved up and down at coming to see she was telling the truth.

“This can’t be happening. This can’t.”

“I know…”

“I hid that for a reason!” You exclaimed, starting to pace. Hyung-min stood next to you, comforting you. You breathed in and out harshly. “Oh, my God…”

Your secret was out.

< before - after >

( 전정국 ) . . . BURNING HOUR jeon jungkook

❪ synopsis ❫ there’s nothing better than spending an entire day at your boyfriend’s yatch, tanning and waiting for the sunset with a drink in your hand… too bad your boyfriend had other plans for you.

❪ warnings ❫ SMUT ! including : unprotected sex, rough sex, public sex but not really public, missionary, doggy, kook’s dirty, dirty mouth, nipple play, oral sex (f receiving), fingering + fluff <3 ! this work is fiction and therefore it does not represent the real jungkook !

The sun was beginning its slow descent toward the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the endless stretch of sea. The air was thick with the scent of salt and the faint perfume of sunscreen, mixing with the distant sound of waves gently lapping against the hull of the yacht. You stretched out lazily on the sun deck, the soft cushion beneath you perfectly cradling your body as you soaked in the last rays of the day.

The sunlight kissed your skin, its warmth like a lover’s embrace, wrapping you tenderly. A slight breeze brushed against your skin, playful and refreshing, teasing strands of your hair as they fluttered across your face.

The only sounds that mattered were the gentle swish of water and the occasional chirping of birds.

The yacht was your private paradise – a place you liked to escape to whenever you felt like it – and today, it felt like nothing could disturb this perfect moment.

Except your boyfriend.

You loved Jungkook more than anything in the world, you really did. He was the reason why you were lucky enough to relax in this yatch, after all.

But ‘relax’ is not a word that usually took part in his dictionary.

From the moment you boarded this morning, Jungkook had been bursting with energy, bouncing around the yacht like a kid on a sugar high. He wanted to do everything and do it together.

First, he insisted on a little snorkeling to ‘check out the fish,’ and when you declined, he moved on to trying to teach you how to steer the yacht, laughing as you awkwardly fumbled with the controls.

You indulged him here and there, even letting him drag you through a few rounds of jet skiing, much to his surprise.

“I swear if you wet my hair I’m gonna leave you right here in the middle of the ocean.”

Jungkook simply laughed at your words, expertly manoeuvring the jet ski to go faster, enjoying your little screams of terror as you tightened your grip on him.

It took you over an hour to convince him to take you back to the yatch, only wanting to lie down and let the sun take care of you.

But Jungkook was relentless. His eyes twinkled with that mischievous spark that told you he was far from done with his plans.

In the afternoon, he spent a good half hour trying to coax you into the water for a swim. “Come on, it’s the perfect temperature! Just a quick dip!” he pleaded, flashing you that charming grin that usually got him anything he wanted. But you stayed firm, citing the need to work on your tan, which earned you a playful pout.

“No way, Kook. This is the perfect hour to get tanned.” You reasoned and he rolled his eyes in response.

“To get burned…” he murmured to himself, although loud enough for you to to hear it.

In the end, you won that small battle, and he finally gave up, albeit with an exaggerated sigh and a promise that you were missing out.

With one last cheeky wink, he dove off the side of the yacht into the shimmering blue, disappearing beneath the surface.

You thought that was the end of it — that he’d entertain himself for a while, and you’d finally get some peace. But it wasn’t long before you heard a growing noise near by. The kind that tingled at the base of your spine, making you glance up from beneath your sunglasses.

Jungkook emerged from the water like something out of a dream, climbing the ladder with water streaming down his bronzed skin.

His raven hair clung to his forehead, framing his sharp features in a way that made your heart skip a beat. The sun caught on the droplets that clung to his skin, casting him in a golden light that was almost too perfect. His tattoos – colourful ink tracing the length of his muscular arm in intricate designs – stood out starkly against his tanned skin, and his abs, toned and glistening, flexed with every move.

He caught you staring, and a slow, knowing smirk spread across his lips. “The offer still stands, baby,” he teased, his voice low and playful, as he ran a hand through his wet hair.

You tried to ignore the flutter in your chest, pretending to be annoyed by his antics. But it was impossible not to notice how the light played off his body, how he was all lean muscle and effortless grace.

He stepped closer, drops of water trailing down his chest, and you could feel the warmth of his presence mingling with the lingering heat of the sun.

Maybe you had been too fast in turning down that swim after all.

Jungkook stood over you, casting a playful shadow across your sun-drenched body. His smirk hadn’t faded, and you could see the glint of mischief in his eyes – dark, intense, and utterly captivating.

He tilted his head, droplets of water still clinging to his skin, and let his gaze travel slowly down your body, focusing on the way your swimsuit covered… little to no skin.

“You sure you don’t want to join me?” he asked, his voice soft, almost a purr, as he leaned down closer. “The water’s really nice at this hour.”

You rolled your eyes, trying to keep your cool, but the way he looked at you made it impossible not to smile. “I’m perfectly fine up here, thank you very much.”

He chuckled, low and deep, the sound sending a shiver down your spine despite the warm late afternoon air. “Is that so? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re missing out.”

You narrowed your eyes, catching the teasing tone in his voice. “And from where I’m lying, it looks like you’re trying to guilt-trip me into jumping in with you. Not gonna happen, Jungkook.”

He grinned, biting his bottom lip as if considering something. “Oh, is that how it is? Not even if I ask nicely?”

“Nope,” you said, popping the ‘p’ for emphasis. You turned your attention back to your drink, feigning disinterest, even though you could feel his gaze still locked on you.

Jungkook leaned in even closer, close enough that you could smell the saltwater on his skin, feel the cool droplets that fell from his hair onto your heated skin.

“You know, I can be pretty persuasive when I want to be,” he murmured, his voice all smooth confidence.

You fought back a smile. “Not persuasive enough.”

For a moment, it seemed like he’d given up, retreating a few steps back. You relaxed into your cushion, pleased with yourself for holding your ground.

But then, in a flash, Jungkook’s expression changed – a wicked grin spreading across his face as he straightened up, muscles flexing with purpose.

Before you could even process what was happening, he lunged forward, scooping you up in one swift motion.

“Jungkook!” you squealed, your drink spilling as he lifted you effortlessly into his arms, cradling you against his chest like a bride on her wedding day.

He laughed, the sound pure delight, and you couldn’t help but laugh along. You struggled half-heartedly, but his grip was strong, unyielding, and you knew it was useless to resist.

“Put me down!” you demanded, though your laughter betrayed any real seriousness.

“Gladly,” he said with a devilish grin, “but not here.”

Your eyes widened as you realized what he meant. “No– Jungkook! don’t you dare–”

But it was too late.

With a playful whoop, Jungkook launched the two of you off the side of the yacht, plunging into the cool blue water below.

The sharp intake of breath, the rush of wind, and then the sudden shock of the sea enveloping you, cool and refreshing against your sun-warmed skin – it all took you by surprise, and yet it was a sensation you rarely felt before.

You surfaced with a gasp, sputtering as you wiped the water from your eyes, only to find Jungkook grinning at you, his hair slicked back, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Told you the water was good,” he teased, splashing it in your direction.

“Oh, you’re so going to pay for that!” you laughed, lunging at him with both hands to splash him back.

The water danced between you, catching the last rays of the sun, turning everything gold as you playfully wrestled in the waves, your laughter mingling with his.

Jungkook's laughter echoed around you, warm and infectious, pulling you even closer to him as you both floated in the cool embrace of the sea.

His arms tightened around your waist, drawing you in until your bodies were flush against each other, his skin slick and warm from the sun, now chilled by the water.

Your eyes met his, and the playful spark in his gaze softened into something deeper, something that made your heart race in a way that had nothing to do with the adrenaline from earlier.

His gaze dropped to your lips, lingering there as if he was silently asking for permission, though you both already knew the answer.

"Come here," he murmured, his voice low and laced with that irresistible confidence, the kind that always made you weak in the knees.

You didn't need to be told twice.

Leaning in, you closed the small gap between you, your lips brushing against his, tentative at first, then bolder as he responded with equal fervour.

Jungkook's hands roamed up your back, fingers splayed wide, holding you tight against him as he kissed you like he couldn't get enough, like he was trying to pour all of his emotions into that one moment.

Your hands found their way to his shoulders, feeling the strength in them as they flexed beneath your touch, your fingers tangling in his wet hair, pulling him closer still.

The water lapped around you, cool and soothing, but your skin burned where it pressed against his, the contrast making your senses tingle.

Then, you let out a soft gasp as you suddenly felt his growing erection pressed against you, making you shiver.

"Jungkook..." you whispered, his name a breathy sigh as your eyes fluttered shut, your heart pounding in your chest.

"Mhm?" he hummed against your ear, his lips brushing the sensitive skin there as his hands founding the soft skin of your ass, pressing you further against him. "What is it, baby? You know I love it when you say my name like that."

You swallowed, trying to focus, but it was impossible with the way he was touching you, holding you so securely in his arms, making you feel like you were the only thing that mattered.

As Jungkook's hands gripped you tighter, his fingers digging into the soft skin of your ass, you felt your breath hitch, your body responding instinctively to his burning touch.

The feeling of him, hard and insistent against you, sent a rush of warmth through your veins. You bit your lip, unable to find the words as you stared into his piercing eyes.

He chuckled softly, the sound low and rough, vibrating through your chest as he nuzzled against your neck, his lips grazing your skin in a way that made you shiver. "I've wanted this all day, baby,” he murmured, his voice thick with want, his breath hot against your ear.

You opened your mouth to respond, but the words caught in your throat. Instead, you tightened your grip around his shoulders, your nails digging into his skin as if grounding yourself, your body arching instinctively toward him, craving more of his touch.

Sensing your need, Jungkook shifted, his movements deliberate and fluid as he began to guide you back toward the yacht.

His lips never left your skin, trailing soft, teasing kisses along your jawline, up to the corner of your mouth, before capturing your lips once more in a searing kiss. The kiss was hungry, demanding, his tongue sliding against yours in a way that left you breathless, your thoughts spinning out of control.

With a surprising amount of grace, Jungkook lifted you effortlessly out of the water, your legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as he carried you onto the yacht.

The cool air kissed your wet skin, but it did nothing to quell the heat that burned between you. The world around you seemed to blur, the only clear thing being the feel of his body against yours, the taste of his lips, the roughness of his hands on your body.

Jungkook set you down on the sun-drenched deck, the wood warm beneath you as he hovered over you, his eyes dark with desire.

His hands were everywhere, sliding up your thighs, across your hips, pulling you closer until you could feel every inch of him pressing against you. "Driving me crazy all fucking day," he whispered, his voice rough and breathless as he captured your lips again, his kiss deep and possessive, stealing the air from your lungs.

You moaned softly against his mouth, your hands tangling in his hair as you pulled him even closer, your body arching into his touch.

Another whimper escaped you as his hands found the hem of your bikini, his fingers brushing the sensitive skin beneath it, sending shivers of anticipation down your spine.

He groaned at the sound coming from your lips, his eyes flickering with something primal as he pulled back just enough to look at you.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured, his voice husky, thick with desire as his gaze roamed over you, taking in every detail, every curve. "So fucking perfect."

Before you could respond, he kissed you again, hard and deep, his hands sliding under your swimsuit, playing with your naked skin as he moaned at your softness.

His cold hand met your heated skin, and you gasped, but Jungkook was already there, his mouth trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses down your neck, across your collarbone, lower still as his hands explored every inch of you.

His touch was electrifying, each kiss making you shiver with anticipation. His fingers roamed over your exposed skin, brushing over the swell of your breasts, teasing the sensitive curves before moving lower.

He paused just above the edge of your bikini, his lips lingering as he breathed hotly against your skin.

You moaned softly, arching your back as his lips brushed against your stomach, the sensation almost unbearable. "Jungkook..." you breathed, your voice trembling with a mixture of need and frustration. "Please... I need you."

He lifted his head slightly, his dark eyes meeting yours, glinting with a teasing amusement. "Yeah? You're so demanding now. You’ve been fussy all day and now you need me, huh?”

You could barely respond, the heat pooling between your legs making it hard to focus.

“Please... don't tease me. I need you now..." Your voice became desperate as you squirmed beneath him, trying to bring him closer.

A smirk played at the corners of his lips, and he leaned in closer, his breath hot against your skin. "Tease you?" he murmured, his voice dripping with amusement. "You were the one who wanted to keep things calm all day. I'm just giving you what you asked for."

His fingers traced slow, tantalizing circles on your inner thighs, making you shiver with every touch. "I didn't mean it," you admitted, your voice breaking with a mix of frustration and desire. "I want you. I want so bad..."

Jungkook's gaze softened slightly, though the playful glint never entirely left his eyes. "Is that so?" he asked, his voice low and velvety. "You want me now, after all that 'I'm fine on my own' talk?"

You nodded vigorously, your body arching instinctively toward his touch. "Yes," you breathed out. "I want you inside me, Kook… don’t make me wait.”

He let out a soft, approving growl, his fingers finally making contact with the heat of your core, his touch light electrifying.

“Mhmmm,” he let out a sigh of approval at the sight of your arousal, visible through your bikini. “I can’t give in so easily, can I?”

You whined at his words, a pout appearing on your lips. But he simply leaned back with a chuckle, the muscles in his arms rippling as he did so. His eyes never left yours, dark pools of desire that seemed to draw you into them.

With deliberate slowness, he reached up to the strap of your bikini top, tugging it gently downwards until the fabric pooled against your breasts, baring them to his hungry gaze.

His fingers traced over your hardened nipples, pinching and rolling them between his thumb and forefinger. “Such pretty tits,” he murmured, leaning forward once more to take one into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the sensitive peak before moving onto the other.

Your breath hitched as he lavished attention on your breasts, the sensation sending jolts of pleasure straight to your core. “Jungkook... please...” you begged, writhing beneath him, desperate for more.

Jungkook smirked against your skin, relishing how responsive you were to his touch. He continued his assault on your breasts, sucking and nipping at the soft flesh until it was flushed and marked with his love bites.

Only then did he begin kissing a trail down your stomach, pausing to dip his tongue into your navel.

He hooked his fingers into the waistband of your bikini bottoms, slowly dragging them down your legs and tossing them aside. Now fully bared to him, Jungkook took a moment to admire the view – your glistening folds already slick with arousal, just begging for his attention.

“Look at you, all wet and ready for me,” he purred, spreading your thighs wider apart. He blew cool air over your heated center, making you shudder and clench. “Tell me what you need, baby.”

“You know exactly what I need,” you whimpered, reaching down to thread your fingers through his hair, urging him closer.

The anticipation was killing you, but you knew that he loved drawing out every last second of pleasure.

Jungkook chuckled lowly at your plea, his hot breath tickling your sensitive flesh as he hovered just above where you needed him most. “So impatient,” he teased, even as he finally dipped his tongue out to taste you, lapping at your swollen clit with slow, torturous strokes.

He focused on that bundle of nerves, flicking and circling it expertly while inserting a finger inside your tight entrance, curving it to stroke that spot deep within you that made stars burst behind your eyelids. “Like this?” he asked, voice muffled against your throbbing heat.

“Fuckfuck... yes!” you cried out, your hips bucking upwards instinctively as he already found that sweet spot. The combination of his finger pumping in and out of you rhythmically and his tongue working magic on your clit left you a moaning mess.

Encouraged by your cries, Jungkook intensified his movements, adding another finger to stretch and fill you further. He pumped his fingers faster now, curling them deeper each time to hit that spot just right.

His tongue became relentless too, alternating between gentle sucks and sharp nips that had sparks shooting through your body. “You taste so fucking good, baby,” he groaned against your slickness, clearly enjoying himself as much as you were.

The dual sensations of his fingers plunging into your depths and his mouth devouring your clit pushed you closer and closer to the edge. Your walls clenched tightly around his invading digits, trying to milk them for all they were worth.

“Jungkook! Oh god, I’m gonna–”

Hearing those desperate words escape your lips, Jungkook only increased his pace, driving his fingers deeper and sucking harder on your clit. But instead of giving you what you needed – what both of you craved – he pulled away abruptly.

“Not yet,” he breathed out, his eyes locking onto yours with a look of pure lust. “You're going to wait for me.”

Withdrawing his fingers completely, he moved up along your body again, pressing himself flush against you. His erection was hard and throbbing against your thigh, practically begging for attention.

You let out a frustrated whine at the loss of his touch, feeling empty and unfulfilled. But when he pressed his body against yours, the heat of his arousal seeping into your skin, you couldn't help but moan softly.

“Koo, take this off…” you urge him, your hands sliding down to pull his swim trunks down, the tent of his cock heavy against your pussy.

He chuckled at your eagerness, biting his lower lip as he watched your desperate movements.

“Impatient little thing…” he muttered, as he helped you stripping off his swimsuit bottoms completely, freeing his massive cock which bounced heavily free.

Leaning down, Jungkook captured your lips in a passionate kiss, his tongue dominating yours as he lined himself up at your dripping entrance. He teased you mercilessly, rubbing the head of his thick dick along your soaked folds without entering you fully.

A shaky moan escaped your lips as you felt his hard length nudging insistently at your entrance, coating itself in your slick arousal. Your nails raked down his back desperately, urging him closer, silently begging him to fill you up.

Your hips bucked up involuntarily, trying to impale yourself on his thick shaft, but he held you down firmly with a warning growl.

“Ah ah ah, not yet,” Jungkook tutted disapprovingly, grabbing your wrists and pinning them above your head. He continued grinding against you, his rock-hard cock sliding between your slippery folds and bumping against your aching clit with each thrust.

“You want my big dick stuffed deep inside this tight little cunt, don't you?” he growled filthily in your ear, punctuating his words with a particularly rough grind. “Beg for it. Beg me to fuck you senseless.”

One hand released your wrists to roughly palm your breast, kneading the soft flesh and tweaking your nipple almost painfully. His teeth grazed the side of your neck possessively as he awaited your response, still refusing to grant you the satisfaction of his thick length stretching you open.

Your chest heaved with ragged breaths, your breasts bouncing with each movement of his hand. “Just fuck me, Jungkook!” you pleaded, your voice thick with desire. “Fuck– just… just do it.”

His dirty words only fueled your arousal further, making your pussy clench and drip even more copiously.

“Not good enough, baby,” Jungkook purred, his voice low and seductive. He kept teasing your entrance with the tip of his cock, coating himself in your slick juices.

“I want to hear you say it. Tell me how badly you need my dick splitting you open. Beg me to ruin this perfect little pussy.”

His free hand slid down your body, finding your swollen clit and rubbing it in firm circles. "Be a good girl and ask nicely, and maybe I'll give you what you want."

He continued his movements, bringing you right to the brink of orgasm before pulling away completely. Over and over, he denied you release, leaving you a panting, needy mess underneath him.

"Please, Jungkook…” you sobbed, finally succumbing to him, tears of frustration welling up in your eyes.

Your hips bucked wildly, seeking friction anywhere you could get it. But without his thick length filling you, it wasn't enough. You were desperate, utterly consumed by your lust for him.

"I'll do anything, just please fuck me now pleasepleaseplease…” you begged, your voice cracking with desperation.

Your words got interrupted by a sudden, loud moan of his name coming from your lips when he finally thrusted forward, burying himself balls-deep inside you without giving you any time to adjust.

“Ah fuck...” he grunted out loud, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips as he watched your face contort with pleasure. “That's it, baby. Take my cock like the good little slut you are.”

With a firm grip on your hips, he started pounding into you relentlessly, each thrust driving his massive member deeper into your quivering walls.

Your nails dug into his shoulders as he pistoned in and out of you, his girthy cock hitting all the right spots inside you. Each powerful thrust sent jolts of electricity through your body, building up the pressure in your core.

“Yes, yes, yes! Harder Jungkook! Fuck me harder!” you demanded, wrapping your legs around his waist to pull him impossibly deeper.

The obscene sounds of skin slapping against skin echoed across the deck of the yacht, mixing with your wanton moans and his guttural groans.

The sound of your voice screaming for more only spurred him on. Jungkook grabbed your thighs tighter, spreading them wide apart to allow for even deeper penetration. His strokes grew erratic, driven by pure animalistic lust as he sought to claim every inch of your body.

“Fuck, you're so tight...” he gasped out between thrusts, reaching down to circle your clit with his thumb in an attempt to push you over the edge. “Take it all... Every last inch of my cock.”

You mentally sighed in relief for being completely alone in the middle of the ocean, far away from the coast, because otherwise everyone would have heard your loud cries of pleasure.

And so you continued, crying out loud, your inner walls fluttering around his pulsating length. Your orgasm was approaching rapidly, ready to crash over you like a tidal wave.

“Make me cum, please make me cum!” you begged, your voice filled with desperation.

As much as he wanted to see you lose control under him, Jungkook knew he had other plans first – he still had to punish you for being so fussy with him all day.

He flipped you over onto your stomach, dragging your ass up towards him and positioning himself behind you. Grabbing hold of your hips, he gave a final, forceful thrust that buried his cock even deeper than before.

“We’re nowhere near done, baby,” he breathed hotly against your ear, reaching around to tease your swollen clit again. “You'll come when I say so.”

Your body trembled as he pulled out until just the tip remained inside you, then slammed back in with brutal force. You cried out in shock and pleasure, your fingers scrabbling against the wooden deck beneath you.

“Yes, god yes, just like that!” you wailed, your hips rocking back to meet his punishing thrusts. The new angle allowed him to hit even deeper, the head of his cock hitting your g-spot with every stroke.

“Yeah? You love taking my dick, don't you? You love feeling me split you open..." he whispered hoarsely in your ear, punctuating each word with a deep, punishing thrust.

The sight of your body moving so sensually beneath him, coupled with the feel of your slick walls gripping his cock, was intoxicating. Jungkook picked up speed, slamming into you over and over with relentless abandon.

“You’re so good for me…” he moaned, his voice breaking slightly as his hands moved all over your body. “My perfect girl.”

Your mind was lost in the haze of pleasure, unable to form coherent thoughts anymore. All you could focus on was the overwhelming sensation of his throbbing cock tearing through your inner walls, the delicious pain mingling with intense pleasure.

“Jungkook...!” you whimpered, feeling your climax building at the base of your spine. “I'm gonna... Oh God, I'm going to...”

Hearing your impending orgasm, Jungkook slowed his pace, dragging his engorged length along your swollen clit and through your dripping entrance. With a strong grip on your hair, he tilted your head back to expose your neck for his affectionate kisses and bites.

“Just wait... Just wait for me,” he murmured against your skin, peppering kisses down your shoulder blades before capturing your lips in a fierce, passionate kiss. “Let me fill you up, baby.”

You felt dizzy with need, your entire body trembling from the intensity of your impending release. Jungkook's tender kisses and loving caresses were a stark contrast to the rough, almost violent way he had been fucking you moments ago, sending shivers down your spine.

“Please...” you whimpered against his lips, your tongue darting out to tangle with his own. “I can't... I need...”

Your words dissolved into incoherent babble as you writhed helplessly beneath him, your hips bucking involuntarily for more stimulation.

Feeling your body tense and quake beneath him, Jungkook knew you were teetering on the edge. With a low growl, he pulled out of you completely, leaving you empty and aching for his return.

“Wait a little more, baby, I know you can." His sweet yet commanding tone made you whine, but before you could say anything he spun you around to face him.

Lifting you up, he pinned you against the railing of the yacht, your legs wrapped around his waist as he positioned his cock at your entrance once more.

You instinctively clung to him, your arms looping around his neck as your legs tightened around his waist. You felt the cool metal of the railing pressed against your back, a welcome contrast to the heat emanating off both of your bodies.

You looked up at him with pleading eyes, grinding your hips against his in a futile attempt to relieve some of the ache pulsing between your thighs.

He smirked down at you, seeing the raw desire etched into your features. Gripping your hips firmly, he slid back inside you in one fluid motion, stretching you gloriously around his girth.

“That's it, baby… take all of me,” he groaned out, starting to move slowly this time, savoring the feeling of your tightness enveloping him inch by inch.

His thrusts became increasingly deep and deliberate, designed to draw out your pleasure rather than simply satisfy his own needs.

The slow, torturous rhythm he set had you panting and moaning, your hands fisting in his hair as you tried to guide his movements. Every single inch of his cock stretched and filled you perfectly, sending waves of pleasure coursing through your veins.

“God, Jungkook... please... I need to cum,” you pleaded, your voice laced with desperation.

His pace quickened at your desperate pleas, his hips pounding into yours in a relentless rhythm. Grasping your wrists, he held them above your head, pinning them against the cold railing.

“You’ve been teasing me all day…” he whispered, his voice strained with pleasure. “And now look at you. So desperate for me.” His thrusts grew rougher, more demanding, driving him closer to the edge as well.

The sensation of being taken so roughly sent sparks flying through your nervous system, your body shaking uncontrollably. Each powerful thrust sent vibrations rippling across your skin, making your nipples harden further.

“More... I want more,” you begged, your eyes locked onto his with a wild intensity.

He grinned wickedly at your plea, feeling the power surge within him. Thrusting harder and faster, he watched your breasts bounce with each impact, the hardened nipples begging for attention.

“Like this?” he asked, leaning down to take a nipple between his teeth gently while maintaining his furious pace. A moan tore itself from his throat as he felt your walls tighten around him, signaling your impending orgasm.

Your back arched sharply as he suckled on your sensitive nipple, the dual sensations of his mouth on your breast and his cock pistoning in and out of you becoming too much to bear.

“Yes! Don’t stop, please don’t stop!” you screamed, your nails digging into his shoulders as he kept going.

Feeling your nails dig into his skin only spurred him on further. He released your nipple with a wet pop, his gaze locked onto yours as he drove into you relentlessly.

“Cum for me, baby,” he commanded, his voice husky with lust. His thrusts became erratic as he chased his own release, the coil in his lower abdomen tightening unbearably. “Make a mess on this fucking cock, c’mon.”

Your body tensed, every muscle pulled taut as your climax crashed over you like a tidal wave. A silent scream tore from your throat, your vision whiting out as pure ecstasy consumed you. Your walls clenched around him, milking his cock.

“Yes, yes, yes!” you chanted deliriously, your hips bucking wildly against his as you rode out the intense waves of pleasure.

The feeling of your pussy spasming around him pushed Jungkook over the edge. With a guttural moan, he buried himself deep inside you, his cock twitching as he emptied himself inside of you.

“Yes, fuck... take it all, baby,” he groaned, his hips jerking sporadically as he rode out his own intense orgasm. He collapsed against you, his weight pressing you into the railing as you both struggled to catch your breath.

"That was amazing," he mumbled into your neck, placing soft kisses along your sweat-dampened skin.

You were left limp and quivering in his embrace, your heart racing and your body still humming with aftershocks of pleasure. As he peppered your neck with gentle kisses, you let out a sigh, your fingers trailing lazily through his hair.

After a moment of silence, you couldn’t help but let out a breathy laugh. “Jungkook,” you called his name, and he responded with a muffled sound against your neck. “You’re about to make me fall on the water.”

He let out a laughter at your words, purposely tightening his grip on you as he pushes your body harder against the railing.

“Jungkook!” you tried to push him off, although you couldn’t help the giggles escaping your lips. “I swear if I end up in the water again…”

He let out a laugh, the sound warm and intimate against your ear. “Alright, alright,” he said, easing his grip and helping you regain your balance. “But c’mon, you really think I’d throw you in the water?”

You looked up at him, raising your eyebrows. “You really want me to answer that?” You ask with a playful smirk.

Jungkook’s laughter softened as he looked into your eyes, his expression turning tender. “Okay, you’ve got me,” he said, easing his hold and helping you settle back comfortably. “I guess I might have thought about it a little.”

You both chuckled, the playful tension fading into a warm, affectionate quiet. Jungkook gently brushed a strand of hair from your face, his touch light and reassuring. “I promise I won’t let you fall,” he murmured, his voice sincere and soft as he grabs your hand, walking inside the deck, before embracing you in a comforting hug.

You rested your head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. “Good,” you replied, smiling up at him. “Because I’m happy right here with you.”

He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. “Me too, baby,” he said quietly, his gentle, doe eyes reflecting the soft glow of the yacht’s lights.

Jungkook turned you around, hugging you from behind as his head found the crook of your neck, arms enveloping you once again.

The sun had dipped below the waterline, leaving the sky painted in hues of deep purple and fiery orange, the last remnants of daylight casting a gentle glow over the yacht.

The world around you was quiet, save for the soft lapping of waves against the hull and the distant hum of the night. The stars began to emerge, twinkling softly against the darkening sky, and you both watched in peaceful silence as the day gave way to night.

Jungkook’s arm tightened around you, his warmth a comforting presence against the cool evening air. “Look at that,” he murmured, his voice low and filled with awe. “It’s beautiful.”

You nodded, leaning into him. “It really is,” you agreed softly.

But little did you know, that as his sweet words left his lips, his eyes weren’t set on the magnificent view. They were on you.

Jungkook’s gaze lingered on your face, illuminated by the soft glow of the fading light. His expression softened, a quiet adoration in his eyes as he took you in. “You know,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, “I don’t need sunsets or oceans to see something beautiful.”

You felt your heart skip a beat as you turned to meet his gaze, a blush creeping up your cheeks. “Jungkook…” you began, but he shook his head gently, silencing you with a tender smile.

“I mean it,” he continued, his arms tightening around your waist. “I’d watch you like this a thousand times over before I’d ever get tired of it.”

The sincerity in his voice, the warmth of his touch – it all felt too perfect, too overwhelming in the best possible way. You leaned into his arms, closing your eyes briefly as you allowed the moment to settle in your heart.

Even with your eyes closed, you sensed Jungkook’s gaze on you, so full of affection.

And just like that, the world around you seemed to fade, leaving just the two of you under the starry sky, lost in each other.

CHANTAJE! (xxiv)

SUMMARY: being under the watchful eye of the media and your fans, your managers are in desperate need of regaining back your popularity after other influencers who hate you cause mayhem to your life. what best way to do so by having you pretend to be in a relationship with the popular 7 who are known to be intensely wealthy and stoic? will you be able to regain their trust or will they go with their promise of damaging your reputation even more?

WARNING(S) FOR LATER: gore/blood/murder, harassment/bullying, mental health talks (nothing badly triggering), child endangerment (mc was a child actor, again nothing badly triggering. if there is, there will be a warning)

NOTE: playing l&ds im so close to writing imagines of them omg

TAGLIST (CLOSED): @parapiop7 @an-ever-angry-bi @softforyoongles @thenaverse @chansatlan @juju-227592 @skyys-universe @carolinexkpop @reallysparklychaos @namjooncrabs @savagemickey03 @drunkzseok @svnbangtansworld @2ne1unni

“You shouldn’t even be up.”

You turned your head to the side to see Hoseok, Jimin, and Yoongi with bags in their hands. You frowned at the groceries in confusion and simply stared.

“Why are you bringing groceries?” You asked, turning to open your fridge to see if they had come across it. But, much to your relief, the fridge wasn’t entirely empty. “I’m fine.”

Snorting at your words, Yoongi placed the bags on your kitchen counter while simultaneously taking away the knife you were using to cut the apple you wanted to eat. He gracefully took over.

“Go sit your ass down,” he said with a voice as soft as his hands, which you felt when he grabbed the knife away.

You huffed and, with a leg raised, hopped away towards the table in the kitchen that Min-seo usually sat by to eat during her lunch. You quietly sat, and the boys could see your dramatics were at a high due to the pout on your lips still stuck there after 3 minutes passed.

Hobi, having made eye contact with Jimin who was staring at you, tilted his head your way. Jimin frowned, mouthing a “What?” to state his confusion, his eyes watching Hoseok’s lips move.

“Go talk to her,” Hobi mouthed again, getting closer to him to nudge him on the side.

Jimin pursed his lips at coming to understand what he was saying and rapidly shook his head.

He glanced at the back of your head and wondered. What would he talk to you about? Your kiss again? Maybe. That should be something interesting to talk about considering you can’t even look at him without panicking. He can see your body tense when he’s near and he can feel your body heat warming him up if he even dares brush his arm against yours. He can read you so easily and you don’t even know about it.

With one last push, Jimin staggers off and sits on the chair next to you, softly clearing his throat.

You tense beside him, he noticed. Your fingers lightly twitched as soon as he leaned back against his chair, legs slightly spread with his hands resting on his thighs.

“If I give you another kiss will you look at me?” He muttered under his breath with almost a breathy tone. He couldn’t help but admit to himself that he missed the way your lips brushed against his and the way your fingers intertwined itself with the strands of his hair. Your lips fit so perfectly with his he yearned for more. “It’s just an option.”

“I will stand up and walk on my hurt foot if you continue,” you threatened, looking at him.

He smiled with his eyes in satisfaction at being able to have you look at him.

“Do it,” he said with a shrug. “It’s going to hurt you more than it’s going to hurt me.”

“I’m going to bite you,” you retorted back, eyes squinted. You could see he thought you were bluffing but, you weren’t. So, you stood up on your hurt ankle, and walked away from him. He watched you and the way you didn’t even flinch that much being on your foot.

He shook his head, standing up to grab you.

His hands made their way under your knees, the other going around your waist, and he squatted down a bit to pick you up better.

“Shut the fuck up and stay still,” he warned, sitting down on his chair with you on his lap. He shook his head to the side to get rid of the strand of hair blocking his view, and he couldn’t help but look at you.

He bit his lower lip, his eyes becoming slightly hooded and dark at the idea of being so close to you. He could grab the back if your head and bring you closer and closer until your lips were hovering over his. He could feel the need of his tongue to explore your mouth and feels yours and he could feel the need of having you straddle him again. How beautiful you would look with that dazed expression on your face after having kissed him. He loved it.

“Jimin, be careful with her,” Yoongi mumbled loud enough for him to hear across the room. Jimin glanced at the man over his shoulder and hummed to let him know he was listening. He knew he should be careful with you, so he placed a hand on your thigh and let it run up and down in a comforting manner.

Fuck that comfortable manner, though, because his touch made you tense up. You didn’t know if it was because his legs were flexing under you or the fact his chest was slightly exposed due to the buttons of dress shirt being unbuttoned. He was looking off to the side to look at the food Yoongi and Hobi were making and you were looking at his side profile.

His lips, his plump lips, the ones that were soft and warm and wet against yours, were parted to talk, and his eyes were like stars under the warm light in your kitchen that gave off such a nice vibe to you all.

His touch was distracting you.

“Here,” you snapped out of your thoughts to look up at Hobi bringing you a smoothie he made. He had a teasing smile on his face as he looked at you. “Just to cool you down.”

“I-” You could only let out, noticing he glanced at Jimin to make sure he wasn’t looking so he could wink at you. You waved him off and downed the smoothie.

But of course, Jimin grabbed it off your hands after you took a couple of sips, and grabbed it with one of his hands while the other still maintained its spot on your thigh. He held you tight so you wouldn’t slip off and it made your mind go crazy and quiet.

His lips touched the part you sipped from and you swore your heart sped up to the point you could hear it thundering in your ears.

Could he hear it, too?

“This is good, right?” Jimin asked after he gulped down the drink. He looked down at you with his brows furrowed as he savored the taste. “I like it.”

“Yeah,” you replied with a nod. You looked at Hobi over the cup he was drinking from again. “It’s great, Hobi.”

Hobi smiled. “Thank you!” He backed away so you could see the ingredients. “I can make you a strawberry and banana smoothie or a blueberry smoothie. Just let me know whenever you want one so I can make it.”

“I’ll hire you as my personal chef,” you said, grabbing the cup away from Jimin’s hand to take another sip. “It’s so good.”

“It’s just a smoothie guys,” Hoseok snorted out, waving off your compliments. He eyed you and Jimin with an amused look. Even Yoongi was hiding his smile behind his hair as he looked down at the cutting board. “Why don’t you guys stay in the living room? We’ll come get you once we finish dinner.”

“Since you say so.”

You couldn’t even take another sip of the smoothie before Jimin picked you up again without any hesitation.

“What the hell?” You gaped, holding onto his neck. You wouldn’t be surprised if he dropped you. He had the stupid habit of playing with you and teasing you, so you didn’t want to take any chances.

As he sat down, much to your surprise, he kissed you.

You gasped in surprised and stayed in shock before feeling the way his fingers dug into the flesh of your skin, the the tips of his fingers leaving small dents behind.

He kissed you and you hoped, wished if anything, that he couldn’t hear your heart beating so fast it was overwhelming you.

He kissed you. And he kissed you like he needed you so desperately. He kissed you like as if you were his last salvation, as if kissing you was all he needed in order to breathe.

The way he moved, the way he held you, the way he made sure you were comfortable was enough to cause your brain to freeze. You were falling hard. You were falling hard for all of the men who wove their way into your heart until they held your heart tightly into their hand and you didn’t even give a single fuck. This would either end in the worst heartbreak you ever experienced, or they were willing to work the relationship out with you, and it scared the crap out of you.

You didn’t have a good nor a bad relationship in your life, you’ll admit that. Those relationships just lacked the emotional and physical connection you yearned for and here you had it in front of you now. It’s not just Jungkook, Namjoon, Taehyung, and Jimin who have made you feel this way. The way Hobi made you smile in his text messages and the way he made sure to check on you made you connect with him even deeper. He made his way into your heart with the way his smile lit up whatever place he was in. He was so beautiful.

Yoongi was a protector and you could see that. He didn’t wear his heart on his sleeve, but he did love showing you what he felt through his actions. He may never tell you he was worried about you straight up, but he will offer to make dinner for you like he was doing now. He was more in tune with showing his care through his actions more than his words.

And Jin. He was the nicest one since the beginning. And though you haven’t had a moment alone with him due to his hectic schedule, he loved texting you random text messages that cheered you on. He loved being able to text you a message that sparked your heart and your emotions because you have never had someone send you a message of encouragement. He always did that.

Could loving these men be your biggest blessing or your worst nightmare? After all, they had a contract with you. One year to be exact and then after, you would be gone. Was it worth it? Will it be worth it?

Jimin kissed you and you kissed him back with an emotion he knew too well. You were scared just like they were.

As you separated, he placed his forehead against yours, your breaths intertwining and your lips brushing against each others. His eyes were looking at you, inspecting your every move and the way your chest heaved up and down just like his due to the lack of oxygen.

“I feel like I’m making you cheat on them,” you mumbled, your fingertips touching your lips.

He smiled reassuringly and shook his head. “They wouldn’t have told me to come here with you.”

“They know?”

“More than you know.”

Yoongi and Hobi walked with you on your garden. Yes, walked. They made sure they were walking slow with you and begging you to head inside but, you were too stubborn to listen so they made sure you were okay.

It was night already, the stars were twinkling, and the moon was not full this time like usual, you noticed. It was so thin you could only see it if you focused hard and you were focusing really hard.

Silence enveloped you three, and the boys could see your hesitation to speak up about something that was clearly troubling you due to the fact you were staring at the moon like it was her fault that you were walking. You were having a stare down with the moon they got chills on their arms.

Glancing at each other with expressions of amusement, they decided it was their time to break the silence, fully knowing that you most likely will not talk about your overbearing and will shut down instead.

“You don’t have to worry, you know?” Yoongi reassured you with a hushed voice, almost as if he spoke any louder he would wake up the rest of your neighbors. “Whatever fear you have, whatever thought you’re overthinking about, don’t let it cloud your brain from seeing what’s in front of you.”

“And what’s in front of me?” You muttered, giving him a look, clearly surprised his words were correlating with what you were overthinking about.

“People who notice you.”

You frown and stop in front of them. They could see the way your brows furrowed together in confusion and in clear conflict because whatever you were thinking about was making you fidgety. Of course they knew, though, they just didn’t know the full specifics. They had an idea on what you were thinking about, nothing more than that.

“How are you guys okay with your jealousy?” You asked, looking at them under your lashes.

The men glanced at each other.

“It’s all about boundaries,” Hobi answered with a nonchalant shrug. “Stating what we’re fine with and what you’re not. For example, if we’re satisfied enough with the people we have in our relationship, we would never seek for you, much less any other person. But, we’re open to the idea of adding in one more person.”

“What does that have—”

“If any of us kissed you,” Hobi continued, understanding what you were trying to ensue by now due to how you were quiet when you and Jimin came to eat, “we wouldn’t mind.”

“But why?” You asked.

Yoongi hid his smile, hands buried in the front pockets of his baggy jeans. “You really haven’t noticed, huh?” You shook your head. “Really? You haven’t taken a hint when Namjoon kisses you even when there’s no cameras, when Jimin kisses you and can’t stop touching you, when Jungkook and Taehyung can’t be away from you, and when me, Hobi, and Jin text you and call you 24/7 when we’re not too keen on texting or calling? Not even when we came here to make you food because we got worried you weren’t eating well?”

“I just…” You stammered out before letting out a small scoff. “I just thought you were friendly. You guys know I’m not good at this. I’m not good at taking hints.”

“When you get in relationships,” Yoongi began as you three paused to look at each other, “do you get with them because you like them or because they ask you?”

“Because they ask me,” you answered. Yoongi sighed and Hobi pinched the bridge of his nose. “What?”

“You’ve never thought about wanting to be with them because you like them or because you feel genuine feelings for them?” Hobi asked, raising a brow, hands crossed over his chest.

“It’s not that I didn’t want to,” you explained. You pursed your lips and shrugged. “It’s just every time I liked someone, genuinely liked someone, they either did me wrong or were just with me to get fame. I broke it off kindly enough and they acted like it was fine so… I believed we ended things in a good way.”

“Oh, you sweet poor innocent angel,” Hobi breathed out, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. He brings you closer to him. “You never end things in a good way with someone you were with just for money. It never ends in that way, especially in their eyes. They’ll most likely come back into your life unexpectedly and wishing to get back together.”

You froze.

That explains a lot.

Nervously chuckling, you looked at the two men and sheepishly smiled. “Um, then I think my ex-boyfriend wants to get back together.”

“What?” Yoongi frowned.

“He’s been sending me text messages that he wants to see me because he misses me,” you said, scratching the back of your neck. “I just ignored him because I don’t miss him.”

Yoongi snorted at your words. You truly meant them. “I’ll deal with him. Just send me his phone number, though.”

“Yeah, I’ll send it later when you guys are leaving.” The two men nod in satisfaction at your words, beginning to walk again with you stuck between them, though now you’re closer to Hoseok. Very close. “Do you guys genuinely like me?”

“Do you?”

Did you? You’ve never heard that question get repeated back to you. You’ve never had anyone care about your feelings rather romantically like this.

Did you like them?

You smile the hardest when they’re around. You do laugh more, too. Not to forget that kissing Jimin and Namjoon makes you so dumbfounded as if kissing them shuts off your brain.

Did you?

Hobi smiled, understanding your silence for one that said a lot more than what you were saying.

“Yes,” you muttered. “I genuinely like you guys. I’m just nervous I won’t be enough in your relationship, especially since all of you have known each other far longer than I have known you. What if I’m just a burden?”

“Don’t worry your pretty head about that. Making yourself overthink over a situation that hasn’t happened yet will drive you crazy so, just trust us, okay?”

You hesitated, but you knew you could. They gave you enough reasons to do so.

Heading back home, you three eyed Jimin drying his hands on a cloth you left out for him. He had been left with the duty of washing the dishes after you ate and you were happy with that.

He eyed you three back.

“So, she won’t leave once the contract ends?” He muttered, never straying his eyes away from you.

“I talked with Jin and Namjoon before coming here,” Yoongi explained. He sat down on the chair near your kitchen island and raised his hands to pull up the sleeves of his sweater. “They don’t want her gone either. For all of our sanity.”

“Sanity?” You gaped at them.

“Taehyung might be going crazy because he really wants to be with you intimately and emotionally,” Jimin snorted out. He was amused by the way Taehyung was acting and the way he was handling his emotions for you. “He’s the one who’s been overthinking about you leaving once the contract ends and that’s why he’s been wanting to be closer to you.”

“Aw,” you jutted out your bottom lip at thinking about Taehyung’s attitude towards you. “I want to see him now.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, pretty,” Jimin said, the nickname slipping off the tip of his tongue very easily. Almost as if he has been calling you that name since forever. “He and Jungkook can’t know about this right now. They both have been a bit of a… mess. Taehyung more. If he finds out that we have pursued you—”

“‘Pursued’ is crazy,” you teased, a light giggling escaping your mouth.

Jimin playfully rolled his eyes. “Anyway, if he finds out we are with you and you know we like you, he will not stop. He will immediately come here and will not let you go.”

“But that’s what I want,” you slightly whined in a tone that had the three get closer to you.

Jimin stood in front of you, his hand placed on your cheek. He was mimicking your pout. “Yeah? You want Taehyung to be here with you and kiss you and mark you and clearly never leave your side because he feels so safe with you?” You stare at him and he smiled, his thumb tracing your bottom lip. “Hmm?”

“He wants to do that?”

“Badly.”

You gulped. “Never mind. We’ll wait.”

“Good girl,” Jimin said with a chuckle. He glanced down at his watch. “We’ll talk more tomorrow about this, okay?” You nodded. “Though, I’m carrying you up to your room before we leave.”

“That’s not—”

“I’m not listening to you,” Jimin scoffed out, picking you up in his arms. Your legs wrapped around his waist and one of his hands was placed under your ass to prevent you from slipping.

“I feel like a big baby,” you grumbled.

“That’s what you are with the attitude you give me sometimes,” he retorted back, his eyes glancing down to your lips.

The other two behind you laughed.

“Goodnight, Y/n,” Yoongi said, grabbing his keys while waving at you.

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, angel,” Hobi sang, wiggling his fingers goodbye. He chuckled once you waved back just as enthusiastically.

Once you two were alone, Jimin looked at you before looking away with a ghost of a smile plastered on his face.

“I’ll make it up to you,” he simply stated.

“What?”

“Having you trust me again,” he replied, going up the steps of your stairs. “I know I was an asshole and I hope to make it up to you by taking you out to the park again.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “We’ll go with Jungkook the day after tomorrow. I know Jin wants to talk to you tomorrow since he hasn’t spent a lot of time with you.”

“Mhm.”

“So, I’ll pick you up.”

You nodded. “Okay.”

He places you on your bed and since you were already in some comfy pj’s—they did come over at night—he placed the blanket over you.

He looked at you and he couldn’t get enough of you looking at him with such pretty eyes that if you found out the power of puppy eyes, he was sure he would burn the world for you. In other words, he would do anything you say and ask of him.

“Ji—”

He kissed you before you could utter his name.

And he kissed you hard and passionately it took you by surprise.

He loved kissing you, you noticed. He loved touching you, and kissing you, and holding your face in his hands so he could feel the warmth of your face at the shyness you felt.

He moved with you and let his lips brush against yours when you would back up from lack of air, but he would have your lips back on his once he couldn’t take no more of being away from you.

Backing away one more time with a singular saliva string attached on both your lips, he swore he could’ve moaned right then and there.

He was falling hard for you. He was. He definitely was. How could a person look so beautiful like you?

He didn’t know, but he felt blessed.

“I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Arrangement Crossed | K.Mg

Pairing: Mingyu x reader

Genre: arrange engagement au

Summary: Mingyu started to enjoy the arrangement between him and you. What should he do?

Why do birds suddenly appear everytime that you near? Just like me i long to be close to you. - Close To You by Carpenters

Mingyu sprinted from his car, heart pounding, as he rushed toward the scene. One of the doctors at the hospital had mentioned that a fire had broken out in a Gangnam district building—your building. His breath was ragged as he pushed through the crowd, his eyes scanning the chaotic scene. Paramedics and firefighters swarmed the area, the flames now subdued, but the remnants of the fire still smoked in the air. A police officer stopped him from moving closer.

"My fiancée lives there," Mingyu gasped, his voice tight with anxiety.

Just as the officer held him back, he spotted you in the distance. You were casually walking, still in your pajamas, holding a half-eaten ice cream cone. Mingyu's eyes widened, watching as your expression changed the moment you took in the sight of your charred apartment building.

"My apartment!" you exclaimed, your voice laced with frustration as Mingyu hurried over to you.

Mingyu quickly examined you, scanning for any signs of injury. A wave of relief washed over him when he realized you had been safely outside while the fire ravaged your home. His tense shoulders relaxed for the first time since hearing the news.

"Where were you?" he asked, still trying to wrap his head around the fact that you seemed so unfazed by the chaos around you.

You blinked, a bit dazed by everything. "I was out for a meal..."

Mingyu glanced at his watch—half and an hour left before his surgery. "I'm glad you're alright. I’ll drive you to my place for now. I’ve got surgery in an hour."

The procedure went smoothly, but exhaustion weighed heavily on him as he sat in his office afterward. All he wanted was to go home and collapse into bed. But he hesitated, remembering that you were now at his apartment. The two of you had never really shared a space before, and the thought made him uneasy. After all, this wasn’t a typical engagement.

A year ago, your families had arranged for you two to be engaged. It was strictly business—a merger of two powerful legacies. Your family owned the hospital where Mingyu worked, while his family operated a successful medical and paramedical equipment company. It made sense for the families to align themselves, and though the proposal had taken him by surprise, Mingyu agreed to the engagement. What really caught him off guard was that you agreed too.

From what Mingyu knew, you ran a small homemade Korean restaurant near Seoul University. It wasn’t a huge enterprise, but it had a loyal customer base thanks to its affordable prices and excellent food. When news of the engagement broke, everyone speculated that your family needed Mingyu to step in and continue running the hospital, especially since you showed no interest in taking it over yourself. Mingyu knew he benefited a lot from this arrangement—more than he was willing to admit sometimes.

It was nearly morning when Mingyu finally arrived home, expecting you to be fast asleep. He took a quick shower, hoping to unwind before getting some rest. But when he stepped into the living room, he nearly jumped out of his skin. You were sitting on the couch, staring into the darkness.

"You scared me!" Mingyu muttered, his heart still racing. "Why aren’t you sleeping?"

You shot him a sharp look, your voice dry. "My house just burned down. How could I possibly sleep soundly?"

Ah, right. He had forgotten that small but important detail.

"Right... of course." He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Well, make yourself at home. Feel free to use the kitchen if you want breakfast. I’ll head to bed."

Mingyu retreated to his room, hoping for some much-needed rest. But as he lay there, he found sleep impossible. His mind kept drifting back to the strange reality that the two of you were now sharing a roof. It wasn’t that he didn’t like you—far from it. You were smart, independent, and capable. But the idea of being engaged, living together, and yet still feeling like you were strangers unnerved him in ways he couldn’t quite explain.

"Yeah, she's fine. She's alright. She's with me. I'll handle things with the building owner about her place. You don’t have to worry, sir." Mingyu reassured your father over the phone as he finished getting ready for work.

Despite having only gotten three hours of sleep, Mingyu needed to be at the hospital for an early morning meeting as the branch director. He had already filled your father in on last night’s fire, assuring him that you were safe and staying with him for the time being. Ending the call, he stepped out of the closet and made his way to the kitchen, where he was greeted by the sight of you preparing breakfast.

You were wearing one of his shirts.

"I’ll call you later, sir," Mingyu said quickly before hanging up, his eyes immediately locking with yours as he entered the kitchen.

You glanced at him briefly, then gestured for him to sit down as you placed the plates on the table. Mingyu couldn’t help but stare for a moment. You must have noticed because you spoke up.

"I didn’t have any clothes with me," you explained, a hint of self-consciousness in your voice. "I borrowed your shirt, if you don’t mind."

Mingyu nodded. "It's fine."

An awkward silence lingered for a moment before he asked, "Is there anything you need to do today?"

You thought for a second. "I definitely need to get some clothes first. And maybe check on the restaurant."

Mingyu thanked you for the food as you joined him at the table. He picked up his spoon, and as soon as he took a bite, his eyes widened in surprise. The breakfast was incredible. He had visited your restaurant a couple of times and knew you were the mastermind behind the recipes, having graduated with a degree in culinary arts. But still, he hadn’t expected his simple morning meal to taste this good.

"How about your belongings?" he asked between bites. "Anything important you need to check, like documents or valuables?"

"Luckily, I left all my important documents at my parents' place," you said, relieved. "But I do need to talk to the building owner about the fire and the damage."

Mingyu nodded thoughtfully. "I’ll go with you."

You both finished breakfast in comfortable silence, and as Mingyu got up to leave for work, he thanked you again for the meal. Before heading out, he made a few calls, one to the aunt who cleaned his house regularly, asking her to pick up some women’s clothes for you, and another to the building manager to arrange an extra parking space for your car.

As he drove to the hospital, he reflected on the morning. He hadn’t expected starting the day with you to feel so... easy. For a moment, he wondered what it would be like if your engagement weren’t just a business arrangement. The thought lingered in the back of his mind as he went on with his day.

"Doctor Kim, thank you for the meal!" the nurses chimed in as Mingyu passed by the emergency room station during his daily rounds.

He blinked in confusion, unsure of what they were referring to. Then, he spotted the neatly packed meals from your restaurant sitting on the counter. You had sent food to his staff. It was thoughtful—something he hadn't expected but appreciated. Mingyu smiled and waved to the nurses, telling them to enjoy the meal before heading to his office, where he found a meal from your restaurant waiting for him as well.

Mingyu quickly shot you a text: Thanks for the meal, everyone’s enjoying it.

You didn’t respond, and Mingyu wasn’t surprised. He rarely texted you, and from what he had observed, you were just as busy as he was. He could understand if you weren’t glued to your phone all the time. Besides, it’s not like he was your priority when it came to messaging.

Over the past week of living together, Mingyu had noticed that the two of you had fallen into a quiet, predictable routine. You would both wake up early, have breakfast together, head off to work, return late in the evening, and go straight to bed. The cycle repeated itself day after day, with only a few short exchanges of "How was work?" or "Did you sleep well?" in between. It was strange to be living under the same roof, sharing meals, and yet feeling like you were still strangers in many ways.

That morning, you casually mentioned that you had signed the lease on a new apartment, not far from your restaurant.

"Do you want to go furniture shopping with me?" you asked over breakfast.

"Sure" Mingyu agreed without hesitation.

And now, here he was, sitting on his couch in a casual outfit, waiting to go furniture shopping with you. It felt like an odd thing to be doing with someone who was supposed to be his fiancée, yet didn’t quite feel like one. Still, Mingyu couldn’t shake the curiosity growing inside him—the thought of spending more time with you, learning more about you beyond the polite small talk and daily routine. He wasn't sure if it would change anything between you, but part of him wanted to try.

"This couch looks good. It fits a lot of people," Mingyu said, running his hand over the fabric as you continued to browse.

You shook your head, clearly unimpressed. "I don't get visitors."

Mingyu chuckled, leaning in a little closer. "What about friends? Boyfriend, maybe?" he teased with a playful grin.

You scoffed and held up your left hand, flashing the engagement ring in front of him. "In case you forgot, I’m engaged."

Mingyu’s eyes flickered to the ring, and he was momentarily struck by the sight of it. You always wore the ring, even though the engagement had been arranged. He, on the other hand, rarely wore his—only during major events or family meetings where it was expected. His profession didn’t really allow for accessories, so he often went without it. But seeing you wear it regularly was a subtle reminder of the commitment hanging between you both.

"Right, how could I forget?" he replied, smoothly continuing the conversation as if the ring hadn’t stirred something unspoken inside him.

Despite the casual banter, the moment felt a little heavier than it should have. He couldn't quite shake the realization that the ring—a symbol of their engagement—was more present in your life than his. It was a quiet declaration, whether intentional or not, that you were his fiancée.

When it came time to pay, Mingyu insisted on covering everything, even after your countless protests. He waved off your refusals, casually brushing them aside as if it was the most natural thing in the world for him to take care of it.

"A rib for dinner?" Mingyu requested once he done paying. How dare you to refused.

*

After ten days of living together, Mingyu realized how quiet and empty his place felt without you around. He found himself looking for any excuse to see you, whether it was a quick text, a call, or even dropping by your restaurant. Without fully realizing it, the relationship between the two of you had begun to shift into something he hadn’t expected.

At this point, almost all of your staff knew him. They had even started referring to him as "the boss's handsome fiancé" every time he walked through the door. This month alone, he had visited your restaurant 8 times—sometimes for a meal, sometimes just to drive you home. And he was relieved that you didn’t seem uncomfortable with his presence. In fact, you appeared to be getting used to it, just as he was.

One afternoon, as Mingyu made his rounds at the hospital, he overheard a group of nurses whispering as he passed by, his name mentioned in their conversation.

"If she's the daughter of the owner, then she must be Doctor Kim’s fiancée, right?"

Mingyu, always the friendly type, chimed in with a grin. "I heard my name."

The nurses looked a bit startled but quickly filled him in. "Doctor Kim, the owner's daughter was brought into the emergency room after being assaulted. Isn't she your fiancée?"

What?

Mingyu’s stomach dropped. Without wasting a second, he grabbed his phone and immediately dialed your number. It rang, but someone else picked up.

"Y/n?" he asked, his voice tight with concern.

"Ah, Mr. Kim? She left her phone behind. She's at the hospital right now. A crazy person caused a scene and she got hurt."

Mingyu didn’t wait for more details. He bolted to the emergency room, his mind racing. When he got there, he hurried to the nurses’ station and asked for your whereabouts.

They directed him to a bed where he finally saw you—sitting up, your arm and head wrapped in bandages, while a doctor carefully tended to your injuries. Relief washed over him, but it was mixed with a surge of worry and anger at what had happened.

He approached you cautiously, his heart still pounding in his chest.

You looked up at Mingyu and smiled, a wave of relief washing over you as soon as you saw him by your side. As the doctor finished tending to your wounds, he greeted Mingyu and explained that you would need to wait for the results of the X-ray, as you had hit your head during the incident.

Once the doctor left, Mingyu turned his full attention to you, his eyes scanning over your injuries with a mixture of concern and relief. Without saying a word, he gently pulled you into an embrace, holding you close as if making sure you were really okay.

"I'm so glad it wasn't worse," he murmured, his voice soft yet filled with emotion. He pulled back slightly to look at you. "What happened?"

You took a deep breath, trying to calm the lingering tension from the day. "There was this drunk guy, making a scene in the restaurant. He was about to hit one of my staff, so I stepped in. I got pushed and my head hit the table. This," you pointed to your bandaged arm, "is from some shattered glass."

Mingyu sighed, his jaw tightening in frustration. "I'm calling the police," he said firmly, standing up as if ready to take action immediately.

But you reached out and grabbed his hand, stopping him. "It's already been reported. My staff handled it."

Mingyu paused, looking down at you, the worry still clear in his eyes. Though the situation had already been dealt with, his protective instincts were hard to turn off. He sat back down next to you, still holding your hand, as if to reassure himself you were safe now.

Your mother, the vice president, appeared in the emergency room, her presence commanding attention as she quickly made her way toward you. You couldn't help but smile at the sight of her, though you could see the worry etched in her expression.

"My heart dropped when I heard my daughter was in the emergency room. Are you okay, honey?" she asked, her voice laced with concern as she reached out to touch your arm.

"I'm fine, Mom," you reassured her with a small smile, trying to ease her worry.

Mingyu stood quietly to the side, observing the exchange with a sense of relief. He was glad to see how close you were with your family, something he hadn’t really gotten to witness much before.

Then your mother turned her attention to Mingyu, who stood respectfully behind her. Her gaze softened as she acknowledged him.

"Thank you, Mingyu. I heard you’ve been taking care of my daughter, especially after she lost her apartment in the fire. And now you're here again," she said, her gratitude clear.

Mingyu bowed slightly, feeling the weight of her words. "It's my pleasure, ma'am," he responded with sincerity.

Your mother waved off the formality with a warm smile. "No need for 'ma'am.' Call me Mother. After all, you're part of the family now—my daughter's fiancé."

The words caught Mingyu a little off guard, though he masked it with a polite nod. He glanced at you, noticing the subtle shift in the room. The formality of your engagement suddenly felt a bit more personal, more real.

After spending some more time talking with your mother and assuring her you were okay, the X-ray results came back clear. The doctor recommended rest and monitoring for the next few days to ensure there were no lingering effects from the head injury. With that, Mingyu insisted on taking you home.

As you left the hospital, Mingyu walked by your side, his hand resting gently on your lower back as he guided you to the car. The day had been exhausting, but knowing that Mingyu was there gave you a strange sense of comfort. It was a feeling that was becoming more familiar lately.

The drive home was quiet, with Mingyu occasionally glancing over to check on you. You stared out the window, your mind still processing everything that had happened, from the fire at your apartment to the incident today. You felt the weight of it all, but at the same time, there was a sense of relief that you weren’t alone in dealing with it.

When Mingyu pulled into his apartment complex, he parked the car and quickly came around to your side to help you out. You couldn’t help but smile at how attentive he was.

As you sat on the couch, trying to unwind from the long day, Mingyu hovered nearby, clearly still worried. You noticed his eyes flicking over to you every few minutes, as if checking to make sure you were really okay.

"You really should rest," he said, standing up and grabbing a blanket from the nearby chair. "I can see you're exhausted."

"I’m fine, Mingyu," you protested softly, though you knew you needed the rest.

He walked over, gently draping the blanket over you, his hands lingering for a moment as he looked down at you. “Just lie down, please. Doctor's orders,” he added with a small, teasing smile, trying to lighten the mood.

You sighed, giving in. The exhaustion was catching up with you, and the couch felt more comfortable with the blanket wrapped around you. As you shifted to lie down, Mingyu crouched down beside you, his expression softening as he watched you settle.

"Better?" he asked, his voice quieter now.

You nodded, pulling the blanket closer. “Yeah, better.”

He lingered for a moment before standing up again, running a hand through his hair. "I think I’ll stay out here with you, just in case you need anything.”

"You don’t have to—" you started to protest, but Mingyu was already grabbing a pillow for himself and setting it on the other end of the couch.

"I know, but I want to," he said simply, lying down beside you, keeping a respectful distance. “We both need to rest anyway. This way, I’ll be right here if anything happens.”

You turned your head slightly to look at him, noticing how comfortable and natural he seemed lying next to you. The tension that had been hanging in the air for weeks felt like it was slowly fading, replaced by an unexpected sense of ease.

"Alright," you murmured, closing your eyes.

Mingyu lay there quietly, the soft rise and fall of his breathing the only sound in the room. He wasn’t saying much, but his presence was steady, reassuring in a way that made you feel safe. After a few moments, he shifted slightly closer, his hand brushing against yours under the blanket. He didn’t say anything, but the gesture spoke volumes.

You didn’t pull away. Instead, you let the quiet warmth between the two of you settle in, realizing that maybe this arrangement between you wasn’t so bad after all.

As you drifted off to sleep, you could feel Mingyu relax beside you. The weight of the day slowly lifted, and with him lying there next to you, it felt easier to rest.

As evening approached, the soft glow of the setting sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm light over the room. You and Mingyu had both woken up from your nap, feeling more rested but still shaken from the day's events. Mingyu sat up, glancing over at you with a gentle smile.

“Do you need anything?” he asked, his voice still soft but with a hint of concern.

You shook your head, feeling more at ease now. “No, I’m okay. Thanks for staying with me.”

He nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Actually, I should probably check and clean your wound properly. Just to make sure it’s healing well.”

You hesitated for a moment but then nodded, realizing it would be reassuring to have him take care of you. Mingyu moved to get a first aid kit from the bathroom, then returned and sat next to you on the couch. As he began to carefully clean the wound on your head, his concentration was palpable.

The proximity brought an unexpected intimacy. Mingyu’s breath lightly brushed against your skin, and you could feel the warmth of his body close to yours. You glanced up at him, and for the first time, you noticed how dangerously close his face was to yours. The closeness made both of you acutely aware of each other, and suddenly, your cheeks flushed a soft pink.

There was a moment of shared awkwardness where neither of you knew quite what to say. Mingyu’s fingers brushed lightly against your forehead, and a nervous laugh escaped both of you simultaneously. The sound was light and shy, a clear indicator of the tension and the new feelings stirring between you.

Mingyu’s hands paused as he looked at you, his eyes meeting yours with an earnest expression. The silence between you was thick with unspoken emotions. He seemed to be gauging your reaction, his gaze shifting from your eyes to your lips.

Without breaking eye contact, Mingyu leaned in slowly, and you felt a rush of anticipation. For a heartbeat, everything seemed to stand still. Then, ever so gently, he pressed his lips against yours. The kiss was tender and soft, a simple yet profound gesture that spoke volumes.

You responded instinctively, your lips moving against his in a hesitant, exploring dance. The kiss deepened just slightly, filled with a mutual tenderness that neither of you had expected but both seemed to crave. When Mingyu finally pulled back, his expression was a mix of relief and uncertainty.

“Sorry,” he said quietly, a slight blush still visible on his cheeks. “I just... I needed to do that.”

You smiled softly, reaching out to gently touch his face. “It’s okay. I think I needed it too.”

Mingyu’s smile was more relaxed now, a genuine warmth in his eyes. He resumed cleaning the wound with a renewed calm, the previous tension replaced by a new, comforting closeness. As he finished, you both settled back into the couch, the space between you now filled with a quiet, shared understanding.

Mingyu set aside the first aid kit and took a deep breath, his gaze locking with yours. “I... I know this might sound sudden, but I think we need to talk about where we go from here.”

You looked at him with curiosity and a hint of apprehension, waiting for him to continue.

He shifted slightly, his expression earnest. “I know our relationship started out as a business arrangement, and things between us have been... different from what I expected. But after spending time with you, especially today, I’ve realized something.”

You watched him closely, feeling a flutter of anticipation in your chest.

“Mingyu, what is it?” you asked softly.

He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. “I’ve been thinking a lot about us. About how we’ve been living together, how you’ve been there for me in ways I didn’t expect. And honestly, I’ve come to realize that I really like you. More than just as my fiancée. I want to be with you, not just because of our families or the arrangement, but because I genuinely care about you.”

His words hung in the air, and you could feel the sincerity behind them. Mingyu reached out and took your hand in his, his touch gentle and reassuring.

“I want to start over,” he continued, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “I want us to settle everything that’s happened and move forward. I want to take you out on dates, to spend time with you as someone I truly treasure. Not just because it’s what’s expected, but because it’s what I genuinely want.”

Your heart raced as you listened, his confession a mix of relief and excitement. It was clear that Mingyu wasn’t just fulfilling a duty anymore—he was speaking from the heart.

“I’ve felt the same way,” you admitted, squeezing his hand. “I never expected this arrangement to lead to something real, but it has. I’ve come to care about you a lot, and I’d like to see where this could go, too.”

Mingyu’s face brightened with a hopeful smile. “So, are we starting over then? Taking a chance on something that’s more than just an arrangement?”

You nodded, a smile of your own spreading across your face. “Yes, let’s start over. I’d like that.”

With a sense of newfound clarity and excitement, Mingyu leaned in and kissed you again, this time with a deeper sense of commitment. It was a kiss that promised not just the continuation of an engagement but the beginning of something much more meaningful.

As the evening drew on, you and Mingyu talked more about your hopes and plans for the future, feeling a sense of anticipation and warmth. The journey ahead was still uncertain, but now it was a journey you were both eager to take together, as partners who truly cared for each other.

*

“Because you’re handsome?” Mingyu chuckled softly, clearly amused by your answer. He had asked you why you accepted the engagement in the first place, and he hadn’t expected your candid response.

“Of course, you’re very handsome and attractive,” you said with a playful glint in your eye. “But beyond that, I didn’t have anyone special, and I didn’t want to go against my parents’ kind intentions, especially when it didn’t harm me.”

“You didn’t go against it?” Mingyu asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

You paused to think before shaking your head. “No, not at all. I wasn’t planning to get married. I was just focused on my business.”

Mingyu nodded thoughtfully. “How about now?”

“What do you mean now?” you asked, a hint of confusion in your voice.

“Get married,” he clarified. “Do you want to get married?”

It had been three years since the engagement, and throughout that time, you and Mingyu had maintained your commitment to each other. Even though your parents had pushed for a wedding, you both had insisted on getting to know each other better. It was only after a year of engagement that you truly began to enjoy each other’s presence.

“With you?” you asked innocently, and Mingyu rolled his eyes with a chuckle.

“I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t with me. Do you want to get married to me?”

A scowl formed on your face as you stared at him, your emotions a mix of surprise and curiosity. “Are you proposing?”

Mingyu laughed, his eyes twinkling with affection. “Why? You don’t like it, baby?”

The scowl melted away, replaced by a warm and genuine smile. “I’d love to. I’ve been happy these two years with you. Why not be happy forever?”

Mingyu’s expression softened as he cupped your cheeks gently. “You’re really happy?”

You nodded, your eyes shining with sincerity.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against yours in a tender kiss. “Then I’m happy too.”

In that moment, it felt as if everything had come full circle. The uncertainty of the past had given way to a future filled with promise, and both of you were ready to embrace it together.

In Another Life Part 3

𝖲𝗎𝗆𝗆𝖺𝗋𝗒: 𝖨𝗇 𝖺𝗇𝗈𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝗅𝗂𝖿𝖾, 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖯𝗂𝖾𝗍𝗋𝗈 𝗐𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗉𝗂𝗅𝗒 𝗌𝗉𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗒𝖾𝖺𝗋𝗌 𝗍𝗈𝗀𝖾𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋. 𝖨𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗅𝗂𝖿𝖾, 𝗁𝖾 𝖽𝗂𝖾𝖽 𝗋𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍 𝗂𝗇 𝖿𝗋𝗈𝗇𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝗒𝗈𝗎. 𝖠𝖽𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗈 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗇𝖾𝗐 𝗐𝗈𝗋𝗅𝖽 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗆𝗈𝗎𝗋𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗅𝗈𝗌𝗌 𝗐𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽𝗇’𝗍 𝖻𝖾 𝗌𝗈 𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖽 𝗂𝖿 𝗂𝗍 𝗐𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗇’𝗍 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝖩𝖺𝗆𝖾𝗌 𝖯𝗈𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗋; 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖿𝗎𝗇𝗇𝗒, 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗋𝗆𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝖼𝖺𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝖺𝗇𝗇𝗈𝗒𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗅𝗒 𝗉𝖾𝗋𝗌𝗂𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝗆𝖺𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗅𝗈𝗈𝗄𝗌 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗅𝗈𝗌𝗍.

A/N: this is where the fun begins! wc: 4.3k

“Here.” Sirius says, handing James a paper cup with a lid on it. “Got you your usual.”

“Thanks.” James nods in appreciation, taking a sip as Sirius hands out the rest of the drinks.

“Why do we have to be there so early today?” Peter asks, eyes still heavy with sleep.

“Mm-mm.” Sirius shrugs. “Moody said.”

“Yeah, but why?” Peter whines.

“Must be something important.” Remus says, eyes flitting back and forth as he tries to figure out what it could be.

“So important we have to be in the office before the sun comes up?” He continues to complain.

“You wanted to be an auror.” Sirius sings.

“Yeah and now I’m regretting it.” Peter grumbles.

Everyone laughs at that. Well, everyone except James.

“You alright, Prongs?” Remus asks, finding his silence odd.

“Prongs…” Sirius calls, elbowing his friend.

“Hm?” He finally hums, frowning when he sees his friends staring at him in concern. “What?”

“Are you okay?” Remus asks again.

“Yeah.” James breathes with a nod. “Brilliant. Why…why do you ask?”

Sirius, Peter, and Remus share a look, silently asking someone to say something. Finally, Remus sighs.

“Well, it’s just… you’ve been kind of off since yesterday…” He trails off cautiously.

“Since you had that run in with that bird.” Sirius adds, getting straight to the point.

“Yeah, well, you would be too if some woman you’ve never seen before throws herself into your arms one second, and then refuses to be touched by you the next.” James says with a frown.

“Aw, is that what it is?” Sirius asks teasingly. “Poor little Prongs can’t handle rejection?”

“What? No!” James argues. “I just- I don’t know! I’m just wondering if she’s okay, you know? She seemed very upset…”

“I’m sure she’s fine.” Sirius says, waving off his friends' worries.

“She was probably just having a bad day.” Peter pipes up, more awake now.

James nods his head at that, though it’s clear he isn’t convinced.

“Thought you wanted something weird to happen…” Sirius mimicked.

“Shut up, Pads.” James grumbles, taking a final sip of his coffee.

The group of four are on high alert as soon as they step into the atrium. Sure, the Ministry is usually busy, but never like this. There are double the amount of officers and aurors, if not triple. The marauders watch wide-eyed as they all hurry to and fro, as if they’re preparing for something, as if they’re preparing for battle.

“How ya feeling, Wormtail?” Sirius asks, watching as a group of Unspeakables walk by.

“Wide awake.” Peter nods.

“Whatever’s going on, it must be bad.” Remus comments.

“Let’s hurry to Moody’s office.” James orders. “If anybody has answers, it’ll be him.”

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

“Moody?” James calls, knocking on his door as they all walk into his office.

He looks up at the intrusion, setting down some paperwork he was reading and standing from his desk.

“Come in,” He orders, waving his hand hurriedly. “And shut the door behind you.”

Remus, being the last one in, shuts the door and leans against it, crossing his arms as the others spread out.

“What’s going on?” Sirius asks, referring to everyone outside. “Are we running a drill of some sort?”

“I’m afraid it’s not a drill.” Moody informs them. “There’s a manhunt underway.”

“Manhunt?” James repeats, eyes widening in surprise.

“Has someone escaped from Azkaban?” Sirius asks.

“Or committed an unforgivable?” Peter adds.

“Neither.” Moody shakes his head. “A stranger’s arrived.”

“Okay?” Sirius asks, not getting the point.

“This one is using magic unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.” Moody explains grimly.

“How so?” Remus asks.

“I think it’s best if I show you.” Moody nods.

He grabs a glass vial, struggling with the lid before finally popping it off and pouring it into a basin. With a flick of his wand, the pulled memory starts projecting on the wall.

“A shop owner was on his way to work yesterday when he saw this.” Moody informs them.

It’s as if they’re seeing it through their own eyes. They can see the people passing by, and hear the tune the shop owner was whistling to himself. He groans when he steps on a piece of gum, grumbling to himself as he starts dragging his foot along the floor, trying to get it off. He looks to the side and does a double take when he sees a light coming from the alley.

The marauders watch in complete shock as a huge circle appears out of thin air; bright and sparkling. The moment you step out of the portal, Sirius, Peter, and Remus turn to look at James with wide eyes. He wordlessly puts a hand up, stopping them before they could even think of asking any questions.

“They didn’t even use a wand.” Moody says grimly, watching as Stephen steps back through the portal and disappears. “We have no idea where she is or what she’s capable of.”

“So what’s the plan?” Peter asks softly, looking nervously between Moody and James.

“Bring her in for questioning.” Moody says with a firm nod. “We’ll turn the city upside down, leaving no stone unturned. We’ll use excessive force if we have to.”

“No!” James shouts, standing from his seat.

Everyone in the room turns to look at him, and he awkwardly clears his throat.

“I mean, don’t you think that’s a bit much, sir?” James asks.

“She’s an outsider.” Moody tells him bluntly.

“She’s lost.” James argues with a shake of his head.

“She’s dangerous.” Moody continues.

“Dangerous? She’s scared! Look at her!” He exclaims, pointing to the projection. “Look at how tightly she’s holding that bag, how she’s shuffling her feet, look at…” James sighs softly, zeroing in on the tears threatening to fall. “Look at her eyes… She needs help…”

James and Moody stare each other down while Sirius, Peter, and Remus silently watch. Finally, Moody nods.

“You have a big heart, James.” He comments. “You always see the good in people, give them the benefit of the doubt. It’s very honorable.”

James nods his head in acknowledgement with a grin.

“But it’s not practical.”

“Sorry?” James asks, his smile dropping.

“You need to start thinking with your head, not your heart.” Moody tells him. “There’s no place in a war for a soft hearted person.”

“But we’re not in a war!” James says in exasperation. “Sir, trust me. Please. There’s no need for this. There’s no need to cause panic and mayhem. Especially when people are just starting to feel safe again. I’ll find her. We’ll find her.” He corrects, gesturing to his friends who nod, albeit confusedly. “We’ll bring her back here. She’ll come peacefully. I know she will.”

Moody stares at him in contemplation. For a moment, James thinks he might agree, that he might’ve gotten through to him. Then John Dawlish, another auror comes bursting into the room.

“Sir! Everybody’s ready.” He pants.

Nodding, Moody walks past James, heading towards the door.

“Tell them to start searching.” Moody says firmly. John nods his head and hurries back out.

“Question everyone, break down doors if you have to, I want her found by the end of the day!” He shouts after him.

“Sir-“ James tries again.

“You.” Moody says, turning around abruptly and pointing his finger at James. “You will follow orders or you will stay out of the way. Is that clear?”

James opens his mouth once more, wanting to argue one last time before sighing, dropping his shoulders in defeat.

“Yes, sir.” He nods solemnly.

“Good.” Moody nods in return, walking out of his office and leaving the four men behind.

The group of four all stand in the hallway, silently watching as chaos erupts in the ministry. Moody disappears, still shouting orders as hoards of aurors start running out.

“So…what are we gonna do?” Sirius asks, looking at James.

James doesn’t answer him. He doesn’t even look in his direction. Without a word, he makes a left and starts hurrying down the staircase, the marauders not far behind.

“James?” Peter calls, hastily grabbing onto the handrail when he skips a step and almost falls.

Still, James doesn’t pay them any mind. He pushes a side door open and slips out into the alley, his friends right behind him.

“Prongs!” Sirius finally shouts, grabbing James’ arm and yanking him back, stopping him from walking any further. “Bloody ‘ell! What’s gotten into you?”

“Nothing.” He says bluntly, trying to walk past him.

Sirius puts a hand on his chest and shoves him back. James scowls in annoyance.

“Don’t give me that look.” Sirius scolds. “The fuck is going on?”

James continues to stare him down, silently seething when yet again Sirius stops him from leaving.

“Prongs… It’s us, mate.” Sirius reminds him with a chuckle.

“Whatever it is, you can tell us.” Remus assures.

Finally reaching his breaking point, James turns around, kicking a trash bin out of sheer frustration.

“He didn’t fucking listen to me!” He shouts, bringing a hand up, gesturing towards the city. “Now he’s got everyone out there looking for her, thinking she’s dangerous and treating her as if she’s some threat when she’s not and-“

“How do you know?” Remus asks, cutting him off.

James sighs, shrugging his shoulders at his friends, his brothers.

“I just do, mate.” He says simply.

“Because she hugged you?” Sirius asks. There’s no teasing in his voice, only genuine curiosity.

“Yes. I mean, no.” James stammers, shaking his head. “I saw it in her eyes yesterday. Before she ran off. And I saw it again just now in that memory that Moody showed us. She’s scared.”

“She’s just scared. She’s not gonna hurt anyone.” James insists. “And I know Moody said not to listen to my heart but it’s not just that. My gut is telling me that she’s not a danger.”

Sirius, Remus, and Peter all silently stare at James.

“Never mind.” He mumbles, shaking his head. “Forget I-“

“So, what are we gonna do?” Sirius asks again.

“What?” James asks, looking up at his friend.

“As annoying as it is, your gut feeling has never been wrong before.” Sirius tells him, crossing his arms with a roll of his eyes. “So? What’s it gonna be?”

“Pads, no.” James argues. “I can’t bring you down with me.”

“Should’ve thought about that before you shared a train compartment with us.” Remus teases with a grin.

James smiles back gratefully at him, at all of them.

“We’d be going against direct orders. Interfering with a mission. And defying our superior officers… You do get that, right?” James asks, stressing the gravity of the situation.

Peter, Remus, and Sirius all grin mischievously.

“Well, that makes it all the more fun, doesn’t it?” Peter asks, looking to Sirius and Remus for support. When they nod their heads in agreement, Peter turns back to James with a smile.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

“Where exactly are we going?” Sirius huffs, as they all run after James.

“Riiiiight here!” James answers, coming to an abrupt stop.

Peter looks around the plaza confused.

“Isn’t this where-“

“Where we saw that bird?” Sirius interrupts.

“Stop calling her that.” James groans with a frown. “But yes. We have the advantage here, guys. We were the last ones- if not the only ones- to interact with her. So while everyone else is aimlessly running around the city-“

“We have a better idea of where to look.” Remus finishes with a nod. “Prongs, you’re a genius.”

James shrugs bashfully as he turns around, scanning his surroundings.

“Alright, we know she went this way.” He says, as they turn a corner.

All four men sigh when they see it’s a busy street, filled with all sorts of shops and restaurants. It’d take ages for them to interview every person on this street.

“Split up?” Peter suggests.

“Split up.” James nods, already making his way down the sidewalk. “Use flagrate if you find anything!”

The marauders make quick work, popping into every establishment asking if they’ve seen you. It would be easier if they had a picture of some sort, but even with the most detailed descriptions (from James of course) the only word they’re hearing is “no.”

It isn’t until Peter stops to tie his shoe in front of a flower stall that they make a break in the case. Using flagrate, he spells out a quick message to his friends, telling them where to meet and they all arrive shortly after.

“What’d you find?” James asks as soon as he joins them.

“She isn’t certain, but she thinks she saw someone matching that girl's description yesterday.” Peter answers, already making his way down the street.

“Brilliant!” James exclaims as he and the others follow. “Which way’d she go?”

“Said she saw her heading towards Victoria Street.”

“That’s it?” James asks with a frown.

“Afterwards she moved her cart to a different area.” He informs him.

“It’s something.” Remus shrugs.

James scans all the businesses and sighs, running a hand through his hair. It won’t be long until the others arrive. Then you’ll really be in trouble. They all will. He sees an inn up ahead and his eyes widen.

“Look!” He exclaims, pointing to the inn before jogging over.

“The Cob Web?” Remus says, taking in the faded sign hanging above the door.

“Oh yeah. I forgot about this place.” Peter comments. “What’s the name of that fancy hotel that opened up a few years ago?”

“Oh!! The golden crown?” Sirius suggests, eyes lighting up. “Love that place.”

“Me too!” Peter agrees. “Have you been?” He asks Remus.

Remus shakes his head and Peter gasps in excitement.

“You have to go!” He insists. “They put a little bed on your nightstand for your wand.”

“Aw.” Remus coos.

“Guys! Can we please talk about the cute, tiny beds later?” James asks in exasperation, pushing open the door and walking in.

“Good morning!” An elderly woman at the front desk greets. “Checking in?”

“Um, no, sorry.” James shakes his head. “We’re actually looking for someone, maybe you’ve seen her? She’s about this tall, has Y/H/C hair, Y/E/C eyes…”

“Yes, of course!” She nods, clasping her hands in joy. “You made it! I’m so glad.”

“Sorry?” Sirius asks.

“Aren’t you her friends?”

“No… We’re actually with the Ministry.” James clarifies, holding up his badge to show her. “We were just hoping to ask her a few questions…”

“Oh… I see… That’s too bad.”

“Why‘s that?” Remus asks curiously.

The woman looks around before leaning closer, voice dropping to a whisper.

“She’s been sitting out in the garden all night. Thought she might’ve been waiting for someone. Poor girl looked completely lost when she stumbled in here.” She tells them. “She had no idea what galleons were…her money wasn’t even in pounds.”

“What type was it?” Peter asks.

“I couldn’t tell you.” The woman frowns with a shake of her head. “Maybe American…”

“Weird.” Peter comments.

“Between you and me, I think she was left here.”

“Whaaaat? What makes you say that?” Sirius asks with wide eyes, always one for gossip.

James’ mind replays the video that Moody showed them. He remembers how that weirdly dressed man stepped back into the portal, and how your feet shuffled, almost as if you wanted to go after him. He remembers how when you turned around, your eyes were already beginning to water, and it looked as if you muttered some sort of curse word under your breath. Is that what happened? Did you really get left behind? All by yourself?

“Right. Well. Thank you.” He nods, tapping his hand on the counter before heading towards the door. “We’re gonna go around the side so we don’t spook her.”

The innkeeper nods her head as Peter, Remus, and Sirius file out. James grimaces when he hears other aurors shouting in the distance.

“If anyone else from the Ministry comes in, can you just say you already spoke to someone? And that they didn’t find anything?”

She looks perplexed by his request but finds herself nodding nonetheless.

“Great. Thanks.” James nods a final time. “We’ll be quick.”

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

The marauders come to a stop in front of the iron gate.

“I want you guys to keep your distance.” James tells them softly.

“Don’t wanna share your little girlfriend?” Sirius teases.

“I don’t wanna crowd her.” James corrects with a sigh, already knowing the teasing won’t come to an end anytime soon.

“Thought she wasn’t dangerous.” Peter comments.

“She isn’t. At least, I don’t think she is.” James assures. “But regardless, how would you feel if you found yourself cornered by a group of people you’ve never seen before?”

Seeing his point, they all nod their heads.

“We’ll hang back, Prongs.” Remus promises.

The back gate creaks open and the marauders shuffle in. James immediately spots you sitting on the steps. You’ve got your hands clasped together and tucked under your chin. You’re staring off to the side but it’s obvious that your mind is a million miles away. You didn’t even acknowledge them when they walked in. Thinking that you simply didn’t see them, James clears his throat, trying to get your attention, only for you to assume that he’s just wanting to go back inside.

“Sorry.” You apologize half heartedly, not even looking in his direction as you scoot over.

James turns to friends, unsure of what to do. Sirius shrugs his shoulders helplessly as Remus waves his hand, silently urging James to get closer.

Cautiously, James takes a step forward. Then another. And another, finally coming to a stop right in front of you. It’s only then that James finally captures your attention. With a sigh, you lift your head. Your eyes light up upon seeing James, but lose their sparkle a moment later as you continue to stare at him. Briefly, James wonders if you remember him at all; or if you mistook him for someone else again, same as you did yesterday, before shaking his head.

“Erm… Hi!” He greets awkwardly, bringing a hand up to wave at you.

You continue to silently stare at him before looking behind him, finally noticing his friends standing a few feet away.

Good thing I told them to keep their distance, he thinks to himself.

James smiles when you shift your piercing gaze back to him.

“Why are you here?” You ask instead of returning his greeting.

James’ smile drops and behind him, Sirius snorts in amusement. He quickly glares at him before turning to you once more.

“Can we talk?” He asks with what he hopes is a friendly grin.

Finding it difficult to look him in the eyes any longer, you turn your gaze away, choosing to stare at the ground instead.

“No.” You say softly, shaking your head just the tiniest bit.

“Sorry?” James asks.

Surely he heard you wrong.

“I said no.” You repeat, louder this time, still avoiding his eyes as you finally rise from the stairs. “I’m not in the mood for company.”

You open the screen door only for James to gently close it. You turn around, frowning at him and he at least has the decency to look sorry.

“I’m afraid I wasn’t asking, love.” He says with a sheepish grin. “We’re here on official business from the Ministry.”

He pulls out his badge and holds it up for you to see. After a few seconds of James awkwardly standing in front of you with his badge in your face, he goes to put it away, only for you to pull it out of his hands.

He watches curiously as you continue to inspect the badge; turning it this way and that, looking from his identification card to him, tracing the metal badge itself with your finger before finally turning your attention back to him, eyes full of confusion.

“You're from a church?” You ask, gazing up at him through your lashes.

James swallows harshly.

“No, love.” He shakes his head. “Ministry of Magic? You know, the-“

Suddenly a loud bang rings out, followed by the sound of someone shrieking.

“What was that?” You ask, head whipping around towards the noise.

“The Ministry.” James sighs.

“You said you were the Ministry.” You argue, frowning in confusion as you stare up at him.

“Part of it, yeah.” He nods as you hear another door be kicked open, this one sounding closer. You flinch at the loud noise and James steps closer to you. Whether you’re aware of what you’re doing or not, you reach out and grab his hand.

“The part that doesn’t kick down doors?” You try to joke, only to flinch when another loud bang rings out. “What are they doing?” You finally ask.

“Looking for you.” James says with a grimace.

“Me? Why me? I haven’t done anything!”

“I know,” He nods, “It’s a long story. We’ll explain everything. But we have to go.”

Seeing as you’re still holding hands, James tries to lead you down the stairs, only to come to an abrupt stop as you try to pull your hand away.

“What are you-“

“Let go.” You command feebly, still trying to free your hand from his grasp.

“Love, we don’t have time for this.” James stresses, both of you flinching when another door is kicked down. “We have to go.”

“Don’t call me love.” You glare at him, still trying to pull your arm free. “I’m not going anywhere with you. I don’t know you!”

“Alright, fine! Whatever your name is! I know it doesn’t seem like it right now, but we’re the nice guys, okay? The guys out there have orders to use excessive force to bring you down.”

You stop squirming for only a second before starting to pull yourself free again.

“I can manage.” You continue to argue.

“Oh really? You can manage?” James asks incredulously. “Are you sure? Aurors, unspeakables, dementors, do you have any idea what they’re authorized to do to you? Horrible things. Painful things. Things of nightmares.”

“Why do you even care what happens to me?!” You ask him.

You and James hold each other's gaze, noses practically touching, breaths mingling together. James’ gaze drops down to your lips for a fleeting moment before locking onto your eyes again.

“I don’t know.” He finally answers.

“You don’t know me.” You tell him softly, finally pulling your hand free and taking a step back.

“I don’t have to know you to know that this is wrong.” He answers. “This- this is all just a huge misunderstanding. They think you’re a threat.”

“To who?”

“Everyone.”

You let out a sigh as the gravity of what he’s just told you sets in. You’ve been here less than twenty four hours and already there’s a bounty on your head.

“Come with us.” James asks, gesturing towards his friends, still standing by the gate. “We’ll take you to the Ministry and get this whole thing sorted.”

Crossing your arms, you look over your shoulder to stare at his friends, smiling the tiniest bit when the blonde one waves enthusiastically at you.

“I won’t let anything happen to you.” James promises, coming to a stop right in front of you.

You both hear when a group of aurors enter the inn, questioning the elderly woman at the front desk.

One last time, James holds his hand out, mentally begging you to take it.

“You can trust me.” He whispers with a nod.

For some reason, maybe because he looks so much like Pietro, you find yourself believing him. Without another word you place your hand in his, letting him lead you down the stairs and towards his friends.

“Great. We got the girl.” Sirius nods. “What’s next?”

“Get the hell outta dodge?” Remus guesses.

“Precisely.” James nods. “Everyone apparate to my house.”

“Your house?!” Everyone asks.

“They won’t think to look there.” He hurries to explain. “We need the heat to die down a bit before we can take her to the Ministry. If we walk in now, they’ll swarm her.”

“Not to mention Moody would kill you himself.” Peter mumbles.

“Yes, Wormtail. Thanks so much for that.” James nods with a sarcastic smile.

Peter looks up with wide eyes, embarrassed at having been heard as Sirius and Remus snicker in amusement.

“You know how to apparate, right?” James asks, coming to a stop right in front of you.

Apparate? You think to yourself. What the hell does that mean?

“Um. I-“ You stutter, suddenly scared for some reason, worried that they’ll leave you behind if they find out you don’t know how to do that. Whatever that is.

“Hey.” James calls softly, head ducking down to catch your gaze. “It’s okay.” He assures you with a kind smile. When he smiles at you like that he looks so much like Pietro it’s scary.

You sneak a quick glance at his friends before leaning closer to James, feeling embarrassed as you whisper the situation to him.

“I-I don’t.” You start, only to shake your head and try again. “I’ve never-“

“You’ve never apparated before?” James asks with wide eyes. “Where exactly are you from?”

“Uhm…”

“That’s alright! You can just hitch a ride with me.” He nods with a wink.

You let out a sigh of relief, nodding in appreciation.

“Fair warning, you will get dizzy. Just- close your eyes. Trust me, it’ll help.”

“Okay.” You nod, watching in shock as his friends simply pop away.

You turn back to James and see that he’s holding his hand out to you. Cautiously, you place your hand in his, not missing the way he smiles when you do. You look at your clasped hands and wonder how something can feel so familiar yet so completely foreign. James gives your hand a comforting squeeze and when you gaze up at him, he smiles reassuringly at you once more.

“If the ride gets too bumpy feel free to hold onto me, okay?”

You nod your head and then close your eyes, bracing yourself for whatever’s about to happen next.