Masterlist

masterlist

Part 1 of the Silk Series

mafia!Namjoon x reader

mafia! au, Arranged marriage! Au

7.6k words

mature 👁 (who am I?), romance, fluff, implied first time? (Or maybe just no one’s ever loved her right)

Hi guys! surprise! Guess who’s back with a brand new one shot? I’d had an idea I was so tempted to try. It was supposed to be really quick, maybe just a few hundred words- more a blurb than anything else- but very quickly grew into an almost 8 thousand word story in the course of a day. This is very different for me. I’ve never toyed with mafia! au’s, and I’ve never written a proper story with Namjoon. Halfway through, I even though of changing it to Hobi- but joon is just too perfect for this genre. This is the first time I’ve ever written or shared a story that got quite this intimate. Clearly, since it’s me, there’s still a ton of heart, but writing this part of a love story is very new for me- so posting this comes with quite a bit of vulnerability. Feedback would be amazing. The absolutely beautiful moodboard was made by the ethereally talented @today-we-will-survive . It suits the story so perfectly in every way. I even went back to tweak small details to match up with her picture selections after I saw the board because they were just so impeccable.

I hope you enjoy it! —Christiana 💕✨

—————————————————————

“There she is.”

His gravelly voice sent a chill down your spine as you entered the room, softly locking the door behind you. Rolling his head to the side, Namjoon met your eyes. His gaze was so enticing, so seductive in the dark, but his smile was warm as ever. You were a puddle in his hands the second his dimples showed up and he knew it. As his eyes lazily raked over you, he opened his arms in invitation.

“Come here, baby girl.” 

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us, from yesterday

❥ synopsis: when you broke up with jimin a year ago, you never expected to see him again. after all, the two of you were out of school and living in entirely different cities. the chances of meeting again were quite minuscule. that is, until your best friends announce their summer cruise wedding and you come face-to-face with the past you left behind and the love you wish you never lost.

❥ genre: fluff, angst, exes to lovers, wedding au

❥ warnings: explicit content, cursing, reader suffers from a little anxiety, mild violence

❥ word count: 53.7k

❥ playlist: galaxies by isabella richardson; one step closer by shane harper; nobody compares to you by gryffin; un-break my heart by toni braxton; can i by teddy; please notice by christian love; ruin my life by zara larsson; jealous by labrinth; in my head by peter manos; the only reason by 5 seconds of summer; feels like this by maisie peters; make it right by the jonas brothers; you love me by brighten; dancing with your ghost by sasha sloan; heartbreak anniversary by giveon; film out by bts; clarity by zedd ft. foxes; not angry by chris james; scars by miley cyrus; already mine by us the duo; dive by ed sheeran; if you love her by forest blakk; someone you hate by sasha sloan; miss me (when you’re gone) by will linley; remember that night by sarah kays; see you later by jenna raine; intro by sabrina carpenter; memory lane by haley joelle; and, you were good to me by jeremy zucker and chelsea cutler

❥ dedication: @yesalexus, thank you for always cheering me on and being so sweet. your compliments have a very special place in my heart. i know you have been waiting for this, so i really wanted to dedicate this to you especially. thank you for waiting. i hope you love it!

❥ author’s note: this fic has been a long time in the making. for some reason, i kept putting it off for weeks and weeks even though the premise for this was laid out and planned meticulously. maybe it was writer’s block or maybe it was just me being lazy. who knows? not me! haha. happy reading~!! :]

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---

esse tuus | pjm

esse tuus (latin) ↳ translation: to be yours

synopsis: You’ve been plagued by dreams of your boss ever since you started working for him to the point where you’re unable to “play” with anybody else. Frustration and possible lack of sleep has you feeling lethargic, to a point where you find yourself falling asleep at work, but little do you know that someone is behind it all.

part of the dulce somnii universe.

pairing: jimin x reader

wc: 9.8k

genre/au/rating: 18+ | incubus, office au, f2l | S, F

warnings: minor descriptions of injury, oral (f. receiving), fingering, heaps of feelings, orgasm denial/delay, sex dreams? name-calling, degradation, praise kink

lil note: happy birthday jimin <3 and happy halloween!

listening to: serendipity

m.list | ao3

The night sky only darkens with the evidence of rain. With most of its denizens asleep, the city winds down quietly while it waits for the storm to pass. Two men stand in the middle of the downpour, two sets of eyes staring at the same window – the third-floor apartment belonging to a woman, the only one awake in the otherwise quiet night. They’re silent, waiting with bated breath for the lights to turn off, so that no one could listen into their conversation, despite them surrounded by a powerful aura that shrouds their identities while wicking away the rain to keep their coats dry. As they say, you can’t be too careful when the walls have ears.

When the final inhabitant of the city surrenders to the call of sleep, their conversation begins.

“That’s her.” It isn’t a question, but Jimin nods in confirmation. “How long?” his companion asks, his deep voice clear despite the thundering stampede of rain colliding with the asphalt around them.

“Ever since I’ve known her,” Jimin replies wistfully. “Five years now.”

“I mean, aren’t you the same way? Isn’t that why you haven’t changed your form in nearly two years now?” he questions his tall companion curiously. “Surely that girl you were toying with is under your control by now, right? Why not move on to a different target, Tae?”

Taehyung doesn’t answer him immediately, the glare he throws at Jimin a sufficient reply. “It’s different,” he sighs after a heartbeat. “I don’t love her; I just need her to feed – to survive.”

“Bullshit,” Jimin counters with a roll of his eyes. “Pretend all you want, but you can’t fool me. I know the way you talk about her when you’re drunk.”

“It’s different,” Taehyung insists with a growl. Seizing Jimin’s shoulders, Taehyung’s golden eyes glint with irritation under the dim streetlight. “Because I’m not willing to give up my life for her… Unlike you,” he spits as he shakes his head. “I want you to think carefully about this. Are you sure you’re willing to give up your immortality, and eventually your powers, for a mere mortal?”

Jimin laughs, loud enough that it would normally wake everyone in the neighbourhood, but his powers have given him a gift of anonymity, so the sound is merely carried away by the wind. Instead of staring into the gilded eyes of his friend that mirrors the storm around them, he looks up at the darkened room again.

With a graceful smile, he peels Taehyung’s hands away from his shoulders before turning away to leave, away from this dreaded weather. Indifferent about whether Taehyung could hear him, Jimin’s ruby eyes twinkle as he grins, “Oh, I have never been surer.”

---

You’re not sure when the dreams started, but it was shortly after you started working under the new CEO, Park Jimin. They weren’t so frequent before, maybe happening about once or twice every couple of months with you recollecting bits and pieces come morning. Now, not only were the dreams occurring nightly, you’re left with an uncomfortable mess in the morning – made evident by the growing wet puddle soaking your sheets, but also the way you can no longer look at your boss without heat flaming your cheeks.

When you confide your issue with a good friend of yours, she only gave you a weird look, telling you that the dreams were attributed to the fact that: (a) your boss is fine as hell; and (b) the stress that’s been accumulating with the mountain of tasks he’s assigned to you.

“If you want my opinion, I think you just need to get laid,” Jessie scoffs with a roll of her eyes.

Heeding her advice, you donned on your battle armour that consisted of a dark-red dress with a plunging neckline. You’ve been blessed that night with an array of beautiful men who vied for your attention, but even after deciding to go home with the mysterious soft-spoken one whose arm was covered in tattoos, you couldn’t go through with it.

It’s not that he was bad in bed either. The raven-haired boy had kissed you like there was no tomorrow, sending your nerves aflame as you reciprocated his passion. But, as you closed your eyes in pleasure when he laid you down on his bed, his visage was replaced by a certain blonde CEO. And the wonderful night that seemed so promising ended up with you apologizing profusely in embarrassment before speeding away from the mystery man’s apartment at 2am.

Rain has graced the earth more often lately, so by the time you reach your apartment in the outskirts of the city, you’re drenched, adding another tick of irritation to the already shitty night. After you finished towelling your hair dry, you decided that it’s time to sleep, and when you drifted into the abyssal darkness, you hoped that your dreams weren’t plagued by a familiar swoop of blonde hair.

---

The room spins as you attempt to make sense of your surroundings. There’s a hand on your shoulder that shakes you gently, but try as you might, the pounding in your head makes it impossible for you to keep your eyes open long enough to distinguish its owner.

“Breathe,” says a familiar voice. “It’ll go away if you just breathe.”

You do as the voice suggests, inhaling deeply while screwing your eyes shut, in hopes that it will drown out the ringing in your ears. Something soft glides across your eyelids and like magic, silence returns, a trusty companion.

Gingerly, you open an eye before wincing at the harsh fluorescent light. You blink a few times to allow your eyes to adjust to the brightness before finding yourself in the file room of your office, with steel shelves stacked with various kinds of blue binders, each containing reports of the company’s financial burdens and achievements through the years.

And in front of you, tie askew and flushed in the face, is your boss; the one and only Park Jimin.

He has you pressed up against a file cabinet, caging your body between two strong arms, white sleeves rolled to the elbows. You notice the hint of ink on the corner of your eye – a 13 on his wrist. You open your mouth to ask him about its significance, only to close it back up when his face looms closer.

Before your brain has a chance to register what’s happening, Park Jimin kisses you.

He kisses you with urgency, but not with haste – undoing you with every sweep of his plush lips against yours.

Though it takes you a moment, you pull him closer by his tie, earning you the familiar quiet chuckle that speeds your heart rate, and you too, kiss him back with fervour. Even when the inches between your bodies fall to zero, you want him to be closer still. And when he parts, you feel the ache of being torn apart. Your hands fall to his chest, the desire to rip the buttons off his white dress-shirt grows stronger with every second that passes as you study the swell of his lips, wet with saliva, glinting in the light.

“Do it.”

It takes you a second to register his words, but when your brain deciphers his meaning, your hands tighten their grip, wrinkling the white cotton fabric. With a heavy inhale, you yank. The buttons don’t fly off and clatter to the ground like in movies, but your strength did cause a few to strain against their threads. You run your hands down the expanse of Jimin’s chest as he shivers under your touch. You look up to see a marvel stand before you; one where his eyes are closed, and pretty mouth slightly parted to accommodate his staccato breathing.

“Kiss me.” Your words seem to be carried away with the hum of air conditioning, but before you have a chance to repeat yourself, Jimin slams into you, tangling his hand in your hair to tighten the hold he has on your head.

The cabinet clatters as he pairs the kisses with a buck of his hips, dragging his clothed erection up to your core; and you moan, your voice foreign in your own ears. You beg him for more as his nose trails the column of your throat, your own impatient hands fumbling to unbuckle his belt.

“Patience, my dear,” Jimin chides playfully. He puts a stop to your unsuccessful efforts by claiming your hands, kissing the knuckles with a smirk. You’re left stricken when his eyes meet yours, hypnotized by the ruby irises that stare deep into your soul.

“Your eyes… Were they… always that colour?” you mumble with a tongue that weighs like lead, but the fog descends on your mind again, rendering you incapable of speech.

“Ah!” you screech. The sudden high-pitch ring returns to block your senses and you cover your ears tightly to try and shake it off. From the din, you hear Jimin call your name desperately, but the pain is too great, and soon, you’re unable to see as a bright light consumes your vision—

Until you sense the same gentle swipe against your closed lids and the searing pain disappears, as though you imagined it all. When you open your eyes again, Jimin’s frowning. You try to remember the last few moments before the pain, only to draw a blank. Have you done something to upset him?

“Are you okay?” There’s a thin sheen of sweat above his brows and you reach out to wipe it away with your sleeve.

“I am,” he whispers despite the obviously pained smile. “But what were you saying?”

“Hm? I only asked if you were okay, sir,” you say hesitantly. Jimin’s acting strangely, ruby irises scouring your face desperately for an answer, but you’re not sure you know the questions to the test he’s given you.

“You were about to say something about my eyes,” he says slowly, evenly, like he’s explaining something to a child.

Your brows furrow. “I was?”

Jimin nods.

“I… don’t remember,” you admit with a shake of your head. Blinking at him now, you wonder why you would make such a comment – if you did. There isn’t anything wrong with his eyes. They’re the usual ruby red, flashing brightly against the light… right?

Yet, you can’t shed the nagging tug, the insistent voice in your brain that’s telling you that something’s wrong, but just as the low throb begins again, Jimin smiles sweetly, like he always does, and you feel at ease. A gentle brush of his knuckles against your cheek silences the part of your brain that’s trying to rationalize everything.

And when his lips return to glide against yours, you don’t remember what it was you were worried about.

“Oh—” You gasp into the kiss as his hand trails shapes on the skin of your thighs. Jimin takes the opportunity to kiss you deeper, swiping his tongue over your own. While you tangle your fingers in his hair, he hikes up your skirt and cups his hand over your pussy before he grinds your clit with the heel of his palm.

“Jimin—” Your fingers dig into his neck as you roll your hips into his hand. All of it is too little and too much, you’re unravelling too quickly – burning like a comet as you hurtle into his atmosphere.

Yet Jimin doesn’t stop, refuses to comply though you sob for his fingers; his cock; anything – to satiate the unbearable need to be filled. You claw at his arms, unable to fret over the long red lines you draw across the expanse of his skin. And just when you think you can no longer hang on, Jimin stops, a regretful smile on his face.

“What a shame. That’s all the time we have for now.”

---

“Holy shit!”

You’re up immediately, Jimin’s words still ringing in your ear. You swear you could still feel his hot breath against your skin, as though he was here the night before, but the absence of a warm body next to you signifies that last night was all but a dream.

Yet… it was so much more real than the ones prior.

Usually, you’d wake up recalling just the barest of details: Jimin’s lips curling into a smile or the way he’d coo your name as he draws patterns on your skin. But this time… you remembered everything; your mind highlighting every mole on his perfect porcelain face.

You wanted nothing more than to soothe the ache from between your legs but glancing at the wall clock on the opposite end of your bed suggests that you won’t have time to bring out Mr. Rabbit to play, considering that you have about 15 minutes to get ready before you miss the bus. With a regretful sigh, you left the warm comfort of your bed to brave the day.

---

“Good morning!”

Despite the enthusiastic chatter you’re engaging with your co-workers, you feel anything but. You’re still reeling from the dream, unable to stop recalling the way Jimin’s cool fingers brush against your blazing skin. You leave the pantry with a steaming cup of coffee and a heaving sigh before settling down to work.

Your calendar is full of reds and greens, indicating meetings that Jimin must attend and the ones you must attend with him respectively. A secretary to the CEO is a task that would normally require two people, but ever since your partner left, you’ve been left to work the pace of two people. Though Jimin has suggested that you hire a second person, you have refused, claiming that you’re saving the company resources since you’re capable of doing the tasks just fine on your own. Being so close to Jimin fills you with pride, especially knowing how much he relies on you to keep things running smoothly.

Fortunately, it also comes with you receiving a significant raise, much more than what you’d originally entered with. You have no doubt Jimin is to thank for that, having convinced the Chairman in a meeting to renegotiate the contract. Speaking of your boss, the time on the lower right corner of your screen indicates that he’s late – something that has never happened before in your five years of working together.

Just as your thumb hovers over the green call button, Jimin enters with a brilliant smile, greeting everyone and asking about their weekend. You’re almost annoyed at the way he nonchalantly enters through the door, acting like it doesn’t matter that he’s a few minutes late just because he’s the boss, but mostly because it isn’t fair that he’s doing just fine when you’re left stunned in your shoes; the memories of the dream lingering in the forefront of your mind when your gaze drops to his hands.

You snap to attention as he approaches, slipping on a mask of professionalism as you greet him. “Good morning, Mr. Park. You have a nine o’clock this morning and another one at eleven. Should I bring you the coffee now or in a little bit?”

As Jimin enters his office, he gives you a noncommittal hum, so you follow him inside and close the door behind you, sensing that there’s something in his mind.

“That skirt looks good on you,” he praises with a smile before settling in his desk.

You’re left momentarily speechless, surprised at the sudden compliment. You nod your head in thanks, one Jimin returns with another quirk of his lips. As you stand there in silence as he pulls up his laptop, you allow yourself to admire Jimin in the morning light.

You’d be remiss to say that he isn’t handsome. Everyone in the office, including yourself, may have pined for the young CEO’s attention once or twice since his arrival a few years ago, but you don’t delude yourself into thinking that the harmless banter between you was anything more than friendship. However, it’s moments like these, where he’d catch you off guard with his compliments, that has your heart thumping a little bit faster in response to his honeyed words.

He says your name with a chuckle. “Have I lost you already?” he smiles. You clear your throat and shake your head, stumbling out apologies for daydreaming at work, but Jimin only smiles wider, drumming his fingers on the oak table below.

“Please tell me if you’re not feeling well. Don’t make me worry,” he nags lightly.

You force a bright smile to hide your embarrassment. “I’m feeling just fine, Mr. Park. Better than ever,” you reassure him. “Sorry for spacing out, what were you saying?”

You catch the slight frown on his pouty lips and the strange shadow that flickers in his eyes, the obsidian melting into soft earth under the sun—

Wait a minute.

“Were your eyes always brown?” you blurt out, tilting your head to the side.

Jimin blinks in surprise, lips parted as he inhales sharply at your question. “I’m… sorry?” he mutters incredulously.

Silence.

There’s a creeping feeling of déjà vu as you’re unable to tear your eyes away from his. Something is amiss in this image in front of you, but you haven’t figured it out just yet.

Then, a chuckle, though it sounds strained and airy as Jimin breaks through your thoughts. “Of course, my eyes are brown. What other colours could they possibly be?”

An unpleasant fog descends on your mind, and you close your eyes momentarily to see if it’ll go away. When it doesn’t, your heart increases its speed instead, you offer him a pinched smile before turning to leave. You’re more tired than usual it seems, standing is starting to become impossible. You hope that a few hours of sitting at your desk would make you feel better.

“Right. Of course. My apologies, sir. Well, if you’ll excuse me…”

Just as you turn around to grab the handle of the door, your vision turns hazy, the images blurring together like remnants from your dreams. You try to blink through the fog, but the more you attempt to push through, the heavier your lids fall. Whatever Jimin is muttering is muffled in your ears, the language sounding foreign like he’s communicating underwater. When you turn around and see him stand, approaching your helpless swaying figure, he’s nothing more than a dark silhouette.

Before you descend into darkness, you think you saw a pair of ruby eyes and a voice, so full of regret, whispers in your ear.

“Sleep now, you’ll feel better when you wake up. I promise.”

---

When you finally blink awake, there’s a black jacket covering your body. It takes you a few seconds to register that you’re lying on a semi-familiar sectional, and you scramble to stand when you recognize the numerous awards decorating the wall in front of you.

The sun casts hues of oranges and yellow from the large window into Jimin’s office and you watch in horror as the door opens to reveal your boss walking inside with a mug in hand.

“Mr. Park! I…” You don’t have an excuse ready for what happened: how you dozed off on his couch for an entire workday.

Jimin holds up a hand to stop your floundering speech. Instead of fury, worry exists in the lines of his brows as he approaches your seated figure. “You should have told me that you weren’t feeling well,” he murmurs gently as he hands you the mug of steaming hot tea. “I’m sorry. I really should have hired a new partner for you when Soyoung quit.”

“N-No. Not at all. I’m sorry for making you worry.”

To your pleasant surprise, he smiles. “No, please. Don’t apologize. As your manager, I’m taking responsibility for going against the company policy. Your job is meant for two people, and though you’ve done a stellar job so far, this only proves that we need to hire someone else.”

Jimin wouldn’t dig at your work ethic like that, you know it better than anyone that it wasn’t what he meant, but you still feel like you disappointed him. You let your heart sink for a few minutes before picking it back up, a new fire of ambition surging behind your eyes. “Mr. Park, if I may be so bold, today is an anomaly. You’ve said yourself that I’ve done a stellar job, so please…”

“Why are you so intent on doing this by yourself?”

Okay, so maybe the teensy crush you’ve developed for him hasn’t fully gone away. You can’t answer his question without revealing your secret, so you merely repeat ‘Please’ with your head bowed.

Silence stifles the air around you as Jimin thinks. “All right, fine,” he says with a reluctant sigh, though his lips quirk into a smile at your insistence. “But please tell me if you start feeling unwell again. Seriously, it’s better you stay home than coming to work sick.”

“Thank you,” you beam gratefully at him before taking a sip at your tea. It tastes pleasant, despite you not being able to pinpoint the flavour. Chamomile maybe? As you finish the last sip, you stand and make your way outside, intent on staying late to catch up on all the work you’ve missed today.

You relay as much to Jimin, but he stops you as you open the door to his office. “Would you do me a favour and grab these files from the file room?” he asks as he hands you a sticky note filled with corresponding dates and numbers. “Now would be preferable, but I’m not leaving any time soon. Oh, and be careful. I think a few of them are placed on the higher shelves.”

His warning falls on deaf ears as you scrutinize the numbers on the note. Strange. Why was he looking for records all the way back to when the company was founded? Figuring that it isn’t your problem, you promise that you’ll bring him the documents in a bit…

Which turns out to be the biggest promise you regret making thus far.

“Ow…” you whimper.

Your ankle stings where you had landed on it, having failed to grab the last file you need, which just so happens to also be placed at the highest shelf. The step ladder you used to reach it wasn’t tall enough, and despite standing on your tiptoes, your fingers barely graze the bottom of the folder. Your fate was sealed when your distracted brain started thinking about the dream you had the night before.

When you attempt to stand to clean the mess you’ve made, gravity pulls you back down when your injured leg is unable to support your weight. Now, you’re sitting on the ground littered with papers, unable to call anyone for help with the shitty cell service in the file room.

Tears well up in your eyes when you think of your sorry state. Would Jimin fire you for your incompetence? Probably not, but it’s been an embarrassing day so far, especially since you spent most of it dozing off on his office couch that’s usually reserved for his guests. You wonder how he fared with all his meetings that you couldn’t attend with him – what sorts of excuses had he come up with when they asked where you were?

“God, I’m pathetic.”

Just as you’re wallowing in your self-pity, the door to the file room opens and you spy Jimin’s blonde hair between the empty shelves.

“Over here,” you answer pitifully when he calls your name.

You can almost see the comically large, pulsing angry symbol as he frowns at your slumped figure.

“I told you to be careful!” he grumbles as he surveys your foot. You cry out when his fingers graze at the ankle, the tears you’ve been holding onto slipping away down your cheeks. Jimin’s eyes soften at your whimpers, and with a gentleness you didn’t know he possesses at the moment; he wipes away your tears with his thumb. “Don’t cry. It’s not broken,” he whispers reassuringly. “It’s a little swollen, but I promise you’re going to be better in the morning. Can you stand?”

You shake your head, hiccupping a ‘No’.

“Okay, put your arms around my neck. Yep. Just like that. Now, hold on,” he instructs before lifting you up.

“W-Wait,” you protest as he carries you in the direction of his office. “Aren’t I heavy?”

You could feel the rumbling of his laughter with your cheek pressed against his chest. He chuckles as though you couldn’t have asked a sillier question. “Of course not. You weigh nothing more than a couple of grapes.”

You pray gratefully to whatever deity can hear you because when he turns around the corner, the office is otherwise empty, save for the janitor that has his back turned. Your cheeks are so heated that you plant your face further into his chest, refusing to look at your surroundings. You stopped wondering if Jimin could hear the manic pounding of your heart when you hear his, and you carry that secret with you until you hear the door click shut.

---

Jimin rests you gently on his desk before retrieving a first aid kid from your desk outside of his office. He’s gentle as he examines your foot, taking care not to move it around too much and risk injuring it further.

“Okay, you’re definitely good, but make sure to ice it when you get home, okay? And please call into work if you can’t move tomorrow. I have faith that you absolutely can do your job from home,” he smiles confidently.

True to his word, the sharp pain has since ebbed into a dull throb as you twist your ankle around. Perhaps if you stayed in the file room longer, you wouldn’t have risked embarrassing yourself in front of Jimin, but you won’t lie – you enjoyed being wrapped up in his arms as he carried you into his office.

“Thank you,” you mumble, shifting forward to stand.

“Nuh-uh,” Jimin tuts, stopping you in your tracks with a gentle nudge on your shoulder. “That doesn’t mean you’re good to go anywhere, missy. You’re staying here until I finish my work so I can drive you home.”

“But…” you protest, only to have the words die in your throat when he shakes his head firmly. Relenting to his decision, you agree. “Only if I can buy dinner,” you persuade.

“Deal,” Jimin replies with a grin.

---

When the food arrives, you’re mostly done with catching up with your tasks, having worked through most of the evening in silence after Jimin retrieved your laptop from your desk. You didn’t realize you were starving until he returned with a giant white plastic bag’s worth of food. You weren’t sure what he’d like, so you got one of everything, allowing yourself to splurge a little bit after he took care of you that afternoon. Hell, the entire day.

“God, I’m starving,” you comment, closing your laptop to place it on the coffee table in front of you.

Your stomach grumbles louder with each plastic container Jimin opens, the smell of spices mingling deliciously in the air.

“I don’t even know where to start,” he grins, tapping on the plastic plate that was provided in your massive order. “Do you want me to bring the food over to you or can you stand?”

You test your ankle a few times by standing slowly, making sure to put most of your weight on the other leg. Finding your balance is a little tricky, but you’re happy to report that you’re able to at least hobble over to his desk without any chance of falling.

“Careful…” he mumbles as he watches you, arms outstretched as if he’s ready to catch you should you slip and fall. You have no doubt that Jimin would be able to do it too.

“See, I’m fine?” you grin with a roll of your eyes, scooping out some rice and every other side dish that catches your eye.

Jimin joins you on the couch, a hand holding his large stack of food while the other hovers over your elbow despite your protests. As you settled in and began eating, it’s only then that you realized how, dare you say, intimate this was. Of course, you’ve had plenty of company related outings where you end up in a restaurant with just Jimin, but that’s mostly during the day. And here, in his office so late in the evening, the surroundings are akin to a candle-lit dinner, especially since he decided to turn all the lights off aside from his sole table lamp, casting dancing shadows on his face that make your insides flop around while you attempt to focus on your plate instead of his gorgeous face.

When the rest of your dinner has been put away, you’re now left with a limbo in your schedule. On one hand, it’s approaching 9pm, and you still have work tomorrow, so you really should get going, but watching Jimin settle back into his chair, round glasses perched on his nose as he returned to his tasks, you’re reluctant to part from him.

“Do you normally work this late, sir?”

You weren’t paying attention when he had taken off his tie and unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt, but right now, with the sliver of skin on his chest exposed, he doesn’t look like the CEO you’ve worked under for several years now. In fact, you’re reminded just then that you’re about the same age, still relatively young and fresh-faced, and surely the hours he put in outside of work is the reason why he’s able to attain this prestigious title today. Jimin doesn’t reply to your question right away, mumbling a ‘one moment’ under his breath as he types.

“I don’t normally stay this late,” he sighs, rubbing his eyes underneath his glasses. “But a certain secretary of mine decided to play Sleeping Beauty on me today, so I have a bit more work that needs to be done.”

You open your mouth to apologize, but you’re cut off by his boyish grin. “I’m just kidding,” he teases with a wink.

“Well, umm, I should probably clean up the files since I’m mostly done with what I have to do for tomorrow,” you mutter sheepishly.

“Sure, don’t get hurt this time, all right?”

“That’s cold, sir,” you pout at his teasing grin. “My ankle is still a bit numb from the pain.”

You leave Jimin’s office accompanied by the sound of his sweet laughter, and when the door closes shut behind you, you can’t help but lean against it for a moment, smiling to yourself.

---

You spend way too long picking up the scattered papers from the floor due to your earlier injury. By the time you are done, Jimin appears, peeking his head in to ask how you’re doing. You gesture at the stacks of folders on the nearby table in triumph, proud that you were able to complete such a task.

“Colour me impressed.” Jimin examines the stack of folders in admiration, praising you for a job well done.

“Thank you, but this was the least I could do after making such a mess.”

He hums as he surveys the stack, flipping through the first few pages before placing them back down. “I’ll help you carry these upstairs. I wouldn’t want to be sued for negligence,” he chuckles as he picks up a stack.

Ever considerate, Jimin left you a stack to carry by yourself, so you don’t feel useless. You can only grin as you follow him into the elevators (and you may have stolen a few more glances than usual while you were waiting).

“Ah, look how late it’s gotten,” Jimin comments when the two of you reach his office. The old grandfather clock he keeps in there rings eleven times, but despite the lateness of the evening, you’ve yet to feel tired.

After placing your stack of folders onto his desk, you approach the clock out of curiosity. It stands out of place in the modern-looking office, the ornate swirls on the wood a great contrast to most of the sleek black furniture. It’s the first thing you notice when you first meet Jimin in the office all those years ago. You never had a chance to ask him what it’s about despite being so close… and you realize that tonight was a rare occasion for you to satiate that curiosity of yours.

Your fingers trace the swan etched on the side of the clock, admiring the way it comes alive in the wood, wings spread out as though it’s about to take flight in front of you. “What’s the story about this clock? It looks older than I am.”

Jimin looks up from where he sits, gazing warmly at your profile while you play with a relic from his past. “Oh, him?” he smiles fondly, leaning back on his chair. “He’s been with me for over 200 years or so? I’m surprised he still works, to be honest.”

You can only gape in surprise. “You mean this clock has been in your family for over 200 years?”

A shadow passes over Jimin’s face. “…Not quite,” he mutters, though he’s not sure you heard him. “Anyway, he’s given to me by a friend. It’s the only furniture I carry with me from my house every time I get a grand office to myself,” he gestures at the room, splaying his arms wide.

Your fondness for him grows as he talks wistfully about the clock like it's alive. It suits him, you think, how he treats everyone with such kindness, you’re not surprised that it extends to objects as well. Turning back to face the clock, you sigh, knowing that it probably is time for you to leave if you don’t want to risk being late tomorrow morning.

“Well, if there’s nothing else, sir, I think I’ll get going now.”

Jimin looks at the clock and nods, and to your surprise, he stands up from his desk, placing his glasses on top of his keyboard before offering an arm towards you. “All right, I’ll walk you to your car. It’s awfully late and I don’t want anything to happen to my favourite secretary.”

The compliment makes you laugh, butterflies threatening to burst from your stomach. “I believe I’m your only secretary, sir.”

“Ah, I meant what I said,” he winks.

Just as you’re crossing the threshold of his office, your heels catch on the edge of his rug, sending you tumbling forward with a yelp. You expect your flailing arms to catch yourself when you hit the floor, but the impact never comes because Jimin’s suddenly right there, strong arms holding your waist as his eyes expand in shock.

“Are you all right!?” he half-shouts. “You really should be more careful!”

You can barely listen to his nagging because your hands are pressed on his sculpted chest, a sliver of skin peeking through from where he undid the first two buttons of his dress shirt. Your breath hitches in your throat as you graze the heated skin with your fingertips, and you hear Jimin inhale sharply – whatever words he was uttering caught in his throat as he zeroes in on your hands.

He whispers your name oh-so quietly, caressing every syllable with his tongue, and you slowly bring your eyes to his face. Jimin traps you in his hypnotizing gaze, never letting you break away, not even when your heart pounds so loudly against your ribcage, you’re sure it’s about to breakthrough; not even when your breaths turn into shallow staccatos, your head beginning to swim from the lack of oxygen. You can sense the strong emotion that rests behind those knowing eyes, and as you continue to stare, you wonder if it matches the one you hold in yours.

“Why do you look at me like that?” you murmur.

“Like what?”

“Like you want to kiss me?” You didn’t mean to make it sound like a question, but your voice catches in your throat when Jimin leans in, his eyes drooping close.

“Do you want me to kiss you?” he whispers, lips ghosting over yours, faces merely inches apart.

“Yes.”

The breathless affirmation barely left you when Jimin attaches his lips to yours, kissing you with the same urgency that you’ve felt in your dreams, only this time it’s real. One of his hands travel from your waist to cup the side of your face, his thumb swiping against your cheek. He catches the bottom of your lip with his teeth, tugging it lightly to make you moan against his hold.

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this,” he rasps into your skin as he undoes your blouse. “To touch you; to kiss you this way… You’ll be the death of me.” Every word is punctuated with a searing kiss, his lips setting your skin ablaze when he passes by your neck, your jaw, your collarbone.

“Ah—Jimin,” you gasp, tugging the ends of his blonde locks as you wrap your legs around his waist.

Jimin lifts you up with little effort, his mouth never leaving your neck until he sets you down gently on his desk; his things thrown haphazardly on the floor below with a sweep of his arm.

“Beautiful,” he mumbles at your half-naked state. His thumb swipes over a pebbled nipple, causing you to arch your back with a whimper. He lets his nail scratch gently along the sides of your breasts, almost absentmindedly, while he watches your reactions with amusement. “Would you let me see all of you?”

All you can muster is a breathy ‘Please’.

You help him remove the remainders of your clothing to join the mess on the floor, your body shivering as you lay naked on his desk. Jimin hums as he traces your curves with the palm of his hand, until he reaches the apex of your thighs. “Let me take care of you first, yeah?”

With wide eyes, you watch him sink to the floor while his strong hands push your legs apart to reveal your glistening slit. Jimin breathes in deeply as he kisses along your thighs, his lips leaving a trail of reminders before he dives in.

“Jimin…” you whimper as he drags the flat of his tongue along your folds.

Jimin notices the way your spine locks in place when he repeats the action. “Relax for me, sweetheart. I got you.” A hand reaches out from below to intertwine with yours and he gives you a firm squeeze before resuming his task.

He starts out slow – dragging the flat of his tongue across your folds while his remaining hand circles around your entrance. You’re left shaking where you lay, unable to connect your thoughts together to stammer out a coherent sentence. All that’s left in your brain is his name, increasingly becoming permanent with every second that goes by.

When he feels your body relax underneath him, Jimin prods your entrance with his tongue, sinking in and out of your hole as you pulse around him before he replaces it with a finger, and then two. You hiss at the slight burn, squeezing the hand you’re holding into a tight grip.

“Relax,” he reminds you gently, swiping his thumb across your pale knuckles. “Focus on nothing else but me.”

“More…” you mewl, shivering under his grip. “Praise me more.”

Jimin chuckles, shaking his head in disbelief. Instead of a sassy remark, you receive the soothing lilt in his voice. “Good girl,” he whispers. “My good girl. You’re doing so well; look at this cunt greedily sucking me in.”

You’re lavished in praise, though his voice shifts into a deep growl with every coax of his fingers inside you. And when his thumb swipes across your clit, the tight tether you held onto slowly unravels.

“Are you close, sweetheart? God, you’re really tight,” he hisses before replacing his thumb with his mouth. “You’re gonna be a good girl and cum on my fingers, right?”

“Yes,” you breathe, burning like a thousand suns under his attention. “I’m so close!”

“Let go for me. I’m right here,” Jimin reassures you in whispers before silencing himself with your taste.

“Jimin!”

You think you screamed, but you can’t be too sure, not when your body is pulled apart and pieced together as you come undone before him. You’ve never had an orgasm like this – a great abyss threatening to pull you under as the waves slams against your wavering figure repeatedly. Through it all, Jimin drinks your essence, his sleeves soaked through as he continues to thrust into your walls.

“I can’t—not anymore,” you protest weakly.

“You can and you will. You’re my good girl, aren’t you?” Your feeble attempts to push his head away stop at his emphasis. “That’s it,” Jimin praises as your hand returns to your side before planting a series of kisses along your folds, “Just relax one more time for me, okay?”

Jimin is by no means gentle this time around, slipping a third finger inside before increasing his pace. His once sweet words morph into growls laced with passion, washing your body aflame with desire. “God, you’re so fucking tight. This tiny cunt can barely fit my fingers, I’m not certain you’ll be able to fit all of me inside,” he grunts. “Do you think you can handle the stretch?”

You can barely keep your eyes open through his taunts, your mind spiralling out of control as you focus on the pleasure derived from his fingers. The answer you give him is intelligible, a choked whine of his name in place of agreement.

“Oh?” Jimin lifts an eyebrow at your state. “Too fucked out to talk already? I’ve barely started,” he chuckles. “What’s wrong, baby?” In his dangerously low voice, the otherwise cute pet name sounds demeaning. “Are my fingers too much for you?”

He tuts in disapproval when a beat lapses without a coherent response. Then, like sweet torture, his pace switches into a snail’s crawl. “I don’t know if you can take me in if you’re this out of it with just my fingers. Squeeze my hand once if you want to continue. Twice if you want to stop.”

“No!” The protest you utter is whiny and grating to your ears, and your attempt to sit up fails when your body refuses to peel itself away from his desk. “Don’t stop, please? So close.” That was… barely a sentence, but you beg silently that it does the job. Remembering his request, you squeeze the hand you’re holding once to reassure him.

Jimin smiles at your resilience. “Okay, but we’ll go slow this time. Ah, ah,” he tuts when you begin to whine. “Slow or not at all. Your choice.”

You grit your teeth at the illusion of choice, but the pace he’s set doesn’t seem so bad at all. With a great sigh, you relent to his wishes. “Slow,” you whisper. “We can go slow. I promise I’ll be good, sir.”

“Sir?” he muses with a raised brow. “Hmm… Well, I do like the sound of that. And what about you? Do you like ‘sweetheart’,” he plants a kiss on your thigh. You shiver. “…’baby’,” another kiss, this time higher, “…’pet’?” Jimin replaces his fingers with his mouth as he makes out with your cunt, his tongue slipping in and out of your pulsing hole. Face soaked with your arousal; he returns his fingers in their rightful place, eyes glinting with mischief as he fucks you slowly. “Or maybe, you prefer something harsher… how about ‘slut’?” Jimin attaches his mouth on your clit, grazing the nub ever-so-gently with his teeth.

Your gasp slips into a moan at the spine-chilling sensation, your eyes rolling back. “Love it—ah! Call me whatever you w-want.”

“My good, pretty slut. So turned on she’s making a mess all over my desk. I’m sure the smell will linger for days,” he chuckles into your skin. “Oh, look at you, clenching hard around my fingers. You like the thought of me walking inside my office tomorrow and thinking of you, huh? I’ve always known you were territorial. Isn’t that why you won’t let me hire a partner for you? Staking your claim as the only person that always has access to me?” At your subtle nod, his smile widens into a mischievous grin. “Looks like I was wrong about you being good. You’re a naughty thing, aren’t you?”

Jimin couldn’t help the taunts coming out from his mouth, the true nature of his being – the need to corrupt – showing itself through the cracks in the control he wields. And you… so responsive, beyond anything he’s ever imagined. Your body is so sensitive that it doesn’t require him to use his powers at all. Maybe the dreams he’s been poisoning you with have taken affect. The thought saddens him somehow. Could this not have happened without the use of his powers after all? Was he nothing without them?

Caught in his thoughts, Jimin doesn’t realize the stutter in his movements. He’s about to apologize when you interrupt him, as you assume that it’s your fault for not responding to his questions. “Sir, please! I swear I’m a good girl. Please don’t stop… I’m so close.”

His spirits lift at the sight of you mewling before him, your body jumping with every crook of his fingers inside. No, he thinks, it’s time for him to focus on you and nothing else, resonating with his earlier advice. He releases a little bit of his power, letting it mingle with the air to heighten your senses. “If you’re so good, cum for me then,” he breathes, drowning you in praise and kisses along your heated skin. “One more time. Let me hear you call my name one more time.”

“Jimin—” you obey, breathless and shaking. “Jimin.”

His name is a prayer etched upon your lips and with every inhale, Jimin’s unaware of the mark he’s left, not just riddled along your skin, but at the very core of your heart. This time, when you come undone, it’s with a blazing inferno, your body calling out to your release and a strong desire for him to be yours.

“That’s it. Let go.”

So, you do. With your heart trapped in your throat, pounding along to the tune of his fingers; with your nails scratching the back of his hand that you’ve held through the entire duration; and with all your adoration, pouring out from every crevice you didn’t know existed in your body.

This time, when you beg him to stop, Jimin listens. He stands to claim your lips sweetly, engulfing them with his, a slow kindling in comparison to before. Your eyes can barely open, but when you manage to peek, you see the knot of concentration resting on his brows. The smile finds its way into the kiss, one that Jimin reciprocates. It doesn’t matter that you can taste your saltiness on his tongue, because all that exists now is Jimin.

Jimin, your attentive boss, who’s always had his team’s best interest in mind.

Jimin, the harmless flirt, who reminds you every day that you’re beautiful when he catches you staring at your reflection in the mirror with a cocky grin.

Jimin, colleague, friend, and hopefully lover.

You intertwine your arms around his neck to pull him deeper, closer, until there’s not an inch of air between your bodies. What you’re doing hardly constitutes as kissing – lips gliding across each other. Exhaustion seeps into your bones, making them heavier than before. When you part, there’s beautiful silence, a serenity created from unspoken words, though there’s a quiet certainty that both parties feel the same way despite their unshared feelings.

“Jimin, I…” you begin to whisper, the confession sitting idly on your tongue. Your lids are heavy, refusing to open despite your desire to see his face. “That was incredible.”

Jimin nuzzles his face on the crook of your neck, breathing you in, sweat and all. “Satisfied?”

You chuckle breathlessly, a shaky hand absentmindedly playing with his hand. “I don’t know if I can stand, injury aside. I’m pretty sure my legs are wobbly.”

“I can always carry you to your car,” he hums. “Better yet, let me take you home.”

“I’d like that very much.”

Jimin helps you up with a firm hand on your back before handing you the clothes he threw earlier on the floor. When your hands are too shaky to loop the buttons of your blouse, he chuckles and takes over, so you take the time to admire his beauty – at the now-messy blonde hair that frames the sides of his face, a complete disarray compared to his normal slicked-back look; at his cheeks, dotted crimson from exertion; and all the way to the satisfied smirk resting on that perfect pout. Oh, you can kiss him all day.

Naturally, your gaze gravitates to his eyes, and you smile when you notice his expanded pupils, how they almost engulf the crimson of his irises that they’re almost black.

…Crimson?

Your hand wraps around his wrist to stop his current task while your eyes search his face for an explanation.

At the death grip circling around his wrists, he stares into your wide eyes with confusion. “Is there something on my face?”

“Red,” is all you say, a whisper of disbelief, but it’s enough for Jimin to connect the dots.

There’s a crack in his carefully constructed façade.

“Shit!” He rips his hands away to turn around and shield his eyes from yours. Jimin has used his power the entire day, and now he’s left spent, an empty battery, unable to erase your memory and change his appearance. He tries to think of an excuse – something to put you at ease for now, but nothing would make sense, and his panicking brain has left the building in lieu of aiding him.

Red. Just like your dreams. The feeling of déjà vu, the heavy fog that puts you to sleep… was it all his doing? Your face pales into horror as you look for an answer in his quaking shoulders. It couldn’t be… right?

“Are you the reason for my dreams?” You had to make sure. He can’t be the reason for it… right? When he doesn’t respond, you leave the desk and approach his figure. “Jimin?”

Just before your hand touches his back, Jimin moves away. “Stay back,” he murmurs in warning. “I… I didn’t want you to find out this way.”

You retract your hand away, but you’re firm in your stance, refusing to move until you have an explanation. “Tell me. Just who are you?”

Jimin struggles with his options. Erasing your memory is the safest bet, but it’s a power he has yet to master. The fickle nature of the magic would mean that he’d risk losing this entire night with you. Going back to your relationship before would be agony. There was no way he’d be able to be the same boss, you’d spy the longing on his face a mile away. No, erasing your memory was not an option… so, what does that leave him?

“The truth.” You voice his thoughts so easily. “I want to know the truth.”

This entire day was all wrong. You weren’t supposed to find out so soon. He figured he could hide his true nature a little longer, but now any hopes of a relationship with you have been thrown out the window… all because he couldn’t maintain his control over his powers. Stupid. So, stupid. He’d have to relocate, so he doesn’t have to see your face.

The soft call of his name breaks him from his thoughts, like a hand reaching out into the darkness. In his agony, he accepts your help, which means turning around to face you.

To face the truth.

A gasp leaves your lips. And then he begins.

“I’m not human, though I don’t doubt you’ve probably figured it out.” Jimin offers a rueful smile that you don’t reciprocate. You clamp your lips to avoid interrupting, letting him explain from the very beginning.

Your mind whirls with information about supposed mythical beings of old. When you ask how long he’s walked the earth, he winces. “Too long,” Jimin mumbles, but doesn’t delve further into the matter. You don’t broach the subject either. Jimin explains that he’s an incubus, who feasts on dreams to regain energy, but he swears he only takes a little at a time and that it hasn’t affected any of his previous targets.

You skirt over the fact that there’s been others before you. It makes sense, but the ugly green monster that rears its head is less rational than you are.

“So, your previous… targets,” your lips curl in disgust at the word, “don’t remember their dreams… Why do I remember mine?”

Jimin shrugs and stays silent, though you have a feeling it’s not from lack of knowledge.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” you whisper with regret.

Though he isn’t surprised by your decision, his heart breaks all the same. He hangs his head in shame, letting the curtain of his hair shield you from his tears. Of course, you’d feel cheated; manipulated. Any rational human would assume so – that their emotions are completely fabricated because of his powers, even he couldn’t be deluded enough to believe the possibility of your feelings to be genuine. Yet, your next words bring a flutter of hope in his heart.

“10… 15 years will go by like a blink of an eye and everyone will begin to wonder why you haven’t changed.” You shake your head, not in disbelief, but to rid the thoughts of a domestic life ahead with him as you begin to lay the foundation of a wall around your heart. “And if we have kids…” That’s a delusion too far in the future, but you’d be lying to say you hadn’t thought of it. You shake your head once. Firmly. Discarding all hopes of a future with Jimin.

When you lift your head to apologize for a final time, you’re surprised to find him amused instead of grief-stricken.

“What?”

Jimin can hardly contain his excitement. “So… your only problem is time-related? That I won’t grow old with you?”

Was he insinuating that your concerns are stupid? “Okay, Mr. Demon,” you scowl. “What other problems should I be worried about?”

He chuckles quietly before reaching out, the tips of his fingers brushing against your cheek. Your body turns rigid, and you’re hardly breathing. With a wicked grin, he whispers, “How about the fact that I have the ability to compel you to serve me? Haven’t you considered that I, a demon, may be dangerous?”

This time, it’s your turn to laugh. Through your heaving breaths, you manage to see the pout on his face, which only makes you laugh harder. “Jimin,” you chuckle, wiping your tears with the palm of your hand. “I have no doubt that you would have done it already if you wanted to. So, yes, I’m more worried about the time thing.”

“Does that mean…” he whispers, hopeful. “Does that mean you want to grow old with me?”

“Yes. I mean no! I mean—”

“Please,” he cuts you off. “The truth.”

It isn’t fair how he used your words against you, but you answer him anyway. “I don’t know if we should jump into talking about marriage so quickly,” you mumble, shifting your weight from one foot to the other. “I mean! We’re not even dating yet.”

“Then be my girlfriend.”

You must be hearing things. “What?”

Jimin takes a step towards you, his palm now fully resting against your cheek. “I mean it. If your only issue is time, I already have a solution. I gave up my immortality a year ago now,” he confesses. His crimson eyes hold the same intense yearning you’re too familiar with: of sleepless nights alone, and of unsatisfactory touches from strangers. “I would’ve explained everything to you if you hadn’t found out today, but, I guess this is sort of fate?”

“I meant what I said,” he murmurs. “In all my time on this earth, I’ve never met someone like you, and I don’t think I’ll meet another after you either. That’s why it must be you. Even an immortal being dies eventually, and I’d rather choose my way of ‘going’, so to speak.”

Jimin lets the words sink in, waiting patiently for your response. “You meant it all?” you parrot, stunned at the confession. “How long have you been… interested in me?” Was it too early to say ‘love’? Depending on his answer, you assume so.

“When you introduced yourself five years ago in this office,” he sighs wistfully, stealing a glance at his door like he’s relieving the memory. “All I’ve wanted to do was to touch you;” he leans in, face inching closer.

“To kiss you;” he whispers as his lips mould against yours.

“To hold you.” Jimin wraps you up in an embrace, holding you tightly in his arms. In your ears, he whispers, a final confession that eases all your worries. “I want to grow old with you.”

The sincerity in his voice brings you to tears, and you let them fall, soaking the white of his shirt grey.

“Hey, hey, are you crying? Did I say something wrong? Please don’t cry…” Jimin frets, lowering himself to hook his chin on your shoulder, so he could squeeze you tighter.

You nuzzle further into his chest with a teary chuckle. “N-No. Nothing’s wrong. Just happy.”

“Good,” he mumbles before planting a soft kiss on your cheek. “Although now that I think about it, I haven’t heard your response.”

“What do you mean?”

“Have you forgotten already?” he chuckles. “I asked you to be my girlfriend.”

“More like demanded,” you snicker. “But yes, I’d love nothing more, but you’re going to have to prove yourself to me first.”

Jimin lights up at your response, the ruby in his eyes glowing bright despite the dim light. “Of course, anything you ask, I’ll do it. I’ll show you every day that my feelings are genuine.”

He then proceeds to hold up his pinkie towards you. “As long as you promise to stay with me?”

With a laugh, you join your pinkie with his, sealing the promise with a final kiss.

“I do.”

moon's notes: i didn't include sex in this because i'm kind of bored of writing it tbh? but i will have a drabble out sometime next week for this couple because i love them so so much! what do you think about the dulce somnii universe so far? do you like it? what theories do you have for the other members 👀

thanks for being part of the taglist (1/2)!

@thedarkwinterrose @somewhereofftheglobe @typicalgenzworld @nch327 @moonchild1 @kooafraid @syazkook @kookie-vuitton @tenmonthsjay @jimilter @hoseokstrashcan @imcompletelyok @sa1ntsuga @jungkookah-lover @vantxx95 @love2luvya-blog @nochuel @yoontaethings @kookieebangtan @Madamdoue @squeakymeekster @jkbabiey @jikookiekosmos @novilara @btsis7okay @sunflwrxclouds @taecal @fancycollectormoon @Starbrightday @chimmy-licious @outrofenty @codeinebelle @hey-youre-appreciated @sugaslittlekookies @fan-ati–c @bbangtanlove95 @ppeachyttae @taebae19 @ggukkieland @mellygallagher @greezenini @gukkmoans @Jimmeojimin @koolvrr @daggersandicedcoffee @doublebunnykoo @jamlessstars @shrimpmsg @mrcleanheichou @ysltae @etherealyoonkoo @unicornbabylover @majolittlemixgurl18 @Asifihaveaclue @ionasfeelings

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devil's playthings | myg

⤅ SUMMARY | Yoongi has been widowed for over 2 years now—long past the time of mourning—and has made no move to remarry. Despite all the eligible maidens trying to catch the rugged duke’s eye, he’s stayed stubbornly idle in his search for a wife. For a man at court, especially at Yoongi’s standing, remarrying was essential and highly expected; even though the man had heirs and his lineage was assured, a wife was a political move, and a highly coveted one. None of this slipped the young princess’ mind, her sharp eyes on the much older man. But Yoongi should be careful—“for Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do.”

⤅ RATE | 18+

⤅ PAIRING | (dilf)duke!yoongi × princess!reader

⤅ GENRE | royalty au, magic au, forbidden relationship

⤅ SIN | sloth (for the ✥ 7 Deadly Sins collab ✥)

⤅ WARNINGS | age gap, use of sex pollen, mentions of m!masturbation, dirty talk, slight (slight) degradation, marking, spitting, titty fuck, facial, deep throat, oral both!receiving, sixty nine, fingering, unprotected penetrative sex, choking, breeding kink/breeding, spanking, squirting, hair pulling, clit slapping, cervix contact, overstimulation

⤅ WC | 9.3k

⤅ A/N | whoo it's finally here!! No one clown me for making even a royalty au a dilf fic 🤡 I also want to shout out @sunshinekims and @kithtaehyung for lending me their lovely names for this fic <3 and of course @sugasbabiie , who’s enthusiasm fueled me from the start <3 hope you guys enjoy! +

playlist + drabble

Keep reading

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excited to know how this goes from here!!

(Please add me in the tag list)

Love Again | PJM (One)

Summary: A friend of yours is eager to introduce you to her new man but what happens when Park Jimin, the man who broke your heart 5 years ago walks in through the door?

Pairing: Jimin x Female reader

Genre: exes au, exes to ???, fluff, angst, smut

Word Count: 9k

Warnings: swearing, alcohol consumption, mentions of depression, mentions of sex, uhhh I think that’s it.

Notes: A new story! I hope you guys are able to give it a chance. It will have quite a bit of angst but mostly it will be very fun and messy. It won’t be a very long series but I think for those who will read it will like it! (here’s hoping) Send an ask if you want to be added to a tag list or just want to chat:)

Tag list: @yoongimentita7 @aajames217

© taestefully-in-luv

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Jimin’s eyes drag around the place—the stage is covered in squeaky dark wood and obvious layers of dust. He closes his eyes and lets a long sigh leave his mouth as he tries to collect himself. He really can’t believe he is here again…not just this theatre…but this city. A voice suddenly speaks up and Jimin is shooting his eyes open, his hardened gaze falling onto Mr. Smith, the man he just auditioned for just a week prior.

“Oh, don’t look so unimpressed, Jimin.” The older man quietly chuckles, walking closer. “I know you may have gotten used to something of a different standard…but…well, this is what we’ve got.”

“It’s been five years and you still haven’t replaced these drapes?” Jimin points at the dark red curtains that look past their expiration date.

“With our budget?” The old man raises a brow, “You’re lucky you are even getting paid at this point.”

Jimin rolls his head back, his eyes closing again as he groans—not caring how obvious he is making it that he is less than happy to be here. Mr. Smith takes a moment to watch Jimin…the first thing he has noticed is the change in hair color since the last time he saw him—five years ago—he was a dark haired man back then but now is sporting a soft blonde.

“Jimin…” Mr. Smith says his name with a careful, tender tone. His hand reaches forward, gripping Jimin’s shoulder. This earns him a curious look from Jimin, his eyes opening and his head tilting towards the shorter man.

“I don’t know what happened in New York…” Mr. Smith takes a pause to think on his next words, “Well, it doesn’t matter.” He decides to grin genuinely, squeezing Jimin. “You’re back and I know with you taking the lead in these productions again we are sure to sell out!”

The second thing he has noticed in Jimin is his change in personality. He understands five years is enough time for a person to change or grow or whatever, but Jimin has changed in a way that makes Mr. Smith question if this is even the same guy. He doesn’t know what occurred in New York that completely wiped the smile off Jimin’s face but whatever happened did two things. One, it hardened the poor boy, Mr. Smith thinks. And two, it made him an even more incredible performer.

Last week he auditioned for the role of Peter Pan, the male lead in the upcoming production. But he paired it with an intense and emotional dance piece that left Mr. Smith speechless. Clearly his work and time in New York really perfected his performance abilities—but the raw emotion and utterly devastating expressions he showed were enough for Mr. Smith to see the change in Jimin. Enough to see he is no longer the fun, mischievous, charismatic and dare he say flirty boy.

“Are you nearby?” Mr. Smith asks, referring to Jimin’s living situation.

“Literally down the street…” Jimin groans again, “The only place I can really afford with the paychecks I will be getting.”

“You know you used to not mind the pay here?” Mr. Smith’s cheery laughter only makes Jimin roll his eyes.

“Yeah, well back then I was used to being a broke college student. Only needed money for cheap food from the convenience store.”

“Don’t forget for the times you begged me for a little extra so you could take your girlfriend on those dates you insisted on…oh, what was her name?” Mr. Smith glances up at the various lights on the ceiling as he thought about it. Jimin slowly turns his head towards Mr. Smith…his body tensing unknowingly as he waits for him to figure it out. The name he was looking for. Your name.

“Ah…y/n!”

Jimin only tensed more…his body reacting to the sound of your name faster than his mind. His brain finally starts processing the word that slipped out of Mr. Smith’s mouth…a word—a name—he hasn’t heard in years.

“Did you two stay in contact when you left for New York? You were awfully close.” Mr. Smith innocently reminds Jimin of the past, “You two really brought out such fun sides in one another.”

Jimin doesn’t like how his insides feel at the mention of you…he stares at Mr. Smith without blinking, his gaze remaining the same as before—empty eyes, Mr. Smith thinks.

“No.” Jimin says almost under his breath, “No.” he says more clearly now, his voice sounding a little strained. “We didn’t.”

“Ah, well that’s too bad.” Mr. Smith’s eyes find the floor as he nods his head, thoughts of how life is. It’s not too surprising that a couple parts way under those circumstances but it really is too bad, he thinks.

“Well. I guess I will see you for rehearsals tomorrow.” Mr. Smith offers Jimin a smile and a pat on the shoulder before leaving him to observe the stage.

Jimin watches as Mr. Smith makes his way out of the auditorium…when the man was finally out of the room, Jimin turned his head back towards the stage and felt the heaviness he has grown all too familiar with come back to haunt him.

This theatre. This city. The place he left five years ago to pursue his dreams in New York. He never saw himself coming back here…he never saw himself go through life backwards yet here he is. From leading some of the most popular and loved Broadway productions to here—his city’s local theatre. He lets out a pathetic puff of air, he almost wants to laugh. But how could he? He doesn’t even remember the last time he laughed.

Jimin takes one last look at the stage that creaks with every step and accepts his situation. It’s not like he would be wanted anywhere else…the reputation of him being someone who was fired from Broadway…well, it doesn’t look good. Although, they used the term ‘let go’ everyone in this world has heard enough rumors of his behavior that led to such thing. Fucking assholes, he thinks.

He has only been back here—his hometown—for maybe 5 months now. Crashing at his parents as he wallowed in his sad, depressing life. But his parents constantly eyed him with pity, constantly reminding him why he should be as depressed as he is. So, he waited for a new production to be announced at the theatre and surprised Mr. Smith with an audition. He landed the role without much thought on Mr. Smith’s part, the old man just happy to see Jimin’s familiar face.

He took what he had in his savings and started renting out an apartment in an old, dingy building a block away. He just needs to move forward with his life the best way he can…performing. In those moments when he is in character, he only has their problems. He doesn’t have to be Jimin. He can pretend for a while.

Eventually he got into his new routine…weeks pass and every day is more or less the same. He comes to work for rehearsals and stays for hours even after they are done…he connects to a speaker and puts on one of his dance playlists and works himself into exhaustion. His expression remains the same as the days go on…his empty eyes never making eye contact with one of his costars for more than two seconds.

Jimin refuses his costars when they invite him out, he never smiles for them or has conversations. In fact, most of the words he says to others are just his lines as his character. He is lonely and he wants to stay that way. Because truly at this point nothing actually brings him joy. He lost everything that meant something to him.

“You know,” A voice cuts in. Jimin recognizes it immediately, already rolling his eyes, keeping his back to the owner.

“If you keep practicing like this you will become so amazing that everyone else is going to look like amateurs and well, that just wouldn’t be fair.”

Jimin quietly huffs out before spinning in his spot to face the owner of the voice.

“What do you need, Lucy?” He looks at her, clearly tired from the looks of it.

“Well, hello to you too. I am doing fine thank you—”

“Come on,” he rubs his temple, “What’s up?”

Lucy playfully rolls her eyes, a sign she isn’t actually offended by Jimin…unlike many others.

“I finished your costume.” She grins proudly, her hands reaching out to stuff the material in his own hands. “Try it on for me so I can make sure everything is perfect.”

“Oh?” He looks down at the green costume, “I’m sure it’s fine. I can try it on later, I really want to finish up what I was doing.”

“Oh, sure, sure.” Lucy gestures towards him, urging him to continue. “Be my guest.”

“Alone.” Jimin narrows his eyes at her and uses his hand to shoo her away but Lucy just stands here, a goofy grin on her face.

“Actually I have been watching you—well, your dance moves. And honestly, I think I have it pretty much nailed.”

Well, it makes sense, Jimin thinks. Lucy has lingered for weeks now, always bugging him with gossip or some lame joke that she insists is ‘hilarious’. She is the head of costumes, her fashion design degree allowing her to hold down a job—somewhat—in the field. Does she wish she was creating for runway models? Sure. But theatre can be fun…even if she was one of those people in high school who made fun of theatre kids.

“Yeah, I bet you have a real talent.” Jimin brushes past her, squatting down to the floor as he adjusts the volume on the speaker.

“Oh definitely.” She agrees right away, “Would you like to see?”

“Lucy—”

“Oh, come on! What if I want to audition for the next production? I could be a really cute side character with amazing moves, you know, the type of character the audience falls in love with and totally wish that I had more lines—”

“Okay.” Jimin stands, his tired expression only hardening. “Go for it.”

“Okay, let me get in the zone.” Lucy channels her inner Sharpay from High School Musical as she does some warm up exercises. She was hoping Jimin would laugh even a little at her attempt to mimic the character perfectly. She rolls her eyes with the slump of her shoulders before saying fuck it and giving her best shot at a dance routine.

And it is horrible. Truly the worst thing Jimin has ever seen. Her clumsy feet, her awkward shimmying shoulders and her incredible talent for being off beat. But she is dedicated and nothing amuses Jimin more. For the first time that she has ever seen it, the corner of Jimin’s lips lift and finally, the sound of Jimin’s laughter is filling the auditorium.

Lucy’s eyes go wide, her genuine shock written all over her face before she breaks into the most heartwarming grin.

“You laughed.” She says softly, almost proud.

Jimin’s laughter starts to ease as he composes himself but the atrocious image of her dancing is still in his head and he can’t help but smile.

“Yeah.” He agrees kind of quietly, “I guess I did.”

In that moment, Jimin felt his body relax for the first time in ages. He stares at Lucy, processing how good it feels to have a smile on his face. He doesn’t want to feel guilty for smiling and for the first time, he doesn’t. For the first time in so long someone has been able to make Jimin laugh…he doesn’t know what can come out of this but maybe this is what he needs. A distraction.

“Would you,” Jimin clears his throat. “Would you like to get some dinner with me?”

3 Months later

“Really riveting stuff.” Your monotone voice, clearly unenthused, doesn’t go noticed by your date for the night.

“Oh I know!” his wide smile almost makes you want to get up and leave. “That’s the thing though, women really just—”

“Oh, yes. Please tell me how women are.” You tilt your head and offer one of your sweeter smiles. “Since you are the expert.” You blink at him repeatedly, hoping he gets the hint.

“Of course” he agrees quickly making you drop your knife to the plate while shaking your head. “Women who think they need to orgasm every time are actually—”

And this is when you decide to tune him out completely, is a free meal really worth all of this? Dave was honestly full of red flags since the beginning but you decided to go through with it regardless because hey, maybe the sex would be decent enough. But considering his current topic, you have thrown that idea out completely.

“Oh no,” you say blandly, “I think I am getting a call.” You glance down at your phone on the table, its screen completely black.

Dave looks at your phone and tilts his head to the side, expressing a look of question on his face.

“I don’t think it is—”

“Yup.” You say again, doing little to convince him. You pick it up and bring it to your ear and start mumbling some random words. Dave stares at you and accepts that maybe you are on the phone. Fucking idiot.

You finally lower the phone and then slide it in your purse before looking up and locking eyes with Dave.

“Yeah, it’s an emergency.” You tell him, an exaggerated look of apology on your face. “I have to go. But thanks for such a…” You gesture around the table and leave it at that, standing up from your chair and grabbing your bag. You turn to leave when you hear Dave calling out after you but you ignore his voice, instead focusing on finding the restaurants exit.

Maybe just maybe you should have done this much earlier. Perhaps around the time he first opened his mouth when he saw you. “Oh thank god, you are actually hot.” Or maybe even when you both sat down at the table and he was already trying to suggest you stick to salad tonight. Definitely would have been a good time when he mentioned his ex and brought up how beautiful she is then paused and added, “Well, you’re hot too.” It was just a night of red flag after red flag. But his opinion on women’s orgasms was kind of just the last straw.

If you are being honest, this night of a failed date isn’t even surprising anymore. This just seems to be your luck lately. Even when the man isn’t totally unbearable, you just find yourself not satisfied every time. That includes with the conversation, the sex and well, the company in general. You are honestly just bored. Feeling left more and more unimpressed as time goes, something like ‘excitement’ never making your body tingle.

You feel the crisp breeze on your exposed skin, goosebumps suddenly rising on your body and you stare down at the bumps forming and chuckle bitterly. You wish it were a man giving your body such reaction but well, nature will have to do.

You quickly make your way to your car in the parking lot, your shoes clacking against the pavement, a sound you actually enjoy. Once inside your car, you take your phone out and dial the only person you can think of that will turn this night around. Your favorite coworker and also favorite friend.

“Come on, don’t let me down.” You groan to yourself as you listen to each mocking ring happening on the other side of your phone. You’re sure there are only a couple rings left before you are greeted with a voicemail box, a frown decorating your face at the thought but suddenly you are met with a chipper ‘Hello’ instead.

“Hoseok!” You whine theatrically, “Thank god.”

“Yes, thank god for me.” Hoseok teases on the other line, “But why this time?”

“Disaster date.” You inform with a shrug that he can’t see but definitely can imagine. “You know how it is already. Anyway, since we already saw that coming I am sure you can see what’s coming next.”

“Your strong desire to go out and get shit faced?” Hoseok asks with a playful tone, already knowing your answer. “I’ll inform the rest of the group. What do you say? Diablos?”

“Oh god,” Diablos is one of those places that you hardly actually remember your time spent there—it’s probably the fault of their Thursday night deal…$1 tequila shots.

“Hey, you want shit faced! I am just trying to help you with that.”

“I feel like shit faced and dying a horrible death are actually two different things.”

“Oh don’t act like you aren’t going to be downing those shots and telling all of us how much you love us by the end of the night.” Hoseok giggles to himself while you notice the sound of his fingers tapping against his screen. “Okay, we got confirmation from Jeremey, Naomi and Lucy in the group. And literally every single one of them complained about the fact we are going to Diablos. Which you know, only makes me want to go there more.”

“You are a heathen.” You laugh into the phone, “Lucy is coming too? No surprise there.” Hoseok can hear the smirk in your voice and is immediately groaning.

“It’s not like that!” He tries defending, “You know guys and girls can be just friends right?”

“Obviously, dumbass. But when I am just friends with my guy friends I don’t have total heart eyes like some cartoon character.”

“Anyway, meeting time is pronto. So get your ass over to Diablos.” Hoseok doesn’t wait for you to respond, you just hear new silence on the other line as he had ended the call.

Hoseok never lets you drink alone…if you are getting shit faced well, so is he. You chuckle to yourself, the thought of going to work tomorrow and seeing Hoseok just as miserable as you with a heavy hangover brings a little comfort. You finally stick your keys in the ignition and turn on the car and begin making your way to the bar.

You aren’t surprised…with a deal like $1 tequila shots and the fact people love making horrible decisions, the bar is packed. You fit right in though, being a person who also loves to make horrible decisions, you’re well aware of that fact as you swallow another disgusting shot of cheap tequila.

“Oh my god, do you think we will get in trouble tomorrow if we just…slept through that 9 am meeting?” Hoseok asks, his raised brows making you laugh. You wish he was joking but unfortunately, you know him, and you know he is serious.

“Well, if we get fired, we get fired together.” You bring your mixed drink to his as you both clank your glasses in cheers.

“I actually have no idea how you two haven’t already been fired.” Jeremy deadpans, “You both make me look so good at work. And I didn’t even show up yesterday.”

“Don’t know how Hoseok has a job but we all know Mr. Lincoln wants to fuck y/n so she somehow manages.” Naomi points out, laughing when you glare at her. “I vote you do fuck him though. God, how steamy would that be?”

“That would literally be so—you do realize he is married!” You shudder at the thought of fucking your boss, “Plus, he does not want to fuck me.”

“Nah, he definitely does. Probably jerking it to the thought of you when he closes his blinds in his office.” Hoseok starts jerking his hand up and down to demonstrate and you hit his shoulder making him laugh harder.

“This is so unfair.” Lucy pouts, “I wish I worked with you guys too. I never know what you guys are talking about half the time…so, our usual rule! No work talk!” She grins happily, knowing you all will agree because you know, fuck work and all that.

“Fine by me!” Jeremey sings, “How’s your job going though, Lucy?”

“Yeah, aren’t you guys going to have a show soon?” Hoseok nods his head towards the direction of an open table and you all follow. “We would love to go and support. See all the amazing costumes you created!”

“Oh yes, please come! The male lead is pretty sexy.” Lucy smirks, making you all laugh as you sit down.

“You’re just saying that because he is the guy you are currently seeing.” Hoseok rolls his eyes, “Does he have any talents? Or like, is sexy all he good at?”

You snort, listening to them talk.

“Hobi,” you chime in cutely, “Being sexy takes a lot of skill.” You assure him and he gives you an unamused look. He’s always like this when Lucy brings up a new guy she is seeing.

“It really does though,” Naomi agrees, “I would know.”

“It might be your only skill then…” Jeremy says, earning him a soft punch to his arm, Naomi then giving him the middle finger.

“Anyway,” Hoseok turns his attention to you, “What was wrong with this guy?”

“Huh?” you say, a little caught off guard as you suck up your drink.

“Your disaster date.” He reminds you, “They always end in disaster so what was wrong this time?”

“Oh that.” You dramatically get the chills, shaking your body with a shudder. “Too many things to count but I about had it when he tried schooling me on women’s orgasms. Basically, he would have never given me one.”

“Bullet dodged.” Naomi gives you her best disturbed face along with a look of pity. “Men, am I right?”

“I’m so sorry to hear that y/n.” Lucy gasps, “That’s horrible!” Then her face lights up with an idea, “I could always set you up with someone from the theatre? There’s some pretty decent looking guys…” Lucy nibbles on her lip before breaking into her usual grin. “Actually, forget the cast. There’s this pretty hot dude who works with the stage lighting. And—”

You feel your heart twist a little, the mention of the theatre leaving a weird taste in your mouth. You’re a grown ass woman and you don’t think of the past too often but sometimes when there are things to remind you, you feel a little uncomfortable.

“Uh, no. Not really into that scene.” You chuckle awkwardly, “No offense!” you get out quickly, “I just—”

“Oh none taken. They’re kind of nerdy, I get it.” Lucy winks before bringing her drink to her lips and taking a sip.

“So then you are into nerds?” Hoseok playfully nudges her shoulder with his.

“Only if they are sexy.” Lucy nods her head in approval, “Real sexy.”

Hoseok rolls his eyes again, his smile wide as usual. You don’t remember how they met but they became friends and since then Lucy has been hanging with your group.

“I really need to meet this guy. Make sure he’s the real deal.” Hoseok eyes Lucy with a grin, “You sometimes have trouble choosing someone decent.”

“Ew, yeah. Remember that dude you brought that one time and he literally hit on me in front of you!” Naomi shouts over the music, “He was a creep.”

“Don’t feel too special,” Jeremey shakes his head, “He also hit on me in front of everyone too.”

“Oh yeah,” Hoseok bursts out into laughter, “That was fucking gold.” Then Hoseok’s attention goes from Jeremey to his buzzing phone, “Oh finally.” He mutters before his head whips up and he is smiling at you deviously.

“What…” You narrow your eyes, “You did something, I can tell.”

“Just trying to end your unlucky streak.” He winks, your face dropping quickly.

“I think there is only one thing that could end y/n’s unlucky streak…” Naomi’s face lights up with amusement. “Please fucking tell me you hit him up.”

“Hoseok, what the fuck!” You lean over the table to snatch his phone from him and stare at the screen. “I am going to kill you.” You say, staring down at his latest incoming text.

“We all know why you aren’t satisfied with any dude you go out with…” Naomi sips her drink, her knowing eyes fluttering cutely at you. “Because none of them are the one you have a massive crush on.”

“It’s not massive…” is all you manage to say, your voice gone quiet as you look around the table, your friends trying to hold in their childish giggles.

“Remind me again why you two haven’t fucked yet?” Jeremy asks, “Or like gone on a date, if that’s what you’re more into.”

Your lips set into a firm line as you glare at Jeremy because he knows exactly why. His lips curl into a demonic looking smile, nodding his head like he just remembered.

“Ah yes, that’s right! Because you accidentally fucked his best friend in his apartment, not knowing they are roommates.”

“God, it sounds horrific every time I hear it.” Hoseok tries to contain his laughter again. “You have this dude you have a massive crush on—”

“Not massive.” You defend in a pout.

“—and you had been trying your hardest to get his attention, even kind of getting it at one point. Then went out one night, found some guy to hook up with, went home with him…only to see the dude you were trying to woo the next morning at breakfast.” Hoseok loses his shit, his loud laugh booming in the bar. Everyone joins of course, loving how sulky you are getting.

“Honestly, I’ve been in a similar situation before.” Lucy giggles. “Turned into a threesome though.”

“Didn’t they both try to date you after?” Hoseok looks over at Lucy, “I remember you were trying to decide between the two, then ended up with both.” He shakes his head with a laugh.

“Your dating history is always so wild.” Naomi applauds her, “We should all be taking tips from her.”

“Anyway.” You grit your teeth in annoyance, “Why did you invite him?”

“Oh, relax. It’s been like two years since then. I’m sure the bro code has expired and it’s fine by now.” Hoseok starts chugging his drink back, his smug smile irritating you further.

“I don’t blame you for still having a thing for him though,” Naomi nods her head, “He’s a hunk, not going to lie.”

You sigh out, not believing it really has been two years that you’ve maintained a crush on the same guy. You still have Hoseok’s phone in your hand when it vibrates, another text from you know who.

Namjoon 11:22pm

On the way.

“Here’s your stupid phone back.” You groan, sliding Hoseok’s device across the table. “Suddenly I don’t feel drunk enough.” You stand from your chair and nod towards the bar. “Anyone want something?”

“Oh me!” Lucy stands as well, “I’ll come with you.”

You both push your way through the crowd, you’re basically Lucy’s body guard, the very petite girl almost getting her fucking lights knocked out by random elbows as you try to make a path for you both.

The bar is busy as usual, cheap shots of tequila getting passed around like candy. You almost vomit at the smell of the shots, realizing maybe a shot isn’t the route you want to go.

You and Lucy wait for an opening to settle against the wooden bar and wait your turn for the bartender to notice one of you.

“So.” Lucy leans her head against her hand on the bar top, “I think I want to introduce my new guy to you all.” She says, her voice sounding a little nervous.

“Hm?” you glance down at her, “Your new—oh! Yeah, sounds cool. More the merrier, I guess.”

“Yes, but…” Lucy’s eyes slide to the side, maybe finding Hoseok before she looks at you again. “I don’t want to like overwhelm him with like a big group setting you know?”

“Oh?” Your head snaps back up towards the bartender who is now waiting on you to give your order. You order your mixed drinks and when the bartender gives her ‘ok’ you look back towards Lucy again. “What did you have in mind then?”

“What do you say you meet me for coffee this weekend?” Lucy asks, her eyes filling with hope. “I will tell him to meet with us and we can just hang out, you know? I really feel like out of everyone you two would really get along!”

“M-Me?” You point at yourself, a little surprised by Lucy’s request. “You want me to meet him first?”

“Honestly, you guys would really vibe well, I think. Plus, you are the coolest one here.” She winks at you and you feel yourself blush a little at the compliment.

“I guess that’s fine?” You question, “Sure—” Suddenly, the bartender is sliding over your drinks and you turn to grab them, ending the conversation there.

The walk back to the table is a long one, you slightly stumble through the crowded dance floor, avoiding sweaty bodies as they move all around you. It doesn’t help that at the moment it’s just you and Lucy, a pretty pair to a lot of onlookers. Naturally, you two are stopped by a pair of guys looking to get lucky tonight. You exchange some meaningless words, and finally bid farewell, disappointing the men who didn’t succeed in picking you up.

You spot the table your friends occupy when your eyes expand, you see Namjoon and Yoongi getting comfortable in some chairs at the table as well. You look around the table as you get closer and say a few greetings. Your eyes going straight to your good friend Hobi, your panicked expression making him grin awkwardly.

You sit down in your chair when Jeremey leans over to whisper into your ear.

“What are the fucking odds he would show up with his friend that you fucked?” He teases while you turn red from embarrassment.

“Shut up.” You pinch his side and he yelps, gaining the attention from everyone around the table.

“Hey y/n. It’s been a while right?” Namjoon’s voice makes its way to your ears and you turn to face him. You muster a smile that feels forced but you continue to try it anyway.

“Yeah. It has.” Then your eyes find Yoongi, “Hi.” You nod at him awkwardly, and he waves his hand with a smile that reminds you why you hooked up with him in the first place.

“Good to see you, y/n.” He says.

You know most people know this, how being around certain people bring out certain sides of you. With most men you are confident, proud, nonchalant, and maybe just a tad bit bitchy if they deserve it. But around someone like Namjoon, he brings out sides of you that you don’t even recognize half the time…someone who tries to come off as shy, cute and flustered at just the sound of his voice.

Yoongi got really confused when Namjoon talked about you, he mentioned how sweet and shy you were. He talked about how he wished you would speak up more often…Yoongi wondered if they were talking about the same y/n. The same girl who just left in a hurry when they all realized they knew one another. Yoongi didn’t meet that version of you—no, he got to know the woman who knows exactly what she wants. Someone confident, sexy and a little mean, he will admit. But he realized at the time, it was a part of your charm. It didn’t take much for him to agree to sleep with you, your straight forward attitude going straight to his dick.

But now, he realized after some time that the version of you that Namjoon knew, was the you that had a crush. God, you were so obvious. He stares at you now, seeing how flustered you are once again as Namjoon makes conversation with you.

“It’s great timing actually,” Namjoon takes a swig of his beer. “I was looking to go out tonight as well!”

“Oh really? What’s the occasion?” Naomi asks, taking a sip of her own drink.

“Celebration.” Namjoon grins, his dimpled smile making your heart flutter.

“Of?” Hoseok pries further. “Wait. Oh shit, it’s for your book, right?”

“Yup. Finally got it published.” Namjoon leans back in his chair, his arms going above his head, your stupid little eyes following his every movement. His biceps flex and you accept that you aren’t making it out alive tonight.

“Wow! A book!” Lucy squeals, “I wish I was good at writing, I have a lot to say but man, putting it on paper is not my specialty.” She giggles to herself, the rest of the group nodding along in agreement.

“What’s your book about?” Jeremy sounds genuinely interested, “I can only imagine it’s full of life quotes and solid advice.”

“Actually…that’s not far off.” Namjoon blushes, a small, proud smile on his lips. “It’s nothing really though.”

“Oh stop that.” Yoongi shakes his head, “It’s amazing. I read it so quickly and felt surprised he came up with all of that!”

“Surprised?” Namjoon chuckles, “I speak profoundly at all times.”

“Yeah, right.” Yoongi teases, “This morning you couldn’t even remember what you were talking about mid-sentence. Paused. Thought about it for a moment then ending up saying “and you know, blah, blah, blah.”

“Yeah. Very profound.” Namjoon begins laughing and you join, his eyes shooting to yours. He softens when he hears your giggles leave your mouth, something he feels like he doesn’t see too often.

“I feel like you are more dressed up than everyone else.” Namjoon points out, his eyes on you. “Were you doing something before this?”

“Disaster date.” Hoseok answers for you. “She knew he couldn’t give her an orgasm.” He shakes his head with exaggerated sadness. “Devastating, right?”

You narrow your eyes at your friend, you two speak with just a look and he snickers to himself even though he can read your expression well—you’re totally going to kill him later.

“Oh.” Namjoon looks a little surprised, a little awkward and a lot of cute. “That’s uh, too bad.” He swallows more of his beer.

“Orgasms are important.” Yoongi winks at you and you look at him, clearly unamused.

“Anyway,” you roll your eyes to the back of your head, as sassily as you can manage. “I’m sure no one is shocked at how totally anticlimactic my dating life is. Has been for some time.” You lazily take your drink in your hand and chug the entire thing through your straw.

“Still think you should just fuck our boss.” Naomi comments nonchalantly, making you choke on your drink.

“Really?” you wipe at your mouth, cleaning some of your drink off your skin. “He is literally married!”

“You’d be totally living that main character life like you’re in some drama.” She tries to reason, as if that was a totally acceptable thing to say.

“As entertaining as that would be,” Hoseok laughs, “I think she needs someone closer in age.”

“What I need is to stop being the center of conversation and throw away the topic of my dating life into like a trash can.” You say with a straight face.

“Oh come on, don’t be lame.” Hoseok slurs, “We’re all basically single here.”

“I literally have a boyfriend?” Naomi raises her hand, “Why do you guys always forget this?”

“It’s long distance, doesn’t count.” Hoseok shrugs.

“You’re the worst. It totally counts.”

“When’s the last time you guys fucked?”

“When I saw him last?”

“Which was?”

“Like…four months ago or so?”

“See?” Hoseok looks at everyone like he’s made his point. “Basically single!”

“I am in a serious relationship! That’s more than any of you can say,” Naomi motions towards all of you. “When’s the last time you guys were really committed to someone, hm?”

“I have had a few serious relationships in the last couple of years.” Hoseok says proudly, “So,”

“Same.” Everyone starts collectively saying around the table…well, everyone except you. This causes Hoseok to realize and he becomes too curious for your liking.

“You know…you haven’t been in anything serious since I have known you y/n.” he decides to call you out, “I mean, you’ve been on a shit ton of disaster dates but you’ve like, never had a boyfriend.”

You release a long, tired breath. Realizing you are still not drunk enough. You notice everyone’s eyes on you as they realize as well.

“It’s not like I have never had a boyfriend, guys.” You scoff, “Jeez. You—”

“It’s true!” Namjoon speaks up, “In college…like even after graduation she had a boyfriend. It was super serious too.”

Right. Unlike everyone else here, you actually have known Namjoon the longest. You both attended school together and that’s how you got to know him.

“What was his name again? Ah—”

“It doesn’t matter.” You cut him off quickly. “Yeah, I guess I had a thing back then.” You shrug, “But that was like…what? Five years ago?”

“Wow!” Lucy sings out, “I can’t even imagine you with an actual boyfriend. You’re so…I don’t know, like Miss Independent, you know?”

“Independent?” Namjoon chuckles, “They were totally attached at the hip.”

“y/n? Our y/n? In love?” Jeremey gasps, “I just refuse to believe it.”

“Same.” Naomi points at you, “Remember that time you went out with a guy and when you realized you weren’t into him you told him you were possibly pregnant with another man’s baby just so he would lose interest?”

“Didn’t she use that line on more than one?” Hoseok yelps when he feels you kick his leg under the table.

“It sounds like you just need to find a guy you actually like, y/n.” Namjoon smiles at you, it’s one of those smiles that make you feel like you are floating. He has no idea. Or maybe he does. But you really wish that person would be him.

“I think she does have someone she actually li—” Hoseok yelps again when you continue finding that sensitive spot on his shin with your foot.

“I would love if we shifted the focus of this conversation.” You basically beg, groaning into your hands and deciding that yup, definitely not drunk enough.

With it nearing 2 am, you have finally let Diablos do it’s nasty little number on you. Tempt you with those $1 shots and have you making questionable decisions. The first one being the guy you are currently grinding against, his hands roaming your body as you try to remember how you even ended up on the dance floor.

You waste no time in turning around to see what this man even looks like and you are questioning your taste in men now. He isn’t exactly you know, drop dead gorgeous or anything. In fact, if you were getting a little excited and wet from the grinding, well that dried up real fast. You awkwardly escape his arms and without saying a word, you just walk away. Classic.

“I was wondering if you were actually into him.” You hear a deep voice from behind you. “I definitely have no idea what your type is.” He laughs.

You turn to see Namjoon, sipping on his beer and watching everyone else have a great time on the dance floor.

“You aren’t dancing?” you slur out, “S’fun.”

“I am fine with watching.” He gazes at you, “You know…”

“Hm?” you look up into his eyes, your shy expression making him feel his chest tighten.

“I think maybe you just aren’t going on a real, proper date.” He blurts out, “I mean, with a guy that you know well enough that you’d probably have a good time.”

“Oh.” You blink at him, “Well, yeah. I don’t know these guys at all. I rely on dating apps more than half the time.” You admit with a chuckle.

“Maybe…” he gulps more of his beer, bringing the bottle back down to his side. “Would…would you be interested in going on one? With me, I mean.” He clarifies. He watches your expression shift into like 4 different emotions, he quietly laughs and waits for your response.

“What?” You blink at him again, “A date? With you?”

“Yes, and also you.” His soft laugh makes you feel drunker than you are. “Would you like that?”

“Would I like that?” You ask in comical disbelief. “Well, I wouldn’t not like it!”

Namjoon finds himself cracking up at your response and nods his head slowly.

“Okay.” He brings his beer bottle to his lips again, “Then it’s a date. How does Saturday night sound?”

~~~~~~

It’s around 3pm when Lucy sends you a text, reminding you of your little hang out today. To be honest, you had completely forgot about meeting her new boy toy or whatever. You are more focused on the fact that tonight, in just 4 hours from now you are meeting with Namjoon for a date you drunkenly agreed to.

You honestly just want to get this little meeting over with so you can give all your attention to your racing heart who needs some extra, tender love and care. You want to make sure you have enough time to prepare for the date…not just like, choosing an outfit, but mentally prepare. You have been crushing on Namjoon for some time and finally, finally you have an opportunity. Maybe Hoseok was right, maybe the bro code has a two year expiration date and now it’s suddenly not weird to you know, share the same girl.

Whatever, you aren’t going to question it. It’s not like you and Yoongi had continued the activities of that night at any other time. You are just going to move past that and hope it is never brought up ever again because well, your dignity begs for that.

You decide on getting like, half ready for your date. Hair and makeup done but instead of wearing the cute dress you have planned for tonight, you are opting for something more casual while meeting with Lucy and her special friend. Lucy texts you again, telling you that she is on her way to the café and she can’t wait to see you.

~

“He’s so sweet, y/n…you guys are going to get along so well!” Lucy continues to gush about her new man as you nod along. You have a straw between your lips as your eyes wander around the cafe…it’s dead today. You honestly have no idea why Lucy is so eager to introduce you to her new boy toy…you two aren’t even particularly close. But this seems so on brand for her, like she needs to show off something new. This reminds you when she got her shiny, new car. She even let you drive it around.

“He’s late though.” you note nonchalantly, “No brownie points for him.”

“He’s always like this…I’ll send him another text.”

Your eyes continue to drag around the empty cafe, you notice small things like the dribble of ice cream left behind on the table next to you, the wet floor sign put up near the bathroom and the cute barista on his phone, probably playing some game by the looks of it.

Lucy is more Hobi’s friend than anyone else’s…they’re always together, in fact it’s pretty surprising those two haven’t gotten together. But Lucy always has a new boo thang lying around while Hobi is waiting for Miss Right. Maybe they aren’t as good of a match you all thought, or so you think.

“Hobi hasn’t met him yet…” Lucy decides to speak of the devil. “I’m so nervous!”

“Why?” You ask, the straw still between your lips.

“You know how he is when I date someone new…he gets so…”

“Protective?” you laugh, your eyes finally landing back on her. “Yeah, we know.”

“So I thought I would…have someone else meet him first…you know, to hype him up a little so Hobi can relax.”

“Ah, so you’re using me.” You say with a straight face, but your tone is clearly teasing. “I’m sure he’s—"

But then the ding of the front door catches your attention, you lazily slide your eyes towards the entrance when the straw slips out between your lips back into the glass.. There’s—There’s no way.

In comes in a familiar face, a gorgeous familiar face at that. The way he runs his hands through his hair, pushing it back so smoothly. The way he glances to the side, exposing his sharp jawline. His eyes are covered by some oversized dark shades but you know he sees you when you notice the drop in his jaw.

“Oh there he is!” Lucy stands from her chair, the loud screeching against the wooden floor has you flinching. There’s no way… “Jimin!” she begins waving him over.

Yes, Jimin. Park Jimin. Your first love…your first heartbreak. The man who left you 5 years ago to pursue his dreams in New York.

“Come over here!” Lucy waves him over excitedly. Jimin stands frozen as he eyes the both of you, his hand motioning between you and lucy. He reaches up and takes his shades off and you finally get a real look at him.

He’s as gorgeous as the day he left you. He’s hesitant but walks closer and closer…you swear the closer he gets the more you can smell that familiar scent that has you feeling woozy. Is it getting hard to breathe in here?

“Jimin. this is y/n. y/n…Jimin.”

“y/n….” Jimin tries out your name for the first time in years “This is…”

“Nice to meet you.” you say with a tight lip smile.

“Meet?” Jimin raises a brow and then realization is hitting him, a sly smile works itself on his thick lips. “Right.” he clears his throat. “Nice to meet you.”

“Great!” Lucy ushers him to take the seat next to hers, “I am so excited guys. I really, really feel like you will get along.”

At this point in conversation you should be opening your mouth to agree with her, saying something, anything to keep this conversation afloat. But instead you feel your entire mouth dry and speaking becomes something of a challenge. Jimin, however, looks at you with a sparked amusement. He nods his head enthusiastically when Lucy emphasizes how well you two will hit it off.

“From all the great things Lucy has said about you, feels like I know you already.” Jimin has this knowing look in his eyes that really irritates you. Why can’t he mask his obvious pique of interest, why is he acting like this is all fun? Is it fun?

Jimin understands immediately why you decided to pretend to not know each other. The situation could become messy otherwise, he gets it, totally gets it. But seeing you here, seeing how obviously panicked you are, seeing how utterly hilarious and cruel this situation is, he can’t help but want to have a little fun. Something he hasn’t had in quite some time.

While Lucy has been a great distraction for his grieving heart and he was finally able to laugh again thanks to her—seeing you, lights a whole different flame within him. Seeing you, he feels himself grow more and more comfortable. Seeing you, he feels things he hasn’t felt in a long time. They say, different people bring out different sides in you—Jimin believes this. He thinks the sides you bring out in him…are his favorite.

“Excuse me for a minute,” Jimin glances at you and Lucy, his smile making Lucy smile in return and you? His smile making you feel your insides crumble. Shock. That’s probably what you are feeling right now. Your ex-boyfriend of several years, who you were so sure you were going to be with for the rest of your life, is here. And he is supposedly in some sort of dating relationship with your best friends friend, and well, your friend too. Jimin stands, heading towards the front to order a drink.

“Well?” Lucy asks excitedly, “Cute, right? I promise he isn’t just cute! He’s great and—”

“Why do you want me to get along with him so well?” You mumble, your mouth finally okay enough to speak again.

“Be—” Lucy’s expression goes soft as she begins explaining herself, “Because if you like him then Hobi will be sure to like him. You’re his best friend…if you approve of this guy then Hobi will be more willing to give him a chance, you know?”

“I can’t tell if you want Hoseok’s approval so badly because you really like Jimin…or because you just want Hoseok’s approval.” Your eyes fall to your hands on the table, avoiding Lucy’s gaze.

“W-What do you mean?” She feels her nerves beginning to spike uncomfortably. “I don’t get it.”

“Nothing.” You look back up, “So, he is the lead in the production coming up?”

Lucy lights back up again, her previous thoughts gone at the mention of Jimin. “Yeah! He is so talented, you have no idea.”

Except you do have an idea. A pretty big idea actually. But…you’re confused. Why is he back? Did something happen? Surely he wouldn’t have left his successful Broadway dreams in New York to come back here. Here of all places, to the same theatre he got his start in. And…although his smile made your entire world shake…it is not the same smile you had always been familiar with. It was different. Distant. The same type of smile he reserved when he was playing a character on stage. It wasn’t his. And the empty look in his eyes—

“That’s nice.” You finally say, “I’m sure he is.”

“He’s talented on stage and well, in other places.” Lucy gives you a goofy grin as she wiggles her brows, her suggestive comment making you cringe.

“Right.” Your monotone voice making Lucy wince.

“Oh, sorry. I know you haven’t been getting you know, lucky lately. I don’t mean to rub it in.” She apologizes. “But!”

“But what?” Jimin comes back, a frappe in his hands, taking a seat next to Lucy, across from you.

“But that will probably change. Real soon too, right?” Lucy sends you an obnoxious wink and you tense at what she is implying.

“Uh—”

“Finally after all this time, you and Namjoon are finally going on that date you’ve always dreamed of!” She brings her hand to her forehead, swooning at the idea.

“Namjoon?” Jimin tastes the word in his mouth, wondering why this flavor seems so familiar.

“Yeah. A friend of ours,” Lucy fills Jimin in, “y/n has had a crush on him for like ever and he finally asked her out.”

“It’s really not that big of a deal.” You mutter under your breath, suddenly feeling very over this entire situation.

“But it is!”

“Nope, not really.” You try again, avoiding both Jimin and Lucy’s eyes.

“Get this,” Lucy turns to face Jimin, “y/n is like a serial dater, basically—”

“Oh my god.” You groan, “I am not!”

“y/n…You go on a minimum of like 3 dates a week.” She points out, not totally realizing how super fucking embarrassing this is for you.

“It’s not that many—”

“Anyway, they always end in tragedy.” She continues filling Jimin in on your very sad and very pathetic dating life. “And it makes me sad because she is so cool…well, you don’t know her but she is like such a bad bitch.”

“Lucy I am literally begging you to never speak again.” You lower your head to the table, “You are stripping me of what little pride I have left.”

“You don’t know y/n, but she can be kind of dramatic at times.” Lucy whispers towards Jimin and he just looks between you and Lucy over and over with wide eyes. “But anyway, it’s totally fine. Jimin will be hanging with us so he’s going to know all of this information one way or another.”

“Joy.” You deadpan, lifting your head up again until you’re locking eyes with Jimin. He studies you for a second, you feel yourself shrink under his gaze and he smiles. It’s that same smile you don’t recognize as his own, you think he is feeling as stunned as you…but his eyes, once looking empty, are now twinkling in excitement.

“You’re right, I don’t know her.” He says, his eyes never leaving you. “But I look forward to learning.”

You gulp. You know everyone knows this, that people bring out certain sides of you. Every person can bring out different versions of yourself. They can bring out your worst, your best. Your confidence, your vulnerability. Jimin is no exception. But unlike every other person you know, Jimin is the only one who has ever managed to bring out sides of you that once made you love yourself. He also brought out sides of you that you never want to see again.

“What do you say y/n?” Jimin has this glint in his eye that you know all too well, “Would you like to know me too?”

You truly, very truly, like so sincerely, as genuinely as possible would love to know—what the fuck is going on? You know this can only end in a mess, you know this is a situation you should not involve yourself in…but, you match the glint in his eye with your own…finally, in so long you feel intrigued by something—someone. You realize the thing Jimin brings out the most in you…is someone who is actually fun.

“Sure.” You reply back, “I’d love to.”

What are you doing? And why does it feel so fucking exciting.

---

Launderette

Seokjin asks you to accompany him to an event that his ex and her new fiance are attending. What starts as a casual date ends up becoming more than you bargained for.

Pairing: Seokjin x F!reader

Rating: 18+

Genre: Non-idol AU, smut, angst

Word count: 10.4k

Warnings: Sexually explicit scenes, explicit language

The early Saturday morning sunshine bathes the street in a flattering pale gold glow, and by the time you’ve reached your uncle’s dry-cleaning shop to open up, you’ve shaken the last of the sleep from your eyes and are ready to go.

Your uncle, Che, has owned this shop for twenty years, inheriting it from your grandfather. It’s part of a small street of shops you’ve known all your life, from Oscar’s convenience store to Maribel the hairdressers, stretching all the way to the shiny new community centre that opened last year.

You unlock the door and scan through the collections list for today. You’re about to start a load of items when the door opens.

A tall, well-dressed man steps in.

You smile at him. ‘Good morning, how can I help you?’ you ask.

He nods politely at you. ‘I picked up a suit yesterday, but it’s still stained,’ he says, holding up the garment bag he’s carrying.

‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ you say, apologetically. ‘May I?’

You unzip his garment bag, revealing a beautiful light grey suit with an ink stain on the lapel.

Your uncle walks into the store as you’re examining the stain. ‘Mr Kim,’ he says, greeting the customer like he’s an old friend. ‘Can I help you?’

Mr Kim tells him what he’s just told you.

‘I’ll take care of this myself,’ Che promises him.

You spend the day taking care of older orders, pressing suits and delicates, double checking the clothes on the collections list.

It’s near the close of business when Mr Kim comes back. You’re on your own, your uncle’s left to pick your cousin up from baseball practice.

He smiles at you as you hand him his now perfect suit.

‘You don’t have anywhere in here where I could get changed, do you?’ he asks, looking a little embarrassed to be asking.

You laugh. ‘Sure. Go in the back and I promise not to look.’

He comes out as you’re finishing off tidying up.

‘Looking good,’ you tell him, amused, as he comes out.

You’re not flattering him, the grey suit emphasizes his broad shoulders, and tapers down beautifully to his trim waist. The trouser length is perfect.

You hold out your arms for the clothes he was wearing when he came in. ‘I can hold on to those here for you, if you want?’

He smiles at you gratefully. ‘Thank you. It’s just, I’m going out to a pre-wedding dinner with some friends, and it’s close to here, so it’s easier than going all the way home.’

‘No problem, where are you going?’ you ask, walking him out of the shop. You pause to lock up, and he waits beside you.

‘Just a little Peruvian place down the road from here,’ he says.

‘Pachamama?’ you guess. You check the door’s locked, pull the shutter down and lock it, and turn to look up at him in the late afternoon sun.

‘Yeah, you know it?’ he asks.

You smile at him. ‘I love it. The food’s amazing, my roommate Dia is one of the chefs.’

‘Do you want to come with?’ he asks, suddenly. He hesitates. ‘I mean, if you’re free tonight.’

You look up at him curiously.

‘It’s a pre-wedding dinner for my friend Namjoon, he’s getting married next week.’ He looks at you, and he almost seems shy, different from the confident persona he has in his beautiful suit.

‘My ex is going to be there, with her new fiancée.’ He smiles suddenly, self-deprecatingly, and it lights up his face. ‘It’s probably silly, but I guess I could use the company. I haven’t seen them together yet, I’ve been worrying about it all week.’

Something about his honesty touches you. Plus you love the food.

‘Sure,’ you say. ‘I need to get dressed though.’

He smiles, and he looks relieved, like a weight’s fallen off his shoulders.

‘I’m Y/N,’ you say.

‘Seokjin,’ he tells you, manners impeccable. ‘Lovely to meet you.’

‘Seokjin,’ you say, testing out the syllables. ‘Do you want to drop by mine whilst I get ready? You’re probably a little early anyway.’

‘I’d like that,’ he tells you.

You take Seokjin to the tiny apartment you share with Dia. She’s on her way out when you get back.

‘I’m out all night,’ she says, waggling her brows outrageously at you and Seokjin, before you’ve even introduced him.

You burst out laughing. ‘Seokjin and I are going to Pachamama tonight.’

‘Seokjin. Great to meet you, I’m Dia. I’ll make sure you’re looked after tonight,’ Dia promises him. ‘Gotta go. I’m running late.’

She hurries out the door, and you smile affectionately. ‘We’ve known each other our whole lives,’ you tell Seokjin.

He’s looking around your tiny living room, barely big enough for two armchairs and a coffee table. The colourful throws over your armchairs liven up the place, as do the plants you painstakingly look after. There’s a breeze coming from your living room window, and a view of the next building. You love your little place.

You pour him a glass of wine from the bottle Dia’s left uncorked. ‘Get comfy, I’ll be twenty minutes.’

You touch up your makeup and slip on a black dress and heels. Your hair is behaving itself today, so you leave it to its own devices.

When you come out of your bedroom, Seokjin is perched by your open window.

‘Hot?’ you ask, sympathetically. ‘It’s boiling up here in the summer.’

He gets up. ‘Just checking out the view. But you are.’

‘But I am?’ you ask, a little confused.

‘Hot,’ Seokjin tells you.

You laugh, flattered despite yourself. ‘You are too,’ you tell him.

He offers you his arm. ‘Shall we go?’

On the walk to the restaurant, he tells you a little about his friends who are getting married. Namjoon works for a publishing company, as does his fiancée, Nara. They went to university together.

The other guests are members of the wedding party, friends of Nara’s and Namjoon’s. His ex, Hana, is good friends with Nara, and one of the bridesmaids.

As you walk into the restaurant, you’re greeted by Miguel, Dia’s boyfriend.

‘Y/N,’ he says, warmly. ‘Dia said you were coming, and bringing a date.’

‘It’s not a date,’ you say, laughing. ‘I’m accompanying a friend to a pre-wedding dinner. Seokjin, meet Miguel.’

‘The rest of your party’s already here,’ Miguel tells you and Seokjin.

As Miguel walks you to your table, you aren’t sure what to expect.

You definitely aren’t expecting the crowd of beautiful people you see. But maybe that was remiss of you, because Seokjin is beautiful, so why wouldn’t his friends be?

A tall man comes up to embrace Seokjin warmly. He turns to you, and you try not to stare at the pretty dimples that appear in his cheeks as he smiles down at you.

‘I’m Namjoon,’ he says. ‘This is my fiancé, Nara.’

You greet them politely. Nara is gorgeous, tall like Namjoon, with a mane of dark hair and legs that go on for days.

The next people to greet you are blond man with an outrageously flirtatious grin who introduces himself as Jimin, and a quiet man with a deep voice called Yoongi.

You’re trying your best to remember everyone’s names.

Beside you, Jin stiffens a little, and you look up to see a very beautiful woman. She’s around your height, and like Namjoon, when she smiles, dimples pop in her cheeks.

‘Jin,’ she says. She embraces him, and you don’t miss the way Jin automatically leans down so she can reach. It’s a learned movement, almost automatic, and you wonder how long they were together.

The handsome man behind her smiles at you. ‘I’m Minho, Hana’s fiancé,’ he tells you.

There are more introductions, more names you try hard to remember, but it’s all a bit of a blur by now.

You settle in with a beer next to Jin. ‘You ok?’ you ask, touching his arm.

He looks at you, and there’s something like gratitude in his eyes. ‘Yeah,’ he says.

He gestures to the menu. ‘What do you like?’

‘Tell you what, why don’t I ask what your friends like and I’ll get Dia to sort us out?’ you ask.

Your idea goes down a treat, and you slip out to the kitchen to see Dia, leaving Jin catching up with his friends.

Dia smiles knowingly at you. ‘Seokjin, huh? He’s hot.’ She calls out an order, and you hope the heat from the warming counter is enough to account for your warm cheeks so she doesn’t tease you.

‘He said I was hot,’ you say.

‘You are hot. That whole table is hot. Tell me why I decided to spend my days in a kitchen instead of being wined and dined?’ Dia rolls her eyes exaggeratedly.

‘Because anyone can be wined and dined but it takes talent to do what you do?’ you ask.

Dia waves you away from the pass. ‘Get out of my kitchen and back to gorgeous Jin. I love you, Y/N. I’m going to make you a meal that’ll make Jin fall in love with you.’

She winks at you. ‘Then I’ll cater your wedding.’

You’re still laughing to yourself as you head back to the dining room.

Jin’s in the middle of a playful argument with one of his handsome friends, when Nara turns to you.

‘How do you know Jin?’ she asks.

‘Oh, I work at a dry cleaners. Jin drops his suits off to us,’ you say.

Nara smiles. ‘That tracks. Jin’s so particular about his clothes.’

‘I just want to do justice to this gorgeous face,’ Jin says, straight-faced.

‘You are pretty,’ you agree.

The food arrives, and to your pleasure, everyone seems to enjoy it, Namjoon, in particular.

Yoongi leans over. ‘Thanks for ordering for us, Y/N, the food is great.’

‘It’s a pleasure,’ you say easily. ‘My friend Dia’s great, isn’t she?’

‘She definitely is,’ Jimin says.

Dinner goes smoothly, Jin’s friends are charming, funny and try to include you in everything. You think Jin’s having a good time as well, he don’t know him that well but to you he looks more relaxed as the evening goes on.

Everyone’s going dancing after dinner, but you’ve got to be in early to open up the dry cleaners tomorrow, so you say your goodbyes.

You turn to Jin. ‘Thanks for having me,’ you say. ‘I had a nice time.’

Jin looks down at you. ‘I’ll walk you home.’

‘It’s only down the block, Jin,’ you protest.

Jin insists. He’s a nice guy, the more you get to know him the more you realise that his politeness seems to be ingrained in him. He’s unfailingly considerate, making sure you had enough on your plate, that your drink was topped up throughout dinner.

You wonder what he thinks of you.

You stop by the steps leading up to your building. ‘I guess I’ll see you around,’ you say, a little hesitantly.

‘Thank you,’ Jin says. ‘I was more stressed about it than I realised.’

You nod. ‘It was a pleasure.’

You’re about to turn away when he says, ‘there’s another dinner tomorrow night. It’s at a great sushi place downtown.’

‘Yeah?’ you ask.

‘Yeah. I don’t know if you like sushi, but I’d love it if you could join me.’ Jin looks at you, waiting.

‘I love sushi,’ you say, and a warm smile blooms on his face.

‘I’ll pick you up at seven,’ he says. ‘We should probably exchange numbers.’

If someone asked, you don’t think you’d be able to explain why your heart feels so light as you skip up the stairs to your tiny top floor apartment.

***

Jin’s running late to pick you up, so you tell him you’ll meet him at the restaurant.

You’re waiting outside, wondering if you should go in, when two of Jin’s friends from last night approach you.

You recognise Yoongi, but you don’t remember the name of the other man. He’s tall, with a tattoo sleeve and an emo vibe you could get behind.

Yoongi greets you with what seems like genuine pleasure in his voice. ‘Y/N. Let’s go in.’

You head into the restaurant with Yoongi and the tattooed man, wondering if you’re dressed up enough. It’s an upscale Japanese fusion restaurant, with a sushi bar and a calming water feature at the entrance.

When you get to the table, Namjoon and Nara are already there, talking quietly to Hana and Minho.

Yoongi’s thrilled when he discovers you watch basketball, and is giving you a play-by-play of the game you missed earlier in the week when the tattooed man leans closer, and says, in an amused voice, ‘don’t mind hyung, he’s been talking about the game all week.’

‘At least Y/N’s polite enough to pretend to listen, Jungkook,’ Yoongi says, rolling his eyes.

You laugh at his expression. ‘I was listening, actually. If you’re in town we should go and catch a game together sometime.’

Yoongi insists on exchanging numbers with you. You’re saving his number on your phone when Jin rushes up to you, a little breathless.

He’s flushed and glowy, and he looks gorgeous as ever. ‘I’m so sorry,’ he says. He focuses in on you. ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t come and pick you up,’ he tells you.

‘It’s ok, Jin, Yoongi’s been talking her ear off,’ Jungkook says, smiling at you mischievously.

Jin looks apologetic as he slides in next to you. ‘It’s fine, Jin,’ you tell him, patting his arm.

In between your entrée and dessert, you excuse yourself to get some fresh air, and stand for a moment admiring the water feature at the entrance.

‘Pretty, isn’t it?’ Jin asks. He smiles charmingly at you. ‘I really am sorry I was so late.’

‘Are you sure you don’t just like making a dramatic entrance?’ you ask, teasingly.

He laughs, self-deprecatingly. ‘Yes, but today wasn’t about that.’ He rubs the back of his neck. ‘I actually got sweaty hurrying here. There was so much traffic the taxi couldn’t get close.’

‘You’re cute when you’re sweaty,’ you tell him, watching the koi carp weave their way through the artificial stream.

‘And you look beautiful,’ Jin tells you.

You smile up at him. ‘I wasn’t sure you’d like my style. You seem like a classic kind of guy.’

‘It’s true, you do look too cool for me. You’d probably match better with Jungkook or Yoongi, clothes wise,’ Jin says, seriously. ‘Maybe you can style me.’

‘I think you’re perfect how you are,’ you say. ‘Lawyer chic is trending now.’

Jin laughs. ‘I actually am a lawyer.’

You chuckle. ‘Nothing wrong with that, Jin.’

He holds out his arm to you. ‘Come on. I ordered you dessert.’

Jin and you have similar tastes in food. He’s pleased when you rave over the matcha ice-cream he’s ordered you.

‘Let’s toast to Nara and Namjoon,’ Jungkook says, lifting his glass.

You lift your glass obligingly, and catch the way Hana’s looking at Jin as you toast.

He’s oblivious, smiling and joking with Yoongi. You glance at Minho, and realise he’s looking back at you. There’s a sardonic curl to his lips as he tips his glass to you.

The plum sake Namjoon has ordered is so delicious you drink way too much of it before you realise how strong it is.

You’re sipping water, trying to ward off the effects of the alcohol, when you feel Jin’s eyes on you. He nudges you, gently, leaning close so no one else can hear.

‘You ok?’ he asks, quietly.

‘I may have drunk too much,’ you whisper to him, worried.

He looks at you, at your wide eyes, your warm cheeks, and a corner of his mouth curls up.

‘I’ll take care of you,’ he says.

Jin orders you more water and a black coffee, and lets you lean into him as everyone else chats.

Yoongi, on the other side of you, passes you his water. He smiles at you kindly when you take a big gulp.

‘Don’t worry,’ he says.

You can feel your whole face heating up. ‘Do I look like a tomato, Yoongi?’ you ask.

Yoongi’s deep chuckle makes you smile. Jin turns to you. ‘I’d say more of a strawberry,’ he tells you. He hugs you to him, and you’re so self-conscious you miss the way his friends exchange glances at the way usually conservative Jin is holding you in front of them.

Jin hails a taxi after dinner. He nudges you. ‘Hey, quiet girl.’

There’s affection in his voice.

‘I’m too drunk to talk,’ you announce to him.

Jin laughs. ‘You’re cute.’

‘I hope I didn’t embarrass you in front of your friends,’ you say, widening your eyes.

Jin laughs again. ‘Please. Yoongi’s already texted me asking when we’re going to see you again.’

‘He’s cute too,’ you say.

‘Cuter than me?’ Jin asks in mock-outrage.

‘Maybe,’ you say. You peer at his face in the darkness of the taxi, and he winks at you.

‘Definitely,’ you say, nodding to yourself.

You fend off his hands as he tries to tickle you.

‘Take it back,’ Jin says, threateningly.

You double down. ‘Yoongi’s the finest man I’ve ever seen,’ you say firmly.

‘He’s the best,’ Jin concedes.

The taxi pulls up outside your building, and Jin gets out to help you out.

You stop outside your door. ‘I can take it from here,’ you say, smiling up at Jin.

He looks beautiful in the light from the streetlamps, his skin gleaming like burnished gold.

He looks at you for a moment, and there’s a flicker of something in his eyes that you can’t quite read.

‘Thanks for another great night,’ you say.

‘Thank you for making it great,’ he tells you. He shuffles his feet a little.

‘The wedding’s on Friday. I’d really like it if you’d be my date. Namjoon and Nara would love to have you.’

‘Is Yoongi going?’ you ask. You smile mischievously at him.

Jin rolls his eyes. ‘Brat.’

You touch his arm. ‘I’d love to go with you,’ you say, and you mean it.

‘It’s a date,’ Jin says.

You unlock your door, and he calls out after you.

‘Make sure you drink water!’

‘Yes dad,’ you say.

He laughs, and it’s the last thing you hear before your door closes.

***

Dia is excited to hear that Jin and his friends loved her food, and even more excited to hear that you’re meeting Jin again.

‘He’s way better looking than Leon,’ she tells you.

You’re sipping water and tucking into the huge breakfast she made you.

Leon is your ex-boyfriend, a guy you met at a club. You knew from the start that he was a great dancer, from your second date that he was great in bed. It took you another two months of dating him to realise he was also incredibly hot headed, impulsive and prone to starting fights.

You don’t mind a bit of drama, but after the third bar fight you pulled him out of, there was a moment when he turned on you - and that second of uncertainty wasn’t something you wanted to relive.

‘Jin’s gorgeous,’ you agree. ‘All his friends are.’

‘I told Miguel I’d use up a free pass on that tattooed guy,’ Dia says, pretending to fan herself. She gets up to refill your coffee mug.

You giggle. ‘How many free passes do you have?’ You know she’d never actually follow through, her and Miguel have been dating since high school.

Dia ignores you. ‘So where’s the wedding?’ she asks.

‘The Albion,’ you tell her.

‘So fancy,’ Dia says. ‘Want me to do your hair?’ She twirls a finger into your ponytail.

‘Sure, baby,’ you say. ‘Thanks for breakfast.’

‘Anytime,’ Dia says. ‘Up for a swim later?’

‘I’ll see you there,’ you promise.

***

You wave goodbye to Che and head down the street towards the community centre to meet Dia.

The community centre is newly built, and in your opinion, great for the neighbourhood. It’s got a pool, tennis courts, an indoor basketball court, a huge hall and baseball field. Your cousin plays little league here.

You swim a few laps with Dia and are walking home with a cherry snow-cone from the cart outside the community centre when you see a familiar frame.

‘Jin?’ you call.

He turns when he hears his name, and a smile spreads over his face. ‘What are you doing in the neighbourhood?’ you ask.

He holds up a garment bag. ‘I came to pick up my dry cleaning,’ he says.

Dia smiles at Seokjin. ‘What are you doing for dinner? I was going to try out a new recipe.’

Jin smiles at her. ‘I couldn’t impose.’

‘There’ll be plenty,’ you assure him. ‘Besides, you know what an amazing cook Dia is.’

‘You are great,’ Jin agrees.

Dia insists on you and Jin taking a walk before dinner so you don’t ‘get in the way’, as she puts it.

You take Jin to the park.

‘I’ve been thinking about you,’ he tells you. ‘I really am grateful that you’re accompanying me to all these wedding events.’

‘I’m having fun,’ you tell him. ‘How are you holding up?’

Jin looks out at the grass in front of him, at the setting sun. His profile is beautiful cast in pinks and oranges.

‘They look happy,’ he says, finally.

‘How long were you together?’ you ask, gently.

‘Five years. I wanted to marry her,’ Jin says. ‘She met Minho at work. She broke up with me.’ He glances at you, and there’s pain in his eyes.

‘That’s tough,’ you commiserate.

‘My family still ask me about her,’ Jin says.

You roll your eyes. ‘I dated a man for 2 months and my mom still asks about him.’

Jin grins at you. ‘That’s harsh.’

‘Tell me about it,’ you agree. You nudge him. ‘Come on. We can drown our sorrows in beer and gorgeous food.’

You walk back to your apartment, and true to form, Dia’s made an incredible meal.

You walk Jin out after dinner.

He leans against your door, and with the top two buttons of his shirt undone, his throat exposed, his hair carelessly pushed back over his forehead, he looks delectable.

You make a concerted effort not to stare.

‘So, see you Friday?’ you ask.

‘I can’t wait,’ he tells you. He leans close, and for a second you think he’s about to kiss you, but he turns away.

You watch him go, trying to calm the fluttering in your stomach.

Dia smiles affectionately at you as you come back up.

‘He’s pretty hung up over his ex,’ she says.

‘Yeah,’ you agree.

‘But he also can’t stop staring at you,’ she points out.

‘Mans got needs,’ you say, pulling her into a hug.

Dia ruffles your hair. ‘I’m just saying, I can’t get a read on him. Proceed with caution, my love.’

‘I’ll guard my heart,’ you tell her.

Dia smirks. ‘You do that. But also climb that man like a tree. Fuck he’s gorgeous.’

You burst out laughing. ‘Thanks for the advice, baby. Now go. I’ll clean up.’

***

Jin rings the doorbell, and you hurry down the steps to greet him.

He’s stunning. He’s wearing a tuxedo, perfectly tailored to fit him, as are all his suits, and his hair’s styled back. You try not to stare at his beautiful lips.

‘Whoa, are you real?’ you joke.

You expect him to laugh, but he’s quiet. Then you realise he’s staring at you.

You shift, a little self-conscious. ‘Do I look ok?’

He blinks. ‘God, I’m sorry you had to ask that,’ he tells you, and warmth blooms in your chest. ‘You look very beautiful. You look perfect.’

He holds out his arm to you. ‘I’m looking forward to having you on my arm tonight.’

You pull up outside the hotel at the same time as Yoongi, Jungkook and Jimin. Yoongi smiles at you warmly when he sees you, and Jungkook immediately pulls Jin aside to complain about how long Jimin took to get ready.

The banquet hall is stunning, decorated with a gold and silver theme. You’re taking a sip of your champagne when Hana and Minho approach you.

‘You look lovely,’ Hana tells you, politely.

‘You do too,’ you say, automatically, but it’s true. Hana’s wearing a beautiful red dress that skims over her figure. She looks expensive, flawless. Minho is equally well-dressed, but in your opinion Jin’s way better looking.

‘This colour scheme is gorgeous,’ Hana comments. She looks up at Minho. ‘We should do something similar for our wedding.’

‘When are you getting married?’ you ask.

‘Next summer,’ Hana replies.

You don’t know if Jin knows, but you know you need to change the subject quickly as he’s making his way over to you.

‘If you like Peruvian food, there’s a new restaurant that’s just opened up downtown that my friend Dia recommends,’ you blurt out.

Minho and Hana look at you strangely.

Jin reaches you then, and you smile at him. ‘We were just talking about Peruvian food,’ you tell him.

Hana turns to Jin. ‘Lovely to see you, Jin.’

Jin smiles at her, and he does that automatic tilt down so she can hug him. This time, it makes your heart squeeze a little.

You get an inkling then that you might be in trouble here.

You can’t develop feelings for a man who’s still pining over his ex.

You excuse yourself and go over to the balcony to get some air.

You’re looking out at the city view when you hear two older women mention Jin’s name.

‘I was surprised that Kim Seokjin and Lee Hana broke off their engagement,’ an older woman wearing black says.

‘It would have been fantastic for their families,’ the woman next to her agrees.

‘She seems happy with Chan Minho, though,’ the first woman says. ‘I wonder if Kim Seokjin’s moved on as well?’

‘He’s here with a girl. She’s not from a family we know, I doubt it’s anything serious.’

You’re a little thrown by this, by your feature in a conversation by people you don’t know. You gulp down the rest of your champagne, and feel a hand on your arm.

You look up and it’s Yoongi.

‘There’s a lot of gossip at these weddings,’ he says, not looking at you. He’s not loud, but his voice carries just the same in the clear night. You follow his line of vision, and realise he’s looking at the two women who were gossiping.

‘They’re about to start, let’s go to our table,’ he says. He holds out his arm, and you slip your fingers into the crook of it.

‘If you’re not from this world, consider yourself lucky,’ he tells you. He looks at you then. ‘People love talking about other people. It's meaningless.’

You smile gratefully at him. ‘I know that, Yoongi.’

He nods. ‘Has Seokjin told you how beautiful you look?’

You tug at your earring, and his fingers come up to straighten it.

‘I’m sure he has,’ Yoongi says. ‘Just in case you need to hear it again, you look stunning.’

He smiles at you. ‘Come on. The food is meant to be excellent.’

The food is excellent, the service impeccable. Namjoon and Nara are well-loved, judging by the speeches and the reactions of the guests. Jin's speech is characteristically sweet and funny. You sigh as you lean back in your seat. You love weddings.

You look around for Jin as the lights go down and the music starts to play.

You spot him, standing beside Hana. He leans down to her, and she takes his arm, smiling up at him.

He doesn’t see you, because he isn’t looking around. He’s only got eyes for Hana, and even you can appreciate how lovely they look, together.

The song that’s playing is slow, romantic. You recognise the singer, it’s one of your favourite songs at a wedding. Jin and Hana dance like they’ve been doing it for years, and you guess they have.

You look around for Minho, and realise he’s looking straight at you. He looks like he’s heading your way, and that makes you a little nervous, so you tap Jimin on the shoulder.

‘Want to dance?’ you ask Jimin. He looks a little surprised but agrees readily enough.

It turns out Jimin is an amazing dancer. There’s not much of a height difference between you, especially in your heels, and it makes it easy to follow his lead.

‘You’re so good!’ you tell Jimin, exhilarated.

He just smiles at you. ‘I love dancing,’ he tells you. ‘You’re a good partner.’

‘There’s a club near Pachamama that does live music on a Thursday, we should go sometime. You’d love it,’ you tell him.

You feel a tap on your shoulder. ‘Mind if I cut in?’ Jin asks.

Jimin lets go of you, telling you he’ll text you when he’s free to go dancing.

If Jimin’s an amazing dancer, so is Seokjin, though not necessarily for the same reasons. Jin is goofy, entertaining, secure enough in his good looks that he doesn’t mind looking silly to make you laugh.

You’re giggling at him when you see his expression change. You follow his line of vision and realise he’s looking at Hana and Minho, dancing together.

‘You ok?’ you ask, gently. ‘We can go if you want.’

‘Yeah,’ he tells you. ‘Let’s get out of here.’

He’s a little quiet in the taxi to your apartment.

‘Hey, you want to come up? We can watch a movie. Dia made this amazing lime granita today,’ you suggest. You can’t bear seeing him so deflated. You know what it’s like to not be over an ex.

Jin looks at you, and you smile. ‘I also have tequila,’ you coax.

The oversized sweats you toss Jin to change into are straining a little around the shoulders, but he looks good.

You put on a rom-com and fix margaritas for you and Jin.

‘To drinking our sorrows away,’ you say, holding up your glass. Jin clinks glasses with you, looking at you curiously.

‘What are your sorrows?’ he asks.

‘I work at a dry cleaners owned by my uncle. I’ll probably never be able to afford to buy my own place in this city. I’m single, and my last boyfriend was more interested in starting fights than spending romantic evenings with me.’ You smile at Jin, to let him know you aren’t entirely serious.

He touches your arm. ‘You’re beautiful, and kind and interesting. You live with your best friend who from what I can see, adores you, and I don’t blame her, because everyone who meets you seems to like you.’ He pauses. ‘And your last boyfriend? He sounds like an idiot.’

You’re touched. You take a sip of your margarita whilst you gather your thoughts. ‘He was an idiot,’ you say, finally. Your eyes meet Jin’s. ‘He tried to fight someone over a spilt beer.’

Jin looks thoughtful. ‘If I were going to fight someone it’d have to be something worth my time.’

You snort. ‘You tried to arm wrestle Jungkook for the last piece of sashimi the other night.’

‘I won, didn’t it?’ Jin retorts, looking proud.

‘Trust me, no one was expecting that outcome,’ you mutter.

‘I paid him to lose. So I’d look good in front of you,’ Jin says.

You stare at him for a minute before you realise he’s joking.

‘What do you know, anyway,’ Jin grumbles. ‘You were tipsy over half a glass of sake.’

You laugh. ‘It was strong!’

‘Thank God we’re already at yours, I don’t have to worry about you being sick in the taxi,’ Jin says.

You burst out laughing. Jin smiles, patting your hand, and you settle in to watch the movie.

You wake up the next morning in a pile of blankets and cushions. Your eyes land on the line of empty salt-rimmed glasses and then you realise there’s a more pressing issue.

Jin’s head is in your lap. He stirs, blinking up at you, and then he smiles. ‘I can’t think of a better way to wake up,’ he tells you, and there’s another dangerous tug at your heart.

‘That’s the tequila talking,’ you say, and it’s probably that you’re a little tired and a lot hungover, but you sound sadder than you’d intended.

Jin’s gaze sharpens on you, and you avoid his eyes.

‘I’ve got to get to work,’ you tell him. You smile, but your heart’s not in it.

‘Feel free to stay as long as you like,’ you say, getting up.

Jin’s back in his wedding suit by the time you’re ready to leave.

‘You ok?’ he asks. He’s still looking at you carefully.

‘Nothing caffeine won’t fix,’ you say. You give him your brightest smile, and are relieved when he seems to buy it.

He walks you to the dry cleaners, waiting as you open up.

‘I had a great time,’ you tell him. You have no idea where you go from here now that the wedding’s over and he no longer needs you as a buffer between him and his ex-fiancee.

Jin smiles. ‘Me too,’ he says. ‘You’re great company.’ It comes out a little flat.

You guess that’s that.

‘See ya, Jin,’ you say. You turn around and step into the shop.

By the time you count to a hundred and look up from the collection book, he’s walking off down your street. You watch him get smaller and smaller until he turns a corner, and then you can’t see him at all.

***

You look up as the door opens.

‘Hi, can I help -‘ The words die on your lips when you recognise Jin.

He’s still in his wedding suit, only now he’s holding two coffees and a brown paper bag.

‘I got you breakfast,’ he says. He waves the paper bag. ‘A cinammon roll.’

You accept the coffee and the roll. There’s a spark of something in your chest that you’re trying not to get too hyped up about.

‘Thanks, Jin.’

He looks at you. ‘I’d still like to see you, you know. If you wanted to.’

Your smile could light up the sky.

‘Yeah?’ you ask.

Jin nods. ‘Yeah. Want to grab dinner on Tuesday?’

‘I have a better idea,’ you say.

***

Your cousin’s doing great at his little league practice game, but that’s not the entire reason why you’re enjoying watching him.

Jin, it turns out, is passionate about baseball.

He cheers, he obnoxiously protests calls he doesn’t agree with and he’s spent most of the game on his feet.

Gorgeous, sexy, well-dressed Jin is apparently a little league dad in disguise.

You choke back laughter as Jin jumps up and down.

‘You didn’t say you felt so strongly about baseball,’ you say, torn between hilarity and affection.

‘If you weren’t so busy gushing over Min Yoongi and basketball, I’d have told you,’ Jin says.

‘Gushing,’ you say, thoughtfully.

Jin shoots you a look. ‘Gushing,’ he says, firmly.

You sit back and admire his ass as he waves it in your face for the rest of the game.

You stop by to congratulate your cousin, Felix after the game. Che seems pleased to see you and Jin. He invites you both over for dinner but you decline.

Jin and you have plans. You take him to a tiny Italian restaurant on your block, where he raves about the clam linguine like it’s the second coming. After dinner you walk through the park and get ice cream.

By the time you get back to your apartment, it feels like the best first date you’ve ever had.

Jin lingers on your doorstep, seemingly reluctant to go.

You look up at him, half shaded in the fading daylight, and reach out, pulling him a little closer to you.

He tilts his head down, and your lips meet.

His kiss is sweet, chaste almost, but there’s nothing innocent about the way he looks at you when he pulls away.

‘You’ve got no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that,’ he says, voice lower than you’ve ever heard it.

You look up at him, wide eyed, and almost as though he can’t help himself, he leans forward to kiss you again.

Your second kiss is better than the first, and your breathing is slightly erratic when you break apart.

‘Jin,’ you say, pressing a hand to his hard chest.

He puts his hand over yours, briefly. He presses a kiss on your forehead.

‘Call you later?’ he asks.

‘Yeah,’ you say.

***

You get a text from Jin once you’re in bed.

Jin: So my friend Taehyung’s just got engaged, and he’s throwing an engagement party next weekend in a fancy hotel in a vineyard. I’d love for you to be my date if you’re free.

Y/N: I’d like that.

Jin: It’s a date.

***

Jin picks you up early on Saturday morning, in his own car.

He puts your overnight bag in the back and waits as you buckle yourself in.

‘So I booked a hotel room for us to share. I hope that’s ok,’ he says.

You look at him. ‘I don’t know, do you snore?’ you ask.

Jin shakes his head. ‘I just don’t want you to feel like there’s any expectation on you, just because we’re sharing a room.’

‘We have slept together,’ you point out.

Jin gives you a mischievous smile. ‘That’s true. Maybe we can do it with less clothes this time.’

You nod. ‘Wouldn’t want to overheat,’ you say, solemnly.

***

This time, Yoongi and Jimin greet you like old friends, and you realise you have missed them.

Jin has your things brought up to your room whilst Yoongi and you organise a wine-tasting session for all four of you.

You’re on your way up when you see Hana and Minho. They’re walking together, but their interaction seems a little off. They’re not touching at all, and barely looking at each other.

After the wine-tasting, you and Jin are pleasantly tipsy.

Taehyung and his fiance, Jia, are as lovely as all of Jin’s other friends. They’ve organised dinner outdoors.

Jin seems a little distracted during dinner, and you’re about to ask if he’s ok when Hana taps his shoulder.

‘Can I speak to you after dinner?’ she asks.

Jin looks at you, and you hope your smile hides your uncertainty.

‘Of course,’ Jin says.

Yoongi asks if you want to take a walk after dinner, but you beg off, saying you’re tired.

You plan to stay up until Jin gets back to your hotel room, but eventually you fall asleep.

You’re woken by Jin’s lips on your neck.

He feels good, so good.

You turn towards him. His hands are warm, pulling you to him. You can barely see him in the darkness of your hotel room, but you’d know his silhouette anywhere.

His hard chest presses against yours, and the weight of him on you has your legs falling apart for him.

‘God, you’re so sweet,’ he tells you. ‘You taste so good.’

He kisses down your neck, tongue dragging across your skin.

‘Hana,’ he murmurs.

You freeze. You’re grateful for the darkness, because you wouldn’t want anyone to see the expression on your face.

How devastated you are.

You’d known Jin wasn’t over Hana, and you’d let your foolish heart trick you into believing otherwise.

Jin clicks on the bedside lamp, and your humiliation is complete.

You swipe away the traitorous tears that have sprung into your eyes.

The fact that he looks as dismayed as you feel brings you little comfort.

‘Y/N,’ he says.

You sit up. ‘I need some air,’ you say. You can barely get the words out.

‘No, it’s late,’ Jin says. ‘I’ll go.’

He grabs his coat and is out the door.

You leave anyway.

***

Jin’s got a headache. He massages his fingers over his temples, glancing at the clock. He doesn’t have any other client appointments today. He decides to head home.

He takes the subway home, and as always, he feels a pang as he passes what he always thinks of as your stop.

When he reaches his apartment he puts the TV on. The movie you watched together is playing. He turns the TV off and thinks of you.

It’s been a month since he saw you last, and he’s spent a disproportionate amount of time thinking about you considering you only met up a few times.

He remembers the circumstances in which you parted ways, and part of him still feels sick about it.

He’d left the hotel room to give you some space after his unfortunate slip, and when he got back you were gone.

He has no idea how you got home, but he knows you did because he went to your apartment.

You’d come out the door the next morning to open up the shop. If you’d turned your head, you would have seen him gaping at you like a deranged stalker.

But you hadn’t. You’d walked down your front steps, heading down the street in the early morning. He’d wanted to follow you, to get you a coffee, to apologise, but he hadn’t done any of those things.

He shouldn’t have brought you into this. It wasn’t fair on you to be a crutch to help him heal after his breakup with Hana.

He hadn’t been able to stop himself, though. You’d just been so generous with your time and your love. The time he’d gone to your cousin’s little league game, he’d seen how everyone in your community greeted you, how you’d had a kind word or a joke to exchange with everyone you met.

You were so warm, and you made him feel good about everything.

And fuck if you weren’t so pretty you made his trousers feel a little tighter every time you looked up at him.

Jin sighs. He gets in the shower, makes himself dinner and thinks about you until he falls asleep.

***

‘Your two o’clock’s here, Mr Kim,’ Jin’s assistant, Yeri announces.

‘I wasn’t aware I had a two o’clock,’ Jin says, frowning.

‘She says she knows you personally. Ms L/N?’ Yeri asks, snapping her gum.

Jin raises his eyebrows. He has no idea who to expect, but he’s definitely not expecting you to walk into his office.

Jin stares at you for a moment before remembering his manners. ‘Y/N,’ he says, coming out from behind his desk. He stops short a couple feet away, thinking you might not want the hug he was about to give you.

You look up at him. ‘I need your help,’ you say.

‘You have it,’ Jin says. His first thought is that you’re pregnant and he’s the father. Then he remembers what happened the one time you came anywhere close to having sex, and he cringes internally. He’d be unbelievably lucky to ever get a shot like that again.

He realise you’ve been looking at him through his entire embarrassing internal monologue, and he flushes.

‘Please, sit, tell me how I can help,’ he urges you, gesturing to the chair set up in front of his desk. He sits in the chair next to it.

‘You said you were a lawyer,’ you say. ‘I thought you might be able to help, or that you might know someone who could. They’re trying to tear down the community centre to develop more housing. I want to stop them.’

Jin was not expecting this. But damn, this is right up his street.

‘I do real estate law,’ he tells you. ‘I can help.’

You look so relieved he reaches out to put his hand on yours.

Jin pulls up his tablet and makes notes as you talk. Once he thinks he’s got all the information he needs to proceed, you hesitate.

Jin nods encouragingly at you. ‘Anything else you think might be useful to know?’ he asks.

You shake your head. ‘Your fee.’ You look worried. ‘The community’s done a collection – I’ve got enough money for your retainer fee but you’ll need to keep me up to date –‘

Jin interjects smoothly. ‘A proportion of my work is pro bono. A case like this fits the bill perfectly.’

You raise an eyebrow at him, skeptically.

Jin looks back at you, impassive. He knows his poker face is good.

Finally, you nod. ‘Thank you.’

‘I’ll get some preliminary work done, and I’ll organise a time for us to meet next week,’ Jin tells you.

You get up, and Jin says, ‘Wait.’

‘I’m sorry,’ he says. ‘About what happened at the hotel.’

You look at him, eyes searching his. ‘It’s ok, Jin,’ you say, finally. ‘You were going through a rough time.’

‘It’s not ok. I don’t even know why I said it,’ Jin says.

‘Freudian slip,’ you murmur. You flick your eyes up at him, and there’s a spark in them that he didn’t think he’d see directed at him again.

Jin laughs, despite himself. ‘What I mean is, it was disrespectful, and it didn’t reflect how much value I place on the help you gave me.’

‘Because you did help me, so much,’ Jin says, wanting you to know how much he means it.

You smile up at him. ‘I’m glad. I’ll see you next week, Jin.’

‘Wait,’ Jin says, as you step towards the door. You stop, and now he can definitely see a spark of amusement in your eyes. ‘I’m meeting Yoongi and Jimin for dinner. Would you like to join us? They’d love to see you.’

You tilt your head at him.

‘Seafood,’ Jin says, coaxingly.

You laugh, and his heart leaps in his chest.

‘Is that all you got, Mr Kim?’ you ask, a teasing note in your voice.

‘Lobster,’ says Jin. He walks beside you as you step out of his office.

‘Swordfish,’ he says, as you walk down the corridor to the lifts.

‘Tuna!’ he calls, as you get in the empty lift.

‘I’ll pick you up at 7,’ he says, quickly. He has just enough time to see the smile on your face before the lift doors close between you.

***

Yoongi is doing an uncanny impression of drunk Jimin, and he has you in hysterics.

Jin passes you a drink when he’s sure you’ve calmed down enough to drink it safely.

Jimin pouts at all of you. ‘I was NOT drunk.’

Yoongi bursts into song again, and Jin joins in. He’s got a surprisingly good tenor, and his rhythm isn’t bad either.

‘Was I drunk, Y/N?’ Jimin asks.

‘I’m sorry Jimin, you were trashed,’ you confirm.

Yoongi looks at you, straight-faced. ‘You also got drunk on a thimbleful of sake, if I recall correctly.’

You’re outraged by his lack of loyalty.

Jimin laughs, delighted. ‘You’re never going to be able to wash your clothes now,’ he tells Yoongi, gleefully.

You stare at them, confused.

‘Because you work at a launderette,’ Jimin points out.

‘It’s a dry cleaners. She works at a dry cleaners,’ Jin says to Jimin, clapping a hand to his forehead dramatically.

Now Jimin’s confused. ‘It’s synonymous!’ he protests.

‘No, a dry cleaners isn’t the same as a launderette,’ you say. ‘Why does Yoongi need to go to a launderette anyway?’

‘My washing machine’s broken,’ Yoongi says. He seems genuinely upset about it.

‘I mean, you can use my machine if you live close,’ you offer.

Jin puts an arm out and pulls you to him. ‘God, why are you being nice to him. He was just teasing you!’

Your lips are so close to his throat you can smell his cologne, fresh and piney.

‘I like him,’ you say. ‘I have a thing for mean, grumpy men.’

Yoongi chuckles. ‘It’s the irresistible Min charm,’ he says, deadpan.

‘It’s the irresistible Yoongi charm,’ Jimin echoes. ‘Capable of dropping all panties within a twenty-mile radius.’

‘Sounds dangerous,’ you say, finishing the last of your drink.

Jin walks you home after dinner, as always.

‘Thank you for coming out with us,’ he says to you. ‘I’ve missed your company.’

‘I had a great time,’ you say, and you mean it.

He looks at you a moment longer, then nods, turning away.

You watch him go for a bit.

‘Go inside. It’s dark,’ he calls out. He looks back at you.

‘Yes dad,’ you call back.

He laughs, waving a hand at you. He gives you another smile over his shoulder before he goes.

***

When you get upstairs, Dia and Miguel are making out on the kitchen counter.

‘I’m sure this contravenes all food hygiene regulations,’ you say dryly.

Dia turns to you, waving a hand. It takes you less than two seconds to notice the new sparkly diamond on her engagement finger.

You clap a hand to your mouth and scream.

Dia grabs you in a hug and you squeeze her. ‘Congratulations, my love!’ you say, kissing her on her forehead.

You turn to Miguel. ‘Congratulations, Miguel. Remember even after you’re married I can still kick your ass.’

Miguel laughs. ‘I’ll look after her with my life, I promise you,’ he tells you, rather sweetly.

Dia pours out champagne for all three of you from the half-empty bottle.

‘To my two favourite people,’ you say, lifting your glass in a toast.

‘To my two favourites,’ Dia echoes. She smiles at you, affectionately.

After you finish your champagne, Dia leaves with Miguel to go to his place, smirking suggestively at you before she leaves. You have no doubt Miguel is going to be a happy man in the morning.

You flop on your bed, already planning how you’re going to get everyone together for the bridal shower.

***

Jin’s talking about zoning laws and procedural errors, and you’re just watching the way his lips move. He’s wearing a navy suit today, shirtsleeves held together with silver cufflinks. He’s got a waistcoat on.

You’d never realised you had a thing for men in three-piece suits.

You make brief eye contact to pretend like you’re listening, and go back to admiring him.

The thing you’ve always liked most about Jin is the way he carries himself. He’s confident, just shy of arrogant, and he pulls it off with aplomb. He behaves like privilege is his birthright, and as someone who’s always lived alongside privilege but not always with it, you’re fascinated.

Jin makes eye contact with you again, and it takes you a second to realise he’s stopped talking.

You nod. ‘I agree.’

‘You’re not listening. I can tell when someone’s not listening and they’re just having sexual fantasies about me,’ Jin says.

He raises an eyebrow at you. ‘It happens a lot.’

You lean forward slightly. ‘Actually, I can also tell when people are fantasizing about me,’ you tell him.

Jin’s poker face is good, but his lips press together just a fraction as you lean even closer.

‘I can also tell when someone’s checking out my ass,’ you tell him.

Jin doesn’t break eye contact as he says, ‘You do have a great ass.’

He licks his lower lip.

‘Trust me, Jinnie, if you ever get to touch this ass, you’ll be saying my name and no one else’s,’ you tell him.

Jin smirks. ‘Actually, given my track record, I’d prefer if we didn’t say any names in bed. You can call me daddy.’

You snort. ‘No chance.’

Jin shrugs. ‘I’ve told you what I like. Maybe one day you’ll indulge me.’

‘Not saying names doesn’t negate the thoughts behind them,’ you point out.

Jin pauses then, and his voice is serious when he speaks. ‘I never meant to hurt you, Y/N.’

You break eye contact because he’s threatening to make you feel things again, and you’re not sure your heart can take a second strike.

‘Anyway, the other thing I wanted to ask, was if you knew any good places where I can throw an engagement party for Dia and Miguel,’ you say, straightening your skirt.

‘Yes, actually,’ Jin says. ‘I was thinking of you the other day. There’s a new place that’s just opened up down the street from me. It has great cocktails, and a rooftop bar.’

‘Where do you live?’ you ask, curious. You’ve never been to Jin’s apartment.

‘Tell you what, I’ll take you out for drinks after this. You can check out the bar, and my apartment,’ Jin suggests.

‘I’m not calling you daddy,’ you say.

‘Are you pouting at me?’ he asks.

You’ve never picked up dom vibes from Jin before, but he’s suddenly got an edge to him that you’re intrigued by.

‘I’m not pouting,’ you say. You look up at him.

His hand comes up, fingers curling under your chin. His thumb traces along your lower lip.

‘Your pretty mouth,’ he muses.

You shiver.

‘One of the regrets of my life is what happened in that hotel room,’ Jin tells you. His eyes are intent on yours. ‘And I’ll spend all of my time making it up to you, if you’ll let me.’

You don’t know what to say to that, but Jin doesn’t wait for an answer.

He leans forward to kiss you, once, and you sigh as he pulls away.

‘I’ll see you later, for drinks,’ he tells you.

You make it back to the dry cleaners, but you have no recollection of how you did it. All you can think about is Jin’s lips on yours.

***

Jin’s right. The rooftop bar is perfect for an engagement party, and the cocktails are damn good.

He smiles at you over his ridiculously pink drink.

‘What do you think?’ he asks.

‘It’s perfect,’ you reply. ‘Thanks for the recommendation.’

Jin grins. ‘It reminded me of you when I came here. The music’s great, the vibe is relaxed, and the view is stunning.’

‘You did good, Jin,’ you concede.

Three cocktails in and you’re struggling to take your eyes off Jin. He’s not faring much better, leaning close, staring at you.

‘Want to see my apartment?’ he asks.

‘What’s my name?’ you ask, only half-joking.

‘You’re Y/N. You’ve got the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen and your ass is second to none,’ Jin says.

You reach out and tug at his loosened tie.

He tilts his head down, lips hovering over yours.

‘Let’s go,’ you tell him.

Jin’s apartment is gorgeous, modern and spacious. You want to look at the photos on the wall, but that’s going to have to wait, because Jin’s taking his suit jacket off, and damn, his shoulders are distracting.

He crowds you against the wall, so close you can feel the heat radiating off him.

He tilts his head down, and kisses you. The touch of his lips sends a throb through your veins. He tastes sweet, but there’s nothing sweet about the way his hands are roaming over your body.

‘I’ve wanted to touch you like this for so long,’ he tells you. One hand slides around the back of your neck, tangling in your hair as he takes his fill of you.

You run your hands over his shoulders, and they’re gorgeously firm. He grips your ass, pulling you tight against him.

You’re unbuttoning his shirt to run your hands over his skin, and he’s unzipping your skirt. You wriggle a little, and it falls past your hips into a silken puddle on Jin’s floor.

Jin pulls back to stare at your panties.

‘Sweet,’ he murmurs. He takes your hand. ‘My bedroom’s here.’

You walk across his living room, and hesitate at the doorway.

Jin looks down at you. ‘We don’t have to go in there,’ he tells you. ‘You don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for. But I promise you that when you do, it’ll be just you and me in there. There’s no one else, Y/N.’

Your eyes meet his, and you take a step into the room.

Jin walks you backwards onto his bed. When the backs of your thighs hit the mattress, he keeps going, until you’re lying across his bed.

Jin lays down next to you, his shirt half unbuttoned. You tug at his shirt.

‘Off,’ you say.

Jin sits up and starts unbuttoning. When he looks back at you, his eyes widen a little.

You’ve slipped your silky blouse off, and all that’s left is rose coloured lingerie that makes your skin pop.

‘You’re beautiful,’ he breathes.

‘Right back at you,’ you say. Jin’s face has always been beautiful, but there’s a manliness to the shape of his body that has you feeling a little weak.

His broad shoulders taper into a taut waist, and there’s obvious strength in his arms as he supports himself above you.

‘Can I touch you?’ he asks.

‘God, yes,’ you reply. Jin doesn’t need further encouragement, laying kisses on your breasts as his hand slips over your panties.

You tug your panties off your hips because you think he’s the kind of man who’d drive you half-insane with teasing, and you don’t want to wait.

‘Eager,’ Jin says, but he doesn’t sound mad about it.

His full lips close over a nipple as he strokes you, fingers sliding in between your folds.

You tighten around him, and he sucks in a breath. ‘You’re killing me,’ he tells you.

You’re so wet, so ready you feel like you’ll implode if he doesn’t get inside you.

‘Jin,’ you say, voice strained.

‘Baby,’ he says. You aren’t sure if he’s not using your name on purpose.

He winks at you, mischievously.

You’re about to tell him off when he climbs on top of you, and what feels like a very hard cock pushes at your entrance.

‘Ready?’ he asks, and now he’s the one who sounds strained.

You gasp as he pushes his way in. ‘Ngh,’ you moan.

Jin wants to make you laugh again but god, you feel so good. ‘So good,’ he tells you.

He thrusts into you, one hand coming up to curl around your neck, pressing a little.

‘You look so good on my cock,’ he tells you.

You’re beyond words, legs locked around his hips. You reach down to stroke your clit, and Jin groans. He lowers his head to suck at your tits, and then you’re cumming, orgasm flaring through you, making your toes curl and your back arch.

Jin calls your name as he cums, says it again and again like he can’t stop. Finally he collapses next to you, pressing his lips to your heated face. He whispers things to you, and you don’t quite hear all of it, but you think it’s all good.

***

You’re at work when Dia calls you. She sounds breathless.

‘You need to call Jin and get your ass over here,’ she says. ‘Bulldozers have just arrived outside the community centre.’

You call Jin as you lock up the shop. He answers within a few rings.

‘Y/N,’ he says. ‘Are you ok?’

‘There’s bulldozers outside the community centre, Jin,’ you tell him.

Jin swears. ‘I’ll be right there,’ he tells you.

You stop by each store on the street on the way to the community centre, telling everyone what’s happening. By the time you get there, you’re walking within a large crowd, and there's more people already there with Dia.

You join hands with Dia and form a wall of people in front of the community centre. You can see the men in the bulldozer cabs on their phones, calling whoever’s hired them to do the job.

The foreman steps forward. ‘We don’t want to cause any trouble here, but we’ve been hired to tear this place down.’

You’re about to speak when a taxi screeches to a halt on the street in front of you.

Jin steps out, and you hear Dia suck in a breath beside you.

You don’t blame her. He looks like a literal, heaven-sent angel.

Everyone’s looking at him, and Jin takes it in his stride. He walks straight up to the foreman.

‘I’ve called your boss about the highly illegal stunt he’s tried to make you pull. The zoning overlay’s been permanently redacted. I suggest you leave, and take a contract from another developer. One that isn’t trying to hang you out to dry.’

The foreman signals to his team, and murmuring runs through the crowd as the bulldozers pull away.

The clapping starts, tentatively at first, then it’s a full blown round of applause with cheering. It's making you feel all warm inside. People are shaking Jin’s hand, thanking you and Dia, you think that maybe you’ve helped to achieve something worthwhile here today.

‘Free pass?’ Dia asks, twinkling at you as she tilts her head towards Jin, currently being embraced enthusiastically by Guiseppe, the owner of the Italian place you took him to on your date.

You laugh. ‘You know I love you, Dia, but I’m about to rail that man ten ways to Sunday tonight, and I don’t want to share.’

‘Fair,’ Dia says. ‘You can tell him I think it’s really fucking sexy what he just did.’

Back at your apartment, you show Jin just how fucking sexy you think he is.

Afterward, Jin lays flat on his back, sheet carelessly draped low over his hips.

‘Fuck,’ he utters. ‘You got anything else you want me to get done for you?’

‘I’ll let you know,’ you say, still a little breathless from your orgasm.

Jin props himself up and leans in close to kiss you deeply. ‘You do that,’ he says, smiling at you.

***

You love weddings, you always have. Dia and Miguel decided to have their wedding at the community centre, and your whole community pitched in with decorations and food.

You smile fondly at Dia, and she blows you a kiss as she slow dances with Miguel.

Beside you, Jin holds your hand in his. He brings your intertwined hands up and presses a kiss to your knuckles.

‘You ok, baby?’ he asks.

You look over at him and nod a yes.

You think you’re going to be all right.

©hamsterclaw 2022

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