Kim Namjoon Imagine - Tumblr Posts

BTS | KNJ | FIC RECS

Here is the Namjoon Collection!! Just a few of my favourites. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I do!

Dom daddy Joon, @joonsmagicshop (Namjoon/Reader Jungkook/Reader, daddy kink, masturbation)

Caramel, @casuallyimagining (fluff, angst, slice of life)

Oh, Honey!, @yoongiofmine (Fluff, angst, so much smut, strangers to lovers, sugar daddy au.)

What's left of us, @yoongiofmine (fluff, angst, smut, non idol au, exes au.)

Out of the woods, @angelicyoongie (fluff, angst, slight smut, wolf hybrid namjoon x human f!reader)

There's gonna be no take two, @sopebubbles (Idol!Kim Namjoon x reader, angst)

Reckless, @vyduan (angst, idolverse, friends to lovers, slow burn, canon compliant)

Drunk in love, @joon4eva (one-shot ; friends-to-lovers au)

Gift Wrapping, @btsqualityy (fluff, slice of life)

We have time, @souryoong (boyfriend!namjoon x reader, smut)

Prohibido, @personasintro (brother's best friend au, fluff, angst smut)

Bellisima, @personasintro (parents au, fluff, smut)

insomnia ; kim namjoon

it’s your first night away from him, and you just cannot fall asleep.

↬  pairings ┇  boyfriend!joon x gender non-specified reader

↬  genre ┇  pure fluff, some attempt at comedy, long distance relationship, crack sope ((;

↬  word count ┇  a little over 800 words

[  masterlist  ]

Thunderous claps outside your window pulled you closer into the duvet of your bed, allowing your own body heat to be your source of comfort between the sheets. You burrowed your head into the pillow as the weather bellowed; rain gushing onto roof as if about to break through any moment.

You sighed defeatedly, almost hating the way you had grown accustomed to Namjoon’s presence beside you in bed: though your insomnia was still apparent on some nights, there was no doubt that you’d gradually fallen asleep much quicker with him in your arms every night.

Though after knowing him for some time now, the pair of you had only been together for a few weeks — the timing of your budding relationship worked in your favour as BTS were on their break. Unfortunately, coming back to the real world, he was an idol with work to do, which eventually meant time apart. This meant that on your first night away from him, your body had sadly succumbed to the previous insomnia he had stripped you of for many nights.

You sniffled into your sleeve, grasping around in the bed to find your phone which you clutch at desperately to bring to your face. The light scorches your eyes as you fumble to turn the brightness down. The clock reads some time past 2am. Some calculating in your head leads you to believe it’ll be about 12am for Namjoon in his time zone. You unlock your phone and go straight to his speed dial, pressing video chat.

It rings for less than a second before he picks up. “Hi, Jagi.” His voice is in whispers, quiet as if to not disturb. His blonde hair peeks out from his hoodie that he’s very comfortably sat in on the sofa, making him look incredibly soft and cuddly. He offers you a sweet smile, and you die at the sight of his dimples. “Can you turn the light on, please?”

You realise he can’t even see you from the depths of your duvet. With some effort, you wiggle to the surface, reaching over the bedside table to switch on an electric candle that illuminates the bedroom with soft ambience. “Hi, Joonie.” His eyes light up when he finally sees you, bed head and all. He notices the weariness in your eyes and the tired smile gracing your lips, and he can’t stop the thought that runs through his head saying he’s falling in love with you all over again.

“Can’t sleep?” You shake your head, and he fakes a frown, “I’ll keep you company until you do.”

“How come you aren’t in bed?” He flips the camera to the bed across the room, and your eyes narrow on two figures, one lying across the other.

“It’s Sope. They took the bed so I get the sofa.” Part of you wants to laugh; the other part is upset your boyfriend doesn’t even get a bed whilst abroad. Namjoon seems to notice your concern, “It’s just a mix up, don’t worry. They’re sorting it out for tomorrow night.” Your lips purse and his look softens, “Hey, don’t worry, it’s comfortable.” The statement was said with so much passion, you’d think he was trying to convince himself.

With tiredness, your eyes shut momentarily, “You’re lying, aren’t you?” He cringes inwardly.

“Is it that obvious?” You nod. “Dammit.” The short scowl that leaves his lips sounds like a lullaby to you.

“Namjoonie?” a low, gruff voice calls out. Your boyfriend hums in return, his eyes averting from the camera. “Shut up.” You snigger a laugh, identifying the sleepy voice as Hoseok.

Your boyfriend seems to ignore him, turning his focus back to you, “The show was really good, baby. We had a bouncy castle!” You can’t help but notice how childish his manner becomes, and the sparkle in his eyes when he expresses his happiness. You’ve never wanted him in your arms more, especially now as you felt sleep creeping up on you.

You smile back after an extended yawn, “No way. On the stage?” He nods energetically. “That’s crazy, babe.”

“Mm, it was.” Namjoon pulls his hood down to ruffle his hair up, and if you had any more energy in you, you’d take a moment to ogle at how attractive the action was. He notices your eyelids droop, “Then Jimin-ah built a spaceship.”

You nod some more, nestling comfortably under the covers, “We all got in it and went to Mars.”

“That’s great, baby.”

“Yeah. Then we got ice cream and went to the alien zoo.” You mumble more agreement terms, Namjoon’s smile spreading across his lips. “Jin hyung looked like one of the aliens.” You quietly dropped into a long awaited slumber.

“We left Kookie behind though,” he murmurs softly. By this point you were lightly snoring, and Namjoon was doing everything possible not to break out into laughter for both the sake of you and the members in his room.

He can’t resist screenshotting your cute face, before whispering to you and ending the call.

“Goodnight, baby.”

navigation ︴fic recs ︴ ask / send me feedback / writing && reading requests

↬  all works are member x gender non-specified reader && are drabbles under 1k words unless stated otherwise!

↬  please do not copy, repost, or claim my work as your own!

↬  bts are real people, i only own original storylines && dialogues.

insomnia  ┇  boyfriend!joon  〈  fluff, long-distance  〉

↬  it’s your first night away from him, && you just cannot fall asleep.

↬  tbc!

paint by number  ┇  husband!yoongi  〈  fluff, romantic  〉

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

holly and ivy  ┇  neighbor!yoongi  〈  fluff, festive, >1k  〉

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

for you  ┇  husband!hobi  〈  fluff, romantic  〉

↬  after all these years, you're surprised to find out the extent he'd go for you.

↬  tbc!

love you anymore  ┇  domestic!tae  〈  angst, breakup  〉

↬  falling out of love is such a painful thing; telling him is even worse.

milkshakes  ┇  bestfriend!kook  〈  platonic fluff  〉

↬ sometimes all you need is him, milkshakes, && a late night catch up.

navigation   ︴ masterlist

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

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

➼  i update this over time && i also take reading requests

➼  don’t forget to like / reblog the works you enjoyed, && send the authors your thoughts !

➼  includes short fic reviews under the cut !

fox rain   ︴@jincherie & @cinnaminsvga

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

flowerbomb   ︴@goshguk 

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

wonderland    ︴@monosrkive

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

literally anything by @jjeonggukss 

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

anything by @honeymoonjin

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

zodiac   ︴ @honeymoonjin

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

death’s bride    ︴ @dabble-writes

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

unnamed drabble    ︴ @yoonsgiggle

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

5am infatuation    ︴ @dimplemono

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

moonie    ︴ @acopenhagenarmy

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

just for you    ︴ @loverknj

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

you and me    ︴  @carrotgguk

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

papillon    ︴  @readyplayerhobi

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

seems like he likes you    ︴ @min-eyoongi

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

evening     ︴ @drowsymochi​

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

my soulmate’s soulmate  ︴  @lavendersoft​

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

hope world     ︴  @personasintro

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

the date    ︴ @jhspetitegf

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

the curveball caught by us   ︴ @tendershepherd

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

by its cover    ︴ @crystaljins

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

first love    ︴  @jungnoir

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

runaway train     ︴  @jamaisstae​

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

the curveball caught by us   ︴ @tendershepherd

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

cooking 101     ︴  @writing-in-ivory

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

moonlight      ︴  @kooksea

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

schrödinger’s cat      ︴   @dovechim​

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

terrified     ︴  @loverknj

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

searching for    ︴ @tendershepherd

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

my soulmate’s soulmate    ︴  @lavendersoft

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

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

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

Rainy days in Seoul

Pairing: reader & Kim Namjoon(RM)

Genre: Angst, maybe fluff at the beginning?

Growing up I always thought love was easy to find. My parents met in college and fell in love at first sight. Even though my older brother wasn’t planned, as it was only 2 months into the relationship, my parents realized they wanted to keep both the child and the relationship. That turned into another child, me, and 10 years of marriage. My older brother didn’t have the same luck at the first year of college but he’s still hoping. After meeting my boyfriend, randomly at cafe in Seoul, I slowly started to develop the same outlook on love:

"Hi can I get a ice americano and a muffin please?” I said when it was my turn at the counter.

“And what name should I write?”

The server asked.

“Y/N” I said softly and smiled.

The server nodded and took the money I held out for him. I sat down a little further into the little cafe. I reached down to take out my earphones and put in one, just so I could still hear when my order was ready.

“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”

I looked up and into the eyes of a gorgeous young man. His soft brown hair framed his face perfectly and his brown eyes were shinning with the sunlight from outside, coming inside. His smile was enchanting and made my knees weak, luckily I was sitting down so no one noticed the physical reaction.

“No no, you can take the chair” I said expecting him to move it to another table. I looked down to my phone to answer a message from my friends group chat expecting the guy to be long gone in a conversation with someone else at another table.

“Y/N is a beautiful name”

I looked up shocked and noticed he had sat down across me, at ‘my’ table. My mouth opened slightly from the shock of his words.

“I’m sorry if I come across rude, but do i know you? How do you know my name?” I said confused. Had I met him before? Was he a friend of a friend?

“Shit sorry, I totally came across creepy... I heard your name when you mentioned it to the server.. I was behind you in the queue” he said nervously, as all confidence in his voice dissapered.

As I realized we wasn’t a stalker, at least still kind of hoped, I smiled and stopped holding my breath.

“I’m Namjoon” he said and also let his breath go. “I just thought I could approach you confidently and be smooth but I got too nervous” he said and laughed softly.

“Nice to meet you, Namjoon” I said.

I was sure that if it had been any other guy I would have ticked him off as a creep and would’ve rejected him in hopes of him walking away without any anger, as I had heard stories about what could happen. But somehow I felt safe with him. Could’ve been me being naive and trusting whoever, always seeing the best in people. But I decided not to reject him. We spent hours talking at the cafe and I learned he had a passion for music and I shared mine with art. He mentioned a new exhibition his friend, Taehyung, had made. He invited me and gave me his number before he excused himself for having to leave. I met up with him at the exhibition, which I had checked up before going so I was sure of it not being a lie to get me into another more dark situation. But the place checked out and even looked very official. He was standing outside and looked very handsome indeed in a suit. He had asked me to dress up as it was a quite fancy place. I chose a beautiful black dress that hugged my body, and put on some red lipstick. He was standing with his phone looking. As he heard footsteps coming closer to him he looked up and at me. His eyes became bigger and he looked me up and down. I did a little spin and laughed.

“ Hello Namjoon” I said softly still smiling.

“Hello Y/N, you look beautiful” he said smiling at me.

“Should we go in?” I asked him after what felt like 30 seconds of staring into each other’s eyes.

“Ah yes, lets go” he said smiling and put out his arm for me to take.

The night went by quickly and I had caught him staring several times when looking at the paintings. He introduced me to his friend who had paintings and afterwards he led my around the room, never leaving my side, but never touching me. I noticed him clinking softly on his glass of champagne and I smiled at him.

“Namjoon can I ask you something?” I said turning around so I was in front of him. “Of course”. “Is this a date?” I said bluntly, obviously catching him off guard. He looked down and and smiled big. “I hope so” he said slowly looking up at me, looking for a reaction to his words. “Me too” I said smiling at him.

The date went like they do in the movies, I felt myself falling for him slowly, but too fast at the same time I thought. I had just met this guy a few days ago but it felt like we had known each other for years. After the exhibition ended he said his goodbye to his friend and led me to the metro station nearby. He hugged me goodbye and explained his car was around the corner, therefore not taking the metro. After the date came many more. After many more came the label “boyfriend” and “girlfriend”. After the labels came the “lets move in together”. Everything was going great. I loved my job and living in Seoul. Namjoon was working on music and decided to go to an audition for the idol companies. After he got accepted and made it into a group, I was so incredibly happy for him. The group put out amazing songs that made them stand out from the crowd and they gained the success for their hard work. But I felt myself losing grip of him. He began to stay over at the studio several nights a week and began forgetting to answer my texts asking when he came home. I feared the realization of him drifting away but I wanted to hold on. And I feared more the thought of him realizing we were no longer as close as we used to be and as much in love we used to be. It was a rainy day I woke up to. Namjoon wasn’t by my side in our bed, which was becoming a normal recurrence. I sighed and sat up. Isn’t it just typical to be raining when the clouds where in my mind as well? The weather being a match with my feelings. But somehow I felt sure. Sure of how I felt and what I wanted to do today. To let go of the love of my life, or rather the love of 5 years. We had had several arguments about his fading time at home, more severe than others. I had had enough and given up on the idea of bringing my parents’ love into my world.

Yesterday I broke up with him. I had gone to his studio and had asked him to step outside. I told him quietly but surprisingly. He didn’t even flinch and after a few seconds he told me he agreed. That our blooming love had died like flowers in the cold of winter and that summer was never to return to revive it. As I got home everything hit me. What was I to do now? I had lost my life, losing him. What I had imagined for years I wouldn’t find in him. And the feelings of emptiness filled my and the tears started streaming down my cheeks. My legs gave out like the day I met him, only caused by the opposite feeling. Today Taehyung came by and told me he had been sent to pack up Namjoons things. I couldn’t get myself to help him pack everything of Namjoons personal things down. Every picture of his that was taken down, was a stab in my heart. Even when I couldn’t feel the love between us I could still remember when I could. And that broke my heart even more. Today was also a rainy day, with even more aggressive rain, beginning when Taehyung left with the boxes of belongings that used be conjoined with mine. The sky cried with me. Trying to comfort myself with the thought of the future but confusing myself more when I had to remove Namjoon from them.

also

my requests are open!!! i'll make a masterlist/post soon where it'll be easier to navigate but if u have any ideas feel free to send them in :)

Hii! Can I make a request about a fluff moment in a relationship with Namjoon? Whatever you want it's okay, just something soft/cute please :)

close to you (drabble)

namjoon x reader

sypnosis: you're supposed to finish reading this novel – instead, namjoon reads you like a book

(newly-ish) established relationship, non-idol au, this is a bit rushed, i wrote it in one go while i was running on mcdonald's ice coffee, this is FLUFF!!!! FLUFFY ! SOFT GENTLE GIANT JOON !

main masterlist

°. —・ ─ ・ ⋯ ・ ─ ⊹ ♡₊˚๑

you and namjoon were sitting in comfortable silence in his room, each of you immersed in your own thing – and by each of you, that means mostly just namjoon.

you were supposed to be reading a book while namjoon types away at his computer, when you suddenly felt this need to go and cuddle up to him.

your relationship was relatively new, only about a month, and you were still growing comfortable with each other; learning what you're open to receiving and giving.

this was one of those moments where you didn't know what was considered "too soon" or "too clingy", especially with someone like namjoon;

he's a gentleman, the kindest of the kindest, so for the most part, he's been letting you set the pace, him rarely initiating anything without coaxing it out of you first.

maybe it was how good he looked, all the damn time, but especially when he concentrated. or maybe it was the way you could see his chest softly rising and falling, making you want to snuggle into it. maybe it was just how much you liked him, you weren't sure, the only thing you were sure of was the itching in your legs to get up and straddle him so he could hold you in the way you were daydreaming of.

you were so deep into your mental debate that you hadn't noticed you were staring, but namjoon had. it wasn't until he called your name that you snapped out of it, heat rising in your cheeks as you looked away, embarrassed from being caught.

"you okay there, darling?" he moved away from his computer for a moment so he could look at you better and you just stiffly nodded as an answer.

"you sure?"

"mhm. yup. yes."

"okay-"

"wait. i-"

you interrupted namjoon as he was about to move back to the computer, but you were having a hard time getting the words to leave your throat.

"hmph. uh- can we- can i- um- sorry. uh, n-nevermind."

namjoon grew concerned at your rambling, moving to get up and walk towards you until he was able to kneel down in front of you.

"baby? what's wrong-"

"sorry, i just- can we try something?"

you fumbled with your fingers a little and finally looked up to meet namjoon's stare.

his eyes were soft and curious, and you could swear you fell in love with him all over again in that moment.

"yeah, of course."

nervously, you stood; namjoon following your lead.

why were you so nervous? this was your boyfriend for goodness sake. you're literally dating this man.

deciding to just go for it, you shuffle forward until you're hugging namjoon with your hands around his neck.

this catches him off guard for a second, before he wraps his arms around your waist.

when you feel his grip on you, you hop and wrap both of your legs around his torso so he's carrying you.

namjoon just makes a "hm?" sound as he adjusts his hold on you to make sure you don't slip.

"can we go sit in your chair?"

your softly asked question causes a lightbulb to flicker on over namjoon's head, finally starting to realize what you wanted.

"okay."

he makes his way back to the chair by his computer, and sits down slowly to make sure you can position yourself comfortably.

as you both settle down, a happy sigh leaves your lips, entirely pleased with how you're sitting on his lap and your head buried in his chest just like you had been wanting since you got to his place.

"is this what you wanted?" namjoon's voice is light and affectionate and it only makes you nuzzle further into him as you nod.

he chuckles and runs his fingers through your hair before speaking again.

"you know, you don't have to ask for these kinds of things."

this makes you lift your head up to look at him, happy to find his eyes filled with genuineness.

"i just don't want to make you uncomfortable or bother you or cross a line you know?"

"actually, i don't know. i don't know how you could think that having me hold you would garner a negative reaction from me at all. having you in my arms like this … it's easily one of my favorite things in the world. its not like you could ever bother me anyways."

he's cupping your face now, and you know he can feel your face growing hot from how flustered his words were making you.

"you don't think i'm too, i don't know, clingy?"

he holds your face tighter now.

"no, not really. and even if you are clingy, it honestly makes me happy. i'll say it as many times as you want me to; i love having you close to me."

your smile grew at his response, and he leaned forward to kiss your forehead.

once he pulled back, you rested your head on his chest again, feeling like you were on a cloud, a namjoon shaped cloud even. he filled all of your senses, his scent strong and addicting, his arm around your waist keeping you close to him, the clicking of the mouse in front of him, the soft light of the computer illuminating his face perfectly.

this is how namjoon appears in your life, you think.

a gentle glow to greet you where you go, enough to light up your surroundings but not to blind you;

no matter how hard it could be to make your want for these kinds of things known to him, he always understood.

masterlist

masterpost here!

kim seokjin

coming soon ...

kim namjoon

close to you (drabble)

fluff, established relationship

summary: you're supposed to finish reading this novel – instead, namjoon reads you like a book

min yoongi

how many things (one-shot)

angst/fluff, hurt/comfort, f2l

summary: yoongi invites you out to a party with him, and in trust, you say yes. but what happens when you lose him in the crowd, just to find him again with someone else by his side? in the midst of panic and longing, you wonder how many things he thinks about before he gets to you.

jung hoseok

coming soon …

park jimin

spy!au (two-shot)

angst/fluff, hurt/comfort, e2l

goodnight, love

good morning, it's now tomorrow

summary: things get rough when you and jimin get paired to solve a case together — why do you hate jimin again?

kim taehyung

coming soon …

jeon jungkook

coming soon …

ot7

nothing new

angst, eventual fluff, injured!reader

summary: You get hurt and have to find a replacement. You just didn't think that replacement extended to your relationship with the BTS members. Will they still want you when you're nothing new?

forgot to mention that this was highly inspired by THIS picture of hoseok and jungkook ☹️🤍☹️🤍

Hii! Can I make a request about a fluff moment in a relationship with Namjoon? Whatever you want it's okay, just something soft/cute please :)

close to you (drabble)

namjoon x reader

sypnosis: you're supposed to finish reading this novel – instead, namjoon reads you like a book

(newly-ish) established relationship, non-idol au, this is a bit rushed, i wrote it in one go while i was running on mcdonald's ice coffee, this is FLUFF!!!! FLUFFY ! SOFT GENTLE GIANT JOON !

main masterlist

°. —・ ─ ・ ⋯ ・ ─ ⊹ ♡₊˚๑

you and namjoon were sitting in comfortable silence in his room, each of you immersed in your own thing – and by each of you, that means mostly just namjoon.

you were supposed to be reading a book while namjoon types away at his computer, when you suddenly felt this need to go and cuddle up to him.

your relationship was relatively new, only about a month, and you were still growing comfortable with each other; learning what you're open to receiving and giving.

this was one of those moments where you didn't know what was considered "too soon" or "too clingy", especially with someone like namjoon;

he's a gentleman, the kindest of the kindest, so for the most part, he's been letting you set the pace, him rarely initiating anything without coaxing it out of you first.

maybe it was how good he looked, all the damn time, but especially when he concentrated. or maybe it was the way you could see his chest softly rising and falling, making you want to snuggle into it. maybe it was just how much you liked him, you weren't sure, the only thing you were sure of was the itching in your legs to get up and straddle him so he could hold you in the way you were daydreaming of.

you were so deep into your mental debate that you hadn't noticed you were staring, but namjoon had. it wasn't until he called your name that you snapped out of it, heat rising in your cheeks as you looked away, embarrassed from being caught.

"you okay there, darling?" he moved away from his computer for a moment so he could look at you better and you just stiffly nodded as an answer.

"you sure?"

"mhm. yup. yes."

"okay-"

"wait. i-"

you interrupted namjoon as he was about to move back to the computer, but you were having a hard time getting the words to leave your throat.

"hmph. uh- can we- can i- um- sorry. uh, n-nevermind."

namjoon grew concerned at your rambling, moving to get up and walk towards you until he was able to kneel down in front of you.

"baby? what's wrong-"

"sorry, i just- can we try something?"

you fumbled with your fingers a little and finally looked up to meet namjoon's stare.

his eyes were soft and curious, and you could swear you fell in love with him all over again in that moment.

"yeah, of course."

nervously, you stood; namjoon following your lead.

why were you so nervous? this was your boyfriend for goodness sake. you're literally dating this man.

deciding to just go for it, you shuffle forward until you're hugging namjoon with your hands around his neck.

this catches him off guard for a second, before he wraps his arms around your waist.

when you feel his grip on you, you hop and wrap both of your legs around his torso so he's carrying you.

namjoon just makes a "hm?" sound as he adjusts his hold on you to make sure you don't slip.

"can we go sit in your chair?"

your softly asked question causes a lightbulb to flicker on over namjoon's head, finally starting to realize what you wanted.

"okay."

he makes his way back to the chair by his computer, and sits down slowly to make sure you can position yourself comfortably.

as you both settle down, a happy sigh leaves your lips, entirely pleased with how you're sitting on his lap and your head buried in his chest just like you had been wanting since you got to his place.

"is this what you wanted?" namjoon's voice is light and affectionate and it only makes you nuzzle further into him as you nod.

he chuckles and runs his fingers through your hair before speaking again.

"you know, you don't have to ask for these kinds of things."

this makes you lift your head up to look at him, happy to find his eyes filled with genuineness.

"i just don't want to make you uncomfortable or bother you or cross a line you know?"

"actually, i don't know. i don't know how you could think that having me hold you would garner a negative reaction from me at all. having you in my arms like this … it's easily one of my favorite things in the world. its not like you could ever bother me anyways."

he's cupping your face now, and you know he can feel your face growing hot from how flustered his words were making you.

"you don't think i'm too, i don't know, clingy?"

he holds your face tighter now.

"no, not really. and even if you are clingy, it honestly makes me happy. i'll say it as many times as you want me to; i love having you close to me."

your smile grew at his response, and he leaned forward to kiss your forehead.

once he pulled back, you rested your head on his chest again, feeling like you were on a cloud, a namjoon shaped cloud even. he filled all of your senses, his scent strong and addicting, his arm around your waist keeping you close to him, the clicking of the mouse in front of him, the soft light of the computer illuminating his face perfectly.

this is how namjoon appears in your life, you think.

a gentle glow to greet you where you go, enough to light up your surroundings but not to blind you;

no matter how hard it could be to make your want for these kinds of things known to him, he always understood.

kinda in a writing slump gimme requests for drabbles or sumn pls

You’re Oblivious | Kim Namjoon

requested! <3 “I don’t care about that, I care about you!”

“I’ll be right back, I gotta take a piss.” Namjoon huffed, making you groan as you reached for the remote to pass the movie the two of you were watching. “What? I drank a shit ton of water earlier!” He exclaimed in defense.

“Just shut up and go, dork.” You rolled your eyes playfully as you pushed your best friend towards the bathroom, laughing as he flipped you off before shutting the door behind him.

The two of you had been friends for about two years or so, and you had been getting extremely close over the past few months lately. You hadn’t realized how close you really were getting until Namjoon called you, of all people, to come over to his apartment when he was having a panic attack.

When you pulled him to your chest after he let the first tear fall, you realized you had felt more for him than you thought you had. You were in love with your best friend.

Your thoughts were interrupted by the buzzing of Namjoon’s phone beside you, catching your attention immediately. You picked it up to look at the Caller ID, seeing the name of a University across the screen. You gasped, yelling for Namjoon. “Joonie! Hurry your ass up and come here, you’re getting a call from a Uni!”

“Just answer it for me, would you?” He called back, flushing the toilet. You gulped and answered the phone, pressing it to your ear.

“Hello?”

“We would just like to let you know that you’ve been accepted! Your plane ticket for America will be arriving shortly— we hope to see you soon! Congratulations!” The animated voice spoke before the phone call ended, making your heart stop.

Your breath hitched in your throat and it seemed like the world stopped spinning. You kept the phone to your ear, waiting for the voice to come back and tell you there was a mistake. That they had gotten the wrong person. That they weren’t actually accepting him. That he wasn’t actually going to leave you for school in the states.

“What’d they say?” Namjoon spoke, walking back into the room as he was buttoning his jeans back up. His deep voice snapped you out of your thoughts, and you just gave him a weak smile while handing him his phone back. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion, but he took his phone back hesitantly. “What? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s just fine,” You squeaked, sniffling before standing up. “I, uh, I just forgot that I have a project due tomorrow that I really need to finish. I’m gonna have to take a rain check, sorry.”

Namjoon tossed his phone onto the coffee table, watching as you made your way to the kitchen to grab your jacket off the back of the chair. “Hey, what happened?” He asked softly, slowly walking up to you. You shook your head and zipped your jacket up, looking up at him for a split second before looking back down. “Y/N, look at me.”

“I-I can’t,” You rushed, trying to push past him before Namjoon’s hand gripped at your arm to stop you. His concerned eyes met with your sad ones, and before you knew it, you were crying and letting everything out. “You got a call from a University, but it was from one in America, and they’re going to send you a ticket and I just don’t want you to leave me alone because I love you and I don’t want you to think I’m not happy for you because I am, but-” 

Namjoon pulled you flush against his chest, wrapping his arms around you as tightly as possible. You stopped speaking when your cheek fell against his chest. The smell of his cologne caused you to break out into tears once again. Namjoon shushed you and hugged you tighter, his large hand rubbing up and down your back.

“I’m sorry,” He whispered. “I’m not leaving, okay? I’ll never leave you. I’m right here, shh, don’t worry.”

Your eyes widened and you pushed yourself away to look up at him through teary eyes, Namjoon’s hand reaching down to wipe your cheeks once he saw them. “What? You’re not going? But this is a great opportunity for you! I-I’ll just wait for you, but you can’t just not go!” 

Namjoon smiled softly and shook his head.”Honey, they’ll be fine. I’ll find another school, and they’ll find another student to fill my place. I told you I’m not leaving you, didn't I?” 

You shook your head and pushed yourself away from him, crossing your arms over your chest as you frowned at him. His smile dropped at your actions, looking at you as you spoke sternly. “Kim Namjoon, you’re being stupid right now. You’re not giving this up. You’re going, do you understand me? So call them back, pack your shit, and-”

Namjoon scowled and threw his hands into the air. “I don’t care about that, I care about you!” He yelled, making you sigh. 

You ran a hand through your hair. “I know, and I care about you, too, that’s why I’m trying to get you to-”

Namjoon cut you off, stepping closer to you as he yelled. “No! You’re not listening to me! I care about you. I love you!”

You furrowed your eyebrows and scoffed. “I am listening to you, Joonie. I love and care about you, too, why are you acting like this?” You asked, feeling like an absolute idiot when he sighed heavily at your words, looking down in frustration. “Look, Namjoon, I’m just going to go, okay? I’ll text you when I’m home. Call me if you want me to help you pack.”

You brushed past him softly, trying to keep yourself composed in front of him. Before you could open the front door, Namjoon grabbed your arm, spinning you around and pushing you against the wood. You gasped and looked up at him with teary eyes and red cheeks. “I won’t need any help because I’m not going,” He whispered softly. “I love you, Y/N. I’m in love with you. I’m going to tell you again, and as many times as I have to- I am not leaving you. I’m staying right here- right here with you. Do you understand me?”

True Self - Part 1

Fandom: BTS Pairing: Idol!Namjoon x Female Reader Genre: Fluff Warning: None, I guess? Word Count: 1k Words Note: Please bear it in mind that it’s totally fictional. I tried my best to include some of the aspects of Namjoon in here. Personally I think, Namjoon is one of the best men to ever exist. Wish I could do him justice.

Summary: Meeting Namjoon while you take your sister to the park proves to you that he is the kind of man you’ve always fantasized about...

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 [Complete]

*************************************************

Today, I was in charge of taking my 8 years old sister to the park she frequently went to. My mother usually did the job. Since she didn’t feel too well, I had to take the part.

“Namjoon oppa!” my sister called and ran towards the man I had never met before. But I had heard about him a lot from my mother and he was a perfect gentleman in her eyes. My little sister was fond of him as well. She even told me once that she would gladly exchange me with her ‘oppa’ if given the chance.

Namjoon’s face broke into a smile as he saw her. “Hey, sweetheart.” he said while hugging her gently. There was a hint of confusion on his face when he looked at me.

“I’m her elder sister.” I introduced myself.

“I see,” he shook my hand, “I’ve heard about you.”

I felt embarrassed as I wondered what my mother could possibly have told about me. She was the kind to always brag about me to every single person she met. Though, I see nothing in me to brag about.

Namjoon offered me to sit down. I accepted hesitantly even though my plan was to sit alone and read the last chapter of the book I had brought while my sister would go around the park making new friends.

We both tried to make a simple conversation, which we found too hard to continue. So, we sat there silently, watching my sister play with Namjoon’s dog.

After a while, Namjoon noticed the book, which was poking through my bag and inquired about it. Then, he showed me the book he had brought which gave me an excuse to read mine while he quietly read his.

That was how our first meeting went. When I got back home, my mother wasn’t impressed at all because of how immaturely I had behaved.

*************************************************

I started to take my sister to the park more often. So that I got to meet Namjoon every now and then. He would come to walk his dog sometimes and will always strike up a conversation with me. Sometimes he would bring chocolate, milkshake or ice cream for my sister.

One day, he brought two chocolates with him, gave one to my sister and handed one to me. I gave him a look that said, “Why me?”

Namjoon laughed a little and said, “You mentioned once about how you used to eat lots of chocolates when you were a kid. So, I thought perhaps nobody bring them to you anymore now that you’ve grown up. But I can see through you. You still like them.”

I couldn’t help blushing. He had definitely saw me asking for a bite from my sister whenever I thought he wouldn’t notice. What an embarrassing way to get busted!

From that day on, whenever he would bring something for my sister he would bring one for me as well. At first, I hesitated to accept them. But eventually it turned into a normal act between us.

I started liking Namjoon without realizing it. He was the kind of person to radiate warmth around him. Talking to him started to feel like a stress relief mechanism to me.

I also couldn’t help noticing how clumsy he was. He would often break things and spill drinks on himself and on me as well. Once he even tumbled and fell down while we were walking down a slope.

He would immediately start to apologize and explain to me how he was not very good with his hands and legs. He even mentioned that some people called him a ‘giant baby’ because of his nature. I found it so adorable that I started to call him by that name secretly in my house too.

“Oh dear!” my mother once said, “Don’t tell me you are falling for him.”

“Of course, not!” I said with confidence. Then turned to go to my room, muttering to myself “I hope so…”

*************************************************

We had bonded over our love for books. I found out that he was as eager to buy new books whenever he had the chance as me. We talked for hours about our favorite books, fictional worlds, characters and stories. It was getting dark and my little sister practically begged me to take her back home.

At this point, I was taking her to the park almost every day. And of course, my motive behind it was to meet up with Namjoon. Soon, I realized how less and less frequent his visits were getting. When I had asked him about it, he said, “I’m getting a little too busy with my works lately.”

He only once mentioned about him working for some music company. He had told me that he needed break every now and then from his stressful works. So, whenever he came to walk his dog, he didn’t like to talk about it. I never pushed him either.

“I want to take you out sometimes.” He told me one day; which was really surprising. We had been friends for more than 3 months. But none of us had ever expressed anything more than that by this time.

“Yeah, sure!” I said, “Where to?”

“Maybe at a bookstore?” he suggested. I said it sounded great and we agreed upon a time at a particular day.

As soon as I told my mother about it, she was really excited. She bought me new clothes with matching jewelries. I told her that she was imagining a little too much, that it was supposed to be a friendly hangout.

We met in front of the bookstore at the appointed date and Namjoon handed me the beautiful white flowers he had brought with him. I thanked him and said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t think about buying you flowers too.”

Namjoon smiled at me, “Don’t worry, dear. Buy me some other day.” His dimple smile was enough to melt away all the worries. He looked so different when he smiled that it felt like he was a complete different person.

We had planned to buy each other books that we personally preferred. It was a fun idea. We were roaming around talking about what we liked about the books that we had chosen. And finally, we got out of the shop with loads of books to carry back home.

*************************************************

Next time, I invited him for a coffee and I was the one who brought flowers for him.

“Wow, Sunflowers!” he exclaimed.

“Yeah.” I said casually, “’Cause they are my favorites.”

“No wonder. Pretty people like pretty things.”

I laughed, “Thank you or whatever.”

“Was it too bad?” he asked, “I was just trying to flirt.”

I nodded my head in affirmation, “Don’t even think about it. You’re horrible at this stuff.” Namjoon also started to laugh.

We ordered our coffees and sat there for a really long duration. Time seemed to fly by while I talked with this guy. He was a person I could talk so easily with.

By the end of the date, Namjoon said, “I think you ought to see for yourself the world I live in.”

“What does that mean? Are you from Narnia or something?” I jokingly asked.

He shook his head, smiling with somewhat seriousness, “I mean, my work.”

“Okay.” I said, excited to know.

“It is actually unbelievable that you still haven’t found out about it.” He chuckled, “I am an Idol.”

“You mean as the K-pop?” I asked, totally shocked at the revelation.

Then, Namjoon asked casually, “Do you know BTS?”

*************************************************

Special 8 Photo-folio Masterlist

My Personal Masterlist

True Self - Part 2

Fandom: BTS Pairing: Idol!Namjoon x Female Reader Genre: Angst with a little fluff Warning: A bit angsty, toxic ARMYs, cyber bullying, swearing etc. Word Count: 1k Words Note: Please bear it in mind that it’s totally fictional. I tried my best to include some of the aspects of Namjoon in here. Personally I think, Namjoon is one of the best men to ever exist. Wish I could do him justice.

Summary: Once you find out that Namjoon is an Idol, you start to see him differently than you did before...

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 [Complete]

*************************************************

My mother kept denying it saying that Namjoon was trying to prank me until I showed her his profile in Google. It was hard for me to believe it myself at first.

Namjoon told me that he would like to introduce me to his band mates. What? I was going to meet with the biggest band of the world. And I didn’t even know them. I felt like an idiot for never trying out K-pop before.

I spent most of my time streaming their music and other videos which I found too hilarious. I kinda regretted it now for not knowing about these precious gems existing. Now, I could see why people loved BTS from the bottom of their hearts.

The leadership quality in Namjoon was something on another level. He was definitely one of the many reasons of BTS being BTS. I felt somewhat proud for knowing him in person.

One thing that shocked me every time was Namjoon’s ability to produce the most relatable lyrics. Those were the words I had always wanted to say, but better. I felt like, we were one person in mind.

“Does that make him my soul mate?” I thought. Soul mate or not, he was definitely my ideal type; which I had never imagined I would get to meet in real life let alone date him.

I started to see Namjoon in a new light. He was no more just a silly boy who talked about books and nature. He was a superstar, a role model for people to look up to. He was intelligent and artistic. But he was also someone who was out of reach; which I had realized the hard way.

*************************************************

"We were dying to meet you." The one called Hoseok said as soon as Namjoon had introduced me to them.

"Me too!" I said, "I was very excited." Which was partly true. Actually, I was more nervous than excited. I was worried they might find me boring.

Fortunately nothing of the sort happened. I met the Bangtan boys at a restaurant near their house. They had welcomed me and made me very comfortable around them. Soon, we were talking and eating like they had known me for years.

I had learnt that it was extremely rare for them to date anyone because of their busy schedule. They tended to avoid going into relationships to keep it easy.

"But do you know what hyung told me?" Jimin said with a smirk on his face, "He said, ‘Yah, Jimin, I don't think I can keep away from her.’"

"Jimin-ah!" Namjoon yelled at him while the others burst into laughter. I was blushing so hard that I had to cover my face pretending to cough.

At some point, Namjoon had a call and he asked me to excuse him for a moment. When he returned, his face was grave.

"Something came up." He said apologetically, "I’m sorry, darling. I really have to go now."

"It's Okay," I nodded, "Maybe one of the boys can drive me."

It was agreed on that Jin would take me back home. Then, Namjoon left. Even though, we still stayed there for half an hour more, I felt Namjoon's absence every moment. I wasn't enjoying the dinner anymore.

Finally, Jin was giving me a ride as promised. He probably noticed the change in my expression. "You know," he said, "when we said it's hard, we really meant it."

I nodded my head slowly. I understood. It would indeed be hard to date an idol.

*************************************************

“Happy Birthday, darling.” Someone softly placed a kiss on my forehead.

I woke up from the touch and slowly opened my eyes. At first a little blurry, then, I could make up the face in front of me. It was Namjoon. As soon as I recognized him, I pulled him into a tight hug.

“Woah!” He exclaimed, “Hey, calm down. I’m not going anywhere.”

I shook my head as I didn’t let go of him. Namjoon hugged me back and chuckled, “You’re acting like your little sister now.”

I didn’t care. I had met him in person after 2 whole months. We didn’t even get to talk online often. As always, Namjoon was way too busy to make time for our relationship. And I was worried it might fall apart at any time.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you’re coming, huh?” I asked pretending to be furious at him since we had an argument last night.

He put on his best dimple smile and said, “To surprise you, of course.”

“Yeah,” I rolled my eyes, “Showing off how romantic you can get?”

Namjoon spent the whole day with me and my family. Apparently, my mother already knew about his visit, which shocked me since she was incapable of keeping secrets. My little sister was super happy to meet her ‘oppa’ after a long time too. Overall, it was one of the best days I had in a long time.

Namjoon planned a dinner for my birthday at a fancy restaurant. I put on my best dress. I also put on a lot of makeup. When I was finally pleased with my outfit, we sat off for the little date I was longing to have.

The restaurant was beautiful. We got our table at the furthest corner to enjoy some privacy. The food was delicious as well.

“What?” I was completely shocked when Namjoon announced that he was going away tonight.

“I’m really sorry, darling.” He apologized once again, “It was already hard but I still managed to get a day off to celebrate your birthday.”

“I can’t believe it.” I said, “We are meeting after 62 days and you are already leaving in a day.”

“I know it sounds ridiculous.” He tried to laugh it off, “But I promise, next time, I’ll get more time and we’ll go on a long vacation. Does that sound good?”

“Next time!” I whispered.

Namjoon took my hands in his, “I’m really sorry.”

“Can you please stop apologizing already?”

*************************************************

The threats kept coming one after another and so was the mean comments.

“Why don’t you go die in a ditch, you freak!”

“You’re so fucking ugly that you make me puke.”

“How did you make our handsome Namjoon hyung to fall for you, witch?”

Some reporters had found out about us. Now, the news got leaked into the media. And some of his fans couldn’t accept it.

At first, I was crying at night silently. I was a sensitive person. So, every harsh comment felt like a knife through me. Eventually, I became numb towards the hatred. I stopped posting online. Ultimately, I deleted all my social media accounts.

“Don’t worry, darling.” Namjoon would call every day to console me over the situation, “Nothing’s made official. They’ll get tired of it. It will be over soon.”

“Does it even matter?” I asked once.

“Why are you saying that?” Namjoon’s voice sounded as if he was worried.

“If it takes not making our relationship public for the hatred to go away, that means, we will never be official.”

Namjoon was silent for a moment. Then, I added, “Perhaps someday, it will be over for us as well.”

“Don’t you worry about it, darling.” He said, “We will overcome the struggles.”

I wiped a tear from my cheek, “I wish I was as strong as you.”

*************************************************

Special 8 Photo-folio Masterlist

My Personal Masterlist

The Seal of the Dragon

Chapter one - Trials and tribulations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Seal of the Dragon

Chapter Two- Taking the plunge

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Seal of the Dragon

Chapter three: The application

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

message me if you feel I need more warnings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Seal of the Dragon

Chapter Four: Enter if you dare

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

message me if you feel I need more warnings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Take a deep breath.

Take a step forward.

Brightest smile.

Bow

"Seo Y/N, 22, tiger"

Bow again.

Step back.

Breathe again.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You. Had. Passed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

" Kim Si-Jeong" one.

"Bae Suzy" two.

"Cho Mi-Yeon" three.

"Hwang Yeji" four.

"Kim Seol-Hyun" five.

"Han Sun-Hwa" six

"Kwon Eun-Bi" seven.

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

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

"Seo Y/n"

Chapter Five- Royal Residences Part One

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

message me if you feel I need more warnings

3.4k words

You made your way to the front, the sound of your name, leaving nearly everyone shocked but your best friend, who had the biggest grin on her beautiful face. No one had expected you to get through, not even yourself. A blush blankets your face as you make your way to the line at the front. A moment passes as everyone waits for the ladies who did not get through to leave the smaller courtyard.

"Congratulations ladies" you hear Hoseok speak, breaking the silence, whilst looking over each and every one of you. You don't know if you were just imagining it, but the tall and handsome man had sent an almost imperceptible smile your way, making your eyes go wide. "Now, myself and Jungkook will tell you your residences, and we will also assign you 2 maids and a manservant for you to use at your convenience"

"Let's start with the furthest away from this little courtyard shall we?" Jungkook questioned, though the question was rhetorical.

"Bae Suzy, You are in the Sapphire Apartment. Along with the manservants, you brought along with you, you are also being assigned Shin Won-ho as your manservant and Kim Tae-Yeon and Chou Tzu-yu as your maids. Please proceed to your apartment"

"Next we have the Chariote Apartment, the person who will be staying there is Han Sun-Hwa. You are being assigned Lee Jong-Hyun, Jeon So-Yeon and Kwon Yu-Ri. Please proceed."

The process carried on.

"Ruby Apartment is for Hwang Yeji, You are assigned Kang Dong-Ho, Ahn Sol-Bin and An Yu-Jin. Please proceed.

"Opal Apartment. Kim Seol-Hyun. Woo Ji-Ho, Son Chae-Young, Cho Seung-Hee"

"Carnelian Apartment. Kwon Eun-Bi. Yoo Ki-Hyun, Lee Hae-in and Lee Young-Yoo"

"Amber Apartment. Choi Mi-Young. Doh Kyung-Soo, Bae Woo-He, Baek A-Yeon"

"Azurite Apartment. Kim Si-Jeong. Lee Byung-Hun, Go Woo-Ri and Park Hye-Won"

At this point, everyone had left apart from you. "Miss Seo, as you were an unexpected candidate, your apartment is still getting ready and the maids needed a few more moments, so we were trying to prolong this for as long as possible. You have been assigned Moon Jong-Up, Ahn Hye-Jin who goes by Maria or Hwa-Sa and Jun Hyo-Seong. I hope that they treat you well. To prolong this even longer as we have not received the signal that they are ready, we are going to give you a tour, are you okay with that?" The pair asked.

"Perfectly." You responded. "It would be my honour" You carried on with a smile. "Please, Lead the way". The two young men smiled at you, before moving down the stairs towards you. Suddenly, you felt incredibly nervous, these incredibly attractive young men were looking directly at you, with no signs of distate anywhere on their faces or bodies. The men took a space on either side on your, Hoseok moving his arms to point the way out of the courtyard. "Do you have a flower that you appreciate the most?" Jungkook asked "Good question Kookie" Hoseok said, the nickname making your eyes widen again, almost not expecting the men to be so close that they were using nicknames. "We might have your favourite here in one of the gardens"

"Cherry blossoms, Chief State Councillor and High Councillor. My most appreciated flower of all is Cherry Blossom." The two men share a look between each other. "That is our Gracious King's favourite, so much that he has a garden dedicated to it, coincidentally, the garden is right next to your apartment" A small gasp left your lips, the excitement evident not just on your face but on your whole body as you turned to both of them, your hands clasping together joyfully. "Really!?! Can we go there?" You asked hopefully. Both men smiled at your excited state before telling you that you could, and led the way, right to the entrance of the garden. There was a small bridge to cross before you would actually be in the park, and you ran quickly across it, accidentally forgetting about the two men behind you. You span round quickly, a giant smile on your face, trying to look everywhere at everything.

"I take it that you like the garden," a voice behind you, which you quickly identified as Hoseok, spoke. "Almost more than anything in the world," You said without thinking. Both men let out a laugh, which made you look at them with a questioning gaze. "You have almost the same reaction as the Good King". This very sentence made you stop in your spot, your face dropping, looking almost horrified to be compared to the King. "Omo, I am not worthy of being compared to our gracious King" You spoke, anxiously wringing your hands together. "My apologies Lady Seo, we didn't mean to make you anxious," Jungkook said. You noticed a young woman run up to the two men and yourself. She spoke quietly to the men, before bowing and turning away. The two men turned to you, smiling slightly "Your apartment is ready Lady Seo, let us lead you there" Hoseok said. Nodding, you spoke gently "Please do lead the way". You bow gently, allowing the men to turn around and lead the way out of the garden that you had fallen in love with, and almost didn't want to leave.

It took barely two minutes before you arrived in front of the apartment. "This is the Emerald apartment. Next to you, there is the Queen Dowager's Garden, you are not allowed to enter that space without her explicit permission" Jungkook stated sternly. "And on your other side is Lady Hwang" Hoseok finished. This made you smile, your apartments here, being closer to each other than the houses in your town were. "Lady Hwang Yeji is my best friend," You spoke gently, a small but warm smile on your face at the mention of your best friend. "We have known each other since we were born, my eomma likes to say that I have two sets of parents, both our parents raised both of us..." you paused, your smile turning into a frown "well my eomma and Yeji's parents, my appa..." you spoke again, your frown becoming bigger. "You don't need to tell us, Lady Seo" Hoseok said calmly, laying a gentle hand on your shoulder. You look up, and into the handsome man's eyes, your eyes slightly blurry with tears, making something flash in Hoseok's eyes. "I feel like I almost need to" you spoke "My appa, he used to be a good man, until he fell from grace, he lost a lot of his respect, and therefore money, and the money he did keep, he used to drink. He would blame me for his drinking, he would tell me it was my fault, that he wished it was I who died and not my sister. Before I left, he attacked me for the first time, he dragged me by my hair to the floor and yelled at me. My eomma, she's a wonderful woman, she grabbed him by the ear and dragged him out of the house once she realised he was in my room and harming me. Appa had a bruise on his ear still, when I left for the procession. My bruises still remain intact too, but when I remember what my eomma did, the fire in her eyes, I feel proud to be her descendant" You finally finished your story.

You could see anger clearly on both men's faces. "I know I need not worry about my eomma whilst I'm here, she is as fierce as the summer in the sky in the summer sky." The warm smile lay on your lips, remembering your eomma. "She sounds like a wonderful woman" Jungkook spoke, a smile that could be perceived as genuine if there were someone looking on from the outside in.

"Anyway's my Chief Councillor and High Councillor, I must leave your warm presence and settle myself into my apartments. I hope to see you soon Your Honours. May the sun warm your cheeks, and the food fills your bellies" You speak eloquently, bowing low before the two handsome men, before turning and leaving their presence to enter your apartments.

The apartment that you entered was spacious and homely. In the room stood your friends Chan and Changbin with large grins on their faces, along with your assigned manservant and maids.

"My Lady, Your room is this way, would you like me to help you redress" Hyo-Seong spoke, her hand pointing to an area separate from the room you all stood in. The room was separated from the room you were in by a wall of sliding doors. The entire apartment was decorated in green and brown, the sliding doors were made of oak, and the cloth was painted with the seal of the kingdom in the colours your apartment was named after. It was a beautiful sight to behold, and you knew that if you had any spare time, you would ask your maids to retrieve any painting items they could get a hold of so that you could show this image to your eomma when you got home again. You knew that she would take great delight in your painting, and knowing how an apartment within the royal castle looked and would love the painting even more so, knowing it came from her daughter.

"That would be lovely Miss Jun" you spoke to the woman. She nodded her head as a slight bow, walking to the room you now identified as your bedroom. In the room, there was a large box placed near the window, on top of it was a new hanbok ready for you to wear. "Would you like a bath Lady Seo?" Hyo-Seong asked. You shook your head, a feeling of exhaustion coming over you in a quick wave. "Do you think it would be possible to sleep for a short period Miss Jun?" You asked hopefully. "Unfortunately not, My Lady, there is much to do. As you have reached the second stage, you must prepare for a meeting with Queen Dowager. You will soon also be accepting gifts from the royal family, of which I am unsure, but you must prepare to receive them. We must also start preparing you for your interview, and the luncheon that is happening tomorrow. There is also a Royal Banquet that we must prepare you for. I assume you have attended a banquet before, but a royal banquet is much more different to the ones of the high class" The maid in front of you explained your schedule for the coming potential one to two weeks that you would be residing in a royal apartment.

"Very well, then we must begin," You say a small polite smile on your face. "What's first?" you ask. "First My Lady, we must dress you," she says, returning your attention back to the box that had caught your attention when you first walked into the room. You didn't recognise the hanbok, remembering all the ones that you owned. "I apologise, but this is not my hanbok," you tell your maid "No My Lady, the Queen Dowager sent this. It's the first gift from the royal family." Excitement fills your body, knowing that this was something that the Queen Dowager herself had someone make and be sent. "But only 6-7 were predicted, and I'm not the average size", you questioned slightly, the anxiety that you had felt earlier in the day returning in full force. "The Queen Dowager had this one sent specifically, it was a hanbok she had in her storage, she wore it when she was pregnant with the King. She sent a letter along with it" you were told before being handed the letter

Dear Lady Seo,

The Royal Family apologises for not having anything prepared for you. I did not have a gift prepared for you, however, your crest is a crest that has a long line, and the crest on your hanbok is a phoenix. This was my family crest before I married King Sejong, the King's late father. It was a hanbok I wore when I was pregnant with the King. I hope that it does you well, as it is now yours. Please meet me in my gardens at 3.

Sincerely,

Her Royal Highness, The Queen Dowager Kim Eun-Ji

"What time is it?" You ask loudly, waiting for anyone in the household to respond. "2:30" you hear someone yell, unsure of who it was due to the closed doors between you. You feel your face pale. Turning to your maid you speak again "We must hurry, please call Miss Ahn in, time is not on our side". The maid nods, before running the door and calling in the other woman.

Within 20 minutes, your hair had been brushed and moved into a restyled updo, behind held back with a purple dwikkoji, your under clothes being changed for cleaner ones, and then the gifted hanbok was placed onto your body. It fit almost like a glove like it was made for you. The jeogori was a gorgeous dark purple colour, decorated with golden detailing featuring a phoenix, the goreum was also in an off-gold colour. The chima was a black colour with the same golden detail. Your beoseons were black as well as your shoes which were decorated in the same gold detailing. With a few minutes to spare, your maids applied some basic makeup consisting of plant ash to apply a dark brown colour to your eyebrows, safflower was used to apply a light rouge to your lips and cheeks and cherry blossom petals took right from the very cherry blossom garden you had just been in (it was a perfume that was on the dressing table when you got here, you had just assumed it was a gift everyone received) mixed with water was used to make a delicious spelling perfume.

With exactly 10 minutes left before the Queen Dowager wanted to see you, you left your apartment, your manservant Moon Jong-Up directing you, almost acting as your guard as well as your guide. When you arrived outside the Queen Dowagers garden, which only took moments as you quickly found out was right next to your apartment, Mr Moon stepped aside to let you enter first, before following you slightly behind, allowing you to look like you had found the garden yourself.

It doesn't take long to notice the Queen Dowager, it shocked you slightly when you saw that she was wearing the same colours just the other way around. The lady in front of you turns towards you, hearing your footsteps. She waits at the top of the stairs of the Pavilion she was standing in. Once you reach the bottom of the stairs, you bow as low as possible to the elegant woman before you. "You're early Lady Seo" the woman speaks. "My apologies Your Majesty, I was excited to meet you once again." You speak, not allowing your nerves to take over your anxiety.

“Don’t be, it is a good thing for a woman to have, to have time management perfected, especially for a woman. Especially for a woman who may be the future mother of the kingdom, the future queen.” She says, her very words making you blush.

“You speak of me too highly My Queen,” you say. “I am eternally grateful for your gracious gift. The fabric is the softest thing I have ever had touch my skin. If there is anything I can do to show my thankfulness, please allow me to do it. Would you like some tea, Your Royal Highness?” you ask, noticing the teapot and teacups whilst you were looking around in nervousness. 

“You need not worry Lady Seo, this is no longer a test, you do not need to pour my tea for me,” she says, her voice full of authority, before nodding slightly to a man that you almost hadn’t seen when you entered the pavilion. “You intrigue me, Lady Seo, you are so unlike the other candidates, both in looks and mentality. Most of your candidates, when I had asked them why they were doing this, responded with generic answers” she speaks “For his Royal Highness the King’s happiness, to get to know you Your Highness” she carries on, her voice changing to mimic the people she was speaking about, at the sound of her change in voice you let out a giggle, covering your mouth. “But your answer, it was different, you wanted to make your family proud. This was something I wanted when I was a candidate to marry the King's late father” she finishes, the words turning the mood serious once more. A lady, small and almost meek approached the table, taking the teapot and pouring tea into both the cups on the table, before retreating to her spot against the wall of the garden. “You have a beautiful garden My Queen,” you tell her trying to achieve the once jovial mood the pavilion had a matter of minutes ago. “I spent a few brief minutes in the cherry blossom garden, and I truly believe that it was the happiest moment of my life,” you tell her, allowing the smile to fill your face as your mind retrieves the memory you were talking of. 

“The King’s favourite spot is also in the cherry blossom garden, he begged his father to plant the trees when he was still King, persuading him by telling him that he would propose to his future queen in that very garden,” the Queen Dowager tells you, allowing you a little into the past of the King, who you were yet to set eyes upon. 

Before thinking, you blurt out “Were you scared when you made the application to become the late King Se-Jeong’s wife?” A few moments pass, and just as you go to open your mouth to apologise, the dowager stops you. “I was, in fact, I was terrified, to tell you the truth, I never wanted it, but I needed to do it for the pride of my family. I was lucky that I fell in love with the King eventually, and we had a good, long and happy life,” she answers with a small smile on her face, reminiscing on the memories of her past. “I actually have a few questions for you myself if you don't mind”

“It would be my honour to answer your questions My Queen” you respond, nervousness filling your body even more. 

“The king is very… uh… close with his closest men. Would that be a problem with you?” she starts. “Of course not, if our Great King is happy, then I myself shall be happy,” you respond, hoping your answer satisfies her. She nods, with a small hum of approval. 

“And concubines? What are your opinions on the concubines?” she continues her questioning. 

You pause, this was something you had thought about. “Well My Queen, I have a feeling that if I was ever to become Queen, the other two candidates that would have gotten through, would be my school bullies-” the queen cuts you off after hearing of your bullies “Your bullies are in the palace?” She questions with an eyebrow raised. 

“Yes Your Highness, Kim Seol-Hyun and Kwon Eun-Bi, their apartments are Carnelian and Opal if I remember correctly”, the Queen Dowager nods again. “So what would you do if you became Queen and them the concubines?” She asks, her interest even more peaked. 

“Part of me would want to through them into the dungeons like they had threatened they would do with me earlier today. Another part of me would want all of the king's concubines gone but the biggest part of me wants the King to be happy, and if the concubines make My Great King happy, then I shall live with the concubines.” The Queen Dowager looks almost shocked. “The Kings happiness, at the end of the day, will always be my source of happiness, whether I get through to the final round, or I don’t. The King, from what I have heard in rumours spread across cities and towns, near and far, is that when the King is happy, the land thrives, and the people are well. My family are part of his people, and as well as making them proud, I desperately want them to be happy… even my father.” you tell her.

“Your father?"

The Seal Of The Dragon Masterlist

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

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

Chapter Five- Royal Residences Part 2

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

message me if you feel I need more warnings

3,098 Words

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

"Your father?"

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

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

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

"She's here?" the Queen Dowager probed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“24 sir”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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After every luncheon that you attended over the next three days, Taehyung met you after, taking you on tours of the palace, showing you places you couldn’t wait to see more of in detail. Your days quickly becoming filled with laughter and happiness, making you never want to go back to your home again. 

The Queen Dowager had noticed your quick friendship between the two of you, and had smiled, knowing that if you were chosen, you would fit right in. 

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Today was the day when the ladies would begin receiving gifts. The ladies were gathered in the small courtyard that they had been in during the first stage. Large screens between each set of cushions. On the small stage, sat two seats, one more elegant than the other. 

Standing in front of your cushions, you waited for whoever was to occupy the seats to sit in them. And while you were stuck in your thoughts, a man who you had not seen since the first stage entered, sitting in the less elegant seat on the right hand side of the stage. You bow deeply to him, before standing upright again. Seconds later the Queen Dowager was announced, and she also entered the stage, sitting on the more regal looking chair. Again you bow deeply, waiting for the confirmation that you could rest on the cushions behind you. She nods, and you let out a smile, plopping down onto the cushions.

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