Kinktober day 23 - threesome x Kun + Taeyong

[22:05]

You smirked softly as you gazed upon the two boys kneeling in front of you, both their gazes cast downwards and not only their faces, but bare shoulders and chests practically burning a bright red.

“You two are so cute,” You cooed, walking up to them “Why so nervous, hm?”

The pair glanced to you, and then to each other, before immediately averting their eyes again. Neither of them could deny how much the situation, as well as the shame that came with it, was turning them on- their cocks were already completely hard again after having made each other cum before you caught them.

“Are you scared?” You cocked your head

“M-mommy-”Taeyong started, looking up to you with teary eyes and pouty lips “I’m sorry for cumming without your permission,”

You regarded him for a moment, not saying anything before turning to Kun, keeping a face of positive neutrality. Kun pursed his lips, shutting his eyes momentarily before looking up to you.

“We’re sorry,” he said, obviously struggling to maintain eye contact

You chuckled softly

“Get on the bed,”

The two immediately followed orders- they knew better than to mistake your pleasantness for softness.

“Good boys,” You smirked, and they breathed out, watching them fidget as they so clearly wondered what you were about to do to them

Kinktober Day 1 - pegging x Taeyong (f!reader)

[22:03]

Taeyong shivered, body tensing, eyes squeezed shut and face heating up as he felt the dip in the bed as you climbed into the spot between his spread legs. Still refusing to open his eyes, he almost flinched when he heard the cap of the bottle of lube pop open, followed by squelching sounds that indicated you were lubing up the strap.

“Open your eyes for me, baby boy,” You whispered, and Taeyong, with a shaky exhale, complied, feeling his cheeks instantly heat up even more when he saw your devilish smirk, and the strap attached to you

He gulped, now unable to take his eyes off you.

“What’s got you so quiet, baby?” You asked smoothly, leaning over him, placing a hand on either side of his head to hold yourself up

“Y/N…” He whimpered, and your smirk grew

“Want me to fuck you, baby?” You leaned down further, breathing against the boy’s skin

He nodded wordlessly, lips pressed together.

Slowly, you lined yourself up with Taeyong before pushing your hips forward. Taeyong’s arms shakily went up to wrap around your back as you went further and further into the boy, until finally, you were fully inside, and Taeyong’s nails were already digging into your skin.

“You okay, baby?” You whispered, and Taeyong nodded again, letting out a tiny whine

“P-please move-” He whispered

“Doesn’t it still hurt?”

“I-it’s fine- please-”

You breathed out a small laugh before pulling out until the tip of the dildo was just inside him, and slowly pushing back in again, repeating the action afterwards, and Taeyong’s whines slowly got louder as you got faster.

“Hngh- ah- faster-” He moaned, mouth hanging open, before adding: “please mommy-ah-”

“Anything for my precious baby,” You smiled, voice uneven, before speeding up, practically pounding into the boy, barely even noticing the way Taeyong was scratching your back, too busy focusing on the boy’s expression

Unprompted, you used your dominant hand to grab hold of Taeyong’s cock, spreading around the rather large amount of pre-cum that’d been pooling on his abdomen before beginning to roughly pump him in time with your thrusts. Taeyong let out a long, uneven whine, eyes rolling back slightly.

“C-cum- I’m gonna-” he gasped between moans

“Go on, pretty,” You whispered, and a few seconds later, he did, white ropes decorating his skin

You continued fucking him through his high before pulling out, and all at once Taeyong’s muscles un-tensed, leaving the boy lying on the bed with his chest heaving up and down, cum covering his torso.

“You look so, so pretty,” You murmured, tracing your cum-covered hand along his jawline, and Taeyong whined

A/N: Oml I know there’s like a million of these but they seem so fun and cute and I wanted to try it!

• Lots of hugs
• You being annoyed every time he starts cleaning the house when it’s already perfectly clean
• Tickle fights
• Lots of pouting
• You begging him to do aegyo
• “Can I get a kiss?”
• “No, I didn’t see you brush your teeth today”
• You being jealous of Ten because he spends more time with your boyfriend then you
• Having to force him to go to bed at night cause he’s a workaholic
• Holding hands while watching a movie at night
• Late night snaks
• Lots of back hugs
• “OPEN YOUR EYES!”
• “SHUT UP AND LET ME SLEEP!”
• Lots of lip biting 
• Passionet Sex
• Sometimes rough
• Long sweet kisses
• Him getting jealous easily 
• You teasing him about it, and assuring him that he’s the only one you love
• Cheek kisses
• Lip biting
• LOTS AND LOTS OF LIP BITING
• Lots of teasing
• Like literally, he’ll be up on stage dancing to The 7Th sense and he’ll be throwing winks and body rolling like there’s no tomorrow
• Little shit
• Loves it when you cuddle to his chest
• Having to comfort him when he feels sad or stressed
• Amazing with his tongue(Just saying)
• Getting mad when you don’t wash the dishes when it’s your turn
• “GET YOUR PURKY ASS IN THE KITCHEN RIGHT NOW!”
• “UGHH”
• Falling asleep on the couch together
• You buying him a new sent of febreeze for his Birthday

Short story:

“Y/N!” You heard Taeyong yell from upstairs, quickly getting up from the comfortable couch you were sitting  and walking to the front of the stairs with a worried look on your face, thinking something bad happened.

Taeyong angrily walked down the stairs with something behind his back. You couldn’t really see what it was, but the way it moves behind his back made you get a sneak peak of what it was. Like some type of clothing.

“What is it?” You asked while furrowing your eyes. Stepping back a bit so he could stand right in front of you.

“How could you?!?” He said sadly. You started to feel a bit nervous by his tone. But confused at the same time.

“I trusted you, I gave you my trust and you took that trust and stomped all over it. YOU BETRAYED ME Y/N, our relationship is broken now ” He yelled as he breathed heavily.

You being confused to why he said, walked closer to him but he stopped back. Putting a hand in betwen you two so there was some kind of space.

“What are you talking about Tae?” You asked once more. Sighing in process, tired of all  this.

He gave a loud sigh while he reviled the piece of clothing he was hiding. It was your underwear.

“You left your underwear on the floor.” He said while putting his free hand over his chest, acting like he was hurt.

“Uh, oops” You sigh and rolled your eyes while walking away.

“Oops!? oOPS?????” He repited as his eye twitched a bit. “Why do you hate me. Why do you choose to hurt me like this?” He pouted

You laughed and gave him a small kiss on the cheek and grabbing your underwear.

“I promise I’ll be more careful with my stuff” You promised while walking over to the couch. 

“Thank you! Its all I ask for” He said while running back upstairs.

Kiki~

hiiii

so i uh posted three new imagines one soulmate!au with haechan, one doyoung fluff and one taeyong fluff. I will be getting to the request i have in my inbox and I’ve also reopened my request. Next should be cuddling with chenle, morning after with ten and coffee shop au with ten. thanks for all the support! send me in more request here or dm it to me on my Twitter on @/heavenlyjaehyun

xoxo

shay

ways to say i love you - lee taeyong

genre; fluff & some slight angst at some parts

pairing; reader x taeyong

mini blurbs

lets get it! (lower case intended)

——

-“hey baby, did you sleep well last night? i’m sorry i can’t be home.” taeyong asked you over the phone as he couldn’t be home for a couple of days due to the hectic schedules. you couldn’t help but smile to yourself because he remembered you expressing difficulty in sleeping without him. he called you before you fell asleep in hopes it would allow you to sleep well with him. “yeah i slept well, thank you for calling me.”

- you were numb. you had recieved the shocking news of your brothers death. while you two weren’t the closest you had always admired his perseverance and his passion. you couldn’t feel, no one could comfort you. everyone had offered their condolences but no one had really been there you know? the one person who was always there was as away and dubai. or so you thought as his warmth wraped at you. “what are you doing here?” you asked with more tears brimming your ears as you looked up at him. “i would never leave you alone during a time like this.”

- you were exaughsted school was tiring especially with exams coming up you were more than worried for you grade. you spent almost every moment that wasnt at school studying. “why dont you take a break and come eat with me.” taeyong wrapped his arms around you whispering in you ear. “I really need to finish these notes, im not hungry.” you say shortly returning back to book. the red haired boy sighed leaving the room only to come back shortly with two plates of food. “if you wont come eat out there, i guess we’ll just have to eat in here.”

- it was almost midnight and you were kinda tired but it didn’t matter when taeyong intertwined his fingers with yours. “i’m really grateful for the times like these we get to have together.” you couldnt help the blush that creeped up on your face as you heard his words. “me too, babe.”

- you and taeyong had gotten into an argument and you decided it would be best for both of you if he had stayed in the dorms for a couple of nights. apparently, taeyong didn’t have the same idea. you were frustrated with all of the things he had said in rage during your argument and you wanted to do nothing more than sulk and ignore him. that was until he came home anyway even after you agreed to give each other space. you ate dinner in awakward silence feeling agitated with the red haired boy in front of you looking so cute. you just wanted to hug and kiss him but at the same time you just wanted to pretend he didn’t exist. your thought process was interrupted with taeyong clearing his throat. “my love, please lets just clear everything up. you’re my everything and i dont want to lose you because of a petty argument after a bad day.”

- you were finally on break from school! unfortunately this break didn’t sync with taeyongs break but you still looked foward to sleeping in. you woke up to feeling warmth around you and you turned around confused as to why taeyong was in bed next to you staring at you. “what are you doing here? it’s almost noon?” “I took a couple of days off so we could spend some time together during your break. but if they ask im really sick.” he chuckled.

- you were awoken by a text.

taeyong

hey i made breakfast, make sure you eat it all. have a good day see you tonight.

you couldn’t help but smile and jump out of bed.

Request: Could you do an NCT reaction (any subunit) to their s/o being scared of the dark and panicky at night? Thanks loves!

Taeyong:
“Don’t worry sweetheart, I’m here.” – an actual angel and will take care of you, making sure you don’t feel uncomfortable.

Doyoung:
“Is there anything I can do to ease you, baby?” – Cuddles? Hot Chocolate? Night Lights? Don’t worry! This little sweetheart has it all sorted.

Taeil:
“Don’t worry, beautiful - I’ve got it all under control.” - Taeil will probably hunt fairy lights from somewhere, if he cant find any he’s going to take a trip to the store and make sure to find you some. He doesn’t want you scared of the dark.

Mark:
“Lets get you a flash light… and some cuddles - to keep you safe.” He wouldn’t really know much on what to do so he’s going to ask his hyungs what would be the best option in this situation, bad idea. So he just resorts to warm milk, dimmed lights and cuddling you until you fall asleep.

Ten:
“I’m not scared of the dark, you are. – wait. we both are…” Yeah you’re pretty much doomed here, this little bundle of love is scared of pretty much anything so you’ll probably be comforting him more than he’s comforting you.

Jaehyun:
“Do you want any snacks? how about a flashlight? you want to build a pillow fort and put some lights in there?” – Jaehyun is high-key concerned about this, so he’ll do anything to keep you feeling comfortable. What a keeper.

Next to you, Next to me

4. Coffee Shop AU + 60. Poorly Timed Confession 

Flowershop owner!Taeyong x Cafe owner!Reader

Warning(s): language

~~

“So what do you think?” You passed the cup over to Taeyong. 

A frown settled on his lips as he looked down at your creation, “You’re sure you’ve done this before?” He watched you skeptically. 

So latte art wasn’t your forte, that didn’t mean that he had to make it seem like you had just done a crime against humanity, “I swear, I have,” you leaned over the counter, pushing the cup a little closer to him, “I know it’s not the best looking, but I promise you that it is going to be the best cup of coffee you’ve ever had.”

He hummed, pushing his open laptop to the side to grab the cups with both hands and bring it to his face. There was something so nerve racking about watching the man take a deep breath of the hot drink before taking a large swallow. His face puckered slightly and he yanked the cup from his mouth. 

Had everyone been lying to you before?! 

Your mom swore that it was good, and though your brother didn’t drink coffee, he liked your tea and pastries. 

“I’m so sorry, you don’t have to drink it. I’ll work on it. Here give me the cup,” you reached across the bar to grab the cup that he pulled from your reach.

“NO!” he yelled, “No, it was just hot. I didn’t think about that before I took a big drink.” And you thought that you saw a faint smattering of red on his cheeks. He quickly took another drink, “I love it.” He smiled at you and you tried to believe it, but it was hard when you could see how hard he was trying to make everything seem okay.

“You don’t have to lie to me. Even if my coffee isn’t good, I plan on still opening the café. I put in too much time and money for this to fail.”

Taeyong frowned again, “I’m not lying to you. You’re going to be great. And hey, you’ve already got one customer.” He pointed to himself, “You know I’m right next door, that’s why I came over, because I’m nosy. I’ve seen you here the past few weeks and curiosity finally drew me over.” The smile on his face eased your nerves and you were starting to trust the truth behind his words.

“Right,” you looked across the road to where the small flower shop sat. Taeyong shuffled his feet and you remembered that he probably just stopped by to say hello, not sample your sub par coffee. “If you want I’ll get you a lid for your coffee and you can be on your way.” He was probably busy and didn’t want to be gone long.

“Oh- yeah,” he tucked his hands in the flower shop logoed apron he wore, “I’m sure you’re busy getting ready, didn’t mean to pull you from your work.”

“You didn’t,” you pressed the plastic lid on the cup. Taeyong grinned shyly at you as he made his way to the door, “Feel free to stop by anytime.”

He tipped his head at you, “I will, thank you for the coffee, it’s delicious.”

Yeah, maybe it wasn’t so bad.

~~

“Wait, wait, wait, you went to SSU too!” you grinned at the man across from you. Taeyong had become your first regular customer. Well, your only customer, considering that you weren’t open yet. Every morning since that one two weeks earlier he stopped by like clockwork.

7 am, he knocks on the door and you unlock it for him,

7:02 he hands over the menu you were working on and orders something new, 

7:05 he takes one sip of his drink gives you his first thoughts

7:06 you chat with him about whatever is on his mind as you go about setting up tasks you have to do for the day

7:15 he goes back across the street and you only catch peeks at him through the window until you leave or he closes 

 The same thing for almost two weeks. You couldn’t even be upset that the man was getting free coffee and pastries off of you. He was good, attractive, company that you grew closer and closer to inviting to dinner with every passing day. 

“Yeah, I got my degree in horticulture and botany. I wanted to stay close to home, but branch out some. I graduated about four years ago.” 

Delight and shock lit up your face, “No way, me too. I bet we passed each other on campus or maybe even had a class together.”

Taeyong watched you calmly, a somewhat knowing smile on his face, “We may have had a business class together once.” He shrugged. 

“It would be like fate,” you pushed the chocolate croissant he ordered with his tea over to him and took his dirty cup. 

He chuckled softly, “Yeah.”

“Speaking of fate,” you checked the notepad you had sitting next to a cash box on the counter. “I have finally set a date for the grand opening.” A small squeal left your lips and you jumped in place. “It’ll be next Friday!”

Taeyong blinked owlishly at you before a grin crossed his face, “That’s amazing! And so soon, but amazing! I’m so happy for you.” You thought that he was going to jump over the bar and hug you. You wouldn’t have been complaining, if he had. Instead he ripped the croissant in half and offered one part to you. “This calls for celebration!” You would have rather had dinner with him, but he was still here and happy for you, so you couldn’t complain. 

“Thanks, Tae.” You said through a mouth full of bread and chocolate.

He raised his half in toast, “Just doing duties as a friend and neighbor.” 

And maybe something more? You had thought about it a lot over the past few weeks. He seemed to like you. There was nothing stopping both of you from just exploring whatever chemistry there was between you both. Still that little niggling of fear crept it’s way in and no one likes to be rejected. Plus, you are so busy with the store opening, it’s just not a good time to ask him.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” You watched him open the door, letting in a cool breeze that smelled of clean air and fresh cut grass.

“Not if I see you first,” he took a bite of his croissant and strolled across the road, taking your heart with him.

~~

He wasn’t there. 

It was the day of your grand opening and he wasn’t there. 

T-1 minute until everyone around you watched as you cut the small ribbon that crossed in front of your café. Taeyong literally worked across the road, how could he not be there?

You needed to try to get rid of the hurt. If you didn’t, then no one was going to think you were very happy about opening the shop you had spent weeks working on. 

“You ready, darling,” a stout old lady who was a part of the city board stood next to you.

You gave her a grim smile, “Of course.”

“Oh dear, I know that there are a lot of emotions that come with this, but try to focus on the happy ones.” She shoved a pair of scissors in your hands that had to have been made for giants. “You’ll be busy enough with the new cafe, don’t worry about having too much time on your hands,” she laughed good naturedly.

“It’s not that, it’s-”

“Wait!”

Your head snapped up as the voice met your ears. A car door slammed and you saw Taeyong round his small pickup truck. In his hands was a large bouquet, along with a picnic basket. There was a grin on his face, but you could sense the urgency of his steps as he got shuffled up to you. 

“Shit,” his glasses were skewed on his face as he finally stood toe to toe with you. “So, I totally meant to be here before now.” He set down the basket and held the bouquet out to you. “These are for you. Um- congratulations on opening your shop and I’m so proud of you.” He patted around his pockets. “I have something to say to you. I wrote it down. Well, you see, I was wondering if- You know I have been wanting to do this for weeks, but was nervous and then this morning it hit me that I could ask you here.”

“Taeyong,” you stopped his rambling.” Thank you for the flowers. I appreciate them, but I don’t have enough hands to hold them and cut the ribbon.” 

“Right,” he grinned sheepishly, “I’m holding you up, sorry.”

You grinned back as the crowd started counting down, assuming you were finally ready to open shop. 

Hesitating a second after they said one, you threw another glance at Taeyong, “And I like you too. So yes, I will go on a date with you.”

The ribbon split in two just as his mouth did and you laughed as he wrapped you up, spinning you around in a circle. “Now?” He looked hopeful.

“How about after we close tonight?”

“But the wine will get warm.”

“Lucky for you, I know a nice new café that has the perfect industrial fridge for that.”

“I may have to check it out,” Taeyong linked a hand through yours. And you tugged him to follow the people that had started to trickle in. 

“I think you may just like it.”

“I think that it will be my favorite place to be”

“Oh really,” you raised an eyebrow at him. “Why is that?”

“Cause I’m next to you, standing next to me.”

Yeah, your heart was in good hands.

The Nanny

alternate ending

Lee Taeyong x fem reader

Masterlist

preview,01,02,03,04,05,06,07,08,09,10, alternate ending

Genre:mafia au! dad taeyong au!

Warnings:explicit language, mature themes, angsty

Word Count: 5.2K+

Author’s note: AHHHH YOU GUYS THOUGHT IT WAS DONE HUH??? NAH ONE MORE TIME LMAOOOO. no but there’s nothing after this that’s for sure. Also this is dedicated to @tyongf-sunflower99 they are the only reason I thought of doing an alternate ending. This picks up right after chapter 7. At first I was hesitant to do this simply because I didn’t want it to take away from the original storyline, but after serious consideration, I thought this would add more to the storyline than take away. Not to mention I just enjoyed writing it so I had to share it. Hugs and kisses to anyone reading<333

—————-

You glanced at the clock on the wall before staring back at the tv in the living room. Taeyong texted he was on his way home, but you knew from the mansion to the office, it wasn’t two and a half hours.

Dasom was already laid up in bed, Mark had texted earlier that him and the boys would be home extra late. Some business they had to take care of. You wondered where everyone was, why were they gonna be home late. You walked into the kitchen to make yourself a glass of water. You heard the front door open, which was strange, Taeyong always came through the garage door.

Nevertheless you rushed to the front door, Johnny stood there with dream. Taeyong was nowhere in sight. All the boys hung their heads, none of them dared to look at you. Slowly almost one by one, they fell into a bow, a proper 90 degree bow.

“(y/n),” Johnny said, he looked directly at you, his eyes bloodshot, “Taeyong is dead.”

-

You shot up in your half empty bed, looking around the room. Taeyong still hadn’t come home yet. You didn’t even know when you fell asleep, the last thing you remembered was you sitting in bed reading Taeyong’s text that he was on his way home for the 100th time. The nightmare sent chills down your spine, trying to push the thought far from your mind. Taeyong is not dead, you told yourself over and over again.

As you exited your room, you peered into each of the boys rooms. All empty as well, you checked your phone for the time, it read 4:32am. None of them came home yet. You dragged your feet down the stairs to the kitchen where you found Auntie, preparing the list for morning chores for the maids.

“Good morning madam,” she bowed to you, like the proper maid that she was.

“Auntie please,” you wished she would just treat you like a normal human being, instead of some princess, or high lady.

“I am being respectful to my boss madam, as one should.”

You shook your head, “Auntie, did the boys or Taeyong possibly come home while I was asleep and left before I woke?” You asked, hopeful, that you just happened to miss him, too tired to wait up any longer.

“No one has been home madam,” your stomach dropped. None of them came home last night. You dropped to the floor the feeling of absolute dread taking over. “Madam,” Auntie shouted out, trying to catch you. “Breath please, (y/n),” Auntie looked at you with so much concern as tears fell from your eyes. You were hyperventilating, your heart was racing, you felt like the room was spinning. They didn’t come home last night.

-

After Auntie moved you from the kitchen floor to the living room couch. You were still in a freaked mindset, the nightmare from earlier feeling all too realistic. Auntie had got you a glass of water, hoping to calm you down a bit. You took a couple sips, trying to slow your breathing enough so you could relay your thoughts to her.

Just when you felt yourself calm down enough to talk, you heard the front door open. Hoping it was Taeyong or one of the boys, you rushed to the front door dropping the glass of water. The glass shattering against the hard floors, not causing you any worry. The thought of that being Taeyong occupying all of your mind.

When you got to the front door to see Johnny walk through your heart dropped once more. Where was your husband and why wasn’t he home already?

“Johnny,” your voice cracked, as you took steps back to allow him to walk through. He looked like he got less sleep than you, like he walked through hell and back. “Where… where is he Johnny?” You felt the tears run down your face, and if there was a God you hoped and prayed he brought Taeyong home to you in one piece soon.

“He’s alive,” you took a deep breath hearing Johnny mutter those words, ‘he’s alive.’ He’s living breathing, he’s alive. You don’t know who heard your muttered prayers but you thanked them. He’s alive. “But,”

No, no, no. “But, but what? Johnny, where is my husband? Where are my boys? Why has no one come home?” you felt your voice get louder, you wanted your family to be home to be safe.

“Taeyong was taken,” Johnny took a deep breath placing both his hands on your shoulders, “the Yakuza have taken Taeyong, I don’t know where he is right now, but he is alive. They sent us a message, he have 36 hours to meet their demands, but only 24 hours to respond to them.”

“Where are my boys Johnny? Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Donghyuck, Jaemin, Chenle, Jisung, where are they?”

“They’re all fine, they’re at the organization’s office.”

“I’m gonna change and I’ll go with you,” you started, turning to look at Auntie, “I need you to take care of Dasom, I’ll be back after I get my husband back.”

“(y/n) no,” Johny started off, “I came here to give you an update that’s it. I can’t put you in harm’s way.”

“You think I’m about to allow you to walk into my house tell me my husband has been kidnapped, and just expect me to just sit at home waiting around for you to deliever news?” You looked at Johnny as if he was stupid. Which he was for thinking you would actually agree to that.

“Let me handle this with Yakuza, I promise to bring Taeyong home to you alive.”

“I’ll let you handle it, but I am sure as hell not gonna sit around here waiting for you to give an update. I’m going with you, end of discussion.”

“Taeyong wouldn’t like this,” Johnny says, trying to sway you the other way.

“Well Taeyong can bitch about it when we bring him home.”

Johnny groaned wondering who was worse with their demands, you or Taeyong.

-

Johnny brought you to the organization’s office, which was a mechanic shop. On the way there Johnny explained how the mechanic shop offered a nice cover, as well as it was owned by them, and it was a place each of the boys could work on their own cars for races.

Under the shop was a conference area that was surprisingly high tech. There were several computer monitors in one corner, all with different information displayed. There was a large tv on one of the walls, displaying all known information of the yakuza, a conference table made for 30 in front of the tv. On one wall was a display of different guns, and knives, as well as some protection stuff.

“Only the members hand picked by Taeyong know about this place and are allowed down here.” Johnny whispered to you, as you guys entered the room.

You glanced around the room, your eyes first finding Jisung. You rushed over to him, trying to make sure he was okay.

“(y/n),” he called out, surprised to see you.

“Are you okay?” you examined his face carefully, looking for any new scratch or bruise or cut.

Jisung grabbed your hands, pulling them away from his face, “I’m okay, I promise.”

You took a deep breath calming yourself down, then you started hitting Jisung, scolding him. “You didn’t come home last night, no call, no text, nothing to let me know if you’re alive or not? I was worried sick you cannot do this to me, do you understand?”

Jisung smiled fondly at your actions, he couldn’t remember a motherly figure from his childhood like this worried about him. Both of his parents were addicts, too concerned about getting their next fix to worry about Jisung. They both died just before his 14th birthday, his dad killed because he owed the wrong people money, his mom overdose off of a bad batch of heroin. Taeyong took him in just after his 14th birthday, even got together the proper paperwork to legally be his guardian.

Taeyong wasn’ just like a father to Jisung, but he was his father. In Jisung’s heart and mind, Taeyong was his dad, and Seulgi was his mom. They were the ones that took him, took care of him, raised him. And Jisung firmly believed that after Seulgi died, he would never have another mother. That is until you came along. You cared about him, you checked up on him, you were constantly worried about him. You were just like a mother to him, and he so much wanted you to be his mother.

“I’m sorry,” Jisung apologized with a smile, “I won’t do it again.”

“Damn right you won’t do it again, you are to come home every night, I don’t care how late it is, but you need to at least come home every night.” you huffed out, a little more calm now that you got all of that off your chest. “Now where are the rest of the boys?”

“(y/n)?” you heard your name being called out in surprise, you looked around the room to see Renjun staring at you, walking fast towards you. “What are you doing here?”

You looked the boy up and down, not seeing any new bruises or cuts. You started to scold him too, “what is wrong with you? Not coming home at all last night, you had me worry sick. No call, no text, nothing to let me know you were okay,” Renjun flinched at each hit trying to hold up his arm to stop you.

“I’m sorry,” Renjun speaks up, hoping for you to stop scolding him. But he must admit, as much as you hit him, not a single one of them hurt. They were all so gentle, so soft. Renjun grew up with abusive parents, often beating him into submission. When he finally saved up enough, he bought a plane ticket out of the country. Thinking that he needs to put the water between him and his parents to be safe. None of your hits hurt, they were all so soft, Renjun wondered if you were genuinely mad. But when he caught a glimpse of your face, he knew you weren’t really mad, just really concerned. “I’ll let you know from now on.”

“Thank you,” you recoiled your hands back, no longer feeling the need to scold the boys. “Where are the rest of the boys?”

“Mark and Hyuck just left, they went to run an errand,” Renjun answered.

“Chenle is upstairs, he’s looking over some things.” Jisung answered.

“Jeno and Jaemin?” The two boys looked at each other, avoiding answering the question. Just then you heard this chime, signaling someone else entering the room. You looked over to see Jeno resting the majority of his weight on Jaemin as the two entered the room. Your eyes went wide, “what happened?” you whispered, afraid of the answer to your question.

Doyoung, and Jaehyun went over to help Jeno into a chair. “He’s fine now, (y/n),” Renjun spoke to you softly.

“What the hell happened that he’s hurt?” you turned back to Renjun and Jisung asking them.

“Yakuza,” Jisung let out, hanging his head.

You made your way to where Johnny was standing, looking over some documents. “Bullshit,” you cussed at Johnny.

“What?” Johnny turned to you utterly confused.

“Bullshit, you fucking said they were fine. That’s not fucking fine Johnny.” You tried to burn holes through Johnny’s head, but he seemed not to have any effect whatsoever.

“Alive is fine,” Johnny let out, you felt yourself break just a little more. Alive is fine, they were alive. You looked away, trying to stop yourself from having a full blown breakdown.

-

You sat at the conference table with all the members of NCT. You were at the front of the table, sitting in Taeyong’s seat. You didn’t like the seat at all, you didn’t like the feeling of being the one to make the decisions. All the boys were going through different scenarios of what was going to happen.

Jaehyun wanted to give into the yakuza’s demands, he concluded that would be the safest option to ensure Taeyong’s safety. Yuta was against that plan considering that would mean handing over Shotaro. Jungwoo suggested an old school style raid but that would risk Taeyong’s safety, so both Johnny and Jaehyun shot down that idea. Hendery suggested that we cut off the yakuza’s power supply, but Shotaro admitted that wouldn’t work, because the Osaki clan was very old school. They wouldn’t need power to kill Taeyong.

You listened to all these different scenarios to get your husband home, but it seemed every plan has its own unique flaw.

“(y/n) what do you wanna do?” Johnny asked, turning to look at you now.

“Why are you asking me? I don’t know what to do,” you admitted quickly. This wasn’t anywhere near your expertise, you were studying to be a doctor before your life was thrown for a loop. You were a biology major.

“But this is your husband,” Johnny added sympathetically.

“I will go with whatever plan that ensures he returns safely, unharmed.”

“We do the exchange then,” Jaehyun resolved.

“Fuck that,” Yuta shouted, standing from the table, “Taeyong wouldn’t want us to do the exchange.”

“His wife wants us to,” Jaehyun argued back, now standing from the table.

“She doesn’t even know Taeyong. She’s only known him for a year at most. Her opinion is irrelevant.” Yuta stated clear as day, words carefully laced.

“Watch your mouth Yuta,” Johnny snapped, now standing as well.

“Are you guys done with your little power trips?” You asked, still sitting, looking at them. They all gave you a confused look, “ready to sit down and have a civilized conversation like adults?” You could’ve sworn you saw some of the other members stifle their laughter. Yuta, Jaehyun and Johnny all slowly took their seats once again. “Thank you,” you let out a breath, “I obviously don’t know what’s the right thing to do, and I obviously know Taeyong the least amongst this group, but what I do know is slamming your fist and shouting at each other isn’t gonna solve my problem of my husband being kidnapped. So I suggest that we brainstorm some ways to get my husband back home safely, in a civilized way, that way we actually have a chance of getting him back alive. How does that sound, boys?” You didn’t want to come off as rude, or condescending, but it sure as hell felt that way.

“Yes,” Jaehyun spoke, sitting back down in his seat. All of them are now turning to look at you. You wanted to murder the you from a minute ago, for putting yourself into this position. You also wanted to murder Johnny for asking for your opinion initially.

“Look,” you started off, taking a deep breath, unsure just exactly how to go about this situation, “I just want Taeyong back. I don’t know the protocol here, or if there even is one, but Dasom is waiting for her daddy to come home, and I refuse to go back home to her without him.”

You watched all the boys, giving small seemingly simple head nods all around the table. You knew they wanted Taeyong back as much as you did, and they were going to do everything they could to get him back.

-

24 hours. That is exactly how long the yakuza gave you guys to respond to their demands.

21 hours, is exactly how long it took for you guys to tell them you would meet their demands.

The yakuza wanted Shotaro and compensation for taking him, compensation in the form of 1 million USD. It took Johnny merely five minutes to gather all the money in cash for them. How, you had no idea and you questioned if you really wanted to know.

Nevertheless, you were gonna make the exchange. You couldn’t explain it but you were the one that needed to make the exchange, you nearly spent almost two hours arguing with Johnny about it. He finally agreed, after telling you he was gonna drive, you had to wear a vest and you had to carry a weapon. He also made you wear the most combat tactical outfit you had ever seen.

“Am I going to war?” you asked Johnny after you got out of the bathroom, just finished changing your clothes.

“Yes,” Johnny answered very matter of factly. You couldn’t help but roll your eyes.

“I’m not wearing it,” you said, turning around, walking back to the bathroom.

“Then you’re not going,” Johnny responded.

You turned back around to glance at Johnny, “watch me,” you smirked. Before closing the bathroom door.

-

The car ride to the exchange site was filled with Johnny giving you reminders and running through a minute by minute plan. He tried to drag you from the car to keep you from doing the exchange, part of you thought it was a miracle that he was actually allowing you to do this.

“Now, I’m gonna step out with you guys. (y/n) keep your hand on Shotaro until we get proof of life. We aren’t doing this unless we’re certain that it’s him and he’s alive.”

“He’s alive,” you stated, firm in your belief that your husband was fine.

Johnny glanced at you through the rearview mirror. He felt sorry that you got roped into this life. You were just a simple college girl, on her way to graduation and maybe med school. Johnny felt like he knew your life story already from how much Taeyong talked about you. And it wasn’t like Taeyong was going on and on about you. No, he would just mention little things here and there, especially if something reminded him of you.

Johnny thought back to a simpler time, when he and Taeyong were both focused more on the corporation than the organization.

Johnny met up with Taeyong for lunch, since they both had a meeting in an hour. They were only supposed to go up to the food court and grab something fast. But Taeyong had to stop when he saw the plushie in a store display. Johnny didn’t initially notice Taeyong walk away from him into the store.

“Dude?” Johnny questioned, following Taeyong now.

Taeyong went up to the cashier asking for the plushie in the display. Taeyong swiped his card, not really caring much about it. Thanking the cashier then walking out.

“What’s that?” Johnny asked.

“It’s boba plushie for (y/n), she really likes boba, and was talking that she wanted a plushie.” Taeyong spoke with the biggest smile Johnny had ever seen on him. Johnny couldn’t help but chuckle a little. “What?”

“You love her?”

“Who? (y/n)?” there was this blush that danced across Taeyong’s cheeks, “no no, I mean she’s great with Dasom. She always checks up on me before she leaves for the night. She has this insane love for food. She is very special, but I don’t love her like that.” Taeyong dismissed and Johnny couldn’t help but shake his head.

“Invite me to the wedding, yeah?”

Taeyong laughed and shook his head this time.

That day felt like a lifetime ago, and Johnny felt sorry that you were in this position now. Taeyong wanted so badly to keep you safe. He wanted so much for you to be away from this part of his life. Now you were in the middle of it.

-

You arrived at the exchange location, it was an abandoned parking lot. They were already waiting for you. Johnny pulled up in front of them, putting the car in park but not turning it off. You took a deep breath, looking at Johnny.

“You ready?”

“No,” you answered truthfully. You wondered if what you were doing right now was a mistake. Was Taeyong’s life really worth Shotaro’s? Who were you to decide these kinds of things? Would Taeyong be angry about this decision of yours? What if all of this is in vain?

“Okay,” Johnny said, opening his door to step out. You matched his movements, remembering the plan.

You closed your door, looking at the group of men, wearing black suits and sunglasses.

“Didn’t expect to see you Mrs.Lee,” a man not wearing sunglasses, smiled crookedly at you.

“Where’s my husband?” you controlled your tone, you couldn’t let on too much.

“Where’s my cousin?”

“I asked first,” the man, that proclaimed himself as Shotaro’s cousin, laughed wickedly at you. Then turned looking back at the men by the door. He gestured to them as they opened a door, pulling someone out of the car.

There stood your husband. He looked beaten, blues blossomed around his left eye, his lip looked red with blood. His once clean and neat suit was battered and wrinkled. His usually very neat hair was tousled around and you wanted to dart out. To race towards him, to hold him close to you and check up on him. To feel him against you.

You reigned your feelings in, taking a deep breath. You opened the door and gave Shotaro and a sad look. He smiled so kindly back at you. He looked happy. He climbed out of the car, buttoning his suit jacket that was once undone, he stood next to you now.

Shotaro’s cousin and Taeyong walked towards you, as you and Shotaro made your way towards them. You gripped the briefcase with the money tightly.

When you met in the middle, Taeyong’s face showed that he wasn’t happy but you were over the moon that he was fine. You opened up the briefcase, showing the stacks of hundred dollar bills.

“It’s been a pleasure doing business with you Mrs.Lee,” Shotaro’s cousin smiled crookedly once again. He grabbed Taeyong’s arm, pushing Taeyong towards you. You handed over the briefcase, and Shotaro walked away.

You wrapped your hand around Taeyong’s arm pulling him along to the car. Only when you were back in the safety of the car driving away, did you cut open the ziptips bounding his wrist.

“What the fuck was that?” Taeyong asked angrily, has he soothed his wrist. You didn’t grace him with a response, instead taking his wrist into your hands. Gently rubbing at the bruises that were forming.

Johnny didn’t answer Taeyong either, you could feel him tense up a little. Then Johnny picked up his phone, speaking into the ongoing call. “It’s a go Mark.”

-

On the other side, Shotaro climbed into the car with his cousin. Mark and the rest of the dream, along with several other members awaited them. You weren’t gonna let Shotaro go back to Japan. He was family.

Dream raided the car. There were seven people in the car including Shotaro, when dream was done there were five dead, and one living left in the car. Shotaro was rescued completely unharmed, with the briefcase.

“He’s family,” you whispered to Taeyong as you guys waited on the side of the street for dream to show up. It didn’t take long for them to appear.

When the boys tumbled out of the car, Shotaro and the briefcase with them, they all wore happy smiles. Shotaro handed the briefcase over to Johnny, while Mark informed Taeyong of the original plan. You checked in with Jisung and the other boys, making sure none of them were hurt.

“(y/n),” Shotaro tapped your shoulder, gaining your attention, “thank you.” Shotaro dropped to his knees in a bow you couldn’t accept. You rushed pulling him up, wrapping your arms around the poor boy. You could feel the spots of tears wet your shoulders.

You pulled away, allowing Shotaro to straighten up, “you’re family, it’s what family does.” Shotaro smiled and nodded, tears still escaping him.

After everyone exchanged plans, and dream told you they would see you back home later tonight, they left. You climbed back into the car with Taeyong right behind you.

“You made this plan?” Taeyong asked as you guys began moving again.

“I just asked if it was possible, Johnny them made the plan.”

“Mark says it was you,”

“It was,” Johnny interrupted. Taeyong raised his brow at you.

“Not alone,” you said. Taeyong smiled, pulling you closer. Taking you face in his hands, kissing you feverishly. It should have been passionate, rough, and a breath-taking kiss. But it wasn’t, it was short, sweet, loving, soft, sentimental. It almost made you cry. It did make you cry. Taeyong leaned his forehead against yours, and you whispered, “I thought I lost you.”

“Not yet my love.” You smiled at Taeyong’s words, he was fine. You both leaned back into the chair, still wrapped in each other’s embrace. “I don’t forgive you Johnny. Letting my wife come to an exchange like this.”

“Trust me Tae, I tried dragging her from the car.” Johnny scoffed, shaking his head. Taeyong let out a deep chuckle.

He looked over to you, smiling.

-

Three months have passed, war between the yakuza and NCT has calmed down a bit but is still ongoing. Taeyong was already back to work full time at both the organization and corporation. Dream continued to live at the mansion, they loved being there. They claimed that it felt more homey than their original dorm ever had been. You think they just enjoyed the free food, but you loved their company. Dasom was gonna be starting school soon, she was set up at some preppy private school that Taeyong insisted she go to. You didn’t know what was wrong with the public school a few streets over, but Taeyong was paying for it so it was his choice.

You had just finished helping the chef prepare all of Taeyong’s favorite food. You were dressed up nice tonight, you had news to share. You were setting up all the dishes on the dining room table for dinner. You had dressed Dasom up too. You swore you heard the door open, “come on Dasom,” you beckoned to the little girl. Taking her tiny hand into yours, you walked out to greet Taeyong and dream.

When you got to the door, you saw dream begin taking off their shoes and jackets, Taeyong behind all of them, he was on the phone. He looked deep in the conversation that you didn’t want to interrupt. Instead greeting just the boys and telling them to go wash up and come down since dinner was already ready. When Taeyong finally noticed you, he seemed like he couldn’t be bother, giving you a simple peck on the cheek and waving at Dasom before making his way to his office.

You felt a little defeated about how dismissive he was, not noticing your outfit, or how you fixed your hair, or anything really. Writing it off as work, and trying not to feel complete defeated you made your way to the dining room, with Dasom to wait for everyone to come down to dinner.

-

In his home office, Taeyong remained on the phone with Johnny. “He’s in Korea Tae, I don’t know what we’re gonna do.”

“Does Shotaro know?”

“Here’s the thing, Tae. Shotaro’s brother came to Korea as well.”

“What?”

“The brother wants out too, he came to Korea for Shotaro. Shotaro is the only one of the family that could escape and the brother wants to do the same.”

“Fuck,” Taeyong let out a sigh, “It doesn’t change anything. Shotaro is family, and we’re gonna protect him like a family should. I want Taeil’s family on high alert, and tell Jaehyun and Yuta no more dating until this is over. I won’t bring any more innocent people into this.”

“You got it.”

“Thank you Johnny.” Taeyong let out a sigh, wondering what more he could do, “oh Johnny, stay safe.”

“You too Tae.” With that Johnny hung up on his side, leaving Taeyong to sit and ponder alone for a moment. He dragged his hand across his face, pulling the tie loose from his neck.

He wondered just where he went wrong to allow this to consume his life? Deciding that was a question for another day, he made his way to the dining room, where you sat in the seat next to his. You wore this bright smile that had his heart skip, you were dressed rather nice for just dinner at home. There was this certain glow around you that he couldn’t ignore.

Taeyong walked behind you, he stopped just a little, pecking your cheek, before sliding into his seat. “I’m sorry,” he apologized to you, “it was Johnny, some business things.”

“What business thing?” Johnny would never call after Taeyong left the office unless it was related to the organization.

“After dinner my love.”

“Okay,” you let out a breath, trying not to fret about it.

-

You guys enjoyed dinner happily, each of the boys telling you about their day. Towards the end of dinner, when you guys were mostly done, just sitting around and talking did you speak up. Clearing your throat, “I have an announcement,” you looked to Dasom. You hope, pray, beg whoever that this baby will be, they are just as amazing as her. You hope, pray, beg whoever that this baby will end up to be just like their father, “I’m pregnant.”

The table erupted into cheers and questions. You looked at Taeyong who wore the most shocked expression one could put on. Your heart sank, thinking that maybe you guys should’ve talked about this privately. Maybe he didn’t want another kid. Maybe he wasn’t ready. Maybe this wasn’t his plan. Maybe he didn’t actually love you and was just having fun. Your mind turned in on you faster than you could stop yourself. You already felt tears brim your eyes.

Then the smallest crack of a smile. Taeyong’s shock turned to joy. His eyes started to spill out tears. “You’re…”

“You’re happy?” your heart was still racing, you needed to hear him put his emotions into words.

Taeyong took your face into his hands, pulling you into a deep kiss, “I’ve overjoyed my love.” You took a deep breath, allowing yourself to smile.

“Congratulations.” Mark spoke up, holding his glass out for a cheer. You guys all heard up your glasses, yours being water.

-

Later that night in the comfort and privacy of your bedroom, did you and Taeyong have the conversation that should’ve happened earlier.

“Are you really happy about this baby?” Your mind is not allowing yourself to be convinced.

“I am baby,” Taeyong came out of the adjoining bathroom, plopping down on the bed, next to you. “A new addition to the family is exactly what’s needed right now,” Taeyong placed his hand over your stomach.

“I don’t want this baby to take anything away from Dasom though,”

“Nobody will take anything away from that princess.” You smiled at Taeyong’s nickname for her. “I am completely happy my love, to have a baby with you is a dream I never thought possible.”

You smiled, cuddling deeper into Taeyong’s embrace. “Oh what business did Johnny call you about?”

Taeyong let out a deep sigh, “Shotaro’s father is in Korea.”

There was a silence that fell over the two of you, unsure what was coming next. “Taeyong, are we being selfish bringing a baby into this life?”

“Maybe, probably. But we saved several using this life.” Taeyong reminded you about dream, namelessly. Although this wasn’t ideal, this was life, this was your life.

————–

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The Nanny

Chapter 10

Lee Taeyong x fem reader

Masterlist

preview,01,02,03,04,05,06,07,08,09,10,

Genre:mafia au! dad taeyong au!

Warnings:explicit language, mature themes, angsty

Word Count: 2.7K+

Author’s note: I am sorry this is late. I was out today, running errands and I thought I would be back home to post this but I wasn’t sadly. But this is the end guys, like this is the conclusion to the story and I feel like I lot of people just fell off at the end of chapter 8 because we found Taeyong is dead dead. When I decided to write this, I knew I didn’t want it to be a happily ever after, also I didn’t want to overly romanticize the idea of falling in love with a mafia man. Idk what did you guys think? like I want you guys to give me paragraphs about what you thought of the story as a whole. I want to know all your favorite moments, all the moments you hated me, all the moments that made your heart ache, all the moments that you cringed. I want to know, please tell me all of your thoughts. I beg of you. Nevertheless, hugs and kisses to anyone reading <3333

—————-

You sat in what was once Taeyong’s home office, going over the income paperwork of the last quarter for the organization. Mr.Lee, Taeyong’s father, offered you a secretary position within the corporation which you turned down. You wanted to be able to spend as much time at home with Dasom. Taking on the organization was more than enough for you at the moment.

You looked up from the paperwork on the desk. Your eyes found a picture that sat on the desk, it was of you and Dasom when you first started as her nanny. Taeyong took the picture, at that time, he said he just wanted a picture of Dasom, he didn’t mention you were in the picture too. You stared at the picture trying to remember that day.

“(y/n),” Johnny called while walking into the office. “Here,” Johnny handed you a stack of papers.

You flipped through the papers, seeing different options of private elementary schools, “what is this?”

“Dasom is gonna be five soon, you gotta choose a school for her,”

You flipped through the papers once more, “and what is wrong with the public school a few streets over? some of these school’s tuition is more than the average person makes in a month.” You looked up at Johnny wondering what makes him think that you’re sending your daughter to preppy private school at 5.

“These are school that was deemed safe enough,”

“Safe enough?” you questioned. Johnny looked taken aback.

“The original hit wasn’t on you, (y/n).” Johnny spoke hesitantly.

“Johnny,” you took a breath, fearing the next words that were gonna come out of his mouth, “what do you mean?”

“The Yakuza originally put out a bond for the kidnapping and delivery of Lee Dasom. A daughter for a son.”

You leaned back in your chair, holding your head unsure about what to think. “She’s not gonna be safe anywhere. Not until he’s dead.”

Johnny looked at you concerned, this isn’t who he imagined you to become with Taeyong dead. “We’re looking for him.”

“Make it quick, I want this taken care of as soon as possible.” You went back to overlooking the paperwork again.

“Understood,” Johnny said, as he started to exit the room.

“Oh Johnny,” he turned back around looking at you, “have someone keep an eye on Shotaro, I don’t want him trying to be a hero. We’re his family now.”

Johnny nodded his head with a small smile. You wondered what possibly went through his head, that he could smile. But all that went through his head is that’s exactly what Taeyong would’ve said. ‘We’re his family now.’

-

“Mommy, mommy, mommy,” Dasom yelled as she ran towards you, arms in the air. You scooped her up into your arms, carrying her.

“What do you want?” you smiled at the little girl.

“Can I have a snack please?” Dasom looked at you with big little eyes, hoping for a big yes from you.

“Sure,” you smiled at the little girl, nodding to nanny to give her the treat. You watched them walk away before turning back to your guest.

“You aren’t gonna dissolve this organization?” Taeil’s wife asked. She was visiting you and Dasom, her excuse being to check in.

“No, I won’t,” you picked up the tea that was once abandoned sipping on it. You wanted her out of your house, but she insisted on having a conversation with you. “Why did you really visit?”

“Taeil informed me that he had been given new orders, I wanted to check if that was true.”

“You don’t trust your husband?” You questioned looking her up and down. Taeil’s wife puzzled you greatly, she played this role of the dotting accommodating perfect housewife. However you knew better, she was much more than just a perfect housewife.

“I don’t trust him to understand what goes on in a woman’s mind,” she simply let out.

You hummed at her statement, not caring much about her opinions. “If that is all…”

“I won’t apologize,” she blurted out quickly.

“Excuse me?”

“I won’t apologize for my behavior at the dinner party. I do however want to make it clear that I hold nothing against you.” You tilted your head, trying to read her mind as she continued on, “Taeyong went through hell when Seulgi got sick, I believed he was gonna die with her at one point. I just didn’t want him to go through it again.”

You nodded at her, maybe it was Taeyong’s death or Taehyun’s words, but you couldn’t hate her for what she said. “It takes a strong woman to love a man of this life.”

“It does,” she nodded her head. “It takes a stronger woman to live this life. If I may offer the slightest bit of advice?”

“You may,”

“It does get more bearable.”

-

“Mrs. Moon visited today?” Chenle questioned at the dinner table, after hearing Dasom speaking about your guy’s visitor.

“She did,” you popped another piece of meat in your mouth.

“Everything okay?” Renjun questioned looking at you suspiciously.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” you asked, as you sipped the wine you were having for tonight.

“Nothing, we might have assumed wrong,” Donghyuck answered as all the boys looked at each other. They exchanged questioning looks.

“Spit it out,” you said to them, “what is it?”

“It’s nothing really,” Mark answered, you raised your eyebrow at them.

“We just heard that you and Mrs. Moon got into it at the dinner party,” Jeno started off, “but obviously that’s wrong.” Jeno shot Donghyuck a dirty look.

You couldn’t help but smirk, “Mrs. Moon and I did not get into it at the dinner party, we just had an exchange of words. Everything is fine now.”

“What did she say?” Jaemin questioned leaning closer to you. All the boys seemed so excited to hear what else you had to say.

“Rumor has it she made Jaehyun’s girlfriend leave,” Renjun dropped that bombshell.

“Didn’t she fight one of Johnny’s exs?” Donghyuck questioned.

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Jeno shrugged as he continued to eat his food.

You sat there stunned with all the accusations made so quickly, “that is enough gossiping from you boys.” You had to stop yourself from all out laughing at the boys, “I am sure Mrs. Moon was doing what she thought was best at the time.”

All the boys laughed out, not believing anything that came out of your mouth. You couldn’t help but just shake your head at them with a smile.

-

You could hear fast footsteps approaching you, “(y/n),” it sounded like Johnny called out to you. When he was finally within sight, you could see that he had been running towards you, “we found him,” you gave a confused look, “Mr. Osaki,” Johnny stood up straight, stopped panting now, “We found him.”

“Where?”

“He’s in Okinawa, I’ve already sent dream out there to take care of it,”

“I want him brought to me alive,”

“(y/n), that’s…”

“I know what I said Johnny, but I want to speak to Mr.Osaki directly. He is to be brought to me alive, do I make myself clear?”

“Yes,”

“Good, let’s go.”

-

It was a clean, easy mission for dream, they were in and out within 72 hours. They brought Mr.Osaki to you in one piece, without a single scratch. He now rested tied up to a chair, in the basement of your home. You didn’t want him anywhere near your daughter initially but the basement was conventitly designed for this exact situation.

You sat across from him, Johnny stood in one corner of the room. Mr. Osaki, had to be in his mid to late 50s, maybe early 60s. You could see the age clearly on his face. He looked tired. He had salt and pepper hair, he was still dressed nicely. That must’ve been a custom suit, it fit too nicely to be anything less. The colors complimented his skin tone, his wife must’ve picked it out for him.

He didn’t look to be on edge, or nervous, or worried. He looked very content, almost happy like. You didn’t really think about this moment a lot. The character in the movies that want revenge for their loved one always says that they thought about this moment a lot. The moment they can get their revenge. The moment that they put the bullet through their head, but you didn’t.

You haven’t thought about this moment at all. You wanted to ask him why, but then he would say it was for his son. You wanted to ask him if he was scared, but he looked nowhere near scared. You wanted to ask him if this is what he envisioned for his death, but you knew any man in this life was living on borrowed time, he already lived through his death. You wanted to ask him if his son was worth it, but to any parent, it would be worth it.

The question that really bugged you was what did he do to make his son leave him. How awful of a parent was he, that his son left the country? Why chase him, when he’s made it abundantly clear he doesn’t want to come home?

“Mr. Osaki?” you questioned, to see if he was still there, mentally. He hummed in acknowledgment, nothing more. You could’ve sworn you seen the corner of his lip twitch.

“(y/n),” Johnny called out for your attention, “let me end this for us right now.” Johnny, Johnny, Johnny, dear Johnny. He has always been a dependable shoulder for you, never overstepping, never being disrespectful, never being emotional. He was a rock, and you really should’ve been more aware. His voice was strained, his hand already behind his back on the gun, hie eyes burning. He wanted this man dead more than you.

You shook your head, “no, when are they going to arrive Johnny?” You changed the subject transferring it to the people you have requested for over an hour ago.

“Soon,” Johnny took a breath, retreating further back to his corner.

You turned back, once again observing Mr.Osaki.

-

You didn’t have to wait long for the men you requested. Yuta and Shotaro walked through the door. Now in the room, Mr. Osaki sat tied up to one chair, you sat across from him in another chair, Yuta, Shotaro and Johnny stood in the corner.

Mr.Osaki looked up, and stared at the son that abandoned him. His face looked first relieved, but then it twisted to anger. He spoke angrily and quickly to Shotaro, the two of them conversing in Japanese.

You turned to Yuta and Johnny for any type of translation. Yuta beckoned for you to come towards them, in which you did. When you were close enough for Yuta to speak without interrupting Mr.Osaki and Shotaro’s conversation. Did he say, “Mr.Osaki said that Shotaro is an ungrateful son who has brought dishonor to the family by abandoning them. Shotaro says that he dug his own grave, abusing Shotaro. Mr.Osaki responded with, i was building your character, you have always been weak.” Yuta stopped, his eyes going wide, then moving to be hurt.

You looked back at Shotaro and his father, the atmosphere different now. Even though Mr.Osaki was tied to the chair, you knew he held the high ground. Shotaro hung his head, he looked like a child getting scolded by his father. “He said,” Yuta started off, “that he wishes he never had a son.”

You made your way over to Shotaro and Mr.Osaki, you stood close to Shotaro, “finish the job, Shotaro.” you spoke softly.

“He won’t he’s nothing but a weak link in the Osaki clan,” Mr.Osaki spat out, staring down his son.

“He’s not a member of the Osaki clan, he’s part of the NCT family now.” You spoke to Mr.Osaki before turning back to Shotaro, “finish the job.”

Shotaro grabbed the gun behind his back, pressing the cold metal barrel to Mr.Osaki’s forehead. He slowly let go the safety, his finger on the trigger. He took a deep breath, “ご目なさい.” He pulled the trigger, the blood splatter across both of your faces. You could smell the fresh burn of the flesh. You feel the burning of the blood against your cheek. You could hear the faint sizzle of the bullet lodged in Mr.Osaki’s head. You stared at his hanging head, his eyes wide open as he looked up to the sky. There appeared to be a faint smile on his face.

He looked so happy.

-

You sat in the backseat of the car, Jisung driving and Johnny in the passenger seat. You tried to wipe the blood out of your shirt, but it didn’t seem to be coming out. Mark said that he would take care of the body. You were on your way to get Dasom from Taeil’s house. You wanted nothing more but to have your daughter in your arms. You wanted to cuddle in bed, and watch an old Disney movie while eating popcorn.

You stared down at your bloodstained blouse. Deciding you button up our jacket over the blood so that Dasom wouldn’t be aware of it. You pulled up in front of Taeil’s place. You jumped out of the car, Dasom already racing out the front door towards you.

You picked her up in your arms. You took a deep breath reminding yourself that she was right here with you. Dasom pulled back just slightly to look at you, “you finish work Mommy?” she questioned with the biggest and brightest smile you had ever seen.

“Yes princess, I’m finished.” You smiled back at her.

“Come inside for dinner,” Taeil’s wife called out, beckoning all of you to come inside, “the rest of the boys can join when they finish the clean up.”

“Okay,” you nodded your head, carrying Dasom back towards the front door, Johnny and Jisung following ensuite.

-

It had to have been three months already since Taeyong died. You have taken over completely in the organization. You got Dasom set up with an elementary school. All of dream continued to live at the mansion with you. Taeyong’s parents would take Dasom out for dinner once a week to spend time with her. Taeyong’s sister comes over every now and then to check in. You and Taeil’s wife have started to get along much better now, helping each other survive this life. Jeno and Jaemin both have admitted to their relationship being more than friends, but you’re unsure if they are dating yet. Shotaro feels more free now than ever, he doesn’t regret doing what he did, but he does wish it didn’t come to that.

The Osaki clan had been dissolved and absorbed by other yakuza clans. The organization seems to be doing well now. You could only hope for further success.

You were now hosting another dinner party, in honor of Taeyong. It was something you should’ve done a while ago, but you didn’t. However, some things are just better late than never.

You sat eating dinner, laughing and enjoying with all the members of NCT and their partners. You took a bite of the fish that the chef prepared, and immediately felt the urge to throw up. You shook your head, trying to excuse yourself to the bathroom.

You rushed out of there so fast, trying to find a toilet to spill your guts to. You heard someone call out after you, but you couldn’t tell who it was. You made it to one of the first floor half bathrooms, and just puked your guts out into the toilet.

“(y/n),” Taeil’s wife exclaimed as she saw you puking, she began to gather your hair holding it back for you. “What happened? Were you drinking?” you shook your head while continuing to puke. Taeil’s wife hummed, deep in thought, “(y/n), when was your last period?” You lifted your head, and looked at her with horror. “I could be wrong, I’m just guessing, I’ll get Taeil to pick up a pregnancy test, I’m probably wrong anyway.”

-

The dinner party was yesterday. You now sat on your bed, in the bedroom, holding the positive pregnancy test in your hand. Taeil’s wife by your side, “do you know whose it is?”

You looked up at her, “it can only be his,” you turned to look at the picture of Taeyong on your nightstand. ‘The baby could only be his.’

——————-

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☆ lovestruck!au xlibrarian!au taeyong
other lovestruck!aus:jeno|chenle|haechan|jisung

• a tower of books is blocking taeyong’s vision, just a voice comes echoing out from behind them
• “do you have a classics section?”
• “of course! which author?”
• there’s a pause and taeyong starts to get up so he can at least see who he is talking to
• “who would you recommend?”
• taeyong is already running through his alphabetized list that he’s spent hours on making in his head
• when you love books as much as he does, a question like that makes everything around him spark
• but then he sees you
• you seem to be frowning, looking down at the screen of your phone as the familiar notification sound of the college email comes vibrating through the room
• a couple of people studying nearby turn to glare and you whisper a small apology as you put your phone on silent and meet taeyong’s gaze
• taeyong almost wishes you hadn’t
• the urge to bring up the long sleeves of his oversized cardigan to hide his face starts to take over his brain instead
• they’re so cute - i can’t look at them!
• you blink when taeyong doesn’t say anything - he looks as if he has suddenly been struck by lightning
• “sorry - is everything ok?”
• your concern seems to do the trick, taeyong mentally mocks himself for being so awkward, and he says the one name that comes to mind easier than all the rest
• “have you read, um, twain? m-mark twain?”
• the look that you give him tells taeyong he’s picked an author that could put you to sleep - not that he really would argue, it’s just that suddenly all his knowledge has seeped away into the darkest corner of his brain
• “no..i mean i have tried to, but he’s kind of - boring?”
• “jane austen?”
• “aren’t most of her books a thousand pages long?”
• “is - are you looking for a book for a project?”
• you poke your tongue into your cheek, the little action makes taeyong suddenly feel like jello
• “kind of - one of my classes wants us to find a classic author that speaks to us personally. the only issue is none of them speak to me - most of them are dead anyway right?”
• taeyong stares at you and then gives a little nervous chuckle
• you stare back and sigh in defeat
• “i know i must be annoying you right now.”
• “no- no! no, i just……i -”
• i just can’t stop looking at you and it’s kind of insane
• taeyong pushes the thought back and levels himself and his emotions
• “i think you might want to find someone that isn’t exactly a ‘classic’ author?”
• this intrigues you, your shoulders perk and you lean over the librarians counter
• the sudden action nearly topples the neat bunch of books that had originally blocked taeyong from seeing you and he circles his arms around it protectively as he tries not to fall into the stars that are looping through your gaze
• “what do you mean?”
• “w-well the assignment is a classic author who speaks to you right? there are lots of authors from that same time who aren’t labeled classics but they - they might fit that category to you.”
• he is still holding his fingers on the spines of some of the books as you think about the sentiment
• “like who?”
• taeyong, looks at the pile in front of him, mostly to avoid direct eye contact with you, but then he notices something in the mix
• through the mess of titles and textbooks and more he sees one of the colleges oldest and most checked out books
• the great gatsby
• briefly, he thinks about the way in which gatsby speaks about daisy
• a flickering thought of the almost desperate love someone could feel for another
• you tap your fingers and the little memory lights something else in taeyong’s mind and he asks you in a small voice,
• “have you ever read zelda fitzgerald’s work?”
• you haven’t - actually you were unaware she was ever a writer - and when you ask taeyong if her work is available in the library he shakes his head
• “she wrote a novel, save me the waltz, really not popular enough to ever become a classic but if you read it and like it i think -”
• “well how can i read it if the college doesn’t have a copy?”
• taeyong thinks he feels the temperature of his skin rise a little because
• “i-i own a copy.”
• this time you do knock over the tower of books, simply because you jut your upper half over the counter to ask him if he’d ever consider lending it to you and your elbow catches right on one of the books
• they topple over and the loud crash echoes a wave of irritations throughout the library again as you scramble behind the desk to help taeyong get them back in order
• behind the desk like this - you ask him in a whisper
• “i know im a stranger, but you can trust me with the book - i promise!”
• taeyong wants to say of course, but all he manages is a shy hiccup when your hands brush over the same cover
• “here -” you stack the rest of the books up and then push your phone into this palm “give me your number and we can meet up”
• the rest of it all happens in a blur
• taeyong gives you his number - you delete the contact name and write yong with a little book emoji instead
• you text him and insist he put your name down with your favorite little pink flower
• after his shift, he heads to his dorm and finds the book - smiling to himself silently as his dormmate doyoung stares with a look of curiosity from behind his pre-law homework
• and then - it hits ten p.m. - and the all-night cafe on campus is packed and warm and taeyong is standing in front of it with a small scarf around his neck and the book placed carefully in a manilla envelope
• you come bounding down the street, ten minutes late, and skid to a stop in front of taeyong
• you call him mr. librarian and taeyong doesn’t know if the feeling in his stomach is love or his lunch
• “thank you thank you thank you - ill be sure to let you know if i use it for my project!”
• he assumes you just mean one text after you’re done reading it - a yes this is perfect or a i think i need to find something else!
• what taeyong does not expect is that the two weeks you work on your project, you text him daily
• the book is only a mere 230 pages - but you keep telling him about passages and the old articles you’re finding on zelda
• somehow you took one little book and pulled so much from it
• taeyong thinks its been a long time since he’s seen someone fall so much in love with a writer that he misses the feeling he used to get too
• one evening he gets your text just as he’s finishing up shelving at the library, he stops to lean against the cart and read it
• submitted my project, i have to see you and give you back the book!
• he thinks for a second, chewing on his lower lip
• you can keep it, you’ve come to love it.
• the bubbles pop up fast and taeyong nearly loses the grip on his phone when you reply
• that’s so sweet, but i actually just really want to see you too.
• and so you pop by the library when it’s only him left, he’s closing it with the key the school trusts on him with (and the janitor)
• and he almost jumps out of his skin when he turns and you’re there - beaming a huge smile at him
• you’re holding the book and he says, “no really you can keep it-”
• “do you want to go to dinner with me?”
• taeyong doesn’t know if you’ve been privy to his feelings all along
• did you, standing there behind that tower of books, already know he was going to start thinking about you every day after he saw you
• did you already know he’d feel like a helpless schoolboy with a crush on the sun?
• either way you don’t admit it - you just keep that huge smile across the table with pieces of cake between you two and steaming cups of tea
• you babble about your project, about how you had to defend not picking someone more obviously 'classical’
• and taeyong does the one thing he learnt from romantic movies and novels, that when you shiver in the cold air of the cafe, he shrugs off that huge cardigan he’s always wearing and offers it to you without much of a word
• you pull your hands through it and go
• “it feels like a hug!”
• when you’re both done with your food, you ask taeyong if he’s going to walk back to the dorm - you have to take the shuttle across campus
• “thank you for treating me, you didn’t have to all over a book.”
• he shyly scratches the back of his neck and he still doesn’t ask for you to give him his cardigan back
• you look much cuter wearing it anyway, in his opinion
• in the breeze of the night, you step closer to him and taeyong swallows because you’re looking straight at his lips
• “it wasn’t just for the book. are you book lovers so dense?”
• “hu-”
• he starts as you lean in to kiss him, gently and sweetly, the lingering taste of cake and tea on your lips
• taeyong almost falls over - his saving grace is your hand wrapping around his wrist
• “ive seen you in the library before…..so when i got this project i thought it would be the perfect time to talk to you and ive always liked you, so i cant believe how nice you were to me-”
• you start, confessing an onslaught of feelings taeyong was oblivious to
• “-and if you don’t feel the same i understand.”
• taeyong has never been straightforward in his life, but he answers your concern with another quick, soft kiss to your lips
• he doesn’t say everything he wants to either when he pulls back and you’re giving him a slight look of shock
• i like you too, ive liked you ever since i saw you - ever since you toppled that tower of books back on me - ever since you helped me put it back together behind the librarians’ desk
• he can’t force the words out instead he goes,
• “please keep the book…..and my cardigan is yours too.”

tw: weapons mention, violence mention, n*fw elements, be warned. everything written here is a work of FICTION, it does not in anyway reflect reality, nor do i condone any of the extreme behavior.

♢introduction♢pick mark instead|pick haechan instead|pick yuta instead|pick johnny instead |pick doyoung instead |pick taeil instead|pick sicheng instead

♢special route: pick ten

“it doesn’t matter, just stay away from her or anyone and me. stay away from me.”
“but i chose you.”
taeyong’s eyes flash for a moment - there’s a look of shock and also a softness, an almost apologetic tenderness in them that fades as soon as it appears.
“you shouldn’t have.”

• “i choose taeyong.”
• “i refuse.”
• he still doesn’t look up at you and somewhere in the room jaehyun lets out a long sigh
• “taeyong they were supposed to be with you anyway, just think of this as an extension of your work duty as their manager.”
  
• taeyong tilts his thin body forward, his hands are in his pockets and he takes another minute to answer
• “are you ordering me?”
  
• he finally looks at you, but his question is obviously directed at the jung heir
• “are you and your father ordering me?”
  
• “yes.”
  
• someone takes your hand gently and you look to the side to see mark, he’s giving you a sad and pitiful smile
• under it though is the question - are you sure about this? just pick me.
• but the words have already come out of your mouth and you don’t know if it’ll just piss taeyong off more if you go back on your choice now
• you are helped down from the table and you walk slowly to taeyong who lets an unnerving straight stare blank over his face
• you want to put together something to say
• but its like all your instincts are blaring red flags - stay quiet and hide.
• “i cant take them home today. i have a meeting.”
• everyone in the room tenses, especially doyoung who scoffs in apparent disgust and jaehyun snaps his fingers
• “mark will take care of you till the morning.”
• mark motions for you to follow him and he and johnny take you into the elevator and back above ground
• they are both talking to you - the usual damage control, it’ll be ok! don’t you worry! taeyong and the rest of us won’t let anything bad happen to you.
• you nod every now and then - but you cant help but shake the image of taeyong from your head
• slumped, dead eyed, and cold
• “what meeting is he going to?”
  
• you ask, without thinking of any precaution that should be attached to such a question 
• as mark opens the door to the car waiting outside
• “oh, it’s a work thing. like we were saying-”
  
• johnny puts a hand on your shoulder and gently pushes you forward
• “the less you know. the better.”
  
• mark takes you home to pack the essentials
• he looks awkward in your messy kitchen, not touching the water you poured him
• he helps you write a text to your friends and family to explain why you will be awol for the coming week
• he tries hard to be a friend when in reality every little jerk of his hand, the sound of his phone alerts
• it all makes your stomach drop - what the fuck is going on?
• you stay in a hotel, a room much to big for just you, with mark who gets himself comfortable on the couch
• you pace around the bedroom after locking the door, the night is dark but the lights of the city flicker in the reflection of the window
• you stare at it and try to recap your reality
• you were just going to be an intern, fixing wifi routers and filing papers for the it department
• and now you’re - you’re a hostage
• even if some of the jung’s people are trying to comfort you about the situation, that’s really what it is. 
• you’re a glorified hostage, but a hostage nonetheless
• and what made it all worse somehow 
• was the fact that you were now being seen as a bother by the person who you were practically forced to choose to protect you
• if they’d given you the option to leave that basement 
• and just never speak a word you would have
• you would have erased this whole night and just moved on with your life
• your phone goes off, you barely glance on it - assuming its probably one of your friends responding to that message you sent earlier 
• but a notification pops up, alerting you that the text is from an unknown number
• you are about to mindlessly open it when your finger freezes on the screen
• what if- what if someone is already after me?
• you rush to unlock the bedroom door and to your surprise, mark is already standing in front of it
• his eyes narrow as soon as he sees the frightened expression on your face
• “i heard your phone go off.”
  
• “it’s - it’s an unknown -”
  
• you hand it to him and mark opens the messages instead of you, he reads it and then takes his own phone out before he rushes to the hotel’s door
• you hear the locks turn again and mark is talking but he’s talking low and fast, and using words you don’t understand - “queen”, “deck”, “spade”
• those are playing card terms? or maybe gambling? what did the message say-
• you are going to ask him when mark finally acknowledges you, “have you unpacked?”
• you shake your head - you had been too nervous, pacing around, staring out the window, lamenting in this already twisted reality - to even touch your belongings
• “good, get your suitcase. we need to leave.”
  
• the car races through the emptier midnight streets, before you know it you’re on the highway and the city of lights fades in the rearview mirror 
• you were right, something about that message probably meant someone was already after you, but who? 
• who could have already figured out that you - an anomaly - was among the jung family?
• “where are we going?” is all you manage to ask and mark speeds the car up a bit
  
• “another province, closer to the sea. the jung’s have a guest house out there where we’ll keep y- i mean where you’ll stay.”
  
• the slip doesn’t go unnoticed and the word “keep” brings a sick feeling into your stomach
• “mark”
  
• he keeps his eyes on the road, once a soft and pitying brown, now glazed over and dark
• you are sure he hears you, but he doesn’t turn or ask what you need. he just keeps driving so you bite your tongue and sink a little lower in your seat.
• the guest house is close to the sea, but it is far away from everything else. it reminds you of the countryside, but not the countryside your family would take you on summer trips too.
• this house looked like something out of an old film
• long winding corridors and so many small rooms that you were sure if you were stuck in here alone you’d get lost
• but mark weaves his way through with ease, a fleet of three servants following in heel
• one of them holds your suitcases and the other two are talking amongst each other about the room they prepared, about some safe, and about what mark would need for when he returned to the city
• you try not to listen but you know they’re talking about weapons, possibly money and stolen goods and other things that you used to only believe existed on a tv screen - or at least far far from you and your regular life
• now here you are
• following mark lee of jung enterprises into some holed away room in a guest house all because you received a threatening message for what?
• for simply seeing something you shouldn’t have seen
• when mark finally stops, he pushes open the two large doors and ushers you and the servants in
• he drops something in the hand of one of them which was speaking from before and you swallow when you realize its a handgun, matte black and threatening looking in from a distance
• “ill be back in the morning. they’re your duty for now, if you think anyone is surrounding the house or trying to come inside - you can use whatever is in the safe. jaehyun has authorized it.”
  
• you look away - and onto a large bed like the one at the hotel - the air is stiff
• mark still has your phone 
• “don’t worry, you’ll be ok.”
  
• you breath in and look up, mark is beside you now and he’s returned a bit to a warmer, welcoming state
• “mark - “ you want to ask, what did the message say? am i really safe? is my family safe? what’s happening?
  
• he smiles and shakes his head
• “ill be back tomorrow. taeyong might be with me.”
  
• taeyong is not with him when mark returns the next day
• you are haggard because you didn’t sleep a wink and there was nothing to do but roll around in the huge bed - staring up at a mirrored ceiling 
• rich people have the most useless things in their houses? you had thought, looking away from your shaking reflection 
• you have the urge to ask why taeyong isn’t there, but you think you know the answer already.
• no one wants to babysit an adult. mark’s just too nice to say it and taeyong just doesn’t want to waste his breath
• “do you like it here?” mark is the first one to say something as you walk back through the hall from your room to a spacious open area toward the back of the house
  
• it’s a patio with luxurious, untouched furniture 
• “im guessing im going to have to stay here if you’re asking me that?” 
  
• mark gives a weak smile, “yeah. it’s just the safest protocol. jaehyun agrees.”
• “what about taeyong?”
  
• his name slips before you can stop and mark nods, “taeyong too.”
• if you walk all the way to the end of the patio and keep going, you are pretty sure you can reach the sea after a couple of more feet of walking.
• you can’t see it - but you can smell it in the air outside. 
• briefly, you wonder about running toward it. what is mark going to do? grab you and stop you? let you run out into the shore? hurt you?
• something cold passes over you, right - he could hurt you. any one of the jungs people could hurt you. any one of the enemies of the jungs people could hurt you.
• suddenly you feel lightheaded and this conversation is making it worse
• “that’s fine, i dont mind being here. will i return to work anytime soon?”
  
• mark wants to reach out and touch your shoulder, you can tell he wants to be comforting, but he doesn’t
• “maybe at a later time, not not right now.”
  
• with that - mark walks you back to your room. the door shuts behind him and you feel weirdly like a doll stuck in a toy box chest.
• that feeling persists for the two weeks you spend at the jung’s guest house with no one but the people who tend to the home and mark, who stops by occasionally.
• taeyong is nowhere to be found. your phone never gets back to you, mark gives you a new one, the only contacts are him, jaehyun, taeyong, and johnny.
• until finally, one evening as you’re sinking into the duvet once again - the door to your room opens with a bang
• for a moment you think it’s them - the people who sent that message to your phone, which you still don’t know what it must have said - you bolt up 
• and do the only thing you can think of which is scream at the top of your lungs
• “it’s just us!” 
  
• something grips your arm, delicately but with enough pressure that you peel your eyes open to see mark and ……… taeyong
• mark looks concerned, but you look past him to taeyong who just chides to himself about how you are soloud
• “it’s just us, taeyong is here to take you back to the city.”
  
• “is it safer there?”
  
• taeyong cuts in with a curt, “can’t you just pack. i want to get back before ten.”
• you narrow your eyes and can’t help yourself, “yes i can pack - but i want an answer before i just jump into another car without being told ANYTHING.”
• mark seems a little surprised at your tone, you don’t speak like that with him, and taeyong just stares blank and cold
• “whatever, mark ill pull around the car.”
  
• with his presence out of the room you seem to calm down, coming about to your senses and muttering an apology to mark who just laughs - “you don’t have to say sorry for anything, this is a shitty situation to be in.”
• nothing is said up until you three are all in the car
• mark is driving and taeyong is in the passenger seat beside him, you watch with caution as he taps his long thing fingers against his knee
• and then turns around to look over at you
• “why are you staring at me?”
  
• mark grips the wheel tighter and you keep looking at taeyong, seemingly unphased by the rudeness of his you are getting used to
• “because i would like to know why im suddenly being taken back to the city.”
  
• “it is safer there now. does that satisfy you?”
  
• you can see his hair curl behind his ear - it gets long and lays on the nape of his neck neatly
• he’s almost too pretty to be a………”gangster”……..or whatever the jung people were called
• “why is it safer? do the people who sent me the message know i was at the guest house?”
  
• taeyong stiffens, “you saw the message?”
• you shake your head, “no. but it had to be bad, i was suddenly whisked-”
• in true taeyong fashion, he turns his attention mid conversation to mark
• “did you not tell them?”
  
• mark pulls off the highway and into an underpass
• “no, i mean - there’d be too much to explain right?”
  
• taeyong tilts his head then sits back up straight
• “you’re right. it would be too much to explain.”
  
• you want to get all riled up and start asking - hey, i dont care if there is a long explanation! id like to know if my life was threatened!
• but something makes you stop - because right as mark pulls onto the busy streets of the city - you can’t help but look up at the towering buildings and crowded store windows
• you were only gone for a couple of weeks, but something about the solitude made it feel like years
• before you know it, mark is pulling up into the underground parking lot of the jung building and you are stepping back out into a place that seems both familiar and comforting
• but intimidating and terrifying
• “go inside, go to my office. do you remember where it is? just go and act normal and let people see you - see that you’re just the intern again.”
  
• taeyong whispers this fast into your ear before slipping your employee badge into your hand and taking your bag from your hands
• mark nods and you take shaking steps toward the elevator that will bring you up to the 25th floor
• you remember that 27 is the floor of the ceo’s office, there isn’t a 26 from what you know of, and the IT office should be on 25
• you press the number and it dings with a red circle as the elevator moves up.
• you feel kind of nauseous at the sudden realization that you’re back, you’re in the city, in the jung building, why? you still don’t understand
• the door dings open and to your surprise in walks johnny, flanked by haechan and sicheng
• johnny’s face lights up when he sees you - as does sicheng’s, but haechan ignores you all but completely
• “ah - how was the jung’s guest house, it’s totally huge right?”
•  johnny asks and you laugh weakly, so he knows - everyone seems to know something about what is happening with you, but you
  
• sicheng wiggles his fingers in a casual wave and if this was just a normal office, with normal collogues 
• it would have felt ok, but it just feels heavy
• finally you get to the 25th floor - johnny and haechan hurry away and sicheng seems to shadow you down the hall till he also turns into a meeting room instead
• you walk up to the I.T. department door and swipe your card to open it
• it looks the same as when you were here last, neat and tidy. 
• you look at the first desk, taeyong’s desk, and remember that he had instructed you on your tour not to touch anything without permission
• you walk past it and to the small desk in the back that you had worked behind for a bit
• you sit down in the chair and stare at the dark computer screen
• i can’t touch anything, and i don’t have any paperwork, should i just sit here in silence for hours till someone comes to get me?
• that feeling of once again - being a doll posed and stored in a toy box overcomes you - you put your hands out to hover over the keyboard
• but then they just drop back to your side
• you look over your shoulder and at taeyong’s empty desk
• it’s all cleaned up, there isn’t even any dust on the monitor. the files on display on a shelf beside it are color-coded and alphabetized 
• before you can register what your body has decided to do - you are getting up to look closer
• there aren’t any personal items or photos on the desk. no notepads with scribbled passwords or to-dos. the pens are separated between blue, black, and red
• the drawers are all shut, nothing sticking out of them, and then there is a book - one single book - on the right corner of the desk
• it looks like a computing manual, something to do with coding, and you aimlessly open it 
• disobeying the no touching rule
• when a gasp gets caught in your throat 
• the books pages have been cut through and hollowed out, within the hole is your cellphone 
• you recognize the chip in the corner and the blue case hugging the sides
• you stare at it - frozen - is it dead?
• the screen seems to light up in response to your question with a notification from an instagram account you follow
• it’s some idol whose just gone live and that’s when you see it - the unread texts, the emails, the dms 
• you look toward the door and then back at your phone and you can only think of one thing
• that unknown message, is it still on here?
• you know the right thing is to close the book and go back to your desk, sit down and flush your brain of everything that just happened
• it’s the right thing to do because it is the safe thing to do
• and safety is what all this bullshit is about
• but you grit your teeth, you remember taeyong’s expressions - the look of annoyance - the blank sternness - who is he? he’s not the hostage, why am i so scared of breaking some dudes stupid rules?
• the moment of red anger flashes in you and you grab the phone, you go to your message and you see it ‘unkown’
• you open it, there are no words just one emoji - a crown emoji. 
• what is this? some kind of joke? this is why i had to leave the city, be holed up like some kind of prisoner in that huge room, this is just some prank-
• you hear footsteps, the adrenaline pumping through your veins heightens every one of your senses and you know they’re coming toward the door
• you close out of the messenger app and lock the phone again, dropping it back into the hiding space of the book and rushing back to your desk as quietly as possible
• sitting down, you try to even your heartbeat which has started to pound in your ears
• you feel some sweat on your neck and try to shake it off - just don’t look guilty, don’t look guilt!
• the sound of the keycard opening the door resounds like a bell through the room
• taeyong walks in and behind him is mark and jaehyun
• you don’t even look at them, save from the corner of your eye, vision fixated on the desk
• “so that’s the situation, is it?”
  
• “im telling you. the queen isn’t an idiot, if we keep making trips back and forth out of the city she’s going to catch on. we should just keep them here, let them do their work, and turn into another regular, blank face in the crowd. the queen has no interest in nobodys.”
  
• queen? you think, eyes widening a bit, the crown emoji - was it from this queen person?
• “i agree, plus you know her better than i do. plus, spade and heart are a headache to deal with.”
• taeyong clicks his tongue and you turn in time with the sound
• “i don’t want them in my house.”
  
• “ill stay with them. i think it’ll be safer if they just stay in their apartment and i watch over. taeyong doesn’t want too and it’ll look suspicious if it’s him, the queen deals with him hands on after all.”
  
• the three men make a decision, once again not involving you at all, and jaehyun leaves without a word but his order is silent and obvious
• well, you two take care of this
• mark approaches you first and taeyong goes to his desk - hand sweeping over it - like he’s looking for evidence that something was moved or touched
• “hey, so - i know that conversation was kinda a lot, but everyone thinks it’ll be ok for you to go back to your place and um - well -”
  
• mark’s neck gets red, you can tell he’s nervous about asking if he can stay with you
• you smile, “it’s ok. you can stay if it’s for my safety.”
• the words leave your lips, but somehow you are doing it again, looking through mark and at taeyong
• you just keep throwing me to mark, you really hate being responsible for me don’t you?
• taeyong’s back flexes under the dress shirt he’s wearing when he touches the book and you go rigid
• did he notic-
• “mark, take them to lunch or something. we need more people to see them and know they’re really just interning here.”
  
• mark nods and offers his hand to you - you take it and as you walk past the desk, you watch taeyong sit down
• gorgeous features twisted, and then out of nowhere, he meets your gaze
• and you don’t know why but you feel like you should look away
• so you do.
• somehow you know everyone except you to fall back into this fake normalcy easily
• instead of being locked in some big room in a house by the sea, paranoid about who could open the door next
• you should enjoy the distraction of regular life
• get up in your apartment, the only difference being mark who is still too embarrassed to even change in front of you let alone take any of the breakfast you offer
• go to the office, do mundane tasks for the other departments when they need IT help, smile at johnny and taeil and sometimes yuta, get ignored by haechan and jaehyun, eat lunch at your desk, go back to your apartment and text all your friends: 
• sorry i cant come out! feeling really drowsy from the work and weather!
• but falling back into this routine does jack shit for you
• because you still exist in a stage of paranoia and awkward aggravation that coats you whenever you are anywhere near taeyong
• he isn’t even doing the job you picked him for, and yet he is still so dismissive of you
• and not in the straight-up-ignore you kind of way haechan is 
• but in a, why are you in my space?, kind of way
• when you’re near him, typing or doing some kind of useless paperwork you almost sense how tense he is
• he always has to take off his blazer and he always touches the knots that appear in his joints from being so damn on eggshells around you
• and you try to think of a reason why
• maybe he’s one of those extreme germaphobes - having others so close makes him feel dirty 
• but how could that be true, he’s spent all this time in the “underworld” of seoul with the rest of the jung people
• so is it you - something about you - your smell? the way you look? the way you walk?
• the thought vexes you further, what’s some guy got to say about you - even in this stressful situation you’ve done nothing but try and keep up all appearances
• sometimes you sit in the tub of your bathroom and scrub for so long, mark thinks you’ve climbed out the window, because truth be told
• you don’t feel comfortable with yourself anymore
• you feel like you’re made of plastic 
• walking around like a puppet on strings 
• don’t go here, don’t text that friend, go back and home, follow mark, don’t bother taeyong, do everything normal. don’t do anything you want to.
• at some point you get suffocated by it - and taeyong’s behavior doesn’t make it better 
• especially not when you accidentally bump into him on the way down the stairs and send the file in his hand flying
• he groans and when you reach to pick it up he snatches it and tells you to get out of his way
• it might be the way he says it that breaks the straw on the camels back and you spin on your heel to tell him to think about getting out of your way
• when you see he’s gone
• but you don’t let it go. 
• you know mark trusts you enough now to go straight home after work, plus being driven around in one of the expensive cars will throw off this whole normalcy cover, so when its time to clock out
• you take some extra time packing your things away and taeyong must be getting sick of being in the small space with you 
• so he leaves first, just like you planned
• you would just burst out and confront him here, but you ……. need to be somewhere in public
• he’s still a mystery - he’s not like mark or johnny who you know theoretically could snap you in half if they wanted, but would - on morals - not do that
• taeyong is different. you don’t know anything about his temper, just that he really doesn’t seem to like being near you
• so you are going to follow him, against all better judgement, and set it straight
• you may be a hostage, you may be involved in this stupid situation, but you are not some kind of doll or animal to be treated with such …… cruelty 
• you do your best to be quiet, packing your things and leaving after taeyong
• it’s already dark out, a friday night, so many people are bustling around with their lovers and friends
• taeyong, to your surprise, doesn’t head to the parking lot or to a car. you thought you’d get him before he got into one - enough of a safe space that someone walking by could hear if something happened
• but also private enough that you could flush out the details of why he was so - whatever you could call it - cold? unnerving? 
• but he keeps walking, turning a corner and the another that you barely keep up with it
• he seems concentrated - he doesn’t look over his shoulder - doesn’t acknowledge the gasps of shock from people who probably have never seen someone with a face like that
• he just keeps walking, like the world is a runway and it’s just him
• you give up being quiet and just do your best to keep up and then - taeyong stops 
• so you duck behind an alley corner and watch in suspense
• he looks up at the neon lights of a …. laundromat? and then reaches for the door
• he’s……he’s picking up his laundry? that’s….well he is a person afterall….
• you follow inside too after a minute, but as you walk in - you realize the place is empty
• the sound of machines dulls on your ears and you look around for someone, maybe behind the register or someone pressing clothes in the back
• but it is literally. empty. 
• the only thing that happens is you hear a loud slam and you turn your head to the direction of the sound
• it comes from behind the counter, and you know you shouldn’t go there - you aren’t an employee or even a customer so you just stare
• but ….. but that must be where taeyong went because he isn’t anywhere else
• you take a shaking step forward, then another, and another until you’ve breached the little turn of the counter and back toward where you guess there’s an office and then a door down into a basement
• the office feels warm, a little heater in the corner is still on and the computer screen shows some kind of schedule
• you are about to look closer, when you hear shuffling from near the machines
• it’s a split second decision, but you rush to the door of what you assume is the basement and turn it - nearly falling through when you realize there is a staircase descending down
• you have no choice but to rush down, cursing yourself out in your head because what the fuck are you going to do? wait in this basement until morning?
• but as soon as you get to the bottom you see another door - you open it, because you guess you just do that now - open random doors that might lead to nowhere - when a bright light and a cacophony of sounds hits you
• it takes a moment for you to fully adjust when you realize you aren’t in a basement 
• you are on a………………casino floor
• you see the golden machines, the wheels of fortune, the marble bar counter and the rows of tables that spread so far out that they become little specks
• somewhere there is live music, the smell of alcohol and smoke filling from every corner
• for a moment you tell yourself: ok , you are dreaming. this looks like the set of a movie - this cannot be -
• “are you looking to join a game?”
  
• someone asks you suddenly and you turn to see a burly looking man, two women hanging tipsily on his sides
• “we need another player for blackjack!”
  
• you swallow the fear and alarm bells and shake your head, “ah no - im going to play the um slots.”
• that’s what they’re called right? i think i saw that in a movie once?
• he makes a gruff sound and shakes his head toward the table
• “no no, the slots aren’t where the money is - come and join my game, im at table 127.”
  
• you smile and try to politely refuse again. this is already way too much to take in and you don’t know how to fucking gamble! you always hated places like this so noisy, so loud, so -
• “ahhh if they won’t want to play let’s ask the queen for a match?”
  
• one of the drunk girls slurs and you perk up - the queen?
• the intimidatingly large man suddenly seems to shrink a little
• “no, we don’t bother the queen down here. let’s go girls.”
  
• he turns, somehow managing to hook their thin bodies against him and out of sight before you get in another word
• really, did i get sucked into a cartoon? where am i and who is this queen?
• you look around and then you see something familiar, the coat taeyong was wearing that he’s shrugging off before going through the thick of people to the back tables
• well whatever, im here now let’s just get this over with - you begin to trudge after him
• dodging giggling drunks and aggravated card players every which way all while trying not to lose sight of taeyong
• but he’s nimble and fast and he makes it to the tables before you can see which one he sits at and you still getting overwhelmed by this secret casino that you think you might double over
• when a pretty hand flutters to your shoulder
• “are you ok, you look lost?”
  
• you take in a breath and turn to see a beautiful young girl, her hair is pulled back into a tight ponytail and she’s wearing a tailored suit 
• she has no makeup on and yet her bare skin is beautiful, she has a name tag pinned to her lapel with a little spade beside it 
• ‘seulgi’
  
• “ah - im ok, i just i have had so much to drink and so i feel a little queasy.”
  
• you lie again through your teeth and the girl smiles, her eyes turning upward into two cute moons 
• is she security? or staff? she looks way too sweet to be working here where everyone else looks kind of……..suspicious
• “i see, i dont smell any alcohol on you but if you want to sit down let me help you over to one of the comfier chairs.”
  
• she slides her hand down over your back and to your other shoulder and she helps you toward a lounging area in a corner of the huge room
• you are about to tell her you are fine, and you didn’t mean to bother here when the lights suddenly flicker from bright white to red
• you stand up and seulgi smiles again, “ah the queen is here to play a game.”
• “who is the queen?”
  
• the smile on seulgi’s otherwise friendly face waivers a bit and she opens here eyes to reveal the dark brown beneath
• “you don’t know of the queen?”
  
• “it’s my- fi-first time here!” you try to explain, feeling the sweat build up on your neck again “i have heard of her and all, but i don’t know her identity and such.”
  
• seugli seems to buy this and she smiles again, “of course, the queen doesn’t talk about herself much. but her real name is irene - and she owns this casino.”
• you feel your knees buckle a little - a queen who owns an underground gambling ring? seems pretty up the alley of dangerous people you shouldn’t get involved with
• you suddenly remember the text with the crown emoji 
• “ah - really? i bet she’s beautiful.” you say just to clear the tension that has begun to pile up and seulgi nods
• “very beautiful. do you want to see her up close, if you feel up to it - she has a seat open at her table.”
  
• you open your mouth to decline, no no way do you want to play with the queen 
• when suddenly you feel seulgi almost dragging you toward it
• “ah no, im not a good player and i don’t want to interfere with-”
  
• “nonsense, cards are for everyone of every skill set and im sure she’ll be happy to entertain. the queen loves nothing more than getting new….customers”
  
• seulgi’s smile stretches and you try to wrench out of her hold but she’s so surprisingly strong
• before you know it you are infront of a chair and you look down at it and then back up across the table where you see
• taeyong?!?!?
• his eyes are so wide they look as they’ve turned to saucers when he meets your gaze
• he then looks abruptly to his hand and once again pays you no attention
• seulgi gently, but with a very dominant hand gets you to sit down
• the queen still hasn’t arrived, you can tell because at the head of the card table a large chair is waiting for its occupant
• and when you turn, you are surprised that seulgi is still standing behind you
• smile on her face, hands behind her back
• what the hell have i gotten myself into?
• you are dealt a hand and you know nothing about cards - so you just stare at them blankly - till another commotion stirs and the live band suddenly switches from melodic jazz to an upbeat almost tango like beat
• you turn your head and watch as a woman, small and thin walks toward the chair
• her black hair is down and straight, swaying in an elegant current behind her
• at her left is a taller woman dressed in dashing red sequins and lipstick to match - a strap over her shoulder leading to an automatic weapon the size of which you’ve never even seen before
• you feel something move behind you and watch as seulgi leaves her post to flank on the right of the shorter woman - who you assume is the queen - and pull out of her suit jacket a glittering silver glock
• she folds her hands back over her front, but the gun is kept in plain view
• as the queen sits down she looks around the table and you feel almost sick when her sights set on you
• she smirks to herself and gets comfortable, “spade - did we deal?”
• “yes, your hand is here.”
  
• seulgi moves the face down cards toward the queen and you vaguely remember the conversation you overhead
• if seulgi is spade then - the tallest one must be heart?
• your thought is confirmed when the queen wags a perfectly manicured finger and tells heart to go get her one of the pink mojitos from the bar
• your mouth feels dry as the game starts
• the symbols and numbers jumble in your head and you do the only thing you can think of 
• you try to fake some kind of confidence
• the table is huge and it takes a while to get to you, at some point it gets to taeyong and he places a card of his on the table
• you note that the queen chuckles to herself and that spade flexes her shoulder
• you count - seven more people till it gets to me, should i just pass? should i make some kind of scene and escape? fuck fuck fuck i didn’t think i’d ever end up here -
• a shout rings through the casino and suddenly the game comes to an abrupt halt
• spade and heart move in front of the queen - spade whipping the gun off the strap and up into her hands
• unmoved, the queen gestures with her hand for everyone to stay still
• but right after the inital scream, a gunshot rings out and then another, and the entire table which was already sitting in suspense turns to chaos
• the two people beside you jump to their feet, pulling their own concealed    weapons from their jackets and pants
• and then you look up - but taeyong is gone from his seat 
• where did he-
• something wraps around your waist and pulls you into it - you look over your shoulder and see the sharp profile of taeyong’s jawline
• “follow me.”
  
• his voice is deeper than usual and you are more than glad to run right behind him as he pushes you in front of him and toward a set of doors behind the back bar
• you rush  through and feel taeyong take a hold of the back of your shirt, slowing you a bit as you try to stay together in the crazed crowd 
• there are more sounds of shots and screaming, but your brain goes fuzzy as taeyong grabs your hand in his and makes another dash up a pair of stairs and out into the cold night breeze
• the door opens into an empty lot behind the building of the laundromat and before the scene can get anymore hectic he urges you to go up the block and turn into an alley
• you do as you’re told, scared that if you don’t you’ll be caught in the wave of people or worse - the police will show up and everything will turn worse
• when you turn into the alley, you check to see taeyong is behind you - even though his hand is still in yours
• he is, and you can see the sweat sticking his bangs to his forehead
• you both stop in the cramped alleyway and the sounds continue on from farther down the street
• taeyong doesn’t seem like he can hold it in and he snaps; “what were you doing down there?”
• you snap back; “following you! i needed to tell you something!”
• he stares in the darkness and then throws his head to the side with a groan, he takes his phone out and calls someone with a quick speed dial
• “where are you?”
  
• there’s a lot of noise that comes from the phone and you realize it’s the voice of mark
• oh right, he’s probably worried why i didn’t come home.
• “yeah, i know. i have them. ill bring them back now - but fuck ill tell you when i get there.”
  
• the phone call ends and taeyong stays silent for a moment till he tells you to follow him again
• you do, just because you literally have no other option, and then suddenly ask
• “so the text was from her right? from the queen?”
  
• he abruptly turns to you and says you should be quiet now - stop asking idiotic questions.
• “it’s not idiotic, is she a threat? why would she want me-”
  
• “it doesn’t matter.”
  
• taeyong takes a hold of both your arms and backs you up into a wall of the alley - he’s not rough or mean instead he seems almost desperate 
• “it doesn’t matter, just stay away from her or anyone and me. stay away from me.”
  
• “but i chose you.”
  
• taeyong’s eyes flash for a moment - there’s a look of shock and also a softness, an almost apologetic tenderness in them that fades as soon as it appears
• “you shouldn’t have.”
  
• he lets you go and you want to say something but your voice dies a little
• the events of the evening have taken a toll on you and you nearly fall over when taeyong’s hold lets go completely, he stops to make sure you don’t tumble over onto the street
• but his eyes are all but cold again
• mark is furious when you get back to your apartment - you can’t tell who he is more angry at you or taeyong - and then taeyong takes him aside to explain what happened and then you can’t tell if mark is more furious at you, taeyong, or the queen
• you try to piece together what you can from random snippets of the conversation, but none of what they’re saying and arguing about helps you understand the new question on your mind:
• why would the queen want you?
• maybe it is to have some leverage over the jungs, but that doesn’t make sense. you have no information on the jungs. you were just a witness to a group of criminals that the queen herself apparently conspires with
• so needing you for intel wasn’t plausible
• the only other thing that came to mind was your connection to taeyong - which, you didn’t even think existed - but maybe the queen had misinterpreted
• was she maybe someone under the impression you meant something to taeyong? 
• you snort at the thought and catch both mark and taeyong’s attention - but you just shake it off
• no, she could easily just look up my history or send someone to tail us and see that i ……….. 
• i am nothing to lee taeyong.
• “i don’t think you should be the one to watch them anymore.”
  
• you snap your head around to see mark look at taeyong with confusion
• “what are you talking about, now that the queen knows about them you should keep your distance. i can keep guarding-”
  
• “mark, you haven’t ever dealt with the queen and i have. ill be in charge now-” taeyong spares you a glance “although i really dont want to be.”
  
• well i dont want you either! im fine with mark!
• is what you wish to spit back, but you don’t mean it. you chose taeyong because - above everyone else - you knew he was as serious and as dilligent as he looked
• and he was supposed to be your manager anyway, if anything you had one thing in common with him, he must have been the head of IT for a reason
• and you knew about computers - at least there was that, little thin string of fate between you
• or so you had thought. now you think there’s another reason. stubbornness.
• you had done nothing wrong, really you had been the one absolutely screwed over by this whole operation, but you were being treated by him as if you were the one to blame
• and you didn’t like that - maybe it was childish to put your self respect above all now, but you weren’t going to just let taeyong get away with it
• you were going to find out what it was
• what it was - were you really just a nuisance in the way of his otherwise “perfect criminal life” or was there something else wrong with taeyong
• “fine. but im going to do check-ins and im going to ask johnny to help me. if anything is weird and if you -”
  
• mark gets so close to taeyong you don’t really hear the rest of his sentence except when he pulls back
• “-i will get jaehyun involved.”
  
• taeyong slips the handgun you’ve seen him carry around before and drop it on your coffee table
• you stare at it then back at the two men
• “fine. are you going to go now?”
  
• mark nods and then looks over at you - the once angered scowl goes soft again - “you have my number right?”
• you wave around the phone you got from him and grin
• but mark suddenly goes serious again, “and don’t go into that casino again.”
• that first night you spend it all awake again - sitting up in your bed and trying to recollect any information from everything that happened today
• you also listen, for any sound from the living room where taeyong is and all you hear is the soft mutter whenever he turns over in his sleep or almost rolls off your couch
• for what its worth - you can’t believe he even managed to fall asleep - the sweat of being at that card table in front of the queen was enough to keep you from even closing your eyes
• but after that, once again, you are expected to just fall into normalcy
• but it is even worse now because the anomaly which was mark lee in your apartment is now lee taeyong
• and where mark was a little awkward, taeyong spares not a second thought
• you walk in on him with his clothes coming off before he changes, you walk in on him reloading his weapons, you walk in on him with his laptop open to what you assume are highly confidential tax files of the jungs
• and he never bats an eyelash
• and he also doesn’t talk
• where mark would at least offer words of comfort, taeyong has chosen utter silence
• and even when you ask him questions - he responds with either nothing at all or a curt shake of his head
• you abhor it - you had felt all weird about being treated like this before at the office, but now that it is in your own home you cannot stand it
• i can confront him here, i wanted to do it in public to avoid any harm he might cause but whatever. i cannot do this anymore!
• you resolve on a weekend evening and you open your door - teeth gritted and hands in fists as you march into the living room
• “taeyong i need to-”
  
• the room is empty and you feel a gush of terror shiver up your spine
• did he leave? did someone take him? am i alone now or-
• “what?”
  
• the door to the bathroom opens and you turn to see taeyong standing there with a loose towel around his hips 
• his wet hair is sticking to his skin and he is looking at you with the most disrespectful disinterest you have ever been acquinted with in your life
• but you
• you can’t help but stare in disbelief
• his body has to be carved of some kind of precious stone, all sharp and lithe, but strong either way
• his eyes are darkened by the bags that build up under his lower lash line but they make him look more like a wild animal than they do tired
• and he has not a single blemish anywhere 
• but a large scar that runs across his left shoulder and dips down toward his elbow
• you look at it for a moment too long and taeyong asks again, harsher - “what?”
• “i- i wanted - i wanted to ask you wh-”
  
• you can’t put your thoughts into a coherent sentence, let alone even make a thought conjure in your brain
• instead you just turn and walk back into your room slamming your door shut and trying to shake the image of him out of your head
• how could you have not heard the water running? was he doing this on purpose? you absolutely want to curl up into a ball and die
• when after a couple of minutes you hear a knock on your door
• you don’t want to be berated like you were in the alley after you escaped the casino
• but your parents never raised you to be the rude one - so you pull yourself up by whatever energy you have left and open it
• thank god taeyong is dressed again, and he takes a deep breath before he mutters “three things. you can ask me three things.”
• the propisition almost knocks you off your feet and taeyong adds that if you don’t ask quickly he will just walk away
• so you agree and follow him out into your little living room
• “ok - ok one, is- is the queen the person who sent the message to my phone?”
  
• taeyong’s jaw tightens but he nods, “yes.”
• “yes?”
  
• “yes. next question.”
  
• “who is she - why would she threaten me?”
  
• taeyong sits down on the sofa and you keep standing - mostly because your anticipation for his answer makes you feel like you’ve been struck by lightening
• “she runs the casino. she’s in the business of foreign arms trade just like the jungs are and i frequent the card games because she’s a client and it’s - it’s just protocol -”
  
• he sucks in his teeth and then adds “she’s probably after you to have some leverage over the jungs for the next weapons deal.”
• “that makes no sense.”
• taeyong lifts an eyebrow and looks at you and you put your hands on your hips
• “im not leverage at all - i mean nothing to any of you, you would just have her kill me if-”
  
• taeyong stands now too and walks over to you, he looks angry but he doesn’t - he doesn’t raise his voice or snide at you
• “do you really believe that? that after all this stupid trouble we would just let you get murdered at the hands of another gang?”
• you don’t really know what to say - because you can’t deny it, they have done their best to keep you safe for so long, but also
• you are literally no one. a regular, blank face in the crowd. why they didn’t just kill you that first night-
• you shake off the thought, it’s to terrifying to even entertain and so you finally ask your third question, with taeyong as close to you as he’s ever been
• “why do you hate being around me?”
  
• the air goes stagnant as the last syllable leaves your lips and you aren’t sure what is going to happen
• is taeyong going to blow up again - accuse you (with some evidence) that you must be crazy to think that because if it were true you would still be back at that casino
• or is he going to give you some kind of answer, meaningful or not
• you feel almost selfish for asking it, which you know isn’t the right reaction either, it is only human nature to want to know why you evoke some kind of emotion in someone
• but with the way everything is going - the path your life is currently on - you don’t fault your mind for being twisted too
• there is a long pause in the stall silence of the living room and then taeyong speaks
• “i don’t hate being around you. i hate what might happen if i let it go on for too long.”
  
• your hands kind of drop to your sides and you whisper, “i don’t understand what you mean.”
• taeyong looks at you - like really, for the first time looks at you, you don’t register it but he is taking in everything
• you still have the little mark he on your ear - the one he noticed when he was first introduced to you by jaehyun
• and you are doing the thing where you avoid direct eye contact every ten seconds when you want to say something else
• and you - he didn’t see that before - but you have the color of eyes that remind him of a memory so deep down in his mind
• that if it tries to get to the surface, years of mental training just pushes it back
• but one look - one hard look at you - and it comes floating to the top
• “i lied about question two.” his voice dips into a softness you aren’t used to and you ask what he means
  
• “the queen does do business with us and i am the middleman, but you - wouldn’t be leverage over the jungs for her. you would be leverage over me.”
  
• the still air suddenly seems to grab a hold of you and keep you staunchly glued to your position in the living room
• taeyong doesn’t move either. you think if you keep standing here, neither of you might move for another lifetime
• “but im nothing to you, im just a regular person who picked you to take care of-”
  
• “no, you don’t understand.” taeyong looks up at you and his lashes are long and somehow still heavy with a little bit of water from his fresh shower
  
• he looks like a painting, a statue from a museum that broke through the frame or chains and walked all of seoul to get here
• to you
• “when you picked me, it marked you. you are my responsibility - so you are my weakness. the queen……….has a grudge against me. it can never be repaid in weapons or money or material possessions - it can only be repaid in -”
  
• he touches the scar under his shirt, you watch him run his fingers down the outline
• “in my grief, in my pain. so now that she knows im responsible for you - she’ll do anything to take you away from me because you might think you are nothing to me but you -”
• he stops himself and you feel like someone has just driven you to the edge of a cliff and before letting you fall over they’ve just disappeared
• “it doesn’t matter, i answered three questions like i said.”
  
• he moves away and toward the sofa and you shake your head, finally free from the ghostly grasp on you
• “no - you can’t just say that and not tell me.”
  
• you sit down beside him and taeyong does nothing when you get into his personal space he just looks at you up close
• how is someone thrown into such chaos still so clueless?
•  shoving yourself into him, a criminal - a mysterious man who you’ve spent no more than two months with - how are you not afraid?
• “if im nothing than what am i?”
  
• “you’re my responsibility. im not going to let you get hurt.”
  
• it’s a generic answer with absolutely no emotion behind it, so you dig again
• “no - you could have just handed me permanently off to mark then. why am i here with you then. lee taeyong, if im really nothing or something to protect like a porcelain doll on the high shelf of a bookcase then why am i-”
  
• taeyong leans in his lips flutter to the corner of yours and the entire world stops spinning
• you think you hear a sound of broken sadness in his voice when he whipsers against your skin
• “you are everything - because you are free, you don’t belong to anyone. you aren’t in debt to anyone. and you are a real -”
  
• he breathes in and then pulls back as he seems to come into his senses
• he gets up and puts his hands over his mouth like it has just touched fire
• “im sorry-”
  
• he starts and then seems to double over
• you get up and try to help him, but he just ducks from your touch immediately
• “please, im sorry just lea- just leave me alone. please.”
  
• you know this isn’t him just trying to get out of a conversation so you respect his wishes and back away and into your room
• you shut the door and then turn to the closed window beside your desk
• yanking it open you stick your head out into the night sky
• you breath it in and try to process what just happened
• lee taeyong…………tried to kiss me?
• you can’t even fully wrap your mind around it when you hear your phone calling 
• you almost hit your head pulling it from the window and reach for the phone to see who it is
• you expect mark or johnny, someone checking up on you, but the number is unknown
• you blink and on reflex pick up before cursing to yourself
• whoever is on the other line giggles
• “that’s not very sweet language, now tell me - are you going to come back and play a game with me some time soon?”
  
• that voice………..it’s………..it’s the………
• “you do remember don’t you, im the queen. but you can call me irene if you want~ either way, you must come back and join me for a game. spade - ah you might know her as seulgi mentioned you wanted to meet me and well, we were so rudely interrupted last time.”
  
• you open your mouth, but the queen seems to sense it and makes a long shhhh sound into the receiver
• you can’t even eek out a word so you listen
• “i’ll be waiting then and oh, do bring taeyong along with you. i do always love to see him at my table.”
  
• the line goes dead and the phone slips from your hand and down to the floor
• the door opens and it’s taeyong again - he looks like he’s still struggling and wants to apologize again
• but the paled look on your face brings him drastically back to a look of concern
• he sees the phone and your expression and it all clicks into place
• “she called, didn’t she?”
• so much for just being regular…...
• you think as you look at doyoung and jungwoo who are stationed by the entrance to your apartment - both holding weapons and talking through ear pieces
• you know down by the street is a car with sicheng and haechan in it and at the end of the hall in the empty apartment is johnny and taeil
• jaehyun is one call away - fretting about the relationship between the jungs and the queens people more than he is about you 
• which is fine on your part, you actually wish so badly that everyone would just go away
• you just want to be alone with taeyong again and you want him to let you know what this is all - at the core about -
• “i need permission to stay in your bedroom.”
  
• mark’s voice waivers with a shyness but you can tell he is more than anything telling you rather than simply requesting
• “someone has to have eyes on you all hours of the -”
  
• “taeyong?”
  
• you turn to try and find him and he gets up as soon as he hears his name
• mark’s lips thin a little and he looks at taeyong with defeat, “they want you.”
• taeyong nods as mark switches places with him and taeyong reels a bit when he whispers
• “you should take mark.”
  
• “no. you know her people the best, you’re my safest option.”
  
• something looks almost hurt by that reasoning in taeyong’s eyes and you want to add “but i also still need to talk to you” which you decide wouldn’t be the most ideal to say now
• when the entire building of yours is crawling with jung people
• taeyong nods and he follows you into your room again - you shut and lock the door and he gets the window before he slides down onto the floor
• “what are you doing?”
  
• “it’s carpeted so it should be fin-”
  
• you tug him up by the wrist - and taeyong knows he could resist (as you also know he could) but he lets you 
• and you tug him over to the bed
• “i wanted to apologize again for touching you back then i shouldn’t hav-”
  
• he starts and you know he’s talking about the almost kiss and you just groan
• “shuttup, like anyone would be sorry to have been kissed by you. you have seen yourself right?”
  
• taeyong stirs
• “and also - i don’t care about it. if it was a mistake or a reason to make me stop talking, what i care about is what you said after. you said i don’t belong to anyone, that im not in debt to anyone is that what this is.”
  
• you hear some noise outside the door - footsteps and everything - but right now 
• you are in this bubble with taeyong
• “do you owe something to the queen, and now she’s going to do anything to get you back for it?”
  
• you hit the nail on the head - you can tell just from the way taeyong tries hard not to swallow and his pupils almost expand
• you wait and you wait and you wait
• and taeyong thinks again to himself - what are you, you aren’t normal, stickign your noise into dangerous business. chasing him into that casino. you are - something different.
• “yes.”
  
• “do you owe her money - i don’t get it you said it’s not about-”
  
• you choke out the words when he suddenly pull his shirt up and off - he takes your hand and gently places it on the scar that he wears on his shoulder
• “she did this. when you become one of the queens cards, you take an oath. i didn’t want to do that so she - she ran after me with a knife and -”
  
• you furrow your eyebrows
• “wait - she wanted you to work for her? but she only had women around her-”
  
• “she wanted me to be the ace. her spade is seulgi and her heart is joy, the club is another woman named yeri and i was going to be the ace. because she trusted me and i ……. and i chose the jungs.”
  
• you look at the risen and healed skin
• “why the jungs?”
  
• “you asked why you didn’t get killed on the night you found out about us…….its because as harsh and as illegal some of the things the jungs do - they are not going to take someone innocent and murder them. at least, jaehyun wouldn’t allow it. his father probably doesn’t care either way.”
  
• taeyong slips his shirt back on and looks at you
• “the q- irene is ruthless. it’s hard being a woman in the underground, she doesn’t have any other choice but to be cruel. im not saying that she’s the devil - but if you had stumbled into a situation like yours in front of her - i can’t be certain that she’d give you an ultimatum.”
  
• you picture irene in your head, with her beautiful small face and eyes like black diamonds scanning the table 
• she’s just like taeyong, gorgeous beyond earthly belief, but maybe a part of her humanity is gone too
• “is that her grudge, that you chose the jungs and not her?”
  
• “yes, that’s part of it. i think i hurt her - she wasn’t in love with me or anything, don’t get me wrong, but i think she thought she had my allegiance and …… she didn’t.”
  
• “so she probably felt betrayed, or like something of hers was taken.”
  
• you mumble and you don’t realize how close you are now to taeyong
• his body heat surrounding you and yours surronding him
• “exactly, so now she thinks she must take something of mine and that maybe it’ll hurt me enough or convince me to come back to her side- i don’t know but right now i know that she-”
  
• his hand twitches and you’re young sure but you know when a man wants to touch you
• so you reach and let the nervous fingers of his drop to your shoulder - then trail up your neck
• “i know that she believes if she takes you - she’ll win.”
  
• all of that disgust, annoyance, and general sourness that you had felt from taeyong almost since the first day of your time with the jungs seems to have been wiped clean
• right now the only

☆: pastry chefs/bakers!au taeyong
a little bit of a rivals au, but mostly oblivious pining that stretches for way too long like please just tell each other you’re in love. also i dont know anything about baking sweets so…ignore any of my mistakes..
tw: worrying about your career lol, drinking

• in your first year of culinary school, you realize cooking is a language full of its own rules and century-old traditions.
• cooking is like french, or pashto, or russian
• but baking - is a completely different dialect
• baking exists in the world of cooking, but it sets its own path that you end up falling in love with
• and your once dream of becoming an executive chef at some fancy, flashy restaurant turns into a dream of owning your own bakery
• a place unique to the skills you start to hone with a vicious passion that leaves most of the other students around you confused
• you find out one of your professors has had a decorated career in pastry making and immediately seek him out to take you as an understudy
• and that’s when you meet lee taeyong
• he’s got big eyes like molds full of warm chocolate and stands thin in frame under the white uniforms you all wear
• in his front pocket is a wrapper from the milk buns they sell down the street
• he’s not intimidating at all
• but when you get closer to him you smell the familiar scent of sugar and you start to understand why he’s there too
• “im here to talk to the professor about becoming his apprentice.”
• you say it because the silence between you two is awkward
• also - you want to read him
• you want to see what his reaction will be, you wonder if he’ll snort at you and tell you to back off, he was here first
• but all taeyong does is bat his eyes at you like a baby deer caught in the headlights
• “oh. me too.”
• although you both live in the realm of sweets - you and taeyong are on opposite ends of the spectrum in every way possible
• for one, you are excitable and energetic and want to get elbow deep into any ingredient, familiar or foreign
• taeyong is reserved and usually sleepy during the early morning classes. he observes and takes every step of his routine with caution.
• your fundamentals are the same - cookies, cakes, and bars. these are staples to any baker or patisserie’s book
• but everything else you and taeyong make couldn’t be more different
• you always lean into the comfort kind of dessert: brownies, puddings and pies. you can make a doughnut fancy - but why should you? the most important part is that it tastes like a place somewhere you know.
• but taeyong is a scientist, a designer, and completely out of your loop.
• he pushes forward crème brûlée’s, strawberry eclairs, and makes meringue’s with his eyes closed.
• when you put forward your desserts, one always looks like you could get it at a street fair and the other looks like it’s only available for a week at some snotty european bistro
• you sometimes don’t know what in the world he is even making until it’s done
• and the first time you learn what cream of tartar is - taeyong looks at you with the same innocence he always has painted on his face - “oh, i use this all the time.”
• you won’t lie - in the beginning you were a bit disheartened by the gap between you two
• and it would have been easy to think that just because his ingredients were more expensive and sometimes harder to pronounce that he was the more deserving apprentice
• but you managed to crush that thought for all your time at school because sure he could do his own thing and you could do yours
• and you could both be great at it
• “except, what if you like apply for the same job?”
• you ruffle through your sparse choices of outfits for graduation. all of them are not as great as you thought they were when you bought them.
• “hmmm, you mean me and taeyong?”
• your friend who said they’d come over and help you pick is not doing that at all.
• instead, she’s sitting cross legged on your bed and looking at one the polaroid’s on your wall.
• she taps a nail on the one that has you, taeyong, and your shared professor on it
• you join her and look at taeyongs small face on the photograph
• “i mean i doubt it. he’s probably going to go work in paris or milan.”
• “he has the looks for it, that’s for sure.”
• you purse your lips and turn to look at your friend with disappointment but she just deadpans back
• “c'mon, all this time together and you’ve never thought he was hot?”
• you shake your head before you can really register an answer
• you look at him and he’s got his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. his uniform looks like he’s ironed it.
• you have what might be sugar on yours, and your hair is a bit of a disheveled mess.
• “i guess he’s cute.”
• graduation comes and goes in what seems like a blur - you can officially call yourself a baker now, although you think the journey started for you a while back
• the last person who want to share a tearful goodbye with aside from some friends and other graduates is your instructor
• you head to where you think you’ll find him - only to find taeyong waiting outside of his office just like on your first day together
• dressed in a pale blue, tailored suit and with that signature lost look on his face he holds a white box in his hands
• “is that a cake?”
• you ask for the sake of conversation
• “dacquoise.”
• “ah. i made snickerdoodles.”
• he hesitates as if he wants to say something, but before he can the door opens and your professor smiles fondly at the both of you
• but he turns first to taeyong
• “congratulations on the job!”
• you blink and feel your mouth dry slightly, “y-you already got a job?”
• taeyong’s ears go red and you can see him clutch a little at the box he’s still holding
• “yes, i got an invitation to work with the patisserie at the shilla hotel.”
• unable to control your expression, your eyes go wide
• the shilla hotel - the most expensive hotel in the city?
• “i called in a recommendation for taeyong as well, im proud to have a student of mine pushing the boundaries already!”
• a recommendation…..he didn’t offer me a recommendation…
• “really, it’s not that gr-”
• taeyong’s voice drowns out and the world starts to feel like it’s rapidly shrinking
• “are you going to apply for some manager positions at some of the bakery chains around here?”
• your professor asks - taking the cake from taeyong’s hands and not hurrying to reach for what you’ve brought along
• manager position? is that what all my work is going to come down to?
• you force on a smile and shake your head.
• you want to be strong and say with confidence - “im going to forge my own way ahead. im going to be the baker i always dreamed i would be.”
• but the words are lost and suddenly, you’re embarrassed
• you’re embarrassed to be standing beside taeyong.
• to be holding these cookies that just don’t compare.
• it goes over your professors head, but taeyong tenses and you suddenly make up a reason for having to leave
• they both say something to you - something that gets lost in the spiraling, sickening feeling of dreaded realization that is gripping you
• we were never on the same level. taeyong was always running a mile ahead of me.
• you feel too ashamed to go home and call your family like you had planned, and you are feeling too small to go out onto the big city streets of seoul
• so you find yourself at the post graduation party the students of your school have thrown
• and you find yourself in front of a bottle
• you are not a drinker, and you are not really a party person either - unless you get to mingle and watch people try your desserts. but this is the only thing you can think of doing
• i thought we were always going to succeed, the both of us. what’s a roll of homemade bread to a world class five star tart - the worst part is
• you draw a circle on the rim of your drink
• the worst part is taeyong isn’t even being selfish about it. he probably didn’t even think it was a competition.
• someone sits at your table, off in the corner and you look up
• just as if he’s sprung from your thoughts - it’s taeyong. and he looks uncomfortable to be in a swarm of so many people.
• “don’t come here to pity me.”
  
• you say it with conviction and the confidence of a little bit of drinking
• he winces, as if it really stings, but you don’t notice and go back to your own thoughts
• taeyong swallows and says something you barely hear over all the noise
• “i can’t pity someone who inspires me.”
• to be frank, you think you imagine the sentiment
• but it’s weird because you can’t decide if you did or if he really said that. why would he? you and him learned side by side together for a long time and you’ve never heard something like that before
• you finish your drink and get up without a word
• taeyong follows and stutters out what he thinks will make you stop from leaving
• “i’ll tell the hotel to consider you instead.”
• all it does is make you angry, you scoff in response
• “you didn’t hear me did you? i said don’t pity me.”
  
• you turn on your heel, rushing toward the door as the world spins slightly in a blur around you 
• you manage to make it out of whatever bar you were in, until you trip against the uneven curb of the sidewalk and hear something split under the platform of your shoe
• you kick up your left foot and see that the bottom is peeling, broken completely off at the edge
• “are you kidding me?”
  
• you try to force it back into place, but it doesn’t work and when you nearly tip over from losing your balance - you put your hand out - only to land on the soft fabric of someone’s shoulders
• it’s taeyong and he puts an arm out to support you that you try to swat away weakly
• all it does is make you wobble into him even more
• when you’re stable, he squats down to look at the damage and his fingers are cool on the skin of your ankle
• from the outside - you probably look like a couple
• the ever doting boyfriend, worried about their partner. there’s an intimacy between you two that you are both oblivious to
• until it hits you from the glances of people who walk by and you pull yourself away
• “it’s fine. im going to walk home.”
  
• “do you live close by, i’ll help you.”
  
• you purse your lips - “actually i have to take the subway so if you could just move-”
• he doesn’t, instead taeyong mutters that his place is luckily just around the corner and he’ll let you borrow something of his to help you get home in
• you refuse - vehemently because you are not trying to look even more embarrassing in front of him than you apparently have been looking all this time
• but taeyong doesn’t sound or looks as meek as you remember when he points out that your shoe is falling apart and you aren’t going to be safe in this kind of state when it’s already so late into the evening
• somehow - you end up in front of taeyong’s apartment - you watch him punch in the code and furrow your eyebrows
• “haha” you start dryly “your code is my birthdate.”
  
• the tips of his ears dust pink but you convince yourself it’s just a weird coincidence 
• taeyong’s place is as neat and as organized as he is, there is a fish tank that grabs your attention and a bookshelf full of cookbooks
• “just let me borrow some slippers and i’ll be gone.”
  
• taeyong disappears into another room and comes out with a pair of fuzzy, clean, nearly brand new looking slippers
• he puts them down by your feet 
• “can i tell you something before you go?”
  
• you want to refuse, but you feel so much of your self worth has leaked out of you in front of him today that you just nod
• “i’m serious about being inspired by you.”
  
• his voice is calm and collected
• “you taught me how to bake the most delicious bread i’ve ever had in my entire life. how am i not supposed to look up to someone like that?”
  
• you blink back an initial wave of shock that nearly gets you sober
• “wh-what are you talking about?”
  
• taeyong doesn’t look up at you so you don’t see his small smile
• “two months after we started our apprenticeship - i told you i’d never made bread from scratch before.”
  
• you can sort of remember the time he’s talking about, but the memory isn’t super clear in your mind
• for most of your time with taeyong, you always thought you were kind of in a secret race, small moments that he’s talking about seemed to have flown over your head
• “instead of just letting me do it myself - you taught me, step by step how to do it. i’d never seen someone do something so easily, like you were born for it. i know it sounds childish to say this but watching you do it felt like watching a movie.”
  
• you can tell taeyong isn’t used to this long of a dialogue and that he’s taking time to choose his words
• “i didn’t think anyone could love baking as much as i did - but i felt in that moment that i met my match in you.”
  
• you stand up, far to quickly than you should, and taeyong has to leap up to catch you from stumbling forward
• this time you don’t try to pull back right away
• you look at him - those big brown eyes that always seemed aloof and far off are concerned and seeping into your own
• “is that wh-is that why the code to your door is-”
  
• taeyong’s face turns nearly crimson
• “yes, because the day after that day was your birthday and when i asked you how to repay you for the lesson you said-”
  
• “-just make me something sweet for my birthday tomorrow.”
  
• something in the room shifts. 
• you don’t know what it is, but it’s like the quickening of a pulse
• you lean forward, but taeyong stops you gently
• “i’m scared you won’t remember if you do that right now.”
  
• you agree, and let taeyong help you sit down. 
• “i don’t want to be a manager.” you hiccup suddenly and taeyong takes in a breath “i want to own my own store. i want to be my own boss. but taeyong, i don’t think i can do it.”
  
• there’s silence and the weight of adulthood and responsibility weaves itself onto both your shoulders
• “i know you can do it. and i want to help if you’d let me.”
  
• the sincerity is almost heart wrenching. you’ve waited to hear those words from everyone, you’ve wanted them from the people you thought should be saying them.
• but hearing them from someone who really believes in you - hits in a whole different way.
• at some point you put your head on taeyong’s shoulder. the night is spent talking about all the things you haven’t been able to share
• even though you spent so much time elbow to elbow in the kitchen
• when your eyes close, you feel safe with taeyong and he doesn’t do anything to betray this newly formed bond between you
• the morning sun through the blinds hurts your head a little. 
• you sit up in the white, clean sheets of taeyong’s bed
• you’re still wearing all your clothes and your shoes and the pair of slippers he brought out for you are on the side of the bed
• when you shuffle into the living room, taeyong is sprawled out on the couch asleep
• you try to be quiet as you sit down in front of him on the carpet, studying the architecture of his face
• “wake up…” you mumble, but he doesn’t seem to hear 
  
• you trace the strong, but somehow inviting lines and says it again a little louder
• taeyong shifts in his sleep and his shirt rides up his flat stomach
• “there’s something i want to do taeyong, please wake up.”
  
• after a moment of stirring, his eyelashes flutter open and he gets caught between a flustered blush and a smile of happiness that you’re still here
• “good mo-”
  
• “can i kiss you now?”
  
• it’s soft, quick, and sweet. somehow taeyong even tastes like sugar. he’s wide awake when you pull back.
• “don’t you have a job to get to you?”
  
• you say to break him out of his trance, he fumbles up and off the couch as you follow too
• but then he stops in his tracks
• “i - i really meant it last night too, that i’d give my recommendation up if you want it ins-”
  
• you put a finger to his lips and taeyong gets the message
• “i’ve decided i am going to work toward my goal and you work toward yours. after all, you said i inspire you and taeyong you inspire me too.”
  
• he looks like he’s biting back giddiness
• this time you two kiss for real, and you nearly drive taeyong up onto a wall which he’d gladly let you continue doing if it weren’t for the alarm that goes off on his phone that breaks you two apart
• you hurry him along and say you’ll make coffee before he has to go
• when you open the cabinet, there are two mugs with little cat faces on them
• when you pull them out you think,
• i’ve learned the language of baking - but now i think i have to learn the language of lee taeyong. 

☆ [nostalgic] summer romance!au taeyong 
hbbd to our beloved leader! | find others here: johnny|haechan |taeil

• mark is giving you a quizzical look from over the counter, fingers tapping against the register
• “taeyong? no, i haven’t seen him. doesn’t he usually disappear during the summer?
• mark is right
• taeyong does tend to vanish just as the weather gets warmer and there isn’t an excuse of class or work for him to make his presence known
• you heard rumors about how his parents send him abroad to some kind of family owned estate, vast and beautiful and far away from the mundane place you call home
• everyone is always saying he’s hiding something. that something, everyone whispers is money 
• he has to be rich, no one else has the kind of luxury of having a summer long holiday to the other side of the world
• but you doubt it, if his family is so loaded, taeyong wouldn’t be spending the rest of the year sitting across from you in physics 
• you’re sure wealthy kids can afford something better than public schools
• “actually……”
• you look up and mark takes of the uniform hat he’s supposed to wear for his job at the local burger joint, he scratches the top of his head and then snaps his fingers
• “i did see him not too long ago, maybe - on monday? he was standing next to his bike in front of the trails.”
• “as in the forest trails?”
  
• mark nods, he looks like he wants to say something else but the voice of his manager makes him scurry to the back with a final a wave
• you take the medium soda you ordered, the ice melted and the cup wet under your fingertips
• whats taeyong doing going to the mountains all alone?
• its getting dark by the time you make your way halfway through the trail, you know mark said he saw taeyong monday and its been three days since then
• but you just wanted to make sure, even though you’re here and you haven’t seen one other person through the trees 
• finally you think you should turn around and go back - but you look to the side and spot a bike leaned up against a mossy, large boulder
• its off the trail - so its kind of creepy - but you inch just a bit closer, close enough to see taeyongs name scribbled on the middle bar, below the seat
• the clouds are slowly and surely coming in over the light blue sky, so now its just going to get dark and rain
• but you think just exploring for another five or so minutes cant hurt
• you push past some bushes and wander until you finally pull back some branches from a sagging old willow and see the entrance to a small, but open meadow
• in the middle of it - someone is splayed out and reaching up toward the sun
• “t-taeyong?”
  
• his hand drops and turns his head, the last droplets of sunlight flicker off his skin
• he doesn’t say anything for a while and neither do you
• until he sits up and asks you what you’re doing off the trail
• you know you can ask him the same thing, but something stops you from stringing the sentence together
• instead you feel the darker clouds grow heavy in the sky and soon enough you feel the drizzle
• “i just got lost’
  
• you lie and taeyong stands up from the meadow, pointing behind you
• “we should go before the storm comes all the way in.”
  
• taeyong leads the way back to the main path, grabbing his bike as you two make way back down to the opening of the forest
• you sort of fall behind him, eyes on the broad of his back 
• you want to make conversation - but you dont know what to say
• once you reach the end, the rain has gotten stronger and you ask taeyong if he wants you to drive him back to his place
• motioning shyly to your car
• he smiles, and even through the darkening weather, it seems to make his face glow
• “that’s alright, thanks.”
  
• and then he hops on his bike, his figure smaller and smaller as he rides down the road
• you watch it, getting drenched in the process, but something about seeing him makes the rain feel like nothing more than morning dew
• you go back to the meadow the next day, earlier - closer to noon - and taeyong is there
• at first you tell yourself: stop being weird, just turn around and leave him alone. you might have had classes with him but its not like you two were even friends! hes going to think you’re crazy for showing up here again!
• but something inside you refuses to let you give up
• you clear your throat and call out to him
• taeyong doesn’t turn his head this time, in fact he doesn’t move from where he’s flat on his back in the middle of the grass and wild flowers
• panic sets over you and you rush over, knees hitting the ground as you hover over him
• his eyes are closed, but the corner of his mouth twitches a bit at the small sound that you make
• he’s just sleeping.
• you realize, tracing the godly lines that make up his almost impossibly handsome face
• he manages to look magical even like this.
• “hello?”
  
• taeyong’s eyes are open now - lazily, amber browns staring up at you curiously
• you jerk your head away and feel your shoulders stiffen
• what do i say? what do i do? he must think im such a freak-
• “are you lost again?”
  
• his sits up, propping himself on his elbows and looking at you innocently
• “n-no! i just - i um - since i know the way now. i mean i saw your bike again. i just - um-”
  
• the words get tangled in your mouth and so you give up and taeyong doesn’t look as annoyed or as angry as you expect
• he just smiles, the same smile he gave you when you two parted ways last night
• “a-are you always here?”
  
• you blurt out, trying to compensate for your lack of an answer to his original question
• taeyong nods, “i am always here.”
• “everyone thinks you go abroad during the summer, b-but you’re really here right?”
  
• its weird that you pose it like a question, so you laugh it off in hopes he wont catch on
• but taeyong turns his eyes back toward the sun and falls back against the pillow of flowers
• “nope, i dont go abroad. im right here.”
  
• you look up at the sky, nothing special about it, just bright and blinding like any summer days
• you wonder how he doesnt get bored just ……….. laying here and looking up at it 
• “people in town like it though.”
  
• he suddenly adds and you shift so instead of sitting back on your heels, you’re laying down beside him 
• its the closest you’ve ever been to him and you have half a thought he might shift away uncomfortably when your elbows brush but ….. he doesnt
• “like what?”
  
• he pauses, a long pause and you almost think he isnt going to answer as your eyes trace the wings of a butterfly that pass by
• “they like that i disappear. i think they like it better when im not around.”
  
• you sit up, confused and look at taeyong
• “but people are always talking about you-”
  
• “right, but i dont think that means they like me.”
  
• he follows the same butterfly you were just looking at and you try to think of a counterpoint to argue
• but you cant
• taeyong is the most talked about person in your town, from his statue like looks to the rumors circulating about his familys wealth
• but
• youve heard the jealousy-induced whispers too
• you cant lie and say you havent
• you carefully lay back down and take a second in the silence of the forest to think
• “i like you.”
  
• you hear taeyong turn his head but you’re nervous about saying it outloud and so you can’t bring yourself to read the expression he might be making
• “i dont know much about you, but ………. i think i like you. we had one class together last semester, physics and you would always help me and other people. sometimes i wanted to ask if you wanted to come with me to go get lunch but i was-”
  
• you’re rambling, your aware so you stop
• but taeyong whispers,
• “but you were?”
  
• now you turn to look at him and you’re surprised to see the usual glassy far-off look in his eyes has turned serious
• “i was sc-scared? i just thought you wouldnt care to ……… hang out with me?”
• you think your palms are sweating and you hide them in your pockets, taeyong is looking at you - really looking at you - for the first time ever and it stirs a feeling youre not used to in the pit of your stomach
• “i would have loved to.”
  
• his voice is faint, but there’s no one else but you and him, so you hear him clearly
• you giggle, a nervous habit, and then swallow it down
• “well - now i know. ill invite you when- when the summer is over.”
  
• he turns back and closes his eyes, the sun basks down on him like the grace of a goddess 
• nothing else is said. when it starts to darken, and your hungry stomach makes a noise that keeps you embarrassed
• you and taeyong walk back down the trail. you offer him a ride again, but he says now and rides off with a smile
• you get into this habit now, you get to the meadow - earlier and earlier - hoping one day to beat taeyong to it
• but he’s always there before you
• you also start bringing lunch and when you first offer half of the sandwich you’ve made to taeyong he looks too shy to take it
• but on the third try, he gives in
• you also………………talk a lot more with him 
• and realize you were right, taeyong is as kind as you had thought him to be
• and his gentleness isnt lost on you from how he helps you up from the grassy meadow when its time to go - to how he talks in a small voice to forest creatures that scamper past you two
• you never thought you’d end up spending your whole summer off the trail, laying around beside lee taeyong
• but not a day of it feels wasted, even though you both do ultimately nothing
• one evening, as you’re walking down the trail, you both come to a stop in front of the mossy rock that taeyong’s bike should be leaned up against
• except that its gone
• and for the first time - due to circumstance - taeyong accepts the ride back home
• the car is quiet, as are the streets that you drive through to get to his house
• suddenly, without any thought you ask taeyong;
• “do you sometimes go up to the meadow because you want to disappear?”
  
• you glance at him in the rearview mirror and see hes already looking at you
• “not just because you think others want you too?”
  
• his lips thin, but his eyes don’t flatter from yours
• “yes.”
  
• you nod, shoulders tightening a little as you focus your own gaze on the road
• “a-are you ok with my company?”
  
• you make a turn and are worried by the silence that follows. taeyong’s house is coming into view and you realize he could just get out without answering you
• but when you come to a stop, neither of you moves a muscle
• you let your hand drop from the wheel and just as it does, taeyong catches it
• his fingers are warm and his palm is soft you let out a small gasp and turn to see he still has his eyes on you
• “im fine with it.”
  
• a dust of pink comes over the bridge of his nose and spreads down onto his cheeks
• “im fine disappearing with you. no one said i had to do it alone.”
  
• that feeling in the pit of your stomach that you get around him sometimes seems to bubble and burst into a flurry storm of wings and glitter inside you
• your eyes move on their own, skimming down his face to his lips in an anxious line
• holding his hand is different from all those times you’d lay elbow to elbow with him
• and thinking about kissing him………………is a jump over a fence higher than just the thoughts youve had about getting to know him better
• you think your shoulders shake and taeyong looks like he wants to lean in 
• but the lights on his porch flicker on, and he says he’ll see you tomorrow
• his warmth leaves your hand, but right as he steps out of the car, you scramble over to the passengers seat
• one hand on the window and you look at him
• “h-how will you get to the meadow, without your bike?”
  
• he startles, but frowns
• “right,i think i can walk ther-”
  
• “i can pick you up.”
  
• taeyong smiles, this smile - as soft and as sweet as the rest - is just a bit more……happy.
• “ok - can you come by at around nine?”
  
• “i promise to be here.”
  
• he hesitates and you cant believe you’re about to say this, but you do
• “want to seal it with a kiss?”
  
• he looks over his shoulder, his front door hasnt opened yet
• he leans down and its a little awkward and weird, but its cute and when you break away you wave goodnight to him 
• and he trips over the sidewalk as he waves back
• the next day, when you two are laying back in the flowers
• you turn to him
• “is it ok if we re-do our kiss?”
  
• he laughs, “i wanted to ask too, kissing through a car window is a bit-”
• you dont let him finish, rolling over to take his face in your own - you feel that smile of his on your lips
• when summer comes to an end and taeyong shows back up in town, everyones gossip stirs back up
• where’d he go this time, franc? italy? thailand? australia?
• no, the only place he went - you want to tell them - is to the forest, and to that meadow, and to the center of your heart
• you slip your hand into his when he comes to greet you outside one of the classroom 
• and all of the gossip dies at the tip of peoples tongues
• even now all these years later
• when you and taeyong want to “disappear” for a little while
• there’s a secret space, just for you two
• let everyone else think you’re off in some other place - some other country - some other continent
• disappearing together, is way better than disappearing alone. 

On one of yours and Taeyong’s dates Taeyong decides that it’s time to take things in your relationship to the next level. 

Part of the long term couples series. 

             Walking down the street you glance in the windows of shops that you passed by not paying a great deal of attention to what you were looking at. You were just killing time while you waited for Taeyong to meet you. He had the day off and the two of you made plans to spend the day together. As you pass by the many shops windows you let your mind wonder to Taeyong. Things had been going good between the two of you. When you had first found out that he was an idol you thought that it would change the dynamics of your relationship. Surprisingly though things between the two of you only got better.  

           After your movie date with Taeyong the feelings that the two of you shared for one another only grew. Taeyong quickly became the first person that you would message when you woke up and was the last person that you spoke to when you went to bed. Your worries about if the two of you would be able to manage his idol career and your demanding dance career became a distant memory. It was like you both had an unspoken agreement that you would prioritize your relationship and it was working for the two of you.

           You stop in front of one of the store windows and look at the display of jewelry. Your eyes scanning the rings, earrings, and necklaces. Normally you didn’t wear a lot of jewerly but that didn’t stop you from admiring the display. As your looking at the display you feel a pair of arms wrap around you and pull you back into a firm chest. A pair of lips touch your cheek, and you smile as you turn to face Taeyong.

           He’s wearing a black baseball cap that he has pulled low, making it so you can only see a few strands of his now bleach blonde hair. He’s wearing a pair of ripped jeans and a long black jacket.  You lean in and touch your lips to his. When you pull away Taeyong smiles broadly at you and gives your waist a squeeze.

           “Were you waiting long for me?” Taeyong questions as he rests his chin on your shoulder at looks at the displays in the window.

           “No, I’ve only been walking around for a few minutes,” you assure him, and you turn back towards the display as well.

           “See anything you like?” You shrug causing Taeyong’s head to bounce up and down with your shoulder.

           “I don’t wear a lot of jewelry, so I wasn’t really looking seriously at any of it,” Taeyong nods in understanding and starts to sway the two of you back and forth before he moves from behind you and grabs your hand to pull you into the store.

           “Taeyong!” you gasp as he pulls you into the store, “I told you I don’t wear jewelry.”

           Taeyong ignores you and continues to pull you into the sore with him and stops when he is next to one of the display cases. He pulls you back in front of him and once again wraps his arms around your waist and rest his chin on your shoulder. You look down at the display case to see rows and rows of rings in front of the two of you.

           “I know but would you wear a ring if we had matching ones?” It comes out a whisper like Taeyong is worried that if he says it to loudly it’ll scare you and you won’t answer him.

           Turning to Taeyong he’s already watching you with wide eyes and has a nervous smile on his face. When the two of you had planned to get together today the last thing that you thought the two of you would be doing was looking at rings for each of you to wear.

           “Depends,” A smirk crosses your face, “do I get a say in what the rings look like.”

           Before Taeyong gets a chance to answer the two of you are greeted by the salesclerk asking what the two of you are looking for today and jumps quickly into sales mode when Taeyong tells them that the two of you are looking at rings. They don’t waste anytime in bringing out a variety of rings for the two of you to look at. They start to ramble off facts about each of the rings and you start to feel a little overwhelmed with all the information that the sale clerk is throwing at you.

           Taeyong feeling your unease ask the clerk if they can give you some time alone to look over the rings and that he’ll let them know when they have made a decision.  When the clerk walks off you relax back into Taeyong and look down at rings in front of you. They were all beautiful rings you weren’t sure how the two of you were going to pick a pair.

           “Take your time and pick the pair that you like. I’ll like whatever you pick out.” Taeyong encourages as you look over the rings, picking up some to try on and skipping over others.

           “I want you to like them as well. It can’t just be my choice,” Turning to Taeyong you grab his hand and slide on one of the rings. “What do you think of this one?”

           Taeyong examines the ring then looks up at you. You’re waiting patiently for him to respond, when he doesn’t say anything, you let out a small laugh before sliding the ring off his finger and putting it back. You reach out for another ring one that is less flashy and is instead a simple black ring with a small silver strip on the edges of the ring.

           “What about this one?”

           “I like this one. What does the matching one look like?” Taeyong looks over at the rings spotting the one that goes with his. He picks up the ring that would go on your finger. It has a black band as well the only difference from his is the small diamond that lays in the band. Taeyong grabs your hand and slides the ring onto your finger.

           “Do you like it?” You study the ring before lacing your hand with Taeyong’s.

           “I love it. Does this mean that we’re official now?” You lean into Taeyong, resting your hands on his chest.

           “Absolutely, I don’t just buy anyone matching rings,” Taeyong smiles down at you before kissing the tip of your nose. He calls over the salesclerk to let them know that you’ll get the rings and to set up a time to come get the rings once they are size for the two of you.

           Leaving the shop, you lace your fingers with Taeyong and swing your hands back and forth. He laughs as he spins you around and then pulls you into him. “Are you happy with your ring?”

           “Yes, but just so you know I would be happy even without the rings. This is just an added bonus to today.” You tell him.

           “I know but I’ve been thinking about getting us rings for a while now. Actually, I’ve been thinking about it ever since our movie date and then when I came to find you today there you were standing in front of the jewelry store, and it just seemed like the right time to get them. To make things official.”

           “I think so too.” You smile up at him as the two of you make your way down the street. “Who would have thought that a night of dancing in a club would have led to buying rings.”

           “I knew. I knew from the moment I saw you dancing that it was going to lead to this.” Taeyong tells you with certainty causing you to look up at Taeyong with wide eyes. He looks down at you and gives you his adorably shy smile before looking away and focusing on making sure the two of you can walk down the street together without tripping.

           “What else do you know?” You ask.

           “You’ll just have to wait and find out.” Taeyong teases and you just shake your head at your boyfriend and lean your head against him.

Taeyong comes to walk y/n home after work and with teh snow falling and him feeling romantic. Taeyong takes you on a romantic winter stroll that leads to dancing with the snowflakes falling around you.

Part of the long term couple series. Can be read as a stand alone. 

           Locking the door to the studio you pull on your gloves before turning to face the snow fall that greets you. Thankfully it was a warmer night for winter and there was no wind. Making the snowflakes that were falling more enjoyable. You look up at the sky watching the snowflakes gracefully make their way down to the ground. You always liked watching it snow it was something that you found calming. Stepping out from under the awning you tilt your head down to avoid getting snow in your face and start the short walk back to your place.

           As you’re walking you hear a ping from your phone. Pulling it out of your pocket you smile as you see it’s a message from Taeyong. Opening your phone, you stop walking as you read the message.

Taeyong: Turn around. I want to walk with my girlfriend in this romantic setting

Turning around you see Taeyong standing a few feet away from you in a black peacoat, with a scarf wrapped around him, and gloves on. His nose and ears are a little pink from the cold, and he smiles at you as you make your way towards him. You stop in front of him and tilt your head back causing a few snowflakes to fall on your face. Taeyong reaches out to wipe them away and leans down to kiss you on the tip of your nose.

           “Hi,” he whispers to you causing your stomach to flutter and heart to race. Only he could do that to you with one simple word.

           “Hi,” you whisper back. “I thought you had to work late tonight?”

           “We finished early, and I thought I’d walk you home.” Taeyong reaches out for your hand and then pulls you in close to him before he starts to walk in the direction of your place.

           “I’m glad you did. You get to now have this romantic moment with me as you pointed out earlier.” Taeyong nods in agreement. He glances down at you and smiles.

           “You look pretty with your cheeks and nose red and snowflakes in your hair and eyelashes.” You smile at the compliment.

           “Thanks, you look pretty good yourself.” You tell him back. You like walking with him like this. It’s comfortable and you are enjoying the chance to have a moment alone with your boyfriend. “Are you cold?”

           “No? Why do you ask?” Taeyong pulls you in closer to him thinking that maybe you are cold.

           “If you’re not cold I was wondering if you would be okay with making the walk a little longer?” You weren’t ready to give up this moment yet and wanted to make it last just a little longer.

           “I think I can handle that.” Taeyong smiles down at you and the two of you turn right instead of going left towards your place.

           The two of you wander the streets not really paying attention to where the two of you are walking. Soon you find yourself in the park. Surprisingly the Christmas lights are still on, and you can hear Christmas music playing through the speakers that are placed throughout the park. Taeyong starts to slow his steps until the two of you are at a standstill. You turn towards him and without a word Taeyong positions the two of you, so you are ready to dance. When you look up at him, he gives you a small nod and doesn’t move until you give him a returned nod letting him know that you are ready. Then he takes his first step, and you follow his lead.

           The two of you move about like you have been dancing with one another for years. There is a comfortableness that is there that usually only comes after dancing with the same person for years. You trust in Taeyong and his movements. You know that he won’t lead you astray. As Taeyong glides you around your eyes stay locked with his. You don’t bother to look anywhere else. As the song comes to an end and another one starts up Taeyong easily changes the speed at which the two of you are dancing to.

           He starts to slow the two of yours movement and you go from gliding to a much slower pace and instead of large movement they become smaller and more precise. Eventually he slows the two of you down until you are just swaying back and forth in one another’s arms. Taeyong pulls you in closer to him until you are flush against his front. You curl your arms around him and bunch the back of his jacket between your fists. You turn your head to the side to rest your head against his chest. Taeyong’s one hand stays to rest on your back while the other glides up into your hair. Taeyong hand strokes through your hair as the two of you stand there in one another’s arms, the snow falling down around you.

           “You really know how to make a moment romantic,” you whispered not wanting to have the moment ruined by any loudness.

           “You bring it out in me,” Taeyong whispers back. The two of you continue to stand there rocking back and forth slightly. Neither of you are ready to let the moment go just yet. Eventually the cold starts to seep into your body and a chill runs through you.

           “We should head back before the both of us get sick,” Taeyong pulls slightly away from you and readjust you to his side.

           “Alright,” you sigh wishing that the moment could last longer but understanding why the two of you need to head back. Your cold and staying out here just to prolong the moment will only lead to you or both of you getting sick.

           Before you two leave Taeyong brushes some hair off of your hair and smiles down at you. He leans in towards you and presses his lips to yours. You lean into Taeyong your eyes closing as his lips touch yours. The kiss doesn’t last long but it has quickly become one of your favorites. Because it was with Taeyong the man who wanted to walk  you home after work, who took you walking because it was romantic, and then danced with you in the snow.

Taeyong is taking Y/n out on a date. He has it all planned out and isn’t giving anything away even if Y/n pouts the whole way to their date. 

Part of the long term couples series

Looking out the passenger window you watch as the city buildings turn into trees. When Taeyong had come to pick you up for your date you expected him to tell you where the two of you were going but instead all he had done was usher you into the car and started to drive out of the city. When you ask Taeyong where he is taking you, he looks over at you with a boyish glint in his eyes and tells you that it’s a surprise.

           Glancing over at Taeyong you take in his relaxed posture as he drives with one hand on the steering wheel. The other resting comfortably on the middle console. Music is playing softly into the car and Taeyong will bob his head along to the beat every once in a while. He notice’s you are staring at him and turns to give you a boyish smile. It is so different from the sexy smile that he gave you all those weeks ago at the club. You almost can’t believe the duality that he has. To be able to go from drop dead sexy to adorable boy whose cheeks you want to squeeze boggles your mind.

           “Has anyone ever told you how adorable you are?” You ask him causing Taeyong to laugh and face back towards the road to avoid your gaze.

           “I might have heard that before,” Taeyong admits, “Has anyone ever told you that you’re adorable.”

           “Not since I was little,” you tell him as you reach your hand out for his and entwine your fingers together. Taeyong glances down at your hands then over at you. You smile down at your hands before looking out the window. You had been afraid that things would be weird between the two of you after he told you about him being an idol. But so far things had been going okay.

           Even though things seemed to be fine between the two of you, you did have your concerns.  Taeyong was an idol, and he was becoming a popular idol at that. And from the little bit of research that you had done you knew that it was frowned upon for idols to be in relationships. Knowing that it had you concerned about what this meant for yours and Taeyong relationship. Lost in thought you had even realized that you started to tighten your grip on Taeyong’s hand.

           “Y/n you, okay?” Taeyong looks over at you and you loosen your tight grip on his hand.

           “Sorry I just got a little lost in thought. How much further until we’re at our destination?” Trying to change the subject you bring it back to your date. You want to enjoy today instead of thinking about all the what if’s that are surrounding your relationship. You’re not ready to face them all quiet yet.

           “It’s okay I know that we have a lot to talk about and we will but for today let’s just enjoy one another,” Taeyong tells you and you sigh in relief that on this subject you and he are on the same page, “and we’ll be there in about five minutes.”

           Taeyong let’s go of your hand to turn the wheel and as he continues to drive the two of you, you notice that you are heading into an open field and soon the car is pulling up to a large projector that is set up in the middle of the field. Backing the car up so the back end is facing the screen Taeyong parks the car turning towards Taeyong waits for your response.

           “Did you bring me out here to murder me?”

           “No!” Taeyong laughs “I brought you out here to watch a movie. Out here we don’t have to worry about anyone noticing me and having to wear a disguise. Out here we can just be you and me.”

           “I like it. Now, please tell me you brought snacks.” Taeyong scoffs at you as he opens the car door and makes his way around towards your door. He opens the door and holds his hand out to you, placing your hand in his he pulls you out of the car and towards the back of the car.

           Opening the back door you see a small cooler, a bag full of snacks, and pillows and blanket all piled in the backseat. Taeyong hands you the cooler and food and gets to work on laying down the seat and setting up the pillows and blankets. He then grabs the cooler and food from you placing them back into the car. Grabbing your hand once again he pulls you into the car with him and the two of you settle into the pillows and blankets.

           “I can’t believe that you planned all of this for our date.” Never have you had someone put in this much effort in a date. If you didn’t know better, you would think that Taeyong isn’t real.

           “I wanted to impress you, now, let’s settle in and watch this movie,” Taeyong hands you a drink and some of the snacks as the movie starts to play.

           For the first part of the movie the two of you sit in comfortable silence watching the movie and eating your snacks and drinks. Once the snacks are gone and your drinks are empty you lean over into Taeyong and adjust the blanket, so it is covering the two of you. Resting your head on Taeyong shoulder you feel him move so he can wrap his arm around you.

           “Are you enjoying the movie?” Taeyong whispers like he’s actually in a movie theater.

           I am,” you whisper back and the two of you return to the movie.

           As you both continue to watch the movie you notice Taeyong’s other hand starts to move across his lap towards yours. Focusing your attention more on his hand then the movie you watch as he continues to slowly move his hand closer to yours. His pinkie then brushes against your hand, and you return the touch. Giving Taeyong the go ahead that he was waiting for to lace his fingers with yours.

           You snuggle in closer to Taeyong. Enjoying the way that he rests his head on top of yours and his fingers playing with yours. If anyone were to ask you how the movie ended you wouldn’t be able to tell them. What you could tell them is how Taeyong had kiss the top of your head four times. How he seemed to like to twist your thumb ring and rub his thumb over your hand.  You were completely distracted by it all that you were unaware of when the movie ended.

           “Did you enjoy the movie?” Taeyong asks you causing you to jump a little.

           “I’ve enjoyed the whole evening.” Looking up at Taeyong you see his bright smile and you return it before glancing back down at your hands. Taeyong follows your eyes and gives your hand a squeeze.

           “I like your hand in mine. It’s like your hand was made for mine.” Taeyong says before he let’s out a bashful squeal and shakes his legs, like he’s embarrassed that he had just made that statement out loud. You laugh sitting up to look at Taeyong. You refuse to let go of his hand though.

           “Taeyong!” You laugh trying to get his attention as he continues to squirm along side of you. “Taeyong stop.”

           “I’m sorry that was extremely cheesy of me to say. It just popped out of my mouth,” Taeyong apologizes, and you find it adorable how he can’t make eye contact with you.

           “Hey,” you give his hand a tug and he finally look at you, “it was a little cheesy to say but I liked it. I like you.”

           “Good because I’m probably going to say more things like that.” Taeyong tells you.

           “I’m looking forward to it. Do we have time for another movie? I’m not ready for our date to be over just yet.”

           “We can watch as many as you want.” Taeyong assures you as the two of you settle back into the pillows to watch another movie. This time neither of you wait before you grab one another’s hands. You once again lean your head onto Taeyong shoulder, and he rest his head atop of yours.

doiefy:

dotae’s entire relationship is a high school enemies to lovers bl anime, i’m just saying

i had to do it to ‘em

pretty boy // lee taeyong // kim doyoung

fluff, high school au, lee taeyong x kim doyoung
wc: 1180
cw: language

Taeyong hates avoiding people. 

Mostly because he’s bad at it, not because there’s any guilt involved with deceiving people for his own convenience. There’s a whole multitude of people he wishes he could wipe off the face of the earth, or more realistically, avoid on a daily basis—namely his neighbour’s twelve-year-old emo son, the annoying bitch at Starbucks who always misspells his name, and Mrs. Kwak, who took five marks off of his last exam for ‘bad penmanship.’ And there’s one other person who occasionally makes the list, but he’s a special case; we’ll get to that in a second. 

Taeyong’s bad at, well, being bad. That’s not to say he’s a stickler for rules, and god forbid he turns into a teacher’s pet when there are already so many around him. Frankly, he doesn’t care about the rules. And he’s been in the dean’s office enough times to know exactly how many warts she has on her face (5, as of recently). Taeyong’s one, very critical issue with being a rule-breaker is his lack of typical bad boy charisma. Hell, with a pretty face and large brown eyes that can make any girl swoon, he can’t just walk into class with his tie undone and expect to get away with it. It’s rather concerning: just how many people he’s tricked into thinking he’s the student body president, when he hasn’t spoken a single word to any of them.

It extends to beyond just school—which brings us back, full circle, to the certain somebody he’s been avoiding like the plague. 

About a half hour after the final bell, he’s on his way home, just about to safely pass the music room. Avoiding him is comparable to sneaking around a boss in a video game, or walking behind a random NPC so you don’t waste three full minutes in a meaningless cutscene. He knows he’s bad at it: all skittish and nervous, like a horse ready to bolt at the first sign of danger. He keeps his head down and darts past the few students left in the hallway, simply praying the person in question is already in the music room, not waiting around to cut him off. 

And even if he sees him, maybe he won’t recognize him immediately… right? It’s the middle of winter, so he’s got a beanie covering his hair and a scarf wrapped around his neck. It all fogs up his glasses when he breathes, but it’s probably for the better. One more thing to obstruct his face from view. 

“Lee Taeyong.”

Well,fuck. 

He stops dead in his tracks, knowing full well: he’s been caught. 

There’s no sneaking around the final boss—the final boss being Kim Doyoung. President of the music council, resident master of ceremonies, teacher’s pet extraordinaire, and above all, the bane of Taeyong’s love life. The bane, or maybe the saviour, it’s really a matter of perspective. If Doyoung wasn’t so insufferable and dead set on making Taeyong’s life hell (affectionately, he hopes), he would’ve been Taeyong’s first proper love interest after his two-month fling with Nakamoto Yuta in sophomore year. 

Doyoung’s pretty, Taeyong cannot deny it. He’s just a little taller than Taeyong, all long-limbed but still elegant, with jet hair and deep brown eyes. There’s something soft and innocent about his appearance—his hair’s always neatly combed and he’s always in a proper, pristine uniform—but Taeyong knows he hides rebellion beneath his usual appearance. Venture out into the woods after school, and you’ll find him with a select group of students, doing god-knows-what (though it usually ends with a bong and a verylate night). Doyoung likes to follow the rules at school, but will be the first to break them the moment he’s off school property. 

“Hi,” Taeyong mumbles, unconsciously shuffling backwards when Doyoung approaches. 

“Hi,” Doyoung drawls mockingly, visibly pleased by his catch; a week-long game of cat and mouse, hide and seek, and he finally has Taeyong where he wants him. “It’s been awhile since I last saw you, Yongie. Where have you been? Were you sick?”

“No,” Taeyong grunts. “Actually, I’m gonna miss my bus if I don’t get going, so maybe we can catch up a little later?”

Doyoung seems unimpressed by the choice of lie. There were definitely much better choices Taeyong could’ve gone for. Homework, midterms, his mom berating him all the time… he could’ve said his cat got chlamydia and died, and Doyoung would’ve at least fake-simpered over it for a moment before continuing with his torment. “The 189 bus doesn’t leave until five, Yongie. That’s in an hour.” 

“Well, you’ve got band,” Taeyong says, nodding at the instrument case dangling from Doyoung’s hands. “I think you’re gonna be late.”

Doyoung hesitates, as if seriously considering it. After all, he hasn’t missed a single practice—as the principal flutist of the school orchestra and president of the music council, he can’t afford to. Taeyong doesn’t doubt the conductor relies on his expertiseandexperienceto lead practices, because even the subject teachers turn to his insufferable ass for help sometimes; he hopes mentioning it is enough to get Doyoung off of his case. Just for a day. One day, so he can figure out what the hell he’s going to do from here. 

But to his dismay, Doyoung promptly drops his flute case in Taeyong’s hands and tilts his head curiously. “Hm.”

Taeyong fumbles with the instrument, and Doyoung glares at him. “That little hunk of metal is worth two grand and my entire college scholarship. Don’t drop it, pretty boy.”

Pretty boy. Taeyong hates it, but he still reacts viscerally.

“You know what I think?” Doyoung asks, taking a slight step forward so Taeyong can practically smell the cologne lingering on his uniform jacket. Something simple, but expensive, Taeyong thinks, and catches himself leaning toward the smell. God, he really is down horrendous for this boy. 

Doyoung grins. “I think you’ve been avoiding me, pretty boy.”

“I don’t avoid people,” Taeyong says with a shake of his head. “I’m bad at it.”

“Evidently,” Doyoung agrees, then reaches up to pull the hat off of Taeyong’s head. “So maybe you should stop doing it, hm? Stop taking your lunch outside and come sit with me. Stop running off right after class.” A breathless laugh. “Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?”

Taeyong lets out a quiet exhale, once again fogging up the circular lenses of his glasses. Before he can even register what’s happening, Doyoung’s pulling them off of him, leaning in close to get a better look at him. He’s mere inches away, and Taeyong doesn’t know if he wants to slap him or kiss him. Probably the latter, but he doesn’t have the time or balls for that. Dammit, he’s not a coward, he should just do it, put a stop to the endless games and take charge—but by the time that thought crosses his mind, Doyoung’s already taken his instrument back and gone on his way. 

“See you around, pretty boy.”

Taeyong puts his glasses and hat back on, walking away in utter shame. 

Genre: soulmate & mafia!au/angst/fluff

Member: Taeyong

Word count: 2,200+

Prologue|One|Two

“Oh, it is,”you froze. A lump formed in your throat when you felt something pressed against the back of your head. A gun. “Who are you?”

You shut your eyes tight then raised both arms as a sign of surrender. The man grabbed your shoulder and dragged you harshly to what’s probably a warehouse.  He pushed you down to kneel on the rough floor.

“Who do you work for?” he pressed the gun to your forehead.

“No one,” the tremble on your voice didn’t go unnoticed by your captor causing him to laugh lightly. Tears sting your eyes out of fear. He was about to say something when you both heard the door open. You heard footsteps from your right but didn’t dare lift your head to look because of the gun pressed to your head.

“Ten, what’s happening here?” another man said. He glanced at your kneeling form and felt something weird. A tingling feeling running down his spine but he brushed it off. “Who’s this?”

“I caught her snooping around,” the cold feeling of the gun on your forehead disappeared as the second man in the room crouched in front of you. He had unnaturally red hair and an eyebrow slit to go with his brooding aura. “Probably working for JYP or YG.”

Your brows furrowed at the mention of the two companies. They were well known to be very successful companies along with SM, gaining profits left and right. You wondered why they thought you were working with them.

“Hey,” you snapped back to reality when the man in front of you spoke. His gaze was menacing sending shivers down your spine. Or was it something else?

“Who do you work for? Who sent you here?” you shook your head at him and answered.

“I told you, I work for no one! And send me? Why would someone send me?” His gaze remained unchanged. He opened his mouth to talk once more but was interrupted by the sound of the door bursting open.

“Cops are coming,” the tall man you saw earlier said hurriedly. The man, Ten, shot you a glare, one that accused you of calling the cops. He was about to raise his gun on you once again but the red-haired man in front of you stopped him.

“Bring her along. We don’t want her babbling to the cops,” fear resurfaced on your chest. This time, the tears really did fall from your eyes. You wondered if this would’ve happened if you just chose to starve this morning, or if you had just gotten in your damncar instead of following a group of obviously dangerous men. But it’s too late for regrets, especially now that you were practically being dragged to a van.

The tall man from earlier got into the driver’s seat while the one he was carrying stuff with sat beside him. Ten, the only one you somehow knew his name of, and the other one who had ordered to bring you along were on either sides of you. You, having accepted your fate of probablydying that day, stayed still as a rock. The whole van was silent except for the sound of the engine. Moments later your ringtone interrupted the somehow comforting silence between you and your captors. Ten gave you a look that urged you to answer the call so you did.

“Hello?” you answered quietly, careful not to say anything that wouldn’t please the men with you.

“Hey, hun. Where are you?” It was Eun Young. Of course it was.

You glanced at the two men beside you before answering. “I… went out to buy groceries. I ran out of food for breakfast.”

“Oh. Well, I was going to invite you to the watch a movie with me this afternoon.”

“I can’t. I, uh, have plans today,” you silently prayed for her to notice that something was wrong, fiddling with your fingers.

“Really? Where are you going?” It dawned to you that everyone in the car was now paying close attention to your conversation so you chose to end it immediately.

“To my parents. Something came up so I’ll be there for a while,” you knew that she was going to say something else so you stop her. “Listen, I have to go. Take someone else, okay? Bye.”

“I’ll be taking this.” Said the other man in front before taking your phone from your hands, breaking it in half and launching it out the window. You were going to protest but you remembered the situation you were in when Ten pulled you back down to your seat.

After the excruciatingly long ride, you finally arrived in front of a gate that leads to a wide property obviously owned by someone extremely wealthy. The distance you’ve travelled with the van upon entering the gate was already quite far but you had yet to see any building in sight, only gardens with beautiful decorations.

Soon enough, there was a fountain. A big one at that and a mansion a few metres from it. You would’ve let your jaw drop and admired the architecture if only you were in a different situation. Now that you had reminded yourself of the situation you were in, you felt your heart beat fasten in fear once again. Suddenly, your vision was blocked by a piece of cloth being tied around your head. Of course, you thought.

Strong hands grabbed your upper arms, guiding you out of the van and into the mansion. It wasn’t until you were seated down that they gave you the privilege to see once again. It took you time to adjust to the sudden brightness but once you did another unfamiliar man was sitting across you with a table separating the two of you.

“Hello,” the man with fox or bunny (you couldn’t quite tell) like features spoke, smiling gently at you. “I’m Doyoung.” He reaches out to shake your hand and you comply, confused.

“You must’ve been scared, huh? Don’t worry, we won’t hurt you unless we need to,” he shifted in his seat. “Now, we just need your name to confirm something. Once you’re clear and we’ve found put about a way to keep you quiet, we’ll probablylet you go.”

Probably, he said. Well, it’s definitely better than having no chance of being alive.

“Y/N,” you quietly muttered. Doyoung’s smile brightened then called another one of the boys named Mark over. You heard him mention your name to ‘Mark’, probably telling him to search you up or something. He then turned to you again.

“So, care to tell me why you were there? I don’t think anyone sane enough would be around that area on a Saturday morning.”

“Curiosity killed the cat, I guess.”

He laughed. “It sure did.”

You felt a shot of pain on your left shoulder causing you to flinch and reach to massage it.

Doyoung looked at you confused. “You okay?” he said, to which you nodded a yes.

“Doyoung,” you both turned to where the voice came from. It was the man with red hair from earlier. He was massaging his left shoulder with his right hand and holding a folder on the other. He placed the folder on the table before sitting down next to him.

“What happened to you?” Doyoung asked.

“Hit a wall on the way here,” the man answered.

Doyoung glanced at the two of you before finally opening the file. He paused for a while after reading it and slammed it shut with a look that looked like he just had the best idea in the world.

“100% safe,” he said to the man beside him. “She’s safe, why don’t you escort her back to where you found her, Taeyong.”

Taeyong’s brows furrowed. “Doyoung you were supposed to be the group’s properly functioning brain cell.”

“And that I am. So go, here are the keys to the car.” He shoved the car keys to Taeyong. “Oh, but we’ll still be keeping an eye on you, Ms. Y/N. Don’t do anything you’ll regret, okay? I’ll be off.”

Doyoung left the room with the file in hand. You looked to the man in front of you, asking for an explanation but he was just as confused as you were. He sighed in defeat then stood up.

“Come on. I don’t trust you but I trust Doyoung more than anyone so let’s go.” With that he led you out of the mansion, the room you were in was surprisingly far within it. You gazed at the man escorting you. He was in a pair of black ripped jeans and a simple black shirt. Throughout the longjourney you took notice of many more males, some around your age and some younger. A few of them shot you a confused look while some actually gave you a smile.

At last, you arrived at the expensive looking car that fit perfectly with everything you’ve seen until now. Taeyong opened the door to the driver’s seat and went in so you do the same on the opposite side. The ride was quiet, like before. Staring out the window, everything felt like a very strange dream. Starting from the moment where you stepped out to your house until the very moment you were in now. You reached for your thigh and pinched it hard to confirm if everything was a reality or not. It did hurt, but what surprised you was the sound of the man beside you also yelping in pain. You looked at him in shock, his own expression mirroring yours. He pulled the car over then proceeded to look at you in shock.

“I- you- this… oh God,” you sputtered out then ran a hand through your hair. He grabbed your left hand and as expected, you felt the connection between the two of you. “Now what?”

He cleared his throat, pulled back his hand then spoke, “The mart we were in earlier is just close. I think you can walk to there.”

“Wait, what? I mean… okay,” you opened the door muttering a ‘thanks for the ride’ before stepping out and slamming the door.

–

“You were what this morning?!” You covered your ears at Eun Young’s scream. “And you didn’t go to the police?!”

“Trust me, I thought of doing that too. But things are complicated.”

You yelped at the feeling of being shoved onto the sofa.

“What do you mean things got complicated?” She gasped. “They’re threatening you, aren’t they?”

“Kind of, yeah. They said they’ll be keeping an eye on me.”

“Oh my, Y/N! What to do?”

You sighed and placed your feet on her lap. She immediately grabbed onto them, almost massaging them. Concern was written all over her face. It was obvious that she was thinking from the way she chewed harshly at her bottom lip. You tapped her chin with your toe to stop what she was doing but she only brushed you away.

“Anyway, the thing is… one of them is my soul mate.”

This time she finally stopped as her jaw dropped. She then debated on what to say for a moment. “Then did you…?”

She pressed her fingers together accompanied with a kissing sound effect. You separated her hands with a kick. Just a while ago she was worried about what had happened to you but now her priorities swayed.

“I didn’t.”

“So you’re saying that you got kidnapped by your soul mate and his friends then he just dropped you off and leave?” you nodded at your friend. “You didn’t even make out or hug when you found out?”

Your friend sat on the opposite side of the couch you were perched on. You went to her house that afternoon to ask her for advice on what to do but that clearly wasn’t the best choice.

“That’s your main concern? Dude, I was held at gunpoint by one of them, they brought me back to their ‘lair’ with a probable intention of locking me up until I die and I was supposed to think about making out with my soul mate when I found him? I think the fuck not.”

“Yeah, that does sound wrong,” Eun Young muttered and cleared her throat. “Let me do that again, how are you? You weren’t harmed in anyway? Traumatized or something?”

“No, I’m fine, I guess. I’m mostly confused. I have been since this morning and the past few months.”

“I can tell,” she started playing with your toes on her lap. “So what now?”

“Honestly? I don’t know. They looked like they were some kind of illegal group or something and I do not want to get involved in that,” you sighed.

“You already were the moment he joined.”

“Can’t I just trade soul mates or something?” you groaned. “Why is life like this?”                                                                                                                                           

“You can’t do that. Do you know what they say about rejecting your soul mate? They say it’s like hell.”

“I bet it’d be like hell either way. Why am I suffering like this?”

Your friend placed your feet down then patted your back and you leaned closer to her. “I’m sure everything will be fine soon.”

She wrapped her arms around you and you sighed. You hope so.

Genre: soulmate & mafia!au/angst/fluff

Member: Taeyong

Word count: 1,300+

A/n: A sloppy Taeyong drawing for fun :)

Prologue |One

A room of white surrounds you upon opening your eyes. Having read and watched this trope a lot of times, you knew that you were in a hospital. Another thing you also know is that your body was aching in every way you knew possible. Glancing around the room, you spotted a head of long hair resting on your bed. You smiled to yourself and reached for your best friend’s hand.

Her head shot up at the feeling, “Oh my God! Are you okay now? Does it hurt anywhere? Do I need to call the nurse? The doctor?”

“I’m fine, Eun Young,” you chuckled. “A bit battered up but fine.”

“Don’t laugh! I almost had a heart attack when I received a call from the hospital! Where are your parents, anyway?” she asked.

“They’re out of town. Mom won tickets from a raffle,” you triedto sit up but your body refused. “Help me sit up, please?”

Eun Young complied while being as careful as possible. The look in her eyes screamed concern for your well-being.

“So, that means that your soul mate is fine,” she paused. “I mean the not dead kind of fine not really fine… you know what I mean.”

“I guess so. But now I’m wondering what happened for him to be beat up like that,” you stared up onto the ceiling as if it held the answers to your questions.

“You don’t think your soul mate’s part of a gang or something dangerous do you?” she said.

“I hope not,” you said, frowning. “But enough about him, when did the doctor say I could go?”

She started filling you in with information throughout the night, not even bothering to head home.

–

“This is your home now, Taeyong,” the older male said. “There are other trainees as well so don’t worry about being alone.”

At his side stood Taeyong, lazily taking in the sight before him. The place was luxurious, from the polished stone floors to the chandeliers hanging on the ceiling. Even the simplest decoration looked like it cost more than the money he’s ever earned in his life. Multiple men walked everywhere, all dressed in casual all black outfits or formal suits. Most of them seemed to be around his age while others looked fairly young.

“Boys,” all heads turned to the man beside him. “Gather ‘round. I have to introduce you to someone.”

Everyone did as told, they gathered at the bottom of the grand staircase they were on. Taeyong shifted uncomfortably when he felt everyone’s attention on him.

The man placed a hand on his shoulder. “This is Taeyong. I’m assuming you all know of him. Starting today, he’ll be training with all of you. Do your best to teach him our ways,” he said, dismissing them right after. “A word, Taeyong.”

He followed him down the stairs.

“This is a unit I will put you in charge of after I deem you ready enough. This is NCT and I trust you to be a good leader to them in the future. When the time comes and you’re ready enough to lead the whole corporation, the baton will be passed on to you,” he said, leaving immediately after, giving Taeyong no chance to ask questions.

The men of ‘NCT’ approached him one by one to introduce themselves after he was left alone. One of them on the shorter side with dark brown hair and shaved sides offered his hand first.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Taeil, training to be a medic,” he flashed a gentle smile as Taeyong shakes his hand. “I hope we get along well.”

Before he could even reply, another person replaced Taeil in front of him. His eyes were wide and something about his face made him seem like a bunny. He smiled brightly at Taeyong before pulling his hand for a shake.

“I’m Doyoung, the group’s strategist along with Kun over there. Why don’t you sit down and I’ll introduce everyone to you.”

Walking over to the luxurious furniture, Taeyong obliged. Doyoung took a seat beside him and everyone followed suit.

“First we have our hackers, Mark, Chenle and Donghyuck,” he pointed at the three younger looking males. One had lightly tanned skin, the other had an innocent look to his face while another had protruding cheekbones.

“Then we have our conmen, Xuxi or Lucas, Yuta, and Jungwoo,” the three seated across him gave him a nod. “Our medic along with Taeil is Jaehyun.”

“Next we have our gunmen or snipers, Jeno, Jaemin and Johnny,” the tallest one gave him a small wave while the other two smiled. “Now our arsonists, Sicheng and Renjun. Both from China. Then lastly, our spies, Jisung and Ten.”

As soon as the introductions were over, no one volunteered to speak anymore. To break the silence, Doyoung stood up and said, “Right! We better return to our rooms so we could rest for tomorrow.”

Everyone agreed silently then walked to their respective rooms, except for Taeyong who decided to walk around the place. He went over to what looked like a kitchen. Like the previous room he was in, it was grand. It had its own chandelier, a huge counter in the middle and elegant designs. Next room was what he assumed was the dining room. It contained a long dining table which could definitely fit at least twenty people. He marvelled at how big a dining room can be. For the next few moments he continued going from room to room before deciding to retire for the day. He went back to where he first woke up, finally having the chance check out the room.

After checking out his room, he showered in yet another grand bathroom. His mind drifts back to how he was forced to join a dangerous group as water trickles down his body. This wasn’t what he wanted. He wanted to stay away from danger as much as possible for his soul mate’s sake and the situation he’s in right now is not helping. He sighed then finished up, lying down on the bed to sleep.

–

A week or so later, you were allowed to be out and about again so there you were, third-wheeling your best friend while eating ice cream. Exactly a day after you were hospitalized, Eun Young met her soul mate while she was on the way to pick up some food for you. You don’t usually care whenever they’re together because you were happy for your friend and you support them 100% but they seem to be extra cringeworthy on this particular day. You sat there quietly for a good hour before they finally deemed you worthy of their attention.

“So, Y/N, how’s your soul mate?” Eun Young asked.

“I think he’s fine. A few occasional cuts and bruises here and there,” you said then finished off your ice cream. “I’ll leave first, is that fine?”

The couple nodded and said their goodbyes. You went straight home, thankful that nothing happened this time.

A month passed and everything went on like how they usually were, quiet with a few appearances of minor injuries. You liked how things were going and decided to keep it like so. Although one day everything changed when you found out you ran out of cereal. At first you had shrugged it off then opted for having a different breakfast. But the world didn’t seem to cooperate with you when you saw your (almost) empty fridge. Sighing, you trudged back to your room to change into clothes more appropriate for going outside.

Even the trip to the grocery store was peaceful, with only a few people shopping at the same time as you. Now everything seemed to be suspiciously going your way, except for the breakfast incident. You were in the process of recalling what good you’ve done to deserve the past month’s kindness when you saw a few men that were even more suspicious.

“Just go,”you said to yourself and went around your car. Check it out, check it out, check it out. You stopped in your tracks, eventually listening to your mind. You gripped your car door before slamming it shut then headed to where the men had went.

“This is a bad idea,” you whispered to yourself while watching two tall men carrying boxes to a truck.

“Oh, it is,” you froze.

Genre: soulmate & mafia!au/angst/fluff

Member: Taeyong

Word count: 1,000+

Warning(s): Violence, language, brief mentions of domestic abuse, minor character death

A/n: Unofficial title :)

Prologue|One

Ever since you were a kid you hated the idea of having a soul mate. Why? Simply because you hated worrying your parents every time you wake up with new injuries all over your body. You also hated not being able to go out because you had to wait before your wounds heal. You grew up with a lot of hatred for your soul mate because of the many troubles he had cause you.

Meanwhile, Lee Taeyong was there locked up in his own room feeling ashamed of himself because he knew that because of him his destined other half is hurting. He never experienced pain caused by her which made it even harder for him to forgive himself.

By the age of 17 he left his abusive household with nothing but the clothes on his back so he could save the both of you from his cruel mother as her mental condition worsens. Ever since then, he’d done his best not to get in trouble. He’d been doing well for months that despite your initial feelings for him you also felt concerned. You were aware that if your soul mate died, the link that you shared would disappear.

“Hey! Hello?” You snapped your head to Eun Young, your best friend, waving her hand in front of you. “Are you alright? I’ve been calling you for like several times. Is something bothering you?”

You smiled before shaking your head to assure her that you were fine but she wasn’t convinced. “You can talk about it to me you know.”

“It’s nothing that big, really,” you started. “It’s just that… remember what I told you about my soul mate?”

“You mean the one you called a pain in the ass? Of course I do, you made forgetting about him hard,” she said, taking a sip of her drink. “What about him? Did he hurt you again?”

“No, and that’s the thing. I’ve been surprisingly living my life peacefully for the past few months and now I’m genuinely worried. As much as I hated having to constantly treat myself because of him I don’t really want to lose him.”

Eun Young nodded, urging you to continue as she sips her drink.

“I ignored it for the first few weeks because I thought that he finally had some senses knocked into him but I remembered what my mom told me about soul mates dying and how links would be cut off. What do you think happened to him?”

She sipped one more time before speaking, “I honestly don’t know but I do hope he’s alright.” 

You sighed and picked up your drink to finish it and go home.

You were walking to the bus station to head home when you felt an excruciating pain at the back of your head. This caused you to stumble to the floor, causing passers-by to turn to you. You then started to feel pain from different parts of your body. A crowd started surrounding you as only a few actually offered help. Clutching as much of your hurting body as you can, tears flowed out of your eyes before you fell into the dark abyss of unconsciousness.

—

Taeyong was on the way to his third part-time job for the day in complete silence. His gaze avoiding everyone as he walks with his hands tucked into his pockets. As tired as he is right now he continued because he knew he needed it. Slowly, the thought of his soul mate lingered into his mind as it always does every single day. He thought about how she was doing and what she thought of finally having peaceful days. He went on with thinking when he suddenly felt a sharp pain at the back of his head.

‘Shit,’ He thought. Taeyong did his best to fight against the mysterious men pulling him by his arms but to no avail. Before he could even attempt to do something again his back slammed hard against the wall as his attackers throw him.

“Lee Taeyong,” his eyes shifted to one of the men clad in all black. “We’ve been tasked to take you with us.”

“To where? And by whom?” he asked. 

“Better not to ask.” The other spoke as he raises a piece of cloth to Taeyong’s eyes. He felt his body being raised into the air by his arms.

“Let go of me, fuckers!” He grabbed the arm of the man to his left and started kicking and punching in different directions. He had managed to give a few blows to them before they started hitting him back. He did his best to defend himself as he lies to the ground, silently apologizing to you for causing you trouble once again before he blacked out.

—

Taeyong woke up to a grand looking room surrounding him. His wounds and bruises were patched up and his worn out clothes were replaced by ones more grand and expensive looking. His head turned to the sound of an opening door which then revealed a slightly aged looking man. Upon seeing Taeyong, he smiled widely.

“Ah, I see you’re awake,” he approached the bed he was in before taking a seat on the chair beside the bed. “I’m sorry for what my men did to you. I gave them permission to be rough when you resist. How are you feeling?”

“Like shit,” he simply said. “Who are you and why am I here?”

“Oh, pardon me for not introducing myself earlier,” the man set his wine on the bedside table before extending a hand to Taeyong. “I’m Lee Sooman, head of SM Corp. I’ve been looking for you, son.”

Taeyong’s eyes widened at the man’s words. Son?

The man, Lee Sooman, chuckled before proceeding to talk. “You see, I’m part of the mafia and I need an heir to train. As my son, it will be your responsibility in the future.”

“I don’t want to be a part of this,” he answered with a sharp gaze.

“You see, Taeyong, that wasn’t a question. It’s either a yes or death.”

re-doing my taeyong soul mate&mafia!au :)