happy birthday nobara! congrats on being freed from the curse of living ig đ„čđ
!
this happened on wednesday in occupied jerusalem, supposedly the "only democracy in middle east."
israeli police raided the anti-zionist jewish neighborhood, to attack any symbol of jewish solidarity with Palestine, took down the Palestinian flag, brutally assaulted anti-zionist jews by knocking them down on the road, hitting them, and punching them in the face.
zionism is a violent and fascist ideology that doesn't even spare the very people it is supposed to protect. anyone who disagrees with its racist mandate, even jews, are targeted by the entity that falsely claims to represent jewish people.
if they can do this to their own, can you even bear to imagine how they have treated, and continue to treat, Palestinians? except you don't really have to - idf soldiers have, on multiple occasions, documented their own war crimes and violations of the very nature of being human. they have gloated over their own capacity to commit undeniable evil too many times on camera.
does amy schumer care about these people standing up against genocide and getting persecuted for doing so? what does noah schnapp have to say?
what do well-off white jews in the west who record tiktoks with a face full of makeup, impeccably manicured nails, curated fits and ring lights, who have monopolized claims to antisemitism and grief and victimhood while black and other non-white jewish people have been rendered almost entirely invisible from public memory, have to say about this?
israel was never about judaism.
POV you're at the liyue statue of the seven
Do you only write Hannibal lecter or do you also write for NBC Hannibal?
Gather around for a short story in the spirit of Thanksgiving. You have been invited by Hannibal Lecter to a celebratory dinner, although unexpectedly barren of other guests. He will be entertaining you this evening, carefully describing each dish as he battles his own inner turmoil. (For extra immersion, I suggest listening to Bach's 'Sheep May Safely Graze')
Warning: Cannibalism and detailed gore. I'd advise against reading if you're squeamish.Â
[Horror Masterlist]
He politely aids you in removing your coat, folds it over his forearm, and steps aside, expectantly. You glance at him, somewhat confused.
"Your bag, if I may."
"Oh, I...I was planning to bring it with me. I have my phone in it and all the essentials." you stutter, unsure.
Uh huh. Your etiquette seems to be lacking in certain areas. Nothing that cannot be chiseled.Â
"You won't be needing it, I assure you." he extends his hand out, waiting.Â
You hesitantly place the dark leather Pochette into his fingers. Hannibal has always been rather particular when it comes to decorum. You wouldn't want to upset him, especially given his generous invite to his Thanksgiving celebration. He'd heard your complaint of being alone during the holidays and he encouraged you to join him instead.
As you hurry behind him down the spacious hallway, you quietly marvel at the expensive, tasteful paintings sporadically adorning the walls.Â
"I suspected they might be to your liking." He briefly peeks back at you with a faint smile on his lips.Â
The heavy wooden doors creak open and your nostrils are quickly overwhelmed by the tempting smell of intricate dishes. You narrow your eyes, taking in the flavors. Once you finally look ahead, you notice that the table, although neatly decorated, consists only of two seats that have been prepared for dining. Two opposing seats, causing the whole setup to seem of ridiculous length.Â
"Pardon my intrusion, but is anyone else attending?" You cannot contain your curiosity.
"Oh, no. Not really." Hannibal pulls your chair outwards before departing to his own designated place. "It's you and me. Does that bother you?"
"I suppose it's cozier this way." You brush it aside with a chuckle. Better than being alone, you tell yourself.
He nods in agreement before settling down. He takes a moment to examine the table, confirming that everything is indeed in its proper place. A final, satisfied incline of his head.
"Allow me to introduce today's dishes. I don't want to keep you waiting for too long." He says as he remembers your earlier little gesture of delight. "It's a little bit of a scattered theme, if I am to be honest with you. I've drawn my inspiration from varied cuisines."
"I can see. How exciting!" You swiftly scan over the diverse plates, enthusiastic and hungry.
"The main course is over there. Balsamic-glazed oven baked ribs. I recommend a drizzle of cranberry sauce to go with it."
As he points to the dish, he can almost hear the dry crack of the bone. Abruptly, he's been taken back to the previous night, to his humble slaughter room - the meat needs to be fresh after all. Shears cut through the ribs with little resistance. The blades go around the thoracic cavity, contouring the ribcage. Once a proper opening has been made, he firmly grasps each side of the ribcage and nonchalantly lifts the bone flap, resting it over the face.Â
Wait. He quickly digs through the skin and fat that had been shoved aside with the carcass, searching for the face of the victim. It's you. How delectable and surprising that you've wandered into such a recollection. Well, not quite a surprise that you've invaded his memories; from the very moment he met you he's been plagued by this indecent idea: How would you look on the dissecting table?
His musings are interrupted by the sizzle of the sparkling wine he's currently pouring in your glass. He finds himself back at the dining table, together with his favorite guest. You graciously thank him, and as he gazes over your features, he can't help but continue this game of imagination he's just spontaneously devised. Whoever had been carefully served for this occasion will be temporarily replaced during the theatrical retelling by you. And what a fine actor you'll be, even though you're not aware of it.
Alright, one must start from the beginning. He traces the edge of the autopsy table and inspects the drain just below your feet. He wouldn't want an incident. Would you be mortified if you'd learn your secretions and discharges leaked and clotted against the sieve? Don't worry, you'll be spared of such scenarios. He'd never willingly embarrass you like that. He softly presses the scalpel against your bare skin, going under each breast and stopping at the pubic bone. Now to trim the thick layers of fat sticking to the dermis. You're not making much of a mess, but then again it's a dream within his idle mind. A mischievous grin takes over his expression once he witnesses his clean work. The segments of skin detach smoothly, revealing your glistening, bloated organs.Â
He already went over the ribs. That part has been covered. What comes next? His eyes rest on the most obvious: your intestines. Which reminds him...
"This one is a Middle Eastern dish. Stuffed intestines. You gently cut the membrane, like this." He demonstrates on a separate plate. "Don't worry about seeing some additional blood. Naturally there are many capillaries irrigating the walls, so you might open them up in the process. It quickly seeps into the mixture and adds a bit of a stagnant flavor to it, but it's merely noticeable."
You swallow dryly.
Back to the original matters. He searches for his scissors and cuts along the attachment tissue smoothly. Once the bowels have been freed, he fondles them into his hands, cupping them into place, and hurries to the nearby counter. The entrails collapse and spread onto the marble surface, like mischievous tentacles. He languidly eyes them. Do organs resemble their owner? Absurd question, really. Do they reflect one's health - that much is indubitable. Yet he can't help feeling that if presented with an endless row of viscera, he could, without hesitation, point and state which ones are yours. It's a mysterious confidence whose source he cannot pinpoint. You've always captivated him. Just when he thinks he's had you like an open book, you slip and slither between his fingers. Fitting.
What is it about you that preoccupies his mind to such degree? He turns back to the table and scans the remaining options. Your intelligence? The tool drawer opens and his fingers linger over the saw and skull chisel. Perhaps. But there's more to it, really. His analytical, rational self craves for more than what it can grasp. And what it lacks, well...
He pinches the visceral fascia and lifts the translucent membrane, with the same delicacy of unveiling a young bride, and reveals your heart, cold and still. There it is, the answer to everything. A transect to the vena cava near the diaphragm and the organ has been separated from the rest of the body. An angel with clipped wings. Holding it like this, he can almost discern the faintest throb, the fibrous muscle pressing into his skin.Â
"And this?"
He purses his lips, taken aback by his own rudeness. Has he been zoning out in plain sight?
"I'm afraid I don't follow."
"The dish, I mean."
He follows the direction of your stretched out index. Ah.
"Heart stuffed with mushroom duxelle. Old English classic with a twist."Â
"You sound like a professional chef", you respond as you laugh. "Is there anything you can't do?"
Is there? He considers it. Right before his revelation was discontinued by your inquiry - absolutely not your fault, the ill manners were his - he was wondering if he possesses the capacity to love you. He definitely prefers you over all of the people he's encountered in his life, and your behavior and way of thinking never ceases to make him curious. Yet love is a conclusion he cannot asses with certainty.Â
He had hoped a vivisectionist approach would offer him concrete data, palpable reasoning, but his journey only reinforced that some concepts must be tested outside of pure introspection. Or, as one would describe it colloquially, he has to take the bull by its horns.Â
"By the way, what meat is this?" You have arranged yourself a platter with a little bit of everything, and just finished chewing a hearty bite. "Ox or something? It's very tender."
If Hannibal is to embark on his expedition of human feelings, he needs to reflect on his choices carefully. Or does he? Hmm. His methodical tactics are what caused this impasse in the first place.Â
One can afford to give in, every now and then. How will you react to his self indulgence? He rests his head on the back of his intertwined hands and stares at you with a determined look.Â
"Human."
Charlie core, pt.1
post doing numbers (kinda). plz follow my twitter if u like jjk and genshin art (begs)
âWeird, but fucking beautifulâ - Snow On The Beach ~ Taylor Swift 2022
Felix x ex-military! male! Bodyguard! reader
Part three!
Summary: Being a famous idol came with its own risks and threats.. Which is why Chan hired a bodyguard with experience. And a certain someone falls for the protective man.
Warnings: None
The cold concrete floor was the last thing you remembered before everything went dark. The weight of the support beams, the searing pain in your arm and shoulder, and the deafening roar of the crowd aboveâit all blurred into a haze of exhaustion and agony.
When you came to, the world was a blur of fluorescent lights and muffled voices. The steady beep of a heart monitor punctuated the silence. You blinked slowly, your body heavy and unresponsive, as the sterile smell of antiseptic filled your nose.
The hospital room was quiet, save for the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor and the hum of machines. Sterile white walls surrounded you, and the faint smell of antiseptic lingered in the air. Your body felt heavy, weighed down by pain and exhaustion. Your shoulder and arm were immobilized in a sling, your ribs tightly wrapped in bandages. The fractured collarbone and bruised ribs made every breath a struggle, while the deep gash on your forearm throbbed beneath layers of stitches.
Between each visit, you were left alone with your thoughts. The silence was deafening, amplifying the turmoil inside you.
 You replayed the moment under the stageâthe creaking beams, the crushing weight, the sharp painâand wondered if you couldâve done more to prevent it. You thought about how close youâd come to failing, to letting Chanâs platform collapse, to letting them down.
The guilt gnawed at you. You had protected them this time, but what about next time? What if you werenât there? What if you werenât strong enough?
Still, as each member entered the room, you pushed those thoughts aside. They needed comfort as much as you did.
Chan entered first, his footsteps hesitant as though he was afraid of disturbing you. His face was pale, his eyes red-rimmed from lack of sleep. He sat down beside your bed without saying a word at first, his hand gripping yours tightly.
âYou shouldnât have done it alone,â he said finally, his voice low but firm.
You smiled weakly and reached out with your good arm to pull him into a one-armed hug.Â
âI didnât have a choice,â you replied softly.
His jaw tightened as he looked away, his knuckles white from how hard he was holding your hand.
âYou always put yourself on the line for us,â he said, his voice breaking slightly. âBut what happens if one day we lose you?â
You squeezed his hand gently. âYou wonât,â you assured him.
His lips quivered as he fought back tears. âPromise me,â he whispered.
âI promise,â you said softly.
When his tears began to fall, you gently wiped them away with your free hand. He stayed for a while longer before reluctantly leaving with one last squeeze of your hand and a quiet promise: âRest up. We need you.â
Minho entered next with his usual stoic expression, though it didnât hide the worry in his eyes. He stood at the foot of your bed for a moment before pulling up a chair and sitting down.
âYouâre an idiot,â he said bluntly, his tone sharp but trembling slightly.
You chuckled weakly despite the pain it caused. âThanks.â
Minho shook his head and leaned forward slightly.Â
âYou scared all of us,â he admitted quietly. âWe thought⊠we thought we lost you.â
You reached out with your good hand and gently grasped his hand, squeezing it reassuringly. âIâm still here,â you replied softly.
His lips pressed into a thin line as he nodded quickly, blinking back tears before they could fall.
âDonât do that again,â he muttered before standing up abruptly and leaving with a stiff nod.
Changbin burst into the room with an exaggerated sigh, trying to mask his worry with forced cheerfulness. He plopped into the chair beside your bed and crossed his arms dramatically.
âYouâre really something else,â he said with mock frustration. âAlways trying to be the hero.â
âSomeone has to keep you guys out of trouble,â you teased weakly.
His grin faltered as his shoulders slumped slightly. âI hate seeing you like this,â he admitted quietly. âYouâre always so strong⊠itâs hard seeing you hurt.â
You wrapped your good arm around him in a gentle hug. âIâll be fine,â you assured him despite the pain radiating through your body.
Changbin stayed longer than most, cracking jokes and telling stories in an effort to distract both himself and you from the weight of the situation. When he finally left, he patted your shoulder gently and said with uncharacteristic seriousness, âGet better soon.â
Hyunjin hesitated at the door before walking in slowly, his usual confident demeanor replaced with visible anxiety. He sat down beside your bed but avoided meeting your gaze at first.
âI⊠I didnât know if I should come in,â he admitted quietly.
You smiled softly and reached out to gently grasp his hand. âYou should,â you replied softly.
Hyunjinâs lips trembled as he looked at you properly for the first time. âWhen I saw you collapse⊠I thoughtâŠâ He trailed off, swallowing hard as tears welled up in his eyes.
You squeezed his hand reassuringly. âIâm still here,â you said weakly.
Hyunjin nodded quickly, wiping at his face with his sleeve before anger flashed across his features.
âYou shouldnât have had to do that alone,â he said bitterly. âWe shouldâve noticed something was wrong sooner.â
âYou couldnât have known,â you assured him gently as you wiped away his tears with your free hand.
He stayed for a while longer before leaving with one last glance over his shoulder: âThank youâfor everything.â
Han burst into the room with tears already streaming down his face despite clearly trying to hold them back. His sobs were loud enough that a nurse peeked in briefly before leaving him be.
âWhy do you always have to push yourself so hard?â he demanded through choked sobs as he stood at the foot of your bed.
You reached out with your good hand and gently grasped his hand, pulling him into a one-armed hug. âBecause someone has to,â you replied softly.
Han wiped at his face furiously but couldnât stop crying as he sat down beside you. âYou scared me so much,â he admitted shakily. âI thought we were going to lose you.â
You gently wiped away his tears with your free hand and whispered: âIâm not going anywhere.â
Han stayed until a nurse came in to check on you before reluctantly leaving after making sure everything was fine.
Felix entered carrying a small bouquet of flowers that looked slightly wilted from being clutched too tightly. His usual bright smile was nowhere to be seen; instead, his lips quivered as he sat down beside you.
âYouâre too stubborn for your own good,â he said shakily.
âTakes one to know one,â you replied weakly with a faint smile.
Felixâs eyes filled with tears as he reached out to hold your hand gently. âDonât ever scare us like that again,â he whispered fiercely. âPromise me.â
You squeezed his hand reassuringly and wiped away his tears when they began falling freely down his cheeks: "I'll try."
You chatted for a bit before Felix left the room.
Seungmin entered quietly, his footsteps soft as he approached your bed. His usual calm demeanor was replaced by visible worry; his lips were pressed into a thin line, and his hands fidgeted nervously at his sides.
âYou look terrible,â he said bluntly, though his voice trembled slightly.
You chuckled weakly despite the pain it caused. âThanks for the honesty.â
Seungmin pulled up a chair and sat down beside you, his gaze fixed on your bandaged arm. âI was so scared,â he admitted softly after a moment of silence. âWhen I saw you collapse⊠I didnât know what to do.â
You reached out with your good hand and gently grasped his, squeezing it reassuringly. âIâm okay,â you said softly.
Seungmin shook his head, blinking rapidly to keep tears from falling. âYou always say that,â he muttered bitterly. âBut youâre not okayâyouâre hurt because of us.â
âItâs not your fault,â you said firmly, your voice steady despite your exhaustion. âI did what I had to do.â
He looked away, his jaw tightening as he fought to keep his emotions in check. âI donât know what weâd do without you,â he whispered.
âYouâll never have to find out,â you replied gently.
When a tear finally slipped down his cheek, you reached out with your free hand and wiped it away carefully. Seungmin stayed for a while longer, talking about how theyâd all been worried sick and how theyâd make sure nothing like this ever happened again. Before leaving, he squeezed your hand one last time and whispered, âGet better soon.â
Jeongin hesitated at the door for a long moment before finally stepping inside. His usual playful energy was nowhere to be seen; instead, he looked nervous and unsure as he approached your bed.
âI⊠I didnât know if I should come in,â he admitted quietly.
âYou should,â you said gently.
Jeongin sat down beside you but avoided meeting your gaze at first. His hands were clenched tightly in his lap, and his shoulders were stiff with tension.
âItâs my fault,â he blurted suddenly, tears already streaming down his face. âIf I hadnât shown you that email⊠if I hadnât panickedâŠâ
âStop,â you interrupted firmly despite your exhaustion. You reached out with your good hand and gently grasped his trembling hand. âNone of this is your fault.â
Jeongin shook his head vehemently, guilt etched deeply into his features. âBut if I hadnât told youââ
âYou did exactly what you were supposed to do,â you said gently but firmly. âYou told me about the threat so I could act.â
He sniffled and nodded silently but still looked unconvinced. You pulled him into a one-armed hug, letting him cry quietly against your shoulder.
âI thought we were going to lose you,â he whispered shakily.
âYou wonât lose me,â you promised softly as you wiped away the tears streaking down his cheeks.
Jeongin stayed for a short while longer before reluctantly leaving with a promise that heâd work harder to protect everyoneâincluding you.
As the member left, the silence returnedâheavy and suffocating. You stared at the ceiling, replaying their words in your mind: âWe thought we lost you.â, âYou shouldnât have done it alone.â, âYou scared us.â
The guilt gnawed at you relentlessly. You had protected them this time, but what about next time? What if something happened while you werenât there? What if this injury meant you couldnât protect them anymore?
You clenched your good hand into a fist as frustration bubbled up inside you. You hated feeling helplessâhated being confined to this bed while they faced the world without you.
As visiting hours ended and each member left reluctantly, Felix returned later that night carrying a blanket tucked under one arm and a determined expression on his face.
âIâm not leaving tonight,â he announced firmly as he pulled up a chair beside your bed and draped himself in the blanket like armor against exhaustion.
âFelixâŠâ
âNo arguments.â His tone left no room for debate as he clasped your hand tightly again and settled in for what would be an unspoken vigil through the nightâa silent promise that no matter what happened next, someone would be there when morning came again.
Felix talked softly about random thingsâfunny rehearsal moments, inside jokesâbut eventually fell quiet as fatigue caught up with him. He rested his head on the edge of your bed but kept holding onto your hand like it was a lifeline.
As sleep overtook him, you felt a small sense of relief wash over youânot just because someone was there but because Felixâs presence reminded you that even in moments of weakness, they would always have your back too.
The weeks of recovery felt endless. Every stretch in physical therapy was a battle, every movement a reminder of the beams that had crushed you. The fractured collarbone, bruised ribs, and stitched gash on your arm were constant aches that weighed on your body and mind. You couldnât shake the guiltâthe fear that next time, you might not be able to protect them.
But you pushed through.Â
You forced yourself to endure the pain, knowing that they were waiting for you. Their visits kept you groundedâFelixâs overnight stays, Chanâs quiet encouragement, Hanâs tearful reassurancesâthey reminded you why you had held on so long that night.
Finally, after weeks of effort, the sling came off, the bandages were removed, and you were cleared to return to work. Walking into their dorms for the first time since the incident felt surreal.
The smell of food hit you as soon as you stepped insideâwarm and inviting, a mix of grilled meat and spices that made your stomach growl despite yourself. Laughter echoed from the kitchen, followed by the clatter of plates and utensils.
âJagaeâs here!â Felixâs voice rang out as he spotted you at the door.
Before you could respond, Hyunjin appeared from around the corner with an apron tied haphazardly over his clothes. âYouâre late,â he said with mock sternness, though his grin betrayed him.
âBlame traffic,â you replied dryly as he ushered you inside.
The dining table was packed with foodâkimchi stew, bulgogi, japchae, rice bowlsâand everyone was bustling around setting up plates and glasses. Han was trying (and failing) to balance a stack of bowls while Jeongin hurried to grab them before they fell.
âCareful!â Seungmin scolded from across the room. âWe donât need another accident.â
âIâve got it!â Han protested just as Jeongin snatched the bowls from his hands.
Chan stood at the head of the table, directing everyone like a conductor orchestrating a symphony.Â
âHyunjin, stop eating before we start,â he said without looking up as Hyunjin tried to sneak a piece of meat off the grill.
âIâm taste-testing!â Hyunjin argued indignantly.
âYouâre stealing,â Minho corrected flatly as he carried a tray of drinks to the table.
You couldnât help but smile at the chaos as Felix pulled out a chair for you. âSit here,â he said brightly. âYouâre the guest of honor tonight.â
âIâm not a guest,â you replied with a laugh as you took your seat.
âYou are tonight,â Chan said firmly as he sat down at the head of the table. âThis is for you.â
As everyone settled in and began serving themselves, the teasing started almost immediately.
âHyunjin almost burned down the kitchen earlier,â Han said with a grin.
âI did not!â Hyunjin shot back, his cheeks flushing red. âIt was just⊠slightly overcooked.â
âOvercooked?â Minho raised an eyebrow. âIt looked like charcoal.â
Hyunjin glared at him but couldnât suppress his laughter when Minho smirked triumphantly.
Between bites of food and bursts of laughter, subtle moments of gratitude emerged.
âItâs good to have you back,â Chan said quietly during a lull in conversation.
Changbin raised his glass dramatically. âA toast to Jagaeâthe human shield who saved us all!â
âDonât make it sound like Iâm invincible,â you joked lightly.
âYou kind of are,â Felix said earnestly from across the table, his eyes shining with sincerity.
Hyunjin nodded in agreement. âYou didnât hesitate for even a second back there.â
Seungmin added softly from beside you, âYou always put us first.â
Jeongin looked down at his plate but murmured quietly, âThank youâfor everything.â
Their words settled warmly in your chest, easing some of the lingering guilt that had haunted you since that night.
As dinner wound down and plates were cleared away, Chan brought out dessertâa simple cake decorated with strawberriesâand placed it in front of you.
âItâs not much,â he said sheepishly, âbut we wanted to celebrate your return properly.â
You stared at the cake for a moment before looking around at themâtheir smiles warm and genuineâand felt an overwhelming sense of belonging wash over you.
âThank you,â you said softly.
âNo thanks needed,â Changbin replied with a grin. âYouâre one of us now.â
As they began cutting slices of cake and arguing over who got the biggest piece, Felix leaned over and nudged your arm gently. âYou okay?â
âI am now,â you replied honestly.
For the first time in weeks, you felt at peaceânot just because your body was healing but because these eight people had become more than just idols under your protection. They were family.
After dinner, the group decided to watch a horror movie together. The lights were dimmed, and the TV flickered to life, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Felix plopped down beside you on the couch, leaning comfortably against your non-injured shoulder.
âFelix, youâre going to get scared,â Han teased from across the room.
Felix grinned defiantly. âIâm not scared of anything.â
But as the movie progressed, it became clear that he was indeed scared. Every jump scare made him jump, his reactions loud and exaggerated as he clutched at your arm for comfort. The others laughed good-naturedly at his expense, but even they werenât immune to the scares. Minho let out a startled yelp at one particularly intense scene, while Hyunjin covered his eyes during a gruesome moment.
You, however, remained calm throughout, a small smile playing on your lips as you watched the chaos unfold around you. It was almost amusing to see them all so on edge, their usual bravado replaced by nervous laughter and startled gasps.
âJagaeâs not even flinching,â Seungmin observed with a chuckle.
âOf course not,â Changbin replied dryly. âHeâs the human shield. Nothing scares him.â
Felix leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. âYouâre not even scared, are you?â
You shook your head slightly. âNot really.â
He looked up at you with wide eyes. âHow do you do it? Youâre always so calm.â
You shrugged, trying to downplay it. âJust experience, I guess.â
But deep down, you knew it was more than that. You had faced real danger, not just movie monsters. The memories of that night under the support beam still lingered, a reminder of what true fear felt like. This was just entertainmentâa way for them to bond and have fun together.
âThanks for being my rock,â he said softly.
You smiled back at him. âAnytime.â
The movie had ended, but Felix hadnât moved. He was still nestled against your chest, his soft breaths steady as he slept soundly. The others were sprawled across the dorm, recovering from the adrenaline rush of jump scares and laughter. The teasing had been relentless during the movie, but now the room had settled into a calm, almost intimate atmosphere.
âLook at him,â Han whispered with a grin, gesturing toward Felix. âHeâs so comfortable he fell asleep.â
âOf course he did,â Hyunjin replied, smirking. âHeâs practically glued to Jagaeâs side.â
âFelix has been like that for weeks now,â Seungmin added softly, his tone thoughtful. âAlways sticking close to him.â
Jeongin chuckled nervously. âItâs not just because of the movie. Youâve all seen itâheâs been acting like this since⊠well, since forever.â
You glanced down at Felixâs peaceful face, his cheek resting lightly against your chest, and felt a pang of warmth in your chest. His presence was comforting in a way you hadnât expected.
Minho leaned back against the couch and crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. âHe admires you,â he said simply, but there was a weight to his words that made everyone pause.
âAdmires?â Changbin raised an eyebrow and scoffed lightly. âThatâs putting it mildly.â
âYeah,â Han chimed in, his grin widening mischievously. âI think itâs more than admiration.â
Hyunjin smirked but didnât say anything, his eyes flickering between Felix and you. The silence stretched for a moment before Jeongin spoke up hesitantly.
âHe really cares about you,â he said quietly. âMore than just⊠you know⊠as our protector.â
Seungmin nodded in agreement. âItâs obvious when you think about it.â
You looked around at them, their expressions ranging from amused to serious. They werenât teasing anymoreânot really. There was something genuine in their words, something they had been holding back until now.
âI know,â you said softly.
The room fell silent again as the others stared at you in shock.
âYou⊠knew?â Chan asked cautiously, leaning forward slightly.
You nodded and adjusted Felix gently so he wouldnât wake up. âI picked up on it a while ago,â you admitted. âThe way he looks at me, how he always tries to stay close⊠it wasnât hard to figure out.â
Hyunjin blinked at you, clearly surprised. âAnd? What do you think about it?â
You hesitated for a moment before answering honestly. âI care about him too,â you said quietly. âHeâs⊠special.â
The others exchanged glances, their shock giving way to understanding smiles.
âWell,â Changbin said with a grin, breaking the tension, âthat explains why heâs practically glued to you all the time.â
Han snickered and leaned closer to Hyunjin. âI bet Felix would combust if he heard this right now.â
âLet him sleep,â Chan said firmly but warmly. âHe deserves it after everything.â
As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, you glanced down at Felix again and couldnât help but smile softly. His presence was comfortingânot just for him but for you as well.
For now, you let him sleep peacefully against your chest while the others continued their playful banter around the room.
The dance studio was alive with energy, music blasting as the members rehearsed their choreography. You leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching them move in perfect synchronization. It was moments like these that reminded you why you worked so hard to protect themâthey were a team, a family, and you had become part of that dynamic.
You excused yourself to the bathroom, leaving them mid-discussion about a minor adjustment in their routine.Â
When you returned, the atmosphere in the room had shifted. The music had stopped, and the members were huddled together, their expressions tense and conflicted.
âDid something happen?â you asked as you stepped back into the room.
They turned toward you, startled by your sudden presence. Felixâs gaze dropped to the floor immediately, his shoulders slumping as though he couldnât bear to look at you. Chan cleared his throat awkwardly but didnât speak.
Hyunjin was the first to break the silence. âWe heard⊠about the reassignment,â he said cautiously.
You frowned. âReassignment?â
Seungmin nodded, his lips pressed into a thin line. âThereâs talk that you might be transferred to another artist.â
âBecause of how well you handled everything at the event,â Changbin added bitterly. âThey think youâre too good for us now.â
Your eyes widened in surprise as Jeongin muttered under his breath, âThey probably want him protecting someone bigger.â
Felix finally looked up, his expression more than disappointedâit was hurt. âAre you leaving us?â he asked softly, his voice trembling.
The room fell silent again, their gazes fixed on you as they waited for an answer. You could see it in their eyesâthe fear of losing someone they had come to rely on not just for protection but for support and care.
You chuckled lightly, breaking the tension in the room. Their confusion was immediate.
âWhatâs funny about this?â Han asked sharply, his brows furrowing.
You shook your head and stepped closer to them. âIâm not leaving,â you said firmly.
Felix blinked at you, his lips parting slightly in shock. âYouâre⊠staying?â
âIâm staying,â you repeated with a small smile. âI already told them I wasnât interested in being reassigned.â
âBut why?â Minho asked bluntly, his voice tinged with disbelief. âYou could have anyoneâany artistâunder your protection.â
You glanced around at themâtheir worried faces, their vulnerability laid bareâand felt warmth spread through your chest.Â
âBecause I donât want anyone else,â you admitted simply. âI want to stay hereâwith all of you.â Your gaze lingered on Felix just a little while longer.
The room erupted into a mix of relieved laughter and incredulous exclamations.
âYou scared us!â Hyunjin exclaimed dramatically, throwing his hands in the air.
âI thought we were going to lose our human shield,â Changbin teased with a grin.
Felix didnât say anything at first; instead, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around your waist tightly. His head rested against your chest as he whispered softly, âThank you.â
You returned the hug with one arm, careful not to strain your still-healing shoulder. âIâm not going anywhere,â you reassured him quietly.
As Felix pulled back reluctantly, Han smirked mischievously and nudged Hyunjin with his elbow. âSee? Told you Felix would combust if Jagae left.â
âShut up!â Felix snapped half-heartedly, his cheeks flushing pink as the others laughed.
Chan stepped forward then, his expression warm but serious. âWeâre glad youâre staying,â he said sincerely. âYouâve become part of this family.â
âAnd weâd be lost without you,â Seungmin added softly.
Jeongin nodded quickly in agreement before blurting out nervously, âFelix would definitely be lost without you.â
âJeongin!â Felix hissed in embarrassment as laughter filled the room again.
You shook your head fondly at their antics but felt your heart swell at their words. They werenât just teasingâthey were expressing how much they valued your presence and what it meant to have someone who cared about them beyond their roles as idols.
As rehearsal resumed and the music started up again, Felix stayed close by your side, occasionally glancing at you with an expression that spoke volumes even without words. You knew now that your decision to stay had been the right oneânot just for them but for yourself too.
The underground parking garage was suffocatingly quiet, the air damp and heavy as if it were holding its breath.Â
You stood near a concrete pillar, your posture relaxed but your senses razor-sharp. The faint hum of fluorescent lights above was punctuated by the distant drip of water echoing off the walls. You had spent weeks unraveling this web of sabotage and threats, tracing every clue back to the mastermind who had endangered Stray Kidsâand tonight, you would confront him. The person you've been suspicious and wary of this whole time.
Footsteps broke the silence, deliberate and slow, each one reverberating like a countdown.Â
You turned toward the sound, your eyes narrowing as a familiar figure emerged from the shadows. His stature was unmistakable, tall and imposing, but his smile gave him awayâthe unbearable smirk youâd seen countless times in meetings. It was the kind of smile that dripped with faux-innocence and sickening kindness, underlying with condescension and arrogance, but tonight it carried a flicker of unease.
âYouâve been busy,â he said smoothly, his voice calm but laced with bitterness.
You didnât respond immediately, letting the silence stretch as you studied him. His hand slipped into his coat pocket, and you tensed slightly but didnât moveâwaiting.
âYou know,â he continued, stepping closer, âyou couldâve avoided all this if youâd just taken the reassignment. I even recommended you for itâpersonally.â
Your jaw tightened as realization crystallized. âSo it was you,â you said evenly, your voice steady despite the anger simmering beneath it.
The smirk widened as he stopped a few feet away. âOf course it was me. Youâre too good at your jobâtoo inconvenient.â
âConvenient enough to protect them from you,â you shot back.
His expression darkened as he pulled out a small remote with a single red button on it. âYou think youâve won? This garage is rigged to collapse with one press of this button.â
You held his gaze steadily and replied without hesitation: âYouâre bluffing.â
âAm I?â His voice rose slightly as he pressed the button.
Click!
.
.
Click! CLICK! CLICK!
.
.
.
Nothing happened.
The smirk faltered as he pressed it againâand againâhis movements growing frantic. Panic flickered across his face as he realized his plan had failed.
âI disabled your charges an hour ago,â you said calmly, stepping closer. âYouâre predictable.â
His composure shattered completely as he lunged at you in desperation. But you were ready. Side-stepping easily, you grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back before slamming him against the pillar. The remote clattered to the ground.
âItâs over,â you growled into his ear as footsteps echoed through the garage.Â
Security officers swarmed in moments later, their weapons drawn.
He thrashed against your grip but couldnât break free.Â
âYouâll regret this!â he spat as they cuffed him and began dragging him away.
As they hauled him off into custody, you called out after him: âGoodbye, Ji-hoon.âÂ
Your voice was steady but laced with finalityâa dismissal that echoed through the garage like a closing door.
Back at Stray Kidsâ dorms later that night, relief washed over you as soon as you stepped inside. The tension from earlier lingered in your chest, but seeing their familiar faces eased some of the weight pressing down on you.
Felix was the first to rush toward you, his eyes wide with worry. âAre you okay?â he asked breathlessly, scanning you for any sign of injury.
âIâm fine,â you assured him with a small smile.
The others quickly gathered around, their voices overlapping in a barrage of questions about what had happened.
âItâs over,â you said simply once they quieted down. âJi-hoon has been arrested.â
Chan let out a long breath he hadnât realized heâd been holding. âThank God,â he muttered.
Hyunjin frowned slightly and crossed his arms. âYou couldâve told us what you were doing.â
âAnd let you worry more than you already do?â You teased lightly before glancing at Felix, who hadnât left your side since you walked in.
Felixâs gaze lingered on yours for a moment before he spoke softly: âI thought⊠I thought I- we might lose you.â
âYou wonât lose me,â you replied firmly, stepping closer to him.
The room fell silent as Felixâs eyes searched yours for reassuranceâand then something shifted between you both. Without thinking too much about itâwithout giving yourself time to second-guessâyou leaned down and pressed your lips gently against his.
For a moment, Felix froze in shock before melting into the kiss, his hands tentatively resting on your chest as if afraid to hold on too tightly. When you pulled back slightly, his cheeks were flushed, and his lips parted in disbelief.
âYou⊠You knew?â he stammered softly.
âI knew,â you admitted with a small smile. âAnd I feel the same way.â
Felix blinked rapidly as tears welled up in his eyesânot from sadness but from overwhelming relief and happiness. He threw his arms around your neck then, burying his face against your shoulder as he whispered shakily: âI didnât think⊠I didnât think youâd ever feel that way about me.â
Before either of you could say more, Hanâs voice broke through: âWell that escalated quickly!â
Hyunjin snorted loudly while Changbin grinned mischievously from across the room.Â
âFelix finally confessed without confessing!â
âShut up!â Felix snapped half-heartedly against your shoulder before pulling back slightly to glare at themâbut his flushed cheeks betrayed how flustered he truly was.
âYouâre lucky Jagae feels the same way,â Minho added dryly with a smirk.
Jeongin chimed in nervously: âWe all knew anywayâŠâ
âWaitâyou all knew?â Felix asked incredulously, whipping around to face them while still clinging to your arm.
Seungmin shrugged nonchalantly but couldnât hide his grin. âIt was obvious.â
As laughter filled the room again and Felix buried his face against your chest in embarrassment, Chan stepped forward with a warm smile and clapped your shoulder lightly. âWelcome backâfor real this time.â
You glanced down at Felix once more before wrapping an arm around him protectively and letting yourself relax for what felt like the first time in weeks. For nowâfor tonightâyou were exactly where you were meant to be: by their side⊠by his side.
That's the end! I stay up pretty late writing, so if there any inconsistencies are in the story, I apologize!
Part one, Part two
Love you, darling!
When tumblr refreshes itself and the fic I was reading fucking disappears forever đ
Iâve been searching for a smau I was reading for three days đ