twin cowboys ⇄ yungi ʚɞ song mingi x f!reader x jeong yunho your sorority chose to spend spring break in nashville this year and you couldn’t wait to finally go out to bars with your sisters. it was your second night out on the broadway strip and the only thing on your mind was having a good time – who are mingi and yunho to stop you?
w. smut 18+ minors dni porn with a lil' plot, dom/sub dynamics wc. ~9k
Chapter 1 👇
Hello,
Thank you dear supporters for all the help you are giving to the people of Gaza 🇵🇸 in this difficult time. I am a mother of three children who are paying a lot of their childhood and innocence in this unjust war.
In this war I lost my mother, father, brothers and sisters I lost my entire family I am lost without them. 💔 😥😥😓Please do everything you can to help me save my family until the war ends.
Despite the suffering and hardships of this fierce war, your support and help relieve us and give us strength and patience. 🙏 Your contribution keeps the whole family safe, that is why I ask you to donate whatever you can or at least share my link so that other donors can know my tragedy and pain. 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸
https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-help-doaa-family-escape-the-gaza-war
please please donate to their go fund me!! if you can’t, please share this so they can get the help they need
nobody talks about how ironic it feels to work in the hospital during the holidays, particularly christmas.
in any other establishment that is open, be it a restaurant, cafe, retail store or convenience mart, employees are greeted kindly with festive cheer–warm wishes and sincere smiles from one stranger to another. but nobody walks into the hospital on christmas with laughter and gratitude for the assistance of the doctors and nurses, because nobody wants to be at the hospital.
nobody plans to spend the day there, either.
where white embodies the nature of christmas itself–joy, celebration, festivity, snow–it changes the moment you step through the sliding glass doors of the hospital’s entrance. white is the sterile and detached appearance of the tiled floors and coated walls. it is the bedsheets and linen of the ward beds which fall short of mimicking home. it is the authoritative coats of the doctors who are the arbiters between life and death; the very same coat that jongho currently wears over his scrubs.
Pairing: Hongjoong x reader, Seonghwa x reader, Yunho x reader, Mingi x reader, Wooyoung x reader.
Summary: Five eight-year-old boys aboard the slave ship Crimson Serpent form an unbreakable bond with five-year-old y/n. before she's sold at auction. Despite their failed rescue attempt, they swear a blood oath on her teddy bear to find her.Fifteen years later, now feared pirates leading the ATEEZ
Warnings: Slavery/Human Trafficking, Separation/Loss, Violence, Eventual Smut. SA(not by any main characters) y/n gets switched to a real name but it has a purpose. More warnings to be updated.
Chapter 7: Intersections ‼️updated w/ reunion
Chapter 10: Reconnections coming soon!
Chapter 11: Silent Language coming soon!
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MINORS AND AGELESS BLOGS WILL BE BLOCKED IF SEEN INTERACTING WITH ANY OF THIS SERIES, LIKES INCLUDED!
Pairing: Poly 0t8 Ateez x fem reader AU: Mafia/detective Genre: action, romance, thriller? Ongoing Word Count: 3,507 Summary: After 3 months since agreeing to join them fully, you had buried yourself into work to make up for how less you have been feeling since the traumatic incident. However, crime does not stop so you can properly heal, nor is it a burden you have to face alone. Eight is now nine, a lesson to be learned while also fighting for everything you believe in, and learning to believe in something new. General Warnings: 18+, member x member smut content and side ships, poly dynamics, lots of gay, kidnapping, killing minor characters, some members showing sadistic sides. Reader is recovering from a huge trauma so there will be light triggers, panic attacks, etc. General dark themes like stalking, killing, kidnapping, cnc, blood play, and a criminal world that condones human trafficking, r@pe, child slavery, and more. Smut warnings on the chapters that have them. About "Reader": For the sake of the story Reader is physically fit and professionally trained as a detective. There are some personality traits that are more based on the backstory of reader and so forth so I understand that it isn't entirely "reader insert". I try to avoid using y/n completely, thus the pet names. Reader is Fem for plot purposes however, reader's height, skin, weight, hair and eye color are left as vague as possible so you may picture her as yourself. Otherwise you can read it like an oc and picture your version of a femme fatale badass. Author's Note: I would like to note that the city this all takes place in is fictional, same with the country. Like Gotham or something similar. I know nothing about being a detective or undercover work aside from what i've seen in dramas. The world, characters, and actions are completely fictional and do not reflect on any of the idols used in this fic! edited in: All idols are aged up to be in their later twenties to early thirties for the time period to make sense (they didnt just become this influential after a few years but a decade). There will also be chapters that are backstory and will most likely be before MC arrived. Banner and dividers made by me! Beta readers include: @bunnliix , @adelusionforyourthoughts, and @yourfatherlucifer for all chapters. For any additional betas will be tagged in the chapters! Networks are first tags <3
Pairing: Hongjoong x reader, Seonghwa x reader, Yunho x reader, Mingi x reader, Wooyoung x reader.
Summary: Five eight-year-old boys aboard the slave ship Crimson Serpent form an unbreakable bond with five-year-old y/n. before she's sold at auction. Despite their failed rescue attempt, they swear a blood oath on her teddy bear to find her.Fifteen years later, now feared pirates leading the ATEEZ
Warnings: Slavery/Human Trafficking, Separation/Loss, Violence, Eventual Smut. SA(not by any main characters) y/n gets switched to a real name but it has a purpose. More warnings to be updated.
Chapter 4: Echoes of Memory coming soon!
Chapter 5: Echoes and Whispers coming soon!
Chapter 6: Reflections and Recognition coming soon!
pairing(s): ATEEZ OT8 x Fem!Reader
series summary: Your entire life has been dedicated to one thing: the ballet. For decades, you’ve trained, lived, and breathed for ballet, hoping one day you’d be the star prima ballerina for the Cromer Opera House. Despite the shady politics of patrons and the daily strife of a disapproving choreographer, you were determined to rise to stardom by your own talent. When 8 mysterious bachelors arrive to town and fall for your charms, will you be able to reach your goal or be dragged into a selfish waltz between love and obsession?
OR – mafia ateez will do anything to keep the independent ballerina who aches for the spotlight by their side. anything.
warnings/tags: Inspired by Ateez’s Ice on my Teeth MV & Teasers, Mafia AU, Ballet AU, early 1900’s AU with some divergences in advancements (i.e if i think itd be cool to include, this world has it earlier than irl), 3rd person POV, use of YN, mxm, polyteez, mature topics, strong language, ballet lore, angst, fluff, suggestive topics, violence, unequal power dynamics, allusions to exploitation in ballet, injuries, smoking, more tags to be added.
word count: ~80k written; ongoing
part 1 - brisé. (posted 11/20/2024) part 2 - fondu. (posted 12/6/2024) part 3 - emboîté. (posted 12/30/2024) part 4 - piqué. (posted 1/30/2025) part 5 - aplomb. (pt. 1) (pt. 2) (posted 3/7/2025) part 6 - ???
MINORS AND AGELESS BLOGS WILL BE BLOCKED IF SEEN INTERACTING WITH ANY OF THIS SERIES, LIKES INCLUDED!
Pairing: Poly 0t8 Ateez x fem reader AU: Mafia/detective Genre: action, romance, thriller? Ongoing Word Count: --- Summary: After 3 months since agreeing to join them fully, you had buried yourself into work to make up for how less you have been feeling since the traumatic incident. However, crime does not stop so you can properly heal, nor is it a burden you have to face alone. Eight is now nine, a lesson to be learned while also fighting for everything you believe in, and learning to believe in something new. General Warnings: 18+, member x member smut content and side ships, poly dynamics, lots of gay, kidnapping, killing minor characters, some members showing sadistic sides. Reader is recovering from a huge trauma so there will be light triggers, panic attacks, etc. General dark themes like stalking, killing, kidnapping, cnc, blood play, and a criminal world that condones human trafficking, r@pe, child slavery, and more. Smut warnings on the chapters that have them. About "Reader": For the sake of the story Reader is physically fit and professionally trained as a detective. There are some personality traits that are more based on the backstory of reader and so forth so I understand that it isn't entirely "reader insert". I try to avoid using y/n completely, thus the pet names. Reader is Fem for plot purposes however, reader's height, skin, weight, hair and eye color are left as vague as possible so you may picture her as yourself. Otherwise you can read it like an oc and picture your version of a femme fatale badass. Author's Note: I would like to note that the city this all takes place in is fictional, same with the country. Like Gotham or something similar. I know nothing about being a detective or undercover work aside from what i've seen in dramas. The world, characters, and actions are completely fictional and do not reflect on any of the idols used in this fic! edited in: All idols are aged up to be in their later twenties to early thirties for the time period to make sense (they didnt just become this influential after a few years but a decade). There will also be chapters that are backstory and will most likely be before MC arrived. Banner and dividers made by me! Beta readers include: @bunnliix , @adelusionforyourthoughts, and @yourfatherlucifer for all chapters. For any additional betas will be tagged in the chapters! Networks are first tags <3
the lamb and the wolf — park seonghwa
in which all he wanted was someone to love in his dark, lonely world… and then you came along.
hades!park seonghwa x fem!reader. genre. strangers to lovers. fluff. smut. warnings. he’s literally obsessed with mc, ankle injury, alcohol consumption, mention of cannibalism as a metaphor for love but it’s not really explicit, mc is described as innocent, explicit sexual content mdni, oral (f. receiving), unprotected, soft dom!hwa, big dick!hwa, praise, creampie. wc. 7.2k. rating. mature.
lilo’s notes. i’ve been working on this for two-ish months and i’m so happy to finally share it. writing this was fun, i love writing men infatuated with their lovers <33 the letter he reads does not belong to me and comes from “Albert Camus, María Casares. Correspondence (1944-1959)” which is a collection of love letters sent between camus and casares. this particular one is letter #95.
listening to. from persephone, kiki rockwell // sunlight, hozier // liquid smooth, mitski // cinnamon girl, lana del rey // nothing’s gonna hurt you baby, cigarettes after sex
masterlist.
the realm of the dead was terribly dark and cold and, as the name would suggest, barren of life. for seonghwa, the ruler of the underworld who had spent thousands of years in the realm, this hadn’t been a problem before. yet, he couldn’t deny the temptation of the distant sounds of chirping birds and gentle breezes humming through the air above.
pairing: king elf choi san X human!reader
genre: fantasy, smut, slow burn, dark romance, supernatural, royalty, forbidden desire
word count: 11,6k (42 minutes)
warnings: Graphic depictions of violence, blood and injury, dark themes (including fear and death), morally gray characters, power imbalances, explicit language, eventual explicit content (smut), themes of captivity, slow trust-building, mentions of magic and curses, and emotionally intense scenes.
A/n: Hey everyone! I’m so sorry it’s been such a long time since I last posted—I’ve been swamped with school and barely had time to write anything. Recently, I rewatched The Lord of the Rings, and it completely inspired me to create a story with a similar vibe. I hope you’ll love this twisty, magical world as much as I enjoyed writing it. Let me know what you think! 💗
Your village sat on the edge of a dark forest, a place where sunlight rarely touched the ground. It was a simple life, full of chores and quiet days. People often told stories of the forest—how it was sacred, forbidden, alive in ways no one could explain. But you never believed those stories. To you, they were just warnings to scare children, until the night the creatures came. They arrived without sound, like shadows in the dark. Their glowing eyes and twisted forms were unlike anything you had ever seen. They destroyed homes, set fires, and dragged people screaming into the night. Your family begged you to run, to leave them behind and save yourself. You didn’t want to go. But when you saw one of the creatures tear through your neighbor’s door, you had no choice.
So you ran
pairing: ateez x fox fm reader
genre: mystery, thriller, adventure
warnings: violence, dark themes, Psychological Trauma, Psychological Stress, blood and gore, Physical Danger, Suffering, Emotional Growth, Trauma,
summary: (y/n) has been on the run her whole life. She is accompanied by the spirit of a fox, which was placed in her mind by a witch. Over the years, she has learned to work alongside the fox, but the trauma of her youth runs deep. Because of this, she is wary and trusts no one. One day, eight men walk toward the village; her instincts tell her that they are here for her. Can these men earn (y/n)'s trust and pull her out of the darkness while they search for the treasure, where (y/n) turns out to be a key player in ways they never expected?
xxx Ziezo
chapter 10: Whispers of the Swamp
The morning sun slowly broke through the trees as the scent of the burning fireplace spread through the cabin. The men sat gathered around the wooden table, where Hongjoong and Seonghwa were further explaining the plan. The atmosphere had become more serious now that they knew they had to face the swamp today. It was a necessary obstacle on their journey to the treasure, but also one of the most dangerous parts of their quest.
Seonghwa leaned forward and unrolled a map across the table. The edges were curled, and the paper was old, but the markings and routes were clearly visible. His fingers traced the lines as he explained:
"This is the entrance to the swamp. We need to be careful here because the ground can be unpredictable. Some parts are covered in grass, but underneath lies quicksand. The paths we have to follow are narrow, and we can’t cross all at once."
(y/n) listened intently, her gaze slowly moving over the map. Her fingers clutched the edge of her sleeve as her thoughts wandered. So they knew about the snakes and the dangers of the swamp’s terrain... but did they know what really lurked within the swamp? She had her doubts.
The swamp was no ordinary place. There were things you couldn’t always see but could definitely feel. Shadows that seemed to move in the water, whispers carried by the wind.
Still, she said nothing. She didn’t look up, didn’t speak a warning. If she said something, they would ask more questions. And the fewer questions, the better.
Hongjoong looked around and saw that everyone was beginning to grasp the gravity of the situation.
"We leave in an hour," he said firmly. "Prepare yourselves, bring only what is truly necessary. Anything too heavy stays behind in the cabin."
The men nodded and began getting ready. Weapons were checked, water bottles filled, and knives sharpened. The atmosphere was a mix of tension and excitement, as it always was when they ventured into unknown territory.
(y/n) remained in the cabin while the others prepared. She looked through the small window at the swamp in the distance. The trees were denser there, the air always seemed slightly misty, as if the swamp wanted to hide itself from the outside world.
When she finally turned around, Wooyoung was standing in the doorway with a crooked grin on his face.
"Don’t look so worried, little fox," he teased. "Just stay in our tracks. We’ll make sure you don’t sink into the swamp."
(y/n) rolled her eyes but said nothing. In the back of her mind, one thought kept circling: I hope you all know what you’re getting into...
With their gear packed and their group assembled, they left the cabin and set off toward the swamp. The ground quickly became softer beneath their feet, and the scent of rotting wood and damp earth filled their noses.
The group stood at the edge of the swamp, where solid ground slowly gave way to a desolate, marshy plain. The heavy scent of decaying wood and damp earth lingered in the air. (y/n) looked at the muddy ground, at the half-rotten trees that jutted out of the water like blackened fingers. A deep, uneasy feeling settled in her stomach—she was unconsciously worried about herself, but strangely enough, also about the men.
"Stay close together," said Hongjoong as he tightened his belt and looked at the group sternly. "We can’t afford to lose anyone."
Seonghwa and Hongjoong led the way, followed by Mingi and Yunho, who kept track of the map and compasses. Jongho walked slightly behind them, gripping his axe firmly. Wooyoung and San stayed in the middle, their eyes constantly scanning for unexpected movement. Yeosang took the rear, with (y/n) silently walking beside him.
The first few meters went smoothly. The ground was firm enough, and the vegetation wasn’t as dense as they had feared. But the further they went, the more suffocating the air felt. Dead birds lay in the mud every few meters, slowly sinking down.
"I don’t know if I’m imagining it, but I feel like I’m being watched," muttered Wooyoung, his gaze sweeping over the swamp.
"You’re not the only one," Seonghwa answered softly.
At that moment, a faint rustling sound came from beside Yunho. He stopped abruptly and looked down. Between the roots of a thick swamp tree, a sleek black body slithered through the mud. A snake, at least a meter long, slowly coiled its way forward. Yunho carefully stepped back.
"Stay calm," said Yeosang. "If we don’t provoke them, they’ll leave us alone."
But before he could finish his sentence, another snake shot out from the bushes. And another. Within seconds, three, four, maybe even five snakes were moving around them, their bodies glistening against the damp ground.
"Fantastic," Mingi muttered. "We’re surrounded."
(y/n) felt her breath catch.
But just as quickly as the snakes had appeared, they vanished again. As if they had made their point. Yet the suffocating atmosphere remained.
"We need to keep moving," Hongjoong said. "No stopping, no straying."
They pressed on, but the longer they walked through the swamp, the more (y/n) felt that something was off. The air was thick, the sounds... unnatural. She glanced at one of the swamp trees. The bark seemed to move as if something was crawling beneath it.
She was about to say something when San suddenly stopped.
"Did you hear that?" he asked sharply.
Everyone froze. Their ears strained to pick up the sound that seemed to drift around them.
Breathing. Slow, steady breathing, as if something... or someone... was standing close by.
Seonghwa and Hongjoong exchanged a quick glance. Jongho gripped his axe tighter.
"Please tell me that’s just the wind," whispered Wooyoung, glancing around nervously.
(y/n) felt a cold shiver run down her spine.
The group stood frozen, their breathing nearly in sync with the strange, slow inhale and exhale from the swamp’s darkness. The silence pressed down on them like a weight. No one moved, no one dared to speak.
(y/n) felt her heart pounding against her ribs. This wasn’t just a dangerous place with venomous snakes and treacherous swamp ground. This swamp had awareness. It sensed them, observed them. And it seemed... curious.
Seonghwa was the first to recover. He looked at Hongjoong and gave a short nod. They had to keep going.
"Keep moving," Hongjoong whispered. "Don’t stop, don’t look back."
They followed the narrow path further, stepping carefully to avoid sinking into the soggy ground. The trees seemed closer together than before. Their branches formed eerie shadows that shifted in the mist, as if they had arms reaching for them.
Jongho kept a firm grip on his axe, his gaze constantly darting from left to right. Yeosang walked silently at the back, his eyes focused on the muddy tracks they left behind.
After a while, Yunho suddenly stopped and looked at the map in his hands.
"Wait… this doesn’t make sense."
Mingi, who nearly bumped into him, gave him a questioning look. "What do you mean?"
Yunho held up the map. "We should have reached an open area by now, a small island with solid grassland, but…" He gestured ahead.
There was nothing but more swamp. No clearing, no grassland—just a dark, marshy passage between the trees.
"Maybe we took a wrong turn?" Yeosang suggested.
Seonghwa slowly shook his head. "No, I followed the compass correctly. We should have arrived there."
A heavy silence fell over them.
(y/n) swallowed. "It’s changing," she whispered, barely audible.
Yunho frowned at her. "What do you mean?"
(y/n) looked around. The trees… were closer than before. The air felt thicker, heavier. As if the swamp was slowly pulling them in.
"This swamp isn’t just a place," she said softly. "It’s alive. And it’s changing."
A nervous shudder went through the group.
"Let’s keep going," Hongjoong said, his voice calm but firm. "We need to find a way out."
But just as Jongho took a step forward—THUD!
His foot disappeared into the ground.
"Shit!" he shouted, trying to pull himself out. But the harder he pulled, the deeper he seemed to sink.
"Jongho!" Mingi yelled, immediately lunging forward to grab him.
But then it happened.
The ground beneath them began to move.
Bubbles of thick, foul-smelling air escaped from the mud, and a layer of black substance slowly started to rise.
"Grab him!" Yeosang shouted, and without hesitation, Seonghwa and Hongjoong also reached for Jongho's arms.
(y/n) took a step back, her eyes wide.
Mingi, Seonghwa, and Hongjoong pulled with all their strength, but it felt as if something was holding Jongho back, as if something beneath the mud refused to let him go.
Jongho's face twisted with effort. "It's... it's not just mud!" he cried out.
His words sent a cold shiver down (y/n)'s spine.
"What do you feel?" Yunho asked tensely.
Jongho looked at him with fear in his eyes. "Something is moving beneath me."
At that moment, the black mud bubbled more violently, and for a fraction of a second, it looked like a hand—no, a claw—surfaced through the sludge.
San and Wooyoung sprang forward, Wooyoung shouting, "We pull him out on three!"
They counted.
"One—"
The swamp growled.
"Two—"
An eerie silence fell.
"Three!"
With enormous effort, they yanked Jongho out of the mud—just in time to see the spot where he had been stuck... close itself.
No hole. No trace. As if the monster beneath the sludge had never been there.
They stared at it, panting, their bodies full of adrenaline.
(y/n) took a deep breath and briefly closed her eyes. The smell of the swamp was heavy—wet wood, decay, and a nearly invisible hint of sulfur.
But beneath it, there was something else, something she could sense before she could smell it. The movement of the air, the subtle change in temperature. The swamp was shifting, forming new paths as they hesitated.
"We have to keep moving," she murmured.
Her voice was softer, her focus elsewhere. Her feet moved almost automatically, with a lightness that did not match her shaky body.
Seonghwa noticed it first. "She's moving differently," he said softly to Hongjoong.
"Yeah," Hongjoong whispered back. "Her posture is changing."
The men followed her, though with some suspicion. Wooyoung glanced at Yunho, who only shrugged. Mingi gripped his weapon a little tighter and remained alert. Even Yeosang, who usually stayed calm, kept his gaze sharply fixed on (y/n).
(y/n) kept walking, her feet instinctively finding the firmer ground where her boots wouldn’t sink into the mud up to her ankles. She moved with a fluidity that contradicted the clumsy fall she had taken earlier that morning.
"This is weird," Jongho muttered.
"And yet, it's working," Seonghwa replied.
The path ahead looked just as treacherous as the rest of the swamp—the same dark water pools, the same tendrils of mist curling around their ankles. But every time (y/n) took a step, nothing happened. No quicksand, no sudden movement in the water.
"What are you doing?" Hongjoong finally asked.
(y/n) looked at him, her eyes still focused on the path ahead. "I'm listening."
"Listening to what?" Wooyoung asked skeptically.
She paused and glanced around. The men saw her nose twitch slightly, as if she were tasting the air. "To the swamp."
No one spoke. The only sounds were their breathing and the soft sucking noise of mud beneath their feet.
"So you can feel where it’s safe?" Yeosang asked, his tone not mocking but observant.
(y/n) nodded slowly.¨Something like that¨.
The men exchanged glances. They had no reason to trust her, but at this moment, they had even less reason to doubt her.
"Keep going," Hongjoong finally said.
(y/n) nodded and stepped forward. Her feet found the right path, while behind her, the group followed with a mix of distrust and fascination.
But the further they went, the colder the air became. The mist thickened. And somewhere in the distance, a sound echoed—something that let them know they were not alone in the swamp.
(y/n)’s head shot up, her stance more alert than ever. And then they saw it—a flash in her eyes, a brief moment where the light inside them flickered like moonlight reflecting on water.
Seonghwa noticed it first and sucked in a sharp breath. "Did you see that?" he whispered.
"Yeah," Hongjoong answered, his voice wary.
It was still (y/n), the girl they had gotten to know, the one they had slowly tried to understand. But something in her had changed. She moved differently, her gaze sharper, her back straighter. Not quite the fox they had seen with the hunters, but something in between.
"The fox feels it too," Yunho said softly.
Wooyoung watched her with narrowed eyes. He recognized the rhythm of her breathing, the tension in her shoulders. The fox was there, but she was still (y/n)...
She continued forward, even more alert than before. Every step was deliberate, every movement guided by an instinct the men did not possess.
Ahead of them, bubbles rose to the swamp’s surface—small and seemingly harmless at first. They popped, releasing a thin haze of gas that crept over the ground. The smell was strong, heavy, sharp enough to sting their noses.
(y/n) turned around immediately. "Cover your mouth and nose. Don’t breathe it in!" Her voice was firm, leaving no room for hesitation.
The men obeyed without question. Seonghwa quickly pulled a cloth from his bag and held it over his face, Hongjoong did the same. Wooyoung lifted the collar of his shirt, and Seonghwa handed Yunho a piece of fabric.
"What is this?" Jongho asked in a muffled voice.
"Swamp gas," (y/n) answered, pulling her sleeve over her mouth. "Some parts of the swamp are full of sulfur. This gas is slightly toxic—it makes you dizzy, sluggish. If you inhale too much..."
She didn’t finish her sentence. She didn’t need to.
Mingi frowned at the bubbling water. "How do we get past this?"
(y/n) scanned the area. The bubbles were spread across a wide zone, some larger than others. There was no direct path around them.
"We have to walk slowly, disturb the ground as little as possible," she said. "No sudden movements, no running. If we let too much gas rise, it could surround us."
Hongjoong nodded and looked at the rest. "You heard her. Move carefully and stay focused."
They took their first steps into the gas-covered zone. The misty haze hovered just above the ground, slow and menacing. Every step felt like a gamble.
The group moved cautiously through the swamp. Every step had to be controlled, every motion calculated. The air was thick, filled with the sulfurous scent of the gas. It felt as if the swamp was suffocating them, as if it wanted to swallow them whole.
(y/n)’s eyes darted left and right, searching for the safest path. The men followed her closely, fully aware of the danger surrounding them.
Mingi, who was walking at the back, stepped wrong. His foot sank deeper into the marshy ground than expected, and in reflex, he tried to regain his balance—but the movement was too abrupt.
A series of larger bubbles burst open.
The gas shot up in a thick, dark cloud. A sudden, choking stench filled the air.
"No!" (y/n) shouted.
She moved before anyone else could react.
With a speed the men had only seen when the fox had taken over, she lunged forward. In a split second, she reached Mingi and shoved him aside with brute force.
Mingi stumbled backward, out of the danger zone. But (y/n)—
(y/n) was enveloped by the rising gas.
She gasped.
The world tilted.
It burned in her lungs, as if fire was searing her throat shut. Her legs suddenly felt heavy, her head spun. The ground seemed to ripple, as if the swamp was truly trying to consume her.
"(y/n)!" Yunho shouted in shock.
Wooyoung and San started to rush toward her, but Seonghwa threw out his arm.
"No! Wait!"
They were powerless.
(y/n) staggered on her feet, her knees buckling. Her eyes looked dull as she raised a hand to her head. The fox inside her roared.
"Stupid child! Why are you so reckless?! I can’t do anything if you poison us!"
The sound pounded in her head, as if the fox was trying to break free.
The men exchanged glances, panic in their eyes. They had to get her out of there, but how, without disturbing the gas further?
(y/n)’s breathing became shallower. Her vision blurred.
She felt arms around her. Warm, firm.
"I’ve got her!"
It was Wooyoung.
He lifted her and rushed out of the danger zone, while San and Yunho helped keep the gas from spreading further.
(y/n) felt the world around her fade, her consciousness slipping. The last thing she heard was the worried voices of the men around her—and the nervous, weak voice of the fox in her mind.
"Stay awake, child… You have to stay awake."
"Go... to the island..." (y/n)’s voice was weak, her lips barely moving.
Wooyoung held her tightly, her body feeling lighter than usual, as if her strength was drifting between reality and illusion. His grip tightened when he felt her tremble slightly.
"What island?" Hongjoong asked sharply, looking around. "Do you see an island?"
"Grass... plain..." (y/n) mumbled.
She tried to lift her head, but her neck felt like lead. Her vision was hazy—dark, distorted. The trees seemed to stretch like claws, the shadows moved in unnatural ways. The scent of the gas lingered deep in her lungs, as if it had settled into her blood.
The men hesitated.
"She’s hallucinating," Seonghwa noted, his gaze worried.
"Maybe not entirely," Yunho said, stepping closer and studying her face. Her eyes had a greyish glace over them, but they didn't seem completely unfocused. "If the swamp is really alive like she says, maybe she knows it better than we do."
San nodded. "Let’s follow her instruction. She hasn’t led us wrong yet."
But Wooyoung was less convinced. He could feel her breathing growing heavier, her body weaker.
"(y/n)," he said, his voice softer, almost pleading. "Stay with me. You have to stay with me."
Her eyes met his. "I’m trying..."
But the world around her tilted again.
Suddenly, she heard something—voices. Whispering, threatening.
"You don’t belong here."
(y/n)’s breath hitched. Her fingers clenched around Wooyoung’s jacket.
The trees moved. No... not the trees. Figures. Tall, shadowy figures. They stood in the mist, just out of reach, whispering with voices that sounded like her mother’s.
"You are a weapon, nothing more."
Her heart pounded in her chest.
"No," she murmured.
Wooyoung startled. "What’s wrong?"
She barely heard him. The voices around her grew louder. The shadows crept closer.
She knew these voices. Memories forced their way in.
A cold room. Rough hands. Pain. The smell of smoke and herbs that made her head spin.
"Stop," she whispered.
"(y/n)!" Wooyoung shook her slightly, but she seemed trapped in something he couldn’t pull her out of.
"We need to hurry," Hongjoong said. "She’s going to get stuck if we leave her here."
Seonghwa looked around and spotted a slightly elevated, grassy hill in the swamp. "There! That must be the island she was talking about!"
"Hold on, (y/n)," Wooyoung whispered, gripping her tighter as the group rushed toward the safe spot.
But in (y/n)’s mind, the voices weren’t done with her.
And deep inside, in a corner of her consciousness, the fox tried to shake her awake.
"Keep fighting, (y/n)… Stay with them…"
The men stormed through the muddy swamp, the sludge sucking at their boots as they hurried toward the grassland Seonghwa had pointed out. The mist coiled around them like a cold veil, but something felt… different. The threat that had pressed against their skin earlier seemed to fade.
One by one, they stepped onto the solid ground of the island, their breathing heavy from exertion. But none of them felt relief.
Because (y/n) lay motionless in Wooyoung’s arms.
Her chest still rose and fell, but her breathing was shallow. Her skin, usually warm with a faint glow, felt cold. Her eyes moved rapidly behind closed lids, as if she were somewhere far away—trapped.
Mingi stood frozen, his breath unsteady. His hands clenched into fists.
"This is my fault," he muttered, barely audible.
The group looked up.
"Mingi…" Yunho began, but Mingi shook his head, his gaze fixed on (y/n).
"No. She… She pushed me out of the way. I should’ve dodged that gas cloud, but I was too slow. And now—now she’s the one suffering for it."
His voice nearly broke.
"She’s still breathing," Seonghwa said, trying to keep control of the situation. "But we don’t know what she’s seeing."
"We have to wake her up," Hongjoong said. "We can’t just wait."
But Wooyoung held her tighter, his jaw clenched.
"You think it’s that easy?" He looked up, furious. "You saw her. She’s somewhere else. You can’t just call her name and expect her to come back."
"Then what?!" San shouted, frustrated. "We can’t just let her drown in her own mind!"
Silence fell.
Wooyoung looked at her face. Her lips moved slightly, as if speaking to someone.
Mingi took a deep breath, knelt beside them, and placed a hand on (y/n)’s arm. His large hand completely covered her thin, fragile arm.
"(y/n)…?"
But she didn’t respond. Her breathing even quickened.
In her mind, it echoed again.
"You don’t belong here.""You are nothing without the fox."
Shadows moved around her, tall figures with hollow eyes. Her body felt small, trapped in the darkness she knew too well.
A cold voice whispered in her ear.
"Why do you keep fighting? Do you really think they want you?"
Her heart pounded. Her throat felt tight.
"They only want you because you’re useful. Just like they did. Just like they made you."
No. No, that wasn’t true.
In the distance, she heard her name.
Her fingers twitched slightly.
Mingi leaned in closer, his voice firmer, pleading. "(y/n)! Come back!"
She let out a faint groan. Her eyebrows furrowed.
But the shadows in her mind laughed.
"They will never trust you. You are a weapon. You will always be a weapon."
The girl gasped. Her whole body tensed.
Wooyoung felt it instantly. "No, no, no, stay here, little fox—"
But she started trembling violently in his arms.
The group watched in shock.
Hongjoong cursed. "This is going wrong."
Yunho looked at Mingi, who looked devastated. "We’re going to lose her if we don’t do something."
Seonghwa nodded slowly. "Then we have to make sure she wants to come back."
Wooyoung squeezed her hand, his voice urgent.
"Listen, (y/n). I don’t know what you’re seeing. But here—here, you’re safe. We’re not leaving you, do you hear me?"
His voice trembled, his grip stayed firm.
A raw, animalistic scream cut through the silence.
The girl´s body jolted upright, her breathing heavy and erratic. Her eyes were wide open, but they weren’t really seeing the men in front of her. She was here… and yet somewhere else at the same time.
Wooyoung, still holding onto her, felt how tense her muscles were, as if she might either flee or attack at any moment.
"(y/n)?" he tried carefully.
But (y/n)’s gaze darted from him to Hongjoong, to San, to Mingi—and then back again. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her entire posture screaming panic.
Before her, two worlds blended into one.
The men stood there, but behind them, she saw the shadows from her hallucinations. Tall, distorted figures staring at her with empty eyes. She could hear the giggling, the whispers in her head.
"They're not real," whispered the fox in the back of her mind. "Focus."
But that was easier said than done.
Seonghwa noticed it first. "She’s not here yet," he said softly. "She’s seeing something we can’t see."
Hongjoong nodded slowly.
(y/n) began to back away, her hands in the grass, her body tense like a coiled spring.
San raised his hands, his voice low and calm. "Breathe, (y/n). You’re here. You’re safe."
But that was the problem.
She didn’t know what safe was anymore.
Her breathing quickened even more. Her gaze snapped to Mingi.
Mingi felt a chill settle in his stomach. She was looking at him. She remembered exactly what had happened.
"(y/n)," he said softly. "I… I’m sorry."
A shudder ran through her.
Reality started to seep back in, little by little. But the voices in her head still laughed.
"They only want you because you're useful." "They’ll drop you the moment you’re weak."
She squeezed her eyes shut, pressing her hands against her ears as if trying to block them out.
But Wooyoung grasped her wrist. Not harshly, not forcefully—just firmly enough to catch her attention.
"We’re here," he said gently. "I’m here."
His voice was warm, steady.
(y/n)’s body stiffened. Her eyes locked onto him. His dark gaze, filled with something her mind couldn’t quite place or understand.
Genuine concern.
He wasn’t lying.
The voices still tried to convince her otherwise. But… maybe.
Maybe she should try to listen.
Slowly, very slowly, she took a deep breath.
The world around her remained blurry, her head heavy with hallucinations, but the swamp began to fade from her sight.
(y/n)’s breathing slowed, becoming more even. The fog in her mind started to recede, and the distorted shadows from her visions disappeared into nothingness. Her heart still pounded in her chest, but the suffocating fear gripping her began to loosen.
When she opened her eyes, the eight men were still standing around her. They looked at her with concerned expressions—some cautious, others openly worried.
Wooyoung was still right beside her, his hand around her wrist, as if afraid she’d slip away again. His expression softened slightly when he saw that her eyes were finally clear.
"(y/n)?" Seonghwa asked gently.
She blinked, let her shoulders relax, and took a deep breath. Her body still felt weak, and her head spun a little, but… she was here.
"I’m okay," she rasped.
Yunho was the first to let out a relieved sigh. "Thank god."
Mingi was still looking at her with guilty eyes. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but closed it again.
Hongjoong had his arms crossed, his gaze sharp and analyzing. "How do you feel?" he asked directly.
She didn’t know exactly how to answer that. Her throat felt dry and raw, her limbs heavy, and her head still ached from the hallucinations. But she was here.
But she didn’t want them to treat her like she was fragile.
So she shrugged. "Like I just fought a swamp."
San burst out laughing. "Technically, you did."
Jongho shook his head, but there was a small smile on his lips. "You scared the hell out of us."
(y/n) looked away. She knew it wasn’t her fault that she had inhaled the gas, but she still felt guilty for being a burden.
Wooyoung noticed the change in her posture and gently tapped her arm.
"little fox."
She looked up.
He raised an eyebrow and shot her a playful grin. "Next time you decide to run into a toxic cloud, maybe consult the group first?"
(y/n) scoffed and crossed her arms. "Next time, I’ll let you run into it."
The group chuckled, the tension finally easing a little.
Hongjoong clapped his hands on his knees and stood up. "We’re resting," he decided. "The swamp seems to be leaving us alone for now, but we need to stay cautious."
The others nodded.
Wooyoung glanced at (y/n) one more time and gave her an approving nod. "You’re stronger than you look, little fox."
(y/n) rolled her eyes, but the corners of her lips curled up ever so slightly.
The men worked in silence as they set up camp. The ground was damp, but firm enough to rest on. Hongjoong gave orders briefly and efficiently: make a fire, prepare food, keep watch. No one needed to argue—everyone knew what had to be done.
Wooyoung and Seonghwa carefully helped (y/n) sit near the fire. She trembled slightly, her eyes flickering between them and the dancing flames, as if still trapped in the hallucinations of the gas. Seonghwa wrapped a warm blanket around her shoulders, but she barely reacted.
The fire crackled softly, the scent of food slowly spreading. Yunho and Jongho were preparing a simple meal, but the atmosphere remained tense. The whole ordeal in the swamp, the way (y/n) had sacrificed herself—it had shaken everyone.
Mingi sat a little further away, his knees drawn up, staring at the ground. His jaw was tight, his thoughts visible on his face.
When the food was ready, Yunho handed (y/n) a bowl, but she took it with slow movements. Her gaze was distant, her fingers gripping the bowl a little too tightly.
She wasn’t fully there.
The silence became unbearable. Eventually, Mingi broke it with a quiet, tense voice.
"Why?"
(y/n) blinked and looked up. Her gaze was glazed over. "What?"
Mingi looked at her directly now. "Why did you push me away?"
The others paused, looking up from their food. No one spoke, but the question lingered in the air.
(y/n) took a shallow breath and stared into the flames before answering. "Because otherwise, you wouldn’t be sitting here."
Mingi clenched his jaw. "But you—"
She cut him off. "My body moved, it was instinct."
She shrugged as if it was nothing, but her fingers trembled slightly as she held her bowl.
Mingi took a deep breath and nodded. "Thank you."
His words hung in the air. Gratitude felt heavy, almost misplaced in this situation.
Wooyoung, sensing the tension, leaned back and tried to lighten the mood. "Look at that. Little fox is a hero."
(y/n) narrowed her eyes at him, shooting him a sharp glare.
"Oh? Not a fan of the nickname?" Wooyoung smirked, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you were used to nicknames."
The group chuckled softly. It felt like a brief moment to breathe after the tension of the day.
But Hongjoong brought them back to reality. "We need to move on tomorrow. This swamp isn’t going to let us go easily. The sooner we’re out, the better."
Seonghwa looked at (y/n). "You said the swamp changes. Can you guide us the right way?"
(y/n) looked down for a moment, pressing her lips together, then slowly nodded. "I can try."
It wasn’t a guarantee, but it was their best shot.
The night fell over the camp, and slowly, the men drifted off to sleep one by one. The fire still crackled softly, casting shadows over the trees and damp ground. But the peace was deceptive.
(y/n) sat with her knees drawn up, the blanket still draped over her shoulders. Her fingers restlessly played with the fabric as her gaze remained fixed on the fire. She felt heavy, exhausted to her very bones, but her thoughts refused to let go. Every time she closed her eyes, flashes of her hallucinations returned—faceless figures, whispering voices, the cold touch of something that was no longer there.
She wasn’t the only one who was restless.
At the edge of the camp, perched on a fallen tree trunk, sat Mingi. He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, his gaze fixed on the darkness. His jaw was clenched, as if he blamed himself for something, as if he couldn’t shake off the weight of what had happened.
Not far from him lay Hongjoong, turning over now and then, clearly still awake. His eyes were closed, but his breathing was too irregular for him to be truly asleep.
Yunho lay on his back, staring at the starry sky, his arms folded behind his head. His face appeared relaxed, but his fingers drummed lightly against his upper arm—a sign that his mind was elsewhere.
(y/n) swallowed and took a deep breath. She needed to rest. Tomorrow, they had to move on, and she couldn’t afford to be weak. Yet, every time she let her head drop, it felt as if the swamp was trying to pull her back into her fears.
A sigh sounded beside her.
She looked up and saw Seonghwa sitting a few meters away, not far from her, absentmindedly running a sharp knife along his fingers. His gaze was soft yet alert, as if he was waiting for her to say something.
Eventually, he broke the silence. "You’re not the only one who can’t sleep."
(y/n) didn’t respond immediately. She looked back at the fire and shrugged. "I didn’t know you worried about me." Her voice was soft, barely audible over the crackling flames.
Seonghwa turned the knife in his hand and then looked at her. "I worry about everyone. But especially about those who pretend they don’t need anything."
She let out a quiet scoff but said nothing.
From the shadows, Wooyoung’s voice suddenly sounded—sleepy but still playful. "Little fox, if you don’t sleep, you’ll collapse halfway through the swamp tomorrow."
(y/n) slowly turned her head toward him, her gaze sharp. "I told you not to call me that."
Wooyoung grinned, his head half-buried in his blanket. "Yet, you react to it every time."
A faint smile tugged at Seonghwa’s lips, but he hid it quickly.
She rolled her eyes and turned back to the fire.
"You all should sleep," her voice was sharper than she intended. She didn’t look at them, her eyes fixed on the flickering flames. "The danger isn’t over yet."
Seonghwa, still playing with the knife in his hands, looked up. "What do you mean?" he asked calmly.
She took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around the blanket. "The moment we enter the mist again, we’ll be followed."
A brief silence followed.
Mingi, sitting a bit further away, shook his head uneasily. "By what?"
(y/n) remained silent for a moment. Too long, perhaps. The men who were still awake all sat up, their attention fully on her.
Eventually, it was Seonghwa who cautiously asked, "Did you feel it today? Or is there something you haven’t told us?" He already knew the answer.
(y/n) finally looked up and met his gaze. The uncertainty in her eyes surprised him. She seemed to hesitate as if she was on the verge of revealing something important, but then she shook her head and cast her eyes downward. "No…" she whispered. A long pause followed "Yes… I… I know it because I’ve been here before."
The air seemed to grow colder in an instant.
The men stared at her in silence. Hongjoong’s eyes narrowed slightly, and Wooyoung’s playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a serious expression.
"(y/n)—" Hongjoong started voice laced with sternness, but she raised her hand, cutting him off.
"No." Her voice was firm, but there was a hint of exhaustion in it. "I’m not answering questions about this."
For a few moments, nothing but the sound of the crackling fire filled the space between them.
She stood up, her movements stiff and slow from fatigue. "Sleep. We have to leave early tomorrow."
She turned around and walked back to her spot by the fire without saying another word. The men exchanged a few glances, but no one protested.
One by one, they eventually lay down. But sleep did not come easily.
And in the darkness, beyond the safe circle of the campfire, the mist seemed to shift.
As if something in the shadows was waiting patiently.
Pairing: Ot8 Ateez x reader AU: fantasy AU | stranger -> mates Summary: A tragic accident left you unable to use your wings and, with that, claimed your father's life, leaving you in the care of your noble uncle. In Hala, a house of eight kingdoms, each boasting its own wonders, you never imagined that amidst the pain, you would also fall—this time, in love. Word Count: 2.8k | 12 minutes A/n: told you, you wouldn't wait that long. Enjoy this very angsty chapter. Warning: betrayal, physical pain, mentions of death and immortality, conflict
Yunho’s jaw tightened at your response, his fingers twitching at his sides. The room, once filled with murmured arguments, now held only silence, thick and suffocating. You could feel the weight of their collective gazes pressing down on you, each man studying your expression, waiting for your reaction.
You swallowed hard, forcing yourself to remain still even as your legs threatened to buckle beneath you. The flickering firelight cast deep shadows across their faces, emphasizing the tension that lay thick in the air. You didn’t know what to say, didn’t know how to process what you had just heard.
Then, from the stillness, a voice emerged—smooth, edged with amusement.
“Well, this is unfortunate.”
The man in a black velvet jacket adorned with intricate gold embroidery stepped forward. The deep burgundy lapels, edged with gold piping, were richly decorated with gold filigree and pink gemstone embellishments, with delicate chains and beads draping elegantly across his chest. The embroidery, woven with floral motifs and shimmering gold thread, glinted effortlessly in the light. Around his neck, you noticed a phoenix pendant necklace resting against the fabric, its design intricate and gleaming. His sharp eyes gleamed as he regarded you, his expression unreadable.
“I was rather enjoying the secrecy.”
Yunho’s wings twitched, feathers ruffling in agitation. “Not now, Wooyoung.” His voice was clipped, barely restrained.
“No more lies, Yunho.”
Yunho clenched his jaw, his gaze flickering between you and the others. Then, slowly, he nodded. “You deserve to know,” he admitted, his voice quiet yet firm. “But not here.”
He turned to the others, his wings flexing slightly. “Leave us.”
"this is the underworld that no one escapes from"
chapters:
status: ongoing (updates every 2 weeks)
taglist: apply here!
Pairing: general!Seonghwa x wife!reader ↪ The Way to His Heart [Main Story]
⌈You're advised to read the spinoffs according to the sequence below, the stories have already been arranged in chronological order.⌋
Pairing: private investigator!Wooyoung x courtesan!reader ↪ Teaser | Part 1 | Part 2 [Completed]
Pairing: dressmaker!Hongjoong x noblewoman!reader ↪ Teaser | Part 1 | Part 2 [Completed]
Pairing: physician!Yunho x herbalist!reader ↪ Teaser | Part 1 | Part 2 [Completed]
Pairing: royal secretary!San x female scholar!reader ↪ Teaser | Part 1 | Part 2 [Completed]
Pairing: military strategist!Mingi x royal physician!reader ↪ Teaser | Part 1 | Part 2 [Completed]
Pairing: assistant!Jongho x new maid!reader ↪ Teaser | Part 1 | Part 2 [Completed]
Pairing: prince!Yeosang x princess!reader ↪ Teaser | Part 1 | Part 2 [Completed]
All Rights Reserved © edenesth
DO NOT REPOST, TRANSLATE, PLAGIARISE OR OTHERWISE REPURPOSE ANY OF THE WORK HERE.
Pairing: general!Seonghwa x wife!reader
AU: arranged marriage au (Joseon era)
Summary: Life has been hell ever since your mother's passing many years ago. Despite being from a prominent family, you've never received the privileges associated with it. It only got worse with the arrival of your stepmother and her daughters. When the intimidating General Park was in search of a wife, your father seized the opportunity to dispose of you, simultaneously securing a connection with the powerful general—killing two birds with one stone.
Genre: heavy angst, fluff, hurt/comfort
Trigger Warnings: mentions of past physical abuse, mistreatment, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, scars, trauma
Total Word Count: 84.8k
Status: Completed
Read on: ⟦ Wattpad ⟧ ⟦ Tumblr - links below ⟧
📢 Notice: Tag List | Group Chat | Poll: 1, 2
Bonus: ↪ Honeymoon Avenue ↪ Star of the Show ↪ The Little Lotus Blooms
All Rights Reserved © edenesth
DO NOT REPOST, TRANSLATE, PLAGIARISE OR OTHERWISE REPURPOSE ANY OF THE WORK HERE.
An 'Ice On My Teeth' Comeback Special Series
Pairing: gang member!Yunho x fem!reader
AU: gang au
Word Count: 22.7k
Summary: The towering enforcer of the Black Pirates, both disarming and deadly—his easy charm capable of winning over enemies, while his legendary fury dominates the battlefield. But his unbreakable facade begins to crack when he meets a psychologist during a mission—someone who can see through his carefully crafted mask, just as he can see through hers. Beneath her confident exterior lies a frightened soul lost in a dark world, and for the first time, he finds himself compelled to protect someone in a way he never expected.
Genre: angst, hurt/comfort
Trigger Warnings: mentions of child abuse, emotional blackmail, attempted sexual assault, scars, trafficking, blood and slight gore, language, contains dark themes in general
"Ryoichi Sato," Hongjoong murmured, studying the profile in his hands. "Founder of the Prestige Asylum—a supposed haven for the mentally ill. And you're telling me targeting him will benefit us... how exactly?"
Yunho gestured for him to turn to the next page. "Take a closer look, hyung. Do you notice a pattern in the patients he takes in?"
The Captain flipped through the thick file, his brows furrowing. Then, slowly, he straightened in his seat, his expression hardening. "They're... holy shit. They're all high-profile criminals. Wait—this isn't just a regular asylum, is it?" He looked up sharply at his brother, who wore a smug smile.
"Exactly," Yunho said, his tone calm but charged with conviction. "It's a front—a sanctuary for wealthy criminals. Cartel bosses, human trafficking kingpins, and, most importantly, rival gang leaders. All hiding out under the guise of being mentally unfit to face trial. And guess who's running the whole operation? A corrupt, retired official." He leaned forward, his voice lowering. "Now imagine the rise in our standing if we take these fools down and expose them. The Black Pirates would dominate the underworld again."
