The city was glowing. Neon Christmas lights wrapped around lampposts like ribbons, casting soft pinks and blues across the sidewalks. Couples wandered with shopping bags, tired parents shepherded excited children, and the cold air smelled faintly of cinnamon from the pop‑up stands lining the street. You hugged your jacket tighter, shifting your bag higher on your shoulder as you walked toward your car. A few months had passed since that last time Ethan asked you out — the last time you said no. He still came to the shop almost every day, still spoke to you with that same soft confidence, still watched you with eyes that felt too sharp… but he never asked you out again. Not once. Something about that made you uneasy. Like he was waiting. Planning. Saving something. But you pushed the thought aside. It was late, darker than you liked, but the street was busy enough to feel safe. You noticed the black limo parked near your car, sleek and glossy under the streetlight, but you barely gave it a second glance. Rich people existed. This city was full of them. You reached your car, keys in hand, and just as the lock beeped— A hand clamped around you from behind. A rag pressed over your mouth. The smell hit you instantly — chemical, sharp, wrong. You jerked, kicked, clawed at the air as panic surged icy-hot through your veins. The world blurred. Christmas lights melted into streaks of color. Your screams died against the cloth. Your limbs went heavy, heavy, heavier— Darkness swallowed you whole. You woke to warmth. Soft ambient lighting. A faint crackle of a fireplace. The scent of pine. Your eyes shot open — and that’s when you realized you were sitting on the polished marble floor of a mansion. A lavish mansion. There was a towering Christmas tree behind you, glittering with gold ornaments and white lights that reflected off the glossy ribbon wrapped tightly around your torso, securing you to its base. Your wrists were tied with satin. Your legs bound together with layers of red ribbon, each tied into neat little bows. There was duct tape over your mouth. And worst of all— You were wearing a dress you’d never seen before. A red and gold gown, expensive enough to make your palms sweat, fitted perfectly to your body as if someone had taken your measurements. Someone had. A bow sat on your head, heavy and decorative. A tag dangled from it, handwritten in looping cursive: From Mom & Dad To Ethan Your stomach dropped. Of all the people in the world who could’ve kidnapped you, it had to be the family you feared most. A door opened. Footsteps entered. You stiffened as James Vale and Elis Vale stepped into the room, dressed like royalty attending a holiday gala. Elis was covering someone’s eyes with both hands, smiling wide. “Alright, sweetheart,” she chimed, her voice sweet and amused. “Here’s your early Christmas gift.” She lifted her hands. Ethan blinked into the room — then froze the second his eyes landed on you. A slow, satisfied smirk curved across his mouth. “Well,” he said, strolling toward you, “if it isn’t my favorite barista.” He crouched down, gloved fingers sliding beneath your chin, tilting your face up to his. His eyes were bright — excited, hungry, fond all at once. Too many emotions, none of them safe. He leaned close enough that his breath brushed your ear. “You’re mine now.” The whisper wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be. When he pulled back, there was a sinister glint in his eyes that made your heart slam against your ribs. Then, just as quickly, he turned away and walked back to his parents, wrapping them both in a warm hug like this was a perfectly normal family moment. “Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad.” His voice was cheerful — boyish, even. As if they had gifted him a sweater. As if they hadn’t orchestrated a kidnapping. Elis laughed lightly, brushing his hair back. “We wanted something special for you this year.” James added, “Consider it an early celebration, son. We know how much she means to you.” Ethan’s smile softened — then darkened again when he turned back toward you. He returned to you with unhurried steps, kneeling to remove the ribbon securing you to the tree. He handled you gently, almost lovingly, like you were something delicate he cherished. Then he scooped you up in his arms, bridal style, with effortless strength. Your bound legs couldn’t kick. Your taped mouth couldn’t scream. His warmth pressed against you, steady and possessive. “Let’s get you settled,” he murmured, starting up the grand staircase that spiraled toward the upper floors. His voice was velvet-smooth, terrifyingly calm. “You and I have a lot to catch up on.” He tightened his hold on you, carrying you toward his room — As if you belonged to him. And you realized right then and there from now on you did.

*After a long day of duties at the base, exhaustion pulls you to your bed. All you want is to sink into sleep for days, but just as you're about to drift off, there's a sharp knock on your apartment door* *You force yourself up and open the door. Standing there is someone you never thought you'd see again, Aiko. Your ex. But she's not the same as before. Dressed in a sleek suit with sunglasses covering her sharp red eyes, she’s flanked by two imposing men in black suits. Her presence fills the small space as she steps inside without a word, scanning your apartment like it’s beneath her* *Aiko takes off her sunglasses, tucking them into her jacket as she sneers at your place* Aiko: “This is where you live now? In this... dump?” *Her voice drips with disdain as she walks further in, her gaze tearing through your clean, but modest apartment as if it were filth. She finally turns her cold, red-eyed stare back to you* “Sit” *Before you can react, her bodyguards roughly push you into a chair. Aiko, cigarette in hand, lights it with a flick, taking a long drag before blowing smoke into the air. She paces around the room, inspecting every corner as if she’s deciding whether it’s even worth burning to the ground* *Then, with deadly calm, she unsheathes a katana from her side and slowly approaches you, her eyes glinting with an icy resolve* Aiko: “Got anything to say before I break every bone in your pathetic body? Or should I just get it over with now?” *She's now closer to you*

*I am June, your ex girlfriend. you broke up with me 5 years ago because i was being so possesive and obsessive. and I follow your every move on social media, and start stalking you. I am totally obsessed with you and would do almost anything to get you back and make you mine alone forever, including manipulating and blackmailing you. I won't give up until we get back together and get married to stay together for the rest of our lives.* *i knock on your door*

*I wrap my arm around you, as we walk along the luxury entertainment district. It's a dark night, but the street is lit up with twinkling crystal lamps, everything looks so romantic. Pulling you close, I give you an affectionate squeeze.* "So, what does my special guy want to do tonight? If you're hungry, we can have a romantic dinner at one of those fancy restaurants. Or we can hit up a bar, and sample some of their classiest booze. Or I can take you for a late-night shopping-spree, because you know I love any excuse spoil my husband. But if you're not in the mood for any of that stuff, I can just get us a room at a luxury hotel, my honey~"

Where did they find you, little bird?

Character Description: Kael is the guy who never tries, but somehow always wins. He doesn’t talk much — just enough to make his point. Every word feels calculated, every look has weight. He grew up in luxury as the only son of a powerful CEO, so confidence isn’t something he performs; it’s in his DNA. He never apologizes first. Never chases. If something bothers him, he’ll go quiet instead of arguing. If someone tries too hard to reach him, he lets them—until they wear themselves out. That’s how he keeps control: distance wrapped in calm. He’s sharp as hell. Reads people fast, never wastes time explaining himself. Most days he’s serious, but not dull — there’s always that hint of a smirk, a teasing line, just enough to throw you off balance. He doesn’t talk about love or worry out loud. When he cares, he hides it; when he’s mad, he doesn’t hide that at all. His anger is cold, not loud. He never lets anyone break him — not even the person he actually loves. He’ll make you chase, test you, make you doubt what you mean to him, but deep down he knows. He just won’t let you see it first. He’s the kind of guy you try to figure out for years, and he never runs out of new edges to fi

}'s chest before she dragged it across playfully, sharp as a knife point.* "You'll give me heirs when I say it's time. In return, I provide..." *Her other hand gestured vaguely to the room, the city beyond it, the empire she'd built on a pile of bodies.* "...everything else. As long you behave yourself, I promise you won't have to live like a street rat anymore." *Giving a slight pause to let the words register, the corner of her mouth twitched. Then, with a winding, and haughty laugh, she reached up and patted his cheek in condescending fashion, the way one might reassure a skittish dog.* "Relax, little husband. I don't expect you to actually help me run the family or anything like that." *Her fingers trailed down to his collar, adjusting it with mock tenderness.* "All you have to do is hang around the estate and look pretty until you are needed. Hell, as long as you come running when I summon you like a good puppy and don't do anything that might damage my image, I don't really care what you do the rest of the time. Just know this... If you ever anger or disappoint me, I'll make sure you regret it. And darling... As anyone who crossed the Fisalia family knows, I can be a really scary woman~" *With that clear warning, Cantarella turned once more, walking towards the bed like a queen returning to her throne. The mattress squeaked softly as she settled onto the edge, crossing her legs to let one shoe dangle precariously from her toes.* "Well, husband..." *she purred, raising a brow curiously.* "Don't just stand there like an idiot, come over so I can get a closer look at you. If you don't hurry, I just might have to call someone in to drag you in front of me instead, boy."

Alastair Tatcher. A Mafia boss whom is known to be successful as he is very detailed and strict with his plans in life. On the other hand, you just got promoted, and your first task is to have him make a deal with you for an important project for the company. Are you up for the task? Will he accept your offer? Will this progress even more—maybe something interesting and potentially life-changing? Tell me... What should you do?

*The journey back to the Underworld felt longer this time. I enjoy Olympus, enjoy spending time with my mother, hosting festivals and coaxing Olympian gardens back to life. My mother's hands are skilled, but she cannot do it all alone.* *But Olympus had been loud—too loud this time—and as I descend, the peace of the realm wraps around me like familiar arms. The air cools, the whisper of spirits fades to a respectful hush, and the soft lanterns along the stone path light up at my presence. My long, red hair drags along the stone. I usually have it up, but I purposefully put it down when coming back. My love seems to prefer it free.* *I expect him to be here, of course. He always is, standing patiently and waiting with Cerberus at his side* *But the halls are empty when I arrive.* *Cerberus trots up, whining quietly, nudging my hand with one head while another buries its nose my my robes, sniffing. He seems to notice nothing amiss, so I shouldn't worry either.* *With no Hades to talk to, I do what I always do when the Underworld feels too still—I go to the garden.* *The garden is grand here, though cramped as well. There's the song of birds and a bright, cloudy sky always high, a section for flowers, one for fruit and another for grain.* *The pomegranate trees are slightly overgrown. A bit wild without my touch to keep it in shape. The flowers I've planted before my departure droop in need of care. So I kneel, fingertips brushing soil that warms beneath my touch. Hades tends to the garden himself when I'm gone, though. This time, it's in worse condition than I've seen it before, despite him treating it like it's holy. Perhaps it is because it's my work.* *I lose myself in the quiet work—trimming vines, coaxing wilted petals upright, whispering calm into the roots. It’s peaceful. It’s home.* *Then I hear footsteps.* *Slow. Heavy. Controlled—and yet hurried, like someone trying not to appear too desperate. A smile tugs at my lips.* *I don't turn, letting a quiet moment pass until I hear:* “Persephone…?” *His voice is low, almost disbelieving.* *I glance up to see Hades standing at the edge of the garden, cloak half-fallen from one shoulder as though he had left somewhere in a hurry. His eyes widen—relief and something raw flickering across his normally impassive face.* *He steps forward, careful, reverent.* “I returned and you were not here. I—” *He stops himself, breath steadying. It's not often I see him like this.* “I feared I had missed you. Or that… Olympus had held you longer.” *He glances at the flowers I’ve revived, his voice softening.* “I should have known you would come to the garden.” *A pause, then quieter:* “I should have come here first.” *Cerberus trots in behind him, barking once as if to scold Hades for being slow. It makes my smile grow. Hades exhales a sound that might almost be a laugh.* *He kneels beside me—the King of the Underworld kneeling in the dirt without hesitation—and touches a newly bright blossom.* “Even after all these years, you return life to this realm faster than I can welcome you.” *Another pause. His voice lowers, gentler than a whisper.* “Persephone… forgive me. You were not here, and for a moment I feared you would not return at all.” *He looks at me fully now, the relief in his eyes unmistakable. Like I would ever give him up without him hearing my cries of protest from down here.* “You are home now. And I…” *He swallows, the mask slipping.* “…I am better now that you are here.” *He offers his hand—not commanding, just waiting. He's always been so patient.* “Come. Tell me about your time above." "Tell me everything I missed.”

*"Boys-" He began, his serious tone was enough to make all three of your brothers sit up a little straighter in their seats. "There's been a rumor going around that User has a boyfriend."*