So I might've devoured that new chapter at work because no way I'm waiting till the evening. I'll definitely be re-reading it a couple of times for all the small details and just the wording in general, I love the way you write, it carries over the emotions so perfectly, all the descriptions are so vivid, simply wonderful.

Here's the thing. I love the "good" stuff in your works. The reconciliations, the soft moments, kisses and nose rubs (oh god, the nose rubs), soft sex, not so soft sex. But there's just something about your angst, how it actually feels like my chest is caving in as I read, it's kind of addictive. That's exactly what the start of chapter nine does to me, just the image of Jake all alone with his thoughts and anger and grief. What I love about the start of the chapter is that it isn't Heeseung who gets him out of that funk. It's Riki, coming in to check on him because he likes Jake, because he worries, because he cares. This boy just warms my heart, even when there are no romantic feelings involved, your Yunkis are just so endearing. Riki gently explaining what he knew about the deal and Heeseung's reaction to the marriage, straight up outing Heeseung's ginormous crush at first sight, how he's respectful of Jake's space even though he isn't used to not being able to touch him? And Riki's reaction to the possibility of Jake being "for sale", how distraught he is over it, it really makes me wonder just how much of the deal info all of the other boys (other than Riki and Jay) knew. I also love how he jumps to Heeseung's defence but when he sees that Jake has his own thoughts on that, he doesn't push, even though he firmly believes that Heeseung wouldn't stand for something like that. The hug scene is so sweet, especially with Riks asking beforehand if it's okay, threatening Heeseung's physical wellbeing in Jake's honour, how insistent he gets when Jake doesn't understand anyone there would want to protect him. Officially telling Jake that he is family, even though he hasn't been there for as long of a time as the others. I simply love Riki in your fics. He is very similar to Heeseung, but he's a lot more upfront about his thoughts and opinions. I feel like this applies to real life too, maybe because Riki was so young when the boys got thrown into the iland dungeons, but you can see all of enha's (and a bunch of other ilander's) quirks in him and it's just so sweet. Jake thinking of him as a palate cleanser speaks so much of how he is a safe space to Jake. Non-jugemental and ready to listen, even when he might not agree with what he hears. No need to answer if you don't want to, but do you see yourself writing a full on Yunki longfic? Obviously I'll welcome your Heejake anytime, they're my faves for a reason, but you've successfully ruined my ship list so I might as well ask-

I love the little scene where Jake basically gets back on his feet. How he finally unpacks, it feels like he's accepted that he isn't leaving, that he won't give up. The flowers, his resolution to learn more things, to explore the world he's been given access to. Yet again, as a supporter of the independent Jake agenda, I am so happy to see that scene. There is nothing wrong with Jake leaning on Heeseung and the others, but seeing him want to be his own person is just great.

While there are a lot of contenders for my favourite scene in this chapter, I think that Jake's conversation with Jake might just take the cake (I hate how that rhymed). From the very first sentence, Jay's nonchalance, his "well duh" attitude and how fast he switches up when he sees Jake's hesitance about everything. About letting him into his safe space, how careful he is to not mess it up, even complimenting Jake's decor. It's the essence of Jay's character really. No matter how "explosive" he might seem sometimes, how big of a personality he has, he's kind of the pillar there, firm and calm as he spends time with Jake, gentle and sweet and supportive, but also not taking any bullshit. He unfolds the whole situation with Jake in a very clear way, no unnecessary secrets, no white lies for comfort. Just tells him everything as it is, answers Jake's questions and I find that really admirable. Overall, I've been loving Jay in this fic, how he's so incredibly loyal to Heeseung but still accepting of Jake and not afraid to call out both of their bullshit. The way he tells Jake that they can't make up if both of them don't put the work in, that he won't get better if he refuses to face everyone else, I admire this man. Also bonus brownie points for how he still makes sure to give Jake a choice. A safe space to retreat if he feels like he needs to - saying that he'll leave the food outside if Jake doesn't want him to come in, offering to come to the main house with him, even if it's under the guise of getting ingredients, the thing with bringing the tray back. A little push to help Jake find some courage, but still metaphorically ready to catch him if he doesn't make it. Jayke might not be the closest of friends in this fic, but Jay is exactly what Jake needs in these situations. Someone level-headed, not fiercely protective like Riki, not self-sacrificing like Heeseung. On the topic of Jay, I'm so curious to see what he'll be like in omfbt.

And now comes the VERY close second fave scene in the chapter, I wasn't exactly expecting this tentative kinship between Jake and Hee's mother, but this scene broke my heart and mended it at the same time. I love how the scene starts out kind of slow, with the two of them discussing cooking, but then it gets deeper, down to the family matters and finally, there's the moment where Jake breaks down and she's there to pick up the pieces. I'm still a little pissy that she didn't stand up for Jake earlier in the story, but her firmly telling him that they don't intend to sell him out, that he is free to do as he wishes, I'm so glad we got this scene. At the same time, I'm glad that she explains the family situation they find themselves in, how they came into their status, how easy it would be to lose it, but when Jake tells her he thinks her husband is cruel, she doesn't deny it, but she doesn't leave it at that either. She's a wonderful blend of a mother and a wife and I hope we get some more mama Lee moments as the story goes on.

Alrighty. For a couple of paragraphs, I just had the urge to like - idk - grab Hee by the shoulders and shake him like a freaking smoothie. I 100% get where he's coming from, most of the boys say it later, he's all too sure that Jake wants him as far away as possible and he's trying to respect it, but oh dear god, my boy, love yourself a little too. It's painful, how they're so close, yet so far away, how neither of them has the courage to take that first step towards making things right. But the ensuing scene that feels like a sit-com moment, a mosaic of "are you fr" moments with most of the boys when Jake complains about not being able to talk to Hee, that bit was hilarious. Especially Jungwon's. Man's out here trying to balance the accounts while explaining what a boner is, that deserves some respect. Also literally everyone and their mother trying to get the spouse disasters together and then promptly ditching them made me laugh.

Honestly, I'm not all that surprised that it all comes to head in a jealous scene. Especially with Heeseung insisting before that he's all Jake's, the poor boy feeling truly possessive for the first time in his life couldn't have ended differently. It was genuinely satisfying as hell to have Jake march up to Hee and just drag him away to "stake his claim", although I was lowkey there like "Jakey, baby, there are people like six feet away from you, they see you, Jakey please, you're in public-" the whole time. But the moment where he just can't form the words, doesn't know what to say or do so he just defaults to kissing Heeseung as means of communication, that's art right there. The way they touch each other, the sheer longing and the joy of holding one another again. And Jake crying again, all of the frustration, anger and annoyance, the way he missed Heeseung, the way he loves Heeseung, you can feel every single emotion this poor baby feels and it's so great. I love Heeseung for checking in, still trying to set boundaries so that Jake is safe, even at the cost of his own feelings, but Jake taking none of that and finally FINALLY making sure that Heeseung understands exactly where they stand... I love this fic. I really do. Also yet again, Heejake being t h i s close to fucking somewhere they should not fuck is just wonderful. Even more is the moment when Jake understands that Heeseung no longer wants to take it slow because he's worried about Jake but because he cares and wants to love him properly, even though he didn't say that out loud- and the sick satisfaction I got when Jake lowkey taunted the touchy woman? Delicious. The way Jake checked sweaty Heeseung out is so relatable, honestly. Like seriously, why is that man so pretty? Like sir, your voice is already the best thing I've ever heard in my life, why do you have to look like a greek statue as well? So oh dear, I get Jake on a visceral level. Also Hee mistaking it for "funny haha" teasing at first before he realizes that Jake is very much horny for him was golden.

Overall, I enjoyed this chapter so much. We finally got some more answers, some more solid declarations to Jake, Jake is making up his mind about what he wants and is making sure Heeseung knows it as well. The boys are back together, fluffy and gentle and beautiful as always and I'm so happy to see it. And now I really feel like the personification of the Ralph Wiggum "I'm in danger" meme, because this is the scene we end on and there are 4 more chapters. Obviously not everything is solved yet, I'm curious to see if we'll get a confrontation with Hee's dad or possibly even some more of Jake's family? And I'm excited for the angst, I really am, but I'm also very scared and please, take that as a compliment-

This is very likely my last ask on this site, I will find you wherever you decide to move on to, I'll send my asks in twt dms if I have to, god knows I'm finishing (and re-reading it like 50 times) this fic with full laser focus. For the time being, I'll be looking forward to the next chapter.

I hope today was a good day, you said it was a big one, did it go well? Wishing you all the best for now, in anything you're up to!
- 💫