The Dark Circus is what we call it. The shows that take place after dark are not for the faint of heart. The world of circus acts and freak shows have always been filled with wonder and oddities, but the seven men who perform after the crowds have gone and the gates have let in those who aren't afraid to venture into the dark and unknown are different. And just like their secrets that run deep, so too, does their obsession. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I sat in front of the mirror. The dressing area that was usually bustling with activity dark and lonely. The bulbs in the vanity flickering with a struggle to stay lit as I stared at my own reflection. Lifting one shaky hand, I tightened my grip around the makeup brush hoping to steady it. Before I could place bristles to skin, a hand shot out, gripping my jaw tightly and turning my face towards theirs. My heart pounded in fear as my eyes met the cold stare of Namjoon. His face was expressionless, the harsh set of his eyes the only thing giving him away as they scanned my face. His fingers tightened around my jaw at the same moment his lips turned into a frown. "Don't make it gaudy. It doesn't suit you." The quick flicker of his eyes to my brush indicated he meant my makeup. He released me in the next second. Walking out of the dressing room to the backstage area to prepare. I gulped, now even more nervous. I heeded his advice, toning down my normally vibrant palette for a darker scheme. My hands were beginning to sweat, body trembling as I exited the dressing room to follow the same direction Namjoon had gone. By the time I arrived, Namjoon wasn't there. Only Jungkook and Jimin who glanced at me for half a second before returning to whatever conversation they had been engaged in before my arrival. "Ready angel?" the sound of Jin's voice coupled with the hand he placed low on my back sent my heart racing. "We have a show to do."

"I want to know why you do it." "Why I do what." he asked, stripping off his overcoat. He flung it over the back of the couch without much thought as he began unbuttoning his shirt. "Why you always save me. Every time I'm in trouble you always come to my rescue." I blushed as he kept undoing buttons and turned away as he slowly revealed his chest. "Should I not?" He asked in a bored tone. "That's not what I- I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. I just want to know why." I spun around to face him again during my apology and was unable to take my eyes away from him as he peeled his shirt off himself. He was covered in a thin sheen of sweat and my eyes roamed his chest appreciatively. As my eyes drifted lower, I noticed a thick scar course from the left side of his abdomen, across his hip and down before disappearing beneath his waistline. Realizing I was staring, I blinked a couple of times and cleared my throat before looking up again. His dark eyes were already looking at me. "You're important to them." His reasoning made my heart ache. As he turned to head to the bathroom, my next words stopped him in his tracks. "What about you?" He stood there with his back turned to me. Minutes passed, but it felt like hours before he finally turned, casting his beautifully dark gaze on me again. "Am I important to you?" Our eyes never wavered from each other. His heavy bootsteps echoed in the silent room as he stalked towards me. He didn't stop until he stood toe to toe with me. His hand slowly came up to cup my cheek. His eyes dropped down to my lips as his thumb lazily drug across them. His hand traveled to my hair, threading his fingers through the strands before releasing a heavy sigh and meeting my eyes, scorching me with the fire behind them. "There are feelings for you that I wish I didn't have." Cover credit - @escape-from-realitys-stuff

"My coven is my family. It wouldn't be fair of me to pick and choose who gets to help you and who doesn't. Besides, the more participants there are, the more likely your ritual will work, wouldn't you say?" There was an underlying clause in his tone. I could almost feel it more than I heard it as I stared at him. He hardly blinked, his stare unwavering from mine as the cogs in my head turned to figure him out. "When you say 'help', you don't mean strictly in the sense of the ritual, do you?" His smile widened, quiet steps tapping against the hardwood under his feet as he came nose to nose with me. His hand came up, fingers curling delicately under the shape of my jaw to my chin, fingertips tilting my face up as he took another step forward, invading my space. "I imagine things haven't been working in your favor since you've come to me, little witch. Perhaps you simply need a little more spiritual and... physical assistance. I promise you'll find our services satisfactory in more ways than one." He purred, chocolate irises boring into me. "You won't come across another coven as generous as mine, I can assure you." Ateez Ot8 x Reader Oneshot Rated MATURE (18+)

Unsatisfied with your life was an understatement. Being under the thumb of your father can have that effect. He wanted someone capable of running the company, but you wanted to pursue your passion. Countless unwanted blind dates and the threat of losing your freedom drives you to seek help from a group of individuals you'd least expected. ------------- "Tae, what's that in your pocket?" Hoseok asked, brows furrowed as he looked down under the table. The question had me jerking my head up from my plate as Hoseok reached down. Taehyung, mouth full of another bite of egg, stiffened in his seat as Hoseok slipped whatever it was out of his pocket and lifted it up. Tae went to start yelling, choking on egg as he frantically tried snatching the item from Hobi. Everyone else looked on in surprise as it dawned on them what Hoseok was holding. Jin's eyes widened in horror seconds before Taehyung snatched the offending piece from Hoseok. "Yah! Taehyung! What is that!?" he screeched, veins in his neck popping. "I knew you stole my underwear!" I gasped, pointing at him accusingly. Jungkook, who had been taking a drink of his water, coughed into his glass sloshing water everywhere as he choked on the bit of it that had gone down the wrong way. Jimin, unable to contain himself, roared with laughter, very nearly falling out of his chair. Hoseok was frozen in his seat, his hand still dangling in the air even though he was no longer holding the scrap of fabric. He stared forward unblinkingly as Jin continued to squawk on the other side of Taehyung. "Why do you have those at my dinner table!?" Taehyung had the audacity to look sheepish as his older brother yelled at him. I wanted to ask why he had them at all when Jimin's voice cut me off . Finally catching his breath long enough to say something. "Please, hyung. That's not the worst thing to happen at your dinner table in the last 24 hours." "What does THAT mean!?" Cover made by @lilacpandaforever

After the accident, Noah Archer built a wall around himself. But Riley Dawson is curious about him, and she's determined to meet the man behind his defenses. ***** Riley Dawson has always noticed Noah. He was the most popular guy on campus, until he lost his parents in a car accident. Now he's withdrawn and silent. Mustering up the courage to give her condolences, the two end up talking, and Riley grows determined to help Noah find himself again. Every time she coaxes a smile from him, she can feel the ice around his heart melting. But Riley knows that Noah's loss is still close to him. She's opening up her heart, but can Noah do the same? He's got so much to lose, but now, so does she. [[word count: 70,000-80,000 words]]

It's the day of visitors. But the visitors to Sin-si are unwelcomed, vengeful beom. Unforgotten animosity fills the air and rage collides, soaking the ground with blood. Seven boys take up their weapons to end this fight, once and for all. 7FATES: CHAKHO with BTS ***** Content advisory: this story contains some violence Original story: HYBE Co-planning: HYBE / NAVER WEBTOON