T E A S E R

❝They look at us as if we're some strange specimen they can't figure out... like we're ridden with diseases that they have to cure— going as far as to compare us to murderers to satisfy their homophobia. But, we're just like them.❞

C A S T

Yoongi Min | 17

Hoseok Jung | 17

Jimin Park | 18

Namjoon Kim | 18

W A R N I N G S

This story will contain religious trauma, slurs, homophobia (especially in terms of religion, expressed outwardly, and internally), outing, plenty of angst, slowburn, mentions of abuse, mentions of conversion therapy, societal pressure, mentions & developments of mental illness, self deprecating thoughts, contain mature themes, and is not for the faintest of heart. 

This fic is labeled mature because of all the themes surrounding it— not because of any smut scenes. There will be no smut (but ofc you if you know me you know I don't write smut!).

As always, characters will not be personalities you are accustomed to. I have paid extra attention to my characters (especially in this fic), to make them as complex as possible. This being said, many of these characters will go through exponential character development. I beg of you, please do not bash or harmfully criticize any of these characters (this means any comments that end up being directed towards me like, "why did you make hoseok this way?" or "yoongi isn't like that in real life" etc, etc.). While you're supposed to feel a certain way for your characters, remember that this is all fiction. 

Please do not bring up anything from real life when it comes to the members. I don't want to see any, "Yoongi's gay asf real life", etc., etc. I know I mentioned this above, but just to reiterate because sometimes y'all don't be listening. 

There will be ships apart from SOPE, purely for the story's advancement and character development.

DISCLAIMERS

Because this centers around religion, specifically Catholicism and Christianity, there will be many remarks that may be seen as "offensive" to those who practice said religion. That being said, I do not care. 

I do not care if you get offended because of what my characters say. 

I do not care if you do not agree with how my characters perceive your religion. 

I do not care if you feel that I am making your religion look bad. 

I do not care if you think I'm trying to push an "atheistic, anti-religion" agenda.

Everyone has a right to their own religion and I am not taking that away from you. That is not my intention here.

Religion will play a key part (as it does to many, including myself, in real life) in Paradise in You. Historically, the Catholic Church and the Christian community have played a key role in an LGBTQ+ individual's self hatred, homophobia, and overall, creating an unsafe, suffocating environment for those in it that affects many even today, in the year 2021.

My goal is not to take you away from your religion. You are free to worship whoever you want, follow beliefs that you see fit. If you get offended by how your religion is portrayed, then just leave. This book is not for you. Leave, and ask yourself, why you got offended. 

You can follow a religion that is criticized. It's nothing new. 

What we will not do is have people in my comments telling me ANYTHING that disproves or diminishes the experiences that are detailed here. I do not want any, "God loves you", "Not everyone thinks like that. You just haven't found the good ones yet.", "You shouldn't talk about God like that", or any other type of comment that remotely tries to invalidate anything to anything written.

A part of growing is learning and accepting that there are flaws in everything— especially in religion. Any type of comments that deny that or try to belittle LGBTQ+ experiences with religion will be muted. The only people that can make comments are LGBTQIA+ individuals who have been affected by religion in any sort of way. 

To reiterate,  no religion is bad. There's no demonizing religion, but a trait often seen in Christians is their need to try to act as if their religion is the best. Many try to force Christianity down the throats of those who have parted ways with religion and/or do not follow Christianity, preaching salvation, which is why I'm already warning you. I better not see any comments of the sort.

All I'm asking for is an open mind and basic respect.

(and for no Christians and Catholics with savior complexes infesting my comment sections)

Obviously, many religions have become more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community now, in 2021. This fic takes place in 2015, so keep an open mind. The thinking of the past is different from the present (though a lot of it has remained the same).

Every single queer person's story is different. Keeping this in mind, I urge you to refrain from making any homophobic (or seemingly homophobic) comments. Any comments that may hint or make fun of ANYTHING that happens in this fic will result in immediate muting. Any comments that anyone may make that hurts another user will result in immediate muting.

I'm not playing around.

While this is fiction, the themes and everything that happens in this story rings true to many people. Coming out, discovering who you are, unlearning everything about yourself, it's hard. It's difficult and none of this is a joking matter.

Many people have struggled with coming out. Others have been immediately accepted and are able to be themselves without any worry. Some never come out, out of fear for their life. To repeat, EACH PERSON IN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY'S STORY IS DIFFERENT.

I have taken careful measures, from using my own experiences and doing outside research on the side to make this fic as realistic as possible. The way that religion is expressed is based on what I have witnessed and the patterns often seen in these communities. 

Thank you.

N O T E S

Not all BTS members will make an appearance. They may be mentioned but not appear. No where's ______ comments. Thank you. 

Originally written for the SOPE Fest 2021, I decided to publish it here (in parts, of course). I cannot stress enough how this story is not to be messed around with. Please take this as seriously as you possibly can.

Remember I can always take down this fic! 

I will be dividing this into parts, mostly because it is WAY too long to put in one chapter. Of course, the fic is already available on AO3 if you want to go read it over there, otherwise, you will have to wait a couple of days for me to organize the fic into appropriate chapter lengths (& chapter titles) so that you can read from the comfort of Wattpad.

Paradise in You will be split into three parts: Paradise Lived, Paradise Lost, and Paradise Found.

I do not have to keep this story up if I do not want to. It is a privilege, not a right, that I have decided to publish this here.

I do not own BTS nor am I affiliated with them in any way. Please note that this is a work of fiction. I am, in no way, attempting to force the ships utilized in this story.

Paradise in You is set in 2015 Texas, United States, a couple of months after Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark Supreme Court decision that made it unconstitutional for states to ban same-sex marriage.  This made same-sex marriage legal in America, a huge win for the LGBTQ+ community, while also rising anti-LGBTQ+ populations to rally against this decision.

I hope that this fic can be relatable to some, maybe provide some comfort for people who couldn't accept who they are before, and potentially validate those who are still questioning themselves or struggling because of external factors.

If you're still here, let's get it!