chanceonceli

[chanceonceli]

HOW THEY LOOK AT YOU ⠀⠀summary: there is a mystical glow in a lover's eyes, and when he looks at you, it is the creation of the universe that beautifies his gaze.

⪩ pairing: yoongi, namjoon, jimin, jungkook x gn!reader. ⪩ genre: headcanons, fluff. ⪩ word count: 1.2k total, ~300 each.

YOONGI 𓏲 ִֶָ ๋ ᡣ𐭩 ⠀⠀as if there was still hope.

Yoongi had already stopped looking. Yoongi had already lived for years in a ball of darkness, completely surrounded by nothing but the persistent nightmares and the constant reminder of the malice, the corruption, the negativity of this world.

Yoongi just wanted some peace, serenity, something that would calm him down even if it was just for one night.

there was no color, there was no joy, there was no escape route.

the small pleasures that Yoongi had found seemed insignificant as time passed. with the lack of support. with the need for a safe haven that would receive him and protect him from his own mind, his own past, himself.

but all it took for Yoongi to see a light in his life was just looking at you once. all it took for Yoongi to find a reason for his existence was to notice your presence. and, with a simple look, Yoongi’s entire world stopped being so heavy, so dark, so negative.

with words woven from the most beautiful poems. with laughter stolen from the most beautiful stars. with the sweetness borrowed from the most beautiful gods. you were not afraid to radiate light. you weren’t afraid to illuminate and paint Yoongi’s life. You weren’t afraid to love Yoongi.

your hot nature broke the dark prison that had held Yoongi hostage for years on end. your simple words flooded Yoongi’s heart. your mere presence was enough for Yoongi to believe he was worthy of all the happiness he constantly ran away from. Yoongi looked at you with the shyness of a first love: always afraid of saying the wrong thing and seeing you disappear from his life, taking with you all your light, all your kindness, all your essence. he looked at you like someone admires shooting stars: silently, alone, without any sense of reality. but always with hope. always with the wish that tomorrow would never come so that he could enjoy that moment and all your company during a night that could become eternal.

NAMJOON 𓏲 ִֶָ ๋ ᡣ𐭩 ⠀⠀as if the sunset was eternal.

a mixture of admiration and envy shone in Namjoon’s eyes whenever he looked at you, because he knew perfectly well that someone as beautiful, as divine, as ethereal as you could conquer the entire world – if you just wanted to.

an extreme happiness settled in Namjoon with the certainty that the beauty of your nature would never be extinguished, always being blessed by a spring that never saw autumn.

a deep hope was beginning to grow in Namjoon with the knowledge that your essence would roam the universe for infinite eternities and bless any and all romantics with a bit of your tenderness.

the passion that existed between the two of you was nothing more than a mere dust amid all the stars that you were sure had been conquered by you – its destruction was the cry of the universe for the ephemerality of your passions, in this life, in another life, in a new life, in all lives.

it was impossible for Namjoon not to smile when he looked at you. all his intelligence, all his reasoning, all his most logical self seemed insignificant compared to your beauty, your heart, your soul.

looking at you, Namjoon was sure. multitudes were contained in you. poetry and magic clung to your lips with the desire to be sung by you. stories of love and past lives existed only to guide you into the safe waters of love. and Namjoon swore, Namjoon knew – you two lived each and every one of these lives, these loves. Namjoon looked at you with the certainty of the eternity of your beauty. with the certainty that your essence would forever mark our world, far beyond your departure. Namjoon looked at you like someone looked at a sunset: in love with your colorful soul, fascinated by your tender heart, enchanted by your entire existence.

JIMIN 𓏲 ִֶָ ๋ ᡣ𐭩 ⠀⠀as if a new fairy tale was being created.

the stars declaimed your love to the various planets that yearned to hear your story. the moon kept safe the promises you exchanged with Jimin in the calmest lakes and gentlest rivers. the birds repeated your laughter in the hope of finding a love as beautiful and true as yours.

the world had just succumbed to Jimin’s love for you, always wishing it could find something as meaningful and authentic as your love.

Jimin’s eyes couldn’t escape the grace of your soul.

that love that beat inside Jimin’s chest went far beyond the carnal desire that makes a human being a prisoner. it was a heavier feeling, a feeling that unraveled the soul and intertwined it into a ball of pure passion and admiration that would last for centuries and centuries without end.

Jimin looked at you as if a new fantasy story was being written: unafraid of making mistakes, with nothing to hide. a pure innocence brimmed from your smiles, peppering each and every promise that was made under the moonlight.

and that was the beauty of you. all this feeling outlined your souls and sculpted your essences in an eternal embrace of total devotion. a calming of his person, a comfort of his identity, a lulling of his spirit – that was how Jimin looked at you.

JUNGKOOK 𓏲 ִֶָ ๋ ᡣ𐭩 ⠀⠀as if spring would never end.

a feeling of being at home settled in Jungkook every time your arms welcomed him when the days were longer and the nights were colder. the warmth that emanated from you comforted him in his most difficult moments and carried him to a safe haven that would always protect him.

finally Jungkook had found his shelter.

the definition of the word ‘home’ felt deeper, more magical, when you entered Jungkook’s life.

you brought with you a new color pallet that you used to paint Jungkook’s heart and his entire soul. the yellows mixed with purples painted beautiful sunrises inside Jungkook; all the blues and greens danced in unison in so many forests of emotions and oceans of promises. a whole new world seemed brighter, more vivid, because you were in it. simply that.

Jungkook knew that you were the bringer of all the beauty in the world.

it didn’t matter how corrupt his heart was with all the malice in the world. it didn’t matter how black your soul felt when he woke up. for Jungkook, you would always be the one who carried the colors of this world.

Jungkook looked at you with the lightness of a new chosen dream.

he lived in the conviction that all the flowers would bloom at your every step. he knew all the birds sang romantic songs just for you. he was sure that nature only existed because it was an extension of your beauty. Jungkook looked at you like someone admires spring: hopeful for better days brought by your laughter, cozy with the light you radiated so naturally, grateful to be alive at the same time as you.

♡ feedback is appreciated ♡

[chanceonceli]

⍣*°:⋆ THIS AIN’T NO PHASE ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ || OT7 엔하이픈 x fem!reader || headcanons

summary: how enhypen would act as reader’s down bad classmate

genre: fluff, romance, non-idol!enhypen x non-idol!reader, somewhat high school au except it’s not that in-depth, lowkey enha as simps

warnings: can’t think of anything major, attempts at humour, intentional lowercase btw

[archive]

・❥・ 희승 // heeseung

totally the show off type, he sneaks glances at you after he accomplishes something on the first try to make sure you noticed (will end up sulking for like an hour if you were looking elsewhere)

learns new skills just to show you, like you’ll offhandedly mention something about the bass guitar in a new viral song and within a week he’ll have learnt it by sneaking into the school’s music room and using their bass. he has no clue when, if ever, he’ll get the chance to show you, but if that time comes, he’ll be prepared

definitely the kind of guy that likes testing the waters with pick up lines and lowkey flirting, he also knows he’s attractive — which is always bad news when the guy knows — so he would totally give you a beautiful smile and a corny joke of some kind, his eyes darting back and forth to study your reaction

never wanted to make a fool of himself around you until the one time he embarrassed himself a little and you let out the most enchanting laugh, he swears the skies parted. from then on, it didn’t always matter to him how he looked and presented himself, he became less critical of himself, because if he could make you smile, or better yet, laugh? that would make his day

more under cut!

・❥・ 종성 // jay

much more of a conversationalist than you’d expect — totally starts unprompted conversations on various topics just to hear your perspective and he always asks for your opinion because it means the most to him, except . sometimes you have no opinion on some of the things he asks, so there’s just this odd silence afterwards

will usually have homecooked meals that he makes himself or has leftovers from super expensive restaurants that your other classmates have been waiting months to get a reservation to, and he always shares that food with you, like your entire friend group would get their share but he’d save the best part for you and he always asks if you liked it afterwards because he's storing that information away for potential future dates

there are far too many times he “accidentally” bought an extra snack or dessert from the cafeteria and, well, we wouldn’t want that to go to waste now, would we? so he’ll just casually slide it over to you, like it’s the most normal thing to do

very acts of service, all you’d need to do is just grumble under your breath about your pen being shitty and almost out of ink and he’s bringing out his two best pens and handing them to you. or say you guys are doing an experiment in your chemistry class, he’s immediately getting all the equipment, you don’t need to move at all, (oh, but, he loves following your lead for the actual experiment — the kind of guy that goes “whatever you wanna do”, to which you’d reply “um, technically it’s not up to me, jay. if we do these steps out of order, we could blow up the classroom” . “oh, right”)

・❥・ 재윤 // jake

really giggly around you, like, really giggly. everything you say is hilarious to this man. stand up comedy who? he’d actually be so amusing about it too, like bro is randomly chuckling in a class where you’re not even there, just because he remembered something you said

he once tried the move of asking you for help in class. except you rightfully pointed out that he knew much more about the current topic than you did, you had no idea what he expected to learn from you — he then realised the better option is to ask you if he can double check his work or “compare notes”

the first time he caught a mistake/typo in your work, he felt a little bad for pointing it out, but he quickly came to appreciate the clear view of your concentration face when you tried to redo your answer. he'll be constantly flicking his gaze up and back down, trying to keep his eyes on his notebook but ends up tapping his pen against the empty page while he admires the way you furrow your brows while you think

always asks if you’re coming to the school’s soccer game (or football, i guess, i’m australian and we call it soccer) anyway, he spends like five minutes before every game dedicated for scanning the crowd to see if you’re there — if you do ever decide to go, know that your presence is completely unrelated to how he just so happened to score the most goals out of his team . completely

・❥・ 성훈 // sunghoon

stares a lot, but he naturally zones out in class (to the point where teachers ask why he’s staring off into space) so you don’t always question it, except it’s clearly the best excuse he has to keep staring at you

not really outspoken but he definitely would be the type to mutter the most cringe fail jokes to the people around him and takes it as a personal victory every time you scoff out a small chuckle, has a mental list of the kinds of jokes you find funny because man is studying the trends to come up with new material

without realising, he would end up having your schedule memorised, and would totally use that knowledge to his advantage. say your science class is before his — bro is bolting out the door to get to the classroom in time to say a quick “hi” before you leave, he does it so often that you’re convinced he has PE before science, because there’s no other explanation for why every time you see him, this guy is winded like he finished a race (except for the fact that he ran halfway across the school campus for a five second interaction)

would be heavily invested in whatever you take an interest in, he doesn’t even have to understand it, he just wants to know about it because of you. say you’re current interest is modernist literature, he’d snag the perfect opportunity to ask you to explain it to him and let you ramble to your hearts content while he stares at you with the most soft expression, and he isn’t zoning out this time, he’s just pleasantly distracted by the view

・❥・ 선우 // sunoo

would be the type to find the smallest common interest and be convinced that it means your destined to be. like, you could mention something in passing like a show or something, and if he stumbles across it in his recommendations? dude is ecstatic . because what do you mean the universe just happened to show him the exact piece of media you’re obsessed with? (you’re not, it’s literally your most casual interest, but bro is convinced)

he wouldn’t hesitate to compliment you, like he would openly admire your hair if you do something new with it, or if he hears you talk about the new earrings you’re wearing he’d turn around to look at them and give you that nod of approval and say something about how it frames your face nicely, zero shame in what others would think from his forwardness

more subdued when it’s just the two of you, he usually rants about whatever random shenanigans are going on around your school, things that he’s heard or seen, usually retold with editorial humour and a lot of sidebar comments that you wouldn’t be able to help but laugh at, definitely keeps adding to the joke until your sides are hurting from laughing together, he probably has it marked in his calendar on the day he made you laugh so hard your eyes shone with tears a little bit (an achievement in his books)

more subtle when it comes to something as risky as asking you out, he’d try and play it off as simply recommending a certain cafe or a certain movie and if he just so happened to imply that you two should go together, well, that was just out of politeness, of course … unless?

・❥・ 정원 // jungwon

spits out random facts and genuinely believes that they’re the stepping stone to developing a relationship with you (while you sit there confused, because how do the surprise donuts your teacher brought even remotely relate to camels and their ability to drink 200L of water in three minutes??)

i think he would like trying to create a routine with you, something familiar, something that will remind you of him — maybe if you guys sit near each other, he’d always take both your workbooks to the teacher out front for you. or if there’s this special dessert at your cafeteria that he knows you like, he’ll split it with you every time it’s offered. he seems like the type that would find reminders of you in even the smallest of things so he just wishes to create a connection where you’ll feel the same

always sends you the notes when you’re missing from class, his notes aren’t exactly the neatest but they are funny. he adds like little doodles and comments (mostly for himself tbh, he'd add things like “just think of integration as differentiation’s older brother” in the margins of his maths notes or something). honestly, he had considered rewriting them neatly for you, but after you initiated a conversation about the mutilation of a portrait he did of your teacher, well, he figured any chance to talk to you wouldn’t hurt

the kind of guy who will try and send you signals through music and song lyrics, like if you post a certain song on your story, he’d pick the same song but choose a different lyric to play on his story, something more romantically coded. or if you talk about a new artist you’re listening too, he’ll find their most romantic song and say that’s his favourite and asks you listen because he thinks you’ll like it

・❥・ 리키 // ni-ki

very quiet, you’d probably think he was mute if it wasn’t for his low acknowledgment of presence when the teacher takes the attendance. the biggest rush he gets out of his day is when he says a couple words to you in your shared classes. it would always be really quick conversations too, he’d mutter about the teacher being uptight, or complain about the worksheet being printed in black and white instead of in colour, or ask you if you’re cold before getting up to shut the window next to your desks — small, but meaningful

the type to walk up and down the same hallway five times before working up the courage to enter the room you’re in. if you asked him why he did that he’d straight up be like “that wasn’t me. anyway…” adksajd so it’s safe to say he seems a little odd but charming and he’s counting on that charm to help him pull through and land at least a movie date

super competitive in PE class and it’s like a switch will flip and he’s suddenly more suave and confident when he’s in that element so expect a lot of random sidebar conversations while you guys do warm up stretches, he’d totally be the kind of guy to walk past you and drop one of the water bottles near you before walking off to his friends, definitely brushes his hair back like twenty times, gives unsolicited advice on how you can throw better or kick better or whatever it is depending on the sport, you’d be like “[raised eyebrow] i still scored didn’t i?” and he’d backtrack so fast it would be hilarious

has definitely sketched you before, let’s be real. half the time he spends in art class is sketching you in his personal sketchbook — he’d be smart enough to not draw your face (at least in the book he brings to school), it would be something like your side profile but it’s off centre so any other person would think the main focus of his sketch is the window which you sit beside, but to him, the main focus is you. he’d sketch anything he associates with you too, say for example if you mentioned your favourite flower just casually, he’d have a whole page dedicated to various sketches of that flower, no one else would really be able to tell what all his sketches mean, they’re like puzzle pieces that only you’d be able to put together

a.n: this took a while (been so distracted by numerous diff fandoms and a little sad bcs of mama awards but wtv) this is dedicated to my lovely mootie @sheepsgf !! the indescribable beauty that was jungwon’s solo intro in mama will forever live in my head btw, but i figured i’ve done three posts for won already aksjdjs time to do an ot7 one bcs i love them all and they’ve worked so hard !!

taglist: @oceanstide — @sheepsgf

2024 © yourislandgirl

[chanceonceli]

🌼boyfriend!jihoon x reader.

jihoon loves you and you love him. it sounds plain and simple, but the saying rings true: what is done with love is done well. ୨ৎ happy woozi day! ♡

↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ lily of the valley by daniel. bad by wave to earth. for lovers who hesitate by jannabi. pretty boy by the neighbourhood. tell me, will we survive? by pryvt, hanuel, hnta. green by 12bh. l-o-v-e by rocco. when it snows by 1415. when you love someone by day6.

240526 #woozi 🌟 if i were to have a small greed, it’s that i will be able to see everyone for a long time. thank you for being with me. thank you for walking with us. you did well today.

[chanceonceli]

caught in bloom, caught on you | xu minghao

SYNOPSIS. in which you find yourself becoming a regular𑁋or perhaps more than that𑁋at minghao's flower shop. PAIRING. florist!xu minghao x gn!reader GENRE. fluff, a pinch of angst, hurt/comfort, strangers to friends to lovers WARNINGS. hao basically falls in love at first sight HAHA, mild cursing, a lot of yearning n pining, kissing WORD COUNT. 8.3k

notes: wheeboo is NOT in their short-ish fic era anymore and is in their long-ish fic era rn 😭 anyway,, i didnt have a title for the fic until hao posted his song on his birthday so... I hope u all enjoy?? this might be one of my faves haha

Minghao likes these kinds of days.

Thin, irregular shapes of cotton drift lazily across the endless blue embrace of the skies. The afternoon sun carries warmth in its hands that he could feel right through the glass windows of his flower shop. It's almost as if the season of summer itself is breathing through his shop, softly encouraging his little garden to reach for the light.

Minghao runs his slender fingers through the cool edges of a hydrangea, its soft petals a deep shade of prismarine.

Ever since he was younger, his mother had told him that flowers weren't just things to be cared for. They were companions, your friends if you'd let them be, each blooming with all different kinds of personalities.

He likes how the flowers didn't ask for much; they simply needed patience and care, and in return, they gave him a sense of peace that he couldn't find anywhere else.

The sudden chime of the bell pulls him from his thoughts. He straightens up, wiping his hands on the apron tied loosely around his waist, and glances toward the door.

The figure the walks through the door is unfamiliar, yet it's easy to catch the way the sunlight highlights the edges of your silhouette, almost like a halo as you step inside the shop. For a moment, Minghao is simply taken aback by the quiet grace of your entrance, the way the afternoon light seems to favour you.

Your gaze circles around the shop, taking in the rows of flowers with a soft curiosity. There's some sort of quiet hesitation in your movements when you take a few more tentative steps inside, as if you're trying to find the right place to be in this space, just as much as you're trying to find the right flower.

Minghao finds himself clearing his throat, drawing a polite smile across his lips and catching your attention right away.

"Good afternoon," he greets calmly. "Can I help you with something today?"

You glance up at him, a slight surprise in your eyes before they soften.

"Hi, um... Yeah, I was actually looking to see if I could buy some flowers. The shop I went to before closed down, so I've been searching for a new place. It was a bit of a drive." Then you hesitate briefly, before continuing, "I'm not sure what to look for exactly, but something for a first date would be nice."

Minghao's heart stirs a bit disappointingly at that, though he quickly suppresses the feeling away. After all, it's just flowers, and you're simply here to buy them for someone else.

He nods thoughtfully, giving a soft, understanding look.

"Ah, well. Congratulations first of all on the date," he says calmly, though the nerves itches his fingers. "A first date is always special, isn't it?"

"They are," You reply sheepishly, and the hint of a blush to your cheeks nearly resembles the colour of the roses displayed near the window.

"Is there a specific kind of vibe you're going for?" Minghao asks. "I can help you pick something that feels right."

You pause for a moment, eyes lingering on a beautifully-painted vase. "Hmm, I think... something romantic, but not too traditional, if that makes sense? Not something too cliché, you know, but I also want it to feel special."

Minghao simply hums in response, his mind sifting through the variety of options he could think of. There's this odd sense of responsibility within him to make your choice is beyond perfect.

"Roses are always a classic," he begins. "but they're quite conventional, so..."

He can sense you following closely to him as he walks toward another part of the shop.

"These are tulips," Minghao explains, gesturing to a row of soft, voluminous blooms in shades of pale pink and coral. "They're not commonly picked like roses, but there's a nice charm about it. They're meant to represent long-lasting love."

You take a good look of the flowers, and you're amazed by how bright they appear.

"Wow, they're so beautiful." Then you take a small glance up at Minghao, before back down at the flowers. "You must really take care of these flowers to make them look this vibrant."

"I try my best," he mutters quietly, watching as you continue to take in their beauty. "Each flower has its own needs, but with patience, they show their beauty. Much like people, I suppose."

Your eyes flicker back up at him, and for a moment, there's a quiet stillness between you, as if the space between you two is holding its breath. Then you let out a warm, somewhat nervous chuckle.

"I think I understand," You say, taking a step closer towards the tulips  and carefully running a finger over its petals. "It's about giving them space to grow, right? Not forcing them to be something they're not."

There's something about the way you speak, something thoughtful, almost as if you also understand the language of patience he's grown so accustomed to.

"Exactly." He smiles faintly. "That's what I like about flowers𑁋they don't rush. They just exist, and somehow, they slowly become what they're meant to be."

You lift your gaze to meet his, and in your eyes, Minghao sees something more than just curiosity. There's a softness there, a sincerity that draws him in. At his sides, he feels his fingers twitch slightly, but he quickly smooths his hands down his apron.

It's strange how a simple conversation about flowers can make him feel so... connected to someone.

"I think these are perfect," You tell him, eyes brightening with confidence.

A wave of satisfaction washes over Minghao, who nods in agreement.

"Would you like me to wrap them up for you?" he asks.

"That would be great, thank you," You respond with that cute grin of yours𑁋it seems more relaxed now. The thought makes his heart flutter.

Minghao begins to wrap the delicate stems with some brown wrapping paper, carefully arranging them so they're secure. As he ties a ribbon around the bouquet, he can't help but sneak up a glance at you. You're wandering around the shop with your hands clasped in front of you, looking at the other arrangements on display, and he smiles to himself.

He finishes the bouquet and smooths out any remaining creases with his fingertips. When you make your way back over to him, he offers it to you.

"Do you want to write your name on a gift tag?" Minghao asks, holding up a small card and a pen. He doesn’t know why his heart's beating faster𑁋perhaps it's the subtle hopefulness in his voice that will make your name linger longer, even after you leave.

You glance at the pen in his hand, considering it for a moment before nodding.

"Sure, I'd love to," You tell him with a faint smile, snatching the pen from his grasp, giving it a quick click before writing something down, the tip of your tongue just barely peeking out in concentration.

When you finish, you hand the card back to him. He takes it from you carefully, inspecting your neat, intricate handwriting. It's simple, yet there's a certain elegance to it it. Minghao reads it under his breath: For someone special, who I hope feels the same - Y/N.

Y/N, he repeats in his mind.

"I'll finish it up for you now," he says, placing the card with the bouquet. He arranges the flowers once more, making sure everything is perfect before handing it to you.

You find yourself fishing into your bag for your wallet. "How much do I owe you?"

Minghao hesitates for a moment, his fingers hovering over the register, but there's something about the way your features soften and how your eyes meet his that makes him pause.

"It's on the house."

You stop your hands, peering back up at him with a surprised look. "Really? Are you sure?"

"Of course," he assures calmly. "It's the least I can do."

You just blink at him a few times, a soft chuckle escaping your lips.

"Thank you," You let out sheepishly as you take the bouquet in your hands, the ribbon slipping through your fingers as you carefully adjust it. There's a split second that passes where you sneak a glance at the nametag on his chest. "I really appreciate it. I'm sure they'll love them."

Something in his chest tightens at that𑁋they'll love them. Minghao tries not to overthink it, tries to ignore the brief twinge of something unsettling in his chest.

But you're smiling, so he smiles back.

"I hope so," he replies gently, and with a polite bow of his head, he adds, "I'm sure they'll appreciate the thought behind it."

As you walk towards the exit, you take a final look around the shop, eyes lingering on the shelves of flowers, before turning back to Minghao.

"I'll be sure to come back," You say brightly, and the way the afternoon sunlight pours down all around you in the doorway makes you appear almost angelic. "Thank you for everything."

"I'll be here," Minghao responds, offering a small, timid wave of his hand. "Take care."

The chime of the bell above the door announces your departure, and a sigh leaves him.

It's just flowers, he tells himself again. Just flowers.

And flowers𑁋like people𑁋don't rush.

Minghao finds himself wiping away some spilled soil on the counter, the soft hum of piano music drifting throughout the quiet flower shop. He had just gotten done cleaning up after a busy morning of rearranging a few displays around the shop to tie into the slow seasonal changes that were beginning to take shape outside.

The shift from the warm tones of summer to the cool shades of autumn had arrived, bringing a new, fresh palette for him to play with. Chrysanthemums, petunias, dahlias, and marigolds were beginning to make their way into the shop, taking their place next to the peonies and roses that had been so meticulously cared for.

When the last bits of soil are wiped away, Minghao steps back to admire the beauty of the shop around him, he takes in a deep inhale, letting in the earthy scent of the fresh blooms fill his lungs.

After storing away a few extra vases in the backroom, the chime of the door hits his ears, and Minghao finds himself straightening back up to greet whoever had come inside.

When looks up, however, he freezes for a moment. He catches you standing in the doorway, and Minghao has to blink a few times to make sure his mind wasn't playing any tricks on him.

"Hi, again," You're the first to greet this time, and then that grin spreads across your face once again, one that seems all-too familiar.

Minghao leans against the counter. "Back so soon?"

"I was just in the area, couldn't help myself, you know..." You drawl with a playful shrug. "I actually just officially moved into the city just last week, hopefully to be closer for this new job and well... The drive here isn't as long as before."

Minghao smiles softly. It's an unexpected but pleasant surprise for you to admit all that to him, and for some reason, it makes him feel a little lighter.

"That's great," he responds, pushing himself off the counter as he straightens up. "I imagine that must be a relief. How do you like it so far?"

You step further into the shop, your eyes eagerly scanning the new arrangements he's set up.

"It's been great, actually," You say with a relieved look. "Life has been... good, honestly. I think the city suits me. It's different, but in a positive way, and I'm already surrounded by a lot of nice people."

This warm and genuine feeling tugs at Minghao's lips as he listens to you, adjusting the stems of a vase full of a plethora of zinnias.

"I'm assuming that date from before went well then?"

His words makes the smile on your face flicker, and the change is subtle but noticeable enough for Minghao to catch it, even when he's not directly looking at you. You shift your weight between your two feet, and the way you glance around the shop seems almost like you're trying to distract yourself from something.

"The date didn't go well at all, actually."

Minghao's fingertips pause on the cold surface of the vase, brows furrowing in a bit of surprise.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," he apologises gently, regretting for the sudden change in mood. "I didn't mean to bring up anything uncomfortable."

You let out a small, rueful chuckle, shaking your head. "No, no, it's okay. Really."

The air seems to thicken a little. You could only stand and watch for a few long moments as Minghao moves gracefully around, tending to all the flowers with his usual care.

After a long pause, you finally break the silence.

"It was good at first, I think, then it just became... awkward. Like really awkward. I thought I had everything planned out𑁋good place, nice flowers, all that jazz... but I guess it just didn't click. I think we both kind of felt it." You feel your shoulders deflate in a pit of defeat, a soft sigh escaping your lips as you run a hand through your hair. "I don't know why I just rambled all that. Sorry about that."

Minghao doesn't say anything at first, simply giving you some space, but he feels his heart tighten in his chest. He casts his eyes on you, also unsure why you're telling him this or why it feels important to him, but he knows it's a moment of vulnerability𑁋a rare one𑁋and he wants to handle it with care.

"No need to say sorry," he reaffirms, tone soothing. "Sometimes things don't go as expected, and that's okay. It doesn't mean it wasn't meaningful."

You glance towards him, catching the sincerity dripping down from his words. It catches you by surprise at how almost... comfortable it feels to be open right now, with him. The atmosphere here doesn't demand anything of you.

"As people, we try so hard to make things go right that we forget to just... let them unfold naturally," he says softly, as if thinking aloud. "I think sometimes things don't work out because we're not ready for them yet, or maybe they're not the right kind of flower at the right time. You can spend so much time trying to arrange them, placing them in the perfect spot, hoping they'll just fit… but sometimes they don't. And that's okay."

You can't help but quirk a playful lip at that, but you can't resist the way his words appear to tug right at your heartstrings. "Are you comparing me to a flower?"

"Not just you, no," Minghao replies amusedly. "But I think you could be. A flower, I mean. You're just someone who's figuring out what kind you want to be."

The thought about being a flower𑁋in another life, perhaps𑁋is a bit silly. But you also wonder about other things too𑁋if you're being treated with the same care and attention that Minghao gives to his flowers, or if you're wilting like one that hasn't found the right light yet. And as you gaze around the shop, taking in the beauty of the blooms around you, you find yourself smiling.

"I think I'd like to try and take care of a flower," You announce, determination weaving around your voice and words. "I'm not sure if I'd be good at it, but I'd like to try."

Minghao crosses his arms together, letting out a thoughtful hum while studying you for a few seconds. "I think you'd do well."

For some reason, those few words were enough to send heat crawling up your body and into your face.

"Thank you," You breathe out sheepishly, the corners of your mouth tugging upwards. "Can you give me a few recommendations?"

Minghao just nods. "Sure."

From there, he leads you toward a small display near the front of the shop where a few different pots and seedlings are carefully arranged. He describes a few of them to you. You're immediately drawn to the passion dripping from his tone, and the way he appears to light up when he speaks.

"These might be a good start," he suggests, gesturing to a small seedling. "Marigolds are pretty low maintenance. They need light, of course, but they're easy to grow and care for."

You take a moment to study over the baby plant with sweet curiosity.

"I think I'll start with these, then," You say, glancing back at Minghao. "Something easy."

Minghao's eyes don't stray away from how you admire the tiny plant, how you cradle the pot in your hands to take a closer look at it as if you're already imagining yourself taking care of it.

"Taking care of them can be a good reminder to take care of yourself too," he points out. "They need patience, consistency… and a little bit of trust, just like people do."

You look up at him, a smile tugging at your lips once more, feeling something warm bloom in your chest. His words settle into you in a way that's hard to describe, but they feel right𑁋like they're exactly what you need to hear.

"That's true," You reply, the weight of the sentiment settling comfortably within you. "I guess I could use a reminder like that."

"Shall I wrap it up for you?" he offers.

"Yes, please. Thank you."

After mulling over some options, he chooses the perfect wrapping paper and adds a small note about caring for marigolds. You watch him, mesmerised by the ease in his movements, the care he pours into something so simple. For a moment, you forget about all the bustling noise outside the shop, and all that exists is Minghao and the flowers, his flowers.

As Minghao ties the final knot around the marigold pot, he hands it to you, and his fingertips briefly brush against yours.

"Thank you," You tell him softly. "For everything, really. It's very calming in here."

Minghao's smile widens, almost like he's heard those same words before, and perhaps he has; maybe many people find themselves drawn to his calm presence and the haven he's created in this little shop.

There's a strange warmth that spreads throughout your chest as you cradle the small plant in your hands. "I'll be sure to take good care of it."

A few moments of comfortable silence pass as you both stand there, your eyes drifting around the shop to take in the palette of autumn that colours the space. Yet it's almost instinctive in the way your gaze finds Minghao.

"I hope you won't mind me coming back, you know... to make sure I'm doing a good job with this little one." You gesture to the plant in your hands, a playful tone to your words.

Minghao chuckles, a sound as gentle as the petals surrounding him. "Of course. I'll be here."

"Do you mind if I take another look around with the place? It looks great, by the way."

"Take all the time you need."

And for the first time in a long while, Minghao felt like he wasn't just waiting for the next flower to bloom.

He was blooming, too.

"Do you have a favourite flower?"

The question rests upon Minghao's shoulders while he waters a cluster of orchids in the back corner of the shop. You're hovering near him, aimlessly trudging your fingertips over, but instead lets the question settle in between the quiet moments.

"I imagine it's hard to pick as a florist, right?" You let out a meek laugh. "It's kind of like asking a painter to pick their favourite colour."

The corners of Minghao's lips curl up slightly, his eyes fixed on the glistening leaves under the faint droplets of water. You can tell he's contemplating the question from the quiet hums leaving his mouth, and for some reason, you find comfort in his patience.

"Not exactly," he says after a pause, his voice steady, thoughtful. "A painter might have a favourite colour, but they don't use it all the time. It's about balance. Knowing when to bring it forward and when to hold it back."

"Ah, so you do have a favourite flower," You tease lightly, nudging him playfully with your shoulder. "You just don't want to admit it."

The brief touch seems to linger in the air, a soft warmth that you both let pass without acknowledging. Minghao gently sets the watering can down and looks at you for a moment, his gaze a little deeper than before.

"In China, we have a lot of flowers that hold meaning," Minghao continues. "It's hard to pick one specifically, but... I've been liking the liánhuā lately𑁋the lotus. It grows in muddy water and blooms above the surface, even despite those circumstances. It also represents purity, resilience, and growth."

You tilt your head as you take in his words. You already knew yourself that you didn't know much about flowers, but there's a certain curiosity that washes over you from how Minghao speaks so fondly about them. Even something as simple as a flower has layers of meaning for him.

"That's really beautiful, I..." You trail off, trying to find the right words. "I've always looked at things really surface-level, you know, like I've always found daisies beautiful because they're so simple and bright, but I never really thought much about their deeper meanings. It's kind of like... I never thought about why I liked them. It's just easy to see them and appreciate them, I guess."

Minghao blinks at you, before lowering his gaze down to the floor. "Daisies suit you."

You turn to him, dazed. "Really?"

Minghao takes a contemplative pause. "Well, they're not only... beautiful to look at, but they brighten up any space they're in."

You feel your feet seep into the floor, sinking deeper as your cheeks warm, suddenly hyper-aware of how close you were standing next to him. And it's the way he acts like he didn't fucking say anything out of the ordinary almost makes you lose it.

"Are you flirting with me right now?"

However, Minghao doesn't seem fazed by the question. Instead, his lips twitch into a small, almost imperceptible smile, and then a few seconds later, your phone rings.

Minghao just offers you a little wave of his soil-painted hand. "Have fun at work, Y/N."

"Minghao! Can you teach me how to wrap these flowers?"

Minghao casts his attention up from displaying a new set of hyacinths, catching you behind the counter with a bouquet in your hands, along with a small old lady on the other side with a cheerful grin.

There's a subtle tug at the corners of his mouth when he hears you holler for him again, and he brushes his hands against his apron, before marching his way toward you. He steps up to you, taking the flowers from your hand while you beam happily towards the old lady.

"What's the occasion for the flowers, ma'am?" You ask curiously. Th elderly woman lets out a soft laugh, resting her wrinkled hands on the counter.

"It's for my grandson! He's graduating from high school today. Time flies by, doesn't it?"

"Wow, that's such a milestone! Congratulations to him," You exclaim enthusiastically, softly clapping your hands together as Minghao deftly arranges the flowers within the wrapping paper, before sliding it over to you.

He leans in a bit more, almost too close you feel the way his arm brushes against yours and the way his breath fans against your skin.

"Fold the edges like this," Minghao instructs softly, his hands hovering right over yours. "Make sure the paper covers the stems. Too much pressure could break them; too loose could make them fall apart."

You watch as his hands follow yours while you nervously, yet carefully trace the frail edge of the paper, showing you how to make each fold with a care that's almost tender. His close proximity sends strange flutters to your stomach, but you do your best to ignore it.

"Okay, like this?" You question, pulling the paper slightly tighter around the bouquet.

Minghao hums approvingly, letting you hold the flowers while he circles a ribbon around it with ease. His hands brush against yours as he neatly ties it, and the two of you pull back to watch how it delicately falls over the bouquet.

The old lady glances between the two of you with a knowing smile.

"The two of you make such a cute couple! Do you run the shop together?"

You feel your face fire up at that, cheeks burning with embarrassment. Then you instinctively glance over at Minghao, who surprisingly doesn't seem as flustered as you are.

"Oh, um, we're not𑁋"

"They like to help out here once in a while," Minghao adds in smoothly, though you aren't sure if that entirely helps or not. However you know what he's saying is true, because whenever your break for work comes or on your free time, you find yourself naturally walking towards the flower shop to help out at times.

The lady just beams up even more, scooping up the bouquet in her grasp. "Well, it's nice to see young faces working together! You two sure do have a lot of chemistry."

You offer a wave of your hand. "I hope your grandson enjoys the flowers. Congratulations to him once again!"

With that, the old woman offers a small wink before turning to head out of the shop. "Thank you, dear! Take care, both of you." Her delighted steps echo off the walls as she exits the shop.

The shop grows quiet again. You let out a sigh, cracking your knuckles as you turn to Minghao, who was already wiping over the surface of the counter, making quick work of putting things back in order, and for some reason, it still doesn't wipe away the pit of awkwardness you're feeling. You wonder if he feels the same too.

"So," Minghao starts, still continuing to clean without batting a glance at you. "You're taking over my shop, it seems."

You let out a haughty scoff. "I just wanted to try wrapping some flowers for someone. Don't let it get to your head."

Minghao only chuckles lightly, though he keeps his focus on the counter, yet you could only focus on him. You can't help but admire the way his hair falls effortlessly over his forehead, the slight endearing tilt of his head as he works, and how his movements are so meticulously unique to only him. There's a certain aura he exudes that makes you feel strangely at peace, a magic that only seems to reside within the walls of the shop.

"Why didn't you say no?" You suddenly ask, the question slipping out before you could shut your mouth.

Minghao pauses mid-swipe, looking back up at you. "Say no to what?"

"To, uh... the lady back there," You stammer, feeling the heat creep back at your neck. "About us, you know... being a couple."

Minghao remains silent as he tosses the dirty wipe away. For a moment, he seems to be contemplating something𑁋whether the question, the idea, or something more.

Then he just simply shrugs. "I guess I didn't mind it," he replies lowly, and meets your eyes warily. "Does it bother you?"

Your mind goes completely blank at his question. Does it bother you? The simple truth is that you didn't expect him to answer so casually. You were expecting him to probably correct her humbly, in all honesty. After all, it was just a passing comment from a lady who didn't mean any harm behind it.

But... does it bother you?

"No, it... it doesn't bother me. Really," You respond after a pause, voice coming out a bit forced. Your heart is beating super fast right now. "I guess I just didn't expect you to go along with it since we're not𑁋"

"𑁋not a couple," Minghao finishes for you. "I know."

You feel like you're melting into a pile of goo, your thoughts scattering like ants running out of their pile.

"I'm sorry, I'm overthinking," You mumble out, trying to brush everything off with an airy laugh.

Minghao shakes his head. "I should be sorry. I made you uncomfortable."

"You-You didn't, trust me!" You wave your hands dismissively, albeit a bit dramatic. "I was just caught off-guard and didn't know how to respond."

This seems to relax Minghao's shoulders a bit, but not entirely.

"Okay," he says, and his voice is as light as a  wisp getting caught in the wind. "But you'd tell me if you were uncomfortable, right?"

You give him an easy nod, maybe even confident. "I would. I promise. And you'd... tell me too?"

Minghao meets your eyes with a steady gaze, his expression soft but thoughtful. For a moment, there's a subtle shift in the air, and you can feel the weight of his words before he speaks again.

"Yeah," he answers firmly, sincerely. "I would."

When you open your mouth to speak again, your phone dings in your pocket. You squint your eyes to read over the message in your notifications, before closing up your phone.

"My meeting got cancelled." Then you blink up towards Minghao, as if trying to convey an unspoken question to him.

As if the answer wasn't already obvious, Minghao gives you a small, almost teasing smile.

"I don't mind the company," he tells you, then quirks up a brow. "Unless you do."

"I don't mind either," I like being in this place... with you. "Not at all."

Flowers bloom when the time is right. And you don't mind waiting for it.

When a flower dies, there's a certain routine that comes after it. Trim away the wilted petals, dispose of the stems, recycle them as compost, and plant the next set of blooms.

Minghao hates seeing flowers die.

The sound of crumbling petals tie a knot in his chest, the stillness that follows afterwards is almost deafening. But he knows it's an inevitable part of life. Every flower has its chance to bloom and thrive, and eventually, it will fade.

The flowers don't belong to him, after all𑁋they are simply passing through his care briefly before going to someone else or withering away, like everything else in life. Minghao knows it's unnecessary to hold onto these flowers so tightly, but after being surrounded by them his entire life, it's merely impossible to let go.

The bell chimes as he's composting a few camellias that had sadly wilted, and he gazes up to find a gust of snow following your footsteps as you step inside. A large, black fluffy coat hugs your body and a scarf is wrapped snugly around your neck. However this time, Minghao doesn't notice any ounce of a smile to your face.

He sets the compost bin down and wipes his hands on his apron.

"Y/N?"

There's a very subtle twitch to your expression when he calls out your name.

"Hey," You croak out, voice a bit strained. "Um... is it fine if I buy some flowers?"

Minghao feels something in his chest clench at your tone, but he pushes the feeling away with his usual calm composure, masking away any concern simmering on the surface.

"Sure," he replies, focusing on the shadows that plague over your features. "Is there anything specific you're looking for?"

Your eyes drift away from to look around the flower shop, taking note of the bright, usual blooms that surround you, yet none of them appear are what you're looking for.

"Do you have, um..." You feel like you're already going to regret this. "...anything for a funeral?"

The words float in the air between you both. Minghao's expression falters for just a moment, the calmness that he usually carries slipping as his eyes soften toward you.

"Of course," he says softly. "I have a few options."

With that, he leads you to a particular spot in the shop, where it houses all sorts of flowers with muted colours𑁋white roses and lilies, pale chrysanthemums, and pink and purple orchids all arranged neatly. Minghao watches as you gaze over each flower, but he doesn't speak yet, simply allowing you the moment to breathe.

"These are the traditional flowers for a funeral," he explains finally. "White roses for remembrance, lilies for peace, chrysanthemums for mourning, and orchids for everlasting love."

Minghao has picked flowers for funerals before. He's also seen people hold onto flowers that are long past their bloom, clinging to them as if their presence alone could bring someone back. He's been there too.

It's bit a different when it's you though, and he doesn't exactly know how to explain it.

You plod slowly throughout the display, picking up a stem here and there, but each time, you set it back down as if it didn't feel right. But when you come across the orchids, you linger a little longer on them, tenderly caressing the petals as if you were scared to break them.

"I think I'll choose these ones. The orchids," You murmur, picking up a few stems and showing it to him.

Minghao just nods, taking the ones from your hands and grabbing a few more to finish the rest of the bouquet, moving with careful precision.

"I'll handle the rest, don't worry," he assures you as he gracefully works to arrange the orchids.

None of you choose to say anything more, only letting the diffident silence stretch. For some reason, the shop feels a little more cooler, the air heavier than usual. The only sound is the rustling of Minghao's hands moving carefully over the flowers, the quiet snap of a stem as he trims it with his shears. Outside, the snow continues to fall.

Minghao doesn't press for any details, yet even in the quiet, you have a feeling that he knows. Maybe that's why he's just letting his hands speak for him.

"Here you go." He offers you a neat bouquet of pale lavender orchids.

You step up to him to retrieve it from his grasp, bringing it close to your chest. "Thank you."

Minghao knows he shouldn't let his feelings get in the way, but as he takes note of the slight glassiness to your eyes and small tremble of your hands holding the bouquet, he isn't sure how much longer he can hold it in. He feels guilty when he lets his eyes drift down to your lips for a second, before averting it back up quickly.

The smile you give him is nothing short of fragile, faint, but it's there. And then, with a sudden leap, you find yourself leaning into Minghao's embrace without thinking, wrapping your arms around his body as if he was the only thing in the world that was preventing you from falling down. And in a way, he is.

His arms catch you instinctively, gentle yet steady, embracing around you like flowers petals folding inward for protection. His warmth seeps into you as if he were the sun reaching a flower in the early hours of dawn, and his hand comes up to cradle the back of your head, encouraging you to press closer into his warmth.

You don't cry𑁋not entirely. A single tear slips past your lashes, landing silently against his shoulder. He feels it, but he doesn't move, doesn't say anything, and just lets you... be.

"I'm sorry," You mumble into his shoulder. "I didn't mean to𑁋"

"Don't be," Minghao interrupts softly. "It's okay."

You pull away for a moment to look up at him. He's still holding you. His hands have fallen down to your sides, resting there as if he's held you like this before. The way you're looking at him has Minghao nearly forgetting how to breathe; it nearly urges to him to lean down and close the distance between the two of you.

His gaze lingers on your lips, and for a split second, Minghao almost allows himself to follow the instinct to lean in.

But then he stops himself.

He's not sure what this is, what the right thing to do is. His thoughts are tangled mess of roots𑁋he's always been careful with holding himself back, with promising to wait, yet something about the way you look at him makes it feel like the only right thing to do is to give in.

But he can't. Not yet. Not when you're so fragile and baring yourself raw to him.

Yet he sees the way your eyes flutter at him, the way a crease of question forms in between your brows as if you're also unsure of what this moment is, but there's a longing there too. It's almost pleading. And you lean in a little more towards him.

"Y/N," he breathes out your name, and it's the first time you ever heard his voice shake like that. "We... We shouldn't."

You don't say anything at first, your eyes searching his face like you're trying to read something. You open your mouth, close it, and then, with a slight exhale, you step back, only a little, but enough to let the cool air seep in between you.

"I'm sorry, I..." You squeeze your eyes shut for a moment, letting out a sniffle. "Fuck, I'm sorry..."

Minghao feels his chest tighten. "It's okay𑁋"

"I-I just wanted to feel something for a moment, you know? Everything is such a mess right now and the first person I thought of was you, because I like... the way you make me feel. I like it way more than I should. And that... that it's okay if you don't feel that way too."

Minghao's heart stutters at that, and perhaps the world even pauses too. All words that want to leave him become stuck in his throat, because he knows deep down𑁋from as far back as the moment you walked into the flower shop𑁋that he's felt the same way for far too long.

So, he settles with taking one hand from your side and slowly reaching up to trace your warm cheek with his thumb, his touch delicate as if he's afraid he might cause your petals to fall down. He brushes away a lingering tear that had been drying up on your skin and lets his hand stay there.

"You... deserve way more than just comfort in a moment like this," Minghao starts quietly. "But you're grieving right now, and I don't want to take advantage of that. I don't want to just be someone who's here for a moment, because... you mean so much to me more than that."

Your lips form into a tight, thin line, and you flicker your gaze towards the floor, the heaviness in the air still weighing down on your shoulders.

"Minghao..."

"And if I act on what I feel, it wouldn't be fair to you," Minghao continues, voice trembling slightly as he speaks. "I want it to be because you know what you want. And if you ever give me that chance, I promise I'll be here for you. Not just now, not just in this moment, but... for everything. When you're ready; when you're healed; when it feels right, I'll be here𑁋I always have been."

There's a lump in your throat that you swallow down. For a while, you could only simply stand there, feeling as if you're teetering on the edge of something you can't quite reach. But even as you stand in this stillness, there's something in his words that echoes off the walls of your mind𑁋it's understanding, and it's care, and it feels like a promise.

"I... I know. I just... I'm sorry for putting all this on you. I think I need space to... heal and think." Then you look back up at him, wonder tainting your features. "Will you wait for me?"

The question feels a bit silly to ask, and it makes Minghao's features soften as he looks at you, a warmth in his chest that spreads like the first rays of sunlight breaking through a cold morning.

"I've already been waiting for you," he says, almost cheekily, and it seems to lighten the moment a little. "I haven't planned on stopping anytime soon."

The chuckle that leaves you isn't forced; in fact, it's quite relieving. It feels like the start of something, and Minghao feels a flicker of hope at the sound.

You reluctantly separate yourself away from him, cradling the bouquet of orchids to your chest, and let out an exhale you hardly realise you were holding in.

"I'll be okay, you know," You tell him, even if it's a bit of lie, or half the truth. You can't tell which.

Minghao glances down to your hands, as if you're holding a piece of your heart wrapped up within the petals, before back up to your eyes.

"I know," is all he says.

The world doesn't stop for grief, but it's okay to pause for a little while.

Minghao wonders if flowers ever feel the same bittersweet pull when their petals fall𑁋the ache of letting go, but the quiet hope of something new taking root.

You haven't stepped foot in the flower shop in a while. At least, not as often as you used to come.

The absence is especially daunting, and Minghao can't help but feel it every time the bell chimes and it isn't you that walks through the door. On rare occasion you'd swing by to say hello during your breaks at work and sometimes, a pretty, shy smile from you before you disappear back into the world outside.

It's strange how easily your presence had come to be a part of the rhythm of his days. He used to wonder how someone like you would be drawn to the boring stillness of a flower shop. But now the place feels more emptier than before you came into his life, the petals around him somehow less vibrant, the air colder, even when the sun streams through the windows.

He tries not to dwell on it, but he can't help the nagging feeling that maybe you've drifted away, maybe things have changed. Maybe he was just a moment for you. And now, that moment has passed.

So he simply spends his days in the shop, moving between shelves of blossoms and arranging bouquets, but his thoughts always return to you. To the quiet moments when your voice would fill the space between the flowers, to the way you cared and tended the blooms even when you had no reason to.

It makes him think that if flowers could speak for us, then what might they say about you? Would they say you were someone who saw beauty in the smallest things? Minghao often found himself wishing that flowers could speak just so he can hear what they would say about you.

But flowers don't speak, of course. They just bloom and stretch toward the light, growing in places where they are tended to, and even in those that have been forgotten.

Maybe that's what Minghao was𑁋a forgotten flower of his own waiting to be seen, to be noticed.

Luckily, he was able to distract himself a bit today with a few deliveries for a couple of upcoming weddings and a new arrangement for the store he was preparing to do in the next few days, along with piles of orders for days. But it still wasn't enough.

As he flips the sign on the window to display Closed, he fumbles for his keys to lock the door. However, the sound of the bell rings through the shop, stopping him mid-motion. Minghao lifts a brow up, not expecting for anyone to show up right as he's about to close up.

And when he looks up, he freezes.

"I'm not late, aren't I?"

It's you.

The way your voice comes out all shaky like you're out of breath, yet soft has Minghao feeling as if he's sinking into quicksand. The sight of you standing at the doorway is a dream he never dares to wake up from.

"You're not," Minghao manages to say, somehow. "You're just in time."

Your lips tug into a small, relieved smile, and it's enough to make the air feel lighter in the shop. You take a few hesitant steps so that you're fully inside, letting the door shut behind you with a faint click.

Your lips tug into a small, relieved smile, and it's enough to make the air feel lighter in the shop. You take a few hesitant steps so that you're fully inside, letting the door shut behind you with a faint click. You take in the familiar, fresh scent of all the blooms and greenery around you, and it hits you in the heart just how much you've missed this place.

"I had, uh… a late shift at work," You explain unsurely. "so I thought about stopping by, but I wasn't sure if you'd still be here."

Minghao just shakes his head, watching as you brush your fingertips over some lilies and baby's breaths that were displayed on a small table near the window. Gosh, he'd do anything to flat out say how much he missed you, how much he'd be thinking about you, but he doesn't.

"Have you been busy?" You ask him.

"A little," he responds. "but manageable, I would say."

"Ah… that's good," You mumble, voice trailing off as you start to make your way in his direction, catching eye on a particular bouquet sitting on the counter behind him. "No-show again?"

Minghao lets out a sigh, and he feels you following behind as he walks towards the counter. He picks up the bouquet in his hand, letting his gaze fall over it.

"Mhm," he hums. "But it's alright, really. Happens more often than you think."

You quirk a brow as your eyes roam over the bouquet, and a particular, almost knowing look stretches across your lips.

"That's funny," You huff, taking the bouquet from his grasp. It held a colourful variety of hydrangeas. "It looks a lot like an order I placed a few days ago."

Minghao's heart skips a beat as he watches you carefully examine the bouquet, his breath caught in his throat.

"This… was yours?" he questions in surprise.

"Yeah, I…" You bite your lips sheepishly. "It was sort of an impulsive thing, I guess."

Minghao only continues to watch as you admire the bouquet, caressing over the delicate wrapping paper and the all-too familiar bow that he would tie all of his other arrangements.

"Impulsive, huh?" Minghao teases lightly, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. "Well, you certainly picked a good one."

You look up at him, a small, tentative smile forming on your face. "I guess I just wanted to get something special. For someone."

Minghao feels his heart sink at that, a flutter of hope and uncertainty colliding in his chest. Someone.

He opens his mouth to say something, but the words get caught in his throat, unsure if it's his place to ask, or if he even wants to hear the answer.

"I see," he says instead, trying to keep his tone relaxed, though there's a hint of sadness to his voice that he silently hopes you don't notice.

You take note of his unreadable expression, over the way his eyes appear downcast and a subtle tension to his posture.

However, this doesn't make you stop from gripping the bouquet tighter in your grasp, and then in the next moment, you're stepping closer and offering it over to him.

"I hope you like them," You state, holding out the bouquet thing as if was the most natural thing in the world.

Minghao glances at the bouquet quizzically, the same one he had just been holding, then back at you. His face shifts between a million different expressions𑁋confusion, surprise, hope, and everything in between𑁋before the tension in his chest eases just slightly as he finally registers what you're doing.

He's a florist, for crying out loud. He's usually the one to be giving flowers to people. Never in his years of practically living in the shop has anyone offered flowers to him. The gesture is practically foreign, yet in this moment, it feels so right.

His fingers graze against yours as he hesitantly takes it from your hands, but you fully let go. Instead, you cover his hand with yours, warmth spreading between you as you gently press your palm against his. His heart is beating in his throat, in his ears, everywhere in his body, and he wonders if you can feel it too.

"I missed you," You declare softly, yet a pinch of urgency behind your words. "I missed you so fucking much."

His chest tightens, and it's as if the weight of everything crushes him in the best possible way. All the time he had spent wondering if you had forgotten about him, if maybe you had moved on, it all melts away in an instant. Because you're here. And you're saying everything he's been craving to hear.

And gosh, does he want to kiss you right now.

This time, Minghao doesn't waste a second. He brings a hand up to cradle the side of your neck as he presses his lips to yours. It's perhaps a bit desperate first, making him swallow down a faint sigh you let out but it quickly settles into something softer, deeper, like two people who've been waiting for this moment for far too long.

He can feel the slight tremble in your breath as your lips move against his, and he pulls back slightly, just to make sure you were still with him.

Minghao lets his thumb lightly caress over your cheek as if trying to memorise the feeling of your skin under his touch, as if he'd been starved for this closeness.

"I missed you too," he whispers, a breath away from your lips. "The flowers did too."

A light, airy chuckle escapes from you. "Oh, did they?"

"Of course," Minghao murmurs, his lips curling upwards against your skin. "They've been waiting for you to come back."

"Well, I better not keep them waiting anymore then, right?" You jest playfully, leaning in back once again.

Minghao doesn't hesitate to meet you halfway. "Nope," he says firmly against your mouth. "I think they've waited long enough."

taglist (open) ʚɞ @haowrld @icyminghao @slytherinshua @jeonride @eternalgyu

@lockburn-castle @vrnism @weird-bookworm @ryuwonieebae @wonwooz1

@planetkiimchi @caramyisabitchforsvtandbts @aaniag @wootify @carlesscat-thinklogic23

@phenomenalgirl9 @mirxzii @bookyeom @parkjennykim @melodicrabbit

@bewoyewo @honglynights @bananabubble @treehouse-mouse @starshuas

@totomoshi @armycarat2612 @etherealyoungk @gigification @ahuiahoe

@svtficsarchive @lllucere @flipflopscrop

[chanceonceli]

✴ DID I RIZZ YOU UP? HOT THINGS THEY DO.

﹙ ⌕ ﹚ 𝓅𝗋𝖾𝖼𝗂𝗌 ㅤ𝑜𝑓. enhypen unintentionally using rizz like it's their second nature. contains fem!r, fluff, kinda suggestive pg 15. wc 648, 90 something each. check out the d𝒾rectory? stat my fogged up brain.

──────𝑎𝑙𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑦, 𝗐𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗂𝗋 𝗁𝗈𝗍 𝗋𝗈𝗈𝗍𝗌 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝖾 𝗈𝗎𝗍.

𝐋𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐔𝐍𝐆

if there's one thing heeseung loves― it's eye contact with you. staring at your eyes, taking in every detail on your face, every expression you make; you name it. he loves knowing exactly how you are feeling in the moment, loves reading the silent words bouncing right off your pretty eyes. and that is precisely why he more often than not grabs your jaw or lifts your chin and says,"look at me," his gaze boring into yours, sometimes trailing off and focusing on your parted lips and squished cheeks.

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐉𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐒𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐆

to jay the feel of your ass and thighs on his own is the best feeling in the world. the warmth of your skin reaching him through his pants when you are wearing something short. the pride, the possiveness, the sense of contentment― it flatters his vanity. his girl, on his lap. always manspreading and patting his thigh to offer his lap as a seat. whether within the walls of privacy or right in the middle of a room full of friends, he is always apt, way too eager under a mask of poise.

𝐒𝐈𝐌 𝐉𝐀𝐄𝐘𝐔𝐍

is he even your jake sim if doesn't have his hand on you at any and all points of time? not touching you is a living nightmare for him. every chance he gets, he has his hand on your thighs― at all times, caressing and squeezing. when he has you against his chest, holding you by your waist; he squeezes. when you are cuddling, cozied up together; he caresses. when you are in the midst of a family dinner, under the table; he caresses and squeezes. it's like a habit, a primitive tendency.

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐍

sunghoon revels in control, being in charge, wearing the pants in the situation. it's like a part of his personality, the hottest thing about him that he probably has no idea of. and that just makes it hotter. never realizing how dominant he sounds and looks when he merely tells you "come here" or simply pulls you by your waist. never using too much words, just lucid commands and prompt actions. not caring about where and when, only aware of the fact that he wants you near him and as quick as possible.

𝐊𝐈𝐌 𝐒𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐖𝐎𝐎

98% of the times, sunoo is a sweet saccharine boyfriend. always making sure you are the most comfortable person in the room, being the little cozy space of your life. but even a yang has a yin in it at it's strongest. and that's kim sunoo, cornering you into things when he has something serious to discuss. rolling up his sleeves and brushing back his hair as his voice gets deeper and the smile vanishes off his eyes. a person so in contrast to your usual boyfriend but so hot.

𝐘𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐖𝐎𝐍

this guy has no cool when you are on your feet. he just has to be the one to escort you around, help you with things, make sure you do not have to use too much energy. always having his hands on your hips while he guides you along. a normal date in the neighborhood or a vacation overseas, an empty alley or a crowded street― crowded room even, right infront of everyone. jungwon just wants you to shut your brain down when you are with him, to let him do it all for you.

𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐌𝐔𝐑𝐀 𝐑𝐈𝐊𝐈

one thing riki can't ever hate about being tall is getting to tease the shit out of you. but one thing he always does with no intentions to fluster you is lean down to hear you, face closing in on yours in a stare. his already deep voice going a tone lower as he grows serious, all ready to hear whatever you have to say. your words mean business to him― absolute vip business. sometimes even crouching down when you are seated, eyes trained on your face like “yeah baby? what is it?”

taglist 。open! @kangseulgithegreat @s00buwu @lilyuwon @pockyyasii @nctislifue @ashtxrie @miniature-tragedy @jayujus @brachives @thoughtsmeander2tumblingblindly @eeunoia @nxzz-skz @shawnyle @potato0579 @enhastolemyheart @ro-diaries @aaa-sia @enhabooks @criminalyun @oddracha @seochangbinnnnnnnnnnn @jayjw16enxp

[chanceonceli]

• —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

slowly falling in love with jeongin !!

a/n: i wish clothes fit me the way they fit him >_< sighhh

fake text m.list ☁︎⋅

[chanceonceli]

When ATEEZ members realise they're falling in love with you

(with a touch of descriptions abt seasons!)

©yeostars 2024™

♡ Hongjoong .ᐟ

• For hongjoong, the realisation that he's falling for you arrives like the first rush of summer heat- the undeniable warmth rising from deep within, stirring something he can't quite ignore, no matter how hard he tried to. He felt protective of you for some reason, the feeling of wanting to protect you from everything and anything bad arose from within him because he was there with you at your lowest- knowing your deepest fears, your deepest struggles & all the betrayals you had ever gone through.

• At first, he brushed off the feeling merely as a sense of responsibility, being your close friend- as someone who should obviously be looking out for you. But he knew it was deeper than that. Every time he stood closer to you, shielding you from any minor inconvenience - he felt the fire within himself grow.

• You are his summer's heartbeat, a fierce, unquenchable flame that fuels his every step. The moment he realised this, he knew with a certainty that anchored him, that he would bear the darkest of storms for you. You are the center of his warmth, and he finds himself wanting to guard and protect that light forever. If you are in his presence, he wants to be reliable enough for you to always lean on him.

♡ Seonghwa .ᐟ

• Seonghwa falls for you as gently & quietly as the blooms of spring- just like the cherry blossom petals unfurling one by one in the gentle morning light. It begins with the simplest things, your smallest actions- the sound of your voice resonating in his ears, the way your laughter being his remedy fills the room, the warmth in your gaze whenever you look at him, that seems to chase away the darkest of his shadows.

• He feels it in every single moment he spends with you, each small gesture or action by you never goes unnoticed by him. It was like the gentle opening of flowers that he didn't even notice taking root. Just how your warm gaze affects him enough to be reciprocating it with eyes full of love and adoration towards you that does not go unnoticed by any of your mutual friends and acquaintances. He is not afraid to full on display his affection for you.

• All these fleeting moments of adoration towards you gathered together- he finds himself surrounded by an entire garden, each blossom and it's petals a reminder of you. You are indeed the season that took him by surprise, unfolding his heart in a warmth that he didn't know he'd been waiting for. Now, he can't imagine his world without your light.

♡ Yunho .ᐟ

• For him, falling for you was like stepping in a field of summer wildflowers. It was merely just like a dream, you were just like a dream to him- & he dreamt as much as wanting to be your lover boy in such dreams. Every word and every glance exchanged with you felt like sunshine on his skin. He felt his life bloom with vibrant colour - as if you were painting his dreams with vibrant colours merely by your presence. Every conversation Yunho has with you feels like a melody to him, each shared silence a verse.

• You were like the scent of lavender and warmth, the scent of you lingering even when he's alone- leaving him wrapped in the essence of you long after you've left. He finds himself dreaming about doing everything with you, you being his and only his. He's become a lovesick fool to the point he smiles so widely while sleeping sometimes because he's dreaming of you.

• One lazy afternoon- he realises that you are his summer itself - a season of pure light and boundless joy, bearing the kind of warmth he wishes he could hold onto forever. His realisation hits him to the point dreaming about you is just not enough. As if like a silent prayer & a quiet hope- he wonders if perhaps, just maybe- he could be your sunshine and sunlight too, basking in each other's glow like an endless beautiful summer day.

♡ Yeosang .ᐟ

• He realises that he's falling for you as if by surprise, just like the first melt of ice at winters end- a thaw that starts slowly and unfurls in subtle ways. You are the gentle warmth that begins to seep through the cracks, every smile, every word, every glance exchanged with you softening the barriers he had always kept carefully guarded around you.

• Its like you are the only one who can have him this way. He keeps himself guarded around people usually, but he just can't control himself and his emotions when it comes to you. Gradually, as he realised his true feelings towards you, he wanted nothing more than to let you know about them because that was only fair to you. He feels like its an honour to fall for someone as perfect (in his eyes) like you.

• In quiet moments, he finds himself thinking of you, feeling his heart slowly surrender like a frozen lake thawing under the warm spring sun. It's the way he smiles uncontrollably just at the thought of all the moments you spend together. His biggest weakness is your infectious laughter. As you laughter rings out, yeosang feels something inside him shift, as if the last fragment of ice inside him giving away. Although his vulnerability terrifies him, he finds himself unable to turn away from you, the light you shine upon him- and he's drawn to you with a longing as natural as the changing of seasons.

♡ San .ᐟ

• One golden evening, as the sky burned with the shades of amber and crimson, he realised he was indeed, falling for you when he found his gaze lingering on you, mesmerized by the soft light in your eyes. He found you so beautiful, both inside and out. Anyone who noticed his gaze full of longing and admiration towards you, could see the undeniable love he possessed for you. For him, the biggest miracle in his life was meeting you.

• He's enchanted by the way you move through his world, each small gesture adding poetry to his life. Him already being a hopeless romantic, you make him a utter, lovesick romantic, more than he already is by nature. You are the dawn light, the blush of morning that turns his daily life into something precious. He catches himself wanting to hold onto and cherish every ephemeral, delicate moments with you.

• His heart was drawn towards yours, as if by a strong, magnetic force. He realised his world grew brighter around you & he was willing to do anything to keep you close to him forever. He hoped that his presence made your days brighter, too. Like the final blaze of autumn before winter's sleep, he realised that his heart was truly all in, captured by the colours you bought into his life.

♡ Mingi .ᐟ

• Mingi realises it gradually, just like the first quiet flakes of winter drifting from the sky, settling gently on a field yet untouched. There's no urgency, no whirlwind- just the soft fall of something light and unanticipated, a feeling that lands within a hush. A feeling that lands in the midst of his chaos- a calm stillness, much needed peace within his chaos and inner conflicts.

• He notices it in the way his heart slows and warms when you smile, as though the world around him has stilled just to let him listen to that tender beat. Mingi has his own inner conflicts going on within him but when it comes to you- his feelings are clear & it's not a problem to be solved. Just like frost itching delicate patterns on glass, his thoughts on you are crystallised- clear & intricate, filling the quiet spaces of his soul.

• At first, he's bewildered, wondering why he finds himself seeking your presence in subtle ways, a quiet urge to linger by your side. But as winter deepens, so does his clarity. You are his secret ember in the heart of the cold, a quiet glow that warms his season of silence. Be it if he's in your presence or while he's thinking about you, his heart beats with the slow beauty of a snowflake, each memory of you unique and Infinite, and he wants to make even more precious memories with you.

♡ Wooyoung .ᐟ

• It strikes Wooyoung suddenly, like the first exhilarating rush of spring rain- a burst of freshness that leaves him laughing and soaked, a rush he couldn't have prepared himself for. Just like the first flowers of spring burst through the soil, he noticed his heart blossoming when you were near.

• At first, he tries to shake this newfound feeling away, telling himself it's nothing more than a spark of sunshine in his chest, a passing thrill. But the way he reacted to anything and everything you do- his playful boyishness around you was unlike his usual self with anyone else. You and your presence make his ordinary moments special. You made his life livelier and full of joy without even realising it. Every time he teased you, each time you hid the cutest pout on your face as a reaction to his relentless teasing, each time your laughter bubbled up like a spring brook, he feels the same kind of vibrant rain cascading over him, washing away his resolve.

• He realises that he's willingly caught in it, happily drenched in this newfound feeling. Now, he finds himself hoping the downpour never stops, each drop a reminder that he's caught up in something he never wants to escape.

♡ Jongho .ᐟ

• For Jongho, love seeps in like the golden light of autumn, warm and soft but tinged with a bittersweet richness that he can't quite ignore. When the autumn leaves began to fall, he felt something shift- as if his heart , too, was shedding its guard like the trees shed their leaves.

• He has always kept his emotions close- shedding them with careful control, like a tree releasing its leaves. But with you, he feels his defenses slowly giving away, each leaf falling from his guarded branches. It scares him sometimes, how comfortable he is in your presence, he's even more scared to loose you if he ever decides to confess to you & it doesn't quite go well. But if you have taught him anything, it is to be fearless and brave when it comes to love. He finds himself lingering in your presence, captivated by your beauty, your smallest gestures, your smile.

• With you, he begins to release the hold he's kept, opening to every tender pang that vulnerability brings. And although it unsettles him at first, he finds a quiet grace in believing that you are indeed the one he had been searching for his entire life, so why shy away from facing true feelings now? The way he sought your warmth in the cooling air, he knew that he was beginning to cherish the soft presence of your love, like a favourite sweater in October.

[chanceonceli]

pass the chemistry - park sunghoon

summary - what happens when you ask your deskmate for the quiz answers :)

-> short fluff drabble

you’re surprised when your professor suddenly announces to prepare for a quiz. you’ve been absent the last meeting because you were sick, and you really didn’t have any friends in this class to ask for notes.

you’ve been panicking because quizzes are 40% part of your final grade so you can’t afford to fail even just one quiz.

when you accidentally look to your right, you see deskmate sunghoon preparing for the quiz. honestly, he’s the only one who you had interaction with in this class (even though the only interaction that you ever had was him borrowing an eraser from you).

since you don’t want to fail this quiz, you steel your nerves, turn to him and tap him.

“sunghoon.”

he looks at you quizzically.

“can I please copy your answers for this quiz? I was absent last time and I don’t have anyone to–”

your words were cut off by your professor. “number your papers from one to fifteen. I will dictate a statement per number and you will identify on your paper whether it’s true or false. I will only repeat the statement twice so listen carefully.”

you can’t help but grimace as your professor started uttering the first statement. before your professor finished repeating the first statement, you jolted because you felt someone grab your right hand under the desk.

that someone is sunghoon. he looks so concentrated on what your professor is saying making you confused as to why he suddenly grabbed your hand. but when you feel a finger writing the letter T on your palm, you realized that it’s his way of letting you copy his answers without being caught by your professor.

you blush and almost miss what he wrote next because of the tingles that you felt in your palm.

[chanceonceli]

݁ 𓆩𓆪 ׅ ENHYPEN HEADCANONS

ENHA LEGAL LINE, enhypen headcanons 𝝑𝑒 (fluff, cute, fun, nerd!yn, warnings: super cute content!! flirting, teasing, nothing too bad bc my account isn’t very.. wholesome so i made this eek!!)

᧔࿔᧓ how i think the enhypen members would try to get your attention / flirt with you :3 university au cus i think it’s more fitting for this type of headcanon. inspired by @connieslover ! (they did riize flirting headcanons!)

hehe look under the cut to read :3!! pls enjoy <33

ꪆৎ PARK SUNGHOON

᧔࿔᧓ Sunghoon tries to act aloof and indifferent, but his friends can tell that he keeps glancing at you whenever you’re around. He’s trying to play it cool, but it’s obvious he’s paying attention to you

᧔࿔᧓ He will sit next to you in class, pretending to casually ask, “Is this seat okay?” when, in reality, he arrived early just to make sure he could sit by you.

᧔࿔᧓ Whenever you need help with something, he’s quick to assist. Whether it’s fixing your laptop or helping you grab something from a high shelf, he does it with a small smile, but inside, he’s pleased to be of help.

᧔࿔᧓ After his workouts, he lingers around, acting like he’s cooling down, but he’s actually hoping you walk by so he can flash you a smile. He enjoys seeing you get flustered when he does.

ꪆৎ PARK JAY

᧔࿔᧓ Jay is usually confident and composed, but around you, he tends to get a little nervous and awkward. He might make a joke, then laugh it off while trying to cover his embarrassment.

᧔࿔᧓ He always dresses well, making sure his outfit is on point in case he runs into you. He’ll casually compliment you, saying something like, “You look great today,” and it’s clear he means it.

᧔࿔᧓ If you’re struggling with something, he’ll offer his help right away. He wants to be there for you and be someone you can rely on.

᧔࿔᧓ After class, Jay might hang around, pretending to relax, but he’s actually waiting to walk you out or have a few more moments to talk to you.

ꪆৎ KIM SUNOO

᧔࿔᧓ Sunoo is naturally cheerful, but when he has feelings for you, he’s even more energetic and attentive. He’ll always greet you with a big smile whenever you make eye contact.

᧔࿔᧓ He loves to compliment you, often saying things like, “You’re glowing today,” just to make you feel good. He enjoys seeing you blush when he praises you.

᧔࿔᧓ He might bring you small snacks or drinks, acting as if it’s no big deal, but you can tell he’s putting extra thought into it because he remembers what you like.

᧔࿔᧓ Sunoo is always at campus events you attend, making sure to position himself near you. He likes being around you and sharing moments that make you both laugh.

ꪆৎ YANG JUNGWON

᧔࿔᧓ Jungwon is usually responsible and serious, but when you smile at him, he becomes a bit flustered. He tries to hide it, but his shy reactions give him away.

᧔࿔᧓ He’ll often find excuses to be near you, such as saying, “I was just passing by,” even though he might have taken a longer route just to see you.

᧔࿔᧓ Whenever you need help with something, he’s quick to volunteer, acting like it’s no trouble at all. But you notice that he’s happy and smiling after you thank him.

᧔࿔᧓ Sometimes, you catch him staring at you, and he’ll quickly look away, trying to play it off, but it’s obvious he’s interested. He’s a little nervous around you, but he’s also sweet.

ꪆৎ LEE HEESEUNG

᧔࿔᧓ Heeseung is typically laid-back and calm, but when you’re around, he’s a bit more animated. He gets shy and excited when you talk to him, and he’ll often smile or laugh more than usual.

᧔࿔᧓ If you’re around while he’s practicing guitar or singing, he’ll hope you notice him. He might even mention, “Oh, you like this song?” knowing it’s one you’ve posted about before.

᧔࿔᧓ He’ll offer you his notes or help with assignments, always making sure they’re neat and well-organized, knowing you’ll probably need them.

᧔࿔᧓ During campus events, Heeseung will often give you subtle looks or smiles, making you feel like the only person in the room. He’s confident in his interest, even if he doesn’t say it outright.

ꪆৎ JAKE SIM

᧔࿔᧓ Jake is friendly and approachable with everyone, but he’s particularly kind and attentive to you. Every time he sees you, he’ll ask if you need anything, just to be close to you.

᧔࿔᧓ He often carries extra snacks or drinks, offering them to you with a smile. Even though he acts casual, you can tell he’s making an effort to take care of you.

᧔࿔᧓ One time, Jake ran across campus to catch you before class ended, out of breath but smiling, just to ask if you wanted to study together later. He’s putting in the effort to spend more time with you.

᧔࿔᧓ Jake is your biggest cheerleader at campus events, always clapping and yelling your name to support you. He’s proud of you and wants to show everyone how amazing you are.

[chanceonceli]

You can love him, you can hate him, but you can't ignore him | Yoon Jeonghan

Synopsis: You’ve been butting heads with Dr. Yoon Jeonghan since he first joined Svt Med’s neurosurgery department. But does the tension between you and Dr. Yoon simply stem from your fierce workplace rivalry, or is it something else?  Pairing: Neurosurgeon! Jeonghan x Neurosurgeon fem! reader (ft. psychiatrist! Dokyeom, cameo of Ophthalmologist! Na PD) Genre: Doctor au, workplace rivalry, hurt/ comfort, fluff Word Count: 7.74k words (help ദ്ദി ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ )) Warnings: misdiagnosis (made by dismissive doctors, and a genuine mistake by a medical resident), mental conditions and physical illnesses (dementia, hydrocephalus, brain tumors, aneurysm, narcissistic personality disorder), suggestive content (1 dirty joke), cursing, teasing, overworking oneself, misunderstandings (Jeonghan has other people’s interest at heart but the way he goes about showing it is harsh and mean.), PDA (kissing) Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. This fic contains incorrect medical information and is supposed to be taken as a work of fiction.  A/n: Inspired by Chicago med s1 ep 2 and 4. Tagging @tomodachiii 🩵. Tiny spoiler, but this fic kind of links to DK’s fic here! For the rest of the fics, return to the masterlist here. 

In all your years of existence on this planet, you’ve encountered a plethora of things and people who have infuriated you to varying degrees. 

You had a particular intolerance for washing your hands with freezing cold water during winter, people who flashed their car headlights and honked their horn for no reason, entitled people, misogynists, racists, and of course, stuck up doctors who regularly misdiagnosed patients because they carelessly and purposely dismissed their patients’ concerns. 

All things considered though, you weren’t someone who was easily irritated or prone to anger over minor issues. In fact, you built up quite the reputation for being a kind, patient, level headed surgeon in Seventeen Medical Center’s neurosurgery department. You were known to be a surgeon who could keep it together during extremely challenging surgeries, regardless of whether the surgery had taken a turn for the worse due to human error, or whether it was just one of those times when everything that could possibly go wrong did go wrong. Your colleagues often turned to you to be their mediator during disagreements over treatment plans, and you were the younger medical staff’s “go to” person for any and all questions they might have. 

Certainly these examples and your almost flawless track record were undeniable proof that you weren’t easily irritated or prone to anger. 

Or so you thought until you met the newest addition to the neurosurgery department, your newest colleague, Dr. Yoon Jeonghan. 

At first, you were thrilled to have Jeonghan in your department. He was one of the country’s best neurosurgeons, with hundreds of successful surgeries under his belt. You were familiar with the dozens of insightful journal articles he published over the years, and it was always a pleasure to read his refreshing perspectives on the latest medical breakthroughs in neurosurgery. Interestingly, despite being in the same field as him, and being invited to some of the same neurosurgery conferences, you never met Jeonghan before. So you were really looking forward to working with such an established neurosurgeon. Your excitement also increased tenfold when you heard stories about his charismatic personality, his affable demeanor, his intellect, and his dashing good looks. You had no doubt you would be able to work seamlessly with Jeonghan if he was as great as everyone else made him out to be. 

Alas, when you finally met the esteemed Dr. Yoon, all the excitement you had about working with him flew right out the window. During your first meeting with him, you already foresaw yourself coming to blows with Jeonghan. While some staff members continued to swoon over him, you were completely dumbstruck. You could still respect him as a neurosurgeon, and you weren’t blind to how attractive he was with his model-esque visuals and build. But other than that, there was just something about him you found to be insufferable and infuriating. 

Perhaps it was because you heard the story of how Jeonghan shamelessly demanded a private office and all the appliances he could ever want, or else he wouldn’t move over to Seventeen Med. Perhaps it was the way Jeonghan would dominate every single surgery conference he was called to attend, and then become visibly annoyed when no one would speak up to offer their own opinions or alternative treatment plans. Perhaps it was how harshly he treated the younger medical staff, who in your opinion, didn’t deserve most of the scoldings they were given. Jeonghan, being Jeonghan, frequently passed off his neurosurgery consults to the fellows and residents, for which they soon developed a fear of him as he had zero tolerance for mistakes. Since Jeonghan joined the hospital, there were many occasions where you had to comfort the junior doctors when they were thrown out of Jeonghan’s operation room after making a tiny mistake. 

Or perhaps it was Jeonghan’s playful, unprofessional attitude which you found so off-putting. During the times when Jeonghan wasn’t off crushing dreams or actually working, one could find him either in his large, private office lounging around while eating ramen, or sleeping. If he wasn’t in his office, then he would usually be out disturbing one of his friends from medical school, Dr. Choi Seungcheol from the Emergency Department, and Dr. Joshua Hong from the Pediatric Department, usually being his prime targets. 

Wait, and how could you forget? Perhaps Jeonghan was so infuriating and insufferable because of the way he zoned in on you since the first day he joined Seventeen Med, wordlessly deciding that you, of all people, would be the chosen one to receive all the chaos and torment he could ever unleash onto someone. You just knew something was up with him that day when you saw his eyes scan through the room, completely bored and uninterested, until they landed on you. The moment you locked eyes with him, holding his gaze, you could see a mischievous spark flicker in his eyes, his mouth curling into an almost imperceptible smirk after he gave you a once over. 

Since then, getting on your nerves seemed to be Jeonghan’s little pet project, seeing that he routinely went out of his way to annoy you. Whatever you were doing, writing charts, doing research, checking in on patients, doing surgery, resting, eating, staring blankly at the sky in the courtyard… have no fear, because Jeonghan was always near. He was unusually fond of annoying you by disrupting your concentration, rambling about something unimportant, or clicking his pen repeatedly. Then on days when he was feeling extra chaotic, he would steal some of your food, start a whole debate with you over the latest neurosurgery literature, or place his cold stethoscope against your hand. 

You tried your best to be civil with Jeonghan initially by telling him to be nicer to the younger medical staff, and gently dismissing his attempts to get a rise out of you. Unfortunately, even you had your breaking point. For some inexplicable reason, your ability to keep your cool flew out the window when it came to Jeonghan. He knew exactly what buttons to push and how to push them. Your patience was eventually stretched so thin you stopped trying to be civil with him. 

Unsurprisingly, as your dislike for Jeonghan became more evident, it seemed like he thrived off your change in attitude towards him. He took it as a challenge to see how far he could push you. As Jeonghan ramped up his antics, purposely getting into your space and your face over everything and absolutely nothing at all, you matched his challenge with just as much tenacity and ferocity. For every sarcastic quip he made, every annoying action, you ensured you paid him back accordingly. What was initially a more private rivalry between you and Jeonghan, soon became a full fledged workplace rivalry. During surgery conferences and department meetings, you both debated over who should get new cases, surgery techniques, equipment, and treatment plans. Hell, once you even debated on whose bedside manners were better. Your workplace rivalry was so fierce that it was obvious to the entire hospital. 

To everyone else, your rivalry with Jeonghan was intriguing to witness. It was rare to see you lose your cool, and it was even rarer to see someone fight with Jeonghan and keep up with his antics in the same way you did. All your bosses paid little to no attention to your rivalry, instead they encouraged it. In their opinion, your rivalry with Jeonghan never interfered with the care of the patients, and ironically, it allowed you both to work together flawlessly. You even began to assist each other on particularly difficult surgeries, because as much as you both would vehemently deny it, you respected each other’s skills. There was no one else you trusted more to have your back in surgery than Jeonghan, and vice versa. 

You, nevertheless, had to admit the whole situation with Jeonghan was incredibly infuriating, though not for all the reasons you initially thought. 

A question posed to you by a friend you were venting to one day befuddled you. She didn’t work in the hospital and was unaware of the strange dynamic you and Jeonghan developed. She took in the situation, and out of genuine concern for you, she asked, “If he’s taking things this far, why don’t you just report him to HR?”

Stumped, you found yourself unable to give her a clear answer. You waved her off, stumbling over your answer, as you tried to explain that while Jeonghan’s antics were disruptive to you, it was innocent enough as there was no malice behind them. Your friend gave you a funny look, but didn’t push you further. 

Following your exchange with your friend, you couldn’t stop thinking about her question. Why didn’t you ever report Jeonghan to HR? Disregarding the fact that you now pushed back, why didn’t you write him up before that? 

You mused over those questions, and in a sleep deprived, caffeine induced haze about a week later, you were struck with the answer.

You enjoyed your rivalry with Jeonghan. Not just that, but somewhere in the past few months, you came to enjoy the time you spent with Jeonghan, and it became something you looked forward to when you went to work. You loved to hear his quick retorts, and the shocked look on his face when you said something extra witty. You enjoyed hearing about all the unimportant things he was rambling about, because it breathed some normalcy into the fast paced life you lived. You looked forward to doing surgeries with him as he made a great surgery companion. He never made mistakes and you could always count on him to ensure the patient would come out of the surgery in much better condition than when they went in. Most of all, you loved his company. You could probably even say you were close friends by this point. Albeit distracting and annoying sometimes, Jeonghan made doing mundane, repetitive things like reading journal articles, doing ward rounds, and writing charts seem all the more interesting. You especially enjoyed the time you spent with him in his office, because you could leech off all the expensive appliances he forced the hospital to purchase for him. 

You became acutely aware of what it meant for you to enjoy Jeonghan’s company. You weren’t stupid, although you certainly felt stupid. You felt like a little girl again, becoming smitten with the person who used to poke her shoulder from behind consistently and then pretend it wasn’t them. For all the tension and already heightened feelings between you two stemming from your rivalry, you also became more acutely aware of Jeonghan. 

More specifically, the undeniable possibility Jeonghan might feel the same way you did. Jeonghan was usually so dismissive of others, yet he would always make time for you. He would wave off his closest friends, nagging at them when they even tried to glance at his expensive appliances, but with you, he acted indifferent, telling you to do whatever you wanted. While his big, brown, doe eyes would narrow calculatingly or tiredly at others, they would soften and sparkle with glee in your presence. His perfectly shaped lips were often downturned disapprovingly, but they would curl into a cheeky, tender grin when he was with you. His steady surgeon’s hands, which would point towards the door as he sternly ordered others out of his operating room, would gently wave you inside, beckoning you to come as close to him as possible. 

This revelation infuriated you even further, because in all your years of existence on this planet, no one had ever infuriated you as much as Dr. Yoon Jeonghan did. Yet, try as you might, you couldn’t stop yourself from falling in love with him. 

--⌃⌄-💎-⌃⌄–

Gingerly holding his coffee mug, Dr Lee Dokyeom, Seventeen Med’s beloved psychiatrist, carefully made his way to one of the free sofas in the doctors’ lounge. He blew slightly on the scalding liquid, before taking a much anticipated sip, savouring the taste of the bittersweet coffee. Dokyeom placed the coffee mug on the table beside him. He shut his eyes, leaning back onto the sofa to relish the feeling of sinking into the soft, plush fabric underneath him. There were others shuffling around the lounge, but he tuned out the sounds of their movements and hushed conversations. After working three consecutive shifts back to back, maybe he could finally get a moment of peace and reprieve in the doctors’ lounge. 

Slam. 

“Dokyeom?!? I still don’t understand how you can be best friends with Jeonghan.”

Dokyeom groaned at the sound of your shrill voice cutting through the peacefulness in the lounge. Peace and reprieve would have to wait. He forced himself to peel his eyes open, watching as you made your way to the coffee station to grab your own drink. Compared to the cheery mood you were in earlier in the day when he first saw you, you were obviously in an irritable mood now, probably brought on by whatever nonsense Jeonghan was up to, again. Dokyeom sighed, mentally cursing Jeonghan for being the reason his own break time was interrupted. 

You angrily stirred your drink, stomping over to plomp yourself down heavily on the armchair next to Dokyeom. Ripping off your scrub cap and kicking off your clogs, you muttered a string of curses under your breath. 

Dokyeom looked at you expectantly, “What did he do now?”

You grumbled sarcastically, “Oh you know, as always, the great Jeonghan saved lives and looked good while doing it.”

Dokyeom snorted, “I’m sure there were some who loved watching that.”

You guffawed, “I’m sure they did. I could see the hearts coming out of their eyes. It was disgusting.”

You continued, “I wish that was it, but no. The other day, we were having a really important surgery conference. The patient had a small tumor in the occipital lobe. Small tumors are easy enough to remove, but this one was sitting a little too close to the optic nerve. We needed to discuss how to remove the tumor without causing any vision loss. Just as we were getting to the important part, Jeonghan gets a page on his PDA and bolts out. Right in the middle of the conference. And he doesn’t come back. We just assumed it was an emergency down in the ED. No. It was a false alarm. When the conference was over, what do we find? Jeonghan sitting in his office watching a TV show.”

A few days ago? That was when he was set up got together with his girlfriend… Wide eyed, Dokyeom began choking on his coffee. 

Dokyeom hit his chest lightly, calming down from his coughing fit. He admitted sheepishly, “A few days ago? If you’re talking about what I think you are, sorry about that, I think it was my fault.”

You gave him a questioning look, “Okay? But that’s only part of the story. The surgery was scheduled for this morning. Jeonghan completely disregarded whatever was discussed during the conference after he left. We were going to do a partial resection of the tumor using a Neuroendoscopy because it was too risky to do a full resection. Then, Jeonghan shows up today saying we are proceeding with a full resection using MRI-guided laser ablation. He didn’t tell anyone, and went behind all of our backs to get the guardian’s consent. I know he’s the lead surgeon on the case, and surgery plans change all the time, but he could have given us a little warning. Worst of all, after the resection was done, he just walked right out. I had to finish up the surgery and deal with the many, many unhappy people in the operating theater. They always give in to whatever Jeonghan wants and then when he’s not around, they complain to me about him. I’m sick of having to deal with the fallout of Jeonghan’s actions. Do you know what it’s like having to placate people daily just because of him?”

Dokyeom chuckled, “Given you’re sitting here complaining about Jeonghan, I think I know how you feel.”

You rubbed your eyes in frustration, “Sorry, point taken. It’s really exasperating how he always does that. I swear he thinks and acts like just because he’s the best surgeon, he can do whatever he wants. One time a first year psychiatry resident asked me if Jeonghan was ever diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder.”

Dokyeom let out a snort, “First year psych residents have a tendency to be hyper aware of things which seem like symptoms of mental health conditions. Jeonghan isn’t the most subtle when it comes to flaunting his abilities, but he does not exhibit the other symptoms like the lack of empathy, manipulativeness, etc. Besides, there’s a difference between someone being cocky, and someone like Jeonghan, who is extremely self-assured and has the skills to back it up.”

Groaning, you sank further into the armchair, “I’m well-aware of that, which is what annoys me even more.” 

Dokyeom took another sip of his now, lukewarm coffee, giving you a knowing smile, “Let me guess. You’re annoyed at Jeonghan for his actions, but you’re more annoyed with yourself for not being able to get mad at him because he has the patients’ best interests at heart. And despite your rivalry, you trust Jeonghan’s judgment more than anyone else in your department.”

You draped an arm over your face, pointing at Dokyeom using your index finger to signal he was right. 

He hummed, cheekily adding on, “It also doesn’t help that you developed a big fat crush on your rival huh?”

Hearing Dokyeom’s words, you flushed, feeling the heat rush through your body. You buried your face in your hands, mumbling, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Dokyeom burst out laughing at your reaction. Although he was embarrassed about how dense he was about his crush, and now girlfriend’s, feelings towards him, he was beginning to see why Soonyoung and Seungkwan enjoyed sticking their noses in his love life. Teasing you about Jeonghan was fun. 

Just as Dokyeom turned his body to face you so he could amp up the teasing, the door chime on the doctors’ lounge sounded and he could see someone making their way towards you both with a worried expression etched on their face.

You took in the new arrivals’ presence. It was one of Seventeen Med’s Ophthalmologists, Dr Na Yangseok, who was assigned to the surgery team this morning. Wondering if he was here to tell you about the patient’s eyesight, you asked, “Dr Na? What’s going on? Do you have news about the patients’ eyesight? We tried our best not to damage their optic nerve during the surgery.”

Dr Na shook his head, “No. Actually I’m here about one of your first year residents. I was going to update Jeonghan about the patient’s stable condition when I saw them run out of his office crying. Some of the other residents were saying Jeonghan told them ‘if you can’t even figure this simple thing out, I suggest you start looking for another profession because you won’t last long here’. I respect the guy but whew, he can be a dickhead.”

Your eyelids twitched. Jeonghan said what now to one of your residents? Your first year residents? Residents were here to learn, and mistakes will inevitably happen. This wasn’t the first time Jeonghan made someone cry. The irritation from the day’s earlier events, coupled with this new development caused a new rush of anger to bubble up in your chest. Crush or no crush, you were going to have words with him. You shot up from the armchair, muttering an ‘excuse me while I go destroy Jeonghan’, before storming off in the direction of Jeonghan’s office. 

Dokyeom and Dr Na watched as your figure got smaller and smaller until you left the doctors’ lounge. Dr Na shook his head, sitting down in the armchair you vacated, “Those two are always at each other's throats.”

Dokyeom chuckled, “You know I can never tell if they are fighting or flirting. Maybe both.”

Dr Na questioned incredulously, “Flirting? Those two? Together? Yea, I don’t see it. They would rip each other’s heads off.”

A thought flashed through Dokyeom’s mind. He extended his hand out for Dr Na to shake, “Want to bet on that? I know you have an extra ticket to that baseball game I wanted to attend.”

Dr Na snickered, shaking Dokyeom’s hand, “Sure, you’re on. If I win, you have to pay for the Ophthalmology department’s monthly dinner.”

Dokyeom grinned, “Fine with me, but I have a feeling I won’t be the one losing this bet.”

--⌃⌄-💎-⌃⌄–

Meanwhile on the other side of the hospital, you were making your way to Jeonghan’s office, more furious than anyone had ever seen. Your jaw was clenched, brows furrowed, eyes blazing with fury, and you clutched a file in your hand, its edges slightly crumpled from the force you were holding it with. 

Pausing for a millisecond in front of your destination to confirm your target was actually in there, you didn’t bother to knock, and swung the door open violently. 

Jeonghan, who was sitting at his desk, jumped at the sudden intrusion. Glaring at whoever dared to enter his office without knocking, his expression quickly changed into one of curiosity and amusement when he realised it was you. He caught onto your sour mood quickly, “My my, what’s gotten your panties in a twist now?”

You ignored his blatant attempt to tease you, instead choosing to chuck the file in your hand on his desk, “You want to explain yourself?”

Jeonghan eyed the file suspiciously, nudging at it using his finger as if it was a poisonous plant. 

When he wouldn’t respond to you, you flipped the file open to the page you wanted, “Care to explain to me why you were chewing out our first year resident over this?”

Jeonghan replied tiredly, “I don’t need to explain anything. They misdiagnosed a patient, simple as that.”

Simple as that? You thought, grinding your teeth in disgust. Does he not understand why you were so mad or the consequences of his statement towards the resident? You went around his desk, stopping when you were hovering over his seated form. Jeonghan was still poking at the file, so you gripped the side of his seat and turned it so he was facing you. 

You leaned down towards him, using a finger to jab at his chest. You seethed, “Simple as that? You told the resident that if they couldn’t do this simple thing, they should look for another job because they won’t last long here at Med. You belittle them and then imply they might get fired? All this over an honest mistake. Hydrocephalus and dementia have similar symptoms. Even the most experienced neurosurgeons get mixed up between the two, which is why hydrocephalus is one of those neurological diseases which often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed in 80% of people suffering from it. If they can make this mistake, how do you expect a first year resident who is encountering this disease for the first time to make a correct diagnosis?”

Jeonghan opened his mouth to speak, but you cut him off, “I don’t want to hear you brag about how you were able to correctly diagnose all your patients even as a first year. And don’t even get me started on what happened this morning. You had the audacity to run out of a surgery conference, completely dismiss the team’s plan, and go behind our backs to get the guardian’s consent for a different surgery plan which carried even more significant risks. You truly think your plans are the best, that you’re always right?”

You pause to take in a breath before continuing with your rant, your voice increasing in volume with each sentence you spoke, “News flash Yoon Jeonghan, just because you’re the best neurosurgeon here doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. You always impose your way onto others and then scold them for not speaking up against you. You know what? I’m so sick and tired of being the person who has to clean up after your messes. I’m the one who has to deal with the disgruntled staff when you step all over them during conferences and surgeries. I’m the one who has to comfort all the residents and fellows when you scold them over the tiniest things. Hell, I’m the one who puts up with your annoying, flat ass all the time. It’s too bad you’re so pretty because you’re such a dickhead.”

Jeonghan gazed up at you towering over him, stunned at your outburst. He inhaled sharply as an indecipherable emotion flashed through his eyes. For the few seconds Jeonghan was completely silent, an uncomfortable, heavy silence fell over the room. 

When it looked like your words finally sank in, his brows furrowed in annoyance, and he threw his hands up in exasperation, “Listen. I hold the residents, and everyone else working with me, to the same standards I hold myself to. If they cannot meet those standards, I don’t believe they should be here. As for the surgery this morning, it’s really not my fault the surgery plan was so flawed. I don’t think my plans are the best, just the ones that are the least flawed. It gives the patient the best possible outcome with a shortened recovery time, which is our main goal, in case you’ve forgotten. Perhaps you have, seeing that you were the one who signed off on the previous plan for a Neuroendoscopy. I didn’t see the need to consult a change in plans with people who couldn’t draw them up well in the first place.”

Ouch. It was one thing for Jeonghan to make such snide remarks to a first year resident, but it was another for him to direct them towards you. Out of all the things he could have said, Jeonghan hit you where it hurt. He had the audacity to imply you didn’t care for your patients. 

Your face went completely blank. In a low voice devoid of any emotion, you said, “You’re so full of yourself. Why did I even think I could come and reason with you… You’re just as insufferable and infuriating as I initially thought. I’m a fool for starting to believe you were anything else than that.”

With that, you turned on your heels and walked out of Jeonghan’s office. 

--⌃⌄-💎-⌃⌄–

To say there was mounting tension between you and Jeonghan would be the understatement of the year. Everyone could see the rapport you built with Jeonghan crumbling under the strain of your last exchange with him. 

Over the next few weeks, you avoided Jeonghan like he was the plague. Unless you needed to be in the same vicinity as Jeonghan, you refused to be in the same space as him. You wouldn’t acknowledge his presence if you were both in the same room, and you would go as far as excusing yourself politely so you didn’t have to be near him. During the times you unfortunately could not get out of working with him, you kept the entire exchange strictly professional, only speaking to him when necessary. You might have been disappointed and pissed off by Jeonghan, but you weren’t going to let patients suffer. You weren’t going to give Jeonghan any excuse to undermine the effort you put into caring for your patients. 

You threw yourself into your work to distract yourself from the disappointment you felt from Jeonghan’s dismissiveness, and from the emptiness you felt now you were no longer spending a lot of your time with him. You chided yourself for wallowing in your own self-pity because you felt horrible for somehow managing to fall for the most self-absorbed person around. You couldn’t have fallen for someone else? Anyone else? 

You squeezed your eyes shut, shaking your head as if it would help to shake away those thoughts in your mind. Reopening your eyes, you focused on stirring your drink at the counter in the doctors’ lounge. 

“When was the last time you slept?”

You groaned, instantly recognising the owner of the soft voice, “Dr Yoon, what I do, or do not do, is none of your concern. But before you can question my ability to look after patients, I slept last night.”

Jeonghan pursed his lips, “I know you’ve been sleeping in the on-call room. When was the last time you slept in your own bed? At home?”

“What are you doing? Stalking me? How do you know I haven’t been home?”

Jeonghan let out a disgruntled snort, “You’re wearing the same scrubs as yesterday, and you’re cracking your back more than normal, which is what you always do when you’re working back to back shifts at the hospital. What… I can’t be concerned for a colleague now?”

You rolled your eyes, “I didn’t peg you to be the type who was concerned about anyone else but himself.”

“I didn’t know you were trying to do that to me,” Jeonghan shot back.

Grabbing your cup, you scoffed, “I don’t need to do anything of that sort to you since you already have your head so far up your ass.”

You turned to walk out of the doctors’ lounge, nodding at a Dokyeom as he passed by you.

Dokyeom paused, looking at you and then at Jeonghan. He crossed his arms, “I thought you said you were going to apologise to her.”

Jeonghan shrugged, “I was trying to, but she was being difficult.”

Dokyeom gave him a pointed look, “Don’t you want to make up with her? I thought you liked her? By the looks of things, you weren’t trying very hard.”

Jeonghan scrunched his nose, taking a long sip of the coffee he just made. Somehow, seeing you act that way towards him made the usually fragrant coffee taste sour. If he was being honest, he hadn’t been quite himself since you blew up at him. As the best neurosurgeon in the region, the pressure he felt on his shoulders was indescribable. People always expected the best from him, and he felt the need to act like he had everything together, because if he didn’t, then who could everyone else rely on?

But when he was with you, he felt different. He felt lighter. Your presence helped to lighten his mood. Regardless of what you were doing together, teasing each other, engaging in playful banter, ward rounds, surgeries, Jeonghan felt as though you were able to lift some of the burden and stress he constantly felt. During the times he spent with you, he felt more like himself. His playful, fun loving self. You, as annoyed as you were with him, endured his antics and even matched his playfulness. With you, the persona he built as “Dr Yoon Jeonghan, the best neurosurgeon in the country” could be shoved aside and ignored. With you, he could simply be, Jeonghan. It was freeing. You were freeing. 

Over the last few weeks, however, with you going out of your way to avoid him, Jeonghan felt trapped, lonely, and empty. He missed ramen and coffee time with you. He missed how the time used to fly by when he worked with you, how surgeries seemed so much easier with you watching his back. Now, when you did work together, the hours ticked on painfully. The air was heavy and stifling as your dislike for him was evident. He missed seeing your pretty smile, the joy you always brought him, your playful rivalry that ironically came with strong mutual respect. He missed the reprieve he felt and relished every time he was in your presence. He missed all of it. Most of all, he missed the happiness and glee he could bring you. He used to be able to make you laugh with a glance and a cheeky smile, but now his glances left you with nothing more than a glare or frown etched on your face.

Jeonghan missed you. He was, unfortunately, completely lost as to how he should go about doing things. He had never been in this situation before, and he didn’t know anything about making amends. But, he would be damned if he let his stupid pride and actions get in the way of making things right with you, or the possibility he could be with you. 

What good was it if he was the best of the best, when he had no one there on the top with him? 

Finally, swallowing his pride (and coffee), Jeonghan whispered, “You’re right. I need to do better. I’ll apologise to her properly. Tonight.”

--⌃⌄-💎-⌃⌄–

You found yourself on the hospital’s rooftop later that night. From your vantage point, you had an unobstructed view of the hospital compound. Despite it already being 11pm, the hospital was still bright and teeming with life. You could see people move around the hospital, their tiny figures and shadows fluttering around them. On floors where the patient wards were located, the lights were dimmed, but there were one or two patients sitting near the windows admiring the hospital’s inner courtyard below you. You could see why they were so transfixed by it. The lamps and mood lights illuminated the triangular shaped inner courtyard, casting a subtle, warm, ethereal glow onto the hospital’s windows. 

Being so high up, you could feel the cold air prick your skin, hear the soft whistle of the wind. You exhaled as you watched your warm breath turn into a puff of cold mist before dissipating into the night. While it wasn’t as cold as other nights you had been up here, you felt chilled to the bone. Even the extraordinary view which lay before you did nothing to warm you. 

Wrapping your jacket around yourself to try to keep the cold out, you shivered at the thought of how you snapped at Jeonghan earlier. He was simply expressing his concern for you, just as your other colleagues would have. Although you believed Jeonghan deserved to be called out (for many, many things), he didn’t deserve to be snapped at like that. With a heavy heart, you hunched over the railing, staring at an ambulance which turned into the Emergency Department. You would have to return inside soon, but for now, you allowed yourself to stay here, wallowing in your own self-pity. 

As you continued to watch the people bustle around below, you heard footsteps coming from behind you, though you paid them no mind. It was the hospital’s rooftop afterall, and like you, many staff members found comfort in being up here. 

Suddenly, you jumped slightly at the sensation of a large, soft piece of fabric wrapping around your shoulders. Recognising the blanket’s familiar scent, you recomposed yourself, wrapping it around yourself more securely. 

After a pregnant pause, you spoke, addressing the newcomer on the roof, “I should be mad at you.”

“I know.”

“I hate that I’m not more mad at you. Honestly, I’m more sad and disappointed than anything else. Your actions towards everyone else, and what you said, about me not wanting for my patients… it really hurt.”

Jeonghan gazed at your side profile softly, his heart aching as he saw the pain that flashed through your eyes when you spoke about what he said to you all those weeks ago. He shuffled a bit, fiddling with the hems of his coat. 

Hoping you could hear the sincerity in his voice since you were still turned away from him, he said, “I know, and I’m sorry. You’re one of the best doctors I know, one of the only doctors I fully trust. I don’t know what came over me. No one has ever called me out like that before. I guess it threw me off, and I lashed out at you for it. I’m really sorry. For what it’s worth, I also apologised to the first year resident, and the surgery team.”

You could hear he was taking this seriously. Your head and your heart were fighting, with your heart wanting to relent and tell him everything was okay and all was forgiven, but you had put up with him for far too long. After musing over his words, you finally decided on how to proceed, with your head (the voice of reason) winning out. You sighed, addressing Jeonghan, “You know why I can’t be mad at you? It’s because you’re a huge mystery to me. You’re unpredictable and confusing. On one hand, you’re this ball of energy, so playful, so cheeky, someone who is always caught up in mischief. I’ve gotten the privilege of seeing and getting to know that Jeonghan. The Jeonghan that is tender when he wants to be, someone who is kind, gentle. On the other hand, you’re also the very embodiment of a neurosurgeon stereotype. Overly strict, mean, arrogant, someone who might even have a god complex. You act like you’re better than everyone. You put down others, dismiss their feelings, go off and do things on your own without consulting the team. Your duality infuriates me so much.”

You turn to face Jeonghan, looking intensely into his eyes as if you were searching for something deep inside of him, “I’ve come to really like that first Jeonghan. He’s frustrating to put up with, but in a good way. He treats me well, never undermines me, and best of all, he makes my days so much more exciting in the best ways possible. But every time I experience this Jeonghan, I’m harshly reminded of the uglier side of you, the second Jeonghan’s existence. And this time, he really crossed a line. So while I appreciate your apology, I think it will take some time for you to regain my trust again.”

Jeonghan held your gaze, nodding in understanding. Despite his heart practically beating out of his chest at what was practically your confession, he elected to ignore it. It was neither the time, nor the place for him to tell you that the feelings were mutual. Instead, Jeonghan focused on the hidden meaning behind your words, one which he appreciated deeply:

While I can’t forgive you right now, or forget what happened, I’m willing to try to mend my relationship, with you. 

--⌃⌄-💎-⌃⌄–

Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take that long for you and Jeonghan to get back to the rhythm of your old rivalry slash close friendship. After a few initial weeks of trial and error, you both were back to your old antics - bickering with each other lightly, teasing each other, doing surgeries flawlessly together, ramen time in his office etc. 

You had to hand it to Jeonghan, who was really making a concerted effort to become a better version of himself. You didn’t say anything but his efforts were enough to earn himself your forgiveness some time ago. He was really trying to be a better team player, and a better superior to the younger medical staff. Old habits did die hard, and he was still as firm as ever on everyone, but he was now more fair as well. He no longer scolded anyone groundlessly, and he no longer threw people out of the operating theater. There were still times when he either slipped, resulting in him receiving a disapproving look from you, or times when he tried too hard to be nice, which resulted in him having this fake, exaggerated smile plastered on his face. All in all, however, the tension between you and Jeonghan eased significantly, and the number of complaints you received from others about Jeonghan reduced as well. You took this as a win.

The only thing you didn’t see as a win was the significant increase in the number of people who were fighting for Jeonghan’s attention and affection. Jeonghan had always been a charmer, and regardless of his upsetting behaviour in the past, there was always a consistent line of people who fell at his feet. Now, with Jeonghan’s mellowed out behaviour, it only seemed to invite new swarms of admirers. You found the very same people who would always complain to you about him to be the very same ones who would now seek you out to ask if Jeonghan had a girlfriend, or if you could put in a good word to him for them. You couldn’t even have a meal with Jeonghan in the staff canteen without someone flirting with him or approaching him for his phone number.

And so, once again, you found yourself in the doctors’ lounge during a late night shift complaining to Dokyeom about your Jeonghan woos. 

Your arms flailed around animatedly as you conveyed your frustrations to Dokyeom, “Then, they asked if Jeonghan wanted to get some lunch with them… I mean come on! I was literally right there having lunch with him, and his lunch was half eaten already. What am I? Chopped liver?”

Dokyeom doubled over, clutching his stomach laughing, “No I know how you feel. The other day our whole friend group was having a coffee at the cafe. One random middle aged person came up to Jeonghan, tapped his shoulder, and began flirting with him. 13 of us there and 12 of us became invisible as soon as they saw Jeonghan!”

You nodded empathetically, “For real. It’s as if the world fades around them as soon as they lay eyes on Jeonghan’s pretty face.”

“You think I’m pretty?” Jeonghan’s gleeful voice echoed through the lounge, cutting you off.

Your body chilled, and your motions stilled. Dokyeom wheezed at your shocked expression, quietly slipping away from his seat while you were buffering to leave you and Jeonghan alone.

Jeonghan slid into Dokyeom’s chair, a content and blissful smile etched on his face. He repeated, “So you think I’m pretty?”

Heat rushed to your face. You were sure Jeonghan could see the steam rising from the top of your head right about now. You shook your head, “I never said that.”

At your flustered expression, Jeonghan chuckled. He teased, “No no actually you said it twice. This would be the second time you called me pretty.”

Second time? A memory flashed through your head. You hid your face in your hands at the sudden recollection of how you told Jeonghan “it’s too bad you’re so pretty because you’re such a dickhead.” In your anger fueled haze, you didn’t even realise you called him pretty during your tirade. 

You felt Jeonghan shift closer to you, but you refused to remove your hands from your face. You were way too embarrassed to face him. 

Jeonghan gingerly pryed your hands away from your face, to which you didn’t put up that much resistance. 

With his face dangerously close to yours, a cheeky glint in his eye, he whispered, “hi.”

You tried to avert your eyes from him, but found yourself completely entranced by him. You always loved Jeonghan’s eyes, though seeing them this close made you love them even more. They sparkled like gems under the soft overhead lighting in the doctors’ lounge, and the moment his eyes met yours, they softened. You could spend forever gazing into his eyes. The best part? Jeonghan looked just as enamoured with you as you were with him. 

Jeonghan, taking advantage of your flustered state, was the first to break the silence, “Would this be a good time to confess something to you?”

You nodded dumbly, mind racing too much to think clearly. 

Jeonghan inched even closer to you, never breaking eye contact. He confessed, his voice warm and full of affection, “I didn’t want to say anything then, but remember that time on the roof? How you said you liked that first Jeonghan? The one that is a ball of energy, playful, cheeky, mischievous? The one who is also tender, kind, gentle? What if I told you that you are one of the only people on this planet who ever had the privilege of seeing and getting to know that Jeonghan? Because I like you too, more than you can ever imagine. It’s why I tease you, why I banter with you, why only you get to use my fancy applicances. You held my gaze the first day we met, and then proceeded to challenge me in ways I’ve never been challenged before. You saw my flaws, held me accountable to them, all while still accepting me, having my back, and teaching me how to be a better person.”

Each word Jeonghan spoke sent shivers down your back. Your heart pounded so wildly in your chest you swore you could hear it reverberate through the quiet room. 

Jeonghan liked you too. 

Overcome with emotion, you impulsively grabbed Jeonghan by his coat and crashed your lips on his. Jeonghan let out a strangled noise at your actions, but soon began kissing you back with just as much intensity. You savoured the feeling of Jeonghan’s lips against yours. The sensation was electrifying. Whatever residual tension you both had melted away completely. Jeonghan’s confession and this kiss would mark a new beginning in your relationship with Jeonghan, one which you hoped wouldn’t be as infuriating. 

Sensing that you were beginning to pull away from him, Jeonghan tugged your head closer to his, once again capturing your lips in a passionate, tender kiss. You giggled into the kiss. You could deal with the thoughts of ���what comes next” in your relationship with him later. For now, you would tune the rest of the world around you out, focusing only on Jeonghan (and his pretty lips). 

Because, who cares if you were both caught making out in the doctors’ lounge? 

--⌃⌄-💎-⌃⌄–

Unbeknownst to you, someone did catch you both making out in the doctors’ lounge, for you see, Dokyeom never fully went away after Jeonghan arrived. Dokyeom merely shifted to a far corner of the lounge to give you both some privacy. While he had a feeling today might be the day you would both confess, he didn’t expect you to immediately start sucking on each other’s faces in the middle of the night. Luckily for you, the rest of the lounge was empty or else this might cause a huge stir with Minghao HR.

Snapping out of his daze, Dokyeom sneakily took out his phone. He took a picture of you and Jeonghan, sending it to Dr Na triumphantly. 

To Dr Na (Ophthalmology): [Picture]

To Dr Na (Ophthalmology): I’d say I win, so hand over the tickets (˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧

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[chanceonceli]

✏️ film major!mingyu x reader.

"the greatest films of all time were never made"? not if your ex, film student mingyu, can help it ✶ part of my svt university milestone event

⤿ college exes, exes to friends. more content under the cut. ♡⸝⸝ prompt from @taeraegyat & @gyubakeries!

DIR. BY KIM MINGYU

FADE IN INT. CINEMA '76, LOBBY - DAY

MINGYU enters with his DATE. MINGYU's eyes go wide when he notices YOU at the cinema's snack bar.

DATE Do you want some popcorn?

MINGYU (hesitant) Uh… Isn't it kind of expensive?

DATE shoots MINGYU a look. He heaves out a longsuffering sigh.

MINGYU Okay, I'll get us some.

MINGYU makes his way to the snack bar. YOU look up. His eyebrows furrow, because he can't read the look on your face as well as he used to.

MINGYU Hey, look—

YOU (interrupting) Welcome to Cinema '76. What can I get you?

MINGYU feels his heart drop in his stomach. He wants to explain, but then DATE comes up to him.

DATE Can you get us some soda, too?

MINGYU wishes he hadn't noticed the slight change in YOUR expression. But YOU keep your cool as you go to punch in the order.

YOU A large popcorn and two sodas. Anything else?

MINGYU I—

DATE And a pack of M&Ms, please.

YOU Got it.

MINGYU watches helplessly as you go get their snacks. When YOU return, he wordlessly hands over the payment. The tips of your fingers brush.

MINGYU (softly) Thanks.

YOU only give MINGYU a nod in response. He winces slightly when DATE grabs him by the arm.

DATE We'll miss the previews!

MINGYU Right, right.

MUSIC UP: "You Were Beautiful" by DAY6

MINGYU lets DATE drag him off. He casts one glance over his shoulder at YOU, except YOU'RE not even looking at him. Somehow, that's even worse.

INT. CINEMA '76, CINEMA 1 - DAY

The film is one of those cheesy romcoms. MINGYU thinks about how YOU had introduced him to his favorite romcom; how the two of you used to spend hours and hours debating over which was best.

His DATE leans over a lot to comment on things, he notices.

DATE (pressing close to MINGYU) I think Glen Powell is severely underrated...

MINGYU laughs, just a bit, because his first thought is how YOU would react to that opinion. He's also imagining the look on YOUR face if YOU saw somebody talking during a film.

YOU only allowed movie commentary if it was in the comfort of YOUR home. Otherwise, in public places like cinemas? YOU would glare daggers at anybody who dared.

DATE (CONT'D) ... And that's kind of like Sydney Sweeney, isn't it?

Crap. MINGYU has no idea what DATE had just said.

MINGYU (whispering) Yeah, I agree.

His DATE seems placated. Close call, thinks MINGYU. But he's also thinking about how the two of you would argue about everything. How YOU would never back down on YOUR opinion, and how he adored YOU for all YOUR convictions.

DATE goes to hold MINGYU's hand. He almost flinches away. But that would be rude, so he awkwardly lets them hold on.

It's cruel, but throughout the movie, MINGYU bears it by imagining that it's YOUR hand instead.

INT. CINEMA '76, LOBBY - EARLY EVENING

MINGYU emerges from the movie with DATE. He immediately drops their hand.

MINGYU Hey, uh, I think I was short on change from the cashier. Mind if I go check on that real quick?

DATE Oh, sure. I'll wait for you by the entrance.

MINGYU Thanks.

MINGYU rushes back to the snack bar. YOU'RE nowhere to be found. He checks his watch; YOUR shift has probably ended.

MINGYU (underneath his breath) Damn it.

MINGYU had wanted to explain. He does the next best thing. He fishes out his phone from his pocket and pulls up your contact, which is still your name with a heart emoji. He hasn't changed it after all this time.

He types and retypes several texts. When did you start working at Cinema '76? and You looked good and Can we talk, please? and I wished it was you during the entire two-hour runtime of the film.

In the end, he only sends out an I'm sorry.

MINGYU puts his phone away. He wanders back to DATE, who greets him with a helluva good question; they're looking at the posters for upcoming shows.

DATE (absentmindedly) How do you feel about sequels?

And, again, MINGYU is thinking of YOU.

MINGYU I think they're always worth a shot.

FIN.

[chanceonceli]

self indulgent af cause that's all I can write.

hyunjin x sensitive emotional fem reader that isn't used to love

I know it's bad but I've had a long day and I'm tired and lonely and I don't even know what I wrote.

you hoped the boys were too caught up with each other to notice you've sneaked away and now we're hiding in the bathroom. you couldn't explain why if anyone asked why you were crying. out of happiness.

the plan for the night was for everyone to be at chan and jeongin's place for a movie night. you were there before your boyfriend since he wanted to practice longer. he'd take a shower and join a bit later along with felix and minho. you didn't mind. it wasn't unusual for them to get caught up in their dance practice.

it was the way he greeted you that made you react this way. jisung was the one opening the door but hyunjin looked for you first. he looked tired when he walked over to hug you. his hair was still a little damp and you were going to say he should've dried it properly but your brain stopped working when he pulled you to his chest. and he kissed your hair.

something so normal had managed to make you tear up.

kisses on the lips or the neck could happen with a stranger. at a club for example. it doesn't necessarily require romantic feelings.

but

one holds a person that close and kiss them on the top of their head when they seek comfort.

and hyunjin found that comfort... in you.

you knew you weren't the easiest girl to love. yes, you were just as hopelessly romantic as him and that was something you both cherished. but you saw yourself as someone who's difficult to stay with. and hyunjin knew how stubbornly you believed that. he had even lost count of all the times you've said you knew he's going fall out of love and be done with you with a straight face. you really thought he'll get tired someday and leave.

yet those few seconds, what seemed like a simple greeting, changed everything. you could feel his breathing, his smile, his heartbeat, his love. it was a first for you. feeling truly needed. so could anyone really blame you for getting a little emotional over it?

[chanceonceli]

↳ WHAT A MAN ⭑

𝓼ynopsis. the little sweet things they do. 𝓹airing. enha!member x female!reader 𝓰enre. tooth rooting fluff, domestic. 𝔀arnings. mentions of nude (not in a malicious way), not proofread, english is not my 1st language. 𝔀𝓬. 1k+ 𝓶asterlist.

♡ 𝓪melie's 𝓷ote: hey there! how are you guys doing? excited for enhypen's comeback? because i surely am! ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )

― 𝓱eeseung: leftovers? it's his!

you know that boyfriend's who are the definition of a vacuum cleaner? heeseung is definitely one of them ― and it makes you fall even more in love. there's something about him finishing his meal first and waiting patiently for you to finish yours or giving/handing your leftovers to him. in the beginning of your relationship with heeseung, you were kind of taken back by his action, which made you ask him if he wasn't disgusted or something. however, this man looked straight into your eyes and replied: "no? babe, i kiss you every day, how could i be disgusted? i mean, how could i be disgusted of you?" ― how sweet... (╥﹏╥)

― 𝓳ongseong: bathe you when you're tired.

it's not a secret that jongseong is that type of domestic boyfriend or like the materialisation of husband material. with that, usually, when you come back home tired, your boyfriend makes sure to let you rest. he makes you food, then chooses a comfy pyjamas for you before leading you to your shared bedroom. with that, he would slowly and sweetly take off your clothes and reassure you he could do the laundry. jongseong then proceeds to leads you to the bathtub ― already running a warm bath ―, pampering you with butterfly kisses onto your shoulders while both of you wait for the water to fill the bathtub. and then finally you get into the bathtub, enjoying the way his hands massage your shoulders, how his lips feel against your tense muscles and hearing his whispers: "i'm so proud of you, i love you, sweetheart..."

― 𝓳aeyun: calls you layla's mum.

ever since you and jaeyun were friends, he has already called you layla's mum a hundred times, but it never hit you that much back then until both of you started dating. i think it is because of the moments jaeyun usually calls you that, being mostly of the time when he wants to cuddle his two girls ― you and layla. if you're still not convinced that it could be one of the sweetest thing he does, imagine this scenario: both of you cuddling on bed and then your boyfriend suddenly hears small whimpers coming from layla behind the door. and then he gently places a kiss on your forehead and opens the door for her, petting her head while speaking with a baby voice with her as well. "come here, layla!" he pats an empty spot on your shared bed, inviting her. "come here cuddle with your mum! ey~ good girl! jaeyun would tease you saying ― while giggling ― something like: "you're so cute... like your mum," ― literally the sweetest thing ever!

― 𝓼unghoon: remembers every little thing you say.

remember when you said you like that drink? me neither, but sunghoon surely does. sunghoon is known for being one of the introverts, however, he is one of the sweetest that's for sure. in the beginning of your relationship, you remember going out for a date with him, and while walking on the street holding hands, he pulls out something from his pocket and hands you. it was a small pink box. "what is this?" "um... open it," opening the small box, a beautiful necklace was revealed. "what...?" "you know," he would start, avoiding looking at you while feeling coy. "remember when you said you wanted a new necklace because yours was getting old?" your boyfriend looks at you for a brief second, waiting for you nod. "so... i know you didn't ask for me to buy it but... i bought one for you." and that was one of the moments you knew you were loving and falling for the right person: and not because of the necklace, but because of his intention.

― 𝓼unoo: cares about you and your (mental) health.

sunoo loves sharing, he can't forget that sharing is caring. with that, since both of you were just friends he always made sure to share everything with you. skincare products, perfumes, feelings... and you have the most clear memory of him being worried about you while you were out and have ate nothing more than an apple. don't do this to him. sunoo always says to you ― when you complain about your looks ― that he doesn't care, he cares about you! not your looks. ― "look, baby, i understand you. i have my insecurities too and we can work them together; two is better than one, right? i love you, i care about you and i hope you know you can count on me always."

― 𝓳ungwon: kisses your hand daily.

as a way to show love throughout the day, jungwon prefers to give you small acts of love, such as like: forehead kisses, doing the laundry, making the bed and tidying the room up, etc. it's not like he doesn't kiss you, but he doesn't feel the need to make you feel loved only by that. however, he knows how important it is for you, so he usually rather to kiss your hand. like, imagine both of you just sitting on the dinner table having a meal together and suddenly ― while chatting ― he takes your hand and gently places a kiss on it because he felt like it. or, imagine you accidentally cut your finger: jungwon will get a band-aid and give you a little hand kiss, kissing your forehead as well, wishing you feel a bit better.

― 𝓻iki: always covers your legs.

riki is usually wearing his large jumpers/hoodies, and that is for three reasons: 1. because he feels cool; 2. because he feels cold; 3. because he wants to protect you. protect you from what? i mean, you can't really stop a bullet from hitting someone with a hoodie right? yeah, it's obvious, with that, he just wants to protect you from the cold, creeps; mainly when you wear short skirts and you have to sit down on an underground seat or just simply waiting for the bus to arrive. it's this little thing he does that makes you feel cared and loved, even though riki has this playful and sometimes nonchalant personality.

© 𝓪𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐢𝓮, 𝗺𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗮 𝗌𝓽𝓾𝖽𝗂𝗈𝓼. ⋆

[chanceonceli]

the feeling of your skin is soft underneath minghao's fingers, and all he can think about right now is spending this vacation with you. it had been your idea to go away for his birthday, to take the vacation the two of you had been wanting to take for well over a year now (life gets in the way, unfortunately). turning it into a birthday present for him just makes it a little more special.

you're sleeping peacefully next to him, and he's just resting a hand at your hip. your shirt has ridden up while you turned in your sleep. his is twisted around himself, too, and he doesn't care to move and fix it right now. he's just watching you through his eyelashes, a little too awake to be asleep although his body yearns for just another fifteen minutes. he shuts his eyes, leaning in to press a kiss against the side of your face before snuggling back in.

"hao?" your voice is quiet, barely above a whisper in the low light of morning, but there. "i love you. happy birthday."

it definitely is when you're there with him.

[chanceonceli]

𝐢 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐢 𝐝𝐨!

nonidol!jung wooyoung x f!reader

the one where you're stuck in denial and wooyoung's determined to not be stuck in the friend zone.

7.7k words, fluff, f2l, they've kinda got a banter thing going on, he's in a frat cuz i said so, college au, swearing, kissing, mentions of alcohol and food, pining, obliviousness, jealousy/insecurity if you squint...? (sorry mark), barely proofread, overall pretty wholesome

a/n: okay... wooyo brainrot going hard lately, but anyways, hope u enjoy <3

The horizon glittered like a sea of molten gold when you stepped onto the sandy shores of the beach. Seagulls squawked overhead, riding the setting sky like your friends currently in the surf. You smiled to yourself, inhaling the briny air and slipping the shades off your nose and up onto your head. Your sandals hung limp in your hand as grains of sand embedded themselves into the soles of your bare feet while you jogged down the hill toward the bonfire and crowd of people.

The last week of summer before the fall semester brought your friends to convince you to come to their last bonfire at the beach. It wasn't difficult to persuade you.

“Oy, Yn! Head's up!"

Your eyes shot open and your head whipped up. Sandals fell from your hand as they came up to grab the frisbee out of the sky. It was plastic and blue, with scratches engraved into its surface from thorough use.

Hoots of approval erupted from further down the bank. "Nice catch!" Yeonjun praised as he jogged to meet you in the middle. A light blue Hawaiian shirt hung loose off his lean frame, unbuttoned to display the glorious, toned muscles of his chest.

You grinned, handing him the frisbee before picking your sandals back up. The two of you walked together back towards the group. "Thanks. How're you, Jun?"

He pulled you into a brief, yet affectionate side hug. "I'm great! You?"

"Same here." You had been itching for an outing—and dreading the first day back to class—so this would be good for you. “Who's here today?”

“Ah, y'know, the usuals.” He grinned at you then, sending you a teasing wink. “Your lover boy's here for sure. He wouldn't miss this for the world.”

Your skin warmed at the playful comment and you were failing to pretend it was just because it was hot out here. You rolled your eyes. “He is not my lover boy.”

“Based on the fact you knew who I was talking about though,” he drawled with a singsong tone. He let out a loud guffaw at your less than gruntled expression. “You know, he ditched his frat's annual pool party to be here.”

“That's his prerogative—I don't know how that relates to me,” you said with your palms raised up helplessly.

As you turned around to walk in front of him, Yeonjun wrinkled his nose with a grin. “It's cute when you're in denial.”

You scoffed, backpedaling in the opposite direction to where Changbin was hollering for him to hurry up with the frisbee. “Denial, as if.”

“Whatever you say, Cher,” he snickered, then raised his hand up in goodbye to jog across the sands to the game of frisbee.

You huffed a laugh and shook your head. The sun glared in your eyes as you trudged through the sand toward the sounds of your other friends hollering at you from the barbeque and speaker system set up. You flicked your shades back over your eyes, an easy smile coming to your face. “Hi everyone! Smells delicious over here.”

Chan was stationed at the small, portable barbeque with a bottle of beer in his hand. He smiled as you neared, digging his hand into the cooler beside him to pass you a fresh bottle of hard lemonade. “You're right on time, Yn. Dinner is almost ready.”

“I do believe I have impeccable timing,” you mused, thanking him while accepting the bottle. You dropped your sandals to the sand by your feet so you could free your hands and twist the bottle cap off.

“So glad you could make it, Yn!” Lia chimed in from her spot beneath the beach tent. She and Chaeryeong were lying on their stomachs with books splayed out before them for a light beach read.

“Hey guys! Glad I could make it, too—”

“Oh my god, is that Yn Ln?”

Your head whipped around in the direction of the new voice, and you watched as Felix trudged up the sandy bank with his surfboard under his arm, his free hand brushing back his strands of damp hair.

“Felix Lee, you've been chickening out on me all summer.”

He gave a lazy smile back at you as the two of you clasped hands in greeting, his being cold and wet from the waves and yours dry and gritty with sand. “You say that like you haven't been working all summer. Anyways, there's someone who's been dying to see you even more than me.”

You could spot the impish mischief in the blond's eyes from a mile away. “I feel like everyone's been telling me the same thing, but I haven't seen Wooyoung anywhere.”

“First time she says my name, and it's not even to my face,” came a dramatic sigh from somewhere behind you.

The organ in your chest kicked into action and you turned to face the newcomer bounding toward the group from up the hill where the parking lot was. He was clad in a pair of board shorts and a tank top, his skin glowing in the golden afternoon light. “Speak of the Devil,” you jested, poking your tongue into your cheek as you smiled.

Jung Wooyoung peered at you from over the rim of his sunglasses as they slipped down the slope of his nose, then pushed them up to nestle in his locks of dark brown hair. “That nickname's a new one.”

“It's an expression, Jung,” you said, eyebrow arched.

He gave yet another melodramatic sigh. “And she's back to the last name-calling. Would it kill you to try a 'sweetheart’ or a 'darling’ one of these days?”

“I think Yn would rather go into cardiac arrest before calling you by your first name, mate,” Felix gave a warm laugh as he sidled up beside his friend, propping his arm up onto Wooyoung's shoulder.

You lifted your bottle of lemonade in salute. “Lix, you are not wrong. Where've you been anyways, Jung?”

“Did you hear that? She cares about my whereabouts,” he gasped in giddy delight, palm over his mouth as if he and Felix were co conspirators. “I'll have you know, Ln, that Hyunjin and I were scouting for ice cream carts, but he had a phone call to take so I came back here.”

You gave a pleasant hum, knocking back a sip of the spiked lemonade. “An ice cream cart? A man after my own heart.”

“Took you that long to notice?”

You weren't given much time to ponder on that statement before everyone's attention turned to Chan, who announced that it was finally time to eat. By some miraculous force of nature, Hyunjin heard Chan's call, too, and came barreling down the hill toward base camp a few moments later. The frisbee was laid to rest, the books were marked for later, and the bonfire was set ablaze.

With delicious eats and favored company, the lot of you gathered around with one another to have dinner and watch the sun slowly sink into the horizon line. It was the perfect cap to a long and warm summer.

A few hours later, when the sun had only just disappeared from view to leave the sky a lingering shade of hazy orange, you settled beside Lia, Chaeryeong, and Yeonjun on one side of the fire pit while Chan sat on his stool with a ukulele he kept in his backseat. (You were pretty sure that ukulele lived in his backseat at this rate. Once, you saw him buckle the thing with its own seatbelt. To each their own, you supposed.)

“So Wooyoung-ah,” drawled Changbin from his perch beside Hyunjin, as the two of them plucked chips out of the same bag, “did Hongjoong say if movie night was confirmed for next Friday?”

All eyes flickered over to Wooyoung expectantly, and you found yourself meeting his gaze as his own flitted from your eyes and back to Changbin. “I’m pretty sure we're still on for Friday, yeah. All of you better be there,” he said pointedly, his finger drawing over the group.

“What time is it again?” Yeonjun asked as he shoved a marshmallow into his cheek. You smiled to yourself and poked at it, making him send an adorable scowl your way.

Wooyoung pursed his lips. “Ah… it should start around nine o'clock. But make sure you guys text me first so I can let you in. Sometimes the pledges don't care to ask before collecting fees at the door.”

Nods and murmurs of agreement resounded from around the group. Each one of you had your own experience with getting hassled for entry fee at the ATZ fraternity door before Wooyoung or one of his frat brothers came to collect you. You remembered Felix once joking about having all of your names on a list or something.

“Ln, you're coming, aren't you?” Wooyoung nodded at you from across the bonfire. He leaned his elbows onto his knees, his fine features illuminated by the fires.

Your pulse skipped. “Hm? Oh, uhm, yeah I'm pretty sure.”

A smile curled onto his lips. “Good.”

From beside you, Yeonjun lightly smacked the back of his hand against your shoulder. “Hey, you should totally invite that guy from our Econ class—y’know from last quarter—?”

Your eyebrows creased. “Mark?”

“Who's Mark?” The question Wooyoung posed was innocent, but you couldn't help hyperfixate on the way he tilted his head and pressed his lips together.

And for some reason, you wanted to clear this up. “Mark from Econ,” you said. “He, Jun, and I used to sit with each other during class. I dunno if he'd wanna come with…” You somewhat kept in touch with Mark over the summer, but it wasn't like the two of you hung out solo or anything.

Yeonjun shoved another marshmallow into his mouth, but still spoke through it, “Mawk's cool doe. I fink he iked you.”

“Ooh, someone had a crush on you, Yn?” Hyunjin snickered.

You wrinkled your nose at him. “He did not have a crush on me; he was just nice.”

“You should invite him anyway!” Chaeryeong piped up as she leaned over you and Lia to steal a marshmallow from Yeonjun's bag. The owner of said bag watched the stolen marshmallow get swallowed whole with wide eyes. “More the merrier.”

“As long as Woo lets him in,” Felix muttered into his plastic cup so his words were slightly muffled. You didn't hear what he said, but you saw Wooyoung whack him and induce a Felix-standard fairy giggle.

You reached into Yeonjun's marshmallow bag, pretending he wasn't gawking at you with even wider eyes to guilt you into not taking his precious. “Okay, I will ask, but no promises.”

“Who the fuck is Mark from Econ?”

San barely glanced up from what he was reading and he flipped the page to the tune of Wooyoung's rapid pacing of their shared room. “He's from Econ, I'm guessing.”

Wooyoung stopped in the middle of the open space between their beds, hands braced on their hips. He had just gotten home from the bonfire after having dropped off Hyunjin, Yeonjun, and Changbin at their apartment. When he'd arrived home to the ATZ fraternity on Greek Row, he had not been surprised to find nearly everyone still awake, even at one in the morning.

San, as always, had his nose buried in a bout of nightly reading. He claimed it helped him sleep better, but how could it if he sometimes stayed up until five in the morning because he was so invested?

“That's very helpful, thanks,” Wooyoung deadpanned.

His friend spared him a glance from over the book's edge. Then after one peak at his sorry state, San sighed and stuck an old receipt into the book to mark it for later. “Did they mention a last name? Mark who?”

Wooyoung waved his hand around. “Agh, I dunno. Yeonjun said in the car ride home something about a Mark Lee…”

San blinked, head tilting to the side in thought. “Mark Lee? Like the Mark Lee from NCT down the street?”

For a moment, Wooyoung only stared with furrowed brows, allowing the information presented to process through his brain. When it hit him, it was clear as day. He groaned, dragging his palms down his face as he plopped down on the edge of his bed. “We can't let him into Friday's movie night, Sannie.”

“And why not? He's a nice dude.”

“That is exactly why we can't let him in!” At the way San's face arranged itself into the epitome of confusion, Wooyoung waved his hands around in a manic craze. “If he gets cozy with Yn, my chances are ruined.”

San gave up; he picked up his book again. “Sounds like a skill issue.”

“Movie night? Dark setting? Sharing blankets? Fairy lights overhead?” Wooyoung flopped onto his back and glared at the ceiling. It was the perfect way to get closer to you if he could somehow make it not weird since you were almost always with one of your other friends. This could arguably be his big breakthrough with you; it had all of the makings of a romantic night… as long as everything went right.

He just needed to be absolutely sure that your feelings and his feelings were on the same page.

San sighed, the book flopping onto his lap. “Why can't you just—I don't know—insert yourself?” He made a motion with his arm, his dimples digging into his cheeks as he pressed his lips together in a deadpan, arm jutting straightforward. “Insert. Like… insert.”

Wooyoung craned his head up from his position. “Like—insert?”

“Insert,” San affirmed. “She sits down, and you sit down next to her before anyone else can. Easy.”

“So you want me to be a parasite?”

San scoffed and fixed Wooyoung with a pointed look. “If you're not going to tell her to her face that you like her—”

“Parasitism, it is!”

As the days grew closer to the ATZ frat's annual fall movie night, you had to admit that you might have been severely procrastinating on extending an invitation to Mark. Mark was, by all counts, a nice guy. He was a good guy, in fact. But it wasn't like the two of you were buddy-buddy with each other, as Yeonjun made it sound like to everyone else. It was the equivalent of your mom asking you to invite your neighbor to your birthday party—they were nice enough, but you weren't close enough to ensure this wouldn't be awkward.

Plus, you couldn't get this sticky feeling out of the back of your mind about Yeonjun claiming Mark liked you. There was no problem, per se, with a guy liking you. It was just that… you weren't interested in him like that. You also didn't want other people thinking that you were interested in him either, and getting the wrong idea.

You tried to convince yourself that you weren't interested in anyone at the moment, but you knew, deep in your heart of hearts, that wasn't true. You just didn't want to admit it. (A tragedy, indeed.)

When the first Friday night of the university term rolled around, you and your friends pulled up outside the ATZ frat house without Mark Lee. You'd admitted to them that it was awkward, so the subject was easily brushed away. There was nothing they could do about it now, anyway.

When they strolled up to the entryway, Yeonjun told the pledges at the front that they were with Wooyoung. As per protocol, they forced you all to wait outside until Wooyoung could get there from wherever he was within the house. You could hear the music thumping from the backyard, along with chatter and laughter, all from people waiting for the movie night to start.

You shivered as you hugged your arms around your body, a cool autumn breeze blowing past. “Damn, I should've brought a jacket,” you laughed, hopping around from foot to foot to stay warm. Or maybe you should've worn a sweater rather than a T-shirt over your pajama shorts.

Lia perked up. “Oh! I think I have o—”

Felix's eyes widened as he interjected, “No, you don't!”

Everyone passed Felix a strange look, especially you and Lia. Curiously, you watched as Felix seemingly communicated with Lia in silent, urgent facial expressions before smiling at you like his regular, ray-of-sunshine self.

You blinked. What in the world…?

Lia turned back toward you with an apologetic wince on her face. “I think I took my jacket out of the backseat before I left the house. Sorry, Yn.”

“Oh, that's okay,” you assured her. “I'll, uh, probably steal Chan's blanket or something once we get settled.”

Wooyoung appeared at the door moments later, a lollipop stick between his teeth and a cozy dark blue hoodie on his frame. Like many others here tonight, he was in a pair of pajama pants and fluffy slippers. “Hey guys! Come on in.”

Thankful for the excellent timing, you all slipped inside the front doors of the frat to get to the backyard. The movie night was usually held in the backyard space just because it could hold more people. The movie was then projected against the back of the house with an old projector that was apparently passed down from generation to generation of the frat. There was oftentimes a table to the side that was stocked with snacks and booze for all those attending.

Wooyoung led the group of you out into the backyard, specifically to a spot with a decent view, already laid out with picnic blankets and regular blankets. “Tada!” He exclaimed with jazz hands, catching the amused gaze of others nearby. “I reserved a spot for all of us!”

“Without permission!” Somebody—you recognized Yunho's teasing grin from over by the snack table—yelled.

“Seonghwa hyung said I could!” Wooyoung shot back in proper little sibling fashion. He stuck one of his hands into his pockets and took his lollipop out. “Anyways, help yourselves!”

“This is really cool of you, dude,” Changbin said as he bumped Wooyoung's fist and settled on one corner of the setup.

Chan hobbled over toward Changbin. “Yeah, man. We really appreciate it.”

You murmured your own thanks to Wooyoung as you passed by him to decide on where to sit.

His eyes flickered over your form, noting the way you used your palms to keep your arms warm. “Hey, Ln.”

“Jung,” you mused back.

“You didn't bring a jacket?” He asked incredulously. “It's gonna get colder tonight.”

Sheepishness washed over you and you scratched your head with an embarrassed smile. “I'll be fine under the blankets.”

He shook his head, dissatisfaction clear on his face, as he stuck his lollipop back into his mouth and began shouldering off his jacket.

Your eyes widened when you realized what he was doing. “Hey, wait—I’ll be fine—”

Wooyoung held out the jacket to you, eyebrows lifting in silent communication. 'Put it on.’

You pursed your lips and considered it for a moment. You knew that he was right and it was going to get colder later tonight. You could only bring the blanket up so far… Slowly, you slipped into it with his help, and your upper body was immediately grateful for the warmth.

Wooyoung spun you around to face him again, swiftly reaching for the zipper at the bottom to zip you up.

“Oh, you don't have to—” You shut up with one look from him. You could feel your skin begin to warm, not just because of the residual heat from Wooyoung's body heat on the jacket. You weren't exactly used to this, but you also weren't going to complain. This article of clothing smelled sinfully good—was that his cologne or how he always smelled?

When you were all zipped up, his lips pressed into a content smile. “I'm gonna go grab another jacket. I'll be right back,” he said, throwing a thumb back in the direction of the house.

Based on the fact he was only wearing a tank top underneath the jacket you now wore, you nodded vigorously. “Yeah, of course,” you stammered. “Thanks.”

His smile widened. “No problem, Yn. You look good in it.”

You didn't get another word in because he was darting across the backyard and disappearing inside the house before you could. You were sure you looked as flustered as you felt, and you slowly sank onto the blanket set up beside Chaeryeong and Lia.

From down the line, you could feel your friends’ eyes and wagging brows.

“Don't say anything,” you said to them, pulling your knees to your chest and pretending you weren't in heaven from how nice the jacket felt and smelled. (Oh god, were you being weird about this?)

A snort from Hyunjin.

Felix giggled. “Not a single word.”

By the time Wooyoung returned, Hongjoong was beginning to fire up the movie of choice tonight (Parasite—how fitting) and the backyard had been substantially populated.

Though there was no Mark Lee tonight to be a parasite about, Wooyoung settled on the other side of Chaeryeong who was right beside you. There was a bucket of popcorn per every three or so of you. You dipped into the bucket closest to you, which was the one in front of Chaeryeong.

At some point during the movie, Chaeryeong raised her head from where she was resting against your shoulder and searched the area around you. “Hey,” she whispered to you, “my friend from the Delta sorority is over there and I'm gonna go say hi.”

You nodded. “Sounds good.”

As she clambered to her feet, you met Wooyoung's eyes from her other side. He had tugged his own hood over his head, so only his bangs hung out of it. He nodded toward Chaeryeong in question: ‘Where’s she going?’

“Just a friend,” you answered quietly.

From your other side, you heard Lia make a small gasping sound. “Ooh, I'm gonna say hi, too!”

When both of them had cleared out, you craned your head around to see if you recognized the Delta they went to greet. You did not, and so you stayed put.

It didn't take long for you to realize that you were pretty sure Lia and Chaeryeong were over there for much more than a hello, which was completely fine—you were simply going to hog all of their blanket space—

A throat cleared on your left side, and you watched Wooyoung take the shared popcorn bucket and scoot over into where Chaeryeong was sitting next to you. “So we can reach easier,” he reasoned, shoveling a handful of buttered kernels into his mouth.

You couldn't and didn't argue with that. Though, you were unsure of how fast your heart was beating now that you and he were shoulder to shoulder, leg to leg.

But you turned your attention back to the movie because obviously there was nothing wrong with this. There was absolutely nothing about sitting this close to Wooyoung that was making you flustered—

You jolted when your hand touched his in the popcorn bucket, both of you having blindly reached in.

Your eyes met in the dark again, and you hoped he couldn't see just how affected you were by the touch. “Sorry,” you whispered, withdrawing your hand swiftly.

“No, it's okay,” he murmured back, a small lift in the corner of his lips. “Nothing to be sorry about.”

When the movie reached its inevitable conclusion, it was nearing midnight. Though the projector was turned off, there were plenty of people still lingering to chat and drink. You wiped your hands on a napkin and smeared on a dollop of hand sanitizer that Chan usually kept in his pocket. (The crazy man was always prepared.)

Lia and Chaeryeong eventually came back to the group, but you and Wooyoung scooted over so they could sit next to each other on your right. Your arm was still pressed to his arm, and you still kept his jacket on. It had done a brilliant job at keeping you warm tonight; you were dreading parting with it.

“Can we help you guys clean up or anything?” You asked him as you passed him Chan's bottle of hand sanitizer to use.

He hummed, “Uh, I think we should be okay. We'll probably just end up leaving half of it out to clean up in the morning anyway.”

You nodded, taking the hand sanitizer back from him so you could pass it down the assembly line to Chan.

“Oh, by the way,” Wooyoung piped up. “Whatever happened to that Mark guy you were gonna invite?”

You paused, cupping the back of your neck. “Ah… yeah, I didn't actually invite him,” you admitted. “I just thought it would be awkward 'cause we're not really that close.”

He bobbed his head in understanding. “I see, I see. So what Yeonjun said about him…?”

“Your first mistake was listening to Yeonjun.”

Two people down, you heard a squawk of indignation. “Hey! I heard that!”

A chuckle rang out amongst your group. Changbin and Chan's end of the blanket mass suddenly began standing up, the former of which was propping up a half-conscious Felix, citing needs to get the blond to bed. The rest of you wholeheartedly agreed and joined them, empty popcorn buckets in hand to deposit back at the snack table.

As soon as your bare legs hit the cold night air, you gazed forlornly at the blanket you'd been using before. “Jung, let me give you back your jacket,” you said, catching his attention before he wandered off.

But instead of waiting for you to take off the garment, he placed a hand over yours to stop you from unzipping it. “Keep it,” he said.

“Keep it?” You parroted back dumbly.

He broke into a smile. “Yeah, it'll keep you warm until you get home.”

For a moment, you could only stare. Was he always this pretty? Or was it just the fairy lights that were turned on overhead? You swallowed, your lips curling into a small smile back. “Oh okay—thanks. I'll get it back to you as soon as possible.”

“Whatever you say,” he chuckled and reached over to pat your head. The action made a jolt of warmth run down your spine from your head to your toes. Maybe you were just tired.

Saturday night, you found yourself jostling around in the crowd of all the other late night snackers at the fast food chain a few blocks from the stadium. The first college football game of the season had just ended, and all of your friends who had gone agreed to get a bite to eat afterward. It seemed, however, that nearly everyone else at the game had the same idea.

The establishment was packed to the brim, at least the ordering area was. Your friends had gone outside to score one of the picnic benches for your group, while you, Changbin, and Felix were stuck here to order. (It was all because the three of you sorely lost a game of rock, paper, scissors, and now your wallet would pay, quite literally.) Servers behind the counter hollered out order numbers, and plastic trays of burgers, fries, milkshakes, and grease passed hands.

Your mouth was already watering; cheering and screaming for three hours was a good way to make yourself famished. “Do we have everyone's orders?” You asked your friends, sticking your head in the open space between their shoulders.

Changbin flashed you the group text. “If it's not here, they're starving.”

“Amen to that,” Felix grunted, shaking his bangs out of his eyes and scrolling through his social media fees. “I think Hyunjin and Yeonjun purposely ordered the triple cheeseburger and loaded fries to break our banks.”

“We need to watch that WikiHow video on winning rock, paper, scissors,” you said. The three of you sighed altogether—next time, you wouldn't rely on just luck to get you through something so high stakes.

“You guys look like we just lost the actual game,” mused a familiar voice behind you.

Wooyoung appeared at your side, elbow propped onto your shoulder, accompanied by a couple of his frat brothers, San and Jongho. Wooyoung had a university branded cap over his head with a pair of cherry red heart glasses seated up on the bill, a bit of school spirit in the form of black and red. “I see you lost rock, paper, scissors, Ln.”

You scowled. Of course he knew how you ended up here. After all, he was subjected to it whenever he hung out with your group of friends. “Do you wanna take over my share of the bill, Jung?”

“Do I get something in return?”

“I don't know, your jacket?”

He grinned. “Oh, so you weren't planning on just giving it back to me?”

“I will gladly keep it if you don't want it. She's in the dryer right now,” you shot back. At some point, your heart had kicked up in your chest again, perhaps at the proximity of Wooyoung to you. There wasn't much space in here as it was.

The line scooted up about two centimeters, and Wooyoung's eyebrows shot up in amusement. “You’re washing it after wearing it once? Or maybe you've been wearing it for the past twelve hours and you're just not telling me.”

You ignored the warmth creeping up your neck. “It's called being courteous.”

“It's called wasting water,” he teased, the elbow on your shoulder shifting to an arm slung around both of your shoulders.

“Oh please. It's being washed with the rest of my clothes!” You exclaimed in your defense as you grew more flustered.

Something giddy lit up on his face as the group of you moved up closer to the register. “So that jacket's gonna smell like you? I might not ever wash it again, Ln.”

It was an unholy amount of time later that you, your friends, and the frat trio finally made it out of the stuffy fast food restaurant with your massive order. Instead of a picnic bench, however, it seemed that both your friends and Wooyoung's were exiled to the curb by the street. The sight was rather laughable—around fifteen or so people seated on the firelane like a line of abandoned ducklings.

Everyone practically swarmed the to-go bags that you and your friends deposited in the grass. You picked up one of the cartons of fries for yourself, standing just outside the circle that had formed.

Mingi was recalling one of the plays from tonight's game with vivid acting when you heard your name being called from down the road.

Curious, your eyes tracked the sound, only to see a group of fraternity guys making their way towards you from the direction of Greek Row. Among them, it was Mark Lee that you recognized first in a red bomber jacket and backwards cap. His cheeks were flushed and eyes twinkled like a pair of diamond earrings.

“YN LN! IS THAT YOU?” He giggled, and you just knew that the poor guy was drunk off his face.

One of his friends with a bunny-looking face grappled onto his arm with a groan. “Sorry! He was double-dared to take one too many shots by this bastard,” he said when they neared and cut a glare to one of the tall boys behind him. Said tall boy whistled, pretending not to hear him.

Yunho cupped his hands around his mouth and gave a loud holler. “Aye, N-City! Jungwoo, where the hell have you been, man?"

“It’s called the engineering program, bro,” the one you assumed to be Jungwoo grumbled. He hobbled over to where Yunho was seated in the circle and knocked his fist against the latter's. “Oh my god, can I steal a fry? That line over there looks awful.”

Mingi lifted his tray of fries up for Jungwoo to pluck a few.

Mark, with the supervision of his bunny friend, scuttled over toward you. “Fries sound so good, dude. Like bro. BRO. I am so hungry.” He giggled again as you extended your fries out to him in amusement. “Thanks, Yn. Do I still owe you for coffee that one time?” He slurred, shoving the slices of potato into his mouth.

You chuckled, offering his friend some fries, but was quietly rejected. “Coffee? That was like, once, Mark. Don't worry about it.”

“I know, but like—like, I keep thinking about it, y'know,” he confessed. In the streetlight, you could see his cherry red cheekbones… almost the color of Wooyoung's glas—what. Where did that thought come from?

Absent-mindedly, your eyes flickered across the circle to where you knew Wooyoung was seated with his brothers. To your surprise, you found him already staring your way.

“—it’d be cool to get coffee again sometime, and be friends! I almost took the next econ class in the series 'cause of you.”

“Oh, really?” You asked, forcing yourself back to the people in front of you and being unable to suppress a giggle. You were touched by the sentiment, and frankly, relieved to hear that you and he were pretty much on the same page about being friends. “The next class in the series is kind of ass though, so I'm glad you aren't gonna have to suffer through it.”

“Aw, but we're all in this together!” He chirped.

His friend gave Mark a small pat on his arm. “We should get a move on before the crowds get worse.”

Mark's eyes widened and he gasped. “You're right, hyung!”

“See you, guys,” you said with a small wave. The two boys threw a similarly warm goodbye to you as they slipped past you and toward the jam-packed fast food joint you had braved just earlier.

Across the wide social circle, Wooyoung couldn't hear exactly what yours and Mark's conversation entailed because of all the chatter. Sue him for being caught staring at you, but he couldn't keep his eyes off you, as per usual. There was a familiar pang in his chest as he watched you bid Mark and Doyoung from the NCT fraternity goodbye, and he mindlessly finished off the tray of fries in front of him.

Although you technically implied to him last night that there was nothing between you and Mark, there was undoubtedly a part of him that still felt jittery at the thought.

There was a nudge against his arm. “Glare even harder, and Mark might wake up with a pair of holes in the back of his head.”

Wooyoung moved his scowl to San beside him, a snicker falling from his best friend's mouth. “I'm not glaring,” Wooyoung protested and reached for a napkin in the middle of the circle.

“Oh, right,” San drawled, “you're staring at Yn.”

“Yes, and?” He shot back. “What'd'you think they were talking about?” He could practically hear the sound of your giggles in his ears after Mark said something. Wooyoung didn't like the way that made his stomach churn—the fact that this other guy was making you laugh. Did he make you laugh like that? Did you look that radiant when you were with him? God, why did you have to be so gobsmackingly gorgeou—

San considered him for a moment as he chewed on the bite of his burger. “Why don't you ask her yourself?” He muttered with a vague gesture of his aioli-covered fingers, “I dunno, go offer to drive her home or something.”

“That's the first good idea I've heard all night.” Wooyoung hopped to his feet, a misshapen plan (of sorts) manifesting in his head. Hopefully it would work out better than the movie night one. (But by some metrics, he could consider movie night a success…)

San exhaled under his breath as his friend went to go find a trash can first. “Can't believe he actually went with that,” he said with a shake of his head. He could only hope now that his friend would finally put himself out of his misery.

Having finished your post-game snack, drowsiness was slowly seeping into your joints and the corners of your eyes. It was bound to be nearing midnight at this time, and with all of the excitement within the past two days, you were about ready to head back.

You swept your eyes over the group to gauge if any of your other friends looked about ready to go home, too, when you felt someone tap your shoulder.

“Can I give you a lift home?” Wooyoung asked as he stood there, cap and glasses hanging from his hand while the other carded through his hair.

Well. “It's like you read my mind, Jung,” you mused. “Do you and your brothers not usually carpool though?”

“Eh, Hongjoong hyung brought the minivan.”

You didn't know why that comment made you laugh—perhaps it was the image of a bunch of ATZ frat members shoved into a soccer mom minivan with Hongjoong at its helm—but a laugh most definitely tumbled from your lips. The sound and sight reflected in Wooyoung's expression, a boyish grin coming to his face and reaching his eyes. “Alright, fine. As long as by taking me home, you aren't abandoning them on the streets.”

The two of you began walking side by side to where he would lead you back toward wherever his car was parked. “Nah,” he reassured you with a shake of his head. He took his cherry heart glasses and slid them up into his hair. “A nice walk home might keep them humble, y'know?”

“And who's to say you don't need humbling, Jung?” You joked.

A smirk curled up on his mouth like a cat's tail. “What? Are you going to humble me, Ln?”

You gave a nonchalant shrug to cover up the rapid pulse hammering away in your veins. “I could finesse your keys, you never know.”

He motioned to the left where his sedan was parked along the side of the street. “I'll have you know that you already have one of my keys,” he said as he rounded his car to reach the driver's seat.

You crinkled your brows together, your hand lingering on the door to the passenger's seat as he fished his keys out to unlock the car. “What key?”

“The key to my heart,” he winked, smile widening.

You glanced away, tongue jamming into your cheek to suppress your flustered smile, but by the sounds of Wooyoung's glee from the other side of the car, you were unsuccessful. “You tell that to all the girls?” You finally said when the car chirped and you slipped into the passenger's seat.

Your car doors slammed in tandem.

“Nope, that one's just for you,” he said, tossing his hat in the back and starting the engine.

The fluttery feeling in your chest was making it difficult for you to sit still. If you were so enraptured by his scent clinging to the fabric of his jacket, then his car must have been level two. Your body melted into the car seat, and you turned your head to watch the world pass through the window with a content expression on your face.

There had been something gnawing at you for a while now. You knew Wooyoung boasted a rather flirty personality; he had always been pretty outgoing and teasing ever since you met. There were so many signs that pointed to him liking you more than just a friend, but you didn't want to jump to conclusions. (Denial? What was that?)

Was this different from when Yeonjun suggested that Mark liked you? Well, yes. This was different because you… it was different because this was Wooyoung, not Mark. It was different because you were suddenly marinating on the idea of him liking you, and not dismissing it like you had with Mark.

You were growing giddy at the idea, in fact. And maybe that made you nervous.

A thought appeared in your head. “Oh, I guess it's a good thing you're taking me home, because now I can give you back your jacket.” For a moment, you deeply considered casually “forgetting” to return the garment, but your integrity won out.

You saw him glance over at you before returning his eyes to the road. “Right, right. Good idea,” he murmured. He ran his teeth over his bottom lip then. “Hey, uhm, weird question.”

“Uh oh,” you joked.

He chuckled. “Yah, it's not an 'uh oh!’ I was just wondering what Mark came to talk to you about.”

Oh. That wasn't exactly what you had in mind when he said he had a weird question.

Your eyes flickered over to him for a second. “You seem awfully interested in me and Mark,” you drawled, uncertain of where this was going.

“I mean—I know you said last night that you guys aren't that close,” he supplemented, tongue swiping over his lip as he turned the corner onto your street, “but he seemed pretty friendly tonight.”

“Mark’s always friendly,” you pointed out. Part of it was just so you could prod a little and figure out why Wooyoung was pursuing this.

“You're not wrong.”

Your head tilted to the side. “So?”

“So?”

You let out a small laugh. “Hey, Jung, what's going on? You're usually not so antsy about these things, especially not with me.” You chewed on the inside of your cheek and your fingers drummed mindlessly against your thigh in anticipation.

Wooyoung glanced over at you again, his lips pressing together. He was entering your apartment complex street now and carefully pulled up along the curb outside. “I would argue that it's the complete opposite.”

“Huh?”

“You can't possibly think that this whole time I haven't been head over heels for you?” He blurted.

Even if the car had stopped, your heart rate most definitely hadn't.

At your loss for words, he killed the engine. “Like, you think I stare at you for fun? No, actually, I stare at you because I'm literally just so attracted to you, it's survival.”

You sucked in a breath. “Jung…”

“And you know, I try to be as obvious as I can, but maybe I'm not? And I'm—I’m trying to be as loud about my feelings as possible,” he continued on, adding in an accompaniment of sweeping hand gestures. “Without actually admitting to my feelings, as stupid as it sounds.”

“Jung. Jung, wait—”

“This wasn't supposed to turn into a ramble, but what I'm trying to say is—”

“Wooyoung.”

He screeched to a halt, eyes widened as if you'd just grown two heads.

Oh, you were so endeared by this man. In this snapshot of time, there was nothing other than utter adoration in your heart for him. “You were probably being very loud, but I'm also hard of hearing sometimes.”

“Extremely,” he agreed with his mouth pressed into a line.

“Hey!”

He broke into a grin that was soft at the corners and tender at the eyes. “Just so you know, I don't treat anyone else like you. You're probably the only person I will ever address by their last name as a term of endearment.”

You laughed, skin warming to the touch. “I'll admit—same here.” A jolt of electricity warmed down your spine at the admission.

“I can't persuade you to even try a 'honey’ or a ‘baby?’ Not even a 'sweetie pie?’”

You rolled your eyes playfully. “Maybe you'll unlock some of them as time goes on. It has to feel right.”

He leaned forward onto the center console, a small, happy sigh falling from his mouth. “Okay,” he said quietly. “I can deal with that.”

In reply, you twisted around in your seat to face him, your head leaned against the car seat. “Just so we're clear though…”

“I like you—I do.”

“Good.” Your lips curled into a smile. “I like you, too.”

In the low light of the car, the sky darkened and the only light coming from the streetlight a few cars away, you and Wooyoung shared a soft moment together. The thing that had been needling at the back of your mind was finally subsiding.

Swallowing, you reached forward to brush a strand of hair out of his eyes, and his eyes seemed to shudder. “Yeonjun once called you my lover boy.”

“I'm pretty sure all of our friends knew how I felt,” he snorted.

You made a small gesture with your shoulder, wincing. “Except for me?”

“Except for you,” he sighed jokingly. “Utter pain. But you know what?”

“What's that?”

“I think I like being your lover boy.”

You slowly nodded. “It has a nice ring to it.” You couldn't help another smile as you rolled it over and over in your mind. Your lover boy, your lover boy, your lover boy… “My lover boy.”

Wooyoung pressed his palms together like he was praying, his hands touching his lips. “Give me the strength—I can't not kiss you after hearing that come out of your mouth.”

Your heart gave an aggressive palpitation. “Well… I wouldn't be opposed.”

“Hey, lover girl,” he said, mouth split open with a pretty grin, “can I kiss you?”

How could you refuse?

He leaned forward and cradled one side of your face with one hand so he could press his lips against your own. If there was any doubt left in your mind about how you felt for him, it was all dashed away once he kissed you.

When your eyes fluttered open, you met his gaze.

“I think,” he murmured, thumb drawing over your bottom lip, “I just fell for you all over again.

God, how could you compete with that line? You ducked your head, unabashedly flustered. He only cooed at your reaction and came forward to smack a long kiss to your cheek.

When it was determined that you would finally head up to your apartment for the evening, you reluctantly clambered out of his vehicle. He rolled down his window so he could drape himself out of it like a damsel in a tower, his eyes shaped like hearts.

“Is it safe to say that I can keep your jacket?” You jested, stopping in front of his window.

He huffed a laugh. “You know, I thought you'd never ask. But you'll have to trade me for something of yours.”

“Deal, Jung.” You were certain you could think of something.

a/n: pls remember to reblog + comment if u enjoyed <3

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[chanceonceli]

𝓖𝓮𝓷𝓲𝓮 𝓘𝓷 𝓐 𝓑𝓸𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 「 II 」

๋࣭⭑ pairing: wooyoung x reader ๋࣭⭑ au: non idol! | strangers to lovers | slow burn ๋࣭⭑ genre: fluff | crack | angst ๋࣭⭑ summary: Being gifted what was supposed to be a gag joke, turns out to be the real deal. An actual genie in a bottle, ready to serve her new master.

Everyone stood still, the woman now stretching her limbs, a yawn escaping her as she took her in scenery. 8 gorgeous looking men, but one catching her eye. Mischief sparkled in her eyes as she did a bow, a dramatic one at that.

“ now, who had the pleasure of rubbing my bottle?” The young woman spoke, looking at each blushing male.

Hongjoong let out a cough, catching the woman attention. “ That would be Wooyoung. There’s no way you’re actually a genie..”

The young woman eyes sparkled with delight as she nodded her head eagerly. “ of course i am! What, did you think i threw a smoke bomb in here and just POOF crawled out the floor?”

Snickers came from Yunho and Mingi, trying their best to ignore the harsh stare from Hongjoong. “ well, no but-“

“ ah, i didn’t even introduce myself. My name is yn ln. Who exactly is Wooyoung?” yn asked, looking around curiously.

Everyone pointed to Wooyoung, who gulped nervously as yn eagerly walked over to him and shook his hand. "I am now your genie, master Wooyoung!"

"Genie... master?" he stammered, still trying to wrap his head around the entire situation.

Yn nodded, “ Correct! Now there are rules before you begin your wishes.”

Wooyoung blinked, still in shock as Yn flashed him a dazzling smile, almost like she’d been waiting ages for this moment. The others leaned in, intrigued.

“Rules?” Wooyoung managed to ask, his mind racing with possibilities. He glanced nervously at Hongjoong, who was still eyeing the scene with disbelief.

Wooyoung nodded his head, his friends in awe that he hasn’t muttered a word. Yn smiled at him sweetly, enjoying the moment. Snapping her fingers, a piece of paper appeared beside her, as well as a pair of moon crescent shape glasses on her face.

“ you can’t wish to bring back the dead. I can’t make someone fall in love with you. I cannot and will not bring ill harm to someone or something. You can’t wish for immortality. Last but not least, you cannot wish for my freedom. Any question Master?”

Hongjoong was the first to speak out of the other boys, " so not the cliche, " you get 3 wishes " genie?"

Yn nodded her head, " I am a different kind of genie. I serve one master per their lifetime, although it feels like forever since my last master."

“ why can’t Wooyoung wish for your freedom?” San asked, curiously.

The mood shifted as yn didn’t face him, “ i’m sorry but that’s something only my master may ask.”

Yeosang pinched San, as if scolding him for asking such question. A whine escaping his lips as Wooyoung finally got his senses together.

“ oh Minyoung is going to have a field trip with your genie,” Seonghwa chuckled.

Wooyoung faced dropped as he realized his girlfriend is going to be coming home here shortly. As if on que, the door began to jiggle causing yn to panic as Wooyoung was quick to hold the bottle up.

" quick you gotta hide please. She'll freak the fuck out if she knew another girl was here."

With a snap of her fingers and a poof of smoke, the genie was gone.

As the smoke cleared, Wooyoung’s was quick to place the bottle back down to the coffee table. The boys trying their best to act natural as they know how crazy Wooyoung girlfriend can be.

“Hey! What’s going on in here?” she asked, her brow furrowing as she took in the scene—the remnants of the green smoke and the boys odd behavior.

“Nothing!” Wooyoung said quickly, his eyes lighting up as he tried to brush off the moment.

She hummed before she noticed the now rusted bottle. She made a disgusted face as she pulled her sleeve down. Grabbing it she looked at Wooyoung. " ew, Woo what did i say about bringing such disgusting things into the apartment."

Jongho tsk, mumbling under his breath as she continued to complain to Wooyoung. Wooyoung demenour changed rather quickly, a fake smile now placed on his face.

" love it's a gift from -"

" ugh please don't tell me it's from your parents? They suck if they actually did."

Wooyoung’s smile faltered as his girlfriend’s expression soured. He knew how much she disliked his parents’ gifts, especially when they were odd or tacky. “No, it’s not from my parents!” he quickly corrected, his tone defensive. “It’s a joke gift from Yunho and Mingi.”

Her brow furrowed deeper as she examined the bottle more closely, the rust now glinting in the light. “A joke gift? Seriously? This thing looks like it belongs in a junkyard! You’ve got to be kidding me.” She held it out like it was a piece of trash, her nose wrinkled in disgust.

" actually i thought it was pretty cool," Wooyoung mumbled.

She rolled her eyes, placing the bottle down before she turned to him. " sorry im late though. Work held me a little bit longer then expected."

Wooyoung’s expression softened at her apology. “It’s okay! I was just hanging out with the guys ,” he gestured vaguely at his friends, hoping to diffuse the tension.

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I just don’t want you bringing home weird stuff. I mean, you already have enough strange things in this place.” Her eyes darted around the apartment, taking in the scattered memorabilia and odd knickknacks Wooyoung had collected over time.

“Hey, those are vintage! They’re not weird; they’re character!” Wooyoung defended, a playful smirk creeping onto his face. “Besides, it’s what makes this place feel like home.”

“Right,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

[chanceonceli]

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