cosmiclily

[cosmiclily]

chapter nine: the edge

wc: 2.8k

notes: next chapter will be the interview that i mentioned a couple of chapters ago!!! pls send some questions to our fellow rock stars

Apparently, sex was, in fact, a fantastic creative exercise—or at the very least, an excellent incentive for spitting out lyrics. Once you figured that out, the entire process of choosing lyrics, organizing tracks, and brainstorming ideas became a hell of a lot easier.

Writer’s block? Fixed with Vi’s hands gripping your hips, her mouth marking a trail down your stomach.

Frustrated over a melody that wouldn’t click? Easily solved by the way she pressed you into the mattress and pulled sounds from your lips sweeter than any song you’d ever written.

Tension from long hours in the studio? Well… she had a very effective method of dealing with that.

Of course, you weren’t oblivious. You knew exactly what Vi was doing—using you as a distraction, a way to keep from drowning in whatever emotions those songs dragged back up. You knew she was using you to not think about her. Caitlyn.

But when Vi held you like that, when her fingers tangled in your hair, when she bit down on your neck just enough to make you shiver, when she touched you exactly the way you needed to be touched? None of that mattered. Not even a little.

And, honestly? It was a great way to de-stress.

The long nights spent cramped in the studio became more bearable when you knew you could go home and have Vi all to yourself.

It was like having a place where the weight of the world could just melt away. You got to pull her closer, scratch, bite, and touch every inch of her as if she was yours to do with as you pleased.

And the memories were almost addictive. Every time the pressure of the studio, the deadlines, or a fight with someone built up, you could close your eyes and retreat to your happy place.

“We’re almost finished here,” Archie said, barely looking up from his tablet. “Mark was talking to me about promotions, interviews, appearances—the whole deal. So clear your schedules.”

You sat back in your chair, stretching your arms over your head with a satisfied sigh. For the first time in months, the studio didn’t feel like a pressure cooker. No one was snapping at each other out of frustration, no one was sulking over failed ideas, and—most importantly—no one was on the verge of throwing their instruments against the wall.

The hard part was finally done.

You’d recorded a couple of solid tracks, and almost every song you wanted for the album was ready. The weight that had been crushing your shoulders for months had finally eased, letting you breathe a little easier.

“Finally,” Jinx groaned, throwing herself onto the couch with a dramatic sigh. “If I had to listen to one more version of that last chorus, I think I’d start hearing it in my dreams.”

Ekko smirked, tuning his bass idly. “You say that like you don’t already.”

Jinx pointed a finger at him without lifting her head. “Shut it, time boy.”

Vi chuckled from her spot by the drum set, twirling a drumstick between her fingers. “Admit it—you’re gonna miss all this once we’re done.”

Jinx peeked up at her with a lazy grin. “I’ll miss driving you crazy. That part was fun.”

You shook your head, laughing, before glancing back at Archie. “So, what’s next?”

Archie scrolled through his tablet before giving you all a pointed look. “Now? We get ready to *sell* this thing. That means promo shoots, interviews, maybe even a live session or two.” He narrowed his eyes. “So, try not to look half-dead for the cameras, alright?”

You snorted. “No promises.”

“Great. Love the enthusiasm,” Archie deadpanned before turning back to his notes. “Now, let’s talk deadlines…”

He turned his tablet to us, displaying his calendar.

“This month, we’ll be finishing the recording, and the producers will take care of the rest. Next week, we want to shoot some pictures for the cover and also do some introductions for your channel—you know, fan stuff,” he rushed through, glancing up at us, his finger hovering over the screen. “And we want to do an interview, answering questions from your fans, and some general stuff.”

He continued explaining the calendar details, but you couldn’t help but notice the way everyone else’s faces seemed to blur into confusion. You weren’t the only one who was a little lost in the whirlwind of the plans. With everything that had been happening in the studio lately, the reality of the promotion process felt like a whole new beast to tackle. The recording was one thing, but now there were public appearances, live sessions, photo shoots, and interviews to manage too.

Vi, sensing the shared hesitation, shot you a quick, silent look across the room, one brow arched in that familiar, unspoken question. Is this what we’re really getting into?

You couldn’t help but grin and shrug. “Fan stuff, huh? Sounds… fun.”

Jinx leaned back in her chair with a loud groan. “Wait, wait, hold up. So now we’re gonna have to look good for the cameras too?” She ran a hand through her messy hair. “I mean, sure, we look good, but I’m not exactly camera ready.”

Ekko chuckled, clearly amused. “Jinx, I think the camera is going to need a lot more than a filter to handle you.”

Jinx shot him a glare. “If you’re trying to be funny, it’s not working.”

Archie’s face was a mixture of professional concern and barely-contained amusement. “Look, I know this is a lot, but we’ve been working for this moment. The album’s almost ready, and now we need to give people a taste of what’s coming. You want them to care, right? Then we have to make them care.”

Vi, ever the voice of reason, raised her hand, leaning forward to address the group. “We’ve been locked in here for months. It’s time to show the world what we’ve been working on. Let’s just get it over with, yeah?”

There was a brief silence, followed by murmurs of agreement. Everyone seemed to acknowledge the inevitable.

“Alright,” you said with a deep breath, sitting up straighter, “let’s just get this done. We’ve made it this far.”

Archie nodded, satisfied. “Good. So, here’s the schedule for the next two weeks. Let’s get moving on it.” He handed out the specific tasks and assignments, detailing each member’s role in the upcoming photo shoots, interviews, and other appearances.

As he wrapped things up, the room fell into a quiet hum of anticipation. This was the next phase—one where the music wasn’t the only thing that mattered anymore.

──────────────────────

You were paired off in twos to film a short introduction video for yourselves and the album—Vi and you, and Ekko with Jinx. Archie gave you the freedom to choose where you wanted to film and what you could talk about (as long as you stuck to the schedule, of course).

Vi suggested filming at your place, claiming “the plants give off a nice vibe.” You didn’t argue—if it made things easier, you were all for it. So, to your apartment you went.

As you both stepped inside, Vi kicked off her boots near the door while you tossed your keys onto the table, the familiar clatter echoing in the quiet space. The apartment felt weirdly calm compared to the chaotic energy of the studio. But now came the hard part—figuring out what the hell to do for this video.

“So, what do you think we should do?” Vi asked, her voice casual as she wandered over to your living room, eyeing the plants like they’d give her the answer.

You trailed behind her, chewing on the inside of your cheek. What could you film that would actually reflect your energy without coming off as too much… or, worse, boring?

“Honestly? I’ve got no clue.” You flopped onto the couch, sighing. “Ekko and Jinx are doing some painting session or whatever since they’ve got that in common. But us?” You gestured vaguely between the two of you. “What do we do? Besides, you know…” You trailed off with a smirk, your mind flashing back to Vi's very creative methods of stress relief.

Vi chuckled, flopping down beside you and tossing her legs over your lap. “Yeah, I don’t think that’s exactly the vibe Archie’s looking for.” She shot you a teasing grin. “Though I’m sure it’d get us a hell of a lot of views.”

You laughed, shaking your head. “Yeah, not trying to get us banned off every platform before the album even drops.”

Vi leaned back, staring at the ceiling in thought. “Okay, so… no painting, no X-rated content.” She tapped her fingers against the couch rhythmically. “What about something simple? Like us just talking about the songs, the process, you know?”

You made a face. “That sounds kinda… stiff. Everyone’s gonna do that. I mean, sure, we talk about the songs, but there’s gotta be something more us in it.”

Vi was quiet for a second before her eyes lit up. “What if we do something more casual? Like, we’re just hanging out, talking shit, maybe playing some old tracks and reacting to them?” She grinned, nudging your shoulder. “You know, let people see the real us—chaotic mess and all.”

You laughed, the idea settling in your mind. That actually sounded like fun. “Alright, yeah. I like that. Maybe we can even throw in some behind-the-scenes clips? Like the time Jinx nearly set the mic on fire?”

Vi burst out laughing. “Or when Ekko tripped over his own bass cable and tried to play it off like nothing happened?”

The two of you were already in stitches, the tension from earlier melting away. This felt right—natural, fun, and totally you.

“Okay,” you said, standing up and grabbing your phone. “Let’s set this up before we lose the vibe. You grab the speaker, I’ll get the camera.”

Vi gave you a mock salute. “Aye aye, captain.”

In no time, your makeshift filming set was ready. You grabbed some snacks, adjusted the lighting just enough to look effortless, and set the camera to start recording.

You both introduced yourselves, diving into the story of how the band came together. It felt natural, almost like reminiscing with an old friend rather than filming something for fans.

“At first, it was just the two of us,” Vi said, pointing between the two of you with a grin. “We were messing around, trying to figure out our sound. Then my younger sister decided to be extremely annoying while we practiced—always yapping about how two people weren’t a real band. Eventually, she dragged Ekko into this mess, and, well… here we are.”

You laughed, the memory still vivid. “Oh, I definitely remember the first time Jinx quite literally dragged him into that old room at school—the one we used for practice. She barged in, shouting about how Ekko had a garage we could use, and how she had all these brilliant ideas.”

Vi chuckled, shaking her head. “Yeah! I remember that. Poor Benzo looked so displeased with a bunch of teenagers making a racket in the back of his shop. I’m pretty sure he aged ten years in that first month alone.”

You both laughed, the camera kept rolling, but for a moment, it didn’t even feel like it was there.

As Vi continued talking about the process of creating the album—how the songs and lyrics meant so much to all of you—your mind began to wander. You couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly beautiful she looked, sitting there comfortably, her voice steady and confident as she spoke to the camera. The black hair dye had almost completely faded from her hair, leaving the natural pink vibrant and bright against her skin. Her hair had grown out a bit, just enough that it curled slightly at the ends, and you found yourself fighting the urge to reach out and drag your fingers through those soft, messy locks.

Your eyes traced the freckles scattered across her cheeks, the way they bridged her nose, delicate and familiar. And her eyes—God, her eyes sparkled when she talked about something she was passionate about, like the music, like this. It was the kind of sparkle that pulled you in, made you want to listen to her forever, just to keep that light alive.

It was almost like…

Oh.

Oh.

No, no, no, no.

You were not catching feelings. That was impossible. This was supposed to be casual—just fun. You both knew that from the start. So what the fuck were you thinking?

Panic tightened in your chest, a cold, sharp edge to the realization sinking in. You were spiraling, and you barely registered Vi’s voice cutting through your thoughts.

“Hey,” she said, her brows furrowed, concern softening her features. “You good? Do you want to take a break?”

You blinked, trying to pull yourself out of the fog. “Huh? Sorry, what was the question?”

She tilted her head, studying you carefully. “Are you okay? You look kinda out of it.”

Your heart was still racing, but you forced a tight smile. “Yeah, that would be great.” You stood up from the couch, barely meeting her eyes as you made a beeline for the bathroom.

Once inside, you shut the door behind you and leaned heavily against the sink, gripping its edges like it could anchor you to reality. Your reflection stared back, wide-eyed and flushed, like you’d been caught doing something you weren’t supposed to.

This is NOT happening. You mentally shouted at yourself, trying to shake the feeling off. *You’ve known her for years. The moment you start sleeping with her is the moment you catch feelings? Seriously?*

You turned on the tap, splashing cold water onto your face, hoping the chill would snap you out of it, wash away the thoughts clinging to your mind. But as the water dripped from your chin, pooling at the edges of the sink, the tightness in your chest remained.

Staring at your reflection, you whispered under your breath, “Get it together.”

But no matter how many times you repeated it, the weight of what you were feeling didn’t budge.

You took a deep breath, trying to steady yourself before stepping out of the bathroom. The moment you did, you saw Vi in the living room, methodically packing up the filming equipment. The casual ease with which she moved, like this was just another normal day, only made the knot in your chest tighten.

“What are you doing?” you asked, your voice sounding steadier than you felt.

Vi glanced up, pausing as she turned off the camera. “I think we’ve got enough material for today—maybe even the whole video,” she said, her tone light but tinged with something softer, more careful. “I can see you’re tired. I’ll come over tomorrow, and we can go through the footage, see what we can use. For now, you should rest.”

Her words were simple, but the small smile tugging at the corners of her lips wasn’t. It wasn’t just the usual smirk or playful grin—it was something else. Genuine concern. And that look … it hit you like a sucker punch.

Because all you could think about was how easy it would be to want this every day. To have her not just in fleeting moments, not just in casual touches or hurried nights. But fully. Completely. The idea burrowed itself deeper into your mind, wrapping around your thoughts like vines.

“Yeah,” you forced out, your voice quieter than before. “That sounds good.”

Vi gave you one last glance, like she wanted to say something more, but instead, she just nodded, slinging her bag over her shoulder before heading for the door. The soft click of it shutting behind her echoed louder than it should have.

And then it was just you. Alone.

You stood there for a moment, staring at the now-empty room, expecting some sense of relief to wash over you. But it didn’t. If anything, the silence made it worse.

You should’ve been able to crash the moment she left, but sleep was the last thing your body wanted. You were confused, frustrated—mad at yourself, mad at her, for making you feel this way. Your body felt heavy, physically exhausted, but your mind was running on overdrive, replaying every glance, every touch, every word she’d said.

You sank onto the couch, rubbing your hands over your face.

You’d told yourself from the start—this was supposed to be casual.Just a way to blow off steam, nothing more. But somewhere along the way, those lines had blurred, and now you didn’t know how to pull yourself back from the edge.

──────────────────────

masterlist - chapter ten

taglist: @saturnhas82moons @oidloid @vaebear @wicked-laugh @baylegend6 @nomarksonelegance @antobooh @80saturn

[cosmiclily]

For the writers block: I hope this is okay to request this kind of snippet but I think this idea is very cute. -🎸

It’s raining and Vi plus reader are coming out of a bakery with fresh strawberry muffins, a dog catches a whiff of the delicious muffin and chases them in the rain running away from said dog, Vi throws a muffin so far the dog leaves them alone and they run again not trying to find out if that dog will come back for them. The both of them find some sanctuary away from the rain and the dog. So out of breath laughing at their exhausted faces and taking a long look at each finally kissing. They sit somewhere dry and eat their muffins peacefully listening to drips that hit the ground.

“Thank Janna, for the rain” - I just realized I basically just wrote a lil mini story but like I feel like if you tweaked it, it could be better, it would be softer like the way you write the both of them is refreshing ✨

You don’t have to use this if you don’t want to at alll

“thank janna, for the rain.”

• vi x reader

wc: 1.4k

notes: i’m on a fluffy roll, this is the cutest thing i’ve ever written. thank you so much for the request!!! i loved writing this 💕

I met Vi through a mutual friend, and the first time we ever saw each other, I was helping that friend puke outside a frat party. Vi stepped in to help me get our friend home, and before parting ways, we exchanged numbers so she could check in on us later.

After that day, we started talking—constantly texting, sharing random thoughts, late-night confessions, and jokes that only made sense to us. It felt effortless, like we’d known each other for years. But every time we tried to go on an actual date, something went wrong. It was almost comical, like the universe had a twisted sense of humor.

The first time, we planned a simple outing to the park. The day we scheduled it, the skies decided to punish us for no reason, unleashing a torrential downpour that flooded half the city.

The second attempt was at a restaurant everyone was raving about. We were excited, certain nothing could go wrong with a reservation. But on the very day we were supposed to go, they suddenly announced a temporary closure due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

The third time, Vi got hurt—badly—during a hockey game. She took a nasty fall, ended up with a sprained wrist and a trip to the hospital.

Now, we were trying for the fourth time.

“I don’t care if it rains, if the café catches on fire, or if a piano falls on my head. We are going out!” Vi declared over the phone, determination radiating through her voice as we both got ready for our date.

“Don’t put those things out there; they might actually happen,” I replied, half-joking but also slightly paranoid. At this point, I didn’t want to take any chances.

Vi laughed on the other end of the line, that warm, effortless sound that always made me smile, even when I was trying to be serious.

“If a piano falls on my head, at least I’ll die knowing we tried,” she teased, her voice full of that stubborn charm I’d grown to adore.

“Yeah, well, if you die, that’s going to make date number five even more complicated,” I shot back, slipping on my jacket and checking my reflection one last time. My heart was racing—not just because of the string of bad luck, but because this time felt different. Like it might actually happen.

We hung up with promises to see each other soon, and as I stepped outside, I held my breath, half-expecting the sky to open up or a rogue piano to come crashing down from the heavens. But the air was calm, the streets dry, and for once, nothing catastrophic seemed to be on the horizon.

When I arrived at the café, I spotted Vi instantly. She was leaning against the doorframe, scrolling through her phone, her pink hair slightly messy from the wind and a soft smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She looked up, our eyes met, and just like that—everything felt right.

No storms. No sudden closures. No injuries. Just us.

“You made it,” she said with a grin, as if she didn’t quite believe it herself.

“We made it,” I corrected, walking up to her.

We stepped into the café, the warm scent of coffee and freshly baked pastries wrapping around us like a cozy blanket. We ordered, found a small table by the window, and sat down. Everything felt calm, effortless—like the universe had finally decided to cut us some slack. The date was perfect, just the way I had imagined it.

Vi had this awkward sense of humor that never failed to make me laugh, the kind that sneaks up on you, catching you off guard in the best way. She’d say something completely ridiculous with a straight face, and it would hit me a second later, leaving me in stitches. And God, she was the prettiest girl I’d ever seen—like she didn’t even have to try. It wasn’t just her looks; it was the way she carried herself, unapologetically real, with a spark in her eyes that made everything around her seem a little brighter.

After we’d finished our drinks, Vi leaned back in her chair, that familiar grin tugging at the corners of her mouth.

“We could get some muffins and coffees to go, then head to that park I was telling you about. I really think you’d like it,” she suggested, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

And that’s exactly what we did. We ordered a couple of strawberry muffins, grabbed our drinks of choice, and set off toward the park. The walk was perfect—easy conversation, hands brushing occasionally, stolen glances that made my heart race. It felt like everything was finally falling into place.

Until that stupid dog showed up.

Out of nowhere, this scrappy little thing came barreling toward us, barking like we’d personally wronged it in a past life. Its eyes locked onto me with what I can only describe as pure, unfiltered hatred. Like it had been waiting its whole dog life for this exact moment.

And as if that wasn’t enough, the universe—clearly bored with our happiness—decided to spice things up. Dark clouds rolled in out of nowhere, and within seconds, fat, cold raindrops started pelting us.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I yelled at the sky, my arms thrown up in frustration as the rain soaked through my clothes.

Vi burst out laughing. Not just a little giggle, but a full-on, doubled-over, can’t-catch-her-breath kind of laugh. She was drenched, her hair sticking to her face, mascara smudging just a little, and she’d never looked more beautiful.

Her laughter was infectious. I tried to stay mad—I really did—but it was impossible. Soon enough, I was laughing too, standing there in the middle of the downpour, trying to shield the box of muffins in one hand and my heart in the other.

“Here, let me take this,” Vi said, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she reached for the box. Without hesitation, she popped it open, grabbed one of our precious strawberry muffins, and chucked it toward the ugly little dog like it was some kind of sacrificial offering.

The dog’s attitude shifted instantly. It sprinted after the muffin with the kind of determination it had previously reserved for us, leaving us blessedly alone.

“My savior!” I exclaimed dramatically, throwing my arms around Vi’s neck and planting a wet, exaggerated kiss on her cheek. My lips met cold skin, damp from the rain, but her warmth still bled through, making me forget just how soaked we both were.

She laughed again, gripping my hands with a firm, playful squeeze before pulling me along. “Come on, Romeo. Before we melt.”

She led me toward a small gazebo nearby, tucked just at the edge of what I assumed was the park we were supposed to be going to. The rain hammered against the roof like it had something to prove, but under the shelter, it was just us—breathless, dripping, and still laughing.

Vi set the slightly damp muffin box on the bench and turned to me, her hair a mess of wet strands sticking to her face, her cheeks flushed from both the cold and the laughter. She didn’t bother to fix it, and honestly, I wouldn’t have wanted her to. She was perfect just like that.

“Well,” she said, brushing water from her forehead with the back of her hand, “this wasn’t exactly the plan.”

“Yeah, but when have our plans ever worked out?” I replied, stepping closer, our soaked shoes squeaking slightly against the wooden floor.

She smirked, tilting her head. “Fair point.”

The air between us shifted—still light, still filled with laughter, but underneath it was something else. My heart was racing again, but for a completely different reason this time. I reached up, gently tucking a wet strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering just a second longer than they needed to.

She didn’t pull away.

Instead, she leaned in, her smile fading into something softer, something that made the world feel like it was holding its breath. And then she kissed me—soft at first, like she was testing the waters, then deeper, like she’d been waiting for this as long as I had.

The rain kept falling, the universe still doing its chaotic thing, but none of it mattered. In that moment, it was just us—messy, soaked, laughing—and somehow, perfectly right.

“Thank Janna, for the rain.”

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masterlist

[cosmiclily]

i told my therapist i was writing again, and she was like “what do you write? novels and stuff?”

stuff, definitely stuff 👩🏻‍💻

[cosmiclily]

😭😭😭😭 you’re the sweetest ever!! you have no idea how much i liked writing this lol (for someone who can’t be in a relationship i do write good ones)

when she sees me

★ vi x f!reader

wc: 5.4k

cw: reader goes on a date with one (1) guy for exactly 27 minutes; pure tooth rooting fluff.

notes: this was @entraptasimp request but tumblr was being a bitch and i lost the ask 😭. this got my brain juices working, it started off with nothing to do with what you requested but i worked my way through it, i had so much fun writing it, hope you like it !!

I was born a fundamentally anxious person. I like things a certain way—I’ve never liked guessing games or the feeling of not knowing how things would unfold. That’s why I’ve never been a fan of dating apps, meet-cutes, or anything that required me to dive into the unknown. Even my reading choices reflected that. I always gravitated toward romances where the main characters were destined to be together, the kind where they had known each other forever and love was inevitable.

So when it came to my own life, I was completely lost. Imagine spending almost 21 years never having a boyfriend, a girlfriend, or anything remotely romantic. It wasn’t like I hadn’t tried—I’d had experiences, but they were all terrible. The kind of stuff you look back on and cringe so hard you want to erase the memory altogether.

"Can you believe I’ll be 21 soon, and I’ve never dated anyone?" I groaned, tossing a handful of popcorn into my mouth. Vi, my best friend, was sprawled next to me on my bed, equally engrossed in our snacks but pretending to care about whatever show was playing in the background. "Even you had girlfriends. What is wrong with me?"

Vi turned to me with a dramatic gasp, her mouth still half-full of popcorn. "What do you mean, even me? I’m a greatcatch! Good looking, great muscles, and super smart. You can’t beat that."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, super humble too, I see."

She smirked, flexing her arm like she was some kind of bodybuilder. "Exactly. You’re just jealous."

I sighed, staring at the ceiling. "No, I’m just… I don’t know. It feels like I missed some crucial lesson everyone else got. Like, how do people just meet someone and start dating them? How does it happen so easily for everyone else?"

Vi was quiet for a moment before she nudged me with her foot. "It’s not easy for everyone. And maybe it’s not supposed to be easy for you. Maybe you’re just waiting for the right kind of difficult."

I frowned. “What does that even mean?”

Vi shrugged. “I don’t know, it just sounded poetic. But seriously, maybe you just haven’t met the right person yet. Or maybe you’re meant for a slow-burn romance—like the ones in those books you love so much.”

I groaned, rolling onto my side. “But I’m tired, Vi,” I whined. “I hate relying on fate, or destiny, or whatever. I need to do something!”

She stared at me for a moment, her eyes narrowing like she was deep in thought. I could practically see the gears turning in her head, and that was never a good sign.

“Okay, hmm.” She tapped her fingers against her chin. “I know you don’t like dating apps, and you hate talking to strangers, but unless you want to date me, or Mel, or—I don’t know—Jayce…”

I made a face so disgusted she burst out laughing.

“Right, so unless you want to date your friends,” she continued, still grinning, “you’re going to have to get to know someone new.”

I groaned dramatically, burying my face in my pillow. “But I don’t like meeting people.”

Vi let out an exaggerated sigh. “God, you’re insufferable.” She poked my shoulder until I looked at her again. “Again! Unless you’re planning to date your friends, you have to meet new people. So! My idea is… I choose your suitors based on what I think you’d like. You go on a date with them, and if you don’t like them, we move on to someone else. We keep going until we find you a partner.”

I stared at her. “You make it sound like a game show.”

She grinned. “Oh, it absolutely is a game show now.”

──────────────────────

“So, to start off—download every dating app you can find. We’re setting up your profile and swiping away!” Vi announced, a sinister grin on her face and a bag of chips perched on her lap. It was honestly kind of terrifying.

I hesitated, staring at her like she had just suggested I walk barefoot across hot coals. “Okay, I just don’t see how forcing me to do something I hate is the solution here.” Still, I begrudgingly opened the app store and started scrolling through the endless sea of dating apps.

“Exposure therapy, Y/N!” Vi declared, stuffing a handful of chips into her mouth. “Besides, I’ve known you my whole life. If I don’t make you do this, you’re going to end up single well into your sixties, whining in my ears about your wasted youth and how you never got the love story you deserved.” She pitched her voice higher, dramatically placing a hand on her chest. “‘Oh, Vi, why didn’t you force me to date when I had the chance?’”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Hey! I don’t sound like that.”

Vi snorted. “You absolutely do.”

I sighed, already regretting this. “Fine. But if this turns into a disaster, you owe me—big time.”

She grinned. “Oh, don’t worry. This is going to be legendary.”

As soon as the apps finished downloading, Vi snatched my phone right out of my hands. “Nope! You are not sabotaging your own chances at finding love,” she declared, her eyes gleaming with determination.

I sighed, letting her take control because, honestly, fighting her on this would be pointless. Vi had always been like this—stubborn, overenthusiastic, and convinced she knew what was best for me. And, to be fair, she usually did.

Vi had been my best friend since birth. Literally. Our moms had been best friends in college and ended up pregnant around the same time, so we grew up side by side. Sure, she could be very annoying at times, but she was also the person I trusted most in the world. We had been through every high and low together, and despite her occasional chaos, I knew she always had my back.

“There! Your profile is complete,” Vi announced, handing me my phone with a triumphant smile. “Now, we can start hunting for our prey.”

I wrinkled my nose. “I really don’t like that you’re calling them ‘prey.’”

She shrugged, completely unbothered. “What? It’s the circle of life, Y/N. We swipe, we match, we conquer.”

“This is exactly why I didn’t want to do this.”

Vi ignored me, already swiping through potential matches like she was picking out groceries. “Ooooh, this one’s cute. She looks like she reads books and goes to the gym. A rare breed.”

I groaned. This was going to be a nightmare.

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During the weekend that Vi stayed over at my house, we matched with a handful of people—well, she matched with them while I mostly watched in horror. By Sunday night, she had already set up a few dates for me. The first one was with a girl named Ashley. She had dark green hair, loved musicals, and was apparently obsessed with Lana Del Rey.

“You’re coming with me, right?” I asked the second Vi dropped the news.

She blinked at me, unimpressed. “How exactly do you expect me to do that?”

“I don’t know! Put on a fake mustache, wear sunglasses, sit at a different table—something!” I waved my hands dramatically. “What if the date is a disaster? What if she’s weird, or hates me, or—what if I need to escape?!”

Vi sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose like she was already regretting signing up for this. “Y/N, you’re a grown adult. You can sit through one date without me holding your hand.”

“You say that, but you’re also the one who forced me into this,” I pointed out.

“Okay, fair.” She crossed her arms, thinking for a moment. “How about this—I’ll sit nearby but not like, right there. If you need an out, text me a code word, and I’ll call you with a fake emergency.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What’s the code word?”

Vi smirked. “Summertime sadness.”

I groaned. “You’re the worst.”

She grinned, tossing a pillow at me. “And yet, you’d be lost without me.”

The date was scheduled for Friday, and there I was, sitting at a window table in the local diner, nervously tapping my fingers against the menu. Vi sat three tables away, pretending to be interested in her milkshake but very obviously keeping an eye on me.

I had no idea what to expect. I barely knew anything about Ashley—we had exchanged a few texts, but nothing meaningful. She was essentially a stranger I was about to have dinner with, and the thought alone made my stomach twist.

Vi caught my eye and gave me an enthusiastic thumbs-up, trying to send some reassurance my way. It didn’t really help, but I appreciated the effort.

Then, I saw her. Or rather, I saw her hair first. Ashley’s dark green hair stood out even from a distance, but what really sealed the deal was the bright pink jacket she wore over an all-black outfit, complete with chunky black boots. She was hard to miss.

As she approached the table, she smiled wide. “Hii, you must be Y/N!” she greeted, sliding into the seat across from me with an excited energy.

I straightened up. “Yes! Nice to meet you!”

And honestly? It was nice to meet her—at least, at first. The conversation flowed smoothly. She asked about my life, I asked about hers, and everything seemed to be going well. That is… until she brought up her cat.

Lana.

Named, of course, after Lana Del Rey.

Which was cute at first—until Ashley did not stop talking about her.

Not joking, for thirty minutes straight, she went on about Lana’s favorite toys, her special diet, the way she sensed when Ashley was sad and comforted her like a “little furry angel.” Every time I thought she was done, she’d whip out her phone and scroll through an endless gallery of Lana’s pictures.

My face was cramping from forcing a smile. I snuck a glance at Vi, who was clearly enjoying my suffering way too much.

I subtly reached for my phone and typed a single text.

Summertime sadness.

That’s when Vi stood up, striding toward our table with intent. At first, I was confused—she looked… angry?

For a brief second, panic flared in my chest. Had I texted the wrong code word? Was something actually wrong?

Then, she stopped in front of us, dramatically placing a hand over her heart like she was in a soap opera.

“Oh my god, Y/N!” she gasped, sounding exasperated. “I cannot believe what my eyes are showing me! You—cheating on me! And in our favorite diner, of all places?!”

It took me a second, but then I caught on to the theatrics.

I shot up from my seat, clutching my chest as if I had just been caught in the act. “No, Vi, my love! This is not what it looks like!” I turned to Ashley, gesturing dramatically. “I don’t even know this girl! We were just making friendly conversation, you have to believe me!”

Ashley blinked between us, looking both confused and mildly alarmed. “…Wait, what?”

Vi let out a loud, exaggerated sob and turned away. “I trusted you! And this is how you repay me?”

I reached for her hand, playing along. “Baby, please! Let me explain!”

Ashley slowly leaned back in her chair, gripping her drink. “Uh. I—should I leave, or…?”

Vi sniffled, dabbing at her dry eyes like she was wiping away imaginary tears. “No, no. I’ll leave. I just can’t bear to look at you right now, Y/N. I hope you and your little fling are very happy together.” She turned on her heel, storming out with all the grace of a drama queen.

I turned back to Ashley with an apologetic smile. “I should… probably go after her.”

Ashley just nodded, still looking completely lost. “Uh. Yeah. You should… go do that.”

I grabbed my jacket, muttering a quick, “It was nice meeting you,” before practically running out of the diner after Vi.

The second we were outside, we both burst into laughter.

“Oh my god, that was so unhinged,” Vi wheezed, wiping at her eyes.

I groaned, shaking my head. “I cannot believe you just did that.”

She shrugged. “Hey, it worked, didn’t it?”

I sighed, but I couldn’t help but laugh again. “Yeah, yeah. Thanks for saving me.”

Vi smirked. “Anytime, cheater.”

──────────────────────

And I would love to say the other dates went even remotely better—but I’d be lying.

The second date was with a guy named Chad—which, honestly, should’ve been the first red flag. He was a full-on gym bro, the kind who talked about nothing but his gains and his macros. He was so obsessed with hitting his daily protein intake that he actually pulled out a shaker bottle mid-conversation and started chugging a protein shake like we were at a post-workout hangout instead of a date.

I lasted exactly 27 minutes before sending Vi our secret code word: creatine.

Within seconds, my phone rang, and Vi’s panicked voice echoed through the speaker. “Oh my god, Y/N! Grandma’s been in a car accident—the car’s on fire! You need to leave IMMEDIATELY!”

I slapped my hand over my mouth, trying to look convincingly horrified. “Oh no! Not grandma! I—I’m so sorry, Chad, I have to go!”

He barely looked up from flexing his bicep in the reflection of his water glass. “Yeah, cool, family first or whatever. Just don’t forget to hit the gym tomorrow—you’ll feel better.”

I practically sprinted out of there.

The third date? Even worse.

This girl—her name was Marissa—decided to bring her lizard to our date. Yes. A lizard. She texted me to meet her at the park, and I figured, “Oh, cool, a casual outdoor date.” But the second I spotted her on the bench with a giant reptiledraped over her shoulder like it was an accessory, I just… stopped in my tracks.

I didn’t even bother texting Vi. I turned right back around and walked away like I’d never seen that park in my life.

Later, as Vi drove us away from the disaster zone, I was still fuming.

“She brought her lizard, Vi! Her LIZARD!” I complained, slumping in the passenger seat like the sheer memory drained me.

Vi snorted, barely holding back her laughter. “You wouldn’t be having this reaction if it was a dog. Just saying.”

“Because dogs are normal! Lizards are not a third-wheel you bring on a date!”

She grinned, giving me a playful nudge. “Maybe the lizard was her emotional support animal.”

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “I’m never doing this again.”

Vi just laughed. “Oh, yes you are. We’ve only just begun.”

The fourth date was… surprisingly normal.

Her name was Ellie, and she was hot as fuck. Like, the moment she walked in, I felt my soul leave my body. She had this effortless, cool-girl vibe—tattoos peeking out from under the sleeves of her denim jacket, a lazy smile that could probably stop traffic, and this way of looking at you like she was reading your mind.

And the best part? She was actually fun to talk to. She played guitar, had this dry, witty sense of humor, and we clicked in that easy, natural way I didn’t even know was possible. For the first time since Vi threw me into this dating nightmare, I thought, Hey, maybe this isn’t so bad after all.

But, of course, the universe wasn’t about to let me have that.

As the date was winding down, Ellie gave me this soft, apologetic look. I knew something was coming, but I wasn’t prepared for that.

“Hey, so…” she started, fiddling with the ring on her finger. “You’re a really nice girl, like, seriously. But I’m not, uh… I’m not over my ex. And talking to you tonight made me realize how much I miss her. I hope you find what you’re looking for, though. Truly.”

She was so sweet about letting me down, which almost made it worse. Like, why did the only nice, amazing, tattooed goddess have to be the one who didn’t want anything to do with me?

By the time I got home, I was ready to burn Vi’s whole dating plan to the ground. I flopped onto my bed and immediately called her.

“This isn’t working, Vi. Seriously,” I groaned the moment she answered. “Where are you even finding these people? I just had one of the best dates of my life, and suddenly she’s not over her ex?”

Vi snorted on the other end. “Oof. That’s rough.”

“I’m not joking!” I whined, dramatically kicking my feet like I was five. “This is your fault. You roped me into this mess, and now I’m emotionally attached to a girl who doesn’t even want me!”

Vi burst into laughter. “Wow, you’re really going through all five stages of grief, huh?”

“I’m stuck at betrayal, thanks.”

“Oh, come on, Y/N. It’s just one date. You’ll bounce back.”

“I don’t want to bounce back, Vi. I want Ellie,” I grumbled, burying my face in my pillow.

There was a pause, then Vi said, “Well… maybe the next date will be even better.”

I groaned louder. “You’re insufferable.”

“And yet, here you are, still letting me pick your dates.”

Unfortunately, she wasn’t wrong.

──────────────────────

After all the disasters I’d been through, I was done with dating. Completely over it. No more awkward small talk, no more weird code words, and definitely no more dates with people who brought lizards as emotional support. Vi, however, refused to let it go. She’d still ramble on about people she’d matched with, her excitement bubbling over like I wasn’t emotionally scarred from the last lineup of dating catastrophes. I didn’t want to hear about it anymore—I knew this wasn’t going to work.

“Okay,” Vi started one afternoon, plopping dramatically onto my bed like she was about to deliver some life-altering news. “I know you’re fed up with the dating apps. And with me.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Especially with you.”

She ignored me. “But there’s one more person I’d like you to give a chance to.”

I groaned, flopping back onto the bed with the same energy as a dying Victorian woman. “Vi—”

She cut me off with a look. That hopeful, annoyingly earnest look that always managed to crack through my walls, no matter how stubborn I was. Despite being mad at her—or at least pretending to be—I could never actually say no to her. It was like some unspoken rule of our friendship.

“Ugh, fine!” I threw my hands up, as if surrendering to the universe itself. “But this is the last time.” I sat up, pointing a finger at her like I was laying down the law. “I’m serious, Vi. After this, I’m done. If anyone wants to date me, they’ll have to show up at my door, kidnap me, and force me into a relationship.”

She burst out laughing, but there was something off about it—like it was a little too forced, a little too high-pitched. Her usual chaotic confidence was still there, but underneath it, I noticed a flicker of something…nervous?

“Yeah, well…” She cleared her throat, rubbing the back of her neck. “About that. There’s just one small catch.”

I squinted at her, already suspicious. “What kind of catch?”

She grinned, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “The date is a secret until you get there.”

I blinked. “A secret?”

“Yup.” She popped the ‘p’ with exaggerated cheer. “No name, no details—just show up and let the magic happen.”

I stared at her like she’d grown a second head. “Vi. Do you hear yourself? This sounds like the start of a true crimedocumentary.”

She waved me off. “Oh, please. If anyone tried to kidnap you, you’d be the one they regretted it instantly.”

Fair point.

Still, something about her expression stuck with me—this weird mix of excitement and nerves. But, like the fool I was, I agreed. Again.

──────────────────────

On the day of my mystery date, I spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to figure out what to wear. Which was ridiculous because, technically, I didn’t even know who I was meeting. But somehow, the not-knowing made it worse. Was I supposed to go casual? Dressy? Prepare for another lizard-wrangling situation?

When I finally arrived at the little café Vi had texted me the address to, my stomach was doing Olympic-level flips. I scanned the room, half-expecting to see another “Chad” flexing in a corner or someone waiting with their tarantula perched on the table.

But there was no Chad. No lizard. No tarantula.

Just Vi.

Sitting at a small table by the window, nervously fiddling with her rings, her usual cocky grin nowhere in sight. She looked up, and when our eyes met, she gave me this small, almost shy smile.

I froze.

“This…is a joke, right?” I blurted, laughing nervously as I approached her table.

She stood up, shoving her hands in the pockets of her red jacket—the same one she always wore, but somehow it felt… different now.

“No joke,” she said quietly, her voice lacking its usual smugness. “I’m the date.”

I blinked. “You’re the date.”

She nodded, her lips twitching like she couldn’t decide whether to smile or run. “Yeah. Surprise?”

I didn’t know what to say. My brain short-circuited, replaying every moment we’d shared—the teasing, the late-night calls, the way my heart always felt lighter around her. How had I not seen it before?

“…Are you kidding me?” I finally managed, shaking my head with a breathless laugh. “You put me through all of that—Chad, the lizard girl, the Lana Del Rey monologue—just to end up here with you?”

She grinned, her confidence slipping back into place like muscle memory. “Well, technically, I needed you to realize everyone else sucks compared to me.”

I rolled my eyes, but my heart was racing for an entirely different reason now.

“You’re insufferable,” I muttered, sliding into the seat across from her.

Her grin softened into something more sincere. “Yeah, but… you’re still here.”

I didn’t have a comeback for that.

Because she was right.

I was still there.

We ordered our coffees—or rather, Vi ordered them. She didn’t even need to ask. She knew exactly what I wanted: an iced caramel latte and a chocolate muffin. It was such a small thing, but it hit me harder than I expected. She knew my order by heart, like it was second nature. And somehow, that simple gesture left me sitting there in awe, my heart doing this ridiculous flutter thing that I refused to acknowledge.

I watched her as she thanked the barista, her fingers tapping against the counter in that restless way she always did when she was nervous—or pretending not to be. When she finally sat back down across from me, her knee bumped against mine under the table. She didn’t move it.

The question slipped out before I could stop it, soft and almost hesitant.

“Since when?”

Vi tilted her head slightly, squinting like she wasn’t sure what I meant. “Since when what?” She scratched the side of her neck, her fingers brushing over the edge of her tattoo like it was a nervous habit.

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry.

“Since when did you… want to go on a date with me?”

Her expression shifted. Just for a second. A flicker of something vulnerable slipped through the cracks of her usual confidence. But then she let out a short, breathy laugh, shaking her head like she couldn’t believe I’d even asked.

“Being one hundred percent honest?” she said, leaning back in her chair, her arms crossed like she needed a shield. “Since I became conscious about anything in my life.”

I blinked. “What?”

She laughed again, a little softer this time. “I mean it. You’ve always been there, you know? But you were so busy with your face buried in those books, rambling about epic love stories and grand, sweeping gestures. And there I was, just… me.” She cleared her throat as the waitress brought our order, the clink of ceramic cups filling the brief silence.

She picked up her coffee, but didn’t take a sip. Instead, she stared at it like it held the answers she was too afraid to say out loud. “I guess I got a little self-conscious. Like, how was I supposed to compete with all those ‘great loves’ you read about? And you never really seemed to care much about dating, so I figured… if I said something, you’d just let me down.”

Her words hit me like a freight train—because how had I not seen it? How had I been so blind?

“I… I don’t know what to say,” I admitted, my voice quieter than I intended. I stared at her, really looked at her, like I was seeing her for the first time. “I never thought that what I was looking for was quite literally right in front of me.”

Vi didn’t respond immediately. She just smiled—small, a little shy, but undeniably real. The kind of smile that makes your chest ache in the best way.

And that’s when it hit me.

I’d spent my whole life waiting for a cliché love story.

The kind with grand declarations, epic twists, and movie-worthy moments.

But what could be more cliché than this?

A slow burn, friends-to-lovers situation, sitting right across from me with a smug grin and a coffee order she knew by heart.

Maybe the love story I’d been searching for wasn’t in the books after all.

Maybe it was in the girl who’d been there all along.

I reached for my latte, mostly just to have something to do with my hands because my heart was practically sprinting. The ice clinked against the sides of the cup, loud in the quiet between us. Vi was still watching me, her gaze steady, like she wasn’t afraid of what I’d say next. Like she already knew.

But I didn’t know. I didn’t know how to string words together when everything inside me felt tangled—like someone had taken all the pages of my life, ripped them out, and shuffled them around until nothing made sense except her.

So I blurted the first thing that came to mind.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Vi chuckled, shaking her head. “Because I’m an idiot?” She leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. “Or maybe I was just scared. Scared that if I said something, I’d lose you. And losing you… would’ve been worse than keeping it to myself.”

The honesty in her voice settled over me like a weighted blanket—comforting and overwhelming all at once. I thought about every late-night conversation, every casual touch that lingered just a second too long, every time she looked at me like I was her whole world, and I’d been too oblivious to notice.

Maybe I had noticed.

Maybe I was just too scared to admit it.

I glanced down at my muffin, untouched, then back at her. “You’re kind of dumb, you know that?”

She snorted. “Yeah, I’ve been told.”

I smiled, feeling it stretch wider than it had in a long time. “But so am I.”

The words weren’t grand or poetic. There was no sweeping background music, no dramatic lighting. Just the faint hum of the coffee shop, the cold of my drink between my hands, and Vi’s knee still pressed against mine like it belonged there.

And maybe that was enough.

No—it was enough.

I reached across the table, my fingers brushing over hers. She froze for a second, her breath hitching, then slowly turned her hand over so our palms touched. The warmth of her skin sent a quiet thrill through me, something soft and electric all at once.

“I think,” I whispered, “I’ve been on this date with you for years. I just didn’t know it.”

Vi’s smile was different this time—brighter, softer, filled with something that made my chest ache in the best way.

“Yeah,” she murmured. “Me too.”

──────────────────────

We finished eating between bursts of conversation and laughter, and somehow, everything had changed while staying exactly the same. The comfort was still there, woven into the fabric of who we were, but now it carried something electric beneath the surface. The glances were different—the way her eyes drifted to my mouth when I spoke, the way our intertwined hands never strayed, like we’d forgotten how to exist without that connection.

The walk back to my house felt surreal, our fingers laced tightly together, neither of us willing to let go. Every step felt heavier with anticipation, like the world had tilted slightly, and gravity was pulling us toward something inevitable.

And then, standing at my doorstep, she kissed me.

It wasn’t tentative or shy—it was certain, like she’d been waiting her whole life to do it and wasn’t going to waste another second. It felt like being woken up, like every nerve ending had been dormant until that exact moment. My heart raced, but everything else stilled, like the world had gone quiet just for us.

It was the kind of kiss that rewrites everything you thought you knew about love.

Pieces of a puzzle perfectly aligned.

Vi’s hands found my waist, pulling me closer, and she kissed me like her life depended on it—like I was the air she’d been searching for. My fingers threaded through her hair instinctively, and she let out a quiet sigh against my lips that sent shivers down my spine.

When we finally pulled apart, breathless and flushed, she rested her forehead against mine, her thumb brushing soft circles against my cheeks.

“I’ve wanted to do that for so long,” she whispered, her voice low and rough around the edges.

I smiled, my heart still racing, my hands still trembling slightly from the intensity of it all. “Then do it again.”

And she did.

Over and over, like she was making up for all the years we’d been too afraid to cross the line.

But we weren’t afraid anymore.

We stayed there for what felt like forever, just standing in front of my house, wrapped in the warmth of each other’s embrace. It was like time had paused, giving us this perfect moment where nothing else mattered but the two of us. The city sounds faded into the background, and all I could hear was the soft rhythm of her breath mingling with mine.

Eventually, she pulled back, just enough to look at me. Her eyes were full of something I couldn’t quite name, but it made my chest tighten in a way I didn’t want to let go of.

“Are you sure about this?” she asked, her voice softer now, like a fragile question hanging in the air.

I laughed, breathless, my fingers still tracing the edge of her jaw. “Are you kidding? I’ve been sure for longer than I care to admit.”

She smiled, a quiet, content smile that made me want to hold onto it forever. “Good,” she murmured, her lips brushing against mine again, this time slower, like she was savoring the moment, taking her time.

We didn’t need to rush anymore. Not tonight.

We stayed close as we stepped inside, neither of us wanting to break the connection, like if we did, everything we’d built might shatter. Her hand never left mine as we walked through the door, and when we finally reached the couch, we sat side by side, still tangled up in each other, unable to fully separate.

The night stretched out before us, full of possibilities, full of all the unspoken words between us that no longer needed to be said. Every moment felt like a revelation, like we were discovering each other all over again, but in the most intimate way possible.

Vi’s head rested on my shoulder, her breath even and steady now, and I realized, as I looked at the way she fit against me, that this was it. This was the start of something new, something I hadn’t known I was waiting for but had needed all along.

“We’re really doing this, aren’t we?” she whispered, her voice light with amusement but also a touch of something deeper.

I smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “Yeah, we are.”

And for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t scared of what was coming next. Because it wasn’t about the destination anymore—it was about the journey we were going to take together, step by step, kiss by kiss.

And I was ready for all of it.

──────────────────────

masterlist

[cosmiclily]

chapter eight: ghost of you

wc: 2k

cw: slightly suggestive (?)

The days following your arrangement with Vi were some of the most chaotic of your life. Archie, your manager, had scheduled a meeting to discuss your first album since signing the contract. You already had a few songs out, but he wanted new material—fresh tracks that no one had heard before.

Now, the four of you—Jinx, Ekko, Vi, and yourself—were stuck in the studio, drowning in unfinished lyrics, half-written riffs, and melodies that didn’t quite click together. Jinx sat cross-legged on the floor, her guitar in her lap, absentmindedly strumming the same chord progression over and over. Ekko leaned against the couch, his bass resting on his thigh, eyes scanning a page of lyrics as if they would magically start making sense. Vi, arms crossed, tapped a drumstick against her knee impatiently.

“This is a mess,” she finally muttered, breaking the silence.

“Tell me about it,” you sighed, rubbing your temples.

Archie leaned forward, his elbows resting on the mixing console. “It’s not bad—but it’s not there yet. We need something that sticks.”

“I know,” you groaned. “But everything sounds either too forced or too generic.”

Jinx huffed and flopped onto her back. “Maybe we should just embrace the chaos. Write about how much this sucks.”

Ekko chuckled. “You’re joking—but that might actually work.”

Just then, your phone buzzed on the table. You glanced at the screen—Vi.

Wanna sneak out?

You smirked, glancing at her from the corner of your eye. Aren’t they going to notice?

Vi cleared her throat and, looking pointedly at Archie, said, “I think we really need a break. We’ve been here for three hours, and we haven’t made any progress.”

Archie frowned, tapping a pen against his notepad. “You all think stepping out will help? We’re on a deadline here.”

Jinx looked up, grinning. “Sometimes a little break is exactly what we need to let the creativity flow.”

Ekko nodded in agreement. “Yeah, a change of scenery might give us a fresh perspective.”

You leaned back in your chair, feeling the exhaustion mix with relief. “And I could really use a large cup of coffee right now.”

Archie let out a sigh but finally relented. “Okay, go clear your heads and get back here. I have some calls to make anyway.”

The four of you stood up, stretching out your limbs after hours of sitting in the same position. Your whole body ached.

As you reached for your jacket, Vi leaned in close, her voice low so Jinx and Ekko wouldn’t overhear. “Do you wanna go to that coffee shop down the street?”

You raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Ohh, what is this? A date?”

Vi chuckled, shaking her head. “Shut up.”

You grinned, nudging her playfully. “I’d love to. And for the record, I wasn’t exaggerating about needing coffee. That was a real cry for help.”

Vi rolled her eyes but motioned for you to follow her toward the door. “Come on, then. Let’s rescue you before you collapse from caffeine withdrawal.”

As the two of you slipped out, you could hear Jinx teasing from behind. “Ooooh, sneaking off together, huh? Suspicious.”

Ekko snorted. “They probably just need a break from you, Jinx.”

Jinx gasped dramatically. “Betrayal!”

You and Vi exchanged amused glances before stepping outside, the crisp air a welcome contrast to the stifling tension of the studio.

The short walk to the coffee shop felt like a much-needed escape. It was barely five minutes away, but after being holed up in the studio for the past three days—only leaving to sleep—it felt like stepping into another world. The place was cozy, filled with the rich scent of coffee and a hint of vanilla, the kind of warmth that instantly made your shoulders relax.

The two of you placed your orders and found a seat by the window, watching the city move around you. The sound of muffled conversations and the occasional clink of porcelain cups filled the space between you, a stark contrast to the frustrating silence that had dominated the studio.

“I can’t stand that stuffy room anymore,” Vi groaned, stretching her arms above her head before slouching back into her chair. “Archie’s been acting like a paranoid wreck over this album.”

You chuckled, stirring your coffee absentmindedly. “Yeah, well, deadlines do that to people. But I swear, if I have to hear Jinx play that same damn chord progression one more time, I might lose my mind.

Vi laughed, shaking her head. “She does that when she’s stuck. It’s like a brain reset or something.”

She took a slow sip of her drink, her gaze flickering to you over the rim of her cup. “And you? How are you holding up?”

You hesitated, considering your answer. “Honestly? Overwhelmed. I want this album to be good, you know? Like, really good. But I feel like I’m chasing something that isn’t clicking yet.”

Vi nodded, setting her cup down. “Maybe you’re overthinking it. The best songs usually happen when you’re not trying so hard.”

You sighed, tapping your fingers against the table. “Maybe. I just… I don’t know. I have all these lyrics, all these ideas, but they don’t fit together. Like puzzle pieces from different sets.”

Vi smirked. “Well, maybe you just need to get your mind off it for a moment.”

You looked at her, a slow smile spreading across your lips. “Yeah? That might not be a bad idea.”

“I am full of wisdom,” she said, grinning. “It just gets overshadowed by my incredible good looks.”

You rolled your eyes, but you couldn’t help but laugh. “And who would help me with that heavy chore?” you teased, your gaze flickering down to her lips for just a second too long.

Vi arched an eyebrow, leaning in slightly, her smirk deepening. “Oh, I don’t know… I could volunteer, but that sounds like a lot of responsibility.”

You tilted your head, playing along. “I wouldn’t want to burden you.”

Vi’s fingers traced the edge of her coffee cup as she held your gaze. “I think I can handle it.” Her voice was casual, but there was something else beneath it—a challenge, maybe.

You smirked, resting your chin on your hand. “Prove it.”

Vi let out a low chuckle, shaking her head. “You really wanna start something in the middle of a coffee shop?”

You shrugged, feigning innocence. “What, scared?”

Vi grinned, leaning back. “Oh, I’m not scared.” She took another sip of her drink, her eyes never leaving yours. “I just think you’d rather have my full attention somewhere a little more… private.”

Your stomach flipped at the way she said it—casual, teasing, but with just enough weight to send a shiver down your spine.

You chuckled, shaking your head. “You might be onto something there.”

──────────────────────

The elevator ride back to your floor had been a test of restraint for both of you. You had to keep reminding yourself—and Vi—that you worked here, and there were cameras everywhere. Making out in the elevator? A definite no-go. Still, the way Vi kept looking at you, eyes dark with mischief, made it incredibly difficult to focus on anything else.

By the time you reached the studio, you felt refreshed, re-energized. Whether it was the coffee or the little conversation you’d had with Vi, you weren’t sure—but it was definitely something. The thought that the sooner you finished at least one song, the sooner you could be alone with her again, kept you going.

As you walked down the hallway, you glanced at Vi. “I was thinking—why don’t we use the lyrics you showed me a couple of weeks ago? The ones you wrote? They were amazing. We could build around them, create a rhythm.”

Vi raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a playful grin. “You remember those?”

“Of course,” you said, a small smile tugging at your lips. “They stuck with me. I think they could be the spark we need.”

Vi chuckled softly, but there was something in her expression—hesitation, maybe. “I don’t know… It’s kind of personal, you know?”

You caught the shift in her tone, the way she suddenly wasn’t as confident. Slowing your steps, you turned to face her fully. “I get it. The breakup still messes with you,” you said gently. “But hey, the best songs come from real emotion, right?”

She let out a slow breath, rubbing the back of her neck. “Yeah. I just—” She paused, shaking her head with a small laugh. “It’s weird. I usually don’t mind sharing things I write, but these are… you know.”

Her voice trailed off, and for a moment, you saw a flicker of something vulnerable in her expression. It wasn’t often that Vi let her guard down like this.

You softened, reaching out to nudge her arm. “Yeah, I get it. But think of it this way—you’re turning something painful into something powerful. And if you want, we don’t even have to use the lyrics as-is. We can tweak them, make them into something new. Something that still means something, but doesn’t have to hurt.”

Vi studied you for a moment, her lips pressing together as if she was weighing your words. Then, she exhaled through her nose, a slow smirk creeping back onto her lips. “You really want this song to happen, huh?”

“Desperately,” you admitted, grinning.

She huffed a laugh, shaking her head. “Alright, alright. I’ll show the lyrics. But —if anyone makes fun of me, you have to defend my honor.”

You held up a hand solemnly. “Scout’s honor.”

Vi rolled her eyes but smiled. “Come on, then. Let’s do this.”

The two of you continued down the hall, side by side. Despite the teasing, you could tell this meant something to her. And whether she realized it or not, she was trusting you with a piece of herself. That thought made your chest warm, and as you reached the studio doors, you made a silent promise to yourself—you’d make sure this song turned into something great.

With a little help from Jinx and Ekko, the four of you were finally able to piece something together. Using Vi’s lyrics and the melody Ekko whipped up, the song started to take shape—still rough around the edges, but enough to feel real. Enough for Archie to be satisfied, which was a miracle in itself. He nodded in approval, finally relenting and letting you all escape what had felt like a creative prison.

As you packed up your stuff, rolling your shoulders to shake off the stiffness of hours in the studio, Vi leaned against the doorway, her helmet resting on her hip. The worn leather of her jacket hugged her frame perfectly, and she had that effortless, devil-may-care look that made your stomach do an annoying little flip.

“So,” she said, casual as ever, “you wanna come over?”

You glanced up, catching the way her lips curled slightly, that signature teasing smirk barely there—but you knew her well enough to see the hint of something else beneath it.

After all the teasing at the coffee shop? The way she had leaned in, her voice all low and suggestive? You scoffed, grabbing your bag.

“After everything you pulled back there?” You smirked, slinging the strap over your shoulder. “Who wouldn’t?”

Vi chuckled, stepping back to let you pass, her fingers brushing against your arm for just a second too long to be accidental. “Then let’s get out of here before Archie changes his mind.”

With that, the two of you slipped out, the tension humming between you like the remnants of a song still waiting to be finished.

──────────────────────

masterlist- chapter nine

notes: not my favorite chapter but i like their dynamic 🫨

taglist: @saturnhas82moons @oidloid @vaebear @wicked-laugh @baylegend6 @nomarksonelegance @antobooh @80saturn

[cosmiclily]

when she sees me

★ vi x f!reader

wc: 5.4k

cw: reader goes on a date with one (1) guy for exactly 27 minutes; pure tooth rooting fluff.

notes: this was @entraptasimp request but tumblr was being a bitch and i lost the ask 😭. this got my brain juices working, it started off with nothing to do with what you requested but i worked my way through it, i had so much fun writing it, hope you like it !!

I was born a fundamentally anxious person. I like things a certain way—I’ve never liked guessing games or the feeling of not knowing how things would unfold. That’s why I’ve never been a fan of dating apps, meet-cutes, or anything that required me to dive into the unknown. Even my reading choices reflected that. I always gravitated toward romances where the main characters were destined to be together, the kind where they had known each other forever and love was inevitable.

So when it came to my own life, I was completely lost. Imagine spending almost 21 years never having a boyfriend, a girlfriend, or anything remotely romantic. It wasn’t like I hadn’t tried—I’d had experiences, but they were all terrible. The kind of stuff you look back on and cringe so hard you want to erase the memory altogether.

"Can you believe I’ll be 21 soon, and I’ve never dated anyone?" I groaned, tossing a handful of popcorn into my mouth. Vi, my best friend, was sprawled next to me on my bed, equally engrossed in our snacks but pretending to care about whatever show was playing in the background. "Even you had girlfriends. What is wrong with me?"

Vi turned to me with a dramatic gasp, her mouth still half-full of popcorn. "What do you mean, even me? I’m a greatcatch! Good looking, great muscles, and super smart. You can’t beat that."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, super humble too, I see."

She smirked, flexing her arm like she was some kind of bodybuilder. "Exactly. You’re just jealous."

I sighed, staring at the ceiling. "No, I’m just… I don’t know. It feels like I missed some crucial lesson everyone else got. Like, how do people just meet someone and start dating them? How does it happen so easily for everyone else?"

Vi was quiet for a moment before she nudged me with her foot. "It’s not easy for everyone. And maybe it’s not supposed to be easy for you. Maybe you’re just waiting for the right kind of difficult."

I frowned. “What does that even mean?”

Vi shrugged. “I don’t know, it just sounded poetic. But seriously, maybe you just haven’t met the right person yet. Or maybe you’re meant for a slow-burn romance—like the ones in those books you love so much.”

I groaned, rolling onto my side. “But I’m tired, Vi,” I whined. “I hate relying on fate, or destiny, or whatever. I need to do something!”

She stared at me for a moment, her eyes narrowing like she was deep in thought. I could practically see the gears turning in her head, and that was never a good sign.

“Okay, hmm.” She tapped her fingers against her chin. “I know you don’t like dating apps, and you hate talking to strangers, but unless you want to date me, or Mel, or—I don’t know—Jayce…”

I made a face so disgusted she burst out laughing.

“Right, so unless you want to date your friends,” she continued, still grinning, “you’re going to have to get to know someone new.”

I groaned dramatically, burying my face in my pillow. “But I don’t like meeting people.”

Vi let out an exaggerated sigh. “God, you’re insufferable.” She poked my shoulder until I looked at her again. “Again! Unless you’re planning to date your friends, you have to meet new people. So! My idea is… I choose your suitors based on what I think you’d like. You go on a date with them, and if you don’t like them, we move on to someone else. We keep going until we find you a partner.”

I stared at her. “You make it sound like a game show.”

She grinned. “Oh, it absolutely is a game show now.”

──────────────────────

“So, to start off—download every dating app you can find. We’re setting up your profile and swiping away!” Vi announced, a sinister grin on her face and a bag of chips perched on her lap. It was honestly kind of terrifying.

I hesitated, staring at her like she had just suggested I walk barefoot across hot coals. “Okay, I just don’t see how forcing me to do something I hate is the solution here.” Still, I begrudgingly opened the app store and started scrolling through the endless sea of dating apps.

“Exposure therapy, Y/N!” Vi declared, stuffing a handful of chips into her mouth. “Besides, I’ve known you my whole life. If I don’t make you do this, you’re going to end up single well into your sixties, whining in my ears about your wasted youth and how you never got the love story you deserved.” She pitched her voice higher, dramatically placing a hand on her chest. “‘Oh, Vi, why didn’t you force me to date when I had the chance?’”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Hey! I don’t sound like that.”

Vi snorted. “You absolutely do.”

I sighed, already regretting this. “Fine. But if this turns into a disaster, you owe me—big time.”

She grinned. “Oh, don’t worry. This is going to be legendary.”

As soon as the apps finished downloading, Vi snatched my phone right out of my hands. “Nope! You are not sabotaging your own chances at finding love,” she declared, her eyes gleaming with determination.

I sighed, letting her take control because, honestly, fighting her on this would be pointless. Vi had always been like this—stubborn, overenthusiastic, and convinced she knew what was best for me. And, to be fair, she usually did.

Vi had been my best friend since birth. Literally. Our moms had been best friends in college and ended up pregnant around the same time, so we grew up side by side. Sure, she could be very annoying at times, but she was also the person I trusted most in the world. We had been through every high and low together, and despite her occasional chaos, I knew she always had my back.

“There! Your profile is complete,” Vi announced, handing me my phone with a triumphant smile. “Now, we can start hunting for our prey.”

I wrinkled my nose. “I really don’t like that you’re calling them ‘prey.’”

She shrugged, completely unbothered. “What? It’s the circle of life, Y/N. We swipe, we match, we conquer.”

“This is exactly why I didn’t want to do this.”

Vi ignored me, already swiping through potential matches like she was picking out groceries. “Ooooh, this one’s cute. She looks like she reads books and goes to the gym. A rare breed.”

I groaned. This was going to be a nightmare.

──────────────────────

During the weekend that Vi stayed over at my house, we matched with a handful of people—well, she matched with them while I mostly watched in horror. By Sunday night, she had already set up a few dates for me. The first one was with a girl named Ashley. She had dark green hair, loved musicals, and was apparently obsessed with Lana Del Rey.

“You’re coming with me, right?” I asked the second Vi dropped the news.

She blinked at me, unimpressed. “How exactly do you expect me to do that?”

“I don’t know! Put on a fake mustache, wear sunglasses, sit at a different table—something!” I waved my hands dramatically. “What if the date is a disaster? What if she’s weird, or hates me, or—what if I need to escape?!”

Vi sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose like she was already regretting signing up for this. “Y/N, you’re a grown adult. You can sit through one date without me holding your hand.”

“You say that, but you’re also the one who forced me into this,” I pointed out.

“Okay, fair.” She crossed her arms, thinking for a moment. “How about this—I’ll sit nearby but not like, right there. If you need an out, text me a code word, and I’ll call you with a fake emergency.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What’s the code word?”

Vi smirked. “Summertime sadness.”

I groaned. “You’re the worst.”

She grinned, tossing a pillow at me. “And yet, you’d be lost without me.”

The date was scheduled for Friday, and there I was, sitting at a window table in the local diner, nervously tapping my fingers against the menu. Vi sat three tables away, pretending to be interested in her milkshake but very obviously keeping an eye on me.

I had no idea what to expect. I barely knew anything about Ashley—we had exchanged a few texts, but nothing meaningful. She was essentially a stranger I was about to have dinner with, and the thought alone made my stomach twist.

Vi caught my eye and gave me an enthusiastic thumbs-up, trying to send some reassurance my way. It didn’t really help, but I appreciated the effort.

Then, I saw her. Or rather, I saw her hair first. Ashley’s dark green hair stood out even from a distance, but what really sealed the deal was the bright pink jacket she wore over an all-black outfit, complete with chunky black boots. She was hard to miss.

As she approached the table, she smiled wide. “Hii, you must be Y/N!” she greeted, sliding into the seat across from me with an excited energy.

I straightened up. “Yes! Nice to meet you!”

And honestly? It was nice to meet her—at least, at first. The conversation flowed smoothly. She asked about my life, I asked about hers, and everything seemed to be going well. That is… until she brought up her cat.

Lana.

Named, of course, after Lana Del Rey.

Which was cute at first—until Ashley did not stop talking about her.

Not joking, for thirty minutes straight, she went on about Lana’s favorite toys, her special diet, the way she sensed when Ashley was sad and comforted her like a “little furry angel.” Every time I thought she was done, she’d whip out her phone and scroll through an endless gallery of Lana’s pictures.

My face was cramping from forcing a smile. I snuck a glance at Vi, who was clearly enjoying my suffering way too much.

I subtly reached for my phone and typed a single text.

Summertime sadness.

That’s when Vi stood up, striding toward our table with intent. At first, I was confused—she looked… angry?

For a brief second, panic flared in my chest. Had I texted the wrong code word? Was something actually wrong?

Then, she stopped in front of us, dramatically placing a hand over her heart like she was in a soap opera.

“Oh my god, Y/N!” she gasped, sounding exasperated. “I cannot believe what my eyes are showing me! You—cheating on me! And in our favorite diner, of all places?!”

It took me a second, but then I caught on to the theatrics.

I shot up from my seat, clutching my chest as if I had just been caught in the act. “No, Vi, my love! This is not what it looks like!” I turned to Ashley, gesturing dramatically. “I don’t even know this girl! We were just making friendly conversation, you have to believe me!”

Ashley blinked between us, looking both confused and mildly alarmed. “…Wait, what?”

Vi let out a loud, exaggerated sob and turned away. “I trusted you! And this is how you repay me?”

I reached for her hand, playing along. “Baby, please! Let me explain!”

Ashley slowly leaned back in her chair, gripping her drink. “Uh. I—should I leave, or…?”

Vi sniffled, dabbing at her dry eyes like she was wiping away imaginary tears. “No, no. I’ll leave. I just can’t bear to look at you right now, Y/N. I hope you and your little fling are very happy together.” She turned on her heel, storming out with all the grace of a drama queen.

I turned back to Ashley with an apologetic smile. “I should… probably go after her.”

Ashley just nodded, still looking completely lost. “Uh. Yeah. You should… go do that.”

I grabbed my jacket, muttering a quick, “It was nice meeting you,” before practically running out of the diner after Vi.

The second we were outside, we both burst into laughter.

“Oh my god, that was so unhinged,” Vi wheezed, wiping at her eyes.

I groaned, shaking my head. “I cannot believe you just did that.”

She shrugged. “Hey, it worked, didn’t it?”

I sighed, but I couldn’t help but laugh again. “Yeah, yeah. Thanks for saving me.”

Vi smirked. “Anytime, cheater.”

──────────────────────

And I would love to say the other dates went even remotely better—but I’d be lying.

The second date was with a guy named Chad—which, honestly, should’ve been the first red flag. He was a full-on gym bro, the kind who talked about nothing but his gains and his macros. He was so obsessed with hitting his daily protein intake that he actually pulled out a shaker bottle mid-conversation and started chugging a protein shake like we were at a post-workout hangout instead of a date.

I lasted exactly 27 minutes before sending Vi our secret code word: creatine.

Within seconds, my phone rang, and Vi’s panicked voice echoed through the speaker. “Oh my god, Y/N! Grandma’s been in a car accident—the car’s on fire! You need to leave IMMEDIATELY!”

I slapped my hand over my mouth, trying to look convincingly horrified. “Oh no! Not grandma! I—I’m so sorry, Chad, I have to go!”

He barely looked up from flexing his bicep in the reflection of his water glass. “Yeah, cool, family first or whatever. Just don’t forget to hit the gym tomorrow—you’ll feel better.”

I practically sprinted out of there.

The third date? Even worse.

This girl—her name was Marissa—decided to bring her lizard to our date. Yes. A lizard. She texted me to meet her at the park, and I figured, “Oh, cool, a casual outdoor date.” But the second I spotted her on the bench with a giant reptiledraped over her shoulder like it was an accessory, I just… stopped in my tracks.

I didn’t even bother texting Vi. I turned right back around and walked away like I’d never seen that park in my life.

Later, as Vi drove us away from the disaster zone, I was still fuming.

“She brought her lizard, Vi! Her LIZARD!” I complained, slumping in the passenger seat like the sheer memory drained me.

Vi snorted, barely holding back her laughter. “You wouldn’t be having this reaction if it was a dog. Just saying.”

“Because dogs are normal! Lizards are not a third-wheel you bring on a date!”

She grinned, giving me a playful nudge. “Maybe the lizard was her emotional support animal.”

I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “I’m never doing this again.”

Vi just laughed. “Oh, yes you are. We’ve only just begun.”

The fourth date was… surprisingly normal.

Her name was Ellie, and she was hot as fuck. Like, the moment she walked in, I felt my soul leave my body. She had this effortless, cool-girl vibe—tattoos peeking out from under the sleeves of her denim jacket, a lazy smile that could probably stop traffic, and this way of looking at you like she was reading your mind.

And the best part? She was actually fun to talk to. She played guitar, had this dry, witty sense of humor, and we clicked in that easy, natural way I didn’t even know was possible. For the first time since Vi threw me into this dating nightmare, I thought, Hey, maybe this isn’t so bad after all.

But, of course, the universe wasn’t about to let me have that.

As the date was winding down, Ellie gave me this soft, apologetic look. I knew something was coming, but I wasn’t prepared for that.

“Hey, so…” she started, fiddling with the ring on her finger. “You’re a really nice girl, like, seriously. But I’m not, uh… I’m not over my ex. And talking to you tonight made me realize how much I miss her. I hope you find what you’re looking for, though. Truly.”

She was so sweet about letting me down, which almost made it worse. Like, why did the only nice, amazing, tattooed goddess have to be the one who didn’t want anything to do with me?

By the time I got home, I was ready to burn Vi’s whole dating plan to the ground. I flopped onto my bed and immediately called her.

“This isn’t working, Vi. Seriously,” I groaned the moment she answered. “Where are you even finding these people? I just had one of the best dates of my life, and suddenly she’s not over her ex?”

Vi snorted on the other end. “Oof. That’s rough.”

“I’m not joking!” I whined, dramatically kicking my feet like I was five. “This is your fault. You roped me into this mess, and now I’m emotionally attached to a girl who doesn’t even want me!”

Vi burst into laughter. “Wow, you’re really going through all five stages of grief, huh?”

“I’m stuck at betrayal, thanks.”

“Oh, come on, Y/N. It’s just one date. You’ll bounce back.”

“I don’t want to bounce back, Vi. I want Ellie,” I grumbled, burying my face in my pillow.

There was a pause, then Vi said, “Well… maybe the next date will be even better.”

I groaned louder. “You’re insufferable.”

“And yet, here you are, still letting me pick your dates.”

Unfortunately, she wasn’t wrong.

──────────────────────

After all the disasters I’d been through, I was done with dating. Completely over it. No more awkward small talk, no more weird code words, and definitely no more dates with people who brought lizards as emotional support. Vi, however, refused to let it go. She’d still ramble on about people she’d matched with, her excitement bubbling over like I wasn’t emotionally scarred from the last lineup of dating catastrophes. I didn’t want to hear about it anymore—I knew this wasn’t going to work.

“Okay,” Vi started one afternoon, plopping dramatically onto my bed like she was about to deliver some life-altering news. “I know you’re fed up with the dating apps. And with me.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Especially with you.”

She ignored me. “But there’s one more person I’d like you to give a chance to.”

I groaned, flopping back onto the bed with the same energy as a dying Victorian woman. “Vi—”

She cut me off with a look. That hopeful, annoyingly earnest look that always managed to crack through my walls, no matter how stubborn I was. Despite being mad at her—or at least pretending to be—I could never actually say no to her. It was like some unspoken rule of our friendship.

“Ugh, fine!” I threw my hands up, as if surrendering to the universe itself. “But this is the last time.” I sat up, pointing a finger at her like I was laying down the law. “I’m serious, Vi. After this, I’m done. If anyone wants to date me, they’ll have to show up at my door, kidnap me, and force me into a relationship.”

She burst out laughing, but there was something off about it—like it was a little too forced, a little too high-pitched. Her usual chaotic confidence was still there, but underneath it, I noticed a flicker of something…nervous?

“Yeah, well…” She cleared her throat, rubbing the back of her neck. “About that. There’s just one small catch.”

I squinted at her, already suspicious. “What kind of catch?”

She grinned, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “The date is a secret until you get there.”

I blinked. “A secret?”

“Yup.” She popped the ‘p’ with exaggerated cheer. “No name, no details—just show up and let the magic happen.”

I stared at her like she’d grown a second head. “Vi. Do you hear yourself? This sounds like the start of a true crimedocumentary.”

She waved me off. “Oh, please. If anyone tried to kidnap you, you’d be the one they regretted it instantly.”

Fair point.

Still, something about her expression stuck with me—this weird mix of excitement and nerves. But, like the fool I was, I agreed. Again.

──────────────────────

On the day of my mystery date, I spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to figure out what to wear. Which was ridiculous because, technically, I didn’t even know who I was meeting. But somehow, the not-knowing made it worse. Was I supposed to go casual? Dressy? Prepare for another lizard-wrangling situation?

When I finally arrived at the little café Vi had texted me the address to, my stomach was doing Olympic-level flips. I scanned the room, half-expecting to see another “Chad” flexing in a corner or someone waiting with their tarantula perched on the table.

But there was no Chad. No lizard. No tarantula.

Just Vi.

Sitting at a small table by the window, nervously fiddling with her rings, her usual cocky grin nowhere in sight. She looked up, and when our eyes met, she gave me this small, almost shy smile.

I froze.

“This…is a joke, right?” I blurted, laughing nervously as I approached her table.

She stood up, shoving her hands in the pockets of her red jacket—the same one she always wore, but somehow it felt… different now.

“No joke,” she said quietly, her voice lacking its usual smugness. “I’m the date.”

I blinked. “You’re the date.”

She nodded, her lips twitching like she couldn’t decide whether to smile or run. “Yeah. Surprise?”

I didn’t know what to say. My brain short-circuited, replaying every moment we’d shared—the teasing, the late-night calls, the way my heart always felt lighter around her. How had I not seen it before?

“…Are you kidding me?” I finally managed, shaking my head with a breathless laugh. “You put me through all of that—Chad, the lizard girl, the Lana Del Rey monologue—just to end up here with you?”

She grinned, her confidence slipping back into place like muscle memory. “Well, technically, I needed you to realize everyone else sucks compared to me.”

I rolled my eyes, but my heart was racing for an entirely different reason now.

“You’re insufferable,” I muttered, sliding into the seat across from her.

Her grin softened into something more sincere. “Yeah, but… you’re still here.”

I didn’t have a comeback for that.

Because she was right.

I was still there.

We ordered our coffees—or rather, Vi ordered them. She didn’t even need to ask. She knew exactly what I wanted: an iced caramel latte and a chocolate muffin. It was such a small thing, but it hit me harder than I expected. She knew my order by heart, like it was second nature. And somehow, that simple gesture left me sitting there in awe, my heart doing this ridiculous flutter thing that I refused to acknowledge.

I watched her as she thanked the barista, her fingers tapping against the counter in that restless way she always did when she was nervous—or pretending not to be. When she finally sat back down across from me, her knee bumped against mine under the table. She didn’t move it.

The question slipped out before I could stop it, soft and almost hesitant.

“Since when?”

Vi tilted her head slightly, squinting like she wasn’t sure what I meant. “Since when what?” She scratched the side of her neck, her fingers brushing over the edge of her tattoo like it was a nervous habit.

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry.

“Since when did you… want to go on a date with me?”

Her expression shifted. Just for a second. A flicker of something vulnerable slipped through the cracks of her usual confidence. But then she let out a short, breathy laugh, shaking her head like she couldn’t believe I’d even asked.

“Being one hundred percent honest?” she said, leaning back in her chair, her arms crossed like she needed a shield. “Since I became conscious about anything in my life.”

I blinked. “What?”

She laughed again, a little softer this time. “I mean it. You’ve always been there, you know? But you were so busy with your face buried in those books, rambling about epic love stories and grand, sweeping gestures. And there I was, just… me.” She cleared her throat as the waitress brought our order, the clink of ceramic cups filling the brief silence.

She picked up her coffee, but didn’t take a sip. Instead, she stared at it like it held the answers she was too afraid to say out loud. “I guess I got a little self-conscious. Like, how was I supposed to compete with all those ‘great loves’ you read about? And you never really seemed to care much about dating, so I figured… if I said something, you’d just let me down.”

Her words hit me like a freight train—because how had I not seen it? How had I been so blind?

“I… I don’t know what to say,” I admitted, my voice quieter than I intended. I stared at her, really looked at her, like I was seeing her for the first time. “I never thought that what I was looking for was quite literally right in front of me.”

Vi didn’t respond immediately. She just smiled—small, a little shy, but undeniably real. The kind of smile that makes your chest ache in the best way.

And that’s when it hit me.

I’d spent my whole life waiting for a cliché love story.

The kind with grand declarations, epic twists, and movie-worthy moments.

But what could be more cliché than this?

A slow burn, friends-to-lovers situation, sitting right across from me with a smug grin and a coffee order she knew by heart.

Maybe the love story I’d been searching for wasn’t in the books after all.

Maybe it was in the girl who’d been there all along.

I reached for my latte, mostly just to have something to do with my hands because my heart was practically sprinting. The ice clinked against the sides of the cup, loud in the quiet between us. Vi was still watching me, her gaze steady, like she wasn’t afraid of what I’d say next. Like she already knew.

But I didn’t know. I didn’t know how to string words together when everything inside me felt tangled—like someone had taken all the pages of my life, ripped them out, and shuffled them around until nothing made sense except her.

So I blurted the first thing that came to mind.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Vi chuckled, shaking her head. “Because I’m an idiot?” She leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. “Or maybe I was just scared. Scared that if I said something, I’d lose you. And losing you… would’ve been worse than keeping it to myself.”

The honesty in her voice settled over me like a weighted blanket—comforting and overwhelming all at once. I thought about every late-night conversation, every casual touch that lingered just a second too long, every time she looked at me like I was her whole world, and I’d been too oblivious to notice.

Maybe I had noticed.

Maybe I was just too scared to admit it.

I glanced down at my muffin, untouched, then back at her. “You’re kind of dumb, you know that?”

She snorted. “Yeah, I’ve been told.”

I smiled, feeling it stretch wider than it had in a long time. “But so am I.”

The words weren’t grand or poetic. There was no sweeping background music, no dramatic lighting. Just the faint hum of the coffee shop, the cold of my drink between my hands, and Vi’s knee still pressed against mine like it belonged there.

And maybe that was enough.

No—it was enough.

I reached across the table, my fingers brushing over hers. She froze for a second, her breath hitching, then slowly turned her hand over so our palms touched. The warmth of her skin sent a quiet thrill through me, something soft and electric all at once.

“I think,” I whispered, “I’ve been on this date with you for years. I just didn’t know it.”

Vi’s smile was different this time—brighter, softer, filled with something that made my chest ache in the best way.

“Yeah,” she murmured. “Me too.”

──────────────────────

We finished eating between bursts of conversation and laughter, and somehow, everything had changed while staying exactly the same. The comfort was still there, woven into the fabric of who we were, but now it carried something electric beneath the surface. The glances were different—the way her eyes drifted to my mouth when I spoke, the way our intertwined hands never strayed, like we’d forgotten how to exist without that connection.

The walk back to my house felt surreal, our fingers laced tightly together, neither of us willing to let go. Every step felt heavier with anticipation, like the world had tilted slightly, and gravity was pulling us toward something inevitable.

And then, standing at my doorstep, she kissed me.

It wasn’t tentative or shy—it was certain, like she’d been waiting her whole life to do it and wasn’t going to waste another second. It felt like being woken up, like every nerve ending had been dormant until that exact moment. My heart raced, but everything else stilled, like the world had gone quiet just for us.

It was the kind of kiss that rewrites everything you thought you knew about love.

Pieces of a puzzle perfectly aligned.

Vi’s hands found my waist, pulling me closer, and she kissed me like her life depended on it—like I was the air she’d been searching for. My fingers threaded through her hair instinctively, and she let out a quiet sigh against my lips that sent shivers down my spine.

When we finally pulled apart, breathless and flushed, she rested her forehead against mine, her thumb brushing soft circles against my cheeks.

“I’ve wanted to do that for so long,” she whispered, her voice low and rough around the edges.

I smiled, my heart still racing, my hands still trembling slightly from the intensity of it all. “Then do it again.”

And she did.

Over and over, like she was making up for all the years we’d been too afraid to cross the line.

But we weren’t afraid anymore.

We stayed there for what felt like forever, just standing in front of my house, wrapped in the warmth of each other’s embrace. It was like time had paused, giving us this perfect moment where nothing else mattered but the two of us. The city sounds faded into the background, and all I could hear was the soft rhythm of her breath mingling with mine.

Eventually, she pulled back, just enough to look at me. Her eyes were full of something I couldn’t quite name, but it made my chest tighten in a way I didn’t want to let go of.

“Are you sure about this?” she asked, her voice softer now, like a fragile question hanging in the air.

I laughed, breathless, my fingers still tracing the edge of her jaw. “Are you kidding? I’ve been sure for longer than I care to admit.”

She smiled, a quiet, content smile that made me want to hold onto it forever. “Good,” she murmured, her lips brushing against mine again, this time slower, like she was savoring the moment, taking her time.

We didn’t need to rush anymore. Not tonight.

We stayed close as we stepped inside, neither of us wanting to break the connection, like if we did, everything we’d built might shatter. Her hand never left mine as we walked through the door, and when we finally reached the couch, we sat side by side, still tangled up in each other, unable to fully separate.

The night stretched out before us, full of possibilities, full of all the unspoken words between us that no longer needed to be said. Every moment felt like a revelation, like we were discovering each other all over again, but in the most intimate way possible.

Vi’s head rested on my shoulder, her breath even and steady now, and I realized, as I looked at the way she fit against me, that this was it. This was the start of something new, something I hadn’t known I was waiting for but had needed all along.

“We’re really doing this, aren’t we?” she whispered, her voice light with amusement but also a touch of something deeper.

I smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “Yeah, we are.”

And for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t scared of what was coming next. Because it wasn’t about the destination anymore—it was about the journey we were going to take together, step by step, kiss by kiss.

And I was ready for all of it.

──────────────────────

masterlist

[cosmiclily]

Rules:

• I’m currently only writing for Vi

• only fem or gender neutral reader!

• I don’t write gore, noncom, incest, abuse, or anything too extreme

• I do write nsfw but only the basics (still getting the hang of it)

──────────────────────

masterlist

[cosmiclily]

Hi guys!! there is a playlist now !!

Bags.ᐟ

⭑ pairing: vi x f!reader

now playing:

Bags

Clairo

▶︎ 0:00 •၊၊||၊|။l|||||l၊|၊၊||၊|။၊၊||၊|။l|||||l၊|l|||||l၊|• -4:20

synopsis: being in love with your childhood best friend wasn’t an easy task, especially when it seemed like the universe was always trying to keep you apart—whether by making violet hook up with every girl in your town or by never giving you the courage to say something. it becomes even harder when she is now also your roommate, who constantly has a new girl over.

──────────★──────────

notes:

I don’t use any physical descriptions for the reader so you can imagine her however you want

cw: modern au, angst, slow burn, miscommunication, reader has self esteem issues.

──────────★──────────

⭑ chapters:

⤷ chapter 1: can you see me using everything to hold back?

⤷ chapter 2: just doin’ to waste more time on the couch

⤷ chapter 3: i should probably keep it all to myself

⤷ chapter 4: i don’t wanna talk to you anymore

⤷ chapter 5: pardon my feelings

⤷ chapter 6: can you figure me out?

⤷ chapter 7: what’s the rush? kissing, then my cheeks are so flush

playlist ✰

[cosmiclily]

her face on angry_01 😔😖😖😭😭😭 she’s so cute

[cosmiclily]

going through the worst writer’s block ever 😔😔😔😔 wrote a bunch of nonsense for the secret of us

if anyone has any requests to make my lizard brain work, i’m taking them

[cosmiclily]

*Drags somthing inside like a cat would**covered in leaves mud and blood*

I found this. Thought you’d appreciate it

-saturn

Ps: HI MOOTIE

Hii baby!!!

Dream blunt rotation but i’m the blunt 😩😩😩😩 i want both of them

[cosmiclily]

hi guys !!

just wanted to say that the chapters will probably take longer from now on, bc i’m back to work on monday 😭😭

[cosmiclily]

the secret of us!vi moodboard

[cosmiclily]

she is so ‼️‼️‼️

chapter seven: no strings

wc: 3k

cw: MDNI. nsfw!!! if you’re uncomfortable, you can skip this chapter

notes: the notes are in the beginning today !! heehee. as i said before, this is the first time i write smut, so bare with me here !!!. i was thinking about making a interview chapter, where you guys send some asks with questions for the characters and they answer, lmk what you guys think!

──────────────────────

The whole way to your apartment, you held tight to Vi’s waist, the air between you felt charged, like there was something unspoken hanging just beneath the surface. By the time you reached your door and fumbled with your keys, your pulse was racing again, though you weren’t sure if it was from the ride or from her presence so close beside you.

Once inside, you set your things down and glanced over at Vi, who had taken off her jacket and was standing in the middle of your living room, looking around like she hadn’t been there a couple of days before. “Nice place, princess” she teased, her tone light, but her eyes met yours with an intensity that sent a shiver down your spine.

You laughed nervously, rubbing the back of your neck. “Yeah, I try to keep it… not a total disaster.”

“Mission accomplished,” she said, smirking as she sank into the couch, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp, always scanning, always present. “So, what’s the plan? You gonna make me coffee, or are we just winging it?”

“I guess we’re winging it,” you said, your voice quieter now, your gaze meeting hers and for a moment, the world seemed to still. The tension in the room shifted, heavy but not uncomfortable, like a string pulled taut, waiting to snap.

And then you kissed her.

It wasn’t like last time—rushed, unplanned, unexpected. This felt like gravity pulling you together. The second your lips met, it was as if the air was knocked out of your lungs, the world fading away until there was only her. Her hands found the curve of your waist, warm and steady, pulling you into her lap as though she couldn’t stand the distance between you. Your fingers tangled in her hair, your pulse pounding so hard it drowned out every other sound.

It was intoxicating, the way she kissed you—not rushed, not hesitant, but deliberate, purposeful, like she’d been waiting for this moment as much as you had. Her lips moved against yours with a certainty that sent shivers down your spine. Every part of you felt alive, your senses heightened, every brush of her lips and shift of her touch sending sparks through your veins.

When you finally pulled back, breathless and dizzy, her forehead rested against yours. Her eyes stayed closed for a moment, her breath warm and uneven against your cheek. Her hands stayed on your waist, her thumbs drawing slow, absent circles over the fabric of your shirt, grounding you both in the moment.

“You’re not gonna freak out tomorrow, are you?” she asked, her voice laced with a playful edge.

You let out a breathy laugh, your lips brushing hers in the motion. “No promises,” you teased, though the weight in your chest told you this was something you didn’t want to regret. Not now.

She smiled at that, her lips curving into something so genuine, so tender, it made your chest ache. Her eyes met yours, and in that moment, there was no room for doubt. No fear, no second-guessing. Just her.

She kissed you with more purpose, her lips firm and demanding against yours, drawing soft, involuntary sounds from your throat—sounds you were sure you’d be mortified tomorrow. But in this moment, you didn’t care. The way her hands gripped your waist, grounding and steadying you, sent a rush of heat coursing through you. You felt completely and utterly consumed by her, like she’d stripped away every layer of hesitation you might have had.

Your short nails dragged through the fading black-dyed hair at the back of her head, tugging just enough to elicit a low, almost growling sound from her that vibrated against your lips. That sound alone sent a shiver down your spine—a mix of exhilaration and desire that left you light-headed. Her hands slid up your back, her touch burning through the thin fabric of your shirt, pulling you impossibly closer, as though she couldn’t get enough.

You felt like you were on fire, your body reacting instinctively to every move she made, every press of her lips and shift of her touch.

Her hands found the hem of your shirt, her movements slowing as she glanced up at you, her eyes searching yours for permission. You nodded, a small but certain gesture, and she didn’t hesitate.

The fabric was gone in an instant, leaving your skin exposed to the cool air, though the heat radiating off her made you feel anything but cold. For a brief moment, you felt vulnerable, her gaze sweeping over you with an intensity that made your heart race. But the feeling passed as soon as her lips pressed against your neck.

She worked her way down slowly, her kisses warm and featherlight against your skin, tracing a path from your neck to your collarbone and lower still.

Vi's lips closed around one of your nipples, and you couldn't help but arch into her, desperate for more contact. Your fingers threaded through her hair, tugging gently to urge her on as she sucked and nipped at the sensitive bud. The dual sensations of her mouth and the pinch of her fingers on your other nipple sent jolts of pleasure racing through your veins, igniting a primal hunger within you.

“F-fuck...” you moaned, the word escaping on a shaky exhale as you rolled your hips, her belt pressing against your aching clit was almost too much to bear, making you shiver.

You tug her out of your breasts, gaining a whimper in protest “If you keep doing this, I’m gonna come, and I really want your fingers inside me.”

Her breath was ragged as she picked you up and made her way to your bedroom, like she owned the place—a stark contrast to just a couple of moments ago, when she had stood there looking a little lost. Now, her confidence was intoxicating, each step purposeful, each movement deliberate, as though she’d shed every trace of hesitation. The way her hands gripped you, firm yet tender, sent a heat coursing through you that made your pulse quicken.

She laid you down on your bed, her movements quick and deliberate as she stripped off her shirt and unbuckled her belt, letting her jeans fall to the floor with a soft thud. Without missing a beat, she returned to you, her lips pressing hungry, open-mouthed kisses along your body. It was as though she was mapping every inch of you, her touch both tender and possessive.

Her gaze never wavered, locked onto yours with a hunger that made your breath hitch. Each kiss felt like a silent declaration, a reminder of the power she held over you in this moment. She paused briefly, her fingers hooking into the waistband of your pants, tugging them down with deliberate ease. Her lips curled into a teasing smirk as her eyes roamed over you, taking in every detail like she was savoring the sight.

“You look so pretty, laid out like this for me, princess” she murmured, her voice low and sultry, the words sending a shiver straight through you. She seemed to enjoy the way your body reacted to her, a predator toying with her prey, yet with a tenderness that made your heart race.

She teased you, her lips and teeth leaving a trail of kisses and bites down your thighs. She moved slowly, deliberately, as if savoring every inch of you, inching closer and closer to your core. The anticipation is unbearable, her warm breath ghosting over your skin, sending shivers through your entire body. Her eyes flicker up to meet yours, a wicked glint dancing in them, as if she knows exactly what she’s doing to you.

Vi pulls your panties to the side, revealing how wet you are for her. Your cheeks flush immediately, and she licks a long, deliberate stripe all the way up to your clit, swirling her tongue over your sensitive bud repeatedly.

You feel an intense heat coursing through you, your legs trembling as you struggle to keep them apart. You let out sounds you didn’t know you could make.

“Oh, god, shit!” You arch your back off the bed, pushing yourself further onto her mouth.

“Please, Vi.” You’re not sure what you’re pleading for; your thoughts are a mess, making it impossible to think straight. The only thing that seems to ground you is the desperate, echoing repetition of her name.

Vi. Vi. Vi. Vi.

It echoes endlessly in your mind, overpowering everything else, until it's the only thing grounding you to the moment.

She tugs on your clit as she adds a finger and you swear you could see stars.

She then adds another, pumping them in and out of you. You could feel her groaning into your cunt, adding on to all the sensations you were drowning on right now.

You close your eyes as your moaning start to get a little desperate, you could feel your body tensing up, the hot lava building up on the pit of your stomach.

You look down and Vi stares back at you, her black hair sticking to her forehead, cheeks flushed a perfect pink, you nearly cry at the sight. Clutching a fistful of her hair, you grind your hips into her tongue, your eyes rolling back as you see white.

“Violet" You drag out her name on a moan

“Yes, yes, yes" Your whole body twitches as you come, you wish you could stay like this forever.

“So good for me, huh?” Vi’s voice was low, her breath hot against your skin as she smirked, her face a mess—your juices glistening on her chin. But you didn’t care. You pulled her up, crashing your lips against hers in a fervent kiss. The taste of yourself on her tongue only made it more intoxicating, the intensity making your head spin.

The kiss deepened, lazy and unhurried now, as though you were both savoring the moment. Her hands roamed over your sides, keeping you close as your lips moved in sync. Gradually, the pounding of your heart began to slow, the dizzying adrenaline giving way to a quiet, smoldering heat.

“My turn,” you whispered into her ear, your voice soft but full of intent. Her eyes darkened with anticipation as you shifted, flipping your positions with surprising ease and straddling her hips.

Vi leaned back against the cushions, her hands instinctively settling on your thighs, her fingers pressing just hard enough to send a shiver through you. Her lips curled into that familiar smirk, but there was no mistaking the hunger in her gaze.

You leaned forward, brushing your lips over her jaw, down to her neck, leaving a trail of kisses and gentle bites. “Let me take care of you,” you murmured, your voice low, your breath warm against her skin.

──────────────────────

You wake up to the sun streaming through the window, its warmth brushing against your skin. The gentle morning breeze rustles the curtains, adding to the serene atmosphere. You roll over, reaching instinctively for Vi, but the bed beside you is empty. A pang of disappointment settles in your chest, though you quickly push it aside. Technically, there’s no reason to expect her to stay. Still, you’d thought she’d have enough consideration not to just slip away like a ghost.

Dragging yourself out of bed, you make your way to the kitchen, your mind half-focused on what you might make for breakfast. But before you even reach the doorway, voices drift down the hall, piquing your curiosity.

Peeking into the living room, you see her—Vi, standing by the door, talking to Margaret, your neighbor.

“Oh, good morning, dear!” Margaret is the first to notice you, her kind smile lighting up her face. But her eyes keep darting toward Vi, who’s doing her best to maintain her usual cool demeanor, though the faintest hint of awkwardness lingers in her posture.

The sight is almost comical: Vi, tough and confident, looking distinctly out of her element as Margaret peppers her with questions and unsolicited advice. You suppress a grin as you step closer.

“Didn’t mean to interrupt,” you say, leaning against the doorframe, your gaze sliding to Vi, who looks both relieved and exasperated to see you.

“Morning,” Vi mutters, a small smirk tugging at her lips. She gestures toward Margaret. “Your neighbor was just dropping off some muffins… and giving me advice about ‘new relationships.’”

You chuckle at the look on Vi’s face but decide to let Margaret enjoy her moment.

“Well, it’s important, isn’t it?” Margaret says, turning her attention to you. “Young love needs care and attention. Don’t let her get away now, dear.” She points at Vi for emphasis, her tone utterly sincere.

You raise an eyebrow, unable to stop the laughter bubbling up. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Vi shifts uncomfortably, scratching the back of her neck, clearly unsure how to navigate the situation. “I should probably—” she starts, but Margaret cuts her off.

“Nonsense! Stay for breakfast. You can’t expect her to eat all these muffins herself, can you?” Margaret gestures to the basket she’s holding.

“I—uh—” Vi stammers, glancing at you for help, her tough exterior cracking just slightly.

You can’t help but grin. “Guess you’re staying for breakfast,” you say, teasing her lightly as you motion for her to follow you into the kitchen.

Margaret beams, clearly pleased with herself. “Lovely! I’ll leave you two to it, then. Enjoy, darlings.” She waves cheerfully before disappearing back into her apartment, leaving you and Vi alone.

Vi lets out a breath, shaking her head with a small laugh. “Your neighbor’s… something else.”

“She’s sweet,” you reply, moving to grab a pan from the cabinet. “And she’s right. You are staying for breakfast.”

Vi smirks, leaning against the counter as she watches you. “Didn’t realize I’d signed up for muffins and life advice this morning.”

You glance over your shoulder, grinning. ���Welcome to my world.”

As you scrambled some eggs and fried bacon, your mind raced, searching for a way to approach the elephant in the room without ruining the calm, easy atmosphere between you. The smell of breakfast fills the air, and Vi’s voice is a soothing backdrop as she leans against the counter, talking animatedly about her new projects. She looks so relaxed, so genuinely excited, and you hate the thought of being the one to shift the mood.

Still, you can’t ignore it. You’ve slept together twice now, and while you’d promised yourself you wouldn’t freak out, you know you need to address it. The words weigh heavy on your tongue, and you take a steadying breath before turning to her.

“So…” You glance at her, doing your best to keep your expression casual. “I know I said I wouldn’t freak out, and I’M NOT. Don’t worry,” you add quickly, holding up a hand to reassure her when her brows start to knit together.

Vi raises an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “Uh-huh.”

“Yesterday was amazing. Really, it was,” you continue, forcing yourself to maintain eye contact. “But, uh… What are we doing? Because we agreed to keep things professional and not… you know, sleep with each other again.”

You falter slightly, rubbing the back of your neck. “And I know it’s my fault. I invited you over,” you admit, cringing a little at how awkward you sound.

Vi tilts her head, studying you for a moment before she straightens up and walks over to you. She places a hand on the counter, her posture relaxed but her expression unreadable.

“Yeah, we did agree on that,” she says, her tone light but with a hint of something serious beneath it. “But, let’s be honest… neither of us is exactly great at sticking to that rule, are we?”

You let out a nervous laugh, and she grins, her usual confidence shining through.

“Look,” she says, her voice softening. “I get why you’re bringing this up. And I’m not trying to dodge the question. We should talk about it. But…” She gestures toward the stove. “Can we eat first? Maybe not burn the eggs while we’re at it?”

Her teasing tone eases some of your tension, and you nod, a small smile tugging at your lips. “Fair enough.”

“Good,” she says, giving your shoulder a reassuring squeeze before stepping back. “Then we’ll figure this out. Together.”

You eat your breakfast together, the conversation flowing effortlessly. Everything feels so domestic, so easy, and for a brief moment, you let yourself imagine what it would be like to have this all the time. The warmth of Vi’s presence, the sound of her laugh—it feels dangerously comforting. But as quickly as the thought comes, you push it away. You’ve told yourself countless times: you’re not ready to start anything serious with anyone, especially not with someone who just got out of a long-term relationship. But what if you didn’t have to stop this?

“I was thinking,” you start, keeping your tone casual as you glance at her. “Maybe we shouldn’t stop this.”

Vi looks up from her empty coffee mug, raising an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“Well…” You hesitate for a moment, gathering your thoughts. “We like what we’re doing, right? It’s not like we’re hurting anyone—so far, at least. That’s something we can figure out if it ever becomes an issue. But what if we kept… this going? Without the commitment part?”

Vi leans back in her chair, crossing her arms as she studies you, a curious look on her face. “Go on.”

You swallow hard but keep talking. “Well, I know you’re not over Caitlyn. And you know I don’t want a relationship. So… what’s the harm in keeping this just between us? No strings, no expectations. Just… our secret.”

For a moment, she doesn’t say anything, her expression unreadable. Then, a small smirk tugs at the corner of her mouth. “So, what you’re suggesting is… friends with benefits?”

You nod slowly, feeling your face heat. “Yeah, I guess that’s one way to put it.”

Vi leans forward, resting her elbows on the table as she looks at you intently considering your words for a moment before a mischievous grin spreads across her face. “Alright. No strings, no drama. Just us. I can work with that.”

──────────────────────

masterlist - chapter eight

taglist: @saturnhas82moons @oidloid @vaebear @wicked-laugh @baylegend6

[cosmiclily]

chapter seven: no strings

wc: 3k

cw: MDNI. nsfw!!! if you’re uncomfortable, you can skip this chapter

notes: the notes are in the beginning today !! heehee. as i said before, this is the first time i write smut, so bare with me here !!!. i was thinking about making a interview chapter, where you guys send some asks with questions for the characters and they answer, lmk what you guys think!

──────────────────────

The whole way to your apartment, you held tight to Vi’s waist, the air between you felt charged, like there was something unspoken hanging just beneath the surface. By the time you reached your door and fumbled with your keys, your pulse was racing again, though you weren’t sure if it was from the ride or from her presence so close beside you.

Once inside, you set your things down and glanced over at Vi, who had taken off her jacket and was standing in the middle of your living room, looking around like she hadn’t been there a couple of days before. “Nice place, princess” she teased, her tone light, but her eyes met yours with an intensity that sent a shiver down your spine.

You laughed nervously, rubbing the back of your neck. “Yeah, I try to keep it… not a total disaster.”

“Mission accomplished,” she said, smirking as she sank into the couch, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp, always scanning, always present. “So, what’s the plan? You gonna make me coffee, or are we just winging it?”

“I guess we’re winging it,” you said, your voice quieter now, your gaze meeting hers and for a moment, the world seemed to still. The tension in the room shifted, heavy but not uncomfortable, like a string pulled taut, waiting to snap.

And then you kissed her.

It wasn’t like last time—rushed, unplanned, unexpected. This felt like gravity pulling you together. The second your lips met, it was as if the air was knocked out of your lungs, the world fading away until there was only her. Her hands found the curve of your waist, warm and steady, pulling you into her lap as though she couldn’t stand the distance between you. Your fingers tangled in her hair, your pulse pounding so hard it drowned out every other sound.

It was intoxicating, the way she kissed you—not rushed, not hesitant, but deliberate, purposeful, like she’d been waiting for this moment as much as you had. Her lips moved against yours with a certainty that sent shivers down your spine. Every part of you felt alive, your senses heightened, every brush of her lips and shift of her touch sending sparks through your veins.

When you finally pulled back, breathless and dizzy, her forehead rested against yours. Her eyes stayed closed for a moment, her breath warm and uneven against your cheek. Her hands stayed on your waist, her thumbs drawing slow, absent circles over the fabric of your shirt, grounding you both in the moment.

“You’re not gonna freak out tomorrow, are you?” she asked, her voice laced with a playful edge.

You let out a breathy laugh, your lips brushing hers in the motion. “No promises,” you teased, though the weight in your chest told you this was something you didn’t want to regret. Not now.

She smiled at that, her lips curving into something so genuine, so tender, it made your chest ache. Her eyes met yours, and in that moment, there was no room for doubt. No fear, no second-guessing. Just her.

She kissed you with more purpose, her lips firm and demanding against yours, drawing soft, involuntary sounds from your throat—sounds you were sure you’d be mortified tomorrow. But in this moment, you didn’t care. The way her hands gripped your waist, grounding and steadying you, sent a rush of heat coursing through you. You felt completely and utterly consumed by her, like she’d stripped away every layer of hesitation you might have had.

Your short nails dragged through the fading black-dyed hair at the back of her head, tugging just enough to elicit a low, almost growling sound from her that vibrated against your lips. That sound alone sent a shiver down your spine—a mix of exhilaration and desire that left you light-headed. Her hands slid up your back, her touch burning through the thin fabric of your shirt, pulling you impossibly closer, as though she couldn’t get enough.

You felt like you were on fire, your body reacting instinctively to every move she made, every press of her lips and shift of her touch.

Her hands found the hem of your shirt, her movements slowing as she glanced up at you, her eyes searching yours for permission. You nodded, a small but certain gesture, and she didn’t hesitate.

The fabric was gone in an instant, leaving your skin exposed to the cool air, though the heat radiating off her made you feel anything but cold. For a brief moment, you felt vulnerable, her gaze sweeping over you with an intensity that made your heart race. But the feeling passed as soon as her lips pressed against your neck.

She worked her way down slowly, her kisses warm and featherlight against your skin, tracing a path from your neck to your collarbone and lower still.

Vi's lips closed around one of your nipples, and you couldn't help but arch into her, desperate for more contact. Your fingers threaded through her hair, tugging gently to urge her on as she sucked and nipped at the sensitive bud. The dual sensations of her mouth and the pinch of her fingers on your other nipple sent jolts of pleasure racing through your veins, igniting a primal hunger within you.

“F-fuck...” you moaned, the word escaping on a shaky exhale as you rolled your hips, her belt pressing against your aching clit was almost too much to bear, making you shiver.

You tug her out of your breasts, gaining a whimper in protest “If you keep doing this, I’m gonna come, and I really want your fingers inside me.”

Her breath was ragged as she picked you up and made her way to your bedroom, like she owned the place—a stark contrast to just a couple of moments ago, when she had stood there looking a little lost. Now, her confidence was intoxicating, each step purposeful, each movement deliberate, as though she’d shed every trace of hesitation. The way her hands gripped you, firm yet tender, sent a heat coursing through you that made your pulse quicken.

She laid you down on your bed, her movements quick and deliberate as she stripped off her shirt and unbuckled her belt, letting her jeans fall to the floor with a soft thud. Without missing a beat, she returned to you, her lips pressing hungry, open-mouthed kisses along your body. It was as though she was mapping every inch of you, her touch both tender and possessive.

Her gaze never wavered, locked onto yours with a hunger that made your breath hitch. Each kiss felt like a silent declaration, a reminder of the power she held over you in this moment. She paused briefly, her fingers hooking into the waistband of your pants, tugging them down with deliberate ease. Her lips curled into a teasing smirk as her eyes roamed over you, taking in every detail like she was savoring the sight.

“You look so pretty, laid out like this for me, princess” she murmured, her voice low and sultry, the words sending a shiver straight through you. She seemed to enjoy the way your body reacted to her, a predator toying with her prey, yet with a tenderness that made your heart race.

She teased you, her lips and teeth leaving a trail of kisses and bites down your thighs. She moved slowly, deliberately, as if savoring every inch of you, inching closer and closer to your core. The anticipation is unbearable, her warm breath ghosting over your skin, sending shivers through your entire body. Her eyes flicker up to meet yours, a wicked glint dancing in them, as if she knows exactly what she’s doing to you.

Vi pulls your panties to the side, revealing how wet you are for her. Your cheeks flush immediately, and she licks a long, deliberate stripe all the way up to your clit, swirling her tongue over your sensitive bud repeatedly.

You feel an intense heat coursing through you, your legs trembling as you struggle to keep them apart. You let out sounds you didn’t know you could make.

“Oh, god, shit!” You arch your back off the bed, pushing yourself further onto her mouth.

“Please, Vi.” You’re not sure what you’re pleading for; your thoughts are a mess, making it impossible to think straight. The only thing that seems to ground you is the desperate, echoing repetition of her name.

Vi. Vi. Vi. Vi.

It echoes endlessly in your mind, overpowering everything else, until it's the only thing grounding you to the moment.

She tugs on your clit as she adds a finger and you swear you could see stars.

She then adds another, pumping them in and out of you. You could feel her groaning into your cunt, adding on to all the sensations you were drowning on right now.

You close your eyes as your moaning start to get a little desperate, you could feel your body tensing up, the hot lava building up on the pit of your stomach.

You look down and Vi stares back at you, her black hair sticking to her forehead, cheeks flushed a perfect pink, you nearly cry at the sight. Clutching a fistful of her hair, you grind your hips into her tongue, your eyes rolling back as you see white.

“Violet" You drag out her name on a moan

“Yes, yes, yes" Your whole body twitches as you come, you wish you could stay like this forever.

“So good for me, huh?” Vi’s voice was low, her breath hot against your skin as she smirked, her face a mess—your juices glistening on her chin. But you didn’t care. You pulled her up, crashing your lips against hers in a fervent kiss. The taste of yourself on her tongue only made it more intoxicating, the intensity making your head spin.

The kiss deepened, lazy and unhurried now, as though you were both savoring the moment. Her hands roamed over your sides, keeping you close as your lips moved in sync. Gradually, the pounding of your heart began to slow, the dizzying adrenaline giving way to a quiet, smoldering heat.

“My turn,” you whispered into her ear, your voice soft but full of intent. Her eyes darkened with anticipation as you shifted, flipping your positions with surprising ease and straddling her hips.

Vi leaned back against the cushions, her hands instinctively settling on your thighs, her fingers pressing just hard enough to send a shiver through you. Her lips curled into that familiar smirk, but there was no mistaking the hunger in her gaze.

You leaned forward, brushing your lips over her jaw, down to her neck, leaving a trail of kisses and gentle bites. “Let me take care of you,” you murmured, your voice low, your breath warm against her skin.

──────────────────────

You wake up to the sun streaming through the window, its warmth brushing against your skin. The gentle morning breeze rustles the curtains, adding to the serene atmosphere. You roll over, reaching instinctively for Vi, but the bed beside you is empty. A pang of disappointment settles in your chest, though you quickly push it aside. Technically, there’s no reason to expect her to stay. Still, you’d thought she’d have enough consideration not to just slip away like a ghost.

Dragging yourself out of bed, you make your way to the kitchen, your mind half-focused on what you might make for breakfast. But before you even reach the doorway, voices drift down the hall, piquing your curiosity.

Peeking into the living room, you see her—Vi, standing by the door, talking to Margaret, your neighbor.

“Oh, good morning, dear!” Margaret is the first to notice you, her kind smile lighting up her face. But her eyes keep darting toward Vi, who’s doing her best to maintain her usual cool demeanor, though the faintest hint of awkwardness lingers in her posture.

The sight is almost comical: Vi, tough and confident, looking distinctly out of her element as Margaret peppers her with questions and unsolicited advice. You suppress a grin as you step closer.

“Didn’t mean to interrupt,” you say, leaning against the doorframe, your gaze sliding to Vi, who looks both relieved and exasperated to see you.

“Morning,” Vi mutters, a small smirk tugging at her lips. She gestures toward Margaret. “Your neighbor was just dropping off some muffins… and giving me advice about ‘new relationships.’”

You chuckle at the look on Vi’s face but decide to let Margaret enjoy her moment.

“Well, it’s important, isn’t it?” Margaret says, turning her attention to you. “Young love needs care and attention. Don’t let her get away now, dear.” She points at Vi for emphasis, her tone utterly sincere.

You raise an eyebrow, unable to stop the laughter bubbling up. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Vi shifts uncomfortably, scratching the back of her neck, clearly unsure how to navigate the situation. “I should probably—” she starts, but Margaret cuts her off.

“Nonsense! Stay for breakfast. You can’t expect her to eat all these muffins herself, can you?” Margaret gestures to the basket she’s holding.

“I—uh—” Vi stammers, glancing at you for help, her tough exterior cracking just slightly.

You can’t help but grin. “Guess you’re staying for breakfast,” you say, teasing her lightly as you motion for her to follow you into the kitchen.

Margaret beams, clearly pleased with herself. “Lovely! I’ll leave you two to it, then. Enjoy, darlings.” She waves cheerfully before disappearing back into her apartment, leaving you and Vi alone.

Vi lets out a breath, shaking her head with a small laugh. “Your neighbor’s… something else.”

“She’s sweet,” you reply, moving to grab a pan from the cabinet. “And she’s right. You are staying for breakfast.”

Vi smirks, leaning against the counter as she watches you. “Didn’t realize I’d signed up for muffins and life advice this morning.”

You glance over your shoulder, grinning. “Welcome to my world.”

As you scrambled some eggs and fried bacon, your mind raced, searching for a way to approach the elephant in the room without ruining the calm, easy atmosphere between you. The smell of breakfast fills the air, and Vi’s voice is a soothing backdrop as she leans against the counter, talking animatedly about her new projects. She looks so relaxed, so genuinely excited, and you hate the thought of being the one to shift the mood.

Still, you can’t ignore it. You’ve slept together twice now, and while you’d promised yourself you wouldn’t freak out, you know you need to address it. The words weigh heavy on your tongue, and you take a steadying breath before turning to her.

“So…” You glance at her, doing your best to keep your expression casual. “I know I said I wouldn’t freak out, and I’M NOT. Don’t worry,” you add quickly, holding up a hand to reassure her when her brows start to knit together.

Vi raises an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “Uh-huh.”

“Yesterday was amazing. Really, it was,” you continue, forcing yourself to maintain eye contact. “But, uh… What are we doing? Because we agreed to keep things professional and not… you know, sleep with each other again.”

You falter slightly, rubbing the back of your neck. “And I know it’s my fault. I invited you over,” you admit, cringing a little at how awkward you sound.

Vi tilts her head, studying you for a moment before she straightens up and walks over to you. She places a hand on the counter, her posture relaxed but her expression unreadable.

“Yeah, we did agree on that,” she says, her tone light but with a hint of something serious beneath it. “But, let’s be honest… neither of us is exactly great at sticking to that rule, are we?”

You let out a nervous laugh, and she grins, her usual confidence shining through.

“Look,” she says, her voice softening. “I get why you’re bringing this up. And I’m not trying to dodge the question. We should talk about it. But…” She gestures toward the stove. “Can we eat first? Maybe not burn the eggs while we’re at it?”

Her teasing tone eases some of your tension, and you nod, a small smile tugging at your lips. “Fair enough.”

“Good,” she says, giving your shoulder a reassuring squeeze before stepping back. “Then we’ll figure this out. Together.”

You eat your breakfast together, the conversation flowing effortlessly. Everything feels so domestic, so easy, and for a brief moment, you let yourself imagine what it would be like to have this all the time. The warmth of Vi’s presence, the sound of her laugh—it feels dangerously comforting. But as quickly as the thought comes, you push it away. You’ve told yourself countless times: you’re not ready to start anything serious with anyone, especially not with someone who just got out of a long-term relationship. But what if you didn’t have to stop this?

“I was thinking,” you start, keeping your tone casual as you glance at her. “Maybe we shouldn’t stop this.”

Vi looks up from her empty coffee mug, raising an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“Well…” You hesitate for a moment, gathering your thoughts. “We like what we’re doing, right? It’s not like we’re hurting anyone—so far, at least. That’s something we can figure out if it ever becomes an issue. But what if we kept… this going? Without the commitment part?”

Vi leans back in her chair, crossing her arms as she studies you, a curious look on her face. “Go on.”

You swallow hard but keep talking. “Well, I know you’re not over Caitlyn. And you know I don’t want a relationship. So… what’s the harm in keeping this just between us? No strings, no expectations. Just… our secret.”

For a moment, she doesn’t say anything, her expression unreadable. Then, a small smirk tugs at the corner of her mouth. “So, what you’re suggesting is… friends with benefits?”

You nod slowly, feeling your face heat. “Yeah, I guess that’s one way to put it.”

Vi leans forward, resting her elbows on the table as she looks at you intently considering your words for a moment before a mischievous grin spreads across her face. “Alright. No strings, no drama. Just us. I can work with that.”

──────────────────────

masterlist - chapter eight

taglist: @saturnhas82moons @oidloid @vaebear @wicked-laugh @baylegend6

[cosmiclily]

should i post the next chapter today?

[cosmiclily]

chapter six: dreams

wc: 2.7k

cw: drinking

A couple of weeks after the meeting, the four of you finally secured an appointment with the head director of the label. It was the moment you’d all been waiting for, yet the anticipation left you on edge. The director had asked for a portfolio of materials—demos, performance videos, and a few polished tracks—and you had delivered, spending days perfecting every detail to ensure the band’s best work was on display.

The meeting was scheduled at one of the label’s premier recording studios, a sprawling, state-of-the-art facility that felt miles away from the DIY setup you were used to. Walking into the studio for the first time was like stepping into another world. The walls were lined with platinum records, and the sleek, modern equipment glinted under the soft glow of recessed lighting. The air itself felt charged with possibility, as though the walls held echoes of every hit song ever recorded there.

Ekko was the first to comment, his eyes wide as he took in the control room. “This… this is insane,” he whispered, running a hand over one of the massive soundboards. “Do you even know what this thing can do? It’s worth more than my car. Hell, probably more than my house.”

Jinx was equally in awe, practically bouncing as she examined the vocal booth through the glass panel. “Do you think we’ll get to record in here? Like, for real? I mean, listen to this!” She clapped her hands together, and the perfect acoustics made even the small sound echo like a symphony.

You couldn’t help but smile at their excitement, though your attention kept drifting to Vi, who was standing near the drum kit set up in the live room. She ran her fingers over the polished cymbals and nodded quietly, her expression unreadable.

“Feels different, doesn’t it?” you said, stepping up beside her.

“Yeah,” she replied softly. “It’s… surreal. We’ve been recording in Ekko’s garage for so long, I didn’t think we’d ever get here.”

“Don’t forget the soundproofing foam we duct-taped to the walls,” you teased, earning a small chuckle from her.

“Hey, that foam was the MVP,” she said, her lips curving into a smirk. “But this? This is on another level.”

When the director finally arrived, a tall man in a crisp blazer with a presence that immediately commanded respect, you all quickly gathered in the control room. He introduced himself as Mark Caldwell and wasted no time in getting down to business.

“First of all, let me say, your demo impressed the hell out of me,” he began, leaning against the console as he addressed the group. “I’ve been in this industry a long time, and I can tell when a band has something real. You’ve got it. Now, the challenge is taking that raw talent and refining it without losing what makes it special.”

He gestured toward the studio equipment. “This place is yours for the next few hours. I want you to record a live session—no pressure, just play like you’re at one of your shows. We’ll use it as a baseline to figure out where to go next. Sounds good?”

You all nodded, a mix of excitement and nerves bubbling under the surface.

“Good,” Mark said, standing up straight. “One more thing. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about capturing who you are as a band. Don’t overthink it—just play.”

The four of you exchanged glances.

“Well,” Ekko said, cracking his knuckles, “looks like it’s time to show them what we’ve got.”

“So what do you guys want to play?” Jinx asks, looking at the three of you

As you settled into your positions, the reality of the moment hit you. For years, you’d made do with what you had—recording in Ekko’s garage, using secondhand equipment, and figuring it all out as you went. But now, standing in a professional studio with the best gear and people in the industry at your disposal, it felt like everything was about to change.

And when you played the first note, it did. The sound was unlike anything you’d ever heard before—clean, rich, and so alive it sent chills down your spine. The way the instruments blended was pure magic, with Vi’s precise drumming anchoring the rhythm, Ekko’s basslines adding a steady pulse, and Jinx’s electrifying guitar melodies soaring with clarity. But it wasn’t just the instruments; your voice brought it all together, cutting through the air with a resonance that felt larger than life.

For the first time, you felt like a real singer, not just someone chasing a dream in Ekko’s garage. The way the studio’s acoustics carried your voice made every word, every note, feel like it had its own weight. You started with some new, unreleased tracks, carefully chosen to showcase the band’s growth, but by the end, you let yourself get lost in the moment.

“Alright,” you said into the mic, your tone playful as you looked at the others. “Let’s mix it up.”

Jinx immediately picked up on your energy, her guitar shifting into an improvised riff. “Finally! I thought we were gonna stay on script forever,” she teased, throwing a grin your way.

Ekko rolled his eyes but joined in, his bassline syncing effortlessly with her experimental melody. “Just don’t blame me if we go off the rails,” he joked.

“Keep up, kids,” Vi said from behind her drum kit, her sticks tapping out a steady rhythm as she grounded the improvised jam.

And then you sang. Lyrics you hadn’t planned spilled out, and the band followed your lead. The energy was raw, unfiltered, and powerful. You could feel it in the way your voice hit the high notes, in the way Jinx’s guitar seemed to sing with you, and in the way Vi and Ekko kept the entire thing tight yet vibrant.

By the time the final note rang out, the room felt charged with energy. You looked up, breathless, to see the label director, Mark, grinning on the other side of the glass. His voice came through the speakers, making you jump slightly.

“Well, I think that was all I needed to hear. You guys were great,” he said, his tone calm but full of certainty.

The words hung in the air for a moment before Jinx, ever the bold one, leaned into the mic in front of her. “Wait, great as in good? Or great as in ‘We’re sending your manager a contract tomorrow’ great?”

Mark chuckled, shaking his head. “The second one. Congratulations, guys. You’ve got it. Now go celebrate—because this is just the start.”

The room exploded into cheers. Jinx spun around, hugging her guitar before giving Ekko an enthusiastic high-five. Vi smirked, twirling a drumstick as she leaned back in her chair, the hint of pride unmistakable. Ekko laughed, clapping you on the shoulder.

You stood there, the reality of his words sinking in. This was it. The years of hard work, late-night rehearsals, and doubts had led to this moment.

Jinx threw an arm around your shoulders, her grin wide. “Told you we’d make it,” she said, nudging you playfully.

“You’re right,” you replied, unable to keep the smile off your face. “We really did.”

As you all packed up your instruments, Mark’s words echoed in your mind. This wasn’t just the end of a chapter—it was the start of something much bigger. You looked around at your bandmates, their excitement mirroring your own, and felt a spark of determination.

──────────────────────

“So, what now?” you asked, standing outside the record label building. You were still walking on cloud nine, adrenaline coursing through your veins. Your whole body felt electrified, as though the energy from the session hadn’t left you. The night air was cool, but it couldn’t temper the heat of excitement bubbling inside you. “If I go home right now, I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.”

“Me neither, to be honest. I feel like I just downed five of those energy drinks Jinx is obsessed with,” Ekko said, laughing as he leaned against the railing beside you.

Jinx smirked, swinging her guitar case over her shoulder. “Come on, my energy drinks are what keep this band alive. You’d all be half-asleep without me.”

“You’re the last person who needs more caffeine,” Vi quipped, twirling a drumstick in her hand like she always did when she was buzzing with energy. “But yeah, I’m not ready to call it a night either.”

Ekko tilted his head thoughtfully. “So, what do we do? Celebrate? Grab some food? Go somewhere?”

“I know the last time we went to a club, you guys hated me for a couple of days, *but*,” Jinx said, dragging the word out and batting her eyelashes in exaggerated innocence, “we don’t have anything scheduled for tomorrow. I vote we go out for drinks.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Jinx, the last time we went out for drinks, you ended up dancing on the bar and Ekko got into an argument with the DJ.”

“Correction,” Jinx said, pointing a finger at you. “Ekko got into an argument because the DJ wouldn’t play my request. And, if I recall correctly, you weren’t exactly sober or innocent that night either. You disappeared after claiming you were going 'to the bathroom,'” she said, making air quotes with her fingers.

Vi chuckled, clearly recalling what actually happened. “You know what? I’m down,” she said with a smirk, leaning back against the railing. “I mean, we deserve it after today.”

Ekko groaned. “I don’t know if my reputation can survive another night like that, but…” He shrugged, a grin spreading across his face. “Screw it. Let’s do it.”

“That’s the spirit!” Jinx cheered, punching the air in victory. “Okay, I know just the place. It’s got cheap drinks, good music, and enough chaos to keep things interesting.”

“Sounds like trouble,” you muttered, but the excitement was already building. It had been a long time since you’d let loose, and the adrenaline from the studio session was still buzzing in your veins. “Alright, Jinx. Let’s just leave these things at my place, and we can go.”

After a quick stop at your apartment to drop off your instruments, Jinx led the way to the spot she’d been so excited about.

It was a pleasant surprise. The place was leagues better than the chaotic club she’d dragged you to in LA. The DJ was playing a mix of upbeat and chill tracks that actually made sense together, the lighting was warm and inviting, and it wasn’t packed to the point of suffocation. People were dancing in small, carefree groups, while others mingled at the bar or lounged around tables, laughing and enjoying themselves. It felt alive in the best way—a comfortable buzz of energy without the overwhelming chaos of your previous outing.

You stopped at the bar first, each of you ordering your drinks. Jinx, naturally, went for something vibrant and sugary—her cocktail an almost cartoonish shade of blue. Vi opted for something simple, a whiskey neat, while Ekko chose a craft beer after taking an unnecessarily long time debating his options. You ordered your go-to, letting the familiarity ground you for a moment before following Jinx to an open table near the edge of the room.

As the four of you settled into the cushy seats, drinks in hand, you raised your glass to the group. “To us,” you said with a grin, the words heartfelt. “And to whatever comes next.”

“To whatever comes next!” Jinx echoed, clinking her glass against yours with a grin before taking a long sip of her cocktail. She lowered it, her eyes sparkling as she glanced around the lively room. “I can’t believe this is actually happening,” she said, her voice filled with awe. She gestured with her drink, the blue liquid sloshing slightly. “I mean, this is it. We’re actually doing it. No more garage demos. No more begging venues to let us open for a band nobody’s heard of. We’re in.”

Vi nodded, swirling her whiskey lazily in its glass. “Feels good, doesn’t it? Feels like…” She paused, searching for the right words. “Like maybe all the crap we’ve been through was worth it.”

“It better have been,” Ekko said with a laugh, raising his beer. “I didn’t waste years soundproofing my garage just to get here and not enjoy it.”

Jinx snorted. “You mean *we* didn’t waste years soundproofing your garage. Let’s not forget who came up with the duct-tape-and-blanket solution when we ran out of foam.”

“I’m pretty sure that was me,” Vi cut in, smirking. “I was the one who said it wasn’t gonna hold and then ended up holding it anyway.”

The laughter came easy, the banter flowing naturally as you reminisced about the less-than-glamorous moments that had brought you here. For a while, it felt like time slowed, the stress and pressure of the industry melting away. It was just the four of you, a table full of drinks, and the unshakable bond that had carried you through every late-night rehearsal and every failed gig.

As the night wore on, you found yourself watching your bandmates with a kind of quiet affection. Jinx was animated, her hands flying wildly as she retold the story of one of your earliest shows—a chaotic disaster back then, but hilarious now. Ekko leaned back in his chair, laughing so hard his beer nearly tipped over, his deep, booming chuckles contagious. And Vi… Vi was quieter than the others, but her eyes were bright, her smirk constant as she leaned her elbow on the table, soaking it all in. She looked at ease, her usual guarded exterior melted away in the warmth of the moment.

Your face was warm too, though you weren’t sure if it was from the alcohol or the swirl of emotions bubbling in your chest. They were your family—a little crooked, with sharp edges that didn’t always fit perfectly together—but they were yours, and you loved them for it. Through the fights, the failures, and the small victories, they were the constant that kept you going.

Eventually, after Ekko’s near-miss with his beer and Jinx’s attempt to convince the bartender to name a cocktail after her, you decided to call it a night. The four of you spilled out onto the street, the cool night air hitting your flushed cheeks as you laughed about nothing in particular.

Ekko and Jinx shared an uber, Jinx dramatically leaning out of the window as it pulled away. “Don’t forget, we’re crashing your place tomorrow to grab our stuff!” she called, pointing at you as the car disappeared into the distance.

And then it was just you and Vi, standing in the quiet outside the bar. The sounds of the city buzzed faintly in the background, but it felt like a bubble had formed around the two of you. She stuffed her hands in her jacket pockets, glancing at you with a small, amused smile.

“Guess it’s just us now,” she said, her tone casual, but there was a softness in her voice that made your chest tighten.

You hesitated for a moment, your heart pounding as you worked up the courage to ask what had been sitting at the edge of your mind all night. “Do you… I don’t know, wanna come over?” The words came out as smoothly as you could manage, though you were sure your voice betrayed some of the nervous energy bubbling beneath the surface. You tried to play it off as casual, but the truth was far from it.

The truth was, you had spent the week after coming home thinking about the last night you had shared together. Maybe it hadn’t been planned; maybe it had surprised you both when she woke up in your bed. But in the moment, it had felt right—like you were meant to be kissing her neck, like she was meant to be holding you that way. You had tried to shake it off, to attribute it to adrenaline and too many drinks, but the memory clung to you. And now, standing here with her, it burned fresh in your mind.

Vi tilted her head, studying you for a moment, and you couldn’t tell what she was thinking. The silence stretched just long enough to make you second-guess yourself, but then she nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Yeah,” she said softly. “I’d like that.”

Relief and excitement hit you all at once, but you kept your composure, nodding as you gestured in the direction of her bike. “Alright. Let’s go.”

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masterlist - chapter seven

notes: there is a surprise next chapter lol

taglist: @saturnhas82moons @baylegend6 @oidloid @vaebear @wicked-laugh