jinnie-ret

[jinnie-ret]

you are so talented I can barely even put it into words 😭 but characterisation of the bride, the PLOT TWIST (I was so not expecting that?), I could visualise the descriptions so clearly in my head it was THAT good

you smashed it 🥰💜

࣪ ִֶָ☾. A Knight In Christmas Armor ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

(Pt 2)

࣪ ִֶָ☾.Pairing - Seungmin x Fem Reader

࣪ ִֶָ☾.Plot - When your aunt leaves for a Christmas trip, she gives you the keys to her house and cats to look after, and you eagerly accept. However, strange and creepy things start happening, culminating in eerie voices echoing through a chilly night. After a scream sends your annoying ex-best friend, Seungmin, to your door, you find yourselves trapped inside with the cats and mysterious voices, as the faulty door won’t lock or open properly.

࣪ ִֶָ☾.Genre - Supernatural, Action, Angst, Comedy, Fluff

࣪ ִֶָ☾.Warnings - Supernatural stuff, blood, a lot of swearing, mentions of sacrifice, action, angsty, hurt to comfort, fluff, horror comedy, non idol au, ex best friends to lovers

࣪ ִֶָ☾.Word Count - 10 K ࣪ ִֶָ☾.Screenshot Count - 3

࣪ ִֶָ☾.A/N - Episode 7 of Staymas is here, bringing a mix of supernatural fantasy and comedy because what’s Staymas without a hint of horror? It’s my first attempt at this genre in a while, and while I feel it’s a bit rushed, I’d love to hear your thoughts! (Slightly proofread, so apologies for any mistakes 🙂‍↕️ ) Split into two parts because Tumblr, as always, hates me 🙄

࣪ ִֶָ☾.SKZ Masterlist ࣪ ִֶָ☾.STAYMAS Masterlist

Part 1 Here

In another room, dimly lit and eerily still like yours, Seungmin stood before his own mirror. The same blood-red rose rested in his hand, its thorns pressing into his skin. He hesitated, staring at his reflection, his jaw tightening as if he could hold himself together through sheer will.

The ghost bride’s voice coiled around him, cold and unyielding. “Face your past, Seungmin. Only then can you move forward.”

With a sharp inhale, Seungmin pricked his finger on the rose’s thorn. The mirror rippled like water, and the glossy surface transformed, pulling him into a swirl of memories.

The first image surfaced, a younger Seungmin, small and timid, standing at the entrance of a classroom on his first day of school. His hands gripped the straps of his backpack, his gaze darting nervously across the room. And then he saw you.

Bright-eyed, a whirlwind of energy, you bounded over to him without hesitation. “Hi! I’m Y/N. Want to sit with me?”

He remembered his hesitation so vividly, the way his heart had pounded in fear of rejection. But your smile was so genuine, so welcoming, that it had pulled him in like a lifeline.

The scene shifted, flickering like a reel of film. The playground came into view, the two of you laughing as you pushed each other on the swings. The memory of your laughter echoed around him, warming his chest despite the chill of the room.

The mirror rippled again, showing the times you had stood up for him when others teased him for being too quiet. How you always knew when he needed space but never let him retreat too far into himself.

“You’re my best friend, Minnie,” your younger self said, clutching his hand tightly after a particularly rough day. “I’ve got your back, okay?”

He had held onto those words like a lifeline. Through the years, as you both grew older, they had anchored him.

The scenes shifted again. High school. Late-night study sessions where you teased him about how meticulous he was, but you stayed, no matter how late it got. The time you stood in the front row at his music recital, cheering louder than anyone else, your face glowing with pride as if his success were your own.

You had become his safe space, a constant in a world that often felt cold and unpredictable. With you, he didn’t have to wear a mask or pretend to be someone he wasn’t. He could be quiet, thoughtful, even vulnerable, and you never once made him feel like those were flaws. With you, he could just be.

But as the reflection darkened, the comfort of those memories gave way to shadows of his past.

Seungmin’s smile faded as the mirror revealed a different part of his story, his home.

There, in the dim light of his childhood dining room, sat his younger self. Small, timid, and sitting in silence as his parents’ cold, disapproving voices echoed around him.

“Why can’t you be more like your brother?” his father’s voice boomed, sharp and cutting.

“You’re too quiet, Seungmin,” his father continued, his gaze piercing. “You’ll never succeed if you don’t speak up. No one respects a boy who doesn’t know how to lead.”

His mother’s words weren’t any softer. “No one will want you around if you don’t learn to stand out. You’re forgettable, Seungmin. Do you want to be forgotten?”

He remembered sitting there, forcing himself to swallow every word, every pang of shame, every tear threatening to spill. He buried it deep, locking it away where no one could see, pretending it didn’t hurt. But it had. Their words carved themselves into his soul, lingering long after the arguments ended, shaping the way he saw himself.

The voices echoed in the mirror, relentless and cruel.

“You’ll never be enough!”

But then, as if to chase away the darkness, your image appeared in the mirror. Like a beam of light breaking through storm clouds, there you were, pulling him out of the house on a warm evening.

He saw the memory as vividly as if he were living it again, your determined expression as you tugged his hand, leading him to the ice cream shop after school. “You need to get out of that stuffy house,” you had said, handing him a cone and giggling as you accidentally smeared whipped cream on your nose.

“You’re too serious, Minnie,” you teased, your voice warm and full of life. “Smile more. The world’s not so bad when you have ice cream.”

And he had smiled then,not because of the ice cream, but because of you. You had this inexplicable way of making the world feel lighter, as though your presence could shoulder some of the burdens he carried. In that moment, with you, he almost believed that maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t as unworthy as he’d been told.

The reflection shifted again, moving forward in time. College.

He saw himself sitting across from you at the campus café, pretending to study but stealing glances whenever he thought you wouldn’t notice. He hadn’t meant to fall for you, it had happened so slowly, so naturally, that he hadn’t realized it at first.

It wasn’t just your smile or the way your laugh seemed to fill even the emptiest spaces. It was the way you saw him. Not the quiet, unsure boy his parents had scorned, but the Seungmin who loved music, who thought deeply, who cared more than he let on. You saw him, all of him and you accepted every part.

The mirror showed the small moments he had cherished without even realizing it. The way his heart raced whenever you rested your head on his shoulder after a long day. The way you tapped your pen absentmindedly when you were deep in thought. The way your nose scrunched up just slightly when you were confused.

Those moments had built into something undeniable, something he couldn’t ignore even if he tried.

But then, as if to remind him that happiness wasn’t his to keep, the mirror’s image darkened. The familiar setting of the party appeared, and with it, a sense of dread settled in his chest.

Seungmin’s breath caught as the memory unfolded with painful clarity. He had been standing in the corner, watching the crowd with a detached gaze, when his eyes found you. His heart had leapt at the sight of you, so beautiful, so radiant, you made the world around him blur.

Tonight, he had told himself. Tonight, he would finally tell you how he felt. Weeks of rehearsing confessions in his mind had led to this moment. He was determined to let you know what you meant to him, to lay his heart bare for you.

But then, he saw Hyunjin.

The mirror showed how his entire body had tensed, his chest tightening like a vice as Hyunjin stumbled toward you, grabbing your arm. Seungmin’s breath had hitched, unease curling in his stomach like smoke. Then, when Hyunjin pulled you into a hug, the unease ignited into something sharper, something scorching and unfamiliar.

Jealousy.

It wasn’t an emotion Seungmin was used to feeling, but in that moment, it consumed him. Doubts and insecurities came rushing in, louder and crueler than ever. Of course, you’d choose Hyunjin. How could you not? He was everything Seungmin wasn’t confident, charming, effortlessly magnetic. The kind of person who could command a room without even trying.

The voices of his parents echoed in his mind, cruel and unrelenting. “You’ll never be enough, Seungmin. No one will want you.”

But the mirror showed him what he hadn’t seen that night: the moment you shoved Hyunjin away, your voice firm, your eyes blazing with anger as you told him to leave you alone. It showed the way you stormed off, your face flushed with frustration, your eyes scanning the crowd, desperately looking for him.

Seungmin’s hands trembled as he watched the memory play out, a tear slipping from the corner of his eye. But the mirror didn’t stop.

It replayed the way he had turned away, his chest heaving with anger and pain. His vision had blurred with unshed tears as he reached for a drink, downing it in one bitter gulp. He hadn’t seen you looking for him. He hadn’t heard you calling his name over the pounding music.

And then she appeared. Beth.

“Seungmin,” Beth had said, her voice smooth, dripping with false sympathy. “You look upset. Want to talk about it?”

He had barely spared her a glance, his emotions clouding every ounce of his judgment. He knew what kind of person Beth was. You despised her and for good reason. She had mocked you, belittled you at every chance she got, and Seungmin had always stood by your side, knowing she wasn’t worth his time.

But that night, in the haze of heartbreak and anger, he didn’t care.

“Not in the mood, Beth,” he muttered, brushing past her.

But she didn’t relent. She followed him, persistent, into a quieter corner of the party. “Come on, Seungmin. Sometimes it helps to talk to someone. I’m here if you need me.”

Her voice grated on him, but the pain in his chest was unbearable. He just wanted to forget, forget what he saw, forget how much it hurt. He didn’t want to feel anything at all.

Beth stepped closer, her hand brushing against his arm. He should’ve pulled away. He knew he should’ve. But the anger, the doubt, the crushing ache, all of it made him hesitate. When she leaned in, her lips hovering just inches from his, he didn’t move.

And in that fleeting, reckless moment, he let it happen.

Meanwhile, Seungmin’s present self watched in the mirror as you frantically searched for him, your heart pounding against your ribs. Desperation clung to every breath as you pushed through the crowd, determined to find him, to explain. Whatever he thought he saw, it wasn’t true—it couldn’t be. You had to make him understand.

But when you finally found him, the sight before you made your world crumble.

There he was, standing in the shadows with Beth. Her hands rested on his chest as she leaned in close, whispering something into his ear. And then, before you could even process it, he leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a kiss that made your breath hitch, your heart shattering into a thousand pieces.

“Seungmin…” you whispered, the sound barely audible over the noise of the party.

At the sound of your voice, he pulled away from Beth, his eyes widening in shock as he saw you standing there. For a fleeting moment, everything around him seemed to stop. The music, the chatter, the laughter, it all faded, leaving only the heavy weight of his mistake.

“Y/N,” he started, his voice shaking, but you raised a trembling hand to stop him.

“Don’t,” you said, your voice breaking under the strain of holding back tears. “Don’t say anything.”

Your face was pale, your eyes glistening with heartbreak, and before he could take another step toward you, you turned and ran. The pain in your chest was unbearable, a searing ache that grew with every step. Behind you, Seungmin’s voice called your name, but you didn’t stop. You couldn’t.

The mirror darkened, leaving Seungmin staring at his own reflection, the weight of his actions suffocating him. His chest ached as the memory replayed over and over, every second a brutal reminder of how badly he had messed up.

“You’re such an idiot,” he whispered to himself, his voice thick with emotion. “Fuck, I messed up so bad.”

Tears streamed down his face as the realization hit him with full force. “I love her… Y/N, I love her so much,” he choked out. His knees felt weak as the words tumbled from his lips. “And I… I lost her. I lost the only chance I had.”

His reflection in the mirror was unrecognizable, broken, haunted by the pain he had caused. He let out a bitter laugh, the sound laced with anguish. “Of course she hates me now. Why wouldn’t she?”

And for the first time, he allowed himself to feel the full weight of his regret, sinking to the ground as his sobs echoed in the empty room....

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Meanwhile, on your side of the mirror, it revealed how, by the time you reached the door, Seungmin wasn’t following you. You glanced back, hoping, praying, that he would appear, that he would chase after you, but the doorway remained empty. Later that night, driven by desperation and heartbreak, you tried calling him. Each ring felt like an eternity, only for your hopes to be crushed when your call went straight to voicemail.

Morning brought no comfort. Instead, it delivered the truth. Seungmin had left the city. No explanation, no goodbye. When you tried calling him again, hoping for answers, your stomach sank as the call refused to go through. That’s when you realized.....he had blocked your number.

Your chest felt hollow as you stared at the empty screen. The weight of his betrayal pressed down on you, suffocating and relentless. Seungmin was gone, and with him, the pieces of your shattered heart. You didn’t know if you would ever recover from the pain he had left behind.

The mirror shifted again, showing his side of the story, how guilt consumed him that night. He had convinced himself that the best thing to do was to disappear, to leave you behind and start over. For a fresh start, he moved into his friend’s tiny apartment on the far side of Seoul. The two of them scraped by, taking part-time jobs to make ends meet.

One evening, as he worked at a restaurant, his aunt came to visit. She saw the exhaustion etched into his face and, with a knowing sigh, said, “I know how horrible your parents are, Seungmin. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

She offered him a place to stay, a real home, until he could save enough to rent one of his own. Reluctantly, he accepted, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Seungmin experienced what family could be. His aunt was nothing like his parents. She didn’t demand or criticize. She cared for him, supported him, and reminded him that he was worthy of love.

The mirror then showed the moment weeks later when his parents found him. They barged into his aunt’s home, their voices sharp and cutting, filled with the same nagging accusations and belittlement that had haunted him for years. But this time, Seungmin didn’t let them win. He stood his ground, refusing to let their words wound him any further. He shut them out of his life, finally freeing himself from their hold.

The scene shifted one last time, showing him just a week ago. He had moved again, this time to the house next door, to your aunt Choi’s place.

As the reflection faded, you were left staring at your own tear-streaked face in the mirror. The weight of the memories pressed down on you like a physical force, each revelation hitting you harder than the last. But one thought stood out above everything else:

Seungmin.

“Seungmin, I'm proud of you but you’re a horrible idiot,” you choked out, your voice cracking as you stared at the mirror. Tears streamed down your face as you buried your head in your hands. “How could you even think I would ever go back to Hyunjin? How could you not see....” Your voice broke as the words spilled from your lips, unbidden yet true.

“I loved you, Seungmin. I always have, and I always will.”

The confession left your lips in a whisper, and as you wiped your tears, they only came faster, hot and unrelenting. You hadn’t said the words to him, not when it mattered most. Now, you weren’t sure if he’d ever hear them at all.

Suddenly, the ghostly bride’s chilling smile widened as she materialized in front of your mirror. Her translucent, icy fingers trailed across your cheek in the reflection, and the cold seemed to seep through the glass into your skin. You flinched instinctively, recoiling from her eerie touch. On the other side of the wall, Seungmin jerked back in his own room, mirroring your reaction.

“Well, well,” the bride purred, her voice soft but laced with malice. “Shall we proceed to the next task?”

A shiver raced down your spine, and your stomach churned at her words. Just then, the oppressive darkness in the room shifted. The air grew heavy with an unexpected floral fragrance, mingled with the aged scent of wood and candle wax. Flickering candlelight danced across the walls, casting soft yet unnerving shadows that blurred the line between beauty and menace.

Behind you, the door slammed shut with a deafening force, making you jump. The sound echoed through the room, leaving a ringing silence in its wake. You held your breath, the only noise now was the frantic thudding of your heart.

In an identical room beyond the wall, Seungmin stood frozen, his sharp eyes scanning his surroundings. His chest heaved as he tried to steady his breathing, his jaw tightening as his gaze fell on the wooden desk before him. Like yours, it was empty except for a single sheet of yellowed parchment and a black fountain pen resting atop it, waiting ominously.

The bride’s voice returned, reverberating through the walls like a cold wind. “Write,” she commanded, her tone sharp yet disturbingly hypnotic. “Write what lies in the depths of your heart, every truth, every lie, every regret you’ve buried. Write as if your very souls depend on it. Because if you don’t…”

A blood-curdling screech erupted, a sound like nails raking across stone, sending a jolt through your entire body. You flinched violently, wrapping your arms around yourself for comfort as a chill swept over the room.

“You will face the consequences,” the bride hissed, her voice dropping to a menacing whisper....

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Seungmin’s hands clenched into tight fists, his knuckles white as he gripped the back of the chair before him. His mind raced, his heart pounding against his ribs. The thought of you alone, just on the other side of this wall, terrified and vulnerable, was unbearable. His every instinct screamed at him to tear through the barrier, to reach you and hold you close. But the suffocating presence of the bride was unrelenting, pinning him in place like a weight he couldn’t shake.

In your room, you stared down at the parchment, its blank surface a cruel taunt. The bride’s command echoed in your mind. Write? About him? Your chest tightened as years of emotions rose to the surface, unspoken truths, buried regrets, and all the feelings you had tried so hard to suppress. How could you possibly put them into words, especially now?

Your hand trembled as you picked up the pen, its cold weight pressing into your palm. The silence around you grew louder, the emptiness of the page magnifying the storm inside you. With a deep, shaky breath, you placed the pen to the parchment. The ink began to flow, and with it, so did your heart, spilling the truths you had kept hidden for far too long....

"Seungmin, I don’t even know where to begin. I’ve carried so much, so many feelings, for so long that I feel like I might drown in them. I loved you. I still do. But when you left without a word, it felt like a piece of me was torn away. I kept asking myself what I did wrong, what I could’ve done to make you stay. But maybe the problem wasn’t me at all. Maybe it was you… your fears, your insecurities, the walls you built between us."

Tears dripped onto the parchment, smudging the ink slightly, but you didn’t stop.

"I wanted to fight for you, but how could I, when you wouldn’t let me in? You were my safe place, my home, and I believed in you. I still do, even after everything. But you didn’t believe in us, did you? You ran when things got hard, leaving me to pick up the pieces of what we could have been. Even now, I wish things had been different. I wish you had trusted me enough to stay. And I hate myself for still hoping you’ll come back, despite the pain you caused."

Your hand faltered, trembling under the weight of the emotions pouring out of you, but you continued.

" I don’t even know if you care. But if you ever loved me, if even a part of you still love me, then I need you to know: I never stopped loving you. Even when it hurt. Even when it felt impossible. Even now, when I know I should let go."

You signed your name at the bottom, a single tear rolling down your cheek as you folded the letter.

On the other side of the wall, Seungmin sat frozen, the pen heavy in his grasp. His heart felt like it was caving in under the weight of his regrets. The bride’s cold presence loomed, but it wasn’t her command that compelled him to write, it was you.

His hand moved shakily, the words spilling out before he could overthink.

"Y/N, I’m sorry. Those words feel so small compared to the damage I caused, but they’re the only place I can start. I was a coward. I let my fears and my past ruin the best thing that ever happened to me. You. I thought I was protecting you by leaving, by pushing you away, but the truth is I was only protecting myself,from rejection, from failure, from everything I thought I wasn’t enough for."

His chest tightened as he continued.

"You were the one person who made me feel seen, who made me believe I could be more than the mess my parents always said I was. And I threw that away because I was too scared to believe I deserved you. But I did love you, Y/N. I loved you more than I’ve ever loved anything or anyone in my life. And I still do. Every day, I regret leaving. Every day, I wonder if it’s too late to tell you everything I couldn’t say before. I want to believe it’s not too late, but I’m so scared you’ll never forgive me."

His hand paused, his breathing unsteady.

"If this is the last thing I ever say to you, then I need you to know this: I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry I wasn’t brave enough to stay. And I love you. I always will."

He folded the letter carefully, his fingers trembling as he stood and moved toward the door.

The bride’s chilling smile reappeared as she instructed both of you to slide the letters beneath the door. Slowly, hesitantly, you did as she said, your heart pounding as you pushed the folded paper through the small gap. On the other side, Seungmin did the same, his breath catching as the parchment disappeared from sight.

Moments later, you picked up his letter, your hands shaking as you unfolded it. The moment your eyes skimmed the first words, a rush of emotions overwhelmed you. The pain, the anger, the heartbreak, it all surged to the surface, but beneath it, there was something else. Hope.

In his room, Seungmin’s eyes scanned your words, each one hitting him like a blow to the chest. He could barely breathe as he read your heartbreak, your love, your unspoken truths. By the time he finished, tears blurred his vision.

For both of you, the letters were like a release. A weight you hadn’t even realized you’d been carrying seemed to lift. The air around you felt lighter, and for the first time in what felt like forever, there was clarity.

Through the wall, you could feel his presence, the weight of his emotions mirroring yours. And though the ghostly bride loomed, the connection between you and Seungmin felt stronger than it ever had before.

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Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing Seungmin. Relief flooded your chest as his familiar smile met your eyes, and you couldn’t help but grin back. For a brief, fleeting moment, the weight of fear lifted, replaced by the quiet comfort of his presence. But that happiness was short-lived.

The air grew colder, biting at your skin with unnatural intensity. Then, her voice returned, echoing through the room like a haunting melody, dripping with venomous satisfaction.

“Well done,” she purred, her words lingering like smoke in the air. “You’ve bared your hearts. Now, let’s see just how far you’re willing to go for love.”

The atmosphere shifted violently, heavy and suffocating, pressing down on you until it felt as though your lungs were collapsing under the weight. Every sound around you vanished into a suffocating void, leaving only the faint, sinister rustling of something unseen yet impossibly close. The presence was undeniable, wrapping around your senses like a vice, sinking deep into your very bones.

And then, the laughter began, low and hollow at first, like a whisper slithering through the dark. It spiraled into a bone-chilling crescendo, echoing endlessly and slicing through the silence. You and Seungmin instinctively stepped closer together, your shoulders brushing. His hand found yours, clasping it tightly, as though that fragile connection was the only thing grounding you to the world.

From the oppressive shadows, she emerged.

The Bride.

Her skeletal form loomed, grotesque and otherworldly, shrouded in a decayed wedding gown that clung to her like a shroud of despair. The tattered fabric swayed as though caught in a nonexistent breeze, stained with dark, dried streaks of blood. Her veil hung over her hollow face like cobwebs spun from nightmares, fluttering with an eerie life of its own. And beneath that veil, her empty eye sockets glowed faintly, twin embers of agony and hatred burning with an unnatural light. Her very presence seemed to twist the air around her, more menacing and all-consuming than before, as though the darkness itself had made her stronger.

“You speak of love as though it is eternal,” she sneered, her voice rasping like iron dragged across stone. Her skeletal jaw clattered as she stepped closer, her veil rippling with unnatural movement. “As though it is pure. But love is neither. It is fleeting. It is cruel. And it demands sacrifice.” Her glowing gaze burned into you both as her bony fingers curled into claws. “Prove to me,” she hissed, “that your love is worth the price.”

With one deliberate motion, the bride raised her hand high.

The ground trembled beneath your feet, a deep, bone-shaking rumble that stole your balance. Then, with an earsplitting crack, the floor splintered apart, fissures racing outward like jagged spiderwebs. Chunks of stone broke away, leaving crumbling platforms suspended over an abyss.

Below, the chasm pulsed with a deep, crimson glow, the light alive with a foreboding energy. It was as if the very void was breathing, a malevolent presence lurking just out of sight. The air reeked of something ancient and wrong, a sense of dread radiating from its depths.

“Prove to me,” the bride repeated, her voice cutting through the chaos like a blade, “that love is worth more than life itself. One of you must pay the price.”

Her words barely had time to sink in before the platform beneath you shifted, chunks of rock crumbling into the abyss. You stumbled, your arms flailing as you tried to regain your footing. Seungmin’s hand shot out, gripping yours firmly and pulling you back from the edge just as a piece of stone fell away into the endless void.

But your relief was fleeting. Shadows erupted from the abyss below, inky tendrils writhing and clawing their way upward. They moved with terrifying purpose, splitting the platforms further apart and isolating you and Seungmin on unsteady, crumbling ledges.

“Y/N, stay close!” Seungmin shouted, his voice taut with urgency as his eyes darted around for a way to reach you. But the bride wasn’t done.

She raised her other hand, and the shadows obeyed her unspoken command. They surged forward, twisting and coiling like serpents, slithering between you and Seungmin. They thickened into a barrier, cutting him off from you with a wall of impenetrable darkness.

“No!” Seungmin yelled, his voice cracking with desperation. He fought against the shadows clawing at him, but for every inch he gained, they dragged him farther back, their icy tendrils curling around his arms and legs. His grip on your hand faltered as the darkness yanked him away.

“Seungmin!” you screamed, your heart pounding as the shadows snaked around your own legs. They were cold and unrelenting, pulling you backward inch by inch. You thrashed and clawed at them, but their grip only tightened.

“Hold on!” Seungmin’s voice rang out again, fierce and determined. His eyes stayed locked on yours as he fought to break free, clawing at the shadows binding him. He lunged forward, trying desperately to close the distance, but the tendrils struck back with brutal force, forcing him farther from you.

Your hands stretched toward each other, fingertips brushing for the briefest moment before the shadows surged between you, severing the connection. The distance between you grew unbearable as the chasm yawned wider, swallowing everything in its path. Seungmin’s frantic shouts became muffled, drowned out by the suffocating dark.

Above you, the bride hovered, her skeletal frame glowing faintly in the crimson light of the abyss. Her laughter rang out again, cold and merciless.

“You cannot fight the abyss,” she mocked, her voice dripping with cruel satisfaction. “Love cannot survive here unless it is tested. Unless it is proven. One of you must fall.”

The shadows surged with renewed vigor, dragging you and Seungmin into opposite corners of the labyrinth. The ground beneath you crumbled completely, and you fell into the suffocating void, its icy grip consuming you whole.

“Seungmin!” you cried one last time, your voice barely a whisper against the howling abyss.

His faint reply reached you just before the darkness claimed everything: “Y/N, don’t let go!”

But then, there was only silence....

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When the shadows finally released you, they dropped you unceremoniously onto cold, damp ground. The air was frigid, and the room you found yourself in reeked of decay. Your head throbbed, and it took a moment for your vision to adjust to the dim, flickering light. The chamber around you seemed to breathe, its walls pulsing with a sickly, black ichor that dripped down like tears. You could hear faint whispers echoing from every corner, an otherworldly chorus of agony and despair.

The whispers grew louder with every breath you took, rising to an unbearable cacophony. Then, just as suddenly as they began, they fell silent, replaced by the bride’s disembodied voice.

“Love demands sacrifice,” she said, her words slithering into your ears like venom. “To save him, you must make a choice.”

In the center of the room, illuminated by a faint, red glow, stood a weathered stone table. Upon it lay a blood-stained parchment, a quill made from what looked like bone, and a gleaming dagger with a serrated edge. You approached the table hesitantly, every step feeling heavier than the last.

The bride’s voice rang out again, this time colder, harsher. “Write a single name on the parchment: yours or his. The one whose name you write will be sacrificed. The other will go free.”

Your heart clenched as you stared at the parchment. The weight of the decision pressed down on you like an iron shackle.

Your name ?

His name ?

The mere thought of condemning Seungmin to death made your stomach churn, but the idea of leaving him behind while you lived filled you with equal dread.

Your hands trembled as you reached for the quill. The whispers in the room rose again, a mocking, taunting chorus. They called your name, hissed his name, laughed cruelly at your hesitation.

“There has to be another way,” you whispered, tears streaming down your face. Your voice cracked, the words barely audible over the growing noise.

The whispers didn’t answer, they only grew louder, suffocating you with their relentless mockery. The dagger glinted in the dim light, a cruel reminder of the bride’s demand.

As your fingers wrapped around the quill, a sudden, searing pain shot through your chest, and you stumbled back. The whispers roared with laughter, their tone growing more sinister. It felt as though the room itself was mocking your indecision.

“Every second you hesitate,” the bride hissed, her voice reverberating through the chamber, “the abyss draws him closer to death. Choose!”

Your mind raced. You could see Seungmin’s face in your mind, his determination, his love, his unwavering belief in you. How could you make this choice? How could you possibly decide who deserved to live and who deserved to die?

“No,” you said aloud, your voice shaking but resolute. “I won’t play your game.”

A surge of anger seemed to ripple through the room, the ichor on the walls bubbling furiously. The whispers turned to shrieks, and the bride’s voice roared, “You dare defy me?”

Your eyes landed on the dagger. An idea, reckless and desperate, began to take shape in your mind. If the bride wanted blood, maybe there was a way to give it without giving her the satisfaction of your surrender.

You picked up the dagger, its blade unnervingly cold in your grip. Holding your breath, you pressed the tip against your palm, wincing as it pierced your skin. Blood welled up, warm and sticky, and you let it drip onto the parchment.

The room erupted in chaos. The whispers turned to enraged howls, and the walls trembled violently. Shadows surged toward you, wrapping around your arms and legs, pulling you toward the table with an almost unbearable force.

“Defiance will not save him!” the bride roared, her skeletal form materializing before you in a burst of black mist. Her hollow eyes burned with fury as she loomed over you.

The shadows tightened their grip, dragging you closer to the table. Your mind screamed Seungmin’s name, the thought of him giving you the strength to fight back.

“You cannot cheat the abyss!” the bride bellowed, her voice shaking the very ground beneath you.

With every ounce of strength you had left, you clutched the dagger tighter and drove it into the parchment, tearing it in two. A blinding light erupted from the table, and the shadows recoiled, their shrieks of agony echoing in your ears.

The bride screamed, her form flickering and fading. “No! You cannot defy me! You will both pay for this insolence!”

The light engulfed you, and the last thing you heard was Seungmin’s voice, faint and distant, calling your name. Then, everything went dark....

----------------------------------------------------------

Seungmin’s voice echoed faintly in the distance, growing louder as you disappeared into the blinding light. His heart raced, his chest tightening with panic. When the light finally dimmed he found himself standing in an unfamiliar room, its walls lined with endless, towering mirrors, each gleaming with an unnatural shimmer. His breath caught in his throat as he looked closer.

In every mirror, he saw you, but not the same version of you. Some mirrors showed you smiling, your face lit with joy and laughter. Others showed you sitting on the ground, clutching your knees, your shoulders shaking as if overcome by despair. Then there were the mirrors that made his stomach twist, images of you lying lifeless, your eyes open but empty.

The air grew colder as the bride’s voice slithered into the chamber, her tone venomous yet mocking. “Do you see them, Seungmin? These are reflections of Y/N, fragments of her possible futures. Each one is a path. Only one is real. Only one will lead you to her. But if you choose incorrectly…”

The air around him shifted, heavy with malice, as the voice grew sharper. “The real Y/N will die, and you will live with the weight of your failure for eternity.”

Seungmin’s hands balled into fists, his nails digging into his palms as he stared at the endless rows of mirrors. Panic clawed at his chest, but he forced himself to breathe. “This is a trick,” he said, his voice tight. “You’re trying to confuse me.”

The bride chuckled, her voice echoing like shards of broken glass. “Perhaps. Or perhaps this is the price of love, deciding who they truly are in the moments that matter most. You claim to know her heart, Seungmin. Prove it.”

He scanned the mirrors, his heart racing as he tried to process the overwhelming sight. In one reflection, you stood confidently, your posture strong, your face set with determination. In another, you smiled brightly, your laughter almost audible. Then his gaze fell on another image, a version of you hunched over, tears streaking down your face as you clutched your chest in anguish.

“Choose wisely,” the bride hissed. “The wrong choice will doom her.”

Seungmin stepped closer to the mirrors, his mind racing. The confident version of you seemed so sure of yourself, so capable of surviving anything. But as he studied it, something felt off. The smile in that mirror didn’t reach your eyes. It was an illusion, a façade.

He turned to the mirror showing you laughing, your expression full of joy. His heart yearned to believe this was the real you, but doubt gnawed at him. It felt too perfect, too staged.

Finally, his eyes returned to the mirror of you crying. The sight of your pain made his chest ache, but something about it felt raw, genuine. This version of you wasn’t polished or perfect, it was vulnerable, real.

“Love isn’t about perfection,” he whispered to himself, his voice trembling. “It’s about seeing someone’s flaws, their pain, and loving them anyway.”

The bride’s voice hissed in his ear. “Are you sure, Seungmin? What if you’re wrong? What if your choice destroys her?”

His hands shook as he reached toward the crying reflection. Every instinct in him screamed to choose the happy version of you, the one that didn’t hurt to look at. But he knew love wasn’t always easy. It wasn’t always joyful.

“Love is pain sometimes,” he said softly, his fingers brushing the surface of the crying mirror. “But it’s worth it.”

As his hand touched the glass, the mirror shattered, shards flying through the air before dissolving into mist. The bride shrieked, her voice filled with rage. “Interesting… You’ve passed the first test. But your trials are far from over.”

Before Seungmin could react, the ground beneath him cracked open, and he plummeted into darkness. The bride’s laughter echoed around him as he fell, the cold abyss swallowing him whole....

----------------------------------------------------------

Seungmin hit the cold, fractured surface of the bridge with a sharp gasp, his body jarred by the impact. He groaned as he pushed himself up, blinking against the swirling, oppressive darkness that surrounded him. Slowly, the scene came into focus, a massive, decaying stone bridge that stretched into the void, the expanse between him and the other side fractured and crumbling. Jagged stones hovered in midair, the only connections between the broken pieces of the bridge. Beneath the unstable structure loomed an endless chasm, pulsing faintly with an eerie crimson glow, like a living, breathing entity waiting to devour its next victim.

“Y/N!” he called, his voice hoarse but desperate, echoing endlessly into the abyss.

A faint figure appeared at the other end of the bridge, your figure. His breath caught in his throat as relief flooded his veins. You were alive. You were trembling, your face streaked with tears, and though your form was barely visible through the darkness, the unmistakable fear in your posture gripped his heart.

“Seungmin!” you cried out, your voice raw and broken. “You’re here! I thought...”

Your words were cut off as the shadows tightened around your legs, pulling you back. You stumbled, crying out in pain as the tendrils slithered like serpents, holding you in place.

Seungmin surged forward instinctively, but the bridge groaned under his weight, pieces of stone falling into the void below. He froze, his heart pounding as he assessed the impossibility of reaching you.

Before he could say another word, the air grew frigid, and an all-too-familiar sound sent chills down his spine: the bride’s haunting, hollow laughter. Her form materialized between you, skeletal and shrouded in tattered black veils that flowed like smoke. Her empty eye sockets burned with an unnatural light, and her jagged, bony grin twisted into mockery.

“How quaint,” she sneered, her voice echoing like shards of glass in the dark. “Two lovers reunited by fate, only to face the inevitable. But love is not about reunion. Love is pain. Love is sacrifice.” She lifted her bony hand, and the shadows around you coiled tighter, pulling you closer to the edge of the bridge.

“No!” Seungmin shouted, stepping forward despite the groaning protests of the bridge beneath him. His eyes burned with desperation as he stared at you, helpless against the shadows.

The bride tilted her head, amusement dripping from her tone. “A choice must be made. One of you will fall into the abyss, offering your soul to the void. The other will walk free. Decide quickly, or the void shall claim you both.”

The bridge trembled violently, cracks spreading beneath your feet. Your sobs echoed across the void as you struggled against the darkness. “There has to be another way!” you cried. “Please, we’ll do anything....just don’t make us do this!”

The bride’s laughter sharpened, her hollow eyes gleaming. “There is no other way. Sacrifice is the only proof of love. Now choose, or I shall decide for you.”

Seungmin’s heart pounded as he locked eyes with you. A silent moment passed, heavy with unspoken words. Then, with deliberate steps, he moved forward, his gaze never leaving yours.

“I’ll do it,” he said, his voice steady but trembling with heartbreak. “Take me. Let Y/N go.”

“Seungmin, no!” you screamed, thrashing against the shadows. “You can’t! I won’t let you!”

“You deserve to live,” he said softly, his eyes filled with a love so pure it left you breathless. “You’ve fought so hard, Y/N. Let me do this. Please.”

“If you fall, I’ll follow,” you choked out, shaking your head violently. “I won’t live without you, Seungmin. Don’t you dare leave me!”

The bride’s hollow laughter turned into a roar. “Fools!” she hissed, raising her skeletal hands. “If neither of you will choose, then I shall take you both!”

The shadows surged forward like a tidal wave, gripping both of you and dragging you to the edge. The ground crumbled beneath your feet, sending chunks of stone tumbling into the abyss. You screamed as you clung to the ledge, your fingers digging desperately into the crumbling stone. Beside you, Seungmin dangled precariously, his body slipping further with each passing second.

“I won’t let you fall!” he shouted, his hand reaching for yours. His grip was strong, but the relentless pull of the void was stronger.

“Seungmin!” you sobbed, tears streaming down your face. “Don’t do this! Please!”

His voice broke as he whispered, “I have to. I can’t lose you, Y/N. I love you too much.”

With one final, heart-wrenching look, he let go of the ledge, surrendering himself to the abyss. Your scream ripped through the air as his body began to fade into the darkness. But in that instant, something inside you snapped.

“No!” you cried, lunging forward and grabbing his wrist with both hands. The force nearly tore you over the edge, but you held on, your grip unyielding. “If you fall, I fall! I won’t let you go, Seungmin!”

The bride’s skeletal form flickered, her hollow eyes narrowing in rage. “How dare you defy me?” she bellowed, her voice shaking the crumbling bridge. “Love is sacrifice! One must fall!”

“No!” you shouted, your voice echoing with raw defiance. “Love is fighting for each other! Love is refusing to let go, no matter the cost!”

As if in response, a radiant golden light erupted from your joined hands, warm and blinding. The darkness recoiled, hissing and writhing as the light grew stronger, engulfing the void. The bride shrieked in fury, her form disintegrating into smoke.

“This cannot be!” she screamed as the light consumed her. “Love cannot overpower the curse!”

But her voice faded, and with it, the shadows vanished. The bridge stopped shaking, its cracks sealing as the golden light spread, illuminating the abyss. The chasm dissolved, replaced by a vast meadow bathed in sunlight.

You and Seungmin collapsed onto the solid ground, gasping for breath. He turned to you, his face pale but filled with emotion. “You didn’t let go,” he whispered, his voice trembling.

Tears streamed down your face as you cupped his cheeks. “You were willing to give your life for me,” you said softly, your voice breaking.

“So were you,” Seungmin replied, his eyes glistening as he pulled you into his arms....

----------------------------------------------------------

The golden light that had vanquished the bride began to fade, leaving behind a sense of calm and serenity. The meadow’s warmth seeped into your skin, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, you could breathe without fear. You looked at Seungmin, his hand still clasped tightly in yours, and felt an overwhelming wave of gratitude and love.

But before you could speak, the air shimmered around you, and the meadow began to blur. The light intensified again, growing so bright that you had to close your eyes. A faint, soothing hum filled your ears, and when you opened your eyes, you were no longer on the bridge, or in the meadow.

Instead, you found yourself sitting back in Aunt Choi’s cozy living room, the soft glow of the fireplace warming the space. Pepper and Sage, her ever-affectionate cats, were curled up against you, their gentle purring filling the quiet air. You blinked in disbelief, your body still trembling from the ordeal.

Seungmin sat beside you on the worn couch, his face pale but calm. He glanced around the room, his eyes scanning every corner, as if to confirm that the nightmare had truly ended. He let out a shaky laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Did that... really happen?” you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.

He turned to you, his gaze softening. “It did,” he said, his tone gentle but firm. “But it’s over now. We’re safe.”

You exhaled deeply, the weight of everything that had happened finally hitting you. Your head leaned back against the couch, and you felt Pepper nuzzle your hand, her soft fur grounding you. For a moment, the two of you sat in silence, the crackle of the fireplace and the cats’ purring the only sounds in the room.

Seungmin didn’t say anything at first, his eyes fixed on the flickering flames. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke, his voice quiet but thoughtful.

“Would you like to rest at my place?” he asked, his gaze shifting to meet yours. “I don’t think staying here tonight is the best idea, especially after everything.”

You hesitated, glancing around Aunt Choi’s familiar but now eerie house. Despite its warmth, it felt heavy with memories of what had just transpired. The thought of staying there alone sent a chill down your spine.

Looking back at Seungmin, you saw the exhaustion in his eyes, but also the quiet concern. There was no judgment, no pressure, just an open invitation. You nodded slowly, your voice soft but firm. “I’d like that.”

A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he stood, offering you his hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

You scooped up Pepper and Sage, their soft fur brushing against your arms as they purred contentedly. The chill of the night air nipped at your skin as you stepped outside, but with Seungmin by your side, the lingering weight of fear and uncertainty finally began to lift. The world around you seemed quieter, calmer, like even the shadows had retreated, no longer holding their ominous grip.

Ahead, Seungmin’s house came into view, its golden light spilling warmly through the windows and cutting through the lingering darkness. The sight was like a beacon, a safe haven amidst the unsettling remnants of Aunt Choi’s eerie home....

----------------------------------------------------------

Seungmin opened the door for you, hesitating briefly before stepping aside to let you in. The moment you crossed the threshold, you were enveloped in warmth, the kind that wrapped around you like an embrace. The faint scent of cedarwood and vanilla lingered in the air, mingling with the soft, comforting undertones of his cologne.

His home was modest yet undeniably inviting. Amber light bathed the living room, casting a gentle glow over the space. The couch looked well-loved, draped with a cozy blanket, and a forgotten book rested on the coffee table, its pages slightly bent. It was a space that spoke of quiet evenings and warmth, a stark contrast to the turmoil of the night you’d just endured.

Seungmin lingered behind you, his hands tucked into his pockets as he watched you set Pepper and Sage down. The cats immediately made themselves at home, Pepper curling up near the heater while Sage explored the corners of the room with curious paws.

“You can take my room,” Seungmin offered suddenly, breaking the silence. His voice was soft, almost hesitant. “I’ll sleep out here on the couch.”

You turned to him, raising an eyebrow. “Absolutely not. You’re not sleeping on the couch in your own house, Seungmin. That’s absurd.”

“It’s fine,” he insisted, his tone firm but gentle. “You’ve had a long day. You need proper rest.”

“And you don’t?” you countered, crossing your arms. “Look, we’ll figure something out, but you’re not exiling yourself to the couch. End of discussion.”

He opened his mouth to argue but seemed to think better of it when he caught the determined look in your eyes. With a small sigh, he relented. “Fine. But you’re still taking the bed.”

You gave him a pointed look, a playful smile tugging at your lips. “We’ll see.”

After freshening up, you found yourself sitting together in the living room. The quiet between you wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was heavy, laden with words left unsaid. Seungmin sat at the edge of the couch, his hands fidgeting slightly as he stared at the floor, his expression unreadable.

“I’m sorry,” he said suddenly, his voice breaking the silence. His eyes lifted to meet yours, filled with guilt and something raw, something vulnerable. “For everything. For leaving abruptly. For not protecting you the way I should have. For…” He paused, his hands tightening into fists. “For being a coward.”

Your chest tightened at the tremor in his voice, at the way his shoulders hunched as though he was carrying the weight of the world.

“I hurt you,” he continued, his words spilling out now, as though he couldn’t stop them. “, I betrayed your trust and I pushed you away…I don’t even know if I deserve to sit here with you right now, but I needed to tell you...I’m sorry. For everything.”

You let his words settle between you, the sincerity in his voice tugging at your heart. Slowly, you reached out, your fingers brushing against his.

“I forgive you,” you said softly, your voice steady.

His head shot up, his eyes wide. “You… forgive me?”

You nodded, a small smile curving your lips. “I do. Because the truth is, Seungmin, I like you. I’ve liked you for a long time. And yes, you hurt me, so much, but I know you didn’t mean to. I know your heart.”

His breath hitched, his lips parting slightly as though struggling to process your words. “You… like me?”

You leaned in slightly, your voice softening. “I do. And I think you like me too. Am I wrong?”

A quiet laugh escaped him, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush. “No. You’re not wrong.”

The tension in the room shifted then, melting into something warmer, softer. He reached out tentatively, his hand brushing against yours before fully taking it. “Come here,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

You let him pull you closer, the space between you disappearing until your faces were mere inches apart. His gaze flickered to your lips, and your heart raced in your chest.

When he finally leaned in, his lips met yours in a kiss that was hesitant at first, almost shy. But as you kissed him back, the hesitation faded, replaced by a quiet intensity that sent warmth spreading through your entire body. His hand moved to cradle your cheek, his touch grounding and gentle.

When you pulled back, his forehead rested against yours, his breath mingling with yours in the quiet of the room. “Thank you,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

“For what?” you asked, your own voice barely audible.

“For giving me a chance,” he said softly. “And for staying.”

You smiled, your fingers brushing a stray strand of hair from his face. “No more apologies, okay? Let’s just… move forward.”

Together, you settled onto the couch, Pepper and Sage curled up nearby, their soft purring filling the space. Seungmin wrapped an arm around you, pulling you closer as you rested your head against his shoulder. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath your cheek was soothing, lulling you into a sense of peace.

For the first time in what felt like forever, everything felt right. The weight of the night faded, replaced by warmth and the quiet comfort of being with him. And as you drifted off to sleep in his arms, you knew this was exactly where you were meant to be.

----------------------------------------------------------

The next morning, you awoke to the faint aroma of something warm and inviting wafting through the air, a mix of butter sizzling in a pan and something sweet, like maple syrup. For a moment, you stayed wrapped in the blanket on Seungmin’s couch, enjoying the comforting stillness, until the sound of quiet humming broke through your half-asleep haze. Blinking, you slowly sat up, rubbing the sleep from your eyes.

The golden morning light spilled through the curtains, casting soft rays across the room. Pepper stretched lazily near the heater, her fur gleaming in the sunlight, while Sage perched on the windowsill, watching the world outside with a flick of his tail. Everything felt so peaceful, almost as if the events of the previous night had been nothing more than a fleeting nightmare.

But they hadn’t been.

Your thoughts drifted back to the eerie visions, the haunted reflections in the mirror, and the suffocating dread that clung to Aunt Choi’s house. Even as you tried to push it all away, a faint unease lingered in the back of your mind, like a shadow you couldn’t shake.

Shaking off the thoughts, you followed the sound of humming into the kitchen. There, standing at the stove, Seungmin was flipping pancakes with surprising ease. His hair was slightly tousled, a sign of his morning grogginess, and an apron hung loosely over his sweatshirt. The sight of him, so effortlessly at ease in the kitchen, pulled at something deep inside you, making your chest tighten in a way you couldn’t quite place.

“You’re up,” he said, glancing over his shoulder with a small, warm smile. “Hope you’re hungry.”

You leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, raising an eyebrow. “I didn’t know you could cook.”

He turned back to the stove, the smile on his lips growing slightly. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

“Clearly,” you teased, stepping into the kitchen as he placed a stack of fluffy pancakes onto a plate. “Coffee or tea?”

“Coffee,” you replied, taking a seat at the small dining table. The warm, comforting atmosphere began to chip away at the lingering tension in your chest. “You didn’t have to do all this, you know.”

Seungmin set a steaming mug of coffee in front of you before sitting down across the table. “I wanted to. Besides,” he added, his voice softening, “after everything that happened last night, I thought we could both use something normal to start the day.”

You smiled at him, feeling the knot in your chest loosen just a little. For a moment, the two of you sat in comfortable silence, the quiet clink of utensils against plates filling the air. Pepper wandered into the kitchen, sniffing around curiously before curling up at Seungmin’s feet.

As you reached for the syrup, your phone buzzed on the table, breaking the peaceful moment. You picked it up, expecting a routine message, but your cousin Jiwon’s name flashed across the screen.

Your brow furrowed as you opened the message fully.

Your jaw dropped, and the fork slipped from your hand, clattering onto the plate.

“What’s wrong?” Seungmin asked, noticing your stunned expression.

You held up your phone for him to see. “Apparently, last night was… staged. My cousin, Aunt Choi, and some of our friends thought it would be fun to play matchmaker with an immersive horror experience.”

Seungmin blinked, clearly struggling to process the words. “You’re kidding.”

“I wish I was.” You scrolled back to reread the text, your disbelief growing. “They planned the cook off the dance the rose… all of it. Just to ‘nudge’ us together.”

He leaned back in his chair, a mixture of shock and amusement crossing his face. “I get the matchmaking part, but staging a horror experience? Who even comes up with that?”

Before you could respond, another text arrived.

Your blood ran cold, the uneasy knot in your stomach tightening. The ghost bride… hadn’t done anything? Then who...or what...had been behind the mirrors, the whispers, and the visions?

“What is it?” Seungmin asked, his voice laced with concern as he noticed the change in your expression.

You read the text aloud, your voice barely steady. “They’re saying the actress didn’t do anything after the rose scene. The mirrors, the visions… none of it was part of their plan.”

Silence fell between you, the weight of the revelation settling over the room.

Seungmin’s fork clinked softly as he set it down. “So… what we saw in those mirrors…” His voice trailed off, his expression darkening.

“Wasn’t part of the act,” you finished, your voice trembling.

He leaned forward, elbows resting on the table, as he ran a hand through his hair. “That doesn’t make sense. What were those reflections? We saw each other in ways we couldn’t see before. It felt so… real. Our childhood, our past, the party…”

You nodded, a chill running down your spine. “And the whispers… the shadows in the corner… That wasn’t a team of actors.”

The once-warm morning atmosphere evaporated, replaced by a suffocating heaviness. The more you thought about it, the more unsettling it became. The staged horror was just a facade, but something real had been in Aunt Choi’s house that night, something beyond explanation.

“We need answers,” you said, your voice firm despite the unease creeping up your spine. “I don’t know what’s going on, but there’s something about that house we don’t understand.”

Seungmin’s expression hardened. “No. We don’t need to go back there.” His voice was tight with emotion. “We’ve been through enough already, and whatever it was in that house succeeded in its mission.”

He reached across the table, taking your hand in his. “Besides,” his voice softened, “I can’t lose you again.”

You squeezed his hand gently, offering him a soft smile. “You won’t. I’m here, Seungmin.”

His gaze softened, and he whispered, “I love you, Ynnie.”

You met his eyes, your voice unwavering. “I love you too, Minnie.”

In that moment, with the warmth of his hand in yours and the promise of being together, you felt a sense of peace. The horrors of the past night had shaken you, but you weren’t facing them alone. Whatever mysteries lingered in Aunt Choi’s house, you would face them, together. The bond between you and Seungmin had deepened, and no matter what came next, you knew you had each other. And for the first time that morning, the unease began to lift, replaced by the quiet certainty that, with him by your side, you could face anything....

࣪ ִֶָ☾.Tags - @atinyniki @writingforstraykids @yangbbokari @theo4eve @jinnie-ret  @livelovelaughmiko @silverstarburst @galaxycatdrawz @skzoologist @shua-f4lmings @iknowyouknowminho @krisstheidiot @hyunjinhoexxx @gho-ster @ezlynkisses @elmoslungcancer @b1nn1e-1s-cut3 @seungseung-minmin @cuddlylonelyperson @jeonginsleftcheek @oreoqueen @freekyfangirl

Comment your @ If you wish to be added or removed from this list ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

࣪ ִֶָ☾.ENDNOTE - Everything Here is a work of fiction and my own imagination. This does not represent the real life characteristics of Stray Kids. Make sure to like, reblog comment, and follow me for new updates!

[jinnie-ret]

your writing is so so so scrummy omfg!! this is the rom com horror fic I needed in my life, you aced this Sona 🥰💜

࣪ ִֶָ☾. A Knight In Christmas Armor ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

(Pt.1)

࣪ ִֶָ☾.Pairing - Seungmin x Fem Reader

࣪ ִֶָ☾.Plot - When your aunt leaves for a Christmas trip, she gives you the keys to her house and cats to look after, and you eagerly accept. However, strange and creepy things start happening, culminating in eerie voices echoing through a chilly night. After a scream sends your annoying ex-best friend, Seungmin, to your door, you find yourselves trapped inside with the cats and mysterious voices, as the faulty door won’t lock or open properly.

࣪ ִֶָ☾.Genre - Supernatural, Action, Angst, Comedy, Fluff

࣪ ִֶָ☾.Warnings - Supernatural stuff, blood, a lot of swearing, mentions of sacrifice, action, angsty, hurt to comfort, fluff, horror comedy, non idol au, ex best friends to lovers

࣪ ִֶָ☾.Word Count - 9.7 K ࣪ ִֶָ☾.Screenshot Count - 1

࣪ ִֶָ☾. A/N - Episode 7 of Staymas is here, bringing a mix of supernatural fantasy and comedy because what’s Staymas without a hint of horror? It’s my first attempt at this genre in a while, and while I feel it’s a bit rushed, I’d love to hear your thoughts! (Slightly proofread, so apologies for any mistakes 🙂‍↕️ ) Split into two parts because Tumblr, as always, hates me 🙄

SKZ Masterlist STAYMAS Masterlist

Part 2 Here

December had finally arrived, bringing with it the familiar chill of winter and the steady approach of Christmas. Yet, this year felt lonelier than ever. Your parents had decided to visit your grandparents in Busan, and with your office rejecting your leave request, you were stuck in Seoul, surrounded by festive cheer you couldn’t bring yourself to enjoy.

That’s when Aunt Choi called, her warm yet teasing voice breaking through your gloom.

“Would you mind babysitting Pepper and Sage for a week?” she asked, explaining she’d be heading to Jeju to spend Christmas with her family. Her beloved cats needed someone to look after them.

At first, you hesitated. Spending the holidays alone in your quiet apartment wasn’t exactly appealing, but the thought of staying in her cozy old house with two fluffy companions seemed like the perfect distraction. “Sure, I’ll do it,” you agreed.

When you arrived at her house on a frosty winter afternoon, Aunt Choi greeted you at the door with her usual mischievous smile. Her hands were cold as she pressed a set of brass keys into your palm.

“Take care of Pepper and Sage kindly,” she instructed, her tone light but firm. “They’re shy and take a while to trust new people.”

You nodded, ready to reassure her, but then she added something strange. “Also, the house whispers sometimes. Just ignore it.”

“Whispers?” you repeated, your brow furrowing.

“You know, old house noises,” she said with a nervous laugh. “Creaks, groans, things like that.”

You shrugged it off. “Alright.”

She started to leave but then paused, her expression shifting to something darker. “Oh, and one more thing.” Her voice dropped to a near whisper. “If you ever hear her scream, leave immediately.”

Her scream? A chill ran down your spine. “What do you mean by....”

Before you could finish, Aunt Choi was already walking briskly down the street, her coat billowing in the wind...

----------------------------------------------------------

The first day passed without incident. Pepper and Sage stayed distant, watching you from the shadows as you unpacked your belongings. You tried to coax them closer, offering gentle words and treats, but they remained cautious. By evening, the house was quiet. You curled up on the couch with a bowl of steaming ramyeon, a lighthearted K-drama playing softly in the background.

And that’s when you heard it.

“Hello,” a faint whisper echoed.

Startled, you glanced at the TV, thinking it must have been part of the show. The scene on screen was tense, the kind of moment that would have eerie background sound effects. You laughed nervously and resumed eating.

But then, it came again, clearer this time.

“Can you hear me?”

Your chopsticks slipped from your hands, clattering loudly onto the table. Your pulse quickened. Pepper and Sage, who had been lounging nearby, suddenly sprang to attention. Their fur bristled as they hissed, their wide eyes fixed on the kitchen.

You turned toward the kitchen, your gaze following theirs. The room was dark, shadows pooling in every corner, their shapes shifting as if alive. It looked empty, but a nagging sensation told you it wasn’t. Someone or something was there, hidden in the darkness, watching.

Heart pounding, you rose slowly from the couch and grabbed the metal bat Aunt Choi had left by the living room door. Its cold weight steadied your trembling hands as you tiptoed toward the kitchen, each step echoing in the stillness.

Reaching the light switch, you hesitated for a moment before flicking it on. The room was suddenly bathed in brightness, every detail sharp and clear. The counters were spotless, the cupboards closed, and there was no sign of movement. Nothing out of place. Nothing to explain the voice.

You let out a shaky laugh, your breath misting in the cold air. “Nice try, Aunt Choi. I’m not falling for it,” you muttered. But as you turned to leave the kitchen, you couldn’t shake the feeling that the house was listening.

That night, something unexpected happened. Pepper and Sage, who had avoided you all day, climbed into bed with you. Their soft fur and rhythmic purring brought a surprising sense of comfort, one you didn’t realize you needed.

“You two like me now, huh?” you murmured, running your hand over their silky backs. They nuzzled against your neck, their warmth easing your thoughts and lulling you into a peaceful slumber.

But peace was not what the night had in store.

At exactly 2:30 a.m., your phone alarm blared, shattering the stillness of the house. Startled, Pepper and Sage leapt off the bed, their claws skittering against the wooden floor, while you fumbled to silence the piercing noise.

“Stupid alarm,” you muttered groggily, your hands fumbling with the screen until the sound ceased.

Stretching to shake off the awkward stiffness in your back, you swung your legs off the bed. Thirst clawed at your throat, so you decided to head downstairs for water. Pepper and Sage watched you closely, their glowing eyes glinting in the dim light before they cautiously followed, their steps soft but hurried, as if they didn’t want to lose sight of you.

In the quiet kitchen, the cool water refreshed you as you drained two full glasses. The house was eerily silent, save for the faint hum of the refrigerator. As you set the glass down, a chilling realization gripped you: your phone didn’t have an alarm set for 2:30 a.m. In fact, it wasn’t even with you, it was still lying on the coffee table in the living room.

“So… what was that?” you whispered, your voice barely audible over the thundering of your heartbeat. A chill crawled up your spine as the truth began to sink in.

And then, as if on cue, the kitchen lights went out, plunging the room into total darkness.

Your breath hitched, the sudden shift pressing an invisible weight onto your chest. The hairs on the back of your neck stood on end. Pepper and Sage hissed, their bodies stiff as they fixed their eyes on something, something right beside you.

You clenched your fists, forcing your eyes shut. You didn’t want to look. But then it came, a cold, unnatural breeze brushing past your ear, sending icy shivers down your spine.

Summoning what little courage you had, you opened one eye.

Standing before you was a faint silhouette. The figure, a woman, was pale and translucent, her very presence draining the warmth from the air. Her lips moved slowly, unnaturally, as she spoke in a voice that seemed to echo from another world.

“Do you love me?”

Your throat tightened as you tried to scream, but no sound escaped. You were frozen, paralyzed by fear.

Pepper and Sage hissed louder, their tiny bodies trembling but steadfast. The woman’s hollow gaze flickered toward them, and just as quickly as she’d appeared, she vanished, her form dissolving into wisps of smoke.

Relief washed over you, but your legs gave out beneath you. The last thing you remembered was collapsing onto the cold kitchen floor before darkness consumed you....

----------------------------------------------------------

When you opened your eyes, sunlight was streaming through the curtains. You were back in bed, Pepper and Sage curled up beside you, purring softly.

“Just a dream,” you murmured, rubbing your temples. But your body felt heavy, and an inexplicable ache lingered in your chest. Shaking it off, you got up to start your day.

The second day passed without incident. After feeding Pepper and Sage and tidying up, you left for work. The office was its usual dreary self, but the thought of returning early to the cozy house and your feline companions kept you going. By the time you arrived back, the sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow across the sky.

Pepper and Sage greeted you at the door, their tails flicking as they meowed softly.

“Missed me already?” you joked, scratching behind their ears. They followed closely as you made your way to the living room.

But as you stepped inside, your breath caught in your throat.

On the coffee table, where you’d last seen your phone, lay a single white rose atop a folded note. The sight sent a chill through your body. Slowly, with trembling hands, you picked up the paper. The edges crinkled as you unfolded it, revealing a message scrawled in red ink:

Do you still miss me?

Your stomach churned. The words were hauntingly familiar, but you couldn’t place them. Glancing nervously around the room, you half-expected the ghostly woman to reappear. Pepper and Sage stayed glued to your legs, their low growls breaking the silence.

Grabbing the bat from the corner of the room, your hands trembled as you searched every nook and cranny of the house. Shadows seemed to shift in the corners of your vision, and every creak of the floorboards set your heart racing. But there was nothing. No one. The house was empty, or so it seemed.

When you returned to the living room, the rose and note still sat there, an ominous reminder of the night before. Deciding to send Aunt Choi a picture, you reached for your phone only to find it displaying a "no service" message. Frustration and fear bubbled up as you stared at the screen.

And then, a notification pinged, shattering the tense silence.

It was a text.

From him.

Rage bubbled inside you as you glared at the screen. He was the one who betrayed you, and now he had the audacity to play the victim to accuse you of clinging to the past.

The nerve!

With a frustrated sigh, you shoved your phone into your pocket, dismissing his words. Marching to the kitchen, you tried to channel your anger into something productive, like making dinner. For now, you shoved aside thoughts of the rose, the note, and the unsettling events of the night.

After preparing a quick meal and feeding Pepper and Sage, you retreated to your bedroom, desperate for the sanctuary of sleep. It wasn’t even 9 p.m., but you curled up under the covers, exhaustion and frustration weighing heavily on you. The cats climbed in beside you, their warm bodies pressing close as if they could sense your unease.

But peace was a fleeting luxury.

The temperature in the room dropped abruptly, the chill seeping through your skin and pulling you from the brink of sleep. Pepper and Sage perked up, their ears twitching and their bodies tense. Then, you heard it again,the whispers.

“Y/N…”

“Hello…”

“Can you hear me?”

The disembodied voices swirled around the room, weaving through the walls like tendrils of smoke. You froze, pulling the covers tighter, hoping it was all in your head. But the whispers grew louder, relentless, burrowing into your thoughts like a parasite.

Your breath hitched as the whispers suddenly ceased, leaving an oppressive silence in their wake. Slowly, you lowered the blanket, daring to peek into the room. For a fleeting moment, you thought it was over.

And then it came.

An ear-piercing scream tore through the house, raw and unearthly, making you cry out in terror. Pepper and Sage bolted under the bed, their tails puffed up in fear. Trembling, you clamped your hands over your ears, desperate to drown out the horrific sound.

Then came the knocking.

At first, it was faint, like a hesitant tap. But it grew louder, each knock reverberating through the house, demanding attention. You stared toward the hallway, your pulse racing, the bat from earlier still lying beside you.

Gripping it tightly, you forced yourself to move, your feet feeling like lead as you descended the stairs. Each knock seemed to echo louder in the suffocating silence. With a surge of courage or sheer desperation you reached the door and swung it open, the cold night air rushing in.

There he was.

Seungmin.

He stood on the porch, his eyes wide, his breath misting in the icy air. His expression was a mix of concern and nerves as he shifted awkwardly, clearly caught off guard.

“Sorry to interrupt,so late…” he started hesitantly, his voice low. “But I… I heard screaming. I live next door and thought...” His voice trailed off as his gaze met yours, recognition flashing across his face.

“Y/N?”

“Kim Seungmin,” you muttered, your knuckles whitening as you gripped the bat.

“What are you doing here?” you snapped, the anger from his messages still fresh in your mind.

“I told you, I heard screaming,” he replied defensively, his hands raised slightly in surrender. “I thought something was wrong.”

“No need to be my knight in shining armor Seungmin.I don’t need your help,” you shot back sharply. “You can leave.”

Before he could respond, the house plunged into darkness. The lights flickered out, and a suffocating silence enveloped the air.

Then came the thud.

It was loud and heavy, reverberating through the house like something or someone had fallen. The scream followed, raw and blood-curdling, ripping through the silence and freezing you in place.

Instinctively, you jumped forward, colliding into Seungmin’s chest. His arms wrapped around you protectively, steady despite his own trembling. You could feel his heartbeat pounding as fast as yours.

Even then, he still managed a dry, sarcastic comment.

“Wow,” he murmured, his voice low and steady despite the chaos, “looks like I am your knight in Christmas armor.”

“Shut the fuck up!” you snapped, stepping out of his embrace and furiously brushing yourself off, as if his very touch burned. A flicker of disappointment crossed Seungmin’s face, brief but undeniable, before he masked it with his usual composed, neutral expression.

“Look, Seungmin...” you started, your tone sharp and unforgiving, but he silenced you with a finger gently pressed to your lips.

“I don’t want to argue with you right now, Y/N,” he said, his voice calm but edged with urgency. “We’re in danger, and we need to get the hell out of here!”

Before you could retort, he grabbed your hand, his grip firm and unyielding. But you yanked it away, your glare sharp enough to cut through steel.

“I’m not leaving without Pepper and Sage!” you snapped, your voice cutting through the tense silence.

“Who?” he asked, clearly baffled.

“The cats!” you barked, exasperation dripping from every word.

Seungmin let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair in visible frustration. He closed his eyes briefly, likely summoning the last shred of his patience. “Fine. We’ll take them with us!”

Wasting no time, you called out to Pepper and Sage. The two cats darted out from their hiding spot, their wide eyes glowing in the dim light. Scooping them up, one in each arm, you held them tightly as you and Seungmin rushed toward the door.

But just as you reached it, the door slammed shut with a deafening bang, the sound reverberating through the house like a warning. You staggered back, nearly losing your grip on the cats.

“No! No, no, no!” you cried, panic rising in your chest, your voice cracking. “This can’t be happening!”

Seungmin stepped forward, his jaw tightening as he rolled his eyes. “Relax. It’s probably just the wind,” he muttered, gripping the doorknob and giving it a hard pull. When it didn’t budge, he tried again, his knuckles whitening as he applied more force. Still, the door refused to move.

“Great,” you hissed through clenched teeth, carefully setting the cats down on the floor. Crossing your arms tightly, you glared at him. “Just great!”

Seungmin turned to you, his frustration mirrored in his expression. “We can just call a locksmith or something...”

“Oh, sure,” you interrupted, your voice dripping with sarcasm. “Go ahead. Try it.”

With a scowl, he pulled out his phone, tapping at the screen. A moment later, he groaned in frustration. “No signal,” he muttered. “Can I use your phone?”

You let out a bitter laugh, holding up your own phone to display the glaring lack of signal bars. “It’s been like this since I got back tonight,” you snapped.

Seungmin’s eyes narrowed with concern. “Wait....if the house has been acting like this, why didn’t you leave earlier?”

“That’s none of your business!” you shot back, your voice rising as fear and frustration tangled together. “And for your information, this is my aunt’s house. I’m here to babysit...”

A low, guttural growl rumbled through the room, cutting you off mid-sentence.

You froze, your breath hitching as your hands instinctively gripped the edge of the couch for balance. The sound was unnatural, deep and resonant, vibrating through the walls like a living entity.

Seungmin’s head snapped toward the hallway, his grip tightening on the bat he still held. His voice dropped to a tense whisper. “What the hell was that?”

“I...I don’t know,” you stammered, your voice trembling as you unconsciously inched closer to him.

Pepper and Sage hissed in unison, their fur standing on end as their unblinking eyes locked on the dark hallway. The growl faded, leaving behind an eerie, oppressive silence that seemed to breathe around you.

Seungmin’s jaw clenched as he finally spoke, his voice barely audible but filled with resolve. “Change of plans. We’re not just leaving...we’re running. Find another way out. Now!”

----------------------------------------------------------

A chilling laugh pierced the air, sharp and mocking, wrapping around you like a blade. It was followed by a rasping voice, low and menacing, as if it came from the very walls themselves. “Trying to leave, aren’t we?”

You froze, every muscle in your body locked in place as terror coursed through you. The oppressive silence that followed was suffocating, a vacuum that seemed to pull the air from your lungs. The voice lingered, a haunting echo vibrating faintly, as though the house itself was alive and listening.

Pepper and Sage were tense, their fur bristling, their tails puffed up like bottle brushes. Low hisses escaped their throats as their wide eyes darted between you and the shadowy hallway ahead, their movements jerky and panicked.

“We’re wasting time,” Seungmin muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. His grip on the bat tightened, his knuckles white against the wood. His eyes flicked to the shifting shadows that seemed to stretch and crawl across the room. “We need to move. Now!”

Before you could reply, a bone-deep chill swept through the room, cutting into you like icy needles. The air grew heavy, suffocating, pressing down on you with an unseen force. The lights above flickered erratically, their glow casting fractured shadows that twisted and danced unnaturally on the walls, almost as if they had a life of their own.

And then it hit you, the scent. Sweet, cloying, and overpowering. Roses. The fragrance filled the air, suffusing every corner of the room, thick and inescapable. It wasn’t just a smell; it was a presence. It crept into your lungs, your head, your very senses, leaving you lightheaded and trembling.

Your heart dropped as recognition struck like a lightning bolt. It was the same scent as the rose on the table. The same one from the note.

Your breathing hitched, your chest tightening as fear clawed at your throat. And then, through the flickering light and twisting shadows, she appeared.

At first, it was just a faint shimmer, a ripple in the air like heat rising off asphalt. But slowly, it solidified, and a figure began to take shape at the far end of the hallway. She was draped in a tattered wedding dress, its once-white fabric yellowed with age but somehow glowing faintly in the dim light. Her veil fluttered eerily, though no breeze stirred. Her translucent form carried an unsettling beauty—until you looked at her face.

Her eyes were voids, bottomless pits of shadow that seemed to pierce into your very soul. And her smile… it was soft, almost serene, but beneath it simmered something twisted, something that made your knees weak and your chest tighten.

“Do you love me?” she asked, her voice a haunting melody that resonated unnaturally, each word vibrating in your bones.

Seungmin immediately stepped in front of you, gripping the bat like a lifeline. “Stay back!” he shouted, his voice cracking under the weight of fear he tried to mask.

The bride tilted her head, the motion unnervingly childlike, though her smile widened with sickening sweetness. “Why would I hurt you, Seungmin?” she purred. Her hollow gaze flickered to you briefly, then back to him. “You promised me, remember?”

Your stomach churned. “What the hell is she talking about?” you hissed, grabbing Seungmin’s arm.

“I don’t know!” he snapped, but the quiver in his voice betrayed him. His uncertainty sent a chill down your spine.

The bride’s smile faltered, her expression darkening. Her voice dropped to a whisper that dripped with malice. “You don’t remember me?” She glided forward, her movements too smooth, too unnatural. “The promises you made under the moonlight? The vows you swore would last forever?”

Seungmin’s face went ghostly pale, his lips parting as if to speak, but no words came.

“Seungmin,” you said urgently, shaking his arm harder now, “what is she talking about? Did you....”

“I don’t know her!” he shouted, cutting you off, his voice frantic.

The bride’s soft laughter rang out, each note sharp and mocking. “Oh, but you do,” she murmured, her tone venomous. “You may have forgotten, but I haven’t. I remember everything. And now…” Her gaze snapped to you, her smile curling into something cruel. “You’ve brought her here. To replace me.”

Your breath hitched as the air around you grew colder, sharper, biting into your skin. The bride’s serene expression twisted into one of rage, her voice deepening to a guttural growl. “Do you love her, Seungmin?”

Seungmin stumbled backward, his free hand clutching yours tightly. “We need to move,” he whispered urgently.

“Where?” you demanded, panic rising in your chest.

“Anywhere but here!”

Before you could take a step, the bride raised a ghostly hand. Behind you, the door slammed shut with a resounding boom, and the windows sealed themselves with echoing clicks.

“You’re not leaving,” she said coldly, her voice echoing like a dreadful chorus. Her translucent form shimmered, her presence looming larger. “Not until you answer me. Do you love her?”

“Run!” Seungmin yelled, dragging you toward the stairs.

But as you reached them, the wood beneath your feet shifted. A sharp crack filled the air, and the steps flattened, sending you both tumbling painfully to the floor below.

Groaning, you clutched your side, wincing as pain shot through your ribs. Above you, the bride’s laughter rang out again, taunting and merciless. “Told you,” she sneered, materializing before you once more.

“Are you okay?” Seungmin asked, his voice tight with worry as he helped you to your feet.

“I’m fine,” you muttered, glaring at the bride through the haze of fear and pain. “What do you want from us?”

Seungmin raised the bat again, his voice shaking with anger. “Leave us alone!”

The bride’s veil fluttered unnaturally as she cocked her head, her hollow gaze almost playful. “So brave,” she murmured. “Very well. I’ll let you go… but only if you prove yourselves worthy.”

“Worthy of what?” you snapped, frustration and fear boiling over.

“Of love,” she replied, her lips curling into a sinister smile. “Complete my tasks, and I shall set you free. But fail…” Her voice dropped, becoming a bone-chilling whisper. “And you’ll remain here. Forever.”

Suddenly, Seungmin’s gaze locked onto an opening, a window. His grip on the bat tightened, and without hesitation, he shouted, “To hell with your tasks!” Grabbing your hand, he yanked you toward it with frantic urgency.

“Seungmin, wait!” you cried, stumbling to keep up, but he didn’t stop.

The ghost bride’s laughter echoed through the room, chilling and mocking. “Do you really think you can escape me?” Her voice slithered through the air, dripping with malice.

“Watch me!” Seungmin snarled, raising the bat high as he closed in on the window.

But as he reached it, the window slammed shut with a deafening crash. The sound reverberated like thunder, leaving the room trembling. Seungmin’s jaw tightened, and with a growl of frustration, he swung the bat at the glass with all his might. The force sent shockwaves up his arms, but the glass didn’t crack. It didn’t shatter. Not even a scratch appeared.

“Come on!” he bellowed, swinging again and again, each strike more frenzied than the last. His breaths came in ragged gasps as he poured every ounce of strength into breaking free. Yet the window remained unyielding, a taunting, impenetrable barrier.

The ghost bride’s voice rang out, dripping with cruel amusement. “Oh, Seungmin,” she taunted, her tone honeyed but wicked. “You can’t break what isn’t real. Haven’t you realized yet? You’re mine.”

Seungmin’s frustration erupted in a guttural yell as he slammed the bat to the floor with a force that rattled the room. “Dammit!” he shouted, his chest heaving, his breath uneven.

You placed a trembling hand on his arm, your voice barely a whisper. “Seungmin… stop. It’s useless.”

He turned to you, his eyes wild with a storm of anger and helplessness. “So what? You want us to just sit here and play her twisted games? No way.”

But despite the fire in his voice, he sank onto the couch, his shoulders slumping under the weight of defeat. You followed, sitting beside him as the suffocating silence of the room pressed in from all sides. Neither of you dared to speak, the tension as heavy as a thick fog. Your hands shook uncontrollably in your lap, curling into fists in a vain attempt to steady yourself. But the tears came anyway, silent, relentless, beyond your control. Exhaustion made you indifferent to wiping them away.

The quiet stretched on, unbearable and thick. Finally, the weight of everything overwhelmed you, and the tears fell freely, a quiet admission of the helplessness consuming you.

“I’m sorry,” Seungmin muttered suddenly, his voice barely audible. He stared at the floor, his expression unreadable.

You shook your head, your voice raw. “It’s not your fault. None of this is.”

----------------------------------------------------------

Before you could say anything else, the room flickered to life. The television powered on with a loud click, its eerie light casting shifting shadows against the walls. Static buzzed briefly before clearing. Words began forming on the screen, their playful, sinister font twisting in an unnatural dance:

“Make a meal together; it warms your heart with every bite.”

Seungmin’s jaw tightened. “What the hell is this?” he muttered.

“She’s toying with us,” you said, your voice trembling.

The bride’s laughter rang out again, surrounding you, suffocating you. “A little teamwork never hurt anyone,” she cooed, her voice as mocking as it was chilling. “Show me your love, and perhaps I’ll let you leave.”

Seungmin shot to his feet, his fury igniting as he glared at the screen. “This is insane! You want us to cook for you? Are you kidding me?”

“Oh, it’s not for me,” the bride’s voice replied, smooth yet ice-cold. “It’s for you. For each other. Love begins in the little things, don’t you think?”

You scoffed, running a hand through your hair as frustration bubbled over. “This is ridiculous. We’re not doing this.”

Seungmin’s voice softened, almost breaking. “Y/N…” The fear in his eyes made your stomach twist. “What choice do we have?” he whispered. “If we don’t do what she wants… we’ll never get out of here.”

You hesitated, your jaw tightening as you fought the logic in his words. Memories of distant promises and the ghost’s accusation, ex-best friend, lingered in your mind like an unanswered question. “This is so messed up,” you muttered, your stomach twisting. But finally, you nodded. “Fine. Let’s just get it over with.”

The television clicked off abruptly, plunging the room back into a chilling silence.

Then, without warning, the kitchen lights blazed to life. The space transformed before your eyes, now immaculately pristine yet unnervingly surreal. Neatly arranged ingredients and utensils lined the countertops, every item positioned with unsettling precision as though the scene had been waiting for you.

You and Seungmin exchanged a wary glance, unease rippling between you. But with no other choice, you stepped toward the kitchen.

The ghost bride’s voice slithered through the air once more, smug and cold. “Make it with love,” she whispered. “Every bite counts.”

“Tofu, gochugaru, chicken stock, kimchi, soy sauce, garlic…” Seungmin scanned the ingredients, his eyes darting between each item. His lips quirked into a small, bittersweet smile as he murmured, “Looks like we’re making sundubu jjigae tonight… just like old times.” His eyes met yours briefly, flickering with a shadow of something you couldn’t quite place.

You glared at Seungmin, the warmth of old memories clashing with the simmering anger in your chest. “Don’t,” you said sharply, your voice cutting through the tension like a blade. He flinched, the weight of unspoken guilt evident in his expression. “Let’s just get this over with.”

The air between you was suffocating as you both moved to complete the task, the ghost bride’s ominous laughter still lingering like a cruel echo. Despite the charged silence, your movements synced in an odd, unspoken rhythm. There were awkward moments, a brush of fingers here, a fumbled handoff there but neither of you acknowledged them. Slowly, the dish began to take shape. The tofu, sliced into precise cubes, bobbed in the bubbling broth, rich with the tangy heat of kimchi and the vibrant red of gochugaru. The aroma of Sundubu Jjigae filled the space, stirring memories you had long buried.

Finally, the dish was complete. You both stood back, staring at the finished stew. The vibrant hues of the kimchi and tofu stood out against the dark, glossy broth. It looked perfect, almost too perfect for the chaos surrounding you.

Seungmin shifted beside you, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “It smells... just like before,” he muttered, glancing at you.

You ignored the pang in your chest and picked up a spoon, the warm aroma curling around you. The first bite brought a rush of flavor that made your eyes widen in surprise. The stew was rich, spicy, and deeply comforting so much so that for a fleeting moment, the oppressive weight of the room seemed to lift.

“It’s... good,” you admitted, the words slipping out reluctantly. You hated how it brought a small, fleeting smile to Seungmin’s lips.

“Yeah?” he asked softly, hope flickering in his voice.

You didn’t answer, instead handing him a bowl. The two of you ate in tense silence, the quiet punctuated by the occasional clink of spoons against ceramic. For a moment, it almost felt like old times, like you were a team again. Almost.

But Seungmin broke the illusion. “YN,” he began hesitantly, his voice low. “I’m sorry... for everything. For ghosting you. I should’ve been there.”

You froze, your spoon hovering mid-air, before setting it down with a sharp clink. “Don’t,” you said, your voice brittle. “You don’t get to do this now. You left, Seungmin. No explanation, no goodbye. You don’t get to apologize and expect it to fix everything.”

His jaw tightened, guilt flashing in his eyes. “I know,” he murmured. “I don’t expect you to forgive me. But I....”

“Enough,” you interrupted, your voice rising slightly. “It doesn’t matter now.”

The air crackled with tension, thick and suffocating, before the ghost bride’s mocking laughter pierced through it like a blade. Her voice echoed from every corner of the room, cold and taunting. “Ah, such delightful drama,” she purred. “But you’re not done yet.”

---------------------------------------------------------

The room shifted suddenly, the air growing colder as the lights dimmed. The kitchen vanished, replaced by an unsettlingly romantic setup. Candlelight flickered across the table, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The scent of roses overwhelmed your senses, sickly sweet and cloying. A table for two stood at the center, adorned with fine china, silverware, and a bottle of wine that seemed to gleam ominously.

“What is this now?” Seungmin asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

You shook your head, your lips pressing into a thin line. “Her idea of a joke, apparently.”

The ghost bride appeared in the shadows, her translucent figure floating effortlessly. Her grin was sharp, her voice dripping with malice. “A romantic dinner. Just the two of you,” she cooed. “I want to see love rekindled.”

Seungmin glanced around the transformed room, his brow furrowed in confusion. “I... didn’t expect this,” he muttered, disbelief thick in his voice.

“Yeah, well, neither did I,” you replied, avoiding his gaze. “What are we supposed to do here? Pretend this is normal?”

He let out a nervous laugh, his hands fidgeting with the silverware in front of him. The suffocating awkwardness in the air was almost tangible, made worse by the ghost bride’s cold, knowing smile hovering in the background.

“So, uh... this is romantic, huh?” Seungmin said dryly, reaching for a wine glass in an attempt to lighten the mood.

You raised an eyebrow, scoffing. “Romantic? We’re trapped in a haunted house with a ghost forcing us to make dinner, and who knows what else.”

“Right,” Seungmin murmured, a nervous chuckle slipping out. His eyes darted to yours briefly before he hesitated, his expression uncertain. “Okay, so... do you want to talk about anything? I mean, since we’re here.”

The question hung in the air, thick and heavy. The tension between you was palpable, but an odd thread of humor weaved through it as you both fumbled to make the situation less unbearable. Reaching for your wine glass, you were stopped short when Seungmin grabbed it first.

“Hey! That’s mine!” you protested, leaning forward with a grin to snatch it back.

“No way,” he countered with a smirk. “I’m the one who gets to drink first.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, did I miss the royal decree that makes you the king of wine?” you shot back, an eyebrow arched.

Seungmin snorted, clearly amused. “At least I’m not the one trying to chug all the wine just because this is supposed to be a ‘romantic date.’”

You narrowed your eyes in mock irritation. “That’s it. I’m leaving.”

“Go ahead,” he teased, his smirk widening. “See how that works out for you.”

Before you could fire back, the ghost bride’s chilling laughter echoed through the room, louder and more pointed this time. “Oh, come on, you two. Can’t even enjoy a meal together?” Her voice dripped with mockery, her head tilting in amusement as if she were thoroughly entertained by your awkward exchange.

You stared down at your plate, your appetite fading. “What’s there to talk about?” you muttered, your voice sharp with lingering resentment. “It’s been what months, Seungmin ? You disappeared without a word.”

Seungmin flinched at the accusation, his guilt evident in the way he avoided your eyes. “Yeah... I know. And I’m sorry. I should’ve....”

“Don’t,” you interrupted, your tone flat and unwavering. “I don’t want to hear it.”

He faltered, his mouth opening as if to respond, but no words came out. The silence that followed was suffocating, every scrape of silverware and shift in posture amplified in the stillness. The weight of unspoken words hung heavily between you, while the ghost bride’s watchful gaze loomed over the table, as though eagerly awaiting the next spark of conflict.

“So...” Seungmin tried again, forcing a weak smile as he gestured to the food. “What do we do now? Eat?”

You gave him a look of pure exasperation. “Yeah, I guess that’s the whole point.”

The two of you ate in tense silence, though neither seemed to actually enjoy the meal. Seungmin kept stealing glances at you from the corner of his eye, only to quickly look away when you caught him. You, in turn, picked at your food, determined not to meet his gaze.

Then, cutting through the oppressive quiet like a blade, the ghost bride’s voice echoed once more, her tone icy and amused. “You’re so quiet. Is this how you two always eat together?”

You looked up, startled by the ghost bride’s sudden intrusion. “What do you want from us?” you snapped, your patience wearing thin. “We’re eating. We’re doing what you want.”

The ghost bride smiled that unnerving, disembodied smile again, her voice syrupy sweet. “How can you say that when you’re so distant? Where’s the love? Where’s the spark? I demand to see it.”

“Spark?” Seungmin stammered, glancing between you and the ghost bride, clearly baffled. “We’re barely even talking, and you want... that?”

“Love is in the little things,” she cooed, her tone dripping with false sweetness. “The way you feed each other, the way you smile at each other, the way you share a quiet moment. Let’s see if you remember that.”

Seungmin shot a confused look at you. “Uh... YN?” he said, his voice heavy with reluctance. “I guess... should we share a bite or something? To, you know, show the ‘love’ or whatever?”

You blinked, taken aback by his suggestion. “What? No. You don’t just... share food to rekindle a spark,” you said, a half-laugh escaping you as you shook your head at the absurdity of it all.

Seungmin’s eyes widened in realization, and a nervous laugh slipped from his lips. “No, no! I’m just trying to make the ghost lady happy.”

The humor fell flat, and the tension returned, thickening the air once more. You sighed, deciding it was better to just get it over with. “Fine. Let’s just do this.” With a mixture of reluctance and exasperation, you held out your fork, offering him a bite of your dish.

Seungmin hesitated, his face caught between amusement and discomfort. “Alright, here goes nothing.” He leaned in to take the bite, but as he did, he knocked the plate, splashing sauce onto his shirt.

You burst out laughing, unable to stop yourself. “Smooth move, Seungmin,” you teased, the laughter easing the tension, if only briefly. “Guess you’re really ‘sparking’ things up now.”

Seungmin, his face flushed with embarrassment, managed a sheepish grin. “Yeah, well, guess I’m not the expert in romance.”

Just as the awkwardness seemed to subside, the ghost bride’s voice echoed through the room again, cold and mocking. “How sweet. But this is not enough. The next part of your task begins now...”

----------------------------------------------------------

The ghost bride clapped her translucent hands together, a gleeful smile stretching across her eerie face. “A dance! Let’s see if you can move as one, with grace and passion.”

Seungmin groaned. “A dance? Really? We’re in the middle of... whatever this is, and now you want us to waltz?”

You shot him a sharp look. “Oh, come on. It’s not like we have a choice here, Seungmin.”

“Why do I feel like this is some kind of sick couples’ therapy?” he muttered under his breath, earning a half-snort, half-smile from you.

The ghost bride’s voice cut through the air again, dripping with authority. “Enough stalling. The music begins now.”

Suddenly, a hauntingly beautiful melody filled the room, the kind of tune that sent chills down your spine. The ghost bride drifted to the side, her expectant gaze fixed on the two of you.

“Alright, let’s get this over with,” Seungmin said with an exaggerated sigh, extending his hand toward you. “Try not to step on my feet.”

“Oh, please,” you scoffed, taking his hand. “If anyone’s stepping on toes, it’s you.”

He grinned, leaning in slightly. “Bold of you to assume you’re that light on your feet.”

You narrowed your eyes at him but didn’t respond, allowing him to lead you to the center of the room. As his hand settled on your waist, a flicker of awkwardness sparked between you two, a reminder of the tension that still lingered, unresolved and thick in the air.

The dance started off slow, almost too slow. The melody swayed between romantic and ominous, and you couldn’t shake the feeling that you were being watched. Oh right, the ghost bride. Of course, you were being watched.

“Okay, not bad,” Seungmin said, his tone a mix of surprise and approval as you twirled into his arms without tripping. “Maybe you’ve had some practice.”

“Are you saying you didn’t expect me to be good at this?” you shot back, raising an eyebrow.

“I’m saying I’ve seen you trip over a flat surface,” he replied, fighting back a laugh.

You opened your mouth to argue, but he spun you before you could. For a moment, it felt like you might actually fall, but Seungmin caught you effortlessly, pulling you back into him with a smirk.

“See? I’ve got you,” he said, his voice softening, almost teasing.

You stared at him a beat too long before glancing away. “Don’t get used to it,” you muttered, focusing on the steps instead of the warmth of his hand on your back.

The ghost bride’s voice sliced through the music like a blade. “You call this dancing? Where’s the passion? Where’s the fire?”

Seungmin shot her an incredulous look. “We’re trying, okay? Maybe lower your expectations.”

“Passion doesn’t need to be tried,” she snapped. “It comes naturally.”

“Well, excuse us for not being the leads in some ghostly rom-com,” you retorted, earning a stifled laugh from Seungmin.

The ghost bride’s chilling smile returned. “Let me make it easier for you, then.” With a wave of her hand, the room seemed to shrink, forcing you and Seungmin even closer. The music grew louder, more insistent, as if daring you to falter.

You stumbled slightly, your face inches from Seungmin’s chest. “Great. Now she’s making us claustrophobic.”

“Just focus,” Seungmin said, steadying you with an arm around your waist. His voice had lost its usual sarcasm, and for a moment, he almost sounded reassuring.

But then his next words shattered the moment: “Unless you’d rather call it quits and let her haunt us forever.”

“Oh, you wish,” you shot back, pulling away just enough to regain your footing. “I’m not giving her the satisfaction.”

You moved in sync again, the tension easing ever so slightly with each step. The occasional bump of knees or misstep drew soft laughs, though neither of you dared to acknowledge the deeper emotions lingering beneath the surface.

Just as you started to think you might survive this without further embarrassment, Seungmin’s foot caught on yours, sending him off balance. He grabbed onto you for support, pulling you down in an awkward heap on the floor.

“Well, that was graceful,” you said, struggling to suppress a laugh as you sat up.

“Totally your fault,” Seungmin replied, wincing as he rubbed his elbow. “You distracted me.”

“Oh, sure. Blame me for your two left feet.”

Before he could respond, the ghost bride loomed over you both, her expression unreadable. “Pathetic,” she sighed. “But entertaining, at least.”

You exchanged a glance with Seungmin, the humor of the situation bubbling up despite everything. “Guess we’re better at comedy than choreography,” he muttered, a small smile tugging at his lips.

For once, you didn’t argue. “Yeah. At least we’ve got that going for us.”

The ghost bride’s disapproving sigh echoed through the room as the music faded. “Enough. Perhaps you’ll do better in the next task.”

Your stomach sank. Next task? You glanced at Seungmin, who looked equally apprehensive. “What do you think she has in mind this time?” you asked.

He shrugged, helping you to your feet. “Knowing her? Something even worse.”

“Fantastic,” you said dryly, brushing yourself off. “Can’t wait.”

----------------------------------------------------------

The ghost bride’s voice dripped with amusement as she announced the next task. “One fine blood-red rose from the terrace garden under the moonlight. Alone, of course.”

“Alone?” you repeated, narrowing your eyes. “Why? Isn’t this a team thing?”

She let out a chilling laugh. “Not this time. You must do this alone, my dear.”

Seungmin took a step forward, his jaw tight with defiance. “This is ridiculous. I’m not letting her....”

“Any interference will result in consequences,” the ghost bride warned, her voice sharp as a knife.

You sighed, rolling your eyes. “It’s fine. I’ll do it. Just… stay here, Seungmin.”

His expression was etched with worry, but he nodded reluctantly. “Be careful. Yell if anything happens.”

“Great advice in a haunted house,” you muttered under your breath as you headed toward the staircase.

The air grew colder with each step, your breath visible in the dimly lit corridor. The shadows seemed alive, shifting and flickering as though they were watching you.

Halfway up the staircase, a loud thud echoed behind you. You whipped around, heart racing, but saw nothing, just the empty hall.

“Okay,” you whispered, swallowing hard. “It’s just the house messing with me. That’s all.”

When you turned back, a porcelain doll was suddenly on the step in front of you, its glassy eyes locked onto yours. You let out a startled yelp, stumbling back.

“How did you…?” you began, but before you could finish, the doll’s head slowly turned to the side with a faint, deliberate creak.

“Nope. Nope. Nope,” you muttered, sidestepping the doll and hurrying up the stairs.

At the top, the faint sound of a child’s laughter echoed through the air, sending a chill down your spine. You glanced over your shoulder to find the staircase now filled with dolls, all standing eerily still, their unblinking eyes following your every move.

“Wonderful,” you muttered, forcing yourself to keep moving. “Just me and my creepy doll fan club.”

The terrace door loomed ahead, and as you reached for the handle, it creaked open on its own.

“Of course,” you muttered, stepping outside. The garden was bathed in silvery moonlight, its beauty strangely mesmerizing. But the eerie calm didn’t last.

As you approached the rose bush, the sound of footsteps echoed behind you. You froze, your heart pounding. “Hello?” you called, your voice trembling.

No response.

Taking a shaky breath, you turned back toward the rose bush, only to find a shadowy figure standing between you and the flowers. Its face was obscured, its form flickering like a dying lightbulb.

“Who ? what ? ” you stammered, stumbling back. The figure tilted its head, and before you could react, it lunged at you with a guttural scream.

You shrieked, ducking just in time as the figure dissolved into thin air.

“Okay, this is officially the worst idea ever,” you muttered, your hands trembling as you approached the rose bush again.

The blood-red rose glowed under the moonlight, its vibrant hue almost hypnotic. You reached out hesitantly, your fingers brushing the petals. As soon as you plucked it, the ground beneath you crumbled away.

A scream tore from your throat as you grabbed onto a nearby vase, your legs dangling over the void below. The once-beautiful terrace was now a crumbling expanse of nothingness, the wind howling in your ears.

Back in the dining room, Seungmin shot to his feet when he heard your scream. “Y/N!” he shouted, sprinting toward the terrace despite the ghost bride’s warning.

Meanwhile, you clung to the vase, your arms trembling. A narrow rope bridge materialized in front of you, swaying dangerously in the wind.

“Really?!” you shouted at the void, your voice dripping with sarcasm. “This is the solution?!”

Seungmin burst onto the terrace, his face pale with fear. “Y/N!”

“Oh, hey,” you called weakly, your voice trembling. “Fancy seeing you here. Just hanging out. Literally.”

His eyes darted to the rope bridge, then to you. “What the hell is going on?!”

“Long story. Not the time!”

Ignoring the ghost bride’s warning, Seungmin stepped onto the rope bridge, his arms outstretched to keep his balance as the wind howled around him.

“Stop!” you yelled. “She said...”

“I don’t care what she said!” he snapped, his voice laced with desperation. “I’m not letting you do this alone!”

As he inched closer, you felt your grip slipping. “Seungmin,” you whispered, tears streaming down your face. “I can’t hold on.”

“You’re not falling,” he said firmly, his jaw clenched. “Not on my watch.”

When he finally reached you, he grabbed your arm, his grip steady despite the shaking bridge. With a grunt, he pulled you into his arms, holding you tightly as the void disappeared and the terrace returned to its original state.

You clung to him, your breaths coming in short, ragged gasps.

“Thanks,” you murmured, your voice barely audible.

He held you tighter, his voice low and filled with emotion. “I’m not losing you. Not again.”

From the shadows, the ghost bride observed with a satisfied smile. “Well done. The rose is yours… but your journey is far from over.”

The air grew heavier as you and Seungmin descended the staircase from the terrace. Without warning, her chilling voice echoed around you once more. “Oh, how sweet you two look together. Let’s dig deeper, shall we?”

Before you could react, the world around you shifted. The air turned icy, and a dense fog engulfed the staircase. You turned to Seungmin, but he was no longer beside you.

“Seungmin?!” you called, panic gripping your chest.

“Y/N!” his voice echoed faintly, distant and unreachable....

----------------------------------------------------------

The fog swallowed your surroundings completely. When it cleared, you found yourself in a dimly lit room. Shadows flickered along the walls, and at the center stood an ornate mirror, glowing faintly. On a pedestal before it lay the blood-red rose you had plucked earlier.

The ghost bride’s voice slithered into your ears, soft and sinister. “To move forward, you must confront the truth. Pick the rose, and let it reveal what you’ve buried deep inside.”

Your hands trembled as you reached for the rose. The sharp thorns pricked your finger, a single drop of blood welling up. The mirror rippled like water, and an image began to form.

At first, it was blurry, but as the scene sharpened, you realized what you were looking at, a younger version of yourself, no older than eight, sitting cross-legged on a playground bench. Beside you sat Seungmin, his cheeks flushed from the autumn chill, his dark hair sticking out in all directions. In one hand, he held a popsicle; in the other, a bright yellow bandage, which he clumsily pressed against your scraped knee.

“Stop squirming,” he mumbled, his tongue poking out in concentration.

“It hurts!” your younger self whined, tears welling up as you winced.

“Well, maybe if you weren’t always trying to show off, this wouldn’t have happened,” he retorted, exasperated but not unkind. “Just… stay still, okay?”

Despite his words, his touch was gentle. His small hands carefully smoothed the bandage into place. When he finished, he leaned back with a satisfied smile.

“There. Good as new,” he declared, holding up his popsicle triumphantly.

Your younger self sniffled, managing a weak smile. The sting of the scrape faded in the face of his earnestness. “Thanks, Minnie.”

“Don’t call me that,” he grumbled, though his pink cheeks betrayed his embarrassment.

It was a small, fleeting moment, but it had set the foundation for your entire friendship. Seungmin had always been there for you, through scraped knees, school struggles, and the awkwardness of growing up, you’d been each other’s constants.

The scene shifted, and the golden playground light was replaced by the hum of fluorescent bulbs. Now high school-aged, you both sat on the rooftop of your school, textbooks spread out between you.

“Do you think they’re right?” Seungmin asked suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence.

“Who?” you asked, looking up from your notes.

“My parents,” he murmured, barely above a whisper. “They’re always saying I’m not good enough. That I’ll never amount to anything.”

His words struck something deep within you, and without thinking, you reached out and placed a comforting hand on his arm. “That’s not true, Seungmin,” you said firmly. “You’re one of the smartest, most talented people I know. And you’re kind. Who cares what they think?”

He turned to you then, his eyes filled with an emotion you couldn’t quite place. For a moment, the world narrowed to just the two of you, his gaze heavy and unwavering. Then he gave you a small, shy smile and nodded.

“Thanks, Y/N,” he said softly. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

The rooftop scene dissolved, replaced by the hustle of a university library. The two of you were surrounded by a mountain of books and empty coffee cups, deep into finals week.

“Alright,” Seungmin said, snapping his fingers to get your attention. “What’s the answer to question five on the practice exam?”

You groaned, burying your face in your hands. “I don’t know! I’m going to fail, drop out, and probably end up living in a cardboard box somewhere.”

“Relax,” he said with a laugh. “You always do this, Y/N. You freak out, and then you ace the exam like it’s nothing.”

“Says the guy who crammed the entire syllabus last night,” you shot back, rolling your eyes.

“And yet, here I am,” he replied with a grin that lit up his entire face. “Maybe I’m just a genius.”

“Shut up,” you muttered, fighting a smile.

“Y/N, you’ve got this,” he said, his voice dropping to something softer, more earnest. “You’re one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met. And, just so you know, you’re kind of a genius too.”

His words made your cheeks flush, and you turned your attention back to your notes, mumbling, “Whatever, Minnie.”

He laughed, warm and carefree, and you couldn’t help but smile despite yourself.

The scene shifted, and suddenly, you were standing at the entrance of the house, the night of the party. Your past self lingered at the doorway, smoothing down your outfit nervously as if it could steady the whirlwind inside you. Felix was the first to greet you, his ever-bright grin lighting up his face as he extended a drink toward you.

“Finally! The life of the party is here,” he said, his cheerful voice cutting through the hum of conversation and the pulsing music.

You took the drink with a small smile, your fingers trembling slightly as you gripped the glass. The party was alive around you, laughter, vibrant chatter, and the warmth of so many people gathered in one space. But your focus wasn’t on them. It never was.

You stood near the bar, fidgeting with your drink as your eyes roamed the room. Your heart pounded with a mix of nerves and anticipation, every step forward feeling like a delicate balance between courage and hesitation. It felt as though everything in the past few months had been leading to this moment. Every unspoken feeling, every stolen glance, and every night you stayed up thinking about him, all of it had brought you here.

And then you saw him. Seungmin.

He stood across the room, near the far corner, casually leaning against the wall as he laughed with a group of mutual friends. He looked just as he always did, relaxed, effortlessly composed, and with that soft smile that always sent your heart into a frenzy.

But tonight, there was something different. The way his eyes darted around the room, almost searching, sent a flicker of hope sparking in your chest.

“Maybe he’s looking for me?” you thought, the idea igniting a warmth within you.

You hesitated, the weight of what you had decided to do pressing heavily on your chest. Your palms were clammy, and your stomach churned with nervous energy. You had promised yourself tonight would be the night. You would tell him how you felt, how he wasn’t just your best friend but your everything.

Taking a deep breath, you clenched your hands at your sides and took a tentative step toward him.

But before you could reach him, a familiar voice slurred behind you, freezing you in your tracks.

“Y/N…”

Your stomach sank as you turned and found yourself face-to-face with Hyunjin. His disheveled appearance and glassy eyes told you everything you needed to know, he was drunk. The redness in his cheeks wasn’t from the party but from something far more troubling.

“Hyunjin,” you said cautiously, stepping back as he stumbled closer to you. “You’re drunk. You shouldn’t be here.”

“Drunk? Maybe,” he said with a bitter laugh, his words slurring as he gestured loosely with his hand. “But I had to see you. I needed to see you.”

Your heart tightened as he took another unsteady step closer, his expression shifting from bitterness to pleading. “Y/N, I made a mistake. I was stupid. I…I want you back.”

His words hit you like a tidal wave, but not in the way he probably intended. You took another step back, your voice steady but firm. “Hyunjin, we’ve been over this. It’s over. You need to let this go.”

But he wasn’t listening. His desperation took hold, and before you could stop him, his hands grabbed your arms, pulling you into a tight, forceful hug.

“Please,” he whispered, his voice trembling and raw. “Just one more chance. I can be better. I swear.”

Your breath caught, anger bubbling beneath the surface as you struggled against his grip.

“Hyunjin, stop it!” you snapped, your voice rising. “Let me go!”

The mirror zoomed out, revealing something you hadn’t noticed that night, a shadow in the corner. Your heart sank as the image sharpened to show Seungmin.

He had been watching the entire exchange.

Your breath hitched, your chest tightening painfully as the mirror captured his expression in that fleeting, raw moment. Gone was his usual calm demeanor, the quiet confidence that made him seem unshakable. Instead, his face was a storm of emotions: hurt, betrayal, and anger. His jaw was clenched so tightly it looked like it might shatter, his fists trembling at his sides. His eyes, usually soft and warm when they landed on you, were now ablaze with a mixture of pain and fury.

From across the room, Seungmin’s gaze locked on the sight of Hyunjin holding you. Your face was obscured, pressed against Hyunjin’s shoulder, and in Seungmin’s mind, the worst conclusions took root and twisted deeper with every passing second.

Tears gathered in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall.

The mirror panned back to Seungmin, and you could see how quickly the anger began to smother the sadness in his expression. His thoughts spilled into the room like whispers from a wound too deep to heal.

“Of course you’d choose him… Why wouldn’t you? I’ll never be enough for you, Y/N. Not for you, not for anyone.”

You stumbled back a step, your voice breaking as you whispered, “No. Seungmin, I wasn’t...I didn’t…”

Suddenly Seungmin’s thoughts faded as the mirror darkened, leaving only his broken expression burned into your mind. You reached out instinctively, as though you could change the past by touching the glass, but your fingers met only a cold, unyielding surface.

The reflection twisted, the room behind you flickering like a dying light, and when it settled again, you were staring at Seungmin, only this time, his lips were pressed against Beth’s.

Your heart stopped, the image searing into your chest like a brand.

But the scene didn’t stop….

࣪ ִֶָ☾.Tags - @atinyniki @writingforstraykids @yangbbokari @theo4eve @jinnie-ret  @livelovelaughmiko @silverstarburst @galaxycatdrawz @skzoologist @shua-f4lmings @iknowyouknowminho @krisstheidiot @hyunjinhoexxx @gho-ster @ezlynkisses @elmoslungcancer @b1nn1e-1s-cut3 @seungseung-minmin @cuddlylonelyperson @jeonginsleftcheek @oreoqueen @freekyfangirl

Comment your @ If you wish to be added or removed from this list ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

࣪ ִֶָ☾.ENDNOTE - Everything Here is a work of fiction and my own imagination. This does not represent the real life characteristics of Stray Kids. Make sure to like, reblog comment, and follow me for new updates!

[jinnie-ret]

thank you so much for recommending my fic that's so kind of you 😭💜 reblogging to share these other fics and writers <3

Recommendation list

Here is a little collection of my favorite stray kids stories i read last year. Shout out to all the amazing writers on this list. I hope you find something you like to read. Enjoy!

Bang Chan:

makeup time by gnabnahc317cb97

let me in your ocean, swim by skzms

slytherin bangchan hogwarts au by slytherinbangchan

everything that we need is here by youknowwhatelseisbig

happy by agi-ppangx

Lee Minho:

so tight i'd bruise you by wisterialwhymsy

and at last i see the light by lieslab

all i want for christmas by hwangism143

catnip and kidnappings by kaciidubs

constellations by nmn-yty

Seo Changbin:

seasons with you by jeonginsleftcheek

just call my name ill be there by feelbokkie

the alternative by astraystayyh

confession by baby-yongbok

mezzanine by hwajin

Hwang Hyunjin:

best friend jealousy by lixie-phoria

practice makes perfect by soobnny

the snow falls we fall apart by astraystayyh

here is the plan by hyunjins-orange-slice-too

from eden by minhosimthings

Han Jisung:

my jokes are my amour by wisterialwhymsy

sunflower by coichii

behind the Camera, In His Heart by 0omill0

volcano by astraystayyh

chronic by httpdwaekki

Felix:

coffee fix by jinhyun

more than friends by charlieg1rl

sandcastles by luvtak

unfair by wendyyyyyyyy

hang the moon by lixies-favorite-cookie

Seungmin:

tangled lines by ivyues

stuffies by seungfl0wer

promise by hwajin

moments of love by imagine-a-life-like-this

the subtle art of cliche confessions by starseungs

Jeongin:

paired up by sheerfreesia

subtle pining by lixie-phoria

my girl by soobnny

white nail polish by dreaming-medium

you can have it by cosmicalily

More member:

3Racha when you’re nonverbal by finnbbl

i love you by lieslab

the final straw by gnabnahc317cb97

protection by jinnie-ret

you were a bet by dreamescapeswriting

[jinnie-ret]

love this <3

Well, that's bad

One thing he likes about you is that you would never say empty words. You never said "it's okay" when it obviously wasn't. You never said "it'll be alright" when you had no idea of what would happen. The comfort you provided him was never generic and shallow.

Some would say it wasn't even comfort, to be honest. But he liked it. He liked how you'd say "well, that's bad" with a nervous laugh. He liked it when there was obvious panic in your eyes but you held his hand. Even when the problem wouldn't directly affect you, there you were, with an anxious smile and some phrase like "we are screwed."

The keyword was "we". Just a silly reminder, one that you barely noticed, about how the situation was bad but at least you both were together. And it amazed him how you never said "we are okay" when he wasn't. Your words always said "we are doomed", meaning you were together even with bad circumstances, but your acts were always like holding him or smiling, meaning that you were already looking for a way out. And he loves this about you.

Masterlist | you'll probably like: How to love you

Daily click

Taglist(open!): @yuyubeans @dandelions-143 @sleepyleeji @jinnie-ret @sheraayasherrecs @rockstarkkami @urlocalmultigroupfan

Dividers by @cafekitsune | images 1, 2 and 3

[jinnie-ret]

ahahaha my shaylaaaa

maniac

cyborg!bang chan x reader

genre: angst, slight horror, some fluff

content warnings: abandonment, scientific experimentation, mentions of implied death

word count: 2k

summary: when he finds a baby abandoned, lonely, left to suffer in this dystopian world, he swears to become it's protector.

requested by: @lovingchan

this is an origin story part of the Oddinary House universe which you can read here! you may or may not see some appearances from the other characters from the series 👀

1K FOLLOWERS PLAYLIST 💚🖤

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Not even the fleeting touch of the soft breeze caressing his cheek could make Bang Chan feel human again. He had lost himself long ago. That wasn't who he was anymore. Now, and forever more, he was CB97. Half cyborg, half human, he was a failed experiment abandoned to the hands of nature's unpredictable ways.

The tall, moist blades of grass swayed lazily against the bare skin of his numb legs. Slender willow trees loomed over him, a circle of gracefulness encompassing him in a shaded cloak. Even with the natural entities drawn towards him, CB97 remained in a dreamless sleep, less alive than the plants.

It wasn't his fault that his dreams were stolen away from him.

His youth was stolen away from him. Bang Chan was an aspiring idol, so eager to join JYPE with his talents; singing, rapping, dancing, playing the guitar and playing the piano, that he was quick to get that flight to Seoul from his home Sydney. Why wouldn't he be? He had already attempted to enter the K-pop world at the age of 13, but once he turned 16 his parents finally agreed. Unfortunately, they would come to regret that if they knew of what had transpired.

Sucked into a web of lies, Bang Chan had stumbled into an illegal experimental facility, an organisation attempting to unite all living creatures into one thriving species - or at least that was what he had overheard under the influence of a strong anaesthetic. Really, it was a dangerous test playing on the boundaries between humans, animals and technology. Everything that had happened to him was built into his hard drive, permanently etched into his new and improved working memory. If he was conscious and chose to scan his own database, he would be able to find the audiovisual remnants of how he was treated.

"Welcome to the future, CB97."

Future? He didn't have a future. He had nobody, nothing.

"It's eyes... I told you we needed to insert more circuits into-"

"It's still human!"

"If you hadn't backpedaled on creating an actual robot-"

"This was a much more efficient way! We keep the brain and we rewire it as we see fit. I told the whole team from the beginning of the rules! This is how we run the experiments around here."

Experiments. Ah, yes. Plural.

A cacophony of sounds had awoken CB97 when he was wheeled into a sterile room, three blank white walls and one glass wall. Multiple of these rooms lined the dimly lit corridor, nameplates along with 'EXTERMINATION' were stuck on the windows of each failure. First, he failed to become an idol, and now, he wasn't even good enough to be a test dummy?

In his assigned space there was nothing to stimulate his brain, just a plain, old chair for him to sit on. The days dragged on monotonously, whether it was the slamming of huge beasts throwing their bodies against their enclosures, deep, gravely growls, haunting shrieks or the droning of the execution buzzer. He didn't feel a thing. He didn't even have an ounce of dread hollowing away at the pit of his stomach knowing it would be his turn soon. Maybe, deep down he knew that it would be different for him.

"We can't dispose of CB97 like the others, it's still too humane, they'd be able to trace this all back to us!"

Different alarms had been blaring at that time. Urgent beeping and scientists running back and forth with files and trollies containing test tubes with concerning colours.

"Then we leave it where no one will ever find it."

Deserted. Isolated. Alone. He still remained in the same place he had been left. When he had felt sunlight hit him again for the first time in what felt like centuries, he had awoken. Bang Chan, not CB97. He cried, he sobbed, he screamed in anger at the way fate had led him. His soul had been dealt the cruelest punishment. His nervous breakdown horrified the cruel, cowardly scientists who had to transport him to the middle of nowhere. They had desperately scrambled away at the sight of the tumultuous sparks of electricity emanating from their experiment. They were lucky to escape. He wasn't.

Almost as if the last part of humanity was being drained from within him, cables dug themselves into the dry, cracked soil, intertwining viciously with tree roots and tying him to the same spot for the rest of his life.

Two years. That's how long he had been asleep for. That's how long it had been since his body shut down on him. Never to wake again was the most likely outcome.

"She's not a normal baby, she's this, this horrible thing!" a woman screamed, a bundle in her arms.

"We needed the money!"

"And look where that got us!"

"Then leave her here, already! No one... No one has to know..." a man pleaded desperately with his ex partner.

"I know! I know, what you did, to her... to us! You ruined everything!"

Crying. Sobbing. Screaming. It was a familiar pattern in rare occasions such as this, yet Chan was still unresponsive, until the wails of a baby caused an involuntary jerk of his leg.

Abandoned. Like us. Must analyse.

System rebooting.

As if they had a life of their own, the branches of the trees that cocooned Bang Chan withdrew from his awakening figure. His eyes flickered open, feeling the electricity course through his brains as his programmed instincts went into overdrive.

Scanning surroundings. Being identified.

It was a child. They were just like him, left to rot and succumb to whatever was thrown at them next. CB97 was able to analyse the situation at hand, whereas Bang Chan knew he had to help.

With a loud yell he stood to his feet, dirt exploding into the air when he rigidly took one step forwards.

Move closer for further identification.

Was he fortunate to not feel any tension in his body after not moving for years? Was he lucky to have not felt the aches in his joints and the cracks in his bones as he approached the newborn.

Not a newborn. Estimated age is 1 year. Appears to be a grindylow.

A grindylow? What on earth was that? Vaguely in the back of his mind CB97 saw a memory of reading the Harry Potter series, that same word appearing. So he must have been somewhat knowledgeable on what the creature in front of him was.

Grindylows are water demons with large horns, pale skin, long arms and feet, sharp teeth and scaly skin.

Ah, that must have been the Wikipedia installation.

Bang Chan approached the wailing baby whose cries instantly stopped once they were lifted into the air. Oddly enough, the young grindylow didn't seem to mind the way it was awkwardly held, Chan's arms outstretched in front of him at a 90° angle and his hands supporting the child from under their arms.

Features appear to be undeveloped.

"You have growing to do, little one," Bang Chan blinked at the child in his stiff arms.

Round, shining eyes gazed sweetly at him, tufts of hair messily sticking up in the air. A pout soon faded away at the feeling of contact with another creature, the grindylow feeling safer than ever as they giggled at the stoic expression Bang Chan wore.

Error. Behaviour not processing.

"You can stay."

Were cyborgs able to feel a sense of accomplishment or fulfilment? Was CB97 less present when caring for another? Was Bang Chan allowed to feel content for even a moment? Here he was, aware, raising his own, sort of, child.

---

"I think I'll call you Nelly."

Nelly babbled excitedly, their fangs coming through stronger now as they gnawed on a piece of bark that Chan had retrieved.

Teething stage recognised.

---

Baby is crying. Nelly, upset. Must stop.

"I don't know what you need," Bang Chan fussed, rocking Nelly in his arms as he searched for a reason why they were so distressed.

"Ah. I think you need water," he nodded once, and promptly launched Nelly out of his arms and into the swampy lake nearby.

He had no need to question why he had done what would otherwise be seen as a cruel and unimaginable act. He knew what his child needed.

Nelly, happy. Task complete.

---

In a rundown district of Seoul, a muscly man with glitter sparkling from his skin huffed in frustration.

"He needs healing but I cannot enter his dreams. I don't have enough time to help him myself. I need to check on the communities in our neighbouring district first. I sense a broken soul I can help but I need you two do to this for me."

"I'm in."

"Got you covered, Binnie."

---

Water time is over. Nelly needs feeding.

"Nelly! I have food for you!" Bang Chan called, brows furrowed in concern as he traipsed the edge of the lake, careful not to get too close in case he fatally harmed himself and his system.

Splashes in the lake caught his attention, as well as the sound of delighted snuffing and teeth grinding together. That was his Nelly, alright.

Heat vision on. Nelly detected. One new grindylow detected.

Is that why they were so happy? They found another one of their kind? Bang Chan hadn't seen such strong emotion in Nelly since the time he had reprimanded them over them recklessly luring a poor human boy to the lake. This was a much better sight, better sound to hear them the previous whines when Nelly had lost claw privileges.

"Nelly. You and your friend can come out and eat! I found some- Nelly?" Bang Chan called out again when Nelly popped their head out, breaking through the surface of the water. Why did they have a sad look on their face? Why were they swimming away? The lake was huge it wouldn't be safe.

Why wasn't Nelly coming back?

"Nelly..." Bang Chan looked down, sadness overwhelming him.

System overload. System shutdown.

---

Nelly didn't return. Chan had rebooted a day after their disappearance, having a reason, a purpose to be awake. He searched around the lake everyday, but piles of uneaten food he had gathered stayed neatly in organised stacks in the foliage by the lake. He switched between different settings, both in his surroundings and his vision programmes. Normal vision, thermal detection, movement scanner. He caught nothing.

Flying objects incoming.

Flying objects? But grindylows couldn't fly could they? Unless Nelly had found their way back to him? He could question them once he was reunited with them! Once he sees Nelly again he can-

It wasn't Nelly.

Bat approaching. Fairy approaching.

Right in front of his very eyes, a bat and a fairy landed down on the tree stump opposite him before morphing into more human forms. That was Nelly's seat.

"You must be CB97. I'm Yang Jeongin, head of Oddinary House. This is Felix, my friend. We've been looking for you for a while now."

"You can come with us now, we'll help you."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

tagged: @skz-streamer @kiraisastay @arloo00 @dunno-wut-to-do @splat00z @his-angell @turtledove824 @2minstan @amararosesblog @ikykwkleeknoww @lixie-phoria @briqnne @linoalwaysknows @royal-shinigami @jolly04 @yangbbokari @thisrandomgoofy15 @lieslab @hannamoon143 @arumlilyeclipse @katzline @kiwihrt @skzoologist @lovingchan @atinyniki @writingforstraykids @lilmisssona @astraysimp @theo4eve

[jinnie-ret]

we must protect 😭

maniac

cyborg!bang chan x reader

genre: angst, slight horror, some fluff

content warnings: abandonment, scientific experimentation, mentions of implied death

word count: 2k

summary: when he finds a baby abandoned, lonely, left to suffer in this dystopian world, he swears to become it's protector.

requested by: @lovingchan

this is an origin story part of the Oddinary House universe which you can read here! you may or may not see some appearances from the other characters from the series 👀

1K FOLLOWERS PLAYLIST 💚🖤

MAIN MASTERLIST

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Not even the fleeting touch of the soft breeze caressing his cheek could make Bang Chan feel human again. He had lost himself long ago. That wasn't who he was anymore. Now, and forever more, he was CB97. Half cyborg, half human, he was a failed experiment abandoned to the hands of nature's unpredictable ways.

The tall, moist blades of grass swayed lazily against the bare skin of his numb legs. Slender willow trees loomed over him, a circle of gracefulness encompassing him in a shaded cloak. Even with the natural entities drawn towards him, CB97 remained in a dreamless sleep, less alive than the plants.

It wasn't his fault that his dreams were stolen away from him.

His youth was stolen away from him. Bang Chan was an aspiring idol, so eager to join JYPE with his talents; singing, rapping, dancing, playing the guitar and playing the piano, that he was quick to get that flight to Seoul from his home Sydney. Why wouldn't he be? He had already attempted to enter the K-pop world at the age of 13, but once he turned 16 his parents finally agreed. Unfortunately, they would come to regret that if they knew of what had transpired.

Sucked into a web of lies, Bang Chan had stumbled into an illegal experimental facility, an organisation attempting to unite all living creatures into one thriving species - or at least that was what he had overheard under the influence of a strong anaesthetic. Really, it was a dangerous test playing on the boundaries between humans, animals and technology. Everything that had happened to him was built into his hard drive, permanently etched into his new and improved working memory. If he was conscious and chose to scan his own database, he would be able to find the audiovisual remnants of how he was treated.

"Welcome to the future, CB97."

Future? He didn't have a future. He had nobody, nothing.

"It's eyes... I told you we needed to insert more circuits into-"

"It's still human!"

"If you hadn't backpedaled on creating an actual robot-"

"This was a much more efficient way! We keep the brain and we rewire it as we see fit. I told the whole team from the beginning of the rules! This is how we run the experiments around here."

Experiments. Ah, yes. Plural.

A cacophony of sounds had awoken CB97 when he was wheeled into a sterile room, three blank white walls and one glass wall. Multiple of these rooms lined the dimly lit corridor, nameplates along with 'EXTERMINATION' were stuck on the windows of each failure. First, he failed to become an idol, and now, he wasn't even good enough to be a test dummy?

In his assigned space there was nothing to stimulate his brain, just a plain, old chair for him to sit on. The days dragged on monotonously, whether it was the slamming of huge beasts throwing their bodies against their enclosures, deep, gravely growls, haunting shrieks or the droning of the execution buzzer. He didn't feel a thing. He didn't even have an ounce of dread hollowing away at the pit of his stomach knowing it would be his turn soon. Maybe, deep down he knew that it would be different for him.

"We can't dispose of CB97 like the others, it's still too humane, they'd be able to trace this all back to us!"

Different alarms had been blaring at that time. Urgent beeping and scientists running back and forth with files and trollies containing test tubes with concerning colours.

"Then we leave it where no one will ever find it."

Deserted. Isolated. Alone. He still remained in the same place he had been left. When he had felt sunlight hit him again for the first time in what felt like centuries, he had awoken. Bang Chan, not CB97. He cried, he sobbed, he screamed in anger at the way fate had led him. His soul had been dealt the cruelest punishment. His nervous breakdown horrified the cruel, cowardly scientists who had to transport him to the middle of nowhere. They had desperately scrambled away at the sight of the tumultuous sparks of electricity emanating from their experiment. They were lucky to escape. He wasn't.

Almost as if the last part of humanity was being drained from within him, cables dug themselves into the dry, cracked soil, intertwining viciously with tree roots and tying him to the same spot for the rest of his life.

Two years. That's how long he had been asleep for. That's how long it had been since his body shut down on him. Never to wake again was the most likely outcome.

"She's not a normal baby, she's this, this horrible thing!" a woman screamed, a bundle in her arms.

"We needed the money!"

"And look where that got us!"

"Then leave her here, already! No one... No one has to know..." a man pleaded desperately with his ex partner.

"I know! I know, what you did, to her... to us! You ruined everything!"

Crying. Sobbing. Screaming. It was a familiar pattern in rare occasions such as this, yet Chan was still unresponsive, until the wails of a baby caused an involuntary jerk of his leg.

Abandoned. Like us. Must analyse.

System rebooting.

As if they had a life of their own, the branches of the trees that cocooned Bang Chan withdrew from his awakening figure. His eyes flickered open, feeling the electricity course through his brains as his programmed instincts went into overdrive.

Scanning surroundings. Being identified.

It was a child. They were just like him, left to rot and succumb to whatever was thrown at them next. CB97 was able to analyse the situation at hand, whereas Bang Chan knew he had to help.

With a loud yell he stood to his feet, dirt exploding into the air when he rigidly took one step forwards.

Move closer for further identification.

Was he fortunate to not feel any tension in his body after not moving for years? Was he lucky to have not felt the aches in his joints and the cracks in his bones as he approached the newborn.

Not a newborn. Estimated age is 1 year. Appears to be a grindylow.

A grindylow? What on earth was that? Vaguely in the back of his mind CB97 saw a memory of reading the Harry Potter series, that same word appearing. So he must have been somewhat knowledgeable on what the creature in front of him was.

Grindylows are water demons with large horns, pale skin, long arms and feet, sharp teeth and scaly skin.

Ah, that must have been the Wikipedia installation.

Bang Chan approached the wailing baby whose cries instantly stopped once they were lifted into the air. Oddly enough, the young grindylow didn't seem to mind the way it was awkwardly held, Chan's arms outstretched in front of him at a 90° angle and his hands supporting the child from under their arms.

Features appear to be undeveloped.

"You have growing to do, little one," Bang Chan blinked at the child in his stiff arms.

Round, shining eyes gazed sweetly at him, tufts of hair messily sticking up in the air. A pout soon faded away at the feeling of contact with another creature, the grindylow feeling safer than ever as they giggled at the stoic expression Bang Chan wore.

Error. Behaviour not processing.

"You can stay."

Were cyborgs able to feel a sense of accomplishment or fulfilment? Was CB97 less present when caring for another? Was Bang Chan allowed to feel content for even a moment? Here he was, aware, raising his own, sort of, child.

---

"I think I'll call you Nelly."

Nelly babbled excitedly, their fangs coming through stronger now as they gnawed on a piece of bark that Chan had retrieved.

Teething stage recognised.

---

Baby is crying. Nelly, upset. Must stop.

"I don't know what you need," Bang Chan fussed, rocking Nelly in his arms as he searched for a reason why they were so distressed.

"Ah. I think you need water," he nodded once, and promptly launched Nelly out of his arms and into the swampy lake nearby.

He had no need to question why he had done what would otherwise be seen as a cruel and unimaginable act. He knew what his child needed.

Nelly, happy. Task complete.

---

In a rundown district of Seoul, a muscly man with glitter sparkling from his skin huffed in frustration.

"He needs healing but I cannot enter his dreams. I don't have enough time to help him myself. I need to check on the communities in our neighbouring district first. I sense a broken soul I can help but I need you two do to this for me."

"I'm in."

"Got you covered, Binnie."

---

Water time is over. Nelly needs feeding.

"Nelly! I have food for you!" Bang Chan called, brows furrowed in concern as he traipsed the edge of the lake, careful not to get too close in case he fatally harmed himself and his system.

Splashes in the lake caught his attention, as well as the sound of delighted snuffing and teeth grinding together. That was his Nelly, alright.

Heat vision on. Nelly detected. One new grindylow detected.

Is that why they were so happy? They found another one of their kind? Bang Chan hadn't seen such strong emotion in Nelly since the time he had reprimanded them over them recklessly luring a poor human boy to the lake. This was a much better sight, better sound to hear them the previous whines when Nelly had lost claw privileges.

"Nelly. You and your friend can come out and eat! I found some- Nelly?" Bang Chan called out again when Nelly popped their head out, breaking through the surface of the water. Why did they have a sad look on their face? Why were they swimming away? The lake was huge it wouldn't be safe.

Why wasn't Nelly coming back?

"Nelly..." Bang Chan looked down, sadness overwhelming him.

System overload. System shutdown.

---

Nelly didn't return. Chan had rebooted a day after their disappearance, having a reason, a purpose to be awake. He searched around the lake everyday, but piles of uneaten food he had gathered stayed neatly in organised stacks in the foliage by the lake. He switched between different settings, both in his surroundings and his vision programmes. Normal vision, thermal detection, movement scanner. He caught nothing.

Flying objects incoming.

Flying objects? But grindylows couldn't fly could they? Unless Nelly had found their way back to him? He could question them once he was reunited with them! Once he sees Nelly again he can-

It wasn't Nelly.

Bat approaching. Fairy approaching.

Right in front of his very eyes, a bat and a fairy landed down on the tree stump opposite him before morphing into more human forms. That was Nelly's seat.

"You must be CB97. I'm Yang Jeongin, head of Oddinary House. This is Felix, my friend. We've been looking for you for a while now."

"You can come with us now, we'll help you."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

tagged: @skz-streamer @kiraisastay @arloo00 @dunno-wut-to-do @splat00z @his-angell @turtledove824 @2minstan @amararosesblog @ikykwkleeknoww @lixie-phoria @briqnne @linoalwaysknows @royal-shinigami @jolly04 @yangbbokari @thisrandomgoofy15 @lieslab @hannamoon143 @arumlilyeclipse @katzline @kiwihrt @skzoologist @lovingchan @atinyniki @writingforstraykids @lilmisssona @astraysimp @theo4eve

[jinnie-ret]

maniac

cyborg!bang chan x reader

genre: angst, slight horror, some fluff

content warnings: abandonment, scientific experimentation, mentions of implied death

word count: 2k

summary: when he finds a baby abandoned, lonely, left to suffer in this dystopian world, he swears to become it's protector.

requested by: @lovingchan

this is an origin story part of the Oddinary House universe which you can read here! you may or may not see some appearances from the other characters from the series 👀

1K FOLLOWERS PLAYLIST 💚🖤

MAIN MASTERLIST

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Not even the fleeting touch of the soft breeze caressing his cheek could make Bang Chan feel human again. He had lost himself long ago. That wasn't who he was anymore. Now, and forever more, he was CB97. Half cyborg, half human, he was a failed experiment abandoned to the hands of nature's unpredictable ways.

The tall, moist blades of grass swayed lazily against the bare skin of his numb legs. Slender willow trees loomed over him, a circle of gracefulness encompassing him in a shaded cloak. Even with the natural entities drawn towards him, CB97 remained in a dreamless sleep, less alive than the plants.

It wasn't his fault that his dreams were stolen away from him.

His youth was stolen away from him. Bang Chan was an aspiring idol, so eager to join JYPE with his talents; singing, rapping, dancing, playing the guitar and playing the piano, that he was quick to get that flight to Seoul from his home Sydney. Why wouldn't he be? He had already attempted to enter the K-pop world at the age of 13, but once he turned 16 his parents finally agreed. Unfortunately, they would come to regret that if they knew of what had transpired.

Sucked into a web of lies, Bang Chan had stumbled into an illegal experimental facility, an organisation attempting to unite all living creatures into one thriving species - or at least that was what he had overheard under the influence of a strong anaesthetic. Really, it was a dangerous test playing on the boundaries between humans, animals and technology. Everything that had happened to him was built into his hard drive, permanently etched into his new and improved working memory. If he was conscious and chose to scan his own database, he would be able to find the audiovisual remnants of how he was treated.

"Welcome to the future, CB97."

Future? He didn't have a future. He had nobody, nothing.

"It's eyes... I told you we needed to insert more circuits into-"

"It's still human!"

"If you hadn't backpedaled on creating an actual robot-"

"This was a much more efficient way! We keep the brain and we rewire it as we see fit. I told the whole team from the beginning of the rules! This is how we run the experiments around here."

Experiments. Ah, yes. Plural.

A cacophony of sounds had awoken CB97 when he was wheeled into a sterile room, three blank white walls and one glass wall. Multiple of these rooms lined the dimly lit corridor, nameplates along with 'EXTERMINATION' were stuck on the windows of each failure. First, he failed to become an idol, and now, he wasn't even good enough to be a test dummy?

In his assigned space there was nothing to stimulate his brain, just a plain, old chair for him to sit on. The days dragged on monotonously, whether it was the slamming of huge beasts throwing their bodies against their enclosures, deep, gravely growls, haunting shrieks or the droning of the execution buzzer. He didn't feel a thing. He didn't even have an ounce of dread hollowing away at the pit of his stomach knowing it would be his turn soon. Maybe, deep down he knew that it would be different for him.

"We can't dispose of CB97 like the others, it's still too humane, they'd be able to trace this all back to us!"

Different alarms had been blaring at that time. Urgent beeping and scientists running back and forth with files and trollies containing test tubes with concerning colours.

"Then we leave it where no one will ever find it."

Deserted. Isolated. Alone. He still remained in the same place he had been left. When he had felt sunlight hit him again for the first time in what felt like centuries, he had awoken. Bang Chan, not CB97. He cried, he sobbed, he screamed in anger at the way fate had led him. His soul had been dealt the cruelest punishment. His nervous breakdown horrified the cruel, cowardly scientists who had to transport him to the middle of nowhere. They had desperately scrambled away at the sight of the tumultuous sparks of electricity emanating from their experiment. They were lucky to escape. He wasn't.

Almost as if the last part of humanity was being drained from within him, cables dug themselves into the dry, cracked soil, intertwining viciously with tree roots and tying him to the same spot for the rest of his life.

Two years. That's how long he had been asleep for. That's how long it had been since his body shut down on him. Never to wake again was the most likely outcome.

"She's not a normal baby, she's this, this horrible thing!" a woman screamed, a bundle in her arms.

"We needed the money!"

"And look where that got us!"

"Then leave her here, already! No one... No one has to know..." a man pleaded desperately with his ex partner.

"I know! I know, what you did, to her... to us! You ruined everything!"

Crying. Sobbing. Screaming. It was a familiar pattern in rare occasions such as this, yet Chan was still unresponsive, until the wails of a baby caused an involuntary jerk of his leg.

Abandoned. Like us. Must analyse.

System rebooting.

As if they had a life of their own, the branches of the trees that cocooned Bang Chan withdrew from his awakening figure. His eyes flickered open, feeling the electricity course through his brains as his programmed instincts went into overdrive.

Scanning surroundings. Being identified.

It was a child. They were just like him, left to rot and succumb to whatever was thrown at them next. CB97 was able to analyse the situation at hand, whereas Bang Chan knew he had to help.

With a loud yell he stood to his feet, dirt exploding into the air when he rigidly took one step forwards.

Move closer for further identification.

Was he fortunate to not feel any tension in his body after not moving for years? Was he lucky to have not felt the aches in his joints and the cracks in his bones as he approached the newborn.

Not a newborn. Estimated age is 1 year. Appears to be a grindylow.

A grindylow? What on earth was that? Vaguely in the back of his mind CB97 saw a memory of reading the Harry Potter series, that same word appearing. So he must have been somewhat knowledgeable on what the creature in front of him was.

Grindylows are water demons with large horns, pale skin, long arms and feet, sharp teeth and scaly skin.

Ah, that must have been the Wikipedia installation.

Bang Chan approached the wailing baby whose cries instantly stopped once they were lifted into the air. Oddly enough, the young grindylow didn't seem to mind the way it was awkwardly held, Chan's arms outstretched in front of him at a 90° angle and his hands supporting the child from under their arms.

Features appear to be undeveloped.

"You have growing to do, little one," Bang Chan blinked at the child in his stiff arms.

Round, shining eyes gazed sweetly at him, tufts of hair messily sticking up in the air. A pout soon faded away at the feeling of contact with another creature, the grindylow feeling safer than ever as they giggled at the stoic expression Bang Chan wore.

Error. Behaviour not processing.

"You can stay."

Were cyborgs able to feel a sense of accomplishment or fulfilment? Was CB97 less present when caring for another? Was Bang Chan allowed to feel content for even a moment? Here he was, aware, raising his own, sort of, child.

---

"I think I'll call you Nelly."

Nelly babbled excitedly, their fangs coming through stronger now as they gnawed on a piece of bark that Chan had retrieved.

Teething stage recognised.

---

Baby is crying. Nelly, upset. Must stop.

"I don't know what you need," Bang Chan fussed, rocking Nelly in his arms as he searched for a reason why they were so distressed.

"Ah. I think you need water," he nodded once, and promptly launched Nelly out of his arms and into the swampy lake nearby.

He had no need to question why he had done what would otherwise be seen as a cruel and unimaginable act. He knew what his child needed.

Nelly, happy. Task complete.

---

In a rundown district of Seoul, a muscly man with glitter sparkling from his skin huffed in frustration.

"He needs healing but I cannot enter his dreams. I don't have enough time to help him myself. I need to check on the communities in our neighbouring district first. I sense a broken soul I can help but I need you two do to this for me."

"I'm in."

"Got you covered, Binnie."

---

Water time is over. Nelly needs feeding.

"Nelly! I have food for you!" Bang Chan called, brows furrowed in concern as he traipsed the edge of the lake, careful not to get too close in case he fatally harmed himself and his system.

Splashes in the lake caught his attention, as well as the sound of delighted snuffing and teeth grinding together. That was his Nelly, alright.

Heat vision on. Nelly detected. One new grindylow detected.

Is that why they were so happy? They found another one of their kind? Bang Chan hadn't seen such strong emotion in Nelly since the time he had reprimanded them over them recklessly luring a poor human boy to the lake. This was a much better sight, better sound to hear them the previous whines when Nelly had lost claw privileges.

"Nelly. You and your friend can come out and eat! I found some- Nelly?" Bang Chan called out again when Nelly popped their head out, breaking through the surface of the water. Why did they have a sad look on their face? Why were they swimming away? The lake was huge it wouldn't be safe.

Why wasn't Nelly coming back?

"Nelly..." Bang Chan looked down, sadness overwhelming him.

System overload. System shutdown.

---

Nelly didn't return. Chan had rebooted a day after their disappearance, having a reason, a purpose to be awake. He searched around the lake everyday, but piles of uneaten food he had gathered stayed neatly in organised stacks in the foliage by the lake. He switched between different settings, both in his surroundings and his vision programmes. Normal vision, thermal detection, movement scanner. He caught nothing.

Flying objects incoming.

Flying objects? But grindylows couldn't fly could they? Unless Nelly had found their way back to him? He could question them once he was reunited with them! Once he sees Nelly again he can-

It wasn't Nelly.

Bat approaching. Fairy approaching.

Right in front of his very eyes, a bat and a fairy landed down on the tree stump opposite him before morphing into more human forms. That was Nelly's seat.

"You must be CB97. I'm Yang Jeongin, head of Oddinary House. This is Felix, my friend. We've been looking for you for a while now."

"You can come with us now, we'll help you."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

tagged: @skz-streamer @kiraisastay @arloo00 @dunno-wut-to-do @splat00z @his-angell @turtledove824 @2minstan @amararosesblog @ikykwkleeknoww @lixie-phoria @briqnne @linoalwaysknows @royal-shinigami @jolly04 @yangbbokari @thisrandomgoofy15 @lieslab @hannamoon143 @arumlilyeclipse @katzline @kiwihrt @skzoologist @lovingchan @atinyniki @writingforstraykids @lilmisssona @astraysimp @theo4eve

[jinnie-ret]

selfish waltz by ateez legit made my jaw drop it's so cool

[jinnie-ret]

this is so fluffy and adorable ahhhhh

grocery store shenanigans...

...where felix and his little girl go grocery shopping and he's doing everything in his power to not let her go overboard with the sweets (reader is called mimi for gn purposes)

felix pushed the cart through the grocery store, his little girl seated in the front basket, clutching her stuffed bbokari like it was a lifeline. her chubby legs kicked excitedly as they turned down the snack aisle.

“daddy!” she exclaimed, pointing at a brightly colored bag of chips. “need that!”

felix laughed, shaking his head. “sweetheart, we’ve talked about this. you don’t need everything you see.”

she pouted, big doe eyes staring him down. “but i need it.”

he sighed dramatically, grabbing the smallest bag and placing it in the cart. “okay, one. but you can’t sneak—”

he stopped mid-sentence, his eyes narrowing as he noticed her sneaking a jumbo pack of cookies into the cart with her tiny hands.

“excuse me, young lady,” felix said, raising an eyebrow. “what’s this?”

she looked up at him innocently. “for mimi.”

felix smirked. “oh, is that so? mimi's not eating cookies remember?”

her little, chubby face scrunched in confusion. “why not? cookies are yum.”

“well mimi is trying to say no to cookies because they get too sweet for them sometimes, just like daddy says no to—hey!” felix snatched the candy bar she’d just slipped in.

“daddy needs it,” she giggled, mimicking his earlier words.

felix rubbed his temple, trying not to laugh. “alright, little mastermind, let’s get back on track—no more sneaky business.”

minutes later, as they approached the checkout, felix unloaded the cart. his eyes bulged when he pulled out three packs of gummy bears and a suspiciously large bag of marshmallows.

“seriously?!”

the toddler grinned up at him, plushie held high. “bbokari wanted a snack too!”

felix groaned, though his lips twitched with a smile. “you and bbokari are going to be the reason we’re broke. but fine, the marshmallows stay. only because i like them too.”

she clapped her hands in victory as felix placed the marshmallows on the belt. the cashier chuckled, and felix shrugged.

“what can i say? she’s small but unstoppable.”

as they left the store, felix whispered to her, “don’t tell mimi about this, okay?”

his little girl nodded solemnly, but as soon as they walked in the door, she yelled, “mimi! we got marshmallows!”

felix facepalmed. “traitor.”

[jinnie-ret]

run for roses, love is so lonely and see that are my fav nmixx songs I can't stop listening to them rn

[jinnie-ret]

so cute and chaotic at the same time aha <3

Cuddle Fort

Stray Kids x reader

In which an exhausted Chan and an exhausted reader take a much needed nap

Chan knows you get tired often, which is why it is no surprise to him when during a particularly long practise, you keep stumbling over your own feet. You are usually better than this, but practise had been gruesome yesterday as well.

“Water break,” Chan calls before walking to his bottle. It’s next to the wall of mirrors, so he can still have a view of the others while drinking.

Chan hears Jeongin murmuring to you before you say something in response, laughing quietly. He ignores the sounds as he tips his head back to drink his water.

“Hey, did you finish the mix yet?” Changbin asks as he approaches. His baggy hoodie bunches around his forearms.

Chan sighs and nods. “I stayed up all night on it, but I finally have it ready to submit.”

He sees you in the reflection, sitting in the corner. You prop yourself up against the wall as Felix speaks with you.

“Again?” Changbin says, voice tinged with disapproval. “When are you going to have a healthy sleep schedule?”

Chan shrugs and smiles brightly. “One day.”

“Go take a break.” Changbin adjusts his sleeve to push it up further. “You have bags under your eyes again.”

Chan lifts a hand up to his face. “Ah, nothing a little makeup can’t hide.”

Changbin scowls slightly, but walks away nonetheless. Chan glances at the mirror to notice your eyes shut and breathing heavy. Felix crouches next to you and meets Chan’s gaze with a tiny nod of his head.

“Alright.” Chan presses a button to cut the music on the speakers. He keeps his voice low as to not wake you. “Practise is over. I’ll stay with them until they wakes up.”

Felix crosses his arms. “I was gonna call it. It’s my turn!”

Chan frowns. When was just sitting with you so exciting?

“Nuh-uh.” Hyunjin juts his hip out to the side. “Dibs.”

Felix splutters. “What- No! That’s not how this works!”

Chan massages his forehead. He can feel a headache coming on.

Jisung raises his hand. “Can I do it?”

“No!” Seungmin sharply says. “You did it last time!”

“You’re gonna wake her!” Minho hisses and smacks Seungmin’s arm. Seungmin flinches back before glowering at Minho.

“They look so peaceful when they sleep,” Jeongin remarks. He watches you for a moment before turning to Chan. “I wanna stay, pretty please?”

Changbin cleared his throat. “You’re all fighting like children. I’ll stay.”

“No way!” Felix protests loudly. “I-“

“What’s going on?” you blearily ask as you rub your eyes. You blink up at them in confusion.

“Practise is over,” Chan tells you before any of the others can speak. “You ready to go?”

“Oh! Is it move night?” You scramble to get your bag as everyone files out the door. 

“Sure,” Chan agrees, even though he had been planning to work more.

Why did he say yes? Was it because of the way your face lights up at his words? Was it due to how your hands clapped together in joy?

So everyone files out the door together and you somehow fall asleep in the car. Chan has no idea how you do it, considering the others are all bickering, but you do it.

“Quiet!” Chan calls from the driver’s seat. His grip on the wheel tightens. “They’re sleeping again!”

Hyunjin’s mouth falls open. “Again? I still think they should go to a doctor.”

“I think they’re drooling on you,” Jisung points out. He motions to Hyunjin’s shoulder, where your head was resting.

“Ew! Ugh!” Hyunjin curls inward, gagging. “Get them off!”

Jisung snorts and turns the other way. “Nah.”

Seungmin stretches out in the seat next to Chan. “Don’t wake her up, or Minho will air fry you.”

“Better believe it,” Minho mutters from the backseats.

Hyunjin pats your head comfortingly, barely hiding his disdain. “See? We get along. I like them.”

“Is movie night cancelled?” Jisung whines. He groans and crosses his arms. “I wanted to watch something!”

“You can still watch something by yourself,” Chan reminds him. “Seungmin, text whoever’s not driving in the other car and tell them movie night is off.”

“Sure.” Seungmin pulls out his phone. “Are we taking them back to the dorms or driving around to not wake them up?”

Chan glances back at the others. “Any thoughts?”

“I need to pee,” Hyunjin says. 

“We’re going to the dorms,” Chan tells Seungmin. “We’ll meet the others there.”

When they arrive, Chan carefully unbuckles you before carrying you inside. Jeongin runs ahead, opening doors, while Felix just follows.

Chan moves to lay you down on your bed, but you cling to him like a koala. He gives a hopeful look to Felix, who merely shrugs.

“You gonna nap with them?” Jeongin slyly smiles.

Chan gets flustered and straightens. You’re still hanging off of him with a frankly impressive grip strength. “What? No! I’m not even tired.”

“Fine. I will!” Jeongin volunteers cheerily before throwing himself into your bed. He spreads his arms out. “Give them to me.”

Chan wraps his arms around you tighter. “They said we could cuddle them if they fall asleep, but…”

“I want to, too!” Felix protests from the doorway. 

Changbin skids to a halt, having been walking by. “Wait, it’s cuddle time?”

Chan sighs and turns around. “Being everyone to the living room.”

Felix pumps his fist before sprinting away. Jeongin hurries after him, while Changbin stays by Chan’s side.

By the time they reach the living, a huge blanket fort has been created. Hyunjin makes grabby hands at you from his spot.

Chan rolls his eyes, but gently puts you down. You stir slightly, head lolling to the side. You snuggle further into Hyunjin, who grins widely.

“I want some of that,” Seungmin declares before claiming your other side. He tosses a leg over yours to pull you closer.

Chan perches himself on the edge of all the blankets and pillows, waiting to find a place after everyone else was settled. Felix surprises him by dragging him closer to you.

“It’s your turn to have the good snuggles,” Felix tells him. He pats Chan’s shoulder.

Chan hesitantly places his head in your lap, tense and unsure. In all the times he’s done this, he always was at the edge. It was easier to slip away to work.

You peek an eye open, staring down at Chan. You make a little sound from the back of your throat and reach down to run a hand through his hair.

“Shh,” Jisung shushes you. “You can sleep if you want.”

Your eyes flutter shut easily, chest rising and falling slowly. Chan swallows before letting his own eyes close, comforted by the warmth of the other members settling around him.

Maybe a short nap wouldn’t hurt.

[jinnie-ret]

nat hi hi hi!!! ahhh thank you!! 😭💜

me getting excited to talk to my moots again fr<3

Update

If you're reading this hi! It's been a hot minute since I've posted, let alone interacted on Tumblr. I'm hoping to get back into writing without putting a pressure on myself (it came from myself and not from requests or the projects I was working on! interacting in this community brings me so much joy and so does working on your ideas!).

The last time I opened my Google doc for ff writing was on Halloween. That's ages ago. It's so last year. So 2024. I want to make more of an effort with writing, beginning with finishing off the 1K followers playlist. The good thing with me taking long on this is I'm reminded of how lucky I am to have over 1,000 following me! Because of this, I will be leaving my series on the back burner for now. The Scooby Doo idea was exciting for me but probably too ambitious at the time, so I'd like to lick this up again when we're all the way in October of this year instead. The My Youth series and SKZ MAFS series will begin to have updates again after I finish the 1K followers playlist. It just works better for my brain. I think I was zig zagging in all sorts of directions with enthusiasm and excitement to complete chapters and make more posts and interact more whilst also hitting several writing blocks along the way. Or maybe it was just one big writing block? Depends on how you look at it haha.

Basically hi I'm back and I missed you all <3

[jinnie-ret]

sona you're so sweet ahhhhhhhh thank you sm!! 😭

Update

If you're reading this hi! It's been a hot minute since I've posted, let alone interacted on Tumblr. I'm hoping to get back into writing without putting a pressure on myself (it came from myself and not from requests or the projects I was working on! interacting in this community brings me so much joy and so does working on your ideas!).

The last time I opened my Google doc for ff writing was on Halloween. That's ages ago. It's so last year. So 2024. I want to make more of an effort with writing, beginning with finishing off the 1K followers playlist. The good thing with me taking long on this is I'm reminded of how lucky I am to have over 1,000 following me! Because of this, I will be leaving my series on the back burner for now. The Scooby Doo idea was exciting for me but probably too ambitious at the time, so I'd like to lick this up again when we're all the way in October of this year instead. The My Youth series and SKZ MAFS series will begin to have updates again after I finish the 1K followers playlist. It just works better for my brain. I think I was zig zagging in all sorts of directions with enthusiasm and excitement to complete chapters and make more posts and interact more whilst also hitting several writing blocks along the way. Or maybe it was just one big writing block? Depends on how you look at it haha.

Basically hi I'm back and I missed you all <3

[jinnie-ret]

me finally posting again after 3 months of disappearing:

[jinnie-ret]

AHHH TYSM I COYLD CRY THIS IS THE VALIDATION I NEEDED 😭

take a chance with me

lee know x reader

genre: mostly fluff, teeny angst

content warnings: one mention of a stroke (it's not an actual one just Minho malfunctioning lol)

word count: 1.8k

summary: lee know was too scared to express his feelings - lucky you were there to convince him his feelings were mutual

a/n: Umm... hi, lol. It's been a while since I've posted. Hopefully this is a nice surprise hehe

1K FOLLOWERS PLAYLIST 💚🖤

MAIN MASTERLIST

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Waking up early each morning and leaving your home at 06:30am would seem like a chore to most people. For you? It was incredibly rewarding to enter the workplace, opening up the front office for the day. Your friends had questioned you wondering how you did it, but helping your parents manage a cat rescue home soothed a part of your soul you didn't know you needed healing, particularly when dreaming of becoming an astronaut, a bus driver or a world famous actor as a child.

Though the biting winds sent a chill through your bones, the sun shone down upon you, rays reflecting off of the icy pavements on your route to work. The weather really couldn't make it's mind up recently. It reminded you of someone.

"Minho, hi! You're early!" you grinned, poking your head out of your scarf that you had wrapped securely around your neck. He seemed to brighten your day even further, as cheesy as it sounded. It was the way he bantered with you, back and forth, exciting you for what witty statement he'd come out with next.

"Visitor's Day, remember?" Minho simply commented, a cloud of air escaping his mouth as his teeth chattered, hands shoved deeply into his coat pockets.

"Oh, I nearly forgot!" your eyebrows furrowed in concern, your own hands digging around your pockets for the schedule of the day. It was a fortnightly occurrence in which you'd accept visitors looking around, hoping to re-home the cats that deserved a place to feel safe, loved and looked after. In fact, it was how you met Minho.

Two years ago was when he first set foot into the establishment, quiet, demure and unfazed. That was, until he was led to the small huts outside where the cats resided. Sneaking out some treats from his pocket, he fed a gorgeous boy he soon named Dori, feeling an instant attachment (the two of them). He tried to find his way back inside, ready to sign some adoption papers, when he stumbled into what he thought was merely a stack of boxes, not initially realising that you were behind them and trying to haul them inside on your own.

"I'm so sorry!" you had gasped apologetically, immediately grabbing a broom to the side and sweeping the rogue pieces of kibble that had escaped it's confines.

"Eh, don't worry," Minho shrugged, trying to play it cool although he couldn't stop himself from giving you a quick scan from head to toe in case he had hurt you, "at least they're not being starved, it's reassuring," he added on, laughing through his nose as he straightened up the boxes of cat food.

"You should see Gingy, he's a chonky boy," you jokes, brushing your hair out of your face and glancing up at him. All you could think was, and later you berated yourself for it, but the cat that got to go home with this one was certainly lucky.

"Oh? What if he heard that?" Minho teases, wondering if you'd feign the dramatics, or even get flustered at the idea.

"He knows," you shake your head and chuckle, making a smarter decision now in only grabbing one box.

"Oh, sorry did you need any-"

"Did you want some help with-"

Comically, you both fell silent simultaneously, feeling awkward that you had spoken over and cut off each other at the same time.

"I'll grab a box," Minho speaks up, moving to stand beside you.

"Oh thank you! That's a great help, truly. I was just going to ask if you wanted those adoption papers," you practically beamed.

"How could you tell?"

"You've got some blue fluff on you. That's from Lilo's hut."

"Actually, his name is Dori."

And when you found out Minho had two other cats and the reasoning behind the name 'Dori', you melted instantly. On the spot. Like, literally on the floor had it not been for the rational part of your brain telling you to stop falling for a man you had just met. Minho's sweet Dori completed his little cat family, the soft, gentle trio of boys.

To say you were Minho's biggest advocate when he admitted to wanting to help out and work alongside you at the Cat Rescue, would be completely right. You had brought him straight to your parents, informing them of how knowledgeable and tender he was in interacting with the cats and the rest was history.

Although, that wasn't where this story ended.

"Did you also forget the key?" Minho snapped you out of your reverie.

"Huh? What- no, here," you grasped the key and eagerly gave it to Minho, unsure if your fingers would have the strength to unlock the door, locking up from the inhumanely cold temperatures.

"Ah, she did remember," Minho smirked, soon having to catch his balance after you impulsively shoved his shoulder a bit too hard with your own.

"Unlock the door, pudding boy," you joked, Minho rolling his eyes in response. He could never let you have the upper hand for too long, however.

"I prefer jagi," he batted his eyelashes at you in an over the top way, making you groan and cover your eyes as a form of protection. You loved it really, you just weren't sure on if you should show it.

Minho had told you many times before that you wore your heart on your sleeve. Whether it was you recklessly running into the middle of the road to save a kitten from being hit, or spending your savings on allowing a family the chance to adopt a cat into their lives, you acted upon your love for others. On the other hand, he knew he was too scared to show you how he really felt. Banter, jokes, 'fake' flirting was the perfect cover up to distract him from his feelings, as well as the ones he hadn't yet recognised you shared.

Oddly, there was an awkwardness in the air between the two of you by the end of the day. Perhaps it was the elderly pair who commented on your selflessness as a couple, or seeing many young partners enter and adopt their first pet together. It triggered emotions within you both that had remained hidden for too long. You weren't just good friends, but you were made for each other. The love of cats; the gentleness you exuded and he let slip more often than he'd like to admit and the ease in which you both took in pushing the others' buttons.

Minho always thought you were bolder than him.

"Do you ever think we'll find love, Minho?" you yawned, sweeping up the remnants of dirt that had escaped the many pairs of shoes that entered the home today.

"We?" Minho paused, his grip on the mop slipping ever so slightly before he regained his composure, "I'm not really searching."

Of course he wasn't, not when-

"But is that because you’ve already found it? I don’t want to be bold but-" you nearly scolded yourself for daring to speak when your mind was all over the place.

"That would shock me if you weren’t," Minho snorted, easily falling back into his natural self.

"I'm being real, right now, Min," you squeezed your eyes shuts, back facing him and not wanting to face rejection.

"That's good, here's me thinking you were an illusion all along-"

"Just take a chance, Minho! With me. I-if it doesn’t work out, then we’ll still be friends, we’ll figure it out," you glanced over at him cautiously. Whilst your words were rushed and fumbly, your actions were timid.

Minho's brain malfunctioned. Is this what it felt like to have a stroke? Did you just confess your love for him? Wasn't it just another bit of banter?

"We're friends?" he teased, in that tone he always used. It now felt like a painful reminder, that you'd never truly get through to him. Really, he was testing the waters, and masking it as usual.

"I wish you would just be honest with me," you sighed quietly, your posture slightly hunched. Minho didn't like that. He liked when you stood tall, confident, proud.

"About what? I haven’t lied about anything," Minho busied himself with mopping the floor in order to distract himself from you. As long as he could see the shine in the wooden flooring panning across the entrance of the home, it was enough to put the aside the guilt he felt when the sparkle in your eye dimmed ever so slightly.

The days seemed to drag on endlessly after the unspoken rejection from the guy you had been crushing on for years, now. He hadn't opened up with you in a while - that's the shop we're talking about, not Minho and his thoughts and feelings. He hadn't ever really done that with you, minus a couple of short, rare occasions. Your parents had noticed the slight dullness that seemed to tie the two of you together, it taking a lot of convincing from them to you to lead another Visitor's Day with Minho. The only convincing factor for you in that moment had been when you drifted off into your own thoughts, fading away from the lecture you were receiving and instead finding comfort in the fact that it would be a busy day. There would be no time to think when you were working.

But when it came to the end of both of your shifts? Too much time to think, to dwell, to ponder.

"Well, umm, bye," you nodded politely at him and robotically waved with how stiff you felt in looking at him. Yet it seemed to give ample opportunity for Minho to grab your hand and pull you back towards him before you could rush away, just like he had regrettably done all those evenings ago.

"Oh, what's this about?" you questioned, praying that your hands didn't start getting clammy simply from being so close to him in this way.

"We're going on a date," Minho firmly stated, but his words didn't match his actions, his eyes shyly trailing off to the side and the tops of his ears turning red. How endearing.

"No."

"No?!"

"You can look me in the eyes and say it."

Oh, yes, he had definitely gotten lucky with you. Even though his heart pounded in worry that you would reject him too and he would have been too late, he was able to look you in the eyes and throw a one liner right back at you.

"Hmm, maybe I change my mind," Minho shrugged, feigning a carelessness and dropping his hand from yours.

"Hey! Come on!" you pulled him back towards you, chest to chest, an intense amount of love pouring from both of your souls as you gazed into each others' eyes.

"I'm taking you on a date," Minho affirmed, poking your nose to startle you before you realised he too had been on another planet.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

tagged: @skz-streamer @kiraisastay @katzline @kiwihrt @arloo00 @dunno-wut-to-do @splat00z @his-angell @2minstan @skzoologist @lovingchan @atinyniki @writingforstraykids @minholing @lilmisssona @astraysimp @lixie-phoria @theo4eve @linoalwaysknows @royal-shinigami @jolly04 @turtledove824 @yangbbokari @thisrandomgoofy15 @lieslab @hannamoon143 @arumlilyeclipse

[jinnie-ret]

Update

If you're reading this hi! It's been a hot minute since I've posted, let alone interacted on Tumblr. I'm hoping to get back into writing without putting a pressure on myself (it came from myself and not from requests or the projects I was working on! interacting in this community brings me so much joy and so does working on your ideas!).

The last time I opened my Google doc for ff writing was on Halloween. That's ages ago. It's so last year. So 2024. I want to make more of an effort with writing, beginning with finishing off the 1K followers playlist. The good thing with me taking long on this is I'm reminded of how lucky I am to have over 1,000 following me! Because of this, I will be leaving my series on the back burner for now. The Scooby Doo idea was exciting for me but probably too ambitious at the time, so I'd like to lick this up again when we're all the way in October of this year instead. The My Youth series and SKZ MAFS series will begin to have updates again after I finish the 1K followers playlist. It just works better for my brain. I think I was zig zagging in all sorts of directions with enthusiasm and excitement to complete chapters and make more posts and interact more whilst also hitting several writing blocks along the way. Or maybe it was just one big writing block? Depends on how you look at it haha.

Basically hi I'm back and I missed you all <3

[jinnie-ret]

take a chance with me

lee know x reader

genre: mostly fluff, teeny angst

content warnings: one mention of a stroke (it's not an actual one just Minho malfunctioning lol)

word count: 1.8k

summary: lee know was too scared to express his feelings - lucky you were there to convince him his feelings were mutual

a/n: Umm... hi, lol. It's been a while since I've posted. Hopefully this is a nice surprise hehe

1K FOLLOWERS PLAYLIST 💚🖤

MAIN MASTERLIST

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Waking up early each morning and leaving your home at 06:30am would seem like a chore to most people. For you? It was incredibly rewarding to enter the workplace, opening up the front office for the day. Your friends had questioned you wondering how you did it, but helping your parents manage a cat rescue home soothed a part of your soul you didn't know you needed healing, particularly when dreaming of becoming an astronaut, a bus driver or a world famous actor as a child.

Though the biting winds sent a chill through your bones, the sun shone down upon you, rays reflecting off of the icy pavements on your route to work. The weather really couldn't make it's mind up recently. It reminded you of someone.

"Minho, hi! You're early!" you grinned, poking your head out of your scarf that you had wrapped securely around your neck. He seemed to brighten your day even further, as cheesy as it sounded. It was the way he bantered with you, back and forth, exciting you for what witty statement he'd come out with next.

"Visitor's Day, remember?" Minho simply commented, a cloud of air escaping his mouth as his teeth chattered, hands shoved deeply into his coat pockets.

"Oh, I nearly forgot!" your eyebrows furrowed in concern, your own hands digging around your pockets for the schedule of the day. It was a fortnightly occurrence in which you'd accept visitors looking around, hoping to re-home the cats that deserved a place to feel safe, loved and looked after. In fact, it was how you met Minho.

Two years ago was when he first set foot into the establishment, quiet, demure and unfazed. That was, until he was led to the small huts outside where the cats resided. Sneaking out some treats from his pocket, he fed a gorgeous boy he soon named Dori, feeling an instant attachment (the two of them). He tried to find his way back inside, ready to sign some adoption papers, when he stumbled into what he thought was merely a stack of boxes, not initially realising that you were behind them and trying to haul them inside on your own.

"I'm so sorry!" you had gasped apologetically, immediately grabbing a broom to the side and sweeping the rogue pieces of kibble that had escaped it's confines.

"Eh, don't worry," Minho shrugged, trying to play it cool although he couldn't stop himself from giving you a quick scan from head to toe in case he had hurt you, "at least they're not being starved, it's reassuring," he added on, laughing through his nose as he straightened up the boxes of cat food.

"You should see Gingy, he's a chonky boy," you jokes, brushing your hair out of your face and glancing up at him. All you could think was, and later you berated yourself for it, but the cat that got to go home with this one was certainly lucky.

"Oh? What if he heard that?" Minho teases, wondering if you'd feign the dramatics, or even get flustered at the idea.

"He knows," you shake your head and chuckle, making a smarter decision now in only grabbing one box.

"Oh, sorry did you need any-"

"Did you want some help with-"

Comically, you both fell silent simultaneously, feeling awkward that you had spoken over and cut off each other at the same time.

"I'll grab a box," Minho speaks up, moving to stand beside you.

"Oh thank you! That's a great help, truly. I was just going to ask if you wanted those adoption papers," you practically beamed.

"How could you tell?"

"You've got some blue fluff on you. That's from Lilo's hut."

"Actually, his name is Dori."

And when you found out Minho had two other cats and the reasoning behind the name 'Dori', you melted instantly. On the spot. Like, literally on the floor had it not been for the rational part of your brain telling you to stop falling for a man you had just met. Minho's sweet Dori completed his little cat family, the soft, gentle trio of boys.

To say you were Minho's biggest advocate when he admitted to wanting to help out and work alongside you at the Cat Rescue, would be completely right. You had brought him straight to your parents, informing them of how knowledgeable and tender he was in interacting with the cats and the rest was history.

Although, that wasn't where this story ended.

"Did you also forget the key?" Minho snapped you out of your reverie.

"Huh? What- no, here," you grasped the key and eagerly gave it to Minho, unsure if your fingers would have the strength to unlock the door, locking up from the inhumanely cold temperatures.

"Ah, she did remember," Minho smirked, soon having to catch his balance after you impulsively shoved his shoulder a bit too hard with your own.

"Unlock the door, pudding boy," you joked, Minho rolling his eyes in response. He could never let you have the upper hand for too long, however.

"I prefer jagi," he batted his eyelashes at you in an over the top way, making you groan and cover your eyes as a form of protection. You loved it really, you just weren't sure on if you should show it.

Minho had told you many times before that you wore your heart on your sleeve. Whether it was you recklessly running into the middle of the road to save a kitten from being hit, or spending your savings on allowing a family the chance to adopt a cat into their lives, you acted upon your love for others. On the other hand, he knew he was too scared to show you how he really felt. Banter, jokes, 'fake' flirting was the perfect cover up to distract him from his feelings, as well as the ones he hadn't yet recognised you shared.

Oddly, there was an awkwardness in the air between the two of you by the end of the day. Perhaps it was the elderly pair who commented on your selflessness as a couple, or seeing many young partners enter and adopt their first pet together. It triggered emotions within you both that had remained hidden for too long. You weren't just good friends, but you were made for each other. The love of cats; the gentleness you exuded and he let slip more often than he'd like to admit and the ease in which you both took in pushing the others' buttons.

Minho always thought you were bolder than him.

"Do you ever think we'll find love, Minho?" you yawned, sweeping up the remnants of dirt that had escaped the many pairs of shoes that entered the home today.

"We?" Minho paused, his grip on the mop slipping ever so slightly before he regained his composure, "I'm not really searching."

Of course he wasn't, not when-

"But is that because you’ve already found it? I don’t want to be bold but-" you nearly scolded yourself for daring to speak when your mind was all over the place.

"That would shock me if you weren’t," Minho snorted, easily falling back into his natural self.

"I'm being real, right now, Min," you squeezed your eyes shuts, back facing him and not wanting to face rejection.

"That's good, here's me thinking you were an illusion all along-"

"Just take a chance, Minho! With me. I-if it doesn’t work out, then we’ll still be friends, we’ll figure it out," you glanced over at him cautiously. Whilst your words were rushed and fumbly, your actions were timid.

Minho's brain malfunctioned. Is this what it felt like to have a stroke? Did you just confess your love for him? Wasn't it just another bit of banter?

"We're friends?" he teased, in that tone he always used. It now felt like a painful reminder, that you'd never truly get through to him. Really, he was testing the waters, and masking it as usual.

"I wish you would just be honest with me," you sighed quietly, your posture slightly hunched. Minho didn't like that. He liked when you stood tall, confident, proud.

"About what? I haven’t lied about anything," Minho busied himself with mopping the floor in order to distract himself from you. As long as he could see the shine in the wooden flooring panning across the entrance of the home, it was enough to put the aside the guilt he felt when the sparkle in your eye dimmed ever so slightly.

The days seemed to drag on endlessly after the unspoken rejection from the guy you had been crushing on for years, now. He hadn't opened up with you in a while - that's the shop we're talking about, not Minho and his thoughts and feelings. He hadn't ever really done that with you, minus a couple of short, rare occasions. Your parents had noticed the slight dullness that seemed to tie the two of you together, it taking a lot of convincing from them to you to lead another Visitor's Day with Minho. The only convincing factor for you in that moment had been when you drifted off into your own thoughts, fading away from the lecture you were receiving and instead finding comfort in the fact that it would be a busy day. There would be no time to think when you were working.

But when it came to the end of both of your shifts? Too much time to think, to dwell, to ponder.

"Well, umm, bye," you nodded politely at him and robotically waved with how stiff you felt in looking at him. Yet it seemed to give ample opportunity for Minho to grab your hand and pull you back towards him before you could rush away, just like he had regrettably done all those evenings ago.

"Oh, what's this about?" you questioned, praying that your hands didn't start getting clammy simply from being so close to him in this way.

"We're going on a date," Minho firmly stated, but his words didn't match his actions, his eyes shyly trailing off to the side and the tops of his ears turning red. How endearing.

"No."

"No?!"

"You can look me in the eyes and say it."

Oh, yes, he had definitely gotten lucky with you. Even though his heart pounded in worry that you would reject him too and he would have been too late, he was able to look you in the eyes and throw a one liner right back at you.

"Hmm, maybe I change my mind," Minho shrugged, feigning a carelessness and dropping his hand from yours.

"Hey! Come on!" you pulled him back towards you, chest to chest, an intense amount of love pouring from both of your souls as you gazed into each others' eyes.

"I'm taking you on a date," Minho affirmed, poking your nose to startle you before you realised he too had been on another planet.

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