#☀︎ ▴ next thing!au

[strawberrymochin]

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 ☀︎

Rockstar!gojo x art student!femreader

synopsis- satoru gojo fell in love with you when he was 17. He tried everything to gain your attention—joining the student council, participating in every extracurriculars, performing well in academics yet nothing worked. That was until high school. In college, having been forced into a band, he needed to find a new artist for their posters which he requested shoko to take care of. What he didn't expect was shoko to bring you as a volunteer—

warnings- college!au, satoru being heads over heels for you, he’s so damn in LOVE save my boy, friends to lovers, misunderstanding, SEMI PUBLIC SMUT, fingering, oral fem receiving, PUSSY DRUNK GOJO, dirty talk, creampie, BALL OF FLUFF, ANGST, mentions of smoking and alcoholism, super cute ending

w.c- 8.2k (have faith)

a/n's note- i'd poured out my heart in this (especially the smut). i hope you all do like this. your comments and reblogs are highly appreciated as it helps motivating me for writing long ass fics. taglist is open you can ask me to join. love ya' all!!

When satoru met you for the first time, he was 11 years old. 

You were the daughter of his mother’s friend whom he heard of so many times. Though the accidental reunion in the mall while grocery shopping was the first time satoru ever had the opportunity to meet you face to face. 

It was a totally random encounter, coincidental even, you can say when your mother recognised satoru’s mom and both squealed like teenagers. They'd a lot to catch up with, thus having their kids entertain each other in the play section was convincing enough for them to chit chat in a cafe.

And this is how satoru ended up being stuffed, hand in hand with you, to go enjoy in the play section as his mother patted his back, asking him to be good to you. 

“Don't leave her hand, okay toru?! Make sure you both stay together.” His mom said before scooting herself with your mom. 

Satoru looked at you, his hand locked in yours as you made eye contact with him before shying away, looking in the other direction. He stood confused before pulling you to the gaming section, without any word. 

He scanned amongst the box of video games, before pulling out one which caught his eyes with his unoccupied hand. He gave a side look to you, reluctantly asking “you want to play this?” 

You gaze down at the video game he held in his hands, eyes sparkling a bit, if satoru wasn't seeing things, then raise your head to look at him again. “It has vibrant colours.” 

Satoru nodded, feeling a little giddy that you liked his preference. “It's called mario kart.”

“Oh.” Your eyes widened as he revealed the name. 

“Do you know how to play it?” You shake your head at his question. “Then I can teach you!” 

“Really?” 

“Yeah, let's go and install it on the playstation.” 

By the time satoru’s mother returns with your mum, they find satoru giggling along with you, hands still locked with each other, as he points to various stacked video games. 

That day slowly came to an end and satoru didn't get to see you for the next two years till your giggles became a distant echo and your face a blur. 

By the time he was 14, he almost forgot you. 

Until that one day when he noticed you, sitting alone with your lunch staring at the sky at the campus of his high school. 

You were biting on your chopsticks with dreamy eyes as recognition drew in satoru's mind. 

Y/n— he thought. His brows frowned, thoughts slowly going in a muddle. How are you here? eating lunch in his high school campus unless— you're a student over here too! Satoru felt foolish, his lips slowly curving in a smile lifting one hand, abandoning the basketball in the other to greet you. 

However, before he can get his words voiced out to you, gaining your attention, a brown haired girl comes up to you dragging you along with her in a hurry. 

Satoru's hand froze in mid air, awkwardly stretching it above his head before bringing it down and turning towards his friends. He sprinted back to his group resuming the game, yet his mind stayed with you and your dreamy eyes. 

He wanted to say ‘hi’ and watch your eyes grow wide before nodding your head just like you did back then. He wanted to show you the basketball he was holding and maybe teach you how to play ball just like he did back then. 

“Oi satoru! Why are you missing the catch?!” one of his friends shouted, breaking him free of his daze. “sorry…taking a break!” He said, excusing himself, before going and plopping himself down on a nearby bench. 

He recognised the brown haired girl—Yura. She often came to him asking for little favours. Did she know you? A friend? You studied in the same school and yet he only saw you today. Where were you all this time? Satoru was the same age as you. So you were bound to be in the same class, maybe different sections but he knew students from the other sections too. How come he didn't notice you yet?

The recess was over soon and he ran back to his class. Before entering the class, he noticed you again, hurrying to the class next to him. 

Class 1-2.

Satoru felt silly as he read the classroom name in his mind. 

As the final semester rolled on and a new semester started, satoru found out class 1-2 changed to class 2-2 and this year he was in the same section as yours. 

He was excited to finally be able to talk to you without any awkwardness. After all, you were in the same classroom now— which means you will know him when he introduces himself on the first day of class. You will see him, introducing himself aloud and clear and recognition will draw on your face as you remember him. 

That's what he initially thought the night before the first class. Until satoru felt the urge to perfect his speech and kept on practicing it, holding the crumpled sheet in his clammy hands, past midnight. 

As a result he woke up late and by the time he hurried himself to school, the self introduction was half-over. He mumbled his apologies to his homeroom teacher, before hastily introducing himself and going to his assigned seat. 

With that his perfect speech plan of gaining your attention bombed miserably. He raised his head in the direction of your seat—first row second desk, way far than his— fourth row last desk. 

That's when he decided with the determination inclining in his heart to get your attention and make you remember that it's him. 

The plan was simple. He just have to wait till recess and watch his chances closely. Once you're free and alone he will go make a move saying ‘hello’! Maybe even ask for your number. 

Recess hour came by and his plan chose to bite the dust with girls and boys swarming around him to get his number and be friends with him. The group kept him occupied for the entirety of the recess and by the time he was done you were no where to be found in class. 

Similar things happened the next day and the next day and the next day, never ceasing to leave him alone. 

Satoru eventually came up with another plan— excelling in academics. The more he's good in academics, the more are the chances for you to come up to him wanting his help to understand a problem. And the plan worked exceptionally well with girls frequenting him with a doubt in their lesson— except for you. 

This time satoru came up with his active participation in extracurriculars and sports. The more he active he is the more is the chance of you joining the same activity or maybe seek his assistance for the upcoming sports day.

This plan too, was indeed prodigious and did attracted a lot of attention except yours. 

His last option was of joining the student council. As the spirited member of the top student council, you might come up to him with a problem you're facing or anything you want to change. 

So, without thinking much he did joined the student council, hoping to finally gain your attention. However the following week, concerns and requests for changes decreased promptly. The other council members sighed, few scrutinizing satoru. After all no one in the entire school would want their so very handsome, energetic and popular Satoru Gojo to have a heavy work load after school. 

“Since we don't have any work to do now, thanks to gojo-kun, I'd gladly like you all to only maintain the regular class desk arrangement.” the student council president announced before leaving the council room. 

Satoru sighed, this isn't what he thought. He just wanted your attention not the entire school’s. Everyone looked at him, when he walked, when he sat, when he ate, people always turned around to take a second look. Yet you never laid your eyes on him. Even being in the same class you never came up to him to chat. 

Back slouched, with his tie undone, he slammed the door open of his classroom to pick up his bag. 

You flinched. 

Hand covering your mouth, a dust wiper on the other, you looked at him as he froze. 

One entire year, was how satoru spent to gain your attention, to get you look at him, and when it finally happened the time seemed to halt. The sun rays pooled into the room with slow breezes messing up your bangs and satoru couldn't mutter a word but stare.

Conscious about him gaping, he tore his gaze away from you before shutting the door, this time gently. 

The council president asked them to take care of class desk arrangements. However, the desks in his classroom have always been arranged, even before he joined the student council.

“you…um arrange the desks everyday?” He said fixing his tie, slowly walking up to his desk, wiped clean by you. “Yes.” 

Satoru accompanies you cleaning and arranging for the rest of the time in complete silence. Soon you take your leave, and so does satoru but this was the time he was happy like really really happy. 

He didn't exchange any words of recognition with you, from the day at the mall. He didn't talk. Yet he was beaming radiant, for just being with you, momentarily alone, in peace. 

That day soon came to an end and another year passed by. Satoru did nothing but admire you from afar. This was the only way he felt the closest to you. He saw how you wiped and arranged the desks everyday; help people without even letting them notice; lend the only pencil you have without a word; and care for the garden whose garish flowers were disregarded by others. 

The more he saw, the more he knew you. And the more he felt his heart slipping away. 

You were kind, gentle and soft. You noticed people behind their masks. You regarded the smallest of the things with such care. And your delicate hands, often smeared with paint, held the responsibility of others without complaining. 

He often saw yura asking favours from you, shoving her cleaning duties to you, sending you to get her lunch from the 7-eleven nearby and never once you said 'no'. You were so so precious. 

He knew he’d to stop; the way you engrossed him, linger on his mind all day to the point that he was unable to think of anything but you was straight up creepy but his eyes never stopped searching for you.

Even in the midst of the crowds on a random road his eyes would unconsciously seek for you. 

And by the time he was 17, satoru was hopelessly, absurdly and miserably in love with you.

Another year passed by and he could do nothing but stare. And the fact that you often looked at him too made things even worse. 

He was so down bad for you that he couldn't keep on going like this anymore. He was so sure he'd confess to you on the day of graduating the high school, not caring about rejection. 

Satoru stayed up an entire night, perfecting his confession. But by the time the graduation ceremony ended and he went to look out for you, you were nowhere to be found. 

He asked yura about you, to which she replied that you went back home early and satoru had his heart broken at 18. 

He couldn't move on easily but giving you up was the only option left. Unwillingly, satoru made his devastating decision of giving you up. He never thought he would see you again until a few years later in college, shoko brought you right in front of him. 

“We need a new artist to cover up for this concert.” said geto suguru, stuffing his phone back in his pockets. “Why? What happened to ren?” 

“Got himself into an accident and fractured his right arm.” Geto plops himself back down on the couch beside satoru, before pulling on the fretboard of his bass. 

“Should visit him then.” 

“Forget it.” 

“Why?” frowned satoru, geto suguru—his best friend, the one he went to middle and high school with, was not the type to feign indifference. His behavior indeed had satoru confused. 

“Nanami informed he got drunk at the last concert before getting himself into the accident. Drunk driving it is.” 

“Did yaga find out about this?” 

“Fortunately, he didn't. Nanami covered the case before him finding out,” geto brought his hand, swiping back his string of bangs, “if it reaches yaga, he will ban us from using the campus stadium.”

“lucky I'd say…so what now?” The next concert is in 3 days and the band poster is still incomplete. 

Shortly after satoru joined his college, suguru started a band along with two other guys. The band was doing well but due to a disagreement they decided to split up. Suguru then suggested satoru join the band and the following year they gained another member named nanami kento. 

They used to hold performances at random pubs but as its popularity increased, the college decided to give them the campus stadium to hold their concerts. Something they did extra was hiring an artist to do their band poster— hand-drawn. It'd become a little tradition— a lucky charm says suguru, and now that their artist had broken his hand right at the eleventh hour before the concert they will have to— 

“Find a new one.” 

“nana—” geto shuts him before he could finish his sentence. “Nanami is trying his best, so am I. So, you try finding one too.”

“How am I supposed to?” 

“Well I'm sure if you go with a face like this to the art department, people would volunteer in a line.” 

“Same goes with you, why don't you go and ask. I'm sure if you could wear your shirt a little loose you can surely get your clingy ex find a good one." Gojo says in a mocking tone, grabbing his guitar and looping it around his back before leaving the club.

He was sure annoyed, but he will have to find one, geto wasn't in a mood to joke earlier either. Rather than going by himself, he decided to ask shoko get it done for him; he was sure she'd agree for a few packs of cigarettes. 

Walking on his way to the parking lot he texted shoko to meet at their regular cafe. 

“Sup!” 

Satoru smiled knowing shoko could never fail him, even if she didn't agree right away a little guilt trip will do. 

“All good?” 

“Yeah, what do you need?” 

“Just a little favour.” 

“And what that might be?” 

“Get an appropriate artist from the art department. Ren broke his arm and suguru's so down about going himself, ya’ know about his ex,” shoko started grabbing her cup of iced coffee to retreat when gojo slammed two packets of cigarettes on the table. “I've two more packs to offer.” 

Shoko returns to her seat, a big smile on her face. “Okay! Since I'm your empathetic, gracious and compassionate friend, I will try and see what I can get done.” 

“Yes please…” 

“I'm not doing it for cigarettes ya’ know.” 

“Mhmmm” satoru nods his face dramatically.

“Get the other two packets out.” 

“Sure.” 

Satoru knew four packets would get the job done as he parted away from shoko, driving his way back home. 

And the next day when shoko texted him that she got a volunteer and is bringing her to the club, he didn't expected it to be you.

Shoko looped a hand around your shoulders “so this is the club,” chewing a gum, “and this is satoru gojo.” 

“Hi…” you said looking at him, before taking a look at those instruments laying behind. 

It’s you. It's really you. He couldn't believe his eyes yet stood unblinking as if you were some mirage and will fade away once he closes his eyelids.

“Gojo?” Shoko waved a hand infront of his face and realizing he didn't respond to you, he bent his torso bowing to you. 

“Woah,” shoko’s face scrunched up, cringing at his behavior, “when did you start being all formal?” 

You giggled at her comment while satoru hushed her with a series of ‘shut ups’. 

“I'm—” 

“Y/n.” satoru whispered almost as if reminding himself the way your name sounded in his lips. “Y/n, i know.” 

You chuckle at his words, tugging a strand of hair behind your ear. 

“You know her?” shoko tilted her head at him, not expecting you to be acquainted with him. 

“We went to the same high school.” You say when satoru does nothing but gape at you with dreamy eyes. 

His heart did a whole somersault at your sentence. You remembered him; you remembered his name; you remembered he was in the same high school as you. The fact that you regarded him made him so giddy that he was practically ready to throw his hands up in the air or kiss the floor on which you walk.

“Kay’ I'll leave you guys to talk then.” She smirked before raising a cocky eyebrow at satoru, excusing herself from the club. 

“So…you're the only one?” 

“Huh?”

“In the band— i mean…”

“Oh no” he dragged, “there are two more members along with the back musicians…” 

You humm, taking a proper look at the club. 

“You like it?” 

“It has vibrant colours.” 

Your words echoed in his ears, the same which you said to him at the mall. Oh how bad had he wanted to hear those.

“The jazzies,” you read the name of their band aloud, “why jazzies? You only play jazz?” 

“No…we play all sorts of music…it's just a name suguru chose for the band.” 

“you do originals?” 

“Both originals and covers. Anything suguru comes up with.” 

Your mouth forms a little ‘o’ as satoru explains to you. 

“geto seems to be doing all the stuff, what do you do?” 

“You know him?” satoru’s brows furrowed. “Whom?” you ask.

“geto…geto suguru.” 

“Ofc, he was in the same class as us.” 

“Oh.” 

Ofcourse. Both he and geto were in the same class as you. It was no big deal for you to remember both of them. However, accepting that he wasn't any special was bitter. 

Satoru’s eyes followed your figure as you went out to reach for his guitar, mindlessly drawing your finger on its printed patterns.

“You didn't answer my question…”

“I guess I found you for our band.” 

When none of you says anything, satoru breaks the ice, clearing his throat.

“You know how to play?” 

“Err…no.” 

“I can teach you.” 

He slided his index among the few string instruments before pulling out an acoustic one, bringing it to you. 

“Hold the fretboard with your left hand,” satoru pulled the strap over your shoulders, “and bring your right hand over the body, fingers near the sound hole— yep that's right,” he turned your back to him, gently holding the back of your palms. 

“Now, pluck the chords for me,” his chest was against your back as he guided you through the strings. 

“Like this?” you ask him.

“Yes, you're doing very well.” 

The guitar in your hands, played smoothly as satoru guided you through it. 

Just like when he taught you how to play mario kart. 

Satoru looks down at you smiling in excitement. Oh how cute you looked like that. He could admire you twenty-four seven, never wanting to tear his gaze away, for you're that ineffably eesome in his eyes. 

Time almost ceased when you looked up at him, eyes crinkling with a smile that soon died as red creeps up your cheeks. 

Satoru’s face was mere inches away from you, his eyes wavering down to your lips. 

“SATO—RU— oh,” geto bursted in along with nanami causing you both to flinch. 

He quickly leaves your hand. 

“Y/n??” Geto dragged out your name, looking at you with his eyebrows knitting and lips forming a silly smile. 

“Hi,” you pull the strap over your shoulders abandoning the instrument on the nearby couch. “I'm here to volunteer.” 

“You do?” 

“Yeah…” 

“That's great! I can't believe satoru even managed to talk—” satoru smacked him mid sentence. 

Nanami, for some reason, found the ceilings very interesting today, totally ignoring his two seniors.

Geto explained to you about their little tradition of hand drawn posters and showed you the posters they used for the last concerts. You, then, asked them to send them a group picture of the three and their preferences for colours and themes. 

“For that I might need your number—” 

“I- i can send it to her…” Geto passed a suggestive smile at satoru, which he ignored and awkwardly forwarded his phone to you. 

“Yeah that sounds fine. Here's my number, save it and text me later.” 

“Kky!” 

You pull the sling of your tote bag up to your arm, giving them a little nod, before turning your back to leave. 

“Wait!—” satoru held your arms frantically pulling you back. He hurried to the back near the couch you plopped the guitar and shoved it to you. “T-take it.” 

“Ah— no I can't do that.”

“Take it. You can learn how to play and I- I can teach you.” he tried not to stutter yet failed miserably. 

“No i rea—”

“consider it as a gift— from me.” 

You frowned a bit but agreed anyway. 

“That's really sweet of you satoru! I will wait for your text! Bye!!” 

He waved back to you. 

“What was that?” Geto implies in the direction of the exit door through which you just left. 

“nothing.” 

Later, You sent the photo of the finished banner to satoru. It took you 42 hours to finish it. 

Satoru on the other hand was practicing really hard, totally different from his half hearted performances from the previous ones which wasn't unnoticed by the other members. 

He has to be the best. After all, this concert will be different from the previous ones. This time you will be there to see him, cheer for him, and notice him. 

You soon bring the banner rolled up to the club. “Woah! You really did a great job.” 

“This is much better than ren’s.” says nanami before going back to his drum set, giving you a thumbs up.

“Satoru?” 

“Y-yes.” 

“You liked it?” 

“I loved it. It has vibrant colours.” You giggled at his answer, shifting your direction to his gaze. His fingers seemed to flake off any dust on the surface of your work, handling it so gently. 

It wasn't his fault he felt so overwhelmed. All these years he'd yearned for one kind word from your lips yet he was left starving. 

And now you'd drawn him with such precision, that it was as if you were accustomed to drawing him for the hundredth time. 

His heart fluttered at the thought. 

“I will be there at your concert,” you say, turning your back to him. “All the best!” 

The campus stadium was full with a bunch of students and hippies, it was really hard for satoru to try locating you amongst the sea of crowds. 

The music rang loud, brisking fiery cheers from the crowd, full of vim and vigor. The spotlight shone on the three— geto with his vocals and string of bass; satoru with his acoustic guitar; and nanami with his drum set. 

The crowd roared in excitement as music coursed through their veins. 

Will you be cheering too? 

Satoru raised his head from the guitar, plucking chords effortlessly, to his audience. 

And as if it was fate that drew both of you together, his eyes found yours. You were there in the vip section, along with shoko and another girl. You were moving with beats, swaying your arms in rhythm to their music. 

His eyes locked in yours as you waved a hand at him. Oh how, how pretty you looked. Everything except you was a blur to him. 

The crowd goes even more wild, seeing satoru blush, not sensing it was you who caused it. 

The concert continued till past midnight as the vibrations thrumming around the air slowed and wrapped up with their ending song: “Where Our Blue Is.”

As the applause slowly start to dissipate, satoru pulled off his instrument, running to the edge of the stage, and hopped down the raised platform. 

The college girls shrieked baffled, some even reached out, grabbing on his wrists and clothes. He politely got out of their grip making his way to the vip section, geto and nanami following him. 

The still air felt electric as he approached you. 

“you liked the show?” 

“Ofc it was amazing!!” The girl beside you answers in your stead, whom he now recognised as yura.

“It was really good.” you say swallowing a laugh bubbling up your throat at his huffed out appearance. 

“Thanks to your banner, it even attracted more audience.” geto remarked, placing his arm around satoru’s shoulders.

“Thank you.” 

“You should thank me for bringing her in.” Shoko reclaims, looping her hand around your arm, “let's go steal some shots.” 

“Oh no i can't— i don't drink. And I need to hurry back home it's late.” 

“Kyaahh— you've let me down y/nniee. Only two packets of cigarettes can get my mood uplifte—” 

“I will bring it tomorrow.” You say shutting up her whines. 

“kk bye and text me when you get home the rest are joining me right ?”

“Count me out. I'll be driving her home tonight.” Satoru says sheepishly, ignoring the smirks and exchanged looks of his bandmates, a slight blush creeping up his cheeks.

“No but I was about to go home with her —” yura interrupts.

“Satoru’s fine. You're coming with us.” Shoko dragged her along with geto and nanami, which satoru was glad of. 

Finally he'd be alone with you.

He guided you to the parking lot from the back of the stage, before getting his car keys out. 

It's metallic jingle echoing softly as he presses the button on his key fob. The car responds with a soft beep unlocking as satoru opens the passenger door, holding it open for you. 

“Here,” he gestures with his other hand, “get in.” 

“Sure.” You say gulping thickly.

The thick smell of your cologne mingling with the leather scent of the car.

He closes the door before sprinting to the other side, getting himself in. “Don't— ” he stops you when you reach out for your seat belt. “Allow me the honor” his finger brushes against your skin as he reaches out for the seat belt. 

Your heart practically jolts at his action. 

The click of the seat belt buckle echoes softly in the quiet car, as he straightens back to his former position. 

“Where do you live?” He clears his throat, starting the car engine and flicking on the headlights before pulling out the car into the driveway. 

“In the downtown.” 

“That's quite far from the campus, how bout I drive you everyday back home?” His eyes suggestive, making you chuckle.

“I can't let you do that.”

“Why?” 

“Since it's far from the campus and you won't be visiting often.” 

“Who knows, I might be visiting your place often.” 

You turn your face from the window to look at him. 

“What?” 

“I will have to— to teach you guitar.” 

You crack up at his silliness, finding yourself melting again.

“Okay fine. But that still doesn't counts.” 

“Why not!” 

Since that day, satoru did visited you often, sometimes barging in with shoko and sometimes alone teaching you how to play guitar, plucking on chords and notes. 

And you attended all of his concerts. Their previous artist has recovered now and has resumed his work, so you no longer work with them. However they insist you tag along each time and it's not like you complain. 

You liked satoru’s company. He was handsome, charismatic and popular. You'd watched him your entire high school. He was the one of most popular students, good in a millions of things, starting from academics to being athletic. He'd win every sports competition and even participate in all the extracurriculars. You'd admired him for he could do the things which you didn't had the courage for. 

You liked how he didn't judge people, helped them in their need, and even took care of those garish flowers nobody seemed to double take.

You'd previously met him before high school, though he never brought that up. You wondered if he even remembers the day at the mall. You wanted to ask him so bad, however—

Your world was only limited to papers and paints.

So you painted. 

You painted him so many times that you'd have more than five sketchbooks with paintings full of him.

You wanted to be friends, maybe even more than friends.

But that didn't matter now. He was near you and you would do anything to keep your thumping heart in control and not have satoru cut you out of his life. 

But how can you?

How can you control it when satoru so gently, so lovingly, takes your hand in his. When he smiles so sweetly at you. When he teaches you how to pull chords and other instruments. When he drops you home from college almost everyday. When he hugs you and tells you to take care. 

How are you supposed to be just friends when he's so overly affectionate to you?

Or maybe it's just your overthinking.

Satoru was always polite and sweet, he'd always been sweet to others and you were no special. 

“What are you thinking baby?”

You come out of your daze, rolling your eyes at the nickname.

“How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that…” 

“Not my fault you aren't paying attention to me…” he pulls you closer to him, resting his face on your shoulder. 

“Have you always been this hungry for attention?” you ask, getting yourself comfortable abandoning the guitar beside you on the couch— of the club.

“I've been starving.” 

You cringe at his words. Satoru has another concert today and they just finished practicing an hour ago and now they are taking a break. 

Geto and nanami and other back artists wanted to get some fresh air so they left you and satoru alone to entertain each other. 

“Are you really skipping on me?” He looked at you with puppy eyes. 

“I've a gallery exhibition tomorrow.” You need to scoot back home to get ready for it. It's a big event for you to showcase your arts. 

Satoru hummed, nuzzling his face on the crook of your neck, “I'll be there. You're going to do great.” 

An uncertain lump forms in your throat, hard to swallow, you say nothing. Your heart was in a conflict again, no matter what you can absolutely not—

“I will be going then. All the best for your concert.” 

You push satoru away, reaching for your tote bag from the side of a random arm chair. “Wait I will drop—” 

“Who's leaving?” shoko barges in with yura and others. 

Satoru points at you. 

“I just got here. You can't leave already.”

“Yup! Yup! Please stay a little longer, baby. I'll drop you back home, no worries.” 

Shoko exchanges suggestive glances with geto and they somehow persuade you to stay a little longer.

They start practicing for another round when shoko pulls your head closer, “what do you think about gojo?” 

“Huh?!” You shout over the music, unable to hear her. 

She grabbed your hand and pulled you outside, with Yura following closely behind you both.

“What— “ 

“What do you think of gojo?” 

A burning sensation hits you slowly as shoko’s question registers in your mind.

You ears turn red. 

“Eh…um h-he’s a nice guy. A nice musician…and—”

“And?” Shoko wiggled her brows at you, a sly smile on her face. 

“A-a nice friend.” 

“Just a friend?” You nod at her, seemingly more embarrassed at her implications. 

Shoko's face literally radiated disappointment. It was as if someone told her that cigarettes are now banned in the country. “I think he's interested in you,” you choked on air at her remark. “No?” 

Yura shrugged. 

The music slowed down and then paused, bringing your conversation to a momentary halt. 

Satoru rushed outside, complaining about why you left in the middle of his practice.

“Bruh, chill, I'm not trying to steal her away from you. We're just talking!” Shoko jokes as you laugh all flustered. 

Just when you were about to leave one of his fangirls suddenly appeared from nowhere and threw herself into his arms, wrapping hers tightly around his neck. He stumbled back a step, surprised, before regaining his balance but he didn't put her down rather he spinned her around before setting her back down, with a polite smile on his face. 

The other members just saw the scene unfold with amusement. Nanami was surprised at the fan’s boldness and geto simply observed the scene as shoko rolled her eyes, finding it hysterical.

“What do you think of shoko’s remark?” said yura, looping her hand around your arm. 

“What?” You say suppressing the slow tinge of jealousy. 

“About gojo being interested in you…” 

“I-i don't think so.” 

You try to laugh it off.

“Yeah, he's just polite. To pretty much everyone.” 

Her words felt like a splinter to your heart. You shouldn't feel like this. It'd happened before— not now again. 

Yura’s right, satoru is just polite and will do the same for everyone what he does for you— because he's kind. And you're no special.

The entire ride was silent. Satoru kept asking you if anything was wrong but you just guised a smile at him, insisting it was nothing.

The next day at the gallery event, you behaved oddly. You smiled at him but  didn't reach your eyes, your answers to his question were of one word, even avoiding his touch. 

“Did I do something wrong?” he asked warily.

“No.” 

Days passed by and you distanced yourself more from him. 

Satoru, on the other hand, was almost losing his mind. His world turned upside down. You stopped coming to his concerts, ignored his texts and even refused to let him drop you back home. 

It was yesterday you’d allowed him to teach you the guitar yet today you behaved as if you'd long forgotten him. You were cold and distant, leaving him puzzled by his own thoughts upon your sudden change in demeanor. 

He couldn't help but wonder whether he'd done something that made you this upset? 

You'd said it was nothing.

Then why?

What the fuck did he messed up?

Satoru missed you terribly and violently.

He eyed you from the inside of his car parked a bit far from your department. Today was another day you refused his offer to drive you to class. ‘I'm kinda sick so I won't be going.’ This was what you'd texted him the morning and yet there you were getting off your uber. 

You lied to him. 

“Come with me to their concert today.” Shoko urged you, her lips pursed in a thin line. 

“I'm sorry—”

“No you're not so sorry. Tomorrow’s Saturday, come with me, gojo’s getting mad without you.”

You suck in a breath at the mention of his name.

“What's wrong?” shoko says sipping the last of her drink before plopping it on your tea table. 

“Nothing.” 

“Then come.”

You agreed eventually. Attending the concert won't be a big deal. 

And it wasn't, except for satoru’s piercing gaze burning holes in your back. You accompanied Shoko backstage and casually greeted everyone— including him. 

“God, haven't seen you in so long.” geto side hugged you as nanami gave you a nod of acknowledgement before running off to the stage for some last minute preparations. “Satoru missed you like crazy.” 

You attempt a weak smile in satoru's direction, darting a hesitant glance his way. His gaze was fixed on you, but his expression was unreadable, almost giving shivers down your spine. 

One of the other members suddenly hurried over to Geto, urgently speaking about some issue, he politely excused himself and exited the room, closely followed by Shoko. Now, you were left alone with Satoru, the only two remaining in the room. 

“I should go and check what's the proble—” you try sprinting your way out the door, “wait—” when satoru stops you. 

His hand on your arm, preventing you to go any further and when you struggle to get out of his grip, he tightens his grip even more slamming you to the wall,  pinning you caging your body. 

“What's wrong with you?” 

“Gojo you're hurting m—” 

“Gojo?” His voice cracked, grip losing before letting your arms go, “why? Why must you do this to me?” 

“Do what?” You drift your gaze away unable to look at satoru, who's this close tearing up.

“This— why must you do this? Why must you ignore me? Why must you be distant from me? Why must you lie to me so that I won't bother picking you up or dropping you home? Why must you reject my affection?” He sucks in a breath “You know I can't live like that—” 

“why?” 

“Don't pretend like you don't know…” 

“no no don't say it,” you throw your hands up in the air frantically, “don't— I can’t fall again…no— I know you're just being polite and you will do this for anyone, but I can’t help it if I don't—”

“I love you—” he whispers, bringing your hand up, placing the palm flat to his chest.

“No you don't.” 

“Yes I do— what do you mean you can't fall again,” he suppresses your struggles of wrenching free your hand from his grip. “You have no idea how crazy I'm for you. I love you and I've loved you since I was 17. I was about to confess to you on our graduation day but you just disappeared leaving me alone. And now that I have you I'm not letting you go— make no mistake baby, if there's anyone I’d ever kneel for— it'd be you.” 

Thick silence covered the entire room, except your heavy exhales. Satoru gojo was inches close to you, your hand still laid flat against his heaving chest. 

“B-but I wrote you a note confes—” 

“What note? I never….” confusion twisted on his face bitterly. 

“You threw it in the dustbin— the one I wrote to you the day before graduation.”

His face told the truth, as he shook his head denying it. He never received any note from you— nevertheless having the audacity to throw it in the trash when he'd been hopelessly in love with you all these years.

“Yura told me—” you shut your mouth as the realization hits you. The person whom you considered as a friend backstabbed you long ago. 

She lied about him discarding it while it was actually her who had stolen it off his desk before satoru even noticed.

Your head raised in embarrassment, ready to apologize for the misunderstanding when suddenly, Satoru's lips met yours in a tender kiss. The kiss was filled with such affection and tenderness that you felt as if you might melt in his embrace. His arms held you close, firmly yet gently, as he deepened the kiss. Your heart pounded in your chest as you responded to his kiss. All thoughts of the misunderstanding were forgotten in that moment of pure intimacy before satoru pulled away with frowned brows and a dazed smile. 

“Tell me, would I kiss anyone the same way I kiss you?” he pulled you again, smacking his lips on yours as he snaked a hand around your waist, the other, still firm, holding your palm. 

You could feel his heartbeat going rapid the more he deepens the kiss, sucking on your upper lip. 

He pulls away again.

“Tell me, would my heart beat the same way as it beats around yours?” He smacks his lips again, this time pinching your waist making you gasp as he slips his tongue in.

His hand fumbles with the hem of your dress, pulling away again, a string of drool connecting both of your lips. “Would I be breathless the same way as I'm now?” 

His hand travels up your inner thigh, till it reaches the wet blotch of drenched silk. You grasp his shoulders, when he starts drawing circles over the fabric, smirking before nuzzling his face on the crook of your neck. 

“Satoru, what if someone walks in—” your body jolts, nails digging into his back as he pulls the fabric to the side, plunging a digit in without any warning. “Let them…” he goes back to sucking your skin while rubbing his thumb over your swollen clit. 

Your teeth sank on your bottom lips, his finger slowly plunging in and out of you. “Nngh ‘toru, you’re—” small trembles quivered through your body as he plunged with a faster rhythm. 

“Shh baby! Let me take you” he inserts another digit as your teeth dug even deeper into your lip, stretching you and filling you so well. 

He was stroking you, curling his fingers inside until hitting your most sensitive spot. Sweat beaded your forehead as your trembles gave way to full body shudders, shutting your mouth with your hand not wanting to be loud. 

Satoru drew himself back from your neck, satisfied marking and suckling, withdrawing his digits, slick from you as you wince at the loss of his fullness. 

He brings them up and sucks your essence off his fingers with a pop. “I want to eat you out.” 

Before even you can make out his words he kneels down bunching up the fabric to your hips pulling your panty down properly and latching onto your swollen clit. 

“Fuck ‘toru.” he lapped his tongue on your clit, drawing circles, tasting your sweet before drawing himself back, “I am fucking you baby.” He says, licking a fat stripe on your vulva, his rigid tongue swiping back and forth over your clit sending sensations that make your body jolt. “Here and raw” he hummed against your pussy, his breath warm and hot sending vibrations to your core, before vacuuming on your clit. 

Your hand grasping his hair, as he worked on your orgasm.

He plunged his digits again, rhythmatic with the little pants escaping your mouth, along with the slick sounds of your hips buckling down his fingers. 

He smirked internally at your enthusiasm.

“So fucking nasty for me huh?” He said against your pussy, licking and sucking till you were nothing but withering in mindless pleasure. You were taking it well, suppressing your moans into breathless pants until he sucked, fingers pressing the most sensitive spot inside you. 

A shriek fell past your lips, knees buckling, followed by a string of moans and whimpers. “Oh— fuck..” you try closing your thighs which he prevents with his iron grip of one hand, forcing it open till he has better access. “Don't even dare closing on me…” 

The wet sounds of his fingers, plunging in and out of your gummy walls, echoed throughout the empty room.

Something coiled hot and fuzzy in the lower pit of your stomach. You clenched hard around his finger, when the bass-heavy beats of the band's concert began, causing you to involuntarily shove satoru’s face deeper into your cunt as you heard voices from the stage outside. 

Geto's unmistakable voice rang out, accompanied by the heavy drumming of nanami. They had started performing without satoru. 

“Nn’toru they start—” your voice died down into a breathless gasp as you felt your pelvic muscles clench, tension looping around your entire body as fiery sensations erupted. You arch your back against the wall, unable to stop your toes curling at the intensity of his tongue lapping, finger fuckin' you, as your vision gets blurry. 

“Yeah…cum for me baby” his velvety murmurs were all it took for you to turn into a mess of sensations, your body erupting as your high came down bursting, dripping and spilling down your thighs, his chin and his neck. 

Satoru lapped up the drops carelessly strewn about your skin, his tongue tracing a path along the droplets splattered on your inner thighs as he savored everything with anticipation.

“Tell me, would I kneel infront of anyone and let them cum this hard on my fingers?” He straightened himself up, “and then drink it up like a pussy drunk male whore?” his gaze never left yours, wiping the leftover slick from his chin with the back of his hand before licking it clean.

The music from outside has now gained its intensity, thrumming even louder.

No— you mouthed. 

Satoru’s gaze was still fixed at you, when he unzipped his pants, his aching cock sprang out red, already leaking precum. 

You gape at his girth. 

It was big.

And fucking thick. 

Leaning in, Satoru brings his lips close to your ear, his voice clear over the blaring music from outside, “Like what you see—”

You didn't get to answer him before he slammed right in. 

A cry of pleasure tore from your throat, as you loop your hands around his neck, nails digging on his back.

He hissed out a breath, restraining himself from moving till you adjusted to his size. 

Only then did he slowly pull it out leaving only the tip inside. You grimace at the loss of fullness until he slams back in causing you to clench around him. 

He let out a low guttural moan which was almost inaudible to you over the roar of music if you weren't so close to each other, feeling the raw desire of his voice vibrating on your skin.

“Tell me— hahh- would I let anyone clench this hard on me if this weren't you?” 

You were at a loss for words. 

The kind, polite, sweet satoru you knew was gone. In his place was someone who fucked hard. 

When you don't answer he pulls out and slams right back in harsh, eyes gleaming with wicked intent. 

Satisfied, satoru guides his one hand to tapping on your thigh suggesting you wrap your legs up around him. 

He repositions his dick on your entrance, before supporting your weight with one hand, pinning your body completely to the wall, while the other hand grabs your neck, choking you before giving you a sloppy breathless kiss. 

“You like it don't ya’ hmm fuck— so tight—” 

Your cries came out choked as he pounded into you, in an insane manner, desperate and primal.

“Tell me—” 

Thrust 

“do you—” 

Thrust 

“still think I'm just being polite?”

Thrust.

The roar of geto's voice singing out aloud different notes masked out the filth of your moans. 

The sensation was in again, hot and uproar, coiling beneath the core of your consciousness. Satoru sensed you being close to your climax, continued to plow into your pussy, now supporting your weight with both hands against the wall. 

Your toes curled again, nails digging down his back almost scratching the fabric, “yes that's it love,” your eyes rolled back as you arch your neck unable to handle the pleasure, “cum for me…” 

Your mouth forming a little ‘o’, mind blank as your eyes saw stars. The only consciousness left in your body directed you to the burning of your heat, till it came crashing down.

You came hard letting your head fall on his shoulders too spent for anything.

Satoru too chased his high, thrusting into your swollen pussy, his cock twitching inside you, till you felt him getting sloppy and tense before cumming into you.

The music was still very loud, beats thrumming your flushed veins. 

None of you said anything, remaining in the same position. Satoru pulled himself out, his cum dripping out your vagina, before walking over and placing you on a nearby chair. 

He cleaned you up gently tugging your clothes back and fixes himself before cleaning the mess near the wall. 

“They— they started performing without you…” you huff out, drained still in the very euphoria of your pleasure satoru showed you. 

“I told them to do so…” he shouted over the noise. 

You remain stunned for a while, letting out a breath. “I'm sorry…I avoided you.” 

“Here I thought you were giving me a thousand kisses as an apology.” 

You chuckle at him, back to his normal self— your sweet, kind and maybe not so polite satoru…

He came over to you, lifting you effortlessly before plopping himself down on the chair with you on his lap. 

“I missed you.” 

“I missed you too.” 

“No but I missed you like crazy…” he pouted. “y/n be my girlfriend…please.” 

Tears start forming in your eyes, overwhelmed, you never thought the satoru gojo you met at the mall, the satoru gojo you loved your entire high school would someday ask you to be his girlfriend.

To paint his heart with your love.

“I will.” 

“no wait— marry me instead!”

You dug your face deeper into his chest, laughing at his playfulness. And satoru just smiled.

Finally he would be yours. 

you and Satoru started dating since then and things couldn't have been any better for him. He practically announced to the world that you were his girlfriend, always picking you up and dropping you off from campus, and claiming a kiss as his reward. You’d also cut Yura off, not wanting any more negativity in your life. Satoru was yours, and you were his. And He couldn't be any happier.

Tags: @cccandynecklaces @secretfankoala

© strawberrymochin 24 | plagiarism won't be tolerated |

[andvys]

The edges of your soul (I haven't seen yet) ⭐︎ chapter four

⭐︎ While I’m alone and blue as can be

Warnings: angst, hurt/comfort, mentions of death, mentions of blood and wounds, gore, post apocalypse au, major character death

Pairing: Steve Harrington x fem!reader

Summary: The aftermath of Steve's outburst leaves him guilty and regretful, but a conversation might fix things... a little.

Word count: 6k+

Author's note: @hellfire--cult thank you for proofreading, for fixing my dumbass mistakes and for writing with me hehe

⭐︎ series masterlist ⭐︎ previous chapter

☀︎

It was surprising how well you adapted to this change, to being back on the road. You imagined it to be harder when you were still back in Hawkins, you thought that you would struggle after days spent in warmth and safety but you didn’t, you don’t struggle – maybe it’s got to do with the fact that you are not alone this time, that you still have a warm bed to sleep in every night, that you still have the feeling of safety thanks to the people you are with, that you still have a roof over your head. The RV almost feels like home. For now, you have enough food and water to last for a while, though you still stock up on cans, water bottles snacks wherever you can find some, gas stations, grocery stores, and shops that you stop by on the way. 

It’s been three days since you left Hawkins, three days since you saw Steve fall to his knees and cry out tears that you know he must’ve pushed away since the day he lost her. You felt so bad for him, your heart broke at the sight of his pain and at the sound of his cries. You pitied and felt for him, though it still didn’t take away the pain he left you with. His words hurt, and they stung deeply. You were stupid to think that things could work out between you and him when he shared a moment with you in the kitchen, you got too hopeful. He was mean and cruel to you; it was a mistake to try and be his friend.

Now, you don’t talk much to him, only when you have to. You don’t look at him all that much either, nodding at his questions and giving short replies. He tries. He tries to talk to you, to strike up conversation but you don’t want it, you don’t want to talk to him, knowing that he only does it out of guilt. It wasn’t a surprise to you when he approached you on the first day and offered his help to cook dinner with you. You declined and asked for Eddie instead. 

He isn’t heartless, nor is he a bad guy, of course the guilt and the regret would catch up eventually but it doesn’t make the feeling in your chest go away, the dread and the sadness he put inside of you. 

The tension between you is thick and it doesn’t go unnoticed by Eddie and Nancy. Even on the day of your departure, they knew something had happened the night you ran after Steve. You came back crying, and the next day you barely talked, sat there with puffy red eyes and a sad look on your face. 

And now, whenever he comes close to you, whenever he tries to talk to you or help with something, you bolt, not wanting to be anywhere near him, not wanting his help, not wanting to talk to him, nothing. 

Maybe it would have gone unnoticed by them if it wasn’t for the time you’ve spent together cooking the night before you left Hawkins. It was tense between the two of you before, but it was different because you still tried and he didn’t have that guilty look on his face he has now. Every time he asks you something and you reply with less than three words before walking away from him, his eyes follow you, filled with guilt and sadness. 

‘He looks like a kicked puppy’, Eddie had said to Nancy. 

He looked like one for the past three days, and it’s seemingly getting worse. The longer you behave this way towards him, giving him nothing but a cold shoulder, his eyes sadden a little more. 

You are completely unaware of it all. If only you took a better look, you would see it too. 

-

Leaning against the side of the RV, Eddie is smiling with his eyes closed, enjoying the faint warmth of the afternoon sun as he puffs out the smoke from his cigarette, humming the melody of a song Steve doesn’t recognize. 

Unlike the metalhead, Steve looks anything but relaxed, his eyes glued to the dusty windows of the gas station you and Nancy are currently inside of, looking for food to stock up on. He is swinging his bat back and forth, pacing around as he waits. 

He wanted to be the one to go into the gas station with you, though Nancy didn’t even give him the chance to before she followed you inside and told him to stand guard with Eddie. 

The guilt of what he’s done, of what he said to you has been eating at him, worsening every day. He despises what he did when he was angry, and he can’t forgive himself for directing his anger at you. You were right, you were right from the start and deep down he knew it. 

Nothing waited for him back there, not her, not even the ghost of her but he didn’t want to accept it. 

Now he has to deal with the aftermath of the ugliness that ripped out of him when he hurt you. You can’t even look at him and it makes him feel like the worst person alive. 

Eddie peeks one eye open, taking a look at his friend, he can see the distressed look on his face, the deep frown and the way he constantly runs his fingers through his hair, a nervous habit. He would be amused by this if it wasn’t for the hurt look in your eyes. 

The door opens and Nancy walks out with a box, grinning at Eddie, “we got corn, tuna, beans, we even found some trail mix and chips, they might be a little stale but–”

“Is she still inside?” Steve asks, interrupting her as he looks over her shoulder. 

“Yeah, she’s desperately looking for something sweet,” Nancy chuckles as she moves past him, getting into the RV to put away the things she gathered. 

Eddie takes one last drag of his cigarette before he throws it on the ground, killing the flame with his boot; he starts making his way over to the entrance when he feels a hand on his chest, pushing him back against the RV.

“Stay here,” Steve orders as he makes his way inside instead, wanting to use this moment to be alone with you, to talk to you, to apologize. He closes the door behind him and takes a look around. Most shelves are empty, covered in dust and cobwebs, some cans and bottles are lying around, and an unpleasant smell hangs heavy in the air. He hears some rustling to his right, followed by a string of curse words falling from your mouth. He follows that sound, careful not to step on any fallen object. He finds you in the last aisle, and he notices that one of the shelves has fallen over, leaving a mess on the floor, some bags of candy and chips lying beneath it and you are crouched before it, searching for something, the variety before you seemingly not satisfying enough. 

Steve opens his mouth but he quickly closes it again when he feels the coil in his throat. 

“Reese’s pieces and sour patch kids are not the most popular candy in the apocalypse I guess,” you mumble as you turn around, not expecting to be met by hazel eyes and that guilty face. “Oh… it’s you.” 

Your face falls and his heart drops, he grows nervous. 

“I-I yeah, uh,” he stutters, bringing his hand up to his hair to run his fingers through it. Now that he stands here before you, he doesn’t know what to say, he doesn’t know how to start with his apology, he doesn’t even know how to apologize, he was so mean to you when all you wanted was to help, you wanted him to come with you, you wanted him to leave the dying town because you didn’t want him to die with it. “I wanted to check up on you… Nance found a bunch of cans.”

Your eyes scan his face, the nervousness and the guilt filled eyes – that is the only reason why he is here, the guilt is eating him alive and he can’t handle it, it’s not even about you and that he hurt you, it’s about himself, only about himself.

“Yeah, we got lucky.” You mumble as you turn around again, no longer focused on the candy, you just don’t want to face him. It’s difficult enough avoiding him in the RV. 

He hates the stoic tone in your voice, it’s so unlike you. Even when he was cold towards you back in Hawkins, you were never like this with him. 

He looks down at you, noticing how slow your movements have become, how you are no longer moving the bags of candies around, looking for that one specific one. You don’t want to look at him and he doesn’t blame you, he can’t. 

“Can I help you?” He asks, not knowing how to start this off, not wanting to make it any more awkward than it already is. 

A sigh falls from your lips, you close your eyes and take a deep breath. 

Steve is being nice, kind – it’s the side of him you were looking for a few days ago, and you couldn’t find it then. If it’s driven by guilt now, then you don’t want this kindness. 

You push yourself up, taking another deep breath, you pinch the bridge of your nose. You know you have to start talking to him again at some point, you can’t bear this awkwardness for long either. 

You also can’t bear this look on his face, those stupid eyes, the pout and his tousled hair. You don’t want to look at him in that way. You know he wants to apologize, you also know that he sucks at it. 

“No, I’m done here.” You shrug, gesturing to the box you filled with snacks and toiletries you could find, along with other things you could need for the RV. You’re about to bend down to pick up the box when he stops you by placing his hand before you. 

“I got it,” Steve murmurs, adjusting his bat as he bends down to grab the box. 

“Okay…” You mumble, pulling back. 

You wait for him to move, to turn around and walk out of the store but he doesn’t, instead he straightens his back, with the box on his hands, he directs his gaze at you again. 

You brace yourself for what he is about to say, taking a deep breath, you cross your arms over your chest. 

He starts by saying your name, softly, carefully. You realize how foreign it sounds rolling off his tongue. 

“I-I know this won’t change what I did, what I said but I’m really sorry, I’m sorry for hurting you, for saying those things about your family. I was… I didn’t want to leave, I was angry – and I know that’s not an excuse – I… fuck… I’m horrible at this but I’m just, I’m really sorry. I hope your family is okay and that you will see them again… soon.” 

You can hear the desperation in his voice, the need to make this right. You can see the softness in his eyes, something you aren’t familiar with in the slightest. His lips are curled downwards, the sadness in his features so clear. 

You nod, the tension in your shoulders from all these previous days slowly falling. 

“Thank you, Steve, I appreciate your apology.” The tone in your voice and the look on your face isn’t so convincing though. “And I know that my family is okay, I will see them soon.” 

Good. He didn’t kill your hope. He hopes that it’s good. 

His lips curl up a bit, you are so set on it, you are so sure of it, that your family is okay and that you will reunite with them. It scares him a bit. You are so hopeful now, so confident about it – what will happen when you won’t find them the way you wish to? What will happen to you? Will you lose yourself the way he did when he lost her? Will you die the way he did? Will you be a ghost trapped in a living body? 

You forgive him, but you don’t crack a smile, not even a small one, not like you used to even when he was being an asshole to you. You clear your throat and break eye contact, brushing the fallen strands from your single braid behind your ears. 

The tension between you is still there, the awkwardness and the hurt in your features. He has to try harder than this, an ‘I’m sorry’ won’t cut it. 

“I–”

“We should go, we need to set up camp before it gets dark.” 

Before he can even say, or try to say anything, you move past him, hurrying out of the store, wanting some distance between you just like before. He can’t blame you, he can’t be mad at you but his shoulders slump still, and his face falls too. He didn’t feel this before, he didn’t feel this kind of guilt back in Hawkins because he wasn’t vulnerable, his feelings were bottled up and the lid was closed tightly, there was no space for those kinds of emotions, anything other than anger was impossible for him to feel. 

But after he let her go, after he allowed himself to finally grieve and cry, to empty that bottle of emotions, he started feeling everything again, all at once, overwhelmingly so, and now it all feels so intense. 

The urge to run his fingers through his hair is strong but his hands are full. He sighs loudly, shifting on his feet, he is about to follow you out when his eyes catch a glimpse of something red underneath one of the broken shelves, something you must have been looking for. 

-

The fire crackles before you, the flames are kept low to not attract attention. You sit close to it, needing warmth on your cold skin, the blanket around you isn’t enough, the gusts of wind cause goosebumps to rise on your skin. It’s mid fall, but it’s already getting so cold, and you could smell the hint of winter nearing. 

You can’t help but feel a little jealous of Nancy and Eddie, they get to sleep in the warm RV tonight while you stay out here, doing night watch with Steve. You volunteered yourself, though you quickly regretted it when Steve said he’d join you. 

You were successfully avoiding that the past three days, you either did night watch with Eddie or Nancy. Last night you were the lucky one who got to sleep in the big bed while Steve took the couch – now you are sitting here, out in the cold, tugging the blanket closer around you. 

Steve left to do a perimeter check, not trusting the area despite how safe it seems compared to the ones you have spent your nights at in the past when you were still by yourself. He didn’t want to listen to you though, he grabbed his rifle and left about twenty minutes ago. 

You hold your mug filled with coffee tightly to your chest, chasing that warmth and the smell that reminds you of the past, of simple mornings in your bed with a freshly brewed cup of coffee and your favorite book. You wonder if you will ever get to experience that, if you will find a place that will allow you to live like you used to. 

The sudden sound of footsteps behind you, startles you a little, and he seems to notice. 

“Just me.” 

You wish you could lose that tension in your body again, but you don’t, knowing that you will have to spend the night with him, that you can’t use excuses to run from him, to avoid him, to avoid talking to him. 

He walks around you, glancing at you briefly, he places his rifle down, leaning it against the other free camping chair. You expect him to take a seat, instead he walks away and towards the RV. You watch him curiously, how he carefully opens the door and steps inside on tiptoes, not wanting to wake Nancy and Eddie. 

You furrow your eyebrows, leaning forward a little. You keep staring at the door, waiting for him to come back out, though when he steps back out, you quickly look down, hiding your curious eyes from him. 

You hear the click of the door and his boots against the stairs as he walks down, his feet hit the grass in soft thuds. You hear the rustling of plastic. It sparks your interest again, wondering what he got from the RV but you don’t look up, not until his boots come into your vision and he stands right before you. 

Your eyebrows pull together even more, a confused frown making its way onto your face. You tilt your head up to look at him, though your eyes meet his only briefly before the bag in his hand catches your attention and suddenly, all the tension in your body disappears, your lips part and you straighten your back, a little too quickly, causing the blanket to fall from your shoulders. 

Steve’s lips curl into a small smile, he tries to hide it but the excitement on your face and how your eyes light up, make it impossible for him to. 

"Kitkats!?" You yell in a whisper, trying not to shriek and jump to your feet. “You found Kitkats!?”

He can’t hold back the chuckle now, his chest bubbling with an unfamiliar feeling as he looks down at you. 

“Yeah, the last bag, it was stuck between one of the shelves,” he explains, biting his cheek when your eyes look into his. “Your favorite candy… it’s what you were looking for, right?”

Your eyes soften and your lips curl into a small smile. He remembered. He remembered your favorite candy even though it was mentioned only briefly. Warmth floods your chest and something flips in your stomach. 

You nod. 

“Yeah,” you whisper as you bring up your hand to take the bag from him, “I’ve been looking for them everywhere!”

“Yeah, it nearly got you killed,” Steve shakes his head at you and at your gas station incident before you found your way to Hawkins. 

You shrug as you place the bag onto your lap, “now you know how much I love chocolate.” 

Steve gives you half a smile and a breathy chuckle, he looks at you for another long moment before he steps back and sits down on the camping chair next to you. He leans back and crosses his feet, staring into the fire. 

“Please don’t get yourself killed for chocolate,” he murmurs. 

“It’s the only thing that brings me happiness!” You exclaim in that tone that he began to miss. 

“Is it really?” He asks you, turning back to look at you. You have got to be the happiest person he has ever met, you always find a reason to smile, you always find something to be excited about, to look forward to, even in a world like this. He can’t relate, not in the slightest.

You look down at the bag of candy, shrugging, “no, you know me. I have a lot of hope.” Your words come out with a saddened look on your face.

Guilt fills him instantly, he judged you for it, he judged you for something that he no longer has. Hope. Life – there is none of that left in him anymore, no light turned on, while yours is still blazing and glowing brightly. Yours didn’t fade, yours hasn’t been touched by the ugliness of this world. 

He whispers your name softly, his faint voice so guilt filled. 

“It’s good that you have it, that you still have some… life left in you, makes it a bit easier to bear this world.” He admits nervously. “I know you must think I’m a horrible person, I’ve said horrible things–”

“I don’t think you’re a horrible person, Steve,” you interrupt him, turning your head towards him to find him looking at you already, his hazel eyes filled with regret, you know he wishes he could take his words back. “You were hurt and angry, you were grieving.” 

He blinks. 

“Yeah, but I was an asshole–”

“It’s okay, you apologized, you’re not being an asshole now, that’s what matters.” You shrug, not wanting him to feel bad anymore. 

He nods slowly, not moving his eyes away from you. The light from the fire illuminates your face, he sees all the emotions flickering in your eyes, every twitch of your lip, every frown, the softness of your skin, the color of your lips– he catches himself quickly, and instantly forces himself to look away. 

“And maybe you can find that hope again…” You add, carefully. 

“I doubt that. I never had that in the first place, not even then…” He stops when he catches himself spilling more than he would like to. He turns to you, and you are looking right at him, with a frown on your lips and a curious look in your eyes. You want to know and a part of him wants to talk, to let things out. A part of him even feels like he owes it to you. 

He takes a deep breath, looking back into the flames. 

“I-I… I feel like a part of me…” He hesitates, struggling to find the right words. “When Robin died, it felt like a part of me was ripped out of my chest and I buried that part with her. The day she died, I died too – only that I am still breathing and she isn’t… I didn’t want to leave Hawkins because I felt like she was still there, like I could be with her. Leaving meant accepting her death, accepting that she is gone, accepting that I am still alive, that I have to find a way to live without her.” 

His eyes glisten with tears, his cheeks burn red, illuminated by the flames. He doesn’t hold back, he doesn’t hide the sadness on his face. 

You don’t either, you can’t imagine what goes on inside of him, how the sadness eats at him, how the darkness took hold of him. 

“I was so angry at myself for not being able to protect her, I was so angry at this world for taking her from me that I grew hateful of everything and everyone, I didn’t want to leave, I didn’t want Nancy and Eddie to leave. I now see how selfish that was but in the state I was in, I was just so… mad and unaccepting of the fact that they wanted to live, something that I did not want. I didn’t want to live again. I knew I’d have to the moment I’d step foot outside again, I would have to fight to protect them, I would have to fight for survival, I would be forced to move. I wouldn’t be able to visit her or be with her… ever again.”

Your chest feels tight with grief for him, you can’t imagine what he felt like when he lost her, and even now. You can see how much he is struggling still, the pain in his eyes is so clear, his voice is slightly shaky, like he is about to break into tears again. 

He lost someone he loved so dearly. He lost his best friend. You had them too, best friends. But they never stayed that for long, none of them ever loved you the way Steve loved Robin.

You can’t help but wonder if he felt more for her, if it wasn’t only friendship for him. 

“Robin was the first person who was my friend not because I was King Steve,” he scoffs at his popular nickname from High School. “She was my friend because she liked me, she was the first person who wanted to get to know me, who wanted to spend time with me, who was there not only on my good days but also on the bad. She loved me for me.” There is a tremble in his voice, a stronger one than before, he is pained, so pained that it hurts your heart. 

You don’t know what to say, there are no right words to comfort him, to make him feel better, to take away his pain. He needs this, he needs to talk, to let it out – though you are surprised that he chose to do it with you. 

“She was the first person who held me, who comforted me, who was there.” He sniffles, staring down at his shaky hands as he goes back to the day when they were covered in her blood. “I was the last to hold her.” 

You blink when you feel your own tears welling up, the warmth stinging in your eyes. You watch how tears start rolling down his cheeks. A part of you wants to wipe them away and take his hand or even hug him, to give him the comfort that he needs. But you doubt that he’d want it from you. 

“I’m so sorry, Steve,” you whisper so sadly that it brings a new wave of tears into his eyes. 

His heart feels so heavy, the sadness burning in him, the grief coming back to life once again as he thinks of that night when he lost his best friend, his soulmate, his other half. A moment of weakness and she was gone – it was only a second that he looked away, it was only a split moment that he turned his back before he heard her scream, the pained sound, the ripping of flesh, blood spilling from her neck and staining her clothes and her hand as she clung desperately to the cut in her throat from where the Demogorgon had sliced her skin open. He remembers how he turned around in horror, how his heart stopped beating and the world stopped moving. They almost made it out, they almost made it out of Hawkins together like they always wanted to. Almost. She wasn’t supposed to be the last to get on the bus, it was supposed to be him but he had a child in his arms, a little boy who lost his parents, he needed to get him to safety. Robin was right behind him, she was right there, they were in the clear, she was already one foot inside the bus when that monster came out of nowhere. 

He remembers the look in her eyes when he saw what had happened, he remembers the adrenaline that flooded through his body when he jumped out of the bus with an axe in his hand, he doesn’t even remember how he killed it, he only remembers dropping to his knees and pulling her weak body into his arms, he remembers how he promised her. 

‘You will be okay, Robin. I promise, you will be okay. I got you, I got you, Birdie.’

But the life in her eyes was fading, tears slipping from the corners and down onto the cold ground, mixing with her blood as he pressed his hand to her wound. She held his hand, gripped it tightly, like she was afraid to let go. She struggled out his name and looked at him with nothing but fear in her eyes, a look that haunts him to this day. 

She didn’t want to die, she said so herself, she even begged because she was so afraid, and he was too. 

There was nothing he could do, there was no fixing it, there was no saving her. He could only hold her and watch how she died, how she slowly slipped away from him, how in her last remaining moments she only looked at him and into his eyes because that is the only place she found comfort in. She died in the arms of someone she felt at home with, she died in the arms of someone who loved her more than anything and he… he lost that, he lost his home. 

When he is done recalling that night, telling you every gory, every heartbreaking detail, he only tastes the saltiness from his tears, feels himself choking up though he doesn’t let the cries fall the way he did that night. He feels his heart hurting once again – though at the same time, it hasn’t felt this alive in a while. 

He wipes away his tears, and his voice dies. He doesn’t look to you, not yet but he hears your soft sniffle, hears you shifting around. From the corner of his eye, he watches you put your things down, the mug that must be cold by now and the candy he gave to you. And then, you scoot closer to him and you slowly lift your arm and place your hand on his shoulder, a comforting touch he has grown unfamiliar with. 

“I’m sorry,” you whisper and he notices how shaky your voice is too. 

He turns his head slowly, his eyes searching for your own, he sees every emotion – shock, sadness, pain, understanding. 

“I can’t imagine this… pain and what you are still going through. Robin deserved better, both of you.” You look back into the fire, frowning. “I understand why you didn’t want to leave, why you feel that way. I’d feel dead if I lost someone I loved that much.” 

Your heart hurts for him, squeezing in a painful way. His words sadden you. He feels dead, lost in a world that took away his other half and now he’s just a shell of himself, a pained soul. You wonder if he will ever find his way back to himself, you wonder if you could if you were in his place. 

“I do believe that she is with you though, i-if she was your soulmate, then she is with you… forever. She might have left this world but her energy is still there, always with you, following you every step of the way.” 

Steve purses his lips, tilting his head at you, “like a guardian angel?”

A small smile appears on your face, you nod, “yeah, kinda. Maybe she will send you a sign, maybe she did already and you haven’t noticed.” 

“A sign?” He shakes his head, still looking at you curiously, “like what?”

You shrug and turn to face him again, “you’ll know it, it has to be something that is– was special to you both, whether it’s a song on the radio or her favorite animal.”

“Oh,” he nods, furrowing his eyebrows as he wonders if he had missed any signs, if he was so focused on his grief that he paid no attention to what was going on around him. He falls silent, eyes focused on the flames before him. 

“Thank you, Steve.” You whisper after a long moment of silence. 

He leans forward, pressing his hands together over his knees as he fiddles with his fingers, he looks back at you, raising his eyebrows in question. 

“Thank you for telling me, for opening up to me, that means a lot.” 

He nods, taking in your softened features, your kind eyes that gleam again, and the comforting smile you look at him with. It warms his insides and causes his cheeks to flush but among these reactions, he also feels something else, a lightness in his chest that he hasn’t felt in so long, he needed to do this, to talk about this, to tell someone what he truly feels. 

“Thank you for listening,” he retorts, offering you a smile–a first, a genuine one. Your eyes light up at that, your shoulders rising a bit as you straighten your back, surprise flashes in your features and your smile only widens. It’s endearing, he has to admit that. 

“Always.” 

You look into each other’s eyes for a moment. You are surprised to see kindness, genuine and real kindness, and you can’t help but feel giddy at that. 

You are surprised when he moves closer to you, the smile still lingering on his face. He bumps his shoulder against yours, “I’m gonna be nicer from now on.”

You accepted him for who he is, his grumpiness and his rough demeanor sometimes. You don’t want him to change, you don’t want him to feel like he has to. 

“You don’t have to pretend–”

“I am not… I know I’m… kind of returning to who I was… slowly,” he murmurs. It’s something he didn’t want. He didn’t want to heal. He didn’t want to move on because he knew it meant accepting that she was gone but you were right, that night when you found him at her grave, you told him that she wouldn’t want this for him, and he hated it, hated that you were right and he hated how he felt that sparkle inside of him ignite again after he finally allowed himself to properly cry and grieve. 

“And who were you?” You asked with that tilt of your head as always. 

He knows what Robin would have said and he can’t help but smile. 

“... A fucking idiot.”

You giggle at his words but shake your head. 

“No, I doubt that!” 

“I saw the good in things… something I haven’t in over a year, and now I can– I am starting to feel it again… It’s not there yet but…”

You smile again, looking into the fire. You saw him smiling with Eddie today, heard his chuckle when the metalhead tripped over a log. It was a nice sound and the smile looked good on him. 

“Yeah, it looks better on you.” You whisper, not looking away from the flames. 

He tries not to look at you for too long but he can’t help it .He likes the way the golden light touches your skin, the way your eyes shine with contentment, the way your body is so relaxed again, something that wasn’t the case the previous nights. He likes the faint dimple on your cheek as you smile. He admires the way your lashes flutter every time you blink, the way you sink your teeth into your bottom lip, the way you–

He breaks himself out of his thoughts, forcing his eyes away from you, he clears his throat, jumping a bit when he looks down at his backpack, “ah wait–” he grabs it and unzips it quickly, taking out the radio from their living room back in Hawkins. “You guys left it, I thought we could use some music… sometimes.”

You smile widely at him, nodding. 

“Let’s see what stations we can pick up.” 

While Steve is trying to find a signal, to find a station that plays music, you reach for the second mug you had prepared before and grab the jug where you had cooked the coffee earlier. It’s still hot, steam rising up into the cold air when you pour him a cup. You place the mug on the small camping table that Eddie had set up earlier. Steve flashes you a smile, whispering ‘thank you’ followed by your name. 

You open the bag of Kitkat’s, excitement bubbling up in you to taste your favorite candy again. You pick out one of the bars and place it next to his coffee.

“You’re sharing your Kitkats with me? No way!” Steve gasps and chuckles when you roll your eyes in amusement. “Did you just roll your eyes at me, sunshine?” 

You giggle at the perplexed look on his face, ignoring the way the nickname made you feel warm all over. 

“What if I did?” 

“Then I’ll say that one of them,” he points his thumb at the RV, “is a real bad influence on you.” 

You snort and shake your head, “hmm, I don’t know. You're sassier than Eddie and Nancy.” 

“Me? Sassy!?” He scoffs. 

“Yeah, you’re sassy, Steve. Accept it.” 

He shakes his head in amusement but doesn’t comment on it, he looks down at the radio when the static noise suddenly disappears and he finds a station. 

And surprisingly… ‘Dream a little dream of me’ by Ella Fitzgerald starts playing, filling the space between you. 

The song is calm, warm, a distant memory of your father dancing with your mother in the kitchen while they prepared dinner on a sunday afternoon. Then, your brain processed what Steve had said, a question lingering in your lips.

“Why sunshine?” 

“Hmm?” He asked, his eyes closed in relaxation as he leans back in his chair. You could see the expanse of his neck, the markings around it, his Adam's apple– You shake your head to focus once again.

“You called me sunshine. Why?” You tilt your head in question and his eyes open, his head turning to face you again.

“I don’t know. You’re just… You just remind me of the sun.” He says as if his words mean nothing, as if his words were just that. Words. You giggle, not understanding the meaning of it.

“The sun? Hot and unbearable?” You say in a joking manner, earning a chuckle from his part, an authentic one. He closed his eyes again, leaning back as the song played along.

“No. Bright and warm.” Your smile fell instantly, not because you didn’t like his definition. Not because you thought that what he described you as was stupid. Not because you thought he was lying to you or making fun of you, because you could hear it in his voice that he wasn’t.

No.

Your smile fell because you swear your heart just skipped a beat.

☀︎

taglist: @prettyboyeddiemunson @pretentious-blonde @thecreelhouse @tvserie-s-world @thesickestqrmydcll @crispystarfishhottub @sophal22 @definitionwanderlust @talkativecarnation @mysticalwoolenfroglegs @ariesandwolves @mortqlprojections @sattlersquarry @sherrylyn0628 @purpleeyeswithgoldensparkles @micheledawn1975 @keepingitlokiii @littleromanoff2005 @sunshine-mrk

[endwersed]

Snippet Sunday ☀

So! I'm currently working on the edits for my divorcee Derek/hot-for-older-men Stiles AU, and, whilst it unfortunately isn't as ready to post today as I had originally hoped, I do have a li'l snippet I can share until it is fully edited (fingers crossed, that'll be next weekend!) 🤗

-

“So, class,” Professor Boyd continues, “I’d like you all to meet – Mr Derek Hale.”

A man walks through the open doorway along with the introduction. Stiles’ jaw drops all the way down to the freaking floor.

What he was saying earlier, about his thing for older men? Well, this guy – this Mr Derek Hale – is every-fucking-thing that has made Stiles’ dick hard since pretty much he was old enough to know what to do with it.

Short, dark, soft-looking hair that is patched with spots of grey, his sharp jaw covered in a beard that is thick and coarse and close to being more salt than pepper. Even from where Stiles is sitting, even from this row way at the back of the room, he can still see the lines of age that show on his face, the faint wrinkles in his forehead, the creases around his pale eyes.

He is wearing a dark green sweater, tight across the strength of his broad shoulders, the fabric an expensive cashmere to Stiles’ inexperienced eye. Underneath it sits a crisp, white shirt, its starchy collar folded neatly along the line of his clavicle and a tie knotted snugly just below the prominence of his Adam’s apple. His legs are draped in the dark material of his slacks, skimming close enough to the muscle to reveal the definition of his thighs, and Stiles cannot fight back the thought that he kind of really wants to bury his face between them.

This guy is well into his forties, easily, and he is also, to put it bluntly, the middle-aged man of Stiles’ wettest fucking dreams.

There is no ring on that left hand, either. Interesting. Very, very interesting.

From her place next to him, Stiles can feel the searing heat of the side-eye that Lydia throws him the moment Derek steps into the room. If he cared even one lick about her judgement, he might be cowed into at least trying to hide the raging heart-eyes he probably has going on right about now.

Unfortunately for her, he lost any shame long, long ago – and that’s if he ever truly even had any in the first place.

She wouldn’t get it, anyway. Her taste in men has always been much more mainstream than Stiles’. Has been, barf, Scott, all the way since high school. She likes a nice boy her age, and she found that boy back when they were still stumbling their way through the awkward years of puberty. He is happy for them, of course, but that does not change the fact that his preferences have always taken him well, well beyond those years.

“Hello, everyone.”

The sound of Derek’s voice snaps every fibre of Stiles’ focus back up to the front of the class. The cadence of it isn’t as deep and as growly as his appearance might suggest, those thick eyebrows and that bushy beard, but it’s – nice. Really nice, actually. Stiles is, perhaps, more than a little bit interested in learning how it might pant and grunt and moan when a mouth is wrapped around his cock.

Pausing after just those two words, Derek slides a hand into the pocket of his pants, knuckles visible through the fabric as he rummages around. Eventually, he retrieves a long, rectangular box, flipping it open and pulling out –

Oh, fuck. Pulling out a pair of dark-framed glasses that he slips onto his face, sitting them low across the strong slope of his nose, peering over the top of them with that light, captivating gaze. Stiles thinks he may actually be fucking drooling. He dazedly ignores Lydia’s knee digging pointedly into the side of his thigh.

“Thank you for having me,” Derek carries on, both hands now tucked into his pockets. “As Professor Boyd said, my name is Derek Hale and I’m new to town. I hope you don’t all find me being here today as boring as I told your professor you definitely would.”

A light ripple of laughter filters around the class. Stiles is too entranced to join in with anything but a faint uptick at one corner of his mouth. Like anyone could find being in the presence of someone this freakishly hot boring. Stiles is growing less and less certain with each passing moment that he will even make it out of this class alive.

Stiles’ eyes are wide, his eyelashes fluttering ticklishly against the height of his cheekbones with his rapid blinks, and he leans forwards, pressing closer for more, more, as much as he can get. He rests the bend of his elbow against the solid plane of the table in front of him, his palm flat and open for him to lay his cheek against. It is the best position for gazing dreamily at the aging hunk gracing the next hour of his life, after all.

“I thought I’d start by talking about my years as an associate,” Derek says, light eyes sweeping slowly across the room. “I started with Pearson and Howe straight out of law school, and I –”

His words cut abruptly off. Quicker than a heartbeat, his entire body freezes, a visible tension in the square of his shoulders, a stunned-slack parting of his mouth as he stops, and stills, and stares out ahead of him, stares out at… something. It takes Stiles a few seconds of blinking confusion to figure out what the hell he is staring at, what the hell has made him react like some deer about to caught up in somebody’s bumper.

A grin spreads wickedly across Stiles’ mouth as soon as the realisation lands.

It’s him; it’s Stiles. He is what Derek is staring at, he is what has made Derek apparently lose control of his ability to speak, he is what has Derek gaping like a fish in front of a whole room of law students. Derek’s gaze is snagged with his and Stiles’ heart is kicking up into overdrive inside of his chest.

Lifting his face from his palm, he makes sure to hold Derek’s eye, sure and steady and still smiling stupidly. The room around him murmurs in confusion, and Professor Boyd has an eyebrow quirked that looks more amused than anything else, and Lydia is scoffing a quiet laugh beside him, but the only thing Stiles has the attention span for right now is Derek’s eyes, locked with his.

Heat pools around the flutter of his stomach. He bites his bottom lip and dares to throw out a wink. The tips of Derek’s ears burn brightly as he closes his eyes and shakes his head.

“Sorry,” Derek says, the word coming out low, a little choked, raw until the pointed clearing of his throat. “Sorry, I just, uh… I lost my train of thought there for a second. But anyway, uh – as I was saying.”

-

No pressure tags! @dear-massacre @heavensenthale @like-lazarus @myrrhhymns @renmackree

[gwiyeounsonyeon]

Growing Pains CH4 (MWC 10, 11, 12!)

Pairing: RE2 Leon Kennedy x Male(Intended) Reader Summary: College AU! Your day is shit but Leon's there to take you out. Words: 3,004/200 Warnings: reader's overstimulated Notes: this chapter was originally supposed to be longer but the first draft sucked so i rewrote everything

Navigation | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5

☁︎⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆

For the entirety of your Sunday morning shift Leon had lingered in a mostly empty corner of the cafe, he sat up at a single-person table with a laptop out, pretending poorly to be hard at work. He looked around the store often and constantly checked the time, obviously very impatient for the day to be finished and so excited he was practically vibrating the store from how hard he was bouncing his knee. You knew he didn't mean to cause you any stress but his very naive puppy-like act pinched some nerves you didn't know you had–or maybe you were just having a bad day. With your head buried deep up in the clouds, you hadnt realized that you fucked up two orders in a row until the customers had come up to angrily complain at you, glaring nastily as you apologized and made them each their correct order and gave it to them for free. Apologizing had left a sour taste in your mouth that grew as you poured the coffee down the drain and tossed the cups into the trash, you had absolutely no idea why you were getting so worked up over something you’ve done a handful of times. 

You barely made it through your next customer without blowing up in their face and as soon as they left you step back from the register and start untying your apron as you head to the back, “I’m goin’ on break.” You don't mean to sound as rough as you did and you don't notice the worried looks Claire and Leon throw your way. You don't pay any attention to her as Claire follows you into the break room and you try to keep the silence between you by pretending like you dont notice her standing in the doorway with her arms crossed, “There’s something wrong with you today.” It's kind of funny, the way she says it and any normal person would take offense but you’ve known Claire for nearly her whole freshman year, so it's a lot easier to tell the difference between her being flat out rude and her just caring too much to baby you. “That so?” You don't look up from your hands, idly shuffling things around and pretending to look busy so she’d hopefully leave. “If you won’t tell me what’s wrong, then you can just go home.” Your brows furrow and you glance up at her confused, “I have an hour left, why would I do that?” She shrugs and lets her hands fall down by her sides, “I dunno…” You instantly recognise the insecure tone in her voice and pull your hands from your locker so you can stand up fully, “I’m just… worried, you’re acting weird.” Your demeanor softens, a weight settles in your stomach as your shoulders drop, you hadn't realized that she’d picked up on your unreasonably sour mood and the fact that it made her upset without you knowing only makes that weight heavier. “I-.” You start to apologize but she cuts you off by shaking her head, “Just…” She struggles to find the right words and looks off to the side, her eyes drifting to the corner of the room, “You don’t have to bottle it up… You’re not alone anymore.” Her words hit you like a bullet straight to the chest, a lump forms in your throat as you remember what you had gone through when you first met Clair. 

It was bad and the knowledge that she noticed and remembered something like that gets your eyes burning, but you swallow the lump in your throat and blink the tears out of your wet eyes as you nod awkwardly, “Yeah. Yeah, I know.” She goes to say something else, her hand reaching out to you but someone rings the bell at the counter and she pauses for a second and looks over at the door, she looks back at you like she’s going to apologize but whoever is at the counter rings the bell again and then keeps ringing it impatiently. She breaks for the front, only slowing down as she rounds the corner and into the dining area to take the customers order. Once she's gone you’re left in relative silence, you sit on a hard plastic chair and lean back, your mind wondering to Clair and how lucky you must’ve been to have met her. Your thoughts keep running as you think about what kind of life she’d lead after college and if she would still be friends with you, or if she’d still be friends with Luis, or Leon. For some reason your thoughts get stuck on Leon, you wonder about his life, his major, what his grades are like but those thoughts are only brief, your brain taking you down a different train of thought. 

You stare off into space as you fidget with your phone, your thoughts unhelpfully reminding you of how flawed you are and how perfect leon seems in comparison to you, you hadn’t realized you started crying until a tear lands on your phone. The interruption pulls you out of your self-deprecating spiral and back into the present moment, you wipe your face quickly and stand to go to the bathroom before Claire or someone else spots you. You lock the bathroom door and lean over the sink, avoiding looking in the mirror, you know your hair is messy, you know you have dark bags under your eyes but you know that looking at yourself will only send you back into your earlier spiral. You scrub your weary face with cold water and pat it down before fixing yourself the best you can and heading out back to the dining area. It got busy fast, you hurriedly tie on your apron to help the next customers in Claire’s long line, a decent chunk of them migrating over to stand in front of your register. 

You’re too busy to notice the grateful look she gives and definitely too busy to notice how Leon’s stopped pretending to work and is now just blatantly staring at you. With the two of you working you get through the wave of customers until there’s only a few stragglers left and a few familiar faces, Luis leans against the counter by Claire looking painfully tired and they chat idly as she makes him his drink, Leon naturally migrating over to the two of his closest friends. You aren't given any time to engage or listen to what their talking about as a brick wall settles in front of you, you look up at the Tyrant, who, after being added to the group chat with everyone including Luis and some girl named Ashley who you’ve never met in person, you learned that the Tyrants real name was Mr. X. you also learned, after a lot of teasing and jokes, that no one knew Mr. X’s full last name nor his first name. “Hi. Welcome to-.” He interrupts you with a wave of his hand and a scoff, “If you can’t remember something as simple as my order then why the hell do you work here?” You will yourself not to gawk, the gall of this guy. You fix your smile that had dropped slightly and tap his order into the register a tiny bit passive-aggressively, “Of course I remember your order, it’s just customary that I-.” He cuts you off again, “I don’t care about the customs of a coffee shop run by children,” He casts a nasty look over at Clair and you have to bite your tongue to stop yourself from getting fired or sued. “Just shut your mouth and make my damn drink.” Your head aches, a dull pounding settles just behind your eyes and you turn around to make his coffee, just wanting to get his order finished so he can leave. 

As you’re putting a fresh pot of coffee on to boil you see the teacher turn to Leon and Claire to ask them how they’re preparing for exams. Claire’s normal strong defiant demeanor falters and Leon just looks scared shitless, he doesn’t attempt to say anything but he doesn't have to as Claire’s already opening her mouth to tell him they had a study group. The coffee is pretty much finished so you turn back to making his drink, keeping their conversation within earshot, something about this guy made the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. Once you finish you place the lid on his cup, not bothering to snap it on correctly but he doesn't seem to notice as you hand it over, “Please be careful, our lids haven't been fitting right.” He rolls his eyes at you and tosses down the exact amount and not a cent more. When Mr. X passes Leon on his way out he glares down at him, a frown tugs at your lips as you watch Leon's face twist anxiously. 

When he's out of the shop and the door is shut firmly behind him you hear the trio collectively let out a big breath, you mull over your conversation with him in your head while you shut the drawer and lean your elbows on the counter, your eyes straying out the window just in time to see Mr. X run into a trio of freshmen and spill coffee all down the front of his coat. Before you realize what you’re doing, your arm grows a mind of its own and you knock your fist against Luis’ shoulder, he looks over at you and you point out the window where Mr. X is throwing a temper tantrum about the coffee spilt on his ugly ass coat. Luis snorts, then chokes on his coffee, doubling over in a coughing fit. He nearly misses the counter when he tries to set his cup down but you catch it just in time, using his free hand to point out the window, Claire barks out a loud laugh as she slaps Luis on the back. Your eyes flit over to Leon just in time to see the tension flood out of his shoulders and a small smile tug at the corners of his lips, he senses your gaze on him and he looks over. 

As you make eye contact, butterflies fill your stomach uncomfortably and your face starts to feel hot, you turn back to the register and pretend to look busy as the freshmen wander in, giggling to themselves. You miss the way Leon brightens up but you hear his excited voice loud and clear; “Hey Ashley.” Your head snaps over to them when you hear that name and you look over to see a pretty looking blonde amongst two brunette girls that are leant in close to each other whispering about something and a ravenette who doesn't look like she wants to be here. The ravenette comes up to the counter first, rolling her eyes at her friends as she passes, she looks at the menu for a while as you watch the very friendly interaction between Ashley and Leon with a bitter feeling rising in your throat. The girl in front of you clears her throat and rattles off her order, you tap it into the register while trying to listen in on what Leon’s talking about but it quickly gets very complicated as the girl starts listing off the different types of ingredients and things she wants added to her food. “I’ll go make that.” Claire sing-songs and snatches the note from your hands while she walks to the kitchen Luis trailing after her, you make the ravenette’s drink and tune back into Leon’s disturbing conversation about how Mr. X is very biased and rude, going so far as to give Leon false bad grades. 

“Why haven't you reported him?” As soon as it comes out of your mouth everyone goes quiet, clearly scared of the guy. Leon shrugs and plays with his fingers, “He's scary…” You roll your eyes and toss a crumpled receipt at him, “And he’s going to keep being scary if no one does anything about it.” He watches the receipt bounce off his shoulder and roll onto the counter, he pokes it and then unfolds the paper, fidgeting with it to try to get it completely flat. You watch him as Ashley speaks up, “It's not that easy, i’ve heard that the whole staff is scared of him and that's why he’s still allowed to work here.” She speaks with wide eyes, her two brunette friends nod enthusiastically as the other girl rolls her eyes. “And you believe them? Have you not met the Chancellor?” you say, your gaze flickering back to leon as he doodles on the receipt with a sharpie, your heart squeezes at how cute he it but as soon as that thought passes through your head you force your eyes away, glancing up in time to see Ashley cock her head slightly, “No, who’s the chancellor?” You nod while pulling out your phone to google Albert Wesker, you click on the first picture and show her, the brunette girls leaning in to see too. “Oh, I know him. He comes to the store my dad works at.” When she says that Leon looks up trying to see the picture on your phone, you tilt the screen over to him and he furrows his brows, “He looks familiar, i think…” Ashley must have realized something as she suddenly gets really enthusiastic, she taps Leon's shoulder rapidly until he looks up. 

“He’s the guy that donated all that money to my dad, the one we saw at the party.” Your brows raise at what she said and the unpleasant feeling stirs in your gut again, rising up into your throat like bile. Claire comes back with the black haired girls food and the other girls drift over to her to get their orders in too, once they have the shortest one waves Ashley over to order. “Why’d your dad need money?” You look over at her as she shrugs “I never asked, I just assumed it was for his business…” You’re even more confused, “Business?” The taller brunette girl nods, “Yeah, Ashley’s dad works for a really big tech business. He’s like, really rich.” You nod slowly and look over to Ashley for confirmation but before she can get a word in, the shorter girl pipes in, “Its called DSO but no one knows what it stands for but it's on everyone’s phones, see?” She holds out her phone and sure enough on the back near the bottom left hand corner were the letters DSO. You’d seen a few buildings with those letters before but you’d always assumed it was for something else, not tech stores. “Mine doesn’t.” You don’t pull out your phone but it doesn't seem to matter, both of the brown haired girls look at you weirdly and then at each other, you roll your eyes and shake your head while walking back to your register to see the time, there's about thirty minutes left until it's time for you and Claire to close. 

You busy yourself with wiping down the counter as Claire makes the rest of the girls’ drinks, they thank her and pay before leaving. You watch out of the corner of your eye as Leon and Ashley hug before she leaves to catch up with her friends. You frown down at the counter as you clean it off, “What's got you down, Hermano?” You’re embarrassed at the yelp you let out when Luis sneaks up behind you and sets his hands on your waist. He laughs and pulls his hands off to stand next to you while leaning on the counter, “Where the fuck did you come from?” You slap his arm lightly, your other hand pressed over your fast beating heart. “I went to the bathroom.” He shrugs casually, like he hadn't just tried to kill you. 

You furrow your brows and push him into the direction of the door, “Get out, we’re trying to close.” He holds his hands up in mock surrender as he turns to walk out the door, Leon trailing behind him like a lost puppy. They wait and chat idly by Leons bike as you and Claire close, once everything is done and in order she heads out of the shop first ticking her tips into her pocket as you reset the alarm then lock the door behind you. Claire waves you and Leon goodbye as her and Luis walk in the direction of campus, both of them having classes all afternoon. Leon clears his throat nervously from behind you, he’s holding onto the handlebars of his bike, ready to go. “Where are we going?” You stuff your keys back into your pocket as his cheeks turn red, “Oh uh… I haven't… actually gotten that far… yet…” He explains lamely while scratching the back of his neck, Your heart skips in your chest and you purse your lips trying to fight off the sudden urge to lean in and kiss him. 

“Hm…” You hum thoughtfully and pull your bottom lip into your mouth to chew on it as you think. All you really want to do is go home and relax but you also don't want to leave Leon, the longer you’re around him the more addicting it gets to be around him. “What about a movie?” He perks up and nods, following you when you start heading in the direction of the theater, “What’s even on?” You yawn and stretch your arms over your head, your body feeling stiff, “There's a zombie movie playing.” You see him look over at you from the corner of your eye, you give a thoughtful nod not really thinking about it, all you want to do is sit down and maybe sleep. “What’s it about?” He pauses to think, “I think it's about a cop but that's all I remember seeing about it.”

☁︎⋆⁺₊⋆ ☀︎ ⋆⁺₊⋆

[wongyuseokie]

Gotcha! | y.j.h

Summary: Jeonghan loves pranks, creating chaos and mischief, and you love it too, but one day he goes too far, and he’s unsure how to fix it because how do you fix a broken heart? 

☆ 18+ minors dni |☀︎fluff | ☁︎ angst |  ♥ completed works Word Count: 3249 words

Pairings: Jeonghan x Female Reader Genre/Trope(s)/AUs: Fluff and angst, sort of idol AU, not in detail, but it does mention that Cheol is a leader and Jeonghan has members. Content Warnings: Angst and fluff, a bit of fighting, Jeonghan cries, Y/N cries. Jeonghan sprains his foot and drowns his foot. Mention of food (Y/N stress bakes)

Authors Note: Thank you, my soulmate @here4btsfics, for beta'ing this and helping me figure out the ending too!! 💕 Thank you so much to @onlyseokmins for listening to me babble, reading over a bit of the fic, and helping me with the flow! Finally, thank you to @the-boy-meets-evil for reading this over too!! ✨

Crossposted to AO3 © wongyuseokie 2023. All rights reserved.

Jeonghan grinned. His newest prank was all set. He’d been priming you for it, and tonight he was pulling out the big guns. This would be the most epic thing if he pulled it off. 

Jeonghan tucked his phone away when he heard the front door open and resumed ‘sulking’ on the couch by the window. He heard you kick off your shoes, put down your bag and put your keys in the bowl on top of the shoe rack. 

“Hi, I’m home,” you greeted, sitting next to Jeonghan on the couch. 

Jeonghan grunted in response, and you took a breath and placed a hand on his knee, but he didn’t bother to look at you. 

“Babe. I even got your favourite cake from the bakery!” You said excitedly, trying to get his attention. 

Crap, Jeonghan thought. His favourite cake was from a bakery on the other side of town, which meant you went there in the cold. Granted, you had a car, but it was still an inconvenience, and you went out of your way to get it. 

“Shall I grab a couple of forks, and we can dig in?” You suggested, and Jeonghan shook his head. 

“Oh! I know we haven’t had much ‘us’ time, and you said you wanted to spend more time together so that we can do just that. I took the next two days off work and looked up the weather if you wanted to drive out and enjoy the winter!”

You didn’t know what caused the shift in your relationship, but Jeonghan was distant, unavailable and curt for the past week. There were times when Jeonghan would suddenly pull away before planning and pulling off some grandiose prank, but this time, it felt different. Usually, he’d keep up a facade for a day or two, but this time it was a week. He’d even pull away from your touch at times. 

You weren't sure if it was work or other personal stress, but he seemed fine when he was alone and when he came back from work, he was fine. The only time the grin would be wiped off his face would be when you were around. 

You were the common denominator. You were why Jeonghan was distant. 

“Hannie, what’s wrong?” You asked, and with how weak and broken your voice sounded, Jeonghan wanted to stop and abandon his plan, but he just had a couple of lines to say, and then he knew you two would one day laugh over it. 

“Y/N, we should talk.” 

You felt like your heart stopped, and your blood ran cold. That sentence was never good, and you felt like a fool. All the signs were right there, yet you ignored them, and now everything was unravelling. 

“Mhm,” was all you could muster, not trusting your voice. 

“I think. There’s no easy way to do this, but we need to break up.” 

You didn’t know words could inflict so much pain until Jeonghan said those words. It felt like he ripped you apart. 

“Is there anything I can do to fix it?” You mumbled, your voice breaking, and Jeonghan felt even worse, but he was determined to see this prank through. 

“I just don’t love you the way I once did,” Jeonghan lied, and you took a sharp breath and let out a broken chuckle. 

“Well, I guess there’s no fixing that,” you mumbled, getting up and trying to keep your emotions in check as you paced to your bedroom. 

It all made sense, the distancing, the curt responses, the annoyed glances. You were trying so hard to love a man who was done. How could you be so blind? Simple. You loved him, it made you blind, and he didn’t. 

Jeonghan was in the living room for over 30 minutes when he decided to finally go into the bedroom and reveal his grand plan and laugh, telling you all about his dumb prank. He had a massive grin on his face that was wiped off the minute he opened the bedroom door and saw a suitcase on the bed. 

“Baby?” Jeonghan called out, seeing you emerge from the bathroom with your belongings. 

“What are you doing?” Jeonghan asked, panicked. 

You stared at him, confused, your eyes red and sore from crying. 

“I’m moving out. You broke up with me. I don’t want to be here if you don’t love me,” you mumbled, and Jeonghan swore he could hear his heart shatter.

“No, no. Oh my god. No, you misunderstood,” Jeonghan rambled as he moved to hold your wrists gently. 

“What?” 

“Baby. Uh. This was a prank. I just wanted to do something a little more intense,” Jeonghan answered lamely, making your eyes widen. 

“Yoon Jeonghan.” 

Jeonghan froze. You never called him his full name, even if you were upset. 

“Baby, it was meant to be funny, I was going to come in here and joke and laugh, and we’d be fine,” Jeonghan rambled. 

“You sure as hell committed to it, a week of near silence from you. You committed so much to it that I didn’t even question it,” you fumed, your voice low and calm, and honestly, it scared Jeonghan. 

“Baby. I had to commit, you know,” Jeonghan said nervously, trying to joke, and you glared at him. 

“Are you trying to be funny?” You asked. 

“Baby, it was a joke,” Jeonghan repeated, and you pulled away from him and threw your remaining things into the suitcase. 

“The fact that you could even think I’d find this funny. I know you’re playful and mischievous, but this? This was low and cruel, and fuck, I don’t care if you were joking, you broke my heart Jeonghan, and I don’t know if I can be with someone who finds that funny!” You cried out. 

“Baby. No, please. What does that mean?” Jeonghan asked, and you sighed. 

“You found it so easy, but even if all you wanted to do was prank me, you still broke my heart. I need space. I need time apart from you because I don’t know if I can be with someone who finds my love for them something to toy with,” you explained, and you saw Jeonghan’s eyes water and his lips quiver. 

“Don’t fight me on this. I need space from you, Jeonghan, because right now, prank or not, you’re still the guy who broke my heart,” you said as you went back into the bathroom to collect more of your belongings. 

Jeonghan nodded and slowly left the bedroom, glancing at your suitcase. How did a prank misfire this badly, and that too, on him? How did a breakup prank become a reality? 

“You did what?” Jeonghan cringed, pulling the phone away from his ear when Seungkwan yelled at him. 

He could hear the ruckus and scuffling of the other members. He could hear Mingyu complaining about how you always baked sweet treats. 

“Hyung, that’s messed up,” a deeper voice commented. 

“Wonwoo. I know. I just don’t know what to do,” Jeonghan answered lamely. 

“We’re coming over, Shua and I. I’ll text her to find out if she’s safe,” Seungcheol stated, the voice of reason in such moments. 

“She is. She’s at her friends' place. She texted me,” Jeonghan added, grateful that you even updated him. You had no obligation to do so, he broke your heart, but you’d always been the more gracious one in the relationship. 

“We’ll be over in a bit,” Seungcheol said before hanging up. 

Jeonghan sat on the couch looking despondently. You were indeed too good for him. That’s all he could think. Even though he broke your heart, you still told him that you were safe, and you even told him to sleep well, but how could he? How could he sleep well when he didn’t have you to hold in his arms?

“It’s open,” Jeonghan mumbled from the couch when he heard the knocking on the door. 

In the last half hour, Jeonghan had torn himself apart. Dissecting everything he ever did in his two years of being your boyfriend, he was an utter mess and hated the fact that he felt upset and like he wanted a hug. He was in this predicament because of something he chose to do. He had no one to blame but himself.

“So, a breakup prank?” Seungcheol asked the second he entered the apartment, and Joshua simply stared at Jeonghan, disappointed. 

Seungcheol and Joshua sat across from Jeonghan and stared at him until Jeonghan sighed and explained his so-called elaborate plan. 

“So, at no point did you think this would be a bad idea?” Joshua asked. 

“Of course I did. Especially when I told her that we should talk,” Jeonghan admitted feeling extremely foolish. 

“So why go on with it? If you knew it was going to hurt her?” Joshua probed, and Jeonghan fell silent. No reason or excuse would ever justify what he did.

“I get that you take pranks and causing chaos seriously, but sometimes it goes too far,” Seungcheol started to say, and Jeonghan nodded shamefully. 

“She deserves so much more,” Jeonghan mumbled, making both men roll their eyes. 

“Nope, we’re not enabling your pity party. You did something stupid, but you love each other and have been an amazing boyfriend. You just did something incredibly dumb,” Joshua reasoned. 

“I miss her,” Jeonghan confessed, and both men shrugged. The urge to hug and coddle Jeonghan was something they were both fighting because they needed to kick some sense into him. 

“Okay. We get that, but you need to fix this because right now, you committed so much to the prank that maybe she thinks a small part of you did want to end things,” Seungcheol suggested. 

“Also, she could feel insecure because if you can joke about breaking up so easily, she might wonder how much she means to you, especially if you can make light of something so serious,” Joshua added. 

“Should I go see her?” Jeonghan asked, and both men shook their heads. 

“No. She wants space. You can stick to wishing her a good morning and night but nothing else. No apologies, it won’t mean anything.”

“What about ‘I love you’?” Jeonghan asked and got an eye roll from both men in response. 

“She knows you love her. I'm sure she loves you too, but for now? No. Show her you love her instead of concocting dumb pranks to make her lose faith,” Joshua elaborated, and Jeonghan nodded. 

“We’ll try and stop by or call her to understand how she is, and we’ll give you an update if we can, okay?” Seungcheol added, noticing Jeonghan’s despondent state. 

“You’ll get your girl back. Just let her have some space for now,” Seungcheol added confidently. He was sure you two would be fine, just needed some time. 

“Y/N, you have some visitors,” your friend Hana told you. It had been nearly 24 hours since you left Jeonghan, and you had just been moping at her house the entire time. 

“Who is it?” You mumbled, pulling Jeonghan’s hoodie that you took with you closer to your body. 

“Seungcheol and Joshua.” 

“I’ll be out in a second,” you said. 

“Hey,” you mumbled, making both men turn to smile at you. They both had soft and caring smiles on their faces. 

“How are you?” Seungcheol asked as you sat down across them on the couch. 

“I miss him,” you admitted. 

“Well, he does, too,” Joshua added. 

“How is he?” You asked. 

“Miserable. Feels terrible,” Seungcheol answered. 

“Maybe I was too hasty,” you mused. 

“No, you weren’t. What he did was shitty, and he got an earful from us, and frankly, he deserved it. It was a dumb prank,” Seungcheol elaborated, and you frowned. 

“I just don’t know why he found it funny?” You thought out loud. 

“We don’t either, but we do know how he is. Just never means to harm. He legitimately thought it'd be funny, I guess?” Joshua offered. 

“I know, I’m fine with his pranks, but he was so damn committed that I thought he was actually done with me,” you stated. 

“Yeah, he overcommitted and overdid it,” Seungcheol agreed. 

There was a moment of silence between you three until you broke it. 

“I’m not breaking up with him. I just needed some space.”

“That’s a decision that is only up to you. If there’s anything else we can do, let us know,” Seungcheol comforted. 

“Actually, yes, can you take these? I made two batches, so there’s plenty, and if you could give one box of cookies to Jeonghan too,” you said shyly, grabbing a box you kept on the table. 

“Stress baking?” Joshua asked. 

“Mhm.” 

“Gladly. We’ll go deliver these. If you need anything at all, call us, okay?” Seungcheol said, and you nodded, hugging both men before they headed out. 

Wonwoo never thought he’d live to tell the tale. But here he was, watching Jeonghan sniffling and eating a cookie while Wonwoo tried hard not to laugh at the sight. It wasn’t entirely funny, but Jeonghan sniffling and biting into a cookie like a child was almost amusing. 

“She makes nice cookies,” Jeonghan mumbled, and Wonwoo could no longer hold back a laugh.

“Hyung, she said she needed space, and she told Seungcheol and Shua that she wasn’t breaking up with you, so I think the sniffling and cookie eating can stop,” Wonwoo suggested lightly. 

“It’s been two days,” Jeonghan sulked. 

“But she won’t break up with you,” Wonwoo repeated, making Jeonghan place his sixth cookie down. 

“That’s true,” Jeonghan muttered. Words could not explain how relieved Jeonghan was when Seungcheol told him that you weren’t planning to leave him. He couldn’t believe it. It was such a relief. Now, all he could do was count down the days. It was just difficult when he didn’t know when. 

“Maybe instead, you could do something nice? Like cleaning up the apartment, getting her her favourite flowers, chocolates or something? Cook for her, make her feel welcome?” Wonwoo suggested, and Jeonghan nodded, huffing dramatically as he got off the couch. 

“Yes. To quote Cardi B, I shall cook, clean and be the best boyfriend. Am I missing anything?” Jeonghan asked. 

“One thing, just don’t play any more dumb pranks.” 

“Got it. Anything else?” Jeonghan asked. 

“Yeah…don’t ever quote Cardi B again.” 

It had been four days, and today you were going back. You missed Jeonghan, and you just wanted to see him, but also, he had not sent you a good morning or good night text yesterday, and you were slightly concerned. 

Concerned that he was wallowing, over-blaming, and criticising himself. You decided to go back and find out why he wasn’t responding to your texts. 

You missed him, and it was the perfect opportunity to see him again. 

Jeonghan wasn’t a good cook. This was a fact. Even his best efforts couldn’t take away from the fact that he could never cook. When you’d cook, he’d always watch and sometimes help prep some vegetables. That was it. 

However, Jeonghan decided to take Wonwoo’s advice and wanted to cook you a three-course meal. It started going wrong during the first course. While boiling the vegetables, Jeonghan looked up the recipe and held his phone precariously close to the boiling pot; one second, he looked at the recipe. Next, he was trying to figure out if putting his arm into boiling water would be wise. 

Jeonghan drowned his phone and couldn’t text you. To make matters worse, he accidentally slipped on a potato peel and rolled his ankle. Jeonghan wasn’t clumsy, but the nerves about you possibly coming back sometimes made him frantic and careless. 

Jeonghan was lying in the bedroom with his swollen ankle and drowned phone. He had hobbled to the bedroom, wondering how he’d contact you or his bandmates. Granted, he had a laptop, but that meant more walking, and right now, he just wanted to wallow a bit. Maybe it was karma for pulling such a crappy prank on you. 

“Hannie?” You called out as you entered the apartment, setting your duffle bag on the floor and kicking off your shoes. You walked into the apartment and noticed that the kitchen was a mess, but everything else was spotless, and there were also flowers in vases. There was also a humongous teddy bear on the couch, and you smiled fondly at it. 

“Hannie?” You called out again. 

You were starting to get worried. Between Jeonghan’s silence and the messy kitchen, you were worried that he had hurt himself badly. You walked in further and headed to the bedroom. 

“Hannie?” 

Jeonghan sat up quickly and jumped out of bed, shrieking in pain once his foot landed on the floor. 

“Baby,” Jeonghan whined, and you ran to him, pushed him back on the bed, and sat next to him. 

“What happened? Why is your foot purple?” You asked, noticing the swollen foot. 

“Uh, don’t laugh. But I was trying to cook, but I tripped on a potato peel and rolled my ankle,” Jeonghan explained sheepishly, and you bit your lip to keep from laughing. 

“Shall I get you some ice? It must hurt?” You offered, moving to get up, and Jeonghan gently wrapped a hand around your wrist and pulled you back down. 

“You came back,” Jeonghan mumbled, and you nodded. 

“I missed you, and I love you too much not to come back,” you said softly, and Jeonghan wrapped his arms around your waist and placed his chin on your shoulder. 

“I’m so sorry,” Jeonghan apologised, and you turned in his embrace to face him. 

“I promise no more pranks, ever.” 

“That’s not necessary, but just not ones that’ll break my heart. I love that you’re playful and a pain in the ass at times, but just don’t make me worry if you love me or not,” you explained. 

“Never. I promise.” 

“Hannie?” 

“Hmm?”

“Why didn’t you call anyone if you hurt yourself?” You asked. 

“Right, so I drowned my phone. It fell into the boiling water, so,” Jeonghan trailed off. 

“I leave for four days, and you’re a mess?” You joked, and Jeonghan nodded. 

“I’m always a mess without you. I’m so sorry, Y/N.” 

“Jeonghan. I won’t say it’s okay because it wasn’t, but I can move past it, just no more dumb pranks?” You asked, and Jeonghan nodded. 

“I promise, no more dumb pranks.” 

“Hannie, you could have emailed me or said you were hurt or, like, I don’t know, used something to tell me.”

“I was scared you wouldn’t believe me,” Jeonghan mumbled, and you shook your head at him. 

“I think I believe you a little too much,” you teased, making Jeonghan pout. 

“Let me grab you some ice, and we can catch up on lost time?” You offered. 

“I don’t need it. I just want to hold you.” 

You smiled at Jeonghan and leaned in to place a soft kiss on his lips, making him smile into the kiss as he moved slightly to deepen the kiss. 

“I have a lot of making up to do,” Jeonghan mumbled as he pulled away from the kiss. 

“After your foot recovers.” 

“Baby, I am a man of many talents.” 

“You drowned your phone and rolled your ankle because of a potato skin,” you countered. 

“I don’t need my foot to bury my head between your legs, though,” Jeonghan teased, winking at you, making you laugh at him.

“You’re impossible. You’re lucky I love you,” you said with a smile.  

“I am, baby. The luckiest.” 

[bbangtans]

searching & finding | knj | oneshot teaser

⋆☀︎｡ Summary: Wake up, go to work, go home, cook dinner, rinse, and repeat: that was your life had come to post-grad. Once a young woman with larger-than-life aspirations, you’ve been downtrodden by the world's harsh realities. Now, after taking out all your savings and having only one large suitcase in tow, you find yourself in an idyllic seaside town to figure out what’s next for you. Luckily, the bookshop owned by the town’s beloved Kim Namjoon will always be a place of solace for you no matter how sudden the seasonal showers are.

pairing: namjoon x f!reader genre: non-idol au, fluff, romance, strangers to friends to lovers, book cafe owner genius namjoon is saurrrrr dreamy bro, reader just wants to find inner peace, yoongi is just the cool cousin there for the ride lmao, and jungkook is namjoon’s cute cafe assistant hehehehe rating/warnings: PG-15 | language, alcohol consumption, mentions of sex a/n: kim namjoon is my beacon of light through a storm. this is for anyone feeling a lil lost, sending you the warmest hug ever 🫂 and inspired by summer strike – that drama will always have a place in my heart, and what you are looking for is in the library – a hopeful, meditative read i highly rec! word count: ~10k will be posted on Sunday, April 21st at 10PM PST! <3 EDIT: post date moved to Sunday, April 27th!

“So, what brings you here to Pohang?” A tall, dimpled man approached your table as he set down the iced americano you ordered in front of you. He tucked his small serving tray under his arm as he eyed the stack of manga that you had, ready to indulge in a day of catching up on Haikyuu. You were the only customer in the establishment as it was late afternoon so that meant the kids were in school while the adults were busy at work. The soft sunlight filtered through the sheer white curtains of the front window, giving the book cafe a yellowish hue. The end of another day was near. 

You thanked him as you tried to think of an answer. “Uh… I’m visiting my cousin, Yoongi, for the summer. Taking a break from Seoul after some things happened and just figuring out… life, I guess.” 

Internally, you wanted to scream because you felt like you were oversharing.

He gave a deep, thoughtful hum to your response. “Well, I think you’ve come to the right place. This place, although small compared to Seoul, has a lot to offer. And I’m Namjoon, by the way.”

You gladly gave your name as well and Namjoon repeated it to himself as though tasting how your name felt on his lips. You couldn’t help but feel your face flush slightly, Namjoon was definitely attractive. From his towering, defined build to honey-like, sun-kissed skin and topped off with dimples that punctuated a bright smile, he was a sight to behold for sure. “Thanks, I’m looking forward to seeing more of it as I figure things out.”

“Yeah,” he excitedly responded. “And I guess I’ll be seeing more of you around. I hope you find whatever it is you’re looking for out here.” 

“Same here.”

Your small smile matched his.

[equallyshaw]

The friend group | little lion au - au masterlist. - also the nicknames for them are in good fun lol

☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎

liona 'lion' kai ovekchin: russian mob boss - more on her here.

orange cat

studying fashion and minoring in marketing at nyu

1/3 of greenwhich village roommates

only child (+ younger half sister - sasha from moms ex fiance)

geno malkin worshiper

scorpio

part time nanny and part time barista/book shop clerk at an historic bookshop/coffee house

avid reader

huge star wars fan

used to have a crush on david..before her and chris got together..😚

tolerates hockey, big alex o fan if you didn't know

huge traveler

hamptons lovaaaaa

☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎

rainn spencer: miss grump

liona's bff

second half

partner in crime always

1/3 of Greenwich village roommates

secretly has a thing for jack.

early supporter of #Hoveckhin

social work student at NYU, with a minor in Womens Studies

thinks of alex as a father figure because she does not have the best relationship with her own father, as her parents are divorced.

alum of Georgetown prep

works at a local coffee shop, and a record store on the weekend.

pisces

incredibly creative and extremely smart

middle child (syndrome) of three, with two brothers.

avid reader and painter

coffee connoisseur

☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎

chris briney: trust fund kid

liona's ex and friend

columbia student, grad in 2025. (year early)

got accepted into harvard, attended one semester before transferring to new york.

oldest of 2, has a younger sister

aries

still is in love with liona..

is incredibly close to alex still

huge fan of the capitals

grew up next to liona, next door

studying political science and international relations

lives with gavin off-campus

enjoys playing the guitar, writing and reading

tea addict

used to be: grumpy bf x sunshine gf or black cat x orange cat

☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎

gavin casalegno: top dog

golden retriever

closest to chris

columbia student

studying anthropology

bisexual

virgo

avid movie watcher/goer

youngest of four, with one brother and two sisters

night owl

down for a good time, always.

☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎

sean kaufman: shakespeare

1/3 (part time) greenwich roommates

originally got into princeton but declared to go to nyu

studies playwriting with a minor in musical theater

cancer

oldest of 3, has 2 sisters

first generation student

first generation, parents are both from asia

has Korean citizenship through parents

musical goer (will bring lion every. single. time.)

huge traveler (along with gavin)

has had a crush on rain for years (but once he saw the ending to liona and chris he decided to not pursue anything)

second half of liona, male version of her (we'll see that soon!)

will drag her out of bed at obscene hours to dance, bake and ofcourse, get some pizza

coffee addict (connoisseur)

☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎

david iacono: pink whitney

went to georgetown prep with the group

year older than the group

reunited in london, summer 2025 before he moves back to the states

studied liberal arts at university of cambridge

only child

liona and him were close because they did musicals and plays together at school + in the community

moves to nyc to pursue his masters at columbia

golden retriever energy

had a crush on liona during highschool but then once her and chris got together, he pushed it away

avid fan of the capitals

literally starstruck of alex but not geno (lmao)

really likes luke when he meets him when they get back from europe in the Hamptons

the two of them get along really well

along with sean, the two of them get liona out and about always

loves to do photography

☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎

+ ensemble members.

jack hughes: frat president

follows luke around like a lost puppy when he joins luke and liona for stuff with the group

shy af (ironic lol)

really likes rainn

him and gavin get on really well

gavin brings jack out of his shell, and the two are thick as thieves

down for a good time, always.

middle child syndrome ofc

dylan duke: the slut (not literally lmao)

summer buddies with the group when everybody visits michigan

ring leader for the michigan trips (that now include the friend group)

him + david = pink whitney lovers

karaoke fanatic

# 2 fan of Hoveckchin (behind rainn & just because he likes the ship name, has to enunciate HO)

quinn hughes: the dictator

keeps everybody in line during the summers (doesn't need unnecessary injuries or drama)

they call him the dictator because of it

enjoys the friend group, thinks they are all sound people and glad luke has a good group when he's in jersey and people away from the league

treats lion like his little sister

+

ethan edwards

nico hischier

Alex holtz

Rutger mcgroarty

adam fantilli

simon nemec

andrei svechnikov (her russian brat)

+ more ofc

☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎☀︎

hope you all enjoyed!!!

[mai-atsumi]

Introduction/ Requests (Open)

I am Mai, a Jojo and One Piece fanfiction writer, and I'm here to tell you what to expect from my work:  1. Inconsistency- I don't usually have a defined post schedule 

2. I don't specialize in angst, and Im bad at it, but I am much better at writing fluff and smut

3. I have favourite characters, and I write about them more often

✖= Smut

❤= Fluff

★= Angst

☀= Platonic

✓=Family

☎=Sensitive content 

Warnings that apply will be in the beginning notes

Rules: 

When it comes to requesting your favourite character, you have to know what is and isn't okay

NSFW/SMUT: Only characters over 17 can be requested for NSFW. This is because if I were to write explicit content with characters under the age of 17 that would be counted as writing bout' children and I'm not cool with that

➨ Exceptions are kissing and making out for some characters (Characters that are 14 or younger obviously won't be making out with anyone) 

I also write character x character!!!

Things I refuse to write: 

Scat play (You are not 5) 

Pedophilia 

Zoophilia (And I mean a full-on ass animal like a squirrel, that's actually nasty) 

There's probably more, but I don't really want to know more than I already do

Examples of things I can and will write: 

Non-Con/Rape (Depends)

Stalking 

Human Experimentation

Ect.

Things I can do:

One Shots

Head Canons

Short stories

ect

Requests (Open): 

When giving me a request, I would appreciate it if you got specific

As the reader here's what you can request: 

Reader Pronouns: Gender Neutral Pronouns, Feminine Pronounds, Masculine Pronouns. (I do not use Neo or custom pronouns) 

Reader's Gender: Female, Male, TransFem, TransMasc, Gender Neutral/ Non-Binary

You can also ask for a gender-swapped character (Ex: Female Joseph Joestar, Male Nami) 

Relationship: You can request to have a history with your requested character. (Ex: Avdol's girlfriend, Smokey's best friend, Bruno's older sister, Luffy's sister, Smoker's rival, ect) 

Plot: If you have a specific prompt or idea, like the plot or storyline please say so. (Ex: Proscuttio and Pesci go out on a mission with Reader to kill a politician who is hosting a ball and Pesci and Proscuitto fight over who gets to dance with Reader) (Ex. Reader is sick and Lisa Lisa is taking care of her,) (Ex. Ace meets an old crewmember from the spade pirates and falls in love)

Writing style: Poetry, Novel, etc 

Multiple characters

Alternate Timeline/universe: The Twilight thing where everyone is either alpha, beta, or omega, Modern timeline, School Au, Ect. 

Example of a request: 

Cherryberrylady: Heyyy Mai! (>_<) Can you write an Annasui x Reader? Like, I really want it to be like, Annasui is stalking Reader a little, like putting cameras in her house type stalking, and in her car too maybe. and like Reader is going home and Anasui is watching them thru the cameras and Annasui like, watches them masturbate..? and he hears them moaning his name. (づ￣ ³￣)づ  Its okay if you don't want to tho!!! Also maybe end it where Annasui talks to Reader the next day and asks them out. ( ﾟヮﾟ) Also!! when it comes to the reader can you make their pronouns gender-neutral? 

Mai-Atsumi: Of course, and your request was so greatly written- Only the best of the best could've made such a perfect request... Or

Numberoneacecocksucker: Hey Mai, can I ask for a pre-timeskip Ace x reader where the reader is a member of the Whitebeard Pirates as Thatch's younger sister and Thatch doesn't want Ace to go after his sister but Marco also likes reader to? Make sure its Female gender/pronouns please! Mai-Atsumi: Sure thing! Ill get to it right now! Right after I finish my other request!

[wannabegwenstacy]

Eden's Favorite BTS Fics: Twitter

Updated: 3/29/2023

A/N: I tend to read member x member on both A03 & Twitter so if thats what you are looking for then precede. If you are looking for reader insert I suggest checking out my tumblr fic recs since I tend to read those on tumblr.

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⇣Below cut⇣

Forbidden Relationship Taegi (M) by @taegishrine on Twitter

Pairing: Rich son Taehyung x Rich son Yoongi

Tags: secret lovers, forbidden relationship, mentions and depictions of parental abuse later, enemies with benefits at the beginning

Summary: they both come from similar backgrounds: wealthy and powerful. and while their families fight each other to control the country, yoongi and taehyung can’t stay apart for too long.

it feels way better when it’s forbidden, doesn’t it?

.

.

⎡Sope AU⎦ ~ ⎡Social Media Au⎦ by @uhgoodaddy on Twitter

Pairing: Hoseok x Yoongi

Authors Notes: ☀︎ Namjoon & Yoongi are friends ☀︎ Hoseok, Jungkook, Seokjin are friends ☀︎ Taehyung & Jimin are not friends with any of them (yet)

Tags: ☀︎ Angst ☀︎ Fluff ☀︎ Mature language and sexual jokes ☀︎ Humor if i decide to be funny ☀︎ Mentions of cheating ☀︎ Mentions of panic attacks

Summary: There’s three things Yoongi learns when he starts working with Hoseok 

1. Hoseok is everything he’s not; full of life, sweet and the literal embodiment of the sun 

2. They don’t really get along 

3. They have the same boyfriend

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Long Distance Relationship Taegi (M) by @taegishrine on Twitter

Pairing: LA Taehyung x Seoul Yoongi

Authors Notes: ldr dynamics | sad sad very sAD idk what happened to me | this story is my baby | it gets spicy | bottom yg, top th

Tags: insecurities, breakups, mental health issues

Summary: yoongi is skyping hoseok, who lives in LA, when a guy walks into his dorm room, wearing only a bath robe and a snapback 

“hey hobi, tell him to take his robe off, i’m tryna see sumn" 

the guy turns and deadpans: "i speak perfect korean, whatcha tryna see?”

.

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Mountain camping yoonkook au by @taehyikes on Twitter

Pairing: Writer Yoongi x General Store Owner Jungkook

Authors Notes: it will be silly! and wintery! light on the angst and heavy on the goofs! let’s begin!! first things first, they’re all writers, jimin writes travel literature, yoongi writes satire, and namjoon writes historical fiction! yoonmin are best frenemies and minjoon r dating. hoseok is a park ranger, jin cabin owner, tae owns general store with jungkook. taejin are dating.

Tags: wholesome & healing, in the soop vibes but with love, would make a good movie

Summary: where yoongi decides to rent a cabin in the mountains to work on his next novel, and jungkook runs the general store in a nearby village

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Basketball Captain Taehyung AU (M) by @taegishrine on Twitter

Pairing: Uni Basketball Captain Taehyung x Post Grad Yoongi

Authors Notes: there’s no cheating in this story; the relationship between th and the OC is fundamentally physical

Tags: self discovery, internalized homophobia, denial, a lot of sex and feelings

Summary: taehyung has a reputation that precedes him: he’s an excellent student, captain of the basketball team, and a ladies man, but after a steamy encounter with another guy, everything -even himself- starts to crumble down

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Telepathy (M) by @ladyelocin on Twitter

Pairing: CEO Min Yoongi x office worker Park Jimin

Tags: soulmates in this au share abilities/senses that manifest in different ways • ym can read each other’s thoughts • fluff • sexual tension, flirting • explicit sexual content • aftercare ♡ • side: taekook, namjin • little angst? hmm…

Summary: Having a one-night stand in a foreign country with a handsome stranger seems like the best way to end Jimin’s vacation before accepting his new job offer. Unexpectedly, Jimin meets him again and learns that the man happens to be his boss and… soulmate?

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Adjunct Professor Yoonkook (M) by  @taegishrine on Twitter

Pairing: Art Student Jungkook x Photographer/Adjunct Professor Yoongi

Authors Notes: age gap (8 years) | thread fic; no social media | NSFW

Tags: secret lovers, forbidden relationship, mentions and depictions of parental abuse later, enemies with benefits at the beginning

Summary: yoongi will never admit that the best sex of his life was with a hookup 7 years younger than him & he never thought he’d bump into jungkook again – much less on his first day as a substitute teacher but there he was, in the front row, with a devilish smile on his lips

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Winterbane (M) by  @ladyelocin on Twitter

Pairing: Lord Min Yoongi x Lord Park Jimin

Authors Notes: Okay before we start, I want us to be on the same page. This story is set somewhere between 200-500 AD so there may be practices, customs, and beliefs that are considered outdated or derogatory at present. However, there will be NO non-con and incest in this story.  There will be mpreg and depictions of pregnancy so if you are uncomfortable with the aforementioned trope, please do not proceed and prioritize yourself first.

Tags: Historical setting: 200-500 AD ‣ ABO/Omegaverse ‣ Alpha Yoongi, Omega Jimin ‣ Arranged marriage, domestic life ‣ Cultural differences, prejudice ‣ Hurt/comfort, jealousy, mutual pining ‣ Action, fight scenes, violence ‣ There are no Betas in this AU ‣ Explicit sexual content ‣ Top!YG, Bottom!JM ‣ Scenting, nesting, knotting, mating ‣ Rut/heat cycles ‣ Mpreg ‣ Side ships: Taekook, Namseok

Summary: Lord Omega Jimin of House Park agrees to marry Lord Alpha Yoongi of House Min to end the centuries-long war between the two territories. Contrary to the Northerners’ custom, Jimin, as a Southborn, is not the typical omega they expect him to be.

[asunsetgrace16]

☀︎ ▴ ｓｔａｙｉｎ＇ ｓｉｎｇｌｅ ▴ ☀︎

main masterlist ⎥ au masterlist ⎥ navigation

You swear that you're stayin' single, next thing you know

You meet a girl at a bar and next thing you know

You get her laughin', it's 2 AM

“You can’t be serious,” Adam laughs, “you, give up dating. No chance.”

Luca looks offended, “I swear I am. It’s too complicated, too time-consuming.”

In the dim-lit bar, the brothers stare at each other, Adam unbelieving of Luca’s declaration. In the midst of their staring contest, they don’t see their friends walk over to them until Mark slaps Adam on the shoulder. 

“Hey bud, got an extra seat for us?” Tyler asks.

“Sure thing, good to see you guys again.” Adam says. This is the last free day he has before training camp so he made a pit stop in Michigan to see Luca one more time before the season starts. “Luca was just tellin’ me that he’s done dating.”

Mark scoffs, “I’d pay good money to see him last more than a month.”

“Dude.” Luca deadpans, “I’m done for the season. Focusing on hockey.”

“Seriously? ‘Focusing on hockey’? Dude, you’re not in some romance novel about to be suspended from the team because you were late to practice one too many times. What’s your deal, really?” Ethan asks, setting off giggles from the whole table. Mark has a shit-eating grin on his face and steals Luca’s beer, lifting it to his lips. 

Luca sighs, “I’m just getting tired of hook-ups. Two years in and I want to shake things up a little, get a taste of the bachelor life.” 

This seems to appease the jury as Ethan and Mark relax back into their seats with a thoughtful look on their faces. Gavin and Adam have been engrossed in a discussion about the new players Columbus added over the summer and how they’ll fit into the team and KJ sticking around with his new contract. They catch each other up on their summers, shooting the shit and stealing beers back and forth. Mark and Ethan spend at least five minutes ribbing Luca for his decision to give up dating. Rolling his eyes, Luca heads to the bar to get another round. 

“I’ll take five, please.” He asks the bartender and receives a nod of acknowledgement. Drumming his fingers on the bartop, he sighs and studies the counter intently. A voice comes from his left. 

“What’s so fascinating there?”

Luca’s head snaps up. “Huh, oh sorry. Nothing, just uh, zoned out for a second.”

He studies her for a moment, and she’s a vision. Loosely curled red hair and green eyes, freckles on her nose and playful smirk on her face.

“Happens to the best of us. I’m Maddie.”

Luca is tongue tied, not something he ever finds himself around women. “Uh yeah, all the time. I-I’m Luca.”

They stay staring at each other until Maddie laughs and says, “Sit.”, so Luca sits on the barstool next to her. It’s easy to fall into conversation with her, everything comes so naturally. There’s no doubt that the boys are going to give Luca shit for this, since not even fifteen minutes ago he swore off dating for the season. He must have been talking to Maddie for longer than he thought because at some point Adam comes over and grabs the beers still sitting at Luca’s elbow. 

“-and so, we flew his underwear up the flagpole outside the house.”

Maddie cackles and Luca joins her, both laughing until they can’t breathe. At some point their drinks are emptied, but they forget to order more. Leaning on the counter, Maddie asks, “What are your big plans after university? Do you want to go pro?”

“Every kid dreams of playing pro, but I’ve made peace with it if I never get there. I can just live vicariously through Adam,” he says, “but I really haven’t thought too hard about it lately. But with my major being Sports Management there’s a lot of hockey-related avenues I can take. What are you taking”

Maddie hums thoughtfully, “Yeah, that makes sense. I’m doing a Bachelor of Psychology and am going to get my Master’s after.”

“Wow, impressive. What made you decide on Psychology?”

“A combination of things really. Undiagnosed ADHD in middle and high school and not having super present parents to talk about things with kind of sent my mental health down the shitter, and how brains work has always fascinated me. Memories, fact retention, all of it, and how the brain is affected by mental health struggles.” She cuts off abruptly, used to having people tell her she talks too much.

But Luca is sitting there, a soft look on his face, just soaking up everything she says. “That’s incredible.”

Maddie flushes, but keeps eye contact. Their conversation continues until Adam walks over, breaking them out of their little bubble.

“It’s almost two, we’re heading out.” Adam tells Luca.

“Oh man, we definitely lost track of time. I’ll meet you at the car.” turning to Maddie he says, “I had a great time tonight. I’d like to give you my number, if you want it.”

Maddie dips her chin, silently saying yes. Luca grabs a napkin and scribbles his number down with the Sharpie that Maddie hands him before writing her own down for Luca to take. Carefully, he tucks the napkin away in his pocket while hers goes into her purse, along with the Sharpie. She takes it with a grin, and walks out of the bar with Luca. They stand for a minute before thumbing over their shoulders in the direction of their vehicles. Luca walks to Adam’s car with a dopey grin on his face, completely unfazed at the teasing that he’s about to endure for months on end. He just had the best night of his life in a long time, and got her number to boot. Breathing in the cool night air, he feels like this is right, how things were supposed to be. And now he can’t fuck this up or he’ll really never hear the end of it.

When he is back in the car, he braces for the jokes. It’s dead silent for a beat before Luca turns and looks at Mark and says, “Just shut up.”

Mark holds his hands up in surrender, “Ok man, I’ll let you have this one.”

The ride home is quiet, Ethan is snoring in the front and the radio is playing the Top 40 quiet in the background. Luca takes a full breath, feeling lighter than he has in the past months. Staring out at the streetlights, he can finally see some sort of future for him, whether it’s with Maddie or not. But he really hopes it's with Maddie.

[izuke-the-zombie]

Hi! I'm pretty new here and I just wanted to say I LOVE LOVE LOVE your art and newest au, and I'm just wondering as the monkey king being my favorite and all, on a scale of 1-10 how much do you like him? I saw that you said Macaque's your favorite so I'm just curious!

Sorry if this is a weird ask, and I'm so sorry if this sounds like I don't like Macaque! Because I do love him! He's my 2nd favorite character next to Wukong! Ok sorry to bother, I hope you have a nice day :)

🌸It's cool buddy

He's my second favorite character ...actually it's more like a love and hate thing, because he's so irresponsible and secretive to MK and his crew and not a very good teacher and in the show says downright really mean s*** to my sugar plum pie!

But I can't help it, I love his cocky smile and his goofy ways of interacting with other characters and him acting like a dad sometimes. he's just a bright Charming sunny character.☀

So yeah, (sigh) he's my second favorite character☺💕

He's a 10✨

[talksungchan]

offside ☀︎ lee donghyuck / haechan

⇢ word count: 16.5k ⇢ pairing: nct's lee donghyuck / haechan x female reader ⇢ tags: football!au, fluff, angst if you squint, summer romance!au ⇢ synopsis: lee donghyuck was one of south korea's brightest prospects coming into the 2018 world cup, up until a season-ending injury just days before their training camp wiped him out. you were a sports medicine and physiotherapy student excited for your summer with NCT FC, but what caught you off guard was being assigned to every step of lee donghyuck's journey to recovery.   ⇢ note: this fic is a long one that means a lot to me. before getting into kpop, i was a football fan and wrote many fics for footballers. i stopped watching and writing about football once i got into kpop, but i started this fic around 2019 and wrote maybe 5-6k before giving up and letting it sit there for 2 years. i picked it back up during the euros and i definitely did not expect for it to stretch this long. however, i lost my momentum around the end which is why there's a lot of time skips and jumps, but i really just wanted to wrap it up and give it an ending and send it out into the world. this is really more of a fic for myself, but if you would love to read it, then please go ahead and let me know your thoughts. there's also a lot of football-specific content, but i hope i explained some things. if you're confused about anything or have any feedback, please don't hesitate to message me!

INFORMATION THAT MAY BE USEFUL TO NON FOOTBALL FANS: - The World Cup happens every 4 years and in 2018, it was held in Russia - South Korea was in a group with Sweden, Mexico and Germany and pulled a shock victory over Germany, who were the winners of 2014's World Cup so, after the group stages of the tournament, Germany didn't even make it to knockouts. Neither did Korea but I mayyy change the results! - The World Cup itself lasts for about a month! But national teams train at training camps for weeks beforehand, often playing 'friendly' games with other teams (they're not friendly, they just don't count to anything) - It's quite unusual for young players to be part of the 11 that regularly plays in a team unless they're incredible - the seasoned veterans are left the task and the young players are just taken for 'experience'. Teams take 23 men to the World Cup but maybe 16 of them get regular playing time - An ACL tear is an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which affects the knee. It's one of the worst injuries a player can get and they may never truly return to the form they were in before the injury. Recovery is like 6 months or more. Typically, it takes about 1-2 years for full recovery, but football players typically take 7-12 months out ;-; Also, not all players need or choose to have surgery and they definitely do not have surgery as soon as the injury is sustained (at least a few days/weeks after to reduce swelling and can even be done after months) but for the sake of this, I chose not to follow that. - Also the Korean top division league season doesn't follow the typical European dates, but I wrote this story as if the K-league followed the usual August-May/June dates that gave the summer for the World Cup/tournaments/breaks/training

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SET IN 2018, AGED 18

Donghyuck doesn't really remember too much from when it happened. He doesn't even really remember how it happened. One moment, he was juggling the world at his feet, eyes up, looking for his teammates, and the next? He was on the floor, able to recognise only 1 feeling: pain.

Later on, he'd be able to watch in full HD how a fight broke out immediately after, as his teammates tried to gang up on the opponent who caused him harm. He'd be able to watch as his best friend, Mark Lee, was given a red card for pushing and shoving the one who tackled Donghyuck far too violently, and he'd be able to watch how his team lost that game. It didn't matter; his team had already won the league. But the consequences of Donghyuck's injury went deeper than a lost game.

There are a few flashes he can remember- a few spots of light in the darkness that engulfed him. Donghyuck could remember how his captain, Yuta, migrated instantly to his side, leaving it to the vice-captain, and all-around giant, Johnny, to break up the fight that ensued.

He could remember how Yuta's usually hard game-day gaze melted in empathy as he examined Donghyuck's legs and met his eyes. Donghyuck could remember Yuta asking him what kind of injury it felt like, and when Donghyuck was too frozen to reply, Yuta sighed, patted his shin guard and beckoned for the paramedics to come faster.

He was stretchered out from the field alongside Mark hanging his head in shame for instigating the fight, but much later on, this picture on the TV would erupt a smile from Donghyuck and Mark alike.

It was an ACL tear. One of the worst injuries a football player could get.

Donghyuck vividly remembers this one moment as he was carted off in an ambulance to the nearest hospital. The game was still going, but Donghyuck was collapsed in the back of an ambulance, listening as the team's physiotherapist predicted the verdict.

"Don't be so down, Donghyuck. You won't miss much of next season since we just ended this season. You've got the whole summer to recover," Donhyuck noticed the way that his physiotherapist worded his phrases.

"A whole summer, in Korea, and not in Russia," the sound of his heart shattering pierced through the ambulance sirens.

"I'm really sorry, Hyuck," his physiotherapist squeezed his hand as more tears squeezed out of Donghyuck's eyes.

-

Mark Lee was the first to visit Donghyuck in the hospital when the team was given the green light to visit. The whole of NCT FC sat down at their training grounds that morning and devised a schedule for when everyone could visit Donghyuck so that he wasn't too overwhelmed with visitors. Of course, his best friend, Mark Lee, was at the top of the list.

"How're you doing, Hyuck?" Mark asked gently, placing the bouquet of sunflowers on a table near the window of the hospital suite. He also placed Donghyuck's favourite chocolate bar on the bedside table.

"Fine," Donghyuck murmured, "Shouldn't you be on a plane to Austria?

Mark gives him another smile, "Head Coach Shin gave us an extra 2 days to get there. He told me yesterday he'd call soon."

"He already has," Donghyuck states.

Mark bites his lip in contemplation as to whether he should even ask, "Oh yeah? What'd he say?"

"He says he feels sorry that I couldn't make it to the World Cup this summer and that he wishes I could have since he was excited to utilise me. He told me that next time-" Hyuck pauses as his words get clogged up in his throat, "Next time, I'll lead Korea into glory."

"And you will, Hyuck," Mark pats his leg, "I'm really sorry you can't make it there with us. I guess the world isn't ready for you yet. The European and South Americans can have their final chance to gain victory since next time, you'll win the tournament by yourself with your free kicks alone!"

"Mark, stop," Donghyuck's voice wavered, "I appreciate it, but God, Mark- it hurts. We're supposed to do this together. You and me. We joined the academy together, we broke into the professional team together, we broke into the first team together and we were meant to be going to Russia together. Coach said he wanted to use me for the team. That I was in his first 11 plans. Do you know how rare that is, Mark? For an 18-year-old to be playing regular minutes at the World Cup?"

"I know, Hyuck, I know Hyuck, and I'm sorry we can't go to Russia together," Mark decided to shorten his words, not wanting to upset the boy more and instead just be with him.

Donghyuck pressed his lips together and looked away from Mark, "Tell everyone to dedicate their goals to me, okay?"

A small grin had begun to grow upon Mark's face, who ruffled Donghyuck's head in affection, "And every tackle too."

"Every yellow and red card too," Mark beamed.

Donghyuck scoffed, folding his arms, "Maybe yellow but I'm not gonna be responsible for Doyoung's anger issues."

Kim Doyoung was one of the elder members of the team, one of a group who had practically raised Donghyuck, Mark and the rest of the younger players. Although Doyoung was incredibly sweet, mature and kind with a tendency to adopt the mother role in the squad, the minute an opposition did something wrong by him, he transformed into a completely different person as a means of defence.

Mark stayed for a few hours longer, not saying too much and definitely not talking about the impending World Cup. He left at night, citing that he had some important thing to do, but Hyuck knew he was just last-minute packing for Russia, unlike Hyuck who had packed for the World Cup weeks ago and yet would never use the suitcases in the corner of his bedroom.

The next day, his teammates that were on the South Korean National Team visited. All of them packed into a room and made Donghyuck feel a little bit lighter. They themselves didn't mention the World Cup once and instead chose to relive their worst injuries just to brighten Donghyuck's mindset, which was of one thinking his career was over. Johnny and Taeil had both suffered ACL tears too, and they were playing perfectly fine and Doyoung had had surgery before and he too was playing amazing. At some point, Taeyong and Jungwoo FaceTimed Hyuck from Jaehyun's phone in the room and Hyuck had to pretend to miss the Austrian mountains behind their faces from the training camp before Russia.

Taeyong and Jungwoo were ex-NCT FC players, who had ventured out of the continent to play for top-class teams. Taeyong was NCT FC's ex-captain who had just ended his first season abroad at Real Madrid in Spain and felt terrible about how the boy he had practically raised couldn't make it to Russia (there were a lot of tears for a few minutes) and Jungwoo was a good friend he made in the reserve team who was one of the star players for Chelsea, in England.

The day after that, his team captain Yuta visited with their Chinese teammates of Kun, Lucas, Ten and WinWin. Yuta wasn't due to Japan's training camp for another day, while the Chinese National Team didn't qualify for the World Cup. At least he wasn't going to be all alone in Seoul for the summer. They gave him a lot of motivational talks and made him promise not to give up on his World Cup dream.

Then, his other best friends visited. Chenle, Jisung and Jeno were all on the B-team for NCT FC, which was understandable since they were young with Jisung even only being 16. Jaemin and Renjun were ex-academy players for NCT FC and were scouted to play for Borussia Dortmund in Germany, where they were killing it and racking up minutes under their belts in a top league at such a young age. They had arrived in Seoul the day before and arrived to the hospital suite with a myriad of German and European snacks. All of them wept together by the end, squeezing each other tightly and promising they'd all be at the next World Cup together (they prayed for a miracle to happen to the Chinese National Team first for this to happen).

By the end of the visitations, Hyuck had been distracted from his injury a little, and it was only when his physiotherapist came in with an anticipating grin that the world came crashing around him and his lonely, vacant hospital room.

-

"Lee Donghyuck, huh?" you flip through his file, grimacing at the injury description in bold just above a list of all his achievements, "It's a shame."

"We were rooting for him. He's South Korea's most hopeful prodigy and we wanted to show off his skill on the world stage. There is no doubt that offers from the European powers would come in quickly after seeing how he plays. Barcelona offered £20 million for him two months ago, but if he had been in Russia? You could quadruple that price," the team's physiotherapist hummed as he pulled into the parking lot of the hospital.

"He's my little brother's idol," you chuckle, "Can you believe it? He's 18 and has fans. Is he that good?"

"One of the best young stars I've ever seen, to be honest," he replied, "We don't like to tell him as to not boost his ego. I'm really devastated for him."

"Oh well. South Korea has a tough group this year anyway," you shrugged, closing the file, "I can't imagine South Korea beating Germany."

"But Donghyuck is the player that can change the game in one second. I see a lot of Yuta and Taeyong in him. Last summer, the club had a pre-season friendly with Real Madrid. Yuta was on vacation and Taeyong was nursing an injury, but other than that, we had our full 11 and so did they. You know, Ramos and Kroos and everything.  Good players, right? Incredible. We were losing by 2 at halftime. Donghyuck was brought on at the 60th minute and scored 3 goals by himself in 30 minutes against some of the best defenders in the world," he recounted, "You never know how Russia could go if Donghyuck was there."

Your heart falls listening to the physiotherapist, Kim Junghwan, rave about the newest star of NCT FC and the future of South Korean football. You're not a football player nor a crazy ultra, but you were an avid watcher and you do know that the World Cup is one of the most, if not the most, important tournaments in the game. You'll never be forgotten if you make your mark at the World Cup.

"Hey, at least he has an Olympic gold medal," you had read that feat on his sheet, "Exempt from military service right?"

"Oh yeah, the Olympics 2 years ago," Junghwan recalls fondly, "Only under-21s could play in the Olympics and Donghyuck, Jeno, Mark and Jaemin killed it there. NCT FC is lucky to have them."

"Jaemin?"

"Yeah, he used to play for the B-team until a club in Germany, Borussia Dortmund, scouted him. If he didn't go, he'd definitely be the future of NCT FC, but he did tell me that he at least wants to retire here like Taeyong said he'll do too. I think he's just waiting for the older generation, like Yuta and Ten, to start slowing down or transfer because if he stayed, he wouldn't have gotten regular minutes."

"But playing in Europe is any footballer's dream right?" you frown.

"I guess, but NCT FC is a family. All our players now? We raised them up from the ground. All their hearts are in Seoul," Junghwan states proudly, "I just said Barcelona offered for Hyuck, right? The club almost went through with it, but Donghyuck refused it. He refused one of the best teams in the world because he wants to develop here. He's attached."

"Wow," you uttered, impressed at his commitment and growing sadder at his injury, "I can't wait to meet him."

"He's a nice boy."

-

Walking into his hospital room, you were nervous. Of course you were! You were about to meet one of Korea's top stars who was in a very vulnerable and sensitive place in his life, dealing with his first major injury. Sports stars suffered injuries all the time, but it was very rare for it to be as serious as it was, and it was very unlucky for Donghyuck to suffer such a grave injury so early to his career and right before one of the most important summers of his life.

"Hey Hyuck, are you ready to start rehabilitation today?" Junghwan chimed gleefully.

You shut the white door behind you and examined the surroundings. Donghyuck was watching on the portable TV, encased in white walls made brighter by the heaps of balloons, flowers and decorations people had brought him. He sure was popular.

Donghyuck was about to respond as cheerily as he could muster (which wasn't very) but he immediately noticed you behind his familiar physio. His eyes shifted between the two of you and his brows pulled towards his eyes in confusion.

"Oh, this is Y/N. She's just finished her first year of sports medicine at SNU with a focus on physical therapy and rehabilitation," Junghwan explained, "You know that we take in some college students every summer for placement and experience so Y/N will be assisting me all summer in helping you."

The face that Donghyuck had made was one you hadn't expected, "Seriously? Hyung-nim, my injury is so serious! I need to recover in 6 months for the Asian Cup at least if I can't make it to the Olympics. I can't have some first-year college student who doesn't even have a degree yet treat me like her doll to play with!"

"Yah! Lee Donghyuck!" Junghwan exclaimed in displease, "What is wrong with you? I've never seen you act like this! Apologise right now!"

"Why do I need to apologise?" he screeched back, "I'm protecting myself because my whole entire career is on the line!"

"It will be on the line when I tell the head coach you're acting like this and CEO Lee Sooman hears of the way you're acting to someone who wants to help you," Junghwan fought back, "Y/N is incredibly smart and incredibly capable. Hyuck, I care about you and I want you to recover as fast as well, so I would not bring Y/N with me if I didn't think she could help."

"Hyung," Donghyuck groaned out, "Hyung, I need to recover. I need to."

You were stood there in front of the door paralysed as you watched Donghyuck turn into a suddenly angry, arrogant football star into a vulnerable, shaking mess of a teenager. You read the room quickly, judging by the gifts piled up all around the room.

For the past few days that he'd been confined to the hospital room, he had been playing optimistic and happy with any teammate and friend that walked through the doors. He had been putting on shaky smiles to his teammates, assuring them that he would get over this blip in his career successfully when his mind was full of doubts and negative thoughts.

"You're Lee Donghyuck. Of course, you'll recover," Junghwan was brushing the hair that had flopped over Donghyuck's face away and the endearing site caused you to shake out of your frozen statute, "You're the boy who single-handedly defeated the best team in the world-"

"After NCT FC," Donghyuck sniffled.

"After NCT FC," Junghwan chuckled, "And you're Lee Donghyuck who scored the winning goal at 16 in the Olympic final against Neymar's Brazil. You're Lee Donghyuck who shocked the world by refusing Barcelona because you're wise and loyal. You're Lee Donghyuck who is Korea's present and future."

The boy seemed to calm down, but he still wasn't acknowledging you.

"So, Lee Donghyuck, I'm going to leave you here with Y/N and get some food from the cafeteria. You're going to apologise like the nice boy I know you are and we're going to get you started on your rehab," Junghwan broke out slowly, "Okay, Hyuck?"

Donghyuck's warm, teary eyes fluttered over to you before he reluctantly nodded, "Okay. Can you get me some chocolate milk please?"

You let a little sound reminiscent of a giggle through your lips, but Donghyuck hadn't noticed.

"Just this once," Junghwan teased, "Now, apologise."

He quickly left the room and you were left all alone with the boy that has kind-of slandered you just moments earlier.

Donghyuck was squinting at you, and you felt conscious, not knowing if his nice act was all that you thought- just an act. He tilted his head like a puppy, and you could admit that he was cute, "So, are you my noona?"

You grin, "You're not the only prodigy around here, Lee Donghyuck. I finished high school a year early so we're the same age."

He nodded slowly, "Impressive. I guess I'm sorry for the way I lashed out, then."

You took a seat at the chair beside his hospital bed (which was king-sized), "You don't have to be sorry. I understand. If I were in your position, I would be sceptical of me, but please learn to trust me. I know what I'm doing if I do say so myself."

"I'll warm up to you," he presses his lips together in a tight smile, "Hopefully."

"Hopefully."

-

Donghyuck's stay in the hospital after his knee surgery was only meant to be for a week, but considering he was now living alone since Mark had left to prepare for the tournament, no one could take care of him all the time and his family had lives too. That was why the hospital, the club and Donghyuck all agreed on Donghyuck staying for a little longer until he was off crutches and just in a brace, which could take maybe a month, and stronger.

To be fair, Donghyuck had everything in that hospital room. He had WiFi, he had a king-sized bed, he had 24-hour medical care at the press of a button and a 24-hour food supply, even if it was sub-par, bland hospital food. His hospital suite, funded by the club, was twice as big as his room in the apartment he shared with Mark, and it was a lot cleaner.

On the fourth day that you got to the hospital, Junghwan ran a little behind and asked you to walk with Hyuck for a little while around the hospital. However, when you arrived, you quickly picked up on the various voices emitting noise outside his door- he must have had guests.

Reluctantly, you rapped at the door and entered, seeing 3 people in the room.

"Oh, Y/N! I was just telling them about you," Donghyuck greeted you, gesturing to the 3 boys, "These are Jeno, Jaemin and Renjun."

"Hi, I'm Y/N," you smiled politely, "Donghyuck if you're busy I can come back later?"

"No, no. It's fine. Where's Junghwan-hyung?" Donghyuck asked.

"He's running a little late but he asked me to take you on a walk around the hospital or something."

The one you thought was Renjun giggled, "You're like a dog, Hyuck."

"Jaemin, get me my crutches. I'm going to beat Renjun up with them," Donghyuck deadpanned before turning to you, "Yeah, let's go. Let's all walk to the cafeteria; I'm starving."

Jaemin handed the crutches over to Donghyuck as Renjun recoiled away, in fear of just in case Donghyuck would actually hit him (he wouldn't put it past him). You turned to the unfamiliar boy beside you; you hadn't heard his name up to now. You hadn't met Na Jaemin before but Junghwan had noted before who he was.

"Are you a footballer too?" you smiled towards the boy.

"Yeah, I also used to play for NCT FC in the youth squads, but I'm over in Germany with Jaemin these days," Renjun said proudly, "I'm also Chinese, by the way, but I grew up here."

"Your Korean is amazing," you complimented as Donghyuck began hobbling out of the door, "Donghyuck stop putting so much pressure on your other leg. Your injured leg can still hold some of you and use the crutches properly please."

He turned back to you, squinted his eyes and stuck his tongue out at you before huffing and following your orders.

"Y/N, you must be so smart," Jaemin grinned at you, appearing on your other side while Jeno walked up ahead, "Finishing high school a year early and being at university already. We're all the same age here."

"You seem even smarter because Jaemin is failing all of his classes right now," Renjun snorted.

"Hey! It's really hard getting your high school diploma while playing for a huge team abroad and learning German too," Jaemin whined, "We can't all speak a billion languages! Hyuck dropped out of high school ages ago- at least I tried!"

"He did?" you murmured.

"It's not like he needs it," Renjun shrugged, "He'll get a trillion-dollar transfer offer soon, I think. What happens to us if we fail? I mean, I know me and Nana got scouted but there's always that possibility. With Hyuck, it was all or nothing and we couldn't talk him out of it."

"Is there anywhere he wants to go especially?" you asked, curious to know more about the boy you were gonna help treat for the next few months. Donghyuck seemed oblivious, having a loud, animated conversation with Jeno up ahead.

"If it was his choice, and the best choice for his career, he'd stay," Jaemin answered, "But Europe is where the money's at. Donghyuck doesn't even care about money, but people are willing to pay big money for him and eventually, the club will have to do it. The club's a business at the end of the day. I'd love to have him at Dortmund, but they don't do big money moves; they only ever receive the big money."

"I'd like to think he'll enjoy it in England," Renjun added, "Or Spain, actually. Maybe with Taeyong-hyung at Madrid."

"I don't think he'd ever leave Mark though. It's probably a clause in his contract that Mark has to come with him if any club wants him," Jaemin continued, "But Mark and Hyuck are electric together. Clubs probably would want them both."

"I haven't met Mark," you smiled fondly at how much Hyuck raved about his best friend, "But I feel like I have."

"Yah, you three are so slow," Donghyuck stopped and whined, "What are you even gossiping about?"

"You," Jaemin quipped, "I'm telling Y/N about that time when we went to Jeju and you-"

Donghyuck made the motion to swing snd throw his crutches and Jaemin yelled out and cowered away.

"Don't. You. Dare." Donghyuck threatened through gritted teeth, "Ya, Y/N come in the elevator with me. The rest of you- wait until it comes again or take the stairs."

The three boys groaned in protest and began talking at once, to which Donghyuck shushed them firmly before beckoning you into the open elevator and waiting for the lift to close.

You looked at him, puzzled, "We all could have fit."

"I know," he smirked, "Do you find either of them attractive? Nana and Renjun? They've taken a liking to you it seems."

Your face contorted into a mix between confusion and bewilderment, "We've had 1 conversation together!"

"Yeah but girls like Nana a lot," Donghyuck shrugged, "Nana's flirty and Renjun has some weird spell he casts over girls. But don't do it- they live so far and the time difference is hard to keep up with. We can barely hold proper conversations."

"I'm not about to date your teammates right now, Donghyuck," rolling your eyes in humour.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" he pressed.

"Well, no, but-"

"Then be careful. Na Jaemin is lethal," he snarled jokingly, "They might be around a lot this summer. Nana and Renjun and Jeno chose not to go anywhere this summer, even before I got injured. They might've gone over to Russia to catch a few games, but other than that, those losers wanted to come home and kick it back here in Seoul. Wouldn't put it past them to be kicking a ball about in a random park somewhere on sunny days. Anyway, do you know when hyung is gonna be here and what we're gonna do?"

"He said he was gonna run an hour late," you shrugged, "And I think just your basic stretches and practising walking like now to get your strength back up, which is the main thing."

He sighed as the elevator doors parted, "It's gonna be a long summer, Y/N-ah."

-

Donghyuck wasn't having one of his better days. Today, he was groaning and non-compliant and whiny. You guessed that it was because you were progressing into the next phase- walking without the support of crutches around 2 weeks after the surgery.

"It hurts," he hissed, throwing himself onto his bed, "I don't want to do this anymore."

Junghwan patted him on the back as he sat back up, "I know Hyuck, but we really need you off the crutches. I know you're strong enough too. Do you want to break up for lunch now?"

You glanced up to the clock that read about half-past 12. Usually, Donghyuck got hungry around 1, so it wasn't such a strange time. The footballer sighed and nodded, "Are we going out for lunch today again?"

Junghwan chuckled, "You're complaining about exercising and doing your stretches to get off your crutches yet you'd go out for lunch?"

"But food," Donghyuck humphed, "The temporary pain it'll bring me to walk to the car and to the restaurant will be alleviated by the food. But I guess you could go grab the lunch and we could eat here?"

"I'm not your personal assistant Donghyuck," Junghwan caught his glance to you, "And neither is Y/N. I'll go get lunch for us, but I'm picking. No fighting kids."

You bid a quick goodbye to Junghwan, offering him some money to which he refused and then you were suddenly left in a silent room with the boy.

"Did you watch the match against Sweden last night?" Donghyuck began, readjusting himself on his bed so that he was sat up with the top half of the bed supporting him.

"Yeah, it was a good game."

You still veered on the fence of cautious around Donghyuck about the World Cup, because you still hadn't fully gauged his feelings about not being there. It was obvious that he had been upset about it primarily, but you weren't sure if he had yet accepted it and taken it in his stride to get better and just focus on that while supporting them. He seemed in fine spirits anyway, other than the newfound stress that his knee was undergoing.

"Oh c'mon Y/N," he rolled his eyes playfully, "I know you like football. I heard from Junghwan that the physio students could choose which sport they wanted to intern with this summer."

You laughed, relaxing in your seat, "Taeyong did score a really good goal, I must admit."

"I bet we're going to beat Germany," he chided, "Imagine how amazing it would feel to beat the current World Cup winners. I FaceTimed Mark in the dressing room after the game and they're so pumped up! Coach is happy with the 2-0 win."

"Johnny made really good saves last night to keep that clean sheet," you nodded, recalling how the goalkeeper had saved a penalty that one of the centre-backs clumsily gave away.

"To think he almost played for America," Donghyuck chided as he crossed his arms, "He wouldn't have half the talent in the team with him. Anyway, did you see how angry Jaehyun-hyung got when Rowoon-hyung made that tackle against the other team?"

"It was kind of scary, but at least Johnny's a great keeper," you recalled, "Rowoon doesn't play for NCT FC right?"

"He plays for a different club in Spain. I can't remember which," he shrugged.

Over the past 2 weeks, Donghyuck had warmed up to you as he had hoped, and you found that there wasn't a single flash of that boy that had snapped when you first came into the room. He was truly incredibly sweet and cheeky and determined to get back to playing, most of the time. He was still an 18-year-old boy, so you gave him some passes on a few tantrums, given that he was injured. Other than that, he made great company on your breaks and made nice conversation. He always asked you questions as if he was genuinely interested in what you learn and what you want to do. To be fair, he had told you that he stopped receiving proper full-time education by the time he was 15 to focus fully on his career, so he lived the university and high school life vicariously through the stories you told. You found it endearing- how not self-absorbed you originally were scared he might be.

"Y/N. Y/N. Y/N-ahhhhh," he whined, recapturing your drifting attention.

"Oh, I zoned out."

"Duh," he joked, "What do you think my prognosis is looking like?"

You chose your words carefully, "Well, I'm not a doctor, but I've sat in some of the meetings with the club and hospital doctors and physios-"

"And I wasn't invited?" he shrieked.

You shot him a pointed look, "We're probably talking at least 6 months out. It's not the severest case NCT FC has seen, but severe enough to constitute a surgery. You'll hopefully be back after the winter break."

Donghyuck winced, thinking about the ACL tear that kept Taeil out of the squad for a whole season in the first season that Donghyuck played with the first team, "Why does it feel like there's a but?"

"But it all depends on how hard you work for it," you sighed, "And how your body responds. It's under a lot of stress with all of this. It's your first major injury."

"I'm determined," he huffed, "There's nothing else I want more in the world than to be back out there. Football's my first love. Fuck the World Cup, fuck the league. I just want to know that I'll still be able to play in any capacity."

"Don't be dramatic, Donghyuck," you laughed, patting the cast, "You'll be okay."

He looked up to you with his large, glittering eyes as you towered above him after getting up from your chair, "I trust you."

His words sat a little funny in your stomach, but you just gave him a tight smile and prayed for Junghwan to return a little quicker.

-

You rubbed your eyes as your other hand reached up to the door to knock, "Donghyuck, it's Y/N," you called softly as you then pushed open the door.

He was fully off crutches now, but still in the hospital room for at least a week longer to ensure he was settled with the new phase of physical therapy. You didn't see him every day, though he did take up a large majority of the time you spent at your placement with NCT FC, considering he had the most serious injury. Even still, your placement was with the club and not with Lee Donghyuck, so you spent around 1 or 2 days a week at the club with the other physiotherapists and players, and 3 days assisting Junghwan with Donghyuck. Even Junghwan didn't see Donghyuck every day and just trusted that he followed the recommended exercises and instructions for rehabilitation.

Today was one of the days that Junghwan was at the club with the other players, but he had asked you to be with Donghyuck today to just monitor him as he could not come in a couple of days before.

You were surprised to walk into a dim room, with blinds drawn and no noise other than the air conditioning whirring. You frowned as usually by 9 AM, Donghyuck was bright and cheery and it was already 10:30 AM.

Donghyuck's top half was curled and cuddling a pillow adorably, but his bottom half remained straight and still, restricted by the thick brace hugging his knee. The duvet was pulled up to just above his nose and you could hear his deep breaths as you approached.

He looked really peaceful- really calm; a stark contrast to his stitched eyebrows and frustrated expressions as you and Junghwan continued to push him harder as per his rehabilitation plan. You hated to wake him up, but you gently gripped his shoulders and lightly shook, "Donghyuck, wake up. It's Y/N."

You repeated this a couple more times until he drew in a sharp breath and stirred. Light sleepy groans came out of his mouth as the duvet slipped past his chin. He continued shuffling before his eyes fluttered open, "Y/N? What are you doing here? Isn't it yours and Junghwan's day at the club?"

"You just have me today. I didn't come in the other day remember? On my other day at the club? So he asked me to come in today here instead of at the facility," you explained slowly as you watched him wake to consciousness.

"Yay," he smiled, still sleepy. You thought his messy hair and tired eyes were adorable.

"Why are you still asleep? I'm not saying you can't but usually, you're up and ready to go by the time we get here in the morning," you queried.

"Up all night until 3 or 4," he clicked a button on his remote that caused the bed to move upwards so he could sit up, "Match was at midnight, then Taeyong-hyung called me and I talked with everyone for a bit."

"Oh my God, I completely forgot. I was too tired to stay up and watch and I forgot to check the score this morning," you gasped, "How did we do?"

"Childsplay," a grin took over his face, "3-0 to us courtesy of a Jaehyun-hyung header, a tap-in from Mark and then a screamer from Jungwoo. You have to watch the highlights, Y/N! In fact, I'll get it up for you while I go brush my teeth and change."

Before you could even protest, Donghyuck had pulled his laptop from the bedside table, opened it and loaded up the match highlights. He looked up at you with those big, puppy-like brown eyes that you had gotten used to over the past few weeks, "Sit," he commanded, patting his bed while he whipped off the duvet and wiggled to get out.

He saw your hesitation and narrowed his eyes at you, "Don't get shy now, Y/N-ah. You're just sitting on my bed."

You hid the warmth rising to your cheeks and obeyed, taking the laptop from his grip as he got up and placing it on the bed as he walked to the toilet. He was right- it seemed like a great game from South Korea as you expected. The highlights not only showed the goals (it was indeed a screamer from Jungwoo into the top left corner) but also Johnny's phenomenal saves.

By the end of the 7 minutes of highlights, Donghyuck was freshly changed (when did he take his clothes out of his wardrobe?), with brushed teeth, a washed face and combed hair. You liked the messy hair anyway.

"What do you think?" he asked.

"I think that Germany has it cut out for them for the match in 4 days," you nodded, proudly, "Considering they lost their opening game, I think that South Korea has a really good chance of topping the group."

Donghyuck's bright smile blinded you, "I'm so proud of them. I knew this was our summer."

You held your breath, waiting for even the slightest of inclinations that sadness was about to overcome him, but that moment never came. Donghyuck puffed up his chest and carried the pride of his nation as he folded his laptop away and looked at you expectantly, "Let's go get breakfast in the canteen? Have you had breakfast?"

"Not yet," you uttered, still anticipating his smile to even drop.

But instead, he grinned wider and hooked his arm around yours, "Then let's go down!"

Lee Donghyuck was constantly surprising you with his sunshine personality and positive outlook despite this whole situation being the worst thing that's ever happened to him. You kind of admired him a lot for it.

When you opened the door, you were met with surprise as a giant loomed over you, with a fist raised that was about to knock.

"Oh," he said, also surprised, "Who are you?"

"Yukhei!," Donghyuck exclaimed, "You didn't tell me you were coming! And this is Y/N, Junghwan's student this summer. Haven't you seen her around the club?"

"I've been on vacation," he explained, "It's nice to meet you Y/N! I'm Lucas or Yukhei- your choice."

You smiled back and replied the same, looking him up and down and noting his muscly arms and tanned skin that indicated a few weeks out sunbathing on yachts and white sand beaches.

"We were about to go down for breakfast. Did you wanna come?"

"Oh I'm starving!" he grinned, "Hyuck, are you okay walking? Do you have to hold on to Y/N still while walking? Where are your crutches?"

Donghyuck visibly recoiled, slipping his arm from yours and sighed, "No, I'm off crutches now. I was just dragging Y/N to the canteen. Where did you go on vacation?"

"I spent a week visiting my family in Hong Kong then like a week in the Maldives with a few friends," Lucas replied, "It was really nice and so hot."

"Looks like it! Your tan looks so nice and I literally look like a raw pastry," Hyuck whined, "I need to get out more."

"You're the one that doesn't wanna go on our walks outside and would rather do laps around the hospital corridors," you teased.

He sneered playfully, "But it's hot!"

"You're stupid," Lucas nudged him softly as you packed into the elevator.

Eventually, the three of you found yourselves in the familiar canteen, where Donghyuck sat himself down on an inconspicuous table neither in the middle nor too close to the door. You usually got the meals both for him and for you, just because Donghyuck found the queue clunky and awkward with his large cast and one time, a kid had quite literally crashed into Donghyuck excitedly and caused a crash that sent apples and bread flying everywhere.

"Do you get his breakfast for him?" Lucas asked you, "I'll get food with you."

You indicated to Donghyuck that you were going to get the food and he just made a noise of acknowledgement before dropping his head onto the table.

Lucas grabbed a tray and walked a half step behind, "Did Hyuck say you're working with Junghwan? So you're the resident physio student this year?"

"Yeah- I study sports medicine with a focus on rehabilitation and physical therapy. I was always gonna be at NCT FC this summer, but it just made the summer all the more interesting working with Junghwan on an ACL recovery case. Obviously, I'm not glad it happened to him," you nodded, grabbing items off the food shelves.

"No, I get you. That's pretty beneficial to you, but obviously not to Hyuck. Do you come by the club?" he was a pretty conversational guy, even when scanning the breakfast items with focus.

"Usually twice a week, so I'll see you there when you train?"

"Of course. You can come and get lunch with me at the club too; I'll treat you," he grinned, making your face heat up from his tone, "I'll never complain having lunch with a pretty and intelligent girl."

You were back by the table by the time he had finished his sentence. Donghyuck had found the strength in him to lift his face from the cream table and was now sitting with a scowl on his face.

"She's here with us to learn and gain experience this summer, Yukhei," Donghyuck stated. You couldn't place the tone of his voice- whether he was serious or not, "Not get a boyfriend."

"Hey," Lucas smirked, "There's no harm in making friends, Hyuck. You should try it sometime."

"I have plenty of friends," Donghyuck huffed, stabbing his spoon into the porridge you had bought him, "Thanks Y/N."

You didn't reply, dumbfounded by the slight tension in the air between the two.

Thankfully, it didn't carry on for much longer after you moved the conversation to the matches they had watched during the World Cup. The two were obviously in their comfort zone talking about football- so much so that any tension dissipated almost instantly once Lucas started talking about France and Croatia and Belgium looking strong.

Eventually, after the three of you returned to Donghyuck's suite, Lucas excused himself to head to training for the first time after his vacation. Donghyuck had pouted, wishing to be back at the training grounds, but you had reminded him that he was going to return to the training grounds the following day to start sport-focused rehabilitation.

"Do you like Lucas?" Donghyuck had asked you once the tall boy had left.

"Are you going to ask me if I'm going to fall in love with your friends every time I meet one of them?" you rebounded, "I just met the guy."

"Lucas' effect on girls is like Jaemin's but on crack," Donghyuck snorted, "Have you seen the guy?"

"Okay, so you date him then. So what if I get lunch with Lucas and get closer to him?"

"You can't date him," he huffed. Donghyuck pouted often; you were used to it by now.

"Why not?"

"So you want to?"

"I didn't say that. But why not? Or any of your teammates. I don't officially work for the club. I'm only here this summer."

"But you're mine," he whined.

Now that knocked the wind out of you. What did he just say? Your pupils were dilated and your cheeks pink as you took in what he said.

Donghyuck coughed, then scrambled to correct himself, "I mean, you're my physiotherapist. Well, you spend the most time with me and what if you fall in love with one of my friends and you won't care about me and you won't help me get better."

You interrupted your silence with a light chuckle, "My main focus this summer is helping Junghwan, so that includes helping you. And you know I'm not doing much for you like Junghwan and the doctors and other health professionals are. I'm just here to remind you to stretch and walk and force you to not give up."

He crossed his arms, "But without you, I wouldn't do those things."

You nudged him playfully, "You've got me all summer long, Hyuck."

-

You couldn't believe you were doing this. Not at all. Sure, no rules were broken by the simple act of you standing on the doormat outside of Donghyuck and Mark's apartment, but it still felt wrong.

"You're here!" Jaemin exclaimed loudly as the door swung open. He took the drinks from your hands and ushered you in.

Even from down the corridor when you exited the elevator you could hear the ruckus in the apartment. It wasn't a surprise that 6 boys packed together in a small apartment were noisy and excitable. After all, South Korea were playing the current World Cup champions.

"Y/N!" they all exclaimed in unison. You sat on the space Donghyuck had patted and motioned for you to sit in- right beside him.

"Oh, this is Chenle and Jisung. They're babies," Donghyuck pointed at the two younger boys that you hadn't met yet.

"I've met them at the club," you reminded him, saying hi to the boys, "What's with him?" you nodded over to Renjun who was pouting with his arms crossed, watching the pre-match commentary.

"He's still deciding who to support. He's not Korean and he doesn't play in Korea but he plays in Germany and he plays with a bunch of the German players, like Reus," Jeno explained from the other side of you.

"You're a traitor if you support Germany," Jisung jabbed playfully.

Renjun let out a long groan and threw a pillow at the pink-haired boy, "I just won't be on either team. If only China qualified."

"And who's fault is that?" Jaemin snorted.

"Hey, at least we actually play for the national team!" Chenle cried out, huffing and pouting like his countryman.

China didn't hadn't had the greatest reputation in terms of international football- at least not in the last few years. It was definitely still a lot more hopeful more recently, with a sudden sprout of young and talented players being cultivated abroad.

"Shut up! It's starting!" Hyuck yelled, silencing the room as you all watched the players walk out of the tunnel.

Donghyuck had invited you over to watch the match with him and his friends, though the invitation was encouraged by his friends who had taken a liking to you at the training grounds. You had almost declined, given that the match was at 11 PM and would go on late into the night, but you didn't have any other plans and were most likely going to watch alone, so you accepted and offered to buy drinks.

"Taeyong-hyung looks nervous," Jeno noted, examining the tight expression on the national team captain's sharp features.

"They're all nervous," Donghyuck added, "Germany got to the semi-finals at the Euros and they're still a strong team no matter what."

"So are we," Jaemin exhaled.

You could sense how the nervousness in the players' faces reflected onto the expressions of the boys in the room with you. How could it not? These people they were watching play were their best friends, colleagues, brothers, captains and teammates.

You weren't going to lie; your stomach was churning.

The whole match was tense, for you and the boys and the players on the field. It was surprising, though- Germany just couldn't get the ball in the back of the net. Header after header and volley after volley, the ball just wouldn't slip past Johnny Suh, who caught, punched and kicked every ball away. You could practically hear the whole nation crying out in relief every time he dived and slapped away the ball. Even though Germany were tall, they were no match for Johnny.

You knew the Korean team were great- you watched them so often, but you hadn't had the chance to see them in action against the big European sides before since they more often played their games with the AFC nations, so you weren't sure where to place them in world standings. Of course, you wanted them to win and of course, you wanted to feel the pride surging in you for a few games more, but you were nervous coming into the game.

"What happens if we lose?" Jeno had gulped in the 90th minute, seeing the heaps of extra time added on, "We still go through, right?"

"Yeah, but it's just that we have to play Brazil next since we'll go through as second place. It's ideal to win so we can play Switzerland instead in the round of 16," Jaemin explained, "I'm nervous."

"Quiet," Donghyuck's voice was commandeering as he watched Mark line up the ball at the corner flag and look up to scope his prospects.

You all watched eagerly. It was as if everyone sensed something was going to happen. That's what it felt like. It was the 92nd minute- 2 minutes into extra time, but you still felt like the game had a lot more to give. It wasn't going to end in a draw- you knew that much.

And in a flash of the sound of the ball being kicked and another thud of the ball hitting a skull, you blinked and opened your eyes to the ball in the back of the net and the 6 boys around you screaming and jumping. You were frozen to your seat as Donghyuck grabbed your arm and shook it- he couldn't quite jump with the boys with the restriction around his knee.

Jaehyun had started running, arms spread towards the Korean end of the stands, but he had been halted by a flag being raised and an uproar of boos by the Korean fans.

"What's happening? Jisung cried out desperately.

"The ref's motioning to check VAR," Renjun furrowed his eyebrows, "It might've been offside."

The boys started groaning, calling out profanities towards the situation as the incident of Jaehyun's flick from Mark's corner replayed with a focus on the ball's course to Jaehyun's feet at the far end of the post.

You all watched in anticipation as you watched the replay. It was as clear as day that the ball struck the floor and hit Niklas Süle's feet before it ended up miraculously at Jaehyun. All Jaehyun had to do was adjust and kick it past Manuel Neuer, who was too close to Jaehyun to adequately save it. The referee blew his whistle, indicating that he indeed was awarding the goal to South Korea, and the players all rushed onto the field, including all those on the bench. The 6 of you celebrated like Jaehyun had just scored again and the adrenaline was pumping through intensely.

"Oh my God, they're going through to the round of 16!" you exclaimed, "Oh my God!"

"They deserve this so much," Jeno smiled emotionally. Even Renjun seemed like his heart was gonna burst from pride, watching the boys who raised him celebrate like that.

But it wasn't over. Germany was desperate. They were bullying the South Korean's off the ball, and aggressively making half-hearted attempts at shooting, to no avail. They were never going to score that way- it was too angry the way they played.

By the 96th minute, just as the match was about to end, Manuel Neuer took his sweeper-keeper role to the extreme and dashed past the halfway line. He was playing as a midfielder- not even a defender! What was unfortunate for Germany was that Kim Doyoung caught wind of this and launched the ball at his feet all the way forwards to end up in front of Lee Taeyong. The defender guarding Taeyong cursed everyone and their families in his head as he knew that he could never match the speed of the blonde-haired boy. With a casual side knock, the ball hit the back of the net and the Korean players had collapsed onto the ground and were thanking the heavens. The referee eventually put Germany out of their misery and blew the whistle.

The 6 of you were celebrating as if South Korea had won the whole tournament, but this was enough. The non-European and non-Americas teams rarely made it out of the group stage, and South Korea hadn't been great since 3 tournaments ago when they placed 4th in 2002. Korea were the underdogs to the whole world after it was revealed they were in a group with Germany, but the team just proved the whole world wrong and made their entire country proud.

"I can't believe this," Donghyuck had said in awe beside you, "I'm so happy."

The camera panned to Mark sat cross-legged on the floor, looking up at the fans in the stadium. Johnny had approached, hugging the boy and chucking him a red jersey. Mark spread it and found the nearest camera and screamed, "Donghyuck, that was for you!" while holding up a jersey with Donghyuck's name and number.

And Donghyuck started bawling.

-

Jaemin eyed the door nervously and warily. He handed you the cup of warm hot chocolate and nudged you, "I think you should talk to him."

"Me? You're his best friend," you were confused why you were being sent out to talk to the inconsolable boy.

"We're all footballers, Y/N. I'd feel exactly how he'd feel if that were me. He needs an outsider perspective. And you're good with making him feel better," Jaemin sighed, "Please?"

You hesitated, staring down at the flurries of steam escaping the mug, "Okay."

It was around 1:30 AM, and after Mark's gesture, Donghyuck had excused himself to the balcony to continue crying. The 5 of you had sat dumbfounded and confused, not knowing how to interpret his reaction. Was he happy? Sad? Angry? The TV was left running with the post-match commentary as you all settled your emotions after the game. Jaemin had taken the initiative to make hot chocolates for everyone.

"Here," he handed you another mug, but for yourself this time.

The balcony door was slightly ajar, but far enough from the living room that Hyuck probably hadn't heard you speak.

"Hyuck? Can I join you?" you asked softly, leaning against the glass.

You heard strong sniffles and his sleeves rubbing at his eyes as he made a sound of acknowledgement that you took as permission. You nudged his arm with the hot chocolate and he took it without a sound, still not meeting your eyes. The streets of Seoul were lit up, and you could see far into the cityscape. This was unusual for 1:30 AM, but South Korea had just beaten Germany in the world cup a few time zones and a flight to Russia away.

"How are you feeling? What's on your mind?" you uttered cautiously, not wanting to upset the boy more.

"That I should be there with them," he stated, "God, it sounds so cocky but-"

"No, you deserved it, Hyuck," you cut in, "You deserved to be there. You deserve to be winning with them."

"I didn't ask Mark to do that, you know? I didn't even know they made World Cup team shirts for me. They're printed there, not before, so..."

"I wish you could've made it there, Hyuck. They do too," you sipped on your hot chocolate, "You're still young though. You have at least 2 or 3 more world cups in you."

"I know, I know," he sighed, "But after the season I just had? I wanted to keep that momentum going for the rest of my career, but this stupid goddamn injury just knocked me ten steps back from the 1 step I made forward."

You weren't sure what to say, but you just let out a sigh to match his, "I'm really sorry, Hyuck. But I just hope you know you have your friends inside there to support you. And me too."

He finally met your eyes and your heart melted at his glassy gaze, "Thank you for being there for me, Y/N. I know we've only known each other for a couple of weeks, but thank you."

"Friendships can be built in hours, Hyuck. A couple of weeks can be a lifetime," you chuckled, "But no worries. I'm here to take care of your health physically and mentally too."

"You smartie," he finally cracked a smile, before uttering a sentence that completely caught you offguard, "You're so pretty too, you know that right?"

Your eyes widened slightly as you stuttered to find the right words to say, "Hyuck!"

"I'm just being honest," he shrugged, "And honestly, i'm really glad you're here right now."

He was now staring straight into your eyes, gaze soft and all guards down. Your eyes flickered away from his, landing on his lips, and it seemed he had the same idea.

Donghyuck stepped closer, one feet and then two until he was stood right in front of you. He was in closer proximity than ever before and you could feel your heart beating intensely inside your chest.

"Donghyuck," you whispered, "What are you doing?"

His stare remained on your parted lips, "Will you let me, Y/N?"

"I don't know if you're in the right mind. I want you to be sure."

He exhaled, his breath fanning over your lips so that you could almost taste him, "For the first time this summer, my mind has never been as clear."

You gripped the mug between you tighter as your eyes fluttered closed and as Donghyuck pressed his lips to yours in front of the glittering Seoul landscape.

-

You hadn't seen Donghyuck in 2 days. As the Korea-Germany match ended late at night and Korea had won, the club gave everyone the day off, which you greatly appreciated with the headache that woke you up on Donghyuck's couch. After waking up that morning, you had dashed out to avoid any awkward conversations in case he woke up. Donghyuck and Jaemin and Chenle had slept cuddled up in his bed, while the other 3 crammed into Mark's room. They had a comfortable sofa bed, which they let you take by yourself.

But it was the day after and you knew that you were going to see him eventually. You were one of the first people that arrived to the training grounds bright and early, and met Junghwan in the rehabilitation room.

"Hi Y/N! Did you enjoy watching the match?" he smiled over at you. Junghwan had been a great mentor all summer.

"I did, thank you! That was a crazy game. Actually, Donghyuck and the boys invited me to watch the game with them so I went over and we watched together," you admitted shyly, "Is that okay?"

He laughed, "Y/N, you're only a student on placement here for the summer. You don't work for the club so date them all if you want. Even still, that's not forbidden so don't worry."

"That's not what I meant," you grumbled playfully, helping set up the room, "What's the plan for today?"

"We're going to hold a meeting with Hyuck today to review his rehabilitation plan as he finishes his 3rd week," he told you, "There shouldn't be any major changes to his plan currently, but we need to set out the future."

"Usually around 6 weeks that he has full range of movement right? And you can start doing drills again?"

"Good job for doing your research," he complimented, "Yeah, that's the plan. He's only here at the training ground because I know he misses the company of his teammates and there's a larger place to walk about."

"What time is he coming?" you were a bit nervous seeing him since you hadn't talked to him since he told you goodnight. You were too scared to text him and weren't even sure what you would have said.

Junghwan looked at his watch, "He's late, as usual. He's probably out in the changing rooms with the boys. Can you wanna go wait outside for them until they come out to start training and drag Hyuck by his collar? Shouldn't be too long."

You gulped, but nodded. You were determined Junghwan not find out anything that you and Hyuck had gotten up to, or will get up to, but you were doubtful anything more would happen. You were still unsure about the incident on the balcony. He wasn't drunk, but maybe his mind was cloudy and emotional after what Mark did. At the same time, he assured you his head was clear so did that mean that he really wanted to kiss you?

The NCT FC training grounds were as lavish as their stadium. State of the art, top facility with everything a player needed and wanted, down to a cinema room to watch football matches, but also films. You navigated to the communal area outside of the most commonly used changing room for the first team (there were multiple) and Junghwan's theory seemed to be correct judging from the noise coming from the other side of the door.

You waited patiently and nervously, not sure what you were going to say to Donghyuck, but choosing to stay professional on the training ground and talking about it some other time.

The boys eventually began filing out, and you found out from Kun that Donghyuck was indeed inside. The boys that came out all greeted you good morning as you became familiar with them over the time you spent at the grounds. Some of them even stopped to chat about the World Cup, but eventually, Donghyuck and the boys came out last.

"Y/N-ah, good morning! Why didn't you stay for breakfast?" Jeno pouted.

"I was called away by my family," you lied, "Sorry about that!"

"We should do it again," Renjun smiled.

Renjun and Jaemin were hanging around the NCT FC football grounds after being given permission by Borussia Dortmund. They were given the summer off until after the World Cup final, but the two still wanted to be around with their former teammates and friends. Somedays they participated (they weren't allowed in team tactical meetings though), and some days they remained at the edges, accompanying each other and waiting for the players' breaks.

Donghyuck lagged behind the group and smiled softly at you when you made eye contact. You were guessing that the boys didn't know what happened, or else they might've mentioned it or at least insinuated to the situation as a means of teasing by now.

"Hyuck, you're late for our meeting," you told him.

He rolled his eyes playfully, "Junghwan expected it. Plus, it's so early, but fine. Let's go. See you later."

He had said goodbye to the boys, who veered off into a different direction onto the pitch to start warming up, leaving you alone with Hyuck.

"How's your knee?" you asked cautiously.

"Fine, I just want the brace off," Hyuck answered, walking beside you to the room.

"Well, Junghwan suggests to only have it on for a few weeks longer, so it'll be soon," you shrugged, "And to be honest, studi-"

"Do you want to get lunch with me?" he interrupted, "Sorry for cutting in but I'm kind of going crazy, Y/N. We should talk."

You avoided his stare, "Yeah. Here or outside?"

"Let's get lunch out. Anywhere you want to take me," he commanded as you neared the door to the rehab room.

You nodded, a sudden wave of nervousness and butterflies overcoming you.

-

The drive to a nearby cafe and brunch spot was quiet but comfortable with Hyuck choosing to rest his head ok the window of the passenger seat while looking out. It was only a few minutes drive, but you didn't want to lose time walking over.

The two of you quickly found a corner table away from the busy centre of the café and ordered your food before sitting down.

"I meant it, you know? When I said my mind was clear as day?" Hyuck reassured you. It was strange- you hadn't seen him as serious like this, "And don't tell me you didn't like it- you kissed me back after."

You blushed at the memory. After Donghyuck planted his lips on yours, and you were initially too frozen to move in response, the boy had begun pulling away, but you captured his lips between yours before he could even part multiple inches away. The two of you kissed for what felt like an eternity on that balcony.

"I just want to make sure you were in the right headspace. I knew you were vulnerable."

"I wanted it to happen so badly, Y/N," he pressed on, "Don't worry."

"So what now? I mean, you're not obliged to anything. People kiss all the time in the heat of the situation-"

You were rambling and cut off by Hyuck's adorable giggles, "Y/N, it's okay. I like you. But we should do it all over again properly. Will you let me take you on a proper date? When this cast is off in a week's time?"

You looked down at the coffee in your hands. You cannot believe that Lee Donghyuck, Korea's superstar, was asking you on a date. But to you, right now, it just seemed as if Donghyuck was an ordinary guy with extraordinary talent.

"Of course, Hyuck."

He had smiled at you brightly- that famous smile that everyone in the nation adored. That famous smile he cracked every time he scored a goal, melting every household in the country. But he was smiling at you.

"Don't get shy around me, Y/N. I know you're not that shy," he giggled, "Did my luscious lips cast a spell on you or something?"

You rolled your eyes, cutting through the food in front of you, "Just eat, Hyuck."

"I like it when you call me Hyuck," he said nonchalantly, "You call me Donghyuck more often."

"I never know if I'm allowed to use it."

"It's just my nickname, Y/N. Everyone used it and you can too," he affirmed, "You think too much."

"And you're so impulsive," you jabbed.

"We balance each other out then," he winked.

The two of you ate your food in silence caused by your hunger and utter focus on the food in front of you, until you broke the silence.

"Do the boys know? About what happened?"

"No, I didn't want to tell them without your permission. And we can keep it between us for now if you like. Sneaking is fun!"

"Just for now," you nodded.

It wasn't that you didn't want the boys to know, but you just wanted to be more sure of the situation yourself first. Was it going anywhere? Would it work?

You gazed at the boy in front of you, happily eating his food. You enjoyed his company and you admired his strength and drive. He was funny and caring towards his friends, but was still in touch with his emotions to show weakness, which you considered an act of strength yourself. He was genuine on and off the pitch (from the replays of matches you had seen anyway) and Donghyuck seemed like a great guy. He had been confusing your feelings accidentally with his slightly flirtatious nature and these tiny incidents and phrases had you all the more falling for him. You asserted that if you didn't want to and didn't have a reason to kiss him on that balcony, you wouldn't have. But you did, and that said it all.

-

South Korea bowed out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals, beaten by a solid England side. They had made it past Switzerland easily in the round of 16, and gave the quarter-finals their best shot. This year, it wasn't meant to be. Still, they had gone further than anyone had anticipated and through this made their nation so, so proud. Upon arrival at Incheon, they were met with whoops and screams and just pure pride.

The training ground was waiting in anticipation for the team to arrive, with the outdoor area prepped with tables and tables of food and rewards. All of the players were coming straight to the training grounds from the airport to celebrate for lunch, even those that didn't play for NCT FC.

You had been invited, of course, since you had been spending the summer with the team and were a part of the club for the summer. Hyuck was beside you, with Renjun to the other side of you.

Donghyuck, who was cast free (and still date-less), was bouncing his leg up and down nervously. It was going to be hard to see the team, but he also missed them even if it was only a month or so. He had confided in you when Korea lost that this was the time he wished that he had been there. You never know what he could've done and it wasn't for certain he would have helped Korea through, but it was the fact that he couldn't do anything that pained him and made him feel helpless.

"Hyuck, are you okay?" you touched his arm in concern, which halted his bouncing legs.

He dropped his head onto your shoulder, "Mark texted me that they're pulling up. I'm scared to see them. I haven't seen Taeyong-hyung and Jungwoo-hyung and coach in so long either."

"It's okay, Hyuck. They're still the same people," you patted him.

You heard a sudden surge of noise and an increase in footsteps. Suddenly, everyone began cheering and clapping on their feet, prompting you and Hyuck to do the same. They didn't have a trophy in their hands, nor a medal around their necks, but it felt like they did in the way everyone was cheering. They had done something so memorable at the World Cup that was now ingrained in the memories of young and old Koreans alike.

Suddenly, you heard a yell rip through the cheering, "Donghyuck-ah!"

And came bounding towards you, was Mark Lee, who engulfed his best friend into the tightest, but still careful, hug.

"Aish, Mark, you act like we're lovers seeing each other after the war," Donghyuck grumbled, but it was blatantly obvious that he missed his best friend too.

"Shut up. Here, I brought this for you," Mark handed over a plastic bag. Donghyuck slipped out a stack of red jerseys- 5 of them in fact. Each one had his name on the back and the game and date for which the jerseys were made.

Donghyuck gawked, then closed his mouth before looking up at Mark, "Thank you. I appreciate it."

"You should talk to coach later. I think he wants to talk to you," Mark advised before noticing your presence and turning to you, "Hi! You're Y/N! It's so great to finally meet you."

Before you knew it, you were being engulfed by the midfielder into a hug. He seemed so friendly and the perfect complement to Donghyuck.

"And you as well. We haven't spoken but it feels like I already know you," you chuckled. Donghyuck liked to talk about his best friend and roommate a lot.

"Likewise, Y/N. Thanks for everything that you do for Hyuck. Hopefully he's back on the pitch soon," Mark smiled, taking a seat across Donghyuck after greeting the other boys at the table.

"Donghyuck-ie," the ice-blond boy you had seen tearing up the pitch on TV was now stood in front of you with a smile.

"Hyung," Donghyuck whimpered, tackling his former captain in a hug, "You did so well, hyung."

"Thank you, Hyuck. Next time, you'll be there with us," Taeyong squeezed him before letting go, "Yuta's not here yet, is he?"

"Still on vacation in Japan. When do you go back to Madrid? I think you'll be able to catch him," Hyuck replied.

"In a week, so I think so too."

Taeyong and Yuta were best friends- the first versions of Mark and Haechan. After being scouted, they trained together in the youth academy after Yuta moved from Japan and broke into the reserves and first team together. Taeyong and Yuta eventually became captain and vice-captain of NCT FC for a long period, until Taeyong was bought by Real Madrid the season prior.

"How's Madrid? You're doing so well. What's it like playing with Cristiano Ronaldo?" Renjun tugged at Taeyong's sleeve, also hugging him. Even though Renjun and Taeyong failed to play often together, Taeyong had adopted a mother-like role towards everyone in the club, including the B-team reserves.

"He's good- a real world-class player mentality. Don't tell anyone though, but he's leaving Madrid this summer and is going to sign a contract in a few days," Taeyong teased, "Don't tell anyone!"

The group of you laughed at his serious order and nodded. Taeyong was living the life in Madrid, but he admitted that he really missed everyone at the club and missed home a lot. It wasn't easy going home to Korea often since Madrid was so far.

Donghyuck introduced you to the rest of the team that you hadn't met yet, including Jungwoo who played abroad but also came from NCT FC. You met Johnny, and was in even more awe of how big of a presence he had since he was so tall. You had guessed anyway from the way he commandeered the goal and box. Jaehyun was as nice as you expected him to be- a real gentleman- and Doyoung had the same motherly vibe as Taeyong had. Taeil was one of the eldest, but was still so youthful at heart. You were glad to have met them, since they seemed like such incredible, humble players.

Eventually, you were led back to the original table so that you could eat and converse with Mark, who made himself comfortable catching up with Jaemin and Renjun especially.

"Aren't they nice? The hyungs?" Donghyuck smiled proudly to himself.

"I already knew how great this team was, but they just reinforced it. I can see why everyone wants to stay or come back or retire here," you said. This team really did seem like a family.

"I'm very proud of this team," Donghyuck stated, "Both NCT FC and the national team. It's okay, Y/N, I think I'm going to be able to move past all this."

You smiled gently, "I'm really happy for you."

-

"I can drive if you want," you offered for the 5th time as you approached his car.

"Y/N. I'm fine. I can drive. I don't have a knee brace anymore and I've driven a few times this week," he affirmed, getting into the driver's seat.

You slid into the passenger seat, crossing your arms after buckling the seatbelt, "You'll tell me if it's too much right? So we can swap?"

"You're too worried," he rolled his eyes jokingly, "For someone who's a physio student, you sure aren't up to date with what I can do at 6 weeks."

"It's not about timelines, it's about feelings," you grumbled as he set off.

"And i'm feeling okay," he grinned cheekily.

It was about 2 weeks after his cast was taken off, but this was the only date you were able to coordinate in your days off together. Hyuck had been pondering where to take you on your date for weeks, and he only just settled on an idea. The location wasn't even far, so you were worrying about nothing. He had been stressing what kind of vibe to go on- did you want to have an adventure, activity-filled date? Or a more laid-back chill one? Or somewhere in the middle?

The two of you continued in casual conversation on the drive there. You found out that he was from Jeju Island and was scouted at 11 to come and train at the NCT FC academy where he then lived since. His family remained in Jeju, so he considered those at the club his family in Seoul. He found out that you lived in England for a few years during your adolescence, but chose to come back to Seoul 4 years later to study at university. This then led to a laughing-fit inducing conversation that Hyuck tried to hold with you in just straight english. He wasn't bad, but he made everything he did humorous in order to brighten up the world.

Eventually, Donghyuck pulled up in the parking lot of a pretty, but relatively quiet park on the outskirts of the city. You both got out, and you lost sight of the footballer until you realised he had circled to the boot of the car and was now carrying a traditional woven picnic basket.

"We're having a picnic?" your heart melted; Donghyuck was so soft.

He grinned, "Yes, but not here. We have a little bit of walking to do."

Donghyuck then rested the basket on the crook of his arm and took your hand with the other. Every time he did this, it made you blush like crazy and you wondered if this boy would ever stop making you feel so flustered. Hyuck seemed to always just take your hand on instinct if he was taking you somewhere. It was like it was so natural to him, but it always made your head spin. Maybe you were whipped for him.

Donghyuck led you through the main park and then got to the edge where there was a large wall of bushes. He followed the bush to the corner edge, where there was a narrow break in the bush that was easy to miss if you weren't looking. On the other side was another large field that stretched on further than the pristine park, but this time, the field was a little overgrown and the best part- it was blooming with flowers.

"This is so pretty," you gasped, "How did you find this?"

"One time, me and the boys were kicking a football about in the main park and then Chenle accidentally kicked the ball into here. I come here for peace because it's so pretty. C'mon, there's a river over there."

The two of you continued further down to the right where the ground sloped down and you could see a pristine stream splashing against the rocks. The grass shortened down and the slope flattened out to a perfect place to have a picnic.

Hyuck fished a large blanket out of the basket and laid it down before taking off his shoes and inviting you to do the same.

He was now sat cross-legged in front of you, eyes wide and expectant, "Do you like it? Is this okay?"

You squeezed his hand, "More than okay, Hyuck."

The two of you hadn't been alone together outside of the facility other than when you got coffee together once after training and you drove him home. It was nice to be able to spend time with each other and really determine how you felt and where you wanted this to go. You knew how you felt, but you were still cautious to fall in case he didn't reciprocate. Why wouldn't he though? He kissed you first and he asked you on a date and he was the one that made all the moves.

Donghyuck began dishing out the food and drinks in the basket and you noticed how he brought some of the snacks you said were your favourite.

"Do you miss them already? Nana and Renjun?" you asked.

"Not enough to willingly admit," he squinted at you, "But I do only get to see them once a year in the summer- twice if we meet up for the winter holidays. It would be so much easier if they were just in the same league or country or continent, even. Instead, they're a 15-hour flight away. But their best chance for their career is Dortmund- Dortmund develop young players into superstars, and I know that's what they will be."

You sighed in agreement. Jaemin and Renjun had left a few days earlier to return to Germany and restart their training. It had been an emotional goodbye between the boys when Nana and Renjun dropped by the training grounds with their rolling suitcases and a sad smile.

"It's a testament to your bond and friendship how close you remain even from afar," you said, "Real brotherhood."

"That's what 7 years of trauma being told to kick a ball rain or shine does for you," he snorted, passing you a small brownie, "I'm kidding. I love my job."

"Everywhere I go, everyone talks about how great you are- how you're Korea's future. Doesn't that get hard?" you were wary asking, but you wanted to know.

He sighed and glanced down to his knee that was now free from a cast but still not to full strength like before, "I never thought it could be hard. Sure, I have game days that I don't play my best- everyone does. But I knew that was normal so I never beat myself up about it. I've only been starting for a season and a half, but something in me always steps up for my club and country when they need it. This though?" he jabbed at the knee, "This has been the hardest thing I've ever gone through in my life. Any severe injury like this will always be. I don't want to be kept out of the squad for 6, 7, 8 months. I don't want this so-called rest that everyone's telling me about. The hardest part about this is that I can't play."

You stared at him in awe. Maybe it was because he was only 18 that the fire in his eyes was still lit up. Maybe the multiple years of fouls and defeat and failures hadn't overcome him yet, but you loved the way he talked about football like it was his first love- because it was. You were yet to find anyone else in any other profession to love their job this much.

"Why are you staring at me?" he broke out into the familiar whiny Donghyuck tone.

You giggled and leaned in close but not close enough to touch him or even feel his breath on your face, "I think you're so adorable."

Donghyuck felt a strong surge of bravery as he closed the gap between your faces and pecked your lips swiftly, "And I think you're beautiful."

You pulled away in a little daze, cheeks painted red like they had been so often since you met the boy, "Hyuck!"

"Do you not like it?" he pouted, sipping his drink and sulking. He knew the answer, but he loved having his ego stroked.

"I hate you," you mumbled as you leaned over again and captured his lips.

This time, Hyuck tightly wrapped both muscular arms around your waist and hoisted you from your cross-legged position to fall on top of him. Donghyuck leant back so the two of you were lying down on top of the blanket, lips attached and moving freely together.

"I really like you, Y/N-ah," he mumbled against your lips as the two of you caught your breath. You hummed in acknowledgement, parting his lips with yours once more until he pulled away, frowning, "I want to hear you say it. You haven't."

You chuckled at the boy, "I like you too, Hyuck. You know I do."

"Yeah, I do," he smirked, pressing his lips to yours for what wouldn't be the last time that day.

-

What ensued after your date was some of the most fun you'd had in a long time. While your relationship wasn't forbidden by a long shot, the both of you thought it would be fun to sneak around and act like teenagers (which you both were) in high school sneaking around their friends. It was just for the experience, but it was exhilarating.

The butterflies in your stomach fluttered whenever you'd catch Hyuck's knowing and teasing gazes at the training ground and your heart sped up uncontrollably when he'd pull you into a dark corner away from cameras to give you a peck and let you go before you passed him and parted your separate ways. On the days that you were working with him and the physiotherapists, Donghyuck's touches would linger just a few seconds longer and he was much more comfortable towards you observably. Even the boys didn't know because Donghyuck wondered how long he could keep such a big thing from them. Mark was definitely suspicious- Donghyuck knew that much- but it was hard to keep a secret when Donghyuck had a loud laugh that would ring out through the walls every night when Donghyuck would call you and you'd fall asleep on the phone together.

The secret touches and quick kisses were enough for you to go crazy and spiral down the hole of falling for Lee Donghyuck. While he hadn't asked you to be his girlfriend, you felt like it and you were content with what you had.

Soon enough, August rolls around and Donghyuck's training began intensifying 2 months after his surgery. He was doing much better and was at the gym of the facility more often doing weight training and exercises to keep his fitness up. Soon enough, he had been doing light jogging on the treadmill unassisted by a brace. He knew that he had a long way to go- he wouldn't return before 6 months as to not risk his knee. He surely wouldn't be able to play a full 90 at least until the seasons change and the year comes to a close, but he was taking it one day at a time. That's not to say that it wasn't frustrating that he hadn't so much as kicked a football in two months because, by God, it was the most frustrating thing that had happened to him, but he couldn't reverse time and instead just had to accept and look forward to healing.

Today, you were given the morning off to return to the university campus for some paperwork to do in order to start your second year, but you came in after lunch bright-eyed with an iced coffee in hand. You quickly learned that Junghwan didn't like iced coffee all that much and was very particular in how he took his coffee, so you left the coffee making to him for himself, and Hyuck got too jittery before crashing if he had a lot of caffeine in the afternoon.

"Hi," you furrowed your eyebrows in confusion as you saw Junghwan stood outside the clinic that was on the way to the gym where you usually met up with him and whoever he was taking care of at that present moment, "Is anyone hurt?"

Junghwan sighed deeply and pressed his lips into a thin line, "Donghyuck took a knock on his other leg earlier. It's not severe- it'll only set him back a week at most, but I think he's in shock. He doesn't want to talk to me, that little brat, but maybe you can try."

A chuckle replaced the shocked and worried expression on your face, but inside, your stomach was churning in hurt for the boy, "I'll try my best and see what I can get out of him."

Junghwan stepped aside and let you knock. You heard a low grumble of "Hyung, I said leave me alone!"

You called out, "It's Y/N, Hyuck."

You might've imagined the faint "oh" that escaped his lips, but you took his pure silence as permission to come in. He could always tell you to leave anyway.

When you walked in, Hyuck was curled up on the clinic bed, with his eyes closed and his breaths deep.

"Hyuck?"

"I'm sleeping."

"No you're not."

"Yes I am," he curled up tighter and faced the wall.

You sat on the edge of the bed, "What happened Donghyuck?"

"I don't want to talk about it," he mumbled into the pillow he was hugging, "Can't I just have a day off and rest?"

"That's what you're doing anyway," you teased, "I'm also here to help with your rehab, Hyuck, so I'd really like it if you told me what happened and how you're feeling."

He sighed and moved the pillow away from his face so that he wasn't muffled, but he still neglected to face you, "I was jogging and my other leg gave out. It's just strained because I've been putting all the pressure on the other leg while trying to keep pressure off my injured knee."

"It's not serious, Hyuck," you reached up and stroked his hair, "Are you okay though Emotionally?"

"When I felt the pain surge through, I thought I re-injured my knee- that I pushed it too far. I'm scared shitless of re-injury because that's what keeps players out for years, if not ending their career. I'm just recovering from the shock."

"You're okay, you're okay," you cooed, running your hands through his hair comfortingly.

He pouted, "Can I have a kiss?"

You chuckled, remembering that there were no cameras in the clinic to protect patient confidentiality. You leaned down and met his pouting lips with yours.

"Hyuck, we heard what happened. Oh my God are you oka- OH MY GOD!" five boys burst into the room, and were quickly halted to a stop by what was in front of them.

So much for keeping the secret.

Yukhei folded his arms and laughed, "Is this why you were so protective and jealous at the hospital when I visited?"

Mark, Chenle, Jeno and Jisung gawked, mouths agape.

"I suspected you had a girlfriend, but Y/N?" Mark uttered.

You moved away from Hyuck, your face resembling a tomato with the red reaching the tips of your ears, "It's not what it looks like."

"Are you sure? Cause it sure looks like you're ready to devour Donghyuck. Your hands were in his hair!" Jeno accused.

"You guys are nasty," Chenle scrunched up his face, "At the training facility? Really? On the clinic bed?"

"We weren't doing anything like that," Donghyuck launched a pillow at the Chinese boy, "You're the nasty one."

Jisung closed the door behind him and you prayed Junghwan wasn't still hanging around. While he said you could date the team, you didn't want to create a different dynamic than the perfect one you had already set up with Junghwan and Donghyuck as a trio.

"How long has it been?" Yukhei pressed on, completely intrigued by the situation. Sure, he thought you were pretty, but he had no problems backing off if you were taken.

"We kissed at the apartment when Y/N came around for the game against Germany," Donghyuck reluctantly admitted. You were still quiet and still flushed.

"So what you're saying is you have us to thank for inviting Y/N since your coward ass didn't want to," Jeno placed his hands on his hips and smirked, "Is this even allowed?"

Mark punched his arm, "We're not idols; we don't have a dating ban. Plus, Y/N's only here for the summer right? The rest of the month?"

You nodded slowly, trying to take in how casually they took it.

"Then it's fine," Mark affirmed, "Have you told hyung?"

Donghyuck looked past Mark as if Junghwan was stood on the other side of the door, "No. We'd prefer if no one did either. We just want to stay lowkey to maintain the environment we have already."

The boys nodded slowly before Chenle came to a realisation, "Wait! We literally forgot why we came here. Hyuck what happened?"

Donghyuck started laughing at their forgetfulness, "I'm fine, guys."

Sensing their concern for their best friend, you took it as an opportunity to leave and give the boys their own time. Junghwan hadn't been standing outside the door when you exited, so you made your way to the gym to see if he was there or if there was anyone that you could help. To your luck, Junghwan was already working with Jaehyun and seemed as if he had been there a while.

"How's the little drama queen?"

"He's fine. He just got a bit scared like you said and the boys are there now so they're sure to cheer him up. What's the plan looking like, then?"

"Well, the season's coming into full force now and I keep reviewing his plan and trying to aim for mid-January at the earliest to get him to play on the pitch. I think we're looking good, fingers crossed. What's your take?"

You appreciated that Junghwan was a considerate mentor and even asked you of your opinion and views, "I think Donghyuck is really working hard to get back and I'm only here for another couple of weeks, but I keep telling him to make sure to not work himself too hard or else we'll keep getting incidents like today. Overall, I've never seen someone more determined to recover and I've only been shadowing injuries for a year," you explained your thought process carefully.

"I've been doing this for decades and even I agree with you," Junghwan nodded, "That Lee Donghyuck is a special boy."

-

Two weeks later, you were standing in the middle of the communal room with a box of chocolates, a bouquet of flowers and a folded up NCT FC T-shirt with your name on the back. It was your official last day at the club and it was fair to say that you were emotional. Although a lot of your time was spent with Donghyuck and his recovery, you had also spent time with everyone else at the club and formed amicable relations that you would never forget. Who could say that they formed bonds with some of the most famous football players in Korea over the course of one summer?

Your now boyfriend Donghyuck was holding a gift bag filled with other goodies and keepsakes to remind you of your time at the club, and NCT FC's coach had been telling you all through your farewell event how you should come and watch a match for free any time you wanted at the grounds. You were definitely going to take advantage of that.

Junghwan was also emotional to see you go, never having had a student so engaged in what they were doing. He was going to miss your help around the club and expertise at reigning in a moody or excitable Donghyuck. Speaking of- he had been jokingly disappointed when the two of you revealed your relationship to him, but he also noted that it was kind of obvious or inevitable.

"She'll be coming with me to all the matches I come and watch this season, won't you?" Donghyuck slung his arm around your shoulders, "And then she'll be there watching when I get back on the pitch."

You poked his cheek, "Of course. And I'm going to miss you all so much! I have to get back to lectures and deadlines and studying so this will definitely be the most fun I'll have all year."

You looked fondly at everyone around you, from the staff who welcomed you so warmly, to all the players who trusted you generously. It was the summer of a lifetime and you felt so blessed to come out of the experience with so many more friends, knowledge and life skills.

-

The ambience within the stadium grounds was nothing short of electric on a chilly clear night. The media had been building up to this night for weeks and weeks, and fans were decked out in their best NCT FC gear. The stadium was vibrating with loud cheers and chanting as the players emerged from the tunnel and lined up in the middle of the pitch. There was a sea of bright green wrapping around the stadium, only interrupted by the shirts and flags of the opposing team's fans. It was derby night; two rival teams were going head to head and it was always an exciting, coveted night.

Last out the tunnel, with his hairs standing up all over his body as he stepped out onto the pitch, was Lee Donghyuck. The glimmer had returned to his eyes and his heart was beating for the excitement he felt after months and months of longing for this moment. His best friend clapped him on the back once they finished lining up and a grin invaded his previously anxious face.

This was it, he thought looking around at the bright green shirts, flags, banners and painted faces- this was home.

Nothing felt better than slipping on his jersey with DONGHYUCK 10 on the back. Chills ran through his entire body when his face appeared on the broadcast screens and the entire stadium erupted in roars for how much they missed their club's generational talent.

Somewhere up in the boxes was you, holding your little brother's hand a little too tightly in anticipation of Donghyuck's first match and return to the pitch. It was unusual to not have Donghyuck beside you in the box. Instead, you were relying on your sharp vision and the screens to show you the boy who deserved this moment more than anything else. He had been talking about his return seriously for a couple of months, and this match felt like the one to return to as a full-circle moment, as this was the team they were playing when Donghyuck was injured at the end of the previous season. Thankfully, the player that had injured him was sent off on loan to a different tea, and Donghyuck wouldn't have to face that team until the end of the season.

Once Yuta and the other team's captain made all the decisions on which side to shoot and who was kicking off, Donghyuck made his way to his position, right at the centre and heading the team. With Ten on his right and Yuta on his left and Mark right behind him, Donghyuck felt safe and comfortable and all he really wanted was the ball at his feet under their loyal supporters' hopeful gazes.

In a split second, the whistle blew and as if his instincts had not diminished over the past 7 months, his body raged into game mode.

After the game, it felt as if Donghyuck was in shock. He was looking around aimlessly, trying to latch himself onto something concrete to settle his brain. Once changed, he exited the dressing room and found you waiting expectantly.

You crushed him in a hug, "I'm so proud of you."

The boy finally relaxed his tense muscles and wrapped his arms around your waist, "That was amazing. I'm so happy."

"How's your knee feeling, you superstar?" you teased, "You're a bit of a show-off aren't you?"

"My knee is achy but just the normal post-match kind of ache all over the body," and then he smirked, "I had to give them payback and show the fans what they've been missing all this season."

Lee Donghyuck, like the showoff he was, decided to net a hat-trick of 3 goals solely in the second half of the game. Maybe the defenders weren't prepared to work in the way Donghyuck made them work, especially after a long injury, but Donghyuck proved he was again incredibly fit and harboured the same talent even after 6 or 7 months.

"You are amazing," you scrunched your face at him and tightened your hug around him.

Lee Donghyuck exhaled in relief. If you had asked him 7 months ago on that night that he sustained his injury, he wouldn't have been able to imagine his life 7 months down the road. He wouldn't have said that he would have a girlfriend or even that he was happier than ever even after missing so much of the season. After tonight, he knew that speculations would go up and rumours would start and the price tag over his head would increase. He knew that people would already be looking forward to the next Asian Cup, and heck, even the next World Cup, but at this current moment of time, with your arms wrapped around him and your head nuzzled into his neck and breathing words of praise into his ears, he was content.

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

author's note; if you read this to the end, i want to thank you so sincerely. this work is my baby and i feel so protective over it. as you might've been able to tell, it was a bit all over the place with its pacing and its characterization and the switching between donghyuck and y/n's pov was a bit frustrating for me. however, football is something that i love so much and i wrote books on wattpad with hundreds of thousands of reads that mean so much to me and gave me the foundation for all my writing on this blog. this fic was so hard to finish and i still had so many ideas (like, where was donghyuck going to end up at the end of the season? would he transfer? what would happen to their relationship?) and i wanted to explore more of y/n's character as i focused more on hyuck and y/n is a bit mary-sue-ish but as i said, i wanted nothing more than to be done with this story and get it out. if you have any thoughts, let me know and thank you for reading <3

[peachyysugaa]

» enhypen —

key: fluff ♥ | angst ☁ | humor ☀ | mystery 𝖒 | hogwarts au ✲ | headcanon hc | one-shot series os | completed ✔ | in progress ✎ | requested r |

all works are my original content! i have only one hc that has been translated into spanish on wattpad with my permission; otherwise, please do not plagiarize

♞ ot7 ↪ hc [what they would smell like]

↪ hc [how they sleep next to you]

↪ os [captured on camera] ✔

↪ hc/r/♥/☁ [hyung line as e2l troupe] & [maknae line as e2l troupe]

↪ hc/☁ [messages they want to say to their ex but never hit send]

↪ hc/r/♥ [members on a café date ☕️♡]

individual members under the cut!

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↪ ♥ [troublemaker] synopsis: sparks fly when the top two dancers on youtube collab!

♞ park jongseong ↪ ✲/𝖒 blood castle [02z] ✎ synopsis: when it’s your last year with the last of your best friends before they graduate, they want you to make new friends. simple, right? well, maybe not when they’re all half-vampires, especially not when three of them seem to develop feelings for you. — be careful about what you want to know…

↪ ☁/♥ [11:02 pm] sypnosis: (alternative title: mood maker) when enhypen's mood maker feels down, who does he turn to to make his mood? luckily, he has you.

↪ ☀/♥ [honey] synopsis: but how much does jay really like honey?

↪ ♥/☁ [straight to your heart] teaser | glossary synopsis: in search of a muse for your upcoming art competition, it seems fate has sent you the seemingly cold-hearted kyudo captain park jongseong.

↪ ♥ [4:50 pm] synopsis: (alternative title: my comfort) you don't know when you're falling, but sometimes you don't have to because he's always there to put you back on your feet.

♞ sim jaeyun ↪ ✲/𝖒 blood castle [02z] ✎ synopsis: when it’s your last year with the last of your best friends before they graduate, they want you to make new friends. simple, right? well, maybe not when they’re all half-vampires, especially not when three of them seem to develop feelings for you. — be careful about what you want to know...

↪ ♥ [gravity] synopsis: miles of sky and space doesn't stop gravity from pulling him to you.

↪ ♥ [circuit] synopsis: you didn't think your favorite physics youtuber would be filming a lecture at your university.

♞ park sunghoon ↪ ✲/𝖒 blood castle [02z] ✎ synopsis: when it’s your last year with the last of your best friends before they graduate, they want you to make new friends. simple, right? well, maybe not when they’re all half-vampires, especially not when three of them seem to develop feelings for you. — be careful about what you want to know…

↪ ☁ [songbird] sypnosis: inspired by heize's song/mv happen

↪ ♥/☁ [scream] synopsis: it’s hard to stream horror video games when your neighbor is always filming dangerous mukbangs and screaming.

♞ kim sunoo ↪ ♥ [6:34 pm] synopsis: you wouldn't trade your friendship with sunoo for a single thing.

↪ ♥/☀ [skincare] synopsis: how is sunoo supposed to react when he is able to get his celebrity crush on his youtube channel?

♞ yang jungwon ↪ ♥ [sloth and sheep] synopsis: your best friend is acting weird, what seems to be the cause?

↪ ♥/☀ [coffee] synopsis: there’s a reason jungwon always holds his study vlogs at the same cafe, and it’s not just because of the good coffee.

♞ nishimura riki ↪ ♥ [3:21 pm] sypnosis: online school takes its toll on you. riki knows just how to help.

↪ ☀/♥ [strawberry] synopsis: riki's at it again, and by it, i mean microwaving foods.

[sunlightwoo]

best years

☀︎ pairing: magician!hyunjae x g.n reader

☀︎ genre: magic au, angst, just a tiny bit fluff but yeah it’s sad warning: major character death & gambling actual life

☀︎ wc: 1874

☀︎ plot: you never would’ve thought that being in the hands of a magician could give you much thrill as you were immortal. the best years created between you both had been nothing but love and happiness, yet maybe you thought about a possible next life way too often than you liked.

☀︎ a/n: hi welcome to week/track 12 of the collection!! only 7 more as we’re heading towards the end of the summer hehe and i just wanted to say, i really enjoyed writing this as much as i really loved planning out the key points of it since it was inspired by a scene i watched from supernatural LOL but i hope you guys like this as much as i did!!

☀︎ #48: “Tell me you love me. It doesn’t have to be the truth. I just… I need to hear you say it.”

STORMS OF BROKEN HEARTS | TBZ MASTERLIST

“All in.”

Your eyes were trained on the two individuals in front of you, watching as the determined player was attempting to bluff out and try to beat Hyunjae’s game. However, with the look that you were able to tell in the latter’s eyes, he was nervous and sloppy; it was too easy of a game for Hyunjae to win, as the scent of stress and nervousness rolled off of the person in front of him.

“Are you sure here, James? You’re betting fifty years of your life here…” He warns, eyeing the now hesitant male and he nods. 

Poker, a game worth of many chips and life on the line as Hyunjae had described to you, a game that you had been introduced to maybe a couple hundred years ago. The night that you played with him had also turned out to be your last one, realizing how the game of cards wasn’t an ordinary gamble, but one filled with magic from the immortal gods that you have heard of existing up in the heavens. 

You had beginner's luck, beating him at the one round that he had challenged you for and in exchange you were given immortality with him. It could’ve been called love at first sight, if anybody had looked at both you and Hyunjae’s start, the tension that grew between you two at a colleague’s house party being your start to finding the other as it seemed to be captivating. 

“I’m sure of it. There’s no way-”

The magician moves all of his chips to the center of the table also, a cocky smirk on his face as he flips his hand over to show a royal flush. All light and color drains from James’s face as the snap of a finger suddenly transforms what should’ve been a 25 year old man to an elderly senior in front of you. 

That was his game. 

He had the world in his hands, at the tips of his fingertips as Hyunjae could’ve had anything that he wanted granted that he used his powers wisely; and he quite did as he had only wanted you to stay. After spending maybe at least 500 years together, he doesn’t think that he could ever get tired of waking up to see you smiling back at him, because you were the one thing that he could’ve gotten right given that he didn’t have such a good upbringing. 

A blessing and a curse to be immortal, each of you think to yourselves, as you had started to wonder what it could’ve been like if you weren’t here now. Instead, you stood behind Hyunjae staring at the older version of James, watching as he slowly walked out of the room with a cane that somehow appeared beside him until the door slams shut so that it was just you two in the room. 

“That wasn’t very nice, Hyunjae, you should’ve let him win at least one round.” You sighed quietly, crossing your arms in front of your chest and he shrugs before pulling you into his lap to rest his chin on your shoulder while holding you close. 

“If I had done that, sweetheart, then he would get his wish of destroying his family and that can’t happen.” He replies, giving you a small look and you let out another sigh as he gently nudges your arm with his shoulder, a small pout on his face as he gives you the same look in his eyes that he knew would get your heart melting. 

And it would work every time because who were you to say no?

“Then I guess that’s his fault for trying to cheat fate.” You say, wrapping your arms around his neck a little tighter than you were earlier and he nods in response, shifting a bit to place a kiss on your exposed shoulder and for a moment you could feel the familiar sparks that came from his touch that electrified your body. 

However, something felt off as you weren’t as into the moment as you usually did. 

“Let’s go home, hmm? Cuddles and sleep sounds like a good idea.”

““You’re lucky that you get to be immortal Lee, or else I would’ve had you gone already.” The person in front of both you and Hyunjae growled, threatening the both of you before he leaves with the fate of the universe ready to curse him the moment that he steps outside of the magic house. 

Your heart was still pounding in your chest considering the game that they had played earlier got intense after betting in their life with cockiness and arrogance in their tone. Glancing over to Hyunjae, you notice his wavered expression as he seemed a bit out of it, his thoughts seeming to be somewhere else as he was glaring at the center of the table.

A loud silence overtakes the atmosphere as you stare into your own world while spacing out, thinking about the other person’s words about the luck for being immortal. Being alive for half a millennia had started taking a toll on you, wondering what your next life would’ve been if you had never met your lover and it made you even more curious about what could’ve been next for you without immortality. 

“Hyunjae, love, can I ask you something?” You whisper quietly, looking at your boyfriend in front of you as he snaps out of his trace and turns to look at you with a softer expression as he holds your hands into yours as if it were an instinct that he was familiar with. 

“What is it?” He asks, tugging your hands just a bit so that you could sit with him, and you do as he holds you close to him, but something about it didn’t feel the same. 

“Let me play a round.”

He looks at you in confusion on his face as he looks for some sort of message or hidden secret that he might’ve not picked up in your eyes, but nothing. 

“Did I do something wrong?” He whispers quietly, but you shake your head in response, giving him a sad smile as you then look away to think about the right words to say to him. 

“I just… have you ever wondered what life can be like, if you weren’t immortal or had your magic? The chance to live another life-”

“Am I not making you happy enough?” He asks suddenly, making your eyes widen, shaking your head in response as you hold his face into your hands. 

“Of course you are, love. But I also think that my time is done, because I wanna see more despite not remembering my previous lives.” You reply, giving him a saddened look as you could that this might be your last moments with him if he had agreed to playing a round. 

“Do you love me?”

You nodded in response, as you have never once doubted your love with Hyunjae. He had given you the most amount of love than any of the men that you’ve ever met before you were given immortality, but curiosity was getting to the best of you and you wanted to know what the next life was like. That could only work though if he would let you play just one round of poker.

“Tell me you love me. It doesn’t have to be the truth. I just… I need to hear you say it before I can even agree on doing this with you.” He breathes out in a panicked tone, looking into your eyes that had shown nothing but sadness in them as you gave him the same smile that you have always given him.

“Of course I love you, Jaehyun..” You whisper quietly, holding onto his shaking hands into your own and wipe away the tear or two that escaped at the corner of his eyes. 

Another beat of silence passes by as the two of you exchange a silent conversation with your eyes, neither of you wanting to let go of the other because of the dangerous game that you were yet to play and wager. If you had lost to him in the one round that he was going to deal, then you were going to be gone forever since he was stuck as immortal. 

“Are you sure about-”

“More than anything.”

With hesitance in his eyes and a snap of his fingers, you suddenly get transported to the seat right in front of him and he shuffles the deck of cards into his hands. You’re dealt with cards, looking at them for a quick moment before staring right into his eyes that was only filled with nothing but sadness cause he was not ready to give you up. 

“If I win, then we don’t do this again sweetheart, because I don’t think I can ever let you go,” He says as he deals the first two cards of the board and you nodded in response before calling a few chips into the middle of the table.

“But you end up winning…”

“Then you have to let me go, love.” You say, giving him a small sad smile and you notice the slight shake in his hands that were hovering over the middle of the table as he was trying to raise the stakes. 

“Deal.”

You know that he wouldn’t cheat, despite the fact that he would do anything to keep you here, but it was by the fifth card of the board that he realized what his hand was. His eyes lock onto yours as he watches you put all of your chips into the middle of the table, betting all in as he thinks that you’re possibly bluffing and risking your entirety, just as he also puts all of his chips into the middle to follow what you had done. 

“You first, love.” You whisper, watching as tears were already forming at the corners of his eyes as he hoped that you could have a higher hand than he currently had. 

A full house. 

The second that you had exposed your hand, his heart sank into his stomach and tears were streaming down both of your faces. He wonders if you had done this on purpose to leave him, but there was no intentions of deceiving in your eyes from what he could manipulate reading from where he sat, and he knew that he might’ve won the game, but he had lost the greatest gift of all games that he has ever betted on. 

“It’s okay Hyunjae… Until our stars collide again, maybe then they’ll stay together and shine brightly as one.” You say, trying to give him a reassuring smile while holding his hand just one more time and he wants to hold you one last moment. 

However, the curse of his magic had already taken its toll as you were already taken away from his life in a blink of an eye. His chest feels heavier, wishing that your wish was granted and that you lived happier in your next one life, wondering if you could even find him again when you reincarnate into a beautiful flower once more.

“I’ll find you again, Y/N, I promise.”

[girl-in-the-tower]

Ok, so I’ve been planning my next few months for the past week to take into account my writing schedule and I think I finally came up with something that might be feasible! In other words, this is an announcement of what my (hopefully achievable) goals will be!

The first section is fics that are in the process of being complete or in the editing process already, with only the third and fourth being in the planning stages! The word count is all over the place for these ones, lol, but hopefully I’ll be able to keep it somewhat consistent.

The second section was pretty much born out of a need to try out flash fiction after I’ve been binging it for a while. The themes and characters chosen were things or themes that just appealed to me! Titles are still undecided for this section, so instead I decided to include the sentence that made me think I should give this a try! I will try to keep to the proposed word limit simply because I was to challenge myself.

The last section is something I’ve been thinking of for a while now, simply because summer does inspire a theme of love in me, haha! It’s centered on the WNA girls and the various relationships (romantic and platonic) that they share with the canon characters. They’ll most likely going to be rather short, very descriptive and primarily fluff! 

Upcoming

❀ something in the way she knows - R18, ship fic, Azul Ashengrotto/Diana Arrow

❀ at the foot of this mountain, i only see clouds - T, gen fic, Malleus Draconia & Kore Hightower

❀ don’t go, don’t go so easy - T, (unrequited love) ship fic, Ace Trappola/Kore Hightower

❀ day to night to morning - R18, ship fic, multichapter, AU, Kalim Al-Asim/Kore Hightower

❀ you gave me a lily, but now it’s a field - T, gen fic, fluff, Kalim Al-Asim/Kore Hightower

Flash Fiction

✒ Cater: “He’s told that summer is best enjoyed together with others. Cater begs to differ.” - 50 words

✒ Lilia: “Lilia believes that love can be measured in heartbeats.” - 100 words

✒ Idia: “The Sun is falling.” - 750 words

✒ Jamil: “They find the snake’s skin, but not the tail.” - 1,000 words

Vignettes - Kisses

☀ Jack Howl/Rosalia Morgainne, theme: beach kiss

☀ Riddle Rosehearts/Blanche Dion, theme: first kiss

☀ Sebek Zigvolt & Marcia Pyroeis, theme: blowing kisses

☀ Epel Felmier/June Himalia, theme: frustrated kiss

☀ Azul Ashengrotto/Diana Arrow, theme: proposal kiss

☀ Silver/Cassandra Delphinne, theme: hand kiss

☀ Sam & Agatha Voisin, theme: head kiss

☀ Idia Shroud/Vita Dies, theme: victory kiss

[wongyuseokie]

Tasty | j.w.w

Summary: Your boyfriend said the word tasty in a deep voice, and now he’s showing you what other things he likes to call tasty in that ocean deep voice. 

☆ 18+ minors dni |☀︎fluff | ♕ smut |  ♥ completed works

Word Count: 325 words

Age: 18+

Pairings: Jeon Wonwoo x Female Reader

Genre/Trope(s)/AUs: Fluff, angst (minor), smut. PWP (it’s got the briefest plot ever).

Content Warnings: None. Wonwoo is just giving the reader amazing oral. This fic just happened because I’m a weak woman for this man. This is just a smutty Wonwoo drabble. I’m a simp for this man. Smut Warnings: Oral sex (female receiving), overstimulation, praise? Sort of. It’s so so brief.

Authors Note: This happened because of that damn GOSE episode where he said TASTY in his ocean-deep voice, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it because of that man and his voice.  Cross Posted on AO3

Banner Credits: @classicscreations © wongyuseokie 2022. All rights reserved.

“More,” you moaned as your hands kept tugging on your boyfriend's hair, as his tongue brought you indescribable pleasure. Wonwoo happily obliged as he wrapped his lips around your clit, his tongue tracing circles along with the swollen nub. He kept moving his tongue, his pace never faltering. 

You’re not sure how you ended up in this position, but all you recall is teasing Wonwoo about him saying ‘tasty’ in his signature baritone voice and exchanging a few more words. Next thing you know, you’re laying in bed, naked, and he’s laying between your thighs, his face buried in your pussy. Again, you weren’t sure how you got here, but you weren’t complaining. 

“Fucking hell,” you moaned as you threw your head back, 

“Shit,” you gasped when you felt Wonwoo do something different with his tongue. 

“Did you just spell your name out on my pussy?” You asked breathlessly. 

“And?” Wonwoo asked as he lifted his head; his chin glistened with your arousal. 

“Nothing, it felt good, really good,” you praised, and Wonwoo simply smirked as he dove back in again. 

“Fuck!” You moaned out as you started to shake in his grip, and Wonwoo kept his grip firm on you as he kept circling your swollen nub with his tongue. You kept moaning and babbling absolute nonsense as you fell apart on his tongue. 

“Fuck, baby,” you whimpered as Wonwoo kept licking you through your orgasm, not letting you recover. You were sensitive, but you didn’t care, not when you were on the precipice of your second orgasm. Your second orgasm hit you harder, making your toes curl and eyes roll, and you shook in his grip. With what strength you could muster, your hands moved to his head as you gently pushed his mouth away from your cunt.

Wonwoo smiled at you, taking in your fucked out expression as he sat up on his knees. 

“What?” You asked, panting, and Wonwoo grinned. 

“Tasty.”