#I can’t find many pictures of the doll and the dresses aren’t exacts but they remind me of each other

[dollsinvogue]

JHD fashion doll black bow tie » Viktor & Rolf spring 2010 rtw

[minniepetals]

unlove me, i dare you | 02

— summary: it wasn't meant to be. you're only a burden

— pairing: bts x reader

— genre: angst, fluff, office!au, break up!au, exes to lovers!au

— word count: 7.1k

— warnings: just little moments of heartbreaks y’know?

— part 1

There are moments when you feel as if you'll just break. Fall from the tip of a counter, shatter against the hard floor, and break into little tiny pieces.

It hurts more than you can imagine, hurts more than words can ever convey. You hadn't known that telling them you weren't in love, saying such a lie out loud for them to hear, would tear your own heart right out of your chest.

Your heart aches and aches, throbbing in pain, begging for you to do something, anything, for the knives to stop stabbing right in and hurting you even more.

But what can you do? This is all your fault.

The break up is your fault.

And though you hope you can just ignore them at the workplace, it is almost close to impossible. They're the executives after all, your bosses, the ones who owns the building you work in.

It isn't easy to try and avoid them, it isn't easy at all. Because every time you walk in the halls, someone is always around. Sometimes they come in twos, sometimes they come in threes, sometimes, one time, they even come in seven altogether.

Yet you refuse to look up whenever you feel their presence, pretending to be coldhearted, acting as if you have no heart, as if you aren't the Y/N you once were. And perhaps they do hope to say something, to drag you into an empty room, to talk things over, to try and understand why.

But there isn't anything to explain.

You've broke them, telling them you weren't in love, lying to them about a truth you were too afraid to come face to face with. So of course they don't try to approach you.

Why would they?

After all, you're the one who said that you didn't love them after Jungkook confessed.

They're hurt.

But you know that eventually the feelings will come to an end. Maybe Jungkook is just confused, maybe they're all confused, so you try your best to avoid them as you work, knowing things will pass and they will forget about you in time.

It'll hurt because you know it won't be easy for you to forget the seven of them, because it'll be easier for them to forget about one person, someone who had walked into their lives and is destined to leave.

They were happy before you came into the picture, they'll be happy after you leave.

But still, you have to admit that it hurts.

It hurts to see them in the hallways or meetings. Hurts as you avoid any conversation that brings them up unless absolutely necessary and important. Hurts to see other girls flocking around them and acting all flirtatious.

You don't understand what they see in you. You're shy and introverted, always left in the shadows of the crowd, never brave enough to stand up for yourself, never brave enough to speak up. There are so many other girls who has style and personality. They know what to say, know how to respond to flirtatious comments. They know how to doll up to impress others.

And yet it's you they want.

So you find yourself asking, why you?

.

.

"Minyoung please, I know something is wrong with Y/N."

She looks up at him with a knowing face that falls sad to the floor, not knowing how to respond as the CEO of the company is asking something of her. Normally she will answer to anyone above her level but this is about you, her best friend, so she hesitates on her words.

Namjoon's brows furrow, knowing completely well how conflicted she must feel but he has to know. "I know Y/N, she isn't that cruel. I know she wouldn't just...pretend she had something for us and fake her happiness like that. Y/N is sincere, I know her. She..."

Or perhaps he thought he knew you.

But as days pass by and he's trying to figure everything out while the rest of the boys try to hold themselves up after that day, it becomes harder to try and understand everything.

Did you really mean what you said?

You don't love them. Okay, sure, he can take that, but you're Y/N, you're kind and gentle and sweet and he knows you wouldn't just break things off if you weren't sure whether you loved them or not.

You'd talk to them to try and figure things out.

"Please, Minyoung..."

He doesn't know what to do anymore. It hurts, the aching in his heart, watching you from afar, watching as you try to avoid anything that has to do with them, watching as you refuse to acknowledge their presence. He hates how things are, knows the boys have fallen hard and he has too, knows how hurt you've left him and the guys.

But still he has to know, has to know if you're alright, if you were lying. He has to know.

"Are you asking me as a boss...or as a man?" She asks him and he considers his answer.

"As a man," he tells her. Sincerely.

She lets out a sigh, brows creased. "Then I'm sorry to say, Namjoon-ssi, but I cannot answer your questions for my friend."

.

.

"You're going to this company dinner whether you like it or not!"

"What's the point?" You ask her as you heave out a sigh, bringing your knees up against your chest to hug your arms around it and prop your chin up. "It'll only make things worse, Minyoung. I'm trying to get over them, not fall even more."

She knows how you feel, your insecurities getting the best of you and wants to make things right again. But Minyoung also understands that she isn't the best person for you to hear compliments from. It's them that should reassure your feelings. But they have no idea about your true emotions, thinking you broke up because you lost interest.

She can still remember the broken face the CEO had on, a first for her to see him in such a state.

He was broken, hurt, and just so very confused.

So seeing you and hearing the sadness of your tone, Minyoung sighs.

"Come on, bubs, I don't wanna go alone and be lonely," she pouts, practically whining.

"Youngie, you're gorgeous, you won't be alone for long, trust me."

"But I wanna hang with you~" she drags out. "Come on, tell me when was the last time we got to hang out?"

You sigh. "Look, I'd love to hang but I can't go there. Not at the company dinner."

Yet the longer you refuse, the more consistent Minyoung is, whining and pulling at your arm with a pout, showing no signs of giving up so eventually you have to give in.

How can you ever say no?

.

.

Your arrival doesn't fly past their views, a sight they hadn't expected to see that night. But there you are, with Minyoung by your side looking a little conscious as your best friend tries to tell you to feel otherwise.

And she's right because you are stunning.

You've always been stunning but the dress and light makeup you have on makes your beauty pop a little more. You wear a pretty rose gold dress that falls just above your knees with off the shoulder straps, hair falling down behind you in an elegant manner. You avoid looking around, something they feel they know the reason to, and their heart aches knowing they can't just walk up to you and tell you how beautiful you look.

.

.

"I'm gonna go outside for a sec. The music is getting a little too loud."

Even if that was true, it isn't the exact reason why you're heading out but you can't tell Minyoung that and have her worrying about you when tonight is a party and she wanted to have fun. You can't ruin her good time so when she nods at you to go on, you leave without another moment of hesitation, not bothering to look anywhere else but the way that leads to the doors outside.

The night breeze is chilly when you head out and begin to regret not bringing a sweater to keep you warm.

You don't know how long time has passed but you're sure it's passed long enough with the stars twinkling up above.

It reminds you of that time with you, Namjoon, and Seokjin. A late night after staying up past work time, collecting datas and writing up reports. But you shake your head to rid of the thoughts before you become too invested into it, knowing it won't be good for your poor heart. The breeze is cold and you hug yourself, leaning against the wall of the building as a sigh escapes you, just waiting for time to pass until Minyoung finally feels like leaving.

"Lonely tonight?"

You almost flinch at the voice but keep yourself calm as you look up to find a stranger who looks sort of tipsy.

"Uh..just needed some fresh air," you respond with a tight forceful smile, eyes avoiding looking into his because you know he's up to no good.

You're scared.

Should you walk back in? But wouldn't that be rude? But this is about your safety.

You don't know what to do. You can't even make up an excuse about being taken because you aren't.

You're single and lonely and heartbroken.

"Looks like you need some company," the man notes but you shake your head, cringing.

"I'm alright," you promise.

"Nah, I'll just stay right here," he decides and leans against the wall, body coming closer as he blatantly stares at you. You shift away uncomfortably but he takes your wrist and has you flinching.

"Please don't."

"Oh come on, don't be scared," he urges but you're already trembling. "I won't bite, I promise." A smirk curls along his lips. "Unless you want me to."

Someone wraps their arm around your shoulders, pulling you back flushed against them as he forcefully pushes the drunken man back to stumble upon his own two feet. "She doesn't want anything to do with you," he says in a low demanding growl.

You know that voice and your heart begins to beat rapidly.

Yet at the same time, it throbs with pain.

"Sorry man, didn't know she was taken," he slurs his words and leaves not a moment too soon.

You aren't taken but it feels a little better knowing that can be an excuse to have that man leaving. You look up at Hoseok who refuses to look away until he's sure the man is gone before he looks back down at you.

"Sorry," he coughs awkwardly as he takes his hand off you and pulls away.

You already miss the warmth.

You look down at the ground, too afraid to meet his gaze. "Thank you."

"Yeah."

It's awkward, not knowing what else to say and the breeze passes by again, making you shiver at the cold.

Hoseok takes off his suit jacket without hesitation and drapes it over you to help you keep warm. It smells like him. Smells like them.

"You should head back in, stay with Minyoung," he says and then strides off, the heels of his shoes clicking as he walks away.

What Hoseok doesn't know is that the reason you left in the first place was to stop yourself from hurting while watching them surrounded by so many girls begging for their attention.

.

.

"Y/N, how'd you do it?"

"Hm?"

"You know," the girl shifts from side to side with a pretty grin that makes you uncomfortable, "how'd you manage to have them date you?"

Oh. "Sorry but I-"

"Why ask her that? She was clearly dumped."

Not really but it still hurts hearing that part of the story. Perhaps if you hadn't ended things early, maybe they would have been the one to call things off in the future.

"But she was still able to date them so I want advice!" She turns to you again, mischievous, a smirk curling at her red lips. "Did you..you know," they both chuckle knowingly, "seduce them? How'd you do it? I want tips. What should I do? Wear more revealing clothes? Wear more makeup? But then again you're kinda plain so maybe I should go for more subtle looks? Do the bosses like the boring ones more?"

Ouch.

"Hey! Stop harassing Y/N!" Minyoung is quick to pull you back behind you as she steps up boldly with piercing eyes at glares at the girl.

"What? I'm just trying to get myself some men," she says as if those words that were spoken to you had no ill intentions.

"Well do that somewhere else. I will not have you belittling my friend."

"I'm just telling the truth, what's wrong with that?"

That fuels your friend's anger. "Oh I'm gonna-"

But you take her arm, pulling her back. "Youngie, it isn't worth it."

"Oh hell no! How dare she-!"

"What is going on here?" The voice makes everyone in the room turn still and tense, knowing exactly who it is.

You and Minyoung turn around as Seokjin walks up towards the group, your heads falling forward to the floor in shame.

"Well?" He prompts, a brow raised and expecting an answer.

"Minyoung and Y/N were bullying me," the girl says and it makes Minyoung want to lash out but you're quick to tug at her arm before she can do so.

Seokjin turns to the two of you. "Is that right?"

Your friend is about to answer when you pull her back, head suddenly perking up to stare straight into Seokjin's eyes and say, "Yes, it is."

You want to know what he'll say to that.

Will he believe you? Or see it as a clear lie like that time you told them you didn't love them back?

His eyes widens a bit at your unexpected reply but eventually Seokjin lets out a sigh. "You may go," he tells the girl and Minyoung.

She leaves feeling as if she's won while Minyoung gives you a silent comforting stare before going.

The room remains quiet for a while as you avoid his gaze once more, not knowing what he'll do or say. Surely he knows you were lying, right? But then again, even if you weren't, what will he do? Punish you? Tell you that you're a disappointment and a failure like you know you are?

"Are you okay?"

Somehow he only manages to make your heart race yet ache again at the same time.

"Yes," you reply though in a whisper.

He doesn't say anything else so you take your little bow and leave without another word, knowing that being in the presence of him, in the presence of any of them, you'll feel like dying because it hurts so much.

.

.

You've fallen asleep again but when you're awaken, it isn't Namjoon as you expect for it to be.

It's Jungkook.

He wakes you though avoids your eyes for his own sake and you thank him as you begin to clean up.

But something goes wrong, something goes terribly wrong. Your vision begins to grow blurry, head pounding with a throbbing pain and your legs almost gives in under you.

"J..Jungkook..."

You don't know what happens after that.

.

.

His phone rings while he's watching you with a silent gaze, mind running all over the place at just the sight of your sleeping face alone.

"Yeah, hyung?"

"Why aren't you home?" Yoongi asks with worry. "Are you alright?"

"I had to take Y/N to the hospital."

The other line goes into a panic. "What?"

"She passed out about an hour ago and the doctor says there's clear signs of insomnia." His voice begins to break, eyes forming with tears knowing you hadn't been taking good care of your own health for whatever reason. And now here you are, passed out and so, so tired. "She's been neglecting her health for days, hyung, I don't...I don't know what to do. I'm scared, hyung. Y/N looks so weak and fragile I don't want her to keep going like this. Don't you think...don't you think there are other reasons as to why she broke things off?"

He wants to have hope, to feel as if he's still needed in your life and that you still care as much as he does for you.

Jungkook is scared.

So scared.

"Maybe we weren't treating her well, maybe..maybe she felt too insecure and was afraid our love wasn't enough. I don't know, hyung, I'm just so scared."

"Stay right there, Jungkook. We'll be over in a few minutes okay?"

.

.

You never expected to wake up in the hospital, needless to say in a VIP room. But here you are, eyes slowly adjusting to the light of the room where the sun falls in through the windows, waking you up.

You groan a little and feel a hand weighing against yours.

The man instantly looks up at the sound of your voice, breath hitching, and you find Jungkook's eyes filled with worry and pain.

"Y/N!"

Y/N.

Gosh you miss how he calls your name.

Before you can ask him why he's here and why you're in a VIP room, he climbs into the bed without a word, straddling you and pulling your body flushed against him.

"God I was so scared," he lets out a shaky sigh and you can feel the trembling of his body against yours.

He's so strong, always working out, muscles firmly holding onto you with no signs of letting go and it breaks your heart knowing he still scares oh so much for you and your wellbeing. But why? Why would he still care so much? Why would he begin crying uncontrollably? You've hurt them so much, hurt him. When he told you he loved you, you only responded by ripping his whole heart out and tossing it to the floor as if you had no emotions whatsoever.

Yet here he is, right there when you collapsed, right there to bring you help, right there as you woke up.

Right here to care as he's always done.

You don't get it.

"Jungkook..-" You pull away guiltily, pushing him off so that his arms can no longer wrap themselves around you with eyes that refuses to look into his. "Please stop. We..we're over and-"

"I know why you did it."

You look up, confusion clear on your face. "What?"

"You're scared," he says, hurt still in his gaze, painful tears of the rain falling but he wipes them away. "I know you're scared, Y/N. You're scared of falling in love because you're not sure whether we'll make it or not, because you think that we'll one day stop loving you. But I have to tell you this, Y/N." He takes both your hands, squeezing it tightly but not too much because he's afraid he'll hurt you. He looks into your eyes, his own so red and glossy, nose and cheeks flushed from crying, and a few more tears slips.

"Love is about taking risks," he tells you. "It's about not knowing if things will end in vain or you'll spend the rest of your life with them yet still risking it all because you love them." He releases a hand, opening one and placing it right at his chest, right above his heart. "Break my heart, Y/N. Break it, tear it, rip it into tiny pieces. Hurt me as much as you want to. Just..!" He hiccups, face distorted with so much pain it's tormenting seeing him like this.

"I love you, Y/N. I really, really love you." You remain silent but he keeps going. "I don't care how much you'll hurt me, I don't care how many times you do it just..please," he begs and begs over and over, "please don't leave me. Please don't leave us. I love you so much that it hurts but I'd rather feel this than to see you beat your own self up thinking you aren't good enough and that you will never be good enough, always thinking less of yourself and not understanding how beautiful and perfect you are.

"Please let us love you." He wraps his arms around you again, head buried against shoulder. "Let me love you. I will love you until the end of time. I will love you while you learn to love everything about your own self."

.

.

"You told them?"

"I..." She hesitates, her teeth clenched with a slight guilt as she scratch the back of her head before letting out a heavy sigh. "Y/N, I just...I can't keep watching you destroy your own self like that," she tells you. "You are so much more than what those people think, so much more than what you think. And I didn't want them thinking the only reason you left was because you fell out of interest. You're scared, I know, but Y/N," she walks up to you, taking your hand with a pleading expression plastered on her face, "their love for you isn't feeble. I know you're afraid, thinking they deserve more but trust me when I say this,"

She squeezes your hand, a gentle smile curling along het lips. "You are more than enough. More than just kind and beautiful and perfect and sweet. You deserve the whole world but the world will never deserve you. And I think that they're the only ones who can truly show you that. Give this another chance, hm? You'll never find yourself any other boys like them who are so willing to do everything if it means having you by their sides. They love you, Y/N, they truly do."

.

.

Three little soft knocks and it's accompanied by a light grunt.

"Come in," the voice grumbles and you worry that perhaps this isn't a good time.

But you stop yourself, knowing that hesitation and overthinking will only make you crawl back into your little hole and you cannot have that. So you take a deep breath, in and out, though it is shaky, and count one two three, fingers clutching the familiar suit jacket in hand, before you twist open the door to let yourself in.

He doesn't look up to see who is there, eyes too focused on the screen in front of him, brows creased with concentration, fingers tapping away. You feel so nervous. "What is it?" The man asks and you find yourself holding your breath.

There is a moment of hesitation before you speak up. "..Mr. Jung, I've come to return the jacket you lent me the other day."

His head is quick to snap up, fingers frozen, eyes widening as he realizes that it's you.

You think your heart may explode with how hard it's beating against your chest, slowly, loudly, and it's hard keeping eye contact with him because he looks like that, handsome as ever, so your eyes are the first to look away as always. Though this time for a different reason.

Maybe.

You swallow a lump in your throat as you can hear his footsteps walking your way, feeling the heat of your body radiating. You hope you aren't blushing because his room has very good lighting and right now you don't want to handle having him see your flushed cheeks.

"Y/N."

"U-um.." You start panicking at how close he's coming, taking a step back to try and give space but Jung Hoseok only steps forward when you walk back until your back hits the wall with a thud and he's right there, placing a hand right next to your head.

"Can you look at me?" He asks softly. "Please."

You don't do as he asks so he lets out a little sigh, a hand coming up to your face for his forefinger and thumb to caress your chin. When you don't resist, he lifts it up with ease as you clutch onto the jacket in hand, hugging it tight against you, awaiting the moment when you have to look up to him in order to meet his gaze.

Your heart skips a beat.

Yet it also throbs at the sight of him.

He leans in without a word, so slowly, and you don't find yourself pulling away.

Jung Hoseok hesitates for the first time, lips just inches away from yours, lids fluttering almost closed but he still watches you from his hooded gaze, waiting for you to pull away and tell him no, that you don't want this, that you still need time to figure everything out now that they know the truth. The real truth.

Though the three words are still on the tip of your tongues, waiting, hoping, wishing.

Can he say it?

Can you?

He closes the distance and you feel soft, soft lips on top of yours. The jacket falls from your hold and your heart flutters and throbs at the same time, a kiss that had been waiting too long, a kiss you hadn't expected when you walked in but welcomed, a kiss that leaves so sweet yet too quick for your liking because Jung Hoseok pulls away.

You watch him carefully. His face crumbles with pain, eyes closed shut, head falling to rest against your shoulder as you hold your breath, not really sure if the kiss really just happened or not.

He snakes his hands around your torso, pulls you in flushed against him, and holds you.

He holds you, and holds you, and cries little whimpers that makes your own chest tighten as tears fall on their own accord.

You stay like that for a while before he pulls away, sniffling and looking away, refusing to let you see him with tears as he wipes them away. He clears his throat and picks up the jacket that had fallen on the floor, back turning your way as he heads for his desk. He drops the flimsy thing onto the table and just stands there, silent for a few more seconds.

"We still need to talk about...what's going to happen." You nod though he can't see it. "We should have some time in about three hours, will you come then?"

"..Yes."

He dismisses you and you leave without another word.

Minyoung is there a few doors away, looking at you with a questioning gaze as she hugs your arm while the two of you walk back to your cubicle. "So..how'd it go?"

"I...don't know. I honestly don't know."

And so the three hours await.

.

.

But you don't come.

Ten minutes pass and another five. No sign.

It pains them thinking that perhaps you really don't want to fix this. But they're too persistent and their love for you is too strong to just give up like that.

So Yoongi sighs as he stands. "I'm gonna look for her."

Taehyung and Jimin follows him out the door.

"Stop it, get away!" They hear a familiar voice a floor down and run over because if Minyoung's shouting and feeling pissed then that must mean it has something to do with you. "Y/N, it's okay."

"What the hell is going on?" Yoongi quickly intervenes in on the scene as they run to your side who's looking so small as you cry.

"Y/N?" Jimin calls, worried.

"What did you do to Y/N?" Taehyung demands as he glares at the man, waiting to just rip his head out.

"Nothing! I promise!"

"You were flirting with her and tried to touch her!" Minyoung shouts otherwise.

"What's wrong with that?" He scoffs. "I just touched her shoulder, that's it."

Yoongi pushes the man in an instant. "Some people hate it when people touch them!"

But you let Jimin hold you, let him pull you into his arms as you cry into his chest.

"You're fired."

"What? But-"

"Leave."

He huffs and glares your way before stomping off, leaving Yoongi and Taehyung to turn back to you.

"Y/N.." They know you get scared when strangers touch you and an angry sigh leaves Yoongi's lips.

"Y/N?" Your friend worries but Taehyung puts a small pat on her shoulder.

"We'll take care of her," he tells her with a thin smile and she knows she can trust them.

.

.

They're fretting over you the second you walk in and see the tear stains on your face.

"What's wrong? What happened? Are you alright, baby? I mean..!" Jungkook mentally punches himself on the face. "Not baby! I mean, unless you — wait no, this is more important right now! Are you okay? Do I have to kill someone?"

You giggle at him and it's something that makes their hearts skip a beat, a sound they hadn't heard in such a long while. "I'm okay, I promise," you tell him sincerely. "I'm sorry for being late."

"You have no need," Namjoon says as he takes you to sit on the sofa while Seokjin hands you a cup of tea to help you calm down. "Take all the time you need," he tells you and honestly, you don't want to take up anymore time than what's already have been wasted.

But you're unsure of what to say, feeling so small as you take a sip of the tea and they watch you carefully.

You flush under their gaze, eyes falling to the floor. "Don't do that," you say in a soft whisper but they hear you. They always do.

"Do what?"

You shift a bit uncomfortably at Taehyung's question. "You know I hate that."

Jimin chuckles. "More like you're just too shy."

"..Perhaps."

"So.." You gulp at the words that comes out of Hoseok, knowing this is the beginning, and start to feel even more nervous. He lets out a soft sigh as if he understands. "We just want the best for you, Y/N," he says. "Whatever happens, whatever you want, whether it means getting back together or just completely and officially ending things but on an understanding term this time," he takes a moment, "we're willing to comply to whatever."

"But we still want you to know that we'll always love you, Y/N," Jimin vows. "We love you for the person you are whether you think that's believable or not. It isn't hard to love you. You're sweet and kind and gentle and always think of others at all times."

"You think you're selfish? Oh baby," Seokjin sighs, "you are anything but. If anything, you're the most sweetest person we have ever met. You don't have to give us anything, I promise you, just your care and heart, which you've already done such a good job when we were together."

"And to know that you felt like you were a burden," Yoongi stands to sit beside you, taking the cup of tea and placing it on the coffee table before taking your hands, "My love, you have done nothing but be a light in our lives. I love the times when you'd walk into our offices, greeting us with your precious smiles."

"And we love taking care of you," Taehyung says as he takes the seat on your other side. "I don't care if there's someone important to meet, I don't care if there's something important to attend to, because to me you are the most important out of anything. I'll drop everything even if you have just a slight cold."

"Tae-"

"I'm serious," he vows, fingers playing with your hair. "I love you."

"You don't have to feel the same," Namjoon says, "just...if you're willing to try again, we'll do everything in our power to make sure you feel loved."

"I'm not scared about that," you tell them and take a deep breath before continuing. "I know.." you feel your chest tightening, nose feeling congested, tears beginning to brim, "I-I know you care and love..a lot. But I..." you swallow a lump in your throat and it hurts them to see you like this, "how will I ever be enough?" You ask, voice cracking and that alone shatters their hearts.

"Oh baby.."

They're there surrounding you in an instant before the first tear falls and everything else follows. They hold you, hold you tightly, and you don't know why you thought you could have ever make it out successfully without them. "I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

"Baby you are more than enough."

"Shh..it's okay."

"We're right here."

It's so soft, so gentle, a warmth you've been missing for so many days, almost a whole month. You remember always lying in your bed at the end of the day, remembering Jungkook's soft, broken words as he told you he loved you, remembering the words you told them that shattered their hearts.

Because it's untrue, it is so untrue. And you have to let them know that. That you don't not love them.

"I miss you," you say, whimpering and leaning in closer to their holds. "I miss you and I love you."

.

.

"Everything okay?" Minyoung asks.

You smile at her question. "Everything's great. Thank you."

.

.

A few important binders in hand laid upon your arms as your white pumps clicks under you, you rush to try to get to your destination on time. Perhaps you'll be a few minutes early but it's better that way than to be late. After all, you'd hate to disappoint anyone.

Double checking through everything in hand, your feet rounds to the right, eyes looking up for just a split second to check whether you'll bump into anything or anyone, only for your breath to hitch as you take a double take and realize who is walking down the hall just meters away.

You think he hears your gasp and you're quick to turn around, thinking that perhaps you can take a few more minutes before arriving to your destination, yet your clumsy self only drives you to turn too fast and hit your head against the wall.

"Y/N!"

Crap.

His voice alone makes your heart speed up so fast you think it's very possible it'll fall right out of your chest if you aren't too careful. But this is Park Jimin you're talking about, how can you be too careful when he's the one making your heart race like this?

"Are you running away from me?" He asks, a playful undertone lying in his voice as he comes closer. Jimin crosses his arms against his chest as he studies you, face flushed and trying to avoid his gaze. "Ah, you're ignoring us again."

You're quick to turn and snap your eyes up at him. "What?! No!"

"I know," he teases with a light chuckle and brings his arms around you to pull you in close. Your face flushes again, head tilted down and the man frowns. "Come on, bubs, you're killing me here."

"It's just.." You sigh and with a light thud, your forehead meets his chest. "I don't know. You make me shy, alright?"

He laughs as he sways you from side to side. "I do that?"

"You have no idea," you grumble.

"Baby if there's anyone that have to worry about such things, it's me."

Narrowing your gaze with suspicion, you look up at him. "That's a lie."

"How can that be? You're pretty and cute, whose heart wouldn't race when it comes to you? Do you have any idea how hard it was watching you from before we got together and after you broke things off? Everyone wants a piece of you, Y/N."

"That's not true."

"It is so," he says, bopping your nose with his own, "you're just oblivious."

"Why does it matter anyway?" You shrug. "I'd rather have this love that's true than be with ones who only cares about looks."

"Aww, baby," Jimin coos. "I really love you, you know that?" He leans in just close enough to almost kiss your lips if you hadn't ducked away and shyly push him away.

"Jimin! Someone might see!" You quickly scold, cheeks blushing.

Yet he pouts. "Now that's the first time someone's pushed me away for wanting to kiss them. What's wrong with that?"

"People talk, okay?" You say. "Not towards you because you're an executive but I hear things all the time and I don't really wanna hear about my dating life while I'm working."

He sucks his teeth, annoyed. "People are always so nosy," he huffs before taking your hand and begins to lead you off the opposite end of where you have to be. "Come on, let's go somewhere private."

"W-wait but Jimin I have to-"

"Baby I'm one of the owners of this building, I'll just tell them you're occupied by me," he winks and before you can say anything else, the man is already whisking you away.

.

.

"You look so tired, are you alright?"

He shakes his head quickly to wake himself up, eyes closing tightly and opening a few times before sighing. "I'm alright baby."

But you know he isn't really. "Have you gotten any rest at all?" You ask him, worry clear in your voice.

Yoongi looks up at you with a fond gaze, heart softening because of how concerned you look but he also hates worrying you. So he smiles and reaches out for your hand in his lone office where no one but the two of you are present. You take his hand, rounding around his desk and over to him to allow the man to wrap his arms around your waist and lay his head against your stomach.

"I'll be alright, I promise."

"You have to remember to take breaks in between, Yoons."

Yoons. He likes it when you call him that. Likes the gentle feeling of your fingers running along his hair.

"I know, I know."

"The boys will worry too if they knew." You sigh. "Have you eaten?"

"I've got lunch in two hours," he says, "Will you join me then?"

He takes your hand to press a kiss upon the back, eyes gazing up at you through his lashes, and you smile, nodding. "Of course."

.

.

He pretends to be asleep when you walk in, a soft little gasp leaving your lips when you find him at his desk, head pressed down atop his arm as he rests them on the surface, eyes closed.

He hears your footsteps closing in on him, a moment of silence passing as you stand for a few seconds just watching him before beginning to clean his desk up in a quiet manner. His binders and papers are neatly stacked up, ipad set off to a safe side, and Taehyung almost gives himself away because he wants to smile. But he keeps himself composed, knowing well how to act.

When his desk his clean, you're standing next to him, a soft gaze on you as you watch him sleep. He feels gentle fingers weaving through the little tangles of his hairs before you lean in and he feels a kiss pressed against his head.

"I love you," you whisper.

So when you move away, he grabs ahold of your wrist, causing you to gasp, and pulls you right into his lap.

"Tae!"

"I love you too," he sighs, resting his face into your neck and laying a kiss right there.

.

.

"You okay?"

"Hm?"

"Everything alright?"

It's so gentle and sincere it makes your heart warm so you smile, sincerely, and answer him with a little kiss to his cheek. "Everything's great, Jin."

"Good," he smiles and presses a kiss to your temple.

There are still gossips going around but you know that as long as you're with them, it will never stop and people will always talk no matter what. You've gotten used to it and at this point, you don't really care anymore.

After all, Minyoung will come to defend your honor and if she doesn't then she'll definitely snitch to the boys, leading to consequences the others will have to face.

"You look happier these days," Namjoon notes.

"Of course," you giggle when Jungkook crawls into your arms. "I'm happy. Thank you."

"Why thank us?" The little one asks with a confused pout.

"You're the reason," you tell him. "I'm still slightly scared but I know that I'll never forget the love you've given me and how happy we all are. It'll hurt if we ever end but I know I'll look back on this as a happy memory."

"You say that as if we'll really end," Yoongi sighs as he plops down next to Hoseok.

"Well...you guys have been together for a while so I highly doubt that will end but I don't-"

"My love, look at me," Namjoon commands in a soft tone and you do. How can you not? He leans in close as Jungkook lets him take you, tilting your head up for you to look up at him under his hold at your chin. "It doesn't matter how long some of us have been together, our love for you is neither weaker nor stronger. Can you trust me on that? Hm?"

"Mm..I'll try."

A kiss falls on your lip and he frowns. "I love you."

"I-I know," you're blushing, "I do too."

Another kiss but this time it comes from Jungkook. "But do you really know?"

"Looks like we'll just have to show babygirl until she can stop doubting this relationship."

"N-now hold on!" They're closing in, too close, attention all on you and it makes you flustered. "I..I didn't mean-"

A pair of lips falls onto yours again. Namjoon's soft yet firm, trying to get a message across that he will not tolerate your little moments of doubt. "You think too less of yourself, sweetheart, but we'll make it better."

"Mmm. Trust us, okay?"

"Do you trust us?"

"I do."

"Good. Now close your eyes."

"Don't you have a meeting in-"

"Shh, baby, just focus on us."

Lips on your shoulder, lips to your temple, and lips that whispers words of "I love you's" over and over again to make you forget that any bad moments that has made your heart hurt are over for now. There will still be moments when you'll doubt yourself, feel insecure, think you aren't what they deserve.

But as they press kisses upon you with smiles and giggles that echoes from your throat, you know that you'll be just fine.

"We'll make it better."

They always do.

[baekhvuns]

I just read your “ateez as dad’s” reaction, and it was so adorable that could we see the members of bts as Dad’s?? thank you!!

bangtan reactions ; requested

。。。bangtan as dad's ( this is definitely my favourite type of reactions to do )

── kim seokjin ;

imagine him making his kids sit on his broad ass shoulders while they play with his chocolate brown hair.

his kids getting his worldwide handsome looks from the minute they pop out the womb.

he’s a sag, we know his kids be the best dressed.

omg imagine when his kids grow old, and he’s teaching his daughter how to drive, he’ll be so soft with her, “nooo, take the right—yes yes good job!”

and then when he’s with his son, the asian dad comes out. “aY, WATCH YOUR SPEED— OHMYGOD DID YOU JUST RUN A RED LIGHT?”

“dad, the light was green.”

“YOU JUST RAN A LIGHT, YOU IDIOT!” smacks his kid on the head.

i think when as his kids grow older, the more funny jin gets, random dad jokes being thrown around.

imagine getting ready for a wedding event or some party, and he’s yelling that he’s starting the car when he’s sitting on the bed with his phone scrolling through the army cafe.

── kim namjoon ;

man, i don’t even know (this is too soft)

best dad, wbk (i think it’s a leader thing, all leaders in kpop, would be such amazing dad’s)

buys his kids magical and deep meaning story books that he reads to them every night before bed.

he finally put the baby shoes he bought to a proper use, and then buys every single colour in it because his kid really liked them.

imagine joon, in his tux with glasses (the fit he wore to grammy’s) while he’s holding his son while standing tall and the media gushes over how adorable the pair is. crying

his kid holding one of his fingers while walking down the streets or the red carpet while wobbling on their feets.

“dada?” his kid calls for him while he’s in his office, he pauses and smiles, waving his kid to come over and places them on the table. while he writes songs, his kid plays with either his hair or the jewelry he was wearing.

definitely as his kids grow older he gets a bit stricter, cause he has his moments here and there.

when it’s time for his kids looking for girlfriend’s or boyfriend’s, he’ll have the talk with them and give them advice while walking back and forth like a lecturer.

── min yoongi ;

he’d be the sweetest dad ever, 🥺

calls his kids his angels, imagine his kids get his gummy smile (I WOULD DIE)

imagine yoongs buying his kids small little bucket hats that cover their entire faces and he just takes selfies with them and posts it on the army cafe with the caption, “look at my angels, army.”

i think he’d be a very open minded dad, although he’s on the quieter side many would think he’s really strict and stern kinda like a sergeant.

but in reality he’s a dad who gives his those ticklish kisses when someone puts their face in the kids stomach (ifykwim) and they’d fall into a giggly mess.

whoever hurts his kids, better start running, whether it be teachers or some random kids on the block or heck even the “fans”

no one hurts his family, he’ll work in quietness and place a lawsuit on the people who hurt them.

agustd mixtapes would include a song that would be titled the birthdate of his first born as a present to them and army. as well as have a separate song for his kids titled ‘my one and only’

as his kids grow older and his daughter introduces her boyfriend to him, i think we all know the poor young man would be scared shitless of the agustd.

“if you want to date my daughter, rap better than me.”

yeah, goodluck.

── jung hoseok ;

get ready for a very adventurous dad,

wakes his kid early mornings for random trips down by the bay, all while they whine and he stands there in his dad sandals grinning proudly.

jiwoo would spoil the shit out of hobi’s kids, his kids would be dressed in those pretty aesthetic outfits.

he makes them smol little rainbow bracelets and puts them around their little baby wrists. 🥺

always has his kid propped up on his hip, whenever he dances or shows other trainees and teaches them how to do certain moves, his kids watch him with bright shiny eyes.

the trainees awe at his kids, omg imagine his kids bopping their heads to the beat while clapping their hands like dolphins while hobi dances.

his kids would be dance prodigy’s, i said what i said.

matching outfits with his lil babies !! imagine hope comes home and finds his kid playing with his colourful glasses with his shirt over their heads, softly giggling 🥺

── park jimin ;

ma’am, i will tell you, he would be the strictest dad in bangtan.

i think we all watched that hello counsellor episode where he was angry at the boy who put his dolls before his family.

he’d be a great dad, of course, he loves kids and would do anything for his own. but of course, he’d be on a stricter side.

i see him constantly comparing his pinky finger with his little kids because he finally has someone who’s pinky fingers aren’t bigger than his.

his relaxing time is whenever his kids are close to him, imagine his kids hiding their faces in jimin’s neck because they’d be shy by the amount of people taking their photos and you would just hear the armies go, “AWWWWWW.” honestly same.

he’d bring his kids to bangtan’s concerts! as toddlers he would bring them out during the encore time while holding his hands and making them sing a little bit of bangtan’s songs in their baby voices 😩

as more adults, like around 8-9, he’d bring them to more music shows but send them home early because it’s bed time, but not before kissing them a goodnight.

let’s face it, his kids be the hottest. his kids would be listed as the hottest celebrity kids alongside many other’s and jimin would just boast about it everywhere.

he’s really proud of his kids and won’t hesitate to show it in private moments or even in public moments.

dance classes with dad jimin >>>

── kim taehyung ;

he loves kids, a lot.

he’d do anything for them, the friend dad, his kids would forever be his first priority.

watch his kids get the entirety of his facial genes which would automatically make them prettier / handsomer than 99% percent of the population.

takes his kids to art gallery’s around the world, shows his artistic side to his kids who also enjoy.

painting with his kids would be his favourite time of the day, imagine his kids little fingers doing finger painting and showing it off to tae who would be more than proud and start clapping loudly.

tae’s big hands would cradle his babies faces and squish their cheeks as they fall into fits of giggles, tae’s heart just swells whenever he hears his kids laugh.

bro honestly, tae’s treated like a president, his kids would like the first kids of the country, constant headlines of tae and his kids holding hands would go viral while we all suffer bc we could never 🙃

so, uh, if you mess with his family, consider yourself done, after all he’s the kim taehyung.

as much as he’s proud of his kids, he would be secretive about his private life, as in he wouldn’t want to expose his kids to the world of being a celebrity and being famous beyond.

but imagine, the day he introduces his kids to the world (idk but i’m seeing his son) while wearing a nice tux with black hair, one hand in his pocket while the other over his son’s shoulders.

people would be shocked because his kid is the exact copy of him, but we would be shocked because another kim taehyung is born.

── jeon jungkook ;

welcome to world of wholesomeness, your stay would be making you uwu a lot.

imagine his kids playing with kooks long hair and he lets them hairstyle it however they want. with pretty pink rubber bands

hIS KIDS WILL GET HIS BUNNY TEETH OR WE RIOTING.

his (idk but i’m seeing a son again) son would have his shiny eyes and bunny teeth, overall would be so adorable that kook would have a heart attack whenever his baby would look at him.

imagine you coming home and seeing both your kids sleeping on him, one over his chest while the other his sprawled over his stomach, and you hear the soft snoring of the three of them echoing around the room.

takes candid pictures of his kids whenever they’re having fun in the playground or at road trips, omg imagine him and his kids singing singing to songs while kook drives down the pretty road.

whenever a bangtan song comes on ten radio his kids would start screaming and kook would be smiling all brightly while glancing at them through the mirror while shouting the lyrics himself.

writes songs for his kids, his lullabies would be heavenly.

i also think he’d be a strict dad, after jimin, i think he’ll take on that position.

only when they are slightly older, because kids make mistakes and kook will take it to his responsibility to teach them the right things and to repeat what’s the righteous.

he would be more stricter towards his sons while being more favourable towards his daughters because they got his eyes and he can’t ever say no to them.

no, but he would be great friends with his son, they would play almost any sports together, whether it be online or in person.

really tries his best to be the best dad for his kids and no matter what happens he’ll always be by their side.

[searenbound]

As earlier promised, here’s the big list of big brother head canons. Real quick though, most of these have little bits of my personal ships in them except for Iida because when I wrote his I didn’t have anyone I really shipped him with and now it’s the exact opposite problem where I have to many Iida ships I love

Warnings: brief mention of child neglect

Todoroki

- Ok, so you know those parents that like to document everything their kid does because they’re just so proud?

- Yeah that’s how Todoroki is with his little sister

- Like I’m not even kidding, she’s the background picture on his phone

- He just loves her so much, ok

- He likes getting new things for her

- Toys, clothes, books

- Really whatever she might need or like

- Enji doesn’t care enough to get her even just some nice things

- So Todoroki might as well take matters into his own hands

- Whenever they go to visit Rei he lets her pick out flowers for her

- She always tries to get her favorites since she wants the visit to be extra special

- She loves it when Todoroki reads her bedtime stories

- She likes to compare him to the story book princes

- She’s really well-mannered and polite

- She calls all of Todoroki’s friends by their name followed by san

- except Midoriya she hasn’t explained why but she insists on calling him Izu-Niichan

- The first time she met Midoriya she stared at him for a good five minutes before he asked her about it

- “In the stories the prince always lives happily ever after with the princess but you and Shou-Niichan are both boys. Hmm… Shou-Niichan likes you a lot though, so it must be ok right?”

- Midoriya.Exe has stopped working

- “(Yn) I think it’s time we head home, it’s almost time for your nap” “Huh? But I’m not even tired yet!” “No arguing, or I won’t read you a story today” “That’s no fair!”

- They don’t talk about that incident

- A week after that though he read her a brand-new story about two princes

- She has definitely figured out why

- Because I’m sure you’re curious her hair is red at the roots and fades to white at the ends

- She once accidentally froze Enji’s legs together

- That’s when they learned she has an ice quirk

- All the Todoroki sibs were just like !!!!! our little sister did that???

- Todoroki was so proud

- He works carefully with her to make sure she can use her quirk to its fullest potential

- He won’t start helping her with hero training until she’s old enough to make that decision for herself though

- She accidentally called him Daddy once

- She doesn’t remember doing so though because she was already half asleep

- But Todoroki remembers it

- It was kinda bittersweet for him though

- On one hand he’s happy that he means that much to her

- On the other it makes him mad that he had to fill that role in her life because their father refused to

- Either way he’s determined to not let her suffer the same type of childhood he did

- She’d have a good life, he’d make sure of it

Midoriya

- Oh boy, he’s such a doting brother

- Midoriya sweetie, honey? She’s six, she can definitely walk around just fine on her own you don’t have to carry her around all the time

- He keeps a separate notebook so he can keep track of her hobbies and interest and do research on them

- See after being bullied for so long he’s really worried about her feeling isolated

- He was really relieved when her quirk manifested

- He’s glad that she won’t have to go through the same thing he did

- But my goodness did it surprise him

- She got their mom’s quirk but it’s a little stronger

- She was sleeping when she first used it

- Inko asked him to check on her and when he opened the door there were so many things just flying around her room

- He just kinda closed the door then slowly opened it again

- He then proceeded to lose it

- “M-MOM!? (YN) HAS A QUIRK!” “Izuku, you’re going to wake her up!”

- Inko is on the verge of cuteness induced heart attack every other day

- Like she’s gone into his room with fresh laundry and found them taking a nap together and she just melted

- She took pictures and if you ask nicely, she’ll show you

- He taught her how to read and write by letting her sit on his lap while he was taking notes

- He didn’t know she was learning from him until Inko started trying to teach her only to find that she already had a good grasp of it

- He’s actually pretty stern with her

- He doesn’t let her have her way all the time because that’s how you end up with a spoiled little girl

- He’s still really gentle with her, but he’ll put his foot down when needed

- “But Oniichan!” “I said no (Yn), you can’t have ice cream for breakfast. It’s not healthy for you ok? You can have some later today if you’re good” “Fine”

- Since she follows him around like a puppy, she’s picked up some of his habits

- She mumbles to herself a lot and has the same love for heroes

- If you ask her who her favorite hero is, she’ll undoubtedly say it’s Midoriya

- She loves his friends especially Uraraka because their quirks are so similar

- She was left alone with Todoroki for about fifteen minutes while the others got ice cream

- She rapid fire asks him about what he thinks of her brother

- “Do you like Oniichan? If you do, then are you going to tell him? When are you going to? How much do you like him? I think he likes you a lot, but I’m still his favorite ok? You can be with Oniichan as long as you don’t keep him all to yourself ok?”

- Once everyone comes back and Midoriya hands her the ice cream she tells him something along the lines of she approves

- He’s really confused until he asks how she behaved while he was gone

-“I think she gave me permission to marry you” “HUH?! I’m sorry Todoroki-kun that must’ve been uncomfortable for you” “I can’t say I’m all that bothered by it actually”

- He’s still not exactly sure what he meant by that

Kaminari

- He lives to make her laugh

- He sees it as a great achievement whenever he can get her laughing until she’s in tears

- They basically have langue of their own and yes that langue is memes

- No one ever know what they’re talking about

- But they look happy, so no one questions it

- He adores her and will find any excuse to brag about her

- They’re on some type of hive mind I swear to God

- Like they can look at each other from across a room and he just nods, and brings her a snack no questions asked

- He always brings exactly what she wanted to

- His friends thought maybe her quirk was telepathy or something but nope

- He calls it his big bro senses

- He calls her Pichu you can’t convince me otherwise

- Pichu is actually a great way to describe her

- She has the same quirk and even less control of it

- If she gets too worked up, she might zap you

- Kaminari forgets to tell his friends about her habit of shocking others so everyone in the Bakusquad has definitely been zapped

- “What the hell was that?!” “Oh yeah, she doses that sometimes”

- He’s actually a pretty responsible brother

- Whenever he goes somewhere with her, he makes sure to have everything she might need

- He always forgets to take everything out of his bag before going back to school though

- “Why do you have a doll in your bag?” “Huh, oh man that one’s (Yn)’s favorite she going to be so mad at me”

- She was, don’t get in between a girl and her favorite doll

- He’s learned how to style her hair in all sorts of ways

- He’s especially good at braiding her hair

- When she lets him, he’ll pick out her outfit

- Sometimes he picks a really nice outfit

- But most of the time it’s obvious she was dressed by him

- Like they aren’t ever bad outfits, but they’re interesting

- He takes her to parks a lot

- She likes exploring new places so he tries take her to different parks as much as he can

- One time a certain purple haired boy happened to be running in that park

- It couldn’t hurt to just talk to him really quick right?

- Wrong, he might have big bro senses, but she has little sis senses and she exclusively uses them to mess with him

- “Hey, Denki-Nii is this your friend?” “Yeah, this is Shinsou” “Oh! He’s that boy you like, right?”

Kirishima

- You ever seen a video of a golden retriever playing with a puppy retriever?

- Yeah thats them

- He’s just adores her so much

- She’s so spoiled oh my God

- He wants to be a good role model for her

- He’s heard that kids base their future relationships on the ones they make when they’re still young

- So, he wants her to know exactly how much she’s worth

- He’s not ashamed of playing dress up with her

- She wants to be a princess and it’s the manly thing to do

- If someone tries teasing him about it, he just kinda looks at them in pity and shakes his head

- “Why should I be ashamed of making my sister happy?”

- He paints her nails for her all the time

- One time she asked if she could paint his

- And that’s the story of the time he went to school with messily done red nails

- He gives her piggyback rides all the time

- Yes, he knows she can walk but this way is way more fun for both of them

- He gets really excited whenever she learns to do something on her own

- Then he gets a little pouty because she won’t need him anymore

- “You’re my best friend! I’m always going to need you!”

- Cue the water works

- Sero called her Minishima once

- It just kinda stuck

- She is now known as Minishima by all

- She picks fights with Bakugou a lot

- She’s on good terms with his other friends

- It’s literally just Bakugou that she picks fights with

- Kirishima thinks it’s hilarious so he provokes the situation

- He’s hanging out with Bakugou today? Better bring the kiddo

- She wants to have a tea party? What’s a party with just two people?

- “Hey! Don’t think that I’ll let you win just because Eiji-Niikun likes you!” “(Y-yn)!”

- It appears that there’s one drawback to his game

- her quirk is crystal manipulation

- Instead of hardening her skin she can crystallize things

- She has definitely used it to trip Bakugou before

- “What the hell brat!?” “He’ll never believe you”

- He did and scolded her about how that wasn’t a nice thing to do and made her apologize

Iida

- She looks up to him so much and he doesn’t really know how to handle it

- Like she looks at him like he’s just the coolest person ever

- And suddenly it’s clear to him why Tensei always tried to be someone he could look up to

- Of course, he got it before but it’s just different being the one someone looks up to

- All he wants is for her to be proud to call him her older brother

- He definitely picks out her outfits whenever he takes her somewhere

- She actually insists on it he doesn’t she’ll get pouty

- “(Yn), I you’re old enough to pick out your own clothes now” “But I want you to do it! I always like what you pick Tenya-Niikun!” “If you insist, I suppose I have no choice than”

- She loves riding around on his shoulders

- He knows he’s spoiling her a little too much, but he can’t help it

- He’s just completely wrapped around her little finger

- His friends think it’s really cute

- It’s not often you get to see him relax and let himself just be in the moment so it’s absolutely precious to watch them

- She loves playing pretend and has managed to get not only Iida but the whole dekusquad to join in her games

- Their all wrapped around her finger let’s be honest here, even Todoroki has a huge soft spot for her

- She has no idea she has so much power over them and thinks it’s normal to have five heroes in training ready to drop everything to play princess with her

- Her quirk is also engine but hers are on her heels

- She likes to have impromptu races with him

- He likes to let her win because its adorable to see her celebrate her victory

- He reads to her all the time as a result she well above the average reading level for her age

- Bedtime stories are a chapter or two form whatever classic he’s deemed age appropriate for her

Shinsou

- Nap time buddies, like just super snuggly all the time

- There’s legit a corner in his room that’s dedicated to being the comfiest nap spot for a five year old girl and her older brother one can imagine

- We’re talking fluffy blankets plush pillows a few stuffed animals and some story books in case she wants a story

- Ya know, the works

- It’s really cute honestly

- I can see him being a low key over protective

- Like he seems like cool chill older bro who doesn’t care as long as she’s having fun, but he’s so worried all the time

- He’s just like ‘you’re so tiny, literally everything could hurt you, but you walk around like you could kill God and that’s a problem’

- I know I’ve said literally everyone wrapped around their little sis’s fingers and he’s no different

- Proudest brother of them all

- Will take any opportunity to mention her

- Low key though, it’s way to embarrassing for him to casually gush about his younger sister

- “Who’s the kid on your phone?” “Oh, that’s my sister (Yn)” “I didn’t know you have a sister! She’s so cute!” “Ah thanks, she is pretty cute huh?”

- Ok so you know how some kids decide that when they get older they’re gonna marry the person their closest with because they think that’s what you have to do when you love someone?

- Yeah she thinks they’re gonna get married

- “When I grow up I’m gonna marry Nii-kun!” “No you’re not” “I am to!”

- She gets really jealous and huffy when he has to do something with out her even though he’s home and can hangout with her

- Like she understands when he has to leave for school but now he’s home! That should be her time!

- She’s definitely the 'you can’t date my big brother! He’s mine!’ type of little sister

- There was an incident when she met some of his school friends

- She looked Kaminari in the eyes and told him he’s not allowed to like her brother

- Shinsou has never scooped her up and excused himself so fast in his life

[eyesfixedonthesun22]

The Wedding

Pairing: Steve x Reader  Warning(s): None Word Count: 1,368 Prompt: Based on a “New Girl” Episode: Wedding Season 1 Episode 3 Beta Reader: @supersoldiersruined-me​ Notes: This is for Kelsey’s ( @daffodilsbucky) 1k Challenge! Thanks for letting me be a part of this, darling. 

“So how do you feel about weddings?”

The question Sam’s asked you rattles around in your skull a moment before you return your attention to the “night in buffet” of your dreams you’d just concocted. Strewn across the coffee table is your favorite noodle take-out from down the block, a large pizza with all your favorite toppings, a bottle of the fancier tier alcohol you usually only treated yourself with. The cherry on top was what could only be described as some sundae-esque contraption. You had thrown together all your favorite desserts into one, quite possibly diabetes inducing, dish. Your shows were queued, your comfy pants were on, your bra was off.

“Who’s wedding?” you finally say through a mouth full of heaven.

“Has anyone told you you’re a picture of feminine grace?”

“No.” Throwing in an extra eye roll. Sam continued on as if not having seen your facial expression.

“Some friends from college are getting married this weekend and we need you to come and be Steve’s date. And before you ask why-” Your mouth clamps closed in indignation. “Peggy is gonna be there.”

“The Peggy.”

“Yes, the very one. Now can we stop talking about it unless it means you’re gonna be my date?”

You can’t help but smile as a tall, blue-eyed blonde enters the room. Steve looks entirely unbothered by the mention of his ex, which is the first clue that he is very much bothered. His straight posture masks the rigid tension held in his muscles. The emotional aloofness, a poor attempt at recovery from a nasty breakup.

“I’ll be your date, Stevie.”

“Excellent!” Another hulking man strides into the kitchen plopping onto the couch next to you. He snatches a piece of pizza and folds it in half before pushing nearly the entire piece into his mouth. “Did you tell her the rules,” the brunette manages to mumble from behind cheese and crust.

“Chew and swallow, Bucky...you animal. Also, maybe ask me if you can have a piece of my pizza next time.” You shove him playfully. “What rules?”

Sam and Bucky seem to share a look with each other and then Steve.

“What rules!?”

Sam thinks a half beat longer before saying, “Well you’re not exactly the most… how do I put this?”

“Lady like?” Bucky offers.

“And Peggy is the epitome of poise and grace. So we need you to polish up a bit. Be at the top of your game. Not whatever this is.” He gestures to your table full of food.

“I clean up wonderfully I’ll have you know!” You turn back to your food mildly offended at your best friends before mumbling, “Ungrateful assholes.”

***

Two hours into the reception and things are a verified disaster. You curse outwardly at your support system for aiding Steve and shake your head at their weakness.

Bucky had been named an usher of the wedding. At some point, he’d started what you’d believed to be a friendly competition with another usher. As it turns out, the usher is a child! The two of them have now locked themselves in a battle of wits, pranks, and competition that has fully taken over Bucky’s competitive nature; rendering him wholly useless to distract Steve from Peggy.

For all the lecturing Sam gave you, he’s turned out no better. Not ten minutes into the wedding ceremony he excused himself from his seat. Since then you’d only seen glimpses of him with Tammy. Each of you knew Tammy. You were all intimately experienced with sounds she makes as many other horrific private insights. Sam has a habit of bringing Tammy home from every single event that they are at together despite claiming to hate one another. You’re certain tonight will be no exception.

“Well it’s just us, Stevie.”

He gulps and yanks at his tie before downing his drink. You search your memory to try to remember how many that’s been. A drunk Steve will be far more difficult to redirect than a sober Steve.

“Forgive me, sweetheart but that isn’t instilling the most confidence in me.”

“Hey now! I’m in a really banging dress and heels and it’s all for you.”

“Did you just say-hicc-banging?”

Uh-oh. Your drink count really must be off if he’s hiccupping.

“Is this seat taken?” A picturesque woman in a sweetheart neckline dress moves to sit on the other side of Steve. “I didn’t know you’d be here, Steven. Who’s your friend?”

Steve stares slack-jawed before downing the rest of your drink and introducing you to Peggy. You cling to Steve’s arm, trying to convey the fake dating status you’re supposed to be exuding but it’s obvious he only has eyes for the prim woman in front of him. She is so polite and charming you don’t even realize what’s happened until it’s too late when she’s asked you, “Darling, would you mind going to refresh our drinks?”

It’s there at the bar, you finally run into Bucky. “What the hell are you doing, doll? Where is Steve?” He glances around the ballroom in a panic before landing on the blonde head next to Peggy’s. “What happened?”

“We all failed is what happened?”

“Why is Rogers in a deep conversation with the exact woman we had you here to help him avoid!” You nearly jump as Sam’s deep baritone slides up next to you at the other side of the bar.

“You both abandoned me! We were supposed to be a team. She is tricky and Steve is sad and drunk. I didn’t know what I was getting into.” Your voice tapers off. “I was outmaneuvered.” You can feel the tears start to well behind your eyes a bit, but Sam continues on.

“We didn’t all fail. That’s why we brought you. You failed.”

You can’t hold back the tears any longer. Your vision blurs. All you can think is to find somewhere out of this room; a place where the sounds don’t ricochet off the walls a clog your head. You miss Steve turning away from Peggy to see you sprinting out of the ballroom.

You’ve taken refuge in the coat closet; plopped deep back in a corner alone with your self-pity. You hear a soft rap of knuckles on wood and tuck your legs further into the darkness.

“I saw your shoes, sweetheart,” Steve says. “And I have a peace offering.”

“Steve?”

He crawls down do your level and wedges himself against the back wall. His progress is awkward at first, you assume due to his size, but then you see he’s crawling one handed. In the other hand, he holds a large platter filled with food and wedding cake.  When he’s finally settled he hands you the plate.

“Oh and before I forget,” he reaches into his back pocket and removes a silver flask. “Snacks and drinks.”

You smirk lopsided at him through your tears. “What are you doing here, Stevie? Where’s Peggy?”

“Probably on her way back home to her fiance.”

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” He takes a large swig from the flask before passing it your way. “I think I finally realized something today. I have spent years of my life waiting for Peggy to take me back...and it’s just not going to happen.”

You aren’t sure if it’s the warmth from the flask rushing to your cheeks or the proximity to the man next to you that makes you say what you say next. “She shouldn’t have been flirting with you, Steve. You really deserve to be something more than someone’s backup plan. You’re a wonderful, thoughtful man. Tons of women would be lucky to have you.”

Steve pulls you against his side and tosses his arm around your shoulder. “You gonna eat all that cake, sweetheart?”

“I could be persuaded to share.”

“Thank you, honey. For everything.” With that, he plans a long peck right to your temple. The electric spark it generates seems to zing straight down to your lungs; stilling your breath and igniting your heart.

Well that’s new.

“Anytime, Stevie.” You’re more than thankful for the low light of the coat closet hiding what is no doubt a fiery blush across your cheeks and chest. “Anytime.”

[themurphyzone]

World’s Greatest Dad Ch 1

“Remember how you said if I got you a little Mary McGuffin doll, I’d be the world’s greatest dad?” 

“Yeah, when I was like, seven….”

 I was thinking about this quote the other night, and it occurred to me that the PnF fandom doesn’t have a lot of stories that involve a younger Vanessa. They’re out there, I remember there was one fanfic that had Vanessa and Heinz visiting Roger on Halloween night and she was dressed like a black cat. And if anyone recalls Emergency Procedures by Sage of Mudora, there was a certain flashback where you don’t know true seething hatred for Heinz’s sperm and egg donors until you’ve read it.

 Anyway, the episode Finding Mary McGuffin gave me the inspiration for this fic. I’ve been wanting to write a young Vanessa story for a while now.  Hope you enjoy!

Ch 1: Questions and Hot Chocolate

Ads blared on the television, filling the penthouse with saccharine, overly cheery songs about family and all the hot items on sale this holiday season. Heinz knew he was going to get Jingle Bells stuck in his head again, but he was too preoccupied with cleaning to care. He debated breaking out the Vacuum-inator to speed things along, but that particular creation tended to be unpredictable on its best days. And he refused to wade through a balcony filled with dust bunnies again.

Heinz sprayed the table with a cleaning solution, swiping a rag through the liquid. He held his turtleneck over his nose so he didn’t breathe in the harsh ammonia scent.

He had to keep moving. It was better than just sitting on the couch and wallowing. Especially when the rest of the city was so cheery with their carols and horse-drawn carriages and chiming bells.

It wasn’t that he hated it, per se.

He just didn’t care.

And there were more important things to do. For instance, making his little girl happy and trying to establish himself as enough of a threat to warrant a nemesis.

Speaking of his little girl, Charlene should’ve dropped her off by now. Heinz glanced at the clock. How could it already be five with no sign of them yet? He forced himself to breathe and relax before dialing Charlene’s cell number.

“C’mon pick up, pick up,” Heinz muttered as the phone continued to ring. “Why isn’t she picking up?”

“Hello, Heinz. Vanessa and I are just heading out the door. We’ll be there in fifteen minutes,” Charlene said smoothly, as if she didn’t care about punctuality.

Heinz sighed. “You’re an hour late.”

“I’m not,” Charlene sounded offended. Heinz could just picture that familiar eye roll. Vanessa had taken to doing the same thing recently. Must’ve gotten it from her mom. “Did you forget Daylight Savings ended last month?”

“What does Daylight Savings have to do with anything?” Heinz grumbled. But he glanced at the time displayed on the DVD player, then over to the analog clock on the wall. Sure enough, the DVD player held the correct time. Heinz pinched the bridge of his nose in embarrassment. “Sorry, you’re right. I never remember to change the analog. Didn’t mean to get all…accusatory there.”

There was a soft snort on the other end. “Apology accepted. You want to talk to Vanessa? I can’t be on the phone and drive at the same time.”

Heinz could feel his mood brighten considerably. “That would be great.”

“Here, Vanessa. Talk to Dad,” Charlene said. Vanessa said something in the background that Heinz couldn’t make out. “Just say hi.”

“Hi,” a quiet voice muttered.

“Hi, sweetie! Are you ready for the weekend?” Heinz asked.

Silence.

“I’ve got hot chocolate and a box of candy canes here. You like that stuff, right?” he pressed.

“Mm-hm.”

Vanessa loved chocolate. It was her version of almond brittle. He knew she wouldn’t be able to resist a mug of her favorite drink, especially now that a cold front had blown into Danville. While it wasn’t unusual that she was quiet on the phone, he thought she’d at least perk up over that.

Heinz decided to try one more time. Maybe he could get a general idea of what was happening. “Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m fine,” Vanessa said, though she didn’t sound like it. “See you in a few minutes.”

She hung up.

Heinz could only stare at the phone in disbelief, wondering if the current custody agreement had something to do with him raising a teenager in a seven-year old’s body.

“Hot chocolate mix, mugs, marshmallows, candy canes, and the milk is in the fridge,” Heinz reviewed, racking his brain for any items he might’ve missed. “Instant Hot Cocoa-inator. I should remember that for next year. And it’ll be nothing like the Instant Hot Coffee-inator. I think I still have blisters from that one.”

The mug didn’t reply.

“I have got to stop talking to myself like this,” he muttered. The doorbell rang, and Heinz grinned at the items on the counter. “And I’ll be right back, you guys are gonna cheer my baby girl up in a bit, okay?”

He rushed to the door, pausing briefly to remind himself that he shouldn’t fling the door open and embrace Vanessa right there. The week had gone by slower than Heinz would’ve liked. It had been way too long since he last saw her.

Both Charlene and Vanessa would say it’s only been two weeks, but that was still a long time.

After inhaling deeply to calm himself, Heinz opened the door.

The first thing he noticed was how heavily the two were bundled up. Scarves, coats, boots, and pretty much the entire winter deal. It must’ve been colder than he thought.

Charlene cleared her throat. “Well, hope you two have fun.”

“Hi, Dad,” Vanessa said. She busied herself by removing her gloves. A black backpack was slung over her shoulders.  

“Hey, go put your things away and come to the kitchen,” Heinz said. “I’m making both of us hot chocolate. Looks like you could use it.”

For more reasons than just the cold, he added silently as he watched her shuffle off to her room.

Once Vanessa was out of earshot, Charlene sighed. “Maybe you’ll have better luck with her. I think something happened at school this week, but she’s not handing over any details.”

“She isn’t being bullied, is she?” Heinz’s mouth tasted like sand, his memories of Big Black Boots Boris resurfacing briefly before he pushed that bully to the back of his mind (part of him was itching to make a scheme out of that).

“I’d have to call her teacher for a conference as soon as possible if that were the case. There’s a week and a half left before Winter Break,” Charlene mused, shooting Heinz a pointed look that clearly said she’d be handling the teacher portion if it came to that.

Heinz balked, but he knew she had a point. He’d gotten tossed out of the last Meet the Teacher night, and the school probably wouldn’t want him back on their property any time soon.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Heinz finally said. “No promises though.”

“You’ve gotten through to her before,” Charlene said. “I’m sure this time will be no different. Anyway, I’d better go. Those holiday cards aren’t going to write themselves. Be back on Sunday evening!”

“We’ve done this routine for two years!” Heinz called after her as she walked back to the elevator, annoyed that she thought he needed the reminder. “I already know it!”

He closed the door, mentally counting to ten to get his irritation out.

Vanessa was taking her time, he’d noticed. Heinz was about to knock on her bedroom door to check on her, but he knew she didn’t like being rushed. He decided to microwave the milk first and only check if she hadn’t come out by the time both mugs finished.

It was funny how time worked. Sometimes days passed in the blink of an eye, while others would drag on until the dull clicks of a clock would drive any sane person mad. It seemed like yesterday that Vanessa had learned to crawl and would stubbornly insist on following him everywhere. It was the first time Heinz had noticed just how unsafe the makeshift lab he’d set up in the basement could be. He didn’t want to find out if Vanessa had inherited his resistance to random things exploding.

Then the divorce happened.

Heinz and Charlene didn’t see eye to eye on many things. But they both agreed that Vanessa shouldn’t be denied a relationship with one parent.

Things worked out. Though the first few weekend visits had been awkward, Vanessa adjusted remarkably well. In fact, Heinz thought she adjusted better than he had.

“Dad, you’re being weird again,” a voice cut in.

Heinz blinked, realizing that he’d been staring down at two steaming mugs of milk. Vanessa must’ve come in while he’d been lost in his thoughts.

Wallowing, to be exact.

It was a habit he really needed to break.

Vanessa tossed a math workbook onto the table, rushing up to the counter to get a good look at the ingredients Heinz had set out.

“I don’t have whipped cream, but we’ll be fine without it,” Heinz said. “How many marshmallows do you want?”

“I can do it myself,” Vanessa declared, ripping open the hot chocolate mix and dumping it into her mug.

“How’s school going?” Heinz asked as he added the mix to his own cup. Vanessa was too focused on getting the last of the powder out to respond. “Just trying to make conversation.”

She glanced at the box of candy canes before slowly pushing it away.

“Not a fan?” he guessed. “Or is it the whole no candy before dinner thing? Cause you can have one. What your mother doesn’t know won’t hurt her.”

Vanessa shook her head. “There’s a girl in Ms. Hanson’s class who looks like a candy cane. She wears red and white and she’s always carrying this huge stuffed Ducky Momo.”

It was the first time she’d spoken more a few sentences since arriving. Heinz couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. Then he saw Vanessa shooting a reproachful glare at him, and he figured that he wasn’t supposed to be smiling at whatever she was going to say. He took a sip of his drink as he focused on getting his mouth back to a neutral position.

“Is this girl being mean to you?” Heinz asked. The words were out of his mouth before he knew it. He couldn’t help but assume the worst. Or think up a whole bunch of complicated schemes that would nip this bullying thing in the bud before Vanessa was hurt.

Bullies would leave their mark forever.

He knew that all too well.

Vanessa added two marshmallows to her hot chocolate and carried it back to the table. “She’s not mean,” she said, resting her elbow on the table as she stirred her hot chocolate. “We talk sometimes. We were sitting at lunch together today.”

Heinz was just relieved that bullying didn’t seem to be the issue. “And what happened?”

“We talked,” Vanessa said. “She said her mom was remarrying and she was getting a new brother. Then I asked who her mom was married to before. And she said she didn’t remember his name, but he was gone. Then she grabbed her Ducky Momo and left.”

Suddenly the hot chocolate didn’t seem so appetizing anymore.

There was always the possibility of Charlene remarrying some stranger. She was financially stable and down to earth. But he couldn’t fathom Vanessa calling someone else ‘Dad.’ That honor belonged to him alone and there was no force in the world that could make him surrender it.

“And why you’re upset has something to do with this?” he asked, uncertain as to where this story was heading.

“I think I made her mad,” Vanessa said quietly. She breathed on her hot chocolate, creating small ripples along the surface. “Did I say something wrong?”

“You didn’t,” Heinz replied. He didn’t know all the details. Vanessa might’ve left something out. But it didn’t seem like a possibility. And he didn’t want her to imitate his self-blaming habit. “What did you mean by ‘he was gone’?”

Vanessa shrugged. “Gone.”

Which could mean a lot of things, but it was clear she didn’t know. Heinz decided to drop that part.

“You could say sorry if you’re worried about her being mad,” Heinz suggested.

“Okay,” Vanessa said, for once not arguing with him. She was biting her lip. There was something else on her mind.

Against his better judgment, Heinz decided to pry. “Are you thinking about anything else?”

“Are you going to be gone too?”

English words with multiple meanings were quickly rising to the top of his To Destroy list.

“I…I don’t understand,” Heinz sputtered, almost choking on a marshmallow. He seriously needed to brush up on what parenting books said about discussing heavy topics. “Gone as in left or gone as in… permanently gone?”

He couldn’t say dead.

And he wasn’t sure which option was worse.

“Both,” Vanessa said. She was giving him an odd look.

This was how the girl Vanessa had talked to must’ve felt. Heinz couldn’t blame her for stomping off if Vanessa’s questions made her uncomfortable. He was tempted to do the same thing.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Heinz said firmly as he dumped the empty mugs in the sink. It was taking all his effort to sound calm. “And I don’t have anywhere else I need to be. Just do your homework and I’ll cook dinner.”

Vanessa didn’t argue. She flipped to her assignment and got right to work.

A/N: Heinz, you’re a disaster. A lovable disaster but still.

It’s funny how Vanessa’s story about accidentally making Candace mad/uncomfortable came together because it didn’t start that way when I was planning it. Some things just write themselves, you know?

[torinomonty]

For the doll question thing: 4, 14, 48?

4. How many dolls are too many to you personally?

uuuuh I don’t know. I sometimes see confessions on the bjd confession blogs where people are all ‘lol I found a doll I totally forgot i even owned!’ and I kinda think that if you get to the point where you have so many you can’t remember what you do and don’t own that’s...maybe too many, but no judgement to them. I don’t think it’s bad to have a whole lot of dolls if you actually do like each one a lot individually and aren’t just buying them for the sake of it. I have seen some pretty compulsive buyers who basically buy a doll and then put it on the shelf and never look at it again. I don’t really get that. I don’t know what my personal limit would be. Not counting pure neemos I have 8 dolls (4 DDs, 3 resins) -and there are probably...10 more I would want...? But that would probably be spaced out over the years and a lot of them aren’t ‘urgent’, just ‘i wanna get that one eventually’.

14. Favourite accessory and, again, picture!  I really love this doll-scale macbook. It’s actually a mirror, but I’d like to stick some magnets on the screen and print/make some appropriately sized magnets of screenshots of DenofAngels and the DollfieDreams forums. I also love the pearl/bow headband that comes with the Candypop dress.

48. Do you pamper some more than others?

lol Rin gets spoiled the most, half because she’s the cutest and half because she looks good in basically anything, and thus there’s so many things that suit her. Although Miku gets spoiled recently too. The fact that they both have shorter hair makes them easier to take out to meetups and stuff - and their aesthetic is more likely to suit the photo spaces in the Volks stores. Apollo gets spoiled the least mostly because the clothes I want to get for him are pretty expensive and its a lot to pay for something I can’t use the pants/shoes of. (since most are clothing sets) And my Renee because I haven’t 100% finalized his look yet as its hard to find the exact style of casual clothes i’m after in MSD scale.

[nefferlemort-blog1]

Japan’s wild, creative Harajuku street style is dead. Long live Uniqlo

To hear photographer Shoichi Aoki describe it, what killed Tokyo’s famous Harajuku style was basically what happens when a glut of factories set up shop at the head of a river that feeds vital waterways.

“In Tokyo there is a kind of flow of energy when it comes to fashion,” Aoki explains. “Harajuku is the source of this flow. If you picture it as the source of a river, then recently there have been factories erected on its banks, and businesses have appeared, but they have stressed the limits of this little fountainhead.”

For 20 years, Aoki’s magazine FRUiTS was known for street-style photography documenting the wild creativity of the fashionable kids in and around Harajuku, a Tokyo neighborhood of about a square mile that has wielded an outsize influence on fashion in Japan and beyond.

In the 1990s, the area was the epicenter of a new look that came to symbolize the uninhibited essence of Japan’s fashion-forward youth culture. An eclectic, unruly overload of influences, sometimes colorful as a pinwheel, exaggerated and accessorized to cartoonish effect, Harajuku style has come to represent Japanese fashion—and indeed Japan—to much of the rest of the globe.

But Harajuku has changed. That frenetic signature image has been co-opted and commercialized by corporations, celebrities, and attention-seekers, and ultimately replaced by one more conservative and less unique among Tokyo’s style-conscious kids. These days, they’re more likely to wear mass-market clothing from Uniqlo and other international clothing chains.

Aoki says there are no longer enough fashionable people who fit the look to put out a magazine every month, and so he’s shuttering FRUiTS, marking the end of an era. Depending how you define it, that era may have actually ended some time ago.

The rise of Harajuku style

Aoki started shooting street fashion in London in the 1980s, and ran a separate magazine called Street. He created FRUiTS in 1997. Harajuku, his neighborhood at the time, had long been a fashion hub in Tokyo, and was witness to a shifting array of styles. From the beginning of the 1980s, there was retro rock ‘n roll, the reign of designer fashion by labels such as Yohji Yamamoto and Comme des Garçons, and preppy Shibuya Casual, for example.

In the mid-1990s, the less-commercial Ura-Harajuku section of the area—ura meaning “back”—blew up. From this base, the pioneering Japanese streetwear labels Undercover and A Bathing Ape launched their globally popular style, known locally as Ura-Harajuku-kei.

Ura-Harajuku is one of three zones that effectively make up the neighborhood. There’s also Takeshita Street, a strip now crowded with cheap fashion for children and teens, and Omotesandō, the area’s popular main thoroughfare. Until 1998, a long stretch on Omotesandō, called the Hokosha Tengoku, or “pedestrian paradise,” would close to cars on Sundays. It served as an important gathering spot for kids to see and be seen, and was where Aoki photographed many of his subjects in the early days of FRUiTS.

In 1997, at the same time that streetwear was gaining mass popularity, another look was spreading around Ura-Harajuku and Omotesandō. What prompted Aoki to start the magazine were three girls he spotted, who to him represented something new. For years, Tokyo’s stylish art and fashion school kids had opted for the cerebral, mostly black look of Comme des Garçons and Yamamoto. Vivienne Westwood and London street style also exerted their influence.

“But these girls had made a style that was completely theirs,” Aoki says, describing how they mixed Japanese styles and motifs with Western clothes, to create an image that wasn’t dictated by any brands. “This kind of adventurousness was unheard of,” he recalled. “I had never seen yellow hair before. These completely new girls appeared and seemed to have the potential to make a new style that had never existed previously in Japan. What’s more, this new style was coming from the street, and I had a feeling that this was the first time for this to happen in Japanese fashion history.”

Quickly, a variety of style subcultures emerged—each with its own rules and hangouts. These included kawaii, meaning “cute”; wamono, which mixed elements of Western and traditional Japanese dress; loligoth, an amalgam of Lolita and gothic; futuristic cyberpunk; hyper-colorful decora; and others. Plenty of dressed-up kids also defied definition.

These style tribes, affiliated by geography, eclecticism, and sensory overload, loosely hung together to form a striking new DIY fashion.

W. David Marx, who traced the history of Japanese menswear appropriating American style in his book Ametora, says when he first traveled to Tokyo in 1998, the kids Aoki was capturing were all over Harajuku. Their style gained attention in wider Japan through figures such as entertainer Tomoe Shinohara, and commercial magazines including CUTiE, Zipper, and Kera. But FRUiTS had arguably been there first, and became an authoritative chronicle of the look.

And its decline

By the time US singer Gwen Stefani’s song “Harajuku Girls”—and her veritable minstrel show of some of the girls themselves—appeared in the US in 2004, the subculture was already disappearing in Tokyo, at least among those who’d created it.

The exact reasons for the decline of Harajuku’s unique style aren’t entirely clear. Aoki describes the 1998 closure of his subjects’ Sunday gathering spot, the Hokosha Tengoku “pedestrian paradise,” as a punch to the chest. After that, the area lost some of its magnetism, and international fashion chains had started moving in. “This small fountainhead was overwhelmed with callous businesses,” he says.

It’s possible, too, that as is often the case when a trend becomes cool, those who were on its vanguard moved on as it became too popular, and it began to collapse.

Whatever the exact causes, when Daphne Mohajer, an Iranian-Canadian fashion designer and PhD student based in Tokyo, started working with Aoki and shooting for FRUiTS in 2010, the look was verging on extinction.

“It was hard to find people who could be shot, who were doing new things that were playing with categories or materials in an original way and looked good,” she says. “Maybe 1 in 100 or even less people.”

The style has continued to limp along, and gone through some revivals in recent years, largely because of celebrities who have adopted it, notably Japanese pop star Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. Mohajer describes her as the unofficial brand ambassador of Harajuku, specifically Takeshita Street and Ura-Harajuku. The set of her 2011 hit “PonPonPon” was the handiwork of Sebastian Masuda, the designer behind Ura-Harajuku-based shop 6%Dokidoki. The store became a cornerstone of unrelentingly cutesy kawaii style after it opened in 1995.

“I’d say that once she teamed up with Sebastian Masuda they really pushed her and made her into Harajuku’s darling, propelling it into a new wave of popularity overseas,” Mohajer says.

Masuda has gone on to design several buildings that embody the look that has come to represent Harajuku, such as the Kawaii Monster Cafe, which attracts tourists eager for a glimpse of the Harajuku stereotype. Kawaii seems to be the style that has most come to represent Harajuku abroad.

When the cafe opened in 2015, Tokyofashion.com wrote that it “aims to capture the spirit that made Harajuku the most famous street fashion neighborhood in all of Asia.” Travel + Leisure said it’s at the top of tourists’ must-see lists. Asian tourists, especially Chinese, looking to shop the Harajuku stereotype are what have kept the area’s retail businesses alive—though as Mohajer points out, the trend has long since passed.

Harajuku’s present—and future

Today you may occasionally find kids dressed up in rainbow doll’s clothes in Harajuku, but they tend to be emulating YouTube stars and celebrities in an attempt to get noticed. Most people prefer a more subdued look.

Some blame Uniqlo—Japan’s internationally expanding basics chain—as one cause for the shift. Marx says the company, with its muted colors and simple styles, has clearly had an impact on Japanese wardrobes, but he frames its growing influence in terms of economics.

“You can’t detach Uniqlo’s rise from that fact that consumer incomes have been dropping since 1998,” he explains. Japanese shoppers have historically had to pay much higher prices for clothing than shoppers in other countries, and have mostly been willing to. But wages have fallen, and spending on apparel declined 19% (pdf) from 2000 to 2009. As Marx describes it, “Uniqlo came in and said, ‘Hey, how about you just have nice clothing at about the same price as other people pay for clothing.'”

Cheap global chains, including H&M and Forever 21, also drew large crowds when they opened in Harajuku.

That’s not to say that Tokyo, and Harajuku specifically, has lost its sense of style. Creative fashion is still more part of the culture in Japan than, say, in the US, and there are plenty of well-dressed people on the streets of Harajuku to photograph. But fewer of them are dressing in an artistic way that pushes boundaries, and fewer still in the very specific mode FRUiTS started capturing 20 years ago.

“People wear a lot less vintage, there is less of a sense of eclecticism and much more mainstream fast fashion,” Mohajer says. “They look good, but they look familiar.”

Aoki says he has seen a shift in priorities among young consumers. Fashion, he says, is less of a priority these days than smart phones. But he’s still optimistic that the spark of creativity he first saw decades ago lives on.

“With Harajuku’s existing power, and the talent of the young people still going strong,” he says, “I think something good will happen.”