#already had my fair share of doing word problems with mental math give me a break

[xinanigans]

I think the 401k questions I got today made my brain actually explode because I probably flunked one of the most easiest math tests I’ve had in my life ???????

Used too much of my brain juice and began overthinking how to get the x intercepts like be fr……. :^(

[radiorenjun]

I Don't Need It

• Pairing: Na Jaemin x Reader

• Genre: Angst, Comedy, Fluff

• Na Jaemin despised the idea of soulmates, he wanted to fight against fate for choosing his soulmate for him. Even if it means his stubborn childhood best friend wouldn't stop trying to make him accept about the similar tattoos on their wrists.

• Masterlist here!

• Chapters: vii, viii

"What? They can't just break up like that!" you gaped, shaking Renjun's shoulder lightly to exaggerate your point. Renjun rolled his eyes before clicking his tongue, "oh come on, you didn't see that coming? Their relationship was bound to end at some point, y/n."

You were both binge watching the ninth season of The Big Bang Theory at your house, originally planning to study and do chemistry homework  together, but being the procrastinator you were, you ended up getting distracted. Hence, why the two of you are sitting on your bed watching one of the most heartbreaking episodes on The Big Bang Theory while munching on some pizza,

“But they were so cute together! My Shelamy heart can’t take this, Injun!” you shook your best friend aggressively as you continue to whine, ignoring the sighing boy who was contemplating on why he was even friends with you in the first place. “He even got a ring for her, if that isn’t the cutest thing ever then I don’t know what is,” you groaned, collapsing on your bed as the thought of someone giving you a wedding ring made your heart flutter.

“Always the hopeless romantic,” Renjun sighs, running a hand down his face as if to say ‘I’m so done right now’. “Disgusting,” he teased, letting out a soft grunt once he felt you throw a pillow at the back of his head. “Shut up, nerd. You still have to find your soulmate, why not let your magnificent best friend mourn over the fact that she’s gonna be single for the rest of her life and let a girl dream?” you joked, earning a dark glare from Renjun.

Ouch, why did that hurt? It was your own joke after all. 

“Don’t say that you sadist. You need to stop making jokes bout the bad things in life, that’s not very healthy.” Renjun lectured, his hand coming up to pinch your cheek hard. You frowned, pulling his hand away from you as you chuckled nervously. “You know me, Jun. Humor is a coping mechanism for everything. I’m mad at you when you mock me for simping over Timothée Chalamet when he starred on Little Women? I use sarcastic humor as a revenge.” 

“I feel frustrated for failing that test because the damn substitute teacher wouldn’t believe me that I didn’t skip school instead of spending the whole day in the infirmary with a twisted ankle, watching Goblin with the nurse? I use sardonic humor to snap back at said teacher.”

“I get sad for accepting the fact that I am going to be single for the rest of my life? I use dark humor to cope with it instead of curling up in a ball and eat ice cream for the rest of my life and get Type 2 Diabetes.” you shrugged shamelessly as Renjun gaped at you, rubbing his temples to slowly process on your words. “Okay, firstly,” he started.

“One, Timothée Chalamet in that movie was desperately simping over a girl who clearly didn’t deserve him. Come on, tell me you didn’t get annoyed when he keep saying the l word at Jo despite her spilling her feelings out and rejecting him countless of times.” Renjun inhaled, his eyes boring widely into yours, his words speaking nothing but facts. “I get that but-” you started before the older boy cut you off, “I’m not done yet.”

“Secondly, that substitute teacher wasn’t even a teacher. She was an ear raping machine, no one liked her. Also, I gotta admit spending a whole school day watching the Goblin arguing with The Grim Reaper instead of spending excruciating hours writing your wrist off and trying not to snooze in the middle of Mr. Lee’s math lecture would’ve been the most luxurious thing a student could ever ask for”. And I am pissed off you got injured and left me there in class, suffering all by myself.” he laughed, flicking you on the forehead teasingly.

“Lastly, if you want to say something bout Jaemin, you know you could’ve just say so instead of sugar coating it.” Renjun sucked in his lips, smacking you with the pillow you threw at him previously, mentally preparing himself to comfort you knowing that you’re bout to go on another rant of how much you missed Jaemin. But if it helps you feel better and take another small step to moving on, then he’ll listen to you rant til his brain implodes.

You frowned, letting out a soft chuckle. “You know me too well, Jun.” you felt tears lining up your eyes, you leaned your head up, trying to blink the tears away. “It’s not helping when he’s literally next door. Or in the same school as I am, or in the same planet.” you leaned back to lay on your back on the mattress, your pillow hugged tightly to your chest as you let out a heavy, frustrated sigh.

Renjun patted your knee, silently urging you to continue to let out your thoughts. You couldn’t advert your gaze away from your ceiling, “He used to be so sweet before this whole soulmate ordeal,” you began with a sniffle. “Honestly, middle school was one of the best eras of my life. When me and Jaemin were just clowns on crack playing Five Nights At Freddy’s and goofing off, it still makes my heart flutter when I think bout the memorable moments we shared in middle school.” you closed your eyes as a flood of memories clouded your mind.

  7th grade, an iconic year for your friendship. “Y/N!” Jaemin called out from the other side of the classroom, causing you to turn to him in the middle of your little gossip session with your friends. “You wanna play truth or dare with us?” he asked with a sweet smile, a few of your classmates gathering to the back of the class to sit down in a circle. You nodded in excitement, ditching your friends in hopes you get a spicy dare.

You sat in between Lia and Jeno, rubbing your hands together as you waited your turn to either give or receive a truth or dare. “Jaemin! Truth or dare?” a boy whose name you can’t recall asked with a mischievous smile. Jaemin rolled his eyes before answering “dare” with a bold, cocky smirk, eyes practically challenging his classmate to give him an extreme dare. The boy stopped to contemplate before turning to him with a cheeky chesire grin.

“Since you’re so close to Y/n, why don’t you sit on her lap?” the boy snarled, causing your classmates to let out whistles and soft “ooo”s around you. You raised a brow, “wait a second, that’s not fair. This is his dare not mine, why am I the one being sat on.” you whined as Jaemin tried to hide his flustered expression of sitting on his best friend’s lap. “Well, it’s a dare either way, he’s gotta do it whether he wants to or not.” he stuck his tongue out at you as you hissed back.

“Fine.” you mumbled as Jaemin laughed and tried to conceal his flustered expression and sat on your lap idly, his hands in between his legs as you try to restrain yourself from wrapping your arms around his waist and making things even more awkward than it already is. “What’s the big deal? You wanted me to sit on her lap, why are you so shocked?” Jaemin laughed as a few of your classmates just stared at the two of you in disbelief. 

“How are you not uncomfortable with a guy sitting on top of your lap?” your friend asked from across the group circle. You shrugged, raising your brow as Jaemin lets out a laugh, shrugging in response as well. “Is it wrong for a person to sit on their best friend’s lap?” Jaemin asked with a raise of his brow, a teasing smile evident on his face as your friend struggled to find the words to say next.

“I must admit, you are quite heavy. I don’t think my legs are going to last long with your heavy, tall giraffe-like body.” you laughed, causing Jaemin to turn his head back at you with a glare, letting out a small sinister smile. ”That sounds like a ‘you’ problem, y/n. Suffer.” he spoke in a bittersweet tone.

“Wait, so you’re telling me that you had Mr. Na Jaemin sitting on your lap? For how long? All because of a dare?” Renjun paused, rubbing his temples to process this whole information. He knew Jaemin was a shameless and rather affectionately touchy boy, but he didn’t know that he was willing to accept such a gutsy dare. Yet again, this is you, he’s talking bout. The person who kept going for two years despite being rejected and gossiped left and right.

You shrugged, sitting up on the bed. “I was like, 11 years old. What do you want me to do, Huang? Born to be the family disgrace.” you grinned proudly, wiggling your brows as you placed a hand under your chin to pose dramatically. “You shouldn’t be proud of that. Weird flex but okay,” Renjun sighed heavily, raising a bottle of coke to his lips.

You inhaled as you began to spill another memorable moment from your childhood. 

If there was one thing you and Jaemin had in common, it was that you both have absolutely no shame when flaring your dramatics.

It was 5th grade, you assume, when you and Jaemin had your first indirect kiss. It was a disturbingly iconic moment for the two of you, considering years after the incident you two kept doing it as if it were a part of your daily routine. You were at that age where kids around you were starting to take notice bout the soulmate concept. Teachers began explaining how the soulmate system worked during science class, causing you to involuntarily look at Jaemin from time to time to catch his disgusted expressions.

Often, snickering at the boy sitting in front of you who was gagging and mimicking the teacher as she explains. Sticking his tongue out in disgust when they started explaining the left tattoo concept. Jaemin sighed heavily, his hand stretching out to grab the water bottle on his table. His finger raised to push the lid off with a small pop, drinking without hesitation.

Jaemin looked down as he closed the lid and his brows furrowed at the oh-so-familiar name label on the lid of said water bottle. Written on the pink label with a sailor moon picture on the side was Y/N L/N. Jaemin almost threw up when he turned to you slowly, making you look up from your notes to give him a questioning nod at his horrified expression.

The little boy raised the water bottle to show you your little sailor moon label, making you raise your brow questioningly, as if to say, ‘what’s wrong with my sailor moon label?’ 

Crud, he forgot you were using the same water bottles your parents got you when you were both shopping at the thrift store.

Your eyes widened in realization when Jaemin pointed at himself and your bottle, trying not to scream in terror and get a scolding from your strict science teacher. ‘Did you,’ you mouthed, pointing an accusitory finger at the boy sitting in distress in front of you. ‘Drink from my,’ you continued, using your other hand to point dramatically at yourself then to your bottle that was still in his hands. ’My bottle?’ you asked with wide terrified eyes.

Jaemin practically gulped nervously, nodding in response. You both took a moment just staring into each other’s terrified expression, before mouthing ‘what the heck?!’ or ‘oh crud’ repeatedly, as to not gain your teacher’s attention.’You drank from my water bottle, Jaemin?!’ you mouthed, rubbing your hands against your face in distress. ‘How am i suppose to drink now?’ you whined, facepalming now that Jaemin had placed your water bottle back on your desk.

‘How am I suppose to live now knowing your spit is basically in my body? ‘ Jaemin shudders in response, grabbing his throat with disgust laced across his face. ‘Gross, I have your germs in my mouth.’ he stuck his tongue out in disgust, fake gagging as you rolled your eyes.

Renjun just gave you an incredulous look, his mouth gaping open, trying to decide whether to laugh or shake his head profusely. “Gosh, you two were born to be so dramatic. Seriously, while other people are having a mental breakdown over doing algebra, you two were in the back of the class making lovey-dovey faces because you two had your first indirect kiss.” Renjun laughed, clapping his hands as he howled back in laughter.

You sat up and whined, smacking your best friend with the pillow you were hugging earlier, causing him to laugh even more.”Oh god, I wish I came here sooner to witness that.” he wheezed, dodging your hits with his forearms as you continued to smack him on the face, chanting “shut up, Huang!” repeatedly in shame.

“I couldn’t drink from that bottle for months! It was my favorite bottle, too! The fact that Jaemin brings that bottle to school everyday was just traumatizing for the both of us! Instant trauma,” you groaned, leaning back dramatically against the mattress. Renjun laughed, smacking you with a pillow. “How did that even happen?” he asked incredulously.

“Some kid decided it would be funny to switch our bottles.” you pouted, stretching your arms across the bed like a starfish. “Did you two do anything bout it?” Renjun asked, his brows raising in amusement, practically eating your hilarious story up like it was a tub of candy. You sighed, looking away for a moment before mumbling under your breath.

“Jaemin said we should’ve replace the water in his water bottle with tap water from the bathroom, but I didn’t want to risk the guy getting a tummy ache so I spat in his drink instead.“

Renjun howled with laughter, a hand coming to hold his stomach as he leaned his head back laughing. “Why would you- Oh my god, this is gold. I can’t-” he wheezed, tears lining his vision as his tummy started to ache from laughing so hard. “Shut up! I was like, nine years old at the time. At that exact moment I felt no remorse for my actions whatsoever but now that I said it, it makes me feel even worse!” you whine, your feet kicking Renjun off the bed.

He landed on your carpet floor with a loud thud, his laughter subsiding into giggles. “That’s the chaotic energy everyone in this generation wants to have, holy shit, why wasn’t this documented ? This could’ve gone down as one of the most iconic moments in history. Honestly, whoever that kid who switched your bottle was, he’s that hero that doesn’t even need a cape.” he jokes, sitting up to earn a death glare from you.

Oh, if looks could kill, right now.

“Whatever, you sadist. Enjoying your time as you watch me suffer in despair.” you swung your arm over your eyes dramatically, feeling the mattress sink, assuming that Renjun had climbed onto the bed once again. “Come on, tell me another one. I promise I won’t laugh,” Renjun raised his pinkie finger with a soft smile. You raised your brow at him with your lips in a frown, causing Renjun to shrug innocently, “too much.”

You inhaled, your mind delving deep into the loving memories you had with Jaemin throughout your life. Your heart clenched at the next story you were bout to tell, the memory making your heart wanting to reach out for his even more. “Well, there was this one time-”

  Ninth grade. Senior year of middle school. The previous day, you danced under the rain as Jaemin watched you from under the bus stop, hiding for shelter as you jumped around the empty cold streets. The fresh smell of rain hitting your nostrils as water made your clothes clung to your skin. Unfortunately for you, the next day you immediately got sick with a fever.

Receiving countless of text messages saying either ‘I told you so’ or ‘lucky bitch, you get to miss our physics test’ from Jaemin. You were shivering under the layers of blankets and hoodies you were wearing, stirring awake every hour due to how cold or thirsty you felt, tossing and turning every now and then. You turned when you heard your bedroom door opening, wondering who it was considering both your parents were busy at work at this hour.

Your eyes widened to see Jaemin, a coat hanging over his arm as he closed the door, and a plastic bag filled with delicious warm soup that you could smell from a mile away. “I can’t believe you left me to suffer all alone in school, I swear you purposely didn’t listen to me because you didn’t want to do that boring test.” Jaemin whined, a pout evident on his lips.

“Nana!” you exclaimed in a giddish tone, making grabby hands at him. Jaemin chuckled as he walked closer to your bed, sitting on the corner of your bed beside you, leaning his back against the headboard. He lays his coat on the chair behind your study desk, putting the plastic bag of food on your lap when you sat up. “Eat up. The sooner you get better, the sooner I can hug you to death for leaving me today.” He jokes.

You smiled, opening the plastic container inside to smell the scrumptious soup inside. “Chicken noodle soup, your favourite.” he spoke in a soft tone, smiling lightly at you. You grinned, grabbing the plastic spoon that came with it. “What? No soda on the side?” you grinned cheekily, earning a soft pinch to your cheek by your best friend. “Don’t you dare make song references in front of me as if you didn’t listen to me bout dancing under the rain yesterday, look where it got you now.” he tuts, shaking his head in a motherly manner.

“Geez, sorry, mom.” you teased, beginning to consuming your soup. “You’re sweating a lot, that’s a good sign.” Jaemin pushed a strand of hair away from your face and tucked it behind your ear, the sudden action causing you to pause from your eating for a brief moment, before shrugging it off. “I’ll probably feel be back to normal in a day or two.” you shrugged, gulping down a spoon full of soup.

“You’re gonna need to change, take your hoodie off.” Jaemin exclaimed, pulling your almost finished soup away from you. You let out a loud, “huh?” in response, your eyes widening at his sudden statement, trying to see if he was joking but no, Jaemin was dead ass serious.

“Take your hoodie off.” Jaemin ordered. “Jaemin!” you exclaimed, pulling your blankets up to your chin, protecting yourself from him. “You’re not gona get any better with wet stinky clothes on you, Y/N.” Jaemin rolled his eyes, walking over to your closet to grab a really baggy shirt of yours, tossing the big fabric over your face. You sat up and pulled the shirt off of your face to see Jaemin strip the white hoodie he was wearing over his body.

Your eyes caught the black shirt he was wearing underneathe had tugged up along with his hoodie, exposing his toned stomach to prove the results of how much time he spent working out at the gym with Jeno recently. 

You squeaked at the action, looking away with a small blush tinting your cheeks. “Jaemin, what are you-” you flushed, taking the risk of looking at Jaemin again with a flustered expression to see your best friend standing in front of you with his white hoodie clutched in his hands. “Change your clothes, you’re gonna get even more sick if you lay there with wet clothes. You ran out of hoodies, use mine, instead.” he spoke sternly.

“Jaemin, I don’t think that that’s really necessary-” you let out a small squeak when Jaemin’s face came close to yours, his hand laying on your forehead and the other laying on his own. “You’re fever’s getting even worse. Change clothes and finish your soup while I get a warm towel ready, Y/n” He spoke, turning to leave your room, shutting the door behind him, unaware of how red your face must’ve been at the sudden contact.

You felt your heart beat increase at the actions that had happen before you, Jaemin’s hoodie resting on your lap, his strong cologne filling your senses, causing you to flush red even more as you tugged your wet sweaty clothes off and changed into the shirt and hoodie Jaemin picked out for you. You bit your lip when you could practically feel his scent engulf your whole being, your face becoming more red.

Did he always smell this nice?

The fresh smell of cinnamon and comfort was the only thing you could say to describe the indescribable scent of your best friend. You felt your heart flutter at the thought of constantly wearing his hoodie, but your thoughts were quickly interrupted when Jaemin came into your room with a bucket filled with warm water and a towel in hand.

“Lay down, y/n” he ordered, sitting on the bed beside you as you sunk down on the bed, pulling your bed sheets up to your nose so he wouldn’t see how red your face is. Jaemin didn’t think much of it when he dipped the water in the warm water, squeezing the water out to leave the towel warm and soaked, laying the warm towel on your forehead.

“You really didn’t have to do this, you know.” you bit your lip, sighing at the contact of his fingertips grazing against your skin as he layed the towel gently on your forehead. “I know, but you’ll probably die here if I don’t,” he chuckles. dipping the towel again once it got cold, squeezing the water out before placing it back on your forehead. “Does that mean you care bout me, Na Jaemin?” you smirked. “That’s quite embarrassing.” you teased.

Jaemin rolled his eyes softly at you, pinching your cheeks before cooping your nose. “There’s nothing embarrassing for a guy to care for his girl.” he commented simply. It felt like an arrow of pure adoration had struck through your heart. Well, that comment backfired. Wait, what does he mean by ‘his girl’?

“I’m your girl?” you spoke after a moment of hesitation, feeling your heart race against your ribcage once again. Jaemin chuckled, flicking your forehead teasingly, “not like that, you cheeseball.” he grinned, booping your nose once again before removing the towel from your forehead.

“Get some sleep, I’ll be right here when you need me. That is, unless your parents kick me out for staying too long.” he giggles, carressing your hair with his calloused fingers. “They’ll never kick you out, you live literally next door, Nana.” you giggled, nuzzling against his touch. Jaemin chuckled, putting the towel into the bucket before leaning in to give you a sweet kiss on your forehead.

Your eyes widened at the sudden act of affection, causing Jaemin to grin shyly. “You just look adorable, right now.” he mumbles under his breath before standing up and walking towards the door. “Go to sleep! I’ll be watching TV if you need me!” Jaemin exclaimed before closing the door with a soft click.

I don’t know bout you, but you knew you couldn’t sleep after his sudden display of affection.

You didn’t even realize tears were slowly streaming down your face until you let out a soft sob, Renjun’s figure coming close to comfort you. You felt Renjun’s arm wrap around your back, his hand coming up to your head to lean it against his shoulder. You sniffled, trying to swallow the sob that’s waiting to erupt from your mouth.

It was like day one all over again, with you crying your eyes out and Renjun comforting you by your side with food and movies. You shut your eyes tight once you felt that familiar burning sensation on your wrist, your heart aching and stinging against your chest. Renjun noticed your pained expression, his hand quickly yet gently coming up to see your left wrist, his eyes widening at the sight. “I’ll get you an ice pack, okay?” Renjun asked worriedly, carressing your soulmate mark as if it would soothe the burning sensation.

You nodded, crying even more as Renjun quickly bolted out your room, his footsteps echoing down the halls. You sniffled, trying to wipe the tears away with your palms, but like an endless waterfall, it never stopped. Nor did the pain in your heart.

Renjun came back with a sympathetic expression plastered on his face, coming up to you and gently placing the frozen packet of peas he found in your freezer on your glowing red tattoo. Renjun softly shushing you and caressing the back of your hair, his own heart aching to see his best friend like this. He couldn’t count the many times you had cried to him bout Jaemin since the dinner with your parents.

The countless amount of times he would press a cold surface onto your left burning wrist.

The countless times you would rant how your heart was begging for Jaemin’s stupid presence.

The countless times he wanted to punch Jaemin for not showing a single ounce of guilt and for how oblivious the younger boy is to how much he had been inflicting your pain.

You fell asleep in Renjun’s hold, the pain on your wrist subsiding into a dull ache, your heart beat in your ears.

Jaemin practically dragged his bag on the floor as he entered the room. His mood decreasing as the seconds go by, his eyes dark with exhaustion and pain. Lately, he hasn’t been focusing properly on the tasks in front of him, his mind was always somewhere else when Coach was discussing strategies for next week’s game.

He was always spacing out to the sound of his own heart beating in his ears, his eyes setting on a certain object in the corner of the room he was in, his body freezing in place as his whole head was in a haze. He’s gotten a countless amount of scolding for spacing out in the middle of practice, the endless amount of times Coach would get a student to hold a volley ball from the storage closet, ready to hit him with whenever he spaces out during practice matches.

Today, he was on his breaking point, he recently failed his History test, then got another scolding from Coach. Hell, he was called to the office in the middle of class, the Coach’s heavy frown never bringing ease to his now tense figure. 

Jaemin collapsed on his bed with a soft thud, trying to keep his breath under control as his Coach’s words echoed in his head, his head buried into the soft fabric of his pillow. He tried to keep his mind from overthinking Coach Kim’s words adding into his stress.

“Na Jaemin, recently, I’ve become aware of how much you’ve been a little... distracted, lately. I’m sorry to say but as Captain of the whole team, you need to be on full focus for the game. If you can’t do that then I’m afraid someone else will.”

Jaemin gripped his pillow tightly, his breathing deepen as he tries to calm himself, his heart beat increasing. He squeezed his eyes tight, the look of disappointment in his team’s expression was all he could think bout for the rest of the day. His heart feeling heavy in his chest.

“I know, I know, this seems too far but, we can’t afford to lose the school winning streak all because of our captain spacing out because of who knows what! I know I sound delirious for saying this, but we can’t risk this.” 

Jaemin remembered the heavy feeling of promising his Coach that he will get his problems sorted out right away so it wouldn’t interfere in the way of winning the game. He wouldn’t know what to do with himself if the endless hard work he puts into playing football the past two years went to waste when the position he trained so hard to earn was taken away just like that.

Jaemin sniffled, sitting up as he tries to shake those thoughts away. His eyes blurring slightly at his Coach’s words repeating themselves inside of his head. He stood up, stretching his arms out to release the tension in his muscles, as he tries to delve into a more positive state of mind. His eyes closing in concentration.

‘Don’t think so negatively, Jaemin. You can do this, just stay focused at the task at hand and worry bout this weird pain after the game.’

Jaemin unconsciously walked towards his window, an exhausted groan eliciting from his mouth. ‘You’ve got this !’ he thought with determination, calming his thoughts as a content smile stretched across his face. Jaemin opened his eyes slowly, his bunny smile immediately dissipated into a deep frown, his eyes widen slightly at the sight from the window across his.

You were with Renjun on your bed, doing what looks like cuddling in each other’s warm embrace. You were sitting in between Renjun’s legs, your back facing Jaemin, making him unable to see your expression. Your head was leaning against Renjun’s shoulder, his hand coming up to caress the back of your head. Jaemin’s eyes never left your figure being in such an intimate position with Renjun.

Jaemin felt his own blood boiling, his previously sour mood returning in an instant, his heart beating in his ears as his eyes stared daggers into Renjun’s head. He watched as Renjun’s eyes gaze contently to your figure laying comfortably on his, his fists clenching even more at the sight. That is, until Jaemin snapped out of it with a shake of his head. 

What was wrong with him?

Why was he feeling so angry bout seeing you cuddling with someone like that?

Yet again, when was the last time you cuddled him like that. Jaemin pulled his curtains to cover the sight across him, walking to the bed, running a hand through his hair. before leaning back to lay down on his mattress with his back facing his white sheets.

Jaemin sighed as he got lost in his own thoughts once again. When was the last time he cuddled you? Or held your hand? His head turned to the side, eyes scanning the picture frames he hung up on the walls of his room, stopping at the picture you took on your trip to Busan during winter back in 7th grade.

In the picture, you had Jaemin wrapping his arms around your shoulders in a gentle embrace. Your smile wide and your expression filled with laughter as Jaemin's happy one focused on the camera. Your eyes weren't on the camera, though, they were on him.

Cheeks and noses warm and red from the cold snow, clothes stained with the snow you played with to make snow angels and snowmen, your smile so wide, Jaemin could almost hear your bright laughter from the picture itself. As if he was reliving in that exact moment.

When did you stop smiling like that?

Jaemin realised he never noticed how forced your smiles became, how you use humor to mask every single emotion, how no matter how tired you are, you always manage to joke bout the littlest things to make him crack a smile.

"Why are you sad?" Jaemin asked as he drove you home one day, you glanced up at him with exhaustion glossing over your pupils, showing how pained you were for a split second, before you crack into a loving eye smile.

"I'm not sad, silly. I'm just tired of Mrs. Lee getting up in my ass yelling at my ear as if she was begging for my head to explode and have blood erupting out of my neck like a distorted volcano pms-ing." you joked, causing Jaemin to let out a soft laugh.

"You have the weirdest thoughts, I swear." he shook his head, his eyes glancing at you for a split second before returning to the road. "You're not normal yourself, Nana. We're all clowns in this generation, don't act like its a weird thing." you laughed, smacking his shoulder lightly.

Jaemin raised his brow at you, "me? A clown? You're practically born in a circus." he chuckled. "Says the person who says 'wow' every five seconds for the simplest of things. Post Malone basically wrote that song off of you, you should sue." you giggled, causing him to giggle.

"I am praying to God so that he could add at least add more braincells into that silly head of yours." Jaemin laughed. "God made me to be a clown, I must live on with my purpose, Nana." you added with a wink. "And a simp, too." you giggled.

Jaemin rolled his eyes at the memory, smiling at your terrible attempt at flirting. But his smile turned into a concerned expression once he remembers how pained your eyes looked at the time. As if you were holding pent up frustration, pain and emotion behind the humor.

Since when did you try to hide everything with humor? And when did he start to be one of those people who believed that you were okay behind that bright exterior? He was your soulmate for-

Wait, a second. Your soulmate? Why was he addressing himself like this? So what if he's your soulmate? It doesn't give him the right to barge into your personal problems. You didn't want to do anything with him after that dinner party, so why would he bother to think bout you when you were probably moving on with Renjun?

Jaemin licked his lips bitterly, his brows furrowed in frustration. A hand coming up to rub his face in distress, what was wrong with him these days?

Jaemin's thoughts went to how your body slumped weakly in Renjun's embrace, his eyes glancing down at your figure in a protective manner, his hand caressing your soft hair to soothe and comfort you. Jaemin knew how this would lull you to sleep in an instant, send you in a cuddly haze in people's arms.

Why did he know this?

Because he was the first one to experience it first hand, why should Renjun experience such an endearing moment? Why should Renjun see how vulnerable you are when it comes to-

Jaemin winced as the familiar pain in his chest resurfaced, his wrist aching again. He closed his eyes, 'not this again,' he thought to himself. Jaemin leaned over his drawer, his heart aching heavily against his chest as he opened the drawer to pull out a couple of pain killers

Tags: @lixseu @morks-watermelon @cherrystay @candiednickles @12am-musings @lowkeyviv @btm-taeyong @d-nghyck @gothmingguk @luvlyjaemin @cowward @smileyyuta

Couldn't tag: @/uncovermenow666 @/cakelyn

[lennydaisy]

EPIPHANY // OUTER BANKS

The Outer Banks. Paradise on earth. Well, it is if you can afford it.

Figure 8, home of the portentous and intitled. So detached from reality that you'd have to use their private jets to bring them back down to the ground. If they're not lounging around on their secluded beaches in front of their White House sized mansions, then they're at the country club complaining that their ice-cold lemonade isn't ice-cold enough. We call them Kooks. Guess where I don't live?

Next up, The Cut, neutral habitat of, drum roll please ladies and gentleman... The Pogues. Lowest members of the food chain. You see, it's one island divided in two. You either have two houses or two jobs. I have two jobs and will still never be able to afford one house, let alone two, but that's life I guess. The Pogues are like those kids your parents tell you to stay away from when you visit the park. Well, now the park has stretched to all aspects of life warranting us to be unwanted and neglected which isn't such a bad thing, that just means we get to do whatever we want, whenever we want.

Right now, however, this is the last place I want to be. Save-A-Lot. One of my two jobs. See how this all ties in?

The continuous, subtly, beeping of the scanner, the bright overhead lights that the same moth has been flying into for a week now, that one cart that you can hear before you see, and this frustratingly itchy, red polo shirt that I'm wearing because it's 'oh-so mandatory'.

It's been reported that a storm is going to hit us in a couple of days, so naturally, the stores been busier than usual, with both Kooks and Pogues. It's like sacred land, all differences get put aside in this very store unless there's a two for one deal at the seafood counter. In that case, no one's safe, not even me, the poor, little employee. I've been slapped with a Tuna Fish before. I don't want to talk about it.

"Can I interest you in some... What are they again? Sea salted chocolate with a crushed Macadamia nut shell and a rich creamy filling, homemade by Mrs Adams?" I squint at the packaging before smiling at the man before me who peered at me, head tilted slightly. Nodding instantly, already knowing the answer, "I don't blame you, I wouldn't trust anything made by that lady."

Smashing my fingers on the scratch invested, touch screen register, slapping the side of the machine until it eventually rings up the total, "That'll be $148.98 however, you get the extended family discount, so that makes it..." twirling my finger around the air, attempting the mental math, "10% off $148," I utter, closing my eyes as if that's going to help me find the answer quicker. 'I knew I should have joined the math team with Pope.'

"$134," the man affirms looking at me sympathetically, halting my search for my calculator that is normally taped to the till. I take the mans money, squinting at him, "Okay, I'll take your word for it man but if I get fired, I want a job at The Wreck," handing him his receipt.

"We'll see," he said putting his packed bags back into his cart, "I'll get through to you one day. You can't deny I'm your favourite" I state in a matter of fact, waving him off as he pushes his cart away from the checkout, "Bye Mason."

"I don't hear you denying it," I shout, watching him hurridly pushing his cart towards the door, "Okay bye Mr Carrera, tell Kie I said hi!"

Twirling around in my chair a couple of times, I came to a stop at the sight of a pink calculator, my pink calculator, taped to Mrs Adams till. That Bitch. I sit patiently for her to be done with her customers, waving at the elderly couple as they pass, "See you later Mr and Mrs Graham, have a nice day," I smile.

"Oh you too Mason, you should stop by again, you and your friends were such a delight the last time," Mrs Graham praises tapping her ringed fingers on my counter. Nodding at her request as her husband began to drag her away from me, claiming he 'Wants to be home today not tomorrow,' knowing his wife to be quite the blether.

"What a pleasant young lady. Wouldn't you agree, Marty?"

"Oh yes, very well mannered."

"Listen here, sticky fingers, I know you stole my calculator" My smile instantly dropping as I look upon the thief that I have the pleasure of calling my co-worker.

Mrs Adams is your typical grandma. Tonged hair, thick-rimmed glasses and filled with opinions that are always unwarranted. She has had it out for as long as I can remember, once locking me in the walk-in freezer claiming to not know I was in there despite being in there with me moments before. At least I only have to deal with her a few days a week, I couldn't handle any more than that.

"What calculator?" she questions innocently. Pointing my finger accusingly at her till where low and behold, sits my calculator, "Oh really, what's that then?"

Sparing a glance at my calculator, she shakes her head, nose pointed up, "That's an anniversary gift from my husband. I, by no means, stole your calculator."

I can't believe I'm having this conversation.

Laughing at her alibi, "Are you aware of how much bullsh-", the clearing of a throat interrupts my tangent and I suddenly became aware of where I am again. Mrs Adams raises her eyebrows at me, is she mocking me? Glaring at her one last time as to say 'this conversation isn't over', I timidly spun my chair back around, plastering a smile on my face, getting ready to greet my next customer.

Oh no.

"Hi, Mr Cameron," I greet the man, scratching behind my ear hoping he didn't overhear me. Beginning to scan his items, another figure catches my eye.

Rafe.

Here, ladies and gentlemen, I present the biggest dickhead on the entire island. He thinks everybody owes him something just because his daddy is well known throughout the OBX and has no problem expressing his distaste for anyone who doesn't fit his agenda. He's a cocky, arrogant snob who needs to be knocked off his podium a few inches, or feet.

"Hello, Mason, and how many times have I told you to call me Ward?"

"Clearly not enough for me to listen," I mutter under my breath, passing the already packed bags towards a very accepting Rafe, who snatched them with a scrawl printed on his face, "Your face will stay like that if the winds change" I advise innocently, waving my fingers around my forehead area, "Don't want to get any wrinkles, but if you need some anti-ageing cream, I'm sure Mrs Adams can recommend a few of her favourites,"

"Maybe even get you a coupon," I suggest finishing to scan the last of their items, "Isn't that right, Mrs Adams," I called to the lady over my shoulder how instantly peeped up at the chance to chat with the boy.

"Oh, yes. Come here deary, I'll show you my collection,"

It's no secret throughout the OBX that Mrs Adams is a bit of a renowned cougar, having no problem expressing herself towards any sort of male attention. Mrs Adam doesn't discriminate, so even assholes like Rafe can't escape the clutches of her fondness, but she's harmless... most of the time.

Ward nudges his son in the direction of the lady, who is eagerly waiting for the boy with her creams placed in an orderly fashion before her. Rafe's eyes practically begging for his dad to have some mercy on him only to earn a point in her direction.

"I hate you," he huffs at me, feet dragging towards the ladies till.

Fluttering my eyes with a cheesy smile, "I know," I say before turning to finish Mr Cameron's groceries.

"That's $236 please," I state ringing up his total as he slides his card into the swipe machine, "It'll take a minute, a caveman has better technology than this place." He shakes his head at me, waving his hand slightly, understanding.

"Sea salted chocolate, uh?" he wonders picking up the bar, as I mentally slap myself for forgetting to ask if he was interested, "Would you like to buy one?" I questioned despite already knowing his answer. It's the same one that I've heard all day.

Placing the packet back in its place he shakes his head, "No thank you, I wouldn't trust anything made by that lady."

"That's what I'm saying," ripping off his receipt before handing it to him, "Thank you, Mason," he laughs before turning towards his son, who is still listening to Mrs Adams ramble on about why she prefers Olay over Caudlíne.

About to bid farewell to the man, he turns and asks, "I hate to be a bother and I know it's short notice, but would you mind babysitting Wheezie for me on Saturday morning, I know you don't normally work weekends, it's just this storm's going to cause a run-in with my properties and-"

"Of course I will, Mr Cameron," I interrupted his ramble. He looks at me relieved, nodding his head, "See you later, Mason."

"Bye Ward," gross, I'm sticking with Mr Cameron.

Watching as the pair walk past my till I can't help but laugh as I see Rafe slouching away with a tub of Olay Anti-ageing cream. Turning around at the sound, he flips me off, "I'll get you back for this," earning a shoving on the shoulder from his dad, but I can't help but wave cheerily, "Oh, I'm sure you will."

Mr Ward Cameron, my other boss. A few years ago I put up flyers with a tear-off of my phone number offering a babysitting service. Safe to say, I got my fair share of prank calls and when I got a call from someone claiming to be Mr Cameron I assumed it was someone messing with me again, but it turns out it wasn't. He genuinely needed someone to watch his youngest daughter Wheezie and I needed cash, and he does pay generously, especially now considering recent circumstances.

Glancing at the clock that is nailed above the exit I see that it's 2:00 P.M, the best time of my day, getting out of here. Grabbing the key from my pocket, I lock up the till before heading toward the poor excuse of a staff room.

Glancing around the room blue painted room, making sure no one is still on their lunch, I quickly grab my bag and dash over to the fridge. I never, and mean never, condone stealing, that's why I don't call it that. I prefer 'borrowing and then 'forgetting' to give it back'. Sure, I never asked if I could 'borrow' the alcohol that I am currently stuffing in my bag but, that's neither here nor there.

I throw my bag, which I can already tell is going to cause my back hell, over my shoulder. I grab Kie longboard, which I did ask for permission to use, and begin to make my way past the checkouts.

Before leaving, I pivot around, "Hey, Mrs Adams," I called out just to see that she was already glaring in my direction, a bit creepy if you ask me, "Don't worry, you've only got like what, another 6 hours?" acting like I didn't know as I pointed at the clock.

"Oh, and before I forget," I rush over to her counter and rip my calculator off her till. Smiling sweetly at the older lady, saluting her as I leave, "See you next week, Mrs Adams," I laugh, running out the door, jumping onto the longboard.

Let the fun begin.

Now there is something about my friends that you should know. As cheesy as its sounds, we're a group of misfits who happen to fit perfectly together, well almost perfectly, but no matter what we've got each other backs.

Now, where do we start?

JJ Maybank. We've been best friends since the third grade after he got into a fight with some kids who were making fun of me for having a 'boys name', and I haven't been able to get rid of him since. He's the guy who jokingly pushed me off the HMS Pogue only to quickly find out that I couldn't swim. I insisted that it was fine but JJ doesn't take no for an answer and took it upon himself to personally teach me.

He's the most loyal guy I know, willing to drop anything to help his friends. I most definitely developed my kleptomaniac tendencies from him and despite how much I deny it, I have a soft spot for him.

Next, Kiara Carrera or Kie, my best and only girl friend. I met Kie during her first year at the Kook Academy, I had seen her around before, passing out leaflets about how 'we're killing our planet' and that 'the turtles deserve better'.

I was about to go fishing with my dad when I saw someone sitting at the dock, feet dangling in the water. Long story short: she was supposed to meet up with some of her 'friends' but they had sailed away leaving her behind. So, I asked if she would like to come fishing with us, half expecting her to say no, being partly a Kook and all, but she said yes. And now she's one of us, the Pogues. Not sure how her parents feel about that, but there is no denying I'm their favourite. Right?

There's Pope Heyward. I met Pope in the first grade. We were sitting beside each other at assembly and he dared to tell me that my singing voice sounded like cats dying, not that he was any better mind you. I had seen him around the cut a few times, helping his dad with deliveries and after seeing him struggle to carry four bags of groceries, I offered him some help. Of course, being a stubborn 6-year old boy, he delined saying 'I don't need your help, I'm super strong'. Safe to say, two seconds later I was carrying two bags and helped Pope and Mr Heyward with the rest of the deliveries that day.

I got an earful from my dad when I got home, but I didn't care, I'd made a friend that wasn't my brother. They didn't believe me when I said I had a friend called Pope, just brushing it off as one of my imaginary friends. Let's just say they got a fright when my 'imaginary friend, Pope' showed up at the Château.

Speaking of, up next, John Booker Routledge, John B. My twin, fraternal twin. Is 12 minutes older than me and will never let me forget it. My favourite memory with John B was when he fought to the death with our triplet in the womb. Okay, maybe that didn't happen, but you weren't there so, where's your evidence that it didn't?

He's my other half, not my better half because we all know I'm the better twin, and I couldn't live with him and his optimism. He can be irrational at times, but he always has plan A-Z mapped out in his head. I'm currently trying to convince him that we psychic powers, and by currently I'm mean from the day we were born. It's a weird sensation like there's a pit in the bottom of my stomach, and once I get that feeling I know that something's not right. And with a brother like John B, I get that feeling at least 3 times a day.

Might as well introduce myself whilst I'm at it. I'm Mason, Mason Routledge. The better twin. Yes, I too, have a middle name but I will never tell it to anyone because of how utterly embarrassing it is. I have managed to swear John B to secrecy, but I know it's just a matter of time before he blurts it out.

Now I know what you're probably thinking, 'Mason? That's a boys name.' Well yes, you'd be right but really what is a boys or girls name? The reason why I'm called Mason is simple, mom and dad were expecting twins. Twin boys. They had the names planned out as soon as they heard the news. One would be named John B after our dad, Big John, and the other would be named Mason, after our mom's dad. Makes sense, right?. Well, it was until I popped out, y' know not being a boy. But I love my name and I wouldn't change it for the world. My unspoken middle name, however, yes, I would rather that just not be associated with me.

I like to believe that I can hold my own, maybe it's because I grow up in a predominantly male household or the fact that I'm a Pogue, but I don't take peoples shit. My friends and I seem to always have the world against us, but without a doubt, I'd ride or die for them. They're my family.

Seeing the all too familiar hippie van parked at the side off the road brings me out of my autopilot state. Jumping off the longboard, I hurriedly shoved it into the back of the van. Fun fact about John B's van, he never locks it. There would be the fear about someone stealing it, but honestly, it's trashed and smells like weed, no thanks to JJ.

Quickly scaling the fence and as quietly as possible I tip-toed into the under-construction house and up the cement stairs, dodging the dangling wires and leftover pots of plaster.

'I can't believe they got rid of the turtles for this'

I'd know that voice anywhere. Peering around the corner, I spot Kie, hunched over a table reading what I'm assuming is maps for the house. Coming up with an idea, I slowly start to creep towards her, raising my hands just to clasp them down on her shoulders, "And what do you think you're doing?" I say in the deepest voice I can muster.

Jumping out her skin with a squeal, she spins around, hand over her heart, breathing heavily, "Macy, what the fuck? Don't do that," she exclaims, slapping my arm after she realises it was only me.

Unable to stop myself from laughing at her shock, "God, Kie, didn't know you had such a girly scream," I wheeze, arms wrapped around my stomach in an attempt to stop the ache.

Nodding her head pettily, "Yeah okay, you got me," clicking her tongue, but against her best efforts, a small smile dances across her face.

Taking a few deep breaths to calm my giggles, "Once you're done with sad girl hours, come out back, I've got beer," making my way towards the open glass doors.

"Caring about the turtles doesn't make me a sad girl," she exclaims as I nod my head understandingly, "You keep telling yourself that," I wave stepping outside, breathing in the fresh ocean breeze.

From under the scaffolding, I see a pair of dangling legs, "Afternoon, boys," I announce, jumping up in an attempt to smack the dangling feet that I now know belong to JJ

"Did you get the goods?" asks John B causing me to hold my hand on my heart, mocking insult, "Do you have no faith in me Johnny boy," tosing him a beer, "Of course, I got the goods."

Holding one out for Pope, even though I knew he would decline, proving my point as he shook his head, "And where did you get said goods?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

Grabbing two beers, I begin to climb up the scaffolding, plopping down next to JJ, handing him a beer which he greatly excepts, "Are you question my morals?" I ask, taking a big gulp of my beer instantly wincing at the lukewarm taste.

"No, no," I hear him say, turning around, occupying himself with the builder's tools.

It a pretty view from up here. The calm crashing of the waves. The way the cold ocean and the warm sky meet for a perfect kiss on the horizon. Imagine living here. Having no worries. Being full Kook.

Glancing at the boy beside me, I see that he was already looking at me. Lifting my eyebrows in question, "You look cute," he cheekily says, picking at the loose thread on my sleeve.

"Very funny JJ," I saying, looking back out at the water, "No, I'm serious. I love a woman in uniform," nudging his shoulder into mine and I nudge him right back, "Hey," he laughs, dramatically falling to his side, "Watch the sweet nectar," holding his can of beer dearly to his chest.

Shaking my head, I turn to see John B scaling the house, jumping up to the peak of the roof, "Hey, please be careful, Johnny B, we don't earn enough to cover a medical bill," I warn sitting my beer beside me, using my hands to block the blinding sun, staring questionably at the boy.

"Oh, but you'd catch me though, right?" he says, now taunting the idea of falling, balancing on one foot with outstretched arms, "And break your fall? Nope," I popped, reach over to grab my can only to grasp the air. Looking at where I know I placed it, my confusion vanishes when I hear the sounds of slurping beside me.

Blinking at the boy, who just peers back at me after tanning my can, crushing it, and letting out a pleasant burp which he so graciously blows in my direction, "Gross, JJ," attempting to swat away the smell. The boy just shrugs, "What were you not done with that?" faux concern covering his face but his eyes glistening with knowing mischief.

"Should I do it?"

"Yeah, jump. I'll shoot you on the way down," says Pope, aim a drill in my brother's direction, "You'll shoot me?" John B taunts, holding up a finger gun, "Pow," he laughs as Pope fall back onto the table pretending to be shot.

"They're going to have Japanese toilets with towel warmers," complains Kie, slugging her way onto the balcony, voicing her distaste for the future Kook's beach house.

"Didn't I tell you to come out when you were done being sad?", I direct, leaning my chin against the cold pole, feeling on top of the world as the fresh breeze blows through my hair.

That swiftly changes when Kie dashes towards my feet, tugging the laces on my converses loose as I hastily attempt to lift my feet away from her snapping fingers, "Go away!" I exclaim hugging my legs to my chest, tusking at her antics "God, you're annoying."

My comment doesn't affect her as she blows me a kiss which I can't help but catch, holding it to my heart sending a wink in her direction, "This used to be a turtle habitat, but who cares about the turtle I guess?"

"Well, I did, but since you've-" I start, but the feeling of my shoe gets tighter distracts me, "...What are you doing?" I question as JJ finishes up my shoes, "You should double knot your laces," he comments, tapping his fingers in a random beat on the toe of my shoes.

Lightly, I begin to flick his hand away only for him to grab my wrist, fiddling with the silver ladybug charm on my bracelet, "Can I have this?" He has asked me this multiple times in the past and the answer has always been the same, "No."

"Can you please not kill yourself?" Kie squints up at my brother, "And don't spill that beer, you're not getting another one," JJ adds just as a sudden gust of wind brushed past causing John B to lose his balance and drop his beer.

Jinx.

"Oh, shit. No!" cries John B, making grabby hands at his fallen beer.

"Of course you did, like right when I told you."

"Smooth."

"Well done, dumbass!"

"Hey!"

The sound of a car pull up to the driveway halts our attack on John B, yelling being heard, "Hey, uh, securities here. Let's wrap it up," confirms Pope, making JJ and I raise to our feet as John B slides off the roof, "Boys are here early today."

Rushing over to grab my bag once my feet are back on the balcony, I lean over the railing squinting, "Gary? Is that you?" I asked, "You know it's me, Mason."

Turning around to look at friends, "It's Gary guys," I smile, "Gary, good to see you, man!" JJ adds and quickly pulls the back of my bag when he sees Gary climb up the stairs, "JJ!"

"You two, are asking for it," Kie laughs as we all rush back through the house, all of us laughing and cheering, running down the stairs, "Go, go!" I giggled as I Gary's attempts to grab me but I duck under his swinging arms, running out to the garden.

"Not much of a hugger man," JJs joke echoing off the empty wall of the house.

Running up beside Pope, I urge him up over the fence, "Come on, Pope, go, go, go," landing on the other side, watching as he lands flat on his face, "Graceful as always Pope," I giggle pulling him back on his feet.

"Come on Pope, Fatso's coming" JJ encourages, suddenly landing beside us just barely missing the hot-headed security who is dangling over the fence, "Come here, you little pricks!"

"Bus is leaving," John B pulls up the van honking the horn, Kie opening the door for us, laughing as we shove each other in. John B wastes no time hitting the gas, driving away from the angry security.

"Check out Gary, gunnin' for a raise," Pope laughs as we watch a hopeless Gary chase after the van.

Having an idea, JJ unzips my bag and leans out of the open door, "Come on Gary," he taunts, waving the beer can in front of the man like you would a dog with a treat.

"You're going to give him a heart attack," Kie sympathises but still finds his actions amusing, "You're so close! You can do it. There you go," he tosses the can at the poor man who attempts to dodge it.

"God, they don't pay you enough, man" I laugh peering out the door, taking in the sight of Gray who is wheezing with his hands planted on his knees.

Seeing enough torture for one day, Kie tugs us back in, "That's enough," she says finally feeling sorry for the poor man, sliding the door close.

"Oh, come on. That sort of initiative is just begging to be punished," reasons JJ, plopping down in the back of the van, now finding interest fiddling with the blunt he pulled from his back pocket.

I lean my head on Kie's shoulder and sigh, "I love Gary," I confess, earning a flick on the head from Pope and a nudge on the leg from JJ

We're the Pogues, and our mission this summer is to have a good time, all the time.

Prologue: FIN!

What did you think?

I’m really excited to explore Mason’s character and her adventures with the Pogues. I have so much planned for her.

I hope you enjoyed this introduction <3

[xxsanshinexx]

A textbook and you

Pairing: Yang Jeongin x Reader

Words: 3576

Genre: Highschool au

Synopsis: You didn’t have a biology textbook and needed one, thankfully Yang Jeongin was kind enough to share one for the semester.

~

You had no idea how you ended up sharing a biology textbook with Yang Jeongin, but yet here you were; scribbling down the functions and structures of cells before you had to give him back the book for his test. The two of you had different class periods, you having biology late in the day and him right after lunch. It helped make the little system you created function a little easier; however, it still didn’t make the situation any less odder. Juggling the textbooks back and forth between the two of you, one of you getting to steal it for one half of the day and the other getting it for the rest. 

You knew how all of it came to be. You were too lazy to get up on time to get your textbooks from the school and by the time you had gone to retrieve them; it came out that the school hadn’t ordered enough. Now while you were wholly content to try and pass your class without the textbook, you knew Mr. Park only assigned out of the textbook. Jeongin just happened to be in line in front of you during the whole situation and being the kind boy that he is, insisted that you took the book and he would get the work from one of his friends who already took the class.

The only problem about his noble offer was that you couldn’t accept it and that the pair of you were extremely stubborn. This is how you came to the conclusion that you would share the textbook. This is also how you came to sit in the library, furiously scribbling in your notebook as Jeongin tried to review his sticky notes.  

“I don’t think pressing harder on the paper is gonna make you remember the content anymore than regular studying would,” Jeongin chuckled without glancing up from his yellow notes. This was common, the two of huddled over a single textbook; you clamouring to understand the information while Jeongin sat nice and pretty and calm reviewing everything you should’ve had memorized. 

“Jeongin,” You huffed, scribbling down the function of enzymes that roamed the esophagus, “Please shut up.”

You could feel him lean against you shoulder and you sucked on your teeth at the proximity. It was common knowledge that Jeongin was good looking, with a great personality and a sweet smile to match. It was also common knowledge to anyone who looked close enough that you had a crush on the young sunshine since the two of you met in middle school. Thankfully, no one had looked at either of you two close yet. 

He leaned his head against your shoulder and you stared intently at the scientific words that made no sense, trying to distract yourself from the way his breathy laugh sounded so perfect. “You spelled enzyme wrong.”

It was moments like this though that made you regret your taste in men.

“God let me study in peace Jeongin!” You shouted, earning a distasteful shush from the librarian that put an embarrassed blush on your features. “Mr. Park hates me, I have to know all of this even if it’s spelled wrong.”

“Don’t feel special he hates everyone.” Jeongin laughed as he rearranged his notecards to be in alphabetical order. “And enzyme’s has an e at the end.”

“God dammit Jeongin.” You grumbled as you began to add in the e to the word, knowing he wouldn’t stop mocking you about it till it was fixed. “Doesn’t matter if I spelled it write or not the tests are multiple choice.”

“Beomgyu told me this one is written. Might want to learn to spell,” He said and you groaned, slamming your face against the textbook just as the bell rang. It meant your time with Jeongin, and most importantly the textbook, was over. 

“Goodbye to my grades.” You sighed and you felt Jeongin pat you back in an attempt to reassure you. 

“You’ll do fine Y/n, you always do.” You looked up only to be greeted by his mesmerising smile, and you couldn’t help but feel like his words were truthful. “Now, can I have the textbook? I need it for class.”

A pout settled on your lips, “Only if you write down all the test answers for me when you give it back during passing.”

“Sure, whatever you say Y/n,” He swiftly pulled the book out from under your arms and cast you a wink before stumbling off to his classroom; leaving you a mix of emotions in the deserted library. The feeling of lovesickness and dread were not a good combo for anyone, especially not you with your weak heart and closed emotions. Another sigh left your lips as you made your way out of the room, trying to remain optimistic about the rest of your day. 

The last period of the day seemed to come a lot faster than you could memorize what chemosynthesis was. You had spent the majority of you history class reviewing the scribbly notes you had taken during lunch time, mentally cursing yourself for misspelling nearly every word; though you would never give Jeongin the satisfaction of knowing that. 

“I am going to fail~” You sang as you met Jeongin in your normal meeting place, the hallway that was the middle ground between your final classes.

Jeongin just shook his head and smiled, holding out the book for you to take in your arms. “It’s not that hard Y/n.”

“Easy for you to say, Mr. I’m a genius.”

“I’m not a genius,” He laughed, running his hand through his hair suddenly seeming anxious. “Anyways, I have something to ask you which you kinda have to say yes to?”

You raised an eyebrow at his odd remark and demeanor, “Then why are you even asking me?”

“Fair point,” He nodded and ran his hand up to clutch onto his backpack strap, “Well I uh signed us up to be partners for this biology project Mr. Park is gonna assign at the end of class. We have to make a model of a cell- i think i picked plant- and uh I figured you’d be okay with it. I mean- we already spend so much time together over this class i just uh… guessed you’d be cool if we just paired up for it. I’ll have to see you after school anyways to get back the textbook.”

His proposal had you with a nervous smile on your face, having never expected such a statement. Usually when Jeongin asked you something, it was to buy him food or to slide him the answers for the math exam that he had next period. You didn’t really think he would ever want to partner with you, for anything other than this stupid textbook deal. 

“Yeah,” You squeaked out, Jeongin barely able to catch your words. “That-That sounds good… we can work on it at my house if you want?”

“Today? I can do today after school- if that’s okay of course-” the warning bell rang in the midst of Jeongin’s words and you both looked at each other with wide eyes. 

“I can do today,” You said quickly, watching as Jeongin nodded and began to speedily backpedal in the direction of his classroom. 

“Sounds good!” He called through the sea of late students who were beginning to swarm the hallway, “Text me- oh and good luck!”

His words made you smile as you shook your head, beginning to squirm through the hallway’s traffic to your dreaded last class. At least now you had something to look forward to at the end of the day. And the sticky note that read nearly all the answers are A with a smiley face only added to your sudden happy mood. 

The test was just as difficult as you had expected, but Jeongin’s words of wisdom had you feeling better about your outcome. It made the decisions on answers easier to make and you remember to spell enzyme correctly when faced with written answers. Your optimistic mood only grew as you reached the porch of your house, textbook in hand and a nervous smile on your face. 

“Grandma i’m home!” You called as you walked in, dropping off your things in their respective places as you made your way towards your room.

“How was school love?” You grandma’s soft voice fluttered out from her room and you peaked your head in to find her bent over book. 

“It was good, Grandma.” You said and that nervous smile came back onto your face as you remembered who would be here in less than an hour, “And uh Grandma, I have a friend coming over today so please? Try not to scare them of to quickly?”

It was then she finally looked up from her book, eyes withered with age alighting with interest. “You don’t ask that when just any of your friends come around. Why is this one special? Oh! Is it that Jeongin boy you keep gushing about- you know i’ve still yet to meet him and all you do is talk about-”

You sighed in distress, realizing that you should never tell your grandmother anything, and nodded your head. “Please don’t say anything! He’s only coming over for a project! A project, grandma! Nothing else! Nothing! No weird talk and certainly don’t repeat anything I have said about him to you-”

“Not even how you think his eyes hold the whole galaxy-”

“Anything!” You could hear her mischievous laughter as you continued down the hall to your room, the panic beginning to fill you. Yang Jeongin was coming over soon, your room was incredibly messy, your Grandma was planning something and you had less than thirty minutes to make you and your house presentable. The panicked shriek you let out was loud enough for your grandmother to laugh at as you began your frantic attempt to clean up. 

A soft knocking half an hour later brought you out of your cleaning daze. You had managed to get all the clothes off the floor, the books back on your shelf and your bed made, as well as changing out of your uniform, when the noises rang out through the house. 

“Y/n! Your boyfriend is here!” You grandmother helpfully called as you sprinted down the hall. 

“Grandma! This goes against what we talked about!” You called back as you frantically tried to smooth out your shirt and force the redness away from your face before you opened the door. When you opened the door you were faced with a different Jeongin than you were used to. Instead of the pristine yellow uniform that usually adorned both of you, he was in black track pants, a black fitted T-shirt and his hair was pushed back underneath a beanie. To say your face got redder at the look was an understatement. “Hey Jeongin.”

“H-Hi Y/n.” He smiled as he stepped into your home, slipping off his shoes and sliding his backpack off of his shoulder. “Nice house.”

“Uh thanks,” You scratched the back of your neck awkwardly as you began to take slow steps in the direction of your room. “We can work on the project in my room if that's cool- or we could do it out here! Just uh my grandmother’s home so I don’t know if you want-”

“I’m good with anything, I just don’t want to intrude.” He chuckled as he followed you down the hallway. You were quick to notice your grandmother's door was wide open and mentally groaned, knowing that perhaps you should have just left it a mystery about who was coming over. Thankfully, she didn’t make an appearance as you snuck into your bedroom leaving the door open only a fraction so she wouldn’t get suspicious. 

Jeongin stood in the center of your room taking in all the pictures and colors that adorned it, before turning back to you with a small smile. “Is it just you and your grandmother or?”

“My mom and dad are away a lot,” You shrugged, gesturing to the room for him to sit wherever while you grabbed supplies. “I live here cause it's easier and better school district.”

“So how do you want to do this?” Jeongin questioned, as you laid on a notebook on the bed and took a seat next to him watching as he laid back against the headboard. 

“I barely even know what you signed us up to do,” You shook your head with a smile as you flipped your notebook to a blank page. 

“Then why did you say yes so easily?” The teasing tone was evident in his voice but it still made you fight blush rising to your cheeks. Jeongin chuckled at your lack of response and dug around in his backpack, pulling out a ruffled piece of paper. “We’re making a plant cell model. It’s gotta have everything, cell walls, chloroplast, nucleus-”

“Has to be green.” You added helpfully as you jotted down all the requirements onto your paper, earning a laugh from Jeongin.

“Yes,” he chuckled, setting the paper next to you. “Most importantly, it has to be green.”

“We could do it red if we’re feeling creative,” You said, doodling away as you tried to think of a good model for this project. 

“I was honestly feeling pink. Maybe even a blood orange-”

“Oh my God, shut up,” You laughed, sliding the paper over for him to be able to add in his own ideas. “We can make something blood orange on the model if you really want-”

“You know maybe a champagne pink would look better instead?” You couldn’t help your laughter at his words, “Okay, what about amethyst? A fuschia if you will?” You slapped him on the shoulder, trying to get him to stop as giggles flowed out from your lungs, “Fine, we'll go with cerise.”

“Just do some work,” You smiled up at him, quick to notice the stars that danced in his eyes making him seem all the more lively. You weren’t lying when you told your grandmother that fact. 

Jeongin still filled the time of your peaceful working with color jokes, plant jokes and many things that were able to get you to snicker despite your determined mood. The air surrounding you two was light and easygoing, letting you both chatter about nothing as you sketched out cerise nuclei and periwinkle ribosomes; Jeongin cutting away and organizing as you did so. It was nice, even if words weren’t as prominent as you thought they would be; because they weren’t needed as you cut, colored and organized in silence. 

“I don’t think we’re going to finish all of this today,” You huffed, stretching your fingers that had begun to ache from their constant sketching. 

Jeongin nodded as he held up a handful of mitochondria, letting them fall from his hands in a flutter. “We’ll just have to meet up again to finish all of this.”

You blushed against your will but still managed to scoff, “You want to see me that badly?”

Jeongin gapped at your response and would have nearly embarrassed himself with a response if it wasn’t for your grandmother barging into the room at that very moment. The look she gave you upon seeing Jeongin had your ears turning red and a panic coursing through your veins. 

“Well, hello there,” She smiled sweetly to which Jeongin responded with his own smile, but you knew she was only here to embarass you. “You must be the Jeongin Y/n talks so much about!”

And there it was. You internally screamed as Jeongin’s smile grew a little lopsided and his eyebrow raised in interest. “Oh? Y/n talks about me?”

“You and your pretty dimples and voice. Your jokes and laugh make the conversation a lot too.” She grinned and threw you a wink, which you barely made out through your embarrassment. “I came in just to check in on you two, and meet you very good looking friend.” 

“It’s nice to meet you too, ma’am.” Jeongin said, through rather tightly as you watched his features dance with too many emotions. Oh God, he had definitely put together you grandmother words and hints. 

“Grandma, can you please leave?” You said with a forced smile, watching as she grinned but nodded; slyness glinting in her eyes. 

“Just yell if you need me, I’ll be knitting in the living room.” Again, she winked with the words you’re welcome lingering on her lips as she shut the door; leaving the once content room in an air of awkwardness. 

The silence passing between you two was thick. Jeonin didn’t so much as look up as he went back to busying his hands with cutting out shapes. You couldn’t blame him, you tried to avoid all eye contact as you furiously scribbled away at what was supposed to be Chloroplasts. You couldn’t believe she had just walked in here and done that; telling him you thought his dimples were cute! She even told him you thought his voice was nice! Why would she do that!? You mentally screamed, feeling like your once positive day had been entirely ruined by the elderly meddling in it; enough so that angry tears began to swarm in your eyes. 

“Did… do you really think my dimples are cute?” Jeongin muttered after several moments of silence, jolting your body back into being rigid with nerves. 

“I uh…” You trailed off, not picking up your gaze from your sloppy drawings, “I…. I might have mentioned it once.”

“And my voice?”

You sighed before speaking, curling up against the headboard facing your head away from his, not having the courage to even look at him. You didn’t want to see the rejection. “I might’ve.”

“Was that the only things you complimented about me? Or was there something else you wanted to say besides my dimples and voice?” His voice was soft, still holding that teasing undertone, as he reached over and gently placed his hand over yours. There were those stupid jolts that festered under your skin; the ones that were there when he smiled at you or did something relatively kind. You didn’t understand why he was trying to coax more compliments out of you at the moment. 

“I’m sorry for my grandmother, I really am. I didn’t know she was gonna say all that stuff and make a mess of the whole day. I know it’s super awkward now I totally get it if you want to just leave- God I kinda want to and this is my own house- but uh just don’t think any differently of me or just please don’t-” You were cut off by the back of your hand being met with feather soft lips. 

“You really think I’m going to shun you for something like this…. Especially when… when I feel the same to you.” His voice was quiet, lower than a whisper, but it was enough for you too snap your head around and meet his star filled eyes. You had never seen them look so sincere, or vulnerable. It was silent as you both stared at each other, not even your breaths made a noise as you stayed frozen, watching how Jeongin still held your hand tightly in his and how his breath fanned against your skin. “Please tell me I didn’t read this entire situation wrong and made a fool out of myself.”

“You didn’t.” You breathed out, forcing yourself to hold onto his hand a little tighter despite your shock. “I just…. Wasn’t expecting that.”

“Trust me, neither was I.” His dimple appeared as he laughed, the nervousness from the previous moments flowing out of him. “I never thought a grandmother’s meddling would make me confess of all things. I figured it would’ve been Seungmin’s annoyance.”

“It’s not what I pictured either.” You chuckled, looking back up to the eyes that you loved to stare at, the moments prior finally hitting you. Those eyes liked you back. 

Jeongin tugged gently on your hand, the smile on his face never seeming to go away, “I-I don't think you want to spend our first day together working on a school project, do you?”

“Together?” The words leaving your lips lit up your body with an undescribed feeling. You? Together with Yang Jeongin? It was unbelievable. 

“Yeah… together.” He laughed quietly, playing with your fingers that were still wrapped around his own.

A smile finally rested upon your lips as you felt him fiddle with your index, running a light finger over your knuckle. “You never officially asked me out.”

He shook his head and looked up at you, pure elation written on his features. “Would you, Y/n, L/n, please be mine? Please?”

“Will you give me the answers to the next bio test?” You laughed, gripping his hand tightly in your own, loving the way it felt to finally hold his hand. 

“Already planning on it, love.” The grin on his face at the words show you how truthful he was, and your red face told him you loved the new nickname. He pulled your hand back up to his lips, pressing another one of his feather soft kisses against your skin before whispering against it, “Now how about some ice cream to celebrate?”

Maybe, after all, your grandmother knew what she was doing with the two of you.

[puckinghell]

Stars and Supernovae | September

Summary: As soon as you meet Tyler Seguin, you know you’re destined to be best friends. Sometimes you wonder if you’re destined to be more, but life keeps getting in the way. Perhaps it’s just not written in the stars? Note: This is part 8. Part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 Note 2: This is it! The final part. Kinda happy I got it over with, I really wasn’t sure if I’d find the motivation to finish. Thank you so much to everyone who has sent me nice messages, or left a like or reblog. You’re all the reason this was even a thing!! 

With it being the pre-season, you hadn’t bothered to go to tonight’s game, but you hadn’t been able to resist the urge to put the game on the television at work. You had done it a few times this past month, and the first time your boss had told you off, but now he didn’t seem to mind anymore. You guessed he was becoming a hockey fan.

You’re welcome.

It was strange, watching Tyler on tv again. This summer, you’d managed to almost forget about hockey. You’d just been busy; you moved out in July, finding a new apartment with two roommates, finally leaving Sabrina behind. You’d also been picking up extra shifts at the coffee shop because although you were sharing a house with more people now, the rent was still a little steep, and extra money never hurt anyone. And then you’d been busy being miserable and feeling sorry for yourself. That, really, took up all your energy.

The game ended, Dallas winning 3-2 over Ottawa, and you shot Tyler a congratulations text, as well as texting Katie to tell her to give Jamie a hug from you. They were so cute together, so happy, it was annoying. You started cleaning tables - you had to do something - when the door opened.

“I’ll be right there!” you yelled behind you, and then a familiar voice spoke.

“No need to hurry.” You turned around, facing Max with a smile.

“Max, hi! It’s been a while!” You walked over and gave him a quick hug. “How are you doing?”

He sighed. “Pff, exams…”

“Don’t mention another word,” you puffed, moving over to the counter. “Large flat white?”

“Please.” He leaned over the counter. “How are you doing, Y/N?”

You’d told Max you could no longer date him the morning you got back from the cabin. To your surprise, he hadn’t argued it, didn’t even seem shocked, really.

“Is it about Tyler?” he’d asked, and because you weren’t able to lie to him, not anymore, you’d nodded.

“It’s always been about Tyler.”

You had fallen into an easy friendship with him, after that, and it was so much nicer to just be his friend. You’d even introduced him to your new roommate, hoping that Max would find someone who was actually worth his attention.

You shrugged. “I’m doing alright. Busy, working a lot.” You pushed his drink towards him.

“I was going to look over some math problems,” Max told you, motioning to his book. “Wanna join me?” He’d clearly remembered that you were never very good at math, and you smiled.

“Sure, that’d be great.”

You talked about math for the next half hour, but then, Max suddenly sat up straighter.

“Okay, so, tell me, how are things with Tyler?”

Now that was a more difficult question to answer than Max might’ve thought it was.

“Things are… normal?” You sighed. “But not really. I don’t know, he never really brought up the kiss again. He was at the cabin all summer, you know. We kinda just texted every now and then but it wasn’t the same as before. And then he got back for training camp in August and he asked if I wanted to come over one night and I was expecting us to have this huge conversation about it, but.. nothing really happened. Everything was just like it was before this summer.”

Max raised an eyebrow. “But you don’t want it to be. So why don’t you just bring it up?”

You stared at your hands, curling your fingers around the math book. “Because what if he realized that night was a mistake, and he doesn’t want that anymore, and he spent all summer regretting it, and me bringing it up will just make it a whole big deal and then he realizes we can’t be friends any more because I’m in love with him?”

“That could happen,” Max said slowly, “or, and I think that’s a lot more likely, he thinks you don’t want him to bring it up, because you, you know, literally ran away from him, and he’s waiting on you to make a move?”

“Hey!” You lightly hit his arm. “I ran away because I was technically dating you, and that would’ve been cheating!”

Max laughed. “Okay, fair, but have you told him that? Or is it possible that he thinks you just ran away from him?”

You groaned, dropping your head in your hands. “This is all so much more complicated than I thought it was going to be. I thought we were just going to be best friends forever and I would get over my crush and that would be that.”

“You’re never going to get over your crush,” Max scoffed. “And neither is he. But the ball is in your court, Y/N. You have to let him know why you ran.”

You were just about to say something else when the door opened, and you turned around to tell the customer you were coming, when you were met with a familiar face.

“Tyler?”

He stood in the door, his arms limply by his side, wearing a suit, as he always did to and from games, his hair still wet from the shower, and his eyes oddly emotionless.

“I thought you might want some company,” he said, his voice low, “but I see you already have some. I’ll text you tomorrow.” He was about to turn around when you jumped up.

“Ty, wait…”

And that’s when he exploded. 

“You know what? No. This is bullshit. You can’t seriously still be dating that guy when you know he’s not right for you. You’re not even in love with him!” He turned to Max. “Sorry, dude. Don’t mean to involve you in this, you’re just kinda… here.” 

Back to you. 

“You can’t tell me that you’re seriously considering staying with him when you know that I… that we…” the words died on his lips and he shook his head. “I actually came to bring this by. Saw this and thought of you.” He threw something on the table next to the door. 

“I thought I might be your supernova too, but I guess I was wrong,” he said bitterly, and before you were able to get a word out, before you were able to tell him how incredibly wrong he was, he was gone.

“Well,” said Max, frowning, “that was a lot.”

For a second, you contemplated running after him, but you were still on the clock and you couldn’t just leave like that, so instead, you picked up the little package Tyler had thrown on the tablet. It was a blue velvet box, and when you opened it, tears jumped to your eyes.

“What is it?” Max asked curiously, and you showed it to him. It was a silver necklace, the pendant a round plate of silver with the outline of a star engraved in it.

It was perfect. Of course it was perfect; it was from Tyler, and Tyler knew you so well, so much better than you even knew yourself. He knew how much you loved the stars, but he didn’t know how much you loved a particular Star; number #91. And he had to know.

The next two hours of your shift went awfully slowly, so slowly that you felt sick to your stomach. Max stayed with you, talking you through most of your mental breakdowns, and then finally, you were off the clock.

“Good luck,” Max smiled, but you’d already taken off running.

It was strange. Normally, when you got to Tyler’s house, you would just let yourself in, but now you were hesitating. Maybe you should knock, give him a chance to tell you to fuck off. You probably deserved it, at this point. At least, from his point of view. He thought you were still with Max. You didn’t even know why you didn’t tell him you’d broken it off; maybe because then he would’ve asked questions, questions you were too scared to answer.

Before you had to make a choice, the door opened, and there he was, wearing sweats and a hoodie this time, a frown on his face.

“Were you going to come in or what?” he asked slowly. “The dogs are going crazy.”

Of course, of course the dogs had let him know you were here. Traitors. 

Tyler stepped aside and you walked into the hall, petting all the dogs before turning to the guy in front of you. He just stood there, uncertain, and you knew Max had been right. The ball was in your court.

“You said you hoped you were my supernova,” you started, your voice soft. “But supernovae happen when stars die, Ty. The glow we see is the explosion surrounding its death.”

“Oh,” Tyler mumbled. “Well, we never got that far into our conversation about supernovae. I just thought it was a really bright star.”

You couldn’t help but giggle, but then you saw the look on his face and your eyes softened. “Tyler, I broke up with Max the second I got home from the cabin. It was never going to work out with him. Not when I’ve been in love with someone else since he interrupted me while I pronounced my love to his dog.”

Tyler’s eyebrows shot up, and you took a step closer. “But you ran,” he said softly. “You ran away and then you acted like it never happened, and I thought I misread it all… I thought I fucked it up.”

You shook your head. “I was scared, Ty. I don’t want to lose my best friend.”

“Me neither.” Tyler took your hand, lacing his fingers through yours. “I’m not going anywhere, Shiny.”

You smiled. “I know. And I think, maybe, you can be both my best friend and my…” Getting the word out was hard, your heart beating in your chest, and Tyler knew. Because of course he did.

“Boyfriend?” he finished for you. “Because I think I can be both too. I’m pretty good at multitasking, you know.”

You snorted. “You suck at multitasking.”

“Fine,” he admitted, and then his free hand moved to the necklace around your neck, fingers grazing the pendant. “But I buy pretty good gifts, so I’ve got that going for me.”

“Hmm,” you hummed in agreement. “And you’re pretty cute, too, so that’s two things.”

“Apparently everyone has known that I would end up with you for years,” Tyler said, then, his fingers trailing from your necklace up your neck to your jaw, then brushing past your lips. “Except me.”

“And me.” You smiled up at him. “Are you going to kiss me, or will that take you another 2 years?”

“Very funny, Shiny,” he whispered, and then his lips were against yours and stars were exploding around you, and suddenly, everything was exactly the way it was supposed to be; exactly the way the universe had planned it.

[onlyjihoons]

dream knight; l.j.n

a/n omg guys,, it has been so so long since i have written something, and im so sorry omg,, my school term is getting more hectic than it was before, and also i would like to sincerely apologise to  akutagawahakuryuunosuke im so sorry for taking so long to complete your request bb im almost done and i hope its not too shitty asnsosfo

and also this is a spinoff from @cremethorns Hydrochloric Acid,(i hope you don’t mind!) except it doesnt involve spillage of liquid on jeno and a shirtless jeno bc pg13, also highly based on true events that might have costed my innocence, i couldve caused an acid spill on my classmate lol.

disclaimer: this fic has nothing to do with royalty. or knights.

genre: in the context of The Inheritors,, fluff

synopsis: your crush had to see you at your worst, fainting in home econs, and spraining your ankle at dance, and you thought it was only one sided, and only jeno’s duty as a student councilor to bring you to the infirmary, it all changed when you nearly spilled acid on your crush’s oh-so-perfect face.

Lee Jeno. Student Councilor. Member of the school’s dance team. Visual. Most sought after chaebol, also heir to one of Korea’s biggest broadcasting companies. He had connections and friends, lots of them, from idols to even influential friends abroad, he has everything.

And you? Heir to your mom’s clothing brand, you had your fair share of inheritance to your name to be honest. But you were low-profile, only making friends with the people you trust. Everyone in your school was either filthy rich or a heir to some company or both. And most of the people had connections, not friends. Even the poorest student in your school lived in a swanky condominuim complex. You were pretty decent looking if you were compared to those of neighbourhood schools, but if you compared yourself to your classmates, you would be one of the less-better-looking ones. Make-up was part of it, plastic surgery is another.

Your crush and yourself were sort of polar opposites. Jeno was friendly and kind-hearted, making girls stop by his classroom just to marvel at his annoyingly good looks, one of the minority that hasn’t gone under the knife and yet this beautiful. He was also a talented human being, he can dance, sing and rap, and on top of that good grades and an mouth-watering amount of inheritance when he graduates from college. You had decent grades, looks and money, but your eyes shot glares at strangers, and the queen of comebacks. Last but not least, the formidable ‘ice queen’. You cursed at your genes for making your resting bitch face really bitchy, you got it from your mom. But under that ‘ice queen’ title was a really really really kind-hearted Y/N, which people failed to believe as they only made connections. You haven’t gone under the knife yet, as your mother chose to believe in au naturael. You didn’t want to either, not like you had to use your face in any kind of situation. You weren’t a model anyway.

Ever since you set foot into the school, you were classmates and tablemates for homeroom with Jeno, not like you were complaining. You easily made friends with Jeno, as he found you really nice to hang around with and one of the few not making connections. Exchanging smiles whenever you passed by each other, a simple, platonic friendship. At least that’s what you thought, at the beginning of high school.

Slowly, your teenage hormones got the better of you and you found yourself constantly looking at Jeno. Your heart started beating at the thought of the boy, and you were practically his partner for every single practical lesson for every subject in school. “Stars align and zodiacs match”, smirked Chenle, your cousin and closest friend in school. 

There was once you and Jeno were paired up for home econs, you thought you would make a good team, as you guys were already comfortable with each other. The school’s kitchen was incredibly humid and hot, while stir-frying the pasta, you passed out due to heat exhaustion. The humidity and the added heat from the gas stove was overbearing for your weak body. Being your partner and a member of the Student Council, (you were too, the both of you are the only student councils in your class) he kindly carried your limp body on his back, and constantly worrying about you. It was super sweet of him to even stay in the infirmary with you until you regained consciousness, recalling his big, brown worried orbs staring into your own. Black locks disarray and sweaty, and then flashing a relieved smile which melted you once again.

4 months later and your crush on him only deepened, you hit yourself mentally for choosing the same co-curricular activity as Jeno. He shot you a big grin when he saw you warming up on the first day of dance, offering to help you stretch, which you politely declined because you didn’t was to scare him off with your flexibility. But alas, the instructor decided to have some weird ‘flexibility evaluation’ which you vowed not to fail, due to your pride and reputation of a ballerina of 11 years. Contrary to your expectations, Jeno only eyed you with adoration? respect? shock? You didn’t want to get your hopes high.

Your instructor was impressed, placing you in the ‘top’ team. Your team bravely chose Gfriend’s Fingertip, also a choreography you had wanted to learn in the longest time. Jeno was in the ‘top’ team for the boys too, they chose BTS’ Not Today. You bit your lip, your teammates voted you to be the centre, SinB. You were flattered, they thought so highly of your dance skills, but you were also pressured to grasp the choreography fast and right, so that you could look the best and also help your teammates too.

While learning the dance break, your legs moved faster that your body could react, the inertia sending you to the laminated wooden floor, producing a small thump on your ankle. You groaned as the excruciating pain shot your ankle like a bullet, srunching your nose. Your teammates rushed to your side, worried as the team’s ace got hurt. Jeno’s team heard the commotion, and rushed to surround you as well. Jeno pushed through them, picking you up bridal style, causing ooh-ahhs, swoons(from the top teams) and glares(mostly from the girls) from the other teams. You instinctively wrapped your arms around his neck, afraid to fall again. Your instructor was puzzled when Jeno approached her with you in his arms, but she then hurriedly waved the both of you off lest your sprain got worse.

“Put me down, Jeno, I can walk,” You tried to wriggle out of his arms, but to no avail as Jeno suddenly ‘dropped’ you, producing a surprised yelp from you and curious gazes from students.

“Your sprain will worsen, princess,” Jeno whispered almost flirtatiously, sending shivers down your spine, “and I’m not Do Bong Soon, you’re not that light either.”

You scoffed, “I’m underweight, Jeno, how could you--” You gasped as Jeno’s faced inched slowly towards yours.

“I’ll kiss this pretty face of yours if you can’t stop talking till we get to the infirmary.” Jeno’s eyes darkened, causing you to gulp.

As much as you wanted his lips on yours, you shook your head profusely, Jeno’s eyes immediately crinkled into crescents, lightheartedly walking towards the infirmary.

In the end, stupid Jeno stayed to help ice your sprain, luckily not serious. The both of you missed dance, but none of you cared, you two were two busy giving each other playful banter to keep track of time.

“Your grades are gonna drop at this rate you are daydreaming in class because of Jeno,” Chenle snapped his fingers, startling you from your daydream.

You rolled your eyes, “Who was the one that got 16/20 for her math test and who was the one that got 12/20 for his math test?”

Chenle raised his hands in defeat, “Serves me right for not studying,”

“Neither did I,” You batted your eyelashes innocently as Chenle glared at you.

The school bell rang, signalling break time.

You and Chenle actually made the effort to pop by the snack shop to get some snacks together, usually it was decided through Rock Paper Scissors to who was the unlucky one to pay for the snacks and make the unwanted trip down. Neither of you actually bothered this time, as Logarithms sucked up all of the brain juice you had replenished during recess.

“Did you hear?” Chenle sipped on his banana milk, “We are getting our permanent lab partners for Chemistry today.”

“Mhmm,” You hummed as you munched on a churro snack, “I’ll probably get Jeno again, what’s new.”

“You see, Y/N, that’s the problem with you!” Chenle snapped suddenly, shocking you.

“P...problem?”

Chenle pinched the bridge of his nose, and hissed, “The reason why you’re always complaining that you can’t get Jeno to be your boyfriend, lies in the actions you do yourself, Y/N. At this rate, your crush on Jeno will be brought to your deathbed, the whole world knowing except him.”

You frowned, “So what is your point here, Chenle, do you want me to splash hydrochloric acid on him so i can see him shirtless? Hmm? Then after that expecting him to sweep me off my feet and plant a kiss on my lips? Like the ones in dramas and fanfictions?”

“Just... confess to him.” Chenle resumed sipping on the artificially flavoured drink, “I mean like, you have been liking him since forever, and besides, he has so many girls going after him. This is your golden chance, couz. And I highly doubt that your feelings for him are one-sided.”

You blinked your eyes, slowly absorbing Chenle’s words. You sighed, Chenle was right, even though you aren’t sure about the one-sided part. 

“Y/N and Jeno. Alright class, please take your seats beside your partner at the designated tables and wait for further instructions.” Your teacher waved the class off, and girls bursting into whiny sobs as they failed to get Jeno as their lab partner, again. It was a simple acid-base titration with hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide today, your teacher demonstrated the previous lesson and she wanted to let the class “have a go at it” as she believed in the whole “practical sessions helps with understanding” thing. It did help, in a way, but it was an opportunity for you to stare at Jeno up close, other than homeroom lesson. 

You hid your face in your hands as you saw Jeno approaching your seat with his signature eyesmile, you knew you were a stumbling mess in front of his smile, and your plans of confessing to Jeno would go down the drain.

“Y/N-ie~”Jeno sang as he settled down beside you, “We’re lab partners again.”

Don’t look at him, Don’t ever look at him, you chanted a silent mantra to yourself as you closed your eye in case you spilled your feelings too quickly.

“Y/N?” Jeno called out to you worriedly, “Are you alright? You look very out of it today.”

“It’s just the Logarithms that make me feel very blank in general,” You excused clumsily, “I’m just really tired.”

“Do you want me to be in charge of the burette or...”

“Actually, Jeno, I have something to tell you, and--”

“Alright class, please start now.” Your teacher instructed as students began to measure the amount of acid needed.

“Using a pipette, transfer 20.0cm3 of sodium hydroxide into a cornical flask. Add 2-3 drops of methyl orange into the sodium hydroxide. Describe the colour of the methyl orange.” Jeno read, “Do you want me to do it?”

You nodded slightly, recalling your phobia of handling equipment. It was in middle school, where you kindly helped the teacher to wash the petri dish, but your hands turned butter and the petri dish shattered, startling you. It was a measly petri dish, but it was kind of a big deal to the then you, and from then on you were very cautious around the cleaning of equipment.

“Y/N?” Jeno’s voice snapped you out of your reverie, “Its your turn to add the methyl orange.”

You unscrewed the cap carefully, then cautiously dripping exactly 3 drops of the indicator. So far so good.

“Sodium hydroxide is an alkali,” Jeno noted as he wrote the answer down in the instruction sheet, “Do you want to pour the hydrochloric acid?”

You complied, feeling bad that Jeno had to see this vulnerable side of you today. You poured 30.0cm3 of hydrochloric acid into the beaker, then placing a funnel at the top of the burette. Unfortunately, the burette was taller than your height of 5″2, and you needed to stand on the footrest of your stool to reach to that height.

You carefully poured the acid into the burette, heaving a sigh of relief as you emptied the beaker. Your ‘good’ day shattered when you lost your balance upon descending, and you expected to hit the hard concrete floor of the science lab.

But you didn’t. You were in fact supported by a pair of strong arms, and those arms belonged to none other than your crush, Jeno. His eyes bore a worried look as you hoisted you upright and rubbed your back soothingly.

“You must’ve been really tired Y/N,” Jeno sighed. “I think we should get back to class once we complete this.”

“O-okay.”

“So what is it that you wanted to tell me at the science lab?” Jeno rested his chin on his hands, expectantly waiting for an answer.

“I-I...” You wrung your hands nervously, Jeno nodded for you to continue, “I like you, Jeno-ah.”

Jeno’s eyes widened, but his face was unreadable, “Since when did you begin to like me?”

“I don’t know... since we cooked pasta i guess?” You smiled sheepishly, then slumped in your seat, “Its okay if you can’t reciprocate my feelings, Jeno. I’m fine with it.”

“But I’m not fine with it,” Jeno’s expression darkened, a side you have rarely seen.

“Wh-why?”

“Because I want you to be my girlfriend.”

You blinked your eyes, and also attempting to dig whatever earwax you had out of your ears. Did you hear him right, Lee Jeno wanted to be your boyfriend.

Jeno’s face inched closer to yours, then softly placing his hand on your cheek, “May I...?”

You nodded slightly, and without hesitation, Jeno leaned in and placed his soft lips on yours, an immense feeling of euphoria erupting in your chest. Your hands magically found its way to Jeno’s black locks, pulling him slightly closer to slightly deepen the kiss.

Seconds later, you pulled away, a faint red dusting your cheeks, “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Its alright, like it was my first kiss so...” Jeno looked away shyly.

“It was mine too.” You confessed, immediately regretting your words as Jeno smirked, “Can I be your last too?”

“Maybe,” You shrugged.

Jeno brought you into his chest, red dusting your cheeks again, “What about now?”

“...Okay.”

Well, no one said that your dream knight has to be in shiny armour, he could be in school uniform too.

[bosstoaster]

Thank you so much for sharing your writing with us. I am a huge fan of your characterization, pacing, plot, and even your evil, evil cliff hangers. Your writing style flows very organically and I find myself reading and re-reading your work. 800 follower prompt: Shiro/Matt and either pointless angst (2, 15, etc) or shenanigans (14, 31, etc). Or writer's choice. Basically just Shiro/Matt. :-)

(Thank you so much dude you are waaaay too kind.  

(Wondering what this is?  This is the 800 Followers Special!  Find out more here.  These requests are now closed.  Don’t wanna see these because there’s a lot of them coming over the next couple of weeks?  Blacklist ‘800 Followers Special’.  Hate reading on Tumblr?  These will be going on AO3 as ‘This Paradox Place’ a couple of days after posting.)

No no, we aren’t breaking up! You didn’t let me finish. I’m gay for YOU. (And I’m queer for math!)

“We need to talk,” Matt told Shiro plainly.  “Honestly, this was long overdue.”

Pausing at the unusually flat tone, Shiro glanced back over his shoulder.  His shirt was still tangled around his arms as he yanked it off, and he let both hang in front of him.  “What kind of talk?”

Matt tilted his head up, jaw set.  It was an expression he usually used when he was steeling himself for something.  “One we should have had weeks ago.”

Well, that was straightforward.

Something about Matt’s expression made Shiro tense.  Maybe it was just that he was so unused to having it directed at him.  At least, not in months.  Years, now.

It was like Matt was trying to figure out how to break some bad news to him.

At first, Shiro’s mind whirled back, jumping through their day, and then the past few weeks. Was anyone hurt?  Had something gone wrong?  Why was Matt telling him this now, in this tone of voice?

The only reason Shiro could think of that Matt would say something now was if it wasn’t exactly business.  If it was just between the two of them.

Which meant there was something wrong with them.  With their relationship.  Something that had been stewing for weeks, now.  Which would be most of the time they’d been together.

Sitting down on his bed, Shiro still didn’t pull his arms out.  Instead he met Matt’s eyes and waited.

Under Shiro’s direct gaze, Matt started to shift, moving his weight from foot to foot.  “Right.  Um.”  He paused, visibly looking for a joke, anything to defuse the heavy atmosphere.  After a few moments of struggle, he gave it.  “It’s not- it’s not a bad thing.  Not really.   Usually with us it’s awesome, but some stuff is just… it’s hard to deal with.”

Shiro’s heart sank, dropping as heavily as if it was made of metal too.

“Is it something we can work in?” He asked carefully, keeping his expression neutral.  No need to make this harder on them both.

Matt was free to end this anytime he wanted.  Obviously.  There was going to be no guilting, no carrying on, no making this a problem for either of them.

But it hurt, too.  Shiro had so little that was stable.  And Matt… well, stable probably wasn’t the best word for Matt.  He ran off with his ideas, running high on theories and anything that sounded fun.  And he fought back fiercely, passionately, refusing to let anyone treat him as anything less than an equal.  Not after what he’d been through.

Shiro admired it all desperately.  And more, he’d loved having that all aimed at him, that interest and curiosity and passion, the refusal to be shut out.  Matt had dug his way in completely.

Their relationship, however, was stable.  It was good.  They matched, they evened out, they fought but made up easily.

Or, so he’d thought.

Something must have shown through his expression, despite his best efforts, because Matt drooped.  “I don’t-” he winced.  “I don’t think so.  It’s not your fault, but I don’t think this is something you can fix, or else you would have already.  I’m sorry, Shiro.”  He sat down next to him, brow furrowed.  “It’s not going to change anything, you don’t have to worry.  I’m just too tired to keep going like this.”

Really, Shiro shouldn’t have been freaking out.  They were friends, still, and they could be friends after.  There was nothing wrong with that, nothing less about friendship.  He knew that.  Or he thought he had.

Absurdly, horribly, Shiro’s eyes ached and heated, and he looked down at his lap to avoid meeting Matt’s eyes.  Then he saw his arms, still stupidly tangled, and he ducked down to pull his shirt back on.  It wasn’t like he could hide his scars from Matt again, but it made him feel less vulnerable.  As if the shirt could have helped at all.

Nothing he could fix, and not his fault.

The PTSD had been too much then.

That was fair.  Shiro hated dealing with it, and he didn’t have a choice.  What right did he have to ask someone else to manage it, too?

“I’m sorry,” he managed, mostly keeping his tone flat.  It didn’t sound right, even to his own ears, but he couldn’t do better right now.  He needed space to right himself and lick his wounds, then he could sound normal.

A hand settled on his shoulder, warm and heavy.  “You okay in there?  You, uh, you’ve kinda gone quiet.  I haven’t even said anything, yet.”

“You don’t have to,” Shiro replied, closing his eyes completely.  “I get it.  I’m not going to give you a hard time.  If you want, I can explain to Pidge and Sam.”

There was a moment of silence.  “Explain what?  What the hell do they care about this?”  

Shiro flinched.

The hand tightened, and then Matt shook him.  It wasn’t hard enough to hurt, but it was startling, and Shiro uncurled himself as he jumped.  “What the hell are you on about?” Matt asked.

Confusion warred with hurt.  Matt sounded honest, but the cruelty in making him say it and not just letting him take the hit felt like an insult.  Shiro tucked in on himself and looked away.  “Well, your family would probably want to know that we’re breaking up, so-”

“We’re what?  When did this- just because I wanted to change some things up?  The hell, Takashi?”

Shiro froze, then glanced back over.  “What?  No.  No!  I’m not-”  He paused, then swallowed hard.  “You’re not breaking up with me?”

Mouth falling open, Matt stared at him.  Then he leaned back, eyes distant as he mentally reviewed the conversation.   “You thought- well, fuck a duck, that explains a lot.  God, I was wondering why you got so nervous over a talk.  No, I’m not breaking up with you.  Why the hell would I?  I’m physically tired.  As in, we never sleep well in the same bed.  I was going to say we should start sleeping in our rooms together, so we stop waking each other up all the time.  God knows you don’t get enough rest as is.”

That was-

Oh.  Oh.

Matt was right.  They were horrible bedmates.  Shiro woke up every time Matt shifted, and Shiro’s metal arm and tendency to twitch and move in his sleep had smacked his boyfriend awake more than once.  And left a couple of bruises that Shiro still felt awful over.

“You had to put it like that?” Shiro burst out.  “You were acting like this was some huge, awful deal!”

Matt threw out his arms. “I didn’t want you to feel bad!  You have nightmares so you toss and turn and defend yourself.  Hell, you practically fell over yourself apologizing for the time you thumped my chest.”

Scowling back, Shiro crossed his arms.  “You were hurt.”

“Oh, I had a little bruise.  I’ve left worse on you from hickies.  I’m not going to burst into dramatic tears because you left a mark on me.  It wouldn’t have hurt at all if that arm of yours didn’t weigh as much as a small child.”  Matt rolled his eyes.  “I’m very sorry for trying to take a change to our relationship seriously.  Won’t ever happen again.  I’m gunna sleep in my room after I bone you.  We good?”

Taking a deep breath, Shiro nodded, short and jerky.  There were still so many emotions running through him - relief, frustration, anger, hurt, fondness - that had nowhere to go.  But that was fine.  Honestly, it was the smart option.  Under normal circumstances, Shiro would have been good.

There was another huff, and then Matt reached around, grabbing Shiro and tugging him into an embrace.  He dropped a kiss on top of Shiro’s head. “You absolutely moron.  I’m not dumping you. You kidding me?  Setting aside the whole ‘brilliant, amazing pilot, dorky leader and savior of the universe’ thing, you are a fine piece of ass.”

That finally seemed to break something in Shiro, and he let out of a bark of laughter.  “Well, glad we have our priorities straight.”

“Nothing straight about me when it comes to you, Beefcake,” Matt replied cheerfully.  “I’m gay as hell for you.”

Pulling back, Shiro offered Matt a smile, the tension slowly melting out of him.  “You’re gay for everything.  You’re gay.”

“Nope.  Not true.  I’m gay for your and queer platonic for math.  And paleobiology.”  Matt pressed their foreheads together.  “And you’re very pretty, but very dense.  It’s okay, I’ll be the brains of the operation.”

“Don’t be an ass,” Shiro replied, shoving Matt back so he laid out on the bed.  

Matt only laughed.  “Nope, I’m a dick.  S’okay, you like dicks.”  He shot Shiro a pair of finger guns, grinning.

So Shiro felt no qualms about pushing him off the bed and listening to his grumpy complaints.

But he also invited him back in as soon as he was up.

Shiro didn’t need for Matt to apologize.  Because he had his own ways of getting even.  So he pinned him down by his shoulders and smiled down at him, warm and sappy.

“Oh no,” Matt replied.  “Are you about to- Shiro, c’mon!”

“I love you,” Shiro replied heartlessly.  “You’re amazing and you’re passionate, and you’re one of the strongest, greatest people I know.”

“I’m calling the police, this is abuse.”  Matt’s face went blotchy red, and he squirmed under the direct gaze.  

Shiro only raised his brows, because what police?  “You’ve survived so much and came out the other side so strong.  You exceeded every expectation and you turned all those hurts into wonder at the universe, and I love you so much.  Maybe I won’t wake up to you anymore, but I still want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Covering his face, Matt whined.  “I give up. You win.  Stop!”

Shiro took pity, leaning down to kiss over Matt’s neck, then flopping out comfortably over him.  It took a couple of minutes for Matt to recover from the onslaught of sincerity, and when he looked down at Shiro his ears were still red.  “You know that all applies to you too, right?”

“Maybe,” Shiro replied, resting his chin on Matt’s chest. He had to curl up to stay on the bed like this, but it was worth it.  “But I still love you.”

Matt smiled and reached down, running his fingers through Shiro’s hair.  “Same to you, Starshine.”

And that was enough.

They were enough.

It was all Shiro wanted.