#and the universe said you were not alone!

[connorsui]

Hi! Can I ask for a Sylus fluff, where he gives the reader his bank card for her to go shopping, and he expects a bill to be at least $10,000, but all he sees is about $100. So he asks her if she bought everything she wanted, and she says something like "yeah, there were such good discounts, I didn't spend too much, did I?"

And man is just ಠ⁠益⁠ಠ GIRL GO SPEND MY MONEY I WANT TO SPOIL YOU

My beloved @lalaluch I cannot explain to you just how much fun this was to even imagine but let alone even WRITE 🩷 like I was losing my mind trying to bust out my Google docs to even make this. But my sickness was literally getting to me that all I could do was imagine--but anywhoo now that it's finally done I hope you all enjoy it ✨️

p.s: I hope this sickness finally leaves me because it be making me internally cry on the inside ...I pray for prayers lol 💅🏻

BUDGET QUEEN

It had taken weeks of gentle coaxing, half-joking remarks, and the occasional exasperated sigh before you’d reluctantly agreed. You had this stubborn streak, an insistence on independence that both irritated and fascinated him. But today, you’d finally caved.

“You’ll take it,” Sylus had said that morning, slipping the sleek card into your hand, his fingers brushing against your palm. “No arguments. No excuses.”

You had sighed, rolling your eyes. “Fine. But I’m not going crazy with it?!”

He had only smirked, knowing full well you would—and knowing full well that he wanted you to.

And now, hours later, he awaited the results.

Sylus leaned back in his leather chair, his crimson eyes flicking lazily over the documents cluttering his desk. A rare break in his usual chaos had him sipping on his usual drink, savoring the brief quiet. That was until his phone buzzed. He set his glass down and checked the notification, a message from his bank popping up.

He expected it—he wanted it. You had finally caved to his insistence after a literal month of convincing and taken his black card to go shopping. He’d envisioned the inevitable message all morning, something like:

One-hundred million spent at Celine and The Row’s combined?

Or perhaps?

Fifty million at Loro Piana?

You’d mentioned their beauty and elegance more than once.

Nevertheless, the man wanted indulgence, excess—you deserved it, after all.

Instead, the message read:

$157.45 at… Assorted Stores.

Sylus stared at the screen, unblinking. Surely, this was a mistake. He refreshed his balance multiple times. Same amount. He checked for pending transactions. None.

“…What?” he muttered, his irritation simmering beneath the surface. He slammed his phone down, crossing his arms as he waited for you to return.

Minutes later, the front door opened, and you walked in, humming happily, two bags dangling from your arms. You looked utterly content, your warm smile sending a pang through Sylus’s chest. He didn’t want to ruin the moment, but he had questions.

“You’re back,” he said, leaning against the doorframe to his study, watching you set the bags down in the living room. His towering presence cast a shadow over you, his white hair catching the light, giving him an almost otherworldly aura.

“Yup!” you chirped, rifling through the bags. “You wouldn’t believe the deals I found today! It’s like the universe knew I had your card!”

Sylus squinted. “Deals?”

“Yeah! Everything was on sale! I even had coupons for some things. Oh, and this boutique downtown was having a clearance event! It was amazing!” You beamed at him, oblivious to his growing disbelief.

“Clearance? ..…How much did you spend?” he asked, his voice neutral. Too neutral.

“Um…” You frowned, pulling your phone out to check. “About a few hundred, I think? Oh, wait—like one-fifty! I didn’t spend too much, did I?” You tilted your head, as if genuinely concerned.

Sylus stared at you, his expression shifting to one of incredulous disbelief. His red eyes seemed to glow, and his lips pressed into a thin line. It was the look of a man deeply offended. Not by you—but by the principle.

“…That’s it?” he asked, his voice sharp but measured, as if he were trying to comprehend an alien concept. “One-fifty?”

You blinked up at him, a little confused by his tone. “Well, yes… I mean, I didn’t want to waste your money—”

“Waste my—” He cut himself off, running a hand through his snowy hair. He took a deep breath, trying to keep his composure. “Sweetheart,” he said slowly, “do you have any idea why I gave you my card?”

“To… buy some stuff?” you offered, suddenly feeling like you were missing something obvious.

“To spoil you,” he emphasized, stepping closer. “To treat you like the queen you are. To shower you in luxury. And you—” He gestured to the modest shopping bags on the floor, his voice taking on a dramatic edge. “—come back with clearance items?”

Your cheeks flushed. “But… I didn’t need anything expensive! I found good deals, and I thought—”

“No.” Sylus leaned down slightly, bringing himself to eye level with you, his crimson eyes boring into yours. “Listen to me, love. I don’t care about the price tag. I want you to have the best. The fact that you’re this thoughtful is adorable—don’t get me wrong—but next time…” He paused, his voice dropping into a softer, more commanding tone. “…I want to see receipts that would make the average person cry.”

You couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“I’m not.” He straightened, towering over you again, his arms crossing. “Do you know how much money I make? How much I’ve set aside specifically to spoil you?”

“I can guess?…”

“Clearly not if you’re spending less than a casual dinner out on everything.” His voice was calm, but laced with unmistakable disapproval.

Then, with a breath, he softened—only slightly. “I just want to see you dressed in diamonds,” he corrected, stepping closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over you. “To watch you slip into golden heels that make you shine like the goddess you are. To drape you in silk and velvet, to see you standing before me in a dress that costs more than a car and still doesn’t compare to your worth.”

Your lips parted slightly, caught off guard by the sudden weight in his words.

“I gave you my card,” he continued, voice lower now, intimate, “because I want you to indulge. To spoil yourself the way I ache to spoil you. Because you deserve to walk into a store and not think—just watch and admire”

Your throat went dry.

He lifted his hand, fingers brushing over your wrist before tracing upward, his touch featherlight against your skin. “I want to see you try on jewelry without looking at the price tag,” he murmured. “I want to sit back and watch as a saleswoman fumbles to put a necklace around your throat because her hands are shaking too much from the sheer amount of wealth wrapped around you.”

His gaze dipped lower, lingering on your frame as he exhaled through his nose. “And instead… you bring me deals?”

Your heart pounded, a mix of amusement and something else entirely stirring in your chest. “I didn’t think I needed to spend that much—”

“You don’t need to,” he interrupted, thumb ghosting over your jawline. His voice was softer now, but no less commanding. “But I want you to.”

Your face heated.

“Next time, I’m going with you.”

“What, to make sure I spend enough?” you teased.

“Yes,” he said, dead serious. “And to carry your bags. And to remind you that you can have whatever you want.” His red eyes softened slightly, and he tilted your chin up with two fingers. “All I want is to see you happy. No discounts required.”

You smiled at his sincerity, warmth blooming in your chest. “Okay, fine. Next time, I’ll go a little crazier. Maybe five million?” you joked.

Sylus groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Woman, you’re going to be the death of me.”

You laughed, reaching up to wrap your arms around his neck. “You’re so dramatic, you know that?”

“And you’re too frugal for your own good,” he shot back, pulling you into his arms. His voice softened, turning almost playful. “But I guess I’ll just have to teach you how to spend properly.”

“Looking forward to it,” you said, grinning against his chest.

Sylus sighed, resting his chin atop your head. As much as he wanted to spoil you senseless, he couldn’t help but love your thoughtful, practical side. It was part of what made you you—and he wouldn’t trade that for anything.

Still, next time… he was definitely making sure you left the store with at least an entire closet filled with designer bags.

For his sanity—and yours.

[gottencents]

CAUSAL - Yu Jimin

part two.

pairing. mean girl!karina x star soccer player!reader

synopsis. at Changryeo University, Yu Jimin or just Karina is the ultimate “mean rich girl” — popular, wealthy, and always seeking ways to stay on top. After setting her sights on Sunghoon, the charming soccer captain, Karina shifts her focus to Y/N, an up-and-coming soccer star with an unexpected breakout season. Unlike the polished Sunghoon, Y/N is more of an outsider who got by on talent but doesn’t fit the typical college elite mold.

Realizing that Y/N is the only one who doesn’t care about the social hierarchy, Karina proposes a deal: they’ll fake date so Karina can boost her popularity, while Y/N gets protection from relentless attention. Reluctantly, Y/N agrees, and the two navigate a world of social manipulation, only to find that their fake relationship might lead to something more real than either expected.

Changryeo University was everything Y/N despised about high school, except on steroids. The social hierarchy was alive and thriving, fueled by wealth, good looks, and the kind of academic and athletic achievements that could only be purchased or inherited. Y/N, on the other hand, had gotten in on her soccer skills alone. And while she was proud of her co-captain status, it came with one massive downside—people were starting to notice her.

One of those people was Karina Yu .

Karina was the embodiment of every “mean rich girl” stereotype that Y/N had tried to avoid. She was the queen of Changryeo’s social pyramid, the head cheerleader, and the reigning queen bee. The worst part? Karina wasn’t just popular. She was strategic. Every move she made was calculated, designed to keep her at the top.

So when Y/N walked into the campus coffee shop one afternoon and saw Karina waiting for her with a smile that could freeze fire, she immediately knew something was up.

“Y/N,” Karina said smoothly, her manicured nails tapping on the table in front of her. “Sit.”

Y/N sighed. “What do you want, Karina? I’m kind of busy.”

Karina tilted her head, giving her an incredulous look. “Busy doing what? Pretending to ignore the fact that you’re the most talked-about soccer player on campus right now?”

Y/N frowned, adjusting the strap of her soccer bag. “I’m just trying to focus on my grades and practice. I don’t really care about all… this.” She gestured vaguely to the bustling café, full of students whispering and staring.

Karina smirked. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. You can’t just ‘not care.’ You’re part of this world now, whether you like it or not.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow. “And let me guess—you’re here to welcome me to the ‘world’ with some sort of deal?”

Karina’s smile widened. “Exactly. I knew you weren’t as slow as you pretend to be.” She leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “Here’s the thing, Y/N. I need someone who can keep my social status intact until graduation. Someone who’s popular enough to keep people talking but also low-maintenance enough that I don’t have to babysit them. You, unfortunately, check both boxes.”

Y/N blinked. “Wait… what?”

Karina sighed, as if she were explaining something painfully obvious. “Fake date me. You get everyone off your back—because trust me, no one messes with what I call dibs on—and I get to ride your… what do they call it? Soccer hype?”

Y/N stared at her, trying to process what she was hearing. “You want me to pretend to date you? For popularity?”

Karina rolled her eyes. “Don’t act so surprised. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement. You get to focus on your precious soccer and grades, and I stay on top where I belong. Everyone wins.”

Y/N crossed her arms. “Except I don’t care about popularity, Karina. And I’m not sure why you’re even interested in me. I’m not exactly your type.”

Karina’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “That’s exactly why you’re perfect. You don’t care about any of this. You’re not going to embarrass me by trying too hard or starting drama. And honestly? People love an underdog. It’s… charming.”

Y/N scoffed. “Charming? You’ve spent the past two years pretending I don’t exist.”

Karina shrugged. “I didn’t need you then. Now I do.” She leaned back, crossing her legs. “Look, you can say no. But I guarantee the attention you’re getting right now? It’s only going to get worse. And when people start digging into your past or spreading rumors about you…” She trailed off, her expression smug. “Well, let’s just say it’s easier to let me handle it.”

Y/N hesitated. She hated everything about this. But she also hated the constant whispers, the stares, and the endless stream of people trying to insert themselves into her life. As much as she wanted to tell Karina to take her offer and shove it, she couldn’t deny that it would be easier to let the queen of the social ladder scare everyone off.

“Fine,” Y/N said finally. “But I have a few conditions.”

Karina raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Oh? Do tell.”

“One,” Y/N said, holding up a finger, “this ends the second I don’t need it anymore. Two, you don’t get to micromanage my life outside of this… whatever this is. And three, you don’t get to pull any of your mean girl crap on me. Got it?”

Karina’s smile didn’t waver. “Of course. I’m always nice to my significant others.” She extended a hand. “Deal?”

Y/N stared at her for a moment before reluctantly shaking her hand. “Deal.”

As Y/N walked away, she couldn’t help but wonder if she’d just made the biggest mistake of her life. Karina, meanwhile, watched her go with a triumphant gleam in her eyes.

“Oh, this is going to be fun,” Karina murmured to herself, already planning her next move.

Y/N left the café feeling like she’d just signed a deal with the devil. What had she gotten herself into? Fake dating Karina Yoo? The girl who practically ruled Changryeo University with an iron fist wrapped in designer gloves? It sounded insane.

The next day, Y/N started to see the consequences of her decision almost immediately. She was walking to class when she noticed people whispering and pointing at her. Some of the cheerleaders giggled as she passed, and a group of guys from the basketball team gave her an approving nod.

Y/N sighed, pulling her hoodie up in an attempt to block out the attention. But just as she thought she’d make it to class unnoticed, she heard the sharp click of heels behind her.

“Y/N!” Karina’s voice rang out, cutting through the crowd like a knife.

Y/N froze. Here we go.

Karina strutted toward her like she was walking a runway, her designer bag swinging at her side. She was dressed to perfection, as always, in a tailored outfit that probably cost more than Y/N’s tuition.

Karina stopped right in front of her, giving her a radiant smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You were just going to class without me? What kind of fake girlfriend are you?”

Y/N blinked. “I—what?”

Karina sighed dramatically, looping her arm through Y/N’s before she could protest. “We’re supposed to sell this, remember? People are watching.”

Y/N glanced around and realized Karina was right. Half the students in the courtyard were staring at them, some openly gaping, others whispering behind their hands.

“Fine,” Y/N muttered, awkwardly adjusting to the sudden closeness. “But could you maybe not treat me like a handbag?”

Karina laughed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “You’re not a handbag, Y/N. You’re an accessory. There’s a difference.”

Y/N groaned. “This is going to be a long semester.”

Later that day, the two of them walked into the dining hall together, and Y/N instantly regretted agreeing to this arrangement. The room went silent the moment they entered, and all eyes turned to them.

Karina didn’t seem fazed at all. In fact, she seemed to thrive under the attention, walking with her head held high and a confident smile on her face. Y/N, on the other hand, wanted to disappear into the floor.

They made their way to a table where Winter and Ningning were already sitting. Winter raised an eyebrow as they approached, her expression somewhere between confusion and amusement.

“Wow,” Winter said as they sat down. “So it’s true. The queen of Changryeo has a new trophy.”

Y/N groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Please don’t start.”

Karina, however, looked completely unbothered. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and smirked at Winter. “Jealous?”

Ningning snickered, nudging Winter. “I think she’s just surprised. Everyone is. Y/N doesn’t exactly scream ‘Karina’s type.’”

“Hey,” Y/N protested. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Winter shrugged. “You’re not… polished. No offense.”

“None taken,” Y/N muttered.

Karina leaned back in her seat, crossing her legs. “Y/N is refreshing. She’s not trying too hard to impress me, unlike certain people.” She gave Winter a pointed look, and Winter rolled her eyes.

“This is going to be fun to watch,” Ningning said, her grin widening. “You two are so different it’s almost funny.”

“Almost?” Karina asked, arching a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

“Okay, fine. It’s hilarious,” Ningning admitted.

Y/N groaned again, slumping in her seat. “This was a mistake.”

Karina reached over and patted her hand in an overly dramatic gesture. “Oh, sweetie. It’s not a mistake. It’s an opportunity. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.”

Winter and Ningning burst into laughter, and Y/N could only sit there, wondering how she was going to survive the rest of the semester with Karina Yoo as her fake girlfriend.

Meanwhile…

Karina was already planning their next big “date.” She knew Y/N wasn’t going to make this easy, but that only made it more interesting. Y/N wasn’t like the others—she didn’t care about status or appearances, which made her unpredictable.

For Karina, it wasn’t just about maintaining her social status anymore. There was something about Y/N’s unwillingness to play by the rules that intrigued her. Maybe this arrangement would end up being more fun than she’d originally thought.

But for Y/N, this was already a nightmare. The attention, the whispers, the constant proximity to Karina—it was overwhelming. All she wanted was to get through college quietly and focus on her future. But now, thanks to Karina’s scheme, she was front and center in the social spotlight.

And whether she liked it or not, there was no turning back now.

Y/N was convinced she was cursed. It was the only explanation for why her life had spiraled into this chaotic mess. Before the fake dating arrangement, she was invisible—just a girl who played soccer and tried to keep her head down. But now, every step she took was met with stares, whispers, and the occasional wide-eyed double-take.

Even her teammates had started treating her differently.

At practice the next day, Y/N barely had time to put her cleats on before her co-captain, Sunghoon, jogged over, smirking.

“Y/N,” he said, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow. “So, you and Karina Yoo, huh?”

Y/N groaned, already dreading the conversation. “Don’t start, Sunghoon.”

“Hey, I’m just saying,” he teased. “You’re dating the most popular girl on campus. You’re practically royalty now.”

“She’s not really my girlfriend,” Y/N muttered under her breath, lacing up her cleats.

“Could’ve fooled me,” Sunghoon said, grinning. “You know she’s sitting in the bleachers right now, right?”

Y/N’s head snapped up. “What?”

He pointed over to the stands, where Karina was lounging in her designer coat, her legs crossed as if she were attending a fashion show instead of a soccer practice. She was scrolling through her phone, completely oblivious to the curious glances from the rest of the team.

Y/N marched over to the bleachers, her heart pounding. “Karina!” she called, trying to keep her voice low enough so the entire team wouldn’t hear. “What are you doing here?”

Karina looked up, smiling innocently. “Watching my girlfriend practice, of course. Isn’t that what supportive partners do?”

Y/N resisted the urge to bury her face in her hands. “You didn’t have to come. This is just practice.”

Karina tilted her head, pretending to be hurt. “Are you embarrassed of me?”

“Yes,” Y/N said immediately. “I mean, no! I mean—ugh.” She ran a hand through her hair, already regretting her decision to agree to this arrangement.

“Relax,” Karina said, waving her off. “I’m just here to make sure the other girls on your team don’t get any ideas. Can’t have them thinking you’re single, now can we?”

Y/N groaned. “Karina, no one on this team thinks that—”

“Y/N! Who’s your friend?” one of her teammates called from the field, cutting her off.

Karina turned and waved, flashing a dazzling smile. “Hi! I’m her girlfriend.”

Y/N could feel her teammates’ collective jaws drop.

“Oh my God,” Y/N muttered under her breath.

Later that day…

After practice, Y/N trudged into the dining hall, fully prepared to eat her dinner in peace. Unfortunately, peace wasn’t on the menu.

Karina was already sitting at their usual table with Winter and Ningning. She waved Y/N over as soon as she walked in, her smile bright and attention-grabbing.

Y/N reluctantly joined them, sliding into the seat next to Karina. She immediately noticed the looks from other students in the dining hall. Some were staring openly, others whispering behind their hands.

“Everyone’s staring,” Y/N muttered under her breath.

“Of course they are,” Karina said, flipping her hair. “We’re Changryeo’s new power couple.”

“We’re not a couple,” Y/N said quietly, picking at her food.

Ningning leaned forward, grinning. “You’re not fooling anyone, Y/N. Karina is selling this so well it’s practically an Oscar-winning performance.”

Winter snorted. “I’ll give it to her—she’s committed. But Y/N? You look like you’d rather be anywhere else.”

Y/N sighed, slumping in her seat. “That’s because I would be.”

Karina reached over and patted her hand, her touch light but deliberate. “Don’t be so dramatic. You’re doing great. And for the record, you’re lucky to have me as your fake girlfriend. Most people would kill for this opportunity.”

“Most people don’t have to deal with you,” Y/N shot back, unable to stop herself.

Winter and Ningning burst out laughing, and even Karina cracked a smile.

“You’re lucky I find your sass endearing,” Karina said, leaning back in her seat with a smirk.

A few weeks later…

The fake dating arrangement had started to feel like a full-time job. Karina was everywhere—showing up to Y/N’s practices, dragging her to parties, and insisting on coordinating outfits for their “dates.”

But the weirdest part? Y/N was starting to get used to it.

Karina was still Karina—bossy, overconfident, and annoyingly good at getting her way. But every now and then, Y/N caught glimpses of something deeper. Like the way Karina would soften when talking about her younger sister, or how she’d quietly help out a classmate who was struggling without making a big deal about it.

It didn’t make her any less infuriating, but it did make her… interesting.

One night, after yet another party where Karina had spent most of the time pretending to be the perfect girlfriend, Y/N finally spoke up.

“Why are you doing all this?” Y/N asked as they walked back to their dorms.

Karina glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. “Doing what?”

“This whole fake dating thing,” Y/N said. “You’re already popular. You don’t need me to stay on top.”

Karina was quiet for a moment, which was rare for her. Then she shrugged, her expression unreadable. “Maybe I just like having someone around who doesn’t kiss up to me.”

Y/N blinked, caught off guard. “You… like having me around?”

“Don’t let it go to your head,” Karina said, smirking. “You’re tolerable. That’s all.”

Y/N couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re unbelievable.”

Karina smiled, and for once, it wasn’t calculated or forced. It was just… genuine.

Over the next month, the lines between their fake relationship and reality began to blur in ways Y/N hadn’t anticipated. Karina was still annoyingly bossy and dramatic, but Y/N couldn’t deny that she was also surprisingly attentive. She remembered little things, like Y/N’s coffee order or how she hated when her cleats weren’t broken in yet.

Y/N, for her part, started to see sides of Karina that no one else seemed to notice. Like how she’d subtly steer conversations away from Winter’s nervous stuttering in class presentations or how she always brought snacks for Ningning, claiming it was “just in case” but always ended up handing them over.

And then there were the moments when Karina’s carefully constructed mask slipped entirely. Like the night of the big soccer game against their school’s rival, where everything changed.

Game Night

The stadium was packed, buzzing with energy as Changryeo prepared to face its fiercest rival. Y/N felt the weight of the crowd’s expectations as she warmed up on the field. Being co-captain was no joke, and all eyes were on her to deliver.

Karina was there, of course, perched in the VIP section with Winter and Ningning. She was decked out in Changryeo colors, her designer coat somehow perfectly matching the school’s logo. She looked like she belonged on a billboard, not in the stands of a college soccer game.

But even from the field, Y/N could feel her presence. Karina’s gaze was sharp, focused entirely on her.

As the game began, Y/N threw herself into it, blocking out everything but the ball, her teammates, and the roaring crowd. By halftime, they were tied 1-1, and the pressure was mounting.

In the locker room, Y/N sat on the bench, trying to catch her breath. Sunghoon clapped her on the back. “You’re doing great out there. Just keep your head in the game.”

“Yeah,” Y/N muttered, wiping sweat from her face.

But her focus was shaken as soon as she stepped back onto the field. The rival team’s captain, a cocky player named Minjae, smirked as he jogged past her.

“Your girlfriend’s got the whole stadium staring,” Minjae said with a sneer. “Must be nice having the queen of Changryeo cheering you on.”

Y/N gritted her teeth. She knew he was trying to get in her head, but it still worked.

By the time the second half ended, the score was still tied, and they were headed into overtime. The tension was palpable.

As Y/N lined up for a crucial penalty kick, she glanced at the stands and locked eyes with Karina. Karina gave her a small nod, her expression serious for once.

“You’ve got this,” Karina mouthed.

Y/N took a deep breath and focused. The world seemed to slow as she approached the ball, her foot connecting perfectly. The stadium erupted as the ball sailed into the net, securing their victory.

Post-Game

After the game, Y/N was mobbed by her teammates and the crowd. She barely had time to breathe before Karina appeared, pushing through the chaos like it was nothing.

“There’s my star player,” Karina said, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

Before Y/N could respond, Karina grabbed her face and kissed her.

The crowd went wild.

Y/N froze, her brain short-circuiting. When Karina finally pulled back, she smirked. “You looked like you needed some motivation out there.”

Y/N blinked, still processing. “Motivation? I just won the game.”

“Exactly,” Karina said, flipping her hair. “You’re welcome.”

Winter and Ningning appeared behind her, both grinning like they were enjoying the show way too much.

“Wow, Karina really went all in,” Winter said.

“I’m living for this drama,” Ningning added.

Y/N groaned. “You guys are the worst.”

Karina, however, looked entirely unbothered. She leaned closer, her voice dropping so only Y/N could hear. “Relax. You’re a hero now. Everyone’s going to be talking about this for weeks.”

Y/N glanced at her, a mix of exasperation and something she couldn’t quite name. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, you keep agreeing to my plans,” Karina said, smirking.

As the night went on and the celebrations continued, Y/N found herself smiling despite the chaos. Maybe this whole fake dating thing wasn’t as fake as she’d thought.

Later That Night

Back at their dorms, Y/N sat on the couch, staring at the ceiling. Karina was perched on the armrest, scrolling through her phone.

“You didn’t have to kiss me, you know,” Y/N said suddenly.

Karina glanced up, raising an eyebrow. “It worked, didn’t it? The crowd loved it. You’re basically a legend now.”

Y/N shook her head. “That’s not the point. You keep doing all this stuff like it’s some kind of game.”

Karina’s expression softened, just for a moment. “It’s not a game,” she said quietly.

Y/N turned to look at her, surprised by the shift in her tone. “Then what is it?”

Karina hesitated, her walls cracking just enough for Y/N to see something real beneath them. “It’s… complicated.”

Y/N studied her, realizing for the first time that maybe Karina wasn’t as confident and untouchable as she seemed.

“Complicated, huh?” Y/N said, her voice soft.

Karina gave her a small, almost shy smile. “Don’t overthink it. Just… go with it.”

For once, Y/N decided not to argue.

“Alright,” she said. “But if you pull another stunt like that in public, I’m kicking your ass.”

Karina laughed, and the sound was lighter than Y/N had ever heard. “Deal.”

And for the first time since this whole thing started, Y/N felt like maybe, just maybe, they were onto something real.

The Morning After the Game

Y/N woke up the next morning to chaos. Her phone was blowing up with notifications—texts, Instagram tags, even a few congratulatory emails from professors who were clearly too invested in Changryeo sports. She groaned, rubbing her eyes as she scrolled through the messages.

Her teammates had turned the group chat into a full-on meme fest. Screenshots of Karina’s dramatic kiss at the game were plastered everywhere, complete with captions like “Changryeo’s new power couple” and “Karina really said, ‘My girlfriend won the game.’”

Just as Y/N was about to bury her face back into her pillow, there was a knock at her door.

She opened it to find Karina standing there, holding two cups of coffee and a bag of pastries.

“Good morning, star player,” Karina said with a smirk, pushing her way into the room without waiting for an invitation. She set the coffee and bag on Y/N’s desk before sitting on the edge of her bed like she owned the place.

“What are you doing here?” Y/N asked, still half-asleep.

“Damage control,” Karina said, scrolling through her phone. “Your PR image is my responsibility now, remember?”

Y/N blinked. “PR image? What are you talking about?”

Karina rolled her eyes, turning her phone to show Y/N the flood of posts on social media. The school’s official athletics account had reposted a photo of their kiss, and the comments were a mix of admiration, jokes, and speculation.

“Karina Yoo kissing Y/N on the field after the game? Iconic.”

“Never thought I’d see the day Y/N gets swept up by Changryeo’s queen bee.”

“Plot twist: Karina’s actually soft for her.”

“I thought Karina only cared about status. Maybe this is real???”

Y/N groaned, sinking onto her bed. “This is a nightmare.”

“It’s a dream,” Karina corrected, sipping her coffee. “The PR is gold. You’re officially untouchable now.”

“I didn’t ask to be untouchable,” Y/N said, rubbing her temples.

Karina tilted her head, her expression softening slightly. “You didn’t have to ask. That’s what I’m here for.”

Y/N looked at her, trying to figure out if Karina was joking. But her tone was serious, and for once, there wasn’t a trace of her usual sarcasm.

“Thanks… I guess,” Y/N said awkwardly.

“Don’t mention it,” Karina said, waving her off. Then, as if remembering something, she added, “Oh, and don’t forget—we’re going to that party tonight.”

“What party?”

Karina raised an eyebrow. “The victory party, obviously. The soccer team’s throwing it, and as your girlfriend, I have to be there.”

Y/N sighed. “Do I have a choice in this?”

“No,” Karina said with a smug smile. “But don’t worry, I’ll make sure you don’t embarrass yourself.”

“Gee, thanks,” Y/N muttered.

The Party

That night, the victory party was in full swing by the time Y/N and Karina arrived. The team had rented out one of the biggest event spaces on campus, and the room was packed with students. Music blasted from the speakers, and the energy was electric.

As soon as they walked in, all eyes turned to them. Y/N felt her shoulders tense under the weight of the stares, but Karina didn’t seem fazed at all. She grabbed Y/N’s hand, lacing their fingers together as she led her through the crowd.

“You’re doing great,” Karina whispered, giving her a reassuring squeeze.

Y/N felt her cheeks flush but didn’t pull away.

They joined Sunghoon and the rest of the soccer team near the bar, where Winter and Ningning were already waiting with drinks in hand.

“Well, well,” Winter said, raising her glass. “If it isn’t the couple of the century.”

Ningning grinned, nudging Y/N. “You look so uncomfortable. It’s adorable.”

“Glad you’re enjoying this,” Y/N muttered.

Karina, however, was in her element. She charmed the team effortlessly, laughing at their jokes and pretending to be genuinely interested in their stories. Y/N couldn’t tell if it was an act or if Karina was just naturally good at winning people over.

At one point, Sunghoon leaned over to Y/N, his voice low. “She’s really something, huh?”

Y/N glanced at Karina, who was animatedly telling a story to the rest of the group. She was gesturing wildly, her face lit up in a way that made it hard to look away.

“Yeah,” Y/N said softly. “She really is.”

Later That Night

As the party wound down, Karina and Y/N found themselves sitting on the steps outside the event space. The cool night air was a welcome relief after the chaos inside.

Karina leaned back on her hands, gazing up at the stars. “You survived your first official event as my girlfriend. How do you feel?”

“Exhausted,” Y/N said honestly.

Karina laughed, her voice soft and melodic. “You’ll get used to it.”

Y/N studied her for a moment, the glow of the streetlights casting shadows across her face. “Do you ever get tired of it?”

“Of what?”

“Being… you,” Y/N said. “Always in the spotlight, always being perfect for everyone.”

Karina was quiet for a moment, her confident facade slipping just enough for Y/N to see the vulnerability underneath.

“Sometimes,” Karina admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “But it’s the only thing I know how to do.”

Y/N frowned. “You don’t have to be perfect all the time, you know. You’re allowed to just… be yourself.”

Karina turned to look at her, her expression unreadable. “And what if I don’t know who that is?”

Y/N hesitated, then reached over and took her hand. “Then maybe it’s time you figured it out.”

Karina stared at her, and for once, she didn’t have a clever comeback.

The silence between them was heavy but not uncomfortable, and for the first time, Y/N felt like she was finally seeing the real Karina—the one who hid behind all the glitz and glamour.

Life didn’t slow down after the victory party. If anything, it picked up speed. The school was abuzz with gossip about Y/N and Karina’s “relationship.” Everywhere Y/N went, people whispered or stared. Some congratulated her on her game-winning goal, but most wanted to talk about Karina.

“So, is it real?”

“How did you even bag Karina ?”

“Are you two, like, for real-for real?”

Y/N tried to dodge the questions, but Karina seemed to thrive on the attention. She’d casually wrap an arm around Y/N’s shoulder in the cafeteria or bring her a coffee in the middle of class, always with a knowing smirk. It was like a game to her—a game Y/N wasn’t entirely sure she was winning.

By the end of the week, Y/N was exhausted. She trudged into her dorm room after soccer practice, still sweaty and aching, only to find Karina lounging on her bed like she owned the place.

“Do you not have your own dorm?” Y/N asked, dropping her bag onto the floor.

Karina looked up from her phone. “Mine’s boring. Yours has personality. And snacks.”

Y/N sighed, pulling off her cleats. “What do you want, Karina?”

Karina sat up, crossing her legs. “We need to strategize. There’s a gala next weekend, and we have to make an appearance.”

“A gala?” Y/N repeated, groaning. “Do I have to?”

“Yes,” Karina said, standing up and walking over to her. “You’re my girlfriend, remember? People will expect us to be there together. Plus, it’ll be fun.”

“Your definition of fun is very different from mine,” Y/N muttered.

Karina tilted her head, a sly smile on her lips. “You’ll survive. And who knows? You might even enjoy it.”

The Night of the Gala

The Changryeo University gala was nothing like the sweaty chaos of the victory party. It was a high-class affair, with students and faculty dressed to the nines in designer suits and gowns. The event hall was decorated with glittering chandeliers and pristine white tablecloths, and a string quartet played softly in the background.

Y/N felt completely out of place. She adjusted the cuffs of her borrowed suit, glancing nervously at the crowd.

Karina appeared beside her, radiant in a sleek, black dress that hugged her figure perfectly. She looked every bit the queen bee, her confidence practically oozing from every pore.

“You clean up well,” she said, eyeing Y/N with an approving nod.

“You mean I don’t look like a sweaty soccer player for once?” Y/N asked, tugging at her tie.

Karina smirked. “Exactly.”

She grabbed Y/N’s arm and led her into the crowd, greeting people with effortless charm. Y/N tried to keep up, but it felt like Karina was operating on a completely different level.

At one point, they were cornered by a group of Karina’s friends, who bombarded Y/N with questions.

“So, how did you two meet?” one of them asked, batting her eyelashes.

Y/N froze, her mind going blank. She hadn’t prepared for this.

“Y/N heroically saved me from a terrible date,” Karina said smoothly, looping her arm through Y/N’s. “It was love at first sight.”

The group burst into laughter, and Y/N shot Karina a look. She just winked at her, clearly enjoying herself.

Later That Night

After hours of mingling, Y/N finally managed to escape to the balcony. She leaned against the railing, taking a deep breath of the cool night air.

A moment later, Karina joined her, holding two glasses of champagne.

“You’re not hiding, are you?” she asked, handing Y/N a glass.

“Maybe,” Y/N admitted, taking a sip. “This whole thing is… overwhelming.”

Karina leaned against the railing beside her, her expression unusually soft. “You’re doing fine.”

Y/N glanced at her. “Why do you even care about all this? The parties, the popularity, the drama. What’s the point?”

Karina was quiet for a moment, staring out at the city lights. “Because it’s easier to play the game than to let people see the real you,” she said finally.

Y/N frowned. “And what’s the real you like?”

Karina turned to her, a small, almost shy smile on her lips. “I guess you’ll have to stick around and find out.”

Y/N felt her cheeks flush but didn’t look away. For a moment, it felt like the world had gone quiet, leaving just the two of them standing there under the stars.

“You’re… complicated,” Y/N said eventually, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.

Karina laughed, the sound light and genuine. “You’re just figuring that out now?”

As the night went on, Y/N realized that maybe, just maybe, being stuck in Karina’s world wasn’t as bad as she thought.

[hanibalistic]

THE HAPPIEST | HAN JISUNG.

genre | fluff, angst, romance / soulmate au, strangers to lovers au

synopsis | when you found out jisung was your soulmate, you made the difficult decision to lie to him about it.   

word count | 19.2k+

warning | none

note | i've been really into sprite lately!

It took you a moment to register Jisung's face and another moment to process what he had just uttered out of his mouth.

"Tell me, baby, you're the happiest when you're with me, right?"

The line that the universe had etched under your forearm, the words that your soulmate would say to you for the very first time, the very words you had carved so deep into your head because you wanted to make sure you would recognize them whenever and wherever they were spoken.

The night your soul mark appeared was the day you promised yourself that you would vengefully kick your soulmate's ass. Except you didn’t end up kicking anyone in their behind. 

For one, you were in the school cafeteria, and you were not beyond following the rules and regulations enforced by the system. If a revolution was to happen, you should be the last person anybody calls for aid. 

For two, you weren't actually very strong, so you doubted your vengeance could be adequately expressed. Unfortunately, issues regarding grudges should always be dealt with a 'go big or go home' mindset, and you should go home.

For three, the boy who said it to you, your supposed soulmate, was Han Jisung.

You had gone as far as to turn around to make sure no one else was sitting anywhere within a five-centimeter radius of you. It was a plausible mistake. Putting one soul mark on two people? It shouldn't be a mistake. Not many people start their conversation with, "Tell me, baby, you're the happiest when you're with me, right?"

"This can't be," you muttered grimly when you realized your thoughts were illogical. You were alone in the cafeteria. 

You always sat alone in the corner with a homemade sandwich, a carton of apple juice, and a store-bought pudding on the food tray. It wasn't pitiful.

You enjoy eating alone; you do it at home, and you do it at restaurants. The only reason it felt awkward at school was the lack of entertainment from a small screen, forcing you to focus only on chewing and looking thoughtful.

Perhaps that was the reason why Jisung thought you were approachable. You weren’t occupied enough. Some students were reading books, others were cramming their next tests, and most of them were in a circle chatting with their friends. You were the only person who was just eating.

That wasn't the current issue, though. You sat alone, which meant he was talking to you, given that direct eye contact wasn't proof enough that he was. 

Han Jisung, who is multi-talented, not too academically excellent, not really athletic but light enough to be fast, has a wide smile, a voice so soulful, and a heart so pure, is undoubtedly your soulmate.

You weren't sure how you felt about that. You weren't sure how you felt about him.

A mixture of emotions and thoughts flashed before your eyes the moment you turned your head to face him. It was almost like a defense mechanism; you didn't want to see him, so your brain conjured thoughts to cover your eyes.

The way he smirked at you made your cheeks heat up more than you wanted them to. What was there not to like about him? He was handsome, hilarious, and, from what you've heard, had a very tender heart. 

For a moment, you felt a congratulatory spark, a sense of pride that your soulmate was someone so brilliant.

Immediately after, you thought about yourself. Dull, indecisive, and lost. 

You wanted to do so many things at once that you ended up never doing anything, let alone anything groundbreaking.

You were the type of people stuck in a cubicle box when you grew up or stuck riding the same train home every day. You were the type of person who would definitely be able to go somewhere in the future, just nowhere exciting.

Soulmates were supposed to be compatible and similar. Brilliant people stick with brilliant people; intelligent people talk to other smart people; attractive people group with attractive people. They look good with each other, and they elevate each other to be better than before. 

You weren't necessarily self-deprecating, but you were realistic about the situation. You simply weren't the type to pretend to be someone you weren't, and a person like Jisung was someone you could never be.

You sighed. You did know how you felt about him and his identity as your soulmate: you didn't appreciate it. You were happy to know that he was your soulmate, but you decided to keep that to yourself for both of your sake. Jisung doesn't have to know about that.

The story of the swan and the hermit, except you were the knowing frog, and he was the unsuspecting swan. This time, the frog wasn't greedy. This time, the frog lets the swan flourish elsewhere.

It would be unfair to Jisung that he has to grow old without ever finding out who his soulmate was. But at least he knew he had one and could keep the benefit of the doubt that his soulmate was doing amazing things elsewhere in the world.

Not the gloomy and doomy [Name] who sits alone in the cafeteria daily and decides other people's fate for them.

Jisung tilted his head to the side upon your lack of reaction. He saw you mouth something but couldn't hear you over the cafeteria noise. He leaned in a little closer, his eyes squinted. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

You inwardly breathed out a sigh of relief. That made it easier to keep your status a secret. Maintaining a flat expression, you spoke a little bit louder this time and made sure you put some grit into your words to scare him off. “I said why the fuck did you ask me that?”

His expression did not dim one bit upon your harsh words. Instead, his smile widened, and he sat on the seat across you. He raised his brows when he noticed you flinching at the chair squeak. Pulling himself closer to the table, he lifted the chair and placed it down lightly. 

Folding his arms over the table, he finally replied, "Jiae dared me to say something funny to you. She said you would curse at me, and guess what? She was right!"

You stared at him pitifully. The pity was genuine and not an act to push him away. “You are playing truth or dare? In a school cafeteria?”

"Hey! You're never too old to play those games!" he said defensively, his mouth forming a slight pout as he waved his arm lightly by his side.

He looked adorable. You knew that. He had always been charming, but you never took the time to look at his face and appreciate his wonderfully cohesive features.

His chubby cheeks and sun-kissed smile were attractive individually, and they didn't ruin each other together. You wished you were less influenced by them.

"You can be too old to learn to read the room and notice that some people just don't want to talk to you," you laughed, making sure the noise from the back of your throat sounded sarcastic enough. "But don't worry, you're still young! You can learn now, starting with me!"

Jisung's eyes dimmed, and his grin fell flat. You could visibly see his gears turning and his demeanor changing when he realized you were being hostile on purpose. His brows furrowed ever so slightly in mild dismay as he leaned back. 

He has met people like you before. If anything, he has encountered people far worse than you. It wasn't that you acted so distantly that you made him click his tongue and drop his bubbly personality, but that you were a close friend of Jiae. The chirpy and sweet Jiae who sat with his circle of friends every day. 

He was never one to judge. He believes in the phrase: everyone is going through something you don't know about, and he had always chosen to keep the negative thoughts to himself. However, when Jiae mentioned you used to be her best friend back in middle school, he thought you would be brighter.

His expectation of you was so much higher than bitter and mean.

“That’s not nice,” he said. “I didn’t do anything to you.”

You were pleasantly surprised that he bit back but also not too weirded out that he did. After all, people like him were the most likely to defend themselves. 

Tilting your head, you shrugged. 

"A lot of people in this school didn't do anything to anyone, yet people like you–“ You closed your mouth and exhaled quietly, staring at his clueless expression without the willpower to make accusations. You couldn't possibly blame all cases of bullying on him; he's probably never hurt anyone in this school. Neither should you fight fire with fire.

“Never mind,” you said. “You need to learn how to let people be a little mean to you. You can’t expect everyone to defend themselves without ever getting hurt yourself.”

Jisung rubbed his lips together and sulked. You were right. Besides, he was the one who initiated an unwanted conversation. Discreetly, he looked behind his shoulder at his table of friends before turning back to you, ignoring the expression of complete boredom you were showing him.

“Actually,” he started, his voice soft and his shoulders shrunk. “I have a favor to ask."

You raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"You know prom is coming up, right?”

"No, Jisung. Thank you so much for telling me," you mumbled, sipping your apple juice. "I never see all the informational flyers they put up over the school to let us know what theme this year's prom will be."

Jisung sucked in a deep breath, willing himself to smile through your sardonic remark. "Anyway, I wanted to ask Jiae to prom, but I…" His voice trailed off when you held up your hand to stop him.

He waited curiously as you turned your head to the side to finish your drink, crushing the carton in your hand and throwing it back onto the trade. Your pursed lips brushed against each other as you held back a burp. Well, you'll be damned! The universe was helping you ensure Jisung never ended up with you!

"Let me guess," you said, looking away solemnly as if staring off into the ocean, and then you turned back to him.

"You want me to help you ask her to prom because you don't know what to do and what she likes. However, since she claims I am her best friend, you think I would be a good candidate for your prom proposal project."

“Yes!”  Jisung replied after a moment. “Was that predictable?"

"Yes. When ten out of ten people who approach you ask for a favor, you learn many people don't have any real issues to deal with because they'd have to take it up with a professional if it is serious, so don't blame yourself too much." You shrugged." Also, the answer is no. I can't help you.”

"You can't help me or you won't help me?" Jisung asked.

“I can’t, and I won’t.”

“Why?” 

"Oh my god, it's like you lack any thought process." You chuckled in disbelief, but some of you found humor in this situation, where his logic had flown out the window. 

"Jiae is not the same person she was in middle school. I don't know what she likes now. You have better chances asking people in your friend group for help than asking me," you said.

"I don't know which screw got lost in your head, but it is fascinating that you'd rather turn to a stranger for help before asking your friends."

His lips quirked downward. “How would you know I haven’t already asked my friends?”

“Because you wouldn’t be asking me if you did,” you said, the lightheartedness in your voice made into a tone of mockery. “People like you love those things. Embarrassing public proposals, taking pictures of regular food, talking so loud people can hear your business from five yards away. Whatever.”

Jisung gulped down a grumble in his throat. More than being defensive about the stereotypes you seemed so fixated on, he was disturbed that you tossed him and his friends into the group of people like that. 

There was nothing wrong with being that way, of course. Some people enjoy attention, and some people love to gossip, but he wasn't so illiterate as to not understand what group of people you were referencing and how you felt about them. He didn't think he was part of that group. 

Popular? Yes. Superficial? A little! Horrible? No.

The drop in his optimism was hard to miss. However, even though you felt terrible, you thought it was necessary if you wanted him to keep a distance from you permanently. The soul mark under your arm can never be revealed, and you didn’t feel like deliberately hiding it for the rest of your life. 

Having him be as far removed from your life as possible, to not even have any mutual acquaintances, was the way to go.

"For what's worth, Jisung, I think you'll be fine." You stood up, one hand holding onto the food tray as you left your seat. As you brushed past him, you lightly bumped the tray against the top of his head. This was your farewell. "Good luck to you."

His eyes followed your back. He watched you empty your tray and return it by the kitchen window. You jogged towards the stairway and disappeared upstairs.

It has bothered him since the conversation started, but he felt an unexplainable attraction toward you. It wasn't necessarily romantic attraction; you weren't his type, or at least he didn't think so.

He merely felt a desire to get to know you more, even though you spent most of your first encounter talking down to him. 

Turning around, he stared at the vacant seat across him. His hand subconsciously reached for his hair and he pressed on the spot where you hit him with the tray. 

You were certain Jisung had no knowledge of your soul bound with him. Yet, somehow, he has been bugging you any chance he got.

He was there during lunch when you ate alone and recess when you sat in your classroom with your head buried deep in your arms. He was also there during joint PE classes when you sat on the sideline watching other students play a foul basketball game. 

You have underestimated his stubbornness in befriending you, which source was muddy and confusing. At this point, you were convinced that no number of one-word answers and defeated sighs would deter him from trying to talk to you.

He has singlehandedly developed your instinct to examine a room as you walk into it, forcing you to follow a new routine to avoid him. 

You started eating lunch at the rooftop, where you met Felix, a transfer student who hadn't yet found his way around the school. After hearing your endeavor to avoid Jisung, which he thought was hilarious, he also agreed to hide with you by the stairway during each fifteen-minute recess. 

With Felix’s help, you have successfully avoided Jisung most of the time. 

Flipping a page of the textbook you borrowed from the library, you calmly scribbled down some important notes you jotted in class as you tried to cultivate a concept sensible enough to understand the topic. 

“I swear these books say something different from what my teacher taught,” Felix complained as he dropped his forehead to the page. He swung his head from left to right as if copying the material into his brain. “I don’t get it! I don’t get it!”

You grimaced and dropped your pencil. Lifting your head from your palm, you reached over and carefully pulled the textbook from his head. His face fell against the table with a thud loud enough to embarrass himself. You let him stay in that position, swallowing the attention of those who looked up from the noise.

"Your class is moving ahead fast," you said, running a finger down the lines in your notebook to check for accuracy. "Did you write any notes from class?"

“No.” He turned slowly with a tearful frown. “The teacher talks too fast. I couldn’t really understand him.”

"That's," you licked your lower lip, "I can't help you now, but I made some notes while preparing for the chapter. You can use them to see if they help."

He shot up, forcing his chair into a squeak. Your sharp gaze peered over at his face, and he pursed his lips bashfully, trying to hide his presence by shrinking his body. Discarding the second noise commotion, you went into your folder in search of what Felix needed. Once you found it, you put it on the table to check for anything illegible.

A black-colored schoolbag suddenly dumped itself next to you, startling you and Felix. Your pencil scrapped a big line across the paper as you leaned away with a breath hitched in your throat. 

Felix eyed the newcomer with an awkward smile, his body already turning away to his belongings so he could pack up. He has heard enough of Jisung from you to know he didn't want to sit around your bickering. Confused by his reaction, you turned to look briefly and then immediately turned away, closing your eyes and sucking down a lump of frustration upon the familiar sight of a squirrel keychain.

"You again," you mumbled as you grabbed your eraser from your pencil case to clean up the mess you made on your notes.

“Yes, indeed.” Jisung plopped down on the chair next to you. “It is I.”

A triumphant smile was evident on his face, both from finding you amongst all the other places near the school and from being able to annoy the living daylight out of you. It was never his intention to do the latter, but he took any reaction he could get out of you as an achievement worthy of celebrating. 

“I see you’ve got a friend,” he said.

“I’m actually leaving,” Felix announced with a wave. When you snapped your head to glare at him for being disloyal, he only gently waved his hands before your face, leaning in but never quite touching you. Soft nothings flew out of his lips, but they were definitely apologetic. “I’m sorry. I’ll see you later, I promise.”

He left in the blink of an eye, almost quicker than when he realized curry buns were in the cafeteria. Picking up your jaw, your lips pursed together into a dissatisfied grimace as you faced the table again. Despite the rush, he didn't forget to take your notes with him, that coward! 

“Who was that?”

“Lee Felix,” you replied. “He just transferred here.”

“Oh, no wonder! I’ve never seen him before!”

That was partly your fault. You asked him to hide away with you during all the social hours.

"Are you two friends?" Jisung asked. "Or did your homeroom teacher make you his guide?"

“He’s not in my class,” you said. 

“So…” he fiddled with his thumbs, “you two are friends.”

“Sure.”

You deliberately turned away from him so you wouldn't catch his pitiful gaze. Something about the way his eyes were wide and round was different. His was like a deer, but not a deer in headlights. His eyes were pouty, pathetic, and sad. A foul-proof weapon to get whatever he wants. You have some resolve against that because you were on a mission to stay away from him, but you were not entirely immune to it. 

You understood why he could feel unfairly treated knowing Felix became your friend while you never let your guard down around him, but that wasn’t for him to analyze. 

"Jisung, why are you doing this?" you asked without looking at him. "I already told you I can't help you with the prom proposal."

"I'm not here for the prom proposal," he clarified. "I just wanted to be friends with you."

You pursed your lips together and nodded. That would make your plan backfire. With someone as playful and touchy as him, who knew when he'd want to play around with your sleeves, and then bam! One careless mistake could send the secret flying out to the public, and people would whisper about you, the incompatible and underserving soulmate.

“I don’t want to be friends with you.”

“Why?” he asked. 

“Why do you want to be my friend?”

He shrugged. “I just want to.”

“Apply that to your question,” you said. “I just don’t want to be your friend.”

“That’s different!” he exclaimed quietly. “I don’t understand. You became friends with Felix!”

"What do you want me to do, Jisung?" You dropped your pencil and glared at him. "You find me at the most inconvenient time. You ramble on and on about your problems. I don't have the energy for someone like you! You're–" You clamped your mouth shut as Jisung leaned back against his chair. He tore his eyes away from you for the first time. "I'm just–I'm sorry. I'm drained."

Jisung didn't speak, and your heart dropped in the rare silence. Assuming that he had finally given up, you exhaled and began to collect your belongings. You stuffed your stationaries inside your pencil case and closed up the books, shoving them inside your school bag.

"Wait, where are you going?" Jisung asked after noticing your hasty movement.

"Home," you replied, zipping up your schoolbag and flinging it across your shoulder.

"Wait. Hold on, wait for me," he hissed as he grabbed his schoolbag quickly and followed you into the aisles, his eyes never leaving your figure.

Standing between the narrow space, Jisung trailed closely behind, trying to find an opportunity to speak up. At the same time, your legs moved quickly from one aisle to another, finding the borrowed textbook's original place. When you finally slipped the book in between the perfect gap with other identical textbooks, you turned and bolted out of the library. He watched you, exhaled, and picked up his pace.

“Look, I get it, you're tired. You really don't have to apologize for it,” he said once you were outside. 

"I don't have time to satisfy your savior complex, Jisung," you said. "There are plenty of students like me. Go find someone else."

“You’re literally just saying things now,” he said. “I just want to chat with you.”

“We don’t have anything in common,” you muttered.

“You don’t know that!” he exclaimed with a laugh. “What do you like to do in your free time?”

"I'm not a masochist like you, that's for sure," you said as you gripped the strap of your bag. Briefly looking at him, you pulled a face almost condescendingly. "I would never chase after someone who treats me like I treat you."

Jisung stopped following you then. You stalked away, moving further and further away from him. His fingers dangled, barely brushing past each other, and then he rubbed them together until his hand turned into a fist. The corner of his lips twitched, but instead of wallowing in helplessness, he felt wronged and frustrated. 

You were clearly capable of socializing; you could chat with others and go to places with your friends. What was so wrong about him that made you so hostile? Did you truly believe in your words that day at the cafeteria, where you indirectly called him superficial and embarrassing? Was the only difference between him and Felix the bridge of popularity? 

If so, then you were undoubtedly worse than him.

 “You’re the superficial one!” 

You froze with your shoulders hunched up, and your eyes widened. Your heart nearly beat out of your chest when you turned around and found him stomping toward you, his hair bouncing with every animated step. Leaning back to avoid him crashing into you, you frowned at his accusing finger and even more aggressive ramble. 

"You know nothing about me, and I have done nothing to you! You generalized a group of people you hate and applied that judgment to my friends and me based on less than five commonalities," he snapped. 

"I admit I also did that to you. I thought you were mean and crass, but I changed my mind when I found out you had been hanging out with Felix while avoiding me every chance. You never tried to see where I am coming from or who I am as a person, removed from your assumptions! That makes you worse than me! That makes you a horrible person!"

He didn't know he had it in him to string together so many sentences verbally without stuttering once, especially when speaking from his mind without letting the words load. Before he knew it, his hand flew to cover his mouth, suppressing the urge to throw up apologies. 

You didn't think he had it to tell the hard truth, so his rant was a pleasant surprise. You weren't the least bit offended. If you didn't want to be accused, then you wouldn't have acted the way you did, and your willingness to own up to your horrible personality always made you feel superior to others. However, turning a new leaf was a whole different step to take.

“You knew I was avoiding you?” you asked calmly.

His hand slowly dropped from his mouth, and he nodded. He looked almost grief-stricken, and you supposed he would be. He has probably never been treated this way.

“Do you really think we can be good friends?” 

Jisung looked up curiously. "Why won’t we be?"

“I don’t fit in with your group of friends,” you said. 

He ruffled his hair, his eyes squinted in disbelief. “Why does that matter?”

“It matters to me. People like you don’t have to worry about that because everyone likes you,” you grumbled, a sense of unfairness sparking deep within you. "You've never been the kid who gets pushed over in the cafeteria or the girl who got bet on, so you can shove that."

It was your turn to call him out. You were right. He was never the public plaything, the cafeteria humiliation, nor did he ever attempt to stop those weekly events from happening. Asking you to ignore everything when he was sitting comfortably on top of the social hierarchy was inconsiderate.

"Who did those to you?" he asked instead, choosing to carefully approach you, to take baby steps towards the gate of your heart.

"That's funny. I swear you were in the cafeteria when it happened, too." Your shoulders slacked visibly as you spun on your heels, an eye roll tailing after. "Pretentious."

“Look, I’m sorry I didn’t stand up to anyone.” He followed you. “I care. I really do!”

“Gee! How noble of you!” you mocked. "You care now because you need my help with the prom proposal. I don’t need that kind of pity.”

Jisung let out a groan of frustration, one that was loud enough to make you halt to a stop again. It felt more aggressive than the rant just a moment ago. 

"I'm only going to say this one last time. I am not talking to you because I need your help," he exclaimed. His hands were deep in his hair, borderline pulling them from his scalp, and he was sure it would be less painful than this conversation. 

Letting his hair go, he closed his eyes and breathed deeply enough to calm himself. "You intrigued me. I don't know how or why, but you did, so now I want to be your friend. That's it."

It was the truth. You never once doubted that he genuinely wanted to start a friendship with you. The problem was you. You were so afraid of being found that you would rather stab him over and over again than accept him, even though you didn't hate him at all.

You gulped hard, giving yourself some time to think. "There is no point in us being friends when you have closer friends to hang out with."

He shook his head with a disagreeing frown. “I have friends outside of the group I always hang with. Just because we are not as close doesn't mean I don’t still value their friendship.”

A fleeting friendship. He would still hang out with you, but most of the time, he would be around his existing friends, which would eat away the time he could spend with you. You would never ask him to choose you over his friend group, and you didn't feel like wasting your time maintaining a distant friendship if you could just pretend he was never in your life. 

That way, you never have to worry about each other. That way, things would be the way they were supposed to be. You were used to that. 

“Agree to disagree,” you said. “I’d rather commit to a few people full than have to spare minor commitments to several others. I’m not willing to spend that kind of effort for someone who is just a friend.”

You waited for his response. He heard you, loud and clear. Through the silence, he could finally look at you for the first time. He took everything you said into consideration, his eyes boring holes into your features and sending shivers down your spine with their intensity. After a moment, he reached into his pocket and took out his phone. He poked at it impatiently, his nail clanking against the screen.

"What are you doing?" you asked in defeat.

“Here," Jisung replied as he showed you his phone. The screen showed his calendar, where he marked all the upcoming events and important dates. Birthdays, hangouts, tests, and extracurricular activities. “I am really good at managing my time. I promise I will make time for you. I will make space for our friendship to flourish.”

Your eyes moved between his phone and his face. A noticeable heat brewed under your uniform, and it tried its mightiest to stretch the nerve around your lips into a smirk. You didn't want to feel optimistic about this, so you focused on the fingerprints on his screen and slowly smacked your tongue against your top front teeth. 

It just occurred to you that he has continuously made accommodations for you. You wouldn’t initiate conversations, so he did. You wouldn’t find him during free time, so he did. You didn’t like to talk too much, so he filled the space. You didn’t like fleeting friendships, so he made space. 

All of that for what? To be friends with someone like you?

"I'm sorry," you muttered after a sigh, touching your forearm and avoiding eye contact with him. “You’re going to regret being my friend.”

"That's not up to you to decide," Jisung said. 

You couldn't deal with the risk of letting him know, and you didn't have the energy to hide your mark constantly. But even more than that, your weak heart couldn't handle seeing Jisung look as defeated and sulky as he did whenever you treated him less than decent.

Jisung was your soulmate, after all. As pessimistic of a person as you were, you care about and like him. Enough to try turning over a new leaf.

"I'm heading to the Taiwanese shop," you informed as you started to walk away again.

"Huh? I thought you were going home?"

"I lied. My mom isn't home to make dinner today, so I'm eating outside," you replied, stopping in your tracks and looking behind your shoulder at Jisung, who was still grounded on his spot. You beckoned him over. "Are you tagging along or not?"

Jisung grabbed hold of the straps of his schoolbag as a smile lit up on his face. He rushed over to you quickly, not wanting to waste another minute.

After ordering food, you two went to find a small table in the middle of the restaurant and settled down.

Jisung gave his parents a call about not being able to make it back home for dinner despite your consistent protest that immediately melted away when Jisung let out a playful growl your way to display his sense of dismay. You told him not to act like a dog in public and let it go.

Jisung rubbed his hands together as he placed his food on the table. He snapped the wooden chopsticks open and dug in, quietly praising the food with each slurp of his wonton noodle soup. You focused on your food, not bothering to start a conversation until both of you finished dinner.

Crossing your legs under the table, you leaned against the chair and wiped your mouth with a napkin. “Regardless, you want my help with the prom proposal, right?”

Jisung’s chewing slowed as he smiled up at you sheepishly. “I know you don’t want to talk about it, so it’s okay. I’ll find someone else for help.”

“No, it’s fine.” You shrugged. “It’s better for you to talk to me about a problem. I might actually have something to contribute than me struggling to relate to what you did during the day.” 

He squinted his eyes a little at you. It was probably because you have never spoken to him much about what really goes on inside your head that you appeared entirely unpredictable for him.

Jisung wasn’t saying he was ever good at observing people’s behavior and understanding their feelings. He was always more of a sympathizing and comforting person than analyzing and accessing.

But with you, he couldn’t tell anything at all. Your expression betrays your thoughts, and your tone betrays your words. You mix sharp wit with a mellow voice and joy with exhaustion.

At the last second, you were all up his face about him only caring about his problems, but now you offered to help him with them.

As confusing and rude as you had been to him, he couldn’t feel an ounce of hatred towards you, nor did he ever feel lost in this relationship. Logically, he should have been, but deep inside his chest, something kept tugging him back to you.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

“Yeah.” You nodded. “People usually find me to ask for something, so it’s more comfortable if you need me to do something for you.”

"That doesn't sound very nice," Jisung frowned, sitting up straighter as he looked at you with saddening eyes.

"It doesn't, but you get used to it," you said.

He pouted. ”Still, everyone deserves someone who wants to be with them simply because they want to."

You chuckled harshly. The idea was foreign to you—mostly a fault of your own. You weren’t attractive enough for people to be interested in you from the get-go.

You weren’t decent enough for those curious to stay for a long time. You also weren’t too socially endurable, so besides other people getting tired of you, you couldn’t stand being around anyone for too long.

“You wouldn’t understand, and I hope you never do.” You smiled bitterly. A rare, genuine smile, accompanied by your shoulders slacking from tension and your alerted eyes softening. 

It’s a sight that indicated to Jisung the tearing down of your mental walls. A second later, you built it back up again. Your back arched, and your lips pursed. The heartfelt expression changed too fast for Jisung; he didn’t even have the time to store the image in his brain.

“I’ll start by saying I can’t guarantee your success rate because, as I have told you, Jiae and I aren’t friends anymore,” you said.

"We’re also not that close back then. I have no idea why she still goes around announcing that we’re good friends. The last time we hung out was during middle school, and that was it.”

Jisung's confused expression gave you an idea that he didn't really believe you, so you placed your palm on the table and leaned in to assert more confidence. “We are not friends. Have you ever seen me hang out with her before?"

"Uh..." Jisung opened his mouth.

“No, Jisung! You’re thinking, and this question shouldn’t involve any thinking!” You snapped your fingers at his face. “The fact is right in front of you. The answer is no, you have never seen us hang out before.”

Jisung pursed his lips together, taken back by your fast movements. 

"Okay, fine," he said. “Then help me out as my friend. Tell me what she might want. Give me your standard."

You bumped against the back of the chair and snorted with your arms crossed. “Does it look like I have a standard to base upon?"

“Oh, you know!” Jisung whined, "Any celebrities? Fictional characters? Songs?"

You let out another snort as you shook your head comically, "Of course, because fictional characters are so achievable.”

“They can be if you try!” Jisung declared.

“You’re not serious, are you?” You raised a brow. “You know why fictional characters are so desirable because they are not obtainable. It is impossible to become them or be with them. The most enticing part about them is the process of desire, which will promptly be eliminated once you obtain it.”

“Hey, I don’t know what you’re mouthing off about,” he said between chews of his food. “I just know that if my partner has a list of boyfriend goals, then you bet I am giving them everything on the list. That includes fictional character standard.” 

You rolled your eyes, but a smile played on your lips. The way Jisung furiously wanted to give his love everything they wanted sent shivers down your spine and made you feel a sense of excitement in conjunction with a yearning for a potential future. 

Whoever ends up with him in the future will receive such an immense amount of love that you could feel your envy creeping up, which was in conjunction with bitterness. 

That person could have been you if you weren't so much like yourself.

“I don't think your partner would ask you to do that. I think you're already great,” you said. “If that’s worth anything.”

Jisung's eyes widened at the unpredicted compliment. “You think so?” 

You nodded in confirmation, and he laughed shyly, scratching the back of his head.

“Thanks,” he said. “No one's ever told me that before."

"No way,” you denied in disbelief. “Someone must have told you that you are good enough before. Or anything along the lines of that.”

“I have been complimented before, of course! But telling me I’m a nice guy doesn’t reassure me,” he mumbled.

“I mean–“ You snorted air out of your nose as you looked away. “What else do you want? I’d give anything to be told I’m a nice person.” 

He unknowingly snorted, too. “That requires you to be a nice person.”

“Oh?” You leaned up from the back of the chair and uncrossed your arms. “Suddenly, you’re a comedian! You know how to joke!”

“I’m just saying!” he exclaimed. “I don’t think you are horrible, but you can be mean and unapproachable sometimes. ”

“Yet you approached me.”

“Now who’s the comedian?” He pointed at you with his chopsticks and dropped them on the napkin. 

You waited for him to finish chewing the last of his food. His words irked you, but not in the way one would assume. You still didn’t really care for the consequences of your attitude. You cared to know how you turned out that way or when you changed because you didn’t used to be this way. 

You had a social circle back then, and you were involved in different hobbies, and then your father left the picture, and you were gone.

Looking up at Jisung, who sipped his drink as he casually checked his phone for any messages from his parents, you cast your eyes down when you realized perhaps you did care a little about how others thought of you.

Specifically, you cared about how he thinks of you. You didn’t have to worry about it when you were gatekeeping yourself from him. It was a mistake to let loose.

“Do you really think I’m mean?” 

Jisung slowly looked up at you from his phone. He stopped sucking on the straw when he saw your determined expression, and he dropped his phone and pushed away his drink with a prepared expression as if he had been waiting for this his whole life.

But he wasn’t prepared. He was gently panicking; he thought he hurt your feelings, and that stung his skin terribly.

“No. No, no, no,” he sped out. “Whatever you are thinking of, I probably didn’t mean it that way.”

“How did you mean it?”

“I don’t know? It’s just–“ He sighed. “You were rude to me when I first talked to you.” 

“I guess I was,” you muttered. You avoided his eyes. “I wasn’t always like this.” 

“Yeah?” He chuckled. “What were you like?”

Happier was the most straightforward word you knew to describe it. You had no worries for the future, you had friends, and your parents were still together.

Although, you couldn’t blame your parents’ separation for the bitter change in your personality, at least not entirely. Some part of it was your own doing. You wanted to be cynical and unapproachable to avoid socializing and being known. 

You sniffed and rubbed the tip of your nose, a grimace obvious on your lips. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” 

He stared at you in dissatisfaction as you gathered the trash from the table onto your tray. You moved fast and without any words, which he couldn’t find any reason to. Besides that, you were even more upset at his imposing question. 

You wore your schoolbag and stood up. He followed dramatically, bumping into table corners and kicking chairs on his way.

“I like you, [Name],” he clarified, his legs matching your pace. “I really do. I’m sorry!”

“I know,” you said as you slowed down. You peered at him with a smirk. “I’m messing with you.” 

He paused on the spot, the worried frown slowly quirked into a smile.

You could consider him humored.

You spent a week of (debatably) quality time with Jisung. It happened more frequently than you liked, occurring every day after school. 

Each of your hangouts consisted of you denying his offer to eat dinner with you since your mother works late at night, and him arguing that teenagers should always eat with someone to decrease loneliness.  

It felt both relieving and uncomfortable for you to be in such a quiet environment during Saturday lunch.

Jisung was always there to yell in your face about his day after you finished dinner at a random restaurant that you had to force him to pick. The never-ending process of deciding where to eat usually ends with a game of rock-paper-scissors, which the loser has to choose, and Jisung miraculously always lost. 

Now that you had finished lunch at home alone, the quiet process of cleaning up after yourself was deafening. You never had a problem with it, but you supposed it made sense to have a gaping hole in your chest now that Jisung's terrific company has been etched in your brain.

Being without him made any atmosphere duller, even with the television on as background noise.

After covering the unfinished dish with a plastic wrap, you picked the plate up just in time to hear the doorbell ring. Putting the plate back down curiously, you slowly glided to the door, thinking it was just the delivery guy.

"Hello–" You eyes widened and your voice came to a sharp end after you shamelessly swung the front door open. 

"Hi, you!" Jisung greeted, grinning at you with his chubby cheeks and bright teeth. 

You panicked. Your arm was propped up, your hand around the edge of the wooden frame, and you wore short sleeves. It had been too hot inside the kitchen when you cooked lunch, so you had to change it, and you knew very well that your soul mark was entirely on display.

All Jisung needed to do was turn his head a little, and he would catch sight of it.

Quickly, you brought your arm behind your back and smiled up at him. Jisung, who had caught on to the faint ink on your arm and the nervous smile that followed closely behind, tilted his head to the side as his cheerful grin dimmed to a curious smirk.

“I saw your soul-mark there,” he said, pointing at where your arm was propped up. “Why are you hiding it?” 

When you shrugged and shakily told him it was nothing, it only spiked his interest, so he pressed on. He squinted his eyes and carefully removed his shoes by stepping on the outer sole.

You laughed when he began walking inside your home uninvited, but you weren’t sure if you got nervous from his unrelenting gaze or humored that he was visibly shorter after taking off his shoes.

“Oh, come on, what does it say?” he asked.

“Nothing! I wasn’t even trying to hide it,” you replied, forcing the nonchalance into your tone. 

“Then show me,” he said, holding a hand out politely. “If you weren’t hiding it.”

You looked around the living room for any saving grace, but there was none. It was an open space without anything interesting to redirect his attention to. Unfortunately, you were the most interesting thing to him.

You scoffed, feeling your heart pump all its blood onto your neck and cheeks. 

You have been hiding this secret for a week already. 

Given that you have relatively let your guard down around him and knew that he wasn’t the type of person to judge you based on your social status. Given that you two have hit it off very well and were surprisingly compatible. Given that you thought, for a moment, that there was a chance your relationship could work out, you couldn’t tell him. 

You’ve lied for long enough. It would be too awkward to tell the truth. 

Besides, it could have been a honeymoon phase. If you spend more time with him, he could show his real face and change your mind.

"It can't be that embarrassing, can it?” 

He reached for your arm, his fingers curling around it. If he really wanted to yank your arm out of your back, he could, and he would. With a speeding heart, you let out a strangled noise from the back of your throat and decided to turn in a circle quickly, startling him. Your hand flew up to slap against his eyes, which caught him off guard. You backed him up to the nearest wall and held him still. 

"Woah, woah! Okay, I won't look!" Jisung exclaimed defensively, holding his hand up in surrender. 

He could feel you pressed up to his torso as you asked him for confirmation. He wasn’t sure if he was more afraid of your sudden exert of dominance or more attracted by the proximity you unknowingly bestowed upon him.

"I promise," he confirmed. Seconds later, he felt your hand slip away.

You rubbed your arm shyly, pressing it close to your side. “What are you doing here?"

Jisung's shoulders hunched as he looked around your house. “Nothing much. I just wanted to spend some time with you."

“Why? Were you bored being home alone?” you asked as you returned to the dining table and started to take the plates back into the kitchen, dropping them in the sink so you could deal with them later.

“Uh, yes.” Jisung raised a finger. “But I’m not just here for me! I also really want to hang out with you."

Your eyes squinted at the emphasis of his tone, eyeing him with contemplation as you walked out of the kitchen slowly. It wasn’t out of his character to need constant stimulation from the outside world, either music, public transport, food, or people.

However, how he rubbed his hands and pulled on his fingers spoke an ulterior motive that only he and his savior complex would have. 

“Is this about what I said before? About people asking me for a favor whenever they look for me?”

Jisung blinked at you. You were correct. That thought had been bugging him day and night. He genuinely thought that people should never have to think with such a cynical mindset that was antagonistic towards oneself. His friends should never feel that way, and you especially should not. 

"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied nonchalantly, a pout evident on his face.

You let out a faint laugh as you shook your head, beckoning him to follow you before leading him to your room. Jisung was hesitant as he took the first step inside, but soon, he was drowned in the cozy fragrance of your room and basked in the sight of what was the embodiment of you.

Folded laundry, comic books, posters on your walls, and bed sheet patterns. Everything meant something when it belonged to you; someday, he thought he would be part of the atmosphere. However that would unfold.  

“I knew there would be a pile of clothes in your room. I knew it!” Jisung pointed at the laundry basket in the corner next to your closet. 

“Everyone owns a laundry pile, Jisung.” 

"I knew there would be a lot of books in your room, ha!" He turned and pointed at the bookshelf of textbooks and fiction books stacked on two columns of your shelf. 

“Students tend to have books in their room, Jisung.”

“I knew you like music! Look at all the albums!” He spun and gestured at the albums of your favorite band displayed in a small rectangular space.

“A lot of people like music, Jisung.”

“Okay, what is your problem? I’m trying to get riled up here.” Jisung frowned, and you laughed at his defeated state. 

He slumped down on the floor, leaning his back against the edge of your bed. At the same time, you sat on your rolling chair after turning on the air conditioner so you could put on a sweater. 

“I’m going to ask you again,” you said. “What are you doing here?”

Jisung pulled a face at your mocking tone. ”To steal a glance at your soul-mark, duh."

You pursed your lips together and threw your eraser at him. He giggled as he held up his arm to block his face, your reaction once again kick-starting his interest. 

Why are you so defensive?

"I don't want to talk about it," you said, as if reading his mind.

“Why? Did something happen?"

You hopelessly glared at Jisung, unsure if he was simply dumb at catching onto hints or if his curiosity was really getting the best of his noisiness. You looked away, annoyed but also overwhelmed. Jisung offered you a chance to talk about your feelings; it would be weird if you didn't take it, considering how many emotions you bottle up, even if the topic was you and him.

You just have to be careful.

You sighed, giving in to his semi-pleading eyes. “He wouldn't love me. We're too different."

Jisung raised an eyebrow. "You are so sure he's a he–"he suddenly shot forward–"Oh my god, you already found him."

You had one job.

He sat up on his knees, looking at you with wide and excited eyes before he let out a disappointed groan, snapping his fingers aggressively. “Who is he? Do I know him? Is he from our school? I will go talk to him!"

“It’s nothing exciting,” you replied timidly. “You’re getting worked up over nothing.”

"What are you talking about? He’s your soulmate!” He slumped down onto his legs again and stared at you in disbelief. He ran a hand through his hair, pouting as he took secret glances at you, hoping for an agreement. When you didn’t give him any, he groaned and smacked his legs. “He’s supposed to love you forever!”

When you threw him a face, he rolled his eyes and shook his hand at you to indicate that he understood your pessimistic sentiment. “Okay, fine. Maybe not forever, but still! He’s supposed to love you.”

"First of all, you said it yourself, he's my soulmate. I don't know why you're being more excited about this than I am," you pointed out. "Second, you have a very fantasized perception of soulmates."

Piping down, Jisung looked at you with squinted eyes, challenging and determined.  His voice was low as he spoke briefly. "How? Elaborate."

You shrugged. You thought it was evident from the get-go. "It's just a link. It's not a predetermined bond. You don't have to love your soulmate if you don't want to. The universe can't force you to do what you don't want to.

“But soulmates!” he exclaimed in a whine. 

He inched forward slowly, moving over to you by the rolling chair and placing his hand on your knee to stop you from spinning. 

"Soulmates have a unique link together. They are supposed to guarantee that someone out there is willing to accept you no matter what, so you don't have to worry about your current problems," he said. "They're a promise that lasts forever!"

You pressed your hand on his, landing on soft initially before suddenly shoving him off your knee. “No one is supposed to do anything. No one is supposed to love anyone.”

“Parents are supposed to love their children,” he retorted, crossing his arms.

You exhaled as you stared ahead. Once upon a time, you thought that too. You still believed in it, somewhat. Your father’s sudden departure left you in disarray; you weren’t sure if you passionately advocated for the idea or had abandoned that hope. 

“They are supposed to,” you muttered. “Alas, some of them don’t.” 

Jisung sat on his heels quietly when you turned around to be by your desk. You leaned your head on your arms and closed your eyes, relishing the peace and quiet you hadn't gotten since he arrived at your home. It felt awkward, almost like you knew he figured something was wrong, and he did. 

You were always so frustrated and hurried. You think and speak fast, yet you rarely say the wrong thing. It was very unlike himself, who had to ensure the words went through his brain if he didn't want to mess up. He figured that was why it was evident whenever you're upset, because the frustration turns into sadness, and you stop arguing.

Rubbing his hands on his pants, he looked around your room again and carefully moved closer to sit by your desk. He looked up, his lips pursing with uncertainty as he poked the side of your leg. 

“Hey,” he said. “Are you okay?”

You sighed and turned your head to look down at him. He was small, all curled up to occupy as little space as possible, so you would let him stay around because he knew you hated noise, long rambles, animated gestures, and everything that encompasses himself as a person.

It was guilt-inducing. Looking at him, your soulmate, was painful, from knowing what could have been to how you have treated him so far. But he remained kind and welcoming. For the most part, he did. And he was loud. You knew he tried not to be. You didn't care for it.

You would have forgotten what you were arguing about if he hadn't left such a lasting impression on you for you to care so much. 

How could you ever doubt him in regard to his willingness to embrace his soulmate despite any kind of circumstances? How could you ever even think about Jisung purposefully pushing you away if he ever knew about the truth between you and him? That was unlike him. You knew it wasn't.

“You believe in all of that,” you whispered. “About your soulmate.”

He blinked, the gears behind his round eyes turning. He left his hand near you in the tiny space on your seat.

“Yeah. I can’t imagine not loving my soulmate,” Jisung confessed, staring into your soul. “I really want to meet them.”

You pursed your lips together, desperately wanting to tell him the truth, but your paranoia told you to lie. You were too deep into it. Telling him now would only cause him anger, and you were scared of the consequences despite him admitting that he would, no matter what, be in love with his soulmate.

“You’re so nice, Jisung,” you complimented, your eyes softening with a smile. “I wish everyone was like you.”

His lashes fluttered, but only he felt it. Looking away to compose himself, nervously pulling his fingers and settling his wiggly toes, he bit back a bashful grin by blowing air into his cheeks. You watched his ear gradually turn red, its cause a mystery to you, and you reached a hand down to rub it between your fingers. 

He jumped, his head snapping to look at you as his hand flew up to block the sensation. You retreated immediately, equally as startled by his reaction. His eyes darted between your face and your hand, almost as if he could piece together what happened. 

You frantically tried to find something else to cover up the fact that you subconsciously attempted to soothe the redness on his ear, releasing yourself from your sullen position.

“I–uhm, hey! Do you want to know about my college application process?" you asked.

Jisung furrowed his brows, his jaw agape to say words that refused to come out.

He was sure you touched him—his ears were a weird body part to touch, but he was willing to take whatever you gave him. But he wanted to know what it meant or if you had something to tell him but was deterred by his reaction. Could it have meant something? He should consult the internet about that!

The subject change was ridiculous, too! Have college applications started already? He knew his teachers were reminding the class about it daily. However, the urgency among the student body hadn't started yet, so he assumed there was still time. 

"I–I mean–"Seeing your nervous expression, he decided to let the matter go. He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Should we start applying already?"

"I applied a little earlier for a specific college I wanted to attend just to boost my chances. Otherwise, I am applying at the same time as everyone else. You should start preparing for it, though," you said, glancing at him. "I got into the interview round. If I do well during the interview, I'll be accepted."

Jisung widened his eyes. He fist-bumped your arm. “Look at you, being one step ahead of the rest of us.”

"I'm not the only student in our grade who did an early application," you said. 

“But did they all get invited to an interview?”

"I don't know. I'm not really friends with any of them," you muttered as you put together a few pieces of paper. "I started practicing with my mom, and she wrote down some sample questions for me. Here, take a look."

Jisung moved away from leaning on your desk to sitting across from you. You turned your chair and handed him the stack of paper with multiple correction marks. You pursed your lips nervously as you waited for him to finish reading, watching as his mouth moved across each word and his head nodded in understanding.

He has never looked so serious before. You were too used to seeing the animated side of him, and you realized you'd never watched him pay attention to something boring before. He actually looked very decent when he was concentrated. It wasn't a surprise.

"Most of them are good answers." He pointed at the question and flipped the paper around for you to see. "Except for this one." 

You knew all the mock questions and answers like the back of your hand, so you barely had to read what he pointed at. "What's wrong with that?"

"It's asking about what you want to do in the future. I'm guessing if a school is asking that question, they are trying to gauge the student's career path and how it can align with the school's personal interest," Jisung said, looking at you through his fallen bangs. "You can't tell the interviewer you don't have a dream."

“I don’t,” you said. “I don’t have anything. I don’t have anything I want to do.”

“No one is ever honest in an interview," Jisung pointed the tip of the pen at you. “You can lie.”

You shrugged. “I suppose? I’ll just take any job that is offered to me.” 

With the current market, a college graduate would be lucky to be offered a job, so there wasn't the option to choose unless you were extraordinary. But a lot of people are not. Even if many people are extraordinary, it will be oversaturated, and a new standard will emerge. Nobody will ever be good. 

Everyone will only be good for a little bit until they're not enough anymore.

“What? No!” Jisung waved his hand dismissively. “Come on, [Name], you must have a dream job!”

"I really don't. I just want to earn money.” Your lips arched downward. When Jisung frowned at you, you could only roll your eyes. You asked, almost accusingly, ”Don’t look at me like that. Do you have a dream job?” 

Jisung nodded without hesitation. "I want to be a producer.”

“Like a filmmaker?” you asked, tilting your head. “You don’t strike me as a movie watcher.”

“That’s a director,” he pointed at you, “and you are wrong. I love movies. I watch dating shows all the time.”

"Directors are by default also producers because they produce films," you returned the point, "and you are wrong. Dating shows are not movies. They are variety shows."

“You know what I mean!”

“Do I, though?”

Jisung rolled his tongue over his front teeth, a chuckle sneaking onto his shoulders. “Do you have to argue with me about everything?” 

"You think I like to start fights? Is that how it is?" you gritted out playfully, tilting your head to stare at him dead in the eyes. When he breathed out the chuckle, you relaxed and shook your head. "If you're not planning to write stories, are you planning to produce music?"

“You are correct!” he exclaimed with a congratulatory clap. “I sing my own songs during every school talent show.”

“Those are nap sessions to me,” you said. 

The school forces everyone to attend the talent shows, but since the assembly hall would remain dark for most of it, you always used the time to doze off in your seat.

It was a miracle that you've never fallen off the chair, and it's a shame that you've missed every performance Jisung has performed over the past three years. He has never won them, but he must be excellent. 

He pressed his hands to his heart and made a cartoonish gunshot noise. He leaned back, whining in pain. “Oh, you sure are hurtful, [Name]!”

"Don't be dramatic. It's not like I singled you out. I slept through everyone's performance," you said as you leaned forward to kick him. "Are you going to also work part-time as an idol, or do you want to only work behind the scenes?"

"Either one is fine. I don't necessarily have to be in a company. I can get big on doing covers, too," Jisung said.

You nodded in acknowledgment. You couldn’t provide any insight because you knew nothing about the industry besides the songs and a few outrageously famous individuals it produces. 

"Don't forget me when you get famous," you said. "But if you need anything, like an insightful critique on your latest album, do find me. If a hater like me likes it, everyone else will like it too."

“But I will also be hanging out with you,” he said, giving you finger guns. "I'm not going to find you just because I need you to do something for me."

"Uh, have you met me before?"

"Yes, and I hereby announce that I, Han Jisung, adore your presence," he said, dipping his head into a slight bow.

You defeatedly scoffed at him as you pressed your hand to his head, pushing him away from you. “You're so dumb."

"You love me for it!” He grinned.

You sighed inwardly. You do, you really do.

You two shared a moment of silence. You hadn't even realized you two were comfortable enough with each other that a long silence wouldn't result in you wanting to bury your head in your arms and never see the light of day again.

"You're really not going to show me your soul mark?” he said suddenly. “Could you at least tell me who he is? I’ll kick his ass for you."

"Hey, here's an idea. Your debut album should be called 'Jisung really can't mind his goddamn business,'" you said. 

Jisung frowned, turning away from you childishly, and you hoped he always forgets to mind his goddamn business. 

The admission interview landed on a school day and took place at the college of choice. They picked a time after lunch hours so students could ask their teachers for the day’s school work before leaving early. Some students choose not to attend school the day to prepare, but you weren’t one of them.

Your palms were sweaty as you stood before the cafeteria door, debating whether or not you should walk in and look for Jisung. You told him you wouldn’t be having lunch today since you wanted to practice and prepare for the interview on your own, and you urged him to spend lunchtime with his friends instead. 

In retrospect, you should have taken Jisung up on his offer to help you rehearse your answers. It would be better practice to have someone play the role of the interviewer than having you spend most of the time trying not to feel awkward talking to yourself. Besides, his presence would have provided emotional support or a decent distraction. 

You started to panic the more you looked at your notes. The more you panic, the more you stuttered and messed up your practice. By then, thousands of worst-case scenarios had already been through your head, bringing your self-esteem to a negative. 

The only person you thought would be able to calm you down was Han Jisung. Not just because he was your soulmate but also because he was the only friend you’ve got.

Unconsciously, your legs had already brought you to Jisung's table in the cafeteria. When you made your way there, your eyes focused only on his silhouette. His friends ceased to chat with each other when you stood by the table with an unreadable look on your face. It took a brief glance for Jisung to see the worried gleams behind your eyes, and his brows furrowed.

As he opened his mouth, another voice spoke, beating him to talking first. 

Jiae waved excitedly at you, a smile on her face. “[Name]! You are here at the right time. We were just talking about something interesting!"

You removed your eyes from Jisung and turned to look at the unfamiliar girl. You tilted your head to the side, unsure how to respond to her, trying to pull you into the middle of a supposed interesting conversation. “What–what were you talking–”

“Can you get some pudding for my friends and me? We forgot to get them when we were in line to get our food,” she cut you off, reaching a hand out to you on the table. “Gossip sounds better with good food, you know?”

You blinked and turned to look at the line of students waiting with their trays in hand, moving like ants one by one to speak to the lunch lady. She has a terrible tone and was never pleasant, but at least she was willing to talk to you about things other than lunch preferences. Either way, you didn’t come here for this. 

“You can get it yourself,” you said.

“But we are in the middle of an interesting conversation!” She pouted. “I didn’t want to pause it. That’s why I’m asking you for a favor.”

Jisung brushed his hand on his pants and turned to Jiae. He didn’t know they were missing the dessert or that it was essential to the conversation. But since you were already here to speak to him anyway, he thought he could do that and deal with the pudding problem on his way back. “Actually, I got it–“

“You’re in high school. How interesting can your conversations really get? What else do you talk about besides celebrities who accomplished something in their life and some other dumb things?” you retorted with a faux dismissive frown. “The shop is literally right there. It won’t take you five minutes.”

Jisung snapped his head around to grimace at you. His eyes widened in panic because he never thought you would take a jab at his friends. You caught his glance and shrunk. 

“My god, if you’re gonna be annoying about it!” One of the girls got up from her chair with a scoff. She faintly checked your shoulder as she walked past you. “I’ll get the damn pudding since it’s so fucking hard to.” 

“Thank you,” Jiae sounded after her friend before returning to the table.

It was awkward and quiet after the unnecessary scene. Everyone at the table pretended to peer at you discreetly and mutter under their breath.

They made sure it appeared as your fault and wanted you to see that they were being the bigger person and not directly accusing you of it. Except they were. They were stealing glances at you and talking amongst themselves. 

“That wasn’t nice, [Name],” Jiae said. “I didn’t know why you said those.”

You flicked your nails with increasing velocity. There was an urge to apologize. You told yourself to hold it back. When you spoke, it wasn’t defensive or demanding. You sounded confused. “I didn’t say anything wrong.” 

Waiting in line to buy the pudding for a bunch of people or being ostracized in real-time by them shouldn’t even begin to top your list of worries now. You’ve got more important things to deal with! You’ve got college, your future!

“You provoked me first!” you pointed out desperately. “I came here with a valid reason, not to get bossed around by you people.”

“'You people' is some way to describe your fellow classmates.”

“Asking for a small favor is apparently provocative now.”

“What? I didn’t mean it like that.” Your pleading eyes turned to Jisung. 

He was the only one who would most likely get you out of this situation compared to anyone else sitting around the table. He tensed up as if all his friends’ eyes were on him and they were all judging his next move. 

You’ve put him in a terrible position. Between his friends and you, who were also his friends, he understood that Jiae should not have continued to push you to do something you refused. Her friend also should not have made a scene out of something trivial. But you also said something you shouldn’t have.

You knew you were wrong because you two talked about a variety of things when you two were together. Why couldn’t you apply that to him and his friends?

Jisung licked his lower lip, watching your fingers fumble with each other and your teary eyes gleaming with hurt. He curled his fists tightly as he turned to Jiae, who stared at him expectantly, and he looked down at the table.

“I…” he bit his tongue. “I don’t know.” 

You gave him a few seconds to say anything else before you breathed out a hopeless scoff, realizing he had chosen all his friends over you. You supposed that was normal. He has known them for years, and they probably never forced him to work for their friendship.

It was easier being their friends than it was being yours. You were sure of that. It just hurt to have it backfire. 

He felt a harsh tug at his chest, a sharp pain that beat along with his slow heart when he saw the disappointment on your face. Not the playful kind of disappointment he has always seen from you. This was genuine, paired with a few tears quickly wiped away. 

You let your guard down to ask for him, and he ignored you. This was a true heartbreak. A faint moment of hatred that you held for him flashed before your eyes before you turned around and walked away.

“Wait, [Name]!” He shot up from his seat, leaving his group of friends to follow you out of the cafeteria. 

You sped through the hall with him high on your tail, apologies flying out of his mouth until there was barely any meaning attached to them anymore. Once you arrived at your locker, you stopped and turned to him, a veil dark over your eyes.

“What do you want?” you asked.

He exhaled with difficulty. Your eyes freaked him out. It was the same from when he first tried to befriend you, back when you hated his guts and wanted nothing to do with him. This couldn’t be it. It couldn’t revert to the beginning. He cared about you too much for you to not want to know him anymore. 

“I’m so sorry.”

“Okay,” you said and opened your locker. “Leave me alone. I have to go soon.”

“Oh, come on,” he pleaded. “I’m sorry. I really am. I froze and just… I don’t know what happened either.”

“That’s convenient.” You randomly messed with the things in your locker. “The next time I do something horrible, I’ll tell them I don’t know what came over me.” 

Jisung groaned, but he was left speechless. He wasn’t sure what else to say or do if an apology wasn’t good enough for you, and rewinding time wasn’t possible.

“You came looking for me,” he said. “You don’t have to forgive me, but at least let me help you with whatever it was.”

“Yeah, right,” you stuttered out a fake chuckle. “I’m gonna let you help me after the phenomenal help you just provided.”

This might be the rare occasion where he let time deal with the mistake instead of going out of his way and making an embarrassment of himself by sticking his head into the mud by your feet.

You would be furious if he did that. It would be more embarrassing for you to receive that kind of apologetic attention than for him to be treated less than human. He wouldn’t complain. He did it first. 

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his hands uncomfortable by his side. “Please try to forgive me.”

His lovely eyes drew you into him, an uncontrollable habit of the mind. You tried to let yourself give in. You wanted to tell yourself it wasn’t a big deal, that only a tiny table of students were there to experience the invisible bullying, that it could have been much worse! 

But it hurt looking at him. It reminded you that you weren’t the only person in his life and that he had other friends he’d been around for much longer than he’d known you.

It gave you a reality check that just because you two were soulmates, it didn’t mean you had an advantage. It told you that even though Jisung swore to love his soulmate, he didn’t love you when he didn’t know you were the one.

If you two hadn’t been soulmates, perhaps he would have never cared at all. Did that not defeat the defining feature of love? The choice was there. He didn’t choose you.

“I have something to do,” you muttered. “I’m gonna go.”

You raised the arm opposite to the locker door, and he subconsciously leaned his head toward it. But you only reached over to close your locker, slowly revealing that your other hand was occupied with books. 

“Oh hey. I didn’t think you’d be up here today,” Felix greeted when he saw you emerge from the rooftop door. 

He sat up from trying to nap on the floor, his eyes squinted to avoid the sun. You approached him sluggishly and sat down, dropping your books by your hip. He raised a brow curiously as you leaned back onto your arms and sighed like you’d walked a mile. 

“Did the interview happen early?” he asked. “You look horrible.”

“Thanks. I’m confident I will do well,” you replied. “I’m feeling the jitters.” 

He raised a brow for a moment before he mirrored your action and put his face under the sun, feeling its warmth. “Those statements contradict each other.”

“I’m sure this is the speaking condition I want to have going into an interview,” you said. 

He laughed, and you relaxed your shoulders. You sometimes forgot Jisung wasn’t the only person who could alleviate your stress. He was merely the first person you thought to go to. Over these past few weeks, you have become good friends with Felix, and he shares your burdens and even knows of the past you never told Jisung. 

Things would have been different if you had come to the roof first. His sunny disposition could also be what you needed.

“Do you think I’ll do well?” 

Felix opened an eye to peer at you. He hummed thoughtfully for show before he replied, “I don’t know. These things are unpredictable, but I really hope you will.”

“See, Jisung would have told me I would do so well, but they would be stupid not to accept me.”

“But I’m not him. That’s why you came up here to find me,” Felix said. “My response was different than his, wasn’t it?” 

You opened your eyes and hunched forward, leaving the sun in your shadow. From how he sounded, he wasn’t upset that you’ve considered him a second option. You felt guilty, nonetheless, because you cared about him a lot. You never wanted him to feel less as a friend in any capacity.

“I swear nothing gets past those detective skills,” you said, looking at him as he enjoyed the sun. You stayed silent momentarily before suddenly speaking, “I’m glad you’re here to help me, Felix.”

He grinned, finally opening his eyes and raising his brows at you. “It’s no problem.”

“I see you’ve cut your hair,” you said, gesturing to your head. “I thought your blonde hair was natural when you first told me you moved here from Australia.”

“It is,” he said. “They wouldn’t believe me and forced me to dye it black.”

“I don’t believe in you,” you hummed. “You look horrible, too.” 

You patted your school uniform as you left the entrance of the universe after politely bidding the receptionist goodbye. 

There was no way for you to tell whether you’ve done a great job. The professors’ expressions were reserved as you were speaking to them. Only a smile could be seen when the grueling process was finally over. Now it’s just the gut-wrenching process of waiting for the letter.

You strolled across the campus. When you first arrived, you were in awe of how big it was, and now you just disliked the distance it would take to get out of here. 

Gently sighing, you ran the interview over in your head a few times more, finding the conversation different each time as you falsified your memories to shine a negative light on yourself, all so you could force down the hope of acceptance in yourself.

You believed in your opinion of how you did, which was downright horrible. It wasn’t a good feeling to distrust your ability, but you figured it would be worse when the rejection letter came in, and you thought you had a chance, so you didn’t stop yourself.

After texting your mother and Felix about how things went, you left the chat box and were disappointed that Jisung hadn’t sent you anything since lunch. He shouldn’t have to, but you thought he would. 

After several hours of not thinking about him and what happened, you were much less angry than you were. Besides, you wanted to talk to him about the interview. You convinced yourself to feel bad about how you did and wanted him here for support. 

Pausing your feet, you clicked his name and stared at the chat box. You typed something, deleted it, retyped something else, and deleted it again. What should you say? That you forgave him? That you were sorry for making something out of nothing? That you were done wrestling with your conscience and you were actually his soulmate?

Tears dropped onto the screen, and you wiped them away. You turned the phone off and wiped your eyes with your arm, walking amongst sounds of sniffing and whimpers as you prayed that no college students walk by. 

Brushing your uneasy hands together, you blinked away the tears and stopped momentarily again when you saw a familiar figure standing at the entrance arch of the campus. He caught sight of you, too, and reluctantly raised his arm to wave at you. 

You hiccuped in question but began to walk toward him. Jisung’s face slowly came into view the closer you approached. Eventually, you were close enough for him to see that you had been crying.

He pursed his lips, his hands curling and uncurling. “It went that bad?”

His soft voice hit your heart and squeezed your tear ducts. You cried, giving frantic nods in between. “I thought I was gonna die.”

“It went that bad,” he muttered. “I’m so sorry.”

“You keep saying that, but–“you hiccupped–“I don’t–I don’t believe you.”

His heart dropped. You weren’t talking about school or the interview anymore. You were talking about him. 

He didn’t know what to do. You have a comeback for everything he said and one for everything he planned to say. It didn’t occur to him that maybe not saying anything was the best thing to do, but there were many wordless ways to reconcile besides—he exhaled nervously. 

There was one way. He doubted you’d like it.

He gently pulled at your wrist and brought you toward him. He hugged you loosely. His skin was warm, and so was yours, but you felt hotter than anything because of the sobbing. The shape of his body was not extraordinary; he was like every teenage boy, and most of them were not athletic. His hands were careful, as they should be, in an attempt to comfort.

There wasn’t anything to him, but this was your first hug with someone your age, someone you liked. 

It was impressive, to say the least, how easy it was for you to drop yourself at his hands entirely. 

“I’m…” he closed his mouth and hugged you tighter. “I was a coward.”

You pressed your mouth to his shoulder and hugged him back, tears sticking his shirt to his skin. Your cries were muffled, but even without that, they were quieter and contained within the peripheral of his hearing. 

“You hurt me.” Your nails dug into his back. Your soul mark pressed across his spine. “You hurt me.”

“Yes.” He bit the inside of his lower lip to avoid apologizing and to stop the sound of tears cleanly falling down his cheeks. “I will never do that again.”

You could hear him cry. He couldn’t hide his sadness if his life depended on it. You wished you stood your ground longer, but torturing him was never your intention, and it was for the first time you believed he meant everything he said. He’s sorry, and he’ll never do it again.

“Do you want to have dinner somewhere?” you asked after you pulled away. “I’m starving.”

“Actually,” his voice was strained as he threw himself off his train of thought, “all of us are heading over to Jiae’s home for dinner and a sleepover. “

You furrowed your brows. “That's sudden.”

“It’s actually not.” He scratched the back of his head. “Seungmin shit-talked us into apologizing to you, and we thought this would be a good opportunity.” 

“He should have spoken up when it was happening,” you said.

"I know. He must have his reasons not to.” Jisung said. "But can you come along anyway? I'd love it if you will. You can get to know my friends. They’re not all bad, I promise.”

You sighed. If he opened his mouth to ask, how would you refuse? He could be right. It may require some getting used to before they let you blend into their friend group. You also had a bad first impression of Jisung, and you gave him a chance. You could do that for his friends.

"Can we get something to drink first?”

"Of course," he said. “It’s my treat. Tell me everything about the interview.”

“Ugh, don’t even remind me,” you groaned, taking impatient steps forward.

He laughed at your eagerness, his hand slowly gliding down until it met yours. Your fingers were loosely interlaced. It was timid and tender, like hugging a ticking bomb. You went on about the interview, what they asked, how the professors were, and how you replied to their questions. 

Slowly and carefully, your fingers were wholly locked together. Neither of you minded.

Spin the Bottle is a better game than Truth or Dare.

Truth or dare engages people in dense, involuntary acts and unconvincing lies that people have to spring up on the spur of the moment. Spin the bottle serves a chance that it might never land on you. Even if it did, so what? A kiss on the cheek will always suffice.

You kept repeating it in your head as you sat in a circle of unfamiliar people. Jiae insisted that you sit beside her despite her friends sending you uncomfortable glances. 

Jisung, who sat across from you, shared a pointed look with you before the game started that asked if you wanted him to step in and pull you out of your position.

You had shook your head. The tension was awkward enough when you showed up, and his desperate vouch for you made it worse when his friends verbally questioned your presence. You didn’t want to make it worse by refusing to sit where you were wanted. 

In retrospect, you should have thought this through. All you did all night was rub your arms and feel out of place. Jisung could try to include you, but he also has to engage with his friends and could never be at two places at once.

You had gobbled your dinner so you could hide in the kitchen, where you had a decent conversation with Seungmin, who admitted that he should have spoken up at the cafeteria this afternoon but also did not feel bad that he didn’t. You appreciated he stood by his decision. You thought you two could become friends because of it. 

Annoyed groans ensued after a round of Jisung frantically smooching Hyunjin’s cheek. People who enjoyed the game were always the most boring to observe, but even you couldn't help but breathe out a giggle or two at their over-exaggerated action. 

After the two lovebirds were finished, Hyunjin reached out to turn the water bottle. It landed on Seungmin, who rolled his eyes when his friends whistled and hollered. 

He got down from the couch and reached over to turn the water bottle. You focused on it intently, watching as it slowed to a halt and realizing that the tip of the bottle was pointed directly at you.

You opened your mouth and attempted to scoot off to the side. "Oh, I think it is pointing at you, Jiae."

“What? No, it’s not.” Hyunjin leaned down to the level of the bottle. He opened one eye for accuracy as it shifted between the bottle and you. “Uh-huh. I’m sure it’s on you, [Name].”

You blew air out of your mouth, your eyes widening awkwardly. Talk about speed-running a friendship. You just introduced yourselves to each other in the kitchen, and you openly accused him of keeping silent when you were being picked on while he explained it by telling you he didn’t really care when it was happening. 

Looking over at Jisung, you saw that he was suppressing a giggle, gesturing to his friend and whispering inside jokes you would never understand. You shuddered when you caught his eyes while he shrugged, hardening his gaze at you mischievously.

Upon the silence, Jiae gigged as she waved at Seungmin. 

“I know you’re not being shy,” she said. “Of do you just not want to kiss them?”

“You’re right,” Seungmin replied monotonously. “I don’t want to kiss them.”

Your jaw dropped with a disdainful scoff. His expression was valid, but you didn’t like that he said it first. 

“I don’t want to kiss you either. I barely know you,” you retorted. “You’re not all that, Kim Seungmin.”

“Where did that even come from?” he questioned with a raised brow. “This can’t be about what I said in the kitchen, can it?”

“What did you say in the kitchen?”

“What if it is?” You both ignored Hyunjin’s question. You leaned forward with a glare, but your lips quirked gradually into a patronizing smirk. “Why does it matter to you? I thought you didn’t care.”

“I didn’t.”

“The conversation would have ended way earlier if that’s true.”

Hyunjin nudged Jisung’s side with his elbow as his eyes darted between you and Seungmin, who were sparking up a lightning line across your glares. Jisung turned to him, equally as confused but intrigued by the conversation differently.

Hyunjin was here for gossip. Jisung wanted to know when you even had a conversation with Seungmin and what you guys talked about that was enough to allow you two to argue like this—

“Dude,” Hyunjin giggled under his breath, “this is the beginning of every rival to lovers story.”

—like you two had chemistry together. 

Seungmin pursed his lips in silence as he accessed your furrowed brows. Next to you was Jiae, whose fingers uncontrollably tapped against her crossed legs impatiently. 

If there was anything he knew, he was in better standing with you than with her because of all the accusations he threw at the friend group this afternoon after Jisung left the table. 

She was making an attempt to single you out and humiliate you. You were trying to put him down out of a personal grudge. He disliked you less than he couldn’t care about her.

Most importantly, he wanted to spite you both.

“I’ll kiss you,” he said. “Actually, I’ll kiss you on the mouth because I don’t care.”

You widened your eyes and stuck your tongue to your inner cheek, a chuckle of disbelief vanishing when you watched him get up from the couch to walk toward you. He never struck you as someone who would care about his first kiss, or a kiss. You couldn’t imagine someone like him having a first kiss already.

You wanted to move out of the way or to verbally protest, but the competitive spirit in your heart told you to go through with it so you wouldn’t be some big loser. 

You glared at him when he crouched in front of you, leaning away from his hand when he tried to hold your face. “Are you serious?”

Seungmin smirked triumphantly, his nose scrunching. “Scared?”

“Who’s scared?” 

“You are.”

“I’m–“ you pursed your lips and exhaled. “I’m not. I just–“

Before you finished your sentence, he leaned in to plant a peck on your cheek, causing you to gasp. Your hand automatically flew up to grip his wrist, a flushing heat spread over your face when he leaned away and met eyes with you. The hair on your neck rose at the unexpected occasion, and if you weren’t so appalled, you would have noticed the tint of red on his ears.

Jisung's initial playfulness was partially gone when you and Seungmin were bantering. It has completely vanished now that the deed was done. At his angle, he wasn’t sure if his friend really kissed you on the mouth, and your reactions gave him no benefit of the doubt.

He rolled the inside of his bottom lip over his front teeth; grind, pull, grind, pull. There was a knot in his stomach he couldn’t loosen and frustration in his fists he couldn’t uncurl. When the stare you and Seungmin shared prolonged for over a few seconds, he forced himself to look down at his lap.

He hadn’t realized it, but all that crossed his mind was that he was being close. Seungmin was being too close to you. It was out of his comfort zone. He wanted to get between you and laugh him away. 

“Jisung! Spin the bottle!"

He snapped out of his thoughts. Seungmin returned to his seat on the couch, and you looked at him curiously. Everyone was looking at him, but you were the only face he cared to decipher. 

Hesitantly, he reached out and turned the bottle. His heart beats with every turn, flickering with prayers that it lands on you. Not just because he wanted to kiss you but also because he couldn’t fathom kissing anyone else. 

Miraculously, the tip of the bottle landed on you again. There was a gentle uproar in the circle as Jisung’s visibly perked up. In his head, he had already crawled over to you and pressed his lips against yours. In his dreams, you accepted it. 

In his dreams, you were together, love clear, and hearts inter-winded. He always woke up blushing, recalling every moment as he stared at the ceiling until his mother came knocking. 

It also plagued him sometimes. He wasn’t sure how he could explain to his future soulmate that he had already fallen in love with someone else.

Your alarmed gaze met his when he searched for you. There was a burn where your soul mark was, and you palmed over it uneasily. When Seungmin spun the bottle, you didn’t particularly cared if he kissed you outside of the conditioned value that a kiss was meant between lovers. But with Jisung—he’s too important. 

This would be the closest you have ever been with each other. His lips on your skin. It could not happen because of some stupid game. It could not be dictated by a sleepover activity you didn’t want to participate in.

“[Name]! Can you change out the water bottle? It’s been squeezed so much it doesn’t even turn that well anymore,” Jiae requested quickly when she noticed Jisung getting up. She moved to the center, grabbed the plastic bottle, and handed it to you. “Here. You’re such a love!”

“Huh? It’s a plastic bottle. You can just blow it back up–" Hyunjin clamped his mouth shut when the girl threw him a threatening smile.

You received the bottle reluctantly but nodded anyway. This was a good reason to escape the game. Without arguing, you stood up and walked out of the living room. Jisung watched your departure with disappointment, his feet pausing into a dejected position. Hyunjin yelped when he dropped his weight on the floor and sulked. 

“Why would you do that?”

Jiae, who had sat down with a satisfied expression, tilted her head. “I’m sorry?”

“Why did you do that?” Jisung looked up, frustrated but not rude enough to show his anger. He rubbed his face and dropped his head between his knees, a bored and monotonous hum fleeing his mouth. “I almost had it. You ruined my chance. Seungmin did it and you ruined mine.”

“Jisung?" Hyunjin called gently with a poke to his friend’s arm. “Are you okay?”

“I’m not!” Jisung exclaimed. He let go of his face and sighed. “You’re being rude. You have been rude to [Name] this whole time. Getting puddings, switching out a water bottle. They’re my friend, too!”

Jiae looked startled, as did everyone else. Jisung had never been one to scold. He was always the mediator while the others stepped up to make everything worse. This headstrong side of him has only been brought out by you, back at the library when he accused you and this moment. 

Ever since what happened at the cafeteria, there was no chance that Jisung would let that kind of disappointment flash before your eyes again.

“That’s one way to make sure she’ll go to prom with you, Jisung,” someone said.

“I haven’t even asked,” Jisung said. “I don’t think I plan to anymore.”

There was a moment of painful silence. Hyunjin and Seungmin shared a knowing glance with each other, acknowledging that your presence alone might have just ruined the overall atmosphere of their friend group, but their eyes were accepting when they turned to look at Jisung.

If Jisung cared about you this much to break out of his comfort zone, they would do the same.

“Um, I’m not sure if it’s okay, but I got a different type of water bottle.” You entered the living room again to be welcomed by a dreadful quietness. Glancing at Jisung questioningly, you decided to stand by the door and wait it out.

Jiae rolled her eyes and scoffed. Scrambling onto her feet, she brushed past you to leave the living room. “Whatever, I'm heading to bed. You guys can have the guest room."

You made space as her friends scooted past you, leaving you bewildered. Last time you checked, it only took you a minute to get a new water bottle, not half an hour. Hyunjin and Seungmin got up, too, the taller boy dragging his friend along and bidding you a cheerful farewell before disappearing into the hallway. 

"Nothing happened," Jisung replied without your need to ask.

“Okay.” You eyed him suspiciously as he approached you. “I'm gonna head back home then."

"What? No, stay,” he said, gesturing upstairs. “We're all sleeping in the guest room.”

“Your friends–“

“Would love to get to know you too.”

You pursed your lips and shook your head. There must be a limited number of beds in the guest room, if there wasn’t just one. You would not be comfortable sleeping with strangers and weren’t sure if you were ready to be so close to Jisung. Your odd presence would mess up the sleeping arrangement, so you’d rather leave peacefully. 

“I’ll sleep in the living room. You go hang out with your friends,” you said. “This is a sleepover. Go and have fun. Besides, it’s the best chance for you to ask Jiae to prom right now.”

Jisung opened his mouth to protest, but you interrupted him by pushing him back and getting him out of the living room.”  Don’t make this more complicated than it has to be. I’ll stay here, I promise. You will see me in the morning.”

He pouted, looking at you as he took a few steps back. He stopped by the staircase, his hand holding onto the railing in hopes that you would change your mind at the last minute, but you only shooed him away with your arms. 

"I'll be fine. I have the couch all to myself," you said. "Go have a nice girl talk."

You shut the door between the hallway and the living room and turned around to face the empty area. With a tired sigh, you moved over to your bag and got out your essentials, preparing to start your nighttime routine alone.

Jisung had woken up in the middle of the night. His groggy eyes adjusted slowly to the dim light outside the window before he stood up and carefully stepped over his friends who slept on the floor. He put his arms out to feel for the walls and any obstacles as he headed for the kitchen to get a well-deserved glass of water.

Opening the door to the living room, his eyes trailed from the dining table to the couch, and it hit him that you had chosen to sleep on the couch. He tilted his head to the side, his thirst for water disappearing as he approached your sleeping figure instead. The floor beneath him was cold, but the edge of the couch where you lay wasn’t. 

He knelt at the side, his arms flat against the soft surface with his chin on top.

Your peaceful face was one of the things he loved about you. You were utterly unguarded and unaware. Sometimes, he thought the only time you weren’t angry was when you were asleep, and he wished things were different. He wished nothing bad ever happened to you. 

Reaching out to gently trace the back of his finger against your cheek, his eyes admired your features every step before they landed on your arm.

The sleeve of your sweater was scooted up loosely around your wrist, threatening to reveal the soul mark you had once desperately hidden from his sight. You hid it from him for a reason, and he would have otherwise respected your wishes if curiosity didn’t get the best of him. 

Observing your stillness, his hand timidly moved to grab hold of the fabric and pulled it up your forearm. The long sentence began to reveal itself. He angled his head to look at the words better.

tell me baby you're the happiest when you're with me right

Jisung inhaled, and his breathing stilled. He told you that. That was the first thing he has ever said to you. It was the exact line. 

He’s the one. He is your soulmate.

He is yours.

Your eyes were opened when Jisung turned to look at your face. You had been awake ever since you felt the gentle touch on your cheek, but you were too late to have stopped him from reading your mark.

You trembled, expecting Jisung to show you anger or at least something akin to frustration. But he only held your gaze under the soft light. 

"I'm your soulmate,” he whispered.

You nodded, and your voice was equally quiet. “Yeah.”

"Why didn't you tell me?"

“I didn’t think you’d love me.”

Jisung sighed heartbrokenly. How could you still think after all the conversations you’ve had? 

Wordlessly, he got onto his knees and leaned over so his face could get close to yours. Your eyes were getting hazy at the proximity, and you couldn’t do anything but wait for him. He took the initiative, mostly because he felt like if he didn’t take the chance to kiss you right now, he would regret it later.

You closed your eyes as soon as you felt the soft surface of his lips touch yours. The next few seconds as Jisung pressed himself up against you were pure ecstasy, the blossomed longing in his chest withering into fallen petals before the breeze blew them toward you.

Your hands found their way to his neck, pulling him down as you sunk against the pillow. The background had dissolved into a shade of white. It was only the two of you, sharing an intimate moment on the couch with the dim moonlight shining at the end of your legs as if it was shyly glancing away from Jisung’s wandering hands and your delighted expression.

Jisung was short of breath when his hands went from your hips to your hair. He hadn’t even recognized it until he found himself laying his entire weight down on your body in exhaustion, feeling your heart beat in line with his.

He wouldn’t have known. Your lips were like oxygen, and he couldn’t tell if he was breathing when he kissed you. He gently angled his face to take your bottom lip, pressing tight for a long moment before pulling away, resisting the temptation to dive in again when he saw your eyes.

You two didn’t speak. There wasn’t a need to say any words. Your actions had conveyed pretty much everything you needed to know about him and him about you.

Refusing to leave, Jisung laid his head on your shoulder, the warmth of your body giving him complete solace. He found himself never wanting to leave this position.

He had known all along the feeling he held for you. He wouldn’t have debated his feelings for you and how they conflicted with his future soulmate if he didn’t know. It took a slight push for him to finally bring it to light. 

Jisung smiled a little at the thought of having a sacred bond between you and him, and he would be eternally amazed at how miraculous it was. 

Despite not knowing the truth, the link had brought you two together anyway. It pulled him towards you and made him feel things he had never felt. He didn’t need to know his soulmate to love them; he had been right before. He couldn’t imagine never being in love with you.

You woke up earlier than everyone else and slowly slipped out of the couch, leaving Jisung sound asleep. You moved quick, getting ready in the bathroom and sneaking back to the living room to pack your things and leave with a small note stuck to the tea table.

But Jisung was a step ahead of you, his eyes big and round as he greeted you from the couch, his lips pursing into an excited grin. 

You melted, offering him a faint smile. “Hey, Jisung. I’m going to head back home, so I’ll see you in school, okay?”

Jisung sat up with a pout. “Why? Did your mom call?”

“Uh, sure,” you replied.

“Oh,” he nodded as he exited the couch, “I’ll come with you.”

“No, it’s okay,” you said. 

“It’s Saturday. We can hang out!” he exclaimed, rubbing his head. “And, you know, I can meet your mom.” 

“What? That’s so–“ you laughed as you aggressively zipped your bag. “You’re funny!”

He squinted his eyes. He thought he was hallucinating because he was groggy, but there was something off about you. When you threw your bag over your shoulder, he reached out to hold your hand and pulled you back.

“Hold on, what’s wrong?” he asked. “You’re off.”

“Off to go home! Yes, I am!” 

“[Name].”

“Okay, fine.” You sighed. “It’s nothing. I’ve always been like this. You’re you, and I’m me.”

You wouldn’t look at him in the eyes. Judging by your impulsive actions and the lack of bashfulness, he knew this was about what happened yesterday night. 

“You’re pushing me away,” he said, his voice sounding like alarm bells. “You’re freaked out.”

“Jisung, I'm not pushing you away," you muttered. “We're still friends.”

“You kissed me back,” he pointed out in disbelief. “Your arms were around my neck. I was on top of you. We made out.”

You gulped at the thought of that. It had been going on rewind in your head the whole morning. Even now, as you looked at Jisung, you felt your gaze gravitating towards his lips.

“I’m not ready, Jisung,” you whispered. “I can’t do it now.”

“Okay.” He nodded, his voice much softer. “But it meant something. It meant something to you?”

"Yeah, I guess," you muttered. "But you–"

“You are very worried about me.”

"You don't love me, Jisung," you whispered. “You love me because we're soulmates.”

That wasn’t true, but telling you that wouldn’t suddenly change your point of view. Otherwise, Jisung wasn’t sure if there was anything he could say to convince you that he was wholeheartedly in love with you.

You licked your lip and pulled away from him. “I'll see you at school,”

The softness of your voice pierced a hole in his heart, but he told himself to be patient. The time will come when he knows what to say, which will surely make you change your mind and believe that someone could love you.

When he finally crossed through your barrier, and you finally let him all the way in, he could never let you go again.

Things have changed. You two continued to hang out after school, having dinner in a different restaurant every day and chatting away as you would. But occasionally, a moment of dreadful silence would send the back of your hair raising.

You hated it as much as you hated the prom proposal you were witnessing.

Standing at the corner of the cafeteria where the entrance doors were, your deadpan eyes watched as everyone stopped to watch the public proposal unfold. No one questioned when Jisung stepped up on the table with empty hands as if they had expected this to happen at some point.

There were no banners, flowers, speakers, or microphones. It was him and his voice alone. You were certain half of your annoyance came from seeing his bare minimum. 

Jiae playfully shoved her friends as they pushed her forward, making her stand close to the table. She looked up at Jisung expectantly, and Jisung looked unfocused and nervous. It took a harsh shove from his Seungmin and a sharp glare thrown toward you for him to snap out of his trance.

Jisung crouched suddenly, facing Seungmin, who rolled his eyes in return.

Jisung ran a hand through his hair, a grimace on his face. ”Is it necessary? They probably hate public proposals like this.”

“Listen, they are standing all the way over by the doors. Either way, you're going to have to yell for them to hear you," Seungmin pointed out, nudging his head toward the direction you were in.

“So none of us care that Jiae stepped up alone?” Hyunjin asked shakily as he pushed himself closer to Seungmin, occasionally peeking behind Jisung’s shoulder.

Seungmin raised a fist and put it down when Jisung habitually leaned away. He stepped up, leaning over to speak in Jisung's ear. 

“If you want things to return to the way they were, you have to try,” he said, then shrugged. “Either you ask them to prom, or I will.”

"Or I will!” Felix chimed in, “We’ve become pretty good friends. They will go to a friendly prom with me!”

Jisung exhaled deeply. Seungmin was right. He has to properly announce his feelings for both of your sake. You needed to hear from him that he loves you, all business and no jokes.

“Yeah.” He looked off to the side and nodded. “You guys are insufferable. I love you both.”

Seungmin flinched and shook the words off his chest while Hyunjin grinned and sent Jisung flying kisses as he stood up to be in the spotlight. 

“[Name],” Jisung started, his voice echoing throughout the room. He looked over to the side, to where you were standing. When you flashed him a reluctant smile of encouragement, his heart clenched. He didn’t look away as he spoke. “Will you go to prom with me?”

You gasped along with the rest of the students, your eyes widening in shock. His proposal prompted everyone else to stare at you. It was embarrassing. You could only curse, duck your head, and spin to leave the cafeteria.

The crowd hollered in disappointment and hilarity at your reaction. Jisung panicked and jumped off the table, tipping over and barely catching himself when he landed on the ground. He shifted past a sea of people laughing at his face and welcomed the fresh air outside the cafeteria. He ran, turning corners and racing down hallways before he caught up to you.

You could hear the door to your empty classroom burst open harshly and rapid footsteps following behind. You spun around, glaring at him with a heavy frown. It was still baffling that he would do something outrageous, knowing how much you hated the attention. Still, you were more mad at him for the indirect confession than the crowd.

“What was that? We had a plan!"

“No, you had a plan, and I had a plan of my own,” Jisung said, marching up to you. He halted to a stop when he was of considerable distance, and he took a dramatic breath. 

This was the moment for him to change everything. This has to work.

“I love you. I really do. I don’t know how else I can express that besides being straightforward. Just because you don’t believe me or don’t want to believe me does not make my feelings any less true. I can’t read your mind, I don’t know how you feel, but I know that you’re denying my feelings because you don’t think you’re good enough for me, which isn’t a call for you to make. I choose what is best for me

“And fine, maybe I wouldn't have loved you if we weren't soulmates. But you are my soulmate, and I do love you now. Actually, if anything, your lack of trust in me is invalidating and demeaning. It upsets me! You upset me!”

His voice sounded as if he had bottled up many emotions inside. He wasn’t sticking to the script his friends made for him anymore. He was going to pour his heart out to you, and his heart told him he was pretty angry.

You blinked at the increasing grit in his voice. It felt familiar. He called you out once like this; that was the beginning of your friendship. You let your guard down back then because you liked him, and no matter how much you tried to cover your eyes, you could see it was the best decision you’ve made. 

“This is your master plan?” you muttered. “To yell at me?”

“What, no. I’m not yelling at you. I don’t want to yell at you.” His eyes rounded as he waved his hands in disagreement. “I’m sorry. I love you.”

His pleading eyes made you scoff, but there was laughter in them like you couldn’t stand him in the most endearing way possible. 

His shoulders shuddered when you reached for his hands and carefully closed the gap between your feet. 

“This is a chance,” you said. “I’m still not entirely ready for this.”

It took him a moment. When he realized you mailed him an acceptance letter, he squeezed your hands and nodded. “We’ll figure it out.”

You smiled, relief flushing over your chest upon his familiarity, like closing the last page of a long book. You’ve missed his stillness and his presence overall. You’re glad you got to have him back so quickly.

"I'm not going to prom," you said.

"It's okay,” he said. “We can stay home. We can turn on fairy lights and be cliché together."

“As if falling in love with your soulmate isn’t cliché enough,” you snorted with a slight eye roll while Jisung scrunched his nose at how casually you talked about you both.

“Speaking of soulmates,” he said. “You haven't given me an answer yet.”

You tilted your head. “To what?”

Jisung pulled at your sleeve to reveal your soul mark before he turned to look at you, a smirk on his face.” Tell me, baby. You’re the happiest when you're with me, right?”

“Goodbye.” You rolled your eyes, giving him a light shove before spinning on your heels and walking away.

Jisung giggled, catching up to you again and again. Judging by how you smiled as he interlocked your hands, the answer was crystal clear without needing words.

You were both very sure that you were happiest when you were with Han Jisung.

[ranpazz]

ARE YOU DEATH OR PARADISE? ft. Dazai Osamu

synopsis ; He thought he could prevent your inevitable death. How foolish he was to believe that he'd succeed where he failed in every world.

cw ; beast!zai, character death, angst/no comfort, gn!reader, not proofread (it's me.), someone needs to take Billie Ellish away from me.

Death.

Humans fear two things. The inevitable, and what they dont know. The first thing is what most humans tend to try and avoid, knowing that it's impossible. Some fear it, some wish for it. To Dazai, it was something that he felt the duality of. He feared it– only when it prayed and caught onto those he cherished most, yet he wished for it to the point it was not sane.

In this world, the very one he fabricated every tiny detail down to the wire, he assured himself that nothing could truly avoid his watchful eye. He even brought you along with him to ensure that fact. You're something precious, possibly even otherworldly, to Dazai, even in the realities that he's a mere spectator of. The memories of you that plague his mind like flies swarming food.

He wanted to believe that, even just for a moment, you were his. That you didn't belong to the versions of him from another world– you were solely his. Dazai protected you, he has the resources in this world to save you from the very fate that found you in every universe– death. You were supposed to be safe. You were not supposed to be lost. This wasn't supposed to happen again. Then again, Dazai knew better.

So why did he hope that you were any different?

Why did he believe that when he witnessed you die on the CCTV footage, killed by a threat greater than himself, you were merely playing a game? Why did he, for once, pray to a God that this was not the horrid reality it was meant to be? Why was life so far away from fair, taking away the only string of sanity that kept him going in this world?

It was simple, really. He was Dazai Osamu. Everything he wants is lost the moment he obtains it.

Which led him here, hovering over your body, clutching you tightly in his grasp as if you'd vanish the moment he let you go. He was trembling, your blood was staining his hands, tainting the bandages he wore a deep shade of scarlet. Dazai had never cried before, but he could feel his tear ducts stinging, his vision blurring.

Chuuya’s shouts were ignored, all Dazai could focus on was how at peace you looked. Your hair was disheveled, yet it framed your face with the upmost delicacy, your lifeless eyes were closed, thick lashes mocking him, causing him to ponder that you might just be toying with him. Unfortunately, the lack of a heartbeat in your ribs, the paleness of your skin, and the way no air entered nor left your body, said otherwise.

The pages of that godforsaken book tunneled his vision, the sentences that spelt out your death tantalizing him. He knows, so stop it. Stop reminding him of what he lost. Dazai knew he was reckless, stupid for bringing you into this life when he should have left you alone. He should have learned from those other versions him that it's best not to become attached. The original version learned from Oda, so how come he just had not learned his lesson from you?

It could have been that he did not want to accept the truth of your demise. You had loved him so tenderly, accepted every one of his flaws, remained patient with him no matter what occurred. You were practically his safe-haven in each universe. Maybe it was your understanding that led him to forgetting the reason why he told himself to stay away. Or possibly it was the sheer love that he refused to acknowledge until the last minute.

.

.

In the next life, he'll try again. You'll stay safe, you'll stay alive. He'll do whatever it takes for you to stay by his side.

Next time, he'll do things differently.

divider by @kodaswrld

[into-fiction]

gelphie - soulmates

just something short based on the idea in this post since people seemed to like it so much!

---

There are two reasons a person would go months without a soul mark appearing on their skin. The first is easy, simple, and very normal: their soulmate is not yet sixteen. 

On the day of her sixteenth birthday, the first thing Elphaba did was look in the mirror. Then, still buzzing with hope despite seeing nothing new, she grabbed an ink-filled pen and sat down to write her first message. 

My name is Elphaba. I’m from Munchkinland. I like hot tea and reading poetry and learning new things. I want to go to the Emerald City someday. I can’t wait to meet you. 

And then she’d waited. Because Elphaba had been pushed aside her whole life. Elphaba had been second place, unwelcome, bullied and picked on and teased. Nobody had ever wanted Elphaba. 

But a soulmate was the other half of you. It was the person you were designed to love most in the world. Someone to complete you. Someone that the universe gave to you to tell you you’re not alone. 

Elphaba had waited sixteen years to find someone like that. And when days passed without anything appearing in response, she told herself it was fine. Maybe her soulmate wasn’t old enough yet. Elphaba had waited sixteen years; she could wait a few more weeks. 

But then the weeks turned into months and the months turned into years and eventually, Elphaba stopped writing. Eventually, Elphaba stopped hoping. By the time five years came and went, Elphaba had stopped even looking. 

There are two reasons a person would go months without a soul mark appearing on their skin. The first is easy. Simple. Normal. The second…well, Elphaba had been alone all her life. Maybe- maybe the universe had decided she would always be. 

***

On her first night at Shiz, Galinda finished writing her letter to her parents and then- she looked down. She eyed the blank skin canvas of her arm, her pen still dripping ink. She could…she could do it. There was noone stopping her. There was noone to see that she’d broken the rules. 

My name is Galinda Upland, she could say. I’m from Frottica but I go to Shiz University now. I like soft dresses and the color pink and I want to study sorcery. Do you go to University? Do you have a favorite color? Do you think…you would want to meet me? 

Galinda swallowed hard at the last thought. What if they didn’t? What if they hated Galinda for making them wait? What if they didn’t respond? What if they didn’t want her? What if they were already gone? 

Galinda’s trembling hand scattered drops of ink across the paper, but her arm stayed smooth and clear. What if I’m not good enough for you? What if I’m too much? My momsie used to say that. You’re too much, Galinda! My friends have said it too. I’m a lot. A lot of loud, a lot of weird, a lot of a person. I’m scared that there’s too much of me. 

I’m scared you’ll think so too. 

[heavensenteden]

✎ caught you! | nsfw fic 🔞

☆彡

i finally pulled myself up to write a TKaTB fic.

i wanted a reader who was freaky like sol and matched his freak LOL, so we have reader who is aware!!

i’m also brain rotted about this man sooo bad it’s insane guys help!

enjoy ;P

link to ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/62611723

pls minors dni and dnr ⭐️

word count: 3747

🌱˖ ִֶָ 𓂃⭒

The library was quiet today, save for the soft rustle of pages from students studying diligently and the occasional creak of the old bookshelves that your university so desperately needed to replace.

You liked it this way, a nice, quiet place far away from everyone, where you could just relax and be alone, and where Solivan’s eyes could follow you without drawing much attention. He was sitting nearby, alone at the end of the big oak table tucked away in one of the library’s four corners.

You had purposefully chosen a spot where he could watch you, presenting yourself out in the open for him. Pretty generous of you, honestly. You could feel it. Sol’s gaze, always lingering on you, his presence a shadow at the edge of your peripheral vision.

Occasionally, you’d glance up on purpose, just to catch a glimpse of his eyes meeting yours before he buried himself back into whatever book he had open, his face flushing that pretty red colour.

It was comforting in a twisted, intoxicating way. You already knew he was infatuated with you. It started off quite tame, to be fair; you hadn’t really noticed him before since he always sat at the back of the class, away from judgmental eyes.

But then the little things started. A shadow following you home, or that burning feeling of being watched.

Then one windy evening, you came back home to your apartment to find your window lock broken, and the place freezing because of it. Naturally, you freaked out. You called Crowe to come assess the damage, check if anything was missing, and to keep you company while you tied a flimsy ribbon around the latch, hoping it would be enough to keep your stalker out.

Unfortunately, Sol needed a lot more than ribbon to deter him.

That same night, he oh so easily undid your makeshift lock and slid right up next to your unconscious sleeping body, stroking your hair and holding your hand as if you were lovers.

Unlucky for him, you were a light sleeper, and the slight brush of his hand woke you. The room was so dark, save for the beams of moonlight streaming through the same window Sol had crept through not too long ago. You could only catch pieces of green and black hair shuffling around as you lay, somewhat petrified, in bed.

Then he spoke.

“My sweet pumpkin… sorry about your lock. I’ll make it up to you, I promise,” his lips ghosting over the shell of your ear as he whispered to you sweetly.

You felt him shift, pressing a gentle kiss to your cheek before sliding out of your bed, bidding your “sleeping” self goodbye as he slipped back out through your window. By the time you scurried to see his figure outside, he was already gone.

The next day, his actions couldn’t have been more different. You met him face to face in your art class, where you were paired as new partners for the upcoming project.

“My name is Solivan Brugmansia. Sol for short,” he said.

It was the same voice.

At the time, your blood ran cold as you realized the tall, brooding man in front of you was the same one who’d been lying next to you in bed the night before, breaking into your apartment just for a few moments of bliss with you. You.

Were you creeped out? Of course. Scared? Maybe a little. But for some sick reason, you were flattered that he’d taken such a liking to you.

“Sol… like the sun? That’s so cute, considering you’re dressed so… alternatively,” you said, deciding to experiment a little.

You stepped closer, your hand brushing against the thick black-and-green choker he wore. Your fingers moved lower to lift the key necklace around his neck, examining it carefully. Hmm. It didn’t look like a key to your apartment, so that was good.

You looked up at him, offering a sweet smile as you stepped back. You noticed how red he’d gotten and how he murmured under his breath about how pretty you were, clearly under the assumption that you hadn’t heard.

Oh, you were going to have fun with this one.

-

Today, you decided to push him further and tease him a little to see how he’d react.

Standing up from your seat, you knew Sol’s eyes would already be on you, watching and studying your every move as you walked over to the English section. To be fair, you actually did need some books for an upcoming research paper but you grabbed one at random in all honesty.

As you scanned the shelves, you found the perfect target: a book just out of reach. You stretched your arm dramatically, fingers brushing the spine but never quite making contact. You let out a dramatic, frustrated sigh, even pouting a little as you looked up at the book, knowing full well Sol was watching.

“Having trouble?” His voice was velvet, smooth and dark, as he appeared from nowhere. His tall figure loomed just behind you, towering over your own, and close enough that you could feel the warmth radiating off his body.

You turned to him, feigning surprise. “Oh, Sol! I didn’t see you there. Could you help me, please?” You looked up at him with pouty lips and big eyes, clasping your hands together as you played the damsel in distress. And he was eating it up.

His pierced lips curved into a small smile, but his eyes, those intense, bright eyes, burned with something else. “Let me help you.”

He reached over your shorter body, effortlessly pulling the book from its place. His arm brushed yours, and you shivered, allowing the reaction to linger longer than necessary. He noticed. Of course he did.

“Oh, thank you, Sol,” you said softly, looking up at him through your lashes. “God, you’re such a lifesaver for me!”

Something flickered in his gaze. Satisfaction? Possessiveness? Maybe it was a bit of both. “Anything for you,” he murmured.

You took the book from his hands, letting your fingers graze his. A deliberate move, subtle but effective. His breath hitched, barely audible, but you caught it.

“Are you studying by yourself?”

Holding the book he’d just grabbed for you close to your chest, an idea popped into your head.

“Yeah, I was uh… sitting over there.”

Sol’s gaze shifted as he gestured to the big oak table he’d been seated at earlier. Thank god he’d picked a more isolated area to reside in.

“Oh my god, perfect! I’ll come sit with you!”

Before he could get an answer in, you zipped back to your study area to gather your bag and papers, carrying it all over to the empty table, save for Sol’s setup, and dropped it all on top.

“You don’t have to stay with me, you know,” he said, glancing at you as he slipped back onto his chair. “I’m fine on my own.”

“I like being with you, though,” you replied, your voice now more quiet since, well, you were in the library. “With you.”

He blinked, his cheeks flushing as he tried to focus back on his book, but you weren’t about to make it that easy for him. You slipped into the chair beside him, leaning slightly over the table as you pretended to skim through the pages of the book he’d grabbed for you.

“Hey, Sol,” you said, your tone sweet but laced with mischief. “Do you think Edgar Allan Poe was really that depressing, or do you think he was just dramatic?”

He looked at you, clearly caught off guard by the sudden shift in topic. “Poe… was a complicated man,” he began. “His life was filled with tragedy, but I think he used his writing as a way to… cope.”

“Hmm,” you mused, tilting your head as if deep in thought. “I don’t know, some of his stuff just seems so… intense. Maybe I’m just not smart enough to get it?” You leaned in closer, your shoulder brushing against his as you gave him a wide-eyed, innocent look.

“That’s not true,” he said quickly, his voice firm. “You’re incredibly intelligent.”

“Aww, you really think so?” you cooed, leaning even closer until your face was mere inches from his. His breath hitched, and you swore you saw his grip tighten on the edge of the table.

Before he could respond, you shifted, swinging a leg over to settle yourself on his lap. His entire body went rigid beneath you, and his face turned a deep, furious red.

“What are you doing?” he stammered, his hands hovering awkwardly near your hips, unsure of where to place them.

“Getting comfortable,” you said simply, wrapping your arms around his neck as you leaned in close, your lips nearly brushing his ear. “Is that okay?”

He swallowed hard, his hands finally resting on your waist as if he couldn’t help himself. “Y-yeah, it’s okay,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

You could feel the tension in his body, the way his breaths came out more quickly, staggered, and you knew you had him exactly where you wanted him. The hard press of his cock hidden beneath the layers of clothing between you only confirmed it, and you smiled to yourself, savouring the bit of power you held over him.

You hummed, pretending to be clueless about his… growing problem as you skimmed your books, jotting down notes here and there, while Sol struggled to even get through one paragraph of the book he was reading, your body on top of his becoming too much of a distraction.

The girl of his dreams, the one he snuck out to see every night, the one he studied so closely and had fantasies about, was, right now, in this very moment, sitting on his lap. Her plush ass perfectly slotted against his body. And it was driving him insane.

“Sol?” you asked suddenly, your voice cutting through his haze. “You haven’t turned the page in a while. Is it boring?”

His eyes darted to yours, wide and panicked, as if you’d caught him doing something forbidden. “N-no, it’s fine,” he stammered, his hands flexing against your waist. “Just… distracted.”

You tilted your head, feigning innocence. “Distracted? By what?” You leaned in close, your lips brushing the shell of his ear as you whispered, “Is something on your mind? You can talk to me, you know…”

His breath hitched again, and he clutched you tighter as if grounding himself. “No,” he whispered, voice low and strained. “I-I’m okay.”

You smiled, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek, savoring the way he froze beneath you. “If you’re so sure,” you murmured, your voice laced with a little bit of concern. “Because if you need to talk I’m always here for you sweetness.”

Yeah that did it.

Sol’s pants felt so tight as the curve of your ass shifted on and off his hard, clothed cock, and he bit his lip to try and stifle any noises as you moved around. His hands gripped your waist as he spoke into your ear, low and raspy.

Sol’s hands trembled as they clutched your waist, his knuckles whitening with restraint. “Please… sit still,” he begged, his voice strained and heavy with need.

You tilted your head, pretending to consider his plea, your lips curling into a wicked smile. “Hmm, I don’t know,” you teased, shifting just slightly, enough to make him suck in a sharp breath. “You seem a little tense, Sol. Are you sure you’re okay?”

His eyes darted to yours, wide and desperate. “I-I need… I should go.”

Before you could respond, he gently lifted you off his lap and bolted from the table, his long strides carrying him toward the exit of the library and to the left, down the hall to where the bathrooms were tucked away.

You watched him disappear through the library exit, a slow grin spreading across your face. How adorable. He thought he could hide from you.

Leaving your things behind, you followed. The hallway leading to the bathrooms was dimly lit, the hum of fluorescent lights buzzing faintly above, reminding you for a moment of how shitty this university could be.

You pushed the door open silently, locking it behind you with ease and stepped inside, finding Sol leaning over the sink, his head bowed, gripping the edges so tightly his knuckles were pale. He was panting, looking as if he might pass out from just being teased by you, his hard-on visible to you as it strained against his pants.

“Running away from me, Sol?” you asked, your voice lilting as you closed the distance between you.

He froze, lifting his head up instantly, his reflection in the mirror staring back at you, panic swirling in his bright eyes. “W-What are you doing here?” he stammered, his voice cracking slightly as he turned around to face you.

You stopped just behind him, close enough that your breath brushed along the nape of his neck. “You ran off so suddenly… I got worried,” you murmured, your fingers trailing lightly along the edge of his sleeve, brushing his fingers with yours. “What’s wrong, Sol? Did I do something wrong?”

“N-no,” he choked out, refusing to meet your gaze. His hands flexed against the sink, and you noticed the way his shoulders tensed, his whole body tense with barely-contained frustration.

“You’re lying to me,” you whispered, stepping closer, your chest now pressed flush against his. You slid your hands up his arms slowly, feeling him shiver beneath your touch. “You’re so worked up, Sol… what were you planning to do while you're here?”

“I—I wasn’t going to–” he stuttered, but the words died on his lips as your hands moved to his waist, your fingers brushing along the waistband of his pants.

“Shh,” you cooed, standing on the tips of your toes and brushing some of his hair out of the way to press a gentle kiss to his neck. “No need to lie to me sweetness. I already know.”

His breath hitched audibly, and his hands clenched the sink harder as he fought to maintain control. “You can’t just… do this to me,” he rasped, his voice breaking with desperation.

“Do what?” you asked innocently, your lips trailing to his ear. “Help you? Because it seems to me like you need it, Sol.”

You let your fingers dip lower, teasing the button of his pants as you whispered, “So tell me… do you want my help?”

His resolve crumbled in an instant. “Yes,” he breathed, his voice barely more than a whimper. “Please.”

Sol’s hands gripped the edge of the sink so tightly, his knuckles were turning white with restraint, but his body was betraying him. He was trembling with need, his chest heaving, every breath shallow and hitched. You could feel his thighs tremble as your hands deftly moved to unzip his pants, undoing some buttons along the way.

You took your time, savoring the moment with this gorgeous man crumbling under your touch and gaze. Slowly, you pressed your body flush against his, feeling the heat of his skin against yours. You could feel the stiffness of his arousal, throbbing against the confines of his boxers, and it made your own… area pulsate in response.

“Sol…” you whispered against his ear. “You’re so fucking beautiful like this. So desperate for me.”

He sucked in a sharp breath, his hands still resting against the sink, his body shaking as if he couldn’t decide whether to push you away or pull you closer.

“I can’t… I can’t take it anymore,” he groaned, his voice cracking. “I need you… now.”

You smiled, a wicked grin spreading across your face. You knew exactly what he wanted, what his body was begging for. You slid your fingers down the waistband of his boxers, barely grazing his skin, and Sol’s breath hitched, his hips jerking forward in anticipation.

“Patience, Sol,” you teased, your fingers circling his cock gently, slowly, barely touching but just enough contact to make him shudder. “You’ve been so good for me so far, haven’t you?”

His hands flexed against the sink again, and he let out a low, guttural moan. “I need you,” he whispered again, more urgently now, his voice raw with desperation.

You didn’t make him wait any longer.

With a swift motion, you freed him from the remains of his clothing, your hands finally wrapping around his cock completely. Sol’s body jerked at the contact, his head falling forward onto your shoulder as a sharp gasp left his lips. He was so sensitive, so responsive, and it made your heart race.

“You’re mine now,” you murmured, your voice low and commanding. You began to move your hand slowly, torturously, teasing him just enough to make him squirm, but never enough to let him find release.

Sol’s breath came in ragged gasps, his body trembling with need, his hands gripping the counter as if it was the only thing keeping him from completely falling apart. “Fuck…” he muttered. “Please… I can’t take it.”

“You can take it, Sol,” you whispered, your voice dripping with satisfaction. “You’ve made it this far, haven’t you? You’re going to finish when I tell you to. Understand?”

He nodded his head, never disagreeing with your demands, his eyes were glazed with lust for you, his body twitching with every slow stroke from your hands. “Yes… Yes, I understand.”

Sol whined softly to himself, as you jerked your hand up and down. He closed his eyes, swallowing hard, only for you to sweetly tell him to open them back up, of course he obeyed, watching your slow, deliberate movements. The way you were hovering over him right now, your eyes boring into his, as your hands were wrapped around his cock, applying more pressure.

“You’re being so good for me Sol…” you purred, slowly sinking towards the ground, not caring about being in a bathroom, or even caring that you were doing this at your university. You looked up at him sweetly, asking him politely to hold your hair back, and he did it right away, after all how could he refuse?

He gently pulled all your hair back, somewhat neatly wrapping it around his hand, careful to not pull too tightly. He felt your warm hand gently stroke his cock, your lips just inches away, so so close.

Then you started to tease him. Licking up the underside of his length, gently pressing kisses from the base to the tip, your tongue teasing him as he whimpered and started to shake underneath you, completely submitting himself to you.

He could feel your hot breath as you hummed and toyed around with him. You slowly started to take his whole length into your mouth, inch by inch until your nose was pressed against his pelvis. He was in heaven.

Sol gasped at the sensation, his hand tugging at your hair as he watched you bob your head up and down, your hot, wet mouth, and shivered at the way his cock hit the back of your throat.

“P-Please… hah… pumpkin…” Sol called out for you. His legs shook gently as his climax slowly built up, soft moans and whimpers escaping his lips as he bit down on one hand to muffle his noises, your tempo never letting up as you continued to suck on him.

“Can I cum? Please… let me cum for you pumpkin.” He was begging quietly in the bathroom, watching you suck and hearing you make a muffled ‘mhm’ noise with your pretty plump lips wrapped around him, granting him permission without words.

Within seconds, his hands flew to the back of your head, pushing you down as he came into your mouth, moaning softly as he did, and you graciously let him, taking it all as you felt his fingers dig into your scalp. After a few moments he took a deep breath, releasing his grip on you, and falling back against the cool countertop of the bathroom sink.

You looked up at him sweetly, sticking your tongue out to show him that you had swallowed it all.

Freak.

Slowly, you started to stand up with a satisfied smile, your eyes meeting Sol’s pretty red-orange ones. He was still catching his breath, his chest rising and falling, his skin flushed with heat.

You took a step back, eyes never leaving his, and fixed your own clothes with a bit of deliberate slowness, just to tease him. You tucked your shirt back into your uniform skirt, your fingers trailing over the fabric that dipped between your breasts, noticing that Sol’s gaze followed your every movement, still dazed, and still processing everything that had just happened in the bathroom.

Once you were finished, you stepped closer to him, your body just inches away from his. You tilted your head slightly, studying him with that playful glint in your eyes.

“Guess we’re even now, huh?” you whispered, your lips curling into a sly grin.

Sol’s eyes flickered to yours, his confusion evident even with that lingering haze of pleasure clouding his mind. “What do you mean?” he asked, his voice low and hoarse.

You leaned in, your lips brushing against his ear as you whispered, “I know you’ve been sneaking into my apartment at night, Sol… I can hear you when you’re outside my window, and well… playing with yourself in my bed.”

You pulled back, eyes locking with his as you saw the way his pupils dilated, the sudden panic flashing in his gaze. “I’ll make it easier for you though and leave the window unlocked for you tonight, darling,” you purred, your voice dripping with both sweetness and mischief.

A smirk tugged at the corner of your lips as you straightened up, straightening your clothes one last time, watching as Sol stood frozen, his expression a mixture of disbelief and awe.

“Don’t keep me waiting, okay?” you teased, giving him a quick kiss, before turning away and walking towards the door.

You pulled it open, leaving him standing in the bathroom alone to process what had just happened, as you stepped out into the hallway. The last thing you heard before the door clicked shut was his soft mutter, “Damn… she knows?”

You couldn’t help but giggle to yourself as you walked away, knowing exactly what would happen that night. He was yours from now on.

[bibibahngg]

【ｅｖｅｒｙｔｈｉｎｇ　ｉ　ｄｉｄｎ'ｔ　ｓａｙ.】

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚pairing: kim seungmin x reader ⋆.˚⟡ ࣪ ˖summary: overwhelmed by unrequited love and loneliness, you find an unexpected comfort in kim seungmin, who shows you what love really feels like. ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚warnings/genre: angst, hurt/comfort, slow burn(???), mentions of some sensitive topics (family struggles, loneliness, etc.), but it ends with happy ⋆.˚⟡ ࣪ ˖notes: this is my first requested fic :)) i hope this fits what you were looking for @yaniluvs!!! english isnt my first language so, there might be some grammar issues or something like that, but enjoy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

falling for your best friend was probably the worst thing you'd ever done to yourself. it hurt, and in the slow, aching kind of way that crept into your chest late at night and refused to leave. after years of sharing secrets, laughing over inside jokes, and being the person they always turned to, your heart had decided to betray you.

and now? now, it was hell.

you didn't mean to get jealous when they talked about their crushes. you really didn't. but every time they lit up talking about someone else, that ugly, clawing feeling curled around your chest, squeezing it tight. you hated it. hated the way it made you feel like a bad friend. hated the way you kept waiting for them to notice the way you looked at them, even though you knew they wouldn't. hated the way you loved them, because no matter how much you tried to convince yourself it was just a phase, it wasn't.

worst of all, you hated how much it made you realize how starved you were for love.

you tried not to think about it too much, but it was always there, sitting in the back of your mind like an unwelcome guest. growing up, love had never been something you could count on. not from your family, at least. your mom had tried her best, sure, but she couldn't carry the weight of everything alone. and when your best friend came along, it felt like you'd finally found what you'd been missing. someone who chose you.

but now that you wanted more, it was unbearable.

you knew it wasn't fair to feel this way, and you hated how frustrated and tired it made you. but you couldn't just shut it off.

so, naturally, the universe decided it was the perfect time to partner you with kim seungmin for that science project. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

working with seungmin wasn't exactly awful. it wasn't like he was mean or anything. just… the kind of person who didn't waste time on unnecessary words or gestures. he wasn't rude, but he wasn't friendly either, which made things feel a little tense between the two of you.

you weren't sure what you'd done to deserve being partnered with the human embodiment of a blank excel spreadsheet, but here you were, staring at seungmin's perfectly organized notes while he quietly ignored you.

"so", you said finally, breaking the silence, "do you ever, like… have fun?"

seungmin's fingers paused over his laptop keyboard. he tilted his head slightly, like he was considering your question, before glancing up at you with a completely blank expression. "define fun."

you blinked. "uh… like hanging out with friends? doing something exciting? not spending your entire life on schoolwork?"

"i play sudoku", he said flatly, turning back to his laptop.

"oh, wow. wild of you", you deadpanned, leaning back in your chair.

his lips twitched, just barely. you couldn't tell if it was the start of a smile or if he was trying to hold in a laugh, but either way, it was the closest thing to emotion you'd seen from him all week.

"what about you?" he asked suddenly, his voice calm and measured. "what do you do for fun?"

the question caught you off guard. "uh…" you hesitated, realizing that you didn't really have an answer. what did you do for fun anymore?

seungmin’s gaze flicked toward you, and you felt strangely exposed under his scrutiny. like he could see right through you.

"you don't know, do you..?" he asked, his tone neutral but his words cutting straight to the point.

"what's that supposed to mean?" you shot back, feeling defensive.

he shrugged, turning back to his laptop. you rolled your eyes, annoyed but also unable to shake the feeling that he was right. despite his frustratingly blunt demeanor, seungmin wasn't as heartless as he seemed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

you started noticing it in the little things. the way he'd quietly push a bottle of water toward you during late night study sessions, even though he never said a word about it. or the way he'd adjust the desk lamp so it wasn't shining directly in your eyes.

he never called attention to it, always brushing it off if you tried to thank him. "it's not a big deal," he’d say, his voice calm and detached. but it was a big deal to you. especially when everything else in your life felt like it was falling apart.

it kinda felt like your best friend had started pulling away lately, caught up in their own life and their own relationships. you couldn't blame them, not really, but it still stung, in a way. especially with your feelings towards them. and things at home weren't any better. the tension between you and the rest of your family seemed to be growing thicker by the day. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

it was seungmin who noticed first.

"you seem off", he said one afternoon, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

you looked up from your notes, startled. "what?" "you're distracted. you've been distracted all week." you opened your mouth to deny it, but the words got stuck in your throat. he was right. you had been distracted. exhausted. frustrated. and right now, it felt impossible to hide it anymore.

"it's nothing", you mumbled, looking away.

seungmin didn't say anything for a long moment, and you thought he was going to drop it. but then, quietly, he asked, "do you want to talk about it?", his voice was soft, almost hesitant, and it caught you completely off guard.

"why do you care?", you asked, the question slipping out before you could stop it.

he didn't answer right away. when he finally spoke, his voice was calm but firm. "cause you look like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, and someone should care."

his words hit you like a punch to the gut, and the river of tears that you'd been holding back for so long finally broke.

it started small. just a shaky inhale and the prickle of tears stinging behind your eyes. you tried to hold it back, to swallow it all down like you always did, but this time, it refused to stay buried. the tears spilled over, uninvited, and you quickly turned your face away, swiping at your cheeks in a futile attempt to stop.

"hey," seungmin said softly. his voice was quiet, steady, not the least bit judgmental. "it's okay. don't… don't do that."

you sniffled, still refusing to meet his gaze. "don't do what?"

"don't try to hide it." his words were firm, but there was a gentleness to them that made your throat tighten even more. "just let it out."

you wanted to argue with him. wanted to say that you were fine, that he didn't need to worry about you, but the lump in your throat was too big to ignore. before you could stop yourself, the words started spilling out.

"i'm just so tired, seungmin." your voice cracked as you spoke, and the floodgates opened. "of everything. my stupid family, my stupid feelings, my stupid self."

you took a shaky breath, trying to gather yourself, but the words kept tumbling out, raw and unfiltered.

"i feel like… like i'm always the one giving. to everyone. my mom, my best friend, even random people who don't deserve it, and no one ever gives back. no one sees me like that, y'know? like i matter. and i keep telling myself that it's fine, that i shouldn't expect anything, but… but sometimes i do. i just want someone to look at me and care. really care. and it's selfish, and i hate feeling this way, but-"

"it's not selfish."

you stopped short, startled by the sudden firmness in his voice. when you finally looked up at him, your vision blurred by tears, he was leaning forward, his arms resting on the table, his gaze fixed intently on you.

"..you're allowed to want that," he continued, his tone calm but unwavering. "you're allowed to want to feel loved. to want someone to care about you the way you care about everyone else."

you opened your mouth to argue, to tell him he didn't understand, but he didn't give you the chance.

"and if no one else has told you this, then let me be the first. you deserve that," he said. his voice softened, and there was something tender in the way he said the words. "you deserve to be cared for. to be loved. you don't have to do everything on your own."

for a moment, all you could do was sit there, staring at him as fresh tears spilled down your cheeks.

"why are you being so nice to me?" you whispered, your voice barely audible.

his lips quirked, just slightly, in something that wasn't quite a smile. "maybe because i care", he said simply, his eyes never leaving yours.

something about the way he said it. so calm, so certain. it made the tightness in your chest loosen, just a little.

you didn't know how long you sat there, spilling your heart out to seungmin, but by the time you were done, the sun was already starting to dip below the horizon, casting the room in a soft, golden glow.

"feel better?", he asked, his voice quiet but sincere.

you nodded, still a little embarrassed but feeling lighter than you had in weeks.

"good.", he leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "now eat something. you've been running on fumes all day."

"are you always this bossy?" you shot back, but there was no bite to your words.

he shrugged, his lips twitching in the faintest hint of a smile. "only when i'm right."

and as much as you hated to admit it, he really was right. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

it was a just some tuesday evening when everything finally came to ahead.

it had been a while since you started working with seungmin. at first, you thought he was just some quiet, overly serious guy who barely tolerated your presence. but over time, you realized that wasn't true at all. he was observant, reliable in ways you hadn't expected, and despite his occasional teasing, he always seemed to know when you needed someone to just be there.

somewhere along the way, your feelings for your best friend had started to fade. not all at once, but slowly. like an old wound finally healing without you noticing. you still cared about them, of course, but that painful ache, that longing for something more? it wasn't quite there anymore.

what was there, though, was the quiet warmth that crept in whenever you were around seungmin.

you were sitting on the floor of his dorm room, surrounded by textbooks and empty snack wrappers. he was scrolling through his laptop, frowning slightly at the screen, when you said it.

"i think i like you."

you hadn't planned on saying confessing. the words just slipped out, quiet but certain. and for a while, they just hung in the air between the two of you.

seungmin froze, his fingers hovering over the keyboard. slowly, he turned to look at you, his expression unreadable.

"what?" he asked finally, his voice quiet.

"i said i think i like you", you repeated, your heart pounding in your chest. "and i don't just mean as a friend. i mean… more than that."

for a long moment, he didn't say anything. you could feel your stomach twisting into knots, the silence unbearable, until finally, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"you're just realizing this now?" he asked, his tone dry but his ears bright red.

you blinked. "wait, what?"

he let out a quiet huff, almost like a laugh, and leaned back against the wall. "i've liked you for weeks. maybe longer."

your heart stumbled over itself, the weight of his words sinking in slowly, "why didn't you say anything?"

he shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "i didn't think you were ready."

you stared at him, completely floored. "you've been waiting for me to figure it out this whole time?"

"pretty much", he said simply.

"you're ridiculous", you muttered, but you couldn't help the way your lips curved into a smile.

"maybe", he admitted, his gaze softening as he looked at you. "but so are you."

he smiled back, his eyes soft and full of something you couldn't quite put into words.

and for the first time in a long time, you felt like you could breathe.

it wasn't a big, dramatic confession. there were no grand gestures, no sweeping declarations of love. but as seungmin leaned forward, resting his hand lightly over yours, you realized that it didn't have to be.

sometimes, the quiet moments were the ones that meant the most.

and this moment was everything. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ a/n: literally did this in like?? 3 days?? i think i was a little bit excited guys.. js the tiniest bit.. i fear my most used app this week is tumblr... never happened to me before because what..??????? buttt i hope u guys enjoyed reading especially u yani!!!!11!1 ok ty bye bye!

[thebestofoneshots]

Gilded Constellations | (wolfstar x reader)

Series Masterlist | Previous episode

Pairing: Wolfstar x Reader Word Count: 6.4 K Warnings: none Prompt: How could you even distract Remus?. Proofread by sweet @girlwihkaleidoscopeeyes

Chapter 71: We've Only Just Begun

Saturday, January 15th, 1977 

Sirius had been tapping his feet against the stone and turning to look at the astrological clock in front of him as if it could tell him the time for the last 10 minutes. He had arranged a meeting with Minho here, and the Slytherin  was already 5 minutes late. 

Now, technically,, Sirius hadn’t arranged anything with Minho; rather, he had scribbled a quick note and sent it to him by paper plane, all in code, of course:  Mr. Green, please meet your Friendly Neighbourhood Dog in the measurer of the universe at 11:10 this morning. The Reds need some of your potions.

Minho hadn’t responded, and Sirius also knew Tom was going to Hogsmeade, so there was a high possibility he would be with his boyfriend instead of around the castle.. He had charmed the plane to come back to him if it couldn’t find Minho, and the aircraft hadn’t returned to him yet, but messenger planes often got lost or stuck in the weirdest places, so there was about a fifty-fifty chance that Minho’d gotten it, and was on his way. 

“Please,” Sirius said as he looked at the basket around his arm. He knew it wasn’t necessary to have wine – or any alcohol for that matter – in the picnic. He knew that Remus would love all the stuff he got,, especially the thick thermos with hot chocolate that Nimbletwist  claimed would be perfect for the chilly day. But Sirius also thought wine was the most romantic thing, and he wanted to treat both of his lovers to the most romantic picnic possible. Perhaps it was his French side, or just him being dramatic as he always was, but he wasn’t going to give in easily. At least not for the next few minutes. 

He looked at the clock again, trying to find something to distract his mind, when he noticed something not quite right with the hands. . Mars was not where it was supposed to be at that time of the year – Mars was on Capricorn, Sirius knew because Spellman had mentioned it an excessive amount of times back in December, claiming it was the perfect start for Slytherins and Ravenclaws who were disciplined and ambitious. 

Not only that but the more he looked, the more he realised how odd things were in the clock. The constellations were in the wrong order, the sun was hidden as if it were night instead of day; the moon appeared to be full  – but  the full moon wasn’t until the end of the month; and countless other oddities. 

Sirius narrowed his eyes at the clock and pulled his wand out. Waving it to try and fix the clock, when he did, the hands  started spinning around frantically, and a second later, there was a click. The face of the clock opened as if it were a door. He smiled, he was not expecting to find another secret passage in the school, let alone by coincidence, and yet there it was. Dark and smelling a little stale and musty, as if it hadn’t been opened for hundreds of years, but there either way.

Sirius leaned his head inside, there was a dark tunnel that seemed to go downwards. He looked at the door, and there was something carved on the side. “The Undercroft,” he read. It was carved almost clumsily with a knife, and underneath it there were 3 pairs of initials, SS, AS and OG. Sirius brushed his fingers over the carved wood and then looked curiously  at the dark passage ahead.

“Sirius!” he heard someone shout from behind along with some heavy shuffling. He shut the clock’s door, and stood in front of it as he turned to the voice. Minho was there, looking as if he’d been running. Tom was a few steps behind him. 

“You got the message then?” 

“Fell on Tom’s head as we were stepping out,” Minho said with a nod towards Tom. “What do you need me to get you? Firewhisky?? Icevodka?” 

“Uh… no…” Sirius said awkwardly. “I need wine.” 

“Wine?” Minho asked with a frown. The boys had never asked for wine before, only strong stuff that could be combined to make drinks. 

Tom tilted his head as he stared at the basket in Sirius’ hand. “Oh, yes, he definitely wants wine,” he retorted as he gently elbowed Minho and pointed at the basket. “I gather things turned out alright after our talk with her?”  He already knew it had (or had a strong suspicion anyway), but he was not going to miss the chance to tease Sirius about it. 

Unconsciously, Sirius moved the basket behind his body, cursing himself for not hiding it, or leaving it in a corner, not that he cared all that much that they knew what was going on. After all, without them, nothing would have been going on. “Yeah,” he responded. “Thank you.” 

“So, what kind of wine?” Tom asked with a smirk. . “White, Red, Rosé? Maybe you’d prefer something sparkling like champagne, or…”

“Tom,” Minho said as he turned to him, voice slow, drawing out the “O” a little bit, which got him to shut his mouth. Sirius wondered for a second  if that was what he and Remus looked like. He wasn’t nearly as… ‘bubbly’ as Tom, was he? Minho turned back to Sirius shortly after, “Do you have a preference?” 

“White,” Sirius responded. “If you can get your hands on it.” 

“Oh you’d be surprised what he can get his hands on,” Tom teased, Sirius laughed and Minho gave his boyfriend a rather reproachful look. 

“I think I could, but we’re going to be at Hogsmeade until the evening,” he said. “And judging by your basket, your date is sooner than that.” 

“Do you think you could owl it?”

“Well…” Minho hesitated.

“Sure, we’ll send it with my owl,” Tom intervened. “No one will link it to Min if it gets intercepted, , so no issue.” 

“But they might link it to you,” Minho interceeded, sounding slightly worried. 

“Mum sometimes sends me Cerisette,” he said with a shrug. “Say’s it’s good for a cough and whatnot. Minnie knows about it, I doubt she’d think it weird if she saw Ajax carrying a bottle of wine.”

“Cerisette? The same that you–” Sirius started.

“Yeah!” Tom interrupted rather expressively. “How do you think I get it when I bring it over to parties? I think we drank one of my bottles at James’ last year.” 

“Huh,” Sirius said with a smile. “Thanks for sharing.” 

“Well, sharing is caring. But you’d know a lot more about that, wouldn’t you?” Tom teased and got another shove from Minho who was a lot more considerate. Especially because he knew how hard  it was to accept new things about themselves for some people, how hard it had been for him, at least.

 “Where should we send it to?”

“Our dorm,” Sirius responded. “Sounds possible?” 

“Consider it done,” Tom said with a thumbs up.  “Now, we,” he pointed at himself and Minho “have to get going to our own date.” There was a hint of a smile on Minho’s face as he shook his head. “But we wish you the best of luck!” 

“Thanks,” Sirius said, and watched them move towards the other side, and then stepped forward. “No, Tom, wait!” 

He turned around and raised one of his eyebrows. “How may I help?” 

“It’s um… about the thing.” 

“The thing?” Tom asked. 

“You know. The thing.” 

Tom really had no idea whatever thing Sirius could be referring to. “Mate, I’m lost.” 

Sirius took a deep breath and averted Tom’s gaze before speaking again, “I mean… sex.” 

Tom rose one of his eyebrows. “I would have bet a hundred galleons that you weren’t a virgin.” 

“What? No!” Sirius retorted. “I know how that– I mean–” 

Tom started laughing, which got Sirius to look back at him, narrowing his eyes at the boy. “You’re fucking with me.” 

“You’d know if I was,” Tom retorted and laughed at Sirius’ expression once he understood what he meant. “Sorry, sorry,” Tom said as he waved his hand in the air. “It’s um… very similar as it is with a girl.” Sirius stared at Tom in disbelief. “Well, maybe not very similar, but it’s similar enough. Either way, there’s not much I can help you with, you need to figure it out with Remus.” 

“I mean, I get it but–” 

“I could tell you everything I know and it still wouldn’t help,” Tom said almost blatantly. “Whatever I do or like or, Minho does or likes – though perhaps Minho could help you more than I can – is different to what Remus does or likes. But use common sense, if it hurts, stop.” 

“If what hurts?” 

“How would I know what you’ll be doing?” Tom said with a shrug. “Talk to Remus, just like you talk it out with a girl. Think of the talks you had with Sly Sprite, It’ll be just like that.” 

“Well that was – it was a lot more instinctive than…”

“Woah,” Tom said as he closed his hand in front of Sirius' face. “I don’t need the details, thank you very much.” He breathed, “Just make sure you’re both comfortable. You know, ask for consent when doing something you’re not sure about and that’s it. Trust me,” Tom leaned in. “It’s just as instinctive.” 

Sirius, not feeling so sure, nodded. He was looking for more straight answers (ironically enough). Before he did it with a girl for the first time, he already had a pretty good idea of what he could or shouldn't do. And with you he had been confident from the start, he knew what he had to do, and he thought that was the reason the two of you had had such a great time. But when it came to him and Remus, he knew he wanted to touch and feel and see, but he had no idea where boundaries were, and he had never been so lost. 

“Let him guide,” Tom said with a smile as if he’d read Sirius’ thoughts. “He’ll know what to do, just have fun.”  And then, almost as an afterthought he added, “I’ll send you a book with some spells that might help with it.” 

“What? Spells? For what?” 

“Oh, you’ll know when you read them,” Tom said with a confident nod.

“Right, thanks,” Sirius said sheepishly. Tom sent him a short wink and caught up with Minho in a matter of seconds.

Sirius watched the two of them go before he turned to look at the clock again. The marauder part  of him wanted to see what was inside, while the  romantic and eager boyfriend part of him  was jumping out of his skin to go back to his room before you brought Remus to yours to check on Nieve. He looked at the clock one more time, bit his lip and pointed at it –as if to tell the clock not to move– before sighing and walking towards the stairs. As  he was walking past one of the corners, he heard your voices.

“It’s a terrible idea,” Remus was saying. Sirius could almost see the shake of his head as he leaned behind one of the columns; and he hastily threw a disillusionment charm over himself. 

“I mean, imagine having some of it on your birthday, or James’! I’d say Lily’s but she might not love the idea.” 

“On my birthday? You want us to use it on my birthday?” 

“Well, why not? We had an incredible time on Halloween and we were all pretty high on Tom’s potion.” 

“That was an accident! And I ended up kissing someone I didn’t even fancy all that much.” 

“Well, if you hadn’t left,” you thought as you remembered the way in which you had been dancing with him, how Sirius had straight up licked his face. “Perhaps things would have turned out differently. I could have noticed something and–” 

“I highly doubt it,” Remus said in that infuriating logical way of his which got you huffing in frustration. . “You think Sirius’s still with Slughorn?”  

“He probably is,” you retorted with a shrug. “You know how he is when he has something to talk about…” 

Sirius, who was still listening in to the conversation, perked his ears at the sound of his name, feeling somewhat excited for being in your thoughts even while he was away, if he knew how often he was in both yours and Remus’ thoughts when he was away, he would flip out. 

“But we’re meeting him later, right? I think we should figure out how to tell Peter.” 

“Yeah,” you said with a nod. “He said to wait in your room after we're done,” you shrugged. Your voices became distant as your steps echoed through the hall. Sirius leaned his head past the column and smiled as he saw you walking side by side. You had a couple of flowers in your hand and Remus carried a book, shoulders brushing together as you walked. Sirius bit his lip, tempted to sneak behind and both scare and surprise the two of you, but decided that preparing the date – the first one the three of you would have – was the endeavour of higher relevance.

Once he made sure you wouldn’t see him, Sirius  continued on his way to the common room, taking the scenic route instead of the fastest way to the dorm to make sure he wouldn’t bump into you both. 

When Remus and you arrived at the Common Room it was almost empty, save for  a few first years near the fire, one of which  smiled when she spotted you. “Hey!” she said. It was Addie Watts, the little girl you’d helped when you got to school for the first time. She looked at Remus’ still dirty face and frowned. 

“Nice to see you, Addie,” you said with a smile. “How’s that essay going?” She’d mentioned something about a very tedious essay when you saw her after the snow fight – she’d left it on the snow near the fire and everything got smudged by it. 

“Handed it in on Friday,” she beamed. “Got an  Outstanding, Slughorn said that bit about measuring twice was a great addition, thanks. Is… he okay?”

“Rushroom,” Remus said with a defeated sigh. . 

“Actually, it was him that taught me that,” you smiled as you pointed at Remus  with your thumb. “He’s really good at potions.” 

“Well, then. Thank you too, Remus!” He smiled shyly  in response. “You’re working on a potion?” Addie  asked as she pointed at the flowers in your hand. “Or did he give them to you?” 

“We’re working on a potion,” you said with a smile. “For a sick owl. Remus is helping me because of how good he is at this stuff.”

“Just not really good with Rushrooms I guess,” she laughed, Remus let out a small breathy chuckle. 

 “And you? Another essay?” you asked, changing the subject. While Rem’s face was still filled with gooey stuff, you wouldn’t say he looked  that bad. At all.

“Oh, this?” she asked as she pulled the paper. “Not at all, I’m writing a story.” 

“Yeah? About what?” 

“Cowboys,” she replied, “In space.” 

“That sounds interesting. Mind if we have a read once it’s ready?” 

“Sure.” She shrugged. “Good luck with your potions,” she added and turned to Remus,  “and your cleaning up…” 

“Good luck with your story!” He replied with an amused smile as he shook his head.

As Addie  turned back to her paper you turned to Remus and shrugged, nodding towards the stairs. The two of you walked up to the girls’ section and disappeared into your room. As he lingered by the door you kneeled down next to Nieve, she had been perched next to a pillow in the floor by the window; she cooed when she noticed you, assuming you’d bring her some food, and seemed a little displeased when you showed her what you had in your hands. Which got you to laugh. Remus watched the entire scene from his place by the door, almost in a trance from how beautiful you looked when you laughed. 

“I’m sure Lily will  have more treats for you later,” you told her, “But you’ll have to wait just a little bit for me to give you something.” The bird chirped in response, and you turned to look at Remus, still leaning by the door. “Well, come in,” you said as you gestured towards the rest of the room. “I don’t bite…” you added, and smiled when the next thing came to your head, “unless you want me to.” 

Remus tilted his head towards you and gave you an impassive and yet somewhat amused face. You just smiled a little wider, winked and leaned over your trunk to look for a towel for him to wash his face. You threw it his way and he caught it with ease, already on his way to the bathroom. You heard the water running and turned back to the trunk, focusing on finding some of the flasks and tubes you’d need for extracting. 

“Is it all gone?” Remus asked as he stepped out of the bathroom, still patting the towel on the sides of his face. 

“Mostly,” you responded, leaving the flasks on the floor, pushing yourself up and walking towards him. “You still have a bit on  your hair.” You took the towel from his hands and, using one of the wet sections, started to wipe off the small bits he hadn’t. 

“Is it better if I sit?” He asked with a quirked eyebrow when he realised you were standing on your toes.

“Probably,” you said as you bit your lip. Remus sat on the edge of your bed, and you leaned closer to him (almost necessarily so), standing with  before you continued to brush some of the gooey stuff from the side of his face. You were as gentle as possible, but you had to use some extra pressure  sometimes; ; Rushroom was always a pain to remove.. “If I'm being  too harsh just tell me, okay?” you said softly. 

Remus looked up at you and smiled, nodding and wincing because the small movement ended up in a sharp hair pull. 

“Sorry,” you said. 

“It was my fault,” he responded reassuringly, patting your leg on the side softly.

You smiled, looking down at his hand for a second before turning back to his face and dragging the towel just above his ear where there was a rather thick blob of the gooey stuff. It was stuck to his hair, so you were careful as you tried to pull it off the strands. All the while he was looking at your concentrated face, almost completely hypnotised. 

“Think I’m almost done,” you whispered  as you continued, now using your nails to try and spare some of his strands from getting pulled too harshly. He hummed softly in response. You pulled another bit and then used the towel to wipe the rest clean. “Done.” 

“Sure?” He asked as he looked up at you. 

“Yeah, why?” You asked as you looked at the side of his face carefully, completely missing the small, teasing smirk on his face. With no response, you were forced to look at his face as a whole to see if there would be an answer there, only to realise he had a pleased smirk on his face. You pulled your head back just a little, straightening your shoulders and biting your lip when you figured out what was going on. “Actually, I think you might have some… here,” you said as you pointed at the corner of his lips. 

“Do I?” 

“Mhm,” you retorted, taking one corner of the towel that was still slightly wet and brushing it over his lips slowly, looking at them shamelessly as they stretched under your fingers  and then bounced back to their right position, then let the towel “clean” the section that was still stained.Using the rough texture to tease Remus further. 

“Is it gone now?” 

“Kind of,” you said with a small smile, “Maybe it needs a little bit more persistence or more moisture…” you added and leaned closer to him, licking your lips and pressing a small kiss on the side of his. You were smirking as you pulled back. 

“Did it work?” Remus asked with a breathy calm tone, nothing in comparison to the rapid  beating of his heart. 

“Not sure,” you replied, “Maybe there’s still a little bit left.” 

Remus raised one of his eyebrows as you leaned in again, this time around, he turned his face just enough for your lips to meld  into his, as he placed both of his hands on your lower back to bring you even closer. He was soft and  tentative as he kissed you, much softer than he’d been in previous times, almost like he wanted to savour every second of it. 

When you finally pulled back you were both smiling in between heavy breaths, and he asked in a raspy voice, , “Is it gone now?” 

You licked your lips again as you shook your head and let out a small, airy chuckle, “I think so,” you said with a smile. “Perhaps we should–” 

Some strong chirping from the side got you to look towards the floor. Nieve had her beak around a small bag of jerky inside Remus’ backpack. She was chirping because  she couldn’t quite take it out, as it was squashed by other books. You started laughing, letting your head fall on his shoulder. 

Remus turned his head towards your soft hair, smiling as he felt the trembling of your laughter against his body. He was always delighted  to hear you laugh, but it was ever the more pleasurable to have you laughing while pressed against him like this. “She’s really working that bag,” he commented. . You could feel how he moved his head to look at the impatient owl, his hands still on your back, softly caressing you over your thick school jumper. 

“We should probably work on that brew,” you said, and Remus could hear the slightly reluctant way in which you said it, as if you also didn’t want to move away from him. 

“We could probably stay like this a little longer.” he said, a bit needy and quite irresistible.

You moved your head a little bit to the side , trying to sneak  a quick  look at the clock without him noticing, you didn’t want either of you to be late to the date Sirius was preparing. Even if at that particular moment staying there together seemed just as  tempting. “No, no,” you said as you pushed yourself off, now standing in front of him like earlier. “We need to finish that extraction.” 

“Do we really?” He asked with a pout. 

You were tempted to say no and go back to snogging him. “Yeah, we do…” you breathed reluctantly, leaning in to press one more  quick kiss to his lips. “Come on,” you added as you pulled on his hand so that you were both sitting on the floor. 

He took the flasks you’d already taken out and started setting up the distiller as you went back to your trunk to look for the missing stuff. 

You took out a few more flasks before turning to look at him again. “Am I missing anything?” 

“Potioneer Water,” he said as he set the proper equipment  over a small crystal stand, centering it with a wave of his wand. He was sitting crossed-legged on the wooden floor now, with the book Professor Folly had given you on his lap, as he compared everything that you’d written on  the ingredient list. “If you have some pixie dust you could speed the process up, apparently.” 

“Pixie dust?” you said as you rummaged through your vials, pulling out a nice “potioneer set” you’d gotten for Christmas a few winters ago. You’d forgotten how big it was once you opened it and about 5 different cabinets sprang out of it. 

“That’s pretty cool,” Remus said as he leaned closer to you, admiring the dark walnut of the box and cabinets. “Almost as nice as Slughorn’s.” 

“Mum gave it to me when I got top marks on potions in my first year,” you said, not quite allowing the pang in your heart as you thought of her to bring you down. “Sorted!” you said as you pulled out a small bottle. “I knew I’d have some in here.” 

Remus gave you an apprehensive look, noticing the small shift in your voice as you changed the subject before it affected  you. He sighed but took the bottle you offered him and started pouring some of the liquid into one of the vials. You took a tiny bottle with pixie dust out and leaned closer to him, closing the potioneer set and throwing it back into your trunk. “Mind helping me with the petals?” 

“Sure,” you said as you took the flowers and started pulling them off, one by one, the velvet-like surface brushing against your fingers as you gently placed them on top of a small cloth napkin. Once you were done with the first St. John’s Wort, you went for the next one. 

“We also need the anthers,” he told you as he saw you leaving the flower on the side. 

“Seed-like thing at the end of the stamen, right?” you said as you took the flower back in your hands. 

“Yeah,” he nodded as you started pulling them out with your nails and placing them on a different cloth napkin. Once you were done with that flower, you moved to the next one. Remus had used one of the enlarging pots for extra  space, and he was carefully cutting the petals with potioneer scissors before letting them fall through the small hole in the round vial. You stared at the way they gently floated on  the water as you continued to remove the anthers from the stems. 

“These also go in there?” You asked as you finished with the last one. 

He shook his head in response. “No. We should give them to Nieve  as snacks,” he explained. “The book said they were really good for swelling and that they could also work as antidepressants. But we have to rinse them in some water first.” 

“I’ll work on that,” you said as you took one of the unoccupied vials and allowed him to continue with the distillation. He had already connected everything and was now placing  the small firestone he’d turn on for the steaming process. “Will that be enough?” you asked as you looked at the stone, using your wand as a spoon as you rinsed the seeds in the water. 

“Not sure,” he said honestly, looking at the dark stone that was about the size of a thick gobstone. When you bought these firestones, , they were a little larger than the palm of your hand, the absolute perfect fit for a burner dish. In classes, you normally used alcohol burners, but firestones were much more practical to carry around (even if a little more expensive). Remus continued “I might have one in  my bag, care to look?” 

“Not gonna find anything weird this time around?” You teased as you pulled his backpack from the bed. 

Remus groaned and hid his face on his shoulder, “Will I ever live that down?” 

“Hell no!” you smiled, already digging through his bag to try and find the small tin box that usually contained the firestone. “I mean, you had a whole strip of those muggle rubbers, , it was hilarious.”

“Torturous is  more like it,” he retorted as he shook his head and closed the lid on the round vial. 

“I think I’ve got it,” you said, pulling your entire arm out of his bag. There was a metal tin in your hand with a  firestone logo on the lid. . You opened it and carefully levitated it towards the burning tray he’d already set up. It was a bad idea to touch firestones with bare hands if you didn’t know when was the last time they had been used, since they normally retained heat for weeks after being turned off. 

“I don’t think I’ve used it since I bought it,” he informed as he adjusted the tray and shot a small flame from his wand to turn the stone on. 

“There was nothing funny this time around by the way,” you said as you gave one last look at the bag and then placed it next to you. 

Remus raised an eyebrow as he turned to you, for a second he’d swear you sounded at least slightly disappointed, which somehow got him to feel bold enough for what he said next, “I store them away from prying hands now.” 

You turned to him with an amused smile, about to say something, when the cuckoo clock you use to wake up started making a fuss . You turned to it with a small frown, you had not programmed it to make a sound at – you checked the clock – Noon??? Already? 

You wondered if Sirius was done with the preparations for  the date as you stood up to look at the clock. “Is everything alright?” Remus asked.

“Mhm,” you said as you reached the clock. There was a tiny piece of rolled parchment  stuck to the beak of the little metal bird, who in turn, looked rather annoyed as it  tried to get rid of it. . “Hold on  a sec, little one,” you said as reassuringly as you could, as you held the small bird in your hands and unstuck the paper. 

Once it was out the bird chirped, gave another cuckoo and went back to its  little home with a rather indignant flip of the head. You took the piece of paper and unwrapped it. 

Awake now, sleepy head? I made sure your roommates would stay asleep with some silencing charms around their beds. It’s been a while since we’ve talked, and I’ve heard some rather unfortunate stuff about you and Christmas; the ghost and portrait gossip is all over the place. Anyway, thought of checking up on you. Meet soon? Secret spot? Use your charms, Peeves has been  patrolling with the Slytherin prefects.

Jackdaw 

“And?” Remus asked when he thought you’d finished reading the note. 

“It’s from Richie,” you said with a shrug. “I think he messed up his prank, though. This was clearly meant to go off at  midnight. . He probably thought it would be funny to surprise me late at  night.” 

“Would it have been?” 

You shrugged, “Not for me, but the intention is what counts and now I believe I should think of a little revenge anyway, ,” you smirked. “He wants to meet me at the secret hideout.” 

“The snogging  spot he showed you?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah,” you said and then turned to look at him. “Why? Want to come along?” 

“To your ghost chats?” 

“I was thinking of the secret spot more than the ghost chats but I guess that too,” you teased again. “We could leave this here, right? no risk of fire?” 

“What? Like, right now?” he asked, turning to you. “I mean, It’s going to take a while,” he said as he looked at the slow-falling drops that had just started to condense from the distilling process. And as you thought about it,  you could also just snog him  right here in your  room, if that’s what you wanted. Unless you wanted something else. “Why?” Remus asked. 

“I was thinking we could get some music from your room,” you said casually. You had no idea how you’d bring him back to his room until 5 seconds before you said that. 

“Not sure about leaving the fire by itself though. You know it’s never a good idea to–” 

“But firestone is self-extinguishing, isn't it?” you reasoned. “Once the water is out it will turn itself off. I mean, have you ever heard of a fire caused by firestone?” 

“No, but–” 

“Well then?” You said with a smile. 

“In the rarest case that something did happen, you wouldn’t really want to be the cause of a fire in the Gryffindor dorms, would you?”  You huffed in return, he was right, extremely right, and yet you had to find a way to get the two of you to his room. “You could go get the music, I’ll just stay here and watch,” Remus suggested.

Not a solution. “How about you get the music then? I’d like to see what you pick.” 

“Are you sure?” 

“Ideally we’d pick something together, but yes,” you added with a confident nod.

Remus bit his lip, and looked at you as if to search for confirmation; although there was definitely something about you that he couldn’t quite pin down, you seemed quite certain about having him go instead. “No teasing if you don’t like my picks,” he warned, pointing a finger your way.

“There is no way I won't  like your picks,” you said with a confident smile and a wink, extending your hand to his to help him stand. 

“Hope you don’t regret those words,” he smiled, leaning in to give you a quick kiss on  the nose before fully standing up. You looked up at him with a dumb smile as he walked outside. 

The second the door closed behind him, you picked up your wand and pointed it at the firestone, “Extinguere,” you muttered. Normally you could just silently cast it, but with firestone (that already ran hot for weeks after being used) it was much better to articulate perfectly. Once that was done, you levitated towards its box and made sure it popped as you closed it. 

Nieve chirped from the side and you turned to her with a smile. “I’ll have this ready for you later tonight, alright?” She chirped again and you took out some of the treats you had stored for Reese and gave them to her. She seemed pretty happy as she took small bites and moved around them curiously. A movement that was particular to younger owls and oddly reminiscent of a pigeon. You levitated the contraption  for distilling on top of your desk to make sure nobody would trip on it, and walked over to the bathroom to give yourself a quick once-over.

This was your first date with the boys, should you change your uniform for something nicer? You bit your lower lip as you looked at your reflection, not knowing if you should do something special or not. You ended up walking over to your trunk and digging through it. A dress? you wondered as you looked at some of the stuff you had. Skirt and blouse? You glanced  at the clock. You ended up changing your uniform for a slightly shorter skirt and one of Remus’ jumpers, before casting a disillusionment charm and walking downstairs. 

You thought that perhaps Remus would already be in their room, so you pretty much ran towards the common room only to discover he’d been held up by Johnathan Ackley, who was trying to convince him to give him a hair for polyjuice. He claimed it was for a class, but Remus, and perhaps anyone who got asked, would have known Slughorn would never ask his students for such a thing. 

“Sorry,” Remus said. “Perhaps you could use one of yours?” 

“Slughorn said it had to be someone else’s, please?” 

“Not happening,” Remus said with a soft shake of the head. 

“How about I give you 5 galleons?” 

“Not even for an endless supply of chocolate, mate!” 

You tried not to laugh as you looked at the two of them and walked upstairs, this time to their room. Once you were there, you opened the door only to find Sirius frantically arranging  some things  on  the blankets  he’d laid out on the floor. 

He looked up only to see the faintest of shadows walking inside. “Starshine?” he asked as he narrowed his eyes in your direction. 

You closed the door, deactivating the spell as you did. “Need help?” you asked as you kneeled  down next to him. 

“Just making sure everything’s where it should be. Where did you leave Moony?” 

“He got held up by Johnny Ackley wanting to make a polyjuice brew out of him,” you said with a smile,  looking at the set up and raising an eyebrow at Sirius.

“Oof, our boyfriend is causing some heartbreak by saying no,” he smiled. 

“I mean, I would never give any of my hair to Johnny,” you said as you remembered when he’d asked. “Recipe for disaster.” 

“But Moons is too nice, he could be persuaded.” 

“By you, me or Prongs, there is no way he gives his hair to Johnny,” you said as you picked one of the grapes laying about, but Sirius waved his hand and the fruit went back to the bowl it had been on. “Hey!” you protested.

“You can eat them after he arrives, it took me a while to stack them up.”

You looked at the bowl and then turned to him again, “You didn’t stack them up!” you said with an accusing frown. “You just placed them there!” 

“You can’t prove that,” he replied haughtily. “For all you know, I placed them grape by grape.” 

“They’re still on the stems! !” you argued. 

“And?” 

You huffed in amused disbelief and picked out the entire bunch. “Hey!” he complained, taking your wrist in his hand and trying to pull  it away from the bowl. You just smiled further and tried to levitate the grapes  away from him with your wand. You had just gotten a hold of them  when he grabbed your hand, forced you to drop the grapes in their place and pulled you towards him, spinning you around until he had you on his lap, pinning both of your arms crossed over your chest so you wouldn’t be able to manoeuvre your way out.  

“Sirius!” you complained in between laughs, turning to look at his smug grin as you shook your head. He smiled brightly and was about to say something witty when the door burst open. He smiled. Finally. 

You also turned your head towards the door, the two of you beaming when you spotted your tall boyfriend. “Surprise!” Sirius  blurted out, echoed by you. You were both beaming  as you saw Moony staring  at you, still at the door, confused and astonished. .

Series Masterlist | Next Chapter

TAGLIST: @rayrlupin @callmelovergirl @warcelia @ireneop @endversewinchester @moonyunebi @smuttysluttybitch @mazzymoons @drugs-for-memes @sofiacblair @vmpir3lvr @remuslupinisbae @rabluver @willgrahamisalesbi4n @thatobsessedreader @itskailey24 @hell0-kittie @belovedmoony @blacksgarden @loving-and-dreaming @cassie-love20 @starchaser-lily @zucchini-queenie @springflwer07 @sseleniaa @cometsghost @orkwardx0 @imdoingbetternow @sbrewer21 @remuslupinsbae @maxinehufflepuffprincess @wifiatthetrainstation @unstablereader @msblacklupin @oliversauru @jaylienpotter @remussbitch @hermionelove @izuoyarmin @themarauderswife7 @keira-kaz2y5 @lampthemacarenagod @bugg06 @a-n-1-m-3-f-r-3-4-k @darlingeels @kissmeunicornbaobei @xluansstuff @boo8008 @angelmixer @voteforintensedreams @allons-y-molly @aremuslupinsimp @imaginexred @writingshae @nyanwyn @poetrypirate @crazyhorseforgot @saturnhas82moons @ryeyeyer @mothraantics @maqqiekwon @desikudisworld @pastelorangeskies @barking4you @profoundpidgeon @nagareboshi-chiyo @x4ramyluv @bookishbabyyyy @panhoeofmanyfandoms @randombibitc

A/N: I am BAAAACK... Hope the universe has been treating you as delightfully as it should be while I was gone. Dad's surgery went well, and we're finally back home, things are looking bright for the next few weeks! Which means GC is going to get updated as it used to (hopefully xx) Love, Lils

Leave a comment telling me if you wanna be tagged on Gilded Constellations

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[damnfeelings09]

Who'd have known? - Shadow's version

A.N: Hello! been in a little writters block and finally pulled myself out of it thanks to @dayoftearsandmourning lovely request so this one goes specially for her (I hope it's what u wanted)I hadn't heard this song before but it's so cute an fluffy so I hope I made justice. Also yes I know Rouge is not (yet) on the SMU (sonic movie universe) but I dont care.

Shadow felt comfortable, welcoming the warmth in his chest, his muscles relaxing allowing himself to drift away, something that only happened when he was with you, even while doing the most mundane things like sitting next to you watching your favorite show. Shadow had stopped paying attention to the TV, fixing his attention on you noticing every change in your expression, the little smile peeking out of your lips, the flutter of your eyelashes, the way you puckered your nose when the main character got into trouble. He noticed how you hugged your torso, the cold of the night becoming present, without thinking, without planning it, he placed his arm around your shoulders, as if it were the most natural thing between you.

“…Put your arm around my shoulder And it was as if the room got colder”

The gesture did not go unnoticed by you. The warmth flooding your cheeks painting them pink, you enjoyed his company and certainly enjoyed his touch making circles on your shoulder. From time to time you would turn around and explain something about the chapter you were watching, Shadow would listen to you attentively but prayed that you wouldn't ask him what he thought because he would have to admit that he was lost in the sound of your voice just like that first time he saw you.

“I didn't know where this was going…”

Months ago, when Shadow had just arrived to live in Green Hills, at the request of Sonic and his friends, in a quiet morning walk in town he found a small cafeteria, it looked cozy and the sweet vanilla scent mixed with coffee gave him the courage to open the door.

You were arranging the desserts on the sideboard, when you heard the bell announcing a new customer, returning to your place at the counter, finding dark spikes and red tips, you lowered your gaze a little, crimson eyes looking back at you.  “Hello! What can I get you started today?” your smile warm and gentle, something Shadow was not so used to since he had come to live with the wackausky.

“Coffe,” he says, placing his hands on the counter.

“Sure thing, what kind of-?”

“Beans.” he cut you off.

“Oh… that's new. Let me see what I can do.” you walked to the back opening a new bag of coffe beans for the machine and putting em on a small plastic bag adding a sticky note to it. “What's your name?”

“Shadow?” he said in a questioning tone, not really understanding why you wanted to know.

“Okay, here you go Shadow, enjoy” you handed him the bag. Shadow took it, leaving a five dollar bill on the counter as he turned to leave “Come back anytime!” you say enthusiastically.

On the way back to the Wackausky's Shadow found his name written in beautiful calligraphy along with a smiley face. At the time he didn't understand why, but his heart had been turned upside down.

“I haven't left you for days now And I'm becoming amazed how You're quite affectionate in public”

It wasn't the first time you had spent time together, much less the first time Shadow had stayed at your house, yet the buzzing of Shadows mind was not leaving him alone, has it always been like this? Being... so close? In his mind he went over all those dates was that what they were? That you had had, the moments you had shared, comparing them with what was happening, however to him it seemed... the same. Nothing had changed between you, so why did he feel that something was going on? Why did the scent of your shampoo feel sweeter than usual? Why did you look prettier than usual under the warm light?

Shadow was in a lot of trouble, he couldn't figure out what had happened to you, why something felt different when he was near you, why his hands were shaking when he was next to you, why he was staring at you so hard when you put balm on your lips? he didn't know what to do, so he did the only thing he could do given the situation. Go to Rouge.

“What could possibly be? Perhaps I'm sick” he said as he paced back and forth with his hand cupping his chin “Nonsense, I am the ultimate lifeform, I can't get sick.”

“In fact your friend said it made her feel sick And even though it's moving forward There's just the right amount of awkward”

“Oh gods” said Rouge smacking his forehead with her hand “You're a fool Shadow, but you're cute so I'll forgive you. You’re not sick but you might as well be blind. You’re in love.

“In… love?” he said in a questioning tone “No, I don't understand what you're talking about.”

“You like her Shadow and it's so obvious to everyone that I'm surprised she hasn't noticed yet. Especially with that little dance you do whenever she's around.” Dancing? No Shadow didn't dance, she barely knew how to move her arms “You know, when you circle around her while she's cooking?”

“But I... I don't-” he said trying to defend himself.

“Oh my... you are really oblivious.”

Circling? What did Rouge mean by that? You and Shadow were... friends, yes, good friends. He liked spending time with you, listening to you talk about the new dessert recipes you would try in the cafeteria and what your childhood had been like in your grandmother's bakery and yes it was true that he constantly found himself walking in circles across the kitchen with you in the middle, but that was just his way of passing the time while you were concentrating on your work, wasn't it? You were just very nice, kind and always had a smile for him. Shadow loved your details like his bag of coffee beans every day waiting for him or the notes wishing him good morning, they made him feel special and he’d be lying if he said he hadn't noticed the recent appearance of hearts around his name on every note. But that's all it was, right?

“You told your friends, they all know We exist but we're taking it slow Let's just see how it goes”

Slow but steady you had fallen for him too. Too scared to accept your feelings, you didn't know if Shadow shared what you did and you didn't want to ruin his friendship over a simple crush. Except it wasn't just a crush, you constantly found yourself thinking about him, buying things just because they reminded you of him, longing for the clock to move faster to the number 9, for that was the time Shadow always arrived at the coffee shop.

The doorbell rang and as if your prayers had been answered there stood the hedgehog you so longed to see. Shadow had a frown on his face, as if he was worried about something, next to him Rouge was whispering in his ear.

“Hey guys!” you said coming out from the counter to greet them giving them a kiss on the cheek as was your custom. Shadow blushed as he felt your lips on his muzzle, averting his gaze to the new decorations you had added to the cafeteria. The painting of a reddish comet streaking across the sky among the stars hung high above their heads. Shadow admired the painting beside you.

“I like it”

“So do I, it made me think of you” you said without thinking. The curiosity present in Shadow “Cause... you were a star lighting up the sky, bringing your brightness to where it's needed.” Red cheeks on your face as you spoke “you okay?” you said as you noticed Shadow hiding his head in his hands, a soft click click click coming from him.

“Are you mine? Are you mine? 'Cause I stay here all the time”

“These two are going to need more help than I thought,” Rouge thought.

That's how we arrived at this moment, both of you sitting on the park bench watching the sunset. A bouquet of yellow and lavender flowers on your lap. He had done just what Rouge had advised “take her somewhere nice, buy some flowers and confess your feelings”, except he was having trouble with the last part. For the first time in his life he felt... unsure, what if it was all in his mind? What if Rouge was wrong? Shadow couldn't bear to lose someone special, not again.

“This feels so good” you said leaning into him, your head on his you felt his body stiffen against your touch, your little finger on his hand seeking to intertwine your fingers with his. Maybe it was the heat of the moment or the dizziness your scent gave him, maybe it was the lavender haze in his mind, but somehow he found the courage to speak.

“I... I like you.”

“I like you too Shadow.”

“No, I mean, I-I think I love you.”

“Who'd have known? Who'd have known? When you flash up on my phone I no longer feel alone Let's just stay, let's just stay”

You looked at him, your face tilted to one side and a slight blush starting to grow as the butterflies in your stomach flutter uncontrollably. Never in your wildest dreams did you imagine this would happen but as you tried to keep it cool you couldn't help but let a small smile creep across your face as Shadow confessed his feelings. “I think I love you too” you said intertwining your fingers with his as if a promise had been sealed between the two of you.

“Now let's just see how it goes Let's see how it goes”

[bananarama321]

IT IS OVER

I have been a Bridgerton fan since 2004, when I was starting university. Most of you understand how excited I was when my imagination was brought to my television. It was even better than what I imagined. I have loved the show and even more season 3 because Penelope was always that girl.

After the world tour, like several of you, I got entranced by Nic and Luke's chemistry. I started shipping them as a couple and had an immense amount of fun with several of you looking for clues and secret messages about them being together.

It was all fun and giggles ... until it wasn't It became a fight over who stayed on the ship or the restaurant. If you didn't believe a theory, you were part of the problem. If you gave a different opinion people would throw you away from group chats and block you if you didn't apologize.

Since the beginning, I was part of the ship because Nic herself said they thought it was "cute". Little by little I started feeling uncomfortable but my "friends" were clear that if you jumped ship you couldn't come back.

Well. I am done. I am jumping ship. This isn't fun anymore and it's becoming toxic and mean-spirited. At this point it is evident that Nic has a steady partner. We don't know much about Luke but I don't want to be the cause of their pain or a reason for them to resent the fandom. The more we insist on saying lukola is real, the less they will share with us because they are afraid we might hurt those that they love.

Let's be transparent for a second. Jake Dunn has never expressed anything related to his sexuality, newsflash: bisexual and pansexual people exist. Jake and Nicola are always together, often alone. She shares him, and he shares her, but you have to be naive to not see the difference online between them and the rest of their friends. Even if after all of this, you believe they are just friends, there is no way you can deny that he is clearly a loved one and that she would be upset about the amount of horrible adjectives people throw his way. Hurting Jake is hurting Nic. No matter how much you like to pretend it isn't.

We know very little about Luke, like I said, but let's stop insulting Antonia too. The girl is young and doesn't owe anything to our fandom.

Also STOP COMMENTING ON NICOLA'S BODY. I have no words for this part. I am baffled, sad, disappointed, and mad at so many of you for not defending her like you defend the ship. She is worth more than that, and I know deeply inside you, you know it to be true.

At the end of the day, Nic is having an amazing beginning to 2025. She is healthy, and happy and is now a SAG-nominated actress. She also has the Neutrogena campaign coming out, The Magic Faraway Tree and hopefully more. We have been blessed by getting a lot of content from her. Let's make her feel happy and relaxed about sharing personal and professional updates with us. We are supposed to be her safe space, not her nightmare.

Luke has been quiet but hopefully has something cooking too. We are waiting on news on when his next two projects are coming out and we should be ready to support him.

Last but not least, they are most likely to be at the SAG Awards in February. Let's not make this about Lukola. It is Nicola's night with her first big acting nomination. I implore you not to ruin it for her.

Sending love to you all. Please if the shipping is too much and you get emotionally affected by them not being together, seek help for your mental health. I don't say that to mock you, I say this as another human who sometimes struggles.

XOXO g.

[yyaktayak]

Chapter 7📌

tags : @uceyliyahh @charmed-dreamssss @theusotwinzcom

**Kimaya's POV**

I barely had time to process everything that had happened in the past 24 hours—Jey surprising me with his visit, the sweet, heartfelt gesture with the ring—but somehow, in the midst of it all, a new reality had come crashing down on me.

I sat in the quiet of Jey's hotel suite, the soft hum of the city beyond the window. Jey was out getting us lunch, and I'd taken the opportunity to snap a quick picture of him holding a tiny, sleeping bundle in his arms. A baby. Our baby. It felt surreal. I never thought I'd be posting anything like this—let alone *this*—but I couldn't help it.

The baby was so small in Jey's arms, and the way he looked at her with such tenderness... it made my heart swell. I'd never seen him like that, and something about the way he was so naturally protective, so utterly in love with this little girl, made everything feel like it was falling into place.

Without thinking too much, I uploaded the picture to my Instagram story. It was a picture of Jey, still in his hoodie, a big smile on his face, holding our daughter—our baby girl. I didn't put anything in the caption, not yet. I wasn't sure how to explain this just yet.

But I didn't have to wait long for the messages to come pouring in.

---

rideordies🤍

Reigns🖤:What. THE. HELL. 

raheem🤍(cody):  RA??? IS THAT A BABY?!? 

slimjim🩷:  Wait, I'm confused. How did you go from  missing Jey to this?? 

Kav💛Okay... I need more info. Is that your baby or did you just adopt? Kimaya??? 

Kav💛: I be with you 25/8 how the fuck-

Trin💚:Kimaya????? WTF is happening right now?? That's Jey's baby?? 

Sheneca🩵:Girl, I see you alot , and now this?? Did I miss something? 

Reigns🖤:  Wait, she's holding Jey's baby???? Did y'all just do a whole SURPRISE baby reveal on IG?! 

raheem (cody)🤍:Ra, don't leave us hanging!!! What is happening??? 

slimjim🩷:  Yo, y'all  really- as much as I been around my twin?! Yall muhfuckas got a DAUGHTA?? I HAVE A NIECE WTFFF??!!?!

---

I had to take a deep breath. How did I even explain this? The last thing I wanted to do was throw everything out there all at once, but it seemed like the universe had decided for me. My phone buzzed again with another notification, and then another. But before I could even try to reply, I saw a notification that made my heart skip—Jey had tagged me in a post.

I opened the post, my thumb hovering over the screen. It was a picture of the same moment I had shared. But Jey had captioned it: "Meet the newest member of our family. Life came at us fast, but I wouldn't want it any other way. I'm a father. #DaddyJey."

That's it. There was no turning back now.

I grabbed my phone, typed a quick reply to the group chat:

Ra 💕:Alright. It's true. She's ours. Her name is kiua rauaya fatu.

Before I could send another message, Kaveri's text popped up, practically demanding an explanation. I knew I couldn't keep everyone in the dark for long. So, I quickly typed:

Ra 💕:I'm gonna go live in a bit, explain everything. Hang tight. 

---

With that done, I walked over to the bed where Amara was resting in a little bassinet by the window. She was so perfect, so delicate. I ran my fingers lightly over her soft hair and smiled.

My heart was full. But damn, I wasn't ready for the storm of questions that were coming my way. I swiped through my phone again, seeing the steady stream of DMs and texts, each more urgent than the last. But I had to do this on my own terms.

Taking a deep breath, I tapped "Start Live" on Instagram. The screen immediately filled with a flood of hearts and comments. I saw names popping up—people I hadn't spoken to in years, all of them eager for an answer.

Just as the video began to roll, I saw Jey in the background, walking back in with bags of food. He stopped in his tracks when he saw me holding Amara, his expression softening. Without a word, he leaned in and kissed the top of my head.

"Hey," I said, my voice shaky at first as I adjusted Amara in my arms. "Okay, I'm gonna just get right to it."

I took a deep breath.

"So, uh... surprise? This little one is Kiua. She's  ours. And... yeah. I guess I've been keeping a bit of a secret from all of you, huh?"

I saw the comments on the live stream explode: 

"WTF!!! Is that really Jey's baby???"

"Girl, HOW long have you been hiding this?"

"Wait, she's a mother??"

I chuckled awkwardly, trying to keep my composure. Jey stood behind me now, his hands on my shoulders, a grin spreading across his face as he joined me on the screen.

"Alright, alright, we've got a lot to explain," Jey said, his voice smooth but full of that familiar warmth. "But, uh, first, let's just say that life... came at us fast. And we've been working through a lot of things, including how to best share this news with all of you."

I saw the comments lighting up with questions, but there was one that stood out:

"How did this happen??? You guys got a baby but no engagement announcement?"

I smiled softly, holding Amara close. "I get it. It's a lot to take in. But trust me, everything happened in its own time. Jey and I have been together for a while now, and—well—sometimes life just works out the way it's meant to."

Jey squeezed my shoulder, and I could feel the love radiating from him. "We've been through a lot, but this little one? She's our future, no matter how fast things moved."

"Yeah," I added softly, "Amara's our little miracle. And we're just figuring it all out as we go."

The comments continued to flood in, but for the first time in a long time, I felt settled. I wasn't afraid of the questions, of the unknowns. Because in that moment, I realized—I wasn't doing this alone.

Jey was here, and we were doing this together.

[theothernads]

˖ . ݁𝜗𝜚 . ݁₊ ❛❛ ᶜʰᵃᵖᵗᵉʳ ¹³ : 𝐎𝐡...😀 ❞ ✧₊⁺ — (𝐘.𝐉𝐖)

━━━━━━━━━━━━━˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱‧₊˚━━━━━━━━━━━━━

❛❛ 𝐓𝐂𝐅 ❞ ☰

SYNOPSIS: ₊ ˚ ⊹ ♡ : With the third magical academic year starting, you and Jungwon plan to have a normal school year and complete many goals. Except, you have to earn Enchantix with your frequent burn-outs, and Jungwon wants to become a full-fledged warrior and push past his anxiety. With their own goals in mind, they feel like 2 idiots that keep meeting by chance. However, when mysterious events threaten the magical kingdoms and schools, the specialists and fairies have to figure out the culprit and save the magical universe. But fate has other plans for their adventures and for your ‘coincidental’ meeting with Jungwon.

╰┈➤𝚃𝚊𝚐𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝: 𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚗 (comment or give an ask)

W.c: 1.15k

<< M.LIST >>

━━━━━━━━━━━━━˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱‧₊˚━━━━━━━━━━━━━

YOU HATE TEAM PROJECTS.

You don't know what it is about them, but the fact you have to socialise, actually come to agree on a common solution made your brain melt and have all your thoughts swish around your hollow head.

That's why when the Potionology teacher, Eldora, paired you up with Leerae, it felt as if the universe was pulling your leg and laughing in your face.

"Oh my gosh, we're partners!" She exclaimed, slinging a hand over your shoulder and pulling you in. Giving an awkward smile, you straightened yourself.

"Yeah, lucky us." You held the papers with the requirements listed down on them. Both you and her read through it as the classroom chattered about their own unique projects.

"Make a potion of your choice — within guidelines, of course," you repeated out the words on the page. This was your element.

If you were alone.

Leerae was hard-headed and determined. She was blunt when she wanted to be. But Potionology was your thing, and, at that moment, you let your resolve build high enough for you to grip onto it and say your ideas.

"Exciting. At least we'll get something done other than those repetitive self-defence classes," she said, leaning against the desk.

"True. But, I heard they built the new simulator facilities, so... apparently, we get to work in that as well," you added on to which she nodded thoughtfully.

"I just want to get it over and done with, you know? All of it. Getting Enchantix and then being a powerful fairy — ugh, my dream," she said the last bit with flair, dramatically placing a hand over her heart.

A small smile tugged your lips, agreeing with her for the most part. Enchantix was your goal if you didn't feel terribly dry and burnt out all the damn time.

It's just that getting there was the hard bit. Tackling hurdles that came with achieving the fairy form was enough to shoot all your confidence down.

"Yeah, a dream..." you mumbled absentmindedly.

Then, came the hard part of choosing what on Magix to make the potion on. There was a brief discussion of how it should be helpful to the people, help them feel stronger, and wield their magic without difficulty.

So, when you suggested a healing potion, you saw the way her eyes dimmed, as if you had purposely clouded her other insanely wonderful idea.

Leerae pursed her lips, glanced at the paper, and tapped her finger on the table. It irked you slightly, the thuds sounding like a blunt object slowly hammering your contentment.

"I was thinking something more brave. We could go above and beyond, and it would get us the top grade!" She addressed once more, facing you again with a convincing gaze. "Like a potion of courage, strength."

Those sounded wonderful indeed. But you and here were only third years, not that magically advanced to create such complex potions of courage.

Or maybe you weren't magically advanced. Shoving the thought down into the dirt, you puffed out some air.

"I just feel like a healing potion is easier to make, less complex, and it will get us a top grade without having to scavenge too much. We would get it done in no time," you explained again, setting your foot down. Even that felt shaky to you.

Again, the energetic light she had dimmed within your second attempt, but she smiled tightly. The anxiety fueled your heart to thump faster.

"Sure. Healing potion it is," she said briefly before scribbling out something on the paper and writing something else on it.

There must have been something distorting your brain because why did you feel bad? You crushed the idea she handed to you with a full smile and replaced it with yours.

Healing potion? Simple. Too simple. Your thoughts weaved over one another, each one incoherent and fighting for a conclusion on how you felt about stepping on her plans.

Then, your phone buzzed on the table, snapping you out of the webs of your mind. Opening the phone, you saw a message from Jungwon.

An image to be exact; it was a white dog, black, beady eyes, and slightly pointed ears that were flat on his head. A smile came on your lips as you read his name to be "Maeumi."

Just like you, Jungwon had a pet and had the desire to share it with you. Again, the small bud, planted in your chest, grew, making the warmth flutter.

"You're texting Jungwon?" She asked inquisitively, a small smirk on her lips as she remained hunched over her paper. A little startled, you turned the phone off and sheepishly smiled.

"Yeah. Talking about his pet since he saw mine," you affirmed. She grinned in curiosity.

"So, he likes animals?"

"I guess so," you replied as you put your phone away. She hummed again, somewhat elated at that revelation.

"Glad I'm the fairy of animals then. I could tell you and him facts of some magical creatures," she said, staring off to the distance. You just gave a small, forced chuckle.

"Yeah, it would be helpful in a way."

After a few minutes of making a small mind map of your own on the healing potion, Leerae sat up again, peering over at you.

"Do you think you can introduce me to him?"

"What?"

Your eyes looked alarmingly wide. She giggled at that, unaware of the sudden apprehension she wedged into you.

Oh...

"Introduce me, silly," she repeated, chin resting on her hand ever so blissfully, as if she was saying something so obvious.

Something twisted within you, but you subdued the urge for it to evolve into a storm. You looked back at your mind map, writing.

"I don't really know him like you think I do." You sighed. You only texted him, like, yesterday. She playfully nudged your arm, causing the pen to annoyingly jostle and jog your written word.

"But, you're on a texting basis," she said slyly, pressing on the matter. Not able to resist the way she pushed and clawed into your comfort, you sighed and smiled, lifting your gaze from the pen.

"Maybe this weekend. I have to go to Red Fountain to see my brother anyway," you said. She grinned now.

"Omg, thank you!"

You didn't reply as she went back to her own paper, and you to yours; if one thing went your way, then the next, it wouldn't.

Oh, this is stupid. You shouldn't be feeling an ounce of discomfort at her request. After all, you only had one conversation with Jungwon. It didn't mean anything if he talked to another girl.

Besides, you already narrowed the project into what you wanted. You exhausted all your assertion and gave in.

You really shouldn't have the audacity to be wary of Leerae talking to Jungwon in the future.

It just wasn't your place.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱‧₊˚━━━━━━━━━━━━━

<< M.LIST >>

[NOTES]: This was so easy to write. I wish I could write like this all the time HELP. And yall are so funny with ur comments, even if it was just 2 people. Both hating Sunghoon for being dodgy😭😭 lmao. pls comment, they're so funny.

REBLOGS, COMMENTS + LIKES are appreciated <3

╰┈➤𝚃𝚊𝚐𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝: 𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚗 (comment or give an ask)

© 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗱𝘀

⋆ཐིཋྀ ౨ৎ ⋆｡˚

˖ . ݁𝜗𝜚. ݁₊[TAGLIST]: @dreamiestay @m3l4nchol @n1k1mura @wensurr @jiiyen @jwonistic @lo-la17 @sol3chu @firstclassjaylee @luumiinaa @xwonz @vixialuvs

[xoxomirrorball]

Oh Shit!

hawaiian!percy jackson x fem!reader

AU, aged-up characters, college-age (23-24 ish)

accidental pregnancy!! BE WARNED!!!

strong language (ish)

implictions of sex, nothing actually depicted

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If only Piper hadn’t had a pregnancy scare. Then you never would have known. Though I guess it is better knowing, You mused. There, sitting on a granite countertop of the bathroom of a girl’s dormitory in New Rome University, laid a positive pregnancy test. Let’s rewind for a second youre.

Piper had run to Annabeth and Reyna’s dorm, You hot on your heels. She was a mess, holding a plastic bag from the drug store which contained a box of pregnancy tests. Annabeth was frantic, reading through the instructions too fast to be normal. To make her feel better, you offered to take a test with Piper so you wouldn’t do it alone. Annabeth and Reyna would have offered but they were not potentially banging men (cough girlfriends cough) so it was up to you. In hindsight, the rest of the girls did, in fact, not know you were secretly banging Percy Jackson, your best friend.

Piper went first, peeing on the stick and laying it on the counter face down. you then walked away and began to pace the room anxiously. You took your turn, also laying the stick face down on the countertop. you sat patiently and looked over Annabeth’s recent blueprints. 

Once the timer went off, all four girls huddled into the tiny bathroom. Piper checked yours first, slumping back in relief at the single line on the stick. The group laughed about your worry before Reyna teased Kay to look at yours.

“It’s gonna be negative, but okay,” you relented. Flipping over the stick, Piper almost passed out. There were two clearly visible pink lines, “They can be false right?” 

“You..who did you fuck?” Reyna asked with a shit-eating grin.

“Nobody! I haven’t had sex since…” you trailed off, pausing with your eyes wide, “Shit.” 

“What? Who?” Annabeth pressed, Piper practically running a lap around the small dorm in shock and suppressed joy.

“Umm, so you guys know how we had that huge party on the beach for Percy’s 24th right?” you asked.

“Yeah, we got hammered,” Reyna laughed, nudging Annabeth’s shoulder.

“Well…I kind of maybe..hookedupwithpercy!” you spat out, cringing.

“PERCY?” Annabeth screamed.

“Yes…we actually are kind of friends with benefits…there’s more there than just that, but keep that quiet!” You mimed shushing, and nervously smiled. 

“You have to tell him,” Reyna insisted, slinging an arm around your shoulder.

“I can’t! He’ll hate me,” you sulked.

“We all know he’d never hate you. You’re his best friend, and I know he’s in love with you too, Y/n,” Annabeth consoled. 

Suddenly the dormitory door opened, and Piper came in hugged to Jason’s side, Percy following behind. “Hey, Angel, Annabeth, Rey,” He sent a little smile to you, Annabeth nudging you in response.

“Hey, Perce…I have something to tell you actually,” you said nervously, figuring now was as good a time as any. 

“We’ll give you guys some privacy,” Reyna scrunched her nose, grabbing her girlfriend and friends, and yanking them out of the room.

“So um..you remember the night of your birthday party?” you asked.

“I remember every moment spent with you, Y/n,” he stated, earnestly soft.

You smiled self-deprecatingly, grabbing the test and pulling Percy to sit next to you on the floor. 

“Please don’t hate me,” You gulped.

“I could never.”

You could tell he was scarily honest, one muscularly tanned arm coming around your shoulder and squeezing. You picked the test up from where it laid by your side and handed it to Percy, looking down in worry. You hadn’t felt that much anxiety since your first quest when you were eleven. You were having a baby. Percy’s baby. If he was okay with that. 

“Is this real?” he asked after a few moments.

“Yeah. Do you hate me?” you replied, still not looking up and worrying your bottom lip between your teeth. You felt him shift. A hand softly grasped your chin, tilting your head up to look at him.

He wore a small smile, eyes full of happiness and love.

“No. In fact, I love you, Angel.”

“Please don’t just be saying that because of the baby.”

“I mean it. I love you and I always have. We’re gonna be the best parents, alright? You and me. Together. Or whatever you decide.”

“Yeah, we will. I love you too, Percy. Thank you, for being here with me,” you sniffled, feeling tears sting your eyes.

“Of course love. Always have been, always will be. Now should we spread the good news?” Percy asked, standing and offering a hand to you, his girl, helping you get up.

“Yeah. But first,” you grabbed his shoulder and pulled him in for the most heartwarming and emotion-fueled kiss you could muster. The two of you stood like that, your hands around his shoulders and his on your hips, one hand still holding the test. 

Of course, Piper was ecstatic to begin planning the baby shower. They got a round of congratulations from Frank and Jason, Leo cracked some very sexual jokes that Hazel blushed at before giving both of you a long hug. Annabeth and Reyna were the scariest. Godmomma bear mode activated instantaneously and they were creating every security measure possible for you, who was also half-god and a complete badass at fighting. “Details! Details!” Annabeth had said, flapping her hands when you tried pointing that out. 

Reflecting, you and Percy couldn’t be more thankful for Piper’s pregnancy scare. You ended up going into labor when you were just under your due date, the baby coming quickly after. And together, you were all at peace.

[ozzo-the-wozzo]

A VERY long theory post on how Miraculous might handle the possibility of Marinette losing their memories, based on… 90s Sailor Moon!

So I am a HUGE fan of 90s Sailor Moon, and it’s pretty well known that the show serves as a huge inspiration for Miraculous alongside other shows! Anyway, they have an amnesia arc at the start of the 2nd story arc of that show, and seeing the Marinette amnesia crumb planted in the latest ml episode, as well as the fact we’re in the 2nd story arc of ml, I have a sneaking suspicion that sailor moon’s amnesia arc can be drawn from for speculation on anything they might do with Marinette!

BIG spoilers for Sailor Moon below, and without further ado, here we go:

SO, let’s start with a summary of everything that happens in 1st arc of Sailor Moon that provides necessary context of the amnesia arc. You can skip past this section to the parts in pink that have the actual theory if you want, but this context helps make things less confusing:

1) Usagi gets assigned to be a sailor guardian by this cat called Luna (You can see her as a mix of Tikki and Master Fu, but she mostly serves the same role as Tikki in the show), and throughout the season other girls get assigned to be sailor guardians and they become part of this big ass friend group.

2) Meanwhile, Usagi and her love interest, Mamoru, hate each other in their civilian forms throughout the season, but as heroes she had a big crush on him as his persona ‘Tuxedo Mask’, who would come and save her if she was having trouble in a fight. In other words, lowkey og love square but if they were enemies as civilians:

3) Anyway, this all comes together at the end of the first arc where Usagi and Momoru have a reveal (quicker than miraculous, I know) and in turn find out they were the moon princess and earth prince in a past life. After this reveal, Mamoru gets mind controlled by the villain and turns evil, and when everyone going on a mission to save him and defeat the big villain, it ends with EVERYONE EXCEPT USAGI DYING. She has to use a power to defeat the villain that causes her to die as well, but not before she MAKES A WISH FOR HER AND HER FRIENDS TO HAVE A NORMAL LIFE THAT REWRITES THE UNIVERSE, causing the arc to end with EVERYONE’S MEMORIES WIPED, INCLUDING USAGI.

Already, I’m sure you can see the similarities that are arising, but onto the 2nd arc + how I think this will tie together:

During the 2nd arc, we start with basically a refresh of the show with Usagi having her memories wiped as per the wish, but due to evil arising once more, LUNA (who, again, I compared to tikki) has to restore her memories to have her fight evil again. Usagi then wants to restore the others memories desperately so that she won’t be alone, but doesn’t want them to give up their normal lives and be put in harms way. Also, she tries to get Mamoru to fall in love with her again, but since he lost his memories, he doesn’t like her anymore, like he did at the start of season one:

So what do I think will happen? I don’t necessarily think EVERYONE’s memories will be wiped like in sailor moon, nor will a wish to rewrite the universe be involved, at least not YET. BUT, I do think that the reveal will happen, Marinette will lose her memories after a fight (possibly in a fight involving evil Adrien like in the Sailor Moon), and then Alya, Adrien, and Tikki will be hesitant to restore her memories when all is said and done because she has finally become a NORMAL GIRL, with a NORMAL LIFE, and they don’t want to take that from her.

THE PHRASING OF THE INTRO BEING SOOO SIMILAR TO USAGI’S WISH IN SAILOR MOON IS CRAZY, and idk it feels like this could be such a cool idea, especially if by this point the public has turned on the old ladybug for lying and they want to try and spare Marinette from that! IT ALSO PARALLELS MARINETTE SHIELDING ADRIEN FOR HIS PROTECTION, WITH HER NOW ON THE RECEIVING END (it’s worth noting Mamoru being left in the dark is a big thing sailor moon season one as well, no so much an insecurity of his but bro doesn’t know anythingggg compared to Usagi for awhile).

THIS WOULD ALSO PROLONG REVEAL SHENANIGANS LIKE IT DID IN SAILOR MOON !! Again, Usagi had to try and make Mamoru fall in love with her again without telling him anything, and this becomes the man focus of the first arc of the season!!! (Mamoru also has a part of him that gets separated from his physical form and becomes an alternate version of tuxedo mask to protect her despite his memory loss, but I don’t think they’ll rope that in lol.)

Guys I know this is a little out there and INSANE but I am SO convinced of this at least being mirrored a LITTLE bit in the show, especially since, as you can see, a LOT was pulled from this show already for miraculous. Here’s to the crazy amnesia arc we might get that might break our hearts… I’m sat! (also watch sailor moon bc clearly if you’re a miraculous fan you’ll LOVE it).

[clarisse0o]

The Mayor - Chapter 22

Lucy Bronze x Ona Batlle

Alternate Universe: Mayor and Architect

Words: 700

Masterlist

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I took off my glasses and set them on my desk. I was going to have to face Lucy, even though, in that moment, I’d have given anything to run.  

I felt cornered whenever I was alone with her, especially now.  

 "I’ve been quite busy these..."   

She cut me off sharply, as only she could.  

 "Your pathetic little messages—I let those slide. But sending your intern to the site to avoid me? That’s something a four-year-old would do!"  she fumed, sitting down across from me.  

I looked down. She was absolutely right, and I knew it.  

 "Just to clear something up, Ona—you have a tongue, don’t you? You’ve proven to me you know how to use it quite well..."   

 "Thanks for the compliment,"  I said with a shy smile, trying to play along with her humor.  

But neither her eyes nor her lips softened. I decided to dive in.  

 "Listen, Lucy, I’m sorry I didn’t come by tonight. I need to step back this week."   

 "For what?"  she asked, her gaze fixed on me.  

 "To think!"   

She raised her eyebrows, exasperated.  

 "So we’re playing guessing games now, is that it?"   

 "Alessia asked me if we could get back together."   

I dropped the sentence abruptly, just like that.  

 "In Canada? You’re going to Canada?"  she asked, caught off guard.  

 "No, here. She’d stay if we got back together."   

A brief silence settled between us. She stared at me, seemingly searching for words. Then she squared her shoulders.  

 "So, all this was worth your little charade this week?"   

 "I don’t know, Lucy, okay? I’m a little lost right now. I didn’t want to be close to you this week to avoid complicating things!"   

 "Complicating things?"   

 "Yes! I mean our...relationship. Well, relationship—I don’t even know if that’s the right word. If I get back with Alessia, I..."   

I couldn’t even find the words. Everything was tangled up.  

 "I know what it means, Ona! It means our sexual relationship will be over. And so what?"   

Sexual relationship. She’d put it into words. That’s all our relationship amounted to. She added:  

 "Did you think I’d jump on you this week, that I wouldn’t be able to help myself? Grow up, Ona! I’m not your toy, do you understand that?"   

Her words were delivered in the coldest tone, and they chilled me to the bone. She was furious. Furious at my behavior, furious that I had dared to sideline her for a few days.  

 "You’re not my toy, Lucy, I..."   

 "Act like a professional. Show up for the damn meetings. We’ve got two weeks of work left! Don’t confuse everything—I can very well do without you, Ona. But can you manage without me?"  she said with cutting irony.  

It felt like she had slapped me.  

As I was about to respond, she was already on her feet and walking out.  

I had tears in my eyes. Tears from being crushed by Lucy without being able to defend myself. I was seething. I needed fresh air.  

A few minutes later, I left the office as well.  

On the way, I decided to stop by the river that ran through the city, in a park. The park where I had met Alessia for the first time.  

That was six years ago. I had fallen while jogging early in the morning. The person behind me laughed, which infuriated me. My first look at Alessia was one of pure annoyance. She smiled, helped me up, and sat me on a bench. My ankle was sore, and she checked to see if it was broken, explaining she was a medical intern. There was nothing wrong, but she suggested I visit her at the hospital if the pain persisted. She smiled again before leaving. Her eyes, her smile. I had been instantly charmed.  

I went back to the hospital. I wasn’t in pain anymore—I just wanted to see her. That was the beginning of our five-year relationship.  

Thinking of that memory, my body, and especially my heart, warmed despite the cool wind brushing my neck.  

At that precise moment, I no longer thought of Lucy’s hurtful words or her cold eyes. That relationship was going nowhere; it only messed with my head. It was just a fleeting passion—a sexual fling, as Lucy had rightly put it. Nothing more.  

I wanted to be in her arms—Alessia’s arms.  

I had made my decision.  

[tealmagicmoon]

I need to rant about this ep I’m with eclipse I’m ragging out my fucking hair.

Puppet is gonna make Charlie (Sams) deal with her  consequences. As she runs away AGAIN!

She claims she’s not gonna die THEN WTF WAS THAT EP ABOUT!

Has Charlie said she wants puppet power?

Has Charlie said she’d be okay with coming back to life?

DOES CHARLIE EVEN KNOW WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON OR WHAT THAT ENTAILS ?!

AND THEN PUPPET EXPECTS ECLIPSE TO RAISE HER! LIKE SHE ACTUALLY EXPECTS ECPISE TO TEACH CHARLIE HOW TO USE PUPPETS POWER SO THEN SHE CAN DEAL WITH PUPPETS CONCQUENSES! AND SHES JUSTIFYING IT BY SAYING “wElL I’lL STiL bE tHeRE I’Ll jUSt Be LiKE SamMY” THATS NOT ANY BETTER HOLY SHIT!

She’s claiming she can make the decision FOR CHARLIE because she’s her from a different universe. Like no you can’t. If that were the case Eclipse could do that for Solar and that’s an OBVIOUS NO! Charlie isn’t a carbon copy of Puppet she should be allowed to become her own person without intervention!

This episode was just pure gilt tripping and gaslighting holy shit! You know what, I HOPE when Puppet goes Eclipse will get an actual friend (no offence to Earth we love her but she’s not exactly around much). A friend who is on his side, understands him, loyal but still holds him accountable, is actually nice to him, is around him and doesn’t use him! He NEEDS a good comparison. Because I love Earth but she’s a door mat at times so she’s not a good example of someone healthily setting boundaries. If eclipse is going to learn how to properly respect others and HIMSELF then he NEEDS someone who can show him how.

PLS TELL ME IM NOT THE ONLY ONE SEEING THIS RIGHT LIKE AAAAA!!!!

Also quick side note wtf was that Andrew section about like why has recently Andrew just been repeating everything Puppet says or excusing her actions and trying to explain it usually it comes across as him trying to get Eclipse to go alone with it wtf????