#blackeye vernon | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

lovelyhan · 2 years ago

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op i just wanted you to know how much i craved a proper, plot-driven story based on black eye and you've given me (and everyone else here) the best one we could ever ask for 😩😩

pretty lies - part eight

pairing: vernon x reader

rating/genre: enemies to lovers, slow burn, ANGSTY fluff, band au

summary: supporting your friend mingyu becomes way more than you ever could have bargained for when you become involved with one of his bandmates

warnings: cussing, vernon has issues in this story but please remember this is a work of fiction, mingyu stans don’t hate me but mingyu and reader are just friends

word count: 3.8k

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You let yourself stay in bed all day Saturday, keeping your phone turned off as you curled yourself deeper into your sheets, taking whatever sleep you could find so you didn’t have to think about last night. By the time Sunday morning rolled around you still felt like shit, mind becoming overwhelmed whenever you thought about what had happened with Mingyu and Vernon. You still didn’t even know the results of the Battle of the Bands competition - you just couldn’t bear to think about any of it. You got up only to eat some leftovers from your fridge and use the bathroom before you retreated straight back into your bed, closing your eyes again and willing yourself back to sleep. This was your last day to hide from the world in self pity before you had to show your face at your job tomorrow. Maybe you would call in sick instead.

Later on Sunday afternoon you were awoken by what sounded like a knock on your door. You ignored it, assuming it was the delivery person or your neighbor or someone who was lost. Whoever it was, you really didn’t care because you weren’t going to answer it. But a few moments later you heard your front door open, and your eyes shot open in alarm. You started thinking about where the closest weapon-like object was, survival instinct kicking in before you heard a voice call out.

“Y/n? Are you here?” It was Mingyu.

You closed your eyes again, hiding under the covers. You forgot you’d given him your spare key in the event that you lost yours.

Shit. Maybe he’ll assume I’m not here, you thought to yourself, trying to stay quiet.

“Should we check her job? Or that book store you mentioned?” That sounded like Jay.

“Hold on,” Mingyu said to Jay. You heard footsteps begin approaching your bedroom door, followed by a light knock, but you kept quiet.

“I’m coming in,” he announced, and you heard the door creak open shortly after. You willed your body and face to stay still as you felt him walk right over to your side of the bed.

“I know you’re awake right now,” Mingyu deadpanned.

“Go away,” you said, not even trying to pretend. “Please. Just leave me alone.”

“I wouldn’t have had to come here if you’d answered any one of my many texts and calls. You had me worried.”

“Why? According to you we’re not really friends.” You meant to say it with a hard tone, but your voice wavered at the end, much to your annoyance.

Mingyu sighed then, sitting on the edge of your bed.

“I’m sorry y/n. That was a really stupid thing for me to say,” Mingyu began. “I was overwhelmed by everything that happened that night so when you told me you were dating Vernon…instead of being a supportive friend or checking to make sure you were ok I used the news as a replacement for my frustration about the competition…It wasn’t fair and I said a lot of things I didn’t mean - to you and Jay,” Mingyu looked back over at the other man, who gave him an appreciative nod in the doorway. “Things that were incredibly hurtful. It was wrong. I was wrong. I’m sorry.”

You stayed silent, taking in his words.

“Are you still upset with me?” he asked like a scolded child, poking at the blankets wrapped around you. You only curled yourself into your covers more in response, not ready to give him the satisfaction of your forgiveness just yet.

“I brought chicken,” Mingyu said as a last resort.

Your face peeked out of the covers at his words, eyes narrowing.

“Stop lying.”

“When have I ever lied to you about food?”

“Hey, sorry to interrupt but…are we gonna eat soon? I’m hungry and this chicken smells goooooood man,” Jay’s voice butted in. You couldn’t stop yourself from laughing out loud as Mingyu’s face became annoyed.

“Can’’t you see I’m trying to apologize like a good friend right now???”

“Sorry Jay,” you said, face settling into a tiny smile. “Just give me 20 minutes.”

—————

After you’d made yourself look relatively presentable, the three of you let yourselves eat in silence for awhile before you asked about the one thing that had been bothering you ever since they got there.

“So. What happened with Battle of the Bands?” you asked hesitantly. “Did they decide on a winner?” Jay and Mingyu looked at each other for a moment before Mingyu broke the silence.

“We lost.”

You looked at the two of them, sorrow flooding your face. You still couldn’t help but feel guilty.

“Mingyu, Jay - I’m so sorry. I swear I -”

“Stop. It’s not your fault so don’t even go there,” Mingyu said. “That crowd was out of control. And while I wish Vernon had handled it better, I’m glad that you’re ok first and foremost.”

“Even if it means you lost the competition? Your chance at pursuing music?” you asked regrettably. Mingyu sighed in response, nodding his head softly.

“Opportunities will come and go,” he said as he looked back at you calmly, “but nothing is worth risking your life or ruining our friendship over.”

You looked down silently, trying to take in Mingyu’s words. It was still hard to think about it, but you were growing to accept the fact that there was nothing you could have done in hindsight. While you wished you could have known all that being with Vernon would entail, that simply wasn’t possible. Nor could you hold yourself accountable for his actions. At this point you were just glad to have your friend back.

“Thanks Mingyu,” you said, sniffling a little as you gave him a tiny smile.

“Plus, not all is lost - check the BoB hashtag on your socials,” Jay offered.

You finally turned your phone back on, swiping through dozens of unread messages and notifications before you opened up the internet, typing in the hashtag and beginning to read. First you saw videos of the crowd surge and subsequent fight, watching Vernon jump down from the stage and push towards you before the punching began, which made you grimace. You paused the video before that part came on, reading some of the attached comments instead:

letsrave143: been complaining about this for years with #BoB. crowds getting crazier every year. do better please!!!

d0ntwannacry: was there and saw it happen just feet away. hey here’s an idea #BoB - can we turn this into a seated event please? and how about stop offering the 5 free drink tickets per person? people who can’t control themselves shouldn’t ruin the event for everyone else

bubbly_woozi: thank god artist saw and stopped performance. i don’t condone the punching tho.

You continued to scroll, finding comments attached to other videos of the guys performing:

iStantal3nt: the real winners. #RRD

livin4Drama: ok imma just say the quiet part out loud - no shade to @Kenzy but @RRD definitely should’ve won. too bad they were punished for that crzy incident. :(

RRDstanaccount: how many times is #BoB gonna invite @RRD for views but deny them their hard-earned win?

iDreaminCoolors: why tf is no one on the timeline talking about Visions by @RRD??? 1st time hearing and i sobbed

There were even videos going viral of judge reactions. One clip of Woozi in particular was gaining serious traction:

bubbly_woozi: get u someone who looks at u the way @_woozi does at @RRD

musicIslyfe: i need someone to get @RRD a meeting with @_woozi STAT. #BoB make it happen. the least you can do after robbing them -_-

junnyProd: @_woozi who’s got you smiling like that? give me a call and let’s chat. we still have to do a collab

“Holy shit - you guys are trending,” you said with wide eyes.

“That’s what I said!” Jay exclaimed, “But Mingyu keeps saying we shouldn’t put too much meaning in social media comments.”

“And I still stand by those words,” Mingyu said stubbornly. “But forget about all that, there’s another reason we came over,” he started, voice becoming a bit gentler. “Have you seen or heard from Vernon at all?”

Your body tensed slightly at hearing his name.

“You know I don’t mind that you two are dating right? You don’t need my permission or anything,” Mingyu followed up quickly, not wanting you to get the wrong idea as you nodded in understanding. “It’s just that we haven’t been able to get in contact with him since he left the competition. I don’t even think he’s sleeping at the apartment right now.”

Your brows creased with concern at hearing that. He wasn’t even coming home at night?

“I don’t know where he is,” you replied honestly. “He came by my place Friday night after the competition to make sure I was ok…but I was upset so I said some stuff and…things didn’t end so well. That was the last time I saw him,” you left it at that, a regretful look on your face.

“Shit. Y/n, I’m sorry,” Mingyu said, noticing the tinge of emotion in your voice.

“We’re just worried,” Jay said as Mingyu nodded along.

“I think we all know by now Vernon’s not the easiest guy to deal with,” Mingyu added. “And I know he’s been through some shit but he’s got some real talent so I’m trying to look out for him. I still wanna give him a chance, but if he keeps running away my hands are kind of tied,” he said regrettably.

“I get it,” you said. “And I’m sorry but there’s nothing I can do. I hope he turns up soon.” You left the conversation at that, wanting to move on from the topic as quickly as possible. Mingyu took note, deciding not to push the subject.

The three of you finished up your food before beginning to clean up when Mingyu’s phone buzzed on your kitchen counter. You watched as he picked it up, face going from nonchalant to shocked in a matter of seconds as you watched his eyes flit back and forth, clearly reading something.

“Jay, come here for a second,” he motioned over to him. “Please tell me this isn’t a scam.”

Jay came over and looked at Mingyu’s phone, a grin spreading across his face after a few moments at what he saw.

“Nah man, that is indeed the real deal. I follow their account.”

“What is it?” you asked curiously.

Mingyu and Jay looked at each other, a mischievous glint in both their eyes before they just broke out into laughter.

“Ok, someone please tell me what’s going on right now,” you whined a little as you placed your hands on your hips, feeling left out.

“We just got a message from Woozi’s team,” Mingyu started. Your eyes widened. You couldn’t believe what you were hearing.

“Shut up - you’re fucking kidding right?” you asked incredulously.

Mingyu shook his head no, another laugh escaping his lips.

“Well? What does it say?” You walked over quickly and looked down at his phone, not even waiting for a response.

“Dear members of Red Rock Day,” you began reading out loud. “We are representatives of Woozi’s team, reaching out on behalf of the artist to inquire about a potential collaboration. As you may know, Woozi was a guest judge during your performance at Battle of the Bands and has expressed an interest in working together on a new project as well as helping to make an official recording of your song Visions. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are interested. We look forward to your response.”

You practically jumped up and down after finishing the message. “Oh my god, this is amazing! I’m so happy for you guys,” you said ecstatically, pulling Mingyu and Jay into a big group hug.

“I told you things would work out,” Jay said serenely.

“We still have a problem though,” Mingyu said worriedly. You took a deep breath, having a feeling you knew where this was going. You released your hold on the guys, backing away slowly.

“Visions is Vernon’s song,” he continued. “We can’t do this without him - hell, we wouldn’t even be here without him. He has to hear about this.”

“I know…so what are you guys gonna do?” you asked.

Mingyu and Jay glanced at each other again before looking right back at you, a tentative question in their eyes.

“No way,” you said, shaking your head. “I’m not talking to Vernon.”

“But you know him better than any of us,” Mingyu tried.

“What makes you think that?” you pushed back. Mingyu only gave you a look of disbelief, and you couldn’t blame him. You didn’t even believe the words yourself as they came out of your mouth.

“He would never want to see me again after last night,” you tried to make a different case against the idea. “Not after I pushed him away.”

“I know I don’t really deserve to ask this of you after everything but…would you at least be willing to try?” Mingyu asked gently. “He won’t answer my or Jay’s calls or texts. We don’t have any other options and we can’t just wait around for him to show up now.”

You stood in silent frustration with your arms crossed, feeling like you were being trapped in a corner with nowhere to run.

“Y/n,” Jay started gently, “I think what we’re trying to say is that, you and Vernon clearly connected over the last few months. He felt safe enough with you to share the meaning of a song that he refused to talk about with Mingyu and I, even after we rehearsed it dozens of times together. I truly believe you would be the best person to convince him to come back - to record this. We owe it to him to let him know about this opportunity - to let him have a choice.”

In your heart you knew that they were right. Despite your falling out you still cared about Vernon. You knew he had dreams of songwriting, of making music just like Mingyu and Jay did, and you knew how much meaning the song Visions held. You would hate it if such an amazing opportunity was to slip through his fingers - through any of their fingers. Of course it would be up to Vernon at the end of the day, but he had to know in order to make a decision.

“Fine,” you said hesitantly. “I’ll do it.”

—————

Cellphone buzzing in your hand, you looked down to see a text from Mingyu:

Mingyu: i know this isn’t easy, and i appreciate what you’re doing right now. call me anytime if you need me.

You took a deep breath, closing your eyes and trying to keep yourself calm as you continued to wait.

It was the following Monday after work, and you were sitting on a bench outside, just a few blocks from your office. You’d made yourself go in today rather than calling in sick, hoping that it would help to distract you a little, but you hadn’t been able to focus on even the simplest of tasks, too busy thinking about what you’d say when you saw Vernon - if you saw him. You had tried calling him several times after Mingyu and Jay left, but each time your phone would ring and ring until it reached his voicemail. For a moment you worried that maybe something had happened to him, but when you left a text explaining the opportunity and asking if the two of you could talk, you saw that the message was immediately marked as read, though he didn’t send anything back. You sent one more message, asking if he could meet you today after work where you were now.

The spot was one you two would frequently pass by when you would go on your walks together. You still remembered how you and Vernon would stop at this same bench sometimes and sit, your head leaning against his shoulder, hands linked as you would look across at the adjacent river and watch as others passed by. Now spring was almost here, and with the extra hours of sunlight you watched as the sun slowly began it’s descent a tad later than usual, light hitting the ripples of water serenely as birds chirped and newly grown petals wafted by, carried by the light breeze. You weren’t sure if Vernon would come, but you’d found yourself hoping he would. The more you’d had time to think the more you realized you didn’t like the way you’d left things the last time you spoke.

You felt him before you saw him - that smoky smell and the sound of heavy footsteps that seemed to walk a path and a pace that was in defiance of the rest of the crowd. He sat unceremoniously next to you on the bench, the two of you focusing on the river rather than looking at each other.

“How are you?” you started after a couple beats of silence, realizing he wasn’t going to speak first.

“Fine.”

You looked down before finally glancing over at him. He was clad in a worn denim jacket and jeans, hands shoved deep in his pockets. You could still see bruising all around his eye as he continued staring out at the water, his nose scrunching a little as the breeze drifted through the hair on his forehead.

“Mingyu told me you didn’t come home the last few nights. I was worried.”

“I just needed to get away for a bit. Wasn’t a big deal.”

“Ok,” you said softly. “Well, did you see my text about the collaboration opportunity?”

Vernon stayed silent for a moment, looking down as if he was upset.

“Why’d you really ask me to come here?” he asked another question instead of answering, turning to look directly at you. You nervously looked away. It was a fair point - you already knew he’d read your texts. That could have been the end of it, though it hadn’t felt right to leave it at that - not when you thought about the last time you’d talked. If you were being honest, you regretted some of the things you’d said - or at least, the way you’d said them.

“I just - I thought it would be a good idea to meet in person again so we could…could -”

“Could what?” he prodded you on, and you could hear a tinge of sadness in his voice.

You let out another deep breath.

“Vernon…I’m sorry for how things went the last time we spoke. The guilt I had about hiding our relationship, the argument I had with Mingyu…I took it out on you and a lot of it wasn’t fair. If I could go back and say things differently I would, but still…” you started softly, thinking back to your fight and everything else that had happened, finally turning to face him again, voice becoming dry as you swallowed nervously. As amazing as some moments with Vernon had been, it all became tainted when you thought about the anger he still held inside of his heart - the parts of him that he hadn’t let heal, refused to even.

“I don’t think this is working.” Your heart fell as you watched him register your words in full, eyes going from hope to despair in a matter of seconds.

“You don’t mean that,” he insisted, shaking his head in denial at those last few words. But as he saw the pity in your eyes, your lips formed into a tight line, he began to panic, his entire body turning towards yours to face you fully.

“Look, I’m sorry for leaving last night - for getting upset, ok?” Vernon said apologetically, a hand rubbing the back of his head. “And I know I haven’t done shit perfectly but I promise I can be better. I’ll be on my best behavior when I’m with you - I promise. Just please don’t leave,” he began to plead.

You shook your head, eyes becoming watery as you looked at him miserably.

“Don’t you see that’s part of the problem? You have to be better for yourself Vernon. Not for me or for anyone else - for you.”

You began to get up from the bench, collecting yourself as Vernon stood up with you. The sun had almost set at this point, the sky becoming a deep amber color mixed with shades of purple.

“Please, don’t -” he stumbled over his words as he tried to calm himself. “You promised you wouldn’t leave me. Fuck - I don’t wanna be alone again,” he begged, voice cracking.

“I’m sorry,” you said, a tear falling from your eye. You gently wiped it away with the back of your hand. “I don’t wanna hurt you.”

“Well you’re hurting me right now - this fucking hurts.” Vernon’s eye was throbbing in pain at this point but he couldn’t care less about it - not when you were breaking his heart. Nothing could be more painful.

“I’m sorry.”

He looked at you for a few more moments with furrowed brows, waiting for the moment you would change your mind. Say you didn’t mean it, tell him you loved him, that you would never leave him. But you stood your ground, having clearly made up your mind. There was nothing else he could do. He began to turn away from you, unable to face you anymore as tears began to blur up his sight.

“Wait. Vernon.” He stopped, back still facing you.

“I know I shouldn’t ask but - just promise me you’ll record Visions,” you said tearfully. “There are people out there that need to hear it. I don’t want you to hide in silence anymore.”

He looked down for a moment before focusing back on the path, beginning to briskly walk away from you.

—————

You drove back home, not regretful of your decision but still incredibly sad. Just because you’d ended things with Vernon didn’t mean it had been easy. You weren’t sure you were ever going to forget the way he’d looked at you when you’d said sorry, face contorted in a pain that came from somewhere far deeper than the bruises on his face.

Once you’d made it home all you wanted to do was shower and get in your bed, but within minutes of taking off your coat your phone started ringing - it was Mingyu. “Shit,” you muttered, mind going back to the other reason you’d reached out to Vernon. Mingyu and Jay had been depending on you to convince him to agree to record. You knew it would be an amazing opportunity for all of them, including Vernon, and a part of you wondered if your breaking up would jeopardize that, but you tried to remind yourself that now that he knew about it, it was out of your control. You had to do what was best for you, and you just hoped that Vernon would do the same. You waited a few rings before finally answering the call, another apology on your lips as you readied your explanation, prepared for the worst.

“I don’t know what you said y/n, but he agreed. We’re really gonna work with Woozi,” Mingyu immediately said without leaving you in suspense. You could hear just how shocked he was, still unable to believe it was all real.

“I’m…I’m glad,” you said, also in a bit of shock, voice barely audible. As one realization was hitting Mingyu in full force, a different one had begun to sink itself into your bones now that you could no longer fixate on the collaboration. Somehow Vernon agreeing to record despite your relationship ending made you feel even worse. It really was over between the two of you.

“Y/n? Are you ok? Tell me what’s wrong,” Mingyu asked, noticing the tone of your voice. All you could do was give a deep sigh in response.

“Did he do anything to you?” he asked with concern. “‘Cause if he did I swear I’ll -”

“No, it’s nothing like that,” you interrupted with a shake of your head even though Mingyu couldn’t see you, tears beginning to fall from your eyes.

“I - I told him I couldn’t be with him anymore and I just -” you began sobbing, unable to hold it in anymore. Your heart felt like it had shattered into a million pieces.

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