#couldn't remember if this was placed before adventure week or after but if you need me to rewrite it just lmk!!

[clubsmarties]

"Hey!" Wally exclaimed making his dimple show as crystal green eyes looked up at her excitedly. "I guess I really was talking to your walls. Anyway," he shook his head and offered her some cake. "You should have some. Taste the fruits of your labor. Isn't that a silly expression. How are fruits in labor?" The idea of it just making him chuckle. "I'm not lost silly," his finger tapped her nose or as close to her nose as he could get before he released a sigh. "Not lost. I just didn't like how we left things. I don't like it. Feels weird and strained and that's not us. Sure, I didn't forsee the giant fuck ups we'd be met with but that's the job. Rolling with the punches." He'd lost track of his sentence but quickly brought it back. "I'm sorry. Genuinely so. No I'm fine. Meds taking effect. Good as new in no time."

His head leaned back at her door and sighed. "It's nice having you here. I don't think I told you that. I miss adventure week. Remember? No. Probably not. Been a while. You kinda didn't talk to me for a bit. Why?" He had a lot of questions he knew that. "You can think of the answers while you sleep or rest. You don't need to tell me right now. It's late. Or early depending how you see it."

"Hey, do you regret coming? I think you do maybe. I drew something for you. Its in my room but can show you tomorrow. Not important." He closed his eyes and hummed. "Not asleep just resting my eyes. Did you see the ocean?"

Silence was not his friend, he hated it. "I asked you before if you liked muffins. Where did you learn to make this? I want....I don't know what I want. Maybe finish off this marvelous cake and sleep for a week. It'd be the same amount of time you were busy. Was it true you were busy." His hand wobbled the mug and he got so surprised. "Whoops. Better keep that one steady.'

'Did you like the ocean? Could you smell the sea breeze coming in?" His head turned to look at her, green eyes shining as they blinked at her. "You know," he started as he took a look at her hair. "This is nice.' To what nice was he referring to he had no idea but he liked the fact that he could look at her without having to search her face. She was just there. 'For the record. I'm not loopy." Though he sounded it but he was sure he wasn't.

"You and I both." She patted his shoulder with a small sigh. It was a fact she had come to know him since meeting him. Their conversations, their glimpses into each other's upbringings. Well more like her into his with the little she shared with him. "Well don't say I didn't warn you when you find yourself flat on your back in the first couple of seconds."

The salt in the air, the sounds of the crashing waves, and the night began to calm her. Bring her back to what mattered and what didn't. And a big part of her hated it. The usual gene, instinct, whatever the hell it could be called, to run was nowhere to be heard or seen. Instead, there was a voice that said that she needed to get some rest and apologize tomorrow instead. It irked her but annoyed her more that it was right.

There was no way that she was going to leave now that she knew for sure what his goal was. Wasn't that why Charlie had created Thieves Gambit? To help people instead of hurt them? Wasn't that what Wally was doing, helping someone? Internally something told her that she was oversimplifying this, that it was two very different situations. Yet, she knew this world inside and out, he was already injured, she needed to stay the course. Much like she had known in life, she needed to lay the traps out and wait for the bait to be taken and help Wally accomplish what needed to be done.

Knowing that there would only be little time until the sun would break across the sky, she decided to head back to her room. Taking one last glance out at the dark sky meeting the ocean at the horizon, where they combined into one, and you wouldn't be able to tell where one ended and the other began unless you knew what you were looking for, she decided to head back to her room. Any little bit of rest she would be able to get would help for what comes next.

Making her way down and back towards her room, she found herself yawning and actually looking forward to sleeping for a little bit. The ocean waves had served more than just a lull, it was also something that grounded her. Calmed her. When suddenly she found herself wide awake at the sight outside of her bedroom door. "Wally?" A small wave of worry overcame her thinking he perhaps was hurt again but saw the mug next to him. Had he come over just to thank her for it? Kneeling besides him, she looked him over to make sure that he didn't have any more injuries than he had earlier before asking, "Seems you got lost, need some help up?"

[jinxthequeergirl]

The Ol switcharoo (pt4)

Stan x reader/ ford x reader

Summary: You journey into stanfords mind for the sake of the shack when you learn more than you probably should have

Warning: none Look, I'm trying to lay down more romance. The stakes are gonna get raised soon. We can't keep tiptoeing guys

Also sorry if it feels a little choppy and all over the place

Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~☆~~~~~~~

Stanford had been distant a lot more than you would like to have admitted over the past few weeks. Sure, you'd get the kids together, and all of you would hang out and have your own little adventures, but more often than not, you couldn't find him before you followed your new adopted great niece and nephew out the door for the next great adventure or activity for the summer.

You loved going out with them, taking them to lunch, or to shop Dipper even more recently, inviting you to monster hunt again. But when you weren't invited and the kids went on their own journey, you found the house was only quiet.

In the what seemed to be rare and far in-between days stan was with the three of you, you felt a great wave of peace wash over you. The four of you laughing in the car after narrowly escaping one of stans crazy ideas, sitting with him on the back porch, watching the kids run around.

You felt a buzz inside you when you sat next to him, watching him laugh at dippers water balloon hitting the ground without a pop. You loved your routine with him before the kids arrived. It seemed like that was becoming all you knew.

But the shack felt different with laughter filling it up. And if you realized it or not, those two kids were bringing you closer to Stanford when he hung around. You took a deep breath and scooted in closer to Stanford, his arm instinctively wrapped around the back of the couch, letting you fill as much space next to him as you wished.

"I can't believe this is my life now. I don't know what i did to deserve this." He said, looking down at you as you now watched the twins in the yard. "Everything happens for a reason, remember?"

"I guess so." His hand fell softly onto your shoulder, snuggling you closer. "Look out!" You and Stanford both jumped up as one of the water balloons landed where you were once sitting.

"Can't a guy get any peace around here!?" You laugh at him as he runs out into the yard demanding a balloon.

The feelings washed away, knowing he'd be hiding by tonight.

He was right, though. You couldn't believe this was your life as of right now.

"Y/n?"

You hummed in response as you cleaned dippers cut. "Would you say your feelings for Grunkle stan are...of the romantic kind?" Mable asked from right beside her brother her own adventure wounds needing to be rented too.

"Mable!" Dipper yelped, knocking her over with a nudge. You laughed out loud at her question. "Sorry..sorry." You cleared your throat. "Excuse me. Mable, what would make you ask something like that?"

"Oh c'moonnn as a love expert-"

"Your twelve-"

"I can see how you and grunkle stan look at eachother, you've been friends for years, and you've really never felt anything more than friendship for him?"

You bit the inside of your cheek as you thought about her question. "I guess maybe a few years ago... but things were different back then, and I never knew how he felt about me. Besides, so much time has passed that I'm sure that old fart feels anything other than tired anymore." Mable jumped to her feet and smashed your cheeks together.

"Y/n it is my mission as a matchmaker and love expert of gravity falls. I make it my mission to get you and my grunkle together!"

"Mable, why do you even care? Grunkle stan has shown no interest in anything other than money since we've been here."

"Dippers got a point." You say pulling tables small hands from your face. "Besides, I'm not taking love advice from the girl who dated little Gideon not too long ago."

Mable's face grew red, and she pulled the neck of her sweater up. "Ugh, don't remind me." You chuckled again, refocusing the attention to the wounds on each kid as Dipper went back to explaining what had happened in the first place.

You'd gone the next few weeks thinking about mables question. Did you still have feelings for stanford?

It wasn't something you thought much about. You two just existed with eachother nothing ever really came out of it since you were young. Besides, you'd never make a move unless you knew his exact feeling for you. He'd been so secretive recently that the only way For that to happen, you'd have to get inside his mind to find anything like that out.

Of course that was almost impossible.

"Y/N THERES A LITTLE YELLOW GUY TRUING TO TAKE OVER STANS MIND WE NEED YOUR HELP DIPPERS GOING TO TAKE US IN THERE COME ON COME ON!"

Of course maybe you spoke to soon.

"Mable slow down! What's going on!?" You asked as she dragged you by the sleeve into the family room where Stanford sat sleeping.

"So like we saw little Gideon in the woods and poof a little yellow man appeared and he made a deal with him to go inside stans mind to get the code to the safe that Mr pines keeps the deed in." Soos explained in one long breath you could see his face Turing a strange shade of red and violet.

"Wha-"

"No time we need to go now before it's to late!" Mable cried before you could even think to ask for clarification or any follow up questions.

You followed along with what Dipper told you to do, and you watched as he read from an oddly familiar book.

You make a note to ask him about it later.

Your thoughts were cut off as dippers chanting got louder, and before you knew it, the world had melted away from you, and you were suddenly sitting in a patch of grey grass.

"Wow! This is stans mind?" Mable said, hopping up and looking at the grey landscape before you.

You pushed yourself and looked around jaw on the floor. "I've done some pretty crazy things in my day, but this is beyond me..."

"Thanks for coming along y/n!" Mable said.

"Of course! You know you can count on me for anything, kids."

"OK, we need to keep an eye out for the triangle guy." Dipper stated as you headed twoard the shack.

"Yea, look put for the triangle guy!" You jumped at the voice that appeared out if no were surprised to see it belonged to exactly what the kids and soos had said.

"It's him it's the guy!" Soos said in alarm pointing at the glowing shape.

"You leave our grunkles mind alone, you isosollies monster!" Mable shouted as she charged at him. "Mable!" You and Dipper shouted each holding out an arm to grab her.

You watched in horror as the triangle swallowed her up and waited a minute before spitting her back out into your arms.

"Stan's family, it's good to finally meet you! Some more than others!" He said, floating particularly close to you as he said so. You scowled at him and shielded Mable from him. "Names bill cipher."

"Get out of stans mind! You have no business here!" Dipper shouted.

"Trust me, kid! You're the only one who should be getting out of here your way over your heads." His one winked as he shot a finger gun twoard Dipper shooting ahole through him. "I'm gonna find that code and and you're not going to stop me!"

He flew away, leaving a triangle shape hole in the shack.

"We gotta get that code before that freak does." You said pausing to giggle as Mable reached her arm through the hole in dippers chest.

"Mable!" You coughed and put on a serious face. "Alright, kids...and soos.. let's go."

You lead the way into the shack of stans mind your eyes darting from door to door each labeled a different thing.

Fears, hopes, etc.

"Look! Stans memories!" Soos pointed out. You all ran into the hall watching memories play out all around you. "Quick, let's split up and cover more ground."

You turned to open a door but the mables' hand caught yours. "Look what I found!" She squealed with giddy. "You found the code? Already?" She shook her head and dragged you out down the memory hall and too a door with a heart carved into the wood. Signage warning against opening the door nearly covering every inch.

"What is this?" You asked the girl beside you. "Look for yourself." She lifted up a "get lost" sign to reveal the doors true label.

"Y/ns memories."

"Oh Mable I dunno...we should really be looking for the code."

"Oh, c'mon, you said it yourself that you never really knew what he felt for you it wouldn't hurt to look!"

"Yes, Mable, it would! the shack is at steak-"

Before you could continue, Mable had opened the door and pushed you in. "Face your fears y/n! Face your emotions!" She slammed the door shut on you. "Don't worry y/n we'll find the code before bill does, I'll come back for you when we do!"

you huffed and stood up dusting yourself off, this was ridicules you knew how Stanford felt about you you've known each other for what felt like your whole life. Besides you told Mable already if anything was to happen it would have by now. your hand grasped the door handle as you prepared to chase the twins and Soos down.

"Congratulations!" you heard a voice say from behind you. you turned to see one of the many doors cracked open. despite your better judgment to go after the kids you went straight for the door pulling it open. to see your wedding day.

well, your fake Vegas wedding. stan stood at the counter with the cashier in a dinky thrift shop on the outskirts of Vegas itself, waiting for you. "oh right..." you mumble to yourself watching your shared memory through Stans eyes.

"I'm sure you're very excited about the wedding." Stanford shrugged. "Trust me, I've been married a few times...this ain't nothing new for me." you frowned a little, you weren't sure why, you knew that's how he'd felt and it wasn't a real wedding. "Stanford! Look at this!!!" you yelled excitedly to him pushing open a dressing room curtain behind him.

you excitedly spun around in the wedding outfit you had picked out, you were so much younger, it suspired you too see yourself.

you watched Stanford's face flush upon seeing you his eyes fixated on you jaw almost on the floor. you didn't remember him looking at you like that. "wow you look...you look amazing!" he said rubbing the back of his neck trying to find the right words. you squealed in a pitch similar to the one Mable had done earlier before shutting the curtain again. "you were saying this wasn't something new?" the cashier asked raising a suspicious eyebrow.

"listen between you and me this whole Vegas wedding isn't anything new for me...they're corny, cheap and lousy all things y/n doesn't deserve any of that stuff, and I don't know why I'm telling you of all people, but I've known y/n for a while now the way she makes me feel isn't like how anyone has made me feel before I could never tell any of this too her, I've ruined to many relationships I could risk losing her in my life so try to act nonchalant about these types of thing, don't want to give myself away you know." the cashier stared at him unsure of how to react to all the information dumped onto him.

"here's 20 bucks to forget everything I said." he said sliding money across the counter.

you shut the door with a smile before looking down the long hallway. you crept over to another one. opening the door only to see a normal night you asleep on his shoulder as he continued to talk about the movie that was playing without realizing. it took him a whole monologue before realizing you had passed out. he leaned over careful not to wake you but enough to see you where sleeping.

he took a deep breath before talking some more. "Here goes nothing, y/n you've been with me through thick and thin when no one had my back you where there...I guess what I'm trying to say is y/n I...I think I have feeing's for you...you've made me an honest man in some ways...and.." you jumped upon hearing screaming.

"Oh no Kids!" you took off running swinging the door open and running down the hallway running past memories trying to find the kids. "Dipper!? Mable? Soos!?"

"Dipper!-"

"This here's a-"

"Stan Vac-"

"Stanley do something-" you could no longer hear the kids let alone see them in all the noise of Stanford's memories. you began running out of the memories hall in hopes you'd find them somewhere else. "Dipper!? Mab-" the wind was knocked out of you as you and dipper crashed right into each other. "Y/n! there you are!"

"Dipper you're ok! where is your sister and Soos!?"

"Bills got them! Don't worry I have a plan!" you followed dipper through Stanford's mind following his exact plan, you never even thought about what you could do in ones mind, flying and giant water guns didn't never even cross your mind.

"Hey one eye!" you and dipper grabbed bills attention as you floated up to his level neon colored squirt guns in hand. "WHAT!?"

"Dipper! Y/N! how are you doing that?"

"This is a mindscape you can do anything you imagine in here!" you explained."who told you that? dont liten to them!"

"ready dipper!?"

"ready y/n! aim and..."

"Fire!" you both shot your water guns at bills eye causing him to cry out in pain, you watched Mable conjure herself kitten fists and launched them at bill.

"Now think of a portal out of stans mind!" the four of you shut your eyes and all thought as hard as you could as a portal opened up under bill. "No No No wait! wait! wait! ENOUGH!"

you all flew back as the space around you was now a white void. "you know you're all a lot smarter than you look! I'll let you go for now, you might prove to be useful especially you y/n."

you scrunched your nose at him. "but remember there will come a day when everything you care about will change! until then I'll be watching you!"

there was a bright flash and he was gone. "well that wasn't ominous.." you said "we did it though! He left!" dipper cheered.

before you knew it Stan woke up and you were all wakening up in the Livingroom. and for a moment everything was normal again. "Ugh I had the weirdest dream." stan said rubbing his head. "You're ok!" you exclaimed running over to hug him and planting a quick kiss on his lips. his face heated up as you did so and before you knew it the kids had joined the hug.

a few hours later you'd gotten the kids to go to bed and found Stanford sitting on the back porch. "care for a drink?" you asked offering him a pitty cola he accepted with a smile. and you sat down next to him.

"where have you been?' you asked. a lot had happened today a lot that made you think things over and you decided to start there.

"what do you mean?" he asked with a chuckle. "I've been right here like i always have."

you shook your head. "Most days we can't find you, its been me and the kids or just me in the house, a lot has changed since those two came around most of its been for the better but i didn't think it would drive you away."

he frowned. "do you trust me?"

"Of course." you answered without hesitation.

"I've been working on something i cant tell you what but it's important. and I'll tell you what if it bothers you so much, I'll be around more." you smiled.

"good, I miss you." you said bumping into him.

you both chuckled and then there was a beat of silence you looked up at the sky and took a breath. "Stanford."

"Yea?"

"I think...we'll in light of some recent events...Stanford you mean the world to me."

"uh-oh is something wrong? why are you getting all sappy?"

you took another breath and exhaled all the words you were trying to say.

"Stanford pines I think I'm in love with you and I think you feel the same way about me!" you covered your mouth after you spilled it all. and he stared at you in shock. "Y/n...I uh..."

"I know this is random...buy. You know better late than never, right?"

stan stared at you in awe where your eyes sparkling in the starlight. was this really happening to him right now?

"Stanford?" you placed a hand over his when went silent. normally he would jump at an opportunity like this. sweep you off your feet. But as he stared at your hopeful eyes all he could do was wonder how much of what you felt was really for him, Stanley Pines and how much of it was for who you had believed him to be.

"Oh come on Grunkle stan! Take her on a date already!" Mables voice shouted from above you.

"Mable? what are you doing up!?" you shouted standing to your feet to look up at the twins practically hanging out their window. "yea c'mon Grunkle stan!" dipper agreed with his sister.

"Date! Date! date!" the two kids cheered into the night air.

"alright! alright!" stan said trying to shush them.

"y/n...would you do me the honors of going to dinner with me?" you laughed and his heart swelled at your answer. "Of course Stanford pines."

~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~

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[topscarkiller]

something stupid — abby anderson

summary: you and abby found a music store on a scavenge and decided to indulge in the hidden artifacts. notes: heavy fluff , reader and abby have no established relationship , enjoy ! wc: 2,779 | tags: @taissaswifelowkey

you and abby were scavenging for anything that could be of use as you, mel, owen, yara and lev, and alice were seeking refuge in owen's renowned palace of peace; the seattle aquarium. no other WLF soldier, or scar (that you knew of) had any knowledge of this place, let alone thought it to be an AWOL soldier hideout.

you couldn't remember the last time you had been at the FOB, it had most likely been a week, but with the frequent journeys you and the group went on, it had all melded together into one blurry memory.

you both were walking down the abandoned streets of seattle, where infected were rarely ever seen anymore. upon your growing curiosity, (and boredom) you slid into a concealed opening in the wall, covered by a large, rotting board that had succumb to its age.

"abby, through here." you urged, dragging yourself through the large gap with ease. she followed behind you, essentially following your lead during one of your many countless adventures.

shuffling through the enclosed space, abby's arm gently grazes yours, trying to shimmy through as quick a possible.

"why in such a rush, anderson?" you humour her, unable to turn your head from the lack of room, but you could hear the smile on her lips as she replied, "am i not allowed to be afraid of closed spaces?" she questions you, and you just scoff. with nothing much to be said, you finally exit the suffocating crevice. as your eyes danced around the room, you realise you've stumbled into a music shop. abby seems to share the same excitement as she stumbles in after you.

"woah, look at these bad boys..." abby walks around, tip-toes dragging along the dusty floorboards. her eyes are pinned on a vinyl basket, many old, and unopened vinyl cases. she picks one up, softly blowing on the cover to budge off any dust. it was an old rock band, 'ac-dc' it read in bold, fiery red and orange text.

"you think lev would like that?" you ponder, inching closer to her as you both analyse the unopened vinyl. "i think it'll help him let out all that teenage rage." she smiles smugly, packing it in her bag.

"oh you seem to know a lot about that." you smile, looking around the almost near untouched store. it had its fair share of dust and cobwebs, but compared to other places you've visited, this didn't come close to reckaged.

"don't i know." she stands back up, now more keen to find more music to fill the deafeningly quiet aquarium with.

there were all sorts of prizes you just couldn't help but touch. gramophones, cd players, speakers, turntables -- there was just too much to choose from to take to the safehouse.

you begin to browse the vinyls yet again, and notice a '60's' label. wow, wasn't that a long time ago, you mumble to yourself. with abby too busy by the rock and metal section, you start snatching a look at the oldies section.

part of you deep down wishes you could've lived a day back then, just to see what it was like. you knew people at the FOB who were actually alive before the outbreak, even before the new century. you couldn't be more grateful for their stories about pre-outbreak. they were a historical treasure.

and so were these profound albums. you pick one up, the title and cover striking your heart immediately. it was a dull gold, with a face of a man plastered on the side, in three different expressions. it read 'frank and nancy sinatra; something stupid'. the name being 'something stupid' meant it had to be good. you gleefully packed it away in your bag before taking more of a look around.

"we better grab one of these before we head out." you call out to abby, pointing at the dusty gramophone. it featured a large yellow horn, which you assumed was the speaker, and a vinyl player at the bottom with a needle as well as a manual crank on the side. abby gives you an understanding smile, knowing just how keen you were about this shop. it was like a preserved time capsule you heard a couple of the seniors talk about back home.

"yes ma'am" she responds, that childish, beautiful smile on her face spreading colour to each of her freckled cheeks.

pushing aside the raft sized board out of the way of the crevice, you both had a shit-load of bounty in your packs. this was definitely a place to remember for later.

abby's collection included a majority of rock, metal and alternative albums, as well as some cassette tapes for a walkman she found some time ago -- a gift for the kids. well, most of what she collected was for the kids. how generous she was, it made you stifle a smile.

your collection of vinyls was very contrasting from hers. mostly 60's and 50's jazz. it wasn't your usual cup of tea, but you wanted to try something new. after all, you could always come back and get something more your taste.

'something stupid', 'it's been a long, long time' and 'hopelessly devoted to you' were a couple of your favourites you picked out. and you wanted to surprise abby with them.

she had no idea what you picked, except from your purposefully vague description of 'oldies' music.

"so, you happy with your presents?" she nudges your arm playfully, pulling up the straps of her pack. it was kind of hard to stand up straight and not slouch with all the collectibles in your bags.

you hum, a shit-eating grin spreading on your face at her question. she noticed, nudging you harder.

"what’re you smiling about?" abby's braid slid to the side as she turned, bending down to meet your gaze on the walk back to the aquarium. this was about as peaceful as a walk could get in seattle. this specific suburb was a complete ghost town -- not even infected plagued these grounds.

"you'll see." looking up at her, you can feel your heart climb for your throat. those eyes never failed to take your breath away. with an almost hazel brown surrounding her pupil, it almost faded into black as you held her gaze.

she doesn't continue to instigate, only pulling away and holding her pack steady, a solid arm wrapping around your shoulder.

"i can't wait to show the others, especially lev.. he's always humming up a new song to keep himself busy." abby expresses, her arm tightening around you, but it doesn't feel suffocating. it feels relieving. it's as if a soft weight were being applied to your chest, aiding you with every breath you took.

"me too."

after many minutes spent cluelessly setting up a station for your new gramophone, you sighed, letting out a breath you didn't know you were holding in.

"which one do you want to play first?" stepping away from the gramophone, abby stands next to you, arms broad and crossed over her chest. her brows knit together as she picks up one of the vinyls you chose. 'something stupid'. she hums.

"i can see why you chose it," she pauses, lifting the cover up to your face, comparing the two. she chuckles, taking the vinyl out of its protective covering. her jokes almost always targeted you, but they never failed to arise a chuckle or an eye roll from you.

"i'm going to pretend you didn't say that." you step closer, grabbing the handle that connected on the side. abby places the large vinyl onto the turntable, and places the needle onto the outer edge of the disc. it started to spin after you turned the handle three or four times.

all you could hear at first was prolonged static, but after a couple patient seconds the melody finally rang through the entire open marina.

your eyes set ablaze as this trophy began to speak to you, the soft instrumentals in the background echoed through the open halls and dock. you'd be surprised if the others weren't able to hear it.

abby visibly shares the same amount of curiosity.

then, a man and woman begin singing, and your faces immediately light up,

"woah," she blurts out, the vibrations from this vintage speaker danced around you, you could almost see it.

"it worked! it worked!" your smile only continues to grow as the melody rings through your ears. you lunge at abby and pull her into a tight embrace. you didn't have much hope in terms that it would work, considering it hasn't been in use since before the outbreak. you were just glad there was one more thing for everyone to look forward to now.

"i've.. never heard music like this." she says, the pure shock still prevalent on her features. her eyes were wide, but in the way that wasn't concerning to anyone. her lips curled just enough to see her teeth, and it's like a breath of fresh air, seeing her so relaxed and full of life. it wasn't often she could be herself.

since jackson, she hadn't had much to look forward to. the nightmares hadn’t stop, as much as she thought they would. it would still prolong her sleep, terrorising her in the dark of night until the rise of the new day. then again... it's like a burden had been relieved of her. maybe this could help get her mind off things. it was like she had more room to be herself. the half of her that was so full of rage and fright, wasn't as present anymore.

"i could get used to this" abby admits, hand on shoulder, eye to eye.

you nod, thoughts traveling to the back of your mind to focus on the now, on abby.

you both stare in awe at the gramophone, it sounds nothing short of magical. your head sways side to side in sync with the rhythm, it'd been so long since you'd heard music.

turning to abby, you notice she's stuck in thought, eyebrows crinkled like when she was deciding on a vinyl. your faces drops to a slight frown, wondering what passed her mind so suddenly.

as you were about to ask, she interrupts you,

"can i ask you a stupid question?"

"shoot."

she stands awfully close, nudging you in a playful manner.

"wanna dance?"

you chuckle, the sincerity in her voice bringing your arms to your stomach.

"you know how to dance anderson?" you question, genuinely curious. if she knew how to, there's no way you didn't already know, too.

"not at all." all of a sudden, she bends down with one arm behind her back and another in front of her, asking for your hand. you almost break down on the floor in hysterics at the sight, she definitely didn't look like a dancer.

her head lifts up to see you laughing at her, and she straightens up.

"if you don't know how to dance, just say that." as annoyed as she wanted to sound, the growing smile on her face proved otherwise.

"no, no, it's just-- okay."

"okay?"

"okay."

abby doesn't waste time, placing her hand on the right of your hip with her other on your shoulder. you can feel your chest buzz at the feeling as you reciprocate the gesture. with your arms placed atop her shoulders, you take note of how firm and broad they are, holding a steady grip on her as she begins to step in a square-like pattern.

"you seem to really like my shoulders." a rush of warmth instantly plagued your neck and face at the immediate observation.

"i don't want to trip over your two left feet." you retort, and she scoffs, muttering a sarcastic wow under her breath.

as you joked about, you swayed along to the rhythm of the song. neither of you knew how to dance, yet it felt so natural when she pulled you closer, your head resting between her chest and shoulder.

"i thought you didn't know how to dance." you speak just above a whisper.

her hand is steady on your hip, guiding you to follow her movements.

"i lied." she chuckles, her smile sweet as sugar. "manny taught me."

' i practice every day to find some clever lines to say to make the meaning come true '

dancing around in circles, you could feel abby's heart pumping through the thin fabric of her black tank top. it was calm, almost matching the tempo of the song.

' but then i think i'll wait until the evening gets late and i'm alone with you '

abby tugs on your waist, wanting you to inch closer as if there was room. her arms keep you upright and on beat. she was your rock, even if you were doing something as simple and sweet as this.

' the time is right, your perfume fills my head the stars get red, and, oh, the night's so blue '

you take a deep breath in, the subtle scent of pine surrounded you, mixed with an earthy smell. as you exhale, you could swear you felt abby do the same, her hand relaxing atop your shoulder.

' and then i go and spoil it all by saying somethin' stupid like, "i love you" '

you can feel a heat rise to your neck and the apples of your cheeks. your thumbs rub soft circles into the dome of her shoulders, and it catches her attention. you don't look up, but her gaze is focused on you.

the song starts to fade out, the words repeating,

' "I love you" "i love you" i love you i love you '

"interesting song choice," abby mutters, almost too close to your ear. the warmth of her breath sends shivers along your neck, hairs rising.

she doesn't pull back, even after the song fully fades out and the turntable comes to a complete stop. you both stand there, with each of her arms now wrapped around your waist.

"that was nice." she states rather bluntly, a shy smile evident in her tone.

"it was." you reply, reluctantly lifting your head to meet her eyes, they glint when you finally reach her gaze.

she lifts a hand off your waist to tuck a stray hair behind your ear, letting her fingers trail over your skin.

"you have good taste," her tone is almost sultry, inducing a relaxed feeling in your chest. she always made you feel comfortable, safe even. you loved that about her.

you stay silent, your eyes curiously wandering along her features. her freckles that danced across her cheeks and nose, her arched brows, and her divine eyes, you could stare at them 'till the end of time.

her face is mere centimetres from yours, unknowingly inching closer as you'd gawked at her unashamedly.

you press your face against hers, lips delicately meeting. she doesn't pull away, and neither do you. it was so sudden, but so natural.

her lips are cushions against yours, overlapping passionately, yet slow and deep.

"what's all that noise?" lev calls out from around the corner, and you both jump back, still entangled in an embrace.

as he spots the two of you, his brows crinkle, but he's more focused on where that other-worldly sound was emanating from.

"woah, what's that?" he cautiously takes a step towards the gramophone, afraid to touch it. it was 'old world' stuff after all.

you clear your throat. "that- that's a gramophone, it plays music." you answer, he turns to you again before analysing the music player deeper.

you let go of abby, and you immediately miss the warmth her body provided.

around the corner, mel and owen appear side by side with yara behind them.

"yara, come check this out!" he exclaims, and yara runs to him. they both discuss what the hell the unknown object is, the weird shape of the vinyl player only adding to their strange theories.

"seems like you two had lots of fun." mel comments, eyeing the deep red hues that painted your faces.

all you can do is nod, turning to abby who just smiles, grateful to be in your presence.

"yeah, we did." she wraps an arm around yours, pulling you to her side and failing miserably to make it look casual.

owen doesn't say anything, walking over to the gramophone to speak with the kids instead.

you felt belated as abby kept her firm arm around you, almost encapsulating your figure entirely. her sugary sweet smile returns, catching yours alongside.

you could get used to this.

[anangelwhodidntfall]

Charles LecLerc: Best Christmas Present Ever

Formula One Masterlist

word count: 900

prompt used: the best christmas present ever

Charles could hardly calm his excitement when your Christmas present got delivered today. He watched with a smile as the car was slowly lowered into the driveway, still in shock that he had actually found the thing and couldn't wait for you to see it. The car in question was your grandfathers 1999 Chevy Corvette that had been signed by Richard Petty and held a lot of memories to you, he remembers how sad you were when you told him about how your grandma had to sell the car off after his death to help pay some of the bills that were left over after his death.

He thanked the delivery person and did an inspection of the car once more than he saw it in person compared to the numerous photos he had seen of the car. The only thing that was missing was Richard Petty's signature which the owner had said it had melted off over the years which Charles hoped was okay with you because you could always get Richard to sign again. Feeling satisfied with himself and needing to calm down his nerves before he had to go pick you up from work. 

He finally got the text that your were about to get off from work and he made his way outside to cover up your present so you wouldn't see it until he was ready for you to which he was planning on giving it to you today. After everything was situated with the car, he made his way over to your workplace to pick up feeling even more nervous to show you it. He pulled up to your work place and smiled when he saw you walk out the door and over to your side of the car which he had already opened for you. 

"Hi Cherie, I missed you today. How was work?" He asked placing a kiss on your lips. 

"Hi Amour, I missed you too. It was good but tiring." You said giving him a tired smile. 

"Well I have something for you, it's one of your Christmas presents and I'm really nervous for you to see it." He said making you look at him confused. 

"Christmas present? Charlie its only the second week in December!" You said making him laugh. 

"I know Cherie, I know! But I had to order it in time for it to be here by Christmas and there's no way I can hide this from you until Christmas. So can I give it to you when we get home?" He asked nervously.

"Of course baby, you've got me curious now as to what it is." You said giving him a smile as he kissed your hand before pulling out of the parking lot. 

You guys talked about your days and other things on the drive home until finally you guys reached your home where you saw a car that was covered up sitting in the driveway. The more you looked at it, the more it started to look like the outline of a corvette. 

"Is that?" You asked your boyfriend in shock.

"Go see for yourself." He said unlocking the door and watching with a smile as you ran over and tore the cover off the car. 

You were rendered speechless at the sight of your grandfathers corvette sitting in front of you, you ran a hand over the car making sure it was real and you weren't seeing things before turning to look at your boyfriend. 

"Charlie?" You asked shocked. 

"Yes it's his car, I spent the last six months searching for this car so you could have it because I know how much meaning it has to you. When I found it I bought it from the guy who was more than happy to hear that it was going back to the original owners family." He said wrapping his arms around you. 

"I can't believe it after all this time, it's finally back in my hands. I remember how upset I was with grandma told me we had to sell because me and him were always going on adventures in here. He was supposed to take me to prom in this and so much more and to have it back in almost perfect shape is amazing." You said drying the few tears that had fallen. 

"Well there is one thing missing. The owner said that Richard Petty's signature had melted off over the course of the years." He said looking at you. 

"That's fine, we can always get it signed again. Thank you, thank you so much babe for this, you don't know how much it means to me." You said wrapping your arms around him. 

"No need to thank me Cherie, I know how much it meant to you. I was so happy that I found it and was able to buy it from the guy. So would you said it was a good Christmas present?" He asked you. 

"It's the best Christmas present ever actually, I love you Charlie." You said pressing a kiss to his lips. 

"I love you more Cherie, merry Christmas." He said smiling at you. 

[universaln0b0dy]

The chill new friend

p.o.v there is a new human student at R.A.D, but instead of trying to replace you they just make you loose your mind. (Accidentally)

(This is just a joke oneshot thingy cooked up at 12.00 pm, like one does. Also the new person is a female oc, with the name Diova. If you want you can change that, but I didn't want to just use a place holder like Notmc or something along the lines.)

The program had been widened to another student. Which isn't surprising because it did so well, you just didn't want to guide someone around. Okay no, you wanted to guide them around if they turned out to be nice.

Well, the day arrived and the new student -also chosen at random- was teleported to where you once stood.

Diavolo welcomed her, introduced her to the brothers and you, before you guy's said your names et cetera, everything went fairly well. Or so you thought.

DiovA looked at everyone held up her finger, excusing herself with the words: "Please give me a minute." Before fainting. All in all not that surprising, but you had the feeling that this could mean trouble.

Well it didn't. The new student was so quiet you occasionally forgot she existed and so did everyone else. You felt bad but it seemed like Diova had a habit of disappearing without a trace.

After the third week of getting spooked when she came out of her room you decided that you would start to hang out with her, maybe to ease your own mind. You've been appointed her guide after all.

Turns out that girl is introverted, much more than Levi. She didn't talk and just existed in her own space. But that lead to some very funny situations:

Satan:

This what has been engraved into your memory as "the cat-cident". It's no secret that he loved cats, so every time he came across a stray he would look to the side once or twice before petting it.

Well, one particular cat was a regular with Satan, they even had a set time when he would give them food. One day you were dragging Diova by the sleeve to make sure you wouldn't loose her again in the crowd. (You never actually lost her, she just went *poof*)

Along the way you came across Satan and the both of you started talking. Until he looked for the cat and you at the exchange student. Both were gone. And this time not in the "ohoho I didn't see you but you were right behind me" type of way, no, both ceased to exist.

That caused you to fall into mild crisis, because you lost a student. In hell. Not just any place. Fucking hell. Great place to loose a person in.

Okay, you didn't loose her, she walked away but you felt like you did. Satan wasn't that bothered by the cats disappearance, cats tend to so that. But he also understood your panic about the exchange student, so the both of you started searching.

For two hours.

You were hyperventilating and on the verge of tears, probably a mild over reaction, but it was one of the most frustrating searches ever. You and Satan had turned over every single stone and asked every person in sight if they had seen her only to be met with a very confused: "Who are you talking about?" Even classmates couldn't remember her.

Satan rubbed soothing circles on your back, noticing your distress. "Don't worry Mc, we will find her." You sighed heavily, realising you probably needed more help with the search. You leaned onto/against Satan for support, grumbling out some frustration.

"I feel like I completely failed as a guide." You mutter, before noticing that Satan shook his head. "Not at all, you did your best and it's not your fault she just left." He nudged you softly. "I would be a lot less patient with someone who is constantly disappearing."

You chuckle/laugh half hearted. "I wouldn't doubt it, you can be a ticking time bomb." It was funny to see how this joke would have had dire consequences at the start of your exchange, but now? With all these adventures Satan would laugh with you.

"I guess we better call Lucifer?" You ask and Satan reluctantly agrees. Before a rather quiet voice asks: "Why? Did something happened?"

You turned around, and there she stood, the stay cat sitting next to her purring contentedly.

A bunch of emotions wash over you, one one end relieve on the other anger. "Where have you been? We searched all other the campus for you!" You ask like a parent that caught their child sneaking out.

Diova looks a bit confused. "I noticed that the cat had some dirt on it's fur so I cleaned that up, only to realise that I forgot something in the alchemy lab. I went to grab it and got back here only to notice both of you were gone." She knits her brow. "But you should now about this, I wrote you a message."

You look at your device only to realise to realise that you forgot to turn on the connection. "And all this time I thought you turned into air!" You cry out half laughing half crying.

Now that it was reconnected to the hell equivalent of wife you saw a bunch of different messages.... from Lucifer.

That would be a fun evening.

The second incident was with Beel.

You had again been on refrigerator protection duty, forced to turn Beel away at his attempts of sneaking food from the kitchen. (We ignore the sandwich you'd smuggle here and there).

Beel came, at about 9pm like clockwork and you both reminisced about life for a few minutes. That's just how it was, like it's own personal routine. If there hadn't been the ghost in the dark hallway.

At first you only noticed it fleeting, it was running around the hallway. It could have been Mammon running away from Lucifer, but then he would have run to you... right? Or did he have a better hiding spot?

You were happy with it until the figure ran by a second time. This time even Beel noticed it and he immediately knew that he didn't know who that was, or what it was.

Now the situation got spooky. For you at least. Beel looked pretty calm. Though it could also just be his resting unexpressive face. You and him decide to check out the noise to see what's going on.

There is indeed a figure running around, only ever stopping shortly, before disappearing around a corner and then showing up again. Something swishing after them like a Cape.

It was almost as if it was a ghost floating around. But that couldn't be was it an intruder? That was unlikely, but still an unconscious doubt settled in your mind.

And then it came back, halting infront of you and Beel. He protectivly extends his arm and you grab it, as if you could throw it should whatever attack.

But it wasn't an whatever. It was Diova, in hoodie and baggy trousers, a blanket over her head. She was holding onto some objects and looked almost a bit embarrassed.

"Oh my Diavolo, you scared me! What were you doing?" You ask confused and she just holds up some beads.

"What are those?" You ask a bit confused. She shuffles her feet looking to the floor like a kid that was just caught breaking a vase. "I tried a summoning spell on my bracelet..." She sighed heavily.

"It broke and the beads teleported into the dining room."

You nod following along, before looking at the beads. Didn't you make a similar mistake once? "Let me guess now the beads must be transported separately or they just disappear again?"

Well the ghost problem was also just a misunderstanding it seemed. You and Beel helped her transport the beads to her room later on and you explained to her what went wrong when she casted the spell.

......

You and her sit in your room. You both got along quite well after a while and you noticed that she didn't disappear into thin air like you thought at first. She was just really quiet and timid in everything she did.

She sits on one of the many chairs in the room you had thanks to the suprise visits of the brothers, playing with her now fixed bracelet. Before looking at you.

"Thank you for being my friend, Mc." You look at her, that sounded strange. Her tone, not the words. "You don't need to thank me for that, but why are you saying that? It sounds like you will go away some time soon?" You ask a bit confused.

Diova smiled. "Did you know the origin of my name?" She asks, dodging your question. Your a bit taken off guard but say what you assume.

She shakes her head. "Its a great idea, but it's actually Avoid, just backwards." She looks a bit sad. "It's been pretty prophetic for me. I've always been the odd one out, no matter where." She shrugged. "So people tend to avoid me."

She flashes you a smile. "I thought it would be the same here.... but you made an effort befriending me." She looks back to the floor. "It's kinda sad to think that all of this is just a dream. "

Her words knock the wind out of your lungs. "What do you mean? Are you feeling okay?" But Diova just smiles sadly giving you a tight hug. You hadn't even noticed she stood up from the chair.

"Thank you for our friendship, even if you are waking up now." The girl mumbled and then you hear it. Your alarm ringing off in the distance.

......

You shoot awake and can't help but stare at the wall for a while. It's as if your brain can't grasp the fact that Diova didn't exist.

No, you wouldn't believe this.

You stand up and look around for pictures. But there are none. You look at the calendar to check the date only to realise... in the dream there hadn't been a consistent date. Only what you assumed was one.

It took an hour and a half for you to grasp that you had dreamt up a whole new friend. She had felt, looked and sounded so real! But she wasn't.

You hear a knock on your door. It Mammon. Before he can say anything you just pull him into a hug. You needed one Oh so desperately, because the dream hurt. And what hurt even more was that already, you were starting to forget.

Forget a fellow friend.....

[because-of-a-friend]

A Day At The Library

MASTERLIST

Thanks for the request friend! This is a very cute idea!

Warnings: None

Word count: 1.9k

The call of the guards announcing that Prince Wonwoo is approaching has nearly become a daily occurence in your life. He will stop in your library at any moment, he always does. It used to puzzle you, how often he came. But then you remembered he lived in a castle. The library he had there was sure to never be overwhelmed by any number of books he purchased from your shop.

It also explained why he came so often. That wing of the castle had only just been built. He had plenty of shelves to fill with books. You had found yourself admiring the fact that he came to handpick his own books himself. You knew there were many scholars and tutors within the castle who the prince could have sent out to fill the library instead.

Although, the first time he had come to your little shop, he had come on his own after sneaking out of the castle. You had heard the little bell above your door ding, signaling someone had entered. "Welcome!" you called, "I'll be right with you!" You had quickened your pace in stocking the shelves with a new shipment of the books, wanting to be available for your customer.

You had bent over to grab another stack and stood up only to meet eyes with someone through the shelves. His eyes had widened for a second before his they crinkled in the tell-tale sign of a smile. You let the stack of books collect in your arms as you smiled back, "Hello, there. I'll be right here if you need me!" You assured.

"I'm just looking, but thank you," the man said. You nodded and continued your work. Once the shipment of books had been completely sorted into the correct places, you took your place behind the counter. The man looked carefully at each of the books that made their home in your little shop. Although he gave attention to all of them, you could see his gaze consistently drawn back to a red, leather bound book with gold lettering. It was an astronomy book, one of the most beautiful in the shop. Also one of the most expensive, which was what kept most people from buying it.

But eventually the man picked it up and ran his fingers over it carefully. He gazed so lovingly over the pages that you couldn't help but stare at him with a smile on your face.

"This one, please," he asked, setting the book gently on your counter.

"I'll be sad to part with this one, but I'm happy it has finally found a home," you state, taking the man's coin from his hand.

"You talk about the book as though it's your friend," he chuckled.

"All these books are my friends," you gestured around your shop. "If I didn't think they could be, I'd get rather lonely around here."

The man smiled while taking the small coins he received in change from your hand, "Well feel free to come visit your friend anytime." He held the astronomy book up. "But for now, we must both take our leave." He looked out the shop window at two palace guards passing by then quickly walked in the opposite direction of them.

"Librarian! Librarian!" three children ran into your shop.

"What is it?" you had asked, alarmed by their volume and suddenness.

"What business did Prince Wonwoo have in your shop?"

You had been shocked to learn that it had been the Crowned Prince himself in your shop, mortified that you hadn't realized it was him, and worried after finding out he had snuck out of the castle that day. But then he had started visiting town more often on adventures that had actually been permitted by his parents.

His purchases from the bookshop had given you a journey through the interests of the prince. First it was all astronomy. Then he had gone through a phase of clearing out your poetry section nearly every week. He had dabbled a bit in cartography books. In his current phase, he had been buying up your botany catalogues.

You wouldn't admit it, but you had been stocking up based on what had been sparking his interests.

And Prince Wonwoo would never admit it, but the reason he came to a small bookshop in the town instead of getting someone in the castle to fill his library, was because of you.

Prince Wonwoo felt light and airy as he stepped into your shop to be greeted by your smile, "Welcome, Your Majesty."

"Good afternoon [Y/N]," he gave a smile back, only hoping his could be as radiant as yours. "How is my favorite librarian?"

You laughed softly at the comment, a sound that always made Wonwoo's smile grow even larger. "I'm doing better than ever. The future of my bookshop is promised since it has become the main vendor for a certain prince."

Wonwoo hoped he wasn't blushing. "Well that's a relief. I would be quite disappointed if this place were to shut down." He was already amongst the shelves of books. He noticed that you had already restocked the botony shelf, the fact made the tips of his fingers tingle. He reached immediately for one with light green binding.

"I figured you would like that one," your sweet voice sang through the shelves of the shop. "It includes plants out of our region. I thought you might have enough books documenting our native selection."

Wonwoo flipped through the pages, his eyes taking in the sights of flowers he couldn't have imagined in his wildest dreams. "I do like it," he confirmed. He paused before deciding to take a bit of a risk. "I also like having a librarian that seems to cater so carefully to her clients." There was silence for a moment, Wonwoo felt his heartbeat all the way down to the tip of his toes.

"I do my best," you responded, a laugh accompanying your words. You always laughed around him, that was good, right?

"You wouldn't happen to have a zoology section?" Wonwoo asks, the light green book now held firmly in his grip. It would certainly be going home with him.

"Zoology now, huh?" you call, stretching your arms to stock books on the highest shelves.

"My professor was telling me of incredible creatures from other lands. It sparked an interest, I suppose," Wonwoo offers shyly. You appear from around a bookcase, ever-present smile on your face.

"Exotic zoology. My, what incredible studies our prince takes part in," you say. Wonwoo notices that your tone is not one of mocking, but of genuine praise and awe. He uses an imaginary scratch on the back of his head as excuse to duck down. Hopefully it will keep you from noticing the way his face flushes. "I figured this was coming, so..."

Wonwoo watches as you walk a few bookshelves over and then place yourself in front of a specific section. He tries not to read too much into how you seem to already have books in mind for him as you pluck them from the shelves. There's three books in your arms making a sizable stack of themselves as you make your way back too them.

There's a thick one with deep black leather bound to it, "This one covers just about everything. Although, it is a more difficult read. I haven't forgotten that you like a challenge."

Next there's a red one. Slightly muted in pigmentation compared to the astrology book he first bought, but still beautiful, "This is exotic animals."

The last is a light yellow one. Wonwoo thinks every time you pick a book for him, the cover becomes his favorite color. He's commissioned several paintings based on the hues you've made him see. "This one is local fauna, since I know you'll want it eventually." He had been careful taking the other two books from you. But after you explained the third, he let his finger slide over yours as he accepted it.

You don't react, just smile at him the way you always do.

Wonwoo doesn't know what this means, but he hopes to find out.

The seasons pass and Wonwoo finds subject after subject to study. In reality, his professors have told him many times that he is a well-rounded student who is knowledgable on many subjects. But he insists that he needs to learn more. There's always more and there are still empty library shelves.

After some time, Wonwoo's parents send his professors off to take a break. Wonwoo is devastated. His parents think he may really just love learning that much. But truthfully, Wonwoo now has no excuse to go to the librabry without subjects to learn. He stares at the number of empty shelves in his own library. He can find one, he's sure.

The shop door dings as someone enters. "What is it today?" you say as you see the prince's ruffled black hair. "Are we off of local history and onto history of foreign lands? Or have we moved off of history entirely?"

"I actually came for fiction today," he grins.

You pause dramatically in your movements, "I'm sorry? Our prince of many interests is looking for simple fiction?"

Wonwoo laughs before he nods, "I'll need much to entertain myself while my professors take an extended break."

"Then let me introduce you to all of my favorites," you say excitedly. Wonwoo has the largest stack of books that he's ever had in your store by the end.

"You have a lot of favorites," Wonwoo admires each and every title, excited to follow behind you on the adventures you've taken before.

"Well I wouldn't keep a shop full of books if I didn't like them," you shrug. You take a moment to study Wonwoo and the pile. "Would you like help taking those back?" His head snaps up. "I don't mean to intrude," you back off immediately, "it's just a lot for one person to carry."

"Oh I didn't feel any intrustion. I was just surprised," his expression softens as he realizes he looks like he took offense. "Technically visitors are only allowed in the palace on invitation from the King and Queen."

"Ah, I understand," you stew with him in silence for too long. "Well you could also store some here for the time being and take them back overtime. I don't mind holding them for you. You could even read them here if you like."

"That's a nice offer."

"Well, we should enjoy it while it lasts, right?"

"What do you mean 'while it lasts?'" Wonwoo looks concerned up at you.

"Once your library is filled, you won't be coming around here anymore," you share a look with him. "I hope I'm not out of line if I say that I will miss your company when that day comes."

Wonwoo feels content. He has his answer. You gave it to him willingly. Without saying words. Without him having to ask.

"Well you don't have to worry about that," he says nonchalantly.

"Oh?" you inquire.

"No, I mean, once my librabry is complete, I'll need someone to help me tend to it," Wonwoo hesitates before he lays his hand over yours where it rests on the books. The ones you handpicked just for him.

"If I didn't know any better," you say, "I'd say you wanted to keep me around for awhile longer."

"Yes [Y/N], I'd like to keep you around for as long as possible."

[elikajinnie]

Let`s Travel To Paris (Mi Amor) Heeseung X fem!reader

a/n: this is also posted originally on ao3! But now it is here as well!

P: Heeseung x fem!reader

Scenario : Classtrip to Paris

Relationship: Establishing/Crush

Genre: Fluff, minor angst

Warnings: Swearing, teasing, suggestive content

Wordcount: 13k

Summary:

The umbrella became a makeshift shield against the remaining raindrops, Heeseung holding it up over you. His arm circled your waist, creating an intimate cocoon as you both walked the dimly lit streets, back towards the sanctuary of the hotel.

As you strolled, a minor detail caught your attention – the Eiffel Tower stood tall in the background, a silent witness to the confession that had unfolded in its rain-soaked embrace. The setting couldn't have been more perfect, and you marveled at the serendipity that painted this moment against the backdrop of one of the world's most iconic landmarks. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You slouched in your chair, glancing over at your friends Suyeon and Kazuha. The language class was buzzing with pre-class excitement, everyone chattering and catching up after the weekend. Suyeon was animatedly discussing her weekend escapades, and Kazuha was doodling something in his notebook 

The door swung open, and your teacher walked in with an unusually joyful expression. "Settle down, students," she announced, placing her bag on the desk and facing the eager class. The room hushed as everyone turned their attention to her. "I have some happy news. With some convincing from the school and your parents, we have gotten permission to travel to Paris next week!" 

The classroom erupted in cheers and applause. The pleas for a field trip had finally paid off. "Now, I know you're all excited, but don't rush into this, alright?" the teacher cautioned, quieting the room. She began handing out papers to each student. "All the information you need is written down. Make sure to be on time with everything you need for this trip. It will not only be fun but instructive as well. Remember, it's still school, not a vacation." 

You eagerly unfolded the paper, scanning the details. The class would meet at 7 o'clock in front of the school, where a bus would take them to the airport. They would stay in Paris for three days before returning. Your mind started racing with thoughts of the Eiffel Tower, croissants, and the Louvre. 

"What are you guys thinking of packing?" Kazuha asked, breaking the brief silence that followed. 

"Clothes," you replied with a teasing smile, earning a laugh from Kazuha. 

"I know you want to talk about the trip, but save it for lunch. Class is still in session," the teacher reminded, ushering everyone back into focus. With a sigh, she delved into the more mundane part of the lecture, but your mind was already on the streets of Paris and the adventures awaiting you. 

The cafeteria buzzed with the cacophony of voices and the clatter of trays as you sat at your usual spot, surrounded by your vibrant friend group. Suyeon, Kazuha, Chaewon, and Yunjin filled the seats around you, creating a lively atmosphere. Some were engrossed in their meals, while others engaged in animated conversations. However, your focus wasn't on the food or the laughter around you. 

Absentmindedly poking at your lunch, you felt a weight on your shoulders that seemed to sap away your appetite. Yunjin, sitting across from you, noticed your subdued demeanor and couldn't help but voice her concern. "What's the matter, Y/N?" 

You looked up, meeting her gaze. "Nothing, just tired," you replied, hoping to brush off any further probing. Yunjin seemed to sense your reluctance and nodded, deciding not to press the issue further. 

As you sank into your thoughts, someone approached your table, breaking the monotony. A familiar face appeared beside you, placing your favorite drink—the one you had noticed was missing from the vending machines—on the table. Bewilderment painted your features as you looked up to find Lee Heeseung, your longtime crush, offering a small, mysterious smile before sauntering off toward his own group of friends. 

Your friends, ever vigilant, followed Heeseung's departure with wide-eyed curiosity. Chaewon, who sat beside you, nudged you excitedly. "Y/N, what was that about?" 

"I don't know," you replied, mirroring the smile, feeling a sense of warmth spreading within you. You picked up the cold drink, fingers tingling as you held it, the unexpected gesture making your day brighter. The fact that Heeseung knew what you liked sent a wave of giddiness through you, momentarily pushing aside the fatigue. 

Intrigued, your friends bombarded you with questions, but you brushed them off, stealing glances at Heeseung across the cafeteria. He was engrossed in conversation with his friends, his laughter echoing through the air. His head tilted back, revealing a sharp jawline that caught your attention. Sipping on your drink, you averted your gaze before he could catch you staring, a mixture of excitement and apprehension lingering within you. 

You had known Heeseung since 7th grade, sharing a friendship that drifted apart in high school due to different crowds and classes. This year, luck favored you as you found yourselves in the same linguistics class. Though your interactions were limited to greetings and smiles, the subtle exchanges were enough to brighten your day. 

Deep down, you harbored feelings for Heeseung, feelings you kept carefully hidden. Fear of rejection loomed over you, especially witnessing how Heeseung had gently turned down other girls who vied for his attention. His attractiveness was undeniable, and any girl would consider herself fortunate to be his girlfriend. The idea of being that girl felt like an elusive dream—a dream you hesitated to pursue. 

As the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, you gathered your belongings and headed to your next class with the girls. The unspoken emotions and untold stories lingered in the air, leaving you to navigate the corridors with a mix of hope and hesitation. 

The Monday morning sunlight cast a sleepy glow on the school bus as it idled in front of you, its engine humming in the early hours. You stood, bleary-eyed, at the entrance, leaning against Yunjin for support. She welcomed your tired head on her shoulder, offering a silent comfort that spoke volumes. The bus driver bustled around, loading suitcases into the compartment at the back, while your teacher meticulously took attendance, her voice cutting through the morning air. 

"Alright, the students who are here may enter the bus," she announced, prompting a flurry of movement as classmates began to climb the steps. Following Yunjin, you settled into a seat beside Kazuha, your bag finding a temporary home on your lap. As you pulled out your phone, you glanced up just in time to catch Heeseung walking past, a warm smile directed your way. You reciprocated before diverting your attention back to the device in your hands, scrolling through a funny video. 

Suddenly, a voice chimed in from behind. "Hey, I've seen that! The person has posted more like that." It was Ni-ki, who had leaned over the back of the seat behind Kazuha, reaching over to swipe through more videos on your phone. Grateful for the entertainment, you thanked him as the bus started its journey. 

Throughout the one-hour drive to the airport, you found yourself engrossed in conversation with Ni-ki, oblivious to the fact that someone had been discreetly observing. The bus eventually rolled to a stop at the airport, and you grabbed your suitcase, expressing gratitude to the bus driver before joining your classmates, surrounding your teacher like eager explorers awaiting instructions. 

"All right, class, we need to get our boarding passes first, then the bag drop and security. Now, follow me, and don't stray from the group," your teacher instructed. The herd of students followed her, engaging in animated conversations as they moved together like a cohesive unit. To your left, Ni-ki queried, "Do you think the plane will serve food?" You replied, "Probably, although I hope they have blankets." 

As the group meandered through the airport, Jay approached Ni-ki, slinging an arm around him and slowing him down, leaving you to walk alone. Shaking it off, you found yourself joined by Heeseung. "Hi," he greeted. 

"Hi," you responded, initiating a conversation that flowed effortlessly between you two. Unbeknownst to you, your friends and Heeseung's friends walked behind, observing and commenting on how cute you looked together. 

Reaching the check-in queue, Keeho sidled up to you, offering a handful of candies. 

Heeseung, who had been walking beside you until Keeho approached. With a subtle yet noticeable shift, Heeseung backed off slightly, a wistful expression crossing his face. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes, coupled with an adorable pout that tugged at your heartstrings. Despite the momentary disappointment, he managed a small, resigned smile before retreating to Jake's side. 

Jake, sensing the change in dynamics, looked between Heeseung and you with a knowing smirk. He threw an arm around Heeseung's shoulders, offering a reassuring pat. Heeseung, though he played it off with a casual demeanor, couldn't hide the disappointment that lingered in his eyes. 

You bit your lip before looking at Keeho and smiled, taking one and thanking him with a casual "Thanks, Kee." Your friendship with Keeho had blossomed during orientation last year, built on shared interests and humor. 

At the front of the bag drop line, you heaved your suitcase onto the conveyor belt, relief washing over you as you saw the weight just below the limit. Passport checked, you waved a brief farewell to your suitcase, then reunited with the class. A chat with Chaeyeong ensued until the entire group gathered, and your teacher guided everyone towards security. 

At the security checkpoint, you efficiently placed your belongings in a plastic basket, walked through the metal detector with ease, and retrieved your items on the other side. Zipping up your jacket, you arranged your computer, charger, headphones, and phone back in your bag, slinging it over your shoulder. After a short wait, the class regrouped, and together you navigated towards the gate 

The airport gate's waiting area was filled with a buzz of activity as passengers awaited their boarding call. You sat comfortably in a chair, lost in the world of music playing through your headphones, a book in your hands. Beside you, Yunjin worked her nimble fingers through small sections of your hair, braiding them into intricate patterns, humming a soothing tune as she did. 

After she finished, you glanced at your friends, each absorbed in their own pre-boarding rituals. Closing your book, you decided to stretch your legs and stood up, prompting Chaewon to join you. The two of you strolled towards the restroom, chatting about trivial things along the way. Once inside, you continued your conversation, enjoying the camaraderie before washing your hands and returning to the waiting area. 

A nearby kiosk caught your attention, and you decided to grab a few essentials. Water, gum, and candy found their way into your hands, while Chaewon opted for a vitamin drink and chips. The latter, she graciously shared with everyone as you all chatted, making the most of the time before the boarding announcement. 

As the moment arrived, you gathered your belongings and, with your friends in tow, made your way towards the boarding gate. Greetings were exchanged with the flight attendants, and you checked your boarding pass. Navigating through the narrow aisle, you nudged your way to your seat, a content smile on your face as you discovered the coveted window seat. 

Plunking down into your chair, you stowed your bag in front of your legs. Pulling out your phone, you slipped the headphones around your neck, scrolling through songs when someone approached and took the seat next to you. You looked to your left, meeting Heeseung's warm smile. 

"Looks like we will be seat buddies," he remarked, a friendly tone to his words. 

You reciprocated the smile, pulling your headphones off. "Seems like it, yes," you replied, unaware of the subtle exchange that had transpired. Little did you know that you were initially supposed to sit with Sunoo, but Heeseung had managed to secure the spot with one persuasive look, convincing Sunoo to relinquish his seat. 

The cabin of the plane was filled with the low hum of engines as passengers settled into their seats, preparing for the journey to Paris. The flight attendant stood at the front, delivering the standard safety instructions. You listened intently, stowing your phone and headphones in your bag as she concluded her demonstration. With a click, you fastened your seatbelt and glanced out the window, watching as the flight attendants moved efficiently through the plane, checking each row. 

As the pilot's voice crackled over the intercom, detailing the flight plan and conditions, you took a deep breath. Gripping the handrests, you looked out at the workers on the ground. As the plane taxied on the runway.  

"Wanna hold my hand?" Heeseung's voice interrupted your thoughts, and you turned to see him smiling at you, his palm open. Looking at his outstretched hand, you hesitated for a moment before intertwining your fingers with his. His larger hand engulfed yours, offering a comforting reassurance. 

As the plane soared into the sky, you relaxed into your seat, the initial thrill subsiding. However, you became aware that you were still holding Heeseung's hand. Glancing up at him, you found him engrossed in the magazines provided by the airline. Deciding to join him, you leaned closer, catching a whiff of his familiar cologne. He noticed your presence, grinned, and continued flipping through the pages. 

As the plane cruised through the sky, the fatigue from the early morning began to catch up with you. Your eyelids grew heavy, and you yawned, your body yearning for rest, and slowly, you drifted into sleep, your head drifted down to rest on Heeseung's shoulder. He glanced down at you, a curious expression turning into a soft smile. Without hesitation, he adjusted himself, his head now resting on top of yours.  

As the rhythmic hum of the plane continued, Heeseung, let out a soft yawn. The gentle sound of his exhaustion echoed in the small space between you, and before long, his eyelids began to flutter closed. The allure of slumber beckoned, and Heeseung willingly embraced the serene atmosphere, mirroring your peaceful state. 

With a contented sigh, Heeseung allowed himself to succumb to the embrace of sleep. His arm wrapped around you, drawing you slightly closer, creating an unintentional yet intimate cuddle. The subtle movements went unnoticed by the rest of the passengers, but your friends, who had been quietly observing, exchanged amused glances. 

Yunjin, glancing over from her seat, nudged Chaewon, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "Look at them, all cozy and adorable." 

Chaewon stifled a giggle, leaning closer to Yunjin to catch a better view. "They do look cute. Who would have thought?" 

Sitting in front of you, Jungwon overheard their hushed conversation and joined in with a sly grin. "Think we should take a picture for the memories?" 

Ni-ki, who sat beside Chaewon, chimed in, "They're practically a couple already. Look at that." 

Suyeon, overhearing the chatter, leaned in from the aisle seat. "Come on, guys. Let them have their moment. Paris is the city of love, after all." 

As the friends whispered and chuckled among themselves, your peaceful slumber continued, blissfully unaware of the playful banter. The hum of the plane engines became a lullaby, and the subtle vibrations created a comforting rhythm. Heeseung, too, allowed himself to fully embrace the serenity, his head nestled atop yours. 

Unbeknownst to both of you, your friends seized the adorable moment, capturing pictures of you two sleeping. 

Jungwon, sitting in front of you, retrieved a blanket from the flight attendant and carefully draped it over the two of you. You unconsciously snuggled closer, prompting Yunjin to capture another picture. The images portrayed a scene of unexpected intimacy — your thighs touching, Heeseung's arm wrapped around you, and your hands interlocked. 

As time passed, you gradually woke up, blinking away the remnants of sleep. Your eyes widened as you realized the position you were in, but any attempt to move was halted by Heeseung's arm around you. Attempting to stifle a gasp, you looked up to find Heeseung's eyes half-open as he yawned, pulling you closer. The moment was brief but left you blushing and flustered. 

"Heeseung?" you uttered in surprise, prompting him to groan and pull you even nearer. A futile attempt to wake him. 

"Wake up," you insisted, gently nudging him. Heeseung grumbled but finally released his hold, allowing you to shift back to your seat. A subtle warmth lingered, and you couldn't deny the small pang of disappointment. 

As Heeseung rubbed his eyes and surveyed the surroundings, you discreetly checked your phone. Opening the group chat with your friends, you were greeted by a flood of messages and pictures documenting the adorable scene during your shared nap. You chewed your lower lip, glancing at Heeseung, who was also immersed in his phone. 

Deciding to distract yourself, you retrieved your headphones, plugged them in, and leaned back, gazing out of the windows. The vast expanse of white clouds stretched before you, and as you daydreamed, the rhythmic melody in your ears drowned out the whispers of the cabin, transporting you into a world where time floated in the sky. 

The plane glided smoothly through the azure sky, and the anticipation inside the cabin heightened as the city of Paris sprawled beneath, a tapestry of architectural wonders. Excitement bubbled within the passengers, and a collective murmur spread as people rushed to peek out of the windows. You leaned back, creating space for Heeseung to enjoy the breathtaking view. His proximity was comforting, and you felt a gentle warmth as his hand found a resting place on your thigh. Silently, you both marveled at the iconic landmarks unfolding beneath the plane, the Eiffel Tower standing tall amidst the historical landscape. 

As the plane descended and touched down, Heeseung's hand had found yours once again. The familiar connection served as a grounding force amidst the hustle and bustle of the landing. The seatbelt sign flickered off, and the cabin echoed with the symphony of people retrieving their belongings. You unfastened your seatbelt, picked up your bag from the floor, and joined the orchestrated movement towards the exit. 

Stepping off the plane, the airport welcomed you with its bustling atmosphere. In a comfortable silence, you walked alongside Heeseung, the hum of excitement lingering in the air. The teacher gathered the entire class, a meticulous attendance ritual ensuring no one was left behind in the whirlwind of arrivals. As names were checked off, the group began making its way towards baggage claim. 

Amidst the sea of fellow travelers, you noticed Heeseung's friend group and your own huddling together, engaged in animated conversations. The convergence sparked a moment of curiosity, wondering how these seemingly separate circles had intertwined. Yet, in the thrill of the journey, the question remained suspended as you spotted your suitcase, a beacon of familiarity. 

Moving towards it, ready to claim your belongings, Heeseung beat you to it. "Here," he said, offering your suitcase with a warm smile. "Thank you," you responded, reciprocating the gesture of gratitude. Rolling your suitcase behind you, you noticed Heeseung had already retrieved his own. Together, in quiet companionship, you navigated through the airport, following the flow of the group. 

The air outside the airport carried the crisp promise of adventure as the group of excited students descended from the plane and gathered around a large bus waiting to transport them to their hotel. The vehicle stood tall and imposing, its doors wide open, inviting the group to embark on the next leg of their journey. As you stepped into the bus and found a seat, a familiar voice reached your ears. 

"Can I sit here?" Heeseung's warm smile accompanied his question, and you reciprocated with a welcoming gesture. He settled beside you, and the bus set in motion, winding through the streets of Paris. The city's architecture unfolded outside the windows like a visual feast, capturing the attention of everyone on board. Your eyes sparkled with excitement as you admired the intricate details of the buildings, and whenever you turned to share the joy with Heeseung, his gaze would quickly shift away, pretending to be captivated by the passing scenery. 

The bus eventually rolled to a stop, signaling the arrival at the hotel. As the group disembarked, you looked up at the building before you – not extravagantly grand, but holding the promise of comfort. However, the true revelation awaited as you stepped into the reception area. The space opened up, revealing a grandeur that surpassed the exterior. The teacher engaged in conversation with the receptionist, and the students grouped together, their voices buzzing with excitement and anticipation. 

The teacher's voice rose above the chatter as she outlined the room assignments, emphasizing the gender-oriented distribution. Two cards per room, a precautionary measure against misplacement, were handed out, and the groups were called out one by one. Your group, consisting of Yunjin, Chaewon, Suyeon, and yourself, was designated Room 245. With the key cards in hand, you ascended to the second floor, curiosity building as you approached your temporary abode. 

Suyeon, full of enthusiasm, led the way, bounding down the hallway until she found the designated room. "Here! Here!" she exclaimed, and you opened the door just in time for the whole group to peer inside. The room, bathed in a soothing beige hue, greeted you with two beds adorned with bedside tables, two desks for convenience, and a veranda offering a panoramic view of the city below. A plush couch nestled in the corner faced a sleek television, and a door to the right hinted at the presence of a private bathroom. 

Chaewon wasted no time in making herself at home, dropping her bag on the couch before gleefully jumping onto one of the beds. Following suit, you laid back on the other bed. However, before you could fully revel in the newfound comfort, Suyeon energetically claimed the space beside you, stretching out with a triumphant grin. Yunjin joined in the laughter, and the group soon found itself drawn to the allure of the bathroom. 

Yunjin unzipped her suitcase, extracting her makeup pouch, and disappeared into the bathroom, only to announce a delightful surprise. "Guys! We have a bathtub!" Her excitement echoed through the room, prompting immediate action from the rest of the group. The revelation unfolded as you, Suyeon, and Chaewon hurried into the bathroom, greeted by the sight of a generously sized bathtub. 

"Wow!" The collective gasp of awe echoed through the room, sealing the delight of the discovery. The prospect of relaxation in the bathtub added an extra layer of joy to the already thrilling atmosphere, setting the tone for the adventures that lay ahead in the City of Lights. 

After changing into fresh clothes and refreshing yourselves, you and your friend group descended from the second floor to the lobby of the hotel. The air was charged with anticipation, the excitement of exploring Paris echoing in the lively chatter of your classmates. Leaning against the wall, you waited patiently as the groups who had been assigned rooms together gradually gathered in the lobby. 

Once everyone was assembled, the teacher took charge, her authoritative voice cutting through the buzz of conversation. "Now, class, keep together and don't stray," she directed, and the collective footsteps of the group resonated through the hotel's entrance. The compact size of the class made it easy to keep track of each member, and with the assurance that they were all responsible adults, the teacher led the way out into the bustling streets. 

As the group strolled through the lively city, heads turned in every direction, taking in the captivating sights. Their first destination was a museum, and soon, the class found themselves at its entrance. The teacher, with a reminder to reconvene in three hours, set them free to explore the vast expanse of art and history within. 

You joined your friend group, your long coat providing a shield against the crisp air. Armed with a pamphlet, you roamed the halls, marveling at the intricate art and statues that adorned the museum. The tall ceilings allowed natural light to filter in, illuminating the marble floor that glittered like a pathway through a castle of culture and creativity. 

In one corner, you stopped by a particularly captivating painting named "Infinite Love." The strokes were a dance of perfection and focus, each detail contributing to the overall beauty of the piece. Lost in admiration, you didn't notice the approach of someone until a familiar voice broke through your thoughts. 

"You like art?" Heeseung's voice reached your ears, pulling you from your captivation. With a nod, you acknowledged your appreciation. "Look at it," you invited, turning your gaze back to the painting. "Isn't it beautiful?" 

"Yes," Heeseung responded, but his gaze wasn't fixed on the artwork. Instead, he looked at you with an enamored expression, a silent admiration that spoke volumes. 

The vibrant atmosphere of the museum surrounded you as you turned to look back at Heeseung, only to find his gaze already fixed on you. A curious smile adorned your face, and he responded in kind, his own smile reflecting a subtle warmth. Deciding to take a step, you walked forward, and with a glance over your shoulder, you noticed that Heeseung was now following in your wake. 

A giddy excitement fluttered within you as you realized he was interested in where you were headed. While your friends and his friends congregated ahead, walking as a unified group, you and Heeseung found yourselves a little behind, creating a bubble of intimacy within the bustling museum. 

As the group halted in front of a staircase, discussing their preferences for the next exhibit, suggestions floated in the air. Sunoo and Yunjin expressed their desire to see more statues, prompting a brief consensus. When it was your turn, you shared your preference, inspired by the research you had done during the bus ride. 

"I want to see 'The Kiss by the Hotel de Ville' photography," you chimed in, catching everyone's attention. Jungwon, the de facto planner, quickly designated a meeting point in an hour, instructing everyone to keep their phones on for coordination. You nodded in agreement, and as the group dispersed to explore their chosen sections, you and Heeseung headed toward the photography exhibit. 

Surprised and delighted, you noticed that he was still walking beside you, his presence a comforting closeness. Heeseung grinned, expressing his own interest in the photography. "I also want to see the photography. It looks enchanting from pictures; it must be even more magical in person," he shared, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. 

You smiled in agreement, and the two of you continued your journey through the museum. The proximity of your hands occasionally resulted in fleeting touches, heightening the awareness of the shared space between you. As you reached the designated section, excitement bubbled within you, and unable to contain it, you started to sprint ahead. "It's here! It's here!" you exclaimed with enthusiasm. 

As you arrived at the display, Heeseung caught up, and together, you both marveled at the captivating photography. A gasp escaped your lips as you took in the scene – a man holding a woman in an intimate embrace, their eyes closed, surrounded by a blurred crowd. The photograph captured a moment frozen in time, a kiss that seemed to transcend centuries, exuding heartfelt romance. 

Heeseung, now at your side, opened his mouth slightly, studying the photo with a thoughtful expression. It was clear that the image had captivated him as well. Glancing at you from the corner of his eyes, he couldn't help but smile at the genuine amazement reflected in your expression. 

The museum's corridors echoed with the hum of curiosity and excitement as you and Heeseung delved deeper into the exhibits. The intricate art and historical artifacts were fascinating, but what captivated you the most was the easy banter and connection you shared with Heeseung.  

As you reunited with your friends, the initial separation seemed to dissolve as you found yourself unintentionally gravitating toward Heeseung. Similarly, he sought you out amid the sea of faces, creating an amusing pattern that didn't go unnoticed by your friend groups. Giggles and knowing looks exchanged between them hinted at the brewing connection that transcended mere friendship. 

Reuniting with the class brought a different dynamic. The other girls in the class observed the closeness you and Heeseung. Their glares of jealousy and thinly veiled resentment became more apparent as the day unfolded. The subtle possessiveness they felt over Heeseung clashed with the unintentional chemistry you shared with him. 

As the class exited the museum and strolled toward the restaurant for dinner, the group naturally formed clusters. You found yourself walking alongside Heeseung once again, conversations flowing seamlessly between the two of you. The jealous glances intensified, and you couldn't help but feel discomfort. 

Upon reaching the restaurant, the entryway's limited space prompted a slight separation between you and Heeseung. The class filed in, and when you finally settled into your seats, you noticed that Keeho had plopped down beside you. His infectious energy and playful banter were a welcome distraction, and you couldn't help but smile. 

However, Heeseung's discontent was apparent. He wanted to sit with you, but circumstances dictated otherwise. His teacher requested him to sit a bit away from you on the other side of the long table. Seizing the opportunity, Kyeungmin, one of the girls who had glared at you earlier, took the seat beside him. And you couldn't help but notice how Heeseung's attention seemed divided. 

As menus were distributed, you casually swiped through and decided on a simple pasta dish. The class engaged in small talk, and you and Keeho slipped into your usual banter, goofing around and exchanging lighthearted jokes. Laughter enveloped your small corner of the table, momentarily pushing aside the tension caused by lingering glances. 

From the corner of your eye, you glimpsed Kyeungmin trying to strike up a conversation with Heeseung. His polite responses were apparent, and you couldn't help but huff in response. Keeho, sensing your mood, made a funny gesture, coaxing a giggle from you. The tight feeling in your chest subsided as Keeho continued to keep you company, offering a distraction from the unspoken tension lingering at the table. 

Dinner arrived, and the restaurant's cozy ambiance embraced the class. Plates were filled with delicious dishes, and the air was filled with the hum of chatter and laughter. However, as you continued your meal, the dynamic at the table shifted. 

Your attention was drawn to Kyeungmin, who was now openly flirting with Heeseung. His polite responses seemed to encourage her advances, and the subtle tension that had lingered before now escalated. Uncomfortable, you excused yourself from the table, claiming a sudden loss of appetite. 

Your friends exchanged worried glances as you quickly paid for your meal and left the restaurant, not noticing the concerned expressions that followed you. Heeseung's gaze lingered on your retreating figure, torn between the awkward situation at the table and his desire to follow you. 

With a final glance at Kyeungmin, he excused himself from the table, much to the concern of your teacher and everyone else. 

The brisk Parisian night air swept through the streets as you ambled along the cobblestone paths, the city lights casting a soft glow on the charming architecture. Your footsteps echoed against the historic buildings, creating a rhythmic melody as you navigated the unfamiliar streets. 

Suddenly, amidst the tranquility of the night, the cadence of footsteps emerged from behind you. You turned to find Heeseung catching up, his breath slightly labored from what seemed like a brisk jog. "Oh, hey," you greeted, a friendly smile curving your lips. 

As Heeseung caught his breath, concern etched on his features, he questioned, "Why did you leave?" You shrugged nonchalantly, "I just wasn't hungry." He observed you for a moment, his eyes searching for a deeper truth. "You sure? You didn't look so good in there," he remarked. A subtle nod was your only response, and the two of you fell into a comfortable silence. 

The journey back to the hotel unfolded with Heeseung once again in tow, the quietude occasionally interrupted by the distant sounds of the city at night. When you reached the hotel lobby, you exchanged a brief "good night" before parting ways at the elevators. As the doors closed behind him, you sighed in relief. 

Back in your hotel room, you found solace in the familiar routine of unwinding. You pulled out your favorite pair of pajamas, their soft fabric offering comfort after a day of adventures. A shower followed, the warm water soothing both body and mind, and you towel-dried your hair with practiced ease. 

With the TV remote in hand, you perched on the couch, hoping to find some distraction in the channels of a foreign language. The soft hum of French voices surrounded you, adding a touch of ambiance to the room. Despite your efforts, boredom prevailed, prompting you to power off the TV and surrender to the glow of your phone screen. 

An hour later, the entrance door creaked open, and your friends spilled into the room, concern etched on their faces. Their collective worry washed over you as they circled around, bombarding you with questions. "What happened, Y/N?" "Are you okay?" Their care and friendship were evident, and you reassured them that it was simply a lack of appetite, likely due to the notorious jetlag. 

Chaewon, ever the thoughtful one, produced a shopping bag filled with snacks and drinks, a gesture that warmed your heart. "We went to the grocery store after dinner, just in case you were hungry," she explained. Gratitude mingled with exhaustion as you accepted their offerings. 

The night continued with the familiar routine of shower rotations, the shared laughter in the dimly lit room, and the joyous chaos of friends enjoying each other's company. The beds were pushed together, the lights dimmed, and beneath the shared blanket, a symphony of laughter and banter echoed, creating a harmonious lullaby that eventually led everyone into the comforting embrace of sleep. 

Under the soft glow of the hotel room's dimmed lights, the air was filled with hushed whispers and giggles as you and the girls nestled together under the blanket. The makeshift fort created a cocoon of warmth, where secrets were shared, and laughter flowed freely. The hours passed in a blur as the conversation meandered through various topics, from school antics to crushes and dreams. 

As midnight approached, the air in the room grew heavier with drowsiness. One by one, the girls began to yawn, a chain reaction of sleepy expressions spreading across the room. The shared secrets and laughter turned into comfortable silence as eyelids grew heavy, and the pull of sleep became irresistible. 

The two separate beds, now pushed together to form a larger sleeping space, transformed into a cozy haven for the slumbering group. You found yourself nestled between Chaewon on your left and Kazuha on your right, the warmth and soft breathing of your friends creating a soothing symphony. 

In the quiet moments before sleep claimed you, your thoughts drifted to Heeseung. The night sky outside the window held a canvas of stars, but your mind was lost in the constellation of memories and emotions surrounding him. You pondered if he was already asleep, miles away on another floor, separated by walls and dreams. Closing your eyes, you allowed the rhythmic breathing of your friends and the gentle hum of the city outside to lull you into a peaceful slumber. 

Meanwhile, on the floor above, Heeseung laid in the cozy room, bathed in the soft glow of the bedside lamp. Sunghoon, Jake, and Ni-ki were already lost in the embrace of dreams, leaving Heeseung alone with his thoughts. His mind, however, was only occupied by one person – you. Heeseung had carried a silent crush since childhood, a secret he guarded well. The trip, in his eyes, was an opportunity to reconnect and, perhaps, confess his feelings. 

His gaze fixated on the ceiling, Heeseung's mind replayed the moments shared with you throughout the day. Admiration painted his features, and a soft smile lingered on his lips. He wrestled with the words he wished to express, contemplating whether the risk was worth it. 

Eventually, fatigue claimed Heeseung, and he shifted into a more comfortable position. Closing his eyes, he allowed the thoughts of you to linger a moment longer before succumbing to the gentle pull of sleep, dreams of a shared future with you dancing in the depths of his consciousness. 

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the picturesque streets of Paris as you and your classmates embarked on another day of exploration. The city's rich history unfolded before you as you visited iconic landmarks, strolled along cobblestone streets, and marveled at architectural wonders. 

The anticipation of a day filled with new experiences was palpable, but a subtle tension lingered in the air, a result of the unspoken dynamics among your group. Kyeungmin's persistent proximity to Heeseung created an invisible barrier, leaving you on the outside looking in. 

As the class gathered at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, you couldn't help but notice how Kyeungmin effortlessly attached herself to Heeseung's arm. Her laughter, once a distant echo, now felt like a constant background noise, drowning out the potential moments you could have shared with Heeseung. Your attempts to engage in conversations with him were met with distracted smiles, his attention seemingly held captive by Kyeungmin's animated stories. 

The iconic structure of the Eiffel Tower stretched above you, but the gap between you and Heeseung widened with every passing moment. Kyeungmin, with an almost possessive air, clung to Heeseung as if they were more than just friends. A sense of frustration settled within you, an unspoken ache that grew with each shared glance and whispered exchange. 

Throughout the day, the class moved from the Louvre to Notre-Dame, with Kyeungmin and Heeseung seemingly inseparable. The historic beauty of each location became a backdrop to a different narrative, one where you found yourself playing a peripheral role. 

As you walked through the narrow streets of Montmartre, the lively atmosphere couldn't dispel the growing unease within you. The sight of Kyeungmin and Heeseung sharing smiles and secret glances fueled a sense of isolation, pushing you to the outskirts of the group. 

Lunch at a charming French café offered a momentary reprieve, but even there, Kyeungmin managed to position herself close to Heeseung, monopolizing his attention. The distant hum of laughter from your friends became a melody of missed opportunities and fading connections. 

By the time you reached the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, the emotional weight of the day bore down on you. The panoramic view of Paris, which should have been a shared moment of awe, felt like a solitary experience. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of orange and pink across the city, you couldn't shake the feeling that something precious was slipping away. 

The group gathered for dinner at a quaint French bistro, and the sense of isolation persisted. Even amidst the lively chatter, you found yourself yearning for a connection that seemed increasingly elusive. As the night fell, Paris sparkled around you, but the radiance of the city only deepened the shadows within. 

Unbeknownst to you, Heeseung's eyes occasionally sought yours, a fleeting expression of regret and longing. His attempts to engage in meaningful conversation were subtly thwarted by Kyeungmin's interjections, and the distance between you and Heeseung grew with every unspoken word. 

The hotel room hummed with an air of excitement, a symphony of hairdryers, laughter, and the clinking of makeup palettes as your group of friends prepared for an enchanting evening at the opera house. The two hours before the event were a frenzy of primping and preening, the anticipation palpable in the room. 

Positioned in front of the bathroom mirror, you found yourself surrounded by a whirlwind of activity. Chaewon, Kazuha, Yunjin, and Suyeon, all busied themselves with their respective beauty routines. Each one of you had a unique style, and the room was alive with chatter and laughter. 

Opting for a look that echoed simplicity and elegance, you chose a subtle makeup palette that accentuated your features without being too bold. As you applied the finishing touches, your long black dress, carefully selected for the occasion, hung gracefully in the backdrop. The dress was a masterpiece in itself – backless, with straps securing the top and knotting at the lower part of your back. The V-neckline cascaded down your chest, revealing the delicate curve of your collarbones. The fabric felt soft against your skin, akin to the gentle touch of silk. It gracefully trailed along the ground, with a daring slit running up the side, exposing your left leg. To balance the allure, you adorned sheer, laced black thigh-high socks, adding a touch of mystery and sophistication. 

Amidst the shared space, playful banter filled the air. Kazuha's complaint about an elbow poking her side was met with Chaewon's defense of perfect mascara application.

Completing your makeup, you turned your attention to your hair, combing through it and letting the strands fall gracefully. A delicate necklace adorned your neck, and you added accessories to complement the ensemble. Stepping out of the bathroom, you couldn't help but smile at your reflection – you looked classy, elegant, and undeniably stunning. 

With your essentials packed into a simple black purse embellished with silver flowers, you clasped on your black heels, each step echoing the anticipation of the night. A long black faux fur coat completed the ensemble, adding a touch of glamour and sophistication. As you stood before the mirror, you marveled at the transformation – a vision of timeless beauty. 

Turning to your friends, you witnessed the culmination of their efforts. Each emerged from the bathroom wearing their chosen dresses, heels, and adorned with their preferred accessories.  

The anticipation of the evening buzzed through the hotel lobby as you and your friends descended from your rooms, the atmosphere crackling with excitement and glamour. In your elegant ensemble, you felt a surge of confidence, accentuated by the whispers of silk and lace against your skin. 

As you reached the lobby, some of your classmates had already gathered, creating a captivating tableau of refined fashion and anticipation. Your group gravitated towards Jungwon, Jay, Sunoo, and Sunghoon, who stood like modern-day gentlemen in impeccably tailored suits, their hair neatly combed, exuding a magnetic charm that only enhanced their natural charisma. A collective hum of admiration rippled through your group as you exchanged smiles and compliments. 

The chatter among your friends continued, a lively exchange of laughter and conversation, punctuated by Yunjin's question that hung in the air, "When are the others coming?" The answer came swiftly, a blend of nonchalance and excitement from Sunghoon, "Soon." But before the conversation could delve deeper, Sunoo interjected with an exuberant proclamation, "Oh, there they are." 

Your attention turned, as Jake and Ni-ki descended the staircase, both impeccably dressed in suits that showcased a timeless sense of style. And behind them, a figure emerged that caused your heart to skip a beat. Heeseung, the epitome of sophistication, stepped into view, and time seemed to slow. 

Heeseung wore an ensemble that left an indelible impression. Black dress shoes added a polished touch to his attire, paired with sleek black slacks. A crisp white undershirt provided a canvas for a perfectly knotted black tie, and a black dress jacket adorned his broad shoulders. A thick coat draped over his form, adding an extra layer of elegance. His jet-black hair, artfully swept back, framed a face that embodied the essence of allure. 

Your eyes met, and a charged silence enveloped the lobby. Heeseung's gaze roamed appreciatively from the tips of your heels to the gracefulness of your face. A soft, almost reverent "wow" escaped his lips, echoing the sentiment in the air. A chorus of playful snickers from your friends pulled you both back to the moment. 

"You look good," you managed to say, a hint of nervousness in your voice. Heeseung, regaining his composure, responded with a genuine compliment, "Yeah, you do too." 

The class gathered, a blend of eager anticipation and a shared desire to make the most of the night. The teacher, a beacon of authority, rallied everyone, "Alright class. Looks like everyone is here. Let's go. We gotta be at Palais Garnier in an hour." With that, the entourage began its procession toward the opera house, a parade of heels and shoes against the Parisian pavement, a harmonious prelude to an unforgettable evening. 

Heeseungs POV: 

The anticipation for the evening's rendezvous at Palais Garnier electrified the air as Heeseung, Sunghoon, Jake, and Ni-ki prepared in their hotel room. The room buzzed with the clinks of ties being adjusted, the subtle spray of cologne, and the rustle of dress shirts. Heeseung, sharing the space with his friends, felt the thrill of the evening ahead. 

His excitement, however, was twinged with a hint of regret. Kyeungmin's constant presence had subtly distanced him from the opportunity to connect with you. He had hoped to explore the enchanting streets of Paris in your company, creating shared memories amidst the city's timeless charm. Yet, the distraction had impeded those plans, leaving a trace of melancholy in Heeseung's heart. 

As he meticulously dressed in a tailored black suit, Heeseung couldn't help but wonder about your own preparations. The thought of seeing you in the midst of Parisian allure heightened his anticipation. He imagined the dress you might wear, the way you'd style your hair, and the grace with which you'd carry yourself. Paris held the promise of a magical night, and he wanted to share it with you. 

The allure of Paris, however, took a backseat when he saw you in that breathtaking ensemble. The black dress clung to your figure, and Heeseung's eyes travelled over your outfit. His breath hitched at the sight. The silver accessories and heels added a touch of sophistication, but it was the long black faux fur coat that completed the ensemble, giving you an air of timeless elegance. Heeseung's heartbeat quickened as he caught a glimpse of the lace thigh highs from the sliver of the open coat. The sheer allure of your appearance stirred an undeniable longing within him. 

For a fleeting moment, the desire to sweep you off your feet and take you back to his hotel room overwhelmed his thoughts. He wanted to admire you in the quiet intimacy of their space, away from prying eyes. He wanted to be the only one who could revel in your beauty. 

The spell broke when the playful snickers of their friends reached his ears. Heeseung, still caught in the reverie of your allure, groaned inwardly. The world might appreciate your beauty tonight, but in his heart, Heeseung wanted you for himself. Even when you wore heels that brought you closer to his height, he still towered over you. The realization that you were beautiful beyond measure fueled a silent determination within him. 

As they set out for the opera house, the backdrop of the pavement became the stage for a night that held promises of enchantment, and in the bustling rhythm of the city, Heeseung silently vowed to make this evening unforgettable, aspiring for moments when it would be just the two of you, lost in the allure of Paris. 

The grandeur of the opera house unfolded before your eyes as you entered the magnificent building. The glow of lights illuminated the night sky, casting an ethereal aura around the structure. The gasps of awe echoed in the air as everyone marveled at the grand interior that lay before them. A set of grand staircases adorned the entrance, gracefully ascending and splitting into two sections leading to the second floor. The people milling around were dressed in suits and beautiful dresses, creating an atmosphere that felt like stepping into a fairy tale castle. 

The interior, a spectacle of opulence, boasted mosaic and marble adorned with golden tones, creating a visual symphony that resonated with luxury. The sheer scale of the architecture left everyone breathless, transporting them to a realm of sophistication and elegance. 

"Okay, the show starts in an hour! So make sure you all are in your seats! Here are your tickets," your teacher announced, distributing tickets from a folder. As you received yours and tucked it into your purse, Yunjin grabbed your arm, exclaiming, "Come on, Y/n! We gotta go exploring!" Following her lead, you joined Kazuha, Chaewon, and Suyeon. The harmonious clicking of your heels on the marble floor echoed through the air as you ascended the grand staircase and veered right when the stairs split. 

Looking back, you noticed the guys following, albeit at a slower pace. Kyeungmin had predictably attached herself to Heeseung, hanging off his arm. Suppressing a huff of annoyance, you shifted your attention as Chaewon gasped loudly. Following her gaze, you understood the collective awe that swept through the group. The hallway stretched majestically, adorned with bust statues and crowned by chandeliers that hung gracefully from the ceiling. 

"Guys, look up," Yunjin exclaimed, directing your attention to the ceiling. All gazes lifted as the guys caught up, and a collective gasp escaped your lips. The ceiling itself was a masterpiece, an intricate painting that held the essence of timeless beauty. Tears welled in your eyes, prompting you to wipe them away carefully, not wanting to disturb your makeup. 

"That is amazing," Jay marveled, his sentiment echoed by the rest of the group. As you continued to admire the breathtaking ceiling and capture the moment with pictures, you failed to notice Heeseung breaking away from Kyeungmin. His gaze was drawn upward as well, and then it shifted to you. The admiration in his eyes spoke volumes as he took in the sight of not just the artwork above but also the beauty standing before him. 

The opulent opera house buzzed with an air of sophistication, its corridors adorned with the elegance of centuries past. The rich tapestry of architecture held you captive, and you decided to savor every detail before joining your friends inside the theater. Lost in your admiration, you rounded a corner and, absorbed in your thoughts, collided with a handsome stranger. 

"Oh, I'm sorry," you apologized, your gaze lifting to meet the man's. His eyes sparkled with a playful charm as he reassured you, "It's okay; I wasn't looking." 

"Foreigner, huh?" he remarked with a teasing smile seeing you, and you nodded. "Yes, is it noticeable?" you inquired, curious about his perception. 

His laughter echoed through the corridor as he replied, "Very." Leaning down gracefully, he took your hand and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of it. "My name is Gabriel," he introduced himself, but you withdrew your hand, a subtle discomfort settling in. 

"Nice to meet you," you responded, keeping a polite distance. "Y/n? A beautiful name fit for a beautiful woman," he complimented, and you thanked him, still feeling uneasy. Sensing the awkward tension, he asked, "Say, are you alone?" 

Before you could respond, a protective arm encircled your waist from behind, and you looked up to find Heeseung standing there. He glared at Gabriel, his hand holding you close. "And who are you?" Gabriel inquired, seemingly unfazed. 

"I'm her boyfriend," Heeseung declared, his jaw visibly clenched, his grip on you both tight and protective. Gabriel, unrelenting, challenged, "Boyfriend, huh? Prove it then. Kiss." 

“Gladly,” Before you could react, Heeseung pulled you toward him, his hand gently gripping your jaw as he initiated a kiss. You gasped, but your hands instinctively found their way around his neck, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened, and the intensity of the moment spoke louder than any words. 

The grandeur of the opera house faded into the background as Heeseung and you remained locked in a moment of shared desire. After Gabriel disappeared, leaving you both momentarily breathless, the lingering tension between you and Heeseung refused to subside. "Fuck," Heeseung whispered, his gaze piercing through yours, a profound intensity underscoring his words. 

Unable to resist the magnetic pull, your lips met again. Heeseung's urgency backed you against the wall, the cool marble contrasting with the heat of the kiss. His hand traced the contour of your leg, following the slit of your dress. You allowed him to lift your leg, wrapping it around his waist as the passion between you deepened. 

His thumb danced underneath the lace thigh-high, a teasing revelation of more skin. The exploration continued as his other hand ventured under your coat, caressing the bare skin on your back. Heeseung groaned, the realization of the dress's backless design intensifying his desire. 

With one hand gripping the nape of his neck and the other resting on his chest, you reveled in the electrifying connection. Heeseung hummed, kissing down from your jaw to your neck and collarbones. Soft murmurs of his name escaped your lips, your fingers finding solace in the strands of his hair. 

As Heeseung pulled back, his lips stained with your lipstick, you met his gaze, both of you sharing an unspoken understanding. "Yes?" he whispered, his voice laden with a mix of desire and wonder. Your response was a simple hum as you pulled him back into another fervent kiss, by his black tie. 

"Fuck. Oh, my God," Heeseung breathlessly muttered between kisses as you indulged in the heated exchange. The passion reached its peak, an intoxicating blend of longing and urgency. 

The constant pinging of your phone pulled you back to reality, and you both reluctantly detached. Gasping for air, you retrieved your phone, realizing Yunjin's urgent messages about the impending show. "Oh, shit! It's starting!" you exclaimed, rushing to the main area, clutching your purse and phone. Heeseung followed closely behind. 

Entering the dimly lit theater, you settled into your seat next to Chaewon and Yunjin. "There you are," Yunjin whispered, and you breathlessly replied, "Yeah... here I am." As you discreetly observed Heeseung taking his place beside Ni-ki and Jake, your heart still raced from the forbidden rendezvous. In the darkness, his silhouette hinted at the storm of emotions that mirrored your own. As the ballerinas graced the stage, you slipped off your coat, focusing on the show while secretly relishing the knowledge of how Heeseung's gaze lingered on the exposed skin your dress revealed. The night had taken an unexpected turn, and the echo of the clandestine encounter lingered, promising a symphony of emotions yet to unfold. 

Heeseungs POV:

Heeseung couldn't bear to watch from afar as Gabriel engaged in conversation with you. As Gabriel introduced himself, Heeseung's gaze remained fixed on him, a silent warning beneath the surface. When Gabriel bent down to kiss the back of your hand, Heeseung felt an undeniable flare of irritation. Yet, as you pulled away, seemingly uncomfortable, Heeseung couldn't resist the opportunity to assert himself, and without a second thought, he closed the distance between you and him, slipping his hand around your waist possessively. The protective hold was both instinctual and intentional, an unspoken claim against any potential threat.  "She's with me, actually," he declared, his jaw clenched with a hint of possessiveness. "And who are you?" Gabriel inquired, seemingly unfazed. "I'm her boyfriend," Heeseung stated, the grip around your waist tightening subtly. Oh how he wished that was the truth.

The challenge escalated as Gabriel demanded a kiss for proof. Heeseung didn't hesitate, pulling you toward him and gripping your jaw gently. The world blurred as their lips met, a whirlwind of sensation as he tasted the undeniable chemistry that had always lingered between you. The intensity was undeniable, fueled by the untamed desire that had simmered beneath the surface for far too long. 

The kiss was a revelation, igniting a spark that Heeseung had desperately longed to unleash. Your hands wound around his neck, pulling him closer, and the kiss deepened, both fervent and hungry. It was an intoxicating dance, a symphony of passion that resonated with each stolen breath. 

The world around him vanished as the connection deepened. Heeseung was intoxicated by the taste of your lips, the warmth of your body pressed against his. His hand traced the contours of your leg, accentuated by the slit in your dress, as he reveled in the sensations that consumed him. 

Underneath the lace thigh-high, his thumb traced the delicate patterns, reveling in the intimacy. The allure of your backless dress heightened the desire coursing through him, leaving him yearning for more.

Heeseung marveled at the feeling of your skin against his, the warmth of your embrace setting his senses ablaze. Every touch, every movement was a testament to the magnetic pull that drew him to you. In that stolen moment, he felt a willingness to go to any length to be close to you, to be the one who claimed your attention above all else. 

When he pulled back, the realization of the public setting hit him. "Fuck," he muttered, his thoughts racing. The temptation to continue was strong, an almost obsessive desire to explore every inch of you. His mind flashed with vivid images of getting on his knees for you, a testament to the intensity of his longing. The bad timing gnawed at him, an unwanted interruption that disrupted the stolen moments he had yearned for. As you hurried back to the theater, he followed closely, the echoes of your heels against the marble floor a rhythm to his internal turmoil.

Entering the dimly lit theater, Heeseung settled into his seat, trying to compose himself. Yet, the performance on the stage became a mere backdrop to the real spectacle – you, seated just two rows in front of him, looking resplendent in the elegant dress. Every movement, every glimpse. Heeseung struggled to tear his gaze away from the masterpiece that was you.  

When the grandeur of the opera had come to an end, and the group returned to the hotel, the echoes of applause and the memory of the exquisite performance lingering in the air. Yet, despite the enchanting atmosphere, a cloud of tension veiled Heeseung's demeanor. As they entered the hotel lobby, he instinctively sought out your presence, only to find you conspicuously absent. 

His displeasure was evident as he scanned the surroundings, a subtle frown etching across his features. The realization hit him like a jolt – you were purposefully avoiding him. The nagging question echoed in his mind -"Why?" 

Kyeungmin's lingering presence further soured his mood. He groaned inwardly, grappling with a mix of frustration and yearning. He begrudgingly made his way to his hotel room, accompanied by Sunghoon, Jake, and Ni-ki, who were blissfully unaware of the tumult within him. 

As they entered the room, Jake's concerned inquiry sliced through the silence, "Why are you so down?" Heeseung collapsed on the bed, shielding his eyes from prying gazes. "Nothing, just tired," he replied, a nonchalant facade masking the turmoil beneath. 

Jake persisted, his tone hinting at a deeper understanding, "You sure?" Heeseung's response carried a finality that conveyed the end of the discussion. "Yes." The room fell into a momentary lull, interrupted only by the background squabble between Sunghoon, Jake, and Ni-ki over shower usage. 

Amidst the trivial distractions, Heeseung's mind was elsewhere. The recollection of your sudden avoidance and the lingering memory of the hallway kiss played vividly in his thoughts. A blush adorned his cheeks, a silent testament to the impact it had left on him. 

Fortunately, his friends remained oblivious to his inner turmoil, too engrossed in their own activities. But Heeseung's focus was singular – he needed to see you, to unravel the mystery behind your avoidance, and perhaps, to confess the feelings that had lingered for far too long. The desire to be alone with you, to strip away the barriers and lay bare his heart, was the driving force behind the cloud of tension that enveloped him. 

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a serene glow over the city that never slept. Within the confines of your hotel room, the gentle snores of your friends provided a rhythmic lull, but your restless mind resisted the embrace of slumber. Frustration welled within you, and a spontaneous decision emerged – a solitary walk through the quiet streets to clear the storm brewing in your thoughts. 

With stealthy steps, you slipped out of bed, clad in pyjama pants and a jacket to ward off the night chill. The window creaked open, and you descended the fire escape, navigating the quiet stairwell until your feet met the damp pavement below. The night air was cool, caressing your face as you walked, the city lights casting long shadows on the streets. 

As you strolled, a familiar sensation graced your skin – raindrops, gentle at first, then gradually intensifying. Seeking refuge, you found shelter beneath the awning of a closed establishment. The rhythmic patter of rain provided a soothing backdrop to your contemplation, lost in the dance of droplets. 

However, the tranquility shattered when a voice called out your name, piercing through the rain-laden air. "Y/N!" The voice belonged to Heeseung, running towards you with a jacket and an umbrella in hand. Panic seized you, and instinctively, you turned and sprinted away, leaving the echoes of his desperate calls behind. 

Ignoring the soaked clothes and the disapproving glances from strangers, you ran until exhaustion halted your escape. Breathless, you halted, and stood beneath the rain, wiping away the tears mingling with the droplets on your cheeks, feeling the burn in your lungs. It was then that Heeseung caught up, his presence casting a shadow over your moment of solitude. 

"Please... Y/N, why are you running from me?" Breathless, he asked, Gasping, you admitted, "I don't know." 

Heeseung pleaded, "Please, don't ignore me," as he drew near. Frustrated, you snapped, "Just run back to Kyeungmin! Why care for me?" Heeseung retaliated, "Because I do! I care for you, not Kyeungmin!" 

"Why should you?" you shot back. Heeseung's frustration reached its peak, prompting him to question, "Why wouldn't i!?" You retorted with, "Because I'm not your girlfriend! We aren't even friends!" 

His reply was unexpected and heartfelt: "Then be my girlfriend." The words lingered in the air, leaving you wide-eyed. Heeseung approached, his hand winding around your waist. "Y/N, I've been in love with you for years. I love you so much it hurts. I'm sorry it's taken so long to admit it. I was scared of what you would say or think. But now, I don't care. So please..." Heeseung confessed, sinking to one knee and looking up at you, his eyes brimming with hope. "Please be my girlfriend." 

Overwhelmed by the unexpected revelation, tears welled in your eyes. Heeseung's confession echoed your long-unspoken sentiments. In a burst of emotion, you threw yourself at him, causing him to stumble and sit on the pavement as your lips collided in a fervent kiss. Amidst the rain-soaked embrace, you joyously exclaimed, "Yes!" 

The downpour intensified, but neither of you cared. Heeseung held you close, hugging you as the realization of reciprocated feelings sank in. The rain painted an ethereal backdrop, as Heeseung stood up from the rain-drenched pavement, his arms strong and sure as he lifted you effortlessly by your thighs. A gasp escaped your lips, the sensation of being lifted off the ground, coupled with the joyous confession, creating a moment that transcended the ordinary. Heeseung's admission of happiness painted a grin across his face, his wet hair clinging to his forehead. "I'm so happy," he confessed, his voice carrying the weight of years of unspoken feelings. 

"Me too," you responded, your voice mirroring the elation that danced between you. Heeseung gently set you down, and with a shared understanding, you decided to make your way back to the hotel. The umbrella became a makeshift shield against the remaining raindrops, Heeseung holding it up over you. His arm circled your waist, creating an intimate cocoon as you both walked the dimly lit streets, back towards the sanctuary of the hotel. 

As you strolled, a minor detail caught your attention – the Eiffel Tower stood tall in the background, a silent witness to the confession that had unfolded in its rain-soaked embrace. The setting couldn't have been more perfect, and you marveled at the serendipity that painted this moment against the backdrop of one of the world's most iconic landmarks. 

Climbing the fire escape to Heeseung's room added a touch of secrecy to the night, the quiet ascension a shared secret between the two of you. The sleeping figures of Sunghoon, Niki, and Jake lay undisturbed, granting a moment of privacy as you entered the room. 

"Are you sure it's okay to be here?" you inquired, casting a glance at the peacefully slumbering friends. "Yeah, they won't wake up so easily. The bathroom is there. Take a shower," Heeseung assured, a sense of familiarity and comfort emanating from the dimly lit room. You nodded in acknowledgment, entering the bathroom and letting the warm water wash away the remnants of the night's escapades. 

A gentle knock on the door punctuated the moment. "Y/N?" Heeseung's voice reached you. "I brought some clothes for you; it ain't much bu–" His words trailed off as you swung open the door, facing him with just a towel draped around you. "Thank you!" you chimed, accepting the clothes with a playful grin. The blush that adorned Heeseung's face was a testament to the lingering excitement of the night. Closing the door behind you, you changed into Heeseung's clothes, the oversized sweatpants cinched tightly and the T-shirt hanging loosely. Grateful that your bra had remained dry beneath your jacket, you couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and belonging in Heeseung's borrowed attire. 

The warmth of the shower had dissipated, leaving you refreshed and wrapped in Heeseung's oversized clothes. Stepping out of the bathroom, the soft glow from the muted lights revealed Heeseung leaning casually against the wall. His eyes widened appreciatively as they traced the contours of you adorned in his clothes, a hint of a playful smirk playing on his lips. 

"Your turn, loverboy," you teased, deftly dodging his attempts to pull you into his embrace. "Shower before you catch a cold," you added, a mischievous glint in your eyes as Heeseung groaned playfully. Yielding to your suggestion, he entered the bathroom, and soon after, the soothing sound of running water enveloped the room. 

Seated on the couch, you took in the ambient sounds of raindrops tapping against the window, a serene backdrop to the events that had transpired. The room was dimly lit, the other occupants still lost in the embrace of dreams, oblivious to the shared moment unfolding. 

Heeseung emerged from the bathroom, clad in dry clothes, his smile radiant as he approached you. Settling beside you on the couch, he couldn't help but express his disbelief, "I can't believe you're finally my girlfriend..." 

"And I can't believe you're my boyfriend," you replied, sharing a smile as he wrapped his arms around you. Nestling against his warmth, you felt his fingers play gently with your damp hair. His embrace offered a sense of security, and as the fatigue from the night's adventures caught up with you, a soft yawn escaped your lips. 

Heeseung, attuned to your signals, heard the yawn and observed as your body gradually surrendered to the embrace of sleep. With careful tenderness, he stretched out on the couch, arranging you over his chest to ensure your comfort. Time seemed to blur as he lay there, the only sound in the room being the gentle snores from you, Sunghoon, Jake, and Ni-ki. 

Shaking his head in contentment, Heeseung allowed himself to succumb to the pull of slumber. With you nestled against him, he drifted into a peaceful sleep, the quietude of the room punctuated only by the rhythmic lullabies of rain and shared dreams. 

The morning light streamed gently into the room as you stirred awake, finding yourself nestled against Heeseung's warmth. A yawn escaped your lips, followed by a soft hum as you admired his serene sleeping face. His peaceful features, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest, the occasional twitches—all combined to paint a picture that made your heart swell with affection.

"Hee?" you whispered, leaning in to kiss the curve of his mouth. With each tender peck, you continued, "Heeseung?" His arms tightened around your waist in response, and a contented smile graced his lips as he blinked open his eyes. "What a way to wake up," he groggily murmured in his deep morning voice, eliciting a giggle from you. "Morning, baby," he said, returning your affectionate kisses.

"Morning," you replied with a smile. A brief moment of silence lingered, and then you announced, "I need to go back to my room." Heeseung playfully whined, pulling you closer. "Stay." His plea was accompanied by a hopeful expression. "Heeseung, I have to go. You'll see me at breakfast," you assured. "Promise?" he asked. "Promise," you replied. "Okay," he conceded, reluctantly letting you go. You grabbed your clothes from yesterday, opened the window to the fire escape, and climbed down to your room where your friends were still in the embrace of slumber. 

With a hum, you gathered your wet clothes in a bag and selected new ones for the day. After your morning routine, you changed into ripped jeans and a comfy hoodie. Stepping out of the bathroom, you greeted the waking girls with a cheerful, "Morning, guys!" As they stirred, you brushed your hair and waited for them to get ready. Once everyone was set, you headed down to the hotel's restaurant for breakfast.

You filled your plate and settled down beside Chaewon and Kazuha, enjoying the morning feast. When you stood up to refill your juice, you spotted the guys entering the restaurant. Heeseung's eyes lit up when he saw you, and he grinned, pulling you into a sweet kiss by your waist. The affectionate exchange turned heads, drawing surprised stares from the classmates and even the teacher.

"What?" you exclaimed in response to the collective gaze. Heeseung continued to smile, unbothered. Kyeungmin, however, couldn't contain her anger. She stomped towards you, ready to unleash her frustration, but Jake intervened, urging her to calm down. Heeseung asserted, "I have a girlfriend now, Kyeungmin." Despite her protests, the teacher intervened, instructing her to return to her seat.

As you returned to your place, Heeseung and his friends joined you. Smirks and knowing glances were exchanged among your friends. "So?" Yunjin prompted with a teasing grin. "Well," you began, looking up at Heeseung, "We're together," you declared, exchanging smiles with Heeseung. "Happily together," he added, and you chose to ignore the amused glances and exchanged money among your friends. It seemed they all had a bet on the two of you.

The streets of Paris echoed with the lively chatter of tourists and locals alike as you and Heeseung strolled hand in hand. The city, bathed in the warm hues of the sun, offered a picturesque backdrop to your last day of exploration. A free period granted you the freedom to create memories at your own pace, but the warning from the teacher about staying in groups and observing the curfew lingered in the air.

Amidst the vibrant ambiance, Heeseung turned to you with a question, "What do you wanna do?" A mischievous glint danced in your eyes as you replied, "Hmm, I wanna get ice cream first!" Heeseung nodded in agreement, and together with your friends, you all indulged in the delight of ice cream. A charming park became the setting for your impromptu gathering, where laughter and conversations flowed freely. Jungwon voiced the collective sentiment, expressing happiness that you and Heeseung had finally embraced your feelings. Chuckles erupted from both of you, the day unfolding with the promise of joy.

As the group roamed Paris, serendipitous moments found you and Heeseung alone in romantically charged settings. One such instance occurred in a vast bookshop, where towering shelves embraced literary wonders. On the second floor, you stretched to reach a tempting book, only for Heeseung to smoothly retrieve it for you. A soft "thank you" escaped your lips, and as you examined the book, his hand gently cradled your jaw, lifting your gaze to meet his. A smile played on his lips before a tender kiss ensued. Caught in the intimate exchange, you dropped the book, your hands finding solace in the warmth of Heeseung's sweater. The spell was broken by the amused interruption of Kazuha, reminding you that, perhaps, a bookshop wasn't the most private place for such encounters.

Another intimate moment unfolded during a serene canoe ride, the rhythmic dip of Heeseung's oar creating a soothing melody. He sung softly, casting a glance your way with a smile. With your gaze fixated on the water, you admired the playful dance of fish beneath the surface.

----------------

Amidst the hustle and bustle of a Parisian boutique, you found yourself immersed in a sea of fashionable choices. The allure of a chic skirt and a matching top beckoned you, and with a glint of excitement in your eyes, you decided to try them on. The changing room provided a momentary sanctuary where you could revel in the delight of a potential new outfit.

As you emerged from the changing room, the skirt swaying with each step, your eyes locked with Heeseung's. A palpable appreciation radiated from his gaze as he admired the ensemble. Drawn closer by an irresistible magnetism, he approached you, a slow and deliberate stride that carried the weight of desire.

With a subtle smile playing on your lips, you felt the gentle push of the curtain against your back as Heeseung enclosed both of you in a cocoon of privacy. His words, a soft declaration, caressed the air, "Baby, you look amazing in whatever you wear." The sincerity of his compliment warmed your heart as his lips found yours against the changing room wall.

Heeseung's hands traced the contours of your body with a possessive familiarity, his fingers slipping underneath the fabric of the skirt, exploring the expanse of your thigh. The other hand secured itself on your hip, grounding you in the intensity of the moment. You reciprocated with a fervent response, your hands finding solace around his neck as the world outside the curtain ceased to exist. 

In the hushed haven of shared desire, time seemed to stretch, suspended in the allure of each stolen kiss. However, the melody of Sunghoon's voice, calling your names from beyond the curtain, broke the enchantment. "Y/n? Heeseung?" Sunghoon's inquiry sliced through the intimate bubble, prompting a reluctant withdrawal.

"We'll be there!" you called out, the corners of your lips lifting into a playful smile. Heeseung, though slightly disgruntled by the interruption, snickered. "So many interruptions," he grumbled, his lips finding sanctuary on your forehead before relinquishing the tight grip on the curtain. You, in tandem, shifted back into the reality of the bustling store.

A playful snicker accompanied your return to the world outside the changing room. "I'm buying you that skirt and top," Heeseung declared with a determined grin. "Okay, baby," you responded with a teasing chuckle, clutching the bag of clothes that held the promise of a stylish addition to your wardrobe. The boutique, a silent witness to a stolen moment, resumed its lively rhythm as you both exited, hand in hand, ready to embrace the streets of Paris in your newfound attire.

----------------

The evening in Paris was drenched in a soft glow, the city's lights shimmering like scattered stardust. You and Heeseung found yourselves perched in front of the Eiffel Tower, a symbol of love that echoed your own burgeoning romance. The iconic landmark loomed overhead, its intricate lattice structure outlined against the night sky.

A comfortable silence enveloped both of you as you sat side by side on a blanket spread over the grass. The gentle breeze carried whispers of enchantment, and the distant hum of the city created a soothing symphony.

Heeseung's gaze lingered on you, an adoring smile playing on his lips. You felt his warmth beside you, his hand finding yours as your fingers intertwined. The soft glow of the Eiffel Tower bathed both of you in a romantic ambiance.

"I still can't believe we're here together," Heeseung said, his voice carrying a mix of awe and happiness. "In Paris, under the Eiffel Tower."

You turned to look at him, a grin lighting up your face. "Yeah, it feels like a dream. But it's real, isn't it?"

Heeseung nodded, his thumb tracing circles on the back of your hand. "Very real. And the best part is, we're not just in Paris. We're here together."

The shared realization sparked joy in both of you, a shared happiness that radiated in the quiet moments between words. The city's lights danced around you, and the Eiffel Tower stood as a silent witness to your budding love story.

"We're together, and that's all that matters," you added, leaning against Heeseung's shoulder. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

Heeseung's affectionate gaze deepened, and he pressed a tender kiss to the top of your head. "Me neither. I'm so grateful for this moment, for us."

The Eiffel Tower glittered above, its beams of light sending a cascade of sparkles across the dark canvas of the night. As the two of you sat there, wrapped in the magic of Paris, the realization of being together in such a magical place brought an overwhelming sense of happiness.

In the heart of the city of love, you and Heeseung forged your own narrative, creating memories that would forever be etched in the silhouette of the Eiffel Tower, a testament to the beginning of a beautiful journey together.

The train station buzzed with activity as your class gathered, ready to embark on the journey back to the airport. The absence of the bus privilege this time didn't dampen the spirits; instead, it added an air of adventure to the conclusion of your trip. Heeseung, standing by your side, couldn't hide the brightening of his eyes when he noticed you wearing the clothes he gave you the night before. The simple act brought a warmth to his gaze, a silent acknowledgment of the connection between you two.

Throughout the wait, Heeseung didn't leave your side. His presence was a comforting constant, his arms wrapped around you as you leaned into the embrace. The attention and affection he showered on you made the entire experience feel magical. You welcomed the closeness, relishing in the feeling of being special and cherished.

When the train arrived, exhaustion settling in, Heeseung didn't hesitate. With a smile, he effortlessly lifted you onto his back, your arms wrapping around his neck. Yunjin took charge of your baggage, and Jay carried Heeseung's as the group boarded the train. Heeseung sat you down with gentle care, claiming a seat beside you. The rhythmic sound of the train became a soothing background as each of you plugged in an AirPod, sharing the music that played in unison.

The airport greeted you with the hum of bustling travelers, and Heeseung continued his attentive gestures. Piggyback rides turned into him carrying you through the airport, navigating the crowds effortlessly. You leaned into him, enjoying the shared moments, his presence a source of comfort and joy.

The boarding gate buzzed with activity as you and Heeseung made your way onto the plane. The anticipation of returning home mingled with the bittersweet feeling of leaving behind the vibrant memories created in Paris. As you searched for your seats, you found yourself in the middle seat, but the slight disappointment vanished when you realized Heeseung was seated beside you, in the coveted window seat.

"Hi, princess," Heeseung greeted you with a warm smile as you settled into your seats. "Hello, my prince," you replied, the endearing nicknames exchanged creating an atmosphere of shared affection between you two. The plane took off, and, in no time, you found yourselves immersed in a lively conversation, the hum of the engines becoming a backdrop to your laughter and whispers.

Throughout the plane ride, you and Heeseung were inseparable. Cuddling became second nature, a seamless blending of comfort and shared joy amid the confined space. The hours passed in the blink of an eye as you continued to exchange stories, dreams, and laughter.

As the plane touched down and the passengers prepared to disembark, the farewell hugs and goodbyes echoed through the cabin. Your classmates dispersed, heading to their respective destinations. You and Heeseung lingered, savoring the final moments of the trip.

Standing together, the moonlight bathing the airport in a soft glow, you waited for your ride. The hushed conversations and the distant hum of airport activities filled the air. Heeseung, beside you, smiled, his arm wrapping around you. "Fun trip? Hmm?" he asked, the twinkle in his eyes reflecting the shared memories.

"Yeah, a fun trip," you confirmed, your gaze meeting his. Heeseung grinned, sealing the sentiment with a tender peck on your lips. "Je t'aime, mi amor," he whispered in French, the words carrying a warmth that transcended language barriers. You chuckled, reciprocating, "Mhh, je t'aime," as you shared a soft, lingering kiss beneath the moonlit sky.

Overall, the trip was undeniably a success. The adventure in Paris had not only gifted you with cherished memories but also with a newfound relationship that blossomed amidst the romantic ambiance of the City of Lights.

[runningfrom2am]

this is why we can’t have nice things - (r.c)

summary: You have no intentions of telling Rafe that he got you pregnant, but someone else tells him for you.

This can be read as a stand-alone but it's technically a part three to getaway car and big reputation

pairing: rafe x reader

wc: 2.6k

tags/warnings: mean!kook!reader, bullying i guess?, highschool!au, swearing, teen pregnancy (STAY SAFE Y'ALL), fighting, implied sexual content (but definitely nothing explicit)

requests

nav/masterlists

You shuffle quickly down the empty hallway, clutching your bag to your chest out of anxiety. This isn't a feeling you're overly familiar with. You look back over your shoulder and you quickly make your way towards Bella's classroom, remembering she has math this period. It's just after lunch, and you couldn't make it in the morning, you just weren't feeling very well. Something felt off. That's when it hit you.

You knock on the open door frame, scanning the room for your best friend when your eyes land on Rafe. Fuck, you forgot he was in this class. He gives you a smug smile and a wink, making you cringe inwardly at the situation as the teacher acknowledges you. "Miss Y/L/N. Something I can do for you?"

"Sorry to interrupt, I need to borrow Bella." You say, glancing over at her. She can sense that something is off, and she's already grabbing her stuff and standing up.

"Woah, did I say you could go?" He says to her and she freezes.

"It's really important." You cut in before Bella has to. "It's, uh, girl stuff. I just need to grab something from her locker." You lie, avoiding eye contact in attempt to feign embarrassment.

The teacher sighs, nodding at Bella who resumes packing up her stuff. "Don't be long." He says, and you avoid Rafe's eyes on you as Bella makes her way up to the door, quickly following you away.

"What's wrong?" Bella whispers as you quickly walk down the hallway, heading towards the girls locker rooms. No one uses those during class time, so you like to have meetings there when you have something urgent to discuss. Something like this.

"Shh, wait." You whisper back, walking down the stairs into a smaller section of hallway and into the locker room, closing the door and locking it behind you.

"Please, Y/N/N. You're scaring me a little." Bella asks again and you throw your bag down.

"I'm pregnant." You say, locking eyes with her as her jaw drops.

"Wait, I- you're sure? Because we've both had scares before-" Bella tries to rationalize it and you shake your head, reaching into your bag and pulling out the ziplock with the three positive tests you took this morning, practically shoving it into her hands. You can't even look.

"Shit..." Bella mumbles, looking all of them over carefully. "..Rafe?"

You swallow thickly and nod, chewing on your nails. "Yeah, yeah it has to be." You confirm, continuously nodding to yourself.

"Are you gonna tell him?"

"No! No- definitely not." You are quick to shoot that down. "I mean, do I have to?"

"I don't think so." Bella agrees, putting the small plastic bag down on the bench next to her. "Not unless you plan to keep it."

"Oh, god no!" You scoff, pacing back and forth now.

"I didn't think so, no..." Bella nods a little, thinking it over herself. "This weekend we'll get you to a clinic. Is that soon enough? When did you sleep with him last? We just need to do a bit of math."

"Like, a month ago? We only like, actually did it once. After that party. So... yeah, three and a half weeks, ish." You tell her.

"Okay, that's plenty of time. You're fine. I'll take you to the mainland this weekend, it'll be like a little girlies trip! We'll go to that cute coffee place, maybe Target, make an adventure out of it, yeah?" Bella suggests, smiling as she tries to make you feel better.

"Yeah! Yeah. We'll do that. I'll sleep at yours?" You say, smiling at her knowingly.

"And I'll sleep at yours." She nods, reaching out and you do your handshake, one you made up a few years ago.

You pull her into a hug, and she rubs your back gently. "You'll be okay. I won't tell a soul." She assures you, knowing you well enough to see how scary this is for you even if you have a solid plan on how to handle it.

"Thanks, Bells." You sigh, pulling away and quickly fixing your hair in the mirror, grabbing your backpack and following her out.

"We'll get coffee after school, right?" You say, dropping Bella at her math class.

"Yeah! Can't wait." She smiles. "Should we invite Rafe?" She whispers, nudging you gently.

"No thanks." You giggle, waving as she walks into the room. This time you're definitely avoiding looking at Rafe, especially now that someone else knows. You can feel his eyes on you as you stand briefly in the doorway, giving Bella a quick wave and nodding a thank you to their math teacher before walking away. You know Bella will be able to play it cool, even around Rafe. She'll take all your secrets to the grave.

You straighten your uniform as you walk and quickly make your way to your class, anxiously waiting on the weekend to come.

The next morning, everything seems to be going well. You slept well knowing you and Bella had a plan, and honestly you did look forward to the weekend and getting to have a "girlies weekend", as Bella put it.

You get to school just on time, rolling up your skirt and fumbling to pull up your socks as you approach the doors with your bag over your shoulder and a coffee in your free hand.

"Hey! Hey, hey, Y/N! Wait!" You hear someone calling out to you, looking around and cursing internally when you realize it's Rafe, running towards you across the parking lot.

"Hey, Rafe." You call back, giving him a quick wave and trying to continue on your way.

"Hey, uh, can we talk, real quick?" He asks as he makes it up next to you, gently grabbing your arm to stop you.

"Uh, yeah, course..." You agree, eyeing him suspiciously. There's no way he knows, right?

Rafe nods a little, looking around before pulling you away from the door and just behind the building. "I, uh- shit. Uhm... So..." He stammers and you roll your eyes.

"Well, this has been riveting. Always a pleasure, Rafe Cameron!" You grin, turning on your heel to walk away. You don't need to be late to class again.

"You're pregnant?" He gets out just as you get to the corner of the building, and it came out weaker, more concerned than he intended to sound. He had this plan to try and be cool about it, not take it that serious, but he honestly was a little hurt that you didn't reach out to him. You freeze, sighing and groaning as you turn back to face him.

"Maybe." You answer, avoiding eye contact with him. "Well, yeah. Uh, I am." You mumble, realizing you at least owe him honesty.

"Right..." Rafe nods, tilting his head at you. "And you think it's mine?"

"Oh, god-" You laugh, shaking your head and making a disgusted face.  "Don't say it like that, it's not- it's not like, alive. But do I think you're responsible? Yeah. Definitely."

"Are you sure?" Rafe asks, raising an eyebrow at you and you gasp dramatically, covering your mouth with one hand.

"Wow, Rafe, are you 'slut-shaming' me?" You ask, hardly able to stifle a laugh.

"I don't know what a pretty girl like you gets up to in her free time! I was just wondering!" Rafe says with a smirk, raising his hands defensively. You're honestly glad you can playfully bicker through this rather than it being any kind of serious.

"Well, thank you for thinking I'm pretty, but unfortunately you are the only boy I've slept with in the last three months so yeah, I'm pretty sure." You reply, taking a sip of your coffee. "How did you find out? I had no intention of telling you."

"Ouch." Rafe chuckles, clutching a hand over his heart. "Well, I'm glad you're sure because at three am I got a ransom demand for your right to privacy about it and I paid someone a grand to not tell anyone."

Your jaw drops at this, and you almost drop your coffee. "I'm sorry- what?"

"Listen if it was you, you can just ask me for money if you need it I'm more than happy to help-"

"Of course it wasn't me! God, no, I'd never-" You quickly defend, absolutely in shock at the situation. "I'd never do that to you. I'll pay you back, it was never meant to be your problem, like I said I wasn't even going to tell you-"

"Hey, no, it's okay. It's okay." Rafe assures you, stepping closer now and resting a hand on your shoulder in an attempt to calm you down. "I'm not mad. I don't give a fuck about the money, I want to help." He insists, nodding at you slowly.

"Sorry, sorry this is embarrassing.." You laugh slightly as you realize you're starting to hyperventilate. You were cool about this whole situation up until now, but suddenly you're overwhelmingly terrified, especially since someone knows. "My parents can’t find out- they'll kill me, they'll kill you! God, I just-"

"No, you're fine. We'll figure this out." Rafe says, gently rubbing your shoulder and taking your coffee from you before gently placing it on the ground.  You just nod a little bit, closing your eyes and desperately trying to regulate your breathing. "We just.. we need to figure out who it was, yeah?"

You nod frantically, taking slow breaths and trying not to panic. "Did you tell anyone?" He asks.

"Only Bella," You say, nodding a little bit. "And Bella didn't tell anyone, obviously."

"Obviously.” He agrees. “So, how could someone else find out?"

Then it dawns on you as your stomach drops. "Oh, shit... The tests- we left them in the locker room yesterday." You say, shaking your head and laughing a little at your own stupidity.

"Yeah, yeah they sent me a picture of them. But they could be anyone's, come on, in this school that means nothing." Rafe chuckles, trying to cheer you up. "They must have heard you."

He's right, someone must have been in there. They should have cleared the room before she spoke, but you were panicking, at the time it didn't even cross your mind to check all the shower stalls that sat vacant at the back of the room, rarely ever used. "Yeah.. they must have. I've got an idea, though."

By third period, it's time to put your plan into action. Rafe agreed to meet you outside the girls locker room exactly thirty-five minutes into class, both of you coming up with a good excuse to leave.

You walk up to where Rafe is leaning against the wall next to the door in the secluded hallway, gesturing for him to follow you as you open the door, letting him in and quickly locking it behind you.

"Woah, I've never been in here before." Rafe chuckles, looking around.

"We're not here for fun." You say back quickly, starting to shuffle through the bags of all the same girls who would have been in gym yesterday, looking for the tests. Rafe just stands there staring at you. "Are you gonna help? There's like forty bags and we only have a few minutes."

"Oh, right-" He nods, looking around before deciding to start on the opposite side of the room. "I don't feel right going through girls bags." He laughs a little, already onto the second one.

"It's fine, we're only looking for one thing." You reply, tossing another bag to the side. No luck so far. About ten minutes and thirty bags later, you're starting to stress that you won't find it, that they weren't dumb enough to bring them back to school, when Rafe laughs.

"Hey! Here!" He says, and just as you turn his tossing the ziplock bag at you and you fumble to catch it.

"Which bag was it?" You ask, rushing over as he hands it to you and you start to basically tear it apart to find some kind of identification for who owns it. You find a wallet and smile, quickly opening it and checking the ID.

"Ally." You scoff, dropping her bag on the ground.

"What a cunt." Rafe mutters, kicking it to the side. You quickly shove the tests into your bag at your side and take a few bills out of her wallet, handing half to Rafe and pocketing the rest before zipping it shut and throwing it on top of her bag.

"We're stealing now?" He smirks, putting the money in his wallet anyways.

"What? No, that's your money. She's just paying you back, like, partially." You shrug, smiling back up at him. "And for me it's damages."

"Right, fair enough." He chuckles, looking down at his watch. "We've got twenty minutes left before class ends, want to..?"

"No! I'm not fucking you in the girl's locker room." You shove him back playfully. "Also that was a one-time thing."

"Whatever you say, Y/N/N." Rafe chuckles. "Just thought I'd offer."

"You lost that privilege when you got me pregnant." You giggle, crossing your arms as you stare at him.

"I didn't do it on purpose!" He defends. "Won't happen again. I swear."

“Yeah, it won’t.” You roll your eyes and head for the door, stopping abruptly as Rafe reaches in front of you and grabs the handle first. You turn your head to look up at him and you don't get the chance to before his lips are pressed against yours, his free hand landing on your hip and holding you against the cold, blue-painted metal of the door.

Despite your protests earlier, you don't hesitate to kiss him back. You're quick to bring your hands up to his cheeks, pulling him closer for a moment before moving your head back and gently pushing him away. "One-time thing, huh?" He chuckles and you nod, biting your lip. 

"Yep, not happening again." You confirm, turning and unlocking the door before pushing it open and walking off down the hall.

"Wait, what are we gonna do about Ally?" He says as you walk away and you turn, pacing backward to look at him when you respond.

"I've got it from here. Thanks, Cameron."

When Rafe walks out of the building later that afternoon, he stares in confusion at the small crowd that's formed just on the other side of the fence marking the edge of school property. "Rafe! Rafe, help!" He hears Bella before he sees her, pushing her way through the crowd and frantically waving for him to come over.

He picks up his pace as he jogs over, dropping his bag and pushing his way through again after her. He's met with you straddling Ally's back as she screams and cries, you holding her face down into the dirt by her hair. "Say you're sorry! Say it!" You scream in her ear, absolutely irate at this point as everyone watches in horror. Rafe is quick on his feet to wrap his arms around you and lift you off of her, grabbing your hand and tearing her hair out of your grasp. He’s holding you back as you continue to yell over her sobs, and you struggle to get back to her shaking body on the ground.

"Hey, hey! She's had enough, Y/N/N." Rafe chuckles, holding tightly to your waist. 

You push your hair out of your face, both of you watching as some of Ally's minions are quick to try and help her up. Her nose is bloody, makeup and uniform absolutely ruined. You smile as you look at her state. "Not gonna tell anyone now, right?" You ask her bitterly, Rafe finally letting you go.

"God, you are crazy! You'll be hearing from my lawyer, you psycho!" She cries out, wiping her face.

You lunge at her again and she's lucky that Rafe noticed this the second before you moved, grabbing you again and pulling you into his chest. "Hey, woah, don't bother." He says to you.

"Yeah, muzzle your fucking dog." Ally mutters, brushing off her clothes. 

"Says you, you actually look like one so watch your mouth.” He scoffs at her, spitting at her feet. “Extortion is a crime too, by the way." He adds cooly, raising an eyebrow. "So I think we can keep legal out of this, don't you?"

Ally huffs and quickly walks away, pushing her way past everyone gathered there to grab her bag which you had thrown into the street during the confrontation. Bella quickly runs up to you, grabbing your face to look you over the second Rafe lets you go. "Are you okay? God- that was scary!" She exclaims, satisfied though that you only have minor scratches and bruises.

"I'm fine." You smile at her, shaking your head a little. "Sorry, I just kind of blacked out for a minute." You joke, gently hugging her.

"Yeah, it was hot." Rafe adds, arms crossed as he stands behind you. You roll your eyes at him, hiding your blush in Bella's shirt.

taglist: @bookishbabyyy@madelynie, @mutual-mendes, @slut4drudy, @winterrrnight, @totalswag, @sadfury @fullfledgedemo @rafemotherfuckingcameron, @urfaveluvr, @chenslucy, @hxnnah-397, @s-we-e-t-t-ea

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[cobaltcarbonpotassium420]

lemon sorbet - gojo satoru

content: 1.4k words, gn!reader, can be read as platonic or romantic, wrote this with teenage gojo in mind, gojo is an annoying little shit

author's note: it has been so long!! uni has kept me dead, and the summer weather has continued to keep me dead :/ anyway out of annoyance at the heat and my burning desire for lemon sorbet, i figured i'd write this. also i somehow have a cold... in july... and the boredom is turning my brain to mush so apols for a slightly shite fic, i just needed something to do :p

"is it possible to sweat from the bottom of your feet?" "how would i know? i don't know shit about biology."

the summer heat had never felt so stifling before. in fact, even this wasn't an appropriate way to explain the weather. the heat was suffocating. not a single breeze passed through the town, fans and air conditioning were rendered useless, and even going down to the river in the shade of the trees did nothing since the stones by the riverside had absorbed all of the heat from the summer sun and were probably hot enough to grill food on. as the saying goes though, all clouds have a silver lining. in this case, the silver lining wasn't cute summery outfits, or beach days with friends, or whatever else typical july days offered. instead, the oppressive heat finally gave you an excuse to hang out with the ordinarily (and at times inappropriately) adventurous and spontaneous gojo satoru while doing nothing.

"freezing cubes of tea so the tea doesn't get diluted when the ice melts? that's genius! where did you learn about this?" "uh, the internet? it's kind of an open secret."

on any average day, gojo would have dragged you out to a cafe on the other side of town but even he had no energy left after the heat made it all evaporate from his body. as such, he had no choice but to lay on the cold wooden floor in your room so he could have at least some company. your laptop was in front of you, open to the last page of the dozen tabs you had been scrolling through in your boredom before giving up and deciding to just press your face to the floor in a futile effort to cool down a little more. just next to you gojo was aimlessly flicking through a pile of books, manga, and magazines which he had grabbed from various places around your room. currently, he was skimming the pages of a week-old local newspaper that was on the pile of mail you needed to bin.

"strips in a club, five letters? dollar doesn't fit… maybe paper?"

his questions had started to become a little annoying, but it beat staring under the furniture and wondering how long it had been since you'd moved it out of the way and mopped the floor under it.

"it's bacon. the clue means 'club' as in a 'club sandwich'. they've used that clue before, editor must be getting lazy. maybe they've recycled the whole crossword." "you really think so? okay then, what about poker term, or a mount when read backwards? four letters." "ante. yeah they definitely did this one a while back, sometime late last year i think. i remember solving that clue and thinking how nice it would be to go to italy. maybe try some authentic gelato."

gojo immediately perked up. his previous position had made you wonder for a second if it was possible for a person to melt, but now all of his energy had seemed to be restored in merely the blink of an eye.

"oh that sounds like a good idea! we could go do that now!" "do what, go to italy? for starters, i absolutely don't have the money for a plane ticket. and anyway, if it's so scorching hot here then just imagine how hot italy would be. we're barely hanging on by a thread here, i think we might actually die if we go to italy." gojo's energy was normally infectious, but somewhere between the temperature and humidity it got misdirected and just couldn't reach you.

"nonono, although if you really want to go i'll just pay for the flight." "absolutely not." "fine. but italy wasn't what i meant. i meant we could go get some ice cream from the train station! you know that's where the best ice cream is." "that's a lovely idea and all, but how are we meant to get there? not like we have a car, there's no buses in that direction, and getting a taxi just to the train station seems a little excessive. and they're shit expensive." "we have legs!"

upon hearing those three words, your body finally granted you enough energy to lift yourself up, even if just to support yourself on your elbows for long enough so you could stare gojo right in the eyes before giving him a definitive "fuck no." and slumping back down on the floor.

gojo wasn't one to give up on an idea so quickly though, and upon seeing him sit up and drag himself closer to you so he could try to annoy you into giving in, you simply prayed that there was a benevolent deity which would take pity on you in this state and let this whole ordeal blow over quickly. unfortunately, even the gods were tired from the heat today, and so the discussion had to be dragged out for much longer than you wanted it to.

"please?" "no." "pretty please?" "no." "pretty pretty please?" "no." "pretty pretty please with a cherry on top?" "like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae?" "yes!" "still no!" "argh! you never want to do anything fun!"

gojo threw himself on top of you, and from his voice you could hear his pout, both actions which you were sure were worthy of an acting accolade, but by this point the heat had exhausted you completely and your eyes were closed which was the only surefire defence against gojo's theatricality.

a few moments passed with neither of you making a move. nothing was said, but you knew gojo's actions were childishly telling you that unless you agreed to his stupid plan then there was no way he was moving.

"if we go then it's my treat, y'know, since i dragged you all the way there."

no response. gojo started drumming his fingers on the floor, thinking up his next course of action, and then his phone screen lit up with a text from geto and presented him with the perfect plan.

"they have lemon sorbet today! i know you love that." he dragged out the word "love" for far too long. he could never understand why that flavour was among your favourites, and ever since he found out he teased you for it constantly. out of all of the delicious, mouthwatering flavours that you could choose from, you chose the most vile, sour flavour nine times out of ten.

"they have lemon sorbet every day." "yeah, but geto just texted me. he said that it's just flying out of the shop today, and they're down to their last two containers."

now this had the potential to change your mind. your interest was piqued, and gojo could see how your facial expression subtly changed from where he was sat.

"you know, they only get deliveries twice a week, and today was their delivery day. that means you'll have to wait at least three whole days until the next time you can savour the taste of their refreshing lemon sorbet." gojo spoke slowly, even more so on those last three words. the gentle lilt of his voice was starting to sound nice, almost as nice as the sorbet he was talking about.

"three whole days?" "yeah, or maybe even longer. you know lemon sorbet is gonna be flying off the shelves right now, and i doubt a tiny ice cream place in the middle of nowhere will be at the top of the suppliers list."

at some point during gojo's very convincing speech, you had sat up without realising it. the gravity of the situation suddenly fell upon you. lemon sorbet was indeed very popular, and the supplier's priority would probably be larger cities with lots of customers.

"you might be right… and the sorbet they sell at the store isn't that good…"

a twinkle appeared in gojo's eyes. he knew he was close. he could practically taste the chocolate chip cookie ice cream he'd get.

"if you want, we can take a tub as well, and ask for a few scoops to take home too."

a moment passed. and then another. gojo scrutinised your facial expression. he watched the way you stared ahead at the wall, and the way your eyebrows slightly furrowed together. you licked your lips ever so slightly, and then took a deep breath.

"fine. we can go." "oh hell yeah!" "you're paying though." "you know what, i'm not feeling it anymore."

[thinkingoflawrence]

The Missing Piece of Us

—-

——

Summary:

Gabriel and Y/N Reyes were happily married, until an event changed their lives.

Words: 1.488

—

He was dead, he was really

dead. You were in front of his grave, which said, "Here lies Gabriel Reyes commander Blackwatch" with the Blackwatch logo above it.

It was a plate on the ground, next to Jack's grave. You still couldn't accept the fact that your husband was gone.

Tears start to fill your eyes again as everything hits you again. He really was gone—your husband, the father of your son, your love of your life—gone. The same thought swam constantly through your mind.

Your son hugs your leg, trying to comfort you, as a breeze of wind just flows by the two of you.

Memories start to flow through your mind of all the happy moments you shared with Gabe. Your first date was at some coffee shop, and even though he hated it, he did it for you.

Or the moment he asked you to be his wife after he came back from an Overwatch mission at your shared home. All these moments suddenly flood your brain, "I miss you, Gabriel... I miss you so much," you said before you broke down in front of his grave, as suddenly a hand touched your shoulder. You expected it to be the hand of your son, but it was Angela, a colleague of Gabriel's. She looked down at you comfortingly as she rubbed your bag and took you into her arms with your son.

"It will be okay, Y/N. Let it out," Angela said softly as she kept rubbing your back. "Shhh, it's okay." She herself had some tears in her eyes, she wished that she could've done something for Gabriel.

After you got calmer, Angela handed flowers to you and your son to place on Gabe's grave.

The two of you place the flowers on the gravestone on the floor and take a last look in silence. Before you take a photo of you and Gabriel from the day you gave birth to your son out of the pocket of your jacket and place it next to the flowers,

As you walked away from Gabriel's grave with Angela and your son, you couldn't help but reflect on the life you shared with him. The memories flooded your mind, both the happy ones and the challenging ones. You remembered the adventures you had, the battles he fought, and the love you shared. It was clear that Gabriel would always hold a special place in your heart, and his memory would continue to bloom and influence your life. Over the weeks and months that followed, you focused on being there for your son, just as Gabriel would have wanted. You became a pillar of strength for him, providing the love and support he needed to navigate through life without his father. It wasn't easy, but you drew strength from the memories you shared with Gabriel.

You made a commitment to keep Gabriel's memory alive for your son.

You told him about the missions and other stories from his father, showed him pictures, and taught him the values and principles that Gabriel held dear.

As time went on, you found moments of happiness and healing.

You found a new love—someone who brought that happiness back into your life. Of course, no one could replace Gabriel, but you found the strength to move on. You will always keep Gabriel in your honor and in your heart. Your son grew, and you could see glimpses of Gabriel in him, both in his appearance and his personality.

---

One rainy day, you walked back home from the cinema with your new husband and your son. The three of you had just enjoyed a family outing to watch a movie that your son had been eagerly anticipating. The rain had started to fall during the film, and as you stepped outside, the streets glistened with the reflections of streetlights on the wet pavement.

Luckily, you packed an umbrella right before you left for the cinema. You pulled the umbrella out of your purse and opened it.

Your husband offered to hold it for you, and you wouldn't say no to that, so you gave him the umbrella, and he placed his other arm around you, and you held your son close to you so you three could all fit underneath the umbrella.

The three of you started walking home, but you got the weird feeling of being watched or followed. You look around to see if you can catch anyone looking at you or following you, but you see nothing...

You kept walking until you finally arrived at the door to your apartment, but you still felt watched. You'd decided to ignore the feeling and thought you were just imagining it.

Your husband unlocked the door, and your son ran in, and your husband followed. You were about to follow too, but you decided to look behind you and saw a dark figure disappear in a dark alley on the other side of the street. Maybe you were being followed... maybe you were right...

You decided to just ignore it, close the door behind you, and get changed. Your son and husband were already out of their jackets and outside shoes on their way into the kitchen.

You took your jacket and shoes off and went to follow the two of them.

Time has passed since your son went to sleep, or you think he is sleeping he also could be playing on his computer, but you and your husband are on the couch watching some Bake Off that was playing on the television.

You were in the arms of your husband, relaxing, and as you looked over, you saw him fall asleep. You couldn't help but smile at his sleeping figure. You needed to get something, so you carefully stood up and went into the kitchen. You looked out the window and saw that it had stopped raining. Suddenly you heard a knock on your door, which startled you a little before you slowly walked to open the door, wondering who knocked on your door at this hour.

As you opened the door, you were greeted by... nothing. No one stood there, and you thought someone pulled a prank on you, so you looked outside left and right to check if there was someone, but... there was no one.

Before you could go back inside, you realized that two were lying on the door mat.

Curiously, you picked the items up, and you looked at them closely and saw that it's ... the photo you left at the grave of Gabriel and a note that reads:

"My flower, I want you to know that I will always love you. I'm very proud of you.

- Yours forever

Gabe"

The note was like a ray of hope in the darkness, and you couldn't help but be overwhelmed with a mix of emotions. The reappearance of the photo you had left at Gabriel's grave, along with the heartfelt message, left you both confused and elated.

You take the two items inside and close the door again. You go to your bedroom and open a drawer door to pull out a box, a box full of things from Gabriel.

As you carefully placed the items in the box with all the memories of Gabriel, you couldn't shake the feeling that there might be some truth to the note. The use of his endearing nickname for you, "My flower," and the loving message seemed too personal to be a cruel joke. It stirred up memories of the love you had shared and the unique bond you had with Gabriel.

After all that, you sat down on the bed and just stared at the wall, all the memories coming up again. You let the tears flow and covered your face with your hands as you kept on crying.

You didn't expect anyone to hear you, but you hear the door opening, and as you look, you see your son. "Mom, are you okay?.." he said softly as he slowly approached you.

You thought you finally got over his death, but all this made everything come up again, and the thought that he was still alive comes up in your mind again.

"I just... thought about your father again. It just came up... I'm alright.." you said with a shaky voice, trying to put on a fake smile for her son, but this couldn't fool him. "Mom, I can see you're not okay." He approached you and gave you a hug.

As your son wrapped his arms around you in a comforting hug, the tears kept flowing. You were no longer sure what to think, but the combination of grief, confusion, and hope was overwhelming.

Your son's embrace felt like a lifeline, a heartwarming reminder of the strong and loving family you had created with Gabriel, and that strength still prevailed. And always remember, you are loved.

[bp4545]

The Kitchens (My Sunshine - Part 2)

Word Count: 2000 almost exactly

Warnings: Swearing? (If it bothers you), mentions of sexual activity(barely)

Summary: You sneak into the kitchens for a late night snack, but you bump into someone on the way...

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6.

--------------------------------

It was around 2:16 am in the morning. You couldn't sleep at all. There was just too many things going on in your mind, this year you felt all the pressure coming back in a rush. You were a sixteen year old girl in Hogwarts, fifth year was something you weren't looking forward to very much, I mean you were only 2 weeks in so far. It seemed like this year would be full of boredom. I mean first year was great, everything was new and all, especially for a muggleborn like you, it was all an adventure. Second and third year was all about making new friends and mucking around, Fourth year was all about the excitement of Yule ball and the Triwizard tournaments. Fifth year needed to be real drama filled for it to top last year.

You glanced back at your clock again. 2:23 am. You groaned in frustration, it must've been your period or something, but you were suddenly craving those little French macarons you remember tasting when the Beauxbatons students had come over last year. Surely they would have some in the kitchens still?

You were about to find out. You couldn't sleep anyway, a small snack at this time of night wouldn't hurt?

You quietly shifted yourself out of bed, wincing as the cold air hit your warm skin. You quickly threw on your favourite blue hoodie that was oversized. You slipped on your fluffy muggle slippers that your parents had gifted you and headed out the dorm room quietly; careful not to wake Hannah up.

After you had exited your dorm room, you grabbed the claw clip inside the pocket of your hoodie and clipped up your hair. You slowly made your way up to the kitchens, your craving for any sweet little treats growing stronger with each step. Determination filled your veins as you quickened your pace in search of the kitchens. 

Finally you arrived at the kitchens, you started searching through the cupboards and looking for anything that could satisfy your cravings. You sighed in content as you found the large cupboard full of your favourite muggle sweet treats, macarons, tarts, muffins, muesli bars, chocolate fingers. Grabbing your desired treats, you placed them on the counter and opened them, the plastic wrap making an awful lot of noise.

"Hungry?" You heard a voice behind you and you froze. It was a deep attractive voice.

You turned around, the warm candles of the kitchen illuminated his face perfectly. Draco Malfoy was talking to you. You stood there for a while, trying to think of how else to answer his question. You were usually a really talkative person who could give good comebacks, so seeing yourself tongue tied around him was odd.

"What the fuck do you want Malfoy?" You spat out shocked at how toxic your voice sounded.

"Woah, feisty." he chuckled. God why is his laugh so attractive. "I was just wondering what you were doing in the kitchens at this time of night" he shrugged.

"I could ask you the same question" you shot back at him without a second thought. You were quite good at that. "I'm just hungry okay? And my cramps are killing me." You said in a slightly whiny voice as your period cramps started to kick in once again.

"Cramps?" he said, and you swear you saw a flash of concern in his eyes. But as soon as you noticed it, it disappeared. 

"Yeah. My period cramps." you said, not awkward about the topic.; it was normal

"So that's why you have a hoard of sweets in front of you. Mind if I have some?" Draco eyed at your treats. You defensively covered them with your arms. Why was he even talking to you? It's not like he has ever shown interest in you before. the only time you two ever spoke to each other is if you needed to in class. What was he even doing here.

"No. I found it, go find your own food." you retorted playfully.

"Alright, alright" He put his hands up in defeat and left to find something. He came back with two muffins in his hand. 

"Walnut and coffee" he said as he handed you one of the muffins in his hand. You were feeling a bit curious, so you took the walnut and coffee flavoured muffin out of his hand cautiously. You took a few bites of it and furrowed your brows. Why does it actually taste really good?

"Like it? They're my favourite muffins" he said, as he inspected your facial expressions while eating the muffin.

You didn't answer him, you just looked at him with confusion.

"Draco why are you even talking to me? Don't you have this big thing about not talking to Hufflepuffs, let alone Muggleborn ones?"

----------------------------

Draco's POV

"Hungry?" I asked the girl as I watched her freeze in her place.

Y/n turned around, and stood there for a while. I'd never really talked to her much, I never had anything to say to her, but I did find it particularly amusing to find her roaming the kitchens at this ungodly hour, with snacks laid all over the counter.

"What the fuck do you want Malfoy?" she spat at me. I knew she didn't like me, but I didn't think it would cause such a reaction at just the sight of me. Sure I had made fun of her friends in the past, but I had never insulted her personally. I had respect for her, plus this year I've a change of heart, I want to be a better person, for many different reasons, I'm was just sick of being a stuck up prick.

"Woah, feisty." I chuckled. "I was just wondering what you were doing in the kitchens at this time of night" I shrugged.

"I could ask you the same question" she shot back at me with a glare. "I'm just hungry okay? And my cramps are killing me." 

"Cramps?" I said. I was genuinely confused, and I must admit when y/n said that I did get a bit worried, though I didn't know why. I had no reason to care about her after all. 

"Yeah. My period cramps." Ah, that made more sense. I knew a little bit about girls on their periods. They were usually moody, hungry, and had cramps often. That's what Blaise told me anyway.

"So that's why you have a hoard of sweets in front of you. Mind if I have some?" I looked at the treats that she was defending.

"No. I found it, go find your own food." she retorted. She's probably confused why I'm talking to her. 

"Alright, alright" I went to the pantries to find some treats that I might like. Walnut and Coffee, my favourite. I grabbed two just in case y/n wanted to try some.

"Walnut and coffee" I said as I handed her one of the muffins. "Like it? They're my favourite muffins" I said. She showed no facial expression, so I wasn't quite sure if she was enjoying it or not. She wasn't spitting it our in disgust, so I figured that she found it tolerable at the least.

She was quick to change the subject.

"Draco why are you even talking to me? Don't you have this big thing about not talking to Hufflepuffs, let alone Muggleborn ones?" 

Draco. I wasn't too sure why she was calling me that. It was sort of nice to have someone call me by my first name, most people usually just spat out my last name. 

I thought about her question. Why was I talking to her? I mean, I could've just walked past her and carried on with my patrol, but instead I joined her. I did need her help though, but right now didn't seem like an appropriate time. She was having cramps and was probably really hungry. Plus I don't think I want to mess with this girl on her period. I was enjoying her company though, as much as I wish I wasn't.

"Well I guess my opinions have changed. I think you'll find that I don't mind people from other houses now. I think I'm quite fond of muggleborns now actually." I wasn't lying. I waited for y/n to respond. She just gasped dramatically.

"Draco? Fond of muggleborns? His father must be hearing about this!" And she burst into a fit of laughter. Her laugh was pretty, I can't deny, it's quite contagious too. I ended up joining in with her laughter. She was a nice person to be around, from what I knew she didn't have any enemies at this school.

----------------------

Your POV

You and Draco chatted for a while in the kitchens. You sort of forgot about how stuck up he was, and just started talking to him like he was one of your friends. You started to think that he actually wasn't that bad at all. I mean maybe he has changed like he said so. 

You let out a yawn, and he yawned a few seconds after.

"I think I'm going to go back to my dorms" you giggled "It's like 3:30 am"

"Yeah you probably should go back to sleep" He paused for a while "Do you want me to drop you off to your dorm?"

You were a bit shocked by his kind gesture. I mean Draco being kind to you was a shock in itself, him talking to you was even more shocking, but walking you to your dorm? That seemed a bit fishy in your opinion, but maybe he was genuinely being kind. You hoped he was.

"Uhh" you contemplated what you were about to say next. "Sure I guess". He flashed you a small smile, and the two of you walked towards the Hufflepuff dorms in silence. 

"I've never been to the Hufflepuff area of Hogwarts" Draco said, breaking the silence. "It's quite nice"

"Yeah I guess it is" You said. 

"I've been to every other houses common room and dorm areas, but not Hufflepuff. It's probably because I've never slept with a Hufflepuff girl yet" He chuckled. He was probably hoping that you were going to laugh at the joke too, but instead he watched your face contort into a grimace. You didn't know how to reply to that, talking so openly about the girls that he has slept with was a bit disgusting in your opinion. Though it did make you wonder how good he was in bed.

"I don't do that anymore y/n" he said a bit quieter, he probably noticed that you found it a bit awkward "I used to, but I've changed". You believed him, he did seem like a different person now.

"I believe you" you stated. Then you reached your dorm room. "I guess this is goodnight then"

"Yeah, I had a good time y/n" he admitted, "See you around, goodnight". His kindness once again took you by surprise, and he smiled at you. Softly, but it was genuine. Smiles suited him well.

"Goodnight Draco" You said, and you closed the door as you walked into your dorm.

He found it odd that you were still calling him by his first name. He wasn't complaining. 

You walked further into the dorm room, you were still recovering from your encounter with Draco. You didn't like him like that did you? Then why were you feeling hot all of a sudden? Gosh he was charming, and he was funny, but why does he all of a sudden have a change of heart? You were full of questions, hoping they'd be answered.

---

a/n: hopefully you enjoyed his chapter! I have been struggling to keep up with writing because I have so many ideas but not enough time due to my exams, sorry guys:)

[fivenightsatnatemares]

Mangled #1

First part of a twoshot I'm writing for the beginning of the actual story (woohoo!)

It's not my favorite work but it is.. Acceptable. I hope y'all enjoy it. And I hope y'all will find as much love for these characters as we have.

Best to listen to Mangled while reading this story, considering music guides our adventure here 🎶

As always thank you to my lovely friend Boop for being my beta reader 🐰 - Beep

Wordcount: 1.3k

TW: Strong language

It had been years. Years of silence in the place where Mare Wily used to be the nightguard. At least when the children left and the lights went out.

Mare didn't remember exactly how it had happened. One day his brother that owned this pizzeria asked him to do a job for him, just keeping tabs on the security cams, the next he was growing deformities and feeling... Strange.

He had learned to adapt, he had taught himself how to survive amongst the animatronics that came to life at night, even befriending them.

Things changed when fresh blood entered the hallowed halls.

A new nightguard. A young girl, couldn't have been more than 24. Brunette, pretty short. The moment Mare laid eyes on her from within the shadows, he knew she was done for.

It started simple. She did her job, the animatronics came to life, she was terrified. Mare had experienced it all himself. No big deal.

But there was a change. Maybe Mare wanted to scare her off, tell her to never come back. Maybe he just did it for the thrills. Either way, he decided he wanted to involve himself in this little game the animatronics were playing.

It started with changing things on the camera's when he thought she wasn't looking. Moving an endoskeleton that had been dormant even before he was there, opening a pizza box that was previously closed. Little things, just to make her feel like this place was truly haunted... As if the evidence wasn't staring her right in the face in the shape of a giant animatronic bear.

It eventually evolved into banging on the walls and doors, turning off the lights and then turning them back on, and even breaking some of the camera's. Anything to make her feel like she wasn't welcome.

These nights kept going for weeks, until there was a certain night, a night where the young nightguard had been a little too vigilant, the night where she spotted him.

He assumed she had seen him on the camera's initially, as her next course of action was to poke her head out of the security doors and start yelling for 'the guy with long black hair'. No response. Mare wasn't going to go up and talk to her, he needed her out, not up in his business.

She was here every night, and every single night it drove Mare more to the brink of insanity. Why wouldn't she leave, why did she keep calling out to him, why did she care?

It was funny at first, imagining her going crazy thinking there was another human being in here with her. Pfft,as if. Human was far from what Mare would describe himself as nowadays. He was the one who told his animatronic friends about the best ways to go after her. Sure, he made sure they wouldn't actually get her, but what kind of person sticks murderous mascots on someone?

So he stayed away. Partially because he didn't feel like explaining himself. Partially because he thought he might hurt her.

He was a monster, after all.

Another night rolled around, this time the girl had learned something new. Over the weeks she had been clever enough to find out some things, like that she could wander around with a Freddy mask on and the animatronics mostly wouldn't notice her. But this night, she had found the speaker system. Now she was able to broadcast messages throughout the entire pizzeria.

It was getting on Mare's nerves.

"Hey!" He heard her voice loud and.. Well, not clear. But definitely loud. "I know you're in here. I don't know what happened to you, but I want to help."

Mare rolled his eyes. Why would this random girl who was probably gonna end up just like him if she kept coming in, be able to help someone like him? He had been messing with her on purpose, why couldn't she just see-

He groaned, mentally cutting his own ramblings off. She wasn't worth it. All of this wasn't worth it. He made his way over to her. She would have to find out the hard way he wasn't here to make friends.

So now here they were. Mare with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall in the hall across from her little saferoom. She had closed the door when she heard footsteps, just as a precaution, and was now staring at him through the little window.

"Who are you?"

A curious tone, riddled with caution. Mare smiled to himself.

"Nobody important."

The girl's brows furrowed in frustration. She seemed to hesitate.

"Can I open this door or will you kill me?"

Her voice came out stronger than he expected. Maybe this girl wasn't as scared of him as he thought she was.

He shrugged, "Can't promise I won't."

After another moment of hesitation, the girl stepped back, and to his surprise, the door was opened right in front of him.

Gone were the walls keeping them apart. She had put her trust in him.

Mare adjusted, pushing himself from the wall and taking a step closer, his arms still crossed. He raised an eyebrow.

"Are you stupid?" He asked, looking down at the girl in front of him.

"Are you bad?" She retorted, not answering his obvious jab. She still seemed cautious, but there was no sign of her stepping back.

He chuckled. "I suggest you leave this place unless you want the metal assholes to get you. Or worse, end up like me."

The girl frowned, crossing her arms in defiance. "I'm not leaving. Not until I find out whatever the hell is going on here, and until I find a way to help you."

Mare's face contorted into an expression of annoyance. He sighed and shook his head as he ran a hand through his messy hair.

"I don't need help."

She immediately shook her head, a solemn look on her face.

"You're obviously never leaving this place. Tell me why. Tell me it isn't cause you're somehow stuck here. I've felt it too, y'know. I've felt the pull to come back here every night. I've felt something drawing me to this place." The nightguard glanced around the room, vaguely gesturing towards the office before turning back to the man in front of her. "Hell, I'm here every day of the week just to figure out what's going on in this place. It's been months. I'm not stupid, no, far from it. I know something is going on here and I know you have something to do with it."

At those words, something lashed out in Mare. Anger built up rapidly as he snapped his gaze towards her. He felt the blue streaks on his face burn. Before he could even register what he was doing, he had grabbed the girl by her wrist and pressed her against the wall with his arm up to her throat.

"You have so much to say, huh? For someone who doesn't know shit. I have something to do with it? You act like we're to blame, but last I checked it was you wearing a damn mask and coming back every time." He barked at her, pushing her back as he let her go and stepped away. "Why are you even here anyway? Hasn't been a nightguard here in years."

She looked at him with this dumbfounded stare, as if she didn't know what to say for once. She brought her hand up to her throat and soothed the sore skin, her other hand reaching up to hug herself.

"My brother.. He.. He co-owns this place." She sighed. "He wanted to help me get back on my feet after I lost my previous job."

Mare's head snapped back up. Co-owns? He was talking to the goddamn sister of Seán Light? No wonder she was such a pain in the ass.

"Your brother, Seán?" Mare asked.

She nodded.

He visibly clenched his jaw, shook his head and turned to leave. Was this some sort of sick joke? He had finally accepted his fate, and now there was some sister who felt the need to waltz in here. Nah. Not his problem. If she died, that was not on him.

[smittenbyvillains]

Fallen From Earth 4

Warnings: Uusal dark stuff, death

You opened your eyes to a room that you weren't familiar with. You glanced around. You were alone here. The thoughts of what might have happened scared you. But then you remember Icy, Darcy, and Stormy being able to spell you asleep. You sat up against the pillows. You were still weak. The door opened and you frowned seeing who it was. It was Valtor. The one that said he would bring you to him. You were tricked by the Trix's.

He watched you as you were in deep thought. He was drawn to you. You were a sight for sore eyes. He wanted to keep you here at this moment forever. He then walked over to the bed and sat on the bedside where you laid. He pushed a loose hairpiece behind your ear and smiled.

"You are my mercy.... and you won't be escaping anytime soon. I placed my mark on you. Not to control you but to make sure you know where you belong." He spoke. You frowned.

"Seems as if that is really controlling me." You shot back. He chuckled.

"I guess so..." He trailed off. He reached to the table side and got the necklace. "As for this jewelry piece, I offer it to you. There will be more to come as long as you don't fight back to extreme measures." He smirked. He wanted you to fight back. He loved seeing you fight him. You were a drug to him.

Weeks passed and soon you got used to being there. Often Icy, Stormy, and Darcy would visit you and tell stories. You saw a different side of them. They were just made by evil forces. By the witches to continue their work. You were quite impressed. Valtor came every night to sleep next to you. When he wouldn't you often wonder if they had finally got him and that you would be stuck here.

One day you were reading when you heard a loud boom and Valtor screaming for Darcy and Icy and Stormy to do something. You ran to the door and pulled on the handle. You focused your magic on it and it soon opened. You ran down the halls. You found Valtor and Trix fighting against the Winx. You transformed and stayed hidden. After all, you needed to be careful. You took the dust from your wings and removed the mark.

You felt free. You quickly flew in front of the Winx and Specialists. You glared at Valtor.

"You won't hurt them." You declared and got your magic and hit him directly knocking him back. Your eyes were white and filled with light. The place lit up. It would be this light for now. The girls hugged you and were glad that you are alive. You explained what happened.

Valtor took the chance to hit Bloom with a spell to surely kill her. You noticed and quickly pushed the Winx out of the way and instead got hit. You coughed and fell to your knees. Valtor went white as a ghost. You weren't supposed to be the one hit. The Trix and the Winx were in shock. They ran over to you. You were breathing slower. You laughed and coughed.

"Stay with us Fairy," Icy said. Flora just kneeled down and started to heal you but you shook your head.

"Don't heal me.." You muttered. Flora stopped and frowned. Valtor ran over pushing everyone away and picked you up.

"You aren't dying on my watch, my dear." He said panicked and tried the spell to fix his mistake. It ended up not working. You smiled at him before you closed your eyes taking your stay breath and going limp. He shook you. He truly did love you.

In the corner stood a hooded fairy watching with a sad smile. It was for the best. You would return again when it was time and when you were needed. You loved Valtor but you just couldn't stay anymore. You left swiftly for a new adventure. After all, Faragonda was helping you with the plan all along since you remembered who you was.

"Hogwarts here I come." You spoke once out of the castle and went away.

[strugglinguist]

I've had a realization, and I need to share it before I forget it. We need some context first, though.

My therapist and I talked at length about how to navigate the start of the new semester in the best way possible for me in terms of the change in routine, sensory issues, mobility needs, etc. She wanted me try to be proactive rather than reactive to the situations that arise. (She's a very good therapist.)

Sorry this is a long one. Click for more I guess...

For example, I have a heart condition called Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST). Along with what I like to think of as a medical license to be inappropriate at any time, it means that my heart will race for no reason. Sometimes it's postural like POTS, so I can stand up too fast... but I can also just... feel like I'm sprinting when I'm sitting very calmly. Imagine you sprinted on and off all day. You'd be exhausted at the end of the day, too! With meds now, it's a lot better than it was... so it's more like... I'm jogging throughout the day? The analogy has gotten away from me. 🤷‍♀️

Whenever my heart races, I get really hot and break out in sweat from everywhere. This would just be annoying, but I am REALLY REALLY heat-sensitive. It is one of the top 3 ways I will go into an Autistic meltdown. So my heart races, I get hot and sweaty, and then I can't focus on anything else. It doesn't take long for the situation to get out of hand. I know this, so I have a little desk fan I take with me to classes if I need moving air. This is when my therapist BLEW MY MIND! (She really is a very good therapist.)

She told me that the accommodations I had allowed for myself (sitting while teaching and a fan if I need it) would not avoid a meltdown because they are things you do to maintain equilibrium... if I'm already overstimulation, I don't need maintenance. I need to shock my nervous system back into maintenance. She said, "When you're overstimulated like that, you don't need a fan. You need ice." And like... yes duh! So I got one of those face rollers people use for their skin routine, and it was my "shock" to take with me. And it works AMAZINGLY. Seriously. Life changed.

After all of our prep, this week was a true gauntlet of a test. What was supposed to be a one day adventure of helping the roommate buy a car turned into a 7 day marathon of phone calls, discoveries, learning way too much about the state of car insurance in this country, and then finally getting everything in order for the DMV to close for a holiday weekend. It was also the first week of classes, so I was returning to my job that very loudly rejected me this summer. It's hopefully my last year in academia, so I'm feeling every emotion. Oh and my dad was in the hospital for an amputation. Basically... it was ripe for meltdowns basically every day. And let me tell you... not a one. This summer I've been having a meltdown about once a week. I can't... this therapist deserves all of the money.

Now for my realization! (Remember that was where we started?) I realized that in the past when I knew I was overstimulated and couldn't promptly exit the situation, I would try to dissociate and go to a happy cold place. Somehow, I had subconsciously bought into the idea that Autistic sensory needs are mental needs... and they are quite literally physical, nervous system needs. And when you treat them as such, and don't try to "just push through" the very real physical situation you are in that you are sensitive to... life gets exponentially better. Seriously. My life is so much better. I just needed to share. 😊

[xomakara]

Another World (WIP)

Here's a snippet from the new story I'm working on. The isekai/transmigration one that Winwin is my main lead. Let me know if you'd like to tagged when it gets released in the next few days (maybe in a week more like it)

"Your Grace, My Lady, it's nearly time to go."

You let out a deep sigh and placed your hand in your brother’s hand as he helped you unto the carriage. Your beautiful dress and the jewels around your neck all seemed almost unbearable with how heavy they were. The one thing that was light in comparison was your brother, but even his strength couldn't make you feel any less nervous about this evening. His hand squeezed yours, reassuring you. He seemed very anxious for the night ahead as well.

"Everything will be okay." Your brother whispered to you as he sat across from you, the carriage door closing behind him.

"Are you sure?" You asked back. "This is the first time that we've gone out since we came to this world, Jaehyun-oppa."

"I'm positive." He reassured you with a soft smile. "I'll do my best to protect us even if I have to make up some stupid excuse. Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you."

You buried your face in your hands, not caring if it would ruined your makeup. "It's been three months since we landed in this stupid web novel. I hate wearing these stupid dresses, hate having to behave myself in public, hate having to deal with all of this. I just want to go home. Back to the modern world where I can wear pants instead of skirts. I miss having to walk around the streets by myself, talking to people without having to worry about what they think of me or if I'm good enough for them."

Jaehyun sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Me too, Y/N. Me too."

"I miss kimchi, jajangmyeon, ddukbokki...I miss being able to eat my favorite dishes whenever I wanted to." You frowned at the memory of all the delicious food that you used to love so much. In the modern world, no matter where you went, there was always an abundance of street food. Food that you could eat until your stomach hurt and never get tired of. But here, you were eating a lot of western style foods that were made for the high nobility such as yourself. All of the sudden, you became incredibly homesick. "And I miss karaoke!"

Jaehyun chuckled, remembering how often you'd both go to the karaoke bars even after a full session of recording at the company studio or after an exhausting night in the practice room from dancing. Even when you had no audience and just sang along with the lyrics on screen, you loved it. It didn't seem like you would ever be able to enjoy singing again now that you were stuck in this fantasy world. But that wasn't what bothered you the most. That was all normal. What really upset you was that you would probably never get to see your friends and family again, though Jaehyun was the exception. After spending your whole life surrounded by everyone you cared about, seeing them one last time before everything changed would have been nice.

"If only we hadn't left the studio when it was storming," you muttered, frowning at your older brother. "We wouldn't have been struck to our death by lightning. If we had been inside, then none of this would have happened. I know we can't go back. None of this is fair."

Jaehyun moved to sit next to you and wrapped his arms around you, hugging you tightly, running a hand over your hair. "The way I see it, things are pretty lucky that we ended up getting a second chance at life. All be it in a novel. And we still have each other, right? We should be thankful for that."

"Yeah." You nodded softly. "I guess so. Maybe I should be more open minded about this. Who knows, maybe one day I might even like the adventures that come along with living in this fantasy world. At least I don't need to worry about dealing with reporters or fans or being sued for slander anymore."

Jaehyun chuckled. "Now that's something I definitely don't miss."

You laughed along with him. "At least we aren't villains or the main leads in this novel. We can just live a life in luxury and peace. A life away from all the drama. Just as normal siblings."

Jaehyun nodded his head. "Sounds perfect to me."

"Although," You paused to look at your older brother. "With a face like that, all the ladies are gonna go to war to have you."

"You'll be a good little sister and fight them off, right?" Jaehyun asked teasingly.

"Of course! They'll have to go through me if they want a shot at my handsome brother!" You exclaimed, Jaehyun letting out a laugh.

"Your Grace, My Lady, we've arrived." Came the voice of the driver. You heaved a sigh, knowing that everyone was looking forward to see Grand Duke Jaehyun and his sister, Lady Y/N. Everyone was watching your every move, especially when you attended events with each other. This kind of stuff wasn't supposed to happen. You wanted to spend every moment alone, hiding away in the privacy of your bedroom, but alas, fate was cruel.

Especially to you.

Jaehyun gave you a sympathetic look before standing up and opening the carriage door for you. He offered his hand with a smile, stepping outside first. You reached out to take his hand, which he graciously accepted, and followed behind him. When you finally stepped foot onto the grounds of the ballroom, you gasped in surprise.

You knew it would be big, but seeing it firsthand was incredible. There were torches lit along the path that lead to the grand doors and lights hung everywhere, illuminating the beautiful scenery. Once you opened the doors and entered the hall, you stopped in your tracks. Standing there in front of you were dozens of girls dressed in exquisite dresses and suits. Each one a different color, cut differently, and draped elegantly upon her body.

Most stood quietly, whispering among themselves, eyes glued to you and your brother as you approached. However, some seemed to grow excited as you neared. Perhaps the anticipation of being able to meet high nobles like yourselves was enough to make their knees weak.

For minor characters in this novel, it looked like the Grand Duke of Ilichi and his sister were quite the attraction. You took a deep breath, ready for the influx of admiration and attention.

“I see that you have both left your residence tonight.”

You looked up to meet eyes with Crown Prince Qian Kun who was walking towards you. He smiled at you as you gave him a graceful curtsy. The first time you met the Crown Prince, he really resembled Kun, one of the NCT members back from your world. You felt like you were back home for a mere moment but remembered that you weren’t.

“You look like you’ve recovered, Lady Y/N.” The Crown Prince nodded his head slightly, seemingly impressed with you. “It has been many years since the palace has hosted such an event. Usually, the two of you remain at home.”

You bowed your head. “Yes. Although it’s difficult to be away from home sometimes, I do enjoy the privilege of attending parties and banquets with my brother.”

Qian Kun laughed heartily, raising a brow. “Well, I am glad that the both of you were able to attend. I’m glad you both recovered from your illness. After your accident, the kingdom was worried sick about you both.”

Your 'accident', as the Crown Prince called it, was being ambushed by bandits as you and Jaehyun were leaving the Grand Duchy to come to the capital city of Red City. Despite being skilled in the swordsmanship, that's another story for another day, it still didn't stop the blade that drove you to your death. The doctors' called it a miracle when you and Jaehyun both woke up the next day and didn't remember the ordeal at all.

After all, you and Jaehyun were inhabiting the bodies of minor characters in a fantasy novel. While they believed in miracles and godlike powers, you and your brother always had that modern world mentality that it was impossible.

But yet, here you were.

Still alive. Still breathing.

Qian Kun cleared his throat, seeming embarrassed for bringing up such painful memories. “Well, that aside, I hope the two of you enjoy yourselves.” He smiled and walked away, his admirers following behind him.

You took a deep breath, letting out a long sigh as you straightened your dress. As soon as the Crown Prince had left, swarms of women started approaching you, asking you questions about what you liked, what your favorite dish was, and if they could call upon you and Jaehyun. You answered politely, knowing that you had to put on a show, but secretly hating every minute of it. But you took a deep breath and channeled your inner idol, telling yourself that they were just like every idol fan.

You turned to look at Jaehyun but noticed that he was swept away by the other men of the royal court, each one looking like they were vying for his attention. A few patted his shoulder and joked with him while others simply stared with mouths agape, enamored by the handsome man that was your brother.

You wondered why everyone was paying attention to you and Jaehyun when you weren't even the main characters of this novel. You knew that once the female protagonist would make her appearance at the ball, everyone would clearly ignore you so you didn’t understand what the big fuss about meeting high nobility was about. Yet here you were, attracting stares like fireflies to a light bulb.

As soon as you were alone again, you groaned loudly and rubbed your temples. You couldn't wait to go home. To get into bed, get under the covers, and forget about everything else that had happened today. As you tried to find an empty corner to get away from everyone, you ran into a hard chest. You instantly looked up to see tall, lean, dark haired man with a dazzling smile on his face. His eyes sparkled in the moonlight, making your heart race. Was he the male protagonist of this novel?

He wore a suit and looked completely dashing. His body was tall and well built. But he also carried a softness to him that reminded you of someone.

Wait.

Sicheng?

You shook your head and snapped out of your thoughts. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! Are you alright?” You hurriedly apologized, pulling away from him. “I didn’t mean to bump into you.”

“Don’t apologize. Accidents happen.” He smiled and took your hands in his, giving you a comforting squeeze before letting it go. he gave you a bow. "Greetings, Lady Y/N. I am Dong Sicheng, Marquis of Jilin."

You took a good look at the man in front of you. Lord, he really resembled Sicheng and had the same real name as him. But you knew this man wasn't the same Sicheng that you knew. You knew that this was a character from a novel, not real life. But somehow, it still made your heart ache because the thought of home hit you hard, reminding you that you really were somewhere completely different than where you were used to.

"Y/N," You turned to look at your older brother as he made his way to you. As Jaehyun reached your side, he took a few seconds too long to stare at the man named Sicheng. Jaehyun looked at you and then back at Sicheng, seeming confused.

You cleared your throat and spoke up, hoping to break the awkward silence. "Brother, meet Marquis Dong Sicheng of Jilin."

Sicheng bowed his head lightly and gave a small smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Your Grace."

Your brother raised a brow, before smiling awkwardly. "It's nice to meet you as well, Marquis. Please, forgive my manners. Forgive me for staring. It's just... You remind me of someone I know."

Sicheng tilted his head, a curious expression coming across his face. "Do I know you?"

Jaehyun shook his head. "No, no. No. You wouldn't know me. I'm merely talking to myself."

You sighed in relief and nodded your head. Now that the tension was broken, you looked over at your brother. "Jaehyun, I'm feeling tired. Would you mind if we went home? I think I'd like to lie down for awhile."

"You sure?" Jaehyun asked you worriedly.

You flashed him a reassuring smile. "I know it's been months since the accident but I'm still feeling tired from time to time. And, besides, it seems like everyone is getting along nicely without us."

"Okay," Jaehyun smiled softly, placing a kiss on your forehead. "I guess you're right. Let's go."

The three of you walked silently, lost in your own thoughts until you reached the carriages that would take you back to your estate. You stepped inside the carriage, taking your seat next to your older brother and laid your head against his shoulder. You locked eyes with Sicheng, a soft smile on his lips as he watched the carriage disappear into the night.

You closed your eyes, Jaehyun wrapping his arms around you.

"Oppa, I miss them." You whispered. "I miss all the guys so much. Today has made it clear to me that nothing will ever be the same again."

Jaehyun tightened his hold around you, squeezing you tight. "I know, Y/N. I miss them too."

[uwoninternet]

Can't a ghost have some peace?

...and mora wouldn't be bad either...

Soooooo...guys, granny was occupied with her exams this week and my freak out time also took some time off of my schedule, this mean: to the people who is somewhat interested in the lyneyxreader "I'm not nuts, okay?!", most of the second chapter is in the work, but its still not complete. That work will probably only be 3 chapters long.

Anyway, no one cares about this old granny that doesn't know how to work the internet quites right yet, lets just focus in my new brainrot!

Guys, do you remember Hu tao's quest?? The ghost boy and Hu tao's insistence in helping the passing, *cof**cof* such as chasing Qiqi *cof**cof*

So, you, my sweet summer child, reader, is a ghost!

The afterlife isn't that exciting, you dare say, you die and you keep having the same apparence, same place, same everything, EVEN same job! C'mon! You thought death was supposed to be about resting!

But nooooo!

You literally die from working way too much in the family hotel, get a silent funeral where your crazy uncle buries your old shell in the garden just for your soul to be unnerved enough by It to make you return. Seriously, you just wanted something a little more beautiful than just freaking dirt to lay for eternity, but still, he justifies that your body was meant to bring the earth back to it's glorious days with blooming flowers.

Anyway, with no more employees other than your deceased self and your employer, uncle Yan, running the place was simply a mess, alone in the path between Liyue to Sumeru with just travelers to keep human company for you two. You always thought this Bull crap of only employing family was dumb, the only thing keeping...that kept you, when alive, was the heck of a guilt trip your parents forced down your throat, hypocrites! Both of them, leaving you here while going on to explore Teyvat. "Adventurous hearts", They said, couldn't keep them locked down, but your poor uncle! How would he keep your great great great parents bussiness running If he was alone?!

Your uncle was fine, the second you reappeared in a ghostly form trying to get him scared enough to change your burial ground he simply sipped his tea, said you should change and eat your supper before before It gets cold, after that, to hurry to bed because, as he put It, "the early worm gets be safe from the bird". And there! Back to work.

It took you some time, but slowly you learnt how to keep your shape stable and still be able to interact with solid objects, even If everything was the same, being a completelly new being without a solid form to keep your soul grounded and in its shape was hard! Many doesn't know, but the soul is like a mollusc seeking for a home, its composition being maleable in such a way It shapes itself to the body that houses it, but, after losing its recipient, time also eats away the form It was holding previuosly and learning how to still be...you took you some valuable time.

Anyhow, everything happened, let bygone be bygones, hada hada hada, you wake to the rising sun, work and...stare in space or wander around the place as the sun set, till the Sun wakes to greet you once again. Though the 'not needing sleep' thing let you pick up and try multiple hobbies, flowers were finally blooming in the garden with the help of your ghostly hands and the books about gardening your uncle buys from some merchands that pass by, you perfected your abilities with bakering and started to try new recipes the casual guest speaks about here and there, you are trying to learn your uncle's way with tales but still, It seems theater is not in your genes. That dramatic man probably took ALL of It from the whole family in the gene pool.

So see, you are a pretty laid back and chill ghost, is almost as If you never died in the first place, so can that freaking child leave you alone?! Brunette, teenager, obsessed with passing, keep giving the guests creepy advices and trying to tie you up to force you to go be burried. You feel like you became way to good with the impression of a kind of solid body.

"Don't be to hasle, director, If they get too upset we will have another burnt day." - uncle's playful voice reaches your ears.

Multiple groans follows after, together with Yan's resounding laughter. Before...

"What's a burnt day?" - a child like voice echos in your ears, you bet this little pal didn't wish to sound like they are screeching, still...

"It's when the director pisses the lad so much, They burn each and every meal They make! Please! I will only stay for a week, i can't keep eating just burnt food, miss!" - pleads one of your guests.

"They need to find rest! Thats the cycle of li-", the annoying teen is cut off by a higher screech of the kid.

"THEY BURN ALL OF THEM?! THAT'S SUCH A WASTE!!"

Taking that as enough of a warning about the incoming usual ping pong discussion of 'let me bury you' and ' no's' you share with the brunette, you sneak away to the garden....what?

You hide away, walking to the farthest that is still inside the premises of the hotel so you won't listen to the girl's resoning once again in repeat, a place distant enough so your form will flicker and leave you looking like a shadow, but not enough to force It back to your resting body. It always gives you whiplash.

You sit by a tree, gazing the distance, head empty or so you wish to be, the pounding in It is so unfair, you don't even have a real head! And yet, your confusing feelings are quite too much for a soul to remember how to induce a headache.

Your irritation with the endless motivational talks about resting peacefully in death, with not being able to get there, with your uncle's calmness with this infernal situation, with your parents who left you and don't even know their guilt trip lead you to your demise, with your stupid broken self preservation and, on the other hand, after all the rage passes, you can only feel numb and frustrated. You sigh, trying to let all out in an exale of air, leave all the feelings in the place that haunts your spirit. Kinda of ironic If you do say so.

You look towards your burial ground, at least is as beautiful as you once...is that....is that blond girl...no, no, everyone gets warned about not...SHE FREAKING IS! SHE'S FREAKING TAKING YOUR FLOWERS! YOUR GODDAMNED BODY FLOWERS!

"HEY! HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" - You almost fall with how fast you jump up and run towards her, How dare she?! Your soul can't rest and now even your rotting shell has to be disturbed?! Nuh huh!

"You...you can interact with me? Is...this a cutscene?" - she whisper to herself.

You don't even get to have a sad, poetic moment for 5 minutes and now what? Is SHE confused about being a ghost?

"OF COURSE I CAN! LEAVE MY FLOWERS ALONE!"

"But...but i need to Farm...."

"...What?"

"I-i mean-", she coughs lightly as if she was simply trying to win some time to remember what she was saying, "-how...Hello, my name is Lumine.", she puts her hands in her waist, posing as a hero.

"....and?"

She looks at you like you were the weird one, "alright,see you later", she smiles and turn to continue picking the flowers, RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR STUNNED FACE! How can someone be so shamelles?!

"See you now, miss!", you step on her scarf, her beautiful, glowing scarf! If she wasn't picking your body eating flowers you would be on your knees pleading for forgiveness for dirting such gorgeous thing. She gags as her troath is struck by the scarf. "Don't pick on my body!"

She turns, annoyed, "Look who is talking?!"

"don't come with that on me! I'm not the one that's literally taking someone else's death tribute!"

"Who's death are you talking?!"

"Me! You are stepping in my FREAKING body! Taking my flowers! That i myself had to give for me!"

"wait, what?"

"i get It, no one fucking cares about my end other then what i should do now that i passed! But guess what?! I'm tired of working and working and working just to waste away, for what?! just want to rest in a beautiful place, ok?! Don't i deserve to pretend that someone cares for me at least?!", you huff, even without a troath you feel a horrible pain in your vocal chords, "i just.... can't i have some semblance of...being important?"

She looked, truly looked at you, not as just some nobody trying to catch her attention. Blank face, still her eyes held an understanding you haven't seen in a long while, she gently placed the flowers in her hands back. "You are the ghost."

"...If you try and spill that Bull crap about peace and leaving this earth, then pack it, i don't wanna hear It."

"you can't leave", she says as If realising a big secret.

You look at her, sighing before sitting beside It.

She is hesitant before sitting by you, looking at the flowers. "... that's How you died?"

"Working to the bone? Yeah, and look where It got me...."

"fighting a girl about flowers?" - she jests, almost silent.

You huff a laughter, "yeah, i guess."

You two share the silent for some time and thats How your friendship with Lumine starts. Maybe, afterlife can be exciting after all.

Thats It!

Guys, i simply LOVE the twins, i'm simply in love with them both! Lumine is such a princess and Aether is such a cutie!

Anyway, granny is a little bland i think, hehehe.

Geishin fanfic lovers, If you reach this point, know my little secret...

Granny loves y'all!!!

Drink water and don't forget to eat, lets forever share the brainrots together ;)