#i really love writing this series too like frfr

[potatomountain]

i love case its you. I loved san and yns tender moment. Theyre literally babies who deserve to be protected. Also woo is so interesting!! Like everything hes seen and done yet hes like the most free imo. Like hes playful teasing loving. I know next chapter and next book will definitely explore all of their relationships and yns healing but god im gnawing at my laptop for a hj and yn moment to discuss everything (i feel like hj holds guilt for what happens idk). I also really want a jh and yn moment now bc i am So intrigued by his past and i know he cares for yn now! I think seeing her hurt solidified it. Like he didnt want to see her hurt beforehand but i think hes realizing its bc he loves her. Idk im rambling! Just really love your fic!!

ahhh thank you! Im so happy you love it so much! i did indeed cry at the San and mc moment, San is a comfort person for me so like ye :') tears As for the rest, while of course I can't give them such moments for CIY with just one chapter left, there will be plenty in CIU. it is nice to see Jongho cares and i am glad i managed to get that across before CIY ended <3

as for Wooyoung tho? he is very interesting and much more complex than yall would think. While he is responsible for helping get Yeosang and San out of some serious situations, he grew up in this life and has done some very questionable things. I would say his moral compass is probably the most grey or unhinged, and there are going to be so many interesting moments with him for CIU. Yes mc loves him, but how much of him does she really know?

hehe he's actually my favorite character to write out of the boys! i do love them all, but Wooyoung? he's just so enigmatic and there is so much to him its just so fun to think in his shoes :3

ps- ramble as much as you want it really warms my heart to hear peoples thoughts on CIY (i dare say it motivates me so much to keep writing and pump out chapters :3)

[ravenhairedgoldenretriever]

@snug-as-bugalugs-in-rugalugs you are so correct about the brothers and his sister but also his Jewishness! Like when he ran away to find himself he ran away to, well, a not Jewish community? like I would love to see him experience his culture. Even in the Jewish epsiode it's acknowledged that everyone "does it differently" ie he was worried about being bad at it but is told by having a Jewish mother, he is family!!! The emotions of having a culture he was born into but doesn't know, not really. But then again his brother were more familiar than his birth sister ever was, but also then again his sister left him and his brothers were both murdered. The emotional turmoil he could experience of having learned after a place he finally belongs after years of suffering, he went through his whole life losing to just learn of this.

Add on top that he's "new" to the faith but he would assume they have similar views of homosexuality that most of the world does. The idea of trying to find a place to belong only to go into that world all alone, truly alone, would be terrifying. His mother is dead but sang to him, his only real memory of her and he seemed surprised by the song itself, he was shocked to hear it like it was a memory that electrocuted him. He would normally be infodumping on how each culture has its own songs but maybe it's one that is translated or shared, etc etc and waxing poetic about how everyone us different but all humans are humans in the end, but no instead he hears the song and stops to listen to be sure. He stopped and just- listened. He went to the house at the end of the epsiode and he was so happy!! His smile was so small but bright! It's also very childlike almost, like how trauma victims will revert to an age they experienced trauma (I have personal experience, it doesn't happen to everyone or everytime and I'm projecting but it is a real thing) so it's understandable for Watts to be a little shy like a child because he would be feeling the trauma of his frankly stacks on stacks on stacks of trauma that is his childhood! Or maybe he's just shy! Would love to see how he would be with them long term.

Back to the part of it being the mothers last name. Did Clarissa choose to take the mothers name when they were left with the Marks'? Clarissa hates men even as a teen so of course she would never take a man's name, did she blame their father for their accident and it kick started her on her path, just a general resentment of being a girl in a man's world and wanted to take more "from the mother's side"? Or did their father willingly choose to take the mother's name? Was he progressive or was it just her name was easier to shorten to a more "acceptable name" i.e. Wattenbergs to Watts and that's what everyone knew them as prior to their deaths?

His parents are gone, we never see the woman who cares for him, the boarding house woman or something, so it's safe to assume she is gone in his adulthood conisdering she isn't there to mourn the loss of her second son and Watts was put working a full career at 16 while doing his best to care for them.

His sister left him, and his brothers were taken from him. And now he's to enter a community truly, utterly alone? Being acceptable warmly to a dinner/ceremony is one thing, but to be accepted into the community on the whole? Watts isn't great with communicating with others so he would know who to ask or how to just, roll up? Rent a place in the neighborhood? Go up to a stranger "hey, I'm Jewish btw. On my (dead) moms side. I'm not an orphan, I'm an adult who just has a dead family excluding my sister that willingly left me as both a child and an adult"??

This entire rant got me onto the fact he never got to be- or conisder or talk about considering and decide not to be- open with his sexuality with anyone important in his life outside of a few choice colleagues and a few men who seem to not want just/all of him? He never got to tell his family about his sexuailty, he never got to celebrate his new culture with his brothers!! He never got to try pretzels with them!! Did he pay for his brothers (the first) burial or was the mom still around? I know Watts did the second. Also what is Watts' like post life plans? His will and what have you. Does he plan to be bury next to them? Who does he trust to make sure this happens? I'm losing my mine.

Also I want him to meet Emily! Adopting Felix the boy from the orphanage!! Like???? Aaaa!!

rewatching Brother's Keeper and noticing that (like me) Watts hunches/bends over often but he normally had to when speaking to his brother(s). He's also way taller than his siblings, like me, and probably often does his best to seem smaller with most people. Unconnected to the brothers directly, but Watts gives off energy of hunching over to not take up space for multiple reasons.

Shoutout to Watts' comment about how some people "can't change the way they are" when talking of Nigel as a child hitting different post later episodes. Watts defends his brothers for being intelligent and insightful and wonderful even though with Down's Syndrome people of the time (and still today let's be real 😒), they would be dismissed as not being capable of committing crimes due to their disabilities. Watts would later go on to try and change his own "ways" dealing with his sexuality and question ways to change it.

Watts literally hates how society views himself and learns to accept it over time, but he never wavered in brothers. He loved them so much he knew they were better than what the world saw, but saw himself as the one who has "issues".

I'm overly exhausted so my words don't make sense, but in my head I have connections of Watts seeing the best in his brothers but the worst in the world due to the fact people could hate parts of himself he can't change (and he's tried!) but also the world sees the worst in the best people, people like his brothers, due to the fact they are different than the norm. He probably only became a constable to search for his sister but also to protect his family. His position probably deferred others not as aggressive as Nigel by giving him more "standing"; he wasn't just the "fake older brother, taken in out of pity" but a man of the law who cared deeply for his younger brothers and was as smart as a whip and just as dangerous when given the proper information.

[c0la-queen]

HELLO!! I just wanted to say that I am absolutely IN LOVE with your works!!! 😭😭😭 its hard to even find EW fanfics nowadays and your fics have such high quality it’s like finding shiny, luxurious beautiful diamonds.

I genuinely love how you depict all of the characters so much I don’t think any other resonates with me as much as yours does, most Especially Tord. My god, you write him so well, his midly uncanny strange-esq demeanor and off-putting nature fits Perfectly with his character being a child solider and all, being subjected to the horrors of survival, war and being so close to death at such a young age growing up Would absolutely make him a little abnormal, like there’s something definitively wrong with him in that twisted mind of his. I love that truly.

I’ve been mega binging your works to read for fun and I love them so much— but most especially the Hybrid series I love SOOOO MUCHHHHH AGHHHH and I wanted to ask of you were going to continue it in any forms??? 🥹🥹🥹 like hcs, more drabbles, imagines or literally Anything frfr I beg of you 😭😭🙏 I love the wolfdog boys so much hicccc…

I ALSO SAW THAT YOU WERE ASKING IF WE WANTED REVERSE AU! WHERE READER IS THE HYBRID INSTEAD AND YES ABSOLUTELY I would love to see how the gang handles her and whatnot if you’d like to make that still whehehe, anything you want really!! 😭 thank you so much for your hard work and thank you even more if you manage to write these requests 💖💖💖🥹

USUEUSSJDJ YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH THIS MEANS TO ME WAAAAH!! Sometimes I get a little insecure about my writing, so to hear all the sweet things you guys say always makes my entire day!! And hearing you say that about my Tord is literally one of the highest forms of praise I've ever received!! I'll probably make some more content of the Hybrid Boys as well, since I love this Hybrid AU a lot! But for now, here's a drabble of Hybrid Reader that I've been working on for a little bit!!! I hope you enjoy!! Mwah mwah!!

---

Stray Bunny | Eddsworld x Reader

Warnings: Drunk Tom, Reader is a bunny hybrid because I love bunnies fight me, the boys are victim to the Hybrid Distribution System

Words: 1.4k

---

You didn't know where to go. You didn't have anywhere to go. The rain was going to start falling soon.

Worst of all, you were stuck in your shifted form. A mixture of anxiety, paranoia, and hopelessness had caused you to shift by pure instinct, and you couldn't get yourself to calm down enough to go back.

So you just... run. Run down the sidewalk as the rain droplets begin to fall, dodging between pedestrians' legs. You didn't know where you were going, but you knew you had to go somewhere.

The harder the rain fell, the less people were on the streets. Rushing home and ducking into nearby shops to take shelter until the storm eased up. A few brave umbrella wielders kept walking, determined to finish their journey.

Every drop that splashed against your body soaked into your fur, weighing it down and making your running more difficult. You were passing a building when suddenly the door was thrown open aggressively, making you yelp and scramble to a stop.

You watched as a young man staggered out of the building. From the smell and the sounds and the brief peek you got through the door, it was a pub. The man was unsteady on his feet, you wouldn't be surprised if he was absolutely piss drunk right now.

Not wanting to get tangled in his feet, you stopped, stepping back to wait for him to pass. He whistled a tune, fishing a cigarette box out of his pocket and popping one in between his teeth -

-before stopping. And staring.

At you.

Surely he was piss drunk because instead of being disgusted or angry - or anything else you expected, really - he immediately dropped his unlit cigarette to the ground without a care in the world. He crouched in front of you, starting to coo and baby talk.

You were too confused to even process what he was saying - he was too drunk to know what he was saying, either.

Next thing you knew, you were being scooped up into his hands. He continued to coo and talk as he pressed his cheek against your fur.

The sound of car tires drew your attention. You peeked up in time to see car headlights pulling into the parking lot of the pub. At the sight, the man holding you tucked you safely into his hood. You made a sound, but he just giggled and shushed you.

You couldn't complain too much, though. It was warm, and dry.

"Tom, mate, you look like shit."

"And you, Matt, look like the queen."

"You've definitely had too many drinks. Get in the car."

Surprisingly, the drunk man - Tom, it seemed - took care not to smush you against the carseat. Slowly, your panic began to subside. The warmth of the AC and the gentle movements of the car driving down the road eventually lulled you to sleep.

--

You jolted awake when Tom began moving again. The car had stopped, apparently reaching its destination. You couldn't see anything but the dark blue fabric, so you weren't quite sure where you were.

Was this the safest choice you could've made? No. But, in your mind, it was better than the streets.

"Matt. How many bloody drinks did he have?"

"Don't ask me. He wasn't very conversational in the car."

"Fuckin' hell."

Tom's movements stopped for a moment. Then, he was falling. Well, you were both falling. You squeaked as you tumbled out of his hood, rolling onto the carpeted floor below. Whatever conversation had been going on above you stopped.

"Is that... a rabbit?"

You righted yourself, shaking your head to get your ears out of your face. It was a house that you were in, more specifically a living room. Tom was laying on his stomach on a couch. He must have drunkenly flopped down onto it, causing you to fall out of his hood.

Two more men were standing beside the couch. Staring at you in disbelief. You attempted to shrink in on yourself, trying to make yourself as small as possible.

"Edd, the poor thing is soaked. Look at how it's trembling. We can't get rid of it."

"I wasn't planning on it. Jesus, I'm not heartless."

The man named Edd crouched down next to you, gently picking you up in his hands. His fingers smoothed over your head, gently scratching at the base of your ear. Embarrassing as it was, you fucking melted.

"Of course Tom would get drunk and bring an animal home. I'm just glad it's not something rabid."

"I'll go get a towel to dry them off. The poor dear is probably freezing."

While the other man disappeared down a hall, the one holding you carried you over to the kitchen.

"I'm sure you're hungry. Rabbits like carrots, don't they? I don't know how realistic that portrayal is."

You couldn't help but huff at that. It was an annoying stereotype in your opinion - though you did enjoy the taste of carrots regardless.

"Rabbits are herbivores. They'll eat any kind of vegetable or plant you offer them."

Edd set you down on the counter as he opened the fridge.

"Nice of you to join the land of the living, Tord."

The newest addition to the room scared you the most. He was intimidating looking, muscular and mean. His cold eyes were fixed on you.

When he approached, you backed away slightly. Noticing this, he made sure to lift his hand slowly, extending a finger out to you. You watched his hand move cautiously. He slid his finger under your head, gently scratching your chin. To your horror, your back foot thumped against the counter.

You were going to die of embarrassment.

Tord's lips quirked up in a small, amused smile.

"Do I even want to know why there is a bunny in the kitchen?"

"Tom's drunk."

"Ah."

Matt eventually returned with a towel.

The three men absently chatted as Matt gently and thoroughly dried your soaked fur. You were completely relaxed in his hold. He even made sure to be especially careful drying your ears.

Yeah, there were definitely worse things than this.

In your relaxed state, you didn't quite account for just how much you had calmed down. Before you knew it, you had suddenly shifted back into your normal form.

The three men froze. You froze.

"....hi."

The longer the silence stretched out, the more fear built up inside of you. What if they were angry? What if they threw you out? What if they hurt you?

As possibilities ran through your head, tears started to well in your eyes.

"What the fuck."

The dam broke. Tears flooded down your cheeks, sobs catching in your throat.

The three men jumped into action. Matt drew you into his arms, holding you securely.

"Tord! Look what you did!"

"Me?? What did I do??"

"You scared the poor thing! I can feel her trembling."

"I feel like my response was very reasonable."

--

One plate of carrots and ranch later, and your tears had been calmed. Having tired yourself out, you were lying comfortably in Edd's lap in an armchair. Matt and Tord were sitting on the couch. They had moved Tom to a makeshift bed on the floor where they could keep an eye on him until he was sober.

Edd's fingers ran through your hair, smoothing out any knots he found. Occasionally he would scratch at the base of your ears, making you hum happily.

Amongst your tears earlier, Matt had managed to coax your story out of you. Now, they were deciding what to do.

"She doesn't have a handler, Edd. We can't just turn her away."

"I know, Matt. I don't want to kick her out."

The two men looked at Tord expectantly.

"What?"

"No dissenting opinions?"

"Of course not. I'm not a fucking monster."

"What about Tom?"

Edd glanced down at the fourth man.

"He's forfeiting his vote."

With that, Edd gently cupped your cheeks and tilted your head up to look at him. Through the sleepy haze of your vision, you saw him give you a gentle smile.

"What's your vote, bunny? Do you wanna stay here with us?"

Did you? These were four men that you didn't know. Despite that, they had been kinder to you than anyone had been in a long time.

You didn't have to think long about your answer.

You nodded, slow and lazy as you fought against sleep.

Edd laughed softly, settling you back down.

"Get some sleep, love. You're alright now. We've got you.”

Taking those words to heart, you slept better than you had in months.

[azsazz]

SJM Ask Game

Thank you for the tag @daydreaming-nerd !! 💙💙 (I do want to hear those redacted answers for where you put tharion lol) I feel like it's been so long since I've been on tumblr or even done one of these but I'm excited💙

1) What’s your favourite SJM book?

Hmmmm I'm gonna say ACOMAF because that's when I was first introduced to Azzy and the obsession began 💙😈

2) Which is your favourite series (tog, acotar or cc)

If you don't know me, CC is one of the worst books I've ever read. It's hard to choose between ACOTAR and TOG tho because they were both really good....

3) Who is your favourite character? (And why?)

Hehehehehehehehe. Az obviously 🥰

4) Do you have a favourite quote from one of the books?

Hmmmm...tbh not really...the ones that stay stuck in my head are the cringey ones...BUT, let's go with "Cassian shot him a glare. 'I don't see you spouting poetry, brother.' Azriel crossed his arms, still smiling faintly, 'I don't need to resort to it.'" THAT'S GODDAMN RIGHT BBY YOU DONT 💙💙 legs spread for mah boi

5) Favourite ship?

Azris frfr

6) Elriel or Gwynriel? Or neither?

Azris frfr

7) Who’s the most underrated SJM character?

Oooof there's so many. Fenrys. I've never gotten enough of him.

8) Which character do you wish to learn more about?

Azris frfr. I want both of their backstories rn

9) Are there any characters you don’t like?

Bryce Quinlan and Danika Fendyr

10) Favourite bat boy?

My king azriel 💙💙

11) Favourite court?/ Which one would you most like to live in?

Honestly I'd probably either live in Autumn or Night tbh.

12) Favourite SJM villain?

Does Tamlin count? lol.

13) If you could change one thing in any of the books what would it be?

That CC never happened

14) Favourite SJM theory?

Azris frfr

15) Favourite Archeron sister?

Prob Ness

16) A character you feel is over-hated/ underrated:

over-rated: bryce quinlan

under-rated: chaol 💙

17) Aelin, Bryce, or Feyre?

Aelin!!

18) What’s your favourite character from each series?

Fenrys, Azriel, Ruhn

19) If you wrote an acotar book what would you call it?

A Court of Smoke and Cinders? (azris frfr)

20) Who is your favourite acotar blogger?

nah there's literally too many to choose from

21)What fics would you recommend to people who love the series?

The Serpent and the Wings of Night

Questions for writers

22) Easiest character to write for?

Azzy because i built him brick by brick

23) Hardest character to write for?

LUCIEN. IDK WHY

24) What’s a character you’d like to write for but haven’t yet?

lol who haven't i written for? hmmmm...maybe fenrys, aedion, or hunt?

25) What’s a court you’d like to write about more?

Dawn!

26) What’s a character you won’t write for and why?

hmmm...idk I'd like to say that I'd try anything once...

27) If you could only write for one character ever again, who would you pick?

azzy. nobody compares to him

28) Whats your favourite trope to write about when it comes to Azriel?

right now i think modern aus...in any sort. or anything that involves angst i love putting everyone thru some shit

29) What do you think is the best/favourite acotar fic you’ve written?

hmmmm...i feel like this is impossible to choose

30) Who are your favourite friendships to write about?

eris x anyone because this man needs a friend

31) For first time readers to your blog, which three fics would you recommend they read?

LMAO ummm...I'll list at least one for. every character

Az: Cupid's Chokehold or Midnight Muse

Cass: In Storm or Dial Drunk or Better Men Have Hit Their Knees and Bigger Men Have Died

Eris: You Know I Always Liked Playing with Fire or Hide

Rhys: Clandestine Love or Dioxazine

Lucien: The Other Woman or My Happy Ending

or literally any poly can't go wrong with those tbh

No pressure tags: @writingsbychlo @acourtofwhatthefuck @i-am-a-lost-girl16 @azrielhours @a-frog-with-a-laptop or anyone else who wants to participate!

[chaotic-orphan]

I LOVED the latest instalment of Intoxicating Fear. I just love this series in general 😍 But I was wondering if there's a specific timeframe for the next chapter?? Is it 2 weeks, a month, or two months? This is just so I don't keep checking tumblr feverishly every week, your honour 🙏 Your writing has me addicted frfr but don't feel pressured into rushing an update, we'd all prefer quality over timing. I'd be happy even if it took a year 😍✨️ (no I'd be sobbing let's be fr) BUT MY POINT STILL STANDS. Your dedication and passion, and the effort that goes into making these works is so beautiful, take care of yourself author!! Lots of love

No you’re right, I think you deserve a time frame💛

I think I will aim to update Intoxicating Fear every:

2 weeks on a Saturday x

So the next update will be 14th of December, then the following 28th of December and so on…

It’s not a very regular update, but it will give me the time I need to actually get it done, while not making you wait too long for the next update hopefully😇 But I really do appreciate the love and support of Intoxicating Fear, like it was my first — and to this day — longest running series, with so many parts to it!!! And I love Kit and Ambrose so much, so I’m so grateful that you like it too xx

Updates of all my series should be more regular now too, because I had a bad couple weeks but tomorrow and today, is the start of a new one and it’s a new month and new beginnings, so, hope that answers your question!!!

I’ll post this schedule on the masterpost too, thank you nonny for your ask, it gives me the kick I need to make sure the series stays on-going ahahahahahah—

Wishing everyone a very merry 1st of December🤭🥰

[megamindsecretlair]

20 Questions for Writers

Thank you for the tag @nerdieforpedro this was just the kick in the pants I needed to get more organized. LOL

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

I started on Tumblr and I'm new to AO3 and have been too lazy to copy and paste all that LOL. I have 6 fics on AO3 and 65 on Tumblr, not counting individual series.

2. What is your total AO3 word count?

I'm........a little embarrassed to say lol. But it is 500,516. Oh chilleee, why though lmfaooooo. Listen, something unlocked in me with these fics and all these wonderful responses to my writing, okay?! I missed my teenage angsty fanfic years and I'm speedrunning through it for now okay?! Okay, I'll go hide now.

3. What fandoms do you write for?

I started with Marvel but I've somehow morphed into a blog for gorgeous, gorgeous Black men who don't get nearly enough love. A sprinkling of white men. And a dash of Pedro and hopefully, Oscar because Moon Knight is my whole heart and I need him biblically.

4. Top Five fics by kudos:

WHEW. Going through Tumblr for this was ROUGH. Ya'll lucky my brain had time today.

You Understand Me Now : This had the highest notes of all my fics. And I keep getting asks to do more similar to this. But what ya'll looking for in this one?????

Sprung : I am surprised!! Out of all my Tyrone fics, I did not expect this to be so high. It was my first request and my first shy girl fic. Special place in my heart frfr.

Mr. Black, Part 1 : Nothing is more fun than watching the notes trickle down the further along in the series it is lol. Further proof that I write these for ME. But anywhooooo, I think this collectively unlocked something in all of us lol.

What's Your Favorite Scary Movie? : Lissen, it was spooky month, it was a full moon, I was FERAL for Ghostfast smut okay??!! I am actually surprised this is so high up and it's not more Tyrone on this list LOL

Runaway Lover, Part 1 : I did not expect to turn this into a mini-series, but here we are LOL. I can't deny ya'll nothing! This definitely stretched some muscles for me and I enjoyed challenging myself. Probably one of the few fics I just let flow and stopped berating myself for how long it was.

5. Do you respond to comments?

Absolutely! I love engaging with people and every single comment fills me with so much joy. I make every effort to respond to comments!

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

OOF, the most??? Probably.....Through the Fire with Franklin Saint. That one still hurts ME to this day LOL.

Through the Fire

7. What is the fic you wrote that has the happiest ending?

Jeez, all my endings are pretty happy?? I can't really single any one out for being the most happy. I like happy couples round here.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Nope (and I knocked on wood). Thankfully everyone has been really kind and sweet about my work. It overwhelms me every single time.

9. Do you write smut?

All day, every day. I am a whore disguised as a barely functioning member of society LOL. I am a whore trapped in a slut wrapped up in a floosy. I am the slutty version of a Matryoshka, or Russian nesting dolls lmfaoooo.

10. Craziest Crossover?

Hmmmm, I haven't done any crazy crossovers yet. I should remedy that. That sounds like hella fun.

11. Have you ever have a fic stolen?

Nope, thank the LORDT. (I knocked on wood) Not that I've seen and no one has told me that it's been stolen. I take comfort in knowing that I am but a tiny island in the sea that is Tumblr and ain't nobody trynna steal my silly little stories. This is not an invitation, don't be an ass and steal. I will give you advice, I will teach you to write, I will read over your writing, whatever. Stealing is some basic bitch shit.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Nope, not that I know of. It'd be interesting to see someone try to translate nigga or half the shit I say LOL.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic?

I have not but that sounds interesting! I have a teensy *coughalotlikealotalot* control issue, so it'd be interesting to see if my writing style meshes well with someone else.

14. All time favorite ship?

OOOOOF, this is hard. I just don't vibe with a lot of ships. Because these writers always break them up anyway. I like SydCarmy and Kanthony at the moment.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

I pretty much finish (shut up lol) all my fics. There's a lot that I want to write but nerves or time does not permit. I'd die to write some Frank Castle, Dean Winchester, Matthew Lillard, Benedict Bridgerton....basically the folks on my white men roster. But they get enough attention.

16. What are your writing strengths?

Strengths?????! You want me to praise myself?? Nerdie, how could you LOL. But ummm......I think I do well with dialogue and chemistry. I feel like each reader is uniquely situated for each fic. I can write a lot, like too much at times.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

I SUCK at descriptions. Lordt, that's my weakest point. Always has been lol. I be like sheeit, idk, they in a room getting busy, what more do you want from me??? LOL

18. Thoughts on dialogue in another language?

I like it and I respect it from other writers. Lends an extra layer of authenticity. But I do personally dislike when the translations are at the bottom of the fic. I'm not scrolling back and forth and by the time I get to the end, I done forgot what the hell it was supposed to be lol.

19. First Fandom you wrote in?

Marvel. Started with Loki. My love, my precious love. He started it all for me.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

No, I shan't shut up about Once Upon a December LOL. It's my favorite dammit. It's a sweet, gothic, romance from Prince Bucky. Like he can be my prince any fuckin' day.

This was fun and definitely learned some things about myself lol.

No pressure tags: @umber-cinders @harmshake @multiversefanfics @just4shyt3z @j0kers-light @slippinninque

[yinyuedijun]

Hey! So I stumbled across Desire Path a little bit ago and then I saw u posted a little excerpt for it and I was like !!!!!

Personally, and this is about the series as a whole, it really touched me as someone who has also had a few adults fail me in life (not to readers extent though), and it really made me a bit emotional (I cried, I crode frfr). I also just think Reader is just, such a strong person for being so sweet even after everything she went through/ will go through because I have certainly become more of an asshole bc of my experiences.

Also on a more technical level I love your exposition, and I think your descriptions are just beautiful.

Anyway, I’m sorry you got hate for your fic before, it’s a really good piece of work and I hope you keep writing in general :))

thank you so much anon, that means a lot to me!!! 🥺♥️ I too had adults who mostly failed me when I was a child 🤝 so I'm really glad to hear that you liked this narrative as someone who had similar experiences.

it's funny that you make that comment about her being sweet - I think she only comes off that way because the fic is told through rin's pov. she had a pretty nasty streak toward him when she was a teenager (that's why they had a huge falling out). it's just not strongly pronounced from rin's pov because he was even worse to her and feels super guilty about it. she also has a pretty notable manipulative streak as an adult - rin just doesn't notice it because, well, he's being manipulated too 💀

she does love her brothers a lot though and I don't think her flaws detract from her strength or sweetness toward them. but all this to say, she is not a perfect victim, and I think when adults fail to care for you as a child, it's natural that you might grow up with maladaptive behaviours and coping mechanisms as an adult - she is no exception!

[away-ward]

Newcomer here and i just finished nightfall, wanted to share because i saw your fics. Unwanted confessions, and idk if you've received these kinds before: dn series made me feel old. These characters mature so fast and were so sexualised since they were young, and later on being only in their mid 20s, acting as if the world will collapse just because they dont have kids or make babies at 24. They gave me white christian religious parents trauma frfr. Their obsession of being liberal but gender roles still being so conservative put the feminism movement back to 200 years ago, i fucking hate every characters in this series except for emory, frfr. Like they can be dark romance rich billionaires and have amazing char arcs but what the fuck was that series? Dn made me believe, rich white privilege people and blonds are really THAT fucking stupid. I'd like to go to the US just to see blond white privileged americans act like rika & winter frfr.

oh, And that wuss ass "lover" guy will grayson who "claimed" to love emory scott so much (🙄) reach out to her yada yada, while fucking around with other women and having threesomes here and there so easily, it was NOT swoony or romantic. He's cheap as fuck, i hate manwhore male characters like him so fucking much. And they just excuse his shit because he was pining for emory, as if he fucking deserves her or somthing. I swear, will grayson does not deserve emory scott, but thats my unpopularopinion. if he had cared enough about emmy, he shouldve fought for her harder. Urgh, i hate weak male characters, such a turn off. All that nightfall plot happening only because he was the weakest of them, yikes. Cant believe he was only ever a man with emory, it's giving "she's only tough when a man saves her" trope, but in reverse, and oh, what does that looks like? Rika fane and winter ashby's arcs! Rika, winter and will, three dumbest characters of the series, frfr. No wonder damon liked them, theyre so similar with one another. Emory scott's patience is truly better than mine.

And Dont even get me started with alex. I hate her in noghtfall. Why did pd butcher her charcter like that? I was shocked, girl! Shocked! Not even banks and rika who treated her like shit initially got a slap, and emmy who didnt even bother got one? In a conversation thats not even about her? The fuck? Where's the girl's girl personality at? Out the window now that her love life with aydin was threathened? Wow. Worse is, they're friends (emmy alex).... i hate pd for this, they just cannot write two pretty female friends who thrive. They always make their male caharcters have amazing bonds with each other, but all fmcs had some sort of internalised misogynistic catfights. If pd can give us willdamon, they can give us rikalaex, banksemmy, alexemmy amazing female frienships alright. Pd just chose not to. And notice how all of their other books, the girls were always around men, but no amazing same-age female presence in their live? Even emmy admitted she was not familiar around woman. Like?? She had amazing relationship with her mom and grandma was compared to the rest no? Why cant we have at least this in this whole disgusting male worshipping series? Istg, there was no reason for pd to build up a powerful and empowering worldbuilding for a women like the horsemen's wives but only to make their same teachers to be men, who never had to know what it feels like to struggle as a woman, ESPECIALLY in their society in thunder bay? This happened in birthday girl, in fall away, misconduct, like??? Its a pattern atp. I hate it. If you have any book recs thathave amazing female relationship between women, please do share, i need some cleansing from all these stupid male chars.

Other than that, i guess i shouldnt have ever expected monogamy or exclusivity in relationships when it comes to pd's books too. These chars are all so overly touchy. I heard about the rikabanks bonus, and it ruined hideaway and corrupt for me. Because why is banks whole ass personality about being jealous of rika, being so caught with damon and kai, AFTER A WHOLE DECADE. does she not have a fucking hobby or go to therapy or something? Stupid as hell. And why is rika being in the centre a.fucking.gain. God, shes dull af, pd just stop! What also pisses me off even more is when people can freely kiss and touch will (like alex, winter to will in killswitch and noghtfall train scene), but god forbid emmy had the same attention or touchesfrom other men, that bitchass grayson starts to act up, as if he fought for her life or something. Fuck him honestly, atleast damon admitted he was a literal piece of shit. I hate people and chars like will because theyre so hypocritical. Never in a million years i would expect to hate will in his own book, but god damn, he really really ruined nightfall for me. Not a single redeeming quality to that fucker. He made me swore so much. I already hated him for his treatment to rika banks and winter in the previous books, and now him with emmy? And just watching emmy getting hurt again again again, not only by her world and herself, but also by will, by his own friends, and by the people associated to his world like aydin and taylor, and never standing by her side through it all? Yea. No. Fuck man, i hate will grayson so much. I wouldve given up on him by the end of the train scene, ngl.

will grayson will never be a real man to me. Like he's a wuss, my girl emory deserve better. "His only mistake was he loves too much", no his mistake was being a hypocritical self-righteous shallow privilege entitled narcissistic assaulting male whore. And Thats only the tip of the iceberg of his shitty character. Nightfall ws the biggest scam.

i honestly just wanna vent out my feelings about this book, because i just finished nightfall, and hooooo i never thought i'd hate will, man. Never thought i'd hate him like i hated michael and damon but here we are. It's always the hypocritical angelic male ones that ends up being scum like this. Oo at least kai was only whiny and hurt rika/ banks and bare in mind, kai was still fucking shit and i hate him, but god damn, will grayson really was the biggest disappointment of devils night series for me. I immediately went to tumblr to check out his tags and found your fics, and i'd like to say, i like your will only 5% more. I cannot imagine will being that good to emmy honestly, so i guess it stays as a wish fulfillment for me as a fan of emmy. I might fucking hate will, but emmy loves him so wtv. If emmy had done one wrong thing, its will grayson. i cant lie, this was shocking to me because i went into this book expecting to like will. But i only came to meet a whiny loser ass white privilege guy who never had to suffer anything other than the consequences of his and his friend's actions? Wow, not enough that we had this kind of man irl, theyre everywhere in fiction too, god! And people hate rika more? Nah, i hated rika, but never more than will grayson frfr. Theyre all so fucking dumb. And on that dumb note, whats with the chars (except for emmy) always anticipating damon? He never served? He talked shit so much, but never actually served? The fuck? At least in haunting adeline, zade meadows did what he said. Damon was just the guy thatblabbers too much, but do nothing. And even when he had plans, its always with someone else's help? Huh? Cant believe they compared zade to damon. Theyre both scums, but at least zade had creds, and then theres damon, the bland no-skills wolf-like guy.. ughhhh 🤮🤢 i hate when author tries to use shock value to hide their awful arcs, because damon torrance and rika fane were two of their mostshitty ass chars arcs written so far. Plus michael. Michael was like a standee to his friends, but thats a whole nother topic.

i honestly dont know if its fine for me to rant here since im a newbie but if you dont feel comfy, you can just delete this post, just wanted to vomit my rants yk.

i honestly dont know if its fine for me to rant here since im a newbie but if you dont feel comfy, you can just delete this post, just wanted to vomit my rants yk.

Honestly, I have inadvertently cultivated a place for people to send their anonymous rants, so I guess why not? It’s fine.

To be perfectly honest, though, there’s not a lot for me to reply to.

First, thank you so much for reading my fics! And for hating them 5% less that the series. I’m going to take it as a compliment. If it wasn’t meant that way, then let me live in delusion.

Of course, the characters in my fics are a bit more idealized. I write them the way I wanted them to be, which if you read other portions of my blog, is far from what PD has given us. That’s fine, they own the characters; they can write them however they want. But I wrote something that was self-indulgent and soothed over the parts of the series that hurt the most for me, or that I felt were the most intriguing. I wrote them for me first, and posted them in case it helped anyone else. I’m happy that people enjoy them, but I know they’re not everyone’s tastes.

Second, I guess I’ll say I’m sorry about Nightfall. The sour feeling of being let down, I think, is one that most of us are familiar with here.

Ummm. I do think it’s a little weird that you’ve read multiple PD books, and even finished the DN series… especially since you were looking forward to Will. Because I hated Will for the first three books and if I weren’t curious about Emory, I wouldn’t have finished the series at all. I also find it equally weird that your first impulse after finishing a series you hate is to go to the tag of the character you hated the most? I mean, I’ve definitely clicked on hot-takes I know I’m going to disagree with and hate-read things, but it’s not my go-to.

I’m sure the Emory tag is lovely.

I haven’t read any of PDs other books, so I don’t know how they compare.

Beyond that,

I swear, will grayson does not deserve emory scott, but thats my unpopularopinion.

Maybe if you were to poll everyone who has ever read the series, that would be an unpopular opinion, but I think if you look back about six months on this blog, you’ll probably find a dozen or so messages almost exactly like this. So, around these parts, it’s not such an unpopular opinion. I think most people who message me probably feel the exact same way.

But I’ve already written essays of poorly done character analysis to defend Will, Emory, their relationship, and his relationship with others. There’s not much for me to add to that without just restating myself. I share some of the same opinions as you, and some different ones. I don’t think your thoughts and feelings are very unpopular at all.

If you have any book recs thathave amazing female relationship between women, please do share, i need some cleansing from all these stupid male chars

Unfortunately, I haven’t had a lot of time to read lately, so all of my recommendations would be old. When I do have the time, I’ve been rereading stuff.

I also don’t have KU, so I’m not familiar with the catalog. I had it at one point, specifically to read Nightfall, and afterward I started a lot of different series, but there wasn’t a lot that caught my attention. I’m sure there are a lot of KU readers with blogs around that would be able to offer you a rec.

I have recently reread the English version of Hana Yori Dango, or Boys Over Flowers. One thing I noted was how amazing the female relationships are. They’re so positive, even when the girls are conflicted. It’s a manga, 37 volumes long, so of course it would take a diagram or a PowerPoint to break down how this is, but it was something I really appreciated on this read through. The girls are all very different, too, without feeling like they're cardboard cut-outs. If you’re at all interested in manga, and I know not everyone is so no worries, I highly recommend it. It’s honestly a superior take on the “4 rich boys who cause trouble” and their romances.

I’ve also been rereading Sempre, which I mentioned before. That’s sort of a mafia romance, but I would categorize it as dark. I’ve been noting how supportive the female relationships are there as well. I’ve really been enjoying that this time around.

And that brings me to a TV show, actually. I’ve mentioned it and reblogged a lot of Leverage stuff, but it truly is a comfort show for me. Parker sits very close to Emory in my heart, and I had hoped that Emory would have some of the same opportunities to develop relationships that Parker had. Parker’s relationship with Sophie is so interesting and nice to watch unfold.

In fact, something I haven’t said before because I don’t think anyone would understand it, is that I had hoped that Alex would become more like a Terra-type character. For anyone interested, here’s an episode. You’d need Amazon to watch it, but it’s probably free somewhere anyway.

Anyway, that’s all I got right now. I truly am sorry that it was such a bad experience for you. You’re welcome to stick around, but I’m sure since you hated so much, you’re ready to move on after unloading like that. But it’s all good either way. I hope you’re on to better and better things.

Take care of yourself!

With love and appreciation,

-KO

[analogwriting]

OUGHHH ITS DONE OHHGBMY IM SERIOSLY GONNA CRY AMBROSE..

)&$$&@first off, the rollercoaster of emotions i went thru during this entire series.. it made me so sad and happy at the same time and now that its done o hi jjgjm i cant even express myself rn..

BUT!! I am glad we got our happy ending, “hold the transponder snail” got me giggling fr. Still seriously. my heart hurts from this entire thing ending 😔 I’ll definitely miss waking up to new chapters

the confession scene was done so beautifully oh my goodness… had me kicking my feet I couldnt even read for 2 sentences straight cuz I would get too giddy and end up switching apps midway 💀💀

AND FUCKING EUSTASS??? bros gotta start minding his own business, theres no way he heard all of that 😭 rlly cant have any privacy when u have siblings

but when killer kissed us after taking the medicine I CALLED IT!!! In my mind before the chapter was released i was like “first kiss is gonna be after he takes the cure ik it”

but god seriously that entire series was beautiful, i’ll read it over and over until I turn blind 🥹 i will be missing killer, but i will stick around for mafia cora too!! Cora grew onto me a while back but theres like no content for him shhddhhd I LOVE HIM FOR THE ANGST THO (and also band killer after mafia cora?? CANT WAIT)

anyways sleep with both pillows cold and ur blankets warm, i’ll give u all the kisses in the world for ur wonderful writing

-long rant anon

VKSKFSORKFK ITS OKAY ILL CRY RIGHT THERE WITH YOU FRFR 😭😭

i almost put hold the phone but I was like nah fam gotta make it historically accurate n shii 💀💀 jkjk I just thought it was funnier

I rewrote the confession eight times and I was still unsure about it so I'm glad you liked it 😭😭🥰🥰 i just overthink frfr. you're just like me fr long rant anon. I get too giddy n I gotta switch the apps to calm down 💀

SIBLINGS NEVER GIVE YOU ANY PRIVACY AND THEY ALWAYS BE INTERRUPTING AT THE WORST TIMES so ofc i had to make eustass do that multiple times cause he's a shithead (love you tho kid I swear)

EHEEHHEHE the kiss after the cure is actually one of the first scenes I came up with actually. circumstances around it and some other things changed but cure then hot kiss was always the plan eheheh i can be predictable sometimes 🤷 I'm a sucker for clichés frfr

it means a lot that y'all enjoyed it so much. I went into this thinking that not many people were gonna be into it but I just HAD to get it out. there wasn't a lot of killer content in general but he seems to be having a boom lately and I am HERE for it 😤😤 but I'm glad I ended up doing this bc seeing y'all's kind words really motivate me forreal 🥰

YOURE SO FUCKIN SWEET AND I HOPE YOU ALWAYS HAVE GOOD TIMES FRFR

(might just do a killer au in between all the other ones. I got plenty of em 💀)

[atinylittlepain]

For the ask game: S, T and U 🩷

love youuuuu, darling, thank you for asking <3

S: Any fandom tropes you can’t resist?

answered here :)

T: Any fandom tropes you can’t stand?

ok, so the first thing that comes to mind is more of a pet peeve which is when people write joel calling his significant other "babygirl" just bc, nah, that's what he calls his daughters, that ain't right

as far as tropes, honestly i usually don't love dbf fics, which i know is ironic because i literally wrote a three part dbf fic lmao, but for reading, not usually my thang

U: Share three of your favorite fic writers and why you like them so much.

ahhhh this is fucking hard bc there are so many amazing writers on here!

obvi, you - i'm so excited for your true blue series and also your din djarin tolerate it fic rocked my world :)

gotta shout out @pedgeitopascal i think she just has such an intimate style of writing, and really wonderful ideas <3

i fucking adore @tightjeansjavi's work too, super emotionally charged and so fun to read!!

those are my three off the top of my head, but frfr there are so many more folks i could talk about until i'm blue in the face, and y'all know who you are :)

this is a delight, ask me a question

[lqfiles]

dude you wanted me to die after reading all of that huh?

I GET IT! I DID 😭😭😭

my heart… my brain… they’re both squealing and crying at the same time because what the hell 😭 the cutenessss and the confession and jeno and mark just listening in and i can just imagine them sipping their drinks and giggling to themselves like they’re watching a kdrama

AHHH it’s so perfect and just the perfect amount of small awkwardness and just the confidence? to be y/n frfr LIKE do i want to be jisung or be with jisung is the real question

but writer to writer… you’re so good 😭 you’re such an amazing writer ily and you got me giggling and you got me sobbing out of happiness because the writing just… has my heart in a chokehold 😩

imma still be here once the series ends WHICH IS A CRIME BTW THAT ITS GONNA END 😭😭😭 they’re gonna have my heart forever and ever i love em and you already know imma re-read

- 🫧

DONT DIE !!!! but i’m glad you liked this chapter yayyy 😭😭😭

jeno and mark were smiling the whole time trust me, probably holding back their smiles and cringing as they watched them kiss lolll THIS IS KDRAMA EXACTLY!! and you’re asking the exact right questions, idk who is rather be in that situation..

:((( you’re really too generous and nice plsss it really means a lot to me that you think so highly of my writing because i always try to make sure it isn’t too simple but also not too novel-ish (?) so this message really made me smile anon :(( ily <333

THATS NICE TO HEAR idk how many of the anons are staying either but i like that you’re staying <333 ILY AND HOPE YOURE DOG IS A BIT BETTER BTW

[comas-are-for-sleeping]

anyway YOU KNOW WHAT THIS EPISODE REMINDED ME OF?? like i will let the magnus people analyze what they do (the obsession theory is SO GOOD winter tell. tell me more) but the tone of it & the last part of- what's his name, augustus?-'s statement sounded So like that one sandman episode, the darkest one in the whole series, i had to pause and be like do i want to clean out my ears

the sandman one like the one where he hides under his blanket and then the monster bruh goes “lmao that wasn’t helping you at all!!”

i actually so love the continued theme of just when the recipient of The Fear thinks it’s done and then BAM it comes right on back. like a fuckin relay race they can never quite catch their breath GJFTIRORFSSKDOD its so good

if one of the overarching themes of protocol is in fact obsession i will lose my shit frfr bc idk if youve noticed but that has been my FOCUS for a little while now. anything i can get my hands on with obsession i immediately devour. so the timing of this?? would be absolutely batshit wild.

i made this post abt it idk if u saw it but like. just the continuous connection between obsession and fear and morbid fascination. and can you be truly afraid if you're not at least a little bit obsessive about whatever it is you're afraid of. OMGDFG realization. the line in the new one "the lines of player and instrument were becoming blurred" or something like that tbh?? i feel like that might apply w the whole avatar/victim deal more-so than it did in tma. in part because of the obsession aspects? in the first episode, the spelunker searched too far and paid for it. in the second one, obsession with appearance/perfection led to just the absolute insanity that it was. the way she described making alterations to herself really reminded me of the feelings i feel when im staring rlly close at my own skin and like. erm. well like picking at it. AND THE TURPENTINE LINE. omfg its so good. and then third episode, he becomes obsessed with what he was becoming and probably other things that i cant articulate at this moment or maybe ever. and then THIS ONE he was obsessed with becoming more powerful/recognized/etc. and in all of these cases they *need* their goal so much that they lose track of reality a little. and think it's all completely normal. painter woman seemed entirely unfazed describing her definitely extremely horrifying experience, plant man literally went "yeah lemme write a paper and oh my wife is here" even though in that same notebook he knows she's dead and he doesn't question her presence??? and then musician bruh over here like "mm yeah so what i had to kill people to play some sweet tunes they sure did sound good, didn't they". all of them are just so nonchalant about Mind Bending shit

[sungbeam]

Hi! One of the previous anons again! (Maybe I should be 🌷 anon? 🧐)

I’m going to avoid giving too much spoilers for OTR but it’s once again one of the best fics on here 😭

The pacing was perfect and I didn’t notice this during the teaser but the inclusion of Hyunjae and hj!yn in the bg was such a cute detail and I absolutely ADORE how alive this whole series feels because of small inclusions like that and the interweaving of the stories even if they’re just small mentions just adds so SO much life into each story!

I know that series are supposed to be like that but most people typically don’t have callbacks to their previous characters or chapters/stories especially if it’s a multi member series which is totally fine but you just went the extra mile for this series which I really appreciate!

I’m so obsessed with your writing and I hope you get all the attention for both parts of OTR (will forever hate tumblr for what they put you through smh) so everyone please make sure to not only like both parts but also reblog both parts as well! 🥹

Can’t wait for the next parts of the series and hopefully tumblr doesn’t deter you from writing more or having a bigger word count if you need to because there’s nothing worse than having your creativity stuck down by a giant corporate entity 😭

Sending much love and thank you fir the amazing read it really made my week! Hell, my whole month LMAO 💕💕

ah hello again !! u could for sure be 🌷 anon if you'd like 😌🥂 i love tulips hehe

BAJDHAKSK u flatter me so omg :') thank u so much for reading otr !!! i am so happy u caught the hj and hj!yn interaction in the background 😁 i honestly can't wait to write about their dynamic some more because i have ✨ideas✨ and i thought the little bg details would be a fun inclusion ^_^ i hope u got all of the other easter eggs i left in the fic !! i'm glad u like all of the nods to the other fics in the series 🤧 tbh i love giving references to other fics in the universe cuz for me as a reader, i love watching/reading a series and being able to yell abt references to my faves haha

AHHH THANK YOU (´Д⊂ヽ ur message is inspiration enough for me to keep going like the butterflies in my stomach as i read this ask :') literally busted an uwu in public o_o 💖💖💖 frfr tumblr really gatekeeping the love in unity series atp 🤕 GIANT CORPORATE ENTITY BAHAHHAHA I LAUGHED AHA TT

anyways i hope u enjoy the rest of the series as it comes out as well !! i probably won't start on hyunjae's right away but yeah :') i appreciate u 🌷 anonie!! kisses 😚

[hongcherry]

noo that wan't stupid at all! i'm extremely honored and grateful you took the time to write this all (twice lmao)!!! i'm so soft and super giddy???? also, you don't have to reply to my replies hehe, so no need to apologize! ngl i didn't even know there was a tags limit so nice to know... LOL.

i hope work has been better for you! im so happy you consider this your fave cheol series 😭 tysm

i shall begin my reply 😈 *cracks knuckles*

MC is WHIPPED. SO WHIPPED. cheol brainrot frfr

u saying the way cheol acts at dinner is canon has me SCREAMING in excitement. like yessss the million of minutes watching cheol content has paid off!!!! i mean... my research has paid off.

i want cheol to look at me that way TOO. plz cheol i can treat u right. gimme chance 😔

YAS WE 👏 LOVE 👏 SUGAR 👏 DADDY 👏 CHEOL 👏 IN THIS HOUSE!!!!!! i agree. he's mega attractive. ironically, "sugar daddy cheol" fics made me bias him harder 😅 and at one point i was v obsessed w those types of fics 🥲 that is such a mood. food is so expensive

protective!cheol is also v attractive. i need a rich caring man like cheol *big sigh*

(that means a lot ty 🥺)

it allows u to be more delulu, which i approve 😈 ty for mentioning the character development 🥹 that was a big goal of mine in this fic! i feel i haven't really practiced writing it, so it was challenging to show character development without it seeming too sudden/unexcepted/out of character.

(it's such a gut-wrenching phrase. instant knee dropper *coughs*)

lol i love the repetitive vocab! i have no problem with it hehe. u bringing up cheol's impact has made me so happy! i'm glad you see it 🥺

CHEOL NEEDS TO BE TAKEN DOWN A PEG SOMETIMES. he'll gett too cocky otherwise.

i feel if cheol called cherry obedient she'd flip 🤣 the chin motion gets me everytime ngl 😭 it's so easy to make me weak LMAO.

i'm glad you like the mc! i've never written a character like her, so it's good to know she's likable! (*walks to podium* thank you, thank you. first, i'd like to dedicate this award to being delulu for choi seungcheol.)

you're so sweet D: tbh there are a lot of times when i second-guess my writing, so it's really reassuring to know some people enjoy my writing style. there are so many different authors with various styles, so it really warms my heart to know i'm one you enjoy! i didn't mind any of your screaming! it truly made me so happy, and i've reread this multiple times lol.

CHEOL LOVES YOU 💝

pretty please (stay with me) || c.sc | 3

“After being assigned a fashion show for your big senior project, you set off to find volunteers to make it successful. However, when you meet Choi Seungcheol and his unfriendly clique through your volunteers, you realize they’re an unwanted package deal you can’t escape from. Can you handle Seungcheol’s obnoxious friends, and can he handle your brash behavior?”

🍒 Pairing: businessMajor!Seungcheol x fashionMajor!Reader (afab)

🍒 Rating/Genres/AUs: M(18+); Slice of life (!!!), slow burn, drama, fluff, angst; Unrequited enemies to lovers, strangers to lovers, college au

🍒 Warnings: General tws + mention of death, mention of divorce, sugar daddy seungcheol (we love to see it)

🍒 WC: 12.6k

🍒 Betas: Sarah, Indi, Kelly, Freya 💖

🍒 Author’s Note: Already halfway through the series! Thank you for all the support I've gotten so far! (no I won't stop saying thanks bc I'm grateful for you all!). I'm really relieved people like it since I enjoyed writing it a lot ♥️

also read here: AO3 | Wattpad

seventeen masterlist | main masterlist

previous chapter \\ pretty please masterpost // next chapter

You sit on the edge of your bed, legs bouncing with anticipation.

He will be here any minute, and like before, you’re suddenly self-conscious of your outfit. You didn’t change it as many times as you did last time, but you still thought hard about it. You end up donning a black faux fur tube top, high-waisted black pants, and black heels. 

Your red pumps are an option, but you think they’re too much—a little too dressed up for a simple dinner… But then again you are wearing a top that resembles a fuzzy rug, so the outfit is already borderline “too much.”

And Seungcheol likes red.

Your eyes dart to the discarded shoes in the corner. Does it matter that he likes red—on you, to be more specific? If you wear those, will he think you wore them for him? Do you want to wear them for him?

As the questions tumble into your mind, you barely register your door opening.

“Honey?” your father asks gently.

Your head pops up to see him entering your room. “Yeah?”

“How late are you going to stay out?” he wonders.

You give him a quizzical look. He rarely questions you on your outings, let alone the duration.

“I’m not sure. I can bring home some food for you and Seoah,” you offer, thinking he needs you to bring back dinner since you will be gone.

“No need. I’m going to take her out once you go,” he replies.

You’re never good at hiding your reactions. Your eyes widen slightly before narrowing. This is odd coming from your dad.

“What’s the special occasion?” you wonder. You can’t recall the last time he took you both for food or just out in general.

“There’s none,” he says. You stare at him in silence as you take in his appearance. His usual eye bags are still present, but he looks more freshened up than you’ve seen in a while. It also looks like he put some effort into his outfit.

“Are you dying?” you ask, thinking he is trying to leave a positive impression before he leaves this earth.

Your dad’s eyes enlarge. “No, no, I’m healthy. I just,” he sighs. “Seeing your mother again made me realize I haven’t been very attentive to you and your sister.”

“This isn’t the first time she’s come back though,” you reply, confused as to why this time is different.

“I know. I can’t really explain it right now,” he says. “Are you going out with Dae?”

“Yeah—” a buzz from your phone “—she’s here.”

You stand up from your bed. “We can talk later, if you have time.”

“I’ll find some time,” he says. You aren’t sure if that is really going to happen, but you don’t want to ponder on that now. “Come back safe.”

“Thanks,” you murmur. Talking to a caring dad has your mind-boggling. You want to feel like your father is actually going to be in your life, but he’s been out of it for years, so it’s hard to imagine that changing.

Your father nods and makes his way out of your room. 

A knock at your door startles you from your daze. Before you can overthink the decision, you hastily kick off your heels and replace them with the red pumps. You apply a layer of matching lipstick, then toss the stick in your purse while you jog to the front door. Though what you see isn’t ideal.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Ln,” Seungcheol greets respectfully.

“You as well, Seungcheol,” replies your father. You can’t see his face from where you are, but he sounds friendly. Not that he shouldn’t be. He has no reason to be hostile. You just aren’t sure if he’ll try to play the tough dad or not.

Plus, a part of you worries Seungcheol will be able to see past the “perfect family” facade and see all your imperfections.

You gently push your way in front of your dad, turning to face him with your back to Seungcheol.

“I’ll see you later,” you tell him and nudge him inside so you can close the door better.

“Now, just wait a minute, Yn,” he says and looks over your shoulder to Seungcheol. Your body tenses. He is not about to give the whole get-her-home-by—

“—by eleven o’clock. I trust you’ll keep her safe.”

Seungcheol doesn’t appear to be bothered by your father’s little protective speech. Instead, he gives him a reassuring smile. One that a gentleman would wear and one you aren’t used to seeing from him. Normally you get teasing grins.

“Her safety is my top priority,” Seungcheol says earnestly.

Oh God, now you’re stuck between a rom-com conversation.

“Great. Now that you’re both done going through your lines, can we go?”

“Lines?” your dad questions. You aren’t about to waste any more time explaining your lame reference to common daughter-father-date discussions. Not that Seungcheol is your date.

“Is that Seungcheol?!” Seoah’s voice rings behind your dad. Not her, too.

“Yup, it’s slang, bye Dad!” you quickly say, and instead of shoving him back inside as you planned, you turn and shove Seungcheol down the stairs.

“Hey, wait!” Seoah calls out and zips past you to Seungcheol. Seungcheol stands at the bottom of the steps, eyeing you with confusion at your strange behavior. He looks at Seoah when she stands at the top of the stairs.

“Hey, Seoah,” he waves at her. 

What did she do to deserve one of his dimple-inducing smiles?

“It’s good to see you back,” she beams, a grin on her face.

“You too,” he chuckles.

“Back?” your father asks.

Your attention zooms in on Seoah, and you hope the silent glare you give her is recognized by her. Her mouth drops open at the realization.

“I mean, it’s good to see your back! It’s nice,” she corrects quickly, gesturing around his body. “It’s, erm, wide and cool.”

“His back is wide and cool?” echoes your father slowly in puzzlement.

That’s enough.

Seungcheol laughs, his obnoxious little deep “ha’s” ringing in your ears. You quickly grab his arm and start to drag him away. 

“Have fun at dinner,” you say to your family while you briskly walk away.

Despite Seungcheol being strong enough to pull himself out of your grasp, he lets you lead him to his car.

“Do you think my back is wide and cool too?” he teases.

You whip around to look at him, pausing in your trek. You’re standing a little too close than you intended. “No, I think it’s mediocre and dull.”

He laughs again at your response. You flicker your eyes to the sky as you take a deep breath.

“Not another word,” you warn before guiding him to his car.

Your hand is on the passenger’s side handle, ready to pull it open, but Seungcheol stops you. He gently pushes your hand off before placing his own on the handle.

“I’m perfectly capable of opening your car door myself,” you grumble, arms crossing over your chest.

The corner of one of his lips raises. His eyes drop to your lips briefly.

“I know, Cherry,” he says, then averts his gaze back to your eyes, “but I’m chivalrous, remember?”

He pulls the door open and nods to get in. You narrow your gaze at that, wanting to challenge him on if he truly is.

“Can you guys stop flirting and get inside? I’m hungry,” Dae’s voice pulls you from your staring contest. You forgot she will be in the car already.

“You heard the lady,” Seungcheol murmurs to you.

“You’re going to get this heel stuck so far up your ass, Choi Seungcheol.”

He chuckles and leans in closer, voice dropping so only you can hear, “Sounds kinky, baby.”

You push down the fluttering of your heart at the pet name because you refuse to let him get away with that cocky reply.

“If you both don’t get in now, I’m leaving you guys and taking the car,” Dae threatens.

You glare at Seungcheol for a second longer before lowering yourself in the seat.

“Finally,” Dae mumbles when Seungcheol climbs in.

“Sorry, there was an… incident that delayed us,” you say and set your purse in your lap. Dae leans forward, placing a hand on your arm to turn you toward her.

“You don’t look sick,” she observes to herself. You scoff and brush her hand off you.

“Because I’m not,” you say.

Seungcheol starts driving as you speak with Dae.

“Are you sure?” she wonders.

“Why would you think I’m sick?”

“Because you apologized.”

You peer back at her, unamused. Dae just smiles.

“She also says please now,” Seungcheol chimes in. You groan at his addition and press your back into the seat. Your feet almost kick like a kid throwing a tantrum, but you hold back that urge.

“Well, now, she’s always done that…sort of. Have you been saying please more? I’m shocked. What about your ‘thank yous’? You haven’t forgotten those right?” Dae asks as if speaking to a child.

You sigh loudly, making it as audible as you can so they know how annoyed you are. Apparently, all Seungcheol’s outings result in your misery one way or another. “I’m not agreeing to any more of your invitations, Seungcheol.”

“I doubt that. You like my company too much to refuse,” he replies. He doesn’t appear to be bothered one bit by your statement.

“Does she now?” Dae wonders aloud. You don’t like where her mind is wandering to.

“Hush it, you two. The only tolerable one here is Yejun,” you huff, having seen him for a second when you glanced at Dae. He was on his phone then, but now he’s sitting back enjoying the bantering between you all.

“I’m honored to hear that, Yn,” he teases.

Even though the car ride consists of Seungcheol and Dae teasing you and Yejun, you’re grateful to get your mind off the troubles you’ve been having lately.

When you arrive, you quickly open the door and step out before Seungcheol can open it for you.

“I beat you this time,” you gloat as Seungcheol comes to stand by you, locking his car once the others are out.

There’s a small bounce to your step when you exit that causes Seungcheol to give you a warm smile, eyes staring at you with tenderness. 

��That you did, Cherry.”

Your elevated shoulders deflate while a pout takes over your features. His reply is too casual. You had expected something more witty.

“While you two do a round two of flirting, Yejun and I are going to go inside,” Dae says before wrapping her arm in Yejun’s and leaving you both by the car.

She walks away too fast for you to reply, so you turn to Seungcheol. He wears a red turtleneck, black pants, and a black leather jacket slung over his arm. The shirt hugs his body nicely; it outlines his muscular chest ever so slightly and makes you yearn to see more. His hair is styled a little to still look natural but gives it a different appearance. He’s really handsome tonight. Red seems to be his color as well.

“You’re not going to wear that?” you wonder while pointing to his jacket.

He shakes his head. “It’s too hot right now.”

“Then why did you bring it?” you ask, eyebrows coming together.

Shrugging, he takes your hand in his. Your first instinct is to pull away—startled at his sudden touch. You’ve never held his hand before. The act seems a little too intimate… Makes you feel a little too warm.

Nevertheless, you keep your hand in his. The feeling is rather nice if you’re being honest with yourself. His grip is firm to make the grasp feel secure but not too tight to be suffocating. It’s as if he’s just naturally used to having a strong grip on things.

“We don’t want to keep them waiting,” he says before making his way to the restaurant. You stay silent as you walk next to him.

“I’m glad you listened to me,” he comments when you are near the entrance.

“Huh?” you ask, glancing up at him.

He gives you another smile and reaches past you to hold the door open.

“Red still looks good on you. Even if there’s only a little of it.”

So he did notice.

You tear your gaze from him at his compliment, heart beating quicker. You can’t keep it steady even if you try. You feel a little proud you decided to go with the shoes after all. 

You mumble a ‘thanks’ before walking inside. He follows behind you, greeting the host. The host gestures to where your friends are all seated before wishing you a good dinner. It almost looks like they are a group of people celebrating something, but you know they aren’t. There are just a lot of you. And of course, the two empty seats happen to be next to each other at the end.

“Hi, Yn! Hey Cheol,” Joshua greets. When everyone notices you, there is a chorus of hellos. The large welcome has you smiling, not used to the friendly attention. 

All the people who are helping you with your project are here, plus a few others. They make you promise not to talk about the show before sitting down, claiming you need a break from it. You want to protest as you can talk about whatever you want, but they have a point. You probably do need a mental breather. Thus, you agree to their conditions.

You sit between Seungcheol and Wonwoo, who you just met. He’s a film production student and like Vernon, keeps mostly to himself. Despite that, he isn't shy to engage wholeheartedly in the conversation if he is passionate about the topic. You also meet Jun and Seungkwan for the first time—Seungkwan being the more outgoing of the two.

Seungcheol’s friends are a lively bunch, and although his business friends can get rowdy as well, their energy just doesn't match this group. It’s more relaxing, carefree, and so easy to slip into. However, a part of that can be because you don’t feel like you’re on defense the entire time.

For the first time in years, you are surrounded by people you thoroughly enjoy—without the stress of being the best, viewed as being the enemy, and the pressure of keeping your family together with tattered strings. It’s all so… alleviating. Comforting.

Seungcheol keeps his arm hung over the back of your chair as you attentively listen to his friends. Sometimes you would feel his hand on your back and would turn to see if he needed something. He always shook his head and nodded back to who was speaking—sometimes it was multiple, and you just picked the closest conversation you could hear.

You’re so used to hearing Seungcheol’s voice that you don’t realize how quiet he can get. At first, you’re concerned, but you realize he’s enjoying sitting back and watching his friends have fun. You don’t know how long he’s known these people, but from the fond look in his eyes, you know the duration doesn’t matter. They mean a lot to him.

You wonder if he’ll ever look at you like that in the future. Like you are someone he cherishes and adores. Suddenly, you want to try everything in your power to achieve that.

Once the food arrives, you figure the noise will quiet down. That isn’t the case. The table is still chatty even though it should be filled with munching. You suppose this is the pros of being with a large group.

Seungcheol had moved this arm so he could eat, but he put it back when he was done. When his fingers graze your back for the nth time, you finally peer behind you to see his hand. You giggle as you realize he’s been playing with the fuzz of your top the entire time.

“Sorry,” he sheepishly apologizes and retracts his arm from your chair. You grab his wrist, guiding it back to where it was.

“It’s fine. It’s nice,” you murmur.

“And cool?” he taunts, referring to Seoah’s attempt to hide the fact that Seungcheol had been to your house before.

You scowl at him half-heartedly before turning away. In spite of the loud environment, your ears still catch his low chuckle behind you.

Not once this night did Seungcheol put on his jacket. He never came close to needing it. Nevertheless, he didn’t hesitate to drape the material over your shoulders when he saw you shiver for the third time. There’s a tiny part of you that wonders if he brought it just for you. Though that’s a reach as he wouldn’t have known what you were wearing. You could have brought your own.

Despite feeling warmer, you miss his hand touching your back. Sometimes it would tickle your bare skin whenever you moved a certain way; it had shivers running down your spine. It could’ve been because of his cold hands, but you knew it was more because of his skin touching yours. You’re tempted to remove his jacket just so you can feel his touch again.

“Hey Yn,” comes a voice behind you suddenly. You glance up to see Jeonghan. He leans on the back of Seungcheol’s chair to look at you.

“Hi,” you greet. He’s sitting on the other side of the table, so you wonder what brings him over.

Jeonghan glances down at Seungcheol, one hand on his shoulder. “Seungcheol.”

“Jeonghan,” answers Seungcheol suspiciously.

“So, I heard you’re paying for some people’s dinner,” Jeonghan trails off.

Seungcheol leans forward to move away from the man.

“Emphasis on some,” he replies.

“One more won’t hurt, right?” Jeonghan asks with an innocent smile on his face; however, you know that grin is more devious than it appears. It means trouble.

“Hm, you’re right,” Seungcheol answers, then glances past you. “I’m sure Wonwoo would love a free meal.”

Jeonghan whines at his reply. “Not him! Me! Pay for mine, buddy?”

“No,” Seungcheol says with a small laugh.

“Seungcheol’s paying?” Soonyoung’s voice rings out from across the table. Their conversation, albeit not loud, catches his attention. Or perhaps Soonyoung just has a keen ear for the words “pay,” “Seungcheol,” and “free”.

“No!” Seungcheol says, louder than before.

“Seungcheol’s paying?” More voices resound this time, all heads turning toward Seungcheol.

“No, I’m not,” the man in the center of attention declines. He sends a glare to Jeonghan.

“Isn’t he so generous?” Jeonghan says, disregarding Seungcheol’s answer, and goes to wrap his arms around Seungcheol. The latter man has no choice but to accept the hug as he is trapped due to the table.

Whoops, hollers, and thanks reverberate from the group.

Your eyes scan the table. It’s covered in plates. Sure, a few meals aren’t too bad, but paying for a table of sixteen is absurd. Perhaps they’re all joking with him. Though, when they all begin to file out of the building without opening their wallets, you know they’re serious.

Seungcheol stays seated as they leave, informing you both they’ll wait outside. 

You stare at Seungcheol in shock. You figure he’d be infuriated, but he looks relaxed still. Almost as if this isn’t the first time it’s happened.

You grab your wallet from your purse, plucking out your card and holding it out to him.

“I can help pay,” you say. Seungcheol glances at your offering. He smiles at you and pushes your hand back.

“I appreciate that, but don’t worry about it, Cherry.” He sounds amused as if you just offered him a popsicle rather than money.

“But this is way too much for you to pay alone,” you argue.

Seungcheol doesn’t let you see the bill and pays for the meal swiftly. However, you don’t need to see the total to know it’s a lot of money.

“Seungcheol,” you scold when he doesn’t listen to you.

He chuckles and slides his card back into his wallet. “Put that away, and let’s go, baby.”

He gestures to your card still in your hand before standing up and adjusting his clothes. It takes you a few seconds to move, still dumbfounded by him actually paying for it all and affording it, and him calling you baby. Despite him only calling you that three times, it still has the same effect it always has.

Not that you are counting.

He takes your hand in his again as he walks out, thanking the host once more.

“There’s the man!” Seokmin greets him with open arms when he sees Seungcheol.

Seungcheol shakes his head in disapproval, but he has a smile on his face. “You all owe me now.”

“You say that every time,” Seungkwan calls out.

“Exactly. You all have a tab open,” he says.

“We were thinking of getting some ice cream, you guys want to come?” Chan asks.

Seungcheol glances at you before saying, “I’ve got to get her home, sorry.”

“What?” you ask. “No, you don’t.”

“It’s almost eleven,” he answers. You sigh and shift your weight.

“You don’t actually have to get me home by then,” you say, remembering your father’s words.

“Yes I do,” he argues. He looks at Dae and Yejun before you can reply. “Do you both want a ride back?”

“Nah,” Dae says. “We’re going to get another one.”

“Alright. See you all later,” Seungcheol raises a hand in farewell.

“Thanks for paying!” Mingyu exclaims, a bright smile directed toward Seungcheol.

“It was nice to meet you, Yn,” Wonwoo says.

“Get back safely,” Jun adds.

“Thanks,” you answer and then peer at Seungcheol. He’s giving his last byes. Dae catches your gaze, giving you a big grin and a few eyebrow wiggles. You roll your eyes at that and send her a small wave as Seungcheol starts to lead you to his car.

When your friends start driving past, waving and shouting goodbyes while they leave the parking lot, you slow to a stop.

“Why don’t we go with them?” you ask.

Seungcheol raises a brow. “You want to go?”

“I don’t see why not,” you shrug. Truthfully, you don’t want the night to end.

“You like hanging out with them that much?” he teases.

“They’re not that bad,” you mutter, “and ice cream sounds nice.”

He lets out a breath as if in realization. He slides his hand from yours, which you are about to protest, and then drapes it around your shoulders.

“I’ll get you ice cream on the way back, okay?” he replies and continues to his car.

Seungcheol keeps his promise, stopping by a place to get you both a double-scoop cone for the drive. Compared to the last time you were in his car, this ride is a lot more relaxing. It’s quieter since Dae and Yejun are absent, but the music on the stereo fills the small space.

At a stop light, Seungcheol fishes his phone from his pocket.

“Come ‘ere,” he says, lifting the phone up at an angle.

You peep up while licking your ice cream. “Hm?”

“Smile,” he instructs and puts his cone in the frame.

Your gaze drifts to his phone, a puzzled look on your face just in time for him to capture a photo. You’re a second too late to understand what he’s doing.

Seungcheol laughs at your unreadiness.

“Hey! That’s not fair,” you whine and nudge him.

“That’s not my fault. I told you to smile,” he says. He sets the device in the cup holder when the light changes.

“But you didn’t give me enough time to do that,” you grumble.

Not wanting him to have the upper hand, you retrieve your own phone. You lift the device, both your faces on the screen but only you are looking at the camera. Seungcheol is focused on the road, so you quickly take a photo.

“Did you—? Okay, that’s not fair. At least I told you to smile,” he laughs when he hears a click, taking a quick peek at you.

“We’re even now,” you smile as you click on the picture in your gallery. Seungcheol’s side profile can be seen in the background. His tongue is poking out to take a lick of his ice cream. That part was unintentionally taken, but you find the candid photo endearing.

“For now,” he replies, lips in a wide grin.

Your hands are sticky after you’re done with your treat, so you dig out the hand sanitizer in your purse. Seungcheol gives you his palm upon seeing the item. You laugh softly and place some in his hand as well.

Everything feels so normal. It doesn’t help that he places a hand on your thigh so naturally that you can’t find an excuse to move it. At some point in the drive, you start playing with his hand, running your fingertips across his skin and toying with the ring he wears. You don’t even realize you are doing it until he slowly pulls away to put the car in park.

“Did you have fun?” he asks quietly.

For once, you don’t shy from the truth with a sarcastic answer. “I did. Thank you for inviting me.”

“Again, it wasn’t just me. They wanted you there,” he reassures with a kind smile.

That’s weird for you to hear, and you aren’t sure how to respond. You still can’t wrap your mind around the fact multiple people wanted to be in your presence. You mean, it wasn’t just yours, but normally people give you side-eyes when you’re near. Or perhaps you just feel like they do.

“I’m glad you came,” he says before turning off his car. “Now, wait while I open your door.”

You watch as he walks around the car and comes to your side. You want to disobey him, just to rile him up, but you decide to let him have this win. In all his chivalrous glory, he holds out his hand when he opens the door.

“Thank you,” you giggle as you take it and climb out of his car. He keeps his hand in yours leading you to your house.

“You don’t always have to walk me to the door,” you say.

“I can’t see the door from where I park,” he replies.

“You don’t need to?” you answer, but it comes out more as a question due to your puzzlement.

He chuckles and squeezes your hand. “Of course I do. I won’t know if you made it inside safely.”

“That’s kind of you, but—”

He turns around to face you, stopping you in your tracks

“I meant what I said earlier. Your safety is important to me,” he says, eyes locking onto yours so you can see his seriousness. Heat rises to your cheeks. You try to bite back the smile though it’s no use.

Seungcheol stares at you with gentle eyes.

“I like seeing you hap—” he starts.

A loud noise startles both of you, forcing you to move away from one another. You expect to see Seoah or your dad watching from the windows, but you don’t see any faces hiding behind the blinds.

What was that?

Another loud crash.

You don’t like the doom that creeps into your mind. Worried about your family, you rush to the door—only to find it slightly ajar. That doesn’t seem good.

“Seoah? Dad?!” you call out as you push open the door.

“Yn, stop!” Seungcheol urges and runs after you. He grabs you before you can get farther in. He moves you quickly so you are behind him.

“Get out of my way, Seung—”

“Who’s that?!”

You peer around Seungcheol to see your mother, a random knickknack you have around the house in her hand. Your eyes shoot down to the floor to see shattered glass.

“Are you out of your mind?” your father shouts and snatches the item from her hand before she can presumably throw it.

You shove Seungcheol out of the way. Well, you try to shove him. He stands firm in his stance. You try again, and although he still doesn’t move away, he leans slightly over so you can see better.

“What are you doing back?” you question your mother. She turns to you, eyes puffy and lips curled in a snarl. She looks like she hasn’t slept for a few days.

“Yn, dear. Hi sweetie,” she greets, voice softer than before.

Seungcheol watches her with hawk eyes, but when you push him for the third time, he relents. Though he still keeps close.

“Dad?” you ask, hoping to get an explanation.

“She came wanting her stuff back. I told her we had to sell some of it to afford things, and she wasn’t happy about it.”

“Am I supposed to be glad?” your mother growls as she turns back to your father. “You had no right to do that without my permission!”

“You weren’t here,” you say. Her gaze on you is one of surprise as if you’re supposed to be on her side.

“I was coming back,” she says, shoulders sagging.

“And then leave after a few days. This isn’t your home anymore.”

“You’re my home, baby girl,” she replies and starts to come closer. Seungcheol takes a step forward.

You put a hand on his arm to stop him, telling him quietly, “This isn’t your problem.”

This doesn’t make him move, and you sigh. This is exactly what you wanted to hide from Seungcheol. To hide from the world.

“Who is this? You’re letting our daughter see this disrespectful man?” your mother questions your father. 

“He’s a nice young man,” your dad defends. There’s an annoyed spark in you that wants to ask how he could know that. He met him for five minutes or less, and suddenly he knows Seungcheol? However, you don’t want to ignite another argument.

“Yn, take Seoah with you and go book a hotel room. You can take my wallet,” your father instructs.

At Seoah’s name, you realize she’s been home while all this has been happening. You’re used to her being somewhere else when fights like these occur. 

Without another word, you nod and start toward her room. You don’t get far before you remember Seungcheol. You stop to peer at him. 

You’ve never seen him so mad yet worried.

“Thanks for the meal. I’ll talk to you later,” you dismiss, hoping he will turn around and leave so you can focus on Seoah. You should’ve known he wouldn’t do that.

“Yn,” he says.

“Boy, get out of this house right now,” your mother declares.

“You’re the one that needs to leave,” your father exclaims.

Sighing, you grab Seungcheol’s hand and pull him down the hall. You knock on Seoah’s door. Your parents fighting can still be heard.

“It’s me,” you say. The door creaks open.

“What do y—Oh, Seungcheol!” Her eyes widen when she sees him.

You move in front of him more so she’s focused on you. “Eyes on me. Pack a bag. We’re going to a hotel.”

“Again?” she sighs. “I don’t want to. I can just put my headphones in.”

“It doesn’t matter. Pack. We’re leaving in fifteen.”

“I said I don’t want to!” she huffs.

“I don’t ca—” you hiss, only stopping when Seungcheol places a hand on your hip.

“You can stay at mine.”

Seoah’s eyes light up at this.

“Really?!”

“Absolutely not.”

You and your sister say in unison.

“Why not?” Seoah whines.

“We don’t need his help.”

Seoah stares at Seungcheol for a moment and then at you. Finally, she nods solemnly. “Alright, I'll be ready soon.”

“Good,” you reply, then walk to your room. Seungcheol follows you.

“You shouldn’t have said that in front of her,” you scold as you grab a bag, not bothering to look at him. He quietly closes your door to block out the noise outside, though you don’t hear it shut fully.

“Maybe not, but I meant what I said,” he replies.

“And I meant what I said,” you pause while putting a shirt in the bag, eyes glancing at him. He leans against the wall near your door; his arms are crossed. “We don’t need your help.”

You go back to tossing clothes in the bag in a rush. You kick off your heels and trade them for socks and tennis shoes. You don’t hear Seungcheol move until a hand is gently placed on yours.

“Just stop for a minute, Yn,” he says.

“I don’t have time.” You brush his hand off and go back to your closet. Seungcheol grabs your reaching hands and turns you to face him. He leans in so you can see his face easier.

“Stop,” he instructs, using that firm tone of his. It has you relenting. “It’ll be faster to just stay over. You won’t need to deal with a hotel. They may not even have an empty room.”

“You shouldn’t have to deal with us,” you reply, chest jumbling with overwhelming emotions. You were happy with him just minutes ago. Now, you feel embarrassed and frustrated.

He shakes his head. “I want you to come. You won’t be bothering me.”

“Do you have a roommate? What would they say?” you question, thinking back to how some of his friends are rooming with each other.

“I live alone. I have a spare room Seoah can sleep in. It’ll be more comfortable there.”

“What about me?”

“You can have my room.”

“I’m not going to kick you out of your own room, Cheol.”

He smiles, yet it doesn’t reach his eyes. “It’s nice to know you care about me.”

“I don’t,” you huff. “I just don’t want you to give me a hospital bill from the back pains you’d get from sleeping on the couch or floor or wherever.”

Seungcheol chuckles softly and watches as you take a deep breath. The playful moment disappears as quickly as it came.

You bow your head; wrists still clutched in his hold as you ponder his offer.

Staying at his place rather than a hotel does sound nicer, and he has a point there may not be any openings. Not to mention, it’s the cheaper option. But will this be crossing into territory that you aren’t ready for? You’ve hung out with him enough times to consider him your friend, but even then, that’s new to you. Friendship doesn’t come easy to you. Despite you clashing heads with his business peers, you feel Seungcheol has slid into your life too readily. Like it’s too good to be true, and he isn’t going to stick around permanently. Something in you doesn’t like that thought, but that’s an issue for another day.

Seungcheol places your hands on his chest before moving his own to cup your face. He gently lifts your head up to see you. Your eyes are glossy, not yet crying but can easily if one more thing goes wrong.

For the first time, your veil of confidence lifts.

“Stay with me,” he whispers.

He’s talking about going over to his place to get away from your parents. You know this. That’s what this whole discussion is about. But why does your heart tell you he means something else?

There’s a knock at your door, and you move away reluctantly. Seoah shuffles inside with a backpack on her back.

“He’s still here,” she says, surprised at Seungcheol’s appearance.

You clear your throat. “Yeah, we’re,” you pause as you do one final debate in your head, “we’re going to his place for the night.”

From your peripheral, you see Seungcheol’s lips lift in a faint smile.

Seoah’s sad face brightens at the news. You aren’t too sure why she’s so excited to go to his place, but you figure it’s similar to your reason—it isn’t a stuffy hotel room.

“You convinced her! You’re so clever!” she exclaims to Seungcheol.

“I am, huh?” he agrees to which you nudge him.

“Seoah, will you go grab my toiletries, please?” you ask.

“Hm, fine, but only because I forgot mine,” she replies and hurries to your shared bathroom.

“I’m clever, did you hear?” Seungcheol gloats while you finish packing.

“I’m pretending I didn’t,” you mumble. 

You zip the bag and toss it over your shoulder. As you expect, it doesn’t stay there for long. Seungcheol carefully slides it off your body before putting it on his a few minutes later. You had opened your mouth to protest, but he shook his head to tell you not to argue. Sighing, you nodded because frankly, you’re done having and hearing arguments for now.

You meet Seoah in the bathroom, and you all walk to the door. 

The yelling has stopped. 

Your mom is sitting with her head in her hands, and you can hear her sobs filling the room. Your dad is cleaning the mess she made from tossing things around. They are talking, but you don’t stay long enough to hear the topic. The few words you do hear make it sound like they’re talking about their marriage, which is a conversation long overdue.

Seungcheol ends up carrying all the bags to the car. While he sets them in the trunk, you and Seoah sit inside.

“Woah! This is fancy,” Seoah admires, eyes scanning the small space.

“Thanks,” Seungcheol laughs lightly as he drives away.

Seoah talks for a while before eventually falling asleep. You aren’t surprised as it’s late, and she probably doesn’t realize how much the drama took a toll on her.

“You can sleep too,” Seungcheol offers quietly. He keeps his hand to himself this time, and you wonder if it’s because of Seoah or because he wants to distance himself from you. You can’t blame him if he did. Who wants to deal with other people’s problems? He only offered for you to come over out of courtesy.

“I’m okay,” you reply, gaze cast out the window.

As if sensing your thoughts, his hand comes to rest on your thigh again. His thumb brushes against the material of your pants, offering some comfort and reassurance. You place a hand on top of his gently. He flips his over so he can curl his fingers around your hand. You both gaze at each other with a small smile before turning away, hands still clasping in each other.

Seungcheol carries Seoah and her bag once you arrive. He offers to carry your bag too, but you’re stern in your refusal. He’s helping enough. He directs you quietly to his apartment number. After retrieving the keys, you open the door.

His apartment is spacious.

The interior is polished and decorated nicely. Similar to his car, it’s enough to tell you it’s luxurious but not obnoxious to shove it in your face. And man, is he wealthy. From his car, his clothes, the dinner bill, and now his apartment? His pockets are definitely not empty. You’re sure he could rent or buy a house, so why he decided to live in an apartment is unknown. 

Seungcheol leaves to put Seoah in the guest bedroom while you lock the door. You place the keys in a bowl near the entrance. Some of his shoes are left by the door, so you take off yours before walking any farther.

“Cherry?” he calls out. A small smile forms on his lips when you respond to the name. He nods for you to come over, and you follow carefully as if you could break his flooring. You don’t think you can afford the repairs if you do.

“You act like you’re walking on glass,” he chuckles. He watches you with amusement.

“I don’t want to break anything,” you explain.

Seungcheol glances around where you are. The path you take is pretty much empty, but you still act as if you are going through a maze of porcelain vases.

“You’ll be fine. Now walk a little faster, please,” he says.

You don’t listen to him and keep your pace. Seungcheol eyes you as he leans his back against a wall. His head is tilted and his arms are crossed while he waits.

“You’re cute,” he comments when you come closer.

“Be quiet,” you hiss and take a few more steps before stopping in front of him.

“No,” he says defiantly, then guides you to another room. Although you don’t see the room he put Seoah in, you’re positive you have just stepped into his room.

You were so caught up with your family drama that you didn’t think twice about Seungcheol being in your bedroom. Now that you are in his, it dawns on you how much of your life he has seen in a short period of time.

It isn’t a big deal. At least, it shouldn’t be; however, bedrooms are personal. They often described the resident, and you and Seungcheol have seen each other's spaces in the span of an hour.

“The bathroom is over there,” he points out. “You can set your bag anywhere. I’ll be out there on the couch.”

“I should take the couch,” you say.

“Cherry, don’t argue. Not tonight. You’re sleeping here.” His words make it seem like he is tired of your complaints, but he talks so softly that it doesn’t feel like that.

“Fine,” you comply.

Seungcheol rewards you with a smile. “Goodnight then. I’ll see you in the morning,” he says and starts for the door.

“Cheol,” you murmur, reaching out when he comes by.

He stops as soon as he feels your hand grazing his arm. “Hm?”

Your eyes rise to meet his, and the look on his face has you needing to catch your breath. He is worried. Worried about your well-being. Worried about what would happen tomorrow. You don’t want him to stress over you.

“Thank you,” you speak softly, “for a lot of things.”

He chuckles and raises a hand to the nape of your neck, thumb caressing your cheek. “Care to be specific?”

“For dinner. For this. For not… leaving me.” Yet.

“I don’t think I would if I could,” he murmurs.

“You can, though?” you say, skepticism evident in your head tilt.

Seungcheol’s mouth curves into a small smile, eyes searching yours for something you don’t know. “You’ll know one day.”

That doesn’t help your puzzled state, but that doesn’t seem to affect him. Slowly, he leans in. His lips press against your forehead tenderly, lingering there long enough for you to close your eyes for a second. It’s gentle and sweet. You wish it was on your lips instead.

“Sweet dreams, Cherry.”

He leaves without another word, and you’re in such a stupor that you don’t have time to say anything before he shuts the door behind him.

Using Seungcheol’s bathroom and changing in his room is strange. Yet what’s more strange is that it doesn’t feel all that… weird? Not like you thought it would be. 

Is it another illusion you cast upon yourself? 

Seungcheol would stroll through the door, dressed in sweats and a loose shirt… or maybe not one at all. He would kiss your mouth in greeting. His broad body would press against yours, and he’d smile that smile that had you wanting to do anything to keep it there. He’d slide next to you in bed, whispering teases in your ear that would annoy you, yet you wouldn’t want him to stop.

Oh, hell. What is wrong with you?

Irritated at the mini story you conjured in your head, you kick at the jacket on the floor. However, you recall you didn’t bring a jacket tonight. Seungcheol had let you borrow his. You just kicked his jacket.

Oh no.

But it’s just a jacket. Why are you getting upset over it? You can kick it again. It isn’t going to come alive and bite you. Seungcheol will never know you fought with it, but something in you feels guilty about the action. Perhaps because it belongs to him, and you feel responsible for it since it’s under your care.

Shaking your head, you grab the item and hang it over his dresser. You’re losing it. Your marbles? All gone. Rolled off to another dimension, never to be seen again.

You move to his bed, carefully pulling back the covers to climb in. Your body sinks into the mattress, and a sigh leaves your lips at how good it feels under you. It’s comfortable, soft, and way too big for just you. You feel like royalty.

Leaning over, you switch off the night light, snuggling deeper in the covers and taking a deep breath.

Sleeping in his bed is surely a bad idea. His expensive cologne is lingering on his sheets and is a strong reminder of where you are. Nevertheless, you pull the covers closer to you as you close your eyes. You need a break from your tiring thoughts.

The morning comes sooner than you’d like.

You open your eyes expecting to see your pegboard of sewing supplies and instead see a black dresser. It has you jolting up and frantically glancing around. When you spot the black jacket on the dresser, you remember you aren’t home. You’re at Seungcheol’s.

You reach over and flip your phone to view the screen. It’s nearly ten.

You linger in bed, mindlessly scrolling through social media until Dae texts for a favor. You’ll fill her in on what happened later, for now, you’re forced to go to your gallery to send a reference of something she needs. The act has you stumbling upon the picture you took last night.

The stretch of your lips happens involuntarily as you stare at Seungcheol through your screen. Even though the night ended poorly, at least you have something to remember about the good times.

Having caught yourself staring at the photo for too long, you quickly exit the app and send Dae what she needs. That’s enough phone usage for now.

Reluctantly, you haul yourself from Seungcheol’s (beyond) comfortable mattress, fix the bed, and then go to the bathroom. After a quick change, you carefully open the door and pad out to the living room. You anticipate seeing Seungcheol sipping on something warm on the couch, but what you see instead has your heart tightening.

Seungcheol lays on his back, one arm resting across his eyes and the other across his chest. Some of his hair is trapped against his forehead due to his arm, and the rest dangles off the side. His lips are slightly ajar due to the position of his head. The blanket that was once over his body is now situated half on the floor.

You recognize his clothes from last night, and a pang of guilt hits your heart. He could’ve knocked on your—his—door and asked to get a spare of clothes, yet he left you alone. It was a selfless act, and you stare at him with newfound affection.

You shuffle in your spot, unsure of what to do. A part of you wants to be a creep and stare at Seungcheol longer—he looks too cute not to—and another wants to go back to his room until you hear some movement. Neither of these happens when you hear Seoah’s voice.

“Are you plotting his murder?” she whispers, though it’s louder than one.

You snap your eyes to her, feet moving farther from the sleeping man. You scoff, muttering, “No!”

“Then why were you staring at him like that?”

“I was not staring,” you argue. Seoah’s eyes narrow, unbelieving you.

“Were to! You weren’t even blinking.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“And you’re lying.”

You both eye each other down from across the room, sending invisible daggers each way.

“Go get dressed,” you finally say.

“Why?” she questions. “We’re going now?”

“Soon, yes.”

“But it’s so nice here. Don’t you think we should, I don’t know, cook him breakfast for letting us stay here?”

“We can give him a granola bar when we get home,” you sigh. Just once, can she listen to you?

“A granola bar? I didn’t think you hated him that much,” she gasps, overexaggerating her expression.

“You’re right. I don’t. I’ll give you the granola bar instead,” you threaten.

She giggles, and a frown sets on your lips at the sound. “You can’t. They’re all gone. I gave them to Dad.”

There’s a small puff of air somewhere in the room that doesn’t come from you or Seoah. The only other person in the room is… Your eyes go to Seungcheol. Sometime during your bickering, Seungcheol had woken up. He doesn’t have his eyes open or has even moved his body, but his lips were definitely not in a smile a few minutes ago.

“Did you hear that, Seungcheol?” Seoah asks. “Yn’s trying to kill you with granola bars.”

“Hm, I heard,” he chuckles softly, still a little sleepy. He peels his eyes open and leans his head to the side to look at you. The arm that was once over his eyes has shifted to rest on his forehead. 

“That’s not very nice of you.”

You should be irked at being ganged up on. They’re teasing you, yet your mind gets foggy from hearing Seungcheol’s deep timbre. He already has a deep voice, and you’ve heard it go deeper when he’s teased you, but this is different. 

And goodness, do you find it attractive.

“I think we won,” Seungcheol continues playfully and looks at Seoah with a smile.

“I think so too! She doesn’t have anything to say,” she giggles.

You blink a few times and then look at Seoah. “Why aren’t you getting changed?”

“This is why you don’t get invited to parties. You ruin the fun,” she huffs, smile dipping into a frown at your words.

“Parties aren’t fun in general,” you counter.

“Speak for your own parties!” she says.

“What do you even know about them?” you question. Seoah opens her mouth to answer but stops when Seungcheol speaks.

“Seoah, go get dressed, and we can get some breakfast. One that doesn’t include granola bars,” he chuckled.

“Oh?! Okay! Sounds good,” Seoah replies excitedly and turns to go back to her room.

“You listen to him and not me?” you scoff.

She stops in her tracks. “He’s nicer.”

“I’m your sister,” you answer as if that holds more weight.

“Right,” she drags out. “I revoke that privilege!”

She hurries inside the room and shuts the door.

“Privilege,” you repeat with a scoff and cross your arms over your chest.

“You should’ve been a lawyer,” Seungcheol says as he stands from the couch. You focus your attention on him, almost forgetting he’s there with how quiet he is being. His hair is sticking in different directions, and you have to force down a giggle.

“What? Why?” you question.

“Because you like to argue.”

“Hmph!” you sound and give him your back. A childish move, but Seoah isn’t here to mock you for it later.

Seungcheol laughs and comes up behind you. He places his hands on your hips, leaning his head to your ear. Your heart begins to race at how close he is. His breath tickles your ear, and you squirm at the sensation. Seungcheol holds you tighter.

“I think you would’ve been a good one,” he murmurs, voice still deep from his sleep. You want to listen to him more.

“Really?” you hum.

Seunghceol’s hair brushes against your cheek when he shakes his head.

“No,” he teases before slowly slipping his hands from you. You whip around to look at him.

“Where are you going?” you ask. Why do you sound so desperate? You don’t need to be near him. It doesn’t matter he’s leaving.

He smiles as he walks back toward his room.

“To get ready. Don’t miss me too much,” he replies, sending a playful wink and shutting his door.

Seungcheol comes back dressed in a simple black short-sleeved shirt and jeans. It’s not a combination you haven’t seen before. In fact, it’s really common, yet your eyes can’t tear away from him.

“Is it stained or something?” Seungcheol questions, glancing down at his outfit as he walks to you.

“N-no,” you reply and avert your eyes from him.

“You know you can tell me when I look nice, right? My ego will only inflate a little,” he says.

He plops down next to you on the couch, swinging an arm behind you and spreading his legs a bit. Your gaze drifts down to his thighs. They’re thick, and you wonder if they will be soft or firm under your touch. Your body instinctively inches closer to him like the temptation is too strong to ignore.

You hear Seungcheol try to stifle his laugh, causing your eyes to move away.

“A little?” you echo when you recall the active conversation. “I’m sure that’s not true.”

He smiles and shrugs. “Well, what can I say? A pretty girl giving me compliments makes my ego grow bigger than usual.”

“Cheol,” you whine, glancing away, wishing he wouldn’t say things that make your heart do somersaults. You had put those thoughts under lock and key because you are definitely not developing an infatuation with Choi Seungcheol.

Seungcheol tucks a finger under your chin and turns you to face him, so he can see your flustered expression clearly.

“My pretty girl,” he murmurs so low you have to strain to hear it.

Silence looms over you both. You swear he can hear your thudding heart. His hand glides from your chin to your upper thigh.

“You gonna’ give me that compliment now, baby?” he prompts lowly while his hand gently massages you.

“You look good,” you reply quietly, fighting to stay calm.

“Only good?” he hums.

“Really good.”

Seungcheol chuckles. “I guess that’ll do for now.”

Your lips tug down when he pulls away from you, making Seungcheol pause and smile.

“Don’t be sad, Cherry. You can compliment me more later,” he says. You have a feeling he knows the true reason for your pout but decides not to mention it.

You’ll have to work on hiding your expressions better. For now, you focus on making sure you and Seoah don’t leave anything before heading out the door. You don’t fight with Seungcheol when he takes your bags again. It’s just easier not to.

As promised, Seungcheol drives you all to a local breakfast diner. It’s lively—filled with all different walks of life. You see couples, friends, families, and some loners who don’t actually look alone. They seem content.

Seungcheol must come here often as most of the workers recognize him. They’re happy to see him with new people this time. You think you catch sight of one of them giving him a thumbs up, but it could’ve been directed to another patron.

“This tastes amazing!” Seoah exclaims, another fork full of pancakes entering her mouth.

“Don’t eat so fast,” you scold when you see her cheeks full.

She brushes you off with a wave of a hand but waits until she swallows what’s in her mouth before taking another bite.

“Is yours okay?” Seungcheol asks from across the table.

You had wanted to sit next to him, but Seoah had pushed you inside the booth and slid in after before you could have a say. Though Seungcheol doesn’t let the distance stop him from giving you affectionate touches. He has been brushing his leg against yours slowly under the table for the past ten minutes.

You glance at him and nod. “It’s great,” you say.

“I’m glad,” he responds before taking another bite as well.

The rest of the meal isn’t anything exciting. You all eat well, and when it comes time for payment, Seungcheol beats you to it. You try to pay, even going as far as trying to distract him, but he remains adamant. You reason he just paid for a hearty meal last time, and the least you can do is pay as a thank you for spending the night. He only shakes his head.

Seoah is much more awake on this car ride. Her mouth almost never stops running. She gives Seungcheol so many compliments on his apartment you figure his ego is bursting at the seams. He’ll be full of them for days. Then Seoah talks about you—well, tries to. You shush her every time she attempts to tell an embarrassing story.

“But he should know how you can’t eat more than three egg rolls before throwing up—” Seoah says from the backseat.

“Seoah!” you huff for the umpteenth time.

“Seriously, Seungcheol, she ate so much one time that her body can’t eat a lot anymore,” she continues. You rest your head against the headrest with a groan. You don’t want to go to jail. Deep breaths.

Seungcheol laughs, taking a quick glance at you. “Fully noted,” he replies.

“Good! You should know this stuff since you’re her boyfriend,” she says. “Well, not yet, anyway. You’re going to ask her out, though, right?”

The question has you holding your breath. You don’t expect him to answer as it isn’t any of her business, but there is still some hope that he’ll respond.

Seungcheol makes a small choking noise while he tightens his hold on the steering wheel, obviously startled by the sudden question. His face becomes flushed, and his ears turn a light shade of red. It isn’t often you see this side of Seungcheol, and you almost let Seoah continue. Almost.

“I—” Seungcheol starts.

“You’re five seconds away from being kicked out of this car,” you threaten Seoah as you turn in your seat to glare at her.

“Seungcheol wouldn’t do that to me,” she protests defiantly.

“There’s always a first for everything,” you smirk at her. “Plus, it’ll build your character.”

She gives you a shove on the arm and pouts.

“Don’t worry, Seoah. You’re safe with me,” Seungcheol says after he collects himself.

Seoah straightens at that, sticking her tongue out at you. “Told you so!”

You mutter a “yeah” at her as you shake your head and glance at Seungcheol. He gives you a lopsided smile before looking back at the road.

That night your mom and dad discussed their relationship.

It’s been delayed long enough, and all that pent-up anger finally bubbled over, resulting in your mom becoming the Hulk for five minutes. You had never seen her so mad, but you’re grateful she was throwing the objects on the floor rather than at your dad or Seoah.

They agreed to break up officially. It’s always been a cloudy subject with them. You didn’t really know where they stood, but it’s clear to you now. Whatever hopes of getting your family back won’t come true. Your parents have some money and plan to file for divorce papers soon. You aren’t sure how custody will work, but you figure Seoah will stay with your dad. Your mother is too busy traveling to take care of your sister. Despite your dad also being busy, at least he’ll be home more. Though, you get the feeling you’ll still have to look after her. 

As promised, your father put aside some time to talk to you. It wasn’t a lengthy conversation, but it was… nice, regardless. He apologized again for not being there for you and Seoah and said he’ll try to be better. He’s honest in that he tells you it will take some time, but you’re grateful he wasn’t feeding you fairytales. 

Two weeks pass by with the same schedule—wake up, homework, class, homework, dinner, sleep. You meet with Dae a few times to work on your project, but that’s all. You have a quarter of your outfits completed for the show, which feels good, but you still have more to finish. You’re on track with your own deadlines, but barely.

You haven’t seen Seungcheol much during the weeks. If you do, it’s only through passing. Texts with him have also been minimal due to your schedules. You should be fine with that. You’ve seen and talked with him plenty that weekend to last weeks, yet you can’t get him out of your mind. 

You’re not sure when you’d grown so attached to the man, and that makes you worry. You’ve only known him for nearly three months. It’s too soon to feel this strongly. To feel like you need him. You need to focus more on something else. Anything but him. You have repeated this in your mind, trying to make it stick. 

Though it isn’t too successful, considering you are sitting on your bedroom floor with Seoah stringing beads as a thank-you gift for Seungcheol. You want to blame this on Seoah, but you had come up with the idea. Seoah is here because you know she has been wanting to do something. However, if you are being honest, the main reason is you need an excuse for why you are making a bracelet for him. The idea is silly, but you found a bunch of beads in your room and needed to do something with them. Maybe this is too childish for someone like Seungcheol. You were going to back out of the plan, though Seoah was over the moon at the suggestion. Needless to say, you couldn’t change your idea even if you wanted to.

“These beads are too small,” you grumble as you try to pick up a bead for the third time.

“You just want to complain,” Seoah replies, having no issue with plucking beads from the container. You glance at her work. She used pink and blue beads only, alternating between the two. There’s also an “S” dangling in the middle.

“‘S’ for Seungcheol?” you wonder. Seoah glances at the letter and then at you.

“No. ‘S’ for Seoah. I want him to know it’s from me,” she explains. You laugh a little. A two-for-one use.

She tilts her head at yours. “Why the cherries?”

Your body warms at the question. It’s simple. Innocent. Nothing inappropriate or difficult to comprehend. Though the answer is more complicated, or at least, it’s too personal to share.

“They matched my colors,” you shrug, acting as if it has no significant meaning, but you know otherwise. 

You want him to be reminded of you any time he sees it. You want to be on his mind as much as he is on yours. It’s only fair. Plus, in a weirdly possessive way, you want to feel like he’s yours. Even if that isn’t true.

“There are strawberries, too,” she points out.

“I just grabbed the first charm I saw.”

“Ah,” she examines the unfinished bracelet. The beads are alternated in a different pattern than Seoah’s. It consists of mainly white beads, a few red and green ones scattered between. “It’s nice.”

As you tie the string, you consider the chance of him not wearing it at all. Is yours too much? Too cheesy? Should you just have given him money and left it at that? Why did you spend an hour planning a design and ensuring the beads you picked weren’t scratched or chipped? Seoah had finished hers minutes ago but stayed watching you.

It’s been a while since you hung out with Seoah alone. You hung out more when your mother was here, but even then, it wasn’t too often. You aren’t as close as you feel you should be. You glance at her once you are done. She’s been growing fast, slowly discovering her personality and interests. You know you will never win the Best Sister Award, but you can try to be an honorable mention.

“Seoah?” you call, fingers toying with the finished bracelet.

She’s staring at your hands, but you can tell she isn’t really registering what is happening around her. Somewhere lost in her thoughts.

Still, she answers and looks up. “Yeah?”

“Do you,” a pause, “want to sleep over in my room tonight?”

It isn’t a big deal. You don’t plan to have a pillow fight and do each other's nails, but you would have company.

She looks happy for a split second and then narrows her eyes. “What’s the catch?”

“There’s none,” you shake your head.

“Then why did you ask?”

You bite the inside of your cheek. Not quite ready to fight through the awkwardness of a sappy conversation.

“I thought it’d be nice to have some company, but you don’t have to,” you answer and grab her bracelet. You slide them inside a sheer bag you found, pulling the strings to close the opening. You stand up and place it in your purse. You’ll give it to him tomorrow.

“I want to!” Seoah says quickly when she feels like you’re changing your mind. “Let me go get changed.”

“It won’t be like the sleepovers you have,” you warn when she gets to your door. You don’t want her to get false ideas. She smiles at you.

“I know, but I don’t care.”

After you both are ready for bed, you lay staring at your ceiling. She talks about her classes, friends, and even a few crushes she has. She’s a social butterfly; unlike you, people enjoy talking to her. She is quirky enough to put some fun in conversations, but not excessive to come off rude or overbearing. You’re not sure how she grew to be such a good person because she sure as hell didn’t learn that from you or your dad. Whoever it was, though, you’re grateful. You’ve stopped feeling close to your family, so you quit putting effort into getting to know them more. 

Maybe you should change that.

This feels like walking in a tiger’s cage.

You are surrounded by people dressed up in suits and others in plain jeans and a shirt. The majority have neutral colors on, and it’s different from what you’re used to. At least in your building, there are more colors.

There’s no way you’re going to be able to camouflage yourself in your all-pink plaid outfit, so why try? 

You keep your chin high as you try to find the study room, ignoring the many stares you receive on the way. You texted Seungcheol earlier and asked for his location. When he asked you why, you simply said it was a surprise.

Room 526.

There’s a window in the door, and you peer in to see if he’s there. He is. Though he isn’t alone. Hajun, Hana, and Doyun are there as well. They’re silent, heads bowed, as they all work on something in front of them. Seungcheol seems deep in thought.

That is until Hajun makes a comment while glancing at Seungcheol. He smiles, chuckling at whatever she said before they both go back to their work. 

It’s odd to see him in this environment. He acts so casually with the very same people who only spit insults at you. You know Seungcheol has never stopped talking to them. You didn’t tell him to, and they were his friends before you. Yet, there is still a twinge of disappointment that he remained friends with them. 

Dae’s words ring in your ear from weeks ago—he could have left you. Then there is the devil on your shoulder telling you he should have. However, you tried that already. You made that decision for him, but he came back. And you let him.

“Yn?” says a male voice behind you. You jump, turning on your heel quickly and moving from the door.

Vernon stands with his backpack hanging off one shoulder.

“Vernon,” you say, startled. “What are you doing here?”

He smiles shyly. “I’m late for a study group.”

“I thought you were changing majors?” you question.

“I am, but I figured I’d stick it out for the classes I have. Don’t want to waste any more money than I already have by withdrawing,” he chuckles sadly.

“It’ll be worth it once you find something you like,” you reassure.

“Thanks,” he replies and gives you a toothy smile. He looks so young with that grin. “I should go in before they text me again.”

You step aside as Vernon moves.

“Hey, can you tell Seungcheol to come out?” you ask quickly before he opens the door.

“Sure,” he replies.

“You took your time,” Hana teases when the door opens.

“It’s not my fault my phone died overnight. I didn’t hear my alarm,” he pouts. There are a few chuckles that echo in the room.

“Oh, Cheol?” Vernon says. There’s silence for a second. “You’re needed outside.”

“Why?” Seungcheol asks; he sounds distracted.

“Yn’s here.”

“Yn?” Hajun questions, surprised. “What is she doing here?”

“I’ll be right back,” Seungcheol says as you hear the sound of a chair scraping the floor.

“She’s probably just here to recruit you for her stupid project. You don’t need to help her. Let’s just get back to work,” Hajun reasons. “Vernon’s here so we can get done faster.”

“I’m sure you can wait five more minutes,” he says. You listen carefully as his footsteps become louder. The door squeaks when it’s pushed open more.

You look up at the noise and meet Seungcheol’s eyes. 

Your breath gets caught in your throat. 

His hair is pushed off his face, a few pieces hanging down deviantly. He wears black slacks and a tucked-in white button-down. The tie around his neck is loosened and the first few buttons of his shirt are undone. 

His once-stressed face soon brightens as he lets the door shut. He moves closer.

“Hey, Cherry,” he smiles.

“Hey,” you reply, a little breathless from having held your breath.

“It’s good to see you,” he murmurs, leaning a forearm against the wall. You notice he’s keeping his distance, and you’re unsure if it’s purposeful. Perhaps you’re just overthinking again.

“You too,” you reply. Your eyes take one more quick sweep of his attire. How he makes a simple fit look so remarkable is beyond you.

“I can tell you want to give me another compliment,” he haughtily says.

You huff, trying to disguise your panicked expression with faux annoyance. “Not when you tell me that.”

“I can wait,” he says and disregards your comment. He lays his head against the arm that’s on the wall as if he’s taking a rest. You want to wipe that smug smile off his lips.

“You’re insufferable,” you whine.

“No, baby, I’m patient.” He speaks slowly as if to emphasize his statement.

You glare up at him but soon relent with a huff. “You look good.”

“Oh, come on, you used that last time. Don’t you have another adjective? Maybe one that rhymes with pot?” he smirks, an eyebrow rising in challenge.

He wants you to call him hot.

You aren’t going to at first, but then you decide you’re done with him having the upper hand. You recall his shocked and reddened face at Seoah’s question in the car. It would be nice to see that again.

You close the space between you, hand grabbing the end of his tie. Slowly, you wrap the material around your palm. His smug smile slowly disappears with each inch you tug him closer. He pushes his forearm off the wall and sprawls his hand on it instead. His other hand grabs your hip so he can’t tumble forward.

“I’ll say something even better,” you purr lowly. Your faces are so close to each other that you can faintly feel his breath. “You look very sexy, Seungcheol.”

The hand on your hip squeezes you, and you can see his Adam’s apple bob from his harsh swallow. It feels good to put him on the other side for a change. You smile triumphantly at his reaction before letting his tie unravel from your hand.

Taking a step back, his hand slips from your body, and you dig into your purse for the jewelry bag.

“Here, I came to give you this,” you explain and hold the bag up. His eyes drop from yours to the item. He still looks a little dazed.

“It’s a thank you for letting me and Seoah stay the night.”

Seungcheol takes the bag, flipping it over in his hand. He brings it closer and examines it through the sheer material. His lips slowly tug up. Before he can say anything, you hastily continue.

“It was Seoah’s idea. You don’t have to actually wear them, we—she just wanted to give you something.”

Seungcheol starts opening the bag, and you swiftly put a hand out as if to stop him. “You don’t have to open it now, you can do that la—”

He takes out the two bracelets, twisting them until both charms are facing him. You drop your hand and start playing with the strap of your purse, resisting the urge to tap your foot as you stand in silence watching him.

“T-the ‘S’ is for Seoah, not Seungcheol,” you explain. You’re not sure why you do it in the first place. It doesn’t really matter what the ‘S’ really stands for.

“And the cherries? What do they represent?” he questions, eyes flickering to you with a faint smile.

Your heart hammers in your chest. He doesn’t need to ask that. He knows what they represent.

“They’re just cherries. Don’t think too muc—”

“That’s not true and you know it,” he scolds gently. Your eyes focus on his hands as he carefully slips both bracelets on his wrist. They fit around him perfectly. They aren’t too tight to dig into his skin, but they are loose enough to allow a finger or two to slip through.

His gaze moves back to yours. When he notices your averted gaze, he leans in to catch your attention.

“What do they represent?” he repeats, a hint of sternness to his voice.

You meet his eyes reluctantly. “Me. They r-represent me.”

“Yes, they do,” he says, finally letting his smile show more. Seungcheol slips the bag into his pocket. “They’re nice. Tell Seoah thank you.”

“I will,” you answer, clearing your throat. “I’ll let you get back to studying.”

“Don’t you want your thank you?” Seungcheol chuckles and takes a small step forward.

Your body freezes in place. “I don’t need one.”

“Hm,” he says. He takes a quick glance at the study room’s door before cupping the back of your neck gently. Warmth spreads from that area to the rest of your body. You stare at him with wide eyes.

“Thank you, Cherry. Really,” he murmurs and then kisses your forehead for the third time since you met him.

You truly aren’t keeping track. Definitely not.

“I’ll text you later?” he says, though it sounds like a suggestion.

“Okay,” you agree with a small nod.

“You going home?” he asks and slowly walks back to the door, hand grazing your skin as he leaves.

“No, I have a class. Do you have a test or something?” you wonder, recalling how serious he looked earlier.

“A presentation,” he says. That explains his attire.

“Ah. Good luck,” you wish.

You’re not sure what comes over you, but you quickly added, “Oh, and Seungcheol?”

His hand is pressed down on the door handle when you call. He turns his head to you, waiting for your reply before he goes inside.

“You do look sexy.”

Seungcheol laughs, less flabbergasted about your compliment this time.

“Thanks, Cherry. You look beautiful.”

He says it as if it’s as easy as breathing. There’s no hesitation or delay in his comment. You wonder how long he’s been thinking that.

Seungcheol pulls the door open before you can reply and slips inside. As the door is closing, you hear Hajun ask, “Goodness, was she trying to get in your pants? You took forever!”

“Enough, let’s just...”

The door clicks close as Seungcheol speaks. You’re tempted to press your ear against it to hear the rest of the sentence, but you remember you’re in public. You inhale slowly, pausing for a few seconds before exhaling gradually. 

Why does every conversation with Seungcheol leave your heart racing?

previous chapter \\ pretty please masterpost // next chapter

A/N: brb swooning 😪 also if i knew how to draw well enough, i would def conjure up the pic mc took of cheol bc in my head it's just SAUR CUTE D:<

For my “shy/silent” readers, I’ve created a feedback form where you can share your thoughts on my fics in a more anonymous and private way. ^-^

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[soggywert]

Top Gun: Maverick hcs that live in my head rent free (based off of imos and me and my life) Pt 4

you heard it here and now folks, it’s part 4! I have more commitment to this series than to my homework. yall are lucky af

- mav can and will flirt with anyone in any given situation; he will give petnames out the more the other reacts (cyclone getting pressed being called honey)

- maverick has a favourite spoon he always uses to eat  breakfast with. it is patterned, and is from the last set he received from his parents before they passed. it means a lot to him, so if you use it, he’ll state: ‘that’s my spoon’ and then proceed to stare at you for the rest of the day. only ice knows this. everyone else just comments on not to use that spoon or else.

- the spoon has made him superstitious, so if he cannot use it for breakfast (when he does have breakfast...) it instantly means that he will have a shit day.

- maverick is usually a black coffee guy. straight black coffee. most mornings? just that. sometimes a proper meal if ice or roos nags enough, but mainly just coffee. ice has either an iced coffee (wow aren’t i original) or a latte.

- maverick, after showers, uses his towel to do his hair up to dry it quicker. his hair is too short for that, but he’s been doing to long enough that it’s too awkward to tell him that it won’t work it’s also just funny to see him walk out of a door with a towel wrapped around his head like if he had just come from a salon

- phoenix is everyone's best friend. if you don’t like her; you’re a walking target and that one is on you. she’s a fucking queen and y’all can’t tell me different.

- phoenix is also a great therapist friend, though, sometimes you gotta just give her a hug so she’s reminded that you’re just as there for her as she is you.

- hangman has dyslexia, but is too good at masking it until it comes to writing reports on paper. it’s his worst nightmare, so he usually gets help from rooster by saying what he is thinking and rooster helps write down the important parts for hangman to write on his own

- iceman is a sucker for romance novels and picks up random quotes in them to write on a piece of paper for mav to find, read and collect (based off of a hc @justmiilo made with our ocs)

- mav loves animals; he will be at a party and only hang out with the pet there; he will be dragged around by ice or goose to meet people, before departing back to the pet - loves dogs frfr

- ice is a cat person ice has said: “honestly i am more of a cat boy” the rest of the juniors trying not to cackle: youre a cat boy??

- rooster got mav high once and gave him a flipping heart attack (not actually) mav: bradley is this how im supposed to be feeling i dont know if ive hit right rooster: chill man just relax, youre gonna give yourself a heart attack mav, now really panicking: im gonna have a heart attack???? rooster: no thats not what i- mav: UN-HIGH ME RIGHT NOW BRADLEY PLEA-

- Mav is banned from most public spaces especially train stations. very specific, but he’s made it a thing that he has to get banned from as many stations as possible

- ice and mav cuddling includes mav squaring up to be the big spoon but then melting in ice’s arms when he gets to be little spoon

- mav loves captain jack harkness from doctor who/ torchwood

- hangman complains about when he kisses rooster, his moustache gets in the way, but secretly, he doesnt mind it

- ice took mav to a wine couple art class (based off of the idea that ice can draw from my other hcs) and mav drank the wine while ice did the art

- mav helped bob get out of his comfort zone, to start not wearing a shirt around the beach (based off of the trans!mav and trans!bob hcs) so now they go visit the beach together sometimes to help grow each others confidence (like if mav needs anymore). theyve both had top surgery so

- goose has had a soccer phase, and would make the crew go into teams of two after volleyball to kick the ball around. he loved playing attack, so he could be in the front seat of the action for once.

- mav joined in, but was soon told to just stay in his teams box, because he would run all the way across the field to tackle the ball off of someone yes, soccer doesn’t allow tackling, but mav never got the message in his head, so they just added it to their games. mav then proceeded to become the most tackled person there.

- slider and ice are the biggest supporters of one anothers careers; they see each other like brothers so much it is crazy.

- mav and slider ride their bikes together (slider has a harley)

- ice usually goes out collecting either a drunk slider or a drunk mav off the side of the road

- THIS IS A POPULAR ONE BUT HC THAT ICE RARELY EVER GETS SICK, SO WHEN HE DOES IT TAKES EVERYONE BY SURPRISE - MAV ALSO GETS SICK OFTEN, BUT ITS NEVER THAT BIG. WHEN ITS MORE SERIOUS, EVERYONE IS ONTO HIM TO TRY LOOKING AFTER HIMSELF

- mav teaches the team MA fighting. he dared cyclone to go into a match with him; ends up cyclone is a secret MA fighting genius and mav got his ass beat. the whole team watched.

- cyclone and mav are close from just having to deal with each other. mav giving cyclone headaches, while cyclone gives mavs lectures brought them together. they share a beer here and there at a local bar when they can

- mav hates the city. like, really hates it. over stimulates from it hard.

- mav has ocd; those instrusive thoughts can sometimes be hard for him to control, which can sometimes explain why he does some erratic moves. he never got diagnosed about it till later in life.

- mav and commitment issues follow him everywhere for everything

- when hangman and rooster are exploring areas to carve their initials into around the base, they find mavs and ices old ones (yes, multiple) hidden behind a few desks

- ice dyes his hair to be bleach blonde; it’s actually a golden blonde but he hates it, so he makes it bleach blonde. mav likes his hair either way, but makes fun of ice when he dyes his hair. ice doesnt take kindly to this one day, mav was asleep and woke up with bleached highlights to his hair from ice. he wore a cap everywhere for months

(Part 4/?)

hope you enjoyed these head cannons! i want to do some more when i have the time, but for now, i might try drawing some of these out :)

got any suggestions? leave them down in the comments below! thank you for supporting the series so far!

start here at part 1!: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/hangman-puzzlesolver/692152151697473536?source=share 

[tonberry-yoda]

Hello! I see your requests are closed, but I hope you don't mind if I leave my romantic matchup here! If yes, you can ignore me. Sorry if something is wrong, English is not my first language! :)

Fandom: Jojo Gender: Cis female Pronouns: She/her Sexuality: heterosexual ally

Personality: I'm smart, kind, homebody, perfectionist, shy, nerdy, curious, playful, mature, friendly, listening, sarcastic and creative

Likes: Animals, movies, series, videogame, listen music, anime, cartoons, read any book, stay at home, draw, writing and talk with my friends

Dislikes: Moth, noisy people, go to parties with loud music and lots of people, introduce myself to a group of strangers, exams, people who want to force contact with me, when they make me do something I really don't want to do and when a friend doesn't listen to my advice and then comes when everything goes wrong

How I present myself: Well, with strangers I'm a totally shy person, and I end up frowning unintentionally. With my friends I'm a very talkative person, I make jokes to them and I'm usually the mother of the group. With my family I am more open, extroverted and talkative, especially with my mother as I don't have much contact with my father. In terms of clothes, I really like to wear any black clothes.

Music taste: i like all kinds of music but the kind i love the most is pop music and rock

My type/what I want: Well, I'm a person who likes to give presents for who I like. I've always been attracted to more closed guys, because I love when he's a shell on the outside but inside he's sweet.

I don't know if my request will be read, but I thank you in advance if you have! :)

OMG (dont worry if my requests were closed i did it anyway lmaoooo these are just too fun frfr). (also gurl your english is great <3). You sound so sweet!! I think I have the perfect man for you!!!

the character I chose for you is...

JOTARO KUJO!!

like he is the perfect closed guy who is hiding a softie

he respects that you're a little quiet

like when you first met, you said nothing and he was just smiling at you

until you got to know each other and always ended up talking

like all the time

late night talks with music in the background? heck yes.

he thinks you're cute frfr

like is totally into you from the beginning, but too nervous to say anything

like you, he doesnt like big parties, so if the rest of your friend group wants to go to a party, you know you have the evening with your lovely bf

both your mom and jotaro's mom would get along

it's amazing when the four of you get together for dinner and your moms are gossiping while you and jotaro are just giggling with each other

he would love to geek out with you about marine bio even if you arent into it and then he would ask what you're into

he's the king of making you blush

he also just loves your style

loves how good you look in black

will let you wear his jacket and hat

will play video games with you (you have to teach him how to play all the time lmao)

you would always go to his house for dates and he would always go to yours

you'll be reading or drawing and he'll just be in your room studying or something

you're the perfect quiet couple that is totally in love with each other!! <333

~~~

masterlist rules --- pinned post

@tonberry-yoda