#i spent so long on this but it was fun though

[01zfan]

bad friend: AITA | s. es

boyfriends besfriend!eunseok x reader | 5.8k words

uhm…a little something i’m working on. i don’t condone cheating in any circumstance UNLESS you’re getting your lick back but most of the times I DON’T CONDONE IT. Also, nothing in this fic reflects either eunseok or sungchan's personalities. all fiction and all fun heh.

contains: cheating on your boyfriend with his bestfriend, sungchan and eunseok are bestfriends they swear, sungchan is a bad boyfriend and arguably a worse friend, eunseok is no better.

Eunseok knew you first. He made sure to stress that. He specified that he knew you long before Sungchan entered the picture. 

You were the barista who worked every weekday, standing behind the espresso machine that made Eunseok cortado and rung up the bottled of pressed orange juice that he nursed every morning.

With his computer in the corner closest to the outlets Eunseok knew you first. He talked to you first, he built a rapport with you and got close to you first. He knew about how being a barista was your part time job until you found a something related to what you studied in college, that you lived in the apartment complex ridiculously close to where he lived. 

Eunseok blamed the closeness of the cafe to his apartment for the reason you and Sungchan met. He didn’t say it was fate that you were at the cafe on a Saturday, but instead that it was by terrible design of your work schedule and coincidence that Sungchan wanted to tag along so badly. Eunseok said his roommate was awful for wanting to know how he spent his early mornings. Eunseok described it as keeping his lives separate, his safe haven away from his regular life. The balance was disrupted when he came in with Sungchan in tow and saw you perk up behind the counter to greet him. The slowness of the cafe early in the morning allowed you to ask about Sungchan, and his tendency to swoop in and steal things he knew Eunseok wanted made him talk your ear off for hours. 

Eunseok didn’t blame you nearly as much as he blamed himself. He didn’t expect you to know that he mostly started coming to the cafe to see you and steal bits of conversation throughout the morning. He didn’t expect you to pay attention to the way he paid attention to you. But that was his method of courting. Months of hopeless pining, and then one day when he could finally get the courage, he’d ask for your number. He swore he was going to do it soon, written on the back of a receipt he’d give to you before leaving the cafe swiftly. Then he would wait for a text back, or find a different cafe entirely if you messaged him that you weren't interested. Eunseok had a plan, an inkling of one, but a plan nonetheless. 

The plan was ruined when Sungchan leaned in close to him and asked your name. A simple question, but he knew the infliction of his bestfriend’s voice all the same. He had an interest in you, and Sungchan had a different way of courting. One that didn’t include months of reconnaissance but instead one that manifested to him getting your number before they even left the cafe. Eunseok watched it with his own two eyes. He was looking past his laptop screen in the corner of the cafe locked in on you and Sungchan. Leaning across the bar towards you and telling you his latte was well made. 

(Even though he told Eunseok that there was too much milk and the shots were burned. He also said that the pastry was dry, and that the music from the playlist you made was too boring. He also said that there was a better cafe ten minutes away, and Eunseok was wasting his time and money coming to this one.)

Sungchan smiled at you and you ducked your head as you smiled back. Eunseok watched with his own two eyes how you fell head over heels infatuation with Sungchan just from a single compliment. Something Eunseok had been working at for weeks, Sungchan did it in a span of ten minutes right before the morning rush started. He timed it perfectly. Right as customers started coming in he put his phone on the counter, asking you something Eunseok couldn’t hear. Then he saw you steal the fastest glance towards him before you wiped your hands off on your apron and reached for Sungchan’s phone. 

Eunseok also made sure to mention that you two had more in common than you and Sungchan ever did. You were both quiet, something Sungchan bothered Eunseok about but loved on you. He would always brag to Eunseok about how quiet you were, how you were so shy anything he did made you look down and smile sweetly. You both had nonconventional interests, ones that Sungchan mocked Eunseok for, so much to the point that you silently let your interests go. The first time you ever came over you looked at Eunseok’s manga collection. Eunseok didn’t miss the way your eyes lit up in familiarity before Sungchan remarked that his roommate was a weeb. Eunseok watched you let go of the manga before you nodded your head and smiled at your boyfriend’s joke. He even brought up the time that Sungchan said jokingly you two would make a good couple. Eunseok counted his lucky stars that his skin was already red from the liquor, and not from the shame of knowing you two would be a better couple.

Sungchan knew it too, Eunseok knew he had to. Sungchan unfortunately knew what Eunseok liked after years of knowing him and living in close quarters practically their entire adult lives. He saw the meek girls his roommate would bring around on the rare occasion. Shy just like him, they gushed over his manga collection and had quiet conversations about their interests. A majority of them were a spitting image of you. 

Sungchan had to have known that he was trying to do things right with you, and that’s why Eunseok tried to keep you two far apart. Long before their stark personality difference became a point of contention, Sungchan always had the habit of taking things Eunseok wanted. The toys in the sandbox. The valedictorian spot. The last pan fried dumpling. The bigger room in their shared apartment. 

Eunseok had his fair share of taking the things Sungchan wanted, but he made sure to omit that. He also made sure to omit the fact that he never explicitly said he wanted the aforementioned things. Sungchan often cautioned his friend on being so easygoing, that it opened the opportunity for people to take advantage of him. Sungchan prided himself on being attentive, but he could only do so much. How was he supposed to know not to take if Eunseok said nothing about it? Of course he noticed the touching and the stolen glances and Eunseok’s kicked puppy expression, but he is only human. You didn’t stop him from getting your number and Eunseok didn’t do anything about it either.

Sungchan knew that Eunseok was meek. He knew his bestfriend had the tendency to let Sungchan walk over him in the name of diplomacy. But Sungchan would’ve never thought it’d all culminate into what happened apparently a week ago from last night.

You and Sungchan were really happy together at first. Everyone knew it. Opposites attract, he got you out of your shell and you showed him new things. In the beginning, when you two were finding out about eachother, each day was something new. Your giggles filtered through the walls and boomed in the quietest of places. You two went outside dressed the same, hand in hand trying new places together. Eunseok even mentioned in the beginning that you two seemed to make a good couple. He was looking at his game when he said it and it was a quick comment thrown over his shoulder, but it was validation nonetheless.

You two were good for eachother. 

Were.

Towards the three month mark there was a bump in the road. Sungchan told Eunseok in confidence that there was hesitancy in your side. The cocked eyebrow in Eunseok’s expression should’ve told Sungchan to stop talking. But he kept going, laying into his grievances of you and your relationship. You were too quiet, too shy. You didn’t like going out, but you were always breathing down Sungchan’s neck when he would enjoy his nights. Sungchan could admit he was being a little dramatic, but when you are drunk two texts seems like your phone is being blown up. 

He chalked it up to you two not being matched well. Eunseok chalked it up to that too then. His friend asked him carefully after a beat of silence if Sungchan was going to break up with you. He couldn’t describe the emotion then, but now Sungchan would define it as indignation that bubbled in his chest when he shook his head quickly and said no. 

Towards the four month mark, you and Eunseok started to get close. Sungchan believed then that it was another one of your small acts of defiance. When you really broke out of your shell and started bringing up your grievances, he was quick to find an excuse. Those girls that hung around Sungchan were just a part of his much larger friend group, and it wasn’t fair to take Sungchan away from his friends. Even if they had the habit of hanging off of him and calling him their boyfriend when drunk, they were just friends. You were reading too much into it, and you decided to test if you were overthinking things when you got a friend of your own. But it wasn’t your coworkers, wasn’t the strangers you met throughout your day. You didn’t look far to find Eunseok, and it wasn’t long before you were leaving to hang off of his arm when Sungchan was busy.

In the beginning, it was innocent. Atleast Sungchan can have peace of mind that in the beginning when you would take Eunseok to things he didn’t want to go to it was for companionship. Even though you had girl friends that were interested in those things, but Sungchan digressed. He didn’t want to have another fight and be forced to confront the fact that the girls he hung around wanted more than to just be his friend, and that he shamelessly entertained it when he was feeling like it. In the beginning, Eunseok was just your friend and a pawn in your game of chicken. Who would be the first to set the boundary, who would be the first to admit they were in the wrong? Sungchan knew then it wasn’t him, and he still had trouble admitting it now. Even if he was allegedly the one who pushed you right into Eunseok’s arms.

Eunseok didn’t spare the details after the warning. Sungchan couldn’t help but lean in even closer. He ignored the pain in his back as he focused.

The first instance of there being something more was when Sungchan chose his friends over you. The situation was so minor, something as simple as getting lunch with them over going to the store with you. Eunseok was with you during your errands, insisting on paying for your food and meandering through the aisles of a store with you. When you guys were in the game section you grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the games you wanted to look at. Something that was so simple turned into something that had you two ducking your heads and never bringing it up again.

Until it happened again. The guilt was something you only seemed to bare until Sungchan chose someone over you again. This time it was at one of the few parties Sungchan was able to bring you to. He noticed that you were more than willing to go after Eunseok asked if he could tag along. Sungchan should’ve picked up on the signs, how you two had stopped talking for a few days after the lunch he didn’t ask you about. But you visibly perked up, asking Sungchan which outfit you should wear while Eunseok bit his tongue to hold back a suggestion.

Sungchan didn’t even know about the second time. He was admittedly too involved in a game of beer pong and brushing you off the whole night to know what you were doing. He was certain you had found a lawn chair in the backyard and stayed there, looking at your phone and sipping on a beer. He knew now that you were sitting there, waiting for your boyfriend to be done before the knight in shining armor came in. He crouched beside you in the lawn, the same beer in his hand as he offered you the bottled water that was in the other. You looked to Sungchan one last time before you took the water, and thanked Eunseok so sincerely but he only shook his head and said don’t mention it. He was entirely too cool as of late, and now Sungchan knew why. He bet Eunseok didn’t even ask you if you wanted to go somewhere else, he only flicked his head back towards the party that was continuing on inside before you got up from your chair and dusted yourself off. 

Sungchan could admit now he remembers you telling him where you were going. He wasn’t paying much attention to your quiet voice as he tried perfecting the bend in his arm to throw the ball into the cup across the table. But he did know he acknowledged you leaving because he thought you’d be right back. He didn’t know you were leaving to sneak upstairs through throngs of people.

The dimly lit bathroom let Eunseok see all of you. The way you pulled him closer, the way you locked the door before looking up to him entirely.

Eunseok described your lips as shiny. The were covered in a thin layer of the gloss that he bought for you on another run to the shop. The cashier told you that you had a good boyfriend and you didn’t deny it, even if the man swiping his card was very much not your boyfriend. Your lips were soft and slow pressing against his, and hesitant until Eunseok looked you deep in your eyes and asked you if this was alright. He could swim in his reflection in your wide eyes as you slowly nodded your head up and down. When he said you could stop him at any time and moved his hand to cradle the back of your neck you went in more sure of yourself. The light pecks Sungchan complained about turned into something more hungry quickly. The hunger made Eunseok’s other hand wander your body quickly, feeling the parts of you only Sungchan had touched. Your mutual hunger made Eunseok lift you up to place you on the edge of the sink, it made you stick your tongue into his mouth as you wrapped your legs around his waist.

“He doesn’t deserve you.” 

That was the first time Eunseok ever let the confession slip out. He meant it with everything in him, and it showed that he didn’t regret what he was doing. He would never leave you alone the way Sungchan left you alone, he would never leave you to think that anyone in his life held a candle to you. You didn’t refute his claims either. You only pulled away and nodded again with tears beginning to dot your waterline before you went back in again. 

Eunseok only took his hands off of you to take his jacket off. The top layer was entirely too hot as you pushed it off his shoulders. He didn’t care if his jacket fell to the floor of the bathroom, black hides stains and he didn’t want to take his lips off of yours. You two breathed into eachothers mouths to avoid breaking apart entirely, and when his jacket was off you pulled him so close and so fast by his white shirt he had to brace himself by holding the edges of the ceramic sink. He gave you his tongue quickly, laving the top row of your teeth as his hands found your thighs again. 

Eunseok had to take a detour just to say how everything about you was just so soft. He couldn’t believe it. A tiny part reserved only for himself he talked about your soft hands, soft lips, soft legs, and soft heart. It wasn’t fair someone as kind as you was pushed to do such terrible things. He lamented that you were so loyal, and Sungchan often said one of the best things about you was that you were too shy to cheat.

But as the tight skirt Sungchan suggested rode up your legs, you weren’t that person anymore. When you nodded as Eunseok wedged his hands between your thighs you weren’t meek. He was enamored by the soft feeling of your thighs closed around his hand, bringing him closer to the fabric of your panties. Eunseok was completely surrounded by you as he dragged his hand against you, the heavy pressure against your cunt made you whine into his mouth. Sungchan and Eunseok could both agree on your sounds being beautiful. Your reactions made him want to continue. He would’ve done it, if your phone didn’t start vibrating from a call on top of the toilet seat. The sound of the vibrations pulled you from Eunseok entirely. Sungchan’s picture taking up your entire screen made you realize the situation you were in. 

He had to go through another week of radio silence from you after the party. Eunseok described it as guilt. Even when Eunseok found out Sungchan never found out, you two refused to go back to normal. Even when he continued to choose his friends over you, you were still quiet. The third time Eunseok had to go to you.

Sungchan should’ve seen the signs. He knows that now. He came into their shared living room entirely too heated. Eunseok was already there, his interest piqued as he paused his show. He asked Sungchan what was wrong, and he could only pretend nothing happened for a second before he spilled everything.

“She broke up with me.” Sungchan said.

He opened the fridge just to close it. Leftovers from your takeout sat right next to his, and your tiny reminder of him not to eat it was the first thing he say. 

“Did she say why?” Eunseok asked.

Sungchan had to furrow his eyebrows at the sudden tension that was in the room. Why did it feel like Eunseok was asking that question for all the wrong reasons? When Sungchan had been broken up with in the past, the only thing Eunseok offered was a drink and well wishes. Now he had the show completely paused, leaning forward like he was trying to pick up on every word. He should’ve listened to the hairs that raised on the back of his neck, but instead he shook it off. Maybe his friend was trying to be more involved, that had to be it. Eunseok was his friend before he was yours, and he didn’t have it in him to have ulterior motives. 

“She said we weren’t a good match.” Sungchan answered.

He was too distracted to see that Eunseok’s expression shifted. The tension dissolved and Eunseok let out the smallest sigh of relief before his sights cut back to the television. Sungchan was too focused on the comfort his friend was giving him. A pat on his back and an it’s okay was enough to convince Sungchan everything really was okay. He wasn’t a bad boyfriend, he just didn’t meet his match. Sungchan went to bed telling Eunseok he was such a great friend.

He had no idea that once he went to bed, Eunseok was on his phone in an instant. Opening up your message history to tell you that Sungchan told him what happened. You told the truth and said you didn’t tell him about what happened at the party, but you lied by saying Eunseok wasn’t one of the reasons. If he truly wasn’t it wouldn’t have been so easy to open your door to him. All Eunseok had to tell you was that your leftovers were still in the fridge, and he could bring it to you and you two could talk. Just talk, both of you specified that.

Sungchan would’ve loved to not know how long you lasted before you folded. But unfortunately, he knew it all. You invited Eunseok into your apartment visibly cleaned up from the crying you did all day, and you took the leftovers before throwing it in your fridge with the rest of your takeout. You didn’t even like the food from the restaurant. You put it in the fridge just to see if Sungchan would be a bother and eat it just like all the other times you left food in his fridge. Sungchan knew that you two started by talking on Eunseok’s couch, mentioning everything but the reason he was there and why you had used tissues balled up on your coffee table. It wasn’t until the movies credits started to roll that you two looked at eachother knowingly.

“He broke my heart.” You said truthfully.

The tears were so obvious. Eunseok was a mediator. He was a thinker down to the bone, always trying to get people to look at the situation objectively. But you crawled closer to him, your head resting over his heart as he put his arm over you. Eunseok gave in immediately, rubbing your shoulder before kissing the crown of your head.

“You deserve better.” Eunseok said.

Sungchan imagined that when the situation sunk in and you realized Eunseok was his friend everything fell into place. His comforting words served their purpose, but you wanted more. He even described the sad look in your eye shifting to lust with a hint of contempt as you looked up to him. Eunseok brought his other arm to your waist. That was soft too.

“I do.” You said quietly, looking to his lips.

The only part Eunseok spared was you leading him to the bed. Sungchan imagined that part vividly though, after a continuation of the makeout session Sungchan rudely interrupted by calling his girlfriend you jumped off the couch to grab Eunseok by the hand. He only wondered if Eunseok got undressed there, if you gave him a show taking off your clothes the same way you’d always do with him. He imagined his friend sitting there dumbfounded as you took off your shirt and bra. He imagined him drooling as your fingers messed with the band of your sleeping shorts. 

Eunseok didn’t know what to do with all of you, Sungchan refused to believe that. He was just a good storyteller, crafting a lie filled with the tiny habits Sungchan noticed very early on. The tiny squeaks you make, your affinity to being manhandled into place. Your tiny talk to me’s, because you need someone to talk you through everything. There’s no way Eunseok had it in him to flip you from your back to your stomach, to lift your bottom half and spread your legs apart with his hands as he slotted his body between them. There’s no way he could muster the audacity to lean in close until his front was pressing to your back to whisper he was so mean to you baby right in your ear. His meek friend didn’t have it in him. There was no way.

Sungchan looked on in disbelief at the thought of you whining and nodding hopelessly. You liked being crushed, to feel someone’s frame over yours. Eunseok would’ve superimposed your body as he separated from you, looking down at where he was about to be inside of you. If he fucked you in the dark he would be able to see you glisten, if he was able to get the bedside lamp on he’d see the way you preened and wiggled your ass towards his cock. You’d preemptively grab a pillow to muffle your moans as Eunseok pressed a hand to your lower back. He had to have everything perfect, he had thought about this for too long. Fucking you in missionary would’ve been ideal—he was a romantic after all—but he didn’t think you were ready. So he settled for fucking you in one of Sungchan’s favorite positions, one he raved about when it came to you. 

Eunseok slid in slowly. He said it himself, hand on the bible like he was testifying in court. Your hand quickly reached underneath you to feel the rest of his length as he slid in. When his hips kissed yours, and your hand was looking for somewhere else to go, he held it so tight and pressed it to your lower back. You started babbling about wanting him when he slid all the way out to his tip just to go right back in. When he started picking up the pace and clasped a hand around both of your wrists you started talking about love. 

Apparently your walls were soft to. Wet and warm and soft, clasping around his cock like you two were made for eachother. He made it his mission to make you forget about anyone else you had in that moment. Eunseok picked up the speed and let go of your wrists just to watch them fall heavy to the mattress. His hands grabbed at your waist to help guide you back. Eunseok put his hands behind his head and watched you do your own thing for a short period of time. He disappeared inside of you, the lewd sounds combining with the muffled whimpers behind the blankets. 

When you ran out of energy, like you always did, Eunseok moved his body forward. His front was against your back again, but the layer of sweat kept you glued together. Eunseok applied more and more weight on your body until you collapsed all together, your stomach flat against the mattress while Eunseok somehow wedged deeper inside of you. He was able to take away the covers entirely at this point, and your unbridled moans filled the room. They were pathetic whimpers at this point, cut off words, and the beginning of Eunseok’s name all rolled into one. He nodded and cooed to each one, kissing the side of your face to show he was with you.

“I got you.” Your pussy clenched around his cock again at the rough edge in his voice. “I’m here.”

He eventually had to start swiping your tears away with his thumb. He stayed still inside of you for a long time as you regained yourself. He selfishly wanted to draw out whatever this was, because after tonight you two would actually have to talk about what this was before going any further. So while you helplessly clenched around Eunseok in preparation for your orgasm he kissed you gently, trying to back you away from the edge.

“Seokie.” You babbled.

“Hmm.” His heart jumped at the nickname and how sweet it sounded coming out of your mouth in such a whiny tone.

“Feels good.” You uselessly tried lowering and lifting your hips in an effort to fuck yourself on his cock again. “Please keep going.” You begged.

You begged for more as if the line of drool and your body twitches weren’t enough of an indication. Eunseok still nodded and kissed your cheekbone again as he pulled back his hips to slam into you roughly. That’s what you always liked in the end. Rough and slow, Eunseok’s heavy pants on the sweaty base of your neck as he pressed he head against yours. He was feeling the edge himself as he started rambling off at the mouth.

“You’re so perfect.”

“He doesn’t deserve you.”

“I’d treat you so well.”

“All mine.”

These were all things you agreed with. Nodding against your blanket in between your loud moans and declarations of your own. You told Eunseok he was so much better right before you told him you were about to cum. You told him that your cunt liked him better, that it hit a spot deep inside of you. Sungchan didn’t know you had it in you to say such crude things in bed. He didn’t know you were capable of such intimate pillow talk afterwards. Asking him to stay the night, kissing and cuddling until the two of you fell asleep.

Sungchan knew that there were other times he had seen you. His friend that continued to come home at odd hours in the morning and midday with half-assed explanations was seeing you instead. Fucking you, holding you, talking about Sungchan with you. Even though that night was the only encounter Eunseok talked about explicitly, he knew there was more. 

When Sungchan saw that there were other dates marked underneath the conclusion paragraph that’s when he finally pulled away. He looked at the top of the Word document again, blinking hard as he tried to make sense of what he read. But it was right there for him, in big black bold letters, less than an admittance of betrayal but moreso the beginning of a thesis paper.

AITA: ME AND MY BESTFRIEND’S EX-GIRLFRIEND HAD SEX WHEN I WENT TO COMFORT HER ABOUT THEIR BREAKUP.

With his fingers on the trackpad, Sungchan scrolled to the bottom of the document back up to the top. The TL;DR summed up the situation Sungchan read with his own two eyes. 

He was still hanging off every word, from the beginning where Eunseok defined the codewords fro your two names down to the scroll blinking on the very last period, silently asking if the writer wanted to continue. The music playing throughout the lobby of this new cafe was more Sungchan’s taste, but he couldn’t hear anything over the blood rushing in his ears. 

He felt sick looking at the last edit made timestamp at the top. Less than ten minutes ago, while Sungchan sat right in front of Eunseok talking about his recent breakup. His friends reaction made sense now. The tiny nods to the details Sungchan didn’t remember mentioning before. How involved he was in the conversation, when just a week ago Eunseok seemed like he wanted nothing less than to talk about the relationship. Eunseok’s habit of asking about you first, his eyebrows knit in worry as he asked how you were handling all this. Eunseok taking your side instead of his. Everything made too much sense. The timelines coincided too. Sungchan remembers that stormy night when your location was off and he caught a whiff of you on his bestfriend the next morning. He thought it was the remnants of you taking up his mind, but now he knew it was really you.

Sungchan felt anger replace the bile when he remembered all the times Eunseok lied to him too easily. He was seeing you when Sungchan told him he was at the store, he was sneaking off to see you at parties in secluded rooms when he said he was getting drinks. When Eunseok looked his bestfriend dead in the eyes and said he hadn’t even thought about you, he had seen you the previous night. 

Sungchan was played a fool by the one person he believed to be dumber than him. He found solace in the fact that he could walk over his complacent friend, take what Eunseok wanted so desperately to be his. From the time they were kids up until a week ago, it was too easy. Eunseok’s submission was what made their relationship work. Now that Eunseok has turned their dynamic into a pissing contest—one that Sungchan didn’t know he was horrifically losing—he didn’t know what to do. 

His first instinct was to smash Eunseok’s laptop on the ground. The cement floor would’ve turned his laptop to smithereens. He could grab his coffee and poor it right over the keyboard. Maybe if he was lucky the thing would produce smoke, maybe even catch fire right before his eyes. Sungchan could also wait until Eunseok emerged from the bathroom, wait until he was unaware of everything and sucker punch him. They could start a brawl between these two tables, absolutely make a mess of this fine establishment. 

But then Sungchan thought about how Eunseok would have that smug look on his face. As of a week ago, Eunseok got increasingly better at pushing Sungchan’s buttons, saying comments so slick that it left him confused on how to react. He imagined it now, Eunseok’s calm demeanor before telling him Channie, why are you so quick to anger? Like he already knew how his friend would react if he knew what he was writing for the past hour. 

Being predictable is what made Sungchan take a deep breath. He  couldn’t behave the way he wanted to, the way Eunseok would expect him to. Also, there was that one time the two of them fought in grade school and Eunseok beat his ass. He’s sure he could take him now, he’s absolutely positive of it. But Sungchan tells himself he goes back to calmly sitting across from Eunseok because he has a plan. He smiles instead of letting his emotions show on his face when Eunseok comes out of the bathroom because he knows what he’s going to do. Sungchan doesn’t know what he’s going to do just yet, but it’s going to wipe the worried look off Eunseok’s face when he leans in close to Sungchan’s scowl.

“Is everything alright, Sungchan?” Eunseok points to Sungchan’s drink. “Is it the coffee?” He asks.

Sungchan shakes his head and takes a sip to prove it’s alright. Eunseok nods his head and goes back to typing. Sungchan nearly chokes on his drink.

“Better than the other cafe, right?” Eunseok asks, looking at his screen.

Sungchan watched his friend look from the document back up to him. He calms the fire in the pit of his stomach as he nods to his friend. Eunseok goes back to the document and Sungchan can see him switch to a different window. He grips the armrest of his sofa, something Eunseok doesn’t notice as he goes back to typing.

“Way better.” Sungchan says.

He messes with the rim of his cup. Another breath in.

“Eunseok.” He says.

Eunseok stops typing to look at Sungchan. The genuine concern on his face makes Sungchan want to lunge over the table.

“What did you ever do with that food left in the fridge.” When Eunseok looks confused Sungchan clears his throat. “From a week ago.” He specifies.

Sungchan watches him register what happened a weak ago. He has the nerve to hesitate and look up to think like he doesn’t already know. Sungchan’s tongue pokes the inside of his cheek as he looks down at his coffee.

“I threw it out. So you wouldn’t have to deal with it.” Eunseok answers after a beat of silence.

Sungchan takes another deep breath in. He looks up to Eunseok with a smile on his face.

“You’re a good friend.” Sungchan says.

He can see the hesitancy in Eunseok’s head nod. Eunseok knows he can see it too.

[nneteyamss]

ROSES — 19. FAWK

(partly written)

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y/n walked to the park, clutching her jacket closer to her body. the december air blew into her face making her cheeks red as she buried her face further into her scarf.

“why the fuck couldn’t i have picked somewhere warm… my ass should not be put in the cold at 8 o’clock at night.” y/n mumbled to herself, already regretting leaving her warm bed. from a distance she spotted intak seated on a bench, looking at his phone. he was bundled up in a big winter jacket and a scarf wrapped around his neck. yet he had hat, letting snow fall and stick to his black hair. intak suddenly looked up hearing y/n approach and stood to greet her.

“hey… thanks for meeting with me, sorry it’s cold.” guilt instantly ran through y/n’s body because he seemed nervous.

“sorry for making you wait, i don’t know why i picked outside..”

“no it’s okay, i just got here a couple minutes before you.”

y/n simply nodded, shoving her hands in her pockets. the silence was lasted as neither of the two said anything after that.

“uhm do you want to sit? i cleared the snow off the bench.” he gestures to the bench and she nods. they sit down and another awkward silence fills the air.

“so, what did you want to talk about?” y/n turns to him, breaking the silence.

“oh right! i wanted to apologize again about the other day. i shouldn’t have kissed you without asking or so suddenly like that.”

“i appreciate and accept your apology, but why were you there?”

“i don’t know how to explain this without sounding crazy but i knew jaehyun was going to be there, and i had a weird feeling he was going to try something. i came in disguise and i approached you because i saw him walking up to you” y/n started at him with a blank stare, processing what he just said.

“so you were stalking me?”

“well no… but yes? yes to an extent!” intak fumbled over his words, not expecting that question. he thought of it more as keeping an eye out on her for a space she knew the man she so says didn’t like was going to be in. now that she said it though, it kind of seemed like stalking. “sorry” he mumbled.

“your disguise was ass by the way, you should’ve asked shota for his fake mustache” she giggled looking ahead of her. the situation was getting too serious, and she felt the need to make it more lighthearted.

“no way… he said the SAME thing. how do YOU know about the fake stache?”

“i’m the one who bought it for him of course!”

“this is like a full circle moment, what the fuck.” the two laughed together at the moment. who would’ve ever thought that shota having a fake mustache would arise in this convo. however, the laughter eventually died down and intak turned serious. he turned to y/n and grabbed her hands, which were now out of her pockets.

“listen, i need to talk about the main reason i wanted to talk. please don’t say anything until i’m done.” he was dead serious, y/n nodded and pushed down any jokes she could’ve made in the moment. “we’ve been fake dating for a couple months now. we both know the original reason this started. but y/n… i really like spending time with you, like a lot. you’re funny, gorgeous, caring, and so much more. i didn’t plan it but i thought this was just gonna be some fun side quest activity. the more time i spent with you and got to actually know you and your personality, the more i started to actually like you. i tried to fight it off because i mean this relationship wasn’t real and i’m your brothers friend, but i can’t help it. i really… really want this to be real. we get along so well, and there’s a connection. what i really called you out here for was to ask this. i really really like you, could i have the honor of being your boyfriend?”

the long speech was followed by silence. one blink, two blinks, no words. embarrassment gnaws at intak who immediately started to regret asking out of fear of her not feeling the same. yet, he didn’t say anything and let her take her time.

“intak, i didn’t know you felt that way. i feel like this is very sudden though. i need to think about this before i answer, im so sorry” intak nodded and gave her hands a squeeze before letting go. “i’ll text you, i just need to think.” she said again before standing up.

“that’s okay” he gave her a small, yet warm smile. his cheeks were red and his hair was getting damp from the snow. y/n reached forward and pulled his jacket hat onto his head.

“you should get home before you get sick… it’s cold and you don’t have a hat.” the words left her mouth quietly, but intak still heard since the night was quiet was well.

“you should get back as well”

y/n nodded and put her hands back in her pockets, “i’ll see you.” she said and began making her exit of the park and going back home, leaving intak standing in the cold. by time she got in her car and started driving away, intak made his way to his car, waving as she backed out the parking spot.

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊

previous — masterlist — next

taglist (closed): @cloudmrk @yyangj3lly @vehaez @mmjhh1998 @gomdoleemyson @alethea-moon @jkslvsnella @starfilledgaze @solvrse @dudekiss3r @nattan127 @nerdsungie @lovesuhng @tokitosun @dokgrayson @222brainrot @jakeshuneybby @antifrggile @cyjzzl @nctseventeensworld @bloomyroses @doughyk @lovefooi @chaerinmin @chenlesfavorite @urlocalbeaner5 @thegracerammy @lionzyon @fairyoflia @haefelt @sunflowerbebe07 @seventeeneration @apolloxxivmin @onlyhyunjin @pinklemonade34 @adorwooks @angelpiixie @jkxlvrr @hisrkive @sunghoonsgfreal @zzurao @mango-bear @bee-the-loser @callita @lttlekomori @neozon3nha @calssunflower @natokkiz @joonsprettygf

notes: lalala guess who finished finals, passed all their classes, and got back to work again this week (i need to make all the money i can over break for psyfe and 127 concerts) 🙂‍↕️

[anotherjheastan]

Another Complicated Love Story

A Jey Uso x Rhea Ripley FanFic

Chapter 5 | Masterlist

CW none

Chapter 6: That’s What You Get

That’s what you get when you let your heart win

I drowned out all my sense with the sound of its beating

- That’s What You Get by Paramore

December 24, 2024

Rhea was gently shaken before the light was turned on. Rhea blinked her eyes. She gently rubbed them. They were a little puffy from crying the night before. She heard her best friend, Jessica clear her throat.

“From Adelaide, South Australia, your future Women’s World Champion, Rhea Bloody Ripley!!” Jessica announced.

Rhea sat up and smiled. “No announcing before coffee.”

“Well good thing the coffee’s done, mate. Now get up,” Jessica said.

Rhea followed Jessica into the kitchen. She looked at her phone. A lot of texts from Naomi. None from Jey. Fuck. Fucking Liv Morgan. Wasn’t she still with Dom? Why would she be pushing up on Jey? And what were they talking about anyway?

Jessica poured Rhea a mug from the pot. She sipped it and read through Naomi’s messages.

Jey said y’all are done? What happened?

Are you okay?

Just let me know you’re okay, Big Momma ❤️

Rhea sighed. “Naomi’s texting me.”

“I told her I’d make sure you’d text her this morning,” Jessica replied. “I told her you were alright.”

“You and Naomi talk?” Rhea asked, smiling.

“Yeah, we’ve been DMing since I’ve been planning to come see you. I’ve got her number now. We’re friends.”

Rhea shook her head. “Ok, let me text back.”

Hi Nae. I’m okay. Yeah we’re done. He was chatting up Liv Morgan. Did he tell you that?

Naomi: Liv Morgan?! I’m gonna get to the bottom of this

Rhea: There’s nothing to figure out. Thanks though.

“I think Naomi would agree with you about this all being a misunderstanding,” Rhea said, sitting on one of her bar stools.

Rhea had updated Jessica after she left medical. Damian went with her to the airport and he helped with getting her seat switched so she wouldn’t have to sit next to Jey. But he was flying to New York so he left for a different gate.

“I’m just saying I think you should hear him out,” Jessica said. “I don’t think he spent over a year pining for you to then go and chat up Liv Morgan. It doesn’t make sense.”

“Dom didn’t make sense either,” Rhea said.

“I know and if I ever see him backstage, you’ll have to stop me from kicking him in the dick,” Jessica said, rubbing Rhea’s back. Rhea laughed into her coffee. “But even on FaceTime I could see how smitten Jey is with you.”

Rhea’s smile faded.

“So if there’s something to figure out, let’s do it,” Jessica said.

“Can we figure out breakfast first, please?”

“Well you were supposed to be taking me to Waffle House. Is that off the table?” Jessica asked.

Rhea sighed. “No, let’s get ready and go.”

They finished their coffee, focusing their conversation on Jessica, her boyfriend Tony, and life back home in Australia. They showered and got dressed. Jessica pulled her long, brown hair into a ponytail. Rhea combed and brushed her hair, making sure it was straight.

“I think I’m ready for long hair again,” Rhea said, eyeing Jessica’s ponytail.

“You’ll get there soon enough.”

Before they headed out, Rhea saw another text from Naomi.

Naomi: Tell my girl Jessica I said what’s up. Y’all have fun today. Don’t forget I have gifts for you!

Rhea: Thanks girl. I’ll pick them up soon. I’ll bring your gift as well.

Naomi: For me?! You shouldn’t have!

Rhea smiled and put her phone down to drive.

Rhea and Jessica were enjoying their meal, snapping pics and posting on Instagram.

“I need to figure out a way to take some of these waffles back home,” Jessica said, tearing into her second chocolate chip waffle.

Rhea laughed. Her phone buzzed. A text from Naomi.

Naomi: Do you know what Jey and Liv were talking about? Do you want to know?

Rhea sighed. Did it matter? Maybe it did. Maybe that’s why Naomi was texting her. But would Jey tell the truth about what they were talking about anyway? What if he just lied to her? Rhea slid her phone over to Jessica. She read the message.

“Hell yeah we wanna know. Text her back!”

“I’m only responding ‘cause you wanna know.”

“Liar,” Jessica replied.

Rhea: What were they talking about?

Naomi: They were talking about Waffle House and Christmas plans. You know how enthusiastic he is about Waffle House. He would talk to any damn one about Waffle House.

Rhea laughed. Jey definitely would. If Waffle House had ambassadors, Jey Uso would be one. He was the reason they were at Waffle House now.

“But why didn’t he just say that?” Rhea asked.

“Based on the timeline of events you told me, you didn’t give him a chance to,” Jessica said. “You kicked him out of medical, went to the airport with Priest, switched seats on the plane. And he probably wanted to respect your space.”

All the color drained from Rhea’s face. She really hadn’t let him say anything. She rubbed her temples.

“I fucked up didn’t I?”

“Maybe a tiny bit,” Jessica said, smiling nervously.

Why hadn’t she trusted him? Given him the benefit of the doubt? Because she had trusted Dom. Because she had given Dom the benefit of the doubt and it blew up in her face. Because Dom hurt her. And now she had hurt Jey. She remembered his face in medical. Had caught glimpses of him at the airport when they landed back in Florida. She had been too angry. She had shut down.

“Fucking Dom,” Rhea sighed.

“Fucking Dom,” Jessica repeated.

Rhea: I fucked up didn’t I? There’s no fixing this, is there?

Naomi: He’s open to talking. I can be the mediator.

Rhea: Good to know. I’ll see you Thursday.

Naomi: Yeah we have to figure out this ride situation for the holiday show.

Shit. Rhea and Jessica were supposed to be riding with Naomi and Jey. She put a pin in that and went out to text Damian.

Rhea: Oh my God. Jey and Liv were talking about Waffle House.

Damian: I told you to go to therapy.

Rhea: I thought I was fine.

Damian: You’re always fine until you’re not. Do you need the number?

Rhea: No, I got it. I’ll make an appointment.

Damian: Don’t make me check on you

Rhea: lol I got it. And Jessica says hi.

Damian: Hi Jessica. I’m glad you’re there in person to help talk some sense into Rhea. Text me when she makes that appointment.

Rhea: Really? You’re just gonna text that like this isn’t my phone?

Damian: Well, don’t read it. I don’t know. I’ll talk to you later.

Rhea: lol love you.

Damian: love you too.

Thursday, December 26

Rhea parked her car on the road in front of Jimmy and Naomi’s house. They would be taking Jimmy’s SUV and she didn’t want to block the driveway. They were there a few minutes early. Rhea and Jey were meeting at 9 am to talk before getting on the road at 10. Naomi would keep Jessica company. She felt uneasy. She had tried to text Jey directly, but everything she started typing sounded dumb. Even Jessica tried to help, but it still wasn’t right. So she had just let Naomi do the talking. She would explain herself today. She gripped the steering wheel.

“Hey,” Jessica said gently. She reached out and touched Rhea’s hand. “No matter what, it’s gonna be okay. I know it doesn’t feel like it, but it will. He’s not Dom, but I’ll kick him in the dick too if it helps.”

Rhea laughed. “Thanks Jess. I’m sure Jey won’t need a kick in the dick though.”

“Okay then. Let’s go see if we still have a ride to this holiday show,” Jessica said.

“Okay that’s not helping,” Rhea said, opening her car door.

“My bad,” Jessica replied, opening her car door as well.

Rhea grabbed Naomi’s, Jimmy’s, and Jey’s gifts out the trunk. Rhea and Jessica rang the bell.

“Naomi!!!” Rhea exclaimed.

“Big Momma!” Naomi replied enthusiastically. .

“Naomi!!!” Jessica exclaimed.

“Jessica!!!” Naomi cheered.

Naomi hugged Rhea and Jessica. Rhea handed Naomi the gifts.

“Keep Jey’s. You’ll be able to give it to him yourself. He brought his gift for you. How are you doing?”

“Apart from feeling like a giant idiot, I’m great,” Rhea said.

“It’s gonna be okay, girl,” Naomi said. “Come in.”

Rhea and Jessica stepped inside. But what if it wasn’t okay? What if Jey never wanted to see her again? What if they were really done? An uneasy feeling settled in her stomach.

Please don’t throw up, she thought.

Jessica gave Rhea a hug before sitting on the couch. Naomi walked Rhea to the sunroom where Jey was waiting. Naomi opened the door. She stepped aside and Rhea walked in. Rhea’s breath caught. He looked so good even if he was just in a hoodie and sweatpants. He had on all black. He had a fresh haircut. And he looked…solemn. He wasn’t his smiling, silly self. Had she done that to him? She felt her eyes start to water, but she blinked back the tears. Rhea smiled, but Jey didn’t return it. She gripped the Christmas gift bag tighter in her hands.

“Can I leave you two alone?” Naomi asked.

“Yes,” they said simultaneously.

“Okay. I’ll be back at 10,” Naomi said. She shut the door behind her.

“Hi,” Rhea said, softly. She was still standing near the door.

“Hi,” Jey said matter-of-factly. He put his hands in the pockets of his black sweatpants.

He’s really mad, Rhea thought. Understandable.

“Can we sit down?” Rhea asked.

“Yeah,” Jey said, sitting down.

Rhea sat on the other side of the couch, leaving some space between them. She put her gift bag in between them and rubbed her hands on her thighs. Her hands were starting to sweat already. She quietly exhaled before looking at him.

“I’m sorry for how I acted on Monday,” Rhea said slowly. “You didn’t do anything wrong. It was me. I was wrong. I put my crap on you and I shouldn’t have. I’m starting therapy in January since I have unresolved emotions around…you know who. I don’t wanna put any more of my crap on you. You didn’t deserve that.”

Jey nodded. Rhea wanted the silence to be filled with anything. She couldn’t handle the quiet and hated how distant she felt from him.

“What happened…really hurt,” Jey started. “I care about you a lot. Trust is important to me. You have to trust me and I have to trust you. Right now, I don’t trust you.”

Rhea’s mouth twisted to the side. His words felt like a blow to the chest. She blinked a few times and looked away from him. Fuck, fuck, fuck, she thought. She took a deep breath and blew out a shaky breath. She looked at him.

“I understand. And I will do everything in my power to earn your trust back. If…if you let me,” Rhea’s voice cracked at the end and a tear fell from her eye. She quickly wiped it away.

“We’ll see,” Jey said.

What did that mean? She had gotten used to reading him, but this was really her first time dealing with upset Jey. She’d never seen him this upset and definitely not at her. But she messed up. She had to own it. And whatever happened, happened. Even if that meant losing him forever.

“Here’s your gift,” Rhea said, trying and failing to hold back more tears. She held out the bag to him. He took it, their hands brushing each other. Her heart stopped aching long enough for it to flutter. He handed her her gift.

Rhea stood up, wiping more tears away. “I’ll see you out there? Are we good for Jacksonville?”

Jey nodded. “We’re good.”

Rhea nodded and then quickly left. She walked to the couch and sat in between Jessica and Naomi. They wrapped their arms around her. Rhea let more tears fall.

“How did it go?” Jessica asked.

“Okay,” Rhea said quietly. “We can ride together.”

“So you two are good?” Naomi asked, uncertain.

“I don’t know. I think we’re okay for now,” Rhea said. “It’s a lot to work through.”

Naomi nodded. “That’s fair. You wanna open your gift?”

Rhea shrugged. “Why not?”

She reached in the bag and pulled out a black, rectangular box. She opened it and gasped. A beautiful Cuban link bracelet with diamonds. It was similar to the one Jey had. She smiled.

“Nice,” Jessica said, under her breath.

Rhea closed it and put it back in the bag. She opened up the card he had in there.

I’m used to you catching up to how I’m feeling. So I understand if you’re not ready to hear me say I love you, but I do. I love you. I shouldn’t write this in a note to you. I should say it to your beautiful face. But I don’t want to scare you off. But I’m pretty sure you love me too. It’s in your eyes, the way you stare at me sometimes. I know because I stare at you like that too. Things are getting serious for me. I hope you’re thinking like that too. I see a future for us forreal. Thank you for a wonderful time together so far. Months have felt like forever. I wonder what years will feel like. I can’t wait to find out.

Love, Jey

Tears streamed down Rhea’s face. He loved her! He loved her! Rhea had written her note for his gift a few days before the drama on Raw. But she left it there, full of hope. And it seems like Jey had left his note in there for her. So there was a chance. Maybe they weren’t completely done.

“Are you okay? What did he say?” Jessica asked.

Rhea nodded. “These are happy tears.”

“I’ll get you some tissue,” Naomi said.

Naomi returned and Rhea wiped her face.

“Thank you. He said he loves me. And I wrote in my note that I love him.”

“Y’all are so sickening,” Naomi said.

“Agreed,” Jessica said.

Rhea laughed. She held the note to her chest and sighed. She started crying again.

“Hey it’s 9:58,” Jey said, walking over to the girls. He stopped when he saw Rhea. “Are you okay?”

Rhea smiled and nodded. “Happy tears.”

Jey smiled for the first time at her. And Rhea wanted to collapse into a puddle on the floor. He held his hand out to her. She hesitated, putting the note down. He stuck out both hands and nodded. She took them and he pulled her into a hug. He smelled amazing. Rhea held him tight. He squeezed her too. They separated and he wiped some of her tears away. He looked from her eyes to her lips and Rhea’s heart pounded. He kissed her on the forehead. She was just happy to feel his lips on her again.

“While I’m glad y’all made up, y’all are gonna be late if you don’t get going,” Jimmy said.

“Ugh, really Jimmy? You can’t let them have a moment?” Naomi said.

Jimmy held up his hands. “I’m just saying.”

“Let’s go,” Jey said. “Bye Jim.”

“Bye Jey. Nice meeting you, Jessica. Bye Rhea,” Jimmy said, as Naomi walked up to him.

Naomi kissed Jimmy and told him to take it easy. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Be safe and have fun,” Jimmy replied.

Jessica and Rhea waved at Jimmy. Rhea grabbed her bag out of her car and tossed it in the SUV. Jessica and Rhea sat in the back. Naomi and Jey in front, Naomi in the driver’s seat. Naomi put on her playlist and they headed to Jacksonville.

[phoenixinthefiles]

I’m bored, AND have writer’s block so here’s some info on the Batfamily-Reality-TV show-No Capes AU that exist solely in my head (the name is long I know)

Bruce adopted Dick the same way he did in canon but Jason’s adoption story changed a bit.

Jason met Bruce when he was about five when he tried to steal a toy and ran into crime alley to get away from the shopkeeper. Bruce paid for the toy and helped him look for his mom and the rest was history.

When Catherine died, it had already been established that Jason would move in with Bruce should said situation transpire. So at 8 years old, Jason became a Wayne (not in name)

Talia and Bruce were dating throughout that time and they married a little before Jason was officially adopted m. (Dick did not approve)

2 years later the adorable heir to Gotham’s throne was welcomed into the world

2 years after THAT Dick and Bruce had their canon falling out and Dick left to LA (or jump city, it’s undecided)

A year later Bruce and Talia called it quits, the media were shocked, everybody wanted to know the scandal behind the separation of Gotham’s it couple.

Then tragedy struck, Jason had been reunited with his birth mother but she owed money to some very unforgiving gangsters. Sheila didn’t make it but after dying for 2 minutes, Jason pulled through. (Heart stopped not dying but yk)

He was in a coma for six months. During which time a certain Timothy Jackson Drake was placed into the emergency custody of Bruce Wayne.

Dick and Kory were living in New York when these things happened (DickKory forever) and Dick spent a lot of time either at the hospital or helping Tim acclimate.

Talia took Damian for a year as per her and Bruce’s flimsy custody agreement, and they spent time in Europe (maybe not idk yet)

Jason woke up and began a long period of recovery which put strain on his relationship with Bruce and Tim.

Cass popped up during this time as well (still haven’t figured out how) and Jason was very un-receptive to TWO new siblings.

So was Damian

Jason is released from the hospital and struggles to cope with all the changes to his body and the world around him, not to mention he missed out on a year of school.

Bruce and Talia come to a more firm agreement considering Ra’s is still who he is in this AU and Talia’s loyalties are spilt.

Fast forward two years and the reality show begins.

Dick is 24 and has been single for two years (don’t ask) he and Bruce have reconciled and even gotten to the point of joking about their estrangement, well Dick has. He lives in Bludhaven and works as a gymnastics coach for the underprivileged kids in the area.

Jason is 19 and a freshman at Princeton (I think) he still lives at home, and he’s an English major. He’s not dating anyone but Damian is suspicious of his relationship status.

Cass is 18, and (yes I’m going to go there) a ballerina at New Jersey Ballet (planning on a cooler name). She also lives at home and she spends most of her time dancing or making Damian and Tim dance with her. She knows they actually love it

Tim is 15, he’s either skateboarding or trying to convince Bruce to let him hop state lines and hang out with his YJ friends. Young Justice is actually the name of their garage band but it’s just for fun.

Damian is 8, nearly 9. His first year of in-person school is starting and he is not thrilled. Bruce only let him skip to the fourth grade because his birthday is late even though he can compete with eight graders. He really wants his parents to get back together but he recognizes that they probably won’t be reconciling considering they don’t even mention the divorce around him.

And…that’s it. Whenever I daydream about this AU I always just daydream up episodes and scenes

[prepareforspamcalls]

Is It Sad That All We Could Find Is Their Highschool Photos?

(The Whitlock Sisters set up a memorial for their dead siblings during Christmas time. Bitter stuff.)

Peeps?: @myluckymoon @city-of-c0rpses

"Do you have the flowers ready?" Lilli asked, standing near the unlit fireplace in the living room. She was adjusting two small black picture frames on the top of the fireplace, making sure there was no dust covering the pictures. To her left was a picture of Xena when she was 18, wearing a school uniform and showing off her test score, though she looked rather unhappy in it. To Lilli's right was a poorly cut-out photo of Xavier from his high school year book, he had a soft smirk on his face.

Lilli looked at both photos and sighed softly, giving a slight frown. She turned around, facing the kitchen to see Sophia in the kitchen. Sophia had the radio on playing some Christmas music, but not the modern pop joyful one, instead the type of music that sounds like a church choir (despite not being Christians themselves). She was wearing a red but modest dress as she was adjusting white flowers sprinkled with a few red flowers in the mix into a vase. She was taking her delicate time.

Sophia looked up and eventually came over with two separate vases. Lilli takes one from her, putting it on Xena's side while Sophia proceeded to do the same but on Xavier's side. Once the flowers were placed, both sisters stepped back and looked at the fireplace. They stood there in silence, just staring at the photos of their deceased loved ones.

Their silence is interrupted when Viola came through the door with a box of a few items.

"Hey..." She mumbled so quietly, taking off her boots by the front door and swiftly coming over to the living room. She looked at the memorial that Lilli and Sophia had set up. She looked at it before nodding. "Not bad." She mumbled again before opening the box she brought with her.

Sophia looked over as she watched Viola take out a small music box, it looked old.

"Oh, is that Xavier's?" She asked curiously, taking it gently.

Viola shook her head. "I wish it was the one Xena originally got him, but I'm afraid that one is still in California. I went to an antique shop earlier, looking for some sort of replica. This is the closest I could get...."

"Well it's the thought that counts..." Viola slightly smiled, gently placing down the music box by Xavier's photo and moving some fake lemons near the photo as well. Lilli looked in the box and took out a old Raggedy Ann doll from the box.

"I guess this one you got from the antique store as well?" She asked before Viola gave a confirming nod. "I never understood why Xena would like this creepy thing. But up it goes as well." Lilli said to herself as well, having a slight fear of dolls. She puts it up by Xena's photo anyways, scooting over the fake apples closer as well.

The memorial was finished, and the three stepped back and gazed at it for a long time, the choir music in the background getting quieter and quieter as the seconds pass by. They all stand there in silence, perhaps paying their respects. Viola's face remained neutral, though the other two seemed to be frowning slightly.

"You know...." Lilli started. "Is it sad that all we could find is their highschool photos? Like no other photos of them?"

They all nod in agreement.

"We should have spent our time well with them... but there's nothing we can do now..." Viola sigh. "Rest well, you two." She uttered to the pictures before turning away to the kitchen. Sophia followed her, leaving Lilli in the living room.

She stood there for a while, just thinking before turning to the kitchen and smiling. "Well how about we spend more time together in order to make up time. We can make eggrolls tonight."

Sophia smiled at that idea. "I like that. It sounds fun."

"I don't mind it, I got nothing better to do." Viola said, calling her boyfriend not to come over. Lilli smiled and came into the kitchen.

The girls, plus Sophia's wife, spent the night cooking up some eggrolls. Chatting and having a good time. During the time, Lilli would sneakily take some photos of her sisters, making up for what she missed in the past. She looked back at the photos of Xena and Xavier before leaving a plate of two eggrolls between the photos.

She gave a final smile and turned back to her family to enjoy the rest of the evening.

[cxffecoupx]

dear santa

lee seokmin + jokingly going up to the santas at the mall and embarrassing the other one wc: 645 warnings: written in a rush to finish the series, seokmin being painfully embarassing author's notes: I'm so sorry I keep posting such mediocre stuff i really don't wish to😭😭 also this should preferably be read before chan's drabble 'wrapping errors'. but I hope you like it <3 winter wonderland masterlist

"i think the store over there has some good gifts," you point towards the store with one hand to seokmin around who you've wrapped your other hand.

seokmin's still in awe over all the christmas decorations done in the mall when you look at him. red sparkling decor hangs from the high roof, glistening when light hits it at particular angles; lights arranged in the figures of reindeers and pandas; arches made of green leaves, with stars dangling at points; santas standing at various places in the mall, talking and playing with the kids that have come to the shopping center.

christmas is in full swing here.

however, you're falling behind because the two of you have spent days procrastinating and postponing buying the gifts for people you're meeting on christmas. like every year, all of you are meeting at seungcheol's place for the big bash he throws regularly, and for you, staying away from your family, they have become a second family to you.

you head over to the shop and look around for a while, contemplating whether to buy the most beautiful things you see there, even though they're basically useless to anyone. you manage to purchase a few presents, and when you're leaving, you notice that seokmin is nowhere to be found.

hands full of bags and gifts, you exit the store, mind wandering just like your eyes trying to spot him in the crowd. couples and families thronged the place, kids walking around with balloons and candies possibly gifted by the santas.

how the hell were you gonna find him?

the thought didn't stay for long when you hear his voice from somewhere, "yn!!"

"minnie?" when you look over though, you instantly wish that you hadn't.

there he stood, a few feet away from you, wearing an exact same white beard like the santa standing near him. the prop looked odd with the rest of his clothes, and his pose suggested that he was clearly losing some marbles. even the santa nearby seemed to ignore the embarassing creature standing near him.

you'd always had the fantasy of him role-playing as santa during sex, especially around xmas, but if this is what it's gonna be, you'd rather take up chastity. seriously.

"yn! wait why are you walking away- YN, c'mere. this is so fun," seokmin calls out to you again, this time louder, and the people nearby follow his gaze to see a shy you, face the colour of a ripe tomato. you could only wish that the ground would swallow you up.

and if all this wasn't enough, your boyfriend decides to laugh in an obnoxious manner, a distinct 'ho ho ho' echoing through the mall even in the chatter of the crowd.

that's when the mall starts playing one of your favourite songs, a song he'd start singing whenever, wherever you were. when you turn around to look at him, you see him already watching you, eyes searching yours for the silent message that comes with the song.

Shall I stay?

Would it be a sin

If I can't help falling in love with you?

you walk over to him, pressing a quick kiss to his lips before taking his extended hand to pull him away from the crowd. you return the beard to the santa with an awkwardness you're sure he understands as well, and return to seokmin, who's now decided to entertain a few kids who'd thought he was santa indeed, and the sight melts away any urgency you'd felt. it replaces with a warm and cosy feeling that slowly settles in your tummy.

"the kids loved me; i make a pretty good santa, don't i?" he asks when he sees you near him.

"i don't know about santa, but you'd make a pretty good dad. now let's get home quick now, we have to wrap the gifts."

prompt by @novelbear; dividers by @adornedwithlight

[thewriterwithsnakes]

The Ekko of A Violin: Part 2

Sorry this took me so long to get another part in, the holidays have me swamped. I am excited to let you all know that this story has a death grip on me and will become a series. I've already got ideas running around for the next few parts.

Summary: Your first day as a firelight is as exciting as it is embarrassing. Aka your new environment is wonderful and you can't help being awkward around Ekko.

Warnings: Use of Y/N, still not hitting the full romance part yet, not entirely proofread

The next day you woke up, well rested for once. You stretched and your joints cracked. You sighed in relief and got ready for your first day as a firelight. Before heading out though, you did some warms ups and practiced a bit on your violin. It was nice to start mornings with music, it calmed your mind and let you mentally prepare for the day. You set the instrument down on your bed before throwing on some sneakers and heading out.

It was a bit of a shock, being greeted pleasantly. The usual greetings in Zaun consisted of foul words and attempted muggings. If you were lucky you'd only get demeaning looks and catcalls. So to be told good morning with a smile was a little jarring, but you took it all in stride. Usually change was pretty terrible, especially in the undercity, but now it was refreshing and more than welcome.

Unbeknownst to you, everybody knew that when a new firelight was recruited, Ekko wouldn't tell them who he was right away, he liked to see how people treated their equals. So nobody mentioned it to you, nobody batted an eye when Ekko approached you by the tree and told you his name was Gabriel. It was the name he used when recruiting so that way nobody would get mixed up. And recruiting in the undercity was sparse enough that it didn't happen often anyways. It's not like Zaun was full of people who spent their free time doing charity work.

"So what's your name, sugar?" A smirk graced his face as he leaned up against the beautiful tree. You let out a soft laugh.

"I'll tell you, but only if you promise to keep the nickname." You joked. He gave you a playfully offended look as he pressed his hand to his chest. "As if I'd ever forget!" He shot back as he laughed. You could get used to the sound. The sight of his smile and the sparkle in his eyes as he playfully shook his head at you in mock disappointment, hair swaying slightly with his movements. "So?" 'Gabriel' asked. "Hm?" Your brows furrowed in confusion. "Well are you gonna keep staring at me sugar or are you gonna give me your name?" Your cheeks burned, you hadn't even realized you were staring. "Oh uh sorry it's y/n." You looked at ground more than slightly embarrassed. "Pretty name, sugar." He spoke again. "I've gotta run, have fun on your first day as a firelight sugar." He walked away and you let out a breath you didn't even realize you were holding in.

The rest of the day was pleasant and you went through what was basically orientation. A fellow firelight explained their values and usual routines, what to expect and some basic rules. You delighted in finally feeling like you had a family. You made some friends and then spent the late afternoon playing your violin. The piece you'd been working on, a proudly original composition, was coming together nicely. You still had to tweak just about every note though, okay so maybe you hated it but an artist always hates their work right? You set the violin and the bow back it the case before settling in for bed. A sigh left your lips as you tucked your arm underneath your pillow with a smile. You really began to love going to sleep looking forward to the next day instead of dreading it.

[jaeyunluvbot]

[ are we still friends? ] masterlist.

chapter one. may eighth

You stood in the living room, adjusting the throw pillows on the couch for the third time, even though everything was already perfect. The soft ocean breeze floated in through the patio doors, carrying the scent of saltwater and the sound of waves crashing in the distance. It felt amazing being back here, in your parents’ sprawling beachside house, knowing this time it wasn’t just a quick visit, it was the start of an entire summer with your closest friends.

The sound of tires crunching on the driveway snapped you out of your thoughts. You hurried to the window, a smile already forming when you spotted Chaewon stepping out of her car, looking around with wide eyes.

You opened the door and leaned against the frame. “Took you long enough!”

Chaewon turned, and her face lit up. “Y/N, what the hell? This house is huge!”

She practically ran up the porch steps and threw her arms around you. “How have you never mentioned your family owns a literal mansion by the sea?”

You laughed, hugging her back. “It’s not a mansion, it’s just a house.”

Chaewon stepped back and looked at you like you’d grown a second head. “This is not ‘just a house.’”

Before you could protest, another car pulled into the driveway. Jaemin’s car came to a stop first, followed closely by Jeno and Sakura, who’d driven separately. As soon as Jaemin climbed out, he threw his arms in the air.

“Y/N, this is insane!” he shouted, gesturing at the house.

“It’s not that big!” you called back, already laughing.

“Are you kidding me?” Jaemin said, walking up the driveway with Jeno and Sakura close behind. “This place is huge. Like, do your parents rent it out for movie shoots or something?”

“Or do they just park their yacht out back?” Jeno added, smirking as he slung his bag over his shoulder.

“You’re all so dramatic,” you said, shaking your head. “Come inside before the neighbors start wondering what’s going on.”

“This is going to be the best summer ever,” Jaemin said, dropping onto the couch like he owned the place. “I call dibs on the room with the best view!”

“Not if I get there first,” Sakura shot back, already heading toward the stairs.

“Why do I feel like I’m going to regret inviting you all here?” you joked, watching as Jeno followed after her, leaving his bag behind.

Chaewon settled onto the arm of the couch, grinning at you. “You’re not regretting anything. Admit it—you’ve missed this.”

“Okay, hold up,” you said, raising your hands to grab everyone's attention. “Before anyone starts unpacking, I have one demand: we’re hitting the beach while it’s still light out.”

Chaewon blinked at you. “Now? We just got here.”

“Exactly,” you said, grinning. “We can unpack later. The beach is literally right there, and it’s perfect right now.”

Jaemin was already on his feet. “Say less. I’m so in.”

“Did you even bring swim trunks, or are you going to ‘accidentally’ ruin another pair of shorts?” Jeno teased, earning a laugh from Sakura.

“Hey, those were an acceptable sacrifice for fun,” Jaemin shot back, heading for the door. “Don’t slow me down.”

Chaewon sighed, looking at her suitcase. “Fine, but if we come back and my stuff’s a wrinkled mess, you’re ironing it.”

You laughed, grabbing her wrist to pull her along. “Deal. Let’s go before the sun sets.”

It didn’t take long for everyone to throw on beach clothes and grab towels. The short walk to the beach was filled with laughter and light banter, the golden rays of the late afternoon sun casting everything in a warm glow.

When you reached the sand, Jaemin bolted toward the water without hesitation, kicking off his sandals mid-run. “Last one in’s a rotten egg!”

“Jaemin, your shirt!” Sakura called, laughing when he ignored her.

You spread your towel on the sand and looked out at the waves, feeling a sudden wave of nostalgia. It had been years since you’d spent this much time at the beach.

“Wow,” Chaewon said, sitting beside you and looking out at the horizon. “I get why you love this place so much.”

“It’s always been my favorite spot,” you admitted, pulling your knees to your chest.

“Okay, no more sappy vibes,” Jeno interrupted, tossing a beach ball in your direction. “Who’s up for volleyball?”

“Only if you’re ready to lose,” Sakura shot back, standing up and dusting off her hands.

“Bold words for someone who tripped over the net last time,” Jeno said, smirking.

You laughed, shaking your head as the banter continued. The sun dipped lower in the sky, and for a moment, everything felt perfect.

author's note 𐙚 ok so this is lowkey bad but i'm just trying to introduce everyone so give me like two more chapters and then it'll slay.

taglist 𐙚 @myjjongie @kittydollzz @defzcl @strrykais @ballsa420 @t-102 @413ktz @yukisroom97 @lxrii @bananinhazz @mmjhh1998

[pomrania]

So, ah, it's been a while; but this will be finishing it off, for this year.

THE ANTARCTIC: A Fangame? by @ringedretrospective I am genuinely curious if this IS a fangame OF something; and if so, what, because "penguins fighting against angels in the long day, and other penguins in the long night", sounds RAD AS HELL.

Core Competence by @rathayibacter I always like "pick a beneficial trait, and take the detrimental trait which comes along with it", and that's like the base concept of this whole thing. It'd benefit from some examples -- ideally a wide range of skills and their corresponding restrictions to choose from -- but that's what you get with a 200-word limit (and also "coming up with good examples of stuff" is hard work).

Dagobert et Saint-Eloi by @bossarmadimon It's things like this which make me glad I can read French at a functional level. I highly respect the mindset of "doing it because someone said it was impossible", plus the game itself seems like fun. I'm probably missing a LOT of the context, since my exposure to francophone culture consists of two non-sequential months spent in Quebec in the mid-late 00s.

Destiny: Keep Dusk by @notsomeoneyouknow I already liked this just from the title; I've a weakness for things that are just synonyms of what they're based on. I love the concept of picking a Summons by just getting a random wikipedia article. Everything else feels like it would be hilarious if I knew more about Fate Stay Night.

Earth, Sun and Rain Grow a Plant by @cornishpatsy I just really like the bit about how it works out to okay if there's two much of two different specific things, because it balances out.

Expert Professional Liars by @souridealist I appreciate something that starts with "here's a weird thing to use as a randomizer" and then continues to "what type of thing would most fit with the results pattern given by this".

from nothingness by @kalinary That's something I don't think I've seen before, where everyone gets randomly assigned a trait and THEN only one person gets to keep it, I'm assuming here that it's their "true" trait and not something they were just "acting as" in the moment, going by "best embodied". I always love coming across new shiny concepts.

I'm an English Major, Not a Scientist! by @coopbella This concept amuses me. Like, I always love "everyone is secretly an X pretending to be a Y, and they think everyone else is actually a Y", but "librarians on a submarine" is great.

Interlocked Fates by @thefaewriter I respect the idea of having a bunch of games all together, which are all linked. But more than that, I like all the "again" in the vampire one; you can TASTE the frustration and annoyance with those damn vampires, and I love it. The rest of the stuff seems pretty good too.

AN INTIMATE INTERPLAY OF SWORDSMANSHIP ATOP A SUNLIT PEAK by @seth-a-nahk I really like that dice mechanic here. That's… not much to say, but there's not much TO say; it's not like I write a poem extolling the virtues of baked goods every time I eat a cookie, even a really yummy cookie.

Naive Rules to Argumentative Fantastical Play by @meticulac From the notes about this, it seems really cool; I love the concept. From the text of the game itself, however, that… wasn't so clear. This is another of those games that would really benefit from some more words; this one in particular, I want to read a version of it done WITHOUT a word-count limit, because some ideas simply can't be compressed beyond a certain degree without losing what makes them worthwhile (compare the album art done for vinyl records, vs the album art done for things that will play online and it'll mostly be seen in thumbnail), and I don't know what its "full proper size" would be.

On God's Desk By End Of Days by @krawkpaladin There were a bunch of things posted on the last day of this event with the theme of "oh frick it's nigh the deadline and stuff still needs to get done" (for obvious reasons). This one though actually feels like its own game, prolly due to the setting/concept (which is cool).

Prototypes by @derpravener I do not care about mech stuff; I don't HATE it, I just don't find it intrinsically cool. That being said, I like this, with the different options it has available to choose from.

Quaint Seaside Town Stuck In A Time Loop by @believerindaydreams Gotta say, "changing up who you are and what your role is" WORKS for a "stuck in a time loop" situation, can't believe I'd never seen that before. (One thing I need to point out, though: d66 means "roll a d6 for the ones place, and a d6 for the tens place", and leads to a total of 36 possible results, not 66.)

Secret Agents of the 60s by @wrrdbrrd I can't articulate what exactly I like about this, but I like it.

Sneaky Snack by @blueberrybananasmoothie This is simply DELIGHTFUL, large smile on my face.

TANGERRITORIAL by @certified-llama-chauffeur I'm just impressed that someone managed to figure out a way to make a TANGERINE part of a game. And the whole thing seems pretty functional, which… isn't a given for this event, and ESPECIALLY isn't a given for weird gimmicky stuff.

!(Zombie Apocalypse) ? Proceed As Usual : CYOA by @that-house I fucking hate Choose Your Own Adventure stories, and I have ever since I was a child; it doesn't matter the quality, I just hate the whole genre or medium or whatever it counts as. Still, I have to respect someone who manages to a) write this and b) get it all within the wordcount.

So that's it for the stuff from this event; I've talked about all the ones I found interesting enough to talk about. If I've mentioned one of your games on here or on the previous thread, and you want further feedback on it, feel free to hit me up. If you have a game I didn't talk about here... I can still give you feedback if you wish, I just likely won't have much to say and/or a decent chunk of it would be criticism, but it's your choice.

Continuation from my previous thread (because it got long), of stuff from @200-word-rpgs that I find interesting.

THE CURSE: A Rabbit and Steel Fangame by @ringedretrospective I'm not sure I've even HEARD of "Rabbit and Steel" before, let alone know what it's like. But having "apologize for what you did last night", as the single sentence for the "day" phase, amuses me greatly.

Make Brown by @thee-rat-king I like colour stuff; I also appreciate how "should or shouldn't end up brown" is a 50% thing determined at the start of the game. And that's just SUCH a cool concept, how one player gets their colour combined with that of the other.

Paleolithic Fantasy by @cavetalesz I agree with the writer (whose url is PERFECTLY fitted for this game), we need more stuff set in this… setting. And also more FANTASY stuff in that setting; heck, if we're going from the thing we commonly see in fantasy of "magic has been fading from the world", then the earlier back we go, the more room there is for magic (and also it's not like there's any written documentation to contradict it). As to the game itself, I appreciate how the "stuff you find" table includes entries with relevant stats, and then at the end there's just "the antlered man", no detail given.

Elegy For A Better Yesterday by @notsomeoneyouknow I don't have enough familiarity with John Woo movies to properly appreciate this. But from the design notes, it seems like a lot of thought went into mechanics that properly match the theme.

Mires by @i-exist-for-spleen and manguypersondude I appreciate something that, as they put it, turns "how partial a GM is inevitably going to be" into a feature and not a bug. Also, something that started with a design requirement ("no dice math") and then built from there. And yeah, when you just stumble upon a theme or concept that ties everything neatly together, that is SUCH a good feeling; the spark of inspiration that lights up the tinder you've prepared from your own efforts.

You Know How This Story Ends by @indraklyr I just think it's cool; everyone has things that will happen, then those things get placed in an order, then you play out how the things happen.

You Sunk My Battleship! by @ineffable-gallimaufry Gotta respect something that finds a way to turn BATTLESHIP, of all things, into an RPG.

[wardingshout]

Zelda goes mushroom girl

[puppyeared]

I can teach you how to be just like me

crying all night, sleeping till three

[aeymii]

Sometimes, you just gotta sit back and draw this a-hole✨

[silverpsychedelic]

I wrestled with these for a week BUT, a bunch of lore for Arctic Zora. Can you tell I've been super into speculative biology lately

Arctic Zora (or 'Titans' as they're more commonly known) are a clan of Zora which separated from their mainland ancestors a very long time ago, heading north towards the polar caps. They exist beyond the Hyrule continent and are divided from their inland cousins via a huge sea, but you can find them on travels around the region. They earned the term 'Titan' due to their much larger and far more robust size in comparison to the Zora of Hyrule, and often stick to the colder climates where they are more comfortable and less likely to suffer heatstroke.

These are just a small portion of notes I have on them, and I'd like to do more lore pages in this style!

[mossy-paws]

could you draw the new vinestaff skin?? :)

Here ya go!

[marshmallowgoop]

You came out of nowhere And you opened up my eyes to sunlight

[Song links: 1, 2] [YouTube link]

[averlym]

litany of the martyrs (click for better resolution!)