#i think yang first started to realize her feelings were more than just 'like' sometime immediately after blake left after the fall of beacon

[moonsandstar-s]

one of the aspects that i love most about the confession scene is that blake & yang both already know the big truth they haven’t dropped on each other. blake knows yang is thinking ‘i love you’ and yang realizes that blake is thinking it too as the clouds go gold behind her, even though she immediately questions it with the dropping of her gaze and the uncertainty on her face - for them, it’s a matter of being brave enough to speak it into existence rather than revealing previously-unknown feelings to each other. my question is, when do you guys think blake and yang first became aware of how they, themselves, were feeling? 

[srjlvr]

SEVEN ROYALTIES

“once upon a time there was a promised couple, that time made them realize that sometimes, promises can be broken” — yang jungwon

yang jungwon x fem!reader genre: childhood friends to lovers , promised to marry , fluff , angst ! warnings: mentions of food , pregnancy i think , maybe curse words (do lmk if i missed something!!) || NOT PROOFREAD !!

WORD-COUNT ; 5.5k+

NOTE. WOW!!!! can you believe how much time it took me to write this? i had an intense writer block and didnt know where to continue, lets not forget about my basically hiatus bc of school and etc.. im SO terribly sorry for taking too long, y’all clearly don’t deserve that!! also, riki’s parts are kind of mentioned? not so sure…

“ready?”

“i’ve never been ready-ier”

“that’s not even a word!”

“and who are you to decide?”

“stop fighting will you? it happens every time, unbelievable”

“y/n, jungwon, stop bickering, everyone’s waiting for you”

you took a deep breath and jungwon held your hand.

as you entered the big hall all you could’ve heard for claps and cheers.

“happy birthday!” they all said in harmony.

that’s right, you and jungwon celebrate your birthday together, as you were born at the same day within a few hours difference, he was born first.

it probably had something to do with your mothers being best friends.

the queens of other kingdoms being inseparable just shows everyone that you don’t have to be in rivalry to win a happy life.

when your mother announced her pregnancy, jungwon’s mother cried out of joy, saying that she too, is pregnant.

it was even more exciting to see both of the queens celebrate everything that has to do with their pregnancy together.

birthday celebrations has never been as big as your birthday, mostly because of the over excitement your mothers both felt and still feel.

as soon as they revealed the genders, it was like a sign for them, and even before you were born, you were promised to each other.

“y/n, meet jungwon” your mother used her sweetest voice as she introduced jungwon to you. you were one day old and the queens already made sure you know each other, even though you probably won’t remember it.

“you do realize they won’t remember it in five minutes too, right?” your father tried to bring her back to earth but she was already gone in cloud 9.

growing up was quite interesting you’d say.

your mom made sure to visit hybe kingdom every monday and thursday, and jungwon’s mother came to visit every tuesday and friday. it has already became a ritual for both you and jungwon.

“y/n! it’s time to go!” your mother called you while you were busy playing with jungwon.

“i have to go now, but i will see you tomorrow, right?” you asked him and he nodded.

“you already know you will”

there was nothing more touching than to see you and jungwon getting along and spending time together, your mothers were clearly the happiest.

not only that you got along with jungwon, you got along with each of his siblings, and he definitely had bunch.

“fancy seeing you here again, y/n” heeseung came and ruffled your hair.

“it’s like we haven’t seen you for years!” jake added.

“how have you been? we missed you” jay hugged you.

“you’re always playing with jungwon but never walk up to us” sunghoon pout.

“we’re just glad to see you again” sunoo smiled widely.

“y/n can i join you two?” riki asked

they were definitely your siblings as well, and you love each and every one of them.

“find your own y/n then! don’t steal her from me” jungwon would always argue with them and scoff.

you just giggled and gave each of them a hug before going outside with jungwon.

“don’t be too harsh on them” you said and he rolled his eyes.

“they’re just trying to tease me”

“they’re your siblings, it’s like, a part of them”

he rolled his eyes once again and started running around.

as you slowly grow up with each other, you were slowly starting to develop something special towards each other.

“drawing again?” jungwon caught you in one of your castle rooms you used to paint in.

you grew a lot of habits, and one of them was drawing. you were never really confident in them, but jungwon always complimented them and even took some of them to hang in his room, he kept you motivated.

“you already know” you giggled.

growing up together for thirteen years already taught you so much about each other, you knew his strengths and his weaknesses, and he knew yours.

“can you teach me some tricks?” he asked and you looked at him confused, “i want to learn how to draw too”

you nodded and prepared a new canvas for him.

“sit here and adjust your chair so that it’ll feel comfortable enough for you, your hands needs to be a bit bent but not too much” you ordered him and he did as you said.

“usually you just start with a few….” you started teaching him the basics and guided him through it.

“before you make that line, make sure it’s angled and…” you held his wrist and fixed his posture as well, “like that!”

you failed to notice his blushing cheeks as you were too focused on teaching him, but he was too busy thinking about how close you are.

“it was fun seeing you today! i’ll see you tomorrow!” jungwon waved you goodbye as he left.

you left out a big sigh as he left, lately your mind has been occupied by so many thoughts about the future.

“is something wrong dear?” your mother, who stood next to you held your shoulders and caressed them.

“i’m just worried about something” you pout and your mother bent down a bit.

“what is it?” she asked softly.

“what if me and jungwon will no longer be together like the way we are now? what if he’ll lose interest and……”

“y/n, honey, you and jungwon are promised to each other, no matter what happens you’ll always be together”

you and jungwon basically grew up into the fact that you’re promised to each other, your families barely even mentioned it because it was so easy to understand.

“you’re right, but what if…?”

“you’re too worried about something that will probably never happen!” she joked and you nodded.

right, you’re probably overreacting.

at age sixteen, your parents signed you up for a royalty high school, where the high society teens attended. and of course they forced jungwon’s parents to sign him up too, with the excuse of ‘it’s always better to have more education!’

“ready?”

“i’ve never been ready-ier”

“that’s still not a word” jungwon signed and you just giggled.

“before we get in the class,” you spoke and extended your pinky in front of him, “promise me nothing bad is going to happen between us”

“don’t be stupid, of course nothing will happen” he locked your pinkies together and laughed.

even though he laughed it out, inside he was scared for his life. he knows high school changes people’s personalities, and he was so damn scared that something might happen between the two of you.

he doesn’t care about losing everything else in his life, as long as he never loses you.

“please welcome y/n and jungwon!” the teacher introduced you to the classroom and you heard cheers and claps.

you released your hand that was holding jungwon’s and waved at your new classmates.

jungwon looked at you, confused with your actions.

“hello, i’m y/n, please treat me well” you smiled and they all clapped and cheered again.

“y/n please sit next to leehan” leehan raised his hand.

“oh but we—“ jungwon was about to ask the teacher to let you sit together but you were to quick to move away and sit beside leehan.

“hello, i’m jungwon” he introduced himself and the class cheered.

“jungwon please sit next yunah” the teacher asked and jungwon went to sit beside minju.

he was already starting to feel like nothing good is going to come out of this.

“hey y/n! let’s sit for lunch!” jungwon called you and you nodded happily.

“i told leehan he can join us too! can you believe i actually made a new friend?” you asked and he nodded.

he was really happy to see you happy.

“is that okay?” you looked at him worriedly and he immediately smiled.

“of course! i’m excited to meet your friend!!” he genuinely smiled and started walking with you.

he was about to grab your hand and hold it but noticed you were busy holding your books.

guess your holding hands’ agreement is starting to fall.

“i know nothing about this school, we almost got lost at the entrance” you joked and leehan chuckle as jungwon was busy overthinking.

“i’ll guide you whenever you want, just tell me and i’ll be there” leehan replied and you smiled.

oh how jungwon wished the be the only one who can make you smile like that.

lunch went amazing according to you, jungwon was too deep in thoughts to notice it anyway.

“won! i won’t be going back home together with you today, leehan invited me to his place”

“hm? oh, okay” he mumbled as he saw your excited look on your face.

you were so excited to get new friends that you’ve failed to notice jungwon’s weird actions throughout the whole day.

he’s been weirdly quiet, barely even had a normal conversation with someone.

“jungwon? why aren’t you eating?” heeseung, his older brother did manage to notice his weird personality shift, jungwon would usually eat and brag about how much he enjoys his meal.

“just not feeling too hungry” the younger sighed as his six other brothers looked at him.

“something is not right” jay whispered to heeseung and he nodded.

“are you sur—“ “yeah, i’m sure” he pierced his gaze towards them and left them speechless.

he’d never get into a person’s sentence.

“okay then”

the awkwardness was very much present after that.

“so y/n tell us, how was school?” your parents asked.

“oh it was amazing! i met a new friend, his name is leehan”

“leehan from (name of kingdom)?” your mother’s eyes widened.

you nodded and smiled, “he was actually being kind and sincere!”

“oh that’s amazing! i heard he’s a very much handsome guy, how come you’ve never seen him in any celebrations we go to?”

“don’t be silly honey, she always paid attention to jungwon”

“jungwon!”

“hm?”

before you even let them finish their question, you got up from your seat, “it’s late, but i need to go to see jungwon!” you hurried outside.

“you have a visitor” those four words managed to confuse jungwon, who in their right minds would come visit him at this hour?

“yunah?” he asked as he noticed the figure that was waiting for him in his garden.

“jungwon! i had to see you, even if its so late already” she smiled and got closer to hug him but he stopped her.

“what are you doing here at this hour? couldn’t this wait until tomorrow?” he asked, he can’t remember being so close to her to the point that she’ll be showing up in his place at this hour. they just met today!

“i…i just wanted to tell you that if you need any help i’ll be here to assist you, i’m really glad to have you as my classmate” this time she hugged him before he could stop and he just froze in his place, trying to process what was happening.

while yunah was busy hugging jungwon, and he was busy being so deep in thoughts and confused, you were there to witness it all.

you wanted to ask him about his day, to tell him how much fun you had with leehan and how you couldn’t stop telling him stories about jungwon, you wanted jungwon to be included in anything that you did, and with every new friend that you got.

you didn’t even want to interrupt their so called ‘beautiful moment’. you were so confused and too tired to even understand what was happening.

so you ran away back to your place, promising to yourself that from now on, you’ll take a step back from jungwon and let him live his life freely.

so what if you’re promised to each other? sometimes people can’t keep their promises.

“jungwon”

“hm?”

“what if we grow apart one day?”

“that’ll never happen”

“but what if it will?”

“i will make sure it’ll never happ—“

“what if it will?”

“i…..i will make sure to get us back together”

“what if i’ll end up hating you?”

“y/n what kind of—“

“answer me please”

“i will continue trying to get you back to me, even if you hate me”

“what if you’ll start liking someone?”

“i’ll get back to my senses, we’re promised to each other!”

“sometimes promises can’t be kept…..”

“hm?”

“never mind….”

“now tell me, why did you ask those questions?”

“i’m just scared to lose you”

“you’ll never lose me”

thinking about this old moment between you and jungwon made you chuckle in disbelief, you were right all along.

always trust your instincts.

“hey y/n!” jungwon called you.

“hi” you answered dryly.

“is everything okay?” he asked worriedly and you hummed.

“let’s go grab ice crea—“ “can’t, going out with friends after school”

“oh…okay”

it hurt like a bitch seeing his disappointed face, but he has yunah now, she can help him feel better.

“jungwon! didn’t get to ask how was your first day at school yesterday!” leehan smiled towards jungwon who sat across him on lunch.

“it was okay”

“how is it going with you and yunah? i saw the both of you getting really close”

you almost choked on your food hearing what leehan said.

“yeah she’s a great friend”

great friend my ass.

“i’d like to see where it’s going” leehan winked and jungwon returned to eat his lunch while you rolled your eyes.

slowly but surely, the days flew by, and with each day that passed, you and jungwon became more distant.

“where’s jungwon?” leehan asked as you were about to take a bite from your lunch.

“huh? oh, i don’t know” you shrugged.

for the first time ever since you started school, jungwon didn’t sit with you for lunch.

he got some new friends to sit with, yunah was one of them.

you also, got yourself your perfect friends circle, you became basically inseparable.

both yours and his friends, were there to witness how you slowly turn into strangers, and it scared them.

all of the students in the school knew each other, as everyone always attend to the same events and see each other. it was no wonder everyone knows about you and jungwon and how strong your bond is.

while everyone was busy chatting with strangers on big events, you and jungwon made sure to stick together no matter what.

it pains almost every student to be witnessing your sudden distance and awkwardness.

“hey honey! it’s been a while since we saw jungwon, are you both okay?” your mother asked, concerned as its been months since she last saw her best friend’s son.

“yeah mom, we’re always hanging out with our shared friends”

lying is not cool y/n.

“oh! well invite him here sometimes too! i miss my son” she pout and hugged you.

you just sighed in relief and hugged her back.

“i’m changing some seats arrangements, so each two students names i say will sit together” your teacher ordered and you sighed, praying that she’ll let you stay next to leehan.

“y/n and jungwon” your worst nightmare happened.

it’s not like you were enemies, the tension was just so awkward between the two of you.

as if nothing happened between you two before.

you took your bag and sat next to jungwon without saying a word. you failed to notice his sincere look on his face, he really misses you.

“with your new seats, you’ll be also getting a new project to work on in pairs, your partner will be the one who sits next to you” okay now you’re sure universe hates you.

jungwon cleared his throat before he spoke, “let’s start working on it tomorrow, you’re free to come to my place”

my place. it used to be ‘our’ place before.

“don’t worry about missing me! i’ll see you tomorrow at your place!” younger you smiled widely at younger jungwon as you waved goodbye to him.

“it’s not only my place! it’s yours too!! from now on its ‘ours!’” he said and you nodded.

“same about my pl— our place!” you giggled.

whenever one of you would invite the other, you’d use the term ‘our’ place.

now jungwon said his place, and it suddenly felt so cold and distant.

you slowly nodded and walked away.

jungwon watched you as you stepped away, he wanted to add more, he wanted to tell you he misses seeing you at his place but failed, something was stopping him from doing so.

“y/n dear it’s been a while since we saw you! i feel like i’ve seen yunah here lately more than you!” jungwon’s mother welcomed you with open hands, “better keep up the competition” she teased and winked, knowing no matter what, you and jungwon will end up together anyway.

it wasn’t the same for you though.

“he’s in his painting room, only god knows how he’s the only one who managed to keep his habit” she’s referring to your old habit of drawing. if it wasn’t you who taught him your few tricks he probably would’ve find interest in something else, but something in painting just drew him to it.

you on the other hand stopped with your little habit, choosing a new one to entertain you.

you knocked softly on the door, and you heard a loud thud sound, “is everything okay?” you asked.

“yeah….” you heard a faint voice and relaxed as he opened the door.

his hair was a bit messy and curly, and you could see the paint stains on his face as he tried to wipe them off. he looks so cute.

“hey” you called, “hey” he answered.

“um, we said we’d work on the project”

“oh right, um” he sighed, “just wait in my room i’ll get cleaned up”

you nodded and instead of going to his room you roamed around.

“y/n!” you heard a voice calling you, you looked behind you and saw riki smirking at you.

“what a surprise” he said, “we haven’t seen you here lately”

“yeah, school has been really stressful, but we’re hanging out together after school with our shared friends” you lied again.

“y/n i thought we never keep lies in our family” he glared at you.

him being younger than you doesn’t change the fact that you shouldn’t be scared of him.

this troublemaker is terrifying.

“i’m sorry?”

“y/n! i’m so glad to see you” heeseung came to rescue and hugged you tightly, “we all missed you, can’t stop talking about you”

he was glaring at riki and signaling him to go away while you were busy hugging him so you didn’t even notice.

riki rolled his eyes, “um, i have some arrangements to make for my birthday, so i’ll see you around”

you nodded and continued hugging heeseung.

“how have you been?” you asked

“oh you know, dealing with one specific person”

“huh?”

“not something you should worry about”

“y/n?” jungwon came back and heeseung winked at you as he got the clue and walked away.

“i was on my way to your room when i got stopped by riki”

jungwon nodded, although both of you know very well that the place you’re in isn’t even on the way to jungwon’s room.

“so let’s part the project and each one of us will do their part instead of always working on it together” you suggested.

“i can get leehan’s help—“

“no we can work on it together”

“it’s really fine—“

“we need to work on it together so we’ll understand each other better” he raised his voice a bit and you were taken aback.

“you’re right” you mumbled and nodded.

a few hours passed since you started working on the project together, and the only words you exchanged were words about your project and nothing more than that.

you miss being with him and hanging out with him, but not like that.

“why don’t you stay for dinner y/n?” his mother asked as it was already late.

as you were busy staring at her, jungwon glanced at you, his eyes full of hope that you’d say yes, he missed this.

“i can’t today…i promised my parents i’ll eat with them today” you respectfully declined the offer as you were lying through your teeth.

your parents were on duties and you’d eat your dinner alone today, you were just too afraid that once you stay for dinner, you won’t be able to leave. you will never want to.

“alright darling, i really enjoyed seeing you, come here more! i know school is stressful but we’d really like to see you”

you gave her a hug and went away.

“oh right jungwon! you need to start getting ready to your brother’s wedding, it’s in a few days and nothing is ready yet!”

jay’s wedding is coming closer and closer, jungwon would once again will have to be introduced to other princesses, although everyone already knows who's the person he’s going to marry.

he just nodded and went back to his room.

when he entered his room, he noticed you forgot your bracelet as you put it down to be able to write better.

he sighed loudly, knowing he’d have to give it to you the other day.

you and jungwon rarely talk in school already, it’ll be very awkward to do so but he knows he has to, the chances of seeing you outside of school are low.

“here, you forgot it at my place” he mumbled as he handed you your bracelet at lunch in front of your friends.

they started whispering and gasping as you cleared your throat, “thank you” you quickly took it and put it on your hand again.

he nodded slightly and walked away back to his friends.

“what was that?” one of your friends asked.

“nothing” you mumbled and stuck a spoon in your mouth.

“oh you look so pretty! i pity all the princes you’re about to meet, they don’t know yet that you’re off the market” your mother clasped her hands and smiled.

being introduced to other royalties as creating a curiosity and maybe getting the chance of finding a partner was very common around your age, your and jungwon’s parents didn’t want to tell everyone the great news of their promised children, and chose to keep business as usual.

you nervously smiled and sighed, this is going to be a long night.

“oh y/n, you’re so pretty!” jungwon’s mother hugged you tightly and complimented you more than you could ever imagine.

“thank you” you did you curtsy and walked away after she told you to search for jungwon.

you didn’t actually search for him, you took one glass of champagne and stood next to one of those high tiny tables that were only big enough to hold your champagne cups.

“fancy seeing you here” you heard a voice really close to you and as you looked to your left you saw leehan.

“you scared me!” you playfully punched his shoulder and he giggled.

“you look very beautiful today” he said.

“so i look ugly in any other day?” you teased and he quickly shook his head.

“today is just, special”

you hummed and took a sip of your champagne.

“i’m actually surprised you noticed me in such event, usually you’d be around jungwon all night” he joked and you chuckled, “yeah”

“oh y/n we’ve been searching for you!” your parents called and you excused yourself from leehan.

“meet prince sohee from (name of kingdom)!” they introduced the prince who looked like he was younger than you by a few years.

his round eyes and soft gaze made your cheeks heat up. he was one of a kind prince and no one could deny his beauty.

“nice to meet you, i’m y/n” you did your curtsy and he kissed your hand.

you were so busy being introduced to and introducing yourself with your parents to notice someone’s eyes were on you the whole time.

before the wedding started his mother reassured him that the princes you were going to meet today meant nothing as you were promised to him, so why was he feeling so unconfident about it?

sohee’s visuals are no joke, out of all the princes here did they have to choose him?

he wanted to look away but his eyes refused to do so, so he was witnessing everything until it was over.

he wanted to leave, imagining so many scenarios about you asking to break the promise so you could marry sohee.

“jungwon! come here son!” his mother called and he knew it was his time now.

revenge time.

“meet princess yena from (name of kingdom)!” his parents introduced her as he took the back of her hand and kissed it.

he smiled widely as he introduced himself, knowing another pair of eyes might be watching him.

as you returned to leehan after the introduction, he began telling you stories about seeing you and jungwon always together.

you were too busy looking at jungwon staring deeply in yena’s eyes, as if he just saw the prettiest princess in the hall.

leehan’s words became faint as you focused only on him.

the way he looks at her, the way he treats her, they’ve only met but it feels like he knows and been in love with her for years.

tears threatened to fall from your eyes as anxiety washed all over you.

“are you okay—“ “excuse me leehan”

you bowed formally and went to one of the balconies to let it all out.

“come on! no one would find us here!” younger jungwon dragged you to the balcony as you were scared to get caught.

“it’s so boring! listening to their conversations, ‘blah blah blah’” he mocked the elderly as you laughed.

“are you sure no one is going to find us?” you asked nervously.

“y/n we always sneak out to this place and never get caught”

one of the reasons you and jungwon only had each other is because you’re always sneaking out to the balcony instead of interacting with other people.

you’d usually get some snacks and sit together in the balcony to play some games and laugh about anything until you felt like it was the right time to return.

you spent so many beautiful memories in this balcony.

thinking about these old memories made your eyes tear up even more.

you miss everything about the two of you, how did it get to the point that you’re crying in the balcony you used to laugh until your stomach hurt?

“take this” you stopped whining and looked at the hand that handed you a tissue.

you looked up to see riki.

“thank you” you took the tissue and wiped your tears.

“i better get going before i—“ “RIKI!!!!”

“it’s my cue to leave, sorry” he pat your shoulder and ran away.

your relationship with riki was complicated, this boy was scary as hell, that troublemaker did cause lots of problems to his family, but you always made sure to join his antics sometimes.

as scary as he is, he cares about you a lot, you basically raised him together with jungwon, you’re one of the few people who showed interest in him and actually played along with him.

you wondered if he’ll ever find the right one for him.

“you’re not so pretty when you cry, you know?” you looked behind you and this time you saw sunoo standing there with a smile.

“maybe i don’t want to be pretty” you mumbled and he giggled as he took a few steps closer.

“how have you been?” he asked.

“okay” you dropped your glance to your hands, one of the habits that sunoo noticed you do when you lie.

“you already know that i know that you’re lying” he replied.

“it’s complicated”

“i know”

“it really is”

“let time do it’s thing, he misses you too” sunoo rubbed your back, “i need to go now, wipe those tears away and change them into a smile”

you did as he told as he got inside the hall again.

you sighed heavily, does he really miss you?

sunoo said it probably to let you feel better about it.

you decided to walk around the place, avoiding the hall at any cost.

curiosity took over as you stood in front of his painting room, what was he doing there last time you came?

you opened the door and was welcomed by the smell of overused paint brushes and an aroma you can’t really describe.

you looked around the room and was amazed by his paintings, he really is a better painter than you.

you looked over to the canvas that was on the stand, probably an unfinished project of him.

if there’s one thing you noticed as soon as you took in all of his paintings, is that he always had a specific figure in them.

whether the figure was standing, running in the rain, sitting at a bus stop, it’s always the same one.

as you moved closely to the canva, you noticed the figure from close, the figure was playing the piano, the details about the piano were so familiar to you, and the room the figure sat in looked exactly like something you’ve already seen before.

“what do you think?” you askes jungwon as you finished playing your favorite song on the piano.

after painting you moved to studying piano, you fell in love with the sound it made when you softly pressed the keyboards, and the melody it created.

being so excited about it, a day before you started your school, you sat jungwon next to you and showed him your finished project, create a new melody.

instead of being focused on the melody, jungwon was focused on you.

you were busy pressing on the keyboards and enjoying the music it makes while jungwon was busy looking at you and observing what he sees.

god, he was so in love with you.

then it finally kicked you, the figure in the painting is actually…..

“what are you doing here?”

you turned around to see jungwon standing nervously.

“jungwon….” you whispered, “is that me in those paintings?”

“what?” he asked, cursing himself for his unstable voice.

“is that me?” you asked again, he really hoped you’d drop it.

“yes” he answered softly and sighed.

tears started streaming down your face, “i’m sorry, i’m so sorry..”

jungwon noticed your tears and moved close to wipe your tears with his thumb.

“why are you apologizing? you did nothing wrong”

you stared into his eyes and burst out into more tears, “the school, the new friends, us growing apart, and yunah that damn—“

“okay okay okay” he calmed you down and kissed your forehead before hugging you.

“i was so sure you’re angry at me” you whispered.

“angry at you? why?” he asked.

“the first day of school, it’s been a mess”

“oh, that” he chuckled, “can’t say i wasn’t angry, maybe a little? but i was more jealous”

“jealous?”

“yeah! you basically spent the whole day with leehan, what about me?” he scoffed.

as he still held your waist tightly and never broke your eye contact, you playfully punched his chest, “i wanted you to be friends with him too! at the same night i went to tell you about that and ask you about your day but—“ “you probably saw yunah….”

“yeah…”

he tucked your hair behind your ears and pecked your lips, “she means nothing to me, her hugging me meant nothing to me, she tried being a good friend and i let her do her thing because i wanted to make you jealous” he giggled, “now i realize it was a big mistake”

you pecked his lips again, catching him off guard, “big, big mistake”

“i missed you so much” he said, “missed holding you in my arms, spending days and nights with you, hearing your parents’ bragging about how big our wedding is going to be”

“i missed everything about you” you hugged him again and he hugged back.

“promise me something like this is never going to happen again” he said, “i was so scared to lose you”

“i promise, it’ll never happen, i’m yours”

“i love y—“

“there you are!! finally oh my god what took you so long!” sunghoon, jungwon’s older brother said as he found you and jungwon closer than ever to kiss.

“well? are you going to kiss?” he added.

“get out!!” both of you shout as he closed the door.

riki’s birthday party came in no time and your parents decided to announce everyone about your future wedding as well.

“we’d like to announce you that our y/n and jungwon are promised to marry each other!” your parents clapped, “when they grow more old of course!”

“who cares lets goooo!!” riki took the spotlight and raised a cup acting as if he’s drinking real alcohol.

cheers and claps were heard, some even smiled widely and wished the both of you happy future.

“hey y/n” jungwon called you and squeezed your hand that was holding his.

“hm?”

“thank you” he smiled, “for willing to spend your future with me”

“i’m yours jungwon, forever and ever”

“and i’m yours, forever and ever”

“god why so cheesy?”

“riki shut up!”

TAG-LIST ; @jaeneohee @hsgwrld @enhastolemyheart @enhacatalog @kaykay11sworld @ipoststuffandyeah @beomsbeanie @queestionmark @ineedsomezzz @yenqa @nshmrarki @asteriaskingdom @ikayyyyyy @mrchweeee @artiiistyxoo @6yulight @woncoree @dimplewonie (bold means cannot be tagged)

PERM TAG-LIST ; @sungwhoonz @ohdudehesflirting @unlikelysublimekryptonite @deobiis @manooffline @miumiuoi @in-somnias-world @lovelovelovebts @filmofhybe @wonbinsnovia @daegutowns @aurumiee @soobywon @dhriti-stories @ariadores @firstclassjaylee @watamotee33 @moons-v @s00buwu @hoonheepretty @jjeoni-7 @dimplewonie (bold means cannot be tagged)

••• copyright © srjlvr all rights are reserved.

[whatsk-poppinhomies]

Pairing : Idol!Yang Jeongin x F!Reader TW : Jeongin is mean ; reader insecurities ; breakup ; fluffy at the end though ; Word Count : 2.2k Request : @moon0fthenight : Can we do an aNNNNGGGSSTTTYYYY innie fic where reader is depressed but my man has been coming from home after a bad day and just takes hun it put on her, (like way bad) and everything comes down like her insecurities and stuff and she breaks up with hom but he begs her to stay A/N : Working on as many requests as I can!!! My request completion attempt will take a brief pause on the first week of July though so I can start working on Season 2 of Before You Fall!! But for now... ENJOY!! I feel like I kind of veered off the track of the actual ask, but it's still close and I hope you still like it!!

“I think work has just been really stressful for him lately.” Your phone was held between your shoulder and your ear as you worked on dinner, quickly cutting up the carrots as you listened to your mom. 

“Maybe you should try to do something special with him? Try to keep his mind off work for a bit.” She offered up, and you hummed in agreement, turning your phone on speaker as you set it on the counter. “A small date, just getting him out of the house. It worked wonders with your father and I, that’s how we’re still together after all this time. Sometimes stress just piles up, you know.” 

“Yeah… You’re right, I’ll try that.” You mumbled, setting down the knife and sighing heavily. “I’ll talk to you later, mom.” You said, quickly hanging up the phone and taking a deep breath. Jeongin was your first serious relationship, he was the first person that you could really see yourself with. You loved him, but sometimes he just… doesn’t show the same kind of empathy that you do. If Jeongin has a bad day at work, the rest of the evening would be just as stressful for you trying to please him. If you had a bad day at work, it was nothing, easily blown over. 

For some reason, Jeongin just assumed that since he made more money, his job was more important than yours. His stress was worse than yours. His emotions were more important. Everything he did, everything he felt took priority over you. At first you let it slide, you just loved him so much and you wanted him to be happy, you wanted him to know that you cared, but you felt like it was time for him to care about you. 

It’s not like your life was any easier just because you weren’t an idol, if anything, it was just as hard. You had to follow his schedules, making sure that dinner was done in time for when he got home even though you were never 100% sure when he’d be home. All of the guys knew about you, and when he was having relationship troubles, he could go to them for advice. You on the other hand had to keep it all a secret. No one could ever know that you were dating him, he wouldn’t be able to handle the scandals or the rumors. Your life was hard, and you were tired of pushing that all down for him, to make sure his life was simpler. 

“I’m home.” Jeongin sighed from the front door, kicking his shoes off, the rubber soles marking up the wall where they hit. Not that he cared, he’d just have you clean the walls or repaint them if he finally came to realize it. “Hyunjin kept coming at me about the dances, I can’t get it right.” He slumped down into his chair, running his hands over his face. 

“Well you just started learning the choreo two days ago… It’s not like you’re going to be a master at it immediately.” You responded, hoping that it would somehow make him feel better. “I got all the stuff to make your favorite dinner when I got off work. Do you want some?” You thought that maybe bringing up your own work would make him ask about it, pique his curiosity about how your day went. 

“That’s great, babe. Get me a big bowl, I’m starving.” He sat up a little in his chair, and you nodded slowly, biting your lip as you walked over to the stove. Of course he didn’t care, he wasn’t even slightly interested in your life. It was all about him, always about him. Did you even exist in the relationship for anything other than cooking his breakfasts and dinners and washing his clothes? He didn’t even touch you anymore, not unless he was super bored and had nothing else to do. 

You placed his bowl down and then grabbed your own, sitting across from him at the table. “Work was awful today… the customers were rude and my manager was short tempered and shitty because I wasn’t working fast enough…” Sure, he hadn’t specifically asked for the details, but maybe he’d show some sort of concern or maybe even compassion after hearing about your day. 

His eyes rolled as he groaned. “It’s just retail, babe. Don’t be such a cry baby about it.” He said and you once again bit your lip, dropping your gaze into your bowl. “I have managers to listen to, Bangchan, I’ve got reporters up my ass all the time. I’d love to have it as easy as you do.” He took another bite of the soup, humming softly to himself. “Finish your dinner so we can watch our show.” He motioned towards your bowl that you had left untouched.

“I was thinking that… maybe we can go out… on a date or something?” You mentioned, picking up your spoon once more and taking a small bite of the soup. “Just to take your mind off of work… and to give me a small break from my job.” Your feet were tapping nervously under the table, your hand shaking as you held the spoon. “Even if it’s just the park… to walk around or something… I feel like I haven’t seen you in so long and…” 

You trailed off, your eyes moving lower to look at your lap when you heard Jeongins sigh. “I literally just said I constantly have reporters following after me… and you suggest going out together?” His bowl was lifted to his lips as he took a long sip of the broth before placing the bowl down again, and even though you weren’t looking at him, you could feel him looking at you. “I’m sorry that I’m busy and I can’t just work 6 hours and come home and relax. Some of us don’t have it that easy.” 

Everything you did was easy in his eyes. He didn’t know how you felt, he didn’t know what it was like. “It’s not… easy…” You muttered, your teeth pressing harder into your bottom lip as you tried to keep it from trembling. “I just wanted to spend time with you…” 

“I’m not stopping you from spending time with me, but for Christ’s sake, I don’t want to hear about how awful your work is when my job is way harder than yours.” There it was again. Why was it a competition of who’s job was the worst? Why did it matter? Why couldn’t you just be there for each other? “My day was awful enough as it is, and then I want to just enjoy dinner and a movie with you and I have to hear about how rough it is to ring up a couple customers. It’s kind of annoying.” 

Annoying… you were annoying…? “Just because I’m not dancing and singing… it doesn’t mean my job isn’t hard. You don’t even know what it’s like…” You mumbled under your breath, but his eyes slightly widened as he leaned forward across the table to hear you better. 

“Say that again… Speak up, I hate it when you mumble.” He groaned, reaching over to tilt your chin up. “And look at me when you’re talking so that I can at least try to read your lips if I can’t understand you.” Did he not even notice that you were trying not to cry right now? 

“I said that… You don’t know what it’s like…” You said just a little louder now, and you could tell that he heard you, his finger falling from beneath your chin as he leaned back in his chair. “My boss is an asshole, I have to deal with customers that bitch and complain at me all day long, I barely even get a long enough break to breathe before I have to go back in and deal with it all over again. I come back home and I can’t talk to you about it because apparently my job and everything I do is shit to you. I’m so alone here and even if I had someone to talk to about how I feel, I couldn’t because no one can know about you and I being together… Even though it doesn’t even feel like we are.” You were breathing heavily as you looked at him, at least you hadn’t looked away yet. “Why are we together? I… I don’t even know… I… I want to break up.” 

Now those words hadn’t actually been planned, and they most definitely hadn’t been thoroughly thought over before they had left your mouth, but now they were out, hanging in the air above the table like a chandelier. “You… Want to break up?” He questioned, as if giving you another chance to take back those words, god, he wanted you to take them back, but he didn’t want to say anything yet… He needed to know if you actually meant them. 

So you thought it over, and you thought for what felt like a good bit before ultimately nodding your head. “There’s nothing here… for either of us… I don’t even know what we’re holding onto.” You sniffled softly before clearing your throat, and for the first time in weeks, you didn’t feel so nervous talking to him, everything was finally out on the table. “I’m tired of competing… I’m tired of feeling like I’m not good enough. You don’t even ask me how my days have been… it’s always all about you. I’m tired of giving my all and… not even getting 25% in return. I want to break up, Jeongin.” 

There were many things in this world that your heart couldn’t handle seeing, and one of those things were tears in Jeongins eyes. His fox-like eyes completely glossed over as twinkling tears trickled down his cheeks had your heart aching. “Please… Don’t leave me…” He shakily whispered, his hands folded on the table as his thumbs rolled over each other. “You’re… You’re my first girlfriend and… I’m still learning how to do this right.” He took a deep breath, coughing immediately afterward as the lump in his throat got larger. “I’m trying, and I’m always scared that I’m not doing enough… and I was right… I’m not doing enough. I’m doing everything wrong.” 

“Jeongin…” 

“But you are good enough!” He cut you off with the choked out declaration, his head finally lifting to reveal his puffy red eyes as his tears continued to fall. “A-Ask Chan hyung…. I never shut up about you. I annoy the hell out of everyone there because you’re all I talk about. You’re the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me in my life, and I’m so lucky I have you and I don’t want to lose you just because I’m an idiot.” 

“Jeongin… I…” 

“And work has just been really stressful lately.” He continued, and you knew that it would be pointless to try to get a word in while he was ranting, so you sat back in your chair, watching as he continued to sob, his lips trembling as he spoke, giving his words a sort of vibrato. “I don’t know why I try to compete… I know that your job sucks too… You can quit it… I want you to quit it… I don’t want to think of people treating you like that. I’ll support you, I’ll support us… And I know that you’re tired of hiding… And I’m tired of it too… I’m gonna talk to management. I want to post pictures with you, I want to show everyone our matching outfits, I want to show everyone how beautiful you are, how lucky I am…” His words broke at the end as his face fell back into his hands, his breaths becoming heavy and quick as his sobs grew silent and his voice became hoarse. “Don’t… Don’t break up with me, please… Just one more chance… I’ll be better… I promise.” 

You pushed away from the table and got up, watching his eyes widen with fear as he watched you, but you walked over to him, lowering down onto his lap and wrapping your arms around his neck. “I didn’t know you cared that much…” You whispered, kissing his cheeks that were salty with the tears that he had spilled. “I love you, Innie…” 

His arms snaked around you, holding you on him, making sure that you won’t even try to get up. “I love you too… I love when you call me that…” The sigh of relief was audible even after his face was hidden against your shoulder, his voice muffled against the sleeve of your hoodie. “I don’t think I’ve panicked that much since right before we debuted.” He chuckled nervously, his eyes wide as he looked up at you. “Were you… Really going to break up with me though…?” Your own eyes wavered before you hesitantly nodded yes and then his eyes somehow widened even more. “Yeah well… You can’t do that. I won’t allow it. Next time you think about breaking up with me, talk to me first, and if I’m being an asshole, hit me… And if I’m still being an ass, then you can threaten me with leaving.” He took a deep breath before letting it out in one heavy huff. “Ugh, my eyes feel like they’re gonna fall out. Come… Come, it’s cuddle time, and we’re watching our movie and you’re not allowed to move unless it’s for a bathroom break or a snack trip.” He planted kisses all along your cheeks, pulling you closer every time you tried to move away. “No! Receive my love! All 100% percent of it! I’m never letting you go! You’re mine!” 

[iamthejags]

Miraculous Yin Yang

I've been writing my first fanfic ever. It's a Miraculous Ladybug AU and diverges from canon after Season 3. I've posted 10 chapters on AO3 so far, but I have over 100k words written. I thought I'd post the first chapter here in case some people would be interested. Link to AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/55274578/chapters/140214625

Chapter 1: New Guardian, New Rules

“What a night!” Marinette groaned, as she transformed back. “That villain was so tough.”

Marinette shuffled over to her desk to get a cookie for Tikki from the jar she kept there. The little red kwami settled down onto the desk to munch on her pink macaroon.

“Are you ok, Marinette?” Tikki asked between bites.

“Yes, Tikki,” Marinette said. “I’m just tired.”

Tikki finished her cookie and flew up to nuzzle against Marinette’s cheek. Marinette closed her eyes and managed a small smile.

“Thanks, Tikki,” Marinette said. “Every fight seems to take more focus and concentration than ever.”

“What do you mean?” Tikki asked.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Marinette sighed. “I don’t know. It just seems like things aren’t working the way they used to. Chat Noir and I used to be so in sync. But over the last year, it seems like that has started slipping. We, or at least I, have to work harder to work in sync during each battle. It’s exhausting.”

Marinette slowly changed into her pajamas and climbed up to her bed while talking to Tikki.

“Ever since I became Guardian, it’s like our partnership has slowly degraded,” she mused, half to herself and half to Tikki. “Before, we worked together without thinking. It was like a dance. We knew each other’s moves and simply responded. But now… now it’s like we’re both dancing to a different tune and we keep tripping on each other’s feet. I don’t know what to do. We need to get our rhythm back.”

“But you still beat all the akumas,” Tikki said.

“I know, Tikki,” Marinette said, “but it’s not the same. It takes more effort and sometimes we miss each other’s cues and the battles take longer…” she trailed off.

“You said that this started when you became the Guardian?” Tikki asked.

“Yes,” Marinette replied. “It wasn’t so noticeable at first, though. I only realized it looking back. When I think back to the day I became Guardian, we were so in sync. We had to be. We were outnumbered against some of the most powerful Miraculous holders. But we worked so well together and we won that fight. Together. But just look at tonight. We miscommunicated, the original plan failed, and we had to retreat and recharge before returning to the fight.”

“Every superhero makes mistakes, Marinette,” Tikki said. “You can’t be perfect all the time.”

“I know, Tikki,” Marinette said, laying back against her pillows. “But it feels like it goes deeper. It’s not just simple mistakes. It feels like our partnership isn’t as strong as it once was. I miss the way we use to work together,” she sighed sadly.

“What do you think is stopping that from happening?” Tikki asked.

“What do you mean?” Marinette asked.

Tikki said, “Obviously, you worked really well together before. Now you aren’t. So that means that something has to have changed. What do you think that is?”

“I mean,” Marinette said, “it started when I became Guardian. So that’s at least one thing.”

“I think that means a lot more than you realize,” Tikki told her.

“What do you mean?” Marinette asked.

“It means the entire dynamic has changed,” Tikki said. “Becoming the Guardian isn’t so simple as taking the box and a title. It’s a powerful magical shift. When Master Fu was the Guardian, the magic was shaped according to his will. Now that you are Guardian, the box has changed and so has the magical dynamic.”

Marinette lay looking at the ceiling, processing what Tikki had said.

“So,” she started slowly, “what you’re saying is that when Master Fu was around, his way of being Guardian kind of shaped the conflict, the battlefield. And now that I am Guardian, I have the power to change it?”

“Essentially, yes,” Tikki said. “There’s a lot more to it than that, but that’s the gist of it. You are still trying to fight Hawk Moth using an old set of rules. But the Guardian has a great deal of power to change the rules, including how holders interact with their Miraculous, their kwamis, and one another.”

Marinette sat bolt upright in her bed, suddenly realizing something.

“Wait a sec!” she exclaimed. “Hold on! You’re saying I can change how holders interact with each other?! I can change those rules?”

“Yes, Marinette,” Tikki said. “That is the prerogative of the Guardian. For example, at the temple everyone knows everyone’s identities and which Miraculous they use. That is the will of the Temple Guardian. But he also uses a ritual to prevent anyone from compromising anyone else’s identity. It’s similar to how we kwamis can’t say the names of our holders.”

“Why didn’t Master Fu do that?” Marinette asked. “It would have saved so much time and headache.”

“Master Fu never knew the ritual,” Tikki said. “He was far too young and inexperienced to learn it before the disaster. As a result, he adopted the policy that holders could not reveal their identities.”

“Wait a sec. Back up again,” Marinette said, another thought occurring to her. “Is Master Fu the reason that the whole horrible thing with Chat Blanc happened? Is it because we accidentally contravened his will and caused a magical problem?”

“Sort of,” Tikki said. “Chat Noir getting akumatized was certainly not Master Fu’s will at all. But yes, such a breach of his rules could conceivably contribute to triggering a disaster of that nature.”

“But why didn’t anything happen to Alya and Nino?” Marinette asked. “They knew each other’s identities for ages.”

“Probably because Master Fu cared a lot less about the wielders of the Fox and Turtle Miraculous,” Tikki hypothesized. “The most dangerous Miraculous are yours and Chat Noir’s, so he was very strict in his views as to how those holders interacted. Especially since he made mistakes choosing the holders before. But if someone got both the Turtle and Fox Miraculous, they wouldn’t be able to make a universe-ending wish like they could with yours and Chat Noir’s. But this is not something that kwamis are supposed to know much about. It’s Guardian stuff.”

Marinette realized her heart was pounding and she was breathing hard. The implications of this revelation were a lot to process. She…could…change the rules? She could know who Chat Noir is? He could know who she is? Revealing their identities would make it so much easier, especially if there was no risk of compromising their identities. Could she learn the ritual? Would Chat Noir agree to it? He had been perfect at maintaining a professional distance ever since that disastrous day when Master Fu had made Ladybug the Guardian.

Marinette missed her kitty. Even when they fought side by side, she felt like he was a million miles away. At the very least, she wanted back the warmth and camaraderie that they used to have. If there was a way that she could get that back, she was suddenly determined to try. Tikki noticed Marinette’s expression change and immediately knew what it meant.

“Kaalki could get you there,” Tikki said.

“Wha…What?” Marinette started. “Sorry, I was wrapped up inside my head. What did you say?”

“I said that Kaalki could get you there,” Tikki repeated.

“Kaalki…yes…the temple…I could go there…learn the ritual…” Marinette was deep into plan-making. “It would have to be late at night, probably, so it would be daytime there. What time zone is Tibet in anyway?”

Marinette looked at her phone. “Ok, Tibet is six hours ahead of me. So, I would have to go at something like 2 or 3 in the morning to avoid anyone noticing my absence. School starts next week, so I need to do it before that. Two days. Or a day and a half, rather. I’ll go to bed early tomorrow and then wake up really early to go to the temple. What do you think, Tikki?”

“I think the sooner, the better,” Tikki said. “I’ve thought for a long time that it would be so much better if you and Chat Noir knew who each other were.”

“You did?” Marinette asked. “Then why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because it wasn’t my place,” Tikki said. “That is completely up to the Guardian. I have no power to defy the will of the Guardian.”

“But I’ve been the Guardian for a year now,” Marinette said. “Keeping our identities secret wasn’t my will if there is a way we could know without risk.”

“But it was your will, Marinette,” Tikki said. “Even though you sort of inherited that rule from Master Fu, it became part of you.”

“Then why did you bring it up now?” Marinette asked.

“Because you were ready for it,” Tikki said.

“I was ready for it?” Marinette asked.

Tikki said, “You must have already been considering revealing your identity to Chat Noir. Have you?”

“Well, yes,” Marinette admitted. “Our dynamic started changing a year ago and not for the better. I was considering many possible solutions. That was one.”

Tikki said, “By deliberately considering it, your will changed the magical dynamic so I could speak about it. You don’t have to explicitly state your will for it to change things.”

“Wow,” Marinette breathed. “This is heavy.” She lay back against her pillows again, trying to wrap her mind around this new revelation. The Guardian had a lot more power than she ever realized. She knew now that she needed more guidance. The Temple Guardian could possibly give that to her. She had to try. This discord between her and Chat Noir had to be fixed or they would never be able to defeat Hawk Moth.

“Tomorrow night,” Marinette said to herself. “Tomorrow night. I am going to learn more tomorrow night. And maybe it will fix things between us.” Marinette smiled to herself and with that happy thought, she fell quickly to sleep.

[filmofhybe]

The perfect blend - YJW

part 2 of “IN EVERY MULTIVERSE”

In which..

can you ever imagine in this multiverse, you having the biggest fattest crush on your best friend - Yang jungwon, however knowing he already has a “girlfriend” hurts more than just a sting from a bee.

💌 PAIRING : yjw x reader

GENRE : friends to lovers , fluff

WARNING : angst , fluff , kissing , CHAPTER 2 NOT PROOF-READ!!

🗯️ FEATURING : huh yunjin - LE SSERAFIM

word count : 2,066

MASTERLIST to “IN EVERY MULTIVERSE”.

; AUTHORS NOTES : not proof read. Next chapter is angst!! A little fluff before we get there😉

I stood outside my apartment, as cold winter air blew towards my face. Hood up while my hands was in my pockets keeping them warm. Waiting patiently for Jungwon to arrive. Maybe he would come…or not..

My thoughts was interrupted as I heard panting coming from my left. I turned around to see him running towards me. Hands on his knees as he tries to catch his breathe, looking up to me with a smile. “Sorry If I’m late, I just needed to do something.”

“No is okay!” “No is not I made you wait in the cold..I’ll pay for your drink!” Still panting, before leading us off to the café. On the way to the café, we talked about school and life. It was so comforting and it seemed so real.

“I wish I could talk to you more at school…” he sighed making me confused what he meant.

“You do though…?” I told him as I focused back on the road

“Well sometimes I wish I could just talk to you and not anyone else..” He told me before changing the topic. Soon enough we were here.

“Ladies first!” The little bell on the door Jingles as he opens the café door. I was quickly greeted by a soft grey cat, walking in between my legs. I squat down and start petting it. “Jungwon is this a cat café?” I asked him, noticing his nose starts to grow pink.

Jungwon nervously scratched his nose as he looked around the cat café. He had planned the outing, excited to share the experience, who adored feline companionship, however I knew he was allergic to cats. I know everything about him..

Oblivious to Jungwon's discomfort, even if he was delighted by the playful kitties, I reached out to pet a fluffy tabby, urging Jungwon to join in the fun. Suppressing his sneezes, he managed a smile, not wanting to ruin the moment. Feeling the tickle in his nose increasing, "How about we check out my favorite place next?" Jungwon agreed, and we headed to a nearby book café. As we stepped into the serene atmosphere filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the quiet rustling of pages, Jungwon's tense shoulders relaxed.

I noticed the change and asked, "Do you like books?" Jungwon chuckled, "Yeah, I love it." We settled into a cozy corner, surrounded by shelves of novels, as soft melodies played in the background. We shared anecdotes about their favorite books, finding common ground in the world of literature. You’re the same as the person I know in real life..

Ordering their favorite café treats, they savored the warmth of their beverages while engrossed in their chosen novels. I noticed Jungwon's eyes light up as he talked about his favorite characters, and I found myself captivated by his passion for storytelling.

“This is really good! Thank you for taking me here!” He continue to munch on the small slice of cheese cake in front of him. The soft caramel scent filled my nose.

“You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed..” I smiled at him, watching him eat his cake.

“You want some? Open up! Ahh~” he opened his mouth with a smile, I copied his move and opened mine. Before he could place the cake in my mouth-

I crept back into reality. Feeling I just dropped from the sky. Jumping, realizing I fell asleep while studying. “Fuck y/n you didn’t have to jump in your sleep do you..?” Yunjin scoffed. “What time is it?” I scratched my eyes as I try to adjust the lighting. “Is 6:47pm, so we should probably get going…” She said as she continue to pack her bag.

“I think me and jungwon are really close in the multiverse you know.” I stretched as I watched her stop packing her bag. “Oh my gosh y/n are you serious still on about this topic?”

“Yunjin, is not a joke anymore. Everytime i go to sleep, I feel like I’m traveling to another universe and I can control everything I do.” I said, I’m not insane right?

“We need to get you some mental health support because I’m not about to live in the same roof as a psychopath.” She stands up before dragging me along with her to our bus stop.

“Is Saturday tomorrow okay? I won’t be home until later tomorrow night.” Yunjin informs me as she unlocks our door. She’s basically the reason why we still have a roof on top of us. I nodded as I place my bag on the floor. Checking my phone as I saw jungwon texted me.

Wonnie 🤭 : HEYYY Y/N :DD

y/n 🩷 : HEYYY JUNGWON HRU??

Wonnie 🤭 : Im good!! Really excited for tomorrow :)

y/n 🩷: Same! We haven’t hang out in ages :(

Wonnie 🤭 : Is okay we are hanging out tomorrow so is fine😝

y/n 🩷 : The iconic duo is back😫

Wonnie 🤭 : REAL!! (Not clickbait😫)

y/n 🩷 : NEVERRRR

Wonnie 🤭 : also can you wear that white sundress we got last time we went out?

y/n 🩷 : oooo~~ why🫢

Wonnie 🤭 : BECAUSE YOU LOOK CUTE IN IT AND WE NEED TO TAKE PICTURES??

y/n 🩷 : FINE IM EXCITED AS WELL!! I’LL SEE YOU TOMORROW <;33

Wonnie 🤭 : ALRIGHT GOODNIGHT🥹

Heart beating so fast, feeling like I’m a teenage girl once again for him. He called me cute.. he wanted to take pictures.. I hope tomorrow goes well..

I nervously adjusted the straps of my white sundress, glancing at myself in the mirror for what felt like the hundredth time. Today was probably a normal day for everyone - Saturday. But after those silly dream or actually me traveling to my multiverse, I realize my feelings for jungwon. And meeting Jungwon, the butterflies in my stomach were on cloud 9. He suggested me to wear a sundress, me being me, guessing our location would be maybe a coffee shop or a cozy café, but the nerves intensified when he texted the address of a restaurant instead.

As I wait outside of my apartment for his arrival, my mind raced with a thousand thoughts. Was my dress too much? Did my hair look alright? I wanted everything to be perfect. Honestly I don’t even know why, the night I started dreaming about him, I started to change. The anticipation only grew as jungwon is now in front of me.

“Hey y/n! You look amazing!” How cute..

“thank you so much you look amazing as well!” I smiled sweetly at him, a sense of relief washed over me as he complimented me. He kept looking over me, with a warm smile on his face, Jungwon was effortlessly charming, making me forget about my earlier worries.

When we arrive at the restaurant, the kind waiter led us to our table, and he pulled out the chair for me – a small gesture that somehow managed to make me feel at ease.

Lunch went surprisingly well. Conversation flowed naturally, and I found myself enjoying every moment spent with him. The initial awkwardness faded away, replaced by laughter and shared stories. Jungwon paid for our meal, insisting it was his treat, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for his kindness.

After lunch, he suggested a walk at the nearby park. As we strolled through the paths surrounded by vibrant pink roses, “i thought today would be the perfect day to take you here. You that sundress and these pink roses are really the perfect blend.” Jungwon complimented me with a slight blush on his face which stood out because of his white shirt, I couldn't shake off the feeling that everything was surreal. Jungwon's presence was comforting, and the beauty of the park seemed to mirror the growing connection between us. Jungwon, with his polaroid camera in his hand, stopped at a picturesque spot. He turned towards me, capturing the moment with a photograph. I was surprised by his sudden action, immediately running towards him to check the photo, it was candid picture of my side profile, I felt a bit self - conscious but he reassured me that I looked beautiful. His genuine compliments melted away any remaining nervousness.

The sun began to set, casting a warm glow on everything around us. It was in that moment, surrounded by the soft scent of roses, that Jungwon paused and looked into my eyes. He confessed, "I really enjoy spending time with you, y/n." My heart skipped a beat, and before I could respond, he asked the question that would change everything.

"I know we rarely talk or even hang out anymore. But I really miss the time when we were constantly hanging out. Maybe even more, like our pool dates or maybe even getting paired up for a project at work. I just can’t seem to get you out of my mind. I was so scared i did Something wrong that day i bumped into you. I’m still sorry about that. But I really can’t lose you if I actually did something wrong. I hope this wouldn’t ruin our friendship more because can I be your boyfriend?”

I can see the nervousness in him as he starts to avoid eye contact with him, his cheeks grew pinker as he continue to confess. The world seemed to stand still for a moment. I felt a rush of emotions – excitement, joy, and a lingering hint of nervousness. I managed to stammer out a surprised "Yes, of course you can jungwon.." and before I knew it, Jungwon's eyes lit up with happiness.

With a gentle smile, he looked ant me with adoring eyes before looking at my lips. “I-I- can I kiss you?” I gave him a soft nod, his hand around my waist while the other on my cheeks, and we shared our first kiss. It felt like the perfect conclusion to a day filled with unexpected turns and delightful surprises. The park, now bathed in the soft hues of the evening, witnessed the beginning of something special. His forehead on mines after we pulled away. His sweet Cherry lips along with my tingling strawberry ones, was the perfect blend . We both are the perfect blend

As we made our way back to my apartment, hand in hand, the reality of the day began to sink in. Jungwon kept his arm around my waist. Giving my forehead kisses here and there. And I couldn't help but steal glances at him. He seemed genuinely happy, and that made my heart swell with a warmth I hadn't felt before.

Once we reached my apartment door, Jungwon hesitated for a moment. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the photograph he had taken of me at the park. He handed it to me, saying, "I want to keep this memory close."

It was a sweet gesture that left you speechless. I took the photo, studying the captured moment of our day together. Jungwon's eyes held a depth of emotion as he looked at her. Love in his eyes, and it was clear that this day meant as much to him as it did to you.

“You and the roses are such a perfect blend” He said as he lean again my door before I handed him back the picture.

“You and me are the perfect blend ” I flirted back as he laughs adorably.

“I see you moving already..” we laughed at his annoying joke.

“Right I have to go now baby but I’ll text you when I get home alright?” The nickname made my heart goes 80 miles per hour. As he kisses my forehead, my nose and lastly my lips.

“Stay safe okay? I’ll see you tomorrow.” I smiled to him one last time, watching him step inside the tall elevator as the door closes. Closing the apartment door as I touched my lips. His sweet Cherry lip balm still on it.

“So I guess it went well..” yunjin walks out of her room, clearly was asleep.

“Yeah.. he’s my boyfriend now..” I told her as I saw her eyes widen from the sudden information

“WAIT HOLD UP OH MY GOD WHAT- FILL ME IN HELLO-?”

“CALM DOWN THE NEIGHBORS ARE GOING TO COMPLAIN!”

“I DONT GIVE A FUCK NOW TELL ME EVERYTHING. EVERY DETAIL.”

Jungwon on the other hand is telling every single detail to his friends. All of them squiggling and giggling over every single Little detail, as if they were high school girls. Showing off the polaroid picture of you to them and told them how the kiss went. He hopes this is how you both are in his next multiverse.

SERIES TAGLIST : @enhaz1 @dubuii @in-somnias-world @ultimatestayandminoronce @yenqa @euncsace @hoondiors @yannew @mrchweeee @ariadores @oldjws @frukkoneeeeg @dimplewonie @seobstarr @asteria-wood (white = i cant tag) / comment to be added to the series taglist.

© filmofhybe on tumblr — do not copy , translate or share.

[skyechaser]

Bumbleby Bike Gang AU 2/?

"Whatever took you so long, pet?" Adam asked as Blake sat next to him. His breath smelled like alcohol.

"I was just talking to the bartender" she replied "She's nice"

"The waitress is nice too, right guys?" the red haired man asked the group and they all yelped in agreement.

The truth was talking to Yang was a nice break from her usual days. Being with the gang all the time was not always her cup of tea. Specially when her parents had left two years ago. Things had changed quite a lot since Adam became leader. What was once a group of people enjoying their rides and helping the communities they visited had become a lot more boisterous. They would get into fights and sometimes get involved with drugs and dealers. She didn't like that.

A part of her wanted to leave but she couldn't imagine a different life for herself. She had always been on the road. Besides, Adam would more than likely not allow it and she feared him just as much as she loved him. It was complicated. Their relationship had started when she was young and her parents didn't really like it. But there was something magnetic about him, about the way he made her feel. So it was no surprise when he took over.

They left when the sun was already up and Blake made sure to wave at Yang as they left. The blonde waved back with a grin that made her smile. As usual, they headed to the closest motel to spend the night. The plan was to stay in town for a week, rest up, fuel up and leave. Adam had some contacts he wanted to make business with and Blake had decided to ignore the nature of such ventures.

"Come over here, love" Adam called her from the bed, offering his hand. His eyes were glossy and his speech was slurred. She complied and grabbed his hand, sitting on his lap. They kissed and it tasted like beer. When they first got together Adam would make her feel like the luckiest girl in the world. He was kind to her and treated her with love and respect. The first time they spent a night together, her first ever sexual experience, it was beautiful and fulfilling. As time passed things changed and she would find herself enjoying intimacy with him less every time.

When she woke up, Adam was passed out. She didn't feel like staying in the room so she showered, got dressed and hedead outside after leaving the man a note. Blake headed to the reception and asked the woman behind the counter for directions to the local library. Patch seemed like a nice town. Too quiet and peaceful for The White Fang to disturb.

She was a couple of blocks away from the library when she saw her. Yang was walking towards her with a smaller younger girl she assumed was her little sister Ruby. When their eyes met her heart stopped.

"Hey, you!" the blonde greeted her.

"Hey, yourself" Blake greeted back.

"Hello, I'm Ruby" the younger girl introduced herself.

"Nice to meet you, Ruby"

"You headed to the library?" Yang guessed.

"Yeah" Blake answered "The guys are all passed out so I thought I get some reading done. Where are you headed?"

"We're gonna get some ice cream to celebrate this one's amazing grades on her finals" Yang replied "Wanna come with?"

"Yes" the black haired girl said without even thinking. Spending time with the bartender seemed like an awesome plan. There was something about her that made her feel like they had met many times before even if they had only met last night.

They headed to a local ice cream shop and Yang bought all of them a double with fudge. They laughed a lot and Blake felt sincerly comfortable and happy. It was a nice change of pace. She hand't really realized how dull her days had become. How rutinary her life had become and how much she was choosing to ignore just to go by. This was different. They lost track of time and when Blake looked at her phone she saw several missed calls from Adam and some angry texts asking where she was.

"I think I better get back" she said, anxiety building up inside of her. Yang noticed.

"Is everything all right?" she asked, gently placing a hand on Blake's shoulder.

"Yeah" she lied "I just have to leave right now" she said standing up "Thanks a lot for the ice cream. I had a very nice time"

"We had a nice time too" Ruby replied with a smile.

"Are you sure you are all right?" Yang asked again with a sincere look of worry on her face. Something had drastically changed in Blake's demeanor as soon as she looked at her phone and she had a very good idea of what it was about. More precisely who it was about.

"I'm fine" she lied again as the anxiety got worse. She should have checked her phone before. She should have answered his calls "See you soon I hope"

"Let me give you my number" the blonde offered and Blake, in spite of how bad she felt, took the time to save the other girl's contact and give hers back.

She walked to the motel as fast as she could without running. She went to her and Adam's room and found him sitting on the bed with a scary look on his face. She immediately started trembling in fear.

"Where the fuck where you, Blake?" he said "I read your little note so I waited but then you wouldn't pick up the fucking phone or answer any of my messages. What the fuck were you doing that was so important you had no time for me?"

"I was at the library so I put it on silent mode and I got distracted by the..." she couldn't finish the sentence. Adam stood up and slaped her hard on the face.

"I don't care for your fucking excuses, Blake" he said, inches away from her face "When I call you, you answer"

"I'm sorry, Adam" she said, trying not to cry. Her cheek hurt like hell. It wasn't the first time he had been violent with her and she knew it was her fault. If only she had answered her phone.

"I don't care if you are sorry" Adam said as he grabbed her by the hair and put her against the wall, smashing her head against it in the process "You need to be punished so you can learn" he kissed her violently, his hand moving to her neck.

"I'm sorry, Adam" she said again, finally breaking down and crying. She was so scared.

"You belong to me, Blake. Tell me you are mine"

"I'm yours" she replied "I belong to you"

"That's good, love" he said, finally letting go and backing away from her "I don't like to get mad at you. I love you, Blake"

"I know" Blake replied, walking towards the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror and could see how her cheek was starting to bruise. Her left eye was red. Why did she put up with this?

"I have some business today so me and the guys will be leaving for the day. I want you to wait here for me, okay?"

"Okay" she answered, feeling happy that Adam was not going to be around. When he left she layed down on the bed and looked at her phone. She had one new message.

Yang: Are you okay?

She was anything but okay. She was a mess. A beaten up, humilliated and sad mess. But somehow the thought of Yang made the tears disappear. She could even feel a little bit of joy trying to make its way through.

Blake: Yeah. I was just late for some White Fang thing.

Yang: You looked pale when you left. You scared me.

Blake: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. I'm fine.

Yang: How about I take you out tomorrow?

The offer was tempting, even if it meant that she could get in trouble with Adam. She could come up with some excuse. It was worth it if she could spend time with Yang. Somehow she smiled.

Blake: Sure. Let's do it.

[bridgyrose]

Weapon Buddies AU

Blake came to Beacon to change herself and do good. Helping Weiss is as good a first step as any other. A big step for sure, but perhaps it's something they both need.

A more funny, but still kind-hearted idea would be that Blake instantly noticed Weiss going through a gay panic/awakening and thought it best to help her through it. With a little bit of well-deserved teasing, of course.

And to keep the spirit of the AU going, Weiss having questionable thoughts about Blake's weapon and what the nimble huntress could do with it.

Teatime might not be as calming as either would expect.

Weiss gently ran her finger around the rim of her teacup, staring into her reflection as she watched the ripples. Her heart had finally stopped racing, yet she still didnt  feel calm. Her thoughts were a mess as Ruby, Pyrrha, and Yang came back to mind, thinking about watching them train with their weapons and watching them move. Her cheeks started to heat up again as they reddened, absentmindedly rubbing her thighs together.

Blake slowly put her teacup down and smiled at her. “So, what’s on your mind?” 

“It… doesnt matter.” Weiss finally took a sip of her tea and tried to push her teammates out of her mind. “A distraction I need to deal with.” 

“Looks more like you’re trying to run from your thoughts.” 

“I am not!” Weiss slammed her teacup down onto the table and froze when she realized she had started to stand up. She slowly sat down and cleared her throat. “And what would you know about me?” 

“For one, you found someone you like and arent sure how to deal with it.” 

Weiss frowned. “Look, if you’re going to tease me about that-”

“And two, we’re more alike than you might think.” Blake let out a sigh and removed the bow that covered her ears. “We’re both hiding who we are from those around us.” 

Weiss looked away from Blake and quietly sipped from her tea again. As much as she wanted to leave, she knew she couldnt. Leaving now would be admitting to Blake that she was right, but on the other hand, sticking around would mean more criticisms about her family. She didnt need to hear from any more faunus about how her family’s company treated them, she knew that her father was driving everything her grandfather had worked for into the ground. “And… what exactly do you think I could be hiding?” 

“That you’re lonelier than you want to admit to. A feeling I’m a bit familiar with.” 

Weiss looked up at Blake and watched her put the bow back on around her ears. “And you got all of that from seeing me alone in the halls?” 

“Sometimes it takes a lonely heart to see another. Why else would you avoid your team?” 

“I’m not avoiding them I’m-” 

“Crushing on them?”

The blush on Weiss’s cheeks started to grow redder as she held back the urge to argue. Of course she wasnt crushing on her team, she just liked being around them. Liked watching them, enjoyed learning about their weapons, learning more about them as people as they took care of the very extensions of their souls… 

Weiss finally dropped her head onto the table and let out a heavy sigh. “Maybe… maybe a little. Why do you care? You dont even know me. We’re on different teams.” 

“And I know a bit about loving someone who didnt quite love me back. Someone who wanted me to be a bit more like him instead of being myself.” 

“I… I didnt know…” 

“I didnt expect you to.” Blake took another sip of her tea, careful eyes on Weiss. “And that’s part of why I came here. To try to start over and to help others that need it.” 

“And you think I need help?” Weiss sat up again and looked down at her tea. “I’m fine with doing what I can on my own.” 

“Weiss, I’ve seen the way you hold yourself back in class and the way you watch your teammates. You hold back the passion you have for what you want to do whenever Professor Port or Goodwitch ask for volunteers. Your eyes always stay glued to your teammates whenever they’re part of a demonstration, watching their movements and keeping track of how they handle their weapons, always quietly watching and staying back anytime they try to talk to you.” 

“That’s… not true…” 

“Isnt it?” 

“I…” Weiss finally looked away from Blake and took a sip of her tea. “And what exactly do you think I can do about it? I cant just tell them I have thoughts for them.” 

“Maybe not, but you could try to get to know them more. Let yourself shine so they can see you for you.” 

“And what about you? What are you holding yourself back from?” 

Blake stood up and smiled at her. “Nothing you need to concern yourself with yet.” 

Weiss shook her head and watched Blake leave, her eyes glancing at the ribbon over her ears. It reminded her of the ribbon at the end of her sword, which then brought out the thoughts of watching use it to maneuver around the grimm, catching her enemies off guard, pulling someone close out of danger… She felt the blush start to redden across her cheeks again and she dropped her head on to the table with a small whine. “Not her too…”

[camillabanilla]

All entirely valid points and I pretty much agree with all of it

For myself - maybe because I came to the series after volume 5 started airing - I didn't get the sense that Weiss was written as rejecting Jaune because she's cold and needs to give him a chance. I always got the impression that she simply wasn't interested, and that his intentions were irrelevant. Specifically, their entire dynamic was written to break down that trope:

She never gave him a chance after his repeated attempts; he realized her happiness is more important than her being happy *with/because of him* and learns from his mistakes; she finds out there's more to him than meets the eye but still, doesn't feel any obligation to give him a chance; he saves her life and neither of them act as though there is an obligation there.

Yes, he was being an ass. He figured it out, and he's better off from it. I figured Yang's comment about Weiss' rejection is maybe more of a reflection of Yang, rather than the intent to paint Weiss as a bitch for her rejection. Or, maybe CRWBY could have left that bit out, or the running gag of calling Weiss cold didn't hit right in that scene. A person saying Weiss owes Jaune anything is a big yikes from me, and she certainly doesn't owe him kindness in her rejection of him.

I think sometimes people can take a ship and completely run away with it and go insane if two characters simply exist around each other. For now, all we know for certain is that Jaune has learned from his mistakes, and become a better person. Weiss is comfortable around him, and has no fear that her comforting gestures will be taken the wrong way. They are for certain very good friends, which is a fantastic thing.

I ship white knight, but I'm not *expecting* them to become a couple. What they have right now is beautiful.

As for things like the age gap, I don't know. I think there might be an argument in that Jaune's time spent in the Ever After didn't amount to much "worldliness" and personal development, and it's not as though him and Weiss are just meeting each other. The last time they were together they were the same age. But maybe if we're in a situation where an argument has to be made in the first place, the time is not right for the ship to sail.

Honestly despite shipping them, I think it would be fitting for their starting points if they become even closer, but stay as very good friends. Isn't that ideal for both of them? Her to have that level comfort and trust with him, him never again entertaining the idea that they *should* be something more and valuing her as a friend and person. A great relationship with amazing growth.

Editing to clarify: "just give the guy a chance" needs to die as a trope and mindset. I'm glad that CRWBY didn't play it straight, the girl never gave in to pressure, and the guy's behaviour was corrected.

And yeah, @claralaclarividente is right imo about if WK ever did become a thing, it would be best later on. Maybe near the end of the series or in the epilogue.

Why the WhiteKnight ship makes many in the RWBY Fandom uncomfortable

RWBY discussion by Alyhoo

https://twitter.com/alyhoo_cos/status/1651001105067679744

[meimi-haneoka]

Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card Chapter 67: Comments + JP-ENG translation differences

CCS fans!! Welcome back for another episode of “CLAMP are messing with my brain and I don’t like it”, aka Clear Card Arc! 😂We’ve reached Chapter 67, can you believe… For those who still don’t know, here’s a small reminder of the most important info we found out since last chapter: At the beginning of October (formalized on October 13th) we’ve got the confirmation that Cardcaptor Sakura Clear Card Arc will end with volume 14. In a Twitter Space of last week, CLAMP revealed that volume 14 will be a bit bigger (therefore, with more pages) than volume 13, which is already bigger than the standard. They haven’t announced exactly what will be the last chapter, so all we have left to do is enjoying these last chapters of the Clear Card saga, where we’ll find all the answers we’re looking for, as Ohkawa and Nekoi themselves reassured us in the same Space. In this chapter, for example, we start getting some answers about the current situation (I’m glad to see I was right on most things 😁)

Without further ado, let’s start this analysis/translation comparison thread, cause I feel there’ll be a lot to point out.

Gif of the month! 😂

The Color Page

Chapter 67 sees on the cover the spirits of two Cards that turned out to be absolutely crucial in this climax: Sakura Card Mirror and Clear Card Mirror, in a very “ying and yang” representation. The Japanese text over it quotes the words of the Card True or False back some chapters ago:

“You’ll have to ascertain… Is it a Lie (dream)? Or the Truth (reality)?

It’s interesting to note how Clear Mirror keeps the typical hair color that’s always been associated with Mirror, while the Sakura Card Mirror got this pinkish-purpleish tint to it. Was it always like this? We are used to the colors the anime canon sets as “official”, but as the manga canon sometimes switches things around (and this is seemingly the first time we have the spirit of a Card appearing on a color page), it might be a change done to distinguish the two Cards better.

The Cards Love Syaoran

We open the chapter with Syaoran waking up to the sound of someone calling him. It’s the Sakura Card Mirror, who confirms to him they’re at the edge of the world they’re currently all in. And lol, my readers, I already have to point out a translation mistake, since it’s important to understand why Syaoran is still inside this world…

ENG: You came to...just before you were driven out.

JP: You managed to stay here without being knocked off this world because [you realized] (the deceit).

So apparently, the fact Syaoran realized the deceit behind Mirror’s disguise (thanks to the absence of the shock, courtesy of Yelan) is what allowed him to stay here. It seems clear by now that if he kept believing the one he grabbed was Sakura, he would’ve been sent flying off this world and bye bye any remote chance to bring the real Sakura back. So again, a reiteration that Yelan’s spell ended up saving her son, one way or another. I think it was particularly brilliant because, even in the chance Kaito might have noticed the spell on him, he would’ve paid no mind, as apparently it was a spell with a “negative” connotation to the kids (and so, hard for Kaito to realize it would’ve actually helped Syaoran in this way). Syaoran realizes the spell is finally broken, and therefore he realizes it was his mother’s doing all along (for those wondering how, well, I can only imagine her son knows her and her methods that much). So we also got the confirmation that there’s no more “no-touch spell” and next time Sakura and Syaoran will be able to touch without any danger!

But the surprises are not over, as Syaoran realizes he’s got Flight on his back helping him staying “afloat” in the void.

And here we go again clarifying a part that’s pretty confusing in the ENG version in my opinion, it doesn’t explain exactly what Flight did here, beside mentioning something that is incorrect canon-wise.

ENG: I am Clow’s Mirror… Even if I look just like Sakura’s. The other Mirror copied the power of the Flight Card...so it remembered me. It saved me.

JP: I, Mirror (鏡), and (the other)Mirror (鏡像) have the same appearance. (The other) Mirror (鏡像) has copied Flight’s power before, so Flight remembered it and decided to help us out.

Sooooo. First of all. I get quite irked whenever the “old” Cards still get called “Clow Cards”, since the Clow Cards don’t exist anymore. It is factually wrong to call them as such because Sakura spent the entirety of the Sakura Card Arc making them be reborn under her name. The old incantation recited “Discard your old appearance and be reborn under your new Master’s name, Sakura”, after all. The Cards have all discarded their existence as Clow Cards and became Sakura Cards so long ago. Calling Mirror “Clow’s” here adds only confusion over confusion (before understanding what was happening, I really thought some shenanigan happened that nullified Sakura’s work on the Cards and somehow a Clow Card was able to come back!! WTF). If their intent was to distinguish Mirror (old) from Mirror (new), since they have the same name and we can’t use the kanji like the Japanese readers can do, they could’ve used any other trick. Call it “the other Mirror”, call it “the new Mirror” if you can’t use “Clear Card” because basically anyone has yet to call those cards “Clear Cards”, in the story. But if you say “I look like Sakura’s Card”, I will immediately think about all the Sakura Cards that are with Syaoran now, not the Clear Cards that Sakura is creating.

After this premise to point out that confusing mistake, this is what happened as I understood it: Flight and (Sakura)Mirror are from 2 different decks, so in theory they shouldn’t know eachother. But Sakura used the Mirror from the Clear deck on Flight before, so it is acquaintaned with that Card. Flight, seeing (Sakura)Mirror in that World, recognized her as having the same appearance as the Mirror from its own deck, made 2+2 (“this must be the Card our Master created Mirror from, since we’re all coming from her past experiences”) and decided to help her by preventing Syaoran to fall after passing out.

As we have all seen extensively throughout the series, Mirror confirms Flight loves Sakura very much, and apparently it loves Syaoran too, since Sakura means so much to him. Flight was also part of that special moment in the sky back in chapter 23, so it’s only normal it has come to know what’s really in Syaoran’s heart. Syaoran is very moved by all this trust in him and pats Flight in a very sweet way. I found this as a “convoluted” but probably necessary explanation as to why Flight would collaborate with Mirror to save Syaoran, despite supposedly not being acquainted with eachother. And then, Mirror apologizes profusely for deceiving Syaoran like that. If you pay attention, we reached a panel with Kaito, so do you think we escaped a translation mistake? Of course not, in fact: (yessir, I’ll call this ‘mistake’ because I’m tired to see him called as what NO one has ever called him in the series, perpetrating this misconception)

ENG: I let that man use me...to deceive you. JP: I let someone else use me to deceive you…

Yes, I am beyond done with the use of “that man” in relation to Kaito. Mirror here uses “someone else”. Besides, the ひと (hito) in 別のひと is written in hiragana. You might have heard me say this before, but apparently the use of hiragana instead of the kanji version for “hito” 人 represents warmth, a lack of animosity toward the person you’re talking about. When Syaoran talks about Kaito, he uses the same pattern. It’s not exclusive to them, as Kaito himself has used two different “ano hito” in relation to other people: with kanji (cold and detached) when talking about the Squids, and in hiragana (warm) when talking about Lilie. I saw my Japanese mutuals discussing about it more than once before, and I noticed it is a thing inside the story. So that “that man” that gives away so much bitterness is not only incorrect on a translation level, but also on an interpretation level. But, alas, we always have to make Kaito look worse than he is, right?(and I don’t think this chapter needed it, as he’s already behaving in the way he’s behaving. It’s like adding fuel to the fire).

Rant aside (it’s not over as there’ll be another instance shortly ahead), Syaoran reassured Mirror it’s not her fault, but rather his responsability for still being inexperienced. He goes to check for the Sakura Cards and….they’re not there in his pocket! Alas, Mirror confirms that the only Sakura Card allowed into this world is her, because Kaito brought her in. Again, we have the ENG translation using “that man”, but here in JP Mirror uses “the magician” instead (another name the people on Sakura’s team use very often to refer to Kaito). Mirror says that the new Cards that Sakura has been making are in this World too, but not all of them might move in Sakura’s interest like Flight did (“moving for her” rather than “answer to her”, as the ENG decided to translate it). We see an example of Shade, which has indeed moved in Kaito’s interest by destroying the scene with Tomoyo/Repair and bringing him and Sakura to the Red Queen, just like I had pointed out last time. Syaoran at this point doesn’t even know if his magic will work at all in this world, but he decides he has to carry on anyway, and Mirror pleads him to take her with him. Flight is absolutely wanting to be a part of this too, and Syaoran officially starts the “let’s go to Sakura” rescue operation!

All My Memories are Here

Right, where did we leave our “Sakura” last time? Alice is in the presence of the Red Queen, and as soon as she sees her, she’s about to shout her real name! It seems Sakura was about to recognize Akiho, but a strong headache messes with her head and she loses that glimpse of memory she was about to regain. The Cat, with a stern expression behind her, reminds her that she’s Alice, and so she introduces herself once again to the Red Queen. Again, Alice starts asking questions upon seeing the two people on the sides of the room. The Cat explains they are “The one who loves with kindness” and “The one who decides”. Interesting the choice in the ENG version where they translated 慈しむ者 with “the one who brings comforts”, as the verb 慈しむ expresses a very tender kind of love and affection (typical of parents for children). That same kanji is also present in the kanji name of the Kindness Card, so I would’ve appreciated the effort to include that nuance more. Alice, as she’s always been doing ever since she stepped foot into this World (guys, Sakura’s intuition is just that crazy good), asks the Cat: “For the Red Queen?” The Cat doesn’t answer (as usual), but his expression is once again very pensive. All these pressuring questions about the Queen...are pricking him where it’s needed to? We’ll see. The Red Queen welcomes Alice and, using the Transfer Card, teleports to Sakura, offering to be her guide throughout the castle. Another translation mistake: The Queen doesn’t say “take my hand” (do you actually see Alice taking the Queen’s hand, afterwards? Nope, indeed), but actually “touch it”, referring to Transfer’s target symbol. I want to remind you that Transfer was the one Card that Kaito commented “A pity. We were almost there” on. Transfer went very close, maybe even closer than the much more famous Rewind, to the Card Kaito wanted. We western fans don’t have much knowledge of it because the ENG translation back then translated his comment as just “oh well”. Back to us, Alice and the Red Queen get transported outside the Castle, to a place we have seen before….hehehe. Yes, this is the infamous botanical garden (would have it k1lled them to actually spell ‘botanical garden’ so it was clearer to everyone? We haven’t seen much of it back then so it might not be immediately recognizable to everyone)

The spread, of course, is absolutely stunning, as Mokona sensei got us accustomed to in this climax. The flowers are made of glass, and the Red Queen comments, while elegantly descending the stairs, that this place is very important, because it’s where all the memories are stored. Whose memories?, asks Alice, and the Queen cryptically answers “Someone’s”. Alice asks her if her memories are here too, to which the Queen replies affirmatively. Hence, I have to infer, the first person she was referring to wasn’t herself. Reflected in the big crystals, in the meantime, we see glimpses of the botanical garden we saw back in chapter 53.

Alice got the feeling she already knows this place.

ENG: Something tells me I’ve been here before...with someone very special to me. And I met someone very dear to me...and someone very dear to them. JP: I have the feeling I already know this “botanical garden”. I went there together with someone very special to me. Once there, I met someone very dear to me...along with that someone’s special person.

Cinzia, why being so nitpicky? Isn’t the meaning the same? No, it isn’t. Ohkawa tried to do something very clear here, and the way they translated it buried it under the sand. I just hope it’s carelessness and not a deliberate attempt at muddling something in the light of the finale. Basically, when Sakura was speaking, she made very clear the level of feelings between the two pairs, by using 2 distinctive adjectives: 特別なひと ("special person") to indicate the person Sakura is in love with

大切なひと ("important person") to indicate the feelings of someone being very dear to her

Sakura used "special person" to indicate Syaoran, but she used it ALSO when talking about Akiho's special person, Kaito. When talking about Akiho, instead, she used "important person". It was very very clear Ohkawa's intent here. "Kaito is to Akiho what Syaoran is to Sakura". Parallelism and such. So using “important person” in this context threw that subtle but important parallelism out of the window and watered down Akiho’s feelings as just the same level of friendship there is between her and Sakura. You should know by now that I wouldn’t tolerate that. 😂

Moving on (phew, so long), the two girls change location again. But we immediately realize the Cat was watching them from a distanced location and didn’t follow them suit. A voice starts talking…..and with absolute joy (from me) we realize it’s actually MOMO!! We only hear her voice and we don’t actually see her, but she tells him “Move them around, interfere with them, it’s all useless. This world, after all, is made by all the memories of Akiho, the one who calls me Momo and named this book ‘Alice in Clockland’...the memories of the girl who’s lost right now...and YOURS too, the one who activated the magic using this book” Basically here Momo is reprimanding Kaito because these little places made of memories that will “trigger” Sakura’s own memories will keep popping up, no matter how much he interferes, tries to steer Sakura’s attention or drags her away. So here we find out that not only Kaito’s subconscious is intertwined with this world, but Sakura’s and Akiho’s memories too. In that regard, we could say the rose garden appearing in last chapter might have been coming also from Akiho’s memories, in addition to Kaito’s. One curious thing I have to point out regarding the botanical garden is that, in theory, the two girls aren’t supposed to remember about it. Cause Kaito rewound the events of the botanical garden. While we might argue that Sakura, due to her powers, might have traces of these memories hidden down her subconscious, I still wonder if once again the place popped up from Kaito’s memories. After all, he’s the only one with clear memories of it and this was the place where Akiho went out of her way to invite him to. It must mean something to him too.

And here we basically get the confirmation of the thing I’ve been quite sure about since a couple of chapters ago, that is…..behind the Cat, there’s actually Kaito in disguise!!😂😂This rascal!! 😂 I mean, last chapter with some reactions of his he really let himself be caught, though 😝 Kaito answers to Momo that he’s been lucky the role of the Cat called for a calm and detached demeanor, and here Momo’s answers made me crack up big time!! 😂 “It would’ve been so much funnier if you had to play a spoiled brat….or a silly role” Kaito answers, with his usual demeanor between defiance and deference “I would’ve made an effort as far as possible” 😂😂😂NOW I want to see spoiled brat Kaito...no, wait...he already is one 😂

We find out from Momo that he used the Clear Mirror Card (note: Momo doesn’t say he stole that too, only that he used it…) to take the appearance of the next head of the Li family, but… Momo: “You can’t hide” Kaito: “What, my wickedness?” ( the JP didn’t use exactly “cruelty”) Momo: “No, your true nature” (I think the use of ‘nature’ here is important. It implies it’s the very opposite of “wicked”).

This is, I believe, a remark that pricked Kaito where he’s most vulnerable, as he gets up and he doesn’t even let Momo finish what she’s saying (something about even a little spell possibly doing damages to him, in the state he’s in right now?), stating he must be back to Alice’s side, as his role requires. We get the last confirmation that we’re currently inside Momo’s book, under the effect of a spell, and that the story is inexorably going towards “the beginning of the end”.

Back to the “outside world”, to Yukito & company, we see his barrier starting to deteriorate. Yukito is very tired and so is Touya. To avoid the spell from breaking, Yue talks to his “other self” and tells him:

JP: “Let’s swap. You and me are the same being, so I can keep this spell alive” "Ah, that's right. There's still my other's self power left" I've put the JP version here because that “traces” used by the ENG version might trick some people into getting a wrong interpretation, that is, that Yue was supposedly gone but there were actually still traces of him inside Yukito. None of this is really suggested in the JP version and the Spanish translation actually suggest Yukito was simply forgetting he could count on Yue as well. And so, Yue takes over and asks Nakuru to turn into Ruby Moon and act as a “battery”, to boost Yukito’s magic spell together...I found this a beautiful moment of collaboration and friendship beyween the two guardians!! They’ve come such a long way!! 🥲

The chapter ends with a BOOM: Yue threatens Syaoran to punch him if he doesn’t make it unscathed, and Touya agrees, saying “Hurry up and come back along with her...SYAORAN LI”.

GUYS GUYS TOUYA KINOMOTO CALLED SYAORAN WITH HIS FULL NAME 😂😂😂 Can you hear the wedding bells in the distance??? 😂This is like the “Big Brother” approval mark 😂

In this general climate of putting aside the differences, the animosity, to embrace others, I can���t help but yearning to see this climate extended to all the characters of Clear Card. I know this is what CCS is about, so I’ll just keep having faith and wait for that moment. It'll be a beautiful moment, I'm sure.

I have to run to bed but I wanted to get this thing out as soon as possible due to all the confusing things, so for now I'll just leave it here and as usual I'm available for more comments and theories in asks or comments! A quick reminder of the dates for the next chapter, chapter 68 (we're so close!!): November 28th, on Bookwalker/Azuki (digital, ENG) November 29th, on Clamp-fans (digital, JP and other languages) December 1st, on Comic-days (digital, JP ) and Nakayoshi (paper and digital, JP)

[palaceofpassion]

Can we get some follow up for that one involving Jaune breeding Nuts and Dolts. Maybe either Ruby’s turn or the Bees getting bred while the three already breed ladies watch.

Part 2 to @dam1994s original ask!  This time its Ruby’s turn, also the reason I didn’t label the first as NTR.

“Ruby.”   

This didn’t feel right, it hadn’t felt right for a while now, but now that he actually got the chance to take a look at Ruby’s face he felt torn up about it.  “I’d let things get too far…”  

“Y...yes…”  

She couldn’t even look him in the eyes, staring lifelessly towards her sheets.  Patting the sheets in front of him he called his young friend over, “Come here.”  He’d have to fix this, “Sorry Penny, we’ll continue later if time allows it.”  He’d have to take control of the situation, things had gotten far too out of hand.  

“No problem, friend Jaune!  Come Ruby it's your turn!  Oh I can’t wait!  I can’t wait till we’re both big and pregnant!  Round bellies with wonderful life in them!”  

Jaune rolled his eyes, but left a pleasant smile on his face, that was till he saw how demure Ruby was.  The once adventurous team leader was disheartened, broken, just sad.  He felt like he’d kicked a puppy, though maybe it was better to say Weiss had.  Who was simply smiling at him, to which he shook his head in disappointment.  “Ruby, sit now.”  

 And like the broken puppy she was, she made her way over to him, slowly meandering forward until she was kneeling a foot away.  “Look at me.”  When she didn’t respond, he simply grasped the bottom of her chin, lifting it slightly so she could shift her gaze to match his.  “Ruby.”  

“I’m ready…”  

He could tell how unready she was, the dark bags under her eyes from crying or with how red her sclera was.  She wasn’t doing well at all.  “Ruby, you’re not, and you’re not okay.”  He took a deep breath as he brought his right hand to her cheek, gently sliding his thumb beneath her eye and clearing the falling tear.  “Ruby, if you didn’t want this, you should have said no.”  

It took her a moment to start speaking, her lip trembling as she did.  “But… but… I would have… everyone would have been disappointed in me.”  

“I would not have!”

Penny spoke up, dancing over next to them, thick droplets of semen dripping from her pussy as she landed next to Ruby.

“I wouldn’t have either.”  

It looked as if Ruby wanted to say something, but Jaune spoke before her.  “She really wouldn’t have.  Weiss is just a…”  He turned towards his wife, who simply smiled at him, like the princess she knew she was.  “A sadist, a very hardcore sadist.”  

“You know it~”  

“But… she said… and…”

“Ruby, if you didn’t want you or I to get pregnant you should have said something!”  

“But…”  

“Ruby, it's okay.  We can stop here, I...”  He scratched the back of his head as an uncomfortable silence followed.  “I’m sorry Ruby.  You shouldn’t be.  I should have noticed you weren’t feeling great.”  

“I should have more so.”  Penny once again chimed in.

“I just… I want Penny to be happy… but watching her being taken by you… and seeing her face… she was…”  

“Oh Ruby!  I’m sorry!  It was just my first experience with a cock and… and it FELT REALLY Good.”

“Penny not helping.”

“And Weiss was saying…”

“Sorry Ruby, I tend to get REALLY into it when Jaune starts to fuck other women.  I do care for you… but it's really hot.”  

Again he rolled his eyes at his wife.  “And… I don’t think you’d want to have sex with me.”  

“Wait no I-”

“HAH!  Jaune not wanting to have sex with you?!  Are you serious!?”

His face started to flash hot as a sudden realization began to dawn on him.  “Weiss, you better not.”  

However, that didn’t stop his wife.  “Ruby!  He’s had a HUGE crush on you for as long as you knew each other!  Did you think he just had a thing for Pyrrha and me?  Ohohohohoho!”  

“What?”  

Jaune felt his face flash really hot.  “Weiss, that's enough.”  

He tried to sound as threatening as he could, but Weiss was having none of it, instead she simply smirked and nodded, “Okay~”  He didn’t like the way she said that.  Either way this was a moment for Ruby, not for his wife, he’d get to dealing with her later… he hoped.

“Right, well… Ruby I think you’re insanely attractive, I actually thought I’d be having sex with you first.”  He couldn’t help but scratch the back of his head as Ruby turned her attention back to him, her eyes widening at the sudden realization.

Gone were her previous fears, the strange sensation she felt in her belly from watching her wife being bred by a man… by her best friend, instead a new strange flitty feeling filled her.  She felt a little woozy as she began to finally take in Jaune’s form for the first time.  She’d known he’d gotten rather muscular back during their adventures but… looking at him now well… she liked what she saw.  And when her eyes fell a little lower?  She found she REALLY liked what she saw.  So much so she had to fight back the urge that pulled her towards reaching out and stroking it, all on her own.  

“Jaune?”  

“Yeah?”  

“Can you… can you go slow?”  

Then he smiled at her, and this time, instead of the rotten feeling that had overwhelmed her earlier, she felt a genuine sense of warmth fill her.  

“Of course Crater Face.”  

“Hah, thanks Vomit Boy.”  

She allowed his fingers to run through her body, gently coasting down her back and curling at the soft swells of her rear.  A small shudder ran through her spine, and a soft gasp escaped through her lips.  A sudden lightness filled her as he drew close, the edge of his p...dick pressed against her already moist sex.  “You sure you want this?”  

“Ye...yes please.”  

“Alright.”  

Her lower body tensed as the sharp pain struck from her crotch, her tight slit began to unfold before the firm strength of his shaft pressing further inside of her.  “O...Oww…”  

“I can stop.”  

“N...no keep going…”  

She did her best to ignore the cheers coming from the side, Penny obviously fully in the mood.  Or the snide smile coming from Weiss as she watched her ‘man’ have his way with another woman.  She knew her friend meant well… but she wasn’t going to concentrate on her wife or Weiss at the moment.  

She wanted to concentrate on the fullness running through her.  Through his hands gently running against the back of her head, stroking through her dark locks.  She wanted to concentrate on the sudden bulge in her belly that slowly rose to the top of her stomach and the new sensation of the tip pushing against her cervix.  She felt fuller than she’d ever felt, her body, finally easing into a pleasurable sensation.  “Oooph~  Okay, I think… I think I’m good.”  

“You sure?”  

“Yeah.”  

She nodded back to Jaune, who pressed forward, his body suddenly towering on top of her.  Her body began to sink into her mattress as he applied all his weight down upon her.  Her legs pulled back as he shifted his thighs to pry them forward.  She… she’d looked it up before, but she realized this was a mating press.  “Sorry Rubes, I may get a little crazy but I re-”

“He wants to breed you so badly Ruby~  He wouldn’t shut up about it all the way here.”  

“Weiss!”  He hissed at his wife.

A fiery blush kissed Ruby’s cheeks as she realized both Weiss and Penny were now surrounding her.  “Nope~  I’m going to tell her all about it… besides, it's not like you can do anything, you’re cocks all nice and warm inside her tight little cunt, you probably don’t want to pull out huh?”  

She looked back upon him, her silver eyes scanning his suddenly reddening chest.  She felt a mighty feed of satisfaction fill her as he simply began to gyrate his hips, grinding their crotches together as he buried his cock deep inside of her tight little hole.  Her pussy tingled, the brustling of his pubic hairs scritching at her entrance was doing funny things to her, and she really liked it.

“Did you know Ruby?  That he used to have a crush on you at Beacon.”

“Wei-s.”  She felt him try to pull out, her body wanting more of him instinctively reached out, her arms wrapping around the tall of his back, her legs tightly winding around his hips pulling him down.  Besides… she kind of wanted to hear the story.  

“Well~  You see, he would tell me about what he thought about you… especially when you wore those cute little pajamas, the ones that hugged your tush.”  

“Wei-”  

Weiss ignored him,  “He’d tell me about how he used to imagine, pushing you down, taking you away, dragging you to some closet far away where Yang couldn’t get to you.  To pull your clothes down, sliding his big ol cock into your cute little slit.  How he wanted to breed that cute little pussy of yours, you REALLY turned him on, you know that?”  

“Re...Really?”  

“Ye...yes…”  She could tell he tried not to admit it, but the twitch inside of her sent little happy feelings through her.  

“Not… not Yang?”

“No…”  

“Yep~  He wanted YOU, wanted to breed you, to pump you full of his seed.  He’d tell me about how many times he just imagined putting a baby into lil old you back in Beacon.”  

“Weis-”  

“Tut tut tut~  Not done.”  

She felt a low growl erupting from within Jaune, his chest vibrating as he suddenly pulled up and then THUMP she felt the air knock from her lungs as he rose up and slammed his massive cock inside of her.  Her body suddenly aching for an all new reason as her insides were split apart, her womb shifting upwards against her stomach.  She felt him pull back again as he prepared to lunge back in once more.  

“You know~  He used to tell me, that when RNJR went out, you guys had food problems sometimes, and well you were a growing girl so-”

“Weiss stop!”  

“He would sometimes cum in your soup, you needed protein after all… that of course didn’t stop even as we went on… sometimes I would help pump his cock, make sure you had all the energy a growing girl needed.”  

She felt REALLY hot all of a sudden, all those tasty meals she had… that salty sweet flavor she used to love… it all made sense, and… and she tried to look back at Jaune, but then his chest pushed down on her, his hips reeled back and- THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP. 

Like a wild beast he’d lost control, his hips now jackhammering into her.  Any and all resistance proved futile against his powerful strikes, her rear bounced off the bed, as his heavy balls smashed right into her plump ass.  Her cheeks turned a bright red as the heavy set orbs smashed into her with every lunging thrust.

Her insides churned, and her womb began to beg for more!  A new experience began to overwhelm her.  His arms tightly wrapped around her back, draping downwards as his fingers sunk into her fatty ass.  She gasped again, biting into his musculature as he continued his relentless pace.  

She couldn’t keep a hold of herself anymore, even more so when Weiss began talking again.  “You remember how a few of your panties went missing?” 

 THUD

He slammed into her again forcing her further into her bed, his thrusts having enough force that she was afraid he’d break it!  Or worse, break her at this rate!  

“Well~  He has a collection at home, most of them were used of course.”  

THUD THUD THUD

“AAAAH!”  

She screamed out in pleasure, as he violated her insides, her cervix turning black and blue from the relentless beating he placed upon her.  His nails started to carve into the soft round curves of her bottom, digging into her fleshy exterior as he tried to practically fuse the two of them together.  

She wanted to cry out, a mixture of pleasured pain swirling inside of her.  She wanted to say something, but her throat burned, his aura seeping into her body sending violent chills throughout.  She received no warning as he pushed himself down, pressing ALL of his weight down on her small sleek figure.  She couldn’t tell what was happening at first, her pussy numbed from the sheer force of their sexual escapades, but when her womb began to fill her ovaries hungrily drinking the new found liquid spreading within her.  She knew he’d cum inside, that the reason he was clinging to her so tightly was to make sure that not. A . single. Drip. would. Spill. Out.

Her toes curled as SPLURT SPLURT SPLURT SPLURT SPLURT He unloaded gallons of spunk within her.  Her body shook to its core as a powerful orgasm filled her, the new sensation of being filled, the womanly parts of her finally over joyed to have fulfilled their mission.  She lost it.  “AaaHhHahaha!”  She held on, her fingers sinking into his back, clawing against the strong musculature, holding onto dear life all while her eyes rolled back, her tongue hung out and her everything started to collapse.  

“Oh dear~  She couldn’t handle it…”  

“Ah… dang… damn it Weiss why’d you have to say that.”  

“Oh please!  You WANTED to do that.”  

Jaune rolled his eyes again at his wife, though he didn’t deny her claim.

“Sorry Penny, we may have to wait ti-”

“Breed her more!”

“But sh-”

“She’s stuck to you!  Make sure she’s all nice and knocked up!  Do it!  Do it!”  

Jaune felt a new found fear for the plucky Orangette… maybe there was something up with the color Orange.  

“Fine.”  

Well, he felt bad for Ruby, but he DID have a job to do.  “I’ll go again.”  

THUD THUD THUD 

And so he refused to let up, even as Ruby hung tightly to him on nothing but instinct, her senses frayed and broken.  He’d have to make sure she was nice and knocked up, after all an Arc always kept their promises.

[myopinionhi]

A Will Solace Character Analysis: the Underappreciated Soft Side

I've noticed many fanfictions have Will Solace OOC. So I’ve been thinking about aspects of Will’s personality fans seem to either gloss over or exaggerate. Here, this post is me doing an in-depth analysis explaining Will Solace’s canon personality in the books, and how it can sometimes differ from fanfictions. Sprinkled in this analysis are tips to fanfiction writers on how they write Will as more in-character.

There is one major aspect of Will that people seem to ignore or underemphasize. Nico best explains it when describing Will in this quote

Jason was a fighter. You could tell from the intensity of his stare, his constant alertness, the coiled-up energy in his frame. Will Solace was more like a lanky cat stretched out in sunshine. His movements were relaxed and nonthreatening, his gaze soft and far away. In his faded SURF BARBADOS T-shirt, his cutoff shorts and flip-flops, he looked about as aggressive as a demigod could get, but Nico knew he was brave under fire. During the Battle of Manhattan, Nico had seen him in action - the camp's best combat medic, risking his life to save wounded campers.

To sum it up, Will Solace is a very chill and calm character. A lot of writers make Will more irrational, impulsive, overbearing, and emotional than he actually is. Will is not the type of character to create drama unless he's, as Nico puts it, "under fire." In other words, the intense side of his personality doesn't come out unless the situation is urgent or dire.

Fans remember during the Second Giant War how he gets angry and argues with Nico over Nico's health and shadow-traveling, so many assume Will is going to be this fiery over a lot of other things regarding their relationship. For example, fanfic writers may make Will controlling or overly sensitive with Nico. However, keep in mind, Will gets heated with Nico during the Second Giant War because Nico's shadow-traveling is killing him. This is how Will describes Nico's dire state.

"Coach Hedge told me all about your shadow-travel. You can’t try that again."

"I just did try it again, Solace. I’m fine."

"No, you’re not. I’m a healer. I could feel the darkness in your hand as soon as I touched it. Even if you made it to that tent, you’d be in no shape to fight. But you wouldn’t make it. One more slip, and you won’t come back. You are not shadow-travelling. Doctor’s orders."

Will is a healer. When he touches Nico's hand, he can sense how little sleep and food Nico has been getting and how Nico's being taken over by darkness. Nico is on the verge of death and hasn't cared about his health for a long time. Nico is also stubborn about it, so Will has to be aggressive in order to save Nico's life. This aggressive behavior is not the norm for Will, but it can sometimes come out when he has to assert control in a life-or-death situation.

Will is a calming prescence. He's a diplomat. He stops violence on multiple occassions.

He's one of the few people who's able to calm Clarisse's violent rage, and he does so in a gentle manner.

Clarisse pointed her dagger at Rachel. "What about their allies, huh? Did you see that tribe of two-headed men that arrived yesterday? Or the glowing red dog-headed guys with the big poleaxes? They look pretty barbaric to me. It would’ve been nice if you’d foreseen any of that, if your Oracle power didn’t break down when we needed it most!"

Rachel’s face turned as red as her hair. "That’s hardly my fault. Something is wrong with Apollo’s gifts of prophecy. If I knew how to fix it –"

"She’s right." Will Solace, head counsellor for the Apollo cabin, put his hand gently on Clarisse’s wrist. Not many campers could’ve done that without getting stabbed, but Will had a way of defusing people’s anger. He got her to lower her dagger. "Everyone in our cabin has been affected. It’s not just Rachel."

One of the most underrated Will Solace moments is when he stops a bloody battle from happening between Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter.  

But he knew it wouldn’t do any good. After weeks of waiting, agonizing and steaming, the Greeks and Romans wanted blood. Trying to stop the battle now would be like trying to push back a flood after the dam broke.

Will Solace saved the day.

He put his fingers in his mouth and did a taxicab whistle even more horrible than the last. Several Greeks dropped their swords. A ripple went through the Roman line like the entire First Cohort was shuddering.

"DON’T BE STUPID!" Will yelled. "LOOK!"

People are so used to seeing demigods, especially male demigods, being aggressive fighters that they can't wrap their heads around a brave and strong demigod who actively tries to avoid unnecessary conflict and destruction as much as he can.

And that's Will Solace's strength: he has the ability to prevent as much harm as possible.

Will is a difficult character to write. There's a lot of dueling factors with his personality. He's calm and pacifying while also being brave and assertive. He's fun and lighthearted while also being intelligent, logical, and grounded. He's laidback while also being responsible and hardworking. He's insecure but not melodramatic. He's very caring and protective but not pushy.

Will's personality confuses Nico sometimes too.

He’d always thought of Will as easygoing and laid back. Apparently he could also be stubborn and aggravating.

The trick to writing Will is to keep in mind his default personality is a soft and lighthearted character. Writers tend to overemphasize the hard side of his personality when his default personality is actually the soft side.

Think of the relaxing, lanky cat metaphor Nico uses for him. He and Nico bicker often, and it works for Will because he rolls with everything and doesn't take things too seriously. He's able to alleviate Nico's moodiness with humor, wittiness, groundedness, and patience. Nico affectionately calls Will a "dork" because Will usually keeps things light. Interestingly enough, he's able to be lighthearted without coming across as insensitive or an airheaded goofball, the latter of which is something Nico dislikes about Percy's personality. On a related sidenote, another way writers make Will OOC is they make him too dumb or too immature. I know I mentioned to focus on Will's soft side, but be careful to avoid that too. He's a SENSIBLE, lanky cat.

The way Will keeps his composure during a stressful situation by using laughter while still being mature is expressed well in this exchange with Apollo. (Yes, Will has a lot to manage.)

It was difficult to think of this young man as my son. He was so poised, so unassuming, so free of acne. He also didn’t appear to be awestruck in my presence. In fact, the corner of his mouth had started twitching.

“Are—are you amused?” I demanded.

Will shrugged. “Well, it’s either find this funny or freak out. My dad, the god Apollo, is a fifteen-year-old—”

“Sixteen,” I corrected. “Let’s go with sixteen.”

“A sixteen-year-old mortal, lying in a cot in my cabin, and with all my healing arts—which I got from you—I still can’t figure out how to fix you.”

“There is no fixing this,” I said miserably. “I am cast out of Olympus. My fate is tied to a girl named Meg. It could not be worse!”

Will laughed, which I thought took a great deal of gall. “Meg seems cool. She’s already poked Connor Stoll in the eyes and kicked Sherman Yang in the crotch.”

The fiercer side of Will's personality comes out only when the situation calls for it; this happens sometimes when he has to be a caring family member, a responsible healer, or a warrior in a dire situation. Even when he gets more forceful, he doesn't get more forceful than he has to.

Since Will has such a balanced and lighthearted personality, what are his flaws? What are the dark sides of his personality? There are four main things that stick out.

1. He's insecure about his self-perceived lack of abilities.

"I agree," Will said. "I wish I was a better archer … I wouldn’t mind shooting my Roman relative off his high horse. Actually, I wish I could use any of my father’s gifts to stop this war." He looked down at his own hands with distaste. "Unfortunately, I’m just a healer."

2. He sometimes struggles to endure the heavy responsibilities he has as a healer and as a protector to his family.

“I got it reattached,” Will told me, his voice shaky with exhaustion. His scrubs were speckled with blood. “I need somebody to keep him stable.”

I pointed to the woods. “But—”

“I know!” Will snapped. “Don’t you think I want to be out there searching too? We’re shorthanded for healers. There’s some salve and nectar in that pack. Go!”

I was stunned by his tone. I realized he was just as concerned about Kayla and Austin as I was. The only difference: Will knew his duty. He had to heal the injured first. And he needed my help.

3. He forces himself to bottle his emotions to keep his composure.

Will laughed under his breath. “I’m terrified. But one thing you learn as head counselor: you have to keep it together for everyone else. Let’s get you on your feet."

Here's a second example.

I rested my hand on Will’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ll be back by dawn.”

His mouth trembled ever so slightly. “How can you be sure?”

4. He constantly worries about his loved ones.

Nico rested his hand on Will’s shoulder. “Apollo, we were worried. Will was especially.”

In conclusion, Will Solace's personality is difficult to get correct. But don't worry, if you write Will as a laidback, witty cat in your fanfics, I guarantee he'll be more in-character than many other fanfics with Will Solace.

(Note: I am only human. If you believe I'm misinterpreting some aspects of Will's personality, feel free to express it. What I say isn't 100 percent the right interpretation.)

[deadbeatbirdmom]

As far as I know a transcript of this hasn't been added yet, so here it is under a read more cut, taken from the twitter thread by SAlle1304:

Okay.

Okay.

My brain is mush, I'm still crying, and my hands are shaking like crazy, but I want to do a whole analysis of this moment because there is so SO much more to it than just them confessing.

It's the accumulation of all of their fears, all of their doubts, seen as good traits in each other's eyes, as something beautiful.

It's them, telling each other all the stuff they've always been afraid of saying.

The first piece that appears comes when Blake says "I'll feel a lot better when we're together on that platform."

I want you guys to look at her choice of words. She could have easily said that she would feel better when they're back to safety. It would have been easier, really.

But that wasn't the point. The emphasis was on "together". Because if she made it there alone, nothing would have changed for her. She would have felt just as uneasy. Same in a case where only Yang would have made it too.

Now you could argue that Blake meant she would feel safer when they're both alright, but that wouldn't really be anything new, would it? It wouldn't be something they never told each other, they both already know they care about each other's well being, they are partners after all.

That wasn't the implication behind Blake's words. The implication was that for her, being with Yang is safety. That's what being safe for her means, and that confession is what gave her the next step.

Moving towards Yang's side, the moment she realizes she can't figure out what the trick is, she just smiles, not even the slightest bit afraid as she says, "I'm sure you'll figure it out, though. You're good at that."

Because for Yang, Blake is also safety. She always got them out of bad situations when she could.

But Blake's response is a bit more sad for me. It's short, it's simple, it's just, "You think so?"

But it really is a way to show that deep down, she still has some self-doubt left. She still has some scars that didn't heal.

But Yang is an honest dumbass, her answer came easier than anything. "Well...yeah. You've got a really good...brain."

And that compliment is so very Yang, it's the same way she complimented Blake's bow back at Beacon, and then her hair in V7C3. It's simple, it's short, it's awkward, but it's honest. The simplicity of the answer is what makes it hold so much weight in the end to give Yang another step too. Because her honesty is flowing through.

And then the small stuff comes. And by that I don't mean insignificant stuff. I mean little things. Simpler things, but which Yang never really got to say.

It starts of course with her just saying, "You have cat ears." which isn't really anything, just an observation because she thinks it might help.

But before I get into the way she expands that into a compliment, I want to point out Blake's reaction.

She just...smiles softly. Her ear flickers before she looks fondly at Yang. She isn't self-conscious about them like she used to be, she doesn't take the observation as anything weird or bad to say because again, this is Yang.

Yang is always an honest dumbass, Blake knows she means only good in what she says.

And...well she did. Because in the softest voice she continues with, "I think your cat ears are cute."

Which works, it gives her another step forward.

When you think about it, it's such a simple thing to say, but sometimes the simplest things can be the most heartfelt.

And all of that leads to Blake figuring out the fact that the trick is saying things they never said to each other before.

So Yang takes the opportunity to urge Blake into saying something, all while having that awkward smirk, almost as if she's daring Blake to stroke her ego.

Because at that point, Yang didn't think much of it, she thought they were going to say simple things like she pointed Blake's ears.

But no. Blake digs towards the deeper things.

"I...think you're an extraordinary person."

And as soon as those words reach Yang, her smirk instantly drops. Because obviously she didn't expect it. But Blake just continues.

"You're...always the first to lighten a situation."

And sure, Blake could refer to Yang always making jokes in dire situations, but I think there is more to it than that.

I want you guys to think back on all the moments Blake felt down. Heavy or uneasy.

In those moments Yang always did something to lift her spirits up. She always brought light when Blake could see only darkness.

"You act bravely when you're afraid."

THIS PART RIGHT HERE.

THIS PART.

Yang literally NEVER showed fear while she was fighting. Never purposefully. It was there, but she always tried to hide it.

Blake and Yang vs Adam was a great testimony to that. Yang got hit, her hand started shaking, she was obviously scared out of her mind, but her instinctual reaction was to step forward and glare at Adam.

She's the embodiment of strength, but to be the powerful pillar for everyone, to be everyone's protector, that, more than anything require a lot of bravery. And Blake sees that.

"You do what you say."

This, again, can feel like such a simple thing to say, but it isn't. Far from it actually.

It's always easy to claim you will do something. To brag about what you can accomplish and then end up not living up to what you said. Words hold no weight when your actions prove them wrong.

Adam was a great example for this, which is what led to Blake valuing honesty so much.

He brought her by his side promising her peace and equality between the humans and the faunus, but he never wanted that. He wanted the faunus to rule over humans, while Blake never wanted that. He lured her in through empty words and promises.

But Yang is different. Yang always followed through with what she said. She never strayed from the path that her own words carved. And that, for Blake, after everything she's been through with Adam, means more than Yang could begin to realize.

So those 3 compliments gave Blake 3 more steps. And it breaks my heart and puts it back together whole to see how easy it was for her to say all that. Because yes, they were words that she never got to tell Yang before, whether because she didn't think they would hold much weight coming from her, or because the timing was never right, but now she finally said them.

And it was so easy to do so. You can tell letting it all out made her heart feel lighter too, by her immediately falling into a banter and teasing Yang, telling her, "Try to keep up."

With her own teasing smirk this time.

And Yang does.

"I like that you've never been intimidated by me. Even when you didn't like me all that much."

This is so SO important. This, from my perspective at least, isn't about Yang being intimidating as a person, because she's never had any issues with that, she was always a little bit cocky when it came to her intimidating aura.

This is Yang being fully aware that her and Adam have some aspects in common.

It all started of course when Yang got framed during the Vytal Festival, and Blake brought up Adam having the same pattern of behavior.

But at that point Blake and Yang have already been partners for a while, so Yang telling her the truth as she looked into her eyes was more than enough for Blake to trust her.

And then there is their semblances also being somewhat similar.

Yang is distinctly aware she had some aspects that, back then, when Blake was still haunted by Adam and her past, should have reminded.

But Blake never showed any signs of being intimidated by Yang, she even purposefully chose her as her partner.

Blake saw the honesty in her heart and that, more than anything, is something that Yang truly appreciates about her.

"I was...a little wary of people in general."

"But you never gave up on them, even when they hurt you."

There is this sad truth that part of Blake, for the longest time and arguably even until his bitter end, still believed that there was good inside Adam, and that maybe, just maybe he could turn a new leaf.

Blake always sees the good in people, no matter how much she ends up getting hurt by them. And I feel like that's one of the things that initially made Yang fall in love with her in the first place.

"You never give up. You know what matters to you."

This just felt like a punch in the gut, but in the best way possible.

Blake, for the longest time, saw herself as a coward who always ran away from her problems. But Yang saw past that. Yang saw her bravery, her determination, and her unwavering spirit. She saw the beauty of her battered heart.

And of course, all of that gives Yang 3 more steps forward too. It was all stuff she probably wanted to tell Blake, especially when she saw her doubting herself, but she never got the chance to until now.

And now... Oh boy.

Now comes the big part.

And I'm gonna be honest, I don't know how they did it, but even after 10 years of waiting for this scene, even after 10 years of playing hundreds of scenarios in my head about how it could happen, it somehow ended up being even better than I could have imagined.

And the cause of that was one very specific thing.

The fact that they both already knew about each other's feelings.

I know it may seem like a trivial thing at first, but it's far from it. It's what made the whole confession scene hold that much more weight.

You can see realization hit Yang the moment Blake first raises an eyebrow, almost as if in a "We both know what it is" way, and blushes. There is no surprise to it, on neither of their sides.

They both were already long aware of the feelings they held for each other, but... it was never the right moment.

Either because the world was quite literally steps away from ending or... well... you can just look at Worthy, the song played during the scene.

The song overall is a happy one, it IS a BMBLB part 2 after all, but there is that first line.

"Now I know I'm worthy of you."

I think this is a song from Blake's pov.

For the longest time she punished herself for her mistakes, for the way how, from her perspective, just being near the people she loved brought them pain and suffering.

She grew to think that she wasn't worthy to be loved.

So Blake, while she was aware of her own feelings for Yang, and even of Yang's feelings for her, she kept them hidden because she felt like she wasn't worthy to be loved by her.

But that's not the case anymore. She knows she deserves love now.

And Yang? Well, Yang has also been aware of her own feelings for Blake, and most likely of Blake's feelings for her too, but she...well she's afraid, as we can see from the split second she hesitates and their bridges grow further apart.

Because it's scary. No, it's terrifying. After spending your whole life only giving love and affection to others, always taking care of others and focusing on their own needs before your own, to let yourself be vulnerable and finally be loved by someone in return isn't an easy thing to do.

At first she even tries to deflect from it by saying, "That can't be what this is about."

But Blake is just smiling reassuringly at her, urging her to be brave this one time too, like she's always been.

"It's like...a cliff. And if I do it I'm just going to...fall."

And it's terrifying to fall into such an unknown.

But not as long as you have someone to catch you. Because, just like Blake says, "I think we're already falling."

They both know it's too late to go back from this. And that, after everything they've been through, they at least deserve this one good thing.

So Blake once again urges her.

"Just... say it, Yang."

Because she knew she herself was ready to take the next step. She already said everything she wanted to say, now it was Yang's turn.

So Yang takes a big breath, finds the courage which Blake always saw in her, and doesn't let that fear of being vulnerable control her anymore. So she says it.

"I think I love you."

And Blake barely even lets her finish, the words were already on the tip of her tongue.

"I love you too."

Finally, finally uniting the bridge between and bringing them together, as white lilies bloom all around them the moment they get brought together and they finally, FINALLY kiss.

And I want to put emphasis on the meaning of white lilies (rebirth and purity, y'all can thank @Kaosi1 for this). This is a pure moment where both of them begin a new path in life, braving whatever the world throws at them now, together.

And to hell with it, this is already really long so what's a few more tweets? I want to talk about the colors too.

The way if you look at it, it literally resembles Yin Yang. Yang's yellow has purple spots, and Blake's purple has yellow spots, it's the way they've always been that embodiment, and the moment we get to see it here too.

Back in what I'm pretty sure it was the V2 commentary, when they talked about Burning the Candle, Monty mentioned that he really loved what they did with the lighting, the whole light side/dark side, and that he hoped they would get an opportunity to do a scene like that again.

Considering that V9 was planned between V1 and V2, and that 3 days after Burning the Candle he tweeted "All good romance is earned.", part of me hopes that maybe, just maybe, that thought is what led to the kiss scene having those colors.

I'm not like some certain people, I don't want to put words in the mouth of the dead, so don't take this as any confirmation, this is just me hoping.

And with this, we finally reach the end of the thread. Thank you to everyone who sat and read through all of this, I knew I had a lot to say about it, but I didn't expect a 50 tweets thread (sob emoji).

All in all, even after 10 years, it exceeded all my expectations.

Thank you CRWBY (emojis: face holding back tears, praying hands, purple heart, yellow heart).

Note from transcriber:

Fortunately typing out the text in the first pic into a Google search was enough to track the thread down without needing to read all the way back in SAlle1304's twitter, meaning most of this is copy pasted tweet by tweet rather than torturing my eyes with manually transcribing from dark mode screenshots.

The only things I've done are: adding back in the paragraph breaks, editing out the continuing arrows between tweets, the meaning of white lilies from a relevant pic in the thread, transcribing emojis, and putting in some punctuation at the end of a few sentences because that might help screen readers.

V9E6 analysis of our favorite scene / credit to @SAlle1304 on twitter <3 

[sparklingchan]

Ruby Eyes|| Seo Changbin (Stray Kids)

Pairing : Reader(fem.) X Changbin

Word count : 7.3k+ 

Warnings : Mention of an accident, cuss words, divorce, a single kiss.

Genre : Romance, Soulmate AU, fluff, angst, best friends to lovers.

Description: Seo Changbin has done everything in his capacity to remove and replace you, yet fate seems to have different plans for the both of you.

A/N : Hello everyone ahhh I know it’s been so long y’all. So many things have been going on including exams and internships and I just didn’t have the patience to write :(( This one shot was written as a part of a collab event by wonderful, dear Ro! 

I hope y’all like it!

"So, how's it being back, y/n?"

Your dad looks older now than he did the last time you saw him - probably two years ago, when you were leaving the country.

You missed him, really. You missed his warmth and his wisdom and how he was a sharp contrast to your mother, more calm and composed. Sometimes you wonder how your mother had even managed to get your custody after their divorce.

"Okay, I guess." You lie.

You didn't want your father to know how your feelings are all over the place, ranging from sadness to anger and longingness.

It's a weird thing to be experiencing such a cocktail of emotions when you'd convinced yourself these feelings had disappeared the day you left the old neighborhood, seven years ago. You had not felt any attachment towards the new neighborhood that you and your mother then went on to live for the next two years before you moved abroad for your studies. Yet you feel nostalgic now, as your father drives you through your old old neighborhood.

"How's mom?" He asks, taking a left to a road all too familiar to you, "Is she still going to therapy?"

You nod, "She's getting better, I think. The new country seems to have changed her. The therapy is helping too. She has many friends there now. "

At first when you were offered a job at one of the biggest publishing companies in the world, you were ecstatic. But everything soon died down when you found out you were posted at a branch in the country you'd left behind. It was your mother who'd convinced you to take it.

"I know you don't like being back, y/n." Your dad smiles sadly when he pulls over infront of your old house.The house that contains years of secrets, tears, lies and whispered confessions in front of the mirror stands in front of you, as grand and pretty as ever. It looks different but similar enough to make you tear up a tad bit.

"But I'm glad you're here. I really am." He says, "I renovated the house a little when you told me you were moving back. I hope it's okay."

You smile at the old man, wrapping your arms around him, "Thanks, dad. I missed you. I'm glad you're here, too."

He pecks your forehead, "I missed you, too, love."

Moving in doesn't take a lot of time since your dad had already set up everything. You just had to get some of your stuff and you were ready to kick start your stay.

That evening, your father leaves after making you promise to call him if anything happens at all and when the front door closes, you find yourself in the company of your old room.

You lie on your bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling as you hum an old tune to yourself. And without meaning to, you find yourself thinking about him; The man you hadn't seen or talked to for a whole seven years. The man who'd tried his best to stay in touch with you yet gave up when you didn't reciprocate the same.

A horrific realization then dawns on you,

He'd obviously replaced you now.

The familiar clouds of grief loom over you, threatening to engulf you any moment now.

No. Not now, please.

Getting up from your bed immediately, you shake your head as you make your way to the mirror- the mirror that had encountered more honest tears and smiles and words than any human ever had. You stare at your reflection as tears escapes your eyes, the bright red iris of your right eye staring back at you when you rub your tears off.

You shiver.

"Shit, I forgot to wear the contacts."

Quickly grabbing your lenses from your bag, you put them on, concealing the scary blood red color of your right eye. You take two long strides across the room and pulling your favorite black hoodie over your head, you walk out of the door.

By the time you manage to leave the house, it's already 10:30 in the evening. A quiet calmness has fallen over the town, as the shops and restaurants near the market square slowly start closing up. Your feet are as if on autopilot, taking you to that one place you know would still be open; Yang's Café.

And rightly so, the smell of freshly brewed coffee reaches your nostrils when you walk through their main door, past the group of chatty teenagers waiting outside. This place hasn't changed much, you realize, the brown and golden hues of the place and the vintage coffee cups collection in the far corner of the Cafe are still the same. The only difference is that you're no longer here with your best friend right after school, you are here all alone on an evening too quiet for your liking.

"Y/n? Is that you?"

When you turn around to face the owner of the voice, you are stunned.

"Jeongin?"

Jeongin's family has owned this Cafe for three generations now, from his great-grandparents, his grandparents, his parents and soon enough it'll pass down to him. As a kid, you remember often playing with Jeongin at the park and teaming up with him during quiz competition. He was always sweet and always smiley.

But the handsome young man that stands in front of you doesn't resemble the Jeongin you once used to know, not even a little bit.

"What..what happened to you!" You exclaim, taking his face in your hands, "Where are the braces! And the specs and wow, would you look at the blue hair!"

Jeongin can only let out a few giggles as you continue squishing his face and complaining how big he's grown in only over seven years.

The customers give you weird stares but only the heavens above know how genuinely happy you are to see Jeongin, albeit the fact you almost couldn't recognize him there for a second.

"What have you done to my child?" You mutter when you've finally calmed down and Jeongin takes you to your seat.

"I have a mother, y/n, thank you very much," he laughs, taking a seat opposite to yours, loosening the Barista apron around his torso, "And I missed you too."

You attempt to pinch his cheeks but he is quick to dodge.

"So how have you been?" He asks through giggly breaths.

You sigh, "I'm good... I feel weird being back here, honestly but I think I'll get used to it soon. What about you?"

"I've been good. Graduated a few months back, now I'm working here full time." He ushers over a waiter, "What would you like, y/n?"

You don't even think for a second while responding, "An iced Americano, please."

The waiter notes your order and walks away before Jeongin pinches your arm teasingly.

"Ouch. What?"

"Old habits die hard, huh? You always used to drink an iced coffee whenever we hung out here. I am glad to see nothing much has changed," Jeongin laughs, "You and Changbin, too!"

That one name sends your entire mind into a frenzy. Changbin. Seo Changbin. The love of your life. The man who you wouldn't even go to school without, the man who had saved you from a terrible accident, also the man who probably no longer even remembers you.

And you realise, despite everything, your heart yearns for him, still- for you wouldn't be in so much pain at the mention of his name otherwise.

Jeongin seems to have noticed your discomfort because he immediately changes the topic, "Anyway, you have to try our new chocolate cake. It's heavenly, I'm telling you."

Your reason to leave the neighborhood wasn't a secret, really. It was public knowledge that your mother had blamed Changbin for the fatal accident you almost had.

You're grateful for what Jeongin does, and try your best to engage in conversations about the neighborhood and old gossip you'd missed out on. Yet all you want to do is drive out of the damn Cafe and find changbin.

"Y/n?"

Or maybe, Changbin will find you.

Behind Jeongin, you see the blurry image of a man that had once caused you great misery yet you had never felt as happy as when you were with him.

"Hi..hi, Changbin." You stammer as you see the said man walk towards your table.

The seven years have as if done some magic on him, because the Changbin that walks towards you in no way resembles your high school best friend.

With thick buff arms, new ear piercings and silver jewelry gracing his wrists and fingers, you have a hard time actually accepting the fact that Seo Changbin is really there, in front of you.

"Been long, huh?" He grins, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes and somewhere in the depths of your conscience, you realize it might have been your fault. You'd done everything in your capacity to break apart from this friendship, ignoring his calls, changing your number, even going as far as blocking him on all social media.

So, did you really expect him to welcome you back with open arms when you had caused him so much pain?

Jeongin brings an extra chair for Changbin to sit on and soon, the three of you are talking, maybe not like the old, happy days but it's still better than nothing. Changbin looks at you everytime you throw your head back and laugh, your eyes squeezing shut as his heart clenches in his chest.

You are really back home.

"So what have you been doing? I told you guys about me." Jeongin says, stealing a bite off of Changbin's cheesecake.

"Oh..you know," Changbin giggles, the tip of his ears turning a light pink shade.

You raise your eye brows in confusion.

"Been busy with the wedding and all."

Your heart drops. "Wedding? W-whose wedding?" You try to laugh it off but it's very evident from the way you're gripping your glass of iced Americano that it has affected you. A lot more than you actually thought.

"I'm getting married, y/n," Changbin smiles, "I'm so glad you could be around for the wedding."

*

Your grief stricken self has not gotten up from the bed since last night and you're thankful to Jeongin for finally checking up on you or else you would have gone deeper into the spiral hole of despair.

"Are you really going to be like this, y/n?"

You hate being miserable on the very second day of your stay. You hate depending on Jeongin. But you can barely move without bursting out into tears,so it seems as though there's no better idea than have someone take care of you at the moment.

"I'm sorry, Jeongin. " You manage to speak when he places a bag full of snacks and drinks on the dining table, "And thanks."

Jeongin chuckles, "Don't thank me, just yet. Guess who wants to meet up with you?"

Your eyes widen for a split second as you sit up on the couch, "Who?!"

No, he wouldn't, would he?

"It's not the person you think, y/n. Calm down." He laughs, "It's Bang Chan. Your senior, you remember?"

Oh, yes, the infamous Bang Chan. Shy smiles, dimples, curly hair, angelic eyes. Yeah, you remember the school's heartthrob. Very clearly.

"I was talking to him this morning and he said he'd be very glad to catch up with you again." Jeongin settles beside you, "It's not a date, y/n. He's an old friend. It wouldn't hurt, would it? You can't possibly sit here all day long crying about him."

You open your mouth to argue, but only air slips out and you realise you don't have anything to defend your miserable state with. You knew this was coming; when you cut off all ties with Seo Changbin, you knew this was coming.

Jeongin is right; you need to go out and meet new people.

You roll your eyes before pinching Jeongin's cheeks, "Fine. Give him my number."

He responds by pulling your cheeks as well.

*

The first day of work is weirdly gut wrenching.

You hadn't expected yourself to be this nervous but here you are, muttering under your breath as you make way towards the office.

"You'll be okay, y/n," you breathe in, "You've worked hard for this." And breathe out.

A few more minutes of self pep talking and you see all your hard work and expectations go down the drain as you feel a few droplets of rain fall onto your head. You look up and the dark, heavy clouds greet you.

Bloody brilliant.

You see the office goers around you jog quickly to the nearest shelter but you're short on luck today as your gaze falls on your watch and you realize you don't have enough time to wait for the rain to pass.

So you grab your office bag, cover your head with that and make a run for it.

The sole of your high heel shoes dig into your feet and a throbbing pain shoots through your body, as you wince. Note to yourself - never wear heels to office again.

You also secretly pray to the gods that your contact lens don't get washed off. Turning up at your new office on the first day with a blood red iris doesn't feel too fun, really.

"Do you need a lift?"

You had been so busy running to your office that you don't notice when a black car drives toward you and the driver rolls down the window, offering you a smile.

Seo Changbin.

Your heart skips a few beats.

"Y/n, do you need a lift?"

You blink back to reality when he clicks his fingers in front of you, "I-I mean if that's okay with you."

Changbin smiles, pointing to the passenger's seat, "Come on in."

When you're comfortably seated in his car, using his spare towel to wipe off the water from your face and hair, his questions start-

"So.." He steps on the break when the traffic light turns red, "How have you been?"

You look at the digital clock displayed on the cars' LED, and sigh. You're late to work and you're stuck in traffic with the one man you'd rather not be stuck in traffic with. Brilliant.

"Good." Your eyes are focused on the cars outside the window, "You?"

There's a moment of silence before he speaks again, "Fine."

Fine? Just Fine? Shouldn't he be over the clouds, now that the wedding is finally around the corner?

"Okay.."

"Actually, I meant to ask you earlier, y/n." He turns to you, a gentle smile playing at his lips, "I am throwing a party this weekend. I'd love it if you could come by. And I could introduce you to her."

You sink back into your seat, biting your lip, wondering if you want to ever know who her is. Your peace of mind is more important than meeting your ex crush's fiance, right? And if you do end up going to the party, whom would you hang out with? It's not like you know any of his rich friends and cousins and there's no way you'd hang out with Changbin and the said fiance.

You are about to respectfully reject the invitation when a sudden, seemingly good idea pops into your head.

Bang Chan.

You nod, shrugging, "Okay. I'll be there."

You clasp your hands together as he continues driving and you look out the window, unable to suppress the bubbling excitement.

"Great, then." He replies, suspiciously.

*

The evening of the party finally arrives, much to your dismay, you find yourself seated next to Chan. He's just the same as the guy in your memory; a gentleman.

"You look pretty, y/n." He had greeted you as he held the car door open for you, "I'm glad we could meet up."

His words turn your cheeks into a darker shade of red but your heart doesn't beat quite as furiously as you'd expect it to.

Muttering a small thank you, you seat comfortably in the car while Chan drives towards Changbin's family's old Farmhouse on the outskirts of the city. You've been there before - during summer holidays, he would take you there with his family. That place was only filled with happy memories of sunshine, swimming pools, watermelon juice and bonfires.

You swallow the grief that comes along with these memories.

"Are we here already?" Chan pulls over in a familiar driveway not even ten minutes later, jogging up to your door and clicking it open, like the gentleman he is.

"Yeah, we're here." Chan smiles, "Very less traffic tonight."

You guys walk through the huge metallic gate, making your way through the main door of the house.

"Uh..." People are crowded mostly around the front door and in the front yard, so you and Chan have to push and squeeze your way into the Farmhouse. You hate the feeling of sweaty bodies pressing against you (or holding Chan's hand for stability) but desperate situations call for desperate measures.

"I hate it here." You mutter when you later find yourself by the pool side, swirling the drink that you don't even plan on drinking and looking at all the flushed faces having the time of their lives.

Thankfully, Chan happens to be on the same boat as you.

"I'm sorry I dragged you here, Chan. We could have just gone for a movie."

Chan giggles, "Hey, it's alright. I don't mind, I'm glad I could spend some time with you after so many years."

His eyes shine and dimples deepen.

You whisper, "Yeah, me too."

Chan is a handsome man, good at all kinds of sport, good at arts, very smart and intelligent yet there's a part of you that knows you'd never be able to reciprocate his flirtatious words. It's sad, really, but that's just how life is.

"Wow, those two seem to be having the time of their lives." Chan chuckles, pointing at someone behind you.

It's quite dark outside, the only source of light being a few decorative fairylights hung at random places haphazardly.

Hiding behind a huge, tall bush, you see a couple, kissing each other like it were the last day on the planet.

The guy's hands roam all over the woman's body and the woman is so loud that even you could hear her sighs and moans. When she pulls away to catch her breath for a second, Chan asks you, "You know her?"

"Nope. I don't know either of them."

You look away; what kind of creep looks at a happy couple like that? (Not a creep, just a lonely and touch starved person)

"Should we check out the dinner table?" Chan suggests and you agree with a nod, "I hope there's no crowd there."

As expected, there actually isn't a crowd there - there's only Changbin, sitting and nibbling on a pizza slice while scrolling through the phone.

The moment your eyes land on him, your feet as if stop on their own and your heart bangs furiously against your chest.

He's breathtakingly gorgeous.

By the time you debate in your head whether or not you want to sit there and fill your stomach, Chan has already made his way to Changbin.

"Hey, Bin!" He greets him with a smile.

Changbin looks at Chan with an unamused smile, the same one from your high school days, when these two were named the biggest rivals on campus. You wonder if somewhere deep in his heart, Changbin had still not let go of that rivalry.

"Hey, Changbin." You manage to whisper before sitting beside Chan.

He looks almost angry.

"You should have the pizza. It's good." He mutters, turning to pass you a slice of pizza on a plate, "Help yourself, Chan."

Yup, there it is. The Seo Changbin that would kill to be on top. You feel worse about dragging Chan here now when neither of you were having a good time.

"Thanks, mate. " Chan replies.

Your ears ring with the sound of approaching footsteps, and when a pretty girl comes walking in and takes Changbin in her arms, your heart stings. Like a fresh wound.

"Y/n.." Chan whispers to you as you watch the two collide in a loving embrace, Changbin smiling at her and running his fingers through her hair.

Your heart hurts at how happy and content he looks.

You could have had that, a part of you thinks, if you weren't such a coward, it would have been you instead of her.

"Y/n," Chan calls you again.

"What?" Your tone is harsher than you intended, "What happened?"

You think Chan is about to give you the whole it-is-time-to-move-on talk but he doesn't, instead he points at the girl and whispers,

"It's her. The girl we saw earlier."

The rest of the night is blurry to you, all conversations, all gazes, all thoughts just feel ....like an awkward dream.

"We have to tell Changbin."

You're sitting at Yang's Cafe at 1 am the same night, watching Jeongin's brother guide his staff to clean the place up.

"I agree." Chan says, biting the inside of his cheeks.

While you, on the other hand, are completely zoned out, staring at the glass of water placed in front of you and watching the droplets on its surface race each other.

"Y/n, what do you think?" Jeongin asks when you don't take part in their discussions.

You sigh, "I don't know. I really don't. As much as it troubles me that Changbin is being cheated on, I don't want to get involved in their personal relationship. "

"Let's not tell anyone for now, then. But someday in the future, before that goddamn wedding, we have to tell him. He deserves to know." Chan agrees.

You purse your lips and close your eyes.

Chan is right.

Changbin deserves to know the truth.

*

"So, how's it being back in town, y/n?"

"It feels good. Weird, but good." You smile at your old teacher, "How have you been, Miss Oh?"

Your teacher adds sugar to the cup of tea in her hands and then looks at you, smiling - the same old smile, except with more wrinkles now, "I've been good. I'm retiring next year so I'm glad I could see you before that, huh?"

You nod your head, "I'm glad too. The school hasn't changed much, unlike what I had expected."

Other than the addition of some new labs and libraries, and the change in color of the walls, everything was still the same. No place in this old school building feels foreign to you.

"Ugh, these administration people I tell you, y/n, they're cheap idiots. They won't spend a single penny on infrastructure unless it's absolutely necessary." She complains as you giggle in response,

"They've always been like that."

Miss Oh gulps some tea from her cup, "Anyway, y/n, I have a class now. I would have loved to stay and chat, really, but I'm afraid that might get me in to trouble."

"No issues, Miss Oh. Go ahead. I'll just roam around the school a little more though, if that's okay."

After Miss Oh leaves, you step out of her cabin and walk the familiar corridors, reminiscent of the memories you have here. Studying a few minutes before tests, bunking classes, running to class when you're late, hanging out with your friends- these corridors have seen you grow in love, in friendship, in life. There's absolutely nothing that could ever replace these memories.

Mindlessly, you wander around the third floor, walking toward the end of the corridor before stopping in front of an old door, way too familiar to not try and push open.

While a part of you tells you it might not be a good idea to go into that room again, there's also a part of you that thinks it's a bloody brilliant idea.

Pushing the door open, you walk into the old dusty room, sighing in relief when you see a particular set of letters still carved on the wall.

CB and YN were here.

You finally let your tears run free, as you crouch down to touch the letters.

Your heart aches at how much you miss Changbin being an important part of your life and how much you miss being his top priority. And your heart aches for Changbin, who is so in love with his fiancé and has no idea he's being cheated on.

You almost want to leave this town and go back to your mother, away from this terrible mess. Yet you don't find it in yourself to act on those thoughts.

Maybe, it is your fear of abandoning him once again that stops you. Or, maybe it is simply the unconditional love you harbor for him.

* Surprisingly, Yang's Cafe is near empty that afternoon.

"Did something happen, y/n? You look really worried." Changbin has his arms crossed over his chest, looking at you with a tense frown.

"Um..it's kind of complicated." You sigh. For a second, you see the genuine concern and innocence on his face, and you wonder if it is worth telling him the truth at all because it would kill you to see him lose his smile but then, his engagement band shines on his ring finger and your stomach turns unpleasantly.

He has to know. From you. In person.

"Changbin, that day at your party...I saw something. " You whisper, "Something I shouldn't have. I should have turned a blind eye really but I can't. My conscience won't allow it. I'm sorry, Bin."

"Y/n, it's okay, just tell me," he reaches over and wraps his fingers around yours, soft and gentle, "You're scaring me."

"Changbin, your fiance is cheating on you. I-I saw her kissing another man that night. Chan saw it too." You feel sick even having to say this to him, "I think you should confront her."

He sucks in a deep breathe, his face completely void of any emotions as he extracts his hands from yours.

"I know." Is all he says.

His eyes drill into yours, as if accusing you of a crime. He looks angry. Just how he looked the day you brought Chan to his party.

"Why are you still marrying her then?" You question.

He sits up straight, "Y/n, I wish I could explain. But I can't. I'm sorry. And please, stay out of this, okay?"

"Why? Why should I stay out of it?" Your voice threatens to break, "I cannot watch my best friend marry a woman who's not loyal. You deserve better than this, Bin."

A sarcastic chuckle leaves Changbin's lips as he taps his foot against the floor, "Let me correct you, y/n. You were my best friend. Seven years ago. You're not anymore."

Your heart shatters.

A part of you knows you deserve this after ghosting him for seven long years. You were the center of each other's world at one point of time.How could you have been so selfish to ever think that your absence and lack of communication wouldn't hurt him?

"Changbin, I'm sorry for everything I did okay. B-but I never stopped thinking or worrying about you. Even for one second. And I still do."

Changbin pushes his chair back and stands up while you stay frozen in your seat.

"It doesn't seem like that though. "

"What do you even mean!"

"Chan. I mean Chan, y/n." He grabs his phone and purse, "Goodbye, y/n. I hope Chan turns out to be a better friend than I ever did." With that, the love of your life walks out of Yang's Cafe.

And for once, he doesn't even look back.

* "Y/n, don't let go of my hand!"

Changbin is panting heavily, his voice shaking with fear as he desperately tries to hold onto you.

He should have known it would be a bad idea to play badminton near the infamous cliff in your town yet when you had showed him your innocent smile and pleading eyes that day, he just couldn't say no.

Your sweaty hands clutch his, legs dangling over the edge of the cliff. Your free hand grabs the rough surface of the rocky cliff to keep yourself from falling.

You want to cry; but you're too traumatized to even let out more than a few terrified grunts. "Y/n," he yells, "I'm going to try and pull you up one more time, okay?."

You don't even remember how you had ended up in this situation; one second you were happily giggling, playing badminton with Changbin and in the next second, you found yourself hanging by the cliff, praying for your dear life.

With all the energy he has left, he tries to pull you up onto the surface.

"Y/n, you have to free the other hand. Let go of that rock." He pants.

You shake your head vigorously, you know you would not survive if you let go of the rock, you'd fall thousands of feet below into absolute nothingness.

"Y/n, please listen to me." Changbin pleads, now crying, "Please. I'll catch you, I promise. I'll not let you die. Just..please."

Changbin sounds like he's about to give up and in all honesty, you couldn't blame him really. Everytime your eyes fall on what's beneath you, a part of you loses hope.

"Please, come on, y/n," he's still pulling at your free hand, while his right hand awaits desperately to grab the other hand. A mixture or sweat and tears grace his face, making him shine under the bright afternoon sun. Your heart aches at the mere thought of never seeing him again- your friend, your childhood crush, your partner in everything.

Well, here goes nothing then.

You suck in a deep breath and let go the Rock, immediately reaching for Changbin. He is quick to grab both of your arms and in one swift movement, he pulls you up onto the surface.

You fall onto his chest, "Y-you saved me."

Changbin let's out a sob mixed with a relieved giggle, pulling you into his arms.

Your eyes feel heavy, as darkness slowly begins to engulf your vision.

"Oh God, I am so sorry this happened, y/n. It's all my fault." He cries, rubbing your back softly, "I'm so sorry. I thought I was going to lose you, oh God. Fuck!"

You want to tell him that it was never his fault, and that you wouldn't even be alive if not for him but your body betrays you and your body goes limp against his.

*

"I'm not leaving this neighborhood."

Your hands rest angrily on your waist as your mom frantically walks from your closet to where the suitcase is spread open on your bed, shifting all your clothes. She dumps them inside the suitcase, not bothering to fold them even.

"You will do as I say! That Seo Changbin tried to push you off of a cliff and heaven knows what he might do next!" Your mom yells back.

You sit at the edge of your bed, trying to keep yourself calm, "Mom, I told you it was an accident. I fell because I was going after the shuttlecock and didn't notice the cliff. Moreover, why would my best friend want try to kill me!"

Your mom let's out a sarcastic laugh, closing the suitcase roughly. She looks at you with eyes full of contempt and a part of you knows that there's no point in trying to convince her. Her mind is already made. Yet you refuse to go down without a fight.

"You're just sixteen, sweetie. You don't know anything about the cruel world, " your mother sighs, "Rich people are not friends with anyone. Changbin may be nice to you but he only sees you as a pathetic poor girl."

"Mom, we're not even poor!"

"Yes, I know. But those filthy rich businessmen consider everyone below their economic status poor. His family probably doesn't like him being friends with you which is why they asked him to get rid of you."

You think of Mrs. Seo's face in your head, always smiling and always welcoming. You remember Changbin's sister and how she'd promised to let you borrow her dress for this year's winter prom. And you think about Changbin- his face, his smile, his passion for music and his protectiveness towards you. Why would these people ever want to hurt you?

"Mom, you're being ridiculous right now! Do you even hear yourself!" You stand up from the bed, now beyond frustrated.

She walks upto you and grabs your arm tightly, nails digging into your skin as you whimper slightly. "You will listen to me. I am your mother and you will listen to me. " she growls, "Pack the rest of your stuff. We're leaving tomorrow."

When she finally walks out your bedroom, your first instinct is to dress yourself in your black hoodie and track pants, and quietly slip out of the back window of your room.

The cold air nips at your skin, goosebumps slowly appearing on your arms and legs but you're too preoccupied to pay too much heed to it.

You reach Changbin's house and like always, walk up to the backyard and climb upto his room through the emergency staircase.

When Changbin hears knocks on his window, he quickly removes his headphones, "y/n?"

He walks upto the window and let's you in, his heart more at peace now than it's ever been the entire day. The guilt from the accident you had earlier was clawing at his conscience.

His room is mostly dark except for his table lamp. You notice the lyrics notebook lying on the table, open with some scribbles and random phrases on the pages.

"How are you feeling?"

You sit at the edge of his bed, cross legged while he kneels on the floor to get to your level. His hands find yours naturally.

"Fine," you swallow the tears that have been accumulating since you left the house, "Changbin, I- we're leaving tomorrow."

Changbin is taken aback; his heart shattering into billions of pieces at your words.

"Leaving? What do you mean Leaving?" his voice trembles.

You lick your dry lips and tell him everything your mom had told you earlier. When his face twists bitterly, a part of you wishes you'd held your tongue yet a bigger part of you wants Changbin to know the truth now; you didn't want him sending you off with lies in his mind and the fear of him finding out some years later just killed you inside.

"I'm so sorry, Changbin. Mom's just not been okay after the divorce." Your voice breaks when Changbin refuses to look at you, "I know she's speaking bullshit. But there's absolutely nothing I can do to change her mind, I've tried I swear. I'm sorry, Changbin."

When Changbin finally does look at you, even in the dim lit room, you see the tears glistening on his face, mirroring the ones that roll down your cheeks. "Why are you sorry, y/n? I don't blame your mom." He mutters, "It was partly my fault. I should have taken more care, I-"

You cup his cheek, "Shh. Bin, are we really going to spend my last night here crying and blaming ourselves? We might never see each other again."

The words sink deep into his soul, and he nods. He wills his tears back in as he grabs your hand tighter.

"Okay. What do you wanna do?"

You smile a little, "You're not gonna like it though. "

"Stargazing it is then." He giggles a little as the both of you make your way to balcony attached to his room.

It is quiet outside, unlike the noise in your head and you feel the calmness spreading to you when you look up at the stars.

Changbin brings a picnic mat from inside and spreads it out on the floor, along with two pillows and a blanket.

"We'll stay in touch, yeah? If you ever need anything, I'll be right here." He reassures you, lying beside you, hands behind his head.

You smile yet you cannot bring yourself to promise him the same because you know your mother would do everything in her power to push the two of you apart, even to the point of physically hurting Changbin. You would never want that so you'd rather distance yourself and let Changbin forget about you. And maybe, just maybe fate would be a little nicer to you and decide to bring you into his life again. Many years later.

He presses a soft kiss to your head, "You'll always be my best friend, y/n. I don't care how far we are."

It takes everything in your being to not repeat the words.

*

"Changbin, come on we're getting you to the hospital this instant, okay?" Mrs. Seo is furious next morning, running from room to room, looking through the list of doctors she'd saved just in case of emergency.

When she looks at her son, sitting on the sofa with one of his eye irises turning a glowing red, she is reassured that this is an emergency.

"How did this even happen, mom? I swear I didn't try to do anything funny with my eye." He murmurs, scared, "It feels so itchy, gosh!"

Mrs.Seo looks at him with concern just when the doctor picks the call, "Oh, hello Dr.Lee! Thank god you picked up!"

After his mom walks out of his room, Changbin quickly types you a text,

Binnie: Hey. Did you leave already?

Y/nnie: No not yet. We've stopped at the doctor's.

Changbin's eyes widen in alarm.

Binnie: What why?

You look at your face in the decorative mirror at the doctor's waiting room, one of your irises burning into a bright shade of ruby.

Y/nnie: Mom's running a cold.

You close the messenger app before he even replies, deciding to change your number and deleting all your old contacts as soon as you move into your new house. And as much as it hurt you, this one text turned out to be the last time Changbin and you ever talked.

*

It has been raining all day, which means you were stuck in your goddamn house with nothing to do but cry about Changbin and your lost friendship and your broken heart.

After you manage to get some food into your body during dinner time, you crawl back to your room and look into the mirror as you comb your hair and moisturize your skin.

(Self care is important, y'all)

Your red iris stares back at you, taunting your mistakes and calling you a coward.

If only you had still tried to keep in touch with him, if only that stupid accident wouldn't have happened in the first place, if only.

Suddenly, a knock on your balcony door makes you jump in your place.

Shit. Is it a burglar?

You grab the closest thing that could be classified as a weapon - which happens to be an umbrella.

The knocking continues.

"Y/n, it's Changbin." He yells, "Can I please talk to you?"

You freeze in your spot.

Why in the world is he here? Does he have anything worse to say? Is he here to invite you to his wedding? But why would he sneak in through the balcony when he can easily ring the main door bell.

"Y/n, are you in there?"

You quickly walk upto the door and slide it open, revealing Changbin, completely drenched in the rain. His wet hair stuck to his face and "Shit. What the- God, come inside!"

He obeys and tiptoes inside your room, a guilty expression plastered on his face.

You guide him directly to the bathroom and offer him a towel.

"What are you even doing here, Bin?" You lean against the door frame, hands crossed over your chest.

He is drying his hair with the towel when he looks up at you as if to answer your question but he stops. His mouth hangs open as his eyes remain glued to your face.

And that's when you realize why he looks so surprised.

"Shit- fuck." You turn around immediately, "my lenses," you mutter to yourself.

But before you can even walk upto your dressing table, Changbin has caught your wrist and spun you around, pulling you closer to his body.

"Your eye." He let's out a shaky breath.

"Yes, I know. Please don't freak out. It's always been like this after -"

"After the accident." He finishes your sentence, "I know."

Your mouth runs dry as his face draws in closer, "What do you mean you know? What do you know?"

He let's go of your wrist and takes a step back, turning around so that his back faces you.

And when he turns to look at you again, you swear you could have passed out there and then.

"Y-you have it too." You whisper, weak in the knees, "You have a red iris too."

Changbin gives you a small smile, "Yes, y/n."

"But why? What does this mean?" You say, "Is it a symptom of some chronic illness?"

"It's a soul mark."

"What's a soul mark?"

"It's a mark that exists on the bodies of soulmates."

You feel a pang in your chest; like someone was squeezing your heart out of your chest.

"Right," You fall back onto the bed, dazed with the sudden piece of information, "And how do you know all this?"

Changbin kneels down in front of you, hands finding yours. He looks more relaxed than he did since the first day you come back to town.

It almost feels like you had been given back your old friend.

"I've been doing my research, y/n. After you left, this is all I've been doing." He says, "This is also the reason why I had gotten engaged. By that time, I had given up on finding a soulmate. So I just settled for whatever I got. I didn't even feel bad when I found out my fiance was not in love with me. For the world, we might look like a happy couple, but truly, it was just a marriage of convenience for our parents' business."

You bite your lips wondering how to respond to these words. He'd laid bare his heart in front of you, something you never thought he'd do ever again.

"What now?" You say, tired.

He intertwines your fingers, "Also, I'm sorry for yesterday. I shouldn't have said all that."

You nod, "It's alright. I know you didn't mean it. And for the record, I and Chan have nothing going on."

"And for the record, I also broke off my engagement."

Your eyes widen as a gasp leaves your lips, "What? Why?"

"Because when I told my parents that I do not love my fiancé, and that I have only ever loved you, they said my happiness was more important than their business."

When you don't reply to his words, he looks worried, "Hey, you don't have to feel burdened to like me back and all okay? Literally, if you want me to leave you alone, I will. I understand-"

You pull him by the nape and place the softest, gentlest, most sincere kiss on his lips.

"I feel the same way, dumbass." You sigh as you pull him into your arms.

He muzzles his face in the crook of your neck, playing with your hair from behind, "So what now?"

"Let's start with a date." You say, "Let's take it slow."

Changbin wraps his arms tighter around you, kissing your cheek, "As you wish, my love. "

[junko-and-riri-domain]

˚₊·˚ “babes” | ot7 ˚₊·˚

↬ pairing: ot7 x reader ↬ genre: fluff | drabbles | scenarios  ↬ warnings: none ↬ w/c: 1.3k ↬ requested by: 🤍 ↬ request was: Hihii I was wondering if you could do enhypens reaction to calling them things like baby or my love in your native language (excluding English and Korean) ↬ a/n (a few things !!)

since i clearly don’t what “my love” in everyone’s native language “babes” is the place holder word and you can imagine it as whatever “my love / love” is in your language !! also i haven’t done an ot7 post in a while so these might be kinda bad and lowkey might not make any sense 💔

also, the 500 followers event is closed (unless you decide to send one in tonight then i’ll still write it 👀 !! ) but somehow we hit 800 followers today !! how this blog managed to get like 200 followers while i was ia is beyond me 😭

but thank you everyone 🥺 i’ll be writing requests from the 500 followers throughout the week and responding to asks as well <33 

˚₊·˚♤˚· lee heeseung ˚₊·˚♤˚·

late one night you and hee are laying in bed, unable to sleep so you ask him,

“babes, wanna eat some ramen?” he’s like yes, ramen !! but wait,

“babes?” he asks. “isn’t that fish in russian?” (like that whole “te amo” means “i love you” in tagalog / filipino even though it actually means ‘i love you’ in spanish. but yeah, he’d probably think it was something completely different in another language lmao) once you realized what you just called him you tell him,

“it doesn’t mean fish, it means love in [insert your language].” the dots connect in his head and all of a sudden,

“i babes you,” you hear. you can’t help but smile at him and laugh a little because,

“that’s not how the grammar works, but at least you tried.” from then on if he wanted something from you he’d do aegyo and would say.

“babes, please !!”

˚₊·˚✎˚·  park jongseong / jay | self indulgent jay mini fic somewhat related to this req ˚₊·˚✎˚· 

you’re chilling with jay one day and all of a sudden,

“hey, babes can you hand me the remote?” you ask. suddenly he’s frozen in place, looking at you like,

“did you just call me love in [insert your language]?” you look at him, slightly tilting your head to the side and you’re all like,

“huh, i guess i did.” in his head, his mind is going crazy because what ?? you l-word him ?? but then you’re just like,

“wait, how do you know what that word means?” and then he gets all flustered and begins to ramble.

“i went on a YouTube spiral at four am, and, uh… uhh… yeah, i just heard it. it sounded unique so i sorta just remembered.”

“when?”

“like, a few weeks ago.”

“what were you watching?”

“the basics to [insert your language] 101.” you’re shocked but not really since jay is basically a language genius. but now your heart feels all fuzzy and warm because he’s learning your language.

˚₊·˚ ✁˚· sim jaeyun / jake ˚₊·˚ ✁˚·

if anything, you probably didn’t call him babes first. why? because you said it to layla. you stopped by jake’s place before the both of you went to your parent’s place. since you haven’t seen layla in a while, she instantly captured your attention (like she so rightfully deserves).

“babes, i missed you!” you say as you smile while petting her and seeing her tail wag in happiness. jake looks at the sight of the two loves of his life and can’t stop the way his heart flutters a little. he doesn’t want to ruin the moment but he wants your attention so he ends up sort of sitting on the ground next to layla and peeks up at you with wide eyes and a smile.

“babes?” he asked. you end up also sitting on the floor, layla settling onto your lap,

“it means love in [insert your language].” he frowns,

“you said you love layla before saying you love me?”

“who says i love you?” he gets kind of pouty because he knows that you love but he wants to hear it. some time passes and when you’re at your parent’s house, you’re talking to them and you tell them in [insert your language],

“i love jake.” he hears the word and his name in the same sentence. so he takes a chance and using the same sentence you said but with your name he says,

“i love ___.”

˚₊·˚ ❆˚· park sunghoon ˚₊·˚ ❆˚··

it probably slipped out in a moment of panic while the two of you were ice skating. sometimes you slipped into [insert your language] due to a surge of various emotions, sometimes anger, fear, or frustration. sunghoon had asked if you wanted to go on a date to the new rink that just opened and you said yes because ice skating with hoon, how could you miss the opportunity ?? he was holding your hand and skating to your pace trying to teach you how to ice skate. but somewhere down the line, he ended up letting go without you realizing it (like when you ride a bike and the person behind you holding the bike lets go !!) so you turn around, eyes wide at the distance between you and sunghoon and you’re like,

“YAH, BABES YOU SAID YOU WOULDN’T LET GO,” and all of a sudden you lose your balance. thankfully, sunghoon being the great skater that he is manages to get to you and holds so you so that you don’t fall. you’re clutching onto his jacket, trying to catch your breath, “i hate you,” you mutter. he smiles as he moves your hair to get out of your face,

“yeah, keep telling yourself that. wait? what does babes mean?” he asks.

“it means love in [insert your language].” suddenly, ice king composure melts. heart going a hundred miles a minute. mind is all like wait what? he accidentally loses his footing and balance, falling while taking you down with him but you’re fine since you landed on top of him.

“are you ok, babes?” he asks to at least try and keep some cool because even though you’re in an ice skating rink, it suddenly feels as if things just got a hundred degrees hotter.

˚₊·˚❂˚· kim sunoo ˚₊·˚❂˚·

he had been interested in learning about your language and culture, mostly for the food… but a+ for effort, right? he would often ask you, “what does this mean?” “what does that mean?” that kind of stuff, since he was genuinely curious. he picked up a few words here and there, occasionally using a word that he knew in a sentence while talking to you. your family asked you to bring him over for a family gathering / party situation sometimes it felt like they liked him more than you. you were sitting down with a plate of food,

“babes, can you hand me a napkin?” suddenly, your and sunoo’s ears are filled with the sounds of “OOO” and your family begins teasing you. to yourself, you’re just like, did i really just call sunoo… but when you look at sunoo his smile is the widest it’s ever been

“you called me love, matji, matji?” (matji meaning like “right” in korean, idk it just felt right to spell that out here ok anyways)

“how did… how did you know?” and he does that thing where he kind of giggles,

“you just confirmed it!”

˚₊·˚✧˚· yang jungwon ˚₊·˚✧˚·

one night jungwon was dropping you off to the front of your doorstep to make sure you got home safe and sound. you were trying to be cute and said,

“saramhae” (saram means person in korean, but what you really meant to say was, “saranghae” which means i love you in korean). jungwon then does that thing where he smirks at you, tilting his head slightly, and he says,

“nado saramhae, babes.” (so like “i love you too, [love in insert your language]” but it’s saramhae because that’s what you said at first) but then,

“babes?” you ask. he plays it off by saying,

“i’m the leader, i need to learn how to communicate in different languages for engenes.” but really it’s just secret language learner pt. 2 exposed.

˚₊·˚⍢˚· nishimura riki / ni-ki ˚₊·˚⍢˚·

ni-ki’s head was on your lap, eyes closed since he was taking a nap and decided your lap was the best thing to claim as his pillow. you needed to get up so to wake him, you poked his cheeks,

“ni-ki,” you said. nothing.

“riki-ah?” this time as more of a question while lightly patting his hair. also nothing.

“babes, if you don’t wake up i’m gonna shove you off my lap.” suddenly, his eyes open and he looks up at you which causes you to jump back in your seat slightly.

“bae-ehbs?” he asks, trying to sound out the word.

“uh huh.”

“wait doesn’t that mean, love?”

“no… it means pabo,” you reply playfully. (pabo meaning like dum dum / stupid in korean, but it’s not meant to sound offensive here !!)

“no it means ‘love’ jay hyung told me about that word when i started dating you.”

“well, if you knew then why’d you ask?”

“wait, so it actually does mean love?”

“you just said jay told you!”

“yeah but i didn’t believe him.” at the confirmation of the word’s true meaning, he feels happy and kind of giddy at the new name he’s earned for himself from you. like heeseung, he’d use it to get something that he wants from you but instead of aegyo it’s more like teasing.

↬ a/n pt. 2 + semi tmi: i speak two languages and i suck at both, english and my parent’s native language. two & a quarter if you count the bare minimum of spanish i learned from taking it during the first two years of high school and the few words of korean i picked up from kdramas lmao 😭

❦ written by riri ( @enhykkul​ ) | blog masterlist | blog navigation

↬ tagging: @bloom-bloom-pow​ | @markleepooh​ | @sunshineshouchan​ (permanent taglist is open if anyone wants to be in it !!)

[jananakookie]

Beauty | kth - Chapter 5

Pairing: Taehyung x OC (Reader) , slight Jimin x OC

Genre/Tags: Strangers to Lovers, Idiots to lovers (kinda), single dad; humor (-ish?), slow burn, angst, fluff, smut

Chapter Warnings: Non really, just your average dose of swearing

Word count: 8k

Series summary: Taehyung knows what beauty is. He sees it every day.

You feel like you haven’t seen real beauty in a while but you think you remember what it looked like.

Or maybe you both have no idea?

A/N: So I actually wanted to publish this chapter over an hour ago but then I started editing and casually added another 900+ words 🙃

But here it is now and I really hope you enjoy reading it :)

Previous Chapter / Chapter List / Next Chapter

Chapter 5

Unlike most other people your age, you’ve totally ditched that weird phase everybody else had when they suddenly started hating children for no reason whatsoever. When you think back to your school days or even the couple of years after that, it seemed to be some sort of trend but somehow you never found yourself to be part of it.

Instead, you were always one of the rare teenagers that adored children.

You know they can be a handful. They’re loud, they don’t have any filters and tend to embarrass you whenever they feel like it and they can sometimes even be a “little“ annoying when they just won’t understand that you don’t have time to play right now. You grew up with children, having lots of young cousins probably toughened you up at an early age.

But there’s so much more to children that most of those people don’t even realize.

They’re cute, they’e funny, they are much less complicated than any adult will ever be because they actually say what they feel and think without making up a shit ton of lies. And then there’s the emotional aspect because children can give you so much joy. It’s actually quite incredible seeing them grow each day, learn new things and getting excited by almost everything.

As you watch Hyejin happily jump around inside the flower shop, that came to be your second home in Seoul, you can’t help the look of absolute adoration covering your face. She wanders around as if she’s in some sort of magic forest and if what you heard is correct, that’s exactly the game she’s playing right now. She said something about how she needs to find the dragon and kill the witch or something.

Today marks exactly four weeks since you started looking after her and it’s going quite well so far. You don’t have to watch her everyday since Taehyung is fortunate enough to shift his working hours to the early morning at times. Even if you remind him all the time that you’d love to have Hyejin by your side every day, he insists on giving you at least two days a week off for you to relax. What he doesn’t know though, there’s nothing for you to do on your own but you don’t want to tell him that. Not yet at least.

So even if you’ve taken care of Hyejin for four weeks now, today is the first day that you’ve taken her to your other work — your actual working place — the flower shop. It’s not like you’ve spent all your days in Taehyung and Jungkook’s apartment, no you’ve taken Hyejin out to see a movie, eat ice cream — without losing her — and do lots of other stuff outside but there’s never been a chance before today to take her to your own apartment or the flower shop but since Mr. and Mrs. Yang are both absent today and Yoongi needs your help, there was no other option.

At first you were afraid it could easily become way too boring for Hyejin after a while and that she would start getting annoyed by you having to work and thus not having time to play but fortunately that isn’t the case at all.

This little girl is absolutely capable of keeping herself busy, “Don’t move! You’re trapped. Now get on your knees and beg for your life you mean orc!“

Laughing silently with your hand covering your mouth, you watch in amusement as Hyejin jumps around with a playful frown on her face while hitting Yoongi with an empty kitchen paper roll, that even has some symbols painted on it as if it’s a real sword.

“Who are you calling mean orc, you little dwarf? I could nudge you with my little finger and you would fall over in an instant.“ Yoongi being Yoongi, only grunts at her before he turns his attention back on his phone, while watering some of the plants that are placed right in front of the display window.

Hyejin groans, frown now turning more serious as she continues to look at him with her “sword“ still drawn on him. “Nooo, you’re doing it all wrong!“ She stumps her little feet on the ground in an annoyed manner, making Yoongi look up again. “You have to beg for your life now because I obviously have you in a tight spot!“

“Or what?“ He challenges.

Hyejin grins slightly. “Or I’ll just have to kill you with my sword.“ She confidently says tightening her grip on her self-made sword.

“Oooh, I’m so scared. What are you gonna do, stab me with your lame, little cardboard tube—Ouch! What the…“ Before Yoongi or you even realize what’s happening, Hyejin skillfully jumps onto some of the stacked boxes which are placed right next to Yoongi and starts to hit him with the kitchen roll.

“My daddy made this for me so you better be nice about it, do you hear me!?“ She screams, hitting him like no end.

It takes you a few seconds to decide what to do. On one hand you know that — as an adult, who’s responsible for this little child — you should probably help him, on the other hand it's a lot of fun to see how someone as small as her stands up to him without any struggle. And it’s also incredibly cute how she tries to defend her father’s crafting skills.

Nevertheless, you ultimately decide to help him. But not before you think he's learned his lesson though.

“Alright, alright Hyejin, please stop.“ You walk up to her and try to take her off of Yoongi, which isn’t as easy as it sounds because the little one is quite the fighter. You somehow still get to take her in you arms and lift her off the boxes before you set her on the ground again.

“Holy shit, what in hell did you bring here!?“ Yoongi loudly exclaims, looking at you with a frightened face, that almost makes you laugh.

“That’s a bad word! You’re not supposed to say that in front of a child.“ Hyejin then says, still looking very mad at him.

“Oh great. Not only is she fu—fricking aggressive, she’s also a little smartypants.“ Yoongi says, frowning at you.

“She’s a child, Yoongi. Watch your mouth.“ You sigh.

“Oh? And why do you bring a child here, knowing I don’t like them?“ He asks you, rubbing his head where she hit him just a few minutes ago.

“How was I supposed to know that!“ You snap, getting quite annoyed with him yourself.

“___, I barely get along with adults. How in god’s name did you come to the conclusion that I like children?“ He reasons, watching you intently.

You open and close your mouth a few times without anything coming out because yeah… How did you actually come to that conclusion?

“Look at her, she’s absolutely adorable. How can you not instantly fall in love with her?“ You whine as you try by all means to turn his head in Hyejin’s direction. The little girl on the other hand, sends an absolute death-glare at Yoongi, who then looks at you with an unimpressed face.

“How about you ask me this question again in a few days, after my concussion subsided.“ He then says, making you simply roll your eyes at him.

You sigh and get on one knee, to be on eye level with Hyejin. “Honey, you can’t just hit people with you sword just because they say something you don’t like, alright?“ You try to tell her but it doesn’t look like she agrees.

“But he was being mean.“ She grunts, crossing her arms in front of her chest and you need to suppress a laugh because in that moment, she looks exactly like Taehyung when he’s mad at something Jungkook did.

“I know but he didn’t mean it like that, Hyejin.“

“Yes I did—“

“I said, he didn’t mean it like that.“ You cut him off, repeating your words a little louder this time so he would catch on. He only huffs and stays quiet at least. “Look, that’s just how he is, darling. He doesn’t really know how to be anything but mean but he actually means well.“

“I don’t understand that.“ Hyejin says, giving you a puzzled look.

“I don’t either but he’s my friend and I want you to be nice to my friends, can you do that?“ You ask her, offering her your biggest smile.

“Why would you be friends with him?“ She asks you instead, looking indeed very confused. Just the mix of her puzzled and Yoongi's attacked facial expression almost makes you laugh, but you decide to stay serious and only give her a look that’s supposed to tell her what you think of her saying stuff like that.

And it works because Hyejin finally groans loudly and nods, “Okay… but only if he says my sword isn’t lame.“

You expectantly look at Yoongi who only raises a brow. “That’s a joke, isn’t it?“ But seeing that you absolutely mean it, he lets out an annoyed groan as well before hesitantly looking at Hyejin. “Okay fine… Your sword is kinda cool. I had one too when I was your age.“ He mumbles.

Hyejin immediately grins from ear to ear and happily runs to him, hugging his legs in the process. Yoongi awkwardly stands there and lightly pats her back a few times before looking at you with an alarmed expression on his face.

You actually find it kinda cute. Both of them. You love how Hyejin never seems to hold a grudge for long but then again, most kids don’t. They just want to play and have fun. And you know that Yoongi doesn’t really hate her, he just doesn’t want to come off as soft.

“Alright little heroine, I gotta go now. I need to work.“ Yoongi awkwardly coughs and tries to successfully peel her off of him. You smirk at him as he gives you a short nod before walking away without another word.

You know he thinks she’s cute. You know it. But he would never admit it.

“Darling, your dad will probably be here in a few minutes. Make sure you have all your toys ready when he’s here.“ You call out to her when you realize, she’s already on her way to kill the witch again.

Hyejin immediately stops her game and whips around to look at you with big puppy-eyes. “But I don’t wanna go home so soon!“ She whines, trotting towards you.

You pout and take her into a hug. “I’m sorry darling, your dad texted me. He finished a little earlier today and he’s on his way right now.“

“But can I come back tomorrow then? I love it here there’s sooo many colors and flowers it’s like a garden but inside.“ She asks you with hope clear in her voice. You chuckle at her funny comparison before gently stroking her hair, heart clenching at her sad posture.

“I’m afraid we won’t see each other for a few days, baby.“ You carefully watch her as her eyes become teary. Mouth falling open in disbelieve, “I have to go home for a while and help my mum because my dad doesn’t feel well. You understand that, don’t you?“

You watch as her lips start to quiver and she stubbornly shakes her head. “No. We need you here too. Please don’t leave!“

You feel like you might cry with her when you suddenly hear someone clearing their throat. You lift your head and see Taehyung already here, leaning against the door frame and watching you both with a sad smile on his lips. “Hyejin, please don’t make her feel guilty. ___ has a mum and a dad too who want to see her and need her help from time to time.“

He takes a few slow steps towards you and gives you an apologetic smile before he takes the sniffing princess in his arms.

“I don’t want her to leave, daddy. Make her stay please.“ She sobs in the collar of his shirt, probably soaking it in the act but he doesn’t seem to care about that as he pulls her a little tighter and looks at you apologetically.

You don’t even know what to say to this. You expected her to be a little sad and pouty about it but you would’ve never guessed that she’d be that heart broken.

“Hyejin. I know you love her but you have to understand that there are other people who love her just as much. You can’t keep her all to yourself, honey.“ He chuckles lightly, looking at you.

“No. They don’t love her as much as I do.“ She cries again, burying her head deeper inside her dad’s chest.

You actually find it quite cute how much she already seems to miss you, even if your still standing right in front of her. The scene that’s unfolding right now doesn’t make you smile like you actually want to though.

“Look, Hyejin.“ You carefully try to make her look at you by walking around Taehyung, not knowing how she would react because she seems to not want to see you right now. Surprisingly, she doesn’t back away and instead looks at you with red, tear stained eyes. “My dad has had a very bad pain in his arm for years now and now he had to take surgery, do you know what that means?“

She nods her head as she wipes her snotty nose on her sleeves. “It means he had to go to the hospital.“ She answers.

You nod approvingly, offering her a wide smile. “Exactly. And now he can’t move his arm, which means my mum has to do everything by herself and I don’t want my mum to get stressed out, do you understand?“ You ask her again and she once again nods her head, making a proud smile appear on your lips.

“So you understand why I have to leave now?“

Hyejin hesitates for a second but finally nods again. “But you can take me and daddy with you.“ She suddenly proposes, making Taehyung snort before he carefully sets her down again. You and Taehyung both get down on her eye level, Taehyung holding her at her shoulders.

“Darling, she can’t just take us with her. Besides I have a job to attend to and do you really want to leave uncle Jungkook home alone?“ He jokes making her eyes widen in shock.

“We can’t do that, he easily gets scared when it’s dark.“ She whispers.

You and Taehyung both suppress your laughs for the sake of keeping the conversation a little serious. “Exactly. We can’t do that to him.“ Taehyung agrees.

“But we can help ___’s mum too! And then she can come back way sooner!“ Hyejin tries to reason again.

“Why are you such a smart girl?“ Taehyung proudly looks at his daughter, stroking her tears out of her face. “___ won’t be gone for long, right?“ He then looks at you, followed by Hyejin, both of them kinda have the same look of desperateness on their faces, though probably for different reasons.

Taehyung actually needs to hear the answer from you too. You already talked to him about it yesterday, after you had a long phone call with you mother, who absolutely wanted to get you to stay in Seoul and tried by all means to make you believe that she was fine. But you know your mother and she would never admit it if she needs any help so you rather take matters into your own hands.

“I promise you, that I'll be back so quickly you won't even have the chance to miss me.“ You put one hand over your heart while you hold the other one up and wink at Hyejin who finally shows a small, insecure smile.

“That’s something you probably shouldn’t promise because I can guarantee you, she will miss you right after we leave today.“ Taehyung buts in. You simply roll your eyes at him before you give Hyejin a big hug.

Taehyung quietly watches you two together. It makes his heart melt, seeing his daughter be so irrevocably attached to you and seeing you acting the same way around her. He’s so incredibly happy the universe send someone like you to give his daughter something she desired for such a long time but neither him nor his friends could ever give her. A mother figure.

Without noticing, he begins to stare as he does so often. He only shakes himself out of it when he sees you look at him questioningly, with slight rosy cheeks. He coughs quietly and acts as if nothing happened but he knows you noticed.

“Okay, darling. Go get you stuff. We don’t want to keep ___ from work any longer.“ He then says, wanting to talk to you alone for a bit, without Hyejin being glued to your leg.

“You guys could never. I love having you around.“ You honestly tell him the second Hyejin reluctantly leaves to get her stuff.

“You see, you say that all the time but I can’t understand why. Not even my own mother can bear us for as long as you can.“ He says, making you laugh in return.

“That’s definitely not true and you know it.“

Taehyung only shrugs. “Was everything okay today? She didn’t cause you any trouble being here, did she?“ He then asks you, fearing that there might’ve been a problem, seeing as this was the first time you had to take her to work with you. He feels bad putting his problems on you, just so he can have it easier.

“No, no, everything is alright. Don’t you worry.“ You smile brightly. “I mean, she did have quite the encounter with grouchy Yoongi back there but they got to work it out.“ You chuckle as you think back to her beating Yoongi up with a piece of cardboard.

“Oh no, was he mad?“ Taehyung asks, looking concerned.

You only laugh it off, lifting a brow in the process. “It’s Yoongi. He’s always mad at everyone and life in general.“

Taehyung has only met Yoongi a quick couple of times and he never really got to talk to him but he can see that he definitely means a lot to you. You always talk about him with a slight glint in your eyes, even if you barely ever have anything good to say about him.

Before he can say anything further, Hyejin already comes back looking very displeased. “Daddy, I can’t find my backpack anywhere.“ She pouts.

“Well it has to be here somewhere. Go look for it.“ Taehyung sighs looking around himself.

“You know what, I think we may have left it upstairs in my apartment. Could it be there, Hyejin?“ You ponder as you go through all the places you've been today. Luckily there weren’t many.

Hyejin’s face immediately lights up as she nods her head. “Yes, I left it on the table!“ She nearly screams, making you and Taehyung cringe from the noise.

“Alright, let me just tell Yoongi real quick that he has to take the counter for a few minutes and then we can go upstairs.“ You tell them before you’re already on your way to the back of the shop.

As you already expected, Yoongi made himself comfortable between two large flower bouquets, “resting his eyes“ as he would call it. Forming your eyes into slits, you cross your arms over your chest before kicking his leg until he wakes up in a rush.

“Are you being serious right now?“ You grunt at him. “Tell me you didn’t need me to come here today, for you to take a nap during working hours.“ You frown, looking at him expectantly.

“Uh… I didn’t need you to come here today, so I can take a nap during working hours?“ Yoongi smiles apologetically.

“You have to be kidding me…“ You shake your head and try to look annoyed with him, while you have to admit that it’s such a Yoongi thing to do. You could’ve thought of that yourself.

“You can’t be mad at me. I’ve taken over most of your shifts for the past month, just so you can play house with a fucking male model and his hyperactive daughter.“ Yoongi says, a proud smirk covering his face as he sees the way you blush at his comment.

“I’m not—… It’s not— We’re not playing house.“ You try to defend yourself but fail as soon as your voice gets way higher than it actually is, which just makes you blush even more.

Yoongi laughs. He obviously enjoys you being in this uncomfortable state. “I was actually just kidding but seeing how you react to it, makes me think there might be something going on there.“

You swear you’re close to slapping that stupid grin out of his face but you do what you do best and casually try to ignore him.

“I know you’re just joking. As if someone like him would actually go for someone like me.“ You scoff, looking at him with a bored expression.

“What do you mean by that?“ He asks, looking closely.

You sigh loudly, just wanting to run away at the moment. “Do I have to remind you of anything concerning my face?“ You ask him, not exactly wanting to address the elephant in the room.

Yoongi immediately seems to interpret something into your words which you didn’t mean and frowns deeply. “No, because I’m looking at you right now and I don’t see anything wrong with you. Did he say anything to you?“ And suddenly your little bickering is about to take a turn you really didn’t intent on taking.

“Of course not, don’t be ridiculous. He isn’t like that. He wouldn’t say it out loud…“ You sigh. You see how he wants to say something else to that, actually looking at you with a serious expression but you don’t feel like having this conversation right now so you quickly change the topic to say what you originally came here for.

“Can you please go behind the counter and watch the shop for a few minutes? I have to go upstairs in my apartment because Hyejin left her backpack there and her dad is here to pick her up.“

Yoongi doesn’t look very happy, but agrees whatsoever.

When you arrive back at the shop entry with Yoongi hot on your heels, the first thing you see is Taehyung looking at the many different flower bouquets as Hyejin tells him something about them, like what flowers there are and whatever. You smile to yourself because she asked you about all the different flower species as soon as she stepped foot into the shop and now she proudly passes her knowledge on to her dad, who looks equally as impressed.

“Alright guys, we can go. Yoongi is kind enough to take over, even tough he’s very busy himself.“ You smirk, watching him roll his eyes next to you because of your obvious sarcasm.

Taehyung turns around, looking at you both for a mere second before he comes a little closer to shake Yoongi’s hand with a smile on his face. “Hey man, I don’t think we properly met before. I’m Taehyung.“

Yoongi takes his hand in his, actually putting something that looks like a smile on his face as he inspects the man in front of him further. “Yoongi. Nice to meet you.“ He introduces himself before nodding his head at Hyejin. “You’re going home already, little heroine?“ He then asks her, surprising you. You wouldn’t have guessed that he’d start a conversation since he almost never starts a conversation when he doesn’t have to.

Hyejin nods, pouting again. “Yes, my daddy said I have to.“ She sighs a little over dramatically. “I like this place sooo much. It’s so pretty. And I like spending time with ___.“

Taehyung chuckles, ruffling her hair and making her protest. “Don’t be so dramatic, you will come back, darling.“

You watch as Yoongi takes out a single Astilbe flower from one of the bouquets and gives it to Hyejin with a small smile on his face. “___ told you a little bit about flowers, didn’t she?“ He asks her when she cautiously and somewhat uncertainly accepts the flower.

Hyejin nods and continues to look at him with curious eyes.

“Did she tell you something about this one?“ He then asks her.

She shakes her head, eyes growing bigger with every passing second.

“That’s an Astilbe flower. It symbolizes patience and means that we’ll be waiting for you to come back.“ He winks, making her blush in the process. “You can keep it.“

You only stare at Yoongi in pure disbelieve while Taehyung nudges Hyejin, who suddenly becomes shy and stares at Yoongi with big googly eyes. “What do you say to that?“

“Thank you.“ Hyejin nearly whispers, face as red as a fire truck.

Looks like someone just developed her first crush. You think, hiding a smile, as you look at Taehyung who also looks at you with a slight grin on his face.

“How come you never give me flowers?“ You ask Yoongi in a joking manner, raising a brow in the process.

Yoongi turns his head back to you, face almost instantly falling back into its typical bored expression. “I dedicate my soulful side only to special women.“ He carelessly answers, making you scoff in the process.

“Okay guys, let’s go. We don't want to prevent Yoongi from getting back to his important work.“ You say towards Taehyung and Hyejin, the latter still focused on Yoongi with pink cheeks.

“___, do you have a vessel for my pretty flower?“ Hyejin asks you as soon as you step into your apartment.

You chuckle, nodding your head. “Yes honey, let me just check real quick.“ You throw your keys onto the table, where Hyejin’s backpack is placed and walk into the kitchen to look for a small jar.

You don’t notice Taehyung following you until you whip around, wanting to look somewhere else and nearly crash into him. He quickly catches you though, holding your arms tightly to prevent you from colliding with him and hurting yourself.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to… Actually I don’t know.“ He chuckles uncomfortably, hand scratching the back of his neck again, making you grin wildly.

“It’s okay, I just wasn’t prepared for someone standing so close behind me when it’s usually just me in here.“ You say, also getting a little flustered by his close proximity. Not to forget that he’s still touching you with one hand, unknowingly warming the skin on your right upper arm.

He doesn’t seem to realize it though and you yourself only really notice it when he suddenly pulls his hand back, focusing his attention on something behind you.

“Woah, what happened there?“ He asks you pointing his finger at one of your hanging kitchen cabinets that is actually barely hanging and threatens to crash onto the worktop every minute.

“Oh that… It’s been like this for a few months now actually… I can’t fix it and I always forget to call someone to do it for me.“ You laugh a little awkwardly, embarrassed that he’s seen it. You don't want him to think of you as some kind of slob or something.

His interest in it seems to lay somewhere else though. “Damn ___ that’s not safe. It looks like it could come crashing down any moment now.“ He frowns looking at you with a look you cannot quite assign.

“Ah, it’s not a big deal. Like I said, it’s been like this for months now.“ You assure him but it doesn’t seem to calm him down.

“I can fix it for you if you want.“ He suddenly offers, surprising you.

“You can do that?“ You ask him, a little amazed. It's not that you think he can’t do it but he also doesn't look like someone who does manual repairs in his spare time.

Taehyung looks pretty confident though, already walking towards it. “Do you have a screwdriver?“ He asks you.

You tell him to wait a second before you walk out of the room to look for the little toolbox your father got you when you first moved out because apparently “everybody needs a toolbox“. You never used it before, obviously not being very useful when it comes to repairs. To be fair, you never needed it until now because you always had Jimin to take care of those kinds of things.

You hand Taehyung your little tool kit and he immediately gets to work, lifting himself up to sit on the counter while carefully unscrewing all of the screws before he cautiously puts the cabinet on the floor. You watch him, casually making conversation and enjoying the view because damn… how have you never noticed before that he actually has fairly defined muscles? It’s the first time you notice how strong is arms look when he lifts the — certainly not exactly light — kitchen cupboard up to put it back on the wall.

You almost shamelessly check him out while he innocently tries to repair your broken cupboard, holding the screws and nails securely between his lips.

He suddenly slips with the screwdriver, making a noise which shakes you out of your thoughts with a quiet shriek. Taehyung still notices though and offers you an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I slipped.“

You clear your throat, suddenly getting hot because of the embarrassment you feel from actually checking him out like that when he innocently tries to help you. You really just checked him out!

What the heck? You’re definitely alone for too long…

As you further inspect him now, you can’t believe how deep in thought you must’ve been while staring at him, when you didn’t even notice before that he looks like he doesn’t for the life of him know what he’s doing. It’s only now that you see him looking confused at the scenery in front of him like he's thinking hard about what to do next and it’s as cute as it’s worrying.

“Hey, is everything alright? Can I help you or something?“ You carefully ask him, trying to hide the smirk that forms itself because of his confused demeanor.

Hearing your voice, he instantly whips his head around to look at you. “Huh? No! No… everything’s alright, I’m absolutely fine.“ He uncomfortably laughs but his eyes show a completely different emotion.

After a while of him struggling further but not admitting it, you decide to leave him be and call Yoongi instead to inform him that it will take just a few more minutes until you come back. Let’s just say he’s not very amused by your announcement, actually hating to stay behind the counter, having to talk to customers and actually be decent to them. He throws a couple bad jokes your way that all more or less have to do with “at least hold on until the poor child is not around“ but you just ignore him and simply hang up instead.

You walk back into the kitchen, checking on Hyejin on the way who’s happily running around, playing with her sword again and you put her flower in a little vessel filled with water.

You look at her for a little while, eyes growing soft. There’s no way you won’t be missing her as soon as you’re back in Busan by tomorrow.

You’re just about to take a quick stop and cuddle her when Taehyung calls you and tells you to come to the kitchen. So you walk to him instead but Hyejin, being as noisy as always, follows you hot on your heels.

The first thing you see when you walk into the kitchen is an overly happy Taehyung wearing the biggest smile you’ve ever seen as he proudly points to the cabinet tat’s successfully hanging on the wall again.

“Wow, you actually did it.“ You say slightly cringing by the huge amount of surprise that’s laced in your voice and makes Taehyung raise a brow in question.

“Of course, I told you I would.“ He only says watching your every move as you inspect his masterpiece carefully.

“What did you do, daddy?“ Hyejin’s small voice finally comes through, as she’s looking around the kitchen but doesn’t see anything new.

“Oh nothing much darling, I just quickly repaired ___ 's kitchen cabinet.“ He says, feeling kinda cool as he swings an hammer in his hand, before he almost lets it slip and tries to cover it up, hoping no one would’ve noticed.

After Taehyung's answer, Hyejin doesn't seem to find the spectacle so interesting anymore and immediately runs away again.

Taehyung scoffs at her disinterest at his craftsmanship but ignores her, turning his full attention on you instead. “Go on, you can start to put all your stuff back in there.“ He points at the glasses and cups you kept next to your sink, since the day the cabinet started to fall down. Just in case it would come crashing down suddenly and break everything inside.

You’re about to, when something catches your eyes, making you hesitant. “Uhm Tae…“ You carefully start, “Why are there so many screws and nails lying around here?“ You ask him, looking at him with a puzzled look on your face while he just casually shrugs it off.

“I just had too many. Those are the ones I didn’t need.“ He simply answers, not easing your worries in the slightest.

“But they were also built into it before, weren't they?“ You ask, watching him. “How come they found them to be important in the original setup but now they suddenly aren’t needed any longer?“

Taehyung only smiles at you, taking an empty glass into his hand and coming a few steps closer to you. “Oh ___,“ He chuckles, “That's what craftsmen always do. They usually use more materials than they actually have to because that ensures that the products do not fall apart before the warranty period expires.“ He tells you, as if it’s common knowledge.

You’re pretty sure that doesn’t make any sense and as sorry as you are, you trust the awkwardly nailed-together thing even less than you did before. You don’t want to tell Taehyung though because he actually looks so proud of himself. And that’s why you watch in awe when he opens the cabinet, puts the single glass inside and doesn’t even get the chance to change his facial expression from a wide smile to… well, anything else before everything comes crashing down in a loud crash.

For a little while nobody says a word before Taehyung grunts loudly, staring at nothing while muttering something under his breath that definitely sounds like a swear. You on the other hand can’t help but laugh loudly which makes him look at you in surprise.

“I guess I’ll just call a real expert then, as soon as I’m back home.“ You chuckle as soon as you calmed down a little.

Taehyung looks at you apologetically but obviously can’t help but laugh as well as he shakes his head. “I just wanted to be the one to help you this time… Now I feel stupid.“

“No, don’t. It’s… Maybe you should’ve used all of the materials though.“ You say thoughtfully as you look at the little pile of misery that used to be your cupboard.

Taehyung, doing his signature neck scratch, stares at it as well. “I mean… In some way I may have saved your life just now because this thing was definitely about to fall down anyway. What if you had been standing under it right then? It would’ve crashed you.“ He shrugs, watching your reaction closely.

You smile, “So what you’re saying is, you’re practically my hero because you broke my cupboard before it could break on its own?“ You frown, lifting one eyebrow in the process.

“I would have phrased it a little differently but in the end I probably can't turn the truth away from myself.“ Taehyung shrugs, sending a confident smirk your way. “You’re welcome, princess.“

Desperately trying to not get flustered by the new nickname he called you, you simply try to laugh it off. But it’s easier said than done when he’s looking at you like that and standing so close to you…

“We should probably go now before your friend kills us.“ He suddenly says in a much more quiet voice than before.

You know he’s right, even though you really don’t want them to go. Knowing you won’t see them for a little while now doesn’t help either. You already know you will miss all of them terribly. Hopefully your dad’s arm heals just fine so you can come back as soon as possible.

With a crying Hyejin clinging on to your leg, you try to say goodbye to the pair, having to get back to work and help Yoongi with the shop. She started crying again as soon as Taehyung called for her to stop running around and say goodbye to you, throwing a tantrum and refusing to come with him.

Taehyung looks so uncomfortable right now and you actually feel sorry for not only him but Hyejin as well because she looks actually heartbroken. She probably doesn’t understand yet why you have to leave and that you’re coming back very soon but you can understand that it’s nerve wrecking for Taehyung.

“My god Hyejin, she isn’t leaving for god knows how long. She’ll be back in a few weeks — if even.“ He sighs, touching her shoulder but she shakes it off, not wanting him to get her off of you. “We already talked about that and you understood, remember?“

“But I changed my mind. I don’t want to understand anymore.“ She cries.

He groans, running his hand through his hair and looks at you. “I’m so sorry, ___. This is embarrassing.“

You offer him a smile, signaling that everything is fine and he shouldn’t feel sorry. “It’s actually kinda cute.“ You mouth to him but judging by his facial expression, he doesn’t seem to feel the same way.

Wanting to help out a little, you try to talk to Hyejin one more time in hope she’d stop her crying. “Hyejin, please don’t cry my dear. I promise you can call me every day at any time and I’ll answer, okay?“Her big, glassy eyes look at you in pure disappointment, making your heart break all over again.

“Promise?“ She whines.

With a big smile, you stretch your pinky out and hold it in front of her tiny face. “Pinky promise, little one.“

Hyejin hesitates for a second but finally decides to hook er pinky in yours to seal the promise.

“See? The promise can’t be broken anymore.“ You grin.

“Great… Just wait until she can’t sleep and wants to chat at one am or something.“ Taehyung buts in.

You look up at him and shrug your shoulders in disinterest. “Then I guess you’ll just have to call me at one in the morning.“

“Awesome.“ He mutters lowly, not saying anything else to this while you give Hyejin a final big hug.

“I will miss you so much, my little princess. Please take good care of your uncles and your dad while I’m gone, okay?“ You feel Hyejin nodding her head as she buries her face in your neck, nearly suffocating you.

Taehyung smiles at the heartwarming sight in front of him. “You’re leaving tonight, right?“ He asks and unintentionally gets you out of your and Hyejin’s little moment.

You nod, standing up again. “Yes. This way I can start fresh tomorrow.“

“Well, do you need me to drive you anywhere? The airport or something?“ He asks growing a little restless for whatever reason.

“Oh thank you so much, Tae but Yoongi already offered to drive me to the train station after we closed the shop today. He said he needs to run some errands anyway; but between us both? I bet he’ll miss me and wants to spend some time together.“ You wink at him, laughing about your own assumption.

Taehyung won’t tell you but he’s actually a little bummed. Call it selfishness or whatever but he wanted to drive you for the same reason… kinda. He wanted to because of Hyejin in the first place. He just wanted to give his daughter the chance to have you around for a little while longer. He still forces a smile on his face and nods, not saying what he actually wants to say.

“Okay come on, Hyejin. We’ll let ___ get back to work now.“ He smiles at his daughter — a real smile this time — and takes her little hand in his. Hyejin still seems reluctant but offers you her other hand, making you and him each holding a hand of hers. If someone would see you right now and didn’t know any better, they’d probably think you’re a little family.

Taehyung almost blushes at his stupid thought, shaking his head while he also wears an angry frown on his face. He can’t believe he has such immature thoughts running around his mind. What the actual fuck?

When the three of you come out of the building, Yoongi is also standing outside, watering some flowers. He stops when he sees you though and Taehyung can see him mustering not only your hands but you as a whole. For a second he asks himself if Yoongi maybe had the same thought that was clouding his mind just a minute ago, but he probably just misinterpreted his glance.

“So you are still alive then.“ Yoongi simply states when you’re right in front of him.

“What do you mean, I called you to say that it’ll take a little while longer.“ You huff. “Taehyung tried to repair my kitchen cabinet.“

“Oh, so that means it’s no longer on the verge of killing you?“ He asks, his attention now more on Taehyung.

The younger man raises his brows, looking from Yoongi to you and back at Yoongi when he sees you simply suppressing a laugh. “Yeah, no… Yeah I think you could say that.“ He stutters, feeling his ears get a little warm. “It definitely won’t kill her anymore.“ Taehyung smiles, even showing his teeth and ignores the way Yoongi looks at him funnily.

“Cool.“ Yoongi then says before getting back to watering the flower pots without another comment.

Well that was easy.

Despite not having exchanged a lot of words with Yoongi, Taehyung can’t help but like this guy. He seems to be very straightforward but in some way also caring. Just like when he tried to cheer Hyejin up with the little flower back then. And he seems to have a special place in your heart, which means that he simply has to be a good guy. Otherwise, someone like you wouldn’t get along with him.

“Good, I’ll let you guys go then.“ You suddenly say and bring him back to the sobering reality in which they finally have to say goodbye — for good this time. What Taehyung has not yet realized though, is that this time you are addressing him in particular. He only really becomes aware of it when he looks into your warm eyes and sees you looking at him as well. And as if that wasn’t enough already to make him get flustered, he doesn’t even get the chance to think clearly before you throw your petit arms around his body and embrace him in a tight hug.

Although he is surprised at your sudden initiative, he doesn't even need a blink of an eye to return the hug. Since that day at his apartment and that awkward arm around you shoulder move he pulled, he didn’t dare touch you again like that — in fear he could make you uncomfortable. But now you’re doing the first step and he enjoys it more than he probably should. He can perceive your scent — sunscreen and cinnamon — with just the littlest sniff of his nose right now and he already knows that he probably won’t get it out of his head for the next couple of days.

It feels good to hold you like this because until now he has only watched you get so close to Jungkook and even Namjoon but you never come to him and he just doesn’t understand why. Maybe there is just something about him that you don't like. Is he too rough, too intimidating, too aloof? Is it something he said or something he did? Do you just not like him? He doesn’t want to admit how his stomach drops every time he thinks about that specific possibility. Or maybe he was wrong and deep inside you aren’t over that little incident at the café last month… Maybe you think he’s a creep?

Whatever the reason might be, all these thoughts vanish the moment you embrace him as if you’d do it all the time; and in that moment, he doesn’t really care. It simply doesn’t matter right now.

He sinks too much into the feeling of pure comfort you’re giving him right now to notice the little “disgusting,“ which Yoongi mutters under his breath when he takes a quick glance at you both.

You, however, do hear it and quickly let him go while you look at him intensely.

You don't allow him to say anything to you though, when you turn your head at Hyejin and grin. “You know what to do, little one,“ you only wink and ruffle her hair, knowing how much she actually hates it but wanting to end the day on a lighter note.

Taehyung is about to say one last goodbye when an elderly lady suddenly comes walking in your direction and sends a happy and bright smile your way as she walks by. “Oh dear, that’s such a pretty flower you have there.“ She says, pointing at the little flower Hyejin immediately took back from Taehyung as soon as she had her hands free again.

Hyejin, although being a little shy around the stranger, nevertheless smiles proudly at her and nods her head. “Thank you. It’s an Astilbe flower and it means they can’t wait to see me again.“ From the corner of you eye you see Yoongi desperately trying to hold back a smile but it’s too late — you’ve seen it and you will never ever let him forget about it.

“Oh, if that isn’t nice,“ she laughs. “Where did you get it from?“ The lady further asks, smiling at you and Taehyung as she does so.

Hyejin blushes a little and points at Yoongi, who’s also looking at her right now. “I got it from my boyfriend.“ She then raves, in a small but confident voice, proudly grinning at the man who’s standing only a few meters away from her.

In the few seconds that follow after, Hyejin is the only one looking very happy while making heart-eyes at Yoongi, while Taehyung almost dies from a coughing fit, Yoongi nearly drowns all the flowers while violently blushing, you just standing there in shock while your heart bursts from all the cuteness and the lady looks at all of you as if you’ve each grown two heads.

After a few seconds of pure silence, she simply gives you all a little awkward smile before she walks away without another word — probably ready to call the FBI or something.

Needless to say, you definitely got to end the day on a lighter note instead of ending it in tears like you originally feared.

Copyright © 2021 jananakookie please do not repost, and thank you for reading :)

[sokkastyles]

Kind of annoys me when people say that Mai “just calls Zuko out on his shit” when “his shit” is like… his trauma symptoms

Yeah the thing about this is...if you really believe that Zuko treats Mai so poorly and/or he's such an awful boyfriend why would you want him with Mai? Unless what Mai gets out of the relationship is someone to criticize. Given what she tells Zuko about her relationship with Kei Lo in the comics, that she likes that he likes her more than she likes him, it seems like an unbalanced relationship where she holds all the cards is exactly what she wants. She blames Zuko for her needing that, but that's also exactly how she treated Zuko when she was dating him, and using her relationship with Kei Lo this way is another way for her to guilt-trip Zuko. Which makes sense if you consider both the way her parents treated her and that she grew up watching her friend Azula and their father mistreat Zuko, and then initiated the relationship at a time when Zuko was in a bad place and emotionally vulnerable. (And we can only assume that she was the one who initiated that relationship because she liked him first and we have no indication of how he felt about her before and have you seen this boy with girls?) That also follows with the way she didn't like it when Zuko started standing up for his own opinions. I don't think any of this was intentional which is why I generally think Mai is a victim of bad writing and try not to assume that what Mai actually wants is a relationship that she doesn't have to put any work into with someone who is too damaged to realize he deserves better, but it's almost ridiculous how many bad implications are packed into Mai and Zuko's relationship.

I'm not talking about the scene where Mai is right to call Zuko out for blaming her for his jealousy at the party, although I would argue that what led to that was her repeatedly shutting him down and refusing to engage with what was going on with him. It was shitty behavior on Zuko's part, yeah, but it was so obviously textbook "pay attention to me" behavior from an abused kid who has learned from someone they love giving constant negative feedback that if you can't get positive attention, negative attention is the next best thing. It's kind of amazing to me that people don't connect these dots because it exactly mirrors Zuko's relationship with Ozai; Zuko gets negative feedback/indifference from his father -> Zuko forces his way into the forbidden war room and emotionally explodes -> gets extreme negative feedback from Ozai which he convinces himself is his father giving him an important mission because he really cares about him. Zuko does the same pattern when he constantly pushes Iroh to see if Iroh will push back, only this pattern is disrupted because Iroh actually does care about Zuko and holds him accountable for his behavior. Which is not what Mai is doing when she breaks up with Zuko when she's mad at him and then gets back together with him when she's decided she's not mad anymore. Breaking up with someone temporarily as a punishment when you didn't actually mean to end the relationship, rather than actually addressing the things that made you argue in the first place, is an extremely unhealthy relationship pattern.

I'm talking about when people insist that Mai was also calling Zuko out on his shit when she told him that she didn't ask for his life story. In that scene, what exactly does he need to be "called out on"? Worrying about going back to a father who burned his face? He should be worried! Mai should be worried! Moreover, this is a healthy action on Zuko's part! This is Zuko actually beginning to break those destructive patterns because he's actually started to interact with people who aren't emotional black holes and realized that he can like, talk about his feelings and other people will listen. Mai doesn't want Zuko to break that pattern because that pattern is what their relationship is built on, and it's not really Mai's fault and she was in some ways a victim as well, but it does become Mai's fault when she encourages Zuko to turn back to unhealthy ways of thinking and refuses to let that relationship go.

I'm talking about people who condemn Zuko for breaking up with her. Someone legitimately tried to argue with me once that Mai didn't "consent" to Zuko breaking up with her and like, y'all. No. No. That's not how it works. Your significant other doesn't need to consent to you deciding a relationship isn't working for you anymore. The only person that needs to consent is you. That doesn't mean the other person isn't gonna be hurt but like, nobody's hurt entitles them to a relationship with someone. You do owe someone you were intimate with a certain amount of courtesy and that's why writing a letter like Zuko did isn't considered proper etiquette normally, but in a situation where your life is in danger and the other person doesn't want the relationship to end (and will actively prevent it from ending) and there's no safe way to end the relationship in person? Perfectly acceptable. Zuko did what he had to do to get out of a situation where he was actively in danger even if he hadn't decided that saving the world was more important than being prince (that's one thing I think doesn't get talked about enough. People talk about how Zuko could have followed the villain path that Ozai laid out for him, but he also could have been hurt again or even killed even if he didn't actively defy Ozai. Ozai disfigured him, burned him, seriously injured him, an injury that could have killed him, for like, the slightest disobedience before when Zuko was totally loyal to him, because parents like that don't really need a reason and what was behind it wasn't actually what Zuko did or didn't do but a fundamental belief that Ozai was allowed to treat his child that way. Parents who do this are also very likely to do it again. And Zuko was already in the place where he couldn't be that loyal son anymore, sooner or later he would have done something to upset Ozai or Ozai would have found a reason.) and Mai's desire to be in a relationship with Zuko does not justify jeopardizing his safety and well-being and that's what she should have realized at the Boiling Rock. I also get that sometimes people make these arguments to defend Mai because she suffers from underwritten female character syndrome but like, please, I'm begging you.

None of that means Mai should have to put up with bad behavior from Zuko or that she has to emotionally support him all the time at the expense of her own well-being (which incidentally is the problem in KA...) If only there were a relationship in the show where two people were able to call each other out on their shit but also support each other emotionally when it mattered, like real people do in a real relationship...a balance...a yin and yang if you will...fire and water...red and blue...if only...