#it asks me to dance joyfully!

[thoughtfulfangirling]

Reblog in the tags what your favorite song of 2023 was!

[astraystayyh]

you're in the wind, i'm in the water

hyunjin x reader. friends to lovers with a pinch of unrequited love (it's very much requited dw). this is pure brainrot so suggestive at the end. but also fluffy and soft. also reader wears a two piece swimsuit.

a.n: again, sanest response i could have to this hyune. please enjoy my descent to madness :) also the last scene is heavily inspired by my favorite dialogue in the song of achilles!!

pt. 2- orange

The first time you went on a vacation with Hyunjin’s family, you were only seven years old.

You don't clearly remember the island his parents took you to, the details of the travel elusive to your memory's grasp. But you remember Hyunjin- his hair darkening under the touch of the saline sea, akin to a night sky devoid of its stars. You remember the dimple on his left cheek- the sheer pride in you each time you managed to bring it to light. And you remember thinking that Hyunjin was pretty, for the first time in your small existence.

It's a thought that scorched itself indelibly into your brain, and as the years cascaded by, the branches of your love grew, each leave bearing new adjectives to describe Hyunjin- caring, emotional, talented.

But never yours.

You're both older now, and you see him less since his house is no longer right next to yours, the rhythm of life distancing you both. Hyunjin comes in and out of your life as an ephemeral tide, gently brushing your shores. You cling to the sea shells his oceans sometimes throw at your feet- the rare times when your schedules align, when you can see him beyond the confines of your phone, in pixelated video calls late into the night.

And it seems as if you've caught a rare shell this time- one with an ivory pearl hidden within it. Because you're traveling once again with him.

You're all much different, the passage of time marked you in different, but palpable ways. But your presence with Hyunjin's family still felt just as effortless as it did when you were seven. You never had to second guess what you said or how you acted with them. You were just like running water, flowing naturally within the nooks and crannies of his family.

And at night, under the moon's watchful gaze, your hushed conversations with Hyunjin remained. Beneath a shared blanket knitted by his mom, the warm sand melded with your feet, his dimple appearing once again at every word you uttered. He was still as pretty, perhaps even more so with time's gentle sculpting, molding his features into much sharper ones. It seemed only fitting for a soul as beautiful as his.

"I want to take you somewhere tomorrow," he had whispered excitedly, his lips grazing the shell of your ear, momentarily leaving you breathless- tongue dissolving in your mouth like ivory seafoam.

"You want to kidnap me?" you playfully asked, nudging him.

"You don't want to come with me?" he pouted, his gaze locked into yours, pupils appearing much darker with the absence of the sun, like a boundless ocean. The water was right beside you and yet your only wish was to swim in his eyes.

"I want to," you admitted.

"Anywhere?" he asked, irises trembling slightly as he sought your response. You were both very different, chemicals binding his molecules, and your love for him binding yours. You stood faraway from one another- you in the water and he in the wind, stirring your waves, submerging you in the seas of your longing.

"Anywhere."

...

Faraway land punctures the ocean you're gazing at, crystal blue water filling the small pool Hyunjin took you to. You admit it's a breathtaking view, only your eyes can't depart from Hyunjin's figure.

He jumped into the pool first, while you went to retrieve your camera from your bag. And now you stand by the door, heart caught in your throat, as you watch him swim around. Hyunjin is graceful, in the way he moves his limbs, bending the water to his will. It doesn't look like he's swimming, rather dancing on liquid ground.

Kkami joyfully barks once he sees you, and Hyunjin finally lifts his eyes, locking them with yours. He is pretty, unattainable, a singular star outshining all the celestial light. Foolish of them to even think they could compare.

And he's still not yours.

"I’ll take a picture of you both," you smile softly, willing yourself to conceal the lump growing in your throat. Hyunjin nods, draping his hand over Kkami's body, softly scratching the spot behind his ear. You take the first pic, capturing the tenderness in Hyunjin’s eyes. This one's for you alone.

"Okay, look at the camera," you call out cheerfully, and they both turn to look at you in unison. Though your bodies did not touch, the intensity of Hyunjin's gaze seemed to sear into your skin, igniting a fire within you. Foolish of you to dream of more.

You set the camera aside, before sitting at the edge of the pool, dipping your toes into the cool water. Hyunjin swims towards you, positioning himself between your legs, his warm hand wrapping around your ankle. You want to flee, to go back to to the innocence of seven, to never recognize how pretty Hyunjin is, to avoid the heartbreak of dreaming of someone you'll never have.

"Come swim with me," he pouts, palm pressing against your damp skin. You shake your head, a teasing smile on your face, and he pulls you to him, hands holding your waist promptly to prevent you from sinking under.

You free yourself from his intoxicating hold, before diving into the water, a desperate attempt to get away from him. Because when Hyunjin held your waist, a tenderness so earnest in his eyes it made your heart skip a beat, you dared to imagine a future together. For a fleeting moment you became the ocean and he the sky, merging at the faraway horizon.

Hyunjin dives right after you, and then you both swim around one another, giddy smiles on your faces, your laughter echoing around the room. He tries to drown you, hands gliding across the surface of your skin, making goosebumps ripple in you. You attempt to do the same, but you soon regret it. His skin was smooth, taut muscles flexing under your touch; broad shoulders you wrapped your arms around, trying to push him down. Your hand accidentally brushed against his pulse, and you removed it as if it had burned you. There is life beating within him, wildly. But not for you. Never for you.

"Wait, hold on. Your straps are loosening," he notices, reaching for your arm and spinning you around, your back now facing him. "Can I?" he asks, voice dipping to a lower timber. You feel it in the depths of your stomach, depths only he can unravel.

"Yes," you whisper, as he undoes the loose knot of your swimsuit, the one behind your neck still holding up the fabric against your skin. You can feel his cold breath traveling across your bare back, crystalizing the droplets of water trailing on it. His fingers are a stark warmth as they brush against your spine, fingertips gently grazing your skin, like a delicate feather. You imagine your body is molten wax, and he's the seal stamp pressing onto you, molding you whichever way he'd like.

He's tentative as he grabs the undone straps, wrapping them in a knot. Or at least attempting to. You can tell that he's shaking, a shuddering breath escaping his lips. "Im sorry, I didn't tie it well," he giggles sheepishly, undoing the knot once again. You don't reply, unsure of what words will stumble out of your mouth. 'I don't mind you touching me' instead of 'it's okay'.

You turn around once he's done, but he doesn't move back, his body mere centimeters away from yours. You can see the rise and fall of his chest, the slight blush creeping up his neck, coloring him in the prettiest shade of crimson. The droplets cascading down his body, forging a tantalizing path you wish you could undergo. His dampened hair, a shade darker than his usual color. His lips slightly parted, rosy as they've always been. His adam's apple bobbing up and down furiously.

And you suddenly can no longer breathe.

Beneath the water, his hand encircles your wrist, a touch so faint you almost believe that you've imagined it. His fingers trail down, holding your palm and bringing it to his face. He closes his eyes, letting out a shaky exhale, one you inhale right back in. You're cradling his cheek, his hand right on top of yours, holding it in place.

"Hyunjin..." you start, but he shakes his head, eyes still shut.

"Please," he whispers, "just for a little." and the clouds slightly uncover, a singular sun ray piercing through them- one petal of hope unfurling at his words.

"Don't- don't do this," you plead back, tone tinged with panic. You couldn't have him, not even for a second, not even in a dream. That's the way things are. Two parallel lines, traveling down the same path, forever adjacent, but never merging as one.

Hyunjin plants a soft kiss on your wrist, lips barely brushing against your pulse. You've never truly known gentleness until this moment.

"If I told you that this trip with you is the happiest I’ve been in a while, would you believe me?" he whispers against your skin, head slightly tilted.

You shake your head no.

"If I ask you something would you be honest with me? I'm tired, yn," he says, his voice softening as it always did when he uttered your name. As if the syllables were always coated in honey, even in his sadness, in his anger, and now, in his pleading for you.

"I will," you respond with an equally quiet voice, and yet it resounds loudly around the room, amplified by the consequences looming around the corner.

"Do you want me?" he asks simply, expecting you to easily uncover a secret you've buried for years, to dust the weight of your fear in mere seconds.

You remain silent and Hyunjin deflates a bit, shoulders slumping forward, the dimple in his face vanishing completely.

"Because I'm drowning in my want for you."

A water droplet falls from the strands of his hair, landing softly on his mouth. You follow its descent, as he licks his lips nervously, his hold on your wrist faltering. The wind is gliding across the water- he's offering himself to you. Who are you to ever refuse?

Your lips crash on his before you even realize it, years of longing exploding before your eyes, spilling from your mouth to his in the most vibrant colors. His lips are soft as you've always imagined them, and they move against yours perfectly, as if molded from the same dough, created to meet again and again, in a fervor, and then in a tenderness that makes your heart ache.

You're kissing Hyunjin, and you aren't burning, disintegrating under the weight of longing for someone so unattainable. You aren't Icarus- you flew too close to the sun but it hadn't burned you, instead it embraced you, it's now wrapping its hands around your waist, pressing your chest to its warm one. It's a touch you welcome, one that liquefies in your veins like molten amber.

You wrap your legs around Hyunjin’s waist, as he walks backward until your back is against the pool railing. Your hands are tugging his damp strands, fingers threading through his locks the way sunshine weaves between the leaves. He tastes sweet, sweeter than anything you've ever had in your life. And you're greedy, you can't get enough of him, so you part for a second only to meet again, his hands digging into your sides. Chest to chest, skin to skin, heart to heart.

"Say it," Hyunjin whispers against your lips, "say that you want me back."

"I want you. So much, Hyune. You're the only one I’ve ever wanted," your words wash over him, erasing every doubt that was anchored in his heart. How could you not have seen it, all this time? In each photograph you took, his gaze, always on you. The fondness in his eyes and the dimples in his cheeks, only ever coming forth for you.

You lean away, head dipped down to kiss his shoulders. Your lips trail down his collarbones, moving to the mole on his arm. He smells like chlorine, and the sweet scent of your monoi oil. Hyunjin is pretty, Hyunjin is warm, Hyunjin is yours.

Your eyes meet his and you both let out giddy giggles, the flush of your cheeks matching his. His lips are slightly swollen, and he bites the lower one as he glances at Kkami, who was idly watching you both.

"Do you think we traumatized him?" you ask in a hushed whisper.

"I think he's glad this happened and he no longer has to hear my rants about you," Hyunjin smiles sheepishly and you laugh, the sound reverberating through Hyunjin’s heart.

"Have I ever told you how much I love your laugh?" he asks, thumb swiping across your cheek with a tenderness that leaves you dizzy in its trail.

"You have," you whisper, the sound of it getting caught in your throat.

"And this?" he gently grazes your cupid bow. "Have I told you how much I love your lips?"

"You haven't," you say, mouth parting slightly at his words.

"This then," he trails across your neck, skimming your pulse. "Did I tell you how I feel about your blush? How it always always starts up your neck? Always so pretty?"

"No," you are breathless now, shuddering under his touch.

"What about this?" his hands hold your waist, kneading the tender flesh. "Did I ever tell you? About this?" They go over your hips, gliding across the bare skin. "Surely I did."

You shake your head. Skin burning up where he had touched it. He smiles, tongue poking against his cheek, hands going to your back, tracing over your spine, undoing the knots of your swimsuit. "And this? Did I tell you how much I want you?"

You close your eyes, wind meeting water. "Tell me again."

[97linelover]

From heartache to happiness- Kim mingyu

summary: taking care of Mingyus niece was a highlight for both of you, but realizing that in 4 years the two of you could not get pregnant made you tired.

Seeing him with the little munchkin made you happy but also devastated.

But what if it all will turn out alright?

content: Idol Mingyu x Non Idol reader, mentions of failed pregnancys, pregnancy,angst, happy end,fluff, mentions of endometriosis

wc: 2.6 k

a/n: I´m really sorry if you´re going through something like this... I just got the Diagnosis myself endometriosis.. How to handle something like that? I really don´t know.

“Danbi, don’t run! I’ve told you a thousand times!” Minseo’s voice echoed urgently through the corridor.

You watched her from the doorway, observing as she struggled to balance several bags of baby supplies. “Hectic day?” you asked with a playful giggle.

“Oh yes,” she replied, exhaling wearily as she gently patted her very prominent belly. “Baby Ahri isn’t making it any easier. She’s so active these days!”

“I can imagine,” you said, leaning down and speaking in a high-pitched, playful tone. “Her due date is in just two weeks, you know. We’re all eagerly waiting to meet you, Baby Ahri.”

Minseo nodded with a tired smile, then asked, “Is Mingyu still not home?”

You glanced towards the window where Sooyoon, who had been waiting by the car, waved at you. “No, he’s still at the studio,” you replied. “But he texted me that he’ll be home soon and that he can’t wait to see his niece.”

Minseo rolled her eyes with a smirk. “He’s totally smitten with her. Sometimes, I think he’s more excited than I am!”

“Well, who can blame him?” you said with a reassuring smile. “Every kid can be a handful, but as long as she’s sweet with us, we’ll manage.” You pulled her into a warm hug. “Thanks again for everything, Y/N.”

Minseo smiled gratefully. “Enjoy your time in Busan!” she called as she headed toward the car, her hands full of baby supplies.

As you closed the door behind her, you called out, “Danbiii! Where’s my sweet little bean?” Your eyes scanned the room until you spotted her small pink slippers peeking out from beneath the curtain.

This had become a cherished ritual between the two of you. Whenever Danbi visited, you’d play a little game of hide-and-seek.

“Mmm, my little bean is hiding so well,” you said, feigning frustration. You heard a faint beep from the direction of the curtain. “Oh, I’m getting closer,” you said, tiptoeing toward it.

With a dramatic flourish, you pulled the curtain aside and exclaimed, “Got you!” You lifted Danbi into the air, and her delighted squeal filled the room.

“You found me, Auntie Y/N!” she shouted joyfully, wrapping her tiny arms around your neck.

“I always find you, my sweet little bean,” you said, pressing a gentle kiss to her head. “Are you hungry, Danbi?” you asked as she clung to you like a koala. “Shall we make some dinner for Uncle Gyu?”

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Yes! Let’s cook for Uncle Gyuu!” she clapped her small hands together in delight.

“How about we make meatball pasta?” you suggested, knowing it was her absolute favorite.

“YESSS!!” she cheered. You carried her into the kitchen, where she eagerly grabbed her plastic cutlery. Together, you began preparing the meal, Danbi’s concentration evident as she helped with the ingredients.

As you danced around the kitchen to your favorite tunes, you heard the door open. “Oh Danbi, who is this?” you asked twirling her around in your arms.

“My Unclessss!” she said with a giggle, spinning in excitement. Just then, Mingyu walked in, his face lighting up as he saw Danbi.

“Uncle Gyuuu!” Danbi squealed, racing towards him.

Mingyu scooped her up in his arms, his face beaming with joy. “My princesssss,” he said affectionately, his eyes crinkling with happiness. You laughed softly and set the plates on the dining table.

“Mmm, that smells wonderful,” Mingyu said, his gaze appreciating the meal. He walked into the room, holding Danbi tightly. The little girl, who was clearly fascinated by him, snuggled into his embrace.

You watched them with a smile, thinking, “Same here, little one. Same here.”

“Did you two make this?” Mingyu asked, his eyes twinkling with pride. Danbi nodded enthusiastically.

“Hey, my love,” Mingyu said, carefully setting Danbi down and leaning in to kiss you softly.

“Hi, baby,” you replied, gently stroking his cheek. “How was work today?”

He sighed with a mix of exhaustion and relief. “It was a long day, but I’m glad to be home and have a few days off,” he said, looking over at Danbi. “Now, Dan Dan, how is my favorite girl doing?”

Danbi threw her arms around Mingyu’s neck. “Good—I missed you!” she said, her voice muffled as she clung to him.

Mingyu set her down gently, and you all took your places at the table. The three of you began to enjoy the meal, sharing laughter and stories as you savored the delicious pasta that Danbi had helped prepare.

After dinner, as the kitchen is tidied up, Mingyu and Danbi begin their bedtime routine. Danbi, now in her pajamas and holding her favorite teddy bear, snuggles up against Mingyu as he gently lifts her up.

“Time for your bedtime ritual, sweetheart,” Mingyu says lovingly, carrying her upstairs.

You follow them to the cozy, softly lit bedroom, decorated in gentle pastel colors. The room is lovingly arranged, with colorful pictures on the walls and a bed adorned with fluffy pillows and blankets.

Mingyu carefully sets Danbi down on her bed and sits beside her. “What story would you like to hear tonight?” he asks as Danbi settles into her blankets, her eyes already heavy with sleep.

“The story of the brave little animals!” Danbi replies with a sleepy smile.

Mingyu nods and retrieves a picture book from the shelf, which tells the adventures of the brave little animals. He begins reading aloud, his voice calm and soothing. He brings the characters to life with expressive tones and gentle inflections, weaving a tale that gradually eases Danbi into slumber. Her eyelids grow heavy as she listens to the story of the brave little animals and their adventures.

You watch from the doorway, feeling a mix of warmth and bittersweet emotion. The love and tenderness Mingyu shows Danbi are heartwarming, and you find yourself reflecting on your own dreams and challenges.

As Mingyu finishes the story and gently closes the book, he strokes Danbi’s hair and kisses her forehead. “Goodnight, my little adventurer,” he whispers. “Sweet dreams.”

Danbi murmurs a sleepy goodnight and drifts off, her teddy bear hugged tightly. Mingyu quietly stands up and walks over to where you are standing, a soft smile on his face.

“You know,” he begins, his voice low and sincere, “I just want to tell you how proud I am of you.”

You look up at him, surprised by his words. “Proud of me? Why?”

Mingyu takes your hand in his, his expression filled with warmth and affection. “For everything you do, for being so wonderful with Danbi and for always supporting me. I know things haven’t been easy, and I admire your strength and love. You bring so much joy into our lives.”

His words touch you deeply, and you feel a mix of emotions welling up inside you. “Thank you, Mingyu,” you say softly, your voice trembling slightly. “That means a lot to me.”

Mingyu gently squeezes your hand. “You’re an amazing person, and I’m so grateful to have you in my life. I just wanted you to know that.”

With a final, loving smile, Mingyu pulls you into a warm embrace. You hold onto him, finding comfort in his support and the shared moments of love and understanding. As you both stand there, the quiet of the night settles around you, filled with the promise of brighter days ahead.

The next morning, you wake up early, eager to start the day. You decide to make it special by preparing a delicious breakfast. The kitchen soon fills with the tempting aroma of pancakes as you whisk the batter and pour it into the hot pan.

Just as you’re cooking the first pancakes, you hear the soft patter of little feet behind you. Danbi, still a bit sleepy but excited, wanders into the kitchen, clutching her favorite teddy bear.

“Good morning, Auntie Y/N!” she calls out cheerfully, her eyes bright as she takes in the sight of the pancake batter.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” you reply with a warm smile. “Would you like to help me make the pancakes?”

Danbi’s face lights up with enthusiasm. “Yes, please! I want to help!”

You hand her a small bowl with a bit of batter and a tiny spoon. “You can stir the batter here while I cook the pancakes. Just try not to make too much of a mess!”

Danbi nods eagerly, carefully stirring the batter with a look of intense concentration. Occasionally, she glances up at you for reassurance. A tiny splash of batter lands on the countertop, and Danbi giggles.

“Oh, Auntie Y/N, look! I’m almost as good as you!” she says proudly, her excitement evident.

You smile and nod. “You’re doing great, Danbi. These pancakes are going to be fantastic thanks to you!”

After breakfast, which turns out to be delicious thanks to Danbi’s help, you all get ready for a fun outing to the zoo. Danbi, now dressed in her favorite outfit—a colorful animal-themed T-shirt and jeans—bounces with excitement.

As you arrive at the zoo, Danbi is practically vibrating with joy. She points out every animal she sees, her face glowing with wonder. You and Mingyu follow closely, sharing her enthusiasm and marveling at the different animals with her.

When you reach the monkey enclosure, Danbi looks up at both of you, her eyes full of affection. “Auntie Y/N, Uncle Mingyu, I love you both so much!” she says, her voice filled with sincerity. “You’re the best aunt and uncle ever!”

Mingyu kneels down to her level, his eyes softening with emotion. “We love you too, Danbi. You’re the best niece anyone could ask for.”

You watch the interaction, feeling a surge of warmth and gratitude. The simple, genuine moment of love between you all fills your heart with happiness.

The day continues with laughter and discovery as you explore the zoo together. You visit the giraffes, lions, and penguins, and enjoy ice cream cones as a treat. Danbi’s joy is infectious, and you all share many smiles and moments of connection.

As the sun starts to set, you head back home, tired but happy. You and Mingyu reflect on the day’s adventures and the special moments shared. When it’s time for Danbi to go to bed, you both help her get ready and tuck her in.

As Mingyu reads Danbi a bedtime story and gently closes the book, he leans in to kiss her forehead. “Goodnight, my little explorer. Sweet dreams.”

Danbi murmurs a sleepy goodnight and drifts off to sleep, hugging her teddy bear. You and Mingyu quietly leave the room, feeling happy with how the day went.

A day after the joyful day at the zoo, the time comes for Minseo to pick up Danbi. The farewell is heartfelt and filled with affection. Minseo gives Danbi a tight hug, and the little girl clings to her teddy bear.

“How was your day, sweetheart?” Minseo asks lovingly as she helps Danbi into the car.

“It was the best day ever!” Danbi replies with a beaming smile. “We had so much fun!”

Minseo smiles warmly and looks at you and Mingyu. “Thank you so much for taking care of Danbi and making her day so special. It means a lot to us.”

You hug Minseo. “It was our pleasure. Danbi is such a joy to be with. Safe travels, and we’ll see you soon!”

As Minseo drives away with Danbi, you and Mingyu watch them leave, feeling a mixture of contentment and nostalgia.

A few weeks later, you begin to feel unwell and decide to take a pregnancy test on your own, as Mingyu is away at work. With a mixture of hope and anxiety, you wait for the results. After what feels like an eternity, the test reveals a positive result.

Your heart races as you process the news—you're pregnant.

As you got the diagnosis endometriosis you were devastated, you wanted kids so badly, but your doctor said that this would be pretty hard.

And you were in for a long journey, besides the horrific pains you always endoured the dream of being a mother seemed far away.

Mingyu was your biggest support trough this time, he helped you with all the treatments.

Mingyu and you took every chance to have sex, for your luck the two of you were obsessed with each other. He knew your body well and knew which position worked without being in pain.

Determined to make this moment special, you begin preparing a surprise for Mingyu. You carefully plan an intimate evening at home. You decorate the living room with soft candles, fairy lights, and a “Welcome to the Family Baby Kim” sign. You also prepare a special dinner—his favorite dish.

When Mingyu arrives home that evening, he's immediately struck by the warm, inviting atmosphere. The candles flicker softly, and the table is set with care.

“Wow, this looks amazing,” Mingyu says, looking around in wonder. “What’s the occasion?”

You smile, feeling a flutter of excitement and nerves. “I have a surprise for you. Please, sit down.”

As Mingyu takes his seat at the table, you bring out the dinner and sit across from him. After a few moments of enjoying the meal and making small talk, you finally take a deep breath and reach into your pocket. You pull out a small, neatly wrapped box and place it in front of him.

Mingyu looks at the box curiously and then at you. “What’s this?”

“Open it and find out,” you say, your voice trembling slightly with anticipation.

Mingyu carefully unwraps the box and opens it to find a tiny pair of baby shoes inside, along with a note that reads: “We’re going to be parents!”

His eyes widen in shock as he processes the message. A mixture of disbelief, joy, and emotion floods his face. He looks up at you, his eyes brimming with tears.

“You’re… you’re pregnant?” he asks, his voice choked with emotion.

You nod, tears of happiness streaming down your cheeks. “Yes, we are.”

Mingyu stands up and rushes over to you, enveloping you in a tight, loving embrace. His tears of joy fall freely as he holds you close. “I can’t believe it. I’m so happy. This is the best news ever.”

He twirled you around and you sobbed "when did you find out?" he asked looking at you "in the morning, I had this weird feeling in my tummy and I thought let´s do it" he kissed you softly.

"We´re gonna be parents" he whispered, his eyes red and full of tears "god I am so happy" he beamed with joy.

"I need to tell the boys, they need to know" he said grabbing his phone "we could tell them at the company dinner on Saturday" you suggested and he nodded excited "oh I cant wait to see their faces"

The two of you made your way towards the small Greek Restaurant hand in hand while Mingyu carried your bag.

He was dressed in a Dark Blue Dress shirt, combined with some Black slacks and some black dress shoes.

You wore a matching Dark Blue Satin dress with some heels.

"who do you think will be the most excited?" Mingyu asked "I think Wonwoo, but he wont show it too much, probably Seungkwan and Josh, they´re gonna cry, oh and Debby will cry, and then she will tell Wonwoo to show some emotion" you giggled at the thought.

As the group of over 20 people ate in peace the smell of the Moussaka suddenly went not to well with your stomach.

Your chair screeched along the floor as you rushed towards the toilet, you hated this.

After you were done Mingyu gave you the small toothbrush from your Bag for emergencies and you quickly brushed your teeth.

The two of you walked back to the table and Seungkwan looked at you with concern written all over his features.

"are you okay?" he whispered and you nodded "actually we wanted to tell you all some exciting news" you smiled and Debby gasped.

"we´re going to be parents" Mingyu and you said grinning.

and they all gasped "NO WAY" Joshua got up and Seungkwan directly began to cry "oh my god finally" all of them hugged you and you saw Wonwoo wiping some tears away.

"nonu" you said feeling the tears sting your eyes.

and he opened his arms "I´m so happy for the two of you, you fought so long for this" he kissed your head and you hugged him tight.

"actually Wonu, I wanted to ask you something" Mingyu said giving him a small box, Wonwoo took it with furrowed eyebrows. His slightly shaky hands pulled the lid off and he gasped looking at his best friend with wide eyes.

"no way" the tears in Wonwoos eyes were getting more and more "of course Gyu" he hugged him tight.

the little box asked him 'do you wanna be my godfather? - Baby Kim'

Wonwoo pulled you into the circle and you could not stop the tears.

"I´m so happy for the two of you, baby Kim will have the best parents" he said.

And he was right, you and Mingyu became a incredible duo.

[neochan]

straight out a romance novel (m) – teaser

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 ➪ bookshop keeper!jaemin x author!reader

𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄 & 𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐒 ➪ meet cute (read:awkward), sunshine x sunshine, strangers to something, love triangle, jealousy, best friends to rivals, found family in a way, smut, fluff, minor angst, including barista!jeno, ice cream shop worker!mark, barista!haechan, day care worker!renjun.

𝐖𝐂 ➪ teaser is 1.1k & fic is 20-25k est.

𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄 ➪ i've had this idea in the drafts since 2021 when i saw this note on a bookshop door. ever since then, i've been dreaming about telling this story. today i put fingers to keyboard and wrote a little something.

𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 ➪ comment or send an ask!

A brightly-colored yellow paper clings to the door, its message hastily scrawled in ink: "we're open!" beckoning with a number underneath. You reach for the handle, but it refuses to budge, the lock catching you off guard. If they truly were open, why wasn't the door unlocked? You ponder for a moment whether to dial the number, then with a resigned sigh, you retrieve your phone and punch in the digits.

After a brief moment, the phone rings just once before a cheery voice fills your ear.

"Hello, Jaemin speaking."

You hesitated for a moment before responding, your heart fluttering for what seemed like no reason at all.

"Hey. I saw the note on the door. Mind letting me in?" Your voice wavered slightly, "The door is locked."

There's a shuffling on the other end of the line, and then a long slew of slightly muffled curse words.

You can't help but stifle a chuckle at the colorful language. It definitely wasn't what you were expecting from the boy who answered the phone so joyfully.

Moments later, you hear the click of the lock, and the door creaks open. The boy – Jaemin – stands there, phone pressed to his ear, a sheepish smile playing on his lips.

"Hello," he says, his voice slightly louder than expected, the proximity causes a feedback loop that makes your ears sting.

You wince at the sudden noise, but the discomfort is overshadowed by the way he jumps nearly ten feet in the air. He fumbles to hang up the call, hands trembling.

"Sorry about that," Jaemin says, his cheeks flushing pink. "I forgot I was still on the phone."

Jaemin stands in the doorway, caught in a moment of stunned admiration as he gazes at you. His eyes trace the gentle curve of your lips, the way sunlight dances in your hair, and the subtle grace in your movements. He sways slightly, his heart thumping rapidly in his chest.

For a moment, the world seems to slow down as you both stand there looking at each other. It's only when you shift your weight that he realizes he's been staring, hand coming up to scratch the back of his neck sheepishly.

Just as the silence begins to stretch uncomfortably, you clear your throat, "Um, can I come in?" you ask, voice soft yet filled with a hint of amusement.

The sound of your voice snaps Jaemin out of his reverie, and he blinks, his cheeks reddening even further at his own awkwardness.

"Oh! Yes, of course!" Jaemin steps back hastily, gesturing for you to enter the cozy bookshop.

You offer him a gracious smile as you pass by, feeling a flutter of excitement at the unexpected boyish charm that radiated off him. As you step inside, the scent of old books and ink envelops you, wrapping you in a comforting embrace. This was familiar. This was home.

Jaemin shuts the door and follows you inside, his heart still pounding with the exhilaration of your presence. He can't help but steal glances at you as you explore the shelves, his cheeks flushing anew with each fleeting moment of eye contact.

Realizations seem to come slow to him today, because as you pick up a tattered book, avoiding his gaze in the dimly lit aisle, Jaemin becomes acutely aware of how his lingering presence might be perceived as stalkerish. In an attempt to ease the tension, he crosses his arms and leans against the shelf.

"So, what brings you to Seaside Stories?"

You glance up from the worn pages of the book, meeting Jaemin's gaze with a hint of curiosity in your eyes.

"Seaside Stories," you repeat, the name rolling off your tongue as you gesture around the cozy bookstore. "It's a lovely name. Is there a story behind it?"

Jaemin scratches the back of his head again, another sheepish grin gracing his lips. "Yeah, it's, um, the name of the store," he admits, his tone tinged with a touch of embarrassment.

Your brow furrows in confusion as you glance towards the entrance. "But the sign outside just says bookstore," you remark.

The boy shifts awkwardly. "Right, about that... I, uh, I haven't gotten around to changing it yet," he confesses.

You can't help but chuckle at his honesty. "Well, Seaside Stories suits it perfectly," you assure him.

"Thanks," he murmurs, his voice bashful. "I'm glad you think so."

You nod, feeling a gentle warmth spreading through the air between you. The moment hangs suspended, the soft rustle of pages and the faint scent of old books enveloping you both in a cocoon of quiet intimacy.

As Jaemin stands, slightly uncomfortable by the wooden shelf that dug into his shoulder, he clears his throat, breaking the silence. "So..." he begins tentatively, his voice trailing off as he searches for the right words.

You meet his gaze, "So... what's on your mind?" you prompt, a smirk teasing the corners of your lips.

A faint flush colors Jaemin's cheeks as he gathers his thoughts, his eyes flickering. "You never answered my question... What brings you here today?" he asks.

"Just exploring," you reply with a shrug, "I have a soft spot for bookshops, especially ones with charming yellow notes on the door," you add playfully.

As if his face could get any deeper shade of red, Jaemin's face grows hot again. He nods, excitment lighting up his features. "It's always nice to meet fellow book lovers," he remarks.

"Absolutely."

Another wave of silence passes between the both of you as you continue to fumble through the pages of the tattered book in your hands. The cover depicted what looked like a blue haired pirate aboard a rickety wooden boat. Definitely not what you'd read on a normal day. And absolutely nothing like what you write.

Suddenly aware of the lingering silence for the upteenth time, he attempts to clear his throat, but it comes out in a cackle that sounded like a dying cat. "So, uh, can I help you find anything specific?" he asks, his words stumbling over each other in his eagerness to fill the void.

You shake your head, a soft chuckle escaping your lips. "No, I'm just browsing, thank you."

"Right, of course," he mumbles, his gaze darting nervously around the room. "Well, um, let me know if you need anything. I'll just... be around."

With an awkward half-wave, Jaemin retreats down the aisle, leaving you to explore the shelves in peace. As you watch him go, a smile tugs at the corners of your lips.

This boy was weird, but in a good way, you think.

Now come to think of it, so was the boy in the coffee shop.

Must be something in the water.

[harleehazbinfics]

Absolutely Smitten [Can we? continuation]

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a/n: hi im back with more word puke. enjoyyyy

song credit: Dodie - Absolutely Smitten

A few months later...

"Your highness, are you sure about this?" Mary, my handmaid, worried asked in a shushed tone as she followed after me in the crowded city.

"Oh, Mary! It's fine~ No one here even recognizes me with this disguise on! It'd be a waste to let the day pass by without seeing the festival for myself!" you say joyfully as you held her wrist and dragged her with you, while your knight followed after you obediently also dressed as a mercenary.

You dragged her to all sorts of places in the kingdom. Eating street foods, playing with the children while they braided your hair (that was dyed), and sang and danced with the people in the plaza.

You laughed as you got passed to another partner in the dance. You were met with a familiar shade of red and yellow eyes.

It was his majesty!

"Lucifer—!" your exclamation was cut short when he shushes you with a playful look in his eyes.

"Shh, you'll blow my cover, love," he jests before tugging you to the rhythm of the music.

"I-I thought you couldn't come," you reply feeling happy to be sharing this dance with him.

"It'd break my heart to see you dance without me. Of course I'd come if it's you," he confesses fondly at you.

You blush and beam him a smile. You honestly did think you'd go through the day without dancing with your husband in the festival that the both of you planned for the people.

You were truly excited to take part on the first day of the festival. Though, you didn't want to be a spectacle and cause a commotion that'll hinder the people from enjoying their day with their friends and family. So, you opted for a cover.

You invited Lucifer of course, but due to the piled-up work that needed his attention, he said he couldn't attend with you. Truly this was a pleasant surprise to see him now with you. His usual blonde hair was now colored black and red cheeks nowhere to be found. You'd recognize immediately his eyes and the way they shined mischievously. That was your husband alright.

"You're staring," he says twirling you.

You smile and answer, "You still look handsome with black hair."

He chuckles and bows his head, "Why, thank you, fair maiden."

"Unfortunately, for you my good sir. I'm happily married to my husband," you played dramatically.

"He must be the luckiest stud alive if he could have your hand in marriage," he continues.

"That he is," you finish with a giggle.

She knows this feeling all too well,

She feels her heart begin to swell,

Handsome stranger, you have made her insides turn to jelly.

You laugh and shriek as he tosses you in the air, still doing the dance together.

She wants to dance around the room,

Kiss you until her lips turn blue,

You hug his neck once you landed back into his arms. Him securely holding onto you also liking how you were squeezing him.

But handsome stranger, you have made her wonder,

Is she pretty?

He pecks your cheek as he sets you down and runs off with you leaving your attendance in a panic.

But it's too late,

She believes in fate.

You look at him in bewilderment following after him.

She's absolutely smitten,

She'll never let you go.

You laugh once again and run alongside him as you escaped your maid and squeezed his hand tightly.

That girl just there, yes, she's the one,

With Cupid's arrow in her bum

You were standing in front of a stall that sold cotton candy. You pointed to the candy that was bigger than the size of your head. Lucifer smiled at you so lovestruck at how adorable you were being in front of him.

Handsome stranger, you have made her happy,

The first in a long time

You stuff his mouth full of cotton candy and laughed at his reaction. He was wide-eyed shocked at the sweetness that was stuck in his teeth. You would have fell over if you hadn't held onto his arm.

He shakes his head playfully and straightens you up his arms before swiping his hand across your face to tame your now unruly hair.

He leans towards you and bumps your heads together with a smile before whispering, "You're so adorable and, oh so, beautiful. I love everything you do. I love you."

Did you just whisper in her ear?

Words she only dreamed to hear?

You cover your mouth with red dusting your cheeks from his confession. You've never been confessed to so sincerely before. It was thrilling and it made your heart feel full being loved by someone you loved.

Pretty lady, look at how he's smiling,

I think he likes you.

You stare at his red eyes that was tinted in orange hues from the light. He looked at you so intently as if he was being enchanted. Any bystander would take notice of his affection towards his lady.

But it's too late,

You believe in fate.

You bashfully took his face in your hand and leaned closer to him for an emotional kiss.

You're absolutely smitten,

You'll never let her go.

"I love you, Lucifer," you whisper as you broke the kiss somewhat breathless.

He practically beams as radiant as the sun and engulfs you in a hug lifting you off your feet. Elated that you finally said those words to him.

"No take backs now, (Y/n)! You said it yourself!" He exclaims twirling you both around til you were dizzy.

"Alright, alright! You win!" You call joyfully clutching onto his clothes.

🔗 Other Lucifer Fics:

@bonnie-02 @marxo5 @whaatttlaufey @froggybich @rybunnie @midorichoco @bontensbabygirl @janey @akiralife @wonderlandangelsposts @spoiled-slutt @preciousbabypeter @roboticsuccubus83 @simbalioness @reachthestars @atlas-rin @manachpo @luc1fersducky @lovestruck-enby @azullynxx @delightedtosee @cherry-4200 @aria-tempest @lvstyangel @0strawberrysorbet0 @corvid007 @kaminarithebest @whydosnakesnotdance @psychoanalyze0 @sweetadonisbutbetter @lunalily19 @dionysusismypatrongod

[restlessmaknae]

your heart is the target // jay

The last thing Jay expected when striking a fake dating deal with you was to get jealous (and ultimately, to fall head over heels for you).

➳ Characters: rich business student!Jay x professional archer!female reader/you

➳ Genre: fake dating au, high society au, olympics au, fluff, comedy

➳ Words: 5.5k

➳ Warning: mentions of food & drinks; vocab related to archery such as the usage of the words 'shooting' 'aim' and 'target'; my knowledge regarding archery comes from watching the Olympics, online research and this archery glossary, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong! Jay is big time jealous in the first scene and big time in denial in the third one, so excuse him, he's just hiding his big heart!

➳ A/N: This story was heavily inspired by the Olympics, ISAC, 'Brought the heat back' aka the perfect jealousy song and this short on Youtube.

It's also a spin-off to 'how to cross the line?' with Jake and 'red light, green light' with Sunghoon which both take place before this one, but this story can absolutely be read on its own. ❤️

Apparently, Jay didn’t think through what kind of consequences the fake dating would bring about, and how he would react to them. To be precise, to boys around you.

But it did save him time, money, and let’s be honest, mental energy to not spend so much of his time going on blind dates his mother used to send him off to. Even though he would have plenty of time to meet girls at university, most of them only talked to him because he was 1) a rugby player for the college team 2) he had a lot of money and 3) he was handsome. He wanted more than that, but he didn’t seem to have too much luck, and it didn’t help that both of his university friends - Jake and Sunghoon - already had girlfriends, so whenever they spent time together, he felt like he was fifth wheeling.

So really, it was a sensible deal between you and him, even more so because you were a professional archer, training for the Olympics, so you had even less time to focus on dating than he did. So realising that both of you were fed up with the unfruitful blind dates you had to attend when you two had been set up, you had struck a deal. You would pretend to date for the sake of your families and yourselves, but if either of you found someone they actually liked in the meantime, you would call it off. Otherwise, you could take advantage of the other as a plus one at events, further minimising the chances of shallow-minded boys or girls coming up to you two in hopes of seducing you.

However, sitting through the opening ceremony of a music hall that Jay’s parents built where most people knew who you were wasn’t the same as accompanying you to your birthday party where all kinds of boys showed up he hadn’t seen before. Even the sight of them around you angered him, but the way they mistook him for someone else was truly dancing on his nerves.

At first, there was this tall, broad-shouldered boy who seemed younger than him, but multiple heads turned his way when he walked by, probably because of his handsome looks. Though Jay would never think of growing his hair long, he had to admit that he had a majestic feel to him because of his shoulder-length chestnut brown locks.

“Oh, noona!” The boy hollered when he caught sight of you, and Jay immediately stiffened beside you, but didn’t move when the other boy halted in front of you. As if he didn’t even see Jay, he boasted a wide grin as he handed you a gift box. “Happy birthday!”

“Thank you so much, Leehan! I’m glad you could make it,” you reciprocated his wide smile, visibly comfortable even with the close proximity of the boy. Or maybe it seemed close only because Jay was also by your side.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Though we had a bit of an emergency because Jaehyun managed to spill coffee on my suit, but alas, I look dazzling in any suit,” he blabbered joyfully, and only after you asked a few more questions about his day and silence settled on you three, did the boy turn his head towards Jay.

“Oh, you didn’t tell me that you had a bodyguard,” he noted with curiously widening eyes, and Jay’s eyebrows immediately shot up.

“Pardon?”

“Who are you then if not her bodyguard? You look so serious,” he pointed out, shrugging his shoulders casually. Jay felt like he could combust from both the embarrassment and the fury he felt, but held himself back because he was better than that. Besides, he might have stood too stiff beside you, but every approaching boy was a target in his eyes.

“Oh yeah, Leehan, I didn’t tell you. He’s my boyfriend, Jay. Jay Park.”

Leehan let out a little giggle before mentioning that it was funny that he had the same name as the singer. It wasn’t the first time he heard it, but it didn’t seem to get old no matter how much he hated it. It was just a name after all. It was like joking to every Kitty about Hello Kitty.

“Leehan and I used to be neighbours when I was living in Busan,” you explained as you turned towards him, and despite the fact that he didn’t even know you used to live in Busan, he appreciated the fact that you shared it with him. The explanation soothed his nerves a bit, but he was relieved only when Leehan left to say hello to your parents.

It was crazy, he was crazy, Jay thought to himself. He wasn’t usually like this. In fact, he was never like this. You weren’t even his real girlfriend, yet he was acting like a real jealous boyfriend. Did he even have the right to act this way? After all, Leehan was right. He was standing there beside you like a stuck up person, waiting to judge the next person that came up to you.

You took note of his behaviour as well, and asked if he was alright.

“Why wouldn’t I be fine?” Jay sulked like a little kid, hoping that the tone of voice was as close to neutral as possible, but judged by the way you let out a resigned sigh, he had a feeling that he wasn’t very convincing.

“I’m sorry that I dragged you into this. Maybe it was a bit too soon to have you here today,” you mused out loud, biting on your lower lip as you looked around, at the hustle-bustle of the guests. He knew exactly what you meant by ‘too soon’; a month into your fake dating deal, but it was what he had signed up for, so it wasn’t your fault, and he didn’t get why you felt this way.

“I’m fine, really. I just hardly know anyone, and it seems that people think I’m either your brother or your bodyguard, not your boyfriend.”

Your lips curled upwards when he mentioned this, referring both to Leehan’s bravado and Mark’s who was a childhood friend of yours, but went to the States to study, and totally forgot how your brother looked, and mistook Jay for your brother, Heeseung. In Mark’s defence, he supposedly had not only horrible eyesight but a poor face memory, too.

Coming to think of it, these were pretty amusing conversations, but Jay didn’t feel like laughing even though the bell-like sound of your laughter did awaken something inside of him. He didn’t have a lot of time to ponder what this unfamiliar feeling was though because the next guest came up to you, and you immediately welcomed him with a tight hug.

A hug.

From a boy he didn’t know.

What on Earth was going on? Why did you know so many people? Why did you know so many boys? He met like six of your acquaintances who were boys, and there was only one girl. Just why?

“... and this is Jay,” he faintly heard your voice, and when you called his name, he perked up, looking at you. He was so lost in thought that he barely registered that you and the jet-black haired boy had already started talking. He seemed kind with his big brown eyes and lips that curled naturally into a genuine smile, and even his tone was friendly when he spoke up.

“Your boyfriend, Jay, right?” He asked in a casual, conversational way as he reached his hand out for a handshake.

Now, this boy… he was a keeper. Jay liked him.

“Yes, that’s me,” Jay greeted him with a relieved sigh and shook his hand. He had a firm grip, but his kind smile wouldn’t have made him think so.

“My name is Sung Hanbin. We are archery partners with Y/N,” he explained after he let go of his hand, and now Jay didn’t know what to say. Seeing his confused face, you rushed to explain that you and Hanbin were training together as a mixed team for the Olympics.

“I thought that only same sex teams were competing.”

“There are actually 3 different archery categories. Individual, team and mixed team. We’re in the mixed team with Hanbin. It’s only us two, it’s not like fencing when there could be 4 people in a team,” you answered him in detail, and you were patient with him even though he had no idea about archery as a sport, let alone how the Olympics worked. On the other hand, he would definitely look things up after this because he didn’t want to embarrass himself like he did so.

Not like Hanbin seemed bothered by his lack of knowledge regarding the field. Instead, he asked about his side, and was super eager to learn about all the business things Jay studied at university. He was even more curious when he got to know that Jay did rugby, and asked him to show him some moves one day, he would be looking forward to it.

“You should also come to one of our practices. Y/N is seriously so amazing on the field,” Hanbin suggested, awe lacing his words. There was something in the way he said it, but he wouldn’t think that it was because Hanbin harboured feelings for you. It seemed more like respect than infatuation.

“Ah please, I’m just…”

“I’ll make sure to come by. If you don’t mind,” Jay made up his mind about it quickly, and searched for your eyes. This was the first time you wouldn’t bring the other as a plus one to an event, you would do it simply because you wanted to. It could be seen that you were taken aback by the suggestion, but you composed your features within mere seconds, and directed a smile at him.

“Sure. I’d love that.”

There was a moment when you just gazed at each other, and he forgot about everything else around you. He simply focused on the way the shiny peach-coloured lipstick sat on your lips as they curled into a smile, and the way the lights from the grand chandelier above reflected in your ocean deep eyes. The way the foundation couldn’t hide your beautiful moles, and the way you radiated confidence and chicness in your feminine pink and white body suit.

“Okay, I’ll leave you two lovebirds to have some time to yourself. I might check out the drinks instead,” Hanbin announced, pulling you two back to reality. A hue of pink crept onto your cheeks at the reminder that you were not alone, but your smile didn’t waver as you bid your archery partner goodbye.

“I’ve also brought you a gift, but I left at the table where I saw people leaving them,” Jay announced when he looked down at the gift boxes in your hand. You thanked him, and told him that you would definitely check it out and let him know what you thought about his gift.

Not like you had a lot of time to open gifts because your birthday party was more than packed with conversations with familiar and not so familiar figures, and by the end of the night, Jay had no idea how you still had the energy to greet everyone as energetically as in the beginning. Thankfully, there were no more people who assumed that he was your brother or bodyguard, but some found it surprising to see you as a couple. Like the ever so talkative Keeho who analysed the future of your relationship based on your music taste, MBTI and star sign (whatever he meant by that), or one of your mother’s friend’s daughters - Giselle - who was convinced that Jay was Hanbin because she thought that you were dating your archery partner because that would be so YA book-like.

Nevertheless, Jay truly hoped that after this night, everyone would know that you two were dating, so he wouldn’t have to go through this again. He wasn’t sure he could take that.

You didn’t know what got into Jay when he gave in to Hanbin’s suggestion because he was usually reserved when it came to such events. You would think that he didn’t want to bother with it since he hated blind dates just as much as you did, and you weren’t even dating for real, so it could have been just another nuisance in his eyes.

Nevertheless, he didn’t go back on his word, but asked when he could come by, and so you settled on a date. He made sure to ask if you were comfortable by the idea of him coming to your practice, but you reassured him that you were totally fine with it. Even though you didn’t interact that much in person, you rather texted the other, your impression of him was quite positive. He was a just person, someone who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind, but he was also very attentive, noticing when the screw of your earring let go and fixing it for you at the business event you had attended, or how he had gone around to find a blanket for you when you had been sitting outside in the garden at your birthday party. Even his gift was thoughtful: he bought an Avalon archery bag for you which was a good quality bag for professional athletes. You were in need of a new one anyway, so you brought it with you to practise ever since, something that Hanbin couldn’t not notice.

Ever since the two boys had met at your birthday party, Hanbin had been asking about how you had met and whether it was difficult to keep up a relationship with your training schedule and Jay’s university classes. To be honest, you didn’t decide on such details with Jay, so you spoke the truth, and told him that you had met on a blind date, and you had made it work through texts and calls because you wanted to. Which was actually true because you and Jay were getting to know each other, and sometimes it felt like it wasn’t just for the sake of the fake dating deal, but because you really did want to know more about the other. At least, you wanted to know more about him.

The indoor archery range had a security system in place, so only the athletes and the staff could enter who had a card to use the building, so you went out to let Jay inside when he texted you that he arrived. You inquired if he found it easy to get here, and he said that it was fine, and he found a decent parking place not far, so it was alright. Because of course, he knew how to drive and he had his own car. Jay was every girl’s dream after all, no wonder that title followed him around like second skin.

“So it’s just you practising today, or will there be others?”

“We’ve booked a range for us, so it’ll be me, Hanbin and our two coaches. I let the coaches know that we would have a visitor, but it’s alright. A lot of archers visit each other’s practice to learn about techniques, so you won’t stand out too much. Or maybe just a bit,” you pointed at his sleek black cotton pants, dress shoes and white shirt that he tucked into his pants, highlighting his slender waist.

Jay seemed a tad bit coy at your playful call-out, his lips slightly puckering as he looked down at his - probably usual - attire, but he went back to his usual self immediately.

“I hope I won’t be too distracting,” he mentioned with an unbothered look, but you couldn’t help but nudge him in the side.

“What was that? Were you flirting with me?”

“I-” He was about to protest, probably not thinking too much into his words, but then, it dawned on him why you teased him. “I’m your boyfriend after all, aren’t I?” He shrugged nonchalantly, but you could see a hint of amusement prompting his lips to curl upwards.

No matter how many times you said the words ‘boyfriend’ and ‘girlfriend’ out loud, it still seemed unfamiliar. Yet, there was a certain thrill to it too, something that you had never experienced before. Not since you had broken up with your boyfriend of three months in high school, at least.

After pulling yourself together, you guided Jay to the right room, and told him that he could sit in the spectators’ stand, you also put your bag there. So he took a seat in the front row beside your bag after greeting the ones who were present. Hanbin gave you a knowing look before he turned towards his coach who gave him some instructions. After warming up, you attached the quiver to your waist, and you held up the bow, testing the limbs and the hand. That’s when you realised that you had left a part of it in your bag, so you jogged up to the slightly confused Jay.

“Could you pass me the kisser from my bag?”

“The what?” The boy’s eyebrows shot up so high, you were afraid that his eyes would pop. That’s when you realised that you had used the jargon that he wasn’t familiar with.

“It’s this little black button in the right pocket of my bag,” you explained to him while you leaned onto the rail separating you two. Jay’s shoulders sagged in relief, and you found it difficult to hold back your laughter seeing his bewildered expression. Well yeah, the button was called kisser because it was attached to the bowstring, and your lips usually touched this part when aiming, to give consistent vertical reference. But he must have thought of something else.

Either way, Jay found the button, and handed it to you which you accepted with a grateful smile. Your fingers lightly grazed his hand in the meantime, and you felt heat rushing to your cheeks. No matter how many accidental touches you shared, it was still unfamiliar to you, the effect he had on you.

“Are you sure you will be able to concentrate with him here?” Hanbin teased once you jogged back to him, and you gave him a long stare.

“It’s not like it wasn’t your idea to invite him here.”

“Well, let’s just say I knew what I was doing,” he shrugged, a teasing little grin stretching on his lips. You nudged his shoulder in return and told him to focus on hitting the gold target face.

Despite Hanbin’s warning, the practice went well. What’s more, it went exceptionally well. You both scored high, and even if you didn’t perform that well in a set, you made up for it in the next one. One thing about mixed archery that you liked was that you could cheer on your partner without fearing for your own ranking, and it was easy to shoot beside Hanbin because he was very supportive, and even if he took archery seriously, he knew when to be silly to ease the tension. He was determined and hard-working just like you, and your coaches often said that you seemed like you were made to be each other’s partners.

Once your coaches left and it was nearing the end of your time slot, Hanbin inquired from Jay if he wanted to try it out himself. He objected vehemently, saying that after your practice, he didn’t want to embarrass himself. You didn’t force him either, but thanked him for coming by.

“I will give you a lift,” he offered gently when you walked up to him to get your bag.

“You really don’t have to. It might take about half an hour before I will get ready.”

“It’s alright. I don’t have other plans,” he protested firmly, and you didn’t have the heart to go against him when he offered it himself. He really wouldn’t say it out loud, but you had a feeling that he was offering to give you a ride because it was getting dark outside, and he didn’t want you to go home alone.

“Thanks. I will be quick,” you promised beamingly, and off you went.

After taking a quick shower, getting changed and putting your hair up into a high ponytail, you were fresh and clean, ready to head out. Jay was standing on the other side of the security gate, leaning against the wall while scrolling through his phone. You had a feeling someone let him out - maybe the security guard or Hanbin because he always finished earlier than you -, but still, it was nice to see him standing there even though he really did stand out in his business outfit while you had sweatpants and a knitted sweater on.

Jay’s nonchalant expression turned lighter when he caught sight of you, and he immediately reached for your bag, holding it for you without saying a word. Your face flushed when your hands touched again, but you looked the other way to hide your embarrassment.

You let silence fall over the two of you as you were walking towards his car, and when you stepped inside the vehicle, you felt like you were the one who stood out in your casual, sporty outfit. Alas, you preferred comfort over style when you were off to practise or coming from practise, and you were thankful that you didn’t need to wear high heels or dresses during these times. Plus, it’s not like Jay made a comment on it, instead, he inquired if the temperature was alright in the car, and if you preferred to have the radio on or not.

“So how did you like the practice? I hope it wasn’t too boring,” you inquired when the boy started the engine and drove out from the parking lot.

“It wasn’t boring at all. I didn’t know the distance for archery is 70 metres, so I was impressed that you could control the arrow from such a distance.”

“How did you know it was 70 metres?”

Jay’s Adam’s apple bobbed hearing your question as if he didn’t want to acknowledge that he clearly made his research. You definitely didn’t tell him about that.

“Well, I read it somewhere before,” he mumbled under his nose, but you couldn’t help this warm, embracing feeling bubbling up inside of you. He might have looked cold and composed, but you seemed to shake up his demeanour lately.

You talked a bit more about archery during the car ride because he was curious about the type of arrows you used, how you controlled the draw length and the aim, and whether you enjoyed individual, team or mixed archery the most. You found it heart-warming that he asked you about this because archery meant so much to you, but when you went to high society events with your parents, oftentimes the people there only asked about whether you had a boyfriend and when you would join your father’s company. Your parents never forced you to choose a different path, but these kinds of interactions came with the type of life they had chosen for themselves when you moved from Busan to Seoul, and your father set up his company that has since become one of the most important AI consulting companies in not just Seoul but the whole country.

Time passed by in a blink of an eye while you were talking, and you found yourself at home in no time. Yet, as his car drove out of your driveway, you realised that you wouldn’t mind if he gave you a ride back home more often.

Bit by bit, you and Jay got closer, and there was no denying it anymore. He went to your practices a few more times, you showed up at business events beside him other times, and in the meantime, you continued texting and calling each other. Jay also made it a habit to pick you up after practice when he didn’t have anything else to do, and sometimes Hanbin joined you, too. Jay liked him because he could see that he was a genuine, kind guy who would want nothing bad for you, and your archery partner also gave him his phone number, so Jay could reach out to him in case you didn’t pick up your phone or anything like that. Which was really attentive of him, and despite not saying it out loud, Jay grew fond of the other boy, too.

Alas, his fondness towards you could not be contained that easily, and it didn’t take long for his friends to pick up on his antics. Jake and Sunghoon teased him ever since Jay admitted that he “wasn’t feeling neutral towards you” which, in his dictionary, meant that he liked you, and they kept bombarding him with dating advice. He would never force you to date him though, and you had enough on your plate with the Olympics coming up, so he didn’t want to complicate things even further.

However, it didn’t mean that he couldn’t be supportive of you and your dreams.

“So… are you going to the Olympics with Y/N?” Jake inquired once when they were having lunch together between classes. Jay almost choked on his food, he was so surprised.

“Why would I go with her to the Olympics? She didn’t tell me that she wants me there,” he furrowed his eyebrows, looking at his puppy-like friend. Jake and Sunghoon shared a glance, and there was a knowing smile in the corner of Sunghoon’s lips when he spoke up.

“Jay, my dear friend, you really don’t know a thing about relationships, do you?”

“It’s not like you have that much experience,” Jay snorted, pointing out the fact that he and Chaerin had only been dating for half a year. To be precise, dating officially because they also had their fake dating period when Sunghoon had tried to keep Chaerin’s douchebag ex away by pretending to be her boyfriend. But he had already had a crush on the cheerleader, so his feelings had been genuine when they had started fake dating.

“Well, it’s still more than your experience which is close to zero,” he shrugged and reached for his bottle of water. Jake found the conversation amusing as he kept smiling while shoving kimchi fried rice into his mouth.

“Well then, enlighten me. Why should I go?” Jay gave up on trying to argue with them because as much as he wanted to deny it, the thought had crossed his mind that maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t be too bad if he went to the Olympics to watch your competitions. Then again, you had never asked if he wanted to come or if he was willing to come, so he didn’t bother asking either.

“To support her. I’m pretty sure she’s all nerves, especially because she had a bronze medal in the last Olympics, so she must be feeling a lot of pressure. Not to mention that she and Hanbin are said to be the most promising duo for the team archery.”

“It’s mixed archery,” Jay corrected Jake’s choice of words, and his two friends immediately shared a glance. Oh well, he had really become a bit of an expert in archery, but could they blame him? He was trying not to be too nosy during practices, so he did his own research and watched your previous matches to gain more knowledge regarding your field.

Jay didn’t need to ask how they knew about your rankings because they pulled up your Wikipedia page the moment he told them that you were his fake girlfriend, and besides, he might have been dropping hints here and there. However, he had to give it to them that they were right, and despite the fact that you wouldn’t want to show it, he could see the dark circles under your eyes, and you had even managed to fall asleep once while he had been driving you home after practice. You seemed to lose a bit of your smile too, and he hated that he couldn’t do anything about it, except trying to be extra comforting and supportive.

He didn’t even need to be told twice. After asking Hanbin about your Olympics schedule, he booked himself a hotel and a plane ticket, and arrived the day before your first official match. He didn’t want you to worry about his safety while you were supposed to focus on your performance, so he only told you that he arrived when he got the green light from Hanbin that you finished with your last practice before your first day of competing.

Locks still stuck to your forehead when you rushed out of the stadium after a shower and changing clothes, and you hugged him so tightly upon seeing him that he immediately knew that coming here was the best decision that he had ever made.

“Thank you so much for coming! I can’t believe that you’re here,” you exclaimed giddily, and despite the fact that it was your first hug, somehow it felt so good, so right. You didn’t even seem embarrassed as you kept babbling afterwards about literally everything: the food in the Olympic village, how your room looked and how practise went that day.

He listened to you attentively, his heart a lot lighter that he could see you smile, and because you must have been hungry and tired, he treated you to a meal. You didn’t even want to talk him out of it, and enjoyed dinner with him to the last moment. He didn’t even want to let you go so soon, so he offered to walk you back to your accommodation.

“This morning, I was so nervous that I thought I’m coming down with something. I was also not performing as well during practice as I wanted to, but I feel like I’m a lot lighter now that you’re here. The fact that you carved time out of your day to come here willingly means so much to me,” you admitted coyly as he was walking beside you. He couldn’t go with you all the way because outsiders weren’t allowed in the Olympic village, but you still had some time as it was on the other side of the park you were currently strolling in.

“Even just the fact that you are here means that you’re doing great. I know you might feel the pressure to do better than four years ago, but know that you’re already a winner. You’re already one of the most excellent archers in the whole world,” he mused out loud, and if it wouldn’t have been for the bright lights in your deep dark eyes, he might have wanted to dig a hole for himself because that was quite cheesy. It came from his heart though, and you seemed to appreciate it so much that you were visibly touched.

“Don’t cry…” he shushed you when he noticed you tearing up, and reached out to wipe the first teardrop away that was racing down your cheeks. You looked up at him with those beautiful eyes, and he felt like time stopped around you as you two were standing still in the middle of the walking path, surrounded by the shushing of the trees and the watching eyes of the street lamps. To him, you looked vulnerable yet strong, someone who wasn’t afraid to face her feelings and though the sight of you with tears in your eyes churned his heart, he was also thankful that he could be there for you.

“I’m just… I’m just so happy that you’re here,” you choked up, hidden away emotions surfacing as you let it out. Jay let you cry as much as you wanted, handing you tissues and letting you hug him as long as you wanted. Before, he might have thought that you would be better off without him because you had a lot on your plate already, but now more than ever, he was sure that you needed him just as much as he needed you.

But he didn’t ask the question until you were finished with all of your competitions, until you were finished with all the celebrations for your gold medal in individual female archery and mixed archery alike and 4th in team archery, and until you were leaving behind the country.

Only as the stewardesses signalled that the plane was ready to depart in Seoul, did he dare to ask the question:

“Would you like to go on a date with me? A real one?”

The smile that you gave him was enough of an answer by itself, but when you confirmed that yes, you would be more than thrilled to go, he was the happiest person on Earth. Even if you managed to confuse Hanbin who was sitting on the other side of the aisle (after giving up his seat for Jay) by what you meant by a real date.

But he didn’t have to know that.

➳ Check out: my ENHYPEN masterlist

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this story of mine! Let me know what you think!

If you want to read more stories of mine, let it be for ENHYPEN or for other artists, consider signing up for my taglist here.

Hope you have a lovely day/night! Take care! ❤️

[ray4hotchner]

Bliss

❀ 𝕡𝕒𝕚𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘: aaron hotchner x reader

❀ 𝕤𝕦𝕞𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕪: A short drabble of Aaron being a girl dad🤍

❀ 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕕 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕥: 1k

❀ 𝕒𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣’𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥𝕖: Hey, my loves🥰 I just saw this video and immediately thought of Aaron and had to write something short and cute. Thank for reading and let me know what you think. Comment if you want to be tagged in other Aaron fics🤍

❀ 𝕞𝕒𝕚𝕟 𝕒𝕔𝕔: @iyv-ray24

┌─❀*̥˚─❀*̥˚┐

Ao3

└❀*̥˚──❀*̥˚┘

───────── 🍂🥧🕯️🍁─────────

It was one of those lazy Sundays. Aaron sat at the kitchen table, engrossed in his laptop as he tackled his emails. Jack, meanwhile, diligently worked on his science project at the kitchen island. You had just placed a Sunday roast dinner and a pumpkin pie into the oven before joining Jack to help him with his model of the solar system.

The kitchen was filled with a delicious aroma, accompanied by soft music playing in the background. The dark, rainy fall weather outside only added to the cozy ambiance of the room. Even after four years of marriage, you couldn't believe that this was your life now—your home, your family.

Little footsteps echoed through the house as Violet, your 3-year-old daughter, joyfully entered the kitchen. She proudly displayed the fourth outfit she had changed into in the last hour, undoubtedly leaving her room in quite a mess. But that was a problem for later. No one was going to stop her now, especially not when she was so enthusiastically staging a runway show for the entire family. She loved the attention she received from everyone and erupted into giggles whenever she got enough compliments.

Now in a pink, flowy dress, she gracefully walked up to you and her brother, performing a little spin while awaiting your verdict.

"Wow, Vi, this is the best one yet," exclaimed Jack, making his little sister giggle.

"He's absolutely right, sweetheart. This dress looks so pretty," you chimed in. Violet skipped over to her father to bask in some more of his attention. As she approached, he promptly pushed his laptop aside and turned his full attention toward her.

"Oh wow, look at this adorable little princess," he exclaimed.

She twinkled her eyes at him, tugging at the hem of her dress and performing a delicate curtsy before asking, "Will you dance with me daddy?"

"Of course, my angel," he replied, rising to his feet, which prompted giggles from Jack and you in the background. She had him so wrapped around her tiny fingers that he couldn't deny her anything.

"Can you hold me and spin really fast?" she asked sweetly as he lifted her into his arms.

"Of course, pumpkin. What song do you want?"

"Tangled!" Of course, 'Tangled' was her favorite Disney movie, and she never went to sleep without her Pascal stuffy.

"Alexa, play 'I See the Lights,'" Aaron said, and the soft melody began to fill the kitchen. They both started singing and swaying to the music, while you and Jack watched them with big smiles on your faces.

Seeing them together made your heart swell with love. You had known that Aaron was an amazing father from the moment you met him years ago. His gentleness and affection toward Jack had only deepened your love for him.

After getting married, Jack insisted on wanting a sibling, and you were confident that Aaron would be wonderful with your child too. However, he exceeded all your expectations.

Aaron had even reduced his workload to support you during and after the pregnancy and when they found out it was going to be a baby girl, both he and Jack had erupted with excitement.

Jack stood up, turned towards you, and extended his hand, asking, "Mom, may I have this dance?"

"How could I say no to such a handsome prince?" you replied, rising and taking his hand. Jack had grown so much taller since the time you first met him, when Aaron introduced you as his girlfriend. Now, he was a teenager and almost as tall as you, clearly taking after his dad in height.

Now, all of you were twirling around in the kitchen, and as your eyes met Aaron's, all you could see was pure love and bliss. The song was coming to an end when the oven timer went off.

"Thank you for the dance, my love," you said, kissing Jack on the head before walking over to the oven.

Aaron did one last, big spin with Violet in his arms, causing her to laugh cheerfully. With a big kiss on her cheek, he gently set her down, and she instantly ran over to her brother, clearly not finished with dancing.

The two siblings continued dancing while you pulled the pie out of the oven and checked on the chicken.

Aaron came up behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you closer to him. He buried his face in your neck, leaving little kisses there. You placed your hand on his cheek and tilted your neck to give him better access.

"I love you so much, you know that," he whispered in your ear.

You turned around within his embrace, your hands laced around his neck. "I know, honey, I love you too."

"I'm so grateful that you chose me," Aaron said with a mixture of tenderness and sincerity in his voice.

"Aaron," you began, your eyes welling up with affectionate tears, but he stopped you, his gaze filled with warmth and appreciation.

"No, really. You gave me this," he said, pointing towards the kids with his head, "you gave me a family and a home… happiness."

"And this is only a home and a family because you are a part of it, my love," you replied, kissing his dimple.

He gazed at the kids, a glimmer of nostalgia and love in his eyes, and then back at you, his expression filled with affection. With a mischievous smile, he said, "I think we should make another one."

"Another what?" you asked, raising an eyebrow, a mix of surprise and curiosity in your voice.

"Another baby," he answered with a grin, a playful spark in his eyes that mirrored his excitement.

"Oh no, Aaron Hotchner. Don't give me that look," you said, trying to pull away, but he held you close and brought you into a kiss. You were immediately lost in the touch of his lips.

"Eww, Jackie, Mom and Dad are being gross again!" Violet exclaimed, pointing with her finger at you, which made everyone laugh.

"Okay, okay. The dance party is postponed until after dinner. Now, everyone, wash your hands and help me set the table, please," you announced, pushing Aaron away after whispering suggestively into his ear, "We'll talk about this tonight."

─────────────────

𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕒𝕘𝕤: @callm3c0nfus3d @mrs-ssa-hotch

[sailor-sun-18]

~`Ballroom drabbles featuring Neuvillette, Columbina and Lyney.

~`Recommended song: Love Story - Indila

~`Let me carry you away, tonight.

NEUVILLETTE

The clinking of glass filled the air, along with the never-ending chatter with words of silver and golden wine. From the ceiling, chandeliers hung in all their glory of glistening diamond lights, shrouding the room under the spell of an enchanted fairytale.

People raised their glasses filled to the brim with glittering gold and crimson; a resounding applause echoed in the room, following the ending speech of Fontaine's Archon. Her hands moved animatedly, posture poised gracefully while her tone remained joyfully flamboyant.

You raised your own cup, lips curled into a smile as you all drank a courteous sip and the orchestra started its tune.

In no time, the white marble speckled with pink and silver resonated with the rhythmic clapping of heels whose owners were lost in their lovers' embrace, so tender and filled with unspoken affection as they let themselves sway along the notes of a simple yet elegant melody.

Your fingers traced absent-mindedly the rim of your cup where most of the wine lay untouched. Your eyes gazed with wonder at the twirling couples in the centre, unconsciously mimicking their movements as you swayed from one side to another. But your hues were focused on one person alone; the distinguished gentleman holding gently your Archon in an intimate embrace that seemed to radiate softness and unspoken affection.

Lady Furina smiled, lips stretched wide as she talked to her partner, who only nodded in response, sometimes chiding with words of his own.

For a moment, you wondered if you could be held like that too.

A tap on your shoulders halted your thoughts. You turned, eyes locking with that of an old friend. Their golden eyes crinkled slightly, "How is it?" they asked, knowing very well that was your first ball, "Feeling well?"

You gave them a small smile, as you nodded, while not-so-discreetly adding another one of those delicious delicacies filled with whipped cream and chocolate, something that prompted a laugh from them. They watched as you slowly nibbled on the pastry before stealing exactly the biggest one -the one you were carefully reserving for last- of the bunch. Their laughter continued merrily, despite your enraged protests consisting of how 'true friends don't do this', to which they answered that 'friends do, in fact, this' leaving the: 'to their favourite victim- friend' rule unspoken.

Cue the gloomy aura that soon descended on your face, as if a cloud had decided your head was the perfect home for its rain.

They laughed, poking mercilessly at your -fake- misery as you wiped away -again, fake- tears.

"Would a dance lift your spirits, my dear?" they asked, their mocking tone turning softer at the end. But before they could charm their way with sweet words, seeking for forgiveness, someone grabbed your hand and dragged you away, leaving your blond-haired friend completely dumbfounded.

Long white hair greeted your vision as luscious light blue stray strands tickled your cheeks as you stared, almost rudely, at your Archon, who didn't seem to notice until you failed to respond to one of her questions. Something that made her huff, comically appalled, as she turned towards you, before freezing completely. A flash of panic in her mismatched eye drops that was soon concealed by a flutter of lashes.

But Lady Furina, always someone for theatrics, just said something so incredibly flashy that the words just flew over your head before sliding away, hurriedly but still with an air of elegance, probably to mask her embarrassment behind the tallest tower of cake she could find.

But that left you, alone in the centre of the dance floor, where couples still twirled joyfully, without a care in their love-filled worlds. You turned and turned, searching for an exit, your robes somehow fluttering along their own colourful ones, when a hand was placed before you, palm outstretched and gloved fingers curling in a shy invitation.

"Please, allow me."

The alluring eyes of the Iudex stared at you, through long eyelashes. Their pink and violet hues masking a blue so deep; it resembled that of the sea written in fairytales: so dark yet so mesmerising.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but I saw you were quite flustered, here, alone by yourself."

"It's...- you pursued your lips, flustered -fine. Thank you."

You slowly lay your hand on his, as you let him sweep you off your feet. Monsieur Neuvillette smiled softly as the two of you swayed together, the music blurring into the background, accompanying the shared chatter between the two of you.

His hold on you was delicate, almost afraid, as his deep timbre gained a softer and rounder edge. He twirled you, gently, his hands never leaving yours, fingers almost intertwined.

And some time in your dance, you caught sight of Lady Furina standing on the sidelines. Her mismatched eyes locked with yours; they crinkled slightly into two crescent moons as her hands covered her lips in a silencing gesture.

COLUMBINA

Broken shards reflected a thousand images, their sharp edges accentuating your features in speckles of gold as the broken image of your reflection stared back at you. You hummed a quiet melody as you traced absent-mindedly the golden rim, following every curve. A knock came from the door; "Come in," you said, mind still trapped into a never-ending loop. It spinned and spinned like the spindle of a fairytale. Meanwhile, your maid entered the room; her warm, gentle eyes widening at the sight of the broken mirror and the small wet and red trails circling your wrists. "Oh, dear child- she gently pricked the shards from your hands, making you sit on your bed as she grabbed your stained palms, -what happened?" she asked, fussing over you as she had always done during her younger years. You didn't give her an answer, not that she needed one as her brown hues softened once again, one of her gloved hands moving to cup your cheek, thumb tracing the faint red lines under your eye, "Don't worry, dear. Everything will fall back into its place. Now go and enjoy your birthday." and moved to smooth the wrinkles of your robes. She huffed, smiling in satisfaction, "There, now you're perfect.", as you gave her a small smile of your own. Hours passed by in a blur of colours and sweet notes of wine and music. Your gaze lingered on the dance floor, irises moving from one couple to another until a bitter taste coated your tongue. You should have been there, in your lover's arms, dancing to your hearts' content until the clock struck midnight when you would place a gentle kiss on her bold, red lips. Alas, fate was cruel, and in the place of her warm embrace was the unforgiving and cold truth of cheating behind backs and unsuspecting affection. The wine seemed to turn stale in your hands, that tightened over the transparent glass until you felt the sensation of smooth gloves cover them, halting that spiraling path of self-destruction. First, there were locks of obsidian, so long that they seemed to tie into ribbons at the ends; then the white of feathers, so pure and untouched, the colour alone sparkling bitter envy in shapes of yellow roses and marigolds. Closed eyes crinkled in delight behind a lace mask. "Wouldn't want to hurt yourself, again." she said, her tone as light as the feathers she carried on her hair. Her hold seemed to tighten over yours, "Why are you here?" she said, legs dangling from the balcony with childlike glee. You opened your mouth to respond -your gaze trailed once again on the ballroom, on the same lady who donned that sparkling red dress that complimented her bold lips perfectly- when an airy light giggle came from the dark-haired lady as she stepped down, her shoes landing on the white marble with no sound. You stood there, mouth slightly agape as she neared her face to yours, lips near your ear, her laugh airy, like a faerie's bell. She looked at you, with eyes lidded -it was still impossible to see their colour- and outstretched her arm, hand poised in midair: a silent invitation. And there was something, something so extremely captivating about her, that nullified all of your thoughts because as her fingers curled around your own, bringing you to the dance floor, you couldn't find in yourself to mind. People blurred in colours around your twirling figures. Columbina -as she had previously introduced herself- smiled lightly, humming quietly to the melody, before her head tilted slightly to the side. Your eyes followed her movement where you were met with the sight of your enraged ex-fiancé, sputtering venomous words -sounding more and more like 'how could you!" and 'betray'- in barely concealed rage at her dancing partner. Your stared, flabbergasted, when the next twirl brought your attention back to your own partner, her rosy lips wide with innocence, which prompted a laugh from your own. For a moment, when your laughter clouded your judgment, eyes crinkling shut with mirth, her own hues opened, a colour so unspokenly captivating, swirling with delight, under the envious gaze of a certain lady.

LYNEY

Voices rose around the stage, whispers of excitement and trepidation filled the room adorned by colours of crimson red and pure, clean white. Couples stopped in their dance, as more and more people flocked towards the bold red curtains, holding their breath and waiting in anticipation once the orchestra reached its momentarily end; the sounds of instruments dimming with every passing second as if they, too, could not wait any longer for the famous Lyney and Lynette's Magic Show.

And their restless waiting was rewarded because, soon, lights started to dance across the stage like fireworks, while the long and bright crimson curtains unravelled like flowers, showcasing the two magicians in all their glory of ruby and aquamarine.

The first one to approach the edge was Lyney, "Welcome everyone-" arms outstretched as he welcomed the audience, his voice boisterous, thriving under the limelight. In his hand, he held a white rose that soon withered into a crown of cards falling at his feet.

He retreated a few steps as Lynette took place on his right, "-To our magic show." and finished his phrase, albeit with a more contained voice.

Among colourful flowers and fantastic tricks, you watched, eyes filled with admiration for the two magicians, basking into the particularly magical atmosphere they had created with the first and most simple tricks. And somewhere, along the way of the enchanted evening, you found your own irises locking with light lavender more than once; each time ending with a playful wink.

And as the two bowed together, bringing the enchanting show to an end, you clapped your hands, along with everyone else, who had been perfectly captivated by their sheer talent.

The previous hustle and bustle resumed almost immediately, as the violins, violas and piano made themselves known once again, taking on a more upbeat and quicker tune.

You stood on the sidelines, a glass in your hands, pristine pink rose coloured wine swirling in elegant waves. A sudden shiver crossed your arms, turning the small waves into a bit of a jumbled mess. Paying it no mind, -because the window in the back was open, allowing the cold fontainian air to sweep in with a dance of its own- you settled it on the table and moved to join the dance: a simple one with only a few repetitive steps, not too easy yet not too tiring.

You bowed curtly to your second partner, her soft cobalt irises curling upwards, framed by her long blond locks, perfectly styled in beautiful curls. The two of you danced for a bit, before the music required, once again, a change of partners.

Soon, deep hazel eyes stared at you, prompting a sudden shiver which made you turn your own irises down, blinking almost uncomfortably as you took the man's hand. And once it was time to swap, you found your arms firmly entangled with his own, as his deep laughter reached your ears.

Somehow, the music seemed to become louder, hurried, bordering on a panicked tone as you struggled to break free, nearly bruising yourself in the process.

But as his hold tightened, it soon loosened and when you opened your eyes, you found yourself lost in soft lilac ones. The magician's cheeky visage coming into vision as he winked at you, "Figured you needed some help." his pink lips curling upwards.

"Ah... thank you."

He smiled wider, "There's no need to thank me."

His hold was gentle and almost imperceptibly soft as his thumbs slowly drew comforting circles, seeking both to ground your flustered self and to ease your worries as you finally breathed, fingers curling around the expensive red and black fabric, like a small child clinging to a mother; an action he didn't seem to mind.

"Thanks..." you repeated, lungs burning greedily, a new kind of warmth blossoming on your cheeks.

"No need" he repeated, holding you closer.

The music turned louder, no longer muffled by sheer anxiety and arising goosebumps but spurred by soft words and bashful, genuine smiles.

And when Lyney bowed one last time to his new dance partner, -a fairy skinned blond young man- proceeding to head for the sidelines, to his awaiting sister. He tilted his head to the side, eyes narrowing at a certain gentleman -who was conveniently his target for the night- cowering under his gaze, a lone withered rainbow rose between his hands. As he joined Lynette's side once again, his lavender irises always managed to find their way back to you, admiring the way you danced, robes fluttering elegantly behind you. And-

Ah... he forgot to ask your name.

Lynette just sighed at her brother.

[patrollingboston]

I don't really dance // Soap x Reader fluff

Soap your long time crush offers you a dance at a friends wedding.

The wedding looked gorgeous, not being a typical romantic the idea of attending a wedding for an entire day would make your stomach churn. But seeing as it was Gaz’s wedding and he was one of your closest friends you made the effort for him and his lovely new wife.

The dancefloor was bustling, the music was throbbing through your ears. You grasped a glass of wine sipping it slowly underneath a veranda with vines tangled around the legs making a pretty sight. Confetti lay all over the table in the shape of pink and white hearts. How cute. Everyone else, that you knew of, attending the wedding all seemed to be at the bar or enjoying the atmosphere of the dance floor. Ghost sat opposite you on the table, a beer in hand, his mask still pulled over his face; it obviously didn’t come off for special occasions. You sat there like a pair of grumpy idiots whilst everyone else enjoyed themselves.

“What time do weddings usually end?” He grumbled, taking a sip of his beer whilst lifting his mask up to reveal his mouth. He must have had some weird looks from guests who didn’t know about the whole mask ghoulish thing.

“Fuck knows.” You reply taking a small sip from your glass, your eyes scanned the area, the stars contrasting the thick dark sky that loomed above everyone.

“Look at Price and Laswell dancing over there.” He said gesturing to the pair, clearly both plastered as they danced joyfully to the music.

“Psh, at least they are enjoying themselves.”

A beat passed.

“You spoken to Johnny today?” He made direct eye contact with you, swivelling in his seat as if the conversation had taken a more serious turn, making your stomach flip slightly.

“A little bit, caught him before the ceremony. Saw him chatting to one of the bridesmaids. Why?”

“You know if you keep letting your big bruised ego get in the way nothing is going to happen with him.”

“Um excuse me Ghost, I have no idea what you mean.” You said defensively raising your voice a touch so he could hear your annoyance over the loud bass.

“Whatever, I don’t see him with that ’bridesmaid’ now.” He leaned back in his seat again taking a swig of his beer.

“Dick.” You said under your breathe, who was he to talk about your feelings.

Subconsciously your eyes drifted around the space for him, you spotted him perched on a barstool chatting to who you assumed to be Gaz’s mum, always the charmer. As if he could feel eyes on him, his head turned round into your direction. You quickly looked away trying to gulp down your glass of wine to seem occupied; praying he didn’t notice you staring.

The song suddenly switched from an upbeat one into a slower paced one making everyone begin to pair up and sway around the floor. Gaz and his bride were looking lovingly at each other, you couldn’t help but feel a little jealous about what they had. Pushing those feelings down you turned to ghost.

“Want another drink?” You spoke, standing up grabbing your purse from the chair.

“All good, not done with this one yet.”

“Not like you to turn down a free dri- “ You were cut off by a presence in front of you, looking up you saw Soap. You swallowed hard.

“Ya alright?”

His accent made you weak at the knees, even if you’d never tell a soul that.

“Fine, you having a nice time?”

“Yeah, I um wondered if I could steal you for a dance?” He asked, his confident demeanour suddenly changing to an anxious teenager.

“What... I don’t really dance.” Unintentionally you let a laugh slip out.

“Dinnae laugh at me, I’m serious.” He playfully punched your shoulder before holding a hand out towards you.

You looked towards Ghost who was trying his best to ignore the situation happening right in front of him, you managed to catch his eye for a brief second, he widened them as if to say ‘go on’.

You took his hand and he gently led you towards the dance floor, you found a quiet spot between the crowd.

His hands found your waist as you placed yours on either side of his shoulders. You weren’t quite sure where to look so you opted for gazing over his shoulder.

“Relax would you, you’re as stiff as a board.” He teased.

“Can’t say I dance very often, give me a chance I’m not a natural.”

“You’re perfect.”

The comment caught you off guard, you pulled away from his grasp slightly meeting his eyes. You couldn’t help but notice the way the fairy lights surrounding you reflected in them causing a twinkle. All of a sudden, he was twisting you round like a ragdoll. During the spins you couldn’t help but see a few familiar eyes staring in your direction in surprise.

“Johnny please, I’m getting dizzy!” You chuckled, he always had this way of making you unmask and let your guard down no matter the situation.

“You look stunning, I don’t tell you enough.” He spoke with a genuine tone and a cheeky smile as his eyes fell back on yours once again.

“I- “ Choking out a single syllable, you could feel the heat rising to your cheeks.

“Come ere’.” His arms wrapped around you even tighter, causing you to fall against him, you rested your head in his shoulder as he continued to peacefully sway to the music.

Your eyes found Ghost who was still sat, beer in hand at the table by himself. He raised his bottle in your direction, you wanted to be annoyed but couldn’t bring yourself to be, instead you returned him a warm smile.

You would have never guessed that the night ended with you slow dancing with Soap MacTavish underneath the stars like in a romantic comedy but here you both were intertwined moving with the calm pace of the music lovingly.

[kentogetsmewetter]

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE GOJO'S

⋆｡°✩Genre: Fluff fluff and more fluff

⋆｡°✩Synopsis: You gojo and your daughter have a snowball fight on Christmas Eve and you open presents Christmas day giving gojo an unexpected surprise.

⋆｡°✩A/N: Not proofread so give me grace and happy holidays!

"Whoa mom, dad, it's snowing! Let's go outside!" Excitement danced in her eyes as the delicate snowflakes gracefully covered the ground. "Hurry, hurry!" She urged, bouncing on her toes, eager to play outside Hurry, hurry!" She urged, bouncing on her toes while you carefully zipped up her coat.

As soon as you opened the door, she eagerly darted outside, her excitement palpable as she leaped joyfully into the piles of snow. Gojo swiftly joined her a "Whoo!" Coming from him as he, too, plunged into a pile of snow right next to her. small smile graced your face as you observed the scene, recognizing a playful resemblance to her dad, and you couldn't help but shake your head in amusement.

Before you could register an ice-cold snowball collided with your face while you reached down to pull your daughter out of the snow. Your mouth hung agape in sheer surprise, whipping away the remaining snow that clung to your face. "Wowww, really, Satoru?" you exclaimed, a mix of shock and amusement in your voice. Nodding determined to get your pay back.

"Oh no, you didn't just hit my mommy," declared your daughter, her protective spirit coming. She turned to face Gojo, ready to exact revenge on your behalf.

"Ready for some fun, loves?" he grinned, mischief evident in his playful tone. " Oh, you're going down, Satoru." You sassed back, getting a snow ball in your hands. " yeaa, you're going down, Satoru." Your daughter copied you, which made Gojo role his eyes. "Daddy sweetie, not Satoru."

"Anyways," She sassed. "Let's take him down, Mom," she whispered, a smirk playing on her lips as she molded a perfect snowball in her gloved hands. You nodded, feeling a mix of excitement

Without warning, the another snowball flew through the air as the snowball moved past the intended target. Gojo had a smug grin, taking cover behind a makeshift snow fort. Your daughter giggled and tossed a snowball back at him, just Barley missing him." Ohh, so close, sweetie." You high-five her turning back to Gojo, throwing a snowball hitting him right in his face.

Hiding behind a sturdy tree, you and your daughter gathered a bunch of snowballs, plotting a counterattack. Meanwhile, Gojo, undeterred, continued his assault, pelting both of you with flurries of snow. Leave us alone, Satoru," you declared, launching a well-aimed snowball that smacked him squarely in the face. Your daughter chimed in, chucking a snowball back at him. "Yea, leave us alone," she added with a playful determination.

You and your daughter ran after Gojo, throwing all the snowballs you two made at his, and he accidentally tripped, making him fall over into the snow. You two and ran over to him, throwing a bunch of snow into his face. The sound of laughter echoed throughout the backyard smiles all around

Gojo decided to shift tactics, tired of getting double teamed. With a gentle touch, he pulls you down into the soft snow and positions you atop him." You wouldn't throw snow on me with mommy on me, right pumpkin." Meanwhile, seizing the opportunity, your daughter stealthily crept behind Gojo, depositing handfuls of snow into his hoodie before tipping it over his head all over his face.

"Get off my mom!" Gojo laughed he pulled you away from him, getting up to run after your daughter to get her pay back. Her laughter and gleeful screams echoed through the backyard as the chase unfolded. "Mommy, helppp!" Your daughter's voice rang out, a mix of excitement and desperation." Satoru, leave my baby alone!" You scooped her up into your arms, protecting your baby.

You ran into the house with her locking gojo outside hearing him bang on the door." Were gonna leave him outside, right?" You playfully asked your daughter.

"Right"

After a few moments, you let gojo back inside." Woww so we're leaving me out to die now." Gojo fell over onto the ground at your feet, acting as if he was hurt so bad." I think only a kiss from my lovely wife would help me." Rolling your eyes, you pulled gojo up, pecking him on the lips. "Naa, that's not gonna work." Gojo gripped under your chin, bringing his lips, "Go yours, your tongue over lapping yours, his hands gripping onto your waist. Pulling away, he pecked your lips a few more times.

With a subtle eye roll, you acquiesced, lifting Gojo from the floor. As you leaned in for a simple peck on the lips, he dismissed the attempt. "Naa, that's not gonna work." Gojo's grip under your chin asserted control as his lips found yours, initiating a passionate kiss. His tongue intertwined with yours, creating an overlapping sensation, while his hands secured a firm hold on your waist.

Breaking the kiss, Gojo punctuated the moment with a series of gentle pecks on your lips. The exchange showcased a blend of playful banter and genuine intimacy,

"Daughterrr, I need a kiss from you too 'cause I'm oh so hurt." Your daughter, responding to Gojo's call, strolled over with an air of mischief, and she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. " Thank you, guys. I feel so much better now."

"Right," you played along, a smile playing on your lips. "C'mon, sweetie, let's get you ready for bed. Santa's coming soon." The anticipation lit up your daughter's eyes as she joyfully jumped up and down, the excitement palpable in the air.

"I know, sweetie, you have to leave some cookies out for him. He's gonna be like, 'ho ho ho!'" Gojo chimed in, attempting to impersonate Santa with a spirited enthusiasm. Your daughter laughed at Gojo's antics. " You suck at being a Santa daddy."

You three laid out the cookies for 'santa' with the milk, too, go with the cookies. You put her in your Christmas pajamas that all three of you had to match and tucked her into bed.

After you two wrapped gifts, you two headed to bed. Gojo prepared a bubble bath for you rose petals in and around the tub. There was a table next to the tub that had wine and two glasses on it a small fake candles lit in the bathroom.

After an evening of wrapping gifts together, the anticipation of a peaceful night unfolded. Gojo, ever thoughtful, led you to the bedroom where a scene of serenity awaited. The bathroom held the promise of relaxation as he meticulously prepared a bubble bath adorned with fragrant rose petals

Beside the tub, a carefully arranged table bearing the makings of a romantic evening. Two glasses stood ready for a velvety wine, The ambient glow of small, flickering fake candles added a soft, warm illumination to the room. As you stepped into the bath, the air filled with a blend of soothing scents and the promise of a night in both love and longing.

"Merry Christmas, my love," Gojo whispered, his words carrying the weight of genuine affection. Overwhelmed by the thoughtful gesture, tears welled in your eyes. "Oh my gosh, thank you, Gojo," you expressed your gratitude, turning to him with a small, heartfelt hug before stepping into the bath. The warm water embraced you, carrying with it the fragrance of roses and the promise of relaxation.

Gojo quickly follwed suit going in after you. You sat on top of his lap while you just laid. There were not many words spoken, yet none were needed. In that serene moment, as you reclined against him, the unspoken language of love the love he had for you and love you had for him.

Gojo's fingers traced gentle patterns on your back, offering a soothing caress. The rise and fall of his chest beneath your touch mirrored the quiet rhythm of your shared connection. "I love you. I really do. I don't know what I would do without you, my love." Gojo's soft voice spoke, continuing the soft touches on your skin

"I love you to Satoru. I'm grateful to have you in my life." There was a simple understanding between you to this was clear love not lust the way you two loved and cared for each other was different from anything you had ever experienced before you were the calm to Gojo's storm always keeping him in check in the right moments.

After a while of shared moments in the water with you washing Gojo's skin and him washing yours, you and Gojo found yourselves settling into the embrace of a freshly made bed. Winding down talking about your days and how you two would get ready for tomorrow's.

"Wake up, wake up!" The excited voice of your daughter filled the room as she burst into your bedroom, a bundle of energy ready to open her presents.Your daughter, with her eyes sparkling and a beaming smile, couldn't contain her enthusiasm. She jumped onto the bed, her small hands gently shaking both of you, trying to get you to awake.

Satoru wrapped his arms around your daughter, pulling her into a snug morning hug. The room echoed with her giggles as she nestled against her father. With a mischievous grin, he began to tickle her, eliciting joyful laughter that filled the room. Your daughter squirmed and giggled at Gojo, tickling her skin.

As you slowly opened your eyes, you couldn't help but smile at the sight before you – the playful bond between father and daughter. "Merry Christmas, sweetie. Merry Christmas, love." Gojo's groggy moving voice spoke. Pulling you in for a sweet kiss before your daughter interrupted. "Ewww, stop kissing Mommy Daddy!" Your daughter tried pulling you too apart, pulling at gojos hair. "I can kiss mommy if I want to." Gojo sassed back to the little one. "Nuh, uh."

'Uh huh. That's why you're not getting any presents," he declared, playfully pointing at her while sticking his tongue out."Mommy!" Responding to her distress, you scooped her up, cradling her on your hip. "You are getting presents, sweetie, don't listen to him," you assured her. While you gave gojo a stop that look as he rolled his eyes.

Walking down the stairs, your daughter cheekily stuck her tongue out at Gojo, that she was getting all your love and affection not him. Eager to explore the presents beneath the Christmas tree, she wiggled out your arms, reaching for the presents carefully arranged by you and Gojo while she slept.

Bursting with excitement, she exclaimed, "Santa came! He even ate the cookies I left out for him!" Racing down the stairs, she looked at the remnants of the cookies left out the night before, her eyes wide with the joy of discovering Santa's visit.

"Yea, I'm not sure if Santa should've come with the way you've been treating your dad," Gojo playfully antagonized her, provoking a sassy eye roll that mirrored his own. "Whatever, Satoru," prompting a dramatic gasp from Gojo, who had a pout on his face. "My name is Daddy, and you will refer to me as such, young lady," he declared, faking seriousness.

"Whatever, Satoru, can I open my gifts now, whoaaaa!" She ran over the Barbie playhouse that was taller than her. " Thank you!!" She ran over to you, giving you the biggest hug, then running over to Gojo and giving him a hug as well.

After an hour of reveling in the joy of watching your daughter unwrap presents, the spotlight shifted to Gojo as he prepared to present his gift to you. With a sentimental touch, Gojo gifted you a collage of your shared memories from the days of you two in high school to your first date at a fair to the milestone of your wedding, the day you two became parents now it having a picture of you three dressing your tree. Each image was a nostalgic piece, weaving the tapestry of your journey as a family.

Accompanying the collage was a heartfelt handwritten note, a band of carefully chosen words that unfolded a detailed list of reasons why Gojo fell in love with you and continues to cherish you to this day.Each line was an emotional reflection that captured the nuances of your relationship and the everlasting causes of his love making the gift incredibly meaningful and unique.

"Oh my goodness, Satoruuu," you exclaimed, your attempt to hold back tears revealing the overwhelming gratitude you felt for him. "I love you," you whispered the depth of emotion echoing in those three simple words as they escaped your lips.

"Why's mommy crying? What did you do to my mom?" Your daughter marched over, concern etched across her face, and pulled you into a protective hug, gently pushing Gojo away. "He didn't do anything, sweetie. He just made me really happy," you reassured her, your words carrying the weight of the profound joy and gratitude sparked by Gojo's thoughtful gesture." Yea, you big bully." Gojo teased.

"Whateverrr, look what I made you guys for Christmas." Your daughter's voice was filled with excitement as she presented a carefully crafted portrait. In the image, the three of you were playing in the snow together. What caught your eye was the subtle yet significant detail—she had drawn you pregnant. you hadn't shared this news with her or Satoru yet, so you weren't sure if she knew or why she did that choosing to tell them joyful secret on Christmas day.

"Why did you draw Mommy pregnant, muffin?" Gojo questioned, a puzzled expression on his face. Your daughter simply shrugged, "Because she is. She's having a baby." You pulled her closer, asking with a smile, "How did you come to that conclusion, pumpkin?"

"I just know," she confidently replied. You chuckled, shaking your head, and handed Gojo a small box. As he unwrapped it, a positive pregnancy test was revealed. The realization hit him, and he exclaimed, "You're pregnant?"

"I'm pregnant."

"Oh my God, you're pregnant!" Gojo hopped around the room excitedly, like your daughter on Christmas day repeatedly screaming the news."My wife is pregnant!" He gave you a big, sloppy kiss before going to hug and kiss your daughter.

Gojo, overwhelmed with joy, approached your belly, gently rubbing it. "There's a little boy or girl in here. I'm so happy." He kissed your stomach, wearing the biggest smile on his face, as the room filled with the warmth of the newfound anticipation.

[primrosechronicles]

Sky Cotl x ISAT Fanfic!

Performance Guide and Siffrin (strictly platonic)

Summary: The performance guide and Their moth meet again Warnings: Nothing that I can think off...? Word Count: 1784 PART 2 HERE

You step into the backstage of the village theater, taking a moment to appreciate all the preparations you and your crew did to make the theater more accessible to both moths and citizens alike. It took a lot of hard work, from assembling the stage to ensuring the levers operated properly. Despite the challenges, it was all worth it for the grand opening of the theater. 

You carefully walk up the stairs behind the levers, with the lively chatter of your beloved crew filling your ears.

“Director!” The crew’s resident dancer quickly stands up and crosses the room towards you.

“Dancer.”  You greet back. a smile creeping up your face. “What are you guys doing?”

“Me and the crew were discussing some things to put in your comedy!”

You tilt your head curiously “Any particular reason why..?” 

“We, uh, wanted to shake off the nerves... You know, we're all pretty jittery about tomorrow…” They shake their head “And! And.. you looked like you had a hard time figuring out the punchlines..”

You smile and give them a pat on the shoulder “Thank you.. And to be honest I'm nervous as well…”

“Well let's be nervous together!” They giggle joyfully, grab your hand, and lead you toward the group.

You sit with your crew and you observe the Stagehand frantically calculating the materials needed for the props and your Storyteller conversing with the Musician, though they seem to forget that the comedy is a.. Comedy.

“How about you, Dancer? Do you plan on writing a play? I'm sure you would be very good at it.” You ask.

Your Dancer shakes their head “Oh no! I could never make a play as well as you or the storyteller…”

“Oh don't be modest, Dancer.. I'm sure whatever you write will be wonderful.”

They smile at you and go back to continue whatever they did before approaching you. You sigh contently, you love being like this, being surrounded by the people you love, you could live like this forever.

Hand in hand with your crew and cast members, you all bow. The sound of whistles, cheers and honks fills the ears of your cast. You look at your audience, their smiles fill you with joy as you are reminded of why you and your crew decided to make the theater.

Your Musician begins to play a mellow melody as your Stagehand hands you the mic. The rest of the cast quietly slips offstage.

“My beloved audience.. Welcome! To the village theater.” you pause then breathe in and out. “As I stand here before you, I'm filled with gratitude for your support and for the opportunity to bring stories to life on this stage.” 

You continue “This is a place to play many parts, whether it be to play music.. Or to dance… or to tell stories!” you turn to your crew and smile gratefully at them.

“This is the Season of Performance! So come and share your vision with us all!” The audience erupts into applause and cheers, giving your crew a successful opening night.

You smile as you and your Storyteller converse with the audience members.

“--And the part when the girl almost got caught by the krill! It was so terrifying I was at the edge of my seat!” You laugh in response “Hah! Yea, our musician did an amazing job on the music on that part!” “There was a krill part…?”

You smile wider as more audience members praise the work of you and your crew, but then something catches your eye in your peripheral vision. You take a closer look and notice a mother gesturing at you while her child, embarrassed, tries to run away. You deduct from the child's age that they’re a moth, but they aren’t dressed how moths usually look? Instead of the usual brown cape, it is replaced with a white one, with smooth ends instead of the uniform jagged edges that make it resemble actual wings. Two pins are placed just below their chin, pulling the whole look together.

You walk up to them and kneel to be at eye level with the kid. “Hello! Did you enjoy the show?” The child jumps slightly, startled, then slowly nods. “I did…”

Their mother whispers in their ear “Tell them what you told me.” The child looks at their mom, nodding with slightly more confidence. “Uhm! I wanna do what you do! I wanna make stories and-and! Pretend it on there!” The child slowly lifts a trembling finger to point towards the stage, their eyes shining with a nervous excitement.

You turn to the mother “Ma’am, are you perhaps from the village of dreams?”

“Oh no.. We're actually staying at a relative's house right now to check out the new season."

"For how long...?" you ask, as an idea begins to take shape in your mind.

“About 1 or 2 months, my relatives love having us around and they usually prepare for us to stay for 3 months but there's something urgent I have to get back to by then..”

You smile and turn back to the kid “Welcome to the Season of Performance” You slowly place the season pendant around their neck “I hope to see you often during the months that you're here?” The little moth nods furiously. “Yes!”

"Guys?! Where are you?! I have an idea!" you burst into the building, searching for your crew members. "We're on the second floor!" the familiar voice of your Dancer exclaims.

With a surge of adrenaline, you sprint up the stairs (that honestly looked like ramps instead of stairs) to the second floor, your fast footsteps echoing throughout the hall.

You reach the top of the stairs, where they're all gathered around the mini stage they've set up. You make eye contact with your crew’s Stagehand and they gesture for you to sit on the cushion next to them.

Tea in hand you breathe in and out, “Each season goes as follows: teach them some simple craft spells then the other stuff that's unique to each season” you smirk, gaining more confidence with your idea. "What about the “ stuff that's unique to each season “ part is a workshop for the moths! And… for people who are interested! We could teach them about theater, how to write a play, and everything else we do here. It would be a great way to share our passion and get more people involved."

Your crew members exchange eager glances, nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, that's a fantastic idea! I could teach them some sick riffs!" your Musician exclaims, playing their guitar with determination.

The Stagehand chimes in, "I could show them the ropes of stagecraft, from lighting to set design."

You turn to your crew's Storyteller, who smiles warmly. "I'll help them find their voices and tell their stories."

"I can lead sessions on movement and expression," the Dancer suggests. "I can teach participants how to use their bodies to tell stories and convey emotions on stage."

The excitement in the room is palpable as everyone starts brainstorming ideas for the workshop. You can already picture the theater bustling with little moths, eager to learn and create.“This is a great idea Director! Where’d you get the inspiration?” Your Stagehand asks you.

Your thoughts go back to that moth earlier, you smile warmly thinking of them “Just an idea i had..”

After a week of planning with your crew, the workshop is finally ready.

After a comedy skit performed by some members of the Season of Dreams you go up on stage mic in hand.

“Okay guys announcement! So, first of all, thank you so much for your creative And hilarious—” you wink at the Season of Dreams members “---Plays!”

"Now, as everybody knows, every single season has its events themed after, well.. The seasons theme!”

"So… without further ado, we are thrilled to announce our upcoming workshop series," you continue, your voice filled with enthusiasm. "Starting next week, we'll be hosting a series of sessions right here at the village theater. We'll cover everything from writing your own play to stagecraft, movement, and more!"

A wave of excitement washes over the audience as you outline the workshop's details. Your crew members stand beside you, beaming at the enthusiasm of the audience members"We want to invite all of you to join us," you say, scanning the crowd warmly. "Whether you're a seasoned playwright or a parent wanting your little moth to experience new things—” You wave towards the familiar moth and their mother “---this workshop is for you. Let's come together and create something magical!"

The applause and cheers that follow are filling you with a sense of accomplishment and joy. You glance over at your crew, sharing a proud and excited look. Then you look over to the moth that started it all, you see them look at you with wonder in their eyes, fiddling with their season pendant. You wink at them, they give you an attempt-wink back.

You walk through the excited crowd trying to reach that little moth and their mom. They spot you approaching and their faces light up with anticipation.

"Hi ma’am! Little moth!" you greet them warmly, kneeling down to the moth’s eye level. "I'm so glad you're here. Are you excited about the workshop?"

The child nods eagerly, a shy smile playing on their lips. Their mom smiles gratefully at you.

"I think it's going to be a lot of fun," you continue, glancing between them. "We have so many exciting things planned, like learning how to write plays, creating characters, and even some dancing!"

The child's eyes widen in excitement at the mention of dancing. "Can we really dance like the actors did?" they ask eagerly."Absolutely! Our Dancer is going to show us all how to move and express ourselves on stage. It's going to be fantastic!" you reply with a chuckle.

You thought a bit and realized… “Hey, i never got your name!” They look back at you and give you a smile you will remember for decades “It’s ____—”

You wake up to the chatter of your beloved crew. “Director! Thank the stars you’re awake!” You are then squished by the weight of your crew hugging you “We were so worried!” “You won't believe what happened!” “you were out for multiple—”

You shout, overwhelmed by the voices. “Guys! One at a time what happened?” Your Dancer looks at you with an expression you have never seen them wear. “Well—” “Director?”

You all turn to the unfamiliar voice, five figures fill your vision, four foreigners and one… Wait a minute… white cape with smooth ends… Two pins placed below their chin… Thats the— “_____?”

A/N: IM FINISHED!! yay,,, this took me like two drinks of mountain jew and! a couple of days..

So for my Sky: Cotl audience, the moth in the fic is the main character from In stars and time and the Fic was inspired by @kyri45 who did a wonderful job on her cross AU of the two games!

For my ISAT audience the fic is set in the game called "sky children of the light"

@kyri45 I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS! your au really got my brain tickled!! thank you for re-igniting my sky grind and thank you for feeding me with ur yummy AU

[solar-wing]

⚣ Magical Lessons in Ass-Whooping ☀️

⚣☀️ A/N → If you remember, this was like a snippet out of a story I was going to write for Conner x an original character. Haven't decided if I'm going to continue it, but I definitely want to write my scenarios and shots like this. Hope you guys enjoy it for those reading the first time and even those reading a second! WARNINGS: Canon-Typical Violence, Tension, Implied homewrecking

⚣☀️ Summary → Considering you've spent your entire life learning and studying magic from the moment you could utter your first words, it'd make sense for you to eventually start teaching and helping others. Especially those who are currently providing you refuge as things back home are a bit dangerous. But, one of them is going to learn that our knowledge is not just limited to thaumaturgy and the arcane. 'Talk shit, get hit' is a global phenomenon.

⚣☀️ Words → 2.8k

REBLOGS & replies are greatly appreciated, please! 💛

⚣ ENJOY ☀️

“And just make sure to control your breathing…you got it!” You cheered.

A bright glimmer enveloped the room as little wisps of light started appearing around the room, forming tiny butterflies. You’d been helping Zatanna train and master her magic while also teaching her some new tricks. 

You hailed from a hidden kingdom, created from a divine gift bestowed on to your ancestor from the powerful deity linked to the sun. This power continued to pass on to their descendants, every eldest child in your bloodline blessed with the power of our solar system’s star, making you and your ancestors some of the most powerful beings to live in existence.

It was a heavy responsibility, bearing the mantle of the ‘Child of the Sun,’ being able to control such a potent and raw energy inside you. From the moment you were old enough to even say your first words, you’d been in magical training and studies to ensure your mastery of your powers. You could blast bad guys and restore an entire city with your magic by the time you were five years old.

And now, you were teaching others!

“Oh my god, I actually got it! Thanks, Y/N.” Zatanna cheered, wrapping you around in a hug.

You returned it joyfully before separating, “It’s as I mentioned previously, magic is special to us all. It lives all around and inside us. Everybody has their own individual sense of magic. Some just know and are better at channeling it than others.” You explained.

“Oh, I get it! Like a magical DNA print,” M’Gann summarized. She and Artemis were standing to the side watching the lesson you were giving Zatanna, both wanting to learn more about the mystic arts.

You smiled at the Martian’s words, nodding your head, “Exactly! Magic forms differently in everyone and changes itself as we grow and change ourselves. That’s why it’s important to find your source and learn how to connect it with a strong emotional foundation, and boom… You’ve got magic.”

Your hands glowed as you raised them to the air, a bright spot at the top of the cave forming that shined like the sun before bursting, releasing dancing rays of light swept across the room along with the little wisps of butterflies.

“So, what’s your source? If you don’t mind me asking,” Artemis inquired as the magic dissipated.

“Not at all,” You replied with a smile, “Well, obviously, being the whole ‘Child of the Sun’ thing, my source centers around that, the Sun and its solar energy.” You waved one of your hands, a light trail tailing behind as you summoned a bright illusion of your solar system’s central star.

The girls had to cover their eyes a little bit since even as a magical illusion, it still hurt their eyes. It felt so real, it was almost as if it was generating its own heat as well, warming the air around them.

“Ooh, like Superman?” M’Gann asked.

“Close, but not exactly. My source is the sun, so my magic manifests and channels itself as pure light granting me the enhancements and abilities that come with being, well, ‘light.’ Superman relies more on the radiation from its solar energy, another ability I may possess,” You answered.

Your new friends paused at that, “Wait, huh? What do you mean?” Artemis asked.

You considered for a moment if you should share this information as it was technically confidential and only privy to those of the royal family and their most trusted attendants. You figured there couldn’t be any harm in sharing this bit of information as it wasn’t like it could spell the end of the world or anything.

“A group of royal scholars and sorcerers have dedicated themselves to studying the magic and power behind the Children of the Sun since my great-grandfather’s reign. They’ve studied its different forms and how it’s moved down my family’s line over generations, noting its different strengths and weaknesses. They’ve also cataloged the different abilities it creates over time,” You explained, the teammates hanging off your every word.

“One of the scholars recently made a discovery that linked solar radiation with one of the spells I learned as a kid that can create daylight at night. When they discovered this connection, they explored more on the topic, finding that many of my spells and powers also give off their own form of radiation similar to the sun’s solar radiation. It’s led them to theorize that my ancestors and I may possibly have the ability to utilize the sun’s radiation to our advantage.”

“Wait, you’re saying you can manipulate solar radiation?! Does that mean you could take down Superman if you wanted to?” Zatanna asked.

You smiled at their surprised faces, “I’m not sure since it’s a new theory and will take time to study. Plus, I’ve never actually tried before. Hopefully, I never have to. At least with that kind of scenario,” You responded.

“Never have to what?”

You and the girls turned around to see the other guys coming down the hall, assumingly having entered the base from the ‘front door’ as M’Gann likes to call it. Conner looked at the girls and you with his arms crossed, his usual deadpan expression sitting on his face as he waited for an answer.

“Where did you guys go?” Zatanna asked, ignoring his question as Dick, Wally, and Kaldur made their way to the center of the training floor, Conner standing a little further back.

“We had a little team outing with just us guys. Hope you ladies weren’t too bored without us.” Wally smirked.

“We weren’t, as a matter of fact. We had Y/N here to keep us company since you all apparently didn’t want to include him on your little guy’s trip,” Artemis replied with her own smug smile.

“Oh really, what did you do? Sit around and do rain dances to call on the Lords of Make-Believe?”

“Wally,” Kaldur scolded.

“What?” He questioned, seeing how everyone was giving him unimpressed looks, “You all know I still don’t buy into this magical woo-hah babble. I’m a man of science who believes at the end of everything, there’s always a logical explanation.”

You raised an eyebrow. 

“Oh really,” Your face growing a mischievous smile. “So, can you explain how we’re all fully clothed and you’re standing in your underwear right now?” Everyone missed the slight glow in your irises as you cast your magic in your head.

Wally looked confused before he looked down and realized he was standing only in his underwear, his clothes vanished into thin air with his heart and rainbow-colored boxers on display for everyone.

“What the- Y/N!” He shouted before running off, his face burning red as a tomato while your friends laughed.

Artemis had her hands to her stomach before wiping away a fake tear, “Oh, that was more entertaining than anything I’ve seen in my life. Thank you for that, Y/N,” She grinned.

You gave a mock salute with two fingers while everyone was still laughing when Wally came back, now dressed in a new outfit. Everyone except Conner, who held a glare on his face that you could tell was in your direction. For whatever reason, you didn’t know and chose not to care.

“Why didn’t you invite Y/N on your outing if it was just for guys?” M’Gann asked.

“Because it was a team outing, and despite rumors to the contrary, Y/N is not on the team,” Conner voiced with an indifferent tone.

Your friends all frowned at Conner, not appreciating his sudden attitude toward you. Even Wally looked surprised by his little outburst while Zatanna spoke up in your defense.

“Well, that seems stupid. I wasn’t on the team yet when M’Gann invited me to your school’s Halloween dance. Why should Y/N be any different?” She remarked, crossing her arms. M’Gann nodded in support, her face signaling her disapproval of her boyfriend’s actions.

“We didn’t really think about that. It was more of a decision on the spot when Wally expressed his desire for a bite to eat,” Kaldur explained, with a genuine tone of regret in his posture before turning to face your direction, bowing his head. “My apologies, your Royal Highness. We meant no offense.”

“Speak for yourself,” You heard Conner mutter under his breath.

You ignored it, focusing back on your friend. “Ah, don’t worry about it, Kal. I had fun training here with the girls anyway. And I told you, it’s just Y/N. I’m not the Prince of Amun here, just a regular guy who happens to be bunking with you.” You said. Kaldur smiled in return, appreciating your forgiveness.

“Yeah, a regular guy who needs attendants waiting on him and personal guards always watching his behind,” You heard another snide comment from Conner, who was looking at the two guards standing by the opening to one of the hallways leading into the cave. Your patience also vanished into thin air by this point.

“Conner, that’s enough!” Kaldur ordered, but you were fed up.

“Is there something you need to get off your chest? You’ve been acting pissy with me since I got here, and I’ve had just about enough of it,” You snapped at the Kryptonian.

“Oh, the oh-so-regal prince actually has a backbone? Please…” Conner said, deeming you not worth his time.

“Yeah, the oh-so-regal has a backbone and will happily whoop your ass with it,” You called out after him.

The room went quiet, M’Gann now looking worried as Conner turned around to face you, a jeering expression now on his face.

“Oh really? You’ll ‘whoop my ass,’ huh? Tell me how exactly you plan to do that. With a little song and dance? A show of special effects and illusions. Or will you use your little guards in their shiny armor to fight for you? I could take them and you down without lifting my pinky toe.” He teased, slowly walking towards you until he was standing in your personal space, his arms crossed against his wide chest.

You didn’t have to turn around and see how Atlas and Samar, your two guards in mention, were standing at attention, more than ready to disprove Superboy’s insults. You raised your hands silently, signaling them to stand down. You could take care of yourself.

“Hmm, you may be right about that,” You replied calmly. Everyone except Atlas and Samar looked taken aback at your words. Conner still held a cheeky smirk, even though you could spot his somewhat quizzical look behind his eyes. “So, I’m sure you stand ready to prove it then.”

“Ooooo…” Artemis said, ever the instigator.

“Someone’s getting called out! Whatcha gonna do?” Wally shouted, joining in with the archer.

Though he appeared unphased by your friend's teasing, he considered your words, “Fine, you’re on.” He answered.

A devious smile appeared across your lips, your guards looking at you with knowing grins. Everyone cleared off the combat circle as Kaldur loaded up the sparring protocols. You and Conner stood on opposite sides of the training floor, waiting for Kal’s signal.

“This isn’t going to end well, is it?” You heard Dick ask on the side.

“Nope.” Zatanna said.

The floor brightened beneath you as Kaldur started the program, signaling it was ready.

“Who are you betting on?” Wally asked.

“Oh, Y/N 100%,” Artemis replied.

“I’ll bet you $20 bucks Conner beats Y/N in 15 seconds flat.”

“Hmm, $40 bucks says Y/N knocks out Conner in 10.”

“Deal.” Wally agreed, shaking on it.

M’Gann stood next to Kaldur, watching her boyfriend with a chagrined look. She wasn’t happy with his behavior, becoming suspicious since the team’s mission to Liza during your kingdom’s anniversary celebration and your birthday, leading to your temporary move to Happy Harbor in the Cave after rebels made an attempt on your life.

“Hope I don’t end up as the focus of your next album after this. Though, it’d be nice to say someone’s writing songs about me, even if it’s angry ones.” Conner mocked.

“Oooh, good one Con!” Wally cheered, Artemis rolling her eyes with a scoff.

You didn’t respond, letting him have his fun. You were about to make him eat his words anyway.

“Begin,” Kal said.

You stood in your spot, waiting for Conner to make his move. He cracked his knuckles before charging at you with his usual loud grunt. You side-stepped his attack, leaning and turning on your back foot while swinging your other foot around into his back, sending him flying only to land on his face. Even though he landed outside the battle ring, an interface popped up that spelled his name, and next to it, read the word ‘FAILED’ in red.

“HAH! That’ll be $40 bucks,  please.”

You heard Zatanna and Dick clapping behind you while Kal just gave you a nod of approval.

“Looks like you lifted more than your pinky toe. I’m sure you can do better than that tough guy,” You taunted, hearing Atlas and Samar snickering on the side.

Conner pushed himself off the ground, grumbling in frustration before turning around. He huffed in anger before his grimace turned into another smug grin, “Cute. They teach you that in etiquette class?” He mocked. 

You returned your own playful smile, “No, actually, Atlas taught me that during one of our combat lessons. You could learn a thing or two from him. Your form is terrible,” You remarked.

You heard the others laughing behind you, Conner’s face going red before he brushed past you, bumping your shoulders, “Let’s go again.” He stated.

“If you insist.”

When Kal signaled to go again, you chose now to charge at Conner, faking him out when he swung at your left. You ducked under his fist, bringing your body down before sticking your leg out to swipe him from under. He fell back against the ground with a grunt, the interface popping up again next to his face announcing his quick failure.

“Samar taught me that one. Hmm, are you sure you’re good at this? Quite frankly, I was expecting more.” You said while standing over him, hands held at your side.

You reset again for a third round. You amused yourself, allowing Conner to believe he was holding out for a bit before you ducked under his fist again, standing back up behind him, pushing your hands on his back to shove him forward.

He almost lost his balance but managed to stay up. 

He turned around to see you waving your fingers at him in a teasing manner. He charged at you again while swinging his arms together to trap you in a bear hug. When he got his arms around you, your body broke apart like shattered glass, dissipating into the air. 

Conner looked confused until he heard you ‘Yoo-hoo’ behind him, turning to see you launching at him with another kick across the face. He fell to the ground, the interface once again signaling his defeat.

He growled in anger before he looked up to see you standing over him again, “If it makes you feel better, I’ll let you get a hit in.”

He huffed before grabbing your ankle, yanking it out from under you, making you fall on your butt. The interface popped up next to you with your name now signaling the word ‘FAILED.’

“How was that?” His cheeky smile returned.

“Cute. They teach you that in anger management?”

Conner looked confused, “I don’t go to anger management.”

“Clearly.” You responded.

The others expected Conner to blow up at you (the boy did need anger management), but to everyone’s shock, he just smiled at you. Before standing up and reaching his hand down to help you up.

You stared at his hand for a moment before taking it, letting him pull you up to the ground.

You both stared at each other for a bit with no words said until you heard a throat clearing beside you, realizing the team was still here. Artemis smiled knowingly at you while Dick, & Zatanna looked uneasy. Kal scratched the back of his head awkwardly while Wally looked confused. M’Gann held a sullen expression on her face, clearly not happy.

You felt heat come up your face before clearing your throat, “I’m gonna head to the beach to do some meditation. See you guys later.” You said before turning away, your body vanishing in a flash of light. Conner looked confused when he saw you disappear, not understanding what happened. He saw Atlas and Samar shaking their heads at him before heading down the hall towards the garage exit to catch up with you. Still not getting what happened, he turned to see his friends giving him sour looks causing him to frown in return.

“What!”

☀️ | Conner Kent/Superboy | ☀️

☀️ | Masterlists | ☀️

[taoriyu]

Harvest festival

================ Rating: M Pairing: Mizu x F!Reader Description: Your party decided to join the local harvest festival, and you seized the opportunity to spend some time alone with Mizu.

Actually this text is very short and only one bit of it is smut and I wanted it to be also ironic. But still I hope you will enjoy it. Let's goooo ================

Late in the cold and windy autumn evening, Taigen and Ringo made their way down the dimly lit corridor leading to the room they had secured at the inn earlier that day. Outside, the village buzzed with life as the locals celebrated the bountiful harvest. The air was thick with the sounds of merriment — laughter rang out, music played joyfully, and the aroma of rich, hearty food wafted through the streets. It had been Ringo's idea to join the festivities and spend the night at the inn, a rare luxury for your party. After so long on the road, the promise of a warm futon was irresistible.

The inn itself was alive with sounds of revelry. The walls seemed to hum with the echoes of dancing feet and the cheerful chatter of the guests, of loud laughs and also moans. 'What was a harvest festival without celebrating bodies, after all?', Taigen thought approaching the right door. But suddenly he stood right there, his ears perked up to the sounds coming from your shared room. He could hear your ragged breaths transforming into helpless moans that fell into sweet cries of ecstasy.

“No-no-no-no Mizu” his eyebrows twitched “don’t stop, don’t fucking stop” you shout desperately. “Yes-yes-yes like that oh gods oh ah” your words dissolve into a primal and explosive symphony of moans, each one bursting from your lips in a wild and erratic rhythm that builds to a crescendo of unadulterated pleasure. With a final, high pitched cry, you release yourself completely, consumed by the hot and sweet sensation coursing through your body.

If the boys opened the door they would see the two of you: you straddling Mizu with your kosode yanked open to reveal your heaving breasts, glittering with sweat, your mouth open. You breath heavily, slightly shifting from Mizu’s face, partially obscured by lube as she gazes up at you with flushed cheeks. Her skilled fingers gliding over your thighs, your hips, your stomach, thumbs gently stroking skin. A mischievous smirk playing on her lips.

Taigen, his face flushed a deep crimson, reached out and gently placed a hand on Ringo's shoulder, wordlessly suggesting they take a stroll back to the courtyard. "Let's drink more of this wine, shall we, Ringo?" he asked softly, his voice barely audible above the festive din.

Seated at the feasting table, Taigen nursed his wine, a complex and gloomy expression clouding his features. He took a sip, his thoughts turning inward. Akemi's never been like that with me, he mused, the bitterness of his reflection mingling with the taste of the wine.

Across from him, Ringo was equally lost in thought, perplexed by the dissonance between what he had heard and what he believed he understood. After all, master, how does it work? Ringo wondered, his mind spinning in confusion.

----------

Maybe I should try to write a full version of this smut fic. And I definitely want an art with reader's pov now

[jdbellingham]

new years - jude bellingham

pairing: jude bellingham x best friend reader

summary: as the bellingham brothers’ best friend, you had learned how to get the upper hand over them, and at new years when you are told to bring a game you have just the trick. but the one thing you didn’t expect from your game is what you got in return.

note: sorry I wrote this a while ago but haven’t gotten to posting it :)

word count: 1.9k

warnings: swearing, fluff?

Every year since you’d befriended the Bellingham brothers, you’d attended all of their holiday parties–and New Years was no exception. This year, Denise, Jude’s mother, had decided to make the party a bit more interesting. She had asked everyone attending to bring a fun challenge or game, and whoever won the most points that night would get to have one ask that no one could refuse. When you’d first heard your mind went completely blank, you didn’t know what to bring. But later that night you had dinner with Jude and Jobe, going to get Chinese food after Jobe had finished his final practice of the year. When you were eating you realized that the two of them didn’t know how to use chopsticks, and a shit-eating grinning spread across your face.

“Why do you have that devious smirk on your face y/n,” Jude looked up from his plate and began laughing when he saw your expression. Jobe casted a curious glance at you as well, furrowing his brows at your strange smile.

“No reason,” You had replied, snickering to yourself. You knew Jude and Jobe were overly competitive, and when they couldn’t win something they hated it. So what better way to whoop their asses on New Year’s Eve than to play dirty and bring a game with chopsticks?

–

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Jude blatantly spat out, his mouth parted in a small semi circle when you pulled out your game.

“Language, Jude!” Denise exclaimed and swatted her son’s arm, gesturing not so inconspicuously to the 6 year old lad that was watching some cartoons on his mother’s phone.

“She’s a cheater!” Jude acknowledged his mom’s words but chose not to respond to her, then threw his hands up, and Jobe nodded in agreement.

“It’s not cheating, you guys just don’t know how to use chopsticks,” You snorted, and Jude gave you a look that made you laugh even harder.

“This is why you wanted your game to go last, so you could make us remember how badly we did,” Jude accused, and you shook your head and ignored him.

“Everyone has got a minute to transfer as many jelly beans as they can from the bowl on the left to the bowl on the right–using chopsticks,” You explained to them, dishing out hefty portions of the sweets to each of the guests, sending Jude a wink at the last part of your instructions.

After setting everything up you took your place next to Jude, sitting snugly into the chair. You felt Jude’s soft gaze on you, and it made the butterflies in your stomach dance joyfully, flitting around as your face began to burn a pinkish-red. You absent-mindedly wondered how Jude hadn’t noticed your shift in behavior around him. Ever since the summer the two of you were 17 your feelings for him had morphed into less platonic and far more romantic ones.

“Okay, the timer starts in 3…2…1…Now!” Denise exclaimed, stirring you out of the stupor that had left you blankly staring at the boy you had tried to convince yourself you could only ever be best friends with in hopes of dwindling your not-so friendly feelings.

You picked up your chopsticks and began picking up jelly bean after jelly bean, all the while watching Jude put one chopstick in each hand and try fruitlessly to move a single sweet into another bowl.

The timer began beeping, and everyone placed their chopsticks down. You took a peek at Jude’s bowl and was surprised to see a single bean sitting in it.

“Well done,” You patted his back, trying to contain a laugh. Ever since the two of you had started becoming best friends you’d loved mocking him. Even when you stopped thinking of him as one-

“Oh shut it,” Jude whined, interrupting your thoughts while reclining into his chair then crossing his arms in frustration.

“Says the person who can’t use chopsticks,” You elbowed him, leaning heavily into his side. Your rib bones chafed against his, even through the layers of cloth that stood between you.

“What does that have to do with the fact I told you to quiet down?!” Jude complained, pushing his shoulder into yours, his chair scooting closer to yours as he did so.

Denise finally made her way down the table to where you and Jude sat, a smile gracing her lips when she caught the two of you shoving each other.

“Well, it’s obvious you didn’t win,” Denise remarked, not even bothering to count what was in Jude’s bowl.

“The two of you are so mean!” Jude exclaimed dramatically, putting his face in his hands.

“You act as if you have zero points,” You scoffed, turning in your seat to face him.

“Still!” Jude argued, and Denise finished counting the beans in your bowl.

“Quiet down,” You hushed the whiny boy beside you, eyes following Denise who was announcing the final points now that the games were over.

“Okay, now that the final game is over I will be announcing the top 5 scorers, from least to most points,” Denise elaborated, then took a look at her clipboard (which funnily enough she had bought just for this occasion).

“In 5th place is John, with 36 points,” And the 6 year old who had been watching what you thought was cocomelon shouted gleefully.

“4th place is Mark, with 39 points,” Denise continued, “3rd place is Jobe with 45 points,”

You glanced over at Jude, who looked heavily invested. He was quite literally at the edge of his seat, wondering if he had gotten first or second place.

“And lastly, 1st place is Jude and Y/n who tied at 61 points,” Denise finished, and you began doubling over in laughter.

“Are you serious?” Jude’s mouth in a large “O” shape.

“Is the pope catholic?” Denise questioned, raising her brows at her eldest son.

“It’s because of your stupid chopsticks game,” Jude groaned, grabbing your hoodie and burying his face into it, then leaving his head to rest on your chest.

“Aw, it’s okay you suck,” You feigned a sympathetic tone as you ran your hand over his hair.

“Fuck off,” He mumbled, and you could barely make out what he said through the muffle of your hoodie.

“What are you guys gonna ask for?” John, the tiny boy, questioned you and Jude. He had approached you with his mother’s phone in his hand, but it was forgotten and at his side by the time he asked his question.

“We’ll have to think about it,” You reply, and Jude lifts his face up, jutting his chin into your left breast. You shove it downwards to a less painful area as he speaks to John.

“I’m probably gonna get her to do something stupid,” Jude whispered, full-well knowing you could hear.

John giggled and ran back towards his mom, who sent an apologetic smile, probably thinking he had bothered you.

“Get off of me Jude,” You sighed, attempting to push him upright and into his own seat. He groaned and used his hands to grab your hips, pulling himself back onto you. At the very feel of his touch your skin burned, sending another bout of butterflies through your body.

“No, I’m so tired Y/n just let me lay here,” He protested, the end of his sentence stretched to a long whine. You looked down at him, his wide brown eyes staring into yours.

“If you're going to use me as a pillow at least let us move to the coach,” You caved after a moment of silence, and Jude obliged with a smile plastered onto his features.

–

You felt yourself being shaken awake, John’s tiny hands pulling at your hair. You stared at him quizzically before he offered an explanation.

“New Years in 5 minutes,”

You thanked him and he trotted away, then you shifted your attention to Jude. The two of you had fallen asleep together on the large L-shaped sofa in the living room. Jude’s large frame laying atop your smaller one, his head rested on your chest whilst your arms encircled him. The position the two of you were in made your brain turn to mush, the proximity was driving you mad. You stared at his soft pinkish lips, wishing you could press them against yours.

It was almost as if Jude could hear you thinking, and he began to stir under your embrace, his head shifting to rest on his left cheek and his eyes fluttering before going shut again.

“Hey Jude,” You said softly, and Jude’s eyes flew open, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“Hey gorgeous,” Jude replied, his voice sleepy. You weren’t sure why he had decided to use that pet name, but you weren’t going to complain.

“Get up, it’s almost new years,” You began to get up, and this time Jude obliged.

The two of you straightened out your clothing and headed out to the backyard where a large projector was casting the countdown onto a large white screen.

You stood by Jobe, Jude on your other side. As you started to make conversation with Jobe you felt Jude’s hand grab at yours. You allowed him to take it, feeling confused at his newly affectionate behavior.

“One minute left!” Someone shouted, and your eyes glanced at the projector screen.

“Y/n I’m going to use my ask on you,” Jude told you, the clock just hitting the 35 second mark.

“Jude there's 30 seconds left, it's really not the time,” You replied dismissively, still staring at the projector as the numbers slowly got smaller and smaller.

“Y/n look at me,” Jude demanded, and you finally turned to face him.

“What? What do you want?” You questioned, eyes holding onto his, even as you felt his hand leave yours.

“10! 9! 8!” The others began shouting a countdown, and Jude looked more panicked than ever.

“Kiss me,” He finally managed to get out, and he grabbed your face in his hands, pressing his supple lips against yours just as the countdown hit one. Your hands reflexively went to his chest, and you felt the unmistakable curve of defined muscle beneath your palms. You barely registered the cheers everyone yelled around you, your mind focused on the sensation of his body against yours.

The two of you finally pulled away, and Jude grinned like an idiot before softly saying “Happy New Year y/n,”

“Can I ask you to do something for me Jude,” You inquired, moving the conversation forward. You noticed how sharp Jude’s features were in the firelight contrasted by the dark night sky.

“Anything,” His eyes twinkled, wondering what exactly you wanted.

“Ask me to be your girlfriend,”

“Be my girlfriend y/n,” Jude immediately replied, and you smiled like a Cheshire cat.

“Thought you’d never ask,” You said, half honest and half sarcastic. Your heart was pounding crazily in your chest, still in shock of the events that had occurred in the last minute.

“Should’ve asked you sooner if I'm being honest,” Jude tilted his head while his eyes remained on your face, studying the features he’d loved for years.

“Can I ask you for one more thing?” You continued, staring back up at him. You figured you might as well ask for what you wanted, even if it was the heat of the moment.

“Anything for you, love,” Jude replied, the nicknames he was calling you tonight absolutely melting your insides.

“Kiss me again,”

note: working on reqs! I’m so sorry for the delay I’ve been swamped with volleyball and finals :(

if your name is below but not tagged I’m removing it from the list because it won’t let me tag you—prob bc u have a private blog—sorry!!

taglist: @raspberii @xaelia-au @mxyzptlkss @nonaism @itsmevalery @neysl0ver @crowdthena @qvirky-y @azvault @britneysbitch @futbol10 @cooloperajudgebear @lomlcherry @slvt4peterparker @saywhatiwants @richarlisonluvr @milkteabish @kyekai @jinjidontucry @wavessmile @angelxxrose-blog @meehhangryfun @fezlvr @wonderharryy @graysondolansmaid @hazalnut @eddiew-k @livinglifethroughfanfic @l0st-exe @superswaggycooch @honkkey47 @cialovessirlewis @capriaura @maeumiluv @alicesolengg @f1lover55 @frenchgirlsblog @bath1lda @luvelyxp @neymarjrsrealwife @notbluees @yooriscousin @neymarjrsrealwife @wehehwwh @landosmilkjug @edgyficuselastica

[exouniverse]

Mr. Cool

Pairing: jongin x gn reader

Genre: fluff, a dash of rivals to lovers?

Warnings: none, but if you find any please let me know.

Summary: Jongin’s adored niece and nephew have finally discovered their own love for dance, making him the happiest. However, realizing that he isn’t quite their inspiration breaks his heart a little. Now, the question arises whether the over-mentioned dance teacher, who seems to have stolen that admiration, is up to determine who truly reigns.

Word count: 2.5K+

A/N: Finally, it’s here! I had to redeem Jongin’s niece and nephew from telling him his dance was not cool 🤭 I find that interaction between them from years ago so funny and endearing. Hopefully, after all these years they have found inspiration in him even if it isn’t for dance. I hope Jongin had an awesome birthday and that this year brings him so much joy and growth. I miss him so much 🥹🤎

MASTERLIST | MOODBOARD

“Uncle uncle uncle!” The kids joyfully repeated as they ran down the hallway into Jongin’s waiting arms. He wrapped his niece and nephew in a bear hug, enjoying their bubbly energy after so long of missing them. Soon, they were overwhelmed by the stillness, and their giggles turned into gentle punches on his arms.

“Are you ready? Are you following in on uncle Jongin’s steps and becoming dancers?” Jongin teasingly asked before letting them go. He was so excited to finally share his love for dance with them, especially since it was his birthday.

Rahee giggled at him, sassily crossing her arms. “No, teacher Y/N’s steps!”

“Yeah! The best dancer!” Raeon jumped and dabbed, brimming with energy.

Jongin laughed at the cute dance move and tried tickling them. “Mmm… I would have to see; maybe I’m better?”

“No, no way!” Rahee exclaimed between laughs.

Jongin’s older sister arrived with their bags and water bottles, chuckling at their interaction. “They are excited to dance with you; they’re just stubborn,” she said fondly.

“I’ll take good care of them, noona,” he said as he helped carry the kid’s belongings. A playful thought crossed his mind, so he winked at his sister and looked back at the kids. “Aaand I’ll show teacher Y/N some moves; settle up who’s best.”

Opening the studio door, you carefully managed to avoid colliding with the tall man who was foolishly jumping around. “I look forward to seeing that,” you teased, causing him to startle as he was about to lean against the door, unaware that you had opened it. As a result, he stumbled inside. “Oh my! I’m so sorry!” you exclaimed, struggling to contain your laughter.

Jongin’s eyes locked with yours, finding not only a sweet voice but a sweet, worried expression that melted his heart. In that tender look, he glimpsed the children’s delight in you and realized that his heart may probably learn some new moves as well.

You gently squeezed his wrist, trying to figure out if he was okay. His hold on you was still firm as more of your students arrived and entered the class, but he was still not moving his hand from yours.

“Jongin, everything all right?” His sister asked, bringing him out of his trance.

The warmth of his hand left yours quickly enough, and he pulled off a wide, nervous smile at you. “Sorry, yeah, yeah, everything is all right,” he answered in an almost robotic voice.

His sister looked at you with an apologetic smile. “Okay… I have to go now. I hope you can handle this one, teacher Y/N.”

“I’ve got it! I’m excited to work with him.” You quickly glanced at the still-nervous, smiling man beside you.

“Thank you for taking my kids’ request; they just love their uncle too much.”

Jongin shyly lowered his head, looking at his hand that still lingered with your touch, even though he hadn’t noticed at first that he had held onto your hand for support. He also vaguely remembered you asking more than a couple of times if he was okay because he had been lost in your eyes—just like now that he didn’t even notice when his sister left.

“It’s nice to meet you, Kai sunbaenim,” you paused. “Sorry, should I call you Jongin?”

Although filled with nervousness, he briefly glanced at your hand and dared to purposefully hold your eyes with his own. The patience and care that painted your eyes drew a different type of intrigue and anticipation, unlike any other introduction he had experienced.

A delicate smile graced his face as he hoped that here he could simply be Jongin—that you saw past the surface and name to the heart within. His smile widened when you did not look away, but instead you matched it with an encouraging one of your own as your hands found each other. “Jongin is fine,” he answered and bowed.

“Y/N,” you introduced yourself, mirroring his gesture, even when he had possibly already known your name because of his family.

Jongin had indeed heard your name almost daily for a while. His niece and nephew had talked about their dance classes and their amazing teacher whenever they called or saw him on his days off from service. All that it encouraged was his competitive spirit, not accepting that his niece and nephew looked up to someone else for something he was passionate about. He needed to meet this dance teacher, whatever it took. What he didn’t anticipate was him overthinking his every word and move, not to keep making a fool of himself in front of that person.

“The kids really admire you, but now that they are finally interested in dance, I feel like I need to earn some of that admiration, as their uncle.” He easily went back to his playful behavior, igniting the competitive spirits you indulged in before his stumbling.

You chuckled softly at Jongin’s challenging tone. “Oh really? Your humor is still intact, I see.” You scanned him playfully before you continued. “I suppose if you’re truly set on taking the title, I can’t stop you from trying. Your niece and nephew might finally get to consider you cool for once… that must definitely be tempting.”

Jongin was more than entertained by your reciprocation. His eyes had a new spark, recognizing the drive in yours that matched his own. He chuckled devilishly, but his cute face softened the effect, so your lips trembled, almost breaking your unwavering stare.

Before you could end up allowing him to see through you, you clapped your hands to get the kids attention. “Okay,” you called out, “everyone! How are you all doing? Excited for today?”

The students cheered in agreement, gathering around the two of you. Jongin couldn’t help but chuckle as he saw your interactions with the students, noticing how effortlessly they were drawn to you—especially Rahee and Raeon.

“Wonderful! Alright, before we begin, I’d like to introduce our special guest.” Turning to your side, you were surprised to see him already so engaged with your students. A small smile hid in the corner of your lips as he gazed back at you. “If you want, you can do it yourself,” you encouraged him.

His smile widened, and he tried to match the kids’ heights when he addressed them. “Hi, everyone! I’m Jongin, Rahee and Raeon’s uncle. I hope we can all have fun dancing today,” he softly said.

Jongin’s heart moved as he saw the kids’ excited faces turn towards him; their excitement was gratifying and somehow unexpected. He also caught the surprised yet joyful grins the students gave his niece and nephew, as well as the playful nose scrunches and smiles that they offered back.

You smiled at Jongin as he caught your gaze. “Should we get started then?” you asked with an encouraging smile.

At Jongin’s nod, you instructed your students to find a place somewhere in the space to begin the warm-up while you searched for the kids’ favorite playlist. At first, Jongin watched intently as you gracefully led stretches and movements to loosen muscles until you asked him for help, encouraging him to show the kids his skills. “Care to join in on the fun, our special guest?” you proposed with a playful smirk.

He grinned, stepping forward, following your steps, and later adding some jumping jacks for a little cardio. It was just too easy to find a balance in your teaching methods, and your students seemed quite interested in what Jongin taught them. He looked like a natural; though he is, teaching seemed to fit so well with him. His patience and nurturing were truly admirable.

Across-the-floor combinations brought a fresh energy, with curious and enthusiastic eyes looking at both of you as you interacted and showed the students the sequences for practice to reinforce technique.

“Amazing work, everyone!” you exclaimed. “I’m seeing a lot of improvement in ballet technique. You all have worked hard; let’s have a small break before we continue, okay?”

Raeon immediately ran towards Jongin, along with a couple of his classmates. As he wiped the sweat from his forehead and drank some water, his nephew suddenly jumped on his back, nearly toppling him off the chair he was sitting on. You were beside him, so he lightly pushed you and sprinkled some water over you.

“It’s a tie for me now, uncle.” Raeon admitted. “But we have more dances, right, teacher Y/N?” The mischievous smirk amused you. Raeon was so disciplined, even when he liked to play around a lot.

“Yes, we do! There are lots of surprises awaiting us.” You winked at him, concealing from Jongin the secret you shared with the class.

One of Raeon’s friends made Jongin grin from ear to ear as you offered him the towel you used to dry the water from your clothes. “Your uncle is cool; he’s so tall!” The kid exclaimed. When Jongin took the towel from you, his fingers softly brushed yours, causing a cute blush on his cheeks, which he attempted to hide with his hands but only managed to spill more water from his bottle on him.

You chuckled louder than you had intended; it was just too endearing to you that Joon looked so awestruck at Jongin. The man in question looked up at you, confused by your antics, but he was probably misinterpreting your reaction. “We have a cool guest today, don’t we?” you said, trying to explain your true intentions.

Jongin seemed even more flustered; one could even say shy for a more accurate word. He had been too enthusiastic about winning the kids over, especially his niece and nephew, so it felt like the greatest achievement to hear Raeon’s friend say that he was cool. But then, you said it too. He wanted to keep playing cocky and making a teasing comment, but you sounded too genuine, and instead, you managed to bring an honest smile and a slight blush to his face.

The look he gave you made your heart jump, and the corners of your lips trembled. You fiddled with the cap of your water bottle. “Are you ready?” It was too late to analyze how your sheepish question came about when Jongin enthusiastically nodded and walked over to the center of the room.

As you approached him, Rahee stepped closer, filling each of her steps with energy. “Is it time for the K-pop choreos?” she spoiled.

Jongin's eyes searched for yours, a smug smile playing on his lips as he realized he might have an advantage now. He was confident that he could surprise the kids and, perhaps more importantly, impress you.

“It-it is time!” you exclaimed and looked back at Jongin, who was already shaking his limbs, preparing to take on the teaching of the choreos. It was impossible not to giggle at his determination, but little did he know that it was actually a surprise that they had prepared for him to celebrate his birthday.

“Uncle, sit down!” Rahee tried to shove him all the way back to his seat, but she only managed to destabilize him a little. “It’s still not time to be Mr. Cool!” With that, he took some steps back as he gently laughed at his niece’s statement.

“Well, then I am Mr. Cool, huh?”

Rahee only rolled her eyes and shook her head as she continued to make him step away from the center of the room, her spunky spirit only moving his heart.

Settling onto the sidelines, he directed an anticipating glance at you, only to find you caught in joyous laughter with Raeon and Rahee. You proceeded to carefully ask everyone to get in their places and call in the parents so they could see the day’s performance. This sudden quiet gave him space to breathe and calm his beating heart, but soon enough, reality would only show how his heartbeats would race from then on.

You stood in the center of the room, all by yourself and already mesmerizing, when the song started with the beat drop of Super by Seventeen. The first ten seconds were all you, and it felt like an eternity where Jongin would’ve wanted to spend the rest of his life. The most advanced students joined you for the last ten seconds, ready for the transition to a mind-blowing mashup of Maniac by Stray Kids and Maniac by Viviz.

With that forty-second introduction, the beat turned more bubbly when all of the students joined to dance Super Shy by New Jeans. You had gone to the back so that all of the kids could have their own spotlight. Rahee and Raeon had the brightest smiles on their faces, and they followed the steps so diligently. Love Lee by AKMU was the last song they all danced to, so while the song faded out, Jongin gave a standing ovation, but a familiar melody was overlapping the fading song, and the kids moved to different places as you walked back to the center. Rahee and Raeon stood next to you, adorably getting in character and mimicking their uncle as they waited for the “stop” in his song, Rover.

Jongin flopped on his seat, his eyes flooding with happy tears as he witnessed his lovely niece and nephew dancing to his song. At some point, they took center stage, while you and the rest of the students danced behind them. The parents behind him kept clapping and cheering for their children, only making him even more emotional. They closed the choreography medley with a simulation of his fall in the music video, with Rahee catching Raeon in her arms as he fell backwards. Jongin rose up again, cheering for the little ones as they ran to him and hugged his legs.

You approached Jongin, outstretching your hand with an encouraging smile. “What do you say we have a dance battle to your song? Get the kids to choose who’s the realest cool one between us,” you offered playfully, yet somehow, your tone didn’t come off as challenging as before. It genuinely sounded more like a simple invitation to dance.

He looked at your hand and back at you, a widening smile accompanying his answer as he nodded in agreement. With a gentle gesture, he reached out and took your hand, accepting your request. The parents’ encouraging chants energized him even more, taking his place in front of you for the challenge.

The beats resonated throughout the studio as both of your bodies instantly synced into the opening pose, evoking smiles and chuckles along the way. The battle was far from competitive, as each step united you in a duet-like dance, with all moves becoming actions and reactions, leading to improvised turns and reflected motions.

The atmosphere between the two of you was so electrifying, exuding an overwhelming sense of passion and joy that captivated everyone in the room. Not a single pair of eyes dared to look away, including yours and Jongin’s, as you locked gazes with each other. Even at the song cut, your eyes remained locked, only tearing away when the kids approached, cheering and seeking their uncle’s embrace.

“Teacher Y/N! Teacher Y/N!” Rahee chanted playfully. “You have to come celebrate with us uncle’s birthday!”

“Rahee, noona!” Raeon exclaimed and shook his head at his sister, defeat clear in his face at Rahee’s second spoiler of the day.

Jongin watched, amused, beaming at the kids, and then he looked at you intentionally. “Whatever the celebration is, you should come.”

[aughby]

The Balcony Chronicles

It was nice being in a high-rise condominium with stunning views, a peaceful environment, and, as you realized later on, an interesting neighbor, Yuki Ishikawa. Yes, the Yuki Ishikawa we were talking about is the 28-year-old Japanese player who displayed a fierce look throughout his volleyball matches. On court, he is quite a serious player, but at home, he is a young kid trapped in a man’s body.

One night, you went to the balcony to watch the sunset, and you saw such an oddity. Having heard sounds of music coming from the adjacent unit, curiosity got the better of you, and you hanged half over the railing. And there was Yuki, dancing joyfully and very actively without paying attention to anyone around him. The guy was goofy and playful, which was quite a contrast from the smooth-moving athlete everyone had seen.

You stifled a laugh, and, unable to turn your head away, found yourself observing. Yuki was absolutely lost in his own world—he twirled and, at one point, made what I sincerely hoped was an attempt at break dancing. Just as you were about to take out your phone to record this great opportunity, he suddenly turned around and noticed you.

Within the blink of an eye, Yuki stood still. He was shocked and embarrassed. He quickly stood up as if nothing had happened to his body or to his breathing. He just gave a very rigid bow before going back into his place; you are left outside watching him with a breath torn between laughing and catching it.

As days passed, you began to see more of Yuki peculiarities, which you really never saw before. Sometimes it was possible to hear him singing, very loud and mostly tuneless, in his apartment. One time, it was a love ballad, thereby making him sing with the intensity of a pop star, all the way to the roof.

But the moment he laid his eyes on you up there on the balcony, he would immediately stop and then try to choke on his spit.

One evening you joked to make an attempt and open the conversation. “Great dancing skills, Yuki,” you said jokingly from my balcony, looking at him.

Yuki, who was about to water some plants, nearly let go of the watering can. “What on earth are you talking about? ”You replied quickly, attempting to do the ‘cool’ face.

“Oh really? ”You said with a laugh, “Are you sure you don't? "“Well, I might just have to share with your fans about some secret dance moves you do.”

Yuki’s face turned red. “You wouldn’t dare,” he growled, scowling at you while clearly recognizing embarrassment and amusement.

“Oh, but I would,” I said, “Unless... ”You paused and crossed your arms on the railing and rested your chin on your hands with an expression of wickedness on your face.

“Unless…? ”He scowled, rising from the chair.

“Unless you invite me to your next dance lesson, you know, a private show for the number one spectator. ”Yuki looked at you, and after a few seconds of silence, started to chuckle. It was somewhat unusual to find him in that state of mind: relaxed, happy, and free. “You’re impossible,” he said, laughing and then shaking his head. ”But sure. Whatever you want. Just don’t tell anyone, all right? ”

“No one will know it from me,” you reassured the other person.

From that day on, your evenings were spent sharing giggles, chatting, and competing in the quite stupid and juvenile dance battles. Although Yuki would initially look stern when he first saw you, he would soon scrunch up his face and make funny gestures, then ask you to play his crazy game.

You began to look forward to some moments where the normally stern Yuki would just sit back and enjoy himself. And in return, you never mentioned his outrageous behavior to anyone; you liked having this little secret that only you knew about.

There was once a night when you both decided to stay on the balconies, and while gazing at the night sky, Yuki turned to look at you with deep concentration. ‘Well, you know, despite all that, I’ve never let anybody get a glimpse of this part of me.’

“Why not? ”You asked me with that uncanny perplexed look on your face, which I found curious and amusing at the same time.

“I have always felt I needed to be in serous mode, but with you, I don’t know how it is, but it feels so relaxed.”

You smiled; you felt something warm in the middle of your chest. "Yeah, I enjoyed him too. Yes, he was so fun.”

Yuki grinned. “I am happy. But I'm telling you, if you disclose the information to anybody... ”

“No worry, Yuki, I won’t tell anyone about this, “you said, joking as you patted her on the back.

Your special kind of friendship ensued, and Yuki’s unusual personality was the sole way your friendship grew stronger day by day. In the world's view, he continued to be the indifferent, hardworking volleyball player. However, to you, he was much more than that; he was the man-child that loved novelty, the fun-loving man next door that one could wish for.

Yuki's POV

The latter days, or at least the period when you two met, something of you had slightly changed in Yuki’s eyes. During the day, you were quite cheerful and lively, always ready to laugh, even if it’s just to crack a joke. However, as evening came and you went to your balcony along with Yuki, you could feel some sadness in your tone, a certain weight in your eyes, which you tried to mask with a positive disposition.

It took one relatively calm night when Yuki started to realize what was actually happening. He always found himself coming out on the balcony to have a glimpse of you or how you are doing today, but that night, he saw you sitting on the corner of the balcony, bending your knees and pulling them to your chest, and gazing aimlessly at the horizon.

Yuki hesitated, unsure whether to say something. He didn’t want to intrude, but something about the way you were sitting—so still, unlike your usual self—made his chest tighten with concern.

“Hey,” he finally called out softly, not wanting to startle you. “Everything okay? ”

You didn’t respond right away. For a moment, Yuki thought you hadn’t heard him. But then you turned your head slowly, giving him a small, tired smile that didn’t reach your eyes.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

But Yuki wasn’t convinced. He had seen that look before, in himself during his toughest times on the court, in teammates who were struggling but didn’t want to show it. It was the look of someone trying to keep it together when everything inside was falling apart.

“Are you sure? ”He pressed gently, leaning against the railing, trying to catch your gaze. “You don’t look fine.”

You let out a shaky breath and shrugged, your shoulders slumping in defeat. “I guess I’m not very good at hiding it anymore, huh? ”

Yuki’s heart clenched at the vulnerability in your voice. This wasn’t the cheerful, teasing person he had come to know. This was someone who was hurting, and he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

“Do you want to talk about it?”He asked, his tone softer than usual, filled with a concern he didn’t often show.

For a moment, you were silent, as if weighing your options. Then you began to speak, haltingly at first, but then the words started to flow. You told him about how you had always been the “happy one,” the person everyone relied on to bring a smile to their face. But as night fell, when the world was quiet, you were left alone with your thoughts, and the weight of your own struggles would bear down on you. You spoke of the loneliness, the self-doubt, the fear that you weren’t good enough—that no one really saw the real you, the one hiding behind the cheerful facade.

Yuki listened quietly, his chest aching with every word you said. He had never seen this side of you before, and it broke his heart to know that you had been carrying this burden alone.

“I had no idea,” Yuki said softly when you finished, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m so sorry you’ve been going through this.”

You looked up at him, tears brimming in your eyes. “I didn’t want anyone to know. I didn’t want to be a burden.”

Yuki shook his head, his expression earnest. “You’re not a burden; you don’t have to go through this alone. I’m here for you, okay? Anytime you need someone to talk to, or even if you just need someone to sit with you, I’m here.”

For the first time that evening, a genuine smile touched your lips, though it was small and fragile. “Thank you, Yuki. That means a lot.”

From that night on, things changed between you and Yuki. He became more attuned to your moods and more present during your evening chats. He always made an effort to check on you, asking how you were doing. And in return, you began to open up more, sharing the parts of yourself that you had kept hidden for so long.

Yuki found himself becoming more protective of you, more determined to be there for you in the way you had been for him. He admired your strength and your resilience, but he also wanted you to know that it was okay to lean on someone else—to lean on him.

And as the days turned into weeks and weeks into months, the two of you grew closer. Yuki discovered that supporting you through your struggles made him feel more connected to you than ever. It wasn’t just about the fun, lighthearted moments anymore; it was about being there for each other through the highs and the lows.

One evening, as you both sat on your balconies, Yuki looked over at you and said, “You know, you’re not the only one with secrets.”

You raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? What else are you hiding, Mr. Serious Athletic? ”

Yuki chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. “Well, for one, I never told anyone how much I enjoy these silly dance sessions. Or how much I’ve come to appreciate our little balcony chats.”

“I won’t tell if you won’t,” you teased, though your smile was softer this time, more sincere.

“Deal,” Yuki agreed, holding out his pinky finger towards you.

You laughed, leaning over to hook your pinky with his, sealing the promise.

In that moment, Yuki realized just how much you had come to mean to him. You were more than just a neighbor, more than just a friend. You were someone he cared about deeply, someone he wanted to protect and support, no matter what.

And though he didn’t say it out loud, Yuki made a silent vow to himself that night: he would be there for you, always. No matter how tough things got, no matter how dark the nights became, you wouldn’t have to face it alone.

Because sometimes even the strongest people needed someone to lean on. And Yuki was determined to be that person for you.

Weeks had passed since that night when you opened up to Yuki about your struggles. Since then, your bond has grown stronger, deepening beyond the playful exchanges and shared secrets. The balcony had become your shared sanctuary—a place where walls came down and genuine connection flourished.

Yuki found himself looking forward to your evening chats more than ever. His days were often packed with rigorous training and high-stakes matches, but the thought of unwinding on the balcony with you kept him going. There was a warmth and comfort in your presence that he hadn't realized he craved.

One Friday evening, after a particularly grueling week, Yuki stepped out onto his balcony carrying two steaming mugs of hot chocolate. He glanced over at your side, a smile tugging at his lips as he saw you already there, bundled up in a cozy sweater, gazing up at the stars.

"Rough day?" you asked, noticing the tired lines etched on his face.

"You could say that," Yuki replied, offering one of the mugs over the railing. "Thought you could use this."

Your eyes lit up as you accepted the warm drink, your fingers brushing against his momentarily, sending a subtle spark through both of you.

"Look at you, being all thoughtful," you teased, taking a sip. The rich, sweet flavor warmed you from the inside out. "Mmm, this is perfect. Thanks, Yuki."

He smiled softly, leaning against the railing as he took a sip from his own mug. The night was crisp, and the city lights below twinkled like fallen stars.

A comfortable silence settled between you, both of you simply enjoying the peaceful moment. After a while, Yuki spoke up, his voice quiet.

"You know, I don't think I've ever been this comfortable with anyone before."

You glanced over at him, surprised by the sincerity in his tone. "Really? Not even with your teammates?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "They're great, but it's different. With you, I feel like I can be myself—all parts of myself. The serious athlete, the goofy dancer, everything."

Your cheeks warmed, and it wasn't just from the hot chocolate. "Well, I like all versions of you. Makes life more interesting."

Yuki's gaze lingered on you, his eyes reflecting the soft glow of the city lights. There was something different in the way he was looking at you tonight—something deeper.

"I feel the same about you," he said softly. "You're always so full of life and positivity. Even when things are tough, you find a way to smile through it."

You looked down at your mug, swirling the liquid inside to avoid his piercing gaze. "It's easier when you have someone to share it with."

Another silence fell, this one charged with unspoken emotions. Yuki felt his heart beat a little faster, a realization slowly dawning on him. These feelings—this warmth, this yearning—it was more than just friendship.

He cleared his throat, attempting to steady his nerves. "Hey, I was thinking... there's this new exhibit at the art museum downtown. Would you maybe want to check it out with me tomorrow? I mean, if you're free."

You looked up, surprised but pleased by the invitation. "Are you asking me out on a date, Yuki Ishikawa?"

He hesitated for a split second before responding, a playful glint in his eyes. "Well, that depends. Would you say yes if I was?"

A smile spread across your face, your eyes dancing with mirth. "I suppose I might be persuaded."

Yuki grinned, feeling a surge of excitement and relief. "Then yes, I'm asking you out on a date."

"Then yes, I'd love to go," you replied, your smile matching his.

The next day, Yuki found himself more nervous than he had been before any championship game. He dressed carefully, opting for a casual yet stylish look, and even took extra time to make sure his hair was just right. When he met you in the lobby, his breath caught in his throat. You looked stunning, your eyes bright, and a hint of nervousness mirroring his own.

The museum was bustling with people, but to Yuki, it felt like it was just the two of you. You wandered through the exhibits, discussing the art pieces, sharing jokes, and learning more about each other with every step.

At one point, you both stopped in front of a large painting depicting a serene landscape. The soft hues and tranquil scene seemed to envelop you in a bubble of calm.

"This one's beautiful," you murmured, your eyes fixed on the canvas.

"Yeah," Yuki agreed, though his gaze had shifted to you. "It really is."

You turned to find him looking at you, his expression tender and open. The air between you grew thick with anticipation, and for a moment, the world around you faded away.

Before either of you could second-guess it, Yuki leaned in slowly, giving you plenty of time to pull away if you wanted. But you didn't. You tilted your head up, meeting him halfway as your lips brushed softly against each other.

The kiss was gentle, sweet, and filled with unspoken promises. When you pulled apart, both of you were smiling, cheeks flushed, and hearts pounding.

"I've been wanting to do that for a while," Yuki confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Me too," you admitted, your eyes shining with happiness.

The rest of the day was a blur of laughter, stolen glances, and subtle touches. By the time you returned to your building, it was clear that something had shifted between you two. The friendship and camaraderie were still there, but now they were intertwined with a blossoming romance that felt as natural as breathing.

As you stood outside your respective doors, Yuki hesitated before speaking. "So, does this mean you'll stop threatening to expose my secret dance moves?"

You laughed, the sound making his heart soar. "Hmm, I think I might still hold that over your head. Keeps things interesting."

He chuckled, stepping closer and taking your hand in his. "I can live with that, as long as I get to take you out again."

"I'd like that," you replied, squeezing his hand gently.

From that day on, your evenings on the balcony took on a new dimension. There were still the playful dance-offs and shared stories, but now there were also soft kisses under the stars, whispered confessions, and the comforting presence of knowing you had someone to share both your joys and your struggles with.

Yuki found that being with you brought a balance to his life that he hadn't known he needed. You grounded him, made him laugh, and reminded him to enjoy the little moments amidst the chaos of his career. And in turn, he was there for you, offering support and love through both the light and dark times.

One night, as you cuddled together on his balcony, wrapped in a warm blanket and watching the city lights twinkle below, Yuki pressed a kiss to your forehead and murmured, "You make me incredibly happy, you know that?"

You looked up at him with your eyes filled with affection. "And you make me feel like I'm not alone anymore."

He smiled, pulling you closer. "You're not. We're in this together."

As the night enveloped you both, the sounds of the city fading into the background, you realized that sometimes the most unexpected connections could lead to the most beautiful love stories. And all it took was a shared balcony, a few secret dance moves, and the courage to let each other in.