#it was written as a one shot but then i said 'wait guys look i have another idea' in my usual fashion
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*sits up and looks out the window*
heheh its snowing again... anways UH
im not dead, erm, as you tell from my queue of reblogs in the dead of night lol
more under the cut!!
i think ive realized the current fic i was working on scares me a little (spoiler: idk how to write proposals... i meaaaaaan whaaaat? haha... yeah)
and generally I am a liiiiiittle bit under the hands of writers blocks so!! idk when thats being solved 'w';;
could be tomorrow, could be next week! could be- imma stop before I jinx it, snnrk... point is I will reappear from the mist whenever my brain plays nice again <3
in the meantime *gently pushes my past fics towards you* I do have an old scarian fic on my ao3 too, so if you want that it's there... its not just my 3 peskyblaze/vexblaze oneshots :3
im strongly of the belief that it doesnt matter how long its been, you can always comment on old works (unless the author explicitly said otherwise ofc) so if you wanna even drop a lil emoji on any of mine I'll happily reply :D
#and by old I just mean is double life desert duo from last year lol#its technically complete#it was written as a one shot but then i said 'wait guys look i have another idea' in my usual fashion#and i started a second part that is... done but unedited#at the time i wrote everything into physical notebooks#so its a little painful to copy those into a google doc lol#anywho lemme hush up#i gotta get ready for class lol#hermitblr#hermitshipping#idrk what to tag i dont want to bait anyone LOL#hummmm....#yeah we'll leave it at that#ickmicktalks#RUNS BACK IN HERE#i can tag my au wait#pvb hc au#mwahahaha#dissappears again
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Until I Found You
Summary: Living in a small town had it's pluses and minuses. But when an older man and his daughter move in, things start to change, perhaps for the better.
Word Count: 24.3k+
Pairing: Logan (X-Men) x fem!teacher!reader
Notes: this is looong, and believe me, i was surprised when i realized that it ended up being 24,000 words.
this thing is a slow-burn, i was literally screaming at my screen saying 'just kiss already!' then realizing that, in fact, i'm the one who has to make them kiss or confess or do something.
reader has a last name, but other than that, she isn't described. this technically could be considered an AU of logan (2017) where logan survives, so this was written with old man logan in mind.
i would like to turn this into another oneshot series, so don't be afraid to send in any requests! (relating to this or anything else you want to see!)
warnings: none!
The small town you lived in meant a few things, everyone knew everyone, and everyone got in everyoneâs business.
A few months ago, an older man and his young daughter moved into town. You werenât sure exactly how old he was, of course you knew who he was, but even you had to admit, he was attractive. But thatâs what everyone thought, you heard the mothers who would pick up their children from school, looking at Logan as he picked up Laura.
It was nice to see a man who picked up his kid, though youâve never seen Lauraâs mother, so perhaps that explains why.
Laura was a quiet and sweet girl, at least thatâs what you thought. Apparently, she also had the spirit of a firecracker and got angry easily. And while sheâs visited the principalâs office at least 9 times since sheâs been here, you still canât help but see her as a cute little girl whoâs been through something traumatic, whatever it was.
You were standing outside with your class in the afternoon, waiting until all the students were picked up. Laura was in another teacherâs class at the end of the day, your coworker Emma Zhou. You and Emma stood next to each other, your classes mingling as they waited for their parents to pick them up.
Emma leaned close to you, âthis is my favorite part of the day, you know.â
âYeah, I think itâs everyoneâs favorite part of the day. We get to go home after this.â You replied.
âIt used to be that, but nowâŚâ Emma trailed off as you glanced over at her, âthere arenât a lot of people in this town who are good looking. But heâs a great new addition.â
You hummed noncommittally, so what if Logan was good-looking? It wasn't like you spent your time ogling him. He was just another parent in the sea of them, a bit rougher around the edges maybe, but nothing that special. Emma shot you a knowing look.
"Come on, youâve seen him, right? That scruffy beard, those eyes," Emma said, nudging you with her elbow. "Heâs like one of those rugged cowboys from the old Westerns."
"You sound like you're about to swoon," you teased, trying to keep the conversation light. You didn't want to admit you might have noticed the way his eyes softened when he looked at Laura or the way he seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"Well, can you blame me?" Emma shot back with a grin. "Small town like ours, and a guy like that shows up? It's bound to turn some heads."
You knew that much. All the women, even those who were married, always ogled him, but he either didnât mind or didnât care. His salt and pepper hair, the thick beardâhe was practically a wet dream for women everywhere.
Emma nudged you again, eyes gleaming with mischief. "What, youâre not even the least bit curious about him?"
"I mean, sure, he's... attractive, but I'm not about to join the fan club," you said, shrugging it off, though you could feel heat creeping up your neck. You kept your focus on the kids in front of you, especially Laura, who sat quietly on the steps, doodling in her notebook like she always did while waiting for her dad.
Emma smirked, clearly not buying your indifference. "Yeah, right. I see the way you look over there sometimes."
You scoffed, shaking your head. "You're seeing things."
Just then, you noticed Loganâs truck pull into the school parking lot. He stepped out, running a hand through his hair as he made his way over to the crowd of parents. Laura immediately perked up, her quiet demeanor shifting just a little, and she started gathering her things without a word.
"Speak of the devil," Emma murmured, but you ignored her, watching as Logan approached, his usual scowl in place, though it softened when his eyes landed on his daughter.
He gave a brief nod in your direction as he came closer. "Afternoon."
"Hey," you replied, casually. You werenât about to give Emma the satisfaction of seeing you flustered.
Laura stood up, slinging her backpack over her shoulder as she walked over to him. She paused in front of you, though, glancing up with those big, serious eyes of hers.
"Bye, Ms. Aberra," she said, her voice quiet but steady with a hint of her accent.
You smiled. "See you tomorrow, Laura."
She gave a small nod before taking Loganâs hand. He didnât say much else, just a simple âthanksâ before turning to leave with Laura in tow. You watched them walk away for a moment longer than necessary, noticing the slight limp in his step that he tried to hide.
"Y/N," Emma sing-songed, breaking you out of your thoughts. "Admit it, youâve got a little thing for him, don't you?"
You rolled your eyes. "You really need a new hobby."
Emma laughed, but before she could press any further, her attention shifted to another parent picking up their kid, and you were grateful for the distraction. Still, you couldnât help but wonder about Logan and Laura, what their story was. Everyone in town seemed to have their theoriesâsome more ridiculous than othersâbut youâd always figured it wasnât your place to pry.
As the crowd of students and parents thinned out, you found yourself thinking about Logan again. His gruff exterior didnât bother youâit reminded you of those old Clint Eastwood characters, tough but with something vulnerable underneath. Maybe it was the way he looked at Laura, so protective but with a softness that made you wonder what kind of man he really was when he let his guard down.
Emmaâs voice pulled you back to the present. "So, whatâs your plan for the evening?"
You shrugged. "Probably just grading papers. Maybe catching up on some Netflix. You?"
"Trying to figure out how to run into Logan at the grocery store," she joked, though you wouldnât have been surprised if she wasnât kidding.
You chuckled, shaking your head. "Good luck with that."
As you both said your goodbyes and headed to your cars, you couldnât help but glance over at Loganâs truck one more time. He was already driving off, Laura in the passenger seat, her head leaning against the window.
You let out a small sigh and got in your car, starting the engine. You werenât sure what it was about him, but there was something there. Maybe Emma wasnât entirely wrong.
Not that youâd ever admit that to her.
---
Much to your dismay, you had to go to the store once you were already clad in your loungewear. You wanted to make pasta, only to remember you forgot to get milk after work.
So now, here you were at the small local grocery store grabbing milk and a pint of ice cream for your troubles. The store was quiet at this hour, a few other people milling about but otherwise uneventful. You grabbed a basket and made a beeline for the dairy section, trying to get in and out as quickly as possible. Loungewear was great for a lazy evening at home, but not exactly your first choice for public appearances.
Once you made it to the frozen section, you looked at the pints of ice cream, specifically looking for one of your favorites, Ben and Jerryâs sâmores. âFuck.â You muttered, seeing a pint of cookie dough in the spot of the sâmores.
You angrily grabbed the cookie dough ice cream to look behind it, only to find a chunky monkey pint. With a huff, you looked at the pint of ice cream, mentally cursing your luck. Just as you were about to put it back onto the shelf, a deep voice spoke from beside you.
"Didn't figure you for a chunky monkey type."
Startled, you looked up and found Logan standing there, one eyebrow raised, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He was holding a six-pack of beer and a carton of eggs in one hand, the other casually resting in the pocket of his jeans.
You blinked, thrown off by the sudden appearance. "What? Oh, no, I was just... I was looking for s'mores," you explained awkwardly, holding up the ice cream like it was evidence.
He nodded, his smirk deepening a little as he glanced at the shelves. "Guess theyâre out, huh?"
"Yeah, my luck tonight," you muttered, a little embarrassed to be caught standing here obsessing over ice cream in your loungewear. Not exactly how you wanted to run into the guy you were definitely not crushing on. How could you? He was the Wolverine, around 200 years old, and looked to be the age of your father. Well, if your father was still alive. Or if you ever got to know him.
Logan glanced at the shelf again and shrugged. "S'mores is overrated anyway."
You quirked an eyebrow at him, momentarily forgetting your embarrassment. "Oh really? Whatâs your go-to then, Mr. Anti-S'mores?"
He smirked, that same low, gravelly voice coming through as he responded. "Not much of an ice cream guy, but if I had to choose⌠probably plain vanilla. Simple. Not too sweet."
You couldn't help the chuckle that escaped you. "Of course you'd go for the most basic flavor."
His eyebrow twitched slightly at that, and you could see the playful glint in his eyes. "Sometimes simpleâs the best option."
You rolled your eyes, grabbing a pint of vanilla. "Well, I guess I'll take your advice tonight, then. Not like I have much of a choice."
He gave you a brief nod, and for a moment, it seemed like the conversation would end there, but then Logan shifted slightly, his weight on one leg, clearly trying to mask the limp you'd noticed earlier. You werenât sure if it was from the adamantium or something else, but it definitely wasnât healing like it should. You found yourself biting your lip, wanting to ask but knowing better.
Instead, you went for something safer. "Lauraâs doing well in class, by the way. Sheâs sharp. A little stubborn, but sharp."
He glanced down at you, a flicker of pride crossing his face. "Yeah, sheâs a tough one." His expression softened as he added, "She doesnât talk about it, but I know she likes you. Keeps her distance with most people."
Your heart fluttered a little at that. Laura was a bit of a mystery, rarely engaging much with the other teachers or students, so hearing that sheâd let her guard down even a little with you meant more than youâd expected. "Well, sheâs a good kid. I try not to push her too much."
Logan nodded, his gaze lingering on you for a moment longer than you expected, like he was sizing you up in that quiet, brooding way of his. It made you feel both exposed and⌠oddly seen.
"Anyway," you said, breaking the silence, "Iâll let you get back to your shopping. Iâm sure youâve got more important things to do than stand around talking about ice cream."
He gave a small grunt that mightâve been a laugh, but it was so subtle you couldnât be sure. "Yeah. See you around, Ms. Aberra."
"Y/N," you corrected, feeling a little awkward. "You can just call me Y/N."
He hesitated for a split second before nodding. "Y/N, then."
You gave him a small smile, feeling a strange warmth at the way your name sounded in his deep voice. He gave a nod before turning to leave, but as he walked away, you couldnât help but steal a glance at his retreating form. There was something about himâsomething rough, broken, but undeniably captivating.
---
The next morning, you pulled into the school parking lot, iced coffee in hand, still replaying your chance encounter with Logan at the grocery store. Why did it have to be the one night you went out in loungewear? If Emma ever found out, you'd never hear the end of it. You mentally braced yourself as you walked toward the building, determined to shake off any lingering thoughts about last night.
As you entered the teacher's lounge to drop off your things, Emma was already there, nursing her own cup of coffee. She spotted you immediately and raised an eyebrow.
"You look a little too chipper for a Wednesday," she teased.
You shrugged, trying to act casual. "Just happy to be halfway through the week."
"Uh-huh," she said, not quite convinced. "You didn't run into anyone interesting last night, did you?"
Your heart skipped a beat. How does she know?
"Like who?" you asked, trying to play dumb, but Emma's smirk told you she wasn't buying it.
"Oh, I donât know... maybe a certain rugged cowboy-looking guy with a truck?" she said, her grin widening.
You groaned. "Seriously, do you have a sixth sense or something?"
"I knew it!" Emma practically squealed. "You did run into Logan, didnât you? Come on, spill!"
You rolled your eyes and took a seat at the table. "It was nothing. We just ran into each other in the frozen section, talked for, like, two seconds. Thatâs it."
"Uh-huh, and?" Emma leaned forward, eager for details.
"And nothing. We talked about ice cream. He said s'mores was overrated."
Emma let out a dramatic gasp. "Overrated? Now, I know he's not perfect."
You chuckled despite yourself. "Yeah, well, that's the most thrilling part of my story, so feel free to be disappointed."
Emma shook her head, still grinning. "Oh, I'm not disappointed at all. This is just the beginning."
"There's nothing to begin, Emma," you said, exasperated. "He's just another parent."
"Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that," she said with a wink before heading out to her classroom. You couldn't help but roll your eyes again as you followed her out into the hallway.
---
The morning passed uneventfully, but Laura had been quieter than usual in your class. Not that she was typically the most talkative kid, but today she seemed more distant, even from you. Sheâd finished her assignments early, as usual, but spent most of the class staring out the window instead of doodling in her notebook.
During lunch, you decided to check in with her. You found her sitting by herself outside, picking at the sandwich Logan had packed for her. You approached cautiously, not wanting to startle her.
"Hey, Laura," you greeted, taking a seat on the bench next to her. "Everything okay?"
She glanced at you, her expression as unreadable as always, before giving a slight shrug. "Yeah."
You studied her for a moment, noticing the way she kept her gaze low, avoiding eye contact more than usual. Something was definitely off. You knew better than to push too hard, but you also didn't want her to bottle everything up.
"Well, you know if you ever want to talk, Iâm here," you said gently.
She gave another shrug, but this time, her eyes flickered up to meet yours briefly. "I know."
You nodded, letting the silence settle between you. Laura wasnât one for big emotional outburstsâat least not around youâbut you had a feeling she'd talk when she was ready.
"By the way," you said, changing the subject to lighten the mood, "your dad said he donât like s'mores ice cream. Is that true, or is he just weird?"
Laura looked up at you, her lips twitching slightly like she was trying not to smile. "I like s'mores."
"Thought so," you replied with a smirk. "Well, Iâm officially questioning all of your dad's taste now."
Laura didnât laugh, but her expression softened a little, and she took another bite of her sandwich. It wasnât much, but it felt like progress. You let her finish eating in peace, feeling a little more at ease knowing that youâd at least gotten her to relax.
---
The afternoon flew by, and soon enough, the end-of-day pickup routine was in full swing. You and Emma stood outside again, watching the usual parade of parents and cars. Loganâs truck was easy to spot as it pulled up to the curb. You tried to act like you werenât paying attention, but of course, Emma caught you glancing over.
"Still nothing, huh?" she teased under her breath.
"Shut up," you muttered, doing your best to seem disinterested.
Logan stepped out of the truck, his usual stoic expression in place as he made his way toward the school. Laura was already waiting, standing near the steps with her backpack slung over her shoulder. She saw him and walked over without hesitation, but before they left, she turned back to you.
"Bye, Ms. Aberra," she said, her voice a little softer than usual.
"See you tomorrow, Laura," you replied with a smile.
Logan gave you a nod as they walked past, and you couldnât help but notice the slight limp in his step again. It was subtle, but there. Your curiosity piqued, but you pushed it down, reminding yourself it wasnât your place to pry.
Emma, however, was still watching you closely. "Youâre so not fooling anyone."
You shot her a look. "Seriously, get a hobby."
Emma just grinned, clearly enjoying this way too much. "Oh, this is my hobby, Y/N. And Iâm going to enjoy every minute of it."
As you both stood there, watching the last of the kids get picked up, you couldnât help but glance over at Loganâs truck one more time as it drove away. Emmaâs teasing was getting on your nerves, but there was a part of you that couldnât completely dismiss what she was saying.
Maybe you were a little curious. Just a little. But you werenât about to admit that to anyoneânot even yourself.
---
Over the weekend you decided it was time to get an oil change. You werenât going to go to âMavinâs Oil Changeâ, not after that happened. Which is why for the past few years youâve been doing it yourself.
It wasnât difficult, and it was a lot cheaper, both wins in your book.
You walked around the hardware store, glancing at the shelves as you carried a new oil drain pan. You paused in front of the rows of motor oil, scanning the labels. Conventional had always worked fine for you, but maybe this time you'd splurge on the synthetic blend. It wasn't a huge decision, but it felt like a small act of treating yourself, in a way.
You were debating the pros and cons of the oil options when you heard the sound of someone walking up behind you.
"Didnât peg you for the kind to do your own oil changes."
You turned your head and were met with Loganâs familiar gravelly voice. There he was againâof all places, heâd found you here in the auto section of the hardware store.
"Yeah, well, it's cheaper this way," you replied with a casual shrug, hoping to mask the slight surprise in your voice. You gestured to the oil in front of you. "What about you? Conventional or synthetic blend?"
Logan glanced at the shelf, then back at you. "Conventional. Gets the job done."
"Figures." You grinned a little, grabbing the conventional oil off the shelf. "Guess Iâll stick with what I know too, then."
He raised an eyebrow at you, but there was a hint of amusement behind his usual stoic demeanor. "Figured youâd be one to overthink it. Syntheticâs not all itâs cracked up to be."
You chuckled. "Iâll take your word for it, Mr. Oil Expert."
He grunted in response, grabbing something off the shelf for himself. For a moment, you both stood there, surrounded by tools and motor oil, neither of you saying much. It was kind of niceâquiet, comfortable in a way you wouldnât have expected.
You shifted, holding the oil pan in your hands. "So, is Laura doing anything fun this weekend?"
Logan glanced at you, his face softening slightly at the mention of his daughter. "Not much. She likes to keep busy, but⌠this town ainât exactly got a lot going on."
"True," you nodded, biting your lip as you tried to think of something. "She could come by and help me out with my garden, if sheâs interested. I know she likes plants."
Logan looked at you, a little longer than usual, and you wondered if youâd crossed some kind of line offering something so personal. But then he nodded. "Sheâd probably like that."
"Cool," you said, feeling oddly relieved that you hadnât messed up. "Let me know if she wants to. I could use an extra set of hands."
He gave a small nod, but his eyes lingered on you again for a second before he turned his attention back to the shelf. There was that same weight to his gaze, like he was always sizing things up, figuring people out.
"You know," you said, breaking the silence, "Iâm starting to think youâre stalking me. First the grocery store, now here. Should I be worried?"
Logan snorted, shaking his head. "Pretty sure itâs the other way around."
You raised an eyebrow, pretending to be offended. "Excuse me? If anything, Iâm just a simple schoolteacher who likes ice cream and doing her own oil changes. Hardly the stalking type."
"Sure," he replied, the corner of his mouth twitching just slightly into what could almost be considered a smile.
You felt your own lips tugging into a grin, and for a moment, it felt easier. Logan wasnât always the easiest person to talk to, but something about these small, random moments with him made you feel more at ease than you expected.
"Well, good luck with your oil change," he said, turning to head down another aisle. "Maybe see you around."
"Yeah, see you around," you replied, watching him walk away before you continued shopping, a strange warmth lingering in your chest.
As you walked toward the checkout, you couldnât help but think back on how natural it felt, just talking to him. There wasnât any awkwardness or forced conversationâjust two people running into each other at the hardware store. Nothing to overthink. Except, maybe, the fact that you were starting to like these encounters more than youâd like to admit.
---
Logan blew out a breath of his cigar smoke. Laura said she didnât like it when he smoked inside so he started doing it outside on the porch.
A small added bonus was seeing you, a few houses down, across the street, currently underneath your car getting the oil to drain.
The door opened and shut behind him as Laura stepped out, âella te gusta,â she said softly.
He let out a huff, âkid, I donât know how many times I have to tell you, but I donât know Spanish.â
Laura let out her own huff, sitting down next to Loganâs chair with her sketchbook, flipping it open. She didnât say anything for a while, just started sketching in that intense, quiet way she had. Logan leaned back, puffing on his cigar, watching the smoke curl up into the air.
He caught himself glancing back across the street, where you were still working under your car. Laura's earlier comment lingered in his mind, even if he pretended not to know what it meant.
After a few minutes of silence, Laura looked up from her drawing. âYou should go help her.â
Logan snorted, taking another puff of his cigar. âSheâs fine. Knows what sheâs doinâ.â
Laura raised an eyebrow at him, her expression skeptical. âYouâre always saying people shouldnât be doinâ stuff like that alone. What if something happens?â
âYeah, but sheâs not helpless,â he grunted, though there was something in his tone that sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than her.
Laura shrugged and went back to her sketch. âStill think you should.â
Logan glanced at her, then back at you. You were sliding out from under the car, wiping your hands on your jeans, looking like youâd handled it just fine. He grunted again, though this time it was more to himself.
âWhat are you drawing?â he asked, trying to change the subject.
Laura held up her sketchbook, showing him a detailed drawing of a plantâa vine with thorns twisting around a branch. It reminded him of your garden, something about the way the plants seemed to grow wild but still had a certain beauty to them.
âThat for Ms. Aberra?â Logan asked, the name slipping out before he could stop it. He tried to keep his tone casual, but Laura shot him a knowing look.
âMaybe.â She shrugged, but there was a smirk playing on her lips. âShe likes plants. Thought sheâd like this.â
Logan just nodded, staying quiet. He wasnât about to get into a conversation with an eleven-year-old about why heâd noticed things about your garden or how you seemed to have a way with plants. That wasnât his style.
âWhy donât you go show her?â Logan suggested, nodding toward you as you gathered up your tools.
Laura seemed to think about it for a second, then shook her head. âMaybe later. Sheâs busy.â
Logan raised an eyebrow at her but didnât push it. He knew better than to try and make Laura do something if she wasnât in the mood. The kid had a stubborn streak a mile wide. Though he supposes it was his fault.
A teenage girl who was walking a dog, a tan pit bull, stopped in front of your driveway, the dog happily wagging its tail as it patiently waited for you to say hello.
You were still wiping the oil off your hands when you noticed the pair. "Hey, there.â You smiled as you crouched down to greet Juno, who leaned eagerly into your hand, her tail wagging excitedly. "How are you, Juno?" you cooed, giving the pit bull a good scratch behind the ears.
The teenage girl holding the leash smiled politely. âSheâs been dying to see you again,â she said, giving the leash a little slack so the dog could get closer.
"Well, Iâm always happy to see her." You grinned as the dog nudged your leg, clearly wanting more attention. "Been a busy evening?â
The girl shrugged. âYeah, but Juno here makes it better. You know how it is.â
You nodded. "Definitely. Plants are my version of Juno. Or baking, itâs hard to decide.â
The girl chuckled lightly before glancing at the car behind you. âDoing your own oil change?â
"Yep," you said, standing up and wiping your hands again on the rag. "Easier and cheaper than going to a shop."
She raised an eyebrow. "Impressive. I wouldnât even know where to start."
âYouâd be surprised how easy it is. YouTube tutorials, mostly,â you said, shrugging as you wiped your hands on the rag.
The girl smiled. "I might have to try that next time. If I donât mess up my car in the process.â
You laughed. "Thatâs what the tutorials are for. But yeah, itâs not too bad. Youâd get the hang of it."
As you chatted with the girl for a bit longer, Juno continued to happily soak up the attention. You scratched behind her ears one more time before standing up straight. âWell, good luck with the rest of your walk. Always nice seeing you two.â
âSame here,â the girl replied, tugging gently on Junoâs leash. âCâmon, girl. Letâs get home.â
You waved as they continued down the street, Juno looking back at you with her tail wagging. With a satisfied sigh, you turned back to finish cleaning up, putting away the oil pan and bottles of motor oil.
Across the street, Logan puffed his cigar, watching as you gathered your tools and wiped your hands one more time. Laura had gone back to her sketching, though every now and then sheâd glance up at him with that same look.
âSheâs done now,â Laura said after a moment, still sketching.
âI can see that,â Logan grumbled, tapping ash off the end of his cigar.
âStill think you should go help,â she added, not even bothering to look up this time.
Logan huffed, staring at you as you double-checked your work and began packing up. He didnât need to helpâyou were obviously handling everything just fine. But still, there was something about the way you worked so methodically, so determined. Youâd done it all yourself, like you didnât need anyoneâs help. He couldnât quite shake the feeling, though, that maybe he wanted to offer it anyway.
âKid, you sure know how to push buttons,â he muttered under his breath.
Laura just smirked, flipping another page in her sketchbook.
Logan grumbled to himself for a moment longer before standing up from his chair, tapping out the last of his cigar in the ashtray. âStay here.â
He walked across the street toward your driveway, hands in his jacket pockets, his eyes set on you as you knelt by the toolbox, sorting through the remaining tools.
âYou done already?â he called out, making his presence known.
You glanced up, not expecting to see him again so soon. âYeah, just finished up,â you replied, standing up and wiping your hands on the rag again. âWhat about you? Something break down?â
âNah, just figured Iâd see if you needed any help,â he said, his tone casual, though you could tell it wasnât exactly his style to offer assistance without a reason.
You raised an eyebrow, smiling a little. âYou offering to help after the jobâs already done?â
"Guess I am," Logan replied with a hint of a smirk, his eyes not quite meeting yours.
You couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, it's the thought that counts, I suppose. Next time, Iâll be sure to save the hardest part for you."
"Yeah, you do that," he said, his voice gruff but not unfriendly. He shifted his weight slightly, glancing over at the now-finished oil change. "You do this kind of thing often? Or just the oil changes?"
"Mostly just the oil changes," you admitted, as you leaned in closer like you were telling a secret. âI went on a few dates with Mavinâs son the first few months I was here and didnât go over well. Now he overcharges me.â You held up your hands, âbut if itâs something complicated, I promise I drive 30 minutes to the city to get it checked out.â
Logan's eyes flickered with interest, the corners of his mouth twitching into something resembling a smile. "That right? Well, can't say I'm surprised. Mavin's a bit of a jerk."
You chuckled softly, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. "Yeah, he wasn't thrilled about me ghosting his son, that's for sure. But hey, I learned how to change my own oil, so I guess something good came out of it."
Logan grunted in agreement, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He didn't say much after that, his eyes lingering on you as if he were trying to piece together something that didn't quite fit. You had a feeling he wasn't used to people like youâpeople who seemed to find their way into his life, one way or another.
"Well," you said, breaking the silence, "thanks for the offer, even if the jobâs already done." You smiled, a little uncertain about what to do next. "Guess I'll see you around."
He nodded, but didn't make a move to leave. "Laura likes you, you know."
That caught you off guard. "Oh," you replied, a bit flustered. "Well, I like her too. She's a good kid. Smart, but... you already know that."
"Yeah," Logan muttered, his voice softer than usual. "She doesnât open up to many people. But you... youâre different."
You weren't sure how to respond to that, so you just nodded, feeling an unexpected warmth spread through your chest. "Iâm glad she feels comfortable around me. Sheâs been through a lot."
Logan's eyes darkened slightly, a shadow passing over his features. "More than most," he agreed, his voice rough with something that sounded a lot like guilt.
You wanted to reach out, to say something that might make him feel better, but words failed you. So instead, you just stood there, the silence stretching between you, not awkward but charged with something unspoken.
"Anyway," Logan said, clearing his throat as if to shake off the heavy moment. "If you ever need help with the car, you know where to find me. Or Laura."
You smiled, feeling that warmth again. "Iâll keep that in mind. And if you two ever need help with, I donât know, math homework or... anything else, you know where to find me."
He nodded, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. "Noted."
You watched as he turned to leave, feeling a strange mix of relief and disappointment. As he walked back toward his house, you couldn't help but feel that maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something more than just friendly encounters at the store.
---
During lunch, you sat in your classroom, enjoying 30 minutes of peace and quiet before the kids came back into the room. The soft hum of the heater filled the space, making the room feel warmer than usual as you flipped through the stack of quizzes you needed to grade. The formulas and diagrams were a blur as your mind drifted back to the weekend, specifically to Logan.
The way heâd offered to help with your oil change, the quiet moments that had followedâit was so unlike him. Or maybe, you realized, you just didnât know him well enough yet. Either way, something about it had left you feeling... something.
A soft knock on the doorframe pulled you from your thoughts. You looked up to see Emma standing in the doorway, that cheeky grin on her face.
âSo,â she started, stepping inside your classroom. âI hear youâre making friends with a certain someone across the street.â
You rolled your eyes, setting down the quiz youâd been half-grading. âIâm not âmaking friends.â We just happen to run into each other.â
Emma raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. âMhm. Sure. Totally normal for him to come help with your oil change, right?â
"My God, how do you know?" you asked, eyes widening in disbelief as you sat back in your chair.
Emma smirked, leaning against the doorway like she had all the time in the world. "Small town. You know how people talk." She paused, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Besides, youâre not exactly subtle. Logan? The gruff guy across the street? Itâs hard to miss that you two have been... running into each other more than usual."
You sighed, rubbing your temple. "Itâs not like that. He just offered to help with my car, and Lauraâ"
Emmaâs grin widened. "Ah, Laura. Thatâs the key, isnât it? Iâve seen how she looks at you. That kid doesnât warm up to just anyone. Sheâs a little... prickly, but with you? Sheâs different."
"Sheâs a good kid," you said, trying to deflect. "Sheâs been through a lot, you know? I just think she needs someone to talk to. Someone whoâs not... intimidating."
"Sure, sure," Emma teased, walking further into the room and sitting on the edge of one of the desks. "But you canât tell me there isnât something more going on between you and Logan. I mean, come on. He doesnât exactly strike me as the âfriendly neighborâ type. More like âleave me alone or Iâll stab you with my clawsâ type."
You chuckled despite yourself. "Okay, yeah, heâs not exactly Mr. Rogers. But itâs not like weâre... you know, itâs justâ"
"Flirting?" Emma offered with a raised eyebrow.
"Friendly," you corrected quickly, though the warmth in your cheeks betrayed you. "Itâs just friendly. Heâs Lauraâs dad, and weâve talked a few times, but thatâs it."
Emma gave you a knowing look. "Uh-huh. Sure. And Iâm the Queen of England."
You groaned, pushing your quizzes aside. "Why are you so obsessed with this?"
"Because," Emma said with a shrug, "itâs about time you had a little fun in this town. You spend all your time either at school or working on that garden of yours. You deserve to have a life outside of grading papers and pulling weeds."
"I have a life," you protested.
Emma raised an eyebrow. "Really? And when was the last time you went on a date?"
You opened your mouth to reply, but quickly closed it, realizing you didnât have a good answer. "Okay, fine," you admitted, "itâs been a while. But that doesnât meanâ"
"Exactly my point," Emma interrupted, flashing a triumphant grin. "Look, Iâm not saying you have to marry the guy. But Logan? Heâs clearly interested. And I think you are too."
"Okay⌠even if I was interested, Iâm pretty sure a guy like that doesnât have dating or relationships on his mind. Especially with someone like me." You leaned back in your chair, feeling a mix of frustration and doubt.
Emma gave you a skeptical look, shaking her head. "Someone like you? Come on, Y/N. Donât sell yourself short. Youâre smart, funny, and clearly, Logan thinks youâre worth his time. Heâs not just helping anyone with an oil change, believe me."
You sighed, crossing your arms. "Itâs not that simple. You know what heâs been through. And Laura... sheâs been through so much already. Iâm not about to mess with their lives."
Emma smirked, tapping her fingers on the desk. "Mess with their lives? Or make their lives better? Laura clearly likes you, Y/N. Sheâs practically glued to your side when youâre around. And Logan? Heâs different with you. I see it."
You frowned, picking up a pen and twirling it between your fingers. "Lauraâs nice to me, yeah. But that doesnât mean anything. Sheâs indifferent to most of the other teachers, and she barely talks in class. I donât even know if she likes me, or if itâs just... I donât know."
"She doesnât warm up to just anyone," Emma pointed out. "Youâre different. She looks at you like she trusts you, and Logan trusts you too, whether he shows it or not. Thatâs not something that happens often with them. Theyâre... well, guarded, for obvious reasons."
You were quiet for a moment, thinking about Laura. It was trueâshe was quiet, distant with others, but with you? There was something different. Sheâd even started staying after class sometimes, just sitting there while you graded papers or prepped for the next lesson. And Logan? He was always nearby, watching, but never intruding.
Still, the idea of anything happening between you and Logan felt... complicated. "Even if he did trust me, itâs not like heâs the type to be thinking about relationships. The manâs got enough on his plate. And me? Iâve got work, and... Iâm not exactly relationship material."
Emma laughed, shaking her head. "Please, Y/N. If anyone deserves a chance at something real, itâs you. Youâve spent so long taking care of everyone elseâyour students, your job. Maybe itâs time to let someone take care of you for a change."
You looked at her, skeptical. "You think Logan is the type to 'take care of' someone?"
She smirked. "He already is. Heâs just doing it in his own way. And trust me, the way he looks at you? Thereâs more there than you realize. You just have to stop overthinking it."
Before you could respond, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Emma stood up, giving you one last knowing smile before heading for the door. "Just think about it, Y/N. Sometimes, the best things happen when you least expect them."
You watched her go, your mind still swirling with doubt and a tiny sliver of hope. Could there really be something more between you and Logan? Or was it just your imagination?
As your students started filing back into the room, you pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the rest of the day. But even as you taught your lessons and graded papers, Logan lingered in the back of your mind.
---
Later that evening, you found yourself in the garden, pulling weeds and trying to clear your head. The sun was starting to set, casting a warm orange glow over the small town. You liked this time of dayâthe quiet, the calm.
Just as you were settling into the rhythm of pulling weeds, you heard footsteps behind you. Turning around, you saw Logan standing there, hands shoved into his jacket pockets, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"Need any help?" he asked, his gruff voice breaking the silence.
You blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, with the garden? Iâm just pulling weeds."
He shrugged, stepping closer. "Doesnât hurt to have an extra set of hands."
You smiled, feeling a bit awkward but oddly touched by the offer. "Sure, if youâre up for it."
Logan crouched down next to you, pulling at the weeds without saying much. The two of you worked in silence for a few minutes, the only sound being the rustling of plants and the distant hum of traffic.
Eventually, you spoke up, trying to break the tension. "So... Lauraâs been doing well in class. Sheâs quiet, but I think sheâs starting to come out of her shell a bit."
Logan glanced at you, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Yeah? Thatâs good to hear. She doesnât talk much at home either."
"Sheâs a smart kid," you added, pulling another weed. "But I think... she could use someone to talk to. Someone she feels safe with."
Logan was quiet for a moment, then nodded. "Sheâs been through a lot. Trust doesnât come easy for her."
You hesitated, then asked, "What about you? Do you feel safe here?"
He looked at you, his expression softening just a little. "Safer than Iâve felt in a long time."
That simple admission hit you harder than you expected. Logan, this gruff, guarded man, was letting his walls down, even just a little. It made your heart ache in a way you hadnât anticipated.
"Thatâs good," you said quietly, your eyes meeting his. "Iâm glad."
For a moment, neither of you said anything. The quiet between you felt heavy but not uncomfortable. Loganâs presence was grounding, solid in a way that made you feel... safe too.
Finally, he broke the silence. "I appreciate what youâve done for Laura. She doesnât trust many people, but with you... itâs different."
You shrugged, trying to downplay it. "Iâm just doing my job. Sheâs a good kid, like I said."
Logan gave a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Itâs more than that. She trusts you. And... so do I."
Your breath caught in your throat at his words. There was something unspoken in the air between you, something neither of you was ready to address. But it was there, simmering just below the surface.
"Logan, Iâ"
Before you could finish, he stood up, brushing the dirt off his hands. "Anyway, Iâll let you get back to it."
You stood up too, feeling the weight of what was left unsaid hanging in the air. "Thanks for the help."
He gave a brief nod, his eyes lingering on you for a moment before he turned to leave. "Anytime."
As you watched him walk away, your heart was pounding in your chest. There was no denying it nowâthere was something between you and Logan. Something real. And it scared you just as much as it excited you.
---
Parent-teacher conferences always stressed you out. Gathering all your studentsâ information, organizing it all, it was hectic and unreasonable. You couldnât understand why an email didnât suffice.
Possibly the worst thing about it is the fact it took place in the school gym, which had no AC. The heat was almost unbearable, making your clothes stick to your skin as you shuffled through your notes, waiting for the next parent to arrive to your table.
The gym was packed, parents and their kids moving between tables as they talked to teachers, making the already stifling room feel even hotter. You fanned yourself with the stack of notes youâd organized earlier, feeling sweat prickle at your back.
You glanced at your list of appointments, sighing when you saw who was next: Logan. You hadn't expected him to come. Laura was doing well enough in your class, but she wasnât exactly the type to care about grades. You figured Logan would be the sameâpractical, but not overly concerned about school meetings.
You straightened up, glancing around to see him approaching with Laura by his side. She looked slightly uncomfortable, her arms crossed and her gaze focused anywhere but the gym, while Logan was, well... Logan. His expression was gruff, unreadable as usual, but there was something in his eyes that softened when he saw you.
âMs. Aberra,â Logan greeted as he reached your table, giving you a nod.
âLogan,â you said, smiling at Laura. âAnd Laura. How are you two doing?â
Laura shrugged, barely meeting your gaze. Logan pulled out the chair for her, and she reluctantly sat down, still quiet. He stayed standing, leaning on the back of the chair, watching you with that familiar intensity that made your heart skip a beat.
âDidnât expect to see you here,â you said lightly, trying to ease the tension. âLauraâs doing fine in class. Really, thereâs not much to talk about.â
Logan glanced at Laura, then back at you. âFigured Iâd come by anyway. See how things are goinâ.â
You nodded, pulling up Lauraâs grades on your tablet. âWell, like I said, sheâs doing great. Sheâs one of the best in the class, actually. Quiet, but I can tell sheâs always thinking.â
Lauraâs face remained impassive, but there was the slightest twitch of a smile at the corner of her lips.
âSheâs got potential,â you continued, looking at Logan. âEspecially in science. I think sheâd be great at anything she wanted to do, honestly.â
Logan grunted in response, but there was a proud glint in his eye. âThatâs good to hear.â
Laura finally spoke up, her voice quiet but clear. âI like science. And math.â
You smiled, surprised by her willingness to engage. âWell, youâre really good at it. I was thinking, if you ever wanted, there are some extracurriculars coming up. Science club, math competitionsâstuff like that. It might be fun.â
Laura glanced at Logan, who simply shrugged. âUp to you, kid.â
She seemed to think about it for a moment, then nodded slightly. âMaybe.â
âWell, no pressure,â you said, trying to keep it casual. âYou can always decide later.â
There was an awkward pause as you flipped through the rest of Lauraâs grades, though there wasnât much else to say. She was excelling, especially considering her background. You couldnât help but feel a little protective over her, knowing what sheâd been through.
âSo, uh, anything else you need to know?â you asked, looking back up at Logan.
He shook his head. âJust wanted to check in, make sure sheâs on track.â
You smiled, feeling the warmth in his words even if he didnât show it. âSheâs doing great. Really.â
Logan gave you a brief nod, his gaze lingering on you a little longer than necessary before he straightened up. âThanks.â
You watched as he turned to Laura, ready to leave, but she didnât stand just yet. Instead, she glanced between the two of you, her brow furrowed slightly like she was piecing something together.
âAre you... friends?â she asked suddenly, her voice cutting through the noise of the gym.
You blinked, taken aback by the question. Logan seemed just as surprised, his eyes widening slightly before he quickly recovered.
âWell,â you said slowly, glancing at Logan for a cue. âI guess you could say that.â
Logan cleared his throat, crossing his arms. âYeah. Somethinâ like that.â
Lauraâs eyes narrowed slightly, as if she didnât quite believe it but wasnât going to argue. âOkay.â
She stood up, her chair scraping against the floor as she started toward the exit. Logan hesitated for a moment, giving you one last look before following her. âSee you around,â he said, his voice gruff but softer than usual.
You watched them go, feeling that strange mix of emotions againâthe warmth, the uncertainty, the possibility of something more. As the door closed behind them, you realized that, for once, you didnât mind the heat. It was a small town, and people noticed everything. But you were starting to wonder if maybe that wasnât such a bad thing after all.
Laura grabbed his hand as they exited the gym, having already seen her other teachers. She looked up at Logan, as he stared straight ahead at the truck in the parking lot. âCreo que ella te gusta.â
He let out a huff, âkid, donât know how many times I gotta say it, but I donât know Spanish.â
Laura gave him a sidelong glance, clearly unimpressed by his response. "You should learn," she muttered under her breath, squeezing his hand as they reached the truck.
Logan grunted as he fumbled for the keys, a slight wince crossing his features as he slid into the driverâs seat. He glanced at Laura, who was already buckling herself in without a word. The silence between them wasnât uncomfortable, but it wasnât quite easy either.
He turned the key in the ignition, the truck sputtering to life as he pulled out of the parking lot. His mind wandered back to the parent-teacher conference, and specifically to Y/N. Sheâd always been good with Laura, he could see that. But lately, something about her seemed to calm him tooâa feeling he wasnât used to and didnât quite know how to handle.
âYou like her,â Laura said, breaking the silence with her blunt observation. It wasnât a question.
Loganâs grip tightened on the steering wheel. âSheâs a good teacher. You like her, too.â
âThatâs not what I meant,â Laura said, crossing her arms. âYou act different when sheâs around. You donât growl as much.â
Logan let out a low chuckle, though it lacked any real humor. âI donât growl.â
âYes, you do,â Laura said, looking out the window. âBut not at her.â
He didnât know how to respond to that, so he didnât. Instead, he focused on the road, trying to push away the thoughts circling in his mind. He wasnât a man used to... feelings, especially not ones that left him unsure. But Y/N had a way of sneaking under his defenses, and that scared him more than heâd like to admit.
âI like her,â Laura said quietly after a long stretch of silence.
Logan glanced at her, surprised by the soft admission. Laura didnât trust people easily, and she certainly didnât like many. But her words carried weight, especially to him.
âYeah?â he asked, his voice softer than usual.
Laura nodded, still looking out the window. âSheâs not like the others. She doesnât treat me like Iâm different.â
Logan felt a knot in his chest loosen, though he wasnât sure why. Maybe it was the relief of knowing Laura had found someone she trusted, or maybe it was the way Y/N had already become a part of their lives, without him even realizing it. Either way, he didnât say anything more, just drove the rest of the way home in silence, lost in his own thoughts.
---
The next morning, you thanked the stars that it was Saturday. You were exhausted from the large amount of human interaction last night and decided to sleep in a bit before tending to the garden.
After that, and taking a shower, you slipped into comfortable clothes, some small shorts and a large t-shirt that covered the shorts, since it only getting warmer outside.
Even with that said, you couldnât help but crave chocolate chip cookies, thanking the stars once again that you had all the ingredients.
You turned on the oven, allowing it to pre-heat, as you grabbed a mixing bowl and walked around your small kitchen looking for the ingredients listed on your worn-out piece of paper. You still hadnât memorized the recipe after making it for years.
The doorbell ringed as you poked your head out the side of your kitchen. When you answered it, you were pleasantly surprised to find Laura outside, wearing what you could only describe as a cute grey shirt with a colorful bear on it. Youâd never say it to her, sheâd probably leave if you said she looked cute.
âHey, Laura. Dâyou need anything?â
âDaddy said I could help with the garden.â She spoke softly.
âOof, sorry kiddo. Already did it this morning.â You looked back inside your house before turning back to Laura, âthough, I could use some help making cookies.â
Laura hesitated for a second, her dark eyes studying you as if trying to decide whether this was worth her time. You were still getting used to her quiet, guarded nature, but youâd learned quickly that she was different around you compared to other people. It was like you had some sort of unspoken understanding, even if you didnât fully get why.
âOkay,â she finally said, stepping past you into the house.
You closed the door behind her, walking back into the kitchen and grabbing a second mixing bowl. âYou ever make cookies before?â you asked, glancing over your shoulder at her.
Laura shook her head, standing by the counter as she watched you.
âWell, todayâs your lucky day. Iâm about to show you the magic of sugar, butter, and chocolate chips.â You grinned as you started measuring out the ingredients. âCan you hand me the brown sugar?â
She scanned the countertop before reaching for the brown sugar, silently passing it to you. You got the feeling she wasnât used to this kind of thingânormal, mundane stuff like baking cookies on a lazy Saturday. Not that you knew her whole story or anything, but youâd heard enough about Logan and his complicated life to guess Laura hadnât had a typical upbringing.
As you started mixing the butter and sugar together, you tried to think of something to say. Conversations with Laura could be tricky; she wasnât the chatty type, and you didnât want to push her too much.
âSo,â you started, keeping your tone casual, âwhatâs Logan up to today?â
She shrugged. âResting.â
You raised an eyebrow but didnât push further. Logan resting was a good thing. You knew heâd been having a rough time lately with his health, even though he wasnât the type to admit it. You figured he was just being stubborn, refusing to slow down even though it was clear his healing wasnât what it used to be.
Laura remained silent, watching as you added the flour to the mix.
âYou wanna stir?â you asked, offering her the spatula.
She looked at it for a moment before stepping closer and taking it from you. Her movements were careful, deliberate, and you couldnât help but smile as she focused on the task.
âNice job,â you said, giving her a thumbs-up. âYouâve got a future in cookie-making, I can tell.â
Laura didnât react much, but you swore you saw the tiniest flicker of amusement in her eyes.
As she stirred, you reached for the chocolate chips. âBest part of making cookiesâsneaking a few of these before they go in the dough.â You tossed a couple into your mouth, then held the bag out to her.
She paused, looking at the chocolate chips like she wasnât sure what to do. After a second, she picked one up and ate it, chewing thoughtfully.
You chuckled. âSee? Told you itâs the best part.â
Laura kept stirring the dough while you got the baking sheets ready. The silence wasnât uncomfortable, just⌠quiet. You didnât mind it, though. Laura wasnât the type of kid who needed constant conversation, and you appreciated that about her.
As she worked, you glanced at her again, feeling a strange sense of protectiveness. You didnât know what exactly sheâd been through, but whatever it was, you could tell it had shaped her into someone far older than her years.
When the dough was ready, you started scooping it onto the trays. âAlmost done,â you said. âThen itâs just a waiting game while they bake.â
Laura nodded, wiping her hands on a dish towel as she watched you.
You slid the trays into the oven and set the timer before turning back to her. âYou want some water or anything while we wait?â
She shook her head, her eyes still on the oven like she was trying to figure out why people made such a big deal out of cookies.
âWell, Iâm grabbing a drink.â You poured yourself a glass of water, leaning against the counter as you sipped. âItâll take around 12 minutes for them to finish. Then we put in another batch, and another until the dough has all been used.â
Laura gave a small nod, her eyes still focused on the oven. It was like she was trying to figure out if all this waiting was actually worth it.
You studied her for a moment, wondering what was going on in that head of hers. She never really said much, but it was clear there was a lot happening behind those dark, watchful eyes. You werenât exactly sure why sheâd taken to you, but you were grateful for it. Laura didnât let many people in, that much was obvious.
âI can show you a movie. Or maybe some music? I usually play somethinâ while I wait.â
Laura glanced up at you, her brow furrowing slightly. âMusic,â she said quietly.
You smiled, glad she was at least open to that. âCool. Letâs see what we got.â You pulled out your phone and scrolled through your playlist, landing on something mellow, nothing too upbeat or distracting. You hit play, letting the soft sounds of a guitar fill the room.
Laura leaned against the counter, listening, her arms crossed over her chest. She wasnât fidgety or impatient, just quiet, like she was absorbing everything around her.
You took another sip of water, watching her from the corner of your eye. âYou ever help Logan with stuff like this? Like cooking?â
She shook her head. âNo.â
You figured as much. âWell, if he ever asks, youâll be a pro now.â You winked at her, earning the tiniest of shrugs in return.
You both stood there in a comfortable silence, letting the music play. It wasnât awkward, just⌠peaceful. The smell of the cookies starting to bake filled the kitchen, and for a moment, it was easy to forget all the heavy stuff hanging in the airâLoganâs health, Lauraâs past, whatever weight she carried that you didnât fully understand yet.
After a few minutes, Laura spoke up. âI talked to Logan about you⌠last night.â
You paused, surprised sheâd bring it up. âOh yeah? Whatâd he say?â
She didnât answer right away, her gaze fixed on the oven. âHe said youâre... different from other people. In a good way.â
A warmth crept into your chest at that. âWell, thatâs nice of him to say. I think heâs pretty different too, you know. In a good way.â
Laura looked at you, her expression unreadable. âHe likes you,â she said, her tone flat, but there was something in the way she said it, like it was a fact she was still processing.
You felt your cheeks heat up a little. âYeah? Well⌠I like him too.â
She stared at you for a moment longer before nodding slowly, like she was piecing something together in her head. âHe doesnât trust people. But he trusts you.â
You swallowed, not quite sure how to respond to that. âIâm glad he does. I mean⌠I care about him, Laura. And you too.â
Lauraâs eyes flickered with somethingâmaybe understanding, maybe something else you couldnât quite name. She didnât say anything for a while, just looked down at the floor.
Before the silence could stretch too long, the oven timer beeped, cutting through the moment.
âCookies are done,â you said, turning to grab the oven mitts. You pulled the trays out, setting them on the counter to cool. The smell was even stronger now, warm and sweet, filling the entire kitchen. âWanna taste test one?â
Laura hesitated for a second before nodding.
You carefully lifted a cookie from the tray, holding it out to her. âCareful, itâs hot.â
She took it, blowing on it before taking a small bite. You watched as she chewed, her face still neutral, but you could tell she liked it.
âGood, right?â you asked, biting into one yourself.
Laura nodded again, chewing slowly. For a split second, you thought you saw a hint of a smile tug at the corner of her mouth, but it was gone just as quickly as it came.
As you both stood there, munching on cookies, the air felt lighter, like some kind of invisible barrier between you had shifted just a little. You didnât know all of Lauraâs story, but you didnât need to. What mattered was that she was here, sharing this small moment with you, and that was enough.
âSo,â you said after a few minutes, breaking the silence. âWhat should we do next? More cookies? Or maybe try out that movie?â
Laura looked at the remaining dough, then back at you. âMore cookies.â
You grinned. âGood choice. Letâs make this batch even better.â
---
After all the cookies came out of the oven, you sent Laura home with a container of some of the batch. You could never eat them all on your own, and you ended up giving some away anyways, so why not give some to Laura?
You walked Laura to your front door and watched as she crossed the street, her figure disappearing behind the door three houses down. There was always something surreal about the way she movedâso quiet, so controlled, like she had learned to blend into the background. It made you wonder what her life had been like before coming here.
When Laura walked in, the container held tightly to her chest, Logan sat on the couch, the soft murmur of the TV barely audible as he sipped from a whiskey bottle. His eyes flicked over to her as the door clicked shut behind her.
âYou were gone a while,â he muttered, his voice rough but not harsh.
Laura shrugged, walking past him toward the kitchen. âMade cookies.â
Logan raised an eyebrow, watching her disappear from view. The faint clinking of a container hitting the counter reached his ears. He knew she didnât do stuff like this unless someone dragged her into it. âWith Y/N?â he asked, taking another sip.
Laura reappeared, nodding as she plopped down beside him on the couch, the container of cookies now on the coffee table.
Logan stared at it for a moment, then gave a small grunt of approval. He reached over and grabbed a cookie from the container, breaking off a piece and popping it into his mouth. He chewed slowly, savoring the sweetness that felt out of place in his usual world of bitterness and whiskey.
âNot bad,â he muttered, glancing at Laura. âYou help with these?â
She shrugged again, still watching the TV, but there was a hint of satisfaction in her expression that didnât go unnoticed by Logan.
âHmm,â he grunted, leaning back. âMaybe next time, you can bring some whiskey to wash âem down.â
Laura didnât smile, but her lips twitched slightly as if she was trying not to.
They sat in silence for a few more minutes, the low hum of the TV filling the room. Loganâs thoughts drifted back to Y/N. He didnât trust people easilyânever had, and probably never would. But Y/N was different. Heâd seen how she handled Laura, how she didnât push too hard or ask too many questions. And she was patient, something Logan knew he didnât have much of.
âY/Nâs a good one,â he said quietly, almost to himself.
Laura didnât say anything, but she shifted slightly, leaning her head against the arm of the couch.
Logan watched her for a moment, then sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. He knew settling down wasnât really in his nature, but for Lauraâs sakeâand maybe a bit for his ownâhe was trying. And Y/N? She made that easier, even if he didnât want to admit it.
âShe ask about me?â Logan asked, more curious than he wanted to let on.
Laura nodded, her eyes still on the screen. âYeah. I told her you were resting.â
Logan snorted. âResting. Thatâs a nice way of putting it.â
Laura didnât respond, and Logan didnât push further. He knew what Y/N probably thoughtâthat he was just some grumpy guy with a limp, maybe a few too many scars for comfort. She didnât know the half of it. But she didnât pry either, and for that, he was grateful.
âGuess Iâll have to thank her for the cookies,â Logan said after a while, taking another sip from the bottle. His mind wandered to the thought of Y/Nâthe way she smiled when she was around Laura, how she always seemed to have the right balance of patience and understanding. It wasnât just anyone who could handle a kid like Laura, let alone make her feel comfortable enough to bake cookies on a Saturday.
âShe likes you too, you know,â Laura said suddenly, her voice cutting through the quiet.
Loganâs brow furrowed. âWhat?â
âY/N,â Laura clarified, her tone as flat as ever. âShe likes you.â
Logan chuckled, though there was a bit of discomfort behind it. âYou donât know that, kid.â
Laura looked at him, her gaze piercing and a little too wise for someone her age. âShe does. I can tell.â
Logan stared back at her, caught off guard by how matter-of-fact she sounded. It was hard to argue with Laura when she had that look on her face, the same look that said she saw through everything and didnât waste time with pleasantries.
He cleared his throat, trying to brush it off. âYeah, well⌠thatâs her problem, not mine.â
Laura didnât react, just turned back to the TV. But Logan could feel her eyes on him for a few seconds longer before she settled back into the cushions.
Logan shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of Lauraâs words hanging in the air. He wasnât used to people âlikingâ him in the way Laura seemed to imply. People tolerated him, sure, maybe even respected him, but liking him? That was new territory.
He let out a sigh and reached for another cookie. It wasnât worth thinking about. Not right now.
But even as he chewed in silence, he couldnât shake the thought of Y/Nâand what it might mean if Laura was right.
---
A few days later, you found yourself at Loganâs house helping Laura with some of her English homework. You usually donât make âhouse callsâ to help students, but you couldnât deny Laura.
Logan stayed seated in the living room, drinking a beer and watching the TV. But really, he was pretending not to listen to their conversation in the kitchen.
âYouâre doing good, Laura.â You said.
Laura shrugged, her eyes flicking over to Logan in the living room. âCan you stay for dinner?â She asked you.
Loganâs head snapped up at that. He hadnât expected Laura to ask, but there was no denying that the kid had gotten attached to you. Before you could answer, Laura added, âI made something. With Logan.â
That was a lie, of course. Laura had barely touched the stove since the cookies, but she gave Logan a look that told him to back her up.
Y/N smiled softly. âI wouldnât say no to dinner.â She glanced at Logan. âIf thatâs okay?â
Logan grunted, shifting his weight. âYeah. âCourse.â
Laura gave a small nod, clearly satisfied with the answer. You smiled, pushing the papers aside. âGuess Iâm staying for dinner, then.â
Logan shot Laura a look, one that said what exactly are we eating? but she ignored him, turning her attention back to you. âItâs nothing fancy,â she said, which wasnât reassuring.
âWell, Iâm excited. Food always tastes better when someone else cooks it,â you joked, standing up to stretch your arms.
Logan watched you from the corner of his eye as he sat back down on the couch, pretending to be more interested in the muted TV than he actually was. You couldnât help but notice the way he seemed a little tenser whenever you were around, like he wasnât quite sure what to do with himself. He was trying to stay low-key, but you could tell he was keeping tabs on every move you made, every word you said.
âSo, whatâs on the menu?â you asked, trying to ease the quiet that had settled over the room.
Laura, sitting across from you, didnât answer right away, like she was carefully considering her next move. Loganâs eyes flicked over to her, waiting for her response.
âSpaghetti,â she finally said, her voice as flat as ever.
You raised an eyebrow, suppressing a smile. âOh yeah? Sounds good.â
Logan gave a low grunt from the couch, and you could tell by his expression that he was trying to figure out when theyâd supposedly made spaghetti. But he didnât contradict Laura, just took another swig from his beer.
âWell, Iâm looking forward to it,â you said, standing up from the kitchen table. âLet me know if you need any help.â
Laura didnât say anything, just headed to the stove where a pot of water was already simmering. You followed her, glancing at the nearly-empty box of spaghetti on the counter. It was clear she hadnât done this a lot, but the effort was what mattered. And if it meant spending more time with herâand Loganâyou werenât about to complain.
âIâll get the sauce going,â you offered, stepping beside her. Laura gave you a slight nod, sliding over to make room.
Logan watched from the couch, his eyes narrowing as if he was weighing the situation. He hadnât expected you to just roll with it, but then again, you always had a way of adapting.
âSo, howâs school?â you asked Laura, trying to keep the conversation light while you opened the jar of sauce.
âItâs fine,â she said, her tone noncommittal.
You stirred the sauce, giving a little shrug. âWell, if you ever need help with any other type of homework, you know where to find me.â
She glanced up at you, her expression unreadable, but something in her eyes softened for a second. âI know.â
The two of you worked in quiet sync, with Laura focusing on the pasta and you keeping an eye on the sauce. It wasnât long before the kitchen started to smell of tomatoes and garlic, the scent filling the air and making the small space feel cozy. For a while, the only sounds were the bubbling pot and the clinking of utensils.
Logan shifted on the couch, clearing his throat. âNeed me to do anything?â
You glanced back at him with a smile. âJust sit there and look pretty, Logan. Weâve got this.â
A low chuckle escaped him, though his face didnât change much. âThat so?â
Laura glanced at Logan, her expression unreadable, but you caught the briefest hint of approval in her eyes before she turned back to stirring the pasta.
Once everything was ready, you and Laura brought the food to the small dining table. You plated up the spaghetti, topping it with sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Logan joined you both, moving slower than he probably realized, and sat down with a grunt.
As you all ate, the room stayed comfortably quiet. It wasnât one of those forced silences that felt awkwardâit was more like everyone was just settling into the moment. Laura was still guarded, but you could tell she was starting to relax, even if it was just a little.
âYou did good, Laura,â you said, twirling some spaghetti on your fork. âThis tastes great.â
She didnât say anything, just kept eating, but you saw her shoulders ease up ever so slightly.
Logan, on the other hand, glanced between the two of you, chewing slowly. He hadnât been big on cooking or anything domestic like this, but he could tell Laura had put in effort. He took another bite, grunting his approval. âNot bad,â he said quietly.
You smiled to yourself. This whole thing wasnât exactly what youâd planned for the evening, but it was nice in its own wayâjust simple, like normal people having dinner together.
As you were finishing up, Logan pushed his chair back, grabbing his beer bottle from the table. âIâll handle the cleanup,â he said, his voice gruff but not unkind.
You raised an eyebrow, standing to gather a few plates. âYou sure?â
Logan waved you off. âYeah. Laura and I got it.â
You nodded, stepping back. âAlright, Iâll leave you to it then.â
Laura watched you quietly, her dark eyes flicking between you and Logan. You could tell she wasnât used to this kind of thing, the casual ease of sharing a meal and cleaning up afterward. But she was learning, and it seemed like she didnât mind having you around for it.
âWell,â you said, grabbing your bag from the chair. âThanks for dinner, you two. Iâll see you around?â
Logan grunted in acknowledgment, giving you a nod. Laura followed you to the door, her small figure standing by your side as you reached for the handle.
Before you could leave, she spoke up. âWill you come over again?â Her voice was quiet, almost hesitant.
You smiled softly. âOf course. Anytime.â
She nodded, her face still unreadable, but there was a certain calmness to her now, a trust that hadnât been there before.
You gave her a little wave before stepping out into the evening air. As you walked back to your house, you couldnât help but think about how unexpected this had all been.
---
You muttered to yourself, hanging up the phone. Your sink had started to leak, and even though you were fairly handy, when you tightened the pipes, it did nothing.
So here you were, on your lunch break, looking for a handyman that didnât want to charge you $200 for a quick fix.
Emma walked in, holding a folder with her lesson plans. âSoâŚâ
You rolled your eyes, âdonât start.â
âWhat! Iâve told you, word travels fast. Rose saw you leavinâ his house last night.â
âRose?â You shook your head, âthat woman is 85 and still gossips like sheâs 20.â You put your phone down, âI was helping Laura with her English homework.â
"Helping Laura with her English homework?" Emma raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "You mean, at ten o'clock at night? Sure, Y/N."
You groaned, leaning back in your chair. âIt wasnât like that. Sheâs struggling with some of the writing prompts, and Loganâs... well, you know heâs not exactly the best person for that.â
âUh-huh,â Emma nodded slowly, setting her folder down. âIâm just saying, you and him⌠thereâs something there. You can deny it all you want, but people see things.â
âPeople need hobbies,â you muttered. âBesides, Loganâs... complicated. Itâs not that simple.â
âIâm not saying it is,â she shrugged. âBut youâve been spending more and more time with him and Laura lately. Iâm just curious.â
You crossed your arms, narrowing your eyes at her. âCurious about what, exactly?â
âJust curious when you're going to admit you like him,â Emma smirked.
âI donâtâ" you started to argue, but stopped yourself. âEmma, heâs⌠I mean, I care about him, but itâs not like that. Heâs a single dad with a kid, and Iâm just the neighbor who helps out sometimes.â
âYeah, sure, Y/N.â Emma grabbed her folder and gave you a pointed look, âif you donât make a move, someone on the âWolverine Watchersâ will.â
You choked on the iced coffee you took a sip of, âthe what?â
Emma grinned, âthe âWolverine Watchersâ. A bunch of women in the town created a Facebook group about him. I joined out of curiosity.â
You blinked at Emma, still processing what sheâd just said. âHold onâthereâs a Facebook group about Logan? Are you serious?â
âDead serious,â Emma said with a smug smile. âThey call themselves the âWolverine Watchers.â Thereâs, like, at least 30 women in it. Maybe more.â
You shook your head in disbelief, sinking back into your chair. âThatâs insane. Why would anyone even...â
âOh, please,â Emma interrupted. âDonât act like you donât get it. Heâs rugged, mysterious, barely speaks to anyone, and heâs got the whole grumpy-silver-fox thing going on. They eat it up. Hell, even I get it.â
You glared at her. âYouâre not helping.â
She leaned against the desk, still grinning. âJust saying, donât wait too long, or one of them might swoop in.â
You waved her off, though a part of you felt oddly defensive about the whole thing. âLoganâs not interested in any of that.â
Emma shrugged, pushing off the desk and heading for the door. âMaybe. Maybe not. But are you interested?â
You opened your mouth to respond before shaking your head. âOkay. Iâm going to forget this part of our conversation and continue to try and look for a plumber or handyman.â
Emma laughed, clearly enjoying your discomfort. âFine, fine. But if you need help with Logan or plumbing, you know where to find me.â
She left the room at the same time Laura walked in. She walked over to the front of your desk and stared at you with those eyes of hers. âYou need help?â Laura finally asked.
You shook your head, âno. Just need a plumber. The sink in my kitchen is leakinâ.â
Laura tilted her head slightly, considering something. âWhy donât you ask daddy?â
You sighed, rubbing the bridge of your nose. âBecause your dadâs busy, and itâs not his problem to deal with. Iâll figure it out.â
âHe fixed the dishwasher last week,â she pointed out quietly, a hint of mischief in her eyes. âAnd the dryer.â
âYeah, but I donât want to bother him with stuff like this,â you countered, trying to ignore how her face lit up every time she mentioned something Logan had done for you. âIâm sure heâs got enough on his plate.â
Laura didnât respond right away. Instead, she leaned against your desk, her small fingers tapping lightly on the wood. âHe likes helping,â she murmured, almost like she was testing the waters.
You looked at her, raising an eyebrow. âIs that so?â
âMhm,â she nodded, but quickly glanced away, pretending to focus on the bulletin board behind you. âHeâs good at fixing things.â
You watched her for a moment, your irritation from earlier starting to melt away. It was hard to stay frustrated when she was being so earnest. âOkay, okay, I get it. But your dad doesnât need to be the townâs go-to handyman.â
Laura glanced up at you through her lashes. âJust tell him. Please?â
There was something almost⌠hopeful in her gaze, and you felt a twinge of guilt. Laura wasnât the type to ask for much. If this meant that much to herâŚ
âFine,â you sighed, holding up your hands in surrender. âIâll ask him. But only because you asked nicely.â
Lauraâs lips twitched in the faintest smile, a look of victory crossing her face. âThank you.â
âYouâre welcome, but youâre not off the hook yet,â you teased gently. âYou still owe me an essay on Newtonâs laws of motion, remember?â
She scrunched up her nose, making a face. âI know. Iâll finish it.â
âGood,â you nodded, giving her a playful wink. âAnd donât go trying to bribe me with homework just to get me to talk to your dad, okay?â
Lauraâs eyes widened in mock innocence. âI would never.â
âUh-huh,â you said skeptically. âAlright, head back to class. Lunch is almost over.â
She gave a small nod, then glanced back at you before leaving. âHe really likes you, you know.â
Your heart stuttered, caught off guard by her bluntness. âLauraââ
âJust saying,â she added quickly before ducking out the door and heading down the hallway.
You stared at the empty doorway, a mix of emotions swirling in your chest. Liking you? What did that even mean coming from an eleven-year-old?
You shook your head, trying to push the thought away. Logan was⌠well, Logan. Gruff, quiet, and often impossible to read. And sure, heâd been more present lately, but that didnât mean anything. He was just being a good neighbor.
You glanced at the time on your phone, groaning softly. Lunch was almost over, and you hadnât even finished setting up for the afternoon class.
âGuess Iâll ask him about the sink,â you muttered under your breath, more to convince yourself than anything.
Because if Laura was already noticing things, how long would it be before the whole town started talking?
---
That evening, after school had ended and youâd finally managed to get through the rest of your lesson plans, you found yourself standing in front of Loganâs place. It was only a short walk down the street, and yet, your feet felt heavier with each step.
You could hear the faint sound of a TV through the open window and the soft murmur of voicesâLaura and Logan, probably talking about her day. It was⌠nice. Domestic. Something that made your chest tighten with an inexplicable emotion.
âJust ask about the sink and go,â you whispered to yourself, giving a firm nod. âNo big deal.â
You knocked lightly, and a few seconds later, the door swung open to reveal Logan. He was in his usual attireâflannel shirt, jeansâand he looked at you with that same unreadable expression.
âHey,â you said, suddenly feeling awkward under his gaze. âI, uh, wanted to ask for a favor.â
His brow furrowed slightly, and he stepped back, gesturing for you to come inside. âWhatâs goinâ on?â
You hesitated, then took a deep breath. âMy kitchen sink started leaking, and⌠well, I tried fixing it, but I think I made it worse. Laura said youâre good at this kind of stuff, so I thought⌠maybeâŚâ
Logan raised an eyebrow. âYou want me to take a look at it?â
âYeah,â you nodded quickly. âIf youâre not too busy. I donât want toââ
âItâs fine,â he interrupted, already grabbing a toolbox from a nearby shelf. âLetâs go.â
You blinked. âWait, you donât want to, like, finish dinner or something first?â
He shot you a look that was almost amused. âIâm not gonna let your kitchen flood because of a sink. Câmon.â
You let out a small laugh, relieved by his reaction. âOkay, fair point. Thanks, Logan.â
âNo problem,â he grunted, stepping out onto the porch. âLead the way.â
As you walked back to your place, you stole a glance at him. Logan might have been gruff and intimidating to most people, but youâd come to learn there was more to him than that.
When you reached your house, Logan set to work immediately, inspecting the pipes under the sink. You leaned against the counter, watching as he tinkered and adjusted, his movements methodical and precise.
âYou didnât have to come over right away,â you said softly, breaking the silence. âI know youâve got a lot going on.â
He didnât look up, just shrugged. âItâs fine. Better to fix it now than let it get worse.â
âYeah, I guess,â you murmured. âBut still⌠thanks.â
Logan glanced at you then, his eyes lingering for a moment longer than usual. âYou donât gotta thank me every time I do somethinâ for you, Y/N.â
âI know,â you replied, offering a small smile. âBut I want to.â
He gave a low grunt, something between acknowledgment and dismissal, and returned his focus to the pipes. You stayed silent, watching him work, trying to make yourself useful by occasionally handing him a tool or holding a flashlight.
âYouâve done this before, huh?â you asked, breaking the silence again.
Logan didnât look up, but you saw the faintest twitch of a smile at the corner of his mouth. âCouple times.â
âFixing sinks?â you teased, raising an eyebrow. âOr just everything?â
âEverything,â he muttered. âYou learn to handle stuff when no one else can.â
There was an unspoken weight behind his words, something you didnât pry into. You knew Logan had been through more than he let onâthere were pieces of his life you still hadnât put together, and you werenât sure you ever would. But that didnât stop you from being curious.
Instead, you chose to keep the conversation light. âWell, I appreciate it. I probably wouldâve made a bigger mess if Iâd kept trying.â
He grunted again, this time almost in agreement, and you couldnât help but chuckle.
âOkay, I walked into that one,â you admitted. âBut seriously, thank you. Laura was rightâyou are good at this.â
Logan tightened the last pipe and stood, wiping his hands on a rag. âShe talks too much sometimes.â
You shook your head, still smiling. âSheâs just proud of you.â
He didnât respond, his eyes darkening for a brief moment before he shifted the subject. âItâs done. Shouldnât leak anymore, but if it does, just call me.â
You nodded, feeling that strange tightening in your chest again. âGot it. Thanks again.â
Logan grabbed his toolbox and started for the door, but something in the air between you both felt unfinished, like there was something unspoken hanging there. Before you could second-guess yourself, you called out.
âLogan?â
He paused, his back to you.
âI meant what I said earlier,â you continued, a little more quietly this time. âI know youâve got a lot on your plate, and I donât want to add to it. But I appreciate you helping me.â
Logan turned, his gaze locking onto yours. There was something in his eyesâsomething you couldnât quite place. For a second, you thought he might say something, but then he just gave a slow nod.
âDonât worry about it, Y/N,â he finally said. âIf you need somethinâ, Iâll be around.â
He turned and walked out the door, leaving you standing in your kitchen, staring after him. You exhaled, feeling a mix of confusion and warmth.
Later that evening, as you cleaned up and prepared for the next dayâs lessons, you couldnât stop replaying the interaction in your head. Loganâs quietness, his willingness to help, Lauraâs knowing smiles. There was something stirring there, something more than just neighborly concern.
But you pushed the thoughts aside, reminding yourself of the practicalities. Logan was a single dad with a complicated past, and you⌠well, you had your own life to focus on. This wasnât the time to start overthinking things.
Still, as you drifted off to sleep that night, the image of Logan fixing your sinkâfocused, calm, and oddly comfortingâstayed with you.
---
Youâve never liked storms. Youâre not sure why, you grew up in Houston where it rained consistently and encountered a few hurricanes.
But when you turned 18, you went to college further north in Texas, getting away from the rain and finally getting sunshine and real heat, not humid heat.
It never rained much in the north of Minnesota, but when it did rain, it rained a lot. So much so that the school cancelled classes for the rest of the week.
You could use the time to catch up on grading assignments, but instead you found yourself barely able to keep your attention on the TV, flinching every time you heard thunder.
The storm outside raged on, lightning flashing every few seconds, followed by the rumble of thunder that rattled the windows. You glanced at the stack of papers youâd set aside to grade, but your mind just wasnât in it.
âWhy does it always feel worse at night?â you muttered, sinking deeper into the couch, trying to focus on the TV.
Then, a knock at the door startled you. You werenât expecting anyone, especially with the weather this bad.
You got up, hesitating for a second before opening the door to reveal Laura, soaked from head to toe, holding a small flashlight.
âLaura? What are you doing out here?â you asked, eyes wide with concern.
âOur power went out,â she explained quickly, shivering slightly. âDaddy said I could come over here since your lights are still on.â
You frowned, glancing past her toward Loganâs house, which was barely visible in the heavy rain. âIs your dad coming over too?â
Laura shrugged, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. âHe said heâd figure it out.â
You closed the door behind her, grabbing a towel from the bathroom and handing it to her. âYou shouldâve just called, you know. I wouldâve come to get you.â
Laura gave you a small smile as she dried off. âItâs fine. I didnât want to wait.â
You shook your head, unable to suppress a smile at her stubbornness. âOf course you didnât.â
The two of you sat in the living room for a while, Laura settling into the corner of the couch with her legs tucked under her, still glancing out the window at the storm every so often.
âHow longâs the power been out?â you asked after a few minutes.
âSince just after dinner,â she replied. âDaddy was gonna try and fix it, but he said it might take a while.â
You nodded, already feeling a little guilty. If the power didnât come back on soon, youâd probably end up with both of them staying over. Not that you minded, but it was one of those situations where you didnât want to impose. Especially with Logan.
Almost on cue, there was another knock at the door, this one heavier, more deliberate.
You didnât even have to look to know it was Logan.
You opened the door to find him standing there, drenched like Laura had been. His hair was plastered to his head, and his usual gruff expression was softened slightly by the rain dripping from his face.
âCome on in,â you said quickly, stepping aside.
Logan entered, shaking off some of the rain before giving you a nod. âThanks. Powerâs out, and I donât think itâs cominâ back anytime soon.â
You closed the door behind him and offered him a towel, which he accepted without a word. He glanced over at Laura, who had made herself comfortable on the couch, and then back at you.
âYou alright with us beinâ here?â he asked, his voice low but genuine.
âOf course,â you replied, waving it off. âIâm not gonna let you sit in the dark with no heat.â
Logan nodded, though there was something in his eyesâsomething like gratitude, though he didnât voice it.
The three of you sat in the living room for a while, the storm still raging outside. It wasnât exactly the most comfortable silence, but it wasnât awkward either. Just... quiet. Logan wasnât one for small talk, and Laura seemed content just to be around people, her gaze flicking back and forth between you and her dad.
As the night wore on, the storm didnât let up, and Lauraâs eyelids started to droop. You glanced at the clock, noting how late it was getting.
âYouâre welcome to stay the night,â you offered, glancing between them. âItâs still coming down pretty hard out there, and I donât think the powerâs coming back on soon.â
Laura perked up at the suggestion, but Logan hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the idea. âWeâll be fine,â he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. âDonât wanna impose.â
âYouâre not imposing,â you said firmly, crossing your arms. âThereâs a guest bedroom, and Iâve got blankets. Besides, Iâm not letting either of you walk back in this mess.â
Laura, sensing her opportunity, chimed in before Logan could object. âI want to stay,â she said quietly, her eyes big and hopeful.
Logan sighed, glancing at his daughter, clearly torn. âLauraâŚâ
âDaddy, itâs still storming,â she added, her voice soft but insistent. âWe can stay, right?â
You jumped in before he could refuse. âItâs no trouble, Logan. Really. Laura can take the guest bedroom, and I can sleep on the couch.â
Logan gave you a skeptical look. âYouâre not sleepinâ on the couch in your own house.â
You rolled your eyes. âItâs not a big deal.â
âItâs your bed,â he grunted. âIâll take the couch.â
Before you could argue, Laura piped up again, her voice full of innocent mischief. âYou could both sleep in the bed.â
Your eyes widened, and you quickly glanced at Logan, whose expression had shifted to one of slight surprise.
âLaura,â you started, but she just shrugged, clearly enjoying this more than she should have been.
âWhat?â she said innocently. âItâs a big bed.â
Logan sighed heavily, rubbing the bridge of his nose. âYouâre not helpinâ, kid.â
Laura just grinned, her eyes gleaming with quiet victory. âI think I am.â
You cleared your throat, trying to regain control of the situation. âIâm fine with sleepinâ on the couch, really. Canât really sleep when itâs storminâ anyways.â
Laura, still lounging on the couch, piped up again, her grin growing wider. âYou could just share the bed.â
Your face flushed, and you shot her a look. âLauraââ
âWhat?â She shrugged, playing innocent, but you could see the hint of mischief in her eyes.
Logan sighed, his shoulders slumping. âKid, stop messinâ around.â
She held up her hands in surrender, but the teasing smile on her face didnât budge. âIâm just saying itâs an option.â
You shook your head, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement. âLaura, youâre gonna sleep in the guest room. Iâll be on the couch. End of story.â
Laura rolled her eyes but didnât argue. âFine.â
Logan glanced at you, his eyes softening for a brief moment before he muttered, âYou sure about this? I donât wanna take your bed.â
You waved him off, trying to sound casual. âSeriously, itâs no big deal. Just get some rest. Youâve been out in the rain long enough.â
He hesitated for a second, then gave a small nod. âAlright. But only because you wonât stop arguinâ.â
âExactly,â you said, smiling a little as you grabbed an extra blanket from the hallway closet and tossed it to Laura. âYou can get settled in the guest room, kiddo.â
Laura caught the blanket and headed toward the guest room with a little bounce in her step, clearly pleased with how things were turning out. You watched her disappear down the hallway before turning back to Logan, who was still standing in the living room, looking somewhat out of place.
âYou can leave your wet clothes by the door if you want,â you offered, trying to keep things normal, even though the situation felt anything but.
Logan gave a quiet grunt of acknowledgment, pulling off his soaked jacket and hanging it on the back of a chair. He moved slowly, like he was still debating whether to argue about the sleeping arrangements again, but thankfully, he didnât.
After a minute, he glanced back at you, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. âYou really are stubborn, you know that?â
You raised an eyebrow. âTakes one to know one.â
He chuckled softly, shaking his head as he walked past you toward your bedroom. âFair enough.â
Once he disappeared into the room, you let out a small sigh, running a hand through your hair. This was... not how you expected your night to go. Sharing your house with both Logan and Laura during a storm, with Laura sneakily playing matchmaker. It was almost funny, if not for the fact that Logan being this close made your heart race a little too much for comfort.
You settled back onto the couch, pulling a blanket over yourself and staring at the TV screen without really watching it. The sound of rain pounding against the windows and the occasional crack of thunder filled the quiet, but it was hard to focus on the storm when you knew Logan was in the next room.
Laura had probably planned this all along.
You glanced toward the hallway where the guest room was, wondering if she was already asleepâor if she was lying there, scheming her next move.
Thunder broke you out of your thoughts, making you flinch slightly under the blankets.
You settled deeper into the couch, but sleep wasnât coming any easier despite the exhaustion from the day. Your mind kept wandering, mostly back to Logan and how natural it had started to feel having him and Laura around. Maybe a little too natural.
A sharp crack of thunder rattled the windows, and you flinched again, instinctively pulling the blanket tighter around your shoulders. Youâd thought you were getting used to storms, but this one was relentless, dragging on with no signs of easing up.
Just when you started to think youâd be up all night, you heard the soft creak of the floorboards behind you. You turned, expecting to see Laura coming out of the guest room, but instead, Logan stood there in the dim light of the living room, looking as uncomfortable as you felt.
âCanât sleep?â you asked, your voice quiet but steady, despite the storm.
He shrugged, leaning against the doorway. âNot used to sleepinâ anywhere but my own bed.â
You nodded, biting back a knowing smile. âYeah, I get that. Stormâs not helping much either.â
Loganâs eyes flicked to the window, then back to you. His gaze was a little softer than usual, like the storm had taken some of the edge off his usual roughness. âYou alright? Heard you jumpinâ every time the thunder hits.â
You rolled your eyes, trying to brush off his concern. âItâs nothing. Just... not a fan of storms.â
âYeah, I noticed,â Logan said, stepping further into the room. He hesitated for a moment, then moved to sit on the armrest of the couch, close enough that you could feel the warmth radiating from him. âDonât have to tough it out, yâknow.â
You looked up at him, caught off guard by the gentleness in his tone. It wasnât like Logan to be this open, to offer any sort of comfort. He usually kept things buried under layers of gruffness and distance.
âGuess Iâm just used to toughing it out,â you said softly, offering him a small smile.
Logan studied you for a moment, his eyes flicking over your face, like he was weighing his next words carefully. âYou donât always have to. Not with us.â
The weight of his words hung in the air, and for a moment, neither of you said anything. You werenât sure what to say. This side of Loganâthe quiet, protective sideâwas something youâd only seen glimpses of before, but tonight, it was like the storm had brought down some of his walls.
âYou donât have to worry about me,â you finally said, but your voice lacked its usual conviction.
âNot worryinâ,â Logan replied, his gaze steady. âJust statinâ a fact.â
The thunder rolled again, quieter this time, as if the storm was finally starting to let up. Loganâs eyes lingered on you for a beat longer, before he stood up, looking like he was about to head back to the bedroom.
But then he paused, glancing over his shoulder. âIf you want... thereâs room in the bed.â
Your breath hitched, and you blinked up at him, not sure if you heard him right. âWhat?â
Loganâs lips twitched in the faintest hint of a smile, but his expression remained serious. âI ainât suggestinâ what Laura was earlier,â he muttered, a little embarrassed. âJust... if it helps you sleep better, I donât mind. Couchâs not exactly comfortable.â
Your heart thudded in your chest, caught off guard by the unexpected offer. Logan wasnât the type to offer comfort lightly, and the idea of sharing a bed with himâplatonically or notâmade your pulse quicken.
âIââ You faltered, unsure how to respond. But something in the way he was looking at you made it clear this wasnât just about the storm or being polite. This was about something moreâsomething that had been quietly building between the two of you for a while now.
Before you could overthink it, you nodded. âOkay.â
Loganâs eyebrows raised slightly, surprised by your answer. He stepped aside as you stood, grabbing the blanket from the couch. Neither of you said anything as you walked down the hallway to your bedroom, the tension thick but not uncomfortableâmore like an understanding had settled between you.
Once inside, Logan shifted awkwardly as you took your side of the bed, pulling the blanket over yourself, trying to act like this was normal, like your heart wasnât racing in your chest. Logan laid down on the opposite side, keeping a respectful distance, though the bed felt smaller with him in it.
The sound of the rain outside softened, though the occasional rumble of thunder still rolled in the distance. You stared at the ceiling, hyper-aware of Logan beside you, the space between you feeling charged.
âYou good?â Logan asked after a minute, his voice low in the quiet.
âYeah,â you whispered. âIâm good.â
A beat passed. Then another.
âThanks,â you added, not just for offering the bed, but for being there, for not making this weird.
Logan turned his head slightly to look at you, his eyes soft in the dim light. âAinât nothinâ.â
But it was something. It was a lot, actually.
You both lay there in silence for a while, the sound of the rain becoming almost soothing. You could feel the warmth of him next to you, solid and reassuring, and slowly, the tightness in your chest began to ease.
Just as your eyes started to drift closed, Loganâs voice broke the silence again, so quiet you almost missed it.
âI meant what I said earlier,â he murmured, his voice gruff but sincere. âYou donât have to do this on your own. Not with us around.â
Your heart swelled, a mix of emotions you werenât quite ready to confront just yet. You didnât know what to say, so instead, you reached out, your hand brushing against his in the small space between you.
Logan didnât pull away. Instead, his fingers curled gently around yours, his grip warm and steady.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, you fell asleep without flinching at the sound of thunder.
---
You woke up to the sound of soft rain pattering against the window, the storm from last night finally easing up. For a second, you forgot where you were, until you felt the weight of the blanket and the warmth of another presence next to you. Logan. His steady breathing filled the quiet space, and you shifted slightly, careful not to wake him.
This was new.
You glanced over at him, his face relaxed in sleep, the tension he usually carried nowhere to be found. It was strange seeing him like thisâcalm, almost peaceful. You could feel the residual warmth from his hand where heâd held yours last night, and the memory made your chest tighten.
Carefully, you slipped out of bed, not wanting to disturb the rare moment of quiet. You padded out into the hallway, stopping by Lauraâs room to peek in. She was still asleep, wrapped up in blankets, her small body barely a lump under the covers.
You smiled to yourself, already suspecting that she had something to do with last nightâs sleeping arrangements. Laura was too clever for her own good sometimes.
In the kitchen, you started brewing coffee, the scent filling the small space. As you waited for it to finish, you found yourself staring out the window, your mind still on Logan. Last night had been... unexpected. But not unwelcome. The way heâd stayed close, offering comfort without making a big deal out of itâit meant more than you wanted to admit.
The soft creak of footsteps behind you pulled you out of your thoughts.
âYouâre up early,â Loganâs gravelly voice broke the quiet.
You turned to see him leaning against the doorway, his hair still a little mussed from sleep, but otherwise looking much like his usual self.
âCouldnât sleep much after the storm,â you shrugged, offering him a small smile. âCoffee?â
âYeah,â he grunted, moving to sit at the kitchen table. âThanks.â
You poured two mugs, setting one in front of him before taking a seat across from him. For a moment, neither of you spoke, just sipping your coffee in the comfortable silence that had settled between you.
Logan glanced at you over the rim of his mug, his eyes softer than usual. âYou sleep alright?â
You hesitated, remembering how easily youâd fallen asleep next to him. âBetter than I expected, honestly.â
He grunted in acknowledgment, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. âGuess the storm wasnât as bad as you thought.â
You rolled your eyes, trying to fight the heat creeping up your neck. âOr maybe it was the company.â
Loganâs smirk widened slightly, but he didnât push it. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning the kitchen before settling on you again. âThanks for lettinâ us stay. Laura didnât give you much choice, huh?â
âShe didnât have to,â you replied with a shrug. âI wasnât gonna let either of you stay in a freezing house with no power.â
Logan nodded, his eyes drifting to the window. âPower should be back on soon. Iâll head back once itâs up.â
You didnât say anything, but part of you felt a pang of disappointment at the thought of him leaving so soon. You hadnât had many moments like thisâquiet, with just the two of youâand you found yourself wanting it to last a little longer.
Lauraâs quiet footsteps broke the silence as she padded into the kitchen, rubbing her eyes sleepily.
âMorninâ, kid,â Logan greeted her.
âMorninâ,â Laura mumbled, glancing between the two of you with a knowing look before plopping down at the table. âIs the power back on yet?â
âNot yet,â you said, trying to ignore the way she was eyeing you and Logan.
Laura just shrugged, grabbing the cereal box from the counter and helping herself. âGuess weâre stuck here a little longer, huh?â
You shot her a look, but she didnât seem fazed, her focus on her cereal. It was hard to tell if she was playing innocent or if she was just that good at pretending.
âSo, whatâs the plan for today?â you asked, trying to shift the conversation.
Laura perked up at that. âYou said youâd help me with my English homework, remember?â
You blinked. âIâuh, right. Yeah, I did say that.â
Logan raised an eyebrow, looking at Laura. âSince when do you need help with English?â
Laura shot him a quick look before turning back to you, all smiles. âI figured Ms. Aberra would be better at explaining it than you.â
You narrowed your eyes at her, starting to catch on. âIâm sure youâre doing fine in English, Laura.â
She shrugged, playing with her spoon. âYeah, but itâs better when someone explains it.â
Logan just shook his head, clearly not buying it either, but he didnât say anything, letting Lauraâs little game play out.
âWell,â you said, getting up from the table. âI guess we can take a look at it after breakfast.â
Laura grinned, clearly pleased with how things were going. âThanks, Ms. Aberra.â
You smiled back, even though you knew something was up. Sure, you had been helping her with English homework for a while now, but she didnât need the help. When she would show you her essays or answers to questions about a reading, they were always perfect. Still, you played along, grabbing your coffee and heading toward the living room.
âAlright,â you said, glancing over your shoulder at her. âGo grab your stuff, and weâll take a look.â
Laura jumped up, cereal forgotten, and dashed off to retrieve her things. You settled onto the couch, sipping your coffee and trying to push aside the strange feeling that this was part of something bigger. But what?
Logan followed you into the living room, sitting down in the worn armchair opposite you. He gave you a lookâone eyebrow slightly raised, lips set in that half-smirk he sometimes wore when he was figuring someone out.
âShe really roped you into this, huh?â he asked, voice low and rough.
You shrugged, trying to seem casual. âItâs not a big deal. Iâm used to kids asking for help with schoolwork.â
âYeah, but Laura? She doesnât ask for help unless sheâs got some kind of angle.â
You laughed softly, but the truth of his words settled somewhere in the back of your mind. Laura wasnât just a smart kidâshe was calculating. Youâd seen it in class and at home. The way she observed things, the way she always seemed to know what was going on, even when no one said a word.
âI guess Iâll find out,â you said, leaning back into the couch.
Before Logan could reply, Laura returned, a small notebook and a pencil in hand. She sat beside you, flipping it open to a random page. You glanced at the page, immediately noticing that it was filled with neat, almost perfect handwriting. The essay sheâd written didnât have a single correction or revision mark.
âAlright,â you began, pretending you didnât see the perfection in front of you. âWhat do you need help with?â
Laura handed the notebook over, her face perfectly serious. âI just wanted to know if the introductionâs strong enough.â
You skimmed through the first paragraph, and honestly, it was better than anything youâd expect from a sixth grader. If anything, it felt more like she was testing you than asking for actual feedback.
âItâs good,â you said slowly. âYour thesis is clear, and you have a strong opening sentence. You might want to make the transition to your first point a little smoother, but overall, itâs solid.â
Laura nodded thoughtfully, pretending to make a note in her notebook. You watched her for a moment, trying to figure out what game she was playing. There was no way she needed your help, but for some reason, she wanted you here. And Logan, too.
Logan just sat quietly, watching the two of you like he wasnât quite sure what was happening either. His hand rested on the arm of the chair, fingers tapping lightly. You could feel his presence, steady and grounding, even when he wasnât saying anything.
Laura glanced at her dad. âMs. Aberraâs a pretty good teacher, donât you think?â
Loganâs eyes flicked to you, his smirk back in full force. âYeah, Iâd say so.â
You gave Laura a suspicious look. âYouâre not just buttering me up for extra credit, are you?â
Lauraâs eyes widened in mock innocence. âNo. I just like the way you explain things.â
âMhm.â You werenât buying it, but it was hard not to laugh.
The quiet hung between you all for a moment, just the sound of the rain outside and the occasional scrape of Lauraâs pencil against her notebook. It felt⌠peaceful, despite the nagging feeling that something was going on beneath the surface.
âAlright, well,â you finally said, pushing yourself up from the couch. âLooks like youâve got this handled, Laura. I donât think you need much help.â
Laura blinked up at you, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. âThanks anyway.â
You caught the look she sent Loganâs way, and suddenly, it clicked. She didnât need your help with homeworkâshe was just trying to get you to stick around a little longer. Maybe even trying to give you and Logan more time together.
Smart kid.
Logan, of course, said nothing, just watching you with that unreadable expression he wore so well. You could never quite tell what he was thinking, and it both frustrated and intrigued you.
"So," Laura said suddenly, breaking the quiet. "Whatâs the plan today?"
You glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "Youâre the one with the notebook full of perfect essays. I thought you had plans."
Laura grinned at that, not even trying to hide it anymore. "I was thinking we could all go out for lunch. Since weâre stuck here."
Logan gave her a look, but didnât say anything, clearly seeing through her. You stifled a laugh, playing along. "Lunch, huh? You paying?"
Laura shrugged, looking way too pleased with herself. "Iâll ask nicely. Maybe youâll cover it."
You shook your head, pretending to think it over. "Might be able to swing it."
Logan snorted. "Real generous of you."
"Hey, Iâm a teacher. Gotta budget wisely," you shot back, smirking at him.
Laura just smiled, clearly happy with how things were going, and it hit you againâshe was definitely playing matchmaker. Subtle, but it was there. Not that you minded. Spending more time with Logan wasnât exactly a hardship.
Logan leaned back in his chair, his eyes still on you, though. "Youâre sure you donât mind us hanging around?"
You tilted your head, genuinely surprised. "Logan, if I minded, I wouldnât have let you in. Youâre both always welcome here."
For a second, he looked like he was going to argue, but then he just gave a slow nod, like he was accepting itâmaybe even appreciating it, though heâd never say that out loud. "Thanks."
You shrugged, trying to act like it wasnât a big deal, even though you knew it kind of was. "Donât mention it."
Laura got up, stretching her arms over her head before grabbing her empty bowl. "Iâll go get ready for lunch then," she said, already heading to the sink. "Iâm starving."
You watched her go, then turned back to Logan, raising an eyebrow. "Think weâve got time for that before the power comes back on?"
Logan shrugged, his smirk returning. "Could be out a while longer."
"Convenient," you muttered, though there was no real bite to it.
Logan chuckled, a low, rough sound that made something in your chest tighten. He set his empty mug on the coffee table and stood up, stretching slightly. "Guess we better make sure the kid doesnât eat the place out of food while we wait."
You laughed, following him into the kitchen. The dynamic between the three of you felt easy now, comfortable in a way that surprised you. Even with Lauraâs not-so-subtle attempts at matchmaking, there was something natural about how you and Logan were around each other. It wasnât rushed or forced. Just... right.
Laura appeared from the hallway, already dressed and tugging on her jacket. "Ready when you are," she said, a little too cheerfully.
Logan gave her a look. "We havenât even decided where weâre going."
"Iâll leave that up to the grown-ups," she said, grabbing her shoes.
You exchanged a glance with Logan, both of you clearly thinking the same thing: this kid was way too clever for her own good. But neither of you called her out on it.
"Alright," Logan finally said, grabbing his jacket. "Letâs get going before the power comes back and ruins her plan."
Laura grinned but didnât say anything, grabbing your hand as you all headed out into the damp, cool air. The rain had finally stopped, but the sky was still overcast, a soft, gray light filtering through the clouds.
You walked beside Logan, Laura skipping a few steps ahead, her eyes darting around like she was taking everything in. She was always like thatâwatching, observing. And now you knew why. She was playing a long game, slowly pushing you and Logan closer together, little by little.
You couldnât help but smile. She was good. Really good.
And maybe, just maybe, you were starting to appreciate her efforts.
---
The school did something special for parents on Valentineâs Day. Instead of just handing out donuts or cupcakes, they did a competition.
There was different challenges for each couple, or pairing, to finish, and to make it even better, their kids would have to guide them on certain challenges, like walking blindfolded to the finish line on the field.
Emma glanced over at you as you were going through the list of parentâs names, making sure everyone had a partner. There were a few single parents, so you had to figure out who they should be paired with. But there was an odd number, one parent would have to sit out.
âSo⌠whoâs sitting out?â Emma asked, leaning on the desk next to you. She had that casual curiosity in her tone, but you knew she was just as invested in making sure things ran smoothly as you were.
You chewed your lip, staring at the list. âLooks like weâve got one extra parent. Iâm not sure yet.â
Emma peeked over your shoulder, scanning the names. âWhat about Logan?â
You paused, looking at the list. Loganâs name was there, as was Lauraâs, but you hesitated. He wasnât exactly the type to jump into school events, especially one that involved blindfolds and teamwork. And while heâd been involved in Lauraâs life, you werenât sure heâd want to participate in something like this.
âYeah, guess he can sit out. We have an odd number of parents anyways.â You put down the clipboard and looked at the empty donut box, âIâll be right back. Gonna go to the other room and get another box.â
As you moved toward the door, you noticed Laura sitting quietly in the corner, fiddling with her notebook, watching everything with that usual sharpness in her eyes. She had been quiet all morning, almost too quiet. You gave her a smile before heading to the break room, still feeling a little awkward about pairing up the parents.
Emma stayed behind, her eyes flicking between you and Laura, a slight smirk tugging at her lips like she was onto something.
You weaved through the hallway, your mind still on the whole situation. These parent events were always a little tricky when it came to single parents. You knew Logan wasnât exactly the type to jump into the school scene, especially for something like a Valentineâs Day competition, but you couldnât help but think maybe heâd want to give it a shot for Laura.
Grabbing the donut box, you paused for a second. The idea of Logan being there today, paired up with someone else, didnât sit right. Not that you had any reason to feel that way. It was just... Logan. You werenât even sure if heâd show up.
When you returned to the room, Laura was still sitting there, now scribbling something in her notebook. She glanced up as you entered, her expression neutral but her eyes watching you closely.
âEverything okay?â you asked, setting the fresh box on the table and moving to grab the clipboard again.
Laura nodded. âYeah, just thinking.â
âThinking about the competition?â You smiled, trying to make conversation, but she just gave you a vague shrug.
âSomething like that.â
Emma glanced at you, her smirk still there as she made a little noise of amusement. âLogan didnât strike me as the âcompetitionâ type. But who knows?â
You shot her a look, but before you could respond, the door swung open, and Logan walked in. Speak of the devil. He looked around, taking in the sight of parents getting ready, kids buzzing with excitement. His eyes landed on you, and he gave a short nod, his usual gruff greeting.
âYouâre here,â you said, surprised, trying to keep your voice casual. âDidnât think youâd make it.â
Logan raised an eyebrow, his hands in his pockets. âLaura signed us up. Thought Iâd better show.â
Laura, sitting nearby, perked up but kept her face mostly neutral. She wasnât about to blow her cover, not yet anyway.
âRight,â you said, glancing down at the clipboard. âWell, thereâs an odd number of parents, so... I was thinking maybe youâd sit out.â
Laura, quick as ever, jumped in. âOr you could partner with someone else.â
You blinked at her, caught off guard. âWell, yeah, I guess, but we donât really haveââ
âYou could partner with Daddy.â Laura said it so simply, like it wasnât a big deal, like she hadnât been plotting this for weeks.
Loganâs eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced between the two of you, clearly realizing what his daughter was doing, but he didnât say anything. He just stood there, waiting for your reaction.
You stammered a bit, caught completely off guard. âIâI donât know if thatâs a good idea...â
Laura gave you a look, one that said she knew exactly what she was doing. âItâs just for the competition. Besides, itâll be fun.â
Loganâs gaze flicked to you again, and this time, there was a slight smirk on his face. âItâs just a game, right? Weâll survive.â
Emma, watching the whole thing play out, was trying very hard not to laugh. âLooks like youâre stuck with Logan, Y/N.â
You felt a wave of heat rise in your cheeks. It was one thing to think about spending time with Logan, but being thrown into a school competition with himâespecially with Laura being the mastermind behind itâwas another.
âOkay, fine,â you muttered, trying to act like this wasnât a big deal at all. âI guess weâll partner up.â
Logan just gave a nonchalant shrug. âLetâs get this over with.â
Lauraâs eyes practically sparkled with victory as she hopped up from her seat, already heading toward the field where the first challenge would take place. You followed, trying to shake off the awkwardness, but it was impossible with Logan right next to you.
As you reached the field, the first task was announced: a three-legged race. Of course. Out of all the challenges, it had to be this one. You glanced over at Logan, who was already eyeing the ropes being handed out for the pairs to tie their legs together.
"This should be interesting," Logan muttered under his breath, taking one of the ropes and holding it out for you.
You raised an eyebrow, trying to hide your nerves behind a smile. "I feel like this is a recipe for disaster."
Loganâs lips quirked into a smirk. "Only if you donât keep up."
"Me?" You chuckled, shaking your head as you bent down to tie the rope around your ankle and his. "Youâre the one with the bum leg."
Logan grunted, not arguing, though his usual swagger was still intact. "Iâll manage."
Laura stood off to the side, watching with a faint smile, clearly enjoying the show. You could tell she was pleased with herself, and part of you was too, even if you were trying to act like this was no big deal.
"Alright, ready?" Logan asked, standing up straighter after securing the rope.
"As Iâll ever be," you replied, trying to gauge the best way to navigate the race without falling flat on your face.
The whistle blew, and before you knew it, you were awkwardly hopping forward, one leg bound to Loganâs as you tried to find some sort of rhythm. The first few steps were disastrousâLoganâs longer strides making it nearly impossible for you to keep pace without stumbling.
"Slow down!" you laughed, grabbing his arm to steady yourself as you nearly tripped.
Logan smirked, his hand quickly coming to your waist to keep you from toppling over. "You gotta move faster than that, Y/N."
"Or maybe you need to move slower!" you shot back, trying to adjust your steps to match his. After a few shaky moments, you finally found a rhythm, the two of you moving in syncâwell, mostly. Loganâs hand lingered at your waist, steadying you as you both half-hopped, half-laughed your way toward the finish line.
"Not bad," Logan grunted as you crossed the line, not quite first, but definitely not last either.
"Not bad?" You shot him a look, still a little breathless from laughing. "Iâm pretty sure we almost face-planted three times."
"Couldâve been worse," he replied with a shrug, that smirk of his still in place.
You rolled your eyes, but you couldnât deny the way your heart was still racingâthough you werenât sure if it was from the race or from the fact that Logan had kept his arm around your waist longer than necessary.
Laura, waiting at the sidelines, gave you both a knowing look as you untied the rope. "You guys were pretty good," she commented casually, though the glint in her eyes said otherwise.
"Pretty good?" you echoed, shooting her a playful glare. "We almost ate dirt, Laura."
Logan grunted in agreement but didnât say much, just shaking his head as he rubbed his leg a bit. You noticed the slight grimace that flashed across his faceâsomething you hadnât seen often, but it was there for just a moment before he covered it up.
"Next challenge is... egg balancing," Emma announced from the other end of the field, holding up a spoon and a carton of eggs.
You and Logan exchanged a look, and you couldnât help but laugh. "Oh, thisâll be fun."
Logan just sighed, clearly less than thrilled about the prospect of trying to balance an egg on a spoon, but he didnât protest. You handed him one of the spoons as you lined up for the next round.
"You got a steady hand?" you teased, raising an eyebrow at him.
Logan glanced at the spoon, then back at you. "Steadier than yours, probably."
"Letâs see about that," you shot back, placing the egg carefully on your spoon. The whistle blew, and you both started across the field, trying to keep the fragile eggs from toppling off. You had to admit, Logan had a surprising amount of focus for a guy who usually looked like heâd rather be anywhere else.
"Not bad for an old man," you joked, glancing over at him as you both carefully moved toward the finish line.
"Careful, Y/N. Thatâs how you get egg on your face," Logan muttered, but you could hear the amusement in his voice.
Just as you were nearing the end, Laura darted over, watching closely. "Come on, you guys can do it!"
It was hard to ignore the pride in her voiceâshe was definitely enjoying watching you two work together. And maybe, despite the ridiculousness of it all, you were too.
By the time you finished, both of your eggs still intact, you couldnât help but feel a strange sense of accomplishment. It was silly, sure, but being paired with Logan for these goofy challenges wasnât as awkward as you thought it might be. In fact, it was... kind of nice.
"Two for two," Logan said with a smirk, handing his spoon back as the event wrapped up.
"Donât get too cocky," you replied, bumping his arm lightly as you handed yours in too. "Weâll see how you do with the next one."
Laura appeared beside you again, her eyes bright. "You guys make a good team."
You gave her a sideways glance, trying not to read too much into her words. "Yeah, well, itâs all about teamwork, right?"
Logan didnât say anything, but his eyes met yours for a brief moment, and there was something thereâsomething unspoken that made your heart skip a beat.
The rest of the day went by in a blur of silly games and laughter, and by the time the event was over, you were exhausted, but in the best way possible. Logan had stayed the whole time, never complaining or trying to bow out early. Laura, of course, was thrilled with how things had turned out, and you couldnât help but feel like she had succeeded in whatever plan she had been cooking up.
As the parents and kids started to trickle out of the school, you found yourself standing beside Logan near the door. Laura had already run ahead to grab her things, leaving the two of you alone for a moment.
"Thanks for sticking around," you said, glancing up at him. "I know this probably wasnât your idea of a fun day."
Logan shrugged, his usual nonchalant expression in place. "Wasnât so bad."
You smiled, feeling a warmth spread through you at his words. "Well, Iâm glad you came. Laura seemed to really enjoy it."
"Yeah," Logan agreed, his gaze softening slightly as he looked in the direction where Laura had run off. "Sheâs a good kid."
"She is," you said, nodding. "And sheâs lucky to have you."
Logan didnât respond right away, but after a moment, he gave a small nod. "Thanks."
There was a brief silence between you, the air charged with something unspoken but palpable. Before you could say anything else, Laura came bounding back, her backpack slung over one shoulder.
"Ready to go?" she asked, looking between the two of you with that same knowing glint in her eyes.
"Yeah," Logan said, ruffling her hair lightly. "Letâs get outta here."
As they started to head for the door, Logan paused, glancing back at you. "See you around, Y/N."
"Yeah," you replied, feeling your heart skip again. "See you around, Logan."
---
It had been a few days since the Valentineâs Day event, and things had settled back into routine. You were sitting in your living room, halfway through grading papers, when there was a knock on your door.
Opening it, you found Logan standing there, hands shoved in his pockets, looking slightly out of place.
"Hey," he greeted, voice low. "Laura wanted me to ask if you'd join us for dinner tonight. Nothing fancy. Just... thought itâd be nice."
You blinked, surprised by the invitation. Logan wasnât exactly the type to invite people over casually, but something about the way he stood there, slightly awkward, made your heart skip a beat.
"Sure," you said, smiling. "Iâd like that."
Dinner at Loganâs place was unexpectedly warm. Laura set the table with care, and you found yourself laughing more than you expected as Logan recounted some old stories about his past. The tension that usually simmered between you felt different tonightâsofter, like you were slowly crossing an invisible line youâd both been careful to avoid.
As you helped clear the dishes, your hand brushed against Loganâs, and the brief contact made you pause. He glanced at you, and for a moment, neither of you moved. It was like a quiet acknowledgment of something building between you.
âThanks for coming,â he said, his voice low, his gaze lingering just a little too long.
âAnytime,â you replied softly, feeling the weight of his eyes on you as you turned to put the plates away. You tried to ignore the flutter in your chest, but it was hard with Logan standing so close. It was like every time you were around him, you felt like something unspoken hovered between youâsomething that Laura, in her quiet, clever way, seemed determined to help along.
Laura wandered back into the room, a book in her hands. âY/N, can you help me with my English homework?â she asked, holding it up and glancing between you and Logan like she hadnât just interrupted a moment.
You blinked, turning to her with a small smile. âOf course, I can take a look.â
âGreat!â Laura said, her voice a little too cheerful. She plopped down on the couch and spread her notebook and book out in front of her. âItâs this essay Iâve got to write.â
Logan lingered by the kitchen counter, his eyes flicking to Lauraâs book with an expression you couldnât quite read. âIâll leave you two to it, then,â he muttered, and before you could say anything, he was stepping outside, probably to get some fresh air or give you and Laura some space.
You turned your attention back to Laura, still smiling but a bit confused. âAlright, letâs see what youâve got here.â
Laura launched into an explanation, talking about a character analysis she needed to do for class. As you glanced over her notes, though, it struck you that everything was pretty much perfect. Her sentences were clear, her argument made sense, and sheâd clearly put a lot of thought into it. Like always, it was perfect.
âLaura⌠this is really good,â you said slowly, giving her an impressed look. âI donât think you need help with this.â
Lauraâs face stayed impassive, but you caught a faint hint of a smile tugging at her lips. âJust wanted to make sure it was okay,â she said casually, glancing in the direction Logan had gone.
Something clicked then, and you had to suppress a chuckle. So this was just another one of Lauraâs little schemes to get you to stick around. You were starting to see the patternâtiny excuses to keep you close, to get you and Logan in the same room more often. It was subtle, but now that you were catching on, it was impossible to miss.
âWell, your essayâs great,â you said, folding your arms as you gave her a knowing look. âBut I think thereâs more going on here than just English homework.â
Lauraâs gaze stayed steady on yours, and for a moment, you could see a glimpse of something deeper in those eyesâsomething far beyond her years. âHeâs lonely,â she said quietly, so softly that you almost missed it.
Your heart gave a small squeeze at that. It was true that Logan always seemed like a man on the outskirts of everything, never quite fitting in. And you knew he and Laura had been through a lot together, more than most people could imagine. But he wasnât exactly the type to talk about his feelingsâor admit he might need someone else in his life.
âMaybe,â you replied gently, reaching out to squeeze her shoulder. âBut thatâs something he has to figure out on his own, okay?â
Laura nodded slowly, but she didnât look entirely convinced. âHe likes you,â she said, blunt as ever. âAnd you like him.â
Your cheeks heated, and you glanced away, trying to keep your voice steady. It wasnât the first time Laura has said something like this. âItâs not that simple, Laura.â
âWhy not?â she asked, her brow furrowing like she genuinely didnât understand.
You struggled to find the right words. How could you explain that things with Logan were complicatedâthat you werenât sure where you stood with him, or if there was even a place for you in his life beyond being Lauraâs teacher? And yet, every time you were near him, there was this pull, this quiet magnetism that made you wonder.
âI just⌠donât want to mess things up,â you admitted finally, feeling a little silly for having this conversation with an eleven-year-old.
Lauraâs gaze softened, and she reached out to squeeze your hand. âYou wonât.â
Before you could respond, the door swung open, and Logan stepped back inside, his gaze immediately going to the two of you. âEverything okay?â he asked, his tone gruff but laced with something you couldnât quite pinpoint.
âYeah, weâre good,â you said quickly, trying to push down the strange mix of emotions Lauraâs words had stirred up. You stood up, smoothing down your shirt as you gave him a smile. âI should probably get going, though. Itâs getting late.â
Logan nodded, but there was a flicker of something in his eyesâsomething that almost looked like disappointment. âIâll walk you out.â
He led you to the door, and you hesitated for a moment, glancing back at Laura. She gave you a small, encouraging smile, and you couldnât help but smile back.
âThanks again for coming,â Logan said as he opened the door, his voice a little softer than usual.
âAnytime,â you replied, echoing your earlier words as you stepped outside. The cool night air hit you, and you wrapped your arms around yourself, feeling the weight of Loganâs gaze on you.
There was a long pause, the kind that felt like something should be said, but neither of you knew what. You shifted on your feet, biting your lip as you glanced up at him.
âLogan, Iââ
âY/N, Iââ
You both spoke at the same time, then paused, sharing a startled laugh.
âYou first,â Logan muttered, his lips twitching into a faint smile.
You took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. âI just⌠I wanted to say that I really enjoyed tonight. And I know Lauraâs been⌠well, playing matchmaker or something,â you added with a chuckle, âbut I just want you to know that Iâm notââ
âUsing her as an excuse to get close?â Logan finished for you, his voice dry but not unkind.
You nodded, feeling a little self-conscious. âYeah.â
Logan stood there, his eyes steady on yours, and for a moment, you both let the silence fill the space between you. He shifted his weight, his usual stoic expression softening just a bit, and for the first time, it felt like he was truly considering what to say next.
"Look, I know Laura's been trying to push things," he said, his voice low and gruff, but gentler than usual. "She's... smart, too smart sometimes. But thisâtonightâit wasnât just about her."
You blinked, surprised by his admission. You werenât used to Logan being so open, especially about anything personal. He seemed to read the surprise in your face and let out a quiet sigh, rubbing the back of his neck like this was harder for him than any physical fight heâd been in.
"What I mean is," he continued, glancing at the ground before his eyes flicked back up to yours, "itâs not just her, Y/N. I didnât mind tonight. And thatâs not something I say often."
Your breath hitched a little at his words, heart beating a little faster. There was a vulnerability in Logan that you werenât expectingâa side of him that he clearly didnât let out much, if at all.
"I didnât mind it either," you said softly, trying to match his tone, to let him know you werenât taking this lightly. "And Laura... well, sheâs got a way of seeing things."
Logan let out a quiet chuckle, a rare sound that caught you off guard. "Yeah, she does. Sometimes I think sheâs too smart for her own good." His eyes softened as he spoke about her, a fondness there that made you smile.
"She just wants you to be happy," you said gently. "And, I guess, maybe me too."
Logan looked at you for a long moment, something unspoken passing between you, and for the first time, you wondered if maybeâjust maybeâthere was something more here than just a shared concern for Laura. You had always admired Loganâs strength, his quiet loyalty, the way he looked after Laura with such fierce protectiveness. But standing there now, with the night air cool against your skin and Loganâs presence so close, it felt different. More personal.
"You know," Logan said after a long pause, his voice low again, "I donât exactly have a lot of people in my life. Never been good at that sort of thing. But... youâre good with Laura. And youâreâ" He stopped, his jaw tightening for a second like he wasnât sure if he should say the next part. "Youâre good for us."
Your heart thudded in your chest, and for a moment, you werenât sure how to respond. His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning, and you could feel the weight of what he wasnât sayingâthe layers beneath that simple statement. Youâre good for us. It wasnât just about being Lauraâs teacher anymore. It was about something more.
Your heart thudded in your chest, but you forced a smile to keep things light. âGood for you?â you repeated with a slight chuckle. There was an ache there, something that hinted at how much more those words meant coming from Loganâsomeone who didnât let people in easily. The way he looked at you, steady and deliberate, made it hard to brush aside. His eyes held yours a little longer than usual, almost daring you to look away.
"Yeah," he replied, his voice a low rumble, and you couldnât help but notice how the weight of the night seemed to gather between you, thick in the air. Loganâs usual guarded stance had softened, just enough for you to sense it. He stepped a bit closer, enough that you could feel the faint warmth of him, the earthy scent of cigars and the wild outdoors clinging to his skin.
You shifted on your feet, trying to figure out where this was heading, but the flutter in your chest only grew stronger. Something unspoken seemed to pass between you two, like a current beneath the surface, waiting for one of you to reach down and touch it.
âI think Lauraâs got something figured out,â you admitted, voice soft as you kept your eyes on him. âSheâs smart enough to see whatâs happening here.â
Loganâs lips quirked into a small, barely-there smile. âYeah, too smart sometimes.â His gaze fell to the ground for a moment, and when he looked back up at you, there was something different thereâsomething raw. âBut sheâs right. Youâre good for us. Hell, youâre good for me.â His words carried a weight, a kind of honesty that took you by surprise, even though deep down, youâd been hoping to hear them for a while.
You swallowed, trying to keep your composure, but your pulse quickened. âLogan, IâŚâ You started to say somethingâanythingâto break the tension, but the words stuck in your throat. He was so close now, you could feel the heat radiating off him, and there was a wildness in his eyes that drew you in.
And then, as if some invisible line snapped, Logan took another step toward you, his rough hand reaching out to cup your cheek. His thumb grazed your skin, the touch light but electrifying. âI donât say things like this often,â he muttered, his voice husky, the growl in it more pronounced now, âbut I want you to stay close. For Laura, yeah, but... for me too.â
Your breath hitched as his words sank in, your body reacting to the closeness of him, the way his hand lingered on your cheek. It wasnât just the softness in his eyes or the tenderness of his touch, but the way he was looking at you, like he was seeing more than just the surface.
âIâve wanted to stay close,â you admitted, your voice barely a whisper, as your hand gently touched his chest. His heartbeat was strong, steady, and you couldnât help but feel drawn in, like the pull between you was more than just chemistry.
Loganâs gaze dropped to your lips, and for a moment, everything else faded awayâthe cool night air, the sound of distant traffic, even the faint light from inside the house. All that mattered was the closeness, the way you could feel his breath mingling with yours.
Before you knew it, Logan was leaning in, and you closed the gap without thinking. His lips pressed against yours, rough and warm, and everything else just melted away. The kiss was slow at first, almost tentative, but then it deepened, and the heat between you flared like wildfire.
His other hand found your waist, pulling you closer against him, and you could feel the solid strength of his body as you pressed into him. The kiss was everything you hadnât let yourself think about for so longâfilled with a hunger that had been simmering beneath the surface, waiting to spill over.
Logan kissed like he livedâintensely, without holding back. His grip on your waist tightened as if he was afraid to let go, and you responded in kind, threading your fingers into the rough texture of his hair. There was no hesitation, no second-guessing; just the two of you, connected in this raw, unexpected moment.
When you finally pulled back, breathless, you both stood there for a moment, neither of you saying anything. Your heart was pounding in your chest, and Loganâs forehead rested against yours, his breath still ragged.
âIââ you started to speak, but he cut you off, his voice low and hoarse.
âDonât,â he muttered, shaking his head slightly. âDonât ruin it with words, not yet.â
You nodded, biting back whatever thought was trying to escape. The night air felt cooler now, the warmth of Loganâs body contrasting sharply against it, grounding you in the moment. His hand lingered on your waist, thumb brushing your side, and you could feel the slight tremor in his fingers, like even he was surprised by what just happened.
After a long silence, he finally spoke, voice quieter than before. âDidnât think thisâd happen,â he admitted, almost to himself.
You gave a soft laugh, still trying to catch your breath. âMe either.â
His lips quirked into the faintest of smiles, and he shifted slightly, his hand moving from your waist to gently brush your cheek. The gesture was so uncharacteristically tender for him that it made your heart twist a little.
For a moment, you both just stood there, the weight of everything unspoken hanging between you. Part of you wanted to step back, to put some distance between you and Logan, to give yourself a chance to think. But another partâthe stronger partâwanted to stay right where you were, feeling the warmth of his hand on your skin, the rough edge of his thumb grazing your cheek.
Meanwhile, Laura peeked through the blinds, a smile spreading across her face.
tags: @freythecrazyfae
#logan howlett x reader#logan howlett x you#wolverine x reader#wolverine x you#james howlett x reader#james howlett x you#logan howlett fanfiction#logan howlett x fem!reader#logan howlett fic#logan howlett#old man logan
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rub one outâ(for your viewing pleasure-verse)
pornstar!eddie x director!reader
a cheeky (pun intended) bit of filth based on part of my blurb series. I was trying to keep the snippets short, but this just kinda poured out of me over the past couple days.
cw: sex work, simulated adultery, oral (fem receiving)
18+, MDNIâ2.8k
Maybe this was a bad idea.
You couldnât escape the nagging thought as you stepped outside, tightening the belt on your fluffy white bathrobe, tugging at the terrycloth tail and twisting it in your fingers. Your eyes flitted to each member of your crew, all of them in position waiting to get this show on the road.
Why were you so nervous? Youâd certainly done this enough times before not to get stage fright. So why did your stomach feel more tangled than the box of electrical cords in Lennyâs truck?
Part of you almost wished it would rain, or the ground would open up and swallow you whole so you didnât have to go through with this. But the concrete remained solid under your feet, and the sky overhead showed no signs of altering its radiant blue color. Perfect.
Itâs gonna be fine, you thought in an attempt to soothe yourself. Itâs all gonna be fine.
And you almost believed it would be.
Sammy, who was barely a step up from an intern, had swiftly been promoted once the plan for you to replace your no-show leading lady was set in motion. You werenât worried about her, thoughâshe was smart and a quick study; she knew all the shots you needed, and she had a good eye.
If you couldnât be behind the camera yourself, she was pretty much the only one you trusted.
WellâŚmaybe not the only one.
Eddieâs eyes met yours as soon as you stepped out of the trailer. The sunlight hit his deep brown irises, making them glow the color of rich honey. But behind the liquid gold, you could see his own nerves and it made your stomach flip, wondering what he could possibly be nervous about.
âHey,â he said quietly as he came up next to you. âYou good?â
For a moment, you considered lying. Flashing him a thumbs up or shooting him finger guns like one of those tools you used to do this with. But you knew better by now when it came to Eddie.
âNope,â you chuckled. âIâm kinda shitting myself.â
âWell, thatâs just what the guy about to fuck you wants to hear,â he chuckled back.
A real smile breaks through your tense, fake one and a genuine laugh bubbles up out of your chest. Eddieâs eyes shine when he hears it and the sight makes your chest feel all warm inside.
âNo, youâre right,â you said. âIâm okay, I justâŚdonât know why Iâm so nervous.â
His plush pink lips pressed into a straight line, his tongue poking out as he licked them. He reached out a reassuring hand and placed it on your shoulder, rubbing it through your robe.
âYouâre gonna be great,â he assured, sounding a lot more certain than you felt.
Easy for him to say. Heâs a fucking natural.
Even on your best day doing this, you never felt like you were great at itâcompetent, sure. Maybe even above average. But not great. Not at all the way you felt since getting behind the camera.
You nodded tightly, your hesitation still written all over your face. His eyes scanned over you and he swallowed thickly, his throat bobbing. He then leaned in and placed his lips beside your ear.
âYou lookâŚreally beautiful,â he said.
His warm breath rushed across your neck, the heat coming off his skin making your ears buzz. An explosion of fluttering began in your stomach, like there were butterfly cocoons in your cereal that morning and now they were all hatching.
âWe should get moving,â you said, pulling back. âBurning daylight.â
Eddie straightened. He nodded and you nodded back, sliding past him to do final checks before you started rolling. Telling yourself he must have pumped or popped a Viagra to explain away that bulge in his pants that definitely wasnât there before he came over to talk to you.
The nerves didnât disappear once you started working, but your body and brain did snap into a kind of performance mode you remembered well.
You started with some still photography for the VHS box artâshots of you in progressing states of undress, your robe dropping off your shoulder, Eddie pulling it open to reveal your body, his hand running up your thigh in a slow caress.
He let it trail all the way up your stomach and chest until he curled his finger under your chin and tipped your face toward his, letting his lips hover just inches away from yours. Your eyes fluttered closed and your heart raced, thinking he might close the gap and actually kiss youâ
But after the shutter snapped, he simply let his hand drop and backed away.Â
The loss of his body heat sent a chill down your spine and you shivered despite the blazing sun overhead. Eddieâs eyes caught yours, the nearly imperceptible lift of his brow asking, âyou okay?â You nodded and another shiver skittered across your skin as you pulled your robe back up.
For the next shot, you climbed up on the massage table and he got into position behind you. His body pressed yours down, your back arching under him as he dipped his head low to take the lobe of your ear between his teeth, palming your exposed breast with his large, strong hand.Â
You let your mouth hang open, not even needing to fake the look of desperation on your face. And let yourself believe Eddieâs excitement you could feel digging into the fat of your ass was real too. The little grunts and whines he let out when you wriggled against him certainly didnât sound fake.
After the photos, there was nothing left to do but move on to the main event.Â
You and Eddie resetâhim standing in frame, you just outside of it. Sammy panned the camera around, establishing the setting, zooming in on the fountain feature in the pool and then coming around to film Eddie as he snapped a fresh towel and laid it out on the massage table.
From your spot off-camera, itâs impossible not to be mesmerized by the sight. Biceps rippling, tendons in his arms flexing as he smoothed the towel flat. His tattoos stood out even more than normal with him in white slacks and a white polo meant to give the impression of him being an employee of the resort. And the little twist your hair and make-up girl Jael did is something new that only further accentuates the thick column of his neck and his angular jaw.
Heâd left off his rings and bracelets, as was typical when he was filming, and you couldnât help but think about that day in the editing suite. When heâd touched your knee, and you felt the silver ridges press into your flesh. It had jarred you somewhat, how right it felt to have his hand there and how youâd nearly leaned in to meet his lips when you saw his face getting closer.
You hadnât kissed him that dayâpromptly removing yourself from temptation in an attempt to salvage some shred of your professionalism. And you (mostly) felt good about that decision. It would have been reckless and destructive and your entire working relationship might have been compromised. Youâd made the right call that day, you were sure of it. MostlyâŚ
But today was different. Today, it wasnât going to derail your career. If anything, your career was mandating you give in to those urges that had plagued you so relentlessly. And that was when it hit you all at onceâthe realization about as subtle as a train crashing through a wall.
You were going to fuck Eddie.
Youâre going to feel firsthand what itâs like to have his face and cock buried between your legs; what itâs like to suck on his fingers and soak them with your spit before he presses them to your clit; what he sounds like when he comes all over your stomach or tits (you canât quite recall what the script specifies, you just know itâs meant to be outside so he can dotingly clean you up after).Â
The barrage of thoughts that storm through your mind are so consuming, you nearly miss your cue to enter the scene. But once you do, youâre rather grateful for the distraction of the set-up dialogue:
âItâll just be me, today. My husband has a meeting he couldnât get out of.â
âNo, no, itâs not his fault. I got it as a surprise for our anniversaryâI should have known better than to book it without checking his schedule.â
âIâm afraid I never know how much to take off for a massageâŚwhat do you suggest?â
Eddie answered your last question with a smooth, âWhatever makes you most comfortable,â and a smile so warm it would melt the ice caps.
Giving him a smile of your own, you slowly pulled at the tie of your robe. It fell to the ground in a heap at your feet and Eddieâs dark eyes roved over you hungrily. Now revealed to be completely naked, you feigned some degree of shyness: ducking your head low, looking up at him from underneath your lashes, brushing your hand over your stomach as though to hide it while really drawing his eyes to its plush softness.
âIs this alright?â you asked him with a coy smirk. Eddie grinned, still drinking you in.
âAbsolutely,â he breathed. And the raptness in his eyes almost had you believing him.
You took your time getting up on the table, propping yourself up on all fours, letting him (and the camera) take a good, long look at the fullness of your hips before you settled in place. Arms at your side, you took a deep breath as you laid flat on your stomach, relieved there wouldnât be much dialogue needed for this next part.
Through the little donut headrest at the end of the table, you saw Sammyâs feet as she moved in closeâfilming tight on Eddieâs hands while he pumped massage oil onto them and warmed it by spreading it between his palms.
Your chest tightened, nerves coiling in your stomach as you anticipated his touch, forcing your body to keep still so you didnât pull focus.
He smoothed some oil over your skin, starting at the ankles and thoroughly coating your calves. The smell of clary sage filled the air, earthy and warm. And underneath it, a clean and woodsy scent you recognized as Eddieâs soap wafted up to your nose when he leaned in closer.
His fingertips began to knead your muscles, slipping and sliding easily over your skin that was slick with the oil. He made tiny circles with his thumbs, alternating back and forth as they moved in a steady pattern up your calf.
Oh, thatâs rightâŚ
In all the hubbub, youâd forgotten the whole concept for this shoot was borne on the fact that Eddie went to massage school for real. Heâd told you before, after he left his hometown (shit, what was it again? Hawk-somethingâŚ) that he started collecting different jobs like merit badges.
Just bounced from thing to thing, trying his hand (sometimes both) at whatever life presented. And that included porn. Heâd said he only auditioned for that first film he did because someone heâd slept with a handful of times knew a casting director and suggested heâd be good at it.
âHe certainly had the dick for itâ were her exact words, if you recalled. Strange to think in a way, you might owe that girl your career.
Through the pleasurable haze your mind dipped into having Eddieâs capable hands erasing every ounce of stress you carried in your muscles, you realized he was moving the scene right along while you just lay there humming and moaning with relief at his practiced touch.
Heâd lowered his voice to that deep, rumbly register he always used when he was building towards the next phase. His DM voice, as he so affectionately dubbed it. Rough and gravely, yet even and tempered, guiding both you and the audience along on the journey of this fuck.
âI hope you donât mind me sayingâŚbut your husbandâs a jackass for missings out on this.â
Your heartbeat picked up in your chest as he moved to your thighs. His fingertips dug into your flesh, kneading it like dough, letting his thumbs swerve dangerously close to your center.
âYou deserve someone who puts you firstâŚwho knows what he has and worships youâŚâ
One of his thumbs swiped briefly over your puffy lips, and you knew he felt how wet you were.
âYou know, Iâd never let you out of my sight if you were mineâŚâ
His words dripped slowly and intentionally past his lips, his hands creeping higher and higher up your legs. At last, they slid over the globes of your ass and he groaned as he squeezed one in each hand, spreading you apart to see your center, soaked with arousal that had been pooling there, truth be told, from the moment Eddie had told you how beautiful you looked.Â
You heard Eddieâs next line in your head before he said it, âIf you really want to relax, I can try a very special technique. I donât do it for just anyone. Itâs a little bitâŚunorthodoxâŚâ
And you were more than ready to take him up on his offer once he delivered the line.Â
But Eddie went off script.
Instead of hearing words, you felt the wet heat of his tongue glide through your folds as he buried his face between your spread ass cheeks. Your head popped out of the headrest, letting out a breathy moan of surprise and delight.
The shock on your face was evident as Sammy pushed in close to capture your expression, but so was your pure and utter elation. Youâd never felt anything so good in your lifeâŚ
And it seemed you werenât the only one.
Eddie groaned loudly as he lapped messily at your folds, his spit mixing with your slick that covered the bottom half of his face. And it was only after a few blissful seconds of eager licking that he even realize what heâd done.
âIâmâmmphâsorry, Iâm sorry, Iâm so sorryââ He panted out in between sinful swirls of his tongue, his he words muffled by your ass cheeks because he couldnât stand to pull away even a little, even long enough to speak. âI had to taste youâŚâ
âItâs okay,â you answered, voice already wrecked beyond belief. âItâs okay, just keep goingââ
The command is directed at him as much as it is the crew, who only panicked slightly. Eddie never did stuff like this and they just werenât ready.
They got back on track quickly enough, Sammy signaling the boom mic to get as close as he can without dipping into frame in order to pick up every lurid slurp and suck of Eddieâs mouth.
After no more than a few minutes, the fluffy towel under you was bunched in your fists and your hips squirmed as Eddie continued to eat you out like a mad man. His tight grip on your ass cheeks held fast, spreading you wider still so his tongue could probe deeper. The sounds he pulled out of you didnât even sound human to your ears, let alone recognizable as your own voice.Â
But you didnât care.
However you sounded, however you looked, it was superfluous to what Eddie was doing and the precipice he brought you to. Your orgasm hit harder than any drug, than any physical blow. It had you shaking uncontrollably, reaching back to grip the hair at the crown of his head as your hips pushed back to meet every thrust of his tongue while you rode out your exceptional high.
You felt its tingling sensation spread to every inconsequential inch of your body, like an ocean of fire that crashed over you in wave after wave of scorching pleasure. Drowning you in it.
When you finally found the strength in your limp limbs to roll over onto your back, Eddieâs eyes were waiting to meet yours. You could see on his face how sorry he was, how worried he was heâd fucked up. And you tried to communicate with him in that mind-melding, wordless sort of way you and he always did that it was fineâthat people were going to love it.
Cocking your brow at him, dipping into a more salacious tone to really sell the transformation from demure housewife to lusty adulterer, you threw in a little adlib of your own.
âThatâs some technique youâve got there,â you teased him, propping yourself up on your elbows. âMy husbandâs certainly never done that before.â
Eddieâs sly smile returned, his lips curling as he reached out to grip your waist. He hauled you closer with one jerk, bringing you to the edge of the table so your hips were flush with his. The bulge in his white pants was harder than ever when it pressed against your cunt, and he grinned wickedly when he felt just how ready you were for more. He yanked up the shirttail of his polo and whipped it off his body, tossing it behind him where it landed half in the pool.
âOh, sweetheart,â he tutted softly, âyou ainât seen nothing yet.â
Tysm for reading! đ¸ comments and reblogs keep your skin clear and your crops watered đŤśđť
#eddie munson#eddie munson x you#eddie munson x reader#eddie munson stranger things#stranger things fanfiction#eddie munson fanfiction#eddie stranger things#eddie munson fanfic#eddie munson smut#stranger things au
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Hear me out, please |James Potter
Pairing: James Potter x Slytherin!Fem!Reader
Word Count: 7.5k
Summary: The aftermath of when James found out you were his 'cinderella'. James tries desperately to get your attention to get you to hear him out. A tiny twist.
Notes: Not proofread, grammar mistakes. Timeline might be a little off, but magic so whatever i guess? Sorry for the long wait, I hope you guys will think it was worth it!!
Masterlist Part one Part two
___________________________________
A lot of things went through James' mind as he stood there in the Great Hall. You could hear a pin drop before Regulus finally shot into action and dashed out the hall to go after you.
The murmuring started to continue now that the first silence had been disturbed.
"Oh gosh, she's so dramatic," your sister laughed. And she put a hand on James' shoulder to pull him back to his seat.
James turned his head slowly. His attention zeroed in on the hand on his shoulder. He coiled away.
"What the fuck have you done," he spat at her.
Marla's eyebrows shot up. "We did you a favour," she stated, as if it was the most obvious thing ever.
It sent James over the edge. He grabbed her upper arm and harshly shook it.
"A favour? A favour!?" He asked incredulously. His voice raised in volume. "What on earth is wrong with you!" He screamed and looked around; his eyes blown out. "With all of you!"
"You mean what the hell is wrong with you, James?" Your other sister, Alyssa, piped up. "Why are you defending her?" That last word was spat out with so much disgust that it opened finally James' eyes to what you must have endured. He fought the urge to slap her expression off her face.
James let go of Marla's arm and pushed her a few steps back while doing so.
No, he needed to fix this. He just had to. If you would just listen to him, he would explain it all. And then he'd protect you. From every hurtful comment out there.
If you would just let him.
"Regulus," James grimaced. The boy was blocking his path and view, standing in the doorway. You were out of sight, or at least out of James's sight.
"Potter," Regulus curtly nodded at him.
"I need to talk to her."
"You've said plenty."
James 'brows furrowed, and his jaw flexed. Why was everyone deciding everything for him all of a sudden? Why couldn't everyone just mind their own bloody business? If they had, none of this would have occurred.
He would be patrolling with you in the evening, and you would make him laugh about one of your dry remarks. He wouldn't have known that it was you who he was looking for, but in time, maybe he would've figured it out. Or maybe he would've pushed his mystery girl to the back of his mind to let you and all the new feelings in.
"Actually, I haven't. I haven't said enough because everyone is saying things in my place instead. But I never got the chance to say what I want to say, and every time I do, it seems too late. I just want to talk to her." The words flew out of James' mouth, built up regret, anger, and disappointment from how things had escalated.
"Perhaps you haven't said much." Regulus looked James up and down and weighed his words carefully. "And maybe that's part of the problem. But right now, she's certainly heard enough. She doesn't want your grand words."
James closed his eyes in frustration. He wanted to protest, he wanted to scream at himself and pull his hair out, but ultimately, he just wanted yet another chance.
He hadn't expected it to be you. Not at all, but the longer he thought about it, the more it made sense, and the more it seemed... right. And he didn't know why he had been so adamant to form some sort of relationship with you, but the way his heart blossomed when you were around only pulled him further in.
James looked at the ground, as if the solution to his problems would be written down there.
"Okay," he relented.
Without a moment of hesitation, Regulus went to slam the door in his face but stopped at the box that James held put to him.
"What's that supposed to be?" He flatly asked James.
With a heavy heart, James showed Regulus the pair of glass slippers that you had left behind at the Yule ball, and that he had so carefully carried around with him.
James searched for his words his. "I've been holding on to these to return them to their owner," he made an attempt at a smile but dropped it, feeling pathetic. He wondered if he looked as pathetic to Regulus as well.
"Well, I suppose I should return them, now that I've found her." James pushed the box into Regulus' hands, threw one glance past the boy in hopes to catch a glimpse of you, and rubbed his face with both hands as he dejectedly walked away from the Slytherin dormitory.
Perhaps he could try again later.
You stared at the glass slippers in your hand. It felt cool to the touch and looked so beautiful, but you couldnât help the bitter taste left in your mouth. With one smooth movement, you threw and smashed one of the slippers against the wall opposite of your bed. It shattered in pieces, and you had to smile at that. Even with every spell to reenforce the glass so you could actually walk on it, it broke. Then you gathered every bit of frustration you had in you, and you screamed as hard as you could, tears flowing in frustration.
You hated that you were crying. But the sheer defeat and powerlessness that you felt was too overwhelming, your voice cracked mid-scream and you threw the other slipper to pieces in anger as well. It wasnât even about the gossiping amongst the students anymore.
You were so tired; you actually couldnât bring yourself to care about what everyone must be thinking right now. But your sisters and James. You dug your nails into your palm.
You looked at your reflection in the mirror and straightened your posture. With your hands, you smoothed out your frown, fixed your hair and put on a wide smile. All in all, you looked psychopathic, but anything was better than pathetic. You turned on your heel and got ready for your first morning class.
James watched your empty seat in Divination class. This was the only class in which the last two years were put together. He wondered if you would show up. But he knew you. Possible more than anyone. So, he knew that you would never miss a class, because you wanted perfect grades and a perfect attendance rate. You were just like that. Ambitious.
James mind replayed your words again. He was every worst characteristic of Gryffindor; you had said to him. âArrogant, prideful, and recklessâ.
Next to James, Sirius was also lost in thoughts. Your words resonated in his head as well. Prejudice creates a vicious cycle. It was true. Siriusâ eyes flickered towards the other empty seat where Regulus was supposed to be. He had completely abandoned Regulus, giving his brother the cold shoulder, and despising his elitist thoughts, undoubtedly created by his mother. Because he had abandoned Regulus.
Sirius wondered what would have happened if he had tried to maintain a good relationship with Regulus after having been sorted into Gryffindor. He wondered if he would have been able to convince Regulus to run away with him.
There was a knock on the door and Regulus walked in with a blank face. He nodded his head in apology at the Professor and took a seat. The door opened again, this time with a little more force.
âMy sincere apologies, professor.â You wore a smile that sent chills up Jamesâ back. His body almost involuntarily shot up to go up to you, but he caught himself, and he longingly looked at you as you passed by instead.
After having gotten used to your discrete gestures of acknowledgement in the form of waves, smiles, nods or even winks, Jamesâ heart tugged when you didnât spare him a glance. You graciously took a seat and motioned at Professor Trelawney to continue.
James jumped up when class was over. His belongings had long since been packed, and he dashed towards your leaving figure.
âY/N!â he called out to you.
You turned around and looked him in the eye. All the words that James had prepared during the rest of class escaped his mind. James felt those chills again and he finally understood that in all his years with fights between the two of you, you had been petty, threatening to take points away. You had been angry, throwing insults back at him, and you had very much been a major asshole in general. But you had never been this hostile.
âLet me say this once, so we can all be done with it, and never talk about this again, Potter,â you sharply stated. âI am sorry that I wasnât who you wanted me to be. However, let me make it clear that this was my secret and mine to share. And I made perfectly clear that I was not going to, so your blatant disrespect to publicly call me out the way you did, is simply appalling.â
Remus called Jamesâ name and James made the mistake to look back. When he turned to you again, you were already further down the hall, turning the corner with a steady pace.
James didnât see you around anymore until Thursday morning. His eyes basically lit up and he repeated his apology in his head. âL/N, wait,â James tried, and he chased after you. Unlike last time, you didnât stop. Curious students watched you two pass while James tried to match your pace.
âHear me out, please.â
âI said all I wanted to say, Potter. Letâs stay out of each otherâs way from now on.â
âAfter you let me explain,â James pleaded.
You laughed. âNothing you tell me will change my mind. I wonât believe anything that comes out of your mouth.â You gave him an annoyed look.
Still, James was not planning on giving up. You werenât the only determined one here. He grabbed your arm and dragged you into a room. Your eyes squinted and gave him the dirtiest look they could. James immediately let go of you, hands up in defence, a string of apologies following suit.
You glared at him and went to walk straight out of the room when James pulled you back again, and this time, he cupped the sides of your face, and pressed his lips to yours.
For a moment, you hesitated, utterly confused and surprisingly rather okay with the unwarranted kiss. And then anger hit you. Did he bloody think this would woo you, and sweep you off your feet and make everything alright? How dare he kiss you in attempt to manipulate you. You slapped him across the face in shock less than a second later. James blinked back at you in horror at his own actions.
âGodric, no- I- I am so bloody sorry, I shouldnât have- Iâm- I donât know what went through my head, please wait-â You slammed the door in his face when you left. James hit his head softly against the door. And then he hit it again but a bit harder as he cursed. âWhat the hell is wrong with you mate,â he groaned to himself. âYou bloody git.â
He stared at the dark wood of the door in front of him reluctantly. To be honest, he wouldnât mind just staying in the room to rot away, how was he going to face you now?
âLily, please go in my place,â he begged the redhead. âIâll take your Tuesday shift, I promise.â
Lily shook her head. âStop being a baby, James. You reap what you sow and Iâm not patrolling tonight.â She walked past James and then turned back around.
âSome friendly advice, James, stop being so pushy. No is no, and it might have been cute as 11-year-olds, but not anymore. Weâre no longer kids. But good luck.â
James reluctantly dragged himself towards the Great Hall where he could see you pick your nails in front of the door. He felt ashamed, guilty, and absolutely not ready to look you in the eye.
âHi,â he awkwardly managed. âSo about-â
âYouâre late. Letâs get a move on it.â You cut him off.
âRight, yeah, we should do that- patrolling.â
It was quiet, not a word spoken between the two of you as James trailed half a step behind you. He glanced at the side of your face. Shadows and light flickered across your face every time you passed a torch.
The silence of the castle did him good, he realised. Heâd much rather walk in silence next to you, than be in the midst of all that chaos that was going on right now. He smiled and stuffed his hands in his pocket happily.
âWhat are you smiling about,â you asked, a frown on your face.
âHm? What? Oh, sorry.â The smile dropped of Jamesâ face.
âWell, you donât have to stop smiling because I said so,â you shot him a strange look. âI just wanted to know whatâs so funny.â
âOh, itâs nothing.â A beat. And then, âLily told me to stop trying to apologise to you if you donât want to hear it.â
You considered his words. You supposed you mostly wanted someone to be angry at. You didnât want to hear James out and then maybe see that your anger was misdirected. You wanted to stay bitter.
âI donât.â
âOkay, well, Iâll stop.â
âGood.â
Despite the fact that he hadnât been able to apologise, and nothing had been cleared up between the two of you, both of you felt yourselves relax a little more. You continued to roam the corridors in silence.
The next three patrols were spent in the same basked silence, occasionally one or two words exchanged. James had so many things he wanted to tell you, but he didnât want to ruin anything. And then you suddenly spoke up again.
âGood luck tomorrow.â
James perked up at your words. âThank you,â he grinned at you gratefully. âAre you going to watch the game?â
You shook your head. âNo, Iâll be helping out in the infirmary.â
âDid you finish your herbal research then?â
Your eyes flickered up at him in surprise. âYeah, Madame Pomfrey and I will put it to test.â James nodded along.
âWell, if you ever need a patient, Iâd volunteer,â he joked. He watched in triumph as you shook your head in amusement.
âBetter check your broom for hexes tomorrow,â you replied. âwouldnât want you to fall off your broom and break a bone or two.â James snorted.
You pulled the curtain to the side with an exasperated expression. âI was only kidding Yesterday, Potter. What on earth are you doing here.â
James gave you a weak smile, trying to hide the pain in his arm and ribs. âVolunteering to be your very first patient, of course.â
âTell me you didnât break your bones on purpose,â you squinted your eyes at him.
âI didnât break my bones on purpose,â James obediently replied. He shifted in curiosity as you rummaged through a cabinet. âIs this not fixable with any spells?â He pondered when he saw you pull out several vials.
âExternally, yes. But youâd be in the same excruciating pain as if they were still broken. You motioned towards the vials. âHence the herbal potions.â
âIs that the one with the Nettle and Dittany?â James nodded his head to the bottle on the left.
You hummed in approval, not bothering to hide the fact that you were impressed. âWho knows, Potter. Maybe you have a future of a healer as well.â James beamed in pride at your compliment.
âJust keeping my options open.â James sighed happily. He was glad that he could joke around with you again. You tapped a bottle against his cheek. He let you pour the potion into his mouth.
âNow what?â
âNow we wait.â You pulled out a stool and sat down with a notebook in case you needed to take notes of the effects of the potion. At one point, you must have fallen asleep with your face buried on Jamesâ infirmary bed. A strand of hair was tickling your nose and you huffed to get it out of the way. James shifted to tuck it away with his non-injured hand.
You opened your eyes and jumped up. You looked around disoriented and when your eyes landed on James, who had tilted his head, you felt embarrassment creep up on you. âIâm terribly sorry, that was unprofessional of me. Are you feeling any better?â
James nodded. He sat up to prove it, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. âAll better. And if you get to apologise, so do I, right?â He looked at you hopefully, internally praying that you wouldnât just march out straight away. âWill you hear me out?â
You sighed, knowing what would come next, but this time you sat down on the stool again instead of walking away.
âI didnât know.â When you didnât respond, he repeated himself. âI didnât know it was you, and I didnât know it was going to be published in the newspaper because I wouldnât do that- you know that I wouldnât.â
He looked at you and saw you staring back at him. He took it as a sign to continue and cleared his throat. It felt so dry all of a sudden. You quietly reached for a cup of water and handed it to him. James took a sip, a deep breath, and started to ramble on without breaks.
âSirius found your parchment and then you sisters found it too, but I didnât. I really didnât. Sirius said they had already run off and he tried to fix it on his own, so he didnât tell me, and I only found out right before you did and I would never have written such a mean article about you, because weâre friends- well, at the very least I considered us friends- and I just wanted you to like me because-â James stopped.
âWhat, you fancy me?â you rhetorically commented.Â
Jamesâ heart stopped and his face flushed. âNo, of course not! I just- Well, I donât know- Itâs, uh I guess I just,â James tried to form a coherent answer, trying to weigh what answer would scare you away.
You frowned and let your eyes flicker across his face. âStop it,â you shook your head in denial.
âWould it be so bad?â James murmured. âI didnât know. But I know I liked the girl behind the paper. And I know I liked my patrol partner.â He hesitated and took a step forward. âI think you liked me too, before you knew my name.â
âYeah,â you replied. âBefore I knew your name. Once I learned it, I no longer did,â you lied. âBecause we would never work. Every student said so. All the whispers and comments, insults and rumour were right.â
James shook his head.
âSo, date me to spite them. Prove them wrong,â It was a pathetic attempt, but he saw the consideration flash in your eyes, and the more he thought about it, the more he started to get convinced that this was a decent idea.
âYouâd have us enter a fake relationship to spite everyone?â
âIt wouldnât be fake to me,â James shrugged, getting more confident by your open attitude. âAnd who knows, maybe I can convince you that the guy from the paper is still inside of me.â
âThis is so stupid,â you shook your head.
âGuess what,â Sirius asked Remus, he covered the page of the book Remus was reading to capture his attention.
Remus slapped Siriusâ hand away. âWhat,â he replied curtly. Sirius moved to sit on the table of the library. âAre you angry?â
âMildly annoyed, yes.â
âBecauseâŚâ Sirius trailed off unsurely. He hoped that Remus would finish the sentence for him, which, luckily for Sirius, Remus did.
âBecause I think itâs time you guys stop pestering her. I know you planned to get James in the infirmary. Leave her be, youâve done enough damage as it is.â He sounded disapproving. Sirius dropped himself back on the table, laying across it as if he was a sacrifice on an altar.
âProngs likes her.â
âYeah? Well, heâs handling it terribly,â Remus drily remarked. He took off his glasses and started to wipe them with the hem of his sweater. Sirius patted his pockets, reached into his left one and handed Remus a cleaning cloth for glasses.
âWhy are you guys nice to me,â Remus asked quietly.
âWhat are you talking about Moony, youâre our best friend?â
âI know, but why?â Remus lowered his voice. âIâm a werewolf, arenât I? Iâm a literal monster. So why are you nice to me. But somehow feel the need to keep pranking and bullying Slytherin students? Weâre in our last year. Donât you think we should grow up?â And with âweâ, he meant âSirius and Jamesâ.
âI know, Moony.â
âDo you now?â
âI think Iâm going to talk to Regulus.â
Remus choked on his spit. âIâm sorry, Pads, youâre what?â
âI just donât want to be like L/Nâs siblings. I know I sort of am, but I donât want to be. And you said we should start being nicer right?â
âPads, last time you said something to him, he literally hexed you.â
âI insulted him,â Sirius heard himself say and he felt weird for a moment.
âHeâs after your ass during every Quidditch game, trying to knock you off your broom.â
âWell, thatâs just the point of Quidditch,â Sirius defended again.
Remus smiled at Sirius. âAlright, just be careful. Mid-terms are coming up and Iâm too busy with studies to fix you up again.â
Sirius grinned. âIf all goes well with Prongs, I could ask L/N to patch me up.â Remus threw a quill at him. âI think Iâll go find L/N later, see if she knows where my brother is.â
The door opened and Remus looked behind him. He did a double take and put his glasses back on to make sure he was seeing things correctly. Sirius was still laying on the table, looking at the ceiling.
âI think Iâve found her,â Remus remarked, uncertainly.
Sirius sat up and gaped at the sight on you and James, walking into the library together while talking. James was holding a pile of books and by the colour of the cover, he knew that those were not Jamesâ.
âIâm sorry, did I miss something?â
You looked up in alarm at the words and found Sirius and Remus sitting at a table in the corner. âWe talked it out,â you nonchalantly mentioned. Remus gave you a smile and Sirius just stared at you. Then; âHell yeah, Prongs, I knew you had it in you to confess.â Sirius jumped off the table and patted you on the back with a grin.
You laughed back uncertainly and looked at James with questioning eyes. James looked back at you, reassuringly. He moved all of your books to one hand and guided you to a seat with the other.
âWhereâs Regulus,â Sirius asked immediately as soon as you sat down.
You raised your eyebrows. âHeâs in the astronomy tower. Didnât want to join James and I to the library.â You smiled at recollection of the younger Blackâs reaction to you and James.
âNo way.â He had replied. âWhat are you two planning?â James had looked at Regulus with an offended look. âWhat are you talking about? I fancy Y/N and she fancies me, so we decided to make it official.â
âYeah, Iâll believe you fancy Y/N, but there is just no way she would enter a relationship with you of all people. Whatâs the deal.â
Sirius nodded. âWell,â he started, âI mean, if he wants to, he uh, the library is a public space, so he could join. If he wants.â Sirius awkwardly sat down on a chair. You squinted your eyes at him. âIâll be sure to let him know,â you said. You watched as Sirius puffed out a sigh in relief.
You glanced down at the messy scribbles on Siriusâ paper and raised your eyebrows. Youâd imagined that the elder Black would have a better handwriting than that. âAnyway, do you need help with Transfiguration as well?â
The news of your relationship spread like fire. Your sisters both received it with a sour look on their faces. âHeâll see we were right, and heâll leave you again,â they said, purposely loud enough for you to hear it. James had just entered the room and walked straight past them towards you with a flower. He dropped it next to you and sat down beside you.
Against your will, your heart made a small jump and the corners of your mouth tugged upwards. Jamesâ eyes flickered towards your lips and quickly looked away happily. Then he leaned in a little and whispered, âWeâre not breaking up if itâs up to me.â
He shifted in his seat, subtly scooting over closer to you. âGo on a date with me tonight,â James whispered.
âWe donât have time tonight. Patrol, remember?â You argued back.
James grinned and shook his head. âAfterwards.â
âItâs past bedtime afterwards. I will not-â
âSneak around the castle and get caught, I know. But you forget that I have an invisibility cloak.â
You laughed this time. âIâm almost tempted to take 20 points off Gryffindor for your outrageous plan.â Your eyes twinkled and James joined in. He put his hand over his heart in fake shock. âYou wouldnât do that to your boyfriend,â he squinted his eyes, challenging you.
âIf he misbehaves,â you answer amusedly. But then you hummed in thought. âFine, Iâll bite, what do you have in mind.â
Jamesâ grin widened. âThe lakeâs still frozen,â he whispered. You deadpanned. âI canât skate.â
James leaned his head against you. âExactly, itâs the perfect chance for me to show you my gentlemanly skills and woo you.â You turned your head and breathed in the smell of Jamesâ shampoo. "You just want an excuse to hold my hand," you mumbled in his hair. You could feel James smile against your shoulder. âIâm your boyfriend, I donât need excuses,â he joked.
James swore his heartrate sped up an unhealthy amount when you confirmed, âNo you donât.â
He was absolutely beaming next to you as you were patrolling down the corridor, hand in hand. Your eyes flickered over to James once in a while. It was suspicious to you that heâd been quiet the entire time. James on the other hand was just looking at your intertwined hands with interest.
âNever held hands with a girl before, Potter?â You laughed, but no venom was found in your voice.
James nodded. âNever held hands with a girl before,â he confirmed, not ashamed at all for it. Why should he. You looked at him with curiosity. âWhat about Lily?â
James snorted. âHave you ever seen us hold hands?â
âNope,â you popped the âpâ.
âI was stressing a lot about being a good boyfriend, my hands got really sweaty,â James bashfully explained. You lifted both your hands and squeezed his hand a few times. âYou donât stress about being a good boyfriend for me?â you couldnât help but ask. You immediately groaned internally and looked straight to the floor, intently watching your feet as they simply fascinatingly put one in front of the other. I mean, have you ever seen something so-. James wasnât having it.
ââm not stressing with you. I have a pretty good feeling about us.â He sighed contently. You huffed. âWell, I have high standards, and Iâve been told Iâm pretty high maintenance, Potter.â You stuck your nose in the air haughtily.
âFirst, you should stop calling me Potter,â he remarked.
âJames,â you nodded. A chill ran up his spine. âAnd second?â you inquired.
âSecond?â
âSecond,â you looked at him expectantly.
âOh! Right, second; I didnât know you had a relationship before?â And just as soon as those words left his lips, he cussed himself out in his head. Great, now he seemed either a twat as if he couldnât believe someone like you could have a relationship, or a twat who was jealous and obsessive. And itâs only the first week. James averted his eyes to the wall on his left. Ah yes, the wall seems to be made of stone. Very sturdy, very wall-like-
âNo, Iâve been single pretty much my whole life.â You put on your usual sour face, and vaguely gestured to it. âNot very approachable, as I prefer.â
âThen who calls you high maintenance?â James thought bitterly, feeling the need to defend you. âCalm down, prince Charming,â you reassured him with a laugh. Maybe you could see the charm in his recklessness. âI can fight my own battles. And basically, everyone calls me high maintenance.â
The two of you walked side by side in silence again, making your way to the prefect room. You rummaged through a drawer, pulled out a document and started to fill it in. James leaned against the table. âWhere do you go during Spring Break? Do you stay at Hogwarts? Because I can also stay at Hogwarts to keep you company, you know.â
âI have my own apartment.â
âYouâre not even of age yet,â James pointed out, trying to hide his disappointment unsuccessfully at a missed opportunity of spending time with you.
âProfessor McGonagall vouched for me,â you replied. Jamesâ eyebrows flew up. âMcGonagall?â He asked in disbelief. You just hummed in reply while you flipped the page to continue filling in the report.
âWell, if you want you can come with me?â You stopped writing and looked up at him intently. As if you were searching his face for any hidden intentions. When you didnât find any, you gave him an apologetic look.
âThatâs kind of you, James,â you smiled. âBut I have Regulus staying with me.â
âHe doesnât stay at the Black manor?â James was surprised. You tilted your head. âTell me, does Sirius stay at the Black manor?â
James quickly shut his mouth as realization dawned on him. Oh.
âWell,â he awkwardly shifted. âYouâre both welcome,â he offered. You shook your head in laughing at the mental image. The thought of Regulus and Sirius living together for two weeks was just hilarious.
âIâm done, we can go.â
âAlright, I just need to pick up my invisibility cloak from the Gryffindor common room.â
âIâll wait here,â you nodded. James offered you a strange look.
âWhat?â You asked, looking up at him.
âYouâre not going with me?â
âWhat all the way up to the third floor? I think not,â you snorted, plopping down on a chair, and making yourself comfortable.
James huffed and didnât move. âBut what if something happens to me on the way there?â He dramatically sat down next to you on a different chair.
âWhat on earth could happen to you on the way to your room. This is Hogwarts, you know. The safest place in England probably.â
âWhat if a monster attacks me, and then I canât come back, and youâll think that I stood you up?â James retorted with a pout.
You shook your head and pinched the bridge of you nose. âThere are no monsters in this castle, James, where do you think we are? Youâre not going to run into a Basilisk on your way.â
James squinted his eyes at you. âBut can you promise me that with 100% certainty?â You rolled your eyes in response. âOf course not, but would you take me with you and expose me to such dangers?â you sarcastically retorted.
âWell, technically speaking, and Iâm not saying all Slytherins,â James held up his hands at your narrowed eyes. âSnakes are kind of your thing, right?â You closed your eyes. âCharming, you are. Letâs just go,â you sighed.
James grinned in victory as he held the door open for you. âFor the record, I would totally protect you from a Basilisk.â
âIf you say so.â
Sirius sat up in bed when the door opened, but no one came in. âHey Prongs, how was ice skating?â
James removed the invisibility cloak to reveal your shivering form. Both of you drenched from head to toe, water still dripping from the locks in front of his eyes. âGot pulled under,â he stressed. âI didnât know where to take her, I couldnât let her clean record be tainted for being out past bedtime because of me, and I donât know the Slytherin password, so I brought her here,â he started to ramble in a loud whisper.
Remus grumbled as he sat up too. âBloody hell, Prongs, did you take her to the black lake or what?â And when James didnât respond, âMate, what is wrong with you.â He got up and walked to the bathroom to get a few dry towels to wrap you in.
James discarded his soaked clothes and dried himself off before putting on pyjamas. Then the three of them stared awkwardly at each other. âWell, she needs to get out of those cold clothes,â Remus remarked. Sirius stepped back. âYeah, not my girl, not my duty,â he walked over to his bed and dropped down on it.
âRight.â
You woke up and the first thing you noticed was the red colours all around you. You sat up suddenly and blinked a few times. What happened? Oh, right. A hand had broken through the ice, wrapped itself around your ankle and harshly pulled you down into the freezing depths. So that means youâre either dead, or James got you out and brought you to the Gryffindor dorms instead of the infirmary because he kept your clean records in mind. Your heart filled with appreciation at the thought of that.
You looked around and found James on the floor next to you. He was curled up in an extra blanket, but it must be uncomfortable. You went to pull out your wand when you realised that you were wearing his sweater. The little shit changed your clothes, you huffed.
You quietly got up, found your clothes drying in the bathroom and slipped out your wand. With a quick levitation spell, you gently tucked James back into his own bed. Your eyes fell on the two parchments on the nightstand, and you allowed a nostalgic smile to adorn your face. You moved his hair out of the way and let your eyes rest on his peaceful face. Realising you were being creepy, you hastily turned around and snuck out of the room with your clothes and a rolled-up parchment.
âAnd where have you been,â Regulus sat on the common room armchair in front of the door. He looked like he hadnât properly slept, and his tone was sharp. âAnd what atrocity are you wearing. Tell me you didnât sleep with him?â
âYouâre my brother, Regulus, not my mother,â you teased him. You pulled out a chair to sit next to him. âAnd no, I went skating, fell into the water, blacked out and woke up alive in the Gryffindor dorm. So donât hex James, if anything you can thank him.â
There was a beat of silence. âIâm glad youâre okay, I was worried.â
âIâm sorry for worrying you. Did you stay up all night?â
âYes, but mostly because I wanted to tell you something.â You didnât immediately reply, waiting for Regulus to continue on his own instead.
âSirius came up to the astronomy tower yesterday evening,â he quietly said. His voice sounded confused, as if he was still unsure of what had actually occurred.
âAre you okay?â
âOf course, Iâm okay,â Regulus immediately said. âItâs just that he apologized.â He shrugged. âYou think he meant it?â
You thought it over. âI think he did. He asked me last week you know. Where you are, and that if you ever want to join us in the library, you can.â Regulus nodded deep in thought.
âYou know, James actually invited both of us over for the Spring Break.â You looked at Regulus to gauge his reaction to that. He looked slightly interested, though he tried to hide it.
âI suppose itâs still a month away, so weâll see what we want then.â
You nodded and then got up off the chair. âIâm going to change into something else, before my fellow house students want to jinx me,â you said.
âYouâre dating James Potter; people already want to jinx you.â
You winked at him. âWell, Iâll be damned, youâre absolutely right. Isnât that funny? You know what, let them try,â you challenged them as you smoothened Jamesâ sweater.
James woke up and sat up straight in bed, confused. How did he get here? He Looked at the end of his bed and saw it still neatly tucked in- hospital corners. His lips twitched up. You had left, he realised, but youâd tucked him in. He let himself fall back onto his pillow and turned his head to the side. Then he frowned, put on his glasses, and grabbed the parchment. In your lovely handwriting was a message.
Maybe not a Basilisk, but you protected me as you said. Thank you, James. (All things considered, I enjoyed last night.)
Jamesâ eyes traced the words before he carefully placed the parchment under his pillow with a giddy feeling in his heart.
James found you in the library with Remus. His heart skipped a beat when he saw that you were still wearing his sweater. Red looked out of place on you and James absolutely loved it. Sirius shared a look with him and then the both of them decided to sneak up on the two of you, simultaneously stealing your books from under you.
You and Remus narrowed your eyes at the both of them. âI am this close to kicking you guys.â You held up your hand to show your thumb and finger pressed together. James shifted his weight from one foot to the other. âBut theyâre touching,â he hesitantly responded. Sirius elbowed him in the ribs and quickly handed Remus both your books back.
You sarcastically faked a gasp. âOh, Merlin, youâre right, they appear to be.â
James cheekily grinned and pressed a kiss to your temple. âYou wouldnât hurt your knight in shining armour,â he bragged, but without any real arrogance laced in his tone. You flipped him off with a grin and pulled out a chair for him next to you. âYouâre late,â you airily said.
Sirius suddenly straightened up, his attention fixed on someone behind you. You turned around and waved Regulus over. âCome join us, Reg.â
Three weeks flew by in a blur, but- even though youâve said this so often now- your were really enjoying your time at Hogwarts again. Peopleâs gossips and predictions about yours and Jamesâ relationship had turned into quiet whispers and envy.
James stood up for you on multiple occasions- after letting you have a go at the imbeciles of course. You had finally gone to a Quidditch game to support James, though of course not when they were playing against Slytherin. You had spent more time in the infirmary and James had joined you a few times by hanging out on one of the empty beds, occasionally handing you an ingredient such as Wolfsbane.
After having established that you absolutely loved hugs, James was always less that a step behind you, ready to give you the affection that you were too proud for to admit you wanted. You had been a frequent visitor to the boysâ dorms as well, making yourself comfortable in Jamesâ arms as you dozed off for a nap. On other nights, you have even managed to persuade Regulus to join a handful of times as well. You wondered what would happen when James would graduate before you, but tried not to think much of it.
âSo, we are definitely going to Hogsmeade together this week, right?â James popped up behind you and pressed a kiss to your cheek.
âHow scandalous, are you asking me out on a date?â
âYeah, why? You have a boyfriend or something?â James humoured you.
âOr something,â you joked. The innocent comment hit both you and James at the same time. A reminder that you two were in fact technically not really dating. You shook the thought away.
âIâll see you at 11 oâclock,â you replied.
James grinned, âIâll be there five minutes earlier.â
True to his words, he was waiting for you in the courtyard when you arrived on the dot. James offered you his arm and you linked yours through his.
âJames?â James hummed in reply. âDoes your offer about Spring Break still stand? I mean, I know itâs next week already, and itâs sort of short notice-â
James perked up. âYes!â he said, a little too quickly and enthusiastic. He cleared his throat and lowered his volume. âYes, you and Regulus can still come.â
You sighed and nodded in relief. âRight, because Reg and I have been talking and we might take you up on that offer.â
It was evening by the time you and James made your way back to Hogwarts. James had his arm wrapped around your shoulders, and you held his hand. James pressed a kiss to your temple every now and then. âWhat happened to the glass slippers?â He suddenly asked.
âThey broke.â
âThey broke?â
âYep.â
âBut didnât you enchant them?â
âI did, but I was so angry at you that I smashed them to pieces against the wall like over two months ago.â
âOh⌠But have you changed your mind since then?â James decided to finally ask you.
âAbout what?â.
âMe, and us.â
You looked at James and quietly admired him. James kept his eyes straight in front of him, too scared to look at you and see your reaction.
âWell, we are walking together, coming back from Hogsmeade. Thereâs not a student in sight and yet we are still holding hands,â You light-heartedly replied with a teasing smile. You squeezed his hand for good measure. It seemed enough to make James look at you.
âIâd say weâre pretty good friends-â
âIâm in love with you.â
You froze in your tracks and let go of Jamesâ hand. Well, that took you by surprise. Fancying someone and claiming to be in love with someone- not loving but being in love- that was a next level. You smiled amusedly, successfully hiding your insecurities. âJames, youâre not in love with me.â
James frowned at your response. Heâd accept your rejection, but not you doubting his feelings.
âYes, I am,â he stubbornly responded.
âNo, youâre not,â you retorted, equally stubborn.
âAm too.â
âYouâre not, James,â you exasperatedly said. âYouâre not in love, you just fancy me because youâre comfortable.â You shrugged awkwardly. "And you only feel comfortable with me because I know so much about you. Because you poured your heart out to a stranger, and it so happened to be me.â
James bit his cheek, considering your words. Then he grinned and nodded. Your heart dropped, but not as much as it could have, because you had already prepared yourself for this. The joy behind setting yourself up for disappointment by never letting yourself get your hopes up.
âYeah, Iâm really comfortable with you.â He agreed. âIsnât that great? Isnât that love too? Being comfortable to the point you donât feel the need to keep secrets anymore, where you feel the most accepted? The most at ease?â
You stared at James then cleared your throat. âSo, when did you start being all knowledgeable and romantic?â
James snorted. You were adorable when you were awkward. âIâm the most comfortable with you,â he earnestly confessed to you. He carefully, as if to not scare you away, put a step forward and reached for your hand. He squeezed it softly. I mean it.
James felt you pull your hand back and bit his lip, forcing it to curl up into an accepting smile. âRight,â he cleared his throat as he tried to form a reply. But you werenât done yet. You pulled back your hand and then threw both your arms around Jamesâ neck as your brought him in a tight hug. You dipped your head down into the crook of his neck.
âAnd Iâm the most vulnerable with you,â you mumbled against his skin. James sighed in relief, happiness, and love. He wrapped his arms around you protectively, as if to shield you in response.
You tilted your head sideways as you looked at James who was in front of you, down on one knee in your garden. James looked beautiful. His cheeks were slightly coloured from the cold and his hands held a small box with a ring.
âLove?â He asked, waving his hand in front of you, trying to get your attention. He didnât sound nervous at all, in fact, he felt the most relaxed heâd ever been. This was definitely the future heâd imagined when heâd watched you laugh with his dad while bringing in the groceries. âMy knee is getting numb from the cold, love. So, if you could just say yes or no,â he cheekily grinned.
You hummed in thought and then you replied, âWell, isnât marriage a little too soon?â Your grin widened and spread across your face. âI mean, youâve yet to officially ask me to be your real girlfriend.â
âWait what-â
The end :)
Taglist:
@elsie-bells @charlie-weasley-is-underrated @dreamingofmarauders @moonyslibrary98 @wildernessflora @hollandweather @queerqueenlynn @locklyebrainrot @thisrandombitch @grac3aph3lion @earfquak3 @venomsvl @shrekscrustybudassy @middle-of-the-earth @sirene-noir @littlepoisonmushroom @faumpje @iloveutwice @katelebate @moonysupremacy01 @marina468 @fangirl-kimora @bellesowl @badasswlthafatass @sjprongs @armydrcamers @its-a-ittle-bit-cold @ireallywannasleep127 @sakuyoi @jsjcue @cashtons-wife @idllyastuff @severegiantjudgefriend @ivy-34 @moonyunebi @caspianobsessed @kquil @moonys-luvr @mindflay3r @magpiesworld @my-beloved-fandoms @papichulo120627 @nokkoongie @sbrewer21 @helloitsmeeeeeee @clumsyassbitch @lovelyteenagebeard @joeytribbiani18 @littlemisslovestoread @princesskittycatofmeowland
#james potter x reader#james potter x you#james potter x fem!reader#james potter x y/n#james potter imagine#james potter fic#james potter angst#james potter fluff#marauders era#marauders#james potter fanfiction#marauders x reader#james potter fanfic#young james potter x reader#young james potter#marauder x reader
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down the rabbit hole
pairing: theodore nott x reader
genre: fluff!!! just a short drabble <3
w/c: 0.6k
summary: in which it's blatantly obvious that theodore nott has fallen down the rabbit hole of love.
warnings: none!
a/n: just something short just to make sure i'm not depriving you guys c:
âTheo, Theo!âÂ
You stumbled past objects in your path, eager to reach your boyfriend. You climbed the steps like they were walls, holding the new book you had just received like a prized trophy. It had just arrived and your owl had just had it delivered to you. As soon as you saw the wrapping you knew what it was and it only caused an excited bubble to burst within you. The book had been one that Theo had recommended to you and since both of you had a passion for reading you just had to get it. You were nearly at his dorm now and you couldnât contain your excitement. You pushed open the dorm door and your expression was bright and cheerful, you didn't notice that your boyfriend had company as you rattled off.
âLook look! Itâs the book you were talking about the other day - Alice in Wonderland!â You never really read muggle books but your boyfriend had managed to get you into it, proclaiming that despite them being written by muggles they were surprisingly good, and now you were just as addicted. âI canât wait to read it, Lily saw me holding it and said it was really good and that Iâd totally enjoy it not to mention its cover is so pretty!â
You continued your tangent, too absorbed in what you were ranting about to your boyfriend to notice you had interrupted a conversation between his friends. Theo didnât mind though he was also enraptured by what you were saying. If he were a cartoon character, his eyes would be hearts, gazing at you with such love. You made him so happy, and Theo loved you more than anything.
Draco and Blaise were watching their best friend and snickering behind their hands. It wasnât unknown that Theodore Nott was so deeply in love with you and vice versa. The two of you were the power couple of the century. His three best friends watched as he somehow managed to fall deeper into the hole of love just for you. They whispered behind their palms as you jumped up and down excited for the book you had in your hands.
It was only then that you noticed that you had interrupted something and your cheeks flushed with heat and you tried to hide your face with the book.
âIâm so sorry, did I interrupt a conversation?â You asked sheepishly although you kind of already knew the answer.Â
Theo shot the boys with a dirty look before turning to you and gesturing for you to sit on his lap. âYou didnât interrupt us, principessa, donât worry.âÂ
He placed a kiss on your forehead and you couldnât help the smile that grew on your face. Truth is he didnât really remember what he was talking about to his friends because the moment you had barged in all his attention had been on you.Â
Draco and Blaise held back their laughter as they knew what Theo was actually thinking. The two of them knew how much he loved you and they always made it their top priority to remind him how whipped he was for you. They understood though. Their best friend was in love and that was what love did.Â
You settled comfortably on Theoâs lap, still bubbling with excitement. He wrapped his arms around you, resting his chin on your shoulder as he peeked at the book. âI canât wait to start reading it! Should we read it together, Theo?â
He smiled, his eyes twinkling with affection. âOf course, mia cara. Iâd love that.â
Draco and Blaise exchanged amused glances, already planning their next round of teasing. For now, though, they were content to watch their friend bask in the happiness that only you could bring him.
#theodore nott x reader#fluff#slytherin boys#theodore nott imagine#theodore nott imagines#theo nott imagine#theo nott x reader#theodore x reader#theodore nott#theodore nott fluff#theo nott x you#theo nott fluff#theo nott fanfic#theo nott x y/n#theodore nott x you#theodore nott smut#theo nott smut#slytherin boys x reader
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please i need stardew valley bachelors in a kinky gangbang with gender neutral or female farmer!
I loved this suggestion but please have mercy, I didn't know which ones you wanted so I did all 6 which was VERY difficult for me to incorporate so I made it sort of cheap in the end to save having to write a whole night of sex with them all đ pls enjoy! I'm sorry if it's a little shitty, I've never written or read group sex stuff đ
The Bachelor's and the Farmer's Night
Word Count: 1569
Pairing: F!Reader x Sebastian, Harvey, Sam, Alex, Shane & Elliott
Warning: 18+, group sex, rope kink, handcuffs, swearing, unprotected sex, vaginal fingering, anal mention, oral mention, cum swallowing, light bdsm (choking, spanking), all of it is pretty vague and quickly mentioned except the fingering & vaginal sex
It was Sam's idea. Not that he was gonna openly parade that around to anyone at first. It started as a pathetic fantasy that he would get off on at night, thin walls making him cover his own mouth as he imagined the farmer laying on a bed, tied down, taking it from him and Sebastian over and over. He was ashamed to even incorporate his friend in a fantasy, but the idea of a threesome with the farmer and Sebastian was just...so fucking hot. The idea of watching her get fucked, then fucking her - Sam was a simple man and he nearly came on the spot every single time he imagined it.Â
What's worse? He began incorporating the idea of Alex in the mix. He was friendly with Alex - and Sam had seen the farmer interacting with Alex a lot recently. Even throwing around a football with him the other day. Sam didn't immediately think anything of it, until he woke up sweating and hard, having dreamt the farmer and Alex going at it while Sam jacked off and waited for his turn patiently. Slowly, Sam began to think about...what if more people got involved? And oh, god. He finally let it slip to Sebastian.Â
"What do you think of that new farmer?" Sam asked as he took a shot for one of the striped balls on the pool table. His voice was even, but his heart was racing a pathetic amount.Â
Sebastian leaned on his stick, watching Sam's shot. "She's cute," Sebastian answered. The two made slow eye contact and Sam debated just leaving the whole conversation at that. But something about the way Sebastian stared him down made him crack.Â
"Yeah, yeah, she is...uh- you like her?"Â
Sebastian took a swig of his drink, nodded a little. "Sure," he said, "why?"Â
"How...how do you like her?" Sam gently rested his stick down on the wall, watching his friend. "Like," he began, "sexually...or...?"Â
Eyes widening a little, Sebastian tilted his head. "I- we don't usually talk about that kinda stuff," he dismissed, turning his attention to the pool table and ignoring Sam for a moment.Â
Sam nodded slightly, before he finally whispered, "I know but I want to...uh..." he glanced around the Saloon to see if anyone was looking towards them. No one was. "I kinda want to...have...some group sex with them."Â
Sebastian took a shot, perhaps out of shock, the cue ball launched across the table and sunk a striped ball. He stared down at the table. Quiet. "Just us three or?"Â
"Uhm...I was thinking maybe Alex..."Â
Sebastian raised his head up, hair falling over his left eye. "The farmer? Did you talk to her?"
 Sam shook his head and Sebastian slowly turned to the table where he'd set his drink aside, grabbing it and gently taking a sip. "Ask her. Tell me when you do."
"You...you're in?"Â
Sebastian gave a short nod, and the two acted as though the conversation never even happened.Â
â°âąâ°âąâ°âąâ°âąâ°âąâ°âąâ°âą
When presented with the idea, albeit from a terrified Sam, you agreed immediately. With a condition. You wanted Sam to invite Elliott, Shane, and Harvey. His eyes widened.Â
"Six....you want six guys-" you nodded. Sam had to awkwardly adjust his pants, at the mere suggestion of that many guys fucking you he got hard. Just the idea of watching it was too much for him. "I- I'll see what they say."Â
â°âąâ°âąâ°âąâ°âąâ°âąâ°âąâ°âą
To Sam's shock, every single person agreed. He was expecting a sharp no from Shane, but he said yes without a second thought. Harvey stuttered out a "Oh...holy shit...uh- at the farm-?" and blushed madly. Elliott tried to maintain some sort of dignity but by the immediate bulge in his pants Sam guessed his answer before Elliott could recover words and agree. Alex tried to act disgusted at first. But then he mumbled a "can I bring handcuffs and rope?" (Sam asked "dude you live with your grandparents in a small town, why do you even have those?" and was met with a glare).Â
So it was arranged, a day and time was set. The six made their way down to the farm, chatting quietly amongst themselves. Sam was hard basically half the day before this, eagerly awaiting the nighttime - when his fantasy would become reality. The farmer answered the door, smiling softly at the six men. "Boys, come on in," she smiled. Sam nearly choked, they were wearing a flannel, opened up, only a bra underneath. Fuck. Fucking christ. She was good at this.Â
â°âąâ°âąâ°âąâ°âąâ°âąâ°âąâ°âą
Upon being brought to the bedroom, Sam gently guided you to lay down, Harvey quickly mumbled "she needs a safe word-" and the rest agreed. Turning their attention to you. Six flushed, eager faces. You felt like prey laying in the bed, flannel opened to expose your bra. A safe word definitely was needed. As much as you wanted to take all six repeatedly you weren't entirely sure how much you could take before you were too used.
"Red light," you murmured out. "Yellow light means give me a break, but I want to keep going."Â
And so it began. Sam quickly ripped off the flannel and tossed it aside, then tore the bra off and threw it aside, his hands wandered to your jeans, slowly unzipping them. Your panties exposed, he gently moved his hand down, rubbing softly against the wet spot. You bit your lip, about to moan. Quickly, Sam backed up, Sebastian took one side of the bed and Alex the other. Hands launched to your chest, as Sam gently finished pulling off your pants. A hand on each breast, gently running your ripples through their fingers, you began moaning out loud. Sam got off the bed.Â
"Who wants to go first?" he asked, Elliott stepped forward. He gently undid his pants, erection springing out. He gently lined up.Â
You bit your lip, before he backed away, "did...anyone bring lube?" Elliott's voice gently asked. It was Harvey who had, gently digging it out of his jacket pocket and handing it over. Elliott gently poured some into his hand, gliding it across your pussy causing you to moan out. Out of the corner of your eye you saw Sam, eagerly jacking off as he watched. Sebastian was still by your side, but his hands had left your body. Elliott gently shoved a finger in. "I'll start slow, you're about to have a hell of a night," he said reassuringly.Â
You looked up into his eyes, nodding softly. He smiled, gently leaning down, placing a kiss on your forehead, before be pulled his finger out. "Did that hurt at all?" you shook your head, and he gently shoved two fingers in, letting your body adjust to the feeling, he slowly began pumping them in and out of you. All eyes were on you and you whimpered softly, meeting eyes with Shane who was still fully dressed.Â
"Sha- shane-" you mumbled, gasping as Elliott's fingers expertly worked you. "Can- you- strip?"Â
A hand gently laced around your neck, "use manners, baby, what do we say?" it was Sebastian's hand, tight grip but just light enough not to hurt. Elliott's fingers effortlessly kept time.Â
"Please?" you whimpered, the hand left your neck and Shane slowly began to undo his belt. As soon as he was stripped, Elliott's hands left you, for only a second you had a miserable feeling of emptiness before Shane swapped with Elliott.Â
He postioned himself, hands gently gripping your hips as he found where to line up. "Ready?" you nodded, and with one swift thrust he was in you. Lips found your neck, Shane was focused on fucking you. It was Harvey who had knelt beside you, hand gently gliding down your body to your tit's. Lips on your neck, sucking and leaving a hickey.Â
Shane grunted, speeding up more. "Fuck- tight...gonna-"Â
"Not in her," Sam whimpered, you had forgotten Sam was still here, in the corner of the events jacking off. "We can't all...not in her."Â
To describe the events would be tiring and long and endless. They took turns, spilling themselves over your naked body, in your ass, in your mouth. Alex was partial to rough sex, Sam into watching, Harvey wanted to pleasure you however you asked, Shane was focused solely on his own quick finish, Sebastian wanted to tie you down with Alex's ropes when he fucked you and choke you out, Elliott was gentle and soft and sweet and placed kisses on your forehead as you took their dicks over and over and over.Â
In the end, the sun rose when you guys finally ended the session. You had given several sessions of head. Taken fingers, fists, and dicks. Been tied down, choked, spanked, had your hair pulled. And each of them had asked for something the others hadn't. Sam begged to finish by jacking off onto your naked body. Sebastian wanted your lips wrapped around his cock when he finished. Alex, he was the one who dug out a condom so he could feel your pussy tighten around him as he came inside you.Â
When the session ended, you simply told all of them. "We're doing this again."Â
#stardew valley x reader#sdv smut#sdv sebastian#sdv shane#sdv harvey#sdv elliott#sdv sam#sdv alex#sdv x reader#farmer x sebastian#farmer x shane#farmer x harvey#farmer x sam#farmer x alex#farmer x elliott#stardew valley smut#female farmer#x female reader
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yandere crime lord x sadistic male reader
cw;; torture, burn wounds, blood, gore, stockholm syndrome, yandere, drugs, kidnapping, murder, smoking, cruel reader
here he is.... my most fucked up bby girl. i wrote this a little differently than the others... i had a different vibe in mind.
achilles is the eldest son of a notorious mob family, the second most powerful in charge right under his father. he makes lots of big decisions, like his recent attempts to take over a smaller gang with cruelty and force. unfortunately being a sexy big shot comes with its own little vices, achilles likes smoking for instance. nasty habit especially for someone in his position, doesn't he realize how vulnerable he is when he's taking a smoke break? so easy for you to drug.
you flick some of the cigarette ash towards the man in question. he's on his knees arms tied behind his back and duct tape over his mouth. he keeps shooting you dirty looks. it's funny.
"such a waste..."
you run a red room service on the dark web. essentially, anyone with enough money can hire you to kidnap and torture whoever they want. some people hire you to make elaborate snuff videos with their desires all written out for you, other people let you and your audience decide what kind of torture would take place over your live streams. that's where the handsome man in front of you came from, the gang he'd been destroying had bought your services.
you had already explained that to him, as well as mocked him for his cigarette habit. now you were letting one of the cigarettes burn before your stream actually started, you didn't actually smoke it choosing instead to let him watch you waste it. his scowl was hot.
his screams were hotter. the first hour in, you had him covered in cigarette burns and his stomach flinching away from your touch. the second hour in, he had multiple gashes all over his trembling body. the third hour in, he had finally started to sob and his body was covered in lovely bruises.
"sorry guys, we can't kill him yet. but that means we get a toy for a little while!" you gripped his hair and brought his tear stained face up to the camera. "say goodbye to our friend!"
and that ended your first stream with your new toy. you cleaned him up and brought him to his new room.
"you'll probably be the show tomorrow unless I get another job. eat up." you gave him a nice dinner and pulled the duct tape off his mouth.
"... when will I die?"
"dunno. good work chilles, sleep well. I'll most likely kill you in the morning."
that's how it began. the guy ended up being your show about half the week for the next two months. never enough to kill him and every day you cleaned up his wounds and took good care of him. he never cursed you or complained about his place he would ask you questions and thank you for the food. it was pleasant conversation, he was a nice companion in your otherwise drab life.
it was halfway into the third month when you got news that those gang members who hired you were dead. you'd been waiting the whole time for them to pay for you to kill achilles and now it was never coming. at least you made good money from your streams in the meantime.
"you're free to go." you stood in the doorway of achilles's room.
his eyes looked at you, slowly widening as he realized what you said. "wh.. why?"
"m gonna drug you up and drop you in front of your house. you won't know where you were but I'd really appreciate if you didn't try to come after me at all. "
"why are you letting me go? did something happen?"
"you should quit smoking by the way. maybe i won't be able to get you-"
you saw something in his eyes snap. those eyes that had been practically blank the whole time even when the torture made him lose his voice from screaming. now they were dark and hazy, significantly more threatening than he'd been before. he crawled on his hands and knees to your leg and looked up at you with tears in his eyes.
"why....? am i not.. did i do it wrong? i can be a good toy."
you were caught off guard by his reaction. "uh... well uh the guys who hired me like... they died without paying me to kill you. so like... i don't have a reason to keep you?"
"how much?"
"huh??"
"how much do you need to keep me?"
you reached down and gently carded your hand through his hair. "you don't want to stay here, dumbass."
"yes I do." he nuzzled his head into your hand.
"you really want to stay here and get tortured until you die? use your brain."
his darkened eyes looked up at you with the most pathetic look. "i want to stay with you."
"fuck" he's cute? he's cute. "ok...jesus, lets do this. you go home, get reunited with your family, try to get back to normal life. and I'll contact you so if you still want to be LITERALLY tortured over living your normal life I'll bring you back. ok?"
"you'll actually come get me, right?"
"yeah. I'll get you and I won't even make you pay."
"I'll be back soon." he rubbed his head against your leg. "please get your favorite tools ready."
#top male reader#dom male reader#male reader#yandere oc#sub yandere#yandere x male reader#yandere ideas#yandere x reader#yandere crime lord
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Your Charles series was so good. And your writing is amazing.
Could you maybe do something where reader is friends with Arthurâs GF- Jade or someone in his friend group and she meets Charles and he literally has a fall in love at first sight moment with her and maybe he becomes a bit obsessed đŤśđťđŤśđť
LOVE ME, BABY | CL16
an: i did a mix of a smau and written for this one and since i'm moving to france again soon i'm making her french ehehe
jade_distinguinn
liked by yourusername, arthur_leclerc, yourbestfriend and 28,428 others
look who's finally come to visit @/yourusername
*tap to load more comments*
userone: facecard never declines for both of them
usertwo: i need them both
userthree: omg finally getting to see yn in monaco
yourusername: take me to the port, i need to find a sugar daddy
jade_distinguinn: enough.
userfour: they're so pretty
yourbestfriend: it's fine leave me behind, i'll cope
yourusername: you had work??
jade_distinguinn: i tried to pay you to come??
yourbestfriend: shh don't expose me.
userfive: i would commit war crimes to be apart of their friendship
monaco casino, arthur's birthday
The night buzzed with a certain energy Charles knew all too well. The Casino de Monte-Carlo was alive with high society types, gamblers, and tourists, all bathing in the golden glow of the chandeliers. A typical night in Monaco, he supposed, but something about tonight felt different.
Charles had come here to celebrate Arthurâs birthday, content with blending into the backdrop. The Austin Grand Prix was just a week away, and while most people recognised his face, tonight wasnât about the spotlight. That was Arthurâs role tonight, surrounded by his circle of friends. For once, Charles was glad to slip into the shadows.
Heâd just stepped away from the table, heading towards the bar when it happened. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw you, gliding through the crowd like you didnât belong in all this glitz, as though you were in your own world. Your dark hair fell effortlessly over your shoulders, and the understated elegance of your dress caught his eye. Not flashy, not trying too hard.
Then, in one brief, perfect moment, you brushed against him.
The light contact jolted him from his thoughts, and before he could even react, you turned, eyes wide with surprise.
âOh, Iâm sorry!â Your voice, soft and clear, carried the unmistakable lilt of a French accent.
Charlesâs world tilted as your eyes met his. He wasnât used to thisâthe sudden quiet that seemed to fill the room, as though all the noise had fallen away in your presence. And yet, here you were, pulling him into that stillness.
You didnât look at him the way people usually did. There was no spark of recognition, no polite nod that said, I know who you are. Just calm, curious eyes, waiting for a response.
Charles cleared his throat, his usual confidence faltering. âYes⌠sorry, Iââ
âAre you alright?â you asked, a faint smile playing at your lips, almost teasing.
He couldnât help but laugh softly, surprised by how easily you handled the situation. Handled him. That never happened to Charles Leclerc. People usually fumbled over their words, especially in places like this where Formula One drivers were practically worshipped. But you? You were treating him like he was just another guy in a suit, standing in your way.
âIâm⌠Charles,â he managed, extending his hand automatically.
You glanced at his hand, but instead of shaking it, you smiled politely and looked past him, scanning the corridor. âNice to meet you, Charles. But I really need to find the bathroom before I get even more lost in here.â
And just like that, you were leaving. The most baffling part? You still had no idea who he was.
âUh, itâs just down that corridor to the right,â he said, voice a bit steadier now but still trailing after you as you moved away.
âThanks.â You shot him one last glance, smiled briefly, and disappeared into the crowd, leaving him standing there with an unfamiliar feeling settling in his chest.
Charles was used to attention. But this? This was different. A fleeting encounter, barely lasting seconds, yet it had left something behind he couldnât quite shake. Youâd treated him like anyone else. Not a celebrity, not a driverâjust another person. And that intrigued him more than anything.
With a sigh, Charles turned back towards the bar, trying to push the thought of you out of his mind.
But minutes later, back at the table with Arthur and the others, his thoughts kept drifting. He couldnât shake the memory of you, couldnât help but glance at the entrance now and then, half hoping, half expecting to see you again.
And then, there you were.
You moved through the crowd with a quiet confidence, your head held high, walking straight towards the table. Charlesâs pulse quickened as you drew closer, your gaze sweeping across the group until it landed on him.
Jade noticed you first, her face lighting up. âDarling! There you are!â She jumped up, pulling you in for a quick hug.
Charles watched in amusement, barely concealing a smirk. You hadnât recognised him yet, still oblivious to the fact that youâd just met him.
You sat beside Jade, and Arthur leaned over, gesturing towards Charles. âI donât think youâve met Charles here, have you?â His grin was wide, completely unaware of the encounter that had already unfolded.
You glanced his way, and for a split second, something flickered in your eyes. But you kept your expression composed, only hesitating for a moment before replying smoothly.
âNo, I donât think I have.â
Charles leaned forward, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. You were good. Playing it off like the two of you hadnât just crossed paths minutes ago. The fact that you werenât acknowledging it only made him more curious.
He extended his hand again, this time with a knowing look in his eyes. âPleasure to meet you.â
âLikewise,â you replied, your gaze meeting his directly, a glint of challenge flickering there.
Arthur, still oblivious to the undercurrent between you two, continued on casually. âCharlesâs been in Monaco as long as you. Just got back from testing in Italy.â
You raised an eyebrow. âTesting?â
âHeâs a Formula One driver,â Jade added, glancing between you and Charles.
Charles didnât take his eyes off you. He saw the moment of realisation in your eyes, just the slightest widening before you regained your composure. But he caught it. Youâd finally connected the dots.
You recovered gracefully, your voice smooth and unaffected. âI guess Iâve been too busy to follow sports.â
Charles let out a low chuckle. You were definitely good at this game. And the best part? You werenât going to make it easy for him.
âThatâs what makes it interesting,â he replied, his gaze steady on you.
Jade quickly pulled your attention to something else, and Charles watched as you turned away, part of him disappointed, but another part relieved. It gave him a moment to take you in fully, to process what had just happened. You hadnât recognised himânot as a Formula One driver, not as anyone of importance. Youâd smiled, thanked him, and carried on.
As the conversation at the table continued, Charles found his thoughts drifting back to you, glancing your way more often than he should. There was something about the way you carried yourselfâan effortless kind of allure, unpretentious and completely disarming.
He realised heâd been too quiet when Arthur nudged him, snapping him out of his reverie.
âCharlie, you alright?â Arthur raised an eyebrow, his tone curious.
Charles blinked, forcing a grin. âYeah, yeah. Just thinking.â
Arthur chuckled, clearly unconvinced. âAbout your next race or something?â
Charlesâs eyes flicked back to you, now laughing at something Jade had said, completely unaware of the fact that you were occupying his mind.
âActually,â Charles said, lowering his voice so only Arthur could hear, âI was wondering if you could give me her number.â
Arthur looked puzzled. âHer? Really?â
Charles rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. âYeah, sheâs... different. Iâd like to get to know her.â
"Alright, I get it," Arthur said, his voice low enough so the others couldnât hear. He glanced over at you, then back at Charles, his smile fading into something more serious. "But no can do, mate. Sheâs Jadeâs best friend."
Charles blinked. "Whatâs that got to do with anything?"
Arthur shrugged, his grin returning. "It means Iâm not getting involved. If you want her number, youâre going to have to ask her yourself."
Charles felt a jolt of panic surge through him. "Ask her myself?" The words came out louder than intended, and he quickly lowered his voice when you glanced in their direction. He cleared his throat, trying to appear nonchalant. "I mean, you canât justâ"
"Nope," Arthur cut him off, his expression completely unyielding. "Iâm not risking it. Do you know how long it took me to win over Jade? If I mess this up by playing matchmaker and it doesnât work out, Iâm screwed."
Charles groaned inwardly. Arthurâs girlfriend, Jade, was lovely, but he had to admitâArthur had a point. The last thing he wanted was to stir up any drama, especially with you being Jadeâs best friend. But still, the thought of approaching you directly made his pulse quicken.
"Youâre really not going to help me out here?" Charles asked, trying one last time.
Arthur grinned like he was thoroughly enjoying the sight of a Formula One driver getting flustered over a girl. "Not a chance. But look at it this wayâyouâre Charles Leclerc, mate. You can handle it."
Charles stared at him, deadpan. "You realise I drive at 300 kilometres an hour for a living, right? This is way more terrifying."
Arthur burst out laughing, slapping him on the back. "Good luck, mate."
Charles watched as Arthur leaned back in his chair, clearly done with the conversation. He couldnât believe it. Ask her myself. He glanced at you again, and his heart did that strange, unfamiliar thing where it skipped a beat. This was insane.
But there was no way around it.
He took a deep breath and downed the rest of his drink, trying to steel his nerves. The next race was nothing compared to this. Alright, he thought, just go over there and act normal. But even as he thought it, he knew ânormalâ was the last thing heâd be able to pull off around you.
How had this become the hardest thing heâd ever done?
charles_leclerc
liked by arthurleclerc, jade_distinguinn, carlossainz55 and 986,583 others
celebrating 24!
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userone: my fav grid siblings
usertwo: oh my who are the girls at the end?
arthurleclerc: merci frero
userthree: i want to know what a leclerc party is like
jade_distinguinn: @/yourusername we got put on blast in that final picture
arthurleclerc: @/charles_leclerc eyes
jadedistinguinn: what?
arthurleclerc: nothing mon amour
userfour: i wish i was there
userfive: happy birthday arthur!
yourusername: oh god i look awful
charles_leclerc: i think you look quite the opposite actually
texts between jade and arthur
jade's apartment
You were lounging on the sofa, the late afternoon light filtering through the blinds, casting soft, golden streaks across Jadeâs apartment. She was curled up in the armchair across from you, scrolling through her phone and sipping tea. It was one of those rare, lazy afternoons where nothing was pressing, and the air was filled with the comforting hum of nothingness. A perfect break.
âSo, what are you and Arthur up to tonight?â you asked absently, flicking through the channels without much interest.
Jade glanced up, shrugging. âNot sure yet. He mentioned something about Charles going to England tomorrow for testing, so we might just go out for dinner and come back unless he wants to go and see Charles.â
Before you could respond, there was a soft knock at the door.
âThatâll be him,â Jade said, setting her cup down and stretching.
You got up to answer the door, opening it to find Arthur standing there, a familiar cheeky grin on his face.
"Alright, ladies?" he said, stepping into the apartment with the ease of someone who's done it a hundred times before. He gave Jade a quick kiss on the cheek before plopping himself down beside her on the armchair, completely at home.
"Hey, Arthur," you said, sitting back down on the sofa. "Heard Charlesâs off to England tomorrow? Are you going to see him tonight?"
âYeah,â Arthur says, leaning back and draping his arm across the back of Jadeâs chair. âGot some testing to do, nothing major, just a quick day trip, so weâll be home tonight.â
âMust be exhausting,â you commented, more out of politeness than anything. Formula One life sounded glamorous, but you couldnât imagine the constant travel.
Arthur chuckled. âYeah, heâs got a crazy schedule, that one. ActuallyâŚâ He hesitated for a moment, shooting a glance at Jade that you didnât catch, then continued, âCharles is looking for someone to dogsit while heâs away. Just for the day, really. His usual sitter fell through.â
You blinked, surprised. âCharles has a dog?â
âYeah, a small dachshund. Leo. Sweetest thing youâve ever seen,â Arthur said, his voice casual but you missed the slight edge of anticipation that lingered beneath his tone.
You glanced at Jade, who was suddenly very interested in her tea, and shrugged. âI could do it. Iâve not got any plans tomorrow anyway, and Iâve been wanting an excuse to get out for a walk. Might be nice to have some company.â
For a brief moment, neither Jade nor Arthur said anything. It was like theyâd frozen, and you were about to ask if youâd said something weird when Arthur cleared his throat.
âYeah? Thatâd be brilliant,â he said, flashing a quick smile at Jade before looking back at you. âCharles will appreciate that. Leoâs great, really. Youâll get along.â
You nodded, thinking it was no big deal. âHappy to help. I love dogs.â
Jade set her cup down a little too carefully, and you missed the look she shared with Arthurâa quick, knowing glance, a barely-there smile. It was the kind of look that was exchanged between people who were clearly up to something, but you were oblivious, already thinking about what youâd need to bring for Leoâs day out.
Arthur leaned forward, grinning now, clearly pleased with how smoothly things were going. âIâll let Charles know. Iâll pick you up tomorrow morning and drop you off at his place?â
âPerfect,â you said, pulling your knees up to your chest and settling back into the cushions. âIâll make sure Leoâs well looked after.â
Arthur and Jade shared another glance, but you were too busy scrolling through your phone now, thinking about where youâll take Leo for a walk. Maybe the park nearby?
Jade stretched, standing up and nudging Arthurâs arm. âWe should probably get going, yeah? Need to go pick something up from your motherâs salon.â she said, clearly making something up on the spot.
Arthur jumped to his feet, playing along smoothly. âRight, yeah, canât forget about that.â
You waved them off, entirely unaware of the little conspiracy brewing right under your nose. âSee you tomorrow, then.â
As they left, Jade turned back, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. âYouâll love Leo, trust me.â
âLooking forward to it,â you called back, smiling.
yourusername
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dog sitting duties
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userone: omg is that leo??
usertwo: chat if they date, my glock is finna be locked and loaded
userthree: is that charles' place??
arthurleclerc: my nephew is so adorable
userfour: i want to be her so god damn bad
userfive: i must have been the worst sort of person in my past life WHY IS THIS NOT ME
jade_distinguinn: cutest ball of fluff ever
usersix: parents?
charles_leclerc: thank you for this
charles' apartment, late at night
Charles dragged his suitcase behind him, feeling the familiar ache of travel settle into his muscles. The testing had gone well, but the flight back from England had drained him more than usual. All he could think about was getting home, maybe grabbing a quick bite to eat, and collapsing into bed.
As he unlocked the door and stepped inside, something felt off. Normally, Leo would be at the door within seconds, his tail wagging like crazy, eager to greet him after any amount of time apart. But today, there was no thundering of paws, no excited whining. The house was still, unusually quiet.
âLeo?â he called out softly, frowning as he dropped his bag by the entrance.
No response.
His concern grew as he walked further into the living room, the sight before him making him stop in his tracks. There, curled up on the sofa, was Leoâand beside him, fast asleep, was you. Your head was resting on a cushion, and Leoâs small dachshund head was draped lazily over your legs. Both of you looked completely peaceful, completely unaware of the world.
Charles blinked, feeling something in him soften at the sight. Heâd forgotten for a moment that Arthur had mentioned youâd offered to look after Leo while he was away. Seeing you there, though, sprawled out on his sofa, completely at ease with Leo beside you, was⌠unexpected. But in the best possible way.
A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he quietly stepped closer. Leoâs ears flicked up as he noticed Charles, but the dog didnât move, simply blinked sleepily before resting his head back on you, clearly not ready to leave his comfortable spot. Charles chuckled under his breath. Traitor.
His eyes moved back to you. You were still in your casual clothes, one arm draped across your chest, your breathing soft and steady. He felt his chest tighten, this strange warmth creeping up on him as he stood there watching. He could see why Leo hadnât come rushing to the doorâyou were good company, after all.
Charles sighed quietly, rubbing the back of his neck. As much as he wanted to crash right there on the sofa himself, beside you, he knew youâd be more comfortable in a bed. He hesitated for a second before moving closer, carefully reaching down and gently sliding one arm under your legs and the other under your shoulders. You stirred slightly as he lifted you, but didnât wake, your head leaning into his chest as he carried you through the apartment to his bedroom.
You felt light in his arms, your face peaceful as he laid you down on the bed, tucking the covers around you carefully. His heart gave an unfamiliar lurch as he stepped back, watching for just a moment as you settled into the blankets, still fast asleep.
Charles smiled softly to himself, shaking his head as he quietly left the room, closing the door behind him. He glanced back at the sofa where Leo had curled up, already resuming his nap. âLooks like Iâll be taking your spot tonight, mate.â
text between yn and jade
charles' apartment, following morning
The first thing you felt was warmth. Your body was cocooned in softness, the kind of comfort that made you want to sink deeper into sleep. But something didnât feel right. You blinked your eyes open slowly, expecting to see your familiar surroundingsâthe sofa, Leo, maybe even your shoes kicked off somewhere on the floorâbut instead, you were in a bed.
You sat up quickly, blinking against the morning light streaming through a nearby window. Your heart skipped a beat as you took in the room around you. This definitely wasnât your apartment. The walls were unfamiliar, the duvet softer than yours, and the faint scent of something cooking wafted through the air. Panic settled in your chest.
The events of yesterday start rushing back. Leo. Charles. Youâd agreed to dogsit while Charles was in England for testing. You must have fallen asleep on the sofaâbut how did I end up in bed?
Oh no. Did Charles put me here?
You felt a rush of mortification as the realisation hit. He must have carried you. Carried you. Heat rose in your cheeks as you glanced around the room, suddenly very aware of the fact that you were lying in his bed. His bed!
Throwing off the covers, you swung your legs over the side of the bed and stood up, running a hand through your hair. You didnât even know what time it was, but it felt later than it should be. God, how long have I been asleep?
You headed towards the door, trying to shake off your embarrassment as you stepped out of the bedroom and made your way into the main part of the apartment. The smell of food grew stronger, and as you rounded the corner, you froze.
Charles was standing in the kitchen, barefoot, wearing nothing but a pair of grey sweatpants, and flipping something in a frying pan. His back was to you, but there was no missing the fact that he was shirtlessâcompletely shirtless. The morning light caught on his tanned skin, highlighting the defined muscles of his back and shoulders. Your brain momentarily short-circuited, and you stood there like an idiot, staring.
Oh God, this is so much worse than I thought.
He turned around, catching sight of you standing there, and smiled, completely unfazed. âMorning.â
You blinked, feeling the heat rush to your face again as you tried to form coherent words. âUh⌠morning.â
He set the pan down and wiped his hands on a nearby dish towel, seemingly unaware of your internal struggle. âI hope you slept alright. Sorry if I startled you by moving you to the bed, but I thought youâd be more comfortable.â
Your heart was still racing, and you were pretty sure you were about three shades of red at this point. You fumbled for a response, trying to keep your eyes from drifting back to his very toned, very bare torso. âOh my God, Iâm so sorry! I didnât mean to just⌠fall asleep on your sofa like that.â
Charles chuckled, clearly amused by your flustered state. âNo problem at all. You looked comfortable, and Leo clearly wasnât moving anytime soon.â He nods towards the dog, who was lying by the kitchen, tail thumping lazily against the floor.
You let out a breath, still feeling a bit mortified but tried to compose yourself. âI just⌠I didnât realise I was that tired.â
âNo harm done,â he said, waving off your apology. âIâm actually glad you stayed. Saved me from dealing with an overly energetic dog first thing in the morning. He pawed at your door to join you last night and only came out 20 minutes ago, all calm.â
You managed a small laugh, feeling slightly less awkward now, though your eyes kept darting to his chest before you forced them back up to his face. Focus.
Charles seemed to notice your discomfort, his smile softening. âI was just making some breakfast. Do you want to join me?â
You blinked, caught off guard by the invitation. âBreakfast?â
âYeah, the thing people eat at the start of the day?â he said sarcastically and casual, as if this whole situation was perfectly normal. âIâm making eggs and toast, nothing fancy. But youâre welcome to stay.â
Your stomach betrayed you by rumbling softly, and you realise you hadnât eaten since lunch the day before. Despite the lingering embarrassment, the idea of sitting down with him, maybe getting to know him better, didnât sound half bad.
You nodded, feeling yourself relax a little. âYeah, okay. I could eat.â
Charles grinned and gestured to the kitchen island. âGreat. Grab a seat, Iâll get you a plate.â
yourusername
liked by arthurleclec, charles_leclerc, jade_distinguinn and 33,539 others
"nothing fancy" and "just eggs and toast"
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userone: LEOOOOOOO
usertwo: that last pic gIRL??
jade_distinguinn: oh no the charles fans found you
yourusername: fuck
jade_distinguinn: good luck
userthree: who is she omg?
userfour: i think she's arthur's girlfriend's bestfriend from paris?
yourusername: yo that is insane, how did you find out i'm from paris
arthurleclerc: i'm sorry for what's about to happen
yourusername: THERE IS WORSE??!?
userfive: she is gorgeous
usersix: idk who i want more
charles_leclerc: if you were impressed by this, wait until you see what dinner consits of
yourusername: are you inviting me to dinner?
charles_leclerc: only if you say yes
yourusername: yes
userseven: WE ARE WITNISSING HISTORY
twitter
charles' apartment, one night
The evening sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the apartment. Charles had insisted on cooking dinner for the both of you, despite your half-hearted protests. Now, the smell of something deliciousâa mix of garlic, herbs, and roasted vegetablesâfilled the space, making your stomach rumble.
You were seated at the small dining table, watching as Charles moved around the kitchen with surprising ease. He wasnât wearing a shirt again, but this time youâd had a little more time to get used to it. It wasnât helping your concentration, though. Every time he turned to grab something or stir a pot, your eyes seemed to betray you, drifting toward the defined muscles of his back, the curve of his arms as he worked.
He caught you staring once or twice, shooting you a quick, knowing smile, which only made you look away, cheeks burning.
âAlright,â he said finally, bringing over two plates and setting them down on the table. âHope you like pasta.â
You glanced at the dish in front of youâperfectly cooked spaghetti, tossed with olive oil, garlic, and roasted tomatoes. âIt looks amazing,â you said, genuinely impressed.
He sat across from you, pouring some wine into your glass with a teasing smile. âThought Iâd try to impress you.â
You laugh, taking a sip of the wine. âConsider me impressed. You didnât strike me as the cooking type.â
Charles leaned back in his chair, smiling lazily. âWhat, just because I drive fast cars for a living, I canât handle a kitchen?â
âWell, yeah,â you tease, twirling some pasta around your fork. âIt doesnât really scream ��domestic life,â you know?â
He chuckled at that, but there was a soft, almost thoughtful look in his eyes as he watched you. âFair enough. But thereâs more to life than cars, you know.â
You take a bite of the pastaâperfectly seasoned, of courseâand nod. âIâll admit, youâre a man of surprises.â
As the conversation flows, you start to relax, the initial awkwardness of the morning fading away. You tell him about your time in Paris, about how youâve been studying film and journalism at university. Charles seems genuinely interested, leaning forward slightly as you talk.
âSo, youâre a filmmaker then?â he asks, raising an eyebrow.
âHopefully one day,â you say with a laugh. âI still have a year left at uni. Right now, itâs more learning than making.â
Charles takes a sip of his wine, considering. âWhat kind of films do you want to make?â
You pause, twirling the wine glass in your hands. âI think... films that make people feel something. You know? I want to tell stories that resonate, that make people look at the world a little differently. Journalismâs the same for me. Itâs all about storytelling.â
He watches you as you speak, his gaze intense but soft, like heâs taking in every word. âThatâs... really cool,â he says, his voice quieter now. âI think the world could use more of that.â
You smile, feeling a strange warmth spread through youânot just from the wine, but from the way he looks at you, like heâs genuinely interested in who you are, not just the surface-level stuff. âThanks. I leave tomorrow, though, back to Paris to finish my term.â
Thereâs a brief silence, and for a moment, the lightness of the conversation shifts. Charles sets his glass down and leans forward, his eyes not leaving yours. âYou donât have to go tomorrow, you know.â
You blink, surprised. âWhat?â
He shrugs, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his lips. âI mean, whatâs a few more days? Stay a little longer. We can get to know each other better.â His tone is light, but thereâs something deeper in his eyesâa hint of something more serious, more intent.
You hesitate, your mind racing. Stay longer? Youâd planned to leave tomorrow, get back to your routine, your studies⌠But the way heâs looking at you now, the thought of leaving suddenly feels less appealing.
âIââ you start, but Charles interrupts, his voice dropping a little lower, his gaze never wavering.
âLook, I know we just met, but⌠thereâs something here, right? Between us?â
The words catch you off guard, and your heart skips a beat. You werenât imagining it, thenâthis pull between you two, the way your pulse quickened whenever he was close, the way your eyes kept finding him without meaning to.
âI donât know,â you say softly, feeling your heart race. âMaybeâŚâ
He stands up then, walking around the table slowly, his eyes locked on yours. Every step closer makes your breath catch in your throat, the room seeming to shrink as the distance between you disappears.
When heâs standing in front of you, he reaches out, his fingers gently tilting your chin up so that youâre looking right into his eyes. âStay,â he says again, his voice almost a whisper now. âJust a little longer.â
Your pulse pounds in your ears as you meet his gaze, your heart caught between indecision and desire. You open your mouth to say somethingâanythingâbut before you can, his lips are on yours.
The kiss is soft at first, almost tentative, but then it deepens, heat flooding your body as you feel his hands slide around your waist, pulling you closer. Your hands move instinctively, finding their way to his chest, the warmth of his skin under your palms sending a thrill through you.
The rest of the world falls away, leaving only the feeling of his lips moving against yours, the taste of wine still lingering, his breath warm and steady. When you finally pull back, your forehead resting against his, youâre both breathing a little heavier, your heart pounding in your chest.
He looks down at you, his eyes dark and full of something that makes your knees feel weak. âStay,â he whispers again, his voice rougher now, more urgent.
And suddenly, leaving feels like the last thing you want to do.
You stare up into Charlesâs eyes, still catching your breath from the intensity of the kiss. His forehead is still pressed gently against yours, and the weight of the moment is thick in the air, like the worldâs holding its breath along with you.
His hand moves to cup your cheek, his thumb brushing softly along your skin. You can feel the warmth radiating from him, his chest rising and falling a little faster than usual, mirroring your own heartbeat. He leans in again, his lips just a whisper away from yours, and his voice is low, thick with desire.
âSay yes,â he murmurs, his breath warm against your lips. âStay, just a little longer.â
You swallow, your pulse pounding in your ears, your body still buzzing from the kiss. It feels impossible to think straight with him this close, with the way his touch sets your skin on fire. But then, as his fingers slide down the side of your neck, his lips just barely grazing yours, you make your decision.
âYes,â you whisper.
His lips crash into yours again, more intense this time, like the word had unleashed something in him. His hands slide down your back, pulling you closer until thereâs no space left between you. You gasp into the kiss, your arms instinctively wrapping around his neck, fingers tangling in his hair as the world blurs around you. The only thing you can focus on is himâhis warmth, his touch, the way his mouth moves against yours like he canât get enough.
Charles backs you gently against the edge of the dining table, his lips never leaving yours, and you feel the solid wood press against the small of your back. His hands find your waist again, lifting you effortlessly onto the table. You gasp as he steps between your legs, his body pressing against yours, and you feel every inch of himâstrong, solid, and warm.
Your hands slide over his bare chest, feeling the taut muscles under your fingertips all over again. He groans softly against your lips, the sound sending a thrill through your entire body. The kiss deepens, more urgent now, and you feel his hands wanderâone slipping up your back, the other gripping your thigh, pulling you even closer.
Itâs overwhelming, this rush of heat, of wanting. Your heart pounds harder with every movement, every brush of his lips. His mouth moves from yours, trailing down your neck, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. You tilt your head back, eyes fluttering closed as you let yourself get lost in the sensation.
Then, just when you think you might drown in the feeling, he pulls back slightly, his breathing ragged, his forehead resting against yours again. His hands are still on you, holding you close, like heâs afraid to let go.
âYou have no idea how long Iâve wanted to do that,â he breathes, his voice husky and low.
You smile, breathless and still dizzy from the kiss. âI think I might.â
He pulls back just enough to look at you, his eyes dark and intense, searching yours. Thereâs a softness in his expression now, something deeper that makes your heart flutter all over again. âSo, youâre staying?â
You nod, unable to tear your eyes away from him. âYes. Iâm staying.â
The smile that spreads across his face is slow, but it lights up his entire expression, making something inside you melt. He leans in again, pressing one last soft, lingering kiss to your lips before pulling back and gently brushing a strand of hair from your face.
âGood,â he whispers, his voice low and full of promise. âBecause Iâm not done with you yet.â
yourusername
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one more week won't hurt, right?
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userone: GUYS??!??!?!?!
usertwo: is leo about to have a mother?
userthree: THAT LAST PHOTO CHARLES LECLERC HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME
jade_distinguinn: @/arthurleclerc mission acomplished?
arthurleclerc: yes boss đŤĄ
yourusername: huh??
userfour: can not believe i'm alive during this time rn
charles_leclerc: rumour is you can transfer to UoMonaco
yourusername: charlie you know i can't đ¤
userfive: CHARLIE STOP I CANNOT TAKE THIS I DONT EVEN KNOW THESE PEOPLE AH
usersix: i am sickđ¤§
userseven: time to start wondering around aimlessly in monaco and pray for the best
the end.
#f1#f1 imagine#f1 fanfic#f1 smau#formula one x reader#f1 x reader#f1 fic#formula one smau#charles leclerc x you#charles leclerc x reader#charles leclerc fanfic#charles leclerc x female reader#charles leclerc smau#formula one x you#formula one imagine#formula one fanfiction#ferrari formula one#ferrari formula 1#ferrari
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Hey I love your work so much! Could you please write about alastor with a wife whoâs just like Jessica rabbit and ended up in heaven because she didnât know about him killing but came down to visit him after meeting Charlie when she went up there. I just think Iâd be wild for someone like Al to have a wife like that
AAAAOOOOGGGGAAAAA!!!! I could have written this in soooo many ways but i think its a bit like one i already wrote but I hope you enjoy nevertheless!!! @alientee
I highly recommend you listen to The Night We Met, Copacabana, and Why donât You Do Right!!!! Thatâs what I envisioned for this one request!!!!
The meeting between the Princess of Hell and the Angelic council was a mess.
The Princess had a look of defeat, so you took it upon yourself to let her show you her hotel.
You prompted that you will be the one to go down and see if it were possible that demons could be redeemed.
I mean everyone deserves a second chance right?
You were talk even the worst sinner still possessed some sort of decency.
So you followed the Princess to her hotel to show you around.
Charlie was elated that you didnât think her dream was just some fluck.
She asked you all sorts of questions. How you ended up in heaven and how was your life before you died.
âBelieve it or not I was a singer at a gentlemenâs lounge. Oh darlin you should have seen me in my prime! Jazz, booze, and oh I had the sweetest husband.â
Charlie was shocked. I mean, yes you were breathtaking, but you really didnât seem like the type to be tied down to some guy.
You giggled at her expression. It was often the look men gave you when you refused their advances, happily boasting you were a taken woman and not some hussy that could warm their beds.
âOh youâll really find that the hotel has character. Our hotel manager might be a littleâŚhmmm creepy but donât pay him any mindâ she said opening the door to the hotel to lead you through the lobby.
And character it did.
The interior was old-fashion but it had charm. A bit masculine for a young woman to run it, but if the manager was a man, you could see why it looked the way it did.
You took a seat on a couch and waited as Charlie went to gather the residents so you would meet them.
You were slightly nervous. You were in Hell and hadnât the slightest clue what demons even looked like.
You fiddled with your ring, how you wished to see your husband.
âEveryone we have a special guest so pleeeeaasssee be on your best behaviorâ you heard Charlie say.
You caught sight of a gnarly bar and the bartender, you smiled
âshot of whiskey on the rock loveâ Husker turned around and his eyes widened, yours did too âWhy i never thoughtâŚHusker?!â You squealed happily, lunging across the bar to hug the demon. He smiled and patted your back, pulling away âHusker what ya doing down here?â He gave you a deadpan look, making you laugh. You then thought about it..
If Husker was down here then thatâŚ
âCharlie you should have said such beauty in our circle i would have cleaned up a lot betterâ a voice purred, making your head turn.
A tall spider smiled at you, giving you a flirtatious wink, which you sent back with a wave.
A little cyclone, a snake, and a seemingly human woman entered the room.
Charlie smiled âThis lovely angel has decided to have a look around to prove Heaven wrongâ
You introduced yourself.
âNow i know youâre not here long so Ill give you a quick-â
Charlie was interrupted by a radio-like voice.
âDonât tell me youâre going to give a tour without me Charlie? You know we work as a team-â his words trailed off as he caught sight of you.
You stood, a happy smile on your face âAlastor baby!â You practically ran into his arms.
âAinât no wayâŚâ
âNooooâ
âoh welll that do make ssssennssseeeâ
âPretty lady!â
everyone watched in shock as Alastor twirled you around, peppering your face in kisses.
âoooohhh my dear what a surprise this is!â He said hugging you. You heard a throat clear and broke your hold on him, turning to see everyone confused.
You gave a sheepish smile. Alastor beamed and hooked a arm around your waist
âEveryone this doll here is my wife! The prettiest thing that ever graced the earth!â You playfully slapped his chest.
Everyone's mouths dropped.
âWHAT!?â
You sat in Alastorâs lap as you told how you knew the red demon. Rambling on about how you two met and how your lives were like.
They just couldnât process it.
YOU were married to Alastor.Â
Married to the most feared Overlord in Hell.Â
Wife to the Radio Demon.
How the fuck?
You were an angel? Literally and figuratively!
âHow the hell did Mr. Creepy face fancy talk here get a broad like you?â Angel asked.
Alastorâs chest puffed with pride. His smile almost broke his face âwith charm and wit my deluded friendâ He said as he leaned his chin on your shoulder.
You giggled, it was always entertaining to see people's reactions to who your husband was.
You turned to Alastor, lips pouty with a feigned upset look
âNow i been dead forever and not once have I seen you. Why? Why werenât you in Heaven?â
Alastor stiffened, how was he to tell you that during your time alive he had killed many people just for the fun of it?
âWeeelll my dear I might have killed a few peopleâÂ
You blinked and then thought about it.
It kind of made sense, he used to be out âhuntingâ at weird times of day, be gone at night saying he was working.
 You had a hard time getting stains out of his clothing.
That do explains some things.
âSo do you regret anything?â He let out a laugh
nope. Not a single thing.
You shook your head âwell since Iâm heeeerrrrreeeâŚwhy donât we swing by juke joint, if youâre here, Iâm sure Mimzy is here. I could use a good time. Its stuffy up there in Heaven. No fun at allâ
Charlie perked âAhh yes you must see how the sinners here are really like and what better than enagaging with them?â
Angel smirked âI know a place waaaayy better than some old booze loungeâ
A club. You were at a club.
Your eyes honed in on a mic on the stage and it just happened to be open night.
You batted your eyes and just like that you were on stage.
The lights dimmed and you flipped through some songs to pick.
You might have been a bit old-fashioned but you were caught up on some of the modern singers that came through heaven.
The band nodded at your choice and you took hold of the mic.
With a twirl of your hand, you dawned on a 1920s theme look.
The gang mouths were jaw dropped as you started to sing, the audience was captivated. Catcalls and whistles filled the air.
Alastor felt static run through him as he sighed lovingly as you came down the stage and sat on his lap, mock fixing his bow tie as you sang. You teasingly nipped at his lips, causing his ears to twitch as you smiled going back to waltzing around the stage.
You smiled as bowed as the crowd exploded with cheers and applause as the lights came back on.
Ainât no way Alastor had a bad broad like you, but the way you happily giggled as he whispered in your ear, pulling you into his chestâŚ
There wasnât denying it.
You held the Radio Demonâs dark heart.
His sweet, alluring wife
who would have thought?
#hazbin hotel#hazbin alastor#alastor#alastor x reader#hazbin hotel fanfiction#jyoongim#alastor hazbin hotel#alastor x y/n#alastor x angel reader#alastor x singer reader
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barely yours | mingyu pt. 2
Author: bratzkoo | navi Pairing: rockstar! mingyu x reader Word Count: 5.4k Genre: fluff, angst, smut-ish Rating: NC-17 (PG-13 for this chapter only) Possible Warnings: mingyu is an idiot, AGAIN. written in third person.
Summary: you flirt, you fuck, but when you hint that you want to be more he dismissed it as if youâre joking⌠and when you decide to ignore him he comes back with flowers at your doorstep.
taglist (hit me up if you wanna be added): â @ca-clover, @junniesoleilkth , @gaslysainz , @darkerrdaze , @mansaaay , @childish-fear , @whoa-jo , @movingalongfrs
find other parts here! pt. 1 | pt.2 | pt. 3 | pt. 4
requests are open, but you can just say hi! | masterlist
Y/N felt her carefully constructed facade begin to crumble as she looked into Seungcheol's eyes. The lead vocalist and leader of HHT stood before her, his usually melodic voice now tight with concern and something that sounded like barely contained frustration.
"Y/N," he said, his voice low and urgent. "We need to talk about Mingyu."
She glanced around the hallway, acutely aware of the curious glances from passing employees. This was not a conversation she wanted to have in the middle of her father's company.
"Not here," she hissed, grabbing Seungcheol's arm and pulling him towards an empty conference room. Once inside, she closed the door and leaned against it, as if she could physically block out the complications that were piling up around her.
"What's going on?" Seungcheol demanded as soon as they were alone. "Mingyu showed up at our dorm this morning looking like he'd been hit by a truck. He's refusing to talk to anyone, and we have that radio interview in a few hours."
Y/N closed her eyes, guilt washing over her. She'd been so focused on protecting herself that she hadn't considered how her decision might affect the band. "I... we ended things," she admitted quietly.
Seungcheol's eyebrows shot up. "Ended things? I didn't realize there were 'things' to end. I thought you two were just..."
"Fooling around?" Y/N supplied bitterly. "Yeah, well, it turns out feelings don't always follow the rules we set for them."
Understanding dawned on Seungcheol's face, followed quickly by sympathy. "You fell for him."
It wasn't a question, but Y/N nodded anyway. "I did. And when I tried to talk to him about it, he made it clear that he didn't want anything more. So I ended it."
Seungcheol ran a hand through his hair, a habit he shared with Mingyu when he was stressed. "Shit, Y/N. This is... complicated."
"You think I don't know that?" Y/N snapped, then immediately regretted her tone. "I'm sorry. I just... I don't know what to do. And now my father wants me to take a more active role in managing you guys, and I-"
"Wait, what?" Seungcheol interrupted. "You're going to be our manager?"
Y/N shook her head. "Not exactly. He wants me to be more involved in the management side of things. Apparently, I 'understand your demographic' better than the older executives."
Seungcheol let out a low whistle. "Talk about adding fuel to the fire. How are you going to manage that with... everything else going on?"
"I have no idea," Y/N admitted, slumping into one of the conference room chairs. "I never wanted this, Cheol. Any of it. I was happy being the party girl, the CEO's wild child. It was easier."
Seungcheol took the seat next to her, his expression softening. "Maybe it was easier, but was it really what you wanted? Because the Y/N I know is smart, talented, and more than capable of handling whatever comes her way."
Y/N felt a lump form in her throat at his words. It had been a long time since someone had seen her as more than just a pretty face or a potential scandal. "I'm scared," she whispered.
Seungcheol reached out, taking her hand in his. "It's okay to be scared. But you're not alone in this, Y/N. The band... we care about you. Both you and Mingyu."
At the mention of Mingyu's name, Y/N felt her heart clench. "How is he, really?"
Seungcheol sighed. "He's hurting. I've never seen him like this before. Whatever was between you two... I don't think it was as casual for him as he let on."
Y/N's head snapped up, hope and confusion warring in her chest. "What do you mean?"
"I mean," Seungcheol said carefully, "that maybe you two need to have an actual conversation. One where you both be honest about your feelings."
"I tried that," Y/N protested. "He laughed it off."
"And you immediately ended things instead of pushing the issue," Seungcheol pointed out gently. "Look, I'm not taking sides here. You're both my friends. But I think there's more to this story than either of you are seeing right now."
Y/N wanted to argue, to defend her decision. But a small part of her wondered if Seungcheol might be right. Had she been too hasty? Too afraid of rejection to really hear what Mingyu was saying â or not saying?
Before she could respond, Seungcheol's phone buzzed. He glanced at it and grimaced. "That's our manager. I need to go wrangle the guys for this interview." He stood, then hesitated. "Y/N, promise me you'll think about what I said. And maybe... maybe come to our studio session tomorrow? We could use your input on some of the new tracks."
Y/N nodded, not trusting herself to speak. As Seungcheol reached the door, she found her voice. "Cheol? Thank you. For everything."
He flashed her a warm smile. "That's what friends are for. Just... don't let fear make your decisions for you, okay?"
As the door closed behind him, Y/N leaned back in her chair, her mind whirling. She'd thought ending things with Mingyu would simplify her life, but it seemed to have done the exact opposite. Now she had a broken heart, a new job she wasn't sure she wanted, and the possibility that she'd misunderstood everything about her relationship with Mingyu.
Her phone buzzed, and she looked down to see a message from her father:
"Meeting with HHT's team tomorrow at 10 AM. Be there."
Y/N closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Tomorrow, she would have to face Mingyu, the band, and her new responsibilities all at once. She wasn't sure if she was ready, but she knew she didn't have a choice.
As she left the conference room and made her way out of the building, Y/N made a decision. She would go to the studio session tomorrow, as Seungcheol had suggested. She would face her fears head-on.
And maybe, just maybe, she would find the courage to have that honest conversation with Mingyu. Because if there was even a chance that he felt the same way...
Well, that was a risk she might just be willing to take.
-
Y/N stood outside the studio door, her hand hovering over the handle. She could hear muffled voices and the faint strains of music from inside. Taking a deep breath, she smoothed down her blazer and steeled herself. Today, she wasn't Hwang Y/N, the party girl with a broken heart. She was Hwang Y/N, the professional, here to do a job.
With that thought firmly in mind, she pushed open the door.
The chatter inside the studio immediately died down as she entered. Five pairs of eyes turned to her, but she only allowed herself to focus on one â Seungcheol's. He gave her a small, encouraging nod.
"Good morning, everyone," Y/N said, proud of how steady her voice sounded. "I hope you don't mind, but I'll be sitting in on your session today. My father thinks it would be beneficial for me to have a more hands-on role in the creative process."
She deliberately avoided looking at Mingyu, who she could sense was staring at her intently from his position by the guitar rack.
Vernon was the first to break the awkward silence. "Cool, always good to have a fresh pair of ears. We're working on the bridge for the title track. Want to hear what we've got so far?"
Y/N nodded gratefully, taking a seat next to the sound engineer. As the music started playing, she allowed herself to get lost in the melody, analyzing the composition and arrangement. This, at least, was familiar territory. She'd always had a good ear for music, even if she'd never pursued it professionally.
As the song progressed, she found herself nodding along, impressed by the intricate harmonies and the way Seungcheol's powerful vocals blended with the instrumental. But something was off in the bridge â the guitar riff didn't quite mesh with the rest of the arrangement.
When the song ended, Y/N cleared her throat. "That was great, guys. Really solid work. But I think the bridge needs some tweaking. The guitar part feels a bit... disjointed."
She saw Mingyu stiffen out of the corner of her eye, but she kept her gaze fixed on Seungcheol.
"What do you suggest?" Wonwoo asked, leaning forward with interest.
Y/N bit her lip, considering. "Maybe if we simplified the riff a bit? Something that complements Seungcheol's vocals rather than competing with them."
There was a moment of silence, and then Mingyu spoke for the first time. "And what would you know about composing guitar parts?"
His tone was cold, almost challenging. Y/N finally allowed herself to look at him, keeping her expression neutral despite the way her heart raced at the sight of him. He looked tired, with dark circles under his eyes, but still unfairly handsome.
"I may not be a guitarist," Y/N replied evenly, "but I know what sounds good. And right now, that bridge doesn't flow with the rest of the song."
Mingyu opened his mouth to argue, but Seungcheol cut him off. "She's right, Gyu. I was thinking the same thing, but I couldn't put my finger on why it wasn't working. Let's try simplifying it."
For a moment, it looked like Mingyu might argue further. But then he shrugged, turning back to his guitar. "Fine. Let's hear your ideas then, Y/N."
The way he said her name, like it left a bitter taste in his mouth, made Y/N wince internally. But she pushed through, working with the band to refine the bridge. To her surprise, once they got past the initial awkwardness, the creative process flowed smoothly. Even Mingyu, despite his obvious reluctance, contributed valuable ideas.
As the hours passed, Y/N found herself relaxing into her role. She offered suggestions on vocal arrangements, helped fine-tune lyrics, and even hummed out a melody idea that Vernon quickly turned into a catchy hook for their b-side track.
It wasn't until their manager called for a lunch break that the comfortable bubble of creativity burst. As the others filed out of the studio, chatting about where to grab food, Y/N hung back, gathering her notes. She was so focused on avoiding being alone with Mingyu that she didn't notice Seungcheol had stayed behind until he spoke.
"That wasn't so bad, was it?"
Y/N looked up, offering him a small smile. "No, it wasn't. You guys are incredibly talented. It's... it's an honor to work with you like this."
Seungcheol's expression softened. "You're good at this, Y/N. Really good. Have you ever thought about pursuing music production?"
She shook her head. "Not really. It was always just a hobby. Besides, my father has other plans for me."
"Maybe it's time to make your own plans," Seungcheol suggested gently. Then, after a pause, "Mingyu was watching you, you know. When you weren't looking."
Y/N's heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to shrug nonchalantly. "We have to work together now. It's bound to be awkward for a while."
Seungcheol looked like he wanted to say more, but just then, the studio door opened and Mingyu walked in, stopping short when he saw them.
"Sorry," he muttered. "Forgot my phone."
The tension in the room was palpable as Mingyu retrieved his phone from beside his guitar. Y/N kept her eyes fixed on her notes, hyper-aware of his every movement.
As he turned to leave, Mingyu paused. "The bridge sounds better now," he said stiffly, not quite looking at Y/N. "Good call."
Before she could respond, he was gone, the door closing firmly behind him.
Y/N let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "This is going to be harder than I thought," she admitted quietly.
Seungcheol squeezed her shoulder supportively. "Give it time. And maybe... maybe try talking to him? Outside of work?"
Y/N shook her head firmly. "No. It's better this way. Clean break, professional distance. It's the only way this can work."
As they left the studio to join the others for lunch, Y/N repeated those words in her head like a mantra. Professional distance. It was the right thing to do.
So why did it feel so wrong? -
The atmosphere in the practice room was thick with tension, the usual easy banter replaced by an uncomfortable silence broken only by the sound of instruments being tuned. Seungcheol watched as Mingyu stole yet another glance at Y/N, who was studiously avoiding eye contact as she reviewed some paperwork in the corner. The leader of HHT sighed inwardly, knowing that something had to give.
For weeks now, Seungcheol had noticed the change in dynamics between Mingyu and Y/N. The playful flirtation that had once been a constant source of amusement (and occasional exasperation) for the band had vanished, replaced by awkward silences and stilted interactions. It was more than just personal drama â it was affecting the band's chemistry, and as the leader, Seungcheol knew he had to do something.
"Alright, let's take it from the top," Seungcheol called out, hoping that focusing on the music might alleviate some of the tension.
As they launched into their latest single, Seungcheol couldn't help but notice how Mingyu's usually flawless guitar work seemed off. The tall guitarist kept missing cues, his rhythm slightly out of sync with the rest of the band. Every time this happened, Mingyu's eyes would dart to Y/N, as if seeking her reaction, only to quickly look away when he realized she wasn't even watching.
Y/N, for her part, seemed determined to focus solely on her work. She sat in the corner, ostensibly reviewing marketing reports, but Seungcheol noticed how her pen hadn't moved on the page for the past ten minutes. Every now and then, when she thought no one was looking, her gaze would flicker to Mingyu, a mixture of longing and hurt in her eyes.
After an hour of subpar practice, Seungcheol called for a break. As the other members dispersed, grabbing water bottles and checking their phones, he pulled Vernon and Wonwoo aside.
"We need to talk about the Mingyu-Y/N situation," he said in a low voice, guiding them to a quiet corner of the room.
Vernon nodded, relief evident on his face. "Thank god someone said it. The tension is killing me. I feel like I'm walking on eggshells every time they're in the same room."
Wonwoo frowned, his usually calm demeanor showing signs of strain. "It's affecting our performance too. Did you hear Mingyu during that bridge? I've never heard him miss those notes before."
Seungcheol ran a hand through his hair, a habit he'd picked up when stressed. "I know. That's why we need to do something. I have an idea, but I'm going to need your help."
As Seungcheol outlined his plan, Vernon's eyes widened in disbelief while Wonwoo's narrowed in thought.
"Fake dating?" Vernon whispered, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Mingyu wasn't within earshot. "Isn't that a bit⌠I don't know, dramatic?"
Seungcheol shrugged. "Maybe. But subtle hasn't been working. Those two are too stubborn for their own good. Sometimes you need to fight fire with fire."
Wonwoo nodded slowly. "It could work. But are you sure Y/N will agree to it?"
"Leave Y/N to me," Seungcheol said, a determined glint in his eye. "For now, I need you two to help set the stage. Can I count on you?"
Both Vernon and Wonwoo nodded, though Vernon still looked a bit uncertain. As they broke apart, returning to their instruments, none of them noticed Mingyu watching them with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
Later that week, Y/N was working late in her office, the soft glow of her desk lamp the only light in the room. She rubbed her eyes, tired from staring at spreadsheets all day. As she reached for her coffee mug, a soft knock on the door made her jump.
"Come in," she called, straightening up in her chair.
Seungcheol poked his head in, an unusually serious expression on his face. "Got a minute?"
Y/N nodded, gesturing for him to sit. "What's up, Cheol? Is everything okay with the band?"
Seungcheol settled into the chair across from her, his usually relaxed posture tense. "Yes and no. The band is fine, but⌠well, that's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about."
Y/N felt a knot form in her stomach. She had a feeling she knew where this was going. "If this is about Mingyu-"
"It is," Seungcheol cut in gently. "But not in the way you might think. I have a⌠proposition for you."
Y/N raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. "I'm listening."
Seungcheol took a deep breath. "Look, we've all noticed the tension between you two. It's affecting the band, and frankly, I hate seeing you both so miserable."
"I'm not-" Y/N started to protest, but Seungcheol held up a hand.
"Y/N, come on. We've known each other too long for that. You're not happy, and neither is Mingyu. But you're both too stubborn to do anything about it."
Y/N slumped back in her chair, the fight going out of her. "What am I supposed to do, Cheol? He made it clear he doesn't want anything serious. I can't keep putting myself out there just to get hurt again."
Seungcheol leaned forward, his eyes intense. "What if we gave Mingyu a taste of his own medicine? What if⌠we pretended to date?"
Y/N's eyes widened in shock. "What? Cheol, that's crazy. Why would we-"
"To make Mingyu jealous," Seungcheol interrupted. "Look, I've known Mingyu for years. He's stubborn and proud, but he cares about you. A lot. I think seeing you with someone else might be the push he needs to confront his feelings."
Y/N bit her lip, considering. The idea was tempting, but⌠"But what about the band? And my position? Wouldn't it complicate things even more?"
Seungcheol shrugged. "Maybe. But it could also solve our Mingyu problem. Plus, it might help deflect some of the pressure from your dad about taking things seriously. Dating the lead singer of HHT? That's a power move in the industry."
Y/N couldn't help but laugh at that. "You've really thought this through, haven't you?"
"I care about both of you," Seungcheol said sincerely. "And I hate seeing you two dance around each other like this. So, what do you say? Want to be my fake girlfriend?"
After a moment of hesitation, Y/N nodded. "Okay. Let's do it. But we need to set some ground rulesâŚ"
Over the next few days, Seungcheol and Y/N put their plan into action. They started small - sitting closer during meetings, sharing inside jokes, leaving together after practice. The other band members, clued in by Seungcheol, played along perfectly.
Vernon, ever the actor, would waggle his eyebrows suggestively whenever he saw them together. Wonwoo, more subtle in his approach, would casually mention how much time Seungcheol and Y/N had been spending together lately.
Mingyu, however, was oblivious to the plan. At first, he barely seemed to notice the change in dynamics. He was too caught up in his own thoughts, alternating between trying to figure out what had gone wrong with Y/N and convincing himself he didn't care.
But as the days passed, little things started to catch his attention. The way Seungcheol's hand would linger on Y/N's back as they walked into a room. The inside jokes they seemed to share, leaving the rest of the group puzzled. The fact that Y/N was suddenly at every practice session, even when she didn't need to be.
During one particularly grueling practice, Mingyu fumbled a guitar riff he'd played perfectly a hundred times before. His eyes were fixed on Y/N, who was laughing at something Seungcheol had whispered in her ear. The sound of her laughter, once a source of joy for Mingyu, now felt like a knife twisting in his gut.
"Dude, you okay?" Vernon asked, concern evident in his voice.
Mingyu shook his head, trying to clear it. "Yeah, just⌠distracted."
Vernon followed Mingyu's gaze to where Seungcheol and Y/N were huddled together, looking at something on Y/N's phone. "They've been spending a lot of time together lately, huh?" he said, his tone carefully neutral.
Mingyu grunted noncommittally, but his grip on his guitar tightened. "I guess. Not that it's any of my business."
Vernon raised an eyebrow at that but didn't push further. As they resumed practice, he exchanged a meaningful look with Wonwoo. Their plan was working, perhaps a little too well.
As the days turned into weeks, Mingyu's mood grew increasingly sour. He snapped at staff members over minor mistakes, isolated himself during breaks, and threw himself into his music with an almost manic intensity. His songwriting, always emotionally charged, took on a darker, more melancholic tone.
One evening, after a particularly tense practice session, Wonwoo found Mingyu alone in the studio, furiously scribbling in his notebook.
"New song?" Wonwoo asked, settling into a chair nearby.
Mingyu nodded without looking up. "Yeah. It's⌠it's about letting go of something you never really had."
Wonwoo's eyebrows shot up at that. "Sounds heavy. Want to talk about it?"
For a moment, it looked like Mingyu might open up. But then he shook his head, slamming the notebook shut. "It's nothing. Just⌠exploring some new themes."
As Mingyu stood to leave, Wonwoo called out, "You know, if something's bothering you, you can talk to us. We're not just your bandmates, we're your friends."
Mingyu paused at the door, his back to Wonwoo. "I know," he said softly. "But some things⌠some things you have to figure out on your own."
With that, he was gone, leaving Wonwoo to wonder if perhaps their plan was causing more harm than good.
The situation finally came to a head at a company party celebrating HHT's latest album going platinum. The event was in full swing, the cream of the K-pop industry mingling in a high-end Seoul nightclub.
Mingyu arrived late, his hair disheveled and dark circles under his eyes. He'd spent hours agonizing over whether to attend, knowing Y/N would be there. In the end, his pride (and a strongly worded text from their manager) had won out.
He froze in the doorway as he spotted Y/N and Seungcheol on the dance floor. Y/N was wearing a stunning red dress that hugged her curves, her hair swept up to reveal the graceful line of her neck. Seungcheol, looking handsome in a well-fitted suit, had his hand on her waist as they moved in perfect sync to the music.
Something snapped inside Mingyu. He stormed over to the bar, downing a shot of soju before grabbing another. As he watched Y/N throw her head back in laughter at something Seungcheol said, a series of memories flashed through Mingyu's mind:
Y/N's shy smile the first time they met at a company event. The electricity he felt the first time they kissed, hidden away in a dark corner of a after-party. Late nights spent talking about their dreams and fears, sharing parts of themselves they'd never shown anyone else. The way Y/N's eyes lit up when she listened to his new songs, always the first to offer genuine feedback and encouragement.
And then, more recent memories: The hurt in Y/N's eyes when he'd laughed off her suggestion of something more serious. The growing distance between them, a chasm he hadn't known how to bridge. The ache he felt every time he saw her now, an ache he'd tried to ignore, to rationalize away as mere physical attraction.
But seeing her now, radiant and happy in another man's arms, Mingyu could no longer deny the truth. He was in love with Y/N. Truly, madly, deeply, irrevocably in love. And he might have just lost her to his best friend.
The realization hit him like a physical blow. The glass in Mingyu's hand shattered, startling nearby partygoers. Blood dripped from his palm, but he barely noticed. All he could see was Y/N, beautiful and radiant, looking at Seungcheol with an affection that used to be reserved for him.
As staff rushed to tend to his injured hand, Mingyu's eyes met Y/N's across the room. The concern in her gaze was almost more than he could bear. In that moment, Mingyu knew he had to fight for her, to tell her how he really felt, before it was too late.
But first, he had some serious groveling to do. And maybe, just maybe, a chance to turn his pain into the most heartfelt song he'd ever written.
As he allowed himself to be led away for medical attention, Mingyu's mind was already racing with lyrics, a melody forming that he hoped would convey everything he'd been too afraid to say. He'd messed up, pushed away the best thing in his life out of fear and stubbornness. But if there was even a chance that Y/N still cared for him, he'd move heaven and earth to win her back.
Little did Mingyu know, across the room, Y/N was fighting every instinct to run to him, her heart breaking at the pain evident in his eyes. As Seungcheol squeezed her hand reassuringly, Y/N wondered if their plan had worked a little too well. -
Y/N went home to her apartment. She sat curled up on her couch, a glass of wine in hand, trying to process the events of the evening. The company party had not gone as planned â the image of Mingyu's pain-filled eyes as he clutched his bleeding hand was seared into her memory.
Y/N's phone buzzed for the umpteenth time. Another message from Seungcheol:
"Are you sure you're okay? I can come over if you need to talk."
She sighed, typing out a quick reply:
"I'm fine. Just need some time to think. Talk tomorrow?"
As she hit send, a loud, insistent knocking startled her. Y/N glanced at the clock â 1:37 AM. Who could it be at this hour?
The knocking continued, more urgently now. "Y/N! Y/N, I know you're in there! Please⌠please open up."
Y/N's heart skipped a beat. She'd recognize that voice anywhere, even slurred as it was now. Mingyu.
Hesitantly, she made her way to the door. Taking a deep breath, she opened it to find Mingyu leaning heavily against the doorframe, his usually impeccable appearance in disarray. His shirt was partially unbuttoned, hair a mess, and the unmistakable smell of soju wafted from him.
"Mingyu?" Y/N said, shock evident in her voice. "What are you doing here?"
Mingyu's eyes, glassy from alcohol, focused on her face. A lopsided smile spread across his features. "Y/N⌠beautiful Y/N. I had to see you. Had to tell youâŚ"
He stumbled forward, nearly falling. Y/N instinctively reached out to steady him, the familiar warmth of his body sending a jolt through her.
"Woah, easy there," she said, guiding him inside and closing the door. "Mingyu, you're drunk. You shouldn't be here."
Mingyu allowed himself to be led to the couch, collapsing onto it with a heavy sigh. "I know, I know. 'm not supposed to be here. But I couldn't⌠couldn't stop thinking about you. About us."
Y/N perched on the edge of the coffee table, facing him. Despite her better judgment, concern overtook her resolve to keep her distance. "Mingyu, what's going on? Are you okay? Your handâ"
Mingyu waved dismissively, wincing slightly at the movement. His palm was wrapped in a white bandage, a few spots of red seeping through. "It's nothing. Doesn't hurt. Not likeâŚ" he trailed off, his eyes growing sad.
"Not like what?" Y/N prompted gently.
"Not like seeing you with him," Mingyu finished, his voice barely above a whisper.
Y/N felt her heart clench. This was exactly the reaction their fake dating scheme was meant to provoke, but seeing Mingyu in actual pain made her question the wisdom of their plan.
"Mingyu, Iâ"
"No, let me⌠let me say this," Mingyu interrupted, sitting up straighter and fixing Y/N with an intense gaze. "I messed up, Y/N. I messed up so bad. I thought⌠I thought I could handle seeing you with someone else. Thought it didn't matter. But it does. It matters so much."
He reached out, taking Y/N's hands in his. She knew she should pull away, but found herself frozen, captivated by the raw emotion in Mingyu's eyes.
"I miss you," Mingyu continued, his thumbs tracing circles on her palms. "I miss your laugh, your smile. The way you scrunch up your nose when you're concentrating. I miss the way you make me feel â like I'm more than just a idol, more than just a pretty face or a good voice. With you, I'm just⌠me."
Y/N felt tears pricking at her eyes. This was everything she had wanted to hear for so long, but the circumstances were all wrong. "Mingyu, you're drunk. You don't know what you're saying."
Mingyu shook his head vehemently, then immediately looked like he regretted the motion. "No, no. I'm drunk, yes. But I know⌠I know what I feel. What I've always felt, even if I was too scared to admit it."
He slid off the couch, landing on his knees in front of Y/N. In any other situation, it might have been comical, but the desperation in his eyes killed any urge to laugh.
"Please, Y/N," Mingyu pleaded, still clutching her hands. "Please give me another chance. Break up with Seungcheol. He's⌠he's my friend, but he's not right for you. Not like I am. We're⌠we're meant to be together. I see that now."
Y/N felt panic rising in her chest. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Mingyu wasn't supposed to show up at her door, drunk and emotional, laying his heart bare. She wasn't prepared for this.
"Mingyu, listen to me," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "You're not thinking clearly. We can't⌠I can'tâŚ"
But Mingyu wasn't listening. His eyes had taken on a glassy, unfocused look. "I'll do better this time, I promise. I'll⌠I'll write you songs. Take you on real dates. Show the whole world how much you mean to me. Just please⌠please don't leave me."
His impassioned speech was interrupted by a wide yawn. The adrenaline and alcohol seemed to be wearing off, leaving exhaustion in their wake.
"I love you, Y/N," Mingyu mumbled, his head drooping. "I love you so much. Please⌠please justâŚ"
And with that, Mingyu slumped forward, his head coming to rest in Y/N's lap. Within seconds, soft snores filled the air.
Y/N sat frozen, her mind reeling. Mingyu's words echoed in her head, everything she had longed to hear for months. But was it real? Or just the ramblings of a drunk, jealous man?
Gently, she extricated herself from under Mingyu, laying him out on the couch and covering him with a throw blanket. She allowed herself a moment to study his face, peaceful in sleep, before retreating to her bedroom.
As she lay in bed, sleep eluding her, Y/N's thoughts were a jumbled mess. The fake dating plan had worked â perhaps too well. Mingyu had confessed his feelings, but at what cost? And what would happen in the morning, when he woke up in her apartment with a killer hangover and the memory of his whiskey-soaked confessions?
One thing was clear: the game they'd been playing had just gotten a lot more complicated. And Y/N had a sinking feeling that someone's heart was bound to get broken in the process â quite possibly her own.
#svt#mansaenetwork#mingyu fic#kim mingyu#mingyu#mingyu imagine#kim mingyu fic#seventeen scenarios#svt scenarios#mingyu fluff#mingyu angst#mingyu smut#svt x reader#mingyu x reader#kim mingyu x reader#rockstar! mingyu#rockstar! mingyu x reader
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hiya love, I just want to say how amazing your pieces are xx
I would like to make an ot8 request: so basically yn falls out with one of the members (like Minho for example) for whatever reason (you can decide) so there's like a huge argument and the members try to break the argument up but the member who yn is arguing with says something horrible so yn leaves the house quickly and ends up getting hurt (like breaking an ankle/ leg or something) so she can't walk home and the members go out to find her. so basically and angsty start with a really fluffy ending.
I really hope that you understand what I mean.
đđđđĽđđŁđ¨đ đđđđŁđđđđ
Warning: Angst/comfort/fluff
Summary: Request!
âŠâË.ââžââşââ§
"That was totally uncalled for!" Han exclaimed, following Y/N into the house, clearly upset.
"Babe, I told youâhe wasnât flirting with me. He just wanted to borrow some notes," she said, taking off her shoes.
"Nah-uh! You didnât even introduce me as your boyfriend when he asked you out for coffee!" Han crossed his arms, frustration written all over his face.
Y/N rolled her eyes. "I respectfully declined! Can we just let it go? Weâve been arguing for five minutes." She dropped her bag on the couch with a sigh.
"Hey guys!" Changbin chimed in as he walked in, trying to lighten the mood.
"Hey babe," Y/N replied, but Han wasnât finished.
"Hey babe- anyways Y/nie, this isn't fair you never introduce me as your boyfriend." he said, pouting.
"Thatâs not true!" she started, but Changbin leaned in to give her a quick kiss, then turned to give one to Han. "Thats not true Han, you know that," she finished looking up at him.
"Yes it is and to make matters worse, you let him sit with us!" Han groaned, raising his voice.
"Whoa, whatâs going on? How was the study date?" Changbin asked, sensing the tension.
"What study date? Y/N's 'friend' interrupted and ruined it. She didnât even say anything!" Han rolled his eyes.
"Okay, heâs being dramaticâ"
"Dramatic? I get called dramatic every time I share my feelings!" Han shot back.
"Alright, Han, youâre overreacting," Y/N said, feeling her own frustration rise.
"Letâs just talk it out," Changbin suggested, trying to mediate.
"You let him disrespect me!" Han shouted.
"Thatâs just how he jokes!" Y/N defended, her voice rising.
"He didnât make fun of your masculinity, did he?!" Han yelled.
"Who made jokes about your masculinity?" Leeknow asked, walking in, confused.
"Y/N's new boyfriend," Han scoffed.
"Han, stop! You donât need to drag everyone into this. Letâs just figure it out ourselves," Y/N pleaded.
"Oh, what?! You donât want them knowing youâve been 'hoe-ing' around?" Han retorted, sarcasm thick in his tone.
"Wow, maybe I am a hoe! You know meâa girl dating eight guys. Biggest hoe on the planet, right?" she shot back, standing up from the couch.
"What did I just walk into...?" Chan asked, joining the conversation.
"Y/N, thatâs not what I meant!" Han groaned.
"Both of you, just stop," Changbin grumbled, trying to restore order.
"Wait, Iâm confused... Who made fun of Hanâs masculinity, and why is Y/N a hoe?" Leeknow asked, sitting down.
"Whoâs a hoe?" Hyunjin chimed in, walking into the room, curious.
Y/N buried her face in her hands. Great, now everyoneâs here!
"We were having our study date, and then this guyâ"
"My friend," she interrupted.
"Yeah, whatever," Han scoffed. "He came over, flirted with her, even asked her out. And when he asked who I was, she didnât even introduce me! Mind you, she never introduces me as heer boyfriend!"
"Well, I didnât want to shout it for the whole world to hear!" she replied, crossing her arms.
"Sh, Y/N, let him finish," Chan said, trying to keep the peace.
"Then he sat at our table, and instead of defending me, she laughed at his jokes about how feminine I look!" Han finished, glaring at her. "I know Iâm not the buffest guy, but at least back me up!"
"Han!" she yelled, exasperated. "Thereâs nothing wrong with being feminine! And I canât defend you all the time!"
"I know you canât, but you were right there!" he shot back.
"Y/N, you should have said something. Letting him sit with you was crossing a line..." Leeknow said, shaking his head.
"You could have told himyou were on a date. Iâd be hurt if you didnât," Chan added, softening his tone.
Y/N felt like everyone was against her, and it hurt. She wasnât in the wrong; she didnât want that guy, and they were overreacting.
"See! Even they get it!" Han scoffed.
"You guys donât understand!" she yelled, feeling defeated. "You think I wanted his attention?!"
"Get what?! Did you just want to flirt?" Han pressed.
"Han, stop saying that. It really hurts," she shot back, her voice trembling.
"Well, I guess weâre all hurt now, huh? Donât you think youâre being âdramaticâ?" he said mockingly, and that was the last straw.
"Are none of you going to stand up for me?" she looked around, feeling abandoned. With a huff, she walked past Han, grabbing her shoes.
"Where are you going?" Hyunjin asked, concerned.
"Away from him," she said simply, her heart racing.
"Well great! Donât come back, and I hope the door doesnât hit you on the way out!" Han snapped.
Y/N looked back, hurt. "Maybe I wonât come back. Thanks, Han," she said quietly, tying her laces.
"Now youâre playing the victim?" he shot back.
"Han, thatâs enough. Y/N, donât go out. Itâs late and cold," Changbin said, standing up.
"Itâs fine. Just leave me alone," she replied, feeling empty as she stepped outside. She walked quickly, needing to escape.
Her breathing grew shallow. She didnât want an anxiety attack, but everything felt overwhelming. The world felt like it was crashing down, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
It was super cold out, and her chest was aching. God, she hated asthma with a passion. Her condition always seemed to make everything ten times worse. This walk was already giving her trouble with her breathing.
Deciding to take a break, she sat on one of the benches. It was dark outside, and she didnât know exactly what time it was or how long she had been out, but it felt like hours.
Her body was freezing cold, and she started to feel her chest tighten. Little coughs escaped her mouth.
âWhy do I always have to go through this?â she grumbled, remembering the fight back at the house.
Tears began to escape her eyes as her breathing grew harder. Her hands automatically reached for her inhaler.
âShit,â she cursed when she realized she had left it in her bag at home. She didnât want to go backâwell, not yetâso she decided to tough it out, trying to take deep breaths.
âWhy does it hurt so much?â she cried, clutching her chest. She looked around, hoping to find a store, but there were none, and she was too cold and too weak to move.
Maybe she could call I.N to pick her up? she wondered, but cursed again when she realized she didnât have her phone.
Trying to get up from the seat, she took a few steps before completely missing a staircase. Her head was too busy thinking about Han to pay attention.
She let out a yelp as she hit the ground hard.
âOw,â she groaned, feeling the pain shoot up her leg and quickly grabbing it.
It really hurt, and she couldnât help but curse at herself.
âSo pathetic, Y/N,â she said to herself. She was cold, on the verge of a panic attack, and had a sprained ankle. Great! Today was not her day at all.
Back at the house the boys started to grow worried.
âYeah, Iâm going out there,â Chan said, grabbing his jacket. âItâs freezing, and she doesnât have half her things.â He slipped on his shoes quickly.
âWeâll come with,â Hyunjin chimed in, determination in his voice.
âWhat did you guys say to her that made her so upset?â Felix had just walked in and was confused by the tension.
âYeah, Iâm confused too,â Seungmin added, looking between them.
âCan we explain later, babe?â Lee Know said, pulling on his own jacket.
âOkay, but if you guys are in the wrong, Iâm kicking your asses. You know she has asthma and you didnât bother chasing after her.â Felix glared at them before heading for the door.
âSheâs probably at the park,â Chan sighed, shivering. He couldnât imagine how cold she must be.
âIâll grab an extra jacket just in case,â I.N said, dashing back into the house to retrieve her warm jacket.
The walk to the park took about thirty minutes. Thirty minutes filled with silence, heavy with unspoken worries, especially since Han had been cryingânow sobbingâfor two hours straight.
âHan, please, youâre going to get dehydrated with all this crying,â Changbin said gently, holding the smaller boy tightly.
âI canât help it! This is my fault. I told her not to come back, and she probably wonât,â Han cried harder at the thought, guilt flooding his voice. âI should have just shut up.â
âWe all should have,â Lee Know grumbled more to himself than the others.
âCrying right now wonât bring her back; youâre just tiring yourself out, baby,â Changbin said softly, wiping Hanâs tears away.
âS-sorry,â Han whispered, trying to calm down.
When they finally reached the park, they split up, scanning the area. It was a vast, dark expanse, and the fear of what could happen to her sent chills down their spines.
âThere she is!â I.N yelled suddenly, pointing as he and Felix rushed over.
âY/N? Babe?â Felix called out, panic rising in his voice as he quickly approached her shivering form. Her lips were blue, and she was coughing uncontrollably.
âCan you hear me?â Felix shook her lightly, desperation in his tone.
âInnie?â she said faintly, her eyes barely opening. âHome, pleaseâŚâ she cried, gripping him tightly.
âI got you, baby,â I.N replied, swiftly removing his jacket and draping it around her shoulders before grabbing her jacket from Felix and putting it on her as well. "Breathe for me."
âShould I call the hyungs?â Felix asked, pulling out his phone.
âYeah, yeah, Iâll try to carry her,â I.N said, holding her closer. The adrenaline coursing through him made him feel warm despite the cold.
âY/N? Talk to me, baby. I need you awake. Donât pass out,â he pleaded softly.
âC-cold,â she stuttered, struggling to speak. âI-I sprained m-my ankle,â she managed to say. âI-is Hannie o-okay?â
âYes, baby, heâs fine, but right now we need to focus on you,â I.N said firmly. âLix, Iâll carry her. Tell the boys to meet us at the entrance; itâs quicker.â Without wasting another moment, he lifted her into his arms.
Felix followed close behind, keeping a watchful eye on both of them until the rest of the group joined them at the entrance.
âJesusâŚâ Chan gasped at the sight before him.
âY/Nnie? Y/Nnie, Iâm so sorry! Please donât die,â Han was the first to rush to her side, clutching her freezing hands.
âIs she heavy, I.N? I can carry her,â Chan offered, but I.N shook his head.
âYou guys are the reason weâre here in the first place,â he growled, protective.
âB-be nice,â Y/N scolded him weakly. I.N let out a small chuckle, grateful she still had the strength to say something.
âIâll run her a hot bath!â Felix shouted, dashing ahead into the house.
âIâll turn on the fire place,â Seungmin said, moving swiftly.
âIâll make some hot chocolate,â Lee Know volunteered, hurrying after Felix.
âIâll grab the first aid kit,â Chan added, following suit.
âIâll turn on the heater,â Hyunjin said, already on his way inside.
âAnd Iâll grab blankets,â Changbin finished, bringing up the rear.
âIâll take her upstairs,â I.N said, carrying Y/N gently. Han followed closely, worried and anxious. I.N carefully set her down on the bed before removing her soaking clothes, replacing them with warm, dry ones.
She looked a little better, her normal color slowly returning, but her mind was racing.
âAnything hurting, babe?â I.N asked gently once she was settled.
âChest hurts,â she whispered, still clinging to him. She felt so cold.
âCan I help with something?â Han asked softly, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. Heâd been quietly crying, too afraid to touch her, feeling responsible for the situation.
âMaybe go down and grab her stuff?â I.N suggested, not wanting Han to feel worse.
âHannie?â Y/N croaked. âI w-want Hannie,â she cried.
Han was there in seconds, right by her side.
âIâm sorry, baby. I didnât mean to hurt you,â she said, her voice thick with emotion.
âBaby, Iâm right here. No need to say sorry. Iâm sorry, okay? We just need to get you better now,â he said, kissing her forehead gently. She instinctively clung to his chest, and he struggled to keep his emotions in check.
âThe bath is ready,â Felix announced as he came back into the room. I.N nodded before carefully carrying her to the tub. She let out small whimpers; the hot water felt both painful and soothing against her cold skin.
âIs it good, baby?â I.N asked softly as he began to shampoo her hair.
âMhmâŚâ she murmured, her eyes growing heavy. She drifted off to sleep, finally feeling safe and warm.
When she woke up, she found herself in the middle of a cuddle pile, wrapped in soft pajamas and socks. A beanie rested on her head, and someone was massaging her ankle gently.
She groaned at the pain before instinctively cuddling into the person next to her.
âHey there,â Lee Know said softly, planting a gentle kiss on her lips. âHungry?â
She shook her head, feeling overwhelmed. But eventually, Lee Know encouraged her to drink some hot tea and hot cocoa, followed by Chan bringing her all sorts of tablets.
As everyone tended to her, she felt a wave of warmth wash over her, and she couldnât help but giggle at the thought.
âFeeling better?â I.N asked, looking over at her with a soft smile.
âYes, please,â she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
She looked around and saw Han sitting up. He was fidgeting with his hands, looking like he wanted to say something.
âHan, you okay?â she asked, concerned. He looked at her with pleading eyes, then sighed and crawled closer, craving her touch.
âY/N, I want to apologize for what I said earlier,â Han began, his voice soft. âIt was wrong of me, and I was out of line. I was just really upset about everything and feeling insecure. I thought maybe you were embarrassed by me being more 'feminin'. I know itâs not an excuse, but Iâm truly sorry. I love you, and youâre not someone who seeks attention. I hope you can forgive me.â He looked away, trying to hide his tears, but they slipped out. Y/N's heart broke. This was all a misunderstanding, and she wished he had said this sooner.
âHan, come here,â she said gently. She made space for him to squeeze in between her and Felix, who was clinging to her. He settled into the cuddle pile, and she held him close.
âI know youâre a feminin guy, and thatâs what makes me love you even more. It hurts me to think you feel insecure just because youâre different. I donât like that guy who teased you; I find him really annoying. I only let him sit with us because of his connection to school. When he was teasing you, I thought you were confident enough to handle it. I promise Iâll stand up for you next time, but I donât want you to feel like you have to be someone youâre not plus i have like four boyfriends that are very much built like stone. No offense," she turned to look at the 4 elders of the group who just chuckled, "Its nice painting my nails with you, Felix, Seungmin and I.N. It's fun playing dress up and going shopping and you guys not caring. It's nice when you guys cling to me and want kisses and cuddles. I love you for you and i hope you don't ever feel like you have to be manly for me...â She kissed his forehead and finished.
âThat was really sweetâŚâ Han said, feeling a bit shy with his red cheeks. âI love you.â
âI love you too,â she replied, giving him a quick kiss.
âWe should also apologize for how we acted,â Lee Know said, looking a bit guilty.
âYeah, we should have tried to calm things down and listened to you,â Chan added.
âOh fuck off,â Y/N laughed, pulling Han closer. âOnly Han gets my special love; the rest of you are on dish duty!â she teased.
âWhat?! Thatâs not fair,â Hyunjin pouted.
âToo bad! Iâm too lazy,â she stuck out her tongue, making everyone burst into laughter.
âŠâË.ââžââşââ§
Don't forget to reblog and follow! <3
A/N: Thank you @mbioooo0000!
Taglist: @ihrtlix@bowsnbang@katsukis1wife@thegingerthatwaited@thicccurls
@xxeiraxx @paleangelsweets @klaydohart @eastleighsblog @ivrespace
@galaxy4489 @purplepursepaint @catlove83 @sillystormsstuff @iwuberic
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(open: i believe i've added everyone but if you don't see your @ please comment down below)
#stray kids#skz#skz fluff#skz angst#skz poly#skz x reader#stray kids x reader#bang chan x reader#lee know x reader#changbin x reader#hyunjin x reader#han x reader#felix x reader#seungmin x reader#jeongin x reader#chan x reader#minho x reader#jisung x reader#chan fluff#lee know fluff#changbin fluff#hyunjin fluff#han fluff#felix fluff#seungmin fluff#jeongin fluff#bang chan fluff#minho fluff#jisung fluff#stray kids masterlist
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iâm your girl - ellie williams
ellie đ¸ creds - s9ession on pinterest (and tiktok)
ellie williams x reader, slight!abby x reader
â* summary : after catching your girlfriend cheating on you, your best friend ellie offers a little more than some much needed quality time together.
â* warnings : smut minors dni, language, cheating, dom!ellie đ¤ sub!reader, light spanking, abby and ellie tensionnnn, slight ellie x cat, reader uses she/her pronouns, intended lowercase, bad writing, not proof read. if i miss any please let me know!! đ¤
â* a/n : EEEEK hi everyone! this is my FIRST EVER FIC! donât be fooled though, iâve been apart of this lovely community for years and have loved reading all of your lovely works!! i really wanted to try and give this a shot because im a hoe and i have some crazy thoughts that i think need to be shared (this one really isnât crazy this is like the third thing iâve written so we are going to ease into it đŤĄ)
anyways i am so excited to share my first fic! it would mean the world if you guys left some positive feedback or constructive criticism so i know how to grow!! iâm also looking for new friends since i donât post on here so if you want to be friends hmu đ i love you all!! again i hope beauties enjoy!!
đľđ¸ as always, please keep spreading information and support for Palestine! đľđ¸
âš daily click
-ËË ŕźťâŕźş ËË-
walking back from a study sesh, your bubbly laugh fills the halls of dorm as your best friend her story of a disastrous hookup.
âoh my god, ellie. that would happen to you,â you huff out, trying hard to calm yourself down. ellie chuckles while smiling down at you. âi canât believe cat said a different name!â you couldnât stop you laughter as ellie explained the awkward interacting with cat. your laugh was her favorite sound in the whole world, which is why she always loved to tweak her stories just a bit. she knew just about everything about you, so of course she knew what made you come undone in a fit a laughter. so maybe cat didnât actually say someone elseâs name. maybe ellie said someone elseâs name. maybe she said your name. but you donât have to know that.
âyeah ya knowâ she shrugs a bit and pauses. âmaybe she just isnât right for me,â ellie shrugs nonchalantly. âanyways, is abby gonna be in the room?â ellie questions.
âyeah hope thatâs okay with you, i didnât tell her we were coming back so early so she will probably just be in our room and out somewhere,â you explain, as you reached for your dorm room keys. living with your girlfriend in the same dorm room would have some calling you a bit risky, but you never had any doubts with your relationship with abby. youâve been together for a year now, you trusted her, she treated you good, and you were even kind of starting to picture your life together. however; that daydream becomes a distant afterthought as soon as you open the door of your dorm room. in front of you is your, now ex-girlfriend, naked and on top of none other than the infamous cat who ellie has talked your ear off about.
âwhat the fuckâ you whisper out, your voice coming out raspy as your eyes quickly start swelling up with tears and your throat swells up. abby and cats giggles soon turn into gasps and their heads fly towards your direction. you feel ellie come to your side and put her arm on your back. âwhy donât we just step outside quick, baby,â ellie sadly begs you, her voice full of sympathy, but also anger. how could anyone take advantage of such a beautiful girl. her gaze lands right on a worries looking abby who is rushing to put her clothes back on.
âbaby no wait look please just give me a sec let me explain itâs not what it looks like,â abby rambles out a bullshit story but you canât hear anything around you. your tears now rapidly falling.
âwhat- what- what the fu-fuck abby!â at this point, you canât control any emotions. itâs impossible to try and stop any tears now. youâre defeated, hurt, and feeling betrayed. you quickly spew out a few choice words at the two girls rushing to get dressed, but slowly relax and fall into the tall body next to you. she gently grabs your arm and drags you out the door, whispering apologizes and begging for you to focus on her as you still throw some daggers at abby. finally clothed, abby forgets all about the girl she was just fingers deep in and rushes out the door towards you.
âhey hey hey please just wait pleaseâ abby calls your name as ellie continues to guide you towards her dorm. you canât even look at her as you continue to cuddle into ellie, whoâs arm is gently placed around your figure, shielding you from your panicking ex.
âjust fuck off abby youâve done enough give her some spaceâ ellie turns to yell towards the blonde whoâs still right on your tail.
âyou can shut the fuck up and stay out of this williamsâ abby barks back. âthis is between me and her, and the last time i checked, she wasnât your girlfriend.â ellieâs hearts cracks a little at the sentence, wanting none other to call you hers.
âwell after the way you just cheated on her, i donât think she will be yours very soon either,â ellie smirks. abby and ellie get pretty angry pretty fast, spewing out nasty things about each other and who can treat you the best. you were going to go insane. all you wanted to do in this moment was cry.
âellie?â suddenly, ellie stops at the soft voice that just called her name. she saw you, teary-eyed, staring at her with the most heartbroken look on her face. her eyes softened and jaw unclenched. her heart broke at the sight of you, but still could not get over the fact that you still looked angelic. âcan we please go?â you didnât even have to ask ellie twice. she nodded her head and gave you a quiet âof courseâ with a sympathetic smile on her face, but didnât leave without staring the girl in front of her down. she then turned towards you and flung her arms over your shoulder. leaning her head on yours, you two walked together back to ellieâs room.
-ËË ŕźťâŕźş ËË-
the usual 5-minute walk back to ellieâs dorm felt like hours as it become harder and harder to hold back your tears. ellie didnât speak one word to you, she understood that all you wanted in this moment was to be silent, knowing that if you opened your mouth once, you would burst out into tears again.
as you two reached her room, she gave a soft âhold on babyâ and slowly released her grip on yours so she could unlock her door. you two entered an empty room thanks to dina, ellieâs roommate, visiting jesse at his campus. as much as you loved dina, you were so thankful you could just be alone with your best friend and cry. as soon as you heard ellie shut the door, it was exactly what you did.
as soon as she heard your heartbreaking sobs, ellie quickly rushed over to your side and engulfing you with her toned arms. she shushed you quickly and rocked back and forth, doing everything in her power to try and somehow make your beautiful face smile again.
âi canât fucking believe herâ you finally speak up after several minutes of silence and sniffles. ellie looks over at you, startled after not hearing your voice in a while. âwe were together for over a year, we were literally living together in the same fucking room, like, where does she think iâm gonna go now? iâm not living there anymore i fucking hate her!â your sadness has now turned into rage and your slowly growing louder as your rant goes on.
âhey hey hey,â ellie tried to calm you down. âdonât worry about all that now, okay baby? youâre gonna stay with me, and you me and dina are gonna have a big slumber party and have pillow fights and make cookies and talk about boys.â ellieâs joke works miracles and brings a small smile on your face and a little giggle reaches ellieâs ears.
âthere she is,â ellie smiles. âi missed that beautiful laugh.â you canât help but get a little flustered at her comment. now that you were done with abby, your relationship was quickly forgotten when you remembered just how much you were in love with ellie before. you always thought she was so beautiful, and of course she always treated you like a princess.
when you finally worked up enough courage to speak, a quiet âiâm sorry, ellieâ left your lips.
âwhat are you apologizing for baby?â ellie asks you with a confused look on her face. in the moment of catch your girlfriend fucking another girl, you totally forgot all about your own best friend and her crush, and how she was probably going through the same emotions as you right now.
âiâve been being so selfish. iâve only been thinking about me and my relationship that i completely forgot about your obsession with catâ you sadly smile and give her an apologetic look. you remembered all the times that ellie would gush about cat with you
âcats skirt looks so goodâ ellie seductively says to you while you grab your things out of your locker. you glance over to where cat was talking to two other friends at a locker bay across from the two of you. it is pretty cute you thought to yourself. you frown looking down at yours. just a plain boring white skirt.
or that one time when you two were putting off studying in your deserted dorm room
âwait stop scrolling! there! yes! letâs watch that one.â you questioned her on her choice because it was your favorite movie too and you didnât think she would ever like it, considering she laughed in your face when you told her about it. âoh um i know yo- um itâs cats favorite movie.â ellie saves herself from almost admitting to you that she may have done a little too much stalking that night and found out a couple of your favorite things.
or the night of the frat party, the night ellieâs compliment to cat broke your heart so much, youâd call it one of the worst nights of your life.
âok now my turn stop hogging,â you giggle at ellie and she shoves you away from the blunt. she finally hands it over and take a hit. you look around at the view of campus from on top of the frat house. âitâs sooo pretty up here, els.â you giggle as you blow the smoke out. ellie chuckles with you and you two burst into laughing. âoh my god how high are we,â you squeak out âellie look and tell me how red my eyes are.â youâre suddenly staring straight at ellie, and in her haze she lets out a small âwoahâ.
âi uh i mean uh-â she stutters out as you question what she meant and furrowed your brows. âi mean i was just looking into your eyes and thinking about cat,â she spews out âyou know she just has eyes just like yours,â your small smile falls suddenly and confused brows now turn downwards. âuh yeah cats eyes you know theyâre like a beautiful uhâ while ellie tries to think, she then stares at you again and describes your eyes. cat has eyes like mine? i couldâve sworn they were different. your cloudy mind is not sober enough to realize whatâs actually happening, instead your heart breaks even more, thinking that ellie has probably stared into cats eyes so many times sheâs pinpointed every detail about them. once you two tossed out the blunt over the roof, you headed back downstairs together. still hurt with ellieâs rambles, you quickly get away from her as soon as your in the clear, leading you to meet abby. why is the worst time if it led you to meet your girlfriend? well, before the cheating, you wouldâve had no idea why.
ellieâs hand in front of your face brings you back to reality, which is not fun. ellie is still sitting next to you on the couch and you have to ask her to repeat what she said.
âi was asking what you were apologizing for, baby. you were the one that got cheated on, not me.â ellie chuckles, but slowly realizes what she said. she see your eyes drop down again and the sadness returns to your face. while sheâs quickly trying to come up with something to say to save herself, she stops when you stand upnn
âis it ok if i go use your bathroom real quick?â you sadly ask ellie, and she nods with a small smile on her face. you give her a quiet thanks and walk towards the shared restroom of ellie and dina. ellie brings her hands to her head and scolds herself. if youâre trying to make her feel better and give her a hint, this is NOT the right way to do it. she couldnât shove down her feeling forever, but she also did not want to confess and risk losing you completely. she tried to clear her mind and think about what dina or jesse would tell her to do in this situation. while trying to focus, she could hear you shuffling around in the bathroom. she knew why you were really in there, she wasnât stupid. thinking about that just made her feel ten times more guilty. she knew what to do.
-ËË ŕźťâŕźş ËË-
as soon as you go into the bathroom you lock the door and force the tears welling in your eyes to go away. you decided to wash your face with cold water to try and snap yourself out of your emotional roller coaster. you dry your face with the hand towel and turn to look at yourself in the mirror. you were still in so much shock at the events that happened tonight. you take in your messed up appearance and cringe. your bloodshot red eyes were not a pretty sight, and neither was the smudged mascara scattered underneath your eyes. you hope ellie wouldnât be too grossed out by the way you look right now.
huhhhh?
woah okay the feelings are for sure back. you try to get yourself to look less dead inside by washing your face a couple more times. you opened the bathroom door and slowly walked back out to the couch. you sit back down next to her and put a blanket around yourself, meanwhile she is mindlessly scrollings through netflix trying to find something to watch before she stops on none other than you (and cats) favorite movie.
âoh hey what about this oneâ she looks over at you with a little smile on her face. you give her a confused look as to why she suggested this one, knowing it was cats favorite movie too.
âbut, ellie, wonât that make you, i donât know, sad?â you question. now sheâs the one giving you confused looks.
âwhy is it like a sad movie or something? i didnât think it was. i thought we could watch it because itâs your favorite movie and i thought it would make you feel a little bit better,â she smiles back. now youâre even more confused. for starters, she told you it was cats favorite movie, and also, you donât even remember telling her it was your favorite.
âhowâd you know?â you asked her. she replied with a little huh and you asked again. âhowâd you know this was my favorite movie? i donât think i told you that, and i thought it would make you sad because you told me before it was cats favorite movie.â ellieâs face suddenly turns from confused, to scared almost. she stated stuttering and couldnât form a single word.
after a couple second of struggling, ellie says your name. âitâs not cats favorite movie. i donât even know cats favorite movie. in fact, i actually donât know a lot about cat in general.â she looks at you with an almost scared look. now she just completely lost you. when she realizes you still havenât caught on, she finally begins to explain what she means after a long pause.
âit was never catâ. the room suddenly gets loud, very loud. your ears start to ring and your breath leaves your throat. you couldnât believe it, again. the whole time you were pushing away your feelings for ellie, she was trying to do the same with her feelings about you. suddenly, you start thinking back to all the moments when you thought ellie was crushing on cat. slowly, more dots start connecting.
you glance over to where cat was talking to two other friends at a locker bay across from the two of you. it is pretty cute you thought to yourself. you frown looking down at yours. just a plain boring white skirt. youâre not the only one looking though. if you wouldâve turned around to face your best friend again, you wouldâve seen her also looking at your âplain boring white skirtâ, grateful that she quickly replaced âyour skirtâ with âcatâ.
or that other night, after the blunt, when you were crying your eyes out to abby. ellie kicking herself outside and hoping, praying even, that you wouldnât know the actual color of cats eyes, and that maybe you were even dumb enough to not know the specific details of your own (you were).
you wish you could go back and slap the old you in face, that way, you and ellie couldâve avoided this whole abby and cat mess and couldâve been together longer than you and abby ever wouldâve been. now youâre staring up at, after she just confessed her feelings for you. you didnât know what to say, well you did, you wanted to say that you felt the exact same was and you have since the day you met her, but youâre too slow so she keeps explaining to you.
âiâm sorry to bring it up, but when we walked in today, my heart broke. it didnât break because i saw cat with another girl. it broke because i saw her with your girl, and i never knew anyone would ever be that fucking stupid to throw away someone as gorgeous, generous, and as selfless as you,â she pauses and you cry again for the millionth time tonight; however, this time the tears feel good. happy tears. she continues and says your name in the softest tone possible. âso again, it was never cat. it was you.â
âabby is not âmy girlââ you cringe. ellie looks up at your quick response. âi always kind of hoped it was you.â you break apart your words, still scared to admit how you feel even though she just spilled her heart out. the response you got back though washed all your worries away.
âcan i kiss you?â she asked quietly. you couldnât believe it (x3). it was finally happening. every single event that happened up to this very moment has vanished from your mind. all you could think about was how you couldnât nod your head yes faster. she gives you a beautiful grin before tucking a strand of hair behind your ear and gently gripping our chin to pull you closer. at last, your lips touched and it was everything you imagined and more. after you two slowly made out for a couple minutes, taking a couple paused to breathe in between, the kisses started turning more aggressive. you jump as you felt a soft touch on ur upper thigh. you relaxed once she placed her full hand on you and rubbed it up and down. you let out a soft moan which made ellie groan and trail kisses down your neck. you whined as you suddenly felt her pull back. her eyes looked right into your eyes, and she placed her forehead against yours. you two panted as you stared into each others sinful gazes. silence took over for a while before ellie suddenly interrupted.
âcan i take you to bed baby?â you bit you lip and nodded, your innocent eyes locked on hers. fuck, you were perfect. it made ellieâs irisâ turn black, and she slowly guided you to her room, littering your face with teasing kisses on the way there. she sat you down on the edge of the bed and got on her knees, lips never leaving yours. her hands caressed your thighs once more, rubbing outwards so that your legs slowly separate. your lips follow as she pulls away to see your skirt has ridden up and she smirks, staring directly at your wet panties. âoh babyâ she groans, her focus fully on your clothed pussy, begging to be touched. you lean back and tilt your head so youâre staring up at the ceiling, eyes squeezing shut and a moan leaving your mouth as soon as you feel small kisses going up you thighs. âlove those fucking sounds, baby. youâre so angelic.â
âelâs. t-touch me,â you beg, but she light slaps your thighs and gives you a couple disappointments tsks.
âsweetheart, you gotta ask nicer.â she pouts up at you, malice in her voice.
âplease, elâs, i need you to t-touch me pleaseâ you drag out, embarrassed that she has you this worked up and sheâs barely touching you yet. she smirks up at you and her kisses get more sloppy the higher she goes, and finally, her mouth is hovering above your cunt, her hot breath purposely breathing heavy. she loved watching you whine and jolt under her touch. how crazy she made you go even with just a couple kisses. she loves how much control she has over you, and how well you listen to her.
âlift up your shirt, pretty girl. wanna see you play with your tits while i eat this pussy.â her words alone make you want to cum, but then it would be over, so you pull yourself together and do as she said. out of no where, you felt a long lick up you pussy, you body tightening suddenly and letting out a humiliatingly loud moan. âthatâs right, baby. let me hear you. do i make you feel good? hm?â you shake your head vigorously, staring down into her green eyes staring right back up at you. she now loops her arms around your legs and spreads them further, making you squeak. âfuck, such a pretty fucking pussy,â she moans, and slowly starts licking up and down continuously.
youâre a mess. one hand gripping her hair, trying to push her even more into you, making ellie grunt, her own panties quickly getting wet at how bad you wanna cum. your other hand is placed perfect cupping your left tit, playing with it just like ellie told you to.
âelâs youâre gonna make me cum,â you whine, your eyebrows furrowed and voice raspy. you look so fucking sexy right now, and ellie tries her hardest to take a mental picture for later.
âyeah? you gonna cum baby?â she teasingly asks you and you whimper out a mhm. once again speechless with the way ellie is slopingly eating your pussy.
you suddenly feel a finger teasing your entrance before it slowly slips in. your moans groan louder, and her pace quickens.
âelâs, ca- can i please?â you beg, the knot in your stomach was growing rapidly. she lifted her head up for less than one second, a stern âcumâ leaving her lips, before she returns back to where her tongue was. you scream as you do, vision going black as ellie fucks you though your orgasm, fingers now rubbing even faster on your clit, causing you to completely come undone and cum all over her face. she doesnât stop until youâre shaking and overstimulating under her. when she does, the only sounds in the room are your quick pants, and ellieâs bed as she moves to scoot closer towards you.
âwoah,â you say, still trying to catch your breath. âthat was..â
âway overdueâ ellie chips in. the two of laugh and you move to lean you head on her shoulder. itâs silent again before you finally speak up.
âi donât think i ever really thanked you for taking care of my today. i donât think i wouldâve been able to have this much fun today if it wasnât for you,â you tell her and you feel her hands that were once in your hair, come around and lift your chin to give her a kiss m.
âyou donât need to thank me pretty girl, i wanted to take care of you.â her confession made your heart flutter. âplus i knew that maybe i might have a chance to finally fuck you,â she teases you and you hit her arm, jokingly sending her a scoff.
âyouâre right by the way,â she finally adds on. you give her a confused look and hope she takes the hint to explain what she meant. âyouâre not abbyâs girl.â
âiâm not abbyâs girl,â you repeat.
âyouâre my girl,â she tells you, eyes never leaving yours, a small smile on her face.
âiâm your girl.â
-ËË ŕźťâŕźş ËË-
â* a/n : ahhhh i really hope you guys liked it! đ¤ if you did please let me know because it would mean the world!
love you soooooo much MUAH
#ellie williams#ellie tlou#ellie the last of us#ellie x reader#ellie smut#ellie willams x reader#ellie williams smut#ellie williams fluff#ellie williams angst#abby anderson#abby and ellie#abby angst#lesbian
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hey i saw your request status is as open, and I really like your writing so I was hoping you could fufill my request.. so, you are aware of the soggy biscuit/cookie game right? I was thinking about one OT8 one shot where either Han or the reader takes the place of the biscuit and the loser has to have a steamy make out session with them to "share the cum". thank you
LOSER HAS TO SHARE; OT8 STRAYKIDS
pairings. bestfriend!ot8 x fem!reader
wc. 1.9k
warnings. filth idk even know what to tag, cumeating, jerking off, making out, guys watching each other jerk off, reader is fucking bold and lowkey has some sexual tension with lee know , chan and hyunjin.
no anon i didn't know what it was , so i looked it up and... i have written some unhinged ass shit but this def takes the cake , i fucking love thisđ...
one conversation leads to something bigger with all your friends.
â
"making out with other dudes cum in your mouth is not hot." you heard seungmin say as you walked into the livingroom of the dorm. "what did i just walk into?" they all turned to you. "nothing , just random stuff , guys wrap it up." chan said. "you guys talking about making out with cum in your mouths on the daily?" your eyebrows quirked up , the older boys face flushed in embarrassment.
"ďźż , listen to this." han started. "you know the soggy cookie game right?" you hummed , you weren't dumb. "yeah , when you jerk off on a cookie and the loser eats it." han nodded. "so me and felix were talking what if it was a person instead of a cookie , and the last person has to make out with the person." your silence was justified. "guys you might make her uncomfortable." hyunjin said , his face red.
"wait no , that's kinda hot." you said , all their eyes went wide. "see ! she gets it." felix said. "you'd let a bunch of guys cum into your mouth , and then make out with one of them?" lee knows eyebrow quirked up. "well not a random group a guys , that's a std waiting to happen , but if the opportunity came up with a group of guys i know , sure."
"would you let us do it?" jeongin said , your eyes widen at the sudden question. "jeongin." chan tried to get the boy to stop. "wait hyung i want to hear her answer." changbin said. "would you let us use your mouth as the cookie , and make out with the loser?" he smirked , waiting for your answer. "why are you asking , would you purposely loose , just to make out with me." you teased.
"answer the question." lee know said , you could definitely tell the atmosphere had shifted , the way they all looked at you , you felt like you were on display. you thought about it for a second , shrugging. "sure , if the opportunity came up i would." you said.
"y..you don't have to answer these questions ďźż." chans face was red , it made you want to tease him even more. "why channie? does making out with your members cum in my mouth turn you on?" he sunk down farther into the chair. "it does!" you laughed.
"prove it then." lee know said , everyone turned to him now. "get on your knees and lets us do it." he challenged , the atmosphere now entering a very dangerous territory. "fine." you challenged right back. "you don't have to." hyunjin said , face the same color as chans.
"no let's do it , i promise it's fine."
â
was it the best idea to let them do this , probably not , but that didn't stop you from getting on your knees , after telling them all to strip, which some of them waisting no time in doing , some slowly coming around, but hyunjin and chan were more standoffish , even though they'd been hard , since you were brought into the conversation. "are you two not participating , i won't force you to , but you can join whenever you want." you reassured.
"take your top off , give us something to look at." jeongin said , palming his cock over his underwear. "okay." you reached for the hem of your shirt , pulling it over your head , taking your bra off , letting your tits bounce freely. "o..oh fuck that was hot." han bit his lip , trying to conceal his moan.
"i knew you'd be noisy." you said smirking at the boy , who was the first one to take his cock fully out of his pants , stroking it while he drooled over your boobs. "felix , i told you her boobs were perfect." you turned to boy , who's face was red , as he bucked up into his hand. "you guys talk about my boobs on a regular?" you toyed with your nipples , putting on a little show , for the blonde haired boy.
"h..how can we not when you're always flaunting them." seungmins stroked his hard on , his eyes dark. "i thought making out with other dudes cum in your mouth was gross." you teased. "yeah that's why im gonna be the first one to cum inside your mouth." fuck that turned you , you squeezed your thighs together.
"of course that turns you on." lee know spoke up. "sluts like you always get turned on when being talked to like that." he fisted his cock in his hand. "take your skirt off." changbin spoke up , he was one of the ones who was slowly getting into it , rubbing his cock through his gym shorts.
their eyes followed you as you stood up , unzipping the skirt , pulling it down , throwing it somewhere revealing your black underwear, smirking when you seen jeongin out the corner of your eye, finally taking his cock out , stroking it , that was five out of eight of them of them , you then reached for your underwear , slowly pulling them down your leg.
"fuck." changbin lowly groaned , fishing his cock out his shorts , fucking his fist. "sit on the couch , spreading your legs." seungmin said his pace speeding up , you complied, your wet cunt on display for all eight of them. "o..oh fuck , look how wet she is." jeongin groaned.
you made eye with chan , who was now palming his cock after probably mentally fighting with himself , smiling at the man , his face flushed once he realized you saw him.
"o..oh fuck im gonna cum." han stood up , making his way over to your naked self. "minnie seems like he beat you to it." you mocked the boy , who looked like he wasn't that far along either since he had been doing it the longest. "fuck , open your mouth." he put his tip flat against your tongue , tugging at his cock for a few times , before cum shot from his red tip , onto your waiting tongue. "oh shit." he breathed , "your tongue feels good." he pulled his pants back up sitting back down.
"finally , someone filled that bratty mouth." lee know said , making you rolled your eyes. "fuck , come here im about to fill it up some more." you walked over to him , sinking down to your knees , right in front of his cock , he grabbed your jaw , forcing it open. "had we been alone , i would've fucked your throat raw for talking like that." he growled , "shit." he slid his tip into your mouth, cum flooding your mouth.
next was seungmin , who didn't even let you get up before he was grabbing your arm , pulling you over to his side , his cock leaking with pre-cum as he roughly fucked his fist , tapping his tip against your lips your mouth opening , the sight of the others cum in your mouth sitting in your mouth setting him off, "oh fuck." he pushed his tip into your mouth , cumming , some of it getting on your lips. "shit." his head was thrown back as he came down from his high.
you sat back on the couch , just as jeongin felt his orgasm approaching , running his thumb along the tip of his cock , "shit im gonna cum." he was sitting next to you , so all he had to do was stand up , he was a messy when he came , his cum spurting not only in your mouth , but some on your cheek. 'm'sorry." you shook your head , taking your finger , wiping it off your cheek , putting your finger into your mouth.
the lewd action must've set changbins orgasm off , because he was making his way over to you , stroking his cock. "mouth so full you can barely open it." he groaned , pushing the tip of his cock past your lips , he let out a string of curse words as his cum filled up your mouth , your already puffed cheeks puffing up more.
"oh my god , fuck!" felix's accent was strong as he felt the build up in his stomach , he lasted longer than he thought he would , he wouldn't mind making out with you in this condition , it was hot to him , but he couldn't help but stroke his cock at your body , your perky boobs , drool and little bits of cum fall on to them , your eyes glazed over , your went cunt on display. you looked a mess. "fuck im cumming." he was sitting on the side of you, standing up , stroking his cock faster as the knot in his stomach snapped , your mouth welcoming his cum. "fuck so messy." he wiped the drool from your lips.
it was between chan and hyunjin , chan had been slowly stroking his cock , finally giving in , his face was red as a tomato , the whole interaction was something straight out of a porno or a really good wet dream , the way you sat naked , waiting for the next guy to fill your mouth with their cum , his lip was tucked in between his teeth , he could feel you watching him and it made his cock 10x times harder.
hyunjin watched for a long time , fighting with himself internally, even though it had been way past the line , he still felt like it was wrong , but he slowly started to lose composure as you began to lose clothes , and he members began to cum , first palming his hard on over his jeans , finally pulling them down , fishing his cock out , allowing himself the release.
both of them were teetering on the edge of their orgasms , you were watching them with low eyes , your mind was fuzzy from the entire situation , you felt like you were about to cum untouched. "you've been rubbing your legs together since we started , poor baby must be so stressed." hyunjin got a boost of confidence , and it turned you on. "touch yourself a little."
seungmin held your legs open , you let your hand travel to your clit , rubbing figure eights on your clit , you moan , trying not to swallow anything. "look at the slut struggling to keep it all in." lee know said.
"sh..shit , shit im gonna cum." chan finally let himself go , you crawled over to him , looking at him through your lashes, slowly opening your mouth. his eyes rolled to the back of his head , his tip pushed into your mouth as he came with a low whine , "fu.fuck , fuck are you okay?" he caressed your cheek , you smiled nodding , he thought you looked cute regardless of the situation.
"hyunjin is the last one , he's the loser." han spoke up , the guys were watching the entire time , trying and failing not to get hard again. "how about you finish him off." felix said , you crawled over the him , looking up at him for permission to touch him. "shit, please touch me." he whined. "go on touch him before he explodes." lee know said , you grab the base of his cock , he groaned as , his head knocking back as you stroked him.
"put your mouth on him." jeongin said , your lips wrapped around his tip. "now suck like a good cumholder." you complied and that was all he needed , so pent up he came instantly, finally filling your mouth up. "shit."
"i need to record this." han pulled out his phone out , pressing record as you stood up sitting in his lap, grabbing his jaw , looking at him for any signs of not wanting to do it. "please kiss me." you pressed your lips against his , pushing your tongue and the cum of his bestfriends, into his mouth, you could here the curse words from everyone in room, it was lewd , even seungmin had to admit it was hot.
it was messy , both of your faces where covered in cum and spit , as you pulled away, you smiled when he chased your lips. "fuck." he breathed. "jesus i can't believe that just happened." changbin was the first one to come to terms with what just happened , you finally could be speak.
"fuck , it was just as hot as i thought it would be."
Šď¸LUVYENI
#bang chan headcanons#bang chan smut#lee know headcanons#lee know smut#seo changbin smut#changbin headcanons#hyunjin headcanons#hyunjin smut#han jisung headcanons#han jisung smut#lee felix headcanons#lee felix smut#seungmin headcanons#kim seungmin smut#yang jeongin smut#jeongin headcanons#skz smut#skz hard thoughts#skz hard hours#skz x reader#skz headcanons#skz reactions#stray kids imagines#stray kids reactions#stray kids hard thoughts#stray kids hard hours#stray kids smut#stray kids x reader
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goodbye gift n.c x reader x j.f
plot: You and Jessie are both leaving Chelsea, leaving Niamh and you all have some unfinished business you need to take care of
warnings: smut, threesome,
a/n: this was written and almost done and I was actually proud of it and then tumblr DELETED IT
January was a hard month for the Chelsea team.
Jessie had announced her departure for the NWSL almost immediately after the Christmas break, Portland thorns offering her a ground breaking offer.
A week later you announced that you were leaving for Barcelona, your contract was up and they wanted you, you accepted.
Chelsea were losing two key midfielders, you were both leaving the team, leaving Niamh.
You were sitting with your national teammate Sam in the physio room, she had done her ACL and you were eating your lunch whilst sitting on the table with her.
Sam decided to wait until her physio left to back your leg âOw! Sam what the fuck!â You yelled, rubbing your leg.
âI wanted to know if you and Jessie have finally done it, since your both leaving, get rid of that sexual tensionâ
You rose your eyebrows âfirst of all, we do not have sexual tension, second of all not that itâs any of your business but no we have notâ
âWell why not?â Sam said and you rolled your eyes âwell because we donât have sexual tensionâ you said and the fellow Australian gave you a pointed look.
âAnd I have a healthy kneeâ
Sam pointed at you âcmon we all saw you two at the last continental cup after we all went outâ
It was true.
The whole team had gone out to a club to forget about your loss to Arsenal, you and Jessie had been closer than usual, having both been together the entire game as midfielders.
âWe didnât sleep together that nightâ you told Sam who snorted âya shouldâveâ
Looking back on it you smiled, remembering the feelings of Jessieâs hands on your waist as you danced.
âJust remember you only have one week leftâ
Niamh was sat on Millieâs kitchen bench, eating pasta that her fiancĂŠ made âso when are you going to do it?â Millie asked her and she furrowed her brows âdo what?â
âMake a move on y/n before sheâs gone, I know you guys went for it at a team meetingâ
Niamh shot her head up âhow did you know that?â
Millie smirked âyou both were gonna for about ten minutes so I just assumedâ
âSo you guessedâ
âAnd I got it right yay me!â
Niamh rolled her eyes âSheâs moving to Barcelona and neither of us want a relationship right nowâ
Millie smirked, âwho said anything about a relationshipâ
It was now a week before you and Jessie had to leave to your new teams and after the speeches your friends had been given to the three of you, your nice sneaky glances had become obvious and longer.
It was obvious to the team and especially Guro who ran up to the Canadian and English players at the end of the session.
âDo you both like Y/n?â She asked and Jessie turned red as Niamh looked away, Guro gasped âYou have a crush on the same girl!â Niamh covered the girls mouth as Jessie turned even more red âcan you shut upâ she whispered to the girl who was smiling, ear to ear.
âDoes this not affect your friendship at all?â Guro asked and both girls shook their heads ânone of us want a relationshipâ Jessie said and Niamh nodded âyeah but like youâre all leaving eachother and none of you had made a move?â
Both girls nodded before Guro smirked.
âTEAM NIGHT AT YA YAâS EVERYBODY BE THERE!â She screamed before looking at Niamh âthatâs near where you live right?â Niamh nodded and Guro ran off towards you with a smile, wrapping her arm around your neck âyour gonna have fun tonightâ
You furrowed your eyebrows with confusion but brushed it off.
You and Kristie sat on your bed with different outfit options âSamantha!â You called out to your friend who slowly walked in, already knowing your question âwhatâ she said and you pointed to the clothes âwhich one?â You asked and she looked over ânoneâ
âWhat do you mean none, Iâm not going nakedâ you said, crossing your arms and Sam laughed and went up to Kristie, whispering something into her ear which made her gasp
âCan I know?â You asked âI would have said it out loud if you could knowâ Sam responded before walking out, leaving you with Kristie.
âThis is gonna sound weirdâ she started âbut do you have any pretty lingerie?â
Thatâs where you lead now, in a dress suit and matching skirt, your black lingerie bra on view for anyone to see.
âMy fiancĂŠ is a miracle workerâ Sam cheered as you walked out âHa Haâ you fake laughed and grabbed Kristieâs arm âletâs goâ
Niamh and Jessie were already sitting at the bar âSo itâs not crazy if we-â she stopped her sentence once when she noticed Niamh was looking at the entrance which she followed âoh fuckâ
âFuck indeedâ Niamh agreed with her best friend as they looked at you, your cleavage and legs on display and saying hi to all the girls.
You spotted the two girls and smiled, quickly walking over to them âhey you twoâ
âHey- uh- hiâ Jessie blushed and Niamh smirked âhello y/nâ
You looked past them and to the bartender âthree shots please?â You said and he nodded.
Guro, watching from afar saw you take your first shot with the pair âeveryone leave! Go!â She ushered the team, all making sly comments whilst all of you three were too distracted with each other to see the whole bunch of them leave.
âMy round nextâ Jessie smiled before bringing her card to pay âwe should probably talk to the othersâ you suggested, ignoring Niamhâs palm that was know on your thigh âDo you want to?â Jessie asked, passing you your shot which you nodded at âyeahâ.
You all got up to walk, Jessieâs hand resting on your lower back âcanât find themâ Niamh said from the other side of you, stepping slightly forward to check it out.
âDid they all leave?â Jessie asked, her grip tightening on you as people walked by. You noticed as you walked further through the girls always had you in between them.
After accepting the fact that your team had left you still had decided to stay sitting down in a private booth, empty drink littered around the table as you spoke about little things.
There was never a minute one of their hands werenât on you, weather Niamh had her hand on your arm or Jessie had it on your lap, slowly growing closer and closer to a place that was growing wetter and wetter for the two girls.
âI think we should get out of hereâ suggested Jessie who was looking down on you, her hands rubbing up and down your arm âto where?â You ask âMy houseâ Niamh said, ânone of you guys live in your houses anymoreâ she said, reminding you of you and Jessieâs departures.
Jessie leaned down to your ear, âI donât want to leave here with any regrets do you?â She asked and you turned to her, looking at her eyes which were stuck to your lips as you crossed your head âCanât leave anything back in Londonâ Niamh whispered in your left ear, her lips resting on your skin as you turned towards her, her stare the same as Jessieâs.
âSo what do you say?â Jessie asked, her hand sliding up your thighs to the end of your skirt âshould we go?â Niamh said, her hand doing the same.
As their hands grew closer to you your breath shortened, feeling flustered from all the attention but still nodding âWe need your words y/nâ Niamh said, her lips dragging from your ear to your jaw where she pressed small kisses.
âYesâ you stuttered, turning your head to Jessie âpleaseâ.
Jessie was already close to you but still closed the gap between you both with a small kiss as Niamh started to knock suck at the skin being shown, brushing your hair back as Jessie pulled at it.
Jessie pulled away first âletâs get out of hereâ.
The quick walk to Niamhâs house still felt an hour long as your need for them grew. You had wanted them both, at first separately but nowâŚ
you couldnât think of anything better.
Just like in the club, Jessie took the job of placing her hand on your back, now it took a lower place and you took hold of Niamhâs hand who was navigating in front of you, taking the lead.
The two girls knew the house well as they walked in, turning on certain lights as if they were in a routine. Jessie turned towards you with a blushed smile and brought you into a kiss.
It was different from your kiss in the club and you knew it was because you were now in a private space, Jessie loved her privacy.
You heard Niamh drop her keys onto her kitchen bench before her steps walked into a room, you assumed a bedroom.
âCâmon you twoâ Niamh said as you and Jessie separated and walked past Niamh who was staring to you with an unreadable expression âdo you wanna do this?â She asked and you nodded walking towards her.
When you walked into the room, Niamh behind you you smiled, Jessie had already taken off her top and you helped her with her bra, Niamh behind you, stripped off your jacket and unzipped your skirt which you stepped out of leaving you in the lingerie set Kristie had told you to wear.
You turned towards Niamh and started unbuttoning her dress shirt âthis was planned wasnât itâ you wondered out loud
âAre we complaining?â
You heard Jessie chuckle at her friend before her lips attached to your neck, you immediately buckled your knees, faltering your paste of undoing Niamhâs shirt which she helped you with.
When Niamh was finally undressed she pushed you onto the bed and Jessie followed, she pulled you into her chest as Niamh walked to the other end of the bed.
Jessie wondered her hands around your chest, pressing kisses to you shoulders before pinching your nipple, causing you to moan.
Niamh lowered herself down to your legs, separating them, kissing from your ankles all the way to your thighs which you started to squirm, Jessieâs smirk being felt against your skin as she saw the effect Niamh gave you.
âNiamh pleaseâ you begged the girl who looked up at you âplease what?â She smirked and you rolled your head back âanswer herâ Jessie told you, lifting your head back up.
âNiamh please fuck meâ you let out and the girl waisted no time, bringing one of her fingers into you as you gasped, gripping Jessieâs arm.
âYou gonna take her fingers baby?â She asked and you nodded âneed moreâ you said as Niamh added another one, and started to speed up âoh fuckâ you moaned, squeezing Jessieâs arm tighter.
Jessieâs eyes grew dark watching you moan out Niamhâs name and she grew more wet âcan you take another finger?â She asked you and you squirmed at the thought but nodded âsuch a good girlâ
After Niamh added another finger it wasnât too long until you needed to cum âfuck, Niamh please!â You moaned, Jessieâs fingers playing with your nipples when you finally came undone, Niamh letting you ride out your high as Jessie pulled your head into a kiss.
Niamh came up to also pull you into a kiss, going from one friend to the other. Jessie was sweet with her kisses as Niamh was more dominant.
You felt the warmth of Jessie's body move away, leaving you to lay down fully on the bed, Niamh and Jessie tried to switch spots but you reached out to grab Niamh's wrist, missing the way Jessie reached into her bag.
"are you okay?" she asked you and you nodded "want you to sit on my face" you told her and you saw the confident girl blush and raise her brows "really?" she said and you pulled her closer "please".
Once you made yourself comfortable Niamh rested herself on your face and you almost moaned at the sight. Jessie walks back over to you, your view blocked by Niamh as you waited for her to be comfortable.
You felt the dip in the bed as Jessie crawled on top before you felt the Canadian girl's tip play through your folds, causing you to gasp, sending shivers down Niamh's spine.
Your grip on Niamh's thighs tightened as Jessie positioned herself into you "You ready?" she asked and you nodded your head, your nose hitting Niamh's clit as she rolled her head back at the friction.
You started licking through Niamh's folds at the same time Jessie pushed into you slowly, both moaning your name as you tried to remember the sound forever.
Niamh gripped into your hair as you tried to muffle your moans into her, using her as a form of relief when Jessie kept hitting you in the right places.
"fuck y/n" Niamh moaned out before coming on top of you, making a mess on your face which you smirked at, licking your lips as she got off of you, leaving you to Jessie as she quickened her pace.
You rolled your head back in ecstasy, yanking at her hair which she thankfully wore out "fuck Jessie, just like that" you panted, finally coming undone for the second time that night before you pushed Jessie away, feeling over stimulated.
"You okay?" Jessie asked you and you nodded "just need a little break" you told her, quickly giving her a kiss before turning to Niamh and doing the same.
"then we can go back to it".
#woso#woso soccer#woso x reader#woso community#matildas#jessie fleming#niamh charles#jessie fleming imagine#jessie fleming x reader#niamh charles x reader#sam kerr#smut#chelsea women x reader#chelsea wfc#barcelona#portland thorns
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Professor Peter Parker
Summary: The first day of college nerves are suddenly made worse when you realised the guy you f*cked last night is your new Physics Professor!
Warnings! 18+ ONLY! This is some of the filthiest smut I have ever written and posted on here yet. Female reader and pronouns, Age gap (everyone is of legal age, Peter is a very young Professor), Oral (F + M Receiving), Dirty Talk (so much fucking dirty talk), praise kink, edging, P in V, Peter Parker (YES he does need his own warning), One Night Stand... or is it?, ITS SEX PEOPLE, JUST STRAIGHT UP SEX WITH A LITTLE PLOT FOR ADDED TENSION AND POW!
Word Count: 4.9k+
A/N: Consider this my formal application piece for the literary prostitutes society. There are no words for this, so I'm just gonna type/sing Don't Lose Your Head from Six. "Sorry not sorry but what I said, I'm just tryin' to have some fun..." But seriously though this was so self indulgent and I can't believe this came out of me. It's very much giving Aria and Ezra in Pretty Little Liars but older and much more Peter Parker. Also I am really sorry about if the tense keeps changing, I sometimes have a problem with finding my rhythm and I really cba to spend the time working it all out and changing it.
First day of college. Standard level of nerves for a first day. Are you running on just a couple hours of sleep? Sure. Still a little tipsy from last night? Okay, yeah, maybe just a little, but thatâs a good thing right. Takes the edge off. But then again numbers and science had never let you down before. You can do physics. Youâve got this.
You took a deep breath, hand hesitating on the door handle. âThis is the first day of the rest of your life.â You said to yourself, breathing deeply.
You found a spot somewhere in the middle of the room. Not so eager you were at the front but you also didnât want to hide away in the back. That and you were pretty sure you were due for an eye test and if you sat any further back you wouldnât be able to read the board. You got out your notepad, flipping open to the first page, your fingers smoothing across the fresh paper comfortingly. You reach for a fresh pencil from the novelty pack your Mom had bought you especially for your first week, knowing you prefer the feel of writing in pencil than pen, the ink always getting smudged on your hand from your messy scrawl. You pluck the one with tiny zebra all over it from the clear case before placing it back in your bag. Your fingers drum the back of the pencil on your page nervously as you wait. You tried not to overthink things as your stomach began to churn. Had you really turned up this early? You took a quick look around the room at the other 5 people who had actually been there before you. âHey,â you reasoned to yourself, âat least you werenât as early as them.âÂ
You yawned. Damn you were tired. Although you had this early class, when your new room mate suggested you go out with the guys who lived across the hall you couldnât say no. To be fair, it had been a good night all considered. You had met some new people, exchanged a few numbers, agreed to go to the end of semester drama club performance even though the term had only just started, drank way too many jello shots, got snuck into a local bar and then ended up going home with a tall brunette with the softest yet devious brown eyes you had ever seen who completely rocked your world.Â
You absentmindedly rubbed your thighs together, squirming slightly in your seat as you thought back to his head between your legs. The lewd moans heâd pulled from your lips echoing around your brain. It sent a fresh new wave of arousal straight to your core.
âNot the time or place.â you berated, instead forcing your mind back into the classroom and the task at hand. âPhysics of Matter with Professor Peter Parker. He was probably middle agedâ you thought to yourself. It was always the case with classes like these, middle aged men finally leaving the lab for the first time after finally completing their life's work, now relenting to their wifeâs begging to spend more time with the family. Or older men with white hair, wrinkles and tweed, desperately holding on to their independence, understimulated by the idea of retired life when all that knowledge of matter and the universe was rattling around their brains. âYoung hot professors were only to be found in the movies or on TVâ you daydreamed as you tried to distract yourself from the growing pit of nerves in your stomach.
You check your phone every few seconds as other students file into the room, finding their own seats as you count down the minutes. 5 minutes⌠3 minutes⌠2 minutes⌠1 minute⌠⌠Heâs late⌠1 minute past⌠2 minutes past⌠3 min-
âOkay, okay, settle down!â A voice called out as the classroom door opened, far younger than she expected and slightly familiar. âWelcome to Physics of Matter,â the voice continued as he made his way towards the board, picking up a bit of chalk and lifting it to the board as he spoke, âI am Professor Parker, but please,â he said dropping the piece of chalk back onto the little shelf at the bottom of the board, âcall me Peter.â He said finally turning around.
SHIT!
DOUBLE SHIT!
You dip your head towards your page as you sink a little bit down in your seat. Hopefully he wonât notice. âFUCK!â your head was suddenly screaming as all those memories of the night before flooded your brain again. His messy hair. His naked body. The way he had moaned into your cunt- FUCK!
You subtly glanced around the room from your head's dipped position. This had to be some new prank show right. Thereâs no way this happened in real life. There had to be cameras. Heâs an actor right? Ashton Kutcher was about to burst through the classroom door shouting âYOUâVE BEEN PUNKâDâ any second followed by the actual Professor Parker, right? Right?
âNow Iâm not gonna ask you to get your books out this lesson,â he began to say playfully, his voice carrying around the room as he walked back and forth in front of his desk surveying his new class. âToday is about you getting to know me and me just going over all the things we are gonna be covering over the course of our year together.â He said, talking a lot with his hands. âAs much as Iâd love to start getting into equations with you, Iâve learnt that that tends to be futile during our first lessons. I mean, just by a show of hands, who went out drinking last night?â Professor Parker asked and a shower of hands across the room went up, Peterâs gaze scanning across the faces of the raised hands as he continued, âKeep your hand up if youâre still a little bit drunk-â his voice cut off as his eyes finally landed on you, his own oh shit face befalling him.
You felt your skin crawl as people lowered their hands and began following his gaze to you. You moved your hand up to your face as you sank down in your seat further. âStop staring. Stop staring. Stop staring!â
8 HOURS EARLIERÂ
âI couldnât help but see you staring.â He said as he sidled up to you. âHoly fuckâ he was gorgeous. Tall, lean, perfectly messy brown hair and the most delicious biceps (not too big) that were flexing under the cuffs of his fitted T-shirt you really just wanted to wrap your fingers around and squeeze. Damn. âIs she okay?â He said turning to your friend.
âYeah sheâs just-â your roommate started before nudging you and breaking you from your hypnotised gaze on this absolute Adonis of a man. âShe thinks youâre really hot!â she shouted over the music to him.â
He raised his eyebrows as he gave a small chuckle, flattered, as you cringed. They both laughed at you. âDo you wanna dance?â he asked as he took your hand.
âYes, she does!â your friend said, pushing you off your stool. His other hand comes out to steady you as you almost slam into his chest. You blush before turning to give your roommate a death stare.Â
He flashed one of those charming smiles again before he began to guide you away from her and to the dance floor. His hand doesnât leave yours as he starts to bop and bounce, easing you both into the music. You slowly relax, smiling as a giddy feeling churns in your stomach, as you begin to bop with him to the music.
The music swells and he gives you a twirl under his arm before he pulls you closer to him. âSo have you got a name or am I supposed to refer to you as flower for the rest of the night?â
You frown. âWhy Flower?âÂ
âIsnât that the name of the skunk in Bambi who is all quiet and has those big eyes and blushing cheeks and-â
âDonât call me Flower.â you quickly say, slightly embarrassed by the way you had gone all goo goo eyed and helpless over him.
âOkay, then what can I call you?â
You hesitate for a second as you think about giving him your real name but what would be the fun in that, especially if this only turned out to be a one night stand. âTrouble.â
He laughs, his head dipping to hide his amusement. âIs that so?â he says from beneath his lashes. âFine, if thatâs how weâre playing it, you can call me Professor Brat Tamer, Professor for short.â
You feel your arousal soak your panties the moment he says it, the words going straight to your core. What have you gotten yourself in for? Itâs like he knows too from the way heâs smirking. He turns you, pulling you back into him, his hands resting on your hips as he begins to grind himself against your ass. âNow, are you gonna be a good student?â he coos against your ear only loud enough for you to hear. âOr are you gonna be like your namesake says and cause me a whole lot of trouble?â
He can feel the way you relax your body back against him, your eyes closing as you relish in the feeling his words elicit in you.Â
You smirk as you look back at him, âIâm sorry Professor, but you may have your work cut out for you.â
An hour and a half later heâs pulling you into his apartment, your back slamming hard against a wall of exposed brick as your mouth latches onto his. Both of you had done so well keeping your hands to yourself the whole way back, but the moment you got through the door it was like a starting pistol had gone off, both of you suddenly in a race for pleasure.
You moan against his mouth as his tongue slips between your teeth. You can taste his final Jack and Coke he had had before you left. Your skin felt like it was burning under his touch.
âFuck.â You gasp as his mouth is suddenly moving across your jaw and down your neck, his teeth and stubble grazing you slightly in his hunger for you.Â
âGod Trouble, you sound so fucking pretty.â he coos against your chest, his hand moving to paw at your breast, bunching it up to spill over the top of your dress as he leaves wet kisses across the skin.
Your fingers wrap around his messy tresses as you pull his head back up so you can connect your mouth with his again, a small growl escaping his lips at the slight pain. You kiss him messily, both of you breathing heavily before you push him back, allowing you room to drop to your knees on the hardwood floor. Your fingers immediately begin to fight with his belt buckle, the sound of the metal clinking sending arousal straight between your own legs.
âFuck.â He pants as he looks down at you, his hand reaching to cradle either side of your face as you pull down his jeans and his boxers in one swift pull. âUh, baby, baby, baby.â he coos as you take his length into your mouth and immediately begin to work your tongue up and down his cock.
His fingers move away from your face, grabbing at the hem of his t-shirt and you watch as he pulls it up and over his head, exposing the rest of his body to you. Fuck he really was gorgeous. âOh my god.â he cried out when you began to swallow his length down your throat, your nose pressing to his pelvic bone. âUh,â he said, his head tipping back, âsheâs not trouble, sheâs fucking perfect.â he says as he drops his head back forward to watch you, his thumb reaching to wipe away a stray tear at the corner of your eye.
You take his length out of your mouth as you gasp for air and he thinks itâs the sexiest thing heâs ever heard. âCome here Trouble.â he says as he takes your face and chin in his hands and lifts you from the floor, pulling your lips back to his as he smashes his mouth into yours.
He begins to kick off his shoes as well as his jeans and boxers that now sit tangled around his ankles as he continues to kiss you, freeing himself so he can lift you up into his arms, your own arms throwing themselves around his neck, as he carries you to his bedroom.
You canât help but cheekily bite at his lower lip as he stops just before the foot of the bed. âOh she has some bite does she?â he says against your mouth. Your teeth almost clash together from how close you are as you grin, waiting to see what heâll do or say next. âOkay,â he says as he pauses a little for dramatic effect, âI can bite back.â he says before throwing you back on the bed.
You let out a small squeal as you're caught by the mattress springs and pillows. You quickly prop yourself up on your elbows so you can see the devilish look on his face as he pulls off your heels before he stalks up the bed towards you. He leans over you, attaching his lips to yours once more, his tongue sliding deftly into your mouth and out again with every kiss until his last, when he uses it to suck your lower lip between his teeth, pulling on it. He releases it just as youâre beginning to feel it bruise, his lips instead attaching to your throat as his hands come up to pull down the top of your dress. He had already clocked that you were sans bra from how low the back of your dress was and is even more grateful now he can immediately latch himself onto your nipples, his tongue lapping at the small sensitive nibs, one and then the other.
You moan under his touch, your eyes falling closed as your head tips back, fingers gripping tightly at the covers beneath you. When he looks up at you, keening under his touch, he thinks it's the most beautiful thing heâs ever seen. âLook at me baby.â he softly commands and you oblige, your chin pressing to your chest as you gaze straight into those big brown eyes. Itâs the sexiest eye contact youâve ever held. Itâs like heâs fucking you with his eyes as his fingers begin to snake their way up your thighs, lifting the bottom of your dress up to your hips so he can pull down your underwear. He takes one feel of them before saying, âFuck, trouble, these are soaked.â
You can only nod in agreement, as all words seem to have left your brain. âFuck, heâs so fucking hotâ you think, as he kisses his way down your middle, over your dress until he reaches the hem where he can start kissing at your skin. You sigh, your head falling back again at the sensation of his lips kissing across your hips and then down your thighs.Â
His fingers spread your legs and he gives a small nip to the inside of your thigh and you gasp at the small feeling of pain, that quickly turns to pleasure, as yet another wave of arousal floods between your legs.
âFuck, baby, youâre dripping.â he says as his finger scoops up the arousal thats begining to drip down your thighs, bringing it up to his mouth. You watch hypnotised as he sucks on his fingers. âDamn, trouble, you tast so fucking good.â he says as he slips his fingers from his mouth. Itâs so filthy. He has barely done anything and youâre a fucking goner.
His tongue suddenly crashes between your folds. âFUCK!â you cry out loudly. His fingers trace over your thighs, reaching for your own fingers which you entwine with his. Heâs got his eyes closed, savouring every moan, every little gasp he pulls from you.Â
He can tell youâre getting close from how your cunt begins to grind itself down against his tongue, chasing youâre high, but to allow you to have it would be too easy. He listens closely to your breathing, your moans; one⌠two⌠he suddenly moves his mouth away and you want to scream. He playfully nips at the inside of your thigh, almost hard enough to bruise. You really do scream now in frustration. âTold you I could bite.â he says coily as he mumbles against your skin.Â
He licks another stripe through your folds as if in apology, as if to soothe the sting but his tongue flicks at your sensitive clit before he sucks it hard between his lips and you cry out again. âMmmm.â he hums against your cunt, âyou sound so pretty when you scream like that.â
You want to cry, you are so sensitive and overstimulated but suddenly heâs lapping at your pussy again and youâre melting back into the bed as your muscles begin to relax again with the long slow licks of his tongue.
When you both begin to feel the build of your climax again he doesnât pull away this time. He lets you have it, your thighs closing around his head, hips bucking off the bed as the wave of pleasure crashes over you. He keeps going, his mouth lapping up everything youâll give him until you're pulling yourself away from him. Tears well in the corners of your eyes from the over stimulation as you pant and whine and rub your thighs together, desperate for the feeling to dissipate. He grabs at your ankles, holding you still as you flop back into the pillows at the top of the bed.
âSo good for me Trouble, youâre doing so good.â he says as he crawls up the bed to kiss you.Â
Although heâs wiped at his mouth, the taste of you still remains and you lick it off every part of his mouth you can reach as he settles himself between your legs.
His hands slide up your thighs before theyâre grabbing ahold of your waist and suddenly heâs flipping you, his head crashing into the pillows as you straddle his hips. Your lips race to chase his as you continue to pant breathlessly into his mouth, another flood of arousal soaking between your legs.Â
His fingers reach for the bottom of your dress, lifting it up and off your head, leaving you finally, completely naked before him. âFuck, trouble,â he moans as his eyes drink you in, âhas anyone told you how absolutely fucking perfect you are.â You giggle and blush as you lean down to kiss him. âNo. No. Look at me.â he says as he takes your head in his hands and moves you away from him so you have to look at him. Heâs giving you that look with his eyes again as he holds your face in place, not allowing you to break eye contact with him for one single moment as he begins to grind his hips up against you, his rock hard cock grinding against your clit. Your mouth falls open in a silent gasp. âSo fucking perfect.â he repeats. âNow tell me, trouble, how do you want me to fuck you?â You canât think, your eyes closing as you try to focus your thoughts as his skin drags across your clit teasingly. He gently taps your cheek with his fingers, forcing you to open your eyes and look at him. âEyes on me Trouble,â he says, âfind your words, tell me how you want me to fuck you.â
You shake your head as you close your eyes again, really unable to think. âOptions.â you say breathlessly, your eyes flying open, before he can punish you for breaking eye contact again. âGive me options.âÂ
âOkay.â he concedes with a small nod and a smile. âOkay, pretty girl.â he repeats again soothingly as he pulls you back down closer to him, his lips kissing you sweetly and encouragingly, aware heâs over stimulating your brain. âI can fuck you like this.â he says as he looks into your eyes. His hand slowly trails down to wrap around your throat, his other hand still cradling the back of your head as he flips you again. âOr I can fuck you like this.â he says as he continues to slowly grind himself against your sex. âOr,â he says as he lowers his head down to the crook of your neck, breathing you in deeply as he speaks directly into your ear, âI can flip you over and fuck you from behind.â You sigh as his words go straight to your core again.
âThe last one.â you say breathlessly as your eyes close.
âMMM.â he hums into your ear as his teeth nip at your jaw, satisfied with your response. He pushes you back into the bed slightly as he lifts himself onto his knees, his hands moving away from your face and you watch him eagerly as you await his next move. He leans over to the bedside table, reaching into the draw for a condom, lazily tugging at his length with one hand whilst he uses his teeth and the other hand to open it up. Youâre almost starring as heâs rolling it down the length of his cock, fully taking in his erect size. He smirks when he looks up to notice you nibbling at your lower lip.
âCome here, trouble.â he says before heâs flipping you over, your head finding a comfortable position on the pillow as he lifts your ass into the air.Â
He slides his fingers down your opening before placing two fingers slowly inside you, stretching you out and you let out another breathy moan at the feeling. He pumps them in and out of you a couple more times before he slowly lets them slide out of you, his fingertips dragging agonisingly across your clit before he uses them to pump his cock again a couple times, shifting himself into position.
His fingers grip tightly onto your hips as he lines himself up and slowly pushes himself inside you, your back arching with the stretch, head shifting as you let out another moan of satisfaction into the pillow. âMmm, let me hear you baby.â he says as his hand removes itself from your hip to reach for the back of your head, his fingers tangling in your hair as he turns your head back towards him.
âFuck.â you hiccup as he pulls himself out little by little before heâs slamming his hips forward against your ass, pushing himself in even deeper.
âFuck, trouble. So fucking tight for me.âÂ
You lose all ability to speak as he begins fucking into you, slowly building his pace until heâs fucking into you at a wicked speed. You want to scream again, your face screwing up in ecstasy as his cock continuously hits that spot inside you that makes you want to explode. His other hand reaches around for your throat, pulling you back up as he leans over you so he can stick his tongue back into your mouth. It adjusts his angle somehow, making the feeling in your cunt even more intense. Your mouth falls open as he holds it there, youâre panting and moaning into his mouth. âLook at me.â he encourages as his thumb rubs soothingly across your jaw. You canât help but obliged.Â
Itâs too much. Itâs the hottest, most filthiest sex youâve ever had. You know youâll never be the same again. Nothing, no one, will ever compare to this. âPlease, please, please.â you find yourself repeating as your eyes close again. Youâre so close and he knows it because your cunt is constricting like a vice around his cock.Â
He moves his hand down to circle at your clit between your legs. âCome on, trouble, give it to me,â he coaches, âFuck, baby!â he snarls against your mouth as he smashes his lips to yours again, pulling at your lips bruisingly.Â
You pull your mouth away from him, wailing, gasping for breath as your body convulses around him, his pace only slowing slightly to help you ride out your climax. âSo good.â he coos, âMy trouble, so fucking good for me. Atta girl.â
His pace is steady as he feels you begin to relax again but youâre still so stimulated. Youâre surprised heâs still going. âYour turn.â you say to him breathlessly and he smiles. When he doesnât say anything you decide to push your luck. âHow do you want to fuck me?â you coo, now youâre the one whoâs eye fucking him.
You watch as he closes his eyes, head falling back. He chuckles then, something low and devious. He suddenly pulls out of you. It makes you feel so empty. Youâre about to whine but then heâs flipping you over and pulling your legs together and then over his shoulder as he bends you in half. He lines himself back up with your entrance and slips back in with ease and you gasp as he bottoms out, the position making him hit that devastating spot inside you instantly. He leans all the way over so he can kiss you, his mouth swallowing every moan, gasp and breath that leaves your mouth as he pounds down into you like something fierce.
âOh my god, oh my god, oh my god.â you whine as the sensitivity grows too much. His pelvis is slamming against your clit with every thrust. Now you really are crying, your eyes rolling back in your head as you feel yourself clamping down on his cock again.Â
âOh my god, baby.â he says. âYouâre so fucking wet. So fucking good. Such a good fucking girl.â
Itâs a guttural wail you let loose into the room as you cum and his head dips down as he buries himself in the crook of your neck, his thrusts growing even faster as he chases his high. âStay with me, Trouble,â he says, trying to ground you. He lifts his head, hand reaching for your face, forcing you to look at him. âJust a little bit longer, baby, just a little bit-â but he canât finish his words. Heâs so fucking close. One pump, two- he suddenly stills as he buries himself inside you, his forehead pressing into yours grounding you both as he pumps his seed into the condom inside you. You whine at the feeling of his cock pulsating against the still extremely sensitive spot inside you.
âYou did so good.â His voice reassures as he strokes soothingly across your cheek forcing you to look at him as you breathe deeply and heavily in your come down. âSo fucking good.â he says as he kisses your forehead before slipping out of you.Â
With his body no longer crowding you you fully relax back into his sheets, your eyes closing as you try to regulate. You think you might even pass out. You think you may even have blacked out for a second, but you know you havenât as your eyes fly open and your body jumps at the feeling of a cool damp cloth between your legs.
He watches you content as you suddenly relax once more, the cool washcloth doing wonders to soothe the hot swollen feeling between your legs as he cleans you up. You definitely black out then, completely exhausted.
You are disturbed again a few minutes later, a soft reassuring hand brushing up your legs. âHere.â his voice says softly as he sits on the side of the bed next to you, waiting for you to open your eyes and look at him so he can pass you a glass of water.
The cold liquid does wonders to help regulate your temperature and you canât help but stare at him again in wonder as he sits before you in a pair of flannel pyjama bottoms. He leans over you, kissing the top of your head, breaking you from your sex induced stupor.
âYou can stay if you want.â You nod your head, you have no energy to move yet.
âOkay.â he says with a soft smile as he takes the now mostly empty glass from your fingers. âIâm gonna go get you another one of these,â he says motioning to the glass now in his hands, âyou go to the toilet, thereâs a spare toothbrush under the sink, get yourself ready for bed and when you get back we can cuddle.â
You still have no words, just dociley nod and agree. You wobble slightly as you try to stand, blood rushing back to your limbs and his hand reaches out to steady you. âIâve got it, Iâve got it.â You say as you sway slightly and wave him away.
He just chuckles. âWhatever you say, trouble.â
You crawl into bed beside him 5 minutes later, tucking yourself into his side as his arm wraps around you. âYou really are Professor Brat Tamer huh?â you joke as you nestle into his bare chest.
âAnd donât you know it.â he smiles, pulling you tighter into his side so he can place a kiss to the top of your head.
You wake just after 6am, sneaking from his bed with a smile on your face as you pick up your clothes before doing the walk of shame back to your student halls. The sun is just coming up and the leaves are just starting to change, you can still feel the alcohol in your system as well as the after effects of your orgasms and you know, although youâre tired, today is gonna be a great first day⌠or was it?
________________________-
@tarzinnia @withahappyrefrain @xenasolos @sincericida
Is this a one off? I don't know. Is there a lot of room for this to turn into a collection of shorts... yeah, maybe.
#peter parker#peter parker x reader#andrew!peter parker#professor!Peter Parker x reader#andrew!peter x reader#Andrew Peter imagine#tasm peter parker x reader#tasm!peter parker#Peter Parker smut#professor!au#spiderman#tasm peter parker imagine#tasm!peter#andrew garfield peter parker#reader insert#smut#this is so self indulgent#Peter Parker x female reader
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Ah! Love
Yoon Jeonghan isn't told 'no' often - or ever, really. So, when his friends set him up to get turned down, his ego is shattered. But his friends didn't realize they just introduced him to his new partner in crime.
Pairing: Jeonghan x female reader Genres: fluff, angst, smut, slow burn, fake dating, college au, idiots to lovers
Word count: 50k
TW/CW: MDNI! Contains smut with no protection mentioned (be safe please!!), under-aged drinking, alcoholism, implications of abuse and neglect (but no specific descriptions), food, mental health struggles.
A/N: The way these characters are written in no way indicates reality as this is entirely a work of fiction. This whole thing was just one big coping mechanism for recent events... please enjoy!!!
Recommended playlist: Ah! Love by Seventeen; Can't Get You by Jaehyun; Bonnie & Clyde by Yuqi
(pssst... this has a little one shot called I saw this and thought of you.)
Act One
Itâs nearly 1am when Y/N parks her car. She should have been home a while ago, but thanks to someone calling in, she was asked to work a few extra hours today. Not like it was hard, but thereâs only so much to do at the reference desk at the campus library on a Friday night. The semester hasnât even started yet, but the stupid university policy said that the library had to be staffed 24/7 except for holidays.
She was just thankful that one of her coworkers had the good sense to hide a phone charger in the bottom of a desk drawer. It had come in handy tonight when sheâd finished her book. The university library had a less than impressive fiction collection to pick from.Â
But now, Y/N was irritated again because her designated parking spot at her apartment complex was taken. In fact, every single spot was taken. Someone must have been hosting a party to celebrate before the start of the semester. This complex was mostly occupied by students, but damn, didnât they know how to read signs, such as RESERVED? So she was parked on the street half a block away.
Y/N yanked the key out of the ignition and had her hand on the door handle when a loud laugh made her jump back. A group of guys were walking down the sidewalk towards her and theyâd clearly been drinking. Not interested in facing them (whether out of self-preservation or to spare them her mood), she sat back in her seat, biting her nail and waiting patiently (read: Not Patiently At All). They seemed to be taking their sweet time. As they walk under street lights, she thinks she might recognize one or two of them from campus over the years, but that doesnât mean much. The university has a huge student body.
One of them stops, a muffled, âHold on,â coming through the car window. He steps towards the front passenger side of her car. His hands go to his pants. Heâs -Â
Heâs peeing on her car.Â
Her jaw drops. A car passes by and in the headlights she can see who it is. She unfortunately knows him - or knows of him, anyway. Itâs Yoon Jeonghan.Â
Her jaw is now tight, gritting teeth together painfully. Before she can think, her hand is on the center of the steering wheel, pressing sharply. The horn blasts for a split second and the only thing that makes this situation any better is the panic that flashes across his face. He jumps back, zipping himself up, waving and shouting a quick âSorry!â Then heâs off, practically sprinting. His friends follow, but between the drinks and the laughter, theyâre sluggish.
Y/N waits until theyâre around the corner before she gets out of her car.
The next morning, Y/N finds Vernon at the kitchen table with a bowl of cereal. He doesnât look up from the game on his phone when she walks in and goes straight for the coffee. âDidnât hear you come in last night.â
Y/N grunted as she slid into a seat across from him. He pushed her a bowl and spoon, along with a box of sugary cereal. âYeah, I didnât get back until 1. Had to park on the street.â Vernon hums, but sheâs not sure heâs really listening or cares. âBy the way, do you know if the complex has a water hose or something near the parking lot?â
Now heâs listening, though he still doesnât look up. His eyebrows are scrunched. âWater hose? I donât know. Why? Why not go through a car wash? Thereâs one around the corner.â
âI donât need a whole car wash for my piece of shit car. Just enough to wash the urine off of my tire.â
Vernon bites back a laugh. âSomeone pissed on your car?â Heâs obviously amused.Â
âYoon Jeonghan did.â
Now his laughter resembles the squeak of a windshield wiper. This was nothing new - Vernon finding Y/Nâs bad luck hilarious. Normally, sheâd let it go because he had a laugh that made her laugh. She did not find it funny right now. âYeah, yeah, yeah,â she mumbled, stuffing some cereal in her mouth to bite back any further comments.
Vernon wiped his eyes. âHow do you even know it was him?â
âBecause I was in the car when it happened.â Another bite of cereal for Y/N and another wheeze from Vernon. For the rest of the morning, Vernon would glance at her before falling into another fit of laughter. Y/N opted to escape by going back to bed.Â
Jeonghan joins his friends in the student union at lunch on Monday. Classes started this morning but heâs not stressing it so far. After all, heâs only had one class and itâs already 1pm. Tomorrow might be another story based on his class schedule, but heâll worry about that⌠tomorrow.
Across from him, Mingyu is talking about the girl he hooked up with on Friday night. Jeonghanâs not really listening because heâs too busy scarfing down his third slice of pizza.Â
Seungcheol tells the story of his hookup on Saturday night. It becomes a competition between Seungcheol and Mingyu and they keep glancing at Jeonghan as he stuffs his face with more pizza, challenging him to jump in. He usually would, but heâs not terribly interested today.
Besides, they all know he didnât go home after the party on Friday. He walked with them back to campus and ended up in the dorm room of one of the many girls he kept in rotation. All it took was one text and five minutes later she was signing him in at the front desk of her dorm as a guest. He signed himself out at the front desk afterwards because it was clear she wasnât up to moving anytime soon. Between that and how satisfied she looked, he was pretty happy with the night as he walked back home. He doesnât feel the need to brag anymore. His reputation precedes him.Â
When it becomes apparent that Jeonghan isnât taking the bait, they turn on Joshua. âHow��s your girlfriend?â The word âgirlfriendâ comes out as more of a sneer when Mingyu says it. Out of the whole group, Joshua seems to be the only one that believes in the concept, or at least puts it to any genuine practice.
Joshua met her while shadowing at the hospital a few years ago when he was still trying to pick a major. His crush was massive and they all teased him relentlessly about it. But after seeing how lovesick their friend was, they actually encouraged him to ask her out. They knew Joshua wasnât a huge fan of anything casual. Heâd rarely hooked up before meeting his current girlfriend anyway. Jeonghan is happy for him, he really is, but heâs still very perplexed at the dopey smile that overtakes his friendâs face at the mere mention of her.Â
âSheâs good. We volunteered at the animal shelter on Saturday and then went out to dinner.â He says this with such an innocent grin that some scoff or roll their eyes. Jeonghan just smiles and shakes his head. They should know by now that Joshua is just that kind of person. Even if he wasnât, all this girl would have to do is ask because heâs totally wrapped around her finger. Again, very perplexing. Jeonghan couldnât imagine what that was like.
Jihoon is not one of those people that scoffs at Joshua though. He shakes his head disappointedly at the others and then looks at Joshua directly. âTheyâre just jealous. They wouldnât know how to even get into a relationship, much less hold one down as long as you have.â
Joshua seems totally unfazed with his stupid smile, but Seungcheol barks out a laugh. âIt canât be that hard. Mingyu and I both have had long-term things.â He pointedly ignores Jihoon's correction - a not-so-subtle mumble of âsituationshipâ disguised under a cough. Dating was a very loose term for them, never that serious and really just for a predictable amount of sex in the end. When they got their fill, it was over at the snap of a finger. âBesides, itâs Jeonghan that couldnât do it at all.â
Jeonghan chuckles, âWhat makes you think that?â
The silence is deafening for only a moment before his friends start giggling. Mingyu bangs his fist on the table. Seungcheol is shaking his head in disbelief. Jihoon is sliding down in his chair and covering his face. Even Joshua is smiling like heâs trying to contain a laugh.Â
Which is not a good time for Chan, the poor unsuspecting freshman that theyâve taken under their wing, to slide into a seat at the table. He looks like heâs afraid to ask. When he makes eye contact with Jeonghan, heâs really afraid to ask.Â
Jeonghan scoffs. âI donât know whatâs so funny. I could date anytime I want. I just donât want to,â he yells near the end to be heard over his friends.
Seungcheolâs still shaking his head, but this time it has a purpose. âNo, Iâm sorry, man. I havenât seen you so much as go on a single date since high school. Everybody knows your pattern. You sweet talk some poor girl at a party to get her home and then as soon as itâs over, you say âThis was nice, but Iâm not interested in anything moreâ.âÂ
The words sting because itâs accurate, right down to the phrasing Jeonghan usually uses. Seungcheol must have heard some of these awkward morning-after conversations before at their apartment. Jeonghan is used to Seungcheol cheering him on in his pursuits. It felt like a skill then, one that he was very good at. A little locker room talk is normal, right? Itâs another thing entirely for his best friend of nearly 15 years to turn it all around and say he canât do the opposite. That his skills are a hindrance to it. That heâs just not capable of it.
Joshua must have sensed his friendâs discomfort because he tries to smooth it over. âHan, all heâs trying to say is that youâve never even expressed interest in pursuing someone seriously and you shoot down anyone that approaches you for more than sex. When you do want to date, there might be a bit of a learning curve. Thatâs all.â
Jeonghan doesnât know how to respond because heâs totally floored by the whole situation. Since when did not wanting anything serious become a problem? Jeonghan likes having fun. He likes having something new often. When did they stop understanding that?
The minutes tick by slowly, especially when his friends are still talking about it long after Chan has finished his lunch. Theyâve emptied their trays and left the student union and theyâre still talking about it. Theyâre half-way across campus and theyâre still talking about it. Details about how shameless heâs been, how brutal heâs been about his rejections, how heâs won so many bets and completed so many dares over the last few years. His record is starting to sound like a bad thing when they were high-fiving him about it a week ago.
Mingyu turns around, walking backwards so he can face Jeonghan with a taunting smile. âI canât believe you think you can do it.â
âI can,â Jeonghan says, now completely bitter because it doesnât come off as confidently as he would have liked. Itâs not like him to accept that he canât do something. He likes pushing limits. He likes to toe the line. Mingyuâs face right now makes him want to jump clean across the line just to prove him wrong. The words spill out. âI can prove it.âÂ
This gets all of his friends attention. Seungcheolâs smirk is so fucking irritating when he says, âAnd how are you going to do that?âÂ
Jeonghanâs jaw clenches. Heâs burned a lot of bridges as heâs formed this reputation. There are a lot of women that hate him - have yelled at him, slapped him, bad mouthed him, or just plain sobbed in front of him. Besides the last one, that was usually pretty amusing. There are also a lot of men that hate him too, likely because heâs ghosted their friend or sister. Thatâs a little less amusing when he has to dodge a fight. Heâs not a coward when it comes to a fight, but he feels like thereâs nothing to defend because heâs done nothing wrong. Heâs never promised anyone a date and itâs not his fault when someone assumes that he will. But now heâs very determined to prove that he can do anything he wants with anyone at anytime because theyâll happily let him. That includes dating. âPick anyone. Iâll make it happen.â
His friends raise their eyebrows as they look at him. Theyâve now stopped in the quad and stepped off the path into the grass. Jeonghan grows impatient with their stares. He waves his hand around the quad. âPick.âÂ
Mingyu and Seungcheol are the only ones that start looking around with any sort of seriousness. They must find something that makes them happy because they look at each other and smirk. When they turn to Jeonghan, their expressions make his stomach turn, but heâs determined not to show it.Â
Mingyu points across the quad to a figure. Their target is a girl heâs seen in some of his English classes before but her name escapes him. All he knows is that sheâs is a major bookworm, usually having stacks of books on her desk that arenât even for a class. The only reason heâs noticed it is because heâs heard others laugh and whisper about it - which he found ironic because they were all English majors. You shouldn't pick that major if you hate to read. A errant frisbee flies within five feet of her and she doesnât flinch. Heâs never talked to her.Â
âLetâs start by getting her to agree to go out with you first.â Mingyuâs clearly enjoying this and Jeonghanâs fists clench in his pockets to resist hitting him.Â
âAnd what do I get out of this?â It wonât be a girlfriend, at least not in anyway that matters. He does want something besides his pride back though.
â$100 if you can get her to agree to go on a date with you. Another $100 if you can get her to agree to be your girlfriend. Another $100 if you can make that last three months.â Seungcheol states the terms, looking rather smug about it. He expects Jeonghan to back down. The whole concept of dating is absolutely not his style and $300 doesnât seem worth the trouble. Seungcheolâs probably giving a lowball offer on purpose. But Jeonghan is desperate to retain some pride and composure.Â
Jeonghanâs feet are moving before he even realizes it. He slaps Seungcheol on the shoulder for good measure as he passes.Â
Y/N is quite literally a page away from finishing her chapter when a shadow casts over her. She glances up and suppresses a groan. âCan I sit here?â She slides over to the edge of the bench and tries to refocus on her book and remain unaffected. However, her mind has alarm bells are going off.
Why the fuck is Yoon Jeonghan sitting next to her?
She prayed he didnât recognize her from Friday night. She did not want to have that conversation - or any really - with him. But she could not think of a single other reason why he would be here right now.Â
âYou look familiar. Have we had classes together before?âÂ
She glances up, if only for a brief moment to make her answer convincing. âMaybe.â She knows sheâs had classes with him. He doesnât need the ego boost by knowing sheâs paid any attention to him though. He gets enough of that from everyone else.
He sticks out his hand. âIâm Jeonghan. Iâm sorry I havenât introduced myself in any of those classes before.â
Y/N stares for a second, internally cursing the manners that are ingrained in her. Sheâs going to have to shake his hand, if only to remain polite for now. She mutters her name, reaching out to his hand. His hand dwarves hers, long fingers wrapping around her hand, but his touch is soft and warm. It surprises her only momentarily before sheâs remembering all the reasons why she wants to avoid him. Sheâs relieved to have her book clutched in both hands again to ground her. She will not be falling for his charms today, or ever.
âIâll get straight to the point, since I interrupted you. Would you like to go on a date with me?â He says gently, but thereâs the usual amount of arrogance in his expression. Like he knows what sheâs going to say. Y/N bets he usually gets the answer he wants. Y/N presses her lips together, feeling uncomfortable for so many reasons.
âOh. Thatâs nice of you, but no thank you.â
Jeonghan blinks a few times, then his eyebrows furrow. âUh. What?â
Y/N closes her book and stares at him. Why now? Theyâve shared classes for three years now. Their schedules have aligned an irritating number of times and heâs never so much as glanced her way. Not that she would have ever fallen for this, even as a naive freshman three years ago. âI said, no thank you. Iâm not interested.â
âNot interested?â He says this slowly, like the words don't make sense to him. Maybe they donât. Word on campus is that he doesnât hear them often. Or perhaps ever from the expression on his face. But thereâs a first for everything, right? This must be one for him. âCan I ask why?â
Thereâs a loud cackle across the quad and it gets both of their attentions. Itâs the guys that were with Jeonghan on Friday night. They seem to be enjoying whatever show Jeonghan is putting on for them.Â
Ah, okay. That tracks. Y/N scoffs, standing to put her book in her bag. âDo I need a reason? Besides, Iâm sure there are many others that will fall for the dare or bet that theyâve put you up to.â
Jeonghan kind of looks like a fish out of water, mouth opening and closing a few times. Heâs glancing fast between her and his friends. âWhat? Thatâs notâŚâÂ
âSure seems that way,â she cuts off, trying to keep her voice even, but itâs challenging. âAnd youâd have to make me a pretty damn good offer to agree. You should tell them to be more subtle if you really want to use this tactic on some poor unsuspecting victim.â Y/N isnât sure why she isnât walking away right now.
Jeonghan is standing now, but he looks totally out of his element, none of his normal confidence and arrogance present. It actually makes her want to smirk, but even she feels a little bad about how loudly his friends are laughing across the quad. Second-hand embarrassment is a very real thing and she was starting to experience it. âHave I done something to you?â It sounds a little defensive.
Y/N narrows her eyes at him. âIt says something if you have to ask that, Jeonghan. But no, you have not. Iâm really just not interested. I have to get to class. Have a good day.â
She passes by the group of guys and doesnât make eye contact. Kim Mingyu is there and this really does seem just like the kind of thing heâd be involved in. She almost feels sorry for Jeonghan again, but then she remembers the arrogant smirk he usually wears and the way he was confused by the word ânoâ. Almost sorry, but not quite. He could stand to be taken down a peg every now and then and Y/N was happy to be the one to do it today.
Jeonghan didnât wait around to find out just how funny his friends found whatever the fuck just happened. Getting turned down was something he wasnât used to and his friendsâ laughter across the quad just rubbed salt in the wound. Heâd also pointedly ignored the group chat for the rest of the day. Even Joshua was being iced out. When Joshua sent Jeonghan a message apologizing outside of the group chat, Jeonghan just gave it a thumbs up and nothing else.Â
However, by the afternoon he realized he needed to save some face. Y/N may have said no, but many others would say yes. And despite his shock, he had heard what she said back in the quad. His friends would be a detriment to whatever plan he tried because they couldnât hide their amusement. He sent a single text when he got home and a girl arrived at the apartment he and Seungcheol shared a little after 8pm. When he let her in, he passed by all of his friends in the living room, drinking beer and playing video games. Perfect. Uninvolved in the plan, but present for the show.
Heâd picked this girl because sheâs loud in bed and seemingly not embarrassed about it. After sex though, he realized that sheâs just loud all the time. He decides he canât ask her to go on a date, much less hang out with her for three months as her boyfriend. He wasnât sure what she was talking about as he pulled on some clothes, but he interrupted her to tell her he had an 8am class the next day and heâd see her out. She took the hint and began getting dressed. There was no 8am, but he wanted whatever this was to end promptly. He also wouldnât be reaching out to her again.
He was still icing his friends out but Jeonghan was satisfied with the expressions on their faces as he went back to his room after seeing the chatterbox out. They could make comments about his dating habits, or lack thereof, but they couldnât say he didnât know what he was doing in every other way. Theyâd had to listen to the evidence of it.Â
That eased his mind until the next day. At lunch, they made it clear they hadnât forgotten about his rejection the day before. He was thankful that all except for Joshua had a class soon after so his suffering wasnât prolonged like yesterday. As soon as the others were far enough away, Joshua frowned at Jeonghan. âIâm sorry. I told them to let it go, but you know how they are.â
âUnfortunately, I do,â Jeonghan mumbled, unable to meet his friendâs eyes. He stuffed his hands in his pockets uncomfortably as they start walking.Â
âFor what it's worth, they set you up anyway.âÂ
Now, that got Jeonghanâs attention. âWhat do you mean?â
âSheâs friends with Mingyuâs roommate, Wonwoo. They knew sheâd shut you down.âÂ
Oh. Now it was making sense. He remembers how smug Seungcheol and Mingyu had looked when theyâd spotted Y/N. Jeonghan had met Wonwoo many times over the years. Mingyu and Wonwoo shared a lot of classes and seemed to get along as roommates, but Wonwoo was never very interested in joining them when they went out. Theyâd stopped extending the invitation after a while. Mingyu said his roommate would rather be home reading or playing video games anyway.
âAre they close? Y/N and Wonwoo?â Jeonghan wasnât totally sure why he was asking. Maybe he wanted to know who she would say yes to, if not him. Heâd like to think he checks a lot of boxes for women, but⌠she must be a unique case. Maybe if he knew who she would date, it would make him feel better.Â
âSeem to be. Mingyu said theyâve known each other for a long time, since they were little I think. Y/Nâs apartment is apparently where Wonwoo goes when Mingyu brings guests over.â Guests, meaning girls - Joshua was just too polite to say it. Jeonghan had a similar system with Seungcheol when he wasnât trying to prove a point. Basic roommate etiquette and all that.
âDonât sweat it too much, okay? Itâs a single rejection. I donât condone the bets or dares, you know that, but I know I canât stop you guys there. There are plenty of other girls on campus if youâre really serious about this. Just be careful.â With that, Joshua turned towards his class and walked away. Jeonghan was almost late because of how distracted he was.Â
He had to let go of this if only for his sanity. Joshua was right - it was a single rejection. The only one in his entire high school and college careers. It was a blip on the radar. A small infraction on an otherwise perfect record. It wasnât like heâd have to see her anyway. Heâd only had a few classes with her and even if he did have to see her heâd just avoid her until he wasnât feeling so wounded by the whole thing. No big deal. He can breathe easier with that realization.Â
Whatever high Jeonghan had been riding since Tuesday comes crashing down at approximately 4:30pm on Thursday afternoon. He was almost late to his Tales of Villainy literature class. Though he was on a pre-law track, he was technically an English major and had to fulfill a certain number of literature credit hours to graduate in the spring. Of all the options offered this semester, this one seemed like the most tolerable.Â
Oh, right. Except that the first person he lays eyes on when he walks into the classroom is none other than Y/N. And the only seat left open is the one directly behind her. He bites back a curse and almost leaves. Heâs considering just dropping the class and figuring it out later, but the instructor is already looking at him from the podium, waiting to start. Jeonghan silently sits down in the seat behind her. He knows he canât drop because heâs on a tight schedule to graduate. If Y/N noticed him, she doesnât show it.Â
He does his best to focus on what the instructor is saying. What tests and essays there will be. What works theyâll be reading and when. What kind of participation he wants to see in class. Jeonghan prays that all of this is in the syllabus he blankly glances at occasionally because heâs taking very little of it in right now.Â
The truth is he feels like a fucking teenager, because he canât stop glancing at the girl in front of him. Heâs noticing things that heâd normally not notice or give much thought to when it comes to girls. Usually, heâs looking at their bodies and how much skin he can see, or how theyâre looking at him. Specific features have never mattered much or held his attention because it all feels the same in the end.
So itâs totally unfair that heâs transfixed by her. The way her hair falls in her face when she leans down to write something with a stupid purple glitter pen. Or the doodling sheâs doing in the margins, which mostly consists of a bunch of little suns and moons. Or the smell of her perfume which is some kind of blend of lavender and vanilla. Heâs not even admiring her body as much as he normally would, but thatâs really nice too. He noticed that earlier in the week when heâd approached her.
He wants her in a way that he hasnât wanted anyone before but his ego is still in recovery and he canât risk asking her again. Why wasnât she into him? Was he losing his touch? It occurs to him that maybe heâs bordering on obsession like this only because she turned him down. Because she seems unattainable. Thatâs something heâs never really experienced before, but Jeonghanâs been known to like a challenge. It feels kind of like a fatal flaw right now.
He has to get here earlier next week to secure a seat away from her, not only to save his grade but to save his sanity and ego. Fuck the rule that you sit in the seat you picked on the first day for the entire semester. Heâd fight someone for it to avoid this kind of spiral weekly. He needed to put a lot of distance between Y/N and himself ASAP.
After three agonizing hours, when the instructor lets them go, Jeonghan is the first one out of his seat, not even bothering to stop to stuff the syllabus thatâs wrinkled in his grasp into his backpack. Â
He thinks about bailing on his plans with his friends to call someone over because he needs some sort of validation right now that he hasnât lost his touch, but thinks better of it. Heâs afraid his friends will see right though the facade. They donât need to know his ego his hurt this badly that heâs driven to hook up with so many people in a week to get over one rejection.Â
Heâd get his validation tomorrow night. Maybe more than once with the way his system was on overdrive. At least then he wouldnât have to seek it out. Theyâd come to him.
Y/N thinks that if she has to hear this song again sheâs going to scream. Sheâs in her ensuite bathroom with the door closed and she can hear CLâs Hello Bitches start for the 23rd time. Yes, sheâs been counting. She loves CL, but this is becoming excessive.Â
She can also hear who is in tune and who is most certainly not. Sheâs just about to get her eyeliner right this time when thereâs a screech in the other room. Not the type of sound you expect to hear when you know there are six grown men in there.Â
Swinging the door open, sheâs met with the sight of Seungkwan pinning Junhui down by his neck. Soonyoung is scolding them (which is ironic because heâs usually at the center of these things) but the other three are totally unfazed. Vernon and Minghao are scrolling on their phones and Wonwoo looks like heâs napping (or trying to anyway). âGuys, are there any other songs on this âplaylistâ of yours?âÂ
Seungkwan pulls away from Junhui, whose glad for the opportunity to escape. Seungkwan turns his wrath to Y/N. âWhat do you have against this one?â
âItâs one song, Kwan. It shouldnât count as a playlist,â Y/N deadpanned.
Seungkwan glares. âYeah, well, your eyeliner sucks.âÂ
âThanks to Junhuiâs screeching,â Y/N sasses, while Junhui scoffs, putting a hand to his chest in offense. They all ignore him and his dramatics.Â
Minghaoâs off the bed in moments though, taking the eyeliner pen from Y/N and pushing her back into the bathroom. âLet me fix it so we can leave. I canât stand them or this song anymore and I need a drink.â Minghaoâs subsequent glare silences the laugh thatâs bubbling up Y/Nâs throat. Like the artist he is, Minghaoâs efficient with lots of mediums, including eyeliner apparently, and theyâre dragging her out of the apartment in less than five minutes.Â
This is not their normal Friday night. They usually end up at one of the restaurants down the street until it closes and then they move to Vernon and Y/Nâs apartment to crash. Sometimes thereâs alcohol, but thereâs always more food (despite having their fill at the restaurant), and almost always some form of games.Â
So it was to everyoneâs surprise when Wonwoo announced that his roommate, Mingyu, had insisted they come to a party tonight. Seungkwan, Soonyoung, and Junhui were in immediately. The rest took some convincing and Wonwoo was certainly not going to do it. He left that to his friends that couldnât wait to get drunk on someone elseâs alcohol.Â
The walk was short and the house was already packed when they arrived. They squeezed through the crowd to the kitchen to get drinks and then went their separate ways. It was likely that theyâd all end up back at her apartment anyway, so Y/N wasnât worried. She runs into Minseo in the kitchen and strikes up a conversation. They were roommates in the dorms until Y/N moved into her own apartment with Vernon and Minseo moved into the sorority house. They were unlikely friends back then and even remained friendly when they ran into each other on campus now.Â
Minseo was talking about being a big for her sorority this year, something sheâd been looking forward to. However, Minseo was cut off by an âOh shit!â Something splashed onto Y/Nâs shoes. She hadnât looked down but Minseo had. Y/N did not like how her former roommateâs face was twisted in disgust right now. Y/N glanced down.
Yep, thatâs puke.Â
âI am so sorry!â Y/N was convinced that any and all gods hated her, because she recognized that voice. She looked up to find Yoon Jeonghan in front of her with wide, panicked eyes. He was clutching another guy by his sides, seemingly holding him up. âHeâs a freshman, he doesnât know how to handle his alcohol quite yet.âÂ
âItâs fine,â Y/N forced out, trying not to look down at her converse again. Sheâd most certainly gag if she did.
The freshman wavered on his feet but this time he made it to the trash can behind Minseo. Jeonghan was no longer clutching the freshman, but now ringing his hands, so uncharacteristic from his usually overwhelming confidence. âLet me wash your shoes for you. My friend lives here, he wonât mind.âÂ
âNo, no. Thatâs not necessary.â With a grimace, Y/N dropped her drink into the trash can when the freshman came up for air. She tried not to look at Jeonghan and instead looked at Minseo. âIâm going to head home.âÂ
âAt least let me walk you home. Itâs late,â Jeonghan cut in, face pinched with anxiety.Â
Y/N waved her hand as she stepped back. âNo, thatâs not necessary either. Itâs not far.â The freshman had his head in the trashcan again. âI think he needs you more right now, anyway.â
She didnât wait for an answer and quickly exited the house. As she walked, she pulled out her phone and sent a message to the group chat that she was leaving. They all had her location so theyâd know when she made it home if they were worried.
The August air was stagnant and humid, making the smell on her shoes so much worse. She grimaced again. This was why she didnât go to these types of things. Minseo and a few of the guys regularly tried to get her out of the house, but this was just not her vibe. Tonight was just more evidence of that. She had terrible luck with these things.
A rhythmic sound was getting louder behind her. For a moment, she prayed that Yoon Jeonghan hadnât followed her to walk her home like heâd been insisting. She was beyond relieved when she heard a more welcomed voice. âHey, what happened?â Wonwoo asked as he slowed next to her. He must have caught a whiff of what had happened because he did a quick scan of her before landing on her shoes and muttering, âEw. Dude, thatâs gross.â
âI know,â she scoffed. âGo back to the party. Mingyu wanted you there.âÂ
Wonwoo began walking with her, ignoring her command. He shrugged, âI showed up and spoke to him. Thatâs more than he usually gets. What happened to you though? You didnât answer.â
âSome freshman that couldnât handle his alcohol apparently. Thatâs the shortest visit weâve ever made to a party and thatâs saying something.â Wonwoo laughed at Y/Nâs words and thankfully it diffused some of her tension.Â
âYeah, a whopping twenty minutes.âÂ
Wonwoo was the brave one when it came time to deal with Y/Nâs shoes upon arriving to the apartment. She slid them off along with her socks at the door and Wonwoo carefully picked them up by the least gross parts. Never mind that he sprinted for the washing machine with a scream. He said it was so he wouldnât breath in and smell it. Y/N thought that was pretty valid.
When the others arrived at the apartment a few hours later, they found Y/N and Wonwoo on opposite sides of the couch, one reading and one playing video games. They joined in seamlessly, grabbing snacks from the kitchen to sober up. She appreciated that they didnât ask why she left early. The last thing she wanted to talk about was anything in reference to Yoon Jeonghan.Â
Itâs been nearly a week and Jeonghan is still not talking to Chan. He pretends like he doesnât hear him when he talks. Heâs getting really good at it.Â
At first it confused Chan, particularly when there was no one else in the room with them in Jihoonâs trashed kitchen on Saturday morning. It goes on so long that a hung over Chan starts to wonder if heâs invisible. Can that happen? Heâs never drank this much before. Heâs starting to worry about weird genetic mutations or that maybe heâs a ghost now. However, Seungcheol greets him when he enters the kitchen. So that settles it. Not invisible. Jeonghanâs just mad.
It takes the entirety of Saturday and Sunday, and the first half of Monday before Joshua finally steps in to counsel them and try to solve the issue at hand. All of them have a soft spot for Chan and donât like seeing him so dejected. It turns out Chan remembers very little of the party so he doesnât even know what to apologize for, though he keeps offering blanket apologies. So, Jeonghan tells the story in excruciating detail. Mingyu is downright elated by it. Seungcheol and Jihoon try to bite back their laughs and turn away. Chan is completely mortified and says heâs swearing off drinking for good. Joshua canât fix this, heâs decided, but he feels a lot of sympathy for Chan. After all, they were all once freshman and did some stupid things. So he tries to fix it anyway. Â
He fails.Â
Then food magically starts appearing in front of Jeonghan randomly. First itâs a burger and fries that Chan treats him to on Monday night when they all go out. Then itâs coffee and a muffin on Tuesday morning. When they go out for beers on Wednesday, Chan buys everything Jeonghan drinks, but Chan doesnât partake even though this college bar is known to overlook a little underaged drinking now and then. Thursday, Jeonghan finally puts a stop to it because Chan must be spending a small fortune for a college student on this apology. He accepts the coffee Chan hands him and says, âOkay, enough.â
Chanâs eyes are hopeful and Jeonghan hates how much he loves the kid. He really does seem to feel bad. âIâm forgiven?â
Jeonghan nods. âYes. Please pace yourself next time though.âÂ
âOf course,â Chan nods eagerly. âI do not want to feel like that again. Have you talked to her since?â
The question catches Jeonghan off guard. Heâs relieved itâs just him and Chan today. He really wants his friends to forget about her entirely because every time she comes up itâs kind of like theyâre twisting the knife. âUh, no. Iâm trying not to see or talk to her, which might become a bit of a challenge at 4:30 today. I have a class with her.â
âOh,â Chan deflates. âMaybe I should apologize? I know you said you did, but⌠maybe it wasnât well-received.â
âYeah, because she had puke on her shoes,â Jeonghan half scoffs, half laughs.
âSureâŚâ Chan looks like he wants to say something more and Jeonghan raises an eyebrow. âThat has something to do with it, Iâm sure⌠But⌠Okay, Iâm not telling you this to bother you about it. I know youâd wish weâd drop it. But the others are really enjoying how much she seems to not like you. Something about karma.â Chan gives a shrug because he isnât sure what else to do.Â
âKarma about what?â Jeonghan bit, anger rising. If feels like all of this has been so far out of his control that itâs not fair. What has he done to deserve this?
Chan wouldnât make eye contact with Jeonghan. âYou know Iâm new, so I donât know specifics. But something about how you deserve to be shut down every now and then. That your body count borders on too much.â
Jeonghan canât help but scoff. âLiterally all of them except for Joshua have a high body count. Theyâre not totally innocent either. Besides, the whole concept of body count is stupid.â
âYeah, itâs been pointed out,â Chan said cryptically. âAnyway, Iâll apologize if you think it will help. Just let me know.â
Jeonghan debates on whether to stick to his plan of avoidance throughout the rest of the day. When he arrives to his lit class, he makes the impulsive decision to sit behind Y/N again. He cares more than heâd like to admit that she seems to hate him. Itâs one thing if he deserves it - if heâs done something to her, then he thinks he could accept this and move on like he has many times with many other girls. But he hasnât really done anything to her besides ask her out and itâs starting to eat him alive, especially when he thinks about how she said no before she realized heâd been dared to do it. And the party on Friday was just a comedy of errors. Maybe there was a little irony in the fact that, out of all the people at that party, it was her shoes that Chan threw up on.Â
Sheâs reading when he slides into the seat behind her. When sheâs finished a chapter, he taps her on the shoulder. She closes the book around her fingers, turning in her seat. Her expression, like it was in their last two interactions, doesn't give much away except that sheâd already like the conversation to be over already. It pains Jeonghan to see because itâs not the reception that he usually gets.
âI wanted to say Iâm sorry about Friday.â
Y/N blinks. He hates how big and pretty her eyes are, even when sheâs definitely not happy to see him. âYou said that already. I told you itâs fine.â Her voice is totally flat and he really wishes he could read her mind. Maybe then he could find a way to fix this. They donât have to be friends by any means, but something other than her total disinterest would be nice.Â
âI know, I just -â He doesnât know where to go with this. He swallows roughly. Heâs expecting her to turn away, but she doesnât, placing the book in her lap now. Thereâs something patient in her expression that confuses him, but heâll take advantage of it. âItâs occurred to me that I havenât left the best impression, not just once, but twice now.â
She laughs, but thereâs something humorless about it and it makes his lips turn down a little more. âMore than twice, but Iâd have to agree with that.â
Heâs not sure what heâs done before this semester, doesnât remember a single interaction with her before all this. âIâd like us to forget it if we can. Start over, if you will.â Heâs not sure why heâs saying this or why itâs so important to him. Heâs never cared much about his interactions with women outside of before, during, and after sex. Itâs clear that none of that is going to happen here.
She seems to be thinking and it feels like she can see right through him. He squirms in his seat, not used to feeling so exposed. Usually, heâs the one reading people, not the other way around. And he canât read her - not when he asked her out, not at the party, and not now. Finally, she smiles but thereâs kind of an evil look in her eyes. âIâll think about it. Iâm still mad that you pissed on my car.âÂ
Jeonghanâs jaw drops, breath catching in his throat, but he canât get a word in because the instructor has swept into the room and Y/N is already turning around in her seat. He drops his head in his hands and suppresses a groan. This class is the longest three hours of his life.Â
Itâs nearly dark when class ends. Jeonghan stuffs his things in his bag quickly, but his movements are hurried and messy and Y/N is already walking out of the classroom. He calls her name as he exits the building. He kind of expects her to ignore him, but she stops, halfway turning to glance at him. She kind of looks smug and he doesnât know how to take it. He halts next to her. âIâm so sorry. I had no idea it was your car.âÂ
Y/N looks away and starts walking again and Jeonghan is trailing behind her now. âDo you have a habit of doing that when you go out drinking?âÂ
The question is conversational, casual even. Jeonghan feels awkward and kind of wishes sheâd just yell at him. âUh, no. Itâs not a habit of mine.â He doesnât know if heâs relieved or not when she looks mildly amused.
âYou seem nervous.â Another casual statement.
Jeonghan stuffs his hands in the pocket of his jeans and he watches in real-time as she clocks the defensive pose. Yeah, sheâs definitely amused. Heâs noticed sheâs incredibly perceptive. He feels like an open book to her. âIâm not used to making this much of a fool out of myself. Iâm usually much smoother than this.â He admits it because she probably knows it already anyway.Â
âOh, I know. Your reputation is well-known around here. Quite the heartbreaker.â She says it so evenly that it somehow hurts worse than the anger that he gets from other women. Itâs like itâs a fact. Jeonghan guesses it is and it makes him deflate.Â
âIs⌠that why you said no?â The question leaves a very bitter taste in his mouth. He doesnât know why he fucking cares. Itâs just one girl, why is she worming her way into his brain like this, making him feel so insecure?
Thereâs curiosity in her eyes when she glances up at him. âPerhaps. It didnât help that youâd obviously been put up to it.â
Jeonghan huffs. âYeah, that probably looked bad, didnât it?â Heâd been so stressed about getting his lick back lately that heâd kind of forgotten how fast sheâd put all the puzzle pieces together.Â
âOh, yeah,â she laughed, but this time it wasnât so humorless. Heâs so surprised that sheâs not mad because she has every right to be. He doesnât know what to say. âThis is my stop,â she said, pointing to the library behind her. âLook, I donât know what all that was about, and I donât really want to know. But consider that maybe your friends are just dicks if theyâre putting you up to something like that. Even you might deserve better friends, Yoon Jeonghan.âÂ
She wishes him goodnight with a wave and his frown is so deep that even Seungcheol notices when he arrives home. Jeonghan brushes it off, almost feeling bad when Seungcheol presses again later that night, asking if everything is okay. Jeonghan remembers what Joshua and Chan said about the whole thing being a set up and how much they were enjoying it. Hell, it had even occurred to him that her presence at the party was a set up too, now that he knew Mingyuâs roommate was one of her friends. It would be so easy to invite Wonwoo and tell him to bring his friends as a courtesy.
No, he wouldnât be talking to any of them about Y/N anytime soon. The sooner they all forget about this whole thing, the better.
The weeks start to fly by as the semester gets underway officially. Jeonghan is taking more than a full load of classes because he plans to do an internship next semester that will take up most of his time. This is something that he begrudgingly planned for last semester, but is really thankful for now. Thereâs a predictable pattern to his life. Class, homework, hang out with friends, go to parties on Friday and Saturday night and maybe take someone home. Heâs not even doing that last part as often as he once did. He keeps thinking about his friendsâ words at the beginning of the semester and when he does hook up with someone heâs left feeling less than satisfied. He's never realized how empty the whole thing is, but now that he does he canât unsee it.
The only other deviation from this plan is the occasional conversation with Y/N in their shared lit class.Â
No, he hasnât moved seats. No, he doesnât plan to anytime soon. No, he doesnât want to talk about it.Â
Thatâs what he tells Joshua after his friend spots Jeonghan and Y/N leaving their class together. They've taken to idly chatting as he walks with her to the library on his way to his own destination. Heâs thankful it was Joshua that saw it and that his friend was willing to let it go. Joshua also must have kept it to himself because none of his other friends said anything. Theyâd seemingly forgotten about Y/N.Â
Which was perfect because he doesnât want to talk about how many times heâs been embarrassing himself in front of her.Â
In September, his printer crapped out and the ancient professor that he was writing a paper for insisted on paper copies, even though the school offered a perfectly good online submission option. So Jeonghan found himself at the library late on Thursday night. Yes, he knew Y/N was working because heâd walked her there earlier that night. No, he didnât want to talk about it. He especially didnât want to talk about how he broke the printer and had to approach Y/N to admit it. If he hadnât have needed that paper printed for first thing in the morning, he would have ran for it and come back another time. Y/N assured him that this particular printer was always on the fritz and offered to print it for him at the reference desk, but there was something sly in her expression when she handed him a stack of warm papers neatly stapled together. Itâs like she knew he was taking a hit to his pride by having to ask her of all people, despite the positive interactions that they had sometimes.Â
In mid-October, he found out she actually lived in the same apartment building as him. He found that out because he had been dared to wear his halloween costume (Spiderman to be exact) to check the mail. No good reason, just because. He usually had no shame, so whatâs the worst that could happen? He found out the worst is seeing Y/N coming down the hallway. He ducked into the elevator as soon as it opened and repeatedly pressed the Close Door button, hoping to avoid the whole thing. However, Y/N not only saw him, but how aggressively he was pressing the button as she slid into the elevator. He realized he wasnât wearing his mask and she was biting back a smirk. âDonâtâŚâ he muttered, his eyes closed tight. She stayed silent throughout the whole interaction, letting him retain what little pride he had left. Heâs not even sure why heâs so embarrassed because heâs done way more ridiculous things in far more public settings just for a laugh. Jeonghan returned to his apartment with none of his usual bravado when he completed a dare.Â
In early November, Jeonghan decided he wanted to make ramen at 3am. Writing a paper had worked up an appetite. Heâd made ramen a thousand times in his college career. What he hadnât done before is set off the fire alarm in the apartment complex. As he stood in the parking lot watching the fire department sweep the building, he heard Y/N grumbling to her roommate how annoying this was because she had an 8am class. If heâd had his keys, he would have gone to hide in his car. Or maybe leave.Â
Yeah, maybe just leave. Seungcheol could handle the rent, right?
And then there were the times that Y/N of all people had caught him in compromising positions with girls. The first was when an acquaintance of Seungcheolâs that lives in the same building hosted a party. Heâs making out with a girl in the hallway. Heâs not sure why he didnât just take her up to his own apartment down the hall, but the thought hadnât occur to him immediately. Heâd just pushed her out of the apartment and against the wall in the hallway and she let him. Heâs almost got his hand under this girlâs shirt when he hears something alarmingly similar to Y/Nâs voice from the other end of the hallway. It snaps him out of whatever lust-filled haze he was in and she and her friends pass by them in the hallway. He knows sheâs seen him and what he was doing - the eye roll gives it away. The girl asks him to take her somewhere more private and he does, but heâs a little distracted for the rest of the night.Â
The second time is at the library of all places. Heâs been paired with a girl from one of his classes to work on an assignment and theyâve agreed to work in the library. Heâd normally suggest working somewhere more private, but heâs not terribly attracted to his project partner. Sheâs fine, heâs just not that interested. However, the project is painfully dull and when she suggests that they sneak off for a few minutes he agrees automatically. He lets her suck him off in one of the dark corners of the stacks. Despite not being very attracted to her, sheâs decent and he enjoys it enough to come. He also doesnât mind the thrill of a little exhibitionism from time to time. His blood runs cold when theyâre walking back to their table and Y/N is in the next aisle over, reshelving some books off a rolling cart. He has no idea how much sheâs seen or heard. She doesnât look at him, but sheâs shaking her head. He decides he canât stick around and makes an excuse that heâs forgotten something and he needs to leave.Â
The most recent run-in is at another party, this time at a sorority house. Heâs snuck off to the bathroom with one of the sorority girls and heâs got her sitting on the sink. Her hand is in his pants and his fingers are in her panties buried deep inside her when thereâs a knock on the door and it opens. None other than Y/N is standing there. He pulls away from the girl quickly, but the girlâs hand is still very much in his pants and he knows Y/N has seen all of it anyway. He starts to apologize so they can let her have the bathroom, but Y/N is already waving him off with another eye roll and closing the door behind her. He makes an excuse to the girl and doesnât end up taking anyone home that night.
And after all that, luck was especially not on his side when their lit instructor announced that theyâd be pairing up with someone for their final presentation. This was both a blessing and a curse. Someone to share the responsibility for the bulk of your grade, but also⌠someone to let you down on the bulk of your grade. Jeonghan also couldnât decide if it was a blessing and a curse that the instructor paired him up with Y/N. She didnât object and heâs too mortified by 90% of the interactions he's ever had with her, so he kept his mouth shut and accepted her invitation to meet, pick a book, and lay out a plan. She was a good student so he could at least bank on a good grade. Heâd have to get a grip if he was going to survive this project though.
Yet another thing that he did not want to talk about with his friends.Â
Itâs Wednesday afternoon in early November when Jeonghan slides into the seat across from Y/N. Theyâve agreed to meet in a coffee shop just off campus. When Y/N recommended it, Jeonghan simply shrugged and asked for the time.
âSorry, I got caught up after class. You havenât been waiting long, have you?â Jeonghan asked. His face was pinched with the usual concern - usual only because she kept seeing it when he looked at her over the course of this semester. It was very different from the arrogant grin he usually wore, and somewhere deep down (deep, deep, deep down), she was wondering if sheâd been too harsh on him or misjudged him. He seemed to wear a mask sometimes and she could see right through it because she liked to wear one too.Â
Either that, or he was the greatest actor in the world. Maybe this new face of concern was a facade to get her to let her guard down so he could still win whatever bet his friends had issued. But it didnât seem like it. He hadnât broached any topic that indicated he had an ulterior motive since the first day of class. Anyway, even if it was all an act, she kind of liked watching him squirm.Â
âNot long. What do you want to drink? Iâll go get it,â Y/N said, prepared to stand up.Â
Jeonghan immediately objected. âOh, no. Donât worry about it. Iâll get it in a minute.â
âNo, really,â Y/N chuckled. âI know the barista. Just tell me what you want.â
He reluctantly gave his order and she smiled as she left the table, satisfied that heâd folded so quickly.Â
Minghao was standing behind the register with an eyebrow raised when she approached the counter. He leaned over the register to whisper to her. âYoon Jeonghan? Whatâs that about?âÂ
âWeâre paired for a project. Can I add another drink to my tab?â Y/N gave her sweetest smile. Minghaoâs lips pursed like he was unimpressed, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes.Â
âYour tab is becoming alarmingly long, you know that right? The boss doesnât even want us to offer tabs to friends.â Nevertheless, he took the drink order and began making it. While he was at it, they were discussing plans for the upcoming weekend. Junhui was performing in a play on Saturday and all of his friends had agreed to show up in support - not that he could keep them away. They hadnât seen much of Junhui in the past few weeks as heâd been rehearsing nonstop, but everyone was really proud of him. They were planning to cheer and clap so loudly it embarrassed him, give him flowers, and treat him to dinner and drinks afterwards.Â
When Y/N put the drink in front of Jeonghan, he looked like he was ready to go with his laptop and a printout of the approved books for the project. She was pleasantly surprised by this since he never seemed to take classes too seriously. Sometimes he didnât even bother to get out a pen or paper or even open his laptop to take notes. She just hoped heâd open the damn book that they picked out because she had never seen him read a single page with her own eyes.
Still, she was pleasantly surprised again at how involved he was with their selection process. They agreed on The Monk, mostly because they both liked the challenge. Not many people were picking something from the 1700s if they could help it and their selection would show some initiative to their instructor. Heâd even agreed to a reading schedule and regular meetings. She tried to remind herself that every time she got caught up in how cute he was when he focused, or how intently he seemed to be listening, that this was the man that pissed on her car in the beginning of the semester. And asked her out on a bet or dare. And whose friend puked on her shoes. And⌠you get the idea.
Somehow she didnât feel all that angry about a lot of it anymore. Weird.
Thatâs why when he began chatting idly about other things outside of the project, she didnât shut him down. She told him about her plans for Junhuiâs play this weekend and he told her heâd been applying to internships for next semester without much luck. She surprised herself by volunteering to review his applications and resume. He looked really cute when he was surprised by the offer and she bit her tongue to keep from further trapping herself. Being friendly with Yoon Jeonghan was something she was still conflicted about.
âCan I ask you something?â Jeonghan asked hesitantly when conversation lapsed. Y/N shrugged. âYou said you know the barista?â
Y/N nodded. âYeah, his name is Minghao. Weâve been friends since freshman year.â
Jeonghan hummed and something smug filled his expression. âMhm. So how long have you liked him then?â
Y/N choked on air. âWhat? What are you talking about?â
Jeonghan laughed, shaking his head. âI saw you bat your pretty eyes and smile for a free drink - thank you by the way. Thatâs so unlike you. I mean, all I get are blank stares most of the time and Iâd like to think Iâm quite charming.âÂ
âItâs not like that,â Y/N insists, but it was weak at best. Her face feels hot.
âThereâs nothing wrong if it is like that,â Jeonghan assured. It appeared to be genuine, encouraging even.Â
âItâsâŚâ Y/N trailed off, avoiding eye contact as she tried to find the words. Whatever explanation she was trying to conjure up fizzled out when the door to the cafe opened. âOh god.â She dropped her head into her hands.Â
Jeonghan swung to look in the same direction. âWhose that?â He glanced back at her. Heâd always thought he might enjoy seeing Y/N in a way that wasnât so composed after all the times heâd made a fool of himself in front of her. And he did enjoy teasing her about her little crush on the barista. Heâd never thought heâd see her blush and it was pretty cute. However, this was different because she looked down right mortified. Not cute. Heâs feeling protective all of the sudden for no good reason. âUh, heâs walking over.â He watches the mask snap back into place so fast that he gets whiplash. She had just looked like she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole, but now her face is totally impassive.Â
âY/N!â The guy is now standing in front of their table, a bright smile on his face.Â
The smile Y/N returns is friendly enough but it doesnât meet her eyes. âSeokmin, how are you? Iâm surprised to see you here.â Jeonghan thinks that she really meant something along the lines of âwhat the fuck are you doing hereâ instead. Seokmin clearly did not know that.
âOh, you know I couldnât miss Junhuiâs first leading role. I had some time off and decided to come and visit.â Seokmin is still smiling brightly and Jeonghan knows now that heâs not a fan. Heâs seen Y/N looked totally unimpressed, primarily at Jeonghan, but this is different. Thereâs a flash of anxiety on her face that unsettles him. This guyâs done something wrong and he hopes sheâll stick up for herself. He wants a front row seat to it and he doesnât even know what Seokminâs done.
Y/Nâs smile is tight. âThatâs great. Iâm sure heâll be thrilled you made the trip.â
Maybe Seokmin is finally picking up on the tension because the thousand-watt smile dims a bit. She hadnât said she was happy to see him, just that Junhui would be. Seokmin turns to Jeonghan, sticking out his hand. âLee Seokmin.â
Jeonghan turns on the charm, giving his best smile and gripping Seokminâs hand tight as they shake. âYoon Jeonghan.â He isnât sure what Seokmin is thinking when he glances back and forth between Y/N and Jeonghan, but Jeonghan kind of hopes that in some twisted way he thinks theyâre together. Heâs trying to put out the vibes of a possessive boyfriend, mostly so Seokmin will stop looking at Y/N because itâs clearly making her uncomfortable. Sheâs shrunk in her seat and crossed her arms, making herself look small.
Seokminâs about to say something when Minghao comes out of the back and yells his name. Seokminâs easily distracted and as soon as heâs away from the table, it takes half a second of eye contact before Jeonghan and Y/N are packing up their stuff, making a show of looking at the time and saying theyâre late for something.
Once theyâre out of the coffee shop and around the corner, Jeonghan pulls her to a halt by the elbow because sheâs practically sprinting. âWhat exactly was that about?âÂ
He doesnât ask if sheâs okay because her distress is crystal clear. Now that sheâs out of the cafe, she looks like she might cry. âItâs kind of a long story.â Thereâs a choked quality to her voice that tugs at his heart strings. He canât explain that. Heâs seen plenty of women cry, usually because of him, and itâs never really bothered him before.Â
âI have time,â Jeonghan shrugs, trying to appear nonchalant, but heâs floored that sheâs not shutting him down and walking away right now. Y/Nâs mouth opens and closes a few times before she finally pouts. He doesnât even think sheâs aware sheâs doing it but he still suppresses the urge to squish her face because of how cute she looks. He doesnât think that sheâd like for anyone to do that, much less him. âHow about this? Itâs nearly dinner time. Letâs go get something besides coffee and you can tell me about it.â She looks hesitant, probably remembering the first day of classes, so he tacks on, âNo ulterior motives, I promise. You just look like you need to talk to someone about it. Iâll even pay.â
He lets her order her chicken tenders, fries, and milkshake before he starts asking questions, mostly because heâs surprised sheâs still sitting across from him and the promise of food on the way might make her stay. The whole walk to the diner near their apartment complex, he had half expected for her to make a run for it.Â
âIâm not sure where to start.â Thereâs a helpless tone to how she admits this and Jeonghan hates it. Sheâs usually so sure of herself and he already hates Lee Seokmin for the effect he seems to have on her.
âLetâs start with Seokmin.â The waitress delivers their milkshakes and Jeonghan patiently waits while Y/N jabs the straw into her cup and starts twisting and crumbling the straw wrapper.Â
âWe dated. For a long time actually, since high school. We even picked this school so we could go together because it had both of the programs we were interested in. Heâs a theatre major, you know? Well, was. Was a theatre major. Last year, out of the blue he announced that heâd landed a role and heâd be moving right away for it. I hadnât even known he was auditioning for anything that wasnât local. He broke up with me because he thought he wouldnât have time for me and left three days later. Back at the cafe is the first time Iâve seen or spoken to him since.â
Y/N looks so dejected as she grabs Jeonghanâs straw wrapper because hers is totally mangled now. He kind of wishes heâd hit Lee Seokmin rather than shake his hand. âHow long were you together?â
â6 years, almost 7.â The pout is back and Jeonghanâs beginning to heat with anger. What a waste that time was for her.
âIâm⌠sorry. Thatâs so shitty. I canât imagine it.â
âKind of hoped he wouldnât come back. That maybe heâd be so successful abroad that heâd never need to. Is that wrong of me?âÂ
Jeonghan scoffed. âWrong of you to wish him success even though he broke your heart to achieve it? Maybe. Something isnât right about that.â Heâs aware immediately of how hypocritical what he just said is. Earlier this semester he asked her out on a bet, fully intending to date her for three months and then dump her to cash in on the $300 he was promised. He squashed the thought because now wasnât the time. He needs to get that pout off her lips right now. He kind of hates that the only way he can think of to do it is to bring up Minghao. She was so much lighter when she ordered Jeonghanâs drink from him. âHow does Minghao fit into all this?â
The pout lifts a bit. âMinghao was one of the first friends I made in my freshman year here. I took an art class for one of my general education requirements and he was in it. Iâm not an artist. But he was kind about it even though heâs a much better artist than me and even helped me fix a lot of my work so I could pass. Last year, when Seokmin left, Minghao was still kind, even though Seokmin was his friend too. He didnât look at me with pity like a lot of the others did.â Abruptly, she throws down the second mangled straw wrapper, crossing her arms across her chest. âThat probably sounds stupid, doesn't it?â
âNo!â Y/Nâs eyes flare at Jeonghanâs rather passionate answer and Jeonghan tries to backpedal. âI mean⌠I know I donât set a great example when it comes to this stuff. God only knows my friends wonât let me live it down. But I can sympathize. You put your heart and soul into someone for nearly 7 years and then he up and leaves at the first sign of a greater opportunity without so much as asking what you want? That would hurt anyone. Itâs also totally reasonable to have a soft spot for someone that helped you when you needed it after all that.â
He��s avoided looking at her during his whole speech, but when he does he knows what heâs looking at because heâs already seen it a couple times tonight. Sheâs biting her lip and her eyes look unusually wet. Heâs about to apologize when she says, âYou surprise me, Yoon Jeonghan.â
âI do?â Jeonghan asked, confused.
Whatever emotion she was showing clears and she nods firmly. âYes. Every time I think I have you figured out, it seems Iâm wrong. Youâre pretty thoughtful when you want to be.â
He doesnât have the heart to tell her that heâs not like this with most people, not by a long shot. The waitress brings their food and heâs thankful for the distraction. Heâs nearly done with his burger when Y/N speaks again.
âWhat were they going to pay you if I said yes?âÂ
Jeonghan is sure he knows exactly what sheâs talking about but he prays heâs misunderstanding. He tries to play dumb. âHuh?â
âYou said your friends never let you live down your reputation. I saw them that day that you asked me out. What was the prize if I said yes?âÂ
He stalls out of for a long moment and Y/N waits patiently. âYou wonât be mad?âÂ
âNo. It was obvious there was an ulterior motive the moment you approached me. Weâve had classes together for years and you never even glanced at me.âÂ
He thinks that wasnât totally true but he doesn't correct her because he doesnât think it would change anything. She appears to be honest about not being mad so he clears his throat. âOne of my friends, Joshua, is in a relationship and very happy. I donât know how it ended up here, but they all agreed I was basically incapable of dating like that, or at all really. They wouldnât let it go and it bothered me. I felt like I had something to prove to them.âÂ
âHow much?â This time she was pressing. His throat burned because it occurred to him why Joshua didnât condone the betting and dares in the first place. Telling her she was worth $300 and some bragging rights to him made him feel ashamed now, especially with how sheâd just opened up to him. But he answered her anyway. To her credit, she barely blinks. âAnd you picked me?â
âThey did.â Jeonghan feels like heâs swallowing acid. He wonders if she thinks he finds her unattractive or that he never would have picked her if it had been up to him. That bothers him for reasons unknown.
âSo they set you up then.â Jeonghan must have looked surprised because Y/N continues. âMingyu knows I donât like his habits. It runs Wonwoo out of his apartment constantly and hurts a lot of feelings. Because of your reputation, and your association with Mingyu, they had to know what I would say.â
Jeonghanâs positively dejected now. He slumps in his seat, crossing his arms. âYeah, I guess so.â He looks out of the window to avoid her eyes because sheâs doing that thing again where she looks right through him and he feels too raw now.
âIt really does bother you, doesn't it? You donât think you could do it if it was with the right person?â
âMaybe not,â Jeonghan mumbles bitterly. âI havenât even gone a date since I was a sophomore in high school and my fucking mom drove me to it.â His laugh is so hollow as he wipes his hands down his face in frustration. He doesnât know why heâs admitting this. He expects to see pity in her face but her expression is not completely impassive or unkind. âSounds kind of pathetic, really, especially admitting it to someone like you, whose been in a very long relationship. I know how to hook up but I know next to nothing about dating.â
He canât look at her and he kind of expects her to leave. Kind of wishes she would so he could go crawl in a hole in peace. âJeonghan.â He looks up reluctantly and is terribly confused when sheâs smirking and her eyes look a little chaotic. âAsk me again.â
Jeonghanâs brain shuts off like someoneâs pulled the power cord to it. All thoughts flicker out. âWhat?â It comes out more like a hiss.Â
But sheâs still blinking her pretty eyes at him and now sheâs nodding encouragingly. âWe can prove them wrong, easy. Ask me again.â
He shakes his head, hoping itâll help him make sense of this. âYou want to help me win a bet by pretending to date me.âÂ
She shrugs. âSure. I have a little experience, so I can help make it convincing.âÂ
He knows sheâs trying to make a joke about Seokmin, but he feels like he might pass out. âWhy would you do that? What do you get out of it? And what about Minghao? Seokmin? What about my horrible reputation?â
âI care very little about your reputation actually,â she says firmly. âWeâd have to establish some ground rules anyway if you want some image rehabilitation out of this. Seokmin is a non-issue because I donât want anything to do with him anymore, and Iâm positive that things with Minghao wonât be going anywhere. Besides, I kind of hate Mingyu. Iâd like to make him eat his words.â
After a beat, Jeonghan barks a short laugh in disbelief. âYouâre insane.â Itâs not an insult because heâs beginning to smile.Â
Y/N sticks her hand out to him across the table, a satisfied smirk across her face. He likes the mischief in her eyes. Itâs actually a huge turn on. âHi, Iâm Y/N.â
Now heâs wearing a huge grin. His hand encapsulates hers and they shake. âIâm Jeonghan. Nice to meet you. Would you like to go on a date with me?â
Act TwoÂ
Jeonghan was in charge of the first step of this plan. He needed to tell his friends that he had a date. He kind of wanted to straight up brag about it. Yes, theyâd teased him mercilessly about Y/Nâs initial rejection, but look who finally came around. He knows the bragging would be effective. It would make every competitive bone in Seungcheol and Mingyuâs body ache. He can imagine that theyâd all try to start dating too just to prove a point. They canât be shown up by Jeonghan.Â
But Jeonghan is surprised when Y/N pitches another idea and itâs absolutely devious. She suggests being so casual that it makes them feel guilty. Now, he hadnât expected her to have such a manipulative streak, and heâs still more confused at this vendetta she seems to have against his friends, Mingyu in particular. But the more he thinks about it, the more satisfying he thinks her recommendation will be. Heâs also incredibly turned on by the way sheâs willing to play these mind games. Sheâs undoubtedly the best person to pull this stunt with.
After their shared night class on Thursday, Jeonghan slid into the booth at the bar. He runs a little late on purpose. Heâs not sure if Chan remembers, but heâs already let it slip that he has a class with Y/N on Thursdays. It would be nice if he remembers that after Jeonghanâs announcement and puts two and two together, but itâs not necessary for the successor this step.
His friends were a few drinks deep already and discussing some baseball game that was on TV when he arrives. Jeonghan has a couple beers himself before the right opportunity finally presented itself. âYou guys going to the Kappa party tomorrow night?âÂ
The others agree to Seungcheolâs question automatically. Jeonghan glances at his roommate casually before looking back at the TV. He casually sips his beer. âIâll pass.â
âWhat?! You never miss it. Whatâs better than a Kappa party?â Seungcheol laughs like Jeonghan is totally unserious.Â
Casual. No big deal, just like Y/N recommended. âI have a date. Maybe next time.â
Jeonghanâs words are intentionally flat and he enjoys the silence in the booth, knowing itâs the calm before the storm. You can hear a pin drop in their little corner booth, which is crazy because itâs Thirsty Thursday in a campus bar.Â
âIâm sorry? Can you say that again?â Jihoon speaks, confusion obvious.Â
Jeonghan finally meets his friends eyes. He suppresses the satisfaction at their shock, pulling his best Y/N impression to keep his face blank. âI have a date.â
âWith who?!â Mingyu cries.
âWhen did this happen? I didnât even know you were interested in anyone.â Seungcheol looked seriously offended.
Jeonghan and Y/N had agreed that this would be the best part. It would look like not even she was impervious to his charms, heâd just needed some extra time for her to warm up to him. He glanced back at the TV again. âY/N. I asked her out earlier this week.âÂ
Man, were they right. A glass clattered to the table. A gasp. Finally, a loud, âHow in the fuck,â from Mingyu.Â
âY/N, the girl that brutally shot you down earlier this semester? Wonwooâs friend?â Seungcheol clarified.Â
Jeonghan did everything to keep his face passive and relaxed. Like he was long over it. âBrutal is a strong word. She was actually pretty polite about it.â That part was true. Sheâd said âno thank youâ when she could have said âno way in hellâ.
âThen how did we get here? Did you bribe her or something?â Mingyu accused. âThat would definitely go against the bet.â
Ah, another thing they had anticipated. After some discussion, they both agreed Jeonghan wouldnât need to bring up the bet. His friends would do it for him in one way or another. After even more consideration, theyâd also agreed that the bet didnât matter. Jeonghan didnât want the money, primarily because it would involve Y/N and heâd come to respect her too much over the semester. Even if he did take it, Y/N refused to accept any of it for her role. Plus, Jeonghan rejecting the bet would send a clear message.
âWe have a class together and we got to know each other some. And no, I didnât bribe her. I donât give a fuck about the bet,â Jeonghan says evenly.Â
Across from him in the booth, Mingyu and Seungcheol look at each other before frowning. They hadnât expected this and Jeonghan had been banking on that. It felt so satisfying and he already couldnât wait to tell Y/N how well this was going.Â
Jihoon claps him on the shoulder. âThatâs nice, man. I hope it goes well. Youâll have to tell us about it later.â He seems to mean it too.
Chan looks relieved. âSo I donât need to apologize for puking on her shoes?âÂ
Jeonghan barks a laugh. He loves this kid. âNo, her shoes cleaned up okay.â
Joshua is grinning. âI knew itâd work out. What are you doing for your date?âÂ
Jeonghan isnât sure how to take that first part but he doesnât have much time to think about it because Joshua, Jihoon, and Chan are peppering him with questions. He feels stupidly happy when he answers them, losing the cool, unaffected exterior that he had before. Theyâve never been so encouraging. Seungcheol and Mingyu are the ones that are usually cheering him on. But this is different isnât it? His two friends across from him stay quiet for the rest of the night. It seems like they donât know what to say.Â
His two friends are so quiet that it isnât until Jeonghan is getting ready for his âdateâ on Friday that one of them approaches him. Heâs brushing his teeth when Seungcheol leans against the doorframe of his bathroom. âSo, youâre really doing this, huh?âÂ
Jeonghan likes to think heâs getting good at being casual about this topic because itâs all most of his friends have talked about since he made the announcement last night. He spits in the sink, focusing on running his toothbrush under the water. âSeems that way, yeah.â
Seungcheol is quiet for a while and Jeonghan wonders if he might drop it. Heâs not so lucky. âWhy didnât you tell me?â His roommate sounds hurt.
âI did. Last night.â Jeonghan tries to keep the chill out of his voice when he answers it because heâs remembering how satisfied Seungcheol looked back in August across the quad.Â
âI mean - weâre friends, right? We have been for years. We live together for fuckâs sake. I didnât even know you had a class with her, much less that youâd been talking to her or really liked her.â
He can tell Seungcheol is getting frustrated and Jeonghan is losing his patience for it. Seungcheol should feel bad and Jeonghan wants to make sure he does. âI didnât know youâd want to know, especially if I wasnât getting turned down.â
It has the affect that heâs hoping for. Seungcheol reels back a bit. âItâs not like that and you know it. Of course Iâd be happy for you if you really liked someone. You just⌠havenât.â
âI do now.â Jeonghan is even surprised by how fast the words come out. âWant to make fun of me the way you guys do with Joshua now? It seems you and Mingyu will have something to say either way.â
Itâs like heâs watching in real time as Seungcheol realizes he might have been a dick. But this has just started. He and Y/N have a three month agreement once itâs reasonable to announce that theyâre official and Jeonghan plans to make the most of it while Y/N is on board. Seungcheol is just the start.
âYou know we donât mean it. Itâs not that serious,â Seungcheol might even be pleading now but Jeonghan feels his anger boiling over as he pushes past Seungcheol to get back to his bedroom.
âHave you asked Joshua if he thinks itâs not serious? You ever wonder why he doesnât bring his girlfriend around when she goes to the same fucking school?â Jeonghan bites, opening his closet, yanking out clothes that heâd already planned to wear. His movements are jerky as he dresses.Â
âHe always says sheâs busy.â It sounds like Seungcheol is trying to convince himself of it. That really has been Joshuaâs excuse, but Jeonghan remembers how Joshua avoided talking about her for so long, afraid of how everyone would react. Theyâve only met her a handful of times in three years. He half considers taking a page out of Joshuaâs book when it comes to Y/N, but it would defeat the purpose of their plan. This needs to be rubbed in their faces. Not tonight, but soon.Â
âI gotta go, Iâll see you later,â Jeonghan shoves his keys, wallet, and phone in his pockets and walks past Seungcheol, ignoring the âseriously, manâ thatâs mumbled.
Y/N can tell Jeonghan is in a mood when they meet in the lobby of their apartment complex. She lets him have his moment as they get into his car and drive to the river front. He seems to relax some when they park and she asks what kind of street food heâs thinking of getting. Itâs chilly but they find a bench on the riverâs edge to eat their food. âSo howâd your announcement go?âÂ
âGood, I guess,â Jeonghan grunts.Â
âBe more convincing,â Y/N insists lightly. He gives her a look out of the corner of his eyes before he scoffs. But sheâs relieved when he does lighten up a bit.Â
âIt was good until I was talking to Seungcheol earlier. He was offended that I never mentioned it.â One thing that keeps surprising Y/N is how open Jeonghan is about his thoughts and feelings. She doesnât want to discourage it. She knows what itâs like to feel like you canât go to your friends with this sort of stuff.
Y/N hums. âSeems about right. Howâd that go?â
âBad. We donât fight often - I mean only a handful of times over nearly 15 years. He didnât like that I was right though. He didnât want to know about it if he couldnât give me a hard time about it.â
âIâm proud of you.â Jeonghanâs head snaps to look at her as she continues. âYou should absolutely tell him heâs being a dick. Mingyu next, please. Imagine how satisfying that will be.â After a beat, she adopts a thoughtful expression. âMaybe we need to take a more subtle route to avoid fighting with them, though. Iâm not out to ruin friendships here. I just want to deliver some karma and a little guilt-tripping.â
âHowâs this going to work anyway? Jeonghan asks. He's already said he doesnât want to make assumptions about what sheâs comfortable with in this little scheme of theirs and that her approval on the process is important to him.Â
She hears him chuckle when she pulls out a notebook and a pen from her bag. âYouâre not going to make me sign a contract, are you?â He teases.
She gives him a side eye, but she canât help but smile. She flips to a certain page. âNo, Yoon Jeonghan. How much time are you spending on Wattpad?â
âJust enough,â he jokes. She rolls her eyes.
The plan is pretty simple.Â
Phase One - Casually Dating. This is critical, she says, because it lays the groundwork for the rest of the plan. It has to be convincing that itâs going well and they like spending time with each other. She insists that this act doesnât just extend to his friends or even her friends, though theyâre important factors. It extends to all of campus. His absence at parties will be noticed. His prolonged attention on a single person will be noticed. It will make an impact. He needs to jumpstart some image rehabilitation if this will work. People need to be second guessing what they think they know about him.
Phase Two - Officially Dating. Once they both feel that others are sufficiently convinced that something serious could really be going on between them, they hard launch. This includes things like being seen together on campus, posting each other on social media, and attending parties together. She says that this is the natural rhythm of this type of thing and he nods in agreement. Despite the fact that heâs not put any of those things to practice, she knows heâs smart and has seen it all before. When Y/N mentions a little PDA, Jeonghan frowns like he hadnât considered that it would be necessary. He asks what she has in mind, but Y/N shrugs and says theyâll revisit it if phase one is successful. Sheâs still debating on what will work in regards to the topic of PDA, given what heâs used tonight other than girls.Â
Phase Three - sometime after the three month mark, they quietly break up. Quietly because Jeonghan canât be the bad guy here if this is going to really benefit him in the long run. Jeonghan says that this part sounds deceptively simple and even asks if thereâs more. Thereâs not so he shrugs. Another thing theyâll revisit if the first two phases are successful.
She really only has one rule. He has to stop all non-platonic interactions with other women until this is over. Even if heâs discreet, people will still talk and it will ruin the new image that theyâre trying to create. Jeonghan agrees to this with surprising ease, and Y/Nâs shock must show. She was expecting for him to ask to bend this rule on an occasion or two because itâs been implied she wonât be putting out. She has an idea of the frequency of his hook ups because sheâs seen and heard things and three months is a long time for someone with his habits. He simply says, âJust trust me. I promise not to make you look bad.â He even pinky promises on it.
When theyâve agreed on the general details, Jeonghan takes the pen and signs the bottom of her notes with a smile. âThere, itâs official now.â
She scoffs, snapping the notebook shut around his hand and taking her pen back. Both items go back into her bag. Sheâs smiling too though. âCome on. I want hot chocolate.â
âAre you paying?â He chides, standing to walk with her.Â
âNo. You just signed your life away. You didnât even read the contract.â She jokes and he laughs. He pays anyway without complaint.
Y/N had spent so much time worrying about Jeonghanâs side of this little deal that it didnât occur to her until she was out with her friends in celebration of Junhuiâs excellent performance earlier that night. They both had a part to play in this and she feels kind of silly that she had forgotten that this would impact her too.Â
Seokmin had joined them for dinner and Y/N wore her best poker face. Heâd been friends with everyone before he left too. She didnât want to cause anymore of a rift than their breakup had. She also knew many of the guys still kept in contact with Seokmin even if she didnât and had missed him. Vernon kept her glass full of alcohol. Itâs one of the rare times that he wasnât giving her a hard time about her misfortune (which this entire night certainly classifies as). She thinks he probably just doesnât want to see her cry tonight. Vernon is totally lost with that sort of thing.
The alcohol wasnât numbing much though. Everyone else seems to be having a good time and she was beginning to feel left out. In particular, Soonyoung was having a lot of fun downing drinks. His voice was loud and it looked like their waiter might cut him off at any moment. Drunkenly, Soonyoung turns to Seokmin. âSeokmin, Minnie couldnât come with you? When will we meet her?â
Y/N didnât miss the looks from the rest of the table because there was nothing subtle about it. Some flashed with concern towards Y/N. Some looked like warnings at Soonyoung, who was oblivious. Seokmin hesitated, eyes flitting to Y/N across the table. âNo, she had some things to do. She says sheâd like to come next time.â
She felt like sheâd been struck by lightning. Minnie. His costar. Maybe his new girlfriend too from the sounds of it. It seemed like all of her friends knew as well and theyâd kept it from her. Soonyoung cried out, leaning down to hold is leg. Someone must have landed a kick under the table. Minghao smoothly changed the subject.Â
After that, Vernon is very diligent about keeping her glass full. The world moved around her but she stayed quiet. How dare he? How dare he dump her and move on just like that? Theyâd not even been broken up for a year. How was it so simple for him when her eyes burned at the fact that he was even at the same table? Did nearly 7 years mean nothing?Â
Maybe it didnât. Maybe her friends knew that, which is why theyâd kept this a secret. They knew she hadnât been able to move on so easily. Between the anger and the alcohol she felt like she was on fire.Â
Vernon elbows her. Sheâs missed an entire conversation. âSeokmin is here until Friday. Want to join us for dinner and drinks on Thursday night?â Junhuiâs not oblivious, but heâs sure acting like it with the question. Or maybe itâs out of politeness, not wanting her to feel excluded. Either way, her fists clench in her lap because thereâs no way to spin this into something positive.Â
Out of nowhere, Y/N remembers Jeonghan asking her what she gets out of their scheme. Sheâd insisted making his friends eat their words was enough. But maybe she could benefit from it more than she thought.Â
She remembers when she and Jeonghan planned his announcement to his friends. Be casual, no big deal. She gives her most convincing apologetic smile. âSorry, I wonât be able to make it. I have a date.â She doesnât look at Seokmin because his reaction matters very little to her. Itâs with great satisfaction that she watches her friends stumble as she changes the subject.Â
Y/N hadnât really thought about the impact her announcement would have because it was so spur of the moment, unlike how Jeonghanâs was meticulously planned. But she was learning what that impact was. Her friends were tiptoeing around her, around the topic. It seemed like no one was brave enough to say anything yet. That is, until they sent Minghao.Â
As was her usual routine, Y/N often studies at the coffee shop during Minghaoâs shift. Itâs three in the afternoon now, which means itâs dead. The morning rush is long over and the night class rush (if you could even call it that) wonât start for another hour or so. Minghao slides into the chair across from her and Y/N glances up to give him a small smile. He doesnât return it. He looks a bit nervous, which is very unlike him.Â
âWhat?â Y/N asks, though she thinks she knows where this is going. Itâs been days since the conversation during dinner. Itâs clear one or all of them canât take the mystery anymore.Â
Minghao looks like heâs steeling himself. Finally he says, âSo, a date, huh?â She shrugs. âWhen did that happen?â
âIâve actually already been on one, on Friday. Weâre going out again.âÂ
She watches Minghaoâs eyes flare in surprise. âOh? So it went well then?â He seems neutral about the news.
âYeah, it was good.â The answer was genuine. If youâd told her earlier in the semester that sheâd enjoy Yoon Jeonghanâs company, she wouldnât have believed it. Despite the fact that it could barely be called a date, what with the scheming and all, she did have a good time.Â
âDo I know him?âÂ
Y/N shrugs again. âI suppose. Itâs Yoon Jeonghan.âÂ
A flash of concern crosses Minghaoâs face. âYoon Jeonghan. Are we thinking of the same one?â When Y/N just raises an eyebrow because thereâs only one Yoon Jeonghan around here, he tacks on, âThe one that was here with you last week?âÂ
âYes.âÂ
Minghao face palms. âOh, honey. Why would you do that?âÂ
He sounds so exasperated and scolding that it pisses her off right away. âDo what? Go out with someone whose interested in me?â
Minghaoâs stammering now. He didnât expect her to fight back. Sheâs been the quiet one of the group from day one, letting the rest of her friends run the show. With Seokmin, sheâd always been so agreeable, even to a fault. And when Seokmin had left, she took all of her friendsâ advice without argument, trusting that she would feel better if she did. Sheâd always assumed they were looking out for her, but she was thinking sheâd misinterpreted some of their intentions now.Â
âI donât mean it like that, Y/N. I just mean⌠we all know how hard Seokmin leaving was on you. Thereâs no need to rush moving on. Least of all with someone like Yoon Jeonghan.â
She doesnât like how he says Jeonghanâs name like heâs the devil incarnate but she canât deal with that right now. âNo need to rush moving on like Seokmin did? Tell me, how quickly did he start dating someone else after he ended a years-long relationship?â She snaps and Minghao doesnât have an answer. âEvery single one of you knew and you didnât tell me. You let me sit across from him at dinner and find out the hard way.â
âWe were trying to protect you from it. Youâd been doing so much better. We didnât want to ruin the progress,â Minghao says weakly.Â
âWell, you donât have to worry about the progress being ruined. Iâm very over Seokmin, but Iâm deeply offended that you guys kept this from me. It did absolutely no good to protect me from it right up until he was right in front of me for the first time in a year.â
Minghao opens his mouth to say something but a customer comes in. He has no choice but get up and make their order. Y/N packs up her things and leaves while heâs busy because sheâs not interested in continuing this conversation.Â
Thursday night after class, Y/N finds herself across from Jeonghan in what heâs dubbed their regular booth at the diner. Itâs the same one they sat at when they initially hatched this whole plan initially. When sheâd texted him earlier in the week asking for a âdateâ on Thursday, she was relieved when he immediately agreed. This âdateâ has a dual purpose. They needed to meet anyway for their project and they also needed to discuss the next steps in their scheme. Her conversation with Minghao had sparked something in her.Â
They get the boring stuff out of the way first - combining their notes for what theyâve read so far, discussing themes and motifs, and choices in characterization, plus where they think the ending will go. Not only has he actually done the reading they agreed on, but heâs far more intelligent than he lets on and Y/N finds the conversation just as stimulating as the scheming.Â
Speaking of, when their plates are empty, laptops are closed, and Y/Nâs notebook and pen come out, Jeonghan smiles. Sheâs taken more notes. However, she doesnât tell him how itâs going to be right away. âHow do you want to proceed?â
The question stumps him and Y/N smiles when his face falls into confusion. âDidnât you come up with a plan already?â
âA loose one. Thereâs a lot of flexibility because this needs to come naturally to both of us if itâs going to be convincing. The question now is, when can we move on to phase two?â
Jeonghanâs thinking, and it probably mirrors a lot of her own thoughts. Since their agreement, Jeonghan had made a point to meet her regularly on campus - meeting her for coffee or lunch, walking her to class, even carrying her bag once or twice. It had gotten looks, which was the entire goal.Â
She also knew that her friends had seen some of this too. She wasnât sure if Minghao had told them who she was seeing, or if theyâd seen it for themselves, but it was clear that they knew now. She smiled and confirmed their assumptions when asked, but they were careful not to voice their opinions. They seemed to sense that they were in trouble.Â
What she didnât know was how things were going with his friends. She knew theyâd also seen Jeonghan and Y/N together on campus, and knew that a lot of those times heâd been bailing on them to see her. âAre things convincing to your friends so far?â
Jeonghan nodded slowly. âI think so. Itâs helping that Iâve turned down parties. Jihoon called me a changed man the other day.â Thereâs a lightness about him when he says this. Like itâs the biggest compliment anyone could give him.Â
âDo you miss it? The partying, I mean?â Not that she told him, but some of his bad habits were the biggest risk to their whole plot. Sheâs relieved when he shrugs.Â
âNot really. Might be nice from time to time but it was kind of always a means to an end.âÂ
He doesnât have to spell it out for her. He wonât go to parties if heâs not taking someone home. He looks a little embarrassed about this admission after he says it but she appreciates his honesty.Â
âThat brings me to my next question, actually.â Jeonghan looks nervous but nods for her to continue. âMaybe we should attend one together.â
Heâs frowning now. âYou donât like parties.â
âI donât like getting puked on.â Sheâs teasing, but he must know that because he rolls his eyes. âWhat Iâm getting at is, a total 180 of your habits could be suspicious. Plus itâs a good opportunity to be seen together. We show up, have a few drinks, chat, look cute together, and then we leave if you want.â
âDefine âlook cute togetherâ.â He looks genuinely confused.
âWhich brings me to my next point. How are you with PDA?â She watched Jeonghanâs eyebrows raise and then he busies himself looking elsewhere.Â
âI usually do enough to get someone to go upstairs or go home with me.âÂ
She nods, closing her eyes with a tinge of exasperation. âThatâs not the kind of PDA Iâm talking about.âÂ
âOh.â
She flips the notebook to a fresh page, tapping the pen a few times. âI mean, innocent touches. Things that will make it apparent that weâre together but doesnât necessarily mean youâre taking me straight to bed when we leave. Though I guess people thinking that wouldnât hurt much, especially later on.â
Across the table, Jeonghan tries to think of literally anything else but the implication of her words. Heâd made a concerted effort not to think about her that way this whole time, not just in this scheme but throughout the whole semester. He would not be able to get through this if he was thinking about her in his bed. Heâd surely fuck it up if sex became involved. She seems oblivious to his struggles. He clears his throat. âI donât know. What would you normally do?â
Y/N is surprised and her poker face slips a bit. He couldnât be that inexperienced to all of this, could he? Heâs starting to fidget, a nervous tick that he has. Maybe sheâs wrong. Thereâs more of a learning curve than she thought.Â
âHand holding. Little touches, like if weâre standing next to each other you put your hand on my back or waist. Or if weâre sitting next to each other you put your hand on my thigh. Kissing probably wouldnât be a bad touch either, to whatever extent youâre comfortable with it. The critical part is that we need to look interested in one another and no one else over a significant period of time.â
Sheâs writing notes as she says this, so she misses how Jeonghanâs eyes are glazing over. He knows couples touch and kiss, heâs not an idiot. And heâs definitely not inexperienced with the mechanics of it all. But he feels like heâs 14 again at the concept. He hasnât said anything yet and she interrupts his panic. âAre you okay with that? Would you add anything? Are there things you donât want to do?â
âUh, no, Iâm good. But, youâre sure youâre okay with all that?âÂ
Heâs getting her signature blinks. âJeonghan, I wouldnât mention it if I wasnât okay with it. Besides, thereâs no script to this part. Just do what feels natural.â Heâs doesnât know how to respond and it makes her frown. She puts the pen down and sighs. âMaybe we go a different route with this. It doesnât have to be public. Maybe you donât want to be seen with me.â
Jeonghanâs eyes go wide, hands planting on the table. âWhoa, where did that come from? What makes you say that?â
Y/N chews on her lip. Sheâs usually a straight shooter, but she hesitates to admit this because of how insecure she might sound. However, this wonât work if theyâre keeping secrets. âI donât quite fit the type of girl you go after. You looked uncomfortable at the idea of being near me or touching me. Itâs fine if you donât find me attractive. Iâm really not offended, I promise, but if thatâs the case for you, then maybe we scrap this whole plan or find someone else to help you with it.â
âYou think I donât find you attractive?â Jeonghan is deadpanned now because he canât imagine pulling this off with anyone else. Y/N shrugs, feeling exposed now that sheâs said all of that. Jeonghan gives a stiff shake of his head. âYouâre insane.â Heâs said this before but this time itâs not a compliment. âIâm only going to say this once. Youâre incredibly hot and pretty and cute, and just about any other kind adjective out there. Youâre not the issue here. In fact, Iâm already getting questions about how I got you to so much as look at me.â
âThatâs because Iâm kind of a bitch.â Y/N means it as a joke but Jeonghan certainly isnât taking it that way. He looks more serious than sheâs ever seen him.Â
âNo, youâre not,â he says firmly, leaving no room for debate. âYou have boundaries and you know what you want. Thatâs something about you that I canât get enough of.â
Things move in slow motion for her as Jeonghan reaches across the table to grab her notebook and pen. He scribbles out the question mark sheâd put next to Kissing and then signs his name at the bottom. âIâll pick you up at 9 on Saturday night. Thereâs a Phi and Zeta party.â He flags down the waitress for an order of fries. Itâs clear that this is final.Â
Minseo busts into Y/Nâs room at approximately noon on Saturday, two coffees in hand. Y/N is relieved to see her, though she almost didnât call her. But Minseo had picked up on the second ring and it took very little explaining before Y/N could hear her former roommate scrambling around her room, promising to be there ASAP.Â
Y/N wasnât good with girls. Not good at having conversations with them, not good at maintaining friendships with them. She had very little in common with someone like Minseo, who had done dance and cheer for most of her life, was popular in the sorority circles, and whose favorite color was hot pink. Instead, Y/N had been on the soccer field skinning up her knees or the volleyball court diving for the ball, and when she wasnât doing one of those, she dressed like a complete tomboy - no skirts or dresses in sight if she could help it. And donât get her started on the fact that all of her friends had always been boys. Other girls, even her own teammates, had criticized her over the years, saying that she must think sheâs better than other girls. They interpreted her reservation (which was rooted in anxiety about fitting in) as her being stuck up. She wasnât. She didnât feel that way at all. She wished she could fit in with them desperately but didnât know how.
Minseo was one of the few girls sheâd ever met that didnât complain about the skateboard being left in the walkway of their dorm, or that Y/Nâs closet primarily consisted of denim and black, or that she sometimes wore a bit too much dark eye makeup when she was in the mood. She didnât even blink at the number of guy friends that were in and out of their shared dorm the entire time they lived together and never even suggested that something else was going on. In return for that acceptance, Y/N had tutored Minseo for many classes to remain eligible for the sorority of her choice and supported Minseoâs 2am baking habit. She had even helped Minseo style dozens of outfits for her many sorority events, back when she was still trying to find her footing within the organization. It was Y/N that needed the fashion help this time.Â
âI need you to start from the beginning.â Minseo was practically vibrating as she plopped on her stomach onto the bed, feet kicked into the air with her head propped in her hands. Sheâs grinning.Â
âI have a date.âÂ
âSo you said. With Yoon Jeonghan.â Minseoâs smirk is huge. Sheâs not surprised that Minseoâs heard it. The whispers have been following her everywhere lately.Â
âItâs fake.â The whisper is out before Y/N can stop it.Â
Minseoâs jaw drops. âWhat?!â The screech must have disturbed Vernonâs beauty sleep because he bangs on their joining wall. Minseo and Y/N yell âsorryâ in unison, an old habit from their dorm days.Â
âOh my god, Y/N. Start from the beginning. Now,â Minseo hisses.
Y/N does. Sheâs desperate to tell someone everything, to get it off her chest and feel better. She tells her about turning Jeonghan down in August, the bet, the class they shared and how they kept running into each other, Seokmin, Minghao - everything. It feels good to share the pain of it all. It also feels good to have someone to panic with her. Minseo is screaming into the pillow by the end of it and Vernonâs banging on the wall again.Â
âWell, so what now? Fake date Yoon Jeonghan?â Minseo must recognize that this is Top Secret because sheâs adopted a whisper too.Â
Y/N gives a deceptively casual shrug. âYeah, thatâs the deal. Are you going to help me or not?â
âHell yeah, but girl, this is so messy of you. Are you sure youâre good?â Minseo looks mildly concerned.Â
âIâll be better if you can help me figure out what to wear, and how to do my hair and make up. Iâm trying to make a point here.â
âClarify the points for me.â Minseo is gentle with the request, but itâs clear sheâs not moving from the bed until she has an answer.Â
âThat I can move on from Seokmin. That I already have, actually. And that Jeonghanâs not quite what his reputation leads people to believe.âÂ
âYouâre sure about that last one? That the betâs not back on? That heâs not going to continue to sleep around?â Another gentle but serious question. Minseo knows his friends so she knows how Jeonghan is by default.Â
Y/N bites her lip. âI think so. Even if the betâs still on, none of itâs real. And heâs agreed not to sleep around. If he does, this whole thing backfires on him anyway.â
This seems to satisfy Minseo, because sheâs suddenly lunging towards the closet. Clothes begin flying out onto the floor behind her. Sheâs digging to the back of the closet. Y/N expected that but dreads it nonetheless. A few options are laying out on the bed in moments, things that are a little more revealing or tighter (or both) than sheâd usually wear. Sheâs not sure why she even has some of them because they still have the price tags on them.Â
Itâs a little unclear what Minseoâs process is, but sheâs meticulous about examining an outfit, scanning Y/N, looking back at the outfit, repeat. Finally, Minseo shoves one to her and points to the bathroom in a silent command. Minseo frowns when Y/N comes out and silently hands her another outfit. âWhat? Is this one bad?â Y/N asks, looking down self-consciously.Â
âNo babe, you look hot, but you also look terribly uncomfortable. Thatâs not going to convince anyone.â
It takes a while before Minseo is satisfied with the full look, but at a little before 9pm, Y/N is glad she trusted the process. Minseo ended up scrapping all of the things she initially pulled out with the excuse that they werenât edgy enough. Y/N fans her face to dry wet eyes and not smudge her makeup when she looks in the full length mirror. Minseo didnât try to stuff her into a short party dress; sheâd let her keep her personal style and comfort, but itâs enhanced her feature in a way that she didnât know was possible. She owed her former roommate big for this because it makes her feel a little more confident about this whole thing. Like sheâs not just playing dress up as Jeonghanâs soon-to-be girlfriend.
The apartment door opens and Y/N knows itâs time. Time for what, sheâs not sure, but it feels a little like facing the music. She finds Jeonghan and Vernon at the door. Sheâs unsure if theyâve ever actually met, but they apparently have now. Both look surprised when they see her, or rather what sheâs wearing, but while Jeonghan smiles, Vernon frowns. She hasnât made this kind of effort to dress up for a guy⌠ever, really. Not even for Seokmin.Â
Y/N tries to convince herself itâs not really for Jeonghan per say, but she does like how he looks at her. It seems innocent and thereâs a quiet admiration to it.Â
âReady?â She asked Jeonghan. He holds the door open for her as they leave, while Vernonâs still standing in the entry way awkwardly waving.Â
âYou look nice,â Jeonghan says when they enter the elevator.Â
âThanks, so do you.â Itâs not a lie. Heâs usually wearing baggy clothes like sweat pants, hoodies, and oversized shirts. Now itâs jeans, a white T-shirt, and a leather jacket. Within the confines of the elevator, she can smell his cologne. Something woodsy with a hint of citrus. The scent is kind of consuming and sheâs eager to get out of the elevator and clear her head.Â
Conversation comes easy on their walk across campus. It usually comes easy with them anymore. Itâs when they approach the frat house that Y/N begins to hesitate. Jeonghanâs perceptive, leaning close. Thereâs a crowd of people in the front lawn and he probably doesnât want to be heard. âWe donât have to do this, you know. We can just walk back home now, or go somewhere else and hang out. Me not showing up at all also makes a point.âÂ
âThat defeats the purpose. Besides, wasnât I the one convincing you of this the other day?âÂ
âYou were,â Jeonghan nodded. âBut youâre allowed to back out at any time. Youâre getting very, very little out this.â
âThatâs not totally true,â Y/N mumbled. As soon as the words were out, she hoped he hadnât heard her but he must have.Â
âYour mysterious vendetta against Mingyu isnât worth being uncomfortable here. We can always set up something else less crowded,â Jeonghan insisted.Â
âNo, I meanâŚâ she stalls. A crowd of drunken frat guys get too close to them on the sidewalk as they rough house. Jeonghanâs hand flies to her waist pulling her away. He doesnât take his hand back, like maybe heâs trying to comfort her. Or maybe heâs just putting on a show. Heâs standing close and she imagines how intimate it must look because she knows how intimate it feels. Whatever it is, itâs disarming because it seems so natural. âSeokminâs moved on. All my friends knew and didnât tell me.âÂ
Jeonghanâs fingers tighten around the curve of her waist ever so slightly and his touch is warm through her jacket. âSo⌠you want to prove you can move on too.âÂ
It warms her that he gets it just like that, no further explanation needed. âDoes that make me a bad person?â Y/N asks, looking around the front lawn next to her.Â
âDoes it make me a bad person that I want to prove to my friends that I can date by fake dating you?âÂ
âNo,â Y/Nâs fly up to Jeonghanâs and heâs looking intently, a hint of amusement. âYour friends are being dicks. They should be more supportive of you and what you want.â
âAnd your friends should be honest with you about some asshole that up and left you after 7 years. Fuck, they shouldnât even be friends with him anymore, Y/N. I donât have to know the details to know he was in the wrong here.â His hand slides around to her back as he steps forward a bit, impassioned. She can feel his warmth against her side now.Â
Sheâd never had anyone so⌠viciously supportive of her. Not even Wonwoo, arguably her ride or die for as long as she could remember, had said a bad word about Seokmin around her. Not even when she wouldnât eat or sleep, and cried often. Sheâd asked over and over what sheâd done wrong and none of her friends ever had an answer for her. Now that she thought about it, they also never told her she wasnât in the wrong at all. Jeonghanâs validation, particularly the intensity of it, is touching.Â
Confidence in their plan renewed, she was reaching around to grab his hand off of her back, lacing their fingers together. âLetâs go.âÂ
Jeonghan didnât have to be told twice.Â
Jeonghan had only told his friends heâd show up tonight, but not that heâd be bringing anyone. The omission was only because he wanted to give Y/N room to back out, and if she had backed out he already planned to back out too. In a way, he kind of liked the idea of keeping a little mystery. But Y/N is right when she says they still need to show off a little bit.
He feels their stares, amongst many others, as he leads Y/N by the hand to the kitchen. It occurs to them that he and Y/N didnât really have a game plan for this. Theyâre totally winging it and heâs trying to think fast.Â
They both get drinks and wordlessly reconnect their hands together to fight through the crowd. He finds his friends by the pool table, Mingyu and Seungcheol with cues in their hands. They arenât playing though. Theyâre staring. Joshua is the first to greet them, but he hardly seems concerned with Jeonghan. He seems so enthusiastic that Y/N is here that itâs a little overwhelming. He immediately introduces himself to Y/N and then introduces the other four one by one.Â
âNice to meet you, but whatâs the catch?â Jihoon asks. Though he means it in jest, Jeonghanâs fingers still tense around Y/Nâs. Heâs afraid he might lose his cool but she squeezes his hand back.Â
âNo catch,â Y/N answers coolly. âWhy would there be?â
Jeonghan suddenly remembers who heâs working with. Sheâs smiling, but he sees the gleam of mischief in her eyes that heâs becoming familiar with. Sheâs excited to face off with them. Jeonghan now realizes that sheâs going to make them say it. Sheâs going to make them fess up to what they really think about him and about him dating her. Sheâs also going to make them regret it. He feels a little giddy at the thought. His hand relaxes in hers and he gives his friends a cool smile now.
âItâs just, Jeonghan doesnât date. This is weird for all of us,â Seungcheol says with a slight smirk, kind of like heâs expecting to scare her off easily. Itâs irritating, but Seungcheol doesnât know who heâs dealing with.Â
She looks up at Jeonghan with an amused expression. âIs this weird for you?âÂ
Automatically, Jeonghan is shaking his head, a genuine smile on his face. It really isnât weird, which is the great irony of it all. âOf course not.â
Y/Nâs expression is light but thereâs a challenge in her eyes when she levels with Seungcheol and shrugs. âYouâll get over it.â Seungcheolâs eyes widen and the smirk drops a bit. Jeonghan can see he didnât expect her to be so casual and indifferent to his prodding.Â
Mingyu laughs but thereâs something kind of malicious about it. Jeonghan wonders whatâs happened to cause such tension between Y/N and Mingyu because he feels Y/Nâs fingers twitch at the sound. He kind of wonders what she would do if both her hands werenât full. âY/N, honey, you know how this goes. Weâre just trying to save you from the inevitable. Get out while you can.âÂ
âYeah, I do know how these things go with you, Mingyu. I make it a point to not take your advice because of it,â Y/N says evenly, relaxed even. Â
Mingyuâs lips purse and he backs down just like that. Jeonghanâs never seen Mingyu cower like this and makes a mental note to ask what kind of dirt she has on Mingyu that makes him finally shut up. Itâs Jihoon that breaks whatever tension has been building. He looks at Jeonghan with a grin. âOh, I like her. Weâre keeping her so donât fuck this up.â
The night goes on and Jeonghan enjoys it more than any party heâs ever been to. Itâs something to do with Y/N, no doubt. He liked how Joshua and Jihoon had claimed her as part of the group immediately. He liked how she hugged a drunk Chan and patted his cheek kindly when he almost cried while apologizing for puking on her shoes all those months ago. He also really liked watching her absolutely demolish both Seungcheol and Mingyu at pool. As she sunk the last ball to win against Mingyu, Seungcheol looked at him with crazed eyes. âWhere the fuck did you find her?âÂ
âYou guys found her. Remember?â Jeonghan said with a laugh. He enjoyed the sobering affect his words had on Seungcheol. Thatâs right. Heâs not going to let him forget how all this started. This is when Jeonghan realizes he hasnât been plotting this entire night. Heâd expected that the PDA and introductions would need to be meticulously planned, but it all happens with such ease that it surprises him. Joshua had handled the introductions for him and it seemed so natural to put a hand on her back or waist or hold her hand when they stood next to each other. He finds he kind of likes it.Â
Jeonghan can tell that Y/N has had enough social interaction a little after midnight and begins to pull her by the hand towards the door. Heâs surprised when Seungcheol invites her to hang out with them the next day. On Sundays, they often go to the sports complex and find something to do. Heâs even more surprised when she says yes.Â
Very few words are necessary on the way home. They both know this has been a huge success. Enough that she lets him throw his jacket around her and take a picture of her, which is uploaded to Instagram right away. Hard launch complete. Phase two begins now.Â
It was clear on Sunday morning that her friends are staging an intervention.Â
Y/N is already dressed to go to the sports complex later and comes out on the hunt for some breakfast. She finds her living room full and six pairs of eyes on her. Wonwoo is the one to pat the seat next to him and ask that she sit down. He starts gently. âWe saw the post. Itâs blowing up on instagram. Is there something youâd like to tell us?âÂ
She loves Wonwoo, and all of them really, but thereâs an expectant look in their eyes that makes her seethe. Like they think they deserve answers. âDoes it matter?â
âMatters?! Yes it - of course it matters, Y/N. Youâve been dating and you didnât even tell us,â Wonwoo cries, calm facade gone.Â
âThis is what this intervention is about? That Iâm dating and didnât announce it immediately?â She canât help but deadpan in total disbelief.
âYes! Y/N, itâs so unlike you to not tell us whatâs going on with you,â Soonyoung answers, frowning.Â
âHave we done something?â Junhui asks.Â
âHave you done something? Is that a serious question?â Minghao puts his face in his hands because he must know where this is going. Heâs already been ripped apart for this once back at the coffee shop. The others are genuinely nodding though. Minghao must not have said much about their conversation because it would have served as a warning. Y/N laughs bitterly, running a hand down her face in exasperation. âIâd like to know where you all find the audacity to ask me that like you havenât been hiding things from me for who knows how long.âÂ
Besides Minghao, they look surprised, like theyâd already forgotten the big reveal at dinner the other night. âY/N, I promise we didnât tell you only because we didnât want it to be a setback,â Seungkwan tried to reason.Â
âAnd you didnât think it would be a setback when I found out while heâs sitting across from me at dinner, which I didnât even want to be at by the way? I sucked it up and went for Junhui because it was his night. Did you think that felt great to find out that not only did Seokmin toss out nearly 7 years together because he has bigger and better things to do, but one of those bigger and better things included moving on in what? A matter of months? Was it even that long? Did you think it felt great to know that everyone else knew before me?â Now Y/N is out of her seat, refusing to be placated by Wonwoo whose trying to pull her back down. âYou guys are supposed to be my friends. Seokmin and I intentionally didnât make you guys pick between us but it seems like you did anyway. And now you all are upset that Iâm moving on? Itâs okay for Seokmin to be happy after he tossed me out like trash and I canât go on a fucking date a year later and be happy about it?â
âAnd you think Yoon Jeonghan will make you happy?â Vernon ask pointedly.Â
âYes! I wouldnât be dating him I didnât think so!â Tears of frustration are pricking at her eyes now. She doesnât like how theyâre talking about Jeonghan, regardless of whether any of it is real or not, and she doesnât like that her happiness is so conditional to them.Â
âY/N, honey⌠heâs just such a far cry from Seokmin in literally every way,â Wonwoo tried to reason. She knows what he means. Seokmin is sunshine personified, a hero, known to be one of the kindest people youâd meet, and Jeonghanâs the evil villain in this story to them. But Jeonghan hasnât destroyed her. He seems to be going out his way to make sure he doesnât with their little plan. No amount of loyalty and kept Seokmin from doing that though.Â
âItâs almost as if thatâs the entire fucking point. You guys watched Seokmin rip my heart out after so long together and you still seem to think heâs the good guy here. Seokminâs not the guy you think he is, but neither is Jeonghan. This intervention is over. Fuck you guys.â
She doesnât know who knocks on her bedroom door every now and then but she doesnât respond. When itâs time to leave for the sports complex, she walks past the living room quickly, ignoring their calls. She stuffs her feet in her tennis shoes and sheâs out the door.Â
Jeonghan meets her in the lobby. Sheâs sure he can tell somethingâs wrong immediately, but he doesnât ask right away. He tells her that Mingyu and Seungcheol are already at the gym but theyâre in no hurry so they can take their time walking.
Itâs when she continually silences calls and ignores texts before finally shutting off her phone entirely that Jeonghan has to ask. âIs everything okay?â
âMy friends staged an intervention this morning. Iâm still pissed.â
âIntervention? Iâm gonna need you to elaborate.â So she does, because she doesnât see a point in keeping it secret from him. He should know about it before he comes around her friends, if theyâre still even considered that. Itâs strange how she finds some comfort in hooking onto his arm thatâs stuffed in his coat pocket and even stranger how he doesnât seem to react. This was the man that didnât know what innocent touch really was until a week ago, but it feels so natural. Just like last night at the party.
When sheâs done explaining, he looks conflicted. âIâm sorry. I didnât realize this would cause such a rift for you and your friends.âÂ
âThe rift was already there when they started keeping secrets from me. They just made it worse by expecting honesty when they werenât giving it back in return.â She tightens her hand around his arm, leaning into him a bit. He must think sheâs cold because he loosely throws the arm over her shoulder and pulls her into his side. Itâs the closest theyâve been at this point but itâs not uncomfortable at all. Y/N even thinks itâs kind of nice.Â
âYouâre right, but⌠it doesnât help that Iâm me. If it were anyone else they might not have reacted that way.â He sounds a little dejected and when she looks up heâs even pouting a bit. She resists the urge to squish his face.
âYou know I donât give a shit about that, right? I know what I agreed to. Besides, youâve been good to me in ways that others havenât. If they understood that, theyâd back off.â It takes a while but he finally looks down and meets her eyes.Â
âItâs just what you deserve. You deserve more than a fake boyfriend really, but Iâll have to do for now.â He looks sheepish but full on laughs when Y/N elbows him in the ribs.Â
âHey! Stop being gross! Itâs too cold for this shit!â Jeonghan and Y/N spot Mingyu in front of the sports complex with Seungcheol. Itâs Mingyu who yelled, but Seungcheol is laughing.Â
It turns out that Mingyu and Seungcheol only brought Y/N to challenge her. It seems they took their losses in pool very hard and needed redemption. First, it was basketball, then it was soccer, then it was volleyball. With Jeonghanâs help, Y/N demolished Mingyu and Seungcheol in each one. The moment they give up is when Jeonghan sets the volleyball to her and she spikes it down their throats. Â
âHow the fuck did you even jump like that? Youâre like half my size!â Mingyu whines, throwing himself on the ground. Seungcheolâs on his knees, head in his hands. Theyâre still bitter about their losses when they end up at a sushi restaurant that Y/N picked. Oh right, they were competing for whoâd pay for dinner and drinks the whole time, because Jeonghanâs friends truly believed their first loss was a total fluke. Mingyu and Seungcheol hand over their cards with a grumble when the bill comes but Y/N is satisfied because not only did she eat whatever she wanted on their tab but it seems like sheâs winning them over. Jeonghanâs assured her that the competition is a good sign and whatever snide comments they make now are playful in nature. They even ask when they can hang out with her again.Â
Itâs been hours since she left, so sheâs surprised to find all of her friends still in her living room when she gets home. They look positively panicked. âY/N, weâre glad youâre okay, we kept trying to call you and we couldnât check your location.â Soonyoung is hugging her tightly but sheâs still pissed. She peels away from him and begins to put away her shoes.Â
âYeah, I turned my phone off.â
âY/N, weâd like to say some things, if youâd let us,â Vernon started.Â
All of them did look exceptionally guilty, but theyâd still have to work for it. She crossed her arms but refused to sit down. âGo on.â All of them looked at Wonwoo like theyâd rehearsed this. They probably did, now that she thinks about it. Fights like this donât happen often in this group.
âWeâre sorry. We were trying to spare you the hurt but I guess that was unavoidable,â Wonwoo said. âWe should have just told you so maybe you had time to process it before you had to see him again. Weâre also sorry that we made you feel like we picked Seokmin over you. I promise itâs not like that. Weâre all still conflicted about how things went with you two. We do want you to be happy, but we want you to be careful. Yoon Jeonghan is just⌠not our first choice. But if itâs yours, weâll support it.â
âThen who is? Whose your first choice?â None of them answer and some of them wonât even make eye contact. Y/N scoffs. âStill keeping secrets, I see.â
âIt doesnât matter who our first choice is. All that matters is that youâre happy. If thatâs with Jeonghan, then weâll support it and weâd love to officially meet him,â Minghao said. He looks stressed. Heâs looked stressed since the day at the cafe. He relaxes a bit when Y/N agrees to arrange something. They all do.Â
Jeonghan readily agrees to abandon any Friday night plans that he might have had (which was nothing because he hadnât been committing to anything or anyone besides Y/N and their plotting lately) in exchange for game night with Y/N and her friends. However, he agrees on Monday and immediately begins to panic. Heâs aware that her friends arenât his biggest fans. He even understands it. This is different than proving to his friends, who usually seem to like him, that he can hold down a relationship. This is simply proving to her friends heâs not a totally bad guy. Heâll even settle for being an okay guy. Breaking his image is critical with them if this will work. He and Y/N both know how it would look for her friends to not be supportive. It would negate a lot of their efforts.Â
He and Y/N spend a lot of time talking about how this might go on Thursday night after their class. This time, they go to get fast food in Jeonghanâs car because itâs getting too cold to walk. The radio plays lowly while they both sit sideways in their seats for what feels like hours. He kind of feels like heâs getting a pep talk to meet her parents in a way. They ultimately decide that heâll need to show some humility and play up his sweet nature. Jeonghan laughed when she recommended that, but she reminds him that he wasnât very cocky the other night when she met his friends. They decide to play the PDA by ear, but that it will look better if he sticks around for a while that night and doesnât try to sneak off with or without her. Theyâre still suspicious of his intentions and they need to be convinced that this is all innocent right now.Â
On Friday, he shows up early to help Y/N cook dinner. She doesnât ask him to, he just does, pushing past her when she opens her apartment door and picking up a knife to start chopping things that are laid out on the counter. She doesnât ask but heâs sure she already knows this is just to work off some nervous energy.Â
When her friends start to show up, he learns a few things fast. Soonyoung does not know how to handle his alcohol and swings wildly between imitating a tiger and crying. Thereâs very little reaction to this so it must be normal. Seungkwan is the biggest gossip heâs ever met and seems to know everyoneâs business, even some of his. Thatâs a little intimidating, but it seems to work in his favor that heâs embarrassed by it.Vernon is very critical of Jeonghanâs movie choices and has some strong opinions on the Star Wars series. Jeonghan has to talk movie theories to get into his good graces. Wonwoo is a huge nerd (this doesnât surprise Jeonghan, but Wonwooâs much more shameless about it here). He brags at his rank in some first-person shooter game that Jeonghanâs never really played. Junhui tells really bad, cringe worthy jokes and Jeonghan thinks he might be his favorite here because it breaks a lot of the tension in the air. And Minghao is totally in love with Y/N.Â
The way he looks at her says it all. Everybody seems to know, except for maybe Y/N. Itâs especially obvious with how he avoids all contact with Jeonghan if he can help it, despite him being the one to ask for introductions in the first place according to Y/N. It occurs to him that she could get something else out of this deal if Minghao manned up and confessed after their âbreak upâ. The idea leaves a bitter taste in his mouth for reasons unknown and he tries to be subtle about downing his drink to wash it out. Picturing them together is something he canât spend a lot of time on and he kind of hopes he never has to see it if and when it happens.
Someone pulls out UNO and apparently they totally ignore the rule disallowing stacking of drawing cards. Itâs even crossed out in the little paper manual from the box in pink glittery ink. Jeonghan doesnât have to wonder who did that. The game is vicious and by the end of it Soonyoung isnât the only one tearing up with so many cards that they canât even hold them all in their hands. Jeonghan wins by sheer luck. He would usually cheat excessively at games like this but he swears he didnât when heâs accused. Some of them donât seem to believe him.
To put a stop to the heated threats and crying, Wonwoo moves everyone into the living room for some video games. This has the opposite effect and Jeonghan watches as Seungkwan nearly breaks the controller when he loses. Jeonghan becomes a little distracted when Y/N leans into him more to dodge Vernonâs arms flying in rage when he also loses. Without thinking, Jeonghanâs arm comes around her waist and heâs pulling her into his side. She folds instantly, laying her head onto his chest. His heart races and heâs sure she can hear it.Â
At some point, they switch to Just Dance and Y/N has swung her legs over his lap. He mindlessly plays with her hands in her lap. He doesnât know what this looks like to her friends but he finds he doesnât care all that much. This isnât about putting on a show because it feels nice and sheâs warm and smells good. His heart races more when she twists the rings on his finger. Heâs so comfortable with this and he realizes so fucked because this isnât really requiring much acting anymore and he canât imagine doing this with anyone else in a matter of three months.Â
The following weeks become predictable in some ways. Jeonghan and Y/N spend every spare moment together. Jeonghanâs friends regularly crash these moments, especially Seungcheol and Mingyu who have become particularly fond of Y/N. There are also the occasional interruptions from Y/Nâs friends, though theyâre still pretty guarded. Theyâre at least making an effort to be friendly when they see Jeonghan and extend invitations to him when heâs around.Â
Their friend groups had even started to mingle some. It was approaching the end of the semester and Soonyoung and Chan were planning a Christmas party before everyone went home for the holidays. Jeonghan was surprised that all of his friends agreed despite the fact that it wouldnât be the rager that theyâre used to.Â
Since the game night at Y/Nâs apartment, she and Jeonghan have also taken to an open door policy at each others apartments. They donât need invitations, though itâs nice. They just show up when theyâre bored - if they werenât already together, that is. They arenât even trying to act cute together, as Y/N put it, anymore. They just enjoy each otherâs company and often times innocent touches come naturally.Â
He especially likes holding her hand as they walk or cuddling with her on the couch. His friends tease him about it, saying he should let Y/N breathe a little, but he notices sheâs just as guilty of initiating physical contact. She likes to hold his arm and huddle into his warmth when they walk around campus in the snow and plays with his hair when he lays on her with his face in her neck or on her chest. He soaks up all of it because itâs so unlike what heâs experienced before. Itâs innocent and warm and floods his entire body with something totally unique that he canât identify.Â
But he still wants her badly in other ways and doesnât want to talk about how it keeps him up at night when his thoughts turn into something not so innocent. He feels guilty about how fast it makes him come sometimes as he touches himself. Heâs sure she doesnât mean any of her touches like that so his 3am habits will remain a dirty little secret.Â
Whatâs totally unpredictable is the attention that both of them started getting. Many guys on campus now approach Y/N to hit on her. One straight up told her, âIf Yoon Jeonghan can get with you, then anyone can.â He, along with any others, got ripped apart. Jeonghan didnât even find out about these conversations from her and certainly didnât witness them. She was starting to get a reputation of her own and Jeonghan grinned when he overheard one guy tell another not to mess with her and that she and Jeonghan must be kind of serious.Â
Jeonghan was also getting attention, maybe even more than when he was single. Some women even approached him when Y/N was with him, like him holding her hand or carrying her bag didnât matter to them. His shiny new reputation as adoring boyfriend was apparently very likable, even to women that had said they outright hated him before. In another life he might have lived for this kind of adoration, but it got old very fast. By now, he had perfected the friendly yet firm response of, âNo thank you, Iâm not interested,â and if Y/N was with him he happily introduced her with special emphasis on the word âgirlfriendâ. If they continued to push, heâd become pretty mean. He wasnât interested in hearing anyone bad mouth Y/N, and he also wasnât interested in making her look bad by letting it slide.Â
The day after finals are done, Y/N is making lists in her little notebook about desserts she plans to make for the holiday party. Joshua has joined them because he can bake and Jeonghan should not. Instead, Jeonghan is seeing what ugly Christmas sweaters he can find online that will get here fast.Â
Joshua and Y/N finalize a recipe and ingredient list theyâve been working on and take a break. âWhen are you going home for the holidays, Y/N?â Joshua asks. Jeonghan frowns. Heâs been so busy with the end of the semester and interviewing for his internship that heâd forgotten to ask what her plans were. He feels like a bad boyfriend. Or a bad fake one anyway. At the very least, a bad friend, which he considers them to be by now.Â
âOh, Iâm staying here,â Y/N answers.Â
Joshua glances at Jeonghan. âOh. Is your family in town then?â
Jeonghanâs been around Y/N enough to start seeing through the mask she usually wears. Thereâs some tension in her mouth, the only tell at the moment. âNo, theyâll be abroad for the holidays. They usually are.âÂ
This is news to Jeonghan. Heâs abandoned his phone entirely now. Over the past month or so that theyâd been âdatingâ, sheâd never mentioned her family and heâs never witnessed a phone call or text between them. He just assumed they werenât close. He hadnât realized they were so distant that they didnât even see each other for the holidays at all.Â
Joshuaâs asking a lot of questions now with a lot of concern. Where are they going? Didnât you want to go with them? Do you see them often? The subsequent answers were: France, no, and no. Joshua looks devastated. âSo youâll be here by yourself the whole time?âÂ
Y/N shrugs. âSometimes, I go with Wonwoo, but his family is going on a cruise this year. His parents are getting their vows renewed and itâs going to be more like a family reunion. So, yeah, I guess Iâll be here.âÂ
The thought of her alone on Christmas morning made Jeonghanâs chest hurt. There was no way he could stay in his parentsâ home and enjoy anything knowing that. âYou should come with me.â
Y/N looked surprised, but Joshua looked straight up stunned. Jeonghan knew he would get grilled about this later, but it wasnât important right now. What was important was getting Y/N to agree. âHannie,â Y/N started. Jeonghanâs heart fluttered. It was a relatively new nickname and he wasnât over it yet. Heâd been used to her calling him his full name to give him a hard time (which heâd come to like too). âAre you sure? Weâve not been dating long and it wouldnât give your family a lot of heads up.â
âIâm sure.â And he is. His parents donât need a lot of heads up because they already know about her. His sister had promptly ratted him out after seeing his Instagram post many weeks ago. Heâd take whatever embarrassment his family threw at him in her presence if it meant she wasnât alone here the whole time. âIâm leaving the day after the party.âÂ
Jeonghan thinks sheâs going to say no. Sheâs chewing on her lip now, looking right through him to make sure heâs serious. Heâs long stopped being nervous when she does this whole âstaring right into your soulâ thing. He enjoys it now, being seen by someone like this, because sheâs never once made him feel bad about what she sees. Finally, she nods. âOkay. Let me know what time to be ready.â
The moment she excuses herself to go to the bathroom, Joshuaâs all over him. âHan, are you serious? Taking a girl home to meet your parents?â Joshua looks ecstatic at the idea.Â
Jeonghan smiles. âYeah, of course.â
âOf course? I think I might cry.â And he really does look like he might. âIâm just really happy for you. You two fit together so well.âÂ
âYeah, we do,â Jeonghan mumbles. Y/N comes back in the room, ready to go with the next recipe, none the wiser. Jeonghan blindly scrolls through ugly Christmas sweaters without really seeing them because heâs too busy thinking that maybe they only fit together so well because thatâs the whole point of their little scheme. Lately, there are times that he entirely forgets about the scheme, which would end in a matter of months. His eyes start to burn at the thought.
A couple days later, Jeonghan finds himself seated next to Y/N at the table in her apartment. It looks like Christmas threw up in here, what with the aggressive amount of colored lights and garland everywhere, the Mariah Carey song that Seungkwan is belting it out to on karaoke (which heâs not actually that bad at), and the ridiculously ugly sweaters everyone is wearing. Mingyu and Y/N are talking sports and Jeonghan isnât keeping track of the conversation, though heâs staring at Y/N as she talks. Sheâs got glittery eyeliner on and itâs distracting. Seungkwan laughed at her as soon as heâd seen it, calling it gaudy, but Jeonghan defended her, saying it was cute and festive. Heâd defend her glitter habit any day because it was very her and made him smile. It didnât hurt that she smiled at him when he defended her either. That alone would have been worth it even if he hated it.Â
The apartment door swung open and Y/N jumped out of the chair mid-sentence. âYou made it!â Sheâs hugging Minseo and theyâre laughing at their outfit choices. Itâs nice to see because there arenât many women that react warmly to Y/N like this. Minseo waves at Jeonghan and then she spots Mingyu. Her smile drops, turning to a sneer.Â
âMingyu.â
Mingyu looks uncomfortable. âMinseo?â
But Minseoâs already off, insisting to go next on karaoke. When Y/N sits back down, Mingyu leans across the table and hisses in barely contained rage, âYou like to see me suffer, donât you?â
Y/Nâs grin is smug. âYes, I do.â
Mingyuâs muttering about another drink as he gets up from the table. Jeonghanâs watched this whole thing with wide eyes. He leans in close to Y/N. âWhat the hell was that about?â
âItâs my mysterious vendetta against Mingyu. Iâll tell you later.â Jeonghan was so hooked that he was about to insist that she tell him now, but Joshuaâs rounded the table to stand behind them. Across from them stands Joshuaâs girlfriend, Jieun, grinning with a camera in her hand. Joshuaâs started to bring her around more now that Jeonghan and Y/N are together. Something about not being the only targets now.Â
It takes entirely too long to figure out why Joshua and Jieun look so sneaky. Jeonghan and Y/N spot the mistletoe at the same time, dangling from Joshuaâs fingers above them. Jeonghanâs flooded with panic. As much affection as they show now, kissing had not been on the table yet and Jeonghan was beginning to think it never would be. That maybe theyâd just pretend that that part of that relationship was so private that no one would ever see it, so they would never have to think about it. Y/N reaches out to grip the collar of his sweater and yank him forward.Â
Just like spotting the mistletoe, it takes entirely too long to realize that heâs now kissing Y/N. A few clicks and flashes of the camera go off before he really reacts, but when he does, heâs holding her head in place. Itâs gentle and there are some awwâs, but mostly gagging. It makes Y/N giggle against his lips and he canât help but giggle too.Â
He asks Jieun to send him all the photos she took.Â
âWhat do you mean, you and Minseo pulled a âJohn Tucker Must Dieâ on Mingyu?â Jeonghan asks. Last he remembered watching that movie, heâd never seen anything like that happen to Mingyu. He would have certainly remembered it, if only for how much he enjoyed it.
Theyâd barely pulled onto the highway when Jeonghan started hounding Y/N about her interaction with Mingyu the night before.Â
âWell, we didnât pull a âJohn Tucker Must Dieâ, but letâs say we were inspired by it. And others helped,â Y/N said casually, sipping her coffee. Jeonghan thinks she looks cozy in the passenger seat, shoes kicked off and feet pulled up into the seat. One of the jackets from his back seat are over her lap as a blanket. He likes the look of it and doesnât mind driving her around.Â
âSo this isnât your first scheme, huh? No wonder youâre so good at it,â Jeonghan teased and it earns him a light slap on the arm.Â
Sheâs laughing anyway. âContrary to what you might be thinking, I donât do this type of thing often. Mingyu happened to deserve it.â
Jeonghan believed that. âTell me what happened,â he insisted.Â
Long story short, Mingyu and Minseo dated while she and Y/N were roommates. This is a total surprise to Jeonghan because the way Y/N describes it is that Mingyu was head over heels, to the point that Y/N spent very little time in her room that semester. Her exact words are things like âsickeningâ, and âobsessiveâ, and âlove-bombingâ. Jeonghan couldnât recall ever seeing his friend like that, or even hearing of a girlfriend so serious. It had apparently worked for Minseo for a while - that is, until she came across him cheating on more than one occasion.
After the first time, Minseo had come back to the dorm in tears. Y/N encouraged her to break up with him right away. He showed up the next day with flowers âjust becauseâ, and Minseo was weak back then.
The second time, Minseo was mad. The next day, he showed up with some luxury jewelry saying it reminded him of her. She couldnât stay mad.Â
The third time, it was Y/N that came across it. Sheâd been dragged to a party by Minseo and found him in the bathroom with someone that was definitely not Minseo. Mingyu panicked because he hadnât known Minseo or anyone close to her was going to be there and as far as he knew this was the first time heâd been caught. He begged Y/N not to say anything. Y/N agreed, but the next day she slid a large whiteboard sheâd stolen from a study room downstairs into their dorm room and demanded Minseo seek revenge.Â
They started a private Facebook group simply called âKim Mingyu Must Die.â It turns out that Minseo was far from his first victim. The way Y/N puts it, it practically became a full-time job for a few weeks simply managing the volume of traffic that was coming through. Screenshots, phone call recordings, even some videos of him partaking in some unflattering locker room talk. The kicker was the growing list of embarrassing sexual escapades. Mingyu was not nearly as smooth as he portrayed himself to be.Â
Minseo broke up with him by inviting him to the Facebook group.
Jeonghan had to pull over because he was crying from laughing so hard. âShow me right now! No, invite me!â He was positively gleeful the rest of the drive.Â
When he parked the car on the street outside of his parentsâ house, he noticed that Y/N didnât move to get out of the car right away. âYou good?âÂ
âIt might be a little late to ask this, but are you sure this is a good idea?â
âYeah, why wouldnât it be?â Jeonghan asked, but he thinks he already knows the answer. At least part of it. This is temporary. The initial plan wasnât to lie to their families - or his family that is. He wasnât sure if her family even knew about him and hasnât brought it up because it seems like a sore subject.
âHave you ever brought a girl home?â Y/N asked, but sheâs not looking at him, examining the cheesy Christmas decor that his mom insists on putting up.Â
Jeonghan has to laugh because the situation theyâre in should make it obvious. âNo.â
âWhat have you told them about me? I assume Iâm not a total surprise⌠right?â She looks at him with wide eyes.Â
Just like that itâs his turn to look away because he definitely canât look at her when he answers. âI told them we met in class. That you were pretty, and funny, and took absolutely no shit.â Jeonghan picks at some fuzz on his sweats to keep avoiding her eyes. âI wasnât sure how much you wanted me to say. But theyâre looking forward to meeting you.â
She reaches out and captures his hand and he grips back reflexively, looking up at her. Sheâs not shy about physical touch with him, never really has been since all of this started, but it almost makes him feel giddy every time she initiates the contact. âYouâre okay with me being here?â
âYes, I wouldnât have invited you otherwise.â His answer is automatic and honest. âAre you though? I can take you home. We haven't gone in yet.â He means it. Heâd start driving again and tell them heâs running behind and Y/N couldnât make it. Or maybe even bail entirely just to stay with her back at her apartment. There were a couple hours on the road to think of a decent excuse.
Her grip gets tighter on his hand and she looks back at the house. He patiently waits for her. âIâm not used to what you might consider a normal family dynamic. Iâm going to be awkward. Really awkward, probably.â
âWeâll make it work. Iâm just glad youâre here and not alone at home the whole break.âÂ
She looks like sheâs steeling herself. âWill you hold my hand?âÂ
Jeonghanâs heart could explode. âYou know I will. As soon as I can put the suitcases down.â
He keeps his promise. As soon as the suitcases are placed in the entry way, Jeonghan is helping her with her coat and shoes. Thereâs a yell from the kitchen. âIs that my son?!â
âYep!â He yells back, before turning to Y/N and offering his hand.Â
His parents are warm. Itâs the best way to describe it. When Y/N spots them, theyâre in the kitchen cooking dinner together. Both are wearing cheesy Christmas aprons and their smiles are huge when they spot Jeonghan. He has to drop Y/Nâs hand to hug both of them and it kind of looks like theyâre squeezing the life out of him. But as soon as heâs got some space between him and his parents, his hand is on Y/Nâs back. Itâs grounding to her if only for a moment.Â
âThis is my girlfriend, Y/N,â he says simply. To her surprise, sheâs pulled into a hug by both of his parents. At the same time. She tries to be polite but sheâs totally overwhelmed by it. Jeonghan waves them off, âOkay, okay, donât scare her off, please.â
As soon as they back off, sheâs close to Jeonghan again and she hopes it doesnât seem rude. She cares about what they think and she canât pinpoint why in the moment. Jeonghanâs hand falls to her back like itâs the most natural thing in the world. She doesnât know what to do with herself but his mom leaves very little time to stress.Â
âY/N, howâs your baking?â Y/N says âokayâ and Jeonghan says âamazingâ. His mom smiles again, handing her a whisk. âGreat, you get to help me make dessert.â
Hours later, after dinner, Jeonghan says theyâre going to turn in for bed early. He makes the usual excuses like traveling, but really he can see that Y/N is still totally overwhelmed and needs the opportunity to regroup. Upstairs, he points her to the bathroom across the hall for a shower and he takes the chance to tidy up his room. Since heâs been with her, heâs made an effort of trying to keep his space clean in case she comes over. Last time he was home to visit he wasnât with her yet, so itâs not in the greatest condition.Â
While putting fresh sheets on the bed, he tries not to think about how theyâve agreed to share his room for the duration of their trip. His sisterâs coming in tomorrow so her old room is not an option beyond tonight. Y/N insisted he not sleep on the couch, and Jeonghan let it be known that her sleeping on the couch was never even an option.Â
This is a boundary that they havenât crossed yet. They might spend just about every waking moment with each other, but there had been no sleepovers yet. He trusts that sheâd tell him if she didnât like the sleeping arrangements or if she has any ground rules for the next week or so. Sheâs not usually shy to tell him what sheâs thinking. But this is most certainly a test of his restraint and he doesnât want to mess everything up.
When she comes in, he doesnât look at her right away, too busy shaking a pillow into a pillow case. âFeel better?âÂ
âYeah, thanks,â she says, but the crack in her voice makes his head snap up. Her eyes look puffy and red and he can only assume sheâd cried some while in the bathroom. Some guilt is settling in. Maybe he hadnât realized just how overwhelmed she was. He wonders what her life was like before, as a child, as a teenager, if a few hours of basic kindness and warmth from his parents has her like this.Â
He throws the pillow down and opens his arms. She walks right into them, wrapping her arms around his waist. He finds himself practically folding himself around her, bending some to put his head next to hers instead of on top. He can smell her shampoo and his hands rub her back without much thought. His T-shirt is starting to get wet and heâs pretty sure itâs not just because of her freshly washed hair.Â
Jeonghan waits for Y/N to pull away first and when she does, heâs ushering her under the covers. Whatever stress he had about this moment is null and void now because itâs a no brainer to slide into the sheets next to her and pull her to him. Without much of a fight, she puts her head on his chest again, one arm wrapped around him. He mindlessly alternates between patting her wet hair and rubbing her back, his other hand holding hers where it sits on his chest. Heâd like to never leave this spot because it means a lot to him that sheâs willing to be like this with him.Â
âWant to talk about it?â He whispers after a long time. Or maybe itâs only been a few minutes. Time is moving differently right now. Thereâs a sniffle below him and his lips press to the top of her head before he even realizes it.Â
âIâm sorry. Theyâre nice. Iâm not used to that.âÂ
âYou have nothing to be sorry for,â Jeonghan insists. âIâm sorry itâs not what youâre used to, but it can be here.âÂ
Heâs not sure why he said it. As soon as he does, he realizes he must have forgotten again that this is temporary. In just over a month, he canât keep that promise. It should have been obvious from the start to Jeonghan, but this âbreak upâ was going to feel like a real one. When that happens, he wonât be bringing her back here to see his family, though heâd like to. He wonât be spending every waking moment with her then because all of it will hurt too much. It already does in a way with the anticipation of the ending creeping up on them.Â
He feels tears pricking his eyes and thereâs something jagged about his breathing. Itâs like she has a sixth sense about why because she squeezes his hand. âWeâre making a mess of this, huh?â
It sounds like maybe heâs not the only one who keeps forgetting, but heâs afraid to ask. He laughs and itâs a bit watery. âYeah, you could say that.âÂ
Y/N is twisting now, nearly laying on top of him. His body heats and hardens immediately at the feeling but his emotions are starting to become all over the place and it distracts him. She props her head on her hands as they lay flat on his chest, looking up at him. Thereâs something irresistible about how heâs pushing her hair back and holding her face while the other hand grazes the skin of her back when her shirt creeps up. Itâs entirely too intimate to be fake anymore and he can see she knows it too. This moment isnât to prove anything anymore. Neither of them will say it outright.Â
Heâs always admired her for how she can compose herself, but he likes that she doesnât bother often at this point with him. She looks and sounds vulnerable when she whispers, âHow do you want to proceed?â
He understands. This has gotten too intense, too serious. Sheâs giving him an opportunity to back out right now, three month agreement be damned. They can go home and say it just didnât work out and itâs too bad. Maybe they can even stay friends because they stopped digging this hole theyâre in and start climbing out together.Â
Jeonghan takes a deep breath and his throat burns. âLetâs call it off after New Years.âÂ
Her smile is a little shaky. âOk. Two weeks. Letâs make the most of it.â
He smashes his lips onto hers and she responds immediately, her hand flying up to tangle in his hair. He really did plan to make the most of what little time he had left. They could start climbing out of this hole in two weeks, but not now. He wanted to, no, had to keep digging while he still could before this was all over because he would need the good memories later.
Y/N begins soaking up the warmth that is the Yoon family the next day, knowing she might not see them anytime soon after all this, or ever maybe. She soaks up the maternal energy Jeonghanâs mom constantly feeds her by baking, decorating, and wrapping presents. They gossip over wine and trash TV, and Jeonghanâs sister joins them when sheâs home and not visiting friends while sheâs in town. His sister is hilarious and Y/N immediately enjoys watching how she pokes fun at Jeonghan when they bicker, which is every single moment theyâre in a room together. Y/N is an only child so the dynamic is new to her, but between the shouting matches and headlocks they appear to love each other. Then she spends time playing games and having snowball fights with Mr. Yoon, whoâs a bigger kid than either of his actual kids. He likes to laugh and his horrible dad jokes have her in stitches.Â
Then thereâs Jeonghan. When she said they should make the most of the rest of their holiday, she hadnât expect that it meant heâd be glued to her the whole time. There were not many moments that he wasnât touching Y/N in some way, not that she would ever complain.Â
And it didnât stop when they crawled into bed each night. It might start innocently at first, but the moment either one of them leaned in to give a kiss, it became heated quickly and one was on top of the other. She was soaking that up too. The feeling of sitting on his lap with his hands up the back of her shirt, grazing and gripping her back as he kissed her made shivers run through her. Or feeling him laying on top of her between her parted legs while his tongue dipped into her mouth lit a fire she hadnât experienced in a long time.Â
If she was being honest, it had never felt like this with anyone before, period. Not that she had experienced something like this with anyone else besides Seokmin, but it had never been like this with him either. No clothes had even come off yet between she and Jeonghan and it was one of the best experiences of her life. Far better than thinking about him in the middle of the night while she touched herself back home.Â
She wasnât proud to admit it, but there were times that she grew a little self-conscious of her inexperience compared to his significant amount of experience. She wanted to measure up to what heâd had before. However, most of that worry washed away with how he reacted to her touch. Sheâd run her hands into his hair and heâd sigh. Sheâd bite his lip or neck and heâd gasp. Sheâd run a hand up the back of his shirt when he was laying on top of her and leave scratch marks and heâd groan into her mouth. It was intoxicating to get those little reactions and know that he was as turned on as she was. Even if he didnât give her those little sounds, she could feel how hard he was when he pressed against her.Â
And he made sure to find what she liked too and keep doing it over and over. His hand in her hair was her favorite, but the runner ups were things like his hands running up her thighs to her ass when she was in his lap, or his mouth and teeth on her neck. Not that she hated anything he did. It all felt like heaven.Â
Theyâd come very close to taking things too far many times. When they were at that tipping point, Jeonghan would be the one to pull back and lighten his touches, a clear signal that it was time for a breather. Despite how hard he was against her, he had stopped every time this happened. His restraint surprised her given what sheâd heard about him and even seen herself. Heâd never seemed to hesitate to sleep with someone. She was forced to consider that maybe he just didnât want to have sex with her and it stung a little. But maybe that was a good thing in the end because, even though theyâd agreed to call things off when they got back, the way they enjoyed this made things messier.Â
But if he ever did offer more, she was going to take it. He might have had restraint but she didnât think she would.Â
Itâs Christmas Day and the festivities were long over. Y/Nâs had a somewhat emotional day because sheâd expected to sit on the couch and watch the Yoon family open their gifts. The good vibes and hot chocolate would have been more than enough for her, but then they started handing her presents. Sheâd checked the tags with watery eyes and, sure enough, they were for her. Jeonghanâs hand had stayed on her back as he watched her open the presents as a silent show of support. They werenât overly personal or expensive gifts. Books, a sweater, a set of glittery pens. It was enough to know that Jeonghan had given them a few pointers though.Â
Now itâs the middle of the night and no longer Christmas Day even, and Jeonghanâs got his front pressed tightly against her back. She can feel his soft breaths in her hair. âHannie?â He hums sleepily. âIs it weird that I got you a gift?âÂ
She hears his breath catch and then he tightens his arm around her. âNo, I got you one too. Wasnât sure when to give it to you though. If you even wanted it. Does it still classify as a Christmas gift now?âÂ
Heâs giggling and it makes her giggle too. âIf itâs in Christmas wrapping paper, then yes.â Y/N rotates a bit to see him, though heâs so buried in her hair sheâs not seeing much. âDo you want yours?âÂ
One eye peels open and then heâs grinning. âOkay.â Y/N is up in a flash digging into the bottom of her suitcase. She and Jeonghan sit on the bed facing each other and Jeonghan has very little hesitation about opening the gift when she hands it to him. When he peels the lid off the box and lifts the tissue paper, he stops. Sheâs afraid maybe sheâs made a mistake, especially when he sniffles a bit. He admires the simple frame holding a familiar picture. Itâs one of the many that Jieun took of them at the party a week ago. Itâs the moment where theyâre giggling after their first kiss.Â
âHow did you do this? We left the day after this was taken.â Jeonghan gets lost in the photo.Â
âJieun sent me the pictures. I got this one printed and bought a frame when your mom and I went out the other day for more baking stuff.âÂ
Sheâs getting nervous, but then he laughs, wiping his eyes. âSo sneaky. Do you want yours?â
âOkay,â Y/N answers softly. She doesnât know what to expect and sheâs really nervous now. Sheâs not used to gifts, usually refuses them because she feels so awkward accepting them. Jeonghan opens the drawer of his bedside table and pulls out a small box. He carefully places it in front of her.Â
âIâm sorry if itâs weird, but it made me think of you.â She wants to say thereâs probably nothing he could do that sheâd find weird. Instead, she picks up the gift and gently unwraps it. She lifts the lid up and something shiny catches her eye. Itâs a silver ring with suns and moons on it. When she takes it out of its cushion, the outside layer of the ring spins. She can feel Jeonghanâs eyes on her but she doesnât know how to react so she keeps examining the ring.Â
âItâs - uh, it spins because you like to play with my rings like that. And the suns and moons reminded me of how you doodle them on your notes all the time.â
She still canât look at him, but she mumbles, âYou surprise me, Yoon Jeonghan.â She slides it onto a finger and it fits. Sheâs not sure how he got the right size.Â
âIs that a good thing right now?â He jokes, but thereâs a tinge of anxiety in his tone that gives him away.Â
Y/N swipes all of the boxes and wrapping paper out of her way and lunges for him, crawling into his lap. He doesnât hesitate to wrap his arms around her, pulling her in even closer. Sheâs hiding in his neck when she mumbles, âYes, itâs my favorite thing.â
Jeonghan and Y/N drive back the day after Christmas. Jeonghan tries to keep a positive attitude, but he dreads going back because it reminds him that the clock is ticking. He thinks Y/N might be feeling the same way, though sheâs wearing a mask again. At least itâs a happy one and not her usual poker face. He grips her thigh the whole way home like its an anchor and hers sits on top.Â
It feels bittersweet to arrive back to his empty apartment. Seungcheol wonât be back for another few days. This is the longest heâs been away from Y/N in weeks, but they both agreed they need to do some laundry and catch up on some things. Jeonghan thinks this is only a taste of the distance theyâre about to have because he doesnât know how to broach the topic of being friends after all this.Â
But heâs glad theyâre on the same page later that night because just as heâs about to slip on shoes to go to her apartment, she knocks on his door. She says itâs because Vernonâs away still and she didnât want to be home alone, but they both know itâs because they donât know how to sleep apart now after just a week of it. He pulls her into his bed and when he canât breathe from kissing her anymore, he falls asleep with his face in her neck.Â
The next night, itâs Jeonghan who knocks on her door and she opens it like sheâs been waiting for him. Heâs laying with his head on her chest, listening to her heartbeat as she threads her fingers through his hair. He so close to sleep but her hand stays busy in his hair and it seems like sheâs not as sleepy at all with the pace sheâs keeping. So he asks what sheâs thinking about.Â
After a long beat, Y/N finally asks, âwould you ever have sex with me? If I asked?âÂ
He lifts his head up, nearly hovering over her now. He knows his look is intense, but he canât help it. âIâd give you anything you want. All you have to do is ask.â He means it. He waits and watches her while his fingers twitch against her stomach. Heâd been so careful to pull away every time it seemed like that was where things were headed because the last thing he wanted to do was make her feel pressured or complicate this whole thing further. But heâd fold the moment she asked. He knows it and heâs okay with it. Wants it even.Â
Y/Nâs hand laces through the hair at the nape of his neck and sheâs scanning his face carefully. âI want you.âÂ
He lets her pull him down and her kiss is soft. He feels her hand shake on the back of his neck. Heâs hovering over her completely now, arms braced around her head. When they run out of breath, he runs his lips down her jaw and onto her neck. âTell me what you want. Iâll do it.â Something like a sigh and whine escapes her lips. Heâs not doing it to be cruel or tease her. He really just wants to do everything to please her as long as sheâll let him. He places a few pecks up under her ear and then sucks at the spot and she gasps. âCome on, baby. Tell me.â
âClothes off, now.â He sits back on his knees and follows her command immediately because her voice right now is one of the sexiest things heâs ever heard and it makes him throb. He peels off his shirt and sweats and heâs about to ask for permission to undress Y/N but sheâs already tossing off her hoodie and yanking her sleep shorts down her legs. His brain is trying to catch up with the fact that she wasnât wearing anything underneath the hoodie, but Y/N is impatient and pulls him back down to her by the shoulder. A groan bubbles up from his chest into his throat.Â
He wants his hands everywhere all at once. Her skin is warm and feels so soft under his touch, and he loves the sigh that she lets out as his hand come up her stomach to her chest. Sheâs so fucking responsive and heâs never wanted anyone more in his life. When she flat out moans as he pinches one of her nipples lightly, he has to pull back just to look at her. He wants to keep working her up like this, but heâs also working himself up at an alarmingly rapid rate.Â
He cups her breast to squeeze and kisses her again, before barely pulling back to whisper against her lips. âWhat now?â Heâs switching hands to give attention to her other breast and she arches into him. âWhere do you want me?â
âLower, please,â she says and he thinks he could come totally untouched. The need in her voice worms its way into his brain and he kind of hopes he never forgets it.
âYou donât have to say âpleaseâ with me, Y/N. At least not right now.â Because heâs decided that if she ever lets him do this again heâll make her beg until she cries. But not now. She can have whatever she wants.Â
His hand skates down her stomach to the top of her panties, a cute pair that has polar bears skiing on them. He smiles against her cheek because he loves it. Loves that she doesnât have to even try to be the hottest woman heâs ever seen, even without all the lace. Loves that sheâs so lost in his touch that she doesnât show a hint of embarrassment about it. His fingertip finds the band of her panties and runs underneath the edge and he loves how she shudders. He pulls his finger out and runs his hand down to totally cup her over the material now and her eyebrows are pinched. He rubs softly, feeling a wet patch forming under his fingertips. He pulls the panties to the side and gives a soft, experimental stroke to her lips, dipping between.Â
It makes whatever control he thought he had snap. Now he was moaning with her because she was soaked. âFuck, baby. Did I do this for you?âÂ
She nods, hand now gripping his bicep like an anchor. âYou always have,â Y/N sighs.
Jeonghan feels like a man possessed now. His fingers dip into her wetness before they land on her clit and he starts circling slowly. âDid you touch yourself like this thinking about me? Did you make yourself come?â She doesnât answer because sheâs gasping and her nails are digging into his arm. âAnswer, baby.â
âYes. Many times,â Y/N grits out.Â
Jeonghanâs pulling back, hands leaving her as he leans back on his knees. âShow me.â His tone is demanding and her eyes snap open. Heâs never seen her look so surprised and maybe that makes sense because he just told her heâd do anything for her. After this, though. He needs this. âShow me how you touch yourself, how you make yourself come. I want to see it.âÂ
Y/N feels like sheâs on fire. âBut I want you to touch me.â She whines but it doesnât seem to matter because something has shifted in Jeonghanâs eyes. A hardness that sheâs never seen before.Â
His hands reach down to grab her knees, lightly pushing them apart. âAnd I want to see you come before I touch you. Then Iâll make you come as many times in as many ways as you can take, I promise.â His intensity numbs her mind and she wonders how much she can take from him if heâs like this. His promise replays in her head and sheâs fucking aching for something, anything.Â
So she slips her panties down her legs and tosses them somewhere, she doesnât care, and spreads her legs wide. One of her hands finds one of her breasts, rolling her nipple, and the other slides down between her legs. She would usually do this with her eyes closed, but she canât because the way Jeonghanâs eyes are tracking her movements makes her drip.Â
She slides two fingers inside of herself right away and sighs at the feeling, but she feels herself flutter around her own fingers at the way Jeonghanâs breath hitches. Heâs watching closely, eyes glazing over, lips parted a bit. Her fingers pump in and out at a slow pace and Jeonghanâs hand grips her knee. Now both of her hands are between her legs, one rubbing her clit and the other pumping three fingers in and out. Her high is approaching fast. Jeonghanâs now centered himself between her legs, both hands on her inner thighs, spreading her as wide as she can go, nearly beyond her flexibility. Her orgasm slams into her, her eyes snapping shut, but Jeonghanâs still watching because heâs holding her legs open when they try to close reflexively.Â
Y/N sags back into the bed feeling boneless. When she opens her eyes, Jeonghan sounds a little out of breath. She sees his cock twitching in his boxers. The hand that was just inside her comes up in a âcome hereâ motion and he obeys immediately. âOpen.â His eyes flare in shock. âOpen so you can taste me.â His pupils are totally blown out, but his jaw drops, tongue sticking out. Three of her fingers dip into his mouth and he moans around them.Â
After only a few licks, heâs gripping her wrist and pushing it back onto the bed over her head. His other hand lightly closes around her throat and she feels in her eyes roll back and jaw drop at the touch. His tongue is in her mouth and she can taste herself. Then heâs moving fast, his tongue dragging down her neck, her chest, to her center. âOh, baby. I hope you can handle it because I want to see that over and over again.âÂ
Y/N wants it even if she canât handle it. The moment heâs laid between her legs, hands on the inside of her thighs again, sheâs gripping his hair and pulling him forward. Heâs groaning when his mouth first touches her cunt. He doesnât hesitate now, doesn't wait for her to tell him what she wants anymore. His tongue laps across the entirety of her pussy, getting a good taste of her before he starts an unforgiving routine. His tongue dips into her over and over and just when sheâs close his lips move to close around her clit until sheâs close again. Then repeat. She must be gripping and pulling his hair painfully now to keep him where she wants him to no avail, but it just makes him moan into her cunt louder.
Tears are filling her eyes at how overwhelmingly good everything feels and now sheâs babbling, gripping the sheets. âPlease, Hannie. Your fingers. Want to cum.â Two of his fingers slide in immediately and they feel so much better than her own, stretching wider and reaching that place thatâs always just out of reach for her. He finds it quickly, rubbing circles into it. His lips close around her clit again, tongue dancing across it, and tears are streaming down her face now. Sheâs not sure sheâs breathing.Â
Her vision goes white and she has no idea what she sounds like. He holds her legs open, letting her ride it out. When some sense comes back to her, she mumbles, âHoly fuck, how did you do that?â
Jeonghanâs giggling against her thigh and she snaps up, propping herself up on her forearms to look down at him. This canât be the man that just made her see god with his tongue. She smirks and he notices the shift immediately, raising an eyebrow in question. âYour turn, now.â
His mouth pops open. âWhat - no, baby, you donât have to do that.â
âYou said I could have anything I want, right?â He nods quickly. âThen I want your cock in my mouth.âÂ
Y/N watches with glee as his eyes roll back in his head. âBaby, you canât say things like that!â
âWhy not? You donât like it? I thought you wanted me to tell you what I want and youâd give it to me.â She knows sheâs playing with fire because he could have her coming again in moments if he wanted to, but she likes how fast he folds. Heâs flopping next to her on the bed and pulling her into a heated kiss in moments.Â
âYeah, of course I like it. I like anything you say,â he mumbles against her lips and doesnât stop her when her hand slides from his chest all the way down. He gasps into her mouth the moment her hand makes contact, rubbing his cock through his boxers and then giving a soft squeeze. His eyes are shut tight. His hand snaps out to grip her wrist, but he doesnât make her stop her motions. âBaby, Iâm not gonna last long if you do this. Iâve already been close so many times tonight.â
Y/N ignores the warning. If she can come more than once, so can he. She continues rubbing him, pressing light kisses to his lips and cheek while he looks a little lost. âTell me something, since you already know my secret. Have you ever touched yourself thinking of me?âÂ
âYes,â he whispers, eyes still shut tight.Â
Y/N hums next to his ear now. âTell me what you were thinking about. What made you come?â His hips jerk up to meet her motion and she grins. âCome on, baby. Tell me what you want.â
The grip on her wrist tightens and then suddenly heâs gripping her throat again as he laughs deep in his chest. âYou evil woman, using my own words against me.â His lips land harshly on hers but he has to pull away to moan when she adds significant pressure to his cock.Â
Her fingers dip into the waistband of his boxers, pulling them down enough to reveal his cock. She becomes wetter by the second as she takes him into her hands. Heâs falling into her neck now, broken moans with every stroke of her hand. The fingers of her other hand thread back into his hair again like itâs her favorite thing to do, but this time she tugs hard. His cock twitches in her hands. âTell me what you think about when you touch yourself and Iâll let you come.â
Jeonghan sighs and Y/N thinks sheâll never get enough of watching his eyes roll back like this. âI think about you on your knees with my cock down your throat. You crying on my cock as I ruin you. You creaming all over me.â She strokes him faster, expecting that to be it, but itâs not. Heâs getting worked up and words are spilling out fast. âYou moaning my name. Crying my name.âÂ
Y/N canât help it. Sheâs already pulling away from him and kneeling between his legs. He whines at the loss but she shushes him. âYou want to be good for me, donât you?â The words have an immediate effect, his face falling into an expression sheâs never seen on him before. Something like awe maybe. He nods hesitantly. âGood. Then let me taste you, too.â Sheâs leaning down to hold his cock again. As soon as her head is in reach, his hands are combing through her hair and sheâs unsure if itâs to hold her hair back and be helpful or keep her there. Maybe both.Â
She gives him a few strokes and he looks like heâs not breathing as he watches. Pride floods through her when her mouth finally wraps around his tip and he throws his head back. Heâs not the only one that can tease. She alternates between sucking lightly, then deeply, licking and then pulling her mouth away all together. The way he grips her hair when she slides her mouth all the way down to the base feels so nice that she moans around him. And the way he makes this little disappointed noise when she pulls away completely is so cute that she keeps doing it.Â
Heâs becoming desperate, hands starting to push her down farther and hold her in place, hips thrusting up to be deeper. Thereâs a constant stream of curses and moans and praises falling from his lips and it seems like he doesnât want to look away but sometimes he canât help it. Her tongue runs against his tip as she strokes him fast with her hand and now heâs begging. âBaby, please. Y/N, I want to come. Please let me come.âÂ
Y/N comes up for air to say, âGo ahead, Hannie.â It only takes a few more pumps of her hand and a couple kitten licks of his tip before heâs shoving her down by the back of the head. He groans as he comes, body shaking a bit from the intensity.Â
She releases him when his hand on the back of her head relaxes. His hands blindly reach for her to drag her up his body. His hand his firm on her chin and between the bliss on his face thereâs an edge of that hardness she saw when he demanded she touch herself earlier. âDid you swallow it?â The question makes the corners of her lips turn up and she shakes her head. âLet me see.â Her mouth pops open, tongue out carefully. Then she closes her mouth and swallows, opening her mouth wide again to show him. He doesnât look long before he moans, pulling her by the chin into a kiss. His hands are gentle now, pulling her onto his lap to straddle him.Â
âHoly shit, where have you been all my life?â Heâs laughing against her lips.Â
Y/Nâs giggling too, âLike you havenât had any of that before.â She doesnât mean it as an insult and he knows it. She just never expected to be able to surprise him in bed like this.
His hand is combing through her hair, holding her against his lips. The low laugh he lets out is secretive almost. âY/N, itâs never been like that. I think I saw the light for a second.â
Y/N slaps his chest with a laugh now. âYouâre so dramatic!â
âNo, really. If we go any farther, I might lose it. Youâre going to ruin everyone else for me more than you already have.â
âDo you want that? For me to ruin other people for you?â Y/N is careful to ask the question lightly, but she can see that he understands. Moving on after this will be harder if everything gets compared to what theyâve already done and what they might do next. She knows thatâs how it will be for her.Â
His hands are so soft against her waist as they rub up and down and the way heâs looking at her makes her want to cry. âDonât do that.â
âDo what?â She asks.Â
Jeonghan is sitting up now to be face to face with her. âCry. I donât like it, not like this.â He places a soft kiss on her lips. âAnd yes. Youâve already ruined everyone for me in so many other ways anyway. Iâll take whatever you give me.âÂ
Her hand grazes his cheek and his eyes flutter closed. âWhy donât you ruin everyone for me too? Make me remember it.â
Jeonghan is looking at her like he can see right through her. âYou donât know what youâre asking for. You donât know how much I want this.â His voice his so raw that her heart is cracking a little. This is the closest theyâve come to speaking openly about the unspoken feelings and desires they might have gained for each other. Heâs called this whole thing off but the way heâs looking at her right now is at such odds with that decision.Â
âI can assure you I want it as much as you do, if not more,â Y/N promises. His grip on her waist is tight now, blunt nails digging into her skin. She leans in close, lips hovering over his. âPlease.â
Jeonghan responds to her immediately because the desperation in her tone matches how he feels exactly. His hand goes back to her throat and he pushes her by it, rolling her onto her back and shoving off his boxers with the other hand. Her legs fly around his waist as he gets on top of her and she holds onto his shoulders as he grips his cock to run it along her folds. He wants to wait, to slow down, to make it all last longer, but heâs on autopilot now, totally driven by how much he wants her. No, itâs really closer to a need now. He canât imagine she wants this more like she said, though. Itâs impossible.
His tip slides in and then heâs kissing her deeply, holding both of her hands above her head, threading their fingers together. He slowly pushes in and they give matching broken moans at the sensation. Her lips stop moving against his once heâs fully seated inside, then her head tilts back. Heâs kissing her neck, nipping at it and leaving marks, letting her adjust.Â
âOkay?â Jeonghan asks, coming back up to her lips. The kisses are so soft compared to what they were moments ago and he can feel Y/N melting. Heâs so proud that he can have that kind of effect on her. That she places any kind of trust like this in him.Â
âYes. Please move.âÂ
He starts slow, an experimental drag almost completely out. Y/N starts to whimper in complaint but it turns into a cry as he slams back into her. He see stars at the way sheâs squeezing around him, the warmth and wetness consuming him. He sets a fast pace. When he lets go of her hands, hers plant on his shoulders and his are everywhere. Her hair, her throat, her chest, and finally the back of her thighs as he pushes them up against her chest. The angle is maddening to him and her eyes are watering again when he looks down at her face. âHannie, more.âÂ
âTell me who makes you feel like this, baby.â Thereâs something so possessive about the demand and she must like it because a moan rips from her throat and she clenches on him. Sheâs getting close to the edge again and he canât wait to get her there over and over.Â
âYou, Hannie.â He grips her hair, tugging her to meet his eyes.Â
âWhose cunt is this? Who going to make you come like this?â Theyâre selfish questions but he needs to know. Needs to know that sheâll remember this and compare it to every other interaction she ever has. He knows he will for the rest of his life because heâll never find anything like this again, in or out of the bedroom. Jealousy flows through him thinking about someone else in his position. He has to make her remember it.Â
Her eyes are rolling back and he lands a soft slap on her cheek to get her to look at him again. She moans at the touch and he feels like he could come already. âHannie.â Everything she says comes out as a moan or cry now. Tears are streaming down her face and he presses a sweet kiss to the cheek heâd just slapped, totally at odds with everything else heâs doing to her body right now.
âAlready crying on my cock like a good girl. Now you just have to come all over it. Do it, baby.â His hand finds her clit, rubbing quickly.Â
He thinks she stops breathing as she comes. Jeonghanâs praising her in her ear because he can see the intensity of it all, can feel it, and for the thousandth time tonight he canât believe heâs being allowed to make her feel like this. He slows down his movements now, kissing her cheek and mumbling, âGood girl.â His hand sweeping up and down her body seems to make her relax so he keeps doing it. He presses a soft kiss to her lips. âWant more?â Y/N nods numbly. âWords, baby. I need you to tell me itâs okay or if you want to stop.âÂ
Tears are pouring out of her eyes again and sheâs begging for real now. âMore, please.â
Another sweet kiss to her lips. âBaby, I told you you donât have to beg. Just tell me what you want and itâs yours.âÂ
âDonât care what it is, just keep going.âÂ
Jeonghan moves fast, pulling out of her and getting to his knees. Before she can complain, heâs roughly flipping her over onto her hands and knees. His hand gently pushes her head down onto the mattress and she moans as he grips a handful of the fat of her ass. He lands a sharp spank and before she can even cry out, heâs rubbing the tip of his cock into her folds again. He slides in easily, groaning again. âFuck, you feel like heaven.â He sits deep in her like this and the way sheâs arching makes him think she likes this position, which is good because he has no idea how many times heâs imagined this exact sight. His imagination pales in comparison to reality. His hand slides from her ass to the middle of her back. The touch is soft and then suddenly itâs not. He yanks on the ends of her hair and pulls out of her, slamming back in. The cry she lets out echoes in the room.
His pace is brutal now and his hands are everywhere. At one point he even pulls her arms behind her back and holds them there while he gropes her breast. She comes for a fourth time like this, harder than before, and he thinks she must be made for him. He meant it - itâs never been like this. Nothing even comes close. Their bodies are becoming slick with sweat and he can see her arousal dripping down her inner thigh when he leans back.Â
âIâm close, baby. Will you come with me? Please?â Jeonghan chokes out. He reaches down to her clit, rubbing fast, because heâs dangerously close to bursting.Â
âJeonghan!â She looks like sheâs panicking at the intensity of it all and when she finally tips over the edge, she sobs. He fucks her through it, but the way sheâs clenching on him and the sight of her tears has him tipping over the edge too. She lets out another sob as he fills her up, coming deep inside.
Her breathing is jagged and he recognizes the signs. Sheâs drifted pretty far, totally overwhelmed, totally unaware now. Jeonghan places his hands under her hips to help lower them to the bed, sliding out of her. Heâs laying next to her, stroking her face, hair, and back soothingly when she really comes back to any sort of awareness.Â
She looks as dazed as he feels. Sluggishly, she slides into his arms. They lay there for a long time just breathing. He knows sheâs crying, can feel it drip on his neck where her face is buried. He doesnât say anything because by now he is too, so he pulls the covers over them. Theyâll deal with it tomorrow.Â
Over the next four days, Y/N and Jeonghan donât leave each other's side for more than a few minutes at a time. Their friends all trickle back in but Jeonghan and Y/N are too busy trying to crawl into each otherâs skin. What little they have to be around others, Jeonghan is pressed up against Y/Nâs back or Y/N is in his lap. Their friends make jokes about turning down the PDA a notch. They donât listen for now because theyâll have to eventually anyway.Â
Speaking of PDA, simple touches escalate quickly now. Jeonghanâs hand lands on her thigh and sheâs pulling him into the bedroom. Y/Nâs fingers run through his hair and heâs folding into her, pushing her back onto the couch. Theyâve christened nearly every room of their apartments in a matter of days and theyâve most certainly been caught a few times. Jeonghan doesnât feel embarrassed, has never felt embarrassed about that sort of thing outside of the times that Y/N was the one to catch him with someone else before all this, but itâs surprised him over and over that Y/N seems to give even less of a shit. When her hand lands on his crotch at the dinner table surrounded by some of their friends, that becomes apparent.Â
Itâs New Years now and Y/N jokingly calls it their last hurrah. He laughs but heâs feeling so fucking raw about it and heâs sure she can hear it too. She doesnât stop him when he pushes her into a corner at the party theyâve agreed to attend and smashes his lips onto hers. Theyâre already kissing when the ball drops and the crowd cheers. She drags him out by the hand not long after and as soon as they close the door to his apartment sheâs on her knees, taking his cock into her mouth. He pays her back tenfold, first with his fingers, then his mouth, then his cock. Itâs overwhelming how insatiable both of them seem to be and they donât sleep that night.Â
Itâs never been like this with anyone, heâs never needed anyone the way he needs her. And itâs not just about the sex. He wants to glue himself to her so that he never has to be away from her. Somewhere between Christmas and now, heâs come to terms with the fact that he loves her - that heâs in love with her. Thereâs no other explanation for this suffocating feeling. He thinks he has been for a long time now and itâs crushing him, making his chest ache.
There are tears in both their eyes the next day as Y/N pulls out her little notebook and glitter pen. Theyâre in their booth for what might be the last time together. Jeonghan knows he canât sit here again without her. They donât even order anything besides a plate of fries because neither of them are very hungry. Her eyes level with his across the booth and though her eyes are so watery they're threatening to spill over, she gives him a smile. âHow would you like to proceed?â
Act Three
Initially, Y/N pitches making it look like sheâs the bad guy. She even has some ideas jotted down of how to do that. Jeonghan thinks sheâs overly concerned about maintaining his new image now and refuses to let her take the fall for any of it. Refuses to even hear her ideas. He takes the notebook from her and rips that page out, crumbling it in a ball and dropping it on the table. He pointedly ignores her frown and makes another suggestion.
So, just like they started this mess, they decided to do it casually. Wait for the right opportunity to bring it up. Jeonghan hasnât seen her in a few days now and heâs feeling a weird mixture of agony and relief about it. Distance is probably good if heâs ever going to get over this, but heâs having to stay busy to ignore the itch to find her wherever she is right now. If heâs still for too long, it might consume him. Y/Nâs absence is the exact opening heâs looking for, though he doesnât want to talk about her. He feels sick. He has for days - since he came home from the diner on New Yearâs Day to be exact.Â
He and his friends are drinking at home tonight. The snow is coming down fast and none of them wanted to go far, so they pick up a couple cases of beer at the convenience store around the corner and pile up in his and Seungcheolâs living room. âHavenât seen Y/N in a few days, whatâs she up to?âÂ
Jeonghan shrugs at Jihoonâs question. âNot sure.â He swallows hard around the sip of beer.Â
âNot sure? I thought you guys were attached at the hip,â Mingyu laughs but itâs not unkind. His teasing has lost its mean edge when it comes to Y/N because, like his other friends, Mingyu is totally soft for her. Jeonghan feels like heâs swallowing battery acid when he drains his drink, reaching for another one with a shrug.Â
âWe broke up, so Iâm not sure what sheâs up to.â He tries to say it casually, but it doesnât really come out right. Itâs so fucking hard to remain casual about this, so he focuses on anything else but his friends who have gone silent.Â
âBroke up? Hannie, what happened? It seemed like things were going so well.â Joshua sounds as shattered as Jeonghan feels. Jeonghan canât look at him because heâs just called him a nickname that Y/N uses, or used he guesses, so he keeps picking at the label on his bottle.Â
âIt wasnât going to work out.âÂ
âWhat did you do?â Seungcheolâs voice is hard.Â
Jeonghan expects to be asked this, expects that it will look like his fuck up despite their best efforts to rehabilitate his image. Y/N and Jeonghan had talked about that too. Theyâd had to discuss it weeks ago because there were whispers around campus that it would only be a matter of time before Jeonghan slipped up and they were trying to get ahead of the assumptions.
He levels with Seungcheol who looks very angry. Flatly simply because he doesnât have the energy, Jeonghan answers, âNothing. Like I said, it wasnât going to work out. It was mutual.â At least that last part was true.Â
âHyungâŚâ Chan starts. âIâm sorry. You seemed really into her.â He kind of looks like heâs just been told his parents are divorcing and he has to choose who to live with now, so Jeonghan looks away.Â
âYeah, itâs too bad,â Jeonghan mumbles, downing half of his drink in one go. Heâs filled with so much bitterness about the whole thing, but right now specifically about how they all seem so devastated by the ending to something that they were convinced could never happen. âGuess you guys were right, I donât have it in me.â His eyes are burning so he closes them.Â
âHan,â Mingyu lets out in a blend of exasperation and admonishment. âWe werenât right. We were very wrong about it, about you. And weâre genuinely sorry it didnât work out. We like her and we like you two together.â
âAre you sure it canât be fixed? Maybe you guys should give it a few days and then talk,â Joshua says hopefully.Â
For a brief moment, Jeonghan imagines what that might look like. What would he say? How would Y/N react? Theyâre thinking itâll be an âI love you, take me backâ kind of conversation, but it would really be a âplease take me back, for real this timeâ kind of conversation.Â
He remembers her sliding the notebook across the table to him with the pen sitting on top. There wasnât much on the page because there just wasnât much to this phase, but sheâd jokingly drawn a signature line on the bottom of the page. He had taken her notebook and signed everything theyâd drafted this whole time just to make her laugh but the action had a sort of finality to it that was sobering. Theyâd both proved their points, so the job was done. So heâd signed it too while neither of them so much as cracked a smile.
But now he really did feel like heâd signed his life away like sheâd joked all those months ago. âI donât think so, Shua.â Jeonghan recognizes that heâs completely bummed out his friends and he could really use some space now that this wound has been ripped open again. He drains the last of his drink and excuses himself.Â
Every semester starts a new routine and Y/Nâs holding onto the predictability like a buoy in the middle of the ocean. Sheâd spent so much time with Jeonghan near the end of last semester that now it feels weird to never see him. They donât have any classes together because heâs only taking a couple and doing an internship off campus. And anyway, it becomes apparent that heâs avoiding her the same way sheâs avoiding him. Sheâs not even sure which one of them started it first. Things were left so raw even though they agreed on all of it.Â
It burned her badly when she told her friends that she and Jeonghan had broken up. She'd had to bring it up randomly because they hadnât asked. After a few cursory questions about why and what heâd done, she didnât miss how their shoulders relaxed. They looked relieved by the news and it hurt so badly that she started distancing herself from them. Sheâs the first one to volunteer for an extra shift at the library and when one isnât available she pretends sheâs drowning in homework although her classes are the easiest sheâs ever taken. She doesnât have breakfast with Vernon anymore, claiming sheâs always late or not hungry, and locks her bedroom door when she knows Wonwoo might be crashing with them for the night because itâs a childhood habit of his to hog her blankets and she canât be around him right now. She doesnât go to the cafe that Minghao works at anymore. When she canât avoid them and Soonyoung and Junhui tell her jokes or Seungkwan wants to serenade her with a new playlist, she smiles but doesnât really know how to laugh with them anymore.
The loneliness was becoming crippling but she couldnât bring herself to spend time with them when she was doubting that they meant it when they said they wanted her to be happy back in November. Fake or not, sheâd been happy in Jeonghanâs company and they were thrilled to be rid of him.
The person who refused to let her be lonely surprised her though. Seungcheol had shown up at her door the day before classes started and all but demanded her schedule. He walked with her to and from campus most days and invited her to lunch with his friends, who were still surprisingly warm to her. She recognized he was worried and was trying to fill a void, but he never mentioned Jeonghan. His actions made it clear. Theyâd began to call her a friend so thatâs what she was. The break up didnât change that. Although on paper it felt like history was repeating itself like it had happened with Y/N and Seokmin, this felt so different and sometimes it made her want to cry. They didnât look at her with pity like her friends did a year and a half ago. Her friends hadnât even asked if she was okay beyond that one conversation about the break up, but Seungcheol had been careful to check in without naming Jeonghan specifically. He made sure she ate and asked her how she slept. He kept her from overworking when he could.
So she and Seungcheol had settled into a routine on most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Theyâd usually come back to the apartment and hang out for a while, and maybe even eat dinner together. Sheâd even convince him to crack open a textbook or work on a paper sometimes. On this particular day, theyâre freezing as they walk into his apartment after trudging through the snow. Even though Jeonghan lives here, she almost never sees him. Seungcheol seems to be strategic about his timing and goes out of his way to make sure they donât run into each other.
Seungcheol starts some ramen and heâs telling her how he found out that Joshua is ring shopping now. âThatâs so cute!â Y/N means it. Joshua and Jieun were sweet together and very obviously in love. She thinks theyâll make it.Â
Y/N interrupts to ask if he wants hot chocolate. When he says âsureâ, she jumps up to start it. âDo you think heâll propose soon?â Sheâs asking as she reaches into the cabinet on her tiptoes, fingers hooking around the handle of the mug and sliding it off the shelf.Â
âWhoâs proposing?âÂ
Y/N lets out a yelp as the mug slips from her hand, crashing to the floor, broken pieces of ceramic hitting the tile at her feet. Her breath catches and Jeonghan is on her in seconds. She hadnât even heard him come in - probably would be exiting quickly if she did - but heâs gripping her elbow to pull her back from the mess. âAre you okay?âÂ
She canât breathe now and her eyes are filling with tears, panic flooding her veins. âIâm sorry, it slipped.â
âBaby, I donât care about the mug.â The pet name seems to come out of his mouth so easily and it only heightens her panic. She tries to put her hands over her face, but Jeonghan intercepts them. âAre you hurt?â Heâs examining her hands, palms first, then flipping them over to look at the backs. His fingers are soft and warm as they graze the ring he got her for Christmas and sheâs full on crying now. Sheâs vaguely aware that heâs glancing to check her feet too, but sheâs wearing socks and slippers. âBaby, talk to me,â he presses gently.
âIâm fine. Iâm not hurt. Iâm sorry I broke the mug. Iâll replace it.â The words bubble up fast and she feels like she could sob. Her hands start to shake in his.Â
Jeonghan pulls her into him. The scent of him makes her body sag and her tears soak into his dress shirt. Sheâd forgotten heâd have to dress up for his internship at the law office. She tries to pull back because she doesnât want to ruin his shirt, but heâs mumbling into her hair. âI told you, I donât give a fuck about the mug, baby. Itâs okay, Iâm not mad.âÂ
Things are suddenly too much and when Y/N pushes him at arms length, he lets go. âIâll clean it up.â Y/N is moving toward the cabinet holding the broom and dustpan, because she really needs something to do and really needs some distance between them to regain some composure.Â
âI got it,â Seungcheol says. Sheâd honestly forgotten he was there for a moment and she feels kind of ashamed that heâs had to see all of that. âGo take a breather.âÂ
In Seungcheolâs bathroom, she cries hard, feeling exposed like a live wire. Y/N is nervous to go back out there, but Seungcheol doesnât mention it as he slides her a bowl of ramen and a mug of hot chocolate and pointedly picks a new topic. Jeonghan is nowhere to be found.Â
Itâs Valentineâs Day. Seungcheol knows today might be hard for two of his friends. Y/N has plans with Minseo and heâs relieved to hear it. She sounded excited about a girls night. Jeonghan is a different story. Seungcheolâs been tiptoeing around Jeonghanâs moods since the beginning of the year. They all have, really. Jeonghan doesnât show up for much anymore, and when he does itâs kind of like the lights are off and no oneâs home.Â
Thatâs why heâs surprised when Jeonghan agrees to go to the singles mixer that Phi and Zeta are hosting. They almost didnât ask him, because they didnât want it to seem like they were rushing him to move on. Itâs the first instance that Jeonghan has expressed an interest in going out since his breakup. Not a single hook up in sight, though Seungcheol is wondering if tonight might change that and he feels conflicted about it, thinking about how it might get back to Y/N. To make up for the lack of hook ups lately, thereâs been more than enough drinking. Seungcheolâs been known to party hard often, but he can recognize when someoneâs at a cliffsâ edge where itâs not longer for fun and has become self-medicating. He watches his roommate come home with alcohol every other day and drink until itâs time to go to bed.Â
Jeonghan agreeing to attend the party should have been the first red flag. Seungcheol is talking to a girl when he spots Jeonghan throwing back shots. He keeps pulling away from the girl whose trying to be on his arm and whisper to him between each one. He finally pushes her at arms length at one point and Seungcheol doesnât know what he says but it must have gotten the point across because she moves on to someone else.
Then Seungcheol spots him doing a keg stand. Most people are cheering, but Seungcheol makes eye contact with Jihoon across the room and they know somethingâs up. Well, somethingâs been up, but itâs getting worse it seems. Itâs when he sees Jeonghan trip over his own feet and giggle as he rolls into the floor that Seungcheolâs had enough. He apologizes to the girl heâs been talking to and has already promised to take home, excusing himself. Mingyuâs not very happy to be pulled away from the girl heâs making out with in the kitchen, but even he recognizes a spiral when he sees one.
Chan and Mingyu have Jeonghan by each arm to hold him up as he sways. Seungcheol tries to unlock the door to their apartment quickly, and soon Jeonghan drops to the couch unceremoniously in a fit of giggles. The four of them stand around for a moment, silently looking between each other before itâs decided that there needs to be some sort of check-in. Too bad Joshuaâs not here to partake because heâs out with Jieun tonight.
âDoing okay there? Tough night?â Jihoon starts, trying to keep things light.Â
It doesnât appear to be tough because Jeonghan is still giggling to himself. âYeah, Valentineâs Day sucks,â he slurs. âBeing in love sucks. I donât know how Shua does it.â
Itâs really not a surprise to anyone that Jeonghan feels this way. They could all see it plain as day when they were together and you donât mourn a relationship the way he has been if you donât feel that way. âWhy donât you try to fix things, Han?â Seungcheol suggests. âI really think she misses you too.â
Jeonghan pinches his eyebrows. âNo, that defeats the whole purpose of our plan.â
âPlan?â Chan asks.
âIt was all fake. We just wanted to prove a point.â Jeonghanâs frowning now, the only indication that heâs not asleep.Â
Mingyu stammers. âFake? How - Jeonghan, why would you do that? Why would she ever agree to that?â
His eyes fly open as his head snaps up and though heâs looking a little like a bobble head, he looks defensive. âIt was her idea!â He flops back down. âYou guys thought I couldnât be serious about someone and she wanted to prove that she was over Lee Seokmin.â He fakes a gag at the name âLee Seokminâ. âBesides, sheâll probably start dating Minghao any day now.â Suddenly heâs looking really pale. Jihoon shoves a trash can under Jeonghanâs face just in time.Â
Mingyu and Jihoon force Jeonghan to rinse his mouth out and drink some water when heâs done throwing up and help him into bed. Chan offers to take out the trash and clean up after Jeonghan. Seungcheolâs stuck in the same spot, hands on his hips. Guilt is clawing at him and he decides he canât watch this situation spiral anymore.Â
Seungcheol is kind of surprised when all of Y/Nâs friends agree to meet. They pull together multiple tables in the diner so they can all sit together. Itâs convenient in a way that Y/N is working tonight and that Jeonghan went straight to bed with a bottle of alcohol. Most of Y/Nâs friends are not being cold, but Seungcheol and his friends agree they havenât seen much of any of them lately despite how well they all got along before the semester started. This whole break up as driven a wedge between the two groups again and itâs like they donât know each other all over again.
Plates are mostly empty when Wonwoo finally asks Seungcheol, âSo, not to be rude, but why did you want to meet? You said it was about Y/N.âÂ
Seungcheol glances at his three friends that were with him last night. He feels bad because he hasnât had the opportunity to fill Joshua in on all this. But it needs to be said anyway. âJeonghan and Y/N were not really dating.â
The confusion is obvious across everyoneâs face. Soonyoung is the first one to finally say something but it comes out in a laugh of disbelief. âWhat?! You canât be serious about that.â
âIâm very serious. Jeonghan spilled the beans last night while he was drunk.â Seungcheol confirmed and he was thankful when Mingyu, Jihoon, and Chan nodded along. He needed witnesses because he realizes how crazy all of this might sound.Â
âWhy on earth would they do something like that?â Seungkwan sounds angry.
Well, Seungcheolâs familiar with that emotion so he matches it. âIt sounds like we all drove them to it.âÂ
âWhat the fuck does that mean?â Wonwoo snaps.Â
Seungcheol and Mingyu glance at each other and Mingyu shakes his head. He knows Mingyu must be feeling pretty ashamed at how heâs instigated this whole thing because Seungcheolâs feeling it too. Seungcheol bites back his pride and answers. âWeâre assuming that it started when we made the bet that he couldnât date anyone.âÂ
âYou guys made a fucking bet about her?â Minghao is raging and it gets the attention of the waitresses behind the counter and they share a look of anxiety. Seungcheol needed to take control of this fast before they get kicked out. He doesnât think theyâll agree to meet again if this conversation ends now.Â
âAnd I regret it immensely. We all do because we love Y/N now that we know her,â he snaps. âAnyway, it doesnât matter because the bet never went anywhere. She turned him down immediately. And then out of nowhere they were dating months later and Jeonghan said he had no interest in reviving the bet.â Seungcheol huffs, crossing his arms and falling back in his seat. âLast night, he said it was to prove that he could do it and that it was even her idea.â
âWhy in the world would she come up with something like that? What would she stand to gain from this?â Junhui scoffs like he doesnât believe it.Â
âIt was something to do with Lee Seokmin, apparently. Whoever that is,â Jihoon shrugs. Itâs like a switch flipped. Some of Y/Nâs friends sigh, some hide their heads in their hands, some close their eyes. Itâs clear that name means something to them.Â
âWhoâs Lee Seokmin?â Chan asks firmly.
They silently seem to nominate Wonwoo to answer and he huffs, yanking off his glasses to rub his eyes. âHe and Y/N got together freshman year of high school. They were cute together. He seemed to have a good effect on her, brought her out of her shell some. And then last year, he abruptly announces heâs landed a role abroad and heâd be moving in a matter of days. He dumped her just like that. Nearly seven years down the drain.âÂ
âTell the whole truth,â Minghaoâs all but demands and after a long moment, Wonwoo continues though he looks like he doesnât want to.Â
âWe kept in touch with him so we knew he was dating one of his costars in a matter of weeks. But -â Wonwooâs planting his hands on the table in front of him, leaning forward. âYou guys donât understand. Y/N was totally blindsided by the break up. We all were, really. The last thing we wanted to do was make it worse⌠so we didnât tell her he was already dating someone else. That came back to bite us in the ass when he visited in November and she found out anyway. And then sheâs suddenly dating Yoon Jeonghan.âÂ
Seungcheol bites his tongue at how Wonwoo says his roommateâs name like a curse, but Mingyu doesnât. âSo what? You can stay friends with someone like him but heaven forbid Y/N spends any time with someone else.âÂ
âYoon Jeonghan is so different from Seokmin,â Wonwoo scoffs and everyone recognizes it for the insult that it is.Â
âMaybe thatâs a good thing.â Itâs the first time Joshuaâs spoken this entire time. Heâs usually soft about disagreements, usually playing the role of peace keeper and referee. His expression is anything but kind now and so is his voice. âYou guys stayed friends with someone that dumped your other friend after years and you think Jeonghanâs the problem here?â
âYeah, and howâs he holding up? How many people has he slept with since this supposed âbreak upâ?â Seungkwan sneers.Â
âNone.â The answer is firm and loud from everyone in support of Jeonghan, because itâs clear the table is very divided when it comes to him. Seungcheol is livid now because he knows Jeonghanâs not a bad guy and never has been despite his old habits. Heâs beginning to understand why Jeonghan felt the need to rehabilitate his image in such an extreme way.
âHeâs turned away every single person thatâs approached him, sometimes pretty brutally. Last night was the first time heâs gone out all semester and he got absolutely trashed, which he was already doing at home on the regular anyway. Heâs suffering. And you know what? So is Y/N. You think I donât notice how she is around you guys now? She avoids you guys like the plague. Tell me, how much did you celebrate when she told you about the break up? Which, by the way, you thought was real until about five minutes ago. Did you celebrate in front of her or did you at least wait until she left the room?â
Seungcheolâs met with silence and he knows heâs right.Â
Mingyu scoffs. âMan, at least I donât like to see my friends in pain.âÂ
Itâs clear Team Jeonghan has won but Seungcheol doesnât feel very vindicated by that. Heâs about to get up and leave because this isnât going anywhere. Even has his hands braced on the table to stand when Minghao speaks up. âHow do we fix it?â
This gives Seungcheol pause. He remembers Jeonghan mentioning him, that he might date Y/N any day now. But Minghao looks very serious.Â
âWhy would you do that?â Seungcheol asks. âI hear you might be into her.â
Minghao doesnât look too put out by the implication and he doesnât deny it either. âI want to fix it because I want her to be happy. Fake or not, thatâs what they were. Now how do we help them make it genuine?â
âAre you suggesting that we scheme just like they did?â Jihoon asks, eyebrow raised.Â
âIâm not sure we can compete with their level of scheming. I mean, I donât know at what point things stopped being completely fake but they were incredibly convincing from the very beginning,â Vernon sighed. Seungcheol almost felt bad for him because, just like him, this was going on with his roommate right under his nose.Â
Thereâs a long beat of silence and then Mingyu sucks in a breath. âI think I know who could help, but it might take some convincing.â
Minseo is not happy. Not by a long shot. She tried to ignore her phone when DO NOT ANSWER tried calling her not once but six times. Plus multiple texts. Her finger is hovering over the block button when her phone rings again.Â
She gives him 30 seconds to explain why he was contacting her, but he only needs 5. âWe need your help with Y/N and Jeonghan.â
The mention of her former roommate is the only reason she pushes past Mingyu when he opens Jihoonâs front door. âExplain,â she demands, arms crossed. Mingyu has backed down from Minseoâs anger every time they have to interact since they broke up, running away with his tail between his legs, but instead today he hands her an iced coffee, maintaining an even expression. It even looks like the right coffee order.Â
âThank you for coming. Weâre all in here.â She refuses to be softened by him and refuses to acknowledge the coffee. Instead, she followed him into the living room. She didnât expect for the room to be so full. It seemed all of Y/N and Jeonghanâs friends were on the same team today. Sheâs afraid she knows where this is going.Â
Mingyu leads her to an arm chair so she places her coffee on the floor and sits, crossing her legs and arms expectantly. âExplain,â she demanded again.Â
Mingyu bites his lip. âJeonghan and Y/N werenât really dating. It was fake the whole time.â
Minseoâs eyebrows shot up. âOh, I knew that.â
There are cries of outrage and shock around the room and Minseo rolls her eyes hard. If theyâd all been better friends, they would have known too. Or it might have never even happened in the first place. Mingyu shakes his head at her. âWhat do you mean you knew? Youâve talked to Y/N recently about it?â
âYouâre not in a position to make demands, Kim Mingyu. Iâm here only because it involves Y/N,â she bites. âBut if you must know, yes, Iâve spoken to her recently about it because Iâve known since the beginning.â
âDidnât you try to talk her out of it or something?â Wonwoo cried, throwing his hands up in the air.Â
âI asked some pointed questions about the motivations behind it, but I think they actually had some good reasons. You guys have kind of been assholes.â She looks around the room and then rolls her eyes again. âOh, donât look ashamed now. Iâm not sure I even want to help you guys with whatever youâre thinking.â
âBut someone needs to do something. We know Jeonghanâs miserable and I think Y/N might be too, right?â Seungcheol pleaded.Â
Minseo presses her lips together. She wasnât about to rat out Y/N but sheâd been incredibly emotional in the days after the âbreak upâ, even more so than the real break up with Seokmin. There were quite a few times this semester that sheâd just show up at the sorority house because she had no one else to talk to about it or she needed somewhere private to cry. âYou could say that,â she answers shortly. âBut what are you going to do about it? Theyâre really good at avoiding each other from what I hear.â
âThatâs why I called you. I know Y/N was the mastermind behind the Facebook group a couple years ago, but youâve gotten a peek into her mind. Help us plan something to get them back together, for real this time.â
Minseo stares at Mingyu, totally perplexed. She canât believe heâs bringing up the Facebook group that publicly embarrassed him amongst so many women on campus - and she doesnât miss how confused the rest of the room looks at the mention of it. She also canât believe heâs so invested in someone elseâs dating life to the point of reaching out to her when it appeared heâd written off dating entirely after they broke up. Finally, she scoffs in exasperation. âYeah, she was the mastermind, so I canât hold a candle to her. You should have seen the other things she came up with. What you got was tame. And even if we try to pull something on her, sheâs way too smart to fall for it. They both are. Their deal seemed pretty final from what I can tell, so maybe we shouldnât meddle.â
âIt shouldnât be final if Jeonghanâs in love with her. We should try something,â Jihoon insisted.Â
Minseo blinks. âHe said that? Heâs in love with her?â A few people nod, most of Jeonghanâs friends to be exact. Minseoâs purses her lips. âFind me a whiteboard. A big one.â
Thirty minutes later, Seungcheol and Mingyu are placing what she requested in front of her. It looks suspiciously like the ones the university supplies in study rooms in the dorms. Minseo bites back a laugh. Y/N got one of these off the wall, into the elevator, and into their dorm room single handedly a couple years ago without getting caught and both boys look a little out of breath now bringing it in from the car together. It speaks to the determination Y/N had to help Minseo get revenge back then.
Mingyu lets a handful of dry erase markers roll into Minseoâs hand and steps back. Theyâre watching her with baited breath and she canât believe theyâre so invested and that sheâs agreed to help. With a resigned sigh, she uncaps a pink marker, sitting cross legged in front of the board. âWe should start with status updates. How theyâre feeling, what theyâre doing, what their schedules look like.â
To their credit, everyone is fully committed, giving updates to their friendsâ current situations. Minseo doesnât miss that Seungcheol knows way more about Y/Nâs side of the board than her own friends do. Itâs a glaring sign of the neglect that they need to come face to face with. This is about getting Jeonghan and Y/N back together, yes, but there are some friendships to repair too.Â
Then Minseo asks for ideas. Vernon scratches the back of his neck as he offers, âCouldnât we just lock them in a room together until they work it out?â
Minseo snorts. âVernon, are you reading fan fiction?â None the less, she writes down âforced proximityâ. Ideas begin to flow and Minseo believes none of them are all that great, but theyâre really trying here. They offer things like setting them up on a blind date, saying one is in trouble to get the other to find them, and waiting for one of them to get sick so the other can take care of them. There are a lot of things on the board but Minseo thinks theyâll both be suspicious of every single one.Â
Chan groans, head in his hands. âI canât believe Iâm saying this, but what about fake dating? It worked on us, didnât it?â
Minseo thinks itâs an absurd idea. âJust how would we go about that? They wrote the whole book on this thing. Literally. Iâve seen their notes.âÂ
âI mean⌠Jeonghanâs not going on a date. He flat out refuses to do anything with anyone. But would Y/N? If the right person asks? Maybe it would prompt Jeonghan to do something.â Chan shrugs.Â
After a beat of silence everyone turns to Minghao. His eyes flare. âNo. Absolutely not. Iâd do a lot of things for Y/N but Iâm not interested in being a pawn in all of this. Itâs cruel of you to even suggest it. Plus, sheâs not interested and she never has been.â
âThatâs not totally true, but I understand. This is already too messy,â Minseo agrees, turning back to the whiteboard. She ignores the questions that come from multiple people and claps her hands loudly. âNo! No more hurt feelings here! Weâre trying to fix things!â
Begrudgingly, the only thing they can totally agree on is forced proximity of some kind. Jeonghan and Y/N were inseparable before and if they have to be around each other some of that might naturally come back. Seungcheol doesnât elaborate but he believes itâll work because he's seen them interact since the break up. They scrap the other ideas and decide to pray for a miracle.Â
They had all underestimated the lengths that both Y/N and Jeonghan would go to to avoid each other. Itâs been a month and not a single thing has worked so far. The first attempts are simple. Jeonghanâs friends know his schedule and Y/Nâs friends know hers now, and they try to make them mesh often. The two groups run into each other at the student union or on the way to class and stop to chat or plan to meet for dinner and drinks, but both subjects of their plot drift to the back of the group, make excuses that theyâre late to something, or simply canât make it. This happens no less than five times and the team regroups to try a different strategy.Â
The second one is pretty ambitious and takes some coordination and a little white lying. Joshua convinces Jeonghan to go on a triple date with him and Jieun. He says one of the guys had to drop out last minute and they donât want Jieunâs friend to be left out. Thereâs absolutely no pressure to date -Â just an opportunity to get out, chat a bit, and get some fresh air, food, and drinks. What Jeonghan didnât know was that the second couple was Mingyu and Minseo, who only agreed to be seen together because they needed to rope Y/N in as well. Minseo had said she was considering taking Mingyu back and she wanted Y/N there as a voice of reason. Yes, Y/N would be that friend who would have been dateless if Jeonghan didnât go.Â
They all regret this strategy and think it was a terrible idea because itâs so painful to watch how Y/N and Jeonghan both avoid each othersâ looks and drink too much. They have to cut dinner short to take both of them home to sleep it off. They make the decision that they canât use forced proximity if alcohol is involved.
The third and fourth attempts present themselves back to back and itâs sheer luck. First, Jeonghan comes down with a cold. It knocks him on his ass for days and Seungcheol remembers that this idea was on the board at one point. He lets Y/N know that Jeonghan is really sick but Seungcheol has to go to class and canât stay with him. He asks if she can drop in and check on him. She looks conflicted but hesitantly agrees. When Seungcheol comes home, Jeonghanâs trudging through the kitchen and Y/N is nowhere to be found. âDid you make soup?â Jeonghan asks as he looks into the pot on the stove top. Itâs still warm.
Seungcheol tries not to look smug. âNo, must have been Y/N. I asked her to stop by since Iâd be gone for a while. Didnât you see her?â
Jeonghan looks crestfallen. âNo⌠she must have come by when I was asleep.â Despite saying he hadnât had an appetite in days, Jeonghan has three servings of soup in one sitting and thereâs something warm and relaxed about his expression when heâs done.
As luck would have it, the next week Y/N comes down with food poisoning. Vernon comes back from class and realizes Y/N had never left for her own classes because sheâs too busy with her head over the toilet. Wonwoo says Mingyu is suffering from it as well since they ordered the same thing the night before.Â
Knowing that Jeonghan is home, Vernon makes the same excuse that Seungcheol did. He has to go, but could Jeonghan check on her while heâs gone? Jeonghan hesitantly agrees. When Vernon comes back, he finds Jeonghan sitting on Y/Nâs bathroom floor with her head in his lap. She seems to be asleep while he strokes her hair. Heâs got his eyes closed too, head leaned back against the wall when Vernon knocks.Â
Vernon asks if he needs anything, and even offers to help get her back to bed in case heâs itching to escape. Minseo had insisted that straight up trapping them was the absolute last resort. Jeonghan declines and says heâll take care of it. Vernon doesnât put his headphones in when he goes to bed, hoping to catch when Jeonghan leaves, but he falls asleep before that happens.Â
Itâs late when Jeonghan leads Y/N out of the bathroom with a hand on her back to steady her. He hasnât said much to her since he came in a while ago. Just an âI got itâ when her hair keeps falling in her face as she vomits or a simple âhereâ when he hands her a cup of water to rinse her mouth out at the sink. But sheâd been sick more than once and the cycle repeated. The same holding back of her hair, the same gentle rubbing of her back, the same cup of water. When there couldnât be anything left to make her sick, he sat in the floor beside her and pulled her to lay down. Sheâs not sure how long she slept but thatâs where she woke up, his fingers combing through her sweaty hair. Sheâs so tired that she canât even cry at the feeling or be embarrassed.
Jeonghan helped her into bed and Y/N tried to grab his hand when he turned away. âAre you leaving?â Her voice sounds terrible for so many reasons that she doesnât want to think about much. Tonight is the closest heâs been since she dropped that mug in January.Â
Sheâs so surprised when his lips turn up at the corners. âIâm just turning off the light.â She lets him go, and as promised, he comes back. Instead of laying down, he sits up against the headboard. His arm comes around her shoulders and she falls into him, head landing low on his chest. Sheâs afraid to talk because she doesnât want to run him off. His hand rubs her arm up and down soothingly.
âDo you feel better?â He asks after a long time. He sounds sleepy. She thinks about Christmas break at his parentsâ house when she hears it.
âSome. Thanks for coming to help me.âÂ
He hums and it vibrates under her ear. âIâll always come help you.âÂ
âReally?â Y/Nâs voice cracks weakly. She hopes he thinks itâs because sheâs been sick, but he squeezes her arm like he knows itâs not that.
âYeah. I meant it when I said Iâd give you whatever you want.âÂ
This conversation is starting to feel like ripping open an old wound but she clings to him anyway. âDid you think Iâd want space?â
âDonât you?â Heâs so soft when he says it.Â
âNo,â she answers quickly, then she hesitates. âDo you?âÂ
There are so many beats of silence that she loses count and then he mumbles, âNo.â He lays his head on top of hers.Â
âMaybe weâre not so good at scheming,â Y/N laughs, but it feels and sounds hollow.
A laugh rumbles in his chest under her ear but it actually sounds genuine, like he thinks of it fondly. âWhat are you talking about? Your plan was great.â
âI donât know. Phase three was pretty weak.âÂ
He hums. âHow so?â He pats her hair soothingly.
âI guess we never talked about what comes⌠after everything. We just stopped talking, stopped seeing each other entirely.â One hand is still on her head and his other hand finds her ring, spinning it as she talks. It spins and spins and spins and she thinks he might not have anything to say. So she tacks on, âIf thatâs what you want, I understand. I just⌠wish weâd talked about it first.â
More spinning. So much spinning that sheâs becoming dizzy watching it. She almost misses it when he mumbles, âItâs not what I want. I thought itâs what you wanted.âÂ
âNo, itâs not. I missed you.â It feels good to admit it. Jeonghanâs still spinning her ring, so she keeps talking. âWe spent so much time together and then nothing. Itâs been hard for me, Hannie.â
Both arms wrap around her now. âI missed you too. I havenât been myself lately.â
Eventually, Y/N whispers, âHow would you like to proceed?â She feels him smile into her hair.Â
âLetâs start over.â Itâs not a question and Y/N is elated. She sits up. Heâs still smiling as he sticks out his hand. It makes her smile too at the familiarity of it all. Theyâve done this before and they can do it again. She places her hand in his and shakes.Â
âHi, Iâm Y/N. Would you like to be friends?â
âIâm Jeonghan, your new best friend. Nice to meet you.â
The Y/N + Jeonghan group chat gets a text from Vernon first thing the next morning. ���It worked!!! Heâs still here!!! Theyâre eating breakfast together!!!!!â
Though very few recipients are together that early in the morning, thereâs a lot of celebration. Soonyoung even gets the evil eye from his instructor because he received the text in class and let out a gasp.Â
A minute later, Vernon sent a follow up text. âFalse alarm? They say they arenât back together???â
Vernon doesnât have a good explanation for their questions because heâs just as confused. They look just like they did late last semester, sitting at the table next to each other, talking, smiling. There are even small signs of affection. But when Vernon âjokinglyâ asks if theyâre finally rekindling their relationship, they both say no.
The following month is confusing. Theyâre just like they were before, but maybe even worse. They spend every waking moment together outside of class, Y/Nâs work, and Jeonghanâs internship. They sleep over at each otherâs apartments every night and are often found cuddling together. They start going to parties together again, but often sneak off for what they call a âlittle adventureâ and no one really knows what that means. They post each other on their social medias constantly.Â
The first time around there was something almost shy about how they were around each other. Now, that was not the case. They acted like they wanted to crawl into each othersâ skin most of the time. There was the usual stuff like hand holding in a crowd, or Jeonghanâs hand landing on Y/N's back or waist. Or when they sat next to each other on the couch or while they were out to eat, Jeonghanâs arm quickly came around her shoulders and sometimes Y/Nâs hand landed on his thigh.Â
Then there was what Minseo had identified as cuteness aggression. One time, Seungcheol witnessed Y/N showing up at their apartment in a very oversized hoodie, sweater paws and all. Jeonghan had cooed at her, squishing her cheeks and calling her âso fucking cuteâ. Another time, Jeonghan showed up at Y/Nâs apartment with a new hair cut and Vernon witnessed Y/N squeal and grab his face while screaming about how good it looked. On both of these occasions, the person receiving the aggression would scoff and push the aggressor away with a blush. The aggressor would say, âYou love me.â The person receiving the aggression would roll their eyes and say, âYeah, I guess I do.â
Then there were the looks. Distinctive from the looks of adoration that theyâd give each other when the other wasnât looking (which still happened all the time), these were dubbed the âmind readingâ looks. This usually resulted in pranks or cheating at whatever game they were playing with the group, but one particular time, Wonwoo was a victim of it. Like everyone in the Y/N + Jeonghan group chat, Wonwoo wanted answers. At dinner, he watches Jeonghan and Y/N pick things off each othersâ plates and it makes him lose it. âAre you guys seriously not dating?â
Y/N and Jeonghan give identical looks, eyebrows raised in amusement, when someone asks them this. âNo, why do you ask?â Y/N asks evenly.Â
âYou guys are grosser now than when you were fake dating. And I caught you guys having sex back then, so thatâs saying something.â
A hush falls over the table because theyâd all agreed to not let Y/N and Jeonghan know that their secret was out. However, it doesnât seem to matter because Y/N and Jeonghan share one of those âmind readingâ looks for exactly one second before they turn back to Wonwoo and gaslight the shit out of him. Jeonghan just smiles and says, âI donât know what youâre talking about, Wonwoo. That would be crazy of us to do.â
And then there were the comments that gave the group whiplash. One day at dinner, Jeonghan is texting his family when he scoffs and turns to Y/N. âI think my mom likes you more than me.âÂ
Or when they were getting ready to go to a party and Vernon overhears Y/N getting ready in her room while Jeonghan hangs out. Thatâs not unusual, right down to changing in front of each other. Y/N laughs about a bad hair day and says sheâs going to look like a hot mess tonight. Jeonghan laughs and says, âNo, youâre just hot.â
The shamelessness of it all has the group in front of the whiteboard at Jihoonâs house multiple times throughout the month but they don't know what to do. Y/N and Jeonghan seemed so happy, maybe even happier than when they were âdatingâ. They batted around theories. Maybe it was because their friendship was genuine while their dating wasnât. Maybe it was because they were just better off as friends. Or maybe they were actually dating for real and hiding it.Â
That last theory has them desperately planning one final attempt because they want nothing more than to celebrate their friends being together and the idea of them hiding it now causes hysteria. They all schedule a last minute spring break trip to the beach and Y/N and Jeonghan easily agree. They even make the drive together and Seungkwan and Chan are forced to sit in the back while Y/N gets passenger princess and aux cord privileges. When they all arrive at the beach house and decide sleeping arrangements, Mingyu asks Y/N and Jeonghan if theyâre okay with sharing a room. No one is surprised when they just shrug because theyâve slept in the same bed every night for over a month now.Â
Throughout the trip, the group attempts to set up increasingly obvious romantic scenarios. They leave without waking them up in the morning, everyone tiptoeing out of the beach house so they can have a quiet morning to themselves. They basically sprint back from the pier or the restaurant down the block so that Y/N and Jeonghan have space as they walk slowly. When they grill out on the back deck at night, they intentionally play a slow song or two and are elated when Jeonghan pulls Y/N into a slow dance as they giggle. On their last night, they watch them sit on the beach together with Y/N leaning on Jeonghanâs shoulder as they watch the fireworks.Â
In the car on the way back, Seungkwan asks if theyâre finally getting back together and they say no. They seem to mean it, so the group decides that maybe its time to let this go.Â
The Y/N + Jeonghan group chat has been silent for days since spring break when Joshua and Jeonghan hang out after class one day. Y/N is working which is probably the only reason Jeonghan agreed to meet. Joshua watches his friend closely. He does seem happy - the happiest Joshua thinks heâs ever seen him, really. Joshua doesnât want to ruin the mood, but he really has to know because itâs beginning to drive him crazy.Â
âHan, can I ask you something?â Joshua asks and Jeonghan hums. âAre you and Y/N really okay? As friends, I mean?â
âYeah, of course. Why do you ask?â Jeonghan asks, but he seems kind of disinterested in the conversation, glancing between Joshua and his phone. Joshuaâs sure heâs texting Y/N, because he always is when theyâre apart.Â
Joshua frowns, hesitating. âI mean, you said you were in love with her back in February. I just wondered if thatâs still the case.â
Jeonghan looks up at Joshua for real this time, eyebrow raised. âWhen did I say that?â
âValentineâs Day, apparently. I wasnât there, but you had some things to say while you were drunk.â
Sliding his phone onto the table, Jeonghan slumps in his seat, arms crossed. He seems lost in thought. âIs that how you guys knew about the fake dating too?â Joshua nods in confirmation and Jeonghan hums, throwing his head back to look at the ceiling. âSounds like you guys might have been doing your own plotting. Donât think I forgot about the triple date.â
Joshua chortles. âYeah, we thought you two might figure that out. Look, Iâm asking because if youâre happy with where things are at then weâll back off. Weâve all instigated so much of this mess. We were just trying to fix it.â
Jeonghanâs still looking at the ceiling and he doesnât answer for a long time, so long that Joshua wonders if he even heard him or if heâll even answer. Finally, he sighs like heâs resigned himself to something. He sits up and looks Joshua in the eyes. âOf course, Iâm still in love with her. More than I was before, even. And Iâll give her whatever she wants, but I think thatâs just friends at this point.â
Joshua frowns. âHave you asked her what she wants? Maybe youâre misreading things.â Joshuaâs certain heâs misreading things, actually.Â
âI donât know that I need to,â Jeonghan shrugs. âSheâs the one that came up with this whole plan. I guess she could have just dated me if she wanted to do that for real. I would have said yes because I was already into her.â
Joshua gives an exasperated sigh, and Jeonghan just stares. âCan I be honest?â He doesnât really wait for an answer. âWe all think it was real. It might have started as fake and a lot of things were probably coordinated in the very beginning, but it seemed far too natural at some point. I mean, you guys looked so in love it was sickening, and thatâs me saying that. You might be calling yourselves friends now like nothing happened but you still look at each other that way. Really, youâre even more shameless now as âfriendsâ than you were when you were âdatingâ.âÂ
Joshua puts his head in his hands, rubbing his eyes. Heâd wanted to say all of this for so long that it feels like heâs bursting at the seams now. âI canât watch you fall apart again the way you were earlier this year. You wouldnât eat. You drank every night to go to sleep. You wouldnât go out, wouldnât talk. When we did see you it was like you werenât really there.â
âThat wonât happen again, especially if we just stay friends,â Jeonghan insisted. Heâs apologized to his friends a few times about how heâd behaved in the first couple months of the year and for causing them to worry.
Joshua couldnât help but scoff. âAnd what happens when she moves on and starts dating someone else? Can you stand watching that? Can you stand the idea of being at her wedding in five or ten years as a guest? Jeonghan, I want to believe youâd be okay, but Iâm not so sure.â
âSo what do I do then?â Jeonghan shakes his head helplessly and Joshua hates to see it. Like his fate is already sealed.
âIt depends. What do you want? What would make you happy?â Joshua hesitates, but feels he has no choice but to add on, âWould you move on, too?â
Jeonghan closes his eyes. It takes him a long time to answer but finally he shakes his head. âShe makes me happy and I canât imagine moving on. I just donât know how to get out of the friend zone that Iâve put myself in, even though itâs far better than nothing. Remember, Iâm bad at dating. She was the one that was good at dating and Iâm just good at being in love with her. And no, I donât know if Iâll ever fully recover from this enough to move on.â
âNo, you looked like an expert in dating. Still do actually,â Joshua laughed. âItâs the asking out that might need some work. Let us help you,â Joshua was practically begging.Â
Jeonghan grimaced. âNo offense, but you guys arenât great at plotting. Everything youâve done is pretty transparent. Besides, whoâs âusâ?âÂ
Joshua just grinned. âAre you free tonight?âÂ
When Jeonghan walks into Jihoonâs living room later that night, he didnât know what to expect but it wasnât this. Everyone except for Y/N is here and they look very surprised to see him. He doesnât respond to the questions because heâs too busy reading the whiteboard behind Minseo. He wants to laugh because some of the things that are written down are ridiculous, but heâs actually kind of touched and wonders how long theyâve been doing this. Despite the fact that their efforts were incredibly transparent, theyâve clearly been putting in a lot of work.Â
âScratch everything, I have a new plan,â Joshua announces.Â
âAnd⌠that involves Jeonghan being here? No offense,â Junhui adds.Â
Joshua gives a bit of an uncharacteristically evil laugh. âYes.â He goes to the whiteboard, taking the eraser from Minseo. He gets rid of everything on the board and then writes âHannie confesses to Y/Nâ at the top. Jeonghan groans and almost turns to leave.Â
âJoshua, when you said youâd help me, I didnât think this was what you meant,â Jeonghan gestures to the crowded room.Â
âJust trust the process! Weâre going to make this work.â Joshua sounds so sure. Jeonghan frowns, looking around the room. They all look hopeful, honestly. Even Y/Nâs friends that didnât really like him. Seungkwan and Soonyoung separate to make room for him on the couch.Â
He thinks of what things are like with Y/N now, and even what they were like when it was fake. It makes his chest ache. Because Joshua was right earlier. Not all of it was fake, certainly not near the end. And heâs being driven by the same emotions now as friends. He wonders if it ever really was fake for him. Maybe he could have just asked her out at the diner that night instead of hatching their plan. Maybe she would have just said yes back then.Â
He swallows hard. His pride is what got him into this mess, but now heâd have to put it aside if any of these people could help him. He walked to the couch and took a seat.Â
It turns out that all of their friends are hopeless romantics. Jeonghan watches as they practically fight over the markers to write their ideas, and those that wonât fight over the markers just start yelling out ideas so someone else can write it down. Itâs totally overwhelming the amount of choices heâs being given and Minseo frowns at him when he stares at the board blankly. âJeonghan, you canât overthink this. It has to feel natural, so some of this might not work for you and thatâs okay,â Minseo says, trying to ease his tension.Â
Instead, he laughs. Laughs because Y/N had told him over and over again in the beginning that it had to be natural. Laughs at the absurdity of all of their ideas and how heâd actually do any of it if he thought it would work.Â
Then comes the crisis intervention because they must think heâs losing it. Someone takes a picture of the board and then Minseo erases it so they can organize it better. Theyâre so meticulous about all of this that Jeonghan is kind of perplexed by how none of their other plans worked if this kind of energy went into it. They organize the chaotic list into date ideas, affection, romantic gestures, gifts, and domestic activities. They even argue about what something should be categorized as. For instance, Jihoon thinks flowers are gifts and Junhui thinks itâs just a romantic gesture and doesnât really count as a gift.Â
Then they start asking him what he thinks. His mind is shockingly empty. He kind of expects them to laugh at him when he admits he doesnât know, particularly Seungcheol and Mingyu who would have enjoyed this type of thing so much before, but instead they frown and start suggesting things even though theyâre already on the board and heâs already read it. Buy her flowers. Take her on a date. Buy her a gift (this restarts Jihoon and Junhuiâs argument all over again). Write her a love note. Vernon says he should just kiss her and get this over with. Jeonghan shakes his head, though heâs definitely thought about it already, far before he walked into Jihoonâs house tonight.
Ultimately, they give him the list and tell him to do what feels right. They also say that theyâll assist in anyway they can. They add him to a group chat so he can update them and he canât help but scoff at the name of the group chat when he sees it.Â
His mind is racing when he, Seungcheol, and Vernon meet Y/N at the entrance to their apartment complex. Sheâs just gotten home from work and she smiles, asking how their night was. Jeonghan blindly follows her into her apartment and into her room. He blindly changes clothes, which heâs started keeping here, and gets into bed with her. He barely even glances at her as she changes too, getting ready for bed.
âSomething on your mind?â Y/N asks from her pillow.Â
Jeonghan does what he calls his best âold Y/Nâ impression and hopes itâs convincing. âNo, Iâm good. Just tired I guess.â
âWhat did you guys get into tonight? Anything fun?â Y/Nâs voice is light, but he can tell she wants to prod.
âJust hung out at Jihoonâs, nothing crazy.â What a lie. It left a gross taste in his mouth because not once had he ever lied to her like that, but he wasnât ready to admit how heâd spent his night. Maybe if all of this worked out, they could laugh about it one day.
Y/N hums, stares through him for a moment, and then finally smiles as she closes her eyes. âFine, keep your secrets for now.â Jeonghan scoffs, pulling her into him.Â
âNothing bad, I promise.â Heâs not really sure if thatâs the whole truth either, but he kisses the top of her head anyway. She falls asleep long before him and he sees the whiteboard filled with rainbow hand writing every time he tries to close his eyes.Â
Jeonghan is starting to feel the pressure. Itâs been nearly a month since that night at Jihoonâs with the whiteboard and graduation is approaching in a matter of two weeks. For some reason, heâd set this as a soft deadline for this little plan to be completed, whether or not it worked in his favor. Heâd crossed off a lot of things from the listtheir friends had put together, and even some of his own when the opportunities had presented themselves, with little results.
One Saturday, they both were itching to get out of the house. Y/N had suggested they go to the park and get some sun. Jeonghan had offered to pack up some food for a picnic while they were there. While Y/N showered and got ready, Jeonghan asked the group chat if picnics were considered romantic. The overwhelming reaction was yes, accompanied by hearts and exclamation points, and even a voice message from Soonyoung of him screaming (or maybe sobbing, but Jeonghan couldnât be sure). So Jeonghan took great care with what he put together while he gave himself a little pep talk. Most of it went out of the window when Y/N came into the kitchen in a sun dress, turning around to ask if he could help her zip it up. His heart pounded as he did it and he was thankful that she was too busy eyeing the food to notice whatever expression he was wearing. The day was nice, but he was a nervous wreck the whole time. She looked too pretty as she laid down in the grass and he felt like a teenager. It wasnât the right time.Â
On Wednesday night, they planned to have a movie night at his apartment. She was wearing his hoodie as she curled up on the couch next to him. He didnât think much about it when he pulled her feet into his lap and started rubbing them. She sighed and sagged into the couch like she could fall asleep. Seungcheol came in and spotted them, and the excited look on his face told him that Jeonghan might be doing something right, even if he hadnât realized it. Before he could work up the courage to say anything, she was already asleep.Â
On Friday night, Jeonghanâs new lego set comes in and he canât wait to put it together. Heâd already told Y/N how excited he was for it to arrive, but he was even more excited when she showed up at his apartment that night with things to make dinner, saying that they could put it together afterwards. He was so distracted that she had to guide him through a lot of the instructions.Â
On Saturday, theyâre at a book store because Y/N is itching to pick up a few new things. He patiently follows her around the store, letting her add books to the growing stack in his arms. While in line to check out, they look at the knick knacks near the register. He hears Y/N giggle and she points to a set of matching bracelets, one with a sun and one with a moon on it. âWouldnât that be cheesy?â She says, but her eyes are gleaming with something really special that makes Jeonghanâs heart skip a beat.Â
âYeah, about as cheesy as your ring,â Jeonghan chuckles. She looks at it for a moment too long and he finds himself saying, âGet them. Iâll wear the sun one.â
She gives him a playful look. âWhat if I wanted the sun?âÂ
âThen you get the sun. Go on,â he insists, nodding his head at them. She picks up the bracelets, not needing anymore convincing. At the register, the employee comments on how cute they are together. Jeonghan beams when Y/N doesnât correct her.Â
The following Wednesday, Jeonghan is at his internship at the law office. Itâs pretty mindless stuff, shuffling papers around and taking a few phone calls here and there, so he spends a lot of his time texting Y/N throughout the day. Heâs surprised when she tells him she wonât be going to class. Itâs unlike her and heâs immediately a little concerned. Finally, she admits that sheâs not feeling good because sheâs on her period. He almost texts the group chat to ask for advice, but at the last minute he changes his mind and texts his sister.Â
So on the way home, he calls her and asks if she needs anything. After some prodding, she hesitantly asks for tampons. He immediately recognizes this as the Most Boyfriend Task heâs ever been given and promptly asks her to send him what she needs. When he shows up with tampons in addition to some flowers and a slice of cake from the bakery, she cries. This night turns into the Most Boyfriend kind of night as he makes her dinner, throws a load of laundry in that she meant to do earlier, and cuddles her on the couch with a heating pad.Â
When sheâs just about asleep, he hears her say, âthanks for taking care of me.â
Itâs a no brainer to say, âyou donât have to thank me. Itâs what you deserve.â
She snuggles deeper into his chest. âYouâd make a great boyfriend, Yoon Jeonghan.â
He finds himself laughing. âThatâs all thanks to you. Youâre a great teacher.âÂ
She giggles in his chest sleepily. âI donât remember this lesson. You came by this naturally it seems.â Heâs relieved that they can make references to how all this started without any awkwardness.Â
He feels like this might be the right time, but it takes too long to give himself a little pep talk. When he calls her name out, she doesnât respond, clearly asleep. He sighs, kissing her head.Â
Then suddenly itâs dead week, and then itâs finals week, and everyone is so stressed by the end of the semester that now is certainly not a good time. Heâs not stressed about that. Heâs stressed about the whiteboard in front of him. Jihoon was kind of confused when he showed up unannounced but let him in anyway. He can feel Jihoonâs eyes on him as he stares at the board.Â
âNo luck yet, I take it?â He asks gently and it makes Jeonghan want to put his head in his hands.Â
âNo, itâs never felt like the right time.âÂ
Jihoon is quiet for a long time, looking at the board with him. So many things are crossed off. âMaybe there isnât a such thing as a right time? Maybe you just need to say it.â
Jeonghan chuckles, but thereâs a tinge of darkness to it. âWhat? Just say âI love you, Y/N. Iâd like to date for real this timeâ?â He frowns when Jihoon shrugs.Â
âItâs a good ideas as any. Youâve been dropping hints for a while now. Maybe hints wonât work.â
âHow would I even do that? What setting could possibly be fitting for something like that?â Jeonghan sighs in exasperation. There had been so many seemingly romantic opportunities and nothing had felt right.Â
Eventually, Jihoon hummed. âHow do you and Y/N feel about heights?âÂ
Jeonghanâs snapped to Jihoon. âWhat?â
âI have an idea, but youâll have to trust me.âÂ
Jeonghan was feeling pretty desperate so what did he have to lose.Â
Finals week is over and graduation was on Saturday. It felt like a whirlwind for Y/N to finally have a degree in hand, one that her parents had never been convinced she could get on her own without their support. If sheâd listened to them four years ago, she would be abroad at some prestigious university that her parents had donated heavily to change her acceptance status for. She would be preparing for med school, or law school, or something equally prestigious to fit the family dynamic. Something that her father can brag about in between business meetings or her mother can rub in other rich ladiesâ faces about while getting drinks at the country club. Sheâd kind of expected that her parents might show up for graduation. As a sort of olive branch, sheâd sent them an invitation for it. But they hadnât shown up and that was just as well. Being disinherited and disowned was okay too.Â
Instead, sheâd been staring at her stupid English degree that she paid for by herself in the apartment that sheâd paid rent for without access to the trust fund that had her name on it but had never had access to. And this apartment would remain hers for a while longer because sheâd already applied and been accepted to the grad program of her choice at this very university and she and Vernon were renewing their lease.Â
Things are good. Better than theyâd ever been, really.Â
Sheâs still looking at her degree when thereâs a knock on her open bedroom door. Lee Seokmin is standing there. Heâd come in for the graduation, but Y/N kind of expected not to see him again before he left. He looks a little nervous, but he comes to stand next to her and look down at her degree too.Â
After a long moment, he finally speaks. âIâm proud of you, you know?â Y/N stares up at him while he admires the diploma. Itâs the first thing heâs said directly to her since that day in the cafe with Jeonghan last November. âI remember how nervous you were when we started here. Worried about money. Worried about classes. Burning yourself at both ends to make it work. I worried about you a lot back then. Iâm sorry I wasnât here to see all of it work out until now.â
âAre you?â Y/N hopes the question doesnât sound unkind, but sheâs confused. She remembers how he was when he broke up with her. It was awkward, but in a way it was also unapologetic. Thatâs what had hurt the most about it. Nothing she had said back then seemed to change his mind.Â
âI deserve that,â Seokmin chuckles, looking a little embarrassed as he rubs the back of his neck. âBut yes. I am sorry - for a lot of things really, more than just that.â
âDo you regret it?â She means the break up, but she doesnât specify in case thereâs something else. This is a wound thatâs barely closed. She doesnât want him back, wouldnât even entertain the idea if he asked, but this conversation has been put off for long enough and itâs time for some healing while heâs brave enough to approach her.Â
Seokmin still wonât look at her. âYes and no. No, because I really needed to take that role. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up. But yes in just about every other way.â
âWhat about Minnie?â Her question is still not unkind, just curious.Â
Seokmin laughs, finally looking at her. âIt didnât work out, which is total karma for how I left things with you.â
Y/N frowns. Despite being upset at how heâd moved on so fast, sheâd never wished him any ill will. She couldnât after all the times heâd had her back over the years. âIâm sorry, Seokmin. That sucks.â
He shrugs with a relaxed smile. âItâs okay. Itâs kind of awkward to work with her now, but thatâs temporary.â He chuckles again, looking around her room now. âYou know, when she found out I was coming to visit, she accused me of wanting to get back together with you.â
This gave Y/N pause. This was a part of the conversation sheâd kind of hoped to avoid. âAnd⌠is that why you stopped by?â
âNo,â Seokmin shakes his head. âI lost my one chance. Iâve just been too big of a coward to give you a real apology, which you deserve, so here it goes.â He takes a deep breath. âIâm sorry I threw our whole relationship out like that. I regretted it as soon as I was on the plane. Iâm sorry I started dating just like that. And Iâm sorry that little secret made it seem like our friends were picking sides.â She must have looked surprised because he smiles at her shyly. âIâve been caught up on some things. Fake dating, huh?â
Y/N scoffs, but itâs not entirely humorless. âYou guys are such gossips.â
âYeah, we are,â Seokmin laughed and sheâd kind of missed how joyful he was. Heâd always been such a mood maker. Then his expression turns serious. âCan I ask how things are going there? With Jeonghan, I mean. You guys seem close.â
Y/N isn't sure how to answer. She plops down on the edge of her bed. âThatâs a good question.â
âIâm a good listener. Maybe I can help.â That much is true. Seokmin has always been a great person to unload your worries on. Itâs one of the things that made her let her guard down all those years ago, even though everything else in her life was bad at that time. When she doesnât kick him out immediately, he rolls out her desk chair and sits to face her.Â
Y/N spins her ring, staring down at it when the sunlight catches it. âI love him. Iâve been in love with him for a long time, I think. Itâs never been like this with anyone, but weâve made such a mess of things. But now things are good. Heâs the best friend I could ever ask for. I donât want to run him off.â
Seokmin shakes his head, chuckling. âI donât think itâs possible to run him off. Why donât you just tell him how you feel?â
âI donât think heâd be open to it. I mean, this is the man that agreed to fake date me after he lost a bet. Heâs opened up so much since then, I donât want him to slam the door in my face if I ask for something too serious.â
âY/N, can I be honest?â Y/N looks up at him and heâs so serious. âIâve been hearing about you guys all semester. How love sick you were and how gross you guys are now despite not being together. And I saw what they meant yesterday at the graduation and dinner after. You guys look like youâre dating already. I mean the way he looks at you is like you hung the stars. And I know that look well because I used to wear it all the time.âÂ
Y/N spins her ring some more, looking at him blankly. âSo what do I do? You know Iâm so bad at letting people in like that. I mean, it took years for me to say âI love youâ back when we were together. And Iâm just supposed to say it out of the blue now?â
âBut youâve already let him in, more than you ever let me in from what I hear.â Thereâs no bitterness in Seokminâs words. âHe matches your intellect, he makes you laugh, and he gets you in ways that I only wished I could. Iâm kind of surprised to say it but Yoon Jeonghan is kind of the perfect match for you.â
âYeah, it does feel that way,â Y/N mumbled.Â
Seokmin pats her knee a couple times and itâs entirely friendly and comforting. âStop overthinking it. All you have to do is ask him and heâd say yes.â
âHow do you know that?â Y/Nâs mind is flashing to all of the times that Jeonghan said heâd give her whatever she wanted. It had never occurred to her that he really meant anything literally.Â
Now Seokmin is full on laughing. âBecause everyone does. Thereâs a whole whiteboard about it apparently. Seriously, stop overthinking it. Youâll be happier for it. Trust me, I know you better than you know yourself sometimes.â He gets up and leaves, but Y/N is frozen in place.Â
Jeonghan wanders into Y/Nâs bathroom midday to find her doing her makeup. She smiles at him as he sits on the closed toilet seat to keep her company. He thinks she looks really pretty in a little white sundress and her hair is already lightly curled. She doesnât dress up like this much, particularly without all the grunge or black, and he wonders why sheâs putting so much effort in for the fair tonight. He doesnât ask because he doesnât want to make it sound like he doesnât like it or make her feel self-conscious about it. He loves anything she does.Â
Instead, he watches her put mascara on with comically wide eyes and smiles. âYou look pretty.â
She flashes him a smile that could stop his heart and then goes back to the mascara. âThanks. You look nice too.â He doesnât believe it because heâs just picked some jeans and a t-shirt, but he thanks her anyway. Sheâs unusually quiet, and it occurs to him how funny it is that he finds it odd. Last semester he was sometimes surprised if she even so much as looked at him, but now heâs come to expect her usual chatter.Â
âDoing okay?â He wonders what it could be about. Sheâd had a stressful last two weeks cranking out final assignments and stressing about the grade sheâd get. Jeonghan had talked her off the ledge multiple times because she nearly had a 4.0 and was already accepted into her grad program anyway. She could relax because she was already set up for success.
He also hadnât missed the way she looked around the crowd outside of the stadium where the graduation was held yesterday. He didnât have to ask who she was looking for because all of their friends were already there. Heâd seen that sheâd sent her parents an invitation, but theyâd never graced her with their presence, or even responded to her message.Â
Jeonghan thinks his family may have made up for it. Despite the news of their âbreak upâ after New Years, theyâd greeted her warmly and even brought her flowers. Jeonghan wasnât sure how theyâd known she wouldnât be receiving any from her own parents, but he didnât ask. Maybe things were more transparent back around Christmas break than heâd thought. It had made her happy anyway.
Y/N sighs. âYeah, itâs just the first time I feel like I could relax in a while.â
âYeah, I was beginning to worry about you,â Jeonghan teased though it was entirely true. He didnât like to see her stressed and had mindlessly picked up things like cooking, cleaning, and laundry in the midst of her panic. Since he couldnât talk her into taking a break, he picked up other things she was neglecting and worrying about catching up on later.
âThanks for picking up my slack again. Boyfriend material yet again. No! Husband material even,â she teases as she puts on blush now. He thinks maybe he sees a tinge of pink right before the brush actually touches her cheek, but he canât be sure.Â
But it doesnât matter because heâs trying to remember how to breathe. Her boyfriend material comments have become frequent, but the word âhusbandâ absolutely floors him. The old Jeonghan would be running the other way now thinking heâd be a bachelor forever, but he finds a little thrill in the idea of the title.Â
Or a big thrill, if heâs being honest. But only if sheâs the one saying it and it has âmyâ in front of it.Â
He fiddles with his rings to distract himself. âJust doing what you deserve. I donât mind taking care of those things if it makes things easier for you. Besides, we can relax tonight. Weâll get some food, play some games, ride some rides.â
âYou donât want to ride any rides, Hannie,â Y/N teases.Â
Itâs true, itâs not his favorite thing. But he remembers how her eyes lit up when Jihoon had mentioned the fair. The look was so childlike and pure that, once again, Jeonghan would do whatever she asked if she kept looking like that. Even if it made him nauseous.Â
âDoesnât matter. Iâll go with you anyway.âÂ
The blush is a little brighter all of the sudden, but she shakes her head. He thinks sheâs trying to look busy because her make up seems done. âIf you puke on my shoes, Iâll be mad, Yoon Jeonghan.â
He barks a laugh, standing up to place a hand on her back and push her out of the bathroom. âThatâs Chanâs job but Iâll let him know.âÂ
Jeonghan is shockingly relaxed considering where he thinks this night will end up. He and Y/N are the last of their friends to show up and the group has been impatiently waiting by the entrance to go in. Once inside, they go straight to the most aggressive rides because Mingyu insists that they front load all of these before they eat. Jeonghan suffers through all of the spinning and jostling and flipping, complaining that thereâs no way all of these are up to code. But every time Y/N laughs at him and drags him by the hand to the next one.Â
Finally, back on the ground, Y/N and Jeonghan share a funnel cake. When she brushes powdered sugar off his cheek, he can practically feel the heart eyes heâs wearing. She doesnât say anything about it.Â
Then, they play some of the games offered at the stands around the fair. Jeonghan is pleasantly surprised when he actually wins at ring toss and letâs Y/N pick what she wants. She picks a small plushie, a glittery pink unicorn, and Jeonghan just laughs as his chest warms.Â
Itâs dark now and he keeps looking at her as they stand in line for the Ferris wheel. The bright, flashing lights from all the rides around them lights up her face every now and then and he thinks this whole idea is so fucking cheesy. But oddly it feels right this time.Â
As he helps Y/N slide into the seat of the carriage, Jeonghan spots Jihoon whispering to the fair employee thatâs running the ride. Jihoon puts something in his hand and when he turns he gives Jeonghan a not-so-subtle thumbs up. So thatâs what Jihoon meant when he said heâd take care of it. Heâs buying him time.Â
The ride spins slowly and the view is nice, but heâs distracted. Heâs rehearsed what he wants to say over and over again with Jihoon an embarrassing amount of times but his tongue feels thick now. But he doesnât know how much time he actually has up here, so he sucks in a breath and puts his hand on her thigh to get her attention.Â
Her head snaps to his and after a split second her hand lands on top of his. Her eyes are concerned. âFeel okay?â
Another deep breath, like heâs jumping off a cliff. âI love you.â The words roll off easier than he expected and he watches her eyes flare in surprise, mouth popping open a bit. He needs to talk fast now. âI have for a while now I think. I needed to say something because it was going to eat me alive.â Sheâs still quiet and sheâs looking right through him. For the first time, she looks really surprised at what she sees. Jeonghan flips his hand from her thigh and she lets him thread their fingers together. âI donât know how you feel about that, but I need you to know Iâm okay with whatever you decide. Even if itâs just friends. Even if itâs less than that.â
Sheâs silent. It hangs heavy for so long that he starts to spin her ring. He thinks sheâs trying to think a way to let him down gently. That sheâs planning to leap out of the carriage as soon as it stops near the ground. That everyone thatâs helped him at that damned whiteboard has misled him or had it all wrong.Â
Jeonghan thinks of all the opportunities sheâd given him to back out of their little scheme. He thinks the words are fitting. So he smiles nervously. âSo how would you like to proceed?â
Her eyes are watering as she pulls her hand away. This is it, he assumes.Â
But just when he is preparing to be crushed, her hands come around his face and sheâs leaning in. The kiss is soft and he doesnât know how to react. Didnât expect this. Slowly, his hand comes around her waist and the other holds the side of her head.Â
When she pulls away to look at him she laughs. âYoon Jeonghan, did you think I wouldnât return your feelings?âÂ
âYes, Iâm sure of it. Thatâs not the case?â Jeonghan feels like he could pass out because no matter what kind of pep talk he or anyone else gave him, this is not how he expected this to be going.Â
She laughs again. âNo, itâs not the case at all. I love you too. Very in love with you in fact.â
Jeonghan feels his jaw drop a bit. âSince when?â
âI was sure of it by Christmas. You?â She asks, her hand sliding down to his chest. Heâs sure she can feel his heart pound.Â
Jeonghan laughs. âSame. Weâre idiots, huh?â
âYeah, you could say that. I told you phase three was weak, but Iâm wondering if the whole thing was weak now.â
Their friends are cheering when their carriage stops at the ground and theyâre still kissing. Y/N looks shocked at the excitement. âHave I missed something?â She asks after theyâre both out of the carriage with feet on the ground again.Â
âMaybe a little,â Jeonghan teases.Â
EpilogueÂ
Y/N peers through the sheer white veil, a bouquet clutched tightly in her hands. She frowns.Â
Itâs because Jeonghan is laughing at her. âThis feels like deja vu a little bit, Y/N.âÂ
âWhy are you picking on me on today of all days?â Y/N whines, hand falling to her sides, petals falling to the floor as the bouquet hits her thigh. âYou know itâs been a stressful day. Stressful week, even!â
Jeonghanâs laughing again as he steps closer. His hands lift the veil and he places a soft kiss on her lips. No oneâs looking at them this time around. âI know, Iâm sorry. There are just some good memories like this. I saw her put the veil on you after you caught the bouquet.âÂ
âI told her I was already married. I shouldnât be the one with any of this,â Y/N grumbled, gesturing to the bouquet and veil.Â
âYouâre the maid of honor, you have to do whatever she says,â Jeonghan reminds her, putting a hand around her waist to pull her close. âHow are your feet? And your back?âÂ
âNot great. Iâm ready to crash,â Y/N slumps against him, trying not to get make up on his dress shirt. Heâs lost the suit jacket hours ago and his tie is loosened. The whole look makes Y/N salivate a little. Instead she says, âI want some champagne.âÂ
âI know, baby,â he soothes, patting the top of her head. The DJ comes to the mic before he can say anything else.Â
âItâs time for the bride and groom to cut the cake! Please gather around.â
Y/N and Jeonghan turn, mostly with Jeonghanâs help, to find the happy couple standing behind a tiered cake decorated with white and pink frosting. Minseo would not consider any other color schemes. It had to match the bridesmaids dresses after all.Â
Y/N watches Minseo look up at her new husband, a finger wagging at him as she scolds him. He smiles good-naturedly, nodding along with her. Sheâs surely warning him to not shove cake in her face. Y/N doesnât think Mingyu will. Heâs too soft for Minseo.
âWeird, isnât it?â She finds herself mumbling into Jeonghanâs ear
He giggles in her ear. âYou could say that, yeah. Didnât think Iâd be at Kim Mingyuâs wedding anytime soon. Or at all if Iâm honest.â They donât say anything else as they watch the newlyweds cut the cake and share a bite, clapping loudly. Minseo looks pleased that she doesnât have cake all over her face.
As soon as the crowd begins to disperse, Jeonghan is leading her to a seat and she drops into it, kicking off her heels under the table. âBetter?â He asks, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, hands coming to her shoulders to rub gently.Â
âYeah. What would I do without you?â Y/N giggles.Â
âHey, thatâs my line!â Jeonghan teases.Â
Seungcheol approaches them with a wide grin and a plate in each hand. He hands one to Jeonghan and slides one to Y/N. She immediately notices that there are two slices and she looks up at him questioningly. Seungcheol laughs. âI know the rule by now. One for you, one for the baby.â He walks away without another word.
Jeonghan is chuckling as he sits down next to Y/N. âThat is your rule now. Has been for a while now.â
Y/N places one hand on her stomach and picks up the fork with the other. âThis baby is a parasite,â she jokes. Jeonghan knows itâs meant in jest so he just shakes his head.Â
âI know. I feed your cravings daily, remember? That baby has some strange tastes already.â He lets her finish her cake and when she sits back in her seat, his hand lands on top of hers on her stomach, feeling her matching wedding ring underneath his fingers. âYou know, Minseo will forgive you if youâre done for the night. The other bridesmaids arenât six months pregnant and can handle it just fine.â
Y/N pouts, glancing over to the head table where Minseo and Mingyu are whispering between kisses. She looks back at her husband. âMaybe we can just sit here for a while?â
Jeonghan leans over to kiss her lips and it feels and tastes sweet. âWhatever you want, baby.â
#jeonghan#yoon jeonghan#jeonghan x reader#jeonghan imagines#seventeen#svt#seventeen x reader#svt x reader#smut
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