#loml ldh.

[kingfyre]

[23:33] The sweet taste of caramel has you smiling against Haechan’s soft lips, savoring every small moan and whimper he lets out. His hands roam your sides, soon wandering under your shirt in his attempt to pull you closer. Arms around his neck, you can’t help but entangle your fingers in his soft and fluffy locks. You gently pull at his hair, a pleased feeling spreading in your chest when he breathes out a soft gasp, hands freezing in surprise and his grip on your waist tightening.

The movie plays on in the background, long forgotten, drowned out by the sinful sound of his lips on yours, the heat between you two slowly rising. His delightful, melodic moans grow louder as you straddle his hips, his hips meeting yours halfway when you grind down on him. He tugs at your hoodie, a brief warning before he pulls it up, bunching it up at your chest, waiting for you to pull away before taking them off. Goosebumps rise all over your body and you’re not sure if it’s because of the unexpected coldness from the sudden exposure or because you and Haechan have never gone further than where you two assumed the other drew the line. 

His lips leave yours and you shiver, a whine caught in your throat as you realize his lips trailing kisses on your jaw, leading all the way to your neck. He bites down, surely leaving a mark that’ll last for a while and you whimper in surprise, your face buried in the crook of his neck. 

“We can stop this here, baby,” he murmurs, breathing heavily.

You shake your head, ghosting your lips under his ear before pulling back to see his face. “No, no. I- I want to.”

He’s hesitant, so worried, wanting to make sure you have no regrets. He looks at you, his big, doe eyes staring into yours, asking you all the questions he does not voice out. 

“I want you,” you whisper breathlessly.

Hands snaking around your thighs, he stands up, your legs around his waist, arms around his neck, as he makes his way to the bedroom. When he lays you down on the bed, he kisses you ever so softly, like he’s treading on thin ice but you kiss him back with so much passion that he thinks falling into the water, drowning in your feverish kisses and warm embrace would be even better. His hands roam your figure gently, like he’s afraid of breaking you, whispering praises and showering you with compliments. 

His lips dive back into yours, shamelessly taking your breath away, but you think if this is what it means to be drunk in someone’s love, then you’re not sure you ever want to be sober again.

[hopkei]

02.21.24 Taiki weibo update

ARENA TOUR It was so fun😭 I hope one day we can have a LIVE abroad🥰 When that time comes, will you all come to play!?

[kingfyre]

[17:27] Donghyuck holds your arm captive, hugging it like a koala, shoulders shaking as pitiful, ragged sobs hiccups out of him. His chest heaves with shallow and shaky breaths, gut-wrenching sobs wracking throughout his whole body.

“You promised me forever, Y/N!” 

Your throat tightens as a flurry of memories rushes back inside your head. You think back to when you uttered that promise, a night with his arms around you, hands intertwined with each other’s, lips sliding countless of times together, giggles and laughs, jokes and love-struck looks shared with one another, the promise of forever lingering in the air. 

“You said you don’t make promises you don’t keep,” he hiccups, his voice rough and raspy. Donghyuck doesn’t understand. He’s not sure he wants to. The desperation is clear in his eyes, sobs pained, and voice nearly gone, but he keeps a tight hold on your arm, terrified of what will happen if he lets go.

“You said- you told me forever,“ he repeats, almost like a mantra, voice cracking and your heart almost breaks for him. Almost.

"You promised me!” he yells, an anguished sob echoing through the room. You think back to all the days you spent, enjoying his company and lazing around, stealing kisses and hiding smiles, yearning for a bigger home, wedding bells and exchanging vows. Donghyuck shakes your arm madly, tears streaking down his face, “You promised me, Y/N!”

“Donghyuck,” you start, not knowing how to continue. Gulping, you try to form the words, not wanting to hurt him any further, but it was clear you’d have to, the boy clutching you tightly a blubbering mess, hair disheveled and pleading under his breath.

It was naive, you realize. So naive to think it would last forever. But it was easy to get lost in the haze of love, so easy to promise the rest of your life, especially when Donghyuck gave you nothing but his all, his love, his heart, his everything.

Your heart lurches and you feel sick, feelings of guilt and despair ringing within you. He doesn’t deserve this. He deserves true and undying love, to be spoiled with affection, sweet intoxicating kisses under the moonlight, breathless praises whispered under the sheets; nothing but pure devotion and ardor. But your love didn’t last and you don’t know when it all stopped. 

You started pulling away. You started becoming distant and quiet, refusing his hugs, turning away from his lips, returning his professions with insincerity. Donghyuck noticed, of course. He always noticed. His love and care for you knew no bounds, of course, he noticed. His heart ached every time you looked away, every time you gave him those uninterested hums of yours and every time you gave him the same excuse of being tired. But he loves you. So much. So much that when you asked for space he gave it to you, when you asked him to stop the hugs, the kisses, he tried his best and refrained from them. You knew he was deluding himself, telling himself that it’ll all go back to normal soon if he just gave you what you wanted, if he did what you asked. He’s fallen too far in but you can’t take it anymore.

“Please don’t leave me, Y/N, please.” 

“I’m sorry, please, please, please don’t go,” he whispers agonizingly, almost incoherent. Pleads spill out of his mouth in waves, becoming louder and louder and his voice is so rough, so hoarse and raspy, you almost vomit at the guilt.

He’s shouting now, almost insanely, but you can’t blame him. “I thought you loved me, you said forever! You promised!”

“I did,” you answer him quietly. “I did love you. So much. I loved you so much, Donghyuck…”

You continue, refusing to look at him for the fear that you might break, “I know what I promised, Donghyuck.“

His grip on your arms loosens a bit, but it’s enough for you to wrangle it out. He tries to reach for you again, but you step back and hurt fills him even more, another sob breaking out of him.

"I know I promised, but you know I’ll break it if I have to,” you sigh, “I can’t do this anymore.”

“No, please,” he begs, staying rooted to his spot. Ignoring his words, you step towards the door and you almost hesitate, but you open it, not even sparing a glance at the boy who once had your heart in his hands.

The door slams shut behind you.

Donghyuck crumples to the ground, his arms wrapping around himself.

“You promised.”

[kingfyre]

[6:32]  Slowly, you blink, helping your eyes adjust to the bright stream of sunlight shining dazzlingly through the curtains. Your eyes meet the angelic sight of Haechan’s face peaceful and still dozing. The corners of your mouth instinctively curve up, unable to hide your clear adoration.

Today is the day.

Placing a warm hand on his cheek, you whisper, “Good morning, my love.”

He stirs, a low groan vibrating from the back of his throat. He doesn’t show any other reaction and sleeps on. So, you try again. 

“Wake up, sunshine,” you say softly, voice husky from the lack of use during the night. “We don’t want to get left behind.”

He rouses unwillingly, eyes fluttering open. He yawns and throws an arm around your figure, pulling you closer. You gently squeeze his cheek, affectionately rubbing his cheek with your thumb. 

“We should get up now, darling,” you tell him, an affectionate and excited tint to your voice. “We mustn’t miss it. It’s a chance for a new life for us.”

You keep going, “Away. Away from all the disapproving stares. And from my family.“

Smiling wistfully, you continue, your voice a hushed whisper, "And to a place, where we can have our own.”

He smiles at you, his eyes filled with hope and optimism. He croaks out excitedly, “The Unsinkable Titanic!”

You giggle delightedly, confident and positive about what the future holds.

“The Unsinkable Titanic!”

[kingfyre]

[22:56] “Can you do me a favor?” Donghyuck grasps your hands tightly. His eyes are wide, pleading—genuine and glassy as they twinkle with hope under the moonlight. “Can you not disappear on me?”

“Please don't–” he falters, breath catching as his gaze falls to the ground. “Please don’t disappear on me.”

[kingfyre]

- summer daze | l.dh

Painted in the most vivid, brilliant colors, Lee Donghyuck was a walking masterpiece. With your love for everything bright, everything colorful, you were bound to fall, one way or another. You’re sure he feels the same. After all, in all the nights you spend together, he holds you like no one else ever has. You felt safe in his arms, cozy in his warmth. His embrace has always felt like home. You’re so sure.

But Lee Donghyuck has never been one to be tied down.

PAIRING. lee donghyuck x reader

GENRE. fluff, angst, road trip!au, friends with benefits!au

WORD COUNT. 7.5k

WARNINGS. suggestive/sexual themes, implied sexual content, profanity

TAGLIST. @moonlightjeno, @haikchoo-main, @adorablele  

NOTES. this is a repost ! dedicated to my dearest kara.

DONGHYUCK’S VOICE is vibrant as he sings along with a song you've never heard of on the radio. The lyrics sound familiar, though, as if he might have already sung these sweet lyrics to you once before.

Cold air whirrs from the aircon, cooling your skin from the heat of the sun, but still you bring your hand on top of your skin to try and soothe it. You should've left before noontime—you had planned to go before noontime. Of course, it didn't happen. When it comes to Lee Donghyuck, when has a set schedule ever helped?

Donghyuck drives fast, as if to make up for the lost time. Fingers drumming idly on the wheel, his wrist glints, the sunlight hitting his favored bracelet. Brillante Full Sun. Your chest blooms with warmth, having gotten him that bracelet that he now refuses to take off. He looks to you with a radiant grin, bobbing his head to the beat of the song, voice momentarily going silent as he enthusiastically and dramatically mouths the lyrics. Your lips curve up to match his brightness in song. 

He's enchanting. 

Everything about him has always been so. From the first time you met him, till now and every day after that passes, you think you won’t ever cease to see him as you do now. With his charming smiles and smirks, his bright, bold nature, and his beady, doe eyes, teeming with love, passion, genuineness—you don’t think you could ever love anyone more than you do him.

He reaches over and pats your arm repeatedly with one hand, the other on the wheel. He glances at you with a lopsided grin, "Sing with me!"

You wince at his careless, half-hearted swats, leaning away from the reach of his hand, mouth in the awkward shape between a growing smile and miffed whine. "Ow, Donghyuck!"

"Sing with me!" he insists with a drawn-out groan, leaning his body further to reach for your hand. You let him take your hand into his grasp, smiling when your hands slot perfectly with each other. Giving his hand a soft squeeze, you glance at his focused gaze on the road.

"I don't know this song," you admit sedately. 

"But I've sung this to you so many times already!"

"Which doesn't mean I'll automatically remember the lyrics," you reason, giving him an incredulous look. "Besides, you sing it in a completely different way than the actual singer does. I didn't even recognize the song at first."

"Still the same tune and lyrics," he grumbles as the song thankfully comes to an end, and the next song comes on. He lets go of your hand briefly to turn the radio down but intertwines your hands as quickly as he had let go. You turn your gaze to the rushing wooded, picturesque scenery your window offers, tall, sturdy trunks whipping past as Donghyuck speeds down the road. You don't know where you're going yet precisely. Here, there. Wherever the road takes you, you suppose - wherever Donghyuck wanted to take you. With Donghyuck it’s always a surprise and although it may lead to trouble sometimes, you’ve grown fond of the way he lives in the moment. To love the way he makes you feel alive and splashes colors of adventures in your monochrome life.

Serene silence soon settles in the car. You lean back into your seat, eyes on the road with a wistful gaze. 

There are only two more weeks of summer left. The last weeks of summer before goodbyes are made, and friends are left. Before you leave the only home you've ever known. It was a difficult decision to make, moving across the country to go to college. Perhaps you aren't exactly ready to leave your home behind yet nor face all the troubles and risks that may come your way, but you can't deny the excitement within you; feverish anticipation of a fresh start and new experiences.  

Donghyuck remains indifferent to your decision which was very much unlike him. Although he helped you study for the entrance exam, he didn’t congratulate you, nor did he express his contempt when you shared that you made it in. Whether or not his lack of response is for better or for worse, you cannot tell. It feels like walking on a tightrope, you think, about to fall any time soon, and with no idea if he’ll be there to catch you when you do.

You lean against your window, head vibrating with the car's movement, hand still in Donghyuck's warm grasp. The song that plays on the stereo now is one you know well; its helpless, love-struck lyrics resonating with your heart. Donghyuck sings along quietly this time, his voice sweet, mellow. When he gives your hand a soft squeeze, you suspect he wants you to sing along again, and it's confirmed when he pauses his singing to coax you. “C’mon—just this one song, please?”

You sigh, and that’s when he knows he’s won, a loud, delighted cackle erupting out of him. 

Seven songs and three karaoke battles pass before you ask offhandedly, "Are you hungry?"  

"Yes," he answers on the spot, with absolutely no hesitation. You close your eyes, failing to suppress the smile growing on your lips. 

"We can stop by the next rest station, then," you say, grabbing your phone and opening Maps to see how far the next place to stop is. You scroll through your phone, muttering to yourself in a preoccupied manner. "The next one isn't too far away… We could—"

"Look!" he exclaims. Your head snaps up to see a sign passing by, but unfortunately not fast enough to have read what it said. With a quizzical expression on your face, you turn to him, to which he responds with an excited, "There's a McDonald's at the next exit!"

"No."

"Y/N, baby," he drawls, fingers tapping on the wheel as if already wanting to put an indicator to switch lanes and to possibly be ready to take the exit. "C'mon please, if we pass this one, who knows how long till we come by another one again."

"We're not spending money on food when we haven't even touched the ones we've brought with us yet, Hyuck."

"Fine," he grumbles, pouting to himself. The exit passes you, and he continues mumbling, whining about missing the chance to get cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets, to which you just roll your eyes at, the remnants of a smile on your face. You put your phone down and look to the front, pondering as you watch the way the cars in front of you switch between lanes. Maybe you should have let him take the exit. Cheeseburgers and fries do sound pretty nice right now.

You think of possibly letting him stop by another McDonald's when the opportunity arises again when you catch sight of a sign with the words ‘Rest Station' printed in white, bold letters. Ah. Good timing. You glance at Hyuck with a somewhat wry smile.

"Look," you point out, paying heed to the sign that whips past your sight in a few seconds. "Rest station in 5 kilometers. Let's stop there and have a break, yeah?"

He pushes his bottom lip forward, sulking quite adorably. "You better have brought some good ass sandwiches, Y/N."

ㅤ

ㅤ

The late-afternoon wind is balmy, the sun glaring down high overhead. You've made your stop at the rest station, currently sitting at one of the unoccupied picnic tables. A bag of food rests on top, opened, revealing the sandwiches you've packed for the trip, along with the other snacks you packed for the trip that lay scattered across the table. 

Donghyuck immediately goes for a bag of chips, but you smack his hand away, giving him a look. He narrows his eyes at you, hand begrudgingly moving towards the sandwiches instead.

"Do you think we should have a destination in mind?" you ask once you've unwrapped your own sandwich. You look up at him with a tilt of your head, mentioning, "It would probably do good if we did." 

"Hm?" he responds, already munching on his own. He shrugs. "Yeah, why not. Got a place in mind?"

You rack your brain for places you could visit. The nearest place at this point was Waysh City - a four-hour drive at most, probably. Not too bad. Another option could be Kwangya. A bit further off, but bigger and with plenty more sights you could show him, having visited your uncle there often as a child. And the Firefly Hike Trails are en route to it as well, so that could be a plus. 

Though you have those in mind, you give Donghyuck a shrug and shake your head, unable to decide on one. 

"Well, I do," he says, as you hoped he would. Scarfing down the rest of his sandwich first, he leaves you to wait in suspense. When he’s finished he winks. "Hope you packed a swimsuit with you, angel."

"Yes?... I did?" you furrow your eyebrows at him, tilting your head in question. Then, it hits you. Where else would he want to go other than his favorite childhood place? There's a hint of nostalgia and softness to be seen on his face as you say it for him to confirm. "Wait, Young Beach?"

"Mhm."

Young Beach is down by Mared City, where Donghyuck grew up before he had moved in next door with his mother. You've been there a few times with your family during vacations back when you were younger. It's been years since then, though.

"That's like a 12-hour drive from here. And it's summer… It must still be really crowded," you point out, pondering on the thought before taking another bite of your sandwich. You take your time chewing, eyes wandering around the place, grazing over the parked cars, the ones speeding by on the freeway, eventually landing on the few kids running around the small playground. They scream and squeal in delight, playing around, trying to catch each other, and going back and forth from the slide to the swings. When you've swallowed your food, you turn your gaze back to Donghyuck, whose attention has now also been captured by the running children. 

You reach over the table to tap his hand softly in an attempt to bring his attention back on you and quite possibly distract him from the ideas forming in his head. Knowing him, he's probably thinking of dragging you off to play. The crooked smile on his lips when he turns back to face you confirms it. He’s definitely not listening. 

"I'm listening, don't worry–" grinning, he motions for you to continue– "go on, then."

Putting your sandwich down, you give him a skeptical look, narrowing your eyes before proceeding, "Not that I don't want to—I know you love going there, and if it makes you happy then I'm always all for it but—are you sure it's a good idea to go?"

"Mhm," he hums, nodding his head confidently. "Absolutely. My mother used to take us to this one part of the beach she says only locals would know. I'm pretty sure I still know where it is." He pauses, looking up in thought before closing his eyes with a nod, the positive look on his face almost daring you to question him. "I'm 97% sure I still know where it is." 

You raise an eyebrow, the edge of your lips rising at his rambling. "And if we get lost?"

"Then, we get lost." He gives you a boyish smile. "Part of the adventure, right?"

He springs up from his seat with a bounce, not surprising you in the least. "Okay, now c'mon," he urges. His hands find their way to your own, grasping it tightly as he pulls you to stand from your seat.

"Wait, our stuff—"

"Oh c'mon, don't worry too much!" He pulls you along, dragging you to the direction of the playground. You exhale with a sigh and roll your eyes, having expected this to come, but go with him willingly as he leads you with enthusiastic footsteps to the swings. "No one's gonna steal a half-eaten sandwich, anyway."

"My phone is on the table too, you dumbass—"

"Well, no one's gonna take a cracked Samsung either—"

"Donghyuck!"

ㅤ

ㅤ

Gummy bears. Chips, definitely. A few more bars of chocolate too. And energy drinks are undeniably a must. You grab them all from their stands, struggling to hold them all in your arms. 

You've stopped at a small gas station, currently inside the little shop and café, while Donghyuck is outside refilling the tank. There's no one else here, aside from you and Donghyuck, and the cashier restocking coke bottles by the refrigerator. Albeit looking old from the outside, the inside differs not from the typical gas shops, with their white walls and aircon blasting. Snacks for the ride have run out, so you're here grabbing all that you think Donghyuck would like. 

It's been roughly seven hours since you left the playground, and having had no stops since then, your whole body is rigid, neck cramped from the number of times you've strained to get in a good position to sleep. Everything hurts. Oh, and your ass is exceptionally numb. You can only imagine how everything must ache worse for Donghyuck, having had no chance to fall asleep as you've repeatedly been doing throughout the ride.

Glancing out the glass windows, you see Hyuck outside, pulling out the gasoline pump. He looks tired though he won't admit it to you. His honey-dyed hair is ruffled, and he seems just as tense as you feel. He needs to take a break. Perhaps, you can convince him to take a short nap before you go on your way.

A figure appears out the corner of your eye and you turn, seeing the cashier you passed by earlier a pace away. Mark, his name tag reads. He looks about your age, maybe a bit older. He looks like he could be in college. You wonder how he came to work in this little shop at the side of a highway in the near-end of the summer. He smiles at you politely, although there's a hint of awkwardness in it too. He asks, "Do you need some help, miss?"

"Oh, uh," you respond tentatively. Do people who work in shops usually do this? You suddenly can't remember it all too well. Well, why not, right? Taking the chance, you give him a grateful smile, "Yes, please."

He gently reaches for the energy drinks you've been straining hard not to let fall, taking them into his hands and easing the load you carry in your arms. "Should we get to the counter now?" he looks at you with kind, expectant eyes, smiling mannerly. "You can put them there first if you need to go get anything else."

You shake your head. There's nothing else you need that you can think of. A coffee for you and Donghyuck before you go, perhaps? Nevertheless, that's a matter for later. You shake your head at him in response. "No, no, it's alright. I think I've gotten everything we need so far." You shrug, "Could be wrong, though."

Mark chuckles softly, walking ahead of you, placing the cans on the counter surface before making his way behind the counter. Following his lead, you set the food you carry on the counter, shuffling from side to side as you wait patiently for him to start scanning. The barcode scanner beeps with every item scanned, filling the silence in the room.

"Been sleeping in the car for a while?" he asks, trying to make polite conversation.

Your gaze snaps to him, a light laugh escaping your lips. "Yeah… kind of…" you start, tilting your head. Lips curving into a sheepish smile, you ask, "Is it that obvious?"

"A tiny bit," he grins, bringing his hand up, fingers showing you how much he means, forefinger and thumb slightly apart, before dropping it back down. He narrows his eyes playfully in his show of mock observation. "Your shoulders are tense, neck too stiff and the like." He chuckles as he turns his attention back to the cash register, telling you the amount you need to pay before continuing. "I get that. Sleeping in a car is an absolute pain."

You pull your wallet out, paying as you nod and sigh in agreement. It really is. Although, leaning the seat back does make it moderately better and more comfortable. 

"So where you headed to?"

"Ah, Mared City?"

"Mared City?" he repeats in a suddenly vibrant tone. A broad smile spreads on his face. Loading the cans and bars of chocolate into a bag, he recommends benignantly, "You should stop by Time Lake if you weren't before. It's along the way. It's quite beautiful there this time of year."

"Oh, I'll have to hit it up with my—er, best friend," you drop in, stuttering when you mention Donghyuck. You try to cover it up with a soft and awkward chuckle. Reaching for the bag, you say, "He's the one driving." You pause before adding in, "Thank you for—"

Hands snake around your waist and you almost jump, before realizing it was none other than your best friend himself. Speak of the devil and he shall appear, as they say, right? His head slinks its way into the crook of your neck, soft lips unintentionally grazing your skin as his hold on you tightens by the slightest.

"Y/N, you're taking so long for a couple of snacks" he drones out in a whine, the way he always does when he seeks your attention, breath hitting and warming your cool skin, sending a rush of warmth and goosebumps throughout your body. "I'm hungry," he continues with a long drawl and a little nuzzle of his head.

Mark watches this all with an eyebrow raised, mouthing 'best friend?' You nod. He sends you a small smile before excusing himself away to the back. A sigh parts your lips, a hint of a smile appearing on your lips. "What do you wanna eat, Hyuck?"

"Nothing," he answers quietly after a few beats of silence, still keeping you in his warm embrace. "I'm not hungry."

"But you just said—"

"I know what I said," he starts, finally releasing you from his arms. He takes your hand and intertwines it with his, securely. He glances over his shoulder for a moment, eyes darting, before looking back at you with his lips pursed. "Just wanted to get that guy away from you."

You swear your heart skipped a beat the moment he said that. Is he jealous? 

"Mark?"

"See, why do you know his name? What possible reason could you—you don't need to—" he blurts out, stuttering in his pouted lips incredulously, eyes wide and eyebrows raised. He catches himself and huffs, grabbing the plastic bag in your hands. He grumbles, pulling you with him as he makes his way to the car, "Whatever–let's go."

ㅤ

ㅤ 

When you awake from another unintentional nap, Donghyuck is still driving, humming mindlessly to himself, eyes steeled on the road ahead. You blink, the harsh afternoon sunlight hitting your eyes. Yawning, you look out the window and see that the green forests and tall trees you've gotten accustomed to passing by have turned into fields and plains rolling as far as the eye can see. Meadows of sunflowers pass by as well, tall and abundant where they stand. 

You weren't able to convince Donghyuck to take a break earlier, with his insistent cries of reassurance that he's okay and still perfectly alright to drive. You rub your eyes, raising your seat from its reclined state for a better look at the surroundings speeding by.

"How long was I asleep for?" you ask groggily, glancing at him. You notice a new can of energy drink open next to him.

Giving you a small smile, he shrugs. "I don't know, an hour maybe?"

"You need to take a break, Donghyuck."

"What was that? I didn't hear you quite clearly."

"I said, you need to take a—" you begin to repeat, before seeing the growing smirk on his lips. You feign taking a hit on him and draw your mouth into a snarl. "I'm not joking, Hyuck."

"Fine, fine," he complies. His eyes scan the road before he nods his head to the right. "Look, we could stop there."

Looking to the right, you see an unpaved parking space right next to a glorious expanse of lilac flowers and grass. You're fortunate to have come by it at this time. Donghyuck slows the car as he turns the vehicle to enter the parking space. When he's parked, you turn to suggest for him to take a nap but he's unbuckled his seatbelt and already stepping out of the car. You follow him in surprise, calling out after him. "What are you doing?"

He turns back with a grin, his red shirt contrasting the blue of the sky but matching well with the lilac of the flowers, arms spread out as he walks through the flowers. "Taking a break!" he calls back out. He motions for you to come, calling out again. "Come on!"

A smile falteringly appears on your face as you catch up after him. He waits for you, arms still outstretched, looking at you with a growing pout when you take your time to get to him. You bury your face right into his chest, eyes closing as you do, arms wrapping around his torso just as his does around yours in a tight embrace. The sweet, familiar, floral scent of his perfume fills your senses as you hide your face into his chest. He's warm. Homey and pleasant. You melt right into his hold, feeling his chest rumble with melodious laughter. You feel the gentle strokes of his fingers, entangled in your hair, tucking strands behind your ear. A feeling of warmth bubbles inside you, from your chest, spreading to your neck, your cheeks and all the way to your ears. 

"I like these kinds of breaks the most," he whispers in your ear. You can hear the smile in his voice, and you can't help but mirror it, a smile growing on your face as you think of his warm, vivacious one.

There's so much you feel—so much he makes you feel. Donghyuck is so many things. He's hearty laughs, wide smiles, and boyish grins. He's luminous eyes full of unrestrained mischief, snarky remarks, and lopsided smirks. He is every star in the night sky and the biggest star reigning the day, your world unimaginable without his warmth, his light, his solace. Donghyuck is so many things—so many damn things, and you just can't help but love it all.

He's home no less than he is an adventure.

His fingers pet the top of your head gently, before he leans his upper body back slightly to reveal your face and let his hand cup your cheek. He leans down close and gives you a soft, quick peck on the lips before pulling back and letting a smooth, charming smile rest on his lips. He mumbles, "Let's sit down, okay?"

You nod, letting him go from your arms before taking a seat on the ground, surrounded by the dry grass and lilac wildflowers. Donghyuck opens his arms again and you're about to settle yourself inside them again when you stop yourself. Instead, you stay seated and mimic his actions, stretching out your arms in return. You smile at him, "C'mon, let me be the one to hold you this time."

He gives you a rise of his lips, a fond look in his eyes as they stare right into yours. Cheeks warming at his gaze, you pat the space between your legs, waiting for him to crawl into it. He does so with a small smile, placing himself so he leans back on you, back pressed comfortably against your chest, head resting on your shoulder. Keeping yourself steady, you wrap your arms around him and he snuggles into your hold, eyes closed contentedly. You can't help but press a soft kiss on the side of his head.

For a while, you stay like this, no one uttering a word and breaking the serenity. It's quiet, apart from the sound of cars passing by on the road. The sun shines down warmly on you and him, his skin a warm, beautiful, golden hue in its light. His eyes remain closed but his fingers play with yours lazily, the hint of a smile apparent on his lips. You take the time to admire the tranquility in his expression, glad to see no more tension. His eyes open slowly and his head turns, meeting your enamored gaze. Looking into his eyes, there's a brief moment where it's only you and him, only Y/N and Donghyuck, and the sounds of cars passing by, the buzzing of the bees, the faint whistle of the breeze fade into nothingness. Your lips meet his halfway when he leans in, eyes fluttering shut, your hand moving to cup his cheek.

There's a taste of the too many energy drinks he's downed throughout the drive on his lips, sweet and a little sour. His lips are soft, warm, intoxicating, sliding passionately with yours. A weak hum rumbles from him as your lips meld with one another and you place a hand on the ground behind you for support as the kiss goes on. Letting all your worries, doubts and questions drop from your mind, you kissed back with every ounce of love you have for him. It's never been hard to get lost in the feeling of his lips on yours.

You're breathless when he pulls away, eyes blown as you ask quietly, "What - what was that for?"

“Will you miss me when you go, Y/N?”

Your eyes soften, cheeks feeling warmer than the summer sunbeams. There’s a thunderstorm of emotions growing in your chest, turbulent waves of helpless hope, each one greater than the last, crashing against your heart, but as you answer his question, your voice is undeniably gentle, afraid. “Of course I will, Hyuckie… so much.” 

His eyes stare into yours with an unreadable intensity. Thumb brushing his cheek tenderly, you can’t help but add on, whispering, “Leaving you will hurt the most.”  

Donghyuck blinks and it breaks, the intensity of his gaze gone and instead, there’s a forlorn look of want in his eyes, almost longing. Maybe you’re imagining it, thinking that perhaps, it’s not only you who feels like the world shifts, like the stars align every time you look into each other’s eyes. He places a hand on top of yours and for a brief moment, he closes his eyes, letting himself melt into your touch. His eyes are glazed when they open again, and his hand moves to take your palm off his cheek. Butterflies erupt in your stomach when he brings it to his lips, pressing a delicate kiss on it, lips grazing your palm lightly. 

Will you miss me when I go?

The words you’ve been meaning to ask him die out in your throat in fear. You don’t want to ruin this. You can’t ruin this. Not now.

ㅤ

ㅤ 

Time elapses mindlessly, hours feeling shorter than they should, minutes seeming like seconds as they always do in the company of Donghyuck. 

The wet sand is cool under your feet. You walk onward as the ocean beckons you with its tide, the water rising past your ankles as you take decisive steps to where Donghyuck waits. You smile, a giggle slipping out of you. The horizon is beautiful, the sky and the clouds painted lilac as the late August sun slowly sinks down to take its slumber. You look back to where your things lay on a blanket on the shore, carelessly thrown and left, to hare after Donghyuck and his playful teasing.

"C'mon, angel," he calls out, a hand stretched out to you. He's in fairly deep—more than he was earlier while playing and splashing with you, and certainly more than you have ever ventured to while swimming in the sea. You've always been scared to go deeper than what you thought you could handle, being a weak swimmer and all. Donghyuck knows that clearly, having once made the mistake of pushing you into the deeper ends of the pool as a jest. 

“It’s alright,” he coaxes. “I’m here, okay?”

Hesitating at first, you give him a nervous look, cautiously and gradually mustering up the courage to take another step towards him. With every decided step, the water rises, lapping at your chest. Donghyuck smiles at you from where he waits. When a somewhat strong wave crashes against your chest, you stumble back, almost losing your balance, and in anxiety, you stay firmly rooted to where you now stand. Donghyuck comes half swimming to where you are, a worried look in his eye. 

“You okay? Did I push it too much this time?” he asks softly, offering you his hands for support. “We can back up if you need to.”

Pausing, you press your lips together, trying to steel yourself. You take his hands, shaking your head. “No, no—I—it’s okay, I’m fine.” 

“Are you sure?”

“Mhm,” you mumble. 

He comes closer, bringing your fingers up to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss on them, hoping to alleviate your fear. Warmth and reassurance blossom across your chest as you glance up into his worried eyes. Letting your hands fall gently into the water, he pulls you closer, into another warm, comforting embrace, with one hand gently wrapping around your waist, the other coming up to pet your head affectionately. He leans down slightly, and you feel the soft brush of his lips on your hairline, and again on your forehead. Hand trailing down from the top of your head to your cheek, he guides you to look up and into his eyes. Again, he bends down for another kiss, one quick and amorous, this time on your lips. A small smile blooms across his lips, his thumb rubbing across your cheek tenderly.

“Jump,” he tells you. And you do just that, right into his arms, your arms automatically wrapping around his neck, settling on his shoulder, legs encircling his waist. His hands come to rest at the bottom of your thighs, supporting you as you cling to him. 

“Do you want to go now, angel?” 

“Where?”

“To the shore,” he starts, taking his time with his words. He brings his face close, nose nuzzling with yours and eyes closing as he murmurs. “Then, we can stop somewhere, get something to eat, find a place to rest—preferably one with a bed.” 

“Do you want to try looking for some kind of motel?"

You can feel his boyish smirk against your lips before even he pulls back. The grasp of his hands slides from your thighs to the curve of your bikini-clad ass as his playful words come forth with a soft lilt, matching the way the waves push and pull on his body gently. "Why, Y/N, your hidden agenda is finally coming to light."

You smile almost crookedly, fully intending to tease back, but first taking the time to admire his sun-kissed face, features alight and highlighted by the lingering sun on the horizon. Taking your right arm from its place on his shoulder, you cup his face, placing your dripping palm on his cheek, grazing your thumb across it fondly. His eyes stare into yours with an intensity, a tempest of emotions seemingly fighting within those depthless pools of his. You watch the flutter of his eyelashes as droplets of seawater slide down from his salt-water laced, honey-colored hair, and your fingers travel delicately from his cheek to his forehead, pushing back his hair so you may see him clearly. The movements of your eyes slowly travel downwards from his eyes, raking over the bridge of his nose, the curve of his cheeks and the moles that dot them, to his salted lips, swollen from your doing. His breaths come shallowly from his parted lips drawing closer and closer as he cranes himself to steal the remaining distance between you.

Tender. His lips are soft, gentle as they slot against your own, drawing your breath away. Every kiss with him is unapologetically intimate, no matter how soft, how chaste, how passionate, how bruising. His lips taste like the sea, salty, but there's a taste of sensuality within it, a taste of desire, affection, and something else—something you can't exactly put your finger on.

A gasp escapes you as he brings you closer to him, chests pressed against one another's, hearts beating in synchrony. When your lips part from his, you do so with the tiniest whimper, not out of pleasure, no, but out of the need for his warm, soft lips to be back on yours. You're breathless, as he always leaves you, dazed and lightheaded, and you barely manage to stop yourself from chasing his lips for another ravenous kiss. Your heart hammers in your chest, hands trembling as they make their way to his nape, pressing your foreheads together between ragged breaths.

You smile breathlessly, murmuring, "Are you—are you sure it isn't you with a hidden agenda?"

The smile he returns is illuminating. "Positive." 

ㅤ

ㅤ

The rain patters on outside the room but you barely take note, still hazy and lost in a fading bliss, coming down from the heaven Donghyuck would take you to. Dongyuck’s skin is warm against your back, damp and sticky from sweat, but still, with one arm under your body, he throws his other arm around your torso, pulling you closer against his unclad chest. His fingers come to trail across your stomach lightly, drawing patterns, mindless scribbles as they love to do every time he collapses and falls next to you.

There's nothing like the feeling of laying next to Donghyuck, nothing like the feeling of his lips dragging across every inch of your skin, hot breaths fanning against hot skin, murmurs of how sexy, how pretty, how beautiful he finds you. There's nothing like the feeling of his heated kisses, rough and impatient, teeth clicking against one another, desperate whimpers and whines leaving his lips as well as yours every time he grinds down. God, there's just nothing like the feeling of Donghyuck—nothing like the feeling of being loved by Donghyuck.

His fingertips which skim across your stomach make their way up, dragging over the curve of your chest. They slowly trail up and up till they brush over your collarbone lightly, right up to your neck, brushing away the hair on it before his lips come down to press their kisses again. Your hand comes to his nape, pulling his head closer as his teeth graze your skin, sending sparks down your spine.

Don't, you've always chided yourself, you're just another one of them—just another person that's fallen for the masterpiece that's Lee Donghyuck. 

But it’s still different, isn’t it?

In the end, it’s you who he comes and seeks when he’s feeling down and lonely, when he’s in need of a recharge after expending all his energy. It’s you who he lays with at night, who he embraces tightly and sings faintly to. It’s you that he wants, he says. You don’t know if his words apply out of sex but it’s still you he confides in, right? You who he tells his secrets he doesn’t want anyone to know. You who he tells his worries that he’ll never utter out loud to anyone else. You who gets to see him at his most vulnerable state; it’s you that he trusts–and that has to mean something, right? 

It must mean something.

His lips trail up from your neck to the back of your ear. You shudder at his playful bite on your ear. You hear his shallow breaths vividly, can feel them fanning your skin hotly. His breaths creep down to your jawline as you crane your head and your upper body to face him, his parted lips finally reconnecting with your own in a wet, fervent kiss. You drink it all in–the feeling of his luscious lips, the sensation of his hands running across your skin. It’s intoxicating. It’s too easy–too easy to get lost in Donghyuck.

Tell him now, tell him now, tell him -

"I love you, Donghyuck."

Your confession is breathy, gasped out only moments after you pull away from each other in need of air. It's rushed, but you feel as if there could be no better time than now to tell him how you felt. Here, in his arms, with only each other miles away from home. Your heart beats fast, pounding loudly in your chest. You know he feels the way it beats wildly in your chest under his cold fingertips that halts its trail between the valley of your chest.

"I know."

Your heart skips a beat, your breath pauses. Then, he continues–

"We can't be together, Y/N.” 

The world stops–or at least, it feels like it has. At that moment, it’s just you and him–you and your innumerous thoughts, clawing at every inch of your head, him and his words, his words that feel like double-edged blades, each aimed straight to your heart. You think your heart’s bleeding out.

There’s a knot in your throat you swallow before whispering, your words falling like bullets shot in the silence, "Why not?" 

"It wouldn't work out."

The way he says it is so decided, so definite. He sounds so sure and it hurts. Hurts to know he’s thought about it, thought of being with you and decided it wasn’t worth it.

"How do you know it won't? What makes you think it–"

"Because I don't want to be with you, Y/N,” Donghyuck cuts you off easily–cuts your heart and steps on it easily. “Not like–not like that."

It hurts, it hurts, it hurts.

His words, spoken slowly, chosen deliberately, cut through you like a knife. The hope that runs through your veins, throughout your whole body, turns into ice–cold, menacing, unexpected after the summer heat you were basking in just a few moments ago. You feel your face crumple with rejection, hurt seeping into your body, raw and hot, worse than it had ever been before. Yet, you still turn your body to fully face him, curling into his chest, hiding your hurt stricken face from his gaze. Your arms wrap around his torso, seeking the warmth that had been cruelly stripped from you and as if he’d expected it, his arms only pull you closer, fingers entangling in your hair in soft caresses as he whispers, “I’m sorry,” over and over again.

Moments pass, only filled with the ragged breaths you try to hide, the burning feeling of hurt, fear, humiliation, seeping inside your chest, searing in its path as it spreads from your shattered heart. 

"Why–” you ask and your voice cracks. It stings–your chest stings with ever-mounting hurt, and as your body presses closer to his as you hug him tighter in search of comfort, you’re shocked to feel how cold his embrace has become. “Why did you make me feel like–like this? Like you wanted me too?" 

Why did you give me hope?

"I–I wanted something. Something with you," he whispers. "I just–I didn't mean for it to last this long." 

His words echo inside your head even long after he’s said it, long after his hands stop caressing your hair in his attempt of comfort. You don’t remember when Donghyuck’s embrace started bringing a feeling of ease, safety, but you think you’ll remember this moment forever–when the feeling of safety starts fading, when everything bleeds together until all you can see is grey.

And you thought it was okay to do that to me.

ㅤ

ㅤ

There's traffic on the highway as you drive back home.

Donghyuck's grip on the steering wheel is too tight. You can tell by the way his knuckles are white, the way his fingers have not moved an inch since grabbing the wheel, and the way his stiff hands reflect his rigid posture. You glance at his tensed face. His jaw is clenched, eyes steeled on the road, doing everything they can to avoid meeting yours. There's a tightening coil in your chest you try to subdue with a deep breath.

It's never been difficult to know when Donghyuck felt dispirited. And whenever he did, you've always been at his side–ready to reassure all his worries, his fears, his doubts, prepared to be of any comfort, because you've never been able to bear to see your bright sun shrouded by dark, grey clouds for too long.

It's strange. Strange to be so close to one another, the distance between you two only separated by the stick shift and center console, yet, feel further from each other than you have ever been before. The silence carries on with a glacial heaviness to it, with your gaze and his transfixed on the road ahead, refusing to look at one another. You know you’ll break if you catch his eyes.

If you had never confessed, perhaps you'd still be pretending everything was okay. You'd have slept in his arms, stayed a few more nights, enjoyed the feeling of him–being with him. On your way back he'd be holding your hand and you'd be singing, teasing, laughing at each other. Not like this. It wouldn't be anything like this. If you had never confessed, maybe it wouldn't be like this - sitting in the car like strangers, the air thick with tension, desperately wishing you could turn back time.

Tears prick the corners of your eyes, and this time you let them fall. They fall down to your cheeks, and you turn your gaze to your window in an attempt to hide them from him. His words play over and over again in your head.

I–I wanted something. Something with you. I just–I didn't mean for it to last this long.

How dare he. The entire time he knew how you felt, what you felt for him, and he just–he used it. 

This is his fault, you tell yourself. It's his fault you're so deep in, unable to get out, drowning in his everything - drowning in him. This is his fault. Entirely his. For building that hope inside you even when he knew he was not someone you could keep. 

What a fool you were, you see now, clinging on to that stupid rope of hope, thinking you were somehow special when all you had ever been was just another one of them–just another game, just another challenge.

Donghyuck is brilliantly vivid, painted in the brightest, boldest colors you've ever seen, but you realize now he's never been a masterpiece. All you've been was blinded, intoxicated, by his kiss, every honey-sweet and bitter one, his tender touches, his words, his saccharine praises, whispered, murmured in a haze when your fingers dig into his skin and your breaths mingle in shaky, short gasps. He is no star in the night, no sun in the sky, but god, that's what he felt like to you–what he was to you. He was worth the universe to you. He had been–once. 

All you can feel now is your throat tightening, your chest constricting, taut with sadness, with bitterness, with heartbreak. Then, it cracks. The front you’ve been struggling to keep up, the walls you’ve been so desperately trying to build since last night, the last fragile pieces of your heart–it all breaks down as you do.

“Donghyuck,” you breathe out shakily, a sob escaping past your lips. “God, Donghyuck, you’re such a coward.”

ㅤ

ㅤ

Donghyuck thinks back to that moment in the meadow. 

ㅤ

“Will you miss me when you go, Y/N?” he had asked. He knew you’d say yes. Of course, you would. But he had wanted to hear you say it out loud.

Your voice was so soft, laced with so much fear as you had answered, “Of course I will, Hyuckie… so much.” 

And Donghyuck was satisfied, ready to leave it at that. But then you whispered, added on, “Leaving you will hurt the most.”  

Something had clicked inside him, and it made him almost pull back from your warmth. The emotions in your eyes, your voice, your words–he felt it all resonate deep inside him. He placed a hand on top of yours and for a brief moment, he closed his eyes, letting himself melt into your touch, letting himself imagine what could be. 

Guilt. 

It’s all he felt, all he saw, as his eyes closed. 

God, he’s so sorry. 

His eyes are glazed when they opened again, and his hand came to take your palm off his cheek. Donghyuck remembers exactly the words he had failed to tell you as he brought your palm to his lips, pressing a delicate kiss on it. 

Fuck, I’ll miss you too, Y/N. I’ll miss you so much. 

ㅤ

ㅤ

Donghyuck tries to blink away the tears in his eyes. He sighs. I know.

[kingfyre]

mortal!donghyuck x naiad!reader, angst, horror, fantasy, drabble, 1.8k, ancient greece!au

cw: dark themes, drowning, one line mentioning r*pe

The breezes are chillier as the goddess Selene slowly ascends across the sky on her chariot of glittering silver. The night has come, and along with her, the growing dangers of cunning gods and their insatiable desires. 

You sit on a steady stone near the banks of your river, observing as you have done every night before and as you will for eternity, watching for anyone and everyone who may come. 

Your river is cold, untamed, most especially when your gossiping, unruly half-sisters come to visit, or when you hear news of a god nearby. But no matter what, when the sun chariot has completed its trek across the heavens, your waters turn calm and slow, almost sluggish in its run, waiting for Helios to rise again.

Though the trees and their long, outstretched branches block much of your view above, the shimmering stars you see are always glorious, brilliant, and beautiful as they shone down on you. You sigh, closing your eyes as the cold wind hits your skin. Peace and serenity. You've known them as far as you could remember, but never truly. After all, the life of a naiad, or all divinities alike, so long as they were female and unmarried, means living in perpetual fear, paranoia that today might be the day your body stops being your own. Or worse. 

The beat of your heart is loud in your ears when he appears, stumbling and a hand propped against Pomona's trunk. A mortal. He’s draggled and dirty, clothes worn and torn from endless dawdling. His stride is drunk and unsteady, his long, dark hair cascading over his face as he blunders closer to the banks of your river.

Your fingers bunch at your dress. The thought of the man intoxicated leaves an unpleasant taste on your tongue. You can't flee, and you doubt anyone would hear or come if you cry for help. You've listened to much and heard time and time again about your sisters, naiads and nymphs violated and taken advantage of, deflowered against their will by not only gods but arrogant mortals drunk with selfishness and power. 

Mankind is a plague, your sisters tell you, increasing in numbers, breeding like cockroaches under a rock. It was a wonder how none had come upon you before.

He kneels by the riverbank, knees hitting the ground with a thud, and reaches out his dirtied hands to your waters. He falters, hands coming up to brush the hair out of his face, at last, tucking the strands behind his ears. His face is bronzed by sunlight, his dark eyes holding untold weariness. He wears a sullen look that does not suit his smooth features. He was no Adonis, but you feel your heart jump in your throat nevertheless. 

Perhaps it is more fear than it is anything else, but you can't deny the pull you feel. You swallow your uneasiness down as his calloused hands sink into your river. Still, you are doubtful.

"Hail, mortal."

His head snaps up to meet your face, water dripping from his cupped hands before falling when he retracts them to his side. He lowers his gaze to the water in front of him in a meek bow, mouth parted and eyes blown awake.

"Hail, fair goddess," he says softly. "Do I trespass on your waters?"

His voice is hushed, smooth as velvet, sweet in your ears. There is an immediate desire to hear more, but you push it away. Goddess, he called you. An easy mistake. You do not correct his assumption, however, preferring to hide behind your divine dignity.  

"Yes," you affirm, hoping it will spare you from all the uncertainties racing through your mind. 

He lowers himself even more, placing his hands on the ground in front of him in a kneeling bow. "Please. Forgive me, most divine lady." 

Moments pass in silence, only the rushing water filling the quiet. His words settle into your chest. He does not dare to look up yet, the apprehension evident in his figure. Taken aback by the difference between his actions and what you expected, the beginnings of a smile begin to pull at your lips.

"I did not wish to intrude," he continues, "nor did I mean to cause any trouble."

You take a quiet breath and dip your toes into the water, letting yourself smile as his words carry on with regrets. Tension dissipates from your body as you listen to his honeyed voice and soft tone. 

"Rise," you look down at his bowed figure from where you sit. "You have yet to cause trouble for me."

Hesitantly, he raises his head, expression carefully blank. You lower yourself from the rock, plunging your feet into the cold waters. You wade through the current to his kneeling form, stretching out a hand when you stop in front of him. Expressions cross his face, eyes darting to and from your eyes. From his stiff posture and demeanor, you know very well he is yet to believe you bear no ill-will. 

"Please, be as you were," you say softly, giving him a gentle smile. "Be comfortable. Wash up if you'd like. I will not hurt you."

Still, his voice trembles almost as much as his hand does when it reaches for yours. "Thank you, kind goddess." 

You cannot help but laugh softly at his tone. His gaze lifts to you, moonlight and surprise glinting within his eyes. It is that laugh that convinces him to place his hand in yours.

His hand is warm and awkward, but you wrap your fingers around it, dipping it into the water below. He glances at you tentatively before his other hand follows, dipping down into the clear currents. You step back, letting go, watching as he raises them to wash his dirtied face. 

"Will you tell me your name?" you ask. 

Water drips from his hair as he tries to wipe his face. You reach out again, to tuck the stray strands of hair falling to his face behind his ear. 

“My name...” he says. "My name is Donghyuck." 

You smile in kind, “Y/N.” 

At the sound of your name, ease flickers across his expression. That is when his lips grow to mirror the curve of your lips, though they still do not seem to reach his eyes.

Moments pass after moments and he begins to relax, sitting up and dipping his legs into the water while he answers question after question. He tells you of where he is from – the outskirts of a kingdom ruled lone by a noble queen, widowed after her dear husband had fallen ill. He speaks of the humble cottage right by the sea where he and his family stays, and that despite living so close to the shore, he had never learned how to swim. His voice turns fond when he comes to talk of his hardworking mother and his playful younger sister, who did not come back even after the sun had already set. 

Every story he told brought the sweet taste of honey on your tongue. No matter how it ended, in sadness and anguish, or in relief and gratitude, you drank down every bit like a parched man stumbling across a spring in the middle of a desert. No one has ever spoken and entrusted such things to you – no one who has ever confided so to you.

You gaze at him as he speaks of another story – one of his dear sister and the games she likes to play. He is more than tired, that much is apparent. There are dark bags under his wet, earnest eyes that carry the weight of the sleepless nights he has gone in order to look for his sister. His hair, long, unkempt, brushes over his face once more.

When you reach over to brush them away from his face, he does not wince as he had before. “You are exhausted,” you say gently. “You must get some rest.”

Donghyuck’s eyes stare into the water with a faraway look before he looks up to the sky and starts, wide awake as he sees the beginnings of the dawn of a new day. It has him bumbling and blundering, staggering to get up from where he sits before he turns to you, head bowing low. “Forgive me, kind goddess, I must – I must go.”

The honeyed taste on your tongue turns sour as he utters those words.

“Stay with me.”

“Fair goddess, please. My sister is lost, somewhere – my mother waits alone, at home, for me to return with my sister in tow.” A troubled look appears in his eyes as he continues to reason. “I must not delay any further.”

“Stay with me, Donghyuck,” you tell him again, voice as coaxing as it can be. “I’m sure your sister has already returned home, safely, tucked into bed right next to your mother.” 

You see the hesitation that flashes across his face. You think he would not have even considered such had he not been so spent.

“Fair goddess, please, I must go,” he tries weakly. His voice is desperate, beginning to despair, and his tone strikes your heart, but you would not give him up so easily.

“Wait. Please,” you say. From the water, you reach out. “Come into the water for a moment. It is cold; it will awaken you.”

He is tired, you think.

There is a pause before his hand stretches out to take yours hesitantly. You give him a smile as he wades into the water, his fingers stiffening around your hand. Rays of light begin to peek from the branches above. The sun is coming up. 

Donghyuck almost stumbles as the water rushes faster around him. You tug at his hand, and he comes, perhaps hoping you could steady him as the current grows wilder, but you take a step away with every unsteady one he takes to come close. 

His brows scrunch as he calls out, “What are you – what are you doing? Y/N –”

He slips.

His head plunges beneath the cold water and you let go of his hand. You watch as he tries to swim, his legs kicking frantically underneath the water, his arms desperately reaching for the surface. He breaks the surface, takes a breath – and stops. 

Donghyuck is tired – and as he sinks down again he puts up one last, weak fight, but when you push his head within the water once more, he stops. His flailing arms cease, his struggling legs settle. His eyelids close, and you know he’ll no longer have the fight in him to go. He’ll stay.

Donghyuck almost pulls you down as his body slumps, finally devoid of any movement. He’s heavier now that he doesn’t resist, but with difficulty, you pull him up, dragging him to the riverbank. You take a seat next to his unmoving body, intertwining your hand with his. 

“I hope you find your sister soon, Donghyuck.”

[kingfyre]

donghyuck x reader, angst, drabble, 0.3k, non-idol!au

cw: cigarettes, smoking

Lee Donghyuck is a coward. 

ㅤ

Jaemin might not have the best vision but he’s not blind. Excuse after excuse, Jaemin is getting tired of it. Behind the flirty front and sarcastic remarks, Jaemin sees the longing gazes and nervous titters Donghyuck directs at you. He sees the jealousy and desire in Donghyuck’s eyes when you get a bit too close to Jeno, the steam coming out of his ears when you spend a little more time with Mark.

ㅤ

Donghyuck isn’t surprised that Jaemin is the first to find out. 

ㅤ

“How long has it been?” Jaemin asks, taking a long drag of his cigarette.

Donghyuck keeps quiet, absentmindedly flicking his cigarette and watching the ashes drift down. 

“When will you tell her, Donghyuck?” 

Throwing the cigarette down, Donghyuck sighs, putting it out with his foot. “When the time is right, Jaem.”

“And when will that be?”

He shrugs, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know.”

ㅤ

Donghyuck congratulates you and claps Jeno on the back when you tell them about your relationship. Your eyes light up as you tell them about how Jeno finally leaned in and whispered his love for you, how you two kissed like there was no tomorrow. Donghyuck covers his ears and pretends to gag, shuddering at the excessive info. You laugh at him before turning to Jeno with that lovesick look in your eye. Donghyuck feels the bile rising in his throat. 

ㅤ

Jaemin confiscates his pack of cigarettes after the eleventh stick. “Donghyuck. That’s enough.”

ㅤ

He’s happy for you. He really is. When you smile like that — as if you’ve finally found the one thing in life you can’t live without, how could Donghyuck ever even think about taking that away from you?

ㅤ

Donghyuck regrets all the hours he spends loving you.

(No, he doesn’t. But he thinks it’s nice to imagine he could ever get over you.)

[kingfyre]

[14:39] His very presence radiated happiness, that delightful sparkle in his eyes, the sun in his smile. Much like the voice he’d grace us with, there was a song in his heart, silvery and sweet but as powerful as a never ending storm. His movements were that of utmost elegance, smooth and fluid, with such grace most dancers would envy.

Eyes longing, you stared at him from afar, your face stricken in the most downtrodden expression. For years you’ve been pining, wondering when he’d ever look your way. You question if he even knew your name; not likely, your only real interaction being years ago, aside from the awkward, tight-lipped smiles you’d give him when he catches your gaze on him.  

If you were only a bit prettier, a bit smarter, or even just a tiny bit more confident- you think you could definitely, at the very least, be his friend. He had plenty, of course, always surrounded by them, never seeming to be without one. It wasn’t much of a surprise. Confident and outgoing, his laughter enough to strike an interest, there was no wonder he had many. Lee Donghyuck was a force to be reckoned with and you knew, from the first smile he had given you, there was no other way to go but down into that bottomless pit of temptation, chasing a star not meant for you to keep.

If only he knew- if only he cared about your existence. (You’re sure he knows you exist. He’s caught you staring too many times not to.) 

Maybe one day you’ll have enough courage to talk. Or maybe, by some miracle, he’ll come up to you first and hopefully find you interesting enough to come back the next day and the next, and many more after that. Until then, you’ll settle for the most you can get and admire the thief who has stolen your heart from afar.

[kingfyre]

[20:41] It must’ve cost him a fortune.

The silver ring gleams achingly bright under the white, artificial light of the restaurant. It taunts you, the enormous diamond sparkling brilliantly, as if telling you of all the opportunities and chances you could have if you’d just say yes. Donghyuck’s hands still quiver, even after placing the now opened velvet box down on the table. You can hear his shaky breaths, knowing well of the nervousness filling his body to the brim. Taking a heavy breath, you rip your eyes away from the future he offers you, looking at him instead, his eyes ever so hopeful and shining with promise.

“What happened to the other ones?” you ask quietly.

His breathing stutters and the breath he lets out fills you with heartache – with shame and guilt.

“I – I thought that – maybe you, you didn’t like them…” he whispers, averting his gaze down. “That – that it’s why you keep turning me down.”

You bring your eyes back to the velvet box in front of you, eyeing it with spitefulness. Your eyes sting with tears, but you fight back the sob building in the back of your throat.

The rings he offered you before were simpler. They were his style, something you could see he thought long and hard about. They were always rose gold, with intricate designs, laced with tiny jewels, dainty and beautiful, all of them with his and your initials engraved on the inner side. But this in front of you – this isn’t him. He isn’t flashy or extravagant. He doesn’t like big diamonds and all that bling-bling. He hates that. He likes simplicity and elegance. He hates being called pretentious, hates being too bold. His money doesn’t define him, he says.

“Donghyuck –”

“Can’t you consider this as love?” he breathes out, looking up at you with pained eyes. Tears glisten in his eyes and he continues, his voice soft and ringing with desperation. “I know it may seem like I cling hopelessly to you.”

“But we’ve been there for each other, through the highs and lows, through every storm that was thrown our way. We’ve been there for each other for – for so long. I know you more than I know myself, Y/N.”

“Isn’t that already love? Our type of love?” he asks heartbreakingly, tears finally spilling down onto his cheeks. “Don’t you love me too, Y/N?”

You don’t answer. You do love him. Your love for him goes beyond measure. But your heart doesn’t belong to him. Your heart doesn’t skip a beat when you see him like it does for Mark. It doesn’t stop and stand still every time you hold his hand like it does for Mark. It doesn’t burst for him like it does whenever Mark smiles and laughs. You love Donghyuck so much, you do, but your heart will never beat for him the way he’d like it to.

“I can give you everything, Y/N. I’ll take care of you. Of your family.” he bargains with sorrow, despair evident in every way. “You wouldn’t need to work a single day. You wouldn’t need to lift a single finger.”

“Please think about it,” he says, his breath catching once more. 

“I’ll give you all the time you need-” his voice cracks with want, but you think about Mark and Donghyuck’s bargains are met with a wall. “I – I’ll wait as long as you –”

You press the lid down on the box in front of you, hiding the ring from your sight, but you keep your eyes on it, knowing if you look at the boy in front of you, you’ll break as well.

“You know what my answer is, Donghyuck.”

His soft cries ring loudly in your ears. He knows. He knows you’ll break his heart over and over again. He knows his fantasy of a love so beautiful, with you as his, is all it will ever be. A fantasy. 

But Donghyuck would gladly spend his entire lifetime reaching for that fantasy, and you don’t know if he’ll ever accept the fact that your fates are not entwined.

[kingfyre]

- summer daze | l.dh  [teaser]

Painted in the most vivid, brilliant colors, Lee Donghyuck was a walking masterpiece. With your love for everything bright, everything colorful, you were bound to fall, one way or another. You’re sure he feels the same. After all, in all the nights you spend together, he holds you like no one else ever has. You felt safe in his arms, cozy in his warmth. His embrace has always felt like home. You’re so sure.

But Lee Donghyuck has never been one to be tied down.

PAIRING. lee donghyuck x reader

GENRE. fluff, angst, road trip!au, friends with benefits!au

WORD COUNT. [teaser] 0.3k ; [fic] 7.5k

WARNINGS. suggestive/sexual themes, implied sexual content, profanity

TAGLIST. @moonlightjeno, @haikchoo-main, @adorablele

NOTES. this is a repost !

Wherever the road takes us, Donghyuck says that night. 

Are you sure you wanna go?

Wrapped in his arms, the touch of his bare chest is warm and sticky on your back, rising up and down in pants like yours. His fingers trail down the valley of your chest to your stomach, tracing lines, writing words. Yes, he draws lightly. The tip of his finger grazes your skin lightly with every stroke. You shiver.

His lips touch your ear, One last adventure for us? You can feel his sly smile as his hand wanders back up slowly, touch still light, evoking goosebumps in its trail. It wanders up to your neck, and then higher, his fingers finally stopping to grab your chin. He tilts your face slightly, his face appearing in the corner of your eye. 

Gentle kisses and the sensual brush of his lips dawdle down your skin, from your ear to your jaw, his fingers still firm on your chin. His soft lips find their way to your own, catching them in a delicate kiss. Your body follows your head, turning somewhat to face Donghyuck. 

Too soon, his lips part with yours, and you lean up, chasing and desperate for more, but his hand firmly keeps you down. His eyes blatantly stare at your rosy, wet, and swollen lips, gaze following your tongue as you swiped it across. Without thinking, he finds himself brushing his thumb across your lower lip, slow and steady. 

Answer me first, he murmurs. 

You stare up at him, the faint moonlight beaming through your lilac curtains reflecting in his dark eyes. The beat of your heart quickens. One last adventure? you repeat, breathless. His hold on your chin loosens.

Yeah.

You take the chance to lean up and capture him back in another kiss. Donghyuck doesn't resist, his lips sliding with yours with ease and ardor. His fingers slide from your chin to your hair, just behind your ear, pulling on them softly. A soft moan parts your lips, and Donghyuck smiles. The kiss deepens as he slips his tongue into your mouth. He throws a leg over your thigh, pressing his knee between your legs. You moan again, back arching with a gasp, but Donghyuck swallows it up with his restless lips.

One last time before you go.