#series: rules of alchemy

[elkian]

The narrative thrust of Dungeon Meshi is basically FMA and it's cruel and unusual to keep Ed Elric and Laios separated by dint of minor problems like "existing in different universes" when they were born to be besties.

Also Falin and Al should form the "Seems like moral leashes but are actually just as unhinged as their older siblings, just quieter about it" club.

[withlovemark]

“MY FIRST AND LAST”

pairing: bff! chenle x fake gf! reader | genre: rom-com | words: 31k+

synopsis -> zhong chenle, the lowkey fuckboy, captain of the basketball team, doesn’t believe in romance. flowers? chocolates? handwritten letters? ew. too cheesy. but he can’t seem to shake this crazy girl off of him so he goes to you, his best friend, cheerleading captain, for help. will you be his fake girlfriend? sure. the catch? it has to be believable so for the first time in his life he buys the flowers and the chocolate and writes the handwritten letters.

warnings -> the definition of a rom-com, pet name unlocked: baby, yappers, breaking the fourth wall, too many y/n’s in one room, chenle is kinda possessive (not in a toxic way), two scared little cowards, stalker, ovulation, +18, crude humor, language, bathroom sex, drunk sex, mutual masturbation, dildo, dry humping, 69, chenle fucking between your thighs, fingering, he’s a pussy eater!, squirting, accidental penetration, unprotected sex, reader is a very horny girl who knows what she wants!, pussy drunk, overstimulation, slight nipple play, exhibitionism, mentions of: sex in the kitchen, alcohol, frat parties, ropes, breeding kink if you squint

an -> the fifth installment of the loverboy series is happily yours! disclaimer! i don’t know anything about basketball! i just dated a player once. now playing: taylor swift’s down bad, the alchemy and so high school; important things to note -> 1) chenle is the lowkey fuckboy — he doesn’t get around as much but he’ll have one night stands 2) quinn is an OC!, i didnt want to make her any idol…sorry if thats your name! 3) all couples are happily together EXCEPT hyuck x princess. their story is happening simultaneously. have fun reading! - with love, c.

౨ৎ OCTOBER 31 ౨ৎ

chenle is in trouble and it all started here:

THE BIGGEST, MOST ANTICIPATED PARTY OF THE YEAR: HALLOWEEN NIGHT @ THE DREAM FRATERNITY

“ahhhh chenle, harder!,” the unnamed girl moaned loudly in his ear, her voice shrill, overly dramatic and frankly annoying.

“yeah, you like that?,” he grunted through clenched teeth, asking for the sake of asking, hips snapping forward, harder, rougher with absolutely no ounce of care. her body jolted with every thrust, her back slammed against the bathroom door like a ragdoll. he didn’t even bother angling correctly or checking if she was comfortable. didn’t even look her in the eyes. why would he? this wasn’t love. this wasn’t even attraction. for gods sake, he’s in his last minute chucky costume. none of it is serious. this was friction and sweat, the fuck he needed for the night.

and she wasn’t complaining. of course she wasn’t. why would she? she was fucking one of the dream boys, basketball captain, campus royalty. anyone would kill for her position right now.

“ahh yeah! yeah! YEAHH!,” she’s screamed, and it was so loud, so obnoxious. chenle winced mid-thrust. his head pounded, not from the alcohol but from her. she sounded like a banshee and he swore every shriek made him a little less hard. but he kept going. he wasn’t here for fun. he wasn’t here for her. he’s here for one thing and one thing only — to be relieved.

“cum inside me!, cum inside me!,” she begged, which was ridiculous since he was wearing a condom. he slapped a hand over her mouth, not out of passion, but out of desperation for silence. it worked. her moans went muffled, her body hot and slick against his, her legs trembling as he got closer. he doesn’t bother helping her stand. a few more hard thrusts and he spilled into the rubber with a strangled moan, his jaw clenched tightly, head rolling back as he caught his breath. it should’ve ended there. but then, in the middle of his hazy post-nut fog, she did the one thing everyone knew not to do — she kissed him.

a sloppy, wet kiss on the mouth, tongue and all. he kissed her back for half a second, pure instinct, reflex, before shoving her off like she was fire, eyes wide, “what the fuck?!”

everyone knew the rule — chenle doesn’t kiss. not on the mouth. not when he’s fucking. it’s too intimate. too romantic. too real. and he does not do romance. he’s too busy with basketball. too busy with classes. too career oriented. he doesn’t need distractions.

the girl latched onto him, arms around his waist, voice sickeningly sweet, “i knew you felt the same way!,” she squealed, nuzzling her face in his chest like they were something. her grip was tight. he was still half drunk, still recovering, still very much not on the same page.

“no uhm – j–,” he can’t even remember her name. was it jessica? jennie? did it start with an a? fuck. he didn’t know. he shakes his head, voice hardening, “that’s not what this is.”

“but you kissed me back,” she whined, bottom lip poked out. she was cute. but he wasn’t interested in anything real. wasn’t interested in relationships. and definitely wasn’t interested in her.

“i just came,” he said flatly, tone completely dry, “i wasn’t exactly in the right mind,” he explains. but she kept holding on, like she was trying to trap him in some kind of delusion where they were more than strangers in a locked bathroom.

chenle grabbed her wrists, gently but firmly, and stepped back, clipping his overalls back on in one smooth motion, “listen, i’ve got a beer pong game to win,” he said, offering her a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes, “you good here?”

“wait, you’re leaving?,” she asked, like she couldn’t believe it.

“yeah,” he reached for the bathroom door, not looking back, “you can stay in there if you want.” and just like that, he was gone. back into the chaos. the bass dropped the second he stepped out. someone handed him a drink. he took it without asking what it was. renjun, who was in his men in black costume, shouted his name from across the room and chenle smirked as he raised his cup. the night rolled on. more shots. more games. more bodies pressed too close on the dance floor. that girl from the bathroom? already forgotten. her name never even made it to memory. he was laughing again within minutes, arms slung around jisung in his alien costume, sweat glistening on his neck as the crowd roared when he sank three cups in a row.

౨ৎ NOVEMBER 1 - HE’S MINE. ౨ৎ

he woke up to a series of texts:

unknown number: hey boyfriend! 💋 last night was amazing, i miss you already.

unknown number: thinking about ur kisses, they were so soft 😘

chenle squinted at the screen, still half asleep, head pounding from tequila and regret. he didn’t answer. he tossed his phone under the pillow and made his way out of his room. he spent the rest of the day teasing haechan about the girl he supposedly hates, forcing down hangover noodles and completely forgetting about the texts until that same evening — that’s when it got worse. an unknown profile had liked every single one of his photos on instagram, even the ones dating all the way back from 2020. and then she reposted his selfie from halloween night to her story with a heart sticker and the caption: “last night ❤️ can’t believe he’s mine.”

chenle nearly dropped his phone, “oh, HELL NO.”

the next five days were chaos. he did everything he could to avoid her, dodging her outside the library, ducking behind a trash can with his hoodie up like he was being hunted by the CIA, using mark as a human shield whenever he spotted her and even going as far as locking himself in his room just so he wouldn’t run into her — it was getting ridiculous. the championship game was a month away. he didn’t have time for this. he didn’t have time for her. he needed her to back off.

which led to now.

౨ৎ NOVEMBER 6 - THE HOTTEST GIRL ON CAMPUS ౨ৎ

you had just wrapped up evening cheer practice, hair still damp from a cold shower, hoodie tugged over your uniform and duffel bag slung across your shoulder. and then – a hand grabbed your wrist. before you could scream or yank away, you were pulled straight into the girls’ locker room by none other than zhong chenle, your best friend.

“what the fuck chenle?!, have you lost your mind?! this is the girl’s locker room!”

“i need your help,” he said, voice deadly serious, eyes wild like he was on the run from the FBI.

“bro, you couldn’t text me like a normal person?,” you snapped, pulling your arm away.

“she’s gonna kill me,” he whispered, wide-eyed, “or marry me, honestly i don’t know which is worse,” he says dramatically.

“...who?,” you ask, an eyebrow raised.

“the bathroom girl,” he said darkly, like she was voldemort. partly because she’s starting to scare him. partly because he still didn’t know her name and just refers to her as the bathroom girl. he didn’t bother trying to learn it. he didn’t want to.

your expression flattened, “oh my god, you’re still dealing with her?” he told you about her through a facetime call some nights ago, since you’ve been away on a family trip and he couldn’t tell you in person.

“she’s obsessed,” he hissed, “she’s calling me boyfriend, she sent me her class schedule, she wrote me a poem!”

you blinked, “damn.”

“i’ve had to cancel practice, skip meals, duck behind recycling bins. i’m not even a person anymore! i’m just a moving target…i can’t live like this,” he groans, collapsing onto the bench like a man defeated.

you crossed your arms, “so what does this have to do with me?”

“i want you to fake date me.”

you blinked, “fake what now?”

“i want you to fake date me–no, i need you to fake date me,” he said, gesturing wildly, “just for a couple weeks, just until she finally gets the hint and leaves me alone.”

you eye him suspiciously, “and why does it have to be me?”

“you’re the cheer captain. you’re untouchable. the hottest girl on the campus. she’ll take one look at you and she’ll know she has no chance,” he explains.

you narrowed your eyes at him, “flattery will get you nowhere, chenle.”

“i’m serious!,” he whined like a spoiled child, “you’re my best shot,” he groaned, “pleasee, i’m desperate. i haven’t slept in days. i saw her outside my house!”

you snorted, “it’s not my fault you were too horny to notice she was insane?!”

chenle groaned, head falling into his hands, “i was drunk! i was thinking with my dick!, how was i supposed to know she’d turn into the female version of joe goldberg?”

you paused. he had a point. the locker room was silent except for the hum of the overhead lights. your body ached from practice, your hair was still dripping at the ends and your brain was barely holding on after a day packed with catching up with your classes and cheering.

“you’re asking a lot, you know i’m not a good liar,” you said finally.

chenle clasped his hands together like he was praying, “i’ll owe you for life.”

you roll your eyes, “i don’t want a lifelong debt. i want the gym.”

he blinked, “what?”

“i’m sick of cheerleading getting shoved into the late night slots just so the guys can play pickup games in the morning,” you said, arms crossed, “if i fake date you, you’re getting me full access to the gym for morning practices. no more evening drills.”

“that’s impossible–”

“i guess you’ll see her on your front porch again,” you cut in sweetly.

chenle stared at you, visibly calculating, panicking, then groaned, “fine. deal. i’ll talk to coach jaehyun.”

“you’ll bribe coach jaehyun,” you corrected.

“whatever it takes,” he muttered. you give him a long, lingering stare. then finally you extended your hand, “only until she gets off your back.”

he grabbed it, sealing the deal.

౨ৎ NOVEMBER 7 - ARE YOU BRITISH? ౨ৎ

“we need to establish a few things,” you say, sitting on the bleachers of the basketball court, your cheerleading uniform clinging to your skin as the late afternoon sun bounces off the polished wood floors.

chenle is casually dribbling a basketball in front of you, sweat glistening along his hairline, his tank top darkened at the chest and collar, “like what?,” he sighs, bouncing the ball between his legs before shooting it lazily at the hoop. it sinks in with a soft swish.

“like,” you tap your fingers up to your lips, dramatically pondering, “what are you gonna call me?”

he turns with a faint frown, “uhh…your name?”

you raise your brows, “seriously? you’re the one who asked me to fake date you. if we’re going to sell this then you need to call me something other than my name,” you say.

he drags a hand down his face dramatically, “is that really necessary? this is supposed to be simple.”

“well, tough luck,” you reply, popping a piece of gum into your mouth, “no one’s gonna believe we’re dating if you keep calling me by my government name like we’re classmates doing a group project. give them a nickname to swoon over.”

chenle pauses, the basketball resting on his hip. his mind flashes to his friends and their girlfriends – angel, bunny, kitten – every single one more ridiculous than the last. he swears he’s in a zoo when they’re all at the house at the same time.

“okay,” he says, taking a seat beside you with a huff, brushing his sweat soaked bangs away from his forehead, “how about…love?”

you scrunch your nose up in sync, it felt wrong even when it left his tongue, “too romantic,” you comment.

“honey?”

“what are we? an old married couple?,” you fake gag, making him snort.

“darling?”

“are you british?”

he gives you a long suffering look, somewhere between exasperated and amused. then he leans back on his elbows, eyes glinting as he watches you, “okay then, what do you want me to call you?”

you pretend to think really hard, even tapping your chin for dramatic flair, “hmm…how about, baby?”

he shoots you a deadpan look, “seriously? you made me jump through hoops just to land on the most generic one?”

you grin, smug and unbothered, “what? it’s sweet, simple, not too romantic. it’s perfect!,”

he muttered something under his breath that sounds suspiciously like you’re so annoying but he sighs and give in, “fine. baby it is.”

you smirk, enjoying every second of how much it clearly pains him to play along, “say it again.”

he narrows his eyes, “no.”

“c,mon,” you nudge his knee with yours, “ for practice.”

he groans like you just asked him to sell his soul, then grumbles, “okay, fine. i’ll call you baby…baby.”

you burst out laughing at how stiff and awkward he sounds, “god, you sound like siri trying to flirt.” he smiles in spite of himself, eyes lingering on you a second longer than necessary. your laughter fades into a comfortable silence.

then, casually, you say, “how about kissing?”

his head snaps toward you, “what about kissing?”

the question hangs in the air. you don’t look at him right away but you can feel him freeze beside you. you shrug, like it’s no big deal, “well…if we’re dating, people are gonna expect it. you know that, right?,” you tilt your head at him, the air suddenly a little warmer than it was before. he stays quiet, tongue running along the inside of his cheek like he’s buying time.

“you haven’t thought that far ahead, have you?,” you ask, almost amused.

he shrugs, “i mean, i didn’t think people would care that much.”

you raise a brow, “chenle, you’re the captain of the basketball team, i’m the captain of the cheerleading team, we’re like if a rom-com poster came to life and we’re about to hard launch a fake relationship in a school that lives off gossip. people are going to obsess. they’re gonna look for signs. holding hands, inside jokes and yes…kissing.”

he frowns, looking genuinely torn, “do you…want me to kiss you?”

the question catches you off guard, landing softer than you expect. you blink, “it’s not about wanting to…but if it makes this more believable, then yeah. we might have to.”

chenle runs a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly, “okay fine but only when we need to.”

you nod, voice gentler now, “okay.”

he groans, “this is gonna backfire isn’t?”

“probably,” you say brightly, standing up and slinging your bag over your shoulder. you glance down at him with a smug grin, “but hey… at least it’ll be entertaining.” and with that, you walk off the bleachers, the slap of your sneakers echoing behind you. chenle stays there, watching you go, one word looping in his mind like a curse and a prophecy at once: baby — it makes him shiver. god help him.

౨ৎ NOVEMBER 10 - GIRLS TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING ౨ৎ

your fingers are laced with chenle’s as you walk into the gym together. he was able to convince coach jaehyun to let you share the gym in the mornings.

as soon as you walk in, the effect is instant. the basketballs stop mid-bounce. conversations dull into hushed murmurs. heads start to turn one bye one like dominoes. some curious, some amused, some downright nosy. but you don’t flinch. you keep your chin up, posture poised like you own the place like it was just a regular day. chenle’s hand is warm in yours, steady, grounding, even as your heart pounds a little faster than usual. this is it – the hard launch of your very fake, very strategic relationship.

“you good?,” you murmured out of the corner of your mouth without looking at him.

“i’ve played in front of five thousand people,” chenle mutters, voice low, “this is somehow worse.

you snort, “you’re holding hands with the hottest girl on campus, your words not mine,” you grin, “it can’t be that bad.” he almost smiles. almost. but then, a few steps in, you feel him suddenly tense. his hands twitch in yours, his steps slowing just enough for you to notice.

“what?,” you ask under your breath. he doesn’t respond, just slightly flicks his chin toward the girl near the wall. your eyes follow his and you see her. there, on the other side of the gym, leaning casually against the wall with a water bottle in hand, is — quinn. pretty. polished. perfectly unbothered. except you can tell by the way her gaze narrows on your joined hands that she absolutely is.

chenle leans in, voice tight, “that’s her. my stalker.”

your eyes widen and you suck in a quiet breath, “quinn?!,” you half whisper, half gasp.

he nods once, eyes locked on you, “sure.”

you blink, your fake smile faltering for half a second, “chenle,” you grit through clenched teeth, “you couldn’t have told me that she’s on my team?,” you bite, trying to make it look like you’re not seconds away from blowing him up.

“i didn’t know her name!,” he says quickly, trying to keep the easy expression on his face.

“she. braided. my. hair. last. week,” you say through clenched teeth, lips still curved into a terrifyingly sweet smile, even as you internally curse him in six different ways.

“i’m sorry!,” he hisses, eyes darting between you and the squads, still watching. he smiles wider, trying to match yours, but it’s all teeth and tension. you tug him sharply by the wrist and drag him toward the bleachers, out of the direct line of sight, but not far enough to go unnoticed. you know quinn’s watching. hell, everyone is watching. and the second you’re semi-out of earshot, but not out of sight, you whirl on him, still smiling, still looking like this is all so very sweet and couple-y but your eyes are screaming murder.

“you seriously thought this was going to work?” you hiss, “fake dating me in front of someone who knows me? who literally has pictures of us eating sushi on her instagram highlights?”

he winces, hands coming up to your arms like he’s trying to soothe you, voice low and pleading, “can you please not yell at me in front of the entire gym?”

you step into his space, “seriously, what was your endgame here? that she’d see us holding hands and just move on? that she’d back off because you got a girlfriend? you literally chose the worst liar and created the most suspicious looking fake couple in history!,” you say harshly but quiet enough so that only he would hear.

chenle opens his mouth, but then he sees it – how many people are staring. not glancing. staring. a few phones are already out. quinn’s water bottle is lowered, her expression unreadable but her eyes locked on you both with razor-sharp intensity. you’re still scolding him, your hands moving, your voice low but insistent when he makes a snap decision. no time to think. he grabs you by the waist…pulls you in — and kisses you. hard, fast, unexpected.

you freeze mid-sentence, mouth still parted in shock, your entire body stiff for one long second before your muscle memory kicks in and, god help you, you kiss him back. his hand cups your cheek. his lips move against yours with something close to desperation — it’s stupid, messy and feels way too good for something that’s supposed to be fake. for five dizzying seconds, the entire gym disappears. no cheerleaders. no teammates. no quinn. just you and him.

then you hear it — gasps echo from both the cheer and the basketball side. you can feel the shift in the air, the rumors writing themselves in real time. and when you finally pull away, breathless and stunned, you glare at him.

“that had better have been absolutely necessary,” you whisper, voice trembling just slightly. your lips are still parted, heart pounding like a damn drum.

“she was looking,” chenle whispers, flushed and panting slightly, like he can’t believe what he just did. like he just discovered something new. around you, the gym is still watching. a few people start whispering. quinn’s lips are pressed into a thin line. she’s not looking at you. she’s staring at chenle like he just ruined her life.

“congratulations,” you mutter, “there’s no turning back now.” he gives you a sheepish, almost apologetic look. you roll your eyes, toss your ponytail over your shoulder and plaster on the fakest smile you’ve ever worn. then, still buzzing from the kiss you’re definitely not going to think about later, you grab his hand again like it all meant nothing. like your pulse isn’t betraying you right now.

“come on, lele,” you say sweetly, loud enough for half the gym to hear, “help me stretch?”

you don’t look back. but you can feel her eyes on you. and she’s not just suspicious now. she’s out for blood.

౨ৎ

it starts during water break. you’re wiping sweat from your brow, stretching out your calves against the wall, trying to keep your breathing even. you’d been doing well – keeping your head down, counting the minutes until practice ended, avoiding quinn’s gaze like your life depended on it. which it might, honestly. but you should’ve known it wouldn’t last. because suddenly, you’re surrounded. four girls from the squad – mina, chungha, doyeon and of course, quinn, form a loose circle around you, casual, innocent-looking, like they just happened to migrate your way.

“so…,” mina starts, eyes wide and sweet, “you and chenle?”

doyeon grins, “when did that happen?”

somi pipes in with a laugh, “was it after the last game? or have you been sneaking around this whole time?”

you force a tight smile, adjusting your ponytail to stall for time, “it’s uh…new.”

quinn raises an eyebrow, arms crossed over her chest, “define new.” the way she says it makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. her voice is calm, playful even. but her eyes are sharp. cold. and if looks could kill you’d be six feet below.

“like…really new,” you say, trying not to sound like you’re lying even though you are, “we didn’t want to make it a thing until we were sure.”

“aw,” mina coos, “that’s kinda cute! i always knew you guys liked each other,” you had no idea what she meant by that. the mere insinuation that the two of you had any sort of romantic feelings before this is completely crazy. chenle was the only guy in this university who hasn’t flirted with you. there’s absolutely no sexual tension there.

“was it romantic?,” she continues, “did he ask you out properly or was it like…spur of the moment?”

you blink, “umm…”

doyeon giggles, “omg, don’t tell us it was a drunk confession? that’s so high school.”

“it wasn’t drunk,” you say quickly, “it just…kind of happened.”

quinn tilts her head, watching you like she’s got front row seats to a show you didn’t audition for, “where’d it happen? his place? yours? locker room?…you two looked very comfortable yesterday.”

it reminds you that she was always watching him.

somi gasps, “wait, have you slept with him yet? is he big? is he good?” mina gasps louder, fanning herself, clearly intrigued. doyeon just cackles, enjoying the chaos. your mouth opens but nothing comes out. quinn has a small smile on her face but the fire in her eyes burns holes through you. because no, obviously not. but you can’t say that. not out loud. not without making everything worse. and quinn sees it – the hesitation, the silence. she smirks. victory glinting in her eyes, “hmm,” she hums, loud enough for the rest of the squad to hear, “i bet you don’t even know how he sounds when he cums.”

the words hit like a slap. your ears burn. your spine goes rigid. your throat suddenly feels dry. the other girls freeze for a half second, mina’s mouth falling open, somi’s eyes widening, doyeon choking back a shocked laugh but no one stops her. they just wait to see how you’ll react. you blink slowly, refusing to give her the satisfaction of looking rattled, even when your heart is pounding like a drum. you tilt your head, channeling every ounce of venom you’ve ever stored, “no,” you say smoothly, “not yet…but i know how his lips feels like on mine and what his hand feels like on my ass.”

somi lets out a scandalized gasp. mina actually drops her water bottle. even doyeons jaw hits the floor. and for the first time since she cornered you, quinn looks defeated. you take one slow step forward, your voice sugar-sweet and dripping poison, “so maybe next time, instead of talking about my boyfriend’s moans, you should ask yourself why he doesn’t want you to hear it.”

quinn’s face twitches. just slightly. just enough for you to know you’ve hit a nerve. you smile. innocent. unbothered. and totally victorious. then you turn on your heel and walk back to your spot on the mat like nothing happened, like your heart isn’t about to explode out of your chest. you don’t look back. but you can feel it. quinn’s not just watching anymore. she’s plotting.

౨ৎ

baby 😎🎀: we have a problem. come to my dorm. now.

he sends back a thumbs up emoji, and fifteen minutes later he’s at your door in a hoodie and track pants, hair still damp from a shower. you open the door, expression grim, “you good?” he asks, stepping inside.

you shut the door, “no. we have a problem.”

he freezes halfway into your room, “yeah, you made that clear in your text.”

you cross your arms, “your stalker and the rest of the girls cornered me after practice.”

he immediately looks like he wants to jump out your dorm window, “what did they say?”

“oh, just the basics,” you say sarcastically, “when did we start dating? how it happened? where it happened?” you fold your arms tighter, “then they started asking about sex.”

chenle slowly turns his head toward you, “what?”

you nod, “they asked if you were big, if you’re good in bed and—,” you pause for effect, “quinn wanted to know if i even know what you sound like when you cum.”

his entire face blanks out, blush creeping up his cheeks and unto his ears, “WHY do you talk about that stuff?”

“girls talk about everything!” you say, like it should be common knowledge.

“i didn’t know ‘everything’ included my moans!” he practically shrieks.

you ignore him, “so i panicked and i told her—” you pause again, a little too embarrassed, “—i know what your hand feels like on my ass.”

chenle chokes on air, the image affecting him more than it should’ve, “YOU SAID WHAT—?!”

you shrug like it’s no big deal, “it worked. they left me alone after that.”

he’s blinking at you like you just admitted to committing arson, “why are you like this?”

“i told you i'm not a good liar!”

chenle groans and puts his face in his hands, “it’s literally day one of being public and people are already starting to question it.”

“they’re not just questioning,” you say, pacing now, “they’re analyzing. calculating. investigating. and quinn?” you point toward the wall like she’s somehow eavesdropping through it, “she smells our lies.”

he lets out a helpless noise, “so what now? we can’t have sex. we’re best friends. that’d be too weird.”

you pause, “would it be weirder than me pretending to be your girlfriend when i’ve never heard you moan?”

he looks at you like you just grew two heads. “i’m serious,” you say, “it’s not just the kiss. eventually, i’m supposed to act like i’ve done everything with you and i don’t even know what your sex face looks like.”

“WHY would you need to—”

“chenle.”

“…okay. fine. what’s your solution?”

you sit down on your bed, “well, we don’t have to have sex but,” you trail off, he nods his head waiting for you to continue.

“we can masturbate in front of each other,” you say, voice quiet. but chenle hears every word.

he jerks like he’s been electrocuted, “i’m sorry, what?”

you don’t blink, “no touching each other. just… enough information so we can sell the fantasy, help us be more convincing with our lies.”

he’s completely unresponsive and you fear you might have broken him, “this is what you get for recruiting me into your drama,” you add.

“mistakes were made,” he mutters.

“correct,” you say brightly, “now take your hoodie off. it’s getting hot in here.”

“STOP SAYING THINGS LIKE THAT,” he says flustered. you throw another pillow at his head. he doesn’t throw it back. then, slowly, hesitantly he moves — sitting on your desk chair, on the foot of your bed, fingers gripping the armrests. you’re seated across from him, a couple feet of space between you, against your headboard, legs crossed, trying not to make it weird. it’s already weird.

“i can’t believe we’re gonna do this,” he says under his breath, still not looking at you.

you chew your bottom lip, heartbeat way too loud, “you want this to be convincing, right?”

he glances up. the second your eyes meet, you both look away again. you inhale slowly, “okay, just…you start.”

“jesus,” he mumbles, “can you not say it like that?”

“sorry,” you say, voice airy, teasing, a defense mechanism at this point, “would you prefer ‘show me what you sound like when you cum?’”

he glares, “you’re enjoying this.”

“only a little,” but your breath catches when he slowly leans back, hoodie sliding up enough to expose a sliver of skin. and then his hand slips beneath his pants.

you go still. the room is absolutely quiet. your thighs press together. he glances at you, jaw tight, “you’re… gonna watch the whole time?” he asks quietly. you nod once, wordless. he looks everywhere but you before he finally starts. he wraps his hand around his cock, still hidden under his pants and he lets out a shaky breath. a little too loud in the quiet room. he leans his head back against the chair, lashes fluttering close, choosing to forget the fact that you, his best friend, was in the same room. and then his lips part with the softest little exhale, not quite a moan, not yet, but it hits you like a punch to the chest — your fingers finally move, hand slipping under your panties and rubbing slow but precise circles on your clit then through your folds. your knees pointing to the ceiling as your shorts bunch up, a clear view of your ass available to him if he opens his eyes.

“f-fuck,” he mumbles, the sound slipping out without him meaning to, the friction of his own hand starting to feel good. his hips lift slightly from the chair, fingers pumping fast then slow, like he’s trying not to let it end too fast.

“chenle,” you whisper.

his eyes drag open, hazy, dark, “yeah?” and the sight of you almost breaks him. your fingers down your shorts, legs slightly parted, showing the supple flesh of your ass cheeks. you’re both watching each other now, breaths shallow, cheeks flushed, something dangerous catching in the air between you.

his gaze dips, he can’t believe this is happening, “y-you’re… really doing it.” you nod again, biting your lip as you stuck a finger in, curling it exactly the way you like it. he actually groans, when he sees the way your eyes flutter shut for a second, a breathy moan slipping past your lips.

“fuck,” he says again, breathless, “this is so—”

“weird?” you whisper.

he swallows, his eyes stuck on you, “hot.”

and it is. too hot. too real. you let your head tip back, your other hand coming in to rub circles on your clit, while you fuck youself on the other, “i-i didn’t think it’d feel like this.”

“like what?,” he grunts, eyes darkening.

“like…you’re touching me too,” you say breathily.

his eyes burn into you. he wonders what it would be like to actually touch you. and for a second, neither of you speak, just the sounds of your hands shuffling under your clothing. then he begs, “can i hear you…please?”

the question nearly knocks the air from your lungs. your fingers rubbing your clit faster. you don’t speak. then, softly, almost like a secret, you let out a moan. low. sweet. just loud enough to be heard.

he’s never been this aware of you. not in this way. he knew you were hot. he wasn’t blind – every guy on campus has had some sort of crush on you, whether quiet or full-blown obsessive. you walk into a room and conversations shift. eyes follow you. people stumble over themselves just to sit near you in class, to ask for your number, to post a blurry instagram story in hopes you’ll repost it. you’ve always been that girl. untouchable. effortless. intimidatingly magnetic — but somehow, over the years, he got used to it. to you.

somewhere between your chaotic texts, your weird humor, your unfiltered rants, and all the times you laughed until you were snorting. your hotness became background noise. familiar. comfortable. like sunlight on skin – always there, always warm, but never overwhelming. until now. right now? god, he’s overwhelmed.

chenle’s head hits the chair again, a desperate noise slipping out of him, his eyes half open, never wanting to look away from you. and it’s not in the way where it feels like someone put him in a trance. no. he’s fully conscious of you, “fuuuck, baby.”

your eyes fly open. you both heard it — the nickname. you moan louder in response. your pussy sucking in your fingers, hips thrusting up at the simple sound of that word, “chenle,” you moan like you’re in pain, you were getting closer, but it wasn’t enough. you never could just get off on your fingers alone. you needed something. visual help. audio. your vibrator. a dildo. more. “i want to see you.”

“only—fuck—only if you let me see you,” he grunts, his hand still pumping his cock up and down. you nod. he nods. and at the same time you bring your shorts and panties down to your ankles in one go. he releases his cock from his pants. he was so pretty. so pink. his precum leaking at the tip. you whine, another sweet sound hitting his ears as you match the rhythm of your fingers to his pace.

“you’re so wet, baby,” he praises, practically drooling at the sight of your pussy glistening under the dim glow of your room. he wonders how you tasted. if you were as sweet as your lips.

“f-faster lele,” you moan, his nickname slipping from your lips, making his brain go haywire as he pumped himself faster, following your command. you watch his cock, your imagination taking over, pretending your fingers were him thrusting in and out of you. he does the same.

you squeeze your eyes shut, panting now, “lele i’m, i’m gonna–,” you don’t even finish your sentence, your orgasm hitting you hard and fast, as you came all over your fingers, your head thrown back, jaw slacked, hair sticking to your skin, fingers coated with your slick and he’s obsessed. like he’s never seen something so unreal.

“that’s it baby. just like that,” he groans, talking you through it, heightening the feeling of your orgasm as you focus on his voice and the lewd noises coming from your bodies. it doesn’t take long for chenle to follow, “i-i’m coming,” he moans, whiny and breathless, snapping you out of your haze. you wanted to see it. wanted to see him unravel and, god, he look’s so pretty. his lips all flushed, his cock messily spurting out his white cum, some landing on his shirt, some on his sweats, eyes completely shut in bliss, mouth open in a soundless moan.

“you’re so pretty, lele,” you praise and he swore he felt his cock harden again. then the room is silent. still. unbearably charged. you pull your shorts back up, chenle tucks himself back in his pants. when you finally look at each other, neither of you knows what to say. he can’t believe that just happened.

“so…” he finally says, voice quiet, “that was uhm…educational.”

you nod, way too fast, “yeah, totally helps with this whole fake dating thing.”

“yeah,” he laughs but it comes out brittle. a little forced. “i mean, can’t have people thinking we’re not sexually active.”

you cough, “god forbid.” you both go silent again. you try not to look at the way his hand is curled around his sweatpants like it’s muscle memory, like he hasn’t quite come down from it. and he’s definitely not looking at your legs, even though you caught him glancing more than once.

“so,” you say, stretching like you’re just super chill about all this, “i think we’re good now. you know. in case it comes up again.”

he nods too quickly, “yeah, totally. i feel…prepared.”

you groan, “this is so stupid.”

he gives a weak laugh, “seriously, who does this?”

“we do, apparently,” you say, a grin making it’s way to your face.

chenle rolls his eyes but can’t help the small, crooked smile that tugs at the corner of his mouth, “great. we barely started and we’re already masturbating across from each other. what’s next, fake couple’s therapy?”

you snort, “i mean, give it another week”

he stares at you for a second longer, then sits up abruptly, rubbing his hands over his face like he’s trying to reset himself. “okay. cool. that’s it. it’s done. nothing weird happened. we’re fine.”

you nod, “totally fine. not weird at all.”

“super normal. totally best friend behavior,” he adds, trying to convince you both.

౨ৎ NOVEMBER 12 - I JUST WANTED TO WATCH TRANSFORMERS ౨ৎ

the living room is dimly lit, the glow from the t.v. flickering across a sea of limbs tangled in blankets and pillows. laughter echoes between bites of popcorn and sips of soda, the scent of butter and pizza lingering in the air — you and chenle are sandwiched on the far end of the L-shaped couch. his arm is slung casually behind you, a move that looks natural, but you can feel how stiff he is, how aware he’s pretending not to be. meanwhile, the rest of the room straight out felt like cupid came and shot all of them with love arrows.

jaemin is lounging with angel curled up on his lap, his hoodie drawing her frame as she feeds him popcorn one by one. jeno and bunny are draped over each other, her head on his chest, his hand resting low on her waist. mark and kitten are practically fused at the hip, whispering and giggling like they’re in their own little world — it’s a lot.

you chew on a twizzler, pretending not to notice the glances being passed around, the not-so-subtle curiosity, the stares that linger a beat too long on you and chenle sitting way too properly to pass as a couple in love.

“i’m actually surprised,” kitten pipes up suddenly, tilting her head at you two, “you guys aren’t all over each other.” you almost choke on your candy. chenle tenses beside you, his arm still frozen behind your shoulders.

mark laughs, “yeah, when we first got together, i couldn’t keep my hands off her,” he says, pressing a quick kiss to kitten’s shoulder.

jaemin grins, tossing a popcorn kernel at him, “you still can’t keep your hands off her.”

“ohhhkay,” jeno chimes in, trying to sound diplomatic, “jaemin, maybe don’t butt in, you and angel have been together the longest and she’s still sitting on your lap.”

mark snorts, “yeah, and who did i catch fucking on the kitchen counter last week?”

“mark!,” angel yelps, face burning as she throws a pillow at him. kitten and bunny both laugh as they swat at their boyfriends, mumbling strings of shut up and stop talking.

jaemin just smirks, clearly unbothered, wrapping his arms tighter around angel as he chuckles, “you guys are just mad i thought of it first.”

angel’s cheeks are burning, she glares then turns toward you and chenle with a too-sweet smile it was almost scary, “okay, that’s not important” she says, “let’s go back to chenle and y/n.” and every single one of them is staring — chenle fumbles, trying to shift closer. you nudge into his side out of instinct and he reacts a second too late, hand brushing your thigh like he’s not sure if he’s allowed to touch you. the warmth of his hand immediately ignites that heat between your legs.

“yeah, how long has this been going on?,” mark asks. there’s a beat of silence. you glance sideways at chenle. he’s sweating. not literally, but he may as well be. his gaze flickers to your lips, then to the forgotten movie, then to mark’s arm around kitten’s waist, then to bunny playing with jeno’s fingers then back to you.

chenle blinks, “this?”

“you two,” kitten continues her boyfriend’s question, not bothering to hide the grin on her lips, “you’re together now, right?”

you exchange a look with chenle before nodding slowly, “yeah, seven days.”

“seven days?,” bunny echoes, blinking, “that’s…sudden.”

you force a smile, shifting in your seat, “it just happened to be that way.”

jaemin leans forward, squinting, and it’s all feeling much like an interrogation, like they all planned this, “i thought you guys were just friends.”

“best friends,” jeno adds, looking way too interested, “as in, you’ve known each other since orientation, you call each other bro, you help each other get laid.”

chenle butts in, “you and bunny were best friends too,” he points out but no one pays him any attention so he sips on his soda instead, trying not to show how nervous he was getting. if he couldn’t even fool his friends, how was he going to fool his stalker? who’s watching his every move like a hawk.

jaemin raises a brow., “and now you’re suddenly dating… the week after his stalker?”

you stare back at them, doing your best to look unfazed and chenle was just throwing you to the wolves. he was an even worse liar than you. “timing’s weird, yeah, but feelings aren’t always convenient,” you say.

kitten gasps, “wait, were you secretly in love with him this whole time?”

chenle actually chokes on his soda. “what? no—” you start to say.

“i mean, it would explain a lot,” mark cuts you off, “like why you never dated anyone seriously,” he looks at you then at chenle, “or why you’d randomly punch guys who flirted with her.”

you and chenle both speak at the same time. “i didn’t—” ; “that wasn’t—”

bunny holds up a hand, “we’re just trying to understand. you guys went from ‘platonic soulmates’ to ‘public kissing in the gym’ very fast.”

the news traveled fast, of course it did. that little kiss you two shared yesterday — it was up on instagram and snapchat in minutes, everyone finding out in real time that the captain of the basketball team and the captain of the cheer team are now dating.

“we’ve always been close,” you say carefully, “we just didn’t know we liked each other that way until… recently.”

“did you… do anything else?” bunny asks with a sly little smile. chenle freezes. the memory of last night alive and burning in his head. your moans are still replaying in his mind. you still. all eyes are locked on you.

angel wiggles her eyebrows, “is he good in bed?”

you nearly choke on air. how many times were people going to ask you that question. “excuse me?!”

“it’s a fair question,” jeno shrugs, “we’re all friends here.” it’s not a fair question. they all know that. and usually the boys wouldn't discuss these things. but this was the group’s plan. your dating news came very suddenly. it was weird. they needed to know how serious it was.

“NO,” chenle says, eyes wide, “that is not a fair question.”

“oh my god,” angel gasps, covering her mouth, “you haven’t done it yet, have you?”

“guys,” you laugh nervously, “we’ve only been together for a week.”

“still!” kitten exclaims, “i couldn’t wait more than three days.”

mark smirks, wrapping an arm around her waist, “you didn’t even wait three hours.”

angel snorts, “okay, let’s not start outing each other again…anyway,” she says sweetly, “you must know what chenle sounds like in bed.” you stare. so does chenle. the room goes quiet. then, calmly, you set your drink down and smile — you’ve caught up to their plan. their teasing. and you decided to play along, “i know what his voice sounds like when he begs.”

silence. no one was actually expecting you to say something. hell, they were sure that there was nothing going on between you. that this was just a game you both decided to play. they all know how much the both of you loves games.

jeno lets out a choked cough. mark’s eyes nearly pop out of his skull. jaemin’s jaw drops. chenle chokes on his own air, “WHAT?!” he sputters, turning red from the ears down, “w-when did i—why would you—what?!”

but he doesn’t get to finish. because suddenly all the girls are screaming. kitten grabs your hand. angel is already up on her feet, squealing. bunny’s dragging you by the wrist with wild eyes like you just dropped the gossip bomb of the year.

“YOU’RE COMING WITH US—NOW,” bunny demands through her laugh, “WE need DETAILS.”

“i’m sorry…he begs?!” angel shrieks as the girls literally pull you out of the living room.

“is he vocal?? how vocal?!” kitten gasps, already halfway down the hall with you in tow. your smug little smirk mixed with a mixture of fear is the last thing chenle sees as the girls yank you into a random bedroom and slam the door shut behind you.

the living room is left in stunned silence. mark sighs dramatically and throws his head back, “there goes my girl.”

“didn’t even finish her popcorn,” jeno grumbles, arms crossed.

“she was on my lap,” jaemin mutters, like he just got robbed.

chenle blinks, still stunned, “do they… always do that?”

“welcome to the club, man,” mark says, clapping him on the shoulder, “you’re one of us now.”

“yeah,” jaemin adds, pouting, “boyfriends left behind. again.”

“i just wanted to watch transformers,” jeno mumbles into a pillow.

chenle exhales, brain still short-circuiting, “why does it feel like i’m not the one in charge of this relationship?”

mark and jeno laugh. jaemin just shrugs, “none of us are.”

chenle is still staring at the closed door like it betrayed him. he runs a hand down his face, “what do they even talk about in there?” he mutters, getting nervous for you.

jeno doesn’t miss a beat, “us.”

chenle blinks, “like… guys in general?”

“no,” jeno says, popping a kernel of popcorn into his mouth, “specifically us.”

“they talk about everything,” mark adds with a grim nod, “our sex voice, our fingers, how fast we fall asleep after sex.”

“angel once told me she and the girls have a group chat called ‘the loverboys audit,’” jaemin sighs, “there are screenshots.”

“screenshots of what?” chenle asks, horrified.

“texts. apologies. unsent drafts. thirst traps. anything they can think of,” jeno lists off like he’s been through it.

mark cuts in, “one time i brought kitten her favorite cookie during her period without her asking and she sent a pic of it to the chat and now apparently i’m the gold standard,” he said beaming.

“congratulations,” jaemin deadpans, “i left angel a needy voice note saying i missed her…i’m pretty sure they’ve all heard it.”

chenle’s jaw drops, “i’m scared,” he says genuinely. and he is scared. less for him. but more for you. he wonders what kind of interrogation scheme you’re under right now. wonders if you can continue lying for him.

some time passes, the girl’s laughter echoes from behind the door, “do you think they’re still talking about us?,” chenle asks.

“absolutely,” they all say at once. you were right. girl’s do tell each other everything.

౨ৎ

the door clicks shut behind you and instantly the room explodes, their voices all harmonizing in the air, you weren’t even sure who said what anymore.

“okay, spill!” “when did it happen?” “did he kiss you first?” “who made the first move?” “is he big?”

your eyes widen. in any other situation, like for example: you were actually his girlfriend and you were actually fucking, this would’ve been fun. but right now the room is spinning.

“no, seriously,” kitten grins, practically vibrating with excitement, “you can’t sit here and tell us you bagged chenle and then give us nothing, he kissed you, chenle doesn’t kiss!”

bunny flops down beside you, legs criss-crossed. “like, i don’t even understand. you guys were just friends, right? and now he’s grabbing your waist and making out with you in public??”

“and don’t give us that ‘we’re private’ line,” angel smirks, “we saw the kiss. that was not private. that was possession.” you blink at them, smiling tight. you were prepared for fake couple questions like how did it start or where’s your first date gonna be, but this? this was a firing squad of horny girlfriends.

“i mean…” you trail off, trying to think fast, “it was kind of…sudden? things shifted. we realized we had chemistry and…boom.”

“boom?” bunny arches a brow.

“like…tension. long time coming. slow burn,” you say, proud of your own improv. they all squeal in unison.

“okay but is he good?” angel asks, not missing a beat.

you freeze for half a second too long. kitten’s eyes narrow, “oh my god. you haven’t slept with him yet.”

bunny gasps like you just confessed a crime, “wait. no. have you?”

you panic, “i mean—not, like, fully—but…”

all three of them lean in at once.

“okay, what have you done?” kitten demands.

you hesitate, chewing your cheek. and then you commit, “well,” you say, slow and measured, “we just…touched,” you admit, knowing you had to give them something for them to let you go.

there’s a pause, followed by a collective shriek.

angel grabs your wrist, “YOU MEAN—”

“guys,” you whisper, “it was hands only. that’s it.” you leave out who’s hand was touching who. their jaws drop. you force a smile but inside you’re combusting.

angel slings an arm around you, “god, i love new couple energy. so fresh. so chaotic. i give you a week before you’re fully obsessed with each other.” you just hum, hoping no one notices how hard your heart is pounding. because you're not just faking a relationship anymore — you're faking experience, chemistry, desire.

a few more minutes and you finally emerge from the room with the girls, cheeks flushed, hair slightly tousled, and a drained smile plastered on your face. your laugh is a little delayed. your steps slightly uneven. and chenle notices immediately. he’s sitting on the floor with the rest of the dream boys, a soda can balanced on his knee, but the second he sees you, his brows pinch slightly.

he stands, “baby,” he says, voice pitched just right, casual but a little needy, purposefully loud enough for the rest of them to hear, “you okay?”

you nod a little too quickly, “totally, just girl talk.”

he doesn’t buy it. not for a second. and then you feel it — his hand slipping around your waist, low, secure, warm against the small of your hips, thumb rubbing slow circles, and he leans in like he’s about to whisper something sweet. the small action makes you feel hot. god, you were going crazy.

instead, “we’re going,” he announces smoothly, voice dipped in just enough gravel to sound like he means business.

“what?” mark blinks, “we’re barely halfway through the movie!?”

“she’s tired,” chenle says, already pulling you into his side, “and i need her...in…more ways than one.”

your breath catches. the room erupts again.

“OKAY!” “get it, chenle!” “don’t forget protection, king!”

kitten throws a pillow at mark. bunny covers jeno’s lips. angel’s cackling and jaemin’s trying to pull her back into his lap. but no one tries to stop you. chenle flashes the room a satisfied grin, like this was always the plan. like he didn’t just lie through his teeth to get you out of there. you barely manage a wave as he leads you to the door, “bye, guys!”

“BYE SLUTS!” kitten yells cheerfully. the second the door shuts behind you and it’s just the two of you on the porch, you groan and bury your face in his shoulder.

“i think i aged ten years,” you mumble.

chenle chuckles and tightens his grip around your waist, “you looked like you were about to pass out. what the hell did they ask you?”

you sigh, dragging your feet as he starts leading the way to your dorm, your hand wrapped in his, “everything. like everything, everything.”

he pauses, “like…”

“chenle,” you deadpan, “i had to describe what you sound like when you finish.”

he chokes, “YOU WHAT—”

you hold up you free hand, silencing him, “do not make me relive it. just know, i deserve more than the gym schedule.”

he’s red in the face again, “why do girls talk like that?!”

“because we’re nosy and unhinged, and also because men are way too hot when they fall apart. that’s why,” you say more than you’re supposed to and chenle can’t help but tease you.

“oh so you thought i was hot,” he smirks, eyebrows wiggling.

“don’t even start,” you groan, “i can’t go another second of this.” he just smirks as he walks you to your dorm.

౨ৎ NOVEMBER 13 - SUGAR SWEET MOUTH ౨ৎ

you’re stretching at the edge of the court, hair pulled back, body still warm from the last cheer sequence. the gym smells like sweat and floor polish, the low thump of basketballs echoing from the other side where the boys are warming up.

then you hear it – gasps, followed by whispers. you glance up and see chenle walking in, a bouquet of blush-pink and white tulips in hand. the sight makes your heart skip a beat. you ignore it. he marches right past the curious stares and half-shocked teammates, past quinn, until he’s in front of you.

“for you, baby,” he says casually like he didn’t just change the rhythm of your heart beat, “they reminded me of you.” your mouth parts slightly. for a second your brain short-circuits. he needed to shut up before you forget you’re only playing a part. you remind yourself that this wasn’t just sweet — it was strategic. you’d both agreed. since you only were supposed to kiss when it’s absolutely necessary, courtesy of his rule, the two of you came up with alternatives. subtle touches, cute gestures, notes, little tokens of affection that would sell the story without breaking whatever fragile line of comfort was left between you.

today, he chose flowers. and he chose to give it to you in front of everyone — your fingers curl around the stems carefully, “lele,” you say, voice soft. he shrugs, feigning nonchalance but not quite hiding the way his ears are tinged red, “just pretty flowers for my pretty baby,” he says the line he’s been practicing ever since he bought those flowers a couple hours ago. you don’t even look around to check who’s watching. you already know. quinn is still near her usual wall, frozen mid-sip of her drink, eyes sharp with something between confusion and jealousy. the rest of the cheer team is giggling animatedly behind you, all of them feeling giddy. and on the other side of the court, mark, co-captain of the basketball team, watches it unfold like he’s watching one of his girlfriend’s rom-coms in real life. mark’s brows lift, lips twitching into a smile. then, silently, he pulls out his phone, took a quick picture and sent it to the couple’s group chat.

mark: okay maybe we were dicks last night. this might be real

the groupchat flooded with messages instantly, mostly from the girls talking about how chenle takes the number one boyfriend of the month spot.

back on your side of the court, you offer chenle a genuine smile. then, slowly, you rise to your tiptoes and press a kiss to his cheek. soft. light. barely more than a brush of skin. but his breath catches. for a millisecond, his whole body stiffens, then softens. he tries not to react. tries to play it cool. but if he was being honest, his heart is pounding, traitorous and loud, and his fingers twitch at his sides like he wants to reach for you but his own rules stops him.

“thanks, lele,” you say sweetly.

he offers you a smile, “anything for my baby,” he says, softly tapping your chin before turning his head toward the court, shooting a half-hearted glare at mark, who’s giving him a thumbs up and mouthing you’re so down bad across the gym. chenle doesn’t respond. he just grabs a ball, sinks a shot with near perfect form and tries to ignore the lingering warmth of his cheek.

౨ৎ

later that afternoon, the gym buzzed with the usual chaos of practice, only the basketball team were around now. sneakers screeched against the hardwood. balls bounced around the room. sweat, noise and routine, nothing out of place. until some of the players joined chenle – eric jogged up beside him, “so…you and the cheer captain now, huh?,” he said, not even trying to sound casual.

chenle nodded once, eyes still on the court, “yeah.”

“damn,” juyeon said with a low whistle, joining in on the conversation, “didn’t think you had it in you to bag the girl every guy on campus wants.” chenle’s jaw tensed, but he kept his eyes ahead.

jay, another player, chuckled, “yeah, she’s–,” he hesitated for effect, then grinned, “—a handful, huh?”

chenle didn’t look up but he did not like where this was going at all. juyeon leaned in a little, “mhm, still remember that party two semesters ago. she kissed me so hard i forgot my name,” he snickers, the memory playing in his mind, “sugar sweet mouth, bro and she tastes even sweeter where it really matters if you know what i mean.”

“real flexible too,” eric added with a laugh, “you just have to know how to use her.”

jay gave him a nudge, “seriously, props to you man, she’s got a mouth that–”

“stop.” chenle says. the word wasn’t loud. but it was final. dark. deadly. the ball hit the floor with a loud thud. chenle stopped moving. and it’s not like he was hearing all of this for the first time, he’s pretty sure you’ve told him about these activities in extreme detail before. i mean, you guys talk about everything and anything under the sun, including your sex life. but it’s different now. you’re supposed to be his gf. and he hates that they’re not respecting that. slowly, he turned to face them. not blinking. not smiling. nothing about his expression was amused. a silence fell between four of them.

juyeon rolled her eyes, “relax, man. she’s not a saint–,”

“i said stop.” he said, voice low, jaw tight, “that’s my girlfriend you’re talking about.”

eric scoffed, “c’mon man, we’re just messing around. it’s not that serious.”

“it is serious,” chenle bit out, teeth gritted, “i don’t care what happened at a party two semesters ago, hell, even two weeks ago. if any of you talk about her like that again, i’ll kick you off this team myself.”

jay scoffed, arms crossed, “yeah, well she wasn’t always yours. don’t get all territorial now just because you finally got a turn.”

that did it. chenle’s eyes flashed. the cool, easy going demeanor he always wore was gone in an instant. his hands were shaking from how tightly he was clenching his fists, breath shallow with rage. he stepped in until he was chest to chest with jay, “you think this team matters more than my respect?,” chenle hissed, voice low, dangerous, “keep talking about her and you’ll be off the roster before you can blink.”

juyeon and eric looked stunned. none of them had ever seen chenle like this — not even close. he’d always been the chill one, the sarcastic one. even when people trashed him online after bad games, he shrugged it off. but this was different. chenle stepped back, nostrils flaring, chest still heaving. his hands curled into fists at his sides. then he blew the whistle. loud. sharp. angry.

“LAPS,” he barked, “until i say stop.” groans echoed across the gym, but no one dared challenge him. not when his voice sounded like that.

chenle wasn’t sure what he hated more. the fact that they were talking about you in that way or the fact that now he had to picture those guys touching you, tasting you, and he couldn’t unsee it. they knew the curve of your body. the sound of your voice when it cracked, broken with pleasure. they knew what made you moan. what made you beg. and he didn’t know any of that. all he had was one kiss. all he had was the memory of your dorm room, your mouth parted, hand between your thighs as you whimpered his name. the sound of your breath hitching. the way your eyes rolled back when you came. that was the only version of you he had – distant, aching, too far away to feel.

the image of you touching yourself ruined him. but now he had to imagine other guys doing it for you…and liking it. talking about it like it was theirs to own. that burned worse than anything. because now all he could think about was how other men got to taste you…and he hadn’t even had you. not like that. not the way he was starting to need to.

jealousy coiled tight in his chest like barbed wire. and worse than jealousy, something else had cracked open beneath it – something sickeningly possessive. something unspoken. nothing has ever made him angry like this before. no one had ever made him feel like this before.

౨ৎ

lele 😎💗: i’m coming over.

you barely have time to register the message before a sharp knock hits your door. he’s already here, less than five minutes later. you open the door and the look in his eyes hits you like a wave – anger, frustration and something darker curling beneath it. he walks in without a word, jaw clenched tight, hair damp from a recent shower, gym bag slung over one shoulder, his hoodie half zipped, exposing the clean line of his neck. you close the door behind him, “chenle?”

“it’s not right,” he cuts in, voice low and tense, dropping his bag on the floor at the foot of your bed, “it’s not fucking right that those guys know how you taste and i don’t,” he lets the words spill out of his lips, clearly not thinking properly.

you blink, thrown off by his bluntness, confusion all over your features, “what?”

he paces around, then stops and looks at you, “today at practice…they said things. stuff i didn’t want to hear,” he swallows hard, fists clenched, “and it’s driving me insane, because i’m supposed to be your boyfriend. even if it’s fake, i should at least –,” he trails off, his words finally catching up to him.

“you should what?,” you ask, heart pounding, “what do you want us to do, chenle?”

he stares at you for a second too long. then quietly, intensely, he says, “would you let me go down on you?”

you freeze. a million things he could’ve said. a million things you had expected him to say. and none of it included that. you think it over for a bit but it really doesn’t take long. you had needs too. your voice drops to a whisper, “only if you let me go down on you too.”

he stiffens just slightly, your eyes search his, “we need to get better at lying, right? everyone’s already asking what we’ve done…how far we’ve gone. it’ll just make this more convincing,” you explain, not too sure if you were trying to convince him or yourself. the tension hangs heavy in the air. his tongue darts across his bottom lip.

you decide to make the first move, stepping closer, “tell me to stop and i will,” you say. but he doesn’t. he just nods once. and in that moment, both of you know – the lines between real and fake are about to blur. hard.

you pull your shirt over your head, slowly, deliberately. if this is for a lie, for your story, for your reputations, then you’re going to commit to it.

chenle’s eyes drag down your breasts. of course you weren’t wearing a fucking bra. and fuck, you were so fucking perfect. his jaw is locked tight like he’s holding himself together with the last thread of restraint, all his blood surging to his cock. you walk toward him, fingers hooking into your shorts, peeling them down without breaking eye contact, leaving you completely bare for him. his breath audibly stutters but he still doesn’t move.

his rule rings out low and firm in the heavy silence, and he’s not sure if he’s reminding you or himself, “no kissing on the mouth.”

you nod, stepping closer, “i know the rule.” you take the last step in between you, closing the distance. you push his hoodie off, then slip your hands under his shirt, dragging it up and over his head. his skin is warm, his abs flexing as your palms skate across them. your lips brush along his collarbone, testing at first, and he doesn’t stop you. instead, he tilts his head back as your mouth trails down his neck, his breath catching like he wasn’t expecting it to feel this good and you’ve barely even started. you push his sweats down, it falls to his ankles. his cock already hard against your thigh.

his hands hover near your waist like he’s still unsure whether this is real. you decide for him. grabbing his hands and placing each one on your breasts, “you can touch me, lele,” you say littering kisses all over his neck, down to his chest.

you feel his breath hitch beneath your lips. then his fingers start ghosting over your perky nipples, making you release a sigh of pleasure in response. his fingers flick quick and fast and hot. you could feel the heat in your stomach start building. he bends over, just slightly, to take one of your breasts in his mouth and you can’t help but let out a whine, loud against his ear, gripping his hair as you pull him closer.

he pushes you back until your legs hit the foot of your bed, your back hitting your mattress, chenle still sucking on your nipples like it was the only thing he was made for. for someone who didn’t kiss, he knew how to use his tongue well. it was almost unfair, “lele,” you moan.

“hmm?,” he says, mouth still full of your breasts, tongue swirling around your bud, finger rolling the other. your pussy clenching at nothing. you needed to feel just how good his tongue is on you. now. you lightly push him off of you and he looks up with dazed eyes, already lost in the lust. you crawl backward on the bed, until your head hits the pillows. then you open your legs for him, fingers dipping down between your folds, showing him wet you are. showing him what he does to you.

“are you gonna keep staring or are you gonna make sure you know how i taste?,” you smirk. his gaze darkens and then he was moving. diving in between your legs, his hand on your hips as his tongue swipes across your folds, your reaction was immediate, a quiet gasp slipping past your lips.

his tongue swipes again, slower this time, more deliberate — like he’s savoring it. like he wants to make sure you feel every flick, every glide, every warm drag of his mouth along your slick folds.

“fuuck,” you whisper, head falling back into the pillows, hips jerking toward his face. you weren’t ready for how good it would feel, how thoroughly he’d devour you. he grips your thighs, spreading you wider, angling your hips up to meet his mouth better. his tongue laps at your clit, slow at first, then faster, more focused, until your breath catches in your throat. he moans low against you, the vibration rippling through your core, his hunger for you making your thighs tremble against his shoulders. the way he eats you is not shy. it’s messy. loud. tongue everywhere. mouth sealed around your clit, then dragging back down to tease your entrance, tongue prodding in and out of your hole, only to dive right back up to leave kisses on the bundle of nerves that has you clenching around nothing.

you reach for him. not just to ground yourself, but to do something back. “lele—” you murmur, voice barely steady, “i want to taste you too.”

his eyes flick up, dark and blown wide with lust, and he understands instantly. in a swift motion, he flips the two of you over so you’re straddling him, hands on his chest. then he completely mahandles you, turning you around, until you’re facing his cock. you let him do what he wants until you feel his breath on your hot core. you turn over your shoulder, “are you sure?”

“just take your seat, baby please,” he says, practically whining. you let yourself down slowly, carefully, until chenle grabs your hips and pulls you down hard against his mouth, lips immediately on you like a magnet. he’s all tongue and open-mouthed hunger, licking into you like he means it, like he wants you undone within seconds. you moan, hands flying to his hips for balance as yours stutter against his hot, wet mouth. he doesn’t ease up. he groans into you, low and hoarse. his hands grip your ass, guiding your rhythm — up, down, until you’re rolling your hips in sync with his mouth, pleasure crawling up your spine in electric waves.

and then you lean forward — hand closing around his cock, already hard and leaking, twitching under your touch. he jerks the second you stroke him. another moan vibrates against you. you lower your mouth over him slowly, savoring every inch, and when he feels your lips wrap around the tip, his hands tighten on your thighs, dragging you down even harder against his tongue — the position is hot, filthy and perfect for two people who weren’t allowed to be intimate. just pure lust and desire.

every time you take him deeper into your mouth, he moans against your cunt, sending vibrations throughout your body making you moan around him. it was a continuous chain reaction. a circle. a rhythm that shouldn’t feel this good for something that’s supposed to be fake. he eats you out like he’s starving, like he’s desperate. the groans he spills into your skin when you swirl your tongue around the head of his cock is addicting. you hollow your cheeks and bob your head steadily, spit and precum making it easier to move faster, sloppier. his thighs tremble beneath your hands. his breathing’s gone ragged, harsh exhales against your folds as he keeps licking you like he can’t decide what he wants more — to come or to pull you over the edge first.

you don’t stop until you feel him throb against your tongue, hips bucking weakly. his moan breaks against you — loud, unfiltered, completely undone. just as you fall apart on his face, grinding down until your vision goes white. you both cum at the same time, wrecked and breathless, your bodies slick with sweat and need. you swallow all of him as your thighs quiver above him, hands digging into the sheets for some sense of control that’s long gone.

slowly, you climb off him, your chest still rising and falling fast. his face is flushed, jaw shiny with you, eyes glazed as he swipes his tongue across his bottom lip, still tasting you on him. you collapse beside his legs, your skin still tingling, the air thick with the scent of sex and something heavier beneath it — something unspoken.

you’re just catching your breath when he speaks, “they were right,” he says, voice low, jaw tight like he’s trying not to clench it.

you blink, turning your head toward him, “huh?”

he finally looks at you, eyes darker than before, almost like he was mad that they knew this about you.

“your pussy’s the sweetest there is” he whispers. you freeze. it was so vulgar. you’ve never heard him like that before. you’re not supposed to blush. you’re not supposed to feel anything — this was supposed to be for the lie. but your cheeks warm anyway, blood rushing to your face like your body doesn’t care what rules your brain is trying to enforce.

“…don’t say shit like that,” you mumble, hiding your face in your sheets, suddenly all too aware of your nakedness, your vulnerability, the way your heart is thudding like it wants to be acknowledged.

chenle lets out a soft, breathless laugh, the kind that’s more teasing than sincere, “relax,” he says, grinning as he taps your ass, “just telling the truth.” before you can respond, he’s already off the bed, striding butt-naked into your bathroom. you hear the soft creak of a cabinet, the rustle of movement and then he’s back, completely unfazed, moving like none of this is new to him. he doesn’t say a word as he gently nudges your thighs apart, and before you can fully process what’s happening, he’s cleaning you up with a warm, damp paper towel. slow, deliberate, and so unexpectedly tender it makes your chest ache. then, he reaches for your blanket and carefully pulls it over your body, tucking it around you like it’s second nature.

you stay sprawled on the bed, watching him through half-lidded eyes, too tired to argue, unsure if you want to kiss him or strangle him for how easy he makes this all seem. once he’s done, he tosses the paper towel in your bin like he’s shooting a three-pointer, throws his hoodie over his head, and slides back into his sweats like he wasn’t just naked with his face between your thighs and his cock in your mouth just five minutes ago. he heads toward the door, but pauses before opening it. then, with one hand on the handle, the other tugging his duffel bag over his head, he glances over his shoulder with a lazy smirk.

“later, baby,” he teases, “try not to miss me too much.” you groan and bury your face deeper into the pillow, flipping him off without looking, his laugh ringing in your ear. then the door clicks shut. and you’re left alone, naked under the sheets, your heart annoyingly full and your cheeks burning like hell.

౨ৎ NOVEMBER 14 - LET’S SEE IT CAPTAIN ౨ৎ

the gym is still and quiet when you and chenle arrive, early enough that even the usual overachievers haven’t shown up yet. you’re both trying a little too hard to be normal. trying to pretend that you didn’t spend last night tangled in the 69 position. you stretch near the free throw line, lazily balancing on one leg. chenle’s dribbling nearby, head down, hair still damp from his pre-practice shower, glistening slightly under the overhead lights.

“you look like you’re in a gatorade commercial,” you mutter.

he doesn’t even glance up, “you look like someone who couldn’t shoot a basket if her life depended on it,” he teases, a playful smirk on his lips.

you gasp dramatically, “excuse me?”

“i’m just saying,” he walks over and tosses you the ball, “let’s see it captain.”

you scoff, adjusting your stance, “i’ll have you know i’ve cheered for hundreds of games, i know this court as well as you.”

he raises a brow, arms crossed, “sure. now actually throw the ball.”

you do. it doesn’t even hit the rim. you pout, “okay, rude,” you say, talking to the ball.

chenle smirks and jogs to retrieve it, “come here”

“what, so you can mock me more?,” you say, a light smile on your lips.

“so i can teach you,” he replies easily, motioning you over. you roll your eyes but go to him anyways.

he steps behind you, gently positioning your arms, “fingers here,” he says, softly guiding your fingers around the ball, “-elbow in,” he murmurs, low and close, sparking the goosebumps to travel down your spine, “breathe, you’re not stabbing someone, you’re guiding the ball.” you scoff, but let him continue guiding your hands anyway. his chest presses lightly against your back, his lips brushing warm at your ear. it’s oddly intimate, this quiet closeness. you pretend not to notice it. so does he.

“now,” he murmurs, “just relax…and shoot.”

the ball flies in a clean arc – nothing but net.

you beam, eyes sparkling, “did you see that?!,” you cheer, excitement written all over your face.

“i’m an excellent teacher,” he smirks. you turn to grin at him, but before you could reply — he kisses you. no warning. no smirk. no audience. just lips on yours. warm and deliberate.

you gasp softly, but your body reacts faster than your brain – your hands go to his chest, mouth moving against his in quiet surprise. it’s soft and unhurried, like he has all the time in the world. he swipes at your bottom lip and you part them on instinct, giving him access. your tongues moving in sync like he means it.

and then your brain catches up. this doesn’t make sense. chenle doesn’t kiss. that’s when you’re reminded — quinn. she must be here. she must be watching. why else would he kiss you like his life depended on it?

you pull away slowly, eyes fluttering open, lips flushed, “was she here?,” you whisper.

chenle blinks like he was still processing what the hell just came over him, “yeah,” he answers, a little too quickly. you nod once, eyes scanning the gym, but you don’t see anyone. still, you assume she must’ve been behind the bleachers or near the doors. maybe she slipped out quietly after the kiss.

you swallow down whatever strange flutter just took root in your chest, “right. okay.”

chenle nods too, hands dropping from your waist, “just doing my part,” he mutters with a small, unreadable smile. you nod. some of your teammates start making their way in and that was your cue to escape. you walk away from him, pretending your heart isn’t doing cartwheels in your chest. because if you let yourself think about that kiss too long. the way his mouth moved perfectly in yours. you know you’ll be way past saving.

౨ৎ

his lips are still tingling. chenle walks the other way, jogging across the court to fetch the ball, but his heart isn’t in it. his chest feels tight.

he lied. quinn had been there – earlier. lurking behind the bleachers like some twisted shadow stitched to the edge of his vision. he spotted her in the middle of adjusting your grip on the ball but she slipped out halfway through your shot.

the kiss happened well after she was gone. he didn’t have to do it. there was no audience. no pressure. it wasn’t calculated. it wasn’t strategic — it was instinct. he couldn’t help himself. his body just moved, pulled by something stupid and impulsive and real that curled hot and electric in his chest. you were just standing there, flushed and proud and happy and annoyingly adorable he didn’t know what to do with it but kiss you.

he bounces the ball once. twice. his hands are suddenly sweating. it’s not supposed to feel like that. not with you. you’re his best friend. or you were. this whole mess, this fake relationship. it was all supposed to be fake. controlled clean. he wasn’t supposed to be thinking about how soft your lips were. how those damn assholes were right, you did taste like strawberries but also something else…something sinful. the way you kissed him back. the way you completely melted into him.

he grits his teeth and shoots the ball harder than he needs to. it hits the rim and bounces out. perfect. just like him — falling short. he drags a hand through his hair. the kiss can’t stop replaying in his mind. you, wide-eyed. you, tilting towards him without even thinking. you, pulling away and asking if his stalker was around as if that was the only possible explanation. and it should have been the only explanation.

he was slipping. the way your name is starting to echo louder than it should is suffocating. he’s not ready for that. and that tight, heavy feeling in his chest. it’s not guilt anymore. it’s want. god, help him.

౨ৎ NOVEMBER 17 - DON’T ASK ME STUPID QUESTIONS. ౨ৎ

you’re already tense by the time chenle shows up at the gym. he’s leaning against the wall, holding up your favorite snack, “for the prettiest cheerleader in the world,” he says, before pulling you into his arms for a hug. it’s been like this for the past three days, him showing up to your practice with your favorite chocolates, a stuffed toy, letters, any gift he could think of. picking you up and walking you back to your dorm, putting on a show, making sure everyone knows the two of you are so sickeningly in love.

and as sweet as it all has been. you wanted something else. your thighs ache from practice but the throbbing between your legs is worse. you don’t smile. just snatch the bag from him and make your way out the door as he stumbles after you, “what’s wrong?”

you ignore him, just slipping your hand into his and walking the rest of the way in silence. he doesn’t ask again, not until the door to your dorm clicks shut, the silence crashing down like thunder. you toss your bag down, arms crossed, heart pounding with frustration and need.

“bad day?,” he asks carefully, not entirely sure what kind of territory he’s in.

“would it be okay with you if i went and had sex with someone else?”

the air goes still. chenle freezes like you slapped him, “what?”

“i’m serious,” you snap, arms crossed, “this plan sucks, i didn’t think being your fake girlfriend meant i’d be celibate for weeks, im sooo horny chenle, it’s not even funny!,” you groaned, throwing yourself onto your bed, arms covering your face. the silence stretched until you peeked through your fingers and saw him still frozen, mouth parted. “so?,” you prompted.

he blinked, voice lower now, “no. it’s not okay.”

you sat up, suddenly irritated, “why not? we’re not actually dating. it’s not like i’d tell anyone.”

“are you serious? people talk y/n, i’d rather not have everyone think i can’t satisfy you so now you’re cheating on me,” he groans, dragging a hand through his hair.

you stand up annoyed, stepping toward him with fire in your veins, “i’m ovulating, chenle. everything hurts. i’m soaking through my underwear. i can’t think. i’ve been dreaming about you. that night. the way you moaned, the way you ate me out — it’s all i think about. and then you kissed me at the court like i was yours.”

he blinks. swallows hard. your words affect him instantly. his cock twitching in his pants. his mind running a mile per minute.

“i can’t keep pretending that didn’t happen. my body won’t let me,” you say, not even caring if you sounded desperate. you need to be relieved now, “i fingered myself last night and i cried because it wasn’t enough.”

his head is spinning at the image of you not being able to get off. god, you were so sexy.

“don’t go to someone else.” he says, voice low and dark.

“then what?” you whisper, “because if i don’t do something, i swear–”

“i can take care of you.” he says, stepping in close. his breath brushes your lips.

“we said no sex,” you remind him.

his voice drops into something dark and dangerous, “that doesn’t mean i can’t ruin you.”

you raise an eyebrows, “with what? your hands?”

a smirk appears on his features, “my fingers. my mouth. whatever you’ll let me use.”

your heart thuds in your chest. you walk backward to the bed, pulse hammering, “then let’s make it interesting,” you reach into your drawer, pulling out your favorite toy – long, thick, velvety-soft silicone curved just right. you drop it onto the mattress like a challenge. he raises a brow, not shocked at all that you had a dildo.

“use your fingers, use your mouth, use that… i don’t care, just help me, please,” you practically beg. his eyes widen for a second before his mouth twitches into a grin, wicked and reverent all at once, “say less.” and then he was closing the distance. dragging your shirt over your head, unhooking your bra like it was second nature and yanking your cheer shorts and panties in one go, tossing it somewhere around your room. he pushes you down so you were sitting at the foot of your bed, his hands wandering throughout your body, lips marking your exposed breasts and then he was spreading you open, kneeling on your floor, slotting himself in between your thighs and actually groans when he sees how wet you already are.

“goddamn baby,” he whispers, dragging two fingers through your folds “this all for me?”

you nod, “yes lele, please,” you whine. he slides his digits in, deep, slow, curling with precision that makes your hips thrust up. you gasp, body tensing.

“jesus, you’re tight,” he murmurs, “and so fucking warm.” he pushes your legs up until your knees were almost to your chest then adds a third finger, working you open, pumping deep and steady, watching your face the whole time. his thumb brushes your clit in maddening circles, quiet and uncontrollable moans slipping from your lips.

then he picks up the toy. you watch, breathless, as he slicks it up with your arousal, pressing the thick head to your entrance, “ready?,” he asks, looking at you for final confirmation. you nod frantically and he slides it in slowly, dragging it against every swollen nerve ending, pushing it inside until it completely disappears in your cunt. the stretch is intense, full, enough to make your eyes roll back, “oh my god,” you whimper.

“that’s it,” he whispers, breath hot on your thighs as he leans in, “you take it so fucking well.”

he starts pumping it, setting a rhythm, the dildo driving deep, your chest rising and falling with every pant “do you use this and think about me, baby?,” he grunts. when you don’t answer, too lost in the pleasure, he stops his movement, making your eyes shoot wide open.

“lele–”

“i said,” he asks again, voice firmer this time, eyes darker, “do you use this and think about me?”

“y-yes lele, i think about you, how full your cock would feel inside me,” you admit and something in him breaks. he thrusts it deeper, faster, finding the spot that makes your eyes roll back, watching your legs shake. his lips press kisses to the inside of your thighs, sucking and biting, leaving his mark. then his free hand circles your clit in fast, tight spirals. the pressure in your stomach builds fast, unbearable, so sharp you can barely speak.

“fuuuck, chenle,” you breathe out, your back falling to your sheets, no longer able to keep yourself up, “i–im gonna come,” you moan.

“go ahead baby,” he commands, “come for me.” your body obeys. fast. your back arches, toes curling, hands gripping your sheets, jerking so hard the toy nearly slips out as you cry moans of his name. but he doesn't stop. he keeps going, driving you over the edge again, until you’re squirming, tears in your eyes, the toy moving in and out of you in sync with his fingers rubbing furious circles into your clit. you barely even get the chance to process your first orgasm before a second wave hits. the pleasure just as good, just as world rattling as the first. you sob his name, overstimulated, shaking, mouth open but soundless, hand pushing him away.

but chenle isn’t finished.

“c’mon baby, you’re the one who wanted this,” he says, amused as he swats your hand away, pushing you up to your pillows until he’s hovering above you. he pulls the toy out giving you a second to catch your breath before his mouth was on you, lapping you up like a man starved.

“h-holy fuck—,” your stomach tightens immediately, “chenle–too much–”

“no”, he laughs, against you, completely amused, the vibration making your toes curl, “not yet. i’m not done with you,” he teases, flicking his tongue on your clit and thrusting two fingers in your hole, dragging every ounce of sensation out of you. his free hand is strong, keeping you right exactly where he wants you until your hips buck into his face, bibbling his name, fists in his hair, riding the edge again.

“you taste so sweet,” he mumbles between licks. he’s in complete bliss, eyes shut, eating you out like he was satisfying his cravings.

“you’re mine. all of this is mine.” that’s what does it. you come again, even harder – thighs clamping around his head. he holds you through it, still sucking you like there’s no tomorrow, hands gripping your thighs to keep you open as you writhe beneath him, completely undone. yet he still doesn’t relent. you swore there’s tears streaming down your face now, incoherent noises slipping past your lips. you try to close your legs, try to shimmy your way out but he was stronger than he looks, “don’t you ever talk about fucking someone else again.”

he was so addicted. so pussy drunk. he doesn’t know how to stop. then you feel it. that curl in your stomach that only comes when you know you’re about to soak your sheets, the type of sensation no one else but yourself has made your body do.

you try to warn him, “w-wait–chenle–i’m gonna–” but the words don’t come out fast enough. your body explodes. your legs jerk, eyes snap open wide and you squirt – a hot rush of liquid soaking your sheets, his hand, his face.

you choke on a cry, body shaking. he stops dead for a second. his gaze flickers to your soaked thighs, the mess under you, then back to your face, “holy shit, does that always happen?,” he asks. his expression is pure awe and hunger.

you shake your head no, a little embarrassed “not with other people,” you manage to say, voice hoarse. and when you thought it was finally over – he buries his face between your legs for the umpteenth time, making you scream, more determined than ever to get you to do it again.

he’s laughing into your cunt, loving the way you’re crying out for him. the way your juices continue leaking out of you. the way you’re trying to push him away. his fingers are back inside, curling, pressing just right, over and over and over. you can’t breathe. can’t think. the sounds spilling from your mouth are desperate. pleas and stops that he ignores. until you’re twitching. gasping. and it hits again. another wave crashes through you, harder than the first. you sob his name as you gush, spraying him, your body completely undone. he continues rubbing until you we’re completely empty, hands keeping your thighs spread, mouth drinking in as much as he can.

you’re a mess — wet. crying. shaking. and he loves it.

“fuck, you’re so sexy like this,” he groans, licking you through the aftershocks, “fucking soaking for me. mine,” before kissing your clit one last time, finally letting you breathe. then he crawls up your body, pressing soft kisses to your forehead, your jaw, your temple, everywhere but your lips. you’re panting, eyes glassy. you stay sprawled out on your back, chest rising and falling in erratic breaths, limbs heavy, brain wiped completely clean. everything’s soaked – the sheets, the comforter, your thighs, chenle.

he’s lying next to you now, propped up one elbow, hand toying with one of your breasts, grinning like he just won the lottery. his face is still shiny with you. you should feel embarrassed that you’re completely naked next to him and he’s still fully dressed but you’re not. you're too high up in the clouds, too light headed to think about anything else.

“you good?,” he asks, voice smug.

you roll your head toward him, still panting, “i think you broke me.”

he laughs, actually laughs, soft and playful and stupidly attractive, “i mean, i did make you squirt. twice,” he smirks, still palming your breasts, like he was glued on to your skin.

you swat his hand away, “god. don’t say it like that.”

“why?” he leans over, pressing a kiss to your shoulder, “it’s the truth. you squirted. all over my fingers. in my mouth. whole crime scene situation down there.”

you groan, “shut up.”

“i’ve never seen someone look so sexy and so destroyed at the same time,” he pokes your cheek, “like, tears in your eyes, legs shaking, moaning my name…i'm flattered,” a smirk on his face.

you swat at him weakly, “stop talking before i die of shame.” but you’re smiling, cheeks flushed. and he notices.

“oh no, don’t get all shy on me now,” he teases, “not after you practically begged me to use a toy on you and called me sir at one point.”

“i did not—” honestly, you weren’t too sure. you had no idea what you were saying half the time. or if what you were saying were even words.

“you did,” he grins, “right when i had three fingers in you and you were like—” he puts on a dramatic impression, moaning exaggeratedly — “‘ahh ahh please, chenle, i’ll do anything, just make me come—’”

you grab the nearest pillow and smack him in the face with it. he just laughs harder. “you’re the worst.”

“and yet,” he says, catching your wrist, pulling it gently until you’re turned toward him again, “you’re here. naked and very very wet.”

you narrow your eyes at him, “you’re very proud of yourself, huh?”

“i made you do something no one else ever has. of course i’m proud,” his fingers skim your bare thigh, slow and cocky, “i own that now.”

and the phrase does more than he thinks. you push the thoughts away, “cocky bastard.”

he leans in, placing a kiss below your ear, “next time don’t ask me stupid questions.” you blink up at him, heart skipping. chenle softens for a second, gaze flicking between your eyes and lips. before his grin returns. mischievous. dangerous.

“and next time, i’m bringing rope,” he teases and you gasp, swatting his face away.

“what?,” he nuzzles into your neck, an arm around your waist, “you want me to keep your legs open properly, don’t you?” you shove him off again, laughing, flushed and glowing.

that night, when he got home, chenle pumped himself up and down, thoughts of you and only you plaguing his mind. he imagined your voice in his ear again. he tries to visualize the way your thighs were shaking, your hands gripping his hair. how beautiful you looked when you fell apart. how you tried to warn him but never got the words out before you were decorating him with your juices. he wants you again. he wants more. his orgasm tears through him, hot and sudden, spilling over his fist.

౨ৎ NOVEMBER 19 - SORRY MR. BENCH ౨ৎ

the gym doors slam shut behind the last of his teammate. steam curls from the showers at the back of the locker room. chenle walks out, towel slung over his shoulder, hair damp, boxers clinging to his hips. he hums to himself softly. and then he stops cold.

his eyes land on you, leaning against the metal lockers in your cheer shorts and his hoodie that he probably left at your place, “how’d you get in here?” he asks, eyes wide.

there’s a playful smile on your lips, “i snuck in.”

his brows shoot up, “you what?...you can’t just…this is the boy’s locker room, you maniac,” he says, though there’s a smile tugging at his lips.

you push off the lockers, crossing the floor toward him, “i couldn’t help it.”

he swallows, visibly trying not to look down at what you’re wearing or lack of, “it’s worse today,” you murmur, closing the space between you, “i thought the other day would calm me down but now everytime i close my eyes, i feel you.”

chenle exhales through his nose, the last of his restraints on a thin line, “you’re insane.”

you nod, “i know,” before stepping into his space and wrapping your arms around his neck.

he looks around quickly, like someone might still be lingering. then he grabs your wrist, dragging you behind a row of lockers, out of sight, “we’re going to get caught.”

“no one’s here,” you whisper, voice soft and sinful, “and if they are, i don’t care.”

he groans quietly, eyes flickering down to your exposed thighs, your shorts doing absolutely nothing to hide how worked up you already are, “i can’t stop thinking about the other night either,” he murmurs.

he leans in, lips brushing your ear, “we’re still not having sex.”

you nod, “we’re not,” lips brushing his jaw, “i just want to feel you….please lele…take care of me again.” you didn’t have to say anything else. that phrase was enough. suddenly, his hands are all over you, gripping your ass and pushing you back until you were seated on the wooden bench in between the row of lockers. he kneels between your legs, nuzzling your inner thigh through your clothes, and you whimper, hips bucking up as his breath ghosts over your clothed heat.

“you’re soaked already,” he murmurs against your shorts, breathing you in, “did you walk in like this?”

you nod, cheeks flushed, “i’ve been wet the whole day,” you say as he pulls down your shorts, the undeniable wet spot of your panties clear to him.

he hums like he’s satisfied, “you’re dangerous,” he says, almost lovingly, “no one should be this needy,” a playful smile on his face. you grab his shoulders, pulling him up and making him straddle the bench as you got into his lap. your mouth crashes on his neck, hot and messy, and he moans into your ear when you grind your hips against his. your underwear was still on but the friction was unreal.

he pulls your hips flush against him, and you feel him – hard, throbbing beneath his boxers, pressing against your clothed core, “like this?,” he pants, voice already ragged, “you just wanna feel me?”

“more,” you whine, “please, lele.” with a low groan, he pulls down his boxers just enough to free himself then hooks his fingers into your underwear sliding it down. he runs his hard cock through your folds, slapping his tip against your clit and your grip on his shoulder tighten, “mmm feels so good, just like that,” you moan before you straddle him, grinding into his shaft, the both of you moaning and whining into the night air.

he lets the feeling go on for a bit before he makes you kneel on the bench. then he positions his cock right in between your thighs, against your soaked folds, still outside and starts thrusting. slow. heavy. deliberate. the head of his cock glides between your thighs, through your ass, dragging against your clit with maddening pressure, slicking through your wetness. he unzips your (his) hoodie only to find you weren’t wearing anything underneath.

“god, baby, you’re gonna kill me,” he sighs, his hands on your ass, controlling your hips as your nipples brush against his chest. you nuzzle into his neck, gasping, clinging onto his shoulders like its the only thing keeping you tethered to earth.

“fuck–,” he breathes, “you feel like heaven.”

you nod frantically, “faster lele, please–”

he holds you tighter, gripping your hips, increasing his speed, thrusting between your thighs like he’s trying to memorize the shape of you. his shaft brushes your clit over and over, grinding deep into that soaked spot right beneath your entrance, giving you the illusion that he’s inside you. and your body believes it. you rock against him like you’re possessed. like you need this to survive. every stroke sends heat spiraling through your stomach, your thighs trembling. he sucks that sensitive spot on the side of your neck and you were done for.

“i-i think,” you gasp, “i’m gonna–”

“do it,” he growls by your ear, “come on my cock, baby.” with a strangled cry, your body locks up, thighs quivering around him, vision going white. he didn’t even have to touch you inside and yet you unravel completely. chenle swears under his breath, thrusts harder once. twice. and then he’s coming too, warm and thick between your thighs, his juices slipping down your legs. the bench under you looks like it witnessed something illegal. his head falls to your shoulder, panting hard, clinging to you like he’s been holding back for days.

you’re both a wreck. neither of you move for a while. your knees start to get sore but you don’t care. his arms stay wrapped around your waist. eventually, he sits down, sitting you onto his lap, “shit,” he mutters, voice raspy, “poor bench.”

you smile weakly, “sorry mr. bench”

he looks at you for a long moment. and then that damn smirk returns, “we are so getting banned from the locker room.”

you groan, “they can’t ban both of the captains.”

“they can if the bench gives a testimony,” he teases. you elbow him, laughing breathlessly.

“i cannot believe we just did that,” you mumble, hiding in the crook of his neck.

chenle’s voice is way too proud, “i can. i had faith in our poor impulse control.”

you snort, “you're disgusting.”

he winks, “you love it.” there’s a pause. you go quiet. he does too. a beat of something unspoken simmers between you. but before either of you can crack it open, he glances down at the mess on your legs and grimaces.

“damn,” he mutters, reaching for his towel on the foot of the bench, “i got you good.” you roll your eyes as he dabs at your inner thighs carefully, like he’s handling something delicate.

“i can’t believe i ever thought we could pull off fake dating without...this happening,” you whisper.

he blinks at you, then grins, “you thought we’d not eventually dry-hump in a locker room?” you laugh again, trying to brush it off. but he doesn’t. he’s watching you now, softer. less joking. and then, the sound of the locker room door opens.

“chenle…you still in here?,” coach jaehyun’s voice echoes down the tiled corridor. both of your eyes go wide, “oh my god” you stare at each other like two deer caught in headlights.

“shit”, he hisses under his breath. he zips your hoodie up clumsily over your bare chest and scrambles to pull his boxers up as you pick up your shorts and underwear.

“stay still, don’t breathe, you’re invisible” he whispers.

“i’m not invisible!,” you whisper back, panic rising but he’s already shoving you behind one of the open lockers. your back hits the cool metal just as coach jaehyun’s footsteps draw closer. you clasped your mouth shut, heart pounding out of your chest, legs still weak. chenle wipes his hands on the towel, trying to look casual, and walks out just as coach rounds the corner, still in his windbreaker, clipboard under one arm.

“there you are,” coach says, slowing his stride, “always the last to leave, huh?”

chenle offers a lopsided grin, trying to keep his face neutral despite the chaos in his chest. “yes coach, just making sure the showers were off. locker doors closed. y’know, the usual.”

coach glances around, oblivious, “that’s what I like to hear.” you hold your breath behind the locker, still trembling slightly, trying not to let your knees give out or your breath catch audibly.

coach crosses his arms, “big game tomorrow. you’ve been putting in the work. i’ve seen it. just keep your head clear. and for god’s sake, get some sleep. no all-nighters, no tiktoks, no distractions. you hear me?”

chenle coughs, mouth twitching, “yes, sir.”

“good. i need you sharp. you're the heart of this team, chenle.” that hits. chenle’s face softens just slightly, eyes darting to where you’re hiding. “i’ll be ready,” he says, quieter this time.

coach jaehyun claps him on the shoulder, “proud of you, kid. lock up behind you.” and with that, the coach turns and exits, the heavy door creaking shut behind him. you wait until the footsteps fade. one beat. two. then you burst out of the locker, wide-eyed, “the heart of the team, huh?” you tease, breathless.

chenle lets out a laugh, bracing his hands on his hips, “do not talk to me about what just happened while i’m still trying to survive a cardiac event.”

you’re grinning now, limp but giddy, “you were sweating bullets.”

“he said no distractions, and i had my very naked distraction grinding on me just five minutes ago”

“you were very focused, i’ll give you that.” you put your underwear and shorts back on before shuffling over to him, still slightly dazed, “guess it’s good i helped you, then. let out some of that…pressure.”

he chuckles, wrapping an arm around your waist and pulling you into his chest, “you are not helping.”

you smirk against his collarbone, “want me to give you a pre-game pep talk tomorrow too?”

“i think you already gave me one tonight,” he murmurs, and you both dissolve into laughter. then he pulls back, a little more serious, “but for real… i’m glad you’re here.”

you blink at him, surprised, “you are?”

he nods, “i don’t think i could’ve slept tonight if i hadn’t…felt you. been driving me insane.” your chest tightens a little. something tender stirs in the air between you, but he breaks it off, walking to his locker.

you laugh helplessly as he gets dressed, grabbing his gym bag and throwing an arm around your shoulders, guiding you toward the exit, “come on baby, let’s get you home before you start climbing me again.”

you’re not entirely sure why you’re still acting sweet. why your fingers automatically laced with his as you walk down the hall — his stalker wasn’t around. there was no audience to act for. no one to fool. no reason to keep pretending. yet you’re still wearing the stupid smile he put on your face. and when he glances down at you, his gaze softens like he’s seeing you for the first time. maybe it should bother you. maybe you should pull away. to remind him, and yourself, that this wasn’t supposed to mean anything. that this was a game. a favor. but you don’t. not yet. for now, you keep walking beside him – sweet, quiet, warm. not because you have to. but because you want to.

౨ৎ NOVEMBER 20 - HIS GIRL. ౨ৎ

the gym roars with life – drums pounding, sneakers squeaking, the crowd’s cheers pulsing like electricity through the air. but chenle can’t hear any of it. because then you step out. and you’re not in your usual cheer top. no — you’re wearing his jersey. cropped. tied with a rubber band just under your chest so his number (30) stretches perfectly across the swell of your breasts. your cheer skirt is even shorter than usual. or maybe it just feels that way because now it’s paired with his name sitting proudly on your body. like a claim.

his eyes drag down your legs as you jog across the court, white sneakers bouncing, hair tied up in a high ponytail with ribbons that match the team colors (green and white). you wave your pom-poms and wink at the crowd, all of them screaming for the university’s darling. then you let your eyes slide to him. it hits him low. hard. his throat goes dry. and somewhere beneath the waistband of his shorts – he feels the heat pool. sharp and instant. you weren’t even doing anything yet. just being there, in his number — his hoodie had been one thing. but this was something else entirely. this showed everyone that you belonged to him.

the game starts. and every time he makes a shot, every layup, every three pointer – he points at you. the first time he does it, you blink. then your face breaks into a smile. the second time, your knees almost give out mid-cheer. by the third, the entire student section has caught on. they’re screaming for him and chanting his name but chenle only had eyes for you. you’re cheering like always, sharp, energetic, your moves clean and practiced. but every now and then, he notices the shift. the way your eyes flick only to him, the way you proudly shout, “let’s go! that’s my boyfriend,” when he scores. the way you throw in little extra spins, little kicks, a twirl you know he likes. you do a jump and land perfectly, grinning like you know exactly what you’re doing to him.

mark nudges him at halftime, chuckling, “dude,” he say under his breath, “your girl’s really going all out for you today.”

chenle’s ears turn bright red. his heart flutters. the way everyone knows you’re his girl creeps a smile in his face, “she’s just…excited for the game,” he mutters. mark just laughs and slaps his back before making his way to the stands, giving his own girlfriend a kiss on the lips for good luck.

during the cheer intermission, you’re front and center. the rubber band holding up his jersey bounces with every move. your chest jiggles with each jump. and there’s a moment, one that lasts way too long, when your skirt flips just enough to show the top of your spandex and chenle just stares. he swears he blacks out for a second. and then you get tossed into the air and he really can’t breathe. you were so high up. and yes, you’ve been a cheerleader since you could walk but his heart still lurches with worry.

by the final quarter, you’ve lost all sense of the score. you’re not sure if its the heat of the gym or the way he’s been looking at you all night, but your whole body feels flushed, electric. like the universe has boiled down to this court, this moment, him — and then it happens. final seconds on the clock. the score’s tied. chenle steals the ball, running pass the defenders, he jumps to shoot, you’re holding your breath so hard your lungs ache. and…he scores!

the ball hits the net with a clean, satisfying swish just as the buzzer blares. the gym erupts. but chenle doesn’t throw his hands up. doesn’t high-five his teammates. doesn’t go for the trophy.

he runs straight to you. before you can even say his name, he’s got both hands on your waist, twirling you in the air, your laughter ringing in his ears. and then his lips crash into yours. no hesitation. no warning — the cheerleaders squeal. the crowd screams. his team goes wild. and quinn watches with wide eyes and stunned silence, finally convinced that the two of you are head over heels in love.

and maybe it’s because you are. maybe the only people you were still fooling are yourselves.

you kiss him back like the world’s ending. like he’s gravity and you’re falling hard and fast and there’s no stopping it. like he’s the only thing keeping you tethered to earth. it tastes like adrenaline and sweat and something dangerously close to love.

when he pulls back, breathless and glowing, you stare at him, dazed. your eyes meet his and for one aching second, just one, there’s something soft there. something real. a look you’ve never seen before. one that steals your breath in a different way. but it was gone in an instant, replaced with one of his usual smiles, that trademark, smug, chenle smile and he says, “that should really sell it now.”

your heart cracks. just a little. you pretend not to notice. you smile. of course you do. because that’s what you’re supposed to do. because he’s right. because his stalker was just right there, watching. because this whole thing is fake. because it’s easier to pretend this doesn’t mean everything to you. because if you stop smiling now, it’ll all fall apart. you’ll fall apart.

so you laugh, soft and light, like it didn’t mean anything. like it was all part of the plan. you slide a hand behind his neck, fingers trembling slightly as you pull him back down and kiss him again – fierce. desperate. wordless. pouring everything into it. all the things you can’t say.

you kiss him like you’re trying to convince yourself that this is enough. that pretending is enough. but you feel it—deep, deep in your chest. when you pull away, he lets go of your waist gently, oblivious to the way your fingers curl into fists at your sides, to the way you avoid looking at him too long. then he walks back to his teammates, laughing, his arm slung around mark’s shoulder like nothing just happened. you cheer with the rest of the squad. you wave at the crowd. you let the moment play out like it’s everything you wanted. but your chest burns. because you’re starting to realize the worst part isn’t pretending to love someone for the sake of a lie – it’s realizing you stopped pretending. and he still is.

౨ৎ

the music is loud, bass thumping through the floor of the dream frat house. the place is packed with players, cheerleaders, friends of friends but chenle doesn’t stray far from your side. he hasn’t left you since the two of you walked in together, hand in hand.

you’re both a little buzzed, drunk off victory and just enough vodka to feel reckless. his arm draped around your shoulders and your fingers are casually laced with his. you’ve stopped pulling away from him when he gets too close. maybe it’s the alcohol. maybe it’s the way he’s looking at you like you were more important than stephen curry.

“you’ve been staring at me all night,” you murmur, pressing your lips to the shell of his ear as the two of you lean against the kitchen counter, resting for a bit after wining a beer pong game together.

he smirks, fingers sliding under the hem of the jersey you’re still wearing – his jersey, still tied into a crop top, showing off too much skin, “can you blame me?” his thumb brushes circles into your hip, playing with the bare skin just above your waistband. the party rages around you but it feels like it’s just the two of you. he tucks a loose strand of hair behind your ear and leans in to say something but instead of words, he presses a kiss to your cheek. then your jaw. then the corner of your mouth. so close to your lips.

“why are you being clingy?,” you whisper, not really complaining as you lean back on the kitchen counter.

“i’m being convincing,” he says with a wink and your heart cracks a little more. he slides his hands tighter around your waist, tucking you back into his chest and swaying the two of you to the song the dj is currently playing. then he’s guiding you back into the party, fingers laced with yours. without missing a beat, he tugs you closer, hands smoothing down your sides before settling on your hips. he rests his forehead against yours.

“everyone’s watching,” you whisper, your hands on his chest now, heart racing way too fast.

his eyes don’t leave yours, “that’s what we want right?,” your hands find the back of his neck, curling into his hair as his nose brushes yours, and he kisses you — just a ghost of a kiss at first, almost too soft to be real. but when he feels you lean into it, he kisses you again, deeper, more certain.

you pull back just long enough to smile, “breaking your own no-kissing rule again?”

he smiles too, that boyish, dizzy grin that always gets you, “had to.” that’s it. just had to. two words that now has your heart was soaring through the skies.

and he’s drunk. not just from alcohol. he’s drunk on you. during the next dance, he keeps sneaking kisses to your cheek, your jaw, your collarbone. at one point, he reaches around you to pull your jersey down a little, muttering, “my name looks really good on you,” before pressing a kiss to your shoulder. you roll your eyes and pretend not to melt.

when his teammates pull him away for photos and victory shots, you catch mark smirking, “you’ve got it bad, dude.”

chenle’s ears flush pink, “shut up.” but his eyes dart back to you instantly, and when he makes his way back, he grabs your hand again like it’s second nature. you’re halfway into another laugh when he spins you, catches you, presses your back to his chest again. his arms wrap around your waist like he never wants to let go.

“you’re seriously being so touchy tonight,” you say, but your voice is still soft. like you don’t mind it. like you want more of it.

“i’m celebrating,” he murmurs, “we made it to finals. you’re in my jersey. and i get to pretend you’re mine for a few more days.” your breath catches. you barely had time to process his words when his hand curls under your chin, tilts your face to his, and he kisses you again. gentle. long. like he’s memorizing it.

you pull away and his fingers interlock with yours, warm and familiar. you glance up at him. he doesn’t say a word, just gives you a soft, almost shy smile and tips his head toward the stairs. you nod, following him without hesitation — his bedroom door shuts quietly behind you. the music becomes a muffled thrum below your feet, nothing but a distant heartbeat now.

chenle turns around, eyes raking over you in his jersey, his cheeks flushed from the drinks, from the game, from you. “you’re so fucking pretty,” he mumbles, hands finding your hips like it’s second nature, “the way you cheered…my jersey,” he squeezes the hem of the shirt in between his hands, “this smile,” he adds, softly tapping your lips, “i couldn’t stop looking at you.”

your heart flips in your chest, “i was just playing my role.”

his jaw clenches at that, and for a second, he looks like he wants to say something. but instead, he just nods, “right.” — you want to take it back. you want to tell him it wasn’t just the role. that nothing about tonight felt fake to you. instead, you reach up and cup his jaw, tracing your thumb along his cheekbone. he leans into it without thinking, eyes fluttering shut like the weight of the night is finally catching up to him.

maybe you’ll both blame the alcohol tomorrow. whatever reason it is just so he could kiss you again — slow, unhurried, almost fragile. not like the others. not like you’re trying to convince anyone. just him and you and the quiet truth neither of you are brave enough to say out loud. and you let him kiss you. because pretending it didn’t mean anything was easier than acknowledging how badly you wanted it to. how badly you wanted him.

he pressed you up against his bedroom wall, pulling his jersey over your head like he’s unwrapping something fragile, and his eyes take their time, “you’re unreal,” he whispers, voice thick with emotion and desire. his hands grab at your waist, your hips, your ass, needy and warm and too far gone for restraint, his lips moving in sync with yours. he can’t get enough of you.

you murmured against his lips, “should we do it like last time?”

“yeah,” he panted, nodding, “just— just let me feel you again.” you both get undressed at the same time, fast, the need to feel each other overwhelming.

he sits on the middle of his bed first, patting the space in front of his legs. you make your way towards him, crawling on all fours and kissing him again. he kisses you just as hard. but before you could straddle him, he turns you around so your back is flushed to his chest. he parts your legs and his fingers slide through your folds with no warning, slow and teasing.

“you’re soaked,” he murmured against your neck, voice full of awe and want, lips brushing your skin between every word, “are you like this because of me, baby?”

you nodded, shameless, “all because of you.” his hands roamed your body, gripping your hips, sliding up to cup your breasts, to rub circles over your nipples. then he leans back against the pillows, settling you on top of him as his cock rocked in between your thighs. he thrusts up with a speed that has you moaning, his cock rubbing your folds perfectly. his tip curving up to hit your clit every time with just enough friction to build that heat in your stomach.

you were still playing by the rules. still pretending. or trying to.

but the moment he adjusted your hips to grind a little deeper, to rut you down against the underside of his cock — he slipped. not against you. into you. you gasped, eyes flying wide, breath catching in your throat as he filled you in one sudden, accidental thrust.

maybe it was due to how wet you both are. or maybe it was because both of you are tired of pretending you don’t want this.

“shit—,” chenle choked, arms tightening around you like a reflex, “i didn’t mean—fuck, i didn’t mean to—”

but neither of you moved. not forward, not away. because he was inside you. warm and hard and throbbing, deeper than anything before. and your body betrayed every rule with the way it clenched around him, wet and welcoming.

“lele…” you breathe, frozen in place.

he pressed his forehead to your shoulder, swearing under his breath, “we should stop,” he whispered, “we said we wouldn’t—fuck—you feel too good baby,” his hands gripping your hips tighter like he couldn’t help himself.

and then you moved your hips…once, instinctively, sliding up and back down. just to test it. just to feel him deeper.

“fuck–no–don’t do that baby, i can’t….” he groaned. your shared moans harmonizing in the air, low and broken. but even as he said it, his hips were bucking up to meet you, his hands were on your hips, guiding you up just to slam you back down on him, burying himself inside you again.

and now you were riding him. leaning back against his chest as he filled you again and again, so thick, so hard. neither of you were pretending anymore. it was all real — the desperate way he kissed your neck, the way your head tipped back against his shoulder as he bounced you on his cock, slow and deep, your thighs already shaking with how full you were. your moans were helpless now, sharp and breathy and real. his name spilling from your lips between curses and whimpers.

“fuck, you’re so tight,” he whine, voice cracking, “so warm, baby, i—shit, i knew it’d feel like this. i knew i wouldn’t be able to stop.”

“don’t stop,” you begged, clawing at his thighs behind you, gripping his arms, “please, lele, don’t stop.”

and he didn’t. he held you tight to his chest, fucking up into you in. deep, heavy thrusts that left your mind blank and your body arching. one of his hands slid to your breasts, twisting your nipples as he whispered filth into your ear.

“this is all mine,” he growled, “fuck, you take me so well. you love this, don’t you? my cock inside you. my hands on your body.” you couldn’t even speak. you just nodded, tears pricking the corners of your eyes from how intense it felt, how much you wanted this, how terrifying it was to feel everything. it didn’t matter that you weren’t supposed to. that you’d agreed not to. that this was just pretend. because right now, as he pounded into you from below, forehead sweaty against your spine, mouth pressing open kisses to your shoulder, it felt like love — messy. real. dangerous.

his rhythm continued increasing, rougher, greedier. the bed creaked beneath you, the air thick with your shared moans, your slick, the sound of him thrusting into you again and again.

“c’mon baby,” he grunted, “soak my sheets,��� and with no warning, one hand snakes down to your clit, rubbing furious and harsh circles and you feel it again, that overwhelming feeling and within seconds you’re cunt pushed him out, squirting all over his bedsheets.

“god, you’re so fucking hot,” he continues, rubbing you until you were crying and then shoving his cock again, chasing his own release, “i’m not gonna last,” he warned, “not when you’re like this.”

and you were overwhelmed – writhing, squirming, grinding down on him like you needed it more than oxygen. “one more,” he groaned, his hand making his way in between your legs again rubbing your clit harshly, “fuck, baby, come on, want to feel you come on my cock.”

you did, suddenly, violently, your body clenching around him so tight he swore. your juices leaking out of you. his muscles locked as you came with a strangled moan, shaking against him, “shit…fuck, i’m gonna—” he gasped, thrusting up once. twice. then he stilled with a low, guttural groan, cock twitching deep inside you as he released. his cum is hot. thick. buried deep.

you could feel it — the way he pulsed, the way he filled you with every drop, the way his arms wrapped around your waist like he was holding you together while he spilled himself inside you. he didn’t move. neither of you did. his breath stuttered against your neck. your body still trembled on top of him. you were both sweaty, flushed, ruined. the room spinning. neither of you said a word. because everything had changed. no rules left to break.

eventually, his cock softens inside you, warmth leaking down your thighs as the weight of everything you just did settles into the silence. but chenle doesn’t pull away. and you don’t make an effort to do so. instead, he wraps his arms tighter around you, placing you on his side and wrapping his arm around you. he’ll deal with the mess in the morning. right now he wants to keep you right there, tucked against him, safe in the quiet cocoon of his room and you were too fucked out to even care.

he kisses your shoulder. just once. you swallow the ache rising in your throat. he shouldn’t be this sweet. he shouldn’t be holding you like this — like you’re his. like this wasn’t a complete and utter mistake. but he is. and you let him. because the moment feels too fragile to ruin. because you’re too tired to pretend it didn’t mean something. you shift, slightly wincing a little as your sore body adjusts to the way he’s holding you.

“sorry,” he murmurs against your skin, brushing hair from your face, “did i hurt you?”

you shake your head, voice soft, “no…i just…” you trail off, unsure what you’re even trying to say. he doesn’t push, afraid you’ll pull away. he just holds you closer, his chin settling gently on your shoulder.

“don’t think too hard, okay?” he says, like he already knows what’s spiraling in your head, “let’s just sleep.”

maybe it’s the way he says it. or maybe it was still the alcohol lingering in your system. or it’s how warm his body feels against yours. but you close your eyes. you let your hand fall over his. let your fingers curl around him without thinking. let yourself pretend, just for tonight, that this means what you wish it did.

౨ৎ NOVEMBER 21 - SO WEIRD ౨ৎ

you wake up first. the sun is filtering through chenle’s blinds, casting warm stripes across his bed. his room is still and quiet. your clothes are somewhere on the floor. his arm is still slung around your waist. you don’t move. you don’t dare. because if you do, this moment breaks.

you feel him shift behind you eventually. a groggy inhale, the slight tightening of his grip before it loosens again. he’s awake. you can feel it. but neither of you says anything for a while.

finally, he murmurs, “you awake?,” his arms finally let go of you.

you swallow, “yeah.” another beat of silence. then, as if on cue, like it was rehearsed, like you both felt the exact same pressure rise between your ribs, you both say:

“last night was a mistake.”

you laugh. a little too quickly, “yeah. for sure. we were drunk. stupid drunk.”

he nods, eyes still on the ceiling “it got out of hand.”

you sit up, pulling the blanket up with you, hiding behind it like you’re shielding yourself from what actually happened. what it meant.

“we should forget it,” he says, “it didn’t mean anything. just heat of the moment.”

“yeah,” your voice is soft but the pause between the words gives you away , “exactly.” you glance at him and you notice the way his eyes linger on you too long. the way his jaw clenches like he’s holding something back — it wasn’t just a drunken mistake. you both know it. you both remember every single second of it. neither of you says it. because admitting it would ruin whatever fragile thing you’re still pretending to control.

you slip out of bed first. the silence is unbearable now. you tug on one of chenle’s hoodie, “can i use your shower?”

“go ahead,” he nods. and then just as you thought you could have a moment for yourself, he asks, “mind if i join you?” you turn slowly. his tone is casual. too casual. and if he can act casual then so can you.

you nod, because it’s easier than saying no. because you’re not quite ready for this moment to be over yet, “sure, i mean we’ve already seen each other naked and all.”

he smirks but it doesn’t reach his eyes, “yeah, nothing to be shy about.”

the steam curls around the bathroom before either of you speaks, the shower running hot, fogging up the mirror, the air thick with heat and everything unsaid. you step under the spray first, letting the water hit your skin, trying to drown the memory of last night. at first, it’s easy. he jokes about how bad the punch was at the party. you tease him about the way he practically tackled mark after winning. he lathers shampoo in his hair with that boyish grin of his and you roll your eyes, stealing some of it for yourself. but under the surface, everything feels different. the rules are broken. there’s no going back. but here you are, still pretending to joke around like nothing happened.

you lean your forehead against the cool tile wall, letting the water stream down your back. behind you, you hear chenle’s voice, quiet now, “i…i remember everything about last night,” he whispers, almost afraid to say it too loud.

“yeah,” you whisper, “me too.” he doesn’t say anything after that. just reaches for your hand under the water, threading his fingers through yours for a few heartbeats. and you let him. even though it hurts. even though you’re both going to pretend later that it didn’t happen.

you turn around to face him, forcing out a laugh, trying to deflect, but your chest feels too tight, “we’re being weird, right?” you say finally breaking the silence that hugs the air.

“so weird,” he agrees. but neither of you moves. he looks at you, really looks, and his gaze dips to your lips before darting away. you both pretend not to notice. a beat passes. then, as if trying to make it easier, he says with a grin, “at least now we can lie better.”

your hide the way your smile falters. because yeah, now you didn’t have to improvise your lies. now when people ask you, there’s a story you could tell without looking like you just made it up on the spot. but for what? you’ve crossed a line you can’t uncross. and you hate the awkwardness that it brought. the way you’re tiptoe-ing around each other. you don’t do that — not with chenle.

౨ৎ

chenle still walks you home because it would be strange for him not to. he still has a role to play. the streets are quieter than usual. maybe it’s the way the sun is barely rising, casting the campus in soft golds and sleepy shadows. or maybe it’s just the stillness between the two of you – the space that used to be easy, now thick with all the things you’re pretending didn’t happen. every step feels heavier than it should, like the weight of last night is still stuck to his skin. like he's still in that bed, wrapped around you. he can still feel you. smell you. taste the words he didn’t say. he walks half a step behind. always close enough to feel the brush of your arm. but not close enough to take your hand.

you’re in one of his hoodie’s again and he’s convinced that they all look better than you than they ever did on him. he wonders if it’s going to smell like you now. if he’ll ever wear it again without remembering how you look in it – legs bare, eyes still a little sleepy, trying to pretend the morning hadn’t made everything more complicated.

he watches the way the sunlight hits your face in pieces as you pass under the trees. you’re not smiling. not frowning either. just quiet. and maybe that’s the worst part – how normal this feels when it isn’t. not even close.

he wants to say something like last night wasn’t a mistake or did it mean something to you, too?

but he can’t. he’s not ready for a relationship. instead, he stayed silent. when you get to your dorm, you thank him. just a quiet thanks, like that’s all this ever was. a walk home. a night you’ll both forget. a lie. he almost says your name. almost tells you to come back with him. that he can’t stop thinking about the way you kissed him. the way you looked after. the way it didn’t feel like pretending anymore. but you’re already turning. already slipping away with his hoodie and a piece of him he’ll never ask for back.

౨ৎ NOVEMBER 24 - HE KISSED ME TOO. ౨ৎ

you’re quiet at the gym. too quiet. it’s not just you. chenle’s across the court, shooting hoops like he’s trying to outrun a thought. he misses most of it. you keep your eyes on your stretches, your warm-ups, your water bottle. anywhere but him. because looking hurts. because pretending is hard today.

you haven’t talked since that morning. not a call. not a text. not even to share gossip that you both love. just that long, strange walk home. just the memory of his arm around your waist, of his mouth on your neck, of the words this was a mistake and we can lie better echoing like a curse between your ribs.

now you’re back here — the gym, where it all started. where you first agreed to fake this thing. and it feels like neither of you knows how to act anymore. not when he won’t look at you. not when your heart is falling alone.

you’re mid-lunge when quinn walks into the locker room, ponytail swinging, perfectly smug as she drops her gym bag on the bench beside you. she watches you for a second. too quiet. too observant. then she says, “so, what, you’re not talking now?”

you glance at her in the mirror, “what?”

“you and chenle,” she points out. you just stare at her.

she turns to face you now, arms crossed, “let me guess,” she continues, “you finally gave it up, and now he’s pretending you don’t exist?”

your stomach drops. because maybe that is exactly what’s happening. you say nothing. she leans in a little, voice softer now, almost sympathetic. “look, i’m not trying to stir anything, i just… figured you should know how this ends.”

you blink, “how what ends?”

quinn sighs, “now that he’s had you, he won’t want anything to do with you again. that’s what happened with me.” you freeze. your chest tightens.

“he kissed me during it, too,” she adds casually, but it lands cruelly. you don’t respond. not because you don’t want to — but because you don’t know how. that one sentence shatters everything inside you.

“he told you it was just sex, didn’t he?” she continues, “that i was obsessed, that i didn’t mean anything.” you keep quiet. because yeah, that’s exactly what he said.

quinn gives a dry laugh, like she’s been expecting your silence, “it’s fine,” she says, reaching for her jacket, “i’m over him now. but i just thought you should know. watch out for yourself. because once he gets what he wants…” she trails off. shrugs. “he’s good at pretending it never happened.”

she walks out before you can respond, leaving the air too heavy, your mouth too dry. you sit there for a while. that ache in your chest — the one you’ve been trying to ignore since the moment you agreed it was a mistake, throbs a little sharper now.

because even if he didn’t mean it… even if quinn was exaggerating or playing games — chenle never told you that part. he told you they hooked up. he told you she got obsessed. he never told you he kissed her.

you were stupid enough to think you were different. stupid enough to think that maybe the way he kissed you meant something. stupid enough to think he only kissed during sex when it mattered. but you were stupidly wrong. maybe you’re just next in line. either way, it hurts. and it shouldn’t. because this was never supposed to hurt.

you stay in the locker room longer than you need to. you don’t want him to see your face —not like this, not while it’s breaking.

౨ৎ NOVEMBER 26 - OVER IT. ౨ৎ

it takes you two full days to find the nerve to talk to him. and in those two days he never once reached out for you either — quinn was right. and you were furious. you only agreed to this stupid plan to help him out and now he’s the one acting like you were just one of his fucks and not his best friend.

he’s sitting on the bleachers alone after practice, still sweaty from drills, a water bottle half-forgotten at his feet. the rest of the gym is nearly empty — the team long gone, the lights dimming with the early evening.

you walk over before you can talk yourself out of it, “hey,” you say, voice quieter than usual but with a kind of bite that makes the hairs on chenle’s arms rise.

he looks up, startled, his expression is unreadable at first, like he wasn’t sure you’d ever come back. “hey,” he says back, and scoots over to give you space. you sit beside him. close, but not touching. not like before. the silence stretches out, filled only by the sound of a bouncing ball in the far court and the faint buzz of fluorescent lights.

“i talked to quinn,” you say finally.

he doesn’t move, but you see the way his jaw tightens slightly, “yeah?”

you nod, eyes on your hands, “she said she doesn’t care about you anymore. that… she’s over it.”

a beat of silence passes. awkward and dry. “that’s good,” chenle mutters. his voice is flat. you don’t tell him the rest. not the part about the kiss. not the way it made something cold and sharp twist in your chest.

instead , you take a breath and say, “i think we should break up.”

his head jerks toward you, eyes wide.

“not right away,” you add quickly, “just…not yet. not until after the championship. if we do it now it’ll look suspicious. but afterward… we end it. for real.”

he stares at you for too long. and for a second, one single second, you let yourself believe he’s going to fight you on it. that he’s going to say no. that he’s going to tell you this isn’t just fake anymore, not really, not to him. but he doesn’t.

he just nods. slow. measured. like it’s the only thing he knows how to do, “yeah,” he says, voice even, “that makes sense.” you both sit in silence again, this time with a weight that’s impossible to ignore. he doesn’t reach for your hand. you don’t lean into his shoulder. you just sit there, two people surrounded by everything unsaid.

this is what pretending gets you — a breakup plan for a relationship that never existed.

you nod, standing up slowly, “okay. after the game.” he still doesn’t say anything. you walk away before he can see your face. and behind you, chenle closes his eyes — like maybe if he squeezes them tight enough, he can pretend this doesn’t feel like losing something real.

౨ৎ NOVEMBER 27 - LARA JEAN AND PETER ౨ৎ

the echo of the basketball against the court was sharp, biting. over and over again, it bounced, rolled, slipped out of his fingers like he was a rookie who didn’t know how to play under pressure. but it wasn’t the upcoming game that was getting to him — it was you.

“dude, what’s going on?” mark asked from across the court, brows drawn together in concern, “that’s like your fifth miss in a row.”

chenle just shook his head, grabbing the rebound too hard, the ball nearly slipping from his hands again, “i’m good,” he lied, “just off today.”

but he wasn’t just off. he was losing it. every time he blinked, he saw the curve of your mouth when you smiled at him. heard the soft sound of your laugh in his ear. felt the weight of your body leaning into his. he couldn’t stop thinking about the way you said you’d break up after the championship like it didn’t mean anything. like it hadn’t changed everything. because for him… it had.

that night broke all his rules, no kissing, no sex, no romance all down the drain. but instead of regret, all he felt now was a hollow ache at the idea of losing it. of losing you.

he missed the next shot. the ball clanged off the rim hard enough to make mark flinch, “alright,” coach jaehyun called from the bench, standing up, “chenle. water. now.”

chenle huffed and jogged off, wiping sweat from his face with his jersey, heart pounding harder than it should’ve been. coach pulled him aside, “you need to lock in,” he said lowly, seriously. “championship is three days, we’re counting on you.”

chenle nodded, but his throat felt dry. he wasn’t locked in. he wasn’t even close, “i know,” he muttered, “i’ll fix it.” but he didn’t know how to fix any of it. because the only thing on his mind was you. and how soon you wouldn’t be his anymore, not even pretend. and he didn’t know how to go back to that. he didn’t know how to watch you cheer without knowing your laugh was waiting for him after the game. he didn’t want to share you with anyone else. he didn’t want it to be fake anymore. he wanted it for real.

your kisses, your stupid teasing, the way you wore his jersey like it belonged to you — he wanted all of it to be real. he took a deep breath, letting his head fall back, staring at the gym ceiling like maybe the answers would be up there in the metal beams or the lights or the sky beyond them. you were breaking up. that was the plan. that was what you’d said. after the championship game. no more fake dating. no more pretending to be in love.

but the worst part was he couldn’t even tell you that he didn’t want it to be fake anymore. somewhere along the way, he’d fallen. or maybe he was always in love with you and he just didn’t know it. and now he was losing you before he ever had the chance to ask if you felt the same. all because he kept telling himself he wasn’t ready. that he didn’t need distractions. yet here he is. more distracted than he’s ever been at the mere thought of not having you around.

mark sat next to him some time later, eyeing him carefully, “alright, dude. spill.”

chenle shook his head, “it’s nothing.” but mark knew better. his friend looked exactly like him when his heart was breaking over his girl a few months back.

“bullshit,” mark passed him the ball, watching as chenle failed to catch it properly, “you’ve been off all week.”

there was a moment of silence. then chenle let the ball roll away and sat down on the edge of the court, burying his face in his hands, “it was fake,” he muttered, “the whole thing. me and y/n, we were just pretending…to get quinn of my back.”

“damn,” mark reacts on instinct, then he sat down beside him slowly, “and now?,” he asked.

chenle swallowed, “now i’m in love with her.”

mark blinked, “wow, you went full on lara jean and peter, huh?”

“what?,” chenle breathes, a little annoyed.

“nothing,” mark shakes his head, “so what’s the problem now?”

chenle lets out a humorless laugh, “i didn’t mean for it to happen but it did and she…she wants to break up after the game. says there’s no point in pretending anymore.”

“have you told her you’re in love with her?,” mark asks, raising a brow.

chenle didn’t answer, just stared at the hardwood floor like it might save him. mark sighed, “chenle, c’mon man, you’re seriously going to let her go without even trying?”

“she already decided,” he huffs out. and it takes everything in mark to not strangle him. his friend needed a lot of help.

“she decided because she thinks it’s still fake. because you’ve never told her otherwise,” mark bumped his shoulder lightly.

chenle looked at him like he was piecing the puzzle for the first time, “what do i even say? what if she thinks i’m lying?”

mark grinned, “then you better not say anything small. you make it count. you make it big. you make it the kind of confession that leaves no room for doubt.”

chenle swallowed hard, “and if she doesn’t feel the same?”

“then at least you’ll know. and you won’t have to live the rest of your life wondering what could’ve happened if you’d just been brave enough to tell her,” mark says, giving him an encouraging pat on the back.

and chenle knew then and there what he needed to do, “okay,” he nods, “i need your help.”

౨ৎ NOVEMBER 30 - BREAK MY RULES ౨ৎ

you haven't spoken in three days. you weren’t supposed to see each other. that was kind of the silent agreement. keep your distance. stick to the plan. wait until after the championship, and then break up clean. quiet. neat. like it never meant anything — but that’s not what happens.

instead, you find yourself in the empty gym after hours, sitting on the edge of the bleachers, your legs dangling, the overhead lights buzzing faintly above you. you hadn’t meant to run into him. but of course he’s there — of course he’s the one taking extra shots alone, long after practice is over. the gym is quiet now. it’s just the sound of rubber on wood, the squeak of his sneakers, the soft thud of the ball hitting the backboard.

you think about leaving before he notices you. you should. but he turns, sees you, and doesn’t look away. he doesn’t smile, not really. just slows down, his shoulders heavy like the weight of the whole season is pressing down on him, and maybe something else too. he dribbles the ball once more, then lets it go. it rolls off to the side, forgotten.

you don’t say anything when he walks over. he sits beside you quietly, letting the silence settle, letting the soft echo of your presence fill the space. his leg brushes yours, barely, but it sends a jolt straight through your chest.

it shouldn’t feel like this. you’d already agreed it was a mistake. already agreed it didn’t mean anything. and yet it still feels like everything.

“couldn’t sleep,” you say finally.

chenle’s eyes stay on the court, but you can tell he’s listening, “me neither.”

silence again. you breathe in slowly, “you’re ready for tomorrow?”

his laugh is soft, a little breathless, “i don’t know.” he tilts his head back, leans against the seat behind him, “my shots were off all week.”

“i noticed,” you murmur, half-teasing, but there’s no real bite to it. he glances at you, and for a second, something flickers behind his eyes, something open, vulnerable, “i think i’m too in my head,” he admits.

you nod. you don’t say me too, but it’s there. in the way you look at him. in the way your fingers twitch like you want to reach for him, but don’t. “you’ll kill it,” you say instead, “you always do.” he looks at you then…really looks. and your heart stutters at the softness in his eyes, the way his gaze lingers a little too long on your mouth. like he wants to say something. maybe kiss you again. but doesn’t.

you break the moment, “can i ask you something?”

chenle shifts, eyes flicking toward you, wary now. “sure.”

you hesitate, “why didn’t you ever tell me that you kissed quinn?”

his face twists instantly. confusion. surprise. and then, unbelievably, he lets out a breathy laugh, short and stunned, like he can’t believe what he just heard. it cuts through the tension but not in the way you expect. not relieving. not light. just disorienting. you blink. “why are you laughing?” your voice comes out sharper than you meant. your chest twists, your pulse jumping.

he turns toward you fully now, blinking like he misheard, “you think i kissed quinn?”

you don’t answer. your silence is enough. he stares at you a second longer, and something in his expression crumbles. the humor drains away. he leans forward, elbows on his knees, head down for a beat before he looks back at you, eyes searching your face.

“she kissed me,” he says flatly, “it wasn’t even a kiss. it was like…barely a second. she kissed me afterward. one of those dumb, post-nut haze things. i didn’t even know she was gonna do it. i pushed her off the second i realized,” his voice is low. careful. measured. you just look at him, unreadable, arms crossed like armor. you feel stupid now. exposed. but mostly — you feel small. stupid for caring too much. stupid for letting yourself believe her.

chenle studies you. there’s something in his eyes. something raw, almost hurt, “she didn’t tell you that part, huh?”

you swallow hard. your throat tightens, “no.” there’s a pause. heavy. he looks away for a second like he’s giving you space, then looks back, more carefully this time, like he’s trying to put together a puzzle that only just now makes sense.

then, gently he asks, “is that why you wanted to break up?”

you bite your lip hard. your whole body feels hot. ashamed. you’ve been caught caring more than you should. but it was more than quinn. it was so much more than that. it was the way everything felt too real. the way it scared you. the way he made you forget that this started as a lie. and hearing her say that she kissed him felt like confirmation. that this was never what you wanted it to be. that you were temporary. that, to him, it was still just a deal.

you feel ridiculous. jealous. attached. so in love it makes your whole body ache — because these are all emotions you’ve never felt before and you don’t know how to handle it.

“i don’t know,” you say finally, “maybe it just tipped everything over.”

chenle looks at you like he’s putting something together for the first time, “i never kissed quinn the way i kissed you,” he says softly, “i never even wanted to.”

your heart clenches. it’s too much. you break eye contact, stare at your sneakers like they can save you from this conversation. you think he’ll let it hang there. that maybe the silence will settle in again. but then, out of nowhere, he lets out a breath of laughter, quiet and half hearted.

you glance sideways, brows furrowing, “what?”

he smirks faintly, “i can’t believe you believed quinn.”

you roll your eyes, but there’s no heat behind it, “she was very convincing.”

he leans back, voice dry, “you really thought i’d break my rules…for her?”

you laugh now too, a soft, reluctant sound that melts into the air between you, “honestly? for a second, yeah. you’re not exactly known for your self-control.”

“hey,” he says, grinning, nudging your knee with his, “that’s fair…but…that’s only when it comes to you.”

the smile on your face falters. just slightly. because you believe him. and that makes everything so much worse. everything feels like it’s teetering on the edge of something too big. too fragile. the laughter dies down. what’s left behind is thick air. dense with unsaid things. the kind of silence that hums with everything you’re both too afraid to say out loud.

you glance over. he’s already looking at you. that look in his eyes — wide, scared, soft. like he wants to say something. like he wants you to say it first.

neither of you does.

instead, chenle clears his throat. forces a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes, “well,” he says, holding out his hand between you like a peace offering, “thanks for being my fake girlfriend.”

your chest aches. he smiles again, smaller this time, “let’s happily break up tomorrow.”

you stare at his hand. you should laugh. you should say something stupid to lighten the mood. but you can’t. because that single sentence shattered everything. you take the handshake. you force out a smile even though it burns in your throat.

that was all you needed to know — he’s sticking to the plan. he’ll let you go without a fight. you were wrong for hoping.

your hand is still in his when your heart breaks in your chest. neither of you says a word about it.

౨ৎ DECEMBER 1 - LET’S BREAK UP. ౨ৎ

today was the day. the day you put an end to the charade before anyone else got hurt. you told yourself it was for the best. so you smiled as you always did – bright and blinding. your makeup perfect, your cheer uniform pristine, your borrowed jersey tucked into your skirt, still repping chenle like it meant nothing. like it wasn’t the only thing holding your heart together.

the gym was packed. the team was currently losing. the crowd was nervous. your chest was tight. you’d barely spoken to chenle. barely looked at him.

then intermission started. you stepped forward automatically, muscle memory taking over, ready to lead your squad in the usual halftime routine. but then – the wrong music started playing.

your steps faltered, you blinked. this was not your cheer track. the opening synth of an unfamiliar but strangely familiar track poured through the gym. the kind that made the whole crowd tilt their heads in confusion. then the gym door flung open with dramatic flair and out came all seven of the dream boys, storming the court in a chaotic, barely synchronized line – in matching cheer skirts.

you froze. everyone froze. someone gasped. another person shrieked with laughter. and right at the center of the team – chenle, with glitter on his cheeks, mismatched socks, a crop top over his jersey and a neon green bow clipped into his hair.

he caught your eye instantly and grinned like a man with nothing left to lose. the music kicks up and the chaos began. they were recreating a choreography suspiciously similar to my first and last by nct dream – mark was tapping his feet like his life depended it. jaemin was twerking way too well. jeno did an unnecessary backflip that could’ve gone terribly wrong. haechan’s toe points were graceful. renjun was hitting heart poses with alarming precision. jisung looked like he was going to kill someone out of pure embarrassment.

and chenle? chenle was eating up the choreo like it was the final round of a dance competition. he was clapping, stomping, wiggling his hips, spinning with his arms out dramatically and he never took his eyes off you.

the crowd lost their minds. phones were up. people were screaming. someone in the back row might have even fainted when jaemin’s crop top rode too high up his chest.

and despite your shock and confusion – you were smiling. laughing. maybe crying just a little.

the routine hit a ridiculous crescendo with the boys scrambling into a final formation, chenle at the center, lip syncing the final line like he meant it. and then – like a miracle, like a rom-com, like a dream, each of the boys and coach jaehyun who was running at the last second to join them, raised their signs, flipping them one by one, until the words spelt: I L O V E Y O U

for one stunned heartbeat, the gym went silent. and then it exploded in screams, whistles, gasps, cheers. you stood there, frozen, mouth parted, breath stuck in your lungs. and then chenle stepped forward, ditching his pom-poms. his hair was a mess, his cheeks flushed from the effort. he was panting. but he smiled, sheepish and beaming, looking at you like there was no one else in the room. like the whole ridiculous routine was worth it—just to make you look at him again.

he picked up the mic, hands shaking slightly, “hi baby.”

the crowd lost it again but your heart stopped. his voice trembled, just once. just enough, “i know this is kind of…not normal protocol,” he said, laughter following, “but i don’t care.” he looked right at you like the rest of the world faded into static.

“i asked you to pretend to date me just to get someone off my back,” he starts. you hear the gasps echo throughout the court. could practically see their shocked faces, could envision the fire in quinn’s eyes, heads whipping toward each other in disbelief but you didn’t look away.

“that’s all it was supposed to be. just pretend, just fake,” he paused, taking a breath, “i even bribed coach jaehyun to let the cheerleaders into the morning session just so you would agree.”

coach jaehyun sputtered “what?!,” but mark pulls him back with a laugh. chenle winced, guilty, “sorry, coach,” he sent him a sheepish smile before turning his head back to you.

“and at first, that’s all it was. but then…it wasn’t fake anymore.” his voice was soft now. tender. scared and sure all at once.

“i started looking for you in every crowd. i love walking you home even when it was freezing. i love walking into the gym everyday because i knew you’d be there. i love buying every single thing that reminded me of you and seeing that sparkle in your eye. i love the way you wore my hoodies like they were yours. ”

you swallowed hard. he kept on going.

“i love seeing you in my jersey,” he said, eyes dropping to it now tucked into your skirt, “because it let’s everyone in this god damn gym know that you’re mine.”

silence. total silence. you thought your heart might break right through your ribs. you weren’t sure how you got from the sidelines to the center of the court. maybe your legs moved on their own. maybe the universe pushed you forward. either way, suddenly you were standing in front of him.

“chenle,” you whispered, barely louder than a breath.

he leaned in, gaze soft, he gets rid of the microphone, “i know we said we’d break up after this,” he added, quieter now, just for you, “but i don’t want to. not if you feel even a little bit of what i do. i’m not letting this end like that. not without telling you the truth.”

he stepped closer, “i don’t want to pretend anymore, i want to do all the romantic things, i want to hold your hand, i want to walk into the gym and greet you first thing in the morning, i want to kiss you whenever i want,” he admits, taking a breath.

“i’m in love with my best friend. i’m in love with you.”

and your world tilted. your heart was racing so hard it felt like it was going to burst. you stared at him. at the glitter on his cheek, the hope in his eyes.

“i thought i was the only one who caught feelings,” you whispered. his lips parted. you kept going.

“i was so sure it was just me. that you were just…playing the part a little too well. smiling like it didn’t matter, pretending like it didn’t mean anything when it meant everything to me.”

you blinked, tears threatening to slip, “i never thought you’d fall back.” the crowd was dead silent. chenle looked like he was about to crumble.

his voice barely made it out, “can i kiss you?”

you didn’t answer. you didn’t need to. you close the distance between you, grabbing his face, and pulling him down into a kiss so full of everything unsaid — every denied feeling, every stolen moment, every crack that led to this.

it was slow at first. gentle. like you were both still in disbelief that it was real. like he was afraid you’d vanish if he kissed you too hard, and you were afraid this might be a dream. the crowd was screaming, roaring, rising in volume like a crashing wave behind you. but none of it mattered — all you felt was him.

he pulled back only slightly, just enough to breathe, just enough to smile, and oh, it was the softest smile you’d ever seen on him, full of wonder and nerves and overwhelming joy.

“let’s break up,” he said, breathless. you blinked, confused, until his smile widened, “let’s end this fake relationship,” he added, voice warm with laughter and something deeper.

then, even softer “be my real girlfriend?”

your heart soared. “yes,” you whispered against his lips, pulling him in for another kiss, even deeper than the last, filled with promise and warmth and everything you hadn’t dared to believe. this time, the kiss wasn’t for an audience. it wasn’t to convince a stalker. it wasn’t part of a deal. it was real. and it was yours.

౨ৎ

the rest of the game passed in a blur. your lips still tingled from that kiss, head still spinning from his confession, and your heart was barely keeping up. but the game wasn’t over. it was the championship. the final battle. the one they’d been working toward all season. the air in the gym buzzed, every scream from the crowd ricocheting off the walls like firecrackers. sweat dripped, shoes squeaked, coaches yelled, but none of it registered, not really.

all you could see was chenle. he jogged back onto the court after the halftime confession, chest heaving, cheeks flushed but his eyes found you one more time and he grinned like he’d already won. the team played like their lives depended on it. chenle was unstoppable. every shot he took landed. every move he made was sharp, strategic, brilliant. you could see it – he wasn’t just playing to win the game. he was playing like a boy in love. a boy who wants to impress you. who wants you to keep your eyes on him and him only and you do. with every point, the crowd got louder, the bleachers shook beneath stomping feet. you were hoarse from screaming, your pom-poms nearly falling apart from the way you’d been shaking them. but none of it mattered.

you were his lucky charm. and you were so damn proud.

then – final minutes. the score was neck and neck. mark passed it to chenle. chenle faked, dodged, twisted. he didn’t hesitate. he launched the ball just before the buzzer. time slowed. the gym held its breath – swish. final point. game over. victory.

the crowd erupted. it was deafening. people screamed. some cried. streamers flew. confetti rained from nowhere. the scoreboard blinked their win in big, shining numbers. the team went wild, huddling, tackling each other to the floor in a euphoric mess. but chenle didn’t stay with them. he didn’t waste a second. he ran. straight for you. his jersey was drenched in sweat, his hair sticking up in every direction, his face flushed with effort and joy and something far deeper.

“we did it!” he yelled as he reached you, arms around your waist, lifting you clean off the ground. you shrieked with laughter, looping your arms around his neck as he spun you in dizzying circles, adrenaline mixing with something warmer, something forever.

“you did it,” you whispered in his ear as he set you down.

“no,” he said, brushing a strand of hair from your face, “we did it. you said yes and you wore my jersey. that’s, like, at least half the reason we won.”

you giggled, eyes glossy, “you’re ridiculous.”

“ridiculously in love with you,” he said without hesitation, and you kissed him again quick, giddy, and full of love.

౨ৎ

the dream house was bursting at the seams. laughter spilled from every room. music pulsed through the floorboard. red solo cups were in every hand. the whole school had shown up. and why wouldn’t they? the team just made history. the championship was theirs. the season was done.

except chenle wasn’t really feeling the party. not the loud music. not the overflowing drinks. not the swaying bodies or sticky floors. the only thing he cared about is you – the way you fit so perfectly into his side, like your body had been made to lean into his. you were in your cheer shorts and his hoodie, oversized and soft and swallowing your frame, and he couldn’t stop touching you. couldn’t stop looking at you. every few seconds, his hand would slide along your lower back, fingertips slipping beneath the hem of your shorts like he just needed to feel skin to believe you were really his.

he made the rounds because he had to – thanked the upperclassmen, posed for victory photos, people kept stopping him, clapping him on the back, calling him MVP, handing him shots. but each time, his arm stayed wrapped around your waist. each time, his fingers sought yours. each time, he smiled like none of it really mattered as long as you were still looking at him like that.

it felt like deja vu but it was different now. it was real.

“lets go up,” he whispered in your ear, a playful smirk on his lips.

you quip a brow, teasing “the party just started.” he didn’t answer. just grinned, tugged you closer, and whispered against your ear, “i’ve had enough of sharing you with everyone else.” you barely had time to process that before he was dragging you toward the stairs, weaving through the crowd with surprising focus. cheers and music and flashing lights swirled around you, but his grip never wavered, and you followed like you were tethered to him.

chenle shut his door, leaning against the wood. his eyes were soft. hungry. full of something that looked a lot like awe. “god,” he whispered, eyes sweeping over you, flushed, in his hoodie with your legs bare and glowing in the low light, “you’re my favorite win tonight.”

you took a slow step forward, “so…what’s your post-game plan, champ?” his breath hitched at your words, eyes dragging over you slowly, your bare legs, his hoodie hanging off your frame, the slight tilt of your smile.

“come here,” he said, voice barely more than a whisper. you stepped closer, breath catching when his hands found your hips and dragged you closer. he kissed you hard. no hesitation, no slow build-up, all tongue and teeth and raw emotion. his lips moved over yours with urgency, like he needed to memorize every curve of your mouth.

“you,” he murmured between kisses, “you’re all i wanted tonight.”

your hands slid up his chest, nails grazing lightly over his collarbones, “then show me.”

he didn’t need to be told again. you gasped as his hands slid beneath the hoodie, warm palms skimming over your bare waist. the pads of his fingers traced your ribs like he was learning you by touch, brushing just under your breasts before he groaned into your mouth, “you’re not wearing anything under this?” he whispered, voice rough.

you grinned against his lips, “didn’t want to waste time.” he cursed softly, then pulled the hoodie up and off you in one quick motion. his gaze dropped, drinking in the sight of your bare skin, the soft swell of your breasts, the faint marks he’d left on them the last time, the flushed heat of your chest rising with every breath.

“damn, baby,” he whined, dragging his hands up from your hips to cup your breasts. his thumbs brushed over your nipples, slow, deliberate, and you arched into the touch with a soft gasp, “you’re so perfect,” he breathed, “so fucking perfect.” his mouth replaced his hands, lips wrapping around your nipple as his other hand slid down your back, gripping the curve of your ass through your shorts. he sucked gently, tongue circling until your knees buckled, and you clung to his shoulders.

you reached for the hem of his shirt, tugging it off and tossing it aside. your hands ran over his chest, his stomach, lean and tense, muscles flexing under your touch. he was warm and solid and real, and when you pushed his shirts and boxers down, you felt how hard he already was for you.

“lele…” you whispered, and he responded by kissing you again, deeper, hungrier. he walked you backward until the backs of your thighs hit the bed. you let yourself fall onto it, legs parting instinctively as he followed, crawling over you like he couldn’t bear to be more than an inch away.

for the first time, there was nothing holding either of you back. no rules. no pretending. no almosts. there was nothing fake about this anymore.

he peeled the rest of your clothes off, leaving you both naked in the soft glow of the bedroom light, heart pounding as the moment stretched into something that felt timeless. chenle’s lips followed the path of your skin, reverent and hungry all at once.

“let me feel you,” he murmured, dragging his cock slowly through your folds, teasing and maddening. you were soaked already, the tip catching at your entrance again and again, never pushing in.

“lele,” you gasped, nails sinking into his back, “stop teasing.”

he grinned, nosing at your jaw, “i just love how wet you get for me, baby.” you whimpered, wrapping your legs around his waist, trying to pull him closer. but then he paused, reaching over you, as he fumbled in the nightstand drawer. then you saw the crinkle of silver foil in his hand.

“you’re joking, right?” you said breathlessly, voice cutting through the quiet haze of the room, laced with a teasing bite. chenle froze halfway through rifling his nightstand drawer. he looked at you, already flushed from everything that came before, your kiss-swollen lips, your thighs still brushing his hips, the marks that was starting to bloom on your chest.

“what?” he asked, eyes wide, confused.

you tilted your head toward the foil packet between his fingers, raising a brow, “you’re not putting that on.”

his brows knit, “why not?”

“because,” you said, taking it from him and throwing it off the bed, “you didn’t last time.”

his ears turned crimson, “that was different,” he muttered, flustered and suddenly shy, even as you were both naked and tangled together.

“was it?” you teased, brushing your lips against his jaw, “who just accidentally slips in?”, you smirk.

“swear it was an accident,” he groaned, burying his face in your neck.

“not a chance,” you grinned, and then your voice dropped lower, softer, “besides…i don’t want anything between us tonight.” that made him still. his eyes searched yours, like he needed to know you meant it. and you did. every inch of you meant it.

his fingers laced with yours, slow and sure “you’re sure?”

you nodded, “i want all of you, chenle.”

a beat passed, his gaze darkening just slightly, the weight of your words settling deep in his chest, “god,” he whispered, kissing you like he couldn’t believe this was real, “you’re gonna kill me.”

you grinned against his mouth, “maybe. but at least you’ll die happy.”

he laughed, low and breathless, but there was something else there too. a hunger, a desperation that hadn’t been there before, “you say things like that,” he murmured, voice rough now, lips brushing yours, “and i start thinking about how good it would feel to really fill you up. to know you’re mine. like…really mine.” the words creep up your toes. your pussy clenching at nothing.

“you feel that?” he murmured, grinding against you still teasing your folds, “i’m so fucking hard for you, baby,” you whimpered as he rocked against you again, slower this time, dragging the pressure right over your clit. your fingers curled into his back, nails biting lightly into his skin.

“need you inside me,” you gasped, “please, lele,” you snapped whatever thread of restraint he had left. he lined himself up and pushed in slowly, your breath catching as you felt him stretch you open, raw and unfiltered. you gasped his name half moan, half prayer, as he bottomed out, and his head dropped back with a groan.

“fuck,” he groaned, eyes squeezed shut, “you feel so good. so warm. so wet,” he muttered, rocking into you slow, controlled, like he wanted to savor it. every thrust dragged a sound from you, high and helpless. he watched your face, drinking it in like it was the only thing keeping him grounded. you whimpered, tightening around him, and he swore under his breath, picking up the pace.

“i think about this all the time,” he admitted, voice ragged, “when you wear my hoodie. my jersey. i think about being inside you. claiming you. fucking you like i’m the only one who gets to.”

“you are,” you whispered, voice breaking, “you’re the only one.” you pulled him in, breath hot against his ear. he groaned, fucking into you harder now. rougher. his hips snapped forward, cock dragging against every sensitive spot, his hand slipped between your bodies and found your clit, rubbing tight circles that made your toes curl, made you cry out, made your body shudder beneath him.

“chenle— i’m close,” you warn him, your eyes rolling back.

“let go for me,” he whispered, teeth grazing your ear, “i wanna feel you cum.” his voice pushed you to the edge. you shattered, body arching, hands clutching him like he was the only real thing in the world — he held you through it, letting your clenched body milk him with every spasm, groaning loud as he gave in, hips stuttering, jaw clenched, gasping your name like a prayer as he spilled into you, raw and full and deep. he collapsed against you, both of you gasping, hearts hammering, limbs tangled. you stayed like that for a long while. just breathing. just being. just real.

“i love you,” you whisper into his side. he didn’t answer with words, just tilts your chin up and kisses you again. soft and slow.

౨ৎ BONUS SCENE: DECEMBER 12 - UNSPOKEN MOVIE NIGHT TRADITION ౨ৎ

the L-shaped couch was packed. mark had kitten tucked in between his legs. jeno had one arm lazily around bunny while she hogged the popcorn. jaemin was practically sprawled over angel while whispering dumb commentary in her ear. and on the loveseat was the newest couple, hyuck and princess, tangled up together like they’d been joined at the hip for years.

then there was you and chenle. last time, you sat side by side, awkwardly hyper-aware of every shift and brush. this time, you were sitting sideways on his lap, head nestled in the crook of his neck. his arms were wrapped securely around your waist, fingers absentmindely playing with the hem of his hoodie strings, a blanket draped over the two of you.

halfway through the grinch, his hand dipped lower. at first, it seemed casual, just resting on your thigh, fingers drumming absently like he was bored. but then his touch shifted, intentional and his hand slid closer. you stiffened slightly, heart racing. he acted unfazed, eyes still fixed on the screen. and then, slowly, deliberately his fingers crept under the waistband of your shorts and your breath caught. “chenle,” you warned, barely a whisper, glancing nervously around the darkened living room where your friends sat, fully engrossed in the movie. he didn’t answer with words, just leaned in and pressed a casual, innocent kiss to your lips. soft. sweet. utterly deceptive. like nothing sinful was happening under the blanket.

then a single finger slide inside you. your back arched the slightest bit before you could stop yourself and you clutched his hoodie tighter. the moan that threatened to escape got caught in your throat, your mouth falling open in silence.

“you’re so warm,” he whispered, his lips brushing your ear as you bit your lips, your hips twitching against his hand. his fingers began to move, gentle and slow and infuriatingly precise. he knew exactly what he was doing, what you liked, how to get it without rushing. you were already soaked, and he was taking his time, like he had all the hours in the world. your thighs clenched around his wrist, but it only made him smirk.

he didn’t even look at you. his gaze was still on the screen, feigning interest in the movie as he worked you with a devastating calm. every curl of his fingers drew out more heat from you, more slick, more desperation. when he hit that perfect spot again, and again, your jaw tensed and your lashes fluttered shut. you didn’t dare make a sound.

you could feel your pulse hammering everywhere. sweat beading at your lower back. your stomach tightening with every calculated thrust. you were trying so hard to stay composed, to look normal, to not give yourself away. but your body had other plans. every nerve was screaming. every inhale was shaky – he knew and he loved it. he curved his finger just right, over and over, dragging you closer to the edge. you bit the inside of your cheek so hard you tasted blood. still, no one noticed. laughter burst out from the group at some scene on screen, and you clung to the noise like a lifeline, using it to mask the soft sound that slipped out of your lips.

then, finally, the credits rolled. the lights flicked on. chenle slipped his hand out with the same casual grace he started with, leaving your skin flushed, your core aching, and your thighs trembling with the aftermath. you watched in shock as he brought his hand to his mouth and sucked the tip of his finger, as if sampling a secret. then he leaned over, kissed your shoulder sweetly, and whispered, “you did so well for me.”

after a few minutes of everyone in their own worlds, bunny turned, eyes zeroing on princess and haechan like she’d been waiting all night, “so…” she starts, “how long have you and donghyuck been going on?”

“yeah,” jeno grinned, wiggling his brows, “i thought you two hated each other.”

princess didn’t even blink, “we did. until we didn’t.” everyone blinked.

“that’s it?” angel gasped.

princess shrugged, then smiled, “hating him was exhausting. loving him’s easier,” which made haechan break out into a grin, placing a soft kiss on her cheek. the room erupted in squeals. and as if on cue, the girls scrambled off the couch in a flurry of giggles and bare feet, all heading to the kitchen together, angel grabbing princess’ hand. in the kitchen, bunny poured wine, kitten grabbed the cookies but the real chaos started when angel leaned in, eyes narrowing at you with a knowing smirk, “so,” she said, tilting her head, “you were definitely getting fingered under the blanket earlier.”

your mouth dropped open. your cheeks flushed. but you didn’t deny it. “i knew it!,” bunny said with a laugh, “don’t worry…we’ve all done it!,” she smiles innocently winking at you.

“that’s like an unspoken movie night tradition,” kitten added, “i swear all the boys have the same brain,” she smirks. you covered your face in mock horror while the rest of them erupted in giggles.

then you said, “i guess princess and hyuck are next then?,” you tease, earning more squeals around the room. and the squealing didn’t stop for a while – everyone laughing over whispered confessions and wild stories.

౨ৎ

the second the girls vanished into the kitchen, all giggles and whispered chaos, the boys were left in their wake, staring blankly at the netflix home page like they’d just been collectively ghosted.

jaemin let out a slow, dramatic sigh and flipped sideways onto the couch, “every. time.” he muttered.

jeno added, “i still haven’t gotten used to it.

“used to what?,” haechan asks, looking towards the kitchen door, confused.

“girl talk,” chenle and mark says at the same time, sighing.

suddenly, in the middle of their group moping they hear a – CRASH. the sharp shatter of glass echoed from the kitchen. all five boys bolted upright.

chenle was on his feet first, not even bothering to say a word. haechan whipped around, calling out his girlfriend’s name. jaemin was quick to follow with a, “is everything okay?,” jeno called out in panic, nearly tripping over a pillow, “bunny, are you hurt?,” and last but not least was mark who’s eyes landed immediately on his girlfriend as they all stormed into the kitchen, a blur of limbs and frantic footsteps. it was chaos – every one of them expecting blood and tears. but what they found was very different.

the girls were all huddled in a circle of laughter, one hand covering their mouths in shock while the other held their sides from laughing too hard. a glass of wine had spilled and shattered on the floor, “i told you to stop swinging your arms when you laugh like that!” bunny said between cackles, nudging angel.

kitten held up her hands, “no one’s bleeding. we’re fine.”

the boys froze in the doorway, “…you’re okay?” mark asked, breathless.

princess blinked at haechan, “why do you look like you ran a marathon?”

“we thought you died,” haechan says dramatically.

chenle’s eyes darted from you to the floor to your hands, “you’re not hurt, baby?”

you smiled, soft and amused, “i’m okay.” he visibly relaxed, like his bones finally settled back into place. the boys stood there for another second, dazed, still a little shaky from the adrenaline rush.

jaemin sniffed, “i was ready to jump in front of the danger.”

“you’re so dramatic,” angel muttered but she was grinning.

“okay, okay,” bunny said, hands up, “we’re all good, you guys can go back to the couch now.”

jeno walks over, “bunny, can’t we join girls talk?,” he asks, pouting, all the boys nodding simultaneously like that was the best idea someone has ever come up with.

she smiles at him sweetly, kissing his cheek and for a moment the boys seem excited until, “you have exactly three seconds to step out before we revoke your boyfriend privileges.”

“but we want to know what you were saying about us!” haechan pouted.

princess lifted a chip and smirked, “you don’t.”

chenle tried to casually lean against the counter next to you, giving you his best puppy eyes, “c’mon. just a little insider info…best friend to best friend?”

you raised a brow, “what, you think we were talking about you guys?”

kitten gasped dramatically, a sarcastic smile on her lips, “how arrogant.”

angel nodded, “as if you’d even make the top three topics tonight.”

the boys all looked genuinely offended.

“we better have made the top three,” jaemin muttered, crossing his arms.

haechan threw his hands up, “what could be more interesting than us?!”

mark, ever the peacekeeper, cleared his throat and smiled diplomatically, “look, we’re just curious. maybe we join for a few minutes. add a little masculine energy to the room—”

“OUT,” all the girls said at once, pointing to the door.

“but this is our kitchen!” jaemin protested but shuffled back into the living room anyways.

haechan looked at the kitchen again, filled with squeals and giggles and secrets, “do you think if i start crying she’ll let me in?”

mark just handed him the popcorn, “cry into this, rookie. you’ve still got a lot to learn.”

𓏲 the end.

—

18+ only | watch at your own risk | contains mature content

bonus: loverboy links (i added so many for chenle it’s actually insane)

—

an: 5/7 is done! two more to go! that’s kind of insane guys. this was the fastest story i’ve written in this series (thank god for wfh schedules). i love these two baddd i didn’t want to say goodbye. also this is my first time writing for chenle i hope it was okay >.< (i’m so nervous for this one) i hope you liked baby! wanted to have female character who was very very in touch with her sexual side so there you go! also fun question: do you guys have a girlfriend bias? let me know! lolol

likes, reblogs and comments are not required but is very appreciated ⏦ﾟ♡︎

love tags: @bluedbliss @yesohhsehun @tynlvr @sunghoonsgfreal @2sungie @euphormiia @ptv-hades @imnotrosiee @remgeolli @vantxx95 @leehaechie @beestvng @schatjze @mango-bear @wachimingox @amazinggraxia @nesryn @strwbbit @meylovesmusic

if you would like to be added to the taglist, just let me know <3

[malfoysanctuary]

as much as I love writing...sometimes I get an itch for a good read myself. here are the stories I ALWAYS reach for, please check them out and give the authors some love ❤️‍🔥

*updated as I find good reads*

───────────────────────────────

✧.* fluff ⋆ | ˚꩜｡ series | ⚠︎ angst | 🔞 smut | ✪ g's star reads

Draco Malfoy

✧.* The Alchemy by (@lqveharrington) ✪ ⤷ Although Draco promised that he would keep your relationship a secret just for you, he can’t contain himself after winning the Hogwarts quidditch cup. ✧.* Someday by (@lqveharrington) ⤷ you and draco are from opposing houses, and you were terrified how your friends were going to react when they found out. ⚠︎ sweet disaster by (@redeemingvillains) ⤷ you and draco are inseparable friends, but deeper feelings come to light when you're asked on a date with someone who is determined to take advantage of you. ✧.* Deck the Halls by (@writingsbychlo) ⤷ Narcissa has big plans for her son's girlfriend this time of year, and you're determined to live up to her expectations. 🔞 Flutterby Baby by (@agreeewrites) ✪ ⤷ Draco finds out another student sabotaged your Herbology project. 🔞 Bad Santa by (@agreeewrites) ⤷ Your boyfriend Draco has thrown the Christmas party of the year, and wears a Santa hat to make you smile. But jealousy quickly throws a wrench into your festive evening.

Theodore Nott

✧.* Words Unspoken by (@girllblogging777) ⤷ in a moment of loneliness and feeling misunderstood, theo finds out you also speak Italian. ✧.* careful, cara by (@iris-qt) ⤷ an oblivious Y/n misinterprets Theodore's flirtatious Italian nicknames and suave demeanor as mere politeness, while Theo grows increasingly perplexed by her indifference to his romantic overtures. 🔞 spoiled by (@dracosprettygirl) ⤷ Theo was convinced you'd never look his way—until a Hogsmeade date leaves your heart bruised and angry. Now, Theo's done hiding his feelings... And ready to ruin every man who ever made you feel unworthy. THE BEST LOVE STORIES by (@@writingsbychlo) ⤷ theo is in love and doesn’t want to have to hide it. ✧.* My Husband by (@bunny-1111) ⤷ The one thing that drives Theo literally crazy is when you call him "my husband"

Mattheo Riddle

✧.* veritaserum by (@redeemingvillains) ⤷ when mattheo drinks veritaserum on a bet, he's confident he doesn't have anything to hide… until you show up. ✧.* cold comfort by (@redeemingvillains) ✪ ⤷ mattheo has one rule: any girl can share his bed (and there's been plenty) but none can stay the night. when the unexpected happens, and you're begging to be the first, you find out why he had the rule in the first place. ⚠︎ the black lake by (@redeemingvillains) ⤷ mattheo is hogwarts' triwizard tournament champion, and he's proven that he can crush the competition. but when the stakes are raised, and you're involved, nothing will get in his way. ✧.* the playlist by (@redeemingvillains) ⤷ enzo overhears something about you he shouldn't have and when he tells his friends, all hell breaks loose. ⚠︎ riddle's girl by (@redeemingvillains) ⤷ mattheo has...feelings about you wearing his quidditch jersey. ˚꩜｡ the new girl by (@redeemingvillains) ⤷ despite their best and most ardent efforts, each of the slytherin boys gets rejected by you, and can't figure out why, not knowing that one of them holds a secret that explains it all. ⚠︎ Dove by (@redeemingvillains) ⤷ fed up with the way the slytherin boys create chaos without consequence, someone seeks to bring them down a notch by going after the one thing their strongest loves most: you. ✧.* His Soft Spot by (@ravenclaw-for-all-seasons) ⤷ Mattheo Riddle's icy demeanor melts away in the presence of you, revealing a side of him that even his closest friends didn't expect. charmed, i'm sure by (@iris-qt) ⤷ feat. accidental truth serum, public chaos, and one very flustered reader)

Remus Lupin

🔞 Waiting by (@dismalflo) ✪ ⤷ you and Remus have been dancing around your feelings for each other for a while. Both too stubborn for your own good, but what happens when that stubbornness helps you both out?

Sirius Black

˚꩜｡ Hardass by (@ellecdc) ⤷ Sirius Black is all sharp edges and heat in the kitchen, until a quick-witted bartender strolls in, and leaves him completely undone.

Fred Weasley

✧.* through the seasons by (@kyber-crystal ) ⤷ he would love you till the end of time. everyone can see it, and they can only hope that you’ll come to your senses and realize that too. 🔞 Another Man's Treasure by (@spencersmopbucket) ⤷ You're Cormac McLaggen's girlfriend — but Cormac pays more attention to Quidditch than you. Shame, shame.. Fred just can't let you go to waste. 🔞 Wicked by (@andy-15-07) ⤷ A lazy afternoon turns into something much more when Fred Weasley can't keep his eyes—or hands—off you

Lorenzo Berkshire

⚠︎ closed and locked by (@redeemingvillains) ⤷ you are overwhelming smitten with lorenzo berkshire. fact: you think he’s smitten with you too. but when you and pansy hear something you shouldn’t have, it has you questioning everything you thought you knew about hogwarts’ biggest flirt.

Why choose? (Poly)

✧.* emergency contact by (@cosmal) ⤷ james gets called when you faint at work. and then sirius. then remus. you feel awful. ✧.* The Boy is Mine by (@colouredbyd) ⤷ you’re quiet by nature, content in the background—until someone pushes too far. When a girl flirts with Remus, something shifts. With one kiss and a quiet claim, you remind everyone exactly who he ( and Sirius) belong to.

[itsqwertyluvs]

･ ｡ﾟ☆: *  OCCULT BABY CHALLENGE RULES * :☆ﾟ.･

hi bffs !! so this is my version of the occult baby challenge rules that i'll be using for my sims 4 series :) (watch here)

full credit to simssav for a lot of the rules!

CHALLENGE OBJECTIVE:

have a baby with each occult type in the sims 4!

MODS I USE:

» FAIRIES VS WITCHES MOD - here

» EXPANDED MERMAIDS MOD - here

» GHOSTS CAN HAVE BABIES MOD - here

ALL OCCULT TYPES:

» ALIEN (GET TO WORK)

» BONEHILDA (PARANORMAL)

» FAIRY (FAIRY VS WITCHES MOD)

» FATHER WINTER (SEASONS)

» FLOWER BUNNY (SEASONS)

» GHOST (BASE GAME)

» GRIM REAPER (BASE GAME)

» ISLAND ELEMENTAL (ISLAND LIVING)

» MERMAID (ISLAND LIVING)

» PATCHY (SEASONS)

» PLANT SIM (BASE GAME)

» SERVO BOT (DISCOVER UNIVERSITY)

» SPELL CASTER (REALM OF MAGIC)

» TRAGIC CLOWN (BASE GAME)

» VAMPIRE (VAMPIRES)

» WEREWOLF (WEREWOLVES)

» WISHING WELL (ROMANTIC GARDEN)

HOW TO AGE UP EACH CHILD:

» NEWBORNS - pop up that it's their birthday

» INFANTS - get 8 milestones (only fine motor/gross motor/social)

» TODDLERS - reach level 3 in all skills OR level 5 in 3 skills

» CHILDREN - reach level 5 in any 3 skills

» TEENAGERS - complete their task (as seen below)

TEENAGE TASKS:

» ALIEN - level 10 rocket science skill

» BONEHILDA - level 10 archaeology skill

» FAIRY - level 5 alchemy skill

» FATHER WINTER - level 10 handiness skill

» FLOWER BUNNY - level 10 knitting skill

» GHOST - level 10 pipe organ skill

» GRIM REAPER - level 10 medium skill

» ISLAND ELEMENTAL - level 10 fishing skill

» MERMAID - level 5 singing skill + level 10 mermaid mythology skill

» PATCHY - level 10 flower arranging skill

» PLANT SIM - level 10 gardening skill

» SERVO BOT - level 10 robots skill

» SPELL CASTER - learn 10 spells

» TRAGIC CLOWN - level 10 comedy skill

» VAMPIRE - level 15 vampire lore skill + have 5 vampire abilities

» WEREWOLF - level 10 fitness skill + have 3 werewolf abilities

» WISHING WELL - level 5 entrepreneur skill

EXTRAS:

» if you don't want the challenge to be as difficult, you can change the teenage tasks to be easier. for example reach level 5 instead of level 10 skill!

» once a teenager has completed all their tasks, they have to be aged up and be moved out immediately!

» if you want to do the challenge like me, you also must kill one of each of the occult types! (it doesn't have to be the baby parents)

[lynnieverse]

hello lovelies ‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

call me lynn ⋆⭒˚.⋆ 20 ⋆⭒˚.⋆ she/her

welcome to my blog! i'm currently obsessed with writing for rafe cameron/drew starkey, but always looking for suggestions! Right now my requests are open. If requests are closed and you want to talk or ask questions, please do! I am currently in college and writing as often as I can, so patience is much appreciated <3

‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊

masterlists ♡

𖤓 outer banks

series . . .

: ̗̀➛ undertow (rafe cameron x og fmc)

smau . . .

: ̗̀➛ dangerously yours (rafe cameron x baddie kook!reader)

: ̗̀➛ redamancy (bsf!rafe cameron x silly!reader)

: ̗̀➛ bad idea, right? (rafe cameron x pogue!reader)

: ̗̀➛ late night talking (wrong number rafe cameron x pogue!reader)

: ̗̀➛ who’re we to fight the alchemy? (football player!rafe x bookish!reader)

oneshots . . .

: ̗̀➛ fresh out the slammer (first love!rafe x heartbroken!reader)

: ̗̀➛ so high school (rafe cameron x reader)

: ̗̀➛ ghostin' (asshole!bsf!rafe x reader)

: ̗̀➛ going going gone (ex!rafe cameron x reader)

: ̗̀➛ like real people do (drew starkey x popstar!reader)

╰┈➤ you are in love (part 2 to like real people do)

𖤓 marauders

oneshots . . .

: ̗̀➛ i'm going to fall madly in love with you (soulmate regulus black x james potter)

requests . . .

‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊

requests/blog rules ♡

this account is a safe zone! No rudeness or disrespectful language will be tolerated

so far i've only written for rafe cameron, marauders (hp), golden trio (hp), and twilight. I love writing new things so please please send in any requests you have!

i write oneshots, smaus, and fics so whatever you’re looking for, ask away!!

most of my work contains mature language

i'm open to writing fluff, angst, and smut

not comfortable with r*pe, noncon, incest, etc.

requesting doesn't always mean it will be written, but I will do my best! Be patient and kind <3

[jess-the-vampire]

Professor Caduceia and Snakely

Checked out the storyboard for the deleted s1 episode "Homesick"

You can read it here : https://t.co/WpZJFWbR48

I just loved these cut villains, one whose design def seemed like it was given to raine when they got cut. (I wonder if the color palette was similar, but we don't have a reference to that so idk)

Thoughts on the cut episode below:

An episode where king and owlbert of all characters bond is kinda neat, especially since it provides owlbert himself a bit more character here.

The opening is def far different from any of the final ones we ever see in the series, in fact it feels like it should be taking place during the episode but it can't be given we see hooty from being sick to not being sick in pretty chronological order?

A focus on the healing coven was nice to see, especially since we never got that in the show itself, and get some idea of their powerset and what they do magic wise.

So Manny was an ambulance driver, and Camila was a nurse in this. People originally assumed camila was a nurse when the show started, and it makes me wonder if that was changed between seasons at some point cause clearly the crew decided to change her profession and it's unclear why.

you can use your palisman as a communicator? and an umbrella? I do think it's so weird that even at the very end of the show, they establish brand new rules for palisman. Like them being able to shapeshift into objects is straight up not explained and just sorta....happens in the show, like i feel like hunter would have no issue hiding flap if this is a thing. (It also kinda makes stringbean's ability slightly less unique) Like this is displayed in these boards, but they kept it even in the show itself, and i think palisman might need a proper rulebook.

On that same note, owlbert uses magic in this board, like we kinda knew palisman could do some magic without a witch, but this is the only time we've seen one use it to fight another witch that wasn't the batqueen. Like owlbert tries to full on blast people in this. I don't know if removing this episode makes this ability less canon in the world itself since they still can do magic in the show, it's just worth noting that palisman, according to this board, CAN fight back, even if they're not incredibly strong it seems. Certainly the kinda thing that makes you think on other episodes tbh.

This episode also brings up the idea that eda actually CAN and DOES bring human food to the BI, which never happens in the show, in fact luz implies she gets to eat very little options there, so this idea seems no longer canon?

The demon hunters at one point don't even seem to recognize owlbert as a palisman, which does not entirely make sense given they seem to be mostly common to the townsfolk, so I'm kinda glad for that plot hole being gone.

Caduceia makes it out like the emperor's coven forced her to teach? and she thought handing over a house demon to belos would get her out of teaching as if it were some kinda punishment or job she was made to do? I have questions

side note, house demons are called rare in this, like they're not common, not sure if this still applies in the final show, but yeah.

there's some very sweet moments in this with luz and eda especially, but also some funny moments, and some jokes that land a little less....i don't think we needed Caduceia to be kissing her snake like that from that angle, even if it was meant to be a little uncomfortable.

one reason i think this episode did get cut? we got a glyph in this

a healing glyph, which has some ties to water based on it's symbol

i'm guessing since they kept the main glyphs element based, a healing glyph would of stuck out and been a bit weird. Like it just heals people, it doesn't produce water despite looking close to the alchemy symbol for water, and well....we already got ice so this would be redundent.

so yeah, this episode introduced a new glyph that saved them in the end so it would of come back in future episodes, but to keep it simple that would mean cutting the entire episode as a whole just to keep the four.

Since they enjoyed Caduceia's design so much, they must've repurposed it for raine somewhere down the line.

very fun insight into a scrapped episode.

[the-offside-rule]

Charles Leclerc (Scuderia Ferrari) - The Alchemy

Requested: no

Swift Series

Warnings: not a whole pile

Soft morning light seeped through the heavy curtains of their hotel room, casting a warm, golden hue over the crumpled sheets and scattered clothes on the floor. Y/n blinked her eyes open, the familiar scent of Charles surrounding her. The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning and the steady rhythm of his breathing beside her. She turned her head slightly, her gaze settling on him. Charles was still asleep, his face relaxed, his dark hair tousled against the pillow. Y/n couldn’t help but smile at the sight. He looked so peaceful, so different from the intense, determined driver the world saw every weekend on the track. Here, he was just Charle; her Charles.

Careful not to wake him, she shifted closer, her fingers tussling through his messy strands of hair, his head resting on her chest now. She felt his heartbeat as her other hand rubbed his back, steady and reassuring. For a moment, she just lay there, savoring the warmth of his skin, the feel of his arm draped lazily around her waist, holding her close even in his sleep. She wished they could stay like this forever, hidden away from the prying eyes of the world, where no one knew them as anything other than what they truly were — two people hopelessly in love. But reality was already knocking on the door, the clock ticking towards another day where they would have to pretend, where they would have to act like strangers in front of everyone else.

Charles stirred beside her, his eyes fluttering open. A sleepy smile spread across his lips as he looked down at her, his voice still thick with sleep. “Morning, mon amour." He murmured, tightening his hold around her. Y/n felt a rush of warmth at his words, her own smile mirroring his. “Morning.” She whispered back, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his chest. She loved these quiet mornings, these stolen moments before the world intruded. Charles chuckled softly, his voice still husky. “I could get used to waking up like this every day.” He said, reaching up to place a kiss onto her lips. “Lying here with you, it feels like a dream.” Y/n laughed softly, the sound barely more than a whisper. “Then let’s just stay here.” She teased, even though she knew the answer. “We could order room service, stay in bed all day… forget about the race, the teams… everyone.”

Charles’ smile faltered for a second, and then he sighed, knowing they couldn’t. “I wish we could-” He replied, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “But you know they’d notice if we both disappeared.” She nodded, a small, resigned sigh escaping her lips. “I know." She said, pressing herself closer against him. “But I’m so tired of pretending, Charles. I hate not being able to talk to you or touch you when we’re around the others. It feels like… like we’re living a lie.” Charles’ hand slid up to cradle her cheek, his thumb brushing gently over her skin. “I know, mon coeur-” He said softly, his eyes filled with understanding. “I hate it too. But it won’t be forever, I promise. Just a little while longer… until we figure things out.”

Y/n nodded, biting her lip. “I just want to be with you.” She whispered, her voice barely audible. “I don’t care about the rules or what people think. I just want… us.” Charles’ heart swelled at her words. He wanted that too, more than anything. He wanted to shout it from the rooftops, to let the world know that Y/n was his and he was hers. But for now, he had to be patient, even if it felt like the hardest thing he’d ever done. He leaned forward and kissed her softly, his lips lingering against hers. “I know." He whispered against her mouth. “And we will be. Soon. But for now… let’s just enjoy these moments. Just you and me, here, like this.” Y/n’s eyes softened, and she nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Okay,” she agreed. “Just us."

They lay there in comfortable silence for a while, tangled together in the sheets, the world outside their door feeling miles away. Charles traced lazy patterns on her back, his fingers moving in gentle, soothing circles. Y/n closed her eyes, letting herself get lost in the moment, savoring the feel of his touch, the sound of his breathing. Eventually, though, the inevitable moment came. Charles glanced at the clock on the bedside table and sighed softly. “We should probably get up." He said reluctantly. “Before someone starts knocking on the door, wondering where we are.” Y/n groaned, burying her face in his chest. “Five more minutes?” She pleaded, her voice muffled. Charles chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Five more minutes.” He agreed, his hand stroking her hair. “But just five.”

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Monza had been electric. The Tifosi were buzzing, a sea of red flooding the stands as they cheered for il Predestinato. It had been a thrilling race, the kind that kept you on the edge of your seat, biting your nails until the final lap. And now, as the engines quieted and the checkered flag waved, the crowd erupted into a deafening roar. Charles had done it. He had won. But among the McLaren team, a different celebration was unfolding. Lando and Oscar had secured P2 and P3, a phenomenal result for the papaya team. Y/n stood among her colleagues, her heart swelling with pride for her drivers. Yet, every so often, her gaze drifted past the orange overalls and landed on Charles, who was still in his car, soaking up the cheers of his adoring fans. She waved over shyly, her boyfriend winking back in response. Y/n's breath caught every time she looked at him. Her boyfriend. Her secret. The thought made her lips curl into a smile that she quickly hid, remembering where she was. She had become an expert at stealing these fleeting moments, at acting like nothing more than a professional strategist who just happened to have a world-class racing driver as her secret lover.

Charles, however, couldn't shake their conversation from that morning. Seeing how much she wanted everyone to know that he was accounted for, to show everyone that he was in love and he loved her, that she was his and he was her's. He finally began walking towards the small crowd of papaya, easily overpowered by the scarlet of almost everyone around them, but his eyes searched for only one person, and it was her.

He found Y/n standing by the barriers, surrounded by the jubilant McLaren crew. She looked like a dream in her papaya team shirt, a proud smile on her lips as she clapped for Lando and Oscar. Charles’ heart pounded in his chest, a mix of exhilaration from the race and the need to be near her. He weaved his way through the small but busy parc fermé crowd, making his way towards the McLaren corner, his eyes locked on Y/n. She felt her heart rate quicken as she noticed Charles heading in her direction. Her cheeks flushed, and she subtly shifted, hoping to blend in with her colleagues. But there was no hiding from Charles. Not now.

Charles reached the edge of the barrier, his chest rising and falling as he looked at her, a grin spreading across his face. He reached out his hand, palm up, a silent invitation. Y/n’s eyes widened, panic setting in. “Charles." She hissed softly, glancing around at the sea of orange uniforms around her. “What are you doing?” But Charles didn’t answer. Instead, he grasped her hand, his grip firm and steady, pulling her gently through the crowd. He didn’t care about the stunned expressions, the murmurs spreading like wildfire. He had waited long enough. He was done hiding. Y/n stumbled forward, her breath catching in her throat. “Charles, wait—” She began, her voice low, but he didn’t give her a chance to finish. He pulled her close, his other hand finding her cheek, and then, right there in front of everyone, he kissed her.

Time seemed to freeze. The crowd gasped, a wave of shock rippling through the McLaren team and the spectators. The cameras flashed, capturing the moment for all the world to see. Y/n’s mind spun. She kissed him back for a moment, her body responding before her brain caught up. Then she pulled back slightly, her hands on his chest, her eyes wide. “Charles, are you crazy? Everyone is watching!” Charles’ smile was infectious, his eyes sparkling with mischief and something deeper, something more sincere. “I don’t care." He said, his voice steady, his hand still holding hers. “I just won in Monza."

Y/n’s heart skipped a beat at his words. She felt a mix of fear and exhilaration course through her veins. She glanced around, seeing the surprised faces, the stunned silence hanging in the air. "But I thought it'd be better kept a secret." She whispered, her voice laced with concern. Charles shook his head, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. “None of it matters if I can’t be with you.” he said softly, his eyes never leaving hers. “I’m tired of pretending, Y/n. I’m tired of hiding. I want you by my side, always.”

Tears pricked at the corners of Y/n’s eyes, the weight of his words sinking in. She felt a surge of emotion, a rush of love and relief. She knew this was risky, that there would be consequences, but in that moment, with Charles looking at her like she was the only person in the world, none of it seemed to matter. A slow smile spread across her face, and she squeezed his hand. “Okay." She whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “You should probably head to the interviews now, though." Charles’ grin widened, and he leaned in, pressing another kiss to her lips, this one softer, more tender. The crowd erupted into applause, the initial shock giving way to cheers and whoops. The cameras continued to flash, capturing the moment that would soon become the headline of every sports news outlet.

With a final, lingering look, he turned and walked toward the cool down roo., his head held high, his shoulders squared. "He blew a fonal kiss in her direction before his eyes darted around to wave to the tifosi swarming the track. "Im baffled." One of the engineers said, causing an eruption of laughter around them and causing Y/n's face to grow red. Then came the podium. First came Lando, then Iscar and then there he was; il Predestinato himself. The crowd’s cheers grew louder as he climbed the steps, taking his place in the center. Her own two drivers were there too, but Y/n’s eyes never left him. He stood tall, his racing suit stark against the bright backdrop, his face lit with an exhilarated, victorious smile. The anthem began to play, and the Italian flag was raised, the crowd singing along, their voices booming. Y/n felt her heart flutter with pride as she watched him stand there, his expression a mixture of joy and awe, soaking in the adoration of the Tifosi.

When the anthem ended, the officials presented him with the trophy—a magnificent, gleaming cup. He took it in both hands, raising it high above his head as the crowd erupted in a deafening roar. He glanced down, searching for her face amidst the sea of fans, and when he found her, his smile grew even wider. With a triumphant laugh, he pointed directly at Y/N, making sure she knew this moment was as much hers as it was his. Her breath caught, and she laughed through the tears, her heart soaring. She mouthed the words “I love you" and he nodded, as if to say “I know.”

Then came the champagne. He didn't spray his champagne, he instead closed his eyes and stood still as the three others on the podium drowned him out. Y/n closed her eyes, basking in the moment, tasting the champagne as if dripped down her face. And then, as the champagne bottles were emptied, he surprised everyone by taking his bottle of champagne and running from the podium, still holding the trophy in one hand. He made his way back to her, ignoring the surprised looks from the officials and the delighted cheers from the crowd. When he reached her, he placed the trophy in her hands. “Hold this for a second?” He grinned, his voice playful yet sincere. She took it, feeling its weight, her heart brimming with emotion. “It’s heavier than I thought.” She laughed.

He laughed too, a sound of pure joy. "First time holding a winners trophy?" He joked. "I held a winners trophy three times this season, thank you very much." She replied. "Four, you held mine in Monaco too. Now-" He paused, and with a swift, bold move, he wrapped an arm around her waist, lifting her off the ground slightly, and pressed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. The crowd erupted into louder cheers, the sound of celebration filling the air. When they finally broke apart, he took the trophy back, grinning like a boy who had just won the world. “Let’s go spray some champagne.” He said with a wink.

[ssleeping-in-a-coffin]

The History of Dracula’s Bloodline

Why is cinematic Dracula portrayed as a lonely aristocrat when his historical family ruled for centuries? Let's explore the facts, myths, and add a bit of personal perspective on the origins of vampires.

Historical Context

The prototype of Dracula — Vlad III Țepeș (1431–1476), ruler of Wallachia. His family, the House of Drăculești, was a branch of the Basarab dynasty, which ruled from the 14th century. The name “Dracula” comes from his father’s title, Vlad II Dracul (“The Dragon”), a member of the chivalric Order of the Dragon.

Key Figures:

Vlad II Dracul — father of Vlad Tepes, assassinated by nobles.

Vlad III Țepeș — infamous for impalements (hence "Tepes" — "The Impaler").

Radu III the Handsome — Vlad’s brother, who ruled with Ottoman support.

Michael the Brave (1593–1601) — the dynasty’s last significant ruler, who briefly united Wallachia, Transylvania, and Moldavia.

The Drăculești branch originated with Vlad II Dracul (son of Mircea the Elder) and gradually faded by the 18th century. The last legitimate descendant, Trașcă Drăculescu, marked the end of the dynasty.

Cinematic Dracula

This version of Dracula has no biological heirs, as vampires are typically depicted as infertile. His "family" consists of those he has turned—such as the three brides in Stoker’s novel. Over 500 years, he could have created thousands of "descendants," yet screenwriters prefer to portray him as solitary.

If vampires lived for 1,000 years and turned others every 200–300 years, there could be 8–10 generations over 2,000 years.

While Dracula traditionally has no biological heirs due to vampire infertility, there are notable exceptions in various adaptations. In the Castlevania series, Alucard is depicted as Dracula's son. Additionally, in the animated film series Hotel Transylvania, Dracula is portrayed as having a daughter named Mavis and a father named Vlad.

Headcanon: A Common Ancestor for Vampires?

"Do Dracula and other vampires share a common ancestor?" No canon answer, but here’s my take:

The First Vampire — a human who achieved eternal life through alchemy/magic but fell into a trap of their own making. Perhaps the gods cursed him, or he made a fatal mistake in his ritual. Others, seeing his power, replicated the process, but each curse mutated. This created various vampire clans with unique weaknesses (sunlight, garlic, silver).

Vlad Tepes may have inherited vampirism from a nameless progenitor, with his cruelty amplifying the darkness of his lineage. As the first clan, his descendants are inherently stronger than others. Meanwhile, other vampire clans emerged from those who sought immortality through blood rituals or dark pacts, each forming their own distinct bloodline with unique traits and weaknesses.

Conclusion

Dracula’s historical bloodline was real and played a significant role in Wallachian politics. In films, he is portrayed as a lone figure because it enhances the drama, making him darker and more mysterious. However, if we consider him as part of an ancient vampire lineage, his story becomes more than just a horror tale—it turns into a full-fledged legend with its own rules and traditions.

What’s your take: Should vampires share a common ancestor, or does every legend need its own origin? 💬

[xspeter]

☀︎︎ Luke Castellan x reader

a collection of short stories all tying together

majority can be read as stand-alones..

☼ moodboards…

- luke’s moodboard

- readers moodboard

- overall series moodboard

➾ 𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐇.. You show Luke what it means to be loved and to give love.

➾ Fluff, Apollo reader, mutual pining, eventual relationship, canon divergent (luke does not betray anyone because it hurt me too much to write that.)

✵ prologue

Slow motion love potion - Luke Castellan has returned from his quest, but he refuses to see anyone. Too bad you’ve been assigned to watch over him.

✵ PART ONE

About you - You discover just how accident prone Luke Castellan is.

I keep these longings locked - You discover just how flirtatious Luke really is.

The sweetest torture - You discover jealousy.

When you know, you know - You discover these feelings probably won’t just go away.

Foolish Lovers game - You discover that Luke does remember that night.

The Alchemy - You discover that everyone at camp can tell. Everyone except for Luke.

In a world of boys (he’s a gentleman) - You discover just how easy it is to make an Ares kid angry. (And Luke looks really good when he’s bloody.)

Let the light in (Luke POV) - Luke discovers the three times he denied his feelings for you, and the one time he accepted them.

Deep fears that the world would divide us - You discover Luke’s anger towards the Gods, and maybe your own hidden anger as well.

Secret Moments in a crowded room - You discover that maybe your feelings aren’t just your own.

Is it cool that I said all that? - You discover just how hard it is to keep a secret. Good thing Percy Jackson has a big mouth.

✵ THE IN-BETWEEN

Can I go where you go? - You discover that you want Luke to come home with you every year.

Hold on to the Memories (Luke POV) - Luke discovers that maybe Christmas isn’t all that bad.

✵ PART TWO

This is me trying - You discover just how stressful things really are as The Apollo Cabins head counselor.

Meet me in the Afterglow - You discover just how much you don’t deserve Luke.

The Lakes - You discover that you enjoy the quietness that comes with love.

The Albatross - You discover that you don’t like the newest camp arrival all that much.

Is it casual now? - You discover jealousy. Again.

You’re losing me - You discover that Eliza has a lot to say.

Sad, Beautiful, Tragic - You discover that Luke deserves better.

How did it end? - You discover that gossip spreads around camp way too quickly.

Loss Of My Life - You discover that seeing Luke around camp might be more than you can bare.

We Were Happy - You discover that while the kids may have good intentions, you will always get burned.

Hits Different - You discover that drinking while in the midst of a breakup is never a good idea.

Forever Winter (Luke POV) - Luke discovers just how hard it is to let you go.

You All Over Me - You discover why there is a no maiming rule.

Timeless - You discover that maybe you were enough for Luke after all.

You are in love - You discover forever.

[sister-lucifer]

Taken To Another World 

⊹₊⟡⋆A Multifandom Fantasy AU Themed 5K Celebration Writing Challenge⊹₊⟡⋆

Special thanks to @ghostboneswrites2 for inspiring this! 

Interested? Keep reading! 

There will be two prompts for each genre; a pair for fluff, a pair for smut, a pair for angst, and a pair for horror. Each prompt comes with its own criteria, so read carefully! 

How To Participate: 

Reblog this post (for reach! thanks!) 

Pick a prompt (or multiple) 

Write your fic 

Post it and tag me (feel free to send it to me directly if I don’t see it!) 

Use the tag #lucifer’s 5k fantasy challenge 

The fandoms this challenge is open to are as follows: 

Obey Me!, Creepypasta, Marble Hornets, Batman (and all related media), Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure (all parts), and any original characters/universes.

Don’t see your fandom? You’re still free to use these prompts (and please tag me if you do so I can see it,) but it unfortunately will not count as an entry for this challenge!

Rules: 

Feel free to pick multiple prompts, but you cannot enter more than one fic per prompt! 

The fics can be part of your own ongoing series, but they must be able to stand alone as their own piece without the additional context of the series 

Please state which prompt you chose somewhere on your post 

Feel free to cross post your work to another site such as Ao3, but please, do mention that it was part of my challenge 

Anyone can participate in this challenge, however I ask that minors stay away from the NSFW prompts 

You are free to bend the prompts as you wish, there is no mandatory time period or setting 

My inbox and messages are always open if you need to ask questions, consult me, or just want to discuss ideas!

The fics can be Character x Reader, Character x OC, or Character x Character; relationships can be platonic or romantic as you wish

Some prompts are written with pairs in mind; feel free to modify this to fit in as many characters as you’d like. Poly relationships included!

Absolutely NO incest OR pedophilia under any circumstances 

NO AI, NO using other people’s writing, and NO using a piece you’ve already written

Pay attention to the criteria! Prompt 1 will have a required quote, and Prompt 2 will have a required plot point/action

The Deadline is currently undecided. This will be updated soon 

Winners: 

I will choose up to 3 finalists for each prompt.  The finalists will be presented in a poll, and the readers will choose the winner. 

The winner of each prompt will get their own shoutout/promo post including an analysis of what I liked about their fic, & at least 3 fics I recommend from them and why. 

Does all that sound like fun? Good! Here’s your prompts:

Over The River, Through The Woods…

Fluff + Faeries

Prompt 1:  In a fit of rebellion, a naive royal flees from the castle and into the woods. They stumble upon a faerie who, against all they’ve ever been taught, seems rather…kind. 

Necessary Criteria: “Anyone can do a good thing if they try.” / “Well…how often do you try?”

Prompt 2: Fae don’t often leave their villages, except to gather. Unfortunately, one foolish faerie has found themself entangled in a trap left behind by a human hunter. Even worse, the human has returned to see what they’ve caught; although, they seem far more curious than hostile. 

Necessary Criteria: One of the characters teaches the other a new word in their native tongue. 

Magic Begins In Superstition, And Ends In Science…

Angst + Alchemy 

Prompt 1: The job of an alchemist’s apprentice is rarely an easy one. Magic is a fickle mistress, after all. When the apprentice’s companion tries to pull them away from their work, the argument gets heated, until the pressure becomes too much and causes an intense explosion…literally. 

Necessary Criteria: “You’re not even smart enough to understand what I do, and you think you get to tell me when to stop working?!”

Prompt 2: The alchemist’s work is starting to consume them. Blinded by their pursuit of knowledge, they recklessly decide to slip a bit of their newest experimental concoction into their companion’s meal without their knowledge. The alchemist convinces themselves this is all for the greater good, and surely nothing all that bad could happen, but soon comes to regret it. 

Necessary Criteria: A horrible transformation. 

The Tongue May Be Twice As Sharp And Thrice As Lethal As The Blade…

Smut + Swords 

Prompt 1: A rivalry between two swordsman gets a bit out of hand when the pair decide to make a salacious bet over a duel: whoever loses must play submissive to the other, starting from the moment they drop their sword. 

Necessary Criteria: “Don’t think I’ll surrender that easily.” / “Mm, I didn’t think you would…I like it so much more when you’re fiery.”

Prompt 2: A courageous knight rescues a royal from the clutches of peril, and their majesty simply can’t let their hero leave without thoroughly rewarding them for such bravery. 

Necessary Criteria: The pair narrowly avoid being caught in the act. 

Cursed Is The Man Who Dies, But The Evil Done By Him Survives…

Horror + Hexes

Prompt 1: Foolish explorers accidentally wander into a witch’s garden. One of them can’t resist plucking a berry from a bush, not giving it a second thought as they swallow it down, only for the horrific consequences of a curse to start taking form the next day. 

Necessary Criteria: “Please…you have to tell me you know how to make this stop.” 

Prompt 2: While treasure hoarding is generally frowned upon among honorable bounty hunters, some simply can’t kick the habit. This quickly proves to be a terrible mistake, though, as a cursed trinket starts to warp its owner’s mind and plunge them into a darkness that turns them on the one they love most. 

Necessary Criteria: Creative use of an everyday object as a weapon. 

Final Reminders:

Most importantly: Have Fun! 

Make sure to read the rules carefully! 

You’re always free to ask questions! 

Tag me in your entry + use the tag #lucifer’s 5k fantasy challenge! 

Happy Writing, everyone!

(even if you don’t plan to participate, please reblog and share this post so others will see it!)

[cryptotheism]

The One-Hundred and Twelve Books (of which only thirty survive) are a series of short, vaguely-related treatises on alchemy. A notable innovation here is the introduction of organic materials like plant and animal products. To many previous alchemists, the human body was higher on the divine ladder of being than things like rocks and stones. Of course it was, we have things like language, and an immortal soul. Rocks don’t have those things. The idea that something as special as the human body would be subject to the exact same rules as lowly lumps of metal was a dramatic change from established alchemical logic. 

Previously, the closest alchemists would get to living tissue was old eggshells. Now, alchemists were theorizing about the alchemical effects of all sorts of plants and fluids. This was a significant paradigm shift for alchemy. Now semen could be involved. Which was important. Don’t laugh. It was important. This was one of the first steps alchemy took towards iatrochemistry, the idea of using alchemy to cure disease. 

The Jabirian Corpus, Today on Patreon

[fma-lgbtqia-week]

FMA LGBTQIA+ WEEK✨️

What is a better time to launch such a week than during the Pride Month! (Nope, not the homonculus-named-Pride month, sorry Selim)

August 18-24💫

Run by the FMA community admin, @rene-of-the-blackouts, with the help of @detroyteck and @vikingpoteto❤️

You have an LGBTQIA+ FMA ship? You headcanon an FMA character as an LGBTQIA+? Have an AU for that? This is your time to shine!✨️

It doesn’t matter who, canon, headcanon, or AU, as long as you feel like your idea matches the theme of the week, please go ahead!

Please tag this blog and use #fma lgbtqia+ week tag. We'll create an AO3 collection, too:)

PROMPTS

Day 1: rose – holding on – Sci-fi AU;

Day 2: food – letting go – Folklore/Fantasy AU;

Day 3: secret – just another boring day – Modern-type AU;

Day 4: gift – with a heavy heart – Crossover/Fusion AU;

Day 5: goals – up to your (old) shenanigans – Swap AU;

Day 6: sightseeing – figuring out – Canon Divergence AU;

Day 7: family – alchemy mishap – an AU of your choice.

Prompt notes:

You're free to understand the prompts as you wish. Most of the AUs are actually umbrella AUs, meaning that you can choose the narrower idea to explore.

For example, by folklore, one may understand fairies, merfolk, dragons etc.

For crossovers/fusions, no one is telling you how much you are to take from the other piece of media: may be almost the entire universe, maybe be just some vague inspiration.

For the Swap AU, feel free to swap anything, from the age to their country.

Rules

1. Rules of the FMA community apply to the event (the ones stated below), but you do not have to be a part of it to participate in the event. You do not even have to have Tumblr. Feel free to post wherever and share the link with us or add it to the collection on AO3 (even as an external bookmark)

2. Respect other people's choices, ideas, and headcanons/AUs.

3. OCs, crossovers are allowed, but we strongly encourage you to avoid canon/OC, canon/reader, self-inserts, and focus on existing characters.

4. No hate-posting and no propagating anything illegal (note: it's not about not mentioning any crimes, we're talking about fma here, but, for example (not limited to), using the event to advertise... like selling illegal substances).

5. No AI. Even if you think you lack skill, we'll welcome your creation. No AI.

FAQ

Is *insert an idea* suitable for the event?

This is something for you to decide. We will not (and have no right to) deem something "not queer enough". Just act in good faith and don't abuse the event out of malice❤️

Are late entries allowed?

Sure! While we'd love to see your creations as soon as possible, we all have lives apart from the fandom, so don't worry about it! We'll still reblog every post we manage to track;)

Do we have to fill all the prompts?

Not at all! You're free to pick just one, more than one, or even combine them.

Can one day entry borrow ideas from another day prompts?

Sure! If you want to write about a character keeping secrets as a merperson with a heavy heart, we are not gonna stop you.

Can it be a series/multi-chapter fic/comics?

Whatever your heart desires!

Do you have to post every day?

No. Every new work is welcome, but you're free to just work on whatever day inspires you most.

Does it have to be the same character/ship/headcanon every day?

Nope! Feel free to create about a different character/pair/setting every day.

All in all, you're pretty free in what you do, we're here to give you ideas and hopefully inspire some creativity!:)

The askbox is still open!

May be updated when more questions come:)

We hope you'll have fun!✨️

Reblogs appreciated;)

P.S.: if you want to help with the promotion of the event, reach out to us!

(c) The screenshot is from FMA03, ep. 5:)

[avatatewrites]

Thankyou thankyou and congrats on the WCBF chapter!! I hope you are already digging into your TBR list! I was wondering, what’s on it?

(pls note that currently, your Daine x Sloane ship is ranking higher than the OG Xaden x Violet and this fic keeps taking re-read precedence over my entire tbr list…which has now promptly been abandoned now I’m back at work anyway 🥲)

If you keep flattering me like this, my ego will need its own post code. I cannot possibly thank you adequately for your comment, but... THANK YOU!

Ok, turning to my TBR... Currently, it's about 79 pgs long, so I'm just going to give you a fraction of the Empyrean fanfics currently on it, presented in no particular order. As you can see, there's a lot I plan to cram into the next week!

Lights, Camera, Bitch, Smile by @ellebellewritesfic and @curlyhairedkatniss: I actually just finished reading this, but I immediately wanted to read it again, so I'm counting it. It was quick, fun and PERFECT. I read it while I drank wine and ate cookies, and at the end, my cheeks were hurting from smiling so much. I would not change a single thing, and I truly cannot recommend enough if you're in the market for something lighthearted.

The Underpants Heist by yams77: I don't have words for how much I love this concept, and I have heard it's INCREDIBLE. I'm so, so, so excited to read this, and I wish I had something more poignant to say than that, but I don't.

Stay Your Pretty Eyes on Course by theoneiam2277 (@theoppositequeens): This is Slain omegaverse. Slain. Omegaverse. 'nuff said. A ship isn't a true ship until it has an omegaverse fic, and I'm pretty sure (?) this is the Slain ship's first/only? I just started the first chapter of this (with a glass of pinot grig in hand sitting by the fire pit), and I'm having the absolute best time. 11/10, no notes.

I love you, I'm sorry by mierelsorren: I very nearly broke my 'no reading while I'm in active writing mode' rule for this one, because SO MANY people are talking about it on the RQ discord. I have heard it's exquisite agony, and I cannot wait to sob, weep, bawl my fucking eyes out.

Flirting With Death (and Possibly Brennan) by wedonotsharekills: I'm so intrigued by this concept that my skin itches, and I'm nearly frothing at the mouth bc I just saw the second story in the series was Slain. SIGN ME UP.

Just Ask by @suebswrites: I went to start reading this the day I posted my first chapter of WCBF, then realised it was excellent about two sentences in, then realised I simply had to wait to read it because it was so good that it was going to influence my writing if I didn't. I wasn't a huge fan of how canon Halden panned out, so I feel like I'll be a sucker for any story that has a compelling/interesting Halden, which I have heard this story has! Also, Suebs is a wonder, and a rockstar, and I'm about to be the single most annoying/prolific commenter on and live reactor to her work until I go back into writing/hermit mode. Sorry in advance, Suebs!

Zihnal's Two by @june-s-pumpkins: In the spirit of full disclosure, June is actually one of my fav people on the internet (I don't know if I've told her yet, so this might be a very grand gesture), BUT that's not why this story is on my TBR. I was robbed - robbed, I say! - of a heist in Onyx Storm, and I demand justice. This is a canon compliant take on the research heist, and a lot of people who I think are incred love it, so I cannot WAIT to read it.

The Alchemy by @pretty-pleaseee: This is a modern medical AU with Violet/Xaden, Imogen/Garrick and Dain/Sloane. Please sign me all the way the fuck up. A lot of people say this is one of their fav comfort fics (and I'm ready to be one of the people who says that). ALSO, I already peeked at chapter 1 and IT'S SO GOOD.

I've probably missed some important ones, so if I think of more later that are high on my TBR, I'll add them in the comments!

[ecoterrorist-katara]

Hey bestie any zutara fic recs. I feel like I’ve read all the classics.

Hello anon! Oh boy have you come to the right place because I have read several million words of these two dorks falling in love and though I plan to read several million more, I am always down to screech about talented fanfic writers!!! Here are most of my faves, some of which you’ve probably read but my enthusiasm simply needs an outlet. No WIPs to minimize heartbreak.

In the spirit of not recommending too many classics, I’m not including anything from the first page of the Katara/Zuko tag on AO3 sorted by kudos, with one exception. Same rule does not apply to FF.net because nobody visits that site anymore, yet we mustn’t forget our roots!!! 

TL;DR of my Zutara Fic Recs: 

Half Asleep for a Miyazaki-esque adventure romance 

Southern Lights for a sweeping epic where A Song of Ice and Fire meets Middlemarch

Refraction for a swoon-worthy post-war political romance ft. Katara learning how to politick in a patriarchal world 

Stormbenders for a fun undercover romance that is a ZK classic for a very good reason 

Another Word for Alchemy and The Slow Path for hilarious yet emotionally compelling adventures with found family themes 

The Undying Fire for world-building, more Gaang shenanigans, and super satisfying slow canon divergence 

Katara Alone for our fave girl’s post-war Bildungsroman/travelogue/heroic tour

Simple Misunderstanding for a hilarious rendition of Ponytail Zuko capturing Katara and trying to not be a creep

Clothe Me in Seasons, Dress Me in Snow for a mostly canon-compliant (so, v angsty) story about the different ways that love can evolve 

And some one-shots and modern AUs I feel like deserve some more love 

Summaries, reviews, and general fangirling under the cut because holy shit this post is long lmao 

Long fics / series: 

Half Asleep, by crushinator | Rating: T | Word Count: 82,335

Summary: Five years after the Hundred-Year War, Fire Lord Zuko is hit with an assassin's dart, and falls into a coma from which he cannot wake. A week passes, and his prognosis is grim. But Katara could swear she hears him in her dreams.

My thoughts: this fic, in many ways, is novel quality. The pacing? Immaculate. The action scenes? Exciting and interesting yet super easy to visualize. The characterization? On point. Katara is peak Miyazaki heroine in this, setting out on a quest to the Spirit World to save her boy (who’s not really her boy) from whichever Eldritch horror has him in its clutches. I love the little glimpses we have of the mutual pining between Katara and Zuko, and there are no words to describe how much I love the resolution of Katara and Aang’s relationship in this story. And oh boy, is the climax of the fic super romantic. This is just a really well written, emotionally compelling, tight fic. Deserves to be a fandom classic. 

Southern Lights, by colourwhirled | Rating: M | Word Count: 769,274

Summary: A world where the Avatar has disappeared from memory. Where Sozin’s Conquest was successful. Where the unsteady order of the empire is threatened as members of the royal family are picked off one by one and lines are slowly drawn in the sand One last chance for peace forces an unlikely alliance between a homesick waterbender, a carefree Air Nomad, a runaway Earth Kingdom heiress, and the fire lord's inscrutable son. Together they must learn to shed old enmities and become the balance they seek to restore to the world.

OR:

The avatar has four heads.

My thoughts: Is it a Bildungsroman? Is it a war story? Is it a politics story? Is it a love story? Is it a friendship story? Is it a story about colonial violence and well-meaning complicity and finding justice in a world where it simply doesn’t seem to exist? Yes to all of the above, because at 700k+ words YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL. You know how Virginia Woolf once said that Middlemarch is one of the few novels written for grownups? Well, Southern Lights feels adult, not because of violence or sex or general grimness (looking at you, HBO), but because it’s fundamentally about having the courage to make choices, live with the consequences, and make more choices, and repeat that over and over again. If Katara is a Miyazaki heroine in Half Asleep, she is full on Daenarys (pre-character assassination) in Southern Lights, a heroine who gets put through her paces yet retains her unwavering resilience to find her place in the world. Katara can be pretty frustrating in this and I know a lot of the commenters on this fic wanted to smack her up the head halfway through, but I support women’s rights and women’s wrongs and her decisions make sense to me even when I also want to smack her for them, and isn’t that a symptom of good writing? I count my lucky stars that I joined the ATLA fandom after this fic is finished (which was only last year!) because I got to binge it in a few days and I have not been the same person since. Deserves classic status. 

Refraction, by caroe3725 | Rating: E | Word Count: 215,249

Summary: Making choices after the war was supposed to be the easy part. Her future decided and neatly packaged based on what everyone else wanted for her, what she should want, too. But Katara’s destiny had a funny way of being exactly what she wanted to run from. (As if anyone needed another Zutara post-finale slow burn after 15 years.)

My thoughts: YES WE DEFINITELY NEEDED ANOTHER POST-WAR ZK SLOWBURN OF SUCH IMMACULATE QUALITY. Both Katara and Zuko’s internal monologues are excellent in this, but I particularly love Zuko’s. The writer is so good at capturing his resolve, his earnestness, and his awkwardness. This is a very restrained fic — no great histrionics — but also incredibly romantic. The first kiss scene made me want to both sigh and screech. I’m also just a huge sucker for “Katara learns politics” which this fic has in spades, with a bonus of very thoughtful gender dynamics. Anyway, if you liked AJ Lenoire’s The Summit or andromeda13’s such selfish prayers, you’d probably like Refraction. Zuko and Katara are very much dumb teens in the beginning portions of this fic, which I personally like because it makes me nostalgic. Oh, and Katara is low key chaotic good in this, which is super in-character and hilarious.

Stormbenders, by Fandomme | Rating: T | Word Count: 171,000+ 

Summary: S3 AU from FBM. Deep in the Fire Nation jungle, the Gaang meets a group of rogue water ninja who send Zuko and Katara on a mission to retrieve Ozai's secret battle plans.

My thoughts: I’m aware that if you asked the average ZK shipper ten years ago what the ship classics are, the answers are probably Stormbenders, His Majesty Prefers Blue, and the Sparrowkeet series. The other classics are good (classics for a reason!), but Stormbenders remains my favourite. It’s funny. It’s exciting. It’s WELL PACED. The ZK relationship grows so organically, which is a huge feat considering this fic was started before we even got The Southern Raiders. The events are a little more adult than the show, but the tone remains very ATLA. There’s a lovely little animatic of the beginning of the scene on YouTube to show you exactly what I mean about the tone and the humour. I am always weak for a well-structured adventure romance, and Stormbenders stands the test of time because it’s just such a well-written fic. 

The Undying Fire, by Boogum | Rating: T | Word Count: 534,665

Summary: "He has the eyes, Princess Ursa." They were half-forgotten words, a whisper of fears never explained. Zuko had dismissed it all as nothing to worry about—until he somehow healed the Avatar. Fire healers weren't meant to exist, except he did. He'd saved the kid's life. Naturally, he wanted answers. Too bad finding them wasn't so simple...

My thoughts: This fic is mostly Gen, and Zutara shows up in the latter half of the series. Despite being a ZK shipper I like plenty of Gen fics too, and The Undying Fire gives me the best of both worlds. I love the world building, the humour, and the slow ramp up of the Gaang friendships. I absolutely love how the canon divergence is so subtle at first and gradually unfurls into something super different, yet retains much of its ATLA charm. Boogum’s written some other bangers too, and I have to give honorable mention to Zuko’s Tiny Dilemma (where a spirit transforms ponytail Zuko into his six-year-old self, and Uncle into a teapot, and somehow it becomes an emotionally compelling 100k word saga) and Following Blue (season 2 canon divergent Bluetara with a bigger focus on romance). 

Katara Alone & associated fics by cablesscutie | Rating: T | Word Count: 86,890

Summary: The war is over, and with it goes the only life she has ever known. In this era of love and peace, the world is becoming new, and Katara is unsure of her place in it. That's okay though. Katara has rebuilt her life from scratch before, and she will do it again.

My thoughts: I love post-war “Katara sets out to find herself and also finds Zuko” fics. Katara Alone is a fabulous coming-of-age story with some good old fashioned letter flirting during Katara’s solo travels. The sequel, Lady of the Tides, has some very thoughtful depictions of Katara’s place within the post-war Fire Nation, and the accompanying story from Zuko’s POV, The Fire Lord at Home, hits all my buttons. Like…Zuko is Fire Lord Good Boy! He passes legislation! There is political optimism! Swoon. 

Another Word for Alchemy, by FanPanda 13 | Rating: T | Word Count: 108,000+ 

Summary: Five years have passed since the Avatar defeated Fire Lord Ozai, and the members of the Gaang have all gone in their own direction. But when Aang invites them all to a Peace Summit at the North Pole and tells them of his new project, for which he will need their support, the group comes together again for adventure, fun and romance. AU. Zutara. COMPLETE.

My thoughts: Now this is a fic that thoroughly crept up on me. The first 3/4 is good old fashioned fluffy, funny, fourth wall-breaking Gaang shenanigans with plenty of Zutara. But the last quarter? Oh boy does it come right at you and slam you in the solar plexus with the platonic love and found family feels and the complexities of those feelings when you’re a teenager. The impact of Aang’s loss of the Air Nomads is treated very thoughtfully here, way more so than in the show. 

The Slow Path, by TazmainianDevil | Rating: T | Word Count: 125,723 

Summary: Eight years after the fall of Ozai, Aang returns to the friends he left behind.

My thoughts: This is actually a Taang story with a great ZK subplot. But what I love about it is that the whole Gaang (including Suki ALWAYS INCLUDING SUKI) is superbly characterized. The ZK banter is top notch. I could actually hear their voices in my head in some of the scenes. Their relationship is playful but has plenty of emotional heft. And the plot is exciting and well-developed. My favourite thing, though, is how the author treats Toph’s POV: it’s very thoughtfully written, with consideration towards how she perceives the world.

Simple Misunderstanding, by ShamelessLiar | Rating: T | Word Count: 80,965 

Summary: Katara was captured by Zuko, but there was a lapse in communication. Takes place after The Fortuneteller. Fierce Katara, honorable Zuko, and meddlesome Iroh. Also, music night

My thoughts: Generally I don’t love fics where Katara gets captured, especially by Zuko (just a personal preference, not here to judge). But! I love this one, because…well, the circumstances of Katara’s capture by Ponytail Zuko are simply hilarious. Katara is suspicious and stubborn; Zuko has a one-track mind and doesn’t understand why Iroh is treating his prisoner so nicely; oh, and Aang gets into an amazing side quest with some spiritual animals. The only thing about this story is that it ends a little abruptly since the author was considering a sequel, but it still reads as a standalone fic. The author also wrote His Majesty Prefers Blue and Call Me Katto, two ZK classics, but Simple Misunderstanding is far and away my favourite work. 

Clothe Me in Seasons, Dress Me in Snow, by sadladybug | Rating: T | Word Count: 62,026

Summary: It is not the memorial she deserves, nor the one she would want. But it can't be helped. He owns no property in the other nations, and he needed to keep her close. Closer than she was in life, anyway. Zuko's reflections on a life lived and a life that could have been.

Review: sadladybug lives up to the username by creating a sadness so contagious that I have yet to recover from it, and I cope by recommending this fic to other Zutara shippers so that more may suffer like I did. (Stop the cycle? No.) Look — I think there’s something extremely beautiful and poetic about a love that changes in nature and form and expression, but not in intensity and devotion, and that’s what this fic is about. Loved it. Never reading it again. 

One shots: 

There’s a category of canon-compliant Zutara one-shots that are all extremely painful, and I cannot get enough of them: in the next life by we-were-angels, taking place right before Katara’s wedding to Aang; water can heal, water can break by crazyache, about why Katara didn’t attend Yakone’s trial. 

To combat the above, here’s a few funny, fluffy ones that make me cackle: i am older now by ama (who wrote the banger that is The Blackfish and the Dragon), an old!ZK fic that I read to counteract the emotional damage inflicted by psychedelic_aya’s we hold our hearts in silence; all good things start with tea by yodalorian, where Zuko’s hapless Disney sidekick-esque advisors try to get him a wife; And Half at One Another’s Throats by songofhopeandhonor (whose account is deleted), about Zuko’s harebrained proposals to Katara; The Dragon of the West’s Guide to Flirting by bluesunflower44, which is exactly what it says on the tin and the awkward disaster you’d expect. Waiting on a Steady Sun, by nire, is a long version of my favourite tropes: fake marriage + idiots to lovers ft. pining for your spouse. 

I generally don’t love modern AUs, but akaiiko’s talk is cheap (and i’ve got expensive taste), where Katara meets Zuko at a frat party, is a whole damn delight; my old aches become new again by jamesstruttingpotter is a wonderfully indulgent modern AU based on Our Beloved Summer. 

And finally, some season 3 character studies: don’t tell me how to feel by paintingcranes, ft Katara at the Western Air Temple being increasingly incensed at both Zuko trying to be helpful and how other people react to his helpfulness; the other side of mercy by crazyache, where Sokka calls Katara “high-strung and crazy” and that really makes Zuko think; The Silent Garden by romilley (whose WIP The Horizon is also fabulous), where Katara and Zuko avoid their feelings through a reluctant-allies-with-benefits arrangement (ft a way of depicting intimacy and sex that makes me think of Normal People); a deep delight of the blood by eruthros, where Zuko asks Katara to practice bloodbending on him out of pragmatism but also a little bit of guilt (it’s unrated, but that “Kink Without Sex” tag is there for a reason). 

Thank you for asking me for my recs, anon, because I needed an outlet to rave about fanfiction and my irl friends have heard enough. Feel free to ask me questions about specific fics that aren’t on this list: I always love talking to people about fic and I’m always looking for new ones to read!

[blueteller]

Hi, dear cool person! Do you happen to know if all magic circles in lcf are drawn on the ground or if some types can be done in the air? Do they need a physical surface for them to work? I got a little confused by that and couldn't find an explanation yet (⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠)

Hello, "dear cool person"! 😊 I admit, no one ever brought up that kind of question to me, and I think it's worth investigating!

First of all, to make things clear: TCF/LCF uses what we call "Soft Magic System". In other word, the rules concerning magic are vague, without much elaboration from the narrative – which I have to add, does NOT equal poor world-building.

People often toss around Fullmetal Alchemist as an example of good world-building (which everybody who knows me is probably aware, is one of my favorite series of all time), without understanding that FMA uses "Hard Magic System" as it plays a vital role in the story. How alchemy works is very important to the plot and its themes. While my inner nerd absolutely loves it, I must remind myself that it's not a required element for a story to be well crafted. There are many series which go into great detail about their magic systems, but that doesn't actually guarantee it will be successful in making the story enjoyable.

"Soft" or "Hard" magical world-building, what actually matters is how it's used.

So, in TCF we are dealing with "Soft Magic System", because how magic works is never actually important to the story itself; what the characters are doing matters far more than what exact tools and powers they're using. The "what" of their capabilities is always more emphasized over the "how".

Obviously, we know some of what magic can do, as we get many example throughout the series. We also know that there are multiple other powers in that world aside from mana-based magic. For example, regular magic can be used to create fire, cast illusions, teleport, levitate objects, and even for telepathic communication. Dead mana magic can be also used in similar ways, like casting illusions or creating light. There are also powers of Nature, Beast People abilities, Earth Abilities, Divine Powers, and quite a few of others.

But the question is about arrays specifically. Let's try to find a couple of examples to work with.

We know that circles CAN be drawn, at the very least. The earliest instance of an array being used was way back during the Plaza Terror Incident, when blood-crazy mage Redika tore up a teleportation scroll to escape the plaza. So we see that certain spells can be pre-made and are one-use only, which makes sense. Not everyone seems capable of teleportation, especially long-distance. Remember, Dragons are super rare and the fact that Cale has basically unlimited access to instant teleportation through Raon is basically cheating lol. I assume it's both difficult and expensive to create even a single scroll like that. It requires lots of effort and preparation, not to mention it's set for a given location – the word "coordinates" is often dropped throughout the story.

We also know that circles can be created through magic in an instance, as that's basically what Raon and Eruhaben do every time they teleport. But once again, they're Dragons, so I assume you have to be Arch Mage level to do that type of stuff without literally drawing the array. Definitely not something Redika was capable of. I also suspect Rosalyn could do that, but that's because she's a rare talent of her own – not to mention how Eruhaben taught her on top of it.

I struggle to find any example of array-based magic that ISN'T about teleportation, however. Perhaps all arrays ARE meant exclusively for transportation in TCF? Feel free to correct me if you find any evidence to the contrary. Another example that comes to my mind is when they were teleporting the Castle of Light, later re-named Black Castle, into the Forest of Darkness. We know it required a huge amount of power, which was why Eruhaben asked Cale for magic stones. We didn't actually SEE them cast the array, however, so we don't know if they literally needed to draw one around the castle, or if they used their Dragon powers again to simply make it with magic.

There are several conclusions I draw from all of this.

First, most if not all examples of array-based magic in TCF are teleportation-related. So either all arrays are about teleportation, or teleportation is a very complex brand of magic (which would make sense) and arrays are exactly for that type complex magic, so they could be also used for other things.

Second, it seems that drawing arrays is a "human method", but it is unnecessary for Dragons, as they can use magical shortcuts. So naturally, I don't think they need a solid surface to work with when they're casting spells.

Third, arrays can be either instantly used and created – if you're powerful enough that is – or they can be pre-made and "loaded", then used for emergencies via deliberate disruption. I also assume you don't need to be a mage to use a teleportation scroll, if it already contains all the magic needed.

And that's basically all I have to say about magic circles in TCF! I hope this was helpful 💖

[lin-sterling]

my masochism turned out very well for my gaming experience. it takes longer for me to gather herbs with no gather radius but I actually have a reason to go out of my way to do it other than brewing potions for myself. I'm constantly counting groschen because of self imposed no thieving rule plus every trader hated my guts in the beginning, so gathering and selling herbs (or potions if I'm not too lazy to make extra) is now a way to get reputation up with whoever might buy them and make a little bit of coin too. so there's no 1k dandelions just piled up uselessly in my stash.

plus being a numbskull with 60% slowdown makes me do more shit to level up my skills. oh, and tougher economy mod is still doing it's job quartering my income from selling gear. not to mention combat rebalance shit I have installed...

and it's not like I'm struggling playing like this mind you, but it just feels like I'm actually surviving with more thought put into my action plan rather than leveling alchemy up in one night and craftsmanship after fixing a pile of pants, making god tier weapons and potions and randomly materializing a sack of coins in like two days.

so if you ever feel like your kcd2 experience needs more pain and you wanna join me in my gaming self flagellation, here are some mods recommendations!

Realish Enemies

Realish Wounds

Realish Weapons and Armor

Realish Hunting

Realish Stealth

Realish Speed

Tougher Economy (I use x0.25 version. the reason I use this instead of Realish Economy despite Realish series of mods having a permanent spot in my mods list is the fact that this mod doesn't affect buying prices. for extra suffering of course lol)

Bad Reputation (I use very bad version)

Increased Herb Gathering Radius (I use single herb gathering version from optional files, who needs to increase the radius pfft) (also I think this one is kinda optional even for me, I just personally felt like kcd2 is a bit generous with gathering radius so I installed this and I'm fine playing with it. but maybe it's not really needed)

Numbskull Rebalance (I use 60% version but there's 80% version for even sicker fucks than I)

No Merchant Stash Theft

Reduced Food and Pots Values (I use hardcore version)

I really like all of these combined with hardcore mode (currently using Numbskull, Punchable Face and Hangry Henry perks) and keeping myself from stealing shit. MOSTLY. I still loot corpses I come across, they don't need stuff and no one sees me do it anyway. also I stole a horse from a bandit camp and sold it but idk why is that considered to be theft lol

in conclusion, I'm a masochist and I want to seduce you into joining me in pain

by the way, did you know that I love Darkest Dungeon? makes sense doesn't it