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soobmint · 4 years ago

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paper hearts | choi soobin [f] ; [c] 80s! au, 9.6k words

s u m m a r y ; if there was one thing you wanted to avoid on valentine’s day, it was running into your ex best friend, choi soobin. but when a series of unfortunate events involving too much purple eyeshadow, drunken punches, and one stolen bicycle leads you right back to his side, you begin to realize that maybe you truly belonged with him all along.

c o n t e n t s ; soobin x fem!reader, 80s! au, valentine’s day, ex best friend! soobin, rich boy! soobin, but he’s a major dweeb and the biggest softie, yeonjun is a major prick (i’m so sorry junnie), reader is a part time worker, soobin is best friends with lee felix of stray kids, some themes of social classes, roughly inspired by the 80s movie “pretty in pink,” mentions drugs, alcohol, and single parent households, mostly just fluff, fluff, and more fluff, with a hint of crack/humor

n o t e ; hello friends! this was a very quickly planned, last minute valentine’s day idea, and it’s actually a collab with one of my dearest friends, @chanluster ! she posted her piece of the collab as well, you can check it out by going to the collab masterlist here! this was so much fun to write and i think that 80s! soobin was just too good of a concept to pass up! anyways, happy valentine’s day, i hope you enjoy this oneshot! do leave a like, reblog, or comment if you could, it really helps so much <3

[back to my masterlist] [oneshot playlist]

IF ONE MORE CUT-OUT, CRAFT-PAPER HEART HIT YOU IN THE FACE, YOU WERE GOING TO QUIT YOUR JOB.

Of course you would never actually quit. With your mother out of the picture and your father working nonstop overtime just to barely have enough cash to put food on the table for the both of you, you had come to rely on your minimum wage part-time hours more than you liked to admit. However, the handmade strings of paper hearts that hung from wall to wall throughout the entirety of the record shop you were employed at was enough to make you consider it; not to mention the Phil Collins record that had been spinning all day, filling your ears with melodies embodying the very air of romance, and the embarrassing pink sweater your boss had forced you to wear. You mumbled curses beneath your breath as you pulled at the collar, itching away at your neck.

When you made a step towards a crate full of records, ready to tidy it up after a customer had rummaged through it leaving it a mess, you were met with another face full of cheap red construction paper. With a large growl of exasperation, you swatted at the hearts and accidentally caused the entire string of them to fall to the ground. You cleared your throat, glad that no customers were present to see your little outburst.

Your boss, Jen, still saw it all.

“That’s not very festive of you, kid,” She said, taking a drag on her cigarette. “It’s Valentine’s Day! Lighten up.”

“Ah, my bad. I forgot that I was supposed to be overjoyed on the day honoring the execution of St. Valentine,” You said as you gave her a sarcastic smile. “I’ll make sure to smile at the next couple that walks in and ask them how they plan to contribute to the commercialization of a martyr’s death.”

“You must be real fun at parties,” Jen mumbled. She shook her cigarette at you from behind the counter. “You’re just bitter because you don’t have a valentine. I can’t blame anyone for giving you the cold shoulder with that attitude of yours.”

You scowled, picking up the string of hearts that you had sent crashing to the floor. “I’m not bitter, and I don’t want a date. Also, I told you to stop smoking inside! It smells awful.”

“Last I checked, this was my shop, not yours.” You rolled your eyes as you approached the counter, handing the discarded string to Jen so she could throw it in the trash. “Now you’re making me do chores for you too? You’ve got some nerve, I’ll give you that.”

“Jen, please, I’m really not in the mood for this today.”

Jen shrugged, bending towards the trash can to throw away the string of hearts when she paused and pulled something from the bin. You glanced over your shoulder and gasped when you saw what she held in her hand—a small red envelope with your name scrawled across the front and a pink heart-shaped sticker stuck on the back.

“What’s this?” Jen asked, opening the envelope and shaking out the contents. A single slip of paper fell out, landing atop the counter. You rushed to grab it, but Jen snatched it up just before your fingers reached the countertop.

“Give me that,” You insisted, face growing warm. “I threw it away for a reason!”

“It’s an invitation to a party?” She seemed beyond surprised, glancing back and forth between you and the paper several times. “You got invited to a Valentine’s Day party, and instead of going, you asked me to give you extra hours? Why?”

You looked down at your feet, digging the toe of your sneaker into the blue carpet. There were, in fact, many reasons why you did not want to go to that party. They were as follows:

One: Choi Yeonjun was the one who had invited you. After you had rejected his offer when he asked to take you to a basketball game a month before, you could barely make eye contact with him in the school hallway without feeling guilty. That and the fact that he was one of the richest preps in the school, you knew he had just been asking you out for some sort of prank or dare that you preferred to not potentially fall victim to.

Two: you needed to work as much as you could. Money, as always, was tight for you and your father. There was no way you would sacrifice precious hours to go to a party full of rich kids where nothing but humiliation was sure to await you.

Three: your old childhood friend and the one person you couldn’t bear to see was probably going to be there—Choi Soobin.

You had barely spoken to Soobin in the four years you had been in high school. Crossing paths with him in the cafeteria, turning down the same aisle of books as him in the library, all those tiny stolen glances and accidental encounters were the only bits of interaction you had kept throughout all that time. The worst part was, he hadn’t done anything wrong.

It was nothing but your own cowardice that had driven the two of you apart, and you were still too afraid to own up to it.

Instead of explaining all of this to Jen, you simply shrugged and said, “I dunno. It just sounds lame.”

Your boss sighed, holding the invitation out towards you. “Okay, I’m letting you off early. Go to the party.”

With wide eyes, you shook your head immediately. “Absolutely not. Why in the world would I go?”

“Well, first of all, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for you. Who knows when your next chance to go to a party will be.”

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes at that.

“Second, it’s a holiday! The only reason I even opened today was because you were begging me for hours. I thought it was because you were bummed about having no plans, but clearly it’s because you wanted an excuse to be a recluse.”

“Hey, I’m not a recluse.”

“Clearly.” She shook the invitation at you once more, brows raised. “If you go, I’ll raise your pay by fifty cents for the next month.”

Your ears perked up at that.

“Well?” She asked, well aware that she had hit the jackpot. “What'd ya say?”

Weighing the risks against the benefits, you bit the inside of your cheek.

“Make it a dollar and you’ve got a deal.”

“HAPPY VALENTINE’S, CHOI.”

When Soobin heard the sarcastic remark coming from his best friend, Felix, he had to fight back the urge to burst into tears then and there. He still wasn’t quite sure how Felix had convinced him to come, but he was already regretting it. The last thing he wanted to do to celebrate the day dedicated to love was spend it at a house party—or, as Soobin preferred to call them, any outcast high school kid’s version of hell on earth.

With a quick peek between his fingers, which he had used to cover his eyes immediately upon arriving at the site of the Valentine’s party, Soobin caught another eye-full of couples getting all too familiar with one another out in the open. He gulped, letting his hands grip the handles of the bike as he averted his gaze, choosing to cast his best glare at Felix, who was busy adjusting his ever-present beanie.

“Shut up,” he murmured, slowly sliding off the seat of his bike. He dusted off the worn, tearing cushion, glancing around the area. “Now quick, we gotta put our stuff somewhere safe.”

Felix looked aghast, making no moves to help Soobin in his search for a hiding spot. “What are you doing?”

“Tryna find a safe place for my bike?” He thought the answer to be somewhat obvious, but clearly Felix wasn’t on the same track of thinking. “You don’t know today’s world! Anyone is willing to steal nowadays.”

“Soobin, your bike is coughing up oil from its chains. It should be in its own care home at this rate.”

“I don’t wanna hear your slander, skater boy,” Soobin retorted, eyeing Felix’s ebony skateboard that he refused to be seen without. As if on cue, when he pushed his bike forward, the chains squealed, drawing the attention of a pair of particularly passionate individuals who had been wrapped up with one another moments before. Soobin ignored their annoyed stares, feeling his ears burn from embarrassment. He glanced back to Felix. “Help me find a hiding spot.”

Felix was anything but enthusiastic, but he began to help Soobin search nonetheless.

“Slide it in here, Soobs,” Felix called a few moments later. He was pointed to an empty space between the home’s perfectly trimmed bushes. Soobin pursed his lips together, pushing his large glasses further up the bridge of his nose—a nervous tick of his. Felix groaned, rolling his eyes. “Or you can leave it out in the open so it’ll spit more oil on the passersby? Is that what you want?”

“Fine, fine!” Soobin huffed, wheeling his bike over to the shrubbery, chains squeaking all the way. He carefully laid it beneath the brush and moved a few branches to cover it up nicely. He stood up straight, dusting his hands on the front of his loose blue jeans. “What about your skateboard?”

Felix gave the board a pat, awarding his most prized possession a dazzling smile one would expect to see a proud father giving his beloved son. But in reality, it was the school’s stoner grinning ear to ear at his old, dusty skateboard. “Nightrider stays with me.”

Soobin scrunched his nose, cringing on instinct. He still calls that thing by that stupid name?

Felix clapped him on the shoulder before he could make a remark, catching him off guard when he said, “Right. Let’s go and get your girl.”

There was nothing Soobin could do to stop the flush that rushed to his cheeks right away. Images of you, his ex-best friend and the only reason he had even come to this party in the first place, flashed through his mind. Had he not overheard Yeonjun invite you earlier that morning and then casually mention the encounter to Felix, there was no way he would have even stepped foot out of his house that night. Part of him was peeved, wishing he had never uttered a single word about you to his overbearing friend. Yet, deep down, there was hope within him—the tiniest sliver.

If there was even the slightest chance that he could talk to you that night, he would do anything. Even if it meant dealing with a stupid party, and the never-ceasing teasing he was bound to continue receiving from Felix.

“Don’t even say that,” He said, emphasizing each word as they walked up the front steps. Soobin had to glance down at his much shorter friend to see the devious grin on his freckled face.

“Say what? That she’s your girl, your woman, your one and only?”

The blush must have been creeping to his neck by that point. He could feel it. “I. . .” There were many things Soobin wished to say; angry words that would hopefully shut the blonde skater boy up real quick. But he couldn’t bring himself to say a single harsh word, so he sighed in defeat. “I can’t even say it.”

“That you hate me?” Felix only grinned even bigger, and Soobin couldn’t help the tiny defeated smile that slipped over his features. “Oh, I know. It’s because I’m too good of a best friend.”

They stepped into the house then, instantly being overwhelmed by loud music, boisterous laughter, and drunken yells echoing throughout the halls. Soobin latched onto Felix right away, gripping his friend’s sleeve as someone stumbled into him, a bit of beer spilling from their cup. He pushed his glasses up, only for them to slide right back down as he began to sweat.

“Maybe we should go home, Lix!” Soobin shouted to be heard over the noise as they travelled further into the house. “We can always try next year!”

“Stop being a scaredy-cat!” Felix shouted back, and Soobin thought he might actually begin to cry as they squeezed their way into the living room. Soobin nearly gagged at the strong smell of alcohol as it burned in his nose. The scene was nothing short of a nightmare to Soobin—loud voices, smoke rising in the air, vodka assaulting his nose and sweat beading on the back of his neck. He had never been one to drink, and he didn’t plan on starting that night; but he was beginning to understand what Felix meant when he had once told him it was nearly impossible to get through one of these parties sober.

He was about to make another complaint and beg to leave when someone from the crowd hollered his name, causing him to wince when he recognized that voice as the one that belonged to none other than Choi Yeonjun.

“Soobin! Where you been?”

Soobin smiled nervously at the school’s heartthrob—and textbook snobby rich kid—before he turned back to Felix. He didn’t want to leave his friend, but he knew that he would never hear the end of it if he ignored Yeonjun’s persistent calls. “I’ll be right back,” He promised Felix, still holding onto his sleeve.

“No, no,” Felix assured. “You go. You’ll probably find her around that place anyway.”

Soobin wasn’t so sure of that. You were definitely not of the right social standing to be caught amongst the circle of the school’s rich boys—which was why it had surprised Soobin that Yeonjun had invited you to the party in the first place. Your high school had its own caste system, and you were near the bottom of it.

And, as much as it pained him to admit it, Soobin was stuck at the very top with all the other rich snobs who cared about nothing more than their daily allowances that came straight from their daddy’s bank account.

“What about you, buddy?” He asked Felix, desperate for any excuse to remain by his friend’s side. He would have tried to bring Felix with him, but his friend was in an even worse social standing than you were—he was poor, and he was most known for being the school’s pothead. There was no way Soobin would willingly drag him into a situation where nothing but slander and torment awaited him.

“Me?” Felix shrugged, gripping his board tighter. “I’ll just smoke away the night.”

Soobin pouted, glancing back at the group of preps as they called for him once again. He sighed, clapping Felix on the shoulder. “Just make sure you won’t smell too much of it when I come back.”

Submitting himself to his doom then, he turned on his heel and slowly made his way to where the group of boys sat near the sofa, giving them a half-hearted wave.

“Why were you hanging around that Felix guy?” Yeonjun asked once Soobin had reached their circle. “Did he blackmail you or something?”

Soobin frowned, pushing his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “He’s my friend.”

Yeonjun rolled his eyes, brushing a hand through his perfectly-straightened ebony locks. “Sure he is. Tell me, do you see every kid you find on the streets as some sort of personal charity project? Or is it just Felix and—what was her name—” He snapped his fingers then before he said, “Y/N, right?”

Soobin didn’t respond—well, it was more like he couldn’t respond. By nature he was a very passive being, but nothing drew him closer to bouts of anger than when the people he cared about were being insulted right before him.

Especially when it came to you.

Yet, as much as he wanted to tell Yeonjun off or give him a nice shove into the smoke-stained walls, words failed him. They always did. Perhaps this was why you had abandoned him all those years ago. Nobody knew him better than you did, so of course you were able to see what he truly was beneath all the expensive clothes and nervous laughter—a coward.

He figured that he’d probably have left himself too.

“Drink up, buttercup.” The chipper voice that belonged to the other Choi in the small gathering of socialites, Choi Beomgyu, thrust a plastic red cup towards Soobin’s chest.

He shook his head, throwing another wavering smile in his direction. “No thanks. I don’t drink.”

Yeonjun rolled his eyes. “Of course you don’t. Why are you even here then?”

Once again, Soobin chose silence as his only response. He swallowed, patting the front pocket of his denim jacket. As the group of boys began conversing once more, he couldn’t help but let his eyes wander around the room, searching every drunken face for the features that belonged to you, trying to hear your name in every conversation, desperate for your voice to break through the blasting music and shouting voices.

“Who ya looking for there, Big Choi?” Soobin grimaced at the nickname. He was skinny, but incredibly tall, and nobody would let him forget that. “Big Choi” was one of his most common nicknames among the elitists. He despised it, but of course, he would never voice that aloud.

He glanced at Beomgyu and smiled nervously again, shaking his head. “Nobody.”

His eyes met Yeonjun’s and he gulped yet again as the latter eyed him with suspicion. It wasn’t as though he had anything to hide, but something about Yeonjun’s calculating gaze made his skin crawl.

He needed to escape. Just for a moment, at least.

“I’ll be right back. Going to find some water.”

He slipped out of the living room then, apologizing profusely to each couple he accidentally bumped into, bowing in remorse to each person’s toes his big feet happened to stumble over. He ached to be by Felix’s side—the stoned skateboarder had become somewhat of a security blanket to the taller of the duo—but his blonde friend was nowhere to be seen.

After snagging a bottle of water from the kitchen, Soobin managed to slip into an empty bathroom. He slammed the door shut and wasted no time in locking it. Letting out the biggest sigh of relief, he closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the door, taking a big gulp of the ice cold water.

He set the bottle on the counter and carefully reached into the front pocket of his jacket, his fingers finding the piece of paper he had been storing there all evening. He pulled it out and let his eyes wander over his middle school creation. It was a big heart, cut out from a scrap piece of red construction paper. Scrawled across it in his eight-grade handwriting were the words, Be mine this Valentine’s! His name was etched at the bottom, and at the very top, delicately printed in hot pink glitter glue, your name was written as well.

He had planned to give this to you four years ago on Valentine’s day. Everything had been planned out perfectly; he was to pick you up on his old, trusty bike. It wasn’t really made for two people, but the two of you had fashioned a makeshift extra seat for you to sit upon whenever you went places together.

He wanted to take you to the Dairy Shack, which was the local ice cream shop where the two of you spent the most time together. You always got a large chocolate shake to share, playing a quick game of rock, paper, scissors to decide who got to eat the cherry on top. He was going to order a shake and specially ask for two cherries that time, and planned to give both of them to you before he would bravely present you with the handmade card he had spent all day working on.

However, when he waited for you outside your house that day, the red dusk turned to pitch black night, and you never stepped foot out your door.

He had even gone up to your door a few times and knocked, but there was no answer. Eventually he pedalled off into the night, back to his house. He was disappointed, of course, but more worried than anything else. He had hoped you weren’t sick.

But when he saw you at school the next day, he knew that hadn’t been the case.

And when you ignored him calling your name as you passed by him in the hallways, he knew that something had drastically changed.

For weeks, Soobin was in great turmoil as he replayed your last few encounters together before you had stood him up. Perhaps you were angry that he had won the last few games of rock, paper, scissors? If he had known, he would have given you all the cherries for the rest of time if it meant you would still talk to him. He didn’t care about them—he cared about you.

He missed you.

And as weeks turned to months, and months turned to years, you still barely spoke to him, and he missed you more and more. The best friend he had wanted to take a step closer to had taken a thousand steps back from him, and he still had no idea why.

But that night, he was determined to find out.

Well, if he could muster up the courage to get a single word out, of course.

He folded the heart back up and stuck it back in his pocket, taking a deep breath as he observed himself in the fogged-up mirror. He fixed his bright blue hair that Felix had helped him bleach and dye, making sure the pieces fell over the corners of his eyes just right. He straightened his white turtleneck and cuffed the sleeves of his denim jacket until he was at least somewhat content with his appearance.

“You can do this, Soobs,” He told himself, adjusting his big round glasses further up the bridge of his nose. “That’s what Felix would say.”

“Hey, rich boy!” A loud scream came from outside the bathroom door, accompanied by harsh knocking that sent Soobin stumbling backwards until he fell in the shower, pulling the curtains down with him.

“Hurry up in there! I’m about to piss myself!”

Soobin let out a shaky sigh, scrambling to his feet as he rushed to fix the curtain he had torn down with his clumsiness. “Sorry,” he mumbled, though he doubted the person on the other side of the door could hear him.

He realized then with an ever growing dread that it would be a miracle if he survived the night long enough to even find you, but it would take the work of God himself for him to actually speak to you.

He figured it was time for him to start praying.

YOU KNEW IT WAS A MISTAKE TO LET JEN DO YOUR MAKEUP.

When she had stopped you on your way out the door with a compact of bright purple eyeshadow, you had turned her down right away. No way in all of creation were you walking in a party with such an atrocious color caked up to your brow bone.

“How can you say it’s gonna look bad if you haven’t even let me try?” Jen had asked.

You had given her a once-over, your lips pressed into a thin line. “If it’s gonna look anything like the way you do your own makeup, I’m gonna have to pass.”

After that snide remark, she had threatened to fire you if you didn’t let her apply the makeup. And so you obliged, though you didn’t have much of a choice.

The booming sounds of the party hit your ears before you had even reached the lawn. Screaming teens—well, there were probably some adults thrown in there as well—and the sound of music spilled through the open windows of the home. Couples and singles alike were scattered throughout the perfectly kept lawn that was now littered with empty cups and other assortments of garbage.

You looked down at your patchwork jeans and pink sweater, certain that you would be underdressed compared to the rest of the partygoers. But from the looks of things, as you carefully squeezed your way through the front door and into the home, everyone was probably too wasted to even notice your arrival, let alone care about your looks.

You caught a glimpse of your face in the hallway mirror, cringing at the sight of your eyeshadow. You had tried to wipe some of it away before arriving, but it simply smudged, giving you quite the shocking smoky, purple eye look. For someone who didn’t even know the difference between a paintbrush and a makeup brush, it was a bold look, to say the least.

If Soobin saw you looking like this, he’d probably have a heart attack.

Soobin.

In the midst of all your frantic preparation, you had nearly forgotten about the main reason why you had planned to avoid this party at all costs. With a quick glance around the room, you realized that he was nowhere to be seen. You wouldn’t have been surprised if he hadn’t shown up at all. He was never a fan of parties, anyway.

You crossed your arms over your chest and slowly slipped past the couples crowding the hallway with their limbs intertwined, mouths practically swallowing one another whole, until you reached the living room. Surprisingly, it was less crowded in here than you thought it might be. A few minglers were scattered about the room’s perimeter, but they all kept away from the center of the room, which was occupied by none other than Choi Yeonjun and all his brainless, rich-boy worshippers. You quickly scanned the group, not able to make out Soobin among them. When you realized he wasn’t there, you were partly relieved and partly disappointed. If was to be anywhere at this party, it would probably be with these guys.

With a quick turn on your heel, you planned to make your way out of the living room before Yeonjun could see you. The last thing you wanted was for the boy with a bruised ego to see you, regardless of whether or not he had been the one to invite you.

“Y/N? You came?”

Too late.

Plastering a forced grin to your face, you slowly turned to face Yeonjun, who had just called your name. He was eyeing you with slight surprise, but soon, a smirk slipped across his lips as he motioned for you to come over. You had to hold back your sigh, wishing there was some way for you to get out of this situation. It was all Jen’s fault that you had to show up in the first place. You decided you were going to demand an extra ten cents be added to your raise the next time you saw your pushy boss.

“Hey Yeonjun,” you said once you had walked over to him. “I figured I’d stop by for a minute or two, since you were kind enough to invite me.”

He smirked, glancing at a few of his friends. They shared a knowing laugh with one another, but the meaning of it was lost to you. You wanted nothing more than to get away from them, but that wasn’t an option.

“You’re too busy to go out with me to a basketball game but free enough to come to a party, huh?” He asked.

You blinked, digging your nails into your arms. “I’m sorry?”

“It’s fine, really,” He drawled, swirling his plastic cup of beer in his hand. “You didn’t think I’d be upset or anything did you? I only asked you out because I was dared to shack up with you. But I’m guessing you already knew that, since you’re so smart and all.”

Your eyes went wide, but you managed to control the rest of your expression. It was just like you had guessed—Yeonjun had invited you to the party with the sole purpose of making a scene.

If you survived the night, Jen was never going to hear the end of it.

“You’re not gonna say anything?” He asked, pushing himself to his feet. You could tell by the slight stumble in his step and his hooded eyes that he had quite a bit to drink. He took a step towards you, causing you to back up immediately. Your back hit the wall, and you placed your palms against it as Yeonjun towered over you.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. I know why you’re here anyways.” He leaned forward, his lips hovering near your ear. “You’re here to see Soobin, aren’t you? Since he’s the only one here willing to waste his time on filth like you.”

Your blood boiled, and you had to clench your fists at your sides to control your anger.

“Don’t,” You seethed, “Call me that.”

“Call you what? Filth? Or sweetheart? Why, is that something good old Binnie used to call you—”

He never got to finish that sentence, because with one big burst of anger, you stomped on his toe as hard as you could with your worn-out platform sneaker.

“What the hell!” He screeched, drawing the attention of several others in the room. His outburst even caused a few of the couples to pull away from each other’s faces long enough to eavesdrop.

Before you could even say anything back, lukewarm liquid was splashed up in your face, burning your eyes and nose. You gasped, running your hands over your eyes to see Yeonjun with his now empty cup of beer pointed towards you.

“Think twice before you act out against me next time, sweetheart. Never forget your place.”

Tears of anger burned in your eyes, and you scanned the room to see several people exchanging whispers and giggles as they glanced in your direction. You pushed past Yeonjun and quickly made your way out the back door of the house, unable to stand the humiliation for a moment longer.

Soobin arrived in the living room just in time to see you leave.

He wasted no time in rushing towards Yeonjun, grabbing hold of his arm. “Yeonjun, was that Y/N?” He asked, eyes quickly taking in the puddle of alcohol on the floor and the empty cup in Yeonjun’s hand. “What happened?”

“Nothing you need to worry your pretty blue head about, Big Choi. I just put her in her place is all.”

Soobin’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean you ‘put her in her place?’”

Yeonjun laughed, giving Soobin a nonchalant pat on the back. “Just drop it, would you? It has nothing to do with you.”

“What did you say, Yeonjun?”

Yeonjun was growing irritated now. He huffed out a breath, crossing his arms over his chest. “I said it has nothing to do with you, Soobin. I know you like to hang around people like that pothead Felix, but the rest of us live in the real world, where we’d rather not waste our time with those who have no future anyways. I bet he’s the one that got you to dye your hair that god awful blue, isn’t he?”

Soobin bit the inside of his cheek. He so badly wished to rip Yeonjun to shreds then and there. If he had Felix’s courage, the cocky bastard would have been knocked to the ground ages ago. But if there was one thing Soobin was sure he could never be, it was brave. And so, despite his rage, he remained silent, his eyes practically burning a hole through Yeonjun’s chest from how intently he was glaring.

It seemed as though Yeonjun was about to say something, but his eyes landed on the bit of red that peeked through the front pocket of Soobin’s denim jacket. Before Soobin had time to defend himself, Yeonjun had reached forward and snatched it from his pocket, revealing the large paper heart—his valentine for you.

“So this is why you care so much,” Yeonjun said, laughing as his eyes scanned the glittery words that decorated the page. “You want her to be your valentine.”

“Give that back,” Soobin said quietly, his hands beginning to shake.

Yeonjun instead lifted his eyes to Soobin, gave him a sickly sweet grin, and ripped the heart straight down the middle. He let the two pieces fall from his hands to the ground, and with them Soobin’s heart went also.

“You’re really willing to try and go against me, and for what? For the sake of a girl who can’t even afford a new pair of jeans and a boy that smokes his life away in the bathroom stalls?” Yeonjun took a slow step towards Soobin, his eyes glinting with a sinister determination. “You may be rich, Soobin, but if you choose to lower yourself to their standards, you may as well be dirt poor just like they are.”

With his hands clenched into tight fists, his glasses sliding down his nose, and his heart quite literally in two pieces on the floor below him, Soobin decided that he had had enough.

“I’d much rather be associated with people who are kind and have actual depth to their character than be lumped together with a bunch of pricks like you with no real personality—because that’s something you can’t buy with daddy’s paycheck.”

He had to physically restrain himself from slapping his hand across his own mouth in shock. It was as if the spirit of Felix himself had possessed him to say such harsh things. He wondered where Felix was then, wishing more than ever before to have his best friend by his side as he began to tremble from either the rush of adrenaline that coursed through his veins, or from fear. Or perhaps it was both.

He didn’t have time to ponder it any longer before Yeonjun’s fist collided with his nose, resulting in a sickening crack as pain echoed throughout his face in tidal waves.

He stumbled backward as people began to shout, raising his hand to his nose and gasping when he saw that his palm was covered in blood.

Beomgyu had his arms wrapped around Yeonjun, who was desperately trying to lunge towards Soobin once again.

“Knock it off, Yeonjun!” Beomgyu shouted, pushing the elder back. “His dad is on the school board! Are you trying to get expelled?”

Beomgyu looked over his shoulder at the still stunned Soobin, who was gaping at the blood that now stained his once white turtleneck.

“Get lost, Soobin,” Beomgyu said, to which Soobin only blinked in reply, his ears ringing.

“Now!”

Head spinning, Soobin picked up the two halves of his paper heart, stuffed them into his jeans, and stumbled out the same door he had seen you go through just minutes before. After checking to make sure his glasses were still intact—they were, thankfully—he shook his head in an effort to clear his mind of the static, eyes scanning the front lawn looking for any trace of you.

It didn’t take long for his eyes to spot you among the now dwindling crowd of partygoers. Your bright pink sweater stood out against the darkness, so he was able to recognize you even with your back towards him. He sniffed, wiping the back of his hand against his dripping nose as he slowly made his way to where you sat on the curb, your feet planted on the asphalt street. He wished that he looked a bit more presentable—when he played this scene out in his head over the years in which he would finally reunite with you, he never imagined himself dazed and covered in blood.

Desperate times called for desperate measures, he supposed.

When he reached you, he simply stood beside you in silence for a moment, unsure of what to say. He could tell that you sensed his presence, but you refused to look up at him as you kept your face buried in your hands. He could have sworn he heard a few muffled sobs slip through your fingers, but of course, he wasn’t going to bring that up.

Eventually he decided to slip his jacket off of his shoulders, leaning down to drape it over you. You still kept your head down as he sat beside you on the curb, but he watched you grip the jacket and pull it tighter around your body. He smiled a bit, holding the collar of his turtleneck against his throbbing nose.

“Thank you,” you muttered, wiping your hand across your eyes. You finally looked over at him, and when you did, you couldn’t hold back your gasp. “My God Soobin, what happened to your face?”

“Oh, well, I might have gotten punched,” He said quickly, trying to wave off your concern. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Punched? By who?”

He looked down at the ground, sniffing as a drop of blood hit the pavement. “Yeonjun,” he muttered under his breath.

“I’m sorry, did you just say Yeonjun? Are you insane? Why on earth would you butt heads with the Choi Yeonjun?”

Soobin didn’t say anything in response, he simply stared at you, eyes wide with beer dripping off the ends of your hair, makeup smeared across your face, your sweater stained down the front. It didn’t seem to take long for you to put the pieces together, as the shock left your face and was replaced with something akin to guilt.

“Oh,” You said, looking back down at your shoes.

“So she knows that I did it all for her,” Soobin thought.

For some reason, the idea of that both terrified and excited him.

A second later, he glanced over to see you ripping one of the hand-sewed patches of fabric off your jeans, leaving a square of your skin exposed to the chilly night air. You leaned towards him, pushing his hand away from his nose so you could use the patch to clean up some of the blood on and around his puffy red nose.

“Y/N, your pants!” He exclaimed, trying to push your hand away. “They’re ruined!”

“I’m not worried about my pants, you idiot,” You said, swatting his hand away as you continued to press the cloth against his skin. “You got punched in the face because of me, this is the least I could do.”

“That was my choice though,” He muttered, although he stopped trying to resist your touch. He ignored the way his heart thrummed harder in his chest, hoping that you couldn’t hear.

“Well, this is my choice too.” Your eyes flicked to his for a brief moment, your bottom lip pulled between your teeth. “Why did you do it, by the way?”

“Do what?”

“Stand up to Yeonjun for me and get a nasty nosebleed as a result.”

“Oh.” He blinked slowly, keeping his eyes fixed on yours. “Just ‘cause.”

“Because . . . ?”

“Because of you.” He blurted, causing your hand to go still against him. He swallowed his fear, braving the best smile that he could. “Just you. That was my only reason.”

You didn’t say anything as your hand fell from his face, the cloth clutched between your fingers. The anxiety he had tried his best to suppress came rushing up all at once, and he was surprised that his ears didn’t begin to squeal like a tea kettle from all the pressure.

“Y/N,” He said, gently placing his hand over yours despite how his fingers trembled. “Why did you pull away from me?”

“What?”

“Four years ago. Why did you stop talking to me?”

You were quiet for a moment, digging into the ground with the toe of your sneaker. Soobin held his breath until you finally replied with, “I was afraid.”

“Afraid? Of what?”

“We were getting older, Binnie,” You said, and his heart skipped at the use of your old nickname for him. “You and I, we’re from very different walks of life. You get to hang out with people like Yeonjun, whereas I get a cup of beer poured all over my face just for existing, and you get a fist to the nose for trying to stand up for me. We’re from different sides of the track, one might say.”

“So?” Soobin asked, his hand tightening around yours. “Did you really think that would affect us that much, Y/N?”

You frowned, glancing down at his hand over yours.

“I thought you’d be embarrassed of me,” You said, your voice barely above a whisper.

“Embarrassed?” Soobin’s eyes went wide as he gripped your hand tighter still, pulling it into his lap. “Y/N, I would never, ever be embarrassed of you. Besides, have you seen my best friend? He’s on a first name basis with the principal because of how often he gets written up for smoking behind the school. If I’m not embarrassed of him, why would I ever be embarrassed of you?”

You laughed, wiping the back of your hand across your eyes once more. “I guess I was worried about nothing, huh?” You sniffed, giving his hand a squeeze. “I’m sorry, Soobin.”

He shook his head, squeezing your hand right back. “Don’t apologize. You’re here now, that’s what matters. Do think we could—you know—”

“Pick up where we left off?” You smiled, nodding vigorously. “I’d like that very much, Binnie.”

He beamed then, almost pinching himself to be sure that he was not dreaming, but the pain in his nose was real enough to remind him of that on its own. He jumped to his feet, pulling you right up with him.

“In that case, how about we finally go on that Valentine’s date I had planned all the way back then?”

“Date?” You asked, a brow raised. “Is it really considered a date if two friends are just hanging out?”

He didn’t respond as he pulled you along behind him towards the bushes where he and Felix had hidden his bike. He crouched down and moved the branches aside, feeling his heart drop to his stomach when he realized that his bike was, in fact, no longer there.

He shot up, turning to face you with eyes wide. “Felix—that bastard took my bike!”

You were quiet for a moment, but then, you burst into boisterous laughter, leaving Soobin utterly confused.

“It’s not funny, Y/N!” He whined, shoving your shoulder lightly. “I was supposed to take you to the Dairy Shack on my bike!”

“It is funny,” You said between bursts of laughter. “Only you would get such a rusty old piece of metal stolen from you.”

He pushed his lips out in a pout, sliding his glasses up his sore nose. “It’s a good bike, don’t make fun of it.”

You grinned, interlocking his fingers with yours, which was enough to instantly wipe the pout right off his face.

“Let’s just walk, Binnie. The Dairy Shack isn’t that far anyways.”

You were right; the walk to your favorite milkshake place was very close to the house where the party had occurred. Although Felix stealing his bike had thrown an obvious wrench in his plans, it was a minor hiccup, and one he could most definitely handle. Besides, he wouldn’t have to see Felix until the next day anyways. He could deal with his frustration then.

At least, that’s what he thought anyways, until the two of you spotted Felix at the skatepark on your way to the dairy shack.

Soobin’s eyes took in the deplorable sight before him—from where he stood on the dimly lit sidewalk, he could see Felix and a girl he had never seen before, their faces nearly pressed together, and most importantly, with his bike discarded a few yards away from them.

“Soobin,” You said, tugging on his arm. “They look like they’re busy, let’s just go—”

But Soobin, who had little patience when it came to Felix messing up his plans, didn’t let you finish before he screamed, “Give me back my freaking bike!”

You had to hold back your snort of laughter at his choice of words. Even when he was trying to sound angry, he was undeniably adorable.

Soobin watched as Felix startled, clutching his spliff between his fingers as he glared daggers back at his friend. Soobin gulped, trying not to let his fear show on his face. What did he have to be afraid of, anyways? He was the victim of thievery, and his best friend was the offender.

Felix took a big step towards him, but he paused, his eyes landing on your interlocked hands. Soobin glanced down as well, his face growing furiously warm as he realized the situation he had gotten himself into.

He decided to divert the subject before it could even be brought up by saying, “I can’t believe you stole my bike! All this time I was trying to hide it from strangers, but you, my best friend! I should’ve been hiding it from you!”

Soobin noticed Felix’s female companion step off the skateboard and walk over in his direction, and for a second he felt bad for possibly ruining her night with his best friend. However, his frustration was more prominent in the moment as he fixed his gaze back on his best friend, who had fixed a mischievous smirk upon his face that made warning sirens blare in Soobin’s head right away.

“Now, now, buddy,” Felix said, his voice calm and carefree as ever. It probably had something to do with what he had just smoked, but Soobin didn’t care all that much. “You’re just gonna have to let me borrow it for a little longer.”

Soobin nearly laughed at the audacity of such a statement. “You are gonna give me the bike, or—”

“How about this, Soobs?” Soobin’s lips clamped shut at his friend’s interruption, as the thief in question gestured with his joint to where Soobin’s fingers were locked with yours. “You let me keep your bike for the night, and I don’t tell your dad about you hanging out with the opposite gender.”

Unable to control yourself, you let out a big laugh. Soobin would have felt betrayed, but he was more terrified than anything else at the idea of his father finding out that he was taking a girl out without his permission. He would be grounded for weeks—no, months.

“You wouldn’t.”

Felix’s lips curled up even more into a twisted grin that Soobin wished he had the guts to slap off his face. “God, just imagine the look on Mr. Choi’s face. Imagine him finding out about your premarital hand holding.”

No. Not the hand holding.

Soobin almost felt faint, but he steeled himself to the best of his abilities as he cleared his throat. “One night, Lix,” he warned. “If I don’t see it on my porch in the morning, you’ll be sorry!”

“Oh, I’m so scared,” Felix teased. His expression changed a moment later though, when he finally noticed Soobin’s swollen nose and blood-stained turtleneck. “Wait, Soobs, the hell happened to you?”

Soobin, however, had already taken his first steps away from the skatepark, pulling you along behind him. “I’ll tell you later, bud. Enjoy your spliff with that kind girl who you probably don’t deserve!”

“Hey!”

Soobin couldn’t help but laugh as he swung your interlocked hands together, grinning as you let out a laugh as well. The anger that had seeped through him seemed to melt away in an instant as the two of you continued your journey to the Dairy Shack.

“Would your dad really be that upset if he found out about this?” You asked.

Soobin grimaced. “We should probably wait til next year to tell him about this outing. Or maybe the year after that.”

When the two of you had finally reached the Dairy Shack, you waited outside for him while he went in to order your drink. A large chocolate milkshake, with two straws, just like you used to get every time before.

When he had the drink in hand, he walked back outside and sat down beside you on the curb, smiling as you wrapped his jacket tighter around your shoulders. You smiled back up at him, your eyes creasing from the expression. Your smile had always struck him right to his core; he had missed seeing it every day.

He hoped he could see it every morning and every night from that day onward. There was no way he would let you go this time.

He just had to muster up the courage to grab hold of you first.

“You know what, Binnie, you turned out to be a lot taller than I thought you ever would be,” you said as you took one of the straws from his hands. “You’re actually enormous. It’s shocking.”

“Should I find that offensive? It sounds kinda like an insult.”

“Take it however you will,” You teased, leaning over as he popped the plastic lid off the milkshake. He grabbed the cherry by the stem and held it towards you.

“What are you doing?” You asked, holding out your fist. “We have to rock, paper, scissors for it. Remember?”

Soobin laughed as he shook his head. “I’m giving it to you this time. It’s what I planned to do all those years ago, when I asked you to hang out on Valentine’s.”

You seemed to be taken aback, but you simply shrugged as you plucked the cherry from his hand and pulled it from the stem with your teeth, glancing back over at him. It was silent for a moment, but then your eyes landed on the pocket of his jeans, where you could see a bit of red paper poking out. You leaned over even further, reaching your hand out to snatch the paper.

“What are you—hey! Give that back!”

Soobin desperately tried to take his Valentine back from you, but it was too late. You held both halves of what used to be a whole in your hands, your eyes scanning the words as you pieced them together.

“Soobin . . .”

He held his breath. Had his act of young love left you completely speechless? Were you so touched that you would burst into tears?

“This looks like a middle schooler made it.”

He let out the breath in the form of a long, long sigh.

“That’s because it was made by a middle schooler,” He said as he set the milkshake down beside him. “I made it back in the eighth grade. I planned to give it to you that Valentine’s.”

“Oh.” You ran your finger along the card’s surface, the smallest smile creeping across your lips. “Well in that case, it’s not half bad. Why’s it ripped though?”

“Ah—well, Yeonjun . . .”

You nodded, taking another glance at his swollen nose. “No need to elaborate. It seems you had a lot planned for our Valentine’s Day back then. Is there anything else you wanted to do?”

His mouth went dry at that, and he wished that you couldn’t see his face because he was sure that his expression was quite comical. All the way back then, four years prior, he had in fact planned the perfect, ideal day in his head. Picking you up on his bike, giving you the cherry from his milkshake, and presenting you with his hand made card.

There was only one thing left on his list.

He didn’t move at first, willing himself to have enough courage to even look back in your direction. But when he finally did allow his eyes to meet yours, he felt his shoulders relax and his heart rate became more manageable.

He took a deep breath, leaned forward, and pressed his lips against your cheek.

He lingered there for only a moment before he pulled back, daring to pry one of his eyes open to take in the look on your face.

The disappointment was palpable—from the way your brows furrowed together and the way you pursed your lips. His stomach dropped, and he scooted the tiniest bit away from you.

“I’m sorry,” He blurt out, his face growing warmer by the second. “I shouldn’t have done that, I just—”

“Is that all?”

Your question stopped him mid-ramble, his eyes growing wide. “Huh?”

“Is that all?” You repeated, closing the distance between you that he had created. “It’s Valentine’s Day, Soobin. I think we can do better than a peck on the cheek.”

The implications of what you were saying didn’t register with him right away, but when it finally did, he could have sworn his heart began to beat loud enough for the entire town to hear. His hand curled into a fist as he gripped the denim of his jeans. He leaned forward, keeping his eyes open just enough to watch you as he brought his lips closer to yours. He could feel your eyes on him all the while, causing his heart to pound fiercer still within him.

When he was just a breath away, he whispered, “Can you close your eyes?”

“Hm?”

He lifted his hand, gently placing it over your eyes. He leaned closer then, filling the space between you both as his lips met yours. You tasted vaguely of cherry and strawberry slice soda, and he found it quite nice the way his lips seemed to fit perfectly against your own. As the seconds drew on, your hands slipped around his neck, pulling him closer. He slowly let his hand fall from your eyes, tracing lines with the tips of his fingers down your cheek before he cradled your jaw, letting his lips part just enough to taste the sweet sugar on your lips once more.

He thought in a haze that it was a good thing he didn’t drink anything at the party, as kissing you was proving to be intoxicating enough on its own.

When you finally pulled away, leaving your forehead resting against his, he let his eyes flutter open enough to see the euphoric smile that adorned your features. He grinned as well, gently running his thumb against your cheek.

“I think that back then, I had planned to ask you this before kissing you,” He whispered, “But Y/N, will you be my Valentine?”

Instead of a spoken answer, you laughed, leaning forward to capture his lips with yours once again, and that was the only answer Choi Soobin would ever need.

WHEN SOOBIN ARRIVED HOME THAT NIGHT, HE WENT STRAIGHT FOR THE TELEPHONE.

It was kept upstairs at night right outside his parent’s door, to keep himself and his brother from using it in the late hours. Of course, this never stopped Soobin from sneaking it downstairs to his room in the basement to make late night calls to Felix.

And that particular evening, he really needed to give Felix an update.

He grabbed the phone from the small table in the hallway, carefully tiptoeing towards the basement stairs. Before he had even taken the first step down, the bathroom door creaked open. Soobin whipped his head around to see his brother Kai standing there, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he raised a brow at his older brother.

Soobin froze, blinking slowly as he realized the incriminating situation he found himself in.

“Please don’t tell mom,” He whispered, his eyes pleading with his younger brother.

Kai nodded, although Soobin wasn’t quite convinced that the boy was even coherent enough to understand what was going on. Soobin offered a rushed thank you, and ventured his first step down the stairs.

Well, he tried, anyways, and ended up missing the first step. He tumbled down the rest of the stairs, landing on his butt at the very end.

He winced in pain, glad to see that the phone was still intact in his hands. He glanced over his shoulders to see Kai staring down the stairway with wide eyes, his lips parted in shock. Soobin quickly put a finger to his lips, begging his brother for silence.

Kai simply shook his head and walked away, allowing Soobin the freedom to breathe out a sigh of relief.

He quickly ran to his bedroom and shut the door, collapsing onto his bed with the phone as his breaths came in ragged gasps as an aftereffect from his tumble down the stairs. He figured he should have dialed Felix’s number right away, but he couldn’t help but brush his fingers against his lips, remembering the feeling and taste of having yours pressed against them.

He was so caught up in his daze that he didn’t notice Felix calling until the third ring.

He picked it up, breathing heavily into the speaker as he rubbed a sore spot on his lower back.

“Please tell me that panting is from running a marathon, and not what I think you’ve successfully tried.”

Soobin nearly gagged, holding the phone away from his face as he coughed, flustered by his friend's crude words. He brought the phone back to his face and said, “No, you sicko, I just fell down the stairs.”

“How the hell did you manage that with those long legs?”

“That’s not important, Lix!” He laid back onto his pillows then, twirling the phone cord in his hands as he stared up at his ceiling, the memories of his adventure with you that night flooding his mind once more. He couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear as he said, “Look, I need to tell you something important.”

If he didn’t know any better, he would have thought that he could hear the smile in Felix’s voice too as his friend replied.

“Well buddy, I got something to tell you too.”

1K notes · View notes

sehunniepotwrites · 4 years ago

Note

HELLO MY WONDERFUL BBY!!! ID LIKE TO REQUEST AN ENEMIES TO LOVERS AU WITH JAEHYUN USING PROMPTS 1, 2, and 25 PLS THANK U I LOVE U AND MISS U💕💕

TITLE. CADET MEMBER. Jeong Jaehyun PAIRING. SHIELD Operations Cadet!Jeong Jaehyun x (f) Cadet!Reader AU. enemies to lovers, agents of shield!au PROMPT(S). “please look at me.” + “i know i shouldn’t be here.” + “i’ve had a rough day and honestly all i want right not is a drink and someone to cuddle with.” WORD COUNT. 2.3k+ warnings: profanity, physical altercations (jaehyun and y/n pin each other to the ground with their super awesome field agent skills, lowkey suggestive but nothing really happens), mentions of alcohol

want to request something? click here and make sure to read the rules!

DISCLAIMER. This is a work of fiction.

And yet again, Jeong Jaehyun takes another record away from you. As expected from everyone in your class, he scored the highest on the last field exam. It’s not unusual for him to place first and it’s not unusual for you to be one step behind him. Unfortunately for you, this is a regular occurrence. You really shouldn’t be so surprised but you were confident in your abilities this time around. The hours you spent preparing for this exam far exceeded him and even your instructors had seen the vast improvements you made in such little time. You don’t mind pushing yourself beyond your limits to get everything right because after you graduate and are on the field, it’s “do or die.”

Being at the top of your operatives cohort has always been your goal. When your parents were a part of SHIELD as some of their first agents, they were the best operatives under Director Peggy Carter’s watch. Your older sibling attended SHIELD Academy of Science and Technology and graduated with a ph.d under her belt. They are now on par with the great scientific minds that are Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Leo Fitz, and Jemma Simmons.

There is a desperate need to graduate with flying colors. You need to meet the high expectations of your family line so as to not be a disappointment or a failure in their eyes. This pushed you to enroll in the most aggressive program the Academy had to offer—the Department of Operations, home to agents Phil Coulson and Melinda May. For the past few years until now, you train nonstop on and off hours to be the best operative among the recruits. You would have succeeded but Jeong Jaehyun, a cadet from South Korea, is always one jump ahead.

It frustrates you to no end, seeing how everything comes to him so effortlessly. Jaehyun is the perfect operative in every way. His handsome looks only magnify his perfection. Sometimes, you think that his good looks are a flaw because no one can ever forget a face such as his. That’s no good for a spy. But you tend to shake those thoughts away, transforming those slight feelings of attraction into a drive to do better. Nevertheless, Jeong Jaehyun is the package deal and compared to him, you are a piece of junk no one ever paid attention to. While his name belongs on the wall of valor, your name belongs in the trash.

To rid yourself of your frustration, you escape to the roof of your department’s main building. Your legs, still covered in your stealth suit required for field exams, dangle along the building’s edge. The place always comforted you when all else has failed and you’re relying on it to pick up your sour mood. You almost want to laugh as you peek down below, seeing how the people below you look as small as ants. There was a time you were scared of heights and now, you’re sitting at the edge with no fear to be found. Your cadet training has worked its magic. When you lean back and rest your palms on the ground below you, you’re finally aware of all the aches and pains that run through your exhausted body. The field exam wrecked you and quite honestly, it’s times like this where you crave being in someone’s hold. It’s a dream you deem impossible; finding a partner in the Academy is rough, especially when you’re one of the most intimidating operative cadets.

While you’re taking a moment to observe the sunset, you almost miss hearing a shuffle from behind you. Keyword: Almost. Acting quickly, you turn, grab hold of the individual who dares to sneak up on you, and slam them to the ground. You straddle them, your knees on either side of their hips and you lock their hands above their head. There’s a surprised yelp and you find Jaehyun staring at you with wide eyes. Like you, he is still dressed in his tactical stealth suit, the black fabric fitted around the figure people pay to admire. “Ow, fuck. What was that for?”

“You know better than to sneak on an agent,” you snip from above. You enjoy having the upper hand. Being on top of him gives you this surge of power that satisfies you.

You feel his body shake along with his deep chuckles. “Are you always this rough with people?”

You smile sarcastically, looking down at him. “Only with you, Jeong.”

Releasing Jaehyun from your hold, you slip your hands away from his wrist, ignoring the slight zing you get when his fingers brush against yours. Your hands dust imaginary dirt off your body and settle back down on the building’s edge. Jaehyun sighs deeply, his presence lingering behind you before inviting himself to take a seat next to you. He’s a little too close for comfort, his thigh almost touching yours, and you should pull away. But you don’t.

“What are you doing here?” Your gaze is aimed at the sky but his–strong and unwavering–is trained on you.

“I came looking for you.”

“Don’t you have something else to do than rub your perfect score in my face?” You can’t help but spit out your answer. He doesn’t flinch to that, used to your jabs, but from the corner of your eye, you spot a fraction of a frown. It disappears a second later.

“I’m not here to do that,” Jaehyun retorts.

You scoff, “Oh yeah, Jeong? Then why are you here with me instead of celebrating with Suh?”

Jaehyun doesn’t voice it aloud but he hates how you refer to him by his last name. He hates how you group him with the others. Your rival doesn’t want to be just another cadet in your class. He just doesn’t know how to admit that he wants to be something more. In his mind, it’s perfectly fine. But in front of your pretty face that wears a permanent scowl around him, there’s no chance of him even getting a word out. “Look, I know I shouldn’t be here—”

“Damn right, so why don’t you leave?” you mutter under your breath. You need him away from you before you say something you shouldn’t.

“—but I’m here because I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“And why would you want to do that?”

“Because whether you acknowledge it or not, I actually care about you.”

His confession is the biggest bomb you’ve ever experienced in your lifetime. It’s larger than the actual explosions you’ve escaped from on the fieldgrounds and leaves an great impact on your heart. The imprint of his words is so substantial and yet, you try to play it off like it does absolutely nothing to your mind and heart.

“Yeah, right,” you say, refuting Jaehyun’s words. Shifting away from him, you continue to stare at the setting sun. The star casts a beautiful golden glow across the campus complex and you’re somewhat glad you have a chance to enjoy it with someone else, even if it’s with Jaehyun. You wonder what it would be like to have a lover during this moment in time but you guess your rival will have to do.

“Look at me,” Jaehyun commands.

“No,” you answer. Whether you are appalled by his request or your thrashing heart, you don’t know.

“Please look at me,” Jaehyun tries again, tacking on the pleasantry. You roll your eyes but deep inside, your heart is running faster than the speed of light. You spare Jaehyun a glance and there he is, glowing under the sun’s rays. The light hits him in all the right places, highlighting his high cheekbones, the sharpness of his nose and jaw, and the way his sleek black combat uniform hugs his toned body.

You hope he doesn’t notice the way you ogle at his beauty. “What?”

He smiles brightly, glad to have your undivided attention, and this expression is way different than the one you often see on the field. In action, Jaehyun is all furrowed brows and tight-lipped with blood pumping through his veins. He’s strong and charismatic on the field and now, when he’s sitting next to you on this rooftop, he looks nothing like that agent. The person with you now is soft and charming. You think that this bright-eyed dimpled grin is his best feature.

“Don’t look at me like that, it’s weird.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t like it.”

“Well, this is the first time you’ve ever opened up to me, so of course, I’m going to keep looking at you,” he teases, happy that you’re more receptive than before.

You sigh exasperatedly, “I don’t understand why I should open up to my competition.”

“I’ve never seen you as such,” Jaehyun says simply.

You bark out a laugh that shocks him, “Wow, so I’m not even worthy enough to be Jeong Jaehyun’s rival. How pathetic is that?” Done with this conversation, you push yourself off with the intent of leaving Jaehyun behind. But something stops you.

He stops you grip on your wrist.

You quickly twist it and throw him backward, restraining him once more. You can’t let Jaehyun have the upperhand. “Pinned you,” you say, the competitive nature seeping out of you.

Jaehyun’s legs coil around you and swiftly spin your body so that now, you’re on the ground. His hands are pressing your wrists down and his gorgeous face is so close to yours. “No, cadet, I think you mean I pinned you,” he chuckles, the low sound sending butterflies flying around in your stomach. “Now will you just listen to me?”

“Why should I?”

“Because I need you to know that’s not what I meant,” Jaehyun attempts to explain. “I’ve always seen you as determined cadet working towards a common goal–someone I want to work alongside.” This second confession halts your squirming. You know you can easily manuver yourself out of this position–it’s part of your basic training. Jaehyun knows it, too. Your lack of resistance allows him to finish his thought. “You’re going to be a great agent someday,” he says sincerely.

You feel yourself heating up at his words and you hope your embarrassment doesn’t show on your face. Part of your basic training includes hiding your emotions so you pray that Jaehyun doesn’t spot the little twitch your mouth does at his compliment.

“It would be an honor to train with you. I hope that after we graduate, I have a chance to be at your side on the field. I think we’d make a good team,” Jaehyun smiles, its beauty rivaling the sun. His words are so sweet, it breaks you. All at once, it’s more than you can take. You wrestle out of his hold and Jaehyun lets you. There’s no resistance on his side, his hands immediately releasing you. His hips shifting his weight so you have a chance to roll away.

Jaehyun’s confession is too much for you to handle. It overwhelms your brain and your body which is still recovering from your field test. “Okay, stop. Just stop.”

Jaehyun raises his hands, palms out towards you. “Stopping.” It’s cute how he tries to reassure you.

“Listen, I’ve had a rough day and all I want is a drink and someone to cuddle with. But seeing as how I don’t have access to cuddles, I’m just going to grab that drink and go sulk by myself.” You don’t know where the half of those sentences come from and you definitely don’t want to stay around to find out what other cringe-y words can fly out your mouth. Your feet move along, leading you to the fastest escape route–the staircase.

Jaehyun stands up and easily meets your fleeting pace. He speeds up so that he’s in front of you before turning around to walk backward. With his hands resting behind his head, his confident brown eyes never leave yours. A playful yet encouraging smirk graces his pretty lips as he says, “Well, my fridge is stocked with beer and I’ve gotten five star reviews for cuddles. What do you say, cadet, care to join me?”

Jaehyun cocks a brow at you and you drop your head down at his obvious flirting. You fail to notice how his neck and ears have turned the brightest shade of red. If you had paid closer attention to it, you would find it to be cute.

“Please, stop,” you groan. You’re tempted to indulge in his offer.

“You sure?” His brows wiggle.

Jaehyun watches as you debate with yourself, feet rooted to the ground as you do so. “Fine.” You pretend to hate his suggestion but Jaehyun knows better. Your walls are slowly coming down and you’re slowly willing to accept whatever comes next.

Jaehyun grins brightly, tilting his head to the door of the staircase. You let him lead the way to the exit. “After you.”

It is then you see how he always puts you first. How he is always there to assist you. Before this moment, you were blindsided by your stupid one-sided rivalry. Too closed off by your emotions. Now open to this new beginning, you shyly link a pinky with his. He looks back to give you a happy little scrunch of his nose and you mimic his face.

You have to admit you like the feeling of his pinky touching yours. And when he twists his grip to grab hold of your hand, his long fingers intertwining with yours, you find yourself liking that even more. His palm fits well with yours. It’s better than the partners you’ve held in the past. When you think back to all the pairs and couplings you’ve been in, you think this feeling fars better than anything else. His steps are in perfect sync with yours, whereas everyone else had always been one step behind.

As you continue your way to his place, you come to realization: Jaehyun is right. Agent to agent, you suddenly think you’d make a pretty good team.

AUTHOR’S NOTE. hi! i originally posted this in 2020 but decided to randomly edit/revamp it because i wrote a mini sequel to it! enjoy it, y’all!

#neowritingsnet #jaehyun fic #jaehyun scenarios #jaehyun imagines #jaehyun fluff #jaehyun x reader #prompt drabble game #NCT scenarios #NCT x reader #NCT imagines #agents of shield au #jung jaehyun #jaehyun #jeong jaehyun

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cedric-stories · 4 years ago

Text

A Royal New Year Party

Word Count: Around 2,400

Plot: After getting done planning a New Year’s Eve party, Cedric meets a man that makes the sorcerer question his relationship with you.

Warnings: Angst and language

Author’s Note: This just came to me cause people used to be such jerks to my ex about us being a couple. So, kinda personal and kinda just I adore Cedric and want my baby to know he’s loved.

Author’s Note note: Okay, so I had another fic like this but I’m finally gonna address it; the world is set in our time so there are cell phones and stuff. I know I changed it from the show, but it was just easier for me. Also, this is gonna be the last fic for a few days. tbh, I haven’t even started the next ones, but I do have outlines. Hope you enjoy and happy New Year!!!

Reader pronouns: she/her

A Royal New Year Party

Here it is, the greatest party of every year. The royal family’s enchanted New Year’s Eve party was only a few hours away.

“Cedric, could you please conjure another bouquet of roses?”

“Cedric, can you please just conjure one more turkey? The chef ran out of bird, so he is begging you to make one; but please don’t tell the King!”

“Cedric, can you put the floating plates over here?”

“Cedric, can you conjure a few more chairs?”

“Cedric, where is god’s name is that turkey!?”

Yes, these were the sounds the poor sorcerer had been listening to all day. Everyone and their chef have been pestering him. He was in the middle of all the bustling and rustling. Things at been nonstop for hours and he was getting sick of it. The past day, he had been conjuring plates, chairs, ovens, instruments, and everything in between to make this party amazing. King Roland expected the very best to wow his guests, so he wanted Cedric not only to create dozens of items, but to enchant everything.

The King wanted enchanted chairs that could sway with the music, enchanted instruments that could play on their own to give the orchestra a break, and enchanted silverware that could dazzle the guests with dancing and singing. It was quite complicated to cast spell after spell (especially enchanted ones) and it was beginning to tire the man.

Cedric was finishing up one more spell when he heard footsteps behind him.

“Well done, Cedric!” The king boomed from behind the sorcerer, scaring him out of his wits.

“Thank you, your majesty. I am honored.” He said, turning and bowing his head.

“You’re very welcome, things are coming along nicely. Now, since you’ve been working all day, have you given any thought to what you have planned tonight?”

Cedric lifted his shoulder in a half shrug.

“No, I haven’t really thought of anything.”

“Well then,” Roland paused, gesturing to all the gold and black decorations, “why don’t the two of you celebrate the new year with us? I’m sure y/n would love it.”

“I-we would love to and I greatly appreciate the offer,” Cedric started, “but I think we are going to celebrate the new year just the two of us.”

Roland gave Cedric a disappointed look.

“Alright, if you insist. We will all miss you and y/n. If you change your mind, you guys are welcome.”

“Thank you, your highness.” He said, beginning to walk out of the ballroom through majestic, golden doors.

Cedric trudged through the halls of the castle. He came across the coffee shop on the corner of the ballroom and royal dining hall and scurried into line to get a cup.

Workers of all types stood back to front. One man wearing a blue vest, top hat, and holding a scepter in his hands was in front of cedric.

“Hello, sir. The name’s Jonathan” The man greeted the sorcerer. His eyes seemed warm and inviting enough to talk to.

“Oh, hello.” Cedric answered, barely shaking his head to try, and come to consciousness.

“What do you do around here, fine man?”

“I’m the royal sorcerer for Enchantcia. You may know me by Cedric the Sensational?”

The man looked perplexed for a minute, then, as if realization came down from the gods, Jonathan’s face turned up and Cedric could see the lightbulb come on.

“Oh yes! You are the one who tried taking over the kingdom a few years back!”

Cedric cringed.

“Yes, I am.” He said, trying hard not to recall those memories but nevertheless, remembered them vividly.

“My, I was sure good old Kind Roland would have you executed for that!”

“Oh yes, didn’t we all?” Cedric rolled his eyes.

“And the way the towns folk talked about you, it musta been hard to show you face around them parts for a while, eh?”

“Eh.” Cedric sarcastically parroted back.

“Why, never in my wildest dreams would old Winnie and Goodwin’s kiddy ever try a stunt like that.”

“Yes, quite,” Cedric paused, narrowing his eyes at the man, “foolish of me.”

“You know, your father saved old’ king Roland’s daddy from a few monsters like yourself!”

“yes, yes, I know. Oh look, you’re at the counter, time to order now.” Cedric rushed.

“Oh, look at that. Hi, ma’am, I’ll have a…”

Once the man had finished ordering, cedric got up to the counter and ordered a cold caramel frappe. After, he went to sit down and wait. The bustling of people became a background noise and Cedric finally got some peace. While he sat and tried to unwind-

“There you are good buddy!” The same talkative man said, jostling over to Cedric.

“Here I am.”

After a long talk about Cedric’s wrongs, the man began to inquire about Cedric’s personal life.

“So, I doubt after your long, ungrateful journey back to civilized living hadn’t brought you company of any kind?”

Cedric believed the man meant a significant other but wasn’t really sure.

“Pardon?”

“A woman! Have you gotten yourself a woman?!”

Cedric gave the man a blank stare and leaned away from his sudden enthusiasm. Why in god’s name does this man want to know so much about him? He thought about telling him or not. If I do, he’s going to go on how I don’t deserve someone, or not believe me entirely. And why does he just presume I have a woman? Has the man never heard of two men living happily together? Why does this man care so much about my life?

“I do have a significant other.” Cedric finally let out.

“Well for heavens sakes, how the hell did you get one?”

“Well, we met over a year ago and- “

“No one in her right mind would want you. You’re so unstable compared to others your age. Eh, she’s probably just waiting’ on someone better anyways.”

Cedric was now completely offended and didn’t really know how to answer. Without saying another word, he rose to get his coffee from the counter and left.

On his walk home, Cedric began thinking.

I have been with Y/N for almost a year. I don’t deserve her. Does she even want to be with me? Maybe I’ve just fooled myself into thinking she really loves me when all this time she’s only stayed around cause there’s no one else. Maybe he’s right, maybe it was just weird I found her. She probably is just waiting for someone better to come along and leave…I’ve done so much wrong, maybe she doesn’t even want me?

After his long debate, Cedric headed upstairs to his tower. The stone walls felt cold against cedric’s fingers as he guided himself up three floors of spiraled stairs. He looked out one of the windows to see the sun turning orange as it set over glistening red trees. It was beautiful in Enchantcia tonight. After looking for only a minute, he started back up the stairs.

Once he had made it to the door, he took a big breath and he walked in to find his girlfriend sitting crisscrossed on a table. You were wearing Black lacy shorts with flowers embroidered along with a spaghetti strapped top that matched. Trying to pick up your phone off the floor, you were dangling from the edge. You grabbed your phone and looked up to see your boyfriend.

“Ceddy! You’re finally home.” You smiled, jumping off the table onto your sorcerer. Your hair was in a messy bun and fluffed up into his face when you grabbed onto him for a hug.

“Hello, Angel.”

“I’ve been missing you all day.” You said, snuggling in tighter.

“I have too. Oh, this is for you.” He said, giving you a hot mocha.

Your smile widened. “Thank you!” After grabbing the hot beverage from him, you look a sip, and placed it on the table.

“You look tired.”

“I am tired.” Cedric laughed, hugging you. He was happy to be home to you until he started remembering the conversation he had with Jonathan.

Noticing him grow somber, you asked him if he was okay.

Cedric hesitated, “Yes, just tired I think.”

“Okay, why don’t you take a nap?” You asked, still having a questioning look on your face.

“I may.”

You kissed him gently on the cheek and made sure he got to the bedroom. Closing the door behind you, you decided to grab a book and read until he woke.

…

After a few hours, you decided to check on Cedric. You wanted to make sure he was okay after what happened earlier.

Walking into the bedroom, you found your boyfriend already awake on his phone.

“Hello.” You greeted, walking along the side of the bed.

Cedric nodded at you.

Carefully, you made you way to the upper part of the bed and sat down. Noticing his standoffish actions, you scooted closer to him.

“Babe, what’s wrong? Please, tell me.” You quietly pleaded.

He looked over at you with glassy eyes. His face was full of pain, but you just couldn’t put a finger on what upset him.

“Did I say or do something?”

“No.” He answered, shifting away from you slightly.

“Cedric, tell me what’s wrong.” You grabbed his hand and put it on your lap.

He ran his other hand through his hair, and you noticed his shoulders tense.

“Y/n,” he paused, his voice almost choking, “why-why do you stay here?”

You became confused.

“What?”

“Why do you stay here…with me?”

“I don’t u- “

“You have been with me for almost a year, and for merlin’s sake I have no idea why you stay.”

“I love you.” You said, without thinking twice.

Cedric’s eyes met yours.

“I love you, but I just don’t see how you could love me.”

You could feel the sting of tears in your eyes.

“Cedric, how could you not see- “

“Do you know what I am?”

You stared at him, “Do I know what you are?”

“Yes. Do you know what I am?”

You ran your hand up his arm gently, “You’re mine.”

“No. I mean, do you understand what I’ve done? I’ve tried overthrowing the kingdom, I plotted against the royal family for years. Everything had a terrible motive, everything I did was selfish, I dreamed of making others bow before me. I am not a good person.”

“Cedric! Of course, I know that. I’ve always known all of that. I love you for you. You are a good person now, and I don’t care about your past, I love you for everything you are and once was.”

Cedric looked down then he cocked his head.

“Once was?”

You took a breath.

“Cedric, I’ve never admitted it, but I really don’t care you tried overthrowing the kingdom. It’s not healthy, I know, but sometimes I think my love for you is stronger than my morals.” You laughed nervously. “You are my person, my lobster, as some show would say, and no matter what, I love you. I’m not saying what you did was right, but because I love you, I overlook it easily.”

He grabbed ahold of your hand and you wrapped your arm around him. He hugged you back tightly and you knew he felt better. You kissed the side of his cheek and laid you head on his chest.

“What even made you think of that, love?”

“Nothing, I guess I just will never quite get used to you being mine.”

The two of you sat in silence for a minute, then cedric turned towards you.

“The royal family is having a party tonight to bring in the new year. I was wondering if you would want to go. The King invited us.”

You beamed a smile.

“I’d love to!”

About an hour later, the two of you were walking down the hall towards the ballroom.

Once you arrived, you were greeted by a loud orchestra and babbling voices. The room was full of women in suits and dresses and men in the same attire. It was an extravagant gathering with gold and black streamers lining the walls and draping over the ceiling. At the front of the room sat the orchestra with its self-playing instruments and band members walking about. Some guests sat on floating chairs and plates that followed behind others walking. Workers hurried around, grabbing dirty, golden silverware.

Cedric and you started over to the royal table when Sofia came running over.

“Mr. Cedric! Miss. Y/n! I’m so happy you guys could come.” She shouted over the music, running up and giving Cedric a hug followed by yours.

“I’m glad we could. Please tell your father that we are very grateful.” You said to the young girl wearing the pink amulet.

“I will. Are you guys going to sit down? There’s two chairs next to me.”

“Yes, we are. We’ll be over in a minute. Thanks again.”

“No problem.” Sofia replied, running off to greet the other guests.

You had almost made it over to the table when a loud voice practically yelled at Cedric.

“Cedric! There you are old buddy!”

Cedric’s shoulders stiffened again.

“Hello, Jonathan.”

“Who you got with you?”

“This is y/n, she’s my girlfriend.”

The man looked you over and made you rather uncomfortable.

“Oh my god! She’s beautiful! What the hell did you have to bribe her to come with?”

Your eyes flung wide open and you gasp.

“What?” You asked in a flat tone.

“No offense to you ma’am, You’re beautiful! I’m just wondering’ how he got someone like you,” he glanced at Cedric, “with his past and all.”

You shot Jonathan an angry look.

“For your information, I love this man with all my heart and want to be with him for who he is. If you can’t accept that then you can just kindly leave us alone!” You snapped.

The man looked shocked.

“Well, I guess if you’re happy- “

“I am happy. Thank you.”

“It was nice seeing you again old buddy.”

“A pleasure really.” Cedric smiled, wrapping his arm around you.

The two of you began walking away. You couldn’t believe how rude he had been. Before you had gotten too far, you were boiling over with anger and wanted that man to know you adored Cedric. Suddenly, you whipped around to make sure he was still watching. You grabbed Cedric by the collar and kissed him firmly on the lips.

Jonathan looked horrified at you. You gave a sarcastic smile at him and turned back around.

“Jackass.” You spat out under your breath.

“You have no idea.” Cedric agreed, placing his arm back around you tightly.

“I truly do love you, y/n.”

“I love you too, Cedric.”

Cedric and you made it to the table and joined the royal family. Later, the two of you along other couples shared a passionate kiss at 12am to welcome the new year.

#Cedric the sorcerer x reader #cedric the sensational x reader #cedric the sorcerer #cedric imagine #cedric x reader #Cedric is perfect and no one can change my mind #Fluffy #angst #angst with a happy ending #cute #happy new year #not my anything #terrible writing #probably needs editing #love all my followers #thanks for the support #this fic made me believe i am a bad writer lol #new fanfic writer #fanfic

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blazingopus · 4 years ago

Text

Get Outta My Dreams - Battle Tendency

This did not go as I had originally intended, but I am happy with the result. While I do not consider this a romantic story between the reader and Joseph, I will leave it to you to interpret it as you will. Please enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwyEKVlGLb8

Get into my car...

I sat down in the plush armchair, letting myself sink into the upholstery. I exhaled and let myself relax. I looked up. People were milling about, coming to and fro, standing and discussing, sitting and chatting. It was almost lunchtime, and Italians need to be kept fed. It just so happened that this hotel had a restaurant on the main floor, just beyond the lobby. How convenient.

I cracked open the book I had in my hand. I loved to read, but I never got to read much as a child. I was much too busy, I had younger siblings to take care of. Now, it seemed I had too much time on my hands. I let myself be absorbed into the words on the page, letting them take me away to another place in a different time.

I looked up again. Beside me, across the end table, my brother sat down with a thud. He leaned his elbow on the arm of the chair and supported his face with his hand. His eyes observed me with slight amusement.

I tilted the book down and looked over at him. "What are you doing here? I thought you would be out with another one of your girls."

"I am," he said with a smile. "I quite like the restaurant here. It would be easier to meet her here than go traipsing across Roma. Might as will fill the time while we wait."

"Sometimes I forget how much you don't like waiting," I stuck a finger in my book and let it close. I give him a quizzical look. "Is this girl different from the others? Or is she just another one to practice on?"

His eyes darted away from mine, almost afraid to answer. " I always hope the girl I am with is the one for me." A slight blush crossed over his face. "I hope she is different, but I won't know until I get to know her."

I open my book again. "I hope you find her soon. If anyone deserves to find love, it's you."

"I don't know about that," he crosses his legs very dramatically. ""You know, you could be looking for a man of your own. I don't think you would have much trouble finding one."

"I..." I felt my shoulders sag. We had discussed this before, and he never seemed to take the hint. "I'm not interested in looking right now. It doesn't feel like the right time for me. Besides, I don't think I would have much luck with men."

"Don't say that!" he dropped his arm and leaned in closer. "You could have any man you wanted. You just need to try hard enough."

I closed my eyes for a moment. "I appreciate your kind words, but we have more important matters to worry about. We are waiting for that phone call from Speedwagon. We should be meeting with him and the Joestar sometime today."

His face twisted at the name. "Joestars. They have been a plight on our family for generations."

"So have vampires. Don't blame Joseph for something that wasn't his fault."

"Caesar?" A voice broke the conversation between us.

We both looked up at the girl standing before us. "Emilia!" My brother immediately dropped the sour look on his face. He nearly jumped out of his chair and took her hand, giving it a polite kiss. The girl giggled a bit. "I am so happy you made it," he said as he rose from his bow.

"So am I," She looked over at me for a few seconds. Her eyes read of distrust, and she had instantly become fascinated with me. "Caesar," she said without looking away, " Who is this?"

He looked down at me with slight confusion on his face. "No need to worry, Emilia." His voice was full of reassurance. "This is my sister, (Y/N)."

Her eyes continued to bore into me. "Ah, yes. I can see the resemblance now." She gave a fake smile. "I can see I had nothing to worry about. I'm Emilia." She offered her hand to shake.

"Charmed," I said half heartedly, ignoring the handshake. Caesar was as bad at picking dates as he was at picking friends. Not only was she obviously fake, she looked like a wild cat. Her updo had this windswept look to it, making the sides of her head look like ears. I couldn't tell if it was deliberate or an accident. "You two have fun," I went back to my book. "I will meet you back here when you are done, Caesar." I let my irritation come through in my voice.

He gave me a nod, before offering an arm to Emilia. She took it daintily and they began the walk to the restaurant. I slumped into my chair and huffed. Another date that would end in failure. Another woman to add to the long list. And this one was particularly bad. She had this air of dishonesty around her. I opened the book again and began to read.

"Why, hello there." A voice said from above me. I dropped the book into my lap and glared upward. If I wasn't irritated enough, I had someone bothering me. A tall man stood before me, a mess of brown hair on his head and a smirk on his face. "What is a beautiful girl like you doing, sitting here all by herself?"

"Reading," I said with a hint of attitude in my voice. "Now if you would excuse me, I would like to go back to doing that."

The man walked to the chair next to me, and sat down with an exaggerated groan. "Don't be like that, Senorina. I just wanted to ask if you would join me for lunch."

I glared at him. "No. Now go away and leave me alone."

The man tisked at me. "Not very nice, now are we." He threw his hands behind his head and leaned back into his chair.

I looked down into my book, not really reading it. "No, I am not very nice. Especially with obnoxious Americans who like to invade my personal space."

He chuckled a bit. "Sorry to disappoint, but I'm British, Senorina"

"You could have fooled me. Most Englishmen who come to Italia are not as loud and annoying as you are. "

A huge smile crossed his face. "I'm not like most people. It's a little too boring for me. I like to keep things interesting."

I looked at him, but don't reply. I didn't feel like playing his game. I flipped to the next page.

He looked at me for a long time. "You know," he said with a smirk growing on his face, "I feel like I've seen you somewhere before." He playfully rubbed his chin. "In my dreams, maybe?"

"I don't think so." God, his pick up lines were just as bad as Caesar's.

"Well, since you don't want to have lunch with me," I could see the gears turning in his head, "How about a tour of the city? I could hail a cab. We would drive around and you could show me the sights of Rome."

I closed the book and folded my arms. I dramatically crossed my legs giving him a confident look. "The thing is, I am not native to Roma. I don't know very much about the city. Even if I was, I am waiting for someone for a phone call. I am meeting with someone later, so I really don't have the time." I gave him a fake smile. "I'm sorry, but you should really ask someone else."

He leaned against the arm of the chair and looked intently at me. "Who are you meeting?"

I could feel my brows furrow slightly. "Someone important. My brother and I are meeting with them soon."

"How interesting," He smiled. "I am meeting with someone later too, you know."

"How nice," I said sarcastically.

He rested his head against his fist. "You know, you have been very rude to me since I got here. All I have done is be nice to you, and ask you out to lunch. I thought you Italians were more hospitable than that."

I looked away. He wasn't incorrect. I was being a little too... Harsh. I sighed. "I apologize. I just wanted to be left alone, alright? I am already a little aggravated at the girl my brother is on a date with right now."

He gave a very confused look. "What's wrong with her? Is she ugly? Or is she to stupid to have a conversation with?"

I chuckled. "I wish." I thought a moment. "She's the type of girl that will lie to your face with a smile." I sighed and looked directly at him. "My brother has always been bad at reading people. He doesn't make friends very easily because of it. He also likes to make a lot of assumptions about people before he gets to know them."

The man sat there and observed me. It felt like he was reading me like a book, words written on my face. "What about you? You were very aggressive towards me. My feelings are a little hurt from your cruel words."

I thought very carefully, mulling over my words. "I am a very cautious person. I don't like being intruded upon. And you seem to be someone who likes to cause trouble, to see what he can get away with."

"It seems you read people better than your brother does." His eyes were filled with excitement.

"I should hope so." I looked at the clock on the wall over the front desk. "If you want to have lunch before the restaurants get busy, you better get going. We Italians take our meals very seriously, and you probably won't get a table if you wait too long."

He gazed at me for a moment, before standing up and offering a hand to me. "My offer still stands, Senorina," he said with a smirk. "I would love to see across a table from me. I hear the restaurant in this hotel is top notch."

I shake my head. "I appreciate the offer, but I must refuse. I told my brother I would wait here for him. I don't want to have him looking all over for me when we need to leave." It was a bit of a lie, to be honest. We would be in the same restaurant as Caesar and his date, but I had a feeling that the meal would end in disaster.

The man pulled back his hand and stuck it in his pocket. "Alright then, but if you ever need a nonstop miracle," he pointed a thumb at himself, "I'm your man."

"What's that supposed to mean?" That was one of the stupidest things I had ever heard.

He shrugged "Whatever you want it to mean, Singorina." He walked off, leaving me slightly dazed and confused. I watched him as he disappeared into the crowd. He was one of the strangest people I had ever met. Confident and cocky, but had a way with people. It seemed that the world was just a giant game to him.

It was many pages later when I saw Caesar walk up to the front desk. The host handed him the phone, and he gracefully held it to his ear. I struggled my way out of the chair and quickly walked over to him. He was muttering into the receiver, listening intently during the silence between.

"Right, we'll meet you at the Fontana del Tritone," he said with an air of finality. "Yes, goodbye." He handed it back to the host, then turned to me. "That was Speedwagon."

I nodded. "I thought so. You had better tell your date the bad news. I'll get the car." I started to walk away. "I'll meet you outside when you're ready." I said with a smirk.

I sat on the edge of the fountain, listening to the water bubble and cascade behind me. It would have been relaxing for me, even with the people milling about. But God had decided that today was not going to be a relaxing day for me.

The man that had pestered me in the hotel was none other than Joseph Joestar, one of the people we were supposed to meet with. In a twist of fate, he and Caesar had met in the restaurant, and immediately decided they hated each other. So much for working together. The two of them were avoiding each other, Caesar moping and Joseph playing with the pigeons. Speedwagon was trying his best to get the two to communicate like civilized people, but they were too damn stubborn.

Speedwagon was not quite what I was expecting. Firstly, I thought he was American. With him being an oil tycoon with most of his work based in America, it took me by surprise to hear a British accent. He also seemed very kind-hearted. It takes a lot of ruthlessness to survive in the business world. He had remained caring and compassionate through it all. What a resiliant man.

Caesar had caught notice of a pretty tourist taking photos of the local architecture. "Where are you from?" I watched as he turned up the charm. "Shall I take a picture of you and the fountain?" She blushed a bit, and turned her head away.

"I don't think Emilia will appreciate you flirting with other women," I leaned over and whispered. I wanted to grind his gears a bit.

He glanced at me. "Emilia doesn't care what I do now. She wasn't very happy I had to leave early. She threw a tantrum and left."

"Oh, no. Really?" I said with fake concern. "I'm so sorry for you."

"Don't patronize me. I know you didn't like her very much," he said without looking at me. He was stubborn about staying moody to the bitter end.

Joseph was cooing at the birds as they swarmed him. He was really enjoying them. "These birds sure are friendly," he said to no one. "A lot smarter than the men around here, don't you think?" He turned and yelled at Caesar, who didn't react besides scoffing at him. Both of them were being stupid. We had a job to do, and the two of them were letting pride and ego get in the way.

"Knock it off, Jojo!" Speedwagon stood as quickly as his aging bones would let him. "We didn't come all this way for nothing. You two better start talking!"

Beside me, Caesar turned just enough to look at Speedwagon. "I'm sorry, but not a chance."

I put a hand to my face. "Oh, Holy Mother..." I mumbled. He was going to make this as long and painful as he could.

"After our Grandfather died fifty years ago, our father took up his torch and spent his life hunting the mask. We Italians value our familial bonds more than any other culture in the world. It is everything to me!" Caesar's voice rose with every word. He stood and pointed at Joseph with vitriol. "That is something he will never understand! He only learned of his grandfather three months ago! A true man knows his history."

Joseph rose from the ground, the pigeons flying away. "Tell me this, 'true man,'" he pointed back at Caesar. "Is your whole family really this dumb?" Felt felt my blood boiling at his words.

"Hold on, Caesar," Speedwagon interjected, motioning Joseph to calm down. "He didn't know about his family because I kept it a secret from him."

I looked up at my brother, anger coursing through my veins. Not only was he making a fool of himself, Joseph had just insulted our family because of his ridiculous rant. "You have no place to talk, Caesar." He didn't acknowledge me, but I knew he was listening. "We didn't know about our family until a few years ago. He's in the same position we were."

He shook his head, trying to downplay what I had said. "That doesn't matter. I was expecting some impressive strength after hearing he fought Straizo and one of the Pillar Men. That's why we were waiting at the hotel." He closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose as if it hurt him to speak. He hadn't mentioned that bit of information when we booked the hotel. "I am disappointed to say, his Hamon skills leave much to be desired."

I glared at him. "That's what you were doing in the restaurant? Playing around with Hamon?" I looked to Joseph, then back again. "I would expect this of Joseph, but not of you Caesar! We have more important things to worry about than your petty squabbles."

"Hey!" Joseph said in defense.

"Aren't you listening?" Caesar yelled back. "His Hamon is weak, near useless! His defeat of the Pillar Man was nothing but blind luck! How are we supposed to work someone so pathetic?"

Joseph growled. "Now, listen here!"

"Don't be ridiculous, Caesar!" I stood up and met his intensity. "We need Joseph to defeat the other Pillar Men, whether you like him or not!"

"I won't be forced to work with this imbecile!" Caesar interrupted, his anger reaching boiling point.

"Working with an imbecile is better than being dead! We need every Hamon user we can get our hands on!" Why was he letting his emotions cloud his judgement? These Pillar Men could put the world in jeopardy, and he was more concerned with who he was working with.

Speedwagon tried to calm the situation. "Caesar, please! Joseph hasn't had any proper Hamon training yet...."

Joseph stepped in front of him, cracking his knuckles. "We're done talking here. I'm going to settle this with a good thrashing."

Caesar grinned. He grabbed the tourist he had been talking to earlier, bringing her in close. "With your weak Hamon, you wouldn't be able to pick the petals off this delicate flower."

Joseph looked around hastily. "Yeah? Well, you couldn't beat one of these pigeons!"

I threw up a hand in dismissal. "You two are the stupidest and most reckless people I have ever had the misfortune of meeting." I began to walk away. "When you two are done beating the shit out of each other, I'll be waiting in the car to drive you to the nearest hospital. Just find me when you are done." I was so angry, I had begun to shake a bit. Caesar was being so unreasonable, letting his pride get in the way of everything we had been working towards. After we had come all this way, trained so hard, sacrificed so much, he was willing to throw it all away because Joseph was acting like an idiot.

I stormed away, heading across the street and around the corner where I parked the car earlier. I yanked the door open and climbed in the driver's seat. I slammed the door shut, letting myself slump against the warm leather and worked the crank to roll the window down.

I loved my brother. I loved him dearly. I didn't understand why he did this to himself. He was so good at making bad decisions. He always had been, even when we were younger. He had thought crime was better than working a job. He thought running away to Roma to escape his problems was better than staying with what little was left of his family. He let his emotion guide him, and his emotions usually had the worst solutions.

Learning to use Hamon was probably the best thing that happened to us. By then, the younger ones could take care of themselves, and I could go with Caesar to train under Lisa Lisa. Keep him out of trouble for a little while. But by then, he seemed to have leveled out some. Maybe it was because he finally had something to work towards. Whatever it was, it wasn't working now. He had become so blinded by his anger and resentment that he was willing to throw it all away.

I slumped against the seat even more. What I supposed to do? I had tried talking some sense into him. Well, more like yelling some sense into him, and it didn't seem to work.

A figure moved just outside my periphery. I leaned forward a bit to get a better look. It was Joseph, making his way to the car. "Are you two done yet?" I called to him, hearing the tiredness in my own voice.

He closed the gap, leaning against the frame of the window. "I rather think so." He gave his signature smirk. "You're brother's good, but not good enough for the likes of me!"

I narrowed my eyes. "So he did lose to the pigeon."

"Bingo," he said with a wink. "Speedwagon and Caesar are talking about a few things. They said they would be here soon." He looked around, then turned back to me. "What's Caesar's deal anyway? All I did was launch some Hamon de Seppia at him, and he immediately hates me."

I sighed and looked away. "I don't know. He's always been like this." A thought for a moment. "Hamon de Seppia? You had a food fight in the restaurant?!"

Joseph waved his hands in front of his face. "No, no, nothing like that at all!" He scrunched up his face. "If it wasn't for that Casanova being such a jerk and his stupidly obvious flirting, I wouldn't have used Hamon in the first place."

I didn't believe him for a second. "You know," I said slowly, "You complain that Caesar decided to hate you for no reason, but you acted the same way to him. You are guilty of the same thing he is."

His gaze wandered over my face. "The difference between me and that wet noodle is that I can read people. I can tell what kind of a person he really is."

"First impressions don't tell the whole story, Joseph." I returned the intense stare. "You made up your mind from the beginning, and you don't want to be proven wrong."

He began tapping the metal door with his finger. "I wasn't wrong about you, Senorina." Playfulness began to creep into his eyes.

His words made me suspicious. "What about me?" I asked cautiously.

I could see the cogs moving behind his eyes. This was just another game to him. "Well," he began with a sly grin, "When I first saw you, I could tell you were the quiet type. You have a temper on you, but you like to keep it under wraps." I could feel his eyes searching for a reaction from me. "But you are very protective about the people you care about. You also are spicy and sarcastic, having a fire to you that most people don't have."

I was thinking so fast, trying to come up with some witty comeback. Nothing was really coming to mind, but something was bugging me a bit. "What you say is true," I began, mulling over my words, "But you don't know why I am the way I am. You know my actions, but you don't know who (Y/N) is. You can read people very well, but you only read what is on the surface. It takes a lot longer to really know a person."

His grin turned toothy. "Do you want to know me better? Because I want to know you better, Senorina."

I glared at him. "What do you mean by that, Joseph?"

He shrugged. "It's whatever you want it to mean."

"Don't be coy. Give me a straight answer, damn it."

He chuckled. "I don't think so. That would take all the fun out of it, don't you think?"

I rolled my eyes. "If you want to be friends, I have no problems with that. If you want some sort of fling, I don't do those. If you are wanting some sort of serious relationship... We'll see."

"We'll see?" His eyes sparkled. "You sound eager, Senorina."

"Not a chance," I said, not as angry as I wanted it to sound.

"I think soooooo..." A goofy smile on his face. "You want a non-stop lover like me."

"I don't think you could last that long," I slid the comment in.

"Eh, uh," he sputtered, "You don't know until you try, smooth operator."

"You seem keen on convincing me," I smirked at him. "Go ahead. Give it your best shot. And keep in mind, Caesar will hate you more than he already does. It doesn't matter whether you succeed or not." I looked over his shoulder. "Here he comes, by the way."

Joseph whipped around to see Speedwagon and Caesar, deep in discussion and heading our way. He turned back to me, fire in his eyes. "Let's make a deal," he said hastily.

"A deal?"

"Yes." I could tell he was trying to think of something, and fast. "If I can defeat you in a Hamon battle, you go out to lunch with me."

I raised an eyebrow. "When would we have this battle?"

"Uhm... After we meet with this coach of yours," he manages. "The first free moment we get, we settle this."

I look back at Speedwagon and Caesar, who were just out of earshot. "You're on."

Joseph smiled and pumped his fist. "Alright! You better not back out!"

"I don't plan on it. Now, get into my car. We're leaving." I leaned out the window as Joseph moved away. "You two done?" I called out.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting, (Y/N)," Speedwagon apologized. "Caesar and I were discussing our next steps."

"It's alright." I look over to the passenger seat. Joseph was trying to claim the front. "Get in the back seat. Caesar sits there."

"You better leave my sister alone, or I will beat you into a pulp!" Caesar threatened, pointing menacingly.

"Oh? Like you did that pigeon?" Joseph taunted, crossing his arms with his usual cockiness.

I hit my head on the rim of the steering wheel. This was going to be miserable. "Just get in."

"If you say so, Lady Driver," Joseph moved to the back seat, right behind the passenger. Speedwagon climbed in on the other side.

As Caesar settled in beside me, I looked over to him. "Are we still going ahead as planned?"

He nodded. "Yes. I'm still waiting for our man to get in touch."

"What man?" Joseph asked from behind us. He leaned forward so his head poked out between us.

"You'll find out." I said, shoving his head out of the way. I turned the key in the ignition, and the engine roared under the hood. This was going to be an interesting journey, that was certain. I just had to keep Caesar and Joseph from killing each other before it all ended.

#jojo's bizarre advenure #jojo's bizarre adventure battle tendency #battle tendency #joseph joestar #caesar zeppeli #jjba #jjba reader insert #jjba oneshot #jjba x reader

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sherlockfanficwriting · 5 years ago

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Sherlock “The new musician” (x reader)

hello, I hope u enjoy this! please request me anything I mean anything!

Your POV

The taxi bumped over a pothole on the rainy London streets. You were moving into a flat in London all alone. You knew nobody. This was your first time in the city. You loved music your whole life especially the cello. It was your first instrument and you loved it the most. You got a job with a well-known orchestra in London and you couldn't have been more excited about it. The taxi slowed down to a halt and stopped by the curb. You clutched your bags and cello case. You paid and quickly hopped out, excited but quite nervous. You stood and looked at the building. It was simple and small with a cafe next to it. It looked like someplace you could get used to. You walked to the black door and took out the key for it. With a few failed attempts, you managed to twist it wide open. A musty old smell hit your face causing you to scrunch your nose. You smiled. It was like stepping into the 50s. The walls were dark and so was the stairway, but you liked the charm. You walked up the staircase and passed the second-floor flat door. The door was ajar. You didn't hear anyone, you hadn’t even known who lived here. You peered inside. There were two chairs, a fireplace, a small couch, and some spray paint on the wall. A smiley face?

“What in the world,” you whispered to yourself.

“What, you don’t like it?” A deep British accent said.

You jolted and lost your balance, falling down until a pair of strong hands picked you up from midair and steadied you. You looked up at him. He was a tall man with curly dark hair. His cheekbones were quite prominent. He wore dark clothes with a black trench coat.

“Sorry, I was -,”

“Spying? No, you’re new. Not from London and you’re moving in the flat upstairs,” he said.

“Y-yes. I just didn’t know who lived here. I’m sorry I really wasn’t spying.”

He smirked. “No worries.”

You extended a hand to him. “I’m (Y/N).”

He shook it. His hand was cold but gave off a certain type of warmth you weren’t certain of. “Hello, (Y/N), I’m Sherlock.”

You smiled. “Nice to meet you, Sherlock. I had better get packing now. I hope to see you soon.”

He briefly smiled and walked into his flat, shutting the door behind him. He seemed cold but strange, not like he meant it though. You sighed and grabbed your bags, trudging up the stairs, careful not to fall over again.

Sherlock’s POV

Easy day at work today. Horrible criminal, he didn't even know how to hide a body for the love of God. As soon as I walked up to the door, I knew someone knew was inside. Quietly, I entered inside. I stopped and smelled the air. Soft. Flowers. Roses. It smelled like a fresh field of flowers. It was a girl. But who? I look upstairs. There she is. Peering into my flat, unaware of who just entered the building. I’m going to scare her. Slowly I walk upstairs, careful not to make any noise. I stand at the edge of the stairs. From her angle, I can tell she’s looking at the spray paint or the bullet hole.

“What, you don’t like it?” I ask.

Before I know it she shook and falls backward. I quickly catch her and steady her balance. She turns to me and looks at me. I can see her face. She has (Y/HC) soft hair and delicate pearly skin. Telling from her eyes, she’s tired and not a London native. She seems ordinary but quite interesting. I can’t tell you much about her.

“Sorry, I was-,” she began. I didn’t want to hear any apologies frankly.

“Spying?” Definitely not. More like neighborly spying. “No, you’re new. Not from London and moving in the flat upstairs.”

She doesn't look as shocked as most people would. “Y-yes. I just didn’t know who lived here. I’m sorry I really wasn’t spying.”

Enough with the apologizing. She does seem shy, but kind. She extends a hand for me to shake. I do. It's soft.

“I’m (Y/N),” she said, smiling.

“Hello, (Y/N), I’m Sherlock.” This is actually nice. I was getting tired of just talking to John and Mrs. Hudson every day. Perhaps I can get to know her more. She doesn't seem that ordinary.

She smiled. “Nice to meet you, Sherlock. I had better get packing now. I hope to see you soon.”

Ugh no. Should I invite her in? I probably scared her. We definitely have nothing in common. I flashed a smile and walked into my flat, shutting the door. I hear her walking up the steps. I should help her. No - it's too late.

Your POV

You finally made it upstairs and unlocked the door. You gasped. The flat was beautiful. It was of medium size from what you can see, but a large window poured in bright light from outside, even though it was raining. It was cozy. There were a love chair and a regular chair by the fireplace. You walked to the right. A small kitchen with the nice essentials took over the corner. You walked down the hallway and opened the door. A big mattress and bed frame took up the room with a small bookshelf against one of the walls. The walls of the whole flat stayed in neutral colors from beige to light brown to light blue. It was nice. You put down your bags and began unpacking a few essential things. You took off your jacket and threw it on the kitchen table. After you put your cello case on the ground, you threw yourself on the love chair and your eyes closed as soon as you did so.

A few (many) hours later....

You flicker your eyes open, adjusting to almost complete pitch darkness. You get up and make your way around carefully without tripping over something. You run your hands against the walls, looking for a lightswitch. Boom. A bright warm white light lit the whole floor. You walked to the window. It was nighttime, but the buildings and skyscrapers were full of bright lights. You looked at the streets and saw cars zooming by, taxis stopping and going everywhere. It was a nonstop rush, but you liked it. You turned around and spotted your cello on the floor. You picked it up and got it out of the case, admiring it. It was a very special cello. Your father gave it to you when you were fifteen. You have kept it ever since and it doesn't look a day old or sound a day old. You sat down and held it in your hands. You picked up the bow and began playing your favorite song. Debussy - Reverie.

The cello was like another arm for you. It was so natural. You closed your eyes and went with the music. You played slow and passionately. It was your love.

Sherlock’s POV

I have never been this bored in my life. No cases. No studying cases. Nothing. I texted Lestrade ten times and I think he blocked my number.

“We should go out,” I told John.

“Oh really, where?” I can already tell he has a wide frown on his face.

“The bar?”

John looked up. “Do you know the las-.”

He stops talking. There is music being played faintly, but clear enough for us to hear. What is it? Violin? No. That’s a cello. I shiver. No one but me plays an instrument here. Who is it?

“John, do you hear that?”

“Yeah, a cello?”

I nod. I listen for a few moments. Debussy- Reverie, a charming song that makes me feel...different. His music always did something to me. The song is played at the perfect pace. It's slow and smooth with the right pauses. Whoever is doing this is a professional.

“Who do you think doing that, Sherlock?”

A lightbulb went off in my head. I stand up and walk out the door in the stairway. The music is coming from upstairs. (Y/N) is playing. I would have never thought she played an instrument, especially the cello. I walk up the stairs quietly, enjoying the song as I go. I stood outside her door, listening until she finished and knocked.

“Come in!”

I open the door and there she is, sitting on a chair, cello, and bow in hand.

“I-I didn't know you played the cello.”

She laughs. “Well, I did just meet you.”

“I play the violin. I’m actually quite good.”

She laughs again. “I do too. Cello is my favorite though. Do you play in a band or orchestra?”

Orchestra? Never. “An orchestra? Not my type. I enjoy playing alone or in front of a few close people. Its really about self meditating for me,” I answer.

She got up and put the cello down. “I’ll make you some tea.”

I nod. “Thank you.”

“When did you start playing?” I ask.

She walks to the counter and puts the teapot on the oven. She gets two mugs from the cabinet.

“I started a while ago. I was very young. I enjoyed playing a lot. Anywhere I could play. It got serious when I was a young teenager. I went to competitions and such. Now, I came to London to be in an orchestra, but I want to do other things too, not just music, but it is an important part of my life. It relaxes me and makes me happy,” she said. Then she smiled at herself than at me. She was in love with the cello.

“I played the violin since I was young too. It was an art. A skill I developed but I attained naturally. I have enjoyed it ever since. I do want to learn the piano and a few other instruments as well. I could play days on,” I said.

She turns around and pours the hot water in mugs, finally dropping green tea bags in the mugs. She’s an interesting person. I like her.

“Here you go,” she says, handing me my mug. I thank her.

“What else do you do?” She asks me curiously with wide eyes. I try not to chuckle. If only she knew.

“Why don’t you come downstairs and I’ll show you.”

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bamiiib · 5 years ago

Text

Ethereal | Jung Jaehyun

Masterlist

An old friend returns with a smile and a shine in his doe eyes, while Jaehyun is setting out to finally live his dream—or as close as he can get to it. You’re happy for him, but when you watch the passion burn in his eyes, you wonder if your own passions are just as worth it. If everything you’ve worked for at this point, is even worth it.

Words: 6.1K

Category: Modern!AU, Angst, Fluff

Song Rec: WITHOUT U — NCT U

Warnings: Explicit Language

A/N: Hello lovely readers, Bambi is back and better than ever! I’m going to keep this short & explain in a separate post, but I am back and with a plan! I’ve struggled with writers block but I forced myself to sit down and make use of my time while I’m stuck at home for the time being. I hope you enjoy this chapter as I poured my heart and soul onto it! I will be updating the remaining chapters of Ethereal every Wednesday from now on as I already have chapter eleven ready for editing and the epilogue planned out. I hope you love this chapter as much as I do, and happy reading! —Bambi

“Hey stranger, long time no see.”

He grinned at the sight of your shock written face. You stared at him, studying every inch of his features. From his wide, doe-like eyes, his sharp jawline that’d flex when he grinned, to his tiny butterfly shaped scar below his eye. His presence almost felt unreal, as if you were trapped in some surreal dream with a suffocating weight pressing down against your chest. You couldn’t find the words to describe the feeling; as much as you wanted to smile, pull him into a hug and ask how life had been treating him, you refused to shake down the unwanted emotions that tugged onto you.

“I’m guessing you’re here to watch Jaehyun’s performance?” He went on, pulling the two bottles of beer, Taeyong handed you one in which you took absentmindedly. “You okay there?” He asked, waving his hand over your face, he pulled you back into the reality you didn’t know you didn’t want to come back to. He called your name, and the weight on your chest pushed more, your head began to ache. But you couldn’t let him know that.

“Yeah. I’m okay. Just a little—surprised to see you here is all.” It wasn’t a lie, but to say that you didn’t feel overwhelmed would be. Though that was a different story you didn’t want to focus on at the moment. Not here, not now.

Taeyong laughed, shaking his head before taking a slug of his drink. “I can almost say the same. Small world I guess.” He excused, turning away from you to face the empty stage where a crowd of people stood patiently.

“So, are you here to watch too?” You asked out of curiosity, an unsettling feeling latched onto your heart, you pushed your thoughts away with a long sip.

“You can say that. Doyoung is my roommate and he’s also the leader of the band.” Taeyong explained, in which you half-listened.

“Come here to support him?” You asked. Taeyong cackled, shaking his head, he placed down his bottle of beer.

“If that’s what you’d want to believe. I’m mostly here because after every performance he always likes to drink with his bandmates and some chicks, which leaves me in charge of playing mom when he can’t.” You wanted to laugh at the thought of Taeyong being the “mom” friend, he always had been for as long as you’ve known him, but those words echoed in your head.

“To drink with his bandmates and some chicks.”

At that moment, the thought of Jaehyun drinking around with girls desperately throwing themselves at him, it made you feel uneasy. Insecure.

You hadn’t realized just when you started to feel so jealous over the little things you weren’t even sure Jaehyun did. It was as if you didn’t know who he was when he’d leave your apartment door. As if he were to become someone entirely different. Someone who had the face of the man you love, but have no idea who he truly is.

“Yeah…” Was all you could whisper before the lights dimmed, and the crowd near the stage began to cheer. The lounge was significantly big, the lights shimmering a golden tint around the actual bar so the bartenders could make their drinks. The stage seemed big enough to fit a band; a microphone stood in the middle, between the thick red curtains that moved delicately. You turned to face Taeyong whose gaze was fixed onto the stage, he looked at you from the corner of his eye. With a gentle, welcoming grin, he took a sip from his drink before motioning the bottle over to the stage without another word.

“Alright ladies and gentlemen, before our final performance of the night, I’d like to introduce you to the leader of the band, Lee Doyoung! Give him a round of applause!” A young man announced in the middle of the stage. The crowd roared, and emerging from the scarlet curtains, Doyoung walked towards the microphone in elegance, radiating pure confidence as he did.

“So many beautiful people here tonight, though most of you are probably too drunk to really see that.” Doyoung said with a chuckle, and those who were sober enough followed him. “I’m going to try to cut this short. We’re a new band trying to make a name for ourselves, we carry purpose, and we carry these songs in our hearts. Listen, and you might find purpose with us. We are, NCT!” The curtain opened, your heart seeming to skyrocket with the heavy beat of the drum that began to echo within the lounge.

Their silhouettes stayed stiff like statues, with one pluck of a guitar, the spotlight had shined on them. Jaehyun’s face glowed delicately against the ill colored lighting that made his eyes shine. You’ve never seen such passion burn in his stare as he strummed his guitar, the drums echoing until you felt it deep in your heart, the floor thumped with every beat. Another strum of a guitar, and the mood had instantly changed. The crowd went from calm to roaring cheers the moment Doyoung had picked up the microphone, and began to sing.

You watched, it was impossible to look away. Doyoung sang, his voice echoed within the bar, people walked closer to see, leaving the bar practically stranded minus the new customers who walked in to get a chance to hear the music that boomed throughout the room. The music pulled at you. Before you knew it, you had been walking closer to the stage, and at that moment, Jaehyun walked closer to his mic. When he opened his eyes, his lips parted, and his gaze met yours.

“Even if I close my eyes, I can feel your warmth. A step beside me, my companion who has been walking by my side. You who has given me comfort,” He smiled, and your heart felt light, “I’m with you.” He finished, stepping back, he looked away before you could process it.

He had never looked so happy than how he did when he sang. The determination that seared in his soul, Jaehyun finally looked at home. Like the birds that flew past your apartment windows, he had finally looked free. Your heart ached, though you weren’t sure if it was joy, or an unknown, unwanted feeling that crept in the back of your mind. You looked around to see girls screaming after him, the feeling unsettling, you wanted to ignore it and turned to look back at the band. Another band member began to sing, and the crowd was dancing, you smiled when you felt a tap on your shoulder.

Taeyong looked at you, raising his beer towards you in a celebratory toast. A laugh erupted from your lips, raising your bottle to clink with his, you pushed away everything that was bad in the world for the moment that they performed, and danced with the crowd. Freedom rushed through your veins, you felt like the birds; but sooner or later, you’d have to come back down to the ground.

By the time that it was finally over, everything had felt like a dream. It was all surreal, from the moment the lights brightened, and the crowd became less rowdy, you didn’t want to believe that anything that had just happened had been real. Taeyong turned to look at you, a smile clear on his thin lips, he tugged on your arm, taking your hand in his, and before you could protest, he pulled you away from the crowd, and towards a door next to the stage.

“Don’t worry Daniel, she’s with me.” Taeyong addressed you when he talked to the security guard who stood in front of the door. He took a short look at you before he grinned and motioned his head over towards the room.

“Go ahead man.” He said before Taeyong opened the door, letting you walk inside first.

“Y’know if I wasn’t so close to you, I’d say this is a kidnapping.” You said with a chuckle, turning to watch Taeyong close the door before motioning his hand towards the actual room.

Chatter filled the tiny area. Your heart skipped a beat, your eyes widened, and a short gasp escaped your lips when you realized that the members of Jaehyun’s band were all here. None turned to look at you, too focused on putting away their instruments and talking amongst themselves, you could’ve sworn that one of them whispered to the other, “Must be some fan.”

You rolled your eyes, but before you could start looking for Jaehyun, Doyoung—the leader of NCT—was standing in front of your very eyes.

“Hey Doyoung, you did a good job out there.” Taeyong stated, taking a step forward to where you had to take a step back before you felt as if you were interrupting them.

Doyoung smiled, “About time you went backstage. Most of the time you’re waiting for me with a beer or something.” He said before shoving Taeyong’s shoulder in a playful manner.

Taeyong rolled his eyes, but smiled right after. “Actually I’m not here for you. I brought a friend here that a bandmate of yours knows very well.” He explained, turning over to you, he gripped your shoulders gently before pushing you forward and introducing you to him. “This is Jaehyun’s girlfriend.” Taeyong said a little too happily before Doyoung’s brows raised, he chuckled.

“Boy will he be happy to see you then. He’s been talking about you nonstop before the gig. He’s over there talking to Taeil—the lead guitar of the band.” Doyoung directed to where they were, and you saw him.

His skin glowed against the golden lights of the tiny room, his guitar strapped on his back as he lied down his case, talking to a gray haired man who you could only assume was Taeil. The two of them turned at the same time, and your eyes met his. The way he stared at you, the same passion you saw on the stage still burned deep in his brown eyes.

A wide grin decorated the corner of Jaehyun’s lips, his dimples instantly popped out, he didn’t hesitate to run towards you, pulling you in a hug that lifted you off your feet. You yelped in surprise when he spun you around, the immense heat from his body radiated around you.

“I’m so glad you made it. What did you think? Were we good? Well—was I good?” He bombarded you with questions, letting out a hearty laugh. You couldn’t seem to let go of the dorkish grin that was practically glued to your face.

“You were amazing Jaehyun! I knew you could do it!” You exclaimed, pulling him in a hug, you shut your eyes to realize that you had even gotten teary. You were happy for him, but in that hug, with his laugh that echoed in your ears, deep inside, there was something that was eating you up.

“So, what now?” You asked when he pulled away and your tears were gone. You reached your hand to touch his cheek, Jaehyun had practically melted into your touch.

“The bandmates and I wanted to head out and drink a little. This is my first gig with them, so it’d be a good chance to get to know them more.” He explained, excitement deep in his sentence. You curled your lips in a small smile.

“Well, that sounds like a lot of fun babe.” You said, moving your hand away until Jaehyun grabbed your wrist, placing it back to where it was, he was quick to react.

“You can always come with. Maybe help me out in case I get too nervous around them?” He offered, though a bitter taste filled your tongue. You weren’t sure how to feel if you went with them, to see a crowd of girls throw themselves at them like the ones you saw when they performed. Though they were new to the music world, it seems that fans were quick to pour in. You looked back at Jaehyun when your hand fell to your side. You watched his puppy eyes that stared down at you, that glance that you could never say no to.

“Okay.” You muttered. Jaehyun instantly smiled, pulling you into another hug, though that uneasy feeling that bubbled in your stomach could only seem to grow. He opened his mouth to speak, but you watched a hand grip onto his shoulder as Doyoung pulled him into a side hug, whilst the rest of the band stayed behind him, like soldiers waiting for orders.

“We’re gonna be heading out soon, you guys coming along?” Doyoung asked with a smirk, looking over at Jaehyun before his eyes trailed towards you. You avoided eye contact, staring at Jaehyun who had his eyes locked on the rest of the band.

He laughed, “Is that even a question?” Doyoung chuckled, bumping into Jaehyun, pushing and shoving each other like children until Taeil was pulled along with them, leaving one more member of the band to follow behind.

It was the drummer—a woman with loud red hair, dark sunglasses and a brown leather jacket. You knew if Johnny was with you right now, he’d ease that anxiety that stirred in you by saying how much of a try-hard she was being with the entire look. But when she turned her head to look at you up and down, you instantly felt nauseous before she snickered, turning away to catch up with the rest of the band.

Taeyong walked next to you, still holding onto the bottle of beer that had to be empty by now. He said, “Don’t let Jia get to you. She likes to think she’s one of the guys. All hard ass until that leather jacket and glasses come off.” You knew he was only trying to make you feel better, and for that short moment when you watched Jaehyun leave you behind with the band, it did.

Only for that short moment, it did.

They ended up going to a different bar than the one they performed in.

“It’s not exactly the cleanest place.” Doyoung said from past experience, though the only reason why they performed there in the first place was because he was cool with the owner, and despite its filth, it was still—by some miracle—one of the most popular places in the city.

“Probably ‘cause of all the cheap beer and late night hours.” Jia excused, her black boots clicking against the concrete they walked on.

The city had been roaring all around them, it was the most alive you have ever seen it. You walked by countless stores, and countless drunks grinning at you with drool hanging off their lip, though Jaehyun made it clear that you were taken as he had his arm wrapped around your waist as you walked. Still, you preferred looking at the city from your apartment balcony rather than down here in the crowded streets where you couldn’t see much of its beauty.

When you entered the bar, you were greeted by neon lights and shouts of laughter echoing the area. People were scattered everywhere; you started to doubt that you’d find a place to actually sit. The band looked around until Doyoung saw someone from the distance, that same mischievous grin that made you nervous filled his expression.

He waved over to them, “Hey, Yuta!” He shouted when a man with a wide, rectangle smile waved over to him, motioning for them to sit in the big empty table as if he had been waiting for them this entire time.

“Yuta…?” You asked, looking over at Jaehyun who could only match up with the same exact confusion as you. As if on cue to your confusion, Taeyong stepped forward, crossing his arms over his chest, he glanced ahead with the rest of NCT greeting Yuta like he was a long time friend.

“Nakamoto Yuta is like the “manager” of NCT. He’s the one who finds them gigs, then for the “after party” as he likes to say, he looks for the best bar in the city to try and spread the name. Though NCT is a new band, they’ve been doing a couple of gigs before you came in.” Taeyong explained, looking over at Jaehyun whose brows furrowed, turning over to look at him as they all sat down on the long table.

“And now that we finally have the missing link that makes the band NCT, our name will spread like wildfire.” Doyoung added on, eavesdropping onto their conversation, he laughed before ordering drinks for the entire table.

You stayed next to Jaehyun the entire time, though Taeyong sat next to you, placing a hand on your knee every now and then to make sure you felt comfortable or included since Jaehyun seemed too deep into conversation the entire time. You appreciated the gesture, but each time he did so, your heart would sink to the floor, and you’d suddenly forget where you were for a split second.

“How do you know so much about NCT if they’re just starting out though Taeyong? I thought you were doing your own thing.” You asked, remembering back to when Jaehyun and Taeyong used to live together, and how he was the first to move out to start his dream of becoming a dancer.

Taeyong looked down at the table and smiled. “Well, when I first moved in with Doyoung at my new college, he was studying music and me with dancing, we actually came up with the entire concept of NCT.” He said quietly into your ear, hinting that he didn’t want anyone else hearing. It only made you feel more sick.

“You both did? So why aren’t you with the band? Or at least the manager instead of this Yuta guy?” You asked, frowning, but Taeyong made it seem as if it were not that big a deal.

You knew it was, even though you weren’t that good with words, you were still able to read people’s expressions. And you knew better than anyone that sorrowful look that filled Taeyong’s eyes as he sighed and shrugged as a response.

“Guess that the band life isn’t for me. Y’know, before dance, I wanted to be a songwriter. I wrote some here and there, I even showed some to Jaehyun, then to Doyoung. I guess for Jae, he said I inspired him, but for Doyoung…” His voice trailed, looking over to the leader who chugged his third cup of beer as Taeil, Jia, and Jaehyun cheered him on.

Everything suddenly clicked. “He stole your songs.” You pieced everything together, but Taeyong cleared his throat, taking a sip from his drink and shook his head.

“I wouldn’t go as far as to say that he “stole” my songs. I don’t really care anyway. The music industry doesn’t take well on soloists, and I refuse to join a band since I want a voice for myself anyway. I knew I wasn’t going to cut it, so I decided to take on the next best thing I’m good at: dancing.” He explained, but you knew him, you knew the determination and passion in his tone when he explained about the music world.

It suddenly made so much sense as to how and why Taeyong knew so much about everything music wise, and on NCT. This was his dream, and he was willing to give it up because he would rather have his voice be heard, than to share it with others.

“The music world is a selfish place.” He said with a sigh, muttering your name under his breath, it sent a chill down your spine. “Jaehyun has a good heart, and you’re both good friends of mine, I don’t want to see him fall into that world, but build himself from it.”

You nodded, smiling faintly when you turned to look at Jaehyun who had been laughing from the moment he got here, completely invested into conversation. You knew he was going to be okay.

“He will.” You reassured more to yourself rather than to Taeyong. He smiled, nodding his head before reaching for his cup, drinking. Your eyes were locked on Jaehyun who in the middle of laughing, turned to look at you.

“What’s up baby?” He asked after calming down, and you don’t know what it was, be it that unsettling feeling in your stomach going away when he looked at you, or the courage and hope that filled your heart, you grabbed Jaehyun’s hand, intertwining your fingers with his, you kissed his knuckles delicately.

“Nothing.” You said, and Jaehyun’s smile slowly grew again when he pressed a quick kiss against your cheek.

The rest of the night, the majority of your conversations were spent with Taeyong who stayed sober and the “designated driver” for the band as they drove around the city from bar to bar, trying to spread the name of NCT with Yuta tagging along. Each time they talked to one of the bar owners about a gig, there was something off about that smile of Yuta and Doyoung’s. Something didn’t settle right in your stomach, no matter how hard you tried shaking the feeling off, to be happy for Jaehyun as he enjoyed himself throughout the night.

Eventually you decided to forget about it, and after you had said your goodbyes to the group, Taeyong helped you as you took a drunk Jaehyun to your home.

He’d been a laughing fit from the moment you stuffed him in your car to when you were helping him climb up the stairs to your apartment. After many attempts of reaching for your keys, you gave in to Taeyong’s offers to help. You practically flung Jaehyun towards him as he fell limp in Taeyong’s hold. He groaned in surprise, and you laughed when you unlocked the door where Taeyong stumbled to get inside before throwing Jaehyun onto the nearest couch.

He moaned and groaned, adjusting himself until he was comfortable. You watched Jaehyun with a smile before walking towards him and removing his shoes for him.

“If you want to sleep on the couch, the least you could do is help me get you into some comfy clothes.” You said between giggles, peeling off his socks that had you holding your breath. “Taeyong, can you do me a favor and go to our room and get him some pajamas? They should be on the bottom drawer to the left.” You instructed as Taeyong curled his lips, nodding his head as he disappeared into the apartment.

“Baby… I love you.” Jaehyun had suddenly uttered as you were helping him out of his jacket. You listened carefully, knowing he was going to say something more, you decided to wait until he was done spewing out whatever his drunk mind had to say.

“You’re too good to me, even with those chicks checkin’ me out during the show, I would’ve beaten the shit out of them if I were you.” You rolled your eyes. As if you weren’t already aware of the girls who might as well have thrown themselves onto that stage.

“I love you too Jaehyun.” Was all you could really reply to, since you didn’t have any idea as to how Jaehyun would react if you responded to the second.

“Y’know that Yuta guy…?” He asked, his eyes shut when you took off his shirt, tossing it next to you, he plopped right onto the couch when you did.

“What about him?” You asked, now curious to know what he had to say. Maybe your hunch of Yuta was right, and that he was nothing but trouble.

“Well, he says that if we do good for these gigs, he knows a couple of guys in the states who’d be down to sign us, and maybe tour around over there. Isn’t that great?” He said as he burped.

Your heart dropped.

The states. It was so far, and with NCT being new, there was no way that any of this could be true. Maybe Jaehyun’s just saying this because that’s his dream. There’s no way Yuta would be that good of a manager and help them out that quickly.

Right?

“The states…? Now what are you gonna do in the states?” You said with a laugh, almost in disbelief. You wanted to be hopeful for Jaehyun. To think that he will achieve his dreams in becoming a musician—even if it isn’t as a soloist as he planned in the beginning. Although, you didn’t think he’d be achieving his dreams this quick.

“Perform, a-duh.” He said, sitting up as he poked your forehead. “And maybe you can come with. Though Doyoung isn’t much of a fan about that.” He said with a chuckle, and your brow arched. Something in that sentence had set your blood to boil, and all you could see when those words muttered out of Jaehyun’s drunken lips was that horrible, mischievous smile in Doyoung’s face.

“I see…” You whispered, fiddling with Jaehyun’s clothes, you looked back at him to see his eyes locked on yours. That sinking feeling in your heart came back. He opened his lips to speak, and you weren’t sure why, but something in that gaze of his made you feel nervous. Almost scared.

“Hey, I brought the pajamas.” Taeyong said, walking back inside the room, he handed you a Calvin Klein shirt and some maroon sweatpants. You looked up at him, smiling, you bowed politely as if to say thank you.

“Help me get him dressed.” Your voice was quiet, unsure what to say, or what to think. Jaehyun finally looked away, and a suffocating weight you didn’t know was even there was lifted when he did.

Taeyong helped you get Jaehyun dressed. It was easier than what you thought it would be, when you put on his sweatpants, it was like he practically fell limp before falling completely asleep.

“You gonna let him sleep on the couch?” Taeyong asked you, panting after the struggle of holding Jaehyun’s weight while you dressed him. You huffed, looking down at his sleeping—already snoring—figure. You scoffed and nodded.

“For now. Maybe before you go you can help me take him to the bed?” You asked, unsure of what to really expect for Taeyong to answer, but he nodded and smiled.

“Sure thing.”

“So…” You muttered, walking towards your apartment balcony, sliding open the door, Taeyong followed you outside and closed the door gently. “You didn’t have to help me y’know.” You whispered, leaning against the railing, your eyes locked on your shoes.

Taeyong let out an airy laugh, “There’s no way I was going to let you haul his heavy ass all the way up here alone. It’s the least I can do.” He explained. You gulped down the knot in your throat.

“Thank you, Taeyong.” Your eyes trailed to his shoes that stood a good distance from you. You observed them as he stepped closer to you, standing by your side, he placed his elbows against the railing and stared at the midnight sky above.

“Anything for a friend.” He mumbled, and the words rang in your ears. You started to remember what he said back at the bar. Taeyong was always a selfless person, but you never thought he’d be so willing to give up his dream just like that.

“Why did you let Doyoung steal your songs?” You finally asked to break the tension that was creeping up in the air.

Taeyong sighed, hanging his head low, he fell silent for a moment. That silence was quick to accompany you, since it never left from the beginning. It always lurked. In your home, in your father, sometimes even in Jaehyun and Johnny. You never realized how uneasy it made you feel. How it made your stomach churn with each second that passed by in that agonizing silence, until it was Taeyong who was the silent one.

“Like I said before, the music world has no room for soloists like me.” He finally said, Your heart felt heavy at the words. It was like you can still feel the silky sheets underneath you, your ear pressed against Jaehyun’s chest as he stroked your hair gently, whispering to you about his dreams, on how he wished to have a voice when it came to music.

“So why didn’t you join NCT? You did say that it was your idea.” You wanted to think that Jaehyun knew what he was doing. You knew he was happy, and that the band would soon become family considering how close Jaehyun looked to them. How they accepted him, and treated him like they’ve known him for years. But deep down, you knew this wasn’t his full dream.

Right?

“I said it was my idea, I didn’t say that I was willing to join. When Doyoung and I started the whole idea of NCT, I wanted us to be a duo. He sings, I rap—to keep the balance,” He started, you listened, though you had a feeling as to where this was going, “of course we’d need to have guitar, bass, drums, that much we agreed on.”

“So what happened?” You asked cautiously.

“I was willing to do all that, to share the stage even though it wasn’t my full dream, but at least I was going to do it with a close friend of mine. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m still very close to Doyoung, but when it came to sharing the stage, he wasn’t up for that.” Silence again.

“Doyoung can be rather...selfish when it comes to certain things. Singing and that stage with an audience, that was the one thing he didn’t want to share with anyone else.” He finished.

“Not even with you?” You asked silently.

“Especially with me. He thought I’d oppose a “threat” and take all the spotlight from him. Though I can’t blame him, who wouldn’t fall in love with me.” He teased, grinning as he winked over at you. You laughed, rolling your eyes before shoving him away from you.

The laughter had eventually subsided, you turned to face Taeyong who had been staring ahead at the city that seemed to shush to just cars zooming past you.

“You really have quite the view here. I’m kinda envious of you.” Taeyong said with a snicker.

“The view isn’t so bad. Helps me past time and paint.” You admitted, breathing in the fresh air. For the first time in what felt like quite a while, it actually felt refreshing. Silence filled your ears, but the company made it seem not so scary. It was almost… peaceful.

“You still do that?” Taeyong asked, looking at you with an arched brow and a proud smile. Your eyes widened slightly, turning away so he wouldn’t catch the blush that crept on your cheeks. Painting wasn’t something that you bragged about. It was when you first moved in with Jaehyun that you finally started to see that maybe it was a special gift of yours. A gift that Jaehyun made you see.

“Yeah… crazy, isn’t it? I thought I’d give up and just do something useful with my life, help out my dad like I always planned.”

“But…?” Taeyong trailed on, catching on that you had more to say, though you weren’t sure if you should actually say them, or keep them to yourself. The thought of how everything started though, through the pain and betrayal that your father left when you walked out the doors of your childhood home, despite that hurt that lingered, you still found happiness to fill in that void.

“I met Jaehyun. He had the same dreams I once had. But the difference between the two of us was that he wasn’t afraid to actually meet them. I guess… that’s what I didn’t know I needed. Courage. I guess you can say he inspired me.” You curled your lips in a gentle smile. There was more you wanted to say, but when you looked at Taeyong who smiled with such warmth, sorrow seemed to fill those doe eyes of his.

“That’s great. I’m happy for you.” He said, his smile beginning to falter, as did yours. Your brows furrowed, unable to help the pity that crept onto your heart.

“What’s wrong?” You asked, but Taeyong shook his head, a short chuckle breathing through his thin lips.

“It’s nothing. Just… who knew the world could be so small.” Taeyong stared at the city, almost as if he were ashamed or embarrassed to look at you. The thought of that placed an unsettling feeling in the pit of your stomach. There was something he wasn’t telling you, and by the way he avoided eye contact, you didn’t know if you really wanted to know.

“Are you sure that’s it? You know you can tell me anything Yongie.” You said with a caring smile. You hadn’t called him that name since the last time you really saw Taeyong. It felt like a long time ago, when he was still a chubby kid in your junior high class. The kid who wore circle framed glasses and whose face flushed whenever he saw you. It seemed that Taeyong caught onto it as well, and let out a tiny chuckle.

“I just wish things had gone differently, that’s all.” He said gently, your heart had skipped a beat. You didn’t know why, but when he turned to finally meet your eyes, when you saw his smile that stayed just as sweet throughout the years, you finally saw Taeyong as who he was now.

“What do you mean?” You asked, but Taeyong sighed and shook his head.

“It’s nothing. Anyway, I should probably get going now. It’s getting pretty late.” His smile faltered, turning away as he headed inside the apartment.

“You can always spend the night…” You didn’t know what was driving you to say any of this, but you couldn’t seem to entirely bear the thought of Taeyong leaving, even if it was just for tonight.

He laughed, “As much as I’d love to, I can’t. Someone’s gotta take care of Doyoung. Call me if you need any help with Jaehyun though.”

You walked him inside where he helped you carry Jaehyun to the bedroom where he groaned before falling back into his snoring fit. Afterwards, you opened the front door for Taeyong who stepped outside, his eyes locked on you as he stood in the hall.

“You really have grown into an amazing person y’know.” Taeyong said with a grin, saying your name afterwards. Hearing it brush off of his lips, your heart skipped a beat again. “I always knew you would be though. I always thought you were pretty cool when we were younger.” He said, clearing his throat, he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

You giggled, “Yeah. You were pretty cute when we were kids, but you’re not that chubby nerdy boy anymore Yongie.” You watched Taeyong’s eyes widen, his cheeks tinted a rosy color.

“I-I guess.” He stuttered, staring down at his feet, he shoved his hands in his pockets. “It was nice catching up with you again. I hope we can be able to hang more in the future.” Taeyong curled his lips in a line as you leaned against your door, swinging back and forth with it, you smiled.

“Yeah. Me too.”

“Well, anyway, I should probably go now. Goodnight.” He smiled at you one last time, waving away as he disappeared deep into the hallways once you said your goodbyes.

“Goodnight…” You whispered again, bringing a hand up to wave him off, but he was too far to see. Your hand dropped to your side, shutting the door where you fell into your own moment of silence. You pressed your forehead onto the door delicately, taking a deep breath, you heard Jaehyun’s snores. Your lips curled to a smile when you did, walking towards the room, you finally changed into something comfortable—most of the time it was just an oversized shirt and your undies, but it was still comfortable nonetheless.

You plopped right next to the empty spot on the bed, watching Jaehyun sleep, seeing his chest heave up and down. You thought back to Taeyong’s conversations, and his words rang in your ears.

“I just wish things had gone differently, that’s all.”

You didn’t know what he meant, and you didn’t want to know. But as you lied there, watching Jaehyun as he slept peacefully, you just wanted to think about the present. So you just stayed there, listening to his snores as you ran your hand through his hair, watching Jaehyun lean into your touch, he smiled slightly in his sleep, and your heart felt light all over again. What happened in the past, stays in the past. No matter how Taeyong looked at you with that sugar-coated smile, no matter how much your heart skipped a beat, this is what you wanted.

This is what you want.

Right?

22 notes · View notes

straykidmagines · 6 years ago

Note

could i request 10 with Hyunjin please💓💓

➫ note: i lied. i made this a little, teenie, tiny, bit¿ angst and cliche heheh :D i swear the ending is fluffy — i hope （＞~＜;） enjoyyyeeu!! ( i can rewrite it to a fluffier ver. if u want tho!! )

↳ … this is for those who keep yearning love from others they cannot grasp to, you just have to turn to you right side to find your mr. right!! （＞ｙ＜）

masterlist ¦ #10 ❝ stop ignoring meeeee ❞

[00:00] “hey jinnie! did you know that — ” hyunjin closed his eyes, pretending he didn’t hear anything you said about your crush that you have been telling him 24/7 that he wouldn’t be surprised if he already knew their schedule or routine.

it has always been like that when you approach him — he thought that you will give him a tight hug and tell him for the nth time of that day that you missed him even though you haven’t seen him for just an hour, just like the old times — but when you came across with your newest crush, you’ve been babbling about them nonstop and it annoys the hell out of him.

sometimes he just wished that he didn’t like you so he could just shout “shut up for fuck’s sake!” at you and strut away but guess what, he really can’t. his heart would break his best friend, so he would rather endure this torture — hearing someone he likes talk about who they like, that isn’t him.

“hello hyunjin! are you listening at me?” you wave your hands at his face that’s been blankly staring at the plain white wall, this made him jump up and clasp his hands on his chest, heavily panting.

“holy sticks you scared me y/n!” hyunjin exclaimed, inhaling and exhaling soundly before sinking himself deeper into the couch.

you stuck your tongue out at him playfully and said, “well you’re not listening at me,” you then wrapped your arms around his left forearm, and continued your tale about how wonderful your first eye contact with your crush is.

the skin contact made the boy blush — not that you haven’t done that — actually you did, a lot of times already but hyunjin never fails to get flustered every time especially when you initiate it.

“and so yeah! that happened, do you understand why i like them now, right?” you lifted up your head to see him dozing off, you grumbled and muttered curses on how you didn’t remember your tea being a child’s bedtime story.

“hyun. jin. nie.” you poked his cheeks for every syllable, attempting to wake his sleeping figure but he swatted your hands away and whined, still asleep.

you frowned at this, “he always ignores me,” you said, specifically to no one. you decided to snuggle on his arm which is still in yours, wrapped around and closed your eyes, taking a nap of your own as well.

the next day went blur. hyunjin won’t give you any signs that he is interested in talking to you, assuming you’ll talk about them again and you were sad about this. “stop ignore meeeee,” you whine, shaking him but he pretended he didn’t felt anything. “heyyy hyunjiniee wh—”

“just leave me for a moment, y/n, i’m not in the mood,” he cut you off and shrugged you off him and walked off to somewhere. you were left there on the sidewalk, staring at his disappearing figure marching away from you.

‘what did i do?’ you asked yourself, lips trembling as tears threatened to fall from your eyes. ‘great i just lost my best friend,’

at night, hyunjin didn’t expected anyone calling him especially it’s already 2:00AM in the morning. he was about to end the call, thinking it was just his crack head friends trying to disturb him but when he saw the caller id, his heart dropped. it was you.

he didn’t hesitate to answer you, even though he’s still trying to ignore you. heck, he missed you — you know, it is really painful to ignore you the whole day, it’s a good thing he’s already used to the feeling of being broken.

he was about to ramble and bombard you with apologies about what he acted at you yesterday but what surprised him was hearing your sniffs and cries on the other line. his heart ached even more.

did he cause this? damn he felt really guilty about this and just told you, “i’m coming over, open your window,” then straight out left his house and marched over to yours.

he saw your open window and hoped into it, he hurriedly went by your side seeing you brawling your eyeballs out. it seems that you haven’t stopped crying just yet.

“shh, stop crying y/n,” he rubbed your back and wiped your tears with his thumb. you cried even more at this and hugged him, and he hugged back, caressing your soft hair. “what’s wrong?” he asked softly, lifting your chin up to make you face him.

your face is a mess, no joke — well you were sobbing real hard — but even though you look like that, hyunjin still wanted to kiss you. you are always beautiful to him.

“i’m sorry jinnie nghhh,” you sobbed, burying your face on his chest. “i’m really sorry, i’m so stupid,” you continued to cry, wetting his shirt but he didn’t seem to mind it at all. “i’m really sorry for, everything; for telling you things you don’t want to hear, for hurting you,”

“it’s alright, you don’t have to apologize,” he said, hands finding yours as he gave it a light squeeze.

you shook your head stubbornly and looked up at him, “i have to, i’m really sorry,” you pulled away from the embrace and wiped your tears. “and, they, rejected me,” you whispered softly, but he still heard it clearly. he let out a small oh.

“look y/n, don’t cry just because of that, hey you still have me,” he said the last phrase jokingly trying to cheer you up a bit. he didn’t realize that you took that as an indirect confession.

you laughed at him and gave him a sweet smile, “you’re right, i’m such an idiot for not realizing this sooner,”

he was about to ask you what was that but you quickly closed the gap between yours and his lips. at first, he would be shocked at this but then melted onto your lips and pulled you closer to him.

don’t be so desperate in finding something from somewhere far away. sometimes, you just have to look carefully, you might never know it’s just besides you.

“ don’t waste your time on someone who doesn’t even acknowledge you; there’s me, who loves and adores you, ” — love, hyunjin.

#ew so cringey #stray kids #stray kids scenarios #stray kids imagines #stray kids blurbs #stray kids angst #stray kids fluff #stray kids hwang hyunjin #stray kids hyunjin #stray kids x reader #hwang hyunjin #hyunjin #hyunjin x reader #fluff #angst #hyunjin fluff #hyunjin angst #00:00

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ask-the-friendly-ink-demon · 5 years ago

Note

“u-uh- hello there m-miss- uh- please do pardon for the late response to this ask we’re uh- currently having prob-” he yelps as he ducks, seeing a few glass shards flying around “o-oh d-dear golly......”MEANWHILEthroughout the remainer of the fight, both of the demons were fighting nonstop, damaging eachother rapidly, despite having half it’s skull cracked the ‘fusion’ was handling the much more taller and powerful demon, prowler snarls as he tail smacks the ‘fusion’ away, glaring as he roars a bit, running up, roaring, before yowling as he was bashed on the head with the three tails, stumbling as inky blood oozes off of him, turning around with a glare, before snarling and bitch-smacking it, watching the ‘fusion’ crashing through a couple of trees, he didint care if everyone in the town was starting to wake up in alarm to this, he needed to release his rage, glaring as he roars, the silts glowing as he rushes forward, roaring as he clamps his jaws around the monster, shaking him around like a ragdoll, before slamming it down, growling with a hiss as he roars at the ‘fusion’’s face, as the creature snarled, and jabbed it’s claws through prowler, as the unholy demon roars out in pain.red plague like markings engulfed and spiked out of him, roaring even more when he was smacked by the other hand, more red plague markings erupting, before it speared him, snarling as inky blood sprouts out of his entire body, before being blasted by the creature’s ray, crashing and falling to the ground, twitching with a hiss, the creature watching with a scoff and a grin “YOUR ILLNESS IS MAKING YOU WEAKER PARTNER~ MAYBE YOU SHOULD THINK ABOUT LETTING ME HELP YOU AGAIN! INSTEAD OF USING ALL YOUR RAGE AND ENERGY ON ME!~” the ‘spirit’ said, the tails swaying slightly with a little smirk as prowler twitched, laying there with a groan, glaring weakly as the creature huffs softly, before turning around to limp off “SINCE YOUR IN NO STATE TO KEEP ON FIGHTING I’LL JUST LET YOU STAY THERE AND DIE~” it said, the plague markings burning prowler as the unholy demon snarled, and glared, forcing himself to get up, as his spines flashed slowly, glowing from the tip of the tail, all the way to the top of his head, snarling as blood dripped from his eyes, releasing a loud roar towards faded as the spirit turns around, and it’s sockets widen as prowler unleashes his unholy ray at full force

the creature snarls as it was blasted upon impace, before being blasted a few more times, despite even trying to take more parts of prowler away to heal itself, the unholy demon kept on firing and firing, roaring loudly in rage as faded was started to lose control upon this form, as with one final blast the beam pierces through faded

the creature emits the most loudest roar ever as it cried out in pain and agony, blood sprouting out of it’s mouth and body as it cracks, before being blasted away towards a row of trees, crashing into a small mountain as it explodes upon impact, crashing onto the ground as it laid there, twitching and burning rapidly, trying to keep itself stable as it groans in pain, trying to get up, before roaring out as it felt a wounded as hell and pissed off prowler clamping it’s jaws around it’s shoulder, and dragging it backwards, before prying the jaws open, as faded’s sockets widen, screeching a bit as it claws rapidly, trying to break free “NO! NO! STOP! STOP PLEASE! I-” he was cut off as prowler unleashes one more ray, right into the creature’s mouth, as it roars out loudly in pain, as another explosion ran out, covering the two in the blast radius as a large burst of energy was released.

#i would of putted read more and did more details to the drawing but-#laziness-#lol #My Art #My Drawings #A Spirit (Faded)#The Unholy Demon (Prowler's Unholy Form)#The Big Friendly Wolf (Boris)#Wrath Of The Unholy Demon (Unholy Arc)#The True Events (Canon Verse)#Freedom but at what cost? (aftermath verse)#My Writing #Long Post

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oflcvers · 6 years ago

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can i get some uh... dating wanda maximoff headcanons please?

DATING WANDA MAXIMOFF INCLUDES:

i cannot stress how incredibly delicate and careful you are around her in the beginning stages. not because you’re afraid of her, but because you don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable

wanda’s been through so much shit that it’s honestly ridiculous. being with her means you are 110% in, ready to be faithful, loving, and compassionate to her

it takes so long for wanda to open up to you. after losing pietro, she’s horrified to make intimate connections with anyone, fearing she won’t be able to protect the ones she loved like how she couldn’t protect her brother

but once wanda feels comfortable around you and assured in herself to date you, she is always with you, almost as if she’s shadowing behind you most of the time. it could be two in the morning and you’re out of bed microwaving something bc hey, you’re hungry

and she’ll just be trotting along behind you

leaning against the counter nearby

and she’s so fucking quiet so you turn around nearly shit your pants bc ‘when the fuCK did u get there baby what??’

you two talk to each other about literally everything. there are no secrets between you two; your relationship is strongly founded on trust and respect

any time she needs to vent or anything you are there ready to listen and you will not move from your spot until you know wanda’s finished talking

she offers great advice too, if you’re ever in a rut she always knows what to say. and not because she can get into your head whenever she wants; it’s solely on how well she knows you and how much she wants for you to be the best person you can be

OH ALSO she will never read your mind or invade your privacy. she refuses to, thinking it’s completely unfair to you. wanda is way too respectful to tap into your head like that. the only time she would is on pure accident or if she’s too out of control with her abilities at that given moment

wanda is always adamant on cooking all the time. she loves dabbling into the old sokovian recipes she learned from her parents and always cooks something incredibly tasty for the two of you. cooking is a coping mechanism in a way; it keeps wanda grounded, helps her feel close to her heritage, and keeps the memories of her family alive

sweet dinner nights where you drink wine, gorge yourself on wanda’s cooking, and just talk about your days yes please wanda deserves the sweet domesticity

she tells you about her avenger duties and all the shenanigans the heroes get into while saving the world time and time again

you talk about school/work and how you yearn for something exciting like being an avenger

wanda immediately shoots that shit down, not wanting to lose another loved one to events and forces too erratic and beyond her control

and you understand where she’s coming from so you drop that conversation, segueing into something nicer

you do get to meet the avengers though and it’s literally like meeting celebrities in real life

you kinda panic a lil like ‘holy fuck is that captain america’

you literally turn into scott lang meeting team cap it’s actually hysterical half of the avengers can’t help but laugh at you being all starstruck and shit

wanda makes fun of you the whole way home too

‘oh my god! you’re captain america wow i’m talking to the captain america wow that’s steve rogers oh boy!’ she mocks in a teasing voice, smirking as you fume next to her

‘i did not sound like that!’

‘yes you did!’ she remarks before she dissolves into the cutest giggles you’ve ever heard your heart literally melts at the sound

the happier wanda is the happier you feel because she deserves the entire world to you plus more so fine baby, make fun of me more as long as it keeps you happy and laughing

so!! much!! snuggling!! i love it??? you two don’t even have to say it. some nights you two get home from so much shit that you kinda just look at each other and collapse onto the mattress together, immediately intertwining your bodies together

wanda always craves body heat and comfort 24/7 and you are eager to supply it bc hello??? this is your girlfriend and you love her goddammit

sometimes wanda will speak in sokovian to herself, whether it be from frustration, confusion, or joy she just throws some phrases every once in a while

and you’re immediately just like ‘hello?? how hot??’ like you will stop what you’re doing just to peek in and try to figure out what she’s saying and why she’s saying it bc it sounds so pretty

wanda doesn’t teach you sokovian, thinking you’d be uninterested in learning when it’s really the opposite. but you still pick up on some phrases and simple sentences

y’all get a cat too dammit. a rescued senior calico cat that you two love dearly named mose

he’s a good baby you two dote on him like a child, literally the ‘i wanna see my little boy’ vine

nsfw headcanons??? sure

wanda is supER NERVOUS the first time you have sex like no lie. being vulnerable emotionally and physically makes her get incredibly skittish and wanna vomit tbh; it takes a long time to build up to sexual trust for her

she more often than not wants to follow your lead, just so she knows what she’s doing is correct and something you like

you console her with sweet kisses and dote on her nonstop. like you compliment every part of her body and jesus she just melts underneath you

you love eating her out, she quakes against your mouth and whimpers in a way that strikes a chord in you. she yanks at your hair for dear life and just ruts desperately against your face when you start teasing her while she close, cursing you with every word under the sun until the chord in her belly snaps and she’s exhausted and spent

having you say filthy things to her while you’re getting her off makes wanda so pathetically horny. she absolutely loves hearing every single vile thing you want to do to her and welcomes it with open arms

tbh her powers help her get you off while being able to concentrate on something else, such as making out with you

she literally just flick her fingers and turns you into a cumming, shaking mess in minutes while she’s busying sucking on your neck like the little minx she is

yeah as she feels more comfortable with sex the tables turn sometimes bc she’s just so devIOUS MAN but you love this spicing up to your sex life??? so even tho it’s surprising ur just like ‘okay baby i’m down let’s go’

snuggles after sex is mandatory; it’s both of your personal aftercare. just laying with each other, limbs all wrapped up comforts you both so much. it’s just such a fulfilling way to end off something so intimate and private

aaaaand there u go some wanda hcs i honestly could keep going but for my own sanity i will stop

send me more hcs for wanda tho i’m a slut for her

#marvel imagines #marvel headcanons #wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff imagines #wanda maximoff headcanons #Anonymous #binch @ the anon who sent this / thank u wanda is literally my favorite character in both mcu and in the comics i just #she is my wIFE i would d I E for her

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psychobhyun · 6 years ago

Text

#20

@sseoulstice: i’d like to request 58 and 62 w dom!chanyeol pls n thank u!!!

I see dom!Chanyeol I get excited... Thanks for requesting! This turned into a one-shot. RIP

Being new in the BDSM scene makes you nervous. You’ve always enjoyed a romantic and sweet type of sex, but you knew you craved more. You wanted to submit completely to your partner, you wanted them to control, to grant you permission to orgasm, and so on. You felt weird with your newfound hunger. This isn’t ordinary, is it? You thought to yourself often times.

You joined Tumblr and found friends within your BDSM community. Some of them even recommended you a few places that they usually go to. A “dungeon” is what the community calls it. There, you can find partners and can engage in sex or simply see a demo of a scene. A “scene” is when they are engaging in BDSM, whatever shape or form.

So you go to your first dungeon to learn a few thing or two. Upon entering, you see people wearing latex from top to bottom, people wearing lingerie, or some people wearing nothing at all. You try to keep your composure at all times, controlling your facial expressions whenever you see something not so comfortable.

You learned about safe words, aftercare, types of kinks, sex toys (gags, blindfolds, whips), and consensual sex. You also came at a perfect night because there’s a demo in 5 minutes. Maybe you could learn more by witnessing yourself.

You stood in the corner, feeling small and self-conscious because of your inexperience. Thankfully, you came in a weekday so the crowd was not too big. It’s also quite late too. After the announcer said that the demonstrators will be starting shortly, you bite your nails in anticipation and nervousness.

The moment the dom walked in (you could easily tell he was the dom, the woman behind him walked in naked), you gasped. He was 185cm tall, his hair was a fiery red, and his outfit displayed his broad chest and toned stomach really well. His presence demanded attention and you wanted to give him just that.

“Hello, my name is Mr.Park. I will be showing you a demonstration on bondage,” he starts. He commands his sub to move into position. He takes a long rope out and shows it to the audience. “I will be showing you what the Japanese call a Kinbaku. I am going to tie this rope around her body to restrict her and suspend her to the ceiling.”

You inhaled deeply. Suspend her to the ceiling? Poor her. Can your weak heart take this? You knew you had to watch to see a proper scene, though. So you put your fear aside and continued to watch.

The dom finishes rather quickly and now his sub is hanging from the ceiling. Mr. Park is wearing leather gloves. He touches his sub and you can see her visibly shaking. “My submissive loves to be suspended. You all have to understand that as a dom, we need to cater to our submissive’s preferences. We also have to communicate our preferences to our submissive and make sure we have their consent.”

Mr. Park whispers something to his sub and she nods. “I will now whip her using a flogger and let the audience listen to her beautiful moans. Make lots of noises so the audience knows how good I am making you feel.” The sub nods once more before Mr. Park starts to flog here nonstop. She’s whimpering loudly but you don’t know if it’s between pleasure or pain. But you understand that it’s between that feeling. This is what BDSM is.

After a few minutes of flogging, Mr. Park stops and opens her bindings. His sub has this euphoric smile on her face as Mr. Park pushes two of his fingers inside of her and makes her come by only tapping on her g-spot. You really want this. You want this more than ever. You also want to do this with Mr. Park. He was insanely attractive and you were drawn in by his dominance.

After his demo, Chanyeol changes his clothes into something more comfortable. He fixes his watch and sees a woman walking towards her. The innocent aura floating around her made him knew immediately that she was new to BDSM. And Chanyeol loves new people to play with. “H-hello,” you greet him. Chanyeol raises his eyebrow skeptically.

“I can’t hear you, beautiful. Speak up.” You gulped and spoke louder. “Hello.” He smiles and takes your hand. “You seem like you need my help? Let’s go somewhere private then.” It’s now or never.

Chanyeol opened the door to a private room and made you sit in front of him. Your long navy dress was not sexy, but your innocence intrigued him. “I want you to dom me, Mr. Park,” you said as soon as he relaxes on the sofa. “Are you new to BDSM?” You explained the details to him and how you felt when you watched his demonstration. You told him that you want to experience what his sub felt like.

“Do I have your consent to play with you?” He asked. He takes his tie off and looks at you with an intimidating gaze. “Yes,” you answered surely. He pats the empty seat beside him and you moved as fast as you can, thinking it might please him. “You have so much more to learn, beautiful. So, so much.” He licks your ear and you twitch slightly because it’s a sensitive area in your body. He smiles to himself and touches your thigh lightly, like testing the waters. When you didn’t show any signs of backing out, he puts his middle finger right on your clit through your panties.

You moan in delight and Chanyeol laughs. “I think that’s the first time I’ve heard you moan.... it was like a fucking melody.” Chanyeol continued to tease you through your panties and you started to want him even more. You kept moaning like a bitch in heat and Chanyeol only teased you even more. “Mr. Park, I d-don’t like this. I w-want more!” Your eyes widened and a choked whimper escapes your lips when one of his fingers finally entered you.

“If you don’t like my teasing, then why are you moaning?”

Helpless, you collapsed on his chest and let him continue working his wicked finger in and out of you. He kissed your forehead affectionately and offers you your underwear after finishing. “I want to do this again with you sometime. If you want, I can be your real dom and teach you so many things.”

Yeah... what the Fuck is this????

#exo #chanyeol smut #exo smut #baekhyun smut #chen smut #d.o smut #jongin smut #junmyeon smut #kyungsoo smut #lay smut #jongdae smut #kai smut #suho smut #yixing smut #xiumin smut #minseok smut #sehun smut #kpop smut #exo scenarios

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tonicandjins · 7 years ago

Text

one last time (for old time’s sake)

pairing: kim mingyu/reader (au)

genre: angst

warnings: cussing

word count: 10,950

note: this is for my anon “f”!!!! i cried a little at the end part so yeah..... dont say i didnt warn u

summary: you receive an invitation for the worst day of your life.

P r e s e n t

Jesus Christ, you hate the rain.

You sigh, repeatedly banging your head against the headrest and attempting to mute the sound of your windshield swiping back and forth from your head. There are only a few superficial things in the entire universe that get in your nerves, and two of which are at your presence at the moment: the rain and the sound of your windshield.

You had forgotten your umbrella. Banging your head a bit harder with your eyes closed, you remind yourself to take your mother’s advice and buy a separate umbrella for your car so if cases like this occur, you’d have one ready.

You have been sitting inside your car twelve minutes now. You open your eyes and divert your sight to the digital numbers displayed by the stereo system. It tells you that it’s 10:54 in the evening and you sigh in annoyance again, because all you really want right now is to rest.

So you decide to make a run for it.

One of your hands holds your bag over you while the other is tightly clutching your coat together in hopes of keeping your clothes underneath dry. You run, nearly slipping before you could even get to your apartment complex’s entrance.

Mr. Lee, the hardworking security guard, greets you, a worried look ghosts over his face. You shake your bag a little, droplets of rainwater spluttering on the floor.

“Y/N,” he approaches. “You know my number. Had I known you were outside…”

“Mr. Lee,” you reply, touching his forearm once he’s in front of you. “It’s all right. I made it alive, didn’t I?”

“Yes, but you always hated the rain,” he remarks.

A small laugh escapes your mouth because you realize you never said it to him, but having been living in the complex for over four years, he must have noticed. And it confuses you a little because you have always been known for having mastered the art of concealing how you feel, yet standing there, you realize there’s still a hint of transparency in you.

“Thank you for remembering that,” you say with a sincere smile. “I’d love to chat, but my head’s in a glitch at the moment from the lack of sleep. My editors have been keeping me busy.”

“Ah, you must be so tired,” he guesses with a sigh. It’s only when he hands you a small pile of papers and envelopes that you notice the small bandage on his wrist. “A few of your subscriptions came it today. I think there are mails in there, too.”

You nod and take the pile from his hand. “What happened to that?”

“Just a sprain, nothing your old man can’t handle,” he jokes. “The nurse from 4A was kind enough to wrap it up for me.”

“Mr. Lee, you’re not getting any younger. Please take care of yourself,” you worriedly say. He nods and smiles.

“I’ll let you go then. But you have to promise you’ll come hang out here with me again. Been so boring lately.”

“Will do, Mr. Lee,” you reply, winking at him before walking away. “Goodnight! I’ll see you in the morning!”

You punch your apartment’s floor on the elevator buttons, shaking your slightly damp hair. It doesn’t take long until you hear a ding, indicating that you’ve reached your floor.

Once you entered your apartment, you switch a light on, quickly drop your bag and mail on a table, and slip out of your wet shoes and coat. Your phone rings before you could even walk past the desk you put your bag on, so you take it as you walk around to switch on the rest of your apartment’s lights.

Wonwoo, you read. You sigh for the hundredth time in the span of a few hours because you know exactly why he’s calling. He had been calling you daily for the past three weeks, checking up on you and insisting to come to visit you at work or at your apartment. You always decline and make up an excuse not to see him—or anyone else for that matter.

“Why haven’t you been answering?” is the first thing that you hear from the other end of the line.

You drop your body on the couch before answering. “Hello to you, too, Wonwoo.”

“I’ve been calling nonstop. I had a client meeting so I couldn’t come see you,” he mumbles. “I was worried…”

“I was writing until half past ten,” you reply, eyes closing. “You could have visited me at my department. And I can’t answer the phone while driving, idiot. What would you worried about?”

“That you’ve seen it,” he answers. “I didn’t want you to be alone when you do.”

“See what?”

“Have you checked your mail?”

“The mail? Yes, I just got it but I’m too tired to go through it right now. What about it?”

“Mingyu…”

The said name made you bolt awake, the exhaustion suddenly disappearing from your body, and quickly stride over to the desk where you put your pile of mail and subscriptions. You pinch your phone between your ear and shoulder as you go through your mail. It seemed endless, the envelopes of bills and magazine subscriptions, but the second your hand touched the velvet envelope, your heart banged hard against your chest. You almost drop on your knees, but you hear Wonwoo call out your name.

“Are you there?” he asks.

“Y-yeah, I am,” you stutter. Your neck starts to hurt so you hold your phone and press it back to your ear. “It’s here.”

You flip the envelope, and you see a small strip of paper on it your name written in cursive. You touch it, letting your skin run over it for a second, and realize that it’s real. It’s here.

“It is.”

“I didn’t know it would arrive so soon,” you whisper to yourself but Wonwoo hears it.

“I was surprised, too,” he says. “I got a call from Mingyu as well. He told me he couldn’t get you to answer your phone and that he’s worried you’re overworking yourself again.”

You hum, slowly walking back to your couch to sit. Running your fingertips over your name for the last time, you painstakingly open the envelope, careful not the rip it.

“He’s worried still,” Wonwoo continues. “That you might feel alone now since… you know. And I told him numerous times that he need not to worry because I’m only, like, five blocks from you. I told him I could basically run to you if something happens, unlike him who’s miles away.”

You close your eyes and take a deep breath as you slowly slip the card from the envelope.

“Y/N?” Wonwoo calls, but you do not hear him, because in front of your eyes are the words you have feared to see written in bold and fancy letters.

With great pleasure,

Kim Min Gyu

And

Jung Chae Yeong

Request the honor of your presence

As they tie the knot

On Saturday, May 26th

At two in the afternoon

There are more words written on the paper, perhaps details of the day you have been praying wouldn’t arrive so soon, but your tears have blurred out your sight, a loud sob escaping your throat.

“Y/N.” Wonwoo panics at the sound of you crying. “Y/N, I’m coming over.”

You hear him mumble words, but it doesn’t reach you further because your frail hands drop the phone and envelope on your lap. You shoulders shake and your chest tightens. Tears continuously flow from your eyes to your face, down your lap. You bury your face on your palms, sobbing your heart out. Like a child left alone in a crowded place, you bawl and weep your lungs out.

You realize this is the first time you had cried this loud, and you don’t even bother to end the call with Wonwoo. Your heart breaks even more when you realize that this is the first time you cried about this. This is the first time you cried since Mingyu told you he’s getting married.

You had been doing well, you thought. You have managed to keep it together for the past weeks, not even blinking a single teardrop from your eyes. You threw yourself to your job— taking project after project, working overtime daily and even during weekends, making sure you had no time to wallow over your pain. The tightness on your chest clenched day by day, but you never let it take over you until today. You guess that it’s because it never seemed real to you, Mingyu’s engagement. Perhaps your mind tried to trick you that it’s not real that’s why you were able to keep it together. But the invitation, it’s real. You realize now that it’s real and it’s happening. Too soon, you wail, but there was nothing else you could do.

The last thing you remember that night is the fingertips of Wonwoo’s girlfriend touching your face to wipe your tears. You hadn’t realized that your body gave up on you until Wonwoo carried you to your room and his girlfriend tended your needs, whispering things you couldn’t decipher.

And God, it angers you that even in your sleep, you are in pain. Even in your sleep, you are still very much in love with Kim Mingyu.

❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎

P a s t

“This is your chance, Y/N,” Wonwoo encourages as he hands you a plastic cup. “It’s about time Mingyu knows about your undying love for him.”

“I don’t love him!”

“Yet,” the boy corrects, grinning. “Stop lying, Y/N. I already know everything.”

You sip from your cup, coughing in disgust because you never really liked beer. Wonwoo’s phone vibrates from his jacket’s pocket. He grins even wider when he reads the message.

“He’s almost here,” he announces and you almost spit out your drink. “Get ready. You’re telling him about how you feel.”

Your stomach churns. “I can’t do it Wonwoo.”

“Come on, Y/N!” he cheers. “This is the perfect place to admit the feelings you’ve been holding for years!”

You look around. Members of Hansol’s fraternity are walking around, handing people drink after drink. A few couples are making out on the dance floor and three of their friends are already passed out.

“Why are we here again? We’re grown adults!” you shout over the music.

Wonwoo laughs, slipping his phone back in his pocket. “You graduated a year ago and now you act like you can’t join this crowd anymore. We’re here for Hansol, okay? It’s the first time he’s hosting as president of his frat’s monthly party.”

“Do you miss this?” you inquire. “Hosting frat parties, I mean. When I look at you now, I can no longer see you in this scene.”

“Why? Because I wear suits and tie at work now?” he jokes.

Before you could respond, Wonwoo’s squeals, eyes focused behind you. And you turn.

The loud music from Hansol’s speakers gradually mutes from your ears. You watch Wonwoo walk past you to reach his best friend and give him a quick hug before pulling him towards you. Wait, you read from Mingyu’s mouth. You couldn’t decipher the rest of what he said, besides the words is just meeting her friends outside.

Wonwoo looks at you, worry clouds his eyes, and then he’s suddenly pushing Mingyu to turn and walk away from you. You put your drink on the counter and straighten yourself to follow them. The crowd got bigger within a few seconds because you lost sight of them. Quickly, you trail out of the living room to find the two outside.

You bump into a drunk Seungkwan by the doorframe. He hugs you and gives you a wet kiss on your cheek and you laugh because even drunk, the kid remains goofy and sweet.

“You seen Wonwoo and Mingyu?” you ask. “They were just here a second ago.”

“Have you checked upstairs?” the younger boy slurs.

“No, I saw them walk here,” you answer. “And why would they go upstairs?”

“There’s a rumor,” he sloppily narrates. “When they were still members of the frat, that they’re in a relationship. Wonwoo hyung is always at Mingyu hyung’s room. They’re always together. Maybe they think we’re all drunk to realize they’re fucking right now.”

You laugh. “They’ve been in a relationship for three years,” you joke along and hush. “Don’t tell anyone I told you.”

Seungkwan gasps and then squeals. “I knew it!” Before you can say anything, Chan comes in to pull Seungkwan away from you. The younger one apologizes and promises he’ll see you later. Poor kid, you thought, he’s the youngest but he’s the one taking care of his older friends.

When you turn to continue searching for your best friends, a cold liquid runs on the front of your shirt. You cuss loudly, briskly taking a step back from the culprit.

“I’m so sorry,” she apologizes. You finally look up and a girl stands before you. You smile and apologize as well. “I didn’t see you. I’m sorry,” she says again. “I’ll get you another shirt.”

“It’s fine,” you reply. “It’s a cheap shirt.”

She protests and steps closer to wipe your shirt with her handkerchief. You step back quickly because she was too close for your liking, but she was already holding you in place.

“Y/N!”

You turn and realize that Mingyu’s calling you, a nervous Wonwoo stands behind him. You still wonder why Wonwoo’s mood suddenly changed. He was just overenthusiastic to see Mingyu minutes ago.

“Gyu!” you called, tearing yourself away from the girl who spilled her drink on you. You quickly walk towards your friends, throwing yourself at Mingyu for a hug. You have not seen the guy for almost two weeks because you both worked in different cities.

You and Mingyu graduated at the same time. (You smile at the thought of your picture with him in your academic dresses and cap on the day of your graduation.) Wonwoo and Mingyu were best friends since childhood. You and Wonwoo met through classes because you both took the same degree, only he is a year older. That’s how you met Mingyu.

By the time you got out of uni, you and Wonwoo stayed in Seoul because you both work for the same publishing company while Mingyu moved to Daejeon, where he was hired.

Things have been busy for the three of you. So busy that it’s become difficult to meet more frequently. You and Wonwoo worked at the same place but because of him being busier than you are, hanging out only meant you handing him a cup of latte and him dropping by your office to say hi. Wonwoo and Mingyu rarely get to meet these days as well, so it was quite a challenge to gather the three of you in the same place. Hansol’s invitation to his party is the perfect time and place for the three of you to reunite.

Mingyu hugs you back, wrapping both his arms around your waist. He lifts you up slightly before setting you on your feet to kiss the top of your head “I have missed you, my darling,” he says and your heart races.

“It’s been a while,” you pout, leaning for another quick hug, before taking a step back to look at him properly. “You lost weight, didn’t you? I don’t see you in two weeks and you’re already losing weight? Must be depressing,” you joke. “Not seeing me every day like we were in college.”

Mingyu laughs. “Not really.”

“How insulting!” you gasp. You look at Wonwoo, who still looks as worried. “You. What’s up with you?”

“I- uhh,” he stammers.

“You know why I’ve been losing weight?” Mingyu interjects, and Wonwoo looks like he’s gonna throw up. You look back at the taller guy. “You’ve met the reason why.”

“The… what?”

Mingyu grins widely and steps forward, walking past you. Your heart drops when he wraps an arm around the shoulder of the girl you were just talking to a minute ago. He kisses the top of her head, just like how he did with yours, only this time his lips lingered longer and his eyes beamed brighter.

“Chaeyeong.” He says her name like it’s his favorite word, the grin never leaving her lips. “This is my other best friend, Y/N. “

You look at the girl. You suddenly want to scream at her for spilling her drink on you.

“Y/N.” You divert your attention back to Mingyu. “This is my girlfriend, Chaeyeong.”

Since when, you wanted to ask. You can’t have a girlfriend, you wanted to say. I am in love with you Mingyu. This isn’t supposed to happen.

Wonwoo touches your back when he realizes you’re just shifting your sight from Mingyu and his girlfriend. He clears his throat when you remain speechless.

“I… I,” you stammer.

The girl steps closer to you. You step back. She shies away and looks at Mingyu. He smiles. “Our Y/N is a little shy,” he explains. “She doesn’t like her personal space being invaded. Only Wonwoo and I and a few other people can touch her.”

She nods and looks at you again. “That’s why you looked terrified when I tried to wipe the beer out of your shirt. Sorry for that again, by the way.”

You gulp and force yourself to talk. “It’s… uh, nice to meet you.”

She smiles, her pearly white teeth displaying, eyes smiling with her. “I’ve been dying to meet you, Y/N! My Gyu here has told me so many things about you and Wonwoo!”

Gyu, you repeat in your head. The nickname you made for him during your freshmen year. Gyu. She calls him Gyu.

You muster up another smile before turning to Wonwoo. “S-seungkwan,” you stutter. “He’s been looking for you. He wanted to know… he asked if… he—”

“Oh, yeah,” Wonwoo quickly agrees. “The thing. Yes. I told him I’d find him. You know where he is?”

You nod, eyes desperately asking Wonwoo to take you away from there. You don’t look back at Mingyu and the girl; you let Wonwoo quickly tell them about his thing with Seungkwan and that you and him need to find the younger boy now. Mingyu lets you go and reminds you to meet them at the lawn once you’re done. Wonwoo rapidly pulls you away from them and leads you inside.

Lost in your trance, you do not realize that you and Wonwoo are already locked inside Hansol’s room until he’s making you sit on your friend’s bed.

“Breathe,” he says, going down on one knee and holding both your shoulders. He looks up at you and realizes that you’re still lost in thought. “Y/N,” he calls and you finally look at him.

“M-mingyu,” is the only word your mouth could say before you’re sobbing on Wonwoo’s shoulder. Your friend hugs you and hushes you, stroking your hair while he does.

You do not know how long you stayed there with Wonwoo and how much tears you had cried or how you ended up cuddling on the bed—your face buried on his neck, his arm secured around you—but when you hear a knock on the door, Wonwoo helps you fix your hair and wipe the tears from your eyes.

Hansol looks shocked when he sees you sitting on his bed. He looks back at Wonwoo, then back at you and comes up with a ridiculous conclusion.

“Hyung,” you hear him whine. “In my bed? Seriously?”

“Fuck off, Hansol. It’s not like that,” Wonwoo defends before making the boy leave. He turns back to you and asks if you want to stay there longer.

The clock on Hansol’s bedside table indicates that it’s an hour past midnight. You shake your head. You feel bad that Wonwoo had missed the party because of you.

When the two of you meet your friends by the kitchen, Hansol was in the middle of narrating what he just saw. There’s a teasing smirk on Jihoon and Soonyoung’s mouths. Minghao claims he had known from the start. And you knew what they were talking about but you were too tired to deny anything. Mingyu and the girl stood in the corner of the kitchen, yet you don’t give them a glance.

Your friends hug you goodbye. Wonwoo keeps an arm around you and leads you to the passenger seat of his car. He helps you settle while you’re still lost in your own mind.

You do not realize that Mingyu and the girl are coming with you until the boy talks. Wonwoo drives and asks them the address so he could put it on his navigation. You remain quiet, head leaning against the window, eyes closed.

“So…” Mingyu starts, clearing his throat. “You two… since when?”

“Mingyu,” Wonwoo sternly calls his name.

“What?” the other defends. “I can’t ask anything? I thought we were best friends.”

“Mingyu, stop,” Wonwoo murmurs. “It’ not like that…”

“So,” Mingyu continues. “This is just a one-time thing, then? Between you two?”

Wonwoo sighs in response.

“I wondered why you two disappeared for more than three hours,” Mingyu rambles. “I mean, it’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s not like we signed a pact that we shouldn’t be involved with one another in a romantic way or whatever you call it. It’s just that… it’s weird, seeing the two of you walk downstairs. Y/N’s hair is disheveled and Hansol said you two looked tired. But… it would have been nice to know. But if this is just a one-time thing or because it impulsively happened because you’re drunk, then it’s fine with me. You don’t have to be embarrassed. Just… tell me, okay?”

“My God, Mingyu,” Wonwoo groans. Mingyu’s girlfriend laughs.

“Don’t laugh,” Mingyu scolds. “This is a serious thing among us.” The girl apologizes. “Just…” he trails off. “Tell me if it becomes serious between you, okay?”

You keep your eyes close, hoping Mingyu would think you’re in deep sleep. You don’t really have it in you to talk to him. Wonwoo doesn’t answer. Instead, he turns his radio on and a melancholic song you’re not familiar with plays.

Nobody talks for the entire ride, or at least until you had really fallen asleep.

Wonwoo wakes you up and takes you to his apartment and lets you stay in his bed. He sleeps beside you soundly, while you stay awake the rest of the night until his alarm goes off. You insist to leave when he asked you what you wanted for breakfast. Wonwoo takes a good look at you and agrees because he knew you needed someone last night but now you needed to be alone.

He calls and pays for a taxi to drive you, even when you kept saying it’s just five blocks away, you could walk.

When you return to your house, your chest is still just as tight as it was when you heard Mingyu calling the girl his girlfriend. You realize that this was the first time that Mingyu had inflicted real pain on you. Whenever he touches you and says sweet things that made your head spin, there is a slight pinch in your heart that indicates love. This pinch is different. It’s love, you thought, unrequited, excruciatingly painful love.

At that time, you thought Mingyu couldn’t hurt you anymore. You thought it had been your greatest heartbreak. You didn’t know you were just in the beginning of the most agonizing and heart-wrenching ride of heartbreak in your life.

❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎

P r e s e n t

Wonwoo takes you to your favorite coffee shop two days after you receive the invitation. Joohyun, his girlfriend, sends you a text and promises to clear her schedule for the next week to hang out with you. You laugh a little because Joohyun calls watching you lose yourself in your own thoughts and tumble on your own words as “hanging out”. You feel bad, of course, that Wonwoo and Joohyun are sparing time out of their busy days to come “hang out” with you.

You’re looking through the window when Wonwoo comes back from the counter. It doesn’t take long for the waitress to serve your coffee. Wonwoo thanks her while you’re still staring blankly at the passing people.

“Y/N,” he calls you. You look at him. “We need to talk about it.”

You sigh and watch the way the steam of the hot coffee disappears as it moves away from the cup. You wish a lot more things disappeared as it moves away. You shake your head and wrap your palms around the mug, feeling its warmth, but not doing anything more. You don’t really feel like drinking coffee.

Wonwoo sighs, frustration clouding his face. He must think you’re annoying. A nuisance, you thought, because you’re being stubborn and a pain in the ass. But his eyes soften once he sees the emptiness in your eyes like a burned out light bulb.

“It’s in two weeks, Y/N,” he reminds you as if you’re not counting the days. “Mingyu wants us to be there ASAP.”

“You go,” you blankly answer. “You’re the best man, aren’t you? I don’t have business there. I’ll be attending if that’s what you are worried about.”

He takes a sip of his iced coffee. “I’ve already talked to Jun. He agreed to take you as his date.”

“You’re arranging my dates, now? Thank you, Wonwoo,” you reply in a monotonous voice, eyes still focus on the evaporating steam of your coffee.

“Because you’re not gonna do it if I don’t,” he answers. “There will be rehearsals. Mingyu wants you to be there, too.”

“I have work.”

“He asked if I could pull some strings and get you out of work this week,” he explains. “Y/N. This is for Mingyu.”

This is for Mingyu, you repeat in your head. What about me?

You look up from your coffee to look at Wonwoo’s eyes. He must be so torn about this—between you and Mingyu. He’s here comforting you and being an amazing friend, all while doing his duty as the best man. You heard from Joohyun that he’s been driving back and forth from Seoul to his and Mingyu’s hometown to help the groom-to-be. Your heart aches even more.

So you nod. “I’ll be there.”

“Not just at the wedding,” he interjects. “He wants us to stay at our hometown with him until the wedding. He even said you could stay at his home. Joohyun and I can stay at my parents’ house.”

“Wonwoo,” you trailed off. “It’s… too much.”

He sighs and thinks. “Okay. How about this: I go first and you can come after a few days. I can make up a lie about your work to Mingyu and say you can only make it until a few days before the wedding. And I can offer my home. You can stay with us. I’m sure Mom could find room for you. Does that work for you?”

You muster up a fake smile and nod. “Thank you, Wonwoo.”

“You can drive there with Joohyun,” he continues. “She has work as well so she can’t be there until the Tuesday before the wedding. Sounds good?”

Not really. “Sure.”

Wonwoo smiles a little and you catch the small sigh of relief from his mouth. He sips on his coffee as you watch yours. The warmth is slowly going away and you almost want to cry again because the comfort it gave you is short-lived.

You don’t really know where to find comfort nor happiness these days.

❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎

P a s t

“It’s been so long, hasn’t it?” Mingyu asks. “Since we hung out. Just the two of us.”

You nod, watching as his car passed by the buildings.

Wonwoo thought it was a good idea to ditch the two of you. He thinks it would be a good thing to leave you and Mingyu alone after so long.

It had been three months since you found out about Mingyu’s girlfriend. You had grown distant, but Mingyu didn’t. He still treats you as usual—exactly how he made you fall in love with him—and fails to realize that you feel more than how a friend should. He calls you, wonders why you haven’t been calling. And you tell him the exact same thing every time: busy at work. Once, he confessed that he’s hurt that you’ve been clearly avoiding him and said that if it’s about you and Wonwoo “hooking up” then you had nothing to worry about. Persistent, he is, and always so charming.

Wonwoo had promised he’d meet you after work. Mingyu volunteered to drive so he’d come pick you up. But when you knocked on Wonwoo’s office, only to be greeted by his assistant, telling you that the man had left three hours earlier, you scolded and reminded yourself not to trust Jeon Wonwoo again. You should have known he’d do something like this.

“Too bad,” Mingyu continues while driving. “I bought him his favorite burger.”

You stay silent.

“Hey,” he calls out. “Remember in freshmen year when we had no money to buy fast food so we always opted for the ramen from the convenience store?”

You let out a small laugh. “Yeah, I do. And when our parents finally send us money, we splurge it on alcohol and get drunk instead of storing our pantry with food. Then regret it in the morning.”

He laughs with you. “Why did we always choose alcohol over actual meals?”

“Because we were idiots,” you answer. “Wonwoo was the least idiotic among the three of us. If it weren’t for him, I don’t think we would have graduated honestly.”

Mingyu almost chokes on his own spit when you’re almost at the beach because of laughing. You had no idea how you managed to go back to the way you were with him—comfortable and silly—but Mingyu loves it. He pouts when he says he missed this—he missed you. You say you did as well but didn’t say every day.

The sun sets while the two of you sat on the opened compartment of his car, eating what he had bought. Mingyu offers you a bite of his pizza and you don’t think twice. You wipe the sauce from the corner of his mouth and you laugh at his attempt to impersonate Benedict Cumberbatch on Doctor Strange.

It’s picture perfect, you thought.

Gyu, you wanted to say, but he spoke first.

“Chaeyeong,” he says, a smile adorning his lips. “She’s really—she’s.. uh, anxious about something.”

The smile disappears from your lips for a second before you gather up your strength to fake it. “About what?”

“You,” he answers.

“Me?” you repeat. “Why? She doesn’t think we have something, does she?”

“No, no, not like that,” he replies. “It’s just that—she knows how important you are to me. You mean so much to me, you know that, right?” You nod. “She thinks you don’t like her.”

“W-what?” you stammer. “I do! I like her. She’s nice.”

“You always say that when I ask you about Chaeyeong,” he sighs. “I just—I need to know what you think of her, Y/N. You’re really important to me.”

“Why?” you ask.

“I just told you. You’re important to me.”

You laugh. “It doesn’t really matter, Mingyu.”

He frowns. “It does. What you think about who I’m with matters. You’re my best friend, Y/N.”

“I’m telling Wonwoo, your best friend since middle school, that you just confirmed that I am, in fact, your best friend,” you answer. He laughs a little before shaking his head and turning back to the question.

You look away from him and stare at the horizon. The sun has almost completely set. Picture perfect, you repeat in your head, if things were different.

“Do you like her for me?” he asks when you continue to stare at the sun setting. He shifts a little so he was facing the same direction as you are.

“And if I don’t?” you muse.

“Then… I—I would—“

You laugh. “You’re not gonna break up with her, Mingyu.”

“I really wish I won’t,” he says. You feel him look at you. The picture of him looking at you, the colors of the sunset on illuminating his face, is quite tempting, and you want to look back at him to complete the image in your head, then perhaps he’ll lean in to kiss the air out of your lungs, but then you remember why you shouldn’t.

“But,” he interjects. “If by any chance—I really hope not—you don’t like her for me, I would try to figure things out. If you’re uncomfortable with me being with her, then I could talk to her. It’s—it’s not really serious yet between us. That’s why I’m asking you this because we’re not on that stage yet. If I ask you later and we’ve become serious, it would be a bit harder to leave her.”

Your heart breaks. “You’d break up with her for me?”

He shrugs. “Why not? Like I said, you’re important to me. Equally as important as my mom and sister. Sometimes even more.”

You ponder and come up with another image in your head. Mingyu holding you close, exactly as he would, but this time with loving eyes and a brighter smile. You start to imagine how his lips would feel like against yours because you had always known how it does on your cheeks and forehead. Your name, will he say it like it’s his favorite word?

But then it snaps out of you when you realize that he wouldn’t be breaking up for Chaeyeong because he’s in love with you, too. He would be breaking up with you because you said so.

And then another image forms in your mind—Mingyu with crestfallen eyes, drunk and crying Chaeyeong’s name out. You think of Wonwoo trying to cater to his best friend’s emotions and you feel your heart break even more.

So you look back at him. The sun has completely set now; it’s the moonlight’s turn to illuminate Mingyu’s face.

“I do like her,” you sincerely say. “She makes you happy, right?”

Mingyu smiles. “More than anyone else in the world.”

Your heart breaks a little more and you try your best to fight the tears but fail. Mingyu panics and reaches out to wipe your tears but you stop him.

“These are happy tears,” you lie. “This is all I’ve wanted for you, Mingyu.”

Mingyu’s eyes soften at your words and he leans in to hug you. You bite your lip and close your eyes tightly as he does.

“Thank you,” he says as he hugs you even tighter. “This means everything to me.”

You hug him back and continue to fight the tears (and fail to do so as well), because you realize how much you really love Kim Mingyu. You wish you could put it in words, but how can one describe such great feeling?

If love was pain, then you were very much willing to feel hurt today and every day until all the love you have for him is gone.

❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎

P r e s e n t

Mingyu calls you eight days before his wedding.

“You’re really an asshole, you know?” he grumbles.

“That is quite an observation,” you reply, your phone pinched between your ears and shoulder as you responded to your e-mail. “I told you, I have work.”

“This is me we’re talking about,” he replies.

“Ah, Kim Mingyu, a narcissistic asshole,” you taunt. You hear him sigh from the other end of the line so you let out a laugh. “I’m just messing with you. Stressed?”

“Very,” he answers truthfully. You didn’t need to ask, you already knew by the sound of his voice. “Any chance you could come sooner? Not to help me out with the wedding… just to—you know. Just. Come here. I miss you.”

You stop typing, reaching up to hold the phone properly against your ear.

“You’re just stressed,” you reply, trying to calm your heart from beating so rapidly. “I can’t get off from work now. I’m sorry.”

“What time can you get off?” he asks. You think for a second.

“Ten, maybe?” you answer. “I’m working overtime these days.”

“Because of the wedding?”

“Yeah,” you lie. “I’m not really supposed to take a leave.”

“I told Wonwoo to pull some strings for you,” he mumbles.

“He did,” you confirm. “This is how far he can pull.”

He sighs. “I’ll pick you up after work.”

“What? No, you’re not! You’re, like, two hours away!” you protested.

“That gives me four hours until you’re done.”

“Mingyu, you are not coming here. You have a wedding to prepare for.”

“Watch me,” he challenged.

“You’re the asshole here,” you say, sighing as you felt defeat.

“You are, too,” he replies. “I guess that makes us even?”

He ends the call without waiting for your response. The next call from Mingyu rings, as promised, four hours later. He tells you he’s parked outside. You contemplate on wearing your heels or your office flats but winded up slipping the comfortable ones.

When you step outside your building, you immediately see Mingyu waiting for you like a chauffeur. He smiles at you, hands behind him, and bows at your direction.

“A taxi for Ms. Y/N?” he says. You laugh and hit him on the arm. He opens the door of the passenger’s seat for you and waits until you’re settled before shutting it.

“She let you drive to Seoul?” you inquire once Mingyu had settled his seatbelt. “Chaeyeong?”

“Please don’t mention her name or the wedding,” he pleads and you giggle. “I’m so stressed out. You have no idea. Advice: don’t get married.”

“Where are you taking me?” you ask.

“Convenience store,” he answers quickly. “I’m craving for cheap ramen.”

“You drove all the way to Seoul for ramen? From a convenience store?”

“Mhm,” he hums, turning the volume of his speakers.

“Go left,” you command. “There’s a convenience store down that st—hey! I said turn left! You missed it!”

“I’m not here just for any convenience store,” he says with a proud smile. You look at him and it clicks to you.

“Just like old times?” you ask.

“Just like old times.”

❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎

P a s t

“So, this Taehyung guy,” Mingyu trails off as he watches you move around your kitchen. “It’s serious between you two?”

You grunt when the pan touches you slightly, burning your finger. Mingyu sighs and walks across the room to check your finger. He pulls you by your hand and runs the cold water from your faucet.

“Stop being so clumsy,” he mumbles.

“Says the person who dropped another one of my mugs not even ten minutes since you entered my apartment,” you retort.

Once he’s done, he lets go of your hand and helps you cook.

It had been two weeks since you watched the sunset with him. And you could say that things are getting a bit better. You are still sad over obvious facts, but you now feel like you could act normal around Mingyu. Oblivious as he is, Mingyu says he’s happy you’re acknowledging your friendship again. He took a day off from his job at Daejeon and decided to spend it with you and Wonwoo. But since Wonwoo had a date with the girl he met through a client, it’s just you and the giant. You opted to stay home because… why not?

“You haven’t answered me,” he reminds when you started setting the table. “I’m not gonna pry! I just wanna know!”

“I’ve only been on two dates with him, okay?” you finally answer. “I don’t know if I like him enough yet. He’s charming and kind and all but—ugh, I hate you—I don’t know yet!”

“So you do like him?”

“I think. Yes but,” you pause. “I honestly don’t know! How do you know if you like a person like that?”

“Where’d you even get him anyway? A dating app?”

“Wonwoo,” you answer, pulling him so he could sit and eat. “He introduced Tae to me.”

“Tae, huh?” he teased. “You do like him!”

“I, ugh, I don’t!” you protested.

“Then why are you replying to his messages?”

“Because I’m trying to figure out if I really do like him!” you exasperatedly answer. “Mingyu, if you don’t stop asking these ridiculous questions, I’m gonna shove these on your mouth.”

“I just wanna know!”

“I’ve been answering you!” you shout. “Now stop. Eat.”

“Last question,” he asks. You sigh and nod. “You’re not doing this to spite Wonwoo, right?”

“To spite Won—what? Where did you get that idea?”

Mingyu sighs, reaching for a pair of chopsticks and a spoon. “Because you two didn’t work out? You’re not dating Taeyang—”

“Taehyung.”

“—to make Wonwoo feel bad, right?”

“Why on earth would I want Wonwoo to feel bad?”

“Because it didn’t work out between the two of you.”

“Us?” you ask. “Wonwoo? And me? Since when?”

“Since… Hansol’s party?”

You burst out into laughter. “Me? And Wonwoo? Oh my God, you really thought we fucked?”

Mingyu looks at you in confusion. “Y-you didn’t?”

You calm yourself. “No! Wonwoo and I would never!”

“But Hansol said—”

“He misinterpreted it,” you answer, wiping the tears from your eyes. “Wonwoo was comfor—” you stop yourself.

Mingyu looks at you, urging you to continue.

“I slept, and Wonwoo came in to wake me up,” you lie quickly. “That’s why I looked tired and my hair was a mess. Hansol was drunk and you all believed him? I can’t believe this. I’m gonna call Wonwoo later and laugh about this with him.”

“You’re lying. Then why did neither of you deny it?” he dares.

You shrug, “Like I said, I was sleeping. I was half asleep when we met you at the kitchen. I’m pretty sure I heard Wonwoo deny it a million times. None of you just believed him.”

You reach out to put food on your plate while Mingyu remained frozen.

“What’s wrong?” you ask, putting food on his plate.

“This whole time, I thought you and him had something,” he mumbles, reaching for the wine he brought and pouring some on your glass. “I can’t believe I thought Wonwoo was keeping the truth. He was telling me the truth all along.”

“Rule number one in our friendship,” you say. “Trust us.”

He sighs and sips from his wine.

“Why?” you ask.

“Nothing,” he answers.

But his eyes said otherwise. The entire night, even after dinner when you and him snuggled each other during the film you chose to watch, Mingyu’s eyes are clouded, like he’s thinking hard. You knew Mingyu well, and you were almost sure it’s regret that you see in his beautiful eyes. You ask me twice what’s bothering him, but he shrugs and fakes a smile, telling you to shut up and watch the film.

You continue to wonder what he’s regretting.

He tells you later that night that Chaeyeong is moving to his in a week like it’s nothing. You ask if it wasn’t too early and he shrugs and says she needs a place to stay in.

He suggests that you should tag along when he and Chaeyeong are in town in a few days. You make up another excuse why you can’t.

You tell him you’re tired when the clock hit twelve.

“Already?” he asks.

“Have been for so long,” you answer.

❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎

P r e s e n t

How you ended up at the basketball court at your old university at past midnight with Mingyu, you didn’t know.

Sometime after devouring three cups of ramen, two servings of rice balls, three spicy rice cakes, skewered sausages and fish cakes, steamed buns and cans of soda, Mingyu decided that it would be a good idea to visit your university in the middle of the night. The buildings were closed, of course, but the lights on the open basketball court were still switched on.

You remember watching playoffs with him here three years ago. Wonwoo rarely tagged along because he always preferred the library. Sitting on one of the bleachers beside Mingyu made you feel some type of way—longing, sadness, and just… pain. You used to wish you could spend one last time with Mingyu here for old time’s sake. You guess that this is it, the granting of your wish. And it’s happening literally. One last time. For old time’s sake.

“—and Mom misses you, you know,” he ended his speech.

You nod, heart racing. One last time. For old time’s sake.

You test the waters. You link your arm with him. Mingyu doesn’t protest. You lean your head against his shoulder. He lets you and turns to give you a soft kiss on your head.

“I missed this,” you mumble, already feeling the tears form on your eyes. One last time. For old time’s sake.

“Me, too,” he answers, kissing your head again. “It was a good decision to drive all the way here.”

“It is,” you agree. One last time. For old time’s sake.

He laughs a little. “I remembered something when we briefly talked about your dating life a while ago.”

“It doesn’t exist,” you murmur, reaching his hand to intertwine with yours. For old time’s sake.

He holds your hand just as tightly. “Remember when I genuinely thought you and Wonwoo had something special?”

You laugh a little and nod. One last time.

“I… I had regrets,” he confessed.

You hummed. “I knew it. But you said nothing was bothering you when I constantly asked.”

“Because… Chaeyeong… things were just starting to become serious between us.”

Your grip on his hand loosens for a second, but you tighten it as quickly as it was gone.

“I…” he laughs. “I dated Chaeyeong to make you jealous.”

You freeze.

“I was only seeing her for a week at that time. She was shocked, too, when I introduced her as my girlfriend. But that night, at Hansol’s party, I panicked. I didn’t plan it well so I let everything happen impulsively,” he narrated. “Believe or not, Y/N, I liked you a lot. Like, a lot. You have no idea.”

He laughs as he massages your hand with his thumb. “So much that it hurt me you didn’t see it. And I was too much of a coward to admit it to you. So I thought, why not do what boys in books do? I met her at work and just… asked her out even when I’m truly not interested. I brought her to the party to see your reaction and told myself that if you show a hint of pain, I’d confess. I didn’t even care what Chaeyeong would feel. I was willing to be a full blown asshole for you.”

You heart stammers loudly against your chest, and you’re certain that your palms are sweating profusely.

Mingyu continues. “I was happy for a second, when I saw the look on your face, and how you and Wonwoo lied about meeting Seungkwan. I said, ah, finally, I’m confessing to her. But I couldn’t find you after that.” His breath becomes uneven for a while. “And then Hansol comes in and tells me that he found you and Wonwoo in his room and you looked like you just hooked up.” He laughs again. “God, you couldn’t imagine how painful that was for me. I mean, why wouldn’t you and Wonwoo fall in love? You worked in the same place. I was the one who’s left out because I worked two hours away from you.”

You remain silent. One last time. This is it.

You ponder how you’d confess to him and scold yourself because you hadn’t prepared a speech about your undying love for him. You didn’t even plan on confessing to him tonight, but you guess, here it is, right? Here’s the moment you have been waiting for.

You’re going to confess. You are finally telling Mingyu how you’ve felt for the past years. And it’s irrational and selfish because his wedding is in a week, but you have kept this in your heart for so long. You are going to tell him about the first time you knew you fell for him and how he—

“But that was a year ago, wasn’t it?” Mingyu wakes you from your trance. “Things are different now. I truly believe that Chaeyeong entered my life in the best time. I was heartbroken at that time and you weren’t even bothered by the fact that I was dating someone. All you wanted was to spend time with Wonwoo and—” he paused to clear his throat. “—it hurt. Every waking day of knowing you preferred Wonwoo over me hurt. And then… you told me nothing happened between you two and—”

He paused again to reach up and wipe his eyes with the sleeve of his jacket.

“It hurt even more. Because I had a chance to love you but it was gone. You were starting to see other people, and I didn’t want to ruin that for you. So I told you Chaeyeong and I were moving. It’s funny because she didn’t even know. She had offered but I said I’d think about it. I made the decision while we were watching a film.”

You haven’t processed a coherent sentence to say.

“I’m glad I got over you,” he says. Your heart breaks. You let the tears fall. “Chaeyeong. She’s amazing. I never knew someone could love me like that.”

You start to quietly sob.

“She understands me.” I do, too, even better.

“She doesn’t take me for granted. She’s always thinking about me.” I always do, Mingyu.

“She does everything to make me happy.” I always have.

“And she does, Y/N. She does.” I hope I did, too.

You let his hand go and pull away from him. You look at him and he has tears in his eyes as well. He laughs a little and reaches up to wipe your tears, and you soften in his touch. You reach up to hold his wrists to get them to stay there touching your face.

You held his hands, kissed both his palms and looked at him. You smile lightheartedly although you felt otherwise.

“I’m happy that she does,” you say quietly, still holding his hand. “I’m happy you found her. I couldn’t have done half the things she did for you.”

Mingyu lifts your hands and kisses it the same way you did. He drops your hand and puts one hand on the back of your neck, he other wrapped behind you. He pulls you in and plants a long kiss on your forehead. He stays like that while you continue to quietly sob. He mumbles he loves you and you cry even more.

“I love you, Mingyu,” is the only thing you confessed to him. Because it’s the only truth he deserves to know.

❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎

P a s t

Mingyu drops it to you like it’s nothing. He’s been so good at that lately, announcing massive news like it’s nothing.

“Chaeyeong… and I,” he says while you, him, Wonwoo and Joohyun are having dinner. “We’re getting married.”

Wonwoo spits his drink. Joohyun almost chokes. You just remain silent, hand shaking, heart stopping.

“Mingyu!” Wonwoo scolds. “You can’t marry people that quickly!”

“Why not?” he shrugs. “We love each other.”

“But you’ve only been dating for nine months! Not even a year!”

“Wonwoo, don’t scream,” Joohyun calmly says.

“Mingyu!” Wonwoo shouts again. “If this is one of your pranks, I’m gonna hit you.”

“It’s not,” the other answers nonchalantly as he chewed on his food. “I told Mom. She nearly had a heart attack but said whatever made me happy was okay.”

“It’s too early, Mingyu. You just turned twenty-three!”

“It’s fine. I have a stable job and so does Chaeyeong. No one is complaining, Wonwoo. Just you.”

“Y/N!” Wonwoo calls you. “Say something! Get his head out of his ass.”

You remain quiet.

“See?” Mingyu says. “She’s not complaining. So everything and everyone but you are okay.”

“Y/N, you’re really not gonna say anything?” Wonwoo asks in disbelief.

You reach out for the glass of water to soothe your drying throat. You take a sip before answering with a shrug. “Whatever makes him happy.”

Wonwoo sighs in defeat and leans against his chair to watch everyone. Joohyun looks uncomfortable like she doesn’t want to be there. Mingyu is nonchalantly eating like this was a simple thing. You, on the other hand, are pretending like nothing hurt.

“How did you ask her to marry you?” Wonwoo asks calmly as he reached back for his chopsticks.

Mingyu shrugs. “She asked me.”

“That’s… a bit unconventional.”

“We were eating breakfast and she brought it up and asked me what I thought of getting married,” he continues. “And I said I’d like it. And here we are.”

Wonwoo doesn’t say a word. No one does until they all had to leave. They say their goodbyes and you hope Mingyu and Wonwoo wouldn’t fight on the elevator.

You didn’t cry at all—not a single drop of tear was shed. You promised yourself you’d wash the dishes when you wake up in the morning and brushed your teeth, then went to bed.

Game’s over.

❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎

P r e s e n t

Before you know it, the day of Mingyu and Chaeyeong’s wedding arrived.

You’re fixing Jun’s tie when Wonwoo interrupts you and says Mingyu needs you. You apologize to Jun and tell him you’ll find him later.

Wonwoo pulls you to the back of the church where Mingyu’s getting ready. When you step inside, you find him arguing with his mother.

“Mom, can you please leave for a sec? Seeing you nervous makes me even more nervous!”

“Y/N!” his mother calls when she sees you in a beautiful dress. “Sweetheart, I have missed you.”

You approach her with a smile and give her a quick hug. “I arrived yesterday,” you say. “I couldn’t get out of work. Had too much on my plate.”

“I’m still upset that you didn’t take the role as one of the bridesmaids,” she reminds you and you laugh.

“On Minseo’s wedding, perhaps?”

She gasps. “Oh no, your little sister is not getting married until she’s thirty! I’m already losing Mingyu and he’s only twenty-three?”

“You’re never gonna lose me, Mom,” Mingyu interjects. “Hi, Y/N. Nice to see you.”

You laugh and turn to him. “I told you I’d come.”

He gives you a quick hug. “You also told me you’d come earlier but you didn’t.”

“Got occupied by work,” you lie.

Mingyu looks at his mom and Wonwoo. “If you don’t mind…”

Wonwoo takes it as a signal and pulls Mrs. Kim with him. The two leave you alone and Mingyu immediately pulls you in for a long hug.

His breath turns ragged in a second and he’s suddenly shaking. You understand that his anxiety has gone through the rood and beyond. You wrap both your arms around him and press yourself closer, careful not to smudge your makeup on his white dress shirt.

“I can’t do it, Y/N,” he suddenly says. “Mom’s right. I’m too young for this. I can’t do this. I can’t be a husband. I can—”

“Hey, hey,” you console and pull away to look at him. You step back, holding both his hands. “Let me look at you.”

He sighs and holds your hands tighter.

“Where’s your suit?” He points beside the mirror. You take two steps to take it and you gesture him to turn around. “This should be Wonwoo’s job,” you mumble as you help him slip it on. He turns to you and you reach up to fix his tie. One last time. For old time’s sake.

Slowly, you did the tie for him. It’s the last time, isn’t it?

You look up at him for a second and realize that he’s staring at you.

“There,” you say once you’re done. You take a step back. “Now you can do it. You’re in full gear.”

He smiles and pulls you again for another hug. You hug him back just as tight.

“Do you really think I can pull this off?” he asks, words muffled by your hair.

You laugh a little. “Remember that one time we both got so shitfaced and we had finals the next day? I was prepared a bit because I did study a little that week. You, on the other hand, went to take the exam hungover. But you passed with flying colors, didn’t you?”

His chest grumbles when he let out a chuckle. “You believe in me way too much. Mom doesn’t even believe in me like this.”

“Because you’re an idiot,” you say. “And I’m an even bigger idiot for believing in you.”

Mingyu, with his hands on around your waist, starts swaying from side to side.

“Stop,” you say. “Your clothes.”

“Doesn’t matter,” he mumbles and continues dancing if you can call it that. “I don’t remember the last time I even danced with you. This could be a good memory.”

You do, though. You remember the last time you and Mingyu danced. It was at his company’s party. He asked you to be his date and you two acted like crackheads around professionals and started a dance party.

But you do not tell him that you do.

“Last dance,” you murmur, tears already threatening to fall from your eyes. You two are still slowly on the sound of nothing and everything at once.

“Not really,” he answers. “I’m still gonna ask you to dance at the reception.”

You shake your head. You pull away for a second and take his left hand with your right. You reach up to rest your left hand on his shoulder and let his other hand on your waist.

“Last dance as Y/N and Mingyu,” you say.

He frowns but continues swaying with you nonetheless.

“We’ll still be Y/N and Mingyu,” he disagrees.

When he lifts your hand a little to turn you, you say, “We both know that’s not true, Gyu.”

He stops swaying when you’re standing face to face. “You called me Gyu.”

“Good observation,” you joked, leading the dance this time.

“You haven’t called me that in a year,” he continues.

“Because you’re not my Gyu anymore,” you answer.

“Then why now?”

“One last time. For old time’s sake.”

You do not know how long you and Mingyu danced to the sound of nothing and everything, but it was cut when Wonwoo knocked and asked if the groom’s ready.

You hold both his hands again and look up at him, directly into his eyes. “Ready, Gyu?”

You want to hold his hands tighter because this is the last time. You wish time could stop for you a little. But it doesn’t.

Mingyu answers Wonwoo and says yes. Wonwoo and the rest of the entourage enter the room. Mingyu doesn’t let go of your hand for a while and you let him. You let him hold your hand like that for the last time. Wonwoo pulls you with a sad smile and tells you to go outside for the bride is on her way. Soon, you’re standing outside the door and leaning against it.

Game’s over, you say. For real this time.

You take three deep breaths and struggle to fight the tears. You could just cry during the vows and say it’s tears of joy. With your fists clenched and a fake smile on your lips, you slowly walk out of the hall and into the beautiful church.

You quickly find Jun seated among the people. You’re assigned in a regular seat because you aren’t a part of the entourage nor a family member.

Jun offers his hand and you take it. It’s funny because every single one of you and Mingyu’s friends knew how you felt for him. It doesn’t take a while before the rest of the boys and their dates, except for Wonwoo, Minghao, and Vernon who are a part of the entourage, to fill up the seats on your row and the one behind you.

Someone announces that the wedding is about to start. The people begin to chatter in excitement. When the choir starts to sing beautifully, you face the church’s entrance like everyone else. Mingyu enters, his parents behind him, with a nervous smile on his face.

Everyone’s phones are held facing him. You, on the other hand, didn’t really feel like keeping a memory of this day.

You watch him walk down the aisle. The voices of the choir and the melody of the instruments start to fade from your hearing. You forget that Jun is still holding your hand. You don’t remember feeling your eyes water. Because all you could see and hear and feel is Kim Mingyu.

He looks dashing in his all-white suit. For once, he styled his hair and is wearing clothes that aren’t wrinkled. His eyes are shining brighter and his smile is more mesmerizing than usual. Your eyes are glued on him that you do not realize that the bride has entered.

Mingyu grins even wider but you do not know that it’s for his bride. It doesn’t matter to you, though.

You expect a huge pang in your chest when the bride has reached him, but it never arrives. Your chest is heavy and you could feel your heart losing its feeling second after second.

“You okay?” Jun and Jihoon ask simultaneously when the ceremony began. You laugh and nod. Jihoon takes your other hand and holds it with both his hands.

Wonwoo looks back at you and gives you a warm smile, and then diverts his eyes to Jun like he’s signaling him something.

“Uh, Y/N, you wanna get some air for a sec?” the guy asks.

You do, but you shake your hand and decline his offer.

The ceremony starts like it should—smooth and beautiful and lighthearted. When the priest asks if anyone is against this marriage, Jun and Jihoon held your hand tighter.

“Speak now,” the priest says. “Or forever hold your peace.”

Forever I shall hold my peace.

❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎

P a s t

“Hey, Y/N,” he calls out.

“Yeah?”

“A random thought.”

“Shoot.”

He clears his throat. “You know how people say that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone, right?”

You nod.

“You ever lost something that’s not yours?”

You smile sadly. “Yeah.”

“What about people like us then?” he asks. “We know what we don’t have. How come it’s still painful when we completely lose it?”

You shrug.

“What do we do, then?” he asks. “What do we do about the things we lost even though they were never ours?”

“We watch them,” you answer. “We watch them with the person they belong to.”

❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎ ❄︎

P r e s e n t

It’s a beautiful day, their wedding.

Mingyu said some really cheesy lines during his vow and everyone cried. Chaeyeong looked the most beautiful and ethereal among all the times you’ve seen her.

When it was over, the bride and groom made the first kiss as newlyweds. You refuse to look away and you let go of Jun’s and Jihoon’s hand to hold your own.

Your eyes linger on Mingyu’s face longer. You realize that you’ve seen it enough; you’ve seen the happiness brought by Chaeyeong enough, the one he’s talking about. It’s in his eyes and in his smile. You look at his parents and it’s in them too. It’s everywhere.

You reach up to feel your heart, and it’s beating rapidly in happiness as you continue to look at Mingyu; you realize it’s in you, too.

You look at Mingyu once again—one last time, for old time’s sake—and he looks back at you this time.

You lock eyes for a moment and you worry that he sees something else other than happiness in your eyes, so you grin widely and give him a thumbs up. He raises his hand, the one where Chaeyeong put a ring on and smiles at you with an expression you cannot understand. You let a tear drop from your eyes and smile longingly at him.

I love you, Kim Mingyu, you mouth. Mingyu reads. It was quick but your eyes caught the way a single teardrop fall from his eyes. His attention is quickly diverted to the photographer calling his name.

You wipe the remaining tears from your eyes and excuse yourself from your friends. Jun offers to go with you but you politely turn him down.

No one else notices that you went out through the side doors of the church. You sit on the bench, looking over the garden. You realize that a spring wedding really is beautiful. The weather was with the couple because the sun was shining enough and the flowers are in full bloom. You realize that the entire universe is on their side for this day—perhaps ever since Mingyu and Chaeyeong had met.

You want to throw a fit and become angry, but the feeling never comes to wash over you. You hear the crowd inside cheer loudly, so you close your eyes and bask under the sunlight.

The flowers will bloom for you, too, someday. Someday.

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